{"id":22057,"date":"2020-03-23T08:22:26","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T12:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tellest.com\/?p=22057"},"modified":"2020-06-02T10:23:52","modified_gmt":"2020-06-02T14:23:52","slug":"the-whispers-chapter-eight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellest.com\/the-whispers-chapter-eight\/","title":{"rendered":"The Whispers – Chapter Eight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello there!\u00a0 Thank you for joining me for another chapter of Tellest\u2019s newest feature, the \u201cinteractive\u201d story,\u00a0The 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> works, 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

 <\/p>\n

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

The Whispers \u2013 Chapter Eight<\/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 Eight:
\n<\/strong>Drawing Closer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Declan stared at the sky, fighting back every urge to close his eyes.\u00a0 Tears welled up in them, blurring his vision, but he focused on the sound of the mule drawing the carriage\u2014the beast of burden carried forth louder than Declan wanted, and yet that sound seemed to be the only thing keeping him rooted in reality.<\/p>\n

Every now and again, a faded, whisper drew in, telling him one way or another what to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cSleep.\u00a0 Sleep now<\/em>,\u201d one voice would say.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t<\/em>,\u201d another would counter.\u00a0 \u201cYou know the way better than anyone, and this road is most dangerous for a lone goblin\u2014especially one carrying unconscious humans.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether it was the noxious fumes that had nearly swept Declan into oblivion, or the whispers seeming to warble back and forth into his ears, a wave of nausea almost bowled the man over.\u00a0 Declan struggled to sit upright, pulling himself up against the railing of the carriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere<\/em>,\u201d a whisper said.\u00a0 \u201cRise and be at the ready for your ally.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

For once, it seemed that Declan had outpaced the advice of the whispers, though others seemed to commend his actions as well.\u00a0 Stacked over top of each other, a trio of distant voices all encouraged him to stay awake.<\/p>\n

The nausea certainly wasn\u2019t making it easy to contend against their words anyway.\u00a0 He leaned over the railing and spat over the side of the cart.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t produce any vomit, and the longer he stayed upright, the steadier he felt.<\/p>\n

His quiet expectorations weren\u2019t lost to the goblin in the driver\u2019s seat though.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d Gorik asked.<\/p>\n

For some time, Declan hugged the railing, stabilizing himself as best he could.\u00a0 He reflected on Gorik\u2019s words, though, and contemplated all that had happened in the last few hours.\u00a0 He remembered the terrible feeling of the fumes entering his lungs.\u00a0 The fright of seeing his friends falling to the ground through the mist was etched into his mind.\u00a0 And he knew that without a miracle, there was no way he would have survived Jordy and Skanlon\u2019s dire plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetter than I would be if you hadn\u2019t been with us,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 His back was against the front railing of the wagon bed, and he stared ahead, away from Gorik, the driver\u2019s seat and the mule.\u00a0 He saw Ilayeth and Tornig before him, sprawled out on the bed of the cart, looking as though they would forever be caught in their sleep.\u00a0 Every few moments, though, Declan would see their chests rise as they took in a strained breath.\u00a0 Though their fates would have been dastardly at the two bandits\u2019 hands, away from them, they seemed at peace.\u00a0 \u201cYou saved us all, Gorik.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe seem to be making a habit of saving one another after we\u2019ve been at odds with each other,\u201d the goblin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat we do,\u201d Declan mused.\u00a0 He looked about a while longer, until his gaze settled on his magic staff.\u00a0 He leaned forward, inviting another spasm in his belly, but fighting through it, nonetheless.\u00a0 The staff sat across his lap a few moments later, and he was upright once more, taking a deep breath of crisp air that seemed to settle him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m trying to stay awake for you here,\u201d Declan said.\u00a0 \u201cKeep talking before I join the two of them in slumber.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSleep if you must,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 After a pause, he cleared his throat, though.\u00a0 \u201cAlthough I must admit, I don\u2019t know the way as well as I\u2019d like to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long was I laying here in silence?\u201d Declan wondered.\u00a0 \u201cIt could be that we\u2019re drawing closer than we realize.\u201d<\/p>\n

