The twin crescent moons shine down on the woods like distant guardians.
The warriors move like phantoms across the moonslit landscape, sliding through the benighted woods like ghosts. Their weapons--long warbows of black wood, long spears and stabbing swords--are secured to make no noise. Each warrior's green face is smeared with paint, daubed under the eyes in a ritual pattern. They don't speak--each warrior knows his place. Each has been on raids with his battle brothers a dozen times or more, always ready.
They charge towards their objective, racing ahead, not slowing. Ahead, one stoops to scent the ground. He points wordlessly ahead, not making a sound. In the night, each warrior nods, draws their weapons, and prepares to close.
The leader draws his sword. "No prisoners!" he cries. "No mercy! Kai Yaragaiii!" As one, his warriors do the same, repeating his howl.
Three figures, leading two horses make their way across the night landscape. The three Hunters have journeyed far in the last week.
In search of the Brightmoon tribe of Northerlings, you headed north, into the Howling Lands. Your course paralleled the Westwall, a line of fortifications along the western edge of Tol Nedra, until you passed Fortress Eryth, the very northernmost fort on the Wall, and entered the wilderness known as the Howling Lands. These are the lands between Ress, Uraga and Tol Nedra, the haunts of outlaws, wargs and the Northerling tribes.
Khom-Bei has led you here, ever north, towards a place he knows that he may meet an old compatriot. The tribe of Redclaw, where Jenn-Dai is shaman and leader, often winters in the box canyon you now approach as you pick your way through the forest lands. Redclaw has long been a thorn in the side of the Tol Nedran rulers, refusing to submit to the Vorghol.
Now, as night falls, with twin crescent moons rising in the east, you make your way towards the entrance of the narrow box canyon. As the season ends, winter's chill has begun to bite, and a light dusting of snow flakes down on your cloaks.
Thragga scents, his big nostrils flaring. "Dung fires. I think your people are home, Khom-Bei." His stomach gives a growl, audible even from here.
Kane says, "Leave to a hungry Urag to scent a cook fire in the middle of nowhere."
Khom-Bei motions to Kane and Thragga to be still. He puts his hands to his mouth and makes the call of a wild prairie dog.After a moment, an answering call returns. It echoes across the rocky ridges before you, which steeply frame the entrance to the canyon.
Khom-Bei motions to Kane and Thragga as he moves forward into the mouth of the canyon.
Kane follows closly behind Khom-Bei.
Thragga takes up the rear. "I hope they have food."
Khom-Bei moves slowly in the darkness, leading his pony.
As you enter the canyon, a dark shape emerges from the oaks that flank the ridgeline. It calls, "A Northerling, a Nedri and an Urag. Never have I seen such an odd set of travellers!" The voice is that of a young man.
Khom-Bei calls back, "The times are indeed strange. We come seeking Jenn-dai and information."
Kane turns to Khom-Bei, "Is this a friend?"
Khom-Bei shrugs. "I hope so."
The young man laughs. "Khom-Bei? The times are indeed strange if you have returned to the prairies. I greet you, kinsman!" He moves forward to reveal himself. This is Dai-Thon, Jenn-Dai's son. You remember him but a stripling, barely able to hunt, when last you saw him.
Thragga keeps his hand on his axe-handle, just in case.
Khom-bei says: "Dai-thon. You are well and much taller since last we met." He grasps the young man's shoulder in the greeting of the clans and says, "Is your mother well?"
Dai-thon returns the grip. "She is...my mother, Khom-Bei." He shrugs. "She will be most surprised to see you, I think! And who are your friends?"
Khom-Bei turns to make introductions."Dai-thon, this is Kane, of Tol Nedra. And this big hulk is Thragga of the Urag."
Kane extends his hand, "Pleased to meet you."
Dai-thon grips each of your shoulders in turn. "The Great Father smiles on the hour of our meeting." he says ritually.
Thragga says, "Yeah, he does."
Kane says, "Is your camp near?"
Dai-thon nods. "Just on the other side of those trees," he points. "Come along."
Whispering under his breath, Khom-bei makes a sign and gestures at the young man's back.
Khom-Bei says, "Is it safe here, Dai-thon? We have heard a rumor that some terrible fate has befallen the Brightmoon clan."
Dai-thon turns. "We have not heard from the Brightmoons, and stand watchful, Khom-Bei. Have you heard aught else of them in your travels?"
Khom-Bei says, "No, Dai-thon. We come seeking counsel from Jenn-dai. Have you seen anything unusual?"
Dai-thon shakes his head. "Only that they vanished without trace, it's told. We fear for our kinsmen."
Khom-Bei says, "As do we."
Ahead, in a low bowl-like cleft at the center of the canyon, stands a small Northerling settlement. The camp is sheltered and appears to be a fine place to winter. There are perhaps thirty tents, each one belonging to one family: a warrior, his braves, his women and his children. A babbling stream bisects the camp. Smoke from cookfires rise from many of the tents, but still more are quiet. Steppe ponies are tied to tent poles, standing quietly. This is the sleeping time for many of them. Northerlings bustle to and fro, some pausing to gawk, curious at the visitors in camp.
