Log Date: 2/4/96 (continued from an earlier date) Log Intro: Ynderra of Lostholt, along with her lovemate Kai of the Cat Elves, and a young wanderer named WindStorm, has come down to Sorrow's End on two missions. The first is urgent, to find Dart, and see if he has seen his parents, Strongbow and Moonshade, any time in the immediate past. This proves a disappointment, for no one in Sorrow's End has seen the archer or the tanner -- or the Willowholt chieftess, who is also missing, and last known to be with Strongbow. At Ynderra's behest, Aroree flies quickly northward to Lostholt to relay this word, before returning to the Sun Village herself. Ynderra's second mission is less pressing, but one that has troubled her, as it has gone unattended for seasons now: a promise to help WindStorm, who has lost his memory. Talented though Ynderra is in her magic, she does not quite know what she must do to enter another elf's head and mend shattered recollections -- and perhaps, though she won't admit it, the notion scares her. But nevertheless, she has promised. Thus far, Leetah in her recent moodiness -- that has gone on for some turns now -- has proved either unwilling or unable to help, and thus, Ynderra turns to another trusted healer: Mender. Ynderra has already run into Mender once before on this visit to Sorrow's End, but her encounter with him was odd. For one thing, Ynderra is troubled by her recent relationship with Kai, without really knowing why; for another, a stranger, Shaleel, had found Mender at the same time, and seemed contemptuous of healers. Unwilling to burden Mender if he needed to do his village work, Ynderra had fled, but now, she comes back to look for him..... ---------- You locksend to Mender, Ynderra calls out clearly, Mender? You there? Mender locksends ** Ynderra! Oh, yes, I'm here. Where are you? ** In the dancing square, Lursa emerges from the shelter of the canopy. You locksend to Mender, Ynderra mentally giggles, perhaps a bit sheepishly. ** Outside your hut, goldenhair. Sorry about running off like that, before, um.... ** Mender locksends ** Oh that.. no worries, although I'll admit I'm rather curious ** Mender steps out through the beaded doorway of his house. Mender has arrived. Ynderra brightens as Mender steps out into view, though she looks somewhat embarrassed, one foot fidgeting at the sand. "Hi!" Mender smiles and tilts his head slightly, and mimics playfully. "Hi!" That makes the dainty maiden giggle a little more. "Silly. Anyway, well, I guess I got kind of spooked... by the one in the cloak, I mean... you aren't busy these days, with healer stuff, I mean? If you have to go off to the Go-Backs..." Mender lowers his eyes and chuckles softly. "Well, I did promise I'd do that, but I don't think I'll actually be able to help." "But I promised." Ynderra wrinkles her nose, not quite grasping why the Go-Backs -- as anti-magic as she understands them to be -- would need any healer aid in the first place, but she doesn't coment on that. She considers, then says, "Well... I guess I can make my question for you fast... I wanted to talk to you, see...?" Mender looks up and nods, raising a curious eyebrow. "I seem to be in demand these days." Ynderra half-smiles. "Um, well." She might, just might, sound a little envious. "Do you know anything about fixing broken memories?" In the dancing square, Lursa goes south. Lursa walks down the boundary road from the dancing square. Lursa has arrived. Mender frowns softly and rubs his chin. "Memories?" He spies Lursa and nods once in greeting before turning back to Ynderra. "Tell me more?" Ynderra stands near Mender's hut, looking up at him inquiringly, as Lursa approaches. The dainty maiden might, if looked at closely, appear restless, as she bobs her head earnestly to the taller healer. "WindStorm, you see, one of the ones who came down with me from Lostholt... he's got a broken memory. He doesn't remember anything before a certain point, and I promised to help him, see, except I don't know how, and Leetah, er, well, she's busy. I think. Anyway, I thought I'd ask you, maybe?" Mender narrows his eyes and lets out a deep, thoughtful breath. "Why are his memories broken?" In the dancing square, Calmes arrives from the crossroads, looking around to see who is here. In the dancing square, Calmes leaves the dancing square, heading for the peaceful cool green of the Garden of Shade and Sweet Water. Ynderra says, somewhat helplessly, "He's not sure, really; I took a look at his head, and I found a bump on it, and healed that, but I don't know where to go from there." She fidgets with a curl of her hair. "I'm missing something, I'm sure, so I thought, as long as I have to come down to Sorrow's End anyway to talk to Dart, I'd ask you?" Mender raises both brows and breathes heavily. "Well, it can't hurt to