{"id":21198,"date":"2020-01-15T16:01:59","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T21:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=21198"},"modified":"2020-02-19T07:38:44","modified_gmt":"2020-02-19T12:38:44","slug":"the-whispers-chapter-six","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/the-whispers-chapter-six\/","title":{"rendered":"The Whispers – Chapter Six"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello there!\u00a0 Thank you for joining me for another chapter of Tellest\u2019s newest feature, the \u201cinteractive\u201d story, The Whispers<\/em>\u2014a story which you and readers like you are helping me tell.\u00a0 For ease of navigation, I\u2019m going to have little mini tables of contents on these posts, so feel free to use them to jump around and discover how\u00a0The Whispers<\/em>\u00a0works, how you can help steer the direction of the main character\u2019s choices, and, of course, read the story.\u00a0 I hope you enjoy taking part in this interesting new Tellest adventure!<\/p>\n

The Whispers Concept<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Whispers \u2013 Chapter Six<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Voting Instructions<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>The Whispers<\/em>\u00a0Concept<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Whispers is a story that takes place within the Tellest universe.\u00a0 It\u2019s a story that is written by Michael DeAngelo, but it\u2019s told with help from the readers.\u00a0 The Whispers follows Declan, a young man who was recently evicted from the temple where he grew up.\u00a0 When he was younger, he used to hear voices, and the clergy interpreted those voices in ways that they thought brought them closer to divinity.\u00a0 But with the whispers growing quiet, Declan was no longer needed at the temple, and he was instead shipped off to a nearby adventurers\u2019 guild.\u00a0 The voices have recently returned in his time of need, and have offered him advice on what to do in order to survive.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t already figured it out,\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0are one of those potential whispers!\u00a0 At the end of every chapter, Declan is given a choice.\u00a0 Every reader has the chance to vote and influence Declan\u2019s decision, as long as you\u2019re a member of the Tellest newsletter.\u00a0 Every time you vote, your voice holds more sway as well.\u00a0 Everyone who casts their vote in earlier chapters will now have a stronger voice, and Declan will hear them a little clearer.\u00a0 So for your voice to be heard best, you should get in on this story early.\u00a0 There is another way to gain additional voting power, but that will be described in the voting instructions at the end of this post.<\/p>\n

First thing is first: you\u2019ve got to read the story (starting with\u00a0chapter one<\/a>, if you prefer).\u00a0 Then if you\u2019re not already a member of the newsletter, go ahead and sign up!\u00a0 Tellest has awesome freebies that we give out right away at sign-up, and more that come along every few weeks.<\/p>\n

Without much further adieu, let\u2019s continue our tale, and find out the most recent choice Declan made with the help of our Council of Whispers\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Chapter Six:
\n<\/strong>The Road<\/strong><\/p>\n

Though the disembodied voices invaded his mind like nothing before, he felt his own conviction with more clarity than ever.\u00a0 He looked at those he began to trust\u2014even though he had known them each less than a day.<\/p>\n

As he looked at Ilayeth, he heard the whispers almost chant her name.\u00a0 She had her own powers that could help to bolster his own, and with the long way back to Fespar Temple, he could use any tutelage he could find.<\/p>\n

Declan looked at Tornig next, and just as before, the whispers spoke his name, the word echoing in his mind.\u00a0 The dwarf had a strength and conviction unlike any that Declan had ever seen, and he had to admit, he felt safer in his presence.<\/p>\n

He shifted his gaze again, but that time, Declan\u2019s focus didn\u2019t land on one of his new guildmates.\u00a0 Instead, he looked to the goblin he had nearly killed, and then brought back from the brink of death.\u00a0 Gorik\u2019s name reverberated in the silence of the room then, though it was somewhat quieter than the other two.<\/p>\n

