Log Date: 5/20/96 Log Cast: Residents of Sorrow's End -- Dart, Eagle, Gentlerock, Shannet Visitors to the village -- Trouble, DarkTruth, Startoucher Log Intro: During her visit to the Sun Village, Trouble has not been faring well. The climate is very unlike what she's used to in the cool woods of the north, and although the hot light of the Daystar makes her miserable, she is nevertheless determined to tough it out, to prove to Dart and the rest of the jack-wolf riders that she can handle whatever the desert wishes to throw at her. But unfortunately for the young huntress, she's more sensitive to the harsh sunlight than she'd like to admit, and within days, she finds herself sunburned, sunsick, and miserable.... ---------- Campfire Ledge A wide level ledge atop a hill covered with tumbled boulders. Here the wolfriders come to meet, for Howls and Storytelling alike. Under the open sky, they can see the stars and gather around the campfire. The brightness of noon fills the cool autumn skies. Contents: JackalTooth Obvious exits: Boundary path Dart climbs up the path from the Boundary Path below. Trouble sits huddled off on one of the rocks, arms wrapped around herself. Dart climbs up onto the campfire ledge and takes a look around. "Trouble?" he asks, his voice laden with concern. "Are you okay?" Dart looks at you. Trouble startles, then looks wide-eyedly up. "Aigh...! I'm... I'm fine..." Dart smirks faintly, "Sure you are. And wolves can moew like little cats." Trouble scowls, but a trifle more vaguely than usual, and slumps her head down over her knees. "I'm alright," she mumbles roughly. Dart nods, "Well Startoucher's still around if you want him to take care of your sunburns. You wouldn't be the first to get red skinned while visiting." Trouble doesn't look up, though she curls her upper lip a little at the mention of the healer. An odd frown crosses her face, though, too. "Sunburn," she mutters. "right..." Dart frowns, "You'll get used to it before you go back to LostHolt." Trouble's voice is still low and listless as she mutters, "Thought I would by now... too cursed hot... puckernuts..." Dart shrugs, "Why don't you ask one of the villagers for some lighter clothes, Leathers are too warm to wear around during the day. They're fine for hunting after dark though." Trouble mumbles, "... want to be trouble..." Dart rolls his eyes, "You won't be any trouble to anyone, but if you pass out from the heat you'll be lots of trouble then." Trouble still doesn't look up. "Go back, then... bad idea anyway... not like I'm much good..." Dart says "What do you mean by that? It takes time to get used to living here in the village. You've just got to get used to the way of life here." Dart says "I wouldn't have asked you to come here if I didn't think you'd help." Trouble droops, just a hint, and then giggles, utterly incongruously. "Don't think I'm doing very well!" she proclaims, suddenly much more loudly, and lifts her head to blink scatteredly at you. She adds vaguely, "It's very hot..." Dart russhes over to you, "Trouble, I think you need to get out of the sun, and definatly need to see Startoucher and soon!" Trouble frowns at you, and for the first time looks visibly worried. "I don't _want_ to be trouble," she protests, but not very forcefully. Closer to her, now, you can see her eyes glittering slightly, febrile; her skin is still quite reddened, for all the days she's been in Sorrow's End. In fact, tiny blisters can be noted along her jawline. Dart snorts, "Too late for that." Trouble's eyes darken, and she tries for a rather more irritated scowl. "Go home then," she mutters, and shifts herself to press her hands against the rock, to push herself up. Dart helps you stand, curiously only offering his left arm for support, "You're going down into the caves where it's cool and staying there til I can find Startoucher." Dart Tanned by many turns in the hot desert sun, Dart's skin resembles that of the Sun Folk he protects. His auburn hair hangs down in waves to the middle of his slender back. Whipcord thin, like his father, his muscles bunch and move with each movement, like a true hunter. His face is merry, a smile frequently touching his lips. His eyes are always alight with the wonder and glory of life. His boots, loincloth, necklace and headband are