look." Ynderra begins, "But if you need to get ready to go --" Lursa was heading straight for Mender's hut, til she realized he was outside it, speaking to Lostholt's junior healer. She returns his greeting with a nod of her own, wondering what's up now WindStorm walks in from the west, heading along the Boundary Path. WindStorm has arrived. WindStorm sends openly ** Hello.. ** WindStorm sends openly ** I was just speaking with NightEyes.. ** Ynderra ohs, and looks up, as WindStorm himself arrives. "Well, um, here's WindStorm! WindStorm, this is Mender, the one I was going to talk to..." Not knowing who NightEyes is, she quirks a black brow, nodding a bit. Mender looks over to WindStorm and ahs gently, nodding a greeting. WindStorm sends openly ** Oh, I'm sorry... NightEyes is...well, a friend I met here during the last festival. ** WindStorm smiles at Mender. ** Pleased to meet you. ** Ynderra nodnods, earnestly. "So, WindStorm, I was telling Mender about you and asking whether he could help, so, um, Mender....?" She trails off, looking up at the golden-haired healer, blue eyes hopeful. Mender lets his eyes trail off for a moment in thought. He takes in a deep breath and looks over at Lursa, as if asking for her opinion. WindStorm to Mender, ** Is it possible? Can my memory be returned? ** Lursa shoots a look back at Mender and gives a shrug Lursa Standing a full 4' tall, every inch of Lursa's form is honed, toned strengthed, and limbered from a life wrought with conflict and war. Her deep brown eyes glimmer at you challengingly from her tanned face, full of life's fire above a down-turned nose, assesing you with a warrior's gaze. Her strong square jaw is cast in a defiant set, her full lips curved into a slight sardonic smile. Five parallel scars slash along her right cheek, from her jaw to just missing her eye. Her throat is bare of ornament, and holding her loose waves of sunkissed, dark brown hair from her face is band of violet mothsilk, the tips of her pointed ears just peeking out from her tousled, shoulder-length mane. Lursa is clad for comfort and coolness in a gray leather 'vest', spanning from shoulders to midrift, left open to reveal the inner curves of her full bosom's roundness and laced together with violet silk at the snug band just under her breasts. A low collar rises along the inside edges of the vest and across the back of her neck, the top of the arm openings 'capped' with the same leather.Her forearms are bound in bracers made of leather strips, her shapely legs bared below low slung grey leather 'shorts' barely adequate to cover her firm rump. Lursa's ever-present dagger is kept to her left hip by a strap about her thigh, her feet slipped into simple sandals. Mender Slender as a whip, with leanly defined muscles, this young elf moves with lupine grace. He is richly tanned, but palely, hinting that while he might be a desert-dweller, he is not a Sun Villager by birth. His hair is a pale, bleached blond, wavy and tumbled; it hangs loosely about his angular features and down to his shoulders in back. Slanted and wideset, his eyes are a warm shade of grey, like the sky during a gentle rain. He is clad in next to nothing, as dwellers of Sorrow's End often are: a green loincloth with panels of blue and green dangling in front, and light boots of blue, green, and gold, open at the toe and heel. The belt of his loincloth sports a golden ornament with a sliver of teal-colored clearstone, that matches a similar ornament embedded in his segmented golden collar, and the golden armband on his left arm. WindStorm WindStorm's appearance is quite handsome and picturesque. He stands about average height, with a strong build. His hair is thick, sand-colored, and wavy. His eyes are a deep blue, like pools of crystal clear water. His facial features appear as though they were carved with great care. His chest is broad, and his torso is firm, while his legs show the muscular development that has come about from years of travel and hunting in the wild. He wears dark grey leathers to help him blend in with the night activities, and soft leather boots which make walking in the forest almost silent. As you look at him, he passes you a smile. Mender sighs softly at Lursa and nods to her before turning to WindStorm. "Well, I have healed mind-breaks before... I can try again." Ynderra looks with some dismay from face to face, and puts in with a pout, tinily, "It _must_ be possible..." Though perhaps she's speaking to herself; difficult to say. As Mender goes on, though, she says more loudly, "If you show me what to do, I can help." WindStorm speaks aloud, momentarily. "I-I'm just a little nervous." Ynderra, at that, flashes WindStorm a sparkling smile, moving to him. "It's okay," she murmurs to him lowly. Lursa blinks at Windstorm and clamps her mouth shut on a