The bard was not the first to arrive, but that was unsurprising given the length of his goodbyes that morning. He came as well-prepared as he could be, however, knowing what they needed to do. His pack held food and water, his first aid kit, and efas herb salve. Gloves for shifting rock and earth were tucked into his belt, and his clothing was both sturdy and serviceable, worn close rather than flowing so as not to catch on anything, and covering almost every inch of his skin.. White hair was braided tightly back by his partner’s deft fingers, and he had brought a length of triply-folded plain cotton to wrap around his face again. The torn sleeve he had used in his last descent had helped, and if they were going to face the poisoned air again, he thought it would be useful to have something a bit thicker this time. Still, he accepted Amalia’s offered scarf with a smile, squeezing her hand gratefully as he took it and wrapped it loosely around his throat and head for additional protection.
Delah’s people came even more prepared, and Jigano winced at her accusing words, but nodded agreement. ”And not just a tulmhainar,” he added quietly. ”There was a giant serpent beyond the chamber that held the great tortoise, a snake pale as moonlight and with skin like living stone. It guarded the portal…” He hesitated, bowing his head in regret at the memory of being unable to save the noble creature. ”It spoke to me, in my mind. It had lived beneath the Spire for as long as the barrier existed, I think, guarding the portal from use by the Voice’s children. If the tulmhainar is still alive, perhaps it is, too.”
Delah’s people came even more prepared, and Jigano winced at her accusing words, but nodded agreement. ”And not just a tulmhainar,” he added quietly. ”There was a giant serpent beyond the chamber that held the great tortoise, a snake pale as moonlight and with skin like living stone. It guarded the portal…” He hesitated, bowing his head in regret at the memory of being unable to save the noble creature. ”It spoke to me, in my mind. It had lived beneath the Spire for as long as the barrier existed, I think, guarding the portal from use by the Voice’s children. If the tulmhainar is still alive, perhaps it is, too.”
