article 8

Site Library Library of Rome

article 8

Associated to Place: articles -- by * Laurels Curius (18 Articles), Social Article

for Maria

Post 1; see in action

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<p>
Cornellia emerged from a large opening in the earth and squinted in the bright sunlight.  "Where—"  She spun around.  "How—"  She turned around again then jumped out of the way yelling, "Yikes!" as a line of extremely short men and women wearing homespun and carrying picks and shovels advanced on her.  They appeared to be singing a complicated song with a chorus that rang, "Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go."   
</p><p>
One of the short men stomped up to Cornellia and looked her up and down.  "A bit tall for a dwarf, ain't you?"  He looked at the clip board he was carrying.  "You're not on my roster here.  Not unless you're Snow—Never mind.  You definitely ain't her.  What are you?  A kobold?  We don't hold with kobolds around here." 
</p><p>
"No, I don't think so." Cornellia responded.  "Um... what <i>is</i> a kobold exactly?"   
</p><p>
"Short dudes that haunt mines," he growled.  "They get in the way.  Them and their little pointy hats.   I guess you aren't a kobold.  Too tall now I come to think on it.  So what are you?" 
</p><p>
"I'm a demi!" Cornellia replied proudly.   
</p><p>
"What do demis do?" 
</p><p>
"As little as possible," she sniffed.   
</p><p>
The little man glared at her.  "We don't hold with <i>your</i> kind then either.  You must be one of them travelers.  We get <i>travelers</i> here all the time.  Interfering with the space-time continuum and what not." 
</p><p>
"Well, yes.  I'm traveling.  Where did I arrive exactly?" 
</p><p>
"The largest and oldest salt mine in the world!" he answered proudly.  
</p><p>
"A salt mine?  I don't think that—"   
</p><p>
"Never mind what you think, missy.  If you're a traveler, you need to report in at the immigration center.  It's a quarter-league or so in that direction."  The little man pointed toward a gleaming chrome and glass building off in the distance.  "Tell them Beaky Littlebottom sent you."  The little man headed toward the mine opening, alternately giggling and laughing maniacally.  "Beaky Littlebottom!"  He guffawed one more time then disappeared.   
</p><p>
Cornellia sighed.  This was <i>not</i> the duty she had signed up for!  She approached the chrome and steel counter marked "Arrivals" with a combination of bored trepidation and moderate annoyance.  Nobody was to be seen, which did nothing to elevate her mood.  She banged on the counter bell several times and loudly called, "Front!"  
</p><p>
"Why are you yelling "front"?" queried a masculine voice.  
</p><p>
Cornellia didn't see anybody, but answered pleasantly enough, all things considered, "I have no idea.  It's what they do."
</p><p>
"They who?"
</p><p>
"They.  You know.  Them.  You know—"
</p><p>
"No, I don't actually.  But it doesn't matter.  You're two minutes late.  I suppose you had trouble at the emergence point?"
</p><p>
Cornellia sighed.  "Yes.  Yes I did."  She sighed again.  "Look, I don't want to be pushy or anything but who are you?  <i>Where</i> are you?"
</p><p>
The male voice sniffed.  "If you'd bother to look down instead of all around and up in the air, you'd see me."
</p><p>
"Oh.  Sorry."  She looked down and saw a diminutive white-bearded man wearing a blue coat and a conical red hat.  "Oh my.  Are you a-a kobold?"
</p><p>
"A <i>kobold</i>?  Do I <i><b>look</b></i> like a <i>kobold</i>?"  
</p><p>
"Um… yes?"
</p><p>
"I am <i>not</i> a kobold," he huffed.  "I am a <i>gnome</i>.  A <i><b>travel</b></i> gnome.  I'm in charge of the entire eastern sector I'll have you know."  
</p><p>
"Well, I'm sorry.  I've never been here before."  Cornellia coughed.  "Where exactly am I?"
</p><p>
"Hallstat.  You arrived at the salt mine on the 7:32 from Egypt.  As scheduled but late."
</p><p>
"How can I be 'as scheduled' but 'late'?  Isn't that a contradiction?"  Cornellia laughed pleasantly.
</p><p>
"We don't joke about precise scheduling in Germania," the gnome replied coldly.  "Now, do you wish to proceed with your travels or do you want to stand in this debarkation centre all day?"  
</p><p>
"Oh, I'm on a quest."  
</p><p>
"A quest?  Nobody told me about any quest!  It's not on your itinerary."