For once, he felt as though he was in charge, and the voices were merely confirming what he already knew: He had found those he needed to travel with.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Tornig asked, folding his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cYe do know that we don\u2019t hear them voices the same as ye, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan shook his head, dismissing the incoherent, quietest voices that lingered in the farthest reaches of his mind.\u00a0 In his heart, he had already gathered his party, and knew that the rest were needed to keep the guild hall safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whispers agree with me,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t do this on my own\u2014I\u2019ll need someone to go to Fespar temple with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, we are to go there directly?\u201d Ilayeth asked, almost with a hint of excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Declan replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019ll need you there with me.\u00a0 I don\u2019t understand my magic at all yet, and though the staff helps me focus\u2014I feel like it is controlling me more than the other way around\u2014you\u2019re the only one who can help me understand what it\u2019s like to do what you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou would not have been able to stop me, Declan,\u201d Ilayeth said.\u00a0 \u201cThis is what the Adventurers of Eladia stand for.\u00a0 There are clearly some dark forces at work here.\u00a0 You and I will do our best to understand it, and to prevent them from taking hold.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned to the dwarf then, nodding toward him.\u00a0 \u201cI also know that magic isn\u2019t always the answer,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s something primal and instinctive that you can tap into, Tornig.\u00a0 \u201cIf Ilayeth and I were in any trouble that magic couldn\u2019t solve\u2014or if we lost control of it altogether, I know you\u2019d be there in an instant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAye lad, I would,\u201d Tornig said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if that means ye want me to be coming along, ye can count me in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan heaved out a deep sigh, one mixed with relief and anxiety.\u00a0 \u201cI heard another name clearly as well,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cThough perhaps with softer voices than the rest.\u00a0 Still, I don\u2019t think we can do it any other way.\u201d\u00a0 Declan offered up a weary grin and looked to the goblin cleric at the table.<\/p>\n

Gorik nodded even before Declan spoke again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll know who we\u2019re facing,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll know if there\u2019s any hope to stop them from hurting the people at the temple, and if we can\u2019t stop anyone, perhaps you can use your magic to prevent any great tragedies.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Ignark,\u201d he went on.\u00a0 \u201cI know that there\u2019s someone that you care about among the group, but I\u2026 The whispers didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He paused, thinking of what to say that would offer up some hope for the gnoll.\u00a0 \u201cThey want you here.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure why, but this is where you need to be for now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignark squared his jaw, and he curled his fingers into fists.\u00a0 He presented a conciliatory nod, but everyone there could see the internal struggles the gnoll failed to hide.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure this is the way?\u201d Tornig asked, sending a quick, sideways glance toward Gorik. \u00a0When he realized everyone had seen what he intended to be a clandestine glimpse, he shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cThe fella said it hisself: him showing up there could cause more problems than we intend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf any did arise, I promise you, they wouldn\u2019t be initiated by me,\u201d Gorik assured.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about the rest of us?\u201d Jace, the young warrior, asked.\u00a0 \u201cAre any of us still to join you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan sent a solemn gaze his way, and then shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI thought it, and the whispers confirmed it.\u00a0 It would just be the four of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s plenty to do here, though,\u201d Ilayeth insisted.\u00a0 \u201cThe guild hall must be protected from further attacks.\u00a0 The raiding party weren\u2019t the only ones who may have seen us as a target, and if anyone gets a hint of weakness out of us, the Adventurers of Eladia could be battered even further.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just our home,\u201d Tornig agreed.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s history here\u2014some of its ours, and some of it tells tales of all of Astranus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we\u2019ll need those of you who are healthy to tend to the wounded,\u201d Ilayeth went on.\u00a0 \u201cAnd to all this damage.\u00a0 Jace, why don\u2019t you go and tell Orn and Bearbane to come in and stop guarding the empty stables.\u00a0 You\u2019re in charge of the cleanup while we\u2019re gone.\u00a0 I\u2019ll head upstairs and let Emilie know that we need Yaro to send a falcon to Grey Arches.\u00a0 We might be heading there alone, Declan, but I\u2019ll take any help we can get, especially if we run into more trouble than we expect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jace was already heading toward the rear exit of the building when Ilayeth excused herself from the table.\u00a0 It grew silent there, and the four that remained could feel the tension and worry as though it hovered in the air around them.<\/p>\n

Gulping down the rest of his ale, Tornig slammed his mug to the table.\u00a0 \u201cDeclan would ye speak to me?\u201d he asked as he pushed out his chair.<\/p>\n

Declan rose up as well, and followed the dwarf into the adjoining room, but he passed a glance behind him as he went.\u00a0 Gorik and Ignark wore apprehensive looks, knowing that they\u2019d be separated once more in due time.<\/p>\n

Arriving in the room where they\u2019d saved the goblin\u2019s life, Declan understood in how much disarray the guild hall remained.\u00a0 He shook his head when he saw the bloodstains upon the furniture and the floor.\u00a0 Even Ignark\u2019s hefty poleax remained in the room, though it had been propped up in a corner\u2014nobody truly knew what to do with the intruder\u2019s weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen ta me, lad,\u201d Tornig said in a soft voice.\u00a0 \u201cI know ye\u2019re eager ta get back to the temple, and that ye\u2019ll be pushing us to move faster and faster as we get closer to it.\u00a0 But ye\u2019ll be needing ta take a breath.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTornig, I can\u2019t wait any longer than I have to,\u201d Declan insisted.<\/p>\n

