Log Cast: Treestump, Flashfire, Suntop, Gentlerock, Rue, Rayek, Ktai, Redfeather, Valla, Flameshadow
Log Date: 5/3/1998
Log Intro: 
	After taking up an invitating to teach Suntop and Flashfire how to
 hunt, Rayek found himself watching more than interacting as the pair
 handled themselves surprisingly well.  They brought down a wild zwoot
 with little assistance from him, but in the midst of their conversaton
 afterwards Suntop and Flashfire detected a noise among the nearby
 rocks.  Investigating the noise, Flashfire let an arrow fly and hit the
 source of the noise; much to Suntop and Flashfire's dismay, it turned
 out to be Ktai, who was with child and also happened to be Rayek's
 love-mate.  Fearing for Rayek's temper, the two tried to keep him from
 seeing who it was and consequently set off his temper anyway.
	When Rayek did discover what had happened, his anger turned to
 insult and betrayal at Suntop's lack of trust, and flew off with Ktai,
 but not before saying to Suntop: "I have always trusted you.  Always
 trusted you.  I have valued you as a friend and an equal.  But I cannot
 trust someone who does not trust me."  
	Distraught, Suntop went to Treestump, one of the elders of his
 father's tribe.  The old Wolfrider had suffered some mental damage
 during his time spent in the Underworld, hindering his ability to send,
 yet was nonetheless eager to help out his grand-nephew with the tension
 that had risen between him and the hot-headed Airwalker.
 
----------

The night has come and gone after the tense situation between Suntop,
 Rayek, Flashfire, and Ktai occured. The day has slipped away as well,
 and now the beginning threads of sundown are beginning to cast
 themselves over the blue skies of the desert. Treestump, having put
 together as much as he could have from the story Suntop and perhaps
 Flashfire told him, is still up, having not slept the day away, yet not
 looking groggy in the slightest. Hands crossed over his chest, he sits
 on the bench he had chosen the day before, studying his feet with an
 almost expectant expression.

Suntop walks in slowly from the direction of his hut, his blue eyes
 shadowed by the beginnings of dark circles. Like his great-uncle, he
 seems not to have slept during the past night or current day, but
 unlike Treestump, he does not seem to be faring as well.

Flashfire must have been the only one of the three to have had much of
 any sleep at all. Truth - he napped for bits and pieces of time,
 throughout the day - a true wolflike nap. His energy replenished, even
 his mood seems a step above yesterday's, though as he follows Suntop,
 one cannot help but notice the concern still on his face, should one
 glance his way.

Treestump's wolf-keen ears flick slightly as they catch the quiet
 footfalls of the lads's approach. He glances up and, despite his lack
 of sleep, looks truly no worse for wear. One day without sleep. He's
 done worse. "Hullo, lads," he bobs his head in greeting, then seems to
 watch them both with a faint thread of unease, though Suntop more than
 Flashfire. The yellow-haired grandnephew's appearance has already
 struck a chord of concern inside the old wolf.

Suntop goes over and sits down on the floor of the Square, his back
 against the bench Treestump occupies. He pulls his knees up to his chin
 and rubs his eyes. "Shade, Treestump..." He breathes out on a sigh.

"He wouldn't sleep..or couldn't, no matter how much I tried to get him
 to," Flashfire confesses, looking to Treestump. He stops a pair of
 steps from Suntop, then adds, "Hello, Treestump." His tone is soft, but
 still deep.

Treestump's hand lifts from where it rests on his knee to touch Suntop's
 shoulder gently. "I spoke with some of the Villagers, Sun-cub.." the
 old wolf murmurs softly, his hand squeezing the younger elf's shoulder
 slightly. "Black-Hair and his mate were seen going into their tent and
 they haven't been seen coming out of it. There was some talk.." He
 pauses briefly to allow Flashfire time to speak, and then he nods to
 Flashfire, another line of worry appearing between his brows. After a
 moment, he tries again, his voice significantly softer: "There was some
 talk.. that Rayek and Ktai are returning to the Palace as soon as
 possible."

