From dmhartma@students.wisc.edu Sat Oct 22 22:34:23 1994 Return-Path: Received: from audumla.students.wisc.edu by mail2.netcom.com (8.6.9/Netcom) id WAA19922; Sat, 22 Oct 1994 22:34:22 -0700 Received: from [144.92.181.33] by audumla.students.wisc.edu; id AAA11974; 8.1C/42; Sun, 23 Oct 1994 00:35:07 -0500 Date: Sun, 23 Oct 1994 00:35:07 -0500 Message-Id: <199410230535.AAA11974@audumla.students.wisc.edu> To: fox@tcp.com, tdw3881@gemini.tnech.edu, dewshine@netcom.com From: dmhartma@students.wisc.edu (Dorinda Hartmann) Subject: Blackmorn's death 1/2 Status: RO Here's the log of Blackmorn's death, in two parts... It was recorded from Soulweaver's point of view. I recorded everyone's descs, but I couldn't decide where to put them in the log, or if I even needed to put them in, so I left 'em out. If anyone thinks I should indeed put in descs, please give me some advice as to whose, and where. Thanks! Dorinda (Soulweaver's player) dmhartma@students.wisc.edu --------------------------------------- You head into the Willowholt. Clearing by the Old Willow(#123RHJ) This clearing, last among the trees before the land changes slowly to marshes, is dominated by an impossibly massive willow tree. Much of the ancient tree is hidden by its ever-blowing fronds, which veil it and the entire clearing in quiet, green-grey shadows. The air holds a rich mix of scents: water and wood, elf-scent and wolf-scent, earth and the occasional whiff of fire. The fallen log by the tree, the quietly gurgling 'fountain' off to one side, the willow's gnarled roots, and even the soft earth underfoot encourage one to sit and sing or speak or send... or just to watch and listen. The entire area is tinged with a gentle, subtle sense of magic and age, centered upon the giant tree. To the south, the land slopes gently uphill. A path runs from Sun-Goes-Up to Sun-Goes-Down, with the nearby marshes lying off in the former direction and the more secluded parts of the Holt in the latter. Just off to the northeast, past the fountain, is a small pond. Contents: Stillquiet Rillwhisper Aureole Blackmorn Squirrel Hollow log Obvious exits: Hillside Branch Path Old Willow Starwillow Copse Marsh Pond Stillquiet steps in, slowly edging his way through the foliage. Soulweaver stalks in, fuming. Rillwhisper's gaze flicks briefly sidewise, as she spots the arrival of the others. Seeing the expression on Soulweaver's face, she straightens somewhat. Blackmorn shakes his head. ** Perhaps another time, Chieftess. It is time for us to be gone. You have been generous, but we must travel, before the whitecold stretches to your holt. ** Aureole looks from her sire and Rillwhisper over to the new adults, and her brow furrows. Stillquiet fights with some tangleweed for a moment, pulling his bag free as he clears the last bit before the area opens fully Rillwhisper inclines her head quietly to Blackmorn, as she greets the others, ** Hello there. ** Soulweaver walks straight to Rillwhisper, and sends gratingly, ** You have been kind, to have us here. But for once I agree with Blackmorn. It is time to be gone. My wolf's cubs are in too much danger to eat and grow as they should. ** Blackmorn looks over at the new arrivals, and he straightens up, one hand still lightly touching Aureole's shoulder. Rillwhisper's eyebrows rise slightly at the tone of the send, but her expression remains unruffled. She nods, once. ** The pack grows restless, aye, and we can't keep the alpha off the cubs much longer. ** Stillquiet says "We..should go, yes. We came here to bring Blackmorn back, not live with you. No offense to you, or insult to this Holt that I would visit again should my Walkabout ever come, but we should be where we belong." Snowcrystal emerges from the willow tree. Snowcrystal has arrived. Snowcrystal pads warily to Soulweaver's side. She sports new scars from some fight or another. Rillwhisper flicks a smile to Stillquiet. "No offense taken." Blackmorn locksends ** We agree? What madness has bitten you. ** Blackmorn smiles thinly. Whiteridge emerges from the willow tree. Whiteridge has arrived. Aureole blinkblinks, trying to make sense of the talk. She tugtugs at her sire's clothes. ** Go cold-white-place now? ** From up in the Old Willow's branches you hear the chirping of a songbird. Stillquiet slowly moves to Snowcrystal, to tend to her light wounds. You locksend ** Only your madness could have kept me here so long. Now I have come to my senses. ** to Blackmorn. Stillquiet bends his lanky frame down to a knee and examines her. Blackmorn looks down, and bends to pick Aureole up into his arms. ** Aye, wolfling. We go to the cold-white place now. ** Sunlight through the willow fronds dapples the clearing in green and gold. Rillwhisper looks down at the wolf. "One of the unbonded ones in the pack, I'd bet," she murmurs. Snowcrystal crouches and permits Stillquiet's ministrations. Aureole wraps her arms around Blackmorn's neck. Whiteridge stretches, and pads over to Blackmorn's side, pausing to give Snowcrystal a nudge, then continuing on. Snowcrystal's tail thumps briefly at Whiteridge's