MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2004
Logfile from Two Moons - Strongbow.
Riverbend
A wide clearing in the bend where Sweetwater river from the north joins the Forbidden River from the east, both continuing onwards to the western coast as the Blue River. The humans call this river the Great Water. There is a grassy space where tents have been pitched in the past and a small circle of soot-covered stones.
The twin stars of Timmorn's Eyes begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the chill winter skies.
Some time has passed since the devastating battle. The many moons of separation spent preparing for the conflict had suggested that there would be casualties, though it did little to prepare the survivors of the experience. Still camping near the palace and the mountain, the Lost Holters rise to the setting sun, the nights setting in earlier as winter wears on. There have been nights filled with soulful howls, many that have likely reached the heigts of Blue Mountain. It is one of many nameless gray nights that the camp is just now beginning to awaken and remember it's grief.
Skywise, unable to stand the confinement of his tent, rose early while the sun was in the throes of an incredible sunset and stole silently from the camp to watch. It is just now that he wanders back, hand and cheek full of capnuts. A moon peeks over the opposite horizon as the camp murmurs awake.
Strongbow has woken as well, stepping from the brush in which he, his mate, and his wolffriend had slept. Shaking vigrously, the motion flings bits of twig and stick and dry leaf from unruly brown locks. THe motion is mimicked by the wolfess at his side before both stretch and yawn with unhurried abandon. Spotting Skywise returning to camp, the archer grins lightly, and huffs a greeting toward the fair-haired elf, a send accompanying the motion. **YOu're up early.**
Meanwhile, in a parallel panel.
Swooping forth from the heights of Blue Mountain, twin bondbirds cut their way through the evening's darkening sky. Each carrying a Chosen, and one taller elf. They turn gracefully in the air, changing their heading, closing rapidly the distance from the Gloomy peaks of Blue Mountain, to here, to the Palace.
From a tent set up closer to the river, steps a sleepy young lass just barely entering that noy-a-cub stage. curled by the entrance, a grey wolf still sleeps since she's not needed just yet by her young bond.
For his part, Vitric has been in a morose mood since Marengo's disappearance. The normally mild Villager has gone about his assigned camp chores competantly enough, but he's been nearly as growly as Strongbow as of late. At the moment, he's smoking tongue-shaped chunks of meat over a greenwood fire.
Moonshade pokes her head out of the brush and looks around. She twists her head from side to side, causing a rather disgusting popping noise to emit from her neck. She sniffs the air silently then slips out of the brush. Her eyes rest on Strongbow and a sliver of a smile creeps across her face.
You sense in a locksend, Moonshade sneaks into your mind. Love and greeting mingle in her thoughts.
Strongbow's immediate answer is the crunching of the capnuts, before a short send and a grin, **Yup.** The smokey fire is noted but not bothered with, and Skywise finds a spot to sit down and does so, leaning back on his elbows and loudly finishes his snack.
You locksend to Moonshade, Strongbow's mind snuggles back into yours. **Feel good.** reow. what a morning.
Closing the distance with little effort, the Giant hawks come within slight of the Palace, and the elves around it. The Lord speaks softly into Her Chosen, Generi's ear, and instructs him to send to the other bondbird, and its occupants. Moments later, the word comes back, yes the cargo is secure, everything is well. The birds come in lower, readying to land in a bare patch, clear of tents.
A toothy grin emerges from Strongbow's countance, nutmeg colored eyes turning back to peer at his life mate. A locksend dances between the two before the archer turns toward a lowlaying tree root. With the sun gone from the sky and the moons having yet to rise, the approaching bond birds, are for the moment, unnoticed by the acting chieftain. Skirting the clearing, and keeeping as far from that smoke fire as possible, Strongbow takes a seat. **Find any sweatleaf, stargazer?**
Redstar tilts her head a bit while she listens to the soothing sound of the river drowning out much of the surrpunding noises. Old habits dieing hard, she perks up a bit and asks, ** Sweetleaf? **
Vitric hangs up the last string of meat and leans back beneath his shelter, staring up at the stitched hides, listening to the silence all around. He can hear his tribemates rustling around. Sending, he supposes. He waits. It seems like too much trouble to get up at the moment.
