Post by Solana on Mar 18, 2024 17:28:34 GMT -5
Chapter Three- Where Trouble Springs From
"May the light of Althena be our shield and sword on our quest. Be it so," Mauri chanted, her hands lifted up to the Blue Star.
"Be it so!" the people of Zulan echoed. Wuta, Api, and Bronn would be taking Mauri up into the mountains to investigate the source of the contaminated spring. (Mota would be staying with Api's sister's family.) Between Wuta's sword, Api's mace and spear and guide abilities, and Bronn's powerful fire and ice magic, Mauri knew that they would be able to overcome anything.
The mayor had protested against the only priestess in Zulan going along, even with such formidable allies. Frustrated at her defense of her archery abilities being cut off repeatedly, Mauri had finally drawn her bow and shot off the only dead leaf clinging to a birch tree- two hundred feet away. The mayor had been quiet after that.
Api was going through this and Wuta's packs, making sure that they had everything that would be needed. Wuta was doing some stretches, making sure that she could perform her sword skills as bundled up as she was. Bronn was tapping his foot impatiently for a while before switching to tapping the end of his fire staff into the ice.
Annoyed, Api finally glared at him. "Would you mind?! Our priestess will be needed for keeping us hale AND purifying the water. I'd rather have too many healing herbs than not enough on this trip."
Bronn huffed. "You think that my magic isn't enough to keep us safe? My great-grandfather was-"
Wuta rolled her eyes. "'Cousin to the Ausa clan and a hero to Lunar'," she recited with Bronn in perfect synchrocity. Bronn glared at her as Wuta continued, "Restar McCloud isn't here to get us up the mountain- you are. The entire city- and my daughter- are counting on us to protect them. I won't let anyone's overconfidence prevent that."
Bronn exhaled loudly but nodded and stopped tapping his staff impatiently. He even took a moment to go through his own pack to count his starlights.
Mauri hid a smile- she had seen Wuta talk to Mota in much the same way for the same results- and saw Leyla coming up to her.
"Lady Mauri, I used the melted snow to make elixirs for the last few patients," she began happily, then looked nervous. "I, uh, used the last of the snowsprout grass. If you see any, can you get me some?"
Mauri hugged her gratefully. "Of course we will. Althena give you wisdom in your heart and steady hands," she whispered in the girl's ear, a long-used blessing among the Chosen for healers.
Leyla hugged her back. "Come back safely to us. We still need you."
Api had finished repacking and looked satisfied. "Let's be on our way, then!" he announced.
The mayor and townspeople waved hopefully to the group. The mayor's daughter, Maria, was holding Mota's hand as she was blowing kisses to her parents. Her parents blew them back enthusiastically before leading Mauri and Bronn to the path leading up into Zulan's mountains.
Despite the length of time Mauri had been in Zulan, she had only taken a short hike into the mountains one time to help Leyla look for snowsprout grass. The day had been mild, so maybe this wouldn't be too bad compared to the mountains around Raculi.
Or so she had thought.
What Mauri had forgotten was how windy it was! Refreshing in a volcanic region, the wind here was like an icy knife cutting through every layer she wore. She huddled in her cloak and fur robe and tried her best to ignore it.
Bronn approached her with something in his hand. "I forgot to give you this before we left, lady. I only finished it last night." He held out something knitted in warm blue wool.
Mauri accepted it, then opened it to see a well-made hood. To her surprise, there were little pockets on the sides to fit her long, pointed ears. "Bronn, YOU made this?"
Bronn turned red. "Fire/ice mages aren't needed as much in the summertime, so I learned how to make things to keep busy. You need this and won't do us any good if you freeze on the way up!" he called over his shoulder as he walked away.
"Thank you!" Mauri called back, and he flapped a hand in answer. Mauri gratefully replaced her ill-fitting hat with the warm hood, sighing in gratitude at the feel of warmth on her ears at last. It was even big enough to come down over her horn and protect the flesh around it.
Unnoticed, Bronn smiled at having gotten the proportions right and hurried off after Api before the priestess could see his pride in his craft.
Api had taken the lead and was following the stream of warm water cutting its way through the ice and rock. Wuta was watching his back, her flame saber in hand and her eyes constantly alert. Bronn and Mauri were at the rear. The mage gripped his fire staff grimly, glancing suspiciously from one side to the other.
"How many monsters are active this time of year-" Mauri began to Bronn.
Api held up his hand for silence, and Mauri instantly obeyed. He bent down to peer more closely at a rock near the stream of water, then grimaced as he picked up a long blue hair, presumably from a monster stopping to drink.
"Barbarian fur," Wuta murmured.
Bronn came up to glance at the hair and grimaced. "That it is, but maybe it's moved on to hunt?"
A low growl followed by a rising shriek was raised behind them. Everyone turned to see a small flock of wyburns along with a pair of barbarians glaring at them.
"They're hunting, all right. And we're on the menu," Api snapped. He put away his mace and instead took out a long oaken spear with a leaf-shaped blade at one end. "Positions, everyone!"
Wuta raised her flame saber and immediately began slashing at the nearest barbarian. Api guarded her back, taking advantage of his longer reach to thrust without needing to parry nearly as often.
Bronn raised his fire staff and shot a stream of flame at a wyburn trying to get around Api's spear. He didn't see the circling wyburn who was going to try a back attack.
Mauri did. In one smooth movement, she had her bow up and loosed an arrow directly into its eye. It screamed and crash landed into a snowbank.
"Remind me to stay on your good side. That was an excellent shot," Bronn commented. He hummed a little, then grinned. "Load another arrow. I want to try something."
Mauri raised her eyebrows but obeyed. Bronn passed a hand over the arrowhead, muttering, "Ur katna."
The arrowhead immediately burst into flame!
Mauri yelped in surprise but managed to sight and loose the fire arrow directly into another wyburn. It tried fruitlessly to pull the arrow out of its wing, but a thrust from Api's spear ended its misery.
Wuta caught up to the group, busily cleaning the blade of her sword with snow and a cloth. "Is everyone okay?"
Api had a bruise on one wrist, but that was all. He stepped away when Mauri would have fixed it. "Save your magic for larger injuries, my lady. We do not know yet what all we'll face."