</p><p>
"I have an itinerary?"  Cornellia was confused.   
</p><p>
"Of course you have an itinerary," he replied testily.  "You don't think we let people in here at random do you?"  Cornellia coughed discreetly.  That was exactly what she had thought.  "This is Germania.  <I>Alles in Ordnung</I>.  You have a place and we have ways to make you fit."  He sighed.  "Well, what is this quest of yours?" he asked resignedly.
</p><p>
"Somewhere, there exists a magical stone that dates from the beginning of the world.  I must find it to obtain eternal life and eternal wealth."  Cornellia thought about the search terms for a moment and added, "It's my boss.  <i>He's</i> the one who wants eternal life and eternal wealth.  For the investors.  Maybe.  I think.  It's what he said anyhow.  To obtain the meaning of life or something like that."  
</p><p>
"Oh."  The gnome paused to digest her answer.  "Meaning of life stuff."  He scratched his nose thoughtfully.  "We aren't really into that much around here.  It's more of an eastern thing."
</p><p>
"But you said you're in charge of the eastern sector," Cornellia objected.
</p><p>
"Not that far east!  The Western East.  Ostpreußen.  Don't they teach you kids anything in school these days?"  The gnome shook his head gloomily.  "Sex, drugs and rock and roll.  That's all you kids think about."  Cornellia brightened at his comment but he frowned quellingly at her.  "That wasn't an entertainment option, it was a complaint."
</p><p>
She sniffed.  "I prefer Country Western anyhow."
</p><p>
The gnome waved his hand dismissively.  "Our spa accommodations are really great.  The best thing I can suggest is that you go visit the hot spring salt baths.  You're looking kind of peaked.  Maybe you ought to drink the waters."  He inspected her more closely.  "And get a manicure while they refurbish that outfit of yours."  
</p><p>
"Look, I'm working on the clock here.  I don't have time for that stuff."
</p><p>
"Hah," he snorted.  "Take if from me that you better <i>make</i> time for it.  You look awful.  Like you're ready to collapse of exhaustion from the rigors of your last great adventure."
</p><p>
"Well.  Um.  Okay."  The truth was, that Cornellia did feel a bit tired.  A nice hot bath and a manicure wouldn't come amiss.  "Do the bath attendants do massage?"  
</p><p>
"Of course.  What kind of place do you think this is?"
</p><p>
"Okay, okay!  Give me the works."
</p><p>
When she emerged from the spa, Cornellia's  dress had been repaired, cleaned, starched and generally improved as if by magic.  Her hair was beautifully coiffed and her nails almost glowed from the attentions of the salt buffers.  There was a languid spring in her step such as one achieves only after the ministrations of a really skilled bath attendant.  
</p><p>
The travel gnome was waiting for her.  "Upon consultation with my colleagues, I have concluded that the object you seek is the magic necklace, <i>Brisingamen</i>."  
</p><p>
"The necklace has a name?"  Cornellia was surprised.
</p><p>
"It's a magic necklace."  He shrugged. "What good is a quest object if it has no name?  How would you know if you found it if you didn't know what its name was?"
</p><p>
"Yeah.  Well.  Okay.  Couldn't we call it something else?  Brisinagum is kind of hard to say."
</p><p>
"No, we could not call it something else."  The gnome's voice was pained.  "It's name is <i>Brinsingamen</i>.  Use it three times in sentences and it's yours forever," he added helpfully.
</p><p>
"I've heard that somewhere before."  Cornellia sighed.  Again.  "Where do I find this Briginagum?"
</p><p>
It was the gnome's turn to sigh.  "<i>Brisingamen</i>.  It's Freya's necklace, so you'll have to look for it at her place."
</p><p>
"Okay.  Which direction do I go?" 
</p><p>
"You do not <i>go</i> anywhere on your own.  You go where your Intourist Guide <i>escorts</i> you."  The travel gnome waved his hand in a complicated signal.  Instantly, a darkly handsome man appeared.  He was tall, suave, and debonair with a pointed beard on his chin and a mischievous gleam in his eye.   
</p><p>
"My guide?" Cornellia asked.   
</p><p>
"Your guide," the travel gnome confirmed.   
</p><p>
The devilishly handsome man bowed toward Cornellia.  "I am Loki.  At your service."   
</p>

