23.2 Stories and Snacks

General Summary

Day 382

The rest of our day off passes peacefully and we spend the evening together swapping stories over dinner. I get to hear about Doraal's family in ways I haven't before. I don't spend much time with them and when I'm with Doraal it's because we're enjoying some quiet time together or with Mistress' family. Or fighting.   Knotrael tells us about how incredibly safe and confident Doraal makes people feel. He tells us of times early in the war when Doraal would lead a fist or two to take on a Collective raid and how they might be outnumbered ten-to-one and still feel like they could win easily. He tells us of how Doraal's best advice to him was that in order to protect those behind you you have to simply end the threat in front of you. Doraal and Knotrael both fight with greatswords, after all. No shield in sight.   Caravel picks this up as well - Doraal has been known to be reckless in his drive to protect people. Even when he can't possible save everyone, he tries. Runs in the family, I think. Caravel also tells us stories about Mistress' family, at my request. Mercifully he leaves out all the embarrassing stories I'm sure he's saved up. Instead we all get to smile at the thought of me as a youngster, keeping camp and lifting people's spirits. I used to save sweets for him because I knew he would never think to save some for when he needed a pick-me-up.  

Days 383 - 387

The next day we leave Drognar and head North towards Afan. It will take us a little longer travelling along the river but it'll be safer, easier, and we can afford a few extra days.   The river itself is swollen and rushing, with chunks of ice being carried downstream. Mystery is amazed to see the ice.  

What does it mean for the river to freeze?

  It would be just the surface, I imagine. Even if the surface freezes the body beneath would continue to move along as it always does. Life would continue.  

Day 384

In our next day of travel Kadia and Hella keep glancing out across the water and eventually we pause to figure out why. Both of them can sense something interesting deep in the river and want to go....diving.   Naturally we wait by the shore while Kadia drags Hella into the frigid water. I focus on their presence at the edges of my perception while we pre-emptively prepare a fire for when they emerge. After more time than I'd like, they do indeed come bursting back out of the water, lips blue and teeth chattering, clutching a large snowflake.   It has a vague aura of transformation about it but I am too busy with tea and hot water to dissect it at the moment. Kadia says it seems familiar, sort of like unmelting ice. It could probably be used to melt just about anything and the riverbed below is littered with them. It will likely run colder than usual for long while - the fish that usually live here while either adapt or die and make way for those that prefer the colder water. It'll be a big change for the area.   We decide to simply settle down here to camp - no need to push our chilled family members. Mystery tells us that there are some small villages along the way West, particularly one of 'lost people' on the other side. A mystic of the Weaver has been gathering people who have left home or lost home and giving them a sense of community. Together enough of us can fly (and Lyssa can even carry Knotrael in armour, though he looks quite embarrassed to admit that they know this empirically) that crossing the river shouldn't be too much of an ordeal. We will have to visit. Perhaps they know of the Witch Queen and may be able to take people in if worst comes to worst (as I fear it might).  

Days 389 - 394

Travel continues to be without issue and we are even treated to Kadia's seafood cooking once again as she and Hella learn the river well enough to fish from it easily.   Eventually we come in sight of an enormous boulder on the river bank and atop it, a pale white and brown troll. They are simply staring out across the river but leap down when they notice us, landing lightly on the ground despite the height from which they jumped.  

Where are you from? And where are you going?

  Slowly (seemingly even more slowly than trolls seemed when I was just an elf) they introduce themself as Ghost. They live in the village that Mystery knows of but, from what I can tell, they have simply been sheltered here for the entire winter, 'thinking'. We join them in their camp, which consists of a simple lean-to against the boulder that cannot have withstood the entire storm...could it?   Ghost is slow and gentle and speaks carefully, asking if fae are getting larger (no, I'm just strange), if we've seen any other people (yes, now that the storm is over people are venturing out more), and whether we know their friend.   There is an elf, Meila, living in the village. Ghost carefully draws the runes for her name (shade, whispers) in the sand but none of us recognize her. Even still, I'm touched that they share the name with us. I wonder if this is a cultural notion that all trolls have learned about elves.   I tell Ghost easily about Dal and the Witch Queen, recognizing how unusual it is that we are a band of elves who are not seeking anyone who is lost, just someone who is far away. They seem impressed that so many of us can work in the Dreaming and communicate with Dal there.   As dusk settles around our camp I start feeling more energetic and it is harder and harder to match Ghost's energy. Fortunately there is much to do as they bring out many jars and containers of herbs, jams, and foodstuff to share. Alder and Kadia get involved with baking and preparing fish as Camellia and I put together a blend of tea to match.   With full bellies around the fire Ghost points to my instrument case and asks if I play. I am unable to resist the speed that comes to my wings as I hasten to fetch the instrument and settle back down. They chuckle at this and go retrieve their own instrument from inside the hut - a set of large hand drums.   And we get to play together! One song at a time, learning from one another and eventually joining in. I play one of the slower elvish songs I've pieced together from my own memories and new knowledge of my instrument, then a faster fae song that I remember playing alongside elves before I said goodnight for the season. When it is Ghost's turn to lead they play a slow, steady melody and sing along in their own language. It is whispery and peaceful - the perfect song before sleep. And I let my own magic bleed into it as we play. We will all sleep well tonight.