- This topic has 14 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 11 months ago by
.
-
The people of Shen Ling are truly blessed to have you walk among them…and we shall be sad to see you go.
Evon stares at you over a cup of steaming tea in the beautiful stone gardens on a veranda behind The Sacred Leaf. He called this meeting, and you were curious to see that only you were invited. There is a warm twinkle in his eyes of admiration…is it more than that? For a moment you wonder if you are being wooed by this scion of Fanlu. You’re not sure what to think of that, then you realize his comment has been hanging in the silence, and he is regarding you with the warm, understated smile of one who has lived long and seen much. Though looks no more than one in his late 30’s, according to what Grey has told you, Evon is at least 150 years old, alive the first time Grim Eye came to Shen Ling, alive when Fanlu was just a ruined old fortress, and one of the men who built this town within it’s crumbling walls.
To think, you have traveled a thousand miles to this land, and found a place where your goddess is praised and where love awaits you. You are loved there. Tell me, Do you think you will marry him…you can only imagine he will ask you soon….
In the dying light of dusk, dressed to the 9s, you walk down towards Laketown. It’s just the 3 of you and Evon’s personal lantern bearer. Most of Fanlu is at making dinner in this hour, so the streets are quite most of the way out of Redtown. Everyone who does see you, makes exaggerated bows in your direction, eager to make sure you see their acknowledgement without being bothered by it. The people of Fanlu give you a respectful distance, but go out of there way to let you know they recognize you in some pretty awkward and interesting ways. There’s no doubt you are celebrities.
You stroll east down the hill through Fanlu’s quite, rural parts, passing the path that branches off the main road and heads up The Sleeping Mountain.
Evon and his lantern bearer lead you off the main gravel road, in the opposite direction, across a shallow ditch, and into a dense plum orchard heading north east. There’s no clear path, and you’re shocked for a moment as Evon nonchalantly straddles his way over a hedge and bids you to follow him. For a moment it feels like you are out in the country. In the dense orchard the old trees hide any signs that an entire town is out there just beyond them. This seems to be a well traveled path for Evon. Both he and his Lantern Bearer make several turns in the grove without conversation, as if they have traveled this path before many times. You have that feeling you’re trespassing on someone else’s land, that bit of excitement like when you would sneak into an orchard as a child to steal some farmers fruit. You do not feel in any danger, only that tinge of nervous excitement when you think you might be somewhere you’re not allowed to go. Evon makes small talk as you go, though his voice has noticeably gone from loud and clear to somewhat hushed. Almost seamlessly you enter a part of the orchard that feels over grown. Nature has begun to reclaim it. Other trees grow among the plum trees, breaking up the neat rows. There is still no sign of the town you know yourselves to be in. The last rays of sunlight are lighting one side of the trees, even as the other side is being lost in the grey of dusk. It will be dark in minutes.
“I will call you “Big”, and you Beautiful” he smiles at Caris.
He begins packing his pipe with a fragrant herb.
“Tell me Evon, why on earth have you walked these two fine young ones out here to my shack when there’s so much else to do in town? What use can an old fart like me be to them?”
“I brought them here for your Wisdom of course.”
A look of disbelief spreads across the old mans face.
“Wisdom?! Your the one who lives in a damned palace! If you want to end up old and alone in a shack, working way too hard for your age, and taking care of a damn worthless dog because you’ve really got nothing else to do with yourself, than by all means, listen to my “wisdom”! Wisdom my ass, you brought them here for the finest smoke in Fanlu! That’s why you brought them! Well my younglings, gird your lungs, and prepare to not be disappointed…though I do have to warn you, once you’ve shared a pipe with bo, you might just find yourself wondering back through these trees again looking for another go…you know, I can be damned charming, downright entertaining once a few puffs of this has dulled your wits enough…you may even mistake something that comes out of my mouth as wisdom.”
He smiles a warm grin, directed at the end of the long wooden pipe he’s packing.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.