Aura Mountains

From Danakan

Greetings my good friend! I must admit that I am glad to have survived the passage through the Aura Mountains. I have been told by my guides that we have been fortunate, for many caravans have some sort of devanu encounter amongst the rocky terrain.

Considering the dramatic nature of the mountains I had expected the route to be far less comfortable. Not to say we had a smooth journey but it could have been far worse, and would have had they convinced me to ride one of those damned beasts! My finely tuned nose, more used to smelling the delicate spices of the courts, has struggled with the stench emitted from the Enuk. Had these creatures not proved so useful at carrying my belongings I would not go near one. My aide Muri does not share my sentiments, riding atop them on more than one occasion. I admit a certain sense of self-satisfaction when her mount got spooked and bolted, leaving her to land in a Garkrid mound! She claims one of the little creatures is still crawling around in her robes yet none can find it.

It was a sad sight indeed when the lush greenery of Teral’s delta disappeared from view leaving the chilly surrounding hills. The Aura Mountains are a barren, rocky place with little in the way of plant life, except for small clusters of fungi amongst the Garkrid mounds. One of the guides kept talking about the Orel’as; after much questioning and a little confusion it became apparent that the fubarnii of the Orel’an clan call the eastern mountains by this name. Curious that two clans who live so close, at least in terms of the Empire, should have different names for the same hills. It does make me wonder what other strange and curious facts I shall discover on this arduous journey.

Something I had not counted on with this journey is boredom; there are many hours of unnatural daylight travel to contend with and little change in view or sign of a civilised conversation. I find my mind wandering back to our fair city. I believe I forgot to mention in my last letter a parting “gift” from Kadii, my replacement in the court, apparently my noble service demanded suitable recognition upon my “promotion.” I find myself both flattered and indignant for the staff is clearly of great workmanship; a shaft of well seasoned Bren with a crystal orb of green mounted at its top. But, what really inspires loathing is the delicate carving of a damn fish at its head. I can only assume that this was intended as a jest to rouse my displeasure, a constant reminder of my fall from courtly grace! My apologies, I do not mean to rant constantly at you my friend for my… situation.

Our destination is the city of Orel, which lies on the edges of the formidable Argoran Wastes. It sounds a curious city and I was very much surprised to hear that a common trade is for some fubarnii to actively seek out devanu nests! Apparently these… imprudent loners seek out such nests and destroy them, for the devanu are a grave threat in these parts. I feel a mixture of awe and disbelief towards such seemingly foolhardy behaviour. It would appear that we shall have the company of just such a fellow who is to travel with us, on to one of the smaller towns along our route. I am sure I shall hear some interesting tales if only I can keep Muri from quizzing the poor kopa.

We should arrive in the city tomorrow morning where we shall stay for two days and I am much looking forward to the civilised company and comforts we are sure to find within. The next leg of our journey is into the Argoran Wastes, an unfriendly place by all accounts. We are to travel south along its border before passing north towards the city of Eyglar and entering the Central Empire. I am sure this city will be a welcome sight after so many weeks of travel. Our guides have been telling tales of the wastes and its desolate landscape but unlike Muri, I do not fear their words for no place can be as bad as all that!

It has taken a while, but I have finally managed to converse with the hunter who left Orel with us. This quiet fellow has spent much of the time alone, though whether this is of his own choosing or because few dare to pass too close to his graku is unclear. Muri has been talking to him more than I; it would appear she has become quite intrigued by his companions, offering them scraps for which they appear to be most grateful. In an attempt to court their favour, and so the hunters, I too tried this tactic but decided to stop after one nearly took off my hand! These damned beasts are dangerous and I shall be glad to be rid of them.

Jawuu the hunter has been surprisingly open in our conversations and has a very calm demeanour. Perhaps his time alone in the wilderness or the dangerous nature of his profession has given him a unique outlook on life. Don’t get me wrong, he is far from loquacious but he seems to be less guarded than the others of his clan. Muri tells me they have been discussing the finer points of devanu nests and Jawuu’s trade so I have decided to ask her to include some notes, perhaps then she will stop pestering me with her scribblings!

Hoping this letter finds you in good health and fortune!

Source: The Twilight Traveller Issue 2