Moonshade walks out of the bushes and over to her mate. She nuzzles him affectionately then steps back and looks around. Seeing Skywise she greets him. "Ayooah Skywise."
Finishing his moutful, Skywise answers the Archer's query, "'Course," and pulls a few fragrant leaves from a little pouch on his belt. He hands one to Strongbow and offers another to Redstar just as the hawks land, though he's oblivious to that fact, and leans back with a leaf of his own to enjoy. Though it's winter, the night is somehow mild, and the wolfriders are more at ease than they have been the many nights since the horrible battle. "Ayooah, Moonshade," he answers the tanner.
The Two Hawks arrive, touching down almost in tandem, he massive sweeps of their wings kicking up dirt, and small objects in a tiny whirlwind. As the Dust settles, each Chosen assists their passenger down, Generi lending a careful hand to the Lord, Winnowill, and Reevol levitating Savah down from her prone position on birdback. The Lord eyes the surroundings, fingers stepped before her. "Excellent, an adequate number of messengers." Comes her low mournful tones. "Chosen, bring my Dark Sister here carefully."
Strongbow's fingers take the bright green leaves, a light frown perching on his lips. 'I wanted the twigs,' he thinks, then shrugs and shoves one of the leaves into his mouth, chewing the leaf into a green sugary pulp. As the giant wings bring up the dirt and dust and dry leaves, Strongbow winces, one eye closing. Bringing an arm up to cover his eyes, the archer looks over. **Snake,** his mind rings out to his tribe mates (Vitric included). A single word warning to be on guard, and polite, all at once.
Redstar growls once the send reachers her, the sound awakening the wolf beside her. While she chews on the leaf given to her, she turns in the direction of the debris being whipped up by giant wings. wild curls are flung about before settling back to her shoulders while waits to see what the old snake has to say. She won't believe a word of it anyway.
Vitric is oblivious to the send, but not so wrapped up in worry that he misses the sight of the bondbirds touching down. He rolls to his feet with something almost like grace and pokes his head out to observe...
"Savah?" he whispers in surprise.
Moonshade frowns when she hears Winnowill speak, but she keeps her feelings inside. Her body posture is tense. When she hears Redstar growl her frown deepens and she turns on Redstar.
Skywise pulls himself up into a more alert sitting position, ready to roll to a crouch if necessary, but still relaxed. After the carnage brought on by the twins, Winnowill just isn't such a scary enemy anymore... Especially if Savah is with her.
Winnowill smiles wanly at the small band, and sweeps her eyes to the side, to ensure Her Chosen are up to the task She has given them. Apparently whatever they are doing meets with her approval, as Savah is brought closer to the Palace, unresponsive as she may be. Winnowill seeks about and finds an appropriate candidate. "Archer, Chief in standing of your tribe." It's an address, and doesn't sound overtly impolite. Seems the Gliders have come along way in dealing with wolfriders.. or at least getting better at hiding it. "You know why we are here? PLease send to the master of the Palace and let him know we have arrived to seek Savah's healing.
The dark skinned Mother of Memory remains held aloft by the powers of the Chosen near to her. Her eyes are closed, and she looks a little thinner than she should. Her skin is lacking the usual richness to its shade, the lack of awareness for so long having left her with a rather sallow look. Her eyes are closed, and though she breathes, she seems not at all aware anything is going on about her.
Strongbow's eyes shift to take in Savah's form. Standing tall and silent, heartbeats pass in which is seems Strongbow will not reply. That is until, he nods once and locksends into the Palace's interior.
You locksend ** Cub. Savah has arrived, carried by Chosen. ** to Suntop.
Redstar sets her cherubic features into a scowl while keeps an ear trained on Winnowill and her chosen. Only a rather distant look and the feeling of sends flitting about prove she's not completely paying attention.
Suntop locksends ** Where? **
You locksend ** Just outside the Palace. Do you want them to take her in to you, or will yu come out for her? ** to Suntop.
Suntop locksends ** It might be better to bring her in here...safer, at least. **
Moonshade walks over and cuffs Redstar on the back of the head. There is obvious anger there, but she did not hit hard enough to hurt. This appears to be a teaching or punishment method rather than a beating.
