“What proof do we have that Flinthold will keep its promises?” the matriarch asked, her gaze shifting between Airk and Revafour. “I, for one, want a guarantee that your gnomish kin are going to do that. Let’s see them swear an oath to their gnomish gods. And I want to see it for myself.”
Chapter Sixteen
Out With The New, In With The Old
It took the
companions two days to travel to the Kutunachke’s gathering place. They arrived
on the second day of Growfest, and the Kutunachke had assembled for their
annual ceremonies to celebrate the spring equinox, which would happen on the
fourth day of the festival. Although the Kutunachke did not formally celebrate
Growfest, the spring equinox was an important time for them. They gathered to
celebrate the beauty of Oerth’s secondary moon, the aquamarine Celene, and
thank it for its role in the flow of the waters that gave them so much.
The Kutunachke
hadn’t forgotten the help the companions gave them against the fire giants some
weeks ago. That help allowed the companions to meet with several of the
Kutunachke’s leading matriarchs and chiefs, who listened attentively as the
companions described the conflicts among Flinthold’s leaders and the Scarlet
Woman’s invasion.
“That’s all
interesting,” said one Kutunachke leader, who the companions recognized as
Borrinn Tall Pine, “but why’ve you come? Why are you telling us this?”
“We came to ask
for your people’s help in freeing our home,” Airk said, the nervousness on his
face clear for everyone to see. “We can’t defeat the Scarlet Woman and her
minions by ourselves.”
Several of the
Kutunachke’s leaders, as well as some of their citizens who were listening to
the proceedings, looked distinctly skeptical. The citizens muttered among
themselves as the Kutunachke’s leaders conferred before turning back to the
companions.
“You’ve come
asking our help when your kin have never lived up to the treaties they signed
with us?” one matriarch asked, her expression doubtful.
“If the Scarlet
Woman conquers all of Flinthold, she might come after you next,” Airk said.
“If she does,
we’ll look after ourselves,” the matriarch replied, unimpressed.
Airk fell
silent, unable to think of what to say to that. Most of the rest of the
companions were silent as well, not knowing what else to say either. Finally,
looking at his friends, and then at the Kutunachke’s leaders, Revafour spoke
up.
“Would you help
the Flintholders if they made good on their original promises to share the land
with you?” he asked.
Almost
immediately, the Kutunachke’s mood changed. The eyes of several of the leaders
lit up at Revafour’s words, while several of their citizens began speaking to
each other much more excitedly.
“That’d be
different,” Borrinn said. “One of the treaties’ old requirements was that our
peoples help each other if we’re attacked by monsters like orcs or ogres.”
Several of the
Kutunachke’s leaders nodded their agreement, but others were more skeptical.
The matriarch who questioned Airk spoke up again, her expression showing she
still harbored doubts.
“What proof do
we have that Flinthold will keep its promises?” the matriarch asked, her gaze
shifting between Airk and Revafour. “I, for one, want a guarantee that your
gnomish kin are going to do that. Let’s see them swear an oath to their gnomish
gods. And I want to see it for myself.”
“What, you want
to come with us back to Silverspire with us?” Airk asked. “You’re representing
your people to mine, then?”
The matriarch
looked at her fellow leaders, and they all nodded their agreement.
“May I ask your
name?” Revafour said.
“I’m Pellana
Laughing Cloud,” the matriarch said as an introduction. “I’ve often spoken for
us when we deal with other nations. I guess I’m doing so again.”
“I’m coming too,
as Pellana’s escort. If we agree to help Flinthold, then our warrior societies
should have someone speaking for them too,” Borrinn said.
Airk looked
gratefully at Revafour, and then at the rest of his friends. He realized he
never would have come as far as he had without them, not just for the physical
help they’d given him, but also for the support they’d given him through his
guilt and shame.
Turning back to
the Kutunachke’s leaders, Airk nodded.
“We accept your
terms,” he said.