MORNING 3
They woke up under a deep layer of thick ash.
Everywhere, from the natural stone pit that had housed the now-extinguished fire, to what were likely the waking bodies of the 15 remaining companions, there laid a uniform, unshapely, dark-gray curtain.
A weak light was trying to break through the mix of ash and rolling mists, without much success.
QueenofSpades, long-established habits hard to break, was rekindling the fire to prepare some sort of morning brew.
Plus, she still had a few eggs, and everyone could use some extra energy.
Chrmejenkins sitting was next to her, reciting:
I am sure she remembers
the long-gone mornings
when our only belongings
were the dying-fire embers,
how precious, and gracious
OUCH!!! Chrmejenkins turned around, bristling.
Whose boot is this? demanded the fuming poet.
Oh, sorry Bard, must have dropped it by accident offered Moyank innocently, from across the camp.
The mounds of ash were shaking, sending wisps of smoke in every direction,
One by one, the companions started converging towards the source of the heavenly smell coming out of QueenofSpades pots.
Better give it a move, maam, or there will be nothing left. Techgod yelled.
Scepticalscribe got up, dusting of the ashes from her overcoat. She moved towards the center of the group, but then remembered something and doubled back.
A small pile of ashes was sitting right next to the imprint of where her body had been. She reached out and took the small metallic object, sweeping away the ash with the back of her hand.
Holy Terris! she exclaimed, transfixed. And she lifted it for everyone to see.
The ash had stuck to the polished metal surface only in some places, in finely detailed patterns.
Lord Ruler be cursed! said Plutonius, his jaw dropping it IS a bloody map after all.
Everyone rushed around Scepticalscribe, to look at the shapes and words that were traced by the fine ash lines.
Everyone but tomorrow, who had not moved at all, a grey ashen mound, barely distinguishable from its surroundings.
Tomorrow, loyal to the rebel cause, is Dead.
It is now Day 3
The new deadline is Monday, may 12 at 6pm EST
14 players remain, Majority is 8.