Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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After a raised eyebrow stare at the retreating form of Yelcan, Arissa surveyed the encampment, trying her best to conceal the aching pain in her back. Gods, I need a moment away from these people. It would not do to show weakness in any form in front of them. Perhaps a quick walk would ease my discomfort... but it is rather dangerous to go off alone in this land.

Arissa looks off to her companions, seeing most of them engaged in various forms of discussion, until she saw Violette standing by the bonfire. She quickly approached her, flashing her a brief smile before her expression returned to stoic. “Would you care to join me for a walk? As I am certain you know, it is rather dangerous to go off alone, but I need to clear my mind. I also imagine you may have several questions, although I would ask that you may wait until we have left earshot.”
 
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Violette looks over to Arissa smirking for a moment. "Don't suppose I'm going to get much talk out of the natives anyways," says Violette motioning towards them. She cocked her head to the side to look at Arissa. "If that's a jab about this morning then I do find your humor matches Bernard's at least." Violette's eyes seem to observe them for a second more before turning to walk along side Arissa. "I have many questions, though most of them aren't that important in the grand scheme of things. Though most of the words were unknown to me and Leone was trying to translate and keep up I found that you seemed to have a way with words not only in Mordentish but also their language as well. I could almost hear the undertones of meaning."

As Arissa and Violette walk about she remains silent for a time with a slight smile on her face seemingly just enjoying the walk, or waiting for Arissa to speak.
 
As Arissa left the Feast with Violette, she allowed herself to relax from the guarded persona she had assumed, and clasped her hands together tightly behind her, loudly cracking her back. She breathed a sigh of relief before smiling to Violette. “As much as I appreciate the compliment, I did not intend that comment in jest. You seem to me to be a very cautious and guarded person, and I can imagine that today’s earlier events struck as much of a blow to your pride as they did to your body. I do not believe it to be something worth dwelling on. It was a small mistake that I doubt you will make twice, and you had friends with you to help, and you have survived.”

At Violette’s questioning of her ability to speak the native’s language, Arissa laughed lightly before turning to her with a quirked eyebrow. “Out of everything you could have asked, that is the one you begin with? I suppose it is a fair question, just not the one that I had expected.” Arissa pauses briefly, considering how to answer her question. “The language they speak is not one that is solely native to this land. It is called Sylvan, and it is spoken by the denizens of the Veeglos, a magical plane that is the source of my power. Like how Léone grunts and growls when channeling her abilities, my spells require their own songs or incantations, all of which have been gleaned from the Feywild. Back in my homeland, the most skilled diplomats and cunning manipulators all learned their trade from De Universitet Van de Zilveren Taal, which focused on using fey magic to enhance our natural abilities. It is rather... odd to hear the noble tongue being spoken in a place like this, but I do appreciate the convenience.”

Arissa then pauses and laughs before smiling sheepishly to Violette. “I apologize for droning on and on about the language. Certainly you have other questions as well, ja?”
 
As the group begins to disperse after the story and presentation, Léone's mind reels with questions about the history of this tribe and how they connected with the Crossing as a whole. What was the Time Before? Where did Legba come from, if the settlers had made a deal with him before the natives ever even knew about him? How many tribes did there use to be, what was the Season of the Endless Hunt? How did they transition to partaking in this "Feast", whatever it was? The Leader and the Blackburns both wanted immortality... how did they kill the other Undying One, and could they have figured out out the secret of immortality from doing it?

Seeing Bernard speak with Kamoktalin over to the side, she weaves her way through the crowd, refreshing the spell on her senses as she walked. Upon arriving she bows to the elder and waves to Bernard. "Hey there, Bernard. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything important, I was just curious about the tribe's history. There was quite a bit in that story, and I was hoping to learn more... not just for the snake hunt, but what it could imply for the Crossing as a whole." She glances over at Kamoktalin again and nods curtly with a smile before turning back. "Unfortunately... while I can use my magic to understand their language, the ability to communicate back is not in my répertoire yet. If you wouldn't mind, perhaps you can translate for me? If you had other business I can come back later but I would appreciate the opportunity to learn more from these people."
 
