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Here was the thing.

Ralir was just a young buck. Viltalta could tell, maybe, that most of the assembled noulicorns had only recently received their gift: Ralir could barely tell who was wielding magic at all. His sense for it was light, still, and he still relied on outside factors to identify nouls' expertise: the bright, beautiful colors of an adept who knew what they were doing, the awe-inducing wings of an ascended noul. For everyone else - if they approximately shared an adult noul's gift, he would assume they'd at least attempted to make the pilgrimage. From the way Draven had been speaking, in particular, he'd assumed the buck knew what he was doing. Ralir'd only recently received his gift, after all. How would he have known?

Ralir understood selfishness - many nouls accused his father of it, and in a way it was even true. Father had received his gift, and instead of using it out in the world, healing Vykeli as a whole, he stayed in the Homewood, safe. Sure, he still used his gift - but he kept it focused on those injured denizens of the Homewood, and his own son, instead.

What he didn't understand, though, was this. What would this buck - who the Grandfather Tree apparently hadn't even deemed worthy - possibly get out of taking the map and going running to the desert without the context of all the other information they were finding here? It'd been moons since Wanderlust had set off - taking an hour or two to make a good plan, and a few more to gather appropriate supplies and delegate roles among their party would give them a much higher likelihood for survival.

He'd have said something - really. His raised hackles and ears, pressed back against his head as he stared in Draven's direction, probably said enough. But that kind of recklessness - well, in Ralir's opinion, it was probably what had prevented the buck from having his powers unlocked by the Grandfather Tree until now. No matter how much longer this buck had lived, or where he'd gone (and in Ralir's opinion, it didn't make sense to venture out of the Homewood and not head to the Grandfather Tree: everyone knew you weren't a real adult until the Grandfather Tree had verified it), he couldn't be very wise.

Anyway, one of the other bucks snorted, and then Viltalta spoke up, all before Ralir said a word. He pulled himself backward, slowing his breathing, and stepping just a little closer to the buck that'd snorted. It was fortunate that Ralir agreed with Viltalta here, and he marveled again at the easy way she wielded her wings. To Ralir, they looked alien, but on Viltalta, they were just another limb. She really had earned them, Ralir thought.

Of course, Ralir didn't want her to trust that buck. But it was true that he had a keen sight, and Ralir approached him again to look over it, pulling it next to the other places. "I think this does complete the map. But I don't think we should rush off just yet. It's already been - moons, since Wanderlust and their group left. Taking a few hours to analyze all the information we have available to us, and figure out what might help us against the dangers Wanderlust faced is probably smart - and, now that we have the map in full, it's clear there isn't a distinguishing feature on it." He looked over it. "My theory is that the notes from that Traveller, that grub, and the list of supplies all indicate the cave system indicated here...but we have no way to accurately measure distance in the Barrens, and while there's a direction to start heading in, Vykeli is vast. Has anyone found any indication of who Wanderlust's traveller might be, or of what dangers Wanderlust thought they'd be facing, or of any landmarks that might allow us to recognize the correct cave system?"

Sure, Ralir could have kept looking for evidence - but not every noulicorn had stepped forward with their information just yet. Ralir could certainly understand how it felt to be uncertain. Besides, he thought it made sense to prove by action: if everyone here could see how beneficial it might be to share information, perhaps they'd end up doing that, too. Or if they had reason to believe something other than Ralir did...well, it was best to establish that here, when they were safe in the Homewood, rather than waiting to argue when they were out in the Barrens and had limited supplies.

Aldwyn released a quiet, gentle breath. He wasn't a buck who functioned in absolutes: he wasn't the smartest among them, not the bravest, not the strongest, not the most reasonable (though he did think he ranked pretty highly there). But if he was not 'the most' of anything, then someone else among them had to be. Someone had to be the one they would turn to for guidance and reassurance. He wasn't familiar enough with any of those gathered here to feel a particular kinship for any of them. He didn't know first-hand the depth of their skills or the trials they'd endured.

