Part 14: Wolong Talks

Soundtrack - Desert



We have urgent business in Wolong! So Joseph gets lost in the desert for a couple days.



They've got minotaurs here.



Decked out death knights.



Mummy!



And godddamn bacites!



Along with Murod's fanciest wizards.



They put Joseph on ice.



Break glass in case of prophecy.



Tathal the Wanderer: I grew up in a village on Lake Rhisa. My family served a devil of a lord, whose bailiff whipped us worse than cattle. After my father's death, I began to wander and roam.

Your father's death?

Tathal the Wanderer: My father worked a field so barren only rocks and stones would grow there. Three years after my mother died in childbirth, my father surrendered to the gods.

Surrendered?

Tathal the Wanderer: The old man hung himself from the rafters of our cottage. I clapped and laughed to see my father hover above the floor. 'What magic is this?' I thought. 'My father is the greatest sorcerer alive.' But his face was gray as ash, and I knew Laharah had taken him.

What did you do?

Tathal the Wanderer: I journeyed up the Darhu River, begging and thieving my way to the sea. I would travel to Orenia, and the Galadian Archipelago, and the cities of the Iomani.

Do you know Bilan of Nahul?

Tathal the Wanderer: Of course. I was her father's disciple many years ago, at about the time Murod came to power. I brought her to Iona.

*You give him the scroll, explaining how you met Bilan on the island of Iona.*

Tathal the Wanderer: Her father wrote down his teachings before his death. I gave this to Bilan when we parted ways. Let me give you something in return. *Tathal fishes into his pack and draws from it a large, blue scale.* It's a dragon's scale! It used to belong to the Emperor, but his followers hid it away when Murod seized the throne. I traded a snuff box for it, and it's brought me good luck.





This makes scale 2/4.



We find a small group of people. Looks like there are even a couple of Medevans here.



Rokhuls prowl this zone in packs of 3. Can't be tripped. Tedious.





Can tell Joseph's wave of despair has reached these fine people.



Even the merchant is only marginally excited about selling stuff. And boy does he have something to sell.



Love these names 'Foecleaver', 'Spineslicer', but the real thing of note is this 'Debasser'. 75 damage, 1 handed blunt weapon. Special trait. It has a chance to knock foes down.
Just imagine that. Jekhar and Joseph going caveman on enemies just setting them up for pro 360 no-scope backstabs. Only the coolest of weapons will make me remove this from their hands.



With our new weapons and dragon scale now aquired we can finally show up to a prophetic welcome in Wolong! Stronghold of our friends at the Jade Temple!

Wolong



When Laharah murdered Urath at the end of the third Araeugeth, the dragon of Wolong mourned for 1,000 years and his tears formed the Lake of Sorrows.



But, each year when the monsoons came, the rain would fill the dragon's heart with grief and he wept once again.



The people who lived on the Lake of Sorrows feared their village would be washed away by the dragon's tears. And so, they made offerings to appease the dragon and distract him from his grief.



With festivals and music, laughter and dance, the people of Wolong saved their village from the floods.

Soundtrack - Wolong



We arrive at night, again.



General Pijian is General Party Killer!

Zhimin: General Pijian and his soldiers occupy the village.

Occupy the village?

Zhimin: At dawn we woke to the ringing of the tower bell. The General's soldiers marched in the streets. They came without warning. Our sentries were dead.

Your sentries were dead?

Zhimin: We were betrayed. A villager killed our sentries. That is why we had no time to run or fight. The General made us gather in the square.

What happened in the square?

Zhimin: General Pijian divided the people of Wolong: Those who would die, those who would be slaves, and those who would be spared.

Those who would be spared?

Zhimin: Pijian allowed the sculptors to stay. They labor in the workshop, carving statues of Murod. Others serve the General and his soldiers. I do not know why he spared me.

Those who would be slaves?

Zhimin: Pijian branded them with the Usurper's Mark. They marched to the Tower of Eleh. They will work as slaves until death comes to free them.