Bernard shrugged, "I'm unsure of what to ask about my father... Honestly it is disappointing to learn I knew so little of him. I guess I am curious when he first appeared with the arrows. I'm also curious about the substance that was on them, but it seems the timing is poor. I should focus on the hunt, I'll go speak with Takatar and Loretar, hopefully we'll find some way to prevent the needless death of your tribe, and when the Great Serpent is dead we will have to discus how the Children of Blood, the Children of Snakes, and the Crossing can co-exist, peacefully. We may not have the same culture, but we are not our fathers and I refuse to let us war over this land." He moved to stand as Leone approached and asked him to translate.

"I was just about to speak with Takatar, who keeps records on their hunts and Loretar, the Shaman who might know something of the trap or at least point us in the direction of the mate's corpse for further study." Bernard scratched at his chin and took a seat again, motioning for Leone to do the same, "I'd be happy to translate for you before I speak with the others, perhaps you'll uncover something I have not." He turned back to Kamoktalin with a smile, "Elder one, this is Leon. She is a powerful magic user I count among my friends. She has questions of your tribe's history and the story you have told. She can understand what you say, but does not speak the language, so I will translate." Bernard turned back to Leone, "What would you like to ask first?"
 
"It may not necessarily be helpful for the hunt... but perhaps there is some lost knowledge here that will help us understand what's been going on with the Crossing as a whole. It seems as if their fate and ours is a bit more intertwined than previously thought." Léone rubs her chin a bit, considering what to say. Where could she even start? The best place seemed to be the beginning. "To start, I think I'd like to learn more about the tribe's history. Things like the 'Time Before', the 'Season of the Endless Hunt' and the fate of the other tribes that warred with the settlers... how long they have known themselves as the Children of Blood." She bows again slightly at Kamoktalin. "If that is knowledge the elder has and is willing to share with an outsider, of course. I mean no disrespect."
 
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"A keen observation," says Violette in regards to the comment about herself. "I think it might be best to understand that secret's are a form of currency where I came from. Someone can go from starving poor squatting in a home to having a small fortune from knowing the right secrets about the right people. Same can happen the other way, so I have a habit of keeping things to myself. As for earlier today I cannot stop thinking of how much worse that could have been if I hadn't stepped out. What if they had gone for Peri, Yelcan, Leone, or You? None of you seem to be the sort I'd imagine getting into a scrap. I'm ultimately glad it happened to me as it conserved the groups healing powers in case the Great Serpent had ambushed us on the way here, and Yelcan was able to impressively incapacitate the crocodiles."

Violette laughs seemingly amused. "It wasn't necessarily a question but an observation but thank you for explaining it. Where you come from sounds like a very magical place if they teach things like Fey Magic. The only magic I know is from my brother Ludovico who was tutored by a Wizard for some years," says Violette thinking back on it for a moment. When Arissa asked if she had any more questions Violette shook her head. "Arissa... believe me that I have many curiosities but I would prefer not to interrogate them out of you. Do not feel obligated to explain things to me just because you may have been forced to reveal a part of yourself, I would rather you tell me on your own terms. I am not as elegant as you when it comes to such things and whatever it is that happened back there is your business. If you need someone to talk about it I am here."

"It's kind of funny thinking about it. I believe we are both trained manipulators from different lands with vastly different skill sets, and we find our selves in a situation that requires less manipulation and more encouragement of a native people. I don't think either of our trainers could have foreseen such a thing," said Violette smirking. "I've been thinking with the upcoming fight that it would be best if I shared more of my capabilities to that I will be utilized more effectively in the coming battle. I believe I should be the one to deal with the Hydra with maybe a small amount of assistance. However, I would prefer to share this in the morning with everyone present, so you'll just have to wait for my explanation." Her girlish grin doesn't fade as she teases the information.
 
Bernard nods to Leone, "Yes, the Great Serpent seems to be a symptom of a much larger problem. Where ever you'd like to start is fine and he seems willing to at least try to answer what I've asked so far, I'm sure it will be made known if the questions go too far. I'll do my best to ask things as you do, but things do not always translate well." He turned back to the elder, "She asks that you discuss the history of the tribe, she'd like to know about the Time Before and the Season of the Endless Hunt. Your titles do little to explain things without knowledge of your history." Bernard explained the confusion for things that seemed almost obvious in their meaning, but still didn't entirely make sense to him either. "She also wonders what happened to the other tribes, the ones who you allied with, who fought the settlers. Did they fall or become one with the Children of Blood? When did you become the Children of Blood, by which, I think she means, when did the Shadowman first gift your people with the consumption of flesh for sustenance?" Bernard glanced at Leone, hoping he'd done her questions justice and she didn't mind the liberties he was taking in some of his translation.
 
