Day 244 (222nd)

Day 244(222nd):
Again, we were roused by a thunderous sound. Dressing quickly, we watched a large herd rumble pass us. It was hard to make them out in the pre-dawn light. They were massive, larger than any cattle I had ever seen. So brown, they appeared black. As they ran, shaggy hair flapped around them. A person on horseback raced over to us.
"Stay back! Gardvans don't stop once they get running or until they reach shade. Got to get to the woods before full light. Get them going!" a young male elf spoke rapidly then galloped away.
We looked at the soldiers for answers. One spoke up.
"Gardvans are from a night realm. They have to stay out of direct sunlight. The mountains give them about an extra half hour before full light. If the sun catches them, they die. But, they can live on very little vegetation and water. The exchange is enough to keep breeding them. Whether they are kept later on, I can't guess."
A wisp of fur floated to us. I grabbed it and received many images. Apparently my eyes changed because everyone was staring at me.
"What did you see, Kayla?" Callie asked.
Holding the fur, I told them, "The Gardvans will stay after the land is healed. They will breed with regular stock to make a hearty breed that can survive sunlight and on very little food. The hair will be longer, used like wool to make heavy cloaks and winter clothes. Also, the material is made for funerals as it stays black for a long time. No matter what other breed they mate with, the offspring is Gardvan colored. It takes seven or eight generations to get any other color. The hide with even a pinch of Gardvan is prized by sailors as leather that is tough and waterproof. It cannot be pure Gardvan as it will...." I let go of the fur and we watched it turn to ash in the sunlight.
"A scrap of fur told you that much. No seer in Crialas could get so much from so little. We definitely have the right girls," Janesh commented.
We saddled up and ate on the move. We followed beside and in the churned wake of the Gardvan herd. We saw them again under heavy cover of a thickly grown forest. Very little snow had sifted through the canopy. The Gardvans ate what little foliage was under there and munched on the very ends of the branches. Even the fungus and moss on the trees was food for them. Janesh separated and spoke with the wranglers for a moment. One of them looked our way. I suspected Janesh had told them of what I saw. Janesh returned while a herder went from group to group, probably repeating the news.
We left them behind as we continued west. The riding was more pleasant now that our guards were friendly and open to us. They even allowed Set to hop to their saddles and rubbed him affectionately. Dawn became a scout of sorts, flying several miles ahead and reporting back to Alice what she saw. There was little to tell as the road was empty.
On one return, she was very agitated, chirping rapidly and sharply. Alice stopped us to calm Dawn and get the full story. Dawn snuggled into Alice's body as Alice explained.
"Dawn saw something troubling. There are bodies ahead. People, animals, and wagons are scattered. She did not see who or what caused it, but there is a strange smell hanging over the area."
Janesh told everyone to arm themselves. We took off, the soldiers easily racing ahead of us. My sight showed the emotional energies hanging over the area as we got closer. Then, the smell hit us like a fist. It was a combination of animal musk, carrion, rotting plants, and waste. The bodies were torn apart and the wagons were smashed. The guards radiated anger and hatred. We dared not ask what had caused this. Fortunately, Anna was able to get the story of this scene.
"A large creature, a troll I believe, attacked this group out of hunger and injury. It ate the parts that are missing on the people and animals. Something from the wagon it ate as well. One of its arms doesn't work well, so it is hunting 'easy prey': people and livestock.
