|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:41:21 GMT 1
A full day has now passed on the tribe, since the attack by the trolls. They found their resting area to be poor protection against the daylight sun, something few were used to, but they managed, many of the tribe sleeping off their exhaustion. Brighteyes himself had fallen into a very deep sleep, hardly stirring with occasional incoherent words barely leaving his mouth.
Others spent the day resting but unable to sleep, keep themselves occupied in other ways, foraging, mending wounds or clothing, or just providing words of support for those around them. However as the sun was setting, putting the elves back into their familiar nightfall, clouds began to gather, and there was the scent of a storm in the air, The tribe wouldn’t be able to remain without some sort of shelter for long.
Eclipse had sat down a while ago, not wanting to walk around and think of all that they had just gone through. He tried fixing up his leathers, that had, for his misfortune been rather abused. He seemed a bit shallow as all he could think of now were his looks. He had tried finding shadow, for he wasn't an actual friend of the sun. "Owlpellets! This cursed light makes my skin burn!" he growled trying to move so his pale arms wouldn't burn.
RedStreak had found some special rocks that were reddish and some that were darker. He had taken a water sack and breaking the rocks on a bigger one let some water escape the sack on the crushed rocks. Smoothly he rubbed his hands on the rock creating colors and adding some water from time to time. With a faint smile on his lips he moved to a big rock and with his pale fingers painted a big tree on it. He smiled.
LizardStalker found a lizard and proceeded to stalk it, then he caught it. He went over to Eclipse, “I got it.” He said proudly. He liked doing this and was going to show all that he could still catch them. Sprinter went with him, not leaving his side for anything.
ChildWolf smiled when he saw his little brother doing things that he liked to do. He kept his short spear by his side, making sure that everyone is safe from harm.
Eclipse turned for the cub and lifted his other brow. "Good for you!" he growled in a rather not-so-kind matter.
RedStreak turned around as the sun-haired male proceeded his work with his clothes. The self-made paint wet on his fingers the cub smiled widely. "Oh!" he said and stood up and went to Lizardstalker. "Hey! I could paint that!" he said excitedly and looked up at his eyes. "Come," he gestured with his hand starting to walk to the rock glancing at the lizard once, being just as excited as he was.
LizardStalker looked a bit hurt when he heard Eclipse say that. When RedStreak came he was happy again, "Ah-ke," he said and went with him and showed him the lizard so his playmate could paint it.
ChildWolf heard Eclipse and glared at him, ~**You could be a little bit nicer to him.**~ he sent to him with a hint of a growl in it. He then watched his little brother play with RedStreak.
Eclipse lifted his brows and gave him a look that told 'like I’d even care'. He didn't really like cubs. Actually he hated them. He couldn't stand the way they always were asking stupid things, he never had the time to explain them the answers. Besides, they were dirty and their leathers were dusty. He dusted his pants a bit as if he'd just been touched by dirty hands. Even thinking about it made him shiver!
RedStreak tapped his hands together a bit as Lizardstalker agreed. He let out a cheerful short laugh and then looked at the lizard with those thoughtful eyes of the artist. He even frowned as he had seen adults doing when they were deep in thought. Putting his finger to his chin it left a reddish brown colored spot there. Then he smiled. "Haa!" he lifted his finger and pressed it gently to the rock drawing a line with it. "The back…" he explained and then glanced at the lizard painting the tail and the head. As he was finished he smiled and put his chin to rest on his hand (that was of course wet with paint)."Finished! Tadaah!" he said and lifted up his hands. "Maybe some of the animals will see it and think it's real, don't you think so too?" he asked turning his green eyes up to look at Lizardstalker. The painting was rather crappy and faintly looked like the lizard, it had the tail, the head, and the legs...but it was a work made by a little cub. Still, it was a bit finer than his age mates would have done. He after all had the skill.
LizardStalker looked at it. "Yeah maybe. Wanna play?" he asked, he wanted something to do, but what....
ChildWolf looked at them and went over to them. "What are you two up to?"
BrightEyes, had slept the whole time, waking up twice, for a few seconds to look around dazed and then slip back into slumber. His body was feeling rested, his mind mostly whole after taking the time to gather itself back up. Soon it would be time for him to wake again, and unfortunately with a rested mind the deep dreamless sleep left, and the nightmares of the night before started haunting him, his sleep was becoming restless now, whimpering as he twitched and shivered.
RedStreak turned and smiled widely to ChildWolf. It looked as if he'd have something in mind. He turned his gaze just a little towards Lizardstalker as he saw BrightEyes. He had felt so bad for him of everything the other cub had gone through. They both had lost their fathers. He stood up and saw as the Chief's heir started twitching. He frowned and moved swiftly to the sleeping cub. He came beside him and glanced back at the two brothers with a worried look in his green eyes. "BrightEyes" he repeated a few times as he shook him lightly with his hands. "Wanna come and play?" he asked as if using the last straw to wake him up. He lifted his brows as he had spoken and had a hopeful look on his face.
BrightEyes opened his eyes slowly, looking up at RedStreak for a moment before shaking his head slowly. "No thanks." He mumbled turning onto his side. He didn’t close his eyes again though, he was awake now, he didn’t feel an ounce tired, considering he had slept it all away now, but since he couldn’t sleep he just wand to curl up to himself and do some more nothing.
Putting his lips together tightly he looked on the ground for a moment. He knew that BrightEyes had become like this, but he shouldn't. He shouldn't just keep to himself. "Oh, but you can't just sleep all day Bright," he said and glanced at Lizardstalker. "Look what Stalky found. A lizard," he said pointing at the other trying to seem very cheerful to make him come and play. "Come on BrightEyes...It's a really great lizard, honestly..." he said and was again in silence for a while. He turned to the two brothers looking at them with a desperate look. He turned down his gaze with a sad expression.
Brighteyes shook his head again. "I... Just don’t feel like moving. Or playing. Or anything else." he muttered as he curled up on his side and stared blankly ahead. He had no drive for anything, despite the sleep he felt as if he had no energy, no purpose left, his stomach felt empty but he didn’t want to eat, maybe he thought, if he just lay here long enough he could go away and find his parents again, and be with them, away from the world.
ChildWolf watched the young ones.
