Log Date: 11/8/95 Log Intro: Rayek has informed Savah and Ekuar of his intentions to leave Sorrow's End, now that the Festival of Flood and Flower is over -- and Rayek has failed to see Leetah, and to get Cutter to relay apologizes for him to Leetah and Lursa. Assured that if none of the Gliders who have been visiting the Palace as of late are available to provide him and Ekuar a ride back a zwoot and appropriate travelling supplies will be made ready, Rayek goes to the edge of the village to wait for Ekuar to catch up with him. But he finds himself on the fringes of some of the campsites visiting tribes have set up during the Festival -- and one of those campsites is that of the Gathered Tribe, from which came Bramble and Solstice, the cubs he'd met before.... ---------- Bramble has left. Ivy arrives from the winding path from Sorrow's End. Ivy has arrived. Ivy trots towards the Gathered Wandering Camp, stopping when she sees someone standing? there Ivy looks at you for a moment. Rayek is high up on one of the hills, but not out of sight entirely, crouching against a rock. Ivy waves hi to the elf she can bearly see Ivy With her curly black hair, dark blue eyes, and a smudge of dirt across one cheek, Ivy is a force to be reckoned. Now five turns old and an accomplished scene stealer, Ivy is used to being in the center of attention. With her expressive blue eyes, all golden glittering, showing every emotion and often filled with tears of sorrow, anger, or laughter, you know right away what she thinks of any given situation. And it always seems to be one extreme or another, never any middle ground to rest upon. Wearing a stained tunic, pants and moccasins, Ivy is ready to get into new and exciting trouble.....just ask her daddy ;) Carrying: Necklace Rayek looks up, and blinks, spying the child down by the campsites. High Ones... he'd hoped no one would notice him. Or had he? Regardless, he lifts his head just enough to register his presence. Bramble has arrived. From afar, Redlark waves from the camp noticing you. Ivy trots up to look at the strange elf, not noticing that he would rather be alone, "Hi! I Ivy!" Bramble bounces out of the camp, "HiHi Rayek!" Rayek surveys the child -- children?! -- with a brief flash of something that might look like nervousness. So much for this being a quiet place to wait for Ekuar. He straightens and says lowly, "Greetings." Ivy says "You Rayek, right?" Redlark has arrived. MoonGlow has arrived. Ivy giggles, her dark blue eyes sparkling misheiviously. Redlark follows the cubling out if the camp, to see what is going on. Bramble points at Rayek, "That's the new friend I was telling you about, Redlark." MoonGlow follows close behind Red MoonGlow looks at Rayek curiously MoonGlow looks at you for a moment. Redlark nods to Bramble and looks up, curious and welcoming. Rayek pales slightly, as it seems the entire nearby campsite is awakening, but he just gives a low nod at the various curious gazes. His own is veiled, and he doesn't quite meet anyone's eyes. MoonGlow takes in the scene and waits to see what the precocious cubs will do Ivy trots up a bit closer and asks Rayek, "What you doing out here with no fwiends?" Redlark kneels down by Bramble. "what did you say his name was?" Bramble grins, "His name is Rayek." MoonGlow crosses her arms and just watches everything patiently Redlark looks up, still smiling. "Hello, Rayek." Rayek might almost, _almost_ be seen to wince. Or perhaps not. He informs Ivy tonelessly, "I am... awaiting a friend, before we depart." Rayek looks over Ivy at the older newcomer, and inclines his head, warily. Ivy nods, then asks, "Where ya goin'?" Bramble pouts and moves closer to Rayek, "Oh, you're leaving?" MoonGlow smothers a smile as she notices how nervous Ivy is making Rayek Rayek starts, "Ho..." but thinks better of it. What he does say, still in that toneless voice, "Yes. Ekuar and I must return to the Palace." Redlark stands up, wiping the dirt off her skirting. "I am Redlark and this" She gestures to the her friend "is Moonglow." Redlark Unusually, Redlark's skin is no longer the pale white one would expect, but has the golden hue of someone who has spent the days hunting rather than the nights, as her tribemembers do. This tan compliments her bright auburn hair and piercing brown eyes. Standing about three feet and ten inches, she is nicely proportioned for her height, though it appears recently that every unneeded ounce of fat has disappeared, leaving her leaner, stronger than ever before. Your eyes are drawn to her arms and hands, still supple with the trained skills of a tanner, but now just as easily suited to the possession of a knife or spear. Redlark has a heart-shaped face that at times shines when she smiles and she speaks with a low, distinct voice. Redlark's hair is held back from her face by a thin copper circlet from which