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Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:53:39 GMT 1
Branchwalker leaned his back against the trunk of a tree. Tears stung behind his eyelids, the exhaustion he felt making them hard to hold back. High Ones, they'd lost more tribemates! And the cubs! Only one of the cubs had made it away from the trolls to here, wherever here was.
Branchwalker hadn't actually seen anyone get killed himself, but they had sent and sent for the missing ones and no one had answer as of yet. Perhaps they were all dead -
_No_, he couldn't think like that! Bringing a hand to his face to wipe his eyes dry he sat up straighter, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He glanced around at the small gathering of elves. At least he wasn't alone.
Dawngazer opened her eyes to stare at the sky that slowly was growing lighter and lighter. Soon it would be day, time to sleep. But where? And how would they keep warm? She had lost all her furs in the last attack, not to mention her bag of food and tools. **What do we do now?** she open-sent to all, feeling tired and helpless beyond words.
Bloodmane rubbed her eyes, feeling more tired than ever in her life. "We survive, of course," she said, trying to steel her resolve. It would be difficult. They were nearing unknown territory - if they weren't there already - and it was the worst possible season to be left without the safety of the holt. "At least we have some weapons. That means we can hunt. And there's always some shelter in the woods." Clothes and medical herbs and such would be a more difficult matter. She didn't voice that thought, but everybody probably realized it anyway.
Dawngazer nodded in agreement. **Where should we go? We can't go back - especially not now.** She had not seen the flames devour the trees herself, but the smoke carried on the wind had told her enough. Although it was Cold-Rain there surely was nothing left of their dens anymore. At least there was no risk that the entire forest would burn down.
Riv had collapsed on the forest floor, exhausted. He was an experienced wanderer - been on the move his whole life - but he wasn't used to such _running_. Plus he had a heavy pack to drag around while the others hadn't had anything. Well, having a pack full of equipment probably put him in a better situation that this tribe now. But 'each to his own' had been his policy all along. On the other hand, Griel had always made sure he had clothes and food, even when he had messed up while learning to hunt. But these were his tribe even less than Griel's group...After quite a while of inner debate he finally got to a sitting position and pushed his backpack towards the center of the gathering, then threw his fur cloak on it. "Alright, I'll share for now. But I expect a repayment once you've settled down," he said in a slightly snappish tone.
Branchwalker gave Riv a grateful look. **Thank you Riv. We will of course give back as much as we take from you, if not more.**
Dawngazer gave Riv a tired grin. Perhaps the cub wasn't so bad after all.
The wolves were off somewhere close, trying to sort out their own problems. Not only elves had been lost in the trolls' attacks and now the wolves also were leaderless. Of course wolves were a little more straight forward when it came to these sort of things. A few yelps and growls signaled to whoever wished to know that the first challenge had begun.
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Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:54:42 GMT 1
****
Branchwalker sighed in frustration and resigned grief. Perhaps he'd try just one last open-sending. **Is there anyone out there?**
Sunsleaf was hunting for a place to settle in when she heard a sending. She looked up and a tendril of thought to her wolf-bond offered the image of more elves and curiosity. Whiteears lifted her nose to the wind as Sunsleaf opened her mind to respond to the sender, **Am I anyone? Because I'm out here.** The send was colored with curiosity and a bit of wariness.
Bloodmane's ears perked up at the new sending. It wasn't one of their tribe for sure. But it was an elf, so (hopefully) it wasn't an enemy. **Who are you?** she asked, also slightly wary.
Branchwalker nearly jumped out of his skin. Stars! Another new elf? Who would have though there'd be so many of them. Was she from the same tribe as Riv? That would make sense; he could never imagining traveling completely alone, no matter what Riv said.
Dawngazer got up on her feet and took a step in the direction of the mind voice, trying to spot the wanderer. She was too tired to truly be surprised at this moment.
**Just a wanderer. It's a long tale, but I mean no one any harm.** Sunsleaf's tale would indeed be a long one, but she hadn't the problems that the others had. She still had the basics for traveling. A little meat she had dried, a little bit of gathered herbs, three furs for sleeping in, her staff, her dagger, her extra clothes, a couple nice packs to carry everything in, and of course Whiteears. She knew the basics of hunting and fishing, but just enough to get by, and she wasn't always successful, thankfully her wolf-friend was willing to share when she'd been lucky.
**Where are you?** Dawngazer questioned. Wait, wasn't that shadow over there slightly elf-shaped? Taking a deep breath through her nose Dawngazer frowned. Yes, there was a weak elf scent mixed on the wind, but she could only smell it when she concentrated on finding it. Puckernuts! With the wind blowing like this they'd be easy prey for another ambush.
**I'm Dawngazer. What is your name stranger?** she sent, making sure to let the new elf hear that she was welcome.
Sunsleaf ruffled Whiteear's neckfur and the pair of them followed the sending and the scent of elves. When she came upon the group she had just rounded a tree and there they were, ** Sunsleaf.. ** One pack was upon her shoulders and the other strapped across the back of her wolf-friend.
Branchwalker got up and made his way over to Dawngazer's side on wobbly legs. He gave the newcomer a shaky smile. **Greetings Sunsleaf. I am Branchwalker, welcome to our...sleeping place I guess you could call it.** His throat was far too sore from running, it was better to send instead. Hopefully Sunsleaf wouldn't feel too unnerved by the exhaustion and underlying grief his mental words held.
Dawngazer gave Branchwalker an uneasy glance. He looked far too tired to be standing, not to mention walking around; and his sending had felt so - hollow was perhaps the best word. He needed rest and she was going to make sure he got some.
