Log Date: 11/17/96, 11/21/96, 11/24/96
Log Cast:
	Skywise, Minx, Ynderra, Berrybuzz, Cutter, Myriel, Dart, Pike,
Kai, Dewshine, Trouble, Doreel

[NOTE: At some points during the log, Myriel was spoofed by Ynderra's
 player; at all points, Kai is also spoofed by Ynderra's player.]
Log Intro (what has gone before):
	Trouble and Dart have been some time away from Lostholt, while
Trouble wandered on an extended quest to try to find her soulname... and
a new adult name for herself, something to replace the moniker 'Trouble'
which has so plagued her since she realized why she'd been named it.
She and her companion inadvertantly retracted the steps of Rillwhisper
and Strongbow -- and stumbled across the hidden, spider-infested forest
in which dwells the mad Firstborn Doreel. Trouble promised to stay with
Doreel if he would heal Dart of his spider-inflicted wounds... but Dart,
infuriated that Trouble seemed to refuse to acknowledge the danger of
staying in the grove, fled the place without her. And Trouble, aghast
and heartbroken that Dart fled her in such fury, was left vulnerable to
Doreel's influences as the ancient elf began to addict her to his
magically created mushrooms, eventually plunging her mind into fog, and
convincing her that she was his daughter Niriah.
	In the meantime, Dart, once more wounded by the spiders, managed
to reach Lostholt and raise the alarm with the tribe. All too vividly
remembering the first rescue attempt they'd had to launch to free
Rillwhisper and Strongbow from Doreel's woods, Lostholt rallied together
a band of elves with Trouble's blood kin at the fore, and set off on
the trail to rescue their missing tribesmate.... 

----------
Skywise slips onto Skylark's back, with a small sigh and an attempt at an 
  encouraging smile towards Minx. "Ready, lovemate?"

Mirrormoons(#5438DQae)
You're seated on Mirrormoons's lean, narrow back, and you can feel him 
  shifting beneath you as he moves.
You slip up on Mirrormoons's back.

Around Mirrormoons, Minx nods firmly, and goes to her own wolf. "Ready!"
Around Mirrormoons, Minx takes a hold of Shadow's fur and climbs up.

Around Mirrormoons, Shadow has left.

Ynderra and her mate, after bidding quiet goodbyes to their anxious son, climb 
  onto 'Derra's wolf-friend; now, with 'Derra in front, the pair of 
  black-haired, blue-eyed healers take a place in the loose knot of wolves and 
  Wolfriders, ready to ride.

Around Mirrormoons, Skylark has left.

Around Mirrormoons, Berrybuzz crawls into Dart's hair for travel.
Around Mirrormoons, Berrybuzz has left.

As Skywise rides out on his wolf, Cutter locksends ** <There is always a way
  through shields, for you, no matter how hard the elf tries to keep them up.
  Once through, he grasps that send with a force that is almost painful. 
  <<fear/concern/anger/frustration/determination>> > Nothing will happen to 
  you, Fahr. Or I'll come after you myself. **

In a locksend to Cutter, Skywise holds you in a close, mental hug. ** Tam...
  Tam, I'll come home to you. After all.... <<an image of the palace, long ago,
  two brothers embraced>> What would you do without me? **

[Grimly, the party sets out from Lostholt and begins to ride, as fast as they
 can manage, on the series of trails that eventually leads to Doreel's hidden
 Grove....]

Little Mountain Spring
A bubbling spring leaps from the ground, fountaining slightly before spilling 
  into a little pool, which in turn rolls off down the mountainside in a 
  swift-running rivulet. There are bushes nearby, and a few trees stand 
  quietly on the south edge of the little clearing. The rivulet tumbles south 
  through the clearing before becoming lost in the underbrush.
The autumn sun shines warmly down from above on gaily colored leaves.
Contents:
Challenge
Obvious exits:
Doreel's Grove  To the marshes<S>  West<W>  Trail<E>  

[The elves and wolves begin to come to a halt by the spring, to take
 stock of the situation and to make plans.]

Around Mirrormoons, Berrybuzz crawls out of its nest of tangles in Dart's 
  hair, /"Breeeet!! Go get firehair highthing now?"/

Around Mirrormoons, Skywise gazes out towards the trees. "That's why we're 
  here, bug." With a brisk glance towards Dart, "D'you think preserver chatter 
  will draw a spider's attention? We might have to gag yours."

Around Mirrormoons, On Shadow's back, Minx ponders.
Around Mirrormoons, On Shadow's back, Minx laughs, but very quietly.

Around Mirrormoons, Myriel gigles at the concept of a gagged preserver.

Around Mirrormoons, Dart is looking into the grove, "Hmm? Oh.. Berrybuzz, no 
  chatter just now little one. You can sing all you want once we're inside."

Around Mirrormoons, Berrybuzz blinkblinks and leans over to look Dart in the 
  eyes, /"Can sing pretty once inside funny treeplace?"/

Around Mirrormoons, Dart nods, "Mm-hmm... sing to the spiders, try to keep 
  them away from the highthings."

Around Mirrormoons, Berrybuzz chitters happily, "Is good!" and miraculously 
  falls silent, content to try and get a few more tangles out of? Dart's hair.

Ynderra shudders a little; she and Kai slip off her old wolf's back, to try to 
  keep him unburdened.
You slip off Mirrormoons's back.

Little Mountain Spring
Contents:
Berrybuzz
Pike
Myriel(#2526PJXcey)
Dart
Skywise
Shadow
Challenge
Obvious exits:
Doreel's Grove  To the marshes<S>  West<W>  Trail<E>  

Skywise nods with sudden understanding of Dart's plan and adds, "And if 
  Doreel's 'preservers' find us anyway, quietly come back to us and help by 
  gumming up their fangs and covering their eyes. Okay?"

On Shadow's back, Minx blinks, then smiles.

Berrybuzz nodnods happily, /"Is good."/ Whoa, preservers do know how to 
  control their volume levels.

Shadow peers at Pike.

Dart stares into the grove, eyes distant as he sends.
Dart locksends ** Trouble? ** to Trouble.

Shadow sniffs the air. Minx, on his back, watches Dart gravely.

Skywise grabs Dart's arm. "What're you doing?!"

Ynderra frowns, anxiously, peering into the trees. Her wolf whines, and Kai 
  lingers protectively near his mate, eyes narrowed slightly.

Dart blinks at Skywise, "Trouble.. I was sending to her.. trying to anyway.. 
  no response... not yet."

	<Is she there? Tough for you to say, Dart, as though your sending
	penetrates through more than trees, more than spiders and webbings
	between them, to reach the mind of the maiden. At best, you get a
	vague sense that Something of her is there... but she does not answer
	you.>

Skywise scowls deeply. "Good! If you let Trouble know we're here, she might be 
  so muddled that she'll tell Doreel. Does that sound like a good idea to you, 
  Dart?" He lets go of the archer's arm.

Dart takes a deep shuddering breath, after he exhales he nurnurs softly, "He 
  has.. she's not right."

Skywise turns away from Dart, running his fingers though the soft fur on 
  Skylark's neck. "I'm sorry, but... we can't trust Trouble. Tell me, what did 
  she say?"

Dart says softly, "She didn't say anything.. but I can tell... she's not right 
  in her mind, there's.. there's something missing."

Shadow pads closer to Skywise's wolf. Minx sends ** Then let's go find her? **

Pike looks around, then takes up a strip of leather and ties it on his 
  forehead.

Myriel sighs quietly.

"Missing...?" The stargazer's silver brows draw together worriedly. "Yes... 
  let's move on. Dart? You were here last. Which way do you think would bring 
  us there quickly, but wouldn't be anticipated by Doreel?"

Ynderra frowns, glancing first at her sister, then at Kai behind her. Ynderra 
  pads to Myriel to clasp her twin's shoulder.

Dart silently slips his new arrow-whip and an arrow from the quiver at his 
  hip, "Follow me."

Myriel turns to look at her twin.

Skywise urges his almost-bond Skylark to a quicker gait.

