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From: [e-mail] (Lance Dooly)
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Subject: STORY: The Tales of Dark Haven (Chapter 24)
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Date: 7 Sep 1995 09:38:44 -0400
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- The Tales of Dark Haven ---------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-                                                                            -
- These stories are from an on-going E-mail campaign, and are currently      -
- maintained by Lance Dooly ([e-mail]).  New stories will be  -
- posted in rec.games.frp.archives and are available for anonymous FTP       -
- at tfnet.ils.unc.edu in /pub/dark.                                         -
-                                                                            -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------ Chapter 24: More Secrets and a Flight ---------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the evening seems to have wound down, only a hardy few are left
in the Tavern ...

(Silver:)
During the evening in the Tavern, Silver indicates by various subtle
means that she wishes to talk with Tatiana at some time. Silver will
wait around in the Tavern for a long time after the dancing and
general merriment has subsided, even though she seems quite tired.

Because Tatiana departed earlier, Silver will bid everyone a fond
"Goodnight" and wander off to her bed in the Commons. The next day,
she will wait around until early afternoon, as she knows that Tatiana
is not of much use until then.



And so another night passes in Dark Haven. The next day ....

(Falrun:)
Then next morning Falrun reappears in the Commons with a new shirt on.
It is again plain white, long sleeved, cotton and with a few ruffles
here and there.

"I hope that you are not too much worse for the wear from last nights
activities, Dithion.  I know that my ribs are still tender from our
little exercise.  Again, I must say that I am glad that we are
fighting on the same side instead of against each other."

(Dithion:)
Dithion rubs his head, and says with a laugh, "I am also glad we are
fighting on the same side!"  He laughs again, and then says, "Aargh,
my head aches today.  Oh well, it will one day teach me to lay off the
ale."


(Silver:)
After Tatiana has broken her fast - around noon, Silver approaches,
and trying to be casual, mentions to her friend "'Ana, I'm just off
for a walk to clear my head. Join me ?"

(Tatiana:)
"Sure" she responded with cheer.  Then concern "Is something wrong?"

(Silver:)
Silver replied "Oh no. Nothing special" but her tone hinted that
perhaps something was.

The pair soon find themselves on top of Mindak's rock, where they can
look both inland at the entire settlement nestled at the edge of the
forest, and out to sea at the grey waters of the ocean.

(Tatiana:)
Inhaling deeply, "I just love the great outdoors!" Tatiana says
looking around to the sea and the jungle inland.

(Silver:)
Silver smiled a little, and would usually have made some comment on
the beauty surrounding them, but she said nothing.

Sitting on a rock, looking seaward, Silver is quiet for a while, and
then asks "'Ana, what do you think of our companions ?" Silver seems
quite restless and confused. The way she asked the question seems to
hint that this is why she spoke to Tatiana alone.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana grew serious and looked to Silver trying to discern what
disturbed her.  In a measured manner she responded "They are a fiery
bunch, and I like some more than others.  Kaeyar, I don't know at
all."

"Why do you ask?" she said forestalling more on the subject until
Silver was clearer with her questions.

(Silver:)
Silver sighs and shrugs her shoulders. "'Ana, I really don't know.  I
find myself in a situation I really don't know how to handle. I have
never been in a group such as the Eidolon before, and so ...  personal
.... matters have not been a problem."

"Half our group is Elvish. They act like humans of our age do, and yet
they have seen many lifetimes of things happen. Women they knew when
they were young would be just so much dust now." She sifts the sand
and fine earth through her fingers as if to make the point.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana nods her head knowingly, but doesn't speak.

(Silver:)
Turning her attention to Tatiana, she relates what occurred just the
other day. "I was talking to Falrun, and I got very close to him."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana raised an eyebrow to this.  She quickly did a mental check to
make sure Tuft wasn't listening in.  Fortunately he was sleeping and
it was high noon, but she still steeled her mind so as to not transmit
her thoughts to him.

(Silver:)
"I found out some secrets he had, and I in turn told him of some
things which had I had done in the past. This was really quite painful
to me, and, umm, well, things got almost out of hand. At the last,
Falrun backed away and nothing happened."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana's eyes narrowed.  "He's not playing some kind of game do you
think?"

(Silver:)
"Well, it all started when we started joking about things. And yes, it
was a game to start with. Perhaps that's all it was to him after all.
Perhaps he didn't realize what was happening."

"But what confuses me is whether I misread the signs. Or whether Elves
act like that all the time. It would be bad enough to become ... close
.... to a good friend - things change so much when that happens."

(Tatiana:)
"Well not all elves are like that.  And yes they are very different
than us.  Almost as different as men are from women.  You do realize
that both theories of evolution and creationalism are correct!  Women
were created by the Gods, and Man crawled out of the primordial soup."
She finished with a smile.

Hopefully her jest would ease the tension she could feel building.

(Silver:)
Silver smiled a little, but did not laugh.

OOC: _I_ thought it was funny, though ! 8-)

(Tatiana:)
"But seriously, Elves live for centuries.  They must be different.
Think of them as children.  Remember how we thought we were immortal
until some time in our twenties?  That's how elves are too, but then
they start reaching into their hundreds and still look twenty.  Like
us they start to grow weary of change, and weary of risk.  There is
too much to lose when your life span is in the centuries.  That's why
elves are so secretive, carefree, and resistant to change.  When you
live centuries you can take the time to smell the roses by the
roadside.  They don't just give their heart out quickly, usually that
is.  It's too prone to being broken sometime in the future."

(Silver:)
"Also, I realize now that it is only friendship I feel toward Falrun.
It is another soul I feel kinship with."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana cocked her head in confusion. "Now I'm confused?  I thought
you were falling for Falrun, like I am for Arlon. Who are we talking
about now?"

(Silver:)
Silver smiled a little again, and realized she had not mentioned who
this was all about.  She leaned toward Tatiana in a secretive manner
and said in a low voice "umm ... Shade, actually." Silver's eyes
suddenly had more life in them. "Although, of course, he knows little
of this."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana mouth dropped open and she smacked herself in the forehead
with her hand.  "Well I'll be!  I should be struck blind as well as I
saw that one coming.  If you hadn't have started talking about Falrun
to start with I would have guessed Shade, but then it totally slipped
my mind."

Tatiana shook her head in wonder at her denseness, a slight smile
tweaked at her cheeks.

"I wouldn't worry too much about making something happen.  I've
noticed Shade favour you a more than friendly glance on occasion.  He
is a cautious person as someone with his history is bound to be.  Just
be honest, it really is the best way."

"And as to what the others think?  Forget about it!  What do you care
what others think if you're not true to yourself.  Just keep your head
about you and things will be just fine."

(Silver:)
Silver nodded at this. "Yes. 'Being true'. That's _right_ 'Ana" she
said with a certain determination.  "But Elves and Humans ? What do
the tales say about that ? Are all such stories doomed to heartbreak
and pain ?"

(Tatiana:)
"Unfortunately most of the tales do end in regret.  Either the Elves
kill themselves in mourning at the loss of their loved one that passed
on so soon ..."

(Silver:)
"Oh no ..." Silver said in a sort of breathless tone of anguish at the
thought.

(Tatiana:)
"... or they seek magical ways to extend the human's lives.  All too
often the human finds that with a long life they no longer are as in
love with their elven partner as they once thought.  Humans are fickle
that way."

(Silver:)
"So it isn't just me, then ?"

(Tatiana:)
"True love is rare indeed.  There are some tales of happy unions
though, but even then the tension between the elven and human
relatives can be a delicate thing."

(Silver:)
Silver flinched slightly at the mention of 'relatives'.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana perceived the flinch but left it for another time to talk
about. So much to talk about.  "Not to mention the ridicule their
offspring must bear all their lives."

(Silver:)
"Oh 'Ana. I am so worried about how others in our group feel. I would
hate to alienate them for what might be a foolish whim. If things
turned out wrongly, then I would lose some of the trust I have gained,
and may well hurt them. Badly."

(Tatiana:)
"I'm confused again. Who are we talking about now ?"

(Silver:)
"Well, I'm talking about how all of the group might react if ...
things developed. Falrun included."

"I have so many things I need to express. I know I'm explaining things
badly, but I feel so mixed up. You are the only person I can tell all
of this to, 'Ana." She looks really helpless in a childlike way.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana reach out and hugged Silver.  "You have to trust your heart.
Despite all the despairing things I've said, you must remember the
heart will know true love, if you listen to it.  Then wonders can
happen!  Love will make all things work.  That is why I will pursue
the relationship with Arlon.  It might be true love."

(Silver:)
Silver returns the affection, and as Tatiana speaks, she becomes
thoughtful. After she has carefully considered something, Silver will
reach around to the back of her neck, and unclasp a silver necklace.
She reaches forward and puts it around Tatiana's neck. Looking down,
Tatiana can see that attached to the necklace there is a small silver
figurine of an owl in flight.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana tentatively reached out to take the silver figurine, and
shared the grasp with Silver as she talked about the gift.

(Silver:)
"Please, 'Ana, take this. You ... I ... Oh, I'm not doing very well
with explaining things today" she says, smiling and wiping away a tear
which has formed. "This figurine is very precious to me, but I need
you to have a gift. It is the one thing I have which means enough to
make it a fitting gift for a friend such as you, 'Ana." And with a
warm smile, some tears and a sniff, she hugs Tatiana again.

OOC: It is a small silver figurine of an owl in flight. It is on a
     silver necklace, total value about 200gps. This is not a native
     piece of jewelry. It is the only adornment that Silver has/had.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana shook her head no "This means to much too you, really I
couldn't take this."

At Silver's insistence Tatiana took the necklace and put it around her
neck.  "I shall treasure this!" then reached out to give Silver one of
the strongest hugs ever.  The feeling of sincerity could be felt in
the strength of it.

"I shall return this gift of friendship ten-fold".

OOC: Tatiana has never worn jewelry. Silver's necklace is the sole
     exception now.

(Silver:)
Silver's mood has lightened considerably now. It seems as though a
heavy burden has been lifted from her shoulders.

"So, you think that things will work out well with Arlon ? He seems to
be rather taken with you. You know, " she lowers her voice in a
confidential way "he has even said you'd make an excellent Elf !"

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana smiled wistfully, "He's very gentle, I've never met a man that
takes the time to get to know you."

"A good elf huh?" she said with a wry smile.  "I hope I can keep it up
whatever I'm doing."

(Silver:)
Later, as they walk back into the town from the top of the rock,
Silver will say "I am so looking forward to our flight tonight. I am
just a bit worried about leaving ... certain ... of our party behind,
in the dark, so to speak. I would like all of the party to come, but
feel the mood would be spoiled with too many people."

(Tatiana:)
"Honestly, when Arlon asked me to fly to the glade, I thought he meant
him and me alone.  Then he mentioned Tuft coming along and you too.
Which was fine as well.  Then some of the others.  It is a bit awkward
in how it was handled.  I'd suggest you asked anyone if they'd like to
come along to make sure no one is offended.  But still it's not going
to be the same as I had originally imagined it.