nudge. Blackmorn locksends ** It is your madness that made you follow. ** Soulweaver eyes Blackmorn, glowering. ** I have wasted my time on you. ** Stillquiet rubs some salve onto her nipped flank, saying "She is young and inexperienced, still. Strong, but unskilled." Stillquiet's head lifts at the send. Blackmorn sets Aureole to rest on Whiteridge's back. ** Time you wasted on your own, huntress. You received no calling from me. ** Rillwhisper nods absently to Stillquiet, but most of her attention lies now with Soulweaver. Soulweaver turns her back deliberately on Blackmorn, sending casually, ** I followed with reason, hoping to stop your madness. But you are too far gone. ** Soulweaver steps to Burr's side, resting an affectionate hand on the thin shoulder. Stillquiet's hand lifts to hers for a moment. A passing wind speaks of the scents of water and wood. Stillquiet says "You cannot teach those who will not learn." From Whiteridge's back, Aureole's small brow furrows again, and she looks worriedly between the adults, remembering this discord from before... Soulweaver nods. ** Nor can you teach those who are too stupid. ** Blackmorn's gaze shifts to Stillquiet. ** What do you know of teaching, sickling? ** Soulweaver examines Snowcrystal's wounds at Stillquiet's side. At Blackmorn's send, she bristles, and rises... slowly. Whiteridge flicks an ear, and twists his head to nuzzle Aureole's booted foot. Rillwhisper frowns. And puts in abruptly, ** I am chief to none of you, but I am chief here. If you're going to fight, take it out of my Holt. ** Blackmorn locksends ** Never have I claimed to have the clarity of elf-thought. Nor the wit. ** Blackmorn looks to Rillwhisper, and nods. ** May your holt prosper, chieftess. ** Stillquiet's eyes do not move to his "I know how to learn, of patience, and of dedication. I know not to give up on life." Then looks "I know what it is to lose a life, after all, but I bettered myself. If you let her death ride you so, you are giving away what I fight for every single moonfall." Stillquiet says "I will not fight in your land, Chieftess Rillwhisper, not that I could." Blackmorn sets off up the path to the marshes. Blackmorn has left. From somewhere distant, a marsh bird's cry rings out into the day. Whiteridge sets off up the path to the marshes. Whiteridge has left. Rillwhisper inclines her head, solemnly. ** Good hunting and good journeys to you, cousins. ** Stillquiet follows them, with Snowcrystal. "If you have a healer, Blackmorn may need it." Stillquiet sets off up the path to the marshes. Stillquiet has left. Soulweaver bows her head to Rillwhisper, and prowls after Blackmorn. You set off up the path to the marshes. Path to the Willowholt This narrow, winding pathway is shielded in almost all directions save up, where the open sky allows clear illumination to mark the trail. The foliage is that of a place on the fringe between wood and marshland; tall young trees to the south and west, dominated by a massive distant trio of willows, are set off against a tangled barrier of brush and grasses that curves gently across the trail just off to the east. Thinner grasses mark the edge of a pond immediately to the north. The warm Deathsleep sun shines down on gaily colored leaves that rustle in the breeze. Contents: Stillquiet Whiteridge Blackmorn Snowblind Soulweaver's tent Obvious exits: Holt Copse Itchgrass Circle Pond Blackmorn looks down at Aureole. ** All paths must go their own way, cub.** Blackmorn makes his way through the itchgrass circle, towards the marshes. Blackmorn has left. Whiteridge makes its way through the itchgrass circle, towards the marshes. Whiteridge has left. You pack up your tent and carry it away. You carefully make your way through the itchgrass circle, and emerge at last out on the edge of the marsh. South Marsh The edge of the marshes is vibrant with the small sounds of life. Wind rustles through the treetops, carrying brisk smells of plants about to head into their Whitecold sleeps. Wild creatures abound: waterbirds, ravvits, and small deer, all foraging through the tall grasses and reeds for their food. The immediate area is wild and tangled, trees allowing passage in only distinct directions, and the earth is slightly damp underfoot. A tangle of trees and brush stands off towards Sun-Goes-Down; it is quite thick, but a closer look suggests it is passable. To the northwest, the trail winds on into the marshes, and towards the distant Wandering River. Towards Away-from-Hub, the marshes give way entirely to the forest and the grasslands beyond. Contents: Whiteridge Blackmorn Obvious exits: SouthMarsh Trail Camp >From Whiteridge's back, Aureole protests, ** Beicatch, Da? ** Briarcatch races along, belatedly, and clumsily, with his things hurriedly gathered. He mutters, slightly out of breath, "Could have warned me." From Whiteridge's back, Aureole brightens, at the sight of her friend - at least, a little. ** Beicatch! ** Soulweaver sends, out of temper, ** How can anyone know what Blackmorn's mind will do at any given moment. ** Soulweaver strokes