Log Date: 9/8/96 Log Cast: Cutter Strongbow Skywise Ynderra Yun Dewshine Kai Blaze Myriel Log Intro: LostHolt council called by Cutter to inform them of the problems that have been brought to Lostholt. Cutter announces his plans to go with Leetah to the Palace of the High Ones as she attempts to heal a young GoBack's (Skef) crippled arm. He put the problems of Willowholt's never-ending Newgreen before the council as well as the problem of how to help the wolfriders at Wolfhaven whose holt was destroyed by a groundshake. Strongbow is placed in charge during Cutter's absence and then the discussion turned to what to do about the two holts in trouble. [NOTE: Thig log was compiled from logs taken by both Ynderra and Blaze.] ---------- In a send to the whole tribe, Cutter sends, mingled determination and hesitation. ** We have things to discuss, tribe. Important things. We meet in the clearing, by the Father Tree. Please. ** You walk back out of the Father Tree. Base of the Lost Holt Father Tree(#765RJ) A dense grove of grotesquely shaped trees dominated by one immense Grandfather of a tree whose age is no less great than its size. It is obvious that the old tree has survived a terrible tragedy but new growth and thick strong branches cover the worst of the scars left by the terrible blaze. Weeds and night blooming wildflowers grow in natural disorder around the trees roots. Like old friends, the gnarled trees embrace one another, their many branches entwining to form a dense canopy high above the ground, serving to keep the ground cool from the summer heat. All is quiet in the heat of the summers day, as elves and wolves both keep to the cool shadows to sleep. Contents: Strongbow SafeRunner Calmwind(#7032Jopq) Obvious exits: Into the Tree Around the Tree Clearing Skywise walks around from behind the Father Tree. Skywise has arrived. Ynderra pops out of the tree, looking about earnestly. Yun walks around from behind the Father Tree. Yun has arrived. Dewshine walks out of the Father Tree. Dewshine has arrived. Skywise gives a small nod and a grin to both elves before continuing to the clearing. Kai walks out of the Father Tree. Kai has arrived. You walk away from the tree, back into the clearing that marks the entrance to the Lost Holt. Lost Holt Clearing The land of the Abode surrounds you. Here is where the elves of Lost Holt Gather for tribe councils, howls and receiving visitors from other tribes. This large clearing is fringed by slender saplings that have sprung up after the fire so many turns ago. The ground is packed in tightly and covered with twigs and some fallen branches. In the center there lies a stone ring. It lies unlit now and filled with rocks and leaves as the silky summertime heat brings warmth to the holt. There are many roots to sit on as well as one particularly large branch that may serve to seat more than a few elves. Off to the north you see the massive Father Tree, home to many of the elves of Lost Holt. All is quiet in the heat of the summers day, as elves and wolves both keep to the cool shadows to sleep. Contents: Cutter Denning Tree Obvious exits: Path Hill Approach to the Father Tree Blaze A toddler that's clearly good at toddling, this cub has almost grown out of his infant chubbiness. With skin slightly more golden than the average wolfrider, his sprout of black wavy hair covers all but the tips of his ears. Curiousity lights his sky-blue eyes just a childish grin brightens his small features. The cub is dress warmly against Winter's chill in a fur lined jumpsuit and tiny fur hat. His tiny hands are mittened but the strings attached to each shows that the cub is quite capable of taking them off. Dewshine Short wavy hair, bright yellow, tops this maiden's frame, with long delicate eartips, peeking out of the mass of hair. Her gentle blue eyes smile softly at you, ringed by delicate lashes. She wears a dark brown shirt, tied up the front with leather lacings. The arms are made of a lighter brown material, almost tight, and the collor is rimmed with tuffs of white fure, resembling nothing so much as feathers. Her skirt is of the same dark brown, starting low on her waist, baring her stomache, and delibratly looking torn and raggity. Long leather boots cover her feet, with a long brightmetal knife strapped to her leg, reaching from her ankle, with the pommel ending just below her