Chapter Four - A New Horizon, By Vlpn

4. Quest Completion

    Calm descended across the plains as the chaos began to recede.  Water seeped into the burnt soil like a bandage over an open wound.  Eskil brought herself to a smaller size, and as she shrunk, her gaze swept across the oceanic plains.

    Patches of empty blackness marked where the fire had trudged through with it’s deadly walk.  It contrasted the paleness of the opening blue sky and the golden grass that had been consumed by the storm.  However, it could have been more. Congregations of esk re-gathered around them. Some held the temporary powers gifted to them by the relics while others tossed heads adorned with new horns gifted by Vetru themselves, and some were new esk altogether. Had they not heeded the call to come here, Eskil considered, then maybe there wouldn’t be any plains left.

    However,  it was...eerily quiet, Eskil noticed.  A silence hung over the rolling hills, like a breath inhaled but never released.  A certain kind of hesitation. Other esks were speaking in hushed murmurs amongst them, but the whispers came to sudden hush as Vetru crested a hill.

    Their oval blue-black eyes surveyed the esk that awaited them with bated breath.  An excited electricity seemed to reach across all the esk as Vetru’s own brilliant horn gleamed in the strengthening sun.  A crackling tensity brushed across furred shoulders and sparkled in new enchantments as those who helped with the storm.

     Schwester noted it was the same feeling of anxiety that she had sensed before the heavens themselves had split and destruction spilled forth, but it was also not quite the same.  It was not one that left a sour taste within her mind. It did not leave her feeling like an awful something was brewing. This was more positive, a sunnier kind of waiting if she had to put a name to it, but that still felt incorrect.  Her musing swere interrupted as excited gasps rippled across the crowd.

    Vetru lifted their head as another esk stepped up beside them, one that none of the visitors had recognized.  A pale blue esk with newly acquired long legs looked across the faces that eagerly looked to meeting some new of their kind.  Broad branches emerged from their back; each one reaching skywards and encompassed with the same fire that had ravaged the plains so shortly before.  Some esk shrunk away from the flames that had caused such a frenzy before, and for good reason. The plains still smoldered with the burning stench of char.

    Who is that? Ni asked, his small eyes widening with surprise. He trembled for a moment; afraid that the fire would spread again.  He had been brave the first time, but he did not want to fight that storm again. A sickening worry coiled within his chest as the fire danced upon the new esks’ branches. Schwester pulled him closer to her, and Ni’s worry dimmed in her protection.

    It’s ok, Vetru comforted, not just to Ni, but many others as well. The esk beside her paused, as they were just as nervous as the esk that watched their entrance.  Vetru bent her head to the new esk as she gave them kind encouragements. The new esk took a step towards the gathering, their blue eyes wide with surprise and wonder.

    Thank you, they said, their voice reaching out across the plains. In an instant, the breathe they all seemed to be holding was released.  A collective whoosh of release of worry that they didn’t realize they’d been retaining. Vetru stood a little taller. Their fur standing at full height as if every strand was reaching upwards for a new future, new beginnings, and new times. They seemed proud. An emotion they hadn’t worn in a very, very long time.

    Eskil, her neck still long and reaching, met their blue eyes that blinked in surprise at all who had come here, and they, too, were filled with that feeling.

    A feeling of hope, Schwester said, her black eyes focusing on Vetru and the new esk.

    Eskil looked back at the two passengers she still had.  Ni’s eyes twinkled with happiness as he leaned against Schwester.  Eskil felt warmth trickle through her. She was fortunate to have friends like these she thought with a deep fondness. Schwester with her determined courage that drove her into the wall of flames without hesitation to rescue all that she could reach even when she was weak far from home. Then Ni, an esk who did not travel often far from home, stood between her shoulders to pursue a new, daunting adventure.  He not only faced the storm without wavering but was also chosen by the relics to bring water from the earth to quench the fire. Eskil was glad for her valiant companions. Great friends were rare finds.

Feeling her friend’s gaze, Schwester looked up at Eskil.

    Are we done? she said softly. Eskil noticed Schwester and Ni’s form flickering every so faintly in the sunlight.  Weariness at all they had accomplished far from home was beginning to show. Eskil nodded,

    Yes, let’s go home my friends.

https://www.deviantart.com/vlpn/art/Ch4-A-New-Horizon-val-ravn-757827472

Base Score: 8.5 GP (Writing: 850 words)

+10 GP (Event Bonus)

+6 GP (Storyteller Bonus: 6 GP * 1)

Total GP per submission: 24.5