11/13/02 Answering the request of Wayfound and Tefin to come to Lostholt to lend aid to the healers there, Mender arrives at last, bringing with him a friend from the Plainsrunner tribe; Nightwisp meets them, and later, so does Leetah. Logfile from Nightwisp. ---------- Walking north over the beach, you see a tall tree and a tangle of fallen branches beside the path along the shores of Silver Lake Lake Path Clearing The path among the trees continues through a grove of maples, scattered fir trees and thin underbrush. Wild blackberries grow in the sunny clearings and cover the fallen trunks of trees downed by some storm of seasons past. A rustle in the bracken tells you rabbits live nearby. The smell of the ripening berries makes your mouth water slightly. Here and there a flash of the dark fruit leads your eye away from the silver lake and off toward the woods that wrap around below the Lake. Contents: Otter Mender Trillium Ashpad Obvious exits: Mountains River Crossing Beach Trillium, without looking up from her work, sets aside the arrow as she sends, ** Greetings. ** As she looks up, she inspects the young elf carefully, a hint of caution in her expression. Otter has her own measure of caution about her, but being the chief's daughter she is, she stands straight and inclines her head once more in greeting - adding to it a courteous smile. She looks down at the sling in her hands and casually tucks it into a belt pouch. Her wolf pads forward, nose quivering as he scents the stranger. A ghost of an outline chases across a cospe of bushes, just before inquisitively peering over the said clumping of shrubbery to survey the scene down below. Nightwisp reaches out with her freehand to push aside a restrictive branch, while her other busies itself with wielding a spear. Blinking once, and then twice, she straightens a bit more. Trillium's hand closes abruptly on the hilt of her knife and she springs to her feet to stare towards the bush Nightwisp is behind. Uneasily, she shifts her feet to a more solid stance, eyes darting from elf to elf and then to wolf. Otter reacts to the skitish elf by reaching out to curb Trickster, her own head snapping around to Nightwisp. Her back straightens a little more and she takes a step back, hands raised to show them empty. **<>** She sends more of a sensation than any words. **<>** Nightwisp comes completely into view now, pushing herself to stand fully upright... which was actually nearing five feet tall. "Yes, it is true. I do not mean you any harm. I am a member of Cut--- er, Strongbow's tribe." Brushing herself off of a few clinging briars, the granddaughter of the Wolfbringer steps forward to introduce herself more properly. "Forgive me, but I heard noises nearby when I was out hunting. What brings you here?" Trillium relaxes minutely, though the speech seems to startle her a bit. She glances towards Otter, brows faintly lifted, and then back to Nightwisp. "Game," she responds with a hint of uncertainty, her voice rough. The plainsrunner youth says nothing more. She arrived with Mender, when he did. The two have been together for a while. And if she hasn't been all that social, well she's something of a quiet sort, anyway. Trickster wuffs softly and the maiden reaches out to run a hand through his dark ruff. Nightwisp raises a thin eyebrow, surprised by Trillium's blunt usage of speech. Looking towards Otter as if awaiting an explanation, the young elf leans more casually against the spear she holds. "Oh, I... see." Trillium waits for several moments, then crouches easily, picking up her quicker and bow. ** Excuse me, ** she sends, reverting to what she's more comfortable with. She nods to the other two and steps to the side as though to retreat into the forest. Mender comes into view not long after Trillium starts to make her departure, loping into the area and finding who he was searching for in the first place. ** Otter, I'd been looking for you. ** He sends with a smile, before noting the others. "Shade, I know Trillium, but do I know you?" He asks to Nightwisp. Nightwisp watches Trillium depart into the forest, her personal curiousity never waning. Those of Lostholt had been having strange visitors to the holt lately, including that of a previously banished she-elf and a rogue plantshaper. Aside from guarding Doreel's cocoon when her granddam wasn't on duty, the young elfess hadn't had much time to go check things out for herself. She starts slightly at the appearance of a new elf, taking an unconscious step backwards. "Uh.. I'm from Lostholt. What are you three doing here, if I may ask?" Otter turns as she hears Mender's send. Her expression lightens noticeably