remark Mender nods to Ynderra, acknowledging her offer of help, then turns to WindStorm witha reassuring smile. "You don't need to be nervous. You're in good care in my hands." WindStorm smiles and leans into Ynderra. He glances over to Lursa with a questioning look. Ynderra hugs WindStorm, unreservedly, and looks questioningly up at _him_, now.... WindStorm sends openly ** It' not just that, Mender... I'm nervous about what I might remember. ** ** You locksend ** Do you want to do this? I mean, I trust Mender, if it helps... I've done healings with him before... ** to WindStorm. Lursa merely favors Windstorm with a level gaze, then looks away Mender quirks a brow. "... oh..." WindStorm locksends ** I-I guess so. I trust you, and your judgement. Thank you. ** Ynderra blinkblinkblinkblinks... You locksend ** It might be good things you remember, you know? Anyway... it's up to you. I'm ready to help whenever you say you want to try to it. ** to WindStorm. Mender locksends ** Do you have any idea what he meant by that? ** WindStorm smiles at a send, and looks directly into Ynderra's eyes. ** Thank you. I will. ** You locksend ** Uh-uh. He hasn't ever said anything about being worried about it before... ** to Mender. Ynderra smiles, and nudges WindStorm's attention back to Mender. Mender locksends ** Ah... ** WindStorm edges a bit, shaken. He then turns to face Mender. "Uhm, I guess anytime is as good as now....?" Mender gives a slight shrug and looks among the assembled elves. "Sure." Ynderra puts in, "If it's good for you, Mender, I mean, I don't know when you need to go?" She glances quizzically at Lursa, recognizing her, and offering her a smile. WindStorm quickly adds in, ** If now is not a good time for you, I can wait... ** In the dancing square, Zemmil glides down from above. Lursa smiles back at Ynderra briefly. WindStorm mumbles under his breath, "...I've gone this long without missing anything..." Mender nods. "Now seems like a fine time to me." Ynderra smiles, seeming to steady herself a bit. "Where?" In the dancing square, Zemmil goes north. Mender nods to his hut with half a smile. "Why, the healer's hut of course." WindStorm smiles a crooked smile. In the dancing square, Dennah arrives from the Garden of Shade and Sweet Water, brushing an errant leaf from her shoulder. Mender steps into the beaded doorway of his house. Mender has left. In the dancing square, Dennah goes north. Ynderra bobs her head briskly, and follows Mender in. You push aside the hanging strands of beads, and enter the healer Mender's house. Visiting chamber Cool and airy like most of the Sun Folk's constructions, this hut's primary chamber is tinted faintly along its walls with images of the green growing places. The hanging strings of beads in the two windows and the doorway rattle lightly in passing breezes. Candles in holders in the shapes of wolves' heads cast warm circles of illumination about the room. Contents: Mender Obvious exits: Out WindStorm steps in through the beaded doorway from outside. WindStorm has arrived. Lursa steps in through the beaded doorway from outside. Lursa has arrived. Lursa wanders in after, and looks around, largely curious about what Ynderra hopes she and Mender can accomplish, but she'd never admit it. Mender glances over his shoulder at Lursa and offers a half smile. Lursa smiles back at Mender and finds herself a seat a bit out of the way. [NOTE: We had to stop the scene here as Mender's net died. Lursa was not available when we resumed, so...] Ynderra treads in after WindStorm and Mender, as Lursa for some reason frowns to herself and darts back out. She smiles, remembering Mender's hut, and pats WindStorm's nearer shoulder encouragingly. Mender waits for everyone to come in and frowns softly at Lursa's departure, then just sighs and shakes his head. "Anyway..." WindStorm looks to Ynderra and smiles. ** I hope we can accomplish at least SOMETHING today. ** Ynderra nods briskly. "So, Mender. Here?" She nods her curly head at the sleeping pit in the center of the room. Mender nods and moves forward to help WindStorm down into the sleepingpit. "It's more comfortable here." WindStorm plops himself down, and lays down on his stomach. ** Like this? ** Mender chuckles softly. "However you are comfortable." He looks up to Ynderra, inviting her over Ynderra clambers down beside WindStorm, settling herself cross-legged down beside him. She smiles to Mender, hopefully. WindStorm turns his head to look up at both of you, faking a smile, and closing his eyes. Mender looks at Ynderra softly, lets out a soft breath, then looks down to WindStorm and gently places his fingers along his temples, closes his eyes, and begins to gently probe A soft touch signals Ynderra's hands, coming to rest lightly on the back of WindStorm's neck, where she healed the old