Difference between revisions of "Before the Trial of Rebirth"

Her blue eyes brimming with tears, Ilya gazed imploringly at her father. "But

Her blue eyes brimming with tears, Ilya gazed imploringly at her father. "But

They're going to see the world, and do wonderful deeds, and bring fame to our

They're going to see the world, and do wonderful deeds, and bring fame to our

village. Don't you want that for me?" she pleaded.

village. Don't you want that for me?" she pleaded.

Athias sighed and rubbed his face wearily with one hand, his stentorian

Athias sighed and rubbed his face wearily with one hand, his stentorian

haven't seen the things I've seen, the things I know those who call themselves

haven't seen the things I've seen, the things I know those who call themselves

'adventurers' are capable of doing."

'adventurers' are capable of doing."

Standing up, he paced slowly around the wooden table, the candlelight flickering

Standing up, he paced slowly around the wooden table, the candlelight flickering

villagers in the name of getting stronger, and the minute the village begins to

villagers in the name of getting stronger, and the minute the village begins to

heal from the carnage, they come back and do it all over again."

heal from the carnage, they come back and do it all over again."

His tone hardened, and Ilya stiffened slightly. "Even those who profess to save

His tone hardened, and Ilya stiffened slightly. "Even those who profess to save

there are those of the Church that could care less who falls before them if they

there are those of the Church that could care less who falls before them if they

think they can get away with it!"

think they can get away with it!"

Athias's abrupt change in tone startled Ilya, who gazed wide-eyed at her father

Athias's abrupt change in tone startled Ilya, who gazed wide-eyed at her father

name of progress? Is this the price you're willing to pay for fame and glory?"

name of progress? Is this the price you're willing to pay for fame and glory?"

he asked angrily.

he asked angrily.

Ilya's bottom lip trembled. "I...I..." Unable to meet her father's gaze, she

Ilya's bottom lip trembled. "I...I..." Unable to meet her father's gaze, she

looked down, and found herself unconsciously tracing the light scars on her

looked down, and found herself unconsciously tracing the light scars on her

wrist.

wrist.

Remembering why she had wanted to become an adventurer, she looked up again, and

Remembering why she had wanted to become an adventurer, she looked up again, and

are like that, but not all of them are, Father." Ilya held up her wrist, the

are like that, but not all of them are, Father." Ilya held up her wrist, the

scars barely visible in the candlelight.

scars barely visible in the candlelight.

"I may not have seen all of what adventurers are capable of, but I've seen a bit

"I may not have seen all of what adventurers are capable of, but I've seen a bit

be trapped in those..those horrible caves with those awful Gnolls..." Athias

be trapped in those..those horrible caves with those awful Gnolls..." Athias

flinched as she blinked back tears at the long-suppressed memory.

flinched as she blinked back tears at the long-suppressed memory.

Gaining courage, she lifted her chin stubbornly. "All I want to do is repay that

Gaining courage, she lifted her chin stubbornly. "All I want to do is repay that

favour. If someday I can rescue someone else who was just like me, then I'll

favour. If someday I can rescue someone else who was just like me, then I'll

consider my life's work worth it," she said quietly.

consider my life's work worth it," she said quietly.

"I'm not a child any more, Father. You say I have never been out of this

"I'm not a child any more, Father. You say I have never been out of this

then can I understand the evils of the world you speak of, and mayhaps even

then can I understand the evils of the world you speak of, and mayhaps even

discover good that you have not been privy to."

discover good that you have not been privy to."

Athias opened his mouth to speak, but Ilya cut him off. "You can't stop me from

Athias opened his mouth to speak, but Ilya cut him off. "You can't stop me from

going, Father," she said with a note of finality.

going, Father," she said with a note of finality.

Anger and sadness warred within Athias's heart, the conflict clearly written

Anger and sadness warred within Athias's heart, the conflict clearly written

across his face. "Nothing I can say will change your mind, then? Even though you

across his face. "Nothing I can say will change your mind, then? Even though you

know the cost of becoming one of -them-?"

know the cost of becoming one of -them-?"

Ilya took a deep breath, and nodded resolutely. "My mind is set, Father." Her

Ilya took a deep breath, and nodded resolutely. "My mind is set, Father." Her

expression softened, and she looked at him pleadingly. "I would not have us part

expression softened, and she looked at him pleadingly. "I would not have us part

like this...please try to understand."

like this...please try to understand."

