From fscem1@camelot.acf-lab.alaska.edu Thu Apr 13 11:03:08 1995 Return-Path: Received: from camelot.acf-lab.alaska.edu by netcom19.netcom.com (8.6.12/Netcom) id LAA11386; Thu, 13 Apr 1995 11:02:19 -0700 Received: from arthur by camelot.acf-lab.alaska.edu (NX5.67d/NX3.0M) id AA02250; Thu, 13 Apr 95 09:57:49 -0800 From: "Catherine E. Murphy" Message-Id: <9504131757.AA02250@camelot.acf-lab.alaska.edu> Received: by arthur.acf-lab.alaska.edu (NX5.67d/NX3.0X) id AA00360; Thu, 13 Apr 95 09:57:54 -0800 Date: Thu, 13 Apr 95 09:57:54 -0800 Received: by NeXT.Mailer (1.100) Received: by NeXT Mailer (1.100) To: dewshine@netcom.com Subject: Brightlog #2 Status: RO You locksend to Silverlock, Brightfire, still from a distance, sends, her sending growing more and more worried. ** Ged? ** You sense in a locksend to Keshah, Brightfire: Silverlock's mind stirs lazily. 'Ged'.....? He knows the name, yes... You locksend, to Keshah, Silverlock: Brightfire feels the semi-openness of the send and half panics, her own sending flashing out, then narrowing to Talek alone... You locksend ** You know your name, thank the High Ones...but you've let Keshah hear??! ** to Silverlock. Keshah lifts her head abruptly. Brightfire believes she and Silversong are barely within the valley, searching our way down the walls... Keshah gets slowly, quietly to her feet, her hand going to the small golden knife she carries. With a last check of Silverlocks hidingplace, she slips away between the trees. Silversong remembers she and Brightfire just climbing through the vines of the copse. Silverlock locksends ** ** Keshah climbs, still quietly, up on a branch and very carefully parts the leaves to look out over the surroundings. You locksend ** Talek...Ged, do you remember me? ** to Silverlock. Brightfire shoots Silversong a worried look as they climb through the vines. You locksend ** There's something wrong with him...worse than before... ** to Silversong. Silversong follows carefully after Brightfire, her sachel getting often in her way. She frowns down at it, shoving it behind her every so often, but it just swings back around in her way again. Silversong locksends ** How do you mean...? ** Brightfire picks her way carefully, but almost absently, partly trying to scent through the blasted mists, and partly trying to send to both Talek and his sister at the same time. You locksend ** He knew me before...and he sent an image of Keshah all mixed up with a Preserver.. ** to Silversong. Silversong looks up at Brightfire, curiousity in her eyes. Silversong locksends ** Keshah? Who's that? ** Keshah watches the small party approach the next trap, and looks for the preservers. Brightfire pauses briefly, turning back to Silversong with a faintly confused look. Her sending, while open, is very quiet. ** Didn't I mention her? She's Talek's lovemate, I think. ** Silversong bats one branch aside out of her way. "Plants..." she mutters, "Ignoring anything I ask them... almost as if they were elves in that field out there, lost in dreams...." Silversong quietly nods. ** He didn't have her company when I found him in Lostholt... ** Brightfire blinks faintly. ** Do plants talk to you often? ** She turns back and continues through the trees, growling angrily, and then nods over her shoulder. ** She's with him now...caring for him... ** Silversong nods in return. ** Yes... at least, when I talk to them... but these are different, somehow. I'd almost think they were laughing at me. ** Keshah spots a preserver, and signals to it to come closer. Brightfire nods over her shoulder again, completely absently, for she has no idea if you've said anything or not, and walks into a patch of the cursed flowers, sneezing violently as she moves and sends pollen drifting up. Silversong pauses slightly, watching the pollen cloud going up. ** Careful... ** A small blue preserver pokes it's head up behind a flower, and is yanked down by another. Brightfire sneezes again, nearly tripping with the emotion behind it, and nods. ** I'm trying. TrusssssaaaaAAAAAAAAA ** "AAAAAAAAAAGH!!!" Very suddenly, Brightfire is hanging upside-down by one foot, hair, arms, and uncaptured leg flailing madly. ** GET ME DOWN !!! ** Silversong sends openly ** Just a moment, ** she begins to send, fumbling with something in her sachel, but cutting off in surprise as the elf in front of her is drawn suddenly upwards. Brightfire sends openly ** ** Keshah smiles triumphantly, and waves at the blue preserver and it's twin. "Take the one still upright!" Two bright blue preservers flit out of the flower-covered