Log Date: April 1995 Log Intro: Brightfire, a solitary Wolfrider healer, has found herself in a surprising amount of trouble. Stumbling by accident into a remote valley filled with mysterious sopoforic flowers and inhabited by a band of Preservers who have made it their mission to secure any elf they can find in wrapstuff, Brightfire has met Keshah of Sorrow's End... and Talek, an elf who has been kept captive in the valley for over a year and who has grown addicted to the berries and mushrooms that the Preservers insist on feeding him. Brightfire Recognizes Talek, but is unable to get him free of the valley on her own, and reluctantly leaves him in Keshah's care while she escapes the place to look for help. But Brightfire's sense of direction is questionable even when she isn't suffering from unanswered Recognition, and the help she finally obtains is Strongbow of Lostholt -- who in turn takes her to Willowholt, to get help from the elves there.... [NOTE: This log is from Brightfire's point of view.] ---------- Fhen shudders at the thought of _bugs_. Silversong frowns. "Bugs? Preservers? How many of them?" Brightfire sends openly ** Preservers, aye. A hand and two, I think. They wouldn't stay stil for me tou count. ** Rillwhisper blinks at Brightfire, then blinks at Fhen, her gaze sharpening. "Seven bugs? in a valley?" You locksend ** One of her lifemates is a Catelf...they live in the jungles, don't they? Perhaps they went there. ** to Dawn. Fhen nods. ** That's how many there werein that valley I was in. ** Brightfire nods. ** There may have been seven, aye. Up in the mountains? ** Dawn walks closer, smiling at Brightfire. She pays little heed to the other talk of flowers and whatnot. Dawn is slender and rather short, even for a wolfrider. Her skin is pale, apart from a light dusting of freckles (and some bruises, perhaps bites, around the neck) Her skyblue eyes are of a lupine slant, and fringed with pale lashes. Her rustcolored hair has grown long, falling down her back in wild curls. A pair of long black feathers are tied to the leather thong holding the hair out of her freckled face. The chill of the winters night cannot penetrate Dawn's rustred, fur-lined dress. The sleeves are long, and the neckline low. High, soft boots in the same color keep her feet equally warm. Dawn looks happy, eyes sparkling. Carrying: Wooden bracelet This elfin female seems both earthy and ethereal: though wisp-slender, she moves with a huntress's lithe agility, with hands built for grasping a dagger or bow. Golden with a hint of red, her hair weaves back in two braids to a chieftain's topknot, then drops in loose waves to her shoulderblades. Her wolf-slanted eyes sometimes glint with a feral light... yet also sometimes shimmer with stars of grey and gold, and her capable hands carry a delicate touch matched perhaps for the holes of a flute as well as a weapon. She is clad all in leathers of brown and gold and green: a short, sleeveless dark golden tunic, breeches of a reddish brown, and boots of a paler gold, all accented here and there with touches of dark leaf-green. At the tunic's scalloped armholes, and at the breeches' waistline, the patterns stitched in delicate green speak of random falls of leaves; green, too, are the lacings of tunic and breeches, and the thongs that twine up the length of the boots. For the Whitecold, she's added a thick, soft leather cloak that is little more than a poncho with a hole for her head, trimmed with fox fur. Dawn locksends ** Jungles..yes, they might! It's so far, but now that my cubs are gone or old enough to be on their own.. ** Silversong looks curious at Dawn, then asks Brightfire, "Who is your Recognized?" This youngish-looking elf has strawberry-blond hair and piercing emerald green eyes. He is wearing a green tunic, belted with a russet belt, and leather moccasions to protect his feet. Strongbow shakes his head. ** I've had more than my share of preservers lately. ** Fhen sends openly ** So have I. ** Brightfire sends openly ** His name is Talek. He's no more than a lad. ** On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry pouts, as it understands some of the talk. /Wethings wrap up highthings who no want?