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Post 2: see in action

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<p>
"And so, my dear Cornellia—I may call you <i>Cornellia</i> may I not?"  Loki took her hand and kissed her wrist suavely.   
</p><p>
"Um.  Yeah.  Sure.  It's my name.  I'll, um, I'll call you 'Loki' then." 
</p><p>
"Yes."  He nodded gravely.  "That is <i>my</i> name.  How may I help you?  Beerkeg was not very explicit in explaining your quest." 
</p><p>
"Beerkeg?"  Cornellia asked, her attention diverted. 
</p><p>
"That's the travel gnome's name.  He's part dwarf on his mother's side, you see." 
</p><p>
Cornellia did not, in fact, <i>see</i>, but she had no time to waste on irrelevancies.  "I need to find a necklace with a name.  Something like '<i>Briginagum</i>'." 
</p><p>
"Ah!  Yes, of course.  <i>Brisingamen</i>." 
</p><p>
"You know, I can hear the capital B when you say that," she marveled.  "Where do we go to find this piece of jewelry." 
</p><p>
"Why to the home of the goddess of jewelry herself."  Loki smiled meaningfully.  "Freya's Lair." 
</p><p>
"That sounds more like a pub or taberna or something than a home," Cornellia objected. 
</p><p>
"Well it's also called <i>Sessrumnir</i>, but that's so hard to say."  Loki smiled in that very Loki-type way of his.  "Come.  We have no time to lose.  You are in a hurry."   
</p><p>
Cornellia did not ask how he knew of her need for speed.  She was, in fact, feeling a bit rushed and it was enough that she was getting her way without having to actually reason with people.  "How will we get there?  Is it close enough to walk?  Or should I use my broom?" 
</p><p>
"Please!"  He looked pained.  "This is a no-fly zone.  Didn't they tell you that at in-processing? I have obtained a pair of Seven League Boots for you from the legendary Zelda herself." 
</p><p>
"Hmmm."  Cornellia looked dubiously at the so-called <i>Seven League Boots</i>.  "I've never been certain what a league is actually." 
</p><p>
"It is variously defined according to the cultural bent of the speaker.  These Seven League Boots are calibrated for 3.0 statute miles per league, or 4.8 kilometres. if you are a non-traditionalist."  Cornellia blinked at the blinding brilliance of his smile.  "My own boots were specially crafted for me by Jørgen Engebretsen Moe of the Ginungagap Commune and have built-in gyroscopes to control wobble, weave, and shimmy." 
</p><p>
"Oooookay.  Do my boots have that?"   
</p><p>
"No," he shook his head regretfully.  "But they have been stabilized to avoid the obvious consequences that would ensue were a person to have their feet separated by a twenty-one mile gap."  He smiled again and somehow his teeth looked a trifle pointed this time. 
</p><p>
"Well, let's get this show on the road then."  Cornellia coughed nervously.   
</p><p>
"Then come.  Take my hand."   
</p><p>
Cornellia thought she saw something akin to devils dancing in his twinkling eyes as a sunbeam flashed off his decidedly feral teeth.  But she was in a hurry so she took the proffered hand.  It was quite the sensation as they sped over mountains and ice bergs and waterfalls and fjords and NASCAR speedways, past cities and villages and hamlets and fortified military compounds.  In very short order, Loki jerked to a hard-braking stop in front of a gigantic pink structure glistening with shining ribbons of metal in gold and silver tones.   
</p><p>
"Freya's Lair, <i>Sessrumnir</i>," Loki intoned.  "She's experiencing a sort of Malibu phase," he added apologetically.  "She's gone very blonde lately and seems to feel that all this pink tourmaline faceting and rutilated quartz sets off her tan."  
</p><p>
"It's very impressive," Cornellia replied diplomatically.  "Do you think she'll give me her necklace?" 
</p><p>
"Oh my no."  Loki shook his head.  "She's very possessive with her jewelry.  But then one must consider what she's had to do to obtain most of it."  He grinned wickedly.  "However, I trust that I understand the Rules of the Quest.  Your great need must outweigh any trifling considerations such as a regard for personal property." 
