Welcome to Gaia! ::

*The woman in the center of the storm looks down, her attention drawn by an odd mental touch. She sees a large white wolf coming toward her and allows the storm to slacken. The wind eases, the rain falls in a more natural way. The woman sits on a rock near the edge of the lake and waits for them.*

*seeing the woman, Ces shivers. This new power of hers is something she's not comfortable with, and having seen the woman before with her Insight, she is not comforted by her appearance now. However, she is glad that the rain has lessened, and arriving at the edge of the lake, Ces is certain even without Insight that this is where they need to be.*

*looking at the woman more closely, Ces is struck by her appearance. Like something out of a book she'd read long ago, the woman reminds her of the Lady of the Lake. However, unlike the artherian ledgend, this woman has an aura of evil about her, and her condencending grin as she looks upon them makes Ces want to taste her blood. Ces makes a consious effort not to growl.*

*The red-haired woman observes the wet, bedraggled group for a moment, taking in the presence of the two eldritch weapons with well-concealed surprise.*

You are the...residents...of this valley?

((blows raspberry at Snow and clears her throat smile )

*Ces takes a look around and feels the weight of silence upon her. Taking a deep breath, she calls out to the woman, saying:*

Greetings. Why have you appeared in this valley?

*Ces's question is met with laughter, a cold and sinister sound that reminds her of the pelting rain. When the laughter subsides, slowly, the woman speaks:*

I may 'appear' wherever I choose, young one. But I have called you here with a message of warning. My Masters begin to awaken, and they do not wish to be trifled with flies such as yourselves. I have come to bade you leave this place. It is your only warning. While I find you amusing, none else will find you so, and should you choose to stay, you will be killed.
Watching you, I have seen you attempt to fight. Believe me when I tell you it will be a useless and wasted effort.

*the hairs on the back of Ces's neck stand at the sound of the woman's voice, and she doubts she'll ever hear the sound of spring rain and not think of this voice. But she also does not take well to being insulted, as "young" was never something one could call a werewolf. Looking at Fenris and Snow, Ces wonders if "fight" isn't called for. How dare the woman suggest their efforts would be useless. It would be easy enough to prove her wrong.*

*Ces nods to her once, a growl lodged in her throat.*

*Snow listens, her sensitive ears flinching at the sound of the woman's voice*

A wise woman would know that appearances can be decieving. *Snow speaks to the woman sharply, chastising her* How often have the weak defeated the strong when the strong became overconfident and lazy? This is our home. We will not be driven out.

Impertinent child! *A lash of wind shrieks out of the sky to strike Snow and impacts on her sheild in a burst of sparks that knocks her off Tumblthorn's back*
My Masters were here long before you were born, and they will be here long after you perish. *The woman's voice turns icy as she gracefully rises and stalks toward them* There are many things you have not yet learned, children. You should know respect in the prescence of your elders! *Another lash of wind shrieks toward Ces*

*Snow pushes herself to a sitting position against the wind, using the glaive to support her. Tumblethorn slinks behind her, giving her something to lean against as she struggles to her feet, wincing in pain*

*Ces feels her paws leave the ground before she's even aware she's leaping at the attacker. Claws bared, she leaps upon the woman with her seven foot height and formadable were strength, only to be knocked aside as easily as a babe would fall before a stone wall. However, Ces is not new to a battle, and in turning, she scrapes the womans arm with her teeth, drawing flesh deep enough to draw blood, but no blood poars from her veins.*