3/26/00 Players: Shenshen, Ember, Aroree, Tsoran, Flashfire, Rena, others

Waterfall - Surface - Raft Holt
The waterfall towers before you, the surroundings so magnificent, everything coming together in perfect harmony here. When the daystar is up, the mist created by the water flowing down into the big pool at the base, create a faint image of a rainbow. A cliff juts out just by the waterfall - vines dangles down from a tree on the very edge, the grass thick and green up there. The sounds of the water rushing into the pool dominate the area, a crescendo that carries out into the jungles. The pool is naturally formed, a big oval shaped edging, a big stream running into the trees, heading for the ocean. A ledge, wide enough for an elf or wolf to pass has been pulled from the cliff face. It runs along it heading behind the crashing waterfall. The grass is thick and lush surrounding the pool, a few rocks and boulders closer to the very base of the waterfall provides perfect seating. Wildlife tend to drift this way, across the pool one can catch a glimpse of some creature wanting a fresh drink. The whole place is open, lined only by the trees which leads deeper into the forests, a path can be seen there.
Midday brings the languid warmth of noon. The daystar is high overhead until it beings the slow fall into the west and sunset. The brightness of noon fills the chill winter skies. The sun high overhead dancing attendance.
Contents:
Rena
Ember

Aroree floats down from the cliff above, quietly as one who travels upon the air is wont.

Shenshen has arrived.

Ember floats in the pool at the base of the waterfall. Her arms are folded on the edge of the bank and her legs stretched out behind her in the water. She looks up at Rena, who sits on the bank with her feet in the water. ** I'm sure you will. Shenshen has been all over this holt since we got here. **

Aroree is still up in the air, taking care to keep her gown away from the waterfall's spray for the sake of a certain glider tailor and how it would break his poor heart to have waterspots on his precious imported mothfabric. *sigh* I told him something -practical-, she hovers for a moment, hesitantly, then calls out a polite "Greetings."

Speaking of all over the holt....Shenshen emerges from one of the tents, a hand to her forehead in bleary awakening. "Mmm....is it time to wake up yet?" One topknot dangles by an ear, falling off the top of her head, and the rest of her hair is full of messy snarls. She tugs one strap of her top back on shoulder, and looks around at the other elves. "Oh! Shade and sweet water to you all."

Rena turning her head to the sounds of others she smiles. **Shade**

Ember grins over to Shenshen and then up to Rena. ** Well, what do you know? Speak of her and she arrives. Shade, Shenshen. ** She raises one hand and waves. ** Sleep well? **

Rena chuckles softly at Embers comment. She adjusts her bracelts just a bit with a smile.

Shenshen mmms, then giggles. "I guess if you could call it sleep. I don't think I've slept much since we arrived." She gives her niece a teasing wink and moves forward, trying to subconsciously fluff her hair. **Shade, Rena. I didn't know you were here!** A pleased note enters her send.

Aroree alights some distance from the others. Content to observe and loathe to inturrupt the conversation of happier elves.

Rena grins looking over at Shenshen. **I just found out you where here too. Ember just told me before you showed up.**

Rena looked at you

Ember turns her head to look up at Aroree. ** Shade. ** she greets the glider, head tilting a little. She hoists herself out of the pool now and pads over to her leathers to dry off and get dressed. Along the way, she slicks back her hair and starts to rebind it.

Shenshen goes to kneel by the side of the pool, splashing a bit of water on her face. "Brr! Cold. All this water around makes me think we've come very far from Lostholt indeed. Not to mention the Sun Village!" She gives a cheerful giggle and glances over at Ember, then at Aroree. Her eyes blink rapidly for a moment, and then she offers her a smile. "Hello."

Aroree realizes she's been noticed and there's no use pretending she isn't here. drat. "And sweetwater, wolfrider chieftess." Shenshen gets a polite nod as well. "Indeed, it is a good deal moister than that happy village, but the temperment of the people seems comparable."

Rena smiles, kicking her feet in the water just a bit. **It is something you get used to...**

Shenshen giggles and nods. "True, but I don't think I'll ever get used to it for good. It's odd to wake up and roll over, and know you could end up in the water!"

You say "You would have to roll over quite a bit for that to happen. I imagine someone would stop you first."

Flashfire has connected.

Ember grins at Shenshen. "What did you do? Spend too much time on the rafts?" she teases lightly. After all, auntie. There are all those delightful looking males hanging out on the beach.

Rena chuckles softly. **At least if you ended up in the water you would wake up quickly. <** she pushes a bithair behind one of her ears.

Aroree is standing on the edge of the group, usual morose glider mode. Ember just got out of the water, Rena is sitting on the water's edge and Shenshen's... um... somewhere inbetween I think, just splashed water on her face, waking up still.

