Caravan Tales

The Spine of the World.  The High Ice. Sandru's Caravan.  Evening camp.

     Ameiko, Keldra, Nisko, Satsu, Kryes and Naqum have returned to Iqaliat to bring back the white dragonhide breast plate. Naqum will be staying in Iqaliat, his duty of guiding you to Vegsundvaag's lair, completed. The Caravan waits on the plateau for their return in two days.

     The cooks portion out the stew while the salt, lemon and pepper seasoned fish, sizzles on frying pans.  Sandru gathers the crew and introduces the newest member of the caravan. "This, dear caravaner's, is Nanuq.  He will joining us for the remaining tour, to the exotic lands of Tian Xia! Our newest crew man!"  There are greetings all around. Sandru continues, "He is young and strong and will make a fine addition to Kelra's harem!"

     Laughter all around. 

     "Don't tease him, Sandru." Koya says. "Nanuq, why don't you tell us more about yourself."

     Nanuq says, "I am an apprentice explorer and hunter in Iqaliat.  My wife, Nyla, and our baby, Cunayou, will stay behind, as I venture forth with your caravan.  My chieftain has tasked me of mapping the hills, valleys and mountains of the High Ice on my journey to the foreign lands and upon our return venture".

     "May star light guide you on your travels." Koya says. A few devout crew men repeat the phrase.

     "You are a servant of the Queen of the North Star?" Asked Nanuq.

     "Yes, though she is not often called that.  An old name, I believe."  Koya says, 

     Nanuq nods, "Yes. Though, I have not heard it often among the people. ".

     Koya says, "I am not surprised. Her emissaries were driven from this place long ago. Hundreds of years ago, tundra nomads, called the Uqtaal clans of the Crown of the World, worshiped Desna as the 'Queen of the North Star' as they revered her as their protector during the long arctic nights. They also believed that at the point of death, their souls would travel to the North Star. They built theUqtall Necropolis at the base of the Wall of Heaven Mountains with a passage called the Path of Spirits that led souls onto the High Ice, and then from there to the North Pole, guided by the North Star. There Desna would find them and take their soul to their final resting place in the stars. Unfortunately, the Uqtaal clans eventually were corrupted to the worship of Fumeiyoshi away from Desna".

     "Fumeiyoshi?", someone asks.

     Koya says, "A deity from Tian Xia, mostly associated with the undead and graves".

     "Yes," Nanuq says, "That makes sense. Packs of frozen dead have been seen roaming the High Ice farther to the north.  Near the black monoliths".

     The announcement makes the crew restless and grumbly and a few of them utter the words, "Packs?"

     "Nothing we can't handle, boys!" Sandru pipes in, "Look, let's fill our Nanuq in on some of the things this here Caravan has already accomplished! How about that time in Brinewall Castle where our boys cleared out them Dire Corby infested dungeons and rescued our girl Keldra?"  

     The cooks portion out the fish and the crew settles in for a Sandru story... 

     Sandru continues ... "...Do you hear what I'm saying!  A flying bird man demon oni!  And our boys cut it down like it was a goblin sapper!  And if that wasn't enough, they stole his magic chain and can use it to summon this really, really disgusting giant bug! ...."

     Sandru continues ... "...an intelligent sword!  Now, I've heard of such things, out on the road, you just collect a thing or two, you know?  Intelligent swords are powerful tools!  And with great power, comes great responsibility!   And all they had to do was fight dozens of vikings,  take on a clan of super assassins and fight an invisible demon in the streets of Kalsgard!  Excelsior!"

     Sandru continues ... "... Well, sure it was cold. But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do! Gave new meaning to the term "blue balls" if you get my drift!"

     Sandru continues ..." ... Hell, Nanuq!  You were there!  What with village Shaman, Tanuak, fallen into service with that undead ice demon!  Now we know he smashed the dragon eggs and framed your people.  He wanted the dragon to wipe out your village so he could raise you all as more frozen undead.  I don't know what your people will do with him but I hope it involves rocks and hammers and toes".

     Sandru continues ... "And that brings us to the meat of the matter.  The white dragon.  Vengsundvaag.  Nisko, Kryes,  Satsu, Shalelu and Koya went down into that ice ravine.  We weren't sure if they were even coming back. I mean, we seen our boys take on some hideous beasts and some vile people. But a dragon?