/ Brightfire is a tall, sinewy elf with a mass of pale, shaggy straight hair that falls down to the middle of her back. A thick handful of hair has been pulled back into a ponytail that resembles a chieftain's lock, and just below her shoulderblades a dark red thong catches the blonde hair back and out of the way. Her leathers are simple, a dark red tunic and long boots the same shade. Around her upper right arm is a heavy gold band that almost obscures an ugly scar. Her eyes are steely grey with flecks of iron blue in them. She rarely speaks aloud, and when she does, her voice is low and gravely from disuse. She carries a long spear with her at almost all times, the only weapon she owns. Strongbow looks away as Silversong asks this question, and interjects its answer. ** Talek. ** Deep brown, steady eyes gaze uncompromisingly out from under a knotted band of spotted leather, missing no detail, crediting nothing with more weight than its worth. Tall amongst the Wolfriders, but never towering, Strongbow's stance is wholly that of the hunter. His deep brown hair shines with highlights of red, and, in moonlight, even violet, falling shaggy over his brow and back over the leather band about his head. His long, chiseled face is lengthened and lined further by a sharp line of brown facefur from ear to chin and peaked up at either side of his mouth. Slung over one shoulder, the arc of his bow mismatches the chiseled lines of his face, torso, and legs. Strongbow wears a split-front tunic of forest green leather, accented in dun and lighter green, blending well into forest shadow. A narrow brown belt cinches the tunic about his waist and is echoed by a sling that holds his quiver over his back. High, soft boots cover his long legs up to midthigh, not meeting the bottom of his tunic by a full handspan. He wears a leather bracer on his bow arm and no other adornments. Rillwhisper stiffens, unconsciously blurting, "Timmorn's Blood...!" Fhen looks up at Rillwhisper. Brightfire looks a bit startled at the reaction. ** You know him? ** Silversong stiffens, looking at Brightfire, her frown deepening. Rillwhisper pulls in a long breath, then nods quickly. "Aye. We know him. Silversong, do you go, then?" Silversong sends openly ** So my brother has gotten himself into quite a mess, has he? ** Strongbow nods once, curtly. ** Aye. ** Brightfire starts to smile at Dawn, sending, and then the send trails off. ** ..._Brother_? ** Dawn sends openly ** Brother? ** Strongbow shifts his stance. Silversong nods to Rillwhisper, without hesitating. ** Yes, I do. I thought he would be all right when he snuck away from me before, at Lostholt... apparently I was wrong. ** Fhen tilts his head. ** I didn't know you had a brother, Silvie. ** You locksend to Silversong, Brightfire's nose twitches again. ** Explains the scent, then. ** Lashpaw's nose twitches and he lifts his head to scent the air, blissfully ignorant. Rillwhisper has already started turning. To Silversong, she says simply, "The rosecherry. Fallberry, get the pouch with the fringes, in my den!' On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry eeks, nodnods hastily, and flits off. Silversong chuckles, looking over her shoulder at Fhen. ** Neither did I, until I went to Lostholt last. ** Strongbow looks at Rillwhisper, furrowing his brow. You sense in a locksend, Silversong nods. ** Aye. ** Brightfire hehs softly. ** I wish I could bring you better news about him. ** You locksend ** I didn't even know WindDream had a sister. You should visit her! ** to Dawn. Fhen looks up at Silversong. ** Is he gonna be okay? ** Silversong sends openly ** I would have thought he would have eventually found his way back underground.. ** A few moments pass before the bug returns, lugging a small leather pouch with fringes on it. Fallberry then triumphantly proclaims, /Nicesmell stuff keep highthings not sleepydreamy!