Song of the Immortal Sky - Part 12.
Know that Temur, Spirit Rider of the Monkhiin-Tenger, Watcher on the Threshold, and betrothed of Tuya of the Gazar-Eeg, did break free from the bonds of this world to forge a new bond with a horse of the spirit world.
After consulting with Bijili Bone-Eye, shaman of his clan, Temur did set out to a rumored shrine nearly a week south of Throal (HEX 50.15). With him, he took three Windlings, which the Orks know as the Three Stars over the Mountain formation, a grouping most auspicious for spirit quests. The Three Stars were Zivilyn Many-Magics and Reyis of the Sleepy Spell, and also Nez the Loyal.
Know that if one is to go on a spirit quest, this is the most perfect band of heroes.
After many (Ed. Many, in this case, is five.) days of travel, the heroes did come to strangely symmetrical hillock upon the plains, which wise Zivilyn knew to be a ceremonial mound. Excited by having found what they thought to be their destination, the heroes did surge forward. They would soon find this was the beginning, not the end, of this spirit quest.
The mound was well guarded by tall trees, which shielded the earth with their verdant canopies. And also, it was guarded by a motley assemblage of Namegivers in robes of black and adornments of bone.
Know that many, if not all, Nethermancers do shop at Smoldering Subject, a store in Throal known for its robes of black and adornments of bone and also, for reasons poorly understood, corsets and lace and strange black boots. Know that any Nethermancers who mention this journal entry shall receive for their wisdom a discount of up to but no more than 15% on purchases totaling more than 50 silver. Know that ye shall act swiftly, lest this discount end before you have sucked the savings from its marrow.
These Namegivers did make claim that they were serving an ancient purpose, a mission older than the Scourge itself, and that their mission was to tend to this place and to guard against an unnamed danger.
Know that Temur well understood that the best way to guard against danger was to find it in the spaces between, and there to face it. And thus the heroes did climb the mound, beneath the sheltering canopy, and found, each older and less adorned than the previous, a series of ritual stone circles.
Know that the last of these was a simple ring of boulders, atop the mound, with space enough to enter. Know that it is the nature of Spirit Riders to traverse thresholds and gates. Know that the heroes did enter the ring, and that when they left it again, they were no longer in Throal, but in a broad ranging land of hard plains and tall grasses.
Know that these heroes, on their spirit quest, had traveled into the spirit world.
Know that there was rejoicing, for in the world of the spirit, the flesh of spirits is made real. And for the first time, Temur and Ayanga were able to meet each other as living beings of flesh and sinew and bone and blood. And, most of all, love.
Filled with wonder at this magical land, the heroes did scout ahead and travel forward. They did save a Stajian herd from the predations of a pride of lion spirits, and also did drive away the Storm Crows that scavenge nearby.
They tracked a herd of great spirit horses and found the path led into a canyon.
Know that tracks can mean the quarry lies ahead, but also might mean that the quarry has trod this path many times, and is, in point of fact, behind you and running at great speed. Know that a thousand horses running at speed is a wonderful thing that also has a great chance of rendering your bones to dust.
The Windlings did take shelter on, or behind, or before Temur, on Ayanga's strong back. And Temur did wheel away from the herd to find what had frighted them so.
Know that in the spirit world (Ed. And also in the actual world) there are great dogs that spit fire and that these are known as Hell Hounds. It was these beasts that, as is their nature, hunted the smallest and weakest and slowest of the herd. And it was these foals that the leaders of the herd, as was their nature, were desperately protecting.
Know that the heroes surged forward to battle the hounds, and also the eagles that, keen-eyed, had spotted opportunity from high above.
Know that the battle was fierce but the heroes were mighty.
Know that Temur did ride Ayanga up the face of a cliff in order to charge an eagle.
Know that this is the most badass thing Temur has ever done. Know that this scribe is asked to write it exactly that way: badass. Know that this scribe is requested to write the word three times, that it might be darker than the other words and that readers might understand just how badass it is to ride a horse up a cliff to charge an eagle.
Burned, beaked, clawed, charred, but not broken, the heroes were victorious. Temur did speak to the champions of the herd in the way he had learned from Ayanga, the way of speaking with spirits.
Know that nearly everyone in this party could speak with spirits. Know that it was mentioned above that this was the best party for a spirit quest one could assemble.
Temur did make to the great horses the gift he had been told by Bijili Bone-Eye to give. He mixed mashed barley with drops of his own blood and with respect and reverence did make an offering of it.
Know that horses do not like to eat blood, no matter what Bijili Bone-Eye says, but they do like barley just fine.
Know that one young sister of the herd, wise in the ways of battle, and full of bravery, for she had joined her dam and her sire in defending the herd, did find in Temur of the Monkhiin-Tenger a kindred spirit. For he had done the same as her.
Know that she did give him permission to name her.
Know that her name is Tulaany Egch, which has the meaning of Sister of Battle.
Know that she and Temur do ride as one.
Know that this story has ended. Know that this story continues.Statistics:Posted by bronzemountain — Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:05 pm
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