Log cast: Rayek, Eveshka, Winnowill, Ktai, Timber, Tyree, Wavetouch, Songtouch, Ekuar Log date: 2/18/99 Log info: When a conversation when Shenshen led to broken hearts and both bewilderment and frustration on Rayek's part, the airwalker departed the Palace, boiling with intense, but confused emotion. His explosion prompted his daughter, Eveshka to do the same. However, despite going their seperate ways, the two inadvertantly encountered once again on the Savannah and made up, so to speak. Now, on their way back home, Rayek suddenly hears from someone he has not in a long time.. ---- On The Savannah You are surrounded by a sea of damp prairie. Endless waves of tall grasses brush your knees and legs with the soft wetness of light rains. You can see the distant peaks of the Spines north over the grass, while the deep green of the jungles lies deep south. You can see the waterhole is swollen with the new rains, bringing new life and greater hunting to the area. Cut grasses show what might be a trail movoing to the south and to the north, but you can see it's seldom used. You can feel the very light touch of the rains. The skies are of the brightest blues but you can smell the scent of rain. Animals seem to be scattered all over the great area, which seems to be as far as the eye can see. And the very waterhole is once again filled with the lifegiving waters. Contents: Eveshka Tarrant's Tent Herd of savanah animals Obvious exits: North South The sun has just started to set in the far off distance, the cool of evening hitting exposed skin like a puff of breath. All is stilling, the day's creatures settling in to respective dens and burrows. That might possibly be the odd thing, for the little Glider hasn't yet stirred, and she is notorious for being the first awake. Rayek slowly rouses from his sleep, letting out a yawn to accompany his wide stretch. A hand comes up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and the other settles on the ground, keeping him up. Reflexively, the airwalker looks around, surveying the area, and then to the dimunitive maiden beside him. A frown appears: she's still asleep? She appears to be so, yes. A strange expression is on her face, perhaps one of inner contemplation over something as of yet unknown. Another yawn escapes, but Brownskin shrugs it off. He gives Eveshka another careful glance as he rises to his feet, but looks away, convincing himself that she exhausted herself hunting or something along those lines. Humming an old Village tune to himself absently, the hunter starts to tidy up a bit, waiting for the pending darkness to rouse her. A send comes from nowhere, with that strange way that Eveshka can, but it is not Eveshka's mind that offers words: ** Good morning, Rayek. ** Rayek's head snaps up abruptly, golden eyes blinking rapidly before going saucer-wide. ** What? ** ** Why, I said, good morning. ** "Who..." He takes a careful step towards the innert maiden's form, then a couple more back. The airwalker's mind spins a circle, recalling the words from a few nights ago.. and he blurts, ** Winnowill! ** ** Well, have you so then forgotten me? Perhaps I should pay another visit... ** And still Eveshka lies there, the expression unchanging. ** No! ** Rayek quickly closes the distance again, crouching beside his daughter's form, a hand going to her shoulder. Without thinking, he snaps angrily, ** Viper! What have you done to Eveshka?-! ** ** Done...? Why, nothing... yet. She's such a fragile little mind, really... ** His jaw tightening slightly, the black-haired hunter forces the voice from his head temporarily, his attention on the prone form in front of him. Brown hands squeezing her shoulders, Rayek shakes her lightly, then roughly. "Eveshka! Wake up, Eveshka! /Eveshka/!" She is shaken, but the only response is a send-laugh in the air. "Buck squat..." A colorful phrase stolen from the Go-Backs he used to live with. He looks up again sharply, scanning the sky as if expecting Her to materialize suddenly. ** Let her go, Winnowill! ** ** And miss my chance to visit with you? Such a shame about the Sun Village, really. All those extra people... and Savah... ** He stands quickly, glaring balefully at a passing cloud. ** No! ** ** I think I shall visit the Palace, yes. What a wonderful invitation. Do thank Eveshka for her information... she has been most... helpful. ** It withdraws like a heavy stormcloud, and then the presence is gone. ** NO! You will not! You will-- ** And Rayek realizes he is sendscreaming at an empty plain. He whirls