Log Date: 2/4/96
Log Intro: Trollkiller has just received a sending from Strongbow, and has
learned that the archer and the chieftess marooned in the middle of the
spider-infested woods have been going for days without the meat needed
to sustain them. Rillwhisper, too, has fainted, immediately prompting her
young lifemate to rouse the rest of the camp to head to their lost
companions' rescue. Only Moonshade, who has just recently caught up with
the Willowholters and Skywise, remains unroused, deep in an exhausted
sleep.....

----------
Now that Trollkiller has snapped Woodhawk awake, the firestarter is on his 
  feet, gathering his bow and arrows, checking on his wolf. The air 
  immediately around him is slightly warmer than anywhere else, and his dark 
  eyes glitter, golden.

Trollkiller is determinedly, and quickly, packing things away.

Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub slits open one eye from where she lies, sleeping 
  pantingly for once, curled against the exhausted tanner's side.

Skywise sits up, rubbing his eyes. He looks around.

Rainfire, already awake the moment Woodhawk was roused, waits fretfully 
  outside the camp. C'mon, his restless gaze orders. Let's get going.

Silversong remains sitting against a tree, where she has been for a while now.

Fallberry flits around, as the elves rouse, piping excitedly. /Time to go in 
  nastybad crawlything trees!/

Trollkiller sends to Dawn, who had been lying beside him, and who is still 
  holding the still-sleeping Dusk, ** It's time for us to go. **

Woodhawk pauses by his wolf, long enough to frown softly, as he inspects 
  Swiftrunner. The ancient beast whines, and curls up in a small ball where he 
  lies. Sighing to himself, Woodhawk shakes his head, then steps out of the 
  camp. He'll have to walk.

You make your way out of the Willowholt Camp.
Lost Marsh Camp(#1917RJ)
Contents:
Willowholt Camp(#6874AJae)
Obvious exits:
Mountains<N>  Marsh Trail<S>  

In the Willowholt Camp, Skywise follows.
Skywise makes his way out of the Willowholt Camp.

In the Willowholt Camp, Trollkiller sends, again to Dawn, ** Dusk can not come 
  with us. I've seen too much in sends - it's too dangerous. Will you stay 
  with her? **

Skywise rests his hand on his sword, following you.

In the Willowholt Camp, Dawn looks back at Trollkiller, unhappy at the request.

In the Willowholt Camp, Silversong opens her eyes, standing up and following 
  off after Woodhawk. She nods. ** Dusk should stay.. **
Silversong makes her way out of the Willowholt Camp.

In the Willowholt Camp, Trollkiller sends to Dawn, ** You know she'll come 
  after us if we leave her behind. **

Woodhawk glances at the camp, waiting for the others. Fallberry flits out, 
  looking for a shoulder to perch on.
Fallberry makes its way out of the Willowholt Camp.
You pick up the Preserver, and it flits to your shoulder merrily.

In the Willowholt Camp, Dawn frowns. But she knows Trollkiller and Silversong 
  are correct. ** I will stay. Send to me as you travel. **

In the Willowholt Camp, Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub rouses herself and stumblingly 
  bounces over to the wolf-elf with a small yrf.

Woodhawk calls over, "And Moonshade. Guard Moonshade."

In the Willowholt Camp, Trollkiller leans back down and nuzzles Dawn fiercely. 
  ** Of course. And to her as well. If there's trouble... go back and get 
  help. Lots of it. **

In the Willowholt Camp, Dawn nods off at Woodhawk. ** I will. **

In the Willowholt Camp, Trollkiller touches again, once more, briefly, and 
  leaves the camp.
Trollkiller makes his way out of the Willowholt Camp.

Woodhawk lets out a breath, and nods grimly to his companions. On his 
  shoulder, Fallberry pipes, pointing northward, /Highthings go that way! Go 
  that way! Is nastybad manyleg crawlythings there!/

Silversong nods to Woodhawk. ** That's the way I saw, too... **

Trollkiller sends openly ** I have food with me - it's not fresh kill, but 
  it'll do. Dried treehorn, mostly. **

** So, then. Let's do it. ** The firestarter turns to stride off. Rainfire on 
  Thornclaw is already moving; the mahogany-haired hunter is tense, gaze 
  fierce, as he nudges his wolf in the direction indicate.

You start the long uphill journey towards the hubwards mountains. After a 
  while, you hear the sounds of water..
Little Mountain Spring
Obvious exits:
Doreel's Grove  To the marshes<S>  West<W>  Trail<E>  

Silversong, Skywise, Rainfire, and Trollkiller come into view between some gnarled trees
  to the south.

Trollkiller looks into the grove. ** It certainly looks harmless from here. **

Rainfire growls mentally, ** We'd be foolish to assume anything. **

On Woodhawk's shoulder, Fallberry continues to pipe, /That way! Sunnygreen 
  highthing that way!/ And Woodhawk, frowning, bow at the ready, moves forward 
  and onward to the north.

[Meanwhile, in Doreel's grove, Rillwhisper has fainted -- not only from lack of
 meat, but from the stress of her days stranded in the magic-maker's hidden
 'paradise', not knowing whether she and Strongbow would survive until help
 arrived, finally catching up with her....]

Doreel walks down the stairs from the heart of the tree.
Doreel has arrived.

Quiet, not far from the stream, leaned up against the tree, the archer dozes 
  fitfully, his thinning form more angular and long-lined even than when he 
  first emerged from the spider-webbing. He provides a pillow for the dozing 
  chieftess, one arm guardingly about her. 

The slight noise of Doreel's feet on the stairs comes from the tree as he 
  walks out from it. His gaze is towards the ground.

Rillwhisper curls restlessly against Strongbow's chest, her head buried in his 
  arms.

Doreel lifts his eyes, glancing over towards the two of you, and then around 
  the grove. Seeing that none of his helpers are to be seen, he looks back 
  towards the two elves.

The archer's eyelids twitch faintly, perhaps in dreaming. He bares teeth at 
  something, expression pained, eyes yet closed, then relaxes.

Doreel hmms quietly, and then lifts up his head as he looks around, calling 
  out, "Lira!"

Strongbow starts violently beneath the sleeping chieftess, deep brown eyes 
  snapping open to a glower. He calms himself, focusing first on reality and 
  the grove, then on its master, gaze narrowing as he watches the tall elf.

Doreel mutters quietly to himself as he waits for the helper to come to him, 
  he edges back and forth slightly, his arms folded calmly across his chest.
Doreel turns and looks towards the two wolfriders, "You do not look well."

Rillwhisper stirs, but in uneasy half-slumber, one hand fumbling at 
  Strongbow's chest. Her eyes do not open.

Lira crawls out from a hidden hole off to one side of the grove.
Lira has arrived.
Lira clambers out of the hole, hurrying to answer Master's call.

Strongbow curls his arm more tightly about his companion, protectively.

Doreel turns his attention towards Lira as soon as she crawls out from the 
  hole, "Lira. Where are those fruits you picked the other day?" He sounds 
  confused as he asks this.
Doreel's face crinkles, as if he's worried about the fruit.

You locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper's thoughts stir uneasily, as well. She 
  should wake up, some portion of her thinks, but it's difficult for her to, 
  and she doesn't know why...

You sense in a locksend, Strongbow calls, gently but with some urgency, and as 
  if from a bit of distance. ** Stay with me, chieftess. **

Lira looks at Master as she walks towards him. Thinking for a moment she 
  finally answers, "Master take fruit and keep fruit. Keep it in the tree like 
  Master always do."

Strongbow looks down, brow slightly crinkled, at his sleeping companion, then 
  up at Doreel. Quiet as a whisper of autumn wind and just as promising of 
  winter's cold, he sends, ** Need meat. **

Lira sneaks a quick look at the Rillwhisper and the Other, before paying close 
  attention to Master and whatever he may order.

Doreel mutters quietly and nods at Lira, hearing Strongbow's send he motions 
  towards the tree, "They need food. Go and get it for them..." He still 
  doesn't seem to know where the fruit is Lira is talking about.

You sense in a locksend, Strongbow cheers, softly, ** May be meat coming. ** 
  He doesn't sound too hopeful, but anything will do. More rousingly, he 
  continues, ** And help. **

Lira looks at Master a bit oddly, then darts off to the tree. Not often 
  getting a chance to enter the tree, she does not mind the task.

You locksend ** ............ archer? <Her sending is tiny, weak.> ** to 
  Strongbow.

Lira climbs up the winding stairs around the tree, and then moves inside.
Lira has left.

Doreel looks back towards the two other elves, "Lira will get you something."

Strongbow looks back down at his companion, rolling one shoulder slightly, 
  attempting not to disturb her too much. He pauses abruptly, though, brow 
  furrowing more deeply, and squeezes Rillwhisper to him. With a barely-sent 
  assent of thanks to Doreel, he closes his eyes.

Doreel continues to mutter and wanders over to the garden, looking at the 
  various food stuffs there.

Stronger, more forcibly, the archer sends back. ** Yes. Your tribe comes. Food 
  soon. Free soon. Stay with me, chieftess! **
Strongbow opens his eyes after a moment, dividing his attention once more, 
  gaze flickering around the grove to light upon Doreel. ** Meat, ** he 
  reinforces.

Lira walks down the stairs from the heart of the tree.
Lira has arrived.

Rillwhisper, with aching slowness, opens her eyes. But her gaze is blank, as 
  she stares up at Strongbow.

Lira walks slowly out of the tree, her approach to Master cautious and a bit 
  nervous. In her small hands rests only two pieces of fruit, neither looking 
  very well.

You locksend ** Out. Meat.... <There's entreaty and longing both, entwined in 
  her sending. Her thoughts have fallen into basic, fundamental images, not 
  even words.> Mates...? ** to Strongbow.

Doreel looks towards Lira, and then points to Strongbow and Rillwhisper, "Give 
  them what they want." His face drops when he sees the condition of the fruit.
Doreel glowers slightly at the little helper, as he holds out his hands 
  angrily, waiting for the fruit to be placed in them.

Lira does not look up at Master at all, her eyes completely on the ground as 
  she hands the fruit to Master. Though fear is not on her face, it is in her 
  eyes.

Doreel takes the fruit and turns away from Lira, muttering a quiet thanks 
  towards just her.

You sense in a locksend, Strongbow forces an image, bright and clear, of the 
  furred, younger mate, circling as if in a wrestling attack. On its heels 
  comes the image, flickering with heat, of the firemaker, somehow more 
  substantial-looking in Strongbow's mind than the archer is himself. ** Yes. 
  Mates. Coming with help. With me, Rillwhisper! **

Holding a fruit in each hand, Doreel's hands starts to glow. The magic starts 
  to cover the bruised fruit. Within a couple of moments the damage on them 
  starts to disappear.

Strongbow returns his attention to Rillwhisper, glowering with worry instead 
  of anger this time.

Rillwhisper frowns vaguely to herself, her brow furrowing as she focuses her 
  gaze on the fiercely anxious face over hers. ** Don't... feel very well, 
  brother, ** she send-mumbles.

