Episode 11 | Bonding Ritual

Windshell activates.

EXT. FOREST, FERRYCE’S GROVE – DAY

The forest sounds typical, like a normal forest, but as they descend into Ferryce’s grove, the ambiance becomes more and more drone-y and mystical.

The Trio is hurrying through the underbrush. Twigs crack and foliage rustles as they progress.

Raka:Are you sure this is the right-

Lyn:It’s back!

The trio halts.

Raka:Great. Do you see the strings again?

Lyn:Yup. And it seems we’re on track.

Raka:How’d you know?

Lyn:The strings lead right ahead, not to the sides or behind us. That mean’s we’re going the right direction, right?

Raka:Sound reasoning. Let’s not waste any time. We don’t know when this thing will turn off again.

Lyn:I think we’re close. It leads down to that clearing and only has a slight curvature.

Malaki:Wait.

Shuffling, as Raka and Lyn turn to Malaki.

Raka:What?

Malaki:Wait… Tell me what you see there.

Raka:Just a grove that leads to a clearing and a lake. What about it?

Malaki:Not you.(to Lyn) You.

Lyn:Um… Do you mean the blue mist?

Raka:Blue mist? What blue mist?

Malaki:I see it. Lyn sees it. You don’t. Something is down there.

Lyn:A spirit?

Malaki:No. Vær don’t have that much mist.

Raka:Aetherfrays?

Malaki:No.

Raka:For Lyura’s sake, if you know what it is then TELL us!

Malaki:A Væron.

Raka: I already told you, that’s unlikely-

The Windshell sounds the deactivation sound, but the recording continues. Ferryce’s chuckle is heard faintly, echoing in the ambience.

Raka:(exasperated) Fiyar’ta, not again… Did it-

Lyn:Weird, it made the off-sound but it’s still on. I still hear the echo.

Raka:(uncertain) That’s strange… This can’t be a Vaeron… A Væron wouldn’t call US here…

Malaki:But you aren’t sure.

Raka: This must be something else… but… what?

The sound of stones scraping against each other slowly enters the soundscape, and the general atmosphere becomes somewhat ominous, but not creepy or horrifying.

Lyn:Um. The fog is everywhere now.

Raka:I’m… starting to see it, too… The realms are bleeding into each other.

Malaki:Only Væron can do this.

Lyn:What do we do?

Malaki:(angry at himself) Kokol frith farue… We went into it’s trap.

Lyn:Can we get out of this? It’s just mist, right?

Malaki:No.

Raka:No. We can’t. The fog clouds the senses. You’d end up walking in circles. (groans) The Væron probably wants to talk. Let’s just go down there.

Malaki:(nervous) I… I’m NOT talking to Væron!

Raka:So you’ll just ignore it? We’re stuck in here until it releases us.

Malaki:(nervous) I don’t care! I’m NOT getting involved with one! Free my äthwar, I’ll blow away the mist-

Raka:(growls) You can’t just blow the mist away and pretend that’ll make the Væron go away!

Lyn:Are you afraid?

Malaki:(nervous) I-I-I’m NOT, I just DON’T want t-to-to get involved with them!

Lyn:What’s wrong with you, Mal?

Malaki:(nervous) D-DON’T shorten my name!

Raka:Wouldn’t you be among the first to jump at a Vær to beat them senseless?

Lyn:Yea! You’re pretty trigger-happy with your runes when it comes to Vær.

Malaki:(nervous) Væron aren’t just Vær!

Raka:Exactly, they’re not! They are the greatest of the Vær, worthy of our respect! When a Væron calls you, you speak to it!

Malaki:You can’t force me to!

Raka:(growls) Was that a challenge?!

Malaki:(uncertain) No!

Raka steps up to him and grabs him by the shoulder.

Raka:Come on, move your disheveled tail.

Raka pushes him on, down the slope toward the grove. He struggles and tries to push against Raka’s grip, but he is weaker than her. Lyn follows a few feet behind them.

Malaki:(almost pleading) I don’t want- Raka, No! Let go!

Lyn:Why is everyone saying that about his tail, I spent a good half hour brushing it this morning! I’m not even brushing myself.

Malaki:(yelping) Let me go! Raka!

