Alitta’s Diary part 19

in Home from the Hill

Grímnismál 34

After some time left to my own devices in the camp, I find Dirk in his tent and initiate a conversation with him. He is initially dismissive and reticent, but I make some small efforts to demonstrate how I might prove useful – briefly shifting the form of my arm, mentioning my magical abilities and some knowledge of diplomacy – and he asks me to spy on the Rim Lords at the upcoming banquet.

I shift my appearance and disguise myself as a servant, and manage to approach and speak to my mother. She expresses some care towards both Dirk and his father Caine, and also instructs me to make sure I report back on William to Aunt Cymnea.

At the banquet, I am seated with some of the marines. I make efforts to be charming and befriend two of them. I linger in the area afterwards to eavesdrop, and overhear discussions involving Prospero of Pheon and Ali of Alhazrad. Prospero’s conversation indicates a desire to steer away from the unclean and to be useful. Ali’s on the other hand is about mythos sorcery; he seems pleased with the reaction this provokes.

I report Ali’s conversation back to Dirk, further convincing him of my potential usefulness. He tells me to speak to Sorashi about providing flying support for the troop transportation that is still going on.

I do this, am briefly introduced to Julian as well, and fly out with Sorashi to escort some wagons coming in. When we reach them they are being chased by a group of some kind of serpent men. I leave Sorashi there and fly back with a message for Julian, who sends rangers to assist. I make the mistake of trying to land on a branch of the great tree, Ygg, and it burns my feet. Not something I will do again!

When I reach the wagons again, I see Sorashi lying injured on the ground. I transform my head so I can speak to the people in the wagons about what is happening. Sorashi appears to have been poisoned in a fight with the serpent men and seems badly hurt.

I fly back to find the rangers Julian sent, and speak to his daughter Constance, who leads them. She arranges to have Sorashi transported back to the camp by trump.

With this done, I continue to escort the wagons towards Ygg.