Log Date: December 1992 The Disclaimers: Typos and mavs have been corrected. :) Anything in [] is either a correction to a typo or a mav, or else is something that happened outside of Rillwhisper's point of view but which is nevertheless relevant to the plot at hand. References to Rillwhisper's soulname have been deleted, for obvious reasons. :) ----- The Cast: * Rillwhisper, chieftess of the Willowholt, lifemate to Woodhawk. * Woodhawk, firestarter, and the elder of Rillwhisper's two lifemates. Elf-friend of the wolf Rustfur. * Firestar, firestarter, Willowholt tribesmember, soul-friend to Rillwhisper and Woodhawk. Companion (unbonded) to the wolf Cloudclimber. * Autumn, Firestar's cub by her Recognition with Zarhan Fastfire. * Startoucher, healer, chieftain of the Cavedwellers. * Strongbow, archer, of the Lost Holt. Woodhawk bears an amazing physical resemblance to him, except that Woodhawk does not have facefur, and Strongbow does. * Tash, renegade, solitary Cat Elf. Enemy of Woodhawk. ----- The Action: [The Willowholt has recently been having troubles again from Tash, the renegade elf whom Woodhawk fought shortly after his, Rillwhisper's, and Trollkiller's emergence from a long sleep in wrapstuff about nine turns of the seasons past - he has been attacking Woodhawk in sent dreams while he sleeps, leaving the firestarter restless and exhausted. Strongbow, in keeping a promise to Rillwhisper, has arrived at the Willowholt and immediately left again, tracking through the Holt's territory to search for any sign of Tash. Rillwhisper and Firestar have lingered in the clearing by the Old Willow, but have received another visitor, unexpected: Startoucher of the Cavedwellers. They converse for a short while, then....] Rillwhisper looks up briefly as a quiet rustle sounds in the trees... From the branch above, Woodhawk climbs out of the Old Willow's heart. Firestar glances towards the sound.. Autumn wanders off towards a bush.. From the branch above, Woodhawk looks down for a moment, smiling briefly, raggedly... he then disappears off towards the pond... Woodhawk drops down from the branch above. Woodhawk has arrived. Woodhawk vanishes into the trees, going around the nearby pond. Woodhawk has left. Autumn sets off up the path to the marshes. Autumn has left. Startoucher waves. Rillwhisper rises, and slips to her feet. "He's not been sleeping well," she murmurs softly, as she vanishes into the trees... You head into the trees and around the nearby pond. West Bank of the Pond(#11579R) This narrow strip of a path runs wedged on one side by closely tangled young trees, and on the other by the thick grasses surrounding the small pond here. Obvious exits: Clearing(S) Around the Pond(NE) You follow the curving small path around to the pond's Hubward bank. North Bank of the Pond(#2417RJ) This wide sandy stretch of ground is the Hubward bank of a pond about three wolf-jumps wide; the tall marsh grasses that seem to ring the water on all sides part long enough at this bank to give a good view of the water. Just beside the pond's edge, among those same grasses, a large, smooth rock provides a place to sit and regard the water. At the rock's base is a tiny hole almost hidden among the brush. Off across the water can be seen the beginnings of a thick tangle of trees, the fringe of a wood... the silhouette of a massive willow tree stands out in the line of greenness. The grasses are very thick round most of the pond's edges, but a tiny path is *just* visible following the water's curve towards Away-from-Hub and Sun-Goes-Down. Hubward the same small path runs off to connect with the trail into the marshes. Contents: Woodhawk(#3381QpeMI) Rustfur(#3336QpeMIa) Frog Hole(#2713heMOa) Obvious exits: Water Trail(N) Autumn arrives from the main trail. Autumn has arrived. Woodhawk smiles a little, as Rillwhisper arrives. Firestar comes around the pond from the trees on its Sun-Goes-Down bank. Firestar has arrived. Startoucher comes around the pond from the trees on its Sun-Goes-Down bank. Startoucher wanders in view. Startoucher has arrived. Rillwhisper settles down next to her lifemate, wrapping her arms around him, and casting Autumn and Firestar and Startoucher a quiet smile. Firestar watches Autumn. *Don't stray far from the holt, love..