Suntop rakes his fingers through his hair, pulling the sun-bright
 strands tightly back from his face. "Aye..." he breathes, "I would
 imagine that they would. It's...more isolated there, despite those who
 come to visit the Palace. I don't blame him for wanting to leave
 either. -I- want to leave..." He untangles his hands from his hair and
 rests his forehead on his knees. "I just want to leave everything
 behind me..." his voice is muffled. He raises his head slightly and
 says, still softly, "I don't even think apologizing will help this."

Gentlerock arrives from the crossroads, looking around to see who is
 here.
Gentlerock has arrived.
Gentlerock sends openly ** Greetings, all. **

You locksend ** ((You can sense the burns that are irritated by his
 effort, but those sensations are quickly blocked away. The sending
 comes halted, slow, as he struggles to make sure each word is formed
 correctly.)) Do you ... really .. think ... that, lad? ** to Suntop.

Suntop starts and looks at his great-uncle, his eyes wide as he reaches
 to place a hand on the elder's arm. "Don't send...I know it hurts you."

Treestump is seated on a bench, Suntop beside him, but on the floor. The
 old wolf's hand rests on the lad's shoulder and his brows are knitted
 together, light blue eyes betraying his concern. A wince etches across
 his face, a thin line of pain appearing in his eyes. He does not hear
 Gentlerock's sending, as can be expected, but he does hear his
 approach. He glances up and nods to Gentlerock, a half-hearted smile on
 his face. "G'day, lad." As to Suntop's protest, the old wolf says
 nothing.

Gentlerock nods. "Greetings."

Flashfire exhales slowly, brows coming together at the words spoken from
 both Treestump and Suntop. A hand of his own comes to lie on Suntop's
 shoulder, the same as last night, and carefully, he tries to express
 what's in his mind. "You and I know it was an accident..I think he
 does, too. We were scared, and that's why we tried to keep the truth
 from him...he should know you're worried for him, and if he cared at
 all, he'd know how stupid he's being to you. You apologized to him. He
 has to let it go now..maybe it's going to take him awhile, though.." He
 wonders as an afterthought if he did right, or if he should've just
 kept quiet.

Flashfire gives Gentlerock a glance and faint smile for a greeting.

Gentlerock nods in Flashfire's direction.

Suntop glances over but can offer no more than a nod of greeting to
 Gentlerock. He looks back to Treestump, but seems to be staring beyond
 him. "I don't know if I think that..." he answers Treestump's send. He
 blinks, his look coming back to the present and glances at Flashfire.
 "I deeply insulted him...even if he knows it is an accident, I can
 still understand why he wouldn't wish to speak to me."

Treestump inclines his head slightly to Gentlerock, then returns his
 gaze back to Suntop, an indigo shadow casting over his pale blue eyes.
 "You know how that desert rat likes to hold grudges, Sun-cub. Thinks he
 shines brighter than the sun and all that.. He just needs to cool off."
 The hand on Suntop's shoulder squeezes slightly again. "No hurt in
 trying again, is there?"

Suntop sighs and looks down at his feet. "No, I suppose not..."

Flashfire nods without a word to Suntop and Treestump. He stands in
 place, merely nodding to show his support of the idea. . o O (Don't run
 from a problem..good)

Rue arrives from the crossroads, looking around to see who is here.
Rue has arrived.

Suntop floomps his head in his hands with a soft, exasperated groan.

Treestump pauses, casting an uncertain glance in Gentlerock's (and
 Rue's?) direction. Rude to leave the lad (and lass?) here after s/he
 just arrived, but the problem between Suntop and Rayek is a bad one.
 The old wolf can't confess to ever caring that much for the 'puffed-up
 desert rat', but High Ones! he hates to see his grand-nephew like this.
 After a moment, he looks back to Suntop, brows knitting together at the
 exasperated noise. "I take it you don't want to?"

Flashfire's eyes shift from Suntop to Treestump, then back to Suntop.
 His hand remains in place at the sun-haired one's shoulder, but no more
 words come from him, yet, merely a gentle supportive sending meant for
 Cutter's son.