Raka:I said MOVE.

Lyn:Is it really necessary to shove him by the neck?

Raka:I don’t think he is going to move otherwise.

Lyn:He is terrified, Raka!

Malaki:(panicking) I’m not! Let go, featherhead! (halfhearted growl)

Raka:At least you know better than trying to use Runes in a Væron’s sanctuary …

Lyn:Raka, let him go. It looks like YOU are the one afraid, holding him in front of you for protection.

Raka:(dismissive) Don’t be silly. It’s just that when I let him go, he’ll-

Raka lets him go and Malaki instantly drops to the ground and scrambles away.

Raka:See. He scrambles away.

Malaki:(panicking) Leave me alone! I’m not interfering with Væron! Do this on your own!

Raka:There’s no sense talking to him…

Lyn:We’re here with you, Mal. You don’t have to be afraid.

Malaki:Don’t shorten my name!

Lyn:I’m shortening your name because you’re not acting like an adult again.

Malaki:(calming down) I… I’m… (takes a deep breath)

Lyn:Yea, see? Realized it yourself, didn’t you.

Malaki:I…

In the background, dripples of water fall on wet stones, their splashing echoing off into the distance. Stones scrape against each other and small ripples run across the nearby lake.

Raka:(annoyed eyeroll) The Væron isn’t going to be happy about the wait.

Lyn:Can you stand up? I can help you-

Malaki: I can get up myself…

Lyn helps Malaki stand up off-mic.

Raka turns around.

Lyn:See, Raka, this is what I meant when I said let’s get to know each other- Oh shit, look at that guy!

Raka:What guy?

Malaki:(hushed, urgent and terrified) Be still, human!

Raka:(confused) What? What is it?

Lyn:You don’t see him?

Raka:No, where should I look?

Lyn:There’s a huge guy sitting on that rock- in the middle of the pond! And he has some enormous horns!

Malaki:(hushed and angry because Lyn isn’t shutting up) Those aren’t horns, those are antlers!

Raka:Antlers?! The only Vær with antlers are Væron!

Ferryce:(chuckles, then with a smirk and a condescendingly arrogant attitude) My name is Ferryce (like Ferris). You stand in my grove.

Raka:Have you called us here?

Ferryce:(condescending) Obviously. You wouldn’t have found me on your own, Raka.

Malaki:(hushed) Don’t speak to it!

Raka:(hushedly growls over her shoulder) My companion means no disrespect, Ferryce.

Ferryce:(chuckles) Oh, no doubt.

Raka:May I ask to what end you called us here?

Ferryce:You may ask that.

(pause)

Raka:Y… you want me to summon you.

Ferryce:(smug chuckle) Smart little mortal. Yes, let us convene on neutral ground, Raka. Write a pledge to flatter me. Pave my crossing with enticing runes and construct a glorious gateway in my honor. And then prepare seats for your companions and yourself. We shall speak in that circle.

Raka:(intimidated) I will need time to prepare.

Ferryce:(chuckles) Certainly. I wouldn’t want to step into a circle constructed in haste, now would I? Contemplate. Consider. Reflect. Time I have in abundance. Do you, little mortal?

Ferryce’s voice echoes off and fades, signalling he is no longer part of the conversation.

Raka takes a deep breath.

Lyn:(hushed) Um… What was that about?

Raka:They wants us to summon them.

Malaki:It wants YOU to summon it. I’m not part of this-

Raka:They specifically told me to make a circle that will include the both of you.

Malaki:No! I’m NOT going to-

Raka:(exasperated) WHAT is your deal, Malaki? Why are you so terrified of Væron?

Malaki:(growls) Not your worry, Kyrjir.

Lyn:Mal, the other day you-

Malaki:Don’t-

Lyn:Malaki, sorry. You said that if a Væron were to rip Raka’s soul apart, it would also cut off YOUR edgar, right?

Malaki:Yes!

Lyn:And Raka said that NOT complying to Væron is the best way to get our asses handed to us. Right, Raka?

Raka:Of course.

Lyn:So wouldn’t it be best to do what that Væron wants instead of aggravating it? You don’t want IT to take it out on Raka, right?

