Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Y-yes of course. I have no idea how long I have been gone but I do feel more rested. I guess it has something to do with that spell." Kayla said rubbing her arm unconsciously as she recalled being interrogated in the strange room. She looked around confused as the wind blew toward them making her pull her coat closer to her body. "Uhmm I can't see the smoke from their fire through these trees. Do you know where they are?"

Veral reached the large central chamber, and stopped in the middle. "Here we are," Veral said, looking out over all the large deer-hide blankets that acted as mats. "Settle in, everyone. We'll likely be hear for awhile." He used magic to subtly strengthen the fires at each side of the chamber and also strengthened the aura of calm he had extended over all of the others. Not too much stronger, or else he would run the risk of putting the children to sleep where they stood, but enough to keep them settled once they found a comfortable spot.

The best way to get their mind off of this bad news was to tell a story, but Veral's experiences were mixed over what stories went over well with werewolves. He found that stories that taught morals and social mores were considered uninteresting among werewolves, and for the most part served no purpose, seeing as werewolves children were directly taught the tribe's moral and social beliefs to their children as young as they were able. Werewolf myths were something that Veral simply did not have the aptitude to tell, and it was something left more to the tribe's alpha or the elders for special occasions. The stories he knew they did like were about grand hunts, and tests of endurance and strength, and not necessarily heroic standards, not from how he was raised anyways, and he didn't have much to tell in that department. As a result of the tribe's pack mentality, tales of individual successes were less appealing, a good story for them had a grand hunt, and a large cast of characters, the more convoluted the story's plot was the better, anything to justify another installment of the tale. Veral sat down in thought, wonder what story he could whip up in a short period of time for his audience.

The aura of calm helped Shinn to stop crying, inside and out. He suddenly understood what it was the adult were now faced with, and knew they were doing their best for them all. I didn't help with the foreboding, but it was enough to keep him calm. He even smiled weakly when Miluiel nuzzled him. When they stopped in the central chamber, he ran ahead and picked a spot on his favorite mat, his tail held high and he bounced from foot to foot, marking the place for Miluiel and Shera to sit at.

Azrael and those still had things to do. "As Mazzia has suggested, we need to gather information on these outsider's whereabouts, we also should have patrols placed on around the village." He told them, concentrating on knowing their immediate situation, and pushing Shinn's vision to the back of his mind, however vivid it might have been. "We shall establish three groups for this. One will scout first, the second will patrol, the third will make preparations for a move, hunting and rounding up supplies. As the first scout group returns, the patrol will head out to scout next, if such is necessary, the third will move to patrol, and first will continue preparations, and will continue to cycle in such a manner as each scout group returns. Shana will lead the first scouting, I will go along with the second, and Nieza will lead the third. I also want all the Healers to remain here, with the exception of three, to be determined among themselves, who will go, with each scout group as they head out. Take time now to make any preparations you need. Report to the leader of the group you wish to join, be ready as soon as possible." The tribe nodded and the group headed out mostly, with a few staying and gravitating toward Shana, himself or Nieza. He was pleased that the groups, so far, seemed about equal, and as more returned would remain as such. Werewolves were not a people to blinded by petty honors such as going first, and were strong in their sense of duty.

Canor's team stopped to rest shortly. They had happened upon a strange tree in the forest. This was a tree that seemed in to glow a spring-like color, despite the cold, far different from the other trees which were covered in green, grasslike spines, instead of leaves, or were bare. This tree, supposedly came from a distant forested area he had heard legends of. Legends of a race of beast-like shape shifters who did not truly build, but rather raised stone naturally from the ground or grew treelike structures for buildings. That land lay south of Bedaious, though that beast-race did not seem to exist anymore, likely swept away in the War of the Graces, and teemed with over-sized animals, dire bears, and great dear the size of the massive elk and moose the supposedly inhabited these northlands, though none but those assigned to hunt saw them, and they weren't commenting on them, as hunting was a decidedly unpopular task, frowned on by the highborn of Bedaious. The forest seemed to lightly, but only slightly, and up ahead he thought he saw shapes between the trees, but the undergrowth was still quite dense, so they were more likely more plants. Something about this tree, though... Canor assembled his spear quickly, as he had learned to do so months before.

Logain shook his head and looked around. "I feel something... they are gathered up on the hill in the center of the village. We should wait inside the Leader's house, where we were invited. Unless asked, we shouldn't meddle into what is going on. Many werewolf tribes don't like interference from outsiders, and considering how they have been treated in the past, I can't necessarily blame them." He commented, before smiling and gesturing the direction of Azrael and Miluiel's home. "Come, we can practice detection in the warmth."

As Canor finished assembling the spear, he heard Elizabeth's. He spun on his heel and stood straight. Her patron was both a general and a Parivir, and by extension, she was also Parivir. "I believe to see geometric shapes ahead. Could just be more of the native bushes, but they struck me as too large for that." He informed her. Elizabeth normally was not one to talk, especially not to one like him. But then again, it was better her asking than...

