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Old 01-13-2003, 01:24 AM   #16
Child of the 7th Age
Spirit of the Lonely Star
 
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Sting

In one of the soggier deltas of the Entwash, a tall and stooping figure with ashen green hair shuffled slowly towards the well that stood behind his hut. Pettygast reached out with a tired hand to clutch the frayed rope and gently let the bucket downward, then hoisted it back up again. Perhaps the cold, sparkling waters would wash away his memories and ease the pain that assaulted his mind.

The ladle of water was fresh and sweet, but did little to assuage his doubts or fears. For the past one hundred and sixty-seven nights, he had witnessed the same vision parading before his eyes in the depths of sleep. Every evening, an image came strong and clear at the deepest hour of dreaming, haunting his mind and offering little possibilty of relief.

Before him stood a large storage cupboard filled with all manner of wooden utensils, tools, and furniture. Spoons, bowls, broken chair legs and broom handles, arrows, and cups--he could not even name all the paraphernalia which was excitedly jumping up and down on the shelves. And always the same cry rose up to his ear, "Heeelp us! Save ussss! Avenge usss!"

Pettygast shuddered. He had no idea what any of that meant. But the meaning of the next scene was utterly clear, and even more disheartening.

Pettygast could see himself stepping onto the Good Ship Lollipop which was about to set sail to the Place Beyond the Great Rift and the Bent Seas which no one can get to but where everyone wants to go. This was truly something that his heart desired. Yet, just before that ship hoisted sail and turned about, the majestic figure of the Fruit-Giver stood before him and barred the entry with her body, throwing a bucket of rotten apples and peaches down on his head.

"You may not journey West, Pettygast. Not until each and every piece has been reassembled. For you owe this duty to the Ents, since you have long been designated as their guardian, and have done nothing whatsoever to assist them, neither in their hunt for the Entwives nor in any other thing."

"Go now to the Last Home Grown Cows, and seek for the Ent that was broken. Only then may you earn the forgiveness of the Mighty and come at last to the place where no one can get to but where everyone wants to go."

Pettygast signed. He could no longer fight the vision. He seized his staff of living wood, in the shape of a young sapling, and stood upon the hillside, calling out loudly to the winds, "Hee-haw, Hee-haw," as was his usual custom. Within minutes, his faithful donkey Hummus appeared, and he mounted on her back, riding off at a fearful pace into the blackness of the night.

[ January 13, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]
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