Was it all a dream....?

[Torben]

Slowly.....very slowly...he opened his eyes...the grey light of an early Sea season dawn came filtering through the cracks of the barn door, the air was chilly and young Torben gave an involuntary shiver as he pulled the scrunched up blankets around his lean frame, a decorated pipe and an empty bag lay alongside him.

"Good grief", he mused to himself, "What on earth happened to me the last 4 weeks.....where did Sacred Season go? I mean, I think I went on that Hero Quest, I've got some vague recollections of a thundery mountain, loads of people cheering, brave Lord Erik being dressed up in fancy armour and attending to the mighty Orlanth, me being turned into Lhankor Mhy himself and all sorts of other visions.....oh my gosh, there was even that terrible one about poor Ondurga being some kind of rain demon and then being attacked by lots of other demon type thingies....oooh....how awful. Yet, now I'm here again and nothing seems to have really changed??

Let me just check that list I made up at the start of Sacred Season, the one I titled 'Prizes and Goodies to be gained on the Hero Quest, plus other things I'm going for this Season'. Right, now it records the following -

1. Apply to be Aide to a Balmyr Lord - Errr.....I don't seem to have gotten that position.

2. Apply to be a Ferret to Mularik Ironeye - Nope....nothing showing as a success for that either.

3. Gain a Promotion while on the Hero Quest - Nothing, I'm still the same.

4. Gain a mention while on the Hero Quest - Sigh....surprise, surprise....nowt.

5. Gain a great big pile of lunars in loot - That'll be nothing either then, in fact I'm a 100 lunars down for that bag of Hazia. That Dirk said I'd make 2000 for sure!

6. Stay alive while on the Hero Quest - Well, that still seems to be the case but did I actually even go?

The whole of Sacred Season seems to have slipped me by to be honest, those visions or dreams must have all been as a result of that bloody Hazia stuff, mind you it was good gear, got to say that for it, but a 100 lunars to end up sleeping for a whole season seems a tad of a waste! I know what I'll go and ask Ondurga if she knows if I've been flat on my back in the barn all season, she should be able to clarify for me!

Ondurga.....hey Ondurga.....ONDURGA....that's strange there's no sign of her....she's normally always around, what with her being Lord Erik's Housekeeper and everything......ONDUUURRRGGGAAA...where are you.....weird, perhaps she went into the City? Who else do I know who might be able to help me out...hmmmhh...ah, I know I'll try Julian next, he's always on the mark....."!

[Quatlu]

My Sword Brother Torben, you have acquitted yourself bravely with honor while on the recent Hero Quest, and I salute you for your contributions to the endeavor. While you returned with no tangible rewards in hand, you served honorably in a vital role as Lhankor Mhy. You assisted mighty Orlanth in identifying and pointing toward the location of the Grand Order, and set Orlanth on the correct path to locate and recover it. Your fellow Initiates did not fare as well as you, Ondurga having fallen during the Hero Quest and Julian still remains there, though we shall try and bring him home with offerings to Orlanth this Sea Season.

You also served as a representative of the Lhankor Mhy Temple during the Hero Quest, which must surely increase your reputation with that ancient cult. So rejoice, Initiate and Sword Brother, and be glad that you have proven your metal as a fellow Sword Brother, earning the respect of all Orthani, and setting your feet upon the path to honor and glory.