~**Relv we'll take care of the newcomer. You go lie down, close your eyes for a bit. I'm sure Riv's fur coat or whatever clothes he has in that bag of his will provide some warmth for you.**~ she lock-sent to Branchwalker before turning her attention back to Sunsleaf. **Please come sit with us,** she sent, gesturing at the small circle of elves behind her. **We have been through a lot in the past nights and have just settled down for the day.**
Sunsleaf nodded slowly, ** Of course.. ** Whiteears was pacing, nose raised to catch the wind and growling softly between hushed whimpers. Turning to look at her Sunsleaf unlashed the pack from her back and shooed her to do what she wanted. Sitting down beside her things she looked around the gathering taking in those who were 'settled for the day'.
Now that it was clear that the new elf was no threat, Bloodmane relaxed slightly, then started to sort through Riv's backpack with only a nod and the words "I'm Bloodmane" to Sunsleaf. Since they had to survive with what they had, it was better to know exactly what it was. Riv was well-stocked with injury-treatment herbs - she could only hope nobody fell ill as it was a bad season for herbs in general - and had some dried meat. And a sharpening stone, that was good. And extra boots and a jacket. And of course the cloak. She let her eyes roam over their small gathering. Who would need them most?
Sunsleaf nodded to the other, "Heyla."
Looking around she seemed to be the best off of all those here, uninjured, well-fed, well rested despite her night's travels, and apart from the one, well supplied.
Dawngazer watched Bloodmane sort through Riv's pack. She was getting worried for the red-haired elfess. Sunset would never have acted so uninterested in another elf, especially not a stranger. Then again Sunset was no more. There was just Bloodmane, elfess with a dead lifemate, cub and parents. It was rather understandable, but what could be done?
For the time being Dawngazer did the cowardly thing and ignored it.
Branchwalker sank down not far from Sunsleaf, curling up against a tree again. He didn't quite know what to think of her yet, but an elf was an elf.
**How did you come to be here Sunsleaf?** he asked, hugging himself - both for comfort and for warmth. **Are you wandering with your tribe? **
Seeing him hugging himself she felt badly and unrolled the sleeping furs taking on off and holding it out to him, ** I am wandering, but not with my tribe. I.... have been gone from there for a time. **
**Thank you, very kind,** Branchwalker sent to Sunsleaf, accepting the offered sleeping fur with a small smile. He eyelids felt heavy but he fought sleep with tooth and claw, both to keep Sunsleaf company and from fear of all the bad things that could happen to him and the others if he closed his eyes and drifted off in to the world of dreams.
**How long have you been on your own?** he sent, addressing Sunsleaf. He needed something to talk about, someone to talk to if he was going to be able to stay awake.
She settled down beside him leaning back on one of the packs, ** It has been nearly three hands (12) of turns, but I wander willingly. You look as if you've had no choice in the matter. **
Sunsleaf had taken in the look of them, their lack of supplies, their state of being. It all told her something had happened to put them on this path and they were wholely unprepared for it.
For a heartbeat Branchwalker looked like he'd been stabbed in the chest. Then he sent: **We have no choice,** and his words were filled with pure anguish and sorrow. He closed his eyes tight, fighting back tears. How rude of him, he shouldn't have let his loss wash over Sunsleaf like that!
"My apologies," he said once he'd gotten himself together, voice raspy. "Our tribe was attacked by trolls but a night ago." He tried to stifle a sob but failed. "They killed so many of us, captured some. And _this_ night they came and split up the few of us that were left." Covering his face with his hands he took a deep breath to calm himself. "We might be all there is left," he concluded, biting his lip to stop it from trembling. The sorrow was slowly turning to anger; anger towards the trolls that had destroyed so much and anger at his weakness. Sitting here crying like a cub in front of a total stranger! What sort of an elf was he really?
Sunsleaf reached out slowly in attempt to lay a hand upon his arm, ** It is all right, I am deeply sorry for your loss. If there is anything I can do to help you...** The pain he was feeling right now struck at her and she wanted nothing more than to gather him up and hold him until his sorrow spent itself. So much pain so much loss, and the fact that he was trying to hold it back.. she wanted to hurt those who had hurt him.
Wait, what was she thinking?!? She'd only just met this elf moments before and here she was wanting to battle trolls. This was all very strange.
Branchwalker welcomed the hand Sunsleaf laid on his arm. Touch felt good, it helped keep him grounded. He moved a little closer to her, seeking warmth and security. A few more sobs followed, but no tears. Apparently he'd cried enough last night.
Sunsleaf's hand squeezed softly, thumb stroking without saying anything. Then she lay a second sleep fur over her lap and tucked the one around him a little closer.
~**Perhaps I should introduce everyone,**~ he lock-sent to Sunsleaf, mental voice now clear of all but a slight trace of grief. For the most part he just sounded tired. ~**Bloodmane you've already "met",**~ he began with a sad smile. ~**She didn't use to be this closed off. I hope you weren't offended by her dismissive greeting. It's just…**~ Branchwalker's grip on the sleeping fur tightened. ~**She lost her lifemate, cub, her parents-**~ He almost added "just like me", but stopped himself at the last minute. He didn't want to think of his parents, or Sparkstone, not now. Instead he distracted himself by continuing the introduction.
Sunsleaf winced a little, she'd never had a lifemate or a cub to lose that she could remember, but she had lost her parents in a much more gradual way. She couldn't imagine losing anyone the way these had lost so many.
~**Those two over there are Longsong and One-edge. They're lifemates. And that's ChildWolf and LizardStalkers; brothers. She who's sitting over there is SilverEyes. We've been travelling for quite some time now and we're all very tired. Most are probably half asleep so most formal introductions will probably have to wait. That… **~ He paused to think. What could be said about Riv? ~**Well we just met him. His name is Riv and from what I know he's a lone wanderer, like you.**~ Another pause and Branchwalker's smile turned to something much like a shadow of a mischievous smirk. ~**Although if you ask me you're much nicer than he is,**~ he added, amusement slowly entering his mind voice. ~**He's been nothing but rude since we met him, insulting people and trying to pick fights. Well, he hasn't been all bad; I guess he's trying to impress us or something. Perhaps we need to get to know him better before judging.**~
Sunsleaf smiled softly ~** Some who wander are not willing to let others in to know them so easily. They are hard and stiff, but sometimes they thaw like the streams in newgreen. **~ The locksend to Branchwalker held warmth and a bit of amusement of her own.
