"Of Tall Ones and Monsters" Log Date: 8/9/02 Log Cast (PCs): Cutter, Clearbrook, Leetah, Wayfound, Scouter, Bramble Log Cast (NPCs/PCs emitted by other PCs): Shenshen, Rillwhisper, Woodhawk, Trollkiller, Strongbow, Moonshade, Tefin, Dewshine, Skywise, Yun, Pike, Tyleet, Ynderra, Nightwisp, Blaze, Treestump, Halfmoon, Evergreen Log Intro: Wayfound, the long-gone wandering daughter of Rillwhisper, Trollkiller, and Woodhawk, has finally returned to Lostholt. But she has not come alone -- and she brings startling news with her. For the past three turns of the seasons she has been associating with a strange new breed of humans who have arrived in the land, and the elves of Lostholt have been surprised to meet two of these very same humans who have accompanied the young wanderer close to their territory. Much to the astonishment of most of the Holt, these Tall Ones have spoken the words of elves quite comfortably... and have seemed content to respect the territory of Lostholt, and wait until Wayfound has spoken with her people about them. And about the monsters that Wayfound, her new lovemate Tefin, and the humans from over the ocean have fought. No one in the Holt is exactly overjoyed at Wayfound's new associations. Her mother's own soulbrother, Strongbow, has all but flattened Wayfound with his fury that she has acted so recklessly... and tonight, as Lostholt gathers to hold council, the archer's temper still smolders.... ---------- Base of the Lost Holt Father Tree(#765RJ) A dense grove of grotesquely shaped trees dominated by one immense Grandfather of a tree whose age is no less great than its size. It is obvious that the old tree has survived a terrible tragedy and you can see some of the scars left by the terrible blaze on the branches as leaves turn yellow as flame and red as blood. Brown weeds and night blooming wildflowers lie dead or dying in natural disorder around the trees roots. Like old friends, the gnarled trees embrace one another, their many branches entwining to form a canopy high above the ground, though most of the leaves now decorate the ground and crunch under your feet. It is a cool autumn evening. You hear hushed noises as the holt slowly comes to life as elves and wolves awaken from their daytime slumber. Contents: Bramble Leetah Cutter Scouter MoonShadow Obvious exits: Alcove Into the Tree Around the Tree Clearing The sun has set and the night breeze begins to pick up as the holt comes to life. Cutter, who has been spending much time these last few days riding alone through the forest living up to his Preserver name, decides that he can puzzle no further on the issues at hand without the help of the tribe. So it is that he turns back toward the father tree and hurries back, casting a mental call out to the others.. **Leetah.. Skywise.. Treestump.. Rillwhisper.. Clearbrook... Strongbow.. Moonshade.. Pike.. ShenShen.. Scouter.. Dewshine.. Wayfound..** he touches every mind in the holt with his own and leaves all with the ringing thought of one thing.. **Council** The 'familiar' call reaches the Elder and Clearbrook pulls herself out of her den, starting to move down the branches towards the ground. There's no questions asked, no visible reaction, she simply moves down from the tree. Moving quietly along, a darkly-complected form emerges from around the wide radius belonging to the Father Tree. Filtered sunlight hits upon Leetah's auburn curls as her unhindered stride propels her incessently forward, even as her shadow was a trackless companion bound to her side. She had heard the urgent sendings of her lifemate, and now she could only adhere to the message as quickly as possible. Emerald eyes warily take in those coming to the call of the council, her gaze anticipatory. As she nears the center of the clearing, the healer ceases movement, sending a nod towards of acknowledgement to Cutter. "I am here." A moment later, a figure much like Leetah's own appears at her sister's side. Shenshen steals a look of mischief up to her elder sibling, as if the two had been caught in a lighthearted banter just before the open send tore them away from other dealings. Piping up, she put in her own thoughts in only the way designated for one such as she. "Must it be -now-?" Rillwhisper and both of her mates come down from the northern edge of the Holt where they keep their dens, the Wolfbringer flanked by Trollkiller and Woodhawk on either side. No longer a chieftess is Rillwhisper, but then, there is a formality about her stance tonight -- and rumor has it, the spark of annoyance in her eyes has to do with blistering arguments she's been overheard having with Strongbow. For