bush, and zip straight for Silversong! Brightfire spins slowly, still flailing, until she can see Keshah. ** Kesha??! What are you _doing_?? ** Silversong looks aside at the voice, frowning at seeing the two Preservers coming for her, trying to dodge aside. Keshah is still on the branch, mostly covered by the leaves. But her voice is unmistakable. "He is mine, and you won't have him! Preservers, do!" A blue preserver zips to the right, the other to the left, and they both start spitting wrapstuff at Silversong! Brightfire dangles in astonishment. ** Who? _Talek_? High Ones, lass, you can _have_ him once this Recognition is fulfilled! ** Silversong glances quickly upwards, eyes following the vine holding Brightfire up in the air, before returning to the Preservers. One left, one right... she dives forward, and down. Keshah hisses angrily, and starts climing down from the branch. "That is not true! You did something to him. I know it." Brightfire tries to bend herself double, back up towards the vine, and fails miserably. Not that it matters -- she doesn't carry a knife. ** I haven't done _anything_ to him! ** One blue preserver dives after Silversong, the other looks momentarily confused, and chitters as it spirals, getting it's bearings. Silversong scrambles back upright onto her feet, scrabbling with one hand around in her sachel. Where did it go?? There...! You locksend, to Strongbow, Rillwhisper: ** Help!!! Bugs! And traps! And Keshah's crazy! ** A well-aimed strand of wrapstuff hits Silversongs arm, as the first blue preserver pursues her. Brightfire sends openly ** Zap 'em, Silversong! Use your magic! ** Silversong dives off again as the one comes after her. "Preserver, cut it out! Stop this now!" she calls out, pulling what seems to be a small mass of small ropes out of her sachel. She swears as the bug scores a hit. Rillwhisper locksends, to Strongbow, Silversong, Brightfire, Fhen: ** We're coming! ** Rillwhisper joins you in the emerald twilight of the copse. Fhen joins you in the emerald twilight of the copse. Silversong spins about, watching the first Preserver approach, and flinging the small bundle of ropes -- a net, one can see now -- at the bug. Keshah looks startled as Rillwhisper appears..and dives between the trees, vanishing from sight. Rillwhisper comes running in as adroitly as a she-wolf on the hunt, eyes flicking to find any sign of treachery, or a stranger elf. Strongbow joins you in the emerald twilight of the copse. Preservers flitter into view, slowly, warily, out of the way of nastygrabby highthing hands. Rillwhisper sends openly ** Brightfire! Silversong....! Strongbow, cover me, I'll cut them down... ** Brightfire's dangling upside-down by one foot, above a patch of flowers, and sending constantly in outrage, sneezing as punctuation. Both blue perservers are now trying to wrap up Silversong, spitting wrapstuff at her as the fly in circles around her. Strongbow keeps the black preserver in his hand, bow lifted in the other hand, eyes dark and warning. In an instant he reaches for Fhen and thrusts the black preserver at him. ** Take this! ** Strongbow reaches behind his back with his bow hand, trying to get an arrow without stabbing himself in the eye with the end of his bow. Silversong swears again as the net misses, holding out her hands now... a bright shimmering light surrounding them. "C'mere, bugs!" she almost snarls out. Fhen grabs the bug that is thrust at him, making sure not to let go of the one he already has. Rillwhisper quickly notes Silversong's on her feet, but Brightfire is closer to her. She has her brightmetal dagger out in an instant, and she moves to free the second healer. Strongbow lets go of the black one and has an arrow nocked in the backswing of that movement. He watches Rillwhisper, willing to take aim at even the tiniest target that may try to hamper her. On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry chatters a flurry of scolds at the blue Preservers. HoneyGold chatters back vindictively, and makes no attempt to dissuade its blue companions Rainsweet and Sweetrain. Only a stirring leaf betrays where Keshah disappears into the bushes. Brightfire *fwumps* to the ground, sending up a vast cloud of pollen, and sneezes so hard her eyes water. ** Thanks, chieftess. ** She rolls to her feet, sneezing again, and dives away from the hubub after the now-invisible Keshah. Rillwhisper nods quickly to Brightfire, flashes a send of gratitude to Fhen, and sprints off through the dim light of the copse after the fleeing one. Strongbow sends, darkly, after the escaping one. ** Follow? ** He questions Rillwhisper, already moving thhat way. Silversong swings her hands at the circling bugs, trying to both get at them, and keep free of being wrapped at the same time. Rillwhisper sends a general warning to watch for traps, as well as any hidden cocoons that might have the missing Talek in them. The blue preservers huddle with the others, chirping at eachother. /Nowrap highthings?