"No, Ilya." She shrank back at his curt tone even as he strode to the door,

"No, Ilya." She shrank back at his curt tone even as he strode to the door,

crossed his face as he turned to look back at her, suddenly seeming years older.

crossed his face as he turned to look back at her, suddenly seeming years older.

"It is you who does not understand."

"It is you who does not understand."

As Athias slammed the door shut, the subsequent gust of wind extinguished the

As Athias slammed the door shut, the subsequent gust of wind extinguished the

candle flame, leaving Ilya sitting alone in the darkness.

candle flame, leaving Ilya sitting alone in the darkness.

**********************************************************************

**********************************************************************

Dawn was just breaking as Ilya struggled up the top of a grassy hill in the

Dawn was just breaking as Ilya struggled up the top of a grassy hill in the

the pink and gold hue of the lightening sky as the solstar gradually spread its

the pink and gold hue of the lightening sky as the solstar gradually spread its

rays to all corners of the world.

rays to all corners of the world.

"Ilya!"

"Ilya!"

She turned just in time to feel the full-blown impact of a young female Mhun

She turned just in time to feel the full-blown impact of a young female Mhun

colliding into her at top speed, the force of the collision bowling them both

colliding into her at top speed, the force of the collision bowling them both

over onto the ground.

over onto the ground.

Giggling happily, the Mhun threw herself onto Ilya and hugged her so tightly she

Giggling happily, the Mhun threw herself onto Ilya and hugged her so tightly she

was gasping for air. "Ilya! I thought you weren't going to make it and I would

was gasping for air. "Ilya! I thought you weren't going to make it and I would

be stuck alone with Tobias for the whole long trek!" she exclaimed.

be stuck alone with Tobias for the whole long trek!" she exclaimed.

A blonde-haired Human appeared over the crest of the hill, a broad grin on his

A blonde-haired Human appeared over the crest of the hill, a broad grin on his

face. "I heard that, Sheni!"

face. "I heard that, Sheni!"

Laughing at her friends' antics, Ilya finally managed to extricate herself from

Laughing at her friends' antics, Ilya finally managed to extricate herself from

Sheni's grip. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Sheni's grip. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Out of breath, Sheni threw herself down beside Ilya, sweeping her long, dark

Out of breath, Sheni threw herself down beside Ilya, sweeping her long, dark

braids over her shoulders. "I heard your father didn't want you to go, Ilya. Did

braids over her shoulders. "I heard your father didn't want you to go, Ilya. Did

he finally say yes then?"

he finally say yes then?"

The Tsol'aa looked away, her blue eyes sad. "We didn't really part on the best

The Tsol'aa looked away, her blue eyes sad. "We didn't really part on the best

of terms."

of terms."

Tobias walked over and gave Ilya a comforting hug, wrapping her up in his strong

Tobias walked over and gave Ilya a comforting hug, wrapping her up in his strong

the world than to become an adventurer? Certainly staying in Petra and rotting

the world than to become an adventurer? Certainly staying in Petra and rotting

away isn't going to do anyone any good."

away isn't going to do anyone any good."

Ilya nodded slightly, returning the hug. "Well, let's not ruin this momentous

Ilya nodded slightly, returning the hug. "Well, let's not ruin this momentous

occasion by talking about sad things. After all, we're about to start a journey

occasion by talking about sad things. After all, we're about to start a journey

of a lifetime!"

of a lifetime!"

Picking up her pack, she slung it over her shoulder and looked back at her

Picking up her pack, she slung it over her shoulder and looked back at her

friends. "Come on. We've got a long way to go if we're going to reach Thera by

friends. "Come on. We've got a long way to go if we're going to reach Thera by

noon!"

noon!"

Sheni groaned. "But this grass is so soft and the sky is so pretty and-hey! Hey!

Sheni groaned. "But this grass is so soft and the sky is so pretty and-hey! Hey!

Put me down!"

Put me down!"

Laughter rang across the plains as a grinning Tobias ran past Ilya, balancing an

Laughter rang across the plains as a grinning Tobias ran past Ilya, balancing an

indignant, struggling Sheni over his shoulder.

indignant, struggling Sheni over his shoulder.

For the moment, the world was at their feet.

For the moment, the world was at their feet.

**********************************************************************

**********************************************************************

"So where exactly are we heading, Sheni?"

"So where exactly are we heading, Sheni?"

The young Mhun was poring over a piece of yellowed parchment, her brow furrowed

The young Mhun was poring over a piece of yellowed parchment, her brow furrowed

in concentration. "Give me just one second, I can't figure this out with all

in concentration. "Give me just one second, I can't figure this out with all

your yelling!"

your yelling!"