Snowcrystal's back, eyeing her wolf-friend's injuries, growling under her breath. Soulweaver sends openly ** My wolfling's hurts are your fault, Blackmorn. No other's. If I didn't fear what you would do to the child, I needn't have followed you. ** Briarcatch moves over to the grey wolf's side, and stays close to Aureole, sparing her a flicker of a smile. Stillquiet appears out of the tangle of brush towards Sun-Goes-Down. Stillquiet has arrived. Stillquiet follows, slowly as ever. Blackmorn smirks. ** Your wolfling's hurts are your own. You coddle her, have her rely on you, to defend her and hers. ** Aureole goes very still, looking very worried. Blackmorn sends openly ** You need not fear for Aureole. She is more dear to me than any other, wolf.. ** Blackmorn shrugs. ** Or elf. ** Soulweaver's eyes narrow. ** I look after her well. Something you know nothing about, judging from the condition we found Aureole in, when we caught up with you. You are no sire. ** Stillquiet says "Blackmorn. She was not well. Your grief will condemn you, but do not drag her with you. Leap from the Plateau alone, or not at all." Blackmorn's eyes flash. ** I -am- sire, and -her- sire. Given the chance to travel, as we willed, and not having to fight you and your death-embracing grass-lovers, she would have fared better. ** Soulweaver sends grimly, ** And aren't YOU embracing death more than any Plainsrunner, by fleeing to find the dear departed spirit of someone moldering seasons in the ground? ** Blackmorn's gaze shifts, again to Stillquiet, and his voice rattles out "Be still, sickling. leaping into Death's embrace is for your kind." Blackmorn sends openly ** No. I embrace peace of soul, with my journeys. ** Soulweaver steps slightly in front of Stillquiet. ** Save your posturing for those who can meet it, Blackmorn. ** Stillquiet says "I know better than to cause harm to another, do you? Of your flesh, of your blood, but of your mate's as well. You strangle her as surely as the fever strangled your mate." Stillquiet steps beside Soulweaver Aureole's eyes go rounder. Her thumb slips up into her mouth. Soulweaver mocks, ** Peace of soul. Of whose? Only your own. Your child you drag along like a carcass strapped to your wolf. ** Stillquiet says "Let her have the life you cast off, Blackmorn." Stillquiet says "A sorrowful trade, two for one, but better that than three for none." Blackmorn sends openly ** I do not -harm- her! I choose to have her with me, to give her the kin she has lost already. ** Aureole picks up one of the images in Soulweaver's send. She looks down at Whiteridge's back, and her face crumples a little. Blackmorn growls low in his throat. ** She is none of your concern. ** Stillquiet says "She has lost you." Blackmorn sends openly ** I am here. I guard her, I hunt for her. I am her sire, her blood. she has lost none of me. ** Soulweaver sends openly ** Briarcatch is her kin as well... of her mother's tribe, that mother you claim to love so much. But you deprive the child of that half of her heritage for your own selfish purposes.** Blackmorn sends openly ** I will return her! But when I choose.. when her mother's spirit rests. ** Soulweaver sends fiercely, ** Her spirit is already at rest! It is only YOURS that is not! ** Blackmorn glares at Soulweaver. ** When there is peace for -both- of us, Starwing and I. ** Stillquiet lowers his head "Always the shouting." Soulweaver steps closer, growling. ** Why must you chase phantoms and call them 'messages'? Starwing has her own path, dead and gone. You try to keep her spirit with you when the truth is she has gone on without you and is glad to be there! ** Aureole slips off Whiteridge's back, clapping both small hands to her head as if trying to block out loud shouting, indeed. Giving a hoarse little whimper, she runs to Briarcatch. Blackmorn sends openly ** No, I am not at peace, wolf-sister. You will not let me find my peace. You plague me, over my own kin... Aureole is -my- cub. You have your own on four-legs. Let me rest. ** Stillquiet moves to Aureole Stillquiet says "Stay from here, little equal, this is not for you to see..." Briarcatch bends down, and picks Aureole up, wrapping his arms protectively around her, with a faint smile at Stillquiet. ** She'll be okay..** Stillquiet shoos her along, bending down to her level. Stillquiet smiles, and slowly rises, turning again to face Blackmorn Soulweaver bares a fang with contempt. ** For all your professed wolfblood, you know nothing of Pack, 'brother.' When there is sickness in the Pack, it is not left to fester... other Pack members try to save it, help it... or drive it out... ** Stillquiet looks to Soulweaver at that, then back to Blackmorn, sunken eyes of dark scanning his face. Blackmorn meets Soulweaver's gaze, his own fangs still hidden, but his posture stiff, and tensed. ** I removed the sickness... took the cub and the mad wolf from among you... and still you follow. Still you fight. Who is mad, Soulweaver? It is not the elf you see before you. ** Stillquiet says "Yes, you took the madness from us, but