Kane says, "Has there been trouble hereabouts lately?"
Dai-thon shakes his head in answer to Kane and leads you to a tall, embroidered tent in the center of camp, and ducks his head inside a moment. A voice from within curses at him in the Northerling speech, and then commands in Marreith, the common tongue, "Enter!"
Thragga's stomach rumbles again.
Khom-Bei pauses to warn Kane and Thragga; "Be careful what you say here. Jenn-dai is a strong fighter and a wise woman, but she can be...difficult to deal with."
Kane nods assent.
Khom-Bei enters the tent, not willing to keep Jenn-dai waiting.
The tent interior is thick with dung smoke, stinging the eyes of the Reith. Low lamps hang from the tent walls, giving a flickering orange illumination. The floor is spread with skins and pillows, and a low table plundered from a raid deep into Ress. A Northerling woman in her fourth decade, her long hair braided intricately, rolls to her feet. She was a great beauty in her younger days, no doubt, but time and travels have taken their toll, and her face is now marred by a long and brutal scar that slashes across her eye and cheek.
Jenn-Dai splashes water from a basin across her scarred face. "Who disturbs my sleep?" she snaps, irritably.
Thragga watches Khom-Bei for his cue.
Khom-Bei says, "Jenn-dai, forgive me for this disturbance, but our need is great and our time is running out."
Jenn-Dai's eyes watch Khom-Bei for a moment. "Ghar-tei's son. You have returned from your travels among the Nedri?"
Khom-Bei says, "Yes, Jenn-dai. We have come seeking your wisdom."
Jenn-Dai folds her arms. "The smell of the cities is on you, Ghar-Tei's son. Have you forgotten your manners?" She indicates that she should be greeted in the way of a senior shaman.
Khom-Bei bows his head. "Forgive me, Jenn-dai." He bows stiffly at the waist. "The Great Father smiles on the hour of our meeting."
Dai-Thon slips inside the tent behind you, and moves to set out food and drink. Hospitality is the law of the prairies.
Kane offers a bow like Khom-Bei's.
Khom-Bei stands again. "I have been long away from the tents of my fathers, Jenn-dai."
Jenn-Dai nods, in receipt of her due. She gestures that you all should sit. "I am Jenn-Dai. I welcome you to my tent and my people. As long as you stay among us, you are like our family. But you, Nedri, and you, Urag, I do not know."
Thragga puts his fist on his chest. "Thragga. Warrior."
Kane says, "I am Kane, great shaman."
Wine in glass bottles, plundered from Tol Nedran cellars perhaps, soft goat cheese, and freshly baked bread are set out for you.
Khom-Bei says, "Jenn-dai, these men are as my brothers. They have fought against the Dark Ones at my side and have saved my life times beyond counting. Please, treat them as you would me."
Jenn-Dai says, "I will in all things treat them as I treat you, Khom-Bei." She studies each of you with her piercing dark gaze. Her face is lined, strong with years.
Khom-Bei sits and pours a goblet of wine, which he hands to Jenn-dai, before serving Kane and Thragga, taking the host duties as the youngest would always do among the clans.Thragga gulps down the wine, then wipes his lips with his hand and holds it out for more.
Khom-Bei refills Thragga's goblet and passes him the tray of food.
Kane waits for his host to drink before touching his wine.
Jenn-Dai sips her Tol Nedran wine. "You come about the Brightmoons." she says.
Thragga tucks into the cheese and bread, smacking his lips noisily.
Kane slowly lifts his cup to his lips and takes a sip.
Khom-Bei says, "Yes, Jenn-dai, we are troubled greatly by what we hear."
Jenn-Dai says, "Dhor-Shai was here three weeks past. He also sought them. He mentioned that others would come seeking him if he failed in his task." She leaves the rest unspoken.
Khom-Bei says, "Yes, Jenn-dai, Dhor-shai was not at a meeting where he was expected and none of his men have been seen."
Khom-Bei says, "Will you tell us what you told him?"
Khom-Bei passes Kane a plate of cheese and bread as he folds a slice into his own mouth.
Jenn-Dai toys with a braid. "It has been three cycles of the moon since anyone heard from the Brightmoons. They were camped on the very border of the Nedri Barony of Northspike, in a valley we knew well. Some say there was a cloud over the moons the night they vanished. When my people sought for them, they could find no traces of them. There were traces of the Beast's troops nearby, but the Brightmoons often trafficked with the Beast, supplying him troops for his levies, so we gave that no thought. The camp was a ruin, the tents abandoned. But no trace of the Brightmoons remained. It was as if they simply vanished."
Kane takes a good portion of meat and cheese and then hands the platter to Thragga.
Khom-Bei nods, frowning, deep in thought; "And now Dhor-shai has disappeared, also."