and she grins in greeting to him, reaching out to take his hand as he nears. She turns back to Nightwisp, her smile remaining, though not quite so broad a grin, now. **<>** Again, it's a sensation and not clear words. Trickster's tail wags lightly as he recognizes Mender, but he steps away from the elves a pace or two, testing the air with his nose. Trillium glances back over her shoulder at Mender's send, but it doesn't stop her from leaving. She slips into the forest with little noise and soon is gone. Trillium has disconnected. Mender reaches out to take Otter's hand as it's offered, and smiles at her before turning his gaze to Nightwisp. "She has come with me from the Plains." He offers, the much darker skinned male reaching to scritch at Trickster's fur. "I am Mender, and have come to LostHolt on request of Cutter and Leetah, who sent Wayfound to fetch me from the Plains." Nightwisp widens her eyes perceptively, realization dawning upon her. "Of course! Are you here because of.." The youth's face turns from side to side, her violet eyes switching back and forth conspiratorily, "..of Doreel and Oriolle?" Otter glances up to Mender and flashes another grin. She's just along for the ride, herself. On the other hand, if Mender /can/ help the people here... well, that would be a good thing. She figures he must be at least a little frustrated with the way DarkSun went. But, that's a grief she keeps to herself. Mender gives a nod to Nightwisp and a smile to Otter. "I managed to catch Cutter on the way into the holt, however have yet to see Leetah or Ynderra, have you seen them recently?" Of course he hasn't seen them, he's been hanging near the edge of the holt with the rest of his tribesmates lately. He curls his fingers around Otter's had and keeps his grey eyed gaze on Nightwisp awaiting her response. Nightwisp visibly brightens, just before discarding her spear to one side and clapping her palms together just after that maneuver. "Oh, yes! Grandmother and I have been taking turns guarding the cocoons while Leetah and Ynderra work on those inside. There have been mixed results, but they just might be getting somewhere with Oriolle." Her expression dims, causing her to dip her chin to her chest with regret. "Doreel is another matter, however." Otter doesn't know much about any of that, really. She continues to simply hold Mender's hand, listening to the conversation. Her head cants and her ears rise, eyes narrowed slightly as she considers what she's hearing. Mender gives a frown at the words Nightwisp says, and nods. "I should seek them out soon if they require my help." There's a tinge of distrust in his own abilities present in the words he says, despite the hope they convey. He places his other hand on Otter's shoulder, greatful she came with him. "Can you show me where they are?" "Sure, just follow me!" comes the piped reply. Scrambling to pick up her weapon, the elfess gestures for those behind her to follow. "They will appreciate all the help they can find, and they will truly be happy to see that you have arrived." Smiling without a further qualm, Nightwisp turns her back to the duo and begins her retreat to the holt proper. Otter glances up to her lovemate and smileshrugs. Might as well follow. She gives his hand a squeeze and starts to move forward after Nightwisp, Trickster leading her way. Mender chuckles lightly at the piped reply, and moves to follow after Nightwisp, keeping Otter close enough she couldn't slip away from him without truely wanting to. He nods lightly at the statement, "I'll do all I call, it's all anyone can." He offers, stoicly, tugging his cloak around him as they slip through the brush back to LostHolt. (The three move off to the holt proper, stopping once they reach 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 a riot of natural disorder around the trees roots, taking advantage of the NewGreen warmth. Like old friends, the gnarled trees embrace one another, their many branches entwining to form a dense canopy high above the ground. As the daystar sets the air turns chilly in the NewGreen evening. Contents: Bramble MoonShadow Obvious exits: Alcove Into the Tree Around the Tree Clearing Mender has arrived. Otter has arrived. Racing in ahead of Mender and Otter, Nightwisp comes to an abrupt halt just at the beginning of the surfaced root web belonging to the Father Tree. She turns to regard them both, taking the time to prop her spear up against the wide berth of the trunk adjacent to her form. "Here we are.." Bramble sits on one of the roots of the Father Tree, a long shaft of wood standing up between her knees. She holds it steady with one hand while she uses a