TOTH IV - 51052 EARLY RAIN (PREVIOUS, NEXT)
Cliffs and ledges in the Northwestern Granite Mountains. Leora is resting on one of the ledges.
Leora and Cyor gradually made their way towards the northwestern section of the Granite mountains. Although the cliffs were nigh impassable in most places, at least here there were a number of rocks and ledges that were scalable for the relatively novice climbers that they both are. The weather was drizzly, and many of the rocks were covered in moss, making it challenging to get a firm grip in most places.
The first place they were asked to visit by The Lady was a small settlement just outside the valley, named Arrowhold. She indicated the it was first established only four years ago, and felt it was an appropriate target for an exploratory visit. Leora was quite nervous about the whole ordeal. She wasn’t used to travelling alone, and felt insecure about any good outcome from this visit. Nevertheless, she agreed to the journey, on the condition that Cyor could accompany her.
After a day of traversing and climbing, the two made up camp on a small clearing on the cliffside. Cyor heated some old snow in a bowl on a self-made campfire. His hands were clammy from the drizzly weather and the temperature just above freezing point, but his mind was wondering about their supposed quest and the resulting predicament. He turned to Leora.
“I am completely mystified by this Lady. She never comes out of her house, yet she allows us to stay here and use up all her stuff! Do you understand her?”
“Not really”, Leora responds, “I’ve only spoken with her once, when you were there, remember?”
Cyor nods. “I do, but you stayed longer than I did, I guess to be briefed about this mission. Or was there more to it?”
Leora face pales a little.
“Uhm… yes, there was.”
Cyor looks at her. “What happened then?”
Leora sat silently for several seconds, staring in the distance ahead of her.
“There was the mission, yes. She said that Arrowhold is quite poor, and that they might cooperate with us if we provide them with aid. But yes, there was more to it. She spoke about Tsandra as well.”
Cyor looks up. “About Tsandra? What about her?”
Leora sighs.
“Yes...well...”, she says, keeping her stare focused on the horizon, “She didn’t need to die, you know?”
Cyor was stupefied.
“You know her life would have been terrible Leora. The Plague is horrible. It destroys one from the outside and the inside.”, Cyor responds.
“I do, and I’ve read about it. But she told me they find a cure.”
“They? Who are you referring to?”
“The pargons up North. They’ve discovered a cure. Two years ago. We didn’t realize.”
Cyor rests his face in his hands. Tears begin to roll down his cheeck.
“Oh. Ohhh…..”
“Indeed.”
Leora sighs deeply.