this way and that, expecting -- half-hoping -- that the Voice will return, but there is nothing. ** WINNOWILL!! ** There is nothing, only the wind and stars and few night birds and creatures that cannot hear the sends. No. /NO./ His shoulders heaving, Rayek whispers the word aloud: "No.." And turns to face Eveshka again, dropping to his knees as a hand goes to her shoulder. He swallows. . o O (High Ones...) Eveshka is still, the expression now gone, leaving behind a blank sleep. His sending creeps inside, prodding. ** Eveshka? ** Her mind is strangely still, no thoughts, no dreams. Just there. Rayek pales without realizing it, his throat growing thick. She didn't.... "Eveshka?" One hand goes to her forehead, the other to the side of her neck. Eveshka lives yet, her breath is steady, the throb of her pulse still strong. And yet, she is still. Rayek tests for fever or any sign of illness. No matter the results, his pallor becomes more and more anxious. Soon, he settles back on his heels, running a hand through his hair. "Curse you, viper," he whispers, both harshly and hollowly, to the uncaring earth. "You did this, just to slow me down." And it is now that Eveshka twitches faintly, a single shiver that seems to ripple through her. Rayek blinks. Once. And a hand shoots forward again, grabbing her hand. ** Daughter? ** Eveshka sendmutters ** My head feels like I got some of Xentree's mush in it... ** as she brings a hand to her forehead while trying to sit. Moving to help her, the airwalker offers a bitter smile as his reply. Quietly, he asks, ** Are you all right? ** Eveshka shakes her head slowly to clear it. ** I... think so... nothing a good walk won't clear. I hate it when she does that. ** "Mmm." His hands disappear once she's sitting up on her own. Rayek resumes tidying and packing up, but at a much more hurried pace. ** I can imagine. ** Eveshka sends openly ** What happened? I know she's been here... I can feel the remnants of her touch. ** ** She was inside of you. Looked at your memories. She says She's going to visit the Palace. ** ** Great. Not the best news I've gotten. So what do we do now, father? ** Rayek's voice is short. Very short. ** We move very, very quickly. ** Eveshka nods, rising now with a flicker of thought. The travel pack moved, bidden to her hand by simple force of will. ** What's going to happen...? ** ** I have no idea. I don't /want/ to have any idea. ** Savah.. Tyree.. Ktai... Rayek's jaw gets tighter and tighter. He has dealt with her visits before, but there has been none since he got out of the Mountain. And now there is so much, so many more lives at stake. Without realizing he's saying it aloud, the airwalker mutters, "I should never have left.. This is all my fault... rotting, stinking piles of troll-soiled /garbage/..." Eveshka sends it before she can help it. ** Maybe she'll leave and take Shen-Shen with her. ** Rayek's head snaps around, eyes turned to dark slashes of yellow-gold. ** Don't say that, Eveshka. No one deserves that. Not even her. ** Eveshka manages to look properly rebuked. Barely. But she stays quiet. And Rayek goes back to putting things back. Considering there's not much there, the job is done rather quickly. Without a word, he tosses Eveshka's pack to her. Eveshka catches it without her magic, watching him quietly. ** Ktai's there. Winnowill will only get away with so much. ** ** And what if She gets to her? ** The airwalker snaps, tying his cloak into place forcefully. ** And Tyree! Ekuar! You told me yourself, Eveshka, and if She hurts Ktai again.. ** The threat trails off. Left unfinished, it's almost ominous. Eveshka sighs. She was only trying to help. Drawing her travel-cloak about her, she waits for him to stop fretting and start moving. Rayek lifts himself off the ground, hovering a few moments before starting forward with an afterglimmer of yellow shine. Eveshka floats along after, a quiet shadow of contemplation. [The much-too-long days spent traveling are done so quickly. The airwalker's anxiety keeps him moving forward, his thoughts only on his family and the Sun Folk back at the Palace.] Looking weathered and strained after closing the trek off at top speed almost the whole way, Rayek descends with a flutter of sparkles and cloak. He spares himself a moment, grasping his knees to take in deep, much-needed breaths, and quickly looks up again, scanning the nearby rocks for any signs of Gliders. Eveshka follows, a grey shadow of elf not quite his height. She's hardly as winded or spent, indeed she looks fresh