The dwarf pointed at his new guildmate.\u00a0 \u201cThis is what yer whispers chose me for\u2014I\u2019m sure of it.\u00a0 Remember when I telled ye that I hadn\u2019t yet been an Adventurer of Eladia when Gulspire, me brother, died?\u00a0 Well he certainly dinna die of old age, and when news of it reached me at Coalheart Hall in the Tiverhale Mountains, I was ready to take up everything and go after the durned monsters that killed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack then, I thinked meself a would-be weaponsmith, Declan,\u201d he went on.\u00a0 \u201cI was apprenticed to one of the Coalheart\u2019s finest, though I was more than a bit rough \u2018round the edges.\u00a0 I took up a shoddy axe I had been working on, put on someone else\u2019s discarded armor, and readied myself for the long road ahead.\u00a0 Me ma and da though, they did everything they could to stop me.\u00a0 It just\u2014they couldn\u2019t take away that need in me heart to do what I could for Gulspire.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was days away from home, already down to my last few scraps of food, when a stranger approached me on the road while I set down for a rest\u2014more because exhaustion took me than anything else.\u00a0 He let his horse graze in the field nearby, and he grabbed some earth nearby me, and shared some of his own food.\u00a0 And then we got to talking.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was calculated.\u00a0 He took his time to think.\u00a0 When he spoke, I found myself listening more to him than I did to anyone back home.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure what it was, but he seemed like a fellow\u2014a man, mind you\u2014who lived the life I was sure I was set to.\u00a0 He had a broad sword on his back, a traveler\u2019s cloak that saw its share of tatters along its ends, and wisdom in his eyes that I don\u2019t think I had seen before, except in Gulspire\u2019s eyes whenever he came back to Coalheart Hall.\u00a0 When he asked what set me on my road alone, I dinna have any reservations tellin\u2019 him where my heart lied.\u00a0 And that was when he told me how bloody stupid I was bein\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d have thought he knew me his entire life,\u201d Tornig went on.\u00a0 \u201cHe spoke as though he knew secrets about me that only family knew.\u00a0 He understood that vengeance was a worthy cause, but he knew how foolish it was to venture after it blindly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat man,\u201d he said, \u201cwas Mason Gwynne\u2014one of the better-known Adventurers of Eladia.\u00a0 My folks had tracked him down and sent him after to me to talk me out of my poorly planned journey.\u00a0 He missed Gulspire just as much as I did too, because they had become brothers in a way as well.\u00a0 Without him there to temper my anger, I would have gone on to join Gulspire, and I certainly wouldn\u2019t have been able to avenge him.\u00a0 But that we did, and as members of the same brotherhood\u2014since it didn\u2019t take long for me to join\u2014and now I have no doubt that he rests in peace, content that I still have some time before I meet him in the great beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan locked his jaw and shook his head then.\u00a0 \u201cThe people of Fespar Temple aren\u2019t gone.\u00a0 But if we don\u2019t do anything to keep them safe, they may fall to the bandits.\u00a0 Not even Gorik or Ignark know what they want, and that scares me most of all.\u00a0 There\u2019s no telling what will happen if we don\u2019t move quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can be as swift as ye like in getting there,\u201d Tornig said.\u00a0 \u201cBut I need ye to remember that we have ta be cautious yet.\u00a0 Learn what I did.\u00a0 There\u2019s no sense in joining the priests and paladins there and getting captured or injured or worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

As anxious as he was, Declan heard those words roll over to him.\u00a0 Tornig wasn\u2019t just offering him good advice.\u00a0 He was pleading with him.\u00a0 Recklessness couldn\u2019t save Benedictus and the other clergy of Fespar Temple, they both knew.\u00a0 But it took hearing it from the brash dwarf to understand how hardheaded he was being.\u00a0 Declan nodded, and let go of a deep breath.<\/p>\n

Tornig clapped him on the shoulder, and headed out of the room, away from the dining area.\u00a0 Declan knew he was likely gathering up his axe and other equipment for the road, but he didn\u2019t need to make the same preparations.\u00a0 All he had was the staff that the whispers had directed him to, and it was waiting for him in the room they had just left.<\/p>\n

