Post by homeskillet on Jan 29, 2007 23:15:07 GMT -5
The whole group grumbles at the bad news and goes about setting camp. The camp site Mason picked is actually a used site. About 4 yards from the road is a nicely set up area with a U shape of sturdy trees, with the opening facing the road. There is a fire pit in the center with 3 good sized logs around it. These logs are positioned so all can see the opening. Outside of this comfort zone is room an abundance of room for a party to sleep. Mason walks over to one of the entrance trees and grabs a branch that was waiting for him. The end of the branch is bound with soft leather in the fashion of a handle. At the other end the stick branched out in four points. There were some leaves remaining on these extensions, but not many. It didn't matter, Mason used the stick to smooth out the dusty ground. The sand was hard and packed and it seemed Mason covered the evidence of the group that were there last night, Probably the Red Bears. Tull wandered over to the pit and began to light a fire.
After Mason returned the Branch to it's tree, he wandered over to a back tree. He picked up a small stone and threw it up into the foliage of said tree. Suddenly a rope came tumbling down. The rope was knotted every yard to make the climb that much easier. Mason climbed up and disappeared into the tree. All who were curious soon discovered that Mason had another perch in a tree. This one was sturdy and well-made. It would seem that Mason was well familiar with this spot. Mason spent some time getting set up while everyone else got ready for the night. This little campsite was luxury compared to most sites and everyone found something to be pleased with. Stone enjoyed the log facing the entrance/exit, he could see the road quite well there.
After awhile Mason climbed down from his perch. He had a smile on his face, something that he rarely wears. " This is Mother's Keep, named after our Mother Earth. This is where the Mother reaches out to the Sky. Though this place is not sacred, it is respected. It is a place to find comforts from the road," Mason explains," The Keep is a good place to rest, by the "defilers" would take advantage. So, I will take the second watch tonight." Mason looks everyone in the eye and then climbs back up his rope.
" Well I am getting sleep tonight," Briggs grumbles and walks over to an area to set up camp. Stone too wants rest, but he felt the parcels are his responsibility and therefore it is his duty to take the watches. " I will take first watch," Tull stood up before Stone could speak. No one else seemed to care and went about there business. Stone was worried, but decided to give Tull a shot, " Yes my friend, that will do fine." Tull was very happy.
Sull started the fire. Sull was amazing with fire and everyone noticed this. It made Tull nervous, who made comments to anyone who would listen, about the way Sull's face would twist in perverse, ecstasy when watched the flames. No one really cared as long as the fire kept them feeling good. The day's heat cooled in the night, but only slightly and once the sky darkened the bugs came out in the sticky air. In fact that was the main problem they faced in Mother's Keep. The bugs were eating them alive. As the night went on the party, with exception of Mason, became more uncomfortable and irritated. The group was wondering if this was a bad idea to stay here and evryone lost all patience with each other.
" I am tired of this accursed place!" Briggs yelled. Suddenly Mason was down upon the ground and over Briggs. Stone had never seen anyone move like that or seen Mason look so ... focused. " You are a miserable man and I am tired of your disrespect," Mason was direct and looked in Briggs' eyes with intense energy. He grabbed Briggs by his collar and picked him up to his face, " You need to learn to keep your tainted thoughts in your miserable head. This is a place to be respected. Do not voice your curses here, because it has served people well for many generations. I am sorry that the night is like this and these creatures of nature only crave the nectar of our blood, but Mother's Keep is a good place to rest. Tonight is a good night to be here." Mason places Briggs back down and gives him one more look of anger into his eyes. Briggs was stunned as was the group. Mason doesn't say much and usually only speaks to Stone. The silence made everyone aware of the noises of the natural world around them.
Before Briggs could react( and he wanted to cut Mason's head off), Mason began to chant in a quite manner. It was like a prayer. Mason went into his leather pouch and pulled out a fine white powder. Mason threw the powder into the fire and the fire went from an intense, orange light into a dull, green glow. The natural world around them grew silent and the bugs stopped feasting. Everyone sat in awe, especially Sull who let out a strange squeal when the fire went green. Briggs, despite everything, began to smile. Briggs probably hasn't smiled the whole trip and the smile widened when the breeze came. The breeze was beautiful. The night was so perfect the fire wasn't even needed and as if on cue Mason took a blanket he soaked with water and put out the fire. Darkness. Everyone gasped in shock, except Sull who "awwwwwed" in disappointment.
" This is Mother's Keep. This is where the Mother," Mason points to the ground, " Reaches to the Father." Mason points to the sky. The sky suddenly burst in light. Stars brightened and shot about the sky. " There are special times when the Moon is right," the Moon creeps from the east full and bright," When the Mother and Father embrace, enraptured in love." The sky explodes. Multicolored flashes like fireworks play the sky and stars shoot across the sky. The display is fascinating. A strange tingle place across everyone's bodies as the excitement rises. Mason climbs into his tree. His work was done. This was his gift to the party and they watched the sky as the Moon made her way to the center of the "U". Once there the moon dulled to that green, fire glow and remained for what seemed like an eternity. Later Lady Klarina would swear she saw a man and woman in a passionate embrace appear across the Moon's surface, but no one else would admit if they saw the same.
After the Moon continued the sky's brilliance faded and darkness returned to the night. A gust of wind played upon amber embers at the fire pit's base and a fire began to reignite. Sull was overjoyed like finding an old friend and the fire remained a perfect size. The group was exhausted from the awe of what they saw and quickly went to sleep. Stone Began his mediation as Briggs lay back to sleep with a smile on his face. Tull, proud of his duties watched the group rest and looked to the sky for more beauty, but it was over. Mason woke without any help from Tull, in fact Tull flinched when Mason sent him to sleep. Stone came out of mediation at that point and smiled at Mason. Mason smiled back. Stone appreciated Mason gift and went to sleep.
