Nix leaned back against a burlap sack, failing to get comfortable she leaned forward and quickly punched the sack a few times. Satisfied with the adjustment she returned to her reclined position attempting to make herself cozy. The cool mountain air of the evening was advancing upon them like an army at march.
“So my Norn friend,” she began, “they hail you a story teller in these parts. I find that I am not yet sleepy and one of your tales might prepare me better for slumber.” she said with a wry smile.
Raven laughed heartily, “So I give you a lift to this camp, arrange for your supper and drink. Then as if all that weren’t enough, you believe one of my tails will prepare you for sleep? You are a fickle being aren’t you Nix he said intending it as a jibe. However, as the Asura didn’t register any reaction. He tugged at his braided beard and then took a long pull from his ale. When he was finished he lowered his mug to the log beside him with a loud thud.
“Don’t over exert yourself contemplating a tale,” she joked, “it appears smoke is already beginning to escape through your ears.”she added, immediately falling into a fit of laughter. She rolled on the ground clearly impressed with her own humor.
The Norn raised his voice to let her know he was about to begin, but also to gain the attention of other travelers within the camp. ”My friend Nix here desires a tale… so a tale she will have, should any of you be so inclined to listen gather round and we will begin. As is my custom, I request no coin but deny it neither nor a stout Norn ale should you feel so compelled.”
Most of the Norn within the camp did not stop what they were doing. Nix smiled and took note on how many of them softened their activities to hear the tale all the same. She wondered if this tale would simply be one of entertainment, or one that would ensue in a wager war before the nights end.
“Like many of you,” Raven began, “I travel our lands frequently, I’ve seen all of the cities, most of the townships and even the rogue camps of the Harathi dot the Hinterlands. While my legend is great as many Norn can boast, it is also good for a laugh or two. Tonight’s tale…” Raven mused and ran his fingers through his hair, “is a tale of jovial discovery, one a lesser Norn might be ashamed to share. But not I my friends oh no, for you know what they say,” he used his fingers now to mark the quote, “The Spirits granted us knowledge to brew ale, to keep the Norn from ruling the world!” he declared. He received a few laughs from outside the campfires glow.
“I had been celebrating with friends in Queensdale. It was nearing dusk when I left the having consumed many ales. I stopped into Shaemoor and had one for the trail.”
“One keg?” Nix interrupted, smiling mischievously. Raven continued without acknowledging his would be heckler.
“Merely pleasantly intoxicated when I left Shaemoor I decided I would head east. Now if you have ever been to Shaemoor Village you know that heading east will lead you into the cemetery. Although I’ve never seen her myself it is rumored from time to time a ghost will appear known only as the White Lady. Naturally she only appears at night, I thought fighting a ghost would be a grand adventure and only build my legend!
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Nix said nonchalantly, clearly foreshadowing doom for the Norn.
“On my way to my legendary fight, I passed a grave-digger that the locals call Dumpy. He was short and round even for a human. I pondered how he might dig graves when he wore no shoes, the little man grumbled at me,” Only a fool wanders into the Cemetery of Shaemoor alone after dark!” “And a fair night to you my friend!” I declared back to him as I passed through the gates of the cemetery. I could hear the vampire bats squeaking their song near by, so I retrieved my Destroyer Hammer from my back ready to swat them should they show their hides. An otherworldly fog settled into the stones that marked the final resting places of settlers past. I could hear the shriek of the Lady near the top of the hill in the distance. I sped my pace squinting to find my way in the dark and fog cursing as I swung and missed at a vampire bat which zoomed past my head. Thinking I heard someone coming up behind me I turned on my heel and ceremoniously fell into a deep hole. It knocked the very breath from my lungs as I landed on a box as tall and as wide as I. I felt the wood splinter beneath me. I righted myself when my breath returned and as gingerly as I could got to my feet. With my feet on the outter edges of some poor Norns grave; I cursed, “Bah humans! No Norn wishes to be buried in the ground!”