"Will it bother your fighting, my love?" Wuta asked.
"No, so let's continue on," Api answered. He used his spear as a walking stick as they went back to the stream to keep following it.
After about a half hour's walk, the stream went under a rock. Api studied the snow around it carefully. "There's a cave back here that was snowed in," he announced, then gestured to Bronn. "Bronn, would you mind clearing us a path?"
Bronn nodded and held up his fire staff. "Ur katna." A smaller, controlled flame shot from the staff into the snow, carefully melting away an opening big enough to step through.
It was a blessing to be out of the freezing wind. While it whistled and moaned outside, the air in the cave was only chilly. Bronn lifted his staff again to serve as a light.
"Sweet, you have rear guard. I need Bronn up front and Mauri in the middle," Api said.
Wuta nodded and drew her blade, the flames on the saber giving off their own light. The stream's water sparkled in the firelight, as did the icicles and snow of the caves.
It was rather pretty. Some of the colors of the ice reminded Mauri of the Goddess' paintbrush in the night sky, making her wonder if the ice crystals were the true cause of the heavenly masterpiece.
After a short walk, they needed to go up an ice ramp to continue on a new level. Api tested it first with the butt of his spear, found it satisfactory, and trudged up it. Bronn stayed close behind, concentrating on keeping his fire staff lit. Mauri was a little slower, watching her footing closely as she still wasn't as used to ice as the locals.
"I'll catch you if need be, Mauri," Wuta called out from behind.
Mauri chuckled. "Hopefully, that will not be necessary!"
Famous last words.
A huge jolt shook the ground under their feet. Wuta gripped Mauri's wrist tightly until the priestess got her footing secure.
"What the hell was that?" Bronn barked.
Another jolt.
"Get up the ramp! Hurry!" Api ordered instead.
Mauri didn't need to be told twice, not liking the fear in the man's voice. Api was already on the upper level, Bronn a few steps behind him.
The ramp gave a much larger jolt, and Mauri nearly fell off the edge.
"Come on!" Wuta shouted, giving Mauri a push towards the higher level. Bronn and Api each caught one of her hands.
Wuta wasn't so lucky. The ramp had cracked and given way under her weight. She fell hard but had missed getting impaled by any of the sharp shards of ice thanks to the Goddess' grace.
"Wuta! Are you okay?" Api called down worriedly.
Wuta slowly got to her feet, then methodically checked all of her limbs. "I'm fine, but I'll need some help getting up to you guys."
Before anyone could answer, there was one more jolt beneath their feet. Ice was smashed and shattered, revealing a spinning razor wolf that had broken through. Three more wolves had followed, along with a barbarian.
Api cursed. "Wuta, we'll cover you from up here. We'll get through this safely!"
Wuta already had her sword up and was preparing one of her special attacks. Api turned to the mage and priestess. "We hit hard and we hit fast. Hurry!"
Bronn was already chanting the beginning of a fire ring spell to hit the group.
Mauri grabbed another arrow from her quiver and put it to the string. "Mother Althena, as one who loves her children, another needs your aid now. Give me the strength to keep her safe!"
The arrowhead of her arrow blazed white, and Mauri released her Holy Shot straight into one of the spinning razor wolves' chests. It snarled once before collapsing.
Immediately after, Bronn's fire ring got rid of the rest of the wolves. Only the barbarian was left, and he...
"Wuta, move!" she suddenly heard Bronn bark.
The swordswoman was down on one knee, shaking. "I... c-can't..." The words fought their way out of her mouth as the barbarian that had paralyzed her moved in for the kill.
Api threw his spear at the barbarian's back. It was a perfect throw, but the barbarians were so thick and muscled that it barely slowed the beast down. Desperate, Api pulled out his mace and leaped off of the ledge after his wife.
"Idiot! Duck!" Bronn yelled. Api saw Bronn raise his staff and got down on the ice. "Lahav!" Bronn shouted, as the huge flame shot towards the barbarian. With a shriek, the barbarian was cooked to a crisp. Its paralysis spell over Wuta shattered, and she got to her feet gratefully.
Api reached his wife and threw his arms around her, not bothering to hide his tears of worry. Wuta returned it, soothing him softly and explaining that she was fine, that Bronn had saved her.
Bronn and Mauri turned away to let them have their moment together- only to see another spinning razor wolf.
Bronn snarled, "I've had enough of you. Derekh Ha'Kerakh!" His ice magic shot forward, crafting an ice ramp right in front of the wolf.
Unaware of the new ramp, it took off towards its prey- only to hit the ramp and go sailing far off in the air and landing about four levels beneath the reunited couple.
The wolf was dazed after it landed, obviously wondering how it had gotten there, but not looking interested in a rematch.
Mauri was impressed and gazed at Bronn with a new respect. He reddened. "What? Can't a couple have a few moments without being interrupted by a hungry monster?"
"You're just a big softie underneath all that, aren't you?" Mauri asked with a smirk.
"No!" Bronn snapped, then stomped away. He pointed his staff at the broken ramp that Wuta had fallen from, muttering, "Derekh Ha'Kerakh!" The ramp rebuilt itself before everyone's astonished eyes. "We're on a quest here, and there's a big hole in the wall inviting more monsters in! Let's get this solved and get the hell out of here!"
Wuta and Api smiled at each other for one more second before holding hands and coming up the new ramp. "You're right, Bronn, and you have my thanks for saving my wife," Api said sincerely. Wuta kissed the mage's cheek, causing him to blush harder.
Despite Wuta's claims to the contrary, she DID have a sprain beginning in one ankle from her landing and a pulled muscle in her sword arm. Mauri was able to fix most of the damage, but Wuta insisted on munching on a few healing herbs to finish the job. Api pulled out some meat pies and hard little apples from his pack, insisting that a quick snack break would be wise to keep their strength up.
Bronn pulled out a thermos of a hot liquid, which Mauri refused until her nose told her it was spiced cider. Then she happily accepted a cup. "No drinking when magic is needed," Bronn explained, then flushed. "I made that mistake but once."