Shadow pads after Skylark, quietly.

Pike hefts his spear.

Dart heads into the grove, trying to remember details he'd really rather have 
  forgotten.

[The elves and their wolf-friends proceed warily on into the depths of the
 grove....]

You head into the woods, unsure of what lies beyond their dark edges.
Overgrown Path
Twisted, dark trees grow all around you here. Totally unfamiliar sounds come 
  from every direction. The path that you walk on is hardly a path what with 
  the way the trees haphazardly part for the dark path. Multi-faceted eyes 
  peer out at you - their yellowish glow adding to the dreary and evil 
  atmosphere. Webs hang from almost every tree though to your left they are 
  more abundant while up ahead you think you can see a lighted clearing. A 
  quick glance to your left through the webs reveals a narrow path leading 
  deeper into the woods and away from what would appear to be a safe haven in 
  the grove ahead. As you move through the woods surrounding you there is a 
  constant *click* *click *click*
Contents:
Pike
Myriel(#2526PJXcey)
WellSpring
Shadow
Skywise
Dart
Helper
Obvious exits:
Mountain Spring  Woods  Grove  

Mirrormoons pushes their way through the trees and bushes and join you on the 
  path.
Mirrormoons has arrived.

As they head towards the infamous grove, the stargazer glances back once, 
  quickly, at Minx. In locksending, his thoughts brush against hers in a 
  gentle embrace, both reassuring and needing to be reassured. ** How do you 
  fare, love? Frightened? **

Ynderra, as the group ventures at last into the darkened trees, shivers. 
  "Magic in all these branches," she whispers.

Shadow whurfles quietly. Minx glances to Skywise, and grins a bit loopsidedly 
  as she locksends back, perhaps a little nervously. ** I'm here to look after 
  you, not the other way around. **

Skywise returns in locksending, with what little humour he can muster, ** How 
  could I forget? ** As the trees grow more thickly together, and the faint 
  clicking reaches his ears, the silver-haired elf gives an involuntary shiver.

Shadow presses quite close to Skylarks side, at Minx's nudge. Minx reaches out 
  to take Skywise's hand. ** We are together. **

Something rustles in the bushes not terribly far away, a motion just barely 
  worthy of attention. And then it's gone.

Berrybuzz pushes their way through the trees and bushes and join you on the 
  path.
Berrybuzz has arrived.

Pike's berry eyes scan around and he moves his spear a little, brining the tip 
  up partially...

Skywise starts, head turning sharply towards the sound, scanning the dark 
  foilage. He tugs on Skylark's fur once, halting the nervous wolf.

Ynderra treads with her slender hands ready at her small bow; Kai, beside her, 
  scowls nervously into the undergrowth, poised clearly with more concern 
  towards defending his mate more than himself.

On Shadow's back, Minx starts a little at the sound.

Myriel takes her dagger from its sheath.

Dart glances all around, moving slowly and quietly. ** Watch overhead... they 
  hid up there.. **

Skywise squeezes Minx's hand once before releasing it and reaching for his 
  sword. A soft 'ca-shink' as the blade is drawn. His eyes flicker upwards.

Unseasonably warm is this part of the forest, though not so much that it is 
  overly unusual. It seems to fit quite well with the fact that while 
  something is not right about the trees and underbrush and possibly even the 
  very ground beneath you, it is not completely wrong, either. It is not 
  entirely still, though, as echoing through the shadows come barely heard 
  *click*ings, and, more obvious, the faintest of rustlings in the bushes not 
  far ahead.

Dart swallows hard, slipping an arrow into the lood of his arrow-whip, ** The 
  clickings are the spiders.. **

Skywise's gaze flickers back to his lovemate once before returning to the 
  ominous stirring in the shadowy foilage before him. His expression holds a 
  strange calm, as though waiting for something long expected.

Berrybuzz flits around quietly, still obeying Dart's command of silence.

Ynderra's pert face, pale in the gloom of this wood, goes even more sober as 
  she draws closer to Kai and Myriel. Kai simply glowers into every shadow 
  expectantly; Myriel grips her weapon with a look that might possibly be 
  fright under the mask of sullenness she's worn all throughout the journey 
  here.

Pike keeps the tip of his spear pointed to the ground, berry eyes looking 
  around.

Dart takes a few steps deeper into the grove, violet-brown eyes flicking up to 
  the canopy above occasionally. "Berrybuzz," he commands quietly, "Look for 
  spiderthings, be noisy.."

Berrybuzz trills in its screechy voice and dives into the bushes along the 
  path, /"Here spiderthings, Berrybuzz look for spiderthings!"/

Minx holds herself rigid on her wolf, trying to look brave in the face of this 
  place which has seemed all but legend until now. Saying without words, "Me? 
  Scared? Nah.."

Rather abruptly the rustlings stop, and everything is quiet again, save for 
  the distant and ever-present *click* *click* *click*. The feeling of being 
  watched is unshakable, but there apparently isn't anything here besides you 
  -to- watch. It even smells deserted, laced with traces of clean sweetness.

Pike looks around and then flicks his gaze to Skywise.

As the band of elves and wolves creeps forward, Ynderra's old wolf Mirrormoons 
  whimpers, very softly, at the disturbing scents that linger in the air. 
  Ynderra herself shivers once; the trees feel... full of magic, but a 
  different magic than the one that infuses the Willowholt. This one is 
  older... and in a way, darker.

Skywise slips off of Skylark's back, gaze never leaving the forest's shadows. 
  Reaching out to place his free hand on his wolf, he sends, ** If one 
  attacks, it'll be harder to fight them on wolfback. **

Berrybuzz pokes it's head out of the bushes, /"Berrybuzz not see 
  spiderthings!"/

"They're out there, bug... No doubt about that." Skywise's whisper is tense. 
  It prompts Minx to slip off of her wolf quickly, moving to stand next to 
  him. The stargazer glances back at Dart. ** Send it out once more... **

Dart's eyes drift upwards, ** No, not when they can drop down from overhead. 
  ** There's an eiree calm in Dart's thoughts and expression, but the fierce 
  grip he holds on the slender arrow-whip deny the calm. He walks forward a 
  few more steps, "Berrybuzz keep looking."

Pike slides off his own wolf, looking around him and his hand clenching his 
  spear tightly.

Nothing rushes, nothing pounces, nothing else even moves, untouched by any 
  breath of wind. A single *CLICK* sounds about a arrow's flight off the path, 
  but nothing answers it.

Berrybuzz nods and heads off in the direction of the lone click. /"Berrybuzz 
  do!"/

Skywise stops walking, wary of the brush. ** Whatever's in there, it doesn't 
  sound fooled by our preserver trick. ** He stuggles, wondering whether to 
  press on in spite of the clicking ahead, or wait for the danger to show 
  itself.

** Just show me what to stab. ** This sending is short and sharp, from Kai, 
  who stays near Ynderra as though he'd been fused to her. Myriel and Ynderra, 
  too, stick close; the twin sisters now wear equally nervous expressions.

Berrybuzz screeches loudly, hands on it's hips, /"Berrybuzz know spiderthing 
  there!You come out so Highthings can see... YEEEEPPP!"/ Before the bug has a 
  chance to finsih scolding a huge arachnid bursts out of the brush, lookin 
  much vexed at being screeched at.

The stargazer's knuckles whiten around the sword's hilt. ** Stab THAT!! ** He 
  jumps back, landing almost protectively before Minx as he faces it. Minx 
  growls low in his ear, "I'm protecting -you-, remember?" And she moves to 
  face it, at his side.

Pike turns and moves the point of his spear to aim at the spider and his 
  muscles tense to throw.

Dart glances into the brush around him nervously, nope, no arachnaphobia 
  here...

As the spider drops out of its tree in pursuit of the preserver, a muffled 
  muttering can be heard from the opposite direction.. exactly where the 
  rustling sound was first, and is now again as something apparently runs off 
  that way. However, the spider is here now, paying little to no heed to 
  anything else as it decends bugward.

Weapons come up to the ready in many elfin hands. From Ynderra and Myriel, 
  arrows fly in harmony as the twins fire at their first clear opportunity.

