#5: The False Prophet

Phelan's rather
literal
interpretation

"Two sisters, tethered by blood. A poison flows within the vein, borne by the worshipper of a false prophet. Sever the mortal chain to cripple he who would wreak destruction over this forest... and disturbs our eternal rest."

“Nothing good will come of this.”  That comment continues to resonate as Ged communes with the ghostly elven figure.  “And now prophecies and demands,” I mutter to myself quietly, trying hard to feign disinterest.  The heaviness of the surrounding darkness is lost on none as our flickering torches struggle to hold it at bay.  As the elven apparition imparts its final words, it dissipates, solidifying the sense of dread that had started to form in my bowels. 

Ged seems frustrated by the exchange with the spirit, having been provided more questions where we sought answers.  Khadhras seems at a loss for words as well, but there is recognition that we have now stepped fully into something bigger than ourselves, something deeper than perhaps we had meant to become entangled.  The silence is broken by Ailthar, who stands over the bodies of his fallen comrades and begins chanting—the dialect is unfamiliar even compared to his normal, foreign tongue.  While he conducts his rituals, I lend my strength to seeing to the treatment of Ganor’s fallen tracker.  Though leaving our dead in this disturbed glade is perhaps not ideal, we feel it important to provide an honorable ceremony and begin construction of a pyre, assuming that Ailthar will let us knows if he feels it inappropriate for his own fallen friends.

There is a brief exchange between Khadhras and Ailthar, aided by use of the stone, regarding the belongings of Talas.  There is recognition of the arrangement between the two mages, and the gear that Khadhras does not claim is taken by Ailthar.  Ailthar pockets the folded letter along with the bone-hilted dagger and chain, indicating that he’ll return them to Khadhras if the request his made.  Both appear to want to honor Talas’ bequest.

Before separating, Ailthar peers at Khadhras seriously, imparting a final statement.  “In our realm exist sects devoted to Llathlu, the Pale Hand.  These are… impostor priests…”  There is more to the cryptic message, but its meaning is lost on me.  In this land, apparently, Llathlu is referred to as the “false prophet.”  We recall a similar, if indeed not the same name invoked by the witch on the outskirts of Pelanor.  Reference to this being by the elven spirit is too convenient to be coincidence, and already the gears in our heads start turning as we consider an eventual return trip to Pelanor.

“As much as I hate this,” I admit, “this is as good a place as any to set up camp for the night.”  The presence of elven spirits and the burial mounds is unsettling, but perhaps there is some measure of protection provided by them now that we’ve been committed—voluntarily or no—by those very spirits.  The protection, if it exists, is likely not absolute, as the wolves were able to pierce it, but it seems as reasonable as any place to seek rest in the dark forest. 

We set guard nonetheless and do our best to settle in despite our surroundings.  We discuss potential paths forward—revelation of the possible connection between Ailthar, the witch from Pelanor and the elven spirit changes little, at least as far as our patrol of the High Forest is concerned.  Ganor feels it critical that everything transpired this last day is relayed back to Aryen’s Hope, and we are in agreement.

The night passes slowly, passage of time marked by the dwindling crackle of the pyre.  All who are able to achieve sleep do so fitfully and without much in the way of rejuvenation, but our anxiety proves unfounded as the night passes without interruption.  The sun rises, and we hastily break camp and prepare to continue our journey.  Ganor provides the suggestion that we head north, hoping to come upon a game trail that will lead us back to Aryen’s Hope.  The woods are dense as we are far from established trails, and before long we would not easily be able to find our way back to the Deadwalk, let alone Aryen’s Hope.  Fortunately, we have Ged’s keen sense of direction and Ganor’s experience to lean upon.  Ganor, for his part, bears the burden of his fallen comrades, and it affects him visibly as the day wears on.  The others maintain reasonably high spirits.

By late morning the sky is overcast, creating long shadows in the forest.  I stay to the front of our group, doing my best not to interfere with Ganor, but fearful of getting lost should anything befall the tracker.  We encounter no passable trails, struggling for every quarter mile gained.  Our march is halted suddenly as we hear rustling to the east, its source hidden by the shadows.