knee. She senses your presense, and turns to you, her rosebud lips smiling softly at you. Carrying: Bright-Metal Knife She wears a thick cloak of fur from her wolf, Trollkiller, wrapped about her shoulders and falling down her back to keep warm in the cold whitecold. Yun Yun is a pretty young Goback. Her light blonde hair seems to always be mussed, and her bangs fall in her eyes constantly. Grey eyes that sparkle like the stars meet your gaze and hold it briefly before looking dreamy again. She smiles softly and often gazes at the stars, lost in them. Her hair is short and falls to just past her shoulders. Her skin had taken on an almost golden glow as her time is spent outside and in the sun lately, though she is still very pale. She is dressed in snug fitting leather of muted yellow and tan. Her hair is tied back with a yellow headband, keeping the shaggy locks from falling into her eyes. Yun is wearing a necklace of some dark rock. To look at it more closely, type +detail Yun's necklace. Strongbow Deep brown, steady eyes gaze uncompromisingly out from under a knotted band of spotted leather, missing no detail, crediting nothing with more weight than its worth. Tall amongst the Wolfriders, but never towering, Strongbow's stance is wholly that of the hunter. His deep brown hair shines with highlights of red, and, in moonlight, even violet, falling shaggy over his brow and back over the leather band about his head. His long, chiseled face is lengthened and lined further by a sharp line of brown facefur from ear to chin and peaked up at either side of his mouth. Slung over one shoulder, the arc of his bow mismatches the chiseled lines of his face, torso, and legs. Strongbow wears a split-front tunic of forest green leather, accented in dun and lighter green, blending well into forest shadow. A narrow brown belt cinches the tunic about his waist and is echoed by a sling that holds his quiver over his back. High, soft boots cover his long legs up to midthigh, not meeting the bottom of his tunic by a full handspan. He wears a leather bracer on his bow arm and no other adornments. Carrying: Kindle Skywise Skywise's face, for all its youth and warm, friendly calm, is tale to knowledge unknown to all but himself and the HighOnes. But in the Now of Wolf Thought, he is given to life's excitements and adventures as are all his kin. A wide, sly grin often plays about his face, his wide, full cheeks glowing merrily, half hiding his deep, sparkling silver eyes, pools of great depth. Skywise's silver mane of silken hair is held back by a bright-metal faceguard, which curves about his forhead and down either side of his handsome face, to end at the gentle curve of his jawline. Skywise's clothes, like his demeanor, are smooth, and subtle in detail. A sleevless vest of deep blue, to match his supple calf-high boots, covers his chest, left open in the front to expose his firm stomach and toned chest, as well as lean, bare arms, to his wrists, each encircled with brightmetal bracers. Night-sky grey pants tuck into his boot tops, and match his vest like the sky behind stars. About Skywise's neck is worn an odd necklace, a seemingly natural stone of oblong shape, no larger than a finger, and laced through with a thread of braided hair, of all hues and colours. Carrying: lodestone Sword Cutter While not very very tall, at an even 4' in height, Cutter is still a presence to be reckoned with, mostly by virtue of the way he carries himself, and an almost-cocky air of self-confidence that surrounds him. His hair has grown shaggy, still it's pale plainsgrass shade, the top layers pulled back into a wild lock of mane that signifies he is the chief of the LostHolt. Sharp crystal blue eyes take in everything with their keen vision, but his snub up-turned nose belies the trace of the rascal in him. Around his neck is a thick beaten gold collar, and a smaller band rests around the muscles of his upper left arm. He wears no vest in the hottime heat, and his breeches are low-slung, dark in color, well-fitted to muscular legs, and well-worn. His dagger, NewMoon, won from the trolls hands of eights of Turns ago, rests at his left side, never far from his reach. He smiles crookedly, and gives you a nod, before going on his way. Skywise walks over from the Father Tree. Skywise has arrived. Yun walks over from the Father Tree. Yun has arrived. Strongbow