Shenshen moves to settle down next to Rena, folding her legs under her. She gives her fellow villager a cheeky grin and begins to unconsciously straighten one of the lagging topknots. "Well, that's certainly true. And I suppose water between your toes is better than sand, right! And less snakes!" She gives another cheerful giggle.

Flashfire starts up the path towards the cliff.
Flashfire has left.

Windwalker steps out of the foilage from the waterfall path.
Windwalker has arrived.

In the pool, Flashfire comes flying through the air from above, straight into the pool.
In the pool, Flashfire has arrived.

Rena nods. **Much less snakes. But then again you have to watch out for sharptooths..**

In the pool, Flashfire climbs out of the pool.
In the pool, Flashfire has left.
Flashfire climbs out of the pool, water droplets trickling down his body.
Flashfire has arrived.

Aroree mentions idly "not, I would imagine, in a small pool as this"

Shenshen looked at you

Ember purses her lips, pulling on her tunic. "I think I saw a watersnake around the other day." she says idly, lacing it up. "But, no. There aren't quite so many here."

Windwalker gives a cheerful wave at the gathered elves.

That was a howl coming along right before the splash, and a few moments later a certain Flashfire hauls himself out of the pool, soaking wet. Immediately, he takes to shakeshakeshaking the excess water out. "Whoa..!"

Shenshen gets an alarmed look on her face. "Sharptooths?" She glances around behind her warily. "I haven't seen any of those." She glances up at the newest arrival and offers a cheerful wave, her mood seemingly ebullient now that she's fully awake. "Shade and sweet-water to you." She turns back to Rena, giving her brief leathers a longing look, commenting, "I should have probably thought to--"Her words die in a shriek as Flashfire begins to shake himself off, raising her hands to shield her face.

Ember turns quickly to see her fur brother shaking himself out. She grins widely. "Ayooah, Flashfire!" Actually, she's laughing as the spray goes flying everywhere. "Finally decided to take the plunge, eh?" Her eyes dance.

Aroree takes a gliding step back to avoid getting sprinkled with water dropplets from the shaking furry wolfrider with a slight, brief smile.

Windwalker steps over to the pool, peering into it. "What was that about snakes?"

No snakes there, just a wolfelf, wet. The shaking stops after the closest elves are suitably sprayed (sorry!) and Flashfire lets out a quick breath. "I can see why Skywise liked that!" he exclaims, fur all matted and stuff.

Rena has disconnected.

Ember looks at the new arrival. "Oh, nothing." she chuckles. "There aren't really too many snakes here. I probably didn't seen anything other than a water weed." Besides, she really just wanted to get a reaction. And Flashfire's plunge would have scared any snakes off, anyway. She grins at the furcub. "Gonna be fun to groom out." she comments dryly, tossing down the leather scrap she'd been using as a towel. "Want this?" A seat, you know. Away from the sand.

Shenshen gives Flashfire a less than pleased look, tossing her hair back. "Hmph. I'm starting to wonder about the both of you." She settles back down in the sand with a patted yawn and watches the others for a moment. "Where is Skywise, anyways?"

You say "Some of the water creatures are quite good eating as well, eels and the like. I don't believe we ever caught snakes in our nets, though." Aroree perks up at that question, having as a matter of fact been wondering so herself. *sigh* Skywise...

Windwalker grins, and makes for the pool himself.
Windwalker slips into the cool water of the pool.
Windwalker has left.
In the pool, Windwalker slips into the pool from shore.
In the pool, Windwalker has arrived.

DarkWing has arrived.

Flashfire accepts the leather scrap and looks at it. Oh, it's to sit on. Okay, good. Spreading it on the ground, he then plops down on it. "Thanks, Ember." Then he considers Shenshen, confused. "Wondering what, about us?" He's just doing what's natural to him. A wolf gets wet, he shakes it out. "Skywise is probably off with the maidens.." The tall Aroree gets a glance afterwards. Has he seen her before? Hard to recall.

DarkWing hovers in the sky, casting a shadow on the gathered elves.

Aroree peers upward with a frown "I've a wish to speak with him..."

Tsoran slides off DarkWing's back.
Tsoran has arrived.

Ember looks up at Aroree. "We'll tell him." she says. "We're likley going to be leaving soon." As soon as she can speak to Redtide, and pull Skywise off of the maidens' rafts.

Shenshen gives Ember a moue of disappointment. "Leaving? But we just got here!" And she hasn't had time to meet all the men around, either! A shadow falls over her normally cheerful face as the large bird passes over, depositing Tsoran into the area. She falls immediately silent, looking at Aroree warily.

