Grass, Grass, Everywhere

[Anna]

((Time jump ahead! It seems everyone was done posting the arrival of the water, soo... ))

Icemark felt much, much better after the water. Silvercub had perked right up, too, and had spent the last hours chattering excitedly about the river that Windsoft had promised they'd reach soon. Icemark smiled as he listened to his little girl cub go on and on. Her voice was one of his favorite things to hear.

Whitecrest paced beside Icemark's Grapple, and Icemark smiled as he basked in the contentment of having his mate and child so close to him. He reached out and took Redthorn's hand, looking at the sky stretching endless and dark above them, pricked with bright stars and the light of the moons.

*There!* Windsoft's send was bright with excitement. *There is the river!*


Sunsong had been riding beside Mist, humming softly as they road. Mist was a quiet companion, but not surly or sullen. Just calm and peaceful. Sunsong enjoyed his soothing company, and long stretches of silence had been interrupted with short conversations about various plants that they passed. Being a healer, Mist knew much about herbs that she didn't. They were also making plans for establishing herbs he was familiar with close to their new holt. Sunsong was looking forward to the challenge.

"I smell water," Mist said, lifting his head and looking around.

Nearby, Oakstaff titled his head back and took a deep breath. "I do, too."

Windsoft's send reached them, then, and all three straightened with sudden, eager excitement. Sunsong and Oakstaff exchanged a glance, then suddenly tilted back their heads and let loose a howl that rose clear and pure in the night air.

*The river, Stormfire! Shall we race to the bank and go for a swim?* Sunsong laughingly sent, open for all her tribemates to hear.

Beside her, Mist chuckled and shook his head. "Perhaps just a bit more caution, plantshaper?" he suggested mildly.

"Windsoft was just there and it was safe. The path back was clear. We can see a days ride in any direction around us. What could have changed in such a short time?" Sunsong asked cheerfully.

Mist looked around the flat plains and had to admit Sunsong had a point. Surely Windsoft would have noticed an encrouching herd or invading humans before she'd returned to them?

[Kris]

Snowtreader's ears perked, and she grinned with her tongue lolling out; Stormfire felt her spirits rise as a familiar, welcome odor teased her nose. "Water!" she exclaimed, and heard several tribemates join her.

*The river, Stormfire! Shall we race to the bank and go for a swim?* Sunsong laughingly sent, open for all her tribemates to hear.

*Once we reach it, yes!* Stormfire agreed, unable to keep from grinning at Sunsong's eagerness. *But not at a dead run!* She held a hand up to halt her tribemates. The light of Mother and Child Moons made the night nearly as bright as day, and in that light Stormfire intended to take no chances. *Windsoft didn't spot any dangers, but she also had a long ride back to us. Carefully is how we'll go.*

*You're being a real killjoy, Chieftess,* Whirlwind sent as the tribe proceeded at a slower pace.

*Cross paths with a rattle-tail or a hunting human, and tell me that then,* Stormfire retorted.

# # # #

Tallspear deliberately fell back by Softling as the tribe marched on towards the river. *Softling?* he sent. *Want to come with me and make certain no one's trying to sneak up on us?*

# # # #

Whirlwind shook her head as Tallspear dropped back to Softling's side, chuckling. That lad certainly seemed to like the shy cub. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, Whirlwind closed in on Longdusk.

*So,* she sent, giving the scout a wicked grin. *Up for a nice swim, Longdusk? I'll bet you a nice, soft pelt I can beat you across the river and back.*

# # # #

Sunsong joined Stormfire, and reached out to take her hand; the chieftess returned her friend's clasp, and Sunsong smiled warmly at her. *I don't see why we can't race once we get there,* she sent. *It's been so long since we've had a decent swim!*

*I know! Don't remind me.* Groaning, Stormfire swept her hair out of her face. *Won't it be nice to be clean? I'm coated in sweat and Snowtreader's--* She grabbed hold of the she-wolf's ruff, urging her to a stop; Sunsong nearly fell off her own wolf before she realized Stormfire had come to a stop.

*What is it?* the plantshaper asked.

Stormfire locksent to all--**WAIT**--and beckoned behind her. She heard Mist, Windsoft, Oakstaff, Icemark and Firecat hurry to her side, and pointed at the scene that lay almost out of sight.

Windsoft drew in a sharp breath. So did Icemark. But it was Sunsong who gave voice to their single thought.

*Elves! There are elves down there!*

[Multi-Facets]

**WHAT?!** Shellslip sent to Sunsong and Stormfire in sheer astonishment, and grabbed Sniffer's ruff to keep him from bounding forward and possibly ruining something. **How?! Why?!**

Silent was just as rocked. Elves! Other elves! Where had they come from? Would could they have come from? And what did this mean for the tribe?

[peachbug]

Redthorn squeezed Icemark's hand and gazed lovingly between cub and mate. When they were so near, it truly seemed like all the happenings in her long Wolfrider's life had led specifically to these perfect moments, good and bad. All was worth it.

She laughed as Whitecrest rolled his eyes from the chittering cub back to his elf-friend with a look of odd resignation. *You old thing,* She smiled, leaning to rub his forehead. *You've been through worse than a happy cub! You know you love her as you love the pups.* Whitecrest snorted.

---------------

Softling considered Tallspear's suggestion with wide gold-green eyes for a moment, then nodded. *Alright.* The Wolfrider's excitement and celebration was not lost to her. This had lifted her spirits in such a way she hadn't felt in so long she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt it! Not that she'd bother, when all the good feelings were now.

-------------

Evenstar rode beside her sister Firecat, chatting and giggling about the fun to be had at this river, when Sunsong's sending broke through. Elves? Her brain could only stutter.

[Anna]

OOC: Okay, everyone by Meimei has signed on and had a chance to post a response to this, so I'm assuming everyone who wants to, has. Meimei doesn't have any characters in this group, so I'm locking this thread and everything now shifts over to the At the River thread.