(Silver:)
"Yes, I know what you mean. It actually started with me asking Arlon
if he'd like to see some of the majesty in Mielikki's realm, and this
seemed to be the perfect way. Then he mentioned that he would love to
take you as well, especially as he is taking the time to teach you how
to fly." Silver laughs "It's so much _fun_ 'Ana ! Honestly, I can
almost lose myself up there. It helps you keep a good sense of
perspective. Once you're up there, some of the mundane problems just
slip away ..."

"Anyway, he also suggested we go and speak to Keilan about this, and
at the time I thought, well, fine. Keilan would like something like
this. But the original thought I had was to make it ... intimate." She
hastily adds "not that I had any thoughts about Arlon, of course ...."

"I think you've hit on the problem again - what started out as an
intimate trip for two, has expanded into something which ... doesn't
quite _feel_ right, if you know what I mean.  Men ! I never can quite
work them out, you know."

"How about if we actually do split up, and I just take you and Arlon
out there tonight, to show you where it is, and then I travel out with
Keilan tomorrow ? The only problem with that is that I wanted to show
you some of the things that are particularly wonderful.  Still ... I
could do that and then leave. That might just work, you know. What do
you say ?"

(Tatiana:)
"Let's just stick together tonight.  We don't need to change the plans
again.  It might hurt other people's feelings instead.  We can do a
private jaunt some other night"

(Silver:)
"Ok, then. I'll go with your judgment on this one. I've spent so much
time in seclusion, I've almost forgotten how complicated the details
of being around people can be."

"And I think you're right. If you spend too much time thinking through
every possible outcome of your actions, nothing gets done."

"No need to pack food, by the way. But wear something comfortable, as
we'll be there all night."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana nodded. "I think I'll come prepared with some weaponry as
well."


(Silver:)
"I think we'll see a different side to Keilan when we get there. I do
hope Tuft will be coming along too ... perhaps you could tell me some
time how you two came to be paired."

(Tatiana:)
"I found him really." she said.  When I was on scout duty while I was
on the woodland patrol.  This was before I became a bard of course.  I
had come across a nest of baby owls, the mother and father had been
killed by a local farmer.  All but one chick was dead as well.  I took
the remaining one in and cared for it.  Later when I switched
professions, one of the first spells I stumble upon was Find Familiar.
I was surprised to find that the familiar I bonded with was the little
owl chick I had rescued.  That was Tuft, needless to say we are very
close."

(Silver:)
"That's a really beautiful story, 'Ana. It is strange to think of Tuft
as a chick, you know." Silver laughs gently, "I would have loved to
see his first flight, his first successful hunt ..."




Silver and Tatiana part as they come into the village proper ....

(Silver:)
"Meet you both at the main gate about mid afternoon. I'll bring
Keilan."

(Tatiana:)
"I'll be there!  Don't laugh too hard about my method of flying" she
said with a mirthful grin.

(Silver:)
As they part, Silver grasps Tatiana's hand and says quite solemnly
"And thanks again, 'Ana."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana returned the affection. "You can talk to me anytime!"




And Tatiana goes off to find Arlon to have lunch with before the
journey to the Glade ...

(Arlon:)
"Are you ready for our little trip to the glade that Silver found? I
bet Tuft can't wait."

(Tatiana:)
"Most definitely!  You won't leave me behind will you?" she said with
a smile.

(Arlon:)
"No Way! I enjoy being behind you" he smiles. This is the first time
that Arlon has made any kind of statement about Tatiana's physical
beauty.

(Tatiana:)
OOC: What does Arlon look like again? Is he particularly handsome ?
     The intellectual look? Boy next door? Fox, Cute, whatever?

She twisted around and looked over her shoulder at Arlon and caught
him looking at her derriere.  The posture oozed sexuality. She smiled
wryly at Arlon "You do?  Do you?"

She grabbed his hand and pulled him forward gently as the walked
along.  The pull was strong enough to propel Arlon in front of her and
she glanced down at his derriere as well.  It was a shame all the women
wore such flimsy clothes, yet the men didn't.

(Arlon:)
While we are having our wine and before the main meal, Arlon will
reach into his backpack and pull out some cloth that seems to be
wrapping something. "I know we agreed to take it slow; but I wanted to
give you something special.  I hope you like it."

Arlon hands the cloth to Tatiana.  It will have some weight to it,
more than you might expect and you may hear the sound of metal
clicking.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana's eyes sparkle with glee and a smile broadens across her face.
She hesitantly reached out to take the object from Arlon. "But I
didn't think to get you anything."

(Arlon:)
"I wasn't expecting one, its not a gift if you expect something back.
Its so much more special that way."  Warm smiles from Arlon - this is
not a degrading comment of any kind, there is a chance that it could
be read that way so I'm just making sure - I hate it when I don't say
things right.

(Tatiana:)
As Arlon puts the object into her hands "Whoah, It's heavier than I
thought.  What is it?"

(Arlon:)
"Why don't you open it and find out?"

(Tatiana:)
She bent forward and kiss Arlon on the lips.  "You're so sweet!". She
then started to open it.

OOC: As far as sex and stuff like that goes.  I'm sure someday the two
     of our characters will get together, but I'd rather allude to the
     action than really write about it.  All this courting is cool
     though.

(Arlon:)
When Tatiana opens the cloth she will see 3 gleaming daggers.  Each
dagger has a rune on it. "Each Rune has its own significance.  The
first one is Magic, the second one is Harmony and the third one is
Love.  I had Mindak put the Runes in the daggers."

OOC: As far as sex and stuff like that goes... Ditto - no problem here.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana's lips creased with emotion, and she looked like she was going
to cry.  "Oooh Arlon!  They're beautiful!"

She put them down and reached over to give him a hug and a kiss.  The
hug was full of passion, the kind that makes your chest feel like it's
going to burst, and you want to shout "WWWWooooWWW!"

(Arlon:)
That's exactly what Arlon would do - "WWWWooooWWW!"

"I think we are all ready for the trip to the glade.  I'll be casting
fly spells on Keilan and .. did I mention Keilan was coming? ...

(Tatiana:)
"No you didn't but that's okay.  I like him, he's sensible. He and I
have the same woodland kinda of background, so we get along well.  I
think."

(Arlon:)
"I assume Tuft is coming along. Has he been gone out that far before?"

(Tatiana:)
"Tuft, yeah I'm sure he's given the entire area in a 5 mile radius a
once over already"

(Arlon:)
"Uhh, how does Tuft feel about me - if you don't mind me asking?"

(Tatiana:)
"I don't know?  I never thought to ask him.  But he did say I was
being silly about being nervous about our date.  So I guess that means
he approves."

(Arlon:)
"Tatiana, have you ever - perchance - ridden a Pegasus?"  his smile
suggests he has something interesting to share.

(Tatiana:)
With a look of wonder in her eyes, Tatiana replies somewhat
hesitantly, "Um, No, I haven't ever seen one either?  Why?"

(Arlon:)
"I was thinking, this trip will probably take more fly spells then we
have available.  I will probably need to use my Polymorph spell.
Which means I can take the form of a Pegasus, which means you could
have the opportunity to ride one."  Smiling wide now "What do you
think?"

(Tatiana:)
A wry grin spread across her face.  "I like to ride bare-back! So can
I call you my stallion then?"

(Arlon:)
A pleasantly surprised look came on Arlon's face - he didn't expect
that type of answer.  He then smiles warmly and says softly: "Anytime
you wish."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana grinned broadly enjoying the surprise she elicited from Arlon.
A giggle escaped and she reached out to touch Arlon gently. "Sorry
about that, I've been hanging around taverns too long.  My foul mouth
some times takes control before my brain does."

OOC: She will look slightly embarrassed.

(Arlon:)
"It was not foul; but it was clever.  That is one of the many things
that I like about you."



Meanwhile, as Arlon and Tatiana share lunch, Silver meets with Shade ...

(Silver:)
During the day which follows the evening in the Tavern, Shade sees
Tatiana and Silver walking down from Mindak's Rock toward the main
part of the village. As the drow walks toward them, Silver and Tatiana
embrace and then part. Silver then notices Shade and walks to greet
him.

OOC: As they walk, Shade may just possibly notice that Silver nearly
     always wears a silver necklace, with a pendant of some sort, but
     is not wearing it at the moment.

(Shade:)
He nonchalantly asks "What happened to your beautiful pendant,
Silver?"

(Silver:)
Silver's hand automatically reaches for the pendant, but stops before
she reaches where it was. She smiles a little, and says "A long story,
Shade. 'Ana has it now. Perhaps I will tell you all later."

(Shade:)
"Anytime you like"

(Silver:)
"Shade. It's time we talked." Motioning over toward the main gate of
the village, she takes his arm and they walk out of the gate and over
toward the treeline. Standing in the shade of the trees, Silver kneels
down on a mossy patch of ground, and pats the area next to her.

(Shade:)
The bard sits, wordlessly.

(Silver:)
"Oh Shade." she begins, "I thought hard on what to say to you today,
and even looked for guidance from my Goddess" She looks down to the
ground, trailing intricate patterns with her fingers. "But it was no
good. I have come up with no precise words to express what I need to
say, need to ask."

(Shade:)
"Just ask me, if I can help you I'll do. You look so worried...."

(Silver:)
She takes a deep breath and starts again. "It is partly of Elves and
of Owls I wish to speak. Sometimes, a druid takes an interest in a
specific species - and that is the case with me. You see, I have
always found owls to be ... almost a part of me.  That is why I always
assume the form of an owl when flying."

"And, Shade, well, owls, when they ... join ... they do so for life."

(Shade:)
The bard frowns "Wait, if you are trying to tell me you are tied to a
different bond ..."  - he smiles - "that's enough, dear. You have me.
Nothing less. But you do not owe me nothing more than that."

(Silver:)
Silver shakes her head, continuing "There is no other for the pair,
and when one dies, the other is so devastated that anything could
happen. It is how I have always seen myself when ..."

(Shade:)
"_LOVE_ is for life, dear. This is the way I feel it."

(Silver:)
"But Elves live so long. Many lifetimes. Oh Shade ! The human women
that you may have known when you were a child would be just so much
dust now" she says with a tone of desperation.

She looks at Shade with an intense expression, one hand clenching and
unclenching as if to will him to understand what she was explaining so
badly.

(Shade:)
"Wait, wait," - he gently squeezes her shoulder - "that's a different
matter.  That should be _MY_ problem. I think, not yours. Or am I so
dazed by your beauty" - he smiles warmly - "that I do not realize you
are the elf and I am the human? I understand we live dangerous lives
and the traditional elven longevity is bound to be stressed everyday
in my case, but..." - he shudders - "I really hope to live as long as
you, dear."

