Log Date: 11/1/95 (and a few earlier days)
Log Introduction: With the former Chosen Telia giving him a ride on her
bond-bird, Cloudripper, Rayek has finally left the Cat Elf jungles. Telia's
bird landed near the edge of the jungle when Azeure and _his_ bird
Nightfeather were spotted, and upon landing, Rayek discovered to his
startlement and dismay that Savah, the Mother of Memory, was in the Glider's
company. And in the meantime, Ktai, trying to flee the jungle on her own,
arrived on the scene herself....

[Note: We tried to play this scene over several days' worth of
attempts, and finally got Rayek, Savah, Azeure, and Ktai all connected at
the same time. Telia was not around, but we assumed that she was still near.]

----------
Rayek floats down after Telia, who lingers near her bond-bird, then he blinks 
  and frowns warily at the other elves here.

Savah accepts Azeure's help to dismount from his bird, and stands for a 
  moment, swaying as she regains her balance.

Azeure stands with Savah and looks up, frowning thoughtfully as he dismounts 
  from Nightfeather

Ktai stumbles in, her eyes filled with tears. She stops short, staring 
  unbelievably. High Ones! Can she -never- get away from them?

Azeure glances to Ktai briefly before returning his eyes to Rayek and Savah

Rayek's eyes shiver almost closed for a moment, as he starts to consider 
  landing on the ground -- and then thinks better of it. Not seeing Ktai, he 
  focuses on keeping himself as straight of posture as possible, and he glows, 
  as he hovers a few inches off the ground.

Savah looks at you for a moment.

Rayek gives a narrow glance from Savah to Azeure and back again, before 
  murmuring roughly, "Mother of Memory."

Ktai stands, shaking her head. Why???

Savah walks closer to Rayek, her steps slow and tired, but her smile warm. 
  "Dear One, I feared for you."

Rayek doesn't quite meet Savah's eyes, as he sends lowly, ** I am well 
  enough.. **

Azeure frowns ** I certainly hope you are better than you look.. Ktai.. I 
  thought you were to take him to a healer? **

Ktai lowers her head. ** <quiet/defeated> I failed... he would not stay. **

Savah raises her hand to Rayek. "Rayek?"

Rayek frowns himself, distracted, and looks up as he realizes Ktai is present 
  -- hadn't she stayed behind?

Rayek grumbles at Azeure, ** The Cat Elf healer is a troll-mannered barbar... 
  ** But at Savah's low words, he blushes, just a hint, and eyes her warily.

Ktai refuses to look up. Her overall appearance is disheveled, and she sits 
  defeated.

Azeure arches a brow curiously but does not voice his thoughts.

Savah looks to Ktai, her eyes warm with sympathy after a moment. She rests her 
  golden gaze on Rayek, once more. "There are healers in the village, dear 
  one. Return with us?"

Rayek frowns, still floating, expression still brusque. ** My place is at the 
  Palace, Mother of Memory. ** His eyes flicker, for just a moment, with 
  something that _might_ be nervousness.

Ktai stands, and without looking up sends quietly. ** No doubt Eukar is 
  worried... **

Azeure nods ** She is right Rayek.. you need healing.. I will see to the 
  palace and Ekuar's safety.. you have my word **

Savah smiles, regarding Rayek. "Then you have indeed travelled in the wrong 
  direction. Yes, Ekuar is worried.. as are others."

Ktai locksends ** <sadly/quiet> go on **

Rayek glares at Azeure, surging slightly towards him in the air. ** I said 
  _no_. I will not leave Ekuar! I... ** He trails off, color draining a little 
  out of his face.
Rayek adds heatedly to Savah, but somewhat less firmly, ** I... did not know I 
  was brought here. **

Azeure frowns and folds his arms in front of his chest quietly

Savah holds out her hands to Rayek. "Come, my student of old..sit with me a 
  moment? These old bones have forgotten how to travel."

Rayek hangs in the air, lines of strain at the corner of his eyes. He eyes 
  Savah, then, with extreme care, floats himself down to sit beside her -- 
  avoiding putting his right foot on the ground. His face sheens over 
  slightly, with a hint of sweat.

Savah seats herself carefully at, um, a fallen log. She takes one of Rayek's 
  hands, and watches him quietly for a moment.

