Log Intro: Tension has risen in the Willowholt ever since the discovery that Winnowill has been trying to use some sort of strange, addictive sending on Woodhawk, the Holt's firestarter. Rillwhisper - inwardly remembering anew the tales she's always heard about Blue Mountain from her friends and allies at Lostholt, particularly Strongbow and Leetah - responds to this discovery by rallying both Sweetleaf and Silversong to help dispel Winnowill's attempts. Silversong meets with her mother, after Sweetleaf teaches her lore and how to make a certain tea to encourage kindness in its drinker. And Winnowill makes more attempts at her addictive sending, both on Joy and on Duskshadow... while Silversong comes to find her chieftess, to tell her of these things, none trusting the safety of sending. ---------- Silversong crawls in from the tree's center chamber. Silversong has arrived. Silversong slips in from outside. ** Rill? ** Rillwhisper looks up, tensely. "Yes?" Woodhawk slumbers deeply in the furs, and doesn't stir. Silversong frowns slightly. ** I'm concerned... Dusky's agreed to go with mother, back to the Mountain. ** Rillwhisper's mouth tightens. She mutters. "I was beginning to wonder when Duskshadow would emerge... " She eyes you levelly, keeping her voice pitched deliberately low, as to not wake Woodhawk. But neither does she send. "I will assume you've spoken with Duskshadow?" Silversong shakes her head. "I'm more worried about Joy... I think mother did indeed do to her what she did to Woodhawk..." Joy crawls in from the tree's center chamber. Joy has arrived. Joy enters quietly, eyes swollen and red. She looks up ** You wanted to talk with me, Chief? ** Silversong seems to be telling Rill something, but she quiets down as Joy enters, looking back at her. Silversong locksends ** I... uh, told her you wanted to talk with her before she left... to keep her from going... she was about to leave, a few hours ago. ** Joy glances at Silversong briefly, then back to Rill. Silversong gives Joy a gentle, supportive smile. Rillwhisper glances at the sleeping firestarter, and murmurs at you both, "Into Trollkiller's old den. Come." Trollkiller's old den(#8737RL) Trollkiller's old den is, these days, most often used as a playroom, or as a guest den for visitors who are particularly close to Rillwhisper, Woodhawk, or Trollkiller. It is filled wall to wall with soft furs, and kept from becoming stuffy by regular use. Contents: A bunch of brightly coloured leaves Frog statue Obvious exits: Rillwhisper, Woodhawk, and Trollkiller's Den Out to Willow Tree Centre Joy has arrived. Silversong has arrived. Rillwhisper sighs softly, situating herself by the door into the main den, so as to keep an eye on Woodhawk should he stir. But she regards Silversong and Joy, and says gravely to the latter, "Have you been told about what's been going on, Joy?" Joy sends openly ** I think I've heard just about everything. ** Joy sniffles and rubs at one of her red eyes. Rillwhisper's green eyes lose a little of their tenseness, as she regards Joy with obvious sympathy. "And how are you feeling?" Joy sends openly ** Confsued, mostly. ** Joy brushes back a bit of her touseled hair and sits gently. Rillwhisper says simply, "I'd like to hear about it." Silversong sits as well, leaning back against the wall of the den. Joy sighs quietly and takes a breath ** here is what I thought was a wonderful opportunity for me. To see where Father came from, to know what it's like to be a glider for real. To be able to learn how to fly as well as Father. I want to make him proud, I do. But.. ** Joy rests her head in her hands ** It seems like since I brought up the idea, everyone's been so upset and worried. Why can't they just be happy for me? ** Joy sends openly ** I think Winnowill is lonely and would like company in that lonely mountain. She's been nothing but sweet to me..and she understands me. ** Rillwhisper regards Joy with the same direct gaze she'd use with any other adult in the tribe. As the young maiden speaks, she seems to consider an answer. Joy sends openly ** And I think I have to leave the holt for awhile, anyway. ** Joy sends openly ** Things aren't so swell with me and Ahdran. So, this actually