Henal bends down to look closely at the cracked rune. "Why did this crack then and does it hide anything?"

He tries touching the other rune symbols with his hands.

Ohanzee gives up "It's got me beat. Yes, Grandmother Spider. Only thing I can suggest is come back and try on Grandmother Spider's high holy day and try then in case it is that. I want to call in on her at Melock's shrine in Rhino Gouge as we return so maybe I can ask her then if she knows about it. It might be something to do with her or it might be something totally different."

"Mean while there's the door below with the seed of Genert behind it if the priestess spirit is correct. And if she is then Emesh-Ga might be the one to open it for us."

He looks at Henal and suggests "Maybe it was because of the change that I ent through in the Wedding Quest. Maybe."

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 354):

He shakes his head in disbelief, "Both you Ravens are crazy. What was going through your mind when the rune cracked? I think we should leave whatever is behind that door alone and see if we can get the Seed of Genert."

Ohanzee just smiles and looks back over his shoulder at Tarosh as he leaves "Well maybe me and Melock will return without you. Assuming that our duties as apprentices allow if."

He pauses, his grin broadening "Maybe we can get Feather Wait to bring us as part of our training!"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:07, Thu 26 Nov 2015.

"The runes on the door are Darkness, Movement, Darkness.

The runes on the floor are Earth, Stasis, Air.

Any connections there? Shall we block the light from the latter? Have people touching one set while others touch the other?  I do not know, I am just throwing out ideas."

Salen looks as confused as the rest.

Ohanzee replies to Salen "That's because that is today. I think the light points at the day we are on."

"On the door the biggest is Darkness and season is the biggest time unit on that thing. Next is Movement and Week is the next biggest measure. Finally Darkness again and that would be the day, of Freezeday."

"I don't think that door will open on any day other than that." and with that he leaves the room.

"If it only opens on a set day, then why did one of them crack just now? Much as I'm worried about what is behind that door, I'm also curious about it and if we've started to open it, we cant leave it like that." He walks back to the door and looks at the rest of the room to see if there are any clues on the floor, walls and roof.

Ohanzee addresses Kobal, or rather the helmet that he wears "Emesh-Ga, Silja, the spirit of the priestess of the river temple said that the seed of Genert was hidden behind the great sealed door below placed there and sealed within by the powerful sorcery of one of the Aldryami Lords."

"She said that none but him or another of Tada's warriors who carry his authority could open the place, break the seal. You are a warrior of Tada, his captain no less. Surely youcarry such authority?"

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 360):

"I knew the Lord well, we fought side by side on several occassions.

His authority was his copper rod of power."

By now everyone has assembled in the main room with the shaft of light, each Ranger listening to what Emesh-Ga has to say.

"My authority is recognised by my shield, that Hoskar Two-Feather now carries. So I would presume from what the spirit told you that an Aldryami Lord or one who carries his authority must open the door and no one else."

A flash of sun light as the canopy above is momentarily moved by the exit of something large. The flap of wings, slow and strong.

Down below where the tall trees spring from the fertile soil, the thick foliage of the Garden is still.

Impassable thorn filled thickets, curtains of hanging vines and ferns as large as houses fill every available space, the overall green of the Garden only broken by flowers of every shape, colour and size imaginable.

Flights of shimmering, long billed birds flit this way and that, chasing iridescent insects and butterflies as big as plates.

It's glorious in so many ways.

That is except for the gruff voices and the sound of cutting.

On the edge, where the trees are slightly thinner comes a band of Uz, axes cutting and heavy maces smashing. Having braved the daylight, sneaking through ancient tunnels, they'd made the vegetation without discovery....

Or so they'd thought.

Up above a score of humanoids watch, camouflaged against all discovery. With living bows they wait for the signal, all eyes on the leader of their war band

The Aldryami Lords.

Young warriors intent on following the footsteps of those that walked before.

Ohanzee grins "So all we need to do is find the surviving Aldryami Lords, hope they have or know the location of the copper rod, persuade them to give it to us or tell us how to get it and then bring it here."

He snorts "Well then, there is travel time left today, let's gather the others and the Queen and her pure flock and start back for the oasis then!"