The next morning the group woke to the heat and humidity and the smell of new fire. They ate, packed up and left the Keep with a new energy. All wore smiles, even Briggs' normal straight-faced scowl had a little curve to it. As the group departed Mason took the branch and dusted the ground for the next night. Mason said a little prayer before he left, it was ancient and mysterious, but it made everyone feel good.
After Mason returned the Branch to it's tree, he wandered over to a back tree. He picked up a small stone and threw it up into the foliage of said tree. Suddenly a rope came tumbling down. The rope was knotted every yard to make the climb that much easier. Mason climbed up and disappeared into the tree. All who were curious soon discovered that Mason had another perch in a tree. This one was sturdy and well-made. It would seem that Mason was well familiar with this spot. Mason spent some time getting set up while everyone else got ready for the night. This little campsite was luxury compared to most sites and everyone found something to be pleased with. Stone enjoyed the log facing the entrance/exit, he could see the road quite well there.
After awhile Mason climbed down from his perch. He had a smile on his face, something that he rarely wears. " This is Mother's Keep, named after our Mother Earth. This is where the Mother reaches out to the Sky. Though this place is not sacred, it is respected. It is a place to find comforts from the road," Mason explains," The Keep is a good place to rest, by the "defilers" would take advantage. So, I will take the second watch tonight." Mason looks everyone in the eye and then climbs back up his rope.
" Well I am getting sleep tonight," Briggs grumbles and walks over to an area to set up camp. Stone too wants rest, but he felt the parcels are his responsibility and therefore it is his duty to take the watches. " I will take first watch," Tull stood up before Stone could speak. No one else seemed to care and went about there business. Stone was worried, but decided to give Tull a shot, " Yes my friend, that will do fine." Tull was very happy.
Sull started the fire. Sull was amazing with fire and everyone noticed this. It made Tull nervous, who made comments to anyone who would listen, about the way Sull's face would twist in perverse, ecstasy when watched the flames. No one really cared as long as the fire kept them feeling good. The day's heat cooled in the night, but only slightly and once the sky darkened the bugs came out in the sticky air. In fact that was the main problem they faced in Mother's Keep. The bugs were eating them alive. As the night went on the party, with exception of Mason, became more uncomfortable and irritated. The group was wondering if this was a bad idea to stay here and evryone lost all patience with each other.
" I am tired of this accursed place!" Briggs yelled. Suddenly Mason was down upon the ground and over Briggs. Stone had never seen anyone move like that or seen Mason look so ... focused. " You are a miserable man and I am tired of your disrespect," Mason was direct and looked in Briggs' eyes with intense energy. He grabbed Briggs by his collar and picked him up to his face, " You need to learn to keep your tainted thoughts in your miserable head. This is a place to be respected. Do not voice your curses here, because it has served people well for many generations. I am sorry that the night is like this and these creatures of nature only crave the nectar of our blood, but Mother's Keep is a good place to rest. Tonight is a good night to be here." Mason places Briggs back down and gives him one more look of anger into his eyes. Briggs was stunned as was the group. Mason doesn't say much and usually only speaks to Stone. The silence made everyone aware of the noises of the natural world around them.
Before Briggs could react( and he wanted to cut Mason's head off), Mason began to chant in a quite manner. It was like a prayer. Mason went into his leather pouch and pulled out a fine white powder. Mason threw the powder into the fire and the fire went from an intense, orange light into a dull, green glow. The natural world around them grew silent and the bugs stopped feasting. Everyone sat in awe, especially Sull who let out a strange squeal when the fire went green. Briggs, despite everything, began to smile. Briggs probably hasn't smiled the whole trip and the smile widened when the breeze came. The breeze was beautiful. The night was so perfect the fire wasn't even needed and as if on cue Mason took a blanket he soaked with water and put out the fire. Darkness. Everyone gasped in shock, except Sull who "awwwwwed" in disappointment.
" This is Mother's Keep. This is where the Mother," Mason points to the ground, " Reaches to the Father." Mason points to the sky. The sky suddenly burst in light. Stars brightened and shot about the sky. " There are special times when the Moon is right," the Moon creeps from the east full and bright," When the Mother and Father embrace, enraptured in love." The sky explodes. Multicolored flashes like fireworks play the sky and stars shoot across the sky. The display is fascinating. A strange tingle place across everyone's bodies as the excitement rises. Mason climbs into his tree. His work was done. This was his gift to the party and they watched the sky as the Moon made her way to the center of the "U". Once there the moon dulled to that green, fire glow and remained for what seemed like an eternity. Later Lady Klarina would swear she saw a man and woman in a passionate embrace appear across the Moon's surface, but no one else would admit if they saw the same.
After the Moon continued the sky's brilliance faded and darkness returned to the night. A gust of wind played upon amber embers at the fire pit's base and a fire began to reignite. Sull was overjoyed like finding an old friend and the fire remained a perfect size. The group was exhausted from the awe of what they saw and quickly went to sleep. Stone Began his mediation as Briggs lay back to sleep with a smile on his face. Tull, proud of his duties watched the group rest and looked to the sky for more beauty, but it was over. Mason woke without any help from Tull, in fact Tull flinched when Mason sent him to sleep. Stone came out of mediation at that point and smiled at Mason. Mason smiled back. Stone appreciated Mason gift and went to sleep.
The next morning the group woke to the heat and humidity and the smell of new fire. They ate, packed up and left the Keep with a new energy. All wore smiles, even Briggs' normal straight-faced scowl had a little curve to it. As the group departed Mason took the branch and dusted the ground for the next night. Mason said a little prayer before he left, it was ancient and mysterious, but it made everyone feel good.
