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 Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:39 am
A Meeting with the Elders Takoda had expected as much to happen as soon as he had seen the large gathering of the alkidikes on the shore line. He had watched his heart in his throat as the woman who had agree'd to take him with them ..although she didn't trust him...even less now that he had told her his intent upon going to the island. Though something was bothering him in the back of his mind, as if he had gotten something wrong. No he was sure he had to come here, but... The note was in his pack the one that listed all the ingredients he would need to help the male who was apart of the leaf tribe. But at the moment it seemed almost foolish to try and reach for his pack, why? Well the many spears and arrows pointing in his direction was pretty much the dead give away to not move. When everyone's attention was directed to a group of elders instead of him he felt a chill go up his spine. They didn't look to be the most...welcoming of him. The alkidike's and the half breed had left the boat, leaving him to fend for himself, and at the moment he sat still. Trying to distract himself from the idea that he could be speared or shot rather fatally without so much as a strange movement from him. So he let his eyes look, there were many strong amazon like women here, a few younglings, the island looked...fairly similar to the forest of Jahaur at first glance. The tree's were perhaps more vibrant and there was one tree that seemed to loom above the others...it was pretty obvious which tree this must be...the one the Alkidike were all born from Aisha. It seemed to dwarf all the other tree's and probably for good reason still it was rather awe inspiring. His eyes though were forced to suddenly focus directly in front of him as a spear head had come only a few inches from his face. A rather..unfriendly looking woman was wielding it and was gesturing for him to get up. A hard swallow and the shifter was moving to stand, slowly as he didn't want people to get twitchy if he moved too quickly and it was apparent that no one would hesitate to strike first and ask questions later. It wasn't long before that spear tip was behind him, the very tip every once in awhile pricking the skin there making Takoda all that more uncomfortable. He had to take a deep breath and hope that he would be in one piece by the end of the day. The shifter was lead to what he assumed was a meeting area for where the elders gathered it seemed isolated..and very important instructed by gesture alone he was ordered to sit down his stuff was sat down beside him as it seemed...they didn't think a book would be all that threatening.
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Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 8:42 pm
The tree that housed the elders' meetings was deeper into the interior of the island. The walk there was silent.
The meeting room that usually held the elder's conferences was empty today. The sudden intrusion of this shifter male had stopped all normal activities on the island. There were two women guarding him now, standing on either side of the opening to the room.
As Takoda waited, his things sitting beside him, the cloth covering the door was pushed aside.
"Tell me why we shouldn't kill you now, earthling." A voice entered the space; not the old, patient sound of an elder, but the young hostile sound of one who was still in her prime.
Yansa entered the room with her spear in hand and stared down the shifter male. Her look was that of venom; none but Alkidike should be on this island and his very exsistence here was near sacrilege. Jerarda and Rishima will have to be reprimanded later, but they were set, especially Jerarda, on thinking that this shifter should not only be allowed to live but to be helped while he was here.
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:29 am
Looking up his attention solely focused on the woman he vaguely recalled seeing on the excursion to the cold lands of Zena he felt himself tremble slightly. All alkidikes were intimidating but Yansa was almost bristling with aggression, her words caused a shiver to run down his spine and swallowing he had to remind himself the reason he had come here. It was of vital importance that he get the ingredient here.
Counting backwards in his head he calmed himself and looking to Yansa he was trying to not show fear.
"I apologize for I know my presence to your sacred home is not welcomed," He murmured wondering a brief moment what will happen to the two alkidikes who helped him get tot he islands, would they be punished?
"But I come here out of dire importance with information and the need of an ingredient I can only find here. I know your people distrust outsiders, but I came here in hopes to prevent a disastrous sickness from spreading." The shifter hoped his words wouldn't fall on deaf ears, although he pondered a moment if his life really was so trivial to these people.
"This sickness I believe is a curse...no magic can help cure it but I was informed that with the right ingredients there could be a chance to stop it before the curse takes full effect. This may seem trivial to you at first, for you are isolated on your island and what disease could possibly reach you here? But if this is a curse....an ailment that will extend its reach over the whole of our world...no one will be safe."