After all the climbing, examining and other daily requirements it is already afternoon and then early evening by the time  Akala and Sand Fox return with the mounts.

Not long after the Harpy Queen lands on the bridge, by her side Tulox, Tarneesh's Vrok hawk.

"We will be joined by my flock tomorrow morning" she announces to the Rangers.

As the Rangers gather about the evening fire Glama Golden stands

"I have a request to make to you my comrades in arms. Since my return from the ancestors I have felt different...incomplete in some ways....And I feel that I must reflect this in my name. From now on I wish to be called Gloaming. Though you may call me Glo."

There's a flutter of wings as eight white feathered Harpies land on the bridge, met by their Queen and Gloaming who had just begun his chanted greeting of Bright Treasure.

Time to wake up, get ready and hit the trail back to the Morokanth held oasis of Hoofcrack.

Henal rouses himself, but looks weary still.

Using that potion and being possessed by Storm Bull like that has made me feel drained now. Hope we get a quiet journey now to get back and show that we've accomplished our mission. Should we just give thanks to the river spirit before we go?

In reply to Henal Longgrass (msg # 370):

He looks at Henal, "You look like shit" he laughs, "I think you should ride in the middle today, it'll be safer for all of us." Tarosh glances towards the water, "Always a good idea, and lets fill up as many containers as possible." He leaves the others and goes to see the Queen, "My Queen," he bows, "its is wonderful to see that some of your fellow harpies have joined us. Is there anything you need this morning?"

Tarosh is greeted with a smile and is soon flocked by the Queen's attendants, who stroke his hair, flutter their tail feathers suggestively and give coy glances over their wings.

"Just guide us true and straight Tarosh Long Neck. we shall soar above and warn you of any approaching dangers. All that I ask is that you protect us from hostilities below and at night when we rest."

Water skins are soon filled and apart from some interested cliff toads which need to be seen off, everything is soon readied. Those wanting to give thanks to the river just have to wade across from the beach where their mounts are corralled and enter the opening of the temple.

There the two spirits quickly materialise.

In reply to Hilimaz Mushen (msg # 372):

Tarosh tolerates the touching and stroking, but doesn't once glance at the owners of the hands, he only has eyes for the Queen. "As you will my Queen. We will leave once we have eaten and given thanks to the river" he bows again and goes back to the camp.

Though he took part in the ceremonies the day before Ohanzee joins in once more as it may be some time before they are in a position to return.

Thanks given, food eaten and gear packed he mounts up ready for the return trip.

Bean scoffed down without a second thought, eyes still twinkling with joy, a peaceful smile playing on his lips despite failure to oppen the cave door, Two-Feather busies himself with packing too; at least once he's fussed a while over Four-Paws, teasing tangles from her hair and reassuring himself she really is the same as...well...as before.

As he flits around, checking gear and straps and rhino; remembering once again to press his temple to Ram's horn in affection; he hums quietly to himself in amusement.

Honeyguides, then. Fast friends.

Isn't it funny
How a bird likes honey?
Following a buzz:
I wonder why it does.

Of course it's true that if birds were braves
They'd be the ones here singing staves
But then again (if braves were birds)
We'd find the bees without more words.

Unless Honeyguide is a trickster, that won't do at all. Think sensibly, man.

If there's one thing Salen does not do, then it is songs. Not that he doesn't like to sing, far from it, but he is no lyricist. At least, not to this point.

But something in Hoskar's words fires an idea, and for once he runs with it and lets the hooves of his Bison mind thunder away furiously.

"Honey in me
Calling to belief
Golden tears that I bleed
For all the need in me

Honey in me
Calling to the seed
Golden liquid that I drink
For all I need to think

Honey in me
Calling to be freed
Golden wings that aim to soar
For all I need and more

Honey in me
Calling to my creed
Golden embers on the roam
For finding my way home."

Hoskar's smile changes; not in intensity but from humour to joy. He blinks once, and moistens his lips before murmuring That follows the very pathway of the spirit, my comrade. I'll learn that to sing while we make search for Ohanzee's need if I may.