Malaki:(deep, quavering breath, then bursts out in an angry hiss) Yes, YES you are right! But I don’t like it!

Raka:You don’t HAVE to like it. You just have to sit tight and let me handle this.

Malaki:I don’t TRUST you to handle this!

Raka:And I don’t trust YOU to keep your mouth shut during negotiation, yet Ferryce asked for your presence, so-

Malaki:At least allow me to select runes with you.

Raka:Have you done this before?

Malaki:I… Not like this. Not with… not with a Væron. With an Eshävær.

Raka:An Eshävær?

Malaki:When we earned our wind-runes.

Raka:(groaning sigh) Fine, you must’ve done something right to earn your äthwar. I can accept having you pick runes with me. Let’s sort out what we need.

Lyn:How do we make the circle? Do you just write runiglyphs on the ground again?

Raka:No… Væron circles are a bit different. They have to be constructed very carefully and with a lot of contemplation and thought. Every detail matters.

Lyn:Well what do we need, then?

Raka:First we need to build a wall of protection.

Lyn:Okay, what’s that?

Raka:A combination of three runes that will both protect us, but also serve as anchor to this world. The way we construct it is important. It tells the Væron we have no malicious intent. Malaki, have you ever built one?

Malaki:We did. But it was not a good wall.

Raka:Hm. Alright, then let’s consider this guided practice. How would you go about constructing it?

Malaki:Know the Værons element, then select three runes of the other elements to make a full elemental circle.

Raka:Hm. A good start.

Lyn:Well, how do we figure out which element Ferryce has?

Raka:We have to work with what we know of them.

Lyn:There are runiglyphs inside the stone they sat on. Does that help?

Raka:Hm, it might. Malaki, do you see them? Can you read them to us?

Malaki:Ferduïl. Rïan. Yakkar. Ceræ’faïn.

Raka:(pondering) Hmm. Leaf, time, death and ebb.

Lyn:What does that mean?

Raka:(pondering) Leaf and Ebb tell us they’re a Væron of Earth and Water. The runes death and time tell us their stone was probably once a gravestone, that they’ve been sitting on for centuries.

Lyn:But wait, if they’re a Væron of Earth and water that means they have two elements, right?

Raka:Yes.

Lyn:So we only need two more to make a complete set of four?

Raka:Not quite. The wall of protection needs to be built with three runes of three different elements. So we will have to make a choice on one element to assign to them, their gateway. We will be using runes of the remaining three elements to build the wall of protection with.

Lyn:So… If we assign them the Earth element, the wall of protection has to be made of Wind, Fire and Water?

Raka:Exactly.

Lyn:Okay, gotcha.

Malaki:Assign them the earth element.

Raka:Okay, why?

Malaki:If we assigned water to them, they’d sit opposite the fire rune. One of their runes is Ferduïl, the Leaf. Leafs should not sit opposite of fire.

Raka:(with a hint of reevaluation) Good answer. Yes, we will assign them an earth rune.

Lyn:Okay… what’s next?

Raka:Next we prepare the wall of protection. The wall is composed of offerings. Physical offerings, tied to the elements of the runes we will be using for the wall of protection. Malaki, what do you suggest we use?

Malaki:(considering) Water from their pond.

Raka:I would’ve chosen the same.

Lyn:I like that you’re including him.

Malaki:For fire, the embers of this.

Malaki shuffles, bends down and plucks a few herbs from the ground.

Raka:Herbs?

Malaki:Larki. The smoke smells good. I… use it to focus… calm down.

Raka:Incense! Very good. Yes, that will certainly do. What would you use for wind?

Malaki:For that… I don’t know…

Lyn:(excited) We can blow into the waterskin, so there’s a breath inside of it and use that, right?

Raka:(with an eyeroll in her voice) Væron don’t appreciate using dead animals as any part of their circle.

Lyn:What part of the waterskin is made out of animal?

Raka:The whole thing? It’s made out of leather! It’s in the name! WaterSKIN?

Lyn:Oh. Ooooh. Skin! Yea makes sense.

Malaki:Tell us what you would use.