Flashfire's eyes creep upwards at the sight of DarkWing's shadow, and he swallows. Erf. "Ember.." he begins, warily.

Tsoran floats down, leaving Darkwing to find a perch on the nearby cliff. He hovers an elflength over the others. "Aroree." He regards the others, as if deciding whether they are worth greeting.

Aroree offers Tsoran a polite "Good day Chosen, enjoying the festivities?"

In the pool, Windwalker has disconnected.

Ember looks up, noticing Tsoran's approach. She moves casually towards Flashfire and kneels beside him, beginning to work the water-matted knots out of his fur. Her eyes aren't quite as casual as the rest of her demenor, though. She keeps at least her periphery on the Chosen.

Flashfire's yellowed eyes flicker from the approaching Ember to Aroree, then lock on the sight of Tsoran, watching him with undivided attention. This, in spite of Ember's helpful grooming started up. She might notice tense muscles.

Tsoran's cold regard lingers on Ember, as well. "There have been some amusing moments, yes. Ah, there is the killer elf. Fortunately for her, Zirek has re-assumed his duties in the Mountain."

"Well!" Shenshen's forced-cheerful voice rings out. "There certainly are a lot of gliders here, aren't there? I'm quite impressed." She fluffs a topknot and glances over at Tsoran, giving him her best charming, dimpled smile, though it fades when he refers to Ember as a killer.

Aroree's demenor hasn't changed much, except perhaps the ghost of a smile which had been threatening to appear is long gone. "Charming as ever, Tsoran."

Ember's jaw tightens, but she will not acknowledge the jibe. Instead, she continues tending to Flashfire's fur. "Are you, Shenshen?" she asks, her voice casually light. "I'm not. Not even the Gliders can stand the stench of their Mountain for long."

"And how many has your chief hurt, Tsoran?" Flashfire's teeth show suddenly as he calls Ember a killer, regardless of how true it may be. Blocked by his wet body, one of his hands takes hold of Ember's ankle nearest him, just holding it.

Aroree sighs and rubs at her temple briefly, an all too familiar headache forming "This is too lovely a spot of flinging insults."

"My goodness." Shenshen's olive-green eyes widen in alarm at the suddenly ugly turn that the idyllic scene has taken. "I'm sure he didn't mean to call Ember a killer, now did you?" One finger idly curling in her hair, she glances over at Tsoran and offers him another warm smile.

Aroree mutters to the Chosen "Tsoran, we are guests here, please appologise."

Tsoran turns his attention to the diminutive Shenshen. "Shall I take it you are unfamiliar with the tale, then? Of this ones cowardly assasination of a defenseless glider? I would be only too happy to enlighten you."

Tsoran locksends ** Handing out orders to the true Chosen, are you? **

Aroree gives Tsoran an angry look. "Merely a friendly sugestion, Chosen."

Moonfall steps out of the foilage from the waterfall path.
Moonfall has arrived.

Shenshen gives Tsoran a rather blank look. "Why, I do seem to recall my sister saying something about that, but I confess, I really didn't pay much attention. Why, Ember's too sweet to harm a ravvit, even." She gives a light giggle, tossing her hair in a flirtacious gesture. "And of course she's not a coward. Don't be silly. Now, what I really want to know is--how did you ever get your bird so big?" Trust Shenshen to try and change the subject to something inane.

Aroree looks a bit agitated, wrapping her arms about herself tightly, that last sending hitting a bit too close to the mark.

Assasination of a /defenseless/ glider? /Defenseless/?!?? Sar? Ember's jaw tightens. It is a phenomenal act of will that keeps her from launching herself at Tsoran, despite Flashfire's hand on her ankle. Even so, she, for one, will try to remember she's a guest here. ** He knows nothing. ** she sends coldly, her voice flat.

Tsoran floats down, landing in front of Shenshen. He does appear to be ignoring Flashfire and Ember, for good or bad. "His name is Darkwing. He is only dangerous if I want him to be."

Aroree frowns, glancing from Ember and back to Tsoran again, wondering, and not liking the thoughts that brings.

You locksend to Ember, Aroree's send is brief, carefully restrained... you get the feeling the glider is under some amount of pressure though she is working hard to keep it out of her sending. ** He means to provoke you, do not rise to it. ** and that is all.

You sense in a locksend, Ember is likely under about the same amount of pressure. Sar's death will always be a sore spot for her. One she can't really hide. Even so, ** I'm trying. ** If it sounds like it comes through clenched teeth, that's likely because it does.

Flashfire has heard the tales about Ember and Sar, and from what he knows, Tsoran's hardly being truthful. "You're crazy, Tsoran. To think that he was defenseless??" It's meant more to bait Ember, but seems to bother him just as much as he gets to his feet, though he stays right next to big sister.

