Ragnar: So, you are the outlander whom Hamal said would look for Asleif.
Rilkar: Who?
Ragnar: You don’t even know her name! I am sorry, outlander, I have not spoken with your kind for a long time and I’m not feeling so well. You see, I was set to marry Asleif, the most beautiful woman ever to grace this world.
Rilkar: Do you have any idea where she might be?
Ragnar: She used to come here every day, you know, whenever our camp was set up in the vicinity. She would come to sing here, her voice reflecting on the mountains and falling into the pool like sparkling silver. Sometimes I think I can still hear her singing, but when I follow the sound around the pool I just end up here again.
Rilkar: So… do you have any idea where she might be now?
Ragnar: We were supposed to meet here, at the tree by the pool. I think if I wait long enough maybe she will show up again.
Rilkar: But… you don’t actually have any idea where she is right at this moment?
Ragnar: If I knew I wouldn’t be standing here, would I?
The pool looks very peaceful. You can also hear faint singing coming from it. The sound seems to be coming from the center of the pool.
Apply mud to slippery bark tree, climb to island it’s leaning down over. Use pole on clump of rocks to reach next island. Use plank on flat rocks to make a little bridge to the center of the lake.
You can clearly hear the voice coming from the water now. “Rilkar… Rilkar!”
Listen to me, Rilkar, listen to what I will say.
Hello! Who are you! And where for that matter?
I am all around you. I am the soft singing in the wind. I am the faint rippling of the water. I am the stone of the rocks around you. Well, I suppose that answered both questions then. I am the voice of Asleif, daughter of Hamal, son of Wulfgard.
Wait, you’re Asleif? I think I was looking for you! Where are you hiding?
Asleif is no longer in your world, she dwells in the halls of her ancestors now.
But I thought you said you were Asleif?
I am but the voice of her, an echo of the past, reflected on the water. A tiny part of her spirit.
So what exactly do you want from me?
I am greatly concerned for the people who were once my tribesmen. You must help me, Rilkar, for their current course will lead to their doom.
Er, I don’t think they like the idea of me helping them.
Listen to me, and judge then if you think yourself capable or not. My people have, as is their way, isolated themselves from the rest of the world. There is no one for them to turn to in times of need. Our tribesmen are the children of the Fremennik of Rellekka. The parting was a bitter affair and the two groups never forgave each other. I ask you, Rilkar, to help bring these two people closer together again.
All right. That sounds like something I can do.
There is another thing, Rilkar, that I ask of you.
Yes?
My father has not moved camp for far too long. There is very little food now for my people. You must find a new supply of food for them, for I fear the worst.
I’ll get right on it. So let’s see, peace with Rellekka, and a new supply of food.
Thank you, Rilkar, and may the gods bless you on your journey.
Rilkar: I spoke to Asleif!
Ragnar: Really? You found her? Where is she, tell me!
Rilkar: Well… there’s something you should know.
Ragnar: Yes?
Rilkar: Er, she’s sort of… well… She’s sort of dead.
Ragnar: What? Do not say such things! Tell me where you saw her!
Rilkar: I didn’t actually see her, not as such. But I did talk to her, right there, on that island in the center of the pool.
Ragnar: That island is bare! There’s no one there! Do not try to deceive me, outlander, she is not dead and you did not talk to her!
Rilkar: Fine, don’t believe me then.
My daughter was always asking me to do that, and now that she is not here right now, I thought perhaps it was the right thing to do.
Yes, Rilkar?
I did what you asked me to! I improved the relations between Rellekka and the mountain camp, and I found a new supply of food!
Yes, Rilkar, I can sense that this is so. … My father does not believe that I am dead. In his heart, he knows it to be true, but he cannot accept it. You must convince him, Rilkar.. Once you have convinced my father, everyone else in the camp will follow him. Then, perhaps, they can move on again.
I don’t think I can get him to this little island.
I must leave that to you. All I know is that I was attacked by some creature or animal while I was sitting by the lake. It dragged me off and I remember nothing else. Perhaps this will help you, I cannot provide further assistance.
Rilkar: So what are you doing here, pretending to be a god?
The Kendal: Ah, the people that live in the mountains here, they are a superstitious lot. They fear few things, but magic and gods they’re scared to death of. So I took on the guise of one of their legends. It’s a good way of being left alone.
Ragnar waited here 14 years to give this necklace.
She is my love forever.