Glade 14, 124
An unfortunate feature of plans is that they become increasingly complex as one attempts to execute on them. In fractal fashion, as one proceeds down the path of completion, more and more issues arise. These must be addressed before one can move forward; like a hydra, each head cut off spawns three more complications.
The first leg of the Great and Ancient Witch's plan had gone off without a hitch; she had easily found and obtained the ancient dragon Deravaecia's begrudging agreement. The second leg was twofold- first, to approach the Kindred and seek their aid in devising a purificating rite. Next, to approach the fae'ethalan boy, Destynrael Dromlach’darach, and obtain his help in channeling the amount of Dawnfire which would be necessary to complete it.
Unfortunately, she had quickly realized that she had absolutely no idea where to find Destyn.
Oh, she had a vague notion, of course, from her discussions with him and her visits to Kalzasi. But "the forests within Kalzasaern territory" was only marginally better than "a forest, somewhere" as far as actionable instructions for a visit went. No, if she wanted to find him before she died of old age, Imogen was going to have to either enlist the help of someone who could track his whereabouts, or conduct a wide-ranging search.
Obviously her first instinct was to go to Aurin, but she rejected this on selfish grounds. She owed Kavafis enough, for the time being, and at any rate was still dealing with conflicting feelings about him after the culmination of their duel. Plus, she was a witch. A famed, powerful witch, at that! Some things ought to be handled by magic, just so that nobody had cause to doubt her formidable powers.
So at last the Sunsinger turned to her most terrible spell, a magic which she had not dared to rely upon since her first battle with the Kegumu Rekaka, when it had earned that god's everlasting ire. It was a magic of last resort, to be sure, and she wasn't certain Karnor was ready for it- but needs must. In the dark nights of early Glade, at a distant altar to a long-forgotten god, Imogen prepared a fearsome rite, the likes of which no witch of Zaichaer had ever dreamed.
It came at a price. Power always does, but this power was especially demanding, its cost esoteric but formidable. With great trepidation, she conceded to it, and then worked the great magics which would be required to cross the world entire and begin her search.
And then, when all was in readiness, she unleashed that awful spell into the forests of Karnor.
The next day, the forests were filled with monkeys.
Sifaka, to be precise. Golden-crested lemurs, white-furred little creatures with long, clever fingers and even longer tails, as poofy and fuzzy as one could desire. They scampered and scarpered through the trees, covering an incredible amount of ground as they went, peering into every crevasse and hollow bole in search of the boy Destyn. The Great and Ancient Witch had helpfully provided each one with an exact likeness, to assist their cause:
The monkeys were not exactly used to the northern forests, but it was not too cold, and the trees were, if anything, even easier to cross, even with the tiny wooden swords that each of the lemurs bore. Thus armed, both with Destyn's likeness and monkey-sized weaponry, they began their canvas of Kalzasi, with strict instructions to lead Destyn back to Imogen if they could find him, or vice-versa if that did not work.
The first leg of the Great and Ancient Witch's plan had gone off without a hitch; she had easily found and obtained the ancient dragon Deravaecia's begrudging agreement. The second leg was twofold- first, to approach the Kindred and seek their aid in devising a purificating rite. Next, to approach the fae'ethalan boy, Destynrael Dromlach’darach, and obtain his help in channeling the amount of Dawnfire which would be necessary to complete it.
Unfortunately, she had quickly realized that she had absolutely no idea where to find Destyn.
Oh, she had a vague notion, of course, from her discussions with him and her visits to Kalzasi. But "the forests within Kalzasaern territory" was only marginally better than "a forest, somewhere" as far as actionable instructions for a visit went. No, if she wanted to find him before she died of old age, Imogen was going to have to either enlist the help of someone who could track his whereabouts, or conduct a wide-ranging search.
Obviously her first instinct was to go to Aurin, but she rejected this on selfish grounds. She owed Kavafis enough, for the time being, and at any rate was still dealing with conflicting feelings about him after the culmination of their duel. Plus, she was a witch. A famed, powerful witch, at that! Some things ought to be handled by magic, just so that nobody had cause to doubt her formidable powers.
So at last the Sunsinger turned to her most terrible spell, a magic which she had not dared to rely upon since her first battle with the Kegumu Rekaka, when it had earned that god's everlasting ire. It was a magic of last resort, to be sure, and she wasn't certain Karnor was ready for it- but needs must. In the dark nights of early Glade, at a distant altar to a long-forgotten god, Imogen prepared a fearsome rite, the likes of which no witch of Zaichaer had ever dreamed.
It came at a price. Power always does, but this power was especially demanding, its cost esoteric but formidable. With great trepidation, she conceded to it, and then worked the great magics which would be required to cross the world entire and begin her search.
And then, when all was in readiness, she unleashed that awful spell into the forests of Karnor.
~~~
The next day, the forests were filled with monkeys.
Sifaka, to be precise. Golden-crested lemurs, white-furred little creatures with long, clever fingers and even longer tails, as poofy and fuzzy as one could desire. They scampered and scarpered through the trees, covering an incredible amount of ground as they went, peering into every crevasse and hollow bole in search of the boy Destyn. The Great and Ancient Witch had helpfully provided each one with an exact likeness, to assist their cause:
The monkeys were not exactly used to the northern forests, but it was not too cold, and the trees were, if anything, even easier to cross, even with the tiny wooden swords that each of the lemurs bore. Thus armed, both with Destyn's likeness and monkey-sized weaponry, they began their canvas of Kalzasi, with strict instructions to lead Destyn back to Imogen if they could find him, or vice-versa if that did not work.