He only knew that among this group gathered here, Viltalta was the most magically gifted. She bore the evidence of that much. How she stacked up comparatively to Wanderlust, Aldwyn couldn't say. He the rest of their group stacked up against Wanderlust's own party, Aldwyn couldn't say.

He just wanted to know more before they made any decisions.

And he didn't appreciate having his drive questioned because he refused to act recklessly. He stomped a hoof, let out a derisive snort with a shake of his mane. They just had to find more answers. He would continue the search, while everyone else touted their bravery and passive-aggressive insults. He was not here to be idle or to e insulted.

It was great seeing so many Noul’s coming together to find Wanderlust. And then clue after clue was being found, some of it made sense but some of the other things were very odd. LIke the grub thing, where or how had this thing been acquired? Even Viltalta didn’t seem to know what it was which meant it was something new.

Krima continued to look for clues herself while mostly keeping to herself. Every time someone found a clue, she went over to check it out but then she was right back to searching. There were certainly cool things being found by the others, such as the stone tablet, but still, Krima had no such luck at finding something herself.

Then there seemed to be something going on but Krima was only catching the tail end of it. Voices were certainly sounding frustrated, and she would be too if she ended up being empty handed, but still, they had to focus on the task at hand. Granted she hadn’t really paid attention to the whole situation so she was in no position to speak. She kept up her search.

He'd done it! He actually followed his instinct surviving a quest he thought a reality. Blinking he traveled back to Home Wood rather proud with himself leaving the Great tree with a gift to heal the world. Turning his head back and forth he called out, "Ayala! Ayala are you still here"? It might be a fickle thought honestly to think a Scuttle Scoot he'd just met would even stick around for a ruin-now.

"Yes, Tsarine?" came the voice of Ayala literally sitting on a rock nearest to him.

Tsarine smiled in spite of himself scolding silently she wouldn't have abandoned him. In fact, Tsarine was convinced this little reptile was fond of the wayward buck. "Hello" he spoke almost wanting to blurt out he missed her as much as his bucket.

"Hello to you to big boy" she greeting him with a flick of her tongue over the eye, "Oh yes, there is a call for help by Viltalta; a fellow noul like you. Think you could lend a hand?" It hadn't occurred to her of his newfound power yet something was indeed different.

"Request? I can certainly try" he murmured looking around the area. It seemed others were following this Call to help so, he should as well. Waiting for Ayala to crawl upward till she rested on his rump. "Where should we look first?" he queried his head looking back toward the rather shiny Scuttle Scoot who had just bathed.

"How about near that tree over there with the bushes near the dwelling? It has probably been looked over but, I think another go would be suitable, yes?" Tsarine was one that actually took her advice. Perhaps, its why she sought him out when the predator was inches away.

"Alright," he nodded moving toward the area she had requested. Using his horn and muzzle he searched as his hooves pawed the ground. Pausing he heard a lot of commotion coming from where Viltalta had instructed them to look, "Are you okay"? he called out to the one around the corner. Amusing enough, her loud noises didn't spook him like others, He was used to the randomness of the ruins crumbing apart.


Tsarine WC: 364

There was a tense air lingering in the grove now. Ralir winced, looking around at the group - those two bucks (Dousan and Aldwyn? He'd heard their names, but technically they hadn't introduced themselves) seemed just as frustrated with the one grey buck as Ralir was, but that frustration had them keeping to themselves. Or, more likely, Ralir hadn't been as open with his body language as he liked.

He'd have to take the initiative with questions, just like Father did. He took a breath, turning around and backing away from Viltalta and the one buck for just a moment. The gesture allowed him to see new noulicorns entering the clearing, and he nodded a greeting to them. He didn't want them to feel discouraged by the tension that Ralir had inadvertently contributed to. "Good luck," he told them both sincerely. As he did, a nervous-looking jackhop rushed up to present a strange stone to Viltalta. For once, Ralir hardly gave it a second glance: in his opinion, it could only serve to support his theory that Wanderlust had led their group to the cave system that the map alluded to.