all a uniform brilliant green, with the occational rectangle of orange. His arrow-whip is carried at his waist. Carrying: A medium sized tent(#9275JLaeh) Wooden Pendant Arrow-whip Dart's right hand is hooked onto his belt and it doesn't appear to be anything wrong with it. "Come on." Trouble wobbles on her feet, then bats at you feebly. "Don't want to. Trouble to everybody, don't want to be trouble, don't wanna..." But she doesn't appear to have much energy, and although she resists, she can be tugged. Wincing at your grip on her reddened arm, she stumbles recalcitrantly after you. "Too late for that," scowls Dart. "You're more stubborn than Strongbow. You'll never be any trouble to anyone here." He leads you down the path towards the wolfrider caves. Dart starts the climb down to the village. [Dart hauls Trouble off to...] Wolfrider Cave(#683RALh) A long, narrow cavern with small cracks and niches along its interior, guarding other small dens. Piles of fur and a few mattresses lie about, the kind used by the Sun Folk. The chamber could easily sleep twenty, or more. During the day, the room is nearly empty as long as the weather permits. At night the cavern is filled with the sounds of talking and sleeping elves. It is always dark in here, and cool. Contents: Dart NightEyes's Tent(#4523Aehs) Obvious exits: Puffyleaf's Cave Eagle's Cave Dart's Cave Out Trouble, with some effort, totters after you, though she keeps trying to pull herself out of your grasp. Dart release your arm, "Sit down and relax, I'll get you some watter and see if anyone's got some burn soother." Trouble, released, stumbles back awkwardly. Then scowls, or at least starts to; it shifts into a wince, and then to a pained half-frown as she slumps along a shaded rock wall. Dart shouts towards a cavemouth high up in the cave, "Eagle, you up there?" Trouble curls up against the wall, and clamps her eyes closed. Eagle scambles out of his cave and jumps to the cave floor, "Yeah, I'm here. What do you need?" Dart says "I need you to keep an eye on Trouble so I can go find some burn soother and water." Eagle says "I've got some salve, I still get burned every now and then when I fall asleep in the garden." Trouble peers up blearily from under her shaggy bangs, and starts to stir, looking agitated, eyeing Eagle warily. Dart nods, "Well I'll go get the water, just keep her here until I get back." Dart leaves the cave. Eagle's mouth tugs at the corners as he tries not to smile, "Daystar gave you a good burn, eh?" "So what?" The question comes out of Trouble ragged and miserable in tone. Eagle says "Well you should've been more careful, it's not the woods ya know." Dart clambers into the Wolfrider Cave. Trouble's mouth tightens, and her closed eyes do, as well. She doesn't answer Eagle's observation, but rather, just huddles there, shivering. Dart walks back in carrying a bucket full of water, there's a small bundle of clothes under one arm. He sets the bucket down near Trouble and tosses the bundle to her. "Just a dres that you can wear until I can find some decent hunting clothes for you." Eagle smirks softly, "Where'd you get the dress, Dart?" Trouble lifts her head weakly. "DRESS?!" she barks. Dart says "Yes a dress, Ahdri doesn't have anything but dresses." Eagle rolls his eyes, "You're in the village now, Trouble. That's for sure." Eagle heads towards Eagle's Cave Eagle returns carrying a medium-sized jar, he sets it down next to the bucket. "There's the salve, it won't mess up your dress." he chuckles. Trouble scowls. "Can't hunt in a dress." She eyes the bundle as if Dart's just tossed a stingtail into her lap, and to Eagle's laugh, she scowls more darkly. "Like it so much, you wear it..." Dart nods, "I know you can't hunt in a dress, but you're not gonna hunt until you have Startoucher take a look at your burns. I'll get you some better clothes once you're better." Eagle grins, "Sorry it the wrong color for me, doesn't match my eyes." Trouble, still shivering, huddles into a smaller ball by the wall. "Don' wanna wear it," she mumbles, vaguely. Dart says "Getting you to do something is like argueing with Strongbow, next to impossible." Trouble mumbles rather more vaguely, "He c'n wear it..." Dart scowls, "You're going to wear it until you can get fitted for some lighter hunting