Episode 04 | Wind Friction

Windshell activates.

INT. COTTAGE ATTIC – NIGHT

Scene picks up where it left on the last episode.

The wind still blows against the shutter.

Raka:(groans)

Sæa:I… suspect this means…

Raka:Yea. There is something out of my hearing range. And it’s definitely a spirit. (exasperated sigh)

Sæa:Guess that means you did your friend wrong.

Raka:Unless a spirit entered this things radius by coincidence just now. Afraid that means I won’t get to indulge in your company tonight.

Raka scoops up her clothes and gets dressed.

Sæa:(whistful) A shame, really. (amused) You lost a feather. Can I keep it?

Raka:(slightly distracted) Sure. If you have a use for that.

Sæa:(pleasantly, almost puring) Hmm, it’ll keep me company while you’re gone. Feel free to come back here when you manage to take care of the matter before daybreak… I’ll wait.

Raka:Don’t stay awake for me.

Sæa:(smirking) I’m sure after you’ve been out in that kind of weather, you will need someone to warm up with.

Raka:(smiling hmp) I sure will.

Sæa:Wakas andaïl anïr, Raka. (wa-KAS uhn-DUIL uh-NEER, seek contentment in life)

Raka:(taken aback) Wakas- Wakas andaïl anïr to you as well.

Raka leaves the room with quick steps. The wooden door creeks but closes gently. The POV stays with Raka, as she walks down a creeking stairway, through the hallway floored with stone tiles. A heavy wind greets her as she pushes the front door open. As she leaves, the wind slams the door shut loudly.

In the following scene, Raka treads through fields of snow.

EXT. VILLAGE ĤWYTHWYV, FIELDS – NIGHT

Raka:(huffing) Ah Fiyar’ta… That probably woke everyone up.

Raka is breathless from fast paced walk to the edge of the village, but trying to talk over the wind so the Windshell can pick her up.

Raka:You heard that, Auril? THAT’s how you get with the female folk. Don’t know what YOU’VE been doing, but it obviously didn’t work.
(pause while she huffs)
Well. They like education, so you’re not exactly hopeless. Act like you actually got some of that once in a while, might help you.
Anyway, I’m not quite sure where to look for that spirit… I can’t hear it yet, must be out of my range. An indicator that would nudge toward the direction it was activated from would help. Think you can figure out something like that from afar?
Well, I’m heading uphill, there’s a forest there – I suspect if it was a spirit that came down FROM the tangleweave, it’ll be somewhere toward the peak.
Not sure if the unnatural weather is a clue for what kind of spirit I’m looking for. The snowfall could indicate a spirit that feeds on warmth in raindrops. But that doesn’t go along with the heavy wind. The wind implies a spirit that feeds on lull? Both kinds being nearby could be a possibility, too.
Fiyar’ta, the snow is ankle-deep already! At least it reflects enough moonlight. Luckily the moon is starting to wax…
I’m crossing a paddock by the cliff-side, there’s a forest behind it. Hope I’ll catch noises from it there, or I’ll be at a loss. If I can’t find it this way I might have to resort to a luring circle… Oh hold on…

A warbling noise in the distance chimes in. Like an owl, mixed with growls of discomfort. It echoes far away.

Raka halts and looks around.

Raka:Oh that’s interesting. That might be it. Do you hear that, is this thing picking that up? (pauses) I’m not an ornithologist, but I don’t think Rygiel or Yag make these kinds of noises… Not that I could hear bird-calls over this wind.

Raka takes more tentative steps through the snow toward the forest.

Raka:It sounds… defensive, actually. Not mischievous. Pleading maybe? Also seems to be quite close. But if what I’m hearing is the spirit, then the winds… I don’t think IT’s causing them. The wind’s direction and that of the calls don’t match! Damn, in moments like these I wish I could see the runes. Well, can’t have it all.

EXT. FOREST – NIGHT

As Raka nears the forest the warbles grow louder, more anxious, more like a warning. A whisper mixes into the warble. It’s voice is echo-y and ethereal, not physical.

Raka halts.

Spirit:Staaaaaaay away! No more wind, bring no more wind!

Raka:Wh- what?

Spirit:Calm! Dead Calm! Speak it, runemaster, speak the calm!

Raka:What are you talking about? I don’t have any wind runes with me!

Spirit:We need the calm, the lull, the doldrums – no more friction, no more!

Raka takes a few tentative steps toward the Spirit. Its warbles grow more anxious.

Raka:Okay, calm down. Can you see my äthwar? They are of fire and water. I don’t have a wind-äthwar.

Spirit:Begone, ferocious runemaster, take your accursed friction and leave us be!

The spirit clacks its beak a few times in a warning, then hisses a warbling growl as Raka takes another step toward it.

Raka:I don’t have a friction rune. Come and speak with me peacefully. I can’t see you, you have nothing to fear from me!