Raka:Alright. Since we assigned them the earth rune, the wind rune is what will be opposite the Væron. It should be the most personal, as it is where the summoner will sit. Or in our case, the summoners. Ideally, the offerings would be part of our bodies. Our breaths would be a good start, but they’re not tangible. What I tend to use as wind-rune containers are my feathers.

Malaki:I have not thought of that…

Lyn:Wait, they GROW from your head?! You don’t just wear those for decoration?

Raka:You didn’t notice that?

Lyn:Is that why you wear your hair like that?

Raka:What?

Lyn:Those ropey hairs, is that why you wear those? So you don’t brush out the feathers?

Raka:(slowly) You mean the Nortis Frays? Yes, of course.

Lyn:Dayumn! It all makes sense now! I always had feathers between my fingers when I combed your tail!

Raka:You did what?!

Lyn:When you were sleeping, I combed your tail. Plucked a few feathers by accident, I’m sorry!

Raka:When were you awake while I was asleep?!

Lyn:Last night, when you told me to take a watch?

Raka:Damnit, Lyn…

Lyn:Look, I needed something to do to keep me awake, it’s so boring! I tried to push the feathers back in but it didn’t work!

Malaki:(chuckles) Of course that doesn’t work…

Lyn:I mean here, you can have them back!

Raka:Why would you even DO that?!

Lyn:I thought they were part of some fancy tail décor you were wearing, I wanted to fix it!

Raka:No, why would you BRUSH our tails?!

Malaki:I quite enjoy that…

Lyn:Because I wanted to comb your hair but dreads aren’t exactly combable! So I just brushed your tail. There was so much foliage and dirt stuck in it!

Malaki:(sly) My tail is shiny and clean now.

Lyn:Yes, thank you! And you’re welcome! See, at least he appreciates my efforts!

Raka:(annoyed groan) Whatever, let’s get back on track. For the earth rune we need an object that acts as gateway for the Væron.

Lyn:When you mean gateway, do you mean… a physical gate?

Raka:Not necessarily. Just an object that will connect the Aetherweb to our world.

Malaki:Like your broken soul. It lies in the aetherweb, but it is connected to your body. Vær use that connection to manifest.

Lyn:Oooh, is that how that spirit used my broken soul to manifest?

Raka:Exactly.

Lyn:Well, we could use the Væron’s boulder maybe?

Raka:No, that’s too heavy to bring here, and it wouldn’t be nice to move the place they reside in. That aside, it needs to be a neutral ground, something that’s not been within the Vaerons reach of influence before.

Malaki:But we can’t step out of the mist, it has to be something that was already here.

Raka:Perhaps we can use something we brought…

Raka rummages through her bag.

Malaki:(offering) My knife is flint.

Raka:A knife is a weapon. We can’t offer that. I… have a flint stone and a claw-grindstone, but those won’t do.

Lyn:Wait, can’t we maybe use a stone from the pond?

Raka:Those are within their range of influence.

Lyn:Are they, though? You said one of their Runes was “Ebb”, right? Won’t that make their range of influence stop at submerged things?

Raka:Hm. Good thinking. In that case, a Stone from their pond would indeed be a very good gateway for them.

Lyn:I’ll get one.

Raka:Wait- Try to find one that has been laying in the ray of sunlight and is covered with healthy algae.

Lyn:Uh… Okay, sure.

Raka:Oh and while you’re at it, take this. Dip it in the pond. Clean water, no debris.

She hands Lyn a small wooden bowl from her backpack.

Lyn:Sure…

Lyn walks off to the pond. She is heard splashing around in the background.

Raka:So let’s select the runes. We’ll start with the ones for the wall of protection. The purpose of these runes is to protect us in case we offend the Vaeron. But also to show them that we put thought into choosing something that isn’t necessarily threatening to them. Which fire rune would you chose?

Malaki:Ronturi – the torch. Or Xyræ, the incineration.

Raka:Why those?

Malaki:They are good to use against it, if it decides to turn on us.

Raka:(sighs) Look, the wall of protection is supposed to signal Ferryce we seek a peaceful communication. What you suggest is bringing weapons to a peaceful negotiation. We offer incense as the container, the most logical rune to use would be Cramyn, the smoke.

Malaki:But smoke offers no protection!