"What was it you saw?" Inquired an aristocratic voice. It came from the assigned leader of the scouting team, who hailed from a Highborn family and was a fully initiated Parivir. He usually took no interest in what the lay-soldier's had to say, except for when he needed their reports delivered, but if Elizabeth showed interest. Usually, only one elite was sent to make sure the scout teams didn't screw up too badly, but the inclusion of Elizabeth, the ward of one of Bedaious's highest ranking military figures, spoke to him of either a private intrigue into what they were scouting, or an implied insult toward his ability. In either case, he couldn't risk being kept out of the loop. Involvement in the former would bring honor to himself, defending himself against the latter would secure his honor.

Canor remained straight and repeated the report he had delivered to the group leader, now very uncomfortable for being scrutinized so thoroughly for mere caution, though he was careful not to show any of it in his body language.

A candle lit at the back of Veral's mind. A story had come to him that he believed he could adapt properly to werewolf sensibilities. "Alright, little ones. Settle down, and I'll tell you all a story," he said, and waited for the pups to settle down and get comfortable. When the pups were all settled, he leaned forward and began to spin his tale.

"Once, there were three little wolves, who were looking for a place to settle. They found a nice, big forest, with lots of game to hunt. As they entered the forest, though, they found another wolf, leaving, who warned them, 'those woods aren't safe. a great, nasty, boar dwells there.' But the three little wolves would not be swayed, they were each brave and strong, and they all planned to build a strong home, to keep the boar out." Veral smiled as he told the story, and the pups kept in rapt attention, wanting to hear more.

"So first they decided, 'let's build it out of earth, the Great Mother' bosom will protect us from that nasty boar. So they dug up the ground, and made a hut of dirt, rocks and grass. The great, nasty boar came around and sneered at their hut, and said, 'you little wolves ought-ta get outta mah forest. If you don't give me back mah dirt, I'll snot an' I'll scratch, an' I'll knock yer hut down!" But the little wolves were not afraid of the big bully. "We won't do what you say! Not by the teeth in out little wolf jaws!" They called out. But the boar grew very mad, and he snorted, and scratched and he knock their house down! And the little wolves had no choice but to find a different part of the forest."

"As they moved through the woods, their first house ashamed, an idea struck them bright! 'We cannot make a strong hut from dirt! Let's take the debris from the trees, the walls lie just around us!' So the three little wolves, gathered leaves, sticks and twigs and built a new hut. But the boar came around one day and sneered at the twigs. "I dun told ye once, to get outta mah forest. Ya'll are gonna give me back mah sticks, or I'll snort, an' I'll scratch, and I'll knock your hut down!" But the wolves would not give up a stick, and cried, 'We will not go away, we won't let listen to what you say. Not by the teeth in out little wolf jaws!' The boar was not pleased, anger bit him like fleas, so he snorted and he scratched, and he knocked their hut down. The wolves ran to find a place where the boar would not go."

"They continued on, saddened and scared, if they couldn't find a spot, then where could they go? As they passed by a cave, they got a fresh thought, 'we've been thinking the wrong way! We've been thinking too weak! The Great Mother provides all the things that we need! We'll settle in the cave, protected by solid rock, the boar's only way in is the hole in the front. So we'll take the strong wood, from trunks of fallen trees, and build up a door, that'll hold him off long. We'll also make a net of small plants and leaves, if boar tries to get us, he'll be caught in it's grasp. So the three little wolves found strong wood and plants, creating their door and boar catching net."

"The boar stalked around and caught sight of their door. 'I've said this before!' Angrily shouted that great, nasty boar, 'Ah've dun said twice before: git outta mah forest, er you'll wish you had! And give back mah cave and mah trees. Only I get this forest, and mahself alone!' But the wolves were not scared, and grinned at each other 'we'll not let you have it, no one owns the forest, and we're going to teach you a lesson! By all of the teeth, in our little wolf jaws!' The boar grew straight mad and grunted in rage. So he grunted and scratched and charged at the door. But the boar was unprepared for the hard wooden door, and was dazed and confused and fell into the wolves' net! Boar dangling from ceiling, the wolves all howled: 'The forest if free! No one can tell us to leave!' They then turned to the boar, all licking their lips, 'You tried to hurt us and scare us away, but you won't do it again, this will all know. 'Cause our little wolf tummies will be filled with the great, nasty boar!' And the little wolves feasted, and were full for a very long time!" Veral ended the story, and received howls and happy cheers from the pups around him. All were enlightened by the story's happy ending.

Shinn listened to the story with rapture. It seemed so similar to what they were going through. He knew now what was going on. The adults would keep the humans away, and make it safe for the werewolves to live. When Veral ended the story, he was filled with happiness and confidence and pride and joined in the happy howls.

Kayla listened to Logain and nodded and moved where he said she should go. With every step she felt a renewed giddiness she has not felt since the curse first manifested in her. With knowledge of how dangerous she was to others that might touch her she had all but lost hope to ever feel a warm touch for very long. She found herself moving faster as though each step lessened her burden as the man behind her said he could help her. It was the first real help she could hope for. Even those scholars that have succumbed to her touch have merely helped control the curse short term.