where did it go?" Soulweaver sends aggressively, ** You took the mad wolf, aye... but the cub is not sick. She should stay with those of her mother's kind... a healthy Pack, one that can raise her well. Not a frothing sick loner. ** Aureole buries her head in Briarcatch's shoulder, clinging to him. Blackmorn snorts. To Stillquiet he directs ** Look to yourself, for the madness you seek. ** And turning his gaze back to Soulweaver, he does not curl his lip to expose one fang. ** There is no Pack there. You claim she must learn of Starwing's blood. She must learn of mine as well. And you are not of my blood. ** Stillquiet stays between Blackmorn and the cub Stillquiet says "You are both children of Timmorn and Timmain, if I have learned from the Huntress as I should. You are of blood." Briarcatch holds Aureole securely, and brushes her hair with his hand, gently, sending distractions. ** ** Soulweaver sends, quietly... deadly... ** I am happy to renounce claim on your blood... for your blood is sick. Mad. Wrong. I will have none of it. In her sire your child is truly unlucky. ** Soulweaver spits to one side... as if washing away all prior professions of Pack with Blackmorn. Stillquiet bows his head at this separation. Blackmorn growls, at the back of his throat, and he hunches his shoulders, just slightly, eyes never leaving Soulweaver. ** As unlucky as I have been, trusting in you. Aureole... climb back on Whiteridge, we are leaving. ** He smirks. ** Have your grasseater let her go. ** Stillquiet looks up "You have cost yourself your mind, your soul, your mate, your cub, and now your heritage. You are less than the wind, now." Aureole sniffles, peeking up from Briarcatch's shoulder. Her eyes are full of tears. Soulweaver takes a long step to stand face to face with Blackmorn. ** And what if I do not? ** Soulweaver sends openly ** You said you trusted me. You never did. You send nothing but lies and stinkwind. ** Soulweaver growls, rumbling in her chest, feet planted wide apart. Soulweaver's sends are becoming less coherent. More images tumble in. ** All the time I spent... ... all the energy... WASTED... ** Blackmorn sends evenly, with a chill and bite to it. ** Then I will take her. ** Stillquiet's hand falls to her arm ** Weaver-of-Souls, do not fight the dead, they have nothing to fear. Let him leave. ** Soulweaver sendshouts ** ** Aureole, growing panicked, presses tightly against Briarcatch's chest. Stillquiet looks to Blackmorn ** But you shall leave alone. ** Blackmorn drops even more into a crouch, and without shifting his gaze, he snarls "Be -still- sickling!!" Soulweaver shrugs off Stillquiet, her eyes alight. Stillquiet says "I will not." Soulweaver sends openly ** ** Stillquiet's hands are low, but his feet are planted "I refuse to run from The-Death-I-Do-Not-Fear." Soulweaver growls ferociously and strikes Blackmorn across the face. Blackmorn's send gives over to his anger, and the chill behind it, darkening all sense of clear elf-thought. ** ** Blackmorn leaps for Soulweaver at the blow, catching her in the chest and taking her down backward, scrabbling for her throat. Soulweaver keens, high and furious, rolling to one side and kneeing Blackmorn in the stomach. Stillquiet's eyes go WIDE! From dmhartma@students.wisc.edu Sat Oct 22 22:52:11 1994 Return-Path: Received: from audumla.students.wisc.edu by mail2.netcom.com (8.6.9/Netcom) id WAA20854; Sat, 22 Oct 1994 22:52:04 -0700 Received: from [144.92.181.33] by audumla.students.wisc.edu; id AAA54488; 8.1C/42; Sun, 23 Oct 1994 00:52:36 -0500 Date: Sun, 23 Oct 1994 00:52:36 -0500 Message-Id: <199410230552.AAA54488@audumla.students.wisc.edu> To: fox@tcp.com, tdw3881@gemini.tnech.edu, dewshine@netcom.com, joyleaf@lupine.org From: dmhartma@students.wisc.edu (Dorinda Hartmann) Subject: Blackmorn's death 2/2 Status: O Stillquiet shouts "STOP THIS!!" Stillquiet leaps out of the way, falling to the ground as the flailing bodies nearly lay him low. Blackmorn uhfs, heedless of Stillquiet's protests, getting quickly back to his feet, teeth bared, and eyes narrowed and dark, as he charges again, fingers curled into claws, snarling. Briarcatch turns away so that Aureole can see nothing but trees and him, his arms tightening. Aureole whimpers, terrified now, of the lash of the wordless sends between her sire and Soulweaver. The tiny sounds she makes are barely audible, muffled by Briarcatch's body. Soulweaver leaps to meet Blackmorn's charge, her eyes flaring red, her voice raised in an entirely wolfish growl. She backhands him with a closed fist. Blackmorn strikes in return, and then strikes again, nails to skin, scratching at Soulweaver's eyes, and always straining to catch her throat. His knee catches one of her thighs, and knocks it from under her, as he seeks to pin her. Soulweaver's mind blasts a send, no word-concepts, but sharp scents... ** ** Stillquiet's hand falls almost imperceptibly to his leg-quiver, his bow in his hand...when? Stillquiet's eyes are on the combatants, he stands, unmoving, watching. Soulweaver hits the ground and lashes out with both