[HQ Ignorance] Scene 16: Offerings to the Saviour

[Lev Lafayette]

Start: Wildday, Stasis Week, the 34th day of Sea
Season, 1622

Partially venerated, partially prisoner,
Karala-Walks-With-the-Great-Wolf is taken by the
Telmori and the Mystic of Vustria over fifty leagues
to the north. 

The Mystic explains: "You are being taken to the King
of the Telmori. I'd wager you did not know there was
such a thing, but it is true. Every pack has a leader.
Moreso, you are going to the largest village in
Telmoria. You will never find this place marked on
human maps. It's is, perhaps not surprisingly, known
as 'The Den'. You'd better make a good impression
there, else you will be turned to dogmeat I am sure!"
The Mystic gives a thin smile.

The journey took several days. On the third day,
Karala witnessed a party of wild dragonewts confront
the Telmori and their wolf-brothers. The battle was
short and brutal; the fast-moving lizard beasts
leaping from rock to rock as they sought to challenge
the pack-tactics of the wolf-brothers. Although they
brought down one wolf, the 'newts however were few in
number and were forced to flee.

After this the population of Telmori increased
dramatically. Some were in obviously nomadic bands
with the most primitive of equipment. Others had small
homestead, perhaps numbering twenty to fifty
individuals. However, none of this prepared Karala for
'The Den': It was a huge settlement, at least by
Telmori standards. Fully several hundred individuals
and a like-number of wolves must live within the
village, enclosed by wooden walls and surrounded by
herds of cattle.

The arrival of the group is evidently great news among
The Den. Youngsters, human and wolf, run alongside the
Mystic, Karala and the pack. They head to a large
longhouse in the centre of the village guarded by
bare-chested men with large Beast runes emblazoned on
their breast. The fact they carry no arms seems to
serve as testament to their might.

Taken inside, out from the cool air, a feast of sorts
seems to be in progress. At least score of Telmori and
wolves are eating raw meat from various bowls and
lapping water, as servants bring another cow to the
table for slaughter. The smell of blood in the room is
intense.

At the head of the table, eating quite modestly is a
very handsome regal-looking man with a carefully
trimmed beard and dressed in the finest deerskin. He
is being doted by at least three appreciative women.
Open recognising the entry of the pack, he rises and
gives greetings to the Mystic and the pack. He asks of
news and receives the story of the Fellowship's
meeting.

He looks over Karala and the great white wolf and
introduces himself: "I am Estevan, Leader of the Pack
of The Den. You claim to be our Saviour, who will
remove our curse. Interesting that you would be found
by those who would prevent our vengence against the
people of Talor the Deceiver."

"Perhaps you should explain yourself, and then stay
for us for a special dinner when the sun sets...."


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