Lira backs away, staring at the ground she walks on.

Once the damage on the fruit disapears, the two pieces of fruit start to grow 
  slightly. All through this, Doreel's eyes are fixed on them. With a 
  satisfied smile and nod, he looks at them briefly again, causing several 
  seeds to 'seep' through the skin and into his hands.

Strongbow curls his other arm about Rillwhisper, sitting very slowly and very 
  slightly upright. Absently, toward the elf the clearing, he sends. ** She 
  needs a healer's help, and meat. **

Doreel nods slightly, "I only have this fruit," he walks over and places the 
  two enlarged fruits down next to Strongbow.
The tall elf then places all the seeds in one hand, and clenches it closed. 
  It glows again momentarily before he holds out a hand towards Lira, "Keep 
  track of these for me Lira until we can plant them."

Strongbow exhales sharply, curling his lip slightly at the fruit. ** Heal, 
  then, ** he repeats, uncompromising.

Doreel says unemotionally, "The only thing that I can do for either of you 
  right now is remove that which caused your condition. I cannot make your 
  body think it's getting meat."

Lira slips the seeds into a small pouch that was previously unseen, again she 
  stands there, now daring to look up and listen to what she can hear.

The lean elf's nostrils flare, eyes narrowing on glittering brown gaze. 
  Without another word toward Doreel, he reaches down to take one of the 
  fruits, lifting it without any sign of interest to let his arm curl about 
  Rillwhisper once more.

Doreel talks, in a matter of factly tone, "You would never have to worry about 
  relying on meat anymore if you would let me do what should be done."

You sense in a locksend, Strongbow forces clarity, his own head stinging a 
  little with the effort. ** Rillwhisper! **

Strongbow shows teeth, looking up from another send to the elf in his arms to 
  gift Doreel with an angry, wolfish glare. ** Until your madness-twisted 
  'paradise' I never worried. **

Lira resists the urge to shuffle over to the garden.

Doreel says "But this is where you are now. So, unless you wish to die... you 
  should think about not having to worry anymore."

Strongbow's lip curls, something darkly akin to a smile twitching at the 
  corner of his mouth. ** Others are coming. **

Rillwhisper stirs, groggily, frowning. Seeing Doreel vaguely above her, she 
  utters a low whimper, distressed by something.

Strongbow locksends to Trollkiller, Strongbow sends, urgent, from nowhere, 
  reaching for you. ** She's losing us... **

[And meanwhile, back with the rescue party from Willowholt and Lostholt....]

You head into the woods, unsure of what lies beyond their dark edges.
Overgrown Path
Twisted, dark trees grow all around you here. Totally unfamiliar sounds come 
  from every direction. The path that you walk on is hardly a path what with 
  the way the trees haphazardly part for the dark path. Multi-faceted eyes 
  peer out at you - their yellowish glow adding to the dreary and evil 
  atmosphere. Webs hang from almost every tree though to your left they are 
  more abundant while up ahead you think you can see a lighted clearing. A 
  quick glance to your left through the webs reveals a narrow path leading 
  deeper into the woods and away from what would appear to be a safe haven in 
  the grove ahead. As you move through the woods surrounding you there is a 
  constant *click* *click *click*
Obvious exits:
Mountain Spring  Woods  Grove  

Silversong, Rainfire, and Trollkiller push their way through the trees and bushes and
  join you on the path.

Silversong shivers visibly at the literal line of trees shifting from normal, 
  to twisted.

Trollkiller sends openly ** I've heard this before. **
Trollkiller sends openly ** <click> <click> <click>... **
Trollkiller sends openly ** In Strongbow's sends. **

Skywise pushes their way through the trees and bushes and join you on the path.

Rainfire unlimbers the bow from his back and nocks an arrow, the hair on the 
  back of his neck standing on end.

Skywise looks around, drawing his sword.

Silversong turns away from the group, stepping over to one of the trees here 
  and lifting her hand to touch the wood.

Trollkiller has had his sword ready for some time...

On Woodhawk's shoulder, the Preserver eeps tinily and ducks under the 
  firestarter's hair, at least for now. Woodhawk treads noiselessly, the 
  golden spark in his eyes becoming more apparent. ** Don't take too long, 
  healer, ** he warns of Silversong, brusquely.

Trollkiller nods. ** I think quickness would be good. I've caught glimpses of 
  things moving in the distance - I suspect they're the spiders. **

Rainfire slips to the back of the pack, keen eyes scanning the surrounding 
  twisted green in the direction from which the party just came, wary of 
  something following.

Silversong closes her eyes, murmuring quietly. ** The trees here... They were 
  shaped this way... **

Trollkiller looks back at Silversong. ** Huh. Not by the spiders, I suspect... 
  **

Silversong completely misses the slight moevment in the branches above her, 
  her eyes closed, so is caught completely unaware as one of the large spiders 
  drops right down atop her.

Skywise jumps toward it, slashing furiously.

Woodhawk whirls. As the elves with swords take the attack first, he lifts the 
  bow with the arrow he'd already nocked, and doesn't waste time in taking aim 
  and firing, the instant he gets a clear shot.

Trollkiller leaps back, keeping too many blades out of the mix, searching 
  around for other spiders urgently, expecting more than one to attack at a 
  time. ** Skywise, Woodhawk, do you have it? **

Rainfire spins and lofts a quick arrow upward, nocking another even before the 
  bowstring has completely recoiled. ** Silvie!! **

Skywise nods, hacking the thing a little more to be sure.

The firestarter's arrow sparks before it leaves his bow, and both his and 
  Rainfire's bowstrings sing. Woodhawk's arrow strikes, making the spider 
  shriek in irritation, and trying to spit goo at its nearest target.

Silversong goes down under the... creature... a slight squeak of a sound 
  coming from her to accompany the spider's sinking its fangs into her 
  shoulder the instant before Skywise' flashing blade can drive it off her.

Skywise pulls the spider off her, face anxious. ** Silversong! **

Thornclaw growls and leaps forward, sinking his teeth into a spindly leg with 
  a satisfying crunch, shaking it viciously.

Trollkiller sends openly ** Silversong, are you alright? **

Rainfire's attention flicks back and forth between the spider and the 
  forebodingly dark trees above. ** Is it dead? **

Woodhawk, as Skywise gets in the killing blow, keeps his bow nocked and scouts 
  for any more of the things, before they are caught unawares again. But he 
  keeps glancing anxiously at the healer, sidelong.

Silversong's hand goes to her already-numb shoulder, wincing with the burning 
  sensation in her body. With that touch, a reddish glow arises from her 
  fingertips. She doesn't answer Trollkiller's sending, fixated on the wound 
  the spider gave her.

Rainfire glances across to Woodhawk. ** Do these things fear fire? **

Woodhawk sends back darkly, ** We'll find out, I'm sure. ** The air around him 
  has grown noticeably warmer.

Trollkiller sends, ** Careful, Thornclaw, their bite is nasty. **
Trollkiller looks at Silversong. ** Uh-oh, I was afraid of that... **

Woodhawk locksends ** Ayan? <He sends, enough to see if you are _there_, but not 
  enough to distract you from healing yourself as you need.> ** to Silversong.

Trollkiller waits for Silversong to complete her self-healing. He looks 
  around, scouting for more spiders.

Thornclaw growls a deep rumble, having by now pulled a segment of the spider's 
  leg off.

Silversong curls onto herself, fighting both the poison flowing through her, 
  and the dizzying, numbing sensation that accompanies it.

Woodhawk senses in a locksend, Silversong returns the send-touch, with the briefest 
  of thoughts. She's there, and winning.

Skywise stands protectively near Silversong, lest another spider attempt to 
  attack the weakened prey.

Trollkiller sends to Silversong.

Woodhawk flashes Silversong another worried glance. Then, swiftly, whirls and 
  fires at something that moves in the bushes; the something shrieks, and 
  skitters off; a leg twitches, visibly, and Woodhawk fires a sending to 
  Rainfire, ** There! **

Rainfire spares quick glances toward Silversong, keeping his eyes alert and 
  cautious. He sends to the healer. ** <Strength> **
Rainfire catches Woodhawk's direction and turns, firing an arrow into the 
  gloom, rewarding with another shriek.

Trollkiller locksends ** <<strength, bearings, knowledge of place>> ** to 
  Silversong.

Rainfire nocks another arrow and creeps toward the rustling in the bushes 
  warily.

Trollkiller sends, ** We should get moving again... ** as he hops about, 
  looking up, to the sides, for more spiders...

Silversong finally lowers her hand, the glow fading. She raises her head, 
  sweat from the effort glittering on her skin. ** C-careful, they carry a 
  very mean bite... **

Skywise reaches a hand to the healer to help her up.

Rainfire nods briefly, ** We can't afford to be a stationary target. **

Silversong takes the offered hand gratefully, standing up. ** Thank you. **

Woodhawk sends, ** Ride, healer, ** more a command than a request, though 
  Woodhawk would never order Silversong to do anything. He turns, himself, on 
  his feet to once more face northward.

Skywise nods, and looks around, senses alert.

Silversong nods, moving back over to where Ashes was waiting for her, climbing 
  up onto her wolf's back.

Trollkiller shrieks involuntarily at a send. ** GO. NOW. **

Rainfire jumps at the sound and tears off after Trollkiller.

Silversong nudges Ashes forward, taking off after the others.

Skywise chases off after them.

Trollkiller, Rainfire, Silversong, and Skywise push their way quickly through the trees
  and webs, trying to reach the grove as quickly as possible.

[And in that grove, with Rillwhisper and Strongbow and Doreel....]

Doreel says "Believe what you will. The Presevers are not only there to be 
  part of my paradise, they have stopped unwanted visitors long before this."

Strongbow's glance darts, gentling, back to Rillwhisper. ** Stay with us. ** 
  He wraps both arms about her, glaring back up at Doreel. ** They did not 
  stop us. **

Doreel says "You would be a meal right now if it weren't for my helpers and my 
  own healing."

You sense in a locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper: Trollkiller sends, ** 
  Coming. Now. **

Trollkiller and Rainfire come in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves
  stuck to them haphazardly.

Strongbow nods once, as if to himself, at a send, eyes locked on Doreel. ** 
  Better that than be what you imagine we should be. **

Skywise comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to him 
  haphazardly.

Rainfire looks back and forth, ** Rill? Strongbow? **

Doreel starts to reply to that, his face quite bothered by Stronbow, but then 
  he turns, his look turning to surprise as all the others appear in the grove.

Woodhawk and Silversong come in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.

Rillwhisper lies curled up weakly in Strongbow's arms, an alarmingly 
  thin-looking Rillwhisper, with her eyes half-open and vague.

Lira's eyes grow quite wide as more and more Others stream into the grove.

Doreel curls his lips into a sneer, "Vargo's blood!" He looks towards 
  Rillwhisper and Strongbow accusinly, "You brought them in here!"