walks over from the Father Tree. Strongbow has arrived. Kai walks over from the Father Tree. Kai has arrived. Dewshine walks over from the Father Tree. Dewshine has arrived. Ynderra comes skipping down the path ith the others, looking alert and interested, though lingering as her mate comes after her. She smiles to Kai, and looks about for little Blaze as well. Skywise offers Cutter a smile before finding himself a seat on a nearby log. Strongbow slips in with a glittering, dark look at his chief and an unworded greeting, sent on the heels of a nod. He finds a bare log where he might sit, but does not do so, merely adjusting his bow on his shoulder. Yun mutters something about Whtiepaws and briars, trying to hide the curiosity in her eyes. Blaze walks over from the Father Tree. Blaze has arrived. Cutter paces, rather than having chosen a seat already. Turning to watch elves come in from every direction, he smiles a bit, nodding now and again. Blaze toddles into the clearing and quickly over to his mother, waving happily at everyone, "Hi! Hi Strongbow! Hi!" Ynderra giggles gently at her cubling and plops down in her favorite spot between a maple tree's roots. Dewshine slips in and smiles at Cutter, looking around for Scouter. Strongbow sends a gentle greeting to the cub, eyes a bit less sharp for a moment before returning to the regard of his chief. Skywise chuckles. "H'lo cub. Here to help us make big important decisions, eh?" Kai follows Ynd, moving in behind her. Ynderra reaches up to clasp Kai's hand. Yun finds a seat and begins messing with the ties to her belt pouch. She shakes her puff of hair out of her eyes. Blaze nodnods, "Uh-huh!" Dewshine chuckles at the cub, and sits down. Kai kisses the top of Ynderra's head, and grins at Blaze. Blaze smiles at his parents, "I kin help, can't I?" Ynderra assures Blaze fondly, "You sure can, cubling...!" Cutter can't help but smile at Blaze, and answers, "Of course you can help, cub. Everyone will have to help." Gaze shifting from cub to each member of the tribe, he draws a breath, and stops his pacing, to stand still a moment. "We have many things to discuss, my tribe, and not much time to discuss them in." A glance at Strongbow. "Lostholt is being asked for help, from many places, all at once." The archer's gaze slips away, darkly. Yun wraps her arms around her knees, leaving her belt pouch alone for the moment. Ynderra settles down, and becomes somber of gaze as she fixes her attention on their chieftain. Dewshine watches, quiet, as Cutter speaks.. Skywise watches with impatient curiousity. Strongbow looks back at his chief with a raised brow, but his expression is one of appreciation. Myriel walks over from the Father Tree. Myriel has arrived. Myriel sneaks up and tickles her sister from behind. Cutter's gaze returns to the assembly. "For three Turns, the Willowholt has been locked in newgreen. Even when there are snows and rains, and the leaves change, the plants bloom there. Their wolves do not mate, or have new litters." He pauses, to let this sink in. Myriel A thick mane of firey red hair frames this young she-elf's face. Long, gently curling bangs hang in her face, dispite the braid and leather headband worn in an attempt to keep it back. Lupine grey eyes peer back at you, sparkling with mischief and joy, brought out even more by her smile. She is rather tall for a wolfrider, and has traded some of her willowy figure for a bit of curve. She is clad in a form-fitting tunic of soft, storm grey leather that falls off one shoulder, and ends about mid-thigh. Under that are pants colored a darkest berry red, which match her belt and the trim around her collar, and meet her knee-high boots. Carrying: Throwing Knife Quiver of Arrows Small Bow Myriel then settles to listen. Yun shudders. "Bad magic?" She touches the ground nervously. Dewshine blinks.... Ynderra glances up at her twin and smiles crookedly, then looks back at Cutter intently. Strongbow told her about this! She offers plaintively, "It's because Sweetleaf died, I think." Strongbow nods once in affirmation. Yun mutters something else very low under her breath. Skywise bites his lip a little. "Huh. Never thought of that. I was telling Dewshine the other day how I thought Willowholt must be lucky, to always be in Newgreen..." Kai offerers his own comment, but it too is muttered under his breath. Kai