Myths of Power

"I'm sorry. It's very boring just sitting in the branches, you know."

Richard turns back to the hill. "But it IS much safer, isn't it? I wasn't planning on making contact with anyone until we were inside the city walls. Now I'm going to have to be carefull about running into those idiots again."

Valerie climbs up Richards cloak and sits on his shoulder. "What? You mean you weren't impressed by the 'Hero of the Four Walls'?" She lets out a small chuckle.

"Oh he was most likely at the battle. It just wasn't as big as what he thought it was. The Four Walls was merely a diversion for a larger battle that was happening elsewhere."

"You talk as if you were there? When did this happen?"

"About twelve years ago and I was there, just not on the front lines. I'ld rather not talk about it just yet, if you don't mind. Some very painfull memories are still burried there. Let's just go get Catherine and make our way to the south gate."

Valerie jumps off Richard and transforms. "Richard?"

"Yes?"

"What did you mean by 'trophies'?"

Richard pauses and closes his eyes. "I keep forgetting, you haven't been in any real battles have you?"
He opens his eyes and continues up the hill. "During many battles, the humans who are in charge or of a moderatly high rank sometimes like to retain 'reminders' of the enemies they have killed. Sometimes its just a piece of armour, sometimes it can be something more... substantial."

"I don't understand. More substantial, like what?"

"It's not uncommon for bodies to be found without their heads or limbs. I've even been unlucky enough to see one human who had at least three revenant heads in jars. They say we revenants can exist forever, if we wanted to, but who wants to spend eternity in a jar?"

"Okay, I'm sorry I asked."

After a long and silent climb, they arrive at the boulder. Catherine is still resting on the tree, trying to regain the use of her leg.

Richard kneels down beside her and examines her work. "Well, this will have to do for now, Catherine. Valerie, go find something we can use as a crutch." Valerie wonders into the woods and starts pulling down small trees.

"I'm sorry, I just can't get it right. Every time I try, it just keeps breaking." Catherine lowers her head in frustration.

"Don't worry for now. Valerie will get a crutch, I'll wrap up your leg and we can make our way to the city."

Catherine looks up at Richard, fear filling her eyes. "Is that safe? I mean, won't it be dangerous for us?"

"Catherine, the entire world is dangerous for us. This is someplace I need to go and I can't leave you here. You're going to have to come with us."

Valerie steps out of the woods with a large branch. "US? No. I don't do cities, you know that. I have to stay in human form all the time, even when I sleep. It's just not something I'm going to do. You go in and do what you have to. I'm staying out here."

Richard takes the branch at trims it down for Catherine. "Well, I know better than to argue with you on this subject. Catherine and I will go and meet the monk. When I need you, I will try and get some kind of word out to you, so be ready."

With each giving a nod and Catherine now able to walk with a crutch, they part ways.

After an hour, They find themselves on a pathway heading for the south gate. Richard stops as they start to see the gate. "If the guards ask about us, I'm you father, William of Balantine and we've come to see the physician about our circumstances."

"I thought we were coming to see a monk?"

"We are, but outside the city, he's known as the physician. The guards won't want to get close to me, but you'll have to. Try not to react to the smell..."

"What smell... oh that is terrible."

"Sorry... Well Catherine, welcome to the Walled City of Haladan!"