hangs a green-beaded feather. Her necklace is made of carved alabaster in the shape of a small bird - a lark. On her right wrist is a woven leather band, matching the one worn by her lifemate, Stonedagger. Redlark wears a v-necked mottled light and dark green shirt with fitted cuffs and silt sleeves. Her flowing, knee-length skirt is made of the same green material. Attached to the brown belt around her waist is a small bag of sewing tools and her dagger. On her feet are a pair of fur-lined brown boots that snugly fit her calves. Always alert to her surroundings, Redlark's eyes sparkle as she returns your gaze. Carrying: Greyshale Small bag GoldMetal Circlet dagger MoonGlow nods as her name is mentioned MoonGlow Standing quietly in the shadows, you see the form of a young wolfrider maid. She is tall, about 4'4", with long flowing hair of the purest white, which reaches to just past her waist. She takes a step forward, letting the light of the moons fall upon her face, highlighting her features, and causing her hair to appear to glow softly. Her eyes, which are of the palest blue, gaze steadily at you, measuring your worth. Your eyes travel down from her face, over her slender form. She wears a form-fitting sleeveless, green tunic which laces up the front, and brown leggings which tuck into boots that come to just above her knees. At her left hip hangs a metal knife, and on the opposite hip is a small, full pouch and a leather sling. Glancing slightly away from you, she leans slightly on a carved wooden walking stick... Carrying: small gift totem stick(#9645IV) Bramble hmms, "Maybe we can come with you!" Ivy says "Why? You no sound happy to go...."" MoonGlow bites back a smile but says nothing to stop the cubs Redlark looks lovingly at the cublings. "I believe we are looking after these trouble makers while their parents are busy. And no Bramble and Ivy, if you left just think how we'd miss you..and who would bother Thyme then?" MoonGlow's eyes twinkle at Red's persuasive argument Rayek shifts from foot to foot slightly, stance becoming slightly more tense as the children question him. What can he say to such a question? But then, how different can it be from fielding those same questions from Ekuar... or Savah. Amber gaze on what is apparently a quite fascinating rock, for he still hasn't looked anyone in the eye directly, he answers Ivy, "It is necessary." Ivy says "No wanna _go_, wanna know why not happy!" Redlark smiles up at Rayek, winking while the cubs can't see. Bramble grins, "Take Thyme with us. And my momma's not here, so as long as I go home eventually she won't mind." Rayek informs Ivy absently, "It is... too difficult to explain, child." One of Rayek's dark cheeks tightens a little, tensely. Ivy frowns, "You mean me to stupid to explain to!" Thyme has arrived. Rayek barely reacts to that. "No. It would... take more time than I have." Thyme wanders out of the camp... Bramble nods, "Well, if we go with you, have lots of time to explain." Ivy's eyes start to fill, hiding the wee twinkle in them... Thyme looks about.. wondering whats going on.. Solstice has arrived. Redlark looks around as the other cublings come out of the camp. MoonGlow smiles at all the small ones Rayek leans back against the rock, perhaps thinking to slide himself into it. Ekuar could shape him out later, maybe. "Th... that is not for me to decide." Solstice makes a face at the sand as she wanders out, then stops and beams when she sees people. She brightens especially when she sees Rayek. ** Rayek my dear friend! ** Bramble grins a charming cub grin, "Don't you want us to come with you?" Rayek flicks a glance up. Dear High Ones. Four of them. Thyme blinks... a little painfully.. and then walks over behind Redlark. or Mog.. whoevers further form Sol Thyme A boy-cub of maybe seven turns, holds still just long enough for you to get a good look at him. Big rain-grey eyes peer back at you from under a lock of silver-white hair that reaches to about his chin. The rest is very curly, swirling around his pointed ears and down to just about his shoulders. He is wearing a fairly grubby tunic that might at one time have been some shade of green, but it is faded, and patched at the elbows and a place on the tail with the same wood-brown leather that makes up his pants, which are also patched at the knees, and boots. The tunic itself is several sizes too big, but is held in place by a belt around his middle. All in all, he's a fairly rambunctious cub. Ivy says "He no like us......." MoonGlow reaches down and takes Thyme hand Rayek murmurs lifelessly, "I would not be entertaining company." Bramble shakes her head, "No, that's not it. Everybody likes us." Ivy frowns at little cub and says in a syern voice,"No send!" Solstice sticks her tongue out at Ivy. ** Send! ** Bramble frowns, "She hasta send, since she can't talk." Thyme stands