Rue has disconnected.

Suntop lifts his head and rubs at his face. "No...I do..." He manages a
 sad grin, "I just don't know how much more hurt I can take." He sighs
 tiredly and rubs at the back of his neck. "Besides...I should at least
 tell him and Ktai that I'm returning to LostHolt...even if they don't
 care it will make me feel better...maybe." He hesitates a moment before
 pushing himself up to his feet.

Treestump's gaze lifts as Suntop rises, some tension easing from his
 face, but not much. "You want me to come with you, lad?"

"I'll go with you, if you want. Rayek doesn't scare me." Much. Well, if
 it was a send, the words wouldn't have come out the same. "I won't let
 him hurt you. You're supposed to be his friend."

Suntop's sad eyes are suddenly hopeful. "Could you, Treestump?" He looks
 to Flashfire. "I think I need all the reinforcements I can get."

Rue heads for the shelter of the canopy.
Rue has left.

"Aye." The old wolf is already rising to his own feet, stretching just
 slightly. "I'll come."

Even Flashfire is relieved to be having Treestump coming along on this
 little expedition. "Where is his tent?"

Suntop rubs his eyes again and nods off to the north. "That way..."

Treestump only nods, a faint smirk pulling at the edges of the old
 wolf's face. "Lead the way, Sun-cub."

Suntop goes north.
Suntop has left.

[Omitted travelspam]

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:
Suntop
Goldenfire
Shadowcast(#8666Jps)
Gathered Camp(#8500AJLe)
DoubleStar
Travelers' Tent (Ktai and Rayek)
Ripple
Footstalker
Winterclaw's tent
Cluster of Tents(#9507AJLe)
Stormlight's Tent  -  SLT
Catelf Camp (CC)(#10213Je)
Trader Camp <TC>(#4783AJLaes)
Obvious exits:
Barren Desert<N>  Desert Trail<NW>  

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.

[Travelers' Tent (Ktai and Rayek)]
A patchwork tent large enough to hold four Wolfrider-sized elves snugly,
 but only two Glider-sized elves comfortably. A small leather flap marks
 the entrance.
Carrying:
Ktai
Rayek

Flashfire arrives from the winding path from Sorrow's End.
Flashfire has arrived.

There is a tent set seperate from the others, away from the
 congregations of tents and campsites. Patchwork and just barely large
 enough to hold two Gliders.. perhaps that is the one?

Suntop looks around at the many tents in the area, trying to find which
 one it is. After receiving a send though, he can focus on which tent.
 "That one." he points it out.
Suntop goes up to the tent. "We can enter." he says before ducking into
 the tent.
Suntop has left.

Flashfire glances briefly at Treestump, wondering what kind of room is
 left in the tent, before shrugging and moving in as well.

Treestump follows Suntop to the tent, but hesitates just before
 entering. Small thing, it is, and so he shakes his head, glancing
 briefly to Flashfire. "I'll stay out here, lad. Just holler if I'm
 needed."

Flashfire says "Aye."
Flashfire has left.

[As the elder Wolfrider remains outside, Suntop and Flashfire venture
 inside the tent.  But as for the pair that lie sleeping inside..]

Rayek, though he lay down and drifted off, didn't even close his eyes
 until he was certain Ktai was asleep. Now, finally asleep, he doesn't
 look as if he'd care to awaken anytime soon. He managed to discard his
 tunic and cloak before finally keeling over, but soft lines have 
 etched beneath his eyes and between his brows. Despite that, though,
 his expression is blandly peaceful, the corners of his lips quirked
 ever-so-slightly.

Ktai, for her part, is curled comfortably until she moves her left
 arm, then winces as she half-awakens from the sudden announcement
 of pain. Her eyes flutter open briefly, and she readjusts to curl
 up with Rayek before her eyes slip closed again.