feet, kicking for Blackmorn's own throat, her arms coming up, sharp-nailed fingers slashing. She voices continuously, snarls coming from deep within her body, more wolfish with every second. Blackmorn reels backward briefly, caught by a driving kick in one shoulder, and he returns with even more force, and rage, his cry a mix of howl and snarl, eyes ablaze, teeth bared, unrestrained. ** ** Silversong appears out of the tangle of brush towards Sun-Goes-Down. Silversong has arrived. Silversong slips quietly out of the circle, attracted by the noise. Stillquiet's eyes are level, not interfering...for now. Aureole huddles off in Briarcatch's arms, curled up tightly, whimpering. Stillquiet's back is to the holt, bow in hand, unpulled and towards the ground, arrow limp but nocked, watching the Weaver of Souls and the Mad Wolf locked in challenge. Silversong watches silently, not interfering, or getting close. Soulweaver rolls to her feet in one fluid motion, eyes narrowed to bright violet slits, sharp white fang-teeth bared. She springs onto Blackmorn, siezing his head in both hands, driving his body downward... sideways... using the momentum to crack his neck against her knee as it drives upward. She sends, ** ** Blackmorn gives a sharp yelp!.. and then goes mostly motionless.. one hand's fingers twitching. Soulweaver sprawls atop the suddenly limp body, tumbling awkwardly... Stillquiet's form tenses. Stillquiet locksends ** STOP! ** Blackmorn sends openly ** <...?? pain/nopain... cannot move/where?> ** Stillquiet sets down his weapon, and moves in, carefully. Soulweaver's head jerks up, and she shoots an uncomprehending wolfish glare at Stillquiet. Aureole sniffles again, at the sudden reduction in sends.... Soulweaver growls, sitting astride Blackmorn's chest... as a wolf at a kill. Stillquiet steps in, moving to the fallen. Stillquiet locksends ** Bare throat...submission...no kill. ** Soulweaver strikes Stillquiet across the face with a well-aimed fist. Stillquiet jerks back at the shot, spinning twice before hitting the ground. Soulweaver pins Blackmorn's motionless throat under one hand... not registering its acquiescence... Blackmorn whimpers again, a sound of confusion and pain. His brow creases, as if in effort, but he moves no more than those fingers. Rillwhisper has arrived. Woodhawk has arrived. Trollkiller has arrived. Rillwhisper and her mates emerge out of the tangle of foliage, through the ways known only to the Holt.... and the expressions of the chieftess and firestarter are solemn. Soulweaver growls, her hackles up. She blinks down at Blackmorn... looking confused... Stillquiet struggles to stand again, getting to all fours with a tremble in his every limb, eyes not yet focusing. You locksend ** ** to Blackmorn. Trollkiller looks frantically from elf to elf. Rillwhisper says softly, "Silversong?" Stillquiet tries to send, but fails, then reaches his hand out, hoarsely, "Weaver..." Silversong looks up at Rill, her own expression of disapproval clear. Soulweaver growls again, softer, baring her fangs... her eyes roll frantically. Aureole's presence is registered only by the tiny whimpers she makes, off where Briarcatch holds her shielded against what has just occurred. Stillquiet locksends ** ** You locksend to Stillquiet, Soulweaver's mind will not accept your send. Your offer goes untouched. You cannot reach her... the haze of Wolfsong burns too high. Blackmorn locksends ** <........ yielding... approval...> ** Rillwhisper says, still solemnly, "I think this challenge is over. Will you see to Blackmorn, healer?" You locksend ** ** to Blackmorn. Blackmorn's eyes have clouded, and he manages to frown, slightly. Soulweaver whimpers low, bending over Blackmorn, pressing her forehead to his. Trollkiller sends, ** Your challenges are... ** His send tails off. Stillquiet lies back down, spent. Silversong nods quietly, moving closer to kneel down beside the pair of them, glancing at Soulweaver. Aureole, teary-eyed, peeks timidly over Briarcatch's shoulder. In an open send, Blackmorn clearly doesn't understand. **** Soulweaver growls at Silversong... tentatively... though her eyes are beginning to clear slightly. Briarcatch does not turn, but lets Aureole peek as she will. Soulweaver sends openly ** ... All-well... ALL WELL... ** Soulweaver stands lithely, looking down at Blackmorn, reaching out to take his hand... Rillwhisper advances, just close enough to keep an eye on her healer. Woodhawk is a silent red-haired presence just beside and behind her. Aureole sends openly ** Da? ** Blackmorn's eyes close, and he opens them again. ** .. ** Silversong watches quietly, doing nothing for the moment. Soulweaver's offered hand falls to her side... slowly... she stands over Blackmorn, still. She watches his face. Aureole says hoarsely, surprisingly loudly, "Da!" Insistently, she starts to wriggle in Briarcatch's arms. Briarcatch bends, and sets Aureole on her feet, telling her ** Go on. ** Stillquiet rolls to a seated position, blinking through a haze of pain as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, streaking