Those who would die?

Zhimin: Those who fought for Aoqi and the Jade Temple were executed in the square. This is why the village smells of blood.

Tell me about Aoqi.

Zhimin: Aoqi leads the society of the Jade Temple. They are fighting against Murod. Wolong is her home.

Tell me about the Usurper.

Zhimin: Murod, the man who calls himself Emperor. Long ago, he was leader of the Jade Temple and served Gaodi II. Murod betrayed the Emperor and stole his throne.

What happened to the Jade Temple?

Zhimin: The priests of the Jade Temple prophesied that the One-Hand would end his reign. For this, the Emperor killed them. Those who escaped hid in the wilderness. Now they lead the rebellion.

Who is the One-Hand?

Zhimin: A great warrior! The One-Hand will defeat Murod and bring peace to Orenia. The sparrows say he escaped from Eleh and will come here to Wolong. I have a message for him.

A message for the One-Hand?

Zhimin: A Medevan woman waits for him in the forest west of the village. Her name is Rosalind. She has found a Gatherer who will heal him. They are keepers of lore. They guard the secrets of flowers. They can speak to the trees and to the plants of this valley.

Where is Aoqi now?

Zhimin: Six days ago, a messenger came to Wolong. 'Imperial soldiers have attacked the stronghold of Shangao. My lord beseeches you to come to our aid.' Aoqi departed with many of her soldiers. I pray she will return to free our village.

Who killed the sentries?

Zhimin: A rice merchant named Minhe cut their throats. He is a traitor.



Fine, let's go in and check out who is left alive here.



Oh it's you. You ass.

How did you get your revenge?

Minhe: I am the one who told Pijian where the sentries were. I am the one who cut their throats at dawn with this very knife. All Peizhi had to do was name the rebels.

Tell me about Peizhi.

Minhe: That simpering fool! All his moaning and regrets! Do I regret what I have done? No! The sweetest fruit isn't Peizhi's tangerine but revenge!

Tell me about Aoqi.

Minhe: Her people say she fights the tyranny of Murod. Bah! The only tyrants in Wolong are the outlaws who terrorize our village! Murderers and renegades, the whole lot of them! The Society of the Jade Temple murdered my own flesh and blood, they did!

Murdered?

Minhe: Yes, and for what? Refusing them food. Refusing them shelter. If armed ruffians came to your door, would you open your home to them?



Wolong is a pretty nice map, and very large in size.



This widow?

Gulan the Mourner: Pijian would have killed me too if he knew how dangerous I was. My husband was a hunter, and we lived on the wild game of the valley. Two autumns ago, he died fighting a boar, and I took up the spear to feed my daughter. Now I think only of revenge.

Who are you?

Gulan the Mourner: My name is Gulan. I mourn the death of my sister. The soldiers killed her and took my daughter to Eleh. My daughter is strong, and she will endure. Murod will never break her spirit. But others are weaker, and I fear they will not survive.

Why did they kill your sister?

Gulan the Mourner: Because she was a soldier of the Jade Temple. The merchant Peizhi denounced her in the square. She died with the others who fought against Murod.

Jade Temple?

Gulan the Mourner: Their leader is named Aoqi. She will save the Stronghold of Shangao, and she will return to save us. If the Stronghold falls, the Lake of Sorrows will soon be lost. After the defeat of the One-Hand, people have begun to lose hope.

Who is the One-Hand?

Gulan the Mourner: Who is the One-Hand? How is it you've never heard of him? *Gulan gives you a quizzical look. Suddenly, her eyes grow wide.* You... You are the One-Hand! You must find the Gatherers at once! Sizhe waits for you in the forest! You must hurrty!

Finally, the response Joseph must have been fishing for. Also, instead of hurrying, let's chit chat some more.

Tell me about Sizhe.