Rayek stirs slightly, emitting a soft, almost kittenish noise as
 Ktai stirs. His eyelashes flutter, as if to awaken, but doesn't
 and, once she curls up with him, a hand moves groggily over her,
 but only makes it part-way, his hand resting half on hers and half
 on her middle.

As if the touch was almost expected, Ktai's fingers twine with
 Rayek's - just as Tyree settles back in with a slight shift.

Again, Rayek stirs as Ktai's fingers curl over his, and Tyree shifts
 ever so slightly. And, again, he doesn't awaken, but murmurs
 something incoherent in his sleep.

A fuzzily sent query, more feelings and fuzz than words and
 emotions.

In reply, a soft bubble of imagery comes. Darkness, fear, the
 indistinct things that make the stuff of nightmares. But both
 darkness and fear subside and disappear, moving in on the next
 dream , and then the next, the dream-images flowing together so
 fluidly it is difficult to tell one from another until the bubble
 itself pops and Rayek shifts slightly again in his sleep.

It's a fuzzy sort of childish feeling, similar to how one child pats
 the hand of another who is crying.

It cannot be told whether or not the childlike comfort that touched
 the Airwalker truly reassured him or not, but perhaps it did, for
 some of the tension is smoothed from his chisled features.

The air is still from send and magic, now only lightly flavoured
 with the touch of sleep and rest.

Suntop has arrived.
Flashfire has arrived.

Within the tent, there is a sense of peace and rest, and indeed the
 Airwalker and his mate are asleep. Rayek, though some of the
 tension has been eased from his face still possesses a weary
 quality to his chiseled features, his hand resting partially on
 Ktai's middle. If he notices the arrival of any, he gives no sign,
 not even stirring in the slightest.

Ktai opens her eyes and sits up slowly as Suntop and company step
 into the tent. Gently setting Rayek's hand in her lap, she pushes
 at her hair so as to see the visitors better.

Suntop glances quickly to Rayek, hesitant that he might stir. He
 then looks to Ktai..."I'm sorry to wake you...how is your arm?" his
 voice is soft so as not to wake the sleeping Airwalker.

Ktai switches to soft voice, nodding slowly. "It will heal... given
 time. I've been worse."

Flashfire remains next to the tent's flap, not yet speaking. His
 eyes do travel between Ktai and Rayek, and an awkward smile forms.

The Airwalker stirs briefly as Ktai sits up, but does not awaken.
 Perhaps to Suntop's good fortune.

Suntop sighs softly and says, "I know he can't hear me, but I wanted
 to apologize again. I also know it won't fix things...but..." He
 shrugs, raising one hand to rub his sleep-deprived eyes, the
 shadows beneath them probably less noticable in the darkness of the
 tent.

You locksend ** ((Vaguely, you sense Rayek stirring. There are..
 voices in the tent, voices not yours, but he is so tired! He wants
 to wake up, but, in conflict, he does not. So he stirs, sleep
 threading with unease.)) ** to Ktai.

Ktai's voice is soft. "Little ones... you both should rest. Keeping
 yourselves awake and fretting over it does you both no good." She
 glances to Rayek softly. "He'll... get over it. He always does."

Ktai locksends ** <Her mind's touch is soft, a gentle feeling that
 all is well, and you need not worry.> **

Flashfire pipes up, though his voice is hushed. "Rayek needs to
 forgive Suntop. He didn't mean not to trust him. We both panicked."
 Eyes falling on Rayek as he moves slightly, his lips tighten. "If
 he won't, it's going to be another mistake." Looking at the cub,
 one can at least see he's napped off and on. Not so for Suntop,
 though.

You locksend ** ((But worry he does and, after a moment, his
 eyelashes do flutter.)) ** to Ktai.

As if on cue, Rayek's eyelashes flutter, stirring in his sleep. He
 frowns, lightly, and makes a soft, almost strangled noise in his
 sleep.

