Moon Goddess: Scene 7

Introduction to this thread: The Moon Goddess Is A Harsh Mistress
Explanation of Mythic elements: What's All This Mythic Stuff?
Previous Scene: Scene 6

SCENE 7
Nina and Katja ride to the clearing in the woods (the same clearing that was in Katja's dream). Katja examines the menhir and performs her ritual.

CHARACTERS
The Silver Huntress (her deity)
Soldiers
Drachen (her old warhorse)
Nina
Nina's Mother
Nina's Father
The Hard Man with the Nasty Scar
Susi
Yuliya
Igor

THREADS
* Escape to freedom
* Regain the favor of the Silver Huntress
* Demonstrate magic to Nina
* Solve the mystery of Nina's mother

CHAOS FACTOR: 4

********************
The scene occurs as expected.

Katja and Nina ride into a large clearing with a single standing stone. Unsurprisingly to Katja, it appears to be the clearing from her dream. Katja dismounts and approaches the menhir. Before touching it, she looks about the clearing. To her relief, she doesn't see any dead bodies or Soviet soldiers. Only Nina and the two horses on the edge of the clearing, watching Katja with
great interest.

Katja examines the menhir more closely.

Q: Rolling 14 vs. her Mistress of the Hunt cliche, does she perceive writing on the menhir [Very likely]? Extreme yes.

Katja not only notices the Druidic script from her dream, she also recognizes other inscriptions in other forms of writing (including Tempian [Latin] and Nordic runes).

Q: Can she decipher any of the Tempian writing [50/50]? Extreme no
Q: Is it because of lack of light [50/50]? Yes.

Katja: (addressing Nina and cringing as her voice pierces the peaceful silence of the snow-covered clearing) "The writing on this menhir, I assume you copied it?"

Nina: "Of course."

Katja: "I should very much like to read it."

Katja reaches out and touches the menhir.

Q: Does she feel anything supernatural [50/50]? No.

Her fingers trace the markings on the cold stone. Lacking light other than the full moon, she soon returns to the center of the clearing to begin her prayers. It occurs to her that in warmer weather, she might be doing this sky-clad. Now, she finds herself trying to get comfortable in the knee-deep snow. At least there is no wind.

Katja moves around some snow, kneels down, and produces the holy symbol that Nina gave her. It shines brightly in the reflected light of the moon. Breathing deeply, Katja begins to meditate. She tries to forget that she's spent the last two years in a moonless cell. Breathe! Remember the miracle of when she was first called. Remember all the vivid dreams. Remember those nights with Deirdre [her best friend that was assaulted by her brother] and the standing stones on
her family's estate.

Q: Does Katja experience a vision [50/50]? No.
Q: Does she at least feel power return to her in response to the prayers [Likely]? Yes.
Q: Is the woman still waiting patiently when Katja concludes her ritual [Very likely]? Yes.

Katja stands up and brushes off the snow. She is cold, but not unpleasantly so. Mostly, she feels a peace that she hasn't known since she arrived on this world. She is confident that she can channel the power of the Silver Huntress and is eager to demonstrate this power.

Nina: "Did it work?"

Katja: "See for yourself." With that, Katja holds the holy symbol high and speaks aloud a prayer to the Silver Huntress.

RISUS: roll 8 on TN3 to cast 0-level spell... success!

The holy symbol bursts into a glow of silvery light as bright as a torch.

Q: Does the women gasp or act surprised [50/50]? No. Interesting.

Katja hold the light aloft and examines the clearing anew. Nina is standing next to the hobbled horses, stomping her feet to keep warm. She is visibly unimpressed by Katja's display of power. Annoyed, Katja turns to the menhir. Now she can read the writing.

Stepping forward with the glowing holy symbol held in front of her, Katja examines the menhir anew.

Q: Can she clearly make out the Tempian wiritng [50/50]? No.
Q: Is the writing too old and weathered [Likely]? No. The only logical answer is than it is in an unknown language.

Failing to read the foreign writing, Katja slumps in disappointment. Then she notices her glowing holy symbol and cheers. She still has the favor of the Silver Huntress and the Silver Huntress has power in this world! Her life is not over.

Katja walks back over to the horses and mounts hers. "Come, let's return to the house."

On the ride back, she begins plotting her escape.

********************

CHARACTERS - Added Deidre to the character list (though it would be very strange if she shows up).

UPDATED THREADS
* Escape to freedom
* Solve the mystery of Nina's mother
* Decipher the writing on the menhir

Updated Chaos Factor 3 (Katja feels very much in control right now)