</p><p>
"Really?" Cornellia asked skeptically.  "Won't Freya be a bit peeved if I just walk in there and steal her necklace?" 
</p><p>
"She might be under other circumstances.  But she won't be particularly upset with you today."  He smiled again.  This repetitive smiling had begun to grate on Cornellia's nerves.  "It is a festival of sorts.  And the sharing of personal items is considered part of the celebration." 
</p><p>
"What festival?  I never heard of a festival like that." 
</p><p>
"Really, my dear demi, your ignorance doesn't invalidate the commemorative event by one jot, whit or tittle." 
</p><p>
Cornellia suspected that the word "tittle" might be outside the Code of Conduct, but there was no opportunity to consult with Julilla on this matter of Taste and Fashion.  Besides, Loki's use of the word "jot" reminded her that she needed to push forward at all costs.  So she walked through the pink quartz entryway onto a stunningly complex pavement of pearly Apophyllite and Fluorapophyllite studded with vitreous (but still pearly) Pyroxmangite and Zektzerite.  A crystal fountain emerged as if by magic from a column of purest Inderite and flowed into a basin of glassy Labyrinthite.   
</p><p>
Toward the rear of the glowing pink chamber, Cornellia spotted what appeared to be a massive jewelry chest carved from brownish-pink Cinnabar and held together by softly shining brass hardware.  If ever there was a place for a magic necklace to be stored, this was it!  Cornellia made a bee-line for the chest and raised it's lid.  There, nested on pink satin, lay jewels and gold priceless beyond the dreams of avarice.  In the very center of the tray, lay a necklace of amber and gold.  "<i>Brisingamen</i>," Cornellia breathed reverently.   
</p><p>
"Yes," a cool but meltingly hot voice agreed.  "<i>Brisingamen</i>, the Talisman of the Ages.  The Bringer of Youth and Beauty and Love.  No man who sees a woman wearing <i>Brisingamen</i> can resist her, nor can he resist a deep need to provide her with jewels and other costly gifts.  It is the ultimate Transfer of Wealth charm." 
</p><p>
Cornellia spun to see a tall, cold-eyed female of surpassing blonde beauty and an amazingly hot body.  "Unfortunately," the vision of loveliness continued, "<i>Brisingamen</i> was stolen from me.  Probably by this reject from a bad comedy club."  She nodded her head toward Loki and scowled. 
</p><p>
"Now, now, my dear Freya—"  
</p><p>
"I'm not your dear anything, Loki.  And I warned you already that the next time I found you in my home I would take action."  Freya turned her wrist outward and began pressing jeweled studs in her armband.  "Helvetic Army issue," she explained.  "The sundial is only accurate half the day, but the floating iolite needle always points north.  And of course, the signal function is quite useful."  She smiled with a coolness edged by volcanic heat.  As you'll see shortly." 
</p>
<div style="float: right"><IMG src="http://www.ancientworlds.net/aworlds_media/ibase_1/00/12/76/00127628_000.gif" alt="Giant Raven" width="320" height="332" /></div>
<p>
A loud squawking cry announced the arrival of two great blue-black ravens.  "<i>Huginn</i> and <i>Muninn</i>."  Freya explained.  She consulted with the birds for the space of a heartbeat then both ravens nodded to one another.  Before Cornellia's horrified eyes, one of the ravens began growing in size until it almost filled the gigantic pink chamber.  At that point, the roof split in half and slid apart to reveal a gray sky flecked with storm clouds.  "Retractable roofs are so useful when Valkyries come to call."  Freya smiled as the raven continued to grow.  Suddenly, without warning it seized Cornellia in one of its claws.  With the other, it spranq aloft, just clearing the roofline.  It's wings unfurled and it caught an updraft.  As the bird soared higher and higher, Freya's metallic laughter faded and disappeared.  Far below, the other raven, also grown to gigantic size, followed with Loki caught tightly in its beak.  
</p>

