Session 28: Running to Mother Report

General Summary

Somewhere deep within the Lorewood, a young stag stepped into a large clearing. Carefully, always keeping an eye on the forest edge, he strode over to the large standing stone at the center of the grassy glade. His antlers were still small, and their growth made them itchy and uncomfortable. A few nights ago, he had discovered that scratching them against this stone cleared away the discomfort for quite a while. Since then, he returned to this place every night, and while he had not been bothered yet, the light of the full moon illuminated the clearing far too much to his liking.   More than a little nervous, the young stag began rubbing his growing antlers against the stone, clearing away the fuzz that caused the discomfort. The relief offered by the stone made the animal forget his caution for a moment, so he was taken by surprise when an unnaturally large goose, larger even than him, landed noisily on the grass a mere dozen feet away.   Startled by the giant bird’s arrival he froze an instant, before regaining his senses and dashing for the relative safety of the forest. Moments later he was forced to veer off as his escape route was blocked by another creature emerging from the shadows beneath the trees. An old woman, hunched over, but still as tall as most humans, hobbled onto the clearing, supported by a gnarled wooden staff. The buck, his eyes now wide in panic, turned to the right and ran for his life. He reached the forest safely, but only stopped his frenzied flight when his heart was about to give out.   Little did the stag know that his fear was completely unnecessary. While the old woman marching onto the clearing was indeed dangerous, as most hags are, she had little use of a dead deer at the moment. Carrying it back to her hut would require her to summon one of her minions, something she loathed to do. The rider of the goose, for the stag hadn’t even noticed that the bird carried another hag on its feathered back, was too involved with keeping her mount in check. She only noticed the buck when it jumped back into the brush of the forest, and by then it was too late to try and capture or kill it, unless she desired a chase. She did not.   The two hags made their way to the large menhir at the center of the glade. They eyed each other without saying a word, placed a hand on the stone and began incanting an old ritual spell in unison. Time seemed to freeze as the words echoed across the moonlit meadow. The wind stopped blowing and all sound fell away. When the incantation was finished, they sat down, making sure to keep in contact with the large standing rock at their sides. The rider of the giant goose spoke first. She was the youngest and weakest of the two and so tradition dictated she acknowledged her better within their extended coven.
“Mother Marblehook. I hope you are doing well.”
  “As well as can be expected, Auntie Gravehand. And you?”
  “Plagued with troubles as usual. Nothing I cannot handle however.”
  Mother Marblehook grinned at Auntie’s reply. She had guessed why Mother had summoned her here. It seemed she had little desire for pleasantries.
“Yes, so I have heard. You have made a new home for yourself in the Silver City. Something we have always avoided. As expected, that has led to a disagreement with some knights.”   “I broke no oaths, vows or promises. We are not forbidden to enter the city. And even then, I did not cross the Lorerun. I remained in what they call Dogville. When the deal was made, that village did not even exist. Our deal did not include them expanding their city every few decades.”   Aunties passionate objections made it clear to Mother that she knew she had overstepped.
“Relax, sister. I care little for your intrusion into Keralon. As you say, you kept to the letter of our deal with their king. That is all they can expect. Let those knights balk and cry like the children they are. They need us more than we need them.”   More at ease now, Auntie leaned back and considered Mother’s words. Beneath her breath she muttered the first thought that came to her. She regretted it the moment she spoke them out loud.
“For now.”   Mother Marblehook’s eyes widened, and the air grew icy cold.
“Blasphemy, Auntie Gravehand. I will hear none of that talk. For centuries the coven has dealt with its own problems. Never have we turned to outsiders, let alone the knights of Keralon. That will not change now.”   “I agree, Mother. We are weakened though. If our song falters, they will wake, and we shall be the first to feel their wrath. The coven needs to be strengthened.”   “Is that why you are trying to bare a daughter?”   The accusation hung silently between both hags. Both knew the rules of the coven forbade the members from creating more hags without the others’ consent. Auntie Gravehand couldn’t look her sister hag in the eyes. The lie came out weak, broken and obvious.
“I don’t know what you refer to, Mother. I would never.”   “Don’t insult me, Auntie. I know the truth. If Nan would hear about this…”   “Please don’t tell her.”
Auntie’s plea was a mistake, and she knew it. Asking for a favor was dangerous among fey, especially if the plea was made unconditionally. All Mother had to do was agree and name her price, and Auntie would be bound.   “I will not. In return, you will forsake your feud with the knights and move back to the Lorewood.”   Auntie sighed. Mother could have demanded a lot more.   “What about my deal for the unborn girl?”   Mother shrugged and began the struggle to get back to her feet.
“I don’t care. Take her and use her any way you see fit, just don’t turn her into one of us.”   Auntie followed Mother’s example, using the menhir to stand up.
“I will bake her into a pie for us to enjoy together then.”   Nodding appreciatively, Mother began incanting another ancient spell. Auntie joined in as soon as she was standing. The spell on the clearing broke as soon as the chant ended. The wind returned and the normal sounds of night echoed through the forest once more.   Without speaking both hags turned and walked away. Mother Marblehook hobbled back into the Lorewood and Auntie Gravehand returned to her goose. A few minutes after the giant bird took off into the sky no evidence remained of the meeting between two of the areas most dangerous inhabitants.