Our quartet has been rather busy since receiving Copernicus's message. After gathering some supplies, and spending a half hour convincing Simtra that it's safe to ride a flying dragon, the four fly to the harbor on the far eastern side of the Haven peninsula and catch the steamboat that acts as a ferry across the small sea to Turning Point harbor. Even so, the trip takes two days, and WolfSinger is apparently not fond of sea travel, or at least his stomach isn't. Finally, the shores of Turning Point harbor come into view, along with the perilously winding road into the mountains leading to the city.
Kainudy says, "WolfSinger is the first spacer I've met that gets both airsick AND seasick..""
Jenora leans over the railing of the ship, watching the water go by.
Simtra stands at the bow of the ship, smelling the sea air, "Ah, I will miss this when we get to shore."
The ponderous old steam boat chugs as it turns to line up with the small dock, the engines reversing to slow the momentum of the vessel.
Kainudy curls up to take less space on the small deck. "Standing, or smelling the sea?"
Jenora hmmmphs. "It still would have been faster to fly."
Simtra says, "Smelling. The air is so clean here."
Kainudy says, "None of the Chirr'T'Thar have been up this way yet though, Jenora. They locals may not be prepared for people flying in out of the blue.."
Jenora says, "I was hoping to land without being seen... you're another matter, of course. You'd make a great distraction."
Jenora grins.
A few of the miners and other merchants have already made it to the docks with their goods and ore bound for Haven, but it will be another day before the craft is ready to head back.
Simtra says, "Ya. You would noticed by everyone. And I know they would not have taken it very well."
Kainudy hmphs, and stares at the dock.
A rabbit morph watches the ship from the mountainside with a simple telescope. On his arm is a triangle, and a snake in the shape of an S. He catches site of the blue dragon on the steamboat and nods.
Simtra walks to mid ship to pick up his pack.
Jenora hmmms. "So, you know where we're supposed to be going?"
Simtra walks back with his pack over his shoulder, "Ya, I have make this trek a few times. I know my way."
Kainudy looks to Jenora, "You want to go down and see if WolfSinger can walk on his own yet?"
Jenora nods. "All right." She heads back into the boat, padding down below decks.
Ulric, the rabbit in question, carefully checks out the four on board, then carefully checks the angle of the sun before moving his telescope.
From high up in the jagged peaks of the mountain range, a couple of flashes of light can be seen from the deck.
Jenora pads back up topside. "He's still in pretty bad shape."
Kainudy nods, "I'll wait a bit to see if he gets better, then head in, having a dragon with you may draw too much attention to you. Instead, I can draw it away. I hope."
The rabbit Ulric, still perched high up on a mountain ledge, puts his telescope away after several more flashes of sunlight are bounced towards the deck of the steamboat.
Jenora chuckles. "Sounds like a plan, yes. As long as they don't have too much in the way of mages on their side, I can be essentially invisible."
Simtra slips his pack over his shoulder, "Well, I guess we will head out then."
Kainudy grumps, "I really hope the Chirr'T'Thar introduce pizza parlors to Haven. I'll catch up with you when I think it's appropriate Jenora."
Jenora nods to Simtra. "Let's." She grins to Kai. "Or I'll catch up with you, depending on how things go. If you see a mushroom cloud, you'll know it's gone badly."
Kainudy smiles, "Why, I LIKE mushrooms on pizza. Try not to turn the city into a crater, Coper is still blaming me for that little riot in Haven."
Jenora smiles innocently. "Now, would I do that?"
Simtra shakes his head, smiling a bit, and heads off the ship.
Kainudy nearly comments, then notes Simtra's nervous look and just quips, "No comment." as she heads below to check on the sea sick WolfSinger.
Jenora grins, and waves. "See you." She turns and pads off after Simtra.
Simtra as Jenora catches up to Simtra, he asks, "Just wondering, did you notice a flash of light from the mountain when we were on board?"
Jenora hmmms, and nods. "Some, yes. You suspect there was a conversation going on?"
Due to the higher elevation, and latitude, there is a small amount of snow along the trail to Turning Point, and in a few places it gets downright slick on the winding switchbacks through the mountain pass. Luckily, Simtra picked up his warmer clothes which he had stored on the steamboat previously. And a white rabbit prepares to follow them from above.
Ulric's white coat and fur help him to blend in with the snow as he travels along a narrow ledge above the pass, watching the two intruders on their trek to Turning Point.
Simtra says, "It could be, but it also could also be the sun reflecting off of some ice or something. "
Jenora says, "Perhaps. But I think we should assume that somebody knows we're here by now."
An ore laden wagon drawn by two gambzars wearing thick furs comes into view as it wobbles along. A rough looking todd fox and his badger partner help lead and guide the team as it heads towards Jenora and Simtra.
Jenora frowns briefly at the couple coming down, and then steps up to the side of the path closest to the mountain to give the wagon lots of room.
Simtra slows his steps and move to the wall of the mountain pass to try to make room himself.
The wagon hits a bump and the contents rattle inside, the tarp flapping back to expose some bits of amber colored objects before the badger ties the flap down, "Gahr. Be careful, this stuff can break ya know. Oh. Evening ma'am, sir." as he moves on to guide the gambzars better.
Simtra says, "G'eve sirs, Good luck on your travels."
Jenora nods, smiling. "Good evening."
Simtra keeps walking but watches the pair in case they are thieves.
The todd nods, "Same to you. We just made a great deal with a craftsman near the trading shop, need to get these to sale in Haven soon." and chuckles as the badger grumbles about telling strangers everything.
Jenora watches the wagon carefully, focusing her senses, magical and otherwise, on it to check for anything more unusual than usual.
Simtra says, "Then I hope you have a good sale. Would you mind telling be what you are selling that is such a good deal?"
The badger growls, "Some silly statues. We have to get going." and his voice fades as they start to disappear around this turn in the switchback.
Simtra hmms, "Well that is strange. I don't remember anyone making statues up here the last time I was here."
Jenora hmmms, once they're out of the way. "Those are the same figurines we were finding in Haven before. Same crystal, even."
Ulric watches expectantly from his new position, waiting for the pair to continue onwards towards the city.
Simtra says, "Well then I hope that there are more of them in the city then. Oh by the way did you find anything out from my figurine. It looks a little different now?"