(Silver:)
"Yes, to live for the moment, that I understand. But in sixty years at
most I shall be gone. Reborn again in some manner, that is true. But
those sixty years will seem as a brief moment in your long life. And
before that my beauty - such as it is" she smiles ironically "will
fade and diminish."

(Shade:)
The drow smiles "Your beauty is more deep than your slender body, your
beauty is how Silver thinks and feels and is not what Silver looks
like" - he winks - "even if I appreciate your figure."

(Silver:)
Silver smiles shyly at this.

(Shade:)
"Anyway, yours is the choice, but fear not for me."

(Silver:)
"Well then my Ebuchrim, it seems there really is no choice. I put
great store by dreams, and you have featured in many of my recent
ones. The term 'Ebuchrim' comes from one of them. Let me tell you of
two of the dreams in particular."

"In the first, I stand by a strong tree, although I know that I am not
as you see me now, I am a Dryad." With a smile as if she is
remembering pleasant memories she continues "I feel great affinity for
these people, and unless you know them in depth, you could not begin
to understand what they share with their chosen tree.  They call it
their 'Ebuchrim', and the term does not translate very well. It
denotes a soul-twinning that will endure forever, but even more than
that, one cannot exist without the other. It is a bonding of souls."

"The Dryad that I know as me then enters the tree, although I then see
this is not a tree, but a Drow ... You, to be exact. I feel such
comfort from this, and it is a startling image indeed."

(Shade:)
OOC: _WOW_! A born poet, Colin.

(Silver:)
"The other dream has me puzzled, though. I am walking towards you, and
you are rummaging in a iron-bound chest, which is too tall for me to
see in. You turn and notice me, your eyes widen, and you slam the lid
of the chest down. You hand is outstretched as if to warn me, or as if
to prevent me from coming closer. There is anguish in your eyes." She
looks with a puzzled expression at Shade.

(Shade:)
The drow frowns "Well, the possibility to entangle you in my family
revenge and thus to make you harm....it worries me more than I can
say. Besides, In the underdark, in drow cities, I have witnessed
horrors I don't desire to share not even with my worst enemy.  They
often prowl my dreams, I do not want to give the same fears to you,
dear. I'm just trying to forget."

(Silver:)
Silver considers this solemnly for a while and then nods understanding
and accepting Shade's reasoning.  "Anyway," she says with a grin, "How
do you Drow pledge yourselves to another ? What rites do you go
through ?"

(Shade:)
"Drow rites are either related to the evil goddess lloth" - Shade
spits the goddess name with clear contempt - "or a fake."

(Silver:)
Silver shivers slightly at the name of Lloth. She has heard little of
the spider goddess - and that's more than she wants.

(Shade:)
"I'd like our bond to get the imprimatur of your Goddess."

(Silver:)
"Quite right, we need to be cleansed before Her eyes before we can be
joined." She looks with deep concern at Shade "Are you ... sure you
wish to be cleansed, reborn under Her eyes ? It is a step you should
not take lightly, my Ebu"

"If you have no shred of doubt, then I shall meet with you outside the
main gates a few hours past dawn tomorrow. Look for me in the skies.
Oh, and bring an extra cloak ..."

(Silver:)
Later, Silver will say "Shade, there is something I must tell you. I
have arranged a trip to a forest glade tonight, and, well, umm, it
will be just Arlon, Tatiana and Keilan traveling with me." She seems
really concerned and embarrassed as she continues "It started off with
just me promising to show Arlon some of the majesty of Mielikki, and
sort of grew from that. Please believe me when I say I would cancel it
to stay with you, but I gave my word, and it is only me that knows the
way there."

(Shade:)
"Don't worry dear, - the bard smiles warmly - I'm tired, I'll gladly
go to sleep."

OOC: Well Colin, in a different set my character, again a drow,
     married a human priestess.  I've already heard your arguments ;).

(Silver:)
OOC: Well, it's a first for me ... none of my characters have married
     before !

(Shade:)
OOC: BTW, the human priestess player will become my wife in less than
     three months ;).



And so the small group meet, ready for the flight to the glade that
Silver has found ....

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana held Arlon's hand until the others started to show up.  And
even then it was obvious she stopped holding hands only because she
felt it proper among friends, and not because of embarrassment.

(Arlon:)
He will hold her hand right back - affectionately.

(Silver:)
OOC: Just to be a bit more explicit about the Tavern and the secret
     signs: Silver has found out a few secrets, and divulged some of
     her past to a few people. This has turned out to be quite painful
     to her.  She's concerned about not being open with the rest of
     the group, and by splitting up the group to go on this trip and
     explicitly not telling the others may alienate them, making them
     resent it. And by telling the others about the trip, but that
     just the 4 of us are going may make them think we don't trust
     them. And by taking the whole party may spoil the original intent
     of the trip. And by not telling them before the trip but letting
     it slip afterwards will cause problems as well.

     She just knows it's all going to end in tears ... 8-(

(Arlon:)
OOC: Well Arlon doesn't see it that way; but he would see Silvers
     concerns.  Arlon's thoughts are that it's an easier trip with a
     smaller group, plus there is probably not enough fly spells to go
     around; It would spoil the original intent; There is no reason
     the others can't see it later if they even want to; With perhaps
     the exception of Shade, us 4 would be far more interested in it;
     If it bothers them, then there is something deeper bothering
     them.  These thoughts would be known if Silver tells her
     thoughts, which I suspect she might.

(Silver:)
Silver will know that Tatiana and Arlon will be waiting at the main
gate together. This is what she arranged with Tatiana earlier in the
day. It is mid afternoon by the time they all arrive, and Silver will
have found Keilan and will arrive with him.

(Arlon:)
As Keilan and Silver approach - Arlon will have a few supplies, his
backpack is full and he also has about 15' of rope. He says cheerfully
"Well hello, looks like a great night for strolling amongst the
clouds."

(Silver:)
Arriving at the gate, Silver waits until Arlon has cheerfully greeted
them both. She is wearing her usual cloak over a new silken robe, and
carries her small satchel and the owl-headed staff.

Looking up and down at Arlon, she puts one hand on her hip and asks
"Exactly _how_ long were you planning to spend out there, Arlon ? Two
weeks ? Or maybe three ?"

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana turned to Arlon as well "How long are we staying?  I had
thought it to be an overnight kind of thing?"

(Arlon:)
"Yes, it is an overnight thing - I really haven't brought _that_ much
extra stuff.  Just essentials for the trip, really.  I just like being
prepared, plus we're going to need some of this stuff.  Neither I nor
Tatiana have enough fly spells for this trip, so we are going to use
other means."  he smiles and looks at Tatiana when he says this "We'll
have to stop a little over an hour and a half out, so I can recast a
fly spell on Keilan."

(Silver:)
Silver looks a bit sheepish. ( No, not druidic shapechange into sheep
form - not quite that drastic ;-) ) "So, umm, what exactly have you
got in there ?" she asks, with innocent interest.

(Arlon:)
"Oh, just some food, a spellbook or two and some things to make a
harness that will be safe and effective for both me and Tatiana."  he
keeps smiling.

(Silver:)
Nodding, she says "Oh, I see. But you needn't worry about food, Arlon.
Mielikki will provide. That is part of the bounty that exists in her
realm which I wish to share with you. But, no matter."

(Arlon:)
"It should prove to be an interesting trip!"

(Silver:)
Silver looks at her companions, nodding in agreement. Before changing
form, Silver will look back into the village for a long time, lost in
thought.

(Arlon:)
Arlon will take off his backpack and take a few things out - rope,
leather straps, some bronze rings.

"I believe that will suffice.  Now to cast the spells."

(Silver:)
Silver looks on with interest as Arlon begins his spell preparations
to invoke the power of flight in the others. She cautions that they
should arrive a small way outside the glade, where she will prepare
them for the period of quiet watching. "And I suggest you practice
landing as well as flying before you end up hanging upside-down from
the branches of a tree when we get there !"

(Arlon:)
He first casts the fly spell on Keilan, and then prepares for his next
spell "Ready Tatiana!"  he waits for her to acknowledge, and then
he'll start to cast his spell; but it will look different from the fly
spell he just cast on Keilan, plus he is not using components.

(Tatiana:)
A sassy grin was developing on Tatiana's face.  She could barely
contain her enjoyment of the surprise that was in store.

As Arlon cast the fly spell on Keilan, Tatiana spoke "I've taken a Fly
spell as well just in case we need an extra"

(Arlon:)
Once the spell is complete he looks at everyone and says "Okay, here
we go".  He begins to transform, in a similar fashion to Silver, into
a .. Pegasus.

(Silver:)
Silver looks on as Arlon makes his spell preparations. As he
transforms, rather than rises into the air, Silver seems confused, but
when he transforms into a Pegasus, her mouth opens, and after a moment
of stunned silence, laughs delightfully. To say she is impressed is an
understatement ....

"Oh, 'Ana, these Elves certainly know how to impress a girl !"

She then whispers something to Tatiana, whilst looking at the Pegasus.

(To Tatiana alone:)
She passes a critical eye over the Pegasus and whispers "Hmmm, Nice rump !"

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana looked at Silver with surprise. Then breaks out laughing.

OOC: Good one!

Tatiana looked at the others expecting surprise and a good laugh.  She
had never seen a pegasus before but she was anticipating the moment
more.  Seeing everyone pleasantly surprised she laughed.  "I told him
I like riding bare-backed and you should have seen the look on his
face!"

(Arlon:)
OOC: Actually the harness allows Tatiana to ride bare-backed, it just
     gives Tatiana hand and foot holds so it is much easier for her to
     hang on.

(Tatiana:)
She went over to Arlon and stroked the mane carefully, almost
hesitantly.  It was obvious she had never riding a flying animal
before.

(Arlon:)
The pegasus will look at Tatiana, shake his head and make some horse
type noise.

(Silver:)
Silver watches all this in amazement. She steps closer to Arlon, and
strokes his nose. As Arlon makes horse type noises, she calls over to
Tatiana in a sort of distracted way "He says not too tight around the
wings, 'Ana".

Silver then makes some horse type noises back to the Pegasus.

OOC: To Arlon alone, unless others can speak Horse ...
"Such magnificence, my friend. And yet ..." she says, looking more
intently at his face "your eyes still retain your own essence, your
inner spark"

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana put the harness and other gear onto Arlon properly.  She was
competent but no expert by any means. She checked on Arlon often to
make sure she wasn't hurting him.

"I guess I can call him mule-headed now and not be too far off" she
said jokingly before they took off.  But the joke was a bit nervously
said.

(Keilan:)
Keilan seems rather stiff at the wholesale use of magic going on but
says nothing when Arlon casts his first fly spell.

As Arlon begins his second spell Keilan is standing off to one side.
He glances over to see what Arlon has done now: "Well, well, there
just is no end to your bag of tricks is there?  Do you know how to
ride a ...?" Keilan turns around and apparently first notices that
Arlon now has wings.  "Say, what the hell are you?  And doesn't that
hurt to do?"

(Arlon:)
OOC: I didn't think I could surprise Keilan :)
Arlon is having a lot of fun with everyones reaction.

