Randsford (prime)/Vignette: The Flames Parlay
Title: The Flames Parlay
Author: Randsford (prime)
Outside the makeshift shanties that make up the Krolvin settlement within Icemule's wall a pair of Krolvin stand watch. The bustle of the town is obscured by a loud howling wind that penetrates the shanties and all that can be heard is the occasional barks emitting from within. One of the guards appears half asleep while leaning against one of the shanties while the other remains alert for any signs of trouble.
A series of loud barks causes the sleeping guard to stir as a figure approaches. The wind howls and kicks up snow making it difficult to see whom approaches as a voice from within the snow speaks, "I've come to see Jkarog!" The barks turn into growls as the guards ready their weapons preparing for the figure to emerge.
A giantman attired fully in white approaches and calmly speaks, "Lower your weapons! I come with an urgent message and seek your aid in return." The guards bark something unintelligible at each other and stand in front of the giantman blocking his path. "No Jkarog! You not welcome!" barks out a guard in forced common words.
The giantman clearly annoyed kneels before both the guards while clenching his fists. He takes a moment to stare at both guards before speaking again, "Have it your way, deliver this message or it will be all our peril." The giantman snorts back at both guards who return glares back at him but hold their ground.
The giantman continues, "We need the Krolvin in what comes next, the Dusk Coven stirs and it is time to prove your loyalties to Northwatch. The Coven continues to move and seduce with false promises. I grow concerned as choices must be made and lines will be drawn by inhabitants of Sablecross and Icemule alike. The people of both towns are convinced it is as simple as Labio versus Lornon but they are mistaken." With a worried look the giantman retrieves a scorched rose from within his cape, "Her retribution draws closer if we continue this path. Love is neither good nor evil; it is the actions people take in the name of love that are so. Not just Her retribution but that of all the Arkati draw near. The same foolish fights that never end are about to set the lands ablaze once more and Her fire will punish indiscriminately."
The guards stare blankly at the giantman, bark at each other a few times then turn back to laugh at the giantman. A guard responds, "Weak giant! Ugly flower! Go! No Jkarog!"
The giantman glares back in annoyance before setting his rose on the snow in front of the pair and standing up. "You have been warned, deliver this message while there is still time for unity." The giantman bows to the Krolvin and walks back into the snow from which he emerged.
The Krolvin continue laughing at the giantman as he walks away only to be startled by a blaze spawning at their feet! The pair jump back perplexed as the giantman is gone and all that remains is the charred remains of the rose.