Raka:It can shroud us in a veil. It is a good shield.

Malaki:A veil of smoke is NO protection against a Væron – it used fog to deceive us!

Raka:Fair point. Then how about Woryn, the ashes.

Malaki:(exasperated) A-Ashes! Ashes are useless!

Raka:Ash is the residue of a burning fire, or burning anger. If we invoke their anger, Woryn will quench it and calm them, the same way you find incense calming.

Malaki:(considering) Hm. I see. Woryn then.

Raka:Alright. Now for the counterbalance – the water rune.

Malaki:Ceræ’faïn, the ebb is suitable.

Raka:Because it is one of their runes? No, I wouldn’t use that. It implies receding energies, that we intend to siphon their power from them.

Drips of water echo in the distance, as Lyn is fishing for stones in the Pond.

Malaki:Mærin, the ripple. It called us here, and its call reached us like a ripple. We expect its influence will help us, that this conversation with it will have a wider reach. Like Mærin.

Raka:Hm… That sounds good to me. Yes, Mærin is good.

Lyn returns, with a large rock covered in algae.

Lyn:How’s this one? It was laying directly in the sun and it has algae all over it.

Raka:Hm. Yes. This one is good. Put the stone here. And the bowl there.

Malaki:For wind – we can use Yseïr, the ferocious wind.

Raka:It is too aggressive, too feisty!

Malaki:But it will be written on YOUR feather and represent YOU.

Raka:(low growl) What are you saying?

Lyn:You’re quick to get angry, that’s what he’s saying. Look at you, you started growling the second he said something directed at you, even though he’s right. Isn’t that rune supposed to be personal?

Raka:It’s supposed to be personal for those who will sit in the circle. Which means all three of us. Something that describes our situation, maybe.

Lyn:I would describe our situation as “turbulent”. That’s something I’d associate with wind, right?

(pause)

Malaki:ĥæwan, the turbulence.

Lyn:Wait, really? There really was a rune for that?

Malaki:I told you, there are many.

Raka:It is a bit too chaotic for my taste, but it does describe our situation well. It would be very personal. Alright… Now all that is left is finding a rune suitable for Ferryce themself. Which rune do you think we should be using for the stone, his gateway?

Malaki:Ete, the stone.

Lyn:Writing the rune “stone” on a stone seems kinda redundant.

Raka:It is. And it isn’t flattering. I suggest Crome’an, the sentinel, the lifekeeper. Their presence in this grove impacts life in this region, maintaining the ecological balance.

Lyn:That’s quite flattering.

Raka:Can you agree to these?

Malaki:Ash. Ripple. Turbulence. Sentinel. They are not runes I would’ve chosen.

Raka:Yours would’ve been much more aggressive.

Malaki:Yes. But my experience with those were… not good. I am willing to try your approach. It seems reasonable.

Raka:Lyn, are you fine with these?

Lyn:I’m not spirit-smart enough to judge that. I got the stone already, my work here is done. I’ll trust you two to make the decisions.

Raka:Alright. Malaki, I want you to take the stone and carve the earth-rune Cromean into it. After that, I want you to draw the wind-rune ĥæwan onto my feather.

Malaki:You want ME to do this.

Raka:Both of us. With your äthwar you have the closest connection to earth and wind, as I have the closest connection to water and fire.

Malaki:… Yes. True.

Malaki takes out his knife and starts carving into the stone.

Lyn:I’m getting the feeling that the whole procedure is less about which runes you chose, and more about how much thought and reason you put into WHY you chose them.

Raka:That comes fairly close.

Lyn:So Malaki gets to carve a rune into Stone and write another one on a feather, I kinda understand that. But how do you write a rune into water or… those plants?

Raka:I will trace the water-rune into the soil and fill the indent with water. And then I will burn the leafs into incense and pout out the ash in the shape of the fire-rune. Simple as that. Look away for a moment, I’ll burn the incense.

Lyn:(turning away) Lalalaa~

Raka hits her Flint a few times until sparks fly. She blows onto the tinder until it burns.

Raka:(blowing) That should do. Don’t look over here. Let the incense burn for a bit. Malaki, have that stone face Ferryce’s boulder- yes like that.