senses "Ynderra tightens her grip on your hand, worriedly." Blaze asks quietly, "No snow?" Dewshine nods and asks, "Has Redlance heard?" Strongbow shakes his head. ** Maybe, but it doesn't stop the trees from budding. ** Myriel sends openly ** Must be a very... Interesting... place, right now. ** Cutter shakes his head then. "So it's not bad magic. Just.. magic, and too much of it. Also.. Talek, who stayed with us for awhile, is.." He trails off, looking for words, and finding nothing better, offers with a shrug, "mindsick. In need of healing. Which would be no concern with Silversong in the Willowholt." You knew there was a catch. "But Silversong, too, is sick, and can't heal him." Kai offers quietly. "Maybe they're all sick?" Ynderra chews on her lip, and looks up anxiously at her lifemate. She hadn't thought of that.... Ynderra then flicks her blue gaze to Strongbow -- he'd know, right? Skywise turns this over in his mind. "So Willowholt needs wolves, trees, and healers? What /isn't/ wrong in that tribe?" Yun also looks at Strongbow, a lock of hair predictably getting in her eyes as she does. Strongbow shakes his head, closing his eyes for a moment. ** I don't think _all._ ** Strongbow locksends ** ** Kai says "The elves in the jungle are all somewhat sick, in the head.. but then, they used to be friendly with the Mountain." Ynderra continues that lip-nibble, studying Strongbow searchingly. But the healer-maid is quiet. The archer's eyes open and narrow in a slow wince. He nods to Kai, contemplative. Cutter shakes his head again. "We don't know what else might be wrong there, Skywise. But it's clear that they need help. For that reason," he begins, then trails off momentarily, to glance at Kai. He looks as if he might comment, then simply goes on. "We will offer whatever help we can give." Another pause. "Some of you remember Viresse, I think. The Glider who visits with us, now and again. She has come back, with word from Wolfhaven." Blaze glances from his mother to Stronbow and then back to his mother again. He blinks a few times before hugging his mother fiercly, she seemed like she needs one. Ynderra blinks, then wraps her dainty arms around her little cub, reciprocating the embrace. You locksend ** All of this... ... were what I wanted to talk to you about... ** to Kai. Cutter continues: "There was another groundshake, and the Wolfhaven has been.. destroyed, from what she says. The trees were hurt, at least." Yun blinks in surprise. "Another one?" Ynderra draws in a sharp, startled breath -- less surprise at the news than at the reminder. She keeps hugging Blaze, while watching and listening to Cutter over the little one's tousled black mop. Dewshine nods... eyes concerned as she listens... Skywise rests his chin in his hands, elbows to his knees. "This is a bad time for trees, I think. Was anyone injured during the groundquake?" Cutter yet again shakes his head. "We don't know. I'm.. not sure whether they need healers or.. what? But Viresse seems to think they'll need our help, somehow." Another look around the tribe's faces, and he draws a very deep breath, speaking again. "the Go-Back cub, Skef, who has been here some seasons, needs more healing than Leetah can give him. She intends to take him to the Palace, to see if she can fix his arm. She leaves as soon as she has gathered the last of her things." Another glance at Strongbow. "I am going with her." Ynderra squeaks. _That_ she didn't know about before. Skywise clenches his jaw a little at this, but says nothing. Strongbow nods once to his chief, eyes closing and opening again as he looks up. Dewshine blinks.... "Alone?" she asks Yun blinks again. "Um...all right. With all this going on?" Blaze glances at his mother, "Dart talked 'bout it. You shoulda asked, Mama." Kai offers again, this time probably only loud enough for those rather close to him to hear. "We'll keep the holt safe." Ynderra mumbles meekly, "Dart's sort of mad at me, cubling." Blaze asks, "He make the Strongbow face at you?" Though his expression doesn't change, the archer locksends a stark sympathy. ** He'll come around. ** Strongbow arches a brow at that, though, and looks down at Blaze. ** Indeed. ** Cutter nods, once. "Alone. Leetah and the cub and I will go." He glances from Skywise, to Strongbow, then back to Dewshine, jaw set almost stubbornly now. "The cub means to