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:24 am
Yansa took a moment to let the words of this shifter play in her head. Her anger was still present but she was no fool. If the words of this shifter were true then her people could be in danger. And if this shifter already had a way to stop the ailment of her people it would benefit them with no added work involved.
She looked the shifter over, judging whether his words were true or a mere play to get close to the only tree that could potentially stop the Alkidike existence entirely. She could possibly be murdering her entire species with false trust.
"And what proof do you have that your words are not merely a ruse?"
Her arms were crossed and her stance firm. Even if she were to believe this earthling, she would still have to converse with the elders and Eshe for their approval. Yansa was only the first trial.
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:50 am
Takoda felt his shoulder's fall slightly, he shouldn't of thought mere words would convince them to expose their entire populace to harm. But what proof could he give her? The man he had come across suffering from the sickness was at his home in the forest of Jahaur, he had left the other ingredients in a safe place so he didn't have to drag them with him to this place.
Giving a swallow he took a deep breath and looked up to Yansa, yes he was a timid man, fearful of bugs, now living with a leaf tribe male whom he wished to return to, but he was a healer. A healer wouldn't allow harm to anyone, alkidike or no he would just have to convince him.
"I have no proof, nothing that can possibly sway you into my favor. I am but a humble man who wishes to prevent a pandemic from happening. It is the duty of a healer to prevent sickness, to heal bones and to care for those who are around them. If you wish to test me I will accept your terms, but I cannot delay I need your decision quickly, every passing minute can only increase the risk to your people and the world."
The shifter had come to accept that terrifying knowledge that he may die here. A quick thrust of a spear, or arrow to the heart or major organ and he'd be done for. Though he would regret not spending more time with his new mate not being able to smooth things appropriately with Chalcedony he would just have to accept that his life was not important here. Saving the lives of everyone he possibly knew...and more...far out weight his own life.
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:19 am
The Alkidike woman could sense the unease and fear of the man before her. He seemed no more a threat than a spitorog in all honesty.
He couldn't provide any proof for his words, something that would not work in his favor to sway the elders, but both Jerarda and Rishima were vouging for this man. As odd as those two were, they were still Alkidike and knew the possible harm of bringing others here.
Without a word, Yansa turned abruptly and left the shifter to stew on his possible fate. It was her time to consult the elders. If what this shifter said was true, then drilling him with more questions would not favor anyone.
This must be decided quickly.
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:42 am
Takoda had watched the woman who was watching his every move as if looking for some twitch of a muscle or a blink of an eye that would betray his intentions, when she turned away and left the room he felt his skin prickle. For several moments he sat in silence, barely moving quietly breathing as if hoping that if he was going to die that they would just get it over with.
Eyes closed he waited and listened for any signs of movement, the pull of a bow string, the shift of feet on the floor. But there was nothing, daring to open an eye he was still very much alone. Looking to his side was his pack, dare he open it? There were no weapons...unless you could count a book as being one and he had his list. Looking back to where Yansa had left he felt his palms grow sweaty. He desperately wanted to look at the list again, perhaps to reassure him that this was not some horrible nightmare he was being placed in.
Bit by bit he slowly opened his bag, stopping every time his heart felt like it was going to leap out of his throat. It was agonizing but slowly he managed to slip the piece of paper back through his back and into his hands. He supposed this could be his proof...but they would probably claim that it was forged by himself. Still it was a comfort and unfolding it he skimmed through the list again. It was a short one, the glowing fungi, the spore fungi and then dirt near the roots.....he gave pause.
Apparently all this time he had assumed he needed the roots of the tree, overwhelming relief bore through him. No he needed dirt near the roots, thus he would not be risking the tree's health at all. The shifter could of cried, if only because he may actually be able to accomplish his task. Though he was sure he would get some strange looks when he told them he needed dirt...
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:41 pm
Eventually Yansa entered the room again, this time accompanied by another Alkidike. This one was wearing a feathered skirt and was adorned in white, not the usual colors of the Alkidike.
Yansa turned to the shifter and eyed the paper that was clutched in his hands. "The elders have agreed to hear you out on what you could possibly need from this land that isn't already in your own."
The other Alkidike stood quietly with a serene look on her face, not the stern, fierce look of Yansa. "But choose your words wisely, there are many here who are looking for a reason to kill you." The words from her mouth were just as serene as her face, as if her thoughts were elsewhere.