would be a proper time for me to go. Don't you think? ** Silversong locksends ** During the time I was there at the Mountain... mother made no signs whatsoever of being 'lonely' at all. Not to me, not to anyone there I knew. ** Rillwhisper pulls in a breath. And sends, though her send is pitched deliberately quietly, as if she strives to make sure that only the two here hear it: ** Joy, lass, I will be the first to say that you've the right to go and learn where half your blood came from... and what the Mountain is like. And I'm happy that you're thinking about these things - it's important. But.... elves that I'd trust with my life have given me reason to believe that the place can be dangerous. That Winnowill can be dangerous. ** Rillwhisper sighs. And adds, ** I won't tell you not to go. But I do want you to go with open eyes. ** Joy nosd quietly ** I've heard the words that you and the others say. I will heed the warnings. But I believe her intentions to be good ** You locksend ** Timmorn's Blood. I can't tie the cub down to keep her here... ** to Silversong. Silversong says "Joy... do you trust me at all?" Joy looks to Silversong "Of course." Rillwhisper considers saying something, but glances to the healer as she speaks. Silversong says "I spent over ten years in the Mountain, training with Mother. If she was lonely, don't you think she would have trusted me enough to tell me that? I trusted her fully, then. She gave me no reason not to trust her. But she was not lonely." Silversong glances down. "She's changed..." Joy sends openly ** She only wants to reclaim the gliders as a family. They all left, she must be lonely now. ** Joy sends openly ** I'm willing to give her a chance, being her daughter, I'd expected you to do the same. ** Silversong says "And if she wants that, Joy... how do you know she will let you return?" Silversong frowns suddenly. ** I -gave- her that chance, and she repaid me by harming Woodhawk. ** Joy sends openly ** She has given me her word. I will not be alone, others are going as well. ** Rillwhisper sends, her eyes somewhat bleak, ** But the problem is, Joy... while she might want that - and I'm a chief, I can understand how I'd feel if you all up and left me - what I'm scared of, is what else she wants that she isn't telling us. ** Joy sends openly ** Then I ask you to trust me. I'm not a cub anymore, I can make decisions for myself and I can take care of myself. ** Joy ponders quietly ** One way to be sure, if it would put your minds at ease ** Silversong looks curious. "That being...?" Rillwhisper half-smiles. ** Duskshadow's not a cub either, Joy, and I'll be giving this same talk to her, if I can find her quickly. And elves who aren't cubs have gotten into trouble there before. ** She breaks off, inquiringly? Joy sends openly ** I will return in one turns time. I'm sure WInnowill will have no problem with that. I will either return to BM, or stay, depending on how studies are going. If I do not return, know that something is wrong. ** You locksend ** I can't argue with that... ** to Silversong. Silversong sends openly ** I'll agree with that, Joy... if you agree to letting me examine you for her touch within your mind upon your return. Mother knows who I've touched with my magic... and the reverse is also true. ** Joy nods with a smile, a little relief showing upon her face... Silversong says "One turn, then..." Rillwhisper looks between the two elves, and finally sends gravely, ** A turn of the seasons, then. I'll grant this. And if you aren't back by then, then we'll be coming to look for you. ** Joy sends openly ** I would...be thankful if you could even..do that now. For your doubts have started to worry me. ** Joy turns and nods to Rillwhisper ** One turn ** Silversong smiles. "I would be glad to do that, Joy... I will as you sleep, tonight, for in dreams, most wrongs manifest themselves best." Rillwhisper inclines her head, then, looking relieved by this turn of talk, at least somewhat. But the tenseness around her eyes hasn't quite vanished. Joy nods and sighs with a smile ** I will be leaving with Winnowill then. Try to put my parents at ease. ** Rillwhisper promises, "I'll speak with them - but it'll help if you do so, too." Joy nods and turns to go retire for the evening. Silversong leans close, giving Joy a gentle hug. Silversong says "Sweet dreams, Joy." Silversong says "And thank you." Rillwhisper smiles tiredly. "Rest well, lass." Joy has left. Silversong leans back against the wall of the den, her breath escaping her in an explosive sigh of relief. "Better than I thought..." Rillwhisper looks at you solemnly. "You didn't feel that... 