Aroree moves closer to the wet wolfrider and firey chieftess, a slow, carefully measured glide to place her in a spot where, high one's help us, she may be of use should trouble arrise.

Moonfall slips behind the waterfall and disappears into the tunnel beyond.
Moonfall has left.

A low growl comes from the back of Ember's throat. She rises beside Flashfire, placing a tight hand on his shoulder. She regards him steadfastly, never once looking at Tsoran. "Don't." is all she says to her brother. Her body is tense.

Tsoran murmurs, still watching Shenshen. "He was unarmed, Ember was not. He is dead, Ember is not. Would he not have fled, if he had seen the attack? Clearly, it was a backstabbing attack by a coward."

Shenshen gives the glider a confused look, a send flashing in her eyes. She's beginning to feel a bit like a butterfly trapped in a cage. "Why...I don't know, really. Do you know Mender? He would never flee an attack. My goodness, he's got quite the temper. I saw him chase down one of the wolves once because they ran off with his sandal. It was quite funny." She continues to smile brightly as she babbles, trying to move between Ember and the glider.

Aroree intones a measured "Tsoran... " really not liking this last accusation, though herself a bit shocked at it... no one had told her -how- it was Sar died. just that he had. can't be true... can it?

Ember can't help herself. She does look at Tsoran now, fire in her eyes. She has to be true to character, after all. Her body trembles now and her fists clench into tight balls. Her growl only increases. ** You. Know. Nothing. ** she sends, desperately warring with herself. Trying /not/ to give in to the desire to rip out the arrogant flyer's throat.

Flashfire's eyes widen at Tsoran's accusation and the calling of Ember as a coward, those eyes darting between Tsoran and Ember as he, too, hesitates before doing something. He growls at the Chosen as his eyes narrow, something privately sent back and forth not leaving him too comfortable. Ember told him not to let himself get baited, but it seems they both aren't doing too well in that respect. ** You should leave.. ** he warns.

Aroree moves to put a restraining hand on Ember's shoulder, brow furrowed. "We have all done things we can regret, such anger does not befit a chieftess, nor a Chosen."

Tsoran says mildly. "Anger, Aroree? I have no need of such emotions. I am an elf, after all, not a savage beast. No, there are far more constructive ways of dealing with... tension."

Shenshen's head tilts slightly, a look of surprise showing on her face as she seems to be lost in a private send, glancing over at Tsoran.

Aroree frowns "Forgive me if I implied you contained an emotion, Tsoran. You are, however, adding to the tension here deliberately."

Flashfire isn't doing much to dispute Tsoran's claims of wolfriders as savage beasts, a less-elfin look coming to pass over him as his wolfen side threatens to take him over. His lupine-slanted eyes have already narrowed; now his upper lip curls menacingly. "You aren't fit to call yourself an elf, you bird dung eating cur."

Tsoran raises his hand, apparently in some silent signal, for Darkwing immediately launches from his perch and swoops down.

Shenshen's hands clasp together in a mixture of excitement and alarm, and she slides a glance over at Ember and Flashfire, then looks back to Tsoran.

Tsoran's thin lips curl into a faint smile, and he offers his hands to Shenshen.

Aroree sighs and looks at Flashfire, "That doesn't help either, wolfrider."

Tension. What a... thoroughly glider way of putting it. Ember looks up at Aroree. As the bond bird moves, though, her hand strays to her dagger at her side -- though she doesn't draw it. "He's not fit for anything but being the Black Snake's whipping boy." she snarls to Flashfire. "Come on. This place stinks and I'm /not/ going to waste my time here." No matter how much she really wants to. Dang, but it bites having to try and be chieftess. High Ones, but it would be nice to have Cutter along. Her eyes fly open, however and she stares at Shenshen. ** NO! **

Shenshen gives Flashfire a reproachful look at his words. "I'm sure you didn't mean that, Fur-nephew." She reaches out and takes Tsoran's hand, giving the bird another wary look. "and you're quite sure he won't bite me?"

Shenshen climbs onto DarkWing's back and settles herself between the giant wings.
Shenshen has left.

Flashfire ducks his head at the flight of DarkWing, and before Ember coaxes Flashfire off, he also shouts at Shenshen. "Don't!" He bolts after her, trying to get her away from Tsoran!

Tsoran floats up, lifting Shenshen with him to meet the hovering Darkwing.

Tsoran climbs onto DarkWing's back and settles himself between the giant wings.
Tsoran has left.

Ember lunges after Shenshen as well. ** NOOO! ** she sends again. ** ShenShen!!! ** She tries to grab hold of her before it's too late, diving for the bird.