Gulan the Mourner: Sizhe and I were friends long ago. As a boy, he went exploring in the caverns. Something terrible happened down there, but he would never tell me. When he came back, he was changed. 'The one you knew as Sizhe is dead.' He once told me, and I wept.

Tell me about the Gatherers.

Gulan the Mourner: With their gifts, they'll make you fall in love or kill your enemies without a trace. The villagers of Wolong shun them, and so the Gatherers live in the wilderness.

Who is Peizhi?

Gulan the Mourner: A fruit merchant and a traitor. The General gathered the people in the square, and Peizhi named those who were soldiers in the Jade Temple. When Aoqi returns, the traitors will die. Peizhe and Minhe. Minhe killed the sentries who watched over us as we slept. This is how General Pijian took Wolong without a fight. We awoke to find the Emperor's soldiers in our streets.

Gotta meet this Peizhi!



We go around messing up the lone patrols we find walking the streets, but hark! This one isn't budging.



Haidi: I'm just celebrating our heroic victory over the people of WOlong.

Heroic victory?

Haidi: We put brave soldiers to the sword! We branded the innocent to work and die as slaves! Is this not heroic? My heart sings with pride that I bloodied my sword this day!

Your heart sings with pride?

Damnit, Joseph! He's being sarcastic!

Haidi: I'm so full of pride I'll drown myself in this pond. Another bottle of wine will do. I drink for courage, for a man who raises his sword against the innocent is a coward. If only I had never joined the army! My family had a cottage, a plow, and an ox. I'd be dreaming of adventure, yes, but they'd be innocent dreams.

Innocent dreams?

Haidi: Whose hand holds the sword but mine? Not the Emperor's. Not the General's. When the world is made whole again, and justice returns to Orenia, I will be made to answer for my crimes. Unless I drown myself first. What is your advice, stranger?

Live and redeem yourself.

Haidi: Redeem myself? How?

Aoqi will return.

Haidi: Ah, now I understand. Fight for the Jade Temple, you mean! I'll think on your advice. Thank you, friend.



The infamous Peizhi.

What happened??

Peizhi: General Pijian seized Wolong and gathered the villagers in the square. The General said he knew me to be a loyal subject of the Emperor. If I would help him, he would reward me. I named the villagers who had fought for the Jade Temple. I denounced those who had taken up arms against the Emperor. In Wolong, many had joined Aoqi's rebellion.

What happened next?

Peizhi: *Peizhi breaks down and sobs.* All that blood! All that blood on my hands! If only the prophecy of the One-Hand would come true!

Careful what you wish for, bub.

What is your name?

Peizhi: I used to be know as Peizhi, and I was a merchant of great renown on the Lake of Sorrows. I made my wealth shipping fruit that grows along the Lake of Sorrows. Mangosteens and oranges, dates and pomelos, persimmon and ginko. The tears of the dragon nourish them with magic.

Who are you now?

Peizhi: I am no one. Nothing. Not a man at all. I'm a miserable creature, lower than the dung flies. Even the dung fly serves its purpose. I do not deserve to live! I betrayed my friends. I sold my neighbors. SOld them for bags of silver, I did, and for all my trouble they lost their heads.

Ok bye.



Seriously this map is huge, village, forest, surrounding fields, and the huge stairs up to the mountain cave.



What are you doing here?

Anzhi: Yesterday I came to paint, waiting for the sun to rise, when General Pijian and his soldiers marched by! I huddled behind a rock until it was clear and then I ran for my life!

Ok, make a note of this sentence, because I hate it.

Ran for your life?

Anzhi: I am a miserable coward! All my belongings I left in the village: paints, brushes, poems, and ink. I tried to sneak back, but soldiers are everywhere!

A miserable coward?

Anzhi: I was a soldier before I was a painter. When I turned of age, I joined the Imperial Army. How proud I was of my sword and armor. Until I fought my first battle. Unspeakable horrors. A massacre on the field. My friends died headless and disemboweled. I ran. Ran into the forest. I ran until I came here. I have only one desire now. To make people happy. My art is about beauty and joy, even in the midst of all this suffering. My poems are sung during the festival, to help the dragon forget his sorrow.

