Shredder 32
“Blasphemy,” Merinde grunted, then she cocked her head, “Wait. You’re serious?” Her mind hiccuped at the notion and grasped at the anger for warmth.
“Quite, I must say,” Gerard replied, “The details are too many to burden you with right now, but it would be best if you kept your origins…vague, for the time being.”
“Give me the short version,” she ordered, relishing the notion of focused purpose once again.
“Alright,” the halfling agreed after a moment’s consideration, “But, after that, we rest.”
“Agreed,” Merinde lied.
Gerard nodded and got up, stoking the fire and adding some water to the small pot which sat near the fire. Hand crushing some wyrmwort and mountain thrush he had collected on his journey, he added them to the water and seated himself once more near his companion.
“There are old texts which remain that speak of the lost era,” he began, eyes watching the fire as his mind wandered, “Such knowledge cannot be utterly destroyed, though the Pantheon has made a remarkable attempt.”
Merinde made move to interrupt, but Gerard preempted her, holding up a hand. “Short version,” he said, “Details when we travel.” The woman cocked an invisible eyebrow at him and smirked, but he either did not notice or paid no heed.
“A great Reckoning shattered the world long ago,” he continued, “With power and knowledge and engineering that is legend. That time hints at worlds other than our own. Those educated or worldly enough know of these elements, though the more common masses have been kept ignorant by those in power. Beliefs of the lost era are deemed dangerous and heretical, and the predominant political drive is one of religion.”
Gerard rose and stirred the heating water as he said, “There is a movement that seeks to reclaim this lost knowledge, but their number is small and the task arduous…and potentially lethal. What the Pantheon fails to admit though, is that they may not have a choice.”
Gerard paused to pour the herbal drink for each of them, acknowledging Merinde’s questioning look. He sat down, took a sip and then turned to her. “Something of the lost era has reawakened and now it stirs.”