He heard a chuckle from the front of the carriage then.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you thought you\u2019d slept through most of the journey, you\u2019re sorely mistaken,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve been lying there for just a few minutes, and that\u2019s the second time you\u2019ve asked me that question.\u00a0 But, if it\u2019s any consolation, you\u2019re slurring less than the first time you asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Declan said, a bit more embarrassed than he expected.\u00a0 \u201cI shouldn\u2019t let you bring us there alone.\u00a0 You\u2019re as tired as the rest of us, I\u2019m sure.\u00a0 And you\u2019ve got an injury still.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Gorik assured.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been spending a little bit of my energy every half hour or so to speed the healing process.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a rare gift,\u201d Declan said, leaning on his staff as he felt the pull of fatigue once more.\u00a0 \u201cThe clerics as the temple had restorative power as well, but they were far beneath your talents.\u00a0 They wouldn\u2019t heal battle wounds or injuries earned by some fight with a monster in the wilderness\u2014they\u2019d try, certainly, and sometimes succeed, though the patron would have a scar with them for the rest of their days.\u00a0 But often, it was things like digestive problems, or small burns or a spring fever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik hummed for a moment as he considered Declan\u2019s compliment.\u00a0 \u201cThere seems to be a noticeable difference between your clerics and a war priest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that\u2019s what you are?\u201d Declan wondered.<\/p>\n

A shrug lifted Gorik\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know if that was what I intended.\u00a0 My tribe wasn\u2019t known for it either.\u00a0 We had no wars to fight, and little faith to speak of.\u00a0 The gods have been as quiet as your whispers were, until lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what had you turn your back on the way of your tribe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik chortled at that.\u00a0 \u201cBelieve it or not, it was just a book.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA book?\u00a0 The one you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe happened upon a human settlement that was smaller than your guild hall and the stables, I think.\u00a0 Just a few huts or cottages here and there.\u00a0 It was abandoned\u2014don\u2019t worry.\u00a0 But a lot of things were left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen they didn\u2019t leave willingly, I\u2019m sure,\u201d Declan supposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn any case, there was a small shrine in one of the cottages.\u00a0 A stout dresser served as a pedestal for a statue.\u00a0 I think it was one of your gods reimagined with wings and a goblet of water.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t care much for it, but beneath the stand, there were a few other trinkets and baubles, and the book I carry with me now,\u201d Gorik revealed.\u00a0 \u201cI knew how to speak the common tongue well enough, but it took me a long while to learn how to read as humans do.\u00a0 My focus on this old tome wasn\u2019t lost to others in my tribe, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid they think you were becoming a sympathizer?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 \u201cI always thought that it was more likely they were at odds with me learning more than the rest of them.\u00a0 Knowledge was almost worse than faith to them, and I had gone too far to simply let it go.\u00a0 I could sense that they had grown tired with me.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I pulled magic from the aether,\u201d he continued, \u201cI had grown tired with the old ways of my people.\u201d\u00a0 He was silent for a time, remembering what had set him off on his unlikely path, away from his people and down a road that intersected with Declan\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cWe were scavengers when we had to be, and hunters when we were desperate.\u00a0 But we weren\u2019t skilled predators\u2014not like some of the beasts of Novistrus\u2014and sometimes made for easier prey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kept my new power secret until I no longer could.\u00a0 On one of those hunts, we were attacked by a pack of dire wolves.\u00a0 Those were hungry times, and I\u2019m certain the wolves were struggling for food the same way we were.\u00a0 We knew they were there.\u00a0 They knew we were there.\u00a0 For a while, we kept our distance.\u00a0 But one of my cousins, Dolog, thought he could take care of two problems at once.\u00a0 Sneaking through the shadows, he meant to drive his spear into the hindquarters of one of the large beasts.\u00a0 They sensed him near, though, and three of them fell upon him like he was a ready-cooked meal.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t scream\u2014just growled like one of them.\u00a0 And when I reacted with a flash of light, he used what energy he had left, and drove a spear into the belly of the closest wolf.\u00a0 The sound of its cry drove the others away as well, although that one limped as it went, left behind by its family.<\/p>\n

