Chapter 29: Outsiders
Location: Gwyrdd Island
Ten minutes later…
By the time Carraig and Mother Sruthanna reached the site of the crash, they discovered the intact wreckage of a plane. They found that they weren't the first to arrive on the scene, that honour went to a group of hunters. Comprised of members from multiple clans, their purple skin had been smeared with in crimson paint; a custom meant to inspire fear.
"Máthair Mhór, what brings you here?" one of the hunters greeted.
"Young Carraig has just finished undertaking the Triail Spiorad," she answered, placing her hands on his shoulders, "We came as soon as we heard the disturbance."
"Ah, does this mean we are in the presence of a future Shaman?" he asked, eyeing the youngster.
"I'm afraid not," she replied.
"A pity then."
"What is the situation?"
"This creature is nothing I've ever seen before," another hunter stated, gesturing to the downed aircraft, "It appears to be some sort of metal bird, and its even eaten some Coigríche."
Coigríche was the term used when dealing with anyone from a different clan, although nowadays it exclusively meant individuals that came from another species.
"That's a plane," Carraig said, stifling a giggle.
Technology was a foreign concept for the Olog-hai, whose society hadn't progressed beyond a state of primitive tribalism. Their exposure to technology was incredibly limited, so the hunters' overall ignorance wasn't all that surprising.
"A what?" one of the hunters questioned.
"A plane. People use it to travel from place to place."
"But how does such a thing fly without feathered wings?" one of the other hunters questioned.
"You should probably take his word for it," Mother Sruthanna suggested, "And we should probably consider getting those Coigríche out, they could be injured."
While several of the hunters approached the downed aircraft, Carraig turned away and noticed something laying at the base of a massive tree. Forgetting about what else was going on, the boy raced forward, discovering an anthropomorphic rabbit lying unconscious, her legs and her left arm were covered in metal. With that section of the jungle waterlogged, it was a miracle that she hadn't drowned in the ankle-deep water. Mother Sruthanna, having noticed Carraig's sudden absence had followed the boy, reaching his location a short time later.
"She's alive," the boy stated, "...I think."
The Shaman checked for herself, and that the boy had spoken the truth, though she was clearly in bad shape.
"The breath of life is fading from her body," Mother Sruthanna stated.
"Can you save her?"
"There is little time to waste," she replied, reaching for one of the talismans from around his necklace, "Spirit of Water, I call upon you. Let you life-giving waters heal these wounds."
Placing her other hand atop the Mobian's chest, Mother Sruthanna began channeling the power of water. Despite the Elder Shaman's best efforts, she could feel the young Mobian's life continue to ebb away. Swooping down from the woodland canopy was a raven, its body shapeshifting into the form of a white-haired Olog. He was more dressed than their kinsmen, with a belt of woven cotton with tasseled ends that covered his genitals. He had woven armbands, a black band covering his right wrist, and a bundle of orange fibers covering his right. Hanging from around his neck was a length of wooden beads, which had been wrapped twice.
"Daidí!" Carraig cried out in surprise.
"Ghrian," she said, recognizing the man.
Having been blind for most of his life, she had always suspected that Ghrian was destined for something great. She had in no way been disappointed, as the youngster had gained the power of nature itself. Druidism had spread amongst the ranks of the Olog-hai, becoming as widely respected as Shamanism. Pulling his strength from the surrounding wilderness, Ghrian used it to bolster Mother Sruthanna's own attempts to heal the dying Mobian. The Shaman could feel the strengthening of young Rabbit's life force, and within a heartbeat had regained consciousness.
"Oh mah stars!" Bunnie gasped, glancing at those who surrounded her.
The amethyst-skinned humanoids were taller than Chris, although they possessed a more muscular frame.
"You are amongst friends, you need not worry yourself," Mother Sruthanna stated.
Bunnie slowly began to relax, but upon looking past the gathered Ologs, her eyes promptly fell upon the wreckage of the aircraft.
"They can't get them out," Carraig finally stated, having watched them unsuccessfully try to break open the canopy.
"There's a panel with the emergency release at the side of the cockpit," Bunnie stated.
Carraig nodded his head and took off running, scrambling atop the downed aircraft, and locating the emergency release.
"Take them back to Ildathach," Ghrian instructed, "More can be done for them there."
"Yes, Archdruid," the hunter said, causing Ghrian to cringe.
The other hunters carefully extracted the unconscious survivors from the wreckage and proceeded to carry them off in the direction of the village.
"Can you move?" Ghrian asked.
She tried to rise, but her cybernetic legs had been rendered non-responsive, likely the result of her trying to avert the crash.
"Ah can't move mah legs," she admitted.
"But…that should've healed your injuries," Mother Sruthanna stated.
"Mah limbs had to be replaced with cybernetics after an accident," Bunnie explained, "Ah'll need repairs."
Ghrian reached down and scooped up Bunnie in his arms, intent on carrying her all the way to the village with Mother Sruthanna and Carraig following behind.