go to Winnowill, if Leetah can't fix him. So she'll try, and that's that." Yun says "Who had the raising of THAT fawn?" Ynderra blinkblinks. Strongbow face? She stifles a giggle, still mostly serious. She grins briefly at the archer and then blinks, aghast, at Cutter. Yun looks slightly repelled. Kai says "There's another healer in Sorrow's End, isn't there? He came to the jungle to heal someone.. some of my old tribe went to go find him and bring him back. He healed a blind elf." Yun is the next to get the chieftain's gaze. "I know that this has all happened at once. If I could change that, I would. But it's happened, and we'll make do, the way we always do." Another pause, and he squares his shoulders. "Strongbow will be chieftain in my place, until we're back." Blaze tugs at Ynderra's sleeve, "Did he?" He gives his best impression of Strongbow's scowl. The archer nods again to his chief, silent. Yun mutters "Maybe Ekuar can talk sense into that fawn. One thing Ekuar taught us, you don't need four good limbs to be happy and even useful." Her tone is rebellious..not against Cutter, but against the whole idea. Dewshine looks concerned at Cutter, and starts to open her mouth, then closes it... Ynderra nods anxiously to Cutter's orders, piping in agreement to Kai, "Delenbae's in Sorrow's End. He's alright, and he's got a lot of power, maybe he can help Leetah with Skef...?" She trails off at Blaze's tug and diverts her attention to him. She then giggles, and murmurs, "Yes, sweet one, he did...!" Blaze giggles. Yun rises and leans against her tree. "I guess your mind's made up and you'll dig in like a balky elk if we don't like it, huh?" She half-grins at Cutter. Skywise folds his arms, attention returning to his daughter's words. Cutter nods as well. "Mender's there too. But Leetah wants to go to the Palace." A half smile. "So, we're going to the Palace. We won't be gone long, I promise." Yet another glance at Strongbow, and this time, he says, with open amusement, "Who knows what Strongbow will do while we're gone." He's teasing. Strongbow points out, unamused, ** He _should_ go with her. ** Shrug. Dewshine shakes her head... she just doesn't like the idea of them going alone... Cutter's amusement vanishes quickly, and he looks at Skywise, eyebrows lifting a little. Yun is answered distractedly, "Just like the stubbornest elk you've ever seen." Kai decides to be brave. "We could let Moonshade turn him over her knee if he gets out of hand?" Ynderra grins a bit, then suggests, "Maybe they could take one of the bugs with them, you know, and they could send it back if they have problems?" Ynderra then abruptly bursts into giggles and stares incredulously at her mate. Dewshine giggles at that.... Myriel giggles. Yun laughs openly at Kai's comment, then nods to Ynderra. "Good idea." Strongbow gives Kai a -look-. Myriel giggles even more. Dewshine grins at Ynderra's suggestion... "Shall we ask it if it would sing for Rayek then?" Ynderra's eyes go round at Dewshine, and she giggles some more, then mutters, "Rayek needed cheering up, last I checked...!" Dewshine grins at Ynderra... Cutter tries not to grin. Valieantly. He fails. For a moment anyway. The grin, again, disappears, though, at Dewshine's comment. The chieftain might give the archer a run for his money at being taciturn, at this rate. "We'll be fine. The bugs can stay here." Yun says "What else is eating on you, Cutter? You look like this council is worse for you than stumbling into a blackfly swarm." Skywise hasn't met Cutter's gaze yet. He toys with the lodestone, glancing up once at Yun's comment. Ynderra looks between Yun and Cutter, brow furrowed now, as she waits to see what else Cutter has to say. Cutter says "The timing's just all wrong, Yun. I'm not eager to leave the holt, when there's so much that needs doing." The archer looks from Skywise to Cutter, raising a significant brow at the latter. Yun says "Well, then we'd best decide what to do about Willowholt and Wolfhaven. I guess since Leetah's going, that leaves Ynderra to go to both places? Assuming they have wounded at Wolfhaven still." Ynderra looks round from a brief quiet look at her mate, and says softly, "Kai heals, too..." Suddenly impulsively, she goes on, "I mean, he's been here for turns and turns now, he counts as part of the tribe now, doesn't he?" Ynderra's grip on her mate's hand