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Post by Westering Holt on Jun 21, 2009 13:58:15 GMT -6
Oreg entered Mahkir’s tent and glanced quickly at Nazari. She shook her head sadly as she continued to pet the kitten who curled complacently in her lap. The voices inside the tent were hushed, with an edge of anxiety to spice them. The High One drifted to Nazari’s side and squatted by her stool.
**What happened?** he asked curiously. **I was riding, but returned when I felt the dissonance.**
Nazari bowed her head, her hair sliding forward to caress her cheek with silken, rose-brown strands. **He was riding, as well, far from the camp. A viper startled his horse and threw him – on top of the snake. It struck, and…** Nazari lifted one graceful hand, palm upward, and swept it to the side. The result was obvious. **By the time he returned, the poison had spread too far within him and I could not heal it.**
Her hand clenched into a fist and Oreg reached out to take it, soothing it open to lie flat and still within his grasp. He and she both still had the abilities they’d always had, but their strength was much diminished. Those of their descendents who showed magic were usually as stronger than they were. It was frustrating, at times, to remember how much strength they’d lost on this draining world. At other times, it was heartrending.
**And Sohnji?** he asked.
**Off with her lifemates some distance from camp,** Nazari sighed. **I have sent for her, and they return at all speed, but it will be too late, I fear.**
“High Ones…”
Oreg and Nazari looked over as they were summoned. Oreg did not care for the term, but had long ago ceased to argue it. He helped Nazari rise and walked with her to Mahkir’s bedside. The bandleader’s breathing was labored, and Oreg sensed that his spirit was barely clinging to the shell of his physical body.
Oreg reached out and laid a gentle hand along Mahkir’s cheek. **Go now,** he sent gently. **Go, and seek your spirit’s home. Join the spirits of those who have gone before and know that your life was well and truly lived. Fear not for your children and your band. They will continue.**
**Go,** Nazari said, laying her hand against Mahkir’s other cheek. **Go, and fly free and joyful. Celebrate the life lived, and the life just begun.**
A long sigh escaped from Makhir’s lips and the male went lax in death. Oreg straightened and stepped back from the bed. “Bandleader Mahkir goes now to seek the Palace,” he said, his voice rough with disuse. “Let the word go forth.”
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Post by Kris on Jun 22, 2009 0:38:52 GMT -6
It had been a long day, and now it was a hard ride back home. Sohnji lowered her head over Cloudburst's neck, murmuring, "Run, girl, run, run," in a breathless chant. If will could give the mare wings, Sohnji knew she would have had Cloudburst flying in truth.
She could feel her lifemates' worry at her pace. She knew, too, that one wrong move could mean a broken leg for Cloudburst and a grave injury for herself. But a chill sweat covered the healer from head to foot, and Sohnji fought off the fear that she was too late to save Mahkir.
No, Bandleader, don't go. Don't leave yet. I can save you, I can, let me reach you in time--
A crowd of Plainsrunners stood outside Mahkir's tent. Sohnji pulled Cloudburst up short, dismounting so quickly she nearly lost her footing on the ground. Hands steadied her, and guided her towards the tent's entrance. Sohnji gathered her wits and hurtled through the tent-flap.
Another crowd surrounded Mahkir's bed. Oreg rose to his feet, and turned to face them. “Bandleader Mahkir goes now to seek the Palace,” he said, his voice rough with disuse. “Let the word go forth.”
Sohnji froze at Oreg's words. Too late, too late. She saw Mahkir's lifemates approach his body, blackened from the snake's venom, and flinched as they began to weep. Nazari sent wordlessly to her, meaning to comfort; it flicked Sohnji like salt on a raw wound. She forced herself to walk forward, and lay a hand on the shoulders of Mahkir's mates.
"Sureen . . . Kahlyn . . . I'm sorry. I truly am."
