II: The true account of Sir Gowere, Knight of the Mirror
The true account of Sir Gowere, Knight of the Mirror, and of Valamonte his fading Steed: wherein are set down their adventures, perils, and combats, and the manner of the horse's decay. As recounted by Samzun, Squire to the said Knight
[ 5.12 ] - SODDEN PEAKS - MORNING - SPRING
I trot behind the Knight I serve: Gowere, the Knight of the Mirror, at close distance. My mule hides well its fatigue and remains close to the long-legged warhorse opening the trail.
The sky casts pink rays of a quite faint sunlight, which rests on the points and drops from the sides of the mountains our Company is traversing.
We spend the whole morning attempting to find a good pass through the severe slopes and, as we do so, we move south following a small torrent of fresh pleasant waters. The steeds and us drink from it repeatedly.
Wilderness roll > Landmark > Sanctum: Lullaby falls
It happens that the second time we stop to quench our thirsts, we ode a pleasant, persistent, and precise set of water drops, cascading at the rhythm and intonation of descending scales. And then ascending again.
[ 5.12 ] - SODDEN PEAKS - AFTERNOON - SPRING - SANCTUM: LULLABY FALLS
We attempt to identify the origin of the pleasant melodies in vain, our efforts are proving fruitless. Gowere - the fugitive Knight of the Mirror - warns me that the sounds of those melodies of water seem to come to our ears from every direction. He might be right.
We keep following the stream; its transparent waters progressively acquire a verdigris color and the consistency of glass. Our interest is piqued, and when Valamonte - the fading steed - tries to take a sip of it, his tongue doesn't seem to reach the water.
The stream ends in a small cascade: each droplet of the glassy liquid falls on top of a giant stone statue. The statue holds several stoney curved bowls in its hands which - when hit by the droplets - cause the melodies we have been hearing.
The statue is well carved, we find a quick passage among the thorny reeds to get closer to it and inspect its making.
When we circle around it, Gowere gestures me to keep silent. I comply and hold the reins of both steeds. The Mirror Knight kneels in front of the bowl-holding stone giant statue, invoking favour, honouring what I didn't realize is a Seer. The Stone Seer.
Two questions, the Knight of the Mirror, asks the mute and cold stone, and his words entangle with the sound of the water: whether the trail we are on is the correct one and whether the closes Holding treats well those to happen to come across it.
No answer is given, and only the same ascending and descending scales are heard. However, after a few minutes of that silence indeed, Gowere gets back up on both his legs and give thanks for the counsel.
I am puzzled yet I don't ask, for I know nothing of being a Knight. I want to believe that the answers that were given were interpreted correctly.
Luck roll > 4 > Blessing (welcomed result)
Gowere caresses Valamonte, who whinnies with appreciation. We must move he says, we are on the right track, he says, the Seer confirmed it and we must not doubt it.
Before I can get on the mule, Gowere - the Knight of the Mirror - is trotting south under a darkening sky.