It was still a little nerve-wracking to pull himself into the vicinity of Aldwyn and Dousan and then pretend he knew what was going on. Still, he persevered: it'd be most helpful if the information was shared among their entire group. "Hi there - my name's Ralir. I apologize if it's seemed like I'm excluding you, or if I was a little incoherent there. I just wanted to let you know we've been gathering some of the intriguing items we've found over there" - Ralir pointed with his tail - "and I have a working theory, knowing what I know." He took a breath here. "I'm not sure whether the two of you have come up with anything, but it may be helpful to pool together information so the group has a better idea of what's going on."

He tilted his head, going on to explain, "We seem to have assembled a fairly functional map of Vykeli, notes from a noul named Traveler, some unfamiliar items, and a list of supplies. The items and the list indicate, to me at least, that Wanderlust was headed for a hot, dry place, as well as a place with large quantities of rocks and steep terrain. Of course, I'm not sure who else has looked over the information - there may be better theories, but that's mine so far. We've also located some very pure-smelling water, and a note indicating that Wanderlust's party was headed deep underground. From the map, I think the place that best fits this information is a cave system located in the Barrens, but the map also lacks landmarks, so I'm interested in finding information about potential landmarks." He took a few deep breaths, to give the other nouls some time to process the information.

"We're also not quite sure who this Traveler may be, and of course the dangers indicated by the writing on that tree are unknown to us, too. So if you'd have any idea about either of those things..."

Ralir trailed off then. With any luck, that was coherent enough to express his current position, and what information might prove helpful. He added, belatedly - "Of course, if you have information that would seem to be at odds with my theory, or a more sound one, I'd love to hear it! I don't want to travel out to the Barrens following an incorrect plan, even if it's mine."

Tsarine wasn't paying much time to things around him even when someone mentioned a map pieced together. Instead, he resumed his search knowing something was missing. While others gathered he made his way inward toward the disarray of the grove. Stopping he listened stepping lightly, "Ayala.... there has to be something else, here". While all the other clues had been found he set himself full intent, seeking that which couldn't be found. His newfound power certainly couldn't be used here but, it would prove helpful in reviving the land later on.

Ayala tilted her head then lept over toward the carvings. seeking more intel on what Tsarine was up to. "Hmm... just carved ruins... nothing out of the ordinary are you certain?" Making a jump she landed on the ground slithering her way into the hollow trunk of the tree. Perhaps he was onto something?

Tsarine moved inward himself to the clearing now emptied of the others. "There has to be something here...". Using his hoof he moved some broken pottery around. Something.

It seemed Tsarine had found another piece of parchment in Wanderlust’s detritus. Perhaps it would help point them in the correct direction.

Viltalta swung around and bounded atop of Wanderlusts’ hollow redwood, perhaps not as smoothly as she once may have, in her youth, but her dark wings flexed to aid her. She surveyed the group of noulicorns around her, digging through the grove for clues, talking amongst themselves about the mystery. They would make for a fine batch of adventurers with some guidance. Some - she glanced at the pale Draven - might be too hot tempered, but others - her gaze swung to Aldwyn - might be level-headed enough to balance it out.

“Those of you who wish to accompany me to find Wanderlust should make preparations. We don’t know how far this rescue mission might take us and from Wanderlust’s notes I feel there may be new dangers to face.

“I think it’s likely Wanderlust and their party travelled to an unknown cavern somewhere south-west of Homewood, but we should examine the evidence closely before we leave.

“When we have caught our bearings, I will grant all of us a day to make preparations. We won’t leave until the following evening.”

Travel through the barrens was easier at night when the sand was cooler. They would have to be cautious, treading into unknown territory with whispers of danger in these old notes.