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Date Posted: 20:12:27 12/06/01 Thu
Author: Erlic Eastlore
Subject: Tribes and such
In reply to: Marz and co. 's message, "Moving on to the next stop in the journey" on 10:13:23 12/06/01 Thu

It had been close to a four-hour journey, and Erlic was sure that the rest of the group was tired. He was extremely glad for the tribe’s interlude, allowing the group to rest a bit, and realize that the group really meant no harm to them. What seemed like the tribe leader had given Erlic a feather, and the assassin simply bowed to the man in respect. He would make sure that no one from the group caused any disruptions while they were visitors of the hill tribe. After all, they had extended them the courtesy of instructing the group which way the Sea of Salts lay, even though it required a token of their friendship. Erlic didn’t mind at all giving the necklace away. There would be more to where such items came from, and if it meant the safety of his group, it was but a small price to pay.

Once they had assembled at the hill tribe’s camp, Erlic made himself comfortable. When the shell of goat’s blood was passed around, he made sure to drink from it, after all it was customary for visitors to show their gratitude as a sign of good faith. Although the blood had a bitter taste to it, a small dose wouldn’t harm him. Once he had finished with it, he partook of his own wine to simply wash away the taste.

It amused him that every place they went, especially where tribes were concerned, Corum seemed to be the center of attention. When they were on an island rescuing Marz, he remembered how the tribe they had encountered, the ones that had Marz tied up, and ready to be boiled in a big pot, suddenly stopped what they were doing, and bowed down to Corum thinking he was a god. In all actuality, the tribe’s camp had been surrounded by different colored glass skulls, all sitting on a staff, very similar to that of Yorik, and it was for that reason that Corum was considered above the rest.

Now, here in Neromba, it was occurring again, but this time, the youth had help with the floating skull named Barry. Perhaps one day when Corum became intelligent in the ways of the world, he would be able to put his knowledge, and his skull to good use. But for now, that would be in the future, and the way things were progressing, probably very far in the future. Erlic smiled inwardly for Corum was a good companion to Marz. The two of them respected each other even though their admiration was usually verbalized by mock comments toward each other. More intriguing though, was that they made a good pair, even though they always managed to get themselves in trouble. But by find the trouble, they always managed to help out some poor, and lonely individual in dire need of help, or find wealth beyond expectation, and many other circumstances. It was simply the two of them that managed that, and it was difficult for Erlic to sometimes comprehend such outwardly acts of what one might call stupidity, to formulate itself into actual rash judgment, and knowledge.

Erlic watched as Ravin departed from the campsite, trying to find his own cave. He was glad his fellow companion was getting an education from Laurel, for Erlic knew sometime back that Ravin couldn’t read, and made sure he didn’t tell anyone. Despite his comrade’s slight disability, Ravin was quite an accomplished individual in every sense of the word, and the assassin was glad to have befriended him.

Since there was some time to kill, Erlic found his own cave, and was quite pleased with it. He sat down for a brief moment to write in his journal. He happened to glance up staring at part of the cave’s wall. He wasn’t sure what he was staring at, and decided to climb the wall to the ledge near the area that drew his attention. There was nothing there, at least at first there wasn’t until he spotted what almost looked like light. He quickly pulled on some gloves, and started to search out the area. Immediately a portion of the wall receded exposing a small passageway.

The assassin jumped down, went outside, and called out for Ravin, not wanting to disturb whatever he was doing. Ravin appeared, and Erlic immediately explained what he had found. “I’ll get my stuff,” was all that Ravin had to say. Erlic smiled for Ravin loved adventures, and anything else that was mysterious. He spotted Isobel not far away, and asked her if she was in the mood for an expedition. She gave him a questioning look, and he bid her to follow. Together the three of them entered Erlic’s cave, where the assassin showed them the ledge.

Soon they were inside the corridor, and surprisingly enough, although it was just big enough to crawl though, it suddenly broadened to an area where one could stand. More intriguing was that the path led in an upward direction, if ever so slight. During this time, Erlic had pulled out one of his moon rods to afford some light. He wondered if any of the tribe had ever spotted this secret door. Regardless, if they encountered any of the tribe, they would soon find out.

The floor was quite dusty as the group slowly made their way down the corridor. Both Ravin, and Erlic watched carefully for any signs of traps. By this time Ravin had his gloves on as well, for it was a well-known fact that such areas always had some form of trap associated with them, and usually those traps were poisonous.

From what Erlic could tell the passageway seemed to veer deeper into the mountain itself until it came to a singular door. Both thieves looked at each other, and Erlic simply smiled, bowed, and allowed Ravin to check for any traps he might find. Erlic continued to check on Isobel, and the path behind them for any signs of trouble.

Ravin used his stone, and it radiated no magic whatsoever. The thief simply shrugged his shoulder, and cautiously opened the door. What appeared before them was an extremely large room with a table in its center, and four chairs. On the table where four plates, goblets, and a variety of food. The room was somehow magically lit, and well preserved. On each wall was a tapestry depicting some sort of scenery. In one corner of the room was a desk, and chair, while in the other corner was a cart filled with various bottles. Everything in the room was surprisingly clean, and void of any dust, and Erlic had to wonder what in the world it was doing here in the middle of the mountain.

“Won’t you join me for dinner my friends,” a voice boomed out. Erlic quickly had his hand on his shurikens as he followed the voice. There sitting at the table, which before was void of any individual, sat an old man wearing red, and green robes, with long gray hair, a long gray beard, and what seemed to be a friendly smile on his face. He wore no weapons whatsoever.

“Please,” the old man invited. “Come join an old man for a friendly dinner. I really mean you no harm, and after all, you haven’t eaten in a while.”

The group simply stood their ground deciding what to do.

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Replies:

  • That's me -- Corum & Yorik, 20:57:10 12/06/01 Thu
  • Dinner looks scrumptious! -- Tristan, 01:54:11 12/07/01 Fri
  • Curiouser and curiouser -- Isobel, 04:30:03 12/07/01 Fri
  • Now this is more like it! -- Barry, 04:47:24 12/07/01 Fri
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