Nowhere to Run by Elliott Kay

Author:Elliott Kay [Kay, Elliott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-01T22:00:00+00:00

* * *

“How long would you estimate your committee study to take?” asked Yargol. Scars remained behind him at the rock. War Cloud stayed by Yargol’s side, but let the magician take the lead. He seemed able to at least speak the same language.

Brookwater frowned. “We do not like estimates. They are prone to result only in unforeseen and unnecessary restrictions, much like morality.”

“Can you tell me the parameters?” Yargol continued on undaunted.

“Only as a matter of preliminary conjecture,” said Windbreeze.

“Which is an estimate,” noted Brookwater.

“Humor me, please.”

Druids looked to one another with sighs and discomfort. Treeleaf explained, “We would need a survey of the issue to understand its size and scope. This would require an understanding of the lands around the camp, an accounting of its people, and a sense of its growth over time so that we might understand not only its current population but also its likely development. Perhaps also a similar survey of comparable settlements to establish a baseline understanding.”

“You are a circle of druids devoted to the protection and care of this region,” said Yargol. “Don’t you have an intimate understanding of these lands already?”

“Well, yes, of course,” said Windbreeze. “A review of changes wrought by the presence of the camp is in order. But that is the easiest task ahead.” She folded her arms across her chest. “We are masters of the natural world, after all.”

“Masters in understanding and connection,” Dewfrost corrected promptly. “Not in a context of ownership.”

“Of course,” Windbreeze conceded.

“So it would take days, you think? Or perhaps less, given your mastery?” asked Yargol.

“Not days,” Brookwater scoffed.

“Then you could work with the mayor of Zition to understand its growth and its needs. She has been there from the beginning and has managed the population daily. She can tell you all you need to know on that matter. As for a comparable settlement, you won’t find one in this region. At best, there may be other refugees gathered elsewhere, but they will have different settings and different needs. Thus your baseline is unlikely to provide any useful perspective.”

“Hold on,” said Treeleaf. “Are you asking for understanding, or in an effort to cut our studies short in hopes of a swift decision?”

“People will starve and grow sick while you study,” said War Cloud. “People are starving and sick now.”

“Zition has no wish to poison the forest or the streams. They have no desire to purge the area of game and set themselves up for worse starvation later,” said Yargol. “The settlement is young. Now is the time to guide them. Tell them your concerns and show them how to live in harmony with the environment and they will make foundational practices of it.”

“You mean take sides in the current struggle between humans and goblin folk,” said Willowbark.

“Go ahead and tell the humans in Eastford your advice, too,” said War Cloud.

“We have. Many times. They usually don’t listen,” said Dewfrost.

“Then why should you hold that against Zition?”

“Because we don’t want to take sides,” Willowbark answered. “Don’t you understand? We are neutral in this.

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