On DarkWing's back, Shenshen glances down over the side of the bird, putting her arms around your waist anxiously. **Do you think they'll be okay? They're awfully worried. Maybe I should get down?**

On DarkWing's back, Tsoran keeps an arm around Shenshen's waist. Always a good idea, this high up. "Oh, I promise he won't bite you. Don't worry about that at all, little one."

On DarkWing's back, Shenshen locks her arms around his waist tightly, wide eyes on the ground below.

DarkWing shrieks in defiance, and beats huge wings to make for the sky above.

Flashfire leaps up in vain, forgetting all about the menacing DarkWing as he tries to snag one of the maiden's legs. "Shenshen..! Don't trust him! Get down before it's too late!!" If he was angry before, he's done a 180 and is now very afraid.

You say "He's not going to harm her, do not..."

Silverthorn has connected.

Aroree mutters "Puckernuts" under her breath and goes to intercept the elves "Stop, he's not going to harm her, it's perfectly safe..."

Aroree is nothing if not swift, she reaches for the nearest wolfrider and pulls them back from the grand hawk as it takes off.

Ember isn't paying Aroree any mind at all. She's picking herself up off the ground and trying fuitely to leap up to catch the bird's legs as it beats its wings and heads for the sky. Any wolfrider in the area can now definitely sense the wolfsong about her.

On DarkWing's back, Shenshen's arms squeeze tightly around Tsoran's waist, her eyes shutting in a painful send. **Maybe...maybe I should go back? They're getting upset at me.**

And it's strong in Flashfire right now, too, his eyes wide with fear for Shenshen as Tsoran flies off with her. He's the one Aroree tries to hold back, but he struggles against her, feet digging into the ground in an attempt to get away, even if reaching the big bird isn't going to happen now. "Shenshen!!" he shouts again, voice shaken.

Silverthorn comes running from the woods. Fenris is right on her heels. She seems concerned about something but isn't sure what when she breaks from the trees. **What's going on??**

DarkWing has left.

Aroree lets go of the squirming mass of wet furry wolfrider as soon as the bird's high enough and repeats "Calm yourself! He is NOT going to harm her."

Ember lands on the ground with a thump. She stares up at the receding form of Tsoran's bondbird and howls. "Shenshen!!!" Grief, rage, and panic are all on her face, and the wolfsong is in her voice. "Bring her back here, Glider!!!"

Flashfire stumbles forward as Aroree lets him go, nearly falling flat on his face before bracing himself to mimic Ember's stance and expression, howling after Shenshen as if she may well be lost for good, his hands in little tight fists at his sides. What are they going to do??

Silverthorn watches the bird leave and doesn't understand what's going on? **Who took Shenshen? Why?? Someone talk to me !!**The anger is creeping into the small wolfrider's voice now. She doesn't care for the thought of someone being kidnapped in her home.

Aroree sighs and shakes her head "Be calm... he's just... argh. Tsoran why do you have to be so difficult? He took the maiden for a ride. He will not harm her, it's not his way."

In the pool, Surfsinger comes flying through the air from above, straight into the pool.
In the pool, Surfsinger has arrived.
In the pool, Surfsinger climbs out of the pool.
In the pool, Surfsinger has left.
Surfsinger climbs out of the pool, water droplets trickling down her body.
Surfsinger has arrived.

Aroree scowls up at the sky "She went willingly and he will return her." I hope.

Flashfire whirls on Aroree now, not meaning to snap at her, but he just can't help it. He's not going after her, though. "How can you say that?? He hurt me every chance he's had! He baited us! And now he took her!" He clutches at his head, grimacing as he sinks down to a knee. Nobody's sent to him, but this is overwhelming him. There's no trust - none whatsoever towards Tsoran. Perhaps part of his outburst will answer Silverthorn's questions.

Silverthorn growls **Surfsinger saw him from the cliff.. she says he is headed towards the mainland!** Then she turns to Aroree. **Where would he take her?**

Surfsinger plummets from the cliff below and surfaces out in the middle of the pool. She swims quickly to shore and hoists herself out. Both send and expression are laced with concern, and a certain authority. ** What's going on? What happened? ** She lools at the visitors and then at her sister.

Aroree sinks to the ground, wishing to comfort the wolfrider but not sure how she can "I have never witnessed him attack anyone physically... he did get the maiden's permission before taking her aloft." she sighs and repeats again "He will not harm her."

Ember stands shaking in the center of the clearing. "He took her!" she says, her voice raw with emotion, not trusting herself to send. "That muck eating son of a reaving carrion bird took Shenshen!" Cutter's gonna /kill/ her for this one! Nevermind Leetah. Anxiety doesn't begin to cover what Ember's feeling right now. She looks around quickly, crossing to Flashfire and grabbing hold of his shoulders. "We've got to find Skywise. We've got to go get her!"