/ Dawn locksends ** I..wish I could. ** With that, Fallberry drops the pouch in Rillwhisper's hands, and perches on her head. Silversong nods to Fallberry's return. ** There's another pouch I should get, from where I left it in Sweetleaf's own den. ** Brightfire snorts. ** He keeps talking about being safe in rock. I almost had him listening to me, but then I had to leave to get help bringing him out. ** Rillwhisper hands the pouch to Silversong, while explaining to Strongbow, "My brother made this; he calls it rosecherry. It clears the head. We gave some to Woodhawk, when Winnowill tried her tricks on him, last time she was here. It should help, if that valley is full of dreams." You locksend ** Why can't you? ** to Dawn. Strongbow shakes his head. ** Always have something for everything, Rillwhisper... ** He seems quietly bemused. Rillwhisper winks at the archer, her eyes glinting wryly. "My brother does, at least. He's a treeshaper and a half. Fallberry, here, go to Silversong... " Silversong pauses at Brightfire's statement, and just shakes her head. ** This time, I don't let him sneak off before my work is done... ** she sends, then walks over to the old willow, swinging up into its branches and vanishing from sight for a few moments. Strongbow nods to Silversong's words, eyes darkening for just a moment. On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry nodnods happily and waits for the nice soothehands highthing to come back. Brightfire sends openly ** I hope you're good enough to help him. I'm not. ** Brightfire's sending is faintly frustrated. Rillwhisper looks at Brightfire and Strongbow steadily, then. "I'll give any other aid you need." She smiles solemnly. "Silversong has power, cousin. " Brightfire nods, mostly a dropping of her chin. ** Good. ** Silversong returns after a short time, tucking another leather pouch, slightly larger than the one the bug brought back, into her own 'sachel'. ** I hope I will be. I don't think I've ever tried to bring someone -out- of berrydreaming before... ** Silversong pauses for a moment, remembering. ** 'cept that one time... ** she lets the thought fade off though. Strongbow's lips twitch. Dawn locksends ** I could not find her. And my family..but I must search, again! ** Rillwhisper watches Strongbow for a moment, her expression briefly torn, though she grins lopsidedly at Silversong.... You locksend ** Once I've got Talek in one piece again, I'll see if I can find her and let her know you're here. You call this place Willowholt, right? ** to Dawn. Silversong glances over to Brightfire, closing her sachel. ** You know the way there? ** On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry pipes, /Fallberry want help highthings!/ Dawn locksends ** Oh, yes! Thank you! ** Strongbow catches Rillwhisper's glance at him, and his lip twitches again. ** Anyone who knows the cub might be of good use... ** Silversong smiles at the Preserver. "Exactly what I was thinking... After all... who knows how to keep a bug from being buggy, except another one?" Brightfire grins faintly. ** I should be able to find it, in spite of my sense of directoin. I can feel _him_, anyway. ** On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry tugtugs at Rillwhisper's hair! /Sunnygreen highthing come too!/ You locksend to Dawn, Brightfire smiles. ** You're welcome. Is there anything I should tel her? ** Silversong chuckles quietly. "As if we needed any convincing to make her come along with him," she mentions to Brightfire. Rillwhisper grins - almost sheepishly, unlike her - and glances at Dawn and Fhen. She might almost be blushing. Brightfire blinks faintly, and, now that she's had it pointed out, finally notices the interplay between Strongbow and Rillwhisper. She chuckles, deep in her throat, barely making a sound. Silversong lifts her fingers to her lips, and whistles shrilly. Strongbow's lips twitch again with a hint of a smile, but he quashes it with some kind of similar embarrassment, which he covers with a send. ** We must go soon, in any case. ** Dawn locksends ** Tell her about her sister Dawn..who lives at Willowholt with her mate and cubs. We all want to meet her! ** Silversong nods to Strongbow. "Yes, soon. Or now." Ashes