\u201cDolog\u2019s breathing was already ragged by then.\u00a0 I could see blood dripping from his lip.\u00a0 He was so startled by the attack that he\u2019d practically chewed through his tongue, but I didn\u2019t know it at the time.\u00a0 Still, his injuries were grievous.\u00a0 There was no way he was walking out of the forest\u2014not without my help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gorik sighed as he recalled those harrowing times.\u00a0 \u201cI dove into my book, Dolog cursing at me through clenched, bloodstained teeth.\u00a0 And when I read aloud the passages of some ancient prayers, another light, white and pure, danced on his tattered body.\u00a0 In time, he grew strong again.\u00a0 He was stronger than me, I realized, as the magic seemed to pull my soul straight out of me.\u00a0 And as the vigor returned to him, his protests grew louder and louder.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraitor,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cBlasphemer.\u00a0 As though he had prayed to goblin gods all his life and knew that I had made a pact with a human one.\u00a0 When I saw him grab hold of his spear once more, I wondered if he\u2019d make short work of me.\u00a0 In my weary state, there was no hope to fight back against him.\u00a0 He just spit a gob of blood on the ground at my side and climbed to his feet.\u00a0 That was the last time I saw him.\u00a0 I knew that he would spread word of my magic to the rest of the tribe, and someone among them would be able to do what he could not.\u201d<\/p>\n

A pause in the story lingered for too long, and Declan looked over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Gorik.\u00a0 You were only trying to help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSome people are afraid of help,\u201d the goblin said.\u00a0 \u201cIf it\u2019s strange, or different, they\u2019re maddened by the thought of it.\u00a0 Even if it could mean the difference between life and death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan nodded, seeing the meaning behind Gorik\u2019s story, and how it connected the two of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not who I expected,\u201d Declan admitted.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m glad to have been surprised by that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs am I.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a short while, the two sat in silence once more.\u00a0 Declan looked to the sky again, and realized that his vision had settled somewhat, the stars appearing clear and bright upon their velvet canopy.\u00a0 Somehow, his fatigue seemed such a distant thing.<\/p>\n

He realized that it was fleeting for the lot of them.\u00a0 Tornig and Ilayeth stirred then as well, grumbling and groaning as they adjusted into more comfortable positions.<\/p>\n

\u201cGorik?\u201d Declan asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhy are your friends going to the temple?\u201d<\/p>\n

Another pause left Declan wondering just how much he could depend on the goblin.\u00a0 The hesitation was telling, but perhaps it was just the awkward stretch of time persisting since inhaling Skanlon and Jordy\u2019s noxious fumes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I knew, Declan,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 \u201cEver since Tanissa began bending Jarayas\u2019s ear, it seems like everyone in our group is acting differently.\u00a0 There are more secrets, for one.\u00a0 It used to be that we all had a seat at the table.\u00a0 Jarayas made certain that none of us felt like we were less than another.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sound like you have a lot of respect for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Gorik considered, \u201che was the one who found me after the falling out with my tribe.\u00a0 When I was feeling empty and lost, and hated myself for my newfound powers, Jarayas made it feel like there was a place for me.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a tale for another time. \u00a0I don\u2019t know much.\u00a0 As I said, there are more secrets these days.\u00a0 Tanissa convinced Jarayas to place a door in our hideout.\u00a0 An actual door.\u00a0 They whisper behind it, away from me, Ignark, Melara and the rest of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Declan could think to question his newest companion, Gorik turned about and tapped his knuckles against the back of the seat.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019ve been listening to what I\u2019ve been telling you, I\u2019m sure,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cOne thing I can\u2019t get enough of is answers.\u00a0 Jarayas may not have come out and told me what he and the witch discussed, but I skulked in the shadows while everyone else slept.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know much, but I\u2019m sure I heard a name.\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan shifted and cast his gaze toward the driver of the stolen carriage.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re looking for someone at the temple?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be unheard of,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 \u201cTanissa is a human, like you.\u00a0 Perhaps she knew someone at the temple once upon a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though his curiosity was drawn in two directions\u2014and he wanted to pull on the thread that led toward Tanissa being a human that conspired with trolls and gnolls and goblins\u2014Declan\u2019s thoughts raced toward his old home.\u00a0 \u201cWho did she mention?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhose name did you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a name I\u2019ve heard often, but I suppose it\u2019s more human than goblin,\u201d Gorik supposed.\u00a0 \u201cAbel?\u201d he said, struggling somewhat with the pronunciation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbel?\u201d Declan repeated.\u00a0 \u201cAbel?\u201d\u00a0 He twisted back into position, bowing his head as he recalled his times at Fespar Temple.\u00a0 Was there ever an Abel he had known there?\u00a0 It surely wasn\u2019t one of the clerics\u2014perhaps it was a paladin, though even then Declan was sure he would have known them well enough.\u00a0 \u201cIt has to be someone who was there long before I was.\u00a0 If they\u2019re looking for him, they won\u2019t find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat could be bad for everyone,\u201d Gorik said.\u00a0 \u201cEspecially if they don\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/p>\n

