Fragment 13 – The Marketplace Argument

Diaries The Saga Of Berra — Fragment 13

1625, Earth Season


Speaking with shamans and walking with chieftains
Berra talked hotly of Lunars and liars
Seeing deceit in the fletchings of arrows
All of the Grazelanders joined in her anger

Berra showed horse-men the javelin bloodied1This rather unusual compound word is usually used for centaurs in later years, but this would be unlikely at this early stage
Talked of the Lunars who lied to make conflict
2The name here is believed to be a shaman related to Serala, but there is no surviving manuscript which contains itgifted the heroes with horses
Quarter in number of those they had captured

Berra replied with the anger of Humakt
Calling the chief of the warbands among them
Let these fine horses be given to heirs now
Let them be used against Lunars in vengeance

Leaving the string on the lead-rein to follow
Berra led heroes and heroines3This collection must include the Chalana Arroy initiate Mellia, sworn to non-violence. It may also include Vestra, whom some traditions have observing the fight from a rear position, and tattooing herself with ink to match the pain of the blood spilled onward
Into the town of the Lunar Tarsh people
There to meet Goldentongue Merchant Irillo

Blameless the road that was laid out before them
Dustless the path to the gully of Dwarf Mine4An unexpected non-sequitur, possibly a later addition to add the allure of mystery to Berra, if she talked with Dwarves as well as going on strange journeys
Soon in the cool of the turning earth season
Alda-Chur held them and there was dread meeting

Deep in the market swift Berra stood waiting
Irillo talked of the prices of horses
Down came the Lunars in number uncounted
Laughing to take what Irillo was selling

Marketplace rules stopped a theft made by taking
Hot accusation the tool of their choosing
Berra rose up to defend stout5Lit: tending to fat – prophetic of his success as a merchant in the future, rather than a physical description. Irillo
Drawing her sword in the heat of her anger
Falling to magic and not to the Lunars

Bitten by marketplace magic upon her
Berra was broken by Issaries’ anger
Lay on the floor at the feet of the Lunar
Rajar above her and Dormal beside her

Loud was the shouting and fierce accusation
Onjur the Lunar dismissed calls for justice
Mockingly paid for the horses in insult
Throwing down money to half of their value

Later that night came a vision to Dormal6This connection to the gods in a manner that saves the crew from further trouble is no doubt why Dormal is rehabilitated in this fragment
Lunars would come to the inn with their magic
Irillo ordered the move to the Temple that held him
In the dark morning the sleep-place ignited

Leaving the city as dawn broke above them
Berra lamented the loss of her temper
Rajar remembered the face of his foe-man
Eastward they rode now to turn South to Boldhome

What Really Happened

Session Quotes

  • 1
    This rather unusual compound word is usually used for centaurs in later years, but this would be unlikely at this early stage
  • 2
    The name here is believed to be a shaman related to Serala, but there is no surviving manuscript which contains it
  • 3
    This collection must include the Chalana Arroy initiate Mellia, sworn to non-violence. It may also include Vestra, whom some traditions have observing the fight from a rear position, and tattooing herself with ink to match the pain of the blood spilled
  • 4
    An unexpected non-sequitur, possibly a later addition to add the allure of mystery to Berra, if she talked with Dwarves as well as going on strange journeys
  • 5
    Lit: tending to fat – prophetic of his success as a merchant in the future, rather than a physical description.
  • 6
    This connection to the gods in a manner that saves the crew from further trouble is no doubt why Dormal is rehabilitated in this fragment