A/N: The wonderful world of Exile (Avernum) is the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. I'm just having a bit of fun here. When I have finished, I promise to return unharmed to the game the following persons: Gibbon, Rose, Caius, Alice, Miles, Jen, Ken, Stoppard, Townsend, Captain Graham, Mayor Amtar, Tybalt, Bon-Ihrno and Bentis-Ka; and places: Formello, the Ruined Town, and the Isolated Island Hut.
Returning to Formello, Rose was still drinking away her troubles, while the soldiers garrisoned here were busy about their business, with the grim-facedness which accompanied a wartime in which they were separated from the rest of their country. Gibbon, however, looked pleased to see them return, still grateful that they had rid a room of a nasty presence that had made it unusable.
Deciding to stroll through what passed for a garden in Formello, they encountered a rather taciturn man in moss-stained clothing.
"Hello there," said Nigel, cheerily.
"Lo," he replied.
"So, what's your name?" said Nigel.
"Tybalt," he answered.
"Whatcha doing?" said Nigel.
"Farming," replied Tybalt.
"You ever say more?" said Nigel.
"No," said Tybalt. But then, Feodoric had edged closer to the mushrooms for a better look, and he said, "You! Get away from them mushrooms, if'n ya know what's good for ya."
"Sorry," said Feodoric, moving back. "What's with them?"
"Emergency crops, in case of siege," said Tybalt. "Nick any, and you'll be sorry before I even let the guards take a piece of ya."
"All right, all right," said Feodoric, "sorry I took a close look."
No sooner had Feodoric spoken, but Formello was hit by a cavequake. Screams echoed through the city, and suddenly, a massive spire of stone rose from the ground, while the front of city hall crumbled and collapsed. As the cavequake faded, there was a blinding flash of light over the stone spire. Floating above it, there was a brightly glowing apparition—humanoid, very tall and thin, but too insubstantial for any details to be discerned. Without conscious thought, Jenneke and his companions moved closer.
After a moment, the screaming of the townspeople died down, replaced by horrified silence. Then the apparition began to speak.
"Do not be alarmed humans. I am Bon-Ihrno of the vahnatai people. I cannot stay here for long. You have taken some of our lands. A few. It doesn't matter. Humans have committed a greater theft from us, a hideous theft. It has been decided you will be destroyed. The barriers are the beginning," said the apparition. "Some do not think this is just. I am one. Some of you must come to us to explain why you have done what you have done. Here ..."
The figure pointed at the cavewall to the northeast. There was another brief quake. Jenneke fell prostrate, and when he looked up, the others of his platoon had done likewise, and there was a new crevice in the cave wall. The figure began to fade, but spoke as he was fading from sight: "Come to us to protest your innocence. But if you are guilty, we will not rest until our Crystal Souls are returned to us." With that, the thing that said it was a vahnatai named Bon-Ihrno disappeared.
Those within the courtyard got up, milling about as though the information were too much to absorb. A man in a mayor's sash gave a long look at Jenneke, then turned to walk into the ruin of city hall. Nearby, the dark crevice remained in the wall, though no one went near, and no one seemed willing to look that way.
Jenneke said, "Well, that thing did say something about the barriers, and you see the way the mayor was looking our way?"
"Can't say I did," replied Feodoric, "I wasn't looking that way."
"Let's go in and talk," said Jenneke.
They moved into the ruined city hall, where the mayor—old for Avernum at the age of fifty—was dressed in the traditional mayor's sash, and also wore a large gold necklace.
"I am Amtar. Mayor Amtar, honored ruler of the city of Formello," he said, sounding quite upset.
"Your honor, I hope it isn't out of place, but could Formello use the services of a band of adventurers?"
He shook his head, and replied. "So many troubles, even my secretary has gone off to fight the Empire. I'm glad to see adventurers here. A t this point, we need all the assistance we can get."
"Who was your secretary?" asked Jenneke.
"His name is Foley. He's a captain now," replied Amtar. "If you meet him, be sure to mention my name. I'm sure he'd be happy to help some adventurers out."
"That's quite a necklace," said Nigel.
