[HQ Ignorance] Scene 77: Icthya, Aalmon and The Cryptic Woman

[Lev Lafayette]

Scene 77: Icthya, Aalmon and The Cryptic Woman

Aalmon's prisoners looked at amazement at their released bonds, and
almost took the opportunity to run when the opportunity presented
itself, except for the woman who stood staring at Aalmon. "What strange
Moon magics is this?", she demanded. "First you capture us, then you let
us go? This is the sort of game that my great spirit would play, leaving
mere peasants out for the mercy of Druluz bandits - oh what fun that
must be, the short-legged but competent ducks chasing down the
long-legged but incompent peasants. I couldn't think of a better trick
myself. But no, I'm afraid that I'm not going to play that game it with
you. No, if you an the elf-lady are travelling north to get away from
this war, then I shall do so as well. By foot if need be." And with
those remarks, she retied her bonds.

Aalmon sighed at this stubborn Satarite woman. "Alright, you can travel
with us. To Furthest at least, after that I shall have to consider our
options." The woman (whom Aalmon noted had not given her name) smiled as
if she knew something otherwise...

The journey west and north was not as unpleasant as expected; taking the
southern edge of the Upland Marsh was frightening, but the group was not
confronted by any spirits of the dead in an area which was nominally
still in control of the Ducks. Taking the journey west of Wintertop and
then to Jaldon's Wrong River before turning north, the snow remained
crisp on the ground, but the temperature improved a great deal. "We
approach the Glowline", remarked Aalmon. "The effects of Orlanth's
capture grow weaker as the power of the Red Goddess expands."

Trade continued up the river and there were some merchants bringing
foodstuffs and firewood south into the wintery landscape from Lunar
Tarsh. The Grazelanders too were suffering from the blight of cold, but
the Empire had seen good reason to provide the pure horse people special
assistance for their loyalty. Each day the trio managed to find a new
location to rest overnight, and find good food and drink.

On the ninth day of their journey they reached Tarsh and the Glowline.
The demarcation point was quite sudden and visible; on one side it was
bitterly cold with hardly a breath of air possible. On the other, Aalmon
beamed with the full power of his magic and Icthya and the strange woman
took deep and actual breaths of air. Although it was still winter, the
snow underfoot was clean and light, unlike the frozen wasteland that had
become Dragon Pass.

Making much better speed, the group travelled northwards towards the
Temple of the Reaching Moon and Furthest. Stopping by the Temple, Aalmon
told the strange woman that he and Icthya intended to travel much
further north and that they had a private mission to attend to. The
woman smiled once again, and said that it was not so private. Taken
aback Aalmon inquired what she knew of his mission and that of the
Aldryami. She said she had received a prophecy; and the prophecy was
that:


"You must kill a weapon at the greatest battlefield in circumstances of
great desperation. You'll be opposed by the Devil."