'need'?" Silversong glances over at you. "I haven't looked, as yet... Joy has not given me the chance. But if it's there, I'll know it, as she sleeps." Rillwhisper nods, restlessly. And asks: "Have you seen your mother again?" Silversong smiles slightly. "Mother was right, I'm not a healer yet... to notice wrongs such as that on sight... but I'm myself, and I'll remain that way." Silversong nods softly. "Before she met Duskshadow... we talked..." she grins slightly, "over tea." Rillwhisper gives a sharp, short giggle. You say "And?" Silversong gives a soft sigh. "Not as much of a success as I had thought... the only way Mother will ever allow me to go and leave from the Mountain as I wish... is if Brightmark went there with me, for her to learn as well. That way they would always have assurance that I would return there." Silversong says "Brightmark has been in the Mountain before, she had told me, but was run out but one of the Gliders there." Rillwhisper frowns a little. "A bargain you can't necessarily keep, we don't know where Brightmark IS, and she might not say aye to this." Silversong shakes her head. "I honestly don't know where Brightmark is. She has not sent to me in some time, and is not within sending range... or she does not wish to tell me if she is." You say "And where's Duskshadow, now?" Silversong says "In her den, I believe. They have not left yet." Rillwhisper's dark golden eyebrows draw together. "I need to talk to her, too. How's Fhen?" Silversong says "Fhen... seems distinctly upset that Duskshadow agreed to go with mother." Rillwhisper sighs. "I was afraid of that." Silversong says "Duskshadow, though, scolded him, for being upset... I was rather surprised at that." Silversong says "Saying that it was none of his concern..." Rillwhisper hangs her head, and murmurs, "I was afraid of _that_, too." You say "They've got much to heal between them, Duskshadow and Fhen and Chitter..." Silversong nods quietly. "Aye." Rillwhisper clenches her fist, releases it, trying very hard to relax herself. Silversong places her hand into her lap. "I begin to wish mother had never come here." Rillwhisper half-grins. "We could wish for that, but that'd be as useful as wishing for never going hungry, or something like that." Silversong nods. "Aye." Silversong looks thoughtful. "Mother told Duskshadow something, though... something that excited her, or angered her. I can't be sure which." Rillwhisper lifts an eyebrow. Silversong says "I don't know what it was." Rillwhisper frowns. Woodhawk> Chitter crawls in from the tree's center chamber. Woodhawk> Chitter has arrived. Woodhawk> Chitter pokes his head in, looking around. *Hello?* Woodhawk> Woodhawk lies huddled under the furs, sleeping soundly. He looks tired. You locksend ** Eh? Chitter, come over into Trollkiller's old den, 'Hawk's asleep, don't wake him. ** to Chitter. Woodhawk> Chitter crawls through the door-hide out into the heart of the tree. Woodhawk> Chitter has left. Silversong stands up. "I'd better go check over Joy..." Rillwhisper looks out of the den. "Chitter's looking for me, I think." Rillwhisper nods, though. Chitter has arrived. Chitter pokes his head in curiously. Rillwhisper looks up. She looks tired and tense, but not displeased to see Chitter. "Looking for me?" Chitter smiles. *I was out,* he explains, as if being gone for nearly an entire turn was usual. Then again, with him... *Things have happened,* he adds, his smile fading. *What's going on?* Rillwhisper lets out a breath, and weakly smiles. "Aie. What's going on... " She shakes her head, and gestures for you to join her. "Well, how much have you heard so far?" Silversong stands, and smiles to Chitter, before slipping out. Silversong has left. Chitter shrugs. *Not much. Something about--* An impression of Winnowill that's rather contradictory, being composed of equal parts rabid anti-Glider commentary and remarks from Mountain dwellers. *And about Duskshadow?