comes around the pond from the trees on its Sun-Goes-Down bank. Strongbow nods once. You locksend to Dawn, Brightfire nods! ** I will! ** Ashes pads along the edge of the pond, walking up to stand beside Silversong. Brightfire nods, and smiles faintly. ** The sooner the better. ** Rillwhisper grins crookedly. "I, ah, will come if I can be of aid. Dawn, Fhen...?" Rillwhisper says to Fhen gently, "I wouldn't ask you to return to that place, lad." Dawn sends openly ** I..have an other journey to make. If Trollkiller will let me. ** Strongbow's gaze turns to Dawn, listening. Silversong glances over to Dawn. ** Where to? ** Dawn sends openly ** To find my sister. In the jungles. Brightfire things she is there. ** Rillwhisper blinks at Dawn. "_Now_?" Strongbow looks at Brightfire. ** Sister? ** Silversong glances to Brightfire for a moment, and she suddenly laughs, a laugh filled with a sense of irony. Brightfire blinks rapidly. ** What? ** Fhen looks up at Rillwhisper. ** I wanna go. ** Silversong leans back into her wolf's flank, her laugh fading down into a highly-amused chuckle. Lashpaw sniffs at the laughter. Dawn sends openly ** I must speak to Zalen first. And Trollkiller. But my cubs are gone.. I can leave. ** Silversong says "Ah, Brightfire... if you had only come here earlier this evening, before sundown." Rillwhisper flashes enough of a suddenly weary smile at Fhen to let her know that she heard him, but points out to Dawn, "Simmel and Dusk are still here, little sunhair." Strongbow's lips tighten. ** How many are leaving tonight, then, leaving your holt unguarded? ** Fhen whistles for Willowpaw. Willowpaw bounds out of the shadows, runs up to Fhen and nuzzles him with great affection. Rillwhisper looks at Strongbow. "Woodhawk will remain. I have already sent to him." She almost grins. "He shoots almost as well as you do." Dawn sends openly ** Simmel is always away on his own. Dusk..is with Trollkiller. ** Rillwhisper says "There is also Trollkiller and Crystal - and although Sweetleaf thinks at the pace of the trees, he has his own ways of defense." A smile plays at the edge of Strongbow's mouth. He nods his assent to Rillwhisper, then looks oddly at Dawn. Brightfire looks completely bewildered. Silversong sends openly ** What a delicious little irony... Brightmark searches for years for news of Strider and his lifemates... and mere hours after she departs, that news stumbles right on in. ** Rillwhisper then eyes Dawn, and says, eyebrow quirked, "Trollkiller's here, too, cousin. It's not like Dusk has gone anywhere." Rillwhisper takes a step to Dawn, clasps her shoulder, and sends to her. Brightfire sends openly ** Who's Brightmark...?? ** Strongbow looks sharply at Silversong. Silversong smiles quietly, looking over at Brightfire. ** My daughter. ** On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry looklooklooks round at all the highthings, and then peers at speckleface highthing curiously. Dawn sends openly ** Dusk and Trollkiller are here. And will stay here. ** Brightfire blinks. ** Could she be found and told where Strider and the others are...? ** Dawn looks over to Rill, as if finally registering her presence. Silversong locksends ** Perhaps. I can try to get the message to her... where are they now? ** Rillwhisper almost smiles. She sends gently to Dawn, ** Strongbow and Brightfire must leave to rescue Talek - Brightfire's mate, and Silversong's brother. Fhen, Silversong, and I will go to aid. ** You locksend ** I'm not sure. I assumed Wolfhaven, but I haven't visted in turns. They could be in Strider's first home, the jungles... ** to Silversong. Strongbow nods, this much clear. Silversong locksends ** Mm. Just as long as they've been seen. Perhaps Dawn could tell them, when she sees them, that Brightmark has been searching for them. ** Silversong sends openly ** We should go. ** Rillwhisper asks Dawn, "Will you remain, to help 'Hawk guard the Holt?" Rillwhisper says "And spread the word about where we've gone?" Strongbow nods to Silversong, of a mind with her on that at least. Sunruff comes around the pond from the trees on its