     A dragon?   Bard's write songs and plays about dragons!  And this wasn't no wild beastling, either.  This one was smart. She was named and she was a nasty piece of work.      

     Our boys have dome some impressive things but we all had doubts about this one.  Split the group up in case the dragon was just angered and got around them and attacked the caravan.  Normally, Sulk and Amul would go out as the advance party but they stayed behind this time.  Just in case there was a dragon counter attack. 

     But guess what happened, Nanuq of the North?  Well, you already know the answer to that one now, don't you? Our boys and, well, our girl here, they went down into that icy ravine and that white dragon roared her terrible roar and gnashed her terrible teeth and breathed her terrible breath! 

     And that dragon died by the sword, and the lance and the arrow.

     Dragon bards should be writing songs and plays about us!

     And then we looted a shit load of treasure!"

     Cheers all around!   Sandru finishes up, "And so that's not why I'm not scared of packs of undead!  Or legions of undead.  Hell, throw in a bloody army of legions of undead!   Not!  Worried!

     And neither should you be!"

     Sandru's words eased the crew.  Even young Nanuq was at ease.  Dinner and story time over, everyone returned to work.  Sandru and Koya help the cooks clean up.  The two of them retire to the fortune teller's wagon.

     Koya enters first, Sandru second and closes the door behind.

     Sandru, "Bloody fuck, Koya!  Packs of bloody undead!  What the shit!  We're walking right into that!"

     Koya, "Not so loud Sandru, they'll hear you."

     Sandru, calmer, "I know, I know.  But bloody hell Koya.  There are only so many times we can escape from demons and dungeons and dragons before our people, our friends, start getting killed!  Or us, me, you ... Ameiko!  It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.  And I don't want to take the caravan into harsh bloody fucking storms where roaming PACKS of frozen undead are guarding every one of these black monoliths.  Did you hear about the paintings the cave? There were dozens of these monoliths spread all over the High Ice.  Maybe more!"

     Koya hesitates. 

     Sandru notices.  "Wait, what have you seen? Have you seen something?"

     "Nothing is set in stone. But, I've read something, multiple times.  The tea leaves.  The stars.  And now it's in my dreams.  And today, the cards." Koya gestures to her desk.  Her reading cards are laid out in pattern. 

     "What am I looking at?", Sandru says.

     Koya gestures over the pattern, "Crossed cards, here and here, which means a near certainty of events.  Then, these cards, here and here - The Mountain and The Wind. Enemies.  But enemies of whom?  So then, I drew these two, side by side - The Friend and Death. I believe the fortune is clear.  A friend, a close friend, will die on the mountain.  But when?", Koya taps a face down card,  "I drew this, the final card, but I am too terrified to reveal it. I wanted you here."

     Sandru nods, "I understand, Koya, I'm here.  Turn it."

     Koya's hand hesitates for a moment.  She takes a breath and turns the card, her face changes from apprehension to ... confusion.  "The Goblin".

     Sandru, "Okay.  That sound alright.  We can deal with goblins."

     Koya,  "This ... no, you do not understand, I should not have drawn this card. It makes no sense.  The Goblin is not a time or location card. It's a card of violence and crime'. 

     Sandru, "Well, maybe it means our friend will die a violent death at the hands of the goblins. I hate to say it out loud but the meaning seems clear to me."

     Koya, "No.  This card should not have been in the deck. I built this deck for a specific reading.  I had removed both Goblins, I am sure of it."

     Sandru, "So ... maybe someone messed with your deck.  Accidentally, even."

     Koya, "I would know.  The deck has remained untouched.  Unless ... wait!  Wait!  I feel ... I feel .... go outside!  Talk to someone!  Anyone!  Their first phrase, their first sentence. Their first sentence will reveal to us our answer!"

     Sandru, "What answer?"

      Koya, "The who?  Who sent the Goblin to us?"

     Sandru grabs his cloak and rushes out the door. He throws his cloak on, pulls the hood up.  No one is around.  He runs around the camp.  Who does he see?  Where?  Where the hell is everyone? No, wait, there!  Someone by the camp fire!

     Nanuq! He's gazing to the north, staring at the sky.  The sun is setting for the poles one hour of darkness.  A few of the brighter stars are already in the sky.

     Sandru, excited and out of breath, "Nanuq.  What do you see?"

     Nanuq smiles and points to the sky, to the brightest star in the north. "The Queen of the North Star."