it with his blood and a tooth Aureole wide-eyedly hastens over, skittering down to kneel next to her sire. ** Da! ** Silversong finally reaches out as Soulweaver's hand falls, lightly setting one hand upon Blackmorn's forehead, her other upon his chest. Aureole places both small hands on Blackmorn, too, shaking lightly at him. ** Da up! ** Stillquiet wipes the last of the blood from his lip, wincing at the burn, and sends ** You'll not be able to help that. ** with a woozy edge to it. Soulweaver stands tensely, her hackles slowly lowering, her violet eyes losing the red tinge of fury... she trembles. Woodhawk lowers his head a little, dark eyes closing gravely. Silversong closes her eyes, concentrating slightly, her own 'sight' wandering in to Blackmorn's body, seeking out the extent of his injuries. Blackmorn's gaze moves slowly, to see Aureole, and he smiles, lightly, the frown still present. ** Ree... pretty wolfling. ** Stillquiet struggles to his feet, failing once. Stillquiet moves to Soulweaver Aureole crawls up a little closer, to Blackmorn's face. ** Da? ** Silversong closes her eyes, lifting her hands away. ** I can do nothing. ** Rillwhisper draws in a slow breath at Silversong's pronouncement. Trollkiller sends, ** What?! Why not? ** Soulweaver flicks her glance to Stillquiet as he approaches, making no move. She looks bewildered. Stillquiet locksends ** Huntress, you have taught me much...including your love of life. He should not suffer. I can make it painless.... ** Stillquiet's hand falls to her shoulder as he sends Stillquiet touches his knife Blackmorn sends openly ** Pretty cub... with your dam's eyes. ** Aureole suddenly pouts, looking between Silversong and her sire. More insistently, she demands, ** Da up! ** Silversong shakes her head quietly. ** I can't, cub... ** she sends, as she slowly stands, walking over to Woodhawk. Soulweaver blinks, and looks at Stillquiet's knife... then at Blackmorn... her eyes are darkening. Stillquiet locksends ** Take her from here...I will finish it. He will be free. ** Woodhawk wordlessly extends a hand to Silversong. Soulweaver crouches once again astride Blackmorn's chest. Silversong looks to Trollkiller. ** I can't heal what's been done. ** she sends, and leaves it at that, her hand moving to slip into Woodhawk's. You locksend ** ** to Blackmorn. Aureole blinkblinkblinks, not understanding. She looks back and forth between the adults, and then tugtugs at Soulweaver's clothes. ** Da up! ** Soulweaver bows her head, her shaggy hair falling to brush Blackmorn's forehead. Stillquiet stands with her, still. Trollkiller sits down, falling, hard. Rillwhisper goes down on one knee beside her younger lifemate, dropping an arm around his broad shoulders. Blackmorn sends openly ** Ree... hush, wolfling.. it is alright. Pretty cub... will rest. You have kin. ** Aureole stops... and looks back at Blackmorn hesitantly. ** ? ** Blackmorn locksends ** Mad wolf.. ** Blackmorn locksends ** I have found her, have I not, sister? ** Soulweaver bends entirely double, enfolding Blackmorn in her arms silently. Stillquiet says "Weaver...please." Stillquiet touches her shoulder, gently You locksend ** Peace, brother... an eternity of peace with your Love... We will all meet you there, one day... ** to Blackmorn. Aureole makes a small insistent "nnnn" sort of noise, and tries to wriggle in between Soulweaver and her father. Blackmorn locksends ** I can hear her song, sister... can -almost- see her. Her stars, her starsong. ** You locksend ** Go to the starlight, brother. She waits for you. ** to Blackmorn. Soulweaver releases Blackmorn, and sits up, allowing Aureole in. Blackmorn locksends ** Ree... ** You locksend ** The child will be protected... with my life... And she will honor the memory of her sire. ** to Blackmorn. Aureole sends openly ** Da tired? Blanket? ** Stillquiet locksends ** You will have to be her Mother-Dam until ... ** Woodhawk enfolds an arm about Silversong. Stillquiet says "Aureole...would you go with Soulweaver to get one?" Blackmorn sends openly ** .. tired, yes. With music to sleep by. ** Soulweaver reaches out with one sharp-nailed hand, and brushes Blackmorn's hair back from his forehead with slow tenderness. Blackmorn's eyes slip closed again. Aureole hastily gets up and runs over to the small party's supplies. She grabs her own blanket, and runs back, settling down again to lay it over Blackmorn's chest with childlike gravity. You locksend to Stillquiet, Soulweaver's send is bewildered... faint... ** He will not need your knife, Burr. The starsong calls him... Starwing calls him... ** Silversong leans in against Woodhawk's side. She slowly shakes her head. Stillquiet locksends ** I am glad. His spirit will fly to her, in the Stars, his body but a hollow shell. My knife would be buried, his last life's blood would stain it forever. ** Stillquiet kneels on Blackmorn's right, hand to his temples, sending silently. Aureole patpats Blackmorn tentatively. ** Da sleep? Then go cold-white-place? ** Trollkiller looks at Blackmorn, and Soulweaver. His