This take place after the death of Wes-lee the courier and the meeting with Raam, but before the meeting with Oleg and Svetlana’s departure.
Chase approached the swamp on foot. He had left his black stallion, a gift from Raam, and the two outriders several hours back, near the edge of the swamp on a small hill. He knew the two outriders would simply be a distraction and distractions were something he could not afford to deal with at this time. Also he wanted to make sure no one knew exactly to whom he sought for assistance. Chased paused for a moment as he took in his surroundings, it was nice to finally be on his own in the wild again.
As Chase moved through the swamp, he didn't leave a branch broken or a puddle disturbed. He was a like a gentle breeze moving through the bogs. As he approached a rather large pool of dark water, he could just make out a plump muskrat on the far side of it scurrying over and then under logs that poked out from the water’s edge. The watery rodent was probably gathering it’s last minute food stores for a long winter nap. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Chase saw a cunning fox rushed from underneath a fern bush and pounced on the muskrat, the fox’s teeth tore into the furry flesh ripping the creature into two pieces and chewing then swallowing the first half quickly.
Chase smiled as he sat watching the fox finish devouring its meal. He thought about how much he missed being out here on the edge of wilderness with all it’s simple beauty and brutality. This also reminded Chase how much he disliked the position that has been forced upon him by his companions back in Stagfell. What was bothering Chase more each passing month in his new position was some of the things the dark voices told him when he was alone made more sense to him know, as if their whispers of dark deeds seemed to fit whit the job he know was tasked to undertake. Due to this revelation, Chase spent as much time outdoors working with Jhod this past summer as possible. In fact, Chase took a lot of time over the last summer to put on the air of a simple-minded forest guide and follower of Erastil. Chase made sure to seem almost subservient to Jhod when preaching the benefits of hard work it took to tame the wilderness. He never tried to capture any of the lime light for himself and if someone were to ask him if he was the man that had killed the Staglord, Chase would always say no and that it was really Lord Raam. Chase would remark he was merely there to help Lord Raam and perhaps if one of his arrows guided by Erastil had killed a bandit, all the blessing then fell to the Erastil wisdom. Chase even made sure to be one of the first out to visit the new farmlands. He helped Jhod and the settlers build fences to protect live stock, and build traps to catch some of the local wildlife before they could damage the fall harvests. This was part of the reason the kingdom had such a large food stores for winter. All do to the back-breaking work that he, Jhod and other followers of Erastil had put into the land.
These deeds were conveniently overlooked when some of the others of the party assessed their opinion of Chase, his love for the simple life and natural order. Chase never wanted to be saddled with all the secrets that he heard or uncovered. Then on top of his disdain for the job, came the stigma from his own supposed friends. It was not until Chase’s recent meeting with Raam that he discovered that they both shared similar views. This could be the reason Raam was chosen to lead their kingdom, since he seemed like a man who could straddle that fine line between right and wrong with a charisma that made you think that it was for the good of all. Chase knew in truth the young Lord was in way over his head and had not yet realized the responsibility he had taken on. Fortunately, they had formed a kinship that day in the Staglord’s fort. Now, after their meeting, the two have fortified their loyalty with a mutual respect for one another.
Fizz, the Elven alchemist, didn’t seem to care much of what happened with the kingdom at the moment. He was mainly focused on getting his Alchemical lab set up, making large of amounts of Alchemist fire as a defense for the trolls in the south. Fizz also dealt with the people that Chase identified as those with a magical aptitude or as the settlers called them: fey touched. Even with all that, the Alchemist seem to accept Chase for who he was without letting his past or his seemingly dark heritage cloud his opinion of Chase. For that Chase was grateful.
Balian current situation had him battling with similar inner demons that Chase has dealt with for most of his life, so Chase felt some kinship to the young lord. Chase tried to help and reach out to him, but Balian continued to keep him at a distance. Balian even went as far as using Chase’s Worg pups as a reason to keep a physical distance, he complained how they upset his horses.