beside Moonglow... watching the group... and trying to ignore the slowly forming pain in his head MoonGlow frowns and rubs Thyme's temples Ivy takes big step towards Sol but stops when bram say that Ivy says "So?" MoonGlow grins breifly Thyme leans against Mog.. Bramble folds her arms, "So, don't tell her not to send!" Solstice sends openly ** So send! ** Ivy frowns, "Maybe send quietly? No hurt thyme so much?" Looks up at Rayek, Red and Mog to see if they know Sol can do... Thyme falls asleep. Bramble nods down at Solstice, "We're going to go with Rayek!" MoonGlow says "Perhaps locksends?" Rayek looks up somewhat warily at the discussion of sending hurting the child. Solstice toddles over to Bramble, and peers up at her. ** Where go? ** Rayek offers brusquely, "If... the boy has a problem... there are healers in the village. Perhaps he can find... help." MoonGlow looks at Ivy...."It all depends on what hurts him... Bramble shrugs, "Not sure, but where ever Rayek is going!" Ivy says "Sending hurt him!" MoonGlow smiles at Rayek...'I thought that had been tried...but I will look into it..thank you MoonGlow smiles at Ivy.."You could try different sends? Different volumes? Ivy looks back at rayek, her mind back on previous conversation, Who friend?" Rayek falls silent, folding his arms across his chest, at least until Ivy speaks again. "I am waiting for... Ekuar." Ivy shrugs, "No know, daddy send and no one hear though..." Bramble nods, "He nice, funny, old elf." Ivy says "He make you happy?" MoonGlow watches the cubs with amusement Ivy is looking at rayek when she ask that Rayek blinks at this question, and considers it for a moment, then says finally, "He... helps." MoonGlow tilts her head at the enigmatic answer... Ivy says "he help what?" Bramble looks down at Solstice, "We go with Rayek! We help him be happy!" MoonGlow's eyes twinkle Rayek blinks several times at Bramble, looking quite unnerved by this idea. To Ivy, he manages to get out, "He... helps me restore the Palace." (Safe answer.) Ivy says "What Palace? Why help re-rest-re...what you say...what it mean?" Solstice ooohs at Bramble, and nods. She smiles just as happily as she can at Rayek, and walks over to where he is. MoonGlow just watches Rayek, not having considered that any of the elves visiting Sorrow's End would not know what the Palace is, now looks Ivy fully on, surprised. "It... is the Palace of the High Ones, little one..." Ivy says "What High ones?" Bramble rolls her eyes, "Don't you know what High Ones are, Ivy? My momma told me about them." Ivy says "No mommy..." MoonGlow nods slightly Ivy looks sad... MoonGlow hands Thyme to Red and goes back to her tent... MoonGlow goes home. MoonGlow has left. Rayek frowns faintly, regarding Ivy, uncertain of what might comfort. "The... High Ones... were our ancestors. The Firstcomers, the first of our kind on this world," he begins, awkwardly. Solstice finally gets over to Rayek, and plops down at his feet. Oooh, story! Ivy nods, concentrating on Rayek's story rather then her lack of a mommy...for once :) Rayek ummms, as the tiniest of the children plops nearby. Aie! Story? He is no weaver of tales! Ivy sits down by Sol, eyes on Ray Bramble sits down on a rock near the others, waiting impaitently for a story. Ivy says "Well, why they come here....huh wat? They no live here always?" Rayek, with three pairs of young eyes on him, says in a tone that might almost be a squeak, "You... wish more?" Ivy nods Solstice flops over on her tummy, resting her head on her palms, and gazes intently up at the grown-up. ** More! ** Bramble nods emphatically. Ivy looks up at rayek, waiting impatently Bramble taps her foot, "What happened to the story?" Rayek lets out a sigh, and sinks slowly to sit down on the sandy hill, back against the rock. "I... do not know if I can tell this well without sending." Solstice wrinkles her nose. So send, already. ** Story! .. Please. ** Ivy says "Well? Send! Thyme sleep....." Bramble nods, "Send, please." Rayek sucks in a breath. The High Ones, then? He considers for a moment, thinking how best to relay this... and settles, at last, on how he _he_ first heard the tale. "Alright.... this is how the living High One Timmain told it to me." Ivy wonders at the name of Timmain, but no ask, want to hear story. Rayek sends openly ** ** Rayek continues, with that secondhand memory of that same young boy's voice, telling a story of beings who depended upon their land for survival, and who tamed it, but not with the gifts that elves now call magic. At last... almost like humans, they were so great in number that they exhausted their land.... Redlark listens intently, her eyes sparkling at the story. Solstice closes her eyes, listening. Ivy watches rayek, her eyes watching him, her mind seeing the story. Bramble listens to the story closely. Rayek sends on: in his sending, a small boy with