Skywise watches as Savah's nearly lifeless form is floated into view. Hm. Maybe Savah's not doing so well. And even though the palace would be the best place for her, the fact that Winnowill is bringing her seems... Very Un-Winnowill. Therefore, it's spooky. Skywise notices Strongbow's short nod in response, but decides to stay outside the palace when the others go in; whatever Savah's state, he can do little for her himself. Besides - he got up to watch the sky tonight.
Winnowill stands, flanked by Chosen, seemingly as comfortable here in the Outside as She would be sitting on Her Throne. Lovely Chain at the base of that Throne, isn't there? Her face is unreadable, save for the odd twitch, which quickly is smoothed over. She awaits Suntop, so she can get her Sister healed.
Sends flicker about the archer as he watches Winnowill in silence, ignoring his mate's chiding of the cub. As an elder, that's her right to do. Still sending, Strongbow turns his head and spits out the half-chewed lump.
You locksend ** So, you'll let them in? ** to Suntop.
Suntop locksends ** Of course I will! **
Just as the chewed lump strikes the grass near his feet, Strongbow's eyes seem to relax, turning from WInnowill to the CHosen, then back to Their Lord. **He's welcoming them in to drop her off. Better send for directions.**
Redstar cringes instinctively when she's cuffed, but instead of relenting, she turns that same growl on Moonshade. The wolf is already awake and whining at her bond to calm down. The young elf steps away from Moonshade and beckons the wolf to follow. for now, her concentration is on Moonshade, even as she climbs onto the wolf's back.
Winnowill steps forward, Chosen to each side, ready and wary. Savah floats along like a good little balloon at the side. "Thank you, Wolf-chief. I'm sure we will find the way." With no further thought for those outside, the group makes it way towards the Palace.
Savah continues looking like a good little MoM balloon. Following along, held aloft by another's will.
Moonshade's nostrils flare. She is not a good elf to ignore. She takes rapid steps and easily catches up with the young elf. Being taller than a child does have it's advantages. She reaches out to grab the cub's collar. Her color is rising, this is not a happy Moon.
Winnowill chuckles for no apparent reason, something has struck her as quite funny.
Strongbow watches Winnowill turn and head into the Palace before turning to watch Moonshade deal with the cubling. Sending to his mate, Strongbow makes his way to the river to rinse out his mouth.
You locksend ** Problems, beloved? ** to Moonshade.
Moonshade pages: You locksend, to Redstar, Winnowill: ** Don't you even think about walking away from me. You want to die? Do you? I'm sure that can be arranged! However you are not about to get the rest of us killed. Now, act your age! You aren't in swaddling wraps anymore but you act like you are. You just better get your head on straight and your head out of the river, before one of us knocks it off! **
You sense in a locksend, Moonshade shares Redstar's send with you. >>Redstar replies with her vehemence rising. **Then I'll die trying. I refuse to live this half life any longer. I refuse to to have to go on being blind because she wanted to take my sight away. I never did a thing to her or her stupid chosen. I did nothing to deserve to be beaten and chained! Let her feel what it was like to have that done to her!! **<< ** If she wants to die, we out to leave her out here to starve. She'll never find her way home without us. She's weak. We should just let the wolves kill her and be done with it. ** The scary thing is that she means it and you know it. This is one of those times that remind you that Moon has been a little strange in the turns since her return from the Underworld. Though it is a wolf thought, it is not a WolfRider thought.
Redstar isn't a happy cub, either. Having a hand so close to those scars on her neck sends her over the edge enough to try and bite Moonshade's wrist to make her let go while her hands come up to push the elder away. "Let go!" she shouts as she moves to pull away.
"Enough!" Strongbow's voice, deep, growly, rings out through the night. Not waiting he moves over toward the pair. Alpha will settle this, and settle this now.
Moonshade throws the cub at her mate with quite a bit of force. Rage distorts her face. Her breath comes heavy through her nostrils. One last send tears from her to cub.
You sense in a locksend, Moonshade is near to throttling the cub all the way back to the Holt. If she gets her hands around Redstar's neck, there is a good chance she will severely injur her. ** She thinks she can ignore me because the Underworlder changed me!**
You locksend to Moonshade, Strongbow is very very angry this has escalated this far. **And you need to know that cubs are weak and we must, as Elders see them made strong,** Strongbow snaps with authority and love.