Amtar put a protective hand on it. "This is the badge of office of the mayor of Formello. We had a bit of trouble over it a few years ago. It was stolen from Mayor Evelyn. Some adventurers got it back for her," said Amtar. "Then, when her term was up, Mayor Evelyn ran off and left me with all of the messes. Plenty of trouble. But none with the necklace since."
"I saw you looking our way," said Jenneke. "How may we be of assistance?"
"We all heard what that shade said. That vahnatai thing," said Amtar pointing to the destroyed walls on the east side of the building. "The quake made a tunnel back there. It may be our only hope to get rid of that cursed barrier. There are few adventurers around here. Only you can investigate it."
"We'd be happy to be of assistance to Avernum," said Jenneke. "We'll have to supply up, since that'd be new territory."
"Of course," said Amtar. "Formello is not suffering as much as other places in this part of Avernum, so the goods available are fairly extensive. Please, go and seek this vahnatai creature out, and find out what we must do to bring down the barriers."
"Of course, your honor," replied Jenneke.
After visiting Jen and Ken's stockyard, gathering potions and other supplies from about town, they moved closer to the large crack in the cavewall.
"Well, I don't think even Thissa will have a hard time getting through here," said Jenneke.
He stood at the entrance, peering into the dim passages beyond. Just enough glowing fungus allowed them to tell the passage turned sharply north, and a strong mildewy smell and sound of hissing could be discerned in the tunnel beyond.
"No time like the present, I guess," said Jenneke, drawing his sword. "Doesn't sound friendly there."
Moving within the passage, it seemed that this tunnel had been created by the earlier cavequake, rather than the most recent one to hit Formello. The hissing echoed endlessly off the walls.
"Giant lizards, straight ahead," said Jenneke, as the hissing horse-sized beasts came rushing their way.
After the briefest of fights, the lizards were dead, and they continued, finding a draft of cool, moist air coming from further down the passage. The hissing, however, continued.
"Shit!" said Jenneke as a five-headed hydra attempted to take a bite out of his side.
"That's what you get for taking point, in that clunky metal armor," said Nigel.
"Fine," said Jenneke, once the hydra was dead, "you take point."
Nigel led the way without further incident, and after what seemed nearer a week, they emerged from the long tunnel into the ruins of a small town. The ruins were ancient, and did not appear to have been made by humans. The wall construction was tall and delicate, with odd green floor tile, in a design that was unfamiliar to any member of the platoon.
"It looks haunted," said Jenneke.
Entering one small ruined building, they saw more of the oddly designed green tile. On one tile, there was a very gently glowing golden rune.
"As many runes as I've seen," said Feodoric, sounding almost excited, "I've never seen one like this before."
"Nor have I," said Michael.
As they continued to talk about the rune, the weakened wall collapsed, and they dodged falling stones.
"Check this out!" called Jenneke, once the stones stopped, and he climbed over the rubble to two blue crystalline boxes.
"Let me take a look," said Nigel, checking them carefully for traps before opening one. "No wonder," he said, setting the lid back, "empty." Then he opened the other, finding several stone tablets with distinct lettering, even though it was utterly alien to Nigel's eyes. "You guys make sense of this?" he asked.
"I've never seen anything like that," said Feodoric.
"Nor I," said Michael. "It's perfectly legible, I think. It's just in a language with an alphabet unlike anything I've ever seen before."
"Check this out," said Jenneke, moving toward what appeared to be an incongruously freshly repaired dock in the midst of a ruined town. A boat had been tied to the dock, made of cavewood, the design unlike the typical boats of Avernum, although it did look riverworthy.
Michael moved over to the obelisk near the docks. Worn nearly smooth from age, there was one mark—a recent carving of an arrow—pointing toward the dock. "I think that boat was put there for whoever's responding to what that apparition said."
"In that case," said Jenneke, "I guess we should go."
As they rowed away from the ruined town, they could see a light, and drawing nearer, it illuminated a hut sitting on an island. An immense amount of wood had been collected here, as they docked and looked, for apparently whoever was responsible meant to keep the fire burning until someone was attracted here.
"I sure hope they're friendly," said Jenneke. "I feel like I'm walking into a trap."