/ Brightfire's moving _slightly_ more warily than she was before, though her expression indicates little patience with either possible traps or Kesha's peculiar behavior. Where _is_ Talek, curse it? She can't scent a blasted thing in this place... On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry swings in, trying to help the nice softvoice healerhighthing, and yells scoldingly at the blue Preservers, /No wrap Fallberry's friends!/ Silversong mock-lunches at the two blue preservers, hands shimmering, with the 'hurtfires' Brightfire told her they were afraid of. Keshah locksends ** You are too late! You will never get him, now. ** Rillwhisper plunges as quickly as she dares, sending a brief flare of acknowledgement at Strongbow, who tracks better than she does. But she isn't giving up either, and she searches the foliage for wherever Keshah went... You locksend ** Talek? Ged, where _are_ you?? ** to Silverlock. A dry twig snaps audibly, a short distance away. You locksend ** What is _wrong_ with you? ** to Keshah. Fhen glares at the blue Preservers. "Wrap anything, bugs, and your friends will be permanently grounded!" You sense in a locksend to Keshah, Brightfire: Silverlock's ordered silence wavers. He was told to be quiet.. but... She is calling... Keshah locksends ** He's mine! ** Brightfire's head snaps that direction and she dives toward teh snapping twig, going where fools fear to tread and without the slightest fear of traps. Strongbow finds the foliage that Fhen sent in clarity as he hears the twig, and swivels in an instant to chase after it, bow down but arrow still against the lax string. You locksend to Silverlock, Brightfire's sending attempts...not necessarily sucesscully...to be calm. ** Ged, it's Iara. Can you hear me? ** You sense in a locksend to Keshah, Brightfire: Silverlock with a whimper subsides into silence. Don't make the dreams go away... Suddenly, there is a rustle above, and something huge and white and shimmering falls down from the branches, settling over Brightfire and whoever is close to her, tangling them up! Fhen tightens his grip on the two Preservers in his possession. Rillwhisper yelps - wha? Silversong lowers her hands, pulling the sticky wrappings away from where the two bugs hit her, as the twin blues seem to pause and huddle. Brightfire sends triumphantly as she dives into the branches, reaching for the twig that was snapped. ** Got yo -- aaaaaaaAAAAAGH!!! ** Strongbow starts and lifts his bow, arrow instantly nocked, but stops at the sight of the white...stuff. Brightfire kicks at the wrapstuff, trying to get the sticky, nasty stuff off her. ** Help, curse it, HELP! ** You locksend ** Why are you _doing_ this?? I mean him no harm! ** to Keshah. Clinging wrapstuff, entwined with twigs and bits of wood, clings to Brightfire and tangles up her limbs. In the background, Keshah laughs, rather shrilly. You locksend ** Trust me, cub, what you'll get if you wake up is better than dreams... ** to Silverlock. Strongbow leaps forward, sending unworded curses. Keshah locksends ** Then go away! He's mine, only mine -- You won't touch him! ** Rillwhisper, a pace behind Brightfire, goes down under the unexpected blanket, her green eyes gone dark in fury and frustration. Fallberry cries /Nastybad highthing!/ and tries to catch up with Keshah, in a purple streak. You locksend ** I _can't_ go away! I need him, curse it! ** to Keshah. Strongbow pulls an arrow and uses it to gash into the wrapstuff. ** Calm, ** he sends, anything but calm himself. ** Don't tangle. ** He scowls darkly into the shrubbery. Silversong sends back at Fhen, ** Keep an eye on them, ** motioning to the two blues, and going after where Brightfire and the others went. Brightfire, with supreme effort, takes Strongbow's advice and stops struggling, though her sendings snarl incoherantly. Silverlock locksends ** ** Fhen nods to the healer, glaring at the two blue bugs. Keshah moves swiftly and quietly, half circling the area until she reaches the hidden wrapstuff. There, she kneels, placing a hand on it as she listens with all senses. You locksend ** He's got _something_ bad in him, healer. _Curse_ that girl! ** to Silversong. Strongbow pauses midgash to gift the laughter in the shadows with a particularly unpleased sending, but returns his attent to clearing the trapped elves. Rillwhisper blushes in visible embarrassment, tense as she lets the archer swiftly work to cut them free. Curse it, she'd bragged about not getting wrapped! From afar, to Keshah, Silversong, Brightfire, Rillwhisper: Strongbow says "Aw." Silversong locksends ** I can see that... ** Strongbow gets a hole cut into the wrapping and puts his hands on it, yanking it apart impatiently. The blue preservers flit closer to Fhen and his captives... Brightfire, as soon as it's possible, manages to fight her way out of the wrapstuff with Strongbow's help, and without futher ado, stalks after Keshah, being _very_ careful this time. Fhen says "Don't come any closer, bugs, unless you want to see these two without wings." On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry clenches tiny purple fists, hovering over Rillwhisper as the chieftess wriggles free after the healer. Strongbow helps Brightfire out of the goo and follows Rillwhisper. On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry scolds vehemently, /Fallberry put all you nastybad wethings in big big wrapstuff!/ The blue preservers keep their distance, biding their time, and whispering excitedly to another. Rillwhisper sends openly ** ** Silversong almost continues after Rill and the others, but then decides that four preservers is just too much to handle for just one elf, turning back and returning to Fhen's side. Brightfire manages, after some time, to find the original copse where she and Keshah found Talek, and there, once again, is the pair of them, one well-wrapped, one looking somewhat psychotic. ** Kesh, what _is_ this?? ** The copse has gone very, very quiet... Fhen sends openly ** Please, can I break just one? ** You locksend ** We'll fix you up, Ged...don't worry... ** to Silverlock. You sense in a locksend to Keshah, Brightfire: Silverlock would whimper, if he could... his dream wavers, torn, as strong compulsions pull him in two directions. Rillwhisper plucks wrapstuff out of her hair. Fallberry helps. Then, with dagger still drawn, she poises herself just behind Brightfire, all senses alert. Silversong shakes her head to Fhen. "Better not, Fhen..." she mumbles, watching the twin blues. Fhen pouts. ** These are the bugs that wrapped me up. ** Strongbow lifts his bow, face frozen in concentration that goes past mere scowling, and nods to Brightfire's questioning. Rillwhisper sends openly ** Not just you, Fhen. Not just you. ** Silversong quietly nods. "Same ones?" she asks, walking over to pick up where her fallen net lies. Keshah gnaws at her lower lip, eyes flickering back and forth. She gives the cocoon an experimental tug, then shakes her head... and goes back to being veryvery quiet. You locksend ** It's all right, Ged. I'm here now. ** to Silverlock. Rillwhisper sends firmly in Keshah's direction, ** You can't escape us, cousin. I'll send my bug back if your traps get us... and my mate will come to burn this place down. My brother will shape the flowers so that you can no longer snare elves in dreaming. ** Fhen nods to Silversong. He thinks back, remembering the expressions on their faces before he fell asleep. Brightfire shakes her head in irritation and moves forward, clearly heading towards the coccon. Keshah doesn't much bother her; it's Talek that's important right now. One of the blue Preservers pipes plaintively, /We just want to take care of highthings!/ The other agrees timidly, /Keep snugsafe!/ Keshah stands slowly, holding her small golden knife in front of her. Near the place where Keshah is hiding, there is to the sharp observing eye a pale glimmer of silver amidst the leaves. No... two. Strongbow's eyes narrow as he begins to comprehend the nature of Rillwhisper's accusaions, and he firms the aim of his bow, sending agreement with Rillwhisper's send, and backup to her threats. Silversong holds her hand out. "You want to take care of highthings? Come here, let's talk about it. I think I know some highthings you can take care of." Fhen nods at Silversong. Brightfire scowls hugely, expression reminiscent of Strongbow's, and she studies the cocoons as she nears them. ** High Ones. I think there's two elves here. ** HoneyGold finally speaks up, and orders the blues, /No talk to naughtybad highthings!