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Growing up listening to the tales of storytellers was a lovely, nostalgic memory that Cinder was happy to have. She remembered scampering along through the Homewood, followed by her parents or a nanny, weaving through the legs of unsuspecting adults to get into the front row. Even setting up for a spot during story time could be turned into a competition when it came to Cinder, and as a foal, she had taken great pride in knowing that she'd secured a front row seat every time she went to listen.

She was older now and more mature. Knowing that young foals were the ones who needed to be up front so they could see everything, Cinder settled for a seat near the front, close enough to hear but far away enough to be unobtrusive. This was mostly just and exercise in nostalgia, after all. She didn't need to get as engrossed as she had when she was a child.

The doe settled herself down on the grass, tucking her legs underneath her to get comfortable. She glanced curiously at the stones that the storyteller was setting out in front of him, counting the five stones and wondering what the significance might be.

Dryxel had watched over Twix for so long but I was still a shook to see this young buck before him. It was crazy to Dryxel that he was not only an adopted father but also a blood father. As the walked to the meeting place of the storyteller, Dryxel's mind continued to wander about time.

Not far behind him trail the beautiful foal girl him and the wonderful Tempest had made. She was a hoof-ful but she also behaved with one look for him or her mother. Behind Mahpiya was Karry who still watched over Twix with her mother hen eye but as close as Twix was to Mahpiya, Karry had taken the little foal under her wing as well. Twix was the last in the line, He was a young buck now and needed to start the role of protector. And there was no better place to do that then in the Homewoods where Dryxel could still keep them all save.

"Da? Where are we going again?" Mahpiya had asked this same question since living the den this morning. Dryxel, thank the Great Tree, had a lot of passions though and simply answers "There is a Storyteller here in the Homewood that we are going to lesson to." Dryxel could see his daughter rolling her eyes but she would love it once the story started he was sure. "And why cant you stay Da?" she asked yet again. It was not that he did not want to stay but more that he had to do his patrolling for the day. He would leave Twix with her though so he knew she would be just fine. "Have to patrol today sweet one." She did not ask again since the answer had not changed she knew he father would not give into her antics' today.

As the arrive at the place, Dryxel searches the group to see who else might have come. Satisficed with the safety of the group, He says his good byes to Twix, Karry, and lastly his little girl. "You be good now and lesion to the storyteller. I want you to tell me all about the story when I come to get you." Nuzzling her head, Dryxel turns to Twix and nods no words are need between the two and he leaves.

Mahpiya nods to her father and turns a great big smile on to her brother, Twix. She really loved her older sibling and even though she had a mischievous bone she would be good for him like she did for her father. "Come one lets go find the best spot." She says as she skips off to the front of the small group. Circling a couple of time she finally lays down in the spot she thought was best. Twix quietly takes a lay down just behind her. It was a great vantage point to see all the group and storyteller all in one. Karry is the last to find a place but only because she wanted to wait for Mahpiya to settled down before curling up at the front of her chest.

Once everyone is settled they all wait in excited silence for the story to begin.

Oriole's ears twitched as the sounds of others gathered around his perch. The incense smoke snaked its way up around him as he breathed it in. Cracking open an almond colored eye he looked out over those that had gathered. Some young, some old and some in between. A grin passed over his face as he completely opened his eyes to address his audience.

"I welcome you all this day to come and hear my story. This is an old one, passed down through my family from past my grandfather's time." he began, his tail flicking slightly behind him. "You are welcome to asked questions, but I do ask you to be respectful of those also listening. Also be respectful of me and this story."

He paused once more for a hush in the crowd. Taking a breath, Oriole closed his eyes once again as he listened to the silence. The hushed breaths of those around him. A focus on the Red Jasper stone at his hooves, Oriole felt himself take root. Not in the literal sense, but he felt one with the stone beneath him. Taking that first breath in what seemed like ages, he began.

"A long time ago, long before the first Noulicorns ever stepped hoof on Vykeli. These Others wreaked havoc over her, taking what they thought valuable, before they vanished back to the stars from whence they came. Vykeli was left a barren wasteland, her pain rolled over the surface in great quakes and eruptions of mountains." He paused to give the crowd a glance. "Death was everywhere, places that we know today as the Barrens and Blackbriar Bog. But sickness spread far past the distant mountains that surround our lush home. For in these times, not even Homewood existed, no trees grew or air stirred. Black clouds of ash blanketed the skies and rained down water that withered what life struggled to thrive."

Njeri watched with perked ears and growing excitement as other noulicorns gathered around the storyteller, bringing with them gaggles of young foals unsteady on their fresh legs. Njeri offered them each a bright smile and a nod, but quickly turned their attention back to the brindle noulicorn. They were eager as ever to hear the tale, and Oreme - despite her protests - was sitting quietly between Njeri's knees, just as attentive. Although she tried to hide it behind a flick of her ear and some careful grooming.

Njeri was held rapt by Oriole's words. Their parents had told them many stories about Vykeli before the noulicorns came, how everything was dust and decay like the barrens. Where once there was no Homewood, no place of refuge for any living soul to reside. The images had given Njeri chills then, and Oriole's careful words had googepimples rising on Njeri's flesh once more.