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Post by Kris on Oct 26, 2008 0:17:52 GMT -6
*Well, I'm glad you're coming,* Whirlwind sent to Tallspear.
*Wouldn't miss this for anything. I wonder what's in that mountain?* Tallspear arched an eyebrow as Journey and Windsoft moved to join Stormfire's growing band of scouts. "Looks like we're going to have company," he murmured to Whirlwind.
**Let's hope he doesn't get distracted by butterflies and wander off,** Whirlwind returned. **Or he'll put Thornberry in the right.**
Tallspear grinned. **Sounds like you've got a bone to pick with Thornberry.**
**And I have to get through skin to reach the one I want,** Whirlwind returned. **Pity!**
Stifling a laugh, Tallspear glanced over at the elders who stood with Mist. Mist did NOT look pleased; in fact, Tallspear noted, he looked as if he was on the edge of revolting. He couldn't blame the healer; the fact that Stormfire was leading this trip instead of staying behind with the tribe worried him. He knew she wasn't delicate--he'd watched her on the hunt far too often--but Stormfire burned with the need to prove herself a worthy protector. Tallspear trusted her not to risk their lives. He simply didn't trust her not to risk her own.
In fact, there wasn't a single happy look on the faces of any who remained behind. By contrast, Tallspear noted, many of the scouts were ready to go. He sent to Journey. *So what's up, treasure-hunter? Why are you going?*
*Same reason you are,* came Journey's calm response. *For her, and for the rest of us. And I want to see the mountain.*
Mentioning Stormfire first had not been an accident. Amused, Tallspear thought of telling Stormfire she had a new admirer . . . who knew? Maybe she'd relax a little with some attention. High Ones knew very few were comfortable enough with her to make their wishes known, and any time he'd spent with her had been simply to confer and discuss possible quarry for the hunts.
*Hey, Tallspear?* Whirlwind sent. *Ride with me? We need to talk.*
His reverie disturbed, Tallspear answered quickly. **Whenever you want,** he told his friend.
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Post by oddsong on Oct 27, 2008 10:54:21 GMT -6
Though it didn't show, Thornberry bristled at Mist's sending. Elder or not, the healer had no business chiding him - his place was to advise, not to serve as Stormfire's fangs. Either she had her own that she should show or she did not - and she would not grow any if others chewed her meat for her. **This is between chieftess and tribe, healer,** he snapped back, a brief retort, not inviting discussion. He respected Mist, as was the older elf's due, liked him even, yet this was no time for such things.
He kept his eyes on Stormfire, not glancing at Longdusk - not caring whether the other supported him or not, really. He wasn't resisting for resistance's sake, as much as he could and did do that at times. When worded this way, Stormfire's concern was not without its sense - if that was what it was, and not just the young chieftess' need to satisfy her curiosity. And not just hers, either - half the eager young hunters in their band, no, tribe was riding out. He had no idea what any of them was thinking.
"I'll stay and stand guard," he said, scowling. "But it won't be easy to feed and defend the tribe if half its hunters go off and don't make it back, chieftess and all." She had to consider that as well. Almost all their able fighters were going.
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Post by Anna on Oct 27, 2008 12:26:26 GMT -6
**Challenge to show throat,** Mist repeated sharply. **Otherwise, you divide the tribe for nothing but your stubbornness and pride.**
Mist nudged Whitecold and the wolf stepped away from Stormfire, backtracking a short distance back the way they’d come. Icemark, with Silvercub looking disappointed, followed him. Sunsong followed, as well, but not without giving Stormfire one yearning look.
“Last I knew,” Oakstaff drawled, planting his quarterstaff firmly on the ground and leaning casually into it, “Mist wasn’t a bad hunter. Sunsong herself can get a seed or two to grow, and Icemark could gather more things than we could eat. So if you’re worried that your skills are so poor that – ow!”
“Do not mock him for his concern,” Windsoft reprimanded the younger hunter as she released his ear from the sharp pincer she’d made of her thumb and finger. She gave Oakstaff one more silencing frown.
However, as wrong as Oakstaff’s sarcasm was, his point was not unfounded. She had her own concerns and felt uneasy. This was … not right. When Thornberry had first mentioned coming, she’d feared this. He had paid no attention to her words then, and it saddened her. How could Stormfire be their chief when Thornberry stood ready to challenge ever decision he didn’t like? Why couldn’t he just trust her leadership? Thornberry was challenging without challenging. It felt wrong to her, off balance and unwholesome.
“Oh, please!” Sunsong slid of Shade’s back and darted between Longdusk and Thornberry, placing a light hand on each arm. “Please, why must there be a fight amongst ourselves? Thornberry, Longdusk, you know Stormfire wouldn’t risk anyone’s life foolishly! How is this stalk more dangerous than going after a bear with the foaming sickness? And surely, surely, if we can sense it, it can sense us! Isn’t it better for us to know what it is, what the danger is, rather than to have it turn around an hunt us, and we not know anything?” Sunsong looked between the two hunters, blue-green eyes wide and pleading. “Those most at risk will be safe. Those best skilled in tracking and staying hidden will go and see what the danger is. It is sensible. It is wise. It is not ideal, but isn’t it better that we be the hunters, and not the hunted?”
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Post by Multi-Facets on Oct 27, 2008 12:44:42 GMT -6
Why can't we just leave now? Silent thought unhappily. Everyone's made their points! I just want to go and clear my thoughts and try to keep that THING out of my head.
He whined once, very softly, but kept waiting, hoping at least one hunter would go back with him, rather than argue some more.
