Episode Seven: Hitherto Known

Stinky men notice the five people who have appeared on deck, “who the hell are you?” About 20 guys lookin at them pull their swords. “Stowaways!” one shouts “Throw them overboard!” says another.

“No, wait,” Ivetta yells as the men advance, “We’re not stowaways, we’re from a far off land.” They chuckle at that but then she offers her Mecca money. They look at the four a bit weird handing over the odd coins.

One mumbles, “ maybe they are from a far off land…”

They’re then thrown in the brig where a vision of the item they need to find comes to them. A very old paper with frayed edges and beautiful calligraphy writing that rolls into scroll. On the scroll a seal: a strange sigil-3 lions. They feel a weight bearing down as if it were buried.

About an hour or so later, they are all clapped in irons, even Imilia who is still unconscious, and are brought up on deck. It's frickin frigid, overcast with small snowflakes dotting the sky. They realize their light desert clothing has changed to somewhat hardier woolen garments, yet the breeze still blows right through.

The ship has made it to shore and docked at a small fort with a story and a half-tall walls, surrounded by a colorful autumn forest. The crew unloads while the captain knocks on the big door to the village. Guard holding a musket appears and opens the door and another man steps out, a bald, Middle aged man with glasses and dressed in faded blue traders clothing. They have a semi heated discussion. “I don't understand why the shipment is so early.”

“You have extra now. And these five,” gesturing at the group, “are stowaways, we’re not taking them back with us.” The man begins to protest but is cut off. “With this extra, you're more than equipped to keep them. We have cannons if you care to argue.”

Begrudgingly the man acquiesces and tells the crew to chain them to the well in the square for now.

They’re brought into town, led past a large storehouse with a big lock on it, a modest church and graveyard. A strange, unrecognized crop being grown in all the fields. Several smol one-story houses make up the rest of the establishment.  The five are tied to the posts of the well. The man introduces himself as the quartermaster and says he is going to get the governor to see how he wants to handle them. Eventually, from the biggest house a younger, dashing man in his 30s black hair emerges. “These are stowaways then?”

Castor insists, “No, we are travelers and we paid for passage on that vessel.” He doesn’t really believe that but it's their word against the captain’s.

Offers them work instead of death. (how kind) “I'd like you to help me with something. There's a tribe of savages to the north. I want you to get them to leave. Once you succeed, you may live here as long as you desire. But in the meantime you can find food among the woods and prairies of this new land. We will keep this unconscious woman as collateral.”

They agree to try but ask where the heck they are and who he is.

“You are in the English colony of Jamestown. I am John Smith at your service. You’ll be free to come and go from the town but eventually you'll have to influence the natives.” He then departs.

Viridis’ sister is put in the church. And the quartermaster unbinds their hands from the manacles.

Castor is snapped into a vision when his skin brushes hers as he undoes her bindings. She sees flashes of another life: a big strong man overlooking plains. He’s covered in dirt and filth. He drops his weapon. Huge city in the distance burns before him. When the moment ends she stands a moment in shock, rubbing the warmth back into her fingers.

The quartermaster asks “Where did you say you were from?”

Viridis says “London, we chartered a boat from Dover.”

He gives her a look like he doesn’t quite buy it then says “Something about you four… Would you come inside?” He shows them into his home where they gather around the fire.

“I have a request while you're out doing your good work. Now, *I* was able to recognize all of your potential. All of you exude magical energy. This one especially,” he points at Castor. “If you could procure a package of imported goods I could teach you all I know of my magical arts. I can give you a map to the goods. It may be rather crude but it should lead you to it. It is hidden near a mountain in the southwest. You might want to find a native to guide you there.”

Viridis pipes up with “And what if we refuse?”

“It wouldn’t be very hard to convince the town that we have four witches to burn at the stake.”

He then thrusts the map into their hands and shoves them out the gate into the darkening cold wilds of the new world.