Rambling yes, but good rambling. Talking about random things kept his mind off the horrible troll attacks and that was his goal.
Seeing Bloodmane sort through Riv's pack Branchwalker tried to focus his gaze on its content. **Anything useful?** he asked, trying to come up with more things to talk about.
**Some clothes, some healing herbs...A little food,** Bloodmane replied. Too little food to last long. **Herbs are good.** There weren't too many of them either, though. The last woundroot had been used at their last resting place, and all in all it was clear Riv had carried enough supplies only for one. She switched to lock-sending, ** (We need to settle down somewhere, wait for new-green. Cold-rain is never a good season to travel.)** But where could they settle down with the trolls at their tails? **(We can't do anything until Dawngazer and Riv come back. Let's get some rest, then think things over,)** she added with a softer tone and borrowed Riv's cloak to stay warm. She could have shared the sleeping furs with Branchwalker and Sunsleaf, but she just...didn't feel like she could bear any closeness right now without breaking down.
Branchwalker nodded sleepily, unconsciously cuddling up closer to Sunsleaf. It felt good to be warm and at least somewhat safe. The wolf pack was but a few elf-lengths away, certainly keeping guard. And hopefully Riv and Dawngazer would be back soon with fresh meat. A shudder went down his spine as Bloodmane mentioned settling down. No, they couldn't stay here, not now! The trolls would find them eventually if they didn't keep fleeing. They had to retreat somewhere, hide and grow stronger so they could get back their loved ones. Sparkstone's face flashed before Branchwalker's mind's eye and he had to tighten his grip on the sleeping fur painfully to keep the tears away.
Sunsleaf was worried for him, he kept clutching at the furs and she reached out to quietly offer a touch. Soft, but one meant to offer a little comfort, at the same time her mind filled with the sureness that they were safe in this place, for this day. She only hoped it would be enough to settle him so that he could rest.
**Yes, let's rest,** Branchwalker sent, feeling numb and extremely aware of the world around him at the same time. But he knew he wouldn't be able to rest in any sense of the word, not yet at least. ~**How's your injuries?**~ he lock-sent Bloodmane, then lock-sent to Sunsleaf: ~**Where did your bond go?**~
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Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:55:06 GMT 1
****
A growl could be heard from the shadows. The wolf pack, now with Stronglegs as new leader, had discovered Whiteears. Should they chase the intruder away? No, they were few and injured; they needed all the members they could get. If she were strong, she would get a place in the pack. Slowly the wolves circled Whiteears, waiting for her either to flee or challenge one of them.
Being strong, and recently fed, and of fair size for a female Whiteears began growling back at the circling wolves. She watched them. She wouldn't challenge the older female, or the younger, the cub was safe as well... but that left one.
It was on this one that Whiteears turned, having chosen her challenger the stage was set and the battle soon to begin. Closing half the distance between herself and the chosen one her hackles were up and fangs bared in a throaty growl. There had been challenges before the early ones she had lost, but the last one, just two turns ago she had won. Tricks had been learned and she employed them to her advantage.
Bluefang, realizing her position in the pack was threatened, bared her teeth and attacked without as much as a second thought. She had gained her high rank through swiftness, but she'd been too rash to reach the rank of alpha. Hopefully this new wolf would be as easy to scare as Lonehowl.
The younger wolf was rash, and Whiteears was anything but easy to scare. There had been challenges before, older more experienced wolves had taught her many a lesson. It was time for her to teach this young she-wolf a lesson of her own. Whiteears stood her ground as Bluefang lunged at her rolling away at the instant they clashed. This had been used on her and had left her teeth snapping at air. It had also left the black wolf who had played the trick an opening to grab at her neck and Whiteears watched for that same opportunity, ready to strike.
Bluefang wasn't prepared for Whiteears' dodge. Suddenly she found herself on the ground with dirt instead of flesh between her jaws, her opponent far away from her. Irritated and rattled she got up as swiftly as she could, turning to face Whiteears. Unfortunately this hurried movement left her throat unprotected for a brief moment.
It was the moment Whiteears had watched for, and she dove in at the unprotected throat seeking to catch in firmly in her teeth. Even as she lunged she was snarling. Her whole body committed to the challenge.
Bluefang yipped loudly as Whiteears' teeth gripped around her throat. For a moment her instincts told her to keep fighting, but those instincts were soon silenced by another, more urgent one: self- preservation. With a defeated whine she let herself go limp, signalling that Whiteears had won.
Whiteears held on for a long moment after the challenger had quit fighting and then released her. She had assured herself a place in the pack, and in the now of wolf-thought that was all that mattered. What her bond would decide, and if they would stay was not even the remotest of concerns for her.
Teeth around her throat gone Bluefang stood, tail between her legs and shaken by the defeat. To show Whiteears she wasn't planning any sneak attacks she began licking her former challenger's snout.
The other wolves of the pack moved closer to Bluefang and Whiteears. Stronglegs was the first one to lean his head back and call out his joy to the moons. They had a new, strong packmate; every fiber of the wolves' being told them that called for a howl.
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Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:55:33 GMT 1
****
Sunsleaf smiled at Branchwalker and locksent in return, ~** I am sure she's off prowling of perhaps finding a good spot to rest. She will return when she is needed. **~ Watching him a moment longer Sunsleaf reached into a pocket on her pack and drew out a pouch. It was only berries nuts, and a handful of dried meat strips, but he looked as if he could use a little something until the others returned. She would not begrudge him that. There was always more if one looked long enough.
