Coqoj 16th, 4288: 190 Days in the Mortal Realm
Ah, the first page of a new journal. How soon I’m sure these pages will be filled with todays events alone. It was quite the curious day to say the least.
Gemmel and I made it back to Golden Spike. Gemmel knew I would be leaving him. He spoke of the gnomes having Ornithopters, a flying contraption, that the gnomes were far better at flying than ships. I had a good nervous chuckle as I reflected on the submarine the gnomes in France had made.
I reflected on wanting to find the person who had poisoned me. Who had taken my belongings. I knew trying to figure out who did that to me would be near impossible. The best option would be to find Raæin, say goodbye, and hopefully in the time leading up to that, I’ll know what to do next. Life was about to get lonely, but alone meant no loss of those I cared about. It was going to be tough enough to say goodbye to Gemmel, but I didn’t want to burden him any more with myself.
After Gemmel gave a glowing recommend, I was determined to find one of the port towns. Hopefully there would be a gnome daring enough to go to France- or rather the Wetland Jungles. I knew where Corban was and I didn’t need anyone else here recognizing me. Gemmel tried to assure me that I had nothing to worry about in the way of the gnomes recognizing me. I informed him of an orc and other folk seeming to know exactly who I was when I first crawled out of the well. He found that unusual and once I described the place he figured it to be bandit territory I had surfaced in.
After that small chat, I began to say my goodbye. I knew I didn’t have much, but I couldn’t ask Gemmel for anything more. That’s when Gemmel placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Now, you might need some help on your travels back to wherever you’re heading, so a,” Gemmel said, cutting himself off. He then pulled out a shimmery, gossamer, black scarf from a pocket. He gave it a good shake before letting it go. I watched the scarf then take a familiar silhouette. Short stature and large horns protruding from his head. It was Isaac! Well, a transparent for of him.
“What? Where am I?” Isaac asked.
“How’d you do that?” I asked Gemmel.
“Don’t you worry about it,” Gemmel responded.
“Uh, I don’t know...” I heard Isaac responded too.
“Seriously,” I pressed at Gemmel, “How is it Isaac’s here? He should be with Cortanna.” I thought it funny that I used Their names so casually with Gemmel. I hadn’t spoken of them. How would he know them? How did he know to summon Isaac?
“Araja?” Isaac asked cautiously, “What happened to you?”
I looked Isaac in the eyes and caught what he meant. Last he saw me I was disguised. Now I was very much my true self and barely clothed in a robe. I could feel my skin crawl once more at the thought of my vulnerability without my gear.
“Not now,” I clipped off at him.
“Well, this is awkward I guess,” Isaac muttered.
“I suppose I’ll leave you two to it,” Gemmel sounded, “Incase you ever need me Serrin,” Gemmel then placed a black pebble in my hand, “Just throw it on the ground.”
I looked down as the pebble sunk in and became nothing more than a dark mark in the center of my palm. I smiled to myself and looked up to thank Gemmel once more. To my surprise, Gemmel and his shop were gone. I squeezed my right hand thankful I had a way to see him again, yet at the same time thinking to myself I probably shouldn’t bother Gemmel. If I ever needed him, it would be a last resort effort. I shouldn’t rely on him to save me everytime I got into a bind.
With Gemmel gone, I focus on what was at present; Isaac.
“How’d he do that?” I demanded of him. Obviously Isaac had to know Gemmel in order for Gemmel to have known to summon him.
“Uh... well... I imagine- actually, I don’t have a clue!” Isaac spat back at me.
“But how does Gemmel know you?”
“Who?”
“The guy that was just here.”
“Oh that explains the oddness in how you were talking. For a moment I thought it was just me being summoned here that was jumbling things. Where’s he now?”
“Somewhere. Left me with a rock.” I held out my hand for isaac to see the spot on my palm, “Pulled a Barrok, but at least he left me a way to communicate with him.”
“Was it Barrok?”
“No. I said his name was Gemmel.”
“How long has it been?”
That I found to be an odd question. But I answered it anyways.
“Um, lets see... it’s been about two months since I left you, Cortanna, and Kedra. It’s the 14th of Coqoj today,” I answered Isaac.
“Where are we?”
“Golden Spike in the Gnomish Kingdom.” Isaac looked at me funny. So I added that the it was east of the Elvish Kingdom. Isaac seemed to have a general idea of where we were. Hopefully we’d be able to get back to Cortanna swiftly enough. I could only imagine what her thoughts are at this moment.
“So, how do you think Cortanna’s taking this?” I asked.
“Did they do something to the sun?” Isaac inquired. I could see his transparent face. His eyes were squinting as though the sun was hurting his eyes.