Redstar would glare at Moonshade if she could, but as it is, she tries to push off of strongbow to stand then says aloud to the tanner with her own rage filling her young voice, "You never cared about anything but your stupid leathers." There's a single tear in the corner of her eye as she motioins for Digger to come to her side so she can stalk off.
You sense in a locksend, Moonshade tries to reign herself in. ** She's been wallowing in self pity for turns now. I'm sick of it. A wolfrider deals with it. Now she's trying to get us all killed. I won't let her do it! She's going to start a fight with Winnowill because the Snake blinded her. She refused to back off when I told her to and that's how this whole thing started. ** She doesn't seem to be justifying so much as explaining. She obviously does not feel remorseful for tossing the cub like a sack of berries.
Moonshade's voice drops down to a soft, monotone sound. The anger is still there, but her voice rings true. "That's a lie and you know it. I tried to take care of you, but you want us all to coddle you. You're blind. The Black Snake blinded you, but that is no reason to start a fight with her. If I can toss you around like that, imagine what the Snake could do to you with send. She's more powerful than you. Get used to it. She has hands of hands of hands of experience more than you. If you attack her, we'll end up getting killed to rescue you. Don't do it."
The growl that comes from Strongbow's throat had better put an end to any retreat, even as a very heavy send goes from Archer to Cub. **You will respect your elders, and you will Listen to what is being said now, lest you find yourself lower in the pack than Cub, Redstar. Lone wolves fair not well at all.** It's not a threat. It's the Way. **We expect cubs to be weak and unable to care for themselves, but you are fast out growing that, and reaching the ages were you MUST provide for yourself and for the rest of the tribe. We all have our place, from hunting, to howling, to skygazing, and even TANNING. YOu have no place! You refuse to find your place. Dead weight will only be carried so long before it is chewed off. Revenge is NOT the Way. Needless death is NOT the Way. Needless death because of revenge is NOT the Way. You WILL find your place in this tribe. You WILL pull your weight, and you WILL grow up. I will not fight your challenges to keep you in our tribe if you do not. Have I made myself clear?** The full weight of Strongbow's mind is pressed against Redstar, like a dominant wolf pressing his teeth to the nose of the other. As Moonshade speaks, Strongbow snaps at his lifemate, just as he snapped at the cub, **And you will remain silent, Tanner, while I settle this petty fight.**
The two Chosen still flank their Lord as they leave the Palace, Savah-less. And such a confrontation to step into. I wonder what this could be about?... muwahahahaha. She keeps Her silence, brining a slender hand to her mouth, evaluating just what is going on.. and perhaps how it could be made worse.
Redstar raises a brow as she turns to face strongbow's voice, "Is that so? Has no one noticed the gathering I've done, or what aid I could give in tracking? I guess not since I'm lower than low in this pack. If that is how it is, then I'll keep to the scraps all outsiders fight over. We'll see what you miss as the whitecold gets colder."
Strongbow scowls at that, silent a moment. Finally, his mind seems final. **You have chosen your place, Outsider. The pack will no longer aid you,** he replies, eyes narrowed angrily. A moment, then he turns and puts his back to Redstar, grabbing his mate's elbow and all but hauling her away. Time for these two to 'talk'.
Winnowill smiles lightly. And then looks to her Chosen, whispers a very brief. "We should leave them to their squabbles." With that, The Chosen and Lord head towards their Hawks.
Redstar nods once then shrugs as she and digger walk off. ** I've always been the outsider, or didn't you know that. ** With that, she turns her back on the archer and lets the wolf guide her to where ever her father had gone earlier during the day.
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Message: 10/10 in folder main Received: Mon Oct 25 20:06:37 2004
From: Strongbow
To: ^lostholt (global mail alias)
Subject: Challenge: Redstar.
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FYI all tribe members: Redstar has been downgraded ICly to an Outsider. She is to be treated with all the 'love' and 'attention' there of. Treat her as you would any lone wolf intruding upon Pack Territory, for Redstar is no longer to be considered part of the tribe. Please let me know if you would like more IC information, and I will schedule scenes with you.
xx-----> Strongbow <-----xx
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