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Post by rayne on Jun 22, 2009 6:18:14 GMT -6
Koda couldn't hear the words of the other elves, but the sadness hung in the air like a scent, and that was all to easy for him to understand. Looking around quickly, he saw Tiran close to the flap to Mahkir's tent and sent, hoping for more information. **Is Mahkir alright?**
Tiran hung his head when Koda's send reached him. The uncertaintly and concern in the send was very evident, and despite the many heightened senses he knew the deaf elf had....Tiran often wondered how Koda could be so happy without hearing. **He....** Tiran trailed off mentally, the emotions too powerful for a moment. Once he composed himself, Tiran was able to continue. **Mahkir has gone to the Palace.**
Koda closed his eyes and allowed himself to dwell on the emotions that came with the send from Tiran. **There will be a council soon then?** he sent back to Tiran. **Will you....**
Before Koda could complete his thought, Tiran interrupted him. **Yes, we must choose a new leader. And of course I will. Sit nearby.** Tiran responded. He was familiar with the request from Koda to keep him informed about what is being discussed in councils by sending. It was no burden, Koda could follow along fairly well just by reading the body language of others and by reading lips when he had a good view of the speaker.
With a simple mental touch of appreciation, Koda moved away from the croud. So much emotion in one place, it was making it hard for him to concentrate.
Tiran turned around, in time to see Koda squat down and place a palm to the ground. It was like Koda to retreat into his own world just a bit at highly emotional times, and Tiran sent feelings of peace, and understanding to his friend. **When there is more, I will send.**
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Post by Anna on Jun 22, 2009 11:25:30 GMT -6
Astierri and Tevac and followed in their lifemate's path as they'd raced back to the camp, but only she had the right and rank to enter the bandleader's tent. Tevac had high rank of his own in the band from his position as the band's primary horse breeder and trainer, but that had no bearing on situation Nazari had summoned Sohnji for. So both males were on the outer edges of the gathering, but knew almost as soon as Sohnji what the news was.
Tevac traded looks with Astierri. Mahkir had been bandleader for many long centuries. His leadership had been wise and fair. At present, there were no clear successors for him since the position of bandleader was no hereditary.
"He's the only bandleader we've ever known," Astierri said uncertainly. "What'll they do now?"
Tevac shrugged. "Follow tradition, I suppose. Come, let's get back to the tent. Sohnji is going to need us when she returns. You know how she is when she can't save someone."
Astierri nodded, then froze. "Grass fires," he groaned. "She's going to blame herself for this, isn't she? If we hadn't ridden out, if we'd stayed in camp...!"
"Aye, lifemate," Tevac sighed. "If we'd stayed in camp..."
Ghelyn to Siyal
Ghelyn drifted away from Mahkir's tent after the announcement was made. She was stunned, speechless with the abrupt shock of it. Mahkir had always seemed so alive, so vital! How could he be gone so quickly?
*Siyal?* she sent, wondering where her dearest friend was, and if she had heard. *Siyal, where are you?*
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Post by meimei on Jun 23, 2009 3:50:37 GMT -6
Siyal to Ghelyn
Siyal had waited anxiously outside of Mahkir's tent with the others of the band. In the background, not seeking to get to close. At first she'd thought Nazari would heal the bandleader. Even after Sohnji had been sent for, she'd figured she would come in time. As time grew longer, however, hope dwindled. Not only inside of her, but in the faces and body language of those gathered. They'd known what news to expect by the time the word was sent forth.
And yet...they weren't ready for it all the same. She certainly didn't feel ready for it. She'd retreated to her tent, shaken, and it took her a moment to respond to her soul-sister.
**In my tent.** She didn't want to share her mixture of emotions with anyone else. Not the pain and confusion of losing the bandleader, or the uncertainty of what would happen now.
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Post by Anna on Jun 25, 2009 11:34:43 GMT -6
Ghelyn to Siyal
Sending made communcation easy, especially ove distance. It lent clarity and surety to the intent behind the words. With Siyal's reply came the underlying emotional tones, and Ghelyn responded to those as much as to the word. She understood her dearest friend's uncertainty, and the hurt of losing a bandleader so loved. She also sensed the desire to be alone.