turns fierce. Kai shakes his head, rising to his full height. "Not Wolfhaven.. not if the holt's destroyed. If it's true, they'll be wild, desperate. I'll not have my mate and cub go somewhere that the elves might attack us for no reason." Blaze nods, "Daddy makes sparkles too!" ** Then if we must send one to Wolfhaven, it will be you, Kai. ** The archer looks at Kai, then Ynderra, then Cutter. ** Ynderra heals trees as well, and I would have her go to Willowholt. ** Cutter nods, once. "They'd be glad to see you, I think, Ynderra." He looks to Kai, then. "And Wolfhaven would be glad of your help." Kai looks to the archer. "I'll follow here wherever she goes. Wouldn't you do the same for Moonshade, if you could?" ** And we don't know yet if we need to send help to Wolfhaven. I believe we wait on word from Viresse. ** The archer nods to Ynderra. Yun thinks. "Look, if they had a groundshake that destroyed their homes..the wounded will either be getting better or won't be. They'll need other things more." Strongbow fixes his gaze on Kai. ** And for your tribe? ** Yun keeps going, determined to finish her thought. "Like herbs, furs, sinews, maybe help hunting or even meat. Magic isn't the only way to heal." Kai shrugs. "Besides. it's silly to trek all the way there without knowing if we can help or not. It's a long way.. and what could I do anyway? Come back and ask for Leetah to go back to heal the wounded? If they have wounded now, by the time I get there, they'll be healed or dead. I can't do much more than make them feel better anyway." Yun nods agreement to Kai. Cutter asks, "Are you volunteering, Yun?" Ynderra blinkblinkblinks between Kai and Strongbow and Cutter, not really liking the idea of being separated from her mate. Then she finally suggests, mostly to him, "Um, well... Strongbow can send all the way to Willowholt, right? Maybe we could go there, and if Viresse says they need healers there, we could go on from Willowholt?" Ynderra finishes, "I _do_ want to go to Willowholt." Her voice drops. "I feel bad about Sweetleaf." Strongbow looks from Kai to Yun. ** I would say that -this- holt needs a healer. But if Yun is volunteering... ** His gaze flicks to Cutter. Yun blinks. "Me? If everyone wants me to go, I will. Long as someone who knows the trail goes with me. I won't go to Willowholt, though." Yun says "I won't play around in magic going bad. Sorry. I know how you feel about Rillwhisper, Strongbow, but that's what my gut says is going on." The archer holds up a hand. ** Too many thoughts. ** He looks to Cutter. ** I would send Ynderra and Kai, then. And keep Yun here. ** Kai mutters. "It's much safer than that other holt." Blaze tugs on his mother's sleeve, "Mama..." Ynderra bites her lip at the mention of Rillwhisper to the archer. Then blinks down at Blaze. Blaze says "Dart said that the jac--jackwolfriders could help Woofhaven..." Strongbow nods to the cub. ** Indeed, we don't know yet if Wolfhaven indeed needs our help. ** Blaze seems puzzled about the differences between a wolfrider and a jackwolfrider but he continues, "If somebody told em.." Ynderra blinks and stares at her cubling as he chatters, then hugs him proudly. "Thank you, Blaze!" Skywise blinks at a locksending.. then slowly nods. Silver eyes lighting a shade, he looks at Cutter and a quiet smile lifts the corners of his mouth, just slightly. Yun frowns a little, gnawing her lip. "So we're sending a fawn into bad magic?" Strongbow shoots Yun a look, then looks down at Blaze. Skywise gives an almost exasperated sigh. "No, cub. Cutter's already said it's /not/ bad magic. Just... a lot of magic." The archer exhales quietly, somewhat exasperated. Kai says "Better bad magic than a holt of elves desperate enough to act like they're foamsick." Blaze blinks, "I like sparkles, what's bad about them?" Yun says "For now. It's got my neck hair up, though. All right." Yun shakes her head, and mutters something else low. Ynderra looks at Blaze herself, then up at Kai, then straightens. Her eyes glint, almost lupinely, she-wolf-protectively. "I've got a LOT of magic. I can protect my mate and cub. And besides, Blaze has a grandsire at Willowholt." Skywise grumbles softly, "To you, Yun, all magic's bad magic." Skywise flashes her a grin to show he's teasing. Yun says "You know better than that, Skywise. If it was, I sure wouldn't live here!" Yun