Post by oorali on Jan 29, 2019 11:36:31 GMT 1
The light of day began to creep over the western highlands of Agonia spilling much needed warmth onto the Crusader’s camp. While the rest of camp slept, Oorali, who was already up, climbed atop a boulder to bask in the early morning rays. A familiar cawing sound disturbed her sunrise deliberation. The message was short and to the point. Oorali bounded off the boulder and woke the War Master quickly. Ragnar sat up, rubbed his face and adjusted his eyes.
He read the message aloud with a hoarse voice, “Crusaders – We’re under attack! Many dead. Come, defend our lands!”
After a significant pause, Ragnar looked up at the Nuruk who stared back shaking her head.
“I thought we were the only ones on this godforsaken place?” Oorali whimpered.
“Evidently not.” The War Master replied.
The Norsk hoisted his heavy frame on to both legs, took out his smoking pipe and lit it. A thousand thoughts raced through Oorali’s mind. Was there anyone left? We must help. How will we stop them? Who are these barbarians that attacked us? Is this their home? Have we have invaded it? She knew to stay quiet while Ragnar paced back and forth. One hand rested behind his back, the other tended equally to his pipe and beard. The War Master stopped in front of Oorali.
In a hurried voice he said, “Let your tireless Nuruk legs carry you east. I shall send word. Meet with others on your way. If the raiders are fleeing they must have come from the east. You shall block them off or at least track them from a distance. The rest of us will head back to New Heaven to catch any stragglers, then drive east to meet you.”
Oorali nodded her head and immediately began lightening her knapsack noisily.
Asphodel had woken to the commotion earlier and now stepped towards the Nuruk. “Less haste, more speed.” She said smiling up at the Nomad. “Here take these, I have a feeling you will need them.”
Oorali thrust the healing potions into her empty knapsack, hugged Asphodel, nodded at the War Master, picked up her weapon and took off running in an easterly direction.
She ran as fast as her Nomadic legs would allow. As planned, she met with Niero and Metwodhumm. The three moved east for two days and by the third, without seeing a single raider, decided to head back to New Heaven. Upon arrival they learned that most of the fellowship community had gathered in the town hall. Oorali stood at the entrance trying to spot the Crusaders. Ragnar, Aura, Beardedangler, Hercules, Koios and Askytos were on the stage waiting to address the crowd. She saw Asphodel wave near the front of the hall. Next to her was Jandal who turned and made an obscene sign with her hand towards Oorali. Niero had already found a seat while Metwodhumm crouched on one knee and ducked his head through the door fighting for headroom with Bones. Oorali made her way down the aisle. The further she went the quieter the room became. She felt the eyes of the crowd on her and risked a glance before sitting at the front with Asphodel and Jandal. Muffled voices started one after the other until the room rose to its earlier din. Aura spoke first but the chattering crowd drowned her soft Leafborn voice.
Ragnar stepped forward and addressed the crowd, “Brothers and sisters of the Fellowship, hear us now.”
He stepped back and Aura took center stage. She began with a melodious chant devoted to the land of Agonia, our new home and all that it provides. As she intoned the devotion all of the Leafborn tribe took to a meditative state and the rest of the Fellowship, who were unsure at first, soon followed. The meeting went just as well as any large family gathering could. Disagreements, raised voices, bruised egos all present and accounted for. After a time it was agreed that the Fellowship should be more vigilant now that a threat is present. Praise was sung out for those who assisted in defense efforts, for those who fought valiantly against the enemy and for those that helped tend to the wounded. Beardedangler was awarded the first Medal of Valour for his incredible efforts to protect his brothers and sisters of the Fellowship.
Throughout the sitting Oorali had been turning to view the crowd behind her and with every turn she met resentful eyes. She whispered something to Asphodel who told her to be quiet while the meeting was still in progress. Now that the gathering was over, Oorali made her way to the exit. People in the bustling crowd sprung out of her way gasping and gawking as she walked past. The Nuruk decided to run. She kept running until she reached the forest on the outskirts of the town.
He read the message aloud with a hoarse voice, “Crusaders – We’re under attack! Many dead. Come, defend our lands!”
After a significant pause, Ragnar looked up at the Nuruk who stared back shaking her head.
“I thought we were the only ones on this godforsaken place?” Oorali whimpered.
“Evidently not.” The War Master replied.
The Norsk hoisted his heavy frame on to both legs, took out his smoking pipe and lit it. A thousand thoughts raced through Oorali’s mind. Was there anyone left? We must help. How will we stop them? Who are these barbarians that attacked us? Is this their home? Have we have invaded it? She knew to stay quiet while Ragnar paced back and forth. One hand rested behind his back, the other tended equally to his pipe and beard. The War Master stopped in front of Oorali.
In a hurried voice he said, “Let your tireless Nuruk legs carry you east. I shall send word. Meet with others on your way. If the raiders are fleeing they must have come from the east. You shall block them off or at least track them from a distance. The rest of us will head back to New Heaven to catch any stragglers, then drive east to meet you.”
Oorali nodded her head and immediately began lightening her knapsack noisily.
Asphodel had woken to the commotion earlier and now stepped towards the Nuruk. “Less haste, more speed.” She said smiling up at the Nomad. “Here take these, I have a feeling you will need them.”
Oorali thrust the healing potions into her empty knapsack, hugged Asphodel, nodded at the War Master, picked up her weapon and took off running in an easterly direction.
She ran as fast as her Nomadic legs would allow. As planned, she met with Niero and Metwodhumm. The three moved east for two days and by the third, without seeing a single raider, decided to head back to New Heaven. Upon arrival they learned that most of the fellowship community had gathered in the town hall. Oorali stood at the entrance trying to spot the Crusaders. Ragnar, Aura, Beardedangler, Hercules, Koios and Askytos were on the stage waiting to address the crowd. She saw Asphodel wave near the front of the hall. Next to her was Jandal who turned and made an obscene sign with her hand towards Oorali. Niero had already found a seat while Metwodhumm crouched on one knee and ducked his head through the door fighting for headroom with Bones. Oorali made her way down the aisle. The further she went the quieter the room became. She felt the eyes of the crowd on her and risked a glance before sitting at the front with Asphodel and Jandal. Muffled voices started one after the other until the room rose to its earlier din. Aura spoke first but the chattering crowd drowned her soft Leafborn voice.
Ragnar stepped forward and addressed the crowd, “Brothers and sisters of the Fellowship, hear us now.”
He stepped back and Aura took center stage. She began with a melodious chant devoted to the land of Agonia, our new home and all that it provides. As she intoned the devotion all of the Leafborn tribe took to a meditative state and the rest of the Fellowship, who were unsure at first, soon followed. The meeting went just as well as any large family gathering could. Disagreements, raised voices, bruised egos all present and accounted for. After a time it was agreed that the Fellowship should be more vigilant now that a threat is present. Praise was sung out for those who assisted in defense efforts, for those who fought valiantly against the enemy and for those that helped tend to the wounded. Beardedangler was awarded the first Medal of Valour for his incredible efforts to protect his brothers and sisters of the Fellowship.
Throughout the sitting Oorali had been turning to view the crowd behind her and with every turn she met resentful eyes. She whispered something to Asphodel who told her to be quiet while the meeting was still in progress. Now that the gathering was over, Oorali made her way to the exit. People in the bustling crowd sprung out of her way gasping and gawking as she walked past. The Nuruk decided to run. She kept running until she reached the forest on the outskirts of the town.
