Log Date: 2/27/96 Log Intro: Willowholt has been stricken a second time with death brought on by a mysterious magical illness: the first victim was the Glider Gerren, brought to Willowholt by the Traders; the second, the healer Brightfire, lifemate of Talek, Silversong's brother. Now, as the young chief's-son No-fur struggles to figure out how to stop this troubling threat to the Holt, the grieving Talek stumbles numbly about the den trees, missing Brightfire.... ---------- Seedling looks up at Talek, eyes growing wide, then scampers off. In the heart of the Willowholt, Despite the snow, the evening breeze has a subtle scent of spring and growing things... Seedling looks up, smiling at Talek, "Hi!" Talek emerges, somewhat hesitantly, from the Old Willow. His face is pale, eyes blotched and reddened, and he can't quite manage a smile for the cub. But he nods to her, slowly... The leafless branches of the willows rustle gently. Seedling tilts her head, cutely curious. She makes a snowball, concentrating deeply, then walks over and solemnly offers it to Talek. From the branch above, Fhen waves. From the branch above, No-fur pounces and snuggles. :) From the branch above, Fhen snuggles back. =) The breeze dies away, but the springtime scent remains, and the willow's branches continue to rustle and sway. Talek blinkblinks, and scrubs a pale hand across his eyes, before crouching in the snow to smile weakly at Acorn and Crystal's daughter. ** A gift, for me? ** he sends, timidly. Seedling nods eagerly, face blooming with a big smile, just for you. "Uh hunh!" She offers it again, eyes full of happiness and trust. Seedling then smiles shyly, tilting her head almost coyly, "Do you like it? Mommy and daddy make 'um better.." Seedling(#9092POVXcp) Big, earnest blue-green eyes look at you with alert interest that quickly moves elsewhere. Fine, strawberry-blond curls surround her dainty ears and pixie-like face, red and golden highlights shining in the light. With her colorful garb, she resembles a flower: a soft rust-red tunic hangs almost to her knees, leaving her room to grow in; tall, brown leather boots cover up to her knees. She is always sunny and happy, taking great delight in making new friends and hugging those that she already knows, invariably setting her shoulder-length curls to bouncing. Talek might be seen to swallow hard at the word "Mommy," but with grave respect, he takes the snowball into his fingers. ** Thank you... ** His send is absent, but a sending nonetheless, so he means the thanks. You sense in a locksend, Tinyhowl, though she's nearby, reaches out for the reassurance that you are still there. ** Papa? ** Though there is no wind, the old willow begins to shake violently, as if there were a storm. You locksend ** I am here, precious one... I... ** to Tinyhowl. Talek blinks, looking up from Seedling in startlement. Seedling smiles happily, then reaches over and takes your hand. Talek sends, hesitantly, as he looks up to the ancient tree, ** Perhaps... we should go in? Is there going to be a storm....? ** Seedling looks up again, "Why you so sad?" The springtime scents grow stronger. On the willows' branches, soft grey pussy-willow shoots appear. Seedling looks around curiously, "Storm?" Tinyhowl locksends ** Papa? ** Talek rises, frowning, confusedly. ** The... the tree... ** Some of the catkins turn slowly golden, and the strong scent of their pollen fills the air. You locksend ** My cubling.... I'm here! I'm coming! ** to Tinyhowl. You push aside the willow fronds and step into the tree. In the Old Willow(#220RL) The heart of the trunk of the massive Old Willow is a smoothly shaped, cozy chamber, with the occasional ripple in the surface here and there to hint that this massive tree was shaped from more than one. An assortment of furs are scattered about, along with a carved wooden stool or two, on which to sit. Higher up towards the top of the living chamber, handholds lead up to the top of the tree, where round crawl-holes can be seen leading into various dens. The light here is soft and shadowed, and faintly green. Round crawl-holes lead off here and there into various dens. Above are visible the upper branches of the tree, and off to one side, another hole leading out along an extending branch. Contents: Acorn Tinyhowl Obvious exits: Out Rainfire Rillwhisper/Woodhawk/Trollkiller Guest Den Sentry Branch Up Talek darts into the tree, anxiously, looking about. ** The... the tree... ** In