Trollkiller dives over to Rillwhisper and Strongbow, sword still in his hand. 
  ** Rillwhisper! **

Skywise locksends to Strongbow ** Are you well? **

Woodhawk stops, and stares at the sight. After hours of fighting their way 
  through the spiders and the web-strewn trees, it's a clear relief to break 
  into the grove -- and a clearer relief to see his chieftess-mate. But he is 
  aghast at the sight of her, and he is a step behind Trollkiller.

Rillwhisper's eyes flicker. ** ......? **

Trollkiller locksends ** Twyr! **

Skywise looks very concerned, gripping his sword uncertainly and looking 
  around for more spiders.

Strongbow glowers at Doreel, but as the tall elf's gaze moves, so does the 
  archer's. He squeezes Rillwhisper, sending to Doreel. ** Yes. **

Silversong guides her wolf to a stop behind the others, looking at the figures 
  before her. ** Rill! **

Trollkiller looks at Strongbow, Rillwhisper, and the other, tall elf, trying 
  to figure out what's going on. ** Who are you? **

Doreel snarls and turns towards the other, he stands to his full height, 
  "Stop!"

Strongbow looses his grip, his strangely angular and thin grip, on the 
  chieftess, as Trollkiller pounces near, sending aside to him, ** Doreel. ** 
  After that one word, he sends on, the air quiet.

Trollkiller kneels beside Rillwhisper, sending urgently, pulling jerky out of 
  one of his many pouches.

Strongbow locksends, to Silversong, Skywise, Trollkiller, Rillwhisper: ** 
  Danger. He is Doreel, and danger. Mad. **

Rillwhisper's gaze focuses on Trollkiller, and she utters an noise somewhere 
  between an exhausted moan and a whimper, as Strongbow drops her. She slumps 
  before her younger mate.

Doreel's eyes look all around the grove at all the others, images rolling 
  through his mind...

Trollkiller looks up at the tall one. ** IF YOU DON'T HAVE FOOD, GO AWAY. **

Doreel says "What are you doing!"

Lira looks on in mild shock, shaking her head as if to clear her cluttered 
  thought, grips her small thorn knife moving to stand closer to Master should 
  he need her.

Strongbow gets to a slow, slightly unsteady crouch, eyes going back to Doreel. 
  He sends a soft hush at Trollkiller, and a wordless beckoning at Silversong.

Doreel glares directly at Trollkiller, his eyes narrow, ** You do not belong 
  here! This is my home! YOU WILL NOT TAKE THEM AWAY! **

Rainfire looks from Rill to the strange elf and back, uncertain. His hands 
  clench on the bow and nocked arrow, eyes following the female elf as she 
  stands beside the other.

Trollkiller sends up at Doreel, ** I am bringing food to my lifemate. ** He 
  softens the hard strips of meat between his fingers.

Rillwhisper locksends ** <wonderingly> Tantin? <Her send seems tiny, weak; how many 
  days has she gone without real food?> ** to Trollkiller.

Trollkiller isn't paying attention to Doreel, but is instead concentrating 
  upon getting edible foodstuffs into Rillwhisper.

Doreel sneers and takes a step towards Trollkiller, his hand gripped into a 
  fist, "Leave her be you stking human!"

Trollkiller locksends ** <strength><presense><love>Eat, eat, eat... ** to Rillwhisper.

Silversong nudges Ashes towards the tall elf. ** Doreel... I can feel the 
  magic in you. What are you...? ** she sends, clear.

Lira moves forward with Master, her thoughts only wishing the Lar and Lir 
  would get back soon.

The archer makes it, slowly, to his feet, limbs angular, lines standing out in 
  his throat and his forehead. He takes a step, shakiness cowed by sheer will, 
  toward Doreel and ahead of Rillwhisper. ** Stay away. **

Woodhawk eyes Doreel levelly, then immediately moves to intercept the tall 
  elf, his sending grim. ** No humans we, stranger. We're her mates. **

Trollkiller blinks, looks up, and surprises himself. By laughing. Hard. ** 
  Human? **

Strongbow growls slightly, softly, in his throat, sending.

Rainfire draws back on the bow, pointing it at Doreel. ** You. Stay where you 
  are. **

Doreel's eyes have long since left him, his gaze is filled with anger. His 
  eyes fixed on Trollkiller.

Trollkiller locksends ** How many humans can _send_, Doreel? ** to Doreel.

Strongbow locksends to Doreel, Strongbow breaks through with clarity. ** He is elfin,
  as much so as I am, and more. ** Again in his mind the shimmering one, Timmain,
  stretches and claws her way from wolf to High One before his eyes.

Trollkiller helps Rillwhisper get food into her mouth, along with water from 
  his water-sack.

Doreel's eyes swim as all the sends come from around him, he reaches out for 
  Lira, "L-l-lira..." He mutters.

Silversong narrows her eyes, looking at Doreel.

Rillwhisper, scenting the meat, gives an animal whimper at the longed-for 
  smell, and makes herself chew with an effort. But a great effort it is, as 
  her eyes clamp shut.

Woodhawk turns, then, and kneels on Rillwhisper's other side, quietly.

On Woodhawk's shoulder, Fallberry looks out, and pipes happily, /Sunnygreen 
  highthing! Is sunnygreen highthing!/

Lira stands by Master, ready to aide him however she can. Moving closer she 
  sets herself to support him if needed, though still gripping her thorn knife 
  ready to use it to protect Master if necessary.

Strongbow locksends to Silversong, Strongbow tries, jumbledly, to sum up. ** He
  sees...badly...remembers. ** Giving up on words, the archer resorts to images: an
  elf, female, walking out of this grove, more time ago than the archer thinks clearly
  of. In her arms, the elf maid carries something...he, in the image, Doreel, runs
  after her into the web-cursed wood. The female turns, once, looking back; within her
  arms, a babe lies. The image closes in light brighter than the moons, and as white.

Doreel places a hand quietly on Lira's shoulder, he mumbles, "They... they are 
  doing it again..." Spotting the Presever he looks to it pleadingly, "You 
  understand, don't you small one? They... they did it all before."

Trollkiller locksends ** <wake up, wake up, wake up... must eat, must eat...> 
  ** to Rillwhisper.

Rillwhisper senses in a locksend to Trollkiller, Rillwhisper: Woodhawk is _there_ in 
  sending, as well, Fahlan, his soul's presence strong and clear.

Trollkiller shivers, terrified at what he fears...
Trollkiller locksends, to Rillwhisper: ** <wake up, wake up, wake up... must 
  eat, must eat...> **

Silversong lifts a hand to her head, Strongbow's sending shown on her face. ** 
  You... you lost someone here... **

Strongbow locksends, to Silversong, Skywise, Trollkiller: Strongbow orders, increasingly
  dimly, ** No attacks. He remembers... **

Rainfire moves sideward, putting himself near Trollkiller and Rill, arrow 
  trained on Doreel, suspicious.

Trollkiller also remembers, suddenly, Strongbow. ** High Ones, Strongbow - you 
  have to eat something _now_ too! **

On Woodhawk's shoulder, Fallberry peers around at Doreel and pipes, /Is 
  highthings! Fallberry take good care of! Fallberry understand!/

Lira looks up at Master again, her face worried, though set in grim 
  determination to keep Master safe from all these Others.

Doreel reaches a hand out towards Fallberry, "But they are not real. They are 
  tainted... Help me. I am your true Master. Not them. Help me... Stop them..."

Strongbow slowly widens his stance, shaking once more. Glaring still at 
  Doreel, he sends faint gladness at Silversong, then lowers himself to a 
  kneel, sighing lowly. He manages a nod to Trollkiller.

Woodhawk leaves Doreel to Strongbow and Rainfire and Skywise and Silversong, 
  eyes on the prone chieftess, now. Taking some of Trollkiller's jerky, he 
  chews on it for a time, before gently placing it in Rillwhisper's mouth and 
  adding his encouragement to Trollkiller's, to get her to eat. Slowly, 
  Rillwhisper chews.

Doreel looks around at all the elves, fear is set in his eyes at everything 
  that is going on... "They always leave... Where... who..."
Doreel grabs hold of Lira, as if for support, though he does not really need 
  it.

Silversong slips down from Ashes' back, starting to walk closer to the tall 
  elf. "We can help you, Doreel... "

Fallberry peers at Doreel and pipes, /Fallberry takes care of these 
  highthings,/ it claims, staunchly.

Doreel says "You must remeber though... All those like me... Not like these 
  ones. You remember! The fall, the humans... all of it!"
Doreel jump as he sees Silversong coming towards him.

Fallberry flitflitflits, and pipes, /Fallberry remember 
  before-belonging-time,/ it agrees. /Fallberry remember nastybad bigthings!/

Doreel opens his eyes slightly, as if happy that the winged creature is 
  remember, "Then you must remembers the first comers... Like me... Not like 
  them," he motions towards all the other elves.

Lira moves in front of Master, still standing so Master can use her for 
  support if Master needs. She eyes the approacher warily, holding her thorn 
  knife as if unused to using it for such purposes.

Trollkiller makes sure Strongbow is eating, too.

Silversong pauses in her advancing, looking at Doreel and sending.

Trollkiller looks at Lira. ** ...are you...? **

Fallberry nods sagely. /Highthings bigger in before-belonging-time,/ it 
  agrees, hovering over Rillwhisper's curled up form.

Doreel looks towards Silversong, he peers at her intently for a moment, 
  "You... you are not one of them."

Trollkiller clears his throat. ** Are... ** He shakes his head. "Are you... 
  like trolls?"

Strongbow takes, as if indifferent, a piece of jerky, chewing on it more 
  ravenously than as if it tastes worthwhile, and throws a send at Trollkiller.

Doreel keeps a hold on Lira's shoulder protectively, as if telling her not to 
  do anything rash.

To Strongbow, Rillwhisper sends dimly, anxiously. There's a ripple, somewhere, in a
  pool in the middle of an inner wood... no, two ripples. But where's the third?

Strongbow locksends to Trollkiller, Strongbow's mind describes an image of the Palace,
  of Doreel within...those little miniaturized trolls there, with him, as they always
  have been. ** Older than that. **

Rainfire sends quickly to Silversong.

Strongbow blinks, attention turning to Rillwhisper.

Lira looks at the other that seems to be asking her a question. Her somewhat 
  quiet voice seems to be tinged with nervousness as well as fright, "trolls?"

Trollkiller sends, ** I gu... ** and remembers. "I guess not."

Silversong takes another step closer to Doreel, watching her. ** I've no wolf 
  in me, no... **

Rillwhisper sense in a locksend, Strongbow reaches out, touch gentle as rain in the 
  still pool. ** Runnel...? Rillwhisper...? **

Trollkiller looks at Lira. "I'm sorry we frightened you. We don't want to hurt 
  you."

Woodhawk locksends ** We have to get her home, lifemate. Look at her, she's worn down to
  nothing... ** to Trollkiller.

