Of Omens, Paths, and Wardens
"And you're originally from where?," questioned the stern-looking Kor female.
"Krótal. Originally. But I began this 'trip' I've taken on Thunder Junction."
The official, dressed in red and white, gave a skeptical glance up from the paperwork in front of her. "Thunder Junction, I'm well aware of and we'll come back to that. Krótal, though? Is that a plane or..."
The rattleback gorgon shifted her weight uneasily at the Kor Pathwarden's question. "Krótal is an island continent on Gastal. It spans nearly 3.69 million square miles. It is mostly a dry, arid, desert wasteland. Though it does have snowy mountains to the south and a sizeable rainforest to the north. Or it did at some point in its history."
"That's enough, thank you. So you're originally from Gastal and migrated to Thunder Junction. In that case, I must ask if you had any dealings with Akul, leader of the Hellspurs of Thunder Junction and former resident of Gastal, as well."
Canava hissed in annoyance at the question. "Certainly not! I run a reputable apothecary in Omenport. I would rather die on Gastal than be associated with that monster."
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"From Bloomburrow. The town of Goodhill. I am a guard at the Crater of the Cosmos."
"Bloomburrow, eh? Is it true off-world visitors become animals?" The elvish pathwarden caught the look of confusion in the batfolk's face.
"Well, I found out Canava wasn't really a snake when she and I arrived on Tarkir." Sidhar leaned on his moonstone staff. "So I suppose it's true."
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"Tiansun. On Tarkir. I live at the Cori Mountain Monastery."
"Cori Mountain? You're a monk of the Jeskai Way," stated the kor pathwarden. "So you understand the need for order and diplomacy here."
"I do." Hima, the goblin monk, chuckled. "Though our welcome here could have been more friendly."
The pale-skinned woman just looked at Hima matter of factly. "Yes, well, with the entire multiverse open to anyone, it's better to get on with business as quickly as we can."
The kor official stared squarely at the monk. "Why did you leave Tarkir? I have visited the Jeskai territory. Pleasant and peaceful, I must say."
"For myself? It started with a lizard."
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"I told you. I don't know where I'm from."
The elvish pathwarden gave an exasperated sigh. "Explain it again. Please."
"I am Rafa of Clan Conchúr. I came to be on Tarkir after I was pulled into a tunnel of blue light." The green-scaled viashino slammed a fist against the wall next to him. "I may have forgotten much about my life before then, but I know I can still defend myself."
The elf raised his hands in front of himself in an effort to calm the lizardfolk. "No one's threatening you here, friend. We're simply charged with assessing whether you would be safe here amongst the denizens of Arcavios."
"I am no threat!" Rafa yelled. "I simply want to return to my friend-guide, Hima."
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"You say they all appeared on Lorwyn together? From the same omenpath?"
"Yes, indeed. They said they left the plane of Tarkir. From an omenpath they knew nothing about."
"Ćeran. Did they say if they wanted anything while there?" The elvish pathwarden agreed to assess the final visitor of the group since he too was an elf.
Ćeran shook his head. "Not at all. They knew nothing of Lorwyn before their arrival. Just as individuals did not know of Tarkir or Bloomburrow."
"It's a confounding situation you and your friends have placed us under." The elf dressed in green stared quizzically at the elf dressed in black sitting across from him. "A group of travelers who know nothing of one another and who are all traveling the omenpaths on whim. I do not know what to make of it myself."
"Friend, if I may call you that," Ćeran interjected. "I don't think our travels are completely on a whim." Ćeran pulled himself closer to the table and steadied his gaze. "I believe something or someone is guiding us. To where and to what end I do not know, but my companions and I are not here on Arcavios by random chance."
Ćeran sat back and relaxed, almost relieved to share his suspicions. "There is something happening within the fabric of the multiverse and these paths of light between planes are the first portents of that."
