Fiftieth Blessing [Voice]

[bigbluehat]

-In the dead of night, those living on the western end of town can hear a great comotion in the forest and a deep grumbling. Looking out in that direction, cast in moonlight, anyone can clearly see that a particularly tall tree has suddenly sprouted up in the middle of the forest. What on earth could have caused this?-

Bother... -comes the

Comments

[voice]

[superskilled]

Where are you?

[action]

[superskilled]

[Sasarai's lucky he's tiny. But, Nash has got a hold of him and they start descending the tree slowly.] Dare I ask how you managed this predicament?

[action]

[bigbluehat]

Would you believe me if I said it sprouted beneath my feet?

[action]

[superskilled]

Would I have much of a choice? Any theories as to why?

[action]

[bigbluehat]

There are some strange phenomenon related to plant growth associated with Earth Runes, but as far as I know, the power of True Earth is still sealed.

[action]

[superskilled]

As far as you know?

[action]

[bigbluehat]

Well I certainly can't use it right now.

[action]

[superskilled]

Any clue why?

[action]

[bigbluehat]

... I suppose I neglected to mention that earlier.

I made a contract with the Malnosso.

[action]

[superskilled]

[Good news! Almost to the bottom of the tree.]

To what end?

[action]

[bigbluehat]

Some time ago... the Malnosso managed to successfully remove True Earth from my hand. As you can probably figure, my composition did not last long without it. I died within a few weeks.

[action]

[superskilled]

And?

[He has to concentrate on the task at hand, which is prevents him from expressing any great shock. Besides, it's obvious there's more to this story, so he's content just to listen.]

[action]

[bigbluehat]

Having what they wanted from me, they were simply going to leave me in stasis, perhaps return me to our world. But in that state... I heard whispers of another faction. One that was intent on slaughtering everyone in the village.

I could not abandon them. So I struck up a bargain. Grant my physical life once more as well as my Rune. Allow me to serve their interests in that battle. And then, once the deed was done, True Earth was in their hands.

[action]

[superskilled]

Do you believe that faction still exists? Or, more importantly, that the Malnosso won't renege on their bargain?

[Okay, and let's pretend that they are down out of the tree, now, and Sasarai can finally stand. Nash, however, is still attached to the tree and must spend a few minutes unhooking himself.]

[action]

[bigbluehat]

I've no reason to believe that they do not. Solid information is scarce. But for now, I act as an agent of the Malnosso... if they have need of my power, then it is theirs.

-That would actually explain why, in spite of the tree, Sasarai was returned in relatively good condition.-

[action]

[superskilled]

That's not necessarily what being an agent entails. [Still unhooking himself from this wire. Stupid wires.] Is your status well-known?