scar, before. She doesn't do anything, yet, save send out a tendril of magic, a signal to let both the other elves know she is 'there'. WindStorm continues to lay motionless. Very VERY faded images begin slowly appearing... Mender closes his eyes and presses his fingers a little more firmly again WindStorm's temples, probing a little farther, trying to help bring out those images. ...a forest...3 elves; you can't see the faces...a wolf... ...the two taller elves become clearer...one is female, the other male... ....a knife. WindStorm's forehead forms a few droplets of sweat. ...the male elf holds the knife. Mender frowns, and does his best to assist WindStorm in focusing on the knife. ...it appears as if the 3rd elf is a child. WindStorm's hands suddenly become clenched very tightly! ...the knife is held by WindStorm's father! ...the child starts running... WindStorm (laying still in the pit) calls out loud, "No! Don't go! Sister...please!" Mender frowns in concern and eases up slightly on the healing, not wanting to push WindStorm too far. ...WindStorm's father grabs the female by the wrist and she drops to her knees. WindStorm begins to sweat a lot more than before. Mender locksends ** Ynderra...? ** WindStorm speaks aloud again, this time quieter. "Mother, please..." You locksend ** Here. ** to Mender. Mender locksends ** Does he need to know this? ** Ynderra's blue eyes widen at the random thoughts suddenly churning through WindStorm's head -- she only catches them, it seems, after they begin. But now that they're started, she stares down at their charge. You locksend ** I... it's his life, isn't it? ** to Mender. Mender locksends ** ... yes.. ** Mender takes in a deep breath and again focuses his magic on those memories, those hidden images WindStorm seems to relax a bit, his fists relaxing their grip... ...a very strong send pierces everyone's mind. It is WindStorm, only in his images... ** No! I.. I can't... I can't watch. Please.... ** WindStorm shudders slightly, and relaxes again....the images fading away... Ynderra reaches to clasp her magic to Mender's, and abruptly, the healing circle is brighter. ** WindStorm. Shhhh. We'll make you whole. Peace... ** Mender starts slightly at the touch of the other magic, then relaxes and again lets the healing flow strongly WindStorm's body becomes almost limp under the healers' magic touch. A single tear forms at the side of WindStorm's left eye. Mender sends openly ** Easy WindStorm... what happened? ** WindStorm sends openly ** I...want to rest... ** Mender nods and slowly removes his hands, opening his own eyes Ynderra immediately withdraws her hands, as well as her healing presence, gaze turning liquid. Have they done enough? She studies WindStorm anxiously, then glances at Mender, not at all certain what the other healer did. WindStorm slowly opens his eyes and sits up. WindStorm says "My head... it's...warm. Mother, she's-- " Mender lets out a quick breath and glances softly at Ynderra, then down at WindStorm. "How do you feel?" Ynderra tilts her head, curiously. Suddenly, a look of great shock appears on WindStorm's face! WindStorm says "My sister... she's ALIVE!" Mender frowns curiously, then immediately reaches out to put a hand on WindStorm's forhead, a gentle and soothing healing magic encompassing. "Easy, cousin. Rest.." WindStorm relaxes at Mender's touch. Ynderra blinks, then smiles, and moves to brace the elf between her and Mender. You locksend ** Is, um, this right? Should he let it come back all at once? ** to Mender. WindStorm brings a hand up to rest on Mender's shoulder as his head leans onto Ynderra's. Mender locksends ** I'm.. not sure. But he -does- need to know ** Ynderra ohs, softly, and curls her arms about WindStorm, eyes wide. "You alright?" she ventures. You locksend ** I don't know what you did... all of a sudden he was sending things... ** to Mender. Mender locksends ** I'm not sure what I did either! Once it started.. I just couldn't stop the images and feelings. ** WindStorm says "Yes...mmm." He smiles. "Thank you." WindStorm turns his eyes to Mender. "H-how..?" Mender narrows his eyes in a look of concern at WindStorm. "Is there anything I can get for you?" Ynderra blinks, still looking quite taken aback, but not minding supporting WindStorm till he's ready to move. WindStorm shakds his head. "No. Thank you." He slowly puts his weight on his arms to push himself back upright. Mender frowns softly and leans over to gently push WindStorm back down. "You rest. You need it." Ynderra giggles a little, and says gently to WindStorm, "After seasons and seasons, this'll be a change, you know? Better let it sink in before you do much..." Mender nods in agreement and gathers some blankets to wrap around the healing elf. [And with that, WindStorm drops off into slumber, and we end the scene.]