The Scouts

[Kris]

**Nice work, Longdusk!** Tallspear sent as they remounted, grinning at the other scout. He was impressed, and resolved to try to scout with Longdusk more often. There was a lot he could learn from him.

As they followed Windsoft's lead, Tallspear was able to see trails made by larger animals, and silently cheered. Larger animals meant bigger game, which meant a chance at a real hunt--a real kill--to feed the tribe. But when the scent of water drifted past his nostrils, he had to fight to keep from howling with joy.

*Water at last!* he sent to the others, including Journey as well. His friend barely lifted his head, and Tallspear felt sorry for him. Journey was going to face punishment when Stormfire caught up with them--and all the youngster could take hope in was that Stormfire wasn't Sureshot. If he'd pulled such a trick with Sureshot, that chief would have made him sorry he was born.

[peachbug]

The scent of crisp water wisped into Softling's nose only moments before Windsoft's sending. Water! Her mind registered the scent slower than she could express herself, and she could only share in the joy of the find with an open sending of emotion that joined Windsoft's and Tallspear's. *Water!*

'I should have caught that,' a small part of herself scolded, 'So clear on the air now that it was named. I should have seen the trails...but I didn't.' Her self-scolding deepened into determination. 'Real trackers saw these things. I have to pay attention, have to get better.'

The rest of her soared to the source, Softling's eyes flicking on the deep trails dug by larger animals, much larger than the squirrel creatures they'd found. Silent was right, the crazy wonderful elf was right! The scouts would bring water! The Wolfriders were safe from thirst! All concerns of self-criticism and thought outside the Now were lost to the hunt of this new prey. Softling dug her hands into the wolf's coat. Water!

[Viola]

Longdusk actually shot a wolfish grin towards Tallspear. He felt proud, relieved and wanted to get to the water as soon as possible, so that they could return. In fact, it might even be a better idea to send a few of the party back to the rest, and guide them here. He was deadly sure that, as soon as elf and wolf had drank, and when he filled some sacks with water, he could get them all here. The found made him courageous, and this felt like a victory.

His eyes flew back to Windsoft. **We should get the others,** he privately sent, including all his thoughts.

[Anna]

**Let's find more than the scent first, Longdusk!** Windsoft laughed merrily, but absorbed all the thoughts and motivations that had imbued his send.

No sooner sent than done: the glimmer of moonslight on water peeked through the grass...and then they were there. The grass ended and a river flowed before them. The five of them paused briefly, then experienced whiplash as the wolves dashed for the water.

The river was low, slow, and muddy. But it was cool and fresh, if not sweet. After quenching her thirst, Windsoft stepped back from the water to think while the other scouts drank their fill and the wolves wallowed.

**Yes, we should get the others,** Windsoft finally answered Longdusk. **And we need to, quickly. But we've been running hard all night and the wolves are exhausted. They need to rest before we ask them to go back. The sun is coming up soon; the sky is already turning lighter. We have to rest, first. A short rest - and then we'll take full waterskins back to our tribe!**

[Anna]

((Jumping forward several hours...))

Windsoft roused from her rest with the sun high over head. She still felt tired, but not as tired has she had been. And, thank the High Ones!, no longer thirsty. But while she was no longer parched, there was no doubt that the tribemates who followed were.

None of them had rested for as long as they wanted, or needed, but they'd rested enough to travel back to their tribe, at speed, without endangering themselves or their wolf friends. Windsoft considered leaving one or two of her scouts behind as she quietly filled the waterskins that they'd brought with them, but finally decided against it. She didn't like separating her small band in this unknown territory, and they'd be able to easily find their way back, now.

*Wake up, my sleeping Wolfriders!* she sent brightly. *Wake up, wake up, and let's ride!*

[Viola]

Well-rested and good humored, which was not very common for Longdusk, he had been filling up the watersacks even before Windsoft sent out to all the hunters. He'd taken a dip in the river even before that, and his hair was still dripping. He'd forgotten how water plus sun would burn your skin faster, but despite his red shoulders, arms and back, he was rather chipper for his doings.

He agreed with Windsoft about all of them returning. And if they were back, they could freshen up the ones that stayed behind, and move back here instantly. In fact, he thought of suggesting Stormfire to stay here for a day, to get proper rest and lots of water. Come to think of it, his shirt needed to be cleaned, as well. Calling Flea, he waited till the wolf bolted his way -- the animal jumped into the water once more before surfacing, and he shook out the water. Stupid animal, but he knew the feeling.

[Anna]

Windsoft gave everyone just long enough to wake up, drink their fill, relieve their bladders, and get to their wolves before she slid into position on Bristlecone's back. With full waterskins draped on either side, and the other scouts having their own share of full and wet waterskins.

"The sun is high, tribemates! Our kin are waiting for us. Let's ride and tell them the good news!"

With a joyous howl, for once completely ignoring her usual tendency to quiet and discretion, Windsoft crouched low on her wolf's back as the animal leapt into a fast run.