~**It stings when I strain my back muscles, but it isn't infected,**~ Bloodmane sent, referring to the deep slash on her back. It didn't burn and she wasn't getting a fever, so it couldn't be infected; and she could still feel the pain, so it wasn't rotting inside out. Since she couldn't see it, she couldn't tell exactly how well it was healing. Should let someone take another look at it, maybe at the next resting place, though...The rest of her injuries were minor, mostly bruises.
A chorus of howls broke through the silence of the forest. Branchwalker jumped - his stressed mind for a moment mistaking the familiar sound for a battle cry - before relaxing. The pack, although much smaller, was once more as it should be. But wasn't there a new voice among them?
He gave Sunsleaf a smile, the steadiest one yet. ~**It seems like your bond-friend has found a place for herself.**~ he sent to her, obviously pleased. ~**I'm glad.**~ Seeing the pouch that Sunsleaf was holding he got curious. ~**What do you have there?**~ It smelled like food, but he wasn't about to get his hopes up.
Sunsleaf offered him the pouch, she knew it really wasn't much. ~** Just some berries, nuts, and a scant few strips of dried ravvit **~
Branchwalker was momentarily distracted from thoughts of food by Bloodmane's sending. ~**Is there anything I can do?**~ he asked, not really knowing what he could offer. He was no healer and knew very little about tending to injuries bigger than small cuts or bruises. Tenderheart had always been the one to do such things, there'd always been a healer in the tribe for as long as he'd lived- ~**Forgive me Sunsleaf if I seem rude, you've already contributed with so much, but do you know anything about tending injuries?**~ he lock-sent only to Sunsleaf. ~**Our healer,**~ it felt too painful to think of Tenderheart as anything else at the moment, ~**died in the battle with the trolls. Bloodmane's taken care of us, but she's injured rather badly and no one else knows enough to really help her...**~
She reached to squeeze his arm again, ~** I may not have the magic, but I know the skills with the herbs. I carry some with me for one never knows when they might be needed for self, or bond, or a stranger met on the trails. **~ She set the food pouch down and turned to dig into her pack for her small bundle of healing herbs wrapped securely with the needles, seashell blade, and some fine gut string. Sunsleaf didn't know what she could manage with what she had. It would have to be seen once the wound had been looked at.
Branchwalker picked up a slice of dried meat from Sunsleaf's pouch. It looked delicious and he was famished, but he could eat without having offered the rest of the tribe their share. **Anyone hunger? Sunsleaf has been so kind as to share her food with us. There's a little meat and some nuts and berries.**
**And Bloodmane,** he continued, after a short pause. **Sunsleaf knows a few things about herbal healing. Will you let her take a look at your wound?**
LizardStalker went up to Branchwalker and Susleaf. He was getting very hungry. ChildWolf followed him, keeping a close eye on his little brother. He sat down next to Branchwalker. **LizardStalker is hungry. I can wait.** he sent to Branchwalker and Sunsleaf. Sprinter stayed with her bond, not caring about the wolf pack at the moment. She cared about her elfkin more than anything.
Branchwalker smiled and quickly offered three stripes of meat to LizardStalker. After all, he was the only cub left. The adults wouldn't suffer much if they had to wait a few more moments for food, but children needed to eat a lot to recover from such a harsh journey as they had made the night before. **Are you sure you don't want some roots ChildWolf? I just had one and they're quite good, keeps your belly in order until we get some fresh meat.**
He was quite relieved to see LizardStalker and ChildWolf move and send. The two brothers had been sitting silently in their corner of the temporary resting place since they'd settled; it had worried Branchwalker to see them so subdued. **Do you have any wounds that needs taking care of?**
LizardStalker grabbed the offer of food and started to eat hungrily. ChildWolf looked at him and shook his head. **Alright.** he sent to Branchwalker at the offer of something to eat. He sat down next to Branchwalker, LizardStalker and Sunsleaf. When he was asked the other question, his body started to ache with pain. As if to tell him that it was hurting. His head was starting to hurt more, **Head hurts as does my right arm** he sent to him as he turned to see it. He saw a small part of something sticking out of his arm. He then put his arm back, not reacting to seeing his wound. LizardStalker pointed to the gash and discoloration to his older brother's side of his forehead. He worried about him.
This one was closer so Sunsleaf moved to the other side of Branchwalker to look at the indicated injuries. First the obvious head wound and then continued the inspection for injuries. She wanted to be sure what she was dealing with before she started dealing out herbs that might be needed more later. She wasn't sure what she would be able to find if they were to keep moving.
'What?' Bloodmane shook her head slightly to come out of the memories she had fallen into at the conversation about her wounds. What had given her those wounds had also taken the lives of her family. **Ah, yes, of course.** A real herbal healer? Well, that would help them survive. She only knew that much herself, being a tanner, not a healer.
LizardStalker watched Sunsleaf carefully. He then went over to Branchwalker and sat in his lap.
ChildWolf looked at her and then fell to the side. He had given up and blacked out.
LizardStalker was worried about his brother and held on to Branchwalker as he was scared.
Branchwalker hugged LizardStalker close, murmuring soothening nonsense to calm both the cub and himself. ChildWolf did look worse of wear and that did nothing to calm Branchwalker's already worn out nerves. They were so horribly few and the trolls could be anywhere! Without shelter and safety larger injuries could become life- threatening in a matter of nights.
Sunsleaf frowned a little and moved in closer to continue the inspection of hurts and look for hidden hurts. If they were to keep moving as it seemed they wished, they would need to be in the best shape she could possibly put them in.
Branchwalker silently observed Sunsleaf work. **I guess you will have to wait for your turn Bloodmane,** he sent, trying to sound cheerful.