Spirit:Your friction will grind the weave atwain!

Raka:(exasperated sigh) I don’t have a connection to the wind-web, and I don’t have wind runes! I just want to talk, maybe I can help you-

The spirit screeches a howl in warning, its wings made of aether flapping.

Spirit:No closer, runemaster, stay awaaaaaaay!

Raka:(growls) Where are you, I can’t see-

Lyn:(urgent) On your left, get down!

Raka:(confused) What?!

The spirit shrieks and whooshes over Raka’s head with few beats of its wings, their beating like fringy cloth.

Raka:Fiyar’ta- how did you-

Lyn:Should we go after it?

Raka:You can SEE it?!

Lyn:You can’t?

Raka:(exasperated) No?! I just said that, didn’t I?

Lyn:Oh yea… Well how were you planning to beat it if you can’t even see it?

Raka:I wasn’t going to beat it!

Lyn:Why were you looking for it then?

Raka:I was going to make it stop the-

Lyn:Hold on. You DO want to go after it, right?

Raka:Yes, but-

Lyn:It’s glyphything is almost out of sight, let’s go!

EXT. PADDOCK – NIGHT

Lyn starts running, her footsteps crunching in the thin layer of snow. Raka follow her a few seconds later.

Raka:Wait- What are you talking about?!

Following conversation is conducted breathlessly from running.

Lyn:(running) That symbol inside of it!

Raka:(running) You can see its RUNE?!

Lyn:(running) If that’s what you wana call it, I call it a glyphithing!

Raka:(running) Did you read the rune?

Lyn:(running) What does that even mean?

Raka:(running) The pattern of the rune – did you memorize it?

Lyn:(running) Wait is that some kind of number plate?

Raka:(running, confused) What?!

Lyn:(running) It went past too quickly, I only saw a glowing blur!

Raka:(running) Fair enough! What’s your name?

Lyn:(running) Lyn! You?

Raka:(running) Raka. (huffing) You’re the human, aren’t you? From the longhouse?

Lyn:(running) Unless there was another they didn’t tell me about.

Raka:(running) What are you doing out here without a torch? I thought humans had bad eyes!

Lyn:(running, evasive) Well, I thought… the moon is almost full, it’s bright enough out here, right?

Raka:(running) What are you doing here anyway?!

Lyn stops and catches her breath, the snow slightly more muddy here than before.

Lyn:(huffing, catching her breath) Look, I’m not terribly athletic so could we just focus on either chasing OR talking? I can’t do both!

Raka:(catching her breath) Fine. Can you still see the rune?

Lyn:(huffing) Yea, it’s down that hill in the woods… Hold on, it’s slowing down…

(pause)

Raka:Did it stop?

Lyn:It’s flying in circles…

(pause)

Raka:Maybe it’s landing.

(pause)

Lyn:Looks that way. It’s not moving anymore.

Raka:(deep breath) Alright.

Lyn:Let’s grab it while it rests-

Lyn makes a few steps in the slushy snow, which are abruptly halted.

Raka:(growls) Hold on. “Grab it”? Why were you out here?

Lyn: (in pain) OW! Let me go! What the hell, woman!

Raka:(with a gnarling undertone) Sorry.

Lyn:(shaking her wrist) Geez, has anyone told you you’ve got a grip like a retainer-droid?!

Raka:I don’t even know what that… Just answer my question!

Lyn:Fine! I was out here looking for that thing!

Raka:Looking for it?! Who would go out at night to look for spirits?

Lyn:You, obviously!

Raka:That’s different! Going after spirits is my JOB! How did you even know it was here?

Lyn:Well I saw it’s glowing glyphithingy through the walls when it came down from the mountain. I wanted to find out if I can beat it up!

Raka:Beat it?!

Lyn:Yea! Things like that ate my friends where we lived! I’ve been looking for others like it to beat the living daylight out of them!

Raka:… You know you can’t physically beat spirits, right?!

(pause)

Lyn:(challenged) I can still try, though!

Raka:… Well sure, I won’t stop you. How did you know I was looking for it, though?

Lyn:I heard you – when you were on the phone? That’s still on, by the way.

Raka:My what?

Lyn:You WERE phoning, weren’t you?

Raka:I don’t even-

Lyn:Look, what’s the point of all this questioning? We can just go over there and grab that spirit peacefully or beat it up or do whatever you want with it. While it still feels safe, y’know?

Raka:I’m QUESTIONING you, because that spirit was frightened by something that hunted it. And the fact that you were right behind me when it lunged our way makes you suspicious! How do I know it wasn’t YOU that chased it?

Lyn:Because I came out of the longhouse AFTER you had left that big building by the cliff!

Raka:… You followed me?

Lyn:Sorta. I heard you speaking. Since you left that other girl’s bedroom, y’know?

Raka:You were… listening at the door?