Raka arranges the bowl of water and the plate carrying the incense to match the layout.

Malaki:I need your feather.

Raka:Here. (winces)

Raka plucks out one of the feathers from her head.

Malaki:And something to write on it.

Raka:Use your blood.

Lyn:Are you serious?!

Raka:It is my feather. It is your rune. It is his blood. Something of each of us is used on this.

Malaki:I see.

Malaki scratches his claw across his arm and opens his vein to draw blood. In pain, he inhales a sharp breath through clenched teeth.

Lyn:Wait, what will you use to write with?!

Malaki:(tense from the pain) This claw. The blood is already on it.

Lyn:Raka, do we have a first aid kit for him?

Raka:A what?

Lyn:Bandages! Plasters! Stuff like that!

Malaki:Don’t bother, I will use some of the Larki leafs. They are good for wounds.

Lyn:Let me help you with that…

Raka:I’m writing the water rune now. Lyn, sit over there.

Lyn:Is the show about to start yet?

Raka:Almost. As soon as the fire rune is done and we’re all seated, I’ll start summoning them. Malaki, when you’re done, you sit here.

She taps a space on the ground beside her.

Malaki:I assume the feather is placed here.

Raka:No, here – in our backs. Did you put up the wall in front of yourself last time?

Malaki:We thought that’s where it’s supposed to be!

Raka:(annoyed groan) Offensive runes and a wall between you and the Eshävær… How are you even still alive after such blunders…?

Malaki:(low grumble, but doesn’t respond)

Raka:Alright, the fire rune is written.

Lyn:Um… Raka?

Raka:What?

Lyn:The windshell is still on. Last time you said it can’t be in a circle-

Raka:Fiyar’ta… Yes, you’re right.

Lyn:I listen.

Shuffling, as Raka stands up to take off the windshell and put it in her backpack.

Lyn:You’re leaving it on?

Raka:Auril will want to test whether or not the negotiations with the Væron can be picked up by it. Alright, ready?

Lyn:Yes.

Malaki:(grumbling) Yes.

Raka:Let me do the talking once Ferryce joins our circle. Am I clear?

Shuffling, as Raka takes her seat again.

Lyn:Sure, mom…

Malaki:(nervous) Don’t mess this up.

Raka:I won’t, as long as you keep your jaw shut.

Malaki:(low growl) Wait. Give each of us a leaf to chew on.

Raka:Does that help any?

Malaki:It doesn’t hurt. Cleanses you from within.

Lyn:Yes, like a spearmint before we insult the Væron with our stinking breaths.

Raka:Fine, here.

Malaki:Just chew, don’t swallow.

Lyn:Thanks for the reminder this time… (chewing) Mh! It does kinda taste like mint!

Raka:Now both of you, take a deep breath of the incense.

Everyone takes a deep breath.

After a short pause, Raka begins to chant her incantation as if in a trance.

Raka:(tranced) Ferryce, great Væron. We seek your aid. We offer incense, pure water and a fragment of ourselves as your toll. We have built you a gateway, and a seat among us has been prepared. Will you join us?

The continuous water dripping in the background slows down. The last drip echoes off. The scraping of stone on stone drones off and the atmosphere becomes that of a tranquil meditational drone.

Ferryce’s voice echoes ethereally as he appears.

Ferryce:I heard how you chose these runes. Albeit I deem not all your choices ideal, I consent to join you for the sake of mending the tangleweave, Patcher. Now let us convene.

Raka:We thank you, great Væron.

Ferryce:Now enough with these tedious formalities.

Raka:(confused) Uhh…

Ferryce:Let’s get down to business. Do you know why I called you here?

Raka:It was my understanding that you had an interest in resolving the matter of the stone serpent-

Ferryce:You are, as I thought, clueless. Sure, I can help you take care of that abomination, but what the Fyr’Vær (Fir-veyr) do is none of my concern.

Raka:How is it none of your concern, aren’t you supposed to guide and manage the Vær in your vicinity?

Ferryce:Oh sure. Because that’s all Væron (Veyron) ever do – managing other Vær (Veyr). I think you are aware of the fact that there are far greater problems for us than a bunch of sentimental Vær that decide to blow eons of carefully established balance to the wind in favor of finding a sunnier habitat.

