The Realm of Austur Episode 1: A New Light

The journey to the small village to the south would have been nice, even pleasant, if the wind hadn't started blowing. Not an actual wind of course, it was the wind only he sensed...

"Whatever your reasons for journeying here," Vincent says to the youth, a bit absentmindedly. "You sure chose an interesting time to do it. Or perhaps... Fate guided you here, at this new dawn, for a reason? We shall see, I suppose, what part you play in this grand act."

Vincent's cryptic words leave the duo in stunned silence for a few minutes. The sea of trees scattered across the mountainside begins to open, revealing the wide plains below, and a small hamlet at the base of the mountains. The terrain slopes gently downward, before ending in a small cliff, and a steep trail leading down to the village below. Vincent casually walks towards the path, lost in his thoughts.

           While walking towards the village Baron decided to give it another shoot talking to Serlen. Baron thought maybe a change of subject would work?

      Barron called out to Serlen "what can you tell me about the girl your with?" Is she family or friend of yours?" Asked Baron with a hint of curiosity. "Never mind he looks like he has something on his mind," thought Baron slightly disappointed.

       While waiting for a response Baron thought Maybe I could ask Silver's Dad about his price but then he noticed that he was deep in thought. 

As the village began to come into view from the horizon a sudden wave of nostalgia came over Baron. "This village looks like the one I grew up in" thought Baron while the village began to get closer into view

Serlen watches the interaction with interest.
Vincent knew this Mayor Wood well.
It was good to know the man had others close to him than just Silver.

"Peaceful." He said.

The actual shopping was quick and easy. What took so long was Vincent arguing politely with the mayor. He wanted to pay full price for the goods, like any normal customer, and the mayor adamantly refused to accept his coin, instead saying everything would be on the house. After all, quoth the mayor, that's what you do for the hero who saved you from a fire when you were just a wee lad. Finally, the two reach a compromise, and Vincent winds up paying only half price for everything. He bids the mayor goodbye, before starting back towards the path to the mountains, carrying only two paper bags. Much to his companions' dismay, he shoved the rest into their hands.

When they complained, he only laughed. "It's your food, isn't it? I'm not eating anything."

For some reason, Vincent felt... Great. The beautiful sun above, the crisp mountain air, the slight breeze... It could be worse. As they began the trek back to Gorgath, he found himself grinning. "So, what did you learn?" He asks the other two. When both give him a quizzical look, he snorts. "What, you expect me to baby you? A true wildsman only needs a brief glance to know everything about the surrounding area. You've had over an hour to study. So, what did you learn? What did you notice about the terrain, about the people?"

"It feels like Home not that I grew up here but just the type of village I grew up in Baron," spoke out a little to loud. When he realized what he said he quickly changed the subject hoping no one caught what he said.

"I meant the people seem peacful and it feels like they don't have a care in the world," said Baron rathered flustered.

"The terrain doesn't seem too different from any other type of forests or mountains I seen before," said Baron.

"It seems like these two don't talk much at least I got Sam and Catie to talk to,". "I wonder how Catie is doing hopefully the place isn't in ruins before we get back," thought Baron as they begin the trek back to Vincent's place.

        "I wasn't trying to hide it was more repress the fact that I grew up in a village,". "Don't get me wrong there were some times it was good but there were a lot of times that I don't want to remember," said Baron while he was lost in thought.

      Now that you mention it the ground does feel wetter then usual and the trees look slightly different. As Baron was able to get a closer look at his surroundings after the whole village thing was behind him.

       Finally, when the discussion of the villagers came up Baron just replied. "I thought they were acting suspicious because of the strangers in their village,". "After a while you kind of get use to people acting suspicious around you," said Baron with a hint of anger. As the group continued back to the hideout.


Meanwhile...

"You need to learn how to be careful with that thing," said Sam as he was dangling from the chandelier. "Come on your being over dramatic Mr. Paws," Catie said while prancing. "All I wanted to do was play but I can't find Shalla and Silvy is still asleep,".

