12

(Previous Post: 11)

You close your eyes, swearing under your breath. You shake your head, trying desperately to wake from this insane dream. As you open them again, the strange world remains, and a curious green idol seems to call to you.

You step toward the idol, and are greeted by a cool gust of wind. You pick up the idol and examine it: a chrysolite stone carved in the likeness of a great water lizard, an icon of some sort.

“It belonged to my daughter.” You're startled by the soft whisper of a beautiful woman, dressed in deep saffron and light yellow tapa cloth. She wades in the marsh, silently stepping from the warm water as she approaches you. “She was the last of the akua women.”

She stares at you for a moment before continuing, her eyes shining gold and black. “You are kin to the men of Mnar—the shepherd folk who once came her, with their fleecy flocks and relentless building?”

• If you answer truthfully and return the idol, go to 13
• If you do something else, comment below and your story will continue as soon as possible

11

(Previous Post: 10)

You're growing worried, because you can remember nothing. You glance at Roisin, then at at Micajah, and their expectant faces tear at you. You close your eyes, if only to provide a moment of focus, and try to recall something—anything. Who are you? What's going on? You think there has to be a thread of memory within you. Something to pull other memories to the surface--but there isn't. With your eyes still closed, you begin to feel afraid. Frustrated tears form under your eyelids as you respond.

"Nothing," you say, "I remember... nothing."

And, as suddenly as the words escape your lips, you feel struck by a force which knocks you to the ground. You pry your eyes open to see your attacker, but quickly realize there is no attacker to see. Roisin and Micajah stare down at you, looking both scared and concerned. Your lips move as if to tell them something, but no words escape your lips.

Your eyes involuntarily move toward the sky. Strange, you think, that the polar star should shine so brightly through the fog. Like an insane watching eye, striving to convey some message, it watches as you slowly slip into unconsciousness.

Characters - NPC - Nan

Nan
Traveller

First Mentioned - 10
First Appearance - 38 with image

At some point, Roisin, Micaja and Aidan may have stolen a family vardo from Nan.

RELATED CHARACTERS
Roisin.

Characters - NPC - Roisin

Roisin
Traveller

First Appearance - 10 (with image)

Roisin has long brown hair, and typically wears a long dress and a shawl pulled tightly around her shoulders. She doesn't mind using colorful language, and expects those around her to respect her authority.

At some point, she, Micaja and Aidan stole a family vardo. She expects, once the rest of the family catches up with them, they'll receive a lashing. I could be worth it, however, if Aidan can tell them about the individual coming for the Traveller group.

RELATED CHARACTERS
Micaja. Roisin doesn't think Cage is so bad, for a Half Breed.
Nan.

Characters - NPC - Micajah "Cage"

Micaja "Cage"
Traveller Half Breed

First Appearance - 9 (with image)

Micaja is an imposing force. He's quite tall, and often wears layers of clothing over his already broad frame. He keeps his beard neatly trimmed, but a coarse shadow quickly spreads across his cheeks through the day. His skin is dark and leathery from years of working in the sun. His eyes are black and bear the weight of a man who has never had a moment to stop fighting.

Micaja is anxiously concerned about someone coming for the Traveller group he has joined.

RELATED CHARACTERS
Roisin. Micaja pays proper respect to Roisin at all times.

10

(Previous Post: 9)

“How about you let go of me first?” You respond, smiling and raising your eyebrows expectantly.

The large man slowly releases his grip on your lapels. His demeanor softens, and he steps back.

“For feck's sake, Micajah. Let him be.” A woman teases as she walks around the corner, her long dress flowing around her. She smooths her long brown hair away from her face and smiles at you, and pulls her shawl tightly around her shoulders. “He's not so bad for a Half Breed, Aidan--just anxious. Can't say I blame him. Nan's none too happy with us for taking the vardo. Once the rest of the family catches up with us, we're gonna get a lashing, unless you know something new.”

“You said there was someone coming for us.” The large man's face quickly moves from frustration to fear, and he looks to you for succor.

“Don't rush him, Micajah.”

“But, Roisin--”

“Cage. Shut it.” Her voice is firm and fearless, softening as she turns to you. “What do you remember from the dream, Aidan?”

• If you answer, "Nothing. I remember... nothing." Go to 11
• If you do something else, comment below and your story will continue as soon as possible
  

(Image from Biblioteca de Arte-Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian of Lucie de Souza Cardoso,
not necessarily a character portrayed in this story. Used for illustration purposes only.)