Azeure turns wordlessly and tends to Nightfeather

Rayek's brown fingers are tense in Savah's, and his eyes shudder closed. He 
  knows he's under her scrutiny -- he knows, too, that Savah's gaze misses 
  little. His stance grows more taut.

Savah locksends ** Ekuar and Suntop are at the Palace. They guard it well, my 
  dear. **

You locksend ** <tonelessly> I must return. ** to Savah.

You sense in a locksend, Savah's send is warm and understanding.

Ktai locksends ** <gentle strength> **

You locksend ** And you must return, Savah.. this place is not safe. There 
  are... creatures, that attack elves. You must not be risked! ** to Savah.

Savah smiles to Rayek.

Rayek looks up at her, finally, amber gaze intent. Stubborn.

Savah locksends ** Only once before have I left the sanctuary of Sorrow's End. 
  It has not been easy. Let us return to the Palace, dear one, and then we 
  will see what we will see. **

Rayek slides a glance southward, to the jungles, and frowns, then, he nods 
  tensely to Savah.
Rayek rises, slowly, still not placing weight on his feet. "The Palace. Yes."

Ktai looks up and her gaze falls to Rayek.

Azeure strokes the giant birds feathers as he adjusts the harness for more 
  travel

Ktai sends quietly. ** Rayek... go be healed... I'll watch the palace if you'd 
  like. **

Savah stands, carefully, and asks Ktai softly. "Would your bondfriend bring 
  Rayek as far as the Palace, my dear? Azeure, I would go with you once more."

Rayek mutters gruffly to Ktai, "I will not leave Ekuar..."

Ktai opens her mouth, then closes it again. ** I have no bond... I carried him 
  the last.... <her send fades> **

Azeure muses ** Then I could take him to go with you.. Malene can continue his 
  work if you must be with him.. but you do need a healer Rayek.. **

Savah says "I believe Ekuar, as well as Suntop, will visit the village for the 
  Festival soon to come, Rayek."

Rayek jerks his gaze around to Savah, taken aback.
Rayek blurts, "He did not mention..."

Savah says "You have worked hard, and had little time to think of other 
  events. All of you. But there is a time for all things, and soon is the time 
  for the Festival."

Rayek blinks a few times, then, allows gruffly, "I... will speak with Ekuar."

Savah says "We both will, my dear. There is much to speak of." She looks 
  towards Azeure. "For all of us.""

Rayek glides up to meet the waiting Telia, scowling suddenly -- and Savah, at 
  least, could recognize his expression as concealing embarrassment. As he 
  lands on the bondird, he grimaces, reaching automatically and briefly for 
  his ankle.

Azeure nods and offers his hand to Savah, as he begins to rise to 
  Nightfeather's back

Ktai blurts "Rayek! Be careful!"
Ktai clasps both hands over her mouth, and pales.

Rayek blinks down at Ktai, and frowns. "I am _fine_," he snaps, perhaps a bit 
  too vehemently, as Telia orders her bond-bird into the air.

Ktai nods, and turns away.

[On Telia's bond-bird, Rayek flies to the Palace; Savah on Azeure's bird
 follows. Once they have returned to the High Ones' home, Rayek grudgingly
 and tiredly allows himself to be hauled off to rest in his private
 chambers... and indeed has little choice, for between his general tiredness
 and his badly tended wounded ankle, he drifts into a doze almost the moment
 he floats off Telia's bird. In his chambers, he dozes, until his mentor
 Ekuar comes in to check on him....]

Ekuar hobbles in, quietly, peering into the sleepfurs.

Rayek lies curled up exhaustedly on his furs, where the Gliders have placed 
  him.

Ekuar
Ekuar is an ancient elf made small, gaunt, and frail by millennia of torture 
  and neglect. He is entirely bald, with large, limpid brown eyes gazing 
  mildly out of a pale, craggy face. His left arm is gone at the shoulder, and 
  his left leg is missing below the knee. Strapped to the leg stump is a 
  well-made wooden shin, ending in a foot for balance. He leans on a sturdy 
  carved staff; his remaining hand is missing its middle finger.
        With all of this damage, you might be tempted to think of him as "half 
  an elf"... unless you looked closer. Then you would see the purity and joy 
  shining within the gnarled body. You would sense the feeling within this 
  firstborn of the High Ones that, despite any amount of mutilation, he is 
  indeed whole.