Tell me about the festival.

Anzhi: The rainy season makes the dragon sad. He remembers then the death of Urath. If he weeps too much, Wolong will flood, so the festivals keep the dragon happy.

Who are you?

Anzhi: My name is Anzhi. I am a painter and a poet. Many come to this valley for inspiration. There's no place more beautiful in all Orenia, for here is the home of the Dragon of the Lake. I've seen it with my own eyes! One morning, I spied in the faint light of dawn a shadowy form break the surface of the water. I swear it was the dragon, but no one belives me.

Dragon is sounding more and more like Loch Ness monster.



And off at the far edge we find a new type of soldier. A friendly one.



Who am I, then?

Quiye: You are the One-Hand, and you shall free Orenia in fulfillment of the prophecy!

Fulfillment of the prophecy?

This isn't the first damn time you've heard of it, Joseph!

Quiye: All our hopes rest on you! Heal yourself. Seek out the Gatherers. Sizhe waits for you in the forest near the village.

Tell me about the Gatherers.

Quiye: The tears of the dragon give life to all that grow in this valley. Strange and powerful are these plants. The Gatherers speak their language.

What can you tell me about Aoqi?

Quiye: Aoqi was victorious at the Stronghold of Lord Shangao. The armies of the Jade Temple are now a few hours march from Wolong. We will attack at dawn.

What are you doing here?

Quiye: I am a scout. Pijian and his soldiers occupy Upper Wolong. Do not fight them until Aoqi returns. Even so, the odds will not be in our favor.

Pfft. I don't have to listen to you.

Why won't the odds be in our favor?

Quiye: Our soldiers are tired. They have fought hard, and they have marched a long way without rest. Pijian's soldiers are greater in number and in strength.

How can we help?

It doesn't turn out well in the end everytime you say this.

Quiye: Complete the ritual of healing. We need your gifts if we are to defeat Pijian and Murod. You are Orenia's only hope. Since the day you were captured, our people began to despair, and the rebellion suffered many losses. If we fail here, the Society of the Jade Temple will be crushed.



Back in the village, we find a couple of bureaucrats doing paperwork.



Lots of it.



Fachu: We'll never finish our report at this rate, and the General will send us to Eleh if we fail!

Who are you?

Fachu: My name is Fachu, and I am a clerk in the Imperial Civil Service. The bureaucracy of the empire is vast and powerful.

How powerful is it?

Fachu: The bureaucracy controls everything within the Emperor's domain: taxation, trade, judicial proceedings, and the administration of the prefectures and provinces of Orenia.

Bureaucrats control everything?

A true nightmare situation.

Fachu: When the Emperor completes that ghastly tower and storms the walls of heaven, we'll have to keep records for all things in creation. We'll catalog every bird and fish in the cosmos.

Ghastly tower?

Fachu: A bureaucrat's nightmare! All the resources of Orenia are wasted on that monstrosity, all because the Emperor has the itch to conquer heaven! Stone, tools, provisions, workers... everything needs to be hauled in! A thousand years it will take to build it! Madness! *As if suddenly aware of his indiscretion, Fachu looks around him to make sure none of the soldiers heard him. He begins speaking in a hushed voice.* Ah, but the Emperor is the Emperor, neither logic nor exams are required of him.

Exams?

Fachu: Among bureaucrats, the status of your birth matters not. A beggar's son could become prefect if he goes to university and studies hard. Philosophy, law, and the classics we master.

Philosophy, law, and the classics?

Fachu: Please. Enough of this. You must leave Wolong at once. I'll pretend I never saw you. The last thing we need is more complications. We'll never finish our report as it is.

Haha, I love it when people get tired of Joseph's constant turning sentences back into questions.

More complications?

Fachu: First the Gatherers escaped, and now a Medevan woman hides somewhere in the forest. This is no way to run an empire! And if you go around causing more trouble, you'll only make my life more difficult.