the heart of the Willowholt, Seedling looks at the tree, gasps in surprise, and follows after Talek. In the heart of the Willowholt, Seedling pushes aside the willow fronds and steps into the tree. Seedling steps into the tree from the clearing outside. Seedling has arrived. Tinyhowl flings herself at Talek, clinging to him. ** Smells like newgreen, papa. What's /wrong/? Everything's /wrong/! ** In the heart of the Willowholt, Shoots and new green leaves appear on the willows and the surrounding trees. Blades of grass and the occasional mushroom peep up through the snow on the ground. Seedling looks at the older cub, startled, looks around quickly, then looks suspiciously at mommy. Who doesn't seem to be doing anything?! Talek scoops up his daughter, anxious-eyed himself, and hugs her to him. ** I... I do not know... Sweetleaf... is Sweetleaf awake....? ** He glances at Acorn, confused. In the heart of the Willowholt, As you watch, the shoots lengthen and put on bark, reaching and twisting and blossoming with new growth.... In the heart of the Willowholt, Willowpaw sits on the ground. Acorn scoops up her cub, looking around curiously, then peering at the tree thoughtfully. No-fur drops in from the lookout branch. No-fur has arrived. Fhen drops in from the lookout branch. Fhen has arrived. No-fur says "Er... what's going on?" In the heart of the Willowholt, The trunks and branches widen and lengthen as well, with a sound as if they drew breath. Talek, hugging his cub to him, looks anxiously over her head to the others. ** I... I do not know... ** Utterly at a loss, he frowns worriedly. Tinyhowl sends openly ** Newgreen's coming! ** Acorn says "I don't know... The trees..." Acorn shakes her head, "It's not Newgreen," she states with conviction. "Something's wrong..." Tinyhowl whimpers, clinging to her father. "Make it stop..." No-fur looks utterly lost, as well. In the heart of the Willowholt, New flowers push themselves up everywhere on the forest floor, growing exuberantly, snow falling off their leaves and blossoms. Their stalks point towards the Old Willow as if towards the sun. Seedling cuddles close to her mother, frightened by Tinyhowl's confusion. Softly, she asks nobody, "Why's it happening?" Talek flicks his silver gaze from face to face, looking almost as unsettled and frightened as his daughter. Fhen starts to look at his hands, a strange look on his face. Acorn wraps her arms around her daughter, holding her close, then wrinkles her brow at the new flowers. "Maybe..." In the heart of the Willowholt, Daffodils, violets, and roses bloom all together, without regard for season; it is all of spring and summer together in the snow. In the heart of the Willowholt, Even the creeping wild strawberries put up their runners over the cold white snow. Seedling turns, looking at the flowers with awe, "Look, mommy!" She squirms free, rushing over to sniff the flowers, falling on her knees at the last moment and skidding to a snowy halt. In the heart of the Willowholt, On the Willowholt's carefully tended bushes, the dreamberries begin to beaar fruit. No-fur holds Fhen's hand, still looking around trying to get a clue what's going on... He mutters... "Magic, I'd assume..." Acorn nods, "Treeshaper. And no, I'm not doing it... I don't think Twilight is... Sweetleaf?" Talek finally, timidly, sends, ** Should... should we do something? ** In the heart of the Willowholt, Strange mushrooms in many colors -- green, gold, blue, red, and white -- rise in rings and clusters from the ground. Seedling turns and turns and tries to look at all the mushrooms at once. No-fur looks around, his face becoming very worried. "Where's Sweetleaf!?" Talek, as his senses are assailed by wave after wave of the springtime magic, finally lifts his cub in his arms, and stumbles out of the tree. In the heart of the Willowholt, The willow's branches are so thick with the red and yellow shoots of new growth, it looks almost as if it were on fire. You step out through the doorway and through the willow fronds. Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJa) 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. Immediately to the northeast, overlooked by the mighty willow, lies a small pond; to the southeast, south, and west, paths to the Holt's more secluded parts; to the east, the distant marshes. Evening falls clear and cold over the snow-covered Holt. The first stars of evening appear above. The twin stars of Timmorn's Eyes begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the chill winter skies. Contents: Sweetleaf Willowpaw Thornclaw Nightruff Obvious exits: Branch Old Willow Hillside Path Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Tinyhowl emerges from the willow tree. Tinyhowl has arrived. The growing plants rustle around Talek's and Tinyhowl's feet. A strawberry plant sends creepers up Tinyhowl's left leg. The strawberry plant reaches Tinyhowl's waist, and begins to put out tiny pink fruits. Seedling emerges from the willow tree. Seedling has arrived. Tinyhowl lets out a positive shriek of terror, and jumps back, swatting at the plant. ** STRANGLEWEED!!! ** Talek snatches Tinyhowl up in his arms, clear of the plant. ** I... I think it's alright.. I... ** Frightened nonetheless, he stumbles farther from the willow, looking up at it in wide-eyed shock. The strawberry plant, torn up by the roots, seems not to mind at all, and keeps right on growing. The sweet scent of ripe berries fills the air. Tinyhowl peers down at the 'strangleweed' uncertainly. "Strawberries?" More mushrooms appear, with red-and-white spotted caps and tall stems. Seedling gazes at the strawberry plant with something close to rapture. "Wow... Can I do that too?" The scent of strawberries is unmistakeable. The plant sends out new white flowers alongside the ripening fruit. The Old Willow is now at least ten feet taller than it was at sundown, and fifteen feet more broad. The new branches are still red and yellow, with a spattering of new grey bark, and covered with catkins and long leaves. Seedling looks up at the Old Willow, face scrunching up in concentration as she attempts to respond to a send. She then turns to Talek, "Mommy's looking for you." Tinyhowl leans out of her father's arm, reaching for a strawberry, curiously. Seedling looks up at Tinyhowl, leaning close to the berries "They look good..." Seedling pokes gingerly at Tinyhowl's strawberries. Talek blinkblinks at Seedling. ** Your... mother... I... ** Talek nearly drops Tinyhowl. Still unnerved, he sends, then... You locksend ** You... you want me? ** to Acorn. Tinyhowl nibbles one, and then offers it to Seedling. "They're good!" Acorn locksends ** I was just wondering where you were. We... found out what's happening... ** Firesong appears from the nearby pathway. Firesong has arrived. True appears from the nearby pathway. True has arrived. Sunsinger appears from the nearby pathway. Sunsinger has arrived. Seedling accepts the strawberry, then turns in surprise to look at the newcomers that she doesn't know. She pauses uncertainly, then moves to stand next to/behind Talek, 'cuz he's daddy-sized. Sunsinger follows Firesong into the clearing. True follows behind, holding onto Sunsinger's hand, staring wide-eyed at the clearing. Talek stares in shock up at the great tree, and, utterly flabbergasted, fails to notice the elves who arrive, until several wolves bay out a call. You locksend ** We... the children... I... down by the tree... oh! ** to Acorn. Firesong stops suddenly as she enters the clearing, her eyes widening. Talek whirls, startled badly, and stares wide-eyedly at the newcomers. His face is white. You locksend ** .... elves... from the traders.... ** to Acorn. True looks at you. Willowpaw starts to howl. Sunsinger says softly, "Easy cousins... We mean no harm." Tinyhowl looks over at Sunsinger, from her father's arms,and waves a little. True stands with her mouth wide-open as she look around. Seedling nibbles absently on her strawberry, blinking. Sunsinger waves back to Tinyhowl. True stays close to Sunsinger, not knowing what to make of newgreen in the middle of whitecold! Sunsinger looks around. "What... what's happened?" His eyes are wide. Firesong takes a few slow steps forward, but remains silent. Jasmael appears from the nearby pathway. Jasmael has arrived. Jasmael stumbles onto the edge of the clearing, her face and skin a burning red. ** S-Sweet... he's gone too...? ** True hugs Sunsinger's leg, biting her lip as she stares in wide-eyed wonder at the clearing. She blinkblinkblinks, turning to look at Jasmael. Talek blinkblinkblinks, at a send. He pales even further, and abruptly sits down, hard, right in the snow. Firesong turns a complete circle slowly, oblivious to anybody else. Sunsinger rests a hand gently on True's head. Acorn emerges from the willow tree. Acorn has arrived. Seedling looks up, then quickly runs to mommy. Acorn crouches, holds her cubling close, then