Doreel sends at Silversong, his eyes still fixed on her.

Lira puffs up slightly, making sure to be in front of Master, "Lira Helper. 
  Lira, Lar, and Lir help Master. Go 'way, we take care of Master..."

Rillwhisper locksends ** <There's a flicker of relief. There. The third ripple. She 
  touches a hand to the pool, and with that, comes a sense of... contact, 
  somewhere deep.> ** to Strongbow.

Silversong moves slightly to the side, keeping Rainfire's line of sight 
  between himself and Doreel clear.

In a locksend to Silversong, Strongbow: Less weak in sending than in form, the archer
  offers his help...should it come to that.

Trollkiller looks up again from helping feed Rillwhisper. "That's fine, we 
  don't want to hurt Master either, if we can help it."

Rillwhisper coughs, finally, her face screwing up in confusion for some reason.

Trollkiller locksends ** So, how many pips short of a pomegranate is he, 
  anyway? ** to Silversong.

Strongbow ceases his chewing for a moment to stare down at Rillwhisper, for a 
  moment deaf to the sends and words around, giving no attent nor import to 
  the rest of the grove. His brow furrows, then clears as the chieftess 
  coughs, and the archer looks away, remembering the jerky he holds.

Rillwhisper sends to her two mates, in faint dismay. Her belly's starting to hurt, as she
  swallows jerky. But she wants more food... she must...

Trollkiller sends again strongly towards Rillwhisper.

Woodhawk murmurs quietly to Trollkiller, "Not too much." He frowns, as if not 
  liking the idea.

Trollkiller locksends ** Rill needs more help...? She's not eating well... ** 
  to Silversong.

Doreel shouts out suddenly after having sent to Silversong, "No! They will not 
  take her away! This is home!"

Trollkiller looks up at Woodhawk. ** Uh? What? Why? **

Strongbow points out, to Doreel, almost absent-mindedly, ** Not our home. **

Silversong locksends ** I almost reached him... ** to Trollkiller.
Silversong turns away from Doreel, beginning to walk over towards Rill and the 
  others. ** They are not home. **

Rillwhisper senses in a locksend, Strongbow touches, gently, as if just to make 
  contact, reassuring.

Doreel stand fully to his feet, the hand on Lira's shoulder flashes with 
  magical power suddenly.

Trollkiller silently certainly agrees with _that_.

Rillwhisper senses in a locksend, Strongbow seems somewhat shaken, too, or perhaps 
  confused.

Woodhawk begins, to Trollkiller, "She won't be able to eat mu--" before 
  Doreel's outburst distracts him.

Skywise frowns, ready to deal with whatever the threat is.

Lira moans in sudden pain, dropping her knife she clutches at her abdominal 
  area.

Strongbow shakes his head, as if to clear it, mane shivering like a wolf's 
  ruff. Getting to his feet at the sound, as if he knows already, he sends at 
  Silversong: ** She carries. **

Trollkiller huh?s as Lira moans and falls over. ** What? **

Silversong spins about at the sound of pain. ** No! You are a healer! **

Trollkiller uh-ohs...

Rillwhisper locksends ** <The contact again, there, deep, profound. She seems to
  hug it to her, even as she grasps two other contacts elsewhere. She's exhausted, 
  your Sister, and desperately hungry, even as her belly begins to hurt with 
  all the meat her mates are trying to get her to eat. Only vaguely aware of 
  Doreel's current outbursts, she shivers beside that inner pool, distressed.> 
  ** to Strongbow.

Lira turns to look at Master, not understanding, then clenches her jaw as 
  another spasm jolts through her.

Doreel screams out, "Look at what you have done to her!" He points at 
  Silversong accusingly.

Rainfire's grip tightens on his bow as he sights along the arrow at Doreel, 
  poised to stop the strange elf but uncertain as to what Doreel is doing to 
  the smaller one.

Strongbow looks from the little troll to Rillwhisper, torn for only a 
  thought's length as before he spins to kneel by Rillwhisper, sending to her.

Trollkiller looks confused, and remembers the previous send about this tall 
  one...

Silversong breaks into a quick run towards Doreel and the Helper. ** I have 
  done nothing! **

You locksend to Trollkiller, Rillwhisper, somewhere in her mind, huddles by a 
  place that might be a pool at the center of her soul. Both Trollkiller and 
  Woodhawk know it; it's where her soulname lives. And she hugs her connection 
  to both her mates to her fiercely -- as well as another connection, a 
  slightly different one, only slightly less deep but no less honest. Vaguely 
  aware of the outbursts from Doreel, she shudders, dismayed, by that 
  soul-pool.

Doreel sneers and sends as he falls to his knees next to his helper, he sends 
  with anger and fear ** Stay away from her! You are trying to kill her! **

Lira looks at Doreel pleadingly, hoping he can get the pain to stop...hoping 
  Lar and Lir return...its too soon.

Rillwhisper senses in a locksend, Strongbow reaches out, as if to hold you within his 
  grasp, and within the circle of his arms, standing guard by that still pool, 
  he forgets himself for your sake. ** Slowly, ** he sends, regarding the 
  food, though the word comes almost as if from another person than the archer 
  holding you by the pool. There, in the green safeness, he sends, ** Runnel. 
  Rillwhisper. ...?! ** Laid open in desperation to keep you here, revive you 
  if need be, he sends, losing hold of words.

Trollkiller locksends, to Rillwhisper and Woodhawk ** Trollkiller joins Rillwhisper
  there, as freely open to her as always, waiting by her to help, as he's needed, 
  touching her spirit's hand with his own... **

Silversong continues to approach the pair, her hands flaring up with the 
  reddish glow of her own healing magic, as if trying to show Doreel what she 
  means.

Doreel sneers at Silversong as he places a hand on each of Lira's shoulders, 
  "No! You're lying! Stay away from her!"

Trollkiller locksends ** How can I help? ** to Silversong.

Fallberry eeps, tinily, at various angry expressions on the faces of the 
  highthings. Apparently opting for discretion over valor, the miniscule 
  creature decides to plop right down on Rillwhisper's chest. It looks 
  anxiously at the three elves leaning over her. /Fallberry put sunnygreen 
  highthing in wrapstuff to take to hometrees?/

Doreel holds onto Lira, his magic pouring into her, to stop the pains that he 
  has set off, "Lira... It is time... you... Lar and Lir... where are they..."

Silversong locksends ** You can't, right now. I can't help Rill right now, let 
  the preserver keep her safe. ** to Trollkiller.

Strongbow growls sendlessly at the preserver, eyes closed, brow furrowed as if 
  deep within a fight.

Trollkiller blinks, and looks at Fallberry. And thinks about it.

Silversong steps closer towards Doreel and Lira. ** Sending carries no 
  untruth, Doreel. **

To Strongbow, Trollkiller locksends ** How can I help? **

Lira clutches her swollen belly again, nearly screaming as another spasm 
  occurs. Through tightly closed eyes, "Lar, Lir...forest...."

Doreel sneers, his head bowed ** Stay away! **
Doreel whispers to Lira.

Silversong locksends ** I... if I try to stop him, he'll hurt the smaller 
  one... ** to Trollkiller.

Strongbow locksends to Trollkiller, Strongbow seems, in his send, strangely 
  open, almost dangerously so. And doesn't answer.

Rillwhisper locksends, to Strongbow, Trollkiller, and Woodhawk: Rillwhisper, deep
  within... _somewhere_.... stares into her pool. There's three reflections there, and 
  she happily turns, to smile at the two nearer ones. And she blinks, 
  astonished, at the third.

Lira turns her head, looking towards the Others. Seeing some so close, she 
  shuffles her body as best she can, fear across her face, only masked by pain 
  when the contractions come.

Trollkiller locksends to Silversong, Trollkiller sends, ** How about tackling 
  him? **

Woodhawk locksends, to Strongbow, Trollkiller: ** <From Woodhawk, there's a ripple 
  of astonishment, at the archer's presence in the sending between the 
  chieftess and the chieftess's mates. But the firestarter doesn't find the 
  other presence unwelcome. ** We've got to get her out of here, ** he reports 
  grimly to Strongbow, ** and you too, archer. **> **

Silversong pauses in her step, looking between the two, Lira's scream echoing 
  through her. ** This must stop... ** she sends, staring at the tall elf. ** 
  Stop it.. now!**

Trollkiller locksends, to Strongbow, Rillwhisper, and Woodhawk: ** Yes. But we 
  can't leave the others behind. Should we let Fallberry wrapstuff her? **

Doreel continues to attempt to sooth the helper's pain, holding onto her, ** 
  You stop! You have caused this! All of this! **

Strongbow locksends, to Trollkiller, Rillwhisper: ** <Staring back, no longer 
  in amazement or confusion, the archer holds steady as long as he can, gazing 
  back, though his lip quivers in an odd way. ** Wait, ** he sends, almost as 
  if from another place.> **
Strongbow shudders softly, eyes clenched shut on faint glimmers.

Doreel's gaze goes out distantly, though he continues to heal Lira and sooth 
  her pains as best he can, his mind has obviously wandered elsewhere.

Trollkiller locksends, to Strongbow, Rillwhisper and Woodhawk: ** Okay. But for 
  what? **

Silversong gazes at Doreel, her eyes narrowing as she sends.

Rillwhisper locksends to Strongbow, Rillwhisper, her sending half-Runnel, 
  half-Rillwhisper, chuckles to you lightly. ** What are you doing here, 
  brother? ** she sends, gently, her hand still lingering with her fingertips 
  in the pool.

Lira whimpers as the tremors in her body cease for a bit. Tears roll down her 
  large cheeks as she shuffles as close to Master as she can, her fear of the 
  Others outweighing almost all else in her mind.

The tall elf writhes away from Lira suddenly, his magic breaking away from her 
  as Silversong sends at him... he screams out, sends out, fear, terror 
  flooding everything, the whole purpose of the grove seemingly lost in this 
  moment...
Doreel says "TASHEYA! NO!!!!!!!"

Strongbow locksends ** <Sending within a send, the archer closes out the 
  others. ** Sister. ** The word's not exact, and he lets it go, echoing away 
  on its own, sending then without words, as he prefers it. <I am here to take 
  you to yourself>, the reflection's eyes say, the real thing still open to 
  your mind, arms about you. <Any way I have to.> It is an offering, unnamed.> 
  **
Strongbow locksends, to Trollkiller, Rillwhisper, and Woodhawk: ** <The 
  archer's send is distant, repeating, more gently, ** Wait... **> **

Skywise covers his head, crouching in pain.

Woodhawk helps Trollkiller brace Rillwhisper between them, keeping an eye on 
  Silversong and Doreel all the while. He winces, reflexively, at the tall 
  elf's scream; reflexively, too, he hugs the chieftess to him.

Lira shrieks, not from pain again..yet, but from Master leaving her side.

Silversong locksends ** The small one! Get her away.. from him! ** to 
  Trollkiller.
Silversong cringes on herself, dropping to her knees as her hands rise upwards 
  to her head. She does not lower her eyes from the taller elf though.

