Log Date:
	12/4/02

Log Cast:
	Strongbow, Scouter, Dewshine (emitted by Scouter), Skywise, Moonshade

Log Intro:
	With a good portion of the tribe gone to the Festival in Sorrow's End,
those that remain hold a Howl for the passing of Strongbow's wolf-friend,
Kindle. Log by Strongbow's player.

----------
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 and you can see 
some of the scars left by the terrible blaze on the branches as leaves turn 
yellow as flame and red as blood. Brown weeds and night blooming wildflowers lie 
dead or dying in natural disorder around the trees roots. Like old friends, the 
gnarled trees embrace one another, their many branches entwining to form a 
canopy high above the ground, though most of the leaves now decorate the ground 
and crunch under your feet. It is a cool autumn afternoon. The father tree is 
quiet as elves and wolves sleep in their dens.
Contents:

The nights have begun to get cooler now that the leaffall season is progressing. 
There is a crispness to the air, a scent of change and the warmth of being in a 
den and under furs. The forest floor is littered with gold and scarlet and 
orange and brown, the rustling of the dead and dying foliage giving even the 
most practiced wolfrider a challenge in remaining silent. It is on this clear 
night that Strongbow, the Chief of Lostholt, strides into the area, his brown 
eyes scanning the Father Tree as the tribesmembers are summoned.

Scouter, still not sure what to make of all this, comes out of the Father Tree 
as he is called. He crouches on one of the lowest branches to wait the others 
coming. This is the Way, but his elven side of that wolfish nature is torn 
between emotions. Strongbow was a friend and tribesmate...and Chieftan in his 
own right now, so his support is felt clearly in his sending of greeting. Even 
if he morns Cutter leaving the holt. ** Ayoooah ** And the scout's mouth tilts 
into a bit of a smile as Dewshine steps out behind him and lays a hand on his 
shoulder as she echos his send. Dewshine tilts her head to one side and a smile 
touches her lips as well.


Coming from the direction of the hill, Skywise knew this was coming so seems 
less than surprised when the summons comes. Not even trying to be silent as he 
makes his way towards the father tree, the leaves crackle and crunch beneath his 
feet as he makes his approach. Noting Scouter and Dewshine hanging around the 
lower branches, and Strongbow on the ground itself, the stargazer sends his own 
greeting. ** Ayoooah! **

Sitting on one of the low branches of the denning tree, Moonshade sits, arms 
circled around her legs. Her violet eyes do not leave her lifemate's form. She 
is somber.

He isn't as charismatic as the former Chief, nor his father. But this is not a 
time for storytelling. Seeing members of the tribe show up, Strongbow's eyes 
lock on his lifemate's for a moment before he looks to the others, ** When there 
is Life by the Way, there is also death. One of the pack has died. Her time with 
us, as a wolf-friend is over. ** His send is heavy with the emotion of losing 
his wolf...a wolf brought to him through peril by his lifemate. A wolf who was 
chosen to bond with him...who did so through some of the archer's most trying 
times. His eyes shimmer as he continues, ** Tonight we howl for her. For Kindle. 
**

Scouter nods silently and his hand rises to hold Dewshine's against his 
shoulder. He keeps his crouch among the low tree branch, waiting for their Chief 
to begin the howl. A locksend tells him to look to the right where Briarpatch 
pads into view among the trees.

Tears break from Moonshade's eyes and trickle down her cheek. She raises her 
head to look towards the sky. Old Kindle was a wolf bond as loyal as any - 
friend and family both. Frostfire lays not far away from her, and she is 
comforted by her own bonds presence in this time. She yearns to howl - it too 
will help.

Not far behind Skywise, his own wolfbond trails making a rustling noise. Heading 
towards the father tree, he nods silently at Strongbow as he sends, moving to 
lean against the base of the tree. Skylark pads over towards Skywise, moving to 
a sitting position beside his bondmate, both pair of lupine eyes fixed on 
Strongbow.

Strongbow waits until the wolves have joined the elves before filling his lungs 
and tilting his head towards the sky. Deep brown eyes close as the archer-chief 
lets out a loud, piercing howl. This first one he must do on his own. The sound 
is odd, coming from the silent elf, somewhat hoarse and breathy from lack of use 
but all the more poignant for the use of it.

Moonshade's honeyed voice rises mournfully, her right hand resting lightly at 
her neck, eyes closed - just feeling.