once, the archer and his tanner lifemate do not pull near Rillwhisper and her mates to take their own places... and even though Moonshade and Woodhawk and Trollkiller exchange sheepish glances behind their mates' backs, Rillwhisper and Strongbow's mutual irritation at one another is plain. Wayfound can be seen to enter separately from her parents, though she is not alone, either. The little Go-Back Tefin who accompanied her eastward from the Vastdeep Water is at her side, and for all that he is diminutive in size, Tefin's gaze is as acutely aware as Wayfound's own as he surveys the gathering of her tribesmates. The mostly absent form of Treestump is the next to appear, moving to Clearbrook's side near the fringes of the clearing. It take a few moments for them to appear, but sure enough Scouter and Dewshine emerge from the forest. The elfmaiden appears from the Father Tree, opping down agily from one of the lower branches. She doesnt smile, even when Scuoter emerges from the forest, riding Briarpatch. He comes from the direction of the humans outside the holt, and his face shows signs of worry. He knows what this is about, after all. The two elves make their own way to the council, Scouter hopping off his wolffriend and taking a seat next to Dew's spot along one of the upturned tree roots. Bramble hadn't quite woken up yet when the summons came. She gives a yawn as she enters the clearing, straightening her tunic and than running hands through hair that's just a bit spikey. She finds a comfy seat, and settles down with another yawn. Very soon, Skywise, drifts into the clearing wearing his usual cocky smile and looking slightly mussed. He's quickly followed by Yun, Pike and Tyleet. All of them quickly find themselves a comfortable spot to sit in for the duration of the council. Cutter waits until all have have settled and the only sound in the clearing is the wind rustling the dry leaves overhead. His countenance is grim, as he moves a few steps forward so that he is nearer the center of the gathered tribe. His cerulean gaze sweeps the clearing once, touching upon each elf present and then he speaks, "I'm certain you're all aware of the humans camped outside of the holt by now." At this he pauses and glances over at Strongbow then continues on, "They have brought with them some very bad news. The creatures that we helped to fight off at the Plainsrunner canyon were not the only ones... There are more. They haven't reached the holt yet but, with the appearance of so many, I think it won't be long before we will have to fight them here." His gaze sweeps around the gathering once more before he continues, "I don't want to fight them here. We don't know who has created these creatures and without that, we have no hope of being rid of the creatures." Now he stops to let everyone digest this information and add their thoughts on the matter. Ynderra comes pelting in breathlessly on the tail end of the gathering, just as Cutter speaks; with her comes Nightwisp and Blaze, and all of them send fast apologies before they take their places in the circle. Even as they arrive, Rillwhisper draws herself up to her full height, carefully avoiding meeting the archer's fiery eyes as she speaks up, "As my daughter has suggested, Doreel seems the most likely source of these beasts. Winnowill may well have the power, but sending monsters all over the world seems to go against patterns she's followed in the past." "Perhaps we could track them?" Suggests Clearbrook. It's a rather..simple statement, but an idea nonetheless. She remains standing next to Treestump, who seems to be just listening at this point. Leetah frowns slightly, batting at Shenshen's shoulder chidingly. Shaking her head apologetically to everyone who might have taken note of her sister's irrational behavior, the healer folds her hands demurely in front of her, greeting each new elf to the clearing with a smile. When Cutter began to speak, however, the smile was literally wiped clean. The only evidence of her thoughts was a shadow in the eyes; a tightness in the mouth. The fact that mutated beasts might eventually wind their way into the holt came in the form of sudden, irrevokable dread. Shenshen, on the other hand, only rolled her eyes up to the canopy, lips twisting into a pout at Leetah's action. With a bob of her twin pigtails, she shook her head to outwardly display her mild irritation at the situation. Wisely, she chose to follow up on her sister's tone of voice for now. As new information was divulged to the ears of the younger Sunfolk, her own personal aggitation passed as fear took hold. Scouter keeps silent. The part that he was