by F. P. Spirit
“Oh, this here goes way back—back a ‘fore the Thrall Wars, even a ‘fore the Galinthral elves went off n’ disappeared to gods-knows-where.”
Seth eyed Fran carefully. “How long ago was that?”
Fran frowned in his direction. “Well I done told ya that it was a ’fore the Thrall Wars!”
Kalyn let out a deep sigh. “Could you be a little more precise for us younger folk? We aren’t as ancient as you.”
Fran raised the spoon and swiped it in Kalyn’s direction, but the young woman ducked under it deftly, a grin spreading from ear-to-ear.
“Oh, all right. If ya needs to know a number, I’d say it was more or less ‘bout five hundred years ago, give or take.”
Seth raised an eyebrow. That was half a millennium. So Glo’s people have been hidden away all that time?
“But I don’t knows that ‘cause I’m ancient, young lady. I knows it ‘cause I’m smart.” Fran smiled.
“Okay…” A goofy grin spread across Kalyn’s face. “So then, oh great smart woman, what did you mean by ‘another’?”
Fran sighed. “Well, make yerselves comf’table, ‘cause this is a long tale.”
To Track a Snake
How could you possibly get a location out of all that gibberish?
Seth lost track of the time as Fran recounted the tale of the old Serpent Cult that existed over five hundred years ago. The story was chilling. The cult back then had become a scourge on the land. They would wipe out entire towns, taking captives for slaves or to use as sacrifices for their serpent god.
At the mention of sacrifice, Kalyn became noticeably uncomfortable, shifting in her seat.
“Whoa. Whoa. Hold it.” She stopped Fran, the shadows of the camp fire painting a deadly serious expression on her face. “Sacrifices? You mean they were sacrificing people?”
Fran nodded. “Yep. Sure was.”
Kalyn shivered, the color draining from her face. “Do you think this cult is doing the same thing?”
Fran raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. “Well now, can’t say for sure. But, a’fore you go to frettin’ too much, I also know they had a bunch of slaves for building stuff, too.”
Kalyn didn’t look reassured, and the expression of loss that Seth had seen on her face before had appeared in her eyes once again.
“That lines up with what that mage told us.” Seth reminded her. “He did say they were kidnapping people for slaves.”
Kalyn nodded, but remained somber.
Fran continued with her story, telling how the humans and elves of that time came together and marched into the cult’s lair, wiping them out and destroying their temple, thus saving the land from a dark, unknown fate.
“As far as anyone know’d, that was the end o’ them snake worshipers.” Fran ended.
Seth couldn’t shake the feeling that this new cult was still somehow connected to the old one. There were too many similarities to ignore. It wouldn’t surprise him at all if the new cult had set up shop in the same exact spot as the original one. Seth narrowed his eyes as he gazed at Fran. “You mentioned they had a temple. Do you know where that was at?”
Fran chewed on her lip for a moment. “It was somewhere ‘long the North’rn branch of the Korlokesels. Almost direct north o’ us here. As I recall, I’m believin’ it was called Serpent’s Holler.”
Seth and Kalyn exchanged glances, his recognition of the name mirrored in her eyes. Seth crossed his arms, his gaze shifting back to Fran with a curt nod. “The mage also mentioned that name.”
Fran cocked her head to the side. “What mage?”
“The one I was tracking until Kalyn killed him.” Seth’s mouth twisted into a lop-sided smirk.
“Hey!” Kalyn sat up straight. “Technically you killed him!”
“Yeah, yeah, potato-potahto. You tortured him till he was practically useless.”
“What?” Fran exclaimed, twisting to the side so sharply she nearly toppled her one-legged owl off her shoulder. “Kalyn! You didn’t.”
“I did! And Seth thought it was cool, admit it.” She put her hands on her hips and stuck out her tongue at the halfling.
Seth sat back in his seat and placed his hands behind his head, the smirk on his face widening. “Nope. I ain’t admittin’ ta nothin.’”
Kalyn giggled and Fran grinned. “We’re a-rubbin’ off on him, I think.”