Scouter watches and then closes his eyes. The sound causes an instinctual 
catching of his breath. But he waits for the second howl to echo his own. In the 
trees, wolves howl and Briarpatch is one of those Scouter is sure. Just as sure 
as the one he hears rise with his own is Dewshine's. A tear runs down the 
maiden's cheek, she had known this loss not too terribly long ago, recent enough 
not to have the feelings lost to the Now.

Not long after the others begin to howl, Skywise joins his voice in with the 
others. Silver eyes close as he tilts his head towards the sky which often calls 
to him, and his wolf joins in the howling as well. The sound of the howls drawn 
together is haunting, yet beautiful.

As the first howl mingles with the others, the archer-chief opens his eyes and 
moves towards the branch where his lifemate sits. Two tears trickle down each 
cheek, but he doesn't wipe them away. Only a few steps are taken towards 
her...but enough to take her hand. A second how begins, a little freer than the 
first, carrying his farewell to his wolf-friend.

After the howl, Moonshade shares a send with Strongbow and then slips down to 
meet with Frostfire. Soon, she is walking out into the woods - perhaps to check 
on the leathers she left to cure... perhaps just to be alone to bond with 
Frostfire.

Skywise opens his eyes after the first howl, ceasing his own and allowing for 
Strongbow to howl his farewell to his wolf friend. Skylark follows the lead of 
his bond, tilting his head to the side at Strongbow before the wolf pads off 
towards the forest himself - not long after Moonshade into the starlit darkness 
there.

Scouter's howl comes to an end as one by one others blink out as well. Its 
Strongbow's own howl that rises now, alone and Scouter stands in silence. His 
hand keeps Dewshine's and he pulls her close to overlook the Howl. Briarpatch 
has said his farewell and now has already disappeared into the forest.
The lone voice continues as a descant to the night until breath has faded. 
Opening his eyes once more, Strongbow lifts a hand to wipe at his face before 
turning to those remaining. There is appreciation in his expression for those 
who shared his grief.

Skywise stands in silence as well, grey-silver eyes fixed on Strongbow as his 
howl comes to an end and all that remains is silence. He pushes himself off from 
the lean of the tree he was using to rest himself, and turns to head into the 
darkness of the father tree. Strongbow knows that the stargazer is likely 
leaving, as he was informed earlier in the day, so his departure should come as 
no surprise.

Scouter's smile is soft, noding in silence to Strongbow before he and his 
lifemate disappear back into the Father Tree, giving the Chief time alone to set 
his heart right.

The Chief remains, standing alone, watching the others as they depart and then 
turning to the forest. He doesn't follow his lifemate or the wolves, but merely 
watches. One more tear escapes his eyes before he takes a seat on one of the 
roots to mourn.

Skywise comes out of the father tree after some time, leaving the archer-chief 
to mourn his loss as he himself prepares to head towards Sorrow's End. A cloak 
over his shoulders to protect from the chill of the night as well as the light 
of the daystar as he traverses the desert, and enough of his belongings to make 
it there - he comes out without Shenshen.

Strongbow turns about at the scent, taking in the stargazer's garb, ** So, you 
decided to go. ** It is a simple sentiment, not demeaning, and not cheerful 
either. Just a statement.

Skywise gives an abrupt nod at the question, since it's quite obvious that he's 
leaving. ** Yes. ** Besides, not only is his soul-brother there, there's plenty 
of maidens and a great view of the night sky to add to the overall enjoyment for 
him. ** To speak with Cutter. ** As was discussed before.

The archer-chief gives a nod, expecting as much. ** Keep him safe, Skywise. He 
is a member of the tribe. Don't let him forget that. ** Sure he won the 
challenge...but that doesn't mean he despises the younger elf.

Skywise gives a sly grin, and nods at the statements. ** You know I always have. 
** He sends, the two may have had many adventures together, and each got the 
other out of toil more than once. Apparently, this is Skywise's turn at bringing 
Cutter back to the tribe, after he sorts out his feelings.

Turning fully, Strongbow regards the stargazer but isn't ready to let him leave 
yet, ** Don't let him seek reassurance from others. He needs to find it from 
himself...or it will never come. ** And now he can go.

Skywise arches a brow at that, and shakes his head. ** He needs to find his own 
answers, I can only help so much. ** He sends, and tugs his cloak around himself 
to head off into the darkness unless Strongbow has anything more to say.

Strongbow lets the stargazer go with a nod. Hopefully he'll be able to help...he 
doesn't like seeing Cutter insecure either.