Medevan woman?

Fachu: A refugee, I gather. The news from Medeva is quite grim. Demons have destroyed all the cities and villages. The entire kingdom lies in ruin, so now Medevans are fleeing to Orenia.

That's it! We did it! Confirmation from a class 5 Bureaucrat no less!

Medeva: CIVILIZATION DESTROYED
Ciran - Destroyed
Masad - Destroyed
Eglin - Destroyed
Burnaan - Destroyed
Nahm - Destroyed
Lenele - Destroyed

Iona - Active
Saanavarh - Active

Orenia:
Wolong: Occupied

Joseph is begun!

Where is the Medevan woman?

Fachu: Pijian's men were searching the forest. I pray they don't catch her, or I'll have to revise my report again.

A true bureaucrat, haha.

Tell me about the demons.

Fachu: I know nothing about that. So long as Murod keeps them out of Orenia, we'll have order in the empire. As bad as things are here, they are much worse in Medeva.

Abysmal records?

Fachu: The Society of the Jade Temple keeps terrible records. There's not a bureaucrat among them!

Report?

Fachu: Yes, report! General Pijian insists that we send a full report to the Emperor by morning, but he demands the impossible! We must account for all goods seized, all goods destroyed, all casualties and executions. We must list the names of those still at large and those who have been sent to Eleh! Please, leave Wolong before they see you!

Fachu is wonderful to talk to.



Those soldiers must be blind, because this is the 'forest' on the outskirts of the village.



And here is that 'Medevan woman' and the Gatherer. Rosalind is alive and well!



Tell me about the Gatherers.

The Gatherers are healers, and they can speak to the plants that grow in this valley. General Pijian's soldiers have been searching for them.

Why is Pijian searching for the Gatherers?

They have the power to heal you, and this is why Pijian attacked Wolong. The Gatherers are hiding where they cannot be found.

How can Sizhe help us?

Sizhe will explain, but before you talk to him, there's something important I need to tell you.

Something important?

There are eight rings of Summoning, Joseph, not four.

Eight rings?

Do you remember how the Khosani called you Sahugani? That means People of the Eight Rings. When we visited Saanavarh, I wondered why the Khosani called you Sahugani instead of Sahudoni, which means People of the Four Rings.

Why didn't you say anything?

*Rosalind shakes her head.* I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Joseph. At the time, I despised you for what Yago had done to my mother. I hated you because Laurent made me join your quest. Besides, all I had was a suspicion, nothing more.

Do the Khosani know?

The Khosani made the rings, but Rhukha vanished in Orenia before he finished his quest. Even the Khosani might not know that the dragon rings still exist.

Rhukha?

Rhukha vanquished the four demons, and this ended the Chaos of ten thousand years. Then Rhukha disappeared. No one knows what happened to him or the four dragons. The lore of Summoners was forgotten ages ago. Only my father knew much about it. With the Abbot's help, I found the books my father studied. That's how I learned about the four dragons.

Your father?

Machival, the demon of darkness, possessed my father. Machival wanted to free the demons but leave the dragons trapped in the rings. This is why Yago never told you about the dragons.

Why leave the dragons trapped?

Because the dragons and demons are eternal enemies. During the Chaos of ten thousand years, their war nearly destroyed the world.

Who are the four dragons?

There's the dragon of water, the dragon of the four winds, the dragon of the forest, and the dragon of jade. The Ring of Water is here in Wolong.

How do you know the Ring of Water is here?

Sizhe has seen it! A ghost named Ngaru guards the Ring in the caverns of Wolong. There's also a fisherman who once saw the dragon with his own eyes.

Well, we saw a fisherman, but he was blind.

A fisherman?

His name is Zhimin. I met him at the docks. He helped me find the Gatherers. Talk to him and he will tell you his story.

Bullshit, that guy is blind as hell.

Join us.