* he adds, smiling a little. Rillwhisper shoves a hand through her hair. "Well. Step at a time, then. Winnowill IS here, and three of her Glider guards. They came looking for two things... Duskshadow, because of her magic, they want her to do them a favor... and also anybody here that's of Glider blood." Rillwhisper sighs a little. "Winnowill wants elves of Glider blood to come back and live at the Mountain. And Joy and Duskshadow both want to go, at least to visit." Chitter ohs faintly, quiet for a moment. *Do you think she'll stay?* You say "To be honest, I haven't had the chance to ask her, yet. I mean to, if I can find her fast. Winnowill's only asked that Duskshadow come and do this favor, but..." Rillwhisper's eyes darken. "Winnowill's been... trying things, Chitter, and while I'm not going to tell anybody here that they CAN'T go to Blue Mountain, I'll be asking that anybody who does go do so with open eyes." Chitter asks *What has she been trying?* Trollkiller has arrived. Rillwhisper looks up at Trollkiller, and smiles lopsidedly. "'Hawk still asleep?" she says softly. Rillwhisper adds to Chitter, gravely, "Well. She tried something on Woodhawk, to begin with. If she's tried it with anybody else in the Holt, I haven't found out about it yet. What she did... " She scowls a bit, trying to find the proper words. Trollkiller nods. ** Yes - he seems relaxed enough. Nobody was hanging around his head but me. ** Rillwhisper nods, somewhat less tensely, to Trollkiller. Chitter wonders *What did she try on Woodhawk?* Trollkiller looks vaguely distracted. ** I'm keeping watch on him still, from here... forgive me if I seem a little... fuzzy. ** He grins, a little. Trollkiller sends, ** Joy should be checked, I think. ** Rillwhisper scritches Trollkiller approvingly, and nods softly to him. "Joy has, lifemate... Silversong's going to check her again as she sleeps tonight. I've spoken with Joy, too." Trollkiller sends, ** And Pwyll. Just to be... safe. ** Rillwhisper adds to Chitter, solemnly, "Well. She sent to Woodhawk... and from what he described, it felt to him like Winnowill was trying to force him to 'need' her sending to him." Rillwhisper doesn't look like she _quite_ understands it, herself, but from the tenseness of her face, it's quite evident the idea has her hackles up. Chitter takes a moment to think around that... and when he gets the idea, he pales. Visibly. Despite his normal pallor. *She raped his -mind-?* Silversong has arrived. Trollkiller looks up at Silversong, visibly slightly distracted. Silversong looks around, before sitting down in the opening. She doesn't look entirely too pleased, herself. Rillwhisper meets Chitter's gaze evenly, then looks at Silversong as she returns. Silversong remains silent, not wanting to interupt. Rillwhisper answers Chitter then, "She didn't try to tear him up the way Tash did. But she tried _something_. 'hawk said it felt like she was trying to make him feel _good_ when she was sending to him, and bad when she wasn't." Chitter sendmurmurs *Like whizzleberries.* The mental phrase isn't familiar, but conjures an image of a plant with intoxicating berries, though not dreamberries. Rillwhisper quirks an eyebrow, and smiles faintly. "You're starting to sound like Sweetleaf, naming plants and such... " Her gaze is still tense, though. "But yes, like that." Chitter asks *Does Duskshadow know?* Trollkiller looks suddenly with pain. ** ... ** Trollkiller's eyes close. Chitter turns towards Trollkiller. *?