Lyn:(annoyed) No! I was in the longhouse, not the big house. I heard you the moment your phone turned on!

Raka:What is this PHONE you keep mentioning?

Lyn:(annoyed) Gaah, how do you have technology but don’t know what it’s called! Look, you have this thing that lets you speak to someone that isn’t here, right?

Raka:(suspicious) … how do you know about that?

Lyn:I can hear the echo of the transmission.

Raka:The echo?

Lyn:Yea, everything we say I hear double- like an echo. It’s especially bad now that I’m next to you and hear what I say, too. It’s a bit distracting…

Raka:You can hear the transmission… Interesting… Auril, make a note on that.

Lyn:Is that the guy on the other end?

Raka:Yea, that’s him. Did you also hear the Spirit speak?

Lyn:Yea, I heard it.

Raka:You hear and see the aetherweb… that’s rare.

Lyn:Shouldn’t we hurry after the thing already? You can question me all you like after we threw a pokeball at it.

Raka:A what?

Lyn:Nevermind.

Raka:(reluctant) Fine, let’s go.

The two of them tread down the slope through the snow. The wind still blows strongly. As they make a few steps, the billows pick up in strength and ferocity.

Lyn and Raka have to shout really loud to hear each other.

Lyn:(breathless) Hey, is it just me or is the white fog getting thicker?

Raka:Fog? What fog?

Lyn:You don’t see it?

Raka:No, except for the snow it’s fairly clear to me!

Lyn:I can barely even see you! Still see the glyphithing clearly, though!

Lyn slows down to let Raka catch up to her.

Raka:(thoughtful) Oh. That’s what’s been bothering me…

Lyn:The fog?

Raka:No, not that. It is too clear. With this strong wind, there should be more clouds. Or at least clouds should be passing by much faster.

Lyn:Well, can’t help you there. I still think its foggy.

Raka:If the wind is generated by something close to the ground then the wind might not stir the clouds!

Lyn:So does this have anything to do with that spirit?

Raka:I don’t think the spirit was the source of the wind, but it spoke of a runemaster that used wind.

Lyn:So do we look for the runemaster or the spirit?

Raka:Can you see any other runes nearby?

Lyn:Few small ones here and there, but none as big as that of our target! And, well… I can see a ball of glyphithings inside of you.

Raka:That must be… the runic manifestation of my soul. I think Runeseers call it a Runecluster. Do you see any more like it nearby?

Lyn:Nope. Should I look out for them?

Raka:Keep an eye out, but we’ll focus on the spirit for now. Let’s keep moving.

EXT. FOREST – NIGHT

Raka takes a few steps forward. They are entering a more forested terrain. Less snow managed to pass through the branches, but more foliage and cracking twigs line the floor. A bush rattles on occasion.

Lyn:Hold on!

Raka:(Impatient) What?

Lyn:The haze is so thick I don’t even see where you are! Can you take my hand?

Raka:(growls) Fine, I’ll lead you! Just tell me which direction to go!

Lyn:That way!

Raka:(breathes deeply) Keep pointing.

Lyn:You should carry me!

Raka:(growls)

Lyn:Ok fine then don’t! Was just hoping to get my feet out of the snow, my socks are soaked!

Raka:Your what?

Lyn:(annoyed groan) Why do none of you fur-guys know what socks are? You don’t know socks, you don’t know shoes, you don’t even know the benefits or use of long underwear! No one in the longhouse knew, everyone was just walking around barefoot! Don’t you people freeze?

They tread through the underbrush of the forest. There is less snow here, though the wind still rushes through the branches and foliage with unchanged ferocity.

Heaps of snow fall trickle down through the branchwood.

Raka:Watch your step.

Lyn:How?- OUCH! Damnit!

Raka:I TOLD you to watch-

Lyn:How could I?! I can’t even see my own feet!

Raka:(growls) You slow me down, human.

Lyn:I’M slowing you down?! Would you even know where to search for that thing without me?!

Raka:(growls)

Lyn:Uh-huh! Yea, didn’t think so. Growl as much as you want, won’t change that you need me.

Raka grumbles to herself and drags Lyn on.

Lyn:You COULD just carry me, you looked strong enough when I saw you earlier. Then you can’t complain about me slowing you down.

Raka:Can you tell how much further we have to go?

Lyn:Is that a no?

(pause)

Lyn:Fine. I can’t tell. No depth perception. Could be right in front of us, could be miles away. You got any idea why I’m seeing all this fog?

Raka:You can see runes, its not unusual to see other things on the Aetherweb as well. What you see is probably the windlayer of the Aetherweb.

Lyn:Windlayer? Whats that?

Raka:One of the layers of the Aethwereb. There are seven layers. One for each of the four elements, three for… things that are, things that aren’t, and things in between.

Lyn:Okay, I got the first part, but not the last.

Raka:I’ll… explain it another time.

