Arkanum - The Story So Far

Crossings

As Gabrielle finshes chanting she seems to go into a trance. The veiw she shes slowly fades from the River Ariege to the manor house. She can see the mages and grogs burying the dead and after a few minutes the vision fades and Benedicts face comes into view. She replaces the lock of Xathras' hair in her pouch, dusts off her hands and informs Benedict that everything at the covenant is fine.

While this has been happening Bruen has been studying the river and suddenly points towards something. A path can just be distinguished leading down to the river, where a boat can be seen anchored on the near shore. It is a difficult journey down in the near dark but eventually the group makes it to the river bank.

A figure climbs from the boat and comes towards them. He is dressed in loose fitting clothes of green and brown. As he comes near he bows to Antia. "Mistress, I have been expecting you for some time now. We must hurry back to the gathering place for I fear that we are already to late. My name is Euristas and I was sent here five nights ago to lead you to meet your clan. We face a great danger and without your help will soon perish. Quick we must go."

He turns and begins back towards the boat, without giving you a chance to reply or do anything.

Antia exchanges a rapid look with Bruen, then begins after Euristas. Bruen puts himself in front of her and says something to her in euskara. After a brief talk he lopes off down the trail towards the boat.

Gabrielle moves to up to Antia. "What do you think is the matter? We should all stay together. I don't wish to be pushy, but like your kinsman said, there isn't much time left. We should all fit into the boat, n'es pas?"

"Bruen has gone ahead to check," Antia tells her, "He will be back soon." She looks back in the direction he left, clearly worried.

Bruen walks off towards the boat at a brisk pace. At his approach Euristas looks worried that only he is coming forward. He watches while Bruen checks the area around the boat and the shore. When Bruen signals the others to come forward a look of relief passes over Euristas' face. He helps everybody into the small boat and then starts off towards the opposite shore.

The journey is short, but the boat rocks dangerously and everybody is relieved to reach the other side. After you have disembarked Euristas motions you to follow a path which leads to a small wooded area in the distance. With Bruen in the lead you begin the journey.

On the way Euristas tells something of what has been happening. "Our clan was doing well and we had actually increased our numbers over the past few years until one of the people who visited us unknowingly brought the pox. Over the next few weeks nearly everybody was infected and the elder sent me away to wait for you - 'The Shaman, The Bear, The Hunter, The Outcast and The Player of Games'. I hope that you are not too late to save the members of my clan. If they were to die I don't know.......I couldn't........" He slows and looks as though he may say more but eventually shakes his head and continues on, walking some distance in front now.

As Benedict walks along he listens to Euristas' words carefully. At the mention of pox he looks around quickly and crosses himself. And when the words 'The Outcast' are spoken he does a double take and trips. Benedict turns to the rest of the group. "Are any of you proficent in the healing arts?"

Sadly, Gabrielle shakes her head. "My expertise has more to do with appearances, and the mind. I may be able to make these people feel better, and certainly clear the air a little, but... " She will stand motionless for a few seconds, murmuring softly and gesturing with smooth, subtle gestures. A fresh, warm breeze scented with spring flowers fills the area. "Would that I could do more."

The party walks on in silence, thinking on what lays ahead.

The Clearing

Eventually they enter the woods and after a short time reach a large clearing. A few people are wandering around and a few fires are burning. There is a small hut to one side with a red cross painted on the door which is shut and barred. Euristas, upon entering the clearing, goes over to one of the people and starts talking to her.

Bruen says something to Antia, makes proper obeisance and trots off after Euristas. Antia smiles briefly and affectionately as Bruen walks away, then turns to her fellow magi. "Sodales, Bruen says this is a strange illness if it strikes healers first," she translates in latin. "Can any of you seek hostile magics? Using Intellego Vim spells, maybe? The grogs should be organised, in case we are attacked. We might have to defend the village and ourselves. Also, I will need help to see the sick. Are any of you good with Creo Corporem or Intellego Corporem spells? Bruen has gone to find those who seem most sick."

Bruen catches up with Euristas and lays a hand on his shoulder. "Do not wander off - the shaman still has need of you. Please do the following things or, if you cannot, send to me someone who can. First, gather as many of the elders and wise ones of the village as survive and are healthy. Send these to the shaman, who wishes to speak with them. Second, send to me those who have been treating the ill - it matters not whether they are skilled healers, family members will do. Third, locate people within the village who speak the language of the outsiders well - we must assign someone to help translate for those who would assist us. Finally, send to me the men who oversee the protection of the village, for they must speak with the men at arms we have brought with us and help organize the defense of the village."

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