Patchwork Universe

Karl Groever · Posted: 10 Feb 2004 12:05 am Post subject: Sudden Newness

And then, suddenly, at the point at which it had begun to seem he might fade to one with the sandstorm forever, Karl Grover knew he had escaped. He knew it as he staggered to the ground and felt it no longer soft and shifting, but cold, and hard, and springy to his touch. Mud welled between his fingers, and the first drops of rain touched his face as he lifted his head to peer, wonderingly, to the lowering sky. He was still the same Karl Groever, but all had changed, and he did not know why. In his right hand there lay still the gorget from the tomb, where his assailants he placed it. He clutched it to his chest as a talisman. 'This is key', he heard, sounding somewhere, at the back of his mind.

Kao Sheng · Posted: 20 Feb 2004 07:04 pm Post subject: A Traveller

The rain grew heavier, and presently it became possible to discern the image of a person making his way through the undergrowth. He was an oriental man of indeterminate middle age, dressed in the simple garments of a traveller, and moving with the conservative urgency of an individual resigned to the prospect of travelling some distance before finding shelter from the elements. Presently he passed close enough to observe the figure of Karl Grover, and after a brief moment of indecision, directed his steps towards him.

"O illustrious traveller," he said earnestly, "please forgive the presumptuousness of this unworthy person, but a conclusion has been formed in this person's inadequate mind that you may have experienced some recent disorientation or misfortune. Please allow yourself to accept whatever assistance his limited abilities and resources can provide."

Karl Groever · Posted: 22 Feb 2004 11:36 pm Post subject:

Karl looked the mysterious newcomer full in the face. Raggedly formed words through lips chapped numb. 'You have the advantage...I'm afraid. Where is this ? What I know...is gone. Some help would be...appreciated. Something to eat or drink, if you have it.' Warily, he stepped back a few paces, picking up the shoulder bag, one handed, thinking, if he makes a move, drop the gorget and grab for the gun.

Kao Sheng · Posted: 23 Feb 2004 09:09 pm Post subject:

"Alas," replied the newcomer, "To provide a truly accurate and enlightening answer to such an insightful and fundamental question may be beyond the ability of this limited and incapable person. With some hope of certainty he can state that this is the glade of Terile the ever-changing, with the tragically unfortunate village of Maypole Hill lying to the north, the powerful and rigidly disciplined city of Digitalis to the east, the lands and residence of the eloquent and versatile Jones to the south, and the enigmatic expanse of Zaritza lying to the west.

"For the matter of sustainance, this person will of course make available such meager and uninviting provisions as he carries," he continued, "Although, this person being inadequately equipped for any expedition of length, a refined and discriminating gentleman such as yourself would undoubtedly find a more substantial and well prepared repast more acceptable to your elegant tastes."

Guest · Posted: 23 Feb 2004 11:15 pm Post subject:

Groever was momentarily nonplussed by the influx of new information which the stranger had just related to him. Nonetheless, he took a breath, let matters coalese in his mind. Then replied : 'Then, the City from which I come is west of here, and you say there is another further east ? Perhaps I should head there...or, better yet, back to my own City. I had felt as if I would never be likely to see fair Constant again.'
He glanced again in the general direction of the stranger, dropping the gorget surreptitiously into the shoulder bag, relaxing, thinking, perhaps this newcomer means no harm...and, swiftly, another thought...could it be that the Baron had suspected that such places lay beyond the Desert perimeters ? And another, what connection might this all have to the Zaysh and the Domes ?
'You seem to know more about this locality than I,' he continued, voice still rusty, but coming eaiser now, 'even if you claim to know little. My name is Groever, and I am an archaeologist, back where I come from. In the City. I'd appreciate your help, if you want to journey with me, to find a way out of this land. If not, then go in peace, and I'll find my own. But, one thing first, what did you mean by saying this region was ever - changing ?'

Kao Sheng · Posted: 24 Feb 2004 07:28 pm Post subject:

"This area exhibits a curious and often bewildering inconstancy of nature," said the traveller, glancing briefly towards the sky. Even as he spoke the rain was abating, and the sky becoming clear with unusual speed. "Within a single day it can pass from highland forest to lowland swamp, or to any of a thousand other forms: It is of course quite unnecessary and indeed offensively self-evident to state that a degree of caution is advisable whilst travelling therin.

"Nevertheless, a degree of exploration may be advisable at this juncture, for this person must hazard engendering yet further disapprobation by speculating that the change in circumstances so recently experienced by your honourable self may be more profound and far-reaching than might hitherto have been evident. This person may be able to provide some assistance, although he is constrained by many factors, and presumes to introduce himself as Kao Sheng, an itinerant storyteller of no great standing or reputation, who gains more honour than he can reasonably bear by virtue of your distinguished presence."

Karl Groever · Posted: 01 Mar 2004 11:49 pm Post subject:

'It appears, then, that I had best be getting underway...in some direction,' Karl gave Kao Sheng a crooked smile. 'Now East, you say, there is another City. And Westwards lies my own. One of the two directions...' A sudden thought struck Karl.
'Do you wish to accompany me, fellow stranger in this world ?' he asked genially.
' Do you have any preference as to which route you feel would be well...'
Equally suddenly, Karl halted mid - sentence. He had been stopped in his tracks. A moment ago (his mind had acknowledged, almost without his conscious noticing) the ground underfoot was muddy, mossy hillock, and now, now, it was becoming flat, wet and sticky.
'...chosen ? '

Kao Sheng · Posted: 02 Mar 2004 07:25 pm Post subject:

Kao Sheng himself also appeared momentarily distracted, though not apparently by the shifting terrain.

"It is of course not the place of this unseemly individual to impose his misguided and ill-expressed opinions upon such an august and courteous personage as your honoured self," he said sincerely. "However, if you were to consent to bend your elegant steps towards the south, and perhaps even to allow this unpresentable person to accompany you upon your journey, he is confident that your decisions will be rewarded with hospitality, and perhaps some small degree of enlightenment upon the broader issues that confront those individuals whom fortune has brought to this place."

Guest · Posted: 04 Mar 2004 12:28 am Post subject:

'South, it is then, sir,' Karl hastily replied, 'Now, had we not better get moving, before this whole place turns into a quagmire ?' He hefted his bag up onto his shoulder.

Kao Sheng · Posted: 04 Mar 2004 03:14 pm Post subject:

"Such concise and sagacious wisdom cannot be faulted," agreed Kao Sheng, regarding the deepening mud with some dismay. Indicating his intended route with a sweeping gesture, he led the way south...

[OOC: Continued in 'Home from Home'...]