Chapter 13
Mondri Village
Cycle 6002.660.11.75W
The walk down the sloping road to the village was nice. It was also over far too soon. As they walked through the little village they were greeted as Hana and boy as they went. Then they were in-front of the meeting room. Despite the villagers friendly greetings they had kept their distance. This worried Neodig slightly. Hana reassured him that it was how they normally acted and she walked into the sturdy building.
The thing that was different about this building is that it looked like it had been imagined in the shape of a tent. It was made with nicer stonework than a lot of the buildings in the village and the tile roof was also immaculately maintained. Its main shape was octagonal and the roof matched.
Following Hana in through an elaborate stone archway revealed another tidily slotted beam system holding the building up. The thing that was strange though, was how light it was inside the building. As far as Neodig could tell it was filtered sunlight. He wondered if they were using mirrors, water or something else completely to create the interesting lighting affect that emerged from various places in the buildings floor.
The mood of the architecture and the mood of the people there couldn’t have been more different. There were rows of benches split in two and facing each other. Then off to one side there was a seat for the chief and a couple of elders off to one side. It was almost like they were going to have a fight or event, but it hadn’t worked out. So instead they had forgotten about the event and just pulled the opposing stands so that they were almost directly across from one another.
At the bare minimum this debate would be described as very passionate. To the less observant it would probably look like a straight out argument. But after Neodig was reassured by Hana’s lack of response to the commotion, he was then able to observe clearly. Despite the seemingly heated talk, pretty much everyone had relaxed body language.
Several of the villagers waved or nodded, especially at Hana and sometimes at both of them. But then they were drawn back into the debate. It seemed about another sixth of a demi before they decided no further progress could be made on the work allocation for the village landscaping. The chief thanked everyone for their thoughts and contributions to the discussion. With this matter thrashed out for the day, a lot of people got up to top up their drinks or stretch.
The chief looked as if he fit the role a lot better today. Instead of a work robe he had a respectable almost dress shirt poking out the top of a jade coloured cloak. His thin grey frizzy beard had been tamed to a tidy strip on his chin. His manner always suited one that was there to smooth the troubles that arose in the village and it didn’t seem to be much of a burden. Whether seated or moving around he would to so in a stable manner.
After a decent pause to let calm return to the air and for people returned with their drinks and sat down again. This time however there was a slight tension. Ignoring it, the chief said that he hoped people didn’t mind if he cleared up a few matters with the two young people that had arrived. There were nods and murmurs of interest throughout the assembly. With no objections, the chief thanked the two young people for responding to his summons.
Hana surprised Neodig by formally thanking the chief and assembly for their time. She said they were quite happy to talk. She cautioned that while their visitor liked to point out that he had been thorough in distributing his injuries riding down the chute, she felt that he had been too thorough on hitting his head on the way down. She asked if they could keep questions simple if directed to Doug so that he could speak to the range of issues required.
There were laughs and people relaxed as they found out that the boy was there because of the chief, instead of personal ambition. Also having him downgraded, from the rumoured wild child or a trouble maker, to a boy of misfortune further helped ease the tension that had briefly built up in assembly.
The chief calmly ran him through some basic questions. He was thankful for the talks he had had with Hana. They had given him easy explanations that suited the village sensibilities. So once again he simplified his situation to a traveller that had been hiding at the temple.
There were more relieved laughs as people felt the genuineness of his answer about swapping out with the intended chute victim.
With this the chief thought for a bit now that he had a rough gauge of the visitors current state of communicative ability.
He asked what someone else would need to do to survive the chute run.
Unfortunately nothing Hana had talked about had prepped him for this. So there was an awkward pause as he though. He eventually got out that you needed a brake for people to fix the chute or for a sled.
The little room exploded into excited chatter. Some had heard about strange wreckage around his sled, but now that he said it, the solution sounded like such a simple and feasible step for progress. It took a while for the chatter to quieten down.
The buzz of talk gave the chief more time to think and he felt rewarded with such an answer. So he formulated his next question just as carefully. He asked one of those around him to fetch the box. The chief asked if Doug could identify the object brought out.
Neodig started to explain that it was a family heirloom for…
But he was interrupted. First by the shattering of a mug and then by a stranger hastily walking up and saying that he would finish the explanation, with an almost panicked apologetic touch on the arm.
When he stopped talking the stranger relaxed and apologised for his interruption. The assembly seemed untroubled by this and several comments of reassurance followed for the man. They indicated that he was not only well liked by most of the village but had done them several favours to keep the place alive and well.