eyes slit as he looks at the latter, and he is shaking. Soulweaver's eyes are fixed on Blackmorn's face... she does not see Trollkiller's gaze. Blackmorn sends openly ** .. sleep.. pretty wolfhawk. ** Stillquiet's dark eyes are closed, a single tear falls from his cheek falls falls falls it wets Blackmorn's face where no other will ever fall again. Silversong looks up slightly, and a tiny little smile appears on her face. ** He'll finally find her, ** she sends very quietly. Rillwhisper looks up quietly, still keeping an arm about Trollkiller's shoulders. Blackmorn lets go a soft sigh, and the frown fades, replaced by a faint smile. His chest does not rise again. Aureole blinkblinkblinks, staring in puzzlement at her sire.... then, she sniffs at him, and lets out a wail of protest. Soulweaver lifts her head, giving voice to a soft howl... a ghostly cry, mourning to the autumn air... Stillquiet stands, slowly, gaunt eyes and haunted face showing nothing as his hand falls to pull Soulweaver standing. Rillwhisper embraces Trollkiller for a moment... then rises, and paces round Soulweaver towards Briarcatch. Trollkiller's eyes close, and his face curls in on itself. Briarcatch, head bowed, looks up at the chieftess' approach, face grim. Soulweaver rises at Stillquiet's urging, but howls still... quiet and hoarse... dwindling away into an echo. Her head bows. Rillwhisper murmurs to the Plainsrunner who had been tending the cub: "The wolves will know what to do with him... but see the others back to their home place." She glances at Soulweaver and Stillquiet, and the still-startled Aureole. Stillquiet lowers his head in silence, letting The Huntress howl for him-who-lives-from-death Stillquiet embraces her tightly Soulweaver trembles, stepping backward, stumbling away from Blackmorn's shell. Stillquiet helps to lead her away. Soulweaver shakes her head, eyes hollow. Aureole bites her lip, not liking the way her sire smells now, remembering how her mother's body smelled... before. She looks around frantically, her eyes welling over with tears again. Briarcatch hesitates, and then nods, turning around to face where the others stand, and moving around the wolves and elves over to Aureole's side. Soulweaver stands still, against Stillquiet's tugging. Stillquiet locksends ** There is nothing here but the body. Let the wolves deal with it, you have a cub to care for....please.. ** Briarcatch stoops down to brush his hand over Aureole's head, gently. ** Time to go home, Ree... time to go home. ** Soulweaver's mouth moves soundlessly. Aureole looks up plaintively at Briarcatch. ** Da home! ** she cries. Stillquiet locksends ** It was an accident, born of his madness. He did not blame you. ** Snowcrystal appears out of the tangle of brush towards Sun-Goes-Down. Snowcrystal has arrived. Snowcrystal pads diffidently into the clearing, standing at Soulweaver's side, her four half-grown cubs trotting behind her. Rillwhisper glances back at her lifemates, and gives a quiet nod towards Woodhawk, and he nods back at her... Briarcatch shakes his head slightly, and stays by Aureole's side. ** Da is gone, Ree. Home is with Soulweaver, and Stillquiet and I now. We will be your family, alright? ** Trollkiller locksends ** It is my chieftess's place to decide where and when you can be, where our holt is concerned. But do not expect that I, myself, will find you welcome here again. ** Trollkiller stands, pirouettes, and vanishes into the circle. Trollkiller heads up the SouthMarsh Trail. Trollkiller has left. Soulweaver watches Trollkiller go, silent. Aureole blinkblinkblinks up at Briarcatch. Finally, she seems to realize what has happened, and she begins to sob. Silversong straightens up, and slips off.. though not into the circle, but away from it. Woodhawk silently melts off after Silversong. Silversong leaves the marsh for the nearby campsite. Silversong has left. Woodhawk leaves the marsh for the nearby campsite. Woodhawk has left. Rillwhisper looks around to the Plainsfolk. "You should go home now," she says quietly. Briarcatch leans over, and wraps his arms around Aureole, gently. Soulweaver sends, softly, disjointedly, to no-one in particular... ** Accident. Challenge... Never meant... ** Stillquiet nods, tugging at Soulweaver "We must go, Huntress, we must go..." Soulweaver nods, dazed. Aureole sobs disconsolately in Briarcatch's arms. Stillquiet leads her, arm around her shoulder, speaking quietly as they walk. Briarcatch scoops Aureole up carefully, and unfolds his legs, standing. Soulweaver lifts her head, and sends... You locksend to Trollkiller, Soulweaver's send is vacant, hopeless... dazed... ** Accident... Challenge. Never meant... ** It trails off. Rillwhisper inclines her head solemnly to the other elves... and at last, vanishes into the foliage. Rillwhisper vanishes into the thick tangled growth towards Sun-Goes-Down. Rillwhisper has left. Soulweaver walks slowly south... eyes glazed... not seeming to see the trail. You head towards the SouthMarsh Camp. SouthMarsh Camp(#992RJ) A hunting camp, on the southern edge