* Woodhawk blinks, looking a little dazed at the sudden gathering, but he does not resist as Rillwhisper pulls him to her, stroking his tangled hair. Firestar kneels down near the edge of the pond.. basically away from everyone else. Cloudclimber has arrived. Cloudclimber emerges from the shadows and runs to Firestar's side. Cloudclimber lets out a soft whurf. Not happy at being left alone! :) Startoucher glances at the wolf, then looks away. Rillwhisper murmurs something to Woodhawk, and he half-grins. "I'm fine," he mutters sheepishly. "No dreams, not last night." Rillwhisper looks marginally relieved, kissing the top of Woodhawk's head. *Good,* she declares, as Woodhawk casts a faintly embarrassed look in Startoucher's and Firestar's direction. Rustfur whurfs, and flicks an ear idly. Firestar's attention seems to be on the surface of the pond.. Autumn crouches by the frog hole.. Rillwhisper says to Woodhawk, "What got you up, beloved? You've been sleeping for hours." Woodhawk shrugs a little, in Rillwhisper's arms. "I don't know. Got restless... " Rustfur cocks his head, and looks off into the distance for a moment, seeming confused. He whffs. Firestar glances away from the water, to 'Hawk. Her expression [is] faintly troubled. Cloudclimber lifts his head and looks off in the same direction as Rustfur. Woodhawk looks to Firestar. *?* Rillwhisper works her fingers through some of the tangles in Woodhawk's hair. "You shouldn't be wandering off too far by yourself. I don't like it that you have... you know it's dangerous... " Firestar shakes her head at 'Hawk.. and murmurs.. "Nothing.." she glances off to where Cloudclimber was looking. Woodhawk glances back up at Rillwhisper and looks faintly embarrassed again, but he says earnestly, "Less dangerous for you if I'm not here-" Rillwhisper snorts. "None of that talk, my fire-hawk... " She kisses the top of his head again. Firestar snorts. "How is it less dangerous if *he* gets his claws into you?" Rustfur slowly gets to his feet, still staring off into the distance. Cloudclimber lets out a soft whurf to Rustfur, his attention and gaze still following Rustfur's. Startoucher blinks. He? Woodhawk looks back to Firestar as if to respond, but he is distracted as he notices his wolf's behavior... Rustfur growls, very low and very deep in his throat. Rillwhisper sighs softly - to Startoucher, she sends *It is... hard to explain... * - but now, she, too, is alerted by Rustfur's behavior. Startoucher glances at the wolf. Woodhawk frowns and sits up, pulling himself from Rillwhisper's arms, and slowly rising. Cloudclimber stands, the fur on the back of his neck rising slightly as he, too, growls low.. Firestar glances at Cloudclimber, then 'Hawk.. [Woodhawk] reaches a hand to Rustfur, attempting a wolf-send. *What is it?* Some of the weariness evident in his face [vanishes], as his eyes go hard and tense. Startoucher sniffs at the air a bit, hoping to figure out what the wolves are worried about. Rillwhisper herself stands, her hand going to her dagger... Firestar stands up also and motions to Autumn.. *Move behind me cub..* Startoucher glances at Rill and then draws his own dagger, realizing that her senses are much better than his. Autumn looks around slightly confused, sees her mother has drawn her dagger and moves quickly behind Firestar.. Rustfur half-uncertainly padpads a little towards the trail, just Hubward. His hackles have raised slightly. Cloudclimber paces a couple times, moving slightly closer hubwards as he does so.. Rustfur then, slowly, turns around, and shakes his head a couple of times, whining...? Startoucher cocks his head [a] bit. Rillwhisper and Woodhawk exchange puzzled glances - *What?* *I don't _scent_...* - then, still half-perplexedly, Rustfur growls again. But for some reason, his gaze is still turned back away from the trail... Cloudclimber growls also, his attention turning away from the trail. His head [is] lowered slightly. Firestar swears softly, her dagger ready.. Woodhawk stiffens, and very slowly, kneels, his hand still extended to his wolf. *Rustfur...?* Startoucher scents nothing, nor hears anything out of the ordinary. His competent magic senses search for anything out of the ordinary. Rustfur continues to growl. Then, without warning, he crouches, his powerful legs bunching beneath him.... Rustfur springs for Woodhawk! Woodhawk yelp-sends *What in the name of the High Ones...!?