View source for In Calahar

'''Hintzu’s Vision in Calahar'''

Hintzu sees a rune, <big>'''Œ'''</big>, carved onto a large dark anvil.  The rune glows gently white, as if it were white hot and begins to give off a vapour that looks like steam.  The vision is wrapped in billowing water vapour, at first thick and dark but then thinning and becoming lighter.  As if passing out of a cloud, Hintzu sees a beautiful blue sky, more clouds and what appears to be the top of a mountain.  The sun, to Hintzu’s left, is bright but low as he floats towards the mountain as if pushed along by a gentle breeze.  At the peak is a roughly hewn castle consisting of a central keep, joined to a barbican by two massive walls which encompass the entire summit of the mountain.  On the Barbican sits a wyvern, watching the clouds as if guarding the fortification.  The walls are occupied by humanoids – men, gith and drow elves -dressed in strangely fashioned, pale coloured armour and oriental garb.  The vision moves towards the top of the keep where a huge humanoid leans against the vast parapet, looking down on the walls below.  Griffons circle the keep carrying drow elves with lances and bows and large spotted lions are walked around the parapets.  The huge humanoid (at least 4 times the height of the more normal sized humanoids around him) has milky white skin, mottled with blue, his hair is silver white and his eyes are deep aquamarine.  He wears a sky blue silk kimono, decorated with all manner of flying creatures, tied at the waist with ivory coloured obi.  Tucked in his obi is an enormous morningstar, glimmering in the light.  He is covered in jewellery of all manner from a circlet of gold on his head to gold and silver ankle bracelets; however, what catches Hintzu’s eye is the ring on his right hand – a band of pure white gold with an impressive light blue stone (Elbaite Tourmaline, if you’re interested).  A humanoid of equal size, dressed in similar fashion but with brass coloured hair, calls from a cloud he floats on and points to a fast approaching creature.

The Giant’s head moves slowly to his left as he looks out across the keep, watching a large Tana’Ri approach from Hintzu’s right .  The Tana’Ri has four arms, two of which have huge pincers instead of hands.  Its head is a horned dog and it has a long reptilian tail.  His large bat-like wings are outstretched enabling him to glide towards the keep.  

As it approaches, it hails, “Ah, Calios I trust things go to your advantage.”

“Your master has not forgotten what I desire then Glabrezu?”, replies the Giant.

“Of course not; however, things have moved on apace…”  The Tana’Ri lands on the keep’s parapet and, despite being over twice the height of a human himself, is dwarfed by the Giant. Nevertheless, it appears to be perfectly at ease.  Having caught his breath, the Tana’Ri points to his right, behind the Giant, and says, “Having crushed the reinforcements that came out of the east, and cut off its re-supply, the city to the south is ours”.

“I suppose congratulations are in order? I hope that your Lord does not wish to reward his lady with a seat in her old home?  That would be most unfortunate…”

“No, no; she’ll receive what she desires, as will you.”, answers Glabrezu.

“You mean to stick to the plan then, despite what’s happened over there?”, the Giant nods towards his front as he gazes out towards Hintzu.

“Yes, and your part in the last struggle has become much more important”, the Tanar’Ri says with an evil smile.

“You have crossed the Madûr then?”, asks the Giant in a lowered voice.

“Yes.”

“And what of she that guards the river?”, the Giant looks concerned.

“That is where you come in…”, the TanaRi replies, his smile revealing sharp pointed teeth.

“Then my original request is agreed in full – I’ll have the woman as well?”, the Giant presses.

“Yes.”

A smile passes across the giant’s face and he says in a whisper, “I’ll not waste her. No she will not be hidden away in a bottle…” His eyes glaze over.

The vision fades as clouds role in, leaving only the rune <big>'''Œ'''</big> imprinted on Hintzu’s mind.