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Post by Kris on Nov 16, 2008 21:41:25 GMT -6
*But if we split up, we won't be able to greet him . . . * Journey's sending trailed off as the hunting party turned, almost as one, to stare at him.
*We're aren't inviting him to a howl, Journey,* Tallspear sent curtly.
*But what if he runs away?* Journey persisted. *We'll need to catch him, won't we?*
*What do you think the wolves are for?* Whirlwind snickered.
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Post by Anna on Nov 17, 2008 19:03:23 GMT -6
*Journey, it will be the Stormfire's decision when - or if - this unknown elf knows we're here,* Windsoft gently reminded her son, and not so gently eyed Tallspear and Whirlwind. *We are scouting,* she reminded them all, *not hunting. We're not a tribe of ravening humans who think first of harming, and only then of understanding, are we?*
She was quickly becoming both concerned and impatient with the younger ones - and some of the older, too, who weren't here to continue the quarrelling - and their divergence from the wisdom of the Way. They were too eager for confrontation, too willing to risk without sufficient information. Too willing to attack before the stalk had begun.
She sighed silently as she motioned her companions along different paths, all deep in moonshadow, and took the most difficult for herself. This was her strength. Her arrows may not always strike true, but at scouting her skill was unquestioned. If there was still a elf on this pile of rubble to find, she'd find him.
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Post by peachbug on Nov 17, 2008 23:20:37 GMT -6
**Windsoft...?** Softling's sending was hesitant, humble to the older tracker. **May I follow your steps? I will be silent.**
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Post by Viola on Nov 18, 2008 2:43:46 GMT -6
At Journey's send, Firecat rolled her eyes. Honestly, if they wanted to bring this scouting mission to a good end, she truly didn't know why Stormfire had allowed cubs to take part. Both Softling and Journey were hardly grown up, and though it wasn't her place to say something about them tagging along, she grew mildly irritated. She preferred experience, and in her mind she scolded Longdusk for being such a pain in the butt.
When Windsoft suggested to split up, she hesitated. Though she was eager to search for an elf, wolfrider or not, it was not the safest thing and it would lay bare every weakness. *Pairs, or scatter alone?* she ask Windsoft with a hint of doubt.
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Post by Anna on Nov 18, 2008 13:41:00 GMT -6
**Of course, cub,** Windsoft reassured their youngest member quickly. **How else am I to teach you?** she added teasingly.
*Pairs,* Windsoft assured her, turning her head slightly to catch the clearest, freshest scent on the skittering breeze. *And keep in sending-touch so we know as soon as you do when you notice something. We need to stay close to each other, but not clumped together. It's easier to hide that way.*
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Post by peachbug on Nov 18, 2008 20:37:23 GMT -6
Softling gave a quick nod and stepped in behind Windsoft, watching the others take to pairs and find footing amongst the rocks.
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Post by Kris on Nov 18, 2008 22:28:09 GMT -6
*We'll see what it is, first,* Stormfire reassured the youngster. *Elf or no, we're more than he is, Softling. But we won't go rushing in. Quiet and careful's the way.*
She could tell Firecat and Windsoft were on alert, even as the cubs did what cubs usually did--act on their eagerness and fear. Journey settled down with his mother's rebuke, and Softling kept close to Windsoft. Stormfire felt a smile spread over her face, as nervous as she was, to see it. Softling needed to spend more time with the elders. Time with the wolves was one thing--and Quickflight had once said that perhaps Softling would make a good wolf-healer. But time with one's tribemates was better spent. The poor girl was too much alone with herself.
Watching Softling, Stormfire wondered if she shouldn't say something about her to Mist. The healer might have once been like her, after all.
Stormfire looked at Firecat. *Pair up?* she suggested. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Whirlwind set off with Tallspear and Journey in tow. **And don't you three get any ideas,** she warned. **If you find something, send!**
**Oh, you're just full of joy and sunshine, aren't you?** Whirlwind returned, her laughter filling Stormfire's head.
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Post by Viola on Nov 19, 2008 9:16:25 GMT -6
*Sure thing,* Firecat smiled. She wasn´t eager at all to go off alone, so she was happy that they´d go in pairs. Though the young ones showed it, she felt the same curiosity and slight fear. **Let´s cover some ground here, and move up a bit away?** she suggested.
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Post by Kris on Nov 19, 2008 23:28:07 GMT -6
*Good idea.* Stormfire fell in with Firecat and they headed up and away from their tribemates.
There was little to scent on the trail--dust, of bones and rocks; a faint odor of bird that truly puzzled Stormfire, for it hinted at hawk, and yet was much sharper than any hawk she knew of. A smell of metal . . . gold, perhaps. Stormfire shrugged, feeling the melancholy return. The trolls at home would have loved this much more than her tribemates.
I wish I hadn't insisted on this, she told herself. What a waste of a night it's been. One cave found, bits of junk, and one lone elf . . . whose scent comes and goes on the wind. Puckernuts, I'd give anything to be gnawing on a little food and curled up on a branch.
She and Firecat stopped to take a breath, and the smell of live elf grew stronger . . . somewhat. At least, Stormfire surmised, it was a sign that something had been where they walked.
Windsoft was moving up closer to the summit, seemingly tireless; Stormfire envied the older elf her energy. The little rocks slid under her feet, throwing her off balance; walking in them was like climbing a snow-covered hill.
*Stormfire?* Windsoft sent. *Hurry! There's a shelter up here!*
Stormfire and Firecat exchanged glances and then ran as best as they could up the hill, reaching Windsoft and Softling together. The scout crouched behind an outcrop of rock, in the shadows of the oddest shelter Stormfire had ever seen. Moonslight picked out its hard, angular shape, like something trolls might have fashioned. But trolls wouldn't have carved the beautiful, whimsical symbols along the straight slabs.
And it all smelled of elf.
Stormfire touched Windsoft's shoulder. *I'm going to look inside.* Windsoft nodded, and Stormfire crept along the rocks, keeping low to the ground. At the rocks' edge, she bounded to the door, then slipped around its edge and crouched down. She inhaled deeply and looked around her.
*See anything?* Windsoft sent.
*Not yet. Hold on.* Stormfire could tell at once that no one was inside. And yet the scent was--wait a minute, what was that?!
She whirled around, and stumbled against the wall in shock.
Something . . . Stormfire knew her mouth was hanging open, and fell seat-first on the hard stone. A perfectly-formed egg, a mass of curling, opalescent stone, floated up to her and hovered before her face. The glimmers of light from outside shone coldly on the egg's intricate surface.
*Stormfire?*
*Hold still,* Stormfire ordered. She swallowed hard and put a hand out to the egg. It hovered just beyond her fingertips. Oh, High Ones--whoever this strange elf is, this must be his handiwork!
*There's no one here,* she told Windsoft. *I'm coming out.*
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Post by Viola on Nov 20, 2008 12:48:41 GMT -6
Resisting the urge to jump from one foot to to the other, Firecat impatiently waited for Stormfire to come out. Her send had sounded anxious -- no elf, but she had found something else. *What is it?!* she couldn't refrain from asking. *If not an elf, then what?* The trek up the pile of rubble had been surprising to say at the least. *Do you think trolls were here?* she added, remembering the faint smell of gold.
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