Shaman Kregan’s POV
3 Months Earlier Night of the Spring Equinox
At the edge of the forest in a wide clearing Kregan danced the ‘vision of fate’ Spell while a bon fire roared. This was the last spell to cast for he already completed ‘Defense from shadows’, and ‘Bounty of the Wood’
‘Next year I will have my useless apprentice Gorlic do the dancing.’ His feet were raw and bleeding from the hours of stepping. ‘If he didn’t screw up the offering timing and drumming I would have been done with the casting hours ago.’ Kregan thought to himself.
Kregan’s apprentice ponded a rhythm into the ceremonial Drums while he bashed his tambourine in counterpoint to his steps. His raspy voice warbled the lyrics to the spell handed down from Shaman to Shaman over the ages. This was the final spell to cast during the equinox but arguably the most important for it could warn of coming disaster or of great opportunity to be grasped during the coming year.
“Draka Spirit of Air, Gorlen Spirit of Earth, Sregna Spirit of Water, Freken Spirit of Fire” His feet pounded the ground in wild circles about the clearing.
“Hear this mortals plea.” Pause with continued slams into his tambourine.
“Give this mortal knowledge of things to come.”
With a wordless signal his apprentice started throwing offerings of springs bounty into the fire, including one of the strongest newborns born earlier this spring.
“Draka Spirit of Air, Gorlen Spirit of Earth, Sregna Spirit of Water, Freken Spirit of Fire” Kregan chanted again.
“With is offering we request that which was sought, we have provided our bounty to partake in your wisdom!”
His Chanting grew Quicker his feet moving in ever wilder configurations taking him around the clearing in an almost hypnotic display of agility that belied his elderly appearance.
A coiling dark mist entered the clearing and began to wrap around the Shaman’s legs. A tingling sensation like thousands of little spiders crawling up his body sent shivers down his spine. The mist entered his eyes nose mouth and ears tasting of ash and filth. Yet he continued his lurching dance around the fire. Though his body continued its movements his mind was no longer in this time, instead he saw what was to come and he feared for his village for what he saw was not coming fortune but an end to his people.
The earth shook violently with the promise of great wealth a tearing of the earth showed wonders within its depths.
‘A new Dungeon?’
His vision changed to a young human mage scouring the forest a days walk from the eastern cave entrance to his village. The mage looked about excitedly as he turned around heading back in the direction he came.
The next view shoed him something disturbing, his village afire the woman and children slaughtered while human soldiers laughed. This vision was partially blurred
The next vision was blurred even further A Goblin, possibly of his tribe? treating with the Human mage near the crack in the earth the Goblin gave him something of great power. Than the vision replayed its self only this time a Goblin sneaked up behind the human mage stabbing him repeatedly his blood dripped thickly into the Dungeon’s entrance.
The next vision was even less clear than the last in this vision a group of adventurers assisted his tribe in moving from their ancestral home to somewhere safely away from the Dungeon.
After the spell Concluded Kregan fell to his knees and thought about what the Spirits had shown him.
Each of these events Showed him what may come to pass the clarity of these visions show how likely they are to come to pass. Now it was his responsibility to make sure his people didn’t die.
Gloek’s POV
Gloek paused before entering the cave entrance and associated tunnel that led to his village. Fingering the pouch at his side he wondered how he should explain what happened out in the forest. Deciding that it would be more to his advantage to avoid speaking about the magic rock Gloek made his way forward into the passageway. A short while later he ran into a sentry keeping watch on this route. The Cave system had multiple paths that led to the surface.
‘Of course, it just had to be Rak of all people guarding this route.’ Gloek sighed to himself in exasperation.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Hey Toad Wog! What’s got you in such a hurry?” Rec snorted while scratching his crotch.
“I have a report to make to the elders about something that I came across while hunting in the forest.”
“No way the Elders will care about what you gots to says” * Belch! * “Buncha’ collapses in the cave system occurred.”
“If that happened why are you loafing about out here instead of assisting in the clean up?”
Rac hefted his meaty fist, “Why you little shite I’m gunna, gunna…”
Raising his eyebrow Gloek asked “Gunna what?”
“Nothing your right I came out here to avoid doing any work.” Shrugging Rac showed him a crooked grin while chuckling to himself.
“You know with that attitude no one will let you marry their daughter.” He replied sarcastically.
Shuddering Rac replied, “Oh Spirits don’t even suggest something like that, I have no intention to tie myself down just yet.” Changing the subject, he started to pick his nose and asked, “What is it you’s got to tell the elders anyway?”
Flicking his ears in annoyance Gloek just kept on walking towards the Village. “I’m a scout Rac not a gossip if you want the information just head to where the cleanup efforts are being made I’m sure the Elders will make an announcement or something about what I have to say.”