Lyn:Will my vision return to normal when the wind calms down?

Raka:It should.

Lyn:I’ll take your word for it!

They walk further through the forest, twigs and foliage crackling in their wake. The wind still howls through the forest.

After a few moments, the grumbling warble of the spirit is heard over the wind.

Lyn:You hear that? I think we’re close.

Raka:Let’s approach it more carefully this time.

Lyn:What’s the plan once we’re close?

Raka:I’m going to draw a bonding circle around it.

Lyn:(misunderstanding) Bonding? Wow.

Raka:Well we want to keep it from escaping again. A bonding circle is our best option.

Lyn:Is that some kind of leash?

Raka:It’s a runic circle that will keep it from leaving, yes.

Lyn:You’ll write it on the ground? Will it even let you do that?

Raka:Depends entirely on the spirit and its state of mind.

The warbling grumble comes closer as they approach the spirit’s location.

Lyn:I think its right in front of us now. Hey, can it hear us? Should we whisper?

Raka:(whispering) A good precaution, yes. Where exactly is it?

Lyn:(whispering) That direction- I think I can see the silhouette of something around it- a tree maybe? It’s fairly wide but tilted to the side.

Raka:(whispering) There’s an uprooted tree there, could it be hiding between the roots?

Lyn:(whispering) Possibly, yea.

Raka:(whispering) Oh, that’s perfect. I can draw a circle around it and it won’t notice.

Lyn:(whispering) How will you draw that on the ground??

Raka:(whispering) There’s enough lose soil and snow I can draw it on. Stand here.

Raka shoves Lyn in position. Lyn takes a few careful step backwards as she adjusts to Raka’s placing.

The spirit inside is still gently cooing its discomfort, but doesn’t appear to notice the proximity of the two.

Lyn:(whispering) Right here?

Raka:(whispering) Yea. Don’t move. I don’t want you to stumble into my circle or smudge it. You will probably see the runes once I drew them. Don’t step over them.

Lyn:Okay…

Raka walks a few steps away, then halts and comes closer again.

Raka:(whispering) Oh… Can you hold on to this? It can’t be in the circle.

Lyn:(whispering) Is this a snail shell?

Raka:(whispering) It’s called a Windshell…

Lyn:(whispering) I hear the echo from inside of this. This is your phone, right?

Raka:(whispering, shrugs) Call it what you want.

Raka turns around and grabs a stick with which to etch the runes into the snow. She carefully starts to pull the end of the stick through the snow as she walks her circle around the pile of rocks the spirits is hiding in.

Raka:(whispering) Now shut up, I need to focus.

Lyn:(whispering) Okay… (hums some songs)

As Raka continues to draw her circle, the wind gradually dies down, until it finally stops.

Lyn:(normal volume) Oh… Hey, the fog is clearing up!

Raka:(hushed, whispering) Great! Then we don’t need to shout anymore.

Lyn:(whispering) Oops, sorry! Hey, I can see the glyphy things in your circle glow. How many more?

Raka:(whispering) Until it forms a full circle. Almost done… Ĥwyþ… Wyv. There. (normal volume) Now I try to negotiate with it. If it’ll hear me.

Lyn:Can we talk normal again?

Raka:Yes, it won’t be able to get out of the circle now.

Lyn:Great. (yawns) Let’s get this over with so we can go back to bed soon, okay?

Raka:(hmp) Just stay where you are and wait till I’m done.

Raka steps into the bonding circle and sits down.

Lyn:I thought you weren’t supposed to step into-

Raka:(to Lyn) Shh! (to the Spirit) Spirit… I mean you no harm. I offer you my feather in exchange for a peaceful commute. Will you accept?

The spirit emits a warbling hiss.

Spirit:Runemaster… You have calmed the wind.

Raka:I did not call it.

Spirit:(considerate) No, no you did not. T’was another who called the wind, the friction, the gale and the storm. And by the word of another it receded. Where is that one?

Raka:I was hoping you could tell me.

Spirit:It was ferocious, relentless and malicious. We would rather not meet it again.

Raka:Where is that person now? Did they pursue you?

Spirit:We do not know, runemaster…

Raka:I’m not a runemaster. I’m a patcher.

Spirit:Aah… A patcher – mender of the torn weave, one that fixes the broken balance. This is not our place, patcher, not our forest and not our current (current as in stream).

We wish to return, to our updrafts, to our mountain. Help us, patcher, guide us home.

Raka:First I need your help. What did the runemaster do to you?

Spirit:It meant to overfeed us, stuff us, fill us to the brink with friction until we took shape, sought to burst us into the otherworld. To what avail – we do not know.

Raka:They tried to force you to manifest?

Spirit:Yes, uncaring whether our manifestation would grind the web atwain and rend the weave asunder! Yet WE did not wish it, and thus we fled the mountain to escape its delirium!