In locksend to Strongbow, Rillwhisper tilts her head, baffled. <But... she 
  knows herself. She knows her Self. She has, ever since she climbed into the 
  tree that night, during the skyfire storm, and Woodhawk had to come get her. 
  She knows... Twyr. So do you. So what's the problem here?>

Doreel holds onto himself tightly, mumbling, reaching out towards Lira, 
  obviously thinking she is someone else, though his speech doesn't tell this, 
  "The... the child... we cannot lose it..."

Rillwhisper locksends, to Strongbow, Trollkiller, and Woodhawk: Rillwhisper seems to
  blink, in that inner somewhere, off at Strongbow, as if confused. There's a problem
  here?

Trollkiller looks about in all the confusion, and sends to Woodhawk, ** Hold 
  her. **

Rillwhisper senses in a locksend, Strongbow's arms, there by the pool, clasp about you 
  in relief, leaving himself open and pulling you, for once, in, to where he 
  is -- in tree, sheltered in a storm of his own, anger and fierceness in lone 
  hunt, Wyl.

Trollkiller looks divided three ways, and finally - runs towards Lira.

Lira screeches again as another contraction begins. Her eyes shut tightly 
  though tears of pain still fall.

Woodhawk nods, briskly, taking Rill's full weight into his arms as Trollkiller 
  darts off. And as for Rillwhisper, something seems to settle in her 
  expression, making her look content, and relieved, as she drops into slumber.

Strongbow manages the equivalent of a nod. ** Get...home... ** The archer's 
  send weakens, and as Trollkiller bolts, he sinks forward into Rillwhisper 
  and Woodhawk, expression eased.

Skywise moves forward to catch Strongbow before he falls.

Woodhawk yelps, slightly, as Strongbow keels over, and he flashes a glance to 
  Skywise and Fallberry. Between the firestarter and the stargazer, the two 
  fallen ones can be guarded; gaunt as Rillwhisper and Strongbow both look, 
  still, something about their features speaks of peace, and Woodhawk diverts 
  some of his attention to his other lifemate.

Doreel grabs hold of his head, his magic working its hardest to block out 
  Silversong's assault, he continues to send, sending out waves of fear, 
  terror. The grass under him starts to grow haphazardly in spurts, and then 
  turns brown, and dies...

Woodhawk locksends ** 'Ware the magic-maker, there! Let's get them out of the way! **
  to Skywise.

Skywise pulls his tribesmate away from the center of the clearing.

Trollkiller reaches Lira, at last, and hoists her quickly into the air, away 
  from the dying grass, not knowing what that means but not wanting to be a 
  part of it.

Lira opens her eyes again, the contraction ceasing for now. Only to begin 
  screaming anew as one of the Others Master said started this seems to have 
  her.

Woodhawk scoops up Rillwhisper, backing with her off towards the agitated 
  wolves.

Trollkiller sends, ** Don... Agh! ** "Don't yell, it's not us doing this to 
  you!"

Doreel sees Lira grabbed by the barbaric elf through his tear filled and 
  pained eyes, "Lira no!" A massive surge of magic pours out from him, causing 
  the grass all around him to wither and die, his body and mind still wracked 
  with pain from Silversong's vicious attack.

Silversong finally breaks off her mind's attack on Doreel's own with a 
  relieved gasp, as Lira is carried away from him.
Silversong sends openly ** T-Trollkiller... let me see her... **

Trollkiller retreats, quickly, towards (and with) Woodhawk - then darts back 
  over as Silversong calls to him. ** Here! **

Lira thrashes and kicks as best she can, screaming, "Master!! LAR LIR...help!!"

Trollkiller, being much bigger and much stronger, doesn't drop Lira as he 
  reaches Silversong, struggling cargo still in arm.

A crashing sound can be heard from off in the woods somehwere, coming 
  closer... voices follow...

Skywise turns toward the crashing sounds, ready to attack more spiders.

Silversong reaches out to Lira in Trollkiller's arms, the reddish glimmer of 
  her magic rising as she touches the smaller being.

Doreel grabs hold of the ground around him, clenching his teeth together, the 
  painful attack from Silversong affecting him more than just the physical 
  pain, he mutters, "This... this is not what it is meant to be like. Mother! 
  Help me!"

Beside Woodhawk, Rainfire grimly calls his wolf nearer to help guard 
  Rillwhisper, and both he and Woodhawk start at the sound of more arrivals. 
  Timmorn's _Blood_, both their worried expressions broadcast, and Rainfire's 
  already got his bow nocked with a fresh arrow.

"Lira!" A voice pipes out suddenly as another of the helpers burts into the 
  grove, its thrown dagger in hand.

Woodhawk flashes off a brief, urgent send to his companions, quickly: now 
  what? Can we subdue Doreel at all? Wrapstuff him?

Silversong sends a single word, as she closes her eyes in concentration on the 
  smaller figure. ** Fallberry. **

Lira begins to calm slowly, only again to try and get away when she hears the 
  familiar voice.

Trollkiller says "Fallberry!"

Doreel's magic turns from the destruction of the ground around him, towards 
  himself as he starts to heal himself

Fallberry flits quickly to Trollkiller's side!

Trollkiller locksends ** She can't hear sends. ** to Silversong.
Trollkiller says "Wrapstuff Doreel."

Lir, seeing Lira screams out, letting out a sort of battle cry as he charges 
  towards Trollkiller, Silversong and Lira.

Fallberry blinkblinkblinks, not quite sure it heard what it thought it did. 
  /Fallberry do?/

Trollkiller says "Do. Now."

Skywise affirms. "Do!"

Fallberry oooohs! And flits right for Doreel.

Silversong tries to calm the squirming helper, not noticing the one 
  approaching her. "I want to help, Lira. I'm a healer... I didn't cause what 
  you feel, the pain. The pain is gone..."

Doreel opens his eyes, anger filling them as he starts to hear the words about 
  wrapstuff. His gaze gets fixed on the Preserver, a warning look gazing at it.

Trollkiller notices Lir, and jumps between him and Silversong. ** ! ** "NO!"
Trollkiller barks at Lir. "WE AREN'T HURTING HER. SILVERSONG IS HEALING HER."

Lira shrinks in total fear away from the Other talking to her, her eyes 
  darting to see Lir's approach, "LIR!! help Lira, please!!!"

Lir screams out and divse at Trollkiller, his knife <quite well poisoned with 
  similar stuff to the spider's venom> poised to stab him!

Fallberry proclaims, /Noisybad highthing! Need settledown take goodnap!/ With 
  that, it starts to spit goo.

Trollkiller blocks Lir's thrust to the side, barely, with his sword, and 
  shoves him to the right. "STOP! I do not want to hurt you!"
Trollkiller leaps back between Lir and Silversong.

Silversong tries to hold onto the smaller helper, feeling only too 
  overwhelmed. Too many need her help... Too much pain, and hurt. The glow of 
  her healing fire takes on a slight shift in hue.

Doreel sneers and stands up, reaching out to grab the pesky Presever, a look 
  of anger showing through the goo on his face.

Skywise heads toward Doreel, lest he grab the bug.

Lir growls ferally, "Lira! Child!" He growls and charges again.

Trollkiller parries Lir again, sending, ** HEALING child! **
Trollkiller barks at himself. "HEALING child!"

Lir screams out, "NO! You're hurting!" The normally quiet helper snarls as the 
  Others threaten his Lira.

Doreel pulls the goo from his face, the fear gone, anger replacing it all as 
  he turns towards Skywise.

Trollkiller says "Please listen! Silversong is a healer! She will NOT HURT 
  Lira!"

Lir stabs at Trollkiller with all his strength.

Trollkiller says "Doreel hurt Lira, not..."

Lira contiues to urge Lir to come to her aide, shouting and 
  screaming....actually even demanding his help.

Fallberry eeps, narrowly avoiding being grabbed at, then eeps again as Lir 
  swings his thorn-blade. /Eep! Naughtybad smalldigdig!/

Trollkiller catches Lir's lunge, blade whipping through Trollkiller fur but 
  not quite cutting. He's barreled to the ground by the force of Lir's charge.

Lir certainly doesn't believe anything any of you are saying, except for Lira, 
  he does not ever notice Master and his troubles with the preserver.
Lir growls and leaps to land on top of Trollkiller.

Lira begins to quiet, her eyelids drooping in between her shouts for help, 
  until finally she lays there, asleep, her face though looking painless, is 
  still troubled.

Doreel points at Fallberry, "You! Stop!" He says forcefully, still hoping 
  that his stature and obvious nature will sway the preserver.

Silversong lifts her hands away from the sleeping Lira, eyes darting over to 
  Lir and Trollkiller, and then Doreel. She ducks a hand into her pouch, 
  deciding on what to do next, and obviously weary from her efforts up til now.

Lir screams, "Lira! You kill Lira!"

Trollkiller uses Lir's extra last bit of charge against him, flipping over...

Rainfire turns and un-nocks his bow, drawing his dagger and leaping at Lir. 
  Hitting him from the side, the two end up a tangle but at least not on top 
  of Trollkiller.

Fallberry stubbornly returns to trying to wrapstuff Doreel, piping agitatedly, 
  /Nastybad highthing! Naughtybad highthing! Make smalldigdigs be good!/

Woodhawk keeps his hands on his own bow, crouching over the slumped forms of 
  Rillwhisper and Strongbow.

Skywise says "Fallberry! Wrapstuff him!"

Lir growls as Rainfire stumbles into him, his thorn dagger gripped tightly in 
  his hand. In the tangle, he starts to stab at Rainfire.

Trollkiller grabs for Lir's dagger hand.

Fallberry spits wrapstuff at a furious rate, not really paying attention to 
  where it lands on Doreel.

Doreel backs away and sputters at all the goo... he then starts to run... 
  towards the spider's wood... "The Presevers will help me!"

Skywise pelts after Doreel.

Silversong shakes her head. "No... no..." she says, breaking into a run after 
  Doreel.

Woodhawk snarls to himself. He will _not_ fire... he _will NOT_ fire... then, 
  he swears, as Doreel whirls. Does he charge his way?

Trollkiller locksends ** DOREEL! THE SPIDERS WILL KILL YOU! ** to Doreel.

Fallberry blinks, momentarily baffled. /Other wethings? Where other wethings?/

Trollkiller shouts at Fallberry. "No others - just spiders!"

Doreel doesn't seem to hear any of the sends or shouts as he continues to run 
  towards the spiders.

Lir continues to stab at Rainfire, who tackled him...

Trollkiller misses the grab, and tries again to get at Lir's poisoned dagger...

Fallberry ohs! /Nastybad manyleg crawlythings!/ It flits briskly after Doreel, 
  still intent on carrying out its orders.

Silversong continues to pursue after Doreel, but can't manage to gain on him, 
  only keep herself from losing him in the woods.

Doreel reaches the edge of the grove... and then breaks into the darkness...

