“There’s something happening here, but what it is ain’t exactly clear.”
While Ethelred crafts his magical compass, Rask keeps watch, cleans his gear, tends to camp, and does his exercises much as he always does when the group camps. He prays to Raiden before and after his exercises and before he settles in for the night. He often joins Ca’armine in ritual prayers to Raiden. Those that might notice such things may see the look of concern and disappointment that occasionally flashes across his face when he uncharacteristically falters during his exercises, or even more rarely stumbles during chores. It is similar to they way he carried himself in the Grasslands on the way to the First Gate, but missing the bitter fury he carried then.
After a few days, and shortly after a round of prayers to Raiden, before settling in for the evening, Rask speaks to Ca’armine and Gustav.
“Ca’arm, do you understand what is going on here?” The question seem somewhat Rhetorical, and the warrior continues before Ca’armine can start to answer.
“I’m cut off from Raiden, or Aegir I guess?
Rask looks to Gustav briefly.
“Mage-Eye did say that my tattoos channeled the Raw Power of Aegir… Like I was in the Grasslands, I’m not as fast or as tough here. It feels like part of me is missing. I’m getting more used to it, but that… worries me that much more.”
Rask pauses and looks at the ranger and then the priest, more sad that worried, really.
“You two can stall call on The Power though, and when you do, I feel that connection again…”
Rask smiles wanly, recalling the comfort Raiden’s protections bring.
“I think Hadonis may not have been completely lying Brothers. This place… something is different here…”
He pauses, clearly asking for Ca’armine and Gustav’s thoughts this time,
“What do you think is going on here?” Rask guestures broadly
Ca’armine shakes his head. “I don’t know what to think. At first, I couldn’t feel Raiden when we exited that weird round room. Then my sense of Raiden was restored again. I didn’t like that feeling of being disconnected, so I understand what you are going through.”
He pauses a moment, looks pensive, then looks like he has an idea– but shakes his head again.
“Hadonis talked about anchoring ourselves in time. We didn’t do what he said to do. I don’t trust him and I thought he was probably trying to get us killed, or to do some awful task for him. What if he was just… telling us what we needed to do?”
He looks stricken.
“We don’t know where we are. Worse. We don’t know WHEN we are.”
“I’m trying not to think about it, and hoping that Raiden will bring us home.”
Rask nods in agreement as Carmine speaks.
“I too didn’t believe Hadonis, and am now pretty sure he wasn’t… completely lying to us.”
“Praise Raiden and pass the whetstone, eh?” Rask smiles wanly.