Raka:Do you know where-

Spirit:(urgent) Patcher! It is coming!

Raka:Where-

Lyn:(hushes) Uh… Raka? There’s someone out there.

In the distance, Malaki’s footstep break a few tiny twigs, but his careful step is that of a predator on the hunt.

Malaki:(taking a deep breath) Bramble. Spruce. A Humans Armpits…(grins) I knew I recognized that stench. Meaty, sweaty human…

Lyn:(hushed) What do I do?!

Spirit:Your circle has us trapped, patcher! Free us, untether us!

Raka:No, you’re safe in here, it’s better if you stay in here.

Lyn:(hushed) What about me?!

Raka:No one must enter or leave the circle under any circumstance!

Lyn:So what should I-

Parting through the rustling underbrush, Malaki enters the sloppy clearing.

Malaki:(sly grin) Hehe… No light. No sight. Alone in the gaze of Skaudr’s blue eye. Careless. Vulnerable. Helpless.

Lyn:Um…

Malaki:(sly scoff) You are unaware of the bird-shaped gusts of air. Tell me if you have seen the Vær.

Lyn:Um… ‘Vær’? Where?

Malaki:Spirits! The other things! You know them when you see them. IF you can see them. Tell me if you have.

Raka:(hushed) Don’t!

Lyn:(hushed) How can he not see you?!

Raka:(hushed) The circle is masking us! Keep him talking, I will secure the circle!

Spirit:You keep us confined, patcher, we have done nothing to deserve this!

Raka:(hushed) The circle is the only thing protecting you, spirit!

Malaki circles Lyn like a wolf circling it’s prey.

Malaki:(with a shrug) You know nothing of Vær. Of course. Stupid of me to ask a human, you don’t speak our language. Even if I told you what they look like. You don’t understand me. Stupid human.

Lyn:Um… No, I understand you just fine.

He halts, perplexed.

Malaki:(confused, surprised) You speak!

Lyn:Um, yea. Hi. You didn’t really give me a chance to say anything.

He approaches Lyn more curious, closely examining her.

Malaki:(sly) Haven’t heard humans speak this language. You… were raised by Ferol or Kselka.

Lyn:I dunno what those are so I’m gonna say… No?

He continues to circle her, more cautiously and up close, like a curious wolf, uncertain if that before him is prey or enemy. Lyn tries to keep a pace with his circling to always face him.

Malaki:You spoke to someone, yet no one is here.

Lyn:(uncertain) I was… talking… to myself?

Malaki:Don’t talk to yourself.

Lyn:Why not? Keeps me sane.

He halts in his prancing, shuffles to face her.

Malaki:(with a low whisper, sly, with a big grin) Words unheard linger and grow.

He continues to circle her.

Lyn:You’re not making any sense. Hey, could you stop that?

Malaki:Elaborate.

Lyn:Your circling, stop that! Just stand still, you’re making me nervous!

Malaki halts and stands perfectly still.

Malaki:(smug laugh) Not customary. But we can part without a fight, if YOU comply as well.

Lyn:Um, okay? Yea, sure. What are you even doing out here?!

Malaki:You ask- ask it yourself.

Lyn:I… was just… sight-seeing!

Malaki:Sight… seeing. There is no sight to see in the night.

Lyn:(eyerolling) You have no sense for humor.

Malaki:Say who wrote this circle.

Lyn:The… Oh this? I didn’t… Well you see, this is the sight I was seeing!

Spirit:Unbind us, patcher! He saw your circle, he will not step away now!

Raka:(hushed) Lay low, spirit, I have this under control!

Malaki:Say who wrote it!

Lyn:Say who- You know, if you just asked nicely, maybe I would! But like this… I’m just gona say: Not me, bro, I don’t know how to make spirit traps.

Raka:(tsk, scolding) Lyn!

Malaki:Spirit… traps. So you know what these are used for. You know more than a human SHOULD know about these things.

Raka:(groaning) Fiyar’ta…

Lyn:Oh… Uh… Well I haven’t seen any around here, so…

Malaki:Step away. I will see it myself.

Raka:(urgent) No, don’t let him step in the circle!

Lyn:Uhhh.. N-no, don’t come closer! You’ll smudge it and I still wanted to take pictures before it melts!

Malaki:Pictures… I understand your words, but not their meaning.

Lyn:Well, likewise…

Malaki:I swore to comply, if you do. Yet you argue. This Vær is my prey. I hunted it several days. It is mine. Out of my way!

Lyn:No! You shall not pass!

Malaki:Yseïr! (Wind Rune: ferocious wind)

Lyn is hit by a gust of wind that makes her tumble backwards.

Lyn screams in surprise as she lands on her butt.

Lyn:Urg… What the hell was that?!

Raka:A wind-rune! Are you alright?

Lyn:(scrambles backwards, as Malaki comes closer) I’m… I’m fine! I could really use some help, Raka!

