Arkanum - The Story So Far

Journey's

Through the night and into the next morning the small group travels, stopping only to catch a short meal around breakfast time. Eventually they reach a small pool with extremely steep sides. The sides are coated in thick pond weed and the early morning sunlight seems to play off something at the pools bottom. They decide to stop here for a while and rest, feeling at ease and calm sitting by the pool. Benedict makes a crude fishing pole and starts fishing in the pool. He also tries to get a better look at what is underneath the water but after a short time gives up and lays back with his eyes closed.

After a while one of the Grogs comes up to Antia. 'Ma'm, my name is Simeon, Sergant of this little troup and I was just wondering about..um....welll.....what exactly are we meant to be doing? What are this clan of yours? If you don't mind me asking and all?'

He looks embarresed at having had to say more than two words to a mage and waits expectantly for an answer, trying hard not to look Antia in the eyes.

Antia stares into the pool for a few moments before she answers Simeon's question, watching Benedict's fishing efforts. She looks back at the sergeant for a moment, trying to meet his eyes, smiling gently. "I am Euskadi," she answers slowly in latin. "I heard my clan called 'Basque' in your lands. We live in valleys perched high in the mountains. We seldom deal with outsiders. We are few and dearly love our freedom. No one covets our possessions or the land we inhabit, so we have no lord. I have heard tales of us while I lived in your lands. They say we are wild, a faerie tribe bound onto the earth. Others say we are pagans of ancient days. They say only animals know the entrances to our valleys. They think us all wizards, skilled in the healing arts, with power over beasts, keeping wild goats, deer, lynxes and bears as others keep cattle. They say we have dealings with the fearies."

"There is a little bit true, and much false in this. It is true our valleys are remote, and maybe only wild animals know of them. A few of us have healing powers, or understand our brothers of the forest. A few can talk to spirits and even walk with them. I have such modest powers. I can heal beasts and men, and soothe their minds. Some of us deal with the Shining Ones, but I have not had this honour. Most of us are trying to live free and keep our loved ones safe and happy. My own clan lives in a quiet valley, east across the mountains from the place of evil. My aunt was the clan's healer. I was trained from birth by my aunt to replace her some day. She was killed when I was still too young to take her place. A mage Ex Miscellanea, Salvia, took me to the lower lands of Provence to learn hermetic magic. I now return so I can serve my clan as is my duty and my joy. Magi live apart of everyone else, but our healers and spirit-walkers are central to the clan. We must be part of our tribe's life."

"Now I must tell you something dangerous. I hope you will think about it carefully. My people and I are not Christians. We believe, like the Christians, in doing good, showing kindness and generosity, but we do not worship the cross. We are few, and we could not fight with any of the popes or the Albigeansians or any of those. That is one reason we stay away from your lands. I have told you this, because you work for magi and may understand. Please do not talk to the outsiders and get my people killed." Once again, Antia raises her eyes to Simeon, this time entreating earnestly.

Bruen's eyes also meet Simeon's. They are NOT entreating.

Simeon seems pleased to have been taken into the confidence of a mage and swears not to tell anybody of the clan. After a brief rest the party moves off again towards the East. They stop once more for something to eat and then reach the River Ariege. By this time the light is beginning to fade and there seems no way across the river.

Dusk

Benedict sits on a ridge overlooking the river and eats his soup, disappointed that this evening's meal is not fresh fish. 'Another skill that has escaped me. My God', he thinks as he looks at the rushing water, 'I hope they don't expect me to move us over that. It may be within my capability, but a loss of concentration could well prove fatal. Better to find a ford somewhere.' He amuses himself by watching the shadows of the setting sun slowly encompass the land. Holding a drink of wine he toasts the departing of day 1783. He then goes to find Gabrielle.

Meanwhile Antia has been studying the view and she turns to Bruen with a concerned look, "I think we're getting closer to landmarks I can recognise," she comments in Basque. "We should make it home in the morning - provided we survive the night..." She looks back at her fellow magi. "Perhaps we should set camp for the night," she suggests, "It is getting dark."

Benedict finds Gabrielle talking quietly to Simeon. He slyly approaches, "Excuse me, my lady. Could you do a favor to me. I wish to return to the covenant this evening. You implied you could contact someone if there was trouble if you had something of theirs." He pulls out a lock of hair and hands it to her. "If their is trouble let me know and I shall return at the soonest possible moment. Also if you could wait for me I would appreciate it" He awaits her reply.

Gabrielle greets Benedict with a smile, holding out her hand for the lock of hair. "Is this yours, monsieur? I will keep it to anticipate your return. However, I must first use something from the group left behind to find out if it is safe for you to go."

She rummages through the satchel at her side and pulls forth a lock of Xathras' hair and a rock crystal. "A moment while I check on our comrades." She begins her spell to bring the distant images and voices around Xathras into focus at the covenant's camp.....

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