It was obvious where the collapses took place based on the commotion going on in the western part of the main cavern slowly making his way in that direction Gloek went over what he was going to say. As he got closer he could see trains of people carrying stones away from the entrance of the collapsed tunnel.
“Ho Fregek!” He called to the elder leading the cleanup efforts.
“Ah Gloek you made it here just on time we could use your help with digging…”
“Wait Elder I have something that you need to hear I’m guessing that it is related to the collapse.”
The elder paused and eyed Gloek curiously. “Is that so? Well what are you waiting for spit it out boy. We have a lot of work to do.”
“While I was hunting the earth started to shake, trees were torn from the ground and the ground ripped open!”
“Hold on you said the ground ripped open? Are you sure it wasn’t just another tunnel collapse it could have been an off branch from our cave system.”
“No elder it was too far from here and our cave system doesn’t reach nearly that deep, I descended about 14 paces and dropped some stones into it I couldn’t hear them hit the bottom, it is as though the chasm led directly to the center!”
Fregek paled upon hearing this, “We must let the Shaman know.”
Subconsciously Gloek fingered his pouch. ‘there is no way I am going anywhere near him with my rock he would know that I have something magical.’
“Sure thing Elder, just let me go drop off my things and I’ll meet you at the Shaman’s hut.” Without waiting for a response Gloek spun on his heel and ran towards his mother’s shack.
Stepping into the light given off of the cook fire Gloek smiled when he spotted his mother.
“Mother I have retuned!”
“Gloek how was your trip? You should head over to the western entrance and assist with removing to tunnel blockage.”
“I’m sorry I can’t, I have to meet with the Shaman and report what I saw in the forest.”
She raised an eyebrow, “I that so?”
He repeated the story to his mother leaving out the part about finding the magic rock. Afterwards he went into the Shack to hide his find.
Gorlic’s POV
Gorlic sat near the entrance to his master’s hut humming the mixing spell to himself while grinding herbs. He was distracted from his work when he saw Elder Fregek and the village runt walking towards him.
“What do you two wants? Master is busy communing with the spirits.” Gorlic sneered.
He saw Gloek’s face twist into a grimace. “We have urgent news to tell Kregan.”
“That is Master Shaman Kregan to you Toad Wog.” His Smile widened when he saw that he was able to get a rise of him.
Balling his fist Gloek took a step forward. The Elder Put a calming hand on his back and said “Just go fetch your master this is Elder business.”
Sighing Gorlic set down his mortar and did the Elder’s bidding. Wafts of herbal smoke bellowed out of the hut as Gorlic entered.
“Master Kregan we has visitors, Elder Fregek and the little toady have something to tell you.”
Looking disapprovingly at his student he replied. “Well, let them in you dim-wit.”
Grumbling to himself Gorlic turned around to do just that. ‘When I’m Master Shaman ill make sure to cull all the little runts during the spell castings.’
Gorlic returned with the Elder and Gloek each taking seated positions on the furs around the Shaman’s bubbling cauldron.
“Ah Fregek what’s brought you to my home today? I thought that you were busy directing the cleanup.” He said while handing the Elder his pipe.
“I see your “Communing with the Spirits” by smoking yourself cross-eyed on ceremonial herbs.” Fregek took a puff on the Shaman’s pipe while chuckling and handed it back. His smile disappeared when next he spoke. “I have heard some disturbing news that I think you need to look into.”
Sensing the change in tone Kregan sat forward his eyes focused inquisitively on Gloek. “I’m guessing that whatever it is it must be important for you to disturb my meditations. You better get talking.”
At his prompting Gloek recounted the events he experienced from the time he fell from the tree, making sure to leave out any information concerning the magic rock. After the explanation the Shaman eyed him suspiciously, making Gloek look uncomfortable.
“Do you think he found the Dungeon from your vision?”
At the mention of the Dungeon Gorlic perked up. ‘The old coot refused to tell me what he saw claiming “Elder’s Buisness” I swear as soon as he teaches me the final rites I’m gunna gut the shite.’ He leaned forward intent on leaning of what the Shaman saw.
Kregan made a stop gesture with his hand. “We will speak of this alone Fregek.” He gave a meaningful glance at the two youths sitting in the hut.
“You two leave us.” Just as Gloek was about to make a hasty retreat Kregan’s words stopped him.
“I want to speak to you again after I meet with the Elder council.”
Dejectedly Gloek and Gorlic left the hut. Gorlic listened to the runts accounting of what happened closely and could tell he was hiding something, it was obvious that the Master could sense it too. That is why he was told to return for another questioning.
‘I’ll just have to keep an eye on him and maybe follow him around a bit, maybe ill be able to find out what the vision was about. The mention of a Dungeon was exciting oh yes he would have to investigate this quite closely.’