LizardStalker went over to where RedStreak and BrightEyes were. **You are chief’s son. You lead, or learn to lead. You have purpose. You have us.** he sent to him trying to convince him to get up and move. **See, even lizard need you**
ChildWolf went over to them and sat near BrightEyes. "You know they are right, young chief" was all he said as he listened.
RedStreak wasn't sure if calling him Chief could make him feel any better, but maybe giving him a duty a purpose to serve could make him snap back. Still, they weren't allowed to wait that he would become his own self again, but it made RedStreak sad to watch him. The once so energetic Chief's heir was now all but that. They three of them were all almost of an age, he was just a turn younger than BrightEyes and Lizardstalker. "Just like father said, it is in your blood. Leading I mean" he said and still kept his hand gently on the other cub's shoulder. He looked at the lizard, it didn't seem so fun anymore..."You have to be the Chief, if not for the adults. Then you'll be our leader!" he said and looked at the others.
Brighteyes shook his head closing his eyes now, putting his arms over his head. "I don’t want to be a chief, I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to...." His words trailed up he curled up tighter, he wanted to be far, far away from here, he wanted to be home, with his parents, safe in their den, he wanted to forget everything that had happened, he didn’t want this.
Bright yes words seemed to have chased them off, no one else had said anything, and he felt a little bad now, they were trying, but despite their tries he simply didn’t have the will to do anything anymore, for him it was useless, why try when everyone would just be lost again. He sniffled slightly, he felt like crying, something he hadn’t done too much yet. He felt bad that the tribe was trying to help him, he felt so alone, they seemed to want to help.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:42:14 GMT 1
*****
Branchwalker slowly began to return to the land of the conscious elves. He felt sick. Not in the stomach twisting, headache sort of way. It was more like in the 'Oh-High-Ones-I-wish-yesternight-had-never-happened' way. He needed something to do to keep his mind off what had happened and still was happening to him and his tribe mates. Especially away from the thoughts of what the trolls could be doing to Sparkstone right at the moment.
Dawngazer was sleeping beside him, but he didn't feel like waking her. She been up late, taking care of him until he'd fallen asleep and sending soothing thoughts to him when he'd finally done so. She deserved some sleep of her own now.
Looking around he spotted some of the cubs who seemed to be the only ones awake. Wait, hadn't someone been appointed to keep watch? Yes, he was sure of that, but who? He scanned the sleeping elves and his memory finally jumpstarted when he set eyes on a red-haired elfess who also was asleep. He couldn't blame her, everyone had been deadly tired yesternight and nothing had happened. He thought about leaving her alone, but he wanted to ask her if she'd heard or seen anything before she'd fallen asleep, just in case.
Branchwalker walked over to her, knelt down and quietly whispered, "Sunset?" close to her ear, hoping that would wake her up.
"Mmm...Arrowflash..." Bloodmane murmured in her sleep. But somehow her sleeping mind could tell that the voice didn't belong to her lifemate. She opened her eyes, glaring at Branchwalker in a very annoyed way. "What?" Then the memories brought themselves to the forefront of her mind again, along with the knowledge that she had been supposed to keep guard and had fallen asleep. "Don't call me that," she snapped at him, a lot harsher than she would have needed to, "My name is Bloodmane."
Branchwalker nearly fell over backwards at the elfess sudden outburst. "S-sorry", he stuttered, flinching slightly. "I-I didn't know..." He trailed off, what else was there to say?
"Never mind," Bloodmane sighed. "What did you want?"
"I..." Branchwalker began, but trailed off. Suddenly his reason for waking Bloodmane seemed very pathetic. "I just wanted to ask you..." Another pause. "Did you see anything while you had watch? Are we safe?" There, it was said. Now if Bloodmane began growling again he could always bolt back to where Dawngazer slept.
BrightEyes sat huddled against a tree, shut out to the tribe around him, he felt rather sorry for how he refused to be coaxed out, many of them seemed hurt when they finally gave up and left, but he simply didn’t have the will to do it, and so far nothing could get him to change his mind. A rumble overhead did get him to look up however, and through the canopy of trees he noticed the dark angry clouds, the storm was almost ready to break loose upon the elves, who were unprepared for such a thing, with nothing to shelter them from the rain.
Eveninglight saw the young cub sit against the three, and came a little closer, she didn't want to bother him, it seemed to her he was bothered enough by others, but still, he was the chief, or the chief’s son, if he would rather hear that. "Hi, how are you doing Brighteyes?" she said while sitting down next to him. "Think it's going to rain hard," she said pointing at the clouds above them.
Bloodmane gave him a glare of death for an answer before opening her mouth for reminding her that she had fallen asleep on guard duty. "Nothing. I suppose we're as safe from the trolls as we can be." She paused, looking at the sky. "But the weather may still kill us if we stay here."
**Everybody, let's get moving. We need better shelter than scant trees if that's a storm brewing.**
Branchwalker flinched slightly when Bloodmane glared; he didn't like making others angry. As she mentioned the weather he too looked up at the sky and made a face as he discovered the dark clouds over them. How had he failed to notice that? He nodded in agreement at Bloodmane's words and rose to go back and pack the things his soul sister had managed to save from the Holt.
As he knelt down by Dawngazer and Stronglegs to gather up the few bags they had Dawngazer opened her eyes and yawned, stretching her arms and legs. After a quick look at the clouds above her the elfess turned to her soul brother with a small smirk.
"Seems like even the weather works against us. We better follow Sunset's advice and head for shelter or we'll be drenched before long!" Her voice held amusement, but there was a faint undertone of sorrow.
"Her name's Bloodmane now," Branchwalker whispered, gesturing with his left hand towards the red-haired elfess in question.
Dawngazer's only reply was a tired nod. While her soul brother began packing their bags on to the now awake Stronglegs, who wasn't in an all too good mood, the elfess got up and spotted BrightEyes and Eveninglight. She left Branchwalker to fixing with the packing and walked over to them.
"Time to pack up and get going cubs or the rain will wash us all away!" she said, giving them a half-grin. She tried to be cheerful to lighten the mood and hoped it was working.
"If you want to you can ride beside me and Branchwalker. Or Branchwalker at least, I've been sentenced to walk," she joked. Her grin faltered slightly when she looked at BrightEyes. Perhaps the cub needed to be alone with his grief. The loss of your parents was a hard blow to take, especially when you lost both of them at the same time.