Let's go. Sizhe will explain the healing ritual to you, and let's ask Zhimin to tell us about the dragon.

Rosalind is back. Jekhar must be off cleaving demons in twain.



Tell me about the Ring you saw?

Sizhe: The caverns are haunted by ghosts. There I met the spirit of Ngaru of the Drowned City. He had the Ring that destroyed his home. You will need to go there to complete your healing, but for now, stay away from the caverns.

Stay away from the caverns?

Sizhe: Pijian's soldiers guard the only path. I can help you get past them, but now is not the time.

Kept vigil?

Sizhe: Pijian's soldiers chased us into the wilderness, but the Gatherers know every stone and tree in this valley. The people of Wolong were not so Fortunate. Many were put to the sword. All for your sake, One-Hand, for the Emperor knew you would come. You must make yourself worthy of their sacrifice. You must avenge the slain.

What is one village compared to a civilization?

They died for my sake?

Sizhe: You are the One-Hand. You are the child of prophecy. You are the Summoner born. Your destiny and the destiny of Orenia are one. To restore your hand, we must perform a ritual. You will need four things: an onyx carp, a stick of charcoal, a widow's knife, and a traitor's rice bowl.

Why do I need these things?

Good question.

Sizhe: I asked for the carp because its blood will cleanse you. I ask for the charcoal to write the runes of healing. I ask for a widow's knife because hers is the blade of vengeance. I ask for the traitor's bowl so that good might come from an evil man.

Wow and a good answer in return. A rarity among fantasy mcguffins.

Tell me about the Gatherers.

Sizhe: In this valley, life is abundant, mysterious, and powerful. All things thrive with the secret of creation. The Gatherers are keepers of this secret.

I like how all the cultures have people associated with the Aosi, language of the gods, and they all deal with it in very different ways. The Khosani have the lore keepers, Orenia the Gatherers, and Medeva has the monks of Iona.



We find one of the sculptors taking a, certainly not government mandated, break.

What are you doing?

You are not carving statue #205,645 of our glorious Emperor, Murod.

Songli: I escaped the workhouse, Pijian has ordered us to carve statues for Murod's tower. He works us like slaves. When they find a way to move the stone to Eleh, we will be forced to go there with the others.

A stone carver?

Songli: The people of Wolong mine limestone, jade, and marble in this valley. The stone is soft and easy to carve, if you know the craft.

How did you learn the craft?

Songli: The secrets have been passed down through my family. Our people have carved stone for as long as the dragon has lived in the Lake of Sorrows.

Tell me about the dragon.

Songli: One night, I had a dream, the dragon said that we would be found by one who has been lost. When I awoke, I worked for seven days and nights to carve the dragon I saw in my dream.

Songli withdraws from society...
Songli has claimed a stoneworker's bench.

You carved the dragon?

Songli: All were amazed! Zhimin the blind fisherman, he has seen the dragon. When he touched my sculpture with his hands, he began to weep. In dreams, gods reveal the nature of things to mortal men.

Zhimin is estatic. Zhimin lost the gift of sight recently. Zhimin admired a wonderful statue lately.




1 Mcguffin down.



1 imperial soldier down.





A beggar like those Jade Temple russians, that's what you are!

2 Mcguffins down.




Zhimin: The waves tossed my boat, and I fell overboard. I tried to swim to shore, but the land was too far. My arms and legs felt like stone. But from the depths the dragon came. He carried me ashore. Then he spoke to me 'I have given you new life, but you must give me something in return.'

What did you give the dragon?

Two guesses, Joseph.

Zhimin: I said to him, 'You are the most beautiful creature in all creation. I am not worthy to look upon you, so I will give you my eyes.' I returned to Wolong and in the caverns I sacrificed my eyes to the dragon of the lake.

Damn, Zhimin is hardcore.

Sacrificed your eyes?