Ktai locksends ** <A gentle touch to say all is well again> **

Suntop glances back over his shoulder at Flashfire. "We can't make
 him -do- anything, Flashfire...and he has every right to be
 angry..." He starts at a locksend and looks, well, almost fearful
 as the Airwalker starts to stir. ** I don't think that's a good
 idea... **

Ktai frets quietly once, resting her hand in Rayek's fingers again.
 "He can't do that while he sleeps, and he won't be asleep for
 long..."

[Meanwhile, outside the tent, Treestump keeps watch.  Having accompanied
 Suntop and Flashfire there, he chose to wait outside as 'back up' in
 case it was needed, not wanting to overwhelm the Airwalker and his
 mate, but also because the tent looked rather small from the outside. 
 Cramped quarters would only serve to heighten the tensions.  So, he
 waits, boredom creeping in, only to have other elves wander his way..]

Treestump is seated outside a tent, the one that belongs to Rayek
 and his mate, Ktai. He picks at the lining of his boots idly, a
 bored expression on his face.

RedFeather comes out to the clearing from the camps, looking around.
 He nods slightly. ** Evening. **

Treestump's eyes lift at the greeting and he winces just slightly.
 He cracks a smile, one that is slightly apologetic, and mumbles.
 "G'day.. ah.. please, don't send. Head's tangled up enough as it
 is."

RedFeather smiles slightly in return. "Sorry." he says quietly.
 "Hurt, hm?"

"Aye." Treestump's returning smile is rueful as he taps his head
 with index-and-middle finger. "Got a bad run-in with an
 Underworlder. Head's still ringin'."

RedFeather nods, "I'm sorry to hear that." He moves over and grins,
 "Ah ... I'm RedFeather."

"Treestump," the old Wolfrider returns, glancing behind him towards
 the tent. . o O (Taking them a while. Wonder what's going on.) He
 glances back to RedFeather as he approaches. "Nice to meet you.
 Live here at the Village?"

RedFeather shrugs, "Sort of." He laughs, although quietly. "I just
 got here recently, really."

"Ah? Hope you enjoy it here then." Treestump chuckles softly,
 folding his hands together and letting them rest on his midsection.
 "If you can stand all the Villagers' chatter, that is. High Ones,
 what I wouldn't do for a spot of peace sometimes," he adds, his
 grin amused.

RedFeather nods, "That's why I took to wandering, maybe...." He gets
 a faraway look in his eyes, "I've seen a lot of places..." He
 smiles, "But somehow I always end up back where I started."

Treestump quirks an eyebrow slowly, his tone not unkind. "And that's
 a bad thing?"

RedFeather laughs, "Oh no, that's a good thing. I found my
 supposedly dead mate alive again, this most recent time I came
 back."

Treestump offers a slightly crooked grin in reply. "Thought as much.
 Not dead, eh? Good thing, that, no?" He winks, as if perhaps his
 scrambled words meant something, then settles back again.
 "Sometimes its good to settle down somewhere."

Valla arrives from the winding path from Sorrow's End.
Valla has arrived.

RedFeather nods, "Sometimes, it is, yes."
RedFeather nods to Valla, "Hello."

Valla moves back out of the villiage, nodding to those around her.

Treestump's gaze lifts briefly at the arrival of another and nods to
 her as well. "G'day, lass."

Valla nods to treestump, peering at him as though she knows him.

Flashfire locksends ** <<distracted>> Treestump? Are you still
 close? **

Treestump returns Valla's peering gaze with a somewhat curious one
 of his own, quirking a brow.

You locksend ** ((flash of pain, barely kept hidden)) ... Aye ... **
 to Flashfire.

Valla squints her eyes before grinning, "Hey Old Wolf."

You sense in a locksend, Flashfire sends a faint nod, cutting the
 send off, trying to keep it as short as possible, out of
 consideration for the elder's pain.

