Petra follows the directions given her- keep to the road going west from Lucimburic, which eventually reaches the Chier river, which flows to the Meuse.  But Hermod seems to know where he's going anyway.  By now, Petra has accepted that Hermod's directional accuracy is a natural gift.  Unicorns can heal, but Winged Horses know where they must go, it's as simple as that.

The Meuse River is one of those rivers that manages to surround itself with extraordinary scenery.  It winds and twists among green hills, sometimes turning around so sharply that it almost forms a complete loop.  Facing the river, the hills are sometimes covered in a blanket of forest, but sometimes show dramatic exposed rock face.   From above, the land appears to be mostly wilderness. But following the river Petra finds villages, scattered like lonely beads on a watery necklace.

The only question is... where to find a River Goddess?  From what she knows such beings are the spirits of the rivers they inhabit.  Where the river is, they are.  Which means, Mosanna is already here.  But on the other hand, Petra knows that some places are more important than others, and are the places one must seek out if one wishes to make contact.

Hermod knows where.  After a long trip following the river, Hermod singles out a rocky bank beneath a steep bluff.  There is no sign of civilization at all, here.  The trail that follows the river has diverted to the east, following easier landscape, so this particular stretch is completely pristine.  Not even a felled tree.

(Right about in this place, the real world Meuse river flows along a place called Bois De Freyr- the Wood Of Frey.  )

It was perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  If she indeed had a chance, she felt sure the best one would be here.

After landing, Petra dismounted Hermod, and walked near the bank.  There she knelt, drew several deep breaths, and made to clear her thoughts as much she could.  She became aware of the Meuse's susurrating 'voice,' its lovely, life supporting presence.  Its distinct persona as a primeval and powerful part of the natural world; one of the Gods' greatest gifts to mortal kind.

She continued to draw deep breaths, eyes closed.  In her heart, her soul, she felt the true need of this request.  Not for herself.  Nor only Heolstor, or a handful of others she had gotten close to, during her service. Or even the combined alliance of peoples and races. But, rather, for Life itself; against an enemy who would bring hell on earth, if they did succeed in their profane bid.

She let go a last breath, and then whispered- "Great Mosanna -- regal Lady of the Meuse -- I come to thee humbly and earnestly, to speak to thee of a common threat to all of us.  And about the saving of other sacred waters."

The River goddess is not quick to respond.  They typically aren't.  It's not just a matter of being proud creatures and not wanting to appear to be too eager to serve.  It's a test of the faith of those who call on them.  True faith, and true need, will wait however long it takes, unwavering, and confident that the call will be answered.

Someone who asks, and then leaves is hardly worth the time of a river goddess.

Petra waits a long time.

Hermod waits patiently.  After a while, he seems to have found someone to talk to, which is strange, because he does not talk.  It's some sort of bluish looking aquatic Fey creature.  Only about 3' tall.  It's having a whispered conversation with Hermod.. well, half of one anyway, and seems to understand at least something of the Winged Horse's silent responses.

But Petra knows, when you are trying to attract the attention of a river spirit, it's best not to get distracted.  It insults them.

And then the river starts to move, against its own current, swirling and forming up to a great bulge in the water.

Petra was prepared to be patient.  She would wait the whole day, if need be.  No longer; but that only because she did have other duties that could not be longer postponed.

She continued to keep clear her thoughts, though it would be have been easy to be distracted by Hermod's new acquaintance.  Perhaps he was getting through in some way that she could not--?

Whatever the case, some response appeared to be in process of manifestation...

Petra's patience is eventually rewarded.

The strange swelling in the river, an impossible hill of rushing water, rises and this, becoming a tall column.  A fountain, with no fountain.

From behind her, drawn by the strange sight, Hermod and the aquatic sprite approach.

Every now and then, the ever moving water of the column compresses towards a human form.  Female.. but not the lithe and supple nymphs artists depict.  The form is that of a mature woman, more motherly than nymph-like.

Her voice is deep and smooth, and seems to take the natural sounds of the water, and mold them into a semblance of speech.

She says simply, "speak to me."

pm

Petra replied in clear and solemn voice: "Great Mother of the Meuse, I understand what you have said. Aquis Granni is already my goal, and destination.  I will aid you as best I may, and be wise in any relaying of what you have told. If our forces are near enough the Meuse's banks, is there aid you might supply -- if it were needful?  Alternate crossings...concealment...a distraction...is the sort of thing I mean."

With the voice of the river, Mosanna speaks.

“They have been driven from the bank of the Meuse, and they fear it,” she says.  “You can cross anywhere in safety.  There is no Orc within miles of the Mos Trajectum bridge, they fear death there.  But they do not understand that I am the Meuse, and also the Wurm, and the other tributaries.*  I can help you, if you approach Aquae Granni along the river. Go from the bridge at Mos Trajectum east on the main road, and you will soon reach a road that turns south towards the Aquae Granni.  But do not take it.  Continue east to the Wurm, and then travel as close as you can to the bank of the Wurm.  There I can conceal and protect you.   “

Just as Petra starts to think 'hey, this was easy, find goddess, get free help...'

“There will be something I will ask in return for my aid.  I know you are  priestess with your own calling.    But you must let Apollo... Belenus.. have his sanctum there.  You must help him reclaim it.  It is his place, and it is special.”

*Back at the map at the start of the Northern Front thread, every river there is part of the Meuse watershed.  The Wurm crosses the road at Juliacum.  The Rur at Tiberiacum.  All part of Mosanna. 

It was hardly surprising to her.  And, she would hope that another cleric would exercise similar respect, were the situation reversed.

"Aye, Lady. As is it should be, then. I will gladly assist to that end. However I can help. And I thank you so very, very much for your offered aid of concealment and protection. Though our forces have enjoyed a run of victories, still there is very steep cost for those.  Anything that may be done to lessen it is so gratefully appreciated.  Is there anything else at all I may do, now or in the future - to aid yourself, and the blessed waters that share your spirit?" 

"There is more," Mosanna says.  "I can tell you some of what you will face."


Once Mosanna has told Petra all she can, she bids Petra return to her friends, and use what she has learned as wisely as she can.