clothes, even if I've got to pin you down and make you wear it." Eagle laughs loudly, "As much as I want to see that, I think I'll go take a bath or something." Eagle leaves the cave. Trouble jerks her head up and glares muzzily at the older Wolfrider. "Rather go naked!" she growls. Dart growls, "Look, if you get any sicker Cutter will have both our hides for it. I promised him and a few others that I'd make sure you didn't get into any trouble here. I'm not gonna break those promises. Trouble grabs the bundle and hurls it at you, hollering hoarsely, "NOT GONNA WEAR A DRESS!" Dart ducks to the side to avoid the flying ball of fabric. "Well then you can just curl up into a ball and rots for all I care. I'm not the one that's gonna get sicker." he say softly, regaining his calm. Trouble shrieks, "FINE!" Or something that sounds vaguely like it, at any rate, as she forces herself to stagger to her feet, clearly intent on escaping the shelter of the cave. Dart shakes his head, "The more you act like you are now, the more people are gonna think your name fits you." Trouble, with that, gives an incoherent, choked kind of howl, then throws herself past you, and out. You leave the cave. Boundary Path by the Cave(#676RL) The sheltered valley gathers you close in rocky arms. The village is nestled in a hidden canyon of red-yellow sandstone and prickly cactus turned garden oasis by the precious well that brings water from the depths of the earth. The starry outlines of the Human Hunter begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the cool autumn skies. Some wolves move near the wolfrider caves to the west. Obvious exits: Suntop's House Ranvish's House Lyris and Stardreamer's House Boundary Path Lookout Ridge South BoundaryPath Wolfrider Cave Crossroads Dart leaves the visitor's cave. Dart follows behind you, walking calmly out of the cave. Trouble staggers determinedly down towards the path, nearly falling once, and making strange noises that bear a suspicious resemblance to barely suppressed sobs. Dart says "You can either keep matching your cub name or step out from under it and earn your adult name." Trouble, head ducked towards the path, stubbornly ignores the hunter giving pursuit, and stumbles, as quickly as she can manage, off towards the well. The path is wide and straight here, worn by many feet on their way to and fro in the canyon. To the west are the caves where the local wolfriders dwell. To the east the crossroads and the main part of the village. Crossroad The paved pathway widens here and the circular paving blocks are set into the sandy soil in a seemingly random pattern. You can go into the nearby Visitors' Court for a temporary home, or go South to the Dancing Square. To the West the paved pathway wanders towards caves in the nearby hills. To the North the path leads past the well and out onto the desert. The starry outlines of the Human Hunter begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the cool autumn skies. Obvious exits: Winding Path Dancing Square Boundary Path Visitors' Courtyard Finally, you arrive at the crossroads. Dart enters from the west, walking the Boundary Path. Dart follows behind quietly, "You don't want to be called Trouble forever do you? Up until now I didn't think it fit you, probably still doesn't but your attitude isn't helping." Trouble whirls unsteadily around. Her eyes are damp now, hot, overbright. ** What do you care?! ** she hurls in sending, fierce but unsteady, as if she were trying to aim a mental arrow and missing. ** Leave me alone! ** Dart says "I care because I know what it's like to be held to something. You think it's been easy to be the son of Strongbow? Your aunt and mother call me 'Archer boy' and I'm turns older than them." Dart scowls, "You've got more fire in you than the Daystar but your too stubborn to even admit that you're ill. If you don't want to cause any trouble, Cub, then don't start any." Trouble snarls, ** My mother can go jump into the humans' cookfires! So can Strongbow!" And, at being labelled 'cub', she finishes in a mental shriek, ** SO CAN YOU! ** Trouble, her eyes glimmering damply, staggers off blindly. You wander North towards the Well and perhaps the desert beyond. Winding Path A gentle winding path, worn smooth by the centuries of loving