[Valla]
	A huntress, this is evident in the way she moves, she walks
 with fluid grace. A storyteller, this is evident in the way her
 dark green eyes glitter with the untold stories. Her full red lips
 curve up in a smile often, creating two dimples in her cheeks, her
 cheek-bones are high, framing her small pert nose. Her dark brown
 hair has been pulled back into a high ponytail, then braided
 thickly and coiled ontop of her head, pinned into place with bone
 claps. The two braids still dangle in front of her delicately
 pointed ears, held together by bone beads. In her right ear is a
 silver and bone cuff, near the top.
	She is dressed for battle, wearing simple leathers for the
 weather as well. Hugging the swell of her breasts and showing off
 the curve of her hips is a short dress. The dress is of a dark
 black, when the sun or light hits it it turns to a dark blue, the
 dress leaves her arms bare, the scoop neckline comes down to where
 it is laced down the front. Under the lacings on both sides and the
 front you can see the white of an undertunic for extra cushioning.
 The dress brushes her bare upper thighs, from her knee's down are a
 pair of well worn black boots, perfectly matching her dress.
 Encircling her waist is a black belt with a wicked looking dagger
 dangling from her right hip, within easy reach of her hand.
Carrying:
Cil
Spear

Treestump turns his head slightly, glancing behind him to the tent 
he stands in front of. Small lines appear between his brows,
 flinching almost visibly before the expression is washed away. At
 Valla's words, he glances back around again to look at her and
 blinks. Pale blue eyes regard her for a long moment before they
 seem to flicker with the passing of thought. "Go-Back?"

Valla nods to Treestump, a slow smile turning up the corners of her
 mouth, "That I am Old Wolf."

[Valla, Redfeather, and Treestump chatter on for a while.  Meanwhile, back in the tent..]
 
Another noise is made and then the Airwalker's eyes do open. Their
 golden irises are blurred, almost milky-yellow, and he blinks
 blearily into space. "...Mrnnf.. ...Ktai?" He blinks, some level of
 clarity coming to his eyes, and then his gaze settles sleepily on
 the two in here, and he blinks again, looking at them dumbly. Where
 did they come from?

Ktai shoots both visitors a /look/ then leans over to kiss Rayek's
 cheek lightly. "I'm right here, dear."

Suntop shifts nervously from one foot to another, "I..." He switches
 to sending. ** I just wanted to apologize, Rayek... ** He chews at
 his lip and wonders if he should even wait for an answer. He starts
 to turn to leave the tent.

Rayek blinks again and jerks up violently, nearly smacking Ktai with
 his head as she leans over. "What are -they-..?!" he starts to
 snap, but gets cut off at Suntop's sending. His expression twists.
 . o O (....)

** He means it..please don't stay mad at him.. ** Flashfire adds.
 Already at the flap, he moves it to step out, though he doesn't
 pass through right away.

Ktai's gliding is pretty much the only thing that saves her, but she
 still is a bit too slow, catching her wince and turning it into an
 excuse to look over to Flashfire.

Rayek flicks Flashfire the most scalding of glances, then lets his
 golden eyes settle back on Suntop. His own sending slices through
 the air like a fish through still waters. ** Don't go. **

Suntop pauses before reaching the tent flap and looks back over his
 shoulder. He sighs softly and turns back to face the two elder
 elves. his fingers twisting in the chain of the medallion about his
 neck. His look is...resigned...expecting to be yelled at, or worse.
 This is one elf whose conscience will -not- leave him alone...

Ktai locksends ** <lovingly> He means well... he is just young
 yet... **

Ignoring the private sending - or sendings - that tickle the back of
 his mind, Rayek's yellowy gaze turns disconcertingly serpentine,
 yet, almost casually, he reaches to retrieve his tunic. ** Do you
 know why I am angered so, Suntop? **

Suntop nods, looking very much like a berated cub. ** Aye...because 
I did not trust you... **

Ktai cups her right jaw with her hand, resting her elbow on her
 knee, drawing up as much as the pregnant elf can as she watches.

Flashfire quickly shifts his gaze away from Rayek after the scalding
 glance cast his way, though he pauses in leaving, not sure whether
 Rayek meant for Suntop to stay, or both. He could leave and irk
 Rayek again if he was to stay, or he could stay and irk Rayek again
 if he was to go. But, for Suntop, he remains.