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Kamoktalin shakes his head. "It is futile to try and understand the complete story of one's parents. Especially of one so long lived. You are young and perhaps to not understand this, but all parents have many more experiences than their children. Many times what the parents deem as an insignificant event in their past will entice their children. I have also seen many parents protect their children from the worst of memories, sometimes not even for the children's sake but not to relieve the pain of the past. Do not fault your father for this, he may have believed he had many more years with you yet. Sometimes life grows shorter than we expect."

As Bernard translates the question Kamoktalin nods seemingly to understand that the words and phrases have less meaning to those who have grown up outside of the tribe. "The Time Before is when the Land was covered in mist. Eternally locked in a state of Nothing. We did not exist at this time but the land in it's natural state did. It is believed there was something that happened to change this. A Will that grasped the land and crafted of it what we have today," says Kamoktalin explaining looking up into the air past Leone and Bernard as if he could see the Time Before. "As for the Season of the Endless Hunt. That was when the Outsider's Guardians hunted all the tribes night and day killing all that they came across. Many did not know why whole tribes were disappearing until many, many lives had been claimed. This went on for a full season. Once it was realized these Guardians couldn't be dealt with that is when we held the Summit. Where we first were introduced to the Shadowman. I do not believe he had come with the Outsiders, but it was more as if he had sprung up from nowhere according to the tellings."

"The Tribes that attacked the Settlers wanted them out of our land. Not every tribe was allied back then, and it was just another group of people that shared no similar customs that they would have to fight and struggle against to find food. I do not know who was winning the fight nor the names of the tribes from back then, but I suspect that both sides of the conflict were equally deadly to begin with. Many of the tribes took to vicious tactics to scare and frighten the outsiders. It was the Shadowman who ended up stopping the war. First by helping the Outsiders, and then by helping us," says Kamoktalin as he looks over to Leone while speaking. "The Children of Blood is what we have been known since the gift of the Shadowman touched the remaining tribes that combined for protection. Our ancestors named ourselves this because of what we would have to do to survive. Not everyone was happy with the prospect of eating the flesh of others for it had been forbidden in some tribes, while others had seen it as a waste of meat during the war. Cannibals. I believe we are called in your tongue and yes we have eaten those who have attacked us in the past. In the past there was more of us to feed and such things were dire, and now there are less of us and we can sustain ourselves much easier with less. As for how long we have been the Children of Blood, well before my life time though I am unsure of how far back. It was after the Sundering, that is to say when the land became the Warm Lands and the Cold Lands. It is believed that the death of Al'ocktalel's mate caused the Sundering. It is sometime after this I believe that the tribes facing extinction and hunger from Al'ocktalel's wrath that we became the Children of Blood from a multitude of tribes."
 
Arissa smiled and put a hand on Violette’s shoulder when she expressed her concerns for the others in the group. “I do appreciate your concern, but I think you would be surprised to see what we could handle. I certainly know that I have surprised myself with some of my own deeds... although I must admit that a hydra is several degrees greater of a challenge than a few Falkovnians. I have always had a feeling that you were keeping something to yourself, but it must be quite the secret if you have such great confidence so as to go up against a hydra, ja?” Arissa smirked to her before shrugging, deciding not to pursue the subject. “In any case, there are a few things that I do wish to share with you. There is a saying in my land: Geheimen zijn de oorzaak van achterdocht. I believe it translates to ‘secrets are the root of suspicion’ in your tongue. I would rather have you understand what I am than leave you to speculate.”

Arissa stopped walking and turned to Violette, meeting her violet gaze with her own with a more serious expression. “My wings are not merely the by-product of one of the few deals I had made with Legba. I have had them ever since I was a little girl. Despite how it may seem, I am not an ordinary human being. The ‘how’ and the ‘why’ are a terribly long and boring story that I would rather not go into, but I am something that is known as an Aasimar... and to be quite honest I had suspected you to be one as well when we had first met. I have never met someone with eyes so similar to my own before... but that is besides the point. The bottom line is that I am not some fiendish servant of the Shadowman, nor a divine agent of the gods as they had intended me to be. I am like you, just a woman who is far out of her depth, but willing to do what ever it may take for those that she cares for.”

