Ep.28 - The Year Of The Bear
(Start at the beginning)
The spark of flint, the catch of flame, a bulb of light that grew to envelope the end of a torch. Carmel gave a last look around each of his companions, the recesses of shadow cast by the torch making it difficult to read his expression, and rolled out into the Serpent's lair. Julia moved, shifting to watch, to follow but only in spirit, afraid as she was to send herself so exposed before a force that far exceeded her. It was gruelling to witness but impossible to look away. Seeing the Heesh fall was one thing, watching a companion risk the same something entirely different. Dolev and Kodiak were no doubt feeling the same and the two took up uneasy positions against the outcropping of rock they had been hiding behind. Kodiak, seemingly ready to charge forward at a moment’s notice, Dolev, opting to sidle up alongside Julia where she slung her arm around her in a steadying embrace. All breaths were shallow, all ears sharp, all eyes peering fruitlessly into the void before them and feeling worthless for the effort. All that was visible was Carmel in his pool of orange light. What was normally a beacon for the lost, or a lampshade for those to gather under had changed entirely in the altered context of this pit. This light illuminated the approach of an intruder, this was the invitation of a meal.
The cavern seemed empty then, no sounds outside of the controlled breathing of the Bears. Yet Julia knew the Serpent was out there, motionless, watching, wondering perhaps at who walked so boldly into its midst. The torch of the Heesh was slowly gutting out, the ruin of their bodies slipping into obscurity out to one side of the floor. Carmel found himself amidst the tail swept earth, the broad slash of the tail having left a great track beneath his feet and any sign of the humility of those who knelt dashed with it. He stopped and held out his torch, lifting it high and peering forth in search of his quarry. Julia wondered at what he could be thinking as he stood in silence. Was it boldness and bravery that sent him foolhardy into danger, or was he struck with fear and trepidation as he went? Either way, it made her consider for the first time what could possibly have driven him to such a length. The Yos’ peril existed in their world, she knew, but what consideration was that when ones demise stood at hand right here, right now.
Soft words, deep with resonance, but issued on a silver tongue floated through the cavern. Foreign words, that of the Heeshian tongue which for all intents and purposes fell on deaf ears. Julia drew breath and held it, wondering what what might become of the next few moments and realised that beside her, Dolev was doing the same.
“I speak the trade tongue and pray that you do too,” Carmel called into the darkness.
“Like rodents you’ve scuttled along the edge of my dwelling. Who comes bearing fire in my darkness? Who dares to offend me with their light?” The voice reverberated off the cavern walls acting as a ward that resonated in the heart.
Carmel shifted in his footing, standing a little taller. “I am Carmel of the Wildermen, from North of the High Pass.”
An echoing, rumbling sound not so dissimilar to a growl rolled like thunder through the cavern as something heavy shifted beyond the veil. “I know nothing of your High Pass, Wilderman, and the scent of your ilk is foreign to me. The darkness of my cavern is pitless, only those out to find their fortune dare enter. What dares you, Wilderman?”
“I’m here to seek audience with the one called Serpent. If you are he, then it is said you are as old as the ages, and I would have you share your knowledge with me.”
“Ahh,” The Serpent fell silent. Julia could only imagine it as a long moment of consideration eventually cut short as the Serpent moved wide to one side of the cavern, half circling Carmel but never grazing the light. It seemed to settle closer to the fallen Heesh, the light of their torch nothing more than a hot ember in a pool of black. “Is it only knowledge that you seek, Wilderman? It has been a long time since anyone has come searching for such a prize. These Heeshian dogs are all that I see these days, and they have become accustomed to trading tribute for rewards of trinkets and baubles, relics perhaps if the boon is good. Where is your tribute, Wilderman? What have you brought in trade, trade speaker?”
“I have no trade, nor any tribute.”
“Then you come ill prepared, Wilderman! These Heesh dogs brought tribute, and I killed them all the same. You bare nothing but the meal of which your life provides, which is a poor trade by my standards, but one I may be willing to accept..”
“Where I live, winter is an eternal enemy, and while men expect to trade with one another, one man will give another even if he cannot return the same. For every man knows the survival of his fellow one winter can mean the trading with his fellow the next.”
“These are wise words, Wilderman. But what if this fellow is old, his winters numbered, and he has become embittered by the thought of making trade with fickle creatures unable, or unwilling to make good on their deals.”
Carmel seemed to hesitate, lost in consideration, or thought. “I’ve offered no deal, only a simple request for knowledge. What of kindness?”
“Ha! I have been told of this concept but it is not in my nature. We share a tongue, Wilderman, but we are very different, I know. Do not be mistaken, I am not so trusting. You humans have your charm, but you are all too often liars and thieves. Yes, it is true.”
Carmel fell silent again, his head dipped, eyes drawn down, thinking. “I wish to make a deal or be on my way, Serpent. Tell me what you want that isn't a meal and does not require so many winters that you’d be rendered worthless to me anyway!” The tone came biting, impatient. With that in mind it sounded all too rude for Julia, much to her dismay. She wouldn't dare.
“If knowledge is all you desire then perhaps we can make a deal. I too desire knowledge, if you can provide it, I will trade you, question for question.”
“Agreed.”
“Very well.” The Serpent shifted again, moving back across the cavern, this time edging his way from the shadow and into the dim extents of the torchlight. The long mass of scale covered muscle, leg, claw, tail, and spine flowed like a wall in motion until the glint of it’s wide glassy eyes shone with the reflection of the torchlight. As it rounded, it’s head came to bare at the forefront, the spines that lined it’s skull becoming visible as it moved that little bit more to the fore so that Carmel, Julia, and the Bears could make out the features as it spoke. If watching it demolish the three Heesh hadn't left an impression, seeing it loom placidly with all it’s size before Carmel’s comparatively tiny frame left an image no one would forget.
“These foolish Heesh dogs came crawling with tribute, but it turned out to be a trinket lost to my memory. Seeing it allowed me to remember, and when I did I knew they had no right to it’s possession. I took them for thieves, which is why they now lay dead. I am no fool, Wilderman, I could see they had to fight for it, and now here you are come to me, scrapped and bloodied in their stead. Now I want to know what you know of this trinket. Where did it come from? Answer with caution least I smell you a liar.”
(Continue to Ep.29)
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