occupation, meanders among the wind sculpted rock formations of the desert. Here among the guardian stones is the well that sustains the village of Sorrow's End. A sheltering tree grows here with pale leaves adorning it's wide spread branches. There is a stretch of green grass to delight the eye and the small sounds of birdsong and wind rustled leaves to sooth the spirit. The starry outlines of the Human Hunter begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the cool autumn skies. Contents: FurLicker The Well Obvious exits: Boundary Path Leave Sorrow's End Bridge Path Shadowed Canyon Crossroad You arrive from the crossroad, pausing to glance at the well and the shady tree near it. At the crossroads, Dart wanders North towards the Well and the desert beyond. Dart arrives from the crossroad. Trouble is hardly difficult to follow; her steps are growing more strengthless, for all that she's trying her best to dash headlong out of the village. Dart shouts, "I don't care how much you hate me, hate your mother, or hate your name. You have to earn an adult name for yourself. You are what your name says you are. If you think you're trouble, then you'll always be Trouble!" He stands perfectly still as his temper boild over. Trouble lurches against the well, and bellows, ** WHO IN THE NAME OF TIMMORN are you to lecture ME about cub names?!! ** Livid, face streaked in tears that twist her features in slight pain even as she weeps, she thrusts a pointing finger and rants on deliriously, ** At least you HAVE a FATHER! And a mother who CARES! You don't know ANYTHING about how I feel! ** DarkTruth approaches from the northern gateway to Sorrow's End. Dart snarls, "Fine. Go on back to LostHolt. Go back to being Trouble and keep pitying yourself. You can at least stop being Trouble someday, I'll always be Strongbow's son." DarkTruth wonders in from the direction of the Trader camp. Dart nods quietly to DarkTruth. DarkTruth glances at the two, nods and continues on her way, not wanting to interupt. DarkTruth walks toward the crossroads. At the crossroads, DarkTruth arrives from the winding path that goes by the well. Trouble, still sobbing, whirls and staggers away. You wander down a winding path, towards the gate out of Sorrow's End. Hills near Sorrow's End The foothills are tumbled masses of cave riddled sandstone worn into unusual shapes by the wind. Sunlight reflects back from every direction and the only shade is close by the rocks. Odd cactus plants shaped like ranks of men with upraised arms stand near the verge of the desert, and smaller cactus shows wicked thorns to all who draw near. Hidden to all but elves, the village of the Sun Folk is to the South, in a sheltered canyon among the sere hills of the World's Spine Mountains. Contents: Trader Camp (#4783AJLae) Obvious exits: Barren Desert Desert Trail You arrive at the desert's edge, the 'Gate' to and from the village of Sorrow's End and the territory of the elf-kin known as the Sun Folk. Dart arrives from the winding path from Sorrow's End. Dart still follows Trouble even though his anger tells him to do otherwise. Trouble, her footsteps leaving uneven tracks in the sand, stumbles towards the trader camp, and begins making her way around it. Dart stands his ground near the gate of the village, ** You can go back to LostHolt where you think no one cares, but remember that there's someone here that cares no materr what. ** Dart turns and head back into the Village. Dart leaves the gateway headed south, towards the sheltered village of Sorrow's End. You travel towards the stoney waste, and the distant troll tunnels. Northern Desert The hard packed soil is tan and sere, yet the signs of water are visible to the educated eye. Cactus and tangle-weed grow here, and a multitude of small insects and a few lizards call this area home. To the south you sense the presence of other elves. Obvious exits: Gate to Sorrow's End Stony Waste You arrive from the gateway to Sorrow's end, and survey the barren landscape with a trace of sadness. Sunhowler arrives from the gateway to Sorrow's End, surveying the barren landscape with a trace of sadness. Dart walks out from the Village afer what seems to be an eternity and surveys the area, looking for Trouble but not spotting her immediatly Sunhowler bounds in after his