Jenora's voice lowers. "Well, there's something tied to this place. I can imagine the light shining through it might be a bit different, some of the internal crystalline structure was altered."
Simtra just nods his head and says, "Oh" and continues walking up the mountain.
Jenora shrugs. "I tried to take a closer look at it, and it was like someone up here shot a big beam at it to erase it. It was weird."
As the two round the bend of yet another switchback (and they notice finally that they are heading down slightly, toward the shallow valley where Turning Point rests), a small glimmer of dark yellow/gold is showing in the snow covered wagon tracks.
Simtra notices the glimmer of gold and bends over, hoping to find a gold nugget.
Jenora looks down. "What are you looking at?"
Simtra paws at the snow, "I don't know, I saw a glimmer of something golden and in these mountains it could be a piece of gold."
Instead of gold, the fox pulls out a small...statue? It's obviously one of the mysterious crystal pieces, but this one's shape is bizarre. A spherical shape, covered in short, blunt protrusions, with one slightly longer protrusion that has a comb like end.
Jenora frowns. "Looks like it's supposed to be a satellite or something... can I see?"
Simtra looks the statue over, "Weird looking, don't you think"
Simtra hands it to Jenora, "Sure."
Jenora looks it over, turning it around in her hand. "Okay, this is getting really weird."
Jenora holds it up. "There any others like this around?"
Simtra looks around the area.
It seems curious that the figurine is here, where it is nice and smooth, and yet no figurines fell out when the wagon lurched severely when it passed them. A certain rabbit on a ledge nods and puts his palm reverently over the triangle/snake tattoo on his arm and grins.
Jenora pulls a small box out of her pack. She smiles, and pats the box lightly before opening it up and putting the figurine in it.
Simtra says, "I don't see any more."
Ulric stamps his large feet in the snow, "One would think the master's enemies would walk faster." as he watches the two small figures from his perch on the mountainside.
Simtra says, "Are you ready to go on?"
Jenora nods. "Let's." She closes the box. "That should keep it safe for now."
Simtra nods, stands up, and resumes walking down the path.
Jenora pads alongside Simtra. "Do you know of any odd groups around here? Cults or the like?"
Ulric hmms and suddenly pulls out his telescope, just in time to see the shiny metal box, and he curses, it seems the feline is as much a threat as the dragon. The master will not be pleased.
Simtra nods his head, "Well there is one group. They are, kinda disorganized but I think follow someone named K'haoos. I don't know much about them. Just that they seem to like to cause confusion."
As the pair talk along their journey, finally the small city of Turning Point comes into view. Much smaller than haven, it's a collection of a few dozen buildings, mostly along a main street paved with mining tailings. The number of furs around is slowly increasing as they get towards the edge of the city proper.
Jenora chuckles, shaking her head. "What a name. Yes, they'd want to cause confusion all right."
Simtra smiles, "Finally, we have arrived."
Simtra says, "Oh? Do you know something about them?"
Jenora says, "No. But that name is very similar to the word 'chaos', which is used in many societies to refer to the breakdown of regular order."
Jenora looks over the city. "Indeed we have."
Kainudy pokes her head up out of the snowdrift she's been hiding in up on the peak to check on Jenora and Simtra's progress, then pulls it back down into the snow.
Along the main road is a collection of small stores and shops, mostly mining supplies, a general store, a few administrative type places, several taverns, and even one or two small 'hotel' like structures, for those miners who want to spend a cushy night after months of mining in the mountains.
Jenora hmmms, looking over the city. "Mainly a mining town... any idea on the male/female ratio in town?"
Ulric starts moving along the ledge, making some sounds that would not be heard on the ground, but echo around the hidden dragon.
Simtra says, "Mostly males miners and the few females are around are already hitched up."
A few black, shark-like ridges surface on the snow, followed by a pair of grey-green eyes peeking out between sodden strands of gold hair. Kainudy's ears also pop up to home in on the nearby sound where there shouldn't be any.
Simtra ears droop slightly, "Thats one of the reason I am still single."
Jenora nods. "As I expected. Hopefully I won't cause too much... interest."
A white rabbit can just be seen by Kainudy, racing along a ledge. Well, going relatively fast. It is a long way down.
Simtra chuckles, "Well if you act like you are with me, there should not be too much trouble."
Jenora chuckles back. "Good."
Several of the more tired and scraggly looking miners that have just come into town give Jenora a long, deep stare. Then those stares turn on Simtra, mostly to give him dirty looks.
Kainudy hmms at the fleeing figure. She shakes off the snow and moves along the ridge herself, keeping above the rabbit.
Jenora says, "As a note... if someone does try anything with me, I'd prefer to defend myself."
Simtra folds his ears back and he softly growls back.
Simtra look over to Jenora and says, "Ok then"
Jenora stays close to Simtra, whispering, "I've got training in combat arts they won't have even heard of here. I don't _need_ magic to defend myself."
One of the miners, seeing the rise they get out of Simtra, calls a friend and they head over to the pair, mischief in their eyes, and pickaxes in their hands.
Simtra notices the pair and says, "Uh Jen. I think you got some of that interest you don't want"
Jenora nods quietly. "I noticed."
The miners are a couple of toughened wolverines, not all that tall, but stocky. The one in front growls, "Say Jake, don't you think it's rude the way this fella growled at us? Not the sort of fella who'd know how to treat a lady right."
"Jake" nods and smiles toothily at Jenora.
Jenora just continues walking the same way she was before, acting as if she hasn't even noticed the conversation.
Simtra stays up with Jenora trying not to act afraid.
The wolverine steps squarely in front of Simtra, blocking his view, as Jake does the same to Jenora, though with a smile. "Jake's had a few too many shafts collapse on his head, but he's a nice sort. Seems you owe us an apology friend." as he stares at Simtra.
Jenora looks up at Jake. "Please get out of our way."
Simtra look at the wolverine trying not to stare at him, "Apology for what may I ask?"
Jake politely moves out of the way, leaving his partner to scowl a bit, then returns his attention back to Simtra, "Why, for growling at upstanding citizens like me and Jake here. Kinda rude, and not a nice thing to do around a lady."
Kainudy continues to make her way across the ridge, until she reaches the boulder where WolfSinger has been hiding. "Do you see that rabbit moving down the ridge?" she whispers to the wolf while pointing downslope.