Sun-Goes-Down bank. You locksend to Silversong, Brightfire nods. Sunruff pads gracefully into view. Lashpaw whuffs softly and grins, tongue lolling. Dawn nods slowly. ** Yes. Yes, I will stay to guard, my chief. Until your return. ** Strongbow absentmindedly rests one gently scratching hand on Lashpaw's ruff. Dawn sends openly ** I understand, about going to find relatives. ** You locksend ** I'll look for WindDream, too, all right? ** to Dawn. Sunruff studies the gathering wolves, then favors Lashpaw with a low yurfle before coming to her elf's side. Rillwhisper smiles, and impulsively hugs Dawn... ** We will be swift; I will send Fallberry if we are delayed. And if you go, I will care for your cub as if I'd born her myself. ** Dawn locksends ** Thank you, Brightfire! ** Strongbow's eyes look momentarily distant, then he nods to himself. You locksend to Dawn, Brightfire smiles. Dawn smiles, and hugs her chieftess. ** You already do, my chief. ** Rillwhisper grins, then after releasing the smaller elf, turns to the others. "Let's go." Silversong smiles, nodding. Silversong takes a hold of Snowdust's fur, and swings up onto the wolf's back. From Willowpaw's back, Fhen has arrived. Rillwhisper swings herself onto Sunruff's back. From Lashpaw's back.. Strongbow has arrived. From Lashpaw's back.. Strongbow pauses. On Sunruff's back, Rillwhisper watches the archer get onto his wolf with a fond look, and addresses him and Brightfire, "Lead us?" From Lashpaw's back.. Strongbow nods. ** Brightfore rode with me... ** Dawn looks after the ones departing, with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. Brightfire smiles. ** May I again? ** You locksend ** Take care. I'll bring a message from WindDream if I can. ** to Dawn. From Lashpaw's back.. Strongbow sends openly ** But Lashpaw is not young. ** On Sunruff's back, Rillwhisper, poised on her big golden she-wolf, offers, "Sunruff is in her prime. Brightfire can ride with me, if she will." Brightfire smiles. ** Thank you, chieftess. ** Dawn locksends ** Look after my chieftess, too. Not that she needs it, but.. ** This young she-wolf is large and huskily built, with wide round paws that provide her with sturdy support for running or hunting or simply standing. Her fur is a rich honey-golden shade, darkening slightly along her upper back, the sides of her face, and the lower portions of her legs. The alert but restrained look in her dark eyes gives her an air of dignified indifference, though the occasional playful romp when she thinks no one is looking alerts the observer that she has the heart of a cub. Sunruff is 16 Turns, 9 months, and 2 days old. Contents: Rillwhisper You swing onto Sunruff's back. You locksend to Dawn, Brightfire nods. ** I will. ** Dawn wades out into the water. From the water, Dawn wades out from the bank of the pond. From Lashpaw's back.. Strongbow nods with a fleeting smile. ** Thank you, chieftess, ** he repeats, evenly. Rillwhisper smiles at Brightfire, and says, "Tell me where to go, then, cousin," to her. She glances across to Strongbow, then down to the old wolf she remembers, and simply nods. Brightfire nods, and points the way, half sending directions ahead. Rillwhisper, with that, nudges Sunruff; the big she-wolf strides carefully out through the thick itchgrass circle. Time begins to pass as the wolves and their riders set out on the journey. Rillwhisper rides with a clear eagerness, as if the simple adventure of the outing is enough to stir her wolf-blood. >From afar, to Silversong, Brightfire, Rillwhisper, Fhen: Strongbow watches Time Compression RP at its best. Rillwhisper, not having seen these woods in a while, can't help a smile as the elves make camp for a while... and then move onward. Rillwhisper rides alertly - scanning the open expanse of the river. Sunruff treads with an even stride, her paws making barely any noise at all. On Ashes' back, Silversong looks along the rushing water of the river... this not the path she has taken ofttimes before. Rillwhisper glances with a brief hint of mischief back to Strongbow, not used to outpacing him in a ride, but she