IC - Axis Umbra Malthus

[Curren]

Curren explains the task he has been set to Barof, and what actions he and Blake had started to undertake.

[arcanus]

Barof looks both pensive and thoughtful, as he steeples his huge hands before his face.
After some deliberation he looks up "Toblin, I would speak to Malthalamus a moment, would you mind fetching some nectare from the barn croft?"
Blake looks a little surprised, before smiling in deference "Of course, please excuse me" with that he taks his leave and quietly steps outside.

Barof looks at Curren "The waters beyond the dam, are glacial waters, filled with eons of primal power and energy, once the dam is breached they will seek to consume everything within their orginal bed"

Before Curren can reply he continues "Great earthworks had to be undertaken to contain them, many died, the hamlet will be swept away!
I understand that you must do this, but in order to save the Hamlet you will have to find another way!"
Barof gives Curren an encouraging smile, which again rings that mental bell, a wave of recognition passes over him, but not quite enough to anchor the memory to reveal the tale to be told!

[Curren]

As this irritating familiarity of recognition flashes across his mind again a few paragraphs of the feared diary come unbidden to his memory; the words caress him and mock him with their cryptic words:

There is lambswool under my naked feet.
The wool is soft and warm,
- gives off some kind of heat.
A salamander scurries into flame to be destroyed.
Imaginary creatures are trapped in birth on celluloid.
The fleas cling to the golden fleece,
Hoping theyll find peace.
Each thought and gesture are caught in celluloid.
Theres no hiding in my memory.
Theres no room to avoid.

The crawlers cover the floor in the red ochre corridor.
For my second sight of people, theyve more lifeblood than before.
Theyre moving in time to a heavy wooden door,
Where the needles eye is winking, closing in on the poor.

The carpet crawlers heed their callers:
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out.

Theres only one direction in the faces that I see;
Its upward to the ceiling, where the chambers said to be.
Like the forest fight for sunlight, that takes root in every tree.
They are pulled up by the magnet, believing theyre free.

The carpet crawlers heed their callers:
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out

Mild mannered supermen are held in kryptonite,
And the wise and foolish virgins giggle with their bodies glowing
Bright.
Through a door a harvest feast is lit by candlelight;
Its the bottom of a staircase that spirals out of sight.

The carpet crawlers heed their callers:
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out

The porcelain mannikin with shattered skin fears attack.
The eager pack lift up their pitchers - they carry all they lack.
The liquid has congealed, which has seeped out through the crack,
And the tickler takes his stickleback.

The carpet crawlers heed their callers:
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out
Weve got to get in to get out.*

Curren visibly shivers, and shakes his head to clear the vision.


* The Carpet Crawlers: Lyrics by Genesis

[arcanus]

Toblin Blake clambered down the wooden ladder from the croft, a large ceramic jug full of nectar.
Beneath the soft yellow lantern light he walked across the barns floor, smiling at the whinnying of 'Barof's stallion.
The two mares snorted intolerantly at their highly strung neighbour.
Stepping into the night air, he breathed in deeply, he sensed that things were due to change and that their way of life may never be the same again.

Strolling back to the cabin, he stopped and watched the frenzied dance of a group of fireflies outside of the lounge window.

[Curren]

'Er, erm, ok.' He stammers as he filtered Barof's words out of the strange rhyme that had pinballed around his psyche.

'What would you suggest? Have you any pointers?' he asked the troll with an anxiety that had been brought on by the strange rhyme.

[arcanus]

The troll looked slightly perplexed, as if not expecting that question to be asked, with that he is silent for a number of minutes measuring his response.
"Firstly I think you must ask yourself what do you owe this town?" he finally replies

[Curren]

'Look, forgive me.' Curren exclaims as he exhales heavily. 'That was the wrong thing to say.' he rubs his furrowed brow.

'My day started very well when I came to your peoples gaff. But I'm experiencing some strange things which are confusing and worrying me.' he admits uncomfortably.

'Is there somewhere I could have a kip? I'm pretty sure a nights sleep will put me back on the straight and narrow.' he asks, gently avoiding Barof's question for now.

[arcanus]

"Absolutely!" says Barof, rising to his feet, he smiles "This way" and leads a weary Curren through to a large guest bedroom, a homely room, earthen tones,
with wooden beams making up the walls, floors and ceiling. A warm bed, of thick linens and woven throws, beckons invitingly.

"Sleep and dream well" Master Curren, says the troll.

[arcanus]

As Curren settled down to a dreamless sleep he pondered, firstly did you dream when already within a dream.
The second thing was why was 'Barof' so bloody familiar!
His deep thought did the trick before he knew it, Malthalamus Curren was soundly asleep.

[arcanus]

"The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams. The oak sleeps in the acorn".
-James Allen

"To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day."
-Sir Winston Churchill