Simtra's tail lashes wildly, "You are right. I am sorry that I growled with my wife in ear shot. But would we be able to pass please?"
Ulric, apparently worried about the pair he is following, doesn't seem to be worried about being spotted this high up as he hops along the slippery ledges.
WolfSinger peeks around the rock and nods! :>
The wolverine stops Simtra, resting the flat of his pickaxe along the foxes chest, "Your wife eh? I don't see no ring on your finger sonny. Do you Jake?" at which the slightly addled wolverine just smiles and nods in agreement.
"Don't you think it suspicious that he'd be moving along the slope instead of just taking the road?" the dragon asks. "Maybe you should try to catch up and ask him if he needs help or something, and see how he reacts."
WolfSinger barks, "could be trying to hide like us...."
Simtra ears fold back as he shudders, "I have forgotten my ring at my the house but could we please pass."
Kainudy says, "Another good reason to intercept him."
Jenora smiles winningly, turning on the charm. "You wouldn't really want to make things difficult for us, would you?"
With a snort, "Hear that Jake? Forgot his ring! Not a nice thing to do to your wife? Eh....well, not really ma'am, but your 'husband' here needs to learn some manners."
WolfSinger barks, "well, wait are we waiting for then?"
The more surly wolverine is put off guard as Jenora really puts on the charm.
Jenora says, "And I feel I should reserve the right to teach them to him. If you have a problem with that, then you have a problem with me."
Jenora keeps the same, winning smile on as she says this.
Kainudy blinks at the Wolf, "We? I think seeing me would cause him to panic. If he sees you alone though, he should wait when you call if he's not up to something. Otherwise he'll run or try to draw a weapon maybe."
Simtra steps back trying to get a little bit of room between himself and the pick axe on his chest.
WolfSinger barks, "okay.... wait here then."
This gives the wolverine pause, and then he snorts, "So he has his wife fight for him? Well then yeah, I got a problem with that. Joshua Stank don't take lessons from wives."
WolfSinger sneaks off after the rabbit, trying to be quiet so hen can catch him off guard.
The rabbit has paused and is holding a tube to his eye as he crouches on an outcropping overlooking Turning Point.
Jenora sighs, shaking her head. "You know, this would all have been a lot easier if you had just been polite yourself and dropped the matter..."
Kainudy watches over the top of the boulder, but keeps ready if she has to pluck her partner out of trouble.
WolfSinger hopes this rabbit doesn't decide to bonk him over the head like the last one did.
Simtra says, "Last time, could you please let us pass?"
Joshua hmmfs, "So, now you city folks is going to teach us manners, eh?" and this time the wind brings the smell of alcohol off the wolverine's breath. Truly spoiling for a fight, or a hangover.
Jenora says, "No, I just want to pass by in peace."
When he gets close enough to the rabbit, WolfSinger calls out, "Hello, there! You seem to be looking for something. Anything I can help with?"
Simtra takes his eyes off of the wolverine in front of him to nod in agreement to Jenora's comment.
The wolverine, not in any reasonable mood, shifts to take a swing with the pickaxe, telegraphing his moves very obviously.
Ulric starts and twirls around to face WolfSinger, and suddenly runs out of ledge, falling with a strangled scream as the rabbit bounces and slides down the snowy mountainside.
Simtra jumps back quickly to put more room between himself and the wolverine.
WolfSinger yips!! and runs over to the ledge to see if the rabbit is okay?
Kainudy hops onto the top of her boulder and half-spreads her wings, just in case..
Ulric bounces several times, before lying half buried in a snow drift on a lower ledge, unmoving. His telescope lies at WolfSinger's feet now.
Jenora, in one smooth motion, steps forward, lightly pushing Simtra out of the way, and then grabs the pickaxe. She tugs sharply downward on it as she turns around to present her back to the wolverine, just pulling it downward as another hand slips back to grab the fellow's hand. Then, bending over, she pulls him sideways and down across her back, flipping him over onto the ground. The whole operation takes barely a second.
Kainudy starts to make her way down the slope towards WolfSinger, taking care not to slide.
WolfSinger looks for a way to get down to the rabbit safely. "hello? Are you okay?
Simtra quickly regains his balance from the push and looks over to the other wolverine to see what he will do.
The wolverine hits the ground with a satisfying thump and a large oof as the wind is knocked out of him. Jake, thinking they are playing, points at his friend and laughs. Then smiles at Jenora, wondering what she'll do next.
The rabbit, or what you can see of him, doesn't move.
Jenora brushes her hands off. "Let's go."
WolfSinger barks, "Maybe that wasn't such a good idea, Kai.... you see a way down there?"
Simtra nods, smiling, and starts off down the street walking past the remaining wolverine."
Kainudy reaches WolfSinger and peers over the ledge. "If I drop my tail over, think you could climb down to the rabbit?"
Jake waves bye, then goes to help up his partner, who is still trying to catch his breath and making some impressive wheezing sounds.
WolfSinger barks, "that might work...."
Jenora waves goodbye to Jake.
WolfSinger whimpers a little. "I hope he's okay."
Simtra says, "Wow! Jenora, I have never seen anyone do that before. It was quite, impressive.""
Kainudy sits down and swings her tail over the edge of the drop. "Okay, see if you can climb down."
WolfSinger carefully climbs down the slope, using the dragon's tail much like a rope.
Ulric groans and wonders HOW a wolf got up so high. He feels some warmth on his right temple, and fears he's bleeding, then suddenly feels the connection as the stone of the mountain touches. He holds still as instructed, waiting for the wolf.
Jenora nods, smiling. "It's not that difficult, actually. I didn't even have to lift him up, it was sort of a fancy version of a trip. I used the power of his own swing against him." She grins. "That form of combat actually works better if you're smaller than your opponent."
WolfSinger plops down off the tip of Kai's tail, and runs over to the rabbit.
Simtra chuckles, "Well, I don't know if you will have time to show me any of it, but I am normally smaller then most opponents that I will ever meet."
Kainudy pulls her tail up and hides herself beyond the edge again, but listens closely to what goes on below.
Simtra and Jenora are receiving a lot more stares now, though of a different type, and a lot less direct. Jake is still carrying his friend off, wondering why he keeps making the funny sounds?