"Considering how your magic has saved us today, we'll skip the story," Wuta offered, while Bronn grinned in relief.
Once everyone was refreshed and Api satisfied that Wuta was well, they picked up their packs and continued on.
The rest of the walk was much less exciting, which Mauri had no complaints about whatsoever. A single barbarian had been drinking at the stream, but one look at the party had sent it running off. Another razor wolf had glowered at them from afar, but made no move to come nearer. Bronn swore that it was the same one that he had sent flying in the cave.
They had two more caves to cut through, but most of the rest of the trek was outside. The stream was getting faster, deeper, and hotter. More and more steam was being given off of the water.
In fact, the air itself was warm enough to the point that there was a relatively large grassy area near a bend in the stream. Right in the middle was a huge patch of Zulan's beloved snowsprout grass.
Mauri remembered Leyla's request for the grass and asked for a quick pitstop. Wuta came to give her a hand harvesting it while Api checked his map and Bronn went through his pack to recount his starlights. Rather than Wuta's flaming sword that would scorch the grass, Mauri used the little dagger that all healers in the Chosen carried for their work to cut the stems swiftly.
After Mauri and Wuta had collected enough snowsprout grass to see Leyla through the rest of the winter (they hoped), Api at last led them to the source of their water... and trouble.
Sitting in the immense, spring fed pool was the largest wyburn that Mauri had ever seen, easily triple the size of the others. The sight and sense of it made her sick to her stomach, but she didn't need her healer's senses to tell her it was ill- cracked blue scales floated in the water around the beast, and several bare patches of skin were visible to them all. Many of those patches were dry and flaky. Its eyes were partially closed and inflamed. Angry looking gashes dripped yellow-green ooze that caked on what scales remained and into the water.
Bronn looked nauseous. "THAT'S been the cause of this? Drinking its bathwater?"
"Yes. This monster is gravely ill and has come here to die. To put it out of its misery would be an act of mercy," Mauri explained. Monster or not, her heart went out to the clearly suffering creature and she took her bow in hand.
The wyburn opened its eyes and glared down at them. Its long, scaly tail swayed in the water before suddenly sweeping towards them.
"Scatter!" Api yelled. He and Wuta dove one way, Bronn and Mauri the other.
Bronn didn't quite jump far enough and got clipped on the shin. He fell to his other knee, cursing a blue storm that would have made any Chosen clergy member blush that wasn't a specialist in healing. Mauri had heard far worse (and far less biologically probable) from a number of patients.
The wyburn sent its tail again at the injured mage. Wuta dashed forward, her sword in hand, and slashed towards the end of it. The last foot of tail was neatly sliced off, leaving the wyburn to howl and tuck its tail back into the water instead.
Api and Wuta got in front of Bronn as Mauri gave him a quick battle examination. His leg wasn't broken, but the very bone had gotten bruised. She quickly chanted the words to the Heal Litany, causing a burst of holy light to shine upon the injured limb for a few seconds.
"Get up, we have to get you out of range!" Mauri ordered.
Bronn got up gingerly, surprised when he could put his full weight on the leg. He nodded in thanks as he and the priestess backed up to fight long range.
The angry wyburn decided to use its wings instead of its injured tail. Flurries of snow and crushed rock was sent out to the group, pushing everyone further back. Wuta threw up her shield over her and her husband's heads, while Mauri and Bronn were out of range.
The wyburn snarled, suddenly sending yellow green icicles at them. Mauri shrieked as one sliced her arm, causing a burning sensation that suggested it carried poison. "Watch it- those are poisonous and aren't ice!" she yelled before muttering a quick litany to cure the poison.
"Not ice? What are they made-" Api looked closer and blanched. "That's just gross."
"Lahav sa'ar!" Bronn summoned a firestorm that melted the icicles in mid-flight, sending yellow-green goop to the snowy ground instead. Before the wyburn could react, Api and Wuta each landed a direct hit to one of the monster's legs.
The wyburn screamed, lowering itself into the water to cover its torn limbs. It wasn't going to be moving much, but it was still angry and sent more rocks flying at the party. Wuta was lucky her helmet was on while Api got a nasty gash on his right arm and Bronn got a hit to his back. Mauri quickly chanted a calm litany to take care of them both.
"I'm running out of juice- we're going to want to finish this fast," Bronn warned everyone, grabbing a starlight out of his bag and devouring it quickly.
"Pass me one?" Mauri asked, and Bronn did so.
Api and Wuta took the offensive, but the upper body of the wyburn had more scales to cover it than the lower body submerged in the pool. Api grimaced as his spear and Wuta's sword both slid out of the wyburn as it thrashed. Mauri shot an arrow, but missed.
Suddenly, Api grinned. "I know how we can beat it. You know how half frozen meat is easiest to cut?"
Wuta smiled as she picked up on his thought. Bronn looked confused. "Why the hell are you talking about food now? Are you hungry?"
Api shook his head impatiently. "Here's what we'll do. Bronn, freeze the wyburn's neck as best as you can. Mauri, you will pin one of its ears to the wall while I use my spear for the other. Once it's frozen and pinned, Wuta can decapitate it."
"We'll need perfect timing," Mauri pointed out, but already reaching for an arrow.
"Luckily we have the Goddess on our side," Api replied. He glanced at Bronn. "Whenever you're ready."
Bronn lifted his staff and concentrated. "Qorach!" A stream of moving ice shot out and caught the wyburn in the throat. Frost blossomed in its fur as the ice pushed the beast back to the cave wall. More ice blossoms froze it to the wall itself.
"Now!" Api yelled, but Mauri was already moving. Her arrow caught the wyburn's left ear while Api's spear caught the right.
Wuta was right behind them. She leaped into the air, raising her sword high, and brought it down in a curving slash that bit through the wyburn's neck. The head thumped off the neck into a small pile of snow and the rest of the body slid back into the water.
Mauri took a deep breath and steeled herself for the biggest healing she had done yet. She fell to her knees, throwing her head back in supplication.
"Goddess Althena, Mother of Love, we send this creature back to your embrace. Please, for the sake of your children who depend on this water and this land, take it fully upon yourself and cleanse this water of its illness. Please...."
