Previously.... The Curious Case of the Bottled Message - Bregir The Lost City of Gold, Part 1 - Ayrlego __________________________________________________________________ Part 1: Dr. Albert Brickingstone It was another brilliant day on Cascadia, and dr. Albert Brickingstone made his daily trip to wash his hands and face at one of the beautiful waterfalls outside the city, something that had long since turned into a ritual for him. This particular waterfall supplied an abundance of fresh, clear, and cool water, and was happily so insignificant that the Myzec had not attributed it to any of their terrible gods, feline, nor avian, which meant that no taboos surrounded it, allowing him to dib as he wanted. However, being outside the secret valley, they refused to allow him to go alone, no matter his assurances that he was perfectly able to fend for himself and that the felines were as afraid of him as he of they. Thus, he was today, as always, accompanied by one of the eagle guard. A strange people, he thought, staring into the water. Even after living neigh on 20 years amongst them, they still considered him as naive as a child, something triggered by his unwillingness (by the Myzec interpreted as inability) to accept the taboos of the lands. And while he had always adhered strictly to a principle of not interfering with the development of the native civilisation, his aid to the sick and hurt had not gone unnoticed, and neither had his suggestions for the agriculture of the Myzec. So while treating him like a naive child in ordinary matters, they also had a certain reverence for him, considering him at least a minor diety for agriculture and medicine. He was awarded every convenience they could spare, and access to anyone and everywhere he wished. It had been heaven for an anthropologist. Dr. Brickingstone splashed water upon his face and peaked at the guardsman and his ornamental avian helmet. The mythos of the Myzec was generally dualistic. The avians, headed by the eagle, represented order, wisdom, and peace, while the felines, ruled by the lion, were the gods of chaos, war, and instinct. But contrary to what one might believe, this did not result in a duality between god and evil. For the Myzec, wisdom and order could, just like chaos and war, represent something good, or something bad. Wisdom could be used for oppression of the unwise, while chaos could lead to progress, for instance. It was a highly fascinating culture. How he looked forward to sharing his findings with his peers. The Royal Society would be breathtaken! But wait? When would they arrive again? Had he given them word to come? It was all a bit hazy - Brickingstone rarely thought of going home - each day, he found a new aspect of the Mysec to study, and he had always thought Corrington would send a delegation some day. He had sent a bottled message, after all. Surely, it would reach the crown at some point, flowing with the western currents? Was it 20 years now? __________________________________________________________________ Part 2: At Camp Isaac It was late at night, and Lord Micah and Colonel Allcock had just arrived at Camp Isaac to link up with Montoya for an expedition inland. Only hours before, Montoya had recieved word from King's Harbour of a curious bottled message from a Dr. Albert Brickingstone. They were now all gathered around the large campfire in front of Montoya's tent, and he was just telling them of the anthropologist who dissappeared so many years ago. "...I remember one or two lectures at the university in Belson. A brilliant and engaging man, I must say, although entirely out of touch with the world outside anthropology. He could hardly handle himself in genteel company, it was said! Can you believe it? Such a brilliant man!" Lord Micah arched a brow and looked to Colonel Allcock, who was struggling to suppress a deep guttural laughter. Both of them had seen Montoya "entertain" a dinner company with the minute details of the intestants of a typhoid stricken orphan right through dessert, but thought it best not to mention it. Afterall, the story of a Corlander anthropolist living amongst natives inhabiting a large golden city did catch their attention. "I am amazed you should have had such news, Isaac. And just now - what a coincidence! I have myself a thing or two to add..." he said, before telling them of the strange offer presented to him by the Mardierian officer. Lord Micah nodded, deep in thought, before concluding: "Two independent sources talking of such a city? There must certainly be some credence to the claim! We must seek it out at utmost urgency- especially if the Eslandolans are on its trail." "But certainly, they would not dare set foot upon Corlander soil? To plunder riches from our lands?" Montoya exclaimed, still shocked by the rumours. "The Mardierians certainly think so... Let me bring the officer here to tell you himself..." Allcock said to general nodding, before venturing off to do so. They spoke and schemed deep into the night and as the sun started to rise, they prepared to break up for departure. "We shall leave by boat to find the great lake." Allcock said before ordering his men to see the boats provisioned. In the meanwhile, Montoya gave directions to young mr. Baker and the master sergeant of the Recon Pioneers, who would accompany him on the expedition in land, and Lord Micah left to gather his men. It would be a numeruos and diverse crew to set off towards the Golden City and Dr. Brickingstone, and should they find it, it would be a scientific sensation to rival the first Corlander settlements in the Prio Seas.... Part 3: (Unfortunately, RL prevented me from having my unlimited build ready in time - it will be added soon (tm) with more to the story of the Golden City. I find these builds a bit "meh" but at least they serve to tell the story - sorry it all ended up being a bit rushed. My brother helped me out finishing these :) )     Continuing the story: The lost City of Gold - Ayrlego