Ekuar gives a small sigh in his throat, an excited little noise that might 
  almost be a muffled word. He moves slowly to the side of the furs and lowers 
  himself carefully down, setting the staff aside. His maimed hand reaches 
  softly for one of Rayek's own.
Ekuar looks at you for a moment.

Rayek, when his hand is grasped, starts drowsily, head snapping up. His tense 
  stance slackens a bit, though, when he realizes who has wakened him. 
  "Ek...uar!"

Ekuar leans over, large eyes dark and deep with emotion. "Shh, shh, there 
  Brownskin. Eh, I suppose I shouldn't have wakened you. There, rest... I just 
  had to see you." He smiles beatifically.

Rayek grumbles, "I'm.... fine, truly... I should never have left!" He sits up, 
  or at least tries to, and tries further to hug his aged mentor.
Rayek hisses under his breath, as his ankle protests its slight movement upon 
  his sitting up.

Ekuar slips his hand from Rayek's and encircles the narrow shoulders with his 
  arm, warmly leaning his head in. "Easy, easy. Here, lie back, this will 
  never do."

Rayek protests, "Please...! I'm... alright..." His voice is rough-edged, 
  though, and ragged-sounding. "Ekuar, have the Gliders gotten in your way? If 
  they halt our work..."

Ekuar clicks his tongue and pushes Rayek gently down. "Rest yourself, 
  Brownskin, and I'll tell you the tale. Not that there's much to tell, since 
  you've been gone... I think all of the excitement follows you. Now, lay your 
  head back, there's a good lad, eh?" His thin hand strokes a tangle of dusty 
  hair from Rayek's face.

Rayek's face is slightly warm and flushed, and with a faint scowl he 
  grudgingly obeys. "How... long have I been gone? I... lost track of time..."

Ekuar strokes gently at Rayek's hair again, and absently rests his hand 
  against the angular cheek. He laughs merrily. "Oh! If it's time you're 
  after, you should know better than to ask me. My old head can scarcely keep 
  all these pretty Gliders apart, to say nothing of watching time pass!" His 
  voice carries unashamed fondness: "Oh, Brownskin, how I missed you." He 
  opens his mouth, as if to continue the thought, but subsides and smiles 
  gently, looking the battered elf up and down with concern.

Rayek almost smiles, but fidgets where he lies, fretfully. "I do not know why 
  Ktai took me there... they are a pack of curs, Ekuar! Ill-mannered as 
  trolls..." He scowls, suddenly, rubbing at his wrists. "They bound me!"

Ekuar blinks, surprised. "-Bound- you, you say? Oh, my dear." He pats at 
  Rayek's cheek, feeling the increased heat there. "No no, no elf should be 
  bound. Why would they do a thing like that?" His question is soft and 
  wondering.

You say "They refused to let me go... I left. The barbarians were not even 
  grateful for our chasing off the lizard!"

Ekuar's aged brow wrinkles as he tries to sort this out. "The lizard?" He 
  moves his gnarled hand up to caress Rayek's brow, checking for fever.

Rayek nods fretfully, one hand fidgeting at random. "It... was large... taller 
  than two elves, I'd say... it chased Ktai and me. Wounded her... scratched 
  me..."
Rayek's head is a little warmer than it should be, and his eyes shift closed, 
  as if in gratitude for the coolness of the aged skin touching his.
Rayek offers a sending-image, of something at least eight feet tall and 
  snarling, on the ground below him as he hovers. It snaps and leaps with 
  great ferocity... but the image is slightly fuzzy, as if seen through a haze 
  of exhaustion.

Ekuar strokes the warm forehead comfortingly. "That's what happened to your 
  ankle?" He frowns slightly, concerned. "It looks like it needs some 
  cleaning, that's for certain. There, easy now." He regards the tired 
  dark-skinned elf fondly.

Rayek shakes his head quickly, anxiously. "Fine... only a scrape, little 
  more... I must return to our work, Ekuar!" He blinks, then, as if 
  remembering something all at once. "Savah... Savah said... you were going to 
  Sorrow's End?"
Rayek's eyes all at once turn a little brown, a little sad. For an instant, he 
  looks afraid.

Ekuar tips his head at the image and shivers. "Oh my," he manages. "I'm glad 
  you're clear of -that-!" He turns his hand over to touch the cool back of it 
  to the hot forehead, and bobs his head eagerly. "I'd love to, so much! 
  Remember how lovely the Festival is, Brownskin. Remember..."