"I'll wait for you there sir!" Kayla called back from over her shoulder. As she got closer she slowed though as her own sense began to warn her of something. Was this the thing Logain was talking about before? She was a curious girl but she followed Logain's instructions and returned to the home.

((Don't worry about it! We all have more important things to that need to be done.))

The group leader gazed out into the direction Canor indicated. "So they do." He commented, though he remained outwardly skeptical of their significance. "Go investigate. Report back here with anything you find. Try not to take too long." He said, waving the commoner off.

Canor bowed and repeated the ever used acknowledgment, "So you have commanded." Canor checked his spear and moved off from the group, passing through the bushes to approach the shapes he saw in the trees ahead.

Logain followed along the path he had consigned to memory of where the house was. He felt an incoming presence, familiar, yet not familiar enough. Perhaps human, perhaps something else. He'd heard that fairies had dwelled in this place at one point, but he couldn't tell for sure. He hoped it was not humans, but that hope was not strong. He reached his hosts dwelling and smiled at Kayla when he stepped inside. "Forgive my taking so long." He said to her. "We will start whenever you are ready. Our first objective will be to be sure you can detect magic, such as alterations, enchantments, hexes, etc. That way you will be able to tell if the field is working once it is on you.

Azrael stood at the head of his patrol and looked over at them. "Our patrol should be centered toward the village, so we should stay on the village side of the lake. We'll check in at this spot every few rouror ((15 minutes)). If you find something suspicious, call out before checking it out. I'll not have anyone moving alone." He stated firmly. He hoped they would not find anything, but hope alone would not keep his tribe safe. Azrael was never one to count on miracles, however much one was needed.

Veral smiled and laughed along with the children. He was keen to capitalize on this state. "Come sit in a circle around me, little ones. I have a game that I think would be fun to play." He told them, receiving an enthusiastic response.

Shinn nuzzled Shera. "C'mon! Let's sit in the circle!" He said excitedly, he stood up, his tail bouncing enthusiastically.

Elizabeth, with her own weapon always at her side, began to move forward with Canor. “I’m coming along.” She whispered to him. Grinning to herself Lizzy continued to say, “Sitting around here waiting for something to happen is boring.” She winked somewhat playfully. “Come on then, let’s get going.” Her right arm was crossed over her chest, and it rested casually on the hilt of her blade. Her eyes squinted forward, and her body was tense with excitement and perhaps with boredom as well.

Shera jumped to her feet and rushed forward with Shinn. She was just as excited to be a part of this game as he was. “Come on mama!” She exclaimed. “Come and play with us!”

Miluiel shook her head slightly. “Not now dear.” She said, not wanting to disturb the children’s game. She would help if Veral asked it of her, but until then it was not her place to step in and disturb his work. She remained where she was lying on the soft furs, and from there she watched the children assemble in the middle of the room. She watched, smiling all the while, tiredly at first. Her thoughts had diverged and now she was thinking too about her husband. What was going on out there in the outside world?

Canor blinked in surprise, but recovered himself and nodded gratefully to Elizabeth's joining him. As she came aside, he thought he heard something, and looked toward where the sound had come to him from, but saw nothing there. Shaking his head, he lead the way toward the shapes he had seen through the trees. As he approached, it became clearer and clearer, and it eventually proved to be, not more plants, but buildings, mostly huts of some sort, from the look of it. It was quite crude, and the wood planks appeared to have been pulled apart, rather than sawed, but it seemed sturdy, nonetheless. "A hamlet in the forest. Who would build in the middle of the forest and not use any of the trees around to make their structures?" He wondered aloud. It was clear that this was not the work of Saidous.

Shinn scooted into a spot, leaving a space for Shera to slide into. We wondered what sort of game Veral had in mind.

Veral smiled as the children sat around in a circle. "That's it. Now we're going to play a game called 'Raven, Raven, Crow.' How we play is that one of you will be walking around outside of the circle, and tap each person sitting on the head, lightly, and say 'Raven.' Now, whoever is 'it' can tap one person on the head and say 'Crow,' when you do that, the person who has been dubbed 'Crow' and whoever is 'it' will race around the circle and see who can reach the empty spot. Whoever is still standing becomes 'it.' Any questions?" He wondered.

Azrael wandered around the outside of the village, searching the area diligently for intruders. He caught a faint scent he did not recognize and started to move toward it, cautiously. If the scent belonged to a human, he could not guarantee that his fury could remain in check.

Logain frowned and nodded. "So have I. This place has acquired a great feeling of anxiety. There have been armies around these parts of late, and I have had many a concern." He said softly. Logain then smiled at Kayla. "We can deal with that soon, if there is any choice to be had. First lets refine your powers of detection." He pulled a small object from his coat. "Now, one of the way to detect magic is through vision. Powers and conditions being what they are, there is a factor called 'witch-sight.' View the object through your peripheral vision, rather than looking directly. Try it on the object in my hand. Put you attention on something else, and keep the object in my hand in the corner of your eye. If you have witch-sight, you will see it shine from your peripheral, if you have strong witch-sight, you probably can see it shine now. Give it a go" He said with a chuckle.