Jenora nods. "Now, you know the town better than I would. Where would we find someone that would know something about where that stuff is mined? Claims office, or the like?"
Ulric groans as the wolf man gets close, and tries to struggle to his feet, kicking snow onto the part of the mountain where his head was lying.
WolfSinger barks, "you okay, mister?"
Simtra points off to the end of the street, "There is a claims office just a few more houses down."
Simtra leads the way.
Jenora says, "Let's go, then."
Ulric groans, "You trying to kill me? What are you doing up here?" grumbles the rabbit as he rubs his temple, brushing the fur over the small dark yellow gem there, hiding it.
WolfSinger barks, "I could ask you the same thing.... almost looked like you were trying to spy on someone up there."
WolfSinger barks, "want me to look at that bump on your head?""
The claims office is a small building made out of pine logs taken from the surrounding mountainside. Inside, an old ermine is scribbling in books and looking at crude maps. He mutters, "Close the door you two, it's bitter outside."
Jenora pulls the door shut.
Ulric urps, "No, no, it's fine, just sore. As for me, I was watching over a couple of people that I'm supposed to keep safe."
The ermine looks up from his work, "So, what can I do for a young couple? I don't control homesteading lands."
WolfSinger barks, "oh? who might that be?"
Ulric hmmfs, "None of your business. Now, how am I supposed to get back up to that ledge? And is my longviewer ok?"
Simtra chuckles softly at the idea of being a couple and says, "We are not interested in land. We want to know if you have seen anything like this before."
Kainudy listens out of sight, and knows the rabbit is lying about something. You don't protect people from a distance.
WolfSinger barks, "well, I'll try to help you get back up there.... You're longviewer is up on the higher ledge."
Simtra pulls his fox statue out of his pack and shows it to the ermine.
WolfSinger barks, "so, how are you supposed to be protecting someone if you just about get yourself killed way up here?"
Ulric growls, which is an odd thing for a rabbit to do, "For someone who sneaks up on others, you are very nosy."
WolfSinger shrugs? "You're the one sneaking around watching people with a longviewer. Kinda hard to protect someone from a distance. Now you want me to help you back up, or shall I just leave you here?" he says, tail wagging slightly.
The ermine looks up to see what Simtra has to show him.
Ulric hmmphs, "Of course I want you to help me up. You got me down here."
The ermine blinks, "Oh, that stuff again. I can't figure out why folks like it so much."
Simtra says, "So you have seen it before. Where is everyone getting it from?"
The ermine shrugs, "The followers of K'haoos made the claim. Why you interested in it? They're a weird bunch. Been getting weirder after they found this stuff."
Simtra says, "Oh, I just like the colour of it. Would you be able to tell us where that claim is so that we would be able to talk with them?"
Jenora hmmms as Simtra talks to the ermine, and pulls her box out of her pack.
On one side of the box, an amber tendril has worked it's way through the side of the thick aluminum box.
The ermine nods and pulls out a map and points out the rough area of the claim to Simtra.
Jenora blinks, and looks a lot more worried all of a sudden. She pulls out another, larger box and puts the smaller one inside it.
Simtra looks at the map and turns back to Jenora and says, "There claim is not that far from here if you want to have a look around."
Simtra notices Jenora's worried look, "What is it?"
Jenora says, "I'll tell you later."
Jenora seals the box shut, and slings it under her arm.
Simtra shrugs and whispers to Jenora, "Was there anything else you wanted to know?"
The ermine hmms as he looks at Jenora, "Some of those followers can be a little dangerous. Sure you two want to bother those nut cases?"
Jenora says, "Not entirely, but there are a couple of matters that have to be cleared up."
Jenora just shakes her head to Simtra, barely noticeably.
Simtra put his paw out for the statue, "Well I guess that is all I needed to know. Thanks for the info."
The ermine nods and goes back to his work, "Make sure you close the door quick like, my fur is getting thin."
WolfSinger looks along the slope for a way back up, preferably without Kai's help so as not to scare him.
Simtra places his statue back in his backpack and heads for the door, "Ready Jen?"
Jenora nods. "Ready."
Ulric rolls his eyes and wishes his master could get some more efficient enemies. This is taking too long.
Jenora holds the box in her hands, and feels along the edges of it. The box glows red-hot briefly.
Meanwhile, Kainudy examines the rabbit's telescope, looking for any manufacturer's markings or other writing.
Simtra opens the door and quickly heads out of the office.
Jenora says, "What worried me in there was that I had discovered that the crystal had somehow burrowed its way through the metal box."
Simtra opens the door and quickly heads out of the office.
WolfSinger barks, "think you can climb back up that spot over there? It's a bit steep, though."
On the telescope are the standard triangle and s shape snake insignia, along with the words, "If found, please return to the followers of K'haoos".
Simtra says, "Oh? I wonder how it did that?"
Ulric nods and pads over and starts scrambling back up to the ledge.
Jenora says, "I don't know, but this is starting to seriously bother me."
WolfSinger climbs up right behind the rabbit.
Simtra nods, "I am worried to. Well where should we go now. The claim site of the K'haoos?"
Kainudy puts the telescope back on the ground while shaking her head, then climbs down unto the ledge below while the rabbit and WolfSinger climb up in a different spot.
Jenora hmmms. "Scout around the area first. I don't want to get too close yet."
WolfSinger barks, "sure you don't wanna have someone check out that bump on your head?"
Simtra nods, "Good idea. Well their claim is on the other side of town. We have a bit of walking before we are that close to it."
Ulric picks up the telescope and looks around, as if expecting someone else, "No, it's fine. Where's your friend?"
Jenora nods. "That's okay. Let's get moving."
WolfSinger answers, "I got alotta friends. Which one?" He hopes the rabbit doesn't see Kai's huge tracks in the snow.
Ulric looks caught out, and then spies the dragon tracks with relief, "Your friend with the big feet here." as if he had seen them all along.
Simtra turns and starts to walk down the street to the other side of town with Jenora following next to him.
The path that Simtra and Jenora eventually find is well groomed, and well marked as it winds a short way up a saddle.
WolfSinger barks, "oh... prolly trying to find something to eat. So how come you're not afraid of a dragon like everyone else around here is?"