Aroree turns and glances toward Surfsinger, looks away again, so much for being quiet guests at a festival. "Likely he will take her over our regular hunting territory... hopefully they will return soon."

"He tricked her into saying yes!" Flashfire blurts as Aroree tries to explain it away. "He never hurt me that way either, but he did other ways!" He's shaking, nearly jumping at Ember's touch. And that was a better insult than his was to Tsoran, too. Maybe he'll learn that one sometime. He shudders as Ember takes hold of his shoulders, resisting at first, as if he wants to just tear away from her and run. "She's gone.."

Surfsinger frowns, her hands coming to rest on her hips. ** You say she went willingly? ** She says to Aroree. Then, at Flashfire's outburst, she blinks, her frown increasing. Actually, it becomes a scowl. ** Alright. Someone tell me what happened. Slowly and from the beginning. ** Neither Lostholter looks terribly coherent at the moment. So, someone better come forward.

Silverthorn walks over to put a hand on Flashfire shoulder also. **We will get her back. Somehow** she promises. Then turns at her sister's words. **Just WHERE are the regular hunting grounds??** How far can those huge birds fly is what she really wants to know.

Ember holds Flashfire firmly, actually drawing him into a fierce hug. "We'll get her back." she promises. "Even if I have to face Winnowill down myself." Slowly, ever so slowly, she tries to push her wolfsong down and away.

Aroree sighs and takes a moment to rub at her eyes, just when you thought it was safe to leave the Mountain... "Tsoran insulted Ember, she naturally responded in kind... he has a way of, provoking such reactions."

Aroree gestures at Ember "That likely shall not be necessary. If he takes her to the Mountain, which he may well not do, I can retrieve her with little comotion."

Surfsinger expells a breath slowly. ** Tsoran's the one you told me about. ** she recalls. ** Then, who is it he's taken? ** In all the commotion, she missed al that. She looks at Aroree. ** Can you really retrieve her? ** Or will it require a rescue party?

Flashfire initially struggles as Ember wraps him up in a sense. There's nothing he can do right now, but he's not as good at shutting it down as she is, probably thanks to the mucking Winnowill did to him back in the past. There's a brief moment of lucidity as Aroree's words register. "Could..could you?"

Silverthorn tries to calm down as well. She came into the middle of this also but she knows clear heads are better for planning. **Just how easily?** Somehow she doubts anything involving this Winnowill will be easy.

Aroree sighs "yes. If that is needed, which I don't believe it shall be... Tsoran's goal being achieved easily enough by a short flight over to the shore. He wanted to prove your lack of civility, remember?"

Ember looks up at Aroree, fire in her eyes. "He /lives/ to provoke." she snarls, trying hard to stay in control. "Civility means /nothing/ to him."

If Tsoran was truly trying to prove their lack of civility, perhaps that worked. It doesn't take much, sometimes. "You have to find out..please." Flashfire stammers, still shivering against Ember.

Aroree replies quietly "of that I am well aware. Please, believe he will not harm Shenshen. Despite his faults, Tsoran does not attack innocents, and even he must see the sun village maiden as such."

Surfsinger nods slowly to Aroree and regards Ember and Flashfire. She spares a sidelong glance at her sister before she responds. ** But, what if he doesn't return her? ** She hates to bring that up. ** How easily can you retrieve her? ** Another thought occurs to her, though she doesn't send it allowed.

Surfsinger locksends ** What is this Winnowill like? Why do they fear her so much? **

Silverthorn looks at her sister and nods solemnly. Her eyes seem to get whiter as an old anger builds up quietly within. It is never easy to get back what was stolen, there is always a price somewhere. **Ember? Can you send to her? Perhaps ..he is already bringing her back.** She tries to offer something to do besides stand here and yell right now. Her mind is already sifting thru the needs for a rescue party.

You say "I do not have a hawk so cannot fly as fast or far as Tsoran, but the Mountain is not so very distant. It would be a simple matter of flying there, collecting ShenShen and returning."

Aroree leaves out such complexities as what if she's stopped by the Chosen or other such nastiness. "Lord Winnowill has of late expressed" rather confusingly "a desire for friendly relations with other peoples, I doubt she would interfere."

Flashfire doesn't understand how Aroree can stick up for Tsoran like she does. Must be a glider thing, yep. "I don't trust him to think he won't do something.." he murmurs, still not all there right now. "If..if he's got her there and won't let her go..we'll get her back." he stammers again, energy starting to leave him as Ember holds him securely to her. Panting, he fights to settle himself, latching on to something from Ember for additional help. But then he spits at Aroree's words. "She's evil!"