"It's ok, sarge," said Nigel. "We got your back."
"It's just spooky as hell," said Jenneke, fighting the urge to pull his sword again as he followed the walkway to what appeared to be the front door of the hut.
Like everything else, the furnishings of the small building were entirely alien. There were low stone tables, delicate chairs that looked as though they would collapse if Jenneke sat in them, and definitely would if Thissa did so, crystal boxes, and a large glowing crystal in the center of the room.
Far more alien than the furniture was the bizarre creature sitting at the table watching them enter. It was very tall, at least a foot taller than Jenneke, and impossibly thin, perhaps as much as a hundred pounds lighter. Dull gray skin stretched tightly over cable-like muscles. The creature leaned forward, staring intently at the platoon, its eyes milky as though afflicted with enormous cataracts.
Slowly it stood. It was wrapped in a delicate cloak of some sort of silky material, slightly luminescent, a soft pink glow forming a hazy nimbus around the being.
In a halting, peculiarly accented speech, it said, "Welcome, humans. I, Bentis-Ka, am greeting you now, in peaceness, for the vahnatai beings and race. Please, come in and speak, for there is much to say."
With a slight bow, it sat again, waiting.
"Uh, pleased to meet you," said Jenneke. "I'm Jenneke, a sergeant in the Avernum army, and the rest of my platoon, Thissa, Nigel, Feodoric, and Michael. Uh ... we come in peace."
The vahnatai bobbed its head, and said, "I am called Bentis-Ka by my people. The Ka is a sign of my position as mage. A mage woman, I think you say. I have been waiting here for humans to be coming. Before you begin the dark journey, you must learn of my people." She poured liquid from a nearby flask into several small crystal cups. "Have a drink."
"What is this drink?" said Jenneke, looking at it doubtfully.
"Water with mold. One of our favorite drink," replied Bentis-Ka. "It will be safe for you."
Jenneke looked at the others, and back to the drink doubtfully, then back to Michael. Deliberately, Michael tilted the crystal cup up and drank a sip. Jenneke closed his eyes and did likewise, struggling to avoid making a face at the nasty taste. Bentis-Ka drank as the others drank.
"We greet in peace. A good start," said Bentis-Ka. "Now, I think and much I must tell you."
"So, you've been waiting for any humans to show up?" said Jenneke.
"Yes, you seem a worthy people in ways," replied Bentis-Ka. "It is sadness that we may must hate you. There has been a great crime."
"Whoa. Hold on, you hate us?" said Jenneke. "Why?"
Reflecting for a moment, she nodded her head and said, "That is not for my telling. That must you take journey for first."
"What's this crime you spoke of?" said Feodoric. "What happened?"
She remained silent for a moment, then said, "My master, Bon-Ihrno, say what I can tell you now and what must wait. That is something that must wait."
"How is it you speak our language?" said Feodoric.
"We have been watching you, and some of us learn your speak," said Bentis-Ka. "At end of your journey, you may be taught our speak and work with us."
"So," said Jenneke, shifting his weight awkwardly. "now that we have greeted each other, what do you have to tell us?"
"You must take a dark journey now. Refuse, and your people are full of suffering," said Bentis-Ka. "Great war may happen if not is done."
"We're already suffering," said Jenneke. "This dark journey? Doesn't sound too welcoming."
"It is dangerous, but this black river is the only way some of you humans can get to our land," said Bentis-Ka with a nod. "We must bring humans to our land, to try to prevent horrors. I was put here to tell you of my people, and to tell you the route. I can be giving you some small assistance."
"Like what assistance?" said Jenneke.
"In the boxes by door are many foods for your long journey," replied Bentis-Ka. "Once you go, there isn't turning back, so have food."
"Who are you people?" said Nigel.
"I see your horror in your eyes, at my appearance. But that may change I hope, for you might be finding we have similarities to you, under our different furnitures and faces. Our race has women and men, as yours. I am the former," she said, and sipped her drink again. "There is but one true difference. We are natives of the caves. You are not."
"If you're the natives," said Jenneke, "I guess that makes us the invaders?"
