Vanishing In A Moment

JP with Redsword, Zeeke, Winteroak and Cindy

No need for interpretation as it was clear what the boy had done and what he wanted.

Islana realized there was probably no way to explain to Kaithak that they didn't worship the same Gods. Even more, no way to explain that, even though there was clearly no one around but themselves, living under the thumb of the inquistion tended to make people weary of such gestures.

Islana didn't want to upset Kaithak, she also had no idea if it had to be a offering of a certain type.

Each man already shared a secret with the young woman but it felt very much like they should all do it together or none of them.

"Should we give an offering or not?" Islana asked Boyce and Wim.

Wim looked at Wolf and asked,"When in the history of mankind did we start letting youth call us by our first names and treating them as equals?"

Calling the young man boy would be what would happen by his father and grandfather. It was better than what servants were called, they were called by their job title. This was too liberal…

Wim dug in his bag and pulled out a blank book. It was something of value, something burnable, and was not cash. He placed it on the altar.

Islana said, "I believe that the idea is to call Kaithak by his first name. He barely knows anything of our language. What do you expect him to call you?"

As much as she and Wim were friends that comment seemed to upset Islana. She had been called many things by Lord Vasant, mostly derogatory, none of them her name.

"Excuse me a moment," Islana knew Wim wasn't to blame for her past and she was reading too much into his statement. The young woman wasn't going to unleash how she felt at this moment on him.

The young woman went outside to catch her breath. Coming back a few moments later with some flowers, wrapped in a leather hair tie and placed them on the altar. She didn't have much on her to offer, but the hair tie had significance to her.

"I was thinking maybe Uncle Reise," he said, ruffling the boy's hair with a smile. "Easier to say, conveys belonging and is respectful," he added

Coming back to hear what Wim said, Islana breathed. She really needed to stop doing that to the man, even if the reaction had been internal. There was just that knee jerk reaction to somethings.

Islana's expression softened, and she smiled softly. "It might take Kaithak a while to learn that."

Her gaze turned towards Kaithak, "I'm fine with Lana for the moment."

Wolf started to look through his pack. Wolf normally did not sacrifice anything. "Wim, remember in Kaithak clan they might go only by one name and that name could be given by a chief, elder, or parents. We know nothing of them, as of yet. Though it could be two or more words. Like my surname or last name is Blackwolf. Proper etiquette, we all know, can and will be taught in time to Kaithak, Master Wim," Commented Wolf, as he placed some silver coins on the altar. "Wim you are probably the best to teach him in that when the time comes." said Wolf, now standing.

As the coins are placed in the altar along with the other offers a huge flash of light blinds everyone in the room.

When you open your eyes the offerings are gone and a small flame burns on the stone.

You looked around in wonder and puzzlement and as you look around for the source of the fire and to each other you notice the boy is gone.

Wim was about to utter a curse but remembered Islana was here.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Wim said unsure about this.

Wim always had a bad feeling when dealing with the gods. Even Hoi was out to get him.

Jokingly Wim said, “Remind me to ground the boy when we find him.” This was to cover his nerves..

The flash came quickly and was blinding in it's intensity. Islana's eyes took a few moments to fix themselves.

She blinked, rubbed them, blinked again before noticing the small flame

What had just happened?

Her green eyes glanced around, the boy, Kaithak, was gone. How could he just be gone?

Islana didn't know how much she wanted to think on that last question. She wasn't even sure what to say.

Wolf blinked a few times. Then looked around, he noticed the boy was gone and then saw the flame. Wolf had never experienced anything like this. It was not unheard of though.

"Astonishing," was Wolf's only comment.

Boyce's comment felt like an understatement. Wim's joke was probably just to ease thoughts on the matter.

"Maybe, we should get out of here."

Islana knew there were things that defied explanation in this world. She just didn't think it wise to investigate this matter much further.

Wolf did not know exactly how to explain what just happened. Listening to Islana. "Wait," said Wolf, walking over to the altar. He placed his hand over the flame to see if he could feel the heat. Wolf took his hand off, satisfied.

"I know this is unnerving, to say the least. I am not one to toy with the god's either, but this is the find of a lifetime," said Wolf. "Islana, but why you? Do you know of this god somehow?" Asked Wolf, now getting his pack.

Thoughts ran through Islana's mind at the question posed by Boyce. Why her?

She couldn't just say, "maybe because I can communicate with animals." Which left her scrambling for an answer.

"I'm not familiar with this God." It wasn't a lie, just not the entire story. "If you want to investigate it further, we can wait."

The young woman didn't like standing there, but felt weird leaving Boyce there, after what had just happened, even if she would just be going outside.

Wolf smiled, "sorry if I got too personal." Wolf said in an apology. He made a note of her comment. Wolf wondered Islana was still surprised by it all. But Wolf would not question it any longer. As Wolf started to walk out. "I will miss Kaithak I would have like to learn more from him," says Wolf walking out of the cave, "So do we keep going or go back down?" he asked the others.

Maybe, it had nothing to do with her ability. Maybe, it just had to do with Islana not being able to resist helping a child in need.

"No worries. I just don't have an answer." Which was true, even if the young huntress had a few guesses. "I think we should go back down."

She would miss Kaithak as well, it hadn't taken long for the young woman to grow attached to the boy. Really, by the time Boyce had told her not too, it had been too late. It wasn't the kind of thing Islana could avoid. After a few moments, she quietly said, "I'll miss him as well."

Wolf took a few steps and then groaned looking at the ground and shaking his head. "We can't leave yet," said Wolf.

Wolf turned to the others, "This is just too big I can just leave it as it is. Give me a day or two. I have to know what happened to Kaithak. The horses have water and grass. They will be fine until we return if that's what you are worried about," said Wolf.

Islana was feeling guilty about Kaithak just vanishing and not feeling like she could do anything about it.

This place was making her nervous. Which had played into her automatic reaction to the events.

Then Boyce said he wanted to stay, and the young woman realized he was right. She would probably feel worse if they just left without more investigation.

The young woman took a breath, and then did what likely seemed like a reversal to the two men, but it was how her mind was shifting through its thoughts.

"I have to agree with you. This is too big to leave without investigating what happened."

Wolf smiled, "Thank you Islana." says Wolf looking excited. "This is why I came here. This is what I do. and I will add your names to my research. That will help your reputation on the outside world." Wolf said then paused when he looked at Islana. "I will have to come up with something anyway," Wolf said reinsuring.

Wim started searching to see if there were any signs of where the boy might have disappeared to. He looked for any stones that might slide, hidden compartments, and the like.

With the initial shock worn off and Islana's fears shoved aside. She began investigating the walls of the shrine. On the other side from Wim, just to cover more area. Though she was basically looking for the same thing, hidden doors, passageways, or really any clue that might tell them what had happened to Kaithak.