"For the sake of our children," Wuta added, placing her hand on Mauri's left shoulder.
"For the sake of the elderly, whose time is not here yet," Bronn murmured, placing his hand on Mauri's right shoulder.
"For the sake of the other wildlife, that they may not inherit this illness," Api said, taking his wife's hand.
"For the sake of us all, hear our plea!" Mauri finished, raising her arms.
It felt like thunder. White and gold light erupted from the ground to envelop the dead wyburn until it vanished in a flurry of sparkles. More light poured into the spring's source, then followed it down the river to the city of Zulan. Sparkles shot up from the water, cleaning and purifying it.
Mauri's mouth was open. She had seen many miracles during her days of training, but never anything like this. Many of the Chosen would have mocked her for involving the laity in her healing, but the power of love conjured by so many people- it called to the Goddess' power in a way her solo prayers alone could never replicate.
"Huh, look at that. And here I wondered how often the Goddess actually hears us," Bronn admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Always, though we don't always get the answer we hoped for," Mauri replied, her eyes still shining as she watched the flow of clean water.
"Well, I bet Mota is wondering how we're doing. What say we head back and see if the effects made it all the way home?" Api suggested.
Wuta kissed his cheek. "Good idea, love. Let's head back."
Mauri had been impressed by the hospitality shown to a visiting healing priestess.
It was nothing compared to a welcome back feast for their 'triumphant heroes'.
Every family had a specialty, and every family insisted that their heroes be fed that specialty, especially their priestess. Mauri was soon stuffed to the gills with pickled fish, deer sausage made with juniper berries, rye toast spread with spruce tip jelly, and countless other dishes that she couldn't remember.
"Please, my lady, my elderberry candies are one of a kind! I MUST show my gratitude to you!" Aile pleaded, tears in her blue eyes as she shoved a plate of shiny burgundy candy under Mauri's nose.
In the lady's defense, the candies were beautiful and smelled absolutely scrumptious- if she hadn't eaten so much already. Oh, Goddess, Ronfar was always better at this kind of thing. What can I say to her that wouldn't result in my getting sick or making her sad?
Inspiration hit as Mauri remembered something Ronfar had said after receiving a plate of very questionable cookies from a patient's family. "Aile, you've put too much work into these for them to be an afterthought after a feast. May I take some with me, that I will remember your kindness and skill after a hard day's healing?" she asked. Unlike the cookies, she DID plan on trying the candies.
Ronfar's charm worked its usual magic. Aile beamed with pleasure and handed Mauri the whole plate. "If you like them, I'll share the recipe with you," she offered, then glanced around suspiciously before whispering, "But no sharing it further, you understand?"
"I understand, and I'm honored at your trust," Mauri whispered back. Aile nodded sharply and went off to go find her son Tan. Mauri sighed in relief as she poured the wrapped candies into the pouch at her waist.
It was short-lived. Bronn clapped a friendly hand on her shoulder. "My ladyyyy, I believe that I owe you my grad-gradi-gradit- thanksh ash well," he commented, a jar in one hand.
Mauri swallowed hard. "You came with us and fought-"
Bronn shook his head. "Nope!" he protested happily and shoved the jar into her hands. "Drink up! My own speschalty!"
Maybe ONE little sip wouldn't kill her? Trying to resist the urge to plug her nose, Mauri took a tiny sip of the strong-smelling herbal concoction.
Huh, it actually wasn't half bad- AHHHHHH! It feels like the Red Dragon is blowing fire to my stomach! Mauri coughed harshly, doubling over as her eyes began to run.
Bronn howled with laughter and clapped her on the back, which actually did help the coughing. "No one actually TRIESH it!" he said, clearly impressed. "You're one helluva lady, Choshen or not!"
"What (cough) is that?!" Mauri managed to croak out, reaching for her handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
"Horshradish vodka!" he replied proudly. "With EXTRA horshradish!"
"Hey, are you trying to poison our priestess?! Get that swill out of here!" Wuta came charging to the rescue like an avenging dragon.
Bronn snarled but backed off. "And keep it away from the candles!" Wuta barked, then turned to Mauri worriedly. "Are you okay?"
Another burst of coughing was the only way Mauri could answer.
Wuta sighed and pulled a small vial out of her belt purse. "He always tries to get SOMEBODY with that. How it hasn't killed him yet..." She shook her head and handed the vial to Mauri. "Drink this- it'll help."
Mauri pulled off the top, noting a minty and wintergreen aroma, and tossed it back. As soon as the icy infusion hit her stomach, the fire went out and her eyes stopped watering. After a few careful breaths, her throat eased and she stopped coughing. "Is that one of Leyla's?"
Wuta nodded. "That girl's a miracle worker no less than you, my lady."
Smiling, Mauri shook her head. "I'm just another pair of hands to the Goddess, Wuta. Leyla has a special talent and has put in much work to serve you all."
"Modest, modest. We usually finish our feasts with song- would you object to that?" Wuta asked cautiously.
Mauri understood. Several high-ranking members of the Chosen saw things such as song and dance as unnecessary at best, and outright scandalous at worst. She herself disagreed, having been raised on legends of Althena's love of music and seeing how it brought joy and love to the people. "I would love to hear it."
Wuta visibly relaxed. "Wonderful. Tan is a great hand with a fiddle, and Aine is a flute player who performed in Meribia when she was young. Music helps us forget the cold and give thanks for our survival."
Mauri soon learned that Wuta had spoken no less than the truth. Tan knew songs from all over Lunar and his mother kept up with him easily. Others joined in with drums, guitars, ocarinas, and even a harp. A few had fine voices, and even Mauri found herself joining in with some of the shepherding songs from Raculi.
After the feast was over, the tables and chairs were moved to make room for dancing. Several of her former patients claimed a dance, and Mauri wasn't allowed to sit down for what felt like hours.
She didn't care- the people were happy, healthy, and celebrating their health and giving thanks to Althena. They taught Mauri the jigs and quick steps of their home, and she looked forward to sharing them with Ronfar when they were united again.
Mauri didn't make it back to her bed until well after midnight. She dropped into a contented sleep like a rock into a pond, without even dreams to disturb her rest.