Berrybuzz eeeeeeeeeeeeeessssss!!!!! Nails on chalkboard have nothing on a bug 
  getting squished. The spider lands square on the startled Preserver.

** Don't hesitate, Pike! ** The stargazer waits for the spear to be thrown, 
  looking ready to charge at the spider beast. A flutter of locksending 
  between the two lovemates, and they seem to nod at one another in some 
  unspoken agreement.

Pike pulls his arm back and launches his spear with deadly acuracy at the 
  arachnid.

"Berrybuzz!!" calls the young archer as he hears the Preserver getting 
  squished. He does not however level off his aim at the spider, rather he 
  looks towards the mutterings and rustling, "A Helper! Doreel will know!"

There is a rather dull floppish sound as the eight-legged thing hits the 
  ground, all eight legs splayed in different directions. A number of weapons 
  now project from it's shivering body, pale green-white ichor welling up to 
  ooze out from it's wounds.

A muffled shriek of protest comes from underneath the dead spider.

Ynderra hisses, delicate nose wrinkling at the... thing, even as she and her 
  mate and her sister scan the surroundings for further attacking creatures. 
  ** Berrybuzz! ** wails Ynderra. Before Kai can stop her, and immediately 
  afterwards Kai edges after her, the healer-maiden veers in towards the 
  twitching arachnid and tries to see if she can help free the Preserver.

** Pike, get your spear from the spider once it dies, and... Ynderra!! Stay 
  back, it's still kicking! ** The stargazer moves towards the healer maiden 
  quickly. Minx bites her lip, continuing to scan the nearby trees.

Berrybuzz has managed to squirm part of the way out from under the 
  spiderthing, /"All stuckystuck! EEEEEEE!!!!!"/

Ynderra wheels back just in time, grabbed by the anxious Kai.

The spider finally ceases its twitching, and oddly enough, it remains the only 
  spider to be seen. So far. The Helper, as Dart seems to have dubbed it, is 
  apparently long gone, having ran deeper into the woods.

The stargazer watches the twitching beast, wincing at the preserver's shrill 
  cry. "You okay, bug?" His whisper is soft. He moves foreward to plunge his 
  sword into the beast a final time, making sure.

Dart says insistently, "We've got to keep moving, once Doreel finds out from 
  his little troll thing that we're here.." he leaves the last part dangling 
  letting people's imagination fill in the void.

Berrybuzz screeches, /"Stuckystuck not okay!!! Wings all crinkly!"/

Ynderra reaches for Berrybuzz with one hand, hanging onto Kai's arm with the 
  other. "Let me," she murmurs urgently.

Skywise nods. ** Yes. We're in more danger now than ever. Stick to sending, 
  unless you've got to whisper to the bug. That -wasn't- the only spider in
  the woods. ** He nudges the motionless spider once more, then moves back to
  Minx and Skylark. ** Let's go. **

Berrybuzz grabs hold of Ynderra's fingers and pulls itself the rest of the way 
  free, /"Nicenice Highthing!"/

Skywise sends with concern, ** You can heal it as we move, Ynderra? **

Ynderra scoops up the Preserver, her fingers glowing as she begins to try to 
  straighten its gossamer wings. But she moves at Kai and Myriel's urging; the 
  other healer, and Trouble's mother, flank Ynderra now and keep her covered 
  as she heals the tiny creature.

Dart moves along the path, trying to remember the way he took when he fled 
  from this place in reverse.

Ynderra sends her assent, as the elves begin to move again.

Alright then, on you go. Passage uninterrupted by any more of the spiders that 
  inhabit this place, it might even seem uneventful. The further in you move, 
  though, the heavier the air seems to get, laced more than a little with some 
  sticky-sweet scent.

Berrybuzz chirps happily, /"Makebetter highthing nice for fix Berrybuzz's 
  wings."/

The stargazer's gait is stiff and hastened.. the calm seen earlier has fled 
  with the arrival of that first spider. ** Dart, hush the bug. **

Dart hisses softly, "Berrybuzz, you can thank her later. Quiet time again."

Berrybuzz hmmphs but agrees to be quiet, this time.

Ynderra whispers, "There you go," and gives Berrybuzz's wings a final pat, 
  letting it perch on her hand or flitter to her shoulder or another as it 
  will. She shivers again at the increasing weight of the air, and sends, ** 
  Dart, did it smell like this before...? **

Berrybuzz flits over to Dart and perches on the archer's head, grabbing a few 
  strands of hair in case the ride gets bumpy.

Dart pauses for a moment, and sniffs, ** Not this strong.. no. **

Skywise glances back at Ynderra, startled as he realizes that the healer is 
  right. There's something... wrong about the smell of this place. ** Ynderra, 
  what does it -feel- like to you. Is a plant making that smell? **

Ynderra keeps moving with her tribesmates, her bow back in her hands again. 
  But her nose crinkles, and she lifts one hand to the air as she edges along 
  the path, searching with more senses than sight. ** Maybe... ewww... 
  there's.... so much of it. <She shares, briefly, another memory of the 
  magic-infused Willowholt; that place is full of trees whose branches are 
  constantly heavy with flowers, and the scents there are enough to drive a 
  Wolfrider's nose to distraction.> **

Minx puts a nervous hand over her mouth and nose, worried at the implications 
  of the others' sendings.

Kai scowls, send-muttering something about the decay of layers of green 
  growing things in the southern jungles. On Ynderra's other side from him, 
  Myriel simply scowls, but her gaze is a worried one.

** We can't not breathe, ** Myriel sends now, short and sharp. Perhaps only 
  Ynderra senses the underlying frantic tension beneath her sister's sending. 
  Or perhaps not.

Dart bites his lower lip concentrating on a locksend.
Into the thorns, to Trouble, Dart sends softly an image of himself dressed in
  his desert attire, ** I promised I'd come back... do you remember? **

	<Again, as you send, Dart, there is the sense of her presence, 
	somewhere within the tangle of flower-infested foliage that is the wood 
	surrounding Doreel's grove. Her mind stirs briefly, barely perceptibly,
	like a breath of breeze, laden with the heavy scent of those white
	flowers.>

Whatever it is, it continues to ebb through the air. As you go, the forest 
  itself does not change: the trees remain almost oddly shaped, and the wind 
  does not blow. Now, however, it might possibly be noticable that new flora 
  flourishes here. Every so often along the path crop up large, four-petaled 
  blossoms, coloured pearly white with just a hint of scarlet to them. They 
  grow on vines, some on the ground, others up and down the trunks of the 
  nearer trees.

Dart sends openly ** The flowers... they were here before, Ynderra... it's 
  them. **

Nodding, Skywise glances about, taking in the helplessness of being surrounded 
  by bad air. ** A few bites... ** In whisper he asks, "Berrybuzz, can you 
  smell it?" His tone is urgent.

Berrybuzz blinks a few times, /"What Berrybuzz supposed to smell?"/

Ynderra edges towards one of the flowers, suspiciously, holding her breath as 
  she goes. ** Them, ** she confirms, one hand reached towards them. Her 
  fingers glow, more green than golden. ** They... such magic that made 
  them...! **

Dart hisses softly, "Berrybuzz, can you wrapstuff the flowers?"

** Careful, ** comes Kai's urgent plea to his mate. Ynderra bobs her curly 
  head, and whirls around to face the rest of you.

Ynderra sends openly ** I can try to keep us all awake. Kai, you too! **

Berrybuzz leans over to look Dart in the eyes, /"Why wrapstuff prettypretty 
  plantthings?"/

Dart says "Because they're going to make highthings fall asleep, can you wrap 
  them up?"

Skywise shakes his head briskly. "We can't wrap all the flowers." This spoken 
  for the bug's sake, he takes to sending again. ** We can't tax the bug, when 
  we'll need it for future spider attacks and wrapping up those of us who are 
  injured. **

Ynderra insists firmly, ** Anybody starts feeling weird, tell me! **

** This includes you, ** Kai puts in, behind her, still scowling. Ynderra 
  smiles wanly up at her mate, then nods gravely.