Silversong continues to pursue after Doreel, Ashes turning to run after her.

Doreel, with Silversong and Skywise on his heels, heads into the dark woods where the 
  *click* *click* *click* is coming from.

Rainfire howls as the dagger slices across his forearm, and grapples furiously 
  with Lir, biting him viciously on the shoulder.

Trollkiller grabs for the free-swinging dagger arm...

Helper
A small being with pale green skin. It has rounded ears, not unlike a trolls. 
  However, it is much smaller, and wears rough cut skins.

Lir curses and growls at Rainfire bites him, dropping the dagger to the 
  ground, as he continues to shout out "Lira! No hurt lira! No! No!" He then 
  starts to punch...

Trollkiller grabs Lir's arm, pulling him off of Rainfire. "NO HURT LIRA!"

The *click* *click* *click* in the woods gets more furious.

Rainfire kicks and growls and punches back, rolling into a panting and furious 
  crouch as Trollkiller pulls Lir away.

Trollkiller locksends ** Skywise!? Are you OK?! ** to Skywise.

Skywise locksends ** So far. ** to Trollkiller.

Trollkiller locksends ** GET OUT! GET OUT OF THE FOREST! COME BACK TO THE CLEARING! ** to
  Doreel.

Lir growls and struggles, kicking at Trollkiller, he looks towards Lira, a 
  sorry look in his eyes.

Woodhawk locksends, to Silversong, Skywise: ** <Urgently> Stargazer! Healer! Need help?
  Send! **

Lira lies on the ground, tension on her face, though no pain.

Lir screams out and curses, "Lar! Lira! Child! You hurt her!"

Trollkiller wrestles to get control of Lir. ** LOOK! ** He aghs. "Look! She's 
  asleep! Not hurt! Asleep!"

Woodhawk, bow in hand as he stands, flicks an urgent look to Rainfire and 
  Trollkiller. ** Need help? Send now, or I go after the others! **

Trollkiller looks at Woodhawk. ** Not on your life. Uh. Rainfire, are you 
  okay? **

Lir growls and spits at Trollkiller, "Let go! Let go! Let go!'

Rainfire sends just as urgently ** Go! **

Silversong locksends ** There's another like Lir out there, stay with Rill! **
  to Woodhawk.

Beside the huddled forms of Rillwhisper and Strongbow, Thornclaw growls, tail 
  twitching.

Woodhawk flicks a look off into the trees, and snarls to himself, but stays 
  put. ** You two okay? ** he demands of his two tribesmates.

Trollkiller wrestles with Lir. ** This one's certainly strong enough... **
Trollkiller grunts. ** Help me tie him up. He won't settle down. **

Rainfire looks toward Thornclaw and then wraps an arm around Lir's neck from 
  behind, helping Trollkiller hold onto him. ** We've got him, Strongbow...go 
  help Silvie! **

Lir sneers, "Lir help Lira!" He tugs at his arms as much as he can, trying to 
  pull Trollkiller towards him.

Trollkiller pulls free one of his straps, and struggles to get it around one 
  of Lir's hands.

Fallberry heads into the dark woods where the *click* *click* *click* is 
  coming from.

[Meanwhile, as Fallberry flits off back into the woods...]

You leave the lighted grove behind, the feeling of security you had now gone as you
  enter the dark woods.
Dark Woods
As you walk into this part of the woods you can almost feel the stickiness
  around you. An eerie feeling crawls up your spine as you 
  penetrate deeper into the web encrusted trees. A constant *click* *click* 
  *click* can be heard from all around you and every so often eyes can been 
  seen peering at you. You see the main path off Away-From-Hub, while towards 
  Sun-Comes-Up, the dark woods part and look as though they open up into a 
  grove. However, just as you are about to move, giant, malformed spiders drop 
  on you and attack!
Contents:
Doreel(#6997PJXce)
Skywise(#2945PBJXce)
Silversong
Obvious exits:
Grove  Path  

Doreel's expression is grim.

Silversong moves her hand to Doreel's own, attempting to grab it. "No!"

Fallberry flits in, catching up at last, and trying to get to the naughtybad
  highthing with the hurtfires!

The spiders move closer now... perhaps they really are answering Doreel's call...

Skywise plants himself in their way and swings for the first one, deftly avoiding
  a second's attack.

Doreel looks up at Silversong, "Tasheya! No! Run!" His magic 
  continues to surge into the wolf, trying to stop it... if not kill it.

Ashes howls in pain, no longer trying to hold Doreel down, but to pull away now.

Fallberry shrieks in dismay. /Nastybad manyleg crawlything!/ It 
  zooms in, spitting wrapstuff first at the spider, then at Doreel, 
  remembering its earlier order.

The spiders bite at Skywise, their legs itching back and forth at 
  the elf's attacks... More multi-faceted eyes become visible...

Silversong's hand around Doreel's wrist flares, her own magic 
  coming into play, even as a part of herself cries out in just as much pain 
  as she begins to inflict upon Doreel.

Skywise deftly dispatches one of the spiders, but is caught up in a 
  bitter struggle with another.

Doreel screams out in fear again... surprise riddling his sending 
  and shouts as Silversong grabs hold of him, his grip is let loose of the 
  wolf, ** Tasheya! Why?! **

Fallberry spits as fast as a Preserver possibly can; the amount of 
  wrapstuff it generates in so many precious seconds is astonishing. It starts 
  aiming for spider eyes and spider claws, trying to help Skywise in his 
  battle.

One of the spider drops down from above, landing behind Silversong.

[And back in the grove....]

Lir sneers and tries to head butt Trollkiller, but hardly succeeds.

Rainfire ignores the stinging in his arm for the moment, holding tightly onto 
  Lir until Trollkiller can get him bound.

Trollkiller urgs, staggering backwards, and gets one strap around one arm, and 
  then 'round the other. He pulls them together - tightly.

Woodhawk shifts uneasily, certain that Silversong's in danger -- his bond of 
  Recognition with her setting off alarms in his head. But, as requested, he 
  stays put, even as he keeps throwing off urgent sendcalls.

Trollkiller sends, ** He's just a little ball of muscle, isn't he? **
Trollkiller looks over to Woodhawk. ** How're they doing? **

Woodhawk locksends, to Silversong, Skywise: ** Send! Help yet? <The 
  firemaker's sending can't come near the forceful clarity of Strongbow's, but 
  he certainly can try.> **

Skywise locksends ** If you have that controlled <broken off> **

Rainfire grips tighter as Lir struggles. He growls menacingly, "Be still or 
  I'll bite your ugly little ear off."

Trollkiller looks up at Rainfire. ** You've still got him? **

In a locksend, Silversong sends to Woodhawk, ** We need you! **

Woodhawk flashes a golden gaze to Trollkiller and Rainfire. ** They call! **

Trollkiller looks confused, then sends, ** Oh. I meant Rillwhisper and 
  Strongbow. **
Trollkiller sends, ** But... I think we've gotten this one mostly tied down. 
  Go. But BE CAREFUL! **

Lir growls in his bonds as he tries to get to Lira.

Woodhawk nods, and darts off.

Trollkiller whips out a length of rope for the legs.

Woodhawk heads into the dark woods where the *click* *click* *click* is coming 
  from.

[And in those dark woods....]

Skywise hacks and slashes at one spider and another, locked in mortal battle.

Ashes pulls away from Doreel, whimpering.
Ashes looks at the spider dropping down behind her elf, growling 
  through the pain as she tries to protect Silversong, leaping in the way of 
  the spider.

Woodhawk enters from the grove, though from all the spiders here, you can't
  imagine why.
Woodhawk charges into view, already with an arrow nocked to his 
  bow. The instant before he fires, the arrow's head begins to glow, then, the 
  arrow arcs towards the nearest target.

Doreel turns his magical attention back to protecting himself from 
  Silversong's attacks, tears flowing down his face, "Tasheya... why are you 
  hurting me?!"

Skywise is hard set upon by spiders, and barely seems to be holding 
  his own.

Woodhawk growls, quickly realizing that the bow is an inadequate 
  weapon, at this range. He draws a blade of his own, and charges in to aid 
  Skywise; his sword, too, begins to glow suspiciously, all save for the 
  leather-wrapped hilt.

Ashes continues to move with a visible limp, growling at the spider 
  closest to Silversong and Doreel.

Woodhawk yells to Fallberry, "Get Doreel wrapstuffed, so we can get 
  him back to the grove!" The Preserver moves in, trying to obey as fast as it 
  can.

The *click* *click* *click* of spiders still all around, a deathly 
  call to what created them... a deadly call to food...

Silversong shouts, this time trying to keep Doreel occupied, "Fallberry! Do!"

Woodhawk then plunges into battle beside Skywise. A stink of magic 
  and of smoke curls around Woodhawk's entire form, and in particular around 
  his sword; the lean, dark-haired elf's face sheens over in sweat, as he 
  glares with a hot golden gaze at the nearest charging spider. A claw that 
  narrowly misses swiping him very abruptly smoulders.

[And in the grove....]

Trollkiller says "We'll put you RIGHT NEXT TO Lira if you'll just CALM DOWN!"

Rainfire shows teeth and holds his dagger ready, not loosening his grip around 
  Lir's neck.

Lir struggles and snarls, "Master! Lira! You hurt them all!"

Trollkiller says "YOU'RE hurting your Master by stopping us from going to 
  rescue him from the spiders!"

Lir growls and bites Rainfire's arm.

Trollkiller whips a rope around Lir's ankles and yanks. Hard.
Trollkiller says "Do that one more time and I'll punch you in the stomach so 
  hard you won't keep food down for a turn."

Rainfire HOWLS in pain and shoves Lir to the ground face down and /hard/.

Lir acks as he's pulled off his feet, trying his best to keep his teeth suck 
  into Rainfire's arm.

Rainfire presses a knee into the back of Lir's neck and yanks his arm free, 
  rubbing his arm. He growls deeply, "/You/ are going to be the one hurting 
  here."

Trollkiller hauls Lir's feet into the air, to make sure he can't do _too_ much 
  more right now. ** Rainfire, make sure that dagger of his is somewhere well 
  out of reach. **

Lira stirs the slightest bit in her forced sleep.

Trollkiller looks at Rainfire. "No. None of that."

Lir flails around as he continues to look at Lira.

Rainfire grrrrrs and glares at Trollkiller...but only picks up Lir's dagger 
  and throws it into the bushes.

Trollkiller says "Lir."
Trollkiller turns Lir around to face him, keeping a good grip, to prevent 
  another head-butt. "Lir. Answer me."

Rainfire inspects his arm, lip curling at the sting...this wound hurts more 
  than most others he's had. ** Retie his hands behind his back and then tie 
  them to his ankles. That ought to keep him from going anywhere. **

Trollkiller looks at Rainfire, and doesn't like it a lot, but does it anyway, 
  because Lir isn't answering.
Trollkiller says "Lir, talk to me."

