The Staff of Memories: Chapter 1/1

In the evening of the same day Rigmor had met Brighid, the two were resting near the campfire. The lively crackling of the flames was the only sound breaking the silence of the inhospitable tundra. The witch doctor sat beside the feathery raptor, who had seemingly fallen asleep, and held their trusty wooden staff in their hands. One could've thought, that it was a simple item, something to lean on while walking, but there was more to it than that.

Rigmor recalled the events of the past couple of days, and the spiral carved into the weathered tusk on the tip of the staff began to glow with the warm orange light and more glowing carvings started to appear on it – Rigmor's memories took shape. The most important events of their life were reflected in these runes, some evoked good feelings, while others reminded of the past sorrows, and yet there wasn't a single one that held as much sadness, as the last one, a reminder of the recent loss, the sudden disappearance of their village. Rigmor gave a deep sigh at the sight of it.

But the journey wasn't over – the spiral of the witch doctor's life gained another turn, as a new event needed to be added to the chronicle, a brighter one this time. Rigmor turned their head to look at Brighid, as if to check if their spiritual companion, the main subject of that event, was still there.

And indeed she was, to the witch doctor's surprise the raptor was looking right back at them, her eyes as orange as the glow of the carvings. A moment later Brighid nodded her head towards the space beside the last rune, as if urging Rigmor to hurry up, to add the next one. It appeared the raptor could see not only the spiral, but all the other carvings on the tusk as well. For a brief moment it baffled Rigmor, after all, only the owner of the staff had such an ability, but given Brighid spiritual connection to the witch doctor, this shared vision made sense.

Rigmor placed their hand on the tusk and projected their thoughts into the staff, the hope, that returned to them thanks to Brighid, and the renewed interest in the future, which still felt uncertain. The raptor emitted a purr-like low rumble in approval – she understood what was going on and looked with interest at the emerging rune.

It turned out better than Rigmor expected, clear and glowing brightly. Satisfied with the result, the witch doctor looked over the whole spiral. There was plenty of space for more events to add, and together with Brighid they will be ready to experience them.

As Rigmor was done working with the chronicle, the runes and the glow faded away, and the witch doctor set the now ordinary-looking staff aside. The night was one of those rare occasions, when they could be seen without it.

It was the time to end the day. Perhaps the next day with the help of Brighid's sharp senses they'll be able to find some clues to the disappearance of Rigmor's people.