Lyn scrambles backward, away from Malaki.

Malaki calmly approaches her.

Malaki:Ra… ka. An Elder. (with a grin) You ask an elder for aid. Pathetic. Demeaning!

Lyn:Leave me alone! Go away!

Raka:(hushed) Lyn, stop, you’re smudging the circle-

Lyn:Oh shit-

The spirit shrieks in a rejoicing howl

Spirit:Yessssss, a passage, a gateway, a broken soul!

Raka:No!

Malaki:(triumphant) There is the Vær!

Lyn:AAAAAAHHHH! It’s in my ear!

Lyn squirms around on the floor. Raka scrambles over to help her.

Malaki:(in mock realization) And… another… Greyfur.

Raka:(growls) What is your deal with the spirit?!

Malaki:Not your worry.

Lyn:Get it out, get it out!

Raka:Don’t cover up your ears, it has to have an exit-

Lyn:I CAN’T HEAR YOU OVER ITS SCREAM!

Raka:For Lyura’s sake… TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR EARS!

Lyn:AAAAAH- Oh.

The spirit slips out of her ears and manifests. It has the shape of a bird, but the size of a tiger.

Lyn:Oh shit, that was terrible… let’s not repeat that.

Malaki:(triumphant) It manifests! Finally!

Lyn:What- Woa, what the hell is that giant owl thingy?!

Raka:That’s the spirit manifested!

Lyn:THAT’s how it looks like when it manifests?

Malaki:(with a maniacal grin, calling out) That! Was not very smart, Vær! (laughs)

The spirit’s voice is distorted but physical, no longer warbly, echoy and ethereal.

Spirit:Runemaster!

Malaki:(sly grin) Now I hear you! Now we talk.

Spirit:You! You have pursued me for days, Runemaster! Surely you didn’t do it just for talk?!

Malaki takes a few steps toward the Spirit.

Malaki:I look for someone-

He abruptly halts.

Spirit:You chased me from my habitat, purposefully overfed me with friction at the risk of widening the hole, made me use a broken soul to protect myself, all just because you seek the whereabouts of another mortal?!

Malaki:Azeri! I look for Azeri! Surely you heard the name before. Tell me where-

Spirit:(infuriated) Insolence! You DARE command me?!

Malaki trips and falls backwards, as the Spirit flares its anger at him.

Raka:Don’t you know how to speak to a spirit, mongrel?!

Malaki scrambles to get back on his feet, in his efforts turning to face Raka.

Malaki:This is not your worry, Kyrjir!

Raka:(growls)

Malaki turns back to the spirit.

Spirit:(slightly calmed, lingering, suspicious) I have heard of you… You are Malaki, the Skur Runemaster, aren’t you? The one who banished countless of my brethren with your misguided runes!

Raka:Banished?! You BANISHED spirits?!

Malaki:(with a sly smile) Vær… pesky vermin. They did not help me find Azeri.

Spirit:(hisses an ominous warbly growl) Not a single more of your misguided runes shall be uttered before my brethren, Skur Malaki. I will make sure of that…

Malaki:(with a large grin) Try, vermin.

The Spirit emits an ominous warble like the rattling of a rattlesnake.

Malaki:Yseïr! (Wind Rune: ferocious wind)
Ṽodyïa! (Wind Rune: Blow away)

The spirit howls, as there is more friction it now has to absorb.

Lyn:The fog is back!

Raka:He’s the one that caused the wind earlier!

Lyn:I can’t see anything anymore!

Malaki:Tharan!

(Wind Rune: thunder)

Two layers of wind rub against each other, generating a great deal of friction, causing thunder. The spirit warbles, as the wind gather around it.

Spirit:No! No more friction!

Raka:He HAS to stop!

Lyn:What’s even happening?!

Raka:That is a wind-friction spirit – it can’t help but absorb the windfriction he generates!

Lyn:So what, will it explode if it eats too much?!

Raka:It might!
(calling out to Malaki) Stop feeding it, you’ll make it burst!

Malaki:(crazed) Let it burst! Vær descent into gluttony once manifested, if it bursts now or later makes no difference!

Raka:(growls) You IMPUDENT pile of waste will expand the tear in the aetherweb if this keeps going!

Malaki:(crazed) Let it tear, I don’t care! It is already broken! Let more Vær enter this world, I’ll destroy every single one of them!

Spirit:I will rip you apart before that can happen!

The spirit howls and screeches, as it lunges at Malaki in a feeble attempt at defence.

Malaki:You can’t even control how much wind you devour! Pathetic!
Wyvuro! (Wind Rune: storm)

A strong storm rises. The winds pick up and the thunder crackles all around them.

The Spirit howls, as it absorbs more of the wind-friction.

Raka:(furious) That’s it, that does it!