bond, seeming quite pleased with himself that he answered Dart's call quickly. Her tracks still dot the sands, leading off in a swerving line more or less northwards. Trouble's scent is still strong, too; she can't have gotten far. Dart follows the tracks in the sand quickly, his wolf bounds ahead following the familier scent. There. Under a prickly-plant, the huntress can be spotted, where she has apparently crumpled. She lies on her back, limbs sprawled. Dart spots Trouble's sprawled form and runs swiftly to her, ** Trouble?! <> ** No response from the maiden. Her head is turned towards the prickly-plant, as if in instinctive craving of what meager shade it might provide when the Daystar is up. Dart kneels down in the sand next to you, blocking the sun's rays as best he can. He summons Sunhowler over so that he to can create some shade by standing next to the fallen huntress. Dart locksends ** Wake up, Trouble. Please wake up! <> ** You locksend to Dart, Trouble's mind is there -- she's not gone yet. There's a bare flicker of response to your plea, but laced with distress. Trouble's eyelids shiver. Dart unslings the waterskin that was hanging over his shoulder and opens it quickly. He hold the skin to Trouble's lips, ** Drink, please. You have to live. ** A twitch of her sunbleached eyebrows, a faint wrinkle of her nose. ** ... ** Dart frowns, ** You have to, I don't want to lose you. Not ever. <> Now drink the water, please! ** Wolves know the scent of water when they need it, and so, apparently, does Trouble, for she turns her head slightly towards the skin. Her brow furrows a little -- perhaps the only sign she's aware of the continued sendings. But she sucks at the waterskin, feebly. Dart breathes a sigh of relief, ** Keep drinking, friend. I'll take you back to the Village, and find Startoucher. ** Trouble's eyes shift a little, rapidly, under her closed lids as she laps at the water, and she follows that with a cough. Dart smiles faintly, ** You're lucky I'm not Strongbow, he'd just call you a fool cub and leave you out here til you came to your senses. ** He closes the water skin and drapes it oevr his shoulder again. Carefully he slides his left arm under your shoulders and growls softly as his right arm slides under your knees. He readies to pick you up. Trouble gives a small sound, a whimper of dismay. She's moving. Why is she moving? But she utters no protest past that. Dart rises slowly and places you on Sunhowler's back before climbing on himself. ** Gotta get out of the sun, friend. ** Something like agreement wisps out of her; did she hear you? Certainly the awareness of heat, and misery, can be momentarily felt from her. [Dart, carrying Trouble on his jack-wolf, heads towards...] You leave the stark landscape of the gateway in search of shelter and water in the village of Sorrow's End. Winding Path A gentle winding path, worn smooth by the centuries of loving occupation, meanders among the wind sculpted rock formations of the desert. Here among the guardian stones is the well that sustains the village of Sorrow's End. A sheltering tree grows here with pale leaves adorning it's wide spread branches. There is a stretch of green grass to delight the eye and the small sounds of birdsong and wind rustled leaves to sooth the spirit. The starry outlines of the Human Hunter begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the cool autumn skies. Contents: FurLicker The Well Obvious exits: Boundary Path Leave Sorrow's End Bridge Path Shadowed Canyon Crossroad Sunhowler approaches from the northern gateway to Sorrow's End. Dart climbs down off of sunhowler's back and lifts you off as well only to set you down next to the well. Trouble's head lolls a little, and she frowns to herself. Dart glances towards the village, probably sending. At the crossroads, Startoucher enters from the west, walking the Boundary Path. At the crossroads, Startoucher wanders in. At the crossroads, Startoucher wanders North towards the Well and the desert beyond. Startoucher arrives from the crossroad. Startoucher wanders in. Startoucher puts his leggings back on. Startoucher puts his shirt on. Startoucher comes running at a send, finishing dressing. ** What's up? ** Trouble lies crumpled at the base of the well, her head drooped to one side. Startoucher frowns