knows her wolf is stronger than his. She waits patiently for the archer to catch up, and then smiles at the sight of him. From Lashpaw's back.. Strongbow's eyes are calm, his gaze even, but a smirk pulls at his lips, well aware. Rillwhisper, seeing the small band reassembled, then nudges her wolf onward. Fallberry tirelessly flits round her head, a small purple streak. After some time, Blue Mountain itself is in sight. Rillwhisper grows quieter on this part of the ride, her gaze solemn. On Ashes' back, Silversong frowns slightly, gazing up at the Mountain for a long moment or three. Rillwhisper locksends, to Strongbow, Silversong, Brightfire, Fhen: ** ** Brightfire sends quiet instructions, pointing the way as the group travels, and glances curiously at the group as everyone hesistates at the Mountain. Silversong locksends ** That was where my daughter is. ** You locksend ** Ahh...all I know of that places are stories. ** to Silversong. Silversong locksends ** Consider yourself fortunate. ** Rillwhisper pauses, murmuring as she glances over her shoulder, "High Ones, these woods are even more crowded than ours... " Rillwhisper glances at Brightfire, then. "Do you know this place?" Brightfire nods, tensely. Brightfire sends openly ** A trail leads up the mountains... ** She slips off Sunruff's back and begins climbing. WolfRiver(North Bank) This section of the bank is a unique part of the forest. You see a large beech tree on the bank that leans towards the water at a strange angle. The tree is easily scaled, though the bark is smooth, due to the sharp bend of the trunk. You look very high up into the tree and you see a hollow that appears to have been shaped. You head up into the mountains, traveling slowly over the high, rocky terrain. After hours of travel, you come to the peak. Misty Mountainpeak(#5557RFJ) Thick, billowing clouds are all around you, despite the wind that always blows around the chilly, thin-aired mountaintop in gusts. The ground is rocky, and covered in tiny, sharp-edged pebbles that leave no tracks. The light is diffused by the mist, and all sounds muted and distorted. It is very hard to find your way. You stumble suddenly, and hear the clatter of a dislodged rock as it bounces down, down, down..ever fainter until there is silence..then a faint *splash* of water. You consider whether you want to follow the sound of 'water' or go 'back' the way you think you came from. Lashpaw climbs up the forest-ward side of the mountain, reaching the top with a sigh of exhausted relief. Rillwhisper climbs off Sunruff's back. Ashes climbs up the forest-ward side of the mountain, reaching the top with a sigh of exhausted relief. Silversong slips down off of Ashes' back. Rillwhisper frowns into the mist - High Ones, hard to see up here. From Lashpaw's back.. Strongbow has left. Brightfire, in spite of the mist, moves forward surely now, tension radiating from her frame. Silversong gently brushes her hands through Ashes' fur, her wolf tired from the climb. You locksend ** Ged? ** to Silverlock. Willowpaw climbs up the forest-ward side of the mountain, reaching the top with a sigh of exhausted relief. Strongbow kneels by his wolf and tends to each of the animal's paws. Brightfire gestures. ** This way... ** She begins picking her way down the mountainside. Silverlock locksends ** ** On Willowpaw's back, Fhen has left. You carefully feel your way...the sound of the falling rock seemed to indicate a steep drop, somewhere close. A gust of wind blows, clearing the fog long enough for you to glimpse a steep mountainside leading down to a green valley below..a glitter of water, and a flutter of wings...Then the clammy whiteness closes in on you again, blocking all from view. But you did spot one narrow stretch of mountainside that might just barely be climbable. Gathering all your courage, you start the slow, cautious descent along the fog-slicked side of the mountain. The climb is long, and wearying. Occasionally there is a near slip, leaving your heart pounding. Trembling with fatigue, you finally reach bottom after a seemingly endless climb, and turn