Kainudy hrmphs quietly. A rabbit saying SHE has big feet?
Jenora peers through the saddle, seemingly getting more paranoid the closer they get.
Simtra says, "I guess we are close enough to it. Any ideas on how to approach it?"
Ulric's eyes go wide as he looks at the tracks again, "A dragon? Those are very valuable." He pulls his coat sleeve to hide the tattoo on his lower arm.
The light glints off something dark gold along the cliff face near Jenora, under the snow.
Jenora hmmms, and takes another look at the box she's using. This one is steel; not as good for EM protection, but a lot stronger.
Jenora blinks, and brushes off near the glint of gold, taking a closer look.
Kainudy stretches up on her hind legs so she can get her head above the upper ledge. "So, since you already know who we are, how about filling us in on this K'haoos business you're involved in?"
WolfSinger barks, "yep! she's very valuable as a friend..."
Simtra leans over Jenora, "What did you find?"
Root-like veins of the odd crystal seem to permeate most of the rock along this path.
WolfSinger barks, "oh, there you are, Kai!"
Ulric does start a little as he finally sees the dragon up close, "What? What are you talking about?"
Jenora shakes her head. "More of the stuff. It looks like it's grown through the rock like a plant through soil..."
Jenora brushes out more of the snow, seeing if it goes under the path as well.
Simtra says, "Grew? Strange stuff."
While spread out, you can't seem to go more than 10 feet without finding some trace of the odd material.
"Well," the dragon drawls, "either you are a follower of K'haoos or else you're a telescope thief."
Simtra says, "Ya seem to be concerned about the stuff. Do we need to worry about this on the ground?"
Jenora says, "Very. You know that odd original piece we got? It reminded me of a neuron somewhat. A neuron is part of what your brain is made up of..."
Simtra nods understanding, "Okie. . And your saying that is part of some brain?"
Ulric ohs, "That. Well, actually I'm more of a telescope loser. After the fourth longviewer, they put this inscription in...well, never mind. I always thought dragons were creatures of K'haoos. Oh well, your friends could probably use some backup in a bit." and he smiles.
Jenora says, "That's what I'm worried about. If all the other bits that are spread out into Haven are part of the same 'brain', as it were..."
WolfSinger barks, "is it common for rabbits in these parts to have gems on their heads and tattoos on their arms?"
Kainudy arches an eye ridge, "Gems on their heads?"
Ulric sighs and tries to push the fur over the amber like gem embedded in his temple, "Tattoos are popular with the miners."
WolfSinger barks, "either that, or he's got a nasty shiny bump on his head he wouldn't let me look at."
Ulric's long ears fold back. THESE are the enemy? "Ummm, you did hear that your friends might need some help soon?"
Kainudy says, "Help with what, exactly?"
Kainudy says, "Is a mountain going to fall on them or something?"
Simtra says, "I don't think I get why that would be a problem Jen."
WolfSinger barks, "I'd never get a tattoo... messes up perfectly good. and my friends are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves."
Jenora stands up quickly, and heads through the saddle. "Come on, let's move. I expect they already know we're coming."
Ulric covers his eyes with his hands and bows his head. The master had to have given him this assignment cause he broke his favorite mug. He knows it. Sigh.
Jenora shakes her head. "It would be a problem because they could use all those little statues to spy on anything around them."
Simtra says, "Oh" and quickly follows after Jenora.
Finally the rabbit says, "I don't know exactly what, save to say your friends are expected, and may need help soon. I can take you to them if you wish."
As they crest the saddle, a path to the left appears, with some tailings on either side.
WolfSinger barks, "but I thought you had to protect someone? hmmmm??"
Ulric nods, "Your friends. The fox and the cat. By bringing you two."
Kainudy looks to WolfSinger, then to the rabbit. "Okay, take us to them. You don't mind if we fly, now do you?"
Simtra points to the path, "Should we take it?"
Ulric sighs with relief, "Of course not, let's go, and quickly."
Jenora hmmms. "You recall which way the claim area was supposed to be?"
Simtra says, "Uh, I think are kinda in the middle of it now."
Jenora says, "Ah."
WolfSinger barks, "so, mind telling us who sent you to protect *OUR* friends? I don't know about you, but I don;t particularly like being spied on."
Jenora hmmmms. "All right. Let's follow it."
Ulric hmmfs, "We don't have time for that now. Let's go."
Simtra nods and follows behind the feline.
Kainudy climbs back up onto the ledge, and tests the wind with her wings. "How much do you weigh, mister rabbit?"
Jenora pads along, keeping herself under control. Her big advantage in this is that nobody is likely to have any idea of what she's really capable of...
The path winds about, till it eventually enters an overhanging ledge, and weaves inward to a series of honeycombed tunnels, though the way in is clear, hundreds of feet have worn a trail.
Ulric shrugs, "90 pounds or so."
Kainudy hmms. "Okay, you get to sit in WolfSinger's lap then. Which way do we go?"
Simtra says, "I have not been in area before. We could enter. . ."
Jenora hmmmms. "Do I want to do a scan first and give our position away, or try to be quiet..."
The rabbit points to the mountainside north of Turning point as he shudders, and sits in the wolf's lap, as WolfSinger sits on Kai's back.
Simtra waits for Jenora and looks from side to side to see if anyone is around them.
Kainudy says, "Hold on tight, I'm not used to carrying this much so I'll have to dive to pick up speed."
Jenora hmmms, getting a mischievous grin on her face. "Of course, tripping off every alarm in the place all at once has a certain appeal too."
Ulric sighs and nods, making a note to NEVER touch the master's things again.
Without further warning, Kainudy throws herself off the side of the mountain and spreads her wings.
WolfSinger ackss!! as he almost looses his lunch from the unexpected dive. He holds on tight!
Jenora hands the box to Simtra. "Hold this for me for a moment, will you?"
The rabbit sighs as he loses grip of the telescope in his fright, and it falls in pieces below. That makes 5.
Simtra takes the box, "Ok"
Jenora says, "Take a few steps back and get ready to run just in case."
Simtra blinks and steps back a bit.
Kainudy struggles for a bit, but manages to miss the ground and gain some altitude.
WolfSinger closes his eyes tightly!