looks at the three non-Willowholters. "Is Reedsnap awake?" Jasmael drops down to her knees among the snow, looking down at the vines that have grown out across the whiteness of the clearing. Sunsinger shakes his head. "No..." True watches Jasmael, eyes wide. Talek, looking exactly as if someone has slammed a rock into the side of his head, stares numbly up at the tree. Acorn sighs softly, "No-fur is... looking for him." Tinyhowl whimpers, and begins to cry, holding onto Talek tightly. Firesong finally speaks, ** Who? Who did all this? ** Sunsinger nods slowly. "What do you need Reedsnap for? Perhaps I can help?" Acorn looks over at Talek, expression apologetic. She returns her calm gaze to the three she doesn't know by name, ** One of our tribe members. He... was... a treeshaper. ** True blinks, looking up at Sunsinger with her large hazel eyes. Several of the Willowholt wolves, perhaps sensing emotion from their elves, begin to howl. And, after a moment, several elves begin to howl, as well. True leans just a bit more closer against Sunsinger's leg as the howling starts. Sunsinger says, "Was... I am sorry..." His eyes hold sympathy. Acorn smiles sorrowfully at the wolves, gesturing a bit with one hand, the other holding Seedling close to her. Firesong nods solemnly, ** A very great one, I would imagine. ** Acorn nods, then starts "No-fur is.." Uncertain of what she's saying, she pauses. Jasmael listens in silent trembling, bits of steam rising where snowflakes fall on her skin. ** He can't be dead too... ** she sends, as if thinking to herself but not having the ability to keep it silent. True blinks, suprised. True turns to look at Jasmael, eyes wide with dawning understanding. Seedling looks around with some confusion, a bit young to really understand what's going on. Seedling squirms to be free of mommy's tight hold, wanting to look at Tinyhowl's strawberries some more. All she manages is to wave her hands in the correct direction, though. True blinks, the corners of her lips drawing down into a frown. Talek hugs Tinyhowl to him, suddenly, tightly. The slim, pale elf is trembling violently, now. Sunsinger sends openly ** Was it...the magic sickness, that took him? ** Acorn watches Talek, concerned. She nods a bit absently, then turns to look at Sunsinger more closely. ** Magic sickness? That's what took... ** She stops before saying the name, but casts a sympathetic look at Talek. Sunsinger nods slowly. True chews on a fingernail, taking turns watching Talek and Jasmael with sad eyes. Firesong kneels down to examine the flowers and mushrooms peeking out of the snow. Tinyhowl hides her face against Talek, shaking her head. Sunsinger crouches down and gives True a hug. Seedling finally wriggles her way free of her mother, smiles happily, and marches over to squat next to Firesong and inspect mushrooms and flowers. "Pretty.." she solemnly informs Firesong. Seedling picks up one of the gold ones and shows it to Firesong. True doesn't let go of Sunsinger's leg. You sense in a locksend, True sends very, very softly, a very sincere cubling send, *I'm sorry.* Firesong nods and smiles slighty, ** Very pretty. ** She looks at the mushromm, ** What have you there? ** Seedling smiles hugely, "It's a mushroom!" She likes showing off her huge collection of big words. Talek looks, tearfully, at True for a moment. Acorn looks down at her cub, lifts a hand to warn her not to play with that, then stops, considering how it was grown. True's eyes start to water and she begins to cry. Firesong grins, "Indeed it is. May I see it?" Seedling looks at the mushroom for a moment, then s olemnly hands it to Firesong. Sunsinger hugs True tightly. Jasmael manages to drag herself up to her feet, stumbling off back in the direction of the pond. Firesong takes the mushroom just as solemnly and looks at it carefully, trying to identify the type. True weeps, burrying her face against Sunsinger's leg even. Acorn walks over to Firesong, one hand lightly ruffling Seedling's hair, "Sweetleaf always made mushrooms with... interesting effects once eaten." Jasmael vanishes northward into the trees. Jasmael has left. Acorn quirks her eyebrows at the 'interesting' part. Sunsinger murmurs soothingly to True, looking concerned. Seedling looks up at mommy, smiling happily, and points at the mushroom, "Pretty!" Talek, still sniffling, grabs Tinyhowl, and nervously skitters with her out of the clearing, away from the magicked willow. [End log.]