Arissa’s expression then shifts, and she gives Violette a somewhat sheepish smile. “My apologies for ruining our lovely walk with such a lengthy confession, but as I had said, I would rather that you know the truth. I am far too familiar with the effects of rampant rumors on a person’s reputation.”
 
Bernard listened to the story and turned to Leone to begin to translate, "So he says th..." He trailed off, remembering that she could understand. With an awkward chuckle, he recognized the thoughtful look in her eyes, "I've got a few questions, but let me know when you're ready and I'll ask yours as well." He turned back to the elder and reached for his amulet. Rubbing it as he thought and spoke, "So, not all the tribes consumed flesh to live. I know that deals with the Shadowman are complex, he demands balance and they often come with a cost. Does your tribe require flesh to live? Could you survive on game and crops if the Great Serpent were gone? And what of the Maw after it is no longer needed?"

As he finished his own questions, Leone began with hers as he translated, "To our understanding, the Sundering was caused by the death of the Great Serpent's mate rather than the War between the outsiders and the tribes - if this is the case, then what purpose do the totems serve? Are they simply markers to show where the outsider's territory end and the tribe's begins or is there some protection, a barrier magic or otherwise that is created by them?" Bernard paused to add his own question as it came to him, "If we succeed in killing the Undying One, will a second Sundering occur? Will the lands be made whole under one climate again?" Then he moved back to Leone's questions, "Is there a pattern to the division of the Lands into Warm and Cold? A pattern to the placement of the totems? Can you give us any insight into the reason for the divides in either? If the Guardians are meant to guard, why are they aggressive and attack? Did the tribes provoke their ire or is Guardian maybe not the right title? Finally, did the Guardians ever fight the Great Serpent, if the Serpents predate the settlers, and the Guardians came after the settlers... Sorry, I lost my thought, but I'm curious about that interaction as well." Bernard frowned as he remembered that the Guardians were fueled by his friends and relatives and vanquished by his own actions. How much of this could have been avoided had he let Jeremiah cling to Fiona and just let go? Would his uncle still be alive?
 
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Swamplands???:

“In the Mist ways there are those beyond counting, and some aren’t even worth counting for they are as small as a room,” says Queen Maeve in response to Ludwig’s inquiry about worlds. She takes the scissors when offered and smiles amused at Ludwig’s comments. Papa Legba upon seeing the Scissors gaze shifts to Queen Maeve.

“I had wondered about Lora’s sudden condition but I did not think that the Queen of the Unseelie ever came to collect anyone when a servant would due just as well.”

“She was a special case, someone that I wanted for myself. Do not worry yourself over matters outside your purview,” said Queen Maeve dismissing the subject and instead turning it back to Ludwig. “Do not worry about Kings, and Queens at the Market. Many are invited from all over to attend, and if you can’t find something there then you won’t find it anywhere. It is a by invitation only market where many do not hide themselves as they do in this land. You won’t want to miss it I assure you.”

“Yes, I am vaguely aware of your unique outlook on the improvements that might be made to the human body, a subject that does have its merits. I do have access to knowledge of the subject. A doctor much like yourself who has done some preliminary research into the subject had found some unique findings though unfortunately I believe he was…. Burned at the stake. Well most of him was. I could provide you with this information but there is one tiny hiccup.”

“Oh just show him the brain already,” said Queen Maeve motioning to a covered item on a table behind themselves. At Maeve’s impatience Papa Legba smiled reaching up and removing the thin cloth to reveal a brain seemingly maintained in a pale blue liquid container. The container seemed to be hooked up to a machine that would fit a person in it.

“I would warn you the process is painful, and there are some side effects. Mainly sleep walking, occasional vertigo, an initial bout of nausea, and I’ve had at least one case of dissociative personality disorder.”
 
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“Truthfully I’m being surprised more every day,” says Violette smirking. She looks down at Arissa’s hand when she reaches out to place it on her shoulder and then follows it back to her. “You might be surprised depending on the Falkovnian. No one has ever bested Vlad Drakov in single combat from what we’ve heard despite the man looking well over fifty. That man will die one day and the world will be a brighter place for it. Anything someone can do to speed it up would be blessed by a great number of people.”

Arissa would feel the tension in Violette’s shoulder as her fist closes tightly and then releases after a moment. “Sorry, Falkovnians are a bit of a touchy subject,” says Violette forcing her gritted teeth instead into a tight smile. She seemed to relax as Arissa went about explaining her wings. Violette’s mood seems to vanish almost completely as Arissa finishes explaining. “Your eyes are beautiful, I’m not so sure mine compare. It seems to have afforded you the attention of Bernard at least.”