But something good almost always came after the bad, or so she thought at least. She herself had found her second wolf String when alone and grieving her parents' death. Yet even though BrightEyes might need time alone they couldn't afford it, not with all the dangers the forest held at the moment and he was still far too young to face them alone even for a night.
"So, are you coming?" she questioned, crossing her arms over her chest, waiting for a reply.
Brighteyes had simply nodded in response to Eveninglight's question, he didn’t want to talk, but he didn’t really want to seem rude either, he had already done that earlier with the others who had tried to get him to do something. Another rumble issued from the sky as Dawngazer talked, he simply nodded again not really listening as he stood. The silver wolf that had belonged to his mother nudged him gently and he quietly climbed up with no problems. He scratched the wolf’s ears a little. "Yea lets go..." he said softly. "I don’t really want to get wet."
SilverEyes watched as everyone was getting ready to move. She gathered her bow and arrows and went to the others, "Where are we going?" she asked, so she would know. SilverEyes would stay towards the back and help with the slower moving individuals.
ChildWolf went over to his brother and RedStreak. "You best get ready to move with the others." he told them both, then he turned to RedStreak, "You can follow us if you would like," offering him to be with LizardStalker, who was busy playing with Sprinter. They both came over and LizardStalker grinned great big, "Yeah you can be with us. I think whoever comes here, make that any elf that comes here, maybe he will see your lizard drawing," he said.
Eveninglight shrugged "That's up to the chief." She glanced to Brighteyes. "Maybe we should try to find a cave or some place to shelter." Eveninglight stepped on her bond-wolf and caressed his black neck.
Brighteyes stared blankly at the back of the wolfs head for a moment, taking the time to gather the courage to say his next line.
"The Chief is dead, remember?" his voice was already quivering from the line and didn’t get any better as he finished. "He can’t help us anymore."
Eveninglight laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Then we should listen to the advice and thoughts of his son,” she said, trying to avoid the subject of chieftainship. "Everybody's opinion counts, what do you think we should do?" she asked.
LizardStalker and ChildWolf looked to BrightEyes to see what their playmate will say. His opinion was highly regarded in their opinion.
Brighteyes said nothing rubbing the wolf’s ears. "I don’t care, I’m just me, do whatever."
Bloodmane ignored the cubs for now, traveling steadily forward – and away from the trolls. Chief's son or no, if he didn't want to lead, they would manage without him. **There, a den,** she sent, pointing to a hollow under the roots of a big tree. Probably the last den they would find anytime soon. It looked like they were traveling out of the forest.
Riv, resting in the said hollow, heard the sending - the first sending he had heard after growing bored and leaving Griel's dream-chasing group. He snorted. Some call he couldn't even hear...What was the point in following that?
But sending meant elves. Boring. He would have rather found for example a troll older elves had spoken about every now and then. Anything to put up a fight. **_My_ den,** he corrected in a bit hazy sending, much like cub's in strength.
Branchwalker nearly fell off Stronglegs when the unexpected sending came. He didn't recognise the sender. Was he so tired that he couldn't remember a tribe mate or could this actually be a new elf?
Dawngazer walked closer to the tree roots, curious yet cautious. A strange elf wasn't something you met every night and it should be a happy event, but after the troll attack even she couldn't help but be paranoid. **It looks big enough for more than one elf.** she open-sent, talking to whoever was under the tree. **The storm will be over us any moment now, don't you think we can share, stranger?**
**Feh. Do as you wish,** Riv replied sullenly, placing his back firmly against the wall and keeping an eye on these strangers. This mind-talk was making his head hurt.
Eveningsky followed the others from little away. She could sense that heavy air that meant big storm. She had her suspect about this found shelter but yet she hadn't said a word about it. It was a shame that BrightEyes was still maybe little too young for the chieflock. It made things little more difficult when there wasn't this one elf that would make the final decision. Eveningsky tried to look around for another shelter; cave. Not even cliffs were seen so the seeking would be futile. Well, in any way, she wanted to make one point clear to everyone, even when she knew that it wouldn't change a thing. **Storms rarely come without lightning. And lightning can hit tree and kill one under it.** The strange sending didn't affect her. She was now more worried about the coming weather and all these wounded elves, including herself, than some strange elf under roots.
**If we stay out here, we'll die of the wet and cold,** Bloodmane remarked without any emotion and walked into the hollow, ignoring Riv in the corner. **The likelihood of skyfire hitting this one tree among all the others should be very, very small,** she added with a bit more sympathy, a bit more like old Sunset.
Eveningsky smiled lightly. That was true **You're right. But still, things happen.** She looked at the roots and the hole underneath them. Then she looked at the elves. They had lost most of the elves but still there was a little pack of them **Is it big enough for us all?** From her point, there wasn't a good view to the hole.
**Looks big enough.** Dawngazer sent as she walked in, closely followed by Stronglegs and a Branchwalker, who couldn't do much else than tag along since he still was sitting on Stronglegs' back.
Since it looked like they were going to be there for a while so Dawngazer unpacked the furs she'd been able to save. No reason to get cold was there?
**Anyone need a fur?** she sent, looking around. **I'll put them in a pile here and you can all go take what you need.** Grabbing a fur for herself and Branchwalker to share she walked further in under the roots, sitting down not far from Riv, but still far enough not to be threatening.
After a few heartbeats of hesitation Branchwalker followed his soul sister, giving Riv a wide-eyed glance as he passed him and then sat down so Dawngazer was between him and the new elf. Stronglegs, seeing that Branchwalker was trembling slightly, lay down close to warm him.
Dawngazer wrapped the fur around herself and Branchwalker and then turned to the Riv. "Shade and sweet water stranger," she said, trying to sound non-threatening and kind. "I am Dawngazer and this," she gestured at the wolf and elf beside her, "is my soul brother Branchwalker and my bond-friend Stronglegs. What is your name?"
"Riv," he replied shortly, "I'm a Go-Back from a group under Griel's leadership." He leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head, "I got bored of chasing a dream and left."
As Dawngazer tried to start a conversation with Riv Branchwalker settled for peeking over his friend's shoulder like a scared cub. Too much was happening at the same time; trolls attacking, elves dying, the Holt destroyed, his parents' death, Sparkstone gone, a storm and now a stranger. Branchwalker's few remaining nerves were threatening to break. As nervous and jumpy as he was he'd probably be no good source of conversation so he wisely kept his mouth shut and just stared with wide, frightened eyes at Riv.