“Bear?” I whisper, crouching along with the rest of the party, drawing an arrow to my cheek.  As we stop, however, so too does the sound.  I signal for those with bows to remain in what cover they can find, offering myself as volunteer to investigate.  After a few dozen yards, there is another sudden burst of rustling, indicative of someone…or something…fleeing.  Despite the distinct possibility that it’s multiple somethings, even potentially an ambush, I rush into the forest after it, hoping to catch a glimpse of what may have been following us.  In an instant, I have left Ganor and the others behind.

Whatever it is I have given chase to is nearly as fast as I, but I apparently gain a little ground and catch sight of a humanoid figure at the edge of my vision.  Having gotten what I wanted and not wanting to risk my safety any more than I already have, I pursue my quarry no more and turn back to the group.  I encounter Ged, who followed me, and spare a few breaths to explain the situation before we trot back and share the tale.  Ganor grunts, sharing the opinion that we should proceed on high alert.

Ged suggests that we should track our followers, and surprisingly Ganor calls a halt to the group awaiting our disposition on the matter.  The discussion is short, however, before we decide to continue.  We march throughout the rest of the day, passing through a few hilly areas before eventually finding a game trail the trackers feel is recognizable, one that might take us back to Aryen’s Hope.

We decide to camp for the night, taking the time to add a few extra layers of protection to our camp.  We set tripwires to our front and back across the trail, Khadhras supplementing these with caltrops.  Ged stages a tent near one of the tripwires as well, which we plan to leave abandoned throughout the night, hoping that it might draw any attention and give us some awareness of any potential threat.

The first watch is interrupted by the sounds of animal noises in the distance, loud enough to awaken several others from their sleep.  We are already on high alert, so there isn’t much more we can do in the way of preparation, and by the time we have discussed the matter, the noises have subsided.  The watches continue and the remainder of the night passes without incident.

When morning comes, we reclaim the supplies used in our traps and break camp quickly.  Not long after we set off, it begins to rain, and a fatigue both physical and mental begins to set in.  Though the weather hides noise of our passage, so too does it obscure any signs of our followers and of any potential ambush ahead.   Fortunately, by noon the rain begins to subside, though by then we are weary and soaked to the bone.  It is therefore with great relief that we catch sight of Aryen’s Hope.

There is an expected level of commotion as our party returns.  We learn quickly that Aryen’s Hope is safe with no news, and Iphan meets us in the center of camp, eager to hear our tale.  Recognition that we are short multiple companions comes quickly, and his brow furrows in concern.  We describe everything that happened in full, only omitting the potential connection between Llathlu and the strange witch in Pelanor.  Ganor goes so far as to share some of the elven spirit’s words, maintaining the spirit of the words imparted if not full accuracy.  Iphan does not seem to have any revelations on the queer prophecy, though it does nothing to diminish his concern.  We share our intention to return to Pelanor, and Iphan seems to recognize that we may have some purpose and seeks to learn of it.  “Do you plan to return?” he asks.  “And is Ailthar to accompany you?”

Ged is vague and explains that we have unfinished business, but we share our intentions to return once settled.  “We made a promise to Kayd as well,” Ged explains, “and responsibility of it weighs heavily upon us.”  Whether Kayd the younger intends to return to his father is yet undetermined.  When confronted on the matter, Kayd replies, “I truly owe you my life, but can I ask one more favor?  Tell my father that his son is well and that I will return before long.”  We do not ask his motivations—whether it is some affinity or sense of responsibility towards the camp, or by virtue of his relationship with Hinter, both are honorable pursuits.

Iphan’s concern grows—it is as if each piece of news, each occurrence, adds to the grimness of the situation, and the fate of Aryen’s Hope.  “Travel safely and return quickly,” is his eventual stoic response.

When our conversation with Iphan concludes, we ask Ailthar his thoughts.  “I am here to defeat Othal,” he responds, “and prevent an evil incursion upon this land.”  He is resolute in his attention to accompany us to Pelanor.  Ged asks Ailthar about the “Llathlu healer” and the event we witnessed.  He shares what he knows, that they are more a plague than a blessing, forming sects in the lands they travel to leech upon those who buy into their fanatical teachings.  “They are a scourge that my world cannot cleanse itself of,” explaining that they are an insidious nuisance at best, and at worst, wont to influence the populace or politics of an area and foment conflict.

That there could be others aside from Othal himself in this realm was not a topic discussed between Ailthar, Talas, and Pyr—and we are all curious to learn more about this Llathlu healer’s presence, and how she came to be here as well.