Rayek's mouth tightens, and he looks away. "I... have no place there, anymore."

Ekuar stops and says gently, "Brownskin. Will you listen to your old Ekuar for 
  a moment, eh? I want to tell you something that's long been unsaid."

Rayek stills, and looks slowly and hesitantly back.

Ekuar slips his gentle hand beneath Rayek's chin, holding the well-loved face 
  still to regard it lovingly. "Listen, dear one. You and I... we were apart 
  for far too long. Let's not do that again, eh? You, in the Palace alone... 
  You, in the jungle, with the giant lizards." He chuckles softly. "I'm 
  incomplete, that's all. Eh, me. I won't abandon you again."

Rayek blinks a few times, eyes widening; he is clearly taken aback. He finally 
  says huskily, "It... was... my fault, that you left, before. I..."

Ekuar shakes his head, slowly. "No, no. You take so much on yourself... Don't 
  try to carry -all- the burdens, Brownskin. It's all right. My, yes, it's all 
  right. We're together now, and that's what matters." His smile glows, gentle 
  and sweet.

Rayek cries roughly, "I... did not want to leave here... they would not let me 
  return to you! I..." He trails off, then, looking confused.
Rayek's voice drops to a faint whisper, and he frowns uncertainly. "I... was 
  angry... when I left. I-I should not have gone, I..."

Ekuar moves his cool hand down to rest atop one of Rayek's. "She's all right," 
  he says softly. "Windkin took her."

Rayek freezes. "......what?"

Ekuar says carefully, "The warrior, yes, the GoBack. She and I, we had such a 
  journey down to the desert, where I found you..." He pats Rayek's hand. "The 
  little Preserver wrapped her, to keep her safe, so her leg wouldn't move. 
  Eh, then he took her... he said he could get her to a healer."

Rayek blinkblinks several times, then grabs anxiously at your hand. "Ekuar... 
  what... what about her?"

Ekuar purses his thin lips anxiously. "Why... her leg was broken, Brownskin. 
  Because of the... the blast."

Ktai locksends ** <quiet/hesitant> Are you well? **

Rayek breathes, "...... blast? What blast? I...." Suddenly, his expression 
  shifts from bafflement to a look of startled realization... and then, shame. 
  "Oh, High Ones... no... I.... I did not mean...."
You locksend to Ktai, Rayek seems barely aware of your sending. His mind is 
  there and palpable, but something has apparently just startled him badly...

Ekuar lifts your hand to his pale cheek, his face worried. "There, now, hush. 
  Of course not, of course not. We took care of her."

Rayek slumps back, his grip loosening in his shock. "I... did not mean to hurt 
  her," he mumbles, aghast.

Ktai knocks softly at the doors of the room.

Ekuar lowers your hand carefully to the furs and strokes it. "I know, dear 
  one. It's all right. I know..."

Rayek doesn't bat an eyelash at the knock, seeming as stunned as if someone 
  had just belted him with a boulder.

Ekuar looks over his shoulder, and reluctantly lets go of Rayek's hand, 
  groping for his staff. He rises, carefully, and hobbles for the door.

Ktai locksends ** May I come in? **

Ekuar steps out into the corridor.
Ekuar has left.

You locksend ** <Startlement. Shame?> I.... ** to Ktai.

Ekuar has arrived.

Ktai has arrived.

Rayek lies with his forearm across his eyes, when the others come in.

Ktai limps in after Ekuar, her weary eyes searching for Rayek.

Ekuar enters quietly, lowering himself down again close to the furs. He puts 
  his staff aside and reaches out to take the hand that isn't across Rayek's 
  eyes. He says softly, "Brownskin? A visitor..."

Rayek stiffens, and looks up warily.

Ktai looks at Rayek quietly.

Ekuar pats Rayek's hand reassuringly, but stays quiet.

Rayek lowers his eyes, strangely humbled, abashed. "What do you want, Ktai?"

Ktai locksends ** <quiet/gentle> What is wrong? **
Ktai limps over and gently rests her hand on Rayek's arm. ** I want to help, 
  whether you need it or not. **

Rayek frowns, and tries to turn towards the wall. "I... do not believe there 
  is anything you can do," he mutters harshly.

Ktai watches sadly, sending as her own cheeks flame red.
Ktai locksends ** Not even to admit that I loved you? **

Ekuar looks up at Ktai, his eyes gentle.

