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"It looks just like in my dream, Wise One." A young, awe filled voice spoke with a hush to her older companion. Beneath their cloven hooves, soft grass hissed and this was the only sound of their passing. Both were armed with long staffs though the older leaned heavily on hers while the younger kept one hand free to catch the arm of the older should she fall. The yougner's golden-brown eyes were alert for any danger, she had never been this far from the village but had come at the Wise One's request after telling her of a strange dream. Fatigue suddenly washed over the older's face as she stopped and began to pant.

"We must... stop here... Shloti." The younger nodded and helped the older settle onto the soft grass in the deep shade of the trees. They had traveled for two days, guided by Shloti's dream, from their village. They had left before even the pre-dawn light could touch their dwellings so that none would inquire after the Wise One's destination. No doubt hunters had been set to find their trail and discover why Shloti and the Wise One had left without a word like thieves in the night. Shloti knew that some might wonder if she meant to do the Wise One mischief.

"W-water..."

"Of course!" Shloti uncorked her water skin and held it while the Wise One drank her fill. She paused twice for a few gasping breaths before she'd had enough to slate her thirst.

"I had hoped to have this discussion upon reaching our destination, Shloti, but I do not feel we will make it that far."

"We can slow down, surely we can Wise One. It was only a dream, perhaps we-"

"Yes, we must make this trek. And it is time I told you why." The Wise One breathed deeply and closed her eyes, settling into a calm and almost meditative state. "You must learn the importance of dreaming, young one. For you are to take my place." Knowing Shloti's mind the Wise One quickly added, "Do not interrupt," in a surprisingly power voice, eyes still closed before the gape-mouthed Shloti.

"You must listen and listen well, and over time all will be made clear... The place you saw in your dream is one of deep importance to our tribe. In the time of my parents there was another tribe who lived there. One of grace and magic who watched over and guided us, teaching even the cervi about the gentile flow of magic." Shloti barely concealed her gasp. "We did not master it the way the cattaur do, rather we let it flow through and around us, guiding us as it chose and being ever watchful for its guidance."

Shloti listened as the Wise One began explaining the way of the Now-Gone Tribe and its magic. The Wise One's voice settled into a rhythmic drone which eventually put Shloti to sleep.




A trio of horned males came to a halt at the command of the youngest among them. They were atop a small rise which was nearly empty of trees and low growth, it had the look of a place often used as a camp. The sun in the sky had just barely touched the horizon on it's decent down into night.

"Why do we stop here? There is still time before nightfall, and we are prepared to go in the dark as well!" This came from the eldest of the three, and for all his age and experience he had yet to overcome his impatience.

"We stop because it is my command, Laeton." For one so young he carried command in his voice but it seemed to have no effect on the hot tempered Laeton.

"Your command is only worth something so long as our father favors you!" Laeton circled his younger brother maliciously. "I am certain he will see it otherwise if your actions lead to the Wise One's death out in the woods!"

"And you dare assume favor would fall directly to you?" There was still confidence in his manner, but it was also clear that his brother knew just how to get under his skin.

"Laeton, Nubray, please. This isn't a good time for another argument." The brothers both turned identical glaring blue eyes on the third member of their group who put his hands up defensively and backed off. "I mean it though, this is important and we shouldn't waste time fighting."

"Well, how does fighting waste time when we're stopping here anyway? Tell me that!" Nubray watched his brother closely, Laeton was known to fall into sudden rages and could be dangerous. His own pride wanted to squash Laeton with what his observation had noted of this rise which his brother seemed to have overlooked. Prudence however kept him from making his brother feel a fool.

"Look carefully around Laeton. Something seems out of place." At these words all three began to look around the rise. Nubray could see the markings where the two had passed through here - and then where only one had come by again but not in a return path. The Wise One may be getting old and her sight dim, but he knew Shloti was no fool. She would not be wandering in circles through these woods. He hoped Shloti had a good reason for taking the Wise One as she had done. He had hoped to speak with his father about her. She was a magnificent fighter and keen on the hunt, her brown eyes shined with an inner fire which spoke of her passion even if she was rather quiet. He imagined the play of shadows across-

"Daydreaming again, Nubby," came a quiet tease from the pale skinned Wrytori, childhood friend to the two older brothers of the tribal chief. Nubray realized that Laeton had gotten a bit away from them in his search for whatever was 'out of place'. "So, what is it we're looking for?" Wrytori asked softly while following Nubray who made a show of likewise searching.

As the two circled the top of the rise, Nubray pointed out the signs of both passings made by the Wise One and Shloti, and then again by only one. Wrytori had been born with a clouded eye which seemed to interfere with his ability to track. Nubray was always trying though to teach his friend the ways to spot gentle changes to the natural environment. Just as he was begining to explain which set was older than the other, Laeton intruded.

"They came by this way twice, so," he said with a certain smugness, "We can expect them to come by again. Shloti is leading the Wise One in circles to-"

"We don't know what Shloti and the Wise One's intentions are, brother. We are only here to find them and make certain they are both safe," Nubray said rather quickly. "And yes, they do seem to have come by this way twice before-"

A rustling from the direction they'd only just come from alerted the trio as they turned and readied themselves. Laeton drew a long dagger, Wrytori held tight to a walking staff and inched closer to Nubray, while Nubray stood firm and composed himself for what may come. None were expecting the pair they saw come from the trees.

"F-father?" Nubray was the first to find his voice. A cervi well into his middle ages with thick hair on his face and chest strode gracefully to the top of the rise with a familiar female trailing behind. She walked as though in a dream or as though blind. Nubray focused on the woman and gasped. Here was Shloti, but... Gone were the golden brown eyes and in their place were glazed over, silver orbs staring sightlessly ahead. Though her body was unchanged there was an odd agedness about her as though she had seen more than a handful of generations pass by.

"She cannot see right now, but over time her eyes will adjust. She is in the E'du Nohk now," Donnird, chief to the Foothill tribe, explained. There were mixed reactions to this news - anger, awe, grief, shock. All three knew the ancient ceremony for choosing a Wise One, though all were too young to have known about the last E'du Nohk.

Why'd we have to come all this way for nothing!

The new Wise One... somehow I thought the old one would never die.

Shloti... dear, brave Shloti...