In Which The New Party Is Assembled

Several days later, the storm finally abated. Valaina sent forth scouts to investigate several locations where the Rakeskia may have been ensconced. She revealed to Albrigon and Sorrel that the tribe tended to follow a particular herd of silver-furred musk deer as they wandered from valley to valley along habitual trails. The Rakeskia had base camps at various points along these trails.

A few more days passed. The scouts returned, reporting that the silver musk deer were in a valley to the north and that there were signs that the Rakeskia were resident in one of their known retreats nearby.

But Snake and Ugrat had not returned. Valaina did not feel confident to press onwards with the planned attack without their involvement.

More days went by. Albrigon busied himself by accompanying a handful of Valaina’s surviving ice-elf vassals on hunting trips, heading down into the valley below to bring down elk, occasionally tangling with the Yetis who competed with them. Once, while out hunting Albrigon saw a white bird flying in the skies to the west. As it disappeared behind a mountain peak, he suddenly realised that it was a great deal further away and much, much bigger than he first thought….

Then, one evening, Ugrat returned. He was accompanied by two strangers, and the three of them appeared suddenly in the main hall of the cave complex.

One of the newcomers was a young woman of striking looks and considerable presence. Somewhat underdressed for the weather, she was garbed only in a short sleeveless tunic of black silk, clinched at the waist by a jewelled belt. This was complemented by a richly embroidered cloak hanging from her shoulders reaching to her ankles. A long, slender two-handed sword rested on her back in an ornate-looking scabbard. On first arriving she wore a glittering spectacle helm with crystal eyepieces, which she removed before addressing the occupants of the cave in which she had arrived with Ugrat and her other companion. Pale-skinned, her dark hair was worn short and spiky – a somewhat unusual style. She radiated a tangible aura of authority and power. Here was a person accustomed to being obeyed. She introduced herself as Taarna, an associate of Snake’s who had come to revive the quest in his absence. Ugrat vouched for her words, confirming that she was indeed an ally of Snake’s.

The other stranger was a man introduced by Taarna as Jarin. He sported long dark hair and had a half-elven look about his well-tanned features. He was dressed in purple-hued leather armour of the finest workmanship, and dark clothing. He carried a shield, an ornate bastard sword, and a quiver of war-darts on his back. He was a little under six feet tall and of athletic, but not colossal, build.

Jarin seemed quiet and unwilling to speak for himself on first arriving. When he eventually did speak he revealed a slightly peculiar accent, as if the common tongue of men was not his first language. Perhaps he had been raised in the company of elves in his early years.

Taarna explained that Jarin would be accompanying the party on this quest, as reinforcement to make up for Snake’s absence in some measure. She regretted that she herself would not be able to participate for very long as she had other pressing business to attend to.

On first arriving, both Ugrat and Jarin quickly found themselves feeling dizzy and breathless and experienced a painful sensation in their eardrums, due to the sudden change in altitude from their departure point. Jarin was the worse affected of the two. Taarna however did not indicate the least sign of discomfort, and found her companions’ discomfort faintly amusing.

Valaina was somewhat taken aback by Taarna’s sudden appearance and was clearly rather uncomfortable with her presence and sudden assumption of control. Taarna explained to her that Snake had requested for the two of them to work together to complete the quest. For her part she would not be staying in this area very long and Valaina had nothing to fear from her provided she was cooperative. First there were things to discuss in private. They repaired to another chamber – Valaina taking Albrigon with her to ensure her safety.

Whilst they were away discussing matters, Ugrat perceived a sensation of being watched.

He heard a voice in his head. It seemed a familiar, feminine voice, with a serpentine lilt…lulling him into acquiescence.

“Ugrat…it isss I, Lotzatechni. Another isss being sssent to aid you and your companionsss in your quessst. Sssnake knowsss of thisss. Her name isss Miahuaxiuitl. You ssshhall give her all assssistance that ssshe requiresss. Isss that underssstood, Ugrat? Warn your companionsss of her imminent arrival lessst they are ssstartled . But ssspeak nothing to your companionsss of her originsss.”

A shimmering manifested itself before Ugrat and someone else appeared. A petite, dusky-skinned woman with dark hair dressed in garments of buckskin and wearing a necklace made from the teeth of some big cat. She carried an obsidian-tipped staff. A large lizard clung to her shoulder. She did not appear to be troubled by her sudden arrival in these climes in the same way that Ugrat and Jarin were.

She introduced herself and explained that she has been sent by Snake as additional reinforcement to make up for his absence.

When Taarna and Valaina returned from their conference, they demanded to know who this stranger was. Mia explained that she has been sent by Snake to aid the party in its quest, and she handed Taarna a snakeskin scroll tube. “This is a message for you.”

Taarna’s eyes narrowed with suspicion and she requested that Mia open the tube and scroll and read the first line. Mia did so. She could not read the script. Taarna then asked Ugrat to take a look. He was also unable to read the script. She requested that he unroll the scroll so that it faces her so that she might read it. For some reason she seemed unwilling to touch it.

She read the scroll, frowning. As she reached the end, it was consumed by fire in Ugrat’s hands. Taarna folded her arms across her chest, a slight look of irritation on her face. She nodded in Mia’s direction. “Very well. You shall accompany us. You might have your uses I suppose.”

It seemed that Valaina and Taarna working in concert would be able to safely teleport the party to a location near to the stronghold of the ice elves, thus saving several days’ travel time.

Having readied themselves by donning their furs and filling their backpacks and waterskins with provisions, the party was instructed to form a circle. Valaina uttered her spell, making mystic passes in the air for several minutes, then clasped hands with Taarna and the others in the circle…

Previous instalments:

Quest For The Hanging Glacier - Part 1
Quest For The Hanging Glacier - Character Sketch: Snake