The unconscious elf at least made it easy for her to inspect. Sunsleaf finished checking the injuries and gathered a salve for the gash and slathered it on, then drew out her seashell blade, the edge, sharp as a razor, would cut easily through the skin to get the burried arrowhead and yet would allow the wound to heal quickly. She carefully worked at the arm trying to get the arrow out without waking the elf. It would be easier if he slept through this part.. but he would have to be woken to eat and drink. He would have to take some herbs.
LizardStalker hid his face in Branchwalker's chest. He was scared that his brother might leave him like his parents. He started crying. Sprinter went up to LizardStalker and Branchwalker and pawed at him, wanting to see if her elfkin was alright. She gave a soft whine.
Branchwalker let LizardStalker cry; it would do the cub good to let his sorrow free. He reached out to stroke Sprinter's fur, trying to reasure her that her bond-friend was uninjured and in no danger.
ChildWolf just laid there.
Sunsleaf was careful as she cut the arrow from the arm and cleaned the wound. She bound it with a strip of clean leather after she applied a salve to the wound. She was going to have to wake him.. he would need to eat and she would have to mix some herbs in water, though.. by the look of things it would have to be cool water. She smiled at the cub and at Branchwalker reaching out to try and stroke the cub's hair, "He can get better.. and we will make him get better, you and I." Sunsleaf locksent to Branchwalker, ~** Can you try and wake him? I'm going to see if I can tend to the other. **~ She waited his reply though looked toward Bloodmane wondering what would come next.
~**I'll wake him up,**~ Branchwalker replied to Sunsleaf. ~**Thank you for your help, we would have been in trouble if it weren't for you.**~ Trying not to think of the arrow piece that just had been dug out of ChildWolf's arm Branchwalker lock-sent to him:
~**ChildWolf, please wake up.**~ He kept his mind voice soft, but made sure to send loud enough for the sleeping elf to acknowledge him.
ChildWolf stirred some. He opened his eyes a little bit and groaned. ~**Brother, I am not dead.**~ he sent to LizardStalker.
The young cub turned his head to see him. He didn't want to touch him for fear of hurting him more. He kept his grip on Branchwalker.
ChildWolf looked to Branchwalker and kept his eyes on him. He wanted to go back to sleep, but knew that if the older male wanted him to be awake then he should stay awake.
"Sunsleaf said to keep you awake," Branchwalker explained, his hand automatically stroking through LizardStalker's hair to try and calm the cub. "I-I'm sure you're not seriously harmed." Curses! Not even while speaking could he keep the insecurity out of his words. He glanced over at Sunsleaf, hoping for reassurance.
ChildWolf wanted to close his eyes, but kept them open for Branchwalker. **Hurts..** he sent to the older male.
**Yes I know,** Branchwalker replied, trying to ease the aches ChildWolf felt by sending feelings of comfort and calm to him. Sunsleaf's words had given him hope and he now felt confident that ChildWolf would heal. **You'll be better soon, you just need some rest. Sunsleaf is a good herbal healer and we will all take care of you, don't worry,**
LizardStalker heard his brother and felt his pain in the sending. He leaned on Branchwalker's chest and closed his eyes. He was getting tired. He yawned great big and settled down for a rest.
Sunsleaf smiled at Branchwalker and nodded, ~**I believe he will heal.. I will keep my eye on his hurts, so let your worry rest.**~ She hoped her lock-sending would take away some of his uncertainty the cub looked like he would need all the certainty that could be had. She wished there were something she could do for Branchwalker's hurt, but it was more to his heart than to his body and for that... well she could only try.
Turning she reached out toward Bloodmane's shoulder not wanting to startle the female, ** I was told you are hurt... please let me tend to it. **
Bloodmane just nodded and took her torn top off, revealing the bandages. There wasn't much left of it, though, as the troll-blade had torn leather as well as her flesh. She should mend it as soon as possible, but she didn't have her sewing kit with her.
Sunsleaf tried to look at the wound, but the bandage was stuck to it.. this was going to have to be soaked off carefully and that might very well open the wound up again. But it couldn't much be helped if she was going to get any kind of a look at it. ** I shall have to soak off the bandage to keep from injuring the wound when I take it off to look. I could possibly stitch it, or if it doesn't need that I have some herb that will help speed along the healing. It doesn't taste the best, but a little in a salve on the wound and little in your drink at each meal and within a hand of days or so it should be much improved. **
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Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:56:23 GMT 1
****
Meanwhile Riv was getting back to his feet, his travel-hardened body already shaking off the exhaustion. There would be time to sleep when his belly was full. Although these elves probably wouldn't let him light a fire - the red-head had been angry enough with his last one - and that meant - YUK! - raw fish. Or maybe he could catch something with legs...Raw meat wasn't that bad.
**Where are you going?** Dawngazer sent, addressing Riv. She too was standing, unable to settled down although she was tired. She wanted to _do_ something, and since the others seemed to be too tired to truly discuss where they should go the next evening she the only thing she could do was stand.
"Hunting," Riv replied, loud enough for Dawngazer to hear, but not any louder - he didn't have to report his comings and goings to the whole stranger tribe anyway, but since this elfess had asked a direct question, he believed it should be answered. He could have sent, but he didn't like it - made his head ache in the long run. "I had rations for one, myself. Won't last a day with this group." The last was said with slight mix of contempt and, yet, pride.
Dawngazer just nodded as answer, too tired to comment on Riv's tone of voice. **Very well, I'll go with you,** she said, picking up her bow and quiver. The others had weapons they could protect themselves. They needed food, preferably fresh meat, and the chance of getting it was better if there were more than one hunter, even if one of the hunters was nothing more than a cub with no manners. **I'm leaving my spear with you Branchwalker.**
Thankfully Riv had no idea what Dawngazer was thinking or the would- be-hunting might have ended in a fist-fight. "As you wish," he said, although it did have more of a "if you really insist" tone. He was sure he would have done fine by himself. On the other hand, he had hunted with wolfriders before and if they were good for something, it was chasing the prey to the direction where you waited in ambush. And they usually were decent trackers, something Riv didn't exactly excel in.
