Welcome to Gaia! ::

After breakfast was over and the table was cleared Ulani accompanied Donovan outside.

"We might as well have Halmir with us when we do this," she said in a resigned tone of voice. "He would recognize the landmarks and know where to go, and it's easier to just do it once."

They didn't have to go far to find him, though, as he was waiting for them just outside the door of the barracks.

"Good morning, Halmir," Ulani called out as they approached the man, nodding her head in greeting.

"And a beautiful morning it is," Halmir grinned broadly. "A perfect day for hunting, be it animal or person - though in the case of the slavers, I must question which of the two they are."

He shook his head slowly. "Disgusting. Good morning, Donovan."

"Indeed," Halmir nodded again. "If Ulani would be so kind ..."

He hadn't always called Ulani by her name, but she had made it quite clear that if he ever called her anything else, his health would be in danger. Unfortunately, the same threat had not yet been made about his interactions with Aliya.

Ulani nodded and reached into the top of her tunic, pulling out a crystal that was hanging on the end of a chain that was around her neck.

"Vision crystal," she explained to Donovan as she cupped it in her hands. "Only useful to those with the power of the Wishsong."

Ulani cleared her throat and began to sing softly. The clear crystal began to glow softly, and its face swirled with colours that came together to become a clear image.

It showed a group of travelers: a few humans with a group of children, all of whom looked miserable and starved. The children all showed signs of abuse - many were bruised, and a few had cuts and dried blood on the sides of their faces.

Ulani pushed away her feeling of anger - it wouldn't help here - and instead made the view rise a bit to show landmarks, the area where they were. At first glance it all seemed as if it could be anywhere in the Borderlands or Westland, but Halmir pointed at something almost indistinguishable.

"I know where they are," he growled. "It's about three days from here, riding."

Ulani nodded and changed her song, seeking now the place where the group was heading so that the would be able to follow after them, since of course they wouldn't stay in the same place for long. The colours changed, and a moment later the crystal showed a dark cave.

"The northland," Halmir growled as Ulani stopped singing. The colours faded and disappeared, and she tucked the crystal back into the front of her tunic.

Halmir nodded and looked at Donovan, his gray eyes burning with fury. "I'll come with you to get things ready," he said in a growling voice. "The sooner we get those kids, the better."

It took quite a bit to anger Halmir normally, but once he was angry, he was dangerous.

"Then I'm going to head back home," Ulani nodded. "I have to get Adonai to come out here, and he's not going to come alone. Safe journey, both of you, and I'll see you in about a week." And she bowed her head to both of them and headed off again.

Halmir nodded and followed after Donovan quickly, silently. He was all business now, his flambouyant attitude all but gone.

By the time Halmir and Donovan left the house again, Elberon had the cart and some horses ready to go. Without asking Donovan, Halmir sat on the front of the cart, allowing Donovan to ride.

"All set," he said grimly, taking the reins. "Whenever you're ready."

The days passed, and those who lived there grew into a routine that now included those who were visiting. Aliya was now rarely seen without either Feng or Ryu or both, Adonai spent quite a bit of time with Cindy, and business went on much the same as usual.