The stranger introduced himself as Trader Chan. He was a solid, well presented mid height man. He also had a tidy dress shirt on that popped plainly out of the openings of a colourful and expensive cloak. The whispers from the stands suggested that the object must be very interesting or very troublesome; it was rare for the Trader to show anything less than dignified composure. He asked if he could give his opinion on the item.
Curious, Neodig nodded.
He said that one of his clients daughters had been holding onto a similar item. He said she had sent it back without telling the family who was delivering it. If he was not mistaken it meant the boy was trustworthy. Trader Chen would be happy to take responsibility for completing the delivery or escorting the boy if it was the item.
The chief unfazed gestured for the trader to check the item. Once he had opened the little case and nodded at the chief he placed it down again and returned to his seat with the broken mug on the floor as if nothing had happened. Judging from the reaction the chief announced that unless anyone objected, he would resolve the matter with Chen later.
There were a couple of grumbles about whether the trader was keeping something valuable to himself. These comments were quickly answered by reminders about how fairly the trader had shared profits in the past, so he was probably helping them avoid trouble.
Neodig realised how smart the trader had been in keeping the item and its owner anonymous. He seemed well trusted by a pretty sharp bunch of villagers, so ‘Doug’ also was relieved to give a nod of agreement when the chief’s gaze came his way.
The chief though for a bit more and then said that there was one other item that he would like to find out about as long as Trader Chen didn’t have any objections. It was taken to Trader Chen and his eyebrows raised when he saw it. Regardless he was forced to admit that he had no information on specific ownership of this item and they should be able to discuss it safely.
A solid case was placed between the two sides of the assembly. It was also spaced evenly between the chiefs party and the two young people. There was chatter as the box was opened and the blue glow of the vile mixed with the warmer shifting of light around the room.
The more astute whispered that it had a slight dark energy. Most were just interested in the complexity of the item.
The chief asked what it was.
Doug said a soul vile.
There was everything from gasps through to confused talk of those gathered there.
The chief asked if he was certain of that.
Doug though for a long while and then just spat it out. He knew it was because it had told him so.
The rest of the assemble broke into furious whispers. Hana hadn’t reacted much to the rest of the events so far. People issues and politics didn’t bother her much. But at his last statement she raised her eyebrows. She had just been enjoying the change from the usual pattern of arguing and posturing. The boy claiming to have spirit whispering skill however, was a completely different matter.
Once again the commotion gave people like the chief and Doug time to think. The chief asked his thoughts on the spirit in the vile.
Doug got out, that the spirit helped despite pretending to be bad and that he wanted to take it to the heaven’s sea.
This seemed to fall back within the assemblies understanding and there were many people that started to make self important noises of agreement. Destroying the item at the place for passing on from this world, was the only sensible course of action.
Chief agreed that plan had merit, but he asked if the soul in the vile had healed Doug.
After thinking for a bit Doug answered. You might say that, but it was closer to kept alive rather than healed. Despite confused muttering the chief left that question there for the time being.
The soul in the vile felt that it had been very patient, letting those with bodies have their important discussion. But now it had finished waiting. It asked how many people could hear it.
People like the chief, Hana and Neodig all looked around to see who else had surprised or shocked looks. They didn’t find any noticeable reactions in the people around them.
The soul commented that the little experiment had produced interesting result. It asked if they could pretend that they were going with the destruction plan. It wanted to speak about a few things later. One thing especially, was improving the mental function of the boy before. Once that was achieved he would happily submit for destruction.
The chief did a reasonably good job of pretending that nothing had happened. He summed up that this was probably as far as they could get with this matter by itself. He thanked Doug and Hana for their attendance. With that there was another break, but this time most of the villagers stayed in their seats continuing whispers or thoughts from the questioning.
The chief had the vile returned to his office instead. Once the two young people had left and were well on their way back up the hill he called for the discussion of the next matter.
The only matter that remained on the agenda was on how to best work with the boy so that the future went well for them all.
As this was announced furious conversation broke out in the stands. This time the chief didn’t interrupt and fierce whispers turned to loud conversation. After another sixth of a demi this conversation died down. Then unable to resist, one of the more self important in the stand for the traditionalists spoke out. He stated that surely getting the boy back to fix the chute was the main course of action.
Again mixed conversation rang out. From the stand of empathy came the comment that if they didn’t even know what the boy wanted, how could they push the task on him. This would be especially heartless given his current state of health. Again mixed conversation broke out.