/ The two blues whimper, confused. Keshah says "St..stay away!" Silversong smiles. "But you can help me," she says to the two blues. "You can help me keep highthings snugsafe." Brightfire sends openly ** Timmorn's _blood_, Keshah, I'm not going to hurt him. ** Brightfire sends openly ** Them... ** Keshah waves her small knife in Brightfire's general direction. "I won't let you take him away again!" Rillwhisper lets Brightfire confront the Sun Village maiden - seeing, now, as she observes Keshah, that the teeth seem pulled out of her bravado. Brightfire stops and turns fully to face Keshah. ** I'm going to take him away from this place. You .will. not stop that. I have no intention of taking him away from /you/. ** Keshah says "Nooo!" Keshah leaps at Brightfire, without warning. On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry leaps, too... irritated with all this noise and chatter. It spits its own wrapstuff - at Keshah. Rillwhisper gives a wicked grin, and decides not to scold her bug, for once, for wrapping without her order. But then, she'd been just about to give that order anyway. Brightfire yelps aloud in surprise, lifting her hands to block the knife and to grab Keshah's hand. ** _Stop_ that!! ** Her sending rings with fury, and a faint flash of healing fire dances...not pain...not yet... On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry moves to immobilize the naughty makesnares highthing, trying to wrap her arms! Strongbow holds his bow ready, trembling a bit. He sends wordless note to Rillwhisper that she may ask him to graze, wound, threaten...his arrow nocked and aimed at Keshah. Keshah's knife drops from her hand, and she bat at the wrapstuff with the other. "Nononono! Stop!" You locksend ** She's not really dangerous...just a bit crazy with love for him... ** to Strongbow. Keshah suddenly freezes, and stares at Brightfire. Brightfire looks utterly relieved, then confused, as Kesh drops the knife and then stares. ** WHat? ** Keshah locksends ** You.. ** You locksend ** What?? ** to Keshah. Brightfire scrambles to her feet, warily, eyeing Keshah. Fallberry deftly wraps Keshah's arms, and then proudly retreats to Rillwhisper's shoulder. Rillwhisper locksends, to Silversong, Brightfire: ** Can you two calm her? ** Keshah shakes her head slowly, utter confusion in her eyes, and she takes a slow step back. "No...." Brightfire spreads her hands slightly, shaking her head. ** What? ** Strongbow lowers his bow, watching, eyes dark, thoughts somewhere else as much as they are here. He nods a little, almost to himself. Silversong locksends, to Brightfire, Rillwhisper: ** Not and still keep an eye on these two Preservers out here... wouldn't want them wrapping Fhen up again. ** Brightfire sends openly ** Keshah, what under the _moons_ is wrong? ** Rillwhisper flicks a tired wry grin at Fallberry, who perches proudly on her shoulder, and very quietly moves towards the cocoons - hoping Brightfire can hold Keshah's attention. Keshah tears free with a sob, and turns to run. Rillwhisper locksends, to Silversong, Brightfire: ** HoneyGold's their leader and I already made it promise. ** Brightfire, in such exasperation that she speaks aloud, says, "Oh, for..." in her growly voice, and gives chase, at least for a short distance, and then her need for Talek pulls her up sharply, and she stops, turning back to the cocoons. Strongbow's eyes close an instant, and then he runs to block Keshah, if he can. ** Not this time. ** Fhen keeps his grip tight on the two Preservers. Keshah is blocked, giving Strongbow a wild-eyed look. Rillwhisper glances at Strongbow... Brightfire growls carefully, "Fallberry, can you wrapstuff her? It's the only way to make her quiet enough to get her out of here..." Rillwhisper nudges her bug towards Keshah. "Do." On Rillwhisper's shoulder, Fallberry flits in solemnly, and begins to go to work. Keshah says "But..he is mine..you can't. She can't..." Brightfire's sending is almost amused. ** He's yours. I'm just borrowing him for a bit. ** Rillwhisper then turns to Brightfire, pointing at the two cocoons. "Which?" Strongbow spreads his arms a little, as if mocking blocking her. Rillwhisper kneels down, to start carefully tearing at one. Brightfire, unerringly, moves to Talek's cocoon, kneeling. Strongbow locks his eyes on Keshah and is still. Silversong looks at the two Preservers, and walks off into the trees, after the commotion. "C'mon, Fhen.. they won't do anything." Keshah gets wrapped, swaying and finally sinking down as the silvery stuff covers here. Brightstar is freed from the cocoon. Rillwhisper gasps, murmuring roughly, "High Ones, this is a cub...!" Liquid