Ember looks at Silverthorn. Her jaw tightens a little and she closes her eyes, trying to reach out to her aunt. After a few long moments of strain, she grunts and opens her eyes, anguish in them. "No. She's too far out of range. And can't send as far as a wolfrider." She, too, looks to Aroree. "Winnowill has never been anything but manipulative." she fairly spits. "If she's looking for 'friendly' relations with other tribes, it's only to her own advantage and furtherance of her own aims. She'll turn on them. She turns on everyone in the end." There's a reason Nightfall calls her 'The Loveless One'.

Aroree shakes her head "I would not argue with you, young chieftess, about Blue Mountain's Lord. She is not exactly one I trust, though I will not speak more against her." for reasons she leaves unsaid. Then a sad look at Flashfire "I know Tsoran, child, I've known him for many years, he will not harm Shenshen. Trust in me if you cannot him."

Surfsinger's lips thin into a tight line. She closes her eyes and rubs her forehead. Oy. Headache. Where the frack is Redtide when you need him? A deep breath, and she calms herself. ** If Shenshen went willingly, ** she says slowly, ** then it is likely best to wait just a bit and see if she is willingly returned. ** She regards Aroree. ** Would you be willing to go and see if that is in fact going to be the case? And return with news? ** One way or the other.

Silverthorn turns towards her sister and sends flicker between them. She is definitly not amused by this. The wolf cub at her feet turns and runs back into the woods as if on an errand. At Aroree's words, she turns back to her. **If..he was just going to give her a flight..WHEN would he bring her back?** Details are just a tad important here. **How far did you say it was to this ...mountain?**

Flashfire sags now, needing to be held up by Ember for a moment just to keep him from the ground. Then he gets his feet underneath him again, fortunately looking in better shape than before. It's going down..slowly. Whatever 'it' is, but any wolfrider should know. His eyes train on Aroree, slightly out of focus. "How..how can I trust you?"

Aroree frowns slightly, she is not as familiar with this trip than others, as she calculates. "A matter of hours, likely, if it were only a brief flight, a stretch of the wings... if he returned to the mountain... on DarkWing flying straight that would be most of the day."

**And how long would it take you?** is the next send from Silverthorn. Details please.

Aroree sighs, and though she is loathe to send, does so, briefly, to Flashfire.

You locksend to Flashfire, Aroree indeed sends quite briefly, a mass of emotion barely held in check behind the words, every color of sorrow, dispair and... shame? how can you trust her? ** I wish I knew. ** and that is all, cut short before her control slips and more is revealed in the sending that she should like.

You say "Twice as long, at least. depending upon the wind."

Ember straightens a little as her brother calms. She calms as well, enough to send aloud, hoping it will make things clearer. ** It took us nearly half a moon cycle to reach here. Even Windkin, when he flies can't do it in less than half that time. ** She turns to look at Aroree, still some anger in her eyes. ** If she's not back by morning, we're going after her. <> **

Flashfire locksends ** <> I..I'll try.. **

Aroree almost laughs of a sudden, how could she have forgotten? "Savith!" a glance around at the blank looks that illicits and she explains "We have another great hawk here, Winddance, Savith's bond, he is here as well."

Silverthorn jumps at the sound of the laughter and blinks. **Another?? Where is this Savith then? Would he help?** Is that a glimmer of hope?

Flashfire may be under control again, but he's still not fully settled yet. He slips down as Ember straightens and continues to deal with things in a chiefly way, clutching faintly to one of her boots, around the shin.

Ember blinks. She looks at Aroree and scowls faintly. Her arms cross over her chest and her lower lip juts out slightly. Then, one hand falls down to her hip, the other to rest in Flashfire's head fur reassuringly. ** Then, that will make going to get her easier. ** One track mind, this elf.

Aroree nods "Savith has learned quite a bit more diplomacy than his fellow Chosen, he would likely be more than willing to ease your minds and lend the aid of his bond."

Surfsinger regards Silverthorn for a moment, returning a send. Then, she turns back to Aroree. Seems to her that Ember's right. ** That should simplify matters. ** she agrees. ** I think we should speak with Redtide and Stormgrace as well. ** Her send rings with a similar sense of no compromise to Ember's. ** This type of upset will not sit well with them. ** High Ones know it doesn't sit well with her.

With the Lostholters already searching for Suntop, this is just the -last- thing anyone needed. Flashfire's head tilts up as Ember's hand finds his hair, nodding uneasily to the talk of Savith's bird but remaining silent for the time being. He leans against Ember's boot, cheek to knee. Even with her here today, things went wrong.

