April!
Hi guys.
Oh my, we would be honored to have you sit next to us, but the Elder does insist that you speak with him first. He would like to thank you in person.
Oh dear, it's April! Sit, sit down!
I'm so glad you could come to our village and sit by our fires so we can thank you in the proper manner.
It's my privilege, Ben-Bandu. I wouldn't want to pass through this forest without visiting your village and seeing for myself how the Banda people live.
Oh my, you speak so eloquently. My brother sits by the fire -- I know he wishes to speak with you. But the Elder would speak with you first. He rests in his hammock up on the mound.
Go speak with him, and then come down again so we can celebrate the death of the Gribbler and the brave escape of April Ryan and Ben-Bandu's brother.
Are you feeling all right? I thought you'd disappeared on me back at the Gribbler's lair.
Oh dear, I do apologize. I saw the Gribbler return from the forest, so I ran into the bushes and headed straight for the village.
Thanks to you, April. How did you kill the Gribbler?
Lots of luck and a little bit of quick thinking. My limited talents in the martial arts were woefully underused.
Were you frightened?
I don't think I've ever been so frightened in my entire life. Kinda exhilarating, actually. Although, at this point, I think I've had quite enough excitement for a lifetime.
Oh. Dear me! I could never be as brave as you, April. Ever.
I was going to get help, you understand. But then I bumped into my brother, and I told him what was happening.
Well, I'm glad you're okay.
Hi guys. Are you enjoying the feast?
Oh, very much, very much.
What is this Spirit Dig the Elder told me about?
Oh, it's a sacred place, a very sacred place. It's where we, the Banda, can speak with our ancestors, ask them questions and learn from their wisdom.
Yeah? Well, the Elder said I was to sleep there tonight.
He did? The Elder said that? Then you have been honored by him, April. Only those worthy of the spirits of our ancestors can spend the night in the Spirit Dig.
Where is the Spirit Dig?
Right behind you, at the far end of our green.
Enjoy the party, guys.
Oh, but it's in your honor, April. You must enjoy yourself too!
Where did you say the Spirit Dig was again?
Right behind you, April. The entrance faces our green.
The hero of the day comes to visit the old Bandu!
Let me see your face, human. Make yourself shorter!
That's much better. The human is closer to the Soil, now, and she may even feel it like we do -- moving, shaping itself, breathing, beating.
I don't feel anything, sorry.
So the human is not a digger, but we don't judge her because of that. The human is a hero, she is.
Don't call me that. I'm not a hero. I was just in the right place at the right time to help somebody out.
She destroyed the evil that haunted our forest, and rescued one of our Little Ones from the creatures of chaos, and so she is a hero. She's the one spoken of in our songs, is she not?
The one who will deliver us from an evil presence, and who will go on to save the Balance? You are she, are you not?
I don't know.
Well, we will see, we will see. You will sleep in our Spirit Dig tonight, and then tomorrow...we will see. But now, you must enjoy yourself! This feast is in your honor, to show our appreciation for your courage.
Thank you.
Go! Eat and drink and dance, and then go to sleep in the Spirit Dig. We will talk tomorrow, before you continue your journey. You are on a journey, are you not?
A very long one, yeah.
We are all on a journey, but yours is the most important one...ever. So go! I will smoke my pipe and think on prophecies and songs. Go!
Go, enjoy the feast in your honor! We will speak again in the morning, after you spend a night in the Spirit Dig, yes, yes. In the morning.
I thought you were supposed to help out in the search! I could've used some assistance this afternoon.
Uh, yeah, but I did find some Mol-- Some Banda, didn't I? Just not the one we were looking for, is all.
And besides, I was beat! My wings can only carry me so far before I need a twig to rest on and a couple of juicy berries.
Speaking of berries, did you taste the ones they got here? The word is yum. Big yum. I don't know what they soak them in, but man!
Well, at least you're okay.
Oh, sure. You know me. I could use a good flea plucking, though. Care to reward me for my diligence?
Diligence? Hah!
Enjoying yourself, Crow?
It's a party. I'm the party bird. What do you think?
Enjoying yourself, Crow?
I'm warm. I'm full. I kissed a pretty chick today. Thanks for asking, though.
Enjoying yourself, Crow?
Sleepy. Veeery sleepy.
I'm guessing I'll be plucking my own fleas tonight, then, and I'm okay with that. I'm blaming you if I wake up with a crick in the neck tomorrow, though.
Crow?
Oh, hey! I was, uh, wondering what happened to you. What did happen to you?
He's sleeping, bless his soul.