Berrybuzz blinkblinks, /"No wrap flowers?"/

Skywise takes a deep breath, ** Hold your breath as long as possible. Let's 
  run. Stay silent! ** Normally, you need not tell this to a pack of 
  wolfriders, but when considering the unknown effects of these flowers...

At Skywise's order, Ynderra, Kai, and Myriel all move in obedience. 
  Mirrormoons lopes along beside his wolf-friend, as best he can, but the wolf 
  is clearly growing more frightened.

Dart shakes his head, "No wrap flowers." He takes a few stepd back so he's 
  even with skywise before slipping whip and arrow into his quiver. He unties 
  his headband from around his head and unfolds the fabric. He ties it quickly 
  over his mouth and nose and shrugs. ** Try to the same... works in a 
  sandstorm. ** He silently slips his whip out from the quiver along with an 
  arrow.

Berrybuzz blinks at the elves, just what is the problem with the flowers...

The elves run, and the wolves run with them. Ynderra dashes along between the 
  taller shadows of her mate and twin, trusting Dart and Skywise to lead them.

Skywise nods in appreciation of Dart's plan, glancing at his own possessions 
  for anything that might work to cover his mouth. ** If you can, cover your 
  mouth and nose with something. **

Dart races along the path, jumping gracefully over fallen branchs and ducking 
  under low limbs. ** Have to hurry! **

The flowers only sit, looking almost comfortable on their mossy resting 
  places. They are scattered throughout the course, denser in some patches 
  than others, but sticking apparently to what seems to be the pathway. The 
  *click*ing, which by now has become nothing more than background noise, 
  begins to get louder now, seeming to follow. Or maybe to herd.

Skywise can't seem to find anything which might work. That's what I get for 
  adorning myself in brightmetal, he thinks ruefully. At the increased 
  intensity of the clicking, he pushes himself to a faster pace.

As Dart's hair streams behind him, Berrybuzz hangs on for all it's worth. 
  /"Tanglehair highthing should tell Berrybuzz when runmuch!"/

Ynderra begins to flag, just a little, as the taller Kai and Myriel's strides 
  outpace her... but, stubbornly, 'Derra begins to glow a little, and she 
  pushes herself to keep up.

Berrybuzz glances back after looking ahead to see if there's anything that 
  might trip him up, ** Ynderra, wolfback! Now! **

Dart glances back after looking ahead to see if there's anything that might 
  trip him up, ** Ynderra, wolfback! Now! **

The spatterings of pink-touched blossoms thin out just only slightly, as if to 
  herald things to come. Things, like.. oh.. maybe that wall of thorns that 
  suddenly looms up in front of you.

Ynderra doesn't have time to protest. Kai immediately moves to sweep the 
  smaller healer onto Mirrormoons' back -- only to have her squeal as they 
  narrowly avoid colliding with the stargazer and desert hunter before them, 
  and the wall of thorns before them all.

Berrybuzz EEEEEEESSSS, /"Highthing Highthing!!!"/

Upon hearing the rasp of protest from his rather spoiled wolf, Skywise glances 
  back to see that Minx has not found anything to cover herself either. The 
  thorns approach all too quickly for the stargazer, who didn't halt his 
  running as he turned.
** Oh! ** Skywise stops himself in time, gazing at the throrns. Stupid, 
  distracting flower-scent.

Dart snaps his head around to see what the bug is screaming about, "What!?" He 
  skids to a halt only to be smacked into by the stargazer and sent flying 
  smack into the wall of thorns. "SKYWISE!"

Berrybuzz chitters angrily at Dart since it bailed in time to watch the 
  collision, /"Never listen to Berrybuzz!"/

Skywise gasps, whirling to make a desperate grab for Dart, but falling short. 
  ** -Dart!!- **

Oh, and a lovely wall it is, too. Tangled briars and brambles, taloned with 
  wickedly sharp, nearly straight thorns almost fingerlength in size, and very 
  green. It doesn't give beneath incoming elf, just looms. Behind, the *click* 
  *click*ing moves still closer, spreading out as it were to surround on three 
  sides.

Dart winces as he slowly tries to extract himself from the thorns, his mind is 
  definatly not on the spiders at the moment.

Ynderra immediately leaps off her wolf, diving for Dart, hands glowing before 
  she gets to him. Kai swears aloud, then gestures sharply at Myriel, and the 
  two of them move to cover 'Derra as she goes.

Skywise sends quickly, ** Kai! Over here! ** He's already moving to help Dart, 
  assessing the damage and pulling him from the tangle of thorns. ** Ynderra, 
  Kai can handle this. You should rest... **

Dart manages to free up his arms with a minimum of damage, ** Just worry 
  arbout the double cursed spiders. I will never protest when Moonshade makes 
  me wear a long-sleeved jacket again. **

As if startled that _he_ is getting asked to do a healing duty, Kai snaps his 
  head around, then immediately nods in support of the stargazer. Ynderra 
  scowls -- ** I'm _fine_! ** -- but her mate sends to her, briefly, his blue 
  eyes pleading. With a pout, 'Derra yields, and backs off, face white 
  underneath her lingering glow.

In a locksending, Skywise makes his profound apologies to Dart. His thoughts 
  are rambling and concerned.. Struggling against the flower borne mist that 
  has settled over his thoughts. ** Dart, I didn't see the thorns! I didn't 
  mean to.... **

Kai grins weakly at Dart, as he lifts a tanned hand to mend the hunter.

Movement can be seen in the leaves around as shadowy forms move in closer 
  still, the ever present *click* now joined by a dry whispering sound that 
  comes from everywhere and nowhere, all at once.

Dart frees himself slowly but surly, probably experience from falling onto one 
  too many pricker bushes. ** Going to have to cut or shape through it... **

Skywise backs away, locksending with injured pride, ** You would have stopped 
  in time. The fault lies with me. ** Minx snags his arm, pointing out 
  silently the stirrings in their surroundings.

Dart glances at the bug who is now perched on his shoulder, "Can you try at 
  least?" The little Preserver nods and starts crawling along the branches.

Skywise continues to hack at the briars, growing further exasperated with 
  each passing moment of more audible clicks.

Ynderra lifts her head, blinking a time or two. Then she pipes out, ** Wait! 
  ** Before either Kai or Myriel can stop her, she leaps to her feet. ** I can 
  get us through, I have to! **

Skywise locksends his vague consent in letting Ynderra help. ** <concern> ** 
  He stands aside for her.

Ynderra squirms past Dart and Skywise, hands glowing green now, sparked with 
  gold as she tries to grab the thorns without impaling herself. But these 
  _are_ thorns, and she hisses at herself as she begins to work.

Berrybuzz makes its way among the brambles, chittering happily, /"climbclimb 
  through the thornthings"/

For a moment or two it seems as though the wall doesn't respond. Then, almost 
  painfully slowly, they begin to pull away from the green glow.

Berrybuzz scrambles through the brambles and disappears.
Berrybuzz pushes their way quickly through the trees and webs, trying to 
  reach the grove as quickly as possible.
Berrybuzz has left.

[And within the thorns....]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Helper has arrived, puffing and panting. 
  Doreel, sitting beneath the main tree, looks up at it and waits paitently 
  for its chattered warning of more trouble.

Berrybuzz comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.
Berrybuzz has arrived.
Berrybuzz scrambles the rest of the way through the brambles chittering 
  loudly, /"Other side! Berrybuzz climbclimb through thornthing!"/

Trouble sits placidly in the center of a veritable meadowlet of mushrooms -- 
  dotted with more flowers, tinier blossoms than the ones out in the woods. 
  Her hand trails languidly along the speckled caps of the shrooms immediately 
  before her, and her eyes are utterly blank.

Doreel sits cross-legged in the thick grass beneath the largest tree in the 
  grove, listening to the terribly animated chatter of a smallish burrower. At 
  the explosion of unfamiliar sound, both heads turn, and one pale brow arches.

