Hey, can we have a story of Healer Varicelle testing Wraithvine and the others, and maybe of teaching them? This sounds like a REALLY neat story arc of seeing Wraithvine getting an education instead of educating others for a change!
Heh, by the looks of it, you look like you really wanted to go longer than what you put for this story, maybe several pages worth! :-D
@internutter/challenge-03166-h257-sense-motivation -- DaniAndShali
There's certain things an immortal holds firm stock with. Stone, for instance, is one of the longer-lasting materials. It can't do for everything, but it does for a considerable lot. Varicelle's established lair is granite dating back from the time that the world was new, and dirt was the hot new commodity. Someone had taken the time to grind each stone against the other until they meshed so tightly together that nothing could wedge its way in. Even the roof was made of slates.
Varicelle herself was as old and gnarled as the staff she used to walk with, but her eyes were sharp and saw everything. She certainly sized up the Wizard and their companions from a standing start.
One Wizard and a Bard, either had to have motives for seeking immortality. The Bugbear in saffron robes was a bit of a surprise, but Bugbears usually didn't last anyway.
What was really surprising was how deferential the Wizard was. Elves were usually a haughty lot, and Wizards doubly so. They took their fancy wizarding hat off and held it like an anxious supplicant. It was troubling to place them on a gender scale and it was doubly troubling to figure out which variant of Elf they were.
"Honoured healer," they began, bowing humbly. "My companions and I have a great need of your Everhealing Elixir, and given that our quests take us far and wide, we must by necessity learn the making of it. If you would have me, I will be your humble student. Test me how you will."
"Seen plenty of Wizards looking for immortality. Bards, too. You. Bugbear. Want to live longer?"
The beast spoke, "The Gods have my time allotted as they will. I seek only to use my precious store of seconds to the betterment of life and the living."
The Orc doffed his fancy feathered hat in an extravagance of sweeps, showing a good leg. "Beauteous lady, I only seek to be a story told for all time."
Flattery would get him nowhere.
The Wizard, still in supplicant mode, said, "Lotus, the Bugbear, has taken an oath not to kill unless survival necessitates it. She has a great many accidental demises on her conscience and... it's not doing her health any favours either."
She eyed off the Elf. "You planning to make this your ainsel' then? Spread the word 'till the whole of the world is ruined with it?"
"Absolutely not," said the Elf. "I swore a vow on a God's heart to better this world ere I died. If you wish me to keep your secrets, I will do so."
Varicelle laughed. "Who do you think you are, Wraithvine?"
Again, they bowed. "At your service."
She'd witnessed plenty of false immortals pretending to be that legendary figure. Even half-Elves tried it. She knew one test that all of them failed, and wouldn't bother the real Wraithvine at all. "Let me shear those locks, and I'll take you on as my student."
"Where would you have me sit, for your convenience?" said Wraithvine. Vanity never had been once of hir vices.
The Orc hung back, "I'm only here to fetch, carry and inspire as needs must."
Lotus said, "If you have need of meat, I will hunt it for you. I have no need of immortality. From what I have heard, it is a burden."
"Sometimes," said Wraithvine, looking meaningfully at the Orc.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / gsagi]
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