When he returned to the doorway there, he hesitated just out of sight, for he heard another of his would-be traveling companions participating in their own conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do whatever I can to see that Melara is safe,\u201d Gorik promised.\u00a0 \u201cYou have my word.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignark nodded, but the weight of his worry had him bowing his head.\u00a0 \u201cJust make sure that you don\u2019t close your eyes to any potential danger.\u00a0 She knew I was in here when she threw her explosives.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to think she cared more for my well-being than yours.\u00a0 Er\u2026not to offend you, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Declan took a step closer, he could see Gorik flash a sheepish grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMelara and Jarayas have been swayed in odd ways since that witch arrived,\u201d the goblin said.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps the blame is not to be cast on your\u2026\u201d\u00a0 His words trailed off as he realized Ignark lifted his gaze upon the arrival of the guild member.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to eavesdrop.\u00a0 But as we\u2019re making promises, I\u2019d like to make one too.\u00a0 I have no desire to see anyone hurt any further.\u00a0 While my focus will be on protecting the people I grew up with, if I can stop the attack on the temple without any bloodshed, I\u2019ll do whatever is in my power to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignark blinked and bobbed his head.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Declan.\u00a0 I believe you.\u201d\u00a0 He lay his hands out on the table, as though he were waiting for someone to bind him in chains once more.\u00a0 \u201cI know I\u2019m not going with you, but I\u2019ll be with you still.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik nodded as well then.\u00a0 \u201cIf it is meant to be, you\u2019ll see one another again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure you stay safe,\u201d the gnoll said to his friend.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t be caught off guard\u2014by anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though his words seemed to imply that he still couldn\u2019t trust Declan and the Adventurers of Eladia, no one dared to challenge them.\u00a0 The creaking of the stairs in the hallway announced the descent of the other guild members, and Ilayeth arrived at the bottom of the steps with Emilie in tow.<\/p>\n

\u201cYaro is going to dictate the letter to another of the guild so that we can be on our way.\u00a0 Emilie, would you mind sitting with our guest until he feels ready to get some sleep?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he\u2019s been as helpful as our other attacker<\/em>, we should have no problems,\u201d the girl replied.<\/p>\n

Declan half expected her to glow fiery red as she spoke that, but it seemed her words were more a warning than a threat.\u00a0 Ilayeth waved off the statement as well, joining the companions she would be traveling with along the side of the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure your legs are aching to be on the way,\u201d Ilayeth said.\u00a0 \u201cTornig was already on his way down the front steps when I last saw him.\u00a0 If you\u2019re ready, so am I.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan nodded, eager to start what he hoped to be a hasty journey.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s be on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Despite the urgency that sped their steps, it felt as though night fell upon them far quicker than they\u2019d expected.\u00a0 The quartet stuck to the road, knowing that venturing even a short while from the path could be devastating in the dim light.\u00a0 Any trouble that they could encounter was worth the risk to Declan, and with the whispers finding their way to his mind, there was little the others could do to convince him to slow down.\u00a0 Though that certainly didn\u2019t preclude them from trying.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright lad,\u201d Tornig said.\u00a0 \u201cYe remember what I told ye back in the guild hall, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll slow down when we get there,\u201d Declan insisted.\u00a0 \u201cOnce we know they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is right, you know,\u201d Ilayeth said.\u00a0 \u201cYou had a nice rest, but he and I are beginning to flag somewhat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow then, girlie,\u201d the dwarf chided.\u00a0 \u201cI got me a nice little power nap thanks to our friend over here.\u00a0 But I\u2019d also call meself a liar if I tried to say I couldn\u2019t do with another one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that says nothing for Gorik,\u201d Ilayeth reminded.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, the goblin trailed them by nearly twenty feet, his head bowed as fatigue wracked his body.\u00a0 Still, when he heard his name, he perked up, furrowing his brow as he picked up his pace.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Gorik promised.\u00a0 \u201cI may be of no use if we are forced to fight, but I\u2019ll use every ounce of my strength to heal those who may need my help at the temple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t ask you to fight against your friends,\u201d Ilayeth assured.\u00a0 \u201cBut I think it\u2019s fair to say your magic would be much more beneficial to us if you were well-rested.\u00a0 I know mine would.\u00a0 And Declan, I could teach you how to better harness your own innate magic if we stopped for the night.\u00a0 Perhaps I could even demonstrate a few new spells.\u201d<\/p>\n