Arlon/Pegasus will look at Keilan and smile, as much as a pegasus can,
and then shake his head at Keilan's 2nd question.

(Silver:)
Again, Silver answers for Arlon "A Pegasus, Keilan. Can you believe it
? I had heard legends, but had never hoped to see one myself ...  And
he says no, he's had a lot of things hurt him more than this spell."


And so the party are ready to travel ....

(Arlon:)
Tatiana will then jump on - holding on tight I presume - Arlon/Pegasus
makes some head nods and then jumps into the air.

OOC: It may not be a 737; but it's got the best looking 'pilot' :)

(Tatiana:)
As Arlon the Pegasus took off, Tatiana nearly was tossed off.  "Holy
....!"  She clung on for dear life her eyes wide with fright.  After a
few moments of terror she realized the flight was much smoother
than the take-off.  She still rode very low in the saddle and was
practically hugging Arlon's neck during the journey.

(Silver:)
Once the spells have been cast, she mentally calms herself, and with a
serene expression, slowly morphs into the form of a silver eagle owl.
The owl looks up at her companions, and after a moment, launches
herself toward the open skies. Circling for a moment, she then flies
almost straight land-inward, and is soon joined by another owl.

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
As Silver transmogrified into a silver owl, another shape could be
seen skimming the treeline. * This should look quite interesting to
the locals?  Two owls, one silver like a spirit, and a bunch of humans
flying through the air together? The natives will surely make up some
kind of legend to explain that one *

*Now be nice* Tatiana thought * I can't talk right now either, I'm
helping Arlon cast some fly spells *

* That's alright. I'm not here for you anyways, Just look at how she
ruffles those wing feathers *

* I'm tuning you out *

Tuft and Silver took off together.

(Silver:)
[ Hi Tuft ! I thought you'd be sleeping right now, but since you're
  here, you and I can have a little fun on the way out ... that is if
  you're up to a few power dives ... ]

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
Tuft whooed back and the conversation was easily understood by Silver,
because of her nature. [I _don't_ power dive!] he whooed slightly
insulted. [Power diving is for hawks and eagles, We Swoop!] he
continued with authority.

[And if my ears don't deceive me I detect a family of field mice just
up ahead.  Care to follow me for a pre-flight snack?]

(Silver:)
[Oh Tuft !] whooes Silver [Don't be such a fledgling !] and she
thrusts hard with her wings to catch up with Tuft and then swerves
hard across his flight path and then swerves down through the canopy.

The two owls fly together, and occasionally swoop below the forest
canopy, only to burst through the foliage in a different place. All
the while, the group head inland on a fairly straight path.


The journey will take a number of hours to complete, but the party
stop half way to allow Keilan to have another fly spell cast on him
.....

(Keilan:)
On the flight out, Keilan seems more interested especially in Arlon's
new form.  Calling out to Tatiana, since she's the only one who's
retained a human form: "Do such creatures truly exist?  I would give
much to see a real one.  I would love to ride one myself."

(Silver:)
As the flight out from the village progresses, the owls fly ahead of
the party.  Occasionally, the silver owl will swoop ahead to get a
clearer picture of some clearings in the forest canopy. Most of the
time, she sees just the devastation wrought by the huge creatures the
natives used to attack the village. Whole swathes of trees lie felled
as the creatures passed.

Soon after, these tracks are lost to sight, and the canopy closes in
as the party fly ahead. The silvery ribbons of rivers can be seen from
up high. The owls glide down toward a small island in the middle of
one of the main rivers, and land. Arlon will probably realize that it
has been well over an hour since they left.


The party land on a small island ....

It turns out to be a fairly unsteady island, which will withstand a
lot of weight, so long as the weight does not start jumping up and
down too much. The pair of owls will wait patiently whooing to each
other, waiting for the appropriate magic to be cast and take effect.
Tuft has something held in his claws which he picked up along the way.

The pegasus morphs into a strange creature with the same body, but
Arlon's head. This is to enable him to re-cast the fly spell on Keilan
before resuming fully his Pegasus form.

(Keilan:)
As Arlon begins his second spell Keilan is off near the edge of the
island petting a little furry creature much like a squirrel.

(Silver:)
The silver owl will hoot three times in Keilan's direction. Tatiana
gets the thought from Tuft * What in all the sky does she mean when
she says "He does hope proud" ? She won't tell me *

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
Tatiana thought back * I have no idea, I wasn't really listening.  I
was a little to preoccupied. Maybe if you ask her again nicely she'll
explain.  you do come across a little pushy to those that don't know
you that well *

(Tuft:)
[ I don't understand about doing hope proud. You do have some funny
ways of talking sometimes ]

(Silver:)
[ Hope is someone from Keilan's ... nest, from a later ... brood. She
would like you a lot, Tuft ]

(Tatiana:)
As Arlon changed his form into one that could cast spells, she spoke
up "How about Keilan trying the thrill of riding a pegasus Arlon?  I'm
sure he'd enjoy it, and I need to practice my flying skills anyways."

(Keilan:)
"No, Tatiana.  I have no desire to ride on Arlon's back, no matter how
lovely or unusual he might become.  If I could ride a true beast like
that it would be a tale to remember, but an imitation holds little
flavor for me."

(Arlon:)
"Imitation huh, there is a spell that can duplicate _exactly_ the
animal in question.  Except for flying strength you probably couldn't
tell the difference between my form and the real thing.  Oh well, lets
eat."

(Keilan:)
"What care I how well you duplicate the body?  It is the spirit of a
creature which makes it unique.  And I do believe the soul was still
yours and not that of a true pegasus.  But tell me, are these
creatures just myth made fact by a sorcerer's trickery or do they
exist?  That would be a journey worth making: to find one of these
majestic beasts."

(Arlon:)
"Ahh yes, the spirit - well that's different.  No, it was no
'sorcerer's trickery' as you put it, they were real.  I have not
actually seen one myself, just pictures, stories and other elves
morphing to that form.  Pegasi also lived with the elves before the
Core Wars and they may have went the same way as the ant-man that we
saw in the crystal; so maybe there is still a group of them on this
continent.  They were temperamental beasts, good but temperamental.  I'd
hate to meet one that was corrupted by this place as many other things
have."

(Keilan:)
Still on land at the halfway point, he says "I think I prefer Silver's
water walking to this flying business.  I dropped a carving I was
working on and there's no way I'd find it in the forest top.  You
wizards are accustomed to such unnatural things.  I am not."  So far
Keilan hasn't done anything interesting with his newly granted power.
Just flown in a fairly straight line keeping up with the others.

(Tatiana:)
Tuft took flight at just that moment with what looked like lunch in
his claws. He circled overhead and then he dropped what he was
carrying so it looked like it would hit Keilan in the head.  Tuft let
out a loud "WHHOOOO" in warning, as if he expected Keilan to
understand what he had just said.

OOC: It will be the carving you lost in the woods.  Tuft will have
     gone back to pick it up, as he was watching for lost articles
     from the party as they flew along.

(Keilan:)
"Thank you Tuft.  He is a remarkable creature, Tatiana.  I've only
known a few people who've shared a bond with a beast as close as
yours.  And that's saying something, too.  Beasts have better taste in
people than most people."

(Silver:)
Once spells have been cast, the owls set off once more.



And so the party near their destination ....

About an hour before dusk, the silver owl veers to the right, and at
the limit of their vision, a medium sized clearing can be seen. This
seems to be the destination.

As the party near the clearing, the silver owl swoops [Yes, Tuft, I'm
getting the hang of it now ... ;-) ] below the top layer of the canopy
and then flies over to the stream which runs along the side of the
clearing, circles around, then swoops down to land on the river bank,
some 200 yards downstream from the clearing.

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
[Very Good! You're developing the speed in the swoop very well.  As
soon as you feel comfortable with it, we'll work on the silent part.
You extend your wings a little to much causing rough air.]

[You need to hold back on your desire to dive, swooping is the fine
art of taking the power of a dive and combining it with the silence of
a glide]

(Silver:)
[ So ... Like this ... Yes ! I think I'm getting it ! Keep the flight
feathers a bit more under control and ... there we are ! It does feel
different. More stretching ... ]

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
[I just love nabbing the little whiskers, when they don't have a clue
what hit 'em.  The gliding part of the swoop gives you the surprise,
and the diving part of the swoop gives you the power to adjust your
grip if you get a bad grab.  The whisker is usually too stunned at
first to doing anything about escaping your grip]

(Tatiana:)
As they landed Tatiana was thrown into a bush.  Luckily she was
unhurt.  She gulped as she dusted herself off.

(Arlon:)
Changing back to human form, he says "Sorry Tatiana, I guess I need to
work on my landings.  I'll try to come in at a lower angle next time."

(Silver:)
When the party join her, Silver will have taken human form again, and
Tuft will be perched on her forearm. She will be stroking his neck
feathers when the others arrive, and smiling broadly, eyes sparkling.

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
* I just love when she does this *

* She's just being friendly, Don't get too attached * Tatiana thought
back to her familiar

* Hmm, I detect a secret? *

Tatiana grimaced slightly * I'll tell you later when we are alone *

* Okay, No hurry.  It's safe here so long as you don't leave the glade *

* Why's that? *

* It's protected, Can't you feel it?  You humans with all your magic.
Hmmph, Can't even tell when you're being watched *

Tatiana grew alarmed

* Relax, I say you were safe! Didn't I?  Just don't do anything
destructive*

(Silver:)
Turning to the rest of the party, she says with a touch of breathless
wonder "What an incredible flight ! Those thermals were wonderful !"

(Keilan:)
"What, dear Silver, is a thermal?"

(Silver:)
"Ah yes, thermals. Well, it is a little difficult to explain, but I
like to think of them as elemental beings which exist to help the
creatures of the air. They are fickle things at the best of times, and
you can never guarantee gaining their help. They can make long flights
effortless ... or dangerous."

(Arlon:)
"Wow, I forgot how much work it took to do that, it's a good thing
we're here."

(Keilan:)
"And now that we're here let us walk the rest of the way for once."

(Tatiana:)
"Hear hear! I'm with you on that one Keilan.  I'm not too sure I like
not having my feet on the ground"

(Silver:)
"Oh yes, Keilan." says Silver, still unconsciously preening herself.
"We are just a short distance away from the edge of the Glade. Just a
few preparations, and then we will be off"

(Silver:)
The one thing which becomes immediately apparent when the party land
next to the stream is the noise. Far from being quiet and tranquil,
the forest is teeming with wildlife, all of it seeming to be bent on
trying to attract as much attention as possible. Birds screeching in
the upper canopy, apes calling to each other from among the tops of
the trees as well.  Ominous low growling sounds mixed with the
repetitive noises from frogs and other small creatures.

Very little wind can be felt down here, and it seems a lot darker than
you may have thought since twilight is on its way. The tree cover does
not allow that much sunlight to permeate down to ground level. As a
result, there is not much undergrowth, just a thin layer of leaves
which cover all features on the ground. Despite the lack of wind,
there are some striking smells, some pleasant and some .... not quite
so pleasant. Everywhere seems vibrantly alive.

