>>5226804>>5226840You saw the man and saw him cough, you didn't wanted to tire him and so you told him that you will talk later, he needed to rest. You smiled and explained to the old man.
-Alright, alright, we will speak about something else. Rest, dear Oldfossil, you deserved it, and you helped me a lot.
But father François seemed to not be convinced by your explanations, after all the fact that you were in India, even if believable, seemed very strange. His wine cup in hand he told you.
-Monseigneur, it is hard to believe that we are in India, I mean, you told me about dragons, and turtles but we need to see something very Indian. What could prove that we are here and not in the Christendom... And what can prove such marvels. Of course we need not to see to believe, let's not be like the apostle Thomas. But...
You needed a reason to try to prove why you were in India. You thought about something, what could you do. You asked the Grandmother.
-Do you have something typically Indian ? Or marvellous here ?
-Mylord, I am just an old woman, I have nothing magic ! Not all old women are witches ! You know everyone bothers me with it, they want to see the witches and think I am one of them because I live nearby and I am an old woman but no, I do not sell magic trinkets and I do not curse your wife's lovers by making them impotent.
People began to whisper and Ancel did the sign of the Cross. You then asked Oldfossil.
-Do you have something Indian ?
And the wise Father François added.
-Maybe precious stones, India is renowned for them !
Oldfossil coughed, he was near the fire, under a cloak serving as a blanket, and told.
-No my lord. I have only a small Topaz from my mother. It is the only souvenir I have of her... See, on my necklace.
He showed the necklace and coughed but you said to him.
-It is very beautiful but we have Topazes in Auvergne too. We need something better.
It was the time of Bohémond to shine.
-Maybe an idol of local deities.
The priest said.
-No... No... No need for this. And so you told that you will be going east tomorrow. To the hills.
-Yes, my castle is behind the hills of Nesse. We will need to get through them.
One of your guards, the brave Cop, then cleared his throat and added something after you authorized him to talk.
-My lord, I think I can speak for all the lads, it will be hard to go on the hills, especially if they are muddy. We shall try to pass somewhere else. There is some valleys. One of them is the one were we passed, with the road and a stone quarry. But you may be seen here and there is a watchtower that guards the place, we saw it when we came. Then there is the way directly to the east, but it is full of Kobolds and stone trolls. I would advise against it. We can still go to the north, to the river, it may be safe but it will be longer.