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Post 3: see in action

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<div style="float: left"><IMG src="http://www.ancientworlds.net/aworlds_media/ibase_1/00/12/76/00127629_000.png" alt="Odin" width="200" height="205" /></div>
<p>
It was a dark and stormy night.  A shot rang out.  The maid screamed.  And the handsome chisel-faced man with the iron gray hair tapped the arms of his throne-like chair and stared off into the distance (which wasn't as easy to do as one might think since he had only one eye).   
</p><p>
"Klytus, I'm bored.  What new plaything do you have for me today?"   
</p><p>
"Why do you always ask me that?" responded the harassed clerk.  "You're the All-Seer.  You <i>know</i> what's on tap for the day." 
</p><p>
"Just because I know doesn't mean I don't like to ask," Odin replied coldly.  "I'm the All-Father.  So show a little respect."  He clipped Klytus on the ear with a bony finger. 
</p><p>
"Ow!  Okay okay okay.  Huginn and Muninn are on their way in now.  They responded to the alarm Freya set off." 
</p><p>
"Yes," Odin nodded wisely.  "They are bringing me a feisty little red-head."  He sighed adding, "and Loki." 
</p><p>
The All-Father remained silent, waiting.  Eventually, a mighty "caw" (ravenlike, not at all crowlike) heralded the arrival of Huginn and Muninn.  Cornellia was dropped unceremoniously onto the oak planking.  Loki, being Loki, landed on his feet. 
</p><div style="text-align: center"><IMG src="http://www.ancientworlds.net/aworlds_media/ibase_1/00/12/76/00127625_000.gif" alt="Falling Cornellia" width="380" height="220" /></div>
<p>
"Hail All Father," he bowed.  "Looking good." 
</p><p>
"Silence, rogue."  Odin snapped his fingers and the ravens shrank to their normal size.  One landed on each of Odin's shoulders.  "Who are you?"  Odin looked down at Cornellia who had risen to her feet with Loki's assistance.  "And why do you trouble us?" 
</p><p>
"Well, my name is Cornellia Cornelius.  I'm a demi.  Um… I'm on a quest for—" 
</p><p>
"Yes, yes.  I know," Odin interrupted waving a hand negligently.  "I just wanted to hear you say it.  Meaning of life stuff." 
</p><p>
Cornellia blinked.  (Not flirtatiously.  Thoughtfully.  As in "what is this guy, a mind reader?")   
</p><p>
Odin smiled.  "I am the All Seer, and of course my friends here bring me all the news, even that which is not fit to print." 
</p><p>
"What?"  Cornellia was confused. 
</p><p>
"Sorry.  Sometimes the burden of knowing so much causes me to mis-reference materials."  He smiled, like an ice berg breaking into tiny little bits (but not like one affected by the so-called "global warming").  "You have come here seeking eternal youth, the secret of gaining limitless wealth and sundry other desirable commodities.  Is that correct?" 
</p><p>
"Well, yes.  But—" 
</p><p>
"You will not find what you seek here."  He shrugged and held up one finger to silence her.  "It is possible, however, that we can reach an agreement that will assist you in locating your heart's desire." 
</p><p>
"You want to make a deal?" 
</p><p>
Odin nodded. 
</p><p>
"What kind of a deal?" 
</p><p>
Odin shrugged.  "A <i>deal</i> deal." 
</p><p>
"Like in the movies or on TV?" 
</p><p>
Odin thought for a moment.  "Movies.  Hmm.  Yes.  Clint Eastwood, Sean Connery.  Cowboy Troy, the rock yawlternative." His good eye opened wide and he added cryptically, "Hick hop not hip hop?"  Odin shuddered.  "No.  Not like in the movies or on TV.  Like in the sagas.  Like this:  'Thou shalt promise unto me that which lies below thy girdle and to thee shall I—'" 
</p><p>
"Girdle?" Cornellia interrupted, seriously offended.  "Who are you saying needs a <i>girdle</i>?  I have not worn a girdle since—since—since gym class."  She sniffed in disdain.  "Anyhow, gentlemen do not go around discussing a lady's underwear in public." 
</p><p>
"No, no," Odin tried to reassure her.  "I mean your belt." 