for another few hours of travel. But her violet eyes scan just as Rayek's do. The telltale screech from nearby draws Rayek's golden eyes. They widen, then narrow as they take in the black-and-grey Hawk, trying to place it.. Oh. ** Tsoran, ** the airwalker hisses, muttering through clenched teeth. Eveshka gasps softly. No, that's no good. No, no, no. ** The last time he was here... ** He doesn't - can't - wait for her to finish the sentence. Like a sprung arrow, Rayek bolts forward towards the stone monolith with a flash of bright yellow light. You locksend, to Ktai, Tyree: Rayek is close. Very close. His sending suddenly rattles in your minds. ** KTAI! TYREE! ** You approach the huge battered stone structure. You step through the doorway into... Entry Hall(#8823RAF) High-ceilinged, airy, this chamber widens out from the doorway that serves as its entrance from outside to an expansive room, filled with little more than strangely ornate walls and the occasional column, rising up to the ceiling far overhead. Closer inspection of the walls reveals patterns shaped into their surfaces, sometimes of wings, or flowers, or the lithe forms of elves -- and sometimes of images that defy description. The air is full of a subliminal shimmer that plays at the edge of elfin senses, a tingle that feels welcoming even in its eldritch oddness. Among the fanciful shapings in this wide chamber can be viewed a 'black spiral' of rock resting on a low column. A long winding stairway twines its way up out of this chamber and into the upper heights of this place; you might be able to find other ways out of here, but the only other exit in immediate sight is the archway and doors that lead outside. Contents: Timber(#5440PJOcg) Sand cat Marsinah's Tent Half n Half's Tent(#8861AJUeh) Ktai Obvious exits: Corridor Winding Stairway Doorway Timber looks at you for a moment. Ktai looks up from carrying the new bundle of blankets for the visitors with surprise. ** Rayek...? ** She's fine, nothing's gotten her... Eveshka steps in from outside. Eveshka has arrived. Eveshka comes darting in almost right after Rayek. (Really) You sense in a locksend to Ktai, Rayek: Tyree's caught off-guard by the send, left quiet for a few moments. ** ..father? ** Rayek suddenly appears in the doorway, not even pausing to land as he darts inside, his form a sharp glob of yellow. Where... ** KTAI! ** She's there. She's all right? And he darts forward again, almost bowling into her. ** Ktai! ** Ktai, nearly knocked into as such, drops the blankets and looks at Rayek. ** Yes? ** Tyree floats slowly down the stairway from the second floor, blinking in surprise at a familiar sending that seems to suggest someone's finally back again. Timber sits quietly by the entrance his tired but observant eyes gazing outside. Eveshka almost has to laugh. He's so anxious to see her safe, he nearly causes her harm. It's... ironic. Tyree looks at you for a moment. SongTouch arrives out of the popular and well-lit Corridor. SongTouch has arrived. Rayek's arms wind around her in fierce embrace, burying his face in her shoulder, his eyes looking past her to catch sight of Tyree emerging from a nearby stairway. ** You're all right! ** he blurts without thinking, almost childlike. Strange airwalker. Ktai tilts her head at Rayek quizzically. ** Of course I'm all right. What else would I be? ** Eveshka looks around her parents to spy her little brother and offers him a feeble smile. A little sound in the corridor is the only indication that someone else is watching. Then a pair of luminous green-silver eyes catch sight of a fellow youth, and SongTouch emerges into full view. ** Of..course. ** Tyree answers after another pause, wondering what's got Rayek acting this way. It's..odd, and catches him off-guard. Tyree was hardly seen at all while Rayek was gone, and even now, he keeps back a ways. ** I.. I.. ** Pulling away from her, Rayek casts a careful glance around them, realizing there is more than just him and her here. "I worried about you," he finally comes up with lamely, looking back to Ktai. "I missed you." Wavestar sits a little off in the corner, his head resting against the wall. His steady breathing indicates that he may be asleep. Ktai arches her eyebrows and nods. ** I see. Next time, tell me where you are going and I can go with you. And what was that all about anyway. A certain someone wouldn't tell his mother much. ** Ktai's glance drifts over to Tyree. Timber turns his head to look over his shoulder, spying the excited bunch, he shrugs his