It was the last truly restful sleep she would enjoy for quite some time.
"May the light of Althena be our shield and sword on our quest. Be it so," Mauri chanted, her hands lifted up to the Blue Star.
"Be it so!" the people of Zulan echoed. Wuta, Api, and Bronn would be taking Mauri up into the mountains to investigate the source of the contaminated spring. (Mota would be staying with Api's sister's family.) Between Wuta's sword, Api's mace and spear and guide abilities, and Bronn's powerful fire and ice magic, Mauri knew that they would be able to overcome anything.
The mayor had protested against the only priestess in Zulan going along, even with such formidable allies. Frustrated at her defense of her archery abilities being cut off repeatedly, Mauri had finally drawn her bow and shot off the only dead leaf clinging to a birch tree- two hundred feet away. The mayor had been quiet after that.
Api was going through this and Wuta's packs, making sure that they had everything that would be needed. Wuta was doing some stretches, making sure that she could perform her sword skills as bundled up as she was. Bronn was tapping his foot impatiently for a while before switching to tapping the end of his fire staff into the ice.
Annoyed, Api finally glared at him. "Would you mind?! Our priestess will be needed for keeping us hale AND purifying the water. I'd rather have too many healing herbs than not enough on this trip."
Bronn huffed. "You think that my magic isn't enough to keep us safe? My great-grandfather was-"
Wuta rolled her eyes. "'Cousin to the Ausa clan and a hero to Lunar'," she recited with Bronn in perfect synchrocity. Bronn glared at her as Wuta continued, "Restar McCloud isn't here to get us up the mountain- you are. The entire city- and my daughter- are counting on us to protect them. I won't let anyone's overconfidence prevent that."
Bronn exhaled loudly but nodded and stopped tapping his staff impatiently. He even took a moment to go through his own pack to count his starlights.
Mauri hid a smile- she had seen Wuta talk to Mota in much the same way for the same results- and saw Leyla coming up to her.
"Lady Mauri, I used the melted snow to make elixirs for the last few patients," she began happily, then looked nervous. "I, uh, used the last of the snowsprout grass. If you see any, can you get me some?"
Mauri hugged her gratefully. "Of course we will. Althena give you wisdom in your heart and steady hands," she whispered in the girl's ear, a long-used blessing among the Chosen for healers.
Leyla hugged her back. "Come back safely to us. We still need you."
Api had finished repacking and looked satisfied. "Let's be on our way, then!" he announced.
The mayor and townspeople waved hopefully to the group. The mayor's daughter, Maria, was holding Mota's hand as she was blowing kisses to her parents. Her parents blew them back enthusiastically before leading Mauri and Bronn to the path leading up into Zulan's mountains.
Despite the length of time Mauri had been in Zulan, she had only taken a short hike into the mountains one time to help Leyla look for snowsprout grass. The day had been mild, so maybe this wouldn't be too bad compared to the mountains around Raculi.
Or so she had thought.
What Mauri had forgotten was how windy it was! Refreshing in a volcanic region, the wind here was like an icy knife cutting through every layer she wore. She huddled in her cloak and fur robe and tried her best to ignore it.
Bronn approached her with something in his hand. "I forgot to give you this before we left, lady. I only finished it last night." He held out something knitted in warm blue wool.
Mauri accepted it, then opened it to see a well-made hood. To her surprise, there were little pockets on the sides to fit her long, pointed ears. "Bronn, YOU made this?"
Bronn turned red. "Fire/ice mages aren't needed as much in the summertime, so I learned how to make things to keep busy. You need this and won't do us any good if you freeze on the way up!" he called over his shoulder as he walked away.
"Thank you!" Mauri called back, and he flapped a hand in answer. Mauri gratefully replaced her ill-fitting hat with the warm hood, sighing in gratitude at the feel of warmth on her ears at last. It was even big enough to come down over her horn and protect the flesh around it.
Unnoticed, Bronn smiled at having gotten the proportions right and hurried off after Api before the priestess could see his pride in his craft.
Api had taken the lead and was following the stream of warm water cutting its way through the ice and rock. Wuta was watching his back, her flame saber in hand and her eyes constantly alert. Bronn and Mauri were at the rear. The mage gripped his fire staff grimly, glancing suspiciously from one side to the other.
"How many monsters are active this time of year-" Mauri began to Bronn.
Api held up his hand for silence, and Mauri instantly obeyed. He bent down to peer more closely at a rock near the stream of water, then grimaced as he picked up a long blue hair, presumably from a monster stopping to drink.
"Barbarian fur," Wuta murmured.
Bronn came up to glance at the hair and grimaced. "That it is, but maybe it's moved on to hunt?"
A low growl followed by a rising shriek was raised behind them. Everyone turned to see a small flock of wyburns along with a pair of barbarians glaring at them.
"They're hunting, all right. And we're on the menu," Api snapped. He put away his mace and instead took out a long oaken spear with a leaf-shaped blade at one end. "Positions, everyone!"
Wuta raised her flame saber and immediately began slashing at the nearest barbarian. Api guarded her back, taking advantage of his longer reach to thrust without needing to parry nearly as often.
Bronn raised his fire staff and shot a stream of flame at a wyburn trying to get around Api's spear. He didn't see the circling wyburn who was going to try a back attack.
Mauri did. In one smooth movement, she had her bow up and loosed an arrow directly into its eye. It screamed and crash landed into a snowbank.
"Remind me to stay on your good side. That was an excellent shot," Bronn commented. He hummed a little, then grinned. "Load another arrow. I want to try something."
Mauri raised her eyebrows but obeyed. Bronn passed a hand over the arrowhead, muttering, "Ur katna."
The arrowhead immediately burst into flame!
Mauri yelped in surprise but managed to sight and loose the fire arrow directly into another wyburn. It tried fruitlessly to pull the arrow out of its wing, but a thrust from Api's spear ended its misery.
Wuta caught up to the group, busily cleaning the blade of her sword with snow and a cloth. "Is everyone okay?"
Api had a bruise on one wrist, but that was all. He stepped away when Mauri would have fixed it. "Save your magic for larger injuries, my lady. We do not know yet what all we'll face."