silver eyes meet your own, but without really seeing you. Their owner, a girl cub of about thirteen turns, smiles dreamily in your direction, but you get the impression that she doesn't really notice you. Her long, strawberry blonde hair is worked into many tiny braids, and has brilliant flowers, a golden feather, and a beaded circlet woven though it. She seems to have lost all her clothing somewhere, but she's high enough on the narcotic plant life and drinks she's been given by her tiny guardians not to notice. She is tall for one her age, and very delicate looking. Strongbow catches the wrapped elf and kneels with the weight of her fall. Brightfire's jaw drops. ** Brightstar??? ** Brightstar blinks sleepily. In the torn cocoon, Silverlock is revealed more slowly, after much more wrapstuff is removed. Silversong blinks at the loud send. ** Brightstar? What is Winddream's cub doing -here-? ** Brightfire, for the moment, is surprised enough to be distracted from Talek as she stares at Brightstar. Strongbow lays the Keshah-cocoon down, gently, gaze oddly soft. Brightstar remembers those names, and blinks hard. ** Huh? ** In the torn cocoon, Silverlock is thin, almost as pale as bone, with ruined flower petals staining his hair. His mouth is lightly tinged berry-purple, almost the only spot of color on his entire gaunt face. Strongbow rises slowly and steps over the cocoon of Keshah and looks at the cubs emerging from the cocoons. Brightfire's eyes go back to Silverlock, and a small sound of worry escapes her. ** Oh, High Ones... ** Healing fire flares up, not that she has any idea of where to start. Rillwhisper lifts both eyebrows as Silversong and Brightstar both seem to know this other cub, and works briskly to remove the rest of the cocoon. She hauls the fragile-seeming form of the youth free. You locksend ** Please...help me...? ** to Silversong. Strongbow furrows his brow at this sight of Talek, then moves forward to aid. Brightstar looks through hair at Silverlock, or tries to. Silversong glances at the cub for a moment, before kneeling down beside Brightfire, on the other side of Silverlock. "Well, brother mine... quite mess you've got yourself into.." she murmurs, before lightly setting her hand upon Talek's forehead. Fhen moves over to the newly freed elves, offering assistance. The wrapstuff dissolves Brightfire looks up. ** Strongbow...can you find food of some sort for him? Something that's _not_ berries? ** Silverlock blinks limpidly, languidly, a stir of vague fear in his heavy gaze. He stares blankly up at the faces over him. Rillwhisper says softly, "They'll both need water." Silversong looks down at her brother, brushing her hand across his hair for a moment, before her hand gains a soft shimmer in the dim light of the copse. ** Let's work together, Brightfire... ** Brightstar blinks hard again, trying to get rid of some of the sleepiness. Strongbow nods, eyes oddly distant. ** And Keshah, when she wakes...not here, I suggest. ** He bends to lift his bow, then straightens and scents the air. Rillwhisper glances quietly at Strongbow, green eyes considering. Fhen suddenly looks down at his hands, remembering that he still has the two Preservers. ** Should I let them go now? ** Strongbow closes his eyes a moment, then opens them, and stalks off in search of water and food of the nonberry kind. Brightfire nods to Silversong, but reaches out to touch Brightstar briefly, warm healing fire running through her to clear the cub's head. Softly, almost bemusedly, she sends, ** And can you see well, cubling, with those silver eyes? ** Brightstar blinks hard again, and sneezes. ** Where's Dots? ** Fhen carelessly releases his hold on the two Preservers, letting them fall to the ground. Rillwhisper smiles tiredly at her young tribesmate, looking back at Fhen at his question. "Let them go, cousin." She then says to the group, "I'm going to help the archer hunt." Silversong shakes her head quietly, looking down at Talek. ** Idiot elf... ** she sendmumbles, but it's not clear whether she's talking about Keshah, or her brother. ** He needs food, above anything else. No berries, no shrooms. ** Rillwhisper then, noiselessly, vanishes into the foliage after the archer. Brightfire manages to split her attention. ** I told Kesh to feed him only water if she couldn't find anything solid...curse her! Who's Dots, cub? ** Silversong reaches down into her sachel, sorting around through it. ** It's better than nothing at all... ** she sendmumbles, pulling out one of the remaining rosecherry fruits she brought