shoulders and resumes his silent vigil. Tyree's dark eyes watch Ktai a moment, and he frowns slightly at her somewhat chiding words. Eh..he needed..to be alone for quite some time. Strange really, when for so long he was restless about being alone in the first place. ** Welcome back, father.. ** he finally sends. Rayek gives Ktai a faint smile and shakes his head, his hands remaining on her arms, as though to reassure him that she's all right. ** No, I... ** He hesitates, looking at Tyree as he catches his son's sending, and seems to gather his wits again. The airwalker releases a breath slowly. ** I need to talk to you. ** SongTouch moves to the edge of the group, curious but trying not to intrude. Ktai looks to Rayek quietly, as if to say that she is right there and not going anywhere. ** Alone, or..? ** Tyree starts, but leaves off anything else so Rayek can explain or do as he wishes. Still lingering by the stairway and hovering a couple inches from the floor, he waits to see. Rayek doesn't clarify, not quite yet. Instead, ** How is Ekuar? Is he well? And Tilia? Savah? ** He realizes with a snap how long he's been gone. It was easy to keep his thoughts from them, but the last day spent in a rush gave him quite an oppurtunity to worry. Ktai smiles confusedly. ** Everyone is fine, Rayek. You can go see for yourself if you choose. ** Tyree looks slightly uncomfortable with his older sister's choice of attire, though his own changed shortly after Rayek ditched the Palace. He lets his mother's answer stand. Timber shrugs at SongTouch. ** I will. Later. ** And Rayek's hand squeezes Ktai's arm gently. SongTouch drifts away slightly, just near enough to be able to see and hear what's going on. She blinks in confusion over at Timber. Ktai just smiles at Rayek, totally caught in confusion over all this. Timber shrugs again at SongTouch, and folds his arms across his chest. Tyree stops hovering, to let his booted feet settle on the floor as he looks around at the others in the room, then back towards his family. Timber returns the look with a quick friendly smile, then returns his attention to SongTouch. Eveshka looks to her brother quietly. You locksend ** Our room? In here? Unless Suntop departed while I was gone.. ** to Ktai. Ktai locksends ** He did. ** Timber springs catlike to his feet and heads out the Doorway. Timber steps through the doorway outside. Timber has left. Tyree looks back to Eveshka and floats over towards her to give his big sister a hug. SongTouch looks around, opening her mouth as though to say something and closing it quickly. There's worry in her face, and embarrasment. Rayek's gaze flickers with disappointment briefly, then squeezes Ktai's shoulder again. With a slight incline of his head, he indicates the corridor, brow wrinkled. Eveshka's face lights with a smile as she hugs her little brother close. Ktai nods to Rayek, noting the siblings for a moment, then turns to gather the blankets and move with Rayek. Wavestar opens his eyes slowly, softly blinking the sleep out of them. The cub then rises to his feet and looks at everyone in turn. Well, Tyree's family is together again, it seems. But not the same as it was before. The young fledgling doesn't really know just how to react to all this. Part of him wants to go and latch on to Rayek like he used to, but there's another part that's still sore over how the Airwalker left. Instead, he clings to Eveshka for the moment. Rayek's hand slips from Ktai's shoulder, draping to his side quietly. The airwalker casts a glance towards the two as well, thoughtful, and waits for Ktai to gather her things before moving towards the corridor. He'll have time enough later to reunite with Tyree. Eveshka simply holds him in return, quietly enjoying the time with him. She lost too much in leaving, but she can't go back and change it. Ktai wanders down the most-used corridor. Ktai has left. You wander down the most-used corridor... Side Corridor(#6192RFL) This corridor isn't quite as large as many of the corridors though the Palace, and gives less of a feeling of airy, open space than the larger passageways do. The damage that the Palace suffered is no longer in evidence here; translucent walls and columns once again swoop smoothly and gracefully to a delicately arched ceiling. What magic can be spared from the Palace is used to keep this area comfortable against the climate. One of the smaller corridors branching from this one seems to be lit, dimly but reasonably well. Contents: Ktai Family Tent(#4039Je) Obvious exits: Smaller