With a nod to Riv Dawngazer jumped up on a branch just over his head. Tree-walking would be the safest way to travel, but as Riv seemed to prefer the ground she'd keep to the lower branches so they could work together. Now she'd just have to wait and see if the cub knew the meaning of the word "cooperation".
**We'll head this way,** she sent. **Going back is not a good idea what with the forest having been on fire and all.**
Riv just nodded, trying to spot something worth chasing. A nutcatcher watched them with curiosity from higher branches for a moment, then fled. Too small, not worth the energy required to catch it. Then he noticed a spot where the ground had been torn open. Something had been digging here. But when? Probably after the rainstorm, as the soil, although wet, wasn't a complete mud-puddle. **Something's been here tonight,** he sent to Dawngazer, motioning to the torn ground. He didn't like sending, but even he knew that you didn't speak while hunting.
Dawngazer knew those tracks very well. Tusk-snout was a favoured prey of hers and right now the possibility of hunting one was pleasing to say the least. She jumped down from the branch she'd been standing on, making sure not to damage the trail. She sniffed the air. Oh they were lucky; the scent of tusk-snout was everywhere! This one would be easy to track.
**Follow me,** she sent to Riv, already walking away from him.
Riv shrugged - he still didn't know what they were after, but apparently this elfess knew and considered it a good prey - then tightened his grip on his spear and followed. Since they were hunting to feed the tribe, or so he assumed, it was probably a green-eater. Not a branch-horn, though, as they didn't dig the ground like that. Not much challenge there, most likely, but his hunger was stronger than his pride. Even ravvits would have been interesting prey right now.
**They're pretty tough prey, aren't they?** Dawngazer sent to Riv, assuming that he knew it was a tusk-snout they were following. The scent had been so strong that even the most inexperienced cub would have smelled it. **One my third hunt one nearly gutted me. It just ran right at me - horribly easy to anger they are - and I was _this_ close to be impaled.** It was a habit of hers to make small talk while hunting in a smaller group or pair, no matter what she thought of the elves she was hunting with.
Riv remained silent for a while, then couldn't resist asking, **What are you talking about?** Even though it made him sound like an ignorant cub. It could be a branch-horn - Riv himself had almost been trampled by them when they had turned to the wrong direction during a hunt, and they had sharp horns. Or...What else could it be?
Dawngazer was a little startled by Riv's question. He must have been wandering in this forest for at least a few nights so how come he didn't know what a tusk-snout was? They weren't exactly rare here and one of them would certainly not be scared enough to hide if they were passed by just one elf. They had a rather strong scent too so if he'd seen one he couldn't have missed it. Well he could always have stumbled through the woods like a drunken troll, paying little attention to his surroundings, but she doubted that. Although he was young he seemed to know a bit about moving around. If he didn't he wouldn't have lasted long wandering alone.
**A tusk-snout of course!** she sent back to Riv, mildly irritated. **Don't tell me you didn't smell it back there, the scent was everywhere.** Just as she sent that her ears caught the sound of digging and snorting. She quickly jumped back up into the trees. There, snout rammed in under the roots of a tree, was their prey. **I'll circle around behind it and make it run towards you. Throw your spear at my signal and keep away from its tusks!**
Riv was about to reply 'I didn't' when Dawngazer suddenly sent hunting instructions. **..Alright,** he replied, moving behind a tree for shelter, not at all happy at being ordered around.
Dawngazer felt Riv's reluctance towards her orders but ignored that. She was the more seasoned hunter and he hadn't even know what they were tracking! *Foolish cub of a meat chaser who can't even smell the air he's breathing,* she thought to herself, hurrying soundlessly through the trees. She ended up on a branch not far above the tusk- snout, who was busy digging in the dirt. She waited patiently until it had turned away from her.
**Ready? Here I go!** With a howl she jumped down behind the tusk- snout, startling it into a run in Riv's direction. **Throw now!**
Instead of throwing his spear, Riv threw his own weight behind the spear as he thrust it into the tusk-snout's side. The animal didn't go down instantly, though, as the spear-point missed both heart and neck. At that point even the often foolhardy youngster figured out it wasn't a good idea to stick around and scampered first behind a sturdy tree and then up it as much as the rough bark allowed him, as the evergreen didn't have any low, yet sturdy enough, branches. Most likely the tusk-snout would die soon - the spear had to have pierced a lung if he knew any animal anatomy at all. He just hoped it would die before he fell.
Dawngazer cursed under her breath at Riv's foolishness. Hurrying over to the tree he'd climbed up in - against which the tusk-snout was hurling itself - she took aim and shot it, arrow striking one of its eyes, killing it instantly.
She jumped down on the ground and glared up at Riv. "What do you think you were proving by that flea-brained attack? Didn't I tell you to _throw_ the spear?" She hated it when elves put themselves in danger for no reason and she'd seen enough injured and dead fellows to last her three lifetimes. "We don't need more wounds to tend to, we need able hunters."
"What difference would that have made?" Riv yelled back the moment he got down from the tree, "He would have come after me anyway!"
"Yes, but you would have had more time to aim and get out of the way!" Dawngazer replied, her voice just as loud as Riv's. "That was a cub's mistake! Don't you know _anything_ about hunting prey bigger than ravvits?!" Then, as suddenly as she'd started shouting, she calmed down. With a sigh she knelt down by the fallen tusk-snout. "No matter now, the prey is down and we have food. Help me carry this thing."