Then there was Zuhair, he seemed more like the insane order of hell-knights from Cheliax then normal understanding priests of Sarenrae that Chase had met. At least those priests and holy-men had offered Chase a hand in friendship first before they would even think to condemn him, but not Zuhair. Zuhair’s religious zealotry knew only his simple minded obedience to laws that even Zuhair’s goddess did not follow.
Though for all their faults they had helped him rescue his daughter Katrina from the Staglord and for that he was grateful and vowed to help them in founding their new kingdom. The benefit to Chase was this new kingdom also provided a stable place for Katrina to grow up near her mother, as well as a Jhod a Priest of Erastil to help guide her in her religious studies.
In his reverie, Chase almost missed the fact that the Fox had stopped eating and was staring at him, it was also in that moment that he saw an image of a woman standing behind the fox almost invisible in the swamp foliage. Chase slipped through brush on the edge of the still water clearing and moved cautiously towards the fox and the shadow of the woman he thought he saw, as he approached the fox simply sat there staring at him. Chase stopped less then a foot away from the fox and held out his hands palm up to the fox. The for just trotted over to him smelled his hands and then looked back to the large cypress trees behind it and trotted off behind Chase and into the undergrowth of the swamp.
It was then that the image of the woman became clearer and stepped out of the hanging in front of Chase, “Well, it seems that my friend doesn’t consider you a threat Chase.”.
Chase looked at her for a moment as if unsure who he was looking at, “Tyana, is that you?”
Tyana, stood before Chase wearing dark brown and green leather travel clothes, a darker brown woolen cloak with strange glyphs sewn into the cloak with small animal bones, and a pair of thigh high leather traveler's boots. She looked quite a bit more mature then the last time Chase had seen her over eight years ago, she had turned into quite an attractive woman. She seemed to embrace everything Chase felt was beautiful about nature, it’s natural elegance with a very strong and dangerous femininity. Tyana’s skin was still a dark coco brown unlike that of her mother’s which added a very exotic look to her exquisitely carved features, her long almost jet black hair cascaded down to the middle of her back. there was streaks of gold, white and red running through her hair with bits of twigs and other things used as to keep it out of her eyes.
Tyana smiled and reached down to stroke Chase’s cheek, “well, I see grasping the obvious is still one of your strong suits Chase.”
Chase shivered at her touch, it felt as if she was caressing his soul. He had hoped that Tyana was not like her mother, in that her touch would not have that weird effect on him. Shaking of the effects of her touch Chase stood, “Tyana, I’m glad to see you are well, but I’m here to your mother about some business.
Tyana, seemed a little upset that Chase didn’t seem to want to show any signs of pleasantry to her, but rather wanted to get right to the point of his visit. As if seeing her some eight years later meant meant nothing to him. Chase always missed these subtle social games people played, as he was more used to the direct matter of relating information to a person in the manner he would want it, direct and to the point, the finer points of social etiquette seemed like a waste of time to Chase.
Tyana turned away from Chase her body moving fluidly through the swamp like a snake through the dark murky water all around them. “I know, mother told me you would be coming, she even said this time would not be coming with that bandit whore.”
Chase sighed; it was becoming obvious to him that not much had change since that random encounter with Tyana and her mother some eight years ago. As Chase followed Tyana through the swamp she avoided getting wet by carefully walking on a path of fallen trees and raised dirt mounds covered in moss, Chase watching her closwely realized this was a path now one would ever be able to follow unless they knew where and when to step. Chase also decided since he was alone with her to try and get as much information from Tyana as he could before they reached her mother. So after another half hour of walking Chase broke the silence between them, “So I take it then your mother is still having visions of me.” Chase asked already knowing the answer.
“Yes she is, but I believe the reason you are here is because of the dream I had about you.” Tyana said with out looking back at him.
Chase smiled inwardly; he had noticed the slight falter in her step when Tyana mentioned her dream. It was obvious to him at least this was not something she wanted to mention. “Oh, so now you are dreaming about me as well Tyana, I thought that was solely the domain of your mother?”