Silverthorn matches her sister's tone exactly. **Yes. Then he can go just go fetch her and bring her right back here.** Somehow she doubts that it will be that easy but for now, it is all she can offer. **While we wait I think we should make prepartations now in case..you are wrong. There will need to be supplies gathered, traveling clothes seen to..** She doesn't mean to cast shadows but she is the huntress first and formost. Always look for the trap. **It will be better to be ready to ride as soon as possible. Then lose more time after we find out the news.** Plus it might give everyone something to focus on and burn off energy right now.

Surfsinger nods, agreeing with Silverthorn. ** Aye. We've plenty of provisions. So, there'll be no problem there. ** She runs a hand through her hair, sighing somewhat. .oO(And this was supposed to be a celebration.)

Aroree shakes her head "I would argue against a large rescue party... you do not want to be mistaken as an attacking force."

Ember nods to Aroree's words, for once agreeing with a Glider. "She's right." she scowls. "Winnowill's not stupid. She'll know we're coming." This doesn't make her happy. "And, Father will want to know..." Oh puckernuts...

And here Cutter and Strongbow just got back from a trip to the mountain, recently. Now there's more trouble, possibly. Not good. At Ember's last, Flashfire shakes once, knowing that won't sit well with the chieftain. Erf.

Silverthorn half-growls now. **IF the maiden is not returned..then it would be an attacking force! I don't take kindly to guests being stolen from the holt I live in** Ok, so she has had cubs stolen by a witch before. She is a little sensitive about such things.

Surfsinger looks at Silverthorn, her own face reflecting her sister's determination. ** That's right. We don't stand by and watch our own, or our guests taken. ** A purposely controlled calm emmanates from her, regardless. ** However, we /will/ wait and talk to the Chiefs. And to see if the maiden is returned. If she is not returned or otherwise found to be safe, ** She regards Ember steadily, ** You will have as large a party as we can muster to go with you. **

Aroree looks at Silverthorn sternly "No, you will not lead an attack force against me home, it is not needed."

Time to speak up again. Flashfire's nodding along with both Surfsinger and Silverthorn, agreeing with their words. As Aroree tries to quell the idea, he growls in his throat. "You don't get to decide that if we don't get her back. If you want to stop it, bring her back. We're not going to stand by while they continue to harass us." He's sure Ember will back him on this, too.

Aroree shows a rare flash of anger, if there is one thing she does not like it is violence."-If- she has been taken to the Mountain, which I still doubt, then I and Savith can fly there and retrieve her quietly with no bloodshed or threats."

Silverthorn turns to meet Aroree's gaze evenly. **Then you had best do it quickly.**

Ember looks at Aroree. As before, were she a wolf, her ears would be flat against her head. ** Then you'd better hope that works. ** she says to the glider flatly. ** I and my family have been tormented enough by the likes of Winnowill and Tsoran. I will /not/ let /anyone/ harm Shenshen. She is /not/ a wolfrider. She is /not/ a warrior. ** Determination rises in her send. ** She will /not/ be left to languish there. /Find/ her, glider. Bring her back to us. Safe. Or there /will/ be a party on your doorstep. ** Oops. Chieftess got ticked.

Aroree stands smoothly, very tall glider and looks down at the chieftess for a quiet moment, emotion drops from her face slowly, anger melting quickly, sorrow more slowly, leaving a placid visage and then, she bows, just slightly and rises into the air.

Now -there's- a good answer from Ember. Flashfire finds a slight smile for her, agreeing fully with her declaration. If Aroree doesn't want trouble, she can nip it in the bud herself, if Shenshen's where they seem to think she is. Finally Flashfire stands up again, brushing at his legs. He's gone quiet again, though.

Surfsinger watches Aroree rise. Her expression becomes bleak at Ember's send. More so as the glider backs away. So much for a party. And where /is/ that lifemate of hers, anyway?! She regards Aroree steadily, in particular .

You sense in a locksend, Surfsinger sends quietly. ** I will do what I can to mitigate. ** she promises, for reasons of her own. ** But, I doubt I can stop them for long. Please. Try your best? **

Silverthorn watches the glider make the correct choice and turns away from her. She looks to Ember and Flashfire quietly now. What to say to the ones who lost there family? There is nothing to be said that can comfort now. **There is a pouch of berries at my tent. If you would like some to ease the tension while we wait you are more then welcome to join me.** Yes, she intends to get berry-wasted right now. Who knows what the morrow will bring.

Aroree flies away swiftly and silently, not trusting herself to respond kindly, well, it has been years since she flew as hard and fast as she possibly could.

You locksend to Surfsinger, Aroree seems reluctant to locksend, but she does reply with a very, very brief ** I shall ** she cuts the sending short as she can, but not before you get a small glimpse at a rather turbulant sea of emotion, sorrow, pain, shame... some anger as well, but again, it is only a brief glimpse.