He drew to a stop in the middle of the road, knowing that each of his companions were struggling, even though they each leveled their complaints in different measures.\u00a0 With every step, even the whispers became muddled in his mind, a score of different raspy voices talking over each other so that he couldn\u2019t begin to sort them all out.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me just try to make sense of\u2026\u201d he paused then, when he saw Ilayeth wince as he spoke.\u00a0 She peered off into the distance, further up the road, and turned her head slightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not alone,\u201d the half-elf assured.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s some kind of beast up ahead\u2026and I\u2019m nearly certain I\u2019m hearing whispers now as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before anyone else added anything to the conversation, Tornig pulled his pack from his back, and dropped it on the ground.\u00a0 After rummaging through it for a moment, he pulled out a cloak, and tossed it to the goblin among them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI canna be the only one who thought it might be dangerous traveling with him, right?\u201d Tornig asked.<\/p>\n

Declan drew closer to Gorik, even as he frantically wrapped the cloak around him and tugged the hood up over his angular features.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould that be your people?\u201d Declan asked.\u00a0 \u201cDid they travel with some kind of pack animals or something?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo\u2014and not a wagon either.\u00a0 But maybe you\u2019re hearing Melara\u2019s cackle?\u201d he suggested to Ilayeth.\u00a0 \u201cThat was always something I felt was\u2026distinct.\u201d<\/p>\n

Locking her jaw, the half-elf took a few steps further down the road, tilting her head to hear the strange and distant noise.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not a gnoll,\u201d she claimed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure of that.\u00a0 It sounds like\u2026a mule, perhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe a merchant?\u201d Tornig suggested.\u00a0 \u201cHaving a wagon to rest in could solve all our problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s even going the same way we are,\u201d Ilayeth said. \u00a0\u201cBut you\u2019re right.\u00a0 We could rest and offer our services as bodyguards to the caravan as compensation.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both saw the look of hope and relief appear on Declan\u2019s face, and together, the veteran Adventurers of Eladia hurried along the road, passing beyond the winding trail and the trees that blocked their further view.<\/p>\n

In the dim light, they could barely see it, but they were sure it wasn\u2019t a caravan waiting for them there.\u00a0 A single stranded wagon leaned away on the side of the road, a distant, obscured torch illuminating a silhouette of the vehicle before them.<\/p>\n

Though they exercised caution, Ilayeth and Tornig were also swift in their approach.\u00a0 Declan lagged with Gorik, offering him assuring glances, but remaining quiet as they went.<\/p>\n

As the forward pair reached the wagon, the mule brayed, warning its driver that strangers were close by.\u00a0 The torch moved out from the front of the vehicle, setting the stocky fellow who wielded it aglow in the darkness.\u00a0 Once he realized his mule wasn\u2019t just anxious in the quiet of the night, he panicked, and hopped up to the driver\u2019s seat, leaning over into the bed to gather up something as quick as he could.<\/p>\n

\u201cEasy,\u201d Ilayeth said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re not here to cause trouble.\u201d\u00a0 She scrutinized the wagon then, noticing what left it hunched to one side.\u00a0 A wheel had fallen off and lay in the grass beside the vehicle, leaving the wagon unable to proceed with any real ease.\u00a0 \u201cIt looks like you\u2019re in need of help, in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

The driver plucked up the item he scrounged for then.\u00a0 Catching the glimmer of his torch, the bolt that sat in his crossbow was clear, though he tottered the weapon in juggling the very item that let him see those who approached.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary,\u201d Tornig assured.\u00a0 \u201cWe ain\u2019t bandits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet over here Skanlon,\u201d the driver said.\u00a0 \u201cYou aren\u2019t bandits?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think bandits are going to do\u2014admit to it straight from the introductions?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, we can be on our way if you prefer it,\u201d Ilayeth said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re heading that way whether you are as well or not.\u00a0 But if you\u2019re willing to consider some help, perhaps we could travel together, and offer you assistance against any real trouble that comes along.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second man that the driver called upon emerged from the darkness then as well.\u00a0 Skanlon was much skinnier, the scruff on his face making him look almost gaunt.\u00a0 Furry eyebrows fell upon sunken-in, wide eyes that only seemed to grow wider when he saw the strangers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could use some help, Jordy,\u201d he rasped.\u00a0 \u201cYou know I can barely pick up the wheel on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

The driver, Jordy, swallowed away his apprehension.\u00a0 He looked back to the two strangers and gave them a subtle nod.\u00a0 \u201cWhich way you two headed after the crossroads?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s four of us,\u201d Tornig offered up in the interest of honesty.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut the crossroads are as far as we\u2019re going for now,\u201d Ilayeth clarified.<\/p>\n