Rainfire takes his knee off Lir only when his hands and feet are securely 
  bound together.

Trollkiller looks up at Rainfire. ** Better have Silversong look at that when 
  she gets back. **

Rainfire nods, the wound reddened and swollen as if infected even though only 
  freshly cut. ** What are we going to do with that one? ** He gestures toward 
  Lir.

Trollkiller sends, ** We've got to try to get him to talk to us. **
Trollkiller turns Lir around again, and stares into his eyes. "Lir. Talk to 
  us."
Trollkiller looks back at that wound again. ** That looks _really_ bad. **

Rainfire shrugs briefly, ** It'll be okay..we have other things to worry 
  about. **

Trollkiller locksends to Woodhawk ** Love, what's going on? **

[What is, indeed going on in the dark woods....?]

Skywise just slashes and stabs, taking the occasional blow in return.

Doreel struggles against the wrapstuff, but there is little he can 
  do as thoughts about his lost love come to him even after Silversong 
  finishes her anti-healing on him.

Woodhawk shouts, "Silversong, get him out of here!", even as he 
  focuses, with blade and magic, on his nearest attacker. If he can get just 
  _one_ of these things to burn.... More smoke curls in the air.

Skywise jumps back from the flames, keeping his blade between 
  himself and the spiders,

Fallberry, as soon as Doreel is adequately wrapped, charges into 
  its own battle with the spiders, blinding one with a stream of wrapstuff.

Doreel blocks out the sendings... the fact that one he thought was 
  someone else has harmed him... has hurt him... perhaps damaged him before 
  compare.

Spiders continue to surge forward.

One of the tree's catches light from Woodhawk's furious attacks.

Woodhawk orders Silversong, ** Get him! Back! Now! I'll have to 
  douse the flames, so I'll be last! GO! **

Silversong looks up as Doreel is completely wrapped. ** Skywise! 
  Help me with Doreel! **

Skywise slowly disengages himself from the spiders and runs to help 
  Silversong.

Woodhawk locksends ** <Woodhawk sends: a brief flash of fire and battle.> ** to 
  Trollkiller.

The spiders continue to move forward, towards Doreel, seemingly 
  unaware of the flames... A faint hint of magic seems to be coming from the 
  wrapstuff... emenating outwards...

Silversong gathers the wrapped Firstborn up into her arms, and with 
  Skywise's help, retreats from the wood, Ashes bringing up the rear and 
  snapping at any spider that comes too close.

Woodhawk's leather wrapping on the hilt of his sword begins to 
  smoulder, too, even as he stabs the nearest spider at last. ** GO! ** he 
  shoutsends once more at his two companions. His face is white and strained, 
  now, and with an effort, he clamps his will down on his magic. ** GO! **

Fallberry spits wrapstuff at the smoldering trees, as Woodhawk 
  orders it, and then darts quickly out of spiders' reach.

The spiders seem to be following after the wrapstuffed Doreel.

Woodhawk is the last to whirl, before the elves finally retreat.

[Back in the grove....]

Trollkiller supposes, and sends off into the distance - and shivvers at the 
  response. But doesn't share it.

Rainfire collects the arrow he dropped and then looks from Trollkiller to the 
  sound of ruckus nearby and then back. ** What's happening? **

Some smoke seems to be coming from the spider's woods.

Trollkiller sniffs. ** Uh. **
Trollkiller sends, ** That. **

Rainfire sniffs too. ** Smells like Woodhawk's been busy. **

Fallberry comes in from the dark woods, the *click* *click* *click* coming 
  from there increasing and then fading away to normal as they get closer.

Rainfire peers into the woods as if there's anything to see from here. ** Is 
  the fire spreading? **

With the smoke, the *click* *click* *click* of the spiders seems to be 
  following them, and the elves in.

Skywise, the wrapstuffed form of Doreel hauled between him and Silversong, comes in
  from the dark woods, the *click* *click* *click* coming from 
  there increasing and then fading away to normal as they get closer.
Skywise helps Silvie bring a wrapstuffed Doreel.

Woodhawk comes in from the dark woods, the *click* *click* *click* coming from 
  there increasing and then fading away to normal as they get closer.
Woodhawk charges in last of the party, and sends urgently, ** The spiders are 
  coming! **

Trollkiller looks at the group and sends, ** Oh no... **

As Woodhawk comes into the grove, the spiders are closer on his heels, smoke 
  is still pouring out, trees, webbing, and the occasional spider burning 
  readily.

Rainfire looks around quickly. ** Is there any other way out of here? **

Silversong comes in from the dark woods, the *click* *click* *click* coming 
  from there increasing and then fading away to normal as they get closer.

Skywise sets Doreel gently down and spins to attack teh incoming spiders.

Trollkiller sends, ** Oh dear... **
Trollkiller locksends ** Are you okay? ** to Silversong.

Faint magic seems to be coming from the wrapstuff still.

Trollkiller leaps forward to defend against the spiders.

Silversong moves her hands to where Doreel's hand would be inside the 
  wrapstuffed coccoon, the reddish glow of her magic springing up. ** He's 
  calling them... somehow, he's calling them. **

The number of spiders seems overwhelming, the fire has reached the edge of the 
  grove, threatening to destroy it... to destroy paradise...

Woodhawk swears, something tingling at his consciousness -- ** Silversong! Can 
  you do something? ** He swings his blade, too, refusing to let the creatures 
  get anywhere near Rillwhisper and Strongbow.
Woodhawk, with some range available, can switch to the bow once more. And 
  he does, sending arrows flying.

Rainfire drops to one knee, sending arrow after arrow into whatever moves 
  that's clicking. ** Silvie, can you silence him? **

In an open send, Silversong sends distractedly, ** I'm trying... **

Woodhawk growls anxiously, flashing a glance to Strongbow. Need him up; he 
  can fire better than any of the elves here, and Woodhawk knows it.

Trollkiller leaps over to guard Rillwhisper and Strongbow, sword ready. ** 
  Rainfire, if we have to flee, cut Lir loose and awaken Lira. **
Trollkiller sends, ** Strongbow! Wake up! **

Doreel sends out from the wrapstuff, ** Leave now! Leave! Or else the spiders 
  will not stop! **

Rainfire nods curtly in response to Trollkiller's send, felling a smaller 
  spider out of the trees.

Skywise continues hacking and slashing, but is obviously growing tired.

Woodhawk smirks. Don't have to tell him twice; he fires off two more arrows, 
  once after another. ** Grab Rillwhisper and Strongbow! ** he sends. ** GO! 
  NOW! **

The spiders continue to fight.

Skywise sends openly ** Can you get them? **
Skywise continues fighting, but glances over his shoulder to see that the 
  others can handle those less able.

Rainfire fires off another arrow and then slashes Lir's bonds with his dagger.

Woodhawk jumps at Rillwhisper, scooping her up. ** Trollkiller! Get Strongbow, 
  he's bigger! **

Doreel's send was not out of concern at all, instead it was out of anger and 
  hatred for you all... the feeling that you have destroyed his paradise and 
  home quite evident in his sendings.

Trollkiller grabs Strongbow, and hurls him over your subject.

Flames are flicking in the surrounding trees.

Woodhawk sends back angrily at Doreel, ** You call this spider-infested 
  death-place a paradise? ** even as he hoists his chieftess-mate into his 
  arms.

Lir scrambles over to Lira as soon as he can.

Trollkiller says "Lir, get Lira!"

Woodhawk, with that, sends urgently to the others. ** _OUT_! NOW! ** 
  Rillwhisper slung over his shoulder, the firestarter plunges into the trees. 
  And starts sending for Dawn and Dusk, distantly, to alert them to be ready.

Thornclaw bounds up to Rainfire who scrambles up onto his back. The 
  pair draw even with Trollkiller. ** Give me Strongbow! We can move faster 
  this way! **

Skywise struggles with the spiders, turning.

Trollkiller hauls Strongbow towards the edge of the forest, making 
  sure everyone else lives.

Doreel sendshouts ** LEAVE ME NOW! **

Woodhawk and Skywise head into the dark woods where the *click* *click* *click* 
  is coming from.

Skywise defends the retreat from the spiders.

Lira blinks sleepily as Lir gets her up, only taking moments to 
  remember what is going on.

Lir kneels by Lira, 'Lira... Wake. Lira wake.'

Trollkiller heads into the dark woods where the *click* *click* 
  *click* is coming from.

You leave the lighted grove behind, the feeling of security you had 
  now gone as you enter the dark woods.
Dark Woods
As you walk into this part of the woods you can almost feel the 
  stickiness around you. An eerie feeling crawls up your spine as you 
  penetrate deeper into the web encrusted trees. A constant *click* *click* 
  *click* can be heard from all around you and every so often eyes can been 
  seen peering at you. You see the main path off Away-From-Hub, while towards 
  Sun-Comes-Up, the dark woods part and look as though they open up into a 
  grove. However, just as you are about to move, giant, malformed spiders drop 
  on you and attack!
Contents:
Trollkiller(#3442PVXc)
Skywise(#2945PBJXce)
Rillwhisper(#6POXace)
Woodhawk(#45PIOUXcemq)
Obvious exits:
Grove  Path  

Fallberry enters from the grove, though from all the spiders here, you can't 
  imagine why.
Fallberry spits wrapstuff in all directions, to muffle flames -- and to blind 
  any spiders that charge.

Woodhawk sends, sparing only enough attention for it as he dashes at top speed 
  down the path, ** Where's Silversong? **

Trollkiller locksends ** Where are you?! ** to Silversong.

You quickly leave the dark, spider infested woods for safer areas of the 
  forest.
Overgrown Path
<Desc deleted, see earlier in the log.>
Obvious exits:
Mountain Spring  Woods  Grove  

Fallberry> Trollkiller and Woodhawk rush from the woods, trying to get away from the 
  spiders and their webs.
The single small Preserver, as well as the elves -- at least, Trollkiller, Woodhawk,
  and Skywise -- come in from the dark woods, the *click* *click* *click* coming 
  from there increasing and then fading away to normal as they get closer.

Silversong locksends ** I'm not leaving him! ** to Trollkiller.

Trollkiller locksends ** Bring him, then! ** to Silversong.
Trollkiller locksends ** Get Lar and Lira to help carry him out! ** to Silversong.

Woodhawk curses, vehemently. ** She says she's not leaving him! **

Trollkiller sends, ** I know, I know... **

Woodhawk, unable to risk keeping Rill in danger, plunges onward through the 
  trees.
Woodhawk leaves the overgrown path and all the noises with it behind.

You leave the wooded path behind, along with all the noises that surround you.
Little Mountain Spring
A bubbling spring leaps from the ground, fountaining slightly before spilling 
  into a little pool, which in turn rolls off down the mountainside in a 
  swift-running rivulet. There are bushes nearby, and a few trees stand 
  quietly on the south edge of the little clearing. The rivulet tumbles south 
  through the clearing before becoming lost in the underbrush.
As the daystar sets the air turns chilly in the NewGreen evening.
Contents:
Woodhawk(#45PIOUXcemq)
Obvious exits:
Doreel's Grove  To the marshes<S>  West<W>  Trail<E>  

[Trollkiller and Fallberry emerge from the wood, and bits of webbing cling to
 Trollkiller's fur.]