From afar, to Ktai, Suntop, Rayek, Flashfire: Treestump says "(IC)
 Outside, you hear the soft threads of conversation weaving through,
 Treestump's voice one of the partakers in words. Apparently, the
 old wolf's attention has strayed from the tent he is supposed to be
 watching."

Ktai locksends ** Love... you need to rest... **

Rayek's eyes flicker, the gaze he holds with Suntop breaking briefly
 as he pulls his tunic on and then reaches for his cloak. ** Were
 you in my place, do you think you would be so quick to forgive? **
Rayek's voice is sharp, looking at no one as he answers aloud: "I am
 fine."

Ktai looks to the tent wall, shadows hiding her expression as she
 replies to Rayek's snarl. "Fine."

Flashfire holds still, looking confused at Rayek's sudden words. He
 just acts like he's not even there.

Suntop thinks on this for a moment, starting at the sudden sharp 
words. ** If I were in your place, ** he sends finally, ** I would
 be very hurt... ** He pauses, his eyes widening as he remembers a
 time when something similar has happened to him. He sighs heavily
 as he continues, now remembering exactly how he felt. ** I would be
 hurt and angry...and confused. As for forgiveness, it would need to
 be earned...and the trust built up again from the beginning. ** As
 he continues, his sending is colored gradually by more and more
 sadness, as he himself states what should be done.

Rayek nods and once more lifts his gaze to the younger magic-user,
 his expression quiet, but his eyes solid. ** Then you know my
 answer. **

Suntop's voice is barely above a whisper, "Aye..." He turns again to
 leave, sending back, ** Perhaps time and distance will help... **

Even the cub is forced to go along with the reasoning, and he nods
 reluctantly. Flashfire feels bad that it's this way, but he knows
 it's the way it has to be, deep down. As for him, he never really
 had any trust between he and Rayek to be lost to begin with.

Ktai simply watches nothing in particular, a quiet presence that
 seems to absorb all and give away nothing.

** Perhaps. ** Rayek's sending offers neither protest nor agreement.
 It simply is.

Suntop motions Flashfire to preceed him out of the tent. ** Stay
 well, Rayek...Ktai... ** he sends before ducking out of the tent.

Flashfire slips out with nary a word spoken.
Flashfire has left.
Suntop has left.

[Flashfire and Suntop slip outside, and the log switches back to 
Treestump's point-of-view.]

Treestump nods, matching her smile, though his is more of an amused
 smirk than a smile. "Hunh. What's a Go-Back doing all the way out here?
 Quite a ways from the snow and the ice, and that Lodge of yours."

Valla smiles a bit, "I brought my youngest to the festival, and stuck
 around for a bit."

Treestump inclines his head in the slightest of nods and, after a
 moment, rises to his feet, a hand lifting to pull at the end of his
 beard idly. "Still though. Hard to imagine any Go-Back of your tribe
 wanting to stay about the Village. Its fairly quiet, even -with- this
 mess with the Underworlders."

Valla smirks a bit, "Yes..But there are a few good fur warmers hanging
 around."

That earns a blink, and then a smirk of his own. Treestump chuckles
 softly, his light blue eyes amused. "Aye. There's that, I s'pose."

FlameShadow waves at RedFeather sitting silently beside the big tawny
 cat

Valla nods, "There is."

Flashfire has arrived.
Suntop has arrived.

RedFeather smiles at Flameshadow, not sending for Treestump's sake. "Hi
 there."

Suntop ducks out of the tent, not looking worse than before, but not
 looking any better either.

Treestump is standing, speaking with Valla. His smile is amused, his
 voice nearing a chuckle. "Aye.." At the sound of elves emerging from
 the tent behind him, the old wolf turns, eyebrows lifting in silent
 question.

Flashfire places a hand on Suntop's shoulder as the two leave the tent.
 Softly, he whispers, "It had to be."

Valla leans against her spear, watching the two new elves.