* Rillwhisper looks at Trollkiller sharply. "Beloved?" Trollkiller sends openly ** Ask Silversong. ** Rillwhisper frowns, and looks at the healer? Trollkiller blinks, looking up. ** No one is intruding upon Woodhawk, no. ** Silversong simply sends, ** The touch is there. ** Silversong sends openly ** Not the same as with Woodhawk... the 'need' is not there, but Winnowill clearly did something... not sure though. ** Rillwhisper scowls, visibly angered now. She stares at Trollkiller worriedly.... You locksend ** ** to Trollkiller. Trollkiller sends openly ** Can you undo it? And have you told Joy of this? ** Silversong says "A slight bit of healing.. which does not worry me... but something else as well. Something recent." Silversong sends openly ** I don't know what it is that it was, to undo it. No, I'm letting Joy sleep, right now. But she will know in the morning. ** Chitter listens quietly. Rillwhisper says quietly to Chitter, "Cousin, I've barely seen a glimpse of Duskshadow since your cub came home... " But most of her attention is on her furry younger mate. Her green eyes have gone hard, and bleak. You sense in a locksend, Trollkiller's mind appears to you to be completely and totally unaffected by any touch of Winnowill. Rillwhisper stares at Trollkiller, torn. Chitter blinks at this bit of news, looking really confused now. Trollkiller turns and looks at Rillwhisper. You locksend to Trollkiller, Rillwhisper takes some assurance from that, but is still palpably worried. Trollkiller locksends ** If you're not sure, ask Silversong to check. I will let her. ** You locksend ** But... you looked like... you were hurt. ** to Trollkiller. Trollkiller locksends ** Winnowill has played with the minds of my lifemate and the cub of one of my recognized. Of _course_ I am hurt. ** Chitter fidgets. Rillwhisper lets out a breath, and hugs Trollkiller tightly. Silversong looks concerned. You locksend ** It... it just looked like something hurt you all of a sudden, beloved. ** to Trollkiller. Trollkiller locksends ** Silversong told me about Joy. ** Rillwhisper looks up, and sends roughly, but relievedly, ** It's alright... my mate and I are both tired, and worn ragged, right now. ** Silversong nods slightly. Chitter ohs faintly again. Rillwhisper gives a wan grin, and scritches Trollkiller's headfur thoroughly. Trollkiller thinks Winnowill has worn out her welcome. Chitter thinks so too. Though he'll content himself with telling Duskshadow that; he has no desire for *his* head to be bent like a bit of jerky... Rillwhisper nods shortly. "When next I see her... I tell her to go." She sighs. "Joy and Duskshadow want to go with her." Chitter doesn't want Duskshadow to go anywhere with someone who would do that... Rillwhisper says grimly, "Nor do I, Chitter... but it would go against the Way, for me to _make_ anybody stay here who didn't honestly want to." Rillwhisper sends openly ** That'd make me no better than Winnowill. ** Trollkiller sighs. ** But we should... make _sure_ that it's what they want. ** Silversong says "We don't know how Joy will react, when I tell her tomorrow." Rillwhisper nods. "Joy... _seems_ alright, right now, at least. I haven't found Duskshadow yet, High Ones, she and Fhen... Chitter, did anyone even tell you your boycub's home?" Trollkiller sends openly ** Regardless, she needs to know. ** Silversong says "I know, Fuzzy. I'll tell her tomorrow when she wakes." Chitter hasn't been here. `: Rillwhisper regards Chitter with a look that might, under other circumstances, be a pleased one. "Fhen came back," she says simply. Chitter smiles quietly. *I'm glad.* Rillwhisper gives a half-grin. "He... he says he was wrapped up by Preservers. And he doesn't look, or sound, much different than he did when he left us, before..." Rillwhisper sighs. "In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd say he was a cub of eight and four turns of the seasons, for all his height." Chitter frowns. *Oh...* Trollkiller yawns, and nuzzles Chitter. Trollkiller follows-through on the yawn with a flump between Rillwhisper and Silversong. Silversong giggles halfheartedly, reaching down to gently scritch over Trollkiller's tummy. Rillwhisper murmurs, "We're all tired... " Trollkiller giggles for a moment, the sound muffled by the furs. Then he looks sober again. Chitter smiles bemusedly. Silly elf. Trollkiller mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmms anyway. Silversong grins. Rillwhisper snuggles Trollkiller to her. Silversong smiles. Trollkiller stretches. ** Well, I'm going to go wolf-nap next door... ** Trollkiller nuzzles everybody and pads next door. Trollkiller has left. Silversong smiles quietly. ---------- After this, Rillwhisper feels it's time to confront Winnowill. With Silversong, as well as Rainfire, she heads out into the Holt.... ---------- You look down from the branch and see... Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) This clearing, last among the trees before the land changes slowly to marshes, is dominated by an impossibly massive willow tree. Much of the ancient tree is hidden by its ever-blowing fronds, which veil it and the entire clearing in quiet, green-grey shadows. The air holds a rich mix of scents: water and wood, elf-scent and wolf-scent, earth and the occasional whiff of fire. The fallen log by the tree, the quietly gurgling 'fountain' off to one side, the willow's gnarled roots, and even the soft earth underfoot encourage one to sit and sing or speak or send... or just to watch and listen. The entire area is tinged with a gentle, subtle sense of magic and age, centered upon the giant tree. To the south, the land slopes gently uphill. A path runs from Sun-Goes-Up to Sun-Goes-Down, with the nearby marshes lying off in the former direction and the more secluded parts of the Holt in the latter. Just off to the northeast, past the fountain, is a small pond. Contents: Winnowill Littlefang Kraheera Willowpaw Swiftrunner(#4777Qae) Calmwind(#7032Jpq) Ashes Hollow log Squirrel Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond In the clearing, Rainfire emerges from the willow tree. Silversong swings down off the branch to the clearing below. Silversong has left. In the clearing, Silversong drops down from the branch above. In the clearing, Rainfire stops in his tracks at the sight of the glider in the clearing. In the clearing, Winnowill goes about her ways, finishing packaging a small bundle, tying it off with an elegant flick of her wrist. Rillwhisper looks down at the clearing, and her green eyes narrow slightly. There's a sense about her as if of a she-wolf circling a potentially dangerous challenge, before she finally drops down out of the branches. You swing down off the branch to the clearing below. Rillwhisper lands with careful lupine grace, standing straight and at her full height once she has touched the ground. Winnowill raises her head at the sudden arrival of several holt members. Silversong watches quietly, moving back against the Willow. You say "Winnowill. I'm told you go soon, and that Joy and Duskshadow will go with you." Winnowill straightens and offers a short nod to Rillwhisper, "I have what I came for. (She adds with a dry, thoughtful smile) almost." Rainfire moves slightly behind and to one side of Rillwhisper, deep blue eyes attentive to the exchange going on. Rillwhisper doesn't smile; her gaze is direct, like a true-shot arrow. This isn't her usual mood, this forthright brusqueness, but nevertheless it doesn't mis-suit her. She says firmly, "I want one thing of you as a token of your good will, before you go." Rainfire crosses bracer-covered arms over his chest and leans with an air of indolent calm against the old willow. Winnowill folds her arms together, eyes sparkling ruefully, "I can't guarantee I can give you what you want, Rillwhisper." Winnowill's eyes cross Rainfire, turning bakc to Rillwhisper. Her fingers are intertwined at her stomach, arms loosely bent. Rillwhisper's stance shifts slightly, like an archer taking aim; pure as the hum of a plucked bowstring, she answers, "It's a small thing. Your apology. My mates and I are not amused by what you sent to Woodhawk." Rainfire's russet brow arches slightly at the glance, his calm stance belying the readiness to stand in protection of his Chieftess. Silversong remains quiet, watching from beside the Willow. Something awry behind those eyes; a twitch in her lip turns into a dry smile. With a face relaxed like the water's surface on a calm day, Winnowill says smoothly, "Rillwhisper, would you apologize for ensuring what you heal is also sane? Has there not been enough elves healed wandering aimlessly, mindlessly (she offers almost a consoling glance to Silversong, almost) in your holt? Had I left the task unfinished you would expect my apology and demand I finish it. Now that I ensure it is indeed finished, the healing, will you emerge to demand an apology for a life I have given to you?" Rillwhisper crosses her arms, and says evenly, "Checking to see if his mind