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Post by peachbug on Oct 27, 2008 14:36:26 GMT -6
Redthorn shuddered at the magic washing over her. She had never been much at sensing magic, even next to elves completely devoid of the ability, so the overpowering blackness of the sensation made her slightly nauseous. She looked back at Icemark and her cub, Lightgaze beside her. Her soulsister and her cub had a strong point, but the answer wasn't as clear as she would have liked. She would rather stop when they reached a safe and fruitful holt place for her lifemate and cub, not explore the random complexities of the land. She looked to her cub once more.
Silvercub seemed to be a bit confused, but otherwise unharmed so far. Part of Redthorn pulled to find a clue to the origins of the magic feelings, but the calling did not seem entirely from herself, she realized, something else pulled her. She did not like it, but the idea of leaving her chief and friends to an unknown fate was tortuous. She looked down at Whitecrest, every inch of the alpha screaming dislike. 'Caution is a wise wolf's bounty and curse it seems.' She thought sadly.
*I stay,* She sent to those gathered at the site. *It feels as though something creeps, watches. Protectors are needed here, Stormfire, especially if you enter that place. I wish you the best, but...take caution in your steps, I beg you.* She looked away, twisted inside at what she had decided, the echo of the magic call still in her mind. Redthorn looked up at Icemark and Silvercub.
Suddenly, she felt as though she was sinking, the face of her cub and lifemate blurred as though water was smearing her vision and she gasped. cold water met her lungs and she gasped again, stumbling into Lightgaze.
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Post by Anna on Oct 27, 2008 19:57:13 GMT -6
"Lifemate?" Icemark felt, through their bond, the swamp of memories that flooded through Redthorne, briefly pulling her away from the present. He cupped her face between his hands. "Breathe, Redthorne, listen to me," he said calmly. **Listen for me. We're here; come back to us.**
He was glad she had chosen to come with them, back to the den they'd left this evening. He'd never have asked it of her, but that she volunteered freely eased his heart.
Memories. The Now usually protected Wolfriders from being caught in them. But sometimes it wasn't enough.
**Come to me, Bree. I am here.**
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Post by Kris on Oct 27, 2008 22:04:50 GMT -6
Stormfire drew a deep breath and looked at those tribemates accompanying her. *Until we know what's out there,* she sent, *just send. Don't make a sound if you don't have to.* She glanced at Oakstaff. *Ride with me, Oakstaff. Tallspear, Firecat--take the rear. Don't let the pull from that mountain distract you.*
She waited as her group assembled itself. Snowtreader snorted as she mounted, but the she-wolf made no other sound as they padded off towards the shorn-off mountain. And Stormfire winced as the pull intensified.
It didn't feel like a threat. It felt . . . it felt like a skyfire-storm, brooding over the tree-tops until it finally broke. Stormfire realized that she was waiting for it to do just that. She marveled at it; how could she, an elf with no magic in her at all, feel something like this so clearly? If she'd put her hand out to a tree and shaped it into a den, she couldn't be more stunned.
She sent farewells to her tribemates, smiling sadly at their muted distress--even Thornberry, High Ones bless him--and feeling a few tears sting at Sunsong's mental touch. There was nothing she wouldn't do for Sunsong, but the treeshaper no more belonged on this trek than she would be able to sprout wings and fly.
Mist, on the other hand . . . Stormfire bent her head to hide a smile. The healer's goodbye had been terse, controlled, and all too open as to how little he liked being made to stay behind. She paused, then threw caution to the winds. *Don't worry, elder,* she sent. *I'll be certain to get us all back before your bedtime.*
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Post by Anna on Oct 27, 2008 22:11:47 GMT -6
Mist, as per her orders, didn't make a sound, but his snort of disgust was audible to all nonetheless. *Concern yourself less with my bedtime, cub, and more with returning unhurt. Whoever's hurt has to get to me before I can heal them, remember!*
But as the distance grew, so did Mist's worry. Just before the nightshadow's hid the scouts completely, he added more gently. **You've made the right decision, lass, but keep your thinking clear. That mountain is clouding everyone's brain. If we don't see you by moonrise tomorrow, we'll come looking.**
Turning back to those that were remaining behind, he gestured for them to mount up. Without another backward glance, he led them back to the den they'd slept the day in. Sunsong lingered at the end fo the group, watching Stormfire until there was nothing more to see.
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Post by Anna on Oct 27, 2008 22:15:46 GMT -6
She paused, then threw caution to the winds. *Don't worry, elder,* she sent. *I'll be certain to get us all back before your bedtime.* Oakstaff slapped a hand over his mouth in just enough time to stop the laugh that threatened to explode. His shoulders curved forward, shaking hard as he tried valiantly to stifle his amusement. Windsoft's own sending carried a bright tickle of merriment. *Twist his tail enough, chieftess, and even he will bite. The healer, despite popular perception, does have a temper, you know!* |
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Post by Kris on Oct 27, 2008 22:30:10 GMT -6
Stormfire squeezed her eyes shut in mock dismay--Mist's reply was as sharp as she'd expected, but Oakstaff's attempt to keep from guffawing nearly made her burst out laughing herself. Tallspear and Whirlwind's sends were equally full of laughter.
Stormfire grinned wickedly. *I'm counting on it,* she told Windsoft.
Teasing Mist was only a moment's relief, but it was a relief. He'd been Sureshot's friend since they were both young elves; he'd even been present at her birth. If I can't tease Mist, Stormfire thought as they rode, then I'll know the world's gone moon-mad.
But it wasn't long before she felt Mist again.
The lock-send warmed her, all the more for it being private. She held on to it for a moment before sending in turn. **Thanks, Mist. We'll be back as soon as we can . . . I promise.**
She waited a moment before adding, **I'm sure you'll have time to take a nap before then . . .**
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