FlameShadow arches a brow at RedFeather confused at the talking but not
 asking any questions

Concern pulls the edges of Treestump's smile down, replacing it with an
 uneasy frown. Ach. That doesn't sound good. He moves forward,
 questions still in his eyes. "Lad..?"

Suntop licks his lip and looks to his kin. "I apologized..." his voice
 is quiet, still full of the weariness and heartache he feels. "I
 didn't expect him to immediately forgive me...It's just..." He cuts
 off the thought and looks to his hands, once again intertwined in the
 chains of his necklace...which he pulls off as for some reason the
 light weight against his chest now bothers him. "I need to leave
 here." he blurts out.

"Then we will.." Flashfire continues to speak softly, trying to be the
 friend Suntop needs right now. "He needs time, and so do you..away
 from each other. You can start over when it's time, right?" He glances
 to Treestump, in search of the elder's advice, none of which has been
 wrong before, as far as he's concerned. Try as he might, he can't hide
 the worry he has for his friend, and his hand squeezes Suntop's
 shoulder gently, before remaining there, unless Suntop wishes it
 removed.

Treestump falls silent and casts a questioning glance to Flashfire, his
 brows pulled and knitted together. He had thought this would -help-
 the lad, not upset him even more! What did that Airwalker say to him?
 There are many questions in his eyes, but the old wolf thinks better
 than to voice them, instead offering a somewhat numb nod. "Aye," he
 answers softly. "We'll leave once we gather the others together. As
 soon as you like."

Suntop sort of stares off into space for a moment, suddenly shaking his
 head to clear it. Although nothing except for a good day's sleep (or
 three) will erase the look of fatigue from this young mystic's face,
 his thoughts seem to have gained perspective as he realized that it's
 time to stop whining about his problems...that they are not the end of
 the world. He smiles at Flashfire, a smile of thanks for his support
 and friendship and looks to his elder-uncle. "Aye," he echoes, the one
word picking up the same lilt, "Soon...we need to get you back to the
 Holt and healed, Old-wolf..."

Valla yawns slightly and leans all of her wieght on her spear, a hand
 unconsiously placed against her stomach.

Treestump's smile is faint, touched with dry humor. "No hurry, lad," he
 murmurs quietly. "No hurry."

Valla says "Can not Mender heal the old wolf?"

"We should eat now..it's a shame we didn't get that zwoot back here,
 that you and I killed, right Suntop?" Flashfire finds a change in
 subject might just be a good thing.

"Could I find him." Treestump finally turns, glancing back to Valla,
 his smile one of mild frustration. "Been trying to search him out, but
 the lad's hard to find than a silver hair in a white wolf's coat."

[As the conversation continues, Rayek and Ktai still rest inside their
 tent, though tension has once more started to rise between them.]

Rayek stays silent, golden eyes lingering after them, then lets his
 gaze drop to the ground.

Ktai remains silent, turning now that there is room again, and
 curling back onto her right side.

The statement is ragged, but awkwardly decisive and questioning at
 the same time. "I am not wrong to be angry."

"I cannot judge, Rayek. to do so would mean I were above you. And I
 am not."

Golden eyes glance to her. "You think I am wrong?"

Ktai's voice is quiet. "I cannot think one way or the other. I do
 not think Iknow the all of it."

Rayek seems to consider that, and he does, offering a nod once he is
 done. Yet he presses the issue. "But you disapprove."

Ktai says "He is young... and has not the experiences that we do. He
 only meant to protect me. For that, I am grateful."

Rayek's voice tightens some. "That does not excuse his failure to
 trust .me. with the knowledge that .my. .mate. had been injured."

"Would you wish to be the one to tell Cutter that you and your
 hunting party were responsible for any harm that came to Leetah?"

It's a low shot, but she's too tired to re-think it.

A low shot, but it hits home where no other would. Rayek sits there
 numbly for a moment, startled, but confesses softly: "No."

"Mmmm," is her reply as she begins to drift to sleep.

Rayek glances back to her, regarding her quietly for a moment, then
 looking away again. ** Rest, Ktai. **

And she does.

[End Log.]