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Into the cave they made their way carefully to an exit that lay beyond it. A wide open area with a small forest of trees to their right. A mist from the river running to one side had them believing the water was fed by a volcano?
Volcanic hot spots, were not uncommon. This was NOT an ACTIVE volcano. One, that might, at any time, suddenly explode.; no this was dormant. The thermal spring, was warm to slightly hot, body temperature.
Some sulphur on the banks of one area that stank. A real pong and, they both ended up squeezing their nostrils.
As they wound their way along the path, past it, at last, to reach a path, that took them, away from the river and more into the forest.
NOT deep into it. According to, the navigation sensors they, were still, within sight of the river. The grassy knoll, was just that, well for the most part. Roots could have you catching your feet, footwear if you were not careful.
Stopping to soak up some Frubu, refreshing and invigorating; some conversation on where they were headed?
This whole concept, of what was a ‘A chalice with gemstones’.
What was a CHALICE, was for some a little strange BUT, for her thanks to Torven and his tales.. apparently a drinking vessel.
A cup as he called it. Of some ancient origins, that were produced, for the Gods to drink from, hence such objects had significance.
A shadow walker or even its ‘soul walker’ could be given refreshment from it. In return the blessings that would follow were beyond all reason.
Papa had recalled the tale of the Shadow Walker who had appeared and stopped to wash his feet. In return
Papa had washed ITs feet, treated the ‘stranger’ to refreshments and, a drink, from a sacred cup.. NOT a chalice BUT, its significance was as good as. That night, after IT, had left, an assassin, entered to slaughter all present; when it realized the scent, they leave behind a kind of musk; it fled.
For Amaeyst the folklore, as we might know it, was an inherent part, of her love of all things strange and, in some instances bizarre. Ocasa had spoiled her with some odds trinkets collected from some of his friends; Ket and Ketlet.
In truth he knew Ams was NOT into dolls and such, yet that was not strictly true.
‘Bobbies’ or Boobies as she called it was dragged everywhere, much to the amusement of all concerned.
Keeping it, in acceptable condition, was a major feat in itself. Substitution by replacing it with a new one was NOT happening, well if you did not want to face the wrath from Ameyst.
The Wui, a form of wild wolf.. that had sneaked into a closed of and supposedly sealed area, would attack anything and anything, in this instance, being dragged by her was fair game to them.. Uhh no. This Ketlevling was seeing this thing approaching at some speed its jaws open and its eyes on her Boobies..
One hefty smack on the nose and, the leader, with its pack fled.. the howling, could be heard, throughout the Galisea Garden area.. The rush of security guardia had seen it all, weapons raised but too slow..
The Wui, tearing past them, out of the sealed area leaping the wall the howls finally dying away.
The guard, had been summoned by Cxan to give account and in fairness, the sudden appearance of that ‘pack’ was difficult, to detect with the older style scanning system.. That was changed and updated. HOWEVER the look on her
Papa’s face, was one of amusement.
“IF, you had only seen it, as it happened”.. had been echoed by them now relayed by Cxan to Nathan.
Reaction, was as all too well known, re fast and free flowing; from Ameryst.
Her automatic reflexes kicking in. None, of her kith and kin, would desire, such a smack from her.. More smiles.
Here now, the device, that they had been given was providing some information as to how much further they had to travel to reach the ‘cloisters’. Continuing their journey, had led them into an area, where that nasty plant could be found with its toxic sap. Difficult to avoid it.
The Insectia were also buzzing in some quantity. Luckily it seemed avoiding them as Naij had said, they were more immersed in the scent, the pungent aroma from their host plants..
“Remember what I told you. Do NOT touch them or let that sap touch you. INSECTIA can carry it onto your skein (skin) “
Removing his Swa (Sword) he GENTLY cut a swathe through them, CAREFULLY! Puzzled, it was proving annoying to Ameryst. WHY, did he not use that blade, to slice and dice, the things, clearing the path a lot quicker, why give thought to such ?
Finally, she hissed at him, to get a move on or they would find themselves in darkness?
True the light as was was slowly dimming; Naij however, appeared to ignore her.
Grabbing the blade from him she went to slash out, blocked by Naij.
“You’ll provoke them, stop it ! “ Staring at him lost for words might have sprung to mind?
Then it appeared.. Naij growled. “Now you’ve done it. THEY are not to be trifled with. Protectors of the forest, the grasslands. Here is their natural habitat.
Staring at them, its eyes flashed, a bright green aura to them.
Naij hissed at her.. Lower your eyes and do NOT stare at its eyes.
Hope it will be appeased.
Some appeasement? For what might have crossed her mind but something in her mind flickered momentarily. Delise had a love of such nature in being very talented hmm green fingers might be an accurate description.
The Os Feru, yes that was it. Delise had been blessed by them and rewarded with a rare girt from them to expand her capabilities.
Knowledge beyond the realm of those NOT of their ilk.
IF Ameryst had given thought to that, then it was staring at her, why, did she feel, it was reading her mind? IT looked at Naij and raised its arm its hand outstretched, pointed to his companion.
Hand from left to right, finger out in telling her off ?
Turned to move off away from them. In doing so the path ahead of them opened up allowing them, to move ahead towards their rest area for the night.
Then it vanished. “YOU are lucky, so lucky. IT, could have returned us back to the cave, where we started out from or worse still back to the my home.. I was moving slowly, to show respect, of what was around us. NOT slicing and dicing to leave carnage behind us.
You are too hasty. Think, before you blink, my Parentia taught me. YOU Ams, have to learn patience!
Storming ahead not looking around you nor appreciating PROTECTING the habitat, we still have to, well YOU have to make the return trip.
Upset them and, I fear for you, making it out, without being punished by them. What if, you succeed and they, take the prize from you? ,I, will hold out for you here, after you enter the ‘Cloisters’ but only for so long.
True they, did not know, how long it would take to find and retrieve, seize the Chalice.. Naij had accepted that he would be needed IF and when Ameryst made it out for the return journey..
Impetuous, impatient and reckless? Maybe this test was all about PATIENCE. To teach her restraint AND in doing so give her another inner strength. For now, they were lucky, very lucky. The Os Feru, were weird but respected by his race, the woodland and fen under their protection gave up riches re food, medicines and more.
Ahead of them watching out over the valley.. the fen and all that was near to them.
The figure with a creature similar to the Sciobel., sharp claws and appeared to be waiting?
Was Ameryst going to be ITs tasty treat.. ?
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