losthunter | The Doors of our Heart

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The Doors of our Heart

Many thoughts about his latent magic had given Hunter a lot to think about in the past few days. He really wanted to find someone to help him learn more about his abilities. And maybe, help him to become stronger.

Kendra was gone, but that didn't mean there weren't ways to find her. Or at least find the people that were connected to her.

Hunter had spent a few days looking for the right door in the Nexus that would bring him the answers that he sought. And finally, he felt that he had found what he had been looking for.

But before entering into an unknown place, Hunter knew that he should have a couple of people come with him. He PINpointed a message to Jim first, since it was an adventure that he thought the restless captain would enjoy. Then he PINpointed a message to Faris, who had become his story-keeper in a fashion.

All that left was to wait for his guests, before the adventure could begin.

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"Labor camps?" Jim repeats, concerned and a little puzzled. "For what, I wonder."

Faris is not going to object to Hunter's suggestion. As unfamiliar as he is with human cultures, this one seems somewhat stranger than the twenty-first century Western society he's been most exposed to thus far. "The child spoke truths that the false oracle did not. I had wondered if perhaps the scenario was a test, but it appears it was not."

"The laborer had one of the hardest jobs in these times. The beautiful architecture that people marvel about... it was all built on the blood and sweat of the laborer." Hunter frowns. "And some were worked to exhaustion. Or death."

"I told the child that we wanted to meet with her. She gave me a riddle." Hunter takes a moment to remember her words. "By the river, where the cat tails flicker at midnight. The sycamore tree will unite us."

"What is a cat?" Faris asks.

"It's a small mammal. People keep them as pets," Jim explains. "But cattails are water plants, the kind you find at a river's edge."

"So, my guess is that we have to find the river, and the sycamore tree, and arrive around midnight to see her again."

It is roughly just reaching suppertime right now in the village. They have about six hours before midnight.

"That's our priority, then." Under normal circumstances, Jim might suggest they split up. But in unfamiliar territory, where travelers are apparently prone to being enslaved, he doesn't want to risk it. "I hope you know what sycamore looks like," he adds, glancing over at Hunter. "Because I don't."

"Well it should stand out, since most Sycamores are large, almost Elm-like in their nature. Typically, they were more native to Europe, than Greece. So I am sure that it will be a very unique sight. Especially along the river."

"We should try to find someplace where we can stay out of sight, until midnight."

Jim feels a weird weight on the back of his neck as Faris pokes his snout out into three-dimensional space, tasting the air, and it definitely ranks as the weirdest thing he's felt today. "The river scent is in that direction," the K'da says, a paw also emerging from its position on the captain's shoulder to point.

Jim gives Hunter a look that's halfway between amused and incredulous, as if to say does he do this to you too? How weird is that?

Hunter chuckles slightly at Jim's look. Faris does similar things when he is 'riding' with him, and it is always a weird feeling. He just hopes Jim is enjoying the experience for all it is worth.

"Thank you. Let's head that way. We can make shelter by the river, instead of risking discovery here."

Having an alien literally wrapped around his body is bizarre, especially when Faris is entirely two-dimensional. It doesn't really feel like anything, and he has to resist the urge to look down the front of his robe to verify that the K'da really is hitching a ride. "Maybe we'll get lucky and find a bridge, or an upturned boat or something."

"If our lucks changes, hopefully it is for the better."

Once they leave the town, and walk for a while, the sound of the babbling river can be heard -- letting them know they are moving in the right direction. It is a pretty big river, especially considering the fact they are on a small island.

Mostly, the riverbank in this area is covered by cattails. And a few bushes. The immediate landscape looks to be void of any trees.

There is a large rock nearby, where a young man is playing the flute. His music echoes through the air.

After what happened last time, Jim is a little wary of approaching strangers here. "What do you think?" he asks in a low voice.

"A minstrel would be just passing through, just like us. Chances are he received the same ill treatment. And usually, their songs tell great stories about the community they had visited."

Hunter tilts his head. "But we can still be alert for danger."

"I shall keep watch for approaching hostiles," Faris volunteers. It might be difficult to keep an eye out while still remaining hidden, but a K'da has more senses that just his eyes. He shifts on Jim's skin, repositioning himself to be able to better listen and smell for anyone sneaking up on them.

Jim checks himself to make sure Faris is completely concealed, still a little weirded out by the whole thing, but there'll be time for awkward questions later. "Let's go say hello, then."

Hunter takes a moment to gently squeeze Jim's hand, showing his support for how weird it would feel to be carrying Faris right now.

The young man has long blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. He finishes up his song, as he noticed the two men approaching him. And flashes a bright, real smile. His smile is a lot more sincere than the one the Fake Oracle had.

"Greetings gentlemen! Have you traveled far today?"

An appropriately ironic question, as it turns out. "Yes, we have," Jim answers, giving him a friendly smile. "Yourself?"

"You are likely starved then." The musician moves slightly, so a large basket of fruits and cheese are revealed beside him.

"I have traveled all the way from the east. And continue to head to the west."

"A path I take often. But always find new things. And people!" He smiles.

Well, this guy seems friendly enough. And one of Starfleet's oft-used tactics for befriending unknown people is to share a meal, so long as both parties are able to eat the same thing. So Jim gives Hunter an encouraging look, and moves to sit near the musician. One of the fruits in the basket is an apple, to his satisfaction, and he gratefully accepts the man's offer. "Thank you."

Of course, they also will need to share names at some point, to foster trust if nothing else. And while giving his full name might not be in their best interest, his middle name is certainly one that was in use during this time period. "My name is James Tiberius," he introduces himself.

The musician also picks out an apple from his basket, and a small selection of cheeses. He gives Hunter a warm smile when he approaches, which is another good sign. Hunter selects some grapes and some cheeses himself.

"Wonderful!" The musician smiles. "I'm Delian."

"I'm Hunter." He only has the one name to give in most cases. "Had you recently visited the village?"

"Oh no... horrible place. I avoid it when I can." The musician shrugs his shoulders.

"So we saw for ourselves," Jim says, biting into the apple with a crisp crunch. It isn't as big and juicy as modern apples, but it has a good texture and flavor, so he's satisfied with it. "What's their problem with travelers?"

"I would not claim that it is a problem with travelers that they have..." The musician pauses for a moment. "It is more... they have a scam going. And dislike it when they are unable to fool someone."

"The fake oracle?" Hunter guesses.

"Yes. Her. Horrible girl."

"I'd say I'm not sure how she'd manage to fool anybody, but when she figured out I wasn't buying it, she tried to bribe me," Jim says, which is really rather understating the matter.

"And by bribing, you mean seduction..." The musician shakes his head. "It is a grand thing that you didn't fall for it. She would have poisoned you."

Poison. Great. Like Jim hasn't had enough medical problems in the last couple of months. If he'd come back home poisoned or drugged, Bones would probably strap him to a hospital bed until the Enterprise is back up and running, just so he couldn't go out and hurt himself again.

"What are they getting out of the scam?" he asks. There's got to be more to it than just the satisfaction of fooling gullible strangers.

"Those that fall for the Oracle bit... they gain their hard-earned money, just so the fools can feel like they are being led by He Who Shines in the East." The musician lightly clucks his tongue. "Those who are not fooled, and usually sold off to a laborer camp. Or worse."

"But it will all wash away, when the Sun sees the villainy in their hearts."

"Worse?" Jim repeats with a frown. Delian might be just talking about death, but somehow he doesn't think so.

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