* and tries to dive sidewise... Rillwhisper's eyes go wide and she dives the other way. Startoucher cocks his head, soemwhat confused. Cloudclimber leaps after Rustfur, growling. Firestar lets out a yell and leaps at Cloudclimber.. trying to knock him out of [the way]. Rustfur snarls, his eyes gone huntlust-red, and lands scant inches away from Woodhawk. Woodhawk tries to roll out of the way again but Rustfur follows, pinning him... Rillwhisper swears aloud, seeing Cloudclimber close on Rustfur's tail. *Look out!* It's not quite certain whom she's sending to. Firestar oofs and barely misses Cloudclimber, who in turn, misses 'Hawk.. the wolf turns, lips back, growling as he eyes Firestar... Startoucher crouches, gripping his dagger. What under the two moons is going on? Woodhawk has gone very pale, shuddering, as he struggles to haul his wolf off of him by bodily force. Firestar gets to her feet and tries to grab a hold of Rustfur's tail, to pull him off of 'Hawk.. Autumn's eyes have gone wide and she utters a cry.. running towards Cloudclimber, confused.. Rillwhisper leaps, then, dagger in hand, trying to knock Rustfur sideways. The wolf snarls - and, for a moment, twists his head around and regards Woodhawk anguishedly, letting off a howl. Woodhawk whispers, "Timmorn's Blood... " Startoucher sends openly *I can sleep the wolf if you like...* Firestar spots Autumn. "*AUTUMN! NO!*" Woodhawk left his bloody *bow* in the den... Cloudclimber snarls, seeing Autumn running towards him.. he crouches back... Rillwhisper slams into Rustfur, but her slight form is barely enough to move the wolf a few short inches. Woodhawk has enough space to wriggle free now, though, and he sends sharply to Startoucher *If he can hold him long enough... * Firestar dismisses Rustfur and leaps after Autumn. Cloudclimber suddenly springs forward.. right at Autumn! Startoucher sends openly *What?* Rustfur whirls and rolls out of the way, still snarling, eyeing all three threats immediately near him now... Startoucher glares at Cloudclimber, and his hand glows blackly, and the wolf starts to get lethargic. Firestar cries out and a wall a flame springs up between Cloudclimber and Autumn. Autumn falls back in confusion, her eyes wide and hurt.. Cloudclimber yelps as he runs through the fire.. he drops and rolls, to put out the bit of his coat that caught fire.. [From afar, Strongbow notices animals moving away from certain directions, and begins to track..] Woodhawk goes white even as his eyes go yellow. A faint corona of flame erupts into being around his fingers, and he leaps for the wolf again. Rustfur shriekwhines, panicked, and backs up... Rillwhisper growls, "It's him, I know it's him, he can *do* this to animals... " She circles around Woodhawk, looking for an opening... Startoucher sends openly *Say the word and both wolves are snoozing.* Firestar moves over to Autumn and grabs her up.. pushing Autumn behind her. Cloudclimber gets to his feet and shakes his head briefly.. the wall of flame goes out.. leaving the grass it covered blackened. Woodhawk leaps and collides with Rustfur... even as, suddenly, Rillwhisper lets off a shriek, her dagger clattering from her fingers. Woodhawk shouts *Rill?*, shooting a horrified glance at her. It is enough to distract him, and Rustfur's teeth close on his arm... Rillwhisper sways, going white-faced, threatening to collapse... Firestar looks from Cloudclimber to Rill.. shoving Autumn towards Startoucher she leaps to Rill's side.. going to catch her.. Startoucher raises a hand and dark light flows from his hand to Cloudclimber, and the wolf collapses. Woodhawk instinctively sends his fire flaring again, making Rustfur howl as both of his front paws are singed... Cloudclimber falls to the ground.. asleep.. letting out a light whurf.. Startoucher turns around, looking for Rustfur. Woodhawk, throwing the wolf clear of him with a titantic effort, looks desperately to Rillwhisper, as Firestar catches her... but Rustfur, growling again, equally desperately, springs... Firestar catches Rill.. and lowers her to the ground.. *Rill!* Firestar sends *! What is it!!?* Tash arrives from the main trail. Tash has arrived. Tash You see a tall and dark-skinned figure, with long black hair hanging well below his waist, and braided here and there with feathers in bright shades of blue and gold and green, as well as the occasional small glittering stone. He is clad in brief leathers of dark green and brown about his shoulders and loins; over these, he wears a long, flowing dark brown cloak. As you glance up at his face, you note with a shudder that it is horribly scarred, apparently by burning. Startoucher glances at Tash, having never seen him before. Firestar's head snaps up and she glares at Tash.. Firestar sends openly */You/!