sure Strongbow would argue was not yet at hand. He didnt want to fight them here either. Drawing one knee up to his chest, the scout drapes an arm over it as he listens. Dewshine leans against him as she looks to Treestump. "A few of us could follow the herds back to their origon" Dewshine says in agreement with Clearbrook. She didnt like the idea, but what other choice did they have? Bramble listens intently. Other than the battles on the plains, magic shaped beasts are a little beyond her knowledge. She sighs, the more they kill the more beasts appear. She frowns trying to remember all that went on during the plains runner festival. "I think a small group did back track one of the groups that attacked the festival. Flashfire went with them. They found a wierd structure and more beasts. Wolf like things with tenticals. So they came back. Not sure if the plainsrunners have investigated further beyond that." Cutter nods slowly then looks over to Wayfound, "Did anyone track the monsters that attacked the human camp?" he asks her. To this, the young daughter of Rillwhisper stands up. "It was attempted, but Briarholt was occupied with two major distractions just after the attack; the Recognition of its chief and her lifemate, and the fact that two elves were slain by the creatures. Raven of the Raft Elves, who is Wolfrider by birth, and I attempted as best we could to track the beasts which got away, but they were swifter than we. Raven is bonded to a wavedancer and..." Abruptly, a muscle jumps in the maiden's cheek, though her outward calm is otherwise undisturbed. "My wolf-friend was slain during the battle. I was outpaced." Rillwhisper can be seen to start a bit at this, as do Woodhawk and Trollkiller; apparently, Wayfound hadn't thought to share this particular bit of news with her parents. From the look the Wolfbringer shoots her daughter and the look which is returned, sendings are likely flying between them now, but they remain private... while Strongbow, still scowling thunderously, gives the young wanderer who has come back to the tribe a fractionally less furious glance. Leetah furrows her eyebrows, exchanging appraising looks to each and every elf present with a steady gaze. Drawing her lips into a tight line, the frown only deepened as suggestions were put forth by various individuals. At Bramble's revelation, her eyes widen. What type of deranged personality would create such misshapen creatures in such a fashion, if it was indeed the work of one or more elves? "I would not put these... creations past Winnowill, but to have them appear in such numbers would in fact amount to a lot of work and power. I do not think it possible that she could have set all of this in motion without anyone noticing strange happenings around Blue Mountain as of recent." To this, Shenshen has no fluff-headed commentary. Instead, she merely hangs back, stealing looks out to Strongbow and Rillwhisper's silent fued. Treestump and Clearbrook remain silent, each considering the words stated in their own manner. Bramble settles back, having imparted her one bit of wisdom on this matter. She glances to the side as two slight forms slip into to council trying to pass as unnoticed as possible. She gives half a chuckle as Halfmoon and Evergreen find seats near her, trying to be quiet so nobody will tell them to go away. Wayfound's ambergreen gaze shifts to Leetah, with the same stoic, respectful reserve she is showing everyone in the clearing. She is not the youngest elf present -- Halfmoon and Evergreen, who were cubs the last time she laid eyes on them, are strapping younglings now -- but she is acutely conscious that it has been well over ten turns of the seasons since she was last in the company of all of her tribesmates. And Strongbow's ire, almost heavy enough to taste on the air, has rattled her confidence ever so slightly. She does, nevertheless, say solemnly to Leetah, "For what it is worth, when we journeyed past Blue Mountain we kept extra watches, both by day and by night, humans and elves both on guard. Though we sighted the occasional great hawk in flight, the Chosen Eight did not come to us, and there seemed to be no unusually heavy traces of magic in the area. My ability to sense magic is admittedly limited--" "As is mine," Tefin puts in solemnly. "--but Raven and Quietharm and Kelp reported nothing in the proximity of the Mountain, certainly nothing which matched the taste of the monsters that attacked us." Cutter starts to say something but, is abruptly cut off by Pike piping in with, "Well, there's old Doreel. He could've done it.. or what about that one in the Underworld..?" He