Raka:Do you mean the Fynar spirits in the stone serpent?

Ferryce:Precisely. Those little buggers packed up the stones they were so fond of and wanted to leave the Skundr (like Skun-dur, but the U in dur is silent) to look for greener pastures.

Lyn:Wait, so spirits do have attachments to physical stuff?

Raka:(hushed) Lyn, I said no talking!

Ferryce:Let me make one thing clear, Raka. I didn’t ask you to prepare seats for your companions so they could just sit back and watch idly. When I said let’s drop all formality, I MEANT it. To answer you, human: Yes, Vær have attachments. The Fynar (fee-NAR) Vær in that abomination have spent eons feeding on the warmth those stones emitted when exposed to the sun. Those are their homes. The change in the weather in the past few decades lead to fewer rays of sun every year. The Fynar have been in constant state of starvation. Some of them were desperate enough that they began seeking nourishment in the stoves of nearby villages.

Lyn:Well that sounds like a healthy alternative. Why don’t all of them do that?

Ferryce:(chuckles) Because they are Fyn’eshävær (fin eshe-veyr), nature Vær, of course.

(pause)

Lyn:Ooohkay, I’ll just… go with that.

Ferryce:That answer doesn’t seem to satisfy you.

Lyn:Well, neither of those words mean anything to me.

Ferryce:(accusingly) Raka, you have not done a great job educating your alumni.

Lyn:Yea, Raka! I know nothing!

Raka:I…

Ferryce:Isn’t it your duty as teacher to educate your students?

Raka:She’s NOT my student, she’s-

Ferryce:Just a stupid human of no concern. (with a smirk) Isn’t that right?

Lyn:Is that what you think of me?

Raka:… You do ask pretty dumb questions sometimes.

Lyn:Wow. Just wow.

Ferryce:You can sort out your personal feelings for each other later. I’m sure you want to know why I called you here. (chuckles) Surely you are aware of the Tangleweave situation. Exciting, isn’t it, Raka?

Raka:That’s not a term I would use to describe it with…

Ferryce:Of course you wouldn’t. Dutiful Raka, always focused on the task. No space for getting sidetracked, not even by a human who WANTS to learn. Yet you’ve been out to fix the Tangleweave for… what, 5 days now? And you haven’t even reached the aetherfrays. What’s wrong, Raka? Is this Tangleweave maybe too difficult even for someone as great as you?

Raka:We’ve been looking for the aetherfrays, but these lose spirits need to be taken care of as well!

Ferryce:Do they? Or are you just making them your problems by bothering with them?

Raka:If I don’t take care of them, they can cause more parts of the Tangleweave to spread, of course I have to-

Ferryce:While you were occupied with the Wind-Friction Vær, the Liw-Vær, the Stone abomination and dealing with the obstacles that are your very own companions, one region of the Skundr has been haunted by Vær that feeds on tolerance. A town in that area has entered a state of civil war.
Vær-swarms that feed on the cold in snow caused avalanches in three different places near the peak. There are at least another thirty Vær based incidents I could list, but you get the point. As much as you want to feel like the great savior to the people, you can’t fix all problems, Raka. Not before you finished fixing matters that concern YOU.

Raka:(uncomfortable and insecure) What… exactly is the point of this meeting, Ferryce?

Ferryce:The point, little Mortal, is that all the other Væron get to indulge in the fun that comes with the tangleweave. My grove lies just beyond the aetherfrays, and I’d be more than happy to let the stone abomination wreak enough havoc in this area so the hole will expand to these parts as well. But alas, you’re working against that. Which I’m fine with, of course. Fix the Tangleweave or let it rip enough so I can join the fun, I don’t care which. I have no desire to work against you, Patcher.
So this is my offer:
I know you desire to become a deity with whom Væron will freely share their knowledge. Until you fixed the Tangleweave, you can freely draw from mine. Just like you would were you a deity. However, you can ask only one question related to Væron knowledge per day, so use it wisely. In exchange, a part of me will inhibit that gemstone that grows on your forehead.

Lyn:Wait, that ALSO grows from you?!

Raka:(through gridded teeth) Be still, Lyn!