strange looking knife to carve geometric patterns in the wood. It looks like she's barely started working from the top, and she looks up as Nightwisp races in, raising an eyebrow. Trickster, Otter's wolf, pads in amusedly behind Nightwisp. The young wolfrider from the plains follows behind her bond, her fingers laced with Mender's as they walk. Mender isn't too far behind Nightwisp with Otter, but not quite in the rush that she's in. He glances around the clearing in front of the Father Tree, and nods, remembering it quite well. "And Leetah is where, exactly?" He asks for clarification, before noticing Bramble sitting on the roots of the tree, offering a greeting to her as well. "Shade." as she looks up at Nightwisp. Nightwisp shoots a smile over to Bramble by way of greeting, cheerfully giving a quick wave. "Shade, Bramble." She falls back against the Father Tree to support her svelte frame, crossing her arms casually against her chest in the process. Her attention rivets back on Mender, "Last I checked, she was in Calmwind's den with the cocoons and Ynderra." Leetah walks out of the Father Tree. Leetah has arrived. Bramble sheaths her knife at her waist, sets the shaft of wood on the ground, and jumps to her feet all at the same time. She grins broadly. Company is always fun. "Heyla." She shrugs at Mender's question. She wasn't exactly keeping track of the healer today. Otter has nothing to say, herself, though she does give a nod of greeting to the new faces she meets. She's heard much about Leetah. Much of it good. Though, she shares her mother's skepticism. Thus, it's probably a good thing the young maiden is the quiet sort. Mender tries to remember if he's ever been to Calmwind's den, but it's unlikely he'd remember where it was. Wolfblood and all, he nods anyways. He slips behind Otter, placing his hands on her shoulders and ponders quietly. "Thank you, Nightwisp." Nightwisp waves off the gratitude, giving a half-smile in return. "It's nothing. If anything, we will be thanking -you- soon enough." It had been a long time in coming, but a short rest was in order for both Ynderra and Leetah. The latter of those mentioned emerges from the Father Tree, eyes half-lidded. Exhaustion weighs down heavily on her features, and her overall appearance is that of disarray. Having just woken from a short nap that did nothing to rid her of her current stupor, Leetah attempts to find solace in a short excursion outside. Little did she know of those who had just graced the holt with their presence, but once it is sensed, her head lifts in acknowledgment with a small smile. Surprise accompanied that as a close second, forcing her into a more upright posture. "Mender!" The one name could never hold so much hope as it did now. Bramble glances at Leetah as the healer enters, frowning at how tired she looks. She brushes off a nearby root and guestures. "Why don't you sit down, Leetah." Otter knows the look of a healer that's been drained. She's seen that look enough times on her mother's face. She releases Mender's hand as Leetah greets him and takes a step away from him to free him to greet the other healer. Trickster wanders about the clearing, sniffing it, until he finally meets up with his bond again. She reaches out to scritch his ruff absently and watch. Mender releases Otter's shoulders from his grasp to more fully greet Leetah, the dark skinned wolfrider walking over towards her to place a hand on her forearm. ** My eyes see with joy. ** He sends, happy to see her if nothing else, but concern crosses his golden brows, as he takes in her condition. Nightwisp continues to lean up against the Father Tree, silent and pensive. Her presence among them was unobtrusive but watchful, much like it was in Calmwind's den. From beneath a haphazard mop of bangs peers wide, violet eyes that dart back and forth between greetings and gestures. Leetah gives a wide, sweeping gaze to the rest of those assembled, emerald eyes appraising each with a general calm that belies her weariness. Taking Bramble's advice to heart, the healer seats herself upon an exposed root that formed a crooked arc in the air just before twisting its way into the earth once more. A nod goes to Bramble, as well as a thankful smile. Without skipping a beat, she turns a dip of her head to Otter in welcome, just as one of her brown hands reaches for Mender. Her palm comes to rest lightly upon his shoulder, just as his was still upon her arm. ** My eyes see much the same way, friend. It gladdens my heart to see you here. ** Bramble has disconnected. Otter returns Leetah's nod with one of her own and moves to settle against Trickster's shoulder with one hip. She