Zhimin: In the caverns there is a place we call the dragon's mouth, an abyss where the people of Wolong made sacrifices to the dragon of the lake. Because the dragon mourns the death of Urath, he wept for a thousand years. This is how the Lake of Sorrows came to be. If the dragon weeps too much, the village will flood, and so the peoeple of Wolong learned to make him happy. Long ago, we made sacrifices. Now, in the rainy season we hold a festival so he will not be sad.

It's much better for business as well.

Where are the caverns?

Zhimin: On the far side of Wolong, sixteen platforms rise up to the mouth of the caverns. Pijian's soldiers guard that path.

Tell me about the onyx carp.

Zhimin: A rare and elusive fish, but I have a bird who is clever enough. She will catch the onyx carp if you bring her a treat. She likes fruit. A mangosteen or persimmon. Do you have any?

I have no fruit.

Shameful.





3 Mcguffins down.



Ok, so remember how he mentioned he hid by some rocks when the soldiers arrived and ran away?



Not only are there no rocks nearby, like the location he is currently standing at. This is on the absolute other side of the village. So he ran away through the occupied village after hiding behind some 'rocks'? Took a damn hour of circling this place and every rock I could find to get this damn box.




Get bent, asshole.



Sizhe: *Into Minhe's bowl. From his pouch he pulls herbs, roots, fungi, and powders. He mixes the ingredients together with his hands, and he sings a song in words you do not understand.* Give me your arm. The one with the wound. *Sizhe picks up the charcoal and inscribes a series of runes.* These are words of healing. They are powerful. *The Gatherer smears your arm with the blood from the bowl, then binds the wound with a long, white cloth. *Finally, Sizhe offers you the bowl.* You must drink this.

The runes roughly translate to 'I love dongs in and around my mouth.' Also, drinking the bowl sounds like a prank as well. This must be why the people of Wolong shun the Gatherers.

*Refuse to drink it.*

Sizhe: Then neither your wound nor Orenia shall heal, *Sizhe says mournfully.* Many sacrifices will be demanded of you, One-Hand, but this will be the least of them.

A hundred villagers died today because the Emperor knew you were coming to Wolong. For their sake, drink it!

*Drink it. The warm liquid oozes down your throat, and you fight the urge to spit it back out. Through force of will, you drink the contents of the bowl.*

Sizhe: You have but two things left to do, One-Hand, and you shall be healed.

You must recite the words of healing. 'I am sofa king we todd edd.'

Sizhe: You must enter the caverns of Wolong and eat the plant we call the Tail of the Rokhul.

Tail of the Rokhul? Aoqi killed Tancred with that poison!

Sizhe: *Nods.* Many enemies of the Jade Temple have met a similar fate. There is no cure.

So how is this supposed to help Joseph?

Sizhe: For those who undergo the ritual I have just performed the Tail of the Rokhul has the power to heal.

You said I had to do two things.

Sizhe: After you have eaten the Tail of the Rokhul, you must find the pool of wonders. A magical spring near the edge of a deep lake. You must go far underground, to the very bottom of the caverns.

What do I do there?

Sizhe: Cleanse your wound in the waters of healing, and you will be made whole again.

What about Pijian's soldiers?

Leave that to me. I got into the palace and the Tower of Eleh. I can sneak past Pijian and his men.

What are you going to do? Carry us on your back? Stick us in your belt pouch? We can't fight an army.

Rosalind's snark levels returning to normal.

Sizhe: *Shakes his head.* Please. I will show you how. *From the folds of his robe he draws a crystal vial dangling from a leather cord. A luminous blue liquid shines within.* The Tears of Usaman. Very rare, for it is made from a flower that blooms but once every hundred years. The tears will make you invisible!

But you have to be totally naked for it to work!

Invisible?

Sizhe: There is enough for three of you. But be warned: the power of the tears lasts only a short time. Once you drink the vial, you must hurry. I wish you luck, One-Hand.



Pfft, I'll show him we don't need to drink tears. We are going to make some.
Next time, the ascent and descent of the caverns.