Riv stared back for a little moment, then snorted, turning his eyes away. Then he took a piece of dried meat from his backpack and tossed it at Branchwalker's head. "Stop staring at me." Even though his voice was harsh, there was some amount of kindness or pity in the gesture - otherwise it would have been a twig or a stone he threw.
Bloodmane sat down on the opposite corner, too tired to care about the cubs' squabbling. The rain was starting to fall...They'd probably have to stay here for a while. But as soon as the weather got better, they'd have to move. The trolls would probably come after them, and right now they were too few and too weak to even put up a recent fight.
Brighteyes settled into the shelter, curling up against the wolf, letting her fir keep him warm. He half listened to everything around him as he closed his eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:42:51 GMT 1
******
Brighteyes began to doze off, the tribe having found a temporary haven from the weather, and snuggled into the wolf’s warm fir it was impossible not to. It didn’t seem to last long though for moments later someone was shaking him awake. He opened his eyes and sat upright with a squeal of surprise, his father was crouched over him and he was lying in the furs in their den.
Was this real? Were the trolls just a dream a horrible nightmare? He stared up at his father who looked back with saddened eyes.
"No son this is not real, you are dreaming, in a way." He sat back letting Brighteyes stand, shaking his head.
"No, this has to be real, look it’s so real." Said the cub almost yelling it out.
"Son, this is just the dreamworld. Son you must realize, you are not really in your den," said his father giving him the stern reprimanding look many of the tribe received when the chieftain was displeased with them.
He shrunk back a little nodding. "Sorry father."
His father smiled and drew him into a hug. "Its okay my son, I understand, it is a tough time. But the tribe needs to stay together; they are acting without a leader, a chieftain. One could easily lead but they are reluctant."
Brighteyes nodded. "I think some of them wanted me to."
His father smiled and nodded. "I believe so too. Normally a tribe quickly settles on a new chieftain usually in a fight between those who feel themselves worthy. But they haven’t yet, either the shock of the attack is still to great and they are not ready to name a new chieftain, or they have already chosen."
BrightEyes shook his head. "But I’m just a cub, how am I supposed to be a chief? Surely any of them can do better."
His father shrugged, sitting down and crossing his legs. "I do not know for sure, but you must remember my son, our family has been leading the tribe for four generations now, the tribe has come to see our family as provider of excellent chieftains, or we would not have led for so long. They might have faith that the same leadership is in you, only time can tell."
His father smiled sadly then leaned forward to give him a hug, as he did Brighteyes notice he was beginning to fade out. "My time is short son, so I must make this quick, even if you are not to be the chieftain of our tribe, it is time you grow up. You cannot hide behind cubhood anymore, the tribe needs you functioning again, no more moping or mourning. You understand?"
Brighteyes nodded slowly his lower lip quivering. "Where are you going?"
"To the spirit world again, where all of us who have lived our lives await those of you living yours, we will be united again someday my son, though hopefully not for many, many years."
Brighteyes cleaned tightly to his father as he evaporated away. "But what if I need you again!?"
"Then simply come find me, follow your heart, it will lead you to the spot you seek, I will be waiting, along with the chieftains of the past, for your arrival....."
|
|
|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:43:20 GMT 1
*****
Branchwalker, who'd tried to ignore Riv after the Go-Back's comment about staring, let his eyes sweep over the gathered elves. He looked over at BrightEyes, who appeared to be having a nightmare. Poor cub...
Dawngazer scowled at Riv. Behind her Stronglegs growled, a low, threatening sound. He didn't like it when other elves, especially a "new" elf as this one was, snapped at either his bond-friend or her soul brother. Dawngazer on the other hand didn't feel like fighting if she didn't have to, not so soon after having met three trolls in battle.
::Calm:: she sent to Stronglegs, then turned back to Riv. "There is no need to be rude. Leave him alone; he's had a hard night. We all have." She knew she was acting just as edgy as Riv, but she couldn't help it. After all she had reasons to be on edge, didn't she?
"FATHER!" Bright eyes shouted jolting upright from the wolf’s fur, his cry ringing out through the shelter as he reached out blindly for nothing in the air.
At BrightEyes' cry Branchwalker immediately rushed over to the upset cub, kneeling beside him. "Hush cub, hush. It was only a dream, hush," he said, over and over as he embraced the former chief's son, hugging him tightly to try and comfort him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:43:44 GMT 1
*****
Dawngazer, seeing that her soul brother had things somewhat under control, sat back again, keeping a watchful eye on Riv. He seemed a tad too hostile for her taste.
"He's just a coward," Riv commented, watching the exchange between Branchwalker and the cub for a little while before turning back to Dawngazer. "All of you wolfriders are too soft."
"Rrrreally?" Dawngazer growled, annoyance now bordering on anger, even rage. How dared this stranger come and say they were weak!? He knew nothing about what had happened to them! Well, he might dare talk about wolfrider-weakness while sitting here all cosy and secure, but she'd...
Dawngazer shook her head ever so slightly to clear it. She really shouldn't be overreacting so. The stranger's taunting shouldn't bother her. He looked to be hardly more than a cub; she had to be at least two centuries his senior. What she should do was laugh and pat him on the head, that usually worked to confuse anyone.
And yet, she had to admit that Riv's words hit a nerve. She hadn't gotten back to the Holt in time to help defend it, to help save her tribe mates. She'd barely gotten back in time to save her own soul brother for High Ones' sake! You couldn't help but feel quite useless after that.
"Well since you'rrre such an," she paused, willing herself to calm a little and stop growling the 'r's, "'expert' on us wolfriders, as of course all wolfriders are exactly the same, High Ones forbid I'd say anything else, you of all people should of course know all the reasons for why all the new people you meet act as they do."
If sarcasm had been water Riv would have drowned long ago. Stronglegs had begun to growl again. Dawngazer fixed her light blue eyes into a cold glare aimed at Riv, mouth open just enough to show her fangs and then continued speaking.
"Listen up _cub_ and you'd better listen well," she spoke, nearly hissed, but her voice had taken on a cold edge, which showed that she had calmed herself somewhat. "My tribe has been through more pain and loss than anyone should have to suffer. You will show enough respect to not cause further injury with your blockheaded snide remarks or I will throw you out into the rain!"