(Arlon:)
"It is magnificent Silver."

(Silver:)
"You have not seen the start of it yet, Arlon." Silver says as she
starts looking through her satchel. Noticing some tiny but luscious
fruits growing from a plant overhanging the stream, she reaches out
and picks a small bunch. Carefully examining and then smelling them,
she announces "Yes, these will do very nicely ..."

(Silver:)
Silver has now put her satchel down on the ground, and has put the
bunch of small fruits on top of it.

She is holding some holly leaves that she has got from her satchel,
and you can see that there is a white star shape on each leaf. She
grins at Keilan, saying "If you enjoyed walking on water, then this
will be _really_ something".

(Keilan:)
Keilan backs away slightly, asking for an explanation.

(Silver:)
Responding to Keilan's question, she says in a slightly surprised tone
"Why, it will allow you to move among creatures without disturbing
them. They will not even see you - to them, you will not exist."

(Keilan:)
"No, Silver.  That is not why I came here.  What good is being an
invisible watcher?  I could sit indoors and look at a master's
painting of this place if all I wanted was to look.  I came here to be
a part of this place.  No less."

(Silver:)
"Oh ... alright then" says Silver, a little downcast.

Moving over to the others, she will press the white star of a holly
leaf down each of their foreheads, across their mouths, on each
fingertip, and around the soles of their feet. All the while, she
mutters ...

    "Oh Wondrous Mielikki,
     You hold all life in Your hands,
     Allow us to look closer at Your realm
     At Your subjects, from the lowest to the highest"

The action that Silver takes does not seem to have any effect, but
Tatiana gets the thought * Hey ! Where have you gone ! What _is_ she
doing ! You just faded away ! * from Tuft, and he hoots a few times.

OOC: Hope I'm not getting too "familiar", Joe ;-)

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
Tatiana smiled briefly as she guess what had just occurred.  * I'm
still here * she thought caringly.

* Oh yeah, I was relying on my eyes.  I can hear you most of you guys
just fine. * * Arlon the best * he thought with mirth * I guess he
doesn't get out in the woods too much anymore *

(Arlon:)
OOC: well if Arlon wasn't so tired he could run rings around Tuft w/o
     him hearing :)

"You know Tatiana, maybe I'll see if Mendahl could show me an ESP or
telepathy spell, then I could have some mental verbiage with you and
Tuft."

OOC: I'd have some things to say to that little wind bag :) I picture
     Tuft as being like Archimedes (Merlin's owl buddy) in the Disney
     version of the King Arthur story.

(Tatiana/Tuft:)
* I wouldn't even know Silver was there if I wasn't listening for her.
  You're pretty good too, but Silver is excellent. I'm glad Keilan
  didn't go invisible too, I can barely hear him when I know where he
  is! *

(Silver:)
"This will allow us to move among Her creatures without disturbing
them. We can approach as close as we like without touching, and they
will not know we are there. But it will last only long enough for us
to have a brief look and then settle down to watch for the rest of the
night."

(Arlon:)
"Invisible just to animals, how interesting."

(Silver:)
"As for food, we have these" she smiles, holding up the bunch of tiny
fruits. She passes the holly leaves over the bunch a few times, saying

    "I call upon Your power of nourishment,
     To infuse Your love within these humble fruits,
     So that we may taste the bounty of Your realm,
     And become sated both physically and spiritually"

She then sorts through each of the berries, placing some back down on
the bank of the stream, leaving just six. Handing one to each of them,
she says "Savour this slowly. Feel the goodness held within each tiny
morsel." She puts the other two berries carefully back into her
satchel for later.

Once you partake of the tiny fruit, you feel as though you have eaten
a full meal.

OOC: Goodberry

(Keilan:)
Keilan accepts his berry from Silver and eats it remarking,
"Excellent.  We may not need Arlon's provisions after all.  In any
case I doubt he could beat these for flavour."

(Tatiana:)
"Excellent! I was famished"

(Arlon:)
"I guess you're right Silver, I didn't need to bring this food - maybe
someone will have a snack on the flight back."

(Silver:)
And Silver then leads the way upstream, along the bank of the stream,
toward an area which seems to allow more light onto the forest floor.


And now the party actually arrive at the edge of the Glade ....

(Silver:)
OOC: Here starts the natural history lecture. Well, what do you
     expect, going into a forest with a druid ?  ;-)

The walk to the glade takes just a few minutes. Sunlight is still
angling down through the canopy, and it is obvious that this glade has
been formed by one of the larger trees which has fallen. Here,
undergrowth is abundant, which is in sharp contrast to elsewhere,
except perhaps for the bank of the stream.

Silver stops at the edge of the glade, and looks around, smiling.
"This is indeed a place of beauty." Reaching down to clear away some
of the leaves which cover the floor, she digs down with her fingers.
"See how poor this soil is ? And yet see the abundance of life it
sustains. That is just one of the wonders of places such as these.
There is just a tiny fraction of the nutrition required which is in
the soil. All the rest is held within living things. And it is by the
death of one of these things" and she indicates the giant tree which
has fallen "which provides the food needed for new life to grow and
flourish."

(Keilan:)
Keilan will remain away from the party as Silver makes her
instructional tour of the forest.  He walks through the clearing
cautiously as if looking for something, stopping several times to look
closer at some plant or creature.

(Silver:)
She wanders over to a large bowl-shaped flower, growing nearby the
fallen tree. "See here, Arlon. This is what I meant by appreciating
your true place in the great scheme of things, the great tapestry.
See, within this one flower, exist a whole group of growing frogs.
Until they are fully grown, which takes a number of months, their
whole world is just this one flower. We are much the same, only we do
not realize it."

She then moves over to a trail of ants, who are traveling along to
some of the leaves of a growing sapling, cutting them into small
sections, and carrying them back along the trail. "See how the forest
uses every resource it has. Nothing goes to waste here."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana listened and looked carefully at everything Silver was
pointing out.  She did enjoy the wilderness, but it was never so much
alive for her before.

She knew her way around the woodlands and how to survive there, but
never had she taken the time to truly observe the world around her
while she was out in it.

(Keilan:)
Once or twice Keilan stops and takes a piece of fruit or a seed from a
plant on the forest floor.  He then approaches the edge of the glade
and calls out like one of the many birds flying amongst the trees.  It
is remarkable how close his call is to that of the real birds present.
After a while, one brightly colored fowl swoops down at Keilan and
then veers away again.  Keilan continues to stand still with one hand
outstretched holding his bait.  After several more minutes and a dozen
more flybys, the bird flutters to the ground in front of Keilan.  He
kneels and presents it with its prize.  A few moments more and Keilan
stands with the large bright bird perched on one forearm feeding from
the other hand.

Turning back toward the group, he calls out softly but distinctly:
"This is what I mean, Silver.  A part of the majesty and not just a
watcher."  When the food is gone, Keilan coos to his feathered friend
and tosses him back into the air. After this Keilan walks back closer
to the group.

(Silver:)
Silver smiles over at the Ranger and nods with an approving smile.
"Quite right, Keilan, quite right."

A snuffling sound can be heard as a small creature appears from the
edge of the clearing.  Passing close by the party as if they do not
exist, the armadillo-type creature flicks out a long tongue and starts
to feast on the ants. Silver crouches nearby, watching, and then turns
suddenly as she senses something else ....

At the other end of the clearing, a feline head can be seen crouching
low, looking over to where Silver crouches. Stealthily, a large cat
moves out into the clearing, keeping low.  It weighs almost 200 lbs,
and is obviously stalking it's next meal.

(Keilan:)
It is obvious that the large cat spots Keilan as she enters the glade,
but after a moment she continues her hunting.

(Silver:)
As the cat reaches almost halfway, four kittens appear where their
mother left them, and they pounce into the clearing as well. The
armadillo creature hears this and goes into a defensive posture,
almost too late, as the large cat springs.

Back at the edge of the clearing, one of the kittens, a little more
adventurous than the others, is pouncing at a pile of leaves and then
jumping back again. The third time this happens, a flash of electric
blue can be seen from below the leaves and the kitten growls and jumps
away. It very quickly starts to stumble, and mewls pitifully. It's
mother seems to be engrossed in the fight with the armadillo ....

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana said sympathetically "Aaaww Somebody help it!"

(Keilan:)
"I would leave it be, Tatiana.  It seems to have found the blue
lightning serpent.  Silver might try to save it, but the poison is
strong and fast.  It may well be too late already."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana's mouth dropped open at the cruelty she perceived happening.

(Arlon:)
"Wow are they fast, I forgot all about those things.  It might have
been nice take it back with us so we could make an antidote to its
poison; but I think the keeper of this area would frown on that."

"I would have liked to help also Tatiana; but again some might frown
on such 'interference'."  This is not said with any contempt, just a
little bit of sadness.

(Silver:)
By a mixture of strength and quick strikes, the large cat has fairly
quickly killed the armadillo creature, and stands with it held in it's
large jaws. The kitten is not yet dead, and as it mewls pitifully once
more, Silver says quickly "But 'Ana, it may well be the will of
Mielikki that we do not interfere. Sometimes, by being well-meaning,
we can cause more pain. I can try - would you want me to ?"

(Tatiana:)
"Well that's not right.  If you can do something to help and do
nothing, How can you call that the will of anything. It's a lack of
commitment.  Surely that kitten has learned it's lesson and won't do
that again.  The mistake doesn't have to be so fatal!"

"YES DO SOMETHING!" she finally shouts forgetting that it would
disturb the wildlife around her.

(Silver:)
The other kittens gather round their injured sibling, touching at it
with their paws. One of them licks the face of the bitten one. The
female cat pads over towards it's cubs.

(Keilan:)
To Tatiana, he says "It is part of all life to end in death.  There is
no cruelty in it.  Only wizards and elves try to deny death its due.

(Arlon:)
Arlon has a look that says - here we go again. "Wait just a minute
there Kia" an ancient elf expression meaning Know-it-all.  "First of
all, everyone 'denies' death everyday they live; 2, we 'denied' death
back in the caves; 3, I don't believe death to be a part of life.  I
believe it to be an aberration, an evil force's handiwork - there is
no reason why the body should give out besides excessive damage."  he
stops here appears to think for a moment and then chuckles "You know,
I think we can count on less than one hand how many times we have
agreed on anything."

(Keilan:)
Continuing to Tatiana, he says "As much as I would care to see no
thing in pain, I would not defy the course of the world for the sake
of one unfortunate kit. It is also very dangerous to step between a
mother and her young, even for me and even for an invisible Silver."
Keilan points toward the mother cat who has taken notice of her crying
offspring.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana turned on Keilan in her frustrated anguish over the kit's
misfortune.  "Who said life and death was cruel! I said save the kit!
It's cruel to stand by and watch it die when you can do something.
Would you not fight for every breath you could take!  I would draw a
God sent curse down on anyone that stood by and watched me die when
they could do something!"