Yansa and this other Alkdike looked at the shifter intently, ready to get him what he needed and off of their island with the Alkidike better off for it.
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:30 pm
Takoda felt himself jump as Yansa re-entered the room though this time she was accompanied by another woman this one dressed curiously. She radiated importance and he new his life was in her hands, his hands trembled the piece of paper in his hand betraying how nervous he was and he was forced to put his hands into is lap to stop them from shaking. Now that they were asking about what he could possibly need from the island he couldn't find elsewhere he was even more relieved to have re-read the list.
"I thank you for giving me a chance to be heard," this was how he started and then he decided that perhaps he should start from the beginning. It was a long tale, describing the fire In the forest, the bug like Mage he had fought against and then going in more detail about the man he had discovered, what evidence he found to believe the disease was in fact a curse by describing the burned effigy's that had been in the area. How he had discovered Jerarda and Rishima already planning to go to the island and how he had to convince the duo that his task was very important. Takoda tried his best to describe how reluctant they had been at first and despite agreeing to take him had bound his wrists and ankles declaring he would have to plead his case to the elders. The only part he left out was his time reuniting with Jacinthus.
"I have two out of the three ingredients, the last is to be found on your island for it is dirt that rests near the roots of your mother tree." He was about to declare that he didn't even need to go near the tree if only someone would get it for him...but then he pauses for what if they just got him simple dirt? He would have to come back...if the sickness hadn't already spread.
"I am willing to go blindfolded to the area of your mother tree, that way I won't be able to tell anyone else where the tree is located if that will ease your fears of someone coming to harm your people. I know the history between our people seem to be wrought in bloodshed, but I believe it is time to put our differences aside for a moment and try to protect the world."
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:59 am
The Alkidike women listened to the shifter's story of his trials and the need of the dirt near the roots of the Great Mother Tree. Once he had finished and declared that he would even go blindfolded, the women looked to each other quickly before Yansa addressed the man again.
"There's no need for blindfolds. The tree is large enough to be seen from the opposite coast." Her words dripped with condescension, the idea of a blindfold was foolish.
Eshe turned to her sister and put a hand on her arm. "Calm now Sister, this man is only trying to comply as well as he can." She turned to Takoda in her calm, dream-like demeanor and addressed the pale shifter. "I am Eshe, mystic and guardian of the children of Aisha. I have heard what you have to say and I'm willing to believe your words as truth. We would like nothing more than to hurry your journey so that you may leave our island."
Yansa spoke now, though hostility still echoed softly in her voice. "If you come back to this island again, you may not be greeted so kindly, so gather what you need now and leave us be in peace."
Yansa and Eshe turned from the shifter and began to exit the tent. One of the guards standing near the door motioned for Takoda to follow.
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Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:30 am
The shifter felt his face grow hot, of course it had been a foolish declaration to go blindfolded, even he had noted on the way in just how large the tree was though he felt so e of his foolishness ebb when the other woman Eshe tried to calm Yansa down. Though his presence wasn't welcomed it would be tolerated if only because his task had been deemed important enough that he could get the ingredient he needed before leaving the island. It was very apparent that he was of course not welcomed back, some part of him a bit disappointed since he felt they could learn a lot from each other. Perhaps someday that distrust would ebb but for now he would take what he could get.
"I humbly thank you. I will be quick and leave your island. If...it is possible I could take a boat? Or an escort back? I do wish to get back to Jahaur as quickly as possible with the dirt safe in my pack." Though he felt like he may be stepping on toes when they were already being so ...lenient about him being no the island at all he had to make sure he could get back...
He stood up slowly gathering his things and slung the bag over his shoulder and turned to follow the two glowering guards who seemed rather reluctant to follow the instructions they had been given, which was to take the shifter to the mother tree, as they walked he couldn't help but keep lo0oking at the ground below him. Despite knowing that it was foolish because the great tree had been easily seen from the shore he still felt that perhaps not knowing what was around him it would make him feel less like a spy.
Though he almost bumped into one of the women when they came to a sudden stop. He was told gruffly that this was a close as he was going to get and the shifter couldn't believe that they had already gotten there.