Seth rolled his eyes, although inwardly he was rather pleased with himself. Their thick dialect practically rolled off the tongue. “Sooo, anyway. Serpent’s Holler… how do we all get thar?”
Kalyn giggled once more. “Yeah, what he said.”
An impish smile came to Fran’s face. “I’ll tell ya after you tell me your side o’ it.” She angled her face in Seth’s direction. “I get the feelin’ that ya has a tale to tell that leads up to ya meetin’ Kalyn.”
Seth fixed her with a long stare. He was starting to like these folks, but he still didn’t want to reveal too much. After mulling it over for a few moments, he shrugged. “Oh, what the heck?”
Kalyn sat forward, her eyes widening with excitement. “Oh! More Hero stories!”
Seth cast a dubious glance at the strange young woman, then launched into a short version about the Serpent Cult’s attack on Ravenford, how he and his friends had foiled it, but also how that wasn’t the end of it. After the battle, Seth had found out there were still more cultists skulking about. The cult was still very much alive—and plotting to take over Thac.
When he was done, Fran let out a derisive snort. “Take o’er Thac? Mighty big piece o’ land to take over. Just how is they plannin’ ta do that?”
Seth paused a moment, deciding just how much he could safely tell these two women. He settled on giving them the gist of things without mentioning Larketh or the monolith.
“Let’s just say that the location of some weapons left over from the Thrall Wars fell into their laps. My friends are stopping them from getting those, and I was supposed to track that moron mage back to his lair. That’s when Kalyn bumbled in and killed him. So, poof! No more trail.”
Kalyn huffed. “Get your story right! You killed him. I didn’t.” She crossed her arms and glared at him darkly.
Seth’s mouth twisted into wry smile. “Well, he wouldn’t be dead if you hadn’t come along.”
“Yeah, but you’d be!” Kalyn half stood from her seat and pointed at him accusingly.
Before Seth could fire back a response, he heard a loud clap. They both turned and saw Fran with her hands clasped together, a look of irritation on her face. “Oh, shut your pie holes! He’s dead, and that’s that. Now, do y’all wanna know the location of Serpent’s Holler, or not?”
Seth sat back once more, casting a smug glance at Kalyn. “Fine by me.”
Kalyn glared at him, though there was a mischievous twinkle in her gray eyes. “You’re despicable.” With a huff, she sat back down.
A snicker escaped Seth’s lips, earning himself another glare from the girl.
Fran took a moment to think, then launched into a series of convoluted directions that left Seth’s head spinning. There were “stone’s throws,” “hop-skip-’n-a-jumps,” “jigs,” and other slang that Seth didn’t understand.
“Oh! I know where it’s at!” Kalyn exclaimed as Fran finished.
Seth looked at her as if she were crazy. “How could you possibly get a location out of all that gibberish?”
Kalyn’s eyes gleamed as she peered back at him. “Born here. Learned to speak the language. What’s your excuse?”
Seth gave her an acid look. “Um… not born here. Don’t speak the language. Don’t really want to, either.”
Kalyn fixed him with a dark glare, her hands going to her hips. After a moment or two, she began to laugh rather loudly.
His thoughts were interrupted by Fran. “If what ya say is true ’bout them findin’ some weapons from the Thrall wars, then I has ta warn the Druidic Counsel.”
Kalyn’s mood instantly shifted to a more somber one. “You’re right. I’ll take you the rest of the way to Bendenwood, then Seth and I will go to Serpent’s Hollow and check it out.”
Fran shook her head. “Nah, that’d take too long. I gotta sense that you needs ta find this place soon-a than later. The both a-ya needs to make for Serpent’s Holler first thing in the morning.’”
Kalyn’s mouth fell open. “Fran! I’m not going to abandon you! How are you going to get to Bendenwood without my help?”
Fran smiled. “Now, I ain’t lived all by myself for years on end without learnin’ a few tricks.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ll convince ya in the mornin.’ Fer now, the both a-ya should get some rest. Eh, do ya has a bedroll or a blanket for yerself, young Seth?”