Rayek freezes. Again. His amber eyes widen, and he stares at Ktai in shock.

Ktai's cheeks burn as she looks at Rayek.

Ekuar strokes Rayek's warm hand, softly, looking from his face to Ktai's.

Rayek sits up unsteadily, and scoots back from Ktai as if she'd just threatned 
  him with a spear. Then, suddenly, he turns crimson under his tan, and jerks 
  his gaze away.

Ekuar looks back to Rayek, concerned. "Brownskin?" His voice is low. 
  "Brownskin, are you all right?"

Ktai turns sharply. ** <quiet/hurt> I - I'm sorry... I'll be gone by 
  morning... **

Ekuar turns again at the tone in Ktai's send. "Child...?"

Ktai is facing the door. She only hears the question. ** <quiet> I was wrong 
  to think... **
Ktai sighs, and limps to the door.

Rayek growls lowly, "Yes... you were."

Ekuar looks between the two younger elves again, helplessly perplexed.

Ktai winces sharply, and a small cry escapes her.

Ekuar says worriedly, "Please, pretty Glider. Rest. You've had such a long 
  journey... and you did so much for Br-- for me."

Ktai nearly flings herself out of the room, but she doesn't manage to hold 
  back a sob before she stumbles out.
Ktai steps out into the corridor.
Ktai has left.

Rayek's hands clench into fists, and he slumps down, scowling to himself.

Ktai locksends ** <quiet/pained> I'm sorry... **

Ekuar sits quietly for a time, stroking Rayek's forearm soothingly.

Rayek swallows hard, still stubbornly and tensely silent.

Ekuar says musingly, as if to himself, "I owe that pretty one some thanks. My, 
  yes, she went after you to keep you safe, and here you are! Dear me."

Rayek whispers at last, sounding oddly helpless, "Why.... by the High Ones... 
  did she choose _me_....?" Not looking at his mentor, he looks as though 
  someone has just clobbered him with a _bigger_ boulder.

Ekuar moves his hand from Rayek's arm, pulling up one of the furs and 
  carefully tucking it over the darkskinned elf. "Choose you?" he might or 
  might not know the full import of the question, but he continues gently as 
  he fusses with the furs. "Eh, well, who knows why anyone chooses anyone? Did 
  you choose to find me, when and where you did? Did we choose to follow the 
  paths we've been on? The ways of this world are interesting, indeed." He 
  chuckles quietly and smoothes back a stray lock of tangled black hair from 
  Rayek's brow.

Rayek swings his gaze around to you, and says weakly, "She... sent... that she 
  loved me... I..."

Ekuar blinks, considering this thoughtfully. "Love? Ah, Brownskin, don't you 
  think someone could love you? Eh?" He smiles. "You look so surprised."

Rayek says hoarsely, "I... she..." He shakes his head vehemently. "I-I am not 
  a wise target for affections! I..."

Ekuar beams fondly and leans in to give his slender charge a quick embrace. 
  "Oh! Brownskin!" He laughs, gently. "As if affection was -ever- wise! Dear 
  me, no, indeed."

Rayek mumbles awkwardly, "I... Ekuar, it's... just not right, I..."

Ekuar sighs and lovingly smooths the long, dark hair, his eyes shining. "Dear 
  one. Hush, it's all right. Let it go." He twines a strand of the dusty hair 
  in his skeletal fingers. "Let it -all- go, eh?"

Rayek is trembling violently now, and he huddles against Ekuar as he has not 
  done in... well, three years or so, since the time the old rockshaper pulled 
  him out of his magical backlash.

Ekuar bends to embrace Rayek, his single arm warm and welcoming, resting his 
  forehead against the dark elf. "Shh, now. I'm here. Eh, we both are, long 
  past anyone's expectations." He smiles, closing his eyes. "Easy, 
  Brownskin... You don't need to carry so much, so far. Hm? You can let me be 
  here. You can let me help you, and it's all right." He rocks the weary one 
  slightly, rhythmically.

Rayek send-mumbles, ** I... think I'm going mad, Ekuar... **

Ekuar sends in return, his ancient and powerful mind wrapping your thoughts 
  lovingly. ** Mad? No, sweet Brownskin. I've been to madness. I've seen it, 
  and nearly lost myself in it... beyond time, beyond help. And I tell you 
  that you are all right. ** The send-assurance is simple, matter-of-fact, and 
  infinitely loving.