'Feh!' Riv thoughts, 'It would have died soon anyway.' Nothing lived with a punctured lung for long. But he decided not to argue on the matter. This elfess actually managed to make it sound like _he_ was on the wrong, and Riv definitely didn't like it. Without a word he took out a leather cord from his belt, pulled out his spear from the carcass and tied the tusk-snout's legs to the shaft. 'That should do,' he thought, then undid the bindings of the spear-point and tied it on his belt before picking up one end of the makeshift carrying rod.
Dawngazer grabbed the other end, not saying anything either. She was far too tired to argue with Riv. Getting back to the others was her one and only goal now; they needed food and rest before they could think out what to do next.
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Post by Sofia on Jun 14, 2020 20:57:00 GMT 1
****
SilverEyes looked to everyone and went over to where Sunsleaf and Bloodmane were. She checked the elfess out and saw that Sunsleaf was helping her. She got up and went over to where Branchwalker was. She sat next to ChildWolf and looked after him so that the male elf could look after LizardStalker. **Is he asleep?** she asked Branchwalker.
Branchwalker gave SilverEyes a smile. **Yes, for the moment and hopefully he'll stay that way for a while. He needs his rest poor cub, having been rushing around the forest all night.** He paused and gave SilverEyes an insecure look. **Have you...Your father, have you heard anything from him?** Sendings could be stronger among kin, especially if they were strengthened by deep emotions.
Branchwalker wanted to know what had happened to their vanished tribemates, but he had not gotten any replies to his numerous open- sendings. Perhaps, just perhaps one of the others had, but didn't want to tell since the answer they'd gotten had been a painful one. At the moment that didn't matter to Branchwalker. Knowing someone was dead was better than not knowing at all, at least then you could mourn them and not have to spend time think 'what if?'.
ChildWolf felt a little better from the sendings that he had gotten from Branchwalker. He tried to move around to where he could sit up. He hissed when he moved his wounded arm. He moved back and just laid there.
LizardStalker twitched some in his sleep. He wasn't having a good sleep.
SilverEyes looked to him, **No... not yet. I've tried many times.** she sent to him, with much sadness. She looked to ChildWolf and sat right next to him. **Calm down young one. Stay laying down, it would be good for you.** she sent to him calmly. She ran her fingers through his hair gently, knowing that this might calm down the young one. He really couldn't be called cub, but not yet a young adult. **(I believe that young LizardStalker is having a bad dream.)** she locksent to Branchwalker.
**I'm sure he's out there somewhere,** Branchwalker replied to SilverEyes with as much hope as he could muster. He had to believe the others were alive or he'd go crazy before long. As SilverEyes mentioned LizardStalker Branchwalker glanced down at him. Yes it did seem the cub was having bad dreams; unfortunately there wasn't much he could do about that. Putting a hand on the sleeping cub's forehead Branchwalker sighed, not knowing what else to do.
Suddenly a hushed rustle in the bushes caught his full attention. He nearly bolted, heart beating as swift as the wings of a frightened bird. Had the trolls found them? Oh High Ones, no! Please, please let it be a branch-horn or a tuft-ear, _anything_ but a troll!
Before he could truly panic a familiar scent blew in his direction. **Dawngazer!** Branchwalker open-sent, relieved. **Did the hunt go well? ** He could now also smell the scent he slowly was learning belonged to Riv, together with blood, an animal's blood.
**Very, very well!** Dawngazer replied as she came walking into the glade, holding one end of a spear to which a large tusk-snout was bound. **We will not starve tonight.** Giving a signal to Riv she gently lowered her spear-end until the dead tusk-snout lay on the ground. **Everyone feel free to take as much as you need.**
She waited for everyone to take his or her share of the kill. As she'd been walking back with Riv a thought had struck her that she wished to talk with the rest of the tribe about and she knew that people listened better with food in their bellies.
Branchwalker gave LizardStalker a gentle nudge. **Wake up little one, there's food here for you.**
LizardStalker opened his eyes slowly and looked up at Branchwalker. **Food?** he asked. He was trying to wake up some.
ChildWolf turned to where he could see his little brother.
**Yes, food,** Branchwalker replied and stood, taking LizardStalker by the hand. He gave ChildWolf a look of sympathy and sent: **Stay where you are, I'll bring you back some meat.**
Bloodmane looked at the direction of the kill, her mouth watering slightly at the sweet smell of fresh meat, but stayed still while Sunsleaf was tending to her back.
Riv worked his spear-shaft free of the tusk-snout and started tying the spear-head back to it, watching this tribe from the corner of his eye. He still couldn't explain to himself why he was staying around them. He definately had no attachments to them, and even the one he had pestered at their first meeting - well, he had been sort of interesting... - had gotten separated from the group he had ended up with.
Sunsleaf finally had the bandage off and poked gently around the wound just a bit back from the edge. She frown faintly and then nodded to herself, **Get some meat. We'll let that air for a bit and then finish tending to it.** Her sending directed at Bloodmane.
Looking around at the others she asked, **Does anyone else need to be looked at?**
Bloodmane nodded, getting up. For a tiny moment, the ground felt unsteady under her feet. 'Must be the running,' she concluded mentally. She refused to even consider blood-loss. They couldn't afford to stop here - they had to find somewhere safe to stay this season. Quietly she carved a piece of meat for herself with her dagger - her lifemate's dagger. Her lifemate's...
SilverEyes saw the meat being brought in and then heard Sunsleaf's send. She did have a nasty cut on the back of her shoulder. **I do.** she sent softly. She turned to see the elfess. **(I have a somewhat cut on the back of my shoulder.)** she lock-sent. She couldn't tell how bad it was and wouldn't be able to know until someone looked at it.
Sunsleaf nodded and moved over to inspect the injury on the next 'patient'. She was getting quite the exercise of her skills today. There hadn't been this much to do in a very long time, if ever..