Rolling his eyes at Ilya, Tobias sat down next to Sheni and peered over at the

Rolling his eyes at Ilya, Tobias sat down next to Sheni and peered over at the

half of Central Wilderness seems to be forever lost to the Sea of Chocolate and

half of Central Wilderness seems to be forever lost to the Sea of Chocolate and

Cream."

Cream."

"Hey, if you don't like my map, don't read it!" said Sheni in an affronted tone

"Hey, if you don't like my map, don't read it!" said Sheni in an affronted tone

in Ashtan for that special jambalaya she likes so much. It took me a full three

in Ashtan for that special jambalaya she likes so much. It took me a full three

hours!"

hours!"

"We'll take what we can get, Sheni," said Ilya, twisting her hair into a long

"We'll take what we can get, Sheni," said Ilya, twisting her hair into a long

braid like the Mhun's to keep it out of her face. "Any idea where we are now?"

braid like the Mhun's to keep it out of her face. "Any idea where we are now?"

Sheni traced a long finger over the faded drawings. "It looks like we're just

Sheni traced a long finger over the faded drawings. "It looks like we're just

reach Thera. Supposedly..someone will meet us there.." She gazed uncertainly at

reach Thera. Supposedly..someone will meet us there.." She gazed uncertainly at

her two friends, chewing her bottom lip.

her two friends, chewing her bottom lip.

"I've heard rumours that an old crone is supposed to meet you there and lead you

"I've heard rumours that an old crone is supposed to meet you there and lead you

it'll hurt much, going into the Flame? I burnt my hand once when I was helping

it'll hurt much, going into the Flame? I burnt my hand once when I was helping

Mother with dinner, and it wasn't pretty.."

Mother with dinner, and it wasn't pretty.."

Ilya rubbed her slender arms nervously, imagining herself being consumed in a

Ilya rubbed her slender arms nervously, imagining herself being consumed in a

time. "It looks like we're three hours short of midday. Come on, we don't have

time. "It looks like we're three hours short of midday. Come on, we don't have

much time."

much time."

**********************************************************************

**********************************************************************

"What are you doing here, Cesline?! There's too many of them! Go back! Take Ilya

"What are you doing here, Cesline?! There's too many of them! Go back! Take Ilya

somewhere safe!"

somewhere safe!"

"She's fine, she's with Estell! They need me out here, Athias! They don't have

"She's fine, she's with Estell! They need me out here, Athias! They don't have

enough Magi for a Cataclysm! I'm just going to help imbue the crystals, then

enough Magi for a Cataclysm! I'm just going to help imbue the crystals, then

I'll go home. I promise!"

I'll go home. I promise!"

"Wait! Cesline, come back!"

"Wait! Cesline, come back!"

Deathsense tingles. Red-flooded vision. So much blood.

Deathsense tingles. Red-flooded vision. So much blood.

An unearthly scream - whose?

An unearthly scream - whose?

His mouth.

His mouth.

His scream.

His scream.

Bursting through the crowd.

Bursting through the crowd.

A Tsol'aa's head piked under the Zarathustran Eagle.

A Tsol'aa's head piked under the Zarathustran Eagle.

Blank staring eyes. Gaping mouth.

Blank staring eyes. Gaping mouth.

Blonde hair streaked blood red.

Blonde hair streaked blood red.

"CESLINE!!!"

"CESLINE!!!"

He shot up, gasping, flailing, eyes wide and staring, until he realised that it

He shot up, gasping, flailing, eyes wide and staring, until he realised that it

had just been a nightmare.

had just been a nightmare.

The same nightmare he'd been having for ten years.

The same nightmare he'd been having for ten years.

Tears flooded Athias's dark eyes as he gazed over at the miniature portrait of a

Tears flooded Athias's dark eyes as he gazed over at the miniature portrait of a

beautiful, smiling Tsol'aa standing upon his bedside table.

beautiful, smiling Tsol'aa standing upon his bedside table.

"Cesline..why didn't you listen to me?"

"Cesline..why didn't you listen to me?"

He picked up the portrait, caressing it gently. "She's gone too, Cesline. She

He picked up the portrait, caressing it gently. "She's gone too, Cesline. She

doesn't know..she went to be an adventurer, too. I couldn't stop her..."

doesn't know..she went to be an adventurer, too. I couldn't stop her..."