of the great freshwater marsh that separates the central plains and the forested region along the Great River. Birds and small creatures abound here. The trees are water-loving varieties of willow and cypress and yew with underbrush of chokecherry and redleaf and white blossomed broom. The camp itself is in a grassy clearing shaded only by a lone plane tree, with its branches twisted and tangled so that even on a windless day it looks like it is storm tossed. Mother Moon is a barely visible crescent as the dimming red light of sunset fills the cool autumn skies. Obvious exits: Marsh Forest Crossroads Stillquiet approaches you from the edge of the marsh to the north. Stillquiet has arrived. Briarcatch approaches you from the edge of the marsh to the north. Briarcatch has arrived. Soulweaver's mouth is moving, still, without sound. Soulweaver walks, her steps measured, her eyes vacant. You head towards the Forest Crossroads. Forest Crossroads(#976RJV) This spot is toward the edge of the Willowwood, but still well within its bounds. The earth is packed down on the well-traveled road: this crossing has seen more than its share of visitors in its time. To the north lies the swamp, and the road in that direction is not quite as well-traveled as elsewere. To the northwest is the path that winds to the distant Forbidden River. Off to the southeast, a path trails off towards the distant plateau, and farther off to the east lie the vast Greensea Plains. The daystar is setting, and the air has become a bit cooler and crisper than before. Mother Moon is a barely visible crescent as the dimming red light of sunset fills the skies. Obvious exits: High Plateau(SE) Towards the plains(E) To the River(NW) Into the Marsh(N) You sense in a locksend, Stillquiet embraces your mind even as his hand holds yours ** It was an accident, he brought it on himself, you are not to blame. ** Stillquiet arrives from the small camp at SouthMarsh just north of the crossroads. Stillquiet has arrived. Briarcatch arrives from the small camp at SouthMarsh just north of the crossroads. Briarcatch has arrived. Soulweaver looks at Stillquiet with dark, shocked, dead eyes. Stillquiet locksends ** Dwell not on death, I have not, even on my own. Instead, look to the life. Look to the cub...look to........... ...your mate. ** Soulweaver says, speaking distinctly and hoarsely, "He is dead. I killed him. Killed him." Stillquiet shakes his head, sending. Soulweaver closes her mouth, as if those words were a great effort. Stillquiet holds her tightly, thin arms coiling around her powerful body Briarcatch walks on, silently, his attention all for Aureole. Soulweaver gently disengages Stillquiet's arms. "Don't pity me, Burr. Look to the cubling... her sorrow. Her loss." Soulweaver says softly... "There is no pity to be spared for me." Soulweaver gives Stillquiet a small push toward Briarcatch and Aureole. Stillquiet says "I don't pity you, Weaver, I see a new thread that must be woven in, no matter how it make you feel. It should be added to the pattern, eyecatching, but new threads must come as well. I will help you with the future, if you will forget the past." Stillquiet is pushed away, but returns. Soulweaver's voice is gruff, and deep, but peculiarly toneless. "The Wolf might forget. But the Wolf also brought on the challenge-madness that... killed Blackmorn. The Elf could not stop it, and now cannot forget." Her voice trails off. Stillquiet says "My own death didn't affect my soul, this will not darken your own. Stay with me, we will overcome this. We must care for the cub...the last request from the no-longer-here." Stillquiet locksends ** Weaver..please. Please do not do this to yourself... ** Soulweaver says, her voice a scratchy whisper, "Yes. Look to the cub, Burr, and don't worry about me. She needs you... she needs a Pack." Stillquiet locksends ** She does...and I would be your pack, Soulweaver... ** Stillquiet locks his eyes on Soulweaver's. Soulweaver lifts a slow, weary hand and ruffles Stillquiet's hair.... but no smile changes the blankness of her face. You sense in a locksend, Stillquiet sends the single musical word again ** ** You locksend to Stillquiet, Soulweaver's mind carefully keeps barriers up against you, gently but strongly. ** Go, Burr. Go. You are of my Pack... but I must have some time. ** Stillquiet locksends ** I'll give you time, but I will wait for your return. ** Soulweaver pushes Stillquiet back from her with a straight arm, gentle but definite. She nods. Stillquiet says "You will come back....I need someone to feed me." Stillquiet smiles, wanly. Soulweaver raises her hoarse voice, and says, "I will look for you all in the Canyon. You will be well." You locksend ** ** to Stillquiet. Briarcatch locksends ** She needs a mother. She needs you. Take your time to think.. but remember she needs you. ** You locksend ** I will be in the Canyon... soon... ** to Briarcatch. Stillquiet turns, letting her leave without a gaze following her. Soulweaver turns on her heel and lopes from the clearing, running blindly. ----------------------