Jenora pulls out a long rod of metal from her pack, telescopes it out, and flips out a few side pieces to make an odd sort of double-sided comb... or an antenna. She points it directly in towards the cave, and lets loose with a fairly large pulse of radio-frequency EM as 'radar'...
Simtra watches Jenora and wonders what Jenora is doing with the metal thingie.
Kainudy winces and goes off course for a moment, then manages to get back on target.
WolfSinger barks, "gonna be okay, Kai?"
"Well," the dragons calls back to her riders, "I think Jenora is definitely up ahead somewhere."
To Jenora's senses, the whole mountain lights up in a spider web of crystal that permeates everywhere, with the exception of a very large central area, 400 yards into the mountain. To everyone else, the root like coverings of crystal on the surface glow for a few seconds.
Ulric makes a short, sharp cry and holds the side of his head.
Jenora blinks. "Whoa." She grins, folds up the antenna, and places it back in her pack. "Okay. There's an open space about four hundred meters ahead."
Simtra nods and points to a patch of crystal that is on the ground, "Did you notice that the crystal glowed for a bit?"
Kainudy comes in for a skidding landing outside the mine.
WolfSinger barks, "told you we shoulda had someone look at that bump on your head."
Ulric eeps, "Just my sinuses. I hate flying."
Jenora says, "Yes, I noticed."
WolfSinger barks, "Sinuses would make someone cry out like that all the sudden."
Jenora says, "I just used the equivalent of a powerful radio at it... it picked up the energy from the radio waves and fluoresced. Fascinating."
Ulric nods, "Sudden pressure changes." though even he knows the lie is a weak one, but when he removes his hand, the crystal in his temple no longer glows.
Simtra just nods his head, tho not quite understanding what she said.
Jenora grins, and waves to Simtra. "Let's go."
Simtra follows after her.
WolfSinger tilts his head a bit. "that would maybe cause your ears to pop."
Kainudy says, "Okay, I think they're down in that hole.."
Kainudy tests this by yelling down into the mine, "JENORA! SIMTRA! ARE YOU IN THERE?!"
Ulric groans, "What do you think a sinus is, other than a cavity? Yeesh. The rabbit leans against a cliff wall."
Jenora blinks. "What was that?"
WolfSinger barks, "I still feel like your trying to hide something...."
Simtra says, "I'm not sure. Sounded like someone yelling from the entrance."
Jenora shrugs. "If it's important, they'll yell again. Continue on, but slower."
Simtra shakes his head up and down and follows her once again.
The amount of crystal 'roots' increases, and in the supposed gloom, pulses of light can just be detected racing through the various branches. As the two approach the null spot Jenora detected, the EM and magnetic fields around the two get stronger geometrically.
Kainudy waits for a reply, then says, "Well, we know they're in there anyway. Let's go.."
Jenora rubs the side of her head.
Simtra says, "Jen, are you ok?"
Jenora says, "Just getting a lot of noise in here."
Simtra flicks his ears around, "I don't hear anything . . "
Jenora says, "It's on a higher pitch than you can probably hear."
WolfSinger barks, "gonna wait outside, Kai, or do you think you'll fit?"
WolfSinger barks, "so, gonna lead us in, Mr. Rabbit?" He turns to look at him, but finds he's gone. "Hey! where'd he go?""
Simtra hmms and look around the cavern.
Kainudy hrmphs. "I can fit. Probably disappeared down another hole."
Kainudy heads down into the tunnel.
WolfSinger follows the dragon. He blinks a few times as his eyes adjust.
Jenora frowns. She stops for a moment, takes a deep breath, then seems to concentrate on something before continuing.
Kainudy winces every now and then, and has to increase her shielding the deeper she goes. "Lots of magnetic fields in here. Do you feel anything, WolfSinger? Let me know if you start to hallucinate or vomit blood or something."
WolfSinger barks, "you can detect magnetic fields? I'm okay so far.""
As Jenora gets closer, not only do the magnetic fields get more...well, chaotic, but a faint light can be seen ahead along their path.
Kainudy says, "Not with any accuracy, they just give me a headache.."
Jenora says, "Simtra, can you see that light?"
WolfSinger barks, "I think YOU are the one that has to worry about hallucinating, then..."
Kainudy shakes her head and keeps moving, "Nah, I've been through so many hallucinations and visions they don't interfere with my concentration anymore."
Simtra says, "Ya, I see a faint glow."
Jenora nods. "Good. It's not just me, then." She creeps in closer, looking almost like she's pushing against something in the way.
WolfSinger barks, "why doncha try calling for them again?"
Kainudy nods, and calls out, "ANYBODY DOWN THERE?"
Simtra ears rotate to the entrance of the cave, "Did you hear that?"
Jenora says, "You know, I think that's Kainudy."
WolfSinger's ears flatten as she calls out. And he thought she loud out in the open. :X
Simtra nods, "Should we reply? We don't know who else is around here?"
Jenora says, "Well, it's not as if people don't know that someone's here."
Jenora grins, and yells back, "AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT US CHICKENS!"
Simtra shakes his head, "Chickens?"
Simtra chuckles softly
Jenora grins. "Old reference. Kai will probably get it."
WolfSinger barks, "I think I heard something... could be my ears ringing, though...."
Kainudy says, "Yup, that's then, let's pick up the pace."
The dragon starts to jog down the tunnel.
WolfSinger tries to keep up to Kai, panting as he runs.
Simtra says, "I think I hear someone is coming."
Jenora nods. "It's Kai. Nobody else has quite that gait."
The dragon and the wolf finally catch up to Jenora and Simtra, just a hundred feet from a light that is slowly getting brighter, though still weak by outside standards.
Jenora grins, and waves to Kainudy. "Glad you could make it."
WolfSinger barks, "Hello! what's a cat and fox doing in a place like this?"
Kainudy says, "Hi. A rabbit that was spying on you said you'd need our help. What've you found so far?"
Simtra wavies to the pair
Jenora says, "Well, as far as I can tell, the lines of crystal are acting as some huge nervous system. The claim on the mine that sells the crystal was staked by the followers of K'haoos, who have been acting even stranger than usual since they found it, which is saying a lot of them.""
WolfSinger barks, "yeah... that rabbit had some kinda crystal attached to his head."
WolfSinger barks, "Think this might be some kinda computer system?"