along. She looks back at Brightfire. ** May I borrow your knife? I think I dropped mine somewhere through that scuffle. ** Brightstar thinks about that question for a little while, then sends an image of a blue-eyed boycub, directed at Brightfire. ** Dots.. he came here with me? ** Fhen sends openly ** Want me to look for your knife, Silvie? ** Brightfire spreads her hands absently. ** I don't carry one. Lost mine turns ago and never replaced it. ** She digs through wrapstuff until she finds Kesh's little golden knife, and hands it to Silversong. Silverlock blinks very slowly, as Silversong's attentions seem to bring a measure of lucidity into his gaze. He lies limply between the two healers, not moving an inch. Brightfire takes one of Talek's hands, looking down at him and sending intensely, faint healing fire dancing. Silversong smiles back at Fhen. ** It'd be appreciated... though I don't know if you'll be able to find it. It's just a bone knife. No great loss. ** You locksend ** You silly, foolish cub. We're here to clear your head...do you remember me now, Ged? ** to Silverlock. Silverlock slowly focuses on Brightfire, seemingly becoming fascinated with her. Brightfire, with a very small part of her concentration, answers Brightstar. ** We haven't seen him. He may have returned home...Bright, what are you _doing_ here? Yourmother must be in a panic... ** Silversong takes the small knife, using it to section the two rosecherries into smaller pieces. These she goes about placing into Talek's mouth. ** Eat, brother.. ** Fhen smiles. ** Okay, Silvie. ** He moves off to look, at least for a little while, for the knife. Silversong glances back at Fhen. ** If you can find some clean water... ** Brightfire smiles foolishly down at Silverlock, nodding. ** Eat. It'll make you stronger... ** Silverlock locksends ** A... a dream... ** Brightstar watches the grownups curiously, waiting for the last of the dreams and bug berries to clear. ** Why? I haven't been gone that long.. ** Fhen nods to Silversong. ** I'll go do that first. ** Brightstar senses "Brightfire's other hand rests lightly on your forehead, and a warm healing glow runs through you, finishing to clear your head." Silversong smiles, and nods appreciation to Fhen, before returning to feeding the bits of fruit to her brother. Fhen goes off in search of some clean water. Brightfire sends openly ** It's been longer than you think, cub. I've been gone...nearly a season since I left for help... ** Silverlock, still staring dreamily at Brightfire, barely notices as Silversong offers him the rosecherry bits. Ingrained habit, though, from however long the bugs have been feeding him, makes him placidly accept the offering. You locksend ** The dreams are going to go away, Ged. I know you want them, but yu must trust that this is best. ** to Silverlock. Silversong smiles quietly. ** There, Talek... good. ** Silverlock locksends ** I... am.... Ged? I... ** Silverlock blinks slowly, perhaps about to furrow his brow, but he lacks the strength even for that tiny action of muscle. A tiny whimper escapes him. Brightfire bites her lower lip, looking down at Talek, and nods marginally. You locksend ** Aye, you are Ged. And I am Iara. You didn't know yourself, did you? ** to Silverlock. You sense in a locksend, Silverlock reaches unsteadily for a Keshah with strangely pale hands, and Preserver's wings... but the vision in his head begins to lose substance, as Silversong's rosecherry enters his system. Brightfire looks up suddenly, grey eyes grateful. ** That stuff is helping. The rosecherry. ** You locksend to Silverlock, Brightfire separates the images for you, showing you Keshah as she really is, a fleeting glimpse of a Preserver, and herself. ** Do you see? Separate beings, all. ** Silversong smiles back at Brightfire. ** Good... Sweetleaf's always been as good at clearing minds up, as he has been at clouding them. ** Silverlock locksends ** I... am... Ged. ** Brightfire sneezes, then nods, glancing over at the nearly-sleeping Brightstar. ** Wonder why she's here. ** She shakes her head, then smiles down at Silverlock. You locksend to Silverlock, Brightfire smiles. ** Aye, you are. Hello, Ged. ** Fhen returns with a flask of clean water. ** Found some. ** He hands the flask to Silversong. You sense in a locksend, Silverlock tells you solemnly, ** Keshah shaped rock-dreams. She sounded like Mother... ** You locksend ** Thank you, lad. ** to Fhen. Brightfire blinks rapidly at Silverlock. Silversong pauses in feeding the bits of fruit to Talek, taking the flask