(Silver:)
Silver took notice of what Tatiana said. As did the cat, as she
dropped the now-dead armadillo creature and snarled, moving closer to
her kittens. Silver thought for a moment, then with a determined
expression moved forward a few steps. Swallowing, she opened her mouth
wide and snarled back at the cat. Silver's cat-voice had a deeper
undertone than the other cat, and for a short while they growled and
hissed at each other.

(Arlon:)
"It's really all up to Silver, she's the only one that could cure it.
There may be some druidical creed that forbids intervening in such
matters - if the gods of nature allow it, why should the druid 'play
god'; that sort of thing."

(Keilan:)
To Tatiana, "It is hardly callous of me to say I cannot help the cub
when I cannot help the cub.  In other circumstances, perhaps I might
have had greater recourse, but for this snake's bite there is no
simple remedy."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana turned back to watch Silver intervene on the cubs behalf with
relief and ignored the chatter between Arlon and Keilan.

(Silver:)
The other kittens edged back to their mother, uncertain of what to
make of this situation.  The injured kitten was too weak to move.
Silver moved over to the injured one, and knelt by it. The mother cat
started crouching low and moving toward the pair, but Silver snarled
back at it, and it backed off.

Silver picks the kitten up, and cradling it calls out

    "Mielikki, I implore you,
     Treat not innocence with pain but mercy,
     If it is Your will, then take this soul,
     But allow me the gift of draining pain"

A dark mist seems to surround the kitten, causing Silver to cough
slightly, but maybe it is just a trick of the fading light. After a
moment, it goes, and the kitten lies still in Silver's arms. After
holding it for a moment longer, she lays it down on the floor, and
backs away.

OOC: Neutralize Poison

The mother cat pads silently over to the still form, nudging it with
it's muzzle and sniffing all over, and then growls and snarls at
Silver, before returning to the rest of her family and the recent
kill. They exit from the clearing, the other kittens keeping their
distance from their sibling who lies quite still.

Turning to Tatiana, Silver says "The mother denies that this is her
kitten. She could smell the magic and the residue of poison on the
small form, and no longer knows the bond." and shrugs her shoulders in
a sort of helpless gesture.

OOC: Can Whisper decide whether the kitten lives and we care for it,
     or whether it fails to wake u------------------------------------
     is a sort of puma/mountain lion type of cat, the kitten is just a
     few months old, but is weaned.

(Tatiana:)
Seeing Silver succeed in healing the kitten, she starts to smile in
relief.  Which turned to confusion when the mother cat disowned it's
save cub.

"I don't understand?" she asked Silver.  "That's not fair.  What do we
do now?"

(Keilan:)
After the mother rejects the 'tainted' cub, he says to Tatiana "It is
a common thing among such creatures to abandon their young after they
have been handled by humans.  I don't really know why, only that it is
true."

(Silver:)
"That's right. It's just another lesson in responsibility, I suppose.
No action is possible without reaction. I intervened in a situation,
and so must take the consequences" she shrugs.

(Keilan:)
"Hmmm, now why does that sound familiar?"

(Silver:)
Silver said the bit about responsibility with a sort of matter-of-fact
tone, but she smiles gently with a softening expression at Keilan when
he says this.

(Tatiana:)
"You're responsible?" she said questioningly.  "I'm the one that
demanded action.  But taking care of a big cat like this cub is going
to turn out to be, is vastly different that taking care of an Owl"

(DM:)
Hmm. The issue of the cub. Well, the cub still lives, but is extremely
weak. If you leave it behind it will die a slow death, or be the
victim of some other predatory animal. So.  It is up to you guys to
see what you want to do about the situation



As the cats leave the clearing, leaving the weak kitten behind, Arlon
and Keilan continue discussing ....

(Keilan:)
"So, dear scholar, you would have life without death?  Evil is the
root of it?  And where would be the good in eternal life?  Nothing
could become but everything would remain as it is.  There could be no
birth for there would be no room for more creatures.  I would not care
to see the day when no new children's cries broke the air.  On my path
to my grave I may not hurry but I will not try to stop.  And of all
the creatures on the earth in the sky or sea or on the land, I would
least choose to be an elf.  But what matters any of this?  Life and
death are powers beyond even elven wizards, fortunately."

(Arlon:)
OOC: I wonder what it would be like if Lance and Ron ever meet :)

(Keilan:)
OOC: Not much like Keilan and Arlon.  Keilan's a character with his
     own ideas not necessarily like mine.

(Arlon:)
"What good is eternal life?!  What good is there in death?  There
would really be no more need for birth; for what is the basic reason
for producing offspring but to continue the species.  But even if
birth continued why would there be no room, I have not seen evidence
that there is a limit to it.  I guess if you saw eternal life to be
like life now with pain, suffering and anguish there would be little
craving for that."

"Hmmm, I'm a little hesitant to tell you this Keilan; but I remember
something from my studies - there was mention of ancient wizards and
even clerics using mighty magics to elude death.  I think they were
called 'Lishe' or something like that."

"Well, we seem to be 2 people on opposite sides of a river Keilan; but
the exchange of ideas keeps things in motion."

(Keilan:)
"Ah no.  Things are in motion all by themselves.  Neither ideas nor
their exchange keep things in motion.  The only things that remain are
the land, the sea, and the sky."

"No point in death?  Look around you.  This glade is teeming with new
growth BECAUSE the old trees died and fell.  How many of these plants
would be here if those trees lived forever?  None.  Just those same
trees til the gods grew restless enough to sweep it away from the
heavens.  Life without death is no life at all.  Just look at the
ageless things.  The air and the sea.  Eternal but they have no spark,
no shining newness, no bright green to shout their vitality.  Dull
grey stone and murky depths.  That is what comes of life without
death."

(Arlon:)
"These plants and animals would still be here, actually their
ancestors, without death.  Life has no need of death, it just looks
that way since that's all we know.  Growth would continue to take
place on the inside where it is most important and this inner growth
will cause an outer change as well.  There would be no dullness; but a
shine caused by the inner fire."

"It seems it all depends on how you look at things.  But in all things
there must be exchange or else there will be a stagnation."

(Keilan:)
"No.  It does not depend on how you look at things.  Things are as
they are.  And they are not what they are not.  I cannot imagine
living in a world where there was no new thing.  Ever.  This
mysterious inner growth you speak of is foundless.  What exchange
would there be after a hundred hundred hundred years for men with the
lives of gods?  None I tell you.  None at all."

(Silver:)
With the discussion continuing, Silver says in a slightly exasperated
tone "Guys, guys, please ! Save the arguments for later. For now just
feel the peace of this place" she spreads her arms wide to encompass
the forest all around them.

(Keilan:)
Keilan's voice is playful again, mocking Silver's exasperation: "I'm
at peace. Blame it on him.  I told you not to bring the wizard.  He
started it."

And so the discussion ends between Keilan and Arlon ....

(Keilan:)
Keilan approaches the weakened furball slowly after the mother has
left with her other cubs.  "He is still very ill.  He won't make it on
his own.  Doubly so being so young.  Since it would break Tatiana's
heart to see him die, we will have to take him with us, no?"  Keilan
strokes the poor critter's fur and picks him up gently.

(Silver:)
OOC: The kitten weighs about 10 pounds. But he's gonna grow !

(Tatiana:)
"Keilan could you take care of it?  You seem to be the type that has a
knack for these kind of things"

(Keilan:)
"Yes, I probably could raise him well enough.  It'd be a trick to do
though inside a walled town.  People might not much care for a wild
cub to be strolling about the city.  And he'll be more than just a cub
soon.  The best thing to do would be to get him back on his feet (so
to speak) in his own part of the world away from humans."  Keilan
looks around. "Well, away from the city.  Natives are probably as much
a part of his world as the trees."

(Silver:)
Silver smiles warmly at the scene. "He'll be fine with this sort of
care. The only danger will be that he will forget that he is a cat."
She moves over to where Keilan is crouching down, kneels beside him
and puts her arm around his shoulders. She then moves her face close
to the kitten and makes a low, quiet growling noise in her throat.
The kitten mewls back, and nestles down in Keilan's arms, too weak to
do much else.

Silver takes the two remaining berries from her satchel, and places
them in the kittens mouth, massaging his throat so that he swallows
them. Before standing, she says "Thanks" quietly to Keilan.

(Keilan:)
"Hey, it's what I do best."


(Keilan:)
"I hope he likes flying.  I suppose he'd have to be carried even if we
walked, though."

(Arlon:)
"The serpents venom is fast acting, who knows how much damage the cub
sustained before it was neutralized. It could be weak for some time.
Either Tatiana or Keilan would need to carry it since Silver and
myself will be in other forms."

He looks at Tatiana "I believe we could alter the harness so it could
'strap' you to my back, to keep your hands free.

(Keilan:)
At Arlon's suggestion about the little guy's travel arrangements: "If
you or Tatiana can manage it, it might be best to put him to sleep for
the duration of the journey back.  He's a brave soul, attacking
serpents and all, but I don't think he'd much care for riding on a
pegasus."

"I'd use some more natural means, but most of these plants are unknown
to me."

(Silver:)
"I don't think I'd like to chance feeding him anything which might
induce a long sleep.  I'm not too sure about the strengths of plants
here since they are slightly different to others back home. I'd not
like to take a chance in his weakened state ..."

(Arlon:)
"The Sleep spells we have, the only problem is it's duration - the
effect lasts less than an hour.  It's a tough spell to cast in flight;
but I think Tatiana can manage it."  he smiles

(Tatiana:)
When the discussion turned to how they would get the cub back to the
village.  "We can put it in my backpack as well.  It wouldn't be that
comfortable, and it would probably hate me when the trip was over.
But at least it wouldn't get loose in the air"



(Silver:)
Twilight has now fully come to the Glade, and the forest seems to take
on a completely different aspect, as if it is shedding it's bright
coat to put on a pale cloak of silver and black. Colours are much less
defined. The noises are different as well - less screeching from the
canopy and more of the noises are undefinable, except for frogs and
rustling of small creatures among the leaves.

"Well, as we have now become visible to the creatures around here once
more, I think it might be better to watch the forest at night from a
tree. It will afford a better view, at least. Which do you think would
be the strongest ?" Several likely candidates are growing around the
edge of the clearing.

A pause, then "Do you think the Blue Lightning is a tree-dweller,
Keilan ? I have my doubts, but ..."

Before climbing, Silver unhitches her cloak and hands it carefully to
Tatiana. "I'd like you to have this tonight, 'Ana. I won't need it's
benefit." The cloak fits nicely, but is rather disconcerting to look
at up close, as the colour is black, but somehow ... darker than
black.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana smiled at Silver "You are too dear a friend.  I shall take
care of it for you."

