As the copse neared the pair slowed their approach to give Ghed a longer lead-in time to feed visual information to Laughing Boy. The river that had been in the distance had drawn in towards them, and they now stood on its banks, the smell of the water wafting up through the dry grassland breezes.
The birds here sound the same as back there.
True aspirant, but perhaps the Jacobite seeks a variety not common to the tablelands we are on.
They pause beneath a large willow by the river to shelter from the midday warmth.
While we walked I sent a query to the Accord. It seems that the two birds the Jacobite has interest in are usual to the lower climes that begin beyond this approaching copse. I sent another query to the nearby Feeders to determine if they had seen such birds. The feeders indicated that the birds are seen, and also that they do not venture across often for fear of predation.
Laughing Boy sat beneath the Willow, his back to the trunk. Ghed could see the dappled light falling through the branches and glistening on his burns.
None of the information explains to us how and why the Jacobite wishes us to seek the same bird I chose to pict to you at the way-station.
I did wonder why we were chasing the Jacobite's request all this way.
I am curious, aspirant. And besides, there is little work for a Walker in this region. We are journeying in the general direction of the Lesser Centre, while also pleasing your Communicative. A harmonious procession.
Laughing Boy reaches into his red robes and produces two small packages.
Are you fatigued yet aspirant? This will assuage any hunger.
What is it?
Unwrap and eat, take water from the river. There is time for questions later.
Ghed took the parcel and peeled back the layer of waxed paper. Within was a half-hand sized piece of chewy dough. He nibbled at first before noticing Laughing Boy biting down and tearing off pieces. The dough was a little sweet, fairly salty, and smelt similar to the humus on which they sat.
A small bird flew into the overhanging canopy as they ate. It flitted around the pair before settling on a branch above them.
This is a lesson aspirant. Focus your mind on this bird. Can you see it clearly?
Yes.
Now, I want to clearly transmit the words, "Open Atrium"
Open Atrium
Within Ghed's vision a small grey square opened at the top left.
Good aspirant. Now image the bird you have seen within the Atrium, state "Query, name", and "Post Query, Atrium"
Ghed followed, and Laughing Boy commented, Good aspirant. You have made this seem simple. Soon the Atrium will re-open, and your answer will appear.
As if on queue the grey square reappeared, and Ghed intuitively stated, Open Query, Reply.
Good aspirant, very good.
In the square the moving pict of the bird reappeared, along with two spoken words, Fan-Tail. Pleased with himself, Ghed began to stand. He could feel a smile forming, and he glanced at Laughing Boy to see that he was indeed beginning to look pleased, a smile almost breaking.
It was then that the audible began. It pierced the peace of the tree, echoing along the river and rolling from bank to bank. It was an unnatural noise, a guttural, stomach-churning moan rising to a wailing crescendo. A scream of ascending agony.