from Fhen. She smiles gratefully to him. Silverlock's eyes grow a little clearer, and he gazes languidly up at Brightfire in continued fascination, as if seeing nothing else save her. Fhen locksends ** You're welcome. ** Silversong looks curiously back at Brightfire. Silversong locksends ** What is it? ** You locksend ** Did she, now? Well, Keshah's asleep now, so the dreams are gone for a bit. ** to Silverlock. You locksend ** he says Keshah shaped rock-dreams for him, and that she sounded like his mother. ** to Silversong. Fhen goes back to looking for Silversong's knife. Silverlock locksends ** ** Silversong blinks at a sending from Brightfire, and shakes her head in exasperation. ** Idiot elf, Keshah.... I thought I worked that OUT of him! And here she puts it right back. ** Silverlock turns his head slightly, slowly becoming more aware of Silversong. Brightfire sends openly ** I don't think you did... ** Silversong whispers "With a mind that berry-shroom-malleable, ANYONE who knows how to send could do that. :)" You locksend to Silverlock, Brightfire touches the old dreams briefly, nodding. ** Later, for those. Now we need to make you strong. ** Silversong frowns to herself. ** I can tell we have our work cut out for us, Brightfire... ** she sends, and looks down at Talek again. Silverlock, despite being older than Brightstar, looks as young if not younger than the sleeping cub, as he dreamily regards the two faces above his. The one with golden hair... yes, he knows that one. He... _should_ know the one with silver hair... Brightfire nods, looking up at Silversong. ** I think it would be better if we could bring him away from this place to heal him. ** After a few minutes, Fhen looks down and bends over to pick something up. He walks over to Silversong. ** Is this it? ** Silversong nods in agreement to Brightfire. ** We should. But I don't think we're really going to be able to do anything, though... until the Recognition between the two of you has been satisfied. ** Silversong smiles at Fhen, nodding gratefully. ** Yes, that's it. You've got good eyes. Thank you. ** Brightfire looks genuinely amused for a moment. ** Until he's _stronger_, the Recognition _won't_ be satisfied. He hasn't got the strength for it, Silversong. ** Fhen hands the knife back to Silversong. ** You're welcome. ** He smiles. Silversong gently puts her knife back into her sachel, and nods to Brightfire. ** True. I was merely pointing it out. ** You locksend ** You're a brave lad, you know that? I didn't like coming back in here, and I _had_ to. ** to Fhen. Silversong sends openly ** In any case, we needs to get him away from here. ** Silverlock does manage to furrow his brow, now. Such... strange voices he keeps hearing in his head. Sending. Yes. He remembers sending. But... they're talking about strange things.... You locksend to Silverlock, Brightfire smiles. ** You'll understand soon. You just need to wake up a bit more, Ged. ** Fhen blushes slightly. Fhen locksends ** Ya think so? ** You sense in a locksend, Silverlock agrees dreamily, ** Sleepy. Like to be sleepy. ** Brightfire nods. ** Aye...when they come back from hunting, perhaps? ** You locksend to Fhen, Brightfire's sending is quite clear. ** High Ones, yes. This valley gives me the chills, and you volunteered to join us. It shows courage. ** Fhen lowers his head as he smiles and turns about four shades of red. You sense in a locksend, Silverlock, seeming pleased to be told he doesn't have to think, responds with an innocent ripple of happiness. Silversong nods quietly. ** It'll have to be soon though... I don't have much rosecherry left. Certainly not enough to last all of us through a whole day. ** You locksend to Silverlock, Brightfire laughs softly. ** You'll be all right, Ged. Thank the High Ones. ** Silversong looks curiously at Fhen. ** Why're you blushing? ** Brightfire grins slightly at Fhen, and nods to Silvie. ** The less time we spend here, the happier I'll be. ** Fhen points at Brightfire. ** Ask her. ** Silversong turns back to Brightfire, looking curiously at her. She sends a sense of curiosity for her, passing the question. Brightfire chuckles silently at Fhen, then shrugs a sholder, smiling. ** I merely told him he was a remarkably brave lad. I don't like coming into this valley again, and I had no choice. He did. I call that courage. ** Silversong smiles, and she nods in agreement. ** Aye. ** Fhen turns a couple more shades of red. =) Brightfire picks at a bit of wrapstuff. ** I wonder if this could be made into a carry-stretch... ** -Bright