"Will it bother your fighting, my love?" Wuta asked.
"No, so let's continue on," Api answered. He used his spear as a walking stick as they went back to the stream to keep following it.
After about a half hour's walk, the stream went under a rock. Api studied the snow around it carefully. "There's a cave back here that was snowed in," he announced, then gestured to Bronn. "Bronn, would you mind clearing us a path?"
Bronn nodded and held up his fire staff. "Ur katna." A smaller, controlled flame shot from the staff into the snow, carefully melting away an opening big enough to step through.
It was a blessing to be out of the freezing wind. While it whistled and moaned outside, the air in the cave was only chilly. Bronn lifted his staff again to serve as a light.
"Sweet, you have rear guard. I need Bronn up front and Mauri in the middle," Api said.
Wuta nodded and drew her blade, the flames on the saber giving off their own light. The stream's water sparkled in the firelight, as did the icicles and snow of the caves.
It was rather pretty. Some of the colors of the ice reminded Mauri of the Goddess' paintbrush in the night sky, making her wonder if the ice crystals were the true cause of the heavenly masterpiece.
After a short walk, they needed to go up an ice ramp to continue on a new level. Api tested it first with the butt of his spear, found it satisfactory, and trudged up it. Bronn stayed close behind, concentrating on keeping his fire staff lit. Mauri was a little slower, watching her footing closely as she still wasn't as used to ice as the locals.
"I'll catch you if need be, Mauri," Wuta called out from behind.
Mauri chuckled. "Hopefully, that will not be necessary!"
Famous last words.
A huge jolt shook the ground under their feet. Wuta gripped Mauri's wrist tightly until the priestess got her footing secure.
"What the hell was that?" Bronn barked.
Another jolt.
"Get up the ramp! Hurry!" Api ordered instead.
Mauri didn't need to be told twice, not liking the fear in the man's voice. Api was already on the upper level, Bronn a few steps behind him.
The ramp gave a much larger jolt, and Mauri nearly fell off the edge.
"Come on!" Wuta shouted, giving Mauri a push towards the higher level. Bronn and Api each caught one of her hands.
Wuta wasn't so lucky. The ramp had cracked and given way under her weight. She fell hard but had missed getting impaled by any of the sharp shards of ice thanks to the Goddess' grace.
"Wuta! Are you okay?" Api called down worriedly.
Wuta slowly got to her feet, then methodically checked all of her limbs. "I'm fine, but I'll need some help getting up to you guys."
Before anyone could answer, there was one more jolt beneath their feet. Ice was smashed and shattered, revealing a spinning razor wolf that had broken through. Three more wolves had followed, along with a barbarian.
Api cursed. "Wuta, we'll cover you from up here. We'll get through this safely!"
Wuta already had her sword up and was preparing one of her special attacks. Api turned to the mage and priestess. "We hit hard and we hit fast. Hurry!"
Bronn was already chanting the beginning of a fire ring spell to hit the group.
Mauri grabbed another arrow from her quiver and put it to the string. "Mother Althena, as one who loves her children, another needs your aid now. Give me the strength to keep her safe!"
The arrowhead of her arrow blazed white, and Mauri released her Holy Shot straight into one of the spinning razor wolves' chests. It snarled once before collapsing.
Immediately after, Bronn's fire ring got rid of the rest of the wolves. Only the barbarian was left, and he...
"Wuta, move!" she suddenly heard Bronn bark.
The swordswoman was down on one knee, shaking. "I... c-can't..." The words fought their way out of her mouth as the barbarian that had paralyzed her moved in for the kill.
Api threw his spear at the barbarian's back. It was a perfect throw, but the barbarians were so thick and muscled that it barely slowed the beast down. Desperate, Api pulled out his mace and leaped off of the ledge after his wife.
"Idiot! Duck!" Bronn yelled. Api saw Bronn raise his staff and got down on the ice. "Lahav!" Bronn shouted, as the huge flame shot towards the barbarian. With a shriek, the barbarian was cooked to a crisp. Its paralysis spell over Wuta shattered, and she got to her feet gratefully.
Api reached his wife and threw his arms around her, not bothering to hide his tears of worry. Wuta returned it, soothing him softly and explaining that she was fine, that Bronn had saved her.
Bronn and Mauri turned away to let them have their moment together- only to see another spinning razor wolf.
Bronn snarled, "I've had enough of you. Derekh Ha'Kerakh!" His ice magic shot forward, crafting an ice ramp right in front of the wolf.
Unaware of the new ramp, it took off towards its prey- only to hit the ramp and go sailing far off in the air and landing about four levels beneath the reunited couple.
The wolf was dazed after it landed, obviously wondering how it had gotten there, but not looking interested in a rematch.
Mauri was impressed and gazed at Bronn with a new respect. He reddened. "What? Can't a couple have a few moments without being interrupted by a hungry monster?"
"You're just a big softie underneath all that, aren't you?" Mauri asked with a smirk.
"No!" Bronn snapped, then stomped away. He pointed his staff at the broken ramp that Wuta had fallen from, muttering, "Derekh Ha'Kerakh!" The ramp rebuilt itself before everyone's astonished eyes. "We're on a quest here, and there's a big hole in the wall inviting more monsters in! Let's get this solved and get the hell out of here!"
Wuta and Api smiled at each other for one more second before holding hands and coming up the new ramp. "You're right, Bronn, and you have my thanks for saving my wife," Api said sincerely. Wuta kissed the mage's cheek, causing him to blush harder.
Despite Wuta's claims to the contrary, she DID have a sprain beginning in one ankle from her landing and a pulled muscle in her sword arm. Mauri was able to fix most of the damage, but Wuta insisted on munching on a few healing herbs to finish the job. Api pulled out some meat pies and hard little apples from his pack, insisting that a quick snack break would be wise to keep their strength up.
Bronn pulled out a thermos of a hot liquid, which Mauri refused until her nose told her it was spiced cider. Then she happily accepted a cup. "No drinking when magic is needed," Bronn explained, then flushed. "I made that mistake but once."
"Considering how your magic has saved us today, we'll skip the story," Wuta offered, while Bronn grinned in relief.