and moves quickly to Trouble's side, kneeling down next to her. He puts his hand on her forehead, and closes his eyes. Dart watches Startoucher carefully, "She's got a bad sunburn, it probably made her sick." Startoucher nods... Dart frowns, "She.. She got mad at me and ran off. I found her outside the village, she was passed out near a stickerbush." Startoucher nods and sighs. ** As I suspected... ** Startoucher places his hand on her forehead again, and closes his eyes once again. His hand glows slightly. You feel a soothing coolness start to flood over your nerves, as the redness starts to clear from your face... A slight tan coloring stays in the burn's wake... Trouble's brow crinkles, just a little; she starts to wince, but the expression subsides, giving her a very faintly baffled look, as if she is confused to find the reason for the wince vanishing. Dart watches with concern, "She'll be okay right, Startoucher?" The huntress shifts her head a little. Under the healer's glow, she begins to look ever so slightly differet, to any eye looking closely enough to notice. The tiny blisters along her jawline subside; the angry shade of red across her cheeks begins to mute itself, moving back to a forest-dweller's paleness. But not entirely. Startoucher nods as he removes his hand from her forehead. ** Yes... merely sunsickness, as you said... I don't think she's used to the desert yet... ** Dart nods, "I should've told her to be more careful." Startoucher smiles a bit. ** Talk to the Villagers... They have plants that will keep pale elves like us from burning. ** At the crossroads, Gentlerock approaches from the south. At the crossroads, Gentlerock wanders North towards the Well and the desert beyond. Gentlerock arrives from the crossroad. Dart frowns, "I knew that, I should've told her. It's probably my fault she got so sick." Gentlerock looks around and sees his father. Startoucher straightens, and puts his hand to his chin, pondering a bit. He sighs slightly for the minor exertion... surely he should not be this tired after healing a mere sunburn... Trouble's head shifts again, and she sighs, sounding almost content. Her eyelids tremble a bit. Dart glance to his son and frowns, he sends to his cub. Startoucher turns and smiles at Gentlerock, wiping a line of sweat from his brow. He sends, ** Heya, brother, wha- ** and he passes out mid-send. Dart gasps, "Startoucher!" Gentlerock's jaw drops open and eyes widen. Startoucher stirs slightly as he lies there, his head turning... ** 'Ree... Nightfi... Kira... ** Gentlerock sends openly ** Startoucher, my friend, what are you saying? ** Dart places a hand on Startoucher's shoulder and shakes him gently, ** Startoucher! Are you okay, my friend?! ** Startoucher groans and stirs as his eyes open slowly. He looks at Dart, and his eyes widen. ** Strongbow! Tell Leetah that I am going to Blue Mountain... Nightfire is hurting... Something has happened. ** Startoucher's eyes narrow. ** Lend me your bow, Strongbow... I will kill that Glider if he hurt her. ** he sends, rather fiercely... Few have seen Startoucher actually angry... Dart flinches at being called his sire, ** Startoucher, my name is Dart. You're in the Sun Village, far from the Mountain. ** At Dart's shout, Trouble frowns vaguely, lifting her eyes open with a ponderous effort. She props herself on a hand, as she comes awake and begins to register the commotion nearby. Startoucher moves to stand, and glances at Dart as he sends. ** Wh-? Uhm... ** Startoucher looks around, and blushes. ** By Greymung's Blue Balls, I've done it again. ** Dart sends openly ** You called me, my sire. ** Gentlerock tries really hard to supress a giggle, but a little one slips out. Startoucher blinks at Dart. ** You are Dart... I'm sorry... You resemble him... ** he sends, and sighs. ** Well... tell Leetah that I have to go, if you would... I'll borrow Cutter's bow, I guess... ** His eyes start to narrow again. ** I need to find Starseeker again... He's probably trying to catch a treewee again... Damned wolf. ** Dart stands and lays a hand on Startoucher's shoulder, ** Do you know where you are my friend? ** Startoucher glances at Dart and nods. ** Forbidden Grove... I'm not that silly, Strongbo... er, Dart. I'm in the desert... The trees at Sorrow's End... uhm... ** he