[HQ Ignorance] Scene 96: In the Court of Ms. Flint

[Lev Lafayette]

Scene 96: In the Court of Ms. Flint

Far to the north, Aalmon Far Rider and Icthya made their way among the
cold and wet, and sometimes snow-encrusted lands of Eol The Thrice
Blessed. As a heavy rain poured over them Aalmon remarked that they
people must have a fine sense of humour to call their lands so blessed.
Icthya, for her part, enjoyed the lack of civilisation and the deep
green grass underfoot, despite only a few needle-leaved trees and
low-lying shrubberies being present. Where there are no people, there
are plenty of animals and even in this climate Icthya pointed out deer,
rabbits, various rodents and on one occassion, a bear in the distance.

The horses, it must be said, did not enjoy the journey and by the second
night in the taiga it was decidedly looking worse for wear. Both Aalmon
and Icthya, experienced in the outdoors and ranging, gave each other
knowing looks when a local hunter sought to stalk them and catch them
unawares. Well prepared they quickly turned the tables on him. Akiak, as
he introduced himself, was indeed a native of Eol, and sought no ill
against the strangers, or so he said. It was just particularly unusual
that one would be in this lands without stated purpose and, besides, it
was his duty to report to his people who walked upon their lands.

When the name Mrs. Flint was mentioned, Akiak nodded. "You seek Ahnah
The Wise whom common southern travellers have call Mrs. Flint, on
account of our mighty warriors and their thunder stones. Do you seek the
services of the warriors?" When it was explained that they did not,
Akiak seemed slightly disappointed. "We are often provided with useful
goods when the people of the south need our weapons of war.
Nevertheless, I shall take you there"

The journey to Ahnah took a night, a day and into another night. On the
first night Aalmon and Icthya were taken to stay with Akiak's extended
family, where the shaman questioned them on their intentions. A brief
conversation between the shaman and the Akiak seemed to result in a
positive agreement and the Fellowship members were allowed to stay and
were given Akiak as a guide on the following day. 

It was not until after sunset that Akiak took Aalmon and Icthya to a
mountain face. Up on the ledges there could be seen many men and women
of Akiak's kind, wrapped in furs and armed with sling and spear. A
massive entrance to a cave stood directly in front of them. "Talk not
directly to the holy woman, but to the mountain itself. You will see its
face." There, he beckoned them inside as he waited at the entrance.
Small torches led the way deeper in the chamber which was as grand as
anything built by human hands. 

Standing within was at least three score Eol; sitting at their head was
a very old woman, grey of hair, but soft of face and with a matronly
physique. She stood as Aalmon and Icthya entered the main chamber,
caught their eye and slowly raised her arms and head upwards. And as the
others followed suit, Aalmon and Icthya saw it.. A sparkling ceiling,
dancing lights upon a vault that bore great resemblance to the most
beautiful Churches in the Kingdoms of the West.

And there was a face; a face that took up the entire ceiling itself, not
obvious at first, but clearer once one's vision adjusted. The mouth
moved slightly, the eyes blinked. And it waited.