grins right back. Ynderra then looks from Kai to Blaze and back again, and sends to her mate, privately. Strongbow watches the shaper maiden and her healer mate critically, but keeps his thoughts to himself. Ynderra nods softly to Kai then leans over and murmurs to her cubling, "Blazelet, do you want to go to Willowholt with your Papa and me, or would you like to help Strongbow guard the Holt?" Dewshine listens... Blaze blinks, "I gotta choose?" Yun crosses her arms, watching the fawn. She shoots her father a grin. Skywise sits up a little. Hard choice for one so young... He grins and nods at a sending from Yun. Ynderra beeps the cub's nose and says gently, trying to sound encouraging, "We don't want to make you do something you won't like, right Kai?" Yun mutters very softly "If he's at all like his dam, he'd follow anyway..." Blaze bites his lower lip thoughtfully, glancing from his parents to Strongbow. "Who'm I gonna stay with?" Kai nods. "'course not." Strongbow looks down at Blaze again. ** Who do you want to stay with? ** Blaze whimpers softly, "I don know?" Kai looks to Blaze. "Well, if you come to Willowholt, you can see my sire... Crystal." Ynderra hugs Blaze softly. "You can stay right with me and Papa, but we have to go to Willowholt, kitling. Do you want to come with us? If you don't, then Strongbow and Moonshade will take care of you, we promise." Strongbow nods. Blaze glances at his sire, "I don't wanna go anywhere, Daddy. Can't they come 'ere instead?" Dewshine chuckles softly, watching... Kai says "I'm afraid they can't, little one. I wish they could." Blaze give both parents a long look before he says, "Promise you'll come right back?" Yun looks at Cutter and Strongbow. "Let me know what you need me to do. I'll do it." Kai says "We promise." Ynderra nuzzles the top of Blaze's head. ** We promise we'll come back as quickly as we can. ** Yun pushes herself away from the tree. "In the meantime, I'm going hunting. The travelers will need something to eat along the way." She grins. "If they're going to be going as quickly as they can, they won't have time to hunt along the trail." Cutter says "You'll be told, Yun. Good hunting." Blaze nods and does his best to be grownup, "Okay, I tell you _everything_ you miss.." Yun shoots Cutter a grin, mutters something about the way to deal with balky elk, and heads away. Yun walks toward the Father Tree. Strongbow looks from Blaze to Kai to Cutter. Kai nods to Blaze. "Allright." Cutter pads over, to sit shoulder to shoulder, with Skywise. Strongbow scowls at Cutter, though some of his expression is bemused. Blaze offeres a tenative smile to Strongbow, "I can guard good, an I promise I won't be lots of trouble." Oddly enough, a tiny bit of the smile is returned, touching the archer's eyes and the corners of his mouth. ** I'm glad you're staying, ** he manages, with a nod. Blaze jumps up and grins, "I'm gonna go find my spear!" The cub runs off towards the Father Tree, finding his toy. ============================================================================ End Summary: In the End, Strongbow's running the tribe in Cutter's absence, nothing has been determined about the folks at Wolfhaven, but Ynderra and Kai are headed for Willowholt to help with the problems there. Little Blaze will be staying with Strongbow and Moonshade (?) while his parents are away from the holt and has himself promised to behave. Blaze brought up the fact that Dart has offered his jackwolfrider's assistance but since the chieftain had gone after Trouble a few days before the council, neither he nor the huntress were in the holt at the time. Some suggestion of the healers in Sorrow's End were made but no one volunteered to head to the village and notify them of the circumstances in either Willowholt or Wolfhaven. Whether anyone goes to find Dart, finds someone to go to the village, or Cutter and Leetah themself take word to the oasis in the desert. ============================================================================ OOC comments: None on the RP, some on the plot development. Viresse should have gone to Sorrow's End with the Wolfhaven stuff, however since it was dumped in Lostholt's lap... Kai and Ynderra going off to Willowholt will likely make for a very sad Blaze but he'll get over with it especially if he gets to hang around with his favorite people while they're gone.