"A New Chieftess" Log Date: 11/1/2002 Log Cast: Snowstorm, Lifefire, Starfire (emitted by Lifefire), Falyeril, Rosewind, Gentlestorm, Wing, Sandstorm Log Intro: Ever since Gentlerock--the son of Dart, who has been leading the jackwolf- riders of Sorrow's End in his father's place--went missing, his Recognized Snowstorm has filled in for him as the chieftain of the village hunters. But Snowstorm has her own life burdens to bear and can no longer function in that role, and so she calls a Howl of the jackwolf-riders to yield the chieftaincy to Rosewind. Some take it well, but others, like Snowstorm's little son Sandstorm, do not.... ---------- You walk up the path to the top of the ridge. Campfire Ledge A wide, level ledge atop a hill covered with tumbled boulders. Here the village can come to meet and celebrate. Under the open sky they can see the stars and gather around the campfire. The village goes about its everyday business, villagers tending the fields and working at their crafts. You can see the 'garden', the 'square' and the 'well' from this ledge. You can also 'view well'. Contents: Falyeril Rosewind(#797PVXce$04) Snowstorm Nightstalker(#1568OVaeps$) Gentlestorm Lifefire Obvious exits: Boundary path The wolves howl, causing all WR's to come to the ledge. Sends also gather the hunters who are not of wolfrider blood. Snowstorm arrives holding Sandstorm's hand. Today, she is dressed as a SorrowsEnder... Gracefully, she walks to the center of the circle... Lifefire comes in with Starfire on his back fresh from the forge, "What's going on papa?" Starfire asks as Lifefire looks back at his cub, "A howl." He is in his forge leathers as he moves over to find a seat by the fire. Falyeril looks at the well. Falyeril had been heading for bed, but the howls have attracted his attention. Freshly washed, he arrives yawning and scratching, looking puzzled. Nightstalker and Rosewind answer the call of the howl and come to the campfire. Rose gives her shaggy bond's ears a scratch before sliding down and appoaching the out edge of the circle of hunters gathered, her bow gripped in ehr ehand and her quiver looped on her belt. Stripes has arrived. Lifefire glances, as Stripes moves over a bit. Stripes comes in from the hunt with the pack and moves over to sit next to her bond. Gentlestorm comes out of the caves, typically carrying something to do. ** It's time? ** He looks around and chooses a place to sit. Forest sits behind him as a prop. Falyeril gives Rosewind, Starfire and Lifefire a hug, and skritches Stripes. ** What's happening? ** Gentlestorm gives Faly a sly look, "Freedom..." Falyeril is just completely baffled by that remark... Lifefire gives Falyeril a hug back and Starfire gives Falyeril a big hug, "Hello Falyeril. A howl. Take a seat." Rosewind glances over at Faly as he hugs her and gives him a smile. She reaches down to ruffle Starfire's hair before chuckling at Gentlestorm's comment "I wonder if that should worry me or something?" Wing walks in, with his wolfbond, and though he is looking still kind of pale, he seems to feel better now ... at least on what you can tell from his appearance. His so often warm glance in his eyes has vanished to a somewhat cold gaze, though he greets the others as kindly as always. Even Rosewind, Starfire, Lifefire and Falyeril as he walks over to them two. "Shade, friends." Biting his lips, he regards Rosewind with a smile. There is no need for words to be spoken, a Howl is a Howl, and so he just stands next to his friends. Falyeril gives Wing a brief but gentle hug, worried that he still might not quite back to full health. Then he finds a comfortable spot out of the way and sits, watching with interest. Snowstorm looks around to see if at least most are assembled... ** Jackwolfriders of Sorrow's End, it has been a while since a howl has been called. Things have been running rather smoothly. ** She turns a bit, making eye contact with everyone willing to meet her cold silver gaze. Lightly, she pushes Sandstorm in Lifefire's direction. Sandstorm looks like he wants to rebel but goes over to Lifefire anyhow. He plops himself close to Starfire's father and his frequent cubsitter. Gentlestorm continues hook weaving, listening, but not looking at his mother. He looks at those assembled. Lifefire nods to Wing, "Shade Wing." He smiles as he pulls Sandstorm into his lap with Starfire. He looks up to Snowstorm as the Howl starts. Rosewind looks back to the center of the group to the chieftess and shifts a bit. Smiling down to Sandstorm, Rose reaches out and rest her hand on Nightstalker's shoulder as she nods amiably to Wing and others that look her way. Falyeril knows this is Wolfrider business, so keeps in the background, except to greet those arriving, or answer questions. Snowstorm her eyes stop at Rosewind and, slowly, she raises a hand to the she- elf, hand out to welcome her to the center of the circle. ** Because my recognized, Gentlerock, went missing, I was forced to take his place as chief of the Jackwolfriders; however, another