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Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:01 pm
Though the guards were the one to officially escort Takoda on his trip to the Mother Tree, Eshe lead the way, making her way to what was considered her home and rightful place on the island. It wasn't very often the Eshe left the tree at all, making Takoda's appearance on the island something noteworthy.
When the guard had stopped Takoda, Eshe stopped with them and finally answered the shifter. "When you are done here, you may take a boat and leave it on the opposite coast for other sisters to cross. Be as fast as you can and continue on your way. Do not disturb what is not yours to disturb, but take what you came for. This is close enough, the outlying roots of Aisha touch ground here."
The shifter had not yet lifted his head, but if he had, he would see roots the size of a youngling sticking from the ground where Aisha met the other trees, the eyes and arms of her forest.
"We cannot provide an escort, I would not pull a sister from her place here with us as this is sacred ground, but you will not be harmed on this island. Yansa has seen to that on my accord."
And with that Eshe left Takoda and returned to her place by the base of the Great Tree.
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Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 6:08 pm
Takoda swallowed and nodded his head, after all he had almost forgotten in his awe of the massive tree how much danger he was in. Quietly he did as he was told, delicately scooping dirt up from as close to the root as he dared himself. Not sure how much he would need he took as much as he thought was suitable, after all if he had to come back it somehow he doubted he would be allowed to get near the shore never mind the tree. Once done he gave the elder a significantly low bow in respect before he turned and hurried his was back to the shore. It wasn't hard..tough the trail was fairly clear and soon he found himself the eye of everyone nearby watching him with suspicion.
He felt icy chills go up his spine as he hurriedly went to the boat the precious cargo safely nestled in his bag. Quickly he untied it from the shore before launching him out into the ocean, idly wondering if ...he would be shot down while in the water so that the ocean could claim his body but nothing came. The elders had been good on their word and thus he tried his best to get to the opposite shore. His thoughts still lingering on the boy and girl who had brought him there and wondering what their punishment would be.
Time passes and the poor shifter felt like he was never going to get to the other side, as soon as he was able to he jumped out of the boat and pulled it to shore. It was no easy task for a man of his stature and he was quite winded once done. Tying it fast to a dead tree, he retrieved his stuff to then only dash into the forest and head for his home. The shifter was thrilled to be back in familiar territory and yet he stumbled quite a bit from mental and physical exhaustion as well hunger. Daring only to stop briefly to snag a fruit from a nearby tree he continued on his journey unsure of what he would be met with when he got to his home.
The only downside to going back to his old house was that it was on the very fringes of the Jahaur forest and it was very close to night fall by the time he managed to get back to his own door step. Breathless he felt like he could collapse then and there, but he couldn't and pressed forward his hand pushing open the leaf door and looking about to see if the leaf man was still there and hopefully still alive.
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Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 8:46 am
Enlil had been waiting for Takoda to return. His condition had greatly declined while Takoda was away. His lips were pale and chapped, his brow sweating in fever, he was laying in the bed that Takoda had offered, a vial in his hands. It was the residue that he had been able to extract from Jacinthus' bow.
He wheezed as he tried to speak. "Welcome... back... Did you gather... everything?" He hoped that Takoda had not come back empty handed. It would take time to prepare the ingredients, even more so with Enlil in his present condition, but if Takoda had been successful, then there would be enough time.
Enlil had heard word from others that the curse was starting to effect the other dolls' owners he had burned after his. People from Tale and Jauhar were becoming ill, his brother Enki among them.
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Posted: Thu May 02, 2013 9:00 am
Takoda nodded his head, on his way back he had recollected the backs of fungi that he had stashed away, though even as he put the bags down he was distracted by the condition Enlil was in. Moving over quickly a hand went to his forhead, sensing the fever he already had turned and started to route through his cupboards looking for something that would help bring it down.
"Y..Yes I managed to get everything. The Alkidikes though were...ahh...difficult." The shifter managed as he brought down a sealed jaw and opened the contents on to discover it was not what he wanted. Frowning he knew he had taken a lot of stuff with him to Tale but he had hoped there would be something more useful here.
"What do I need to do with them?" He inquired instead now opting to search for a mortar and pestle and anything else he may need, bowls and spoons included.
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