Seth caught himself nodding his head at a blind woman again. He shot a glare at Kalyn when she stifled a giggle at his expense. “Yes. I have a blanket.”
“Good! Now then, don’t be shy. Feel free to scoot close to the fire n’ keep yerself warm.” Fran got to her feet, turned, and carefully shambled over to a tree, running her hand down the bark until she reached a backpack, which she opened and pulled a blanket from. “Here, Kalyn.” She held the blanket out, which Kalyn took, then she reached in and pulled another out, unfolding it and wrapping it around her shoulders.
“I’ll take first watch!” Kalyn said as she wrapped her blanket around herself.
Fran clicked her tongue. “No ma’am! I’m gonna stay up. The both of ya needs as much sleep as ya can get for tomorr’er.” Kalyn opened her mouth to protest, but Fran interrupted her, “I can sleep plenty when I is dead! So, I won’t tolerate no arguin’ from you, young lady! Now lay yerself down and get some rest.”
Fran slowly, with Kalyn’s help, lowered herself to the ground near the fire, and sat down cross-legged. Kalyn sat down beside her, curling her legs in close to herself.
Seth slipped off his rock and moved over to a tree, making himself comfortable between two roots. Although he was really starting to like these two, he learned a long time ago that going to sleep in the company of strangers was a sure way to lose all your belongings, or worse.
There was a rustle in the tree above and suddenly, Elfar, the big lynx, dropped to the ground directly in front of Seth. The big cat looked back at him, its bright yellow eyes a-gleam with a smile, then it sauntered over to Kalyn and curled up next to her.
Kalyn stroked the silvery cat fondly, then she laid down, placing her head on Fran’s lap and closing her eyes. Fran almost absently began to stroke Kalyn’s hair and hum a tune. After a short while, her humming turned into soft singing, her gentle voice crooning out a slow, melancholy song.
Stone to wood
Break the bows that reddened the forest
And leave them behind
Light the fire
Curse his name who brought you to this end
And let the trees burn
Oh!
The Tears of Hiranzara
Are what make the rivers flow tonight
Oh!
The blood of Galinthrae
Rises with the smoke to the sky
Lift your voice!
Let the gods curse the soul of Valanor
And dry the tears of Hiranzara
Blood on blood
Elf and man all pay the same debt
And give death its due
Free at last
Those at rest will never bear the shame
Of a haunting memory
Oh!
The Tears of Hiranzara
Are what make the rivers flow tonight
Oh!
The blood of Galinthrae
Rises with the smoke to the sky
Lift your voice!
Let the gods curse the soul of Valanor
And dry the tears of Hiranzara
Seth’s eyes popped open. He sat bolt upright and looked around. The light of the sun was just beginning to pale the sky above the trees. Fran herself was still sitting in the same spot, though her eyes were closed and her hands were resting on her knees as if she were meditating. Kalyn was sleeping next to her, curled into a ball around Elfar, who stared at Seth groggily.
I never fall asleep like that… Seth looked back at Fran, narrowing his eyes. The last thing he could recall was her song.
He stood and slowly crept toward the smoldering embers that used to be the fire.
“Marnin’,” Fran spoke softly, “Sleep well?”
Seth froze, then relaxed, crossing his arms. “Too well.”
She smiled softly, keeping her eyes closed. “Forest made ne’er a sound last night, though there were some wolves not far off that put up a howl ‘bout some blood n’ carcasses to feast on. Can’t guess what they would-a been talkin’ ‘bout.” Her last sentence was thick with sarcasm, “But all in all, t’was a peaceful night fer sleepin’ under the stars.”
Seth stared at her for a long moment, until a bird entered the clearing and began to circle overhead. He looked up and saw Fran’s small owl slowly circling in toward them.
Fran lifted her arm, and the owl swiftly alighted on it with its one leg. It hopped up Fran’s arm and to her shoulder, snuggling in close to her hair and looking at Seth with wide eyes.
Fran slowly opened her eyes, sighing. She stretched her arms, then she reached over and ruffled Kalyn’s hair harshly.
“Up n’ at ‘em!”
