Falls End

     "There's something wrong." declared Glam through his bandages. Everybody nodded sagely as though they knew exactly what he meant. Van was lost, of course. Glam predicted this. At some point he'd come to realize he was basically clueless about the basic facts everybody else seemed to take for granted. Looking directly at Van he explained. "At some point members of the Goblonii and some other members of the monster races might go through a sort of evolution. they'll awaken in a more powerful form. It's actually very rare with Goblonii but the changes are significant. You saw the Hoblonii. they were well organized and smarter then goblonii from which they evolved. The Ogrii may seem stupid but they're near as smart as non monster peoples. Then there's the ones we don't see. Bobolonii; stronger and smarter then the Ogrii, but reclusive. However we have to hope there are non involved in this. I'm glad to say the Ogrii that led the swarm on my family was one of the two who attacked this season, so thankfully it didn't evolve."

     "So... what's wrong?" asked Van.

     Glam continued, "Glad to see you're paying attention.  As I said before, it's rare they evolve. In a group this size it would be led by a hoblonii, maybe two. One ogrii would be an anomaly. two is almost unheard of. Usually it would take a horde of several thousand to get that many Ogrii, and there would be twice as many Hoblonii. Something out there is encouraging evolution, perhaps an abandoned relic." Van frowned at this but Glam continued." I suspect there's a group of Hoblonii that split off, too. Maybe even another Ogrii."

     He took a swig of ale, having talked way to long without one. he eyeballed Vestis who didn't know why until Van inquired, "Abandoned relic?"

     Vestis, now understanding, explained. He was unsure if this was common knowledge, so he addressed everyone. "Relics all have a sort of consciousness. Most of them speak to their holders. They even acquire personalities. Still, at the end of the day, and even relics themselves admit it, They are only items. It's why it requires a partner to draw out greater power. Sometimes left alone, a relic may go insane. Some, never having been united with their destined handlers, may begin to feel attached to other living things, monsters, animals... They'll begin radiating power to unexpected results. There's also the unspeakable possibility that a relic may attune with an intelligent monster." Vestis finished, obviously dubious about that last prospect.

     "I'll need to take it easy until spring," rejoined Glam, "and even then.... I may not be much help. I just want to be there, to see him, both of them, ogrii, to go down."

     "But someone has to find out where they're coming from." interrupted Eloin. 

     "I'd like to stay here to treat Glam," Ansanlyn said, "and I'd like Vestis to remain close. I'm almost out of crucial herbs. Also, given the proclivities of the patient..." Ansanlyn let the statement hang. Pretty much that left Eloin and Van. Van looked on as everyones gaze slowly turned to Vestis. Van thought he was about to say something. He did, finally.

     "Someone will show up, someone who can help...." As he said 'help', there was a knock on the door, then the bell as whoever had knocked, spotted the pull chain. Glam sprung to his feet before Van could think to, and nobody moved to stop him. He was lord of this manor. However, since Ansanlyns arrival he was no longer the oldest.

     Opening the door revealed a Brin Mal woman, with fine facial features and skin the warm color of amber. Van would have thought her quite beautiful if not for her dark schlera. It was with surprise he remembered his older brother. The age gap was quite large, being from his fathers first marriage. Rob was almost out of the house by the time Van was old enough to remember him. He recalled a vivid memory of his brother spraying and fixing his hair in the mirror. Catching his little brother in the reflection he grinned, and said to him, "So many women and so little time!"

     From behind them their father laughed. "Tall, short, round or thin, pretty or not...." Van hadn't thought about his family this much in quite a while. Most of them had passed before he had. Early on though he truly enjoyed the weekend get togethers. When he'd gotten married and Ella refused to go with him, he sort of fell off from going as well. His relationship with his family became a series of holiday card exchanges and finally death notices.

     Van was brought back to the present as the Brin Mal answered Glams greeting and invitation. "My name is Oolah." Her voice was low, seeming to belong to a much larger woman who'd smoked for 30 years. It... intrigued Van further. In the night air she had a coat Van could only identify as an unwoven natural colored wool. She wore a matching hat with ear flaps, and thick leggings that seemed to have a heavy lining. She took her coat off, hanging it up and tied up the flaps on her hat. She had a loose grey shirt tucked in and pulled close to her where the suspenders holding up her leggings passed. She set aside a huge staff that Van realized was a thick bow. Also she set down a quiver and a large pack. "My beasts are in yon traveler shed. May I have some wood to warm the room for them?" she asked in a stilted accent. In the common trade tongue the accent sounded somewhat Russian to him.

      "Van," Glam called, "see to her beasts!"

     "I've fed them," she teased, "but don't let them lick you, it'll whet their appetites." Van felt himself blushing. Was she flirting with him? No, she was being nice. Why was he blushing? She was just a young thing, anyways. Was his attraction to her inappropriate?

     After grabbing a stack of wood he headed over. Setting the wood in the holder, he opened the door. There in the corner were two miniature versions of the monsters that greeted him to this world, but only about the size of donkeys.