Lyn:Oookay, the stupid folk is shutting up.

Ferryce:Well?

Raka:Why do you want to come with us?

Ferryce:Haven’t I illustrated that abundantly yet?

Malaki:(accusingly) Y-you-you’re bored!

Malaki instantly regrets having spoken out and cover his mouth.

Ferryce:(noticing him) Malaki… So you do speak, after all. And I see you still haven’t gotten the hang of questions. Yes, I am bored. (mockingly) A petty reason, for a Væron, isn’t it? (chuckles) It’s been a long time since I had the chance to roam the Skundr. I want to see what it looks like now. And partake in all the fun that comes with the tangleweave.

Raka:(reserved) Very well. I accept the terms.

Ferryce:(chuckles, then excited) Excellent. It’s settled. This pesky summoning circle has served its purpose, then. Return to your realm, mortals. Wakas andaïl anïr. (wa-KAS uhn-DUIL uh-NEER, seek contentment in life)

His words echo off. The ambience changes back to that of Ferryce’s grove.

Raka:Wait, how do we- Fiyar’ta…

Lyn:Are we back to normal?

Raka:Yes, we’re-

Lyn:Can the stupid folks speak again?

Raka:Lyn…

Lyn:What?

(pause)

Lyn:What?! Speak up, great and wise spirit-whisperer, the stupid folk hasn’t figured out how to hear your thoughts yet!

Malaki:It did not tell you how it will communicate with you once it is in your monohorn.

Raka:I was going to ask them, but… I can feel their presence within it already…

Lyn:Well, how is it, having all that Væron knowledge in your head?

Malaki:You’re overreacting.

Lyn:Yea well, how would you feel if she thought you’re stupid, even though I keep asking her about stuff and she refuses to give me proper answers?

Raka:Lyn, I’m sorry-

Lyn:I’m just damn angry at you, alright? I don’t speak growlish so I can’t tell you the way Malaki usually does, maybe that’s the only language you understand!

Raka:(sighs) The mist is clearing. Let’s go back to the stone serpent, we’ll talk on the way-

Windshell deactivates.

CREDITS

INT. – AURILS STUDY – DAY

Ambience of the university. Long pause. Yosha drops her pen.

Yosha:Fiyar’ta…

Auril:Indeed.

Yosha:THIS is a Væron?

Auril:I’m amazed the windshell picked that up.

Yosha:They’re so intimidating!

Auril:This might’ve been a first in the history of Zäa (Zea, like See ya) that the commute with a Væron has been recorded, in both an audible and written medium!

Yosha:Are these the beings Raka communicates with every time she patches a Tangleweave?

Auril:I think so. As far as I know, communication with Vaeron is part of her job.

Yosha:(longingly) She is so brave!

Auril:And insensible.

Yosha:Awww, don’t say that! I think she can be very sensible, she just has a hard time showing it. That aside, she probably doesn’t believe she’ll have to deal with that human once the tangleweave is fixed.

Auril:(laughs) You think she only does this because she doesn’t expect to interact with her on the long run? Trust me, she does this even when she knows she’ll be stuck around them for a while.

Yosha:But she was much more sensible and considerate in the first part of the recording, when they built the circle. I think that’s what she’s really like.

Auril:(sighs) Sure, if you believe it.

In the background, the windshell turns on.

Yosha:(gasps) Another one! We caught up on the delay, quickly let’s do the references!

Yosha shuffles through her papers to find the last page, turns it over and gets her pen ready.

Auril:(laughs) Well aren’t you eager to listen to these.

Yosha:Just tell me what to write- Let me guess, (writing) Date of recording same as the previous one-

Auril:Vocal enchantments were woven by Kessir Riliniki, Eyþór Viðarsson, Carollyn Monterola, Chad Ellis, Hem Brewster and Travis Vengroff.
Music-Shells provided by Fuimadane.
Audio-Enhancements by Sarah Buchynski.
Written and Produced by Kessir Riliniki.

Yosha drops her pen on the papers.

Yosha:(excited) Done! Let’s listen for the next one!

Auril:Don’t you even need a break from writing?

Yosha:(laughs) I’m only just warming up, Akasar.