“Um, no. But seriously, we should try and get back to Cortanna. I can only imagine what she’s thinking with your body suddenly immobile,” I responded. I figured Gemmel had summoned a version of Isaac, leaving his body useless, to help guide me back to France. That was kind of him, but I’m sure Cortanna needed him more than I did.
“Actually,” Isaac said sheepishly, “That note you gave us and how at the end it said ‘don’t die’... well I kind of, sorta died right after reading it,” Isaac said.
“What!” I nearly screamed, “How!?”
“I put on a hat that could have made me immune to death, but clearly I wasn’t strong enough to resist the magics about it. So it killed me instead,” Isaac explained. I clenched my right hand into a fist and sent it through Isaac’s face. Immediately I regretted the action. I weird chill ran up my arm and through my body. Punch the ghost of Isaac wasn’t going to do anything to him other than leave me feeling icky inside.
Absent mindedly I shook my right hand as though I could shake the chill from it. I glared at Isaac.
“Why would you do something so risky like that Isaac!? Cortanna’s a 16 year old girl! Granted she’s an adult, but still!” I fumed. She... she was the only one left of the party besides me and Gideon. I wonder if Gideon’s with her now. That would at least be some extra protection for her. I doubt Kedra is of any real help.
“I’m sure she’s doing just fine,” Isaac tried to console.
“She’s in a land she doesn’t know at all! I can’t say it’s safe either. They’re stuck in time where the mark is still vile and Heironious is still almighty!” I continued on. I then took a deep breathe. Why did it matter? Either she’d die or find a place to settle down.
Hmm, settling down... that actually had a pleasant ring to it.
“She does have that horse thing looking after her.”
“I suppose. Raæin did give her his blessings for a better mount.” I then explained how I wanted to go back to France, find Raæin, and let him know that he and I should part ways. I explained I didn’t want to be attached to him like I once was so if ever he was killed I wouldn’t be crippled with loss. He had already done so much for me. It was best to give him a chance to be his own creature, to make his own decisions that didn’t have my influence in them.
Isaac asked about my gear to which I just shook my head. I only told him it was stolen. I didn’t want to go into further details. Isaac was also impressed by the ‘good’ time I’ve made having travels to the opposite side of the globe and had been to both the Elven and Gnomish Kingdoms. I shook my head. There wasn’t anything to be impressed by considering I had been brought there against my will.
“Isaac, I don’t really want to ponder on the past 2 months. I’ll tell you more when I’m ready. However we really ought to get going toward the coast. I want to locate a gnome willing to fly us across the world to France,” I said, trying to stop Isaac’s questions. Isaac sunk down into the ground. I could see him poke his head out ever so often. It was like having a strange puppy follow me around.
“However, before we go, I’m hoping I’ll be able to work for some items. I need to get food, a bedroll, a tent, and hopefully a new outfit...” I said, but trailing off when the realization of Isaac not being visible next to me and the fact I was in the Gnomish Kingdom. Everywhere I looked gnomes were going about their daily business... I was a giant to them! Would I be able to find more suitable clothes? Let alone a bedroll and tent in my size.
Isaac didn’t respond. I figured it was him being good and not giving himself away. I began to enter various shops seeing if they had any odd jobs I could do in exchange for items. My attempts weren’t fruitful. After the fifth shop denying me, I found a spot to sit down and think. It would be risky to just press on without any supplies. The first few nights out of the well were rough and I only wanted to resort to traveling with nothing as a last resort.
As I pondered other options to obtain what I needed, I couldn’t help but overhear a little girl. She looked like she was 9 years old. It was clear she and her father were well off. Her father was in a fine suit with a monocle and cane. The girl was in a light blue dress that had lots of ribbons decorating it. Her shoes were polished and her blonde hair was pulled into a pretty bun, adorned with a jeweled pin. I wouldn’t have cared so much if the girl wasn’t obnoxiously announcing it was her birthday. Even worse, she saw me.
“Daddy! I want her to give me a ride!” the girl shouted from across the street. I don’t know if my cheeks could show any blush, but I felt a bit mortified to have been referred to in such a way to be considered nothing more than a domesticated beast. Yet I knew I ought to let my pride go and think of a reasonable price for such a favor. If I was to fulfill this birthday request, I should try and use it to my advantage too.
“Darling, surely there’s something else you’d rather do on your birthday,” I heard the gnome try to dissuade his daughter. She shook her head and pouted her lip.
“I want her to give me a ride daddy!” the girl insisted. The father shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh. It looked like he had just conceded to his daughter when suddenly she changed her mind. “Actually daddy, get that thing some clothes!” She demanded, “Hey lady! Come on! Let’s go shopping!” The father and I both looked at her like she had lost her mind. Why did she want to take me shopping? Yet, why was I questioning this?
