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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><font size="2">Here is the next part of my Roman story where things get interesting.</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><font size="2"><br>
</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><font size="2"><br>
</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><font size="2">Chris</font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><font size="2">The Lurking Fox</font><br>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><br>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><br>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was very early when Bitt and his
Contubernium were assembled in front of their barracks. Dawn was still at least
an hour away and most of the fortress was still asleep. Experience told Bitt
that they were in for a long walk. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Vinius was a short distance away speaking to
tribune Vitellius. The tall oryx was talking to the hound at length about
something.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“So where are we headed?” He asked as he
checked his gladius one last time. “Where is the tribune taking us?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“A special task for us. A local village has
sent word that something was attacking them. Smashing their homes and tearing
down their walls,” Vinius explained. “We’re being sent to help.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Some THING?” Sabinus asked nervously.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What?” Grattius asked nervously.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We will find out what,” the decanus
answered. “When we get there. But it cannot be bad if all they are sending is a
single contubernium.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I hate surprises like this,” Decebalus
muttered as he hefted his scutum.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal">************</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His suspicions hadn’t been wrong and it was
several miles after dawn when marching brought them to their destination. The
small village set on the side of a rocky hill. It took over an hour of walking
up the rough road before they reached it. The ground was rocky but a few people
were trying to eke out a living; mostly it seemed by herding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The town elder was talking to the tribune
and the decanus. The feline seemed upset. She had asked for help and been
expecting the legion or at least a cohort. All she got was eight, dusty, bored
legionnaires led by a tribune who seemed just as dusty but at least sounded
interested.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They were talking to the cat in Aramaic and
Bitt was having a hard time following all of the conversation. They were
talking at a fast speed. But what he could understand is that something seemed
to be destroying the walls of the buildings and fences.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Did she say that something was eating their
stones?” Bitt whispered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That’s what I heard,” Rolozius whispered back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She held up a stone that truly seemed to
have a bite taken out of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sabinus shook his head “Oh that’s not good.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What eats stone?” Tossius asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hyena shook his head. “I’m not sure I
want to know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tossius got his answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature stepped out of the rock. Not
from behind it, or under it or on top of it. It came directly out of what was
the flat, stone face of a boulder.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature stood barely two feet tall.
Even shorter than the fox. It had two arms, two legs, a body and a head but
they were not of flesh and fur. Instead it seemed to be of pure stone and
earth. He could even see where veins of different minerals ran through. In its
hands was a large pick made entirely of stone. The fox was not sure the tool was
actually separate and not just a part of the creature.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Legate gave a wave of the hand. “Halt.
Who are you?” He said in Latine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature answered him in a language no
one else seemed to recognize and emphasized point by waving it’s arms about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The tribune responded by talking slower.
“Who. Are. You?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt listened quietly as the two argued back
and forth. Both speaking and yet not listening. And neither understanding what
the other was saying. In spite of having shaved his fur down and only wearing a
tunic under his armor Bitt was getting hot. The sun was beating down on them
all and heating up his armor. He understood why the Parthians used more silk
and leather in their armor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Having failed to make itself understood with
one language the creature tried a second but with the same results.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What is it?” Grattius asked. “I mean it’s
made of stone. Like a statue.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That is not a statue,” Etiewi countered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“An earth elemental?” Sabinus asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first shrugged. “I don’t know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Not an Elemental,” the fox commented. “But
related to one perhaps.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Whatever it is,” Grattius said. “Why is it
mad at us?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt shrugged. “Who can tell but he does
look mad.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“How can you tell?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Well he is waving his arms and shouting,”
Bitt answered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Can stone and earth get mad?” Grattius
asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It’s not him we need to worry about,” the
lion said. As he looked around his grip on the hilt of the gladius tightened.
“It’s his friends that we don’t see that are the problem.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature switched to a third language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt flinched. “Hey!” He muttered. “I
recognize that language.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The lion spun around and looked at Bitt.