blonde hair but a strangely ringing voice relays the tale of these beings who at last gained the ability to travel the stars. Some, however, returned to nurse their dying world... and it was in that effort that the gifts of magic awakened within them. Once the magic awoke, they began to explore it... fascinated. Over the Gate, Azeure rises up from below. Over the Gate, Azeure flies down. Ivy is sitting at Rayek's feet, listening intently, eyes fastened on him :) Rayek goes on: ** And it is apparent, in his memory, that 'someone' is speaking thorugh the young boy's voice, as he tells his listeners, "We, for I existed by then, learned to send our spirits "out"...." And the voice speaks of the beings chosing Form and all the pleasures and pains that go with it. ** Ivy blinks slightly at the idea of _choosing_ form but doesn't say anything, gonna wait til story over before asking questions....lots and lots of questions.. Solstice listens intently, trying to make exact sense out of this. Redlark looks at the Cublings then turns her attention back to the story teller Rayek sends on: The beings of which the young/old voice speaks take to the stars, shaping around them shells made of the soil of their homeworld, and taking with them little ground-digging apes and winged insects as reminders of beings with only one shape. They journey from world to world, studying the creatures and places they find... and often imitating them. Solstice giggles silently. So -that's- where those things came from! Ivy wonders what apes are.... Rayek sends: ** ** Rayek, as he sends this, seems bleak of expression, at least for a while. Something in his face lightens a bit, as he continues with his tale to the children. Redlark oohs at the image in her mind. Ivy sighs at the idea... Solstice lays her arms on the ground now, her chin on them. She hmms thoughtfully. Redlark spares a glance for Solstice and smiles as she sees the little one deep in thought. Rayek sends on: ** ** Rayek finishes, gravely, now in his own mental voice rather than the memory of the boy's: ** And when the Palace crashed... the High Ones were met, and nearly slain, by the primitive humans. We have been struggling to survive, ever since. ** Zalen makes his way out of the Willowholt Camp. Zalen has arrived. Redlark looks over in the direction of the new arrival. Bramble shakes her head in amazement, "Wow!" Rayek pulls in a breath... looking drained. Over the Gate, Telia soars upward from the dancing square below. Solstice wrinkles her nose, trying to pick a question out of the manymany she's come up with. Her eyes open, and she nods. There's a good one. ** Why cut? ** Ivy looks up at Rayek, "What apes?" Over the Gate, Telia flies down as she spots Rayek from above. Over the Gate, Telia flies down. Telia wings down from above and lands by the gate. Telia has arrived. Redlark turns toward Rayek. "oh, have we tired you. I am sorry, I was not thinking...I got as lost in the story as the little ones." Zalen stretches a little and smiles, standing there with his arms crossed to watch over the scene. Rayek looks nervously from child to child, stance tensing a little more at the gathering crowd. Telia sees all the cubs surrounding Rayek and starts a little nervously. Reevol arrives from the winding path from Sorrow's End. Reevol has arrived. Reevol comes trudging up the trail from Sorrow's End... Reevol nods to Telia, notices Zalen with a raised eyebrow. Ivy looks at Rayek, frowning when he tenses up, then walks up to him and gives him a BIG hug, around his knees :) Reevol says "Good evening to you all..." Telia settles down on the ground a good distance away from the children, "Rayek?" Rayek, entwined in small arms, blushes vividly, and then jerks his gaze in Telia's direction. Telia gestures towards Reevol, "Reevol here would like to visit the palace." Reevol remains just behind Telia, munching on a piece of fruit. Redlark sends openly ** Cublings...perhaps you should let go of your friend ** Reevol nods to Rayek. "Evening." Reevol looks at you for a moment. Zalen eyes the elder glider a bit warily. Zalen sees two gliders, now that he thinks of it. Wierd. Reevol nods to Telia. Zalen says "The ... Palace?" Reevol raises an eyebrow to Zalen, nods briefly, looks back at Rayek and the cubs. Zalen says a little truer to the heart, "/The/ Palace?" Reevol says a bit drolly, "You know of any other Palaces about?" Telia sighs in frustration, "Yes, THE PALACE!" Zalen says crossly, "You don't have to be rude." Reevol glances first to Telia, then to Zalen. Rayek frowns, and carefully disengages from the children, saying tonelessly to the gathering at large, "If you will excuse me... I must meet Ekuar." [And with that, Rayek goes to meet the rockshaper; it is assumed that Telia and Reevol went after them, and offered them a ride back to the Palace on Telia's bond-bird. End log.]