pauses trying to think of the name then shrugs helplessly, ".. He used to be their leader.." That said he goes quiet again. Skywise frowns thoughtfully for only a moment before he offers a suggestion, "Why don't we ask them?" Cutter nods slowly to that, "Rillwhisper has dealt with Doreel before so, she is the best suited to dealing with him." He looks to Rill then and offers her a smile though it doesn't quite reach his eyes given the grim circumstance, "Don't go alone," is all he says to her about it. Then he turns to Strongbow with a sigh, "There are Underworlders just outside of the holt so, we can speak to them on our way but, I would like to go to the mountain and make certain that Winnowill has no part in this and I need you to go with me." He then turns and looks around the gathering, "Clearbrook.. I'm going to leave you in charge while I'm gone. Next he turns to Bramble, "Another pair of eyes and ears would be welcome." Leetah takes a small solace in the words Wayfound puts forth, nodding to the younger elf when she finished. Drawing forward a few steps, she sent a faltering smile to both Wayfound and Tefin. "I thank you both for your vigilance, then. There is no doubt it is needed." She falls silent again, turning to regard Cutter and Skywise. Shenshen continues to remain quiet as well, which might have been a personal record at this point. Eyes wide, the midwife listens intently to all who speak their mind. Bramble can't quite hide the flash of eagerness. She hates waiting around for things to happen, much better to go out and do something, anything about them. She nods in answer to Cutter. "My eyes, ears, and the rest of me are yours, my chief." And she wouldn't mind checking out these Underworlders for herself. She glances at her son, they will have to have a talk about him staying close to the holt while she's gone. Strongbow jerks visibly, and for the first time, his mask of fury cracks just enough to let something else show from underneath it: a flare of concern for Rillwhisper, at the thought that she might be going to face the mad Firstborn without him. He then swivels his head towards Cutter as if to protest, but Moonshade lays a dainty hand upon his elbow, and the archer catches himself. Teeth gritted, jaw set, he sends in a low barely contained rumble, ** I go to Blue Mountain with you then, my chief. ** "Rillwhisper _won't_ be going alone," Woodhawk puts in. His uncanny resemblance to Strongbow usually is a running joke within the tribe -- but tonight, the firestarter's countenance, bare-jawed where the archer sports his elder's facefur, is as readable as Strongbow's is withdrawn. Support for his lifemate radiates from his golden-brown eyes. "She'll need me in case the Mad One gets out of hand." "She'll need _me_, too," Ynderra announces, surging up to her feet abruptly and lifting a hand. "For healing... _and_ for treeshaping." When addressed, Clearbrook simply nods. She glances around to those gathered for the council, crouching down to finish listening to the opinions of the others. Trollkiller quite naturally clasps Rillwhisper's hand, his support of his lifemate as plain as Woodhawk's... but as for their cub, Wayfound can be seen to flicker a concerned glance of her own towards her mother. Then one to Strongbow, though she times it carefully to when the archer isn't looking. And then one down to the Go-Back at her side, who can be seen to take her hand rather like Trollkiller has her mother's. Cutter nods and steps over to Leetah and Skywise. He reaches for both of them, "Leetah, Skywise.. I need the two of you here.. in case something goes wrong." Regret at having to leave them both at the holt shines in his gaze but, given Skywise's bent for distraction of the female persuasion and the fact that Leetah's gifts may be needed later, it is for the best. Bramble feels better now that she has something to focus on. A trip to Blue Mountain. Considering how much she traveled before settling here in Lostholt, she's never been to the home of the Gliders. Should be educational. At the mention of healing from Ynderra, Leetah finds pause. She did not doubt the elf's abilities, moreover it was something else that worried her. Nonetheless, she would not speak of it now. Turning back to Cutter with a soft smile that held a bit of regret, the healer nodded. "Of course, Beloved." She rested a light hand on her lifemate's upper arm, accepting his instruction. She nodded across to Skywise, seeing as she shared the same fate as the star watcher. Not too far away, Shenshen looked on as the others commenced their conversation. Ynderra has long come into her power -- and to be