Riv listened without any interest as Dawngazer ranted on and on. At her last comment, he snorted. "Hah! I dare you to try. This is my shelter to begin with." His hand tightened around the shaft of his spear.
Before either of them had a chance to start a real fight, Bloodmane was suddenly between them, snatched the spear from Riv's hand and then literally threw the youngster to the other side of the hollow, his spear and other equipment following shortly behind. ~**You two be quiet! This is no time for in-fighting. Even if he is a stranger. He's still an elf.**~ Then she sat down heavily between them, the wound on her back burning from the exertion.
Riv stared dumb-founded for a moment, then regained his composure. "Coward," he muttered to Dawngazer's direction, but a glare from Bloodmane silenced him quickly. That elder was as scary as Griel when the chief had been mad at him! Whatever else Riv was, he wasn't suicidal!
|
|
|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:44:47 GMT 1
*****
BrightEyes shook his head, he didn’t try to fight out of the hug but he wasn’t returning it either. "No. No, it was more much more, he came from the spirit world, he talked to me about the tribe and what happened."
Eveninglight stepped over towards the young cubling. **(What happened?)** she asked curious. Not knowing what was going on she said dawn close next to BrightEyes. **(Was it a dream, what have you seen ?)** she asked.
Branchwalker had enough presence of mind to nod a greeting to Eveninglight as she sat down beside them, but not much else. What was the cub going on about? Spirits and messages from the dead, that was what he’d said. He'd never known the cub to be a liar and why would he lie about something like this after what happened to all of them?
Yet Branchwalker couldn't make himself believe in what the cub said. He just couldn't. But he wouldn't tell Brighteyes it had, had to be a dream; such words would wound the cub deeply. Instead he sat quietly, his arms still loosely wrapped around Brighteyes, waiting for him to break out of the embrace by himself.
BrightEyes ignored the strange elf’s comments, too focused on his memories to care. "He said... he said I needed to grow up. That the tribe needs all the help it can get, and I need to stop being a cub. And...well, why haven’t there been a new chief chosen yet?"
Eveningsky felt sorry for the cub. He had been trough a lot with all those deaths and now this. She went to him and kneeled down beside him. **There has happened now so much that time just hasn't yet been right for the new chief to become.** She sent with calm voice. **Don't hurt yourself too much focusing on that vision. After all, we are a big family. We can manage for some time without a new chief.** The elfess made a soft smile on her face as she placed her hand on his head. **Cub grows in his own time to an adult facing many things. You should do that too. On your own pace.** Then she took her hand back and stood up with a sigh. "There sure has now happened many things..." She whispered as she looked upward. No sky.
Eveninglight nodded onto the words of Eveningsky. **Eveningsky is right, we can wait, wait until you are ready.** she sent, knowing it was a hard subject for the young cub. **We are always here to help!**
Redstreak stood there paralyzed and somewhat troubled by the other cub's words. His legs shook a bit and he bit his lower lip, looking around for his sister as always in situations when he wasn't sure and was afraid. Quicksand always offered a strong view. "Did he say he came to say things?" he asked, but spoke to no one just talking nervously to himself. "He is dead he cannot come" he said to himself and looked for either one with his green eyes. Mother or his big sister...
LizardStalker was next to Redstreak and heard what he said. "What do you mean by that? Who said what?" he asked him. He didn't pay attention to the others. He was paying attention to the lizards that were there. More interested in them than in what the others were talking about.
ChildWolf was with the others, but didn't say anything. He wanted to hear everything before he would voice anything.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:45:20 GMT 1
*****
By this time Eclipse had just stared at them. This young one surely had spirit, but how did he dare to speak of their kin like that?! He had boiled of anger, but decided that ruining his already enough harmed leathers wouldn't be wise. "Don't worry Dawngazer, he's just a little cub...All talk but no real action. You should be relieved she let you off that easily" he said first talking to Dawngazer and looking down at Riv with a loathing look in his eyes. His golden eyes were sharp as the edge of the sharpest dagger as he stared at Riv. Then he just lifted his chin and looked at his nails.
Something snapped in Riv's mind at Eclipse's words and the anger subdued by the terror Bloodmane's actions had inspired boiled forth again. He had let them into _his_ helter and everybody treated him like dirt! In a heartbeat he was on his feet, his hands curled into fists. In another, he was standing next to Eclipse and punched the wolfrider in the face.
Dawngazer still glared daggers at Riv when Eclipse began speaking, but she got herself under control. Well, at least until Riv threw a punch at her tribe mate. With a howl Dawngazer jumped up and at the Go-Back, quickly followed by Stronglegs. The elfess landed on Riv, her weight tipping them over, teeth bared, hands going for the other's throat. Stronglegs was just as angered as his bond but he knew he wouldn't be of much help in this fight while the elves were on the ground so he settled for standing beside them, growling and ready to attack.
Branchwalker, who'd left BrightEyes for other to take care of since he himself didn't seem to be of much help, was half-way over to where his soul sister sat when the whole thing with Riv and Eclipse happened. Shocked he didn't truly react to the violence until Dawngazer attacked Riv. Without thinking Branchwalker rushed over to the two elves on the ground, grabbed the elfess' hands before she could strangle the Go-Back to death and managed to get her off Riv, only to trip over one of the stranger's legs and fall flat on his back, Dawngazer on top of him.
Dawngazer's mind didn't really register anything that happened around her from the moment she attacked Riv 'til she lay on Branchwalker. Surprised and confused she stopped growling and blinked down at her soul brother, who'd gotten the wind knocked out of him, not quite understanding what it was that had happened.
The elf yelped as he was attacked. He was always snapping at everyone but not once had others attacked for they knew him well enough. He simply fell weakly as the young one came. After all the tumbling he didn't even look at Dawngazer who had come to his need. He held his nose and terrified of the blood on his hands he was quiet first. "He hit me on the nose..." he repeated a couple of times hysterically touching his nose and looking at his hands. "He hit me on the nose!" he shouted eyes afire. There was one thing that he hated the most, people who got on his nerves, but nothing…nothing was worse than ruining his looks. He screamed with anger and ran to Riv trying to sink his nails in his face. "You arrogant little son-of-a-troll!!" he shout as he tried to fight him. He was furious and couldn't think straight. "Nobody! Nobody touches my face!" he shout trying to hit him with his skinny wrists.