They proceed to head into the forest. They hear a rustling in the bushes and, having been stripped of weapons, prepare as best they can from attack. Luckily, it turns out to be their horseies.

After walking a few hours it grows darker and they make camp on a hill. Marco makes a small shelter, Castor and Viridis gather firewood, and Ivetta prepares to cook food. Castor tells them, “Look what I can do.” She then creates a spark with magic and the fire catches. Marco is impressed and tries it himself without much luck. They sit around the fire eating dinner talking about magic. Castor touches both the cross and necklace, nothing happens for either. They decide to look at the map and guess where they are in relation to the treasure.  An eerie noise, like a howl pierces the otherwise quiet night.

“What was that?” Ivetta asks.

“Terrifying. Let’s keep the fire lit all night.”  Castor and Viridis both take watch first. Castor curled next to her horse and Viridis next to Marco.

The next morning they all awaken and begin heading toward where they think the treasure is hidden. While heading through the woods they hear a voice. A man jumps out from the bushes, bow drawn and arrow pointed at their faces. “Who are you? What are those things you have?” He’s fairly attractive, dark skin covered by warm furs, an axe at his hip, a horn carved from bone hanging from his neck.

Ivetta says ”wait, don’t shoot! We come in peace.”

“You're one of them, one of the English men?”

“No were from a much more distant land.”

Addressing Ivetta, the man asks, “Do you speak for your group?” Castor, Marco, and Viridis nod. “Are you here to hurt us?”

“No!”

“That is what the others said. How can I trust you?”

Thinking quickly, Ivetta offers him spices, “these will make food last longer and taste better.” He lowers his bow and accepts the spices.

“I am Otawniack of the Powhatan.”

“We are not with the English. We fled them since we stowed away on a ship.”

He accepts this and offers them shelter, having taken notice that they’re ill-prepared for traveling in this weather. They gladly accept and head to his home. On the way, Castor explains that their horses are their companions, they are gentle and won’t hurt anybody.  They pass a house on a real tall mountain. Otawniack says it is the home of their holy man. He offers them the chance to meet him later.

They arrive, after traversing a winding ravine and crossing a stream to a cozy hut built into the side of the cliff. Otawniack offers them food and warm clothing. He is thanked heartily.

As they eat Otawniack tells them of his people’s experience of the English men. That he and his people helped them settle when they first arrived. They worked together peacefully when out of nowhere they turned. The English claimed his people stole their town compact. They have no idea what they're talking about. Such an item literally means nothing to them. Now the English are actively hostile toward him and his people, threatening them with lighting sticks.

“Perhaps if we had some of our own they would be more agreeable.”

“Or we could steal theirs so they can’t use them on your people.” Viridis says.

“The hidden treasure might be some of these lighting sticks. Maybe you can show us the way?” Castor suggests.

Otawniack asks, curious, “Hidden treasure?”

They show him the map and he recoils, “No! You cannot go there.”

Viridis suspicious as usual points out, “Why not? Why would we avoid it if you wont tell us what there?”

Otawniack sighs, “There are legends of a terrible beast. It has taken the lives of many of my people. They call it the Wendigo. It is there that the beast makes its home. It stalks the night one is only safe in the canyons, the holy places.”

“What if we had one of those lighting sticks?” Marco asks.

“I do not think the lightning sticks would have any effect other than to anger it. In any case, it is a living creature, it deserves respect. I will not be your guide to that place.”

Otawniack speaks more of the town “The English till their fields with tobacco. It is foreign to my people. It is not food, they do not eat it. Here there are many plants and animals you may wish to avoid. You would do well to avoid the green berries. Ingestion of them causes great confusion, lapses in judgement, you would go mad if you were to eat too many.” Viridis has picked 3 of said berries already and Castor gives her a look.

“My people would prefer a peaceful solution to this conflict. I shall lead you to the shaman if you wish but tomorrow, for now rest. I will return later.”

TBC

Episode Eight: Lapses