Jenora says, "Something like that, yes."
WolfSinger barks, "an idea what the glow up ahead is?"
Jenora says, "The crystal. Seems to emit light when energized by an electromagnetic field."
The light is not that bright now that your eye's have started adjusting, and it flickers a bit, in addition to the lights that flicker through the crystal itself.
Kainudy says, "So it's not generating the field itself?"
Jenora says, "It may be doing that too. Be easy enough to set up feedback loops in the stuff with enough of it."
Simtra leans up against the cave wall and listens to the group trying to understand what is being said.
Kainudy says, "Well.. I guess that light up there is the central core of this thing then?"
Jenora nods. "Doesn't seem to be any crystal _IN_ the core, just around it. Big open space in there."
Simtra turns around suddenly as something rubs up against him.
Kainudy says, "Maybe that's where they've been mining it out?"
Simtra says, "What the. . "
Jenora says, "Could be."
Jenora turns to Simtra. "What?"
Simtra says, "Something furry just rubbed against me."
Embedded in the wall is what appears to be a crystal lattice in the shape of a stag. However, parts of it still have fur.
Jenora blinks, and looks at it. "Oh, my..."
WolfSinger barks, "what is it?"
Jenora walks over to take a closer look.
Kainudy hmms, and taps on the stag with a claw.
WolfSinger blinks? "How'd that fur get on it?"
Simtra feels along his back to make sure all of his coat is there.
WolfSinger sniffsniffs at the stag.
Nothing happens, except a piece of fur falls off the crystalline stag. Whatever light is inside is the crystal, not from what used to be a stag.
Jenora says, "I don't think it got fur on it. I think the fur was there originally and the rest of it got... taken over."
Kainudy frowns.
Simtra says, "Taken over?"
Kainudy says, "Assimilated into the crystal."
Jenora says, "Meaning the crystal got into it and replaced the rest of the body with crystal."
WolfSinger icks. "yeah.. like it's getting sucked alive into the wall or something."
Simtra says, "Uh, then do we have anything to worry about?"
Jenora says, "Quite possibly. Well, I'm probably safe..."
Kainudy says, "If we didn't have something to worry about.. we wouldn't be here really."
Jenora reaches down, and taps near the 'leg'. "Looks like something was holding him in place while this went on. So we can assume this process is pretty slow."
WolfSinger barks, "maybe that's what's happening to that rabbit."
Kainudy says, "We'll have to dissect his head if we get a chance. Shall we go on?"
Jenora says, "Let's."
WolfSinger shivers at the thought of what might have happened to the stag. "um, yes!! please!"
Simtra nods his head.
Kainudy smiles, "After you, Jenora."
Jenora nods, and steps forward towards the light.
As the group moves forward, traces of silver, copper and other oxides seem to be lining the walls, and getting denser as they near the lighted opening.
Kainudy follows along after the feline, and says to Simtra and WolfSinger, "Keep on guard in case a bunch of zombies attack us from behind."
Simtra says, "Zombies?" and keeps looking over his shoulder as he follows the group.
WolfSinger barks, "ack!! don't talk like that!! that was icky enough!"
Jenora catches a piece of normal rock in her hands, and uses it as a support as she leans out to look into the central chamber.
The chamber is a good 300 feet across, and the ceiling would normally be 100 feet up, except for what is growing up above. Next to the chamber walls that are lined with a mixture of coper, silver and rare earth metals (that act as a strong Faraday cage) is what looks like a crystalline cerebrum. A thin covering of the metals is apparently being used as insulation on the complex lattice. In several areas around the chamber are coiled structures, heavy in the super conducting materials, and forming the source of the extremely powerful magnetic fields. These coils are surrounded by thousands of burning candles. The entire place, which is an complex web of crystalline structures surrounding the central, mostly open chamber gives the feeling of a macabre place of worship. And along the walls another dozen or so crystalline victims can be seen frozen in time. And towards the back wall, also surrounded by candles, is a figure in silk robes, wearing some sort of crown. He motions to the four, "Step forward, enemies of
K'haoos."
Kainudy hmms, and asks, "You aren't K'haoos then, I take it?"
Jenora shakes her head. "This just keeps getting weirder and weirder."
Simtra ears fold flat to his head as he looks around and enters the chamber.
WolfSinger barks, "and why are you calling us your enemy? I wouldn't even hurt a flea.... "
With a shake of his head he nods, "I only support the forces of K'haoos. I am called the master by my followers. Impressive, isn't it?" as he waves his arm around the chamber, but it's rather mechanical. With some imagination, you get the feeling that this is a raccoon wearing a crystalline crown.
Kainudy says, "Yes, I haven't seen anything like since Ed Wood died. Did you just uncover this thing, or make it?"
Jenora says, "Yes, I must admit that it is rather."
The master chuckles, though the sound doesn't really seem to come from just him, "Both dragoness. We uncovered the basic structure, buried here, damaged and from a time so long ago we have no way to reckon it. Some of the spacers helped me gain control and feed and sculpt this...they called it a living computer. Such a silly name, don't you think?"
Kainudy blinks. "Which spacers?"
The creature with the crown pauses for a moment, and the magnetic coils glow a bit brighter, "No need to tell you that. You've discovered us too soon, so you have to be dealt with, though I shall be generous and make you a wonderful offer first."
WolfSinger barks, "so, those creatures get sucked into it and get added to the computer?"
The master nods, "I can offer you all a type of immortality, or death. Your choice."
Kainudy whispers to the others, "Can one of you knock his crown off?"
Jenora nods. "Probably."
WolfSinger calls out "ummm.. in that case, I think I'll pass on both counts."
Jenora smiles back to the master, with the same sort of 'what is she up to' charm she used on the wolverine. "Well, I've already _got_ immortality, and I've already died once. You sure you don't have any other choices?"
The master pauses a moment, apparently having to "think" that one over for a few seconds.
Simtra says, "I personally don't think highly of dying or what I think your choice of immortality would be."
The magnetic fields fluctuate some more, and seem to be arranging themselves in a tube around Jenora.
Kainudy frowns suddenly, and whispers to Jenora, "We're missing something here. What did the magical memory erasing?"
Jenora keeps smiling. "On the other hand, I have no particular problems with this computer as it stands, I just don't like the way you're using it right now."