Kalyn sat bolt upright, weaving slightly as her eyes flickered open, “I’s waked,” she mumbled groggily.
Fran chuckled. “Sure, you is. Let me know when ya’s really awake.” She got to her feet and carefully leaned over the fire, “I made some rocks. They is s’pposed to be biscuits, but I’m a-feared they is more like rocks.” She lifted a small lump from a flat stone sitting in the embers, fingering it gingerly. She cocked her head and bit down on it, tearing a piece off. She nodded. “Not quite as hard as I thought they’d be, n’ they taste decent ‘nough to swaller. Help yerselves!” With that, she picked up her blanket from the ground, shook it, then folded it as she ambled toward the backpacks, presumably to put the blanket away.
Kalyn reached out and grabbed two biscuits, chucking one at Seth before biting down on the other.
Seth caught the lumpy biscuit, fumbling with it for a moment as the heat from it stung his hands.
“The two of ya needs to be gettin’ gone soon.” Fran said, “The sooner ya learn more ‘bout them cultists, the better. But I don’t want ya to be takin’ unnecessary risks, ya hear me? Yer just goin’ to make sure that Serpent’s Holler is their base, n’ yer gonna have a look ‘round and see what ev’ry one’s up ‘gainst, then yer gonna leave and meet me in Bendenwood, ya hear me?”
“I understand, but,” Kalyn shook her head, “I still won’t leave ya to go to Bendenwood by yourself.”
“She won’t be going by herself.” An unfamiliar voice spoke up from the woods.
In a flash, Seth drew two daggers, crouching low. Kalyn jumped to her feet, dumping Elfar from her lap, and drew two knives from her boots, but she relaxed as a girl her age stepped into the clearing.
The newcomer had vibrant red dreadlocks and bright green eyes that twinkled as a wide, cheery smile spread across her freckled face. Her clothes were a strange mish-mash of different fibers and colors, all styled to look like bark and leaves. Feathers were also tied to her dreadlocks and clothes in different places, and she wore no shoes.
Druid. I’d bet money on it. Seth t
hought wryly.
“Raina!” Kalyn put her knives away and ran up to the girl. They clasped hands and bounced in a circle together excitedly, complete with girly giggles.
“It’s been too long since we last saw each other!” Kalyn said as they finished.
“It has! It’s been, like, an entire month. I would love to catch up sometime, but I get the feeling this is not a good time for that.” Raina dropped her hands to her side and looked directly at Seth. “Hello there.”
Kalyn instantly launched into introducing Seth, not forgetting to mention that he was a Hero of Ravenford, and she even took the time to sing a few of his praises. When she was done, she turned to Seth.
“Seth, this is my longtime friend, Raina Belkin. She’s a druid!”
Knew it.
Raina gave Seth a weak wave and a sheepish smile. “Hi, Seth. Nice to meet you.”
Seth narrowed his eyes at her. “Taking an early morning stroll through the forest?”
Raina shook her head, her dreadlocks swaying from side-to-side. “Oh no. Well, sort of. I’ve been walking all night, actually. I was on my way to see Fran. I usually come to see her about once a month.”
Seth spiked an eyebrow. “For the monthly meeting?”
Raina tilted her head just slightly with a curious expression. “Why, yes actually.”
Seth crossed his arms. “Well, that’s convenient.”
Kalyn mimicked his pose, her eyes narrowing. “Yeah. Very convenient.”
Raina smiled and shrugged innocently.
Fran spoke up. “Raina’s the one that usually takes me to the meetin.’ If it ain’t her, then it’s that ol’ fire lovin’ maniac who ne’rly burnt my house down and roasted all my geese alive. Troll-brained fool.” She muttered the last part under her breath as she tied her backpack closed and lifted it to her shoulder.
Raina put a hand over her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle, while Kalyn bent down to Seth’s level to explain. “She’s talkin’ about Qualar, a rickety old man from Bendenwood. Though neither admit to it, Fran and Qualar are as stuck on each other as a dragon is on gold. I sometimes wonder if these mysterious ‘monthly meetings’ are just secret little rendezvous for the two of them.”