He thought of his daughter, trudging her way towards Thera. "She really wants to

He thought of his daughter, trudging her way towards Thera. "She really wants to

be an adventurer, the foolish girl. I guess it's in her blood, eh?" he smiled

be an adventurer, the foolish girl. I guess it's in her blood, eh?" he smiled

humourlessly.

humourlessly.

A gleam caught the corner of his eye, and he looked towards the cupboard in the

A gleam caught the corner of his eye, and he looked towards the cupboard in the

corner of the room. One door had swung open, and the sunlight streaming in from

corner of the room. One door had swung open, and the sunlight streaming in from

the window glanced off something with a metallic sheen.

the window glanced off something with a metallic sheen.

He looked at Cesline's portrait again. "I guess if being an adventurer is her

He looked at Cesline's portrait again. "I guess if being an adventurer is her

destiny, I can at least make sure she gets there safely, eh?"

destiny, I can at least make sure she gets there safely, eh?"

The Tsol'aa's smile never changed.

The Tsol'aa's smile never changed.

**********************************************************************

**********************************************************************

The small party made their way uneventfully through the plains, occasionally

The small party made their way uneventfully through the plains, occasionally

sneaking quietly past a grazing buffalo so as not to startle it.

sneaking quietly past a grazing buffalo so as not to startle it.

After some time of walking through wide open fields, their feet finally stepped

After some time of walking through wide open fields, their feet finally stepped

upon hard, well-trodden dirt, and Ilya knew that they had hit the Prelatorian

upon hard, well-trodden dirt, and Ilya knew that they had hit the Prelatorian

Highway.

Highway.

"Well, it looks like we're close," said Sheni as she folded up the map and

"Well, it looks like we're close," said Sheni as she folded up the map and

stuffed it in her pack. "All we have to do is follow this south, and it should

stuffed it in her pack. "All we have to do is follow this south, and it should

lead us to Thera."

lead us to Thera."

Turning to Tobias, Ilya noticed that he had a frown on his face. "Something

Turning to Tobias, Ilya noticed that he had a frown on his face. "Something

wrong, Tobias?" she asked.

wrong, Tobias?" she asked.

He pondered for a minute. "I just don't like the look of those foggy areas

He pondered for a minute. "I just don't like the look of those foggy areas

around the path. They look dangerous..and did you notice it actually seems

around the path. They look dangerous..and did you notice it actually seems

harder to breathe now?"

harder to breathe now?"

Sheni inhaled deeply, ending with a splutter and choke as she tried to regain

Sheni inhaled deeply, ending with a splutter and choke as she tried to regain

Ashtan. Don't put a foot off the path, or you'll lose your way and either be

Ashtan. Don't put a foot off the path, or you'll lose your way and either be

swallowed up by the bog, or eaten by a bog hound," she warned.

swallowed up by the bog, or eaten by a bog hound," she warned.

Ilya shivered slightly, then remembered that she had packed some rope before she

Ilya shivered slightly, then remembered that she had packed some rope before she

in a group and nobody gets lost," she suggested, taking the length of rope out

in a group and nobody gets lost," she suggested, taking the length of rope out

from her pack.

from her pack.

Tobias nodded approvingly as he took one end of the rope and began to wind it

Tobias nodded approvingly as he took one end of the rope and began to wind it

around his waist. "Good idea. I'll go last, and Sheni can go first."

around his waist. "Good idea. I'll go last, and Sheni can go first."

"Me?! But why??" Sheni exclaimed. "I don't want to go first into that thing!"

"Me?! But why??" Sheni exclaimed. "I don't want to go first into that thing!"

"Sheni, we're about to be adventurers, you can't get cold feet now," Tobias

"Sheni, we're about to be adventurers, you can't get cold feet now," Tobias

one you have the map, and secondly you're the only one who's been anywhere near

one you have the map, and secondly you're the only one who's been anywhere near

here before."

here before."

"Besides, Sheni, we'll be right behind you," Ilya said soothingly as the Mhun

"Besides, Sheni, we'll be right behind you," Ilya said soothingly as the Mhun

picked up the rope, grumbling under her breath.

picked up the rope, grumbling under her breath.

"Nothing's going to happen."

"Nothing's going to happen."

**********************************************************************

**********************************************************************

The fog thickened with each step they took deeper into the bog, making it very

The fog thickened with each step they took deeper into the bog, making it very

slow going as visibility was reduced to a mere few feet in front of them, and

slow going as visibility was reduced to a mere few feet in front of them, and

the acrid odour made it increasingly difficult to breathe.

the acrid odour made it increasingly difficult to breathe.