When this settled another from the traditionalist stand spoke up. He suggested that in some ways the chute issue could almost solve itself now. Since the boy seemed to have luck as good as the vain one, wouldn’t letting him rest and head with a team to clear the smokey pass be a better decision.
This suggestion generated surprised noises as well as more conversation. One in the empathy stand queried if the boy was even reliable. Given the rumours on his arrival how did they know the boy wouldn’t just steal back the things he had come with, as well as whatever else wasn’t nailed down. Then make a hasty departure as he continued on his journey. This sparked more fierce conversation.
The day finished having discussed an impressive amount of options. The meeting was declared officially over. But talk continued and many people felt they had to state there opinions in circulation as huddles of conversation formed away from the stands.
As people dispersed from the meeting house Trader Chan waited till things died down, then slipped out of one conversation to walk with the chief.
The chief smiled seeing him approached and teased him in greeting. He pretend to complain that another self important know it all was heading his way to give him their opinion.
The trader calmly put his hand to his chest and asked why the chief would try and wound him so? Checking around Chen said that here was his self important opinion. The watch was trouble. As far as he could tell it was the one that the Roziner girl had been holding onto.
The chief tried but couldn’t quite place the name.
Chen clarified. Dueliet Rozinier was serving on the last Yotnear craft Ketal before the explosion. So with a lot of other factors taken into consideration it would make the boy Neodig Wadgin.
This surprised the chief. Wasn’t that lad from a good family? Even the chief had heard of them through everyday conversation. Why would he need to hide?
Chen explained that the family was ruffling feathers in Capital city political circles. There had been a lot of pressure on the family with the drafting of the colony proposal. He was also the only one to return from the Yotnear craft explosion and the shaky information surrounding it made the incident seem highly suspicious.
Also if he’s a spirit whisperer it would be another reason to be chased. It would also seem to give weight to the rumours that a witch found there family interesting enough to make a contract with. It would explain a few things.
The chief was once again thankful for Chen’s insight.
He asked if the vile could be part of some other plan that the witch was helping to guide.
Chen said that he was almost the limit of his understanding. There was only one other thing he could speak to. He said that the soul in the vile seemed to be capable of using withering seal. It was a healing spell that effectively melted muscle to seal dangerous wounds.
The bonus is that it will make the boy hard to identify with such a dramatic decrease in body mass.
The chief nodded again, impressed in what Chen seemed to have put together.
Chen asked that in return for this information if he could talk to the soul when the chief dealt with the matter.
The chief was surprised, but should have realised Chen was good at hiding his reactions. As for the the request it was merely a formality as far as the chief was concerned and he quickly agreed. He always found it odd how the trader thought he still had to barter despite his relationship with the village.
Thinking quickly he said that maybe they should do that next. He thought it would give them both some more information that could help moving forward.
The chief suggested they head to the office and get information as quickly as possible. Chen happily agreed thanking the chief for his consideration in the matter. With that the two men changed course and went to a building just next to the villages main market and organising office. The chief unlocked his little office and lit a light.
The room looked a little eerie in the dim light. Closing the door behind them they wandered over and the chief retrieved the box from the cupboard that it had been locked away in. He placed he heavy box on the desk and then asked if Chen was ready.
When Chen nodded, the chief opened the box. When nothing happened, the chief gave his greetings to the trapped soul.
The soul wished them a pleasant evening matching the formality of the address.
The two men looked at each other, then the chief continued. He wondered if he could trouble the soul to ask who it was.
The soul thought for a bit and apologised saying that it had been in the vile so long that it could not remember. It had flashes of another life; of a wife and children. There had been a large farm and a village that he seemed to have cared for. Then there had been a sorcerer that had caused trouble for the village.
Again the specifics had long lost their clarity. It wouldn’t be worth trying to even remember in his state, especially because the village was probably long gone now. Until the boy had come he had just dreamed of being released from the vile.
This time Chen put forward a question. He asked if that is why he had given the boy the impression that he was evil.
The soul agreed that was pretty much it, it would have made it easy for the boy to just destroy the vile. Technically in his current state he was an unclean soul and without a body he could only use the vile for withering class magic. But with the soul acting as a prison there was no need for sustenance meaning he was safe from becoming demonic.
Trader Chen thanked him for his answer.
The chief asked him how the soul had met the boy and so the three of them spoke. They exchanged as much information as they could. Also the soul spoke of an idea that could free up some brainpower to allow the boy to function better,
The conversation continued through the night and it was light again by the time they had finished. The thanked the soul for its input and locked it safely away again. With that the two men summoned their remaining motivation and went to face another day with no sleep.
Wehl 2025
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