Her father mentioned something I couldn’t catch. but from how his expression was, it was another attempt to talk his daughter out of involving me.
“Yes daddy,” Claira said sweetly. She grabbed her father’s hand and began to approach me. “Well, come on,” she insisted once she was next to me. I’m not sure which intrigued me more: her tenacity or the fact she was still shorter than me considering I was sitting.
“I’m sorry miss, but my daughter is feeling unusually... charitable,” the gnome choked out. He worked his mouth as though a foul taste was left. Claira latched onto my arm.
“Can she be my new dolly?”
“What?” Claira’s father and I both responded.
“I’m just kidding. Lets get her a better outfit. This one’s ugly,” Claira answered. The little gnome girl then pulled on my arm until I stood. She then drug me over to a store and lead me inside. It was a clothing shop. I tried to remain as small as I could with my wings tucked in tight and stooping so I wouldn’t hit my head. The little girl thankfully let go of my hand and went over to one of the workers, her father close on her heels.
Claira pointed to me and the gnome seamstress peered at me over her glasses. She nodded, mentioning they had made clothes for the elves. Claira then went about pointing out all her favorite colors and fabrics while the seamstress measured me. I mentioned to the lady that an open back with a clasp or something to tie was what worked best for my wings. She nodded her head to confirm she had heard me as she muttered numbers and jotted them down.
The seamstress said it’d be an hour before she had the dress ready. We walked outside to which the father asked his daughter if that was all she wanted for her birthday. She insisted that she needed a new tea set so she could have a tea party with me. The father was clearly displeased with his daughter. I didn’t pitty him much. Claira seemed to be the product of her father.
We went to the mercantile store. I could see inside was plenty of fragile items. I tried to sit outside, but the girl insisted I go in, carrying her... The store was filled with all sorts of things. Claira was eager to oggle over the tea sets. For a moment she almost convinced her father to buying a tea set that looked as though a blind potter or five year old, had crafted it. It was garish to say the least. Lucky the father she had something else she’d rather have over it; a dream journal and happy pony...
It was also clear that Claira’s father was concerned about his daughter. WIth how he was talking to Claira, he was clearly indecisive as to whether she was suddenly ill or he was just realizing how ridiculous his daughter’s selfish demands were. Anyways, he bought her a gaudy journal with a unicorn on it and picked out the ‘happiest’ pony (complete with an outrageously glitzy saddle).
After all of that, we went back to the seamstress for my dress. I must say, as showy as it was, it’s the finest bit of clothing I’ve ever worn. The fabric shimmered and was turquoise in color. The lining had a long slit and was a pail blue. Collar was high with a small emerald or opal. A larger version of the gem gathered the turquoise fabric on my left hip. Claira insisted upon me wearing some black high heels too. If ever I was to fight in the unforeseen future, I was certain this get up would hinder me some. I couldn't help but also think how beautiful I looked. Maybe that was vein of me to think... but as I sit here thinking about this dress I now have, it's flattering to feel good about ones appearance.
Claira then demanded she and I go for a pony ride together. The father seemed skeptical about that. He figured I was too tall for the horses. I figured riding in a dress would be impossible. But in the end they found their largest pony and they have side saddles... I ended up riding side saddled with the little girl. She lead the way while I followed. After this little ride, I was going to be done and attempt to find a few more provisions before leaving town.
“Hey Araja,” I heard Claira say. I whipped my head around to look at her. I was completely shocked she knew who I was. “It’s cool Araja, it’s me, Isaac,” she said. Sure enough, it was Isaac. He poked his head out a little and I just gaped at him.
“Here’s the plan, you keep going and I’ll go tell her dad that ‘I’ told you to go away,” Isaac said matter-of-factly. I felt conflicted. It was nice to not be in a robe that barely managed to keep me appropriate and to have a mount that could help carry things, but was this stealing? Claira’s father was just tricked...
“Uh, yeah. Thanks I guess for the dress and mount...”
“And this journal,” Isaac said. He pulled out the unicorn journal he had convinced the girls father to buy.
so what are we going to do when we need to rest?” I said.
“Oh yeah, you have to sleep... eh, sell the pony in the next town. I’ll catch up with you in a little bit” Isaac mentioned.
“I’ll wait about a mile out of town along this road,” I said pointing toward the direction of the coast. He then turned his pony around and took off. I continued on my way trying to justify what Isaac had done. Clearly the dress and mount was nothing to be missed by that wealthy family.
Soon Isaac was back and we began our journey to the coast.