Berrybuzz wings over to Doreel, regarding him a moment before exclaiming, 
  /"Not Firetemper Highthing!"
Berrybuzz glances down at the burrower, /"Not highthing! Find Firetemper 
  Highthing for tanglehair highthing (that's Dart for those that don't know)!"/

The other pale brow arches, and sky blue eyes narrow in confusion. "Firetemper 
  Highthing?" Burrower and elf look at each other, shrugging most unhelpfully.

Trouble continues to dreamily stroke the mushrooms before her, apparently 
  completely oblivious to the high-pitched chatter. With heavy slowness, she 
  reaches with two hands barely more substantial than bone to lift a shroom 
  from its nestling place in the earth; almost caressingly, she brushes soil 
  from it, and begins to eat it.

Berrybuzz flutters out of arms reach for either elf or burrower before 
  glancing about the grove.

The pale elf shrugs again, watching the brightly coloured creature for a 
  moment thoughtfully before sighing quietly to himself.

Berrybuzz makes a bee line for the mushroom eating Trouble, "Firetemper 
  Highthing!!"

As the Preserver flitters into her line of sight, the maiden turns a limpid 
  green gaze upon the creature. Something that might be wonder if it were more 
  alert flickers through that gaze. Vaguely, she sends, ** Father.... what...? 
  **

Berrybuzz smiles happily at Trouble, /"Tanglehair Highthing be sooo happy to 
  see Firetemper Highthing!"/

The burrower, quite possibly the sanest creature here, watches the edge of the 
  grove rather intently for some time. Then it stamps its foot, whirling to 
  look once more at Doreel. "Master! They're -coming!" Doreel pays the 
  frustrated little greenling no mind, his gaze instead going to the elf 
  maiden. "Mmm?"

** What's.... this, Father? New dream? ** The maiden's head tilts slightly, 
  limply, as she watches the Preserver in fascination. As if by rote, she 
  holds and nibbles down the last of the speckled shroom; when it is gone, her 
  hands fall with weighted slowness to her lap.

Berrybuzz blinks, /"Have to get Makebetter Highthing! Firetemper highthing not 
  all good!"/

"It is?" Doreel quirks his head to one side. "Really? Oh, how nice, dear." He 
  smiles gently, then glances over the other shoulder when the burrower gives 
  his sleeve a serious tug. "Of course they're coming."

[And outside, beyond the thorns....]

Myriel frowns out into the trees, looking a bit vague-eyed; Kai frowns, and 
  moves to her, his fingers glowing more palely than his mate's, to keep his 
  mate's sister alert.

The first of the spiders appears, followed by a second, flanking you all. 
  Large and furry they are, beady black eyes managing to catch and reflect the 
  green glow in the briars.

A soft growl from Skylark... Minx shifts nervously from one foot to the 
  other, constantly glancing back at her lovemate. Loathe to let him enter the 
  grove without her, she is not paying full attention to the forest around 
  her, and is caught by surprise.

** Hurry, 'Derra! ** The send-shout might be from Kai, and it might be from 
  Myriel; both of them aim weapons at the encroaching threat. Mirrormoons 
  snarls, hackles up, guarding his elf-friend as she frantically shapes her 
  way through the thorn wall. But 'Derra's face is beading over in sweat.

Dart glances out at the spiders nervously, ** Umm... yes... hurry... please? 
  **

The softest of rustlings brings forth the third spider, following the same 
  path you all came down. It comes to bear in the center of the others, 
  hissing loudly and *click*ing its fangs together.

The stargazer's features are taut with worry, brow creased. He remains 
  motionless a moment, wanting to fight the spiders threatening Minx and the 
  others. But seeing how close the others are to clearing a passageway, he 
  stays to protect Ynderra.

The wall is nearly parted, as is obvious by the trickles of light that 
  penetrate the vine and thorn lattice. The spiders come closer now, each one 
  apparently selecting a target of its own.

Dart ulps and sends nervously, ** I don't suppose... we're ready to get 
  through the throns yet are we? <<fear>> **

The wall... yields, all at once, and Ynderra shrieks as she more or less 
  pitches headlong to her knees. ** Dart, now! ** she shrills, send laced with 
  weariness.

Dart needs no more than that and scrambles through the opening, "Skywise get 
  Ynderra!"
Dart pushes their way quickly through the trees and webs, trying to reach the 
  grove as quickly as possible.
Dart has left.

Skywise strides through the opening, Minx's well-wishings and sent concerns 
  ringing through his head. He clings to them tightly a moment, not exactly 
  answering, but holding painfully close. He then clears his head, ready for 
  what lies beyond.
Skywise pushes their way quickly through the trees and webs, trying to reach 
  the grove as quickly as possible.
Skywise has left.
Skywise locksends ** She's here! Can you follow us? ** to Myriel.

[And within the grove.....]

Dart comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.
Dart has arrived.
Dart scrambles through the finally parted thorn wall, ** Doreel!! Where is 
  she? **

Trouble blinks very slowly at the Preserver as it flitters anxiously before 
  her, attention captivated. Colorful, this new dream. And it makes sounds....?

Skywise comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.
Skywise has arrived.

Berrybuzz is hovering before Trouble, fretting as only a Preserver can.. 
  shrilly.

Doreel straightens his posture somewhat, though does not rise from his seated 
  place beneath the greater tree. The faintest flicker of recognition glimmers 
  in bright blue eyes, but fades with the inclination of the ancient elf's 
  head. "Ah, Vargo.. so good of you to return."

The young archer's gaze sweeps the clearing until he spots that which he's 
  looking for. Whimpering softly he races over to Trouble, dropping to his 
  knees next to her, "Trouble....beloved?"

As Skywise and Dart stagger into view, Trouble can be seen across the grove. 
  She sits placidly in the midst of a spread of mushrooms and delicate 
  flowers; her hair is a tangled mess, and her clothes are not much better. 
  Perhaps most alarming is that her face, when her head slowly turns at 
  Doreel's utterance of the word 'Vargo', is delicate and gaunt to the point 
  of being little more than skin over bone -- and her eyes are fogged and 
  blank.

Berrybuzz lands on Dart's shoulder, chittering anxiously, /"Not good, not 
  good!"/

With liquid slowness, a smile curves the maiden's mouth. ** Vargo... ** The 
  sending is little more than a whisper, thick and slow and sweet with 
  disorientation. Equally plain is a fascinated kind of adoration.

Skywise blinks, stumbling into the clearing. He quickly assesses the scene, 
  eyes locking on the Mad One for a moment. He watches Dart run to Trouble, 
  and locksends to him, ** She needs meat! High Ones, look at her... **

Dart reaches a hand out to Trouble tenatively, ** Trouble? I've come to take 
  you home.. **

Out beyond the thorns, sounds of conflict can be heard -- and urgent sendings. 
  No further elves yet come through the hole in the thorn wall.

The ancient one only sits, watching thoughtfully. Behind him hovers a 
  wide-eyed burrower, wringing its hands in dispair. "Oh Mastermastermaster," 
  it mutters quietly, and is answered by said Master's tsking. "And you've 
  brought company.." A certain sadness underlies his words, something perhaps 
  dismissable.

The placid smile still softening her lips, the maiden gazes dreamily up at 
  Dart, and slightly puzzledly. ** Who's... Trouble? Silly Vargo... I'm 
  Niriah... you brought me home already..... **

Dart turns his head slowly to glare at Doreel, "What... have you done to her 
  Doreel?"

Skywise has his sword drawn. He moves to the 'almost High One', running the 
  plan over in his head. First reason... then magic... then weapons. His voice 
  is a growl, temper and fear held in a careful check. "Why have you held her 
  here? Who's Niriah?"

One delicatly fingered hand raises, motioning at the rather fuzzed maiden. 
  "Niriah. My daughter." Doreel smiles now, faintly, but it too is somehow sad.

Trouble blinks slowly and owlishly. If she is aware of Skywise, she gives no 
  sign of it; her green gaze stays resting on Dart's anxious face. ** Vargo 
  brought home, ** she send-croons. ** Knew you'd come back... **

Dart growls, ** She's _not_ your daughter, Mad One! Her name is Trouble and 
  she's from Lostholt! The granddaughter of Tyleet and daughter of Myriel! **

The hand lowers, and Doreel shrugs. "Ask her yourself."