It was then I noticed that I must have swallowed quite a bit of dust when crashing to the bottom of this grave. My voice was scratchy and cracked in the darkness. I concentrated on where I was, hoping my eyes would adjust to the darkness of the hole. I turned my head to the heaven’s cursing my continued bad luck; the stars where blanketed by heavy cloud and still I could not see. Fumbling around in the darkness I managed to find the smoldering head of my hammer which gave warmth but little light. Placing it back over my shoulder I squared my feet to the edges of the hole, still precariously perched on the edges of the coffin within. With all the might I had within me I jumped missing by scant inches the top of the hole. Again and again I tried but the weight of my armor, weapons and pack mocked me as I failed time and again. As loathed as I was to admit it on that night and even in the retelling to you, I would have to wait for dawn when ol’ Dumpy would return to fill in this poor souls grave. I would have to get his assistance in climbing out.”
Nix stifled a laugh, but could not prevent a wicked smile from crossing the features of her face. The Norn again did not acknowledge this mockery but continued in his tale.
“I must have dozed off, but in the night I felt someone graze off of my shoulder and into the grave near me. I tried to speak but no words would come, the dryness in my throat thanks to the dust and the last of the Krytan Brandi I had in Shaemoor held my vocal chords in a strangle hold. The being cursed, judging by the voice and where my ears convinced me it came from. I believe it was an Asura. After a second attempt to release my vocal chords I managed a light croak, “You can’t get out…” I could not suppress a short and admittedly wicked sounding laugh at the weakness of my own voice.
“No! I am not ready to become one with the Eternal Alchemy!” shouted the now confirmed Asura. I tried to reach down to him in the darkness, perhaps if I could but touch his shoulder he would realize I was not a spirit, but another trapped in a grave for the night. Maybe if we worked together, I thought, we could even extricate…”
“Wow that’s a big word for a Norn!” Nix openly mocked him laughing again at her own wit.
“Do you mind?” Raven said, “I’m nearly done with my tale…”
If it is possible for an Asura to blush surely Nix did now as Raven acknowledged the interruption with a raised eyebrow. He paused for another sip of ale and afterwards balanced the mug on his large knee idly thumbing the rim, as he tried to recall where he left off.
“Ah yes… as I was saying,” he continued, “I thought if I could reassure my Asuran cell-mate I was alive we could help one another get out. So I lowered myself as best I could in the confines of the grave and again said, “You can’t get out…” still sounding horrible I managed to brush his arm with the back of my hand. This must have ignited some deep seated strength, if Asura have such a thing for he sprang up, pouncing off of my helm and out of the hole. I could hear him screaming and scrambling as he ran away. Cursing again my bad luck I leaned into the hole and dozed. When I awoke I could see twilight coming upon a new day for the village of Shaemoor.
I would never live it down if I was rescued by a human grave digger named Dumpy. So I steeled myself and with all my strength, thanks to sleep sobriety I easily grasped the edge of the grave and pulled myself out. I made my way quickly west and out through the gates of the cemetery. Passing a Priest of Grenth, I tossed him a few silver, “The Norn grave back there I fell into it last night. Do us both a favor extract him from that hole and erect a funeral pyre for him. As he could not die in battle, this will help his spirit reach The Great Hunt. If I come back and find a grave here later, we will have words Priest and you will not enjoy them.” I said cracking my knuckles for emphasis
“Grenth teaches us the balance of all things. To every beginning, an end. To every prize, a sacrifice. Do you live by the teachings of Grenth?” the priest replied to me. But he nodded quickly when I reached for my hammer. He must have realized I was not in a mood for riddles. “With that I left Shaemoor and now my tale is done. What say you?” Raven asked.
Nix giggled, “Well I’m not sure it’s true, but I’m not willing to risk silver to wager upon it.” she looked around to the camp. Clearly none present would risk the wager as its inhabitants returned to their evening activities. “And it does not appear the others do either.” She stifled a yawn and stretched before curling up and going to sleep. Raven was amazed at how quickly she fell into slumber. He smiled and rose taking another long pull from his ale and set out to find a refill.
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