is whole is one thing. Sending to him in a way that would make him need more of it once you stopped is another." Winnowill laughs with grim amusement, "Forgive me for finding this amusing, but I was so close to thinking that out in the world of the wolfriders, there was an elf that was beyond a predator's instinct. I hope I am not wrong, Rillwhisper, but I do feel thus." Rainfire shifts subtly on the balls of his feet as the tension in the air rises. Winnowill says "Wanting your "mate" (she says the world as if it were venom upon her tongue) healed of body is one thing. Wanting him healed of mind is entirely different. Yes, I created that need so I would not have to torment him further by fighting his mind. Would you rather I finished the task and leave you with a mindless mate, or not finish it and allow him to slowly go insane?" Silversong sends to the whole tribe ** She makes sense... ** Silversong nods slightly. Rainfire sends to the whole tribe ** But she senses wrong...she does not think and say in kind. ** Silversong says "Though, mother... methinks that it would have been easier for all if you had explained beforehand what you were doing..." Rillwhisper's green eyes glitter, hard, gemlike. "Obviously, you didn't touch him deeply enough if you think he's still mind-hurt, Winnowill. He is my lifemate and soulmate - I know him. And he has been whole ever since he stepped out of the Palace." Winnowill says "There was no need to explain and wouldn't have been one if I was allowed to finish. No matter, the task is done and any "need" for me left will be gone in a matter of time." You say "Gone already, thank you; Woodhawk knew it for what it was, and didn't let it in his head." Winnowill inhales deeply, obviously perturbed, "You know his soul; the place buried so deeply within him that it is the core of who he is. Like a tree, it branches out. You are familiar with trees, Rillwhisper, have you looked into every vein of his memory or only shared the ones he has allowed you to share? Soulmates mean the big secret is shared, not the hundreds of smaller ones." Rainfire finally utters a thought into the fray. ** And who knows what weevils may have been planted in the leaves? ** Winnowill levels her eyes at Rainfire, "You tell me? Who do you trust least? The snake coiled to strike or the other hunter who is after the same prey?" Rillwhisper says, her voice mild, but her gaze as sharp as an arrowhead, "After one hundred and fifty years - yes, I know the words for counting and time - of companionship and sharing with Woodhawk, I daresay I know more of his smaller secrets than you do, Winnowill, even though you've more magic in you than I." Rainfire's eyes do not waver as he meets Winnowill's penetrating gaze, ** A snake I know will not strike unless it is threatened...another hunter may be struck before he is a threat.. ** Winnowill says "Makes me wonder why I am called the snake and not the hunter. (her tone is sarcastic to the extreme)" Winnowill says "Rillwhisper (inhales again, calming herself)" Rainfire watches the black haired Glider, his gaze icy. Rillwhisper pointedly avoids mentioning any labels such as 'black snake'. But there are old memories glinting in her eyes, and tales she's been told. Winnowill says "You were hospitible and provided me access to the gliders of your holt. Yourholt has neither threatened nor placed myself or my gliders in danger. For that, Ithank you. I wonder why, if the life is your mate is so important, a life I allowed to continue, why do you use it as a bargaining tool" Winnowill says "Unless .." Rillwhisper's dark golden eyebrows arch, bent just like a bow drawn by a steady hand. She doesn't interrupt. Yet. Winnowill says "You allowed all of this to happen so you could extract some demented form of revenge by forcing me to apologize for giving your mate his life. Weigh your options, Rillwhisper, if you are not satisfied with what I have done, I can easily make your mate just as dead as he would have been without my help." Winnowill carries no threat to her voice, though is somehow quite serious and lucid. Silversong locksends ** Careful, Rill... the tea has long since passed from effect. ** Rainfire's fingers twitch, a reflex away