Talking on the Farm

JP with Cindy and Lorem

The surroundings were picturesque compared to the interior of the city. There were impressive views stretching out from the edge of the farm towards the horizons. The farm itself was very normal looking, crops in rows that took up a lot of land; the only interesting difference from your typical farm was that each plant was actually planted within a scaffolding system buried underground that was quite architectural looking if you removed the earth concealing it. Only the top foot of the structure was even visible. The tunnel system was not visible at all.

Gonyaul's shelter was very humble and small. It was big enough to maybe have two of him laying down at the same time and tall enough for him to stretch upwards without touching the ceiling; unless he stood on his tiptoes. Of course, they were outside at the moment.

There was only one chair and table, that were literally made from a tree trunk. This was the seat he offered Islana. it was obvious he was not expecting company. In addition, there was a well tended and thriving garden. It was not as impressive looking at the moment because it was winter, but there were some innovative little designs to it to try and help the vegetables, herbs, and three fruit trees grow.

Best of all, for their circumstance, it was remote. His place was out of earshot of another living soul. Just fresh air, open skies, and plenty of space. One glance and you would be able to take inventory of everything there. For something so meager it was well cared for, well ordered, and well designed.

Islana took in her surroundings, it was peaceful here in a way. The closer to nature the more at ease the woman felt. This was not like the woods but far closer to nature than the civilization of the town. The red-headed woman took the seat offered to her, thanking the man for the chair, and the food he offered her though the plate stayed to the side untouched for the time being.

As he asked what Islana would like to know, her hand went to the small silver bird on the chain, she absently rubbed it for a moment. It was an indication she still was unsure about this man but a way of calming any nerves she might have.

Islana realized suddenly the question she should start with, "Before I ask you any additional questions may I get your name? I am Islana." Offering her own name to hopefully get the man to tell her his.

Gonyaul took note of the small silver bird her hand was rubbing. He too had a necklace. On it was a seed, sliced open to show its intricate interior and hardened to last. It held sentimental value to him and he wondered if her jewelry held similar value to her.

He took a seat on the ground in front of her about six feet away, the first time she was taller than him. "My honor to meet you Islana. I am Gonyaul" he left the vaux part off of his name because he did not want that to be public knowledge around these religion saturated parts. He hoped he phrased that correctly. His people greeted each other using sign language.

Gonyaul, Islana went over the pronunciation in her mind. It was more so she could remember it later than finding it difficult to pronounce.

Islana put her drawing on the table, in case any reference was needed. "If you could just tell me what you know of the things in those drawings. It could be of much use to me?"

She hadn't decided if telling him about the bodies found near those things was the wise move. Instead of mentioning that, Islana decided to see how Gonyaul responded to the query.

Gonyaul did not need to move closer to the table, he knew exactly what he saw on that piece of parchment. It was a twisted and distasteful object to his people. "Seen before." he pointed to the drawing of the twigs on the parchment.

Next he used Vauxian sign language. It looked like his two hands made a bird shape that started from his belly, moved up his centerline to his heart region, and then flew away from the body. But just as his hands moved from his heart there was a clasping of the hands that looked like the bird was caught in a trap; that trap was brought to the front of his forehead.

"Anak chab prolung." he paused, thinking how to say it in the common tongue, "Soul catcher."

He looked concerned at Islana. What had she gotten into? "Not good...death and decay nearby always." He held off for a moment on the other drawing just to see how she would respond to this information.

Islana watched the movements Gonyaul made with his hands. What she saw was a bird, trapped but she couldn't interpret the movement to the man's forehead. It was only confusing for a brief moment as then he spoke calling it a soul catcher. Talk of death and decay did not surprise her as much as perhaps it should have but after seeing the decomposing bodies in the woods it made sense. Still the pit of her stomach fell slightly, as Islana had been concerned it might be something of this nature.

Almost too concerned to ask but needing to know she asked, "And what of the other drawing?"

Gonyaul moved closer to the drawing to view the picture of the sigil. He traces it gently with his fingers. "Interesting sap" he murmured as he let his fingers then move down like the sap would have done.

"I see this before too, on dark tree carved." He looked at the symbol a few moments longer in silence while thinking. "I not know this." He then shifted so she could see his fingers trace the central vertical line and the upwards facing curve. "My feels someone is coming."

He traced the central part again. To him the symbol looked like three people with the central marking representing something, or someone, of importance. Of course that was only his interpretation. Maybe other people saw a sheep in a pasture or candles.

He returned to his seated position. "if this belongs with soul catcher, then not good." He looks off to the horizon and whispers to no one in particular. "danger."