Riv quickly got up as Dawngazer was pulled off him, rubbing his throat only to be almost caught by surprise when Eclipse attacked him. This was more like it! One-on-one, and no outsiders getting in the way. He was grinning half-maniacally, but his eyes and movements remained calm and calculated as he blocked Eclipse's attempt to claw him with one arm and then elbowed the other to the chest.
Dawngazer was shocked beyond words when Eclipse attacked the new elf. Eclipse didn't fight! But everyone had a breaking point she guessed. She'd hit her own just moments ago so she shouldn't be one to judge others. She knew she should try to stop the fight, but couldn't make herself move towards the fighting elves. Instead she felt the urge to cheer Eclipse on.
Branchwalker, who now no longer was pinned to the ground by his soul sister, sat and stared with wide eyes at the fight. He'd watched friendly wrestling matches before, and one or two more serious brawls, but this was different. This was a strange elf attacking one of their own!
Stronglegs made a move to charge on the fighters, but Branchwalker wrapped his arms around the wolf's neck before he could move. "Isn't it enough that they're fighting?" he growled at his soul sister's bond.
Eclipse yelped as he felt the elbow hit his stomach. It seemed as if his eyes would have come out of their holes. He held his stomach and breathed for a while. He couldn't fight; he was no match for the other. He looked at his arm noticed that the wound he had tied earlier had opened; he could see the red that had came up. He glared at the Go-back. 'Damn him…' he repeated in his mind. Nobody, nobody would ever get away with something like this if they knew him.
RedStreak cried out suddenly, running past Branchwalker. "Stop! Stop!" he shout coming between the two.
First Eclipse looked at the cub irritated and frowning.
"Don't hurt him!" the cub said loudly at Riv. Losing a part of his own family was enough, then someone charges in and starts a fight with the holt's probably lousiest fighter ever.
Eclipse stared at the cub angrily. How dared this cub come and interrupt! He didn't need any help from some CUB!
Riv paled ever so slightly when he saw the stain of fresh blood on Eclipse's arm. He hadn't even realized he had been fighting a wounded elf (especially with the way the other had attacked him after that punch on the face).
"Keh." He turned away, both from Eclipse and the cub, heading for his equipment. After rummaging through his bag, he threw something that looked like a brown, wriggled, not-so-properly dried...root towards Eclipse and Redstreak without looking at them. "It's woundroot. Mash it and mix with water. Makes the wounds stay closed when applied to them." Then he wrapped himself in a cloak and pointedly turned his back to everyone.
Eclipse looked up at him holding his arm. He glanced at the root and then at Riv's back. Who was this elf? Violent one moment, yet caring the next? He couldn't think much and only moved forward to pick the thrown root. He knew he wasn't able to mash it by himself and only held it in his hand and couldn't take his eyes off the younger male's back. Then he shook his head and started with an irritated voice. "Someone give us some water!" he said loudly looking a bit at the others. It was such a weird moment. He could not but feel pure hate for this new elf, yet he had helped him. Again he shook his head and now turned his back to Riv looking at the others waiting for someone to give him the water and possibly mash the root.
"Do we have any bowls?" Bloodmane asked, interested in the situation now that the stupid fist-fighting has ceased and they seemed to have something for the wounds. "I'll get some rocks to mash it with," she said, getting up and peering out into the rain, calculating where she could snatch the closest suitable ones without getting soaked.
She knew the root in question, but didn't make a fuss over it. The edges of the wounds weren't the only thing it could keep together - she had used it to keep two leathers together while stitching more than once herself. She also knew that it was better to boil it instead of mixing it with cold water to make the mix more effective, but where would they get a fire now?
*thud* A small wooden bowl hit the ground near Eclipse - whether it was aimed there or at him was impossible to tell. "It's a drukking flood outside, so go get some and be quiet!" Riv muttered angrily (and to the wall). "I'm trying to sleep."
He didn't care about these elves, he refused to. But Griel would have skinned him if he'd just let them die without doing anything about it. Yes, that was it. It was all because Griel had taught him to help strangers.
Eclipse made an utterly irritated face when bending down and dropping the root in the bowl looking at Riv and gathering the bowl in his arms trying not to hurt his wounded arm. He grimaced a bit when getting up to straighten his back and made soft growl. "Here," he said rather exhaustedly and with half closed eyes as he had turned to Bloodmane's direction.
By now Bloodmane had carefully inched as close to the tree trunk as she could to snatch some flat stones and then back. She silently took the bowl and the root from Eclipse, smashed the root with the stones and mixed it with rainwater.
~**All wounded ones, come here,**~ she sent with a tone that allowed no disagreements, her sending leaving Riv out. The reason might have been that he was a stranger. Or thankfulness for the root and allowing him his peace. Or maybe he just didn't matter to her as he wasn't wounded.
RedStreak had only watched them his finger upon his little opened lips not understanding what was going on. Guess it was one of those adult things Quicksand always talked about. He ran past Eclipse to the other cubs.
Snapping out of the shock of seeing Eclipse and Riv fight and Riv sudden change of mood, Dawngazer made her way back over to the furs she'd left, Branchwalker and Stronglegs not far behind.
"I think we all should try to get some sleep", she said, sitting down.
Branchwalker lay down beside her, resting his head in his soul sister's lap. Exhausted by all that has happened he quickly fell asleep. Stronglegs soon joined him.
Dawngazer sat awake, having decided to watch over the others until they found some rest.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:46:01 GMT 1
*****
It was quiet. That was probably what first stirred Bloodmane - the silence compared to the previous beating of the rain on the branches of their shelter and the ground outside. Then...there was the strange scent in the air. Smoke...Something...something was burning.
The tanner bolted up, wincing at the pain that shot through her back. Had the trolls caught up with them?! Was the forest on fire?! Running outside, she saw it was only the stranger - Riv - just putting fresh fish on a sharpened stick for grilling over a campfire.
~**What are you doing?!**~ she sent while kicking dirt into the fire to extinguish it.
~**Breakfast?**~ Riv was taken back by the female's anger, but only for a moment. ~**Hey! It took ages to get enough dry firewood!**~
~**What were you thinking?! You'll bring the trolls on us.**~ The fire finally died down completely, but the smoke had probably already betrayed them.