The guards were nearly shaking with rage. They did not know what to do first. We suggested stepping away to collect themselves. We turned out backs to the carnage. A strange aura shown through the trees. The smell increased three-fold. We got the guards to focus as the troll limped between the trees. The large being roared and swung its good arm in our direction. The guards brandished their swords. The troll roared again and ran at us. The guards galloped to meet it. It batted soldier and horse aside like a child knocking over his toys. The horses got up and ran for safety. The soldiers lay there, trying to collect their strength, some were unconscious. The troll roared again and turned to look at us. Sloth began telling us a spell as rapidly as we could comprehend it. When we were all certain that we understood it, we began chanting. The troll roared once again, then lumbered at us. A few dozen paces away, it stopped. Its upper body struggled as its feet and legs became stone gray. It tried pulling, but was held fast. The gray rose up its legs, hips, stomach, and chest. It roared and beat on its petrifying body until its chest became solid and its good arm stuck to its torso. It thrashed its head as it struggled to breathe and get free. Finally, its neck and head were turned. Sarah sobbed a moment at its death, but knew it had to be done. The guards had gotten to their feet and were checking on the unconscious ones. Sarah distracted herself from its death by tending them. We six looked at the petrified troll. Fortunately, the smell had died with it. Sloth told us that, normally, trolls only come out at night as sunlight does to them naturally what we did by magic. Alice said it had become too wounded to get its normal food which was wild boars. Able to be out in the daylight gave it access to easy prey; unarmed people and domesticated animals.
The guards recovered enough to get back on the road. The horses, trained as they were, returned when called by a series of whistles. None of them were seriously hurt and were quickly tended and ready to go. We did not want to leave the victims to scavengers. Pointing swords, we spoke words that curled the dirt and snow over the bodies and wagon remains. Janesh and the guards sang a dirge over the bodies. After the last piece of flesh and bone was covered, Dawn circled the spot, dusting it with her sparks.
As we were leaving, Sarah looked back and gasped. We all turned and gasped in turn. Roses, deep red roses, were erupting from the grave. Janesh spoke in whisper.
"Winter roses. They have not grown wild in hundreds of years. Prized as the sign of an easy winter. Sometimes called the 'Birth blood of Spring', as they are seen in some places a few weeks before spring. I've only seen them in wizards' gardens and around temples. The Crowns will find this interesting."
We proceeded on the road, leaving the roses spreading over the grave. Set stayed behind for a moment. When he returned, bits of roses were still clinging to him. He commented that the thorns felt good on his itchy hide. Fortunately, the guards did not go back to being aloof with us, but spoke openly of the encounter. This made traveling this darkening landscape a bit easier.
As evening approached, so did a familiar presence. Callie alerted us to Leo's arrival. The guards found a suitable campsite and we were setting up as Leo landed near us.
"Good to see you again, Ladies. In good company, I hope?" he spoke aloud for the guards' sakes, not sure if they would like hearing a dragon in their heads.
We introduced everyone. As darkness settled, Leo told us why he was in Crialas and how he found us.
"Deciding to journey a bit, I flew over all the eastern lands before heading west. I reached the edge of Crialas Kingdom a few days ago. About a day's travel, for me, from the border, I encountered a trail of familiar energy. It took a few moments to figure out it was you ladies. I followed it to this quaint town with a fortress being used as both a monastery and a convent surrounded by a massive area that smelled and felt clean and very familiar. I learned about what you went through and did for Audoahrn. I continued to search the area until I found your trail again. By the way, Lyrica, the dryad, says 'Hi'. Down this trail, I noticed some new growth. Have any of you been crying?"
We confirmed that tears had been shed since leaving Audoahrn. Leo nodded.
"While I am not sure who's tears caused what, but the road you left behind is different from the road you traveled. No longer is it featureless and bland. All manner of plants have erupted at its edges. Holly, barberry, witch hazel, plus many more line the sides. Every where you have camped, even if it was inside, is now the site of some spectacular mini gardens of plants not seen in centuries. I followed until I spotted a marvel. Winter roses growing wild, in full bloom, spreading wide enough for me to sleep upon. Also, not far from it, a stone pillar is nearly covered in dragon-snaps, a very rare plant."
We informed him of how the pillar got there and what it use to be as well as what was under the roses. Leo pondered this information. It was after sunset by now, so we prepared to sleep. Leo was invited to rest with us. Leo made himself comfortable. Like a living furnace, he radiated enough heat to melt the snow and dry the ground in less than an hour. Mats and bedrolls were repositioned to take advantage of this boon. Leo lulled us to sleep as he speculated on why this growth was occurring and who was producing what. I fell asleep as he prattled on.