to look around. Misty Valley This tiny hidden valley is nestled between the steep sides of three mountain peaks, all but unreachable from the outside world. White clouds drift above, curling around the mountaintops and blocking the valley from view from above. There is an eternal twilight down in the bottom, a soft silvery one. A small waterfall cascades down from one of the rocky sides of the valley, falling into a small pool from which flows a sparkling brook. The brook disappears into a small copse of dark green trees, evergreen and sheltering. A small berrypatch is on the other side of the brooklet, framing a miniature meadow filled with sweetly fragranced flowers. The warm night is sparsely lit by diffused moonlight that somehow penetrates the clouds above. A sense of peace envelops your weary mind, and a childlike joy and wonder at being here, in this secret, beautiful place. High up on the hill, dimly, Lashpaw whines softly and sniffs in Strongbow's hair. High up on the hill, dimly, Rillwhisper pauses near Strongbow... High up on the hill, dimly, Strongbow pats the wolf and shoulders his bow. You locksend ** Ged? What's wrong? ** to Silverlock. High up on the hill, dimly, SilverPaw disappears from view, and hearing. High up on the hill, dimly, Fhen looks down into the valley. High up on the hill, dimly, Strongbow nods silently and walks alongside his wolf. High up on the hill, dimly, Lashpaw *growf* *snarl* *grrrrf* *snarl* High up on the hill, dimly, Willowpaw whurfs, frustrated. Silverlock locksends ** ** Silversong looks across the valley. ** It's certainly lovely... ** You locksend ** Ged? It's Iara...Ged?? ** to Silverlock. Rillwhisper frowns, staring up the steep slope, and turning to face the valley suspiciously. Brightfire's already scowling into the valley, virtual panic on her features. Fhen is quiet, his mind remembering the last time he was here. Strongbow's eyes darken. ** Beautiful can be deadly. ** Fallberry oooooohs, flittering around in wonder. /Looklooklook! Is wrapstuff in the leaves! Fallberry see!/ Rillwhisper shakes her head a little, green eyes glazing for a moment. Her nose wrinkles. "Timmorn's Blood... Silversong!" Strongbow scowls more deeply at the wrapstuff, seeming to have something personal against it. Rillwhisper turns to Silversong, her expression urgent. "Do you _smell_ this place? Brightfire, where would he be?" Silversong frowns slightly, nodding. ** I smell it... even with no wolf blood in me... I can smell it... ** Abruptly, there is a flutter of wings in the leaves, not very far away. Fallberry eeks, and flits back to Rillwhisper. Brightfire, if she hears Rillwhisper, gives no sign of it, her entire body intent on the valley below, her sending almost audible. You locksend ** Ged, please, wake up... ** to Silverlock. Strongbow scowls softly and starts, oddly offbalance, at the flutter. Silversong lifts the flap of her sachel, resting her hand and looking warily about. Silversong er, resting her hand within. Rillwhisper shakes her head again, slightly fuzzily, and then blinks at Silversong. "The rosecherry." Her voice sounds slightly strange. "Silversong. How much?" Brightfire sneezes violently, and blinks around. Fallberry dangles upsidedown off Rillwhisper's head to peer into her eyes, and it waves a tiny hand in front of her face. /Sunnygreen highthing eat the nicesmell stuff now!/ Tiny voices giggle off in the distance. Fhen blinks, trying to stay awake. Strongbow looks at Rillwhisper, oddly. ** Our stay here...should be--** He starts, and looks sharply into the distance. Silversong pulls the small leather pouch out of her sachel, quietly pulling one of the small fruits out of it. She frowns slightly, seeming slightly off-balance on her feet, as she divides the fruit up into sections, and hands them about to the four of you. ** Here. ** Brightfire sends openly ** He's all dreamy and fuzzy... ** Fhen takes the fruit offered to him and eats it. Rillwhisper shakes herself back into alertness. She nods, the motion heavier than it should be, at Silversong, and gratefully accepts the offering, eating it quickly. Her