No one aboard the carriage could argue against that rationale, and it grew silent once more.\u00a0 While Ilayeth took deep breaths to steady herself, Tornig spent some time digging through the supplies that Jordy and Skanlon had in their cart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you looking for?\u201d Declan asked before long.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust wondering if they had the antidote for that choking smoke of theirs,\u201d the dwarf replied after sorting through things further.<\/p>\n

Declan flashed a weak, one-sided grin.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think they were planning on dealing with it themselves.\u00a0 That\u2019s why they had those masks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere we go!\u201d Tornig exclaimed as he pulled a bottle from the collection of goods.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a cure, but the dwarf was sure it\u2019d work just as well.\u00a0 He held it aloft, and shook it about, lettings the contents swirl about inside.\u00a0 \u201cThis\u2019ll sure\u2019n wake us up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your ale, Tornig,\u201d Ilayeth said.\u00a0 \u201cI could just use a few more moments of quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Far ahead of them along the road, a shrill cry rang out, assuring that Ilayeth would not get her wish.<\/p>\n

Declan twisted about and leaned against the driver\u2019s seat as Gorik tugged on the reins, drawing the mule to a stop.\u00a0 Tornig arrived there a moment later, wiping his lips with his sleeve.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas that a woman\u2019s cry?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

To Tornig\u2019s side, Declan remained quiet, only nodding his confirmation.\u00a0 He leaned on his staff, and stepped ahead, taking a seat beside Gorik.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re sure of that?\u201d Ilayeth asked as she too drew toward the front of the wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recognize those trees,\u201d Declan said, pointing to several groves on either side of the road.\u00a0 \u201cThe crossroads is right ahead, and the temple will be at its northwest corner.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what do we do?\u201d Gorik asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do your whispers tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan closed his eyes, trying to make sense of the still unsteady sounds of the whispers.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026on ahead<\/em>,\u201d he struggled to hear.\u00a0 \u201cThere is only…<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head, but it seemed that other voices had their own advice as well, though they, too, had difficult to understand suggestions.<\/p>\n

\u201cTurn aside and\u2026<\/em> If you head into the…<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan let a quiet grumble slip from his lips then.\u00a0 He turned and snagged the bottle of ale from Tornig\u2019s hand and brought it close.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see if your makeshift antidote can help me at all here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

With a quick swig of the bottle, Declan gulped down a mouthful of the bitter ale, and held it out for the thirsty dwarf.<\/p>\n

Whether it was his need for advice, or if the alcohol truly did seem to help, the voices came through a little clearer then.<\/p>\n

\u201cRace forth<\/em>! The temple is already under attack!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow is not the time to be hasty.\u00a0 Remain in the shadows and find a cautious route to the temple.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Declan breathed out, steadying himself further.\u00a0 He knew that before long, another chorus of voices would join with those ones, and one suggestion would drown out the other.<\/p>\n

He simply wished that just once, they would agree on some sound advice ahead of time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Continue with Chapter Nine.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Voting has ended for this period.<\/p>\n

Another new month means another new choice to make, which you can influence.\u00a0 You have until the 30th of this month to safely join 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\u2019ll be asked to give Declan direction without the choices being laid out for you.\u00a0 Then, on April 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