“That dress looks mighty nice on you,” Isaac said. I felt flattered, but it then felt weird... Isaac dressed me? “Oh and you may not want to ever go back to Golden Spike,” he added.
“Why?”
“Oh, you know. The whole possession thingy... well she may not know what happened, but she knows something happened.”
“Lovely,” I said sarcastically.
After a while, the pony began to act weird.
“Araja,” a very horse like voice said.
“Isaac?” I asked.
“Yep. I can possess animals too.”
I slid off the pony. Isaac them came out of the animal, his arms folded.
“What’s wrong with me being a pony?” Isaac asked. The poor pony was shaking and sat down. I patted it’s head trying to soothe it.
“Nothing Isaac. I just didn’t feel like riding on your back.” I carefully slipped the bit out of the pony’s mouth since I had no intentions of riding him any time soon. After a few moments, the pony calmed down enough to let me lead him along, Isaac bobbing about us.
“Death has done a number on you Isaac.”
“How so?”
“You’re more carefree and, well, silly. You’re not that serious guy I remember.”
“If you say so,” Isaac responded, still bobbing about in the air.
Isaac and I come upon a town as evening began to set in. I had intentions of selling the pony, but soon after walking into town I could hear murmurs of folk assuming I was a princess. I looked around dumbfounded by such an assumption. Just when I figured I'd press on and ignore such an outrageous thought, a gnome walked up to me with a more obscured question.
"Are you a Goddess?" I looked at the gnome not knowing how to respond to him. "Should I worship you?" I continued to question.
"No. Don't worship me," I responded quickly. I couldn't help but feel disgusted in my own body. The way he said it just sounded so... desperate. I don't know. I'm nothing worthy to be worshiped.
Before I knew it, gnomes were gathering left and right with plates of food and precious items. Confused I took a moment to assess the situation. I almost laughed when it clicked in my head. I came into town with a fine pony in hand. I'm in a very nice dress that is rather gaudy. I am an Angelic and I had no way of hiding it without my circlet. It felt wrong to want to take advantage of their misinterpretation of who I really am, but getting a few meager items couldn't be all that harmful right? They were literally begging to show their worthiness to have my presence. I told them a room for the night and food for my travels would be more than enough.
They certainly went above and beyond what was necessary. They put me in the mayor's home with a meal fit for royalty. I never had such decadent food in my life! If I knew how to act better as royalty, perhaps I would have been more tempted to reign over the citizens. Alas, I knew I couldn't do that. It was hard enough accepting what they were already giving to me free of charge.
Once I saw I was alone I called for Isaac.
"Wow, nice set up you got here."
“I hate you because of this dress,” I shot at him, “But, thank you at the same time. They think I’m a Goddess,” I drawled, hoping Isaac would catch my sarcasm for my enthusiasm. He remained silent. In fact I felt a bit stupid for having told him that considering he had been following me around the whole time.
“Okay then... so tomorrow. I figure we’ll rest up- er, I’ll rest up, and then in the morning I’ll just explain that I’m from the higher realm wanting to experience the common life. I’d only need some meager things, like a backpack. Food would be a good thing to have as well since I don’t know if there’ll be many towns like this one, nor do I expect it,” I told Isaac.
“Ya know,” Isaac said, his ghostly face having a thoughtful look about it, “If I were in your shoes, which I could be,” he gave a soft chuckle, “I would say ‘I’m a simple traveler with simple needs that-’”
“And through in Heironious will bless them greatly for their kindness unto me,” I said mockingly.
“No, you don’t even have to do that. Just get your needs filled and by them doing so, infer upon them that for meeting your ‘simple’ needs, they’ll have blessing poured upon them. It’s the whole helping the wayward traveler. You’ll be happy and they’ll be happy.”
I pondered Isaac’s words. The more I thought about them, the more I liked his suggestion. I wouldn’t be elevating myself and their generosity wouldn’t be in vain... to them at least.
“Also, I wouldn’t recommend staying long,” Isaac added. I snorted my agreement.
“I anticipate being out of here in the morning,” I informed Isaac, “I don’t want to abuse their hospitality-”
“Oh, that’s why we’re leaving so soon? I’m more concerned about Claira’s father.”
“What’d you do?”
“Well, I did possess his daughter. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a complete freak out and explained the best she could what happened, or what didn’t happen. I’m not really sure what happens to the person when I possess them, but I figure it’s not pleasant,” Isaac explained, rushing his words together towards the end. I rolled my eyes. Of course there’d be consequences to Isaac’s ability. I figured if someone came for me, I’d go peacefully and be honest. At the time, I hadn’t a clue what Isaac could do and so therefore knew nothing about it until we left.