sends, and then he growls at himself. ** C'mon, you old stinkwind, pull yourself together... ** Startoucher puts his hand on Dart's hand. ** Strongdart, get Nightfire... Get Shannet for me, will you? ** Trouble, discovering that her skin no longer feels like some great beast's teeth scraped every portion of it, pokes her cheek gingerly. Then she eyes the hand she poked with, critically studying the lack of blisters there: only a stretch of skin a pale shade of gold. Her gaze lifts warily from her hand, at last, to the three elves nearby; recognizing the faces, and noting a violent argument with one in her immediate memory, she scowls to herself and tries to creep off around the well. At the crossroads, Shannet approaches from the south. Startoucher closes his eyes and shakes his head, as if to clear it. Gentlerock looks at Startoucher. ** Are you okay? ** At the crossroads, Shannet perks up, as if to a send and rushes out. At the crossroads, Shannet wanders North towards the Well and the desert beyond. Shannet arrives from the crossroad. Startoucher glances at Gentlerock. ** Gentlerock... I'm getting there... But... uhm... Are we near the Lodge? ** Shannet looks to Dart, and then to Startoucher. Dart concentrates on a send, but keeps his eyes focused on Startoucher. ** You're still in the Village, Startoucher. ** Gentlerock shakes his head. ** No. Not even close. ** Shannet looks a little worried. Startoucher sees Shannet arrive, and his eyes open wide. ** Wha-? She's... Shannet! I am in Sorrow's End. ** he sends the last sentence rather matter-of-factly. Gentlerock sends openly ** That's what we've been trying to tell you. ** Shannet frowns and grabs Startoucher's arm, still worried. Trouble makes it to her feet. Eyeing the growing knot of elves warily, and the leader of the jack-wolf riders with particular nervousness, she totters off towards the nearest escape route. You turn eastward towards the shadowed canyon and the distant volcano. In the Shadow of the Bridge A wide canyon beneath the Bridge of Destiny. It's smooth flat floor makes the contrast with the steeply climbing walls of the surrounding stone even more startling. Once a tunnel beneath a mountain of stone, this place is a shaded shelter from the blazing sun. Only a slender rainbow arch soars above the valley where once masses of stone stood guard. High above the valley floor you can hear the wind's ceaseless murmuring to the stone. Child Moon's gibbous form soars high over the Mother Moon's low-hanging crescent in the cool autumn skies. Contents: Swiftpaw Flutterlight Obvious exits: Tyldak's Nest Stables Well You pause to let your eyes adjust to the shadows. You look up in awe at the slender bridge overhead. Dart pauses to let his eyes adjust to the shadows. Dart looks up at the slender bridge of stone overhead. Trouble creeps slowly towards the shadow cast by the Bridge high overhead, blushing to herself. Dart says "Trouble? Are you all right now?" Trouble tenses, and although she doesn't quite turn around, she does halt. "Skin doesn't hurt anymore," she mutters. Dart says "And your awake, both very good." Dart frowns, "Do you remember anything of what you did?" Trouble's voice is very low as she mutters, "We had a fight." Dart nods, "And I told you that I care for you no matter what. As long as you want there will be a place for you here in the Village." Trouble does turn around at that, slowly and unsteadily, and she stares at you. Her eyes have gotten a bit wider -- giving her an almost frightened look. Dart stares at the ground, "You're the first person in a long time to treat me as someone seperate from my sire. Most of the time I get stuffed in his shadow." "I... " It comes out in a croak, and Trouble switches to sending, not trusting her throat. But her sending is muted, to match the oddly fearful expression she's wearing. ** Your sire's, um... I'm not exactly nice to _him_, either... ** Dart frowns, "I.. I want you to stay here, with me. I know that's not possible, but I want to ask you if you would. Will you?" Dart frowns, "Well... I should go see if Startoucher is okay.." He turns slowly and starts out frown under the Bridge. Dart walks west towards an open area among the rocks, into the sun. [And with that, leaving Trouble boggling after Dart, we end the log.]