Jenn-Dai watches the Urag devour the cheese. "A month before the Brightmoons vanished, their chief and I spoke as we were wont to do upon a time. He told me that he no longer wished his sons to serve in the Dark King's armies. There was no honor in it. He would join me, instead, and spurn the Vorghol."
Khom-Bei says, "Is it possible that someone passed this information to the Beast?"
Jenn-Dai says with contempt for this idea, "Do you think there is a secret spy among my people, Ghar-Tei's son?"
Khom-Bei says, "No, Jenn-dai, but among the Brightmoons, perhaps?"
Jenn-Dai says, more calmly, "Such is possible. The Brightmoon chief said that there were others who thought as he did, in other tribes. Our fore fathers chose poorly when they struck a deal with the Dark Ones."
Thragga washes down food with wine, licking soft cheese off his fingers.
A dark shadow seems to move across Khom-bei's face. "No one knows the price of our dealings with the Dark Ones more than I, Jenn-dai."
Jenn-Dai says, "Dhor-Shai came seeking more information...He suspected the Beast was complicit in this somehow. But he had nothing to go on. Nothing more than rumors. Rumors of battles on the very northernmost border of Nedri lands, between the forces of the Beast and an outlaw Urag named Yarga. He said he would seek out what was afoot in the lands and tell me more." She shakes her head. "I cannot see how the Beast would be able to battle Yarga if he could not count on support from the Brightmoons and others."
Khom-Bei frowns deeply; "There is a piece missing from this puzzle, Jenn-dai."
Jenn-Dai says to Kane, "You listen, but you do not speak without understanding, Nedri. This shows wisdom. What is your interest in this?"
Kane says, "As my interest is always. To protect my brothers and thwart the dark ones."
Jenn-Dai says, "I fear great forces are loosed in Tol Nedra, Ghar-Tei's son. The Beast, ever our foe, is on the move again. We may seek quieter lands for the next few months. We have taken many losses in recent months, thanks to battles, and need time to heal until we may fight again. Will you join us?"
Khom-Bei looks at Kane and Thragga, shaking his head. "I cannot, Jenn-dai. I have...obligations. Promises I have made that must be kept. I thank you for your offer."
The shaman nods. "We break camp tomorrow, and then we head west. In the meantime, you are welcome among us."
Kane says, "If I may, I believe we are all fighting the same cause. We have a mission to fufill, but I believe it works towards a common goal."
Jenn-Dai says, "That is true, Kane. An end to the curse of the Vorghol." The scarred shaman stretches and yawns. "We will speak more in the daylight, after you have rested."
As if on cue, Dai-thon rises and holds open the tent flap for you all.
Khom-Bei stands and bows. "May the Great Father guide your dreams, Jenn-dai."
Kane stands and bows to the shaman again.
Jenn-Dai says, "We will commune more on this, Ghar-Tei's son. You have been keeping up your shamanic studies, have you not?"
Thragga follows Kane's lead.
Khom-Bei frowns. "As time and circumstance allow, Jenn-dai. You know that I have not had the benefit of my fathers' teaching."
The older shaman nods primly. "You must listen harder to the stars, then. Sleep well."
Khom-Bei bows again and leaves the tent.
Kane follows Khom-Bei's example.
Outside the tent, Dai-Thon grins, snowflakes landing lazily on his dark hair. "She was glad to see you, Khom-Bei."
Khom-Bei grins crookedly. "Thank you, Dai-thon. With her, I am like I was with my father, fearful of her criticism."
Thragga exhales.
Kane says, "I'm not sure we learned much that will help us, though."
Khom-Bei turns to Kane. "We learned that there is much yet to be learned."
Dai-Thon indicates a tent across the way. "You can sleep there tonight. We will hunt in the morrow, to gather the last provisions before we break camp. Do any of you hunt?"
Kane says, "When we must."
Thragga says, "Hunt? I am Urag." That says it all.
Khom-Bei says, "I would be glad to join you, Dai-thon, it has been long since I hunted with the tribes."
Dai-thon leads you to your sleeping tent, which is well-lit within with a small flickering dung fire, vented out of the roof to keep the smoke away. Furs and skins litter the floor. To Thragga and Khom-Bei, it's like coming home.
Khom-Bei bows deeply. "Good night, Dai-thon, it is good to be among kin again."
Thragga says, "I'm still hungry..."
As Kane and Thragga look forward to settling in for the night, Khom-bei remains near the tent flap; "It has been too long since I have been among my people. I'll be back in a while."
Kane finds a spot opposite the tent opening. "I think I will pass on the hunt tomorrow, it will be nice to let somebody else to do the hunting for awhile." And with that said he lays down and tries for a dreamless sleep.
Dai-thon says, from the tent flap, "The woods here are rich in game! Why, two days hence I bagged a ten-point buck with horns wider than Thragga could reach! He was a beauty--" And in midsentence, behind him, one of the tents in the settlement bursts into flame. Then another, and another. Figures dash from the flaming tents, themselves aflame, shrieking in terror.
A howling goes up from the woodlands around the camp. The rich, throaty howling of a hundred Urag.