Once everyone was refreshed and Api satisfied that Wuta was well, they picked up their packs and continued on.
The rest of the walk was much less exciting, which Mauri had no complaints about whatsoever. A single barbarian had been drinking at the stream, but one look at the party had sent it running off. Another razor wolf had glowered at them from afar, but made no move to come nearer. Bronn swore that it was the same one that he had sent flying in the cave.
They had two more caves to cut through, but most of the rest of the trek was outside. The stream was getting faster, deeper, and hotter. More and more steam was being given off of the water.
In fact, the air itself was warm enough to the point that there was a relatively large grassy area near a bend in the stream. Right in the middle was a huge patch of Zulan's beloved snowsprout grass.
Mauri remembered Leyla's request for the grass and asked for a quick pitstop. Wuta came to give her a hand harvesting it while Api checked his map and Bronn went through his pack to recount his starlights. Rather than Wuta's flaming sword that would scorch the grass, Mauri used the little dagger that all healers in the Chosen carried for their work to cut the stems swiftly.
After Mauri and Wuta had collected enough snowsprout grass to see Leyla through the rest of the winter (they hoped), Api at last led them to the source of their water... and trouble.
Sitting in the immense, spring fed pool was the largest wyburn that Mauri had ever seen, easily triple the size of the others. The sight and sense of it made her sick to her stomach, but she didn't need her healer's senses to tell her it was ill- cracked blue scales floated in the water around the beast, and several bare patches of skin were visible to them all. Many of those patches were dry and flaky. Its eyes were partially closed and inflamed. Angry looking gashes dripped yellow-green ooze that caked on what scales remained and into the water.
Bronn looked nauseous. "THAT'S been the cause of this? Drinking its bathwater?"
"Yes. This monster is gravely ill and has come here to die. To put it out of its misery would be an act of mercy," Mauri explained. Monster or not, her heart went out to the clearly suffering creature and she took her bow in hand.
The wyburn opened its eyes and glared down at them. Its long, scaly tail swayed in the water before suddenly sweeping towards them.
"Scatter!" Api yelled. He and Wuta dove one way, Bronn and Mauri the other.
Bronn didn't quite jump far enough and got clipped on the shin. He fell to his other knee, cursing a blue storm that would have made any Chosen clergy member blush that wasn't a specialist in healing. Mauri had heard far worse (and far less biologically probable) from a number of patients.
The wyburn sent its tail again at the injured mage. Wuta dashed forward, her sword in hand, and slashed towards the end of it. The last foot of tail was neatly sliced off, leaving the wyburn to howl and tuck its tail back into the water instead.
Api and Wuta got in front of Bronn as Mauri gave him a quick battle examination. His leg wasn't broken, but the very bone had gotten bruised. She quickly chanted the words to the Heal Litany, causing a burst of holy light to shine upon the injured limb for a few seconds.
"Get up, we have to get you out of range!" Mauri ordered.
Bronn got up gingerly, surprised when he could put his full weight on the leg. He nodded in thanks as he and the priestess backed up to fight long range.
The angry wyburn decided to use its wings instead of its injured tail. Flurries of snow and crushed rock was sent out to the group, pushing everyone further back. Wuta threw up her shield over her and her husband's heads, while Mauri and Bronn were out of range.
The wyburn snarled, suddenly sending yellow green icicles at them. Mauri shrieked as one sliced her arm, causing a burning sensation that suggested it carried poison. "Watch it- those are poisonous and aren't ice!" she yelled before muttering a quick litany to cure the poison.
"Not ice? What are they made-" Api looked closer and blanched. "That's just gross."
"Lahav sa'ar!" Bronn summoned a firestorm that melted the icicles in mid-flight, sending yellow-green goop to the snowy ground instead. Before the wyburn could react, Api and Wuta each landed a direct hit to one of the monster's legs.
The wyburn screamed, lowering itself into the water to cover its torn limbs. It wasn't going to be moving much, but it was still angry and sent more rocks flying at the party. Wuta was lucky her helmet was on while Api got a nasty gash on his right arm and Bronn got a hit to his back. Mauri quickly chanted a calm litany to take care of them both.
"I'm running out of juice- we're going to want to finish this fast," Bronn warned everyone, grabbing a starlight out of his bag and devouring it quickly.
"Pass me one?" Mauri asked, and Bronn did so.
Api and Wuta took the offensive, but the upper body of the wyburn had more scales to cover it than the lower body submerged in the pool. Api grimaced as his spear and Wuta's sword both slid out of the wyburn as it thrashed. Mauri shot an arrow, but missed.
Suddenly, Api grinned. "I know how we can beat it. You know how half frozen meat is easiest to cut?"
Wuta smiled as she picked up on his thought. Bronn looked confused. "Why the hell are you talking about food now? Are you hungry?"
Api shook his head impatiently. "Here's what we'll do. Bronn, freeze the wyburn's neck as best as you can. Mauri, you will pin one of its ears to the wall while I use my spear for the other. Once it's frozen and pinned, Wuta can decapitate it."
"We'll need perfect timing," Mauri pointed out, but already reaching for an arrow.
"Luckily we have the Goddess on our side," Api replied. He glanced at Bronn. "Whenever you're ready."
Bronn lifted his staff and concentrated. "Qorach!" A stream of moving ice shot out and caught the wyburn in the throat. Frost blossomed in its fur as the ice pushed the beast back to the cave wall. More ice blossoms froze it to the wall itself.
"Now!" Api yelled, but Mauri was already moving. Her arrow caught the wyburn's left ear while Api's spear caught the right.
Wuta was right behind them. She leaped into the air, raising her sword high, and brought it down in a curving slash that bit through the wyburn's neck. The head thumped off the neck into a small pile of snow and the rest of the body slid back into the water.
Mauri took a deep breath and steeled herself for the biggest healing she had done yet. She fell to her knees, throwing her head back in supplication.
"Goddess Althena, Mother of Love, we send this creature back to your embrace. Please, for the sake of your children who depend on this water and this land, take it fully upon yourself and cleanse this water of its illness. Please...."
"For the sake of our children," Wuta added, placing her hand on Mauri's left shoulder.