Trollkiller sends, ** Can you carry him? ** to Woodhawk.

Woodhawk swears again, anxiously, and nods to Trollkiller. ** Give me the 
  archer, I'll manage! Go! **

Skywise walks from the tangle of trees and plants, some webbing hanging from 
  his clothes.
Skywise follows, knees sagging weakly, spider ichor practically covering him.

Trollkiller hands Strongbow over to Woodhawk, and sends to Skywise, ** HELP 
  HIM! ** - and then turns back towards the grove.

Fallberry flits around in anxious circles, crying out anxiously, /Where 
  shimmerhands highthing? Where yankyhair highthing?/

Skywise kneels by Strongbow.
Skywise sends to Strongbow, ** Hey archer... <weakly> Are you as bad as you look? 
  **
Woodhawk kneels, with the stargazer, by the exhausted chieftess and archer, 
  and sends intently to his mate...

Trollkiller pushes their way into the tree, unsure of what lies beyond.
Trollkiller has left.

Woodhawk sighs, exhaustedly, finally, and mutters to Skywise, "C'mon, get them 
  to the camp..." He scoops up Rillwhisper once more.

You travel downhill from the mountain, and wander between the small, gnarled 
  trees until you reach a small clearing.

Lost Marsh Camp(#1917RJ)
Ringed on all sides by short, gnarled-branched conifers, this smallish 
  clearing is noteable as a campsite only because of the ring of blackened 
  'stones' in its center. Little else here provides immediate motivation for a 
  wanderer, whether of two feet or four, to stop and rest... yet, something 
  draws attention here. Perhaps it is the almost-inaudible gurgle of water in 
  the distance, or the gentle shallows between the roots of some of the trees, 
  where a traveler might rest. Or, perhaps, the view of the Hubward mountains, 
  peeking over the tops of the trees. Whatever it is that draws creatures to 
  camp here, the packed ground around the stone-ring provides mute testimony 
  that they do.
Little Moon is a barely visible crescent as the dimming red light of sunset 
  fills the warm spring skies.
Contents:
Willowholt Camp(#6874AJae)
Obvious exits:
Mountains<N>  Marsh Trail<S>  

Woodhawk and Fallberry appear from the mountain path to the north.
Woodhawk staggers into the camp, as Dawn and Dusk hasten to meet them.
Woodhawk and Fallberry ventures into the Willowholt Camp.

Willowholt Camp(#6874AJae)
This is a small and rough-looking campsite, set up somewhere as out of the way 
  as possible, and consisting only of a few piles of sleepfurs, a tent or two, 
  and a few wolves that mill about and make sure unwelcome intruders do not 
  venture into this hidden, sheltered area.
Contents:
Fallberry(#111IMOQZp)
Ashes
Soulful-Eyed Wolf Cub
Swiftrunner(#4777Qae)
Skylark
Littlefang
You venture into the Willowholt camp.

Around the camp, Skywise appears from the mountain path to the north.
Skywise ventures into the Willowholt Camp.
Skywise falls into exhausted sleep as soon as he has made sure that Strongbow 
  is not in any further danger.

Woodhawk collapses, just before placing Rillwhisper as gently as he can in 
  furs, and gratefully accepts water from Dawn.
Woodhawk locksends, to Silversong, Trollkiller, Rainfire: ** <Tiredly> Safe. At
  camp. Come on! **

[Trollkiller charges back through the trees, and finally, re-emerges into the 
 grove.]

Spiders come out of the woods, moving towards Trollkiller.

Lira pulls at the wrapstuffed form, making for the hole as best she and Lir can. All
  the while. "Have to help Master...Have to help Master"

Trollkiller looks around. ** Come on! **

Rainfire shouts over the clicking and the growing roar of the flames, "Hurry! If
  you're getting out do it now! Trollkiller! MOVE!"

Silversong heads into the dark woods where the *click* *click* *click* is coming from.

Doreel lies quietly, the faint magic still coming from the wrapstuff...

Trollkiller looks around - and runs forward to cut the wrapstuff from Doreel.
  ** You too, dammit... **

Silversong comes in from the dark woods, the *click* *click* *click* coming from there
  increasing and then fading away to normal as she gets closer.

Rainfire sends an arrow into the spider nearest Trollkiller. "Go back! I'm coming out!"

Trollkiller slices at wrapstuff.

Lir growls at Trollkiller, "Go. He Master. He protect himself and us. Go."

Trollkiller pulls a little more wrapstuff free, clearing it away from Doreel's face.
  ** Are you free enough yet? **

Rainfire looks back at Doreel and then gives an exasperated grunt toward Trollkiller, the
  wolf dancing nervously back and forth on his paws at the edge of the clearing.

Doreel is lying there, his face pale from all the intense magic he has been using, though
  it is still coming from him.

Lira glares at the Other near Master, "GO 'WAY!!! You hurt Master. You hurt Lira!! Go
  'way!! Lir and Lira save Master."

Trollkiller looks at Lir. "Can he free himself? Can you free him?"
Trollkiller locksends ** WAKE UP! FREE YOURSELF! ** to Doreel.

Lir snarls as he pulls away the wrapstuff, "Master knows. You go!"

Lira continues in her effort to get Master back to the hole. The hole safe, Master be safe
  in hole.

Doreel's face doesn't seem to change at Trollkiller's send. It is quiet, almost dead and
  drained.

Spiders are still coming into the grove.

Trollkiller swipes a few more big tears with his sword, and says, "Okay. Let's go."

[Rainfire, Trollkiller, and Silversong flee the grove.]

Trollkiller sends openly ** Is everybody out? **

The spiders break off ther chase now... smoke curls up out of the forest... What is left in
  there... Is Doreel still alive... are the helpers...?

Rainfire bursts out of the trees on wolfback, a little singed and looking somewhat ill.

Trollkiller locksends ** Are you here? ** to Silversong.

Woodhawk locksends, to Silversong, Trollkiller, Rainfire: ** <Tiredly> Safe. At camp. Come
  on! **

Rainfire nods, ** We're all out. **

Silversong is carried behind Rainfire, on his wolf's back.

Rainfire hms.
Rainfire, with Silversong riding behind him, heads south towards a cluster of small trees.

The *click* *click* *click* of the spiders fades away as the laste of the elves break out
  of the woods. Fire is everywhere...

[And meanwhile, back in the Willowholt camp....]

Around the camp, Rainfire and Silversong appear from the mountain path to the north.
Rainfire ventures into the Willowholt Camp.

Around the camp, Trollkiller appears from the mountain path to the north.
Trollkiller ventures into the Willowholt Camp.

Rainfire rides wearily into camp on his wolf's back, Silversong on the furry 
  back behind him.

Woodhawk crouches over the huddled form of Rillwhisper, and sips down water 
  from Dawn. Skywise has collapsed, next to Strongbow.

Silversong ventures into the Willowholt Camp.

Fallberry even droops, little wings slumping.

Rainfire slides off Thornclaw's back, helping Silvie down after him.

Silversong crumples down to her knees as she's helped to the ground, tears on 
  her face.

Woodhawk mutters, tiredly, "He alive, still?"

Rainfire kneels next to Silversong, ** Are you all right? **

Silversong shakes her head to Woodhawk's question. ** I don't know. I don't 
  think so... **

Trollkiller sends openly ** I ripped into the wrapstuff. **
Trollkiller sends openly ** As you were fleeing, I cut open the cocoon - got 
  through to his face... **
Trollkiller sends openly ** I also think I got an arm or two free. **

Rainfire leans forward onto his hands and then falls over onto his side as his 
  wounded arm gives out. "Oh my..." he says almost amusedly, "I can't feel my 
  arm..."

Woodhawk pants, tiredly, as Dawn and Dusk move to Trollkiller, to hug him. 
  Woodhawk sighs, too. "I'd say send, but we've probably angered him enough as 
  it is."

Trollkiller sends openly ** Lir demanded I leave, said he'd finish it. **
Trollkiller looks over at Rainfire with great alarm. ** Uh?! **
Trollkiller sends openly ** Silvie... **

Rainfire giggles softly, "At least it doesn't hurt anymore..." His face is 
  flushed as if feverish.

Silversong looks at Rainfire, frowning as she turns towards him. The reddish 
  glow of her magic comes to life as her fingers touch at his shoulder, her 
  eyes closing. ** At least I can help you... **

Trollkiller runs over and grabs Rainfire. ** Oh no, not another one... 
  Silversong...? **

Woodhawk frowns, sitting up a little, after having finished wrapping 
  Rillwhisper gently in a fur. He moves to Strongbow to settle the archer next 
  to his lifemate; Moonshade moans in her sleep and immediately rolls over, 
  burying her face against Strongbow's chest.

Rainfire lays his head against Silversong, closing his eyes as she pulls the 
  poison out of his blood.

Silversong's cheeks glisten with her tears as she works at Rainfire's blood, 
  her magic seeking the spider's poison and destroying it.

Trollkiller, seeing Rainfire in good hands, goes back to Woodhawk and 
  Rillwhisper. And Strongbow. And colapses.
Trollkiller locksends ** ? ** to Silversong.
Trollkiller locksends to Silversong, Trollkiller sends, ** What's wrong? **

Silversong lowers her hands into her lap as her task completes, the reddish 
  glow fading from them.

Rainfire gives a faint sigh and falls asleep right where he is.

Trollkiller locksends ** He's falling asleep before he could do it, but _I_ thank
  you... ** to Silversong.

Silversong locksends ** At least I could help someone. ** to Trollkiller.

Trollkiller locksends ** You can't help those who don't want to be helped... not much,
  anyway... and certainly not under circumstances like _that_! ** to Silversong.

Trollkiller senses in a locksend, Silversong sends in reply, ** A healer does not cause
  pain... What, then, am I? **

Trollkiller locksends ** A healer, still - that needs snugging in a really big
  way... ** to Silversong.
Trollkiller locksends ** Sometimes healing requires pain. Having a bone set hurts a _lot_.
  Giving birth - bringing _new_ life - hurts a lot, too. Both are good. ** to Silversong.

Silversong shakes her head to Trollkiller, lying out on the ground. Ashes, worried for her
  elf, nuzzles her muzzle at Silversong.

You locksend ** C'mere... ** to Silversong.
Trollkiller stands up, trundles over to Silversong, and snugs up beside her.
You locksend ** So there. ** to Silversong.
Trollkiller pets Silversong gently - just fingertips, just brushes.

Silversong, under Trollkiller's touch, and with her as being as worn out as she
  is, rapidly falls asleep.

As the party collapses, Dawn and Dusk solemnly bring water to everyone that 
  needs it... and settle down, to keep watch, till all are once more strong 
  enough to move.

[End log.]