"A little overdramatic," hissed Sam "You jabbed that raiper right through my tail because you thought it be fun to chase me and then you tripped over NOTHING,". "Then when you got that thing out of my tail you preceded to stomped right where you stabbed me because again you tripped over an imaginary pebble,". Meanwhile while Catie was prancing around she saw Silver with her jaws wide open. "Hey meowy face you might want to come down," said Catie while pointing towards the chandelier.

         "Why so you can stab me again or so I can break my leg from falling so high?," hissed a furouis Sam. Just then Sam realized where he was and how Silver had a look of disbelief and shock on her face. "Oh shoot I was trying to keep her from breaking something now I am dangling on an antique," sighed Sam.

    "Great I can stay here and become an appetizer for Silver or something even worse?". "My other option is to drop down and pray to not break every bone in my body?". "I guess I only have one choice," said Sam. So Sam picked a god and prayed as he let go. The only thing going through Sam's mind was "What did I do to deserve this torture?," as he was falling to the floor.

         "That's it I am tired of her attitude'" thought an angry Sam walking towards Catie. "She thinks she can threaten and growl at whoever she wants because she's an all powerful dragon," was all Sam could think of. "I was going to be nice and apologize for Catie but if she wants to growl at me because I got injured well let's see Silver handle this," thought Sam with a devilish smile.

         "Hey Catie can i have a word with you," called Sam. "I am so sorry please don't tell brother he will get so mad and might stop training me," said Catie in a panic. "No no it has nothing to do with that let me talk to you outside in the hall way," said Sam trying to calm her down. "Ok," said Catie a little worried.

          After the two got outside Same face turned into one of concern. "Catie I am worried about Silver she looks so lonely and scared,". "Yeah I know what your saying she must miss her dad," said Catie deep in thought. "You know what would cheer her up is if her ' best friend'  went to go play with her,". "Really I am her best friend," said Catie who was so happy tears were beginning to form,". "Yeah when she caught me she told me as much," said Sam with a wide gin. "Don't worry I am going in there right now to give her the biggest hug ever," said a determine Catie. "Hold on she would just fly away if you went in there like that,". "Maybe you should change," Sam said with a wink.

         Catie was confused at first until Sam literally had the necklace in his mouth. "Oh now I know what you are saying," said Catie now who was now certain of what's going on. "Don't worry Silvy your best friend will be there in a moment to cheer you up said," Catie as she held the stone in her hand and began focusing her energy into the stone. "One thing Catie if you break something you will make Silver cry and we can't have that right," said Sam with a grin on his face. Catie just nodded as a light began to envelope her.

"Good good everything is going according to plan'". "Yet's see who the fool is when you have a 10ft. silver wolf chasing you down ha ha ha ha," thought Sam laughing at his evil plan. As Sam entered the throne room he saw Silver staring into space.

"Silver I think I know why you are always so grouchy and angry," called out Sam while Silver just gave him the evil eye. "You never had a proper play time," said Sam trying his best to contain himself. "Don't worry I had a nice talk to Catie and she's going to make sure you know what it means to have fun," said Sam to what was either a furouius or confused Silver. "Catie I think its time to cheer Sil Sil up," called out Sam.

Instead of Catie's usual appearance. A silver wolf with eyes as blue as Sapphire and about 10 ft. tall stepped in and before Silver could react the wolf was coming at her full speed. "Don't worry Sil Sil I am here to make it all better," said a very excited Catie. "You think you are so big and tough because you are an all powerful dragon,". "Well let's see how you handle the horror's of a focused Catie meow meow meow," said Sam with a deivish laughter.

What happened next had Sam rolling over in laughter. "This couldn't go any better if I had tried," thought Sam as he was laughing/ meowing in delight. While Catie was getting ready to take off at a stunned Silver


Meanwhile

"Your right Vincent I should try and learn about the people more,". "Who knows maybe we can all learn about each other someday?" said Baron. "I would like to hear some of your more pleasant stories of course and maybe if Serlen can say more than one word I would like to here stories from you too," said Baron. As the group was getting closer to the Vincent's home.