"For the sake of the elderly, whose time is not here yet," Bronn murmured, placing his hand on Mauri's right shoulder.
"For the sake of the other wildlife, that they may not inherit this illness," Api said, taking his wife's hand.
"For the sake of us all, hear our plea!" Mauri finished, raising her arms.
It felt like thunder. White and gold light erupted from the ground to envelop the dead wyburn until it vanished in a flurry of sparkles. More light poured into the spring's source, then followed it down the river to the city of Zulan. Sparkles shot up from the water, cleaning and purifying it.
Mauri's mouth was open. She had seen many miracles during her days of training, but never anything like this. Many of the Chosen would have mocked her for involving the laity in her healing, but the power of love conjured by so many people- it called to the Goddess' power in a way her solo prayers alone could never replicate.
"Huh, look at that. And here I wondered how often the Goddess actually hears us," Bronn admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Always, though we don't always get the answer we hoped for," Mauri replied, her eyes still shining as she watched the flow of clean water.
"Well, I bet Mota is wondering how we're doing. What say we head back and see if the effects made it all the way home?" Api suggested.
Wuta kissed his cheek. "Good idea, love. Let's head back."
Mauri had been impressed by the hospitality shown to a visiting healing priestess.
It was nothing compared to a welcome back feast for their 'triumphant heroes'.
Every family had a specialty, and every family insisted that their heroes be fed that specialty, especially their priestess. Mauri was soon stuffed to the gills with pickled fish, deer sausage made with juniper berries, rye toast spread with spruce tip jelly, and countless other dishes that she couldn't remember.
"Please, my lady, my elderberry candies are one of a kind! I MUST show my gratitude to you!" Aile pleaded, tears in her blue eyes as she shoved a plate of shiny burgundy candy under Mauri's nose.
In the lady's defense, the candies were beautiful and smelled absolutely scrumptious- if she hadn't eaten so much already. Oh, Goddess, Ronfar was always better at this kind of thing. What can I say to her that wouldn't result in my getting sick or making her sad?
Inspiration hit as Mauri remembered something Ronfar had said after receiving a plate of very questionable cookies from a patient's family. "Aile, you've put too much work into these for them to be an afterthought after a feast. May I take some with me, that I will remember your kindness and skill after a hard day's healing?" she asked. Unlike the cookies, she DID plan on trying the candies.
Ronfar's charm worked its usual magic. Aile beamed with pleasure and handed Mauri the whole plate. "If you like them, I'll share the recipe with you," she offered, then glanced around suspiciously before whispering, "But no sharing it further, you understand?"
"I understand, and I'm honored at your trust," Mauri whispered back. Aile nodded sharply and went off to go find her son Tan. Mauri sighed in relief as she poured the wrapped candies into the pouch at her waist.
It was short-lived. Bronn clapped a friendly hand on her shoulder. "My ladyyyy, I believe that I owe you my grad-gradi-gradit- thanksh ash well," he commented, a jar in one hand.
Mauri swallowed hard. "You came with us and fought-"
Bronn shook his head. "Nope!" he protested happily and shoved the jar into her hands. "Drink up! My own speschalty!"
Maybe ONE little sip wouldn't kill her? Trying to resist the urge to plug her nose, Mauri took a tiny sip of the strong-smelling herbal concoction.
Huh, it actually wasn't half bad- AHHHHHH! It feels like the Red Dragon is blowing fire to my stomach! Mauri coughed harshly, doubling over as her eyes began to run.
Bronn howled with laughter and clapped her on the back, which actually did help the coughing. "No one actually TRIESH it!" he said, clearly impressed. "You're one helluva lady, Choshen or not!"
"What (cough) is that?!" Mauri managed to croak out, reaching for her handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
"Horshradish vodka!" he replied proudly. "With EXTRA horshradish!"
"Hey, are you trying to poison our priestess?! Get that swill out of here!" Wuta came charging to the rescue like an avenging dragon.
Bronn snarled but backed off. "And keep it away from the candles!" Wuta barked, then turned to Mauri worriedly. "Are you okay?"
Another burst of coughing was the only way Mauri could answer.
Wuta sighed and pulled a small vial out of her belt purse. "He always tries to get SOMEBODY with that. How it hasn't killed him yet..." She shook her head and handed the vial to Mauri. "Drink this- it'll help."
Mauri pulled off the top, noting a minty and wintergreen aroma, and tossed it back. As soon as the icy infusion hit her stomach, the fire went out and her eyes stopped watering. After a few careful breaths, her throat eased and she stopped coughing. "Is that one of Leyla's?"
Wuta nodded. "That girl's a miracle worker no less than you, my lady."
Smiling, Mauri shook her head. "I'm just another pair of hands to the Goddess, Wuta. Leyla has a special talent and has put in much work to serve you all."
"Modest, modest. We usually finish our feasts with song- would you object to that?" Wuta asked cautiously.
Mauri understood. Several high-ranking members of the Chosen saw things such as song and dance as unnecessary at best, and outright scandalous at worst. She herself disagreed, having been raised on legends of Althena's love of music and seeing how it brought joy and love to the people. "I would love to hear it."
Wuta visibly relaxed. "Wonderful. Tan is a great hand with a fiddle, and Aine is a flute player who performed in Meribia when she was young. Music helps us forget the cold and give thanks for our survival."
Mauri soon learned that Wuta had spoken no less than the truth. Tan knew songs from all over Lunar and his mother kept up with him easily. Others joined in with drums, guitars, ocarinas, and even a harp. A few had fine voices, and even Mauri found herself joining in with some of the shepherding songs from Raculi.
After the feast was over, the tables and chairs were moved to make room for dancing. Several of her former patients claimed a dance, and Mauri wasn't allowed to sit down for what felt like hours.
She didn't care- the people were happy, healthy, and celebrating their health and giving thanks to Althena. They taught Mauri the jigs and quick steps of their home, and she looked forward to sharing them with Ronfar when they were united again.
Mauri didn't make it back to her bed until well after midnight. She dropped into a contented sleep like a rock into a pond, without even dreams to disturb her rest.
It was the last truly restful sleep she would enjoy for quite some time.