"Can't you go any faster, Sheni?" Tobias coughed. "It's getting harder to

"Can't you go any faster, Sheni?" Tobias coughed. "It's getting harder to

breathe back here."

breathe back here."

"No, Tobias, I can't go any faster unless you want me to walk straight into the

"No, Tobias, I can't go any faster unless you want me to walk straight into the

bog," she hissed in response. "It's hard enough feeling the path under you

bog," she hissed in response. "It's hard enough feeling the path under you

without being rushed, thank you very much!"

without being rushed, thank you very much!"

"Don't let's fight and just concentrate on getting out of here," said Ilya,

"Don't let's fight and just concentrate on getting out of here," said Ilya,

looking about herself nervously as she readjusted her grip on her pack. "I don't

looking about herself nervously as she readjusted her grip on her pack. "I don't

like this place."

like this place."

The group travelled further and further into the bog, unaware of the eyes

The group travelled further and further into the bog, unaware of the eyes

tracking their every move.

tracking their every move.

"Uh, we may have a problem..."

"Uh, we may have a problem..."

"Don't joke around, Sheni, this is no time for games."

"Don't joke around, Sheni, this is no time for games."

"No, I'm serious..." the Mhun gulped. "I don't think we're on the path any

"No, I'm serious..." the Mhun gulped. "I don't think we're on the path any

more...the ground doesn't feel solid at all."

more...the ground doesn't feel solid at all."

"Okay, that's okay," said Ilya, trying to keep her voice calm. "Let's just

"Okay, that's okay," said Ilya, trying to keep her voice calm. "Let's just

backtrack and hopefully we can find-"

backtrack and hopefully we can find-"

"I, uh, don't think backtracking is an option," said Tobias in an unsteady

"I, uh, don't think backtracking is an option," said Tobias in an unsteady

voice.

voice.

"Why not?" asked Ilya, trying to peer around him.

"Why not?" asked Ilya, trying to peer around him.

"Because I don't think they're going to let us pass."

"Because I don't think they're going to let us pass."

A low growling began, increasing in volume as shapes moved slowly through the

A low growling began, increasing in volume as shapes moved slowly through the

teeth. It advanced slowly towards them, growling loudly, and the stench rolling

teeth. It advanced slowly towards them, growling loudly, and the stench rolling

off it was almost unbearable.

off it was almost unbearable.

"That...is a bog hound," Sheni whispered, terror in her voice. "What are we

"That...is a bog hound," Sheni whispered, terror in her voice. "What are we

going to do? We don't know how to fight yet!"

going to do? We don't know how to fight yet!"

"Maybe we can outrun it," whispered Tobias urgently.

"Maybe we can outrun it," whispered Tobias urgently.

All thoughts of escaping, however, soon vanished when three more bog hounds

All thoughts of escaping, however, soon vanished when three more bog hounds

materialised out of the gloom, cutting off any escape routes.

materialised out of the gloom, cutting off any escape routes.

As the pack advanced, Ilya knew they were doomed. She thought only of her

As the pack advanced, Ilya knew they were doomed. She thought only of her

father, and closed her eyes as she prayed to the Gods that one day he would be

father, and closed her eyes as she prayed to the Gods that one day he would be

able to forgive her.

able to forgive her.

"Ilya!"

"Ilya!"

Her eyes flew open just in time to see another shape burst through the gloom,

Her eyes flew open just in time to see another shape burst through the gloom,

two wicked-looking scimitars. Their saviour's dark hair looked surprisingly

two wicked-looking scimitars. Their saviour's dark hair looked surprisingly

familiar...

familiar...

"Father?!"

"Father?!"

Without warning, the bog hounds launched themselves at the party, and even as

Without warning, the bog hounds launched themselves at the party, and even as

Ilya, Tobias and Sheni cringed, Athias fended them off by swinging his scimitar

Ilya, Tobias and Sheni cringed, Athias fended them off by swinging his scimitar

in a wide arc, slashing the hounds and wounding two severely.

in a wide arc, slashing the hounds and wounding two severely.

Unwilling to give up, the hounds attacked again, and Athias threw his body in

Unwilling to give up, the hounds attacked again, and Athias threw his body in

front of them, acting as a shield between the hounds and the open-mouthed youths

front of them, acting as a shield between the hounds and the open-mouthed youths

as he battled the hounds furiously.

as he battled the hounds furiously.