"Look at me worried about Sam and Catie I bet you right now Sam and her are having a great time exploring the city," thought Baron as he found himself at peace.

"Yeah that would be nice," Baron said a loud. As Baron was starting to think of some good stories to tell the group during dinner. "Who knows maybe deep down Vincet is really a nic guy after all?" thought Baron.

When suddenly, as they were getting closer a look of concern flashed across Baron's face.

    "Mr. Vincent I just realized I left Catie and Sam alone with Silver I hope they are ok," said Baron a little worried. "I know Sam will be fine because he's an adult and  he watched over me my entire life,". "Catie on the other hand tends to get over joyyed when meeting new people," said Baron now starting to sweat a little. "You saw how she put Silver in a death grip when she found out we could stay,". "Also you heard how she refered to a dragon as big and fluffy,".

"I can only imagine what's going on with Catie and Silver," thought Baron.

Then Baron started imaging a 15 ft dragon and a 10 ft wolf playing tag in an old ruins.

Meanwhile----

"You mean we can hang out together sometime I would love that," said  an excited Catie as she began reverting to her human form. If you can I would love to explore this place with you and learn how to handle a bow with you anytime," said a 'human' Catie who had tears all over cloths from the transformation. Then Catie turned to Sam "Maybe if you ask nice kitty you can come and hang out with us?"

          "Thanks but I think I will stick with Baron somebody has to keep an eye on him," said Sam sheepishly, while looking at Silver. "Catie you should go and get changed before brother gets home your clothes seem all messy and tattered,". "Okay," said Catie as she was hoping towards her room to freshen up and change. "You don't know what you will be missing," was the last thing Catie said to Sam before going to her room in a proud skip.

     Any normal person or creature would be shivering with fear after a threat like that but, not Sam who for some crazy reason seemed empowered by Silver's threat.

     Sam just waited until Catie left and just gave Silver a sarcastic bow. "Nice trick dragon didn't know you could grow like that,". Don't worry I will behave and be a nice kitty but this doesn't mean its over,". " I will let you have this for now because I wouldn't want to get 'burned' by the scary dragon," said Sam rather defiantly.

"Now I know all I need to and next time it will be me that has the last laugh,". With that Sam gave a look of defiance almost like he was accepting a challenge from Silver and left the room.

"Who knew it could be so fun challenging a dragon,"? "Maybe I will have more fun with Silver then Catie," were Sam's twisted thoughts. "You might of won the battle dragon but not the war," was Sam's last thought. With that  an almost crazed meow began ecohing in the hallway as Sam was walking away.

Silver only sighs and places her head on her paws, as the cat bounces away, and the wolf heads to her room. "That stupid feline," she mutters under her breath. "Doesn't he realize I'm just trying to help? Stupid, stupid cat... He has absolutely no clue where he is, or what father truly is... Any person who even knew one tenth of the lore surrounding my father, let alone the truth, would be groveling at his feet... That dumb cat is going to get himself killed... And that's if he's lucky."

Silver sighs again. Fine, whatever. Get yourself killed, see if I care... A third rate familiar isn't worth my time anyway...

--------

Outside Gorgath, Vincent gives a sigh almost identical to his daughter's. "I wouldn't worry about Silver or your wolf friend. Silver is almost fanatical when it comes to protecting her home and keeping the peace, and no offense, but that wolf is clearly still a pup. One growl from Silver and she'd be sulking in a corner. No, it's that familiar of yours whom I see as a troublemaker. I hope-for your sake- he remembers whose home he's in. When it comes to my daughter and home, I have very little patience. I would hate for your stay here to end... Abruptly."

And with those ominous words, the group reaches the ancient city, and Vincent activates the sliding stone door, leading the group inside.