has offered to take that burden away from me. ** Wing looks around, and yes, he meets Snowstorms cold glanze, and shudders. Replying Faly's hug, his embrace still feels a bit weaker than usually, but strength seems to come back to him. Finally, as Snowstorm's send reaches out he breaths deeply, his shoulders tightening, and watching of what Rosewind is going to do next. Lifefire looks towards Rosewind with a bright smile as Starfire has a huge grin on his face, "Ayoooah mama!" Lifefire shushes the exuberant cub. Rosewind looks to Lifefire and the cubs before making her way through the group to join Snowstorm in the center of the circle. Lifting her chin, she works to hide the nerves that twist her insides. She can't help but give a warm smile over to Starfire at his howl as she finds herself standing next to Snowstorm. Gentlestorm just watches, a somewhat malicious grin on his face... IF one could see his eyes, which he has averted, one would see a lot more... Snowstorm takes Rosewind's hand and draws her close in a half hug for but a moment. ** As of now, Rosewind is the new Jackwolfrider chief. At a later date, because the chief's line is through Dart, it becomes necessary for either Gentlestorm or Sandstorm to challenge her, they will deal with that. For now, it is in my best interest, as well as the tribe's, to allow someone else to take over so that I may tend to other things. ** Gently, she touches a hand to Rosewind's cheek then leaves the circle, heading for Lifefire to collect her young son. The wolves howl, and their voices ring out so true, that everyone that is close and hears it, should tremble into the depths of their hearts and souls. As if worked by magic, the night vibrates with the echoes of the wolf, and in an instant the Wolfriders and Jackalriders join in. Bond through blood, and a bond through a lifelong love to this world has brought in this ritual, and now everyone stands united under the stars of the endless sky, and the two moons bear wittness to this just so natural play. Snowstorm looks at LF and sends something... Tears stream down his face, as everyone joins in the howl, as does Wing, and whatever he has hidden recently, he now seems to release it. Scraper, his wolfbond, stands close to him, and his deep tembre seems to melt with Wing's howl. Lifefire howls along with Starfire for Rosewind as she is given chieftainship of the wolf and jackwolf riders of Sorrow's End. He looks over at Snowstorm and nods. Rosewind steps into Snowstorms hug and returns his gratiously before she is alone in the circle. She turns slowly to meet each elf's gaze. She lifts her voice to join in the howl that vibrates through the night before falling silent ** Snowstorm was a good chief and leader to us. I will strive to be as good a chieftess to you as she was. ** She takes on a very serious expression as she ponders how to warn her tribe of things that have been brough tto her attention. she looks to Snowstorm and sends something. Snowstorm leaves her cub with Lifefire, smiles, howls for a few moments then works her way through the gathered crowd to leave... At the send, she pauses...sends back, then continues out. Gentlestorm joins the rest in the howl... pausing his work only until the others stop. Lifefire smiles down at Sandstorm and rubs his back, "Your staying with us for a while Sandstorm. Your mama needs to think about some stuff. How does that sound?" Starfire grins, "It will be lots of fun." Lifefire looks over at the other elves and sets down Starfire and Sandstorm. He stands up and moves over to Rosewind. Lifefire takes something out of his pouch, "Here hold still for a moment." He gathers up some of her hair and puts in her chiefknot with a gold knot that he forged. Sandstorm watches his mother leave. The cub's eyes sink down, looking at the ground. He does not howl. He starts crying... Starfire scooches over and give Sandstorm a hug, "It's okay. I cried to when I left my mama, but you can stay with us and Lifefire is the best papa." Gentlestorm stops howling, puts away his hook weaving and goes to his younger brother... Sandstorm goes to hug his older brother's legs, clearly upset. Gentlestorm gets his sib's arms from around his legs, kneels down and sends. For a while, the two send to each other... Rosewind nods slowly to Snowstorm before she decides to wait and get more information. She gives a quizzical look to Lifefire til she realizes what he is doing. Once he puts a topknot in her hair, she can't help but to move over to Sanstorm and hugs the crying cub. ** Your mother is not leaving you for long. She has to be with herself for now. ** She looks up to Snowstorm before her gaze slips over to Gentlestorm and then Lifefire. Crouching down and hugs both cubs before Sandstorm slips from her arms and goes to his brother. Gentlestorm sighs softly, ** If you don't mind, chieftess and Lifefire, I'll take charge of my brother. At the moment, you may not be his favorite people. ** He gives you both a wry but supporting grin and a wink. ** He'll be fine later... ** Gentlestorm picks up his getting too big little brother. Lifefire nods as he moves back and picks up Starfire who is getting heavy as well, but not to heavy for the metalworker, ** I understand Gentlestorm. He can stay with us anytime he likes. Starfire enjoys his company. ** Wing just watches his surroundings with tears in his eyes, then he lowers his head and attempts to walk off. Scraper just tilts his head a bit to the side, looking after his bond. Gentlestorm nods and goes to sit somewhere where he can listen and cuddle his brother. Gentlestorm locksends ** Why the tears? ** Wing seems to wince at the send a bit, and you can feel some sadness lingering in his send, **It was too overwhelming.