The Story of Marilyn Marigold
Part 1
739 B.C
Toril - The Unreachable East
After Midnight.
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Dense trees surround three men deep in the heart of Yuirwood, blocking out the night sky. Wind plays through the branches and they seem to speak to one another as overhead an owl keeps rhythm to its own beat, unphased by their whispering. One of the men is standing before a collection of woven branches as the other two watch him from behind. “You sure this is the place Niles?” One of the watchers asks the man in front. “What’ you mean, “am I sure?” Ricky, you heard the guy, same as I did.” He fumbles with the branches, seeming as if he means to re-weave them. “So dis here knot of wood is the closest thing we’ve found, alright…” The man doing the weaving, Niles, turns his scowling face away from the others and goes back to examining and working the branches. The quiet man produces a thick black book and shoves into the other watching man, Rickys, arms.
“Find the passage. Make sure you know the words.” He says quickly and with authority. Ricky swallows and nods, taking the book and flipping through it. Niles adds, “I know he was a clergy boy and all boss, but... you sure you want Ricky reading that?” The ‘Boss’ continues to watch him work the branches with a sigh, “Yes Niles. Now stop that.”Niles sets the wreath down and steps away from it. The owl goes silent.
Their boss holds his boney hand out toward the wreath whispering and from the ground sickly vines come up, causing the two henchmen to take a step back out of reflex. The vines twist and move like snakes throughout the wreath, slowly lifting it before them, creating an earthen loop. The boney man turns to face his goons. “You’ve done well getting me here Niles…” He hands the man a purse which contents clink and rattle heavily, “And Ricky, my boy, come read the passage and then you and your coin may both be on your way.” He holds his arm out beckoning the young man to come forward. Ricky wipes sweat from his brow, places a thumb on the page of the book before closing it, then walks to stand before the suspended wreath. “Go ahead…” The man beckons him. Clearing his throat, Ricky opens the book and holds it up before him, then in a tongue unknown to either of the other two, he speaks… “Ectis centri portalis…” The wind stirs…
“Ectis Centri Portalis.” He says more clearly, the branches sway and answer. The owl takes flight.
“Vi Dios Transri…” He voice fades as the wind grows louder, the branches of the portal twisting and growing into each other.
He begins to shout.
“Gorali Efriti Finale!!” Ricky yells into the portal and in that moment the sky flashes.
From within the portal energy blasts forth. Ricky, the closest… is caught directly in it, electricity rips through his body scorching him from the inside out. He falls in a pile in clumps of coal and ash. Niles, exposed on the side, meets a similar demise, flesh fried, he crumbles where he stood. Their leader, the boney man, somewhat shielded by Ricky, is launched off his feet and lands several feet back, singed, but still alive and breathing against a tree.
“Oh… Ricky my boy!!” He exclaims, pulling himself to a sitting position while laughing. Before him, the wreath flickers with multi-colored energy. It seems to be a tangible current, looking almost like water flowing between the woven branches. As the man wets his cracked lips and goes to take his feet, it sends out another crackle of energy, emitting a shock wave. Having no cover this time it slams him back against the tree forcefully. His spine shattered, life-ending, he watches as from the portal a concentrated beam blast skyward, and with his final breaths sees a small light descend and rest on the forest ground. He spits blood and manages a final laugh.., “That's not at all what I expected…” and then slumps into lifeless rest. Surrounded by wisps of green and white, the tiniest of humanoids lay curled up in a ball. Small enough to fit into a child's hand, this baby creature torn from the Feywilds has entered Toril.