That night James decided to strike up a conversation with Elana. The Dwarf was scary to talk to, and Elana seemed a brighter alternative. James had noticed that the forest was thickening as they made their return to the slopes of Mt Issabella, and since the weather had been rainy for a week now, there was a possibility of gathering mushrooms beneath the spruce trees. Or at least that is how things worked back in James’s homeland of England.
A short distance from camp there was a north facing slope with some mossy areas, still damp from recent rains. James started to scan back and forth, slowly progressing up the gentle slope, stepping lively over the brambles and deadfall. There were mushrooms growing here and there, but none James recognized as edible. He wasn’t really much of a mycologist, but there were a few varieties of mushrooms that he was comfortable identifying. There!
Underneath a piece of rotting wood! The telltale orange yellow shape of a chanterelle! Where there was one, there was likely to be many, and so there was. Within a few minutes James had gathered a robe full of the apricot scented mushrooms. Returning to the campsite Elana was visibly impressed to see the results of James’s foraging.
“Oh my!” she responded. “What a lovely addition to the evening meal. But yer shouldn’t just wander off like that on yer own, Sir James. I was worried about you when I saw you wander off. There are Orcs in these mountains and you can’t ever be too careful around Orcs. Nonetheless, those are a fine gathering of Cantharellus. Would you mind slicing them up for me, Sir James?” requested Elana, handing James a sharp knife.
“Not at all Elana,” responded James. “I'm wondering if you mind me asking you a question about Celeste, Elana,?”
“Go ahead, Sir James,” responded Elana.
“Celeste seems to have changed since our visit to Badendorf, Elana. I am not sure what to make of it. What do you think?” James had noticed that Celeste seemed to be distancing herself from James since leaving Badendorf. She seemed completely focused and aloof, but also seemed stronger and more energetic since her visit to the Cathedral of Theodor. James could swear that Celeste glowed slightly on her own accord, ever since she placed herself in front of Theodor’s tomb.
“Ah, Sir James, and you probably wonder if she is objecting to some misstep on your part,” replied the young Emerald magic acolyte.
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“I guess so,” replied James awkwardly.
“No, it is nothing related to you, Sir James,” continued Elana, shaking her head. “The highest calling possible for a Sister of Theodor is to act on his behalf, and receive his blessing. That is exactly what Celeste sought and received when she presented herself to Theodor. Celeste has judged that the confrontation we seek with Gloamanthal will require the intervention of Theodor if we hope to have a chance of prevailing. In truth, no mortal can hope to defeat a servant of Chaos in combat without spiritual assistance of the most powerful kind. Gloamanthal and his warriors are terrible opponents, Sir James.”
“With Theodor at her side Celeste possesses the confidence of a Lord. And some of a Lord’s abilities. The effect is temporary, but will endure until the outcome of our quest is determined. One way or the other,” finished Elana.
This answer fully explained the situation to James, and also added another layer of fear to his existence. This world was cruel and unforgiving.
“If I might also ask a question of my own, Master James?” asked Elana.
“Of course,” responded James.
“I am wondering what of your family you might be comfortable sharing with me. Do your parents still live? Have you any siblings? What of your extended family? Are you married?” asked Elana. “They must miss you.”
“No,” responded James, “I am not married,” and with that James could not resist a grin. Nobody had ever asked that question of James before. “But yes, my family must be very concerned as to my whereabouts. I have no way of messaging them,” explained James.
He continued, “ I have a father and mother, both still alive, but no brothers or sisters. I have two aunts and one uncle. My grandmother still lives, and I visit her as often as I can, but my other grandparents have passed.” Elana nodded in response.
“What of your family, Elana?” asked James.
“Alas, Sir James. I have no family left alive. Emerald College is my family now. I was orphaned fifteen years ago, during one of Ragnar’s close approaches to Earth. Chaos is powerful when Ragnar is near and a band of beast headed men destroyed my home village in the northlands of our Empire. My father, mother and brothers were killed. Only I survived, by hiding in the potato bin underneath our home. Two Empire soldiers discovered me and delivered me to the Emerald college. I was just 3 years of age. They raised me, and I am forever grateful for that.”
“Thank you for that Elana,” responded James. “I am sorry for your loss.”
“Many of the Sisters of Theodor are also orphans, Sir James. Ours is a violent world, and Sir Gilderwood is not everywhere available to heal the killed and injured,” explained Elana. “Is your world also filled with children orphaned by endless wars, Sir James?”
“In my generation and in my country, warfare plays very little part. I have never previously met an orphaned child, though some exist in distant lands,” replied James, as thoughtfully as he was able.
“Then you are fortunate indeed Master James,” replied Elana. I should be so fortunate to witness your lands for myself some day. A fair place they must be indeed even if magic is largely absent. A land without the threat of Chaos,” she let out a deep sigh before continuing. “That is my one wish.”
The meal that evening was excellent, despite the rain, which had once again returned. Everyone made a point of complementing the addition of James’s chanterelles to the mix of local meats and vegetables. James was starting to feel part of this quest.