Lyn:You sure you wana mess with him? I wouldn’t wana mess with someone like him…

Raka:Get behind cover, I’ll handle this.

Raka stomps toward Malaki.

Raka:(furious) That’s ENOUGH, runt!

Malaki:(stops dead in his tracks) Say that again!

Raka:I said ENOUGH, RUNT!

Malaki:(growls)

Raka:Oh, does that hit a nerve? Good! That means I have your attention, Runt!

Malaki:(growls) It’s MALAKI!

Raka:I don’t care, Runt!

Malaki:This is not your worry!

Raka:Oh it IS, if you’re the one that ripped a HOLE into the aetherweb! If you don’t STOP with the Runes RIGHT now, I’ll RIP your tongue out!

Malaki:(crazed, grinning) TRY it, kyrjir. You have sharp claws! Sharp claws are rarely used! YOU can’t grasp me- I AM the wind!
Tanhæ’wyn! (Wind Rune: whirlwind)

Malaki’s Rune summons a whirlwind, which is quickly broken off by Raka’s counter-spell.

The Spirit shrieks and flies away.

Raka:(overlapping Malaki’s Rune)Myr, Vus, fosta fai yu
thamria wyv fenalwn’þu!
(Runes: Fire, Water, steam and flare!
Bind the wind and seize the air!)

Malaki:Kokol-

Raka:RAAAAAH!

Raka tackles Malaki against a nearby tree, knocking the air out of him.

Raka:“I am the wind”, huh?

Malaki:Let go, vicious brute!

Raka:Tell me, was it YOU who caused the tangleweave!?

Malaki:I don’t know what that is!

Raka:(more angrily) The hole in the weave! Did you cause it?!

Malaki:NO! Let go!

Raka:I swear by Aþæona, I’ll rip out both your horns with my own hands if I find out it WAS you!

Malaki:Keep your claws sheathed, I had nothing to do with the hole!

Raka:And I’ll make sure that stays that way. (in a low tone) Fenet Ronturi (Fire Rune: jewel torch).

The gem on Raka’s forhead lights up, blinding Malaki.

Malaki:Hah! You’ve only got a single horn on your forehead! One-Horn!

Raka:It’s a Gem, not a horn!

Malaki:Stupid- so stupid- You set fire to your own horn! Can’t even weave a proper spell, Kyrjir! Watch me! I show how you how to weave runes properly! KUNEþ- (Wind Rune: Arrow)

Raka puts a hand on Malaki before he can finish speaking the Rune.

Raka:(contemptuous) Heh. You know what the great thing about Skur is?

Malaki:(tries to speak through her hand, but all that comes out is muffled grunts)

Raka:A green and a white eye- Your eyecolors make it easy to guess your äthwars- earth and wind, hm?
Pafyrinrir! (Fire Rune)
Lynar! (Water Rune)
Þamrïa Malakiri wyv! (Aether Rune)

Malaki:(holding his left eye in pain) Aaaaaaah!

Lyn:Did you rip his tongue out?

With some effort, Raka heaves Malaki aside. He loses balance and tumbles over.

At the same time, the wind dies down entirely.

Lyn:Oh finally, the fog is gone!

Malaki squirms, as if he was in pain. The loss of his äthwar pains him.

Malaki: (stutterung) Y-you took my-my-my tie, my knot, my-

Raka:Your äthwar, yes! Didn’t think I could craft a Counterbalance just for your elements, did you?

Malaki:(outraged) No no no, give it back, I need it!

Raka:So you can craft more runes to feed to the spirit? Don’t be stupid.

Malaki:I NEED my äthwar! They are MY Runes, what I do with them is not your worry!

Raka:It is, when you use them to widen the hole while I’m trying to FIX it!

Malaki:The… The hole! The hole doesn’t need FIXING! It fixes itself!

Raka:And how IS it supposed to fix itself if you keep poking new holes into it?!

Lyn:Um… Raka? I think the spirit flew off, was that supposed to happen?

Raka:What? (annoyed groan) Fiyar’ta- why is nothing working smoothly today?

Lyn:What should we do?

Malaki:It is my prey! I hunt it!

Raka:We have to catch up to it before it gets out of control. Spirit’s lose their sanity when they are in this world for too long!

Lyn:They’re not the only ones…

Malaki:(grinning with malicious intend) Give my knot back. I show you where it went. I can still see it.

Raka:I don’t need your help, runt.

Malaki growls, and the earth beneath him rumbles in response.

Raka:DON’T overdo it, Runt. I cut off your wind äthwar, but if you turn out to be just as annoying with your earth-äthwar, I will-

Malaki:You CAN’T. A Counterbalance can only cut off ONE äthwar, never both!

Raka:(triumphant and condescending) So you’ve made his experience before, eh? No surprise.

Lyn:No kidding.

Malaki:(growls)

Raka:(growls back) Lyn, how’s your vision?

Lyn:Clear. Should we follow it?