Dart says "Anything she says is because you put it there!"

It takes much time, but slowly, the maiden begins to register that the tanned 
  face before her seems... troubled. Watching it, she tilts her head again, 
  and lifts a reed-slender hand, trying to touch Dart's shoulder. ** Don't... 
  be mad, Vargo.... home now... safe... stay with Niriah... **

Doreel tsks again softly, shaking his head. "Shame, Vargo.. I thought you knew 
  better." He looks now towards Skywise, pondering for a moment. "And you. 
  What brings you back?"

Dart gets to his feet, eyes flashing with anger, ** She _trusted_ you! Curse 
  it, she trusted you! ** He points at the starved maiden, ** THIS is what you 
  do to those who trust you!? <<anger>> **

The stargazer's silver eyes narrow slightly. "You remember me then?" He turns, 
  startled at Dart's outburst. ** Dart! Reason first, not temper! ** Again, 
  it's more request than order.

Trouble's brow furrows a little, and she tries to turn her head, to focus her 
  vague regard. Somewhere beyond the tingle and fog is Vargo, and Vargo is 
  troubled. This is bad....

"Of course I do, Haarok," replies Doreel, nodding once or twice. "Though I 
  wasn't sure I'd see -you- again." He frowns, looking again at the other 
  pair. "Now look what you've done, you've upset her.."

Dart snarls and drops back down to his knees before Trouble, taking her hands 
  in his.

Trouble's hands are unresisting, as Dart's fingers curl around them. She 
  focuses again on him, plaintively. ** Don't... be mad, Vargo.... <Her 
  sending tingles, threaded through with blue-violet fog, and golden sparkles 
  of light.> **

Skywise, in the meantime, attempts a locksend to Trouble. Familiar faces, 
  familiar dens... Scents and the sounds of remembered voices. Tyleet, Myriel, 
  Redlance, Cutter.... ** Do you remember, Trouble? Remember? ** Still he 
  keeps his gaze on Doreel.

"Leaves are green, the sky is blue, why? I wish I knew.." Doreel mutters to 
  himself, looking skyward. The burrower, who by now is almost frantic, grabs 
  his shoulder and -shakes- it for all the little fellow is worth. "Master!" 
  it hisses in his ear, causing the old elf to blink. "Eh?"

Trouble blinks a time or two, dazed, fogged eyes sliding for a moment to 
  Skywise. ** Dreams.... **

You sense in a locksend, Dart's thought are pleading as he sends images of 
  the past you've shared with him. The first an image of the Garden, it may 
  touch you as the day you said a quiet farewell, ** Do you remember? **

Dart sends openly ** Not dreams beloved... not dreams. **

Berrybuzz says "Make wrapstuff?"

Skywise gives Dart a helpless glance. ** Then again, maybe reason isn't the 
  path to take, eh? He's worse then when I last saw him. More lost... ** 
  Silver gaze on Doreel, "Who's Haarok? My name is Skywise, and I've come for 
  my packmate Trouble."

Dart murmurs quietly, "No... not yet. If I can't reach her... Skywise.. the 
  meat we brought."

Trouble, called 'beloved', smiles glassily up at Dart. ** Father said... you 
  brought me home, Vargo... I remember the hot place... but I'm home now.... **

Doreel nods once or twice, sympathetically. "You always did like the stars, 
  Haarok. I thought you'd finally gotten to go back to them.." The shaking of 
  his shoulder continues, until finally he shakes his head. "What -are- you 
  doing here, then?" he repeats.

Skywise nods, starting to back towards the opening in the thorns. He looks 
  shaken by Doreel's words. Still inching away, he asks. "Stars..... How did 
  you know?"

Dart swallows hard, "Please, my beloved. I want you to come back with me to 
  the hot place.. I asked you to stay with me once, remember?"

Trouble echoes, the sending liquid with emotion, ** Stay with.... **

Doreel hrmphs. "I've known that for as long as I've known you." He looks 
  toward Dart, finally showing some emotion besides faint sorrow. In fact, he 
  almost scowls. "Vargo.."

Berrybuzz pleads softly, "Stay with me... stay with me always.."

You locksend ** <Guilelessly, she reaches to you, bringing with her a heavy 
  swirl of blue-violet fog, and entrancing glitters of gold that veil her 
  thoughts. When they finally get to you, it is almost as though her mind is 
  clad in fog and sparkle, softening and blurring her.> ** to Dart.

Dart pleads softly, "Stay with me... stay with me always.."
Dart's brow wrinkles at a locksend, he turns slowly to look at Doreel. "Get 
  rid of the fog in her head. NOW!"

Skywise gives Dart and Trouble a long, sympathetic gaze before slipping out of 
  the clearing to get meat.

Doreel blinks rather cluelessly. "What fog?"

Skywise leaves the grove behind with a sigh, heading towards the edge of the 
  forest.
Skywise has left.

[And out with the others....]

Skywise walks in from the lighted area to the north.
Skywise has arrived.
Skywise slips through the thorns once more, calling out for, "Skylark! 
  Come here!" The wolf was shying away from the fight, and eagerly lopes 
  over to his wolf-friend. The stargazer rumages through the various packs for 
  food, but eyes nervously dancing.

The scene that meets the stargazer is a chilling one. Pike and Kai and Minx 
  are deep in battle, and Ynderra is kneeling frantically over her slumped 
  sister, hands aglow in light.

Skywise grabs up the food, then moves quickly to Ynderra. ** Bring her! Into 
  the grove, c'mon! You can heal her there. Need help carrying her? **

Ynderra blinkblinks, stunned, distracted. But ** Go, 'Derra, _go_! ** comes 
  from Kai; shakily, the healer-maiden nods, and moves as fast as she can to 
  lift her sister.

Skywise gives her a grim smile. "Here, let's trade." He offers the packs of 
  meat in exchange for the injured Myriel. "Trouble needs your help. She's not 
  right in the head."

Troubled silver eyes watch painfully as Minx battles the spiders.. He almost 
  sends to her, but holds back for fear that he might be a deadly distraction.

You sense in a locksend, Dart sends quietly, almost pained, ** I need your 
  help... Trouble needs your help. **

You locksend ** <tiredly/worriedly/urgently> Coming! ** to Dart.

[Within the grove....]

** Stay with... stay with Vargo, Niriah stay with Vargo... ** Trouble doesn't 
  smile, not quite, but her eyes glimmer limpidly, apparently in pleasure. ** 
  Niriah love Vargo... **

Dart snaps, "You know what fog!"

The burrower leans forward to whisper something in Doreel's ear, at which the 
  old one arches an eyebrow. He inhales slowly, frowning now at Dart. "She's 
  happy, isn't she?"

Dart growls turning back to Trouble, "Doreel, you either clear the fog from 
  her mind or you see the Palace of the High Ones, taking the short way in 
  spirit instead of the long way in the flesh."
Dart finally glances down at the mushrooms that surround himself and Trouble 
  at this point, "Niriah... have you been eating this mushrooms?" He seems to 
  choke at calling Trouble by the name Doreel has forced upon her.

Doreel folds pale hands together, fingertips just touching. "She's happy. She 
  wasn't happy before." He shrugs, mostly to himself.

Slowly, the disheveled maiden nods her head, her softened gaze still fixed 
  worshipfully on the hunter. ** Like shrooms... **
Trouble then giggles, languidly, a soft and rippling sound. ** All tingly from 
  shrooms. ** Her hands lift, and she rubs them along herself, giggling again.

Dart frowns, "You mustn't eat anymore, beloved.. the tingling... it's not 
  good."

"How would you know?" inquires Doreel. "You've never tried them."

Dart says "She doesn't giggle, she never giggles."

"She just did." He's very good about pointing out the obvious, Doreel is.

Dart glances towards the thorn wall, sending.

