Welcome to Gaia! ::

"I have known something great awaited them since the pairing ceremony" Divone agreed with a slight bob of her head to the old grey stallion. She cast a fleeting glance towards the two young horses, so quietly they stood there together, would they be so calm and collected if they knew what was soon to come? She doubted so, but it was not yet time to reveal this news to the two creatures, not quite yet. "Rarely have the spirits cast such strong omens over two horses" She concluded turning her attention back to Alaunus and Duska.

"So much time we waste, sitting here speaking of things we already know" Cackled Duska, her dark ears flicking slightly in irritation as she regarded her larger companions, the feathers in her mane fluttering in the wind and the bones in her tail clacking as she snapped it to get the herds attention.

Divone chuckled slightly at Duska's ill tempered remarks - she had grown used to the mares temperamental ways in their time helping the sick and knew that even though she was a bit gruff she had the herds best interests at heart. "I take that to mean we are ready" She told Alaunus with a warm look to the other steed before turning to the rest of the herd who for the most part were looking their way curiously after Duska's call for attention. "If you would all please gather around the Oak" Divone called out to the survivors.

Maponus ear swiveled at the sound as it echoed through the grove. With a small chuckle he looked at Shylah. "I don't think they would mind. After all we have been working hard to get the herd here, I think we deserve to take out time." Though he knew deep down that even now they couldn't rest, there was a meeting to attend to and when the Elders called you could not ignore them. "Come on then." He said and led the way to where the others had gathered, taking a spot in the middle of the others survivors.

Alaunus stood silently as he waited for the horses to gather. Duska's attitude towards them discussing this any further made him smile. Indeed they had spent enough time hidden away in seclusion, talking at length about what would be done when they signs were so clear. With the arrival of maponus and Shylah all the members were now present. He took a step forward and stood tall as he addressed those gathered here today.

"Our herds have suffered much in these past few moons. We have seen loved ones and friends fall, our beliefs have been pushed beyond anything we have encountered before. And now we stand together, the strongest of the old ways. The Spirits have smiled down upon us, this grove and the two who led us here." He nodded towards Maponus and Shylah. "As the only surviving Elders we have discussed at length as to what will happen now that our leaders have moved on to the Otherworld. The Spirits have made their decision, we will receive two new leaders today. These two had shown a great devotion to our ways, endured much for our future and have been blessed in so many ways one cannot begin to tell them all." His gaze settled upon the young couple standing in the middle of the gathered survivors. "Maponus and Shylah, please step forward."

Maponus stood silently beside Shylah as Alaunus addressed those who had gathered. He had expected some sort of ceremony when they had been called together, but what he hadn't expected was for the Elders to announce that the new leaders would be chosen today. Though he knew deep down that even the strongest herds required leaders, especially after something as devastating as what happened to the five herds this winter. When Alaunus asked him and Shylah to step forward his maw fell open slightly in shock. They were to be leaders. It shouldn't have come as a shock at all, they had seen in their dream walk that they would one day lead, he just hadn't expected it this soon.

With a quick glance at Shylah he stepped forward, noting that all eyes were now on them. The other horses already seemed to accept the Spirits and Elders decision. He stared at the three Elders with a shocked look on his face. No doubt Shylah had the same look upon hers, but he didn't bother to check.

Duska watched as the summoned two stepped forward, her eyes barely seen from beneath the heavy brush of forelock, the feathered headdress perched between her ears ruffling slightly - like a bird fluffing - as her ear's flicked with impatience. Finally...finally the two were in position and the bone's weaved into her tail clattered frightfully as she came forward. Duska was well aware that some of the younger foals feared her - and it amused her, they were right to do so she supposed for she was woven from death even as the youngsters were the embodiment of all that was life. "called early I was" The little mare muttered under her breath, far to quietly to be heard as anything other then low mumbling.

"Come on then" She ordered the two in training she'd summoned to help her. "Stop lazing about and bring them forth" She continued in her gruff and grated voice. youth these days - so slow to respond, why in her days it had been snap to and hurry when summoned. Ah..those were good days for the herd. But enough of such idle musings she told herself, there were matters to attend to, matters of great importance.

The two youth - two year olds really, too young to be more then students in the herd, had finally managed to make their way forward, one bore the brown hide of a bear - the other the tawny and grey colored hide of a lynx. It had taken Duska many days to seek out these particular hides, she had started searching for them long before the decision had been made for Maponus and Shylah to lead them. The creatures had come to her in a dream while the herd still lay in the grips of illness and Duska had answered, finding the animal corpses at the base of the mountain after being struck down by an avalanche. The treatment and preparation o the hides was a Spirit Talker tradition passed down through each generation.