from his bow and a nocked arrow...but he remains still, unwilling to jeopardize Rillwhisper's position. Winnowill says "If you are not happy with that, I will take it back. Otherwise, you should be on your knees thankful that he has a life for you to protect." Rillwhisper looks up at the tall Glider Lord, and that arrow in her gaze doesn't fly, though it remains poised.... Winnowill says "The wolfriders saw fit to question my methods before. Now, whether you are aware of it or not, I have been healed of my "wickedness". But it is the wolfrider way, your way, that has shaped who I now am. But I will not apologize, I cannot, for only doing what you asked me to so long ago." Silversong senses "Rillwhisper, you can tell, has summoned up that part of her you know from a time back *then*... back when she last saw Strongbow. That's _his_ look and stance you see in her." Winnowill levels her eyes at Rillwhisper, a cold flicker of smile on her lips, "Yes, Rillwhisper, your Way made me. I am only sorry that you do not like what you have created." Silversong watches the two of them quietly, unsure. Rillwhisper's gaze doesn't waver. "Leetah," she points out, "is not a Wolfrider." Winnowill laughs softly, "Ironic that you bring in blood. Is it wolf in the blood that makes the wolfrider, or sharing in the tradition and living as one?" Rainfire watches the war of words quietly, his gaze slipping occasionally to Silversong. Winnowill becomes quiet, voice shallow, "then argue it with the Sun Folk and Savah, Rillwhisper. It is in my power to heal something broken, not replace something removed." Rillwhisper stares at Winnowill for a very long moment, and abruptly laughs. Something has clearly amused her, but she withholds it, and says only, "I don't dispute the good of your returning 'Hawk to himself. However, I do dispute that what you did on this visit was right. Give me your apology for doing that, without asking anyone first - especially 'Hawk himself - and go in peace, so far as I am concerned." Winnowill levels her eyes on Rillwhisper, ** I give you my apology for what I have done, something though necessary, you did not approve of. ** You sense in a send, something inside of Winnowill's send burns dangerously hot, pure hate for and then it is gone - nothing more than Winnowill's ebon hair remains - a cinder of a fire that burned almost completely clean. Rillwhisper stares back, her gaze keen. ** Thank you. Go then unhindered, and have a good flight back. ** Silversong shivers quietly, pressing closer back against the Willow's trunk. Winnowill turns and walks out, calmly. Rainfire flinches internally, tentatively reaching toward that thread, seeking its other end. Winnowill slips into the nearby copse of saplings. Winnowill has left. You multipage, to Silversong, Rainfire: Rillwhisper's brief simple send is something akin to an arrow's flight... straight and pure and true. A flash of something lies within it; a deep control, and a kinship she's learned from.... somebody. But then, that too is gone, just as Winnowill herself is. Rainfire pulls back mentally and shivers. Rillwhisper's mouth is drawn hard and tight. She looks after Winnowill a moment, her glance long and stern... before she turns hard on her heels and stalks up the hill. ---------- Rainfire goes after his chieftess, despite her tense and tight mood, intent on not allowing her to remain alone and without comfort, after this confrontation. He coaxes her up into his den, and there, he and Silversong do their best to help Rillwhisper relax. Rillwhisper determinedly decides to send her Preserver Fallberry to the Lostholt, intent on contacting Cutter, Leetah, and Strongbow. By the next morning, Silversong has determined that Winnowill has made attempts on Duskshadow, and before Winnowill leaves, Silversong heals Duskshadow of Winnowill's influence. Horrified by her behavior to her cub Fhen, Duskshadow backs out of her decision to go to Blue Mountain; Joy, herself cleansed of Winnowill's attempts, nevertheless opts to go to Blue Mountain, on the condition that if she is not back in a turn of the seasons, her tribesmates should assume that something is wrong. And with that, Winnowill and her party return to their home.