Trouble gives Dart a round-eyed look. ** Is too good! ** she explains in 
  childlike protest. ** All warm... <Her sending shifts into wordlessness, 
  blurred pleasure at the caress -- or at least so she perceives -- of 
  tendrils of fog along her skin. **

[Out beyond the thorns....]

Skywise gazes alternately at the battling Minx and Ynderra hefting her injured 
  twin in her arms. ** <<urgency/fear>> Let's get her into the grove. No 
  spiders there... **

Ynderra bobs her head wearily at the stargazer, and with his help -- and 
  Kai's, gets her sister carefully past the thorn wall. Obstinately, Kai 
  remains planted at the wall, ready to slash at anything that comes anywhere 
  near his mate.

Pike has a slightly buzzed look in his eyes and he blinks a lot as if trying 
  to clear his vision, his spear point laced with spider-gook and lowered to 
  point at the ground.

Dewshine is to one side, her eyes somewhat unfocused, as she watches, with her 
  dagger ready.

** Help Pike! ** shrills Ynderra to her mate; Kai, frowning, throws himself at 
  the stargazer and fumblingly grabs at his shoulder, his hand glowing.

One of the spiders, now mortally wounded, returns to the shadow. The other 
  two, though continue to press closer.

Pike looks at the other two spiders, as if trying to decide which to go after 
  and raises his spear to point at the left one. He looks and blinks, taking a 
  deep breath and then grips his spear with two hands as if not being sure of 
  his own ability to hit the wind.
Pike looks at Kai's glowing hand and blinks, ** Wha? ** and then feels his 
  head clearing...

Skywise hesitates by the thorn wall, watching the melee. He glances once 
  through the thorns, into the grove. Dart is there, with Trouble... Where is 
  he needed most? He struggles inside for a moment, then chooses. ** Minx, 
  I'll be with you soon! Wait for me.. **

Minx turns, surprised, but quickly returns her attentions to the spiders. ** 
  Yes. **

Skywise pushes their way quickly through the trees and webs, trying to reach 
  the grove as quickly as possible.
Skywise has left.

[Within the grove....]

Trouble smiles vaguely up at the crouching Dart, then blinks with languid 
  slowness past him, towards the thorns. ** More... dreams? Strange... **

Dart says "No dreams, beloved. It's all real.."

Ynderra comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.
Ynderra has arrived.
Ynderra comes half-falling through the thorn wall, tugging the limp form of 
  her sister along with her.

Doreel frowns oh so quietly to himself as he watches this exchange, lacing 
  long fingers together and resting his hands in his lap. When yet more of 
  these strangers arrive, the frown becomes something almost scowl-like.

As Ynderra and Myriel come tumbling into the Grove, the blackhaired maiden 
  utters a low squeak, at the sight of the profusion of plants here -- and the 
  tall, delicate elf she immediately senses; she can't help it, for he sets 
  off all kinds of glimmering firey senses in her magic. But she crouches over 
  Myriel, healing her, even as she pipes out, "Berrybuzz, I need you!"

Berrybuzz wings from Dart's shoulder over to the healer, /"Berrybuzz help!"/

Trouble blinks again, slowly, her face beginning to cloud with confusion.

"Do!" cries Ynderra, pointing anxiously at her sister.

Skywise comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.
Skywise has arrived.
Skywise slips belatedly into the grove. ** Any improvments, Dart? **

When the stargazer returns, he can spy Berrybuzz flittering over Myriel, and 
  Myriel's sister pointing at the fallen one for the Preserver's benefit; off 
  where Dart still crouches by Doreel, Trouble has begun to look baffled, and 
  she shies back a little as more and more elves emerge from the thorns.

Trouble sends, shakily, ** F... father? **

The disgusting *SPLOOTZ* sound marks the beginning of Myriel's encasement in 
  wrapstuff. The Preserver makes quick, but neat, work of the task. "Nothing 
  other than knowing the cause of the problem." mutters Dart as tries to think 
  of what he can do to help Trouble. "The mushrooms.."

The ancient grovekeeper shifts on the grass, turning to look at Trouble. His 
  gaze softens momentarily, as does the scowl he now wears. "Yes, Niriah?"

Dart snaps, "Her name is Trouble, old Fool!"

Ynderra snaps her gaze around at Dart's voice, and, hops to her feet. 
  "Trouble!"

Trouble whimpers a bit in the back of her throat. ** M-my name is... Niriah... 
  <fright>... **

Doreel nods once or twice to himself reassuringly before holding out a hand to 
  the red-haired maiden. "That's right. Niriah. It'll be alright.."

Skywise approaches carefully, brow creased with worry as he looks at the young 
  maiden. ** Trouble. <with gentle force> Trouble, are you hungry? I have 
  meat... ** He holds it up before her.

Ynderra hastens over, frowning first at the younger maiden, then up at Doreel, 
  and finally around to the countless shroom-caps visibly dotting the grass 
  and flowers in this place. Impulsively, she decides where she's needed 
  first, and moves towards Trouble, telling Skywise and Dart, "Let me...!"

Trouble, with all these elves approaching her, fumbles for Doreel's hand. She 
  is noticeably trembling, now.

Skywise nods, handing over the pack of food.

Dart jumps up from his crouch and charges at Doreel, "Stay away from her!"

Doreel shifts positions just slightly, looking now toward Dart with oddly 
  liquid bright blue eyes. He makes no move to get out of the way, though, 
  just sits there with his hand almost in Trouble's.

Ynderra takes the packet from Skywise, and kneels in front of her sister's 
  daughter. 'Derra's blue eyes glimmer worriedly, then, as she gets distracted 
  by Dart's shout; Trouble whimpers again and tries to get up, reaching again 
  for the elf she's called her father.

[And meanwhile, with the others....]

Pike raises his spear, his head clear enough, and launches it at one of the 
  spiders.

A nasty screeching sort of sound comes from the now impaled spider, who 
  wriggles for a moment around the thing protruding from it's side before 
  going still. The third spider pauses, holding back.

Pike looks around and mutters 'Puckernuts', ** Now what do I do? **
Pike looks very hesitant to running up to the spider to get his spear back...

Dewshine shakes her head, and turns towards the third one...

Pike looks very thankful to Dewshine and draws a dagger given him by Krim 
  before he left and advances on the impailed spider.

The spider watches the rush, then disappears into the trees.

Dewshine watches the spider disappear, ** You got your spear? **

Pike pulls his spear free of the spider and backpedals quickly, ** Looks like. 
  **
Pike makes a disdainful face at the now gook-covered spear, ** I should've 
  brought a spair... **

Dewshine looks at Pike, and grins slightly, before looking at the thorns. ** 
  Following? **

Pike flashes his full grin, ** I'll watch your back. ** He sends and holds his 
  spear in two hands, ready for another spider attack.

Dewshine nods, and slips in after the rest. ** Thanks! **
Dewshine pushes their way quickly through the trees and webs, trying to reach 
  the grove as quickly as possible.
Dewshine has left.

Pike's berry eyes scan about him and above him as he creeps after Dewshine.
Pike pushes their way quickly through the trees and webs, trying to reach the 
  grove as quickly as possible.
Pike has left.

[Within the grove....]

Dewshine comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.
Dewshine has arrived.

Pike comes in from the overgrown path, twigs and leaves stuck to them 
  haphazardly.
Pike has arrived.

For the first time since this trip began, Skywise speaks to the jackwolf 
  chieftain in a clearly commanding tone. ** Keep your temper, Dart! It does 
  Trouble no good. **

Ynderra sends, anxiously, ** Trouble... please... don't you remember me? Your 
  mother's sister? I brought you out of her...! **

Dart snarls angrily and makes a grab for the much older elf's throut with 
  outstreatched hands, "I'll make you sorry that you ever thought to touch 
  her!"

Dewshine slips in, Pike behind her, dagger drawn.

Trouble half-crawls, half-falls towards Doreel, and sends in terror, ** Don't 
  hurt Father please don't hurt Father please! ** Her sending reels, and so 
  does her body, right towards the ancient elf's chest.