continues to skritch between his ears and watch as silently as she has been thusf ar. Mender moves to sit near Leetah, as she settles herself on an exposed root, and sitting on the ground himself. He looks to Otter, and sends to her privately before returning his warm grey eyed gaze to Leetah. His attention serious, as he asks questions to her, after he'd been thinking the whole way here. "Tell me what's happening? I only heard parts of what the situation was from Wayfound and Cutter.." Nightwisp smothers a small yawn, but not before sending a look down and over to Leetah. Worry taints her features, and she further exposes it to the healer by locksending to her. Otter pads over to Mender, settling down beside him. She glances up to him and gives a reassuring smile. Her hand comes to rest lightly on the outside of his leg for no other reason than the body contact. Leetah angles her head drowsily over at Nightwisp, nodding her agreement. She would retire as soon as she brought Mender up to speed on the recent events. While still keeping her sienna-hued palm flush with her fellow healer's shoulder, the elfess began her recollection of what had transpired thus far. "Ynderra and I have recently begun work on two cocoons that were brought here not long ago. We started with the largest, which contains a Firstborn named Doreel." Her eyes alight with a sudden fear, and she lets the hand on Mender's shoulder slide uselessly into her lap. "He has proved to be... difficult. It would be safer for us all if you would help us when dealing with him. The smaller of the cocoons contains Oriolle, and we haven't had the time to begin on her." Mender keeps his eyes fixed on Leetah as she speaks about what's happened thus far, and nods. His expression is one of seriousness as he listens to her, only after she's done speaking does he look at Otter with a half smile, reaching over to place a hand on her shoulder and speaking to Leetah. "I'm sure some help from someone who doesn't look like they've been dragged through mud a few times over will be helpful." He says, and smirks at Leetah. "I think I'll sleep in the Father Tree as Strongbow suggested I could, so you can find me when you need me?" He hopes Leetah will get some rest before attempting anymore from the looks of her. Otter glances to Mender and nods faintly, not wanting to interrupt. Though, she has to agree, privately, that Leetah looks in rough shape. The last time her mother looked that rough... well, it was back when the monsters attacked. **<>** she notes, regarding the Lostholt healer. Her send is simply a sense, without words, a subtle encouragement. They'll be here when she wakes, no doubt. Leetah cannot help but chuckle softly at her old student's commentary. "Of course, Mender. You and your--" She takes the time to lend a brief smile to Otter once more, "--friend most likely warrant a rest as well. You have come a long way. Perhaps under more affable circumstances you might be able to tell me of news from Sorrow's End? I find myself missing the village as of late, and maybe a return trip is in order once things settle down here." Pushing against the base of the exponsed root, Leetah gets back upon her sore feet. Wincing, she nods at Otter's honest sentiments. "Yes, let us get some sleep before we try for anything more. Once more I'd like to say how much it pleases me to see you well.. both of you. Until later, my friends." A polite nod, and the healer takes the opportunity to return to the Father Tree for the much needed rest her body pined for. Nightwisp watches Leetah return to the Father Tree with a sort of estranged detachment. A span of seconds slips by, and then she turns a long gaze on both Mender and Otter. "I should find grandmother. Is there anything else you two need?" Otter has a weariness decending on her, herself. The sound of a den sounds wonderful to her. An easy place to sleep, rather than the camp trail. And, well, heck. She's never actually slept /in/ a tree before. There's a lot to see in this forest holt... but she's not used to its confines. She shakes her head to Nightwisp and sends her some thanks for the offer. Mender also agrees with Leetah, rising and offering a hand to Otter as he does so. He glances towards the tree, and shakes his head at Nightwisp. "I'm sure we'll be alright, just a little weary from travel." And soon enough to be weary from healing, once Leetah and Ynderra get him to help with Doreel. He watches Leetah disappear into the Father Tree before leading Otter towards it as well. s Leetah has disconnected. _____________________________________________ Free email with personality! Over 200 domains! http://www.MyOwnEmail.com