Lifting her head and casting her forelock from her eyes Duska stared into the eyes of the Tawny stallion who was to be their new Astral Walker. "Maponus, strong of both heart and mind, a loyal follower of the way - birthed into the Tribe of the Sun you have none the less been looked upon favorably by Lady Moon. It is suiting that you are so loved by both the Silvered Lady of the Night and the Golden Father of the day, for you possess the stamina to serve both though their demands may be many and heavy to bear."

Giving a glance to the youth with the bear pelt the obviously somewhat rattled and nervous colt brought the pelt foreword, placing it with reverence onto Maponus' back. "Because of this the spirits have deemed bear a fitting totem for you, his weight will remind you of the burdens you will face and the strength within you to see them through." Giving the stallion one more hard stare Duska moved sideways her woven bones rattling as she did so. Her gaze settling upon Shylah.

"Shylah, ever the kind soul at outward glance you are the stabilizer for your mates strength, the check to his stamina and the wise encouragement needed to make sure he remembers it. Your strength may not be apparent to those who first glance upon you, perhaps it is not yet even apparent to yourself - though it will be and soon" A soft chuckle is given to these cryptic words before the dark mare moved on "Like the earth the tribe into which you were born represents you are outwardly beautiful but inwardly strong, your roots are deep. Maponus may be the strength of the herd..but you, you shall be its heart. Lynx has been chosen as your totem, it will remind both you and those around you to look deep for the strength within." The mare concluded as the filly youth moved forward to drape the lynx pelt across her back. With a sharp look the three withdrew.

And Divone stepped forth. The sacred flame held delicately between her roaning lips. It had been no small feat to keep the flame alive during their journey - it had required near constant care, not just by her but by many of the survivors, but the mere thought of letting it die off had been unthinkable and while she held but a child of the true flame - which now burned brightly within a pit in the sacred grove - it was the spirits blessing and the smoke wafting from the burning oak fell upon the two horses in writhering curls as Divone made her silent journey around them. A full circle, not one step more, not one step less, just as life ,the seasons and the earth all dictated. When the circle was complete she stepped back to her place among the Elders once more.

Shylah was still in a state of shock as the ceremony progressed - she heard what was said and preformed the necessary tasks lowering her head in respect at the proper times and reveling in the feel of the lynx pelt as it was placed upon her back. This was all happening so very fast and to be honest after all the trying times they had been through over the last few weeks and months it as almost to much. Shy understood the need for it however - the herd needed to get back to a normal existence, they needed to move on with their lives, and they needed leaders in order to do so. It was just hard to process it all so quickly.

But Shylah managed to pull herself together as Maponus spoke, turning her bright eyes towards the gathered horses who were obviously waiting for her words "I too accept this honor and pledge to do all I can to guide the herd by the Spirits words, Do not be afraid to mourn those who have passed - we have all suffered during this event and it is fine to be saddened by what we have lost, but do not be afraid to be happy as well - we are on the cusp of a new life, a new future with the spirits blessing and it is right to be excited and happy about that as well" She told the gathered horses - knowing that some of them might be feeling some guilt about being happy about their new lives when so many hadn't made it. "Unless Maponus has anything else to add - then as an Astral Walker I dismiss you all from this ceremony, go and explore this new land of ours, eat,drink and rest" She bid the gathered horses to go with a slight motion of her muzzle.

As Alanus drew Maponus away to discuss other herd matters Divone turned her attention to Shylah, looking her over with a critical eye. The mare seemed a bit overwhelmed and tired - but that was to be expected and Divone knew he was about to throw even more surprising news at the little mare. news that she knew would be exciting - but also a little bit frightening. But it was important she knew..there were herbs and precautions that must be taken to ensure a healthy pregnancy and this one had already endured a good bit of stresses.

Breaking away from Duska who was busy muttering to herself about something or another Divone made her way over to Shylah giving her a warm look. "May we speak?" She asked the mare, her voice no longer held the edge of command it had earlier - Shylah was for all extents and purposes now of higher rank, but her lack of formal titles was a sign that this was to be an informal conversation.

"Thank you Alaunus. I do intend to do what must be done to ensure this herds ways continue as they have." He assured the elder as the stood within the new Sacred Grove. His eyes settled upon Shylah at the far side of the grove as she spoke with Divone. She was likely getting a similar speech as he was. They would need a good deal of guidance from the Elders to ensure that things ran smoothly while they learned all the duties that came with being the leaders of the herd.

Alaunus chuckled at Maponus, he had little doubt that the stallion and his mate would excel in their new roles. Why the Spirits themselves seemed to have blessed this pair greatly since the pairing ceremony at the beginning of winter. And there was another blessing that was yet to be revealed to him.

"Come, we must find Oisin. He is eager to hear your story of how you came upon this grove and your owl companions." He led the younger stallion away to look for Oisin. "You can meet up with your mate afterwards."