Davvyd carefully adjusted his front foot, not wanting it to sink into the reeking bog any further. "This is not what I imagined today to be." Golyath nodded, in full agreement. The faery wrinkled his nose and also glanced back, looking at the other Noul. Davvyd could feel a buzzing annoyance from his bonded in his own mind.The other Noul shrugged. "Sorry friends. But it needs to be healed. And it's dangerous to be alone out here. I want to try to get some clean water running, see what happens. I think it might help dispel some of the poison, at least in a small area. I've been practicing in Homewood, and I think this technique shows a lot of promise. And I must say, this seems like one of the most damaged places on Vykeli, so it really seemed like an excellent place to start." This had been the pretense of today's trip. That Fulsome wanted to try his magic in the Bog, see what happened. Davvyd watched him dump a gourd of water onto the much, close his eyes for a moment, and then water seemed to shoot up from the muck. It spouted into the air for a moment, before dissipating. Fulsome was soaked, with what appeared to be a mix of rotting muck and his fresh water. "Huh, perhaps more calculations needed. But I think I was close! Just an adjustment here or there and next time, we'll be ready! Oh, did I tell you about the writings I found in-"
Davvyd leaned his head towards Golyath. "We need to remember not to get him talking. He's a nice fellow, but he never shuts up. He does seem to know some very pretty does though. Wish he'd brought one with him. Sort of thought he would, really." The faery nodded, squinting in disgust at the bubbling bog. He was sure you could almost SEE the stink rising from it. Perhaps it was best that no does had been brought out here. It was hard to imagine a less romantic place. Davvyd made a mental note: don't bring does to the Bog.
"I think I'm quite close to deciphering it. You know, most Noulicorns on the council can READ the writings of the others! At least, that's what I've heard. On good account, too! Ah, just imagine all the knowledge one could access! Thrilling! You do have to brave going in to the Ruins, but I think the risk is worth the reward. Maybe one day once we're done here, of course, we could venture there. Nice to go together. Much safer."
Golyath leaned forward, whispering to Davvyd. "You weren't kidding. He knows how to talk." Davvyd chuckled, under his breath. Fulsome wasn't a bad sort of fellow, but it you got him talking about a project good luck getting around to doing anything else any time soon. Davvyd didn't dare mention he'd been to the Ruins multiple times. He was sure he'd instantly be roped into accompanying Fulsome there. From their first meeting Fulsome seemed to have latch on to Davvyd, as soon as Davvyd had mentioned a passing interest in artifacts from the others. This admission had triggered a deluge of conversation from Fulsome, about his own research. It seemed the pale buck was aiming to learn how to read the squiggles the others used. Davvyd pondered if does would find that appealing... About to come up with a witty retort, Davvyd noticed a strange silence. His Noulicorn companion had stopped talking. Unusual. Worrisome even.
Davvyd turned around, looking for his friend. He saw him, right where he'd last been, but he wasn't alone. A small colony of dire rats stood across from him. A particularly large one was reared on its back feet, and leaning forward slightly. A little stream of stinking water separated them, but it wasn't much. It was only a few feet across.
Davvyd started counting rats. Eight. That was all together too many for two Nouls and Faery to take on. He began to edge closer to his friend. "Fulsome," he whispered, "lets just back away. Nothing good is going to come of this." Davvyd had seen several rats in Homewood recently. Gossip had been all aflutter with how these particular rats wanted to work together. He was quite sure this colony was not included in that grouping. He might be a vivify user, but that would be for naught if they all got mauled. It was best to just practice evasive actions at this point.