The master shrugs, and points to the walls, "You can either join my mages, or die. No other options."
Jenora stares straight down the tube, then pulls a long rod out of her pack. She steps to one side away from the tube.
Simtra tucks his tail between his legs and begins to back towards the entrance away from the group.
WolfSinger starts to back away. "ummmm... maybe we should go get some help.. this is all too weird....
Kainudy says, "Mages? That explains some things.. but why are you spreading around the figurines? To expand your influence?"
The crystallized mages glow, and the plasma bottle that the master is trying to trap Jenora in shifts back towards her.
Jenora frowns. "Oh, khai."
The master grins, "Knowledge is power, my friends want information in return. And with time, new nodes can be added."
A force field covers the entrance, preventing Simtra from leaving.
Kainudy turns to Simtra and WolfSinger, "It's likely the.. thing.. only has the Master's senses to rely on in here. While he's busy with Jenora, he probably can't stop the rest of us. Try to jump him or something while we distract him."
Simtra bumps into the field.
Jenora says, "Kai, there's a nice stick of wood in my backpack. Completely non-magnetic. How good are you with spear-throwing?"
Simtra quickly moves to the columns with the candles by them and tries to hide behind it.
Kainudy hmms. "Throwing isn't something I'm really built for." Nonetheless, she reaches through the fields to get the stick..
In his rush to hide, Simtra knocks over two racks of candles, and they go out. Oddly, the amount of magnetic power from that column drops a little, too.
Jenora holds the metal pole out across in front of her, the conducting metal distorting the magnetic fields.
WolfSinger barks, "maybe I can try it... the Jupani taught me how to throw spears."
Kainudy retrieves the spear, and hands it to WolfSinger.
Kainudy says, "Do you still have the fox figurine, Jenora?"
Simtra's voice can be heard from behind the column, "I still have it."
WolfSinger takes the spear, and holds it in his paw, trying to judge it's center of gravity.
Jenora says, "And in a metal box in there I have a 'neuron' of the brain."
Simtra says, "Uh, guys, have you noticed that his column is not glowing as brightly now?"
The master seems to be trying to focus the magic of the mages to help the magnetic fields, he glares at Simtra and the snuffed candles.
Kainudy heads towards Simtra's voice, "Toss it over, Simtra! Maybe you've disrupted a ritual or something."
Jenora says, "Or maybe the crystal needs the light for energy to focus."
Simtra throws the fox statue to Kainudy.
While the master is distracted by the candles, he takes a few running steps, and launches the spear at the master's crown.
Jenora spins the metal rod around, trying to keep herself out of the magnetic bottle, and the bottle itself from stabilizing.
Simtra shouts, "Do you want the other one too?"
Kainudy catches the statue, and heads for the dimmer of the toroidal columns. "Knock over more candles, Simtra!"
The master has been putting so much of his concentration on containing Jenora that he only notices the spear at the last moment. Yet he doesn't move out of the way, and reason becomes apparent as the spear smashes through the top of the crown, and myriad crystalline fibers connecting it to the brain overhead. The master slumps over, and the magnetic and magical fields go wild, causing air and candle holders to roil through the chamber.
WolfSinger barks, ""
Kainudy acks at all the wild energy dancing around, and tries to smash the first column by whacking it with the statuette.
Jenora yeefs. "Watch it, the system's crashing badly..."
Simtra looks for another set of candles and runs for them to knock then down.
WolfSinger barks, "do we have something that we can use to destroy that brain?"
Jenora says, "Lots of things, but I'd been hoping not to destroy it completely until we found out more about it."
With the master's connection broken, the huge brain seems to be tearing itself apart. As the eyes of the crystallized mages start to glow, you get an idea of what's attacking it. The forcefield on the entrance goes down, but the malevolent maelstorm or energy continues to form hurricane like turmoil in the chamber, all the candles have been snuffed.
Simtra says, "I think now would be a good time to get out of here!"
Simtra runs for the entrance.
Jenora looks around. "Agreed. Looks like the conscripted help is revolting."
WolfSinger barks, "I second that motion! It looks like it's destroying itself!"
Bolts of energy now lace back and forth between the mages and the brain, causing explosions wherever they touch.
Jenora starts running out of the cavern...
Kainudy drops the figurine, "Sounds good to me."
Kainudy gallops out as well.
WolfSinger runs out, too. "Last one out is a rotten egg!"
Along the passageway, the crystalline stag is holding up a crossbeam that is trying to give way. He says nothing, but you sense gratitude from the non living mage.
The crystalline matrix of the entire mountain is glowing brightly, and the intensity of the explosions from the chamber are growing.
Jenora nods back to the stag, smiling.
Simtra runs out of the cave first, blinking as he sees the light.
Jenora half-flies out of the mine... picking up WolfSinger and Simtra along the way and helping them out.
Kainudy bursts out on their heels, and takes to the air as soon as she's clear.
WolfSinger yips! "I think we made it!"
As the group takes to the air and races away, the mountain lights up with a glowing spider web, and finally, in a rather impressive explosion...implodes. When the small amount of dust starts to settle a few minutes later, it's like someone stomped on the top of an aluminum foil mountain.
Jenora gets well clear of the mine entrance, then turns her head to watch.
Simtra turns his head to look back, "I hope that was the end of that."
Kainudy calls out, "It's not my fault! You're my witnesses!!"
WolfSinger barks, "well, there goes the neighborhood... The locals will just LOVE us for this..."
Jenora smirks at Kai. "No, it wasn't your fault."
Kainudy lands next to the others. "Hmm. Now we have to have Copernicus and his crew dig it all back out again."
Jenora says, "I'll take a look over it later... melting most of it down to slag should help."
Kainudy blinks at Jenora. "Melt it down?? We don't know where it came from yet, or how long it's been there, or who the spacers where that helped reactivate it.."
WolfSinger barks, "I hope that rabbit is okay."
Jenora says, "I don't think there's much left in there to study right now."
The four adventurers head off towards Nimby's refuge, knowing that at least it's been slowed down for now. Hours later, a lone, bedraggled rabbit looks at the mess in the crater and hmmfs, "That's it. I quit. No way am I cleaning that up!" and stomps off, not noticing as the crystal attached to his head breaks down to dust.