"You call this land Avernum, but that is meaning, if I understand, this is not your true home being. Avernum is word some of you have for underworld punishment place. But here is our true home, and was for years upon years," said Bentis-Ka. "This place is our love. Here is where we can only be. But we need not be alone. It is some of our hope for peace, and not being killing you all, that we are helping you go to Avit."
"Avit? Where's that?" said Jenneke.
"You must go to Avit, city of my people. The route is simple. Take the boat south, down many tunnels and waterfalls. It will have dangers, for this was once lands of our people before the Resting. The ruins now may have many traps and beings," replied Bentis-Ka. "Go south, and south, and you may then find the tunnel to Avit."
"The Resting?" asked Michael.
"Many years we vahnatai slept. Of late we awoke to find you in our lands, and great crime done against us," said Bentis-Ka. "Now we need to meet you and learn who you are. That is why you go now to Avit."
"So, what is Avit like?" asked Feodoric.
"Avit is one of the few vahnatai cities that has been Awakened. Go there, to meet Bon-Ihrno, my great master," said Bentis-Ka, "who will tell you how you may save the humans."
"The whole population of Avit was asleep?" said Jenneke, amazed.
"Sleeping, no. The vahnatai are Awakening from the long Rest. You can learn more in Avit. Do not fear though, as we hope to not do many killings," said Bentis-Ka. "We only kill what we must. And now, speaking much, you must be going."
Not particularly reassured by the 'not do many killings,' Jenneke said, "Thank you. Then, I guess we should get going. Guys, you want to gather that food?"
Thissa opened one of the crystal boxes, finding fish and mushrooms inside, and they stored their food and made the way back to the boat.
"What do you guys think?" said Jenneke, as they pushed off from the island's dock.
"They're creepy," said Nigel.
"Yes," said Michael, "but if they in fact made those barriers, it seems we have little other choice."
"It does seem likely that the barriers are of their making," said Feodoric. "Consider that the barriers are like nothing we've ever seen, and so are these ... vahnatai."
"The 'hope to not do many killings' bit kinda worries me," said Jenneke. "I mean, what if they're just going to kill us at the end of this long journey anyhow?"
"Well, we didn't commit any crimes against them," said Nigel. "Hell, we didn't even know about them."
"True," said Thissa, who had been reserved, deep in thought during the talk with Bentis-Ka. "Isss probably your Empire hasss done the crimesss."
"My Empire?" said Jenneke. "Don't insult me."
"Isss where come from," said Thissa.
"I'm from Cotra," said Jenneke. "Not the fucking Empire."
"I am ssssorry," said Thissa, "not meaning offenssse. But I do not remember ssstoriessss of my people about ssssuch beingsss."
"I'm sorry," said Jenneke. "Didn't mean to fly off the handle, but you know, Empire wants us all dead. I don't have any loyalty there, and haven't since they dumped me down here."
They continued rowing, and maneuvering through one tunnel, there was a definite increase in the speed of the river.
"I hope this boat is sturdy enough," said Jenneke, looking at the fragile craft doubtfully.
Moving further downstream, the water flowed faster and faster, and the loud sound of roaring, like that of a waterfall was ahead.
"If we keep going, we might not be able to get back," said Thissa.
"Well, that Bentis-Ka thing did say we had to go down waterfalls," said Jenneke. "I just hope we can get through it in one piece."
They made their way over the waterfall, and into a loop of fairly calm water, but with nowhere to go. To the east, there was another waterfall, much bigger than the first.
"Can't go back, have to go forward," said Michael.
"I know," said Jenneke. As they reached the waterfall and he looked at the size, he said, "Oh, fuck."
Looking back up at the massive waterfall behind, Jenneke felt a grim, cold feeling building up in his chest, and a look at his companions told him that they felt the same way. No way back up, no refuge nearby. Nothing but black, icy cold water ahead, waiting to consume them.
"Think we'll be rescued?" said Nigel, sounding nervous.
"Sure, about the same time we're rescued from Avernum," said Feodoric. "We only can go forward now, and hope for the best."
"Cheery thought," said Jenneke. "Into the hands of the vahnatai?"