Corridor Rayek's Chamber Entry Hall Rayek parts the curtain with his hand, gesturing for Ktai to enter before him. Rayek's Chamber(#7481RAFJL) Smaller than many of the other chambers of the Palace of the High Ones, this quiet nook is the place Rayek has appropriated for what passes as his rest. Like the rest of the Palace, it is a room of oddly rippling walls and ceiling and floor, a room where a flicker out of the corner of your eye might be a shadow -- or perhaps a lingering spirit. Ekuar's deft and ancient touch is everywhere you look, in softly smoothed stone and gently curving walls. Shaped torch-holders bathe the chamber with a warm glow when the tapers are lit. The old rockshaper has crafted this place to be restful for the spirit, radiating the care he feels for his Brownskin. Contents: Ktai Ekuar(#10181hp) Obvious exits: Corridor Ktai sends openly ** Rayek... what is this all about? ** Ekuar is inside tidying up. With the sound of the curtain parting, and seeing people walk in, the old rockshaper straightens. His wrinkled face brightens as he sees who follows Ktai inside: "Brownskin!" Rayek doesn't answer Ktai at first, sparing a moment to embrace Ekuar. The pair share a few words, then Ekuar takes his leave with a nod and a teary smile, disappearing out the door. Then, the airwalker looks to the Glider maiden. ** Tsoran's bondbird is outside the Palace. ** Ktai's lips form a silent 'o' and she sets the blankets down. ** Did he see you? ** ** I didn't see him, ** is Rayek's reply, crisp and spoken with a familiar dryness. He hesitates though, before he adds, ** I want you and Tyree, and preferrably Eveshka, to move back down to the underground chambers. ** Ktai sends openly ** The... underground rooms? ** ** Yes. The caves. Outside. ** Ktai sends openly ** Why? What happened when you were gone? And why did you go? ** Rayek looks at her, then looks away. His lips form a thin, straight line; he sends quietly, ** Winnowill. She looked inside Eveshka's memories and found that the Sun Folk are dwelling here now. ** Ktai hisses softly. ** I felt Her flit about my mind, but she can't get to me as easily as Eveshka. ** The airwalker nods once, offering a grim smile. ** And she may be coming here. Tsoran's presence may only confirm her intentions. ** Ktai inadvertantly offers up a curse she learned from the wolfriders. ** Trolldung! ** Rayek blinks sharply at her, then, despite himself, hides a smile. "My sentiments exactly," he says lowly. Ktai sighs. ** Well, that settles it. We can't stay out in the open. ** Rayek shakes his head slowly in negative, but his sending is affirming. ** I shall need to speak to Tilia and Savah. There is always a chance she is only playing, but... ** He trails off for a moment. ** I do not think this is such an instance. ** Ktai sends openly ** I know. And it worries me that she might have ways to get to Eveshka that we can't even dream of. ** Rayek has no answer. He only nods. Perhaps not quite out of the blue, she asks: ** What happened that you had to leave? ** Looking dumbfounded at first, Rayek doesn't reply immediately. He knew she was going to ask this upon his return. Why is he so surprised? ** It ... is difficult to explain. Shenshen... ** Ktai tilts her head and waits. ** ..apparently.. has carried a torch for a while. She was very.. abrasive about trying to explain this to me. That, and coupled with other things.. ** "Mmmhmm," she prompts. ** ... I snapped. ** Ktai sends openly ** But why take it alone? ** ** Because I didn't want to deal with any questions about it, or anything. ** ** You know I love you. ** Rayek blinks and immediately replies, ** I know you do. ** Pause. He reaches a hand to touch her arm. ** I love you as well, Ktai. But I wanted.. I wanted to be alone for a while. ** Ktai smiles faintly. ** And did you get that, or did Eveshka hound you to the edge of madness? ** ** A little of both, ** he sends wryly. ** Alone.. for a little while. Eveshka and I ... encountered each other by accident. ** Ktai chuckles softly. ** Or, by intent, if I know her. ** Rayek sends openly ** I'm not so sure.. ** He trails off. ** Were you.. Have you.. been well? ** Ktai laughs softly. ** I'm fine, Rayek. Alive and whole. ** Relief smoothens his face of creases and lines. ** I am glad, ** he responds simply, the words eloquent in their honesty. Ktai hugs Rayek to her gently. Rayek hugs back, burying his face in her shoulder with a faint sigh. Anxiety, worry.. they all seem to fade for a few brief moments, released with the embrace. [end log]