</p><p>
"Oh yaright.  Well gentlemen don't discuss matters below the belt either.  It's bad form." 
</p><p>
"Not against the C of C is it?"  Odin turned to Klytus who merely shrugged, disclaiming all responsibility for the unfortunate turn the discussion had taken.  "In any event, I am not a gentleman.  I am a god.  There is a difference." 
</p><p>
"Tell me about it," Cornellia scowled.  "Look, if Freya doesn't want me to have her necklace, I'm cool with that.  But, then I need to get headed on my travels."   </p><p>
Odin nodded wisely.  "It isn't so much a matter of her not wanting you to have it.  It's more a matter of she no longer has it herself.  Somebody <i>stole</i> it from her and left a cheap replica."  The two ravens cried something that sounded suspiciously like "nevermore" and Loki grinned.   
</p><p>
"You know," Odin leaned toward Cornellia and remarked confidentially, "if he doesn't settle down, he's going to end up chained to a rock somewhere with snake venom dripping into his eyes." 
</p><p>
Cornellia looked back and forth at the two gods.  There was something between them that she could not fathom.  Something <i>wyrd</i> and mysterious.  Something almost terrifying.  "Oh whatever," she shrugged.  "Could you remove the governor from my broom, please?  And I'll be out of here." 
</p><p>
"Or course not.  We can provide better transport for you than a broom."  Odin nodded to Klytus, "Summon the Fleet."  Klytus scurried to obey, stuffing cotton balls into his ears as he ran.  Shortly the air was split by a violent clap of thunder that shook the rafters and vibrated Cornellia's teeth.   
</p><p>
A tall strappingly handsome male with a beard as red as Cornellia's hair appeared in the center of the audience hall.  "I am Thor!" he announced.  "Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet."  Cornellia admired his thews of iron.  "Nice hammer," she remarked conversationally.  I used to have a saw.  Well, a chain-saw," she amended, wishing to be meticulously correct.   
</p><p>
Odin chuckled with the sound of ice bergs crashing into shorelines and smashing trees.  "I'm tempted to keep you around.  You're more amusing than that Snorri guy and his seven little brothers." 
</p><p>
Thor frowned.  "You have summoned me.  For what purpose?" 
</p><p>
Loki grinned.  "He just wanted to peeve you, big guy.  There's nothing for you to do here.  You might as well go back to your goat." 
</p><p>
Thor frowned harder.  "The day will come when—" 
</p><p>
"Excuse me, Commander, sir.  But the All-Father here said you'd provide transportation for me." 
</p><p>
"<b><i>Supreme</i></b> Commander," he corrected.  "Of the Asgard Fleet."   
</p><p>
Cornellia sighed.  "Whatever." 
</p><p>
Odin laughed with the sound of mighty ice bergs smashing against mountains.  "This one wishes to journey south, Supreme Commander.  I want you to take her." 
</p><p>
"Aw, I don't want to!" Thor objected.  "You know the sea trolls don't like grrlz aboard ship.  They're unlucky." 
</p><p>
"You can fly the raven banner," Odin offered.  "And take some pigs for the sea trolls." 
</p><p>
"How about a brass band?"  Thor countered.  "I like a nice brass band." 
</p><p>
"No brass bands."  Odin shook his head.  "But when you get back, you can knock Loki here around the track a couple of times." 
</p><p>
Thor brightened.  "It's a bargain."  He grinned and saluted Loki.  "Looking forward to it, dude."  Thor waved his hand toward Cornellia.  "Come, small-bite.  Yo ho, yo ho!  Its southward now we go!"   
</p><p>
Cornellia winced and muttered, "this is worse than Saturnalia haiku."  But she followed.  Eager to head south and continue her quest amongst the Celts.  
</p>

</td> </tr> </table>

opentest

~ Table of Contents ~

article 4
article 6
article 7
notes
article 5
article1
article2
article 3

article 8

article 10

Posted Nov 11, 2005 - 07:11 , Last Edited: Oct 17, 2007 - 14:15

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