After a quiet pause, Jordy dropped the crossbow back into the bed of the wagon.\u00a0 \u201cAlright then.\u00a0 If you and your group help us get this cart back on the road, we\u2019ll give you passage to the crossroads.\u00a0 And if we fall upon any ne\u2019er-do-wells on the way, you\u2019ll give us some help then too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have an accord,\u201d Ilayeth confirmed.<\/p>\n

She and Tornig turned about together then, heading back to the pair who waited at the bend up the road.\u00a0 In the darkness, even from their proximity, the dwarf and the half-elf couldn\u2019t see the other two.\u00a0 Noticing their return though, Declan and Gorik stepped forward to meet them halfway.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey say we can travel with them,\u201d Ilayeth said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we help them fix the wagon and protect them from any dangers along the way,\u201d Tornig explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, of course,\u201d Ilayeth followed-up.\u00a0 \u201cThat said, something felt a bit strange about them.\u00a0 They were quick to incite, and they seemed an unlikely pair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re all a bit unlikely here,\u201d Tornig said.\u00a0 \u201cBut we\u2019re not in it to be friends with them.\u00a0 Just trying to give our legs a bit of a rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t feel quite comfortable with this either, for what it\u2019s worth,\u201d Gorik whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThough my apprehension could be for more obvious reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we don\u2019t have to help them,\u201d Tornig said, folding his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cThe gods know we have a more pressing matter to attend.\u00a0 We don\u2019t even have to tell them.\u00a0 We could just disappear inta the night and go on along our way.\u00a0 But you know where I stand\u2014or rather, where I\u2019d like to sit.\u201d<\/p>\n

As his trio of companions went on, Declan could hear the distant sound of words trailing together.\u00a0 It almost resonated in his mind like a quiet stream, the running water too incoherent to understand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeclan?\u201d Ilayeth asked.\u00a0 \u201cAre the whispers coming to you again?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded and closed his eyes to try and make sense of what they were saying.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need the wagon,<\/em>\u201d a quiet whisper seemed to rise above the others.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be too weary to lend a hand at the temple if you continue there on foot.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 You cannot,<\/em>\u201d a more desperate voice cried out.\u00a0 \u201cBringing them to the temple would endanger them.\u00a0 It is your duty to protect the people of Novistrus.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are other ways,<\/em>\u201d a mischievous third voice added.<\/p>\n

As the words rolled over Declan, he clenched his eyes shut, as though he could hear them better if he tried.\u00a0 More voices chimed in, though that time it sounded as though no rhyme or reason banded them together.\u00a0 There was no substance or rationale.\u00a0 There was no understandable cadence or timely verse\u2014only a discordant rabble as one voice tried to talk over another.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on, lad?\u201d Tornig wondered.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are they saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan gnashed his teeth together, trying to see if he could identify one voice as the strongest.\u00a0 \u201cEverything.\u00a0 They\u2019re saying everything, and I can\u2019t figure out which one is right.\u201d\u00a0 He pressed his hands to his ears, as though he could keep the whispers from spilling out of his head.<\/p>\n

The inharmonious voices had yet to synchronize, and Declan\u2019s eyes watered at the dissonant sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cOffer help<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cContinue on.\u00a0 Don\u2019t even say a word.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFind a place to camp.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake the carriage.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGet to the temple.\u00a0 There\u2019s not much time.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

They continued like that, but as they did, more of the voices seemed to overlap into a unanimous chorus.\u00a0 Declan knew that he only needed to focus to discover what they wanted of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Continue with Chapter Seven<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Voting Instructions<\/strong><\/p>\n

The voting period has ended for this chapter.<\/p>\n

This month Declan has a confusing new choice to make, which you can influence.\u00a0 Unlike in the past few months, where there was some structure to the whispers, this time they’re discordant and inharmonious.\u00a0 No one voice is there to lead the others.\u00a0 What that means is that, more than ever, your voice is important to Declan’s decision.<\/del><\/p>\n

You have until the 28th of this month to safely\u00a0join the Tellest Newsletter<\/a> in time to cast your vote.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be sending out newsletter emails to my readers, and this time around, you’ll be asked to give Declan direction without the choices being laid out for you.\u00a0 Then, on February 1st, I\u2019ll interpret the votes and see how the whispers influenced Declan.<\/del><\/p>\n

Remember, there are two ways for you to accumulate voting power in The Whispers:<\/del><\/p>\n