"Keh, I'm not afraid of trolls," Riv switched to speaking, sending making his head hurt in the long run. "I wouldn't mind fighting a few either."
~**Don't you dare take that tone with me, cub,**~ Bloodmane warned, barely containing her emotions.
"Hah, what do you know?" The only warning he got of what was to come was the flash of pure rage in Bloodmane's eyes.
~**THEY KILLED EVERYONE I LOVED!!! I saw my mate and cub die in their hands! Don't you _ever_ take that tone with me!**~ Along with the words she sent images of the battle and the all-consuming hate of trolls she felt.
That silenced Riv and he averted his eyes. Even though he always acted tough, he had never actually had a hard life. Never been in a real battle. Never seen anybody die in one.
**Wake up! We have to move _now_,** Bloodmane sent to her remaining tribe mates.
Eveningsky mumbled something as an answer to the heard sending before rising her head up. With sleepy eyes she looked around and saw others starting to wake up too. The day before had been a total ruckus and everyone needed to rest but from the tone of sending, it seemed the rest will be moved forward. Her blonde hair, usually worn back with a band, was now all shaggy. Lifting herself up from the ground, Eveningsky grimaced of the ache that came from her side. She could only curse herself from the stupidity of sleeping on it. Her wound had long ago shut but was still making pain then and then. **What is it?** she sent openly, but meant it only been for Bloodmane. She was sure everyone else were eager to know the same answer as she.
**That foolish cub-** Bloodmane sent an image of Riv, **lit a fire. Only High Ones know how soon the trolls will be on our tails again. If even one of them was aboveground, they've surely seen the smoke.**
The maiden clapped her forehead with disbelief. "Just great..." Eveningsky mumbled and stood up. **Okay everyone, you heard Bloodmane. Better wake up and pack, if there is something to pack, and make your way out of here.** She herself didn't have anything with her but maybe she would have now enough time to take some water with them from the river. With that thought she exited the shelter and looked around for Bloodmane. She saw her with Riv and walked to them. **I think you should consider packing up and leaving too.** looking at Riv she sent before turning to Bloodmane. **Do we have anything to put water in?**
BrightEyes remained asleep, curled against his mothers wolf for warmth. It had taken several hours for him to finally fall asleep, and finally he went out more out of exhaustion than anything. Now he was in the deepest part of sleep, and sleeping like a rock.
Branchwalker mumbled something and cuddled closer to his soul sister, the open-sendings having disturbed his sleep but not completely awakened him.
Dawngazer on the other hand was already on her way out of the sleeping furs. She'd probably been up long ago if she hadn't had her soul brother to think of. So she'd stayed where she was and tried to get back to sleep, until the smell of smoke and the sendings pulled her from her last attempt at sleeping.
As trolls were mentioned the elfess quickly untangled herself from Branchwalker and began packing without a word.
Branchwalker opened his eyes and gave his soul sister a look. As she returned it he too got up and began helping her, also silent.
SilverEyes heard the sendings and looked to the others. She had been awake enough to comprehend what was going on. **Where are we going to travel to?** she sent as she kneeled before BrightEyes. She looked to his mother's bond, "May I carry him?" she asked her. Wondering if she could understand her.
Bloodmane considered the question for a little while. **We'll follow the river for now. Better to keep food and water nearby. And we'll travel until we are far enough that the trolls can't catch up on us in a single night - they will not risk being caught outside when the sun comes up and if they were to dig a tunnel, it takes time. Then we can rest and think of what to do next.** She sighed. It didn't look promising. But what choice did they have?
Eclipse had opened his eyes a while back. He had no strength to even call Riv the son-of-a-troll he was. He would have enjoyed it. That cub had completely humiliated him in front of everyone. He was wrapped in a leather that someone had given him earlier and just stared away. He had frowned without noticing and his mind had wandered back to the troll fight that had taken place. He couldn't really call it a fight, many had died…The chief, parents, lovemates, lifemates...He lifted his chin a bit and brought his gaze higher his eyes travelling across the ground to look at Riv. A foolish cub he was. He really didn't seem to know anything, acting like a real tough one. He snorted a bit with a light smile on his lips as Riv mocked Bloodmane. As soon as he realized what he had just done he shook his head and put a very irritated look on his face. As the talk went on and the others started to gather up their things, he stood holding the leather around his fragile body. He felt so used and filthy. He needed to sank himself to a lake, stay at the bottom, he couldn't use his other arm yet though. He watched as the familiar figure of RedStreak darted by to find the very few things he had, including his sandals. He sighed heavily feeling a sting in his chest as he did so. Only High Ones knew what would happen to them. He, he would survive. He would even eat his own gorgeously pale flesh if he had to...well, maybe he was thinking a bit too pessimistically. They'll do as Bloodmane told and settle. It would be alright again...He prayed the High Ones it would...
Bloodmane sighed in relief - silently so that no one would hear – as everybody finally got out of the hollow and moving. They wouldn't be moving quickly enough to her tastes, but it couldn't be helped. Too many of them were injured and had no wolf-friends. Herself included. She cast one last glance at Riv before falling to the back of the group to watch out for anything following them. She didn't really want the foolish cub to tag along with them, but in a sense she could understand why he did. In all her years of life, she had never come to understand as clearly as now how important a tribe was. If the cub had been wandering alone for High Ones only knew how long, he probably missed company of his kind. He could stay for now - unless he did something stupid that endangered everyone again.
Riv found himself falling to walk step to step near Eclipse. He tried to keep his eyes away from the wolfrider. It was ridiculous! It had taken a long, long time for him to grow at least a little fond of the female wolfrider - he couldn't even remember what her name had been, Dusk...something, maybe? - and even then he hadn't felt any physical attraction. And now he was thinking of some male he had just met.
"Take some," he said, almost showing the stick with five raw, cleaned fish into Eclipse's face. He hadn't known what else to do with them than take them with him. Even though Griel's tribe had had some wolfriders, he had never developed a taste for anything raw. "You'll never heal if you don't eat, and I want to see if you fight any better once your arm's whole."