Tyana stopped suddenly on a broken log and turned to look at Chase, “I know you refused my mother’s offer before Chase, but that does not mean anything has changed and just because you choose to ignore something doesn’t make it untrue.” Before Chase could interject, Tyana continued, “My vision of you was just as my mother for saw due to our unique connection.”
Then Tyana turned abruptly off the path seemingly walking straighting into the trunk of a massive bald cypress, but as it turned out the trunk was hollow creating a little tunnel that led them both to a clearing of dry raised land in the middle of the swamp. Chase also was just now noticing that the trees surrounding this area had changed from the normal northern white cedar, eastern hemlock, and black spruce to trees that were more common in this colder climes and to trees normally found in more southern areas like the cypress, black gum, juniper, and water ash. He also noticed that it had become increasingly warmer as they had moved onto the dry clearing. Tyana was now striding across the clearing to a small house her cloak pushed back off her shoulders.
The house seemed to look dilapidated, but as they approached Chase could tell that the moss that hung down from the eves of the roof were more for show then anything else. The clearing was quite large and small vegetable garden was off to one side with some fresh vegetables still on the vine. There was a large Scarecrow in the middle of the garden to scare away the local ravens and other birds that seemed to roost in the area in hopes of a easy meal. Chase almost felt as if the scarecrow was watching him approach, but he figured it had more to do with the general feeling of uneasiness he had from coming here again.
As Chase approached the small house, Tyana suddenly stopped and turned to look at him. “Mother told me to send you inside alone for what she has to tell you is solely for you to hear,” and with that Tyana strode off past the house heading to the other side of the clearing.
“Tyana” Chase said suddenly almost as if he didn’t realize he said her name. Tyana stopped and turned to look at him, “yes” she said with a hint of sorrow in her voice.
“It was nice to see you again, your mother was right when she said you would grow into a beautiful young woman.” Tyana started to smile then quickly replaced it with the same blank expression she had been wearing all afternoon since there first encounter at the edge of the swamp. “Thank you, I’m sure mother will be glad to hear she was right, she likes it when people admit that to her,” and with that she continued off into the swamp. Chase watched Tyana as she moved of into the swamp disappearing behind a red maple tree, it was then he once again noticed the fox staring at him again then trotting off as if following Tyana into the humid wetlands near the Tuskwater.
Chase approached the door and just as he reached out for the handle the door swung open,
“Welcome back to my home young devil”, came the elderly voice from inside the dark house. Chase eyes only took a moment to adjust to the dark interior before he could make out Ahurani sitting in a rocking chair next to some heat-stones. The stones a luxury even for most nobility in Restov seemed fitting in this setting with Ahurani, keeping the small house warm and somewhat inviting if slightly on the darker side. Ahurani looked at Chase and smiled, “it has been many seasons since you last visited me deviling.”
Chase nodded, “well the last time I was here we did not part on good terms.”
“Well, you were young foolish, and felt an odd attachment to the pregnant bandit whore you were with, I warn you know as I warned you then she will be your undoing young devil, you would be wise to rid yourself of her.”
Chase sighed he had been through this before with her, “I understand your feelings to Kressle, but your vision of her might be false. because of her I have my daughter, I do not see how being with Kressle has added evil and ruined to my life, quite the contrary my daughter has added hope and joy to my dark existence.”
Ahurani sighed, “young devil not all destruction comes to one as it appears at first, is not the spider’s web covered in the morning’s dew attractive, but when the butterfly lands to soak in it’s glistening beauty, it will soon realize that it has become the spider’s breakfast.”
Chase not wanting this discussion to distract him from his real reason for coming steered the conversation away from Kressle, “You are right again oracle, many things in this world lure their prey in with what appears to be harmless beauty, I would be wise to listen to your warnings. But I have not come here to discuss my personal relationships, the real reason I have come here today is to ask you to use your wisdom to help me in another matter. I assume you know of my companions and are attempts to settle these wild lands.”