* Tash slips noiselessly out of the grasses, his face twisted in a smile. Woodhawk, in mid-leap, suddenly shrieks himself, and crumples to the ground even as Rustfur springs onto Rillwhisper, teeth closing... Firestar's gaze goes to 'Hawk.. she lays Rill down and stands, facing Tash.. dagger in hand.. her eyes almost completely yellow.. she snarls.. Startoucher blinks and watches Tash. Tash glares sharply at Woodhawk, ignoring Firestar... Woodhawk lifts his head, eyes gone pain-glazed, and tries to struggle to his feet. Tash gestures, and Woodhawk collapses, unconscious. Rustfur whirls about, his teeth bloodied, snarling... Rustfur leaps for Firestar! Rillwhisper lies motionless, pale, her tunic ripped and reddened... Firestar's eyes narrow and she growls.. "What'd you do to them?" Her attention snaps to Rustfur, her hand goes out.. flame shoots up at Rustfur! Tash sends openly, contentedly, *I hope you won't mind if I take my leave now, with what I came to get... * Firestar stumbles backwards, trying to avoid Rustfur and trying to turn him all at once.. Startoucher spots Rustfur, and is torn between helping Rill or Firestar. He notes that Rill is bleeding and decides she needs him more. Tash, snake-quick, grabs Woodhawk's prone form and vanishes as quickly as he came. Woodhawk has left. Firestar screams.. "NO!" Tash has left. Startoucher glances and finally notices Tash's actions, but it is too late. Rustfur howls in anguish and agony, and collapses. Startoucher rushes to Rill, and glances her over, diagnosing, if that is an elf word. Firestar's flames die down and she gets to her feet.. Rillwhisper's breath is a shallow rattle in her throat... which is streaked with red... Firestar grabs up her dagger again and lets out a loud howl.. after she finds that she didn't see where he went! Firestar limps over to Rill and Startoucher.. and whispers, "What's wrong with her..?" Startoucher lightly places a glowing hand on her throat, and the wound starts to close, and blood is replenished. The airpassage opens a bit and breathing comes easier. Rillwhisper moans hoarsely, "'Hawk? Where... " The throat wound closes finally, and strength starts to slowly return. Startoucher looks Rill over for more hurt. Firestar growls softly.. and glances off into the marsh.. her look determined.. Rillwhisper is scratched, deeply, along her arms, too, and lower torso... Startoucher nods... scratches. Simple enough. He caresses her arms and lower torso with a glowing hand, and they easily close. Rillwhisper's eyes are clamped shut, her face deathly pale. Autumn walks over to the others quietly, her hand resting on Startoucher's shoulder as he heals.. Startoucher raises an eyebrow. Is there something else wrong...? Startoucher blinks and looks at Autumn, amazed. Startoucher puts his attention back to Rill, and searches inwardly for more harm to her. Rillwhisper stirs slightly, weakly, moaning again... Lashpaw arrives from the main trail. Lashpaw has arrived. Firestar pushes herself to her feet again. Carefully keeping her right side away from Startoucher and Rill.. she winces slightly.. looking around the clearing.. Strongbow has arrived. Rillwhisper mumbles, "'Hawk... where's 'Hawk... ?" Strongbow leaps off of Lashpaw's back.. Firestar looks at Strongbow. *Tash.* She sends simply. Rillwhisper tries to sit up, her eyes dazed, crying out sharply. "'Hawk!" Strongbow's eyes narrow to dangerous slits, his lips baring ferally, as a growl filled with primeval violence escapes his lips. Autumn pulls her hand off of Startoucher's shoulder and glances at her mother.. Rustfur continues to lie motionless, fur singed... Strongbow spits on the ground. *Try and heal that..* Strongbow sniffs at the air. Startoucher places a hand on Rill's forehead, and a look of understanding comes to him. *Easy, Rill... You need to relax... We will get Hawk, but not until you are well.* Rillwhisper's eyes wander raggedly to Strongbow. "'Hawk...?" Firestar narrows her eyes and glares at Strongbow momentarily.. then glances to the wolf.. "Startouch.. Rustfur.. I burned him.. could you.." Strongbow snarls. Startoucher's hand glows, and Rill's eyes start to seem clearer... Strongbow returns Firestar's glance with such anger that it might set the grasses afire. Startoucher barely hears Firestar, but he sends a vague affirmative. Rillwhisper blurts to Strongbow, "'Hawk, don't go...! " She then shudders, as Startoucher calms her... Startoucher sends openly *Easy...