Dawngazer sat down in the somewhat-circle the elves formed, chewing wonderfully fresh meat. Everyone seemed to be recovering; most of her tribemates looked less exhausted now than they had when she and Riv had left to hunt. Perhaps they'd feel well enough to listen to her if she held her tongue for a moment more. She would need help with this argument, that she was sure of, and if she was lucky she knew where she'd find some.
~**Longsong I need a favor of you. Will you assist me?**~ she lock- sent, eyes still sweeping the small crowd of elves around her.
LizardStalker went with BranchWalker, keeping close to him.
Branchwalker put a hand on LizardStalker's head and began to stroke his fingers' through the cub's hair. The gesture was meant to soothe the cub, but to be honest Branchwalker probably got as much if not more comfort from it.
ChildWolf tried to give a nod, but with a small smile. He was still a little tired.
Dawngazer took another bite from her share of the kill, eying the elves around her. Now was as good a time as any. She swallowed the meat and stood.
"Everyone please leaned me your ears." She paused and waited for her tribemates to pay attention. "We cannot continue running like this, nor can we go back to where we came from. We are few, we are injured and we are exhausted." She let her gaze sweep over the tired faces of her fellow elves. Her eyes halted as they met her soul brother's. "Yet we wish to return; to fight, to get revenge, to rescue our captured tribemates. But the trolls are many and doing so now would be foolish, if not crazy. We need help." She paused to let the words sink in.
"Many turns in the past our tribe met another tribe; a tribe of elves who bonded with birds, not wolves. They left the Tall Tree Holt when Boldpath was chief, but some of us still share blood-bonds with them." Her eyes finally left Branchwalker's, not wanting to single him out. She took a deep breath and tried to find the right words.
"By meeting Riv and Sunsleaf we can now be sure that there are other elves out there. Perhaps, just perhaps we can find those other tribes. We could heal our wounds, gather warriors and leave the cubs somewhere safe. That done we could come back here and fight. Longsong-"
Longsong got up from where he'd been sitting. The meat and rest had done him good; he was as prepared as he'd ever be. Funny, a few nights ago he would never even have dreamt that he'd get to practice his skills as a lore keeper so officially for the tribe in eights of eight eights of turns and now...
"The Howls tell us that the bird-bloods - who lived with our tribe from the chieftainship of Firetune to that of his daughter Boldpath -" the mad one, he mentally added to himself, "were powerful magic users. Their leader was the keeper of a magical stone." He'd decided to call it stone since he couldn't exactly recall what it really had been. The Howls of the bird-bloods were interesting, but not too important when it came to problems in the Now (or at least they hadn't been until tonight) so he'd not been focusing much on them during his lessons with Longtale. He'd thought he'd have time to learn them later. Sudden dizziness came over him. With One-edge's help he sat back down, giving Dawngazer a nod to show that she could pick up where he'd stopped.
Dawngazer gave Longsong a grateful smile before speaking once more. "The trolls have the Stone from the Sky. There's a risk that they, by forcing our captured tribemates, find a way to use its powerful magic. Would you not all feel safer if we too had such a great source of magic on our side?"
Raising the meat she still had in her hand to her mouth Dawngazer took a bite, chewing nervously. She didn't like taking on the leader role, she felt it wasn't her place, but someone had to say something, right?
"I say we search for other elves and ask for the bird-bloods. If - _when_ we've gathered enough warriors and found that magic stone we'll come back here. We'll rescue the captured ones and get our revenge on those monsters!"
Sunsleaf had been tending to the cut on SilverEyes back. Cleaned and inspected then covered with a purposefully light coating of woundroot. It would be easy to keep an eye on, yet would seal the skin to keep out anything new.
Then she had moved to get herself some of the meat and as Dawngazer's last words rang through the group she moved to sit near Branchwalker, the seat she had occupied before. She had a greater understanding of the situation of those she had met with and she could only think that she was doing what she could to help them.
"You can't be serious," Riv commented, "Magic stones? You're chasing a fawns' tale here. Such things don't exist." Well, ancient High Ones sending out weird calls shouldn't exist either, but Griel had believed they did. Riv wasn't sure he didn't believe Griel to be nuts, though.
Bloodmane stopped chewing on the piece of meat she had been eating at hearing Riv's words. "Just because you've never seen one doesn't mean there aren't such things, cub," she said sternly. Truth to be told, she didn't believe a mere stone, magic or no, could bring them victory over the trolls, but hope...hope was what would keep them going. "I agree with Dawngazer. The sooner we find other elves, the better."
LizardStalker felt better some. He turned to listen to DawnGazer. "I wanna see the bird-bloods." he said innocently.
Dawngazer gave LizardStalker a tired smile. "And so you shall cub, but it will take a while."
ChildWolf turned on his side, feeling somewhat better. **I say we go search them out.** he sent. He then rolled back onto his back and closed his eyes. He was so very tired now.
SilverEyes nodded her thanks to Sunsleaf as she got up to get some meat as well. She had listened to what Dawngazer had said. **I agree, let's find these other elves and come back to get our loved ones.** she sent out as she started to eat. She saw that LizardStalker was with Branchwalker, so she went over to ChildWolf. She saw him close his eyes. **No you don't** she sent to him. She shook him very gently to wake him up. **You don't get to sleep until Susleaf clears you**
ChildWolf opened his eyes and looked at her. His eyes were not focusing on her yet. **I'm tired...** he sent to her as sleepily as he felt. He was just wanting to sleep. That was all he wanted. Then he realized that he couldn't, but the resistance to sleep had all faded away.
**Don't you dare sleep!** Dawngazer huffed mentally at ChildWolf. Although she was sitting somewhat comfortably she was too riled up to sleep yet. She would simply sit and keep watch over the others.
Branchwalker had fallen asleep, one hand still tangled in LizardStalker's hair.
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