Her voice is suggestive towards the end and she gives Arissa a wink. “Regardless it sounds like this Aasimar blood at least has granted you some good looks to go along those intimidating wings,” says Violette sounding impressed. “And don’t worry about ruining the walk, it was very pleasant to spend some private time with you. Thank you for what you have shared. Hopefully by the time we get back to town some Richemulouise tea will have arrived.”
 
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“Back before the Betrayal which caused the Sundering? There wasn’t a need for many tribes to eat others, but there were a few smaller and more desperate tribes that were forced to. From what my Elder told me, it was not until the Shadowman’s boon did it sustain us as now. I… do not know whether we could survive without it. We’ve not had many periods of time where we have lived off normal food without supplementing it. A Feast will last us a month or two, I am praying that your offering will last two,” says Kamoktalin looking at last to the great fire, and to the tribe celebrating. A smile spreads across his lips before he brings himself back to the conversation. He then frowned gazing over to where the maw was. “I do not think it will disappear, but when it is not fed then it does not protect us. When it is done we do not plan on feeding the Maw unless another threat were to come upon us.”

The questions about the division of the lands, and what will happen when Al’ocktalel dies leaves Kamoktalin silent for a time, as he looked down to the ground furrowing his thin eyebrows in concentration. “I have been taught that the totems are were our land ends and the outside world begins. A thin sheet between our lands to protect us from one another as in the past there was no room for coexistence. We have never been able to breach that barrier except when the veil was thin but you are here, so Ialay must have made it through. They also mark where the Shadowman is the strongest; it is a bit of a travel for us to reach them.”

“As for their placement I do not know. The agreement has passed through many hands, since that time that I am afraid the only one who would know for sure is the Shadowman himself. Perhaps he would offer you the truth on that matter?” said Kamoktalin suggesting where Bernard might find answers. “I pray that the Undying One’s death will allow the land to find equilibrium. I do not know if the Cold Lands or the Warm Lands are what were before but we will adapt as we need. There are stories of white frost from the sky but I have never known them. I have heard this cold can kill but it must even if this be the case it is better than our alternative.”

Kamoktalin hacks up a bit of flem in his mouth and spits it to the side onto the ground before clearing his voice. “I do not know the full purpose of those guardians beyond that they in the stories were said to protect the outsiders. Many outsiders wandered into the swamps to hunt? Perhaps they protected those who would come into contact with the tribes. Some of the tribes attacked the Outsiders for food, or territory. I can tell you that once when I was a little boy I saw a fight between the Maw and the Serpent. Al’ocktalel tried to retreat but the creature followed her relentlessly. Our hunters a day or two later reported that the Maw has killed her more than two days away from our village. I believe the Guardians to have the same unrelenting will.”
 
Bernard nodded, "I worry for the danger the Maw might pose once it is no longer used for protection, but I look forward to working with your tribe to help them thrive. The Crossing is no longer what it was when our ancestors fought, I am sure if the white frost comes and your tribe is in need, my church can offer aid, both sustenance to get you through the cold season and furs to keep you from freezing. Ezra's mercy knows no prejudice." Bernard finally dropped his holy symbol which he had been absentmindedly rubbing and smiled, "I do have one more question, about the Maw, if you were to drop something into it, say a child accidentally loses his spear and it rolls into the Maw, would it ever be seen again?" Bernard is uncomfortable with how awkward his own question was, but he did not want to state something like "I have an immensely powerful and dangerous book on Necromancy, may I throw it into your terrifying hole of death?" He looked to Leone, "Anything else?"

He translated for Kamoktalin, "How does the veil affect your ability to find the outside world? Do you come upon a border or barrier like the mists? Do you see a physical barrier, like a shimmering veil? Do you get lost in the swamp and fail to find the totems? How often have you tried to find the outside world?" Bernard added, "Was there something special about Ialay that allowed her to find us? Is there a reason she spoke our modern tongue, Mordentish?"
 