** He simply sends, and it's just part of the truth. Rosewind watches Gentlestorm as he takes Sandstorm and moves off to comfort his brother. Rose looks around the tribe and rubs her hand over Starfire's back as Lifefire holds him. She gives them both a smile before her attention is caught by wing. she watches him for a brief few seconds before she stand fully again. ** Thank you all for attending this howl. I will call another soon. Everyone please return to the village if you like. ** She gives a smile before she sends to Wing privately. Gentlestorm looks up at Wing, raising an eyebrow. Rosewind locksends ** Are you getting ill again Wing? Do you need to be taken to a healer? ** Gentlestorm stands, taking his brother and his work. "See ya later all!" Lifefire stands up and stretches out, "How about we go for a swim Starfire." The cub nods, "Yes papa, you stink." Lifefire chuckles, "It's from hard work. I had to hurry to finish your mother's chieknot. Gentlestorm starts the climb down to the village. Gentlestorm has left. You locksend ** Thanks for caring, but I am going back to my hut now to prevent me from ... getting sick again ** to Rosewind. Gentlestorm locksends ** I see... Are you so happy that she stepped down? ** At the two private sends, Wing turns around, first looking to the ground, but then looking to Rosewind. Even though he smiles, it doesn't reach his eyes, and these are full of tears. At the first moment Wing seems confused, but then he turns around, steadily walking down the hill back into the village. Falyeril waits until the commotion dies down somewhat, then approaches Rosewind. He's grinning with pride. ** How long have you been here, and you're Chief already? Congratulations! ** You locksend ** I don't think that it was a good thing, nor a bad one. It was what had to be done, and Rosewind is a worthy chieftess. <> ** to Gentlestorm. You sense in a locksend, Gentlestorm sighs, ** HAD to be done. For whose good? Sometimes I wonder if she was called a bad chief simply because of her ... problem. Can you truly site one thing that she did which was absolutely wrong and not done to protect the tribe? ** Gentlestorm's sending is colored with worry and something unidentifiable... worry maybe... Rosewind seems a bit confused by Wing as she watches him leave. Her attention is soon taken up by Fayleril and she clears her throat a bit at his words "Ah, well, Yes. I suppose I am. Thank you Faly." She grins and moves to give her frend a hug as she spots Lifefire and Star slipping off back to the village. You locksend to Gentlestorm, Wing sighs, **If there is one thing I have learned from where my family comes from, then it is that wolves know by intuition what has to be, and what not - and as I have learned from my home, Sorrow's End, is that it is the same with elves.** You sense in a locksend, Gentlestorm's sending holds a bit more irritation, ** Exactly what kind of answer is that? ** A mental sigh and diffusion of irritation is noted, ** How do I explain this to a cub? All he's heard from the Chieftess and her mate is that that his mother was a bad chief. She is a crazy... she should be kicked out... ** Gentlestorm's sending holds distress... and worry again. Lifefire starts the climb down to the village. Lifefire has left. Falyeril starts the climb down to the village. Falyeril has left. You locksend to Gentlestorm, Wing mentally hugs, and his send sounds soothing, **Let me talk to the child, maybe I can explain what most are unable to.** You sense in a locksend, Gentlestorm sends a nod... desperation coloring his sending. Stripes goes home. Stripes has left. You locksend ** Good. Then, as soon as I have rested, send the child to me, I will take care of him. ** to Gentlestorm. Gentlestorm locksends ** He's so scared that Rosewind will kick him and her out... ** Rosewind watches everyone leave and she moves over to Nightstalker's side. She stays a bit longer by herself at the fire to ponder things that have recently come to her attention as she watches the fire crackle and send sparks up into the night. You locksend to Gentlestorm, Wing sends, **Tell him that everyone will work out just fine, and that he shall not worry.** Tiredness swings into the send, and it's obvious that Wing's body is already asleep, and that his soul wishes for sleep too. [End log.]