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Part 18 - A Blessed Breakfast

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Part 17 - Home Sweet Home

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“You really do live inside a hill,” said the old man with disbelief still in his voice. Orvus laughed, “I hired a few strong lads from the mainland to dig it out for me.” Orvus went on to explain how they used hot iron shovels and picks to dig into the clay foundation, carving the house from the inside out. Orvus approached the door and reached for the top of the frame and lifted a small lever, then flipped it over. “Come in, come in,” welcomed Orvus as he opened the door and entered inside. The old man followed inside as Orvus went about his residence lighting fuel-based lanterns so everyone could see their way around. Merobaku emerged inside, fully crouched being too tall to stand in the entryway. Orvus lit the last of the lanterns then gestured for Merobaku to come down to the centre. The floor descended a few steps and was low enough in the centre for Merobaku to stand comfortably. The old man admired the interior clay-work carvings which adorned the walls, and the small inlets where there were three small windows with a view outside. Orvus smiled at the old man, then brought out some bedding items for everyone to use for the night. The two old friends both hung their wet cloaks to dry overnight then enjoyed a quick meal of fish and fruits at the table nearby the western windows. Satisfied and with heavy eyes, everyone readied themselves for bed, wondering what adventures tomorrow has in store.

Part 18 - A Blessed Breakfast

“Ah, you're awake!” called out Orvus to the old man from the table. The old man rubbed his eyes and rolled over. “Where's Kogg and Merobaku?” asked the old man, looking around the room. “Outside, atop the hill,” Orvus said casually pointing upwards, “here come help me.” The old man got up and crossed the room to the table by the western windows. Orvus had set up a few dozen or so bamboo flasks and had a wooden funnel ready. “Here, hold these,” directed Orvus. The old man held the flask and funnel in place while Orvus grabbed a cup made out of a coconut from a shelf set between two wooden beams. He dipped the cup into his bag resting on the chair and pulled from it a large scoop of gold Ormus. Carefully, Orvus poured the white, powder-like, sandy substance into the funnel where it smoothly flowed down and gradually filled the first flask. Orvus set the cup down, grabbed some twine and a lid from the table and securely sealed the flask.

When they were half way through filling the flasks, a great rumble came from above them followed by the sound of thunder. Orvus' humble house in the hill held together. “What in the twelve?” Orvus questioned. The old man made for the door and rushed outside, Orvus right behind him. A mighty caw sounded out from above. The two old friends turned and looked up, south, back over the hill. Kogg had circled around and was coming in fast towards Merobaku. She readied a defensive stance with her spear as Kogg called forth a ball of fire and sent it her way. With a twirl of her spear Merobaku stepped aside and deflected the attack into the distance where it exploded. “What in the twelve are you two doing?” yelled out the old man. Merobaku turned around and smiled, “I'm training the bird.” Orvus was obviously concerned and frustrated, “Can we not do that on top of my roof?” “Very well,” obliged Merobaku. Kogg landed on the old man's shoulder and rubbed his beak on his cloak. “We'll be leaving shortly,” Orvus called out to the group, “come, let us finish up and eat.” Kogg returned to the hill beside Merobaku and cawed at her.

The old man assisted Orvus in filling the remaining flasks with gold Ormus. “Good, good,” Orvus said, pleased, “my bag is empty now.” Orvus removed the remaining food items inside, some cured meat and large orange, striped fruits. “Where do you get these fruit, Orvus?” asked the old man as they both took one from the table and peeled it. “It's called a row-vine fruit. They grow in eastern Calam like a weed,” said Orvus as matter of fact before taking a juicy bite. The old man did the same. They both savoured the sugary, acidic juices. Orvus continued, “It's said the youngest goddess, Acryla, enjoyed them so much she blessed some seeds and planted them. When those seeds grew the vines spread far and wide, claiming the land of other crops.” The old man listened closely, as he enjoyed bite after juicy bite. Orvus took another bite himself, “Once they spread to the trees, the people took it upon themselves to corral the ever abundant row-vine inside a rock wall enclosure built on top of salted soil to prevent its' spread. To this day, the Calamites manage the rocky perimeter, pruning the vines and salting the soil.” “You sure know some odd things, Orvus,” chuckled the old man, as he imagined the world being blanketed in row-vine fruit.

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Orvus and the old man finished their fruit then Orvus suggested they bottle up the remaining gold Ormus in the old man's bag. “Sure,” the old man replied happily, “just let me bring Kogg and Merobaku some breakfast.” The old man grabbed up a row-vine fruit and then dug deep into his travel-pack for a cloth pouch full of Kogg's favourite berry. While he headed outside, Orvus went to over to the south-western wall and opened a built-in drawer. “No, not in here,” muttered Orvus checking the next drawer. “Yes, here we are!” Orvus reached into the drawer and grabbed as many bamboo flasks as he could carry back to the table. As the old man entered back inside, Orvus could hear the happy caws of Kogg as he pecked at and played with the purple, spotted berries. Orvus once more asked for the old man's assistance in filling the flasks and together they made quick work of the remaining half. After all flasks were sealed, Orvus took half of them and stored them away in the top drawer. The remaining forty bamboo flasks were split equally between Orvus' and the old man's bags.

The two old friends took a short break while they chewed, and enjoyed some cured meat. Orvus wandered over to the eastern wall and opened a small door to his pantry. He considered his options and then chose a few items, “Need anything from the pantry?” asked Orvus from across the room. “Just some more berries, if you can spare a few pouches for the road,” replied the old man. Orvus brought over enough food for a couple days, and a couple pouches of shiny red berries. They both loaded up the items onto the flasks, with the old man returning some cured fish and his dagger to his pack as well.

“Ah, yes,” Orvus paused, “we'll be needing some spending money for our travels, just in case we need supplies or a room to sleep in." Orvus moved to the southern wall, stepped up onto his bed and reached up high into the ceiling behind a wooden support beam. He located a black, cloth pouch inside a square hole cut into the beam and retrieved it. The old man watched Orvus give the bag a good shake and then check inside to give a quick count of his gold and silver coins. “A little over eighty Auerz should be enough,” Orvus said to himself satisfied. He sealed the pouch tight and dropped it into a pocket inside his red cloak. The old man finished the last bite of his cured meat, “Are we ready to head to Algen?” Orvus gave an affirmative nod, then the two of them grabbed their travel-packs and exited the house inside the hill.

Awaken

Part 01 - Message to Orvus
Part 02 - The Lake Beckons
Part 03 - Night of Rest
Part 04 - The Tomb's Secret
Part 05 - The Deep Gouge
Part 06 - Dismay Down Deep
Part 07 - Orvus Restores Order
Part 08 - Magic Sans Scroll
Part 09 - Clear Path Provided
Part 10 - Trace The Key
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Poem 01 - Immortals of the Aegis
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Part 11 - Eigin Rooted Magic
Part 12 - Ancient Koaj'kah Magic
Part 13 - Elemental Wisp Infestation
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Poem 02 - Elemental Call Song
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Part 14 - Kogg's Aerial Ace
Part 15 - Fiendish Fiery Foe
Part 16 - Water Wisp Woe
Part 17 - Home Sweet Home
Part 18 - CURRENT
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