sure, she's been more than decent support for the elder Holt healer, whenever it's been needed. But Doreel... that's personal. It's been seasons since her twin sister Myriel left the Holt, feeling the pain of her daughter Trouble's loss... and Ynderra hasn't been quite the same ever since. A shadow flashes across the blue eyes of the daughter of Tyleet, but if the determined set of her dainty jaw is any sign, she's as immovably determined in this as Strongbow is angry. The archer, for that matter, still seethes even now, though he's jerked his gaze away from everyone except Moonshade, who slips an arm about his rigid frame as if to try to pull him back from his wrath by sheer virtue of her touch. Cutter turns enough to lay eyes on Wayfound, though he keeps in physical contact with Leetah as he does so. "Wayfound, since you've had the most experience with the humans, will you go back with them and speak with their chief. His help may be needed in this. After that, you should probably go with Rillwhisper as well and take any of those humans that want to go as well." He pauses for only a moment before adding, "I will come to them after we've been to the mountain as well." ** I don't see where this is _any_ business of the humans! ** The sending bursts explosively out of Strongbow, and the archer surges a step forward out of his lifemate's reach, making Moonshade wince with the force of his thoughts. He whirls on Wayfound, jabbing a finger at her sternly and growling, ** Two-Spear's _Madness_, cub, where did you get the idea that the Tall Ones can be played with like baby treewees?! They _are_ _HUMANS_! ** And he whirls to Cutter now, adding aggrievedly, ** And did she pass you the bad berries she must have been eating for the last ten turns of the seasons, my chief? What possible help could they give us?! ** ** Strongbow, curse it, ** Rillwhisper snarls, jumping forward a step herself and seeming to forget for a moment that she is not actually the one wearing the chief's lock here anymore. But this _is_ her soul-brother we're talking about here, and for the sake of getting his attention she hurls a sending at him, now. ** That's _enough_! ** Wayfound for her part stands braced as if she is about to be mowed down by a rampaging treehorn, her gaze flashing back and forth between her mother and the archer, before it finally shoots to Cutter. With her part in the tasks at hand decided, Bramble sits back and watches the sparks fly. Leetah stands by Cutter's side, observing the others through listless eyes. The unfolding scenario had given them a few extra options that they had not been out in the open before, but now there seemed to be a hint of hope. Sighing to herself, she risks a glance over to Ynderra once again. This study is cut abruptly short by the explosion from Strongbow. Nearly taking a step back, she shoots him a startled look. She had expected him to say something; it was just the exact moment that she was unsure of. Nearby, Shenshen hooks an eyebrow at the archer's outburst, sending an 'I knew it' look over to Cutter and Leetah. Cutter's reply is a quick one. His face screws up into a snarl and he crosses the clearing to face off with Strongbow. A low growl claws its way from the chief's throat as his flashing gaze locks with the archer's. **Open your eyes! They are as different from the other humans as Nona and Adar were from their tribes. We trusted them! How is this any different?** his own send is fraught with emotion but at the heart is an unshakable calm. ** Strongbow... ** _This_ sending is not from Rillwhisper. It is from Wayfound, and although it cannot hope to match Rillwhisper's in strength much less the archer's, it nevertheless sends forth a tentative burst of earnest clarity into the roil of emotions in the air. ** The Vraeyans not only have not harmed me... they have treated me as a sister. _This_... ** And the Wolfbringer's daughter gestures to the earring she bears now in her left ear, a simple thing not unlike Nightfall's or Leetah's gold adornments... save for the etched shape in the gold. ** This, the people of the ((ship)) _Windrider_ give to those they consider one of their own. I have fought the monsters at their Captain's side; he and I killed one of the changed near-wolves, together. I have shared food with them, and many camps, and Tefin, or Raven, or Quietharm, or Kelp or I... any of us could attest. These humans are good ones. ** Leetah places a hand against her chest, her own countenance a blank display. She moved nearer to Shenshen now, if only to give her another waning glance. This confrontation would most likely pass as most of their arguments