* Startoucher brushes her temples with his hand, and she seems much more cogent. Startoucher comes out of the healing trance and glances at Rustfur. Firestar glances at Rill and Startoucher, then at Autumn and Strongbow. Rillwhisper trembles violently, lucidity flicking in and out of her eyes... Firestar limps to the edge of the clearing.. her dagger in hand and starts to slip off.. to search for Tash.. Startoucher goes to Rustfur, and gasps. *Oh puckernuts... This will not be so easy...* Rustfur doesn't twitch. He barely seems to be breathing. Rillwhisper tries to stagger to her feet, her gaze still locked on Strongbow, her face very pale. Firestar winces slightly as she glances at Rustfur.. she stumbles just as she reaches the edge of the clearing[, her leg crumpling beneath her,] and [she] cries out as she falls.. Startoucher places his hands on Rustfur's body, and his eyes close as he goes into the healing trance again. Autumn goes back to Startoucher's side and rests her hand on his shoulder again.. watching the wolf and the healer.. Slowly, Rustfur's burns start to subside, but very slowly. His breathing is coming back now, and is deeper. Strongbow stalks around the clearing.. Rustfur twitchwhurfs, whining hoarsely. Firestar growls softly under her breath and pushes herself to her feet again.. awkwardly.. Strongbow's jaw clenches, his muscles taut, as he scans the area. Strongbow sends openly *Sit. You're no good with that leg.* The burns on the wolf finally subside, and his breathing is relaxed and even. He sleeps. Startoucher shudders. Startoucher comes out of his trance. Startoucher glances around and notices Firestar. Firestar glares at Strongbow.. her hands clenched into fists. Then she looks about for her dagger again. Rillwhisper lifts a dizzied hand to her head, still trying to stumble towards Strongbow. "Don't go, 'Hawk," she pleads softly, then, without fanfare, crumples again. Strongbow turns, and concentrates, his eyes fixed on Rillwhisper. Strongbow sends *'Hawk is gone. I am not 'Hawk.* You send ** to Strongbow. Startoucher glances at the leg. He mutters something about simple healings and seems barely amongst the concious. Firestar bites her lip, winces slightly, finds her dagger and picks it up.. she looks at Rill. Strongbow sends ** Startoucher places a hand on Firestar's leg and concentrates. His hands glow slightly weaker as he starts to close the wound. Rillwhisper is half-curled sidewise on the ground, peering up at Strongbow confusedly. Strongbow sends ** Autumn moves with Startoucher, holding his other hand.. Firestar starts to pull away from Startoucher but stops.. snarling slightly. Startoucher shudders as he runs his hand down the wound, and the flesh closes in his hand's wake. Rillwhisper starts and tries to sit up again, her hands shaking and reaching for Strongbow. "Strongbow," she mumbles, quite clearly. Then, pleads again, "Don't go." She slumps. Strongbow's lips thin, tighten into a line. Strongbow sends ** You send ** to Strongbow. Startoucher finishes the healing, sweat pouring down his face. He glances at Rill. "Puckernuts... thought I took care of that..." [Strongbow whirls, swings onto Lashpaw, and vanishes into the marsh.] Startoucher shuffles over to Rill again. *Rill... You need to sleep...* Rillwhisper pleads to no one in particular, "Tell Strongbow not to go!" Rillwhisper then slumps backwards, passing out. Firestar gets to her feet again.. and goes over to Rill's side.. "Shh.." Firestar sends *.. rest..* Startoucher looks around, a vague look on his face. "Oooooook... everyone all right?" You send ** to Firestar. Firestar's face is hard and she glares off into the distance.. *I'll get 'Hawk back from him. If it kills me.* [Firestar eventually hobbles determinedly off into the marshes, trying to track Tash herself; Rillwhisper's boy-cub No-fur comes running, having heard the howls and send-shouts, and is highly upset at what happened to his mother. Others of Rillwhisper's tribe immediately set out to search themselves as Startoucher exhaustedly departs, replaced briefly by the Plainsrunner healer StormWind, who insures that Rillwhisper has enough strength to be seen back to her den.]