Post by Rhabuka on Sept 5, 2004 19:52:52 GMT -5
The large bear loped along the side of the mountain, looking for the tell-tale patch of jagged rocks marking the entrance to the cave. Her long claws dug into the ground, sending pebbles and rocks skittering down the sides. She snuffled softly as she moved. The wildlife in the area was quick to avoid her path, realizing the strength in the muscles that rippled beneath her thick fur.
Signs of vulnerability, however, were evident in the patch of skin that hung off the bear’s rump and the long singe marks along her right side. She had recently gone through the trials of her 40th season and still bore some of the scars from a lengthy battle with a mighty treant named Oakhollow. She and her mate Zugarok had bested him in combat, but the fight had been quite difficult.
The bear stopped and raised her head, sniffing the warm, dry air. She knew she was close. She had not been here in several sunrises but could feel the presence of her mentor nearby. A gray wolf scuttled past her but she paid it no heed.
At last the tooth-like rocks that marked the entrance to Argra’s home came into view. Rhabuka quickened her pace, charging up the hill and into the dark, dank cave. As always, the giant shaman was there, looking into her scrying pool. She turned to face Rhabuka as the young bear came to a stop. She noted the wounds on the ogre’s flank and nodded approvingly.
“Welcome back, Rhabuka. It has been too many moons since we last saw each other.”<br>
“Yar,” the small shaman replied, moving further into the cave. “Me needs to talk wit yous, Argra. Me needs…”
Argra closed her eyes, stopping Rhabuka’s words. “I know why you have come, my child. You are confused about your interactions in the wider world. You have crossed paths with all of the races since your departure from Oggok. You have seen empires rise and fall, and now find yourself among a diverse group of heroes and villains. You are questioning your feelings in regards to many of these creatures.”<br>
Rhabuka nodded slowly, trying to formulate the words. “Argra, me not know wut do sometime. Like, me belly say to hate dem, but me den member wut yous said. Dey asked for me help and me not want to, but me den member wut yous said.” Her eyes darkened, claws digging deeper into the soft earthen floor of the cave. “Dere be some dat me rader just tare da flesh from dem an eet, but den me member agin wut yous said.”<br>
“Yes, I know it is difficult to respect something, much less hold a conversation with it, once you’ve tasted its flesh. And I know some of those races are quite sweet tasting indeed.”<br>
Argra shifted her gaze upwards, Rhabuka slowly doing likewise. “Rhabuka, you have reached the middle age of our race. You have learned much, but there is much more for you to see and do. I wish I could make you understand all that I have seen of what is yet to pass, but as wise as you are for a present-day ogre… it is something you cannot comprehend. Young one, the times ahead will be marred by great changes. A time will come when the Gods themselves band together to deal with the mortals on this plane.”<br>
Argra turned to indicate a pile of tablets and scrolls in the farthest corner of her cave. “I have been working on transcribing the Old Stories. These have been passed down from shaman to shaman through words, but now they will live forever in these writings. They are scribed in the Common Tongue and tell of the past glories of our kind. Since you will not be around to see the ogres rise again, it will serve no purpose for me to teach you how to read this language… but be assured that the fog will be lifted from the minds of our people! They will come to see that we are a race of kings!!”<br>
The great shaman’s voice had risen in her excitement. More quietly, she said, “Many centuries will pass before that event occurs, and so I must continue to keep watch on the events and changes in Tunaria. A myriad of alliances are possible and I don’t want to commit to just one. I seek to test these other races through you, and that is why I need you to remain among them.”<br>
Rhabuka nodded her head slowly, feeling that she had comprehended most of what Argra had said. She truly wished she were as wise as the wondrous being before her!
“I already see great promise in one of your companions, Rhabuka,” Argra continued. “A Tier Dal knight, currently exiled from his homeland. He has spent much time among our kindred and grows strong. His is a long-lived race and he is young still… I think he and I could have much to discuss over the next few centuries. It is true that his people have shunned him, but unbeknownst to him he carries the favor of the Gods. One day his shadowy path may lead him to become the next ruler of Neriak, a true and powerful Prince of Hate.”<br>
Argra stopped suddenly and smiled, as well as a bear could smile. “But I step too far ahead. My child, have I addressed your concerns? Can you return to your task?”<br>
“Yar, Argra, me do feel bedder now me talk wit yous. Me go bak, find Zug, kill sometin.”<br>
The old shaman nodded. “That sounds like a grand plan indeed, I wish I could join you but I must remain hidden in here until nightfall. Travel well, fight well… the blood you spill brings honor to our tribe. And I don’t speak of the ones who stand beside you now, Rhabuka.”<br>
The young bear inclined her head, then turned and left the musty cave. Argra watched her leave, and then moved again to gaze into the pool of water below her.