The male-elf turned slowly to look at Riv. He didn't even give a glance at the fishes but just kept his beautiful golden eyes set on his silvery grey ones. He actually looked into them quite a while without a simple emotion on his face. His eyes were blank, but when Riv mentioned wanting to fight him again he suddenly turned away his eyes closed and sighed heavily, his face in a bit of a painful expression. it was nothing like him acting this way, but he couldn't help it. He then turned to him, not looking into his eyes and just taking the stick in his long slender fingers. His fingers gently brushed against the younger elf's hand as he did so. "Foolish cub" was all he said as he started to move forward again a serious look on his face and not giving even one look at Riv.
Eclipse's hypnotizing gaze made Riv stop walking and the following strange behavior (at least strange in Riv's eyes) left him just standing there with mouth slightly open, the skin on his hand tickling slightly where Eclipse had touched. "I'm not!" he protested, "Neither foolish nor a cub! Hey, are you listening?!" He ran after Eclipse, huffing in annoyance.
Riv's actions certainly made Eclipse annoyed very soon. His other thin yellow brow kept knitting up and he crushed his teeth together, his fingers tightening around the stick. He then inhaled by his nostrils and exhaled with a more calmed look on his pretty face. "Yes, you are," the older male said and took a bite of one of the fishes and took his time eating it. "I don't have time arguing with little cubs that just crave for some attention…" he said taking another bite ignoring the fact that he was following. He just knew how people went crazy if they got no attention whilst trying to mock the other. It brought him some satisfaction to think that when he was trying to keep himself from snapping at him the other was probably going nuts.
Riv wanted to hit him. He really did. Maybe because he didn't know any other way to deal with difficult situations. Well, except storming away...But if he did that, where would he go? He had just found other elves and if he left, they wouldn't be there to wait for him to return. But he couldn't hit a wounded elf again either. "Keh. Being old and wrinkled doesn't make you any better than me." He didn't know how old Eclipse actually was, but he couldn't come up with anything else to say.
That stopped him instantly. His other eye was twitching big time when his hands were shaking as fists. Oh, he wanted to do very mean and evil things to that creature. He turned slowly with a furious and even maniac look on his face. His looks were something that people knew to left unmentioned if they had something negative to say. "Old?...Wrinkled?..."he repeated and looked at Riv like he wanted to twist his neck, well, that's exactly what he wanted to do. He walked closer and closer until there were only a few inches between their faces. "Old and wrinkled you say…” he said with half-closed eyes the warmth of his breath hitting the younger male's lips. He came even closer until their lips were so close that the other had to feel uncomfortable though they weren't touching. He was smirking looking into Riv's eyes. "Maybe you'd prefer this young and moist companion of yours better!" he suddenly said stuffing pushing one of the fishes rather violently at his face and stepping back to continue walking again. "You two look so adorable together! Both young, fresh and smelly!" he said more loudly and meanly laughed hysterically and enjoying the sight.
If Eclipse had just stayed still for a moment more, Riv would have hit him with the fish in question. The other's face so close to his had frozen him on the spot and he didn't like that feeling. He didn't understand it. And he really, really hated not understanding things. Maybe he should just leave. But it was not good to be alone during the coldest season - if you could call it that here, it didn't even snow. But judging from the dance of the moons, it had to be the coldest season. He growled in frustration and, noticing a fawn not far from him, he handed the fish to him...her? It. Whatever. "Take it."
Redstreak looked into the stranger elf's eyes with his now wide open ones. He looked at the fish in his hands his mouth as a tiny circle. Then he looked at Eclipse who was amused somehow. He hadn't paid attention to them, Eclipse was always saying something nasty...Well, not always, but to the cubs he was. Redstreak had seen him, before the war. with some maidens, he had been nice then, laughing...Redstreak wanted to be there, where they used to laugh and his parents would take him into their arms and they would sleep between the furs and he would be between his parents holding their hands and Quicksand would find herself next to Redstreak in the evening and he would wake her up to play. "Th-thank you!" he said looking at Riv and made a warm smile.
Eclipse was now holding his hand on his lips smiling, still very amused by the other male. He let his hands go around himself and bit his lower lip and looked at Riv with half-closed eyes again. He couldn't help but smile. That was the first time he had laughed after the war, many others had probably heard it to and got irritated...the deaths still lived in their minds. He didn't want to think about that now, he didn't have to. Something else had gotten his attention, a young proud elf with white hair. He looked at Riv exploring what he could with his eyes, and they were hungry. It took a lot to gain his attention, but Riv had done it successfully. Then he suddenly winced holding his face. How didn't he notice it before! His face hurt like it had been hit by skyfire. This time when he lifted his face he had anger again in his eyes. He had let that cub go too easily, he won't forget. The thoughts that had been in his mind just a moment ago angered him even more, oh, he'd make sure Riv'll never forget what he did to him. He turned on his heels looking forward again and walked. 'There are more important things now than arguing with that son-of-a-troll..' he told himself.
Riv huffed, avoiding Redstreak's eyes. "I wouldn't eat raw fish anyway. And your red-headed leader apparently isn't letting me cook it," he tried to make it sound like nothing. He was apparently stuck walking alongside the troublesome fawn, unless he wanted to run after Eclipse again - no way! - or drop back to be near Bloodmane - not after the Sending she had shown him!
Redstreak had lifted both his brows and gave a glance at the fish and then at Riv, whose actions or any non-spoken vibes didn't really caught his attention. He never really understood anything if he was gestured to buzz off. He thought this was some sign of friendship or friendliness towards him.
He didn't really understand why Riv said something about their leader...He was dead...leaving only BrightEyes behind...The cub choose to walk with the other elf sticking by his side. He soon forgot he had said anything about the Chief, he was too excited about Riv at the moment. "Where did you come from?" he asked, two roundish genuinely interested eyes that glimmered excitedly. "Did you see big beasts with huge claws and big teeth!?" he asked jumping and lifting his hands moving his fingers, still holding the fish and then widened his mouth by pulling with one finger on each side showing his tiny teeth at him and looked really ridiculous.
Dawngazer had watched the exchange between Riv and Eclipse with amusement, and was now entertaining herself with listening to Redstreak. Cubs could be so funny at times, asking the oddest questions. Hopefully Redstreak's asking wouldn't bother Riv enough for the new elf to hurt the cub, but she doubted that. Who could hit a cub?
Branchwalker, walking close beside his soul sister, was staring into the forest around them with wide eyes that had a slightly panicked light in them. Dawngazer had more than once tried to calm him and had assured him that the trolls wouldn't come, but he still couldn't help worrying.
|
|