**I'm going to find Verrim,** Ghelyn said, sending a comforting rush of love and concern to Siyal. **When you wish, come join us.**
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Post by Kris on Jun 25, 2009 22:47:59 GMT -6
Nazari watched as Sohnji attempted to comfort Mahkir's lifemates, noting that Sureen pulled away, but Kahlyn collapsed against the healer, clinging to her as she wept. Nazari sent to Sureen, but the elder of Mahkir's lifemates got to her feet and strode, hard-faced despite the tears, out of the tent.
**That one holds a grudge,** Oreg sent, clearly dismayed.
**I know. I hope she will forgive, or at least let go of her anger.** It was useless to rail at something as unavoidable as death; Nazari had learned that lesson cubes of years ago, as had Oreg. She turned back to Sohnji, who was helping Kahlyn arrange a cloak over Mahkir's poison-blackened limbs. **I wish I could have done more.**
**You did what you could, Nazari,** Oreg remonstrated.
As other elves drew closer, Sohnji released Kahlyn and moved away from Mahkir's bed. Nazari slipped past the crowd and followed the healer outside, placing a hand on her shoulder.
The healer jumped and stared at Nazari with wide eyes before gasping, "You startled me, High One."
"I thought we might talk, child," Nazari responded. Sohnji's answering look held suspicion, but she lowered her head and let Nazari lead her through the tents. Through her own senses, Nazari could feel the young elf's frustration and grief, overlying a bed of guilt.
"Did you delay in coming back to camp when I sent for you, Sohnji?" she asked.
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Post by meimei on Jun 26, 2009 9:49:17 GMT -6
Siyal to Ghelyn
Siyal's reply to Ghelyn was not so much words as emotions. Gratitude for her understanding, but the steady thrum of grief still underlying it. She wasn't one to surround herself with others - she preferred to deal with her pain alone. Then perhaps she could think of the future. Of the choice that would have to be made. At the moment she couldn't even guess who would be asked to take the bandleader's place. She did not envy them in the least.
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Post by Kris on Jun 27, 2009 22:29:49 GMT -6
"Did you delay in coming back to camp when I sent for you, Sohnji?" she asked. "What?" Sohnji twisted away from the High One, shuddering with horror. "Never! I came as fast as Cloudburst could carry me! I would not have waited one second longer than I had to, to save Mahkir!" "Then," and Nazari's voice held such sympathy, such warmth, that Sohnji felt the tears fall at least. "Then why do you blame yourself, child? Mahkir did not come at once when he was bitten. He was hurt badly, and the poison was able to work its way through him. Not only could I not save him, I doubt that you have done more than prolong his life but for an hour." Sohnji balled up her fists and pressed them against her eyes, but Nazari pulled her into an embrace. The healer gave in and sagged against the ancient elf's shoulder, sobbing. **I should have been able to save him,** she sent, unable to hold back her guilt. **I helped him when he and his horse went off a cliff in the mountains, that one winter. I've healed wounds and even snakebite in him before. Why did he have to die now?** Nazari smoothed her hair, much as she would have done for Ksiva. "Sohnji, death comes for all of us, and the circumstances are immutable. What if I were a stronger healer? What if Mahkir had not ridden so far from camp today? Why did a snake bite him, and not some other creature? These are questions for which we have no satisfactory answers, kitling." Hiccuping, Sohnji let a little of her healing magic out to stop her tears and ease her pounding heart. For the emotional wound, there was little that would do but time. "There is little that can be done now, Sohnji," Nazari said softly. "The Council will come together soon, but not before the morning." She rose to her feet, her rose-brown hair momentarily hiding her face as a breeze blew it askew. "Go and rest, Healer. Know that you made every effort to be here, and you have at least brought comfort to one who needed it." Sohnji nodded and got to her feet. "Thank you, Nazari," she whispered, and turned towards the tent she shared with her lifemates. She could imagine what they were thinking, waiting for her there. Poor Tevac, poor Astierri--whatever they were thinking of themselves, they didn't deserve such self-torture. Squaring her shoulders, Sohnji headed home, desperate to put one thing right before the day ended. |
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