Signs of vulnerability, however, were evident in the patch of skin that hung off the bear’s rump and the long singe marks along her right side. She had recently gone through the trials of her 40th season and still bore some of the scars from a lengthy battle with a mighty treant named Oakhollow. She and her mate Zugarok had bested him in combat, but the fight had been quite difficult.
The bear stopped and raised her head, sniffing the warm, dry air. She knew she was close. She had not been here in several sunrises but could feel the presence of her mentor nearby. A gray wolf scuttled past her but she paid it no heed.
At last the tooth-like rocks that marked the entrance to Argra’s home came into view. Rhabuka quickened her pace, charging up the hill and into the dark, dank cave. As always, the giant shaman was there, looking into her scrying pool. She turned to face Rhabuka as the young bear came to a stop. She noted the wounds on the ogre’s flank and nodded approvingly.
“Welcome back, Rhabuka. It has been too many moons since we last saw each other.”<br>
“Yar,” the small shaman replied, moving further into the cave. “Me needs to talk wit yous, Argra. Me needs…”
Argra closed her eyes, stopping Rhabuka’s words. “I know why you have come, my child. You are confused about your interactions in the wider world. You have crossed paths with all of the races since your departure from Oggok. You have seen empires rise and fall, and now find yourself among a diverse group of heroes and villains. You are questioning your feelings in regards to many of these creatures.”<br>
Rhabuka nodded slowly, trying to formulate the words. “Argra, me not know wut do sometime. Like, me belly say to hate dem, but me den member wut yous said. Dey asked for me help and me not want to, but me den member wut yous said.” Her eyes darkened, claws digging deeper into the soft earthen floor of the cave. “Dere be some dat me rader just tare da flesh from dem an eet, but den me member agin wut yous said.”<br>
“Yes, I know it is difficult to respect something, much less hold a conversation with it, once you’ve tasted its flesh. And I know some of those races are quite sweet tasting indeed.”<br>
Argra shifted her gaze upwards, Rhabuka slowly doing likewise. “Rhabuka, you have reached the middle age of our race. You have learned much, but there is much more for you to see and do. I wish I could make you understand all that I have seen of what is yet to pass, but as wise as you are for a present-day ogre… it is something you cannot comprehend. Young one, the times ahead will be marred by great changes. A time will come when the Gods themselves band together to deal with the mortals on this plane.”<br>
Argra turned to indicate a pile of tablets and scrolls in the farthest corner of her cave. “I have been working on transcribing the Old Stories. These have been passed down from shaman to shaman through words, but now they will live forever in these writings. They are scribed in the Common Tongue and tell of the past glories of our kind. Since you will not be around to see the ogres rise again, it will serve no purpose for me to teach you how to read this language… but be assured that the fog will be lifted from the minds of our people! They will come to see that we are a race of kings!!”<br>
The great shaman’s voice had risen in her excitement. More quietly, she said, “Many centuries will pass before that event occurs, and so I must continue to keep watch on the events and changes in Tunaria. A myriad of alliances are possible and I don’t want to commit to just one. I seek to test these other races through you, and that is why I need you to remain among them.”<br>
Rhabuka nodded her head slowly, feeling that she had comprehended most of what Argra had said. She truly wished she were as wise as the wondrous being before her!
“I already see great promise in one of your companions, Rhabuka,” Argra continued. “A Tier Dal knight, currently exiled from his homeland. He has spent much time among our kindred and grows strong. His is a long-lived race and he is young still… I think he and I could have much to discuss over the next few centuries. It is true that his people have shunned him, but unbeknownst to him he carries the favor of the Gods. One day his shadowy path may lead him to become the next ruler of Neriak, a true and powerful Prince of Hate.”<br>
Argra stopped suddenly and smiled, as well as a bear could smile. “But I step too far ahead. My child, have I addressed your concerns? Can you return to your task?”<br>
“Yar, Argra, me do feel bedder now me talk wit yous. Me go bak, find Zug, kill sometin.”<br>
The old shaman nodded. “That sounds like a grand plan indeed, I wish I could join you but I must remain hidden in here until nightfall. Travel well, fight well… the blood you spill brings honor to our tribe. And I don’t speak of the ones who stand beside you now, Rhabuka.”<br>
The young bear inclined her head, then turned and left the musty cave. Argra watched her leave, and then moved again to gaze into the pool of water below her.