Raka:No, we’re not going to follow it anymore.

Lyn:You have another plan?

Raka:Yes. We’ll make it come to us this time. We need a spacious area, let’s head back to the paddock.

Malaki:(growls, and the earth rumbles again) No no no, you’re not going anywhere before you give back my wind knot!

Raka:(mockingly) Or else what?

Malaki:I’ll rip each feather off your head and tail one by one, you…

Lyn:Feather-duster?

Malaki:Yes, feather-duster!

Raka lunges at Malaki without a warning and knocks him over. Malaki snarls and tries to free himself.

Raka:You are weak, skinny and are too easily knocked off your feet, Runt! Do you really think you can stand a chance against me?!

Malaki:(snarls) Let go you filthy brute!

Raka presses a hand firmly against his mouth.

Raka:Shut up, I’m talking now! You’ve caused me a LOT of trouble tonight, and I’m not going to give your äthwar back until I’m done patching the hole! Do you hear me?! Even if that means dragging you all the way to the other side of the mountain by your disheveled TAIL! Even if that means losing all my nerves in the process, anything’s better than letting YOU run lose with TWO äthwar!

Lyn:Wow, such commitment.

Raka:And if you TRY to deceive me, I will reach so deep into the weave you’ll feel my grasp up in the tip of your crooked horns! I’ll yank both your äthwar off of your soul so violently you’ll never be able to have an äthwar again. Do you understand?!

Malaki:(growls under Raka’s hand)

Raka:(disgruntled but calmed) And I swear by Lyura, if you do anything to me, the University of Kaerûn has a way to find you… and then, by the gods, be prepared to answer to the Lord himself… (deep breath) Earlier you told Lyn to comply, then you will comply too. This can all go down without a fight. I can operate on that basis. Can you?

She removes her hand from his mouth.

Malaki:That is the way of Skurka.

Raka:Great! Then tell me one thing: Were you the one that caused the hole?

Malaki:I will trade you the answer for my-

Raka:(snappy, growling) Your unharmed hide, yes? Deal.

Malaki:(growls) Fine! I didn’t make the hole. I’m not mad. (with an ominous grin) But it is fun to play with, the way it is now.

Raka:(with an intimidating whisper) Pray to your Skur-gods that you had nothing to do with it.

Malaki:Pah, Skurka-gods! Skurka are their own gods! You might not understand, Kyrjir, but Skaudr’s horn is my home, the only home I have! I would never do anything to harm it any more than it harms me.

Raka:Then prove it. Prove t¬hat you didn’t cause the hole. I MIGHT consider to give you back your äthwar earlier. Understand?!

Malaki:(grumbling) Yes!

Raka:Good.

Raka stands up and lets go of Malaki. He spits, getting her taste out of his mouth.

Raka:Come Lyn, let’s go.

She walks past Lyn and plods on through the bushes.

Lyn:What about him?

Raka:Let’s see if he really means it.

Lyn:(shrugs) Well it’s your life at stake, not mine. So what’s the plan?

Raka:First, I need to make sure if it’s still within our range.

Lyn:How do you-… Oh, just the way you did when you were with the major’s daughter, right? Turn it off and if it turns back on it means its still around, right?

Raka:You catch on quickly.

Windshell deactivates.

Credits

INT. – AURILS STUDY – DAY

Auril:(groans) Guess I didn’t think this through enough… The warning signal and the recording should be separate functions – I should’ve thought of that. If she continues abusing the windshell that way, I’ll end up with a lot of useless recordings… I’ll have to see if I can change those enchantments from here… (sighs) I just hope the proximity to that human or the Skur won’t activate the windshell so easily. At least Raka tethered his äthwar (ETH-wor) off, so hopefully that’s one less thing to worry aout. His wind-runes caused a lot of interference, even before he was close to the windshell. Luckily, I managed to fix that while the enchantment was coming in.
Oh also – first time the windshell got near spirits AND runes, and both came through flawlessly! Even the voice of the spirit before it manifested was on there! That’s a milestone in my book.
Alright, let’s see, things for my to-do list:
(reading as he writes)
– Work on enchantments that indicate direction of activation.
– Try to separate Warning Signal and the Record functionality.

Auril shuffles through his notes and pulls out his notebook.

Auril:(normal voice) At any rate, date of recording was the same as the last one- 3 recordings in one day, fascinating! And it seems there’s a 4th one being enchanted right now.
Vocal enchantments were woven by Kessir Riliniki, Tanja Milojevic, Carollyn Monterola, Eyþór Viðarsson, Cole Burkhardt and Travis Vengroff.
Music-Shells provided by Fuimadane.
Audio-Enhancements by Sarah Buchynski.
Written and Produced by Kessir Riliniki.
I’m sure you all know how to get in touch with me at this point if you’re listening to this from the archives, so… Onto the next recording!