happened to do. When Wayfound speaks, she nods along, seemingly in agreement or support to the youth's words. Shenshen looked strangely smug, as if there had been a running bet between Leetah and herself from the beginning on Strongbow's demeanor during the council call. Chances were that it was the younger sibling that had goaded Leetah into the bind a split second after Cutter asked for the gathering...not that the healer had even given it much seriousness in the first place. Rillwhisper, now, very pointedly sucks in a breath and steps back, yielding the right to argue this out with Strongbow to their chieftain. But the Wolfbringer's green gaze shoots to her daughter, and something that may well be pride softens her expression. Strongbow, for his part, is about to send a furious reply to Cutter when Wayfound's sending reaches him -- and it pulls the archer's attention back around to her. His brows knit beneath his ever-present headband, and now he stares hard at the young she-elf, almost as if he has never seen her before. Wayfound stares right back... and now her stoic reserve falls away, heartfelt earnestness showing through, the conviction of one who has absolute faith in that which she sends. And there is no untruth, in sending. Such has always been the Way. As soon as Strongbow's attention shifts, Cutter backs off. This too, is the Way. He looks to Wayfound and smiles before he turns and walks back over to settle between Leetah and Skywise. Leetah smiles gently over at Wayfound, noting the way Rillwhisper watched her daughter. Returning to closer to Cutter and Skywise again, she gave them each a long, knowing look. Strongbow stands still for several moments... and then, awkwardly, lowers his eyes. It's not much of a sign of submission, but for the archer... it's enough. And Wayfound glances now at Cutter, saying aloud and in a hoarse voice that suggests she's just put a great deal of strength into that sending, "What message would you have me carry to Vardeus Alirreus, my chief?" Cutter's attention switches from his lifemate's profile to Wayfound, "Tell him we accept his offer of help." Leetah averts her eyes from the gathering in front of her, momentarily dropping them to the ground. Shenshen takes note of this, but refrains from speaking aloud just yet. "Well, if they want to help _me_," Rillwhisper speaks up, "we'll need good weapons and strong warriors to get through the spiders. Especially if Strongbow's eye and bow are going to be occupied elsewhere." Her attention flickers to the archer, unvoiced truce offered beneath those words. Not to mention subtle flattery. "If that is acceptable to you, my chief," Wayfound says, following her mother's train of thought, "Tefin and Maerro and Arnos and I will accompany Mother and Fur-Father and Fire-Father and Ynderra back to the Vraeyans, and perhaps between us all we will safely determine whether Doreel is responsible for the monsters. If I understand the whereabouts of Doreel's grove correctly from Mother's stories, Arnos and Maerro's people are camped somewhat to the east, and so two journeys may be made as one." Cutter nods at that, "Then that makes it that much better. You won't have to split to accomplish both errands." Leetah lifts her eyes to Wayfound, Rillwhisper and Strongbow. She was glad that all had come to this decision, for it seemed the most plausible one. If there is anyone in the Holt capable of working their way in under Strongbow's skin by flattery -- anyone, that is, besides Moonshade -- that person has got to be Rillwhisper. Strongbow slides her a silent glance, his eyes still smoldering... but the concern beneath his fury is showing through again, and Rillwhisper seems to sense it. She offers him a tiny crooked smile, though whatever else is passing between her and her soul-brother is for their sendings alone. Out loud, then, Rillwhisper says briskly, "Well then. Me and mine will set out tomorrow night, when we've had time to get supplies together. And weapons." "I'll be ready." Ynderra. "And we, of course." Woodhawk, and a swift affirmative nod from Trollkiller. Wayfound's smile is hesitant... but it's there. And once again, she takes the hand of her Go-Back companion, who seems visibly relieved, himself. "We'll go out to tell Arnos and Maerro." Now that the council is over, elves and wolves begin to meld into the forest one by one. Cutter nods, "We'll be setting out soon after," he replies then gets to his feet. There is much to prepare and little time in which to do it. And so, the chief moves off to search out the necessary items that will be needed for traveling to the mountain and back. [End log.]