Ahurani nodded ,”yes your actions have not gone unnoticed to my sight nor that of many other’s who desire this region for their own. I realized that is the true reason you have come back to see me young devil. You wish me to tell you of the trouble I see for you and your young lordlings?”
Chase nodded, “Yes, I do not come empty handed either.” with that Chase sets a small bag of gold coins on a table in front of Ahurani. Looking to the bag and then back to Chase Ahurani, smiles “is this donation from all the lords of the kingdom?” Chase hesitates before answering, “yes, it is from the kingdoms treasury.”
“LIE”, Ahurani shot back glaring angrily at Chase, “I warn you young devil your forked tongue might work on most, but it will not fool me, answer me honest or leave my home.”
Chase took a deep breath, he knew better then to try and fool her, “No, the other do not offer this to you, it comes from the kingdoms treasury, they do not know I took it nor do they know I am here.”
“Well then keep it I do not take stolen money,” Ahurani paused the bag of coins back to Chase and continued on, “what I tell you know I tell you for what I owe you from before.”
Chase picked up the bag of coins slipping it back into and inner pocket, “thank you Oracle your are too kind.” Ahurani scoffed, “No, what I tell you be a little bit of the trouble you face. You will need what I have seen if you hope to live through the winter.” Ahurani then pointed at chair to her side, “now sit down and listen to my visions.”
Chase took a seat as the oracle settled herself and continued, “I see two holy men of the dawnflower. The rides together, one holy-man is redeemed and the other is confused. They both ride to a tomb of wood and they bring with them a dragon to it’s slaughter.”
Chase eyebrow cocked at the comment, “you must mean..” but before he could finish the statement Ahurani waved her hand at him, “Hush let the future speak to you as I see it, I will not decipher it for you, I simply tell you what the flow of time has shown me.”
“ I see death in the town where the stag died and evil lurked below, it hunts you young devil, if you survive it you might be able to save the dragon before it is slaughtered, if not then all their fates are sealed.” Ahurani hand waved before her as if brushing away the snow from a window to get a better view inside, “I also see a sick knight he is the key, he will make the fey dance in this land, protect him well guide him he needs your help.”
I see a child of the woods his past is clouded to me as he has yet to set the bottles of his fortune in play, but his actions could be the key to stopping the great undying green from the south or slowing the death that comes from the north.” Ahurani seemed to grow tired as she went on, “the flow of time also revels to me a mole that is a rat lured in by the golden cheese, this rat was meant to poison your own cellar against you.” and with that Ahurani closed her eyes her lips still moving, “that is all I have for you now you must leave go back to your kingdom of the fallen stag for if you do not leave soon the one of the dawnflower sons might not rise the next morning.”
“Thank you Ahurani, the generosity you have shown me today will not be forgotten.” As Chase stood to leave the oracle’s hand reached out and grabbed his arm, “I have more vision to tell you, but you must bring to me all those in my visions they must make choices while here and I will let them know if they have earned the future I have seen.” Chase nodded and turned to walk out of the small house. As Chase exited the door into the clearing outside, he looked around to see if Tyana was waiting for him. He wanted to hear about her vision, but saw no sign of her.
After walking several hours Chase crested the hill that led him out of the swamp, he saw the two outriders waiting for him around the makeshift camp they had made that morning when he left, the sun was just starting to set in the sky, giving everything a golden orange glow. Chase was not sure what to do with the knowledge he had gained from oracle or how he would make sense of it all, but he knew he had to head back tonight. There was no time to waste, he had to be back in Stagfell before the next morning. Chase needed to try and confirm what he had learned, to see if he could find the obvious evil that was afoot in the fledgling kingdom he was part of. Chase motioned for the two outriders to break camp and prepare to ride. As he walked over and tightened the girth strap on his black stallion, Chase looked back into the swamp thinking on all that had been revealed to him, it was then that he noticed the fox watching him and behind it the silhouette a woman.