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"I have never been myself you see, but I have heard that we find an endless land of totems with no end in sight. I do not know exactly what happens but it is clear it was meant to keep us away as much as it was to keep Outsiders away. Many have tried to escape thinking it the only way to get away from the Undying One's wrath," says Kamoktalin before looking over to Leone as she spoke. As Bernard translated her further questions about Ialay he smiled a bit. "Ahretakan speaks a bit of the language. She was originally considered to become our next Shaman or Wise Woman like Loretan. Love for another, Malakto, however pulled her from this path. It is custom for the Shaman to take no lover and bear no children. This Mordentish is something she passed down to her children."

Kamoktalin head bobs eagerly as he moves onto the next topic. "We would thank you for any help you might provide but killing the Undying One should be help enough. As for your question about the spear, it wouldn't ever come up again. Or at least no one would be able to go down there and retrieve it. Not without angering the creature that dwells within it."
 
As Violette began to grow angry speaking about the Falkovnians, Arissa grew a bit confused about the politics of this land. After thinking for a moment, she allowed her mind to drift towards the space where she felt Yorgi's spirit contained. Yorgi, you are Falkovnian, ja? What do you make of these claims? She heard the coarse loud voice of Yorgi respond back to her. If yer talking about the runts I killed for ya a while back, lass, she's right. Those pathetic worms couldn't handle a duel with a damned cabin boy. Hell, if I wasn't trapped in this lovely body of yers, I could've taken em all at once with a hand up me own arse!

Arissa sighed internally before receding from the bellowing laughter that followed, and focused back on Violette as she complimented her eyes and gave her a wink. Is she... flirting with me? She is stoutmoedig, I will give her that. Arissa smiled warmly in return to Violette. "Thank you, I do appreciate the compliments. Not many people other than Bernard have seen my wings as anything other than a burden. I must say, however, I pray that my husband-" Arissa slightly stressed the word but kept the same warm smile throughout, the word still feeling strange and foreign on her tongue "- did not marry me purely for my appearances. We have a saying back in Carmanth. Als liefde gelijk is aan schoonheid, dan trouw aan een schilderij. I do not believe that Bernard is the painting wedding type."

Arissa walked in silence for a few moments, then glanced over to Violette. "I doubt that this warrants mentioning, but I would appreciate your discretion about my little secret when we return to town. Everyone present here had already been made aware of my divine origins in some form or the other... gods, you should ask Yelcan about the first time he witnessed my wings although I doubt he would share the true story... Other than them, however, only a select few people in town are aware, and I would rather keep it that way until I am ready to share it with the world." Though Arissa's tone was relaxed, her eyes searched Violette's carefully as she looked to her imploringly.
 
Léone considers the elder's words carefully, curious as to the seemingly mystical nature of the swamp. "I suppose that would explain how the settlers kept the peace, and why we hadn't even heard of the Great Serpent until Ialay came along... but how does that even work from the outside? Do people simply pass over their land as if it was no more than a regular swamp, except in the few times that the veil drops? When does the veil weaken anyway, and why? I wonder how much James's ancestors knew, consider how they managed to create that enchanted map..."

Continuing onto this line of thinking, a thought pops into her head and she turns to Bernard to translate for her. "... One last question. He mentioned in the story that the Leader and the Outsiders both sought to discover the secret of immortality by killing Al'ocktalel's mate... seems like they managed to do it, so did any tales or rumors or legends result from that? What ended up happening to that Elder?"
 
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Bernard grinned, "With all these questions we could keep him all night." He looked back to the Elder, "Apologies for keeping you, she has quite the thirst for knowledge. She's something akin to a Shaman in our culture. She hopes to know about the ones who sought immortality from killing the Great Serpent. She points out that they succeeded in felling an Undying One, but she wonders about any rumors or tales that resulted, and the fate of that Elder? Did he achieve immortality?"
 
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"An Inquisitive mind is something to be tempered with caution but I tend to be curious myself," says Kamoktalin as he blinked a few times thinking about the question. "There have been a few stories that he survived, or achieved immortality. I do not know whether they are true or mere legends made up by the campfire. I have wondered if perhaps Al'ocktalel continues her futile search among us for the one that killed her, but if that had been her initial reason it is no longer. Perhaps my Elders could have reasoned with her at first given proper time to despair... but not any longer."
 
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“He didn’t, it was fairly obvious when he lost his memories that he kept looking you’re direction. I’d say that’s love at Second Sight. And that probably doesn’t happen that often,” says Violette before giggling for a moment. “Interesting saying but I think more interestingly you should both be painted! The Portrait would look good with the two of you in it. I knew some painters back home though I do not believe they should paint you. Perhaps someone local with talent? Kallisto did a pretty good job with that drawing of the Great Serpent. From what I can remember it seemed pretty much exactly like what we encountered.”