Numerous slashes and jabs later, four bog hounds lay dead at their feet. Athias

Numerous slashes and jabs later, four bog hounds lay dead at their feet. Athias

himself was injured, but not severely, and he coughed apologetically at Ilya as

himself was injured, but not severely, and he coughed apologetically at Ilya as

she bandaged his wound with a strip of cloth torn from her skirt.

she bandaged his wound with a strip of cloth torn from her skirt.

"Your old man's a little out of practice, I'm afraid, but I suppose I didn't do

"Your old man's a little out of practice, I'm afraid, but I suppose I didn't do

too badly."

too badly."

"Thank you for saving our lives, sir," said Sheni shyly, apparently awed by

"Thank you for saving our lives, sir," said Sheni shyly, apparently awed by

Athias's exertions.

Athias's exertions.

"That was incredible! Where did you learn to do that, sir? Were you once an

"That was incredible! Where did you learn to do that, sir? Were you once an

adventurer?" asked Tobias eagerly.

adventurer?" asked Tobias eagerly.

"Yes, where did you learn to do that?" repeated Ilya as she gazed evenly at her

"Yes, where did you learn to do that?" repeated Ilya as she gazed evenly at her

father, who looked away.

father, who looked away.

"I was once a Runewarden of Ashtan, and your mother was an Ashtani Magi as well.

"I was once a Runewarden of Ashtan, and your mother was an Ashtani Magi as well.

to help the Ashtani forces spin a Cataclysm," he said quietly, pain in his

to help the Ashtani forces spin a Cataclysm," he said quietly, pain in his

voice.

voice.

"After her death I gave up adventuring and settled down in Petra with you,

"After her death I gave up adventuring and settled down in Petra with you,

it...first getting kidnapped by Gnolls, then trying to get to the Trial and

it...first getting kidnapped by Gnolls, then trying to get to the Trial and

getting attacked by bog hounds.." he smiled wanly.

getting attacked by bog hounds.." he smiled wanly.

"That explains so much..." Ilya trailed off, digesting the information. She

"That explains so much..." Ilya trailed off, digesting the information. She

seems adventuring is in my blood. Even if you would try to keep me safe, trouble

seems adventuring is in my blood. Even if you would try to keep me safe, trouble

would find me anyway. The least I can do is learn how to handle it."

would find me anyway. The least I can do is learn how to handle it."

"I know," he said simply. "I came to make sure you had safe passage to Thera."

"I know," he said simply. "I came to make sure you had safe passage to Thera."

Sheni and Tobias smiled as Ilya beamed with delight and threw her arms around

Sheni and Tobias smiled as Ilya beamed with delight and threw her arms around

Athias, who returned the hug enthusiastically, glad to have his daughter safe.

Athias, who returned the hug enthusiastically, glad to have his daughter safe.

**********************************************************************

**********************************************************************

"Here we are then..north of the town of New Thera."

"Here we are then..north of the town of New Thera."

Ilya peered around at the dusty junction, noting the trampled, flattened grass

Ilya peered around at the dusty junction, noting the trampled, flattened grass

at the edges of the road. "This is it?"

at the edges of the road. "This is it?"

"Doesn't look like much," said Sheni, disappointed. "Are you sure this is the

"Doesn't look like much," said Sheni, disappointed. "Are you sure this is the

right place?"

right place?"

"It should be..." Tobias said uncertainly.

"It should be..." Tobias said uncertainly.

As they were gazing about themselves, unsure how to proceed, a wizened old crone

As they were gazing about themselves, unsure how to proceed, a wizened old crone

came tottering up to them, leaning heavily on a staff. "So you are the new meat

came tottering up to them, leaning heavily on a staff. "So you are the new meat

then?" she cackled, eyeing them up and down in turn.

then?" she cackled, eyeing them up and down in turn.

They stared back at her, momentarily dumbstruck.

They stared back at her, momentarily dumbstruck.

"What's the matter?" asked the crone. "Can't you SAY your NAME?"

"What's the matter?" asked the crone. "Can't you SAY your NAME?"

Ilya turned her head to look at her father, who smiled softly and nodded his

Ilya turned her head to look at her father, who smiled softly and nodded his

head slightly in encouragement.

head slightly in encouragement.

She turned back to look at the crone, who was waiting expectantly.

She turned back to look at the crone, who was waiting expectantly.

"Ilya."

"Ilya."

[[Category:Bardic Runners Up]][[Category:2010 Bardics]]

[[Category:Bardic Runners Up]][[Category:2010 Bardics]]