#odyssey

"You're just sad there are no trees for you to climb, Rikki-Ringtail, and you did not bring along a mountain-troll of your own."

"Perhaps my cousin will oblige if you wish for an interlude." She offers with a grin, such making perfect sense to the Satyr! "I doubt any have complaints on his climbability, as the next best thing to a mountain-troll would be a mountain-goat."

Zane smiles "I would welcome it"

"Oh... ah..." Rikki blushees

Indeed, zane seems casual, "If you have a dream lover, I can fuddle your senses so I resemble him to you... or her. A wizard has many uses"

Rikki's tail ZINGS straight up "Sounds terrible.. look, bundt cake!" She points to the distanc3

"Where?" Piper looks for the cake excitedly!

It is NOT Cake. Not Bundt or any other sort. It is a swaying bridgge, and blocking the way, a troll they do not know, clearly barrring the path

Piper waves cheerfully. "Hello! Were you waiting for Rikki? She doesn't have a troll of her own yet."

"No." the troll says

Jonas mmms

A pout. "Well, why not? She's young, pretty, huggable and always makes ME laugh..."

"I have duty" the guard exclaims

"Well, Jesuz man, cop a squat already" the pooka says

"None shall pass" Guard trroll says. Utterly serious

"Who says?"

"I, Trothbul of the Trolls, say" Trothbul stays still "And beforre you try trickery, know that my will is strong, and here.." He taps an amulet "Is a majorr that allows me to see through veils"

She nods at this. "Yes, yes. I understand trolls, and duty. But why?"

"Beyond is a place where wisdom, death, or power maybe found. I cannot allow fellow changelings to risk their lives so cavalierly even for wisdom. And some who seek power are the ones to fear most. " Trothbul informs them, "So, none shall pass."

"I see that you have already drank the water."

Jonas blinks "that's incredibly condescending even given OUR protective nature, kith brother. While is tempting to hold them fast for 'their own good' that but leads to stagnation and..."

Trothbul holds out one hand and makes a yak yak motion "tthis is what you're all doing..." Then he makes a finger motion for walking back "This is what you NEED to be doing. Shoo. Go home"

"As I was saying." She pats Jonas on the arm, "Trothbul has drank the waters already, and perhaps he just needs to keep them to himself."

Jonans looks down at her, but tries to mask his confusion

"I did not drink the waters" Trothbul says "It's DANGEROUS to"

"Clearly you must have. Otherwise, how would you have the wisdom that you can possibly know what is best for complete strangers? The Power to prevent us from passing, and indeed, the promise of death, for what else would stop such dedicated travelers on their path?"

She trots forward and looks up at him. "We've traveled far and through many challenges to make our way before the pools so that I can choose for myself. To gain the wisdom to see past my fears and live my life for myself and my loves, and not let my past control me. The only way I see is forward."

"Fear's good for one so small. It will keep you safe" the guard tells her

Her shoulders slump. "Safe? Is that all that matters?"

"Yes" he observes

"Bullshit" Zane says "PIper, you KNOW it's not all that matters. Going to a rave with strangers? Some might be creeps, but a few might introduce you to music you never heard of. Taking a leap into the ocean water on a dare? Heck, satyrs are more sane than eshu but we're not meant to never take a risk"

Rikki huffs "This guy's got a spear up his butt"

"Fear keeps me safe. When it's sensible. I should be afraid to... to run out into traffic. Or to trust a redcap who asks for help with their toothache. Or to keep bothering you, even! But when it doesn't make sense, when it's just a gut reaction that comes from a past trauma? What is that keeping me safe from? From a child? From a home? From my loves? HOW is that safe?" She retorts, passionate tears coming to her eyes.

"That is not my purpose" the guard says "I am to keep you safe from the pools"

“I haven’t come all this way to turn back.”

"How are you going to get past me? Little girl?" A bit rude that

“Excuse me? I might be small, but I'm not a ‘little girl’. A Huff of indignation.

"You are to me" Trothbul shrugs

Jonas grumbbles "Want me to make him move?"