Ep.30 - The Year Of The Bear
(Start at the beginning)
The Serpent withdrew, shadow consuming the beasts broad neck and shoulders like a heavy shroud rolling over its frame. Only its snout remained prominent, etched by the weak glow of the firelight which set the sheen of the Serpent's eyes and teeth reflecting. An easy tone settled, the bargain struck and the diversion from any conflict allowing a momentary peace to rule. The Serpent seemed reflective, considering for a moment how it might resume, thinking back to determine where it might begin. It didn't take long to find its point and once it had the words flowed freely.
“There was an age a time or two ago, back when I was in the primacy of physicality, yet steeped in ignorance compared with now. When the kingdoms were not as you know them, ruled by a long dead host of men nobody cares to remember, each frittering away their inheritance as your kind was always wont to do and still does to this day. It was a time of relative peace, or as much peace as could be had amidst a pack of rats stumbled across some scrap or another, ready to bare the fang, and nip at any contender eager to capture their share of the spoils.
That was the first time I heard the name Yos. A new power risen from the far lands to the west. It marched on the footfalls of an army but seemed also as a sickness of the mind. It spread through every kingdom, infected all peoples, turned brother against brother, tearing societies apart even before the drumbeats of war could be heard. It rolled off of tongues like magic, slipped beneath every door frame to take root in every inch of fertile soil, it weakened the resolve of those who might be called on to oppose it, all so the one who released it could seize dominion over the world.
Yob was his name, yes, I remember now. Even saying it aloud has me feel the shroud and secrecy that so cleverly masked it for all these years. But the darkness is all to familiar for me and secrets have a way of catching my ear. It is no surprise to find you stupefied by this Yos threat. It is all by his design, I imagine it's so.”
“Tell me about this Yob, why was he forgotten?” Carmel asked.
“Forgotten? That might be one word for it. Erased may be better, and that of his own doing. You said you could find no knowledge of the Yos, your libraries and sages as impotent as an old man, or inept as a newborn baby. He was forgotten because he wanted to be forgotten, to let an age pass, or two it would seem, so that he might try his hand again.”
“What happened the first time?” Carmel pressed.
“Defeat. Proud and ambitious, he underestimated the world he wished to conquer, he led his plan with an army but could not foresee the power of the spirit that would rise to contest him. At that time there lived a Warrior King, Dargon who was renowned for leveraging the threat of violence to garner peace. He made for a cunning diplomat in the time before the Yos, brokering many alliances and peace treaties between kingdoms while never seeking dominion over any people or territory outside his own. As the kingdoms of the known world plunged into chaos an alliance formed and a campaign began to fend off Yob’s army. In his cunning, the Warrior King took it upon himself to slip behind the enemies forces and embark on a quest to eliminate the one who controlled it.”
”I know of Dargon,” Julia whispered to Kodiak, “I’ve read countless stories, but never this one.”
“And he succeeded?” Carmel questioned.
“The legend says that Dargon confronted Yob upon his throne, brought him to his knees at the end of a blade, but seeing him for the wretched man that he was took pity and spared his life. Instead, Dargon carved a word of truth upon the palm of Yob’s right hand, the hand of his authority and power. It was said that Yob had only to read this word to free himself of his folly, cast off the shame of his transgression, and rejoin his fellow man in their shared goals. The Warrior King left Yob in his defeat and returned to spread the word of truth, putting an end to the influence of the Yos, and so it came to be the standing lore.
But Yob persisted. In his arrogance he refused the Warrior King’s mercy and grew ever more bitter at the pity bestowed upon him. He diminished into obscurity, disappeared from living memory, and from the depths of his fog started his work anew.”
Carmel considered this before speaking. “If this happened generations ago the current Yos threat must be at the behest of a new master. Who carried Yob’s mantle? On whose shoulders does it now lay?”
“This I do not know.” The Serpent replied.
“Then tell me of Dargon’s truth, if we can stop the Yos with a word we need nothing more.”
“I do not know it.”
“You lie. How can you know so much and yet miss such a significant detail, honor your agreement, Serpent, tell me what I want to know!” Carmel growled.
The Serpent learned forward, illuminating itself in the light, bringing its eyes level with Carmel and peeling it’s lips back to bare it’s long sharp teeth. “I am honoring our agreement, Wilderman. You should take care with your words before you say something you regret.”
“Then explain to me why you don’t know?”
“Don’t? Can’t would be more accurate. I’ve told you before, Wilderman, we share a tongue, not a nature. You who is ignorant, like a babe come stumbled into the world, open your ears if you are able and listen. It is not within me to know this truth, I could not understand it, nor comprehend it, speaking it is beyond me.”
“Well shit,” Carmel digressed.
(Continue to Ep.31)
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