Rayek sends without looking up, ashamedly, ** But... I-I have lost the High 
  Ones' voices... and... I did not mean to hurt her... I... **

Ekuar's mental reply carries no hint of blame. ** The High Ones haven't gone 
  anywhere, dear one. Their voices will come back to you... you have time and 
  eternity to rediscover them. ** He strokes the tense back. ** And I know you 
  did not mean to hurt the GoBack. I do know. It was a mistake, that's all... 
  It can be put right... **

** I... could have killed her... I... I was out of my head! What if it happens 
  again? I... ** Still shuddering, Rayek clings to you, his sendings faltering.

Ekuar holds you tighter, his sole arm surprisingly strong. ** I'm with you. I 
  -will be- with you... You and I, we will work together to see it never 
  happens again. Eh? Of course we will, now that we're together. Hush, now... 
  Brownskin, let it go... **

Rayek's hot forehead presses against the old shoulder supporting him, and he 
  gives a low, strangled gasp. No, curse it, he doesn't _want_ to cry.

Ekuar rocks the exhausted elf steadily, patiently. ** I know you. I love you. 
  And it's all right. ** The send is soft, a reassuring mental touch rather 
  than an emotional invasion.
Ekuar closes his eyes again, his gaunt face alight with worry and love.

Rayek, at last, goes limp, but he doesn't look up.

Ekuar murmurs, quietly, "Brownskin... will you come with me? To Sorrow's End?"

Rayek tenses a little, once more, and mumbles, "I... I have no place there..."

Ekuar passes his cool hand softly across the straining shoulders. "Whatever 
  you think of the desert village, Brownskin... You -do- have a place with me. 
  And with Savah. We want you to come. Please."

Rayek looks up, hesitantly. His eyes glimmer with a suspicious dampness. 
  "But... the Palace..."

Ekuar meets your eyes, his own wise and trusting. "You have done so much here, 
  Brownskin, and in so little time. The Palace can rest, now, and we can go to 
  take our ease in the village. It has been in this world so long... it can 
  wait a bit longer for us, eh?"

Rayek hesitates, and a look that perhaps only you or Savah could recognize for 
  what it is -- fright -- flickers across his eyes.

Ekuar strokes your shoulder gently, wordlessly, his slight form radiating a 
  sense of eternal -presence-, despite its frail appearance.

Rayek hangs his head. He _is_ so very tired....
Rayek admits lowly, "I... would give much... just... to sleep well, again... 
  I..."

Ekuar bends his own head to gently put his face against your dusty, tangled 
  hair. He murmurs reassuringly, "I'm with you, Brownskin. Savah will be with 
  you. You can rest... You can let go."

Rayek murmurs wearily, "A time... a short time... cannot let the Palace go 
  untended... " His head sags, and his eyes nearly drop shut again.

Ekuar stretches out in the furs, his arm still embracing the weary Rayek, 
  lowering him into a comfortable position. "Of course, eh, of course. Just a 
  short time. Just a moment in the long span of seasons. Come with me, and 
  we'll rest. Hm?"

Rayek does not resist as the aged elf pats him downward. Eyes nearly closed, 
  he then jerks, and whispers, "I... cannot face her, Ekuar... if... I must be 
  healed, let it be Mender.... please..." The fright returns to his gaze, 
  along with the evident exhaustion.

Ekuar replies softly, "Eh, dear. Brownskin... I'll look after you. Remember 
  how well you looked after me? You'll be all right. Hush, now. Be at peace."

Rayek frowns a little. "Peace," he breathes, almost longingly.
Rayek lies back, shivering every so often by reflex... or by the slight fever 
  in his bones.

Ekuar tucks the furs carefully around Rayek's thin form, lying close, 
  protectively.

Petalwing flitflitflits in, peeking around the door before it lights nearby. 
  It peeks curiously at Rayek, and whispers tinily to Ekuar, /Sharpdark 
  highthing take nap now?/

Rayek's eyes drop closed, at last.

Ekuar nods, his pale lips curving in a faint smile. "Indeed, little Preserver. 
  Eh, yes."
Ekuar stretches out on the furs, blinking patiently. "Hush, now," he says 
  quietly to the colorful little creature. "Hush, and let's stay with him, eh? 
  Let's let him have some peace." He regards the exhausted elf, his gaze mild 
  and deep.

[End log.]