eyes go clearer almost instantly. Fallberry looks up again at the distant giggles, and ooohs very softly. Strongbow blinks at the berry bit in his hand, then downs it and scowls off into the distance. ** This place will fill your head with wrapstuff as sure as it's covered in it. Let's be quick here. ** Brightfire looks at the fruit blankly for several seconds, then eats it rapidly, licking juice from her fingers. ** Better... ** Rillwhisper says "Bugs. Where? Show us, Brightfire..." Fhen's ears perk up at the distant giggles, his eyes narrowing. Silversong closes her sachel again, lifting her hand to her forehead, as if feeling a headache. A slight shimmer forms about her fingertips, her own awareness clearing in response. ** Like... Sweetleaf's shrooms, in the very air... ** Another rustle, and tiny eyes peek out briefly. A voice teasingly calls, /Many highthings! Wethings take good care of now!/ Strongbow scowls and twitches his bow on his shoulder. Fhen's eyes widen as he hears a familiar voice. Brightfire growls, audibly, at the voices chittering in the distance, and starts to pick her way into the valley. ** This way.. ** Fallberry waggles a scolding finger! /Fallberry's highthings!/ it pipes back annoyedly. Silversong lifts her gaze over in the direction the voice came from. Rillwhisper sends openly ** How to handle so many bugs? I'm not sure Fallberry can trap them all... ** Rillwhisper follows Brightfire, hand on her knife. Strongbow scowls, considering. Fhen sends openly ** Try to grab one. That's what the one who rescued me did. ** Brightfire sends openly ** They're afraid of hurtfires. ** She winces as she uses the preserver term. ** Healing magic used backwards. Or even the threat of it... ** Fallberry looks about alertly, trying to spot its kin. Silversong sends openly ** I once asked Cutter how he handled the bugs back in the Grove... he said usually all of them follow one. If we find that one... ** /Looklook! Another wething!/ /Help us take care of the highthings, Fallberry!/ Silversong frowns at Brightfire. ** I don't think I want to... but... ** Strongbow nods. ** If you can aim... ** He sends a brief image of Spidersilk throwing a ball of the goo at himself, and the stuff sticking. <> ** Wrap them in their own web. ** Fallberry scolds, /You no take good care of highthings! Youthings forgot!/ Rillwhisper, upon reaching the valley floor, turns about in all directions, slowly and warily. Brightfire snorts lightly at Silversong. ** You have a hand of them attack you, and you might want to. ** She blinks slightly at the image Strongbow presents. A smile twitches at the edge of Strongbow's mouth. ** I've wanted to try it. ** Silversong nods, in reluctant agreement with Brightfire. ** Yes. ** Flutters. And a golden Preserver is briefly visible amidst the omnipresent flowers. Brightfire growls, pointing. ** That one. It's the leader. ** She eyes the golden preserver. Strongbow scowls and casts about for some webbing to sabotage. Fhen points at the golden Preserver. ** I've seen him before. ** Rillwhisper fixes her gaze on the distant golden flicker, and mutters, "There. Fallberry, can you wrap seven bugs? It'll be a game!" Brightfire sends openly ** When I found them before, they were wrapped up down in the heart of the valley... ** Fallberry stifles a tiny giggle, looking mischievous. /Fallberry swift! Fallberry smart!/ Brightfire begins, slowly, to move that way, trying to scent through wrapstuff and flower pollen, mostly oblivious to the distant Preservers. Strongbow looks skeptically at Fallberry. ** Swift, anyway. ** Rillwhisper sends openly ** Silversong, Brightfire. You go after the youth. We'll play distraction, Fallberry and I. ** Brightfire sends openly ** Don't get caught. ** Rillwhisper flicks a glance back at Fhen and Strongbow, then grins, her eyes glittering ferally. ** Fallberry's not the only one that's swift. ** Strongbow smiles ever so slightly. Fhen grins slightly. Brightfire nods and gestures to Silversong, heading for the heart of the valley. You venture into the dark, emerald green light of the copse. -Brightfire