(Keilan:)
OOC: May I point out that this is a tropical rain forest environment
     and characters who wish to sleep in a tree perch will be FAR from
     the ground.  Climbing such trees would be an adventure; sleeping
     in them, foolhardy.  Not your friendly neighborhood hardwood or
     evergreen forest.

(Silver:)
OOC: Trees stuff: Rance, you're right about the trees, but this is in
     a clearing where the trees at the edge have not grown anywhere
     near full height yet, so there are a number of them with lateral
     growth fairly low down. You're absolutely right about trees
     further into the forest, as they grow straight up with no low
     branches, but I reckon we should be ok. So, we can pick one with
     2 or 3 lateral branches close together, and put some more stuff
     across between them.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana climbed the tree deftly and prepared a perch to rest on and
sleep if necessary.  She behaved as if she knew how to survive in the
woodlands on her own.

(Silver:)
At the base of the tree, Silver kneels down, face turned up to the sky
and mutters "Guard us well, Mielikki"

She then transforms once more, this time into a fair image of the
large cat that they had seen earlier, but with faint darker stripes on
the top of her back and down her sides.

Padding around the clearing a few times, sniffing cautiously at
various plants.

(Arlon:)
When Silver changes into a large cat, Arlon expected her to go up a
tree; but when she started 'scouting' the clearing he will say "What
is she doing now, I thought she was going up."

(Silver:)
In cat form, she stops near where the blue serpent was seen earlier,
but it has gone.

(Arlon:)
When Silver/cat gets near the leaves wear the snake was: "I hope she's
not doing what I think she's doing."

(Silver:)
Nosing down close by, she tentatively pats at some large leaves and
suddenly jumps up and back in a flurry of lithe power. "MMeearghroiw
!!" she growls, and then jumps forward towards the leaves once more,
talons bared.

(Arlon:)
After Silver pounces: "DAMN!"  he prepares a magic missile

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana leaned forward in the tree with one hand reaching for spell
components from a hidden pouch and prepared to cast a spell in
Silver's defense.

(Silver:)
A flash of red can be seen amongst the leaves jumping up at the muzzle
of the Silver furred cat, and she again jumps up and back again,
snarling once more. The aggressor can be seen quite clearly now as a
small bright frog, about 2" to 3" long, who then expands it's throat
and makes a very loud noise. Silver snarls back again, and moves her
head close to the ground, toward the frog. The frog makes the loud
noise again, and Silver jumps back, startled again.

Tired of the "game", the frog hops back to the edge of the clearing,
and Silver snarls at it in defiance again, before noticing the rest of
the party. "Greoowurgh ?" she growls, head cocked to one side.

When the time comes to go up in the tree, Silver/Cat will grip the cub
by the back of it's neck in her mouth as she approaches the tree ready
to climb up the trunk and deposit the cub on the constructed platform
between the branches.

(Keilan:)
As Silver starts to climb the tree with the kit in tow: "This changing
shape business has its advantages."

(Tatiana:)
As the night began to settle.  Tatiana rummaged through her backpack
and produced a pair of silken slippers which she put on her feet.

As Silver the cat picked up the cub, Tatiana spoke "Allow me, It'll be
safer"

(Silver:)
The silver cat was about to spring into the tree when she heard
Tatiana speak. She turned, cub still in her mouth. "Grmmgrgmm" she
said, mouth full of cub, her head tilted on one side. Seeing Tatiana
with arms outstretched, kneeling slightly, the silver cat pads
silently over to Tatiana, and drops the cub in her arms, licking the
cub's fur once she has done so.

As Tatiana stands, cub in arms, the silver cat rubs her neck along
Tatiana's leg before leaping lithely up into the tree.

(Tatiana:)
She picked up the cub carefully from where Silver was watching over
it.  She walked over to the tree that they had chosen for their nights
stay and she put a foot up to the tree as if to clean mud off of it.
Then instead, her other foot left the ground and met the tree and
Tatiana was standing sideways off the trunk of the tree.  She grinned
"I'll bring the cub up" and walked up the tree to the platform, the
slippers clung to the tree like gravity had changed it's mind about
which way was up.

(Silver:)
With a lithe bound, she leaps up to the platform in the trees, taking
a different branch to the others, and lies down, legs dangling.

(Keilan:)
Keilan scoffs at those who take to the trees: "You know this IS a
forest.  As many things live in the trees as on the ground.  Besides
breaking your necks, what exactly do you hope to accomplish?"

(Silver:)
Silver looks down from the branch she is lying on at Keilan below and
says "Graaahmeeargh Grooreaaah"

(Keilan:)
"Oh, you always say the nicest things."

(Arlon:)
This is all done in a light tone: "I agree Silver."  now even a
lighter tone "This is a forest?!  That would explain the _trees_
then."  big smile "You can sleep on the ground anytime, only the
forest offers you this special opportunity...I remember sleeping in
trees many times back when I was home.  It was great fun, plus the
orcs are generally too stupid to look up."  chuckles "Well if you
change your mind, we could always Levitate you up here if you can't
climb - just kidding" said more seriously "but do feel free to join
us."

(Keilan:)
In any case, Keilan makes his bed on the ground, curled up by the
stump of one of the fallen giants.

(Arlon:)
While we are settling down, up in the tree, Arlon says "Well Tatiana
how was it riding me, uhh, me as a pegasus?"

(Tatiana:)
She smiled hesitantly "A bit scary really.  I developed a new level of
trust in you though.  I had to cause I felt so out of control.  I
think I might want to fly back" she said with a wince hoping she
wasn't hurting Arlon's feelings.

(Arlon:)
Arlon will seem a little surprised at this "However you want to do it
Tatiana, is fine with me.  It will probably work out for the best, an
eagle or falcon is a much easier flier than a pegasus."



Before the group have settled themselves down to watch for the night ....

(Arlon:)
At some point in time before everyone gets settled for sleep, Arlon
will make his way back down the tree - he says to Tatiana "I have to
talk to Keilan for a minute"

(Silver:)
As Arlon climbs down the tree, the silver cat will bunch up and then
spring down to the ground, landing safely a small distance away from
the tree. She will pause, waiting for Keilan to recognize her, and
then pad softly over to the pair.

(Arlon:)
When he gets with Keilan he will say "I forgot one of the reasons we
came was so we could talk in a nice serene place.  I am concerned
about our group and how we interact, you and I are seem to have the
most 'friction'; which in some cases could hurt the group at a
critical time.  I don't know much about your past; but there seems to
be a fire left over from it.  The rangers I have known tended to be
loners and you may be also - mages are like this too because of the
intensive study.  But lately I have found out how good it is to have
friends, they can be a great source of encouragement and stability.
Generally the loner lacks that stability, that anchor, when trouble
arises.  I want to pledge my friendship to you, someone that you know
that will be there.  May our 'discussions' never come to strife!"

OOC: Not exactly what I wanted but it will have to do.

(Silver:)
She listens to what is being said by them both, but makes no sound. As
they talk, she gradually settles down into a more relaxed position.

(Keilan:)
"Thank you for the kindness.  It's much harder for me to put up with
anyone, even friends, when I'm in the cities.  I just get the feeling
that I'm being trapped and it tenses me up like a snake ready to
strike.  Actually I'm no longer concerned about you and I as much as I
am about Dithion.  In different settings I might try to put him in his
place."

"Shade too seems to lose all control when he fights, as we seem want
to do.  The drow must truly be a cruel race."

(Silver:)
At this the silver cat springs into an alert posture, and makes a
growling noise in her throat. She is looking directly at Keilan as she
does so.

(Keilan:)
Glances at Silver and then ignores her as Arlon continues.

(Arlon:)
"Take it easy Silver, he doesn't know Shade like we do.  I could admit
that Dithion likes the rough stuff; but as far as Shade is concerned,
no.  He is an artist with the blade and has strong concentration, he
becomes .. oh how do they put it ..  one with the blade.  What may
appear to be a lack of control is actually superior control.  Yes the
drow are a cruel race; but Shade has chosen to leave that behind."

(Keilan:)
"I disagree.  Have you not heard how he taunts and beckons his foe?
It is as though he savors the fight, and if there is such a thing as
madness, then it must be seeking battle.  I am a very good fighter but
I no more seek to do battle than I would to put my hand into the
fire."

(Silver:)
The silver cat starts swiping her ears with her paw, and then prowls
around the back of Arlon to sit the other side, still looking at
Keilan. Her tail twitches from side to side.

(Arlon:)
"I don't see it as savoring the fight at all.  He probably, as I do,
uses it as a form of distraction for your foe.  Trying to have them
concentrate on what you are saying or make them angry enough to make
mistakes.  It becomes like another 'weapon' or 'shield' in some cases.
He may Savour the victory; but the fight, I don't think so."

(Silver:)
The silver cat starts moving her head around again, batting at her ear
with her paw again.  She seems very restless. Again, she moves her
position, growling in a low tone.

(Keilan:)
To the cat, "You know, I'd have a good impression of what you mean by
all this if you were truly a cat."

(Silver:)
OOC: Oooh ! You sure know how to hurt a druid's feelings !  ;-)

(Keilan:)
"But your moods are not those of a cat, so either be still or change
back into a form more conducive to conversation."

(Silver:)
The silver cat, with great dignity (as only cats know how), stands and
walks away from the pair, and sits by the base of the tree. She is
still quite close to them, but is not looking at them. She stares with
a feline aloofness into the dark forest.

(Keilan:)
"You have the wrong impression though about woodsmen like myself.  We
are travelers but not truly 'loners' as you say.  We remain on the
move and so have few ties built over years.  But many are those who I
would call friend back home.  To be honest I do not like elves or
wizards.  Perhaps you'd guessed as much, eh?"

(Arlon:)
"I got that impression."  :)

(Keilan:)
"I've only met one elf in my life that I could call a kindred spirit
and I found out later he was at least partly of human ancestry.  The
dwarves I can appreciate in their own way; they are a folk of strong
bodies and hearts unafraid to voice their beliefs.  That much is
something like me, I suppose."

(Arlon:)
"Yes they are hard headed also."  :) "It is interesting you say that
though, because the elves and dwarves have had a history of .. dislike
I guess you could say."

(Keilan:)
"Yes, I've heard their tales many times.  Though shorter lived than
the elves I think the dwarves forget less sometimes."

(Keilan:)
"As for our discussions, I never saw any harm in educating wizards
about something that they won't find in a book."

(Arlon:)
Smiling with a slight chuckle, "Nor I showing woodsman there is much
more to life and the world than what can be perceived with the
senses."

(Keilan:)
Smiling also, "Fair enough.  Though I have a hard enough head to
resist your sorcerous lies."

(Arlon:)
OOC: I don't know how to describe how he says this, sort of humouring
     him I guess.

"Ahhh yea, right."

(Silver:)
When the conversation ends, the silver cat climbs the tree
effortlessly and resumes her position on the branch, settling down to
look around her at the moonlit forest.

The long hours of darkness pass slowly, but not without their own
special wonders. Small insects appear, some of them flashing lights to
attract mates. When some fly around the tree the party have chosen,
the Silver cat will paw at them with both front paws, and then there
will be a flurry of activity as she attempts to keep her balance and
not fall off the branch.