Pike holds his spider-gook covered spear in a two-handed grip ready to stab. 
  His lips curl in to a slight snarl at the scene before him.

Dewshine looks at you.

Doreel lets him, calmly holding up his now faintly glowing free hand to touch 
  those at his throat. Interrupted by Trouble, he goes backwards, making to 
  grab Dart's wrist.

** <anger has risen now, and pride that Cutter was right; Dart's emotions have 
  overspoken his sense.> DART!! Back away! ** Skywise send-shouts. ** We are
  -not- here to kill Doreel, we are here to save Trouble! **

Dart stops just short of his goal, arms shaking as he tries to regain control 
  over his temper for Trouble's sake. Doreel manages to grab hold of one wrist 
  without much resistence.

As Dewshine and Pike, guarded at their backs by Kai and Minx, finally make it 
  into the grove, they can find Berrybuzz trying to wrapstuff Myriel, and 
  Dewshine, Dart, and Skywise facing Doreel. Crumpled against Doreel is 
  Trouble, horribly thin, her eyes confused and glazed.

Dewshine sees Trouble, and looks shocked at her condition.

Ynderra bites her lip, and finally appeals to Doreel. "Um. I'm a healer; won't 
  you let me help her, if you care about her? _Please_? We've been so worried!"

Pike looks at Dewshine and then follows her gaze and immediatly looks away.

Dart growls hoarsely, "He's all but killed her, Stargazer... AIGH!!" His free 
  hand immediately grabs the now numbed hand that Doreel's managed to grab, 
  "Let.. go...!"

Doreel, meanwhile, holds Trouble to him, and glowers at Dart. "Shouldn't do 
  that," he points out, releasing Dart's wrist." He then looks to Ynderra, 
  arching an eyebrow. "Why?"

Skywise is breathing hard. He glances back once, eyes lighting a shade in 
  seeing Minx made it safely to the grove. Turning back to Dart, Doreel, and 
  Trouble, he fixes his gaze on the firstborn. "Trouble needs meat. She's a 
  -wolfrider-."

Myriel sends something, almost completely incoherent.

"Because we're her _tribe!" cries Ynderra, as she leaps to her feet and 
  reaches for Dart, her hands glowing green-golden.

Off at the thorn wall, Kai watches in tense anxiety -- but before he can move 
  to his lifemate's side, Myriel's sending distracts him. He kneels at her 
  side as the bug works at wrapstuffing her, and touches a hand to her 
  forehead; his hand, too, glows, but not so brightly as Ynderra's.

From the boneless half-curve of her legs, it might well be a wonder that 
  Trouble manages to get up. She wraps her arms tightly around Doreel, and 
  peeks out timidly at the strangers that have filled her 'father's' sanctuary.

Ynderra repeats, pleadingly, "Doreel, you've hurt her mind! You don't want 
  that, do you?" Then, startledly, "DART!", as the hunter lunges again, 
  furious, at the ancient healer.

Skywise is flushed to the tips of his ears. ** Dart.... back... off!! **

Pike raises his spear and aims it at Doreel, forgetting Skywise's words for a 
  time, as if daring him to touch Dart.

Doreel attempts to help support Trouble, leaving one arm wrapped around her. 
  He again waits for Dart to come close enough, reaching out his free hand no 
  to touch the other's head, which convieniently comes into range first. His 
  fingertips glow brightly as Dart continues.. right on past the healer and 
  into the grass.

Trouble lets out a startled, hoarse squeal. Her mouth forms the word "Vargo" 
  as Dart goes sprawling, and now, she almost starts to totter away from 
  Doreel's protective embrace.

Dewshine starts forward as DArt tumbles past the old elf, and Trouble.

Skywise glances back, head swimming. Too much is happening at once. ** Pike, 
  if you let that spear loose... ** Minx and the stargazer gasp in unison as 
  Dart collapses.

'Derra, rather more startledly, cries out and scrambles to Dart's side. As her 
  dainty hands begin to shine, she shoots a heated blue glare up at the 
  healer. "He _loves_ her! Can't you see that?!"

Pike aies! and is too far in to his throw to stop and thus throws himself off 
  balance so the spear flies in a wide arch over Doreel's body and thunks in 
  to a tree.

Trouble blinkblinks slowly and whispers, "Vargo.... loves Niriah?" She reels.

Doreel looks from Trouble to the spear stuck into his tree, frowning most 
  paitently. Then, slowly, he rises up off the grass, slowly brushing off 
  blades of green from his leathers.

Skywise turns to glare once at Pike before leaving Minx's side and trying to 
  catch Trouble's eye with a determined, yet kind silver gaze. ** Very much, 
  Trouble... I've never seen him like this before. **

Pike draws his dagger, definitely not going to truck across the area to get his 
  spear back, and readies to be called in to combat.

Crouching over the clearly stunned Dart, Ynderra rubs his forehead with her 
  glowing hands, and glares up at Doreel. "He'll be okay," she grumbles lowly.

Trouble blinks once, with great effort, and looks plaintively at Doreel as he 
  rises. Still clutching feebly at him, she pleads, "Make... Vargo better, 
  Father? Make Vargo better..."

Dewshine watches Trouble, confused for a moment, still feeling the affect of 
  those flowers.

"He'll be fine, Niriah," replies Doreel, folding his arms over his chest and 
  surveying his grove. "Now. The rest of you. Go away."

Skywise bites his lip, carefully keeping the frusteration out of his voice. ** 
  It will be Leetah who heals you, Trouble. <With this, Leetah is seen in a 
  vision of golden brown, scarlet, and green..> Please, Trouble, you must come 
  back with us. **

Ynderra rises slowly, beside the dazed and fallen Dart, and sends pointedly to 
  Doreel, ** We can't go. Not without Trouble. **

Trouble hugs Doreel hard, or at least as hard as she can manage. ** Father 
  healer... Father will make Niriah better... **

Pike creeps around Doreel towards his tree-entrapped spear.

Dewshine comes closer, nodding.

Doreel looks down at Trouble, returning her hug rather gently. He seems to 
  fade out of contact with everything else, and just watches her.

Trouble adds in a slow whimper, a shadow of the surly, determined growl her 
  tribe knows is her usual way, ** Not Trouble! Not want Trouble.... want 
  Niriah... and the sparkles... and the fog... ** She trails off, gazing 
  blankly up at Doreel. ** Father make sparkles for Niriah... **

You sense in a locksend, Doreel sends quietly, softly, in gentle tones of 
  silver and violet. ** Niriah? Daughter? Do you wish to go with them? **

Myriel sits up quietly.

Kai, waving the bug off when Myriel tries to rouse, frowns at Ynderra's 
  sister, but keeps his glowing hands on her to help wake her up.

Minx murmurs, "She knows Trouble. She-she just doesn't -want- to..." Skywise
  glances back at his lovemate curiously.

You locksend to Doreel, Trouble's mind swirls, still heavy with the last 
  mushrooms she has eaten. ** Stay... stay with Father... <The fog and tingles 
  caress her skin, and she sways in her mind, yielding to their touches. Good 
  to be so sheltered and safe, and Father can do it.> Don't want to leave 
  you... **

----------
[This scene was never finished on-camera, due to difficulty in getting all
of the involved parties connected at the same time. Accordingly, the group
voted on the outcome of the scene, including the following major highlights:

Doreel, having gotten from Trouble/Niriah that she wished to stay with
him, would have ordered the rescuers to go away.

Ynderra would have gotten Dart awake and up. It is probable that Dart
would have continued to be infuriated.

Myriel, once coherent, tries to rouse Trouble, by sending to her, assuring
her that she really does love her... Trouble dissolves into incoherent
tears, and Doreel becomes angry at this, and starts getting violent.

Doreel starts lashing out with his magic: turning the plants in the grove
against the intruders, trying to pain-zap anybody near him, and flesh-shape
anybody if he can.

Doreel tries to make Trouble go into the tree, but since Trouble is pretty
incoherent, now, she doesn't make it.

Doreel manages, with his magic, to inflict broken bones on Skywise.

Dewshine gets spider-bitten on the way out.

End log.]