“Yelcan is a fun one; he went out with James, my brothers, and me when I first arrived. Though I feel like he was more interrogating me than anything. No one is that interested in hearing about rats, even if it is coming from an odd but pretty girl,” says Violette as she begins to lead them back to the village. “As for being discreet I don’t think I have any reason to say anything considering no one came to arrest me for killing the Falkovnian. I believe I probably have most of you to thank for that despite my rash decision.”
 
Bernard stood giving Kamoktalin a slight bow in appreciation and respect, "I learned my lesson about curiousity at great personal cost. We thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with us, Elder One." He offered Leone a hand, "It is time for us to seek answers elsewhere. Would you prefer starting with Takatar or Loretar the Shaman?"
 
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Léone takes Bernard's hand and nods, bowing once more to Kamoktalin as she stands. "I suppose it's ultimately your choice, being the translator and all," she says, chuckling. "That was mostly satisfying my own curiosity rather than dealing with the snake, so perhaps we should look for some more practical experience of the hunt from Takatar? I imagine you deserve at least a little break from my ramblings about lore and mysticism," she muses.
 
Arissa's expression falters for a moment as Violette spoke of the encounter with 'Jared'. I... I suppose she may have a point, but that was a wound that will not easily mend. She quickly hides her slip-up by smiling ruefully to Violette and holding up her empty coin pouch. "I am afraid that a portrait may have to wait. It is rather poor form to be in debt to the man you are to wed, and it is rather irritating that the last of my funds went to waste due to... unforeseen complications. Anyways, I cannot imagine it would be easy to paint with those claws, as lovely as I am certain the results would be."

Arissa follows Violette's lead as she begins to head back towards the tribe and shrugs at her assessment of Yelcan. "Yelcan is... Yelcan. If I am to be frank, if not for his caring way with Perian I doubt I would have spared him a second glance, but he has proven himself to be more than just an oaf who very poorly attempted to imitate the sheriff to his own daughter. An interrogation from him does not surprise me, but I doubt he meant offense by it. His intense curiosity may be the death of him some day."

When Violette mentioned her killing of the Falkovnian, Arissa turned to her with a hint of annoyance, masking a much greater frustration she had been feeling for quite some time. "I must admit, I am perplexed why you chose to kill a disoriented, unarmed man in cold blood, especially after boasting of being able to hold your own against a hydra. You could not have known this, but he would have proven to be the key witness to the case of Maria Einhorn's death, and perhaps allowed us to capture her killer... A task Jonathan has now taken upon himself to accomplish on his own. I pray that man's slightly premature grave was worth it to you the closure it has cost my dear friend."
 
Village:

"In debt? You'd never be in debt to someone you are married to, that is a silly notion to say the least," says Violette shaking her head. "Some painter's use some odd tools, but I admit I am no expert in the matter. I agree that he does have a curious nature about him, those stones we saw awhile ago seemed to have perked his interest greatly. I felt my hair standing on end the whole time we were there."

"He was fully aware when I killed him, but you are correct he was at my mercy. I gave him a chance to live, but he chose the easier option," said Violette her voice cold and distant. "Jonathan? Wasn't he the sick one in bed when we left? If the Falkovnian was a key witness in this Einhorn's death then there is no doubt it was orchestrated on some level by his command. For that matter who was Maria's killer? The way you speak about it is as if you already know. I'll admit to being vaguely interested in the ordeal when I had heard about it. Sounds like it was kept under wraps for awhile though."

Violette sighed verbally straightening up her relaxed posture. "If my actions caused you're friend some pain than I am sorry, but we were not known to each other as allies then. I am a foreign agent just as the Falkovnians were. There are things between our nations that do not sit well, compared to the safest nation from Falkovnia, Richemulot's people have suffered many crimes that would make your face pale. Out of all the treaties signatures Mordent is the safest country that will never be attacked first by Falkovnia because Richemulot and Dementlieu's lands shield her from the horrors of Vlad's war machine. Maybe one day I will tell you a story about why I hate all Falkovnians. I will not lie to you and say if given the chance I wouldn't do the same again. Perhaps I might have some contacts that might shed some light unto the murder. My country has agents among the Falkovnians, there might be some Intel I might be able to share."
 
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