The kitten also seems fascinated by the glowing insects that fly
around the tree-camp, reaching up to paw at them. The berries seem to
have helped somewhat to restore life to the kitten, but it is still a
little weaker than normal.

Small ape creatures, moving slowly, descend from the trees and move
into the clearing.  Their large eyes catch the moonlight as they look
around, alert for any danger. They scrabble among the leaves, and pick
out small grubs and other tasty morsels. They have a special beauty
all their own, highlighted in their delicate and precise movements.

OOC: Breakfast ...

As dawn approaches, Silver will climb down from the tree, still in cat
form. Stretching out her forelegs and yawning, she will pad around the
glade once more. Again, she will stop and sniff the air at various
points, but move on fairly quickly.

Reaching the tree once more, she will morph back into human form,
still making feline movements for a while after resuming human shape.

She looks at the rest of the party, as if to check they are ok, but
does not smile until she greets the cub when he is brought down from
the perch. She will rub her face in it's neck fur, making purring
noises as she does so. Looking up at Tatiana, she winks and says
"Morning 'Ana. It looks to be a _beautiful_ day coming. A most
_wonderful_ day."

Basically, she seems quite excited and/or impatient to get back to
Dark Haven.

OOC: Trip home at dawn ...

The flight home takes much the same form as the flight out, with
Silver flying as an owl with Tuft.

At the halfway point, Silver will fly down to a larger than usual game
trail to allow spells to be re-cast. As the humans land a small family
of peccaries are startled from their rooting around and take off along
the trail.

OOC: And back to town ... unless anyone else adds something ...

(Silver:)
The party fly back toward Dark Haven, and arrive in sight of the
village wall a few hours after dawn has arrived. It is a lovely day,
the sun is shining strongly, and the rest of the flight back is
uneventful.

Shade will be able to see a group of creatures traveling through the
air directly toward Dark Haven. As they close, he can see the members
of the group include two owls, an eagle (possibly - Arlon hasn't quite
decided yet), and two humans who turn out to be Keilan and Tatiana.
The party land in the clearing outside the gates, and one of the owls
transforms into the familiar figure of Silver.

As Tatiana lands, the cub pokes its head out from the top of her
backpack and looks about.

Silver glances around with concern, and then sees Shade standing
there. She smiles radiantly, and leaves the other group to move
towards the Drow. Reaching him, she stops an arms-length away, and
says "Come, Shade, while the day is still fresh with wonder ..."

Together they walk along one of the paths which were made by the giant
creatures when the natives attacked the village. After a short time,
they are out of sight of the village wall, and in a relatively clear
area. The sun shines strongly through the trees, and there is life all
around. Silver seems both immensely happy and solemn, and it is
difficult for her to maintain the right balance.

Laying her cloak on the floor at the edge of the track next to the
extra one that Shade has brought, she turns to Shade, grips his
shoulders and kisses him fiercely. "I _know_ this is right, Ebu. The
day seems brighter, more alive than I have known it for a long time.
I saw signs of a successful birth in the stars last night." Silver's
eyes shine with barely suppressed excitement. "Quick now, your boots"
and she takes her own off and lays them beside the cloaks. They also
leave their weapons by the pile.

Walking barefoot with Shade to the centre, away from most of the
undergrowth, she will face him, holding both his hands. She turns them
so that she looks at his palms, she nods and then looks deep into his
eyes as she says ....

    "Goddess of Birth and Growth,
     We dedicate ourselves to each other,
     Bless us with Your grace,
     Allow us to bear the trial of cleansing
     With no pain, but with love,
     Shield us from harm,
     Fill our frail shells with Your gentle warmth,
     Let destiny weave our two patterns into one,
     And join our two strands together"

OOC: Shade will sense a certain tingling over every part of his skin.

Silver then reaches into the single pocket in her robe and brings
forth a small waxy ball, reaches to hold both of Shade's hands once
more and breathes "Have faith, Ebu" before dropping the waxy ball to
the ground at their feet.

Immediately the air around them erupts into fire, completely covering
them. The intense heat and fire seems much worse than it actually is,
and Silver's eyes blaze in tune with the fire as she grips Shade's
hands tightly.

OOC: Shade suffers 7hp damage from the initial fire

(Shade:)
The drow grimaces slightly ....

(Silver:)
Concern appeared in Silver's eyes as Shade grimaced. This moment was
crucial to the entire ceremony. If Shade faltered at all ....

(Shade:)
..... then he smiles again at Silver.

(Silver:)
Silver appears immensely relieved, and then loses herself to the fire
once more.  She grips Shade's hands tightly as the fire burns on.

After just a moment more, the fire source disappears, and the two
stand there, clothes on fire, yet not suffering any further damage. It
seems eerie that all their garments should be burning and dropping in
shreds from them, while they suffer no discomfort. Silver smiles and
says "It is nearly over, Ebu. The cleansing has been completed." As
the last of the fires die out, she hugs him close. "It is done."

Seeing the darkening patches on Shade's body, she lightly touches
them, and as she does so, she says

    "I am split in twain,
     I need Your care and loving caress,
     To ease the pain, to sooth the brow,
     Of my chosen one, of me"

and the patches cool and diminish, leaving no trace of damage or pain
behind.

OOC: Spells used were Prot vs Fire, Produce Fire, Cure Light *2

The two return to the cloaks, and retrieve their possessions.  "I
could not believe such joy could be found in one day, Ebu" Silver
smiles at Shade.

(Shade:)
Shade kisses her fondly "Believe me, dear, there had been a time I
could not believe such a joy could be found in a whole life!"

(Silver:)
Silver returns Shade's kiss, and she seems more alive and joyful than
she has since Shade has known her.  "My sweet Mielikki, I thank You
for Your wisdom and love" she says quietly, face turned toward the
sky.

Looking back at Shade, she smiles brilliantly and asks "Well now Ebu.
Shall we join the others by the gate ?"

Silver and Shade emerge from the trail after several minutes. They are
dressed in long cloaks, fastened about the waist and neck. They walk
in step, arms around each other's waist. Silver cannot contain how
happy she feels, she is smiling radiantly as they approach the small
group outside the walls.




Now Silver and Shade rejoin the others, who still wait near the
entrance to Dark Haven ...

(Keilan:)
Keilan stands holding the cub as Silver and Shade emerge from their
short jaunt into the woods.  He raises an eyebrow at their approach
but doesn't comment.

(Arlon:)
"Are you two trying to start a new fashion trend or something?  While
I have you both here I was wondering if you would like to join Tatiana
and myself for dinner tonight.  It will be my treat."

(Shade:)
The drow chuckles at Arlon's humour, then "I think we would be happy
to have dinner with you and Tatiana, Arlon," - then he looks
interrogatively Silver - "wouldn't we?"

(Silver:)
"Absolutely delighted to, Arlon" Silver smiles brilliantly. "Although
best make it an early dinner as we'll all be feeling tired after our
journeys."

She pauses, looks intently at Shade and says "_Our_ journey, Ebu" and
smiles at him - she seems to have forgotten the others for a moment.
She becomes aware of the others there and then tells Arlon "Although
you must let me buy this time, Arlon."

(Arlon:)
"Excellent ! Very well Silver you can buy.  An early dinner is a
splendid idea also, it will still leave plenty of time for each couple
to become more .. uh ..  intimate afterwards.

(Keilan:)
As dinner plans are made, Keilan stands off to the side feeling
something like a fifth wheel.  As discussion of payment and times are
concluded, Keilan starts talking to the cub in his arms, "That's ok.
We need to catch our dinner anyway, don't we?  Nothing but fresh meat
and rain water for us.  It's too bad they can't join us being so tired
after that little trip.  Ah well, you know city folk never can do an
honest day's work."

(Shade:)
Shade casts a quizzical smile at the ranger, then realizing Keilan is
not joking, his smile quickly fades away.  He looks wordlessly at
Silver silently asking "What's on!?"

(Silver:)
OOC: Aaaah ! That's really sad ! That's genuine from me. But from
     Silver ....

Silver shakes her head at Shade's silent question, as if saying 'not
right now'

Silver watches Keilan talk to the cub, and frowns slightly, but says
nothing. Shade might notice that she becomes a little more tense as
Keilan talks to the cub, breathing as if to calm herself. Still, she
makes no comment.

(Shade:)
Feeling Silver tense, the bard squeezes her hand and smiles warmly to
her.  Then looking again at Keilan he makes a step toward him opening
his mouth as to say something.  At last he shuts his mouth and groans
frustratedly.

(Keilan:)
As he finishes, he begins walking toward the forest still talking to
the ball of fur in his arms.  "Now what should we have?  One of those
little squirrels or perhaps the rabbits that live in the trees?  The
little armadillo might be good too.  That's what mother was after
anyway...."

(Arlon:)
As Keilan walks off towards the woods Arlon will yell "Good hunting my
Friend, we'll see you later."

(Silver:)
Silver does not call out to Keilan. As Keilan walks away toward the
forest, Silver will shake her head and breathe out slowly.  Turning
away from Keilan, she will force a smile as she looks back at Shade
and the others.

(Shade:)
"Are you alright dear?"

(Silver:)
"Yes, yes" she smiles thinly. "Just me taking things too much to
heart" she says, then relaxes.

(Keilan:)
Keilan does continue off into the woods with the cub leaving the four
others to whatever fancies them.




And finally, Arlon and Tatiana with Shade and Silver, move to enter
Dark Haven ....

(Silver:)
When the small group walk toward Dark Haven, Silver will still be
walking with Shade, but will move toward Tatiana at some time before
they reach the wall and say in a low voice "Thanks again 'Ana."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana smiles charmingly, "What do you mean Silver?"

(Silver:)
"What you said up on Mindak's Rock, about being 'true to yourself'. It
struck exactly the right chord with me, and you can see the result"
she says, indicating Shade with a smile and a nod of her head.

(Tatiana:)
"I'm glad to see you're happy."

(Silver:)
"I ... I've never felt quite like this before" she confided. "It's
been so sudden, but so _right_ as well."

(Tatiana:)
Looking around to make sure no one else overhears, "I need to talk to
you sometime.  Concerning Tuft, apparently he's quite taken with
you!?"

(Silver:)
Silver frowns. "You don't mean ...." she says, genuinely surprised.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana shook her head exaggeratedly.  "Believe it" she said while
rolling her eyes.  "I just hope this is a phase he's going through."

(Silver:)
"Oh. I just didn't realize. Umm, I ought to sort this out with him. I
didn't think - that's really stupid of me. I wouldn't hurt his
feelings for the world. This really is serious, with him being an owl
and all. I think I'd better take a flight with him sometime soon."
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------------------------------ End of Chapter 24 -----------------------------
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*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*
Lance Dooly
[e-mail]                         "Not I," said the cat.
Physics/Chemistry/Philosophy   (PCP?!)