“You what?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I’ve heard that language before,” the fox
responded. “One moment. Let me think.” He looked at the stone creature as it
spoke again. “I think that’s the language of the Na cinn scála.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Who?” The lion asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The Scaled Ones,” the fox explained.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The what?” Grattius asked. Still confused.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I’m not sure how to describe them,” Bitt
said slowly. “They live up in the mountains. Keep to themselves.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt spoke the words slowly. Speaking a
language he only half remembered. “Sveikinimai Pone,” the fox said slowly.
Trying to remember the words from lessons taken in childhood.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature stopped speaking and slowly
turned its head to the fox. Eyes of molten rock looked at him. “Ar jūs esate
skalėjantys?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox pondered those words for a moment.
Translating them from Cinn scala to Gaelach. It wasn’t easy as it had been a
long time since he had used the language. He wished he had paid more attention
when he had been tutored. The lessons had seemed so boring and unimportant back
then. Now lives depended on it. “He asked me a question.” The fox said to
himself. “He asked if I speak Cinn Scala.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Aš šiek tiek apie tai kalbu,” the fox
answered slowly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What did you just say?” Tribune Vitellius
asked. The entire group was quiet, and all eyes were on him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“He asked me if I speak it and I told him .
. it yes,” the fox answered. “I think.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Who are The Scaled Ones?” the legate asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“My home shares a border with them,” the fox
explained, “We’ve picked up a lot of the language over the years. Out of sheer
necessity. And Grandma Fethnaid always said know your enemies.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You keep surprising me Bitt. Ask him why he
is angry.” The tribune asked.<b> </b>“If he is angry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox pondered for a moment before
speaking. Really wishing he had paid more attention to those language lessons
with his tutor Grecinius. The bull had been a good teacher and he remembered
more than he realized. He spoke his words slowly being careful of each one.
Aware of the fact that a mistake could lead to something nasty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature pointed to the villagers and
said something in a distinctly hostile tone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox countered with a single word reply.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That resulted in a long answer from the
stone creature who emphasized his point with a wave of his pick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt listened carefully and waited for the
speaker to finish. “I see!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He turned to the villagers. “You’ve been
cutting holes in his home.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What?” The one villager asked incredulous.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“He lives inside the rock of the mountain
you have been quarrying stone from,” the fox explained.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“He lives IN the stone?” Vinius asked
slowly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox nodded his head. “He seems to be literally
of stone instead of flesh and bone like we are.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“He really lives inside the rocks?” The cat
asked. “The ones we have been quarrying?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Oh yes,” the fox responded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We cannot stop the quarrying,” the town
leader commented. “It’s how we make a living.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Oryx nodded his head. “I see. Bitt ask
him if there is stone they can take without chopping up his home?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox drove the point of his pilum into
the ground and then leaned his shield against it. He knew nothing about this earth
creature but what little he knew of the Na cinn scála was that they respected
formality. Introductions had to be done in a specific way. Bitilus bowed deeply
to the stony person. “I am Bitilus Aeturitis Brachaidhe,” he said. “Of Cairrge
Brachaidhe.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature bowed in return. “I am <a name="_Hlk493291271">Adenydd</a> of the Gwenithfaen.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“It’s a pleasure to meet you Adenydd of the
Gwenithfaen,” Bitt responded. He pointed to the villagers. “The people do
apologize for harming your home. They did not mean to. Is there some stone that
they might cut and use safely?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I can separate the stone for them,” Adenydd
answered. “So it is done correctly and the stone honored properly. For a cost.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That sounds fair,” the vulpine said. “What
cost?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Several minutes of negotiations followed as
they bartered back and forth and set the terms. There was several moments of
silence and the villagers debated whether to accept it or not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You are of Cairrge Brachaidhe,” the
creature commented. “You are far from your home stone. Why here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt shrugged. “I go where I am needed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You talk like a mage,” the elemental
commented with something like humor in it’s voice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“I’m not sure if that was an insult or a
compliment,” the fox countered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Perhaps
both.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“No insult upon you or your clan,” the
creature responded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“None taken,” the fox said. “I am here
searching for clan property and our heritage that was lost. And I go where the
fates take me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Recover them before the end?” The elemental
asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He stiffened, trying to not betray any
emotion. “The end?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“One hundred, plus ten, plus one,” the
elemental answered. “Time is counting down.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox cursed in several languages. “What
do you know of that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The creature shrugged. “Your vixen is not
the only one who knows the past and the future,” the stone creature commented.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You know her?” Bitt asked. Surprised.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“The Gwenithfaen know well of the oracle,”
Adenydd responded. “We communed with her previous sisters but not so much with
her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“She is not happy with her duties as such,”
the fox shook his head. “They weigh very heavily upon her.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You carry her mark.” The creature said
simply.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt looked down at his body. “Does it
show?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Only to those who know how to see it,” came
the enigmatic answer. “Why do you serve her?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“She is my cousin,” the fox explained and
hesitated. “And I do believe what she has said.” He leaned close to Adenydd.
