| "The Adventures of Kat and Clara" Part IV: Isengrim and the Waterfall of Fate "We've been wandering in this forest for hours!" Clara complained. "I've lost all reckoning of time; for all we know it may be the middle of the night!" "Just be patient," Keilich reassured her. "I think we may nearly be at the edge of the woods. I've only traveled out this far once." Indeed, Clara and Keilich had been traveling for upwards of six hours; they had walked miles with no sight of the end of the forest. They had encountered no other people on their journey since the fatal fight hours earlier. As the two walked along, Keilich noticed that the density of trees was becoming smaller and smaller. In the vast forest, they had to step sideways a few times between the trees to continue, but now walking was much easier. "We must be close," Keilich said. "I think we should be at the edge in another mile or so." After walking through the countless lines of trees and passing over a few hills, Keilich raised his arm. "There! Look!" he exclaimed, pointing out in front of him. "That is the edge of the forest; I again can see the sunlight." "At last," Clara said, exhaling, "we have come through. What is on the other side?" "Let's find out," Keilich said. "I can't even remember; it's been so long since I've been here." Clara and Keilich walked to the edge of the line of the trees and looked outward. Before them was a great valley of green, an enormous waterfall in the background several miles away. Everything was a lush, green, hilly area, with a few trees here and there. The position and appearance of the sun suggested to Keilich that it was the early evening. "It's so beautiful down there," Clara said, breathing the fresh, pleasant-smelling air. "Nothing like the Plains of Clay." "Of course, now I recall," Keilich said, laughing a bit. "This is the Valley of Fate." "The Valley of Fate?" Clara asked. "Why would such a beautiful, flourishing place be given such an eerie name?" "I'll show you." Keilich pointed out into the distance. "See that waterfall out there?" "Yes. Why?" "I must bring you to it. It is a spectacle to behold, and it is a place we must go before we can continue our quest. Follow me." Clara followed Keilich down the hill from the forest and over the hills. They encountered neither friend nor foe on their trip through the valley, and were also able to take in the divine atmosphere as they walked along. They even stopped for a while to eat and rest their legs. After an additional hour of travel, the two travelers had reached the great waterfall, a single enormous stream of water falling into what became a second river. The cliff seemed to be immensely high, over a mile by Clara's estimation. As Clara and Keilich arrived at the falls, they heard a voice from behind the falls. "Keilich!" it exclaimed. "Good to see you again!" It sounded much like an older man's voice. "That's a familiar voice," Keilich said, hobbling over towards the falls. "Who's there?" Another older, but far less physically-hindered, man stepped out from the falling water and plants. He was a fox, dressed up like a cleric, holding no staff but wearing some jewelry around his neck. He wore a great brown robe with a hood that covered his head, with a large black belt around his waist. "Keilich, it's you!" he said. "I never thought I'd see you again!" Keilich smiled wide. "Isengrim!" he exclaimed, hugging the man. "Where have you been for all these years?" "Here, in the valley," Isengrim replied. "Waiting for you. Who is your friend?" Keilich brought Clara forward. "Isengrim, this is Clara," he said. "She is from the Plains of Clay." "Pleased to meet you," Clara said, smiling. "You knew Keilich?" "Of course, dear," Isengrim said. "He and I each lived in his forest village in our childhood so many years ago, and each were educated in religion at the same institution. Then, when I turned 25 years of age, my family and I moved out to the Valley of Fate." "Really?" Clara said, intrigued. "That is true," Keilich said. "This is the first time we have met in years. How old are you, by the way, Isengrim? An old man like myself tends to lose his memory." "I am 65 years of age," he replied, "five years your elder." "Astonishing," Clara said. "How fortunate that you are fortunate to be reunited after 40 years apart." "Well, enough about us," Isengrim said. "Keilich, why don't you and Clara come with me to my home?" I can provide lodging for each of you, and you can both meet my wife and my son." "You're a father and husband?" Keilich said, laughing. "Ha! You used to be terrified of girls when we were boys! What happened to you?" Clara giggled. "Stop laughing at me, both of you," Isengrim laughed, "and follow me." Isengrim led Clara and Keilich up the side of the waterfall to his little home, about half way between the top and bottom of the cliff. He led the weary travelers inside. Near the doorway stood Isengrim's wife, a fox woman of an age not too much younger than that of her husband. "You're back," the woman said. "And you've brought visitors. Who are these people?" "This is my old friend, Keilich," he replied, "and that girl is his friend, Clara, of the Plains of Clay." "Nice to meet you," Isengrim's wife said. "My name is Erma; I'm Isengrim's wife." She then turned to her husband. "Where is Salem?" "Oh, he's here," Isengrim said. "That's our son. Salem? Salem, we have visitors." A young man, aged not too much older than Clara, emerged from the back rooms of the house. But he was not a fox like his mother and father; instead, he was a black panther like Clara. He was dressed up in some hardened black leather armor, complete with a belt around his waist. He also wore a large purple cape with blue fringes around his neck and shoulders that reached his knees. He was very tall, several inches taller than Clara. "This is our adopted son, Salem," Isengrim said, turning to his son. "Salem, this lady is Clara, and this man is my childhood friend, Keilich." "It's a pleasure," Salem said, gently. "Looks like I'd better make more room at the table," Erma said. "Any friend of Isengrim is friend of myself and Salem. You are always welcome here." Next page >> |