“Do you believe it will happen?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“All things change with time.” Adenydd
commented without really answering the question. “Even the tallest mountains
are worn down.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What will you do when it does fully occur?”
The fox asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We are far from the events,” the stone
creature answered cryptically without really giving an answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Many in my home think the same thing,” the
fox commented. “But they are wrong and so are you. Nowhere is far enough.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Perhaps.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox shook his head. “Not perhaps. IS.
This will change everything. The whole world shall shake at its fall.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You speak like an oracle, like she does,”
the elemental commented with a touch of humor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox shrugged. “Perhaps, but I trust her
judgement. And she is my cousin.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“We are grateful for your help,” the
elemental said. He handed Bitt something. It was a smooth stone that was a soft
brown but with a broad vein of marbled white.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt bowed. “Thank you. It was a privilege
to help.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You are allies of clan Na cinn scála?” The
stone creature asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“No. We are,” the fox paused unsure of his
answer. It was an answer the whole clan had been asking for centuries. What of
the<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b>Na cinn scála? “We are. Are. Not
enemies.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Not friends? Not allies? Not enemies?” The
creature asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He shook his head. “Our clan has shared a
long border with them and have respected their lands. But they have never been
friends. We have tried but they keep to themselves. They always keep to
themselves.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Not always,” Adenydd responded. “They were
drawn in before,” it commented enigmatically. “They will be drawn in again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What?” The fox shouted. “What do you mean?
What of the Na cinn scála and the fall?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That is a question you must ask them.” With
that the creature crossed its arms and bowed. It took two steps backward and
vanished back into the rock it had come from. Ending the conversation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox was quiet and still for a long
moment looking at the stone. Pondering all that had been said. He looked at the
stone Adenydd had given him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Are you all right Bitt?” Vinius asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox sighed deeply. “I’m not sure. The
further I get from home the more I keep being drawn back.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You’re not a wanderer,” the Decanus said.
“No matter how far you travel your heart remains with your clan and family.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt
nodded in agreement. “It’s odd. When I was home all I wanted to do was get away
and explore. Now all I want is to see home again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Will the creatures honor the agreement?”
The tribune asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fox nodded his head. “Yes. So long as we
do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“What was that thing?” Eteiwi asked as he
looked at the stone their strange visitor had disappeared into.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bitt shrugged. “I’m not sure. “Some sort of
stone creature.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Who are the Na cinn scála?” Rozolius asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Again Bitt shrugged. “No one is truly sure
who they are. They’ve shared a long border with the clans but never really
interacted with us. They keep to themselves and honor the old treaty
boundaries. We leave them alone and they leave us alone.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The hyena nodded his head. “Sounds good to
me. I wish the Parthians would respect us like that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“All I really know are just stories and
rumors. They are supposedly scaled like snakes and lizards. I can’t confirm
that. I’ve never even seen one,” the fox commented. “I believe my father met
one once when he was a child. He described them as tall and scaly.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Philippus gave a bark of laughter. “That’s
really helpful.”</div>
</div>