WhiteWolf

 

 

 

Joined: 16 Feb 2006

Location: UK

Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:44 pm    Post subject: Make a Move: Attn Rhya 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

It had taken them well into the night to answer all of Keyl’s questions and that combined with the lack of sleep either Aleeza or Owen had had in the past few days made the decision to spend the night where they were easier. Owen had cooked the evening meal using the supplies they had brought with them. Keyl seemed more at ease after the meal, and so Owen proposed an early night and an early start the next morning. But the best-laid plans of men always go astray when dealing with imponderables, and that was how it was this night. No sooner had Owen closed his eyes than he was contacted by a small pack of Wolves, they were tracking a Wanderer on the fringes of a large wood. Because they had contacted him in the Dream, Owen was able to get a good idea of the location of the Wanderer.

 

”WhiteWolf gives his thanks Wind over the Water. May your pack grow strong and live long.”

 

Owen did not actually speak, all communication with the Wolves was done using images and the Wolfkin had to interpret these images to understand what message it was that the Wolves were sending them. Even for the more experienced members of the Wolfkin, talking with the Wolves could often be a battle. Thankfully this night Owen was able to easily understand what he was being shown.

 

Waking from the short sleep he had had, Owen quickly gathered his gear, and then placed his saddle on his horse before strapping his gear to the horse. When all his preparations were complete, Owen quietly woke Aleeza and with her still clearing the sleep from her blurry eyes Owen recanted his Dream. “Is this not unusual Owen? First our being sent to find Keyl, and now this?”

 

“If I live to be a hundred years old Aleeza I doubt I will ever fully understand the minds of the Wolves, even Ice is a mystery to me at times. But we will have to leave discussions of this nature to a latter date, I must be off. You know how to get yourself home, make sure you stay out of sight and travel as safely as you can. I will do my best to catch you up, but do not tarry for me, not unless you have no other choice. Find me in the Dream if your need is urgent and I will do all I can to find you.”

 

With that Owen mounted his horse and slowly rode off into the darkness, his pale skin shining with the glow of the moon when it broke through the trees, his golden eyes burning with a passion born of many years of responsibility to the his brothers ands sisters of the Wolfkin.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

OOC: Rhy, in your response bring us up to date with what has happened to your character so far. Some thoughts on the changes you are going through etc and then Owen will find you in his next post.

_________________

 

 

   

 

 

Taymist

 

 

 

Joined: 23 May 2006

Location: Scotland

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:03 am    Post subject:   

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Rhya was still. Still as she could be given that all of her limbs felt like jelly. How far and how fast she had run was a mystery to her but it had been far and fast enough. She listened intently, all of her senses on alert, eyes scanning what she could make out of her surroundings in the grey half light of dawn. Nothing. Silence. She slid thankfully down the tree trunk beside her and allowed her head to droop.

 

She wasn’t certain when the pursuers had picked up her trail. A few days past at least. Not long after she’d left that last caravan. They’d been hard to shake in spite of her efforts at doubling back and looping around them during the night. Finally though, it seemed the three had been left behind for the moment.

 

Rhya sighed softly as she got her breath back. She needed to eat but couldn’t rouse herself to move and open her pack. Instead, she unstoppered her flask and drank greedily of the fresh, cool water. One thing about woods, there was usually water to be found. Taking a last swallow, she lay the flask beside her and looked again at the area she was in.

 

Not far from the edge of the woods by the looks of things, she mused as she spied open fields through the gnarled trunks of the old oak trees. Where she sat was merely a small, open patch of mossy ground, not large enough to be a clearing but plenty big enough for a few people and with space for a fire. Not that lighting a fire was a risk she was prepared to take for now.

 

Leaning back against the trunk, her mind turned again to the question that had bothered her most over the days since leaving home. Where would she go? She barely knew where she was, although if her sense of direction was right, Caemlyn lay not far off. Should she head for her mother’s family in Tear? Rhya laughed mirthlessly. She’d get no welcome there. The looks she’d had from the traders had taught her that if nothing else. Some were speculative, some wary and all were unpleasant. No, not Tear.

 

Dredging up some last bit of energy, she pulled her pack over and rummaged for some cheese and bread, silently thanking her father again as she did so for seeing that she was well provisioned. Her fingers curled around a lump of cheese and as she sat back once more to eat, she speculated on the wolves. She had gradually come to accept that she was not going mad. She no longer saw the same wolf as in Saldaea. In fact, the wolves changed regularly over the weeks she’d been on the road, leading her to believe the contact changed as pack territories changed. Not that she knew much about wolf habits but what little she knew from books suggested this was the case. The contact was always in the form of a dream and hazy at best, going as quickly as it came, leaving only vague impressions. The latest dream had been more solid though. Rhya knew this wolf had been close by and sensed, somehow, that it knew of her pursuers, knew she was lost.

 

Shaking her head, she smiled sardonically at her own fancies and repacked the last of the cheese. Her fingers brushed the edges of a small object as she did so. A box that contained a small necklace given to her by her father before she left.

 

“This was your grandmother’s”, he had said, looking more tired than she had ever seen him before. “You look like her.”

 

Rhya battled the feeling of desolation that swept over her. She missed her father, the home she’d grown up in, her friends. Why had this happened to her? Was she truly a darkfriend? She didn’t think she was evil. Were there really others like her? She remembered the uncle her father had mentioned. What had happened to him? So many questions. And she was out of answers...

 

Loneliness, exhaustion and heartache swept through her and before she had time for rational thought, her head tilted and she howled. Long and high. Pitched at the moon waning on the horizon.

 

As the sound died, Rhya slumped, spent, against the tree, lashes sweeping her pale cheeks. Her final conscious thought was that if her pursuers found her now, so be it...

_________________

 

 

       

 

 

WhiteWolf

 

 

 

Joined: 16 Feb 2006

Location: UK

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:55 pm    Post subject:   

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The howl of anguish cut through the night and Owen realised he was near now; soon the confrontation would begin between Wolfkin and Wanderer. One in full control of his abilities, the other just coming to terms with the sudden changes to their senses, never mind the dreams. Owen remembered how confusing those early forays in the Wolf Dream were. Owen waited until the sound died away, turning his head one way then the other as If trying to discern the direction the howl cam from. He knew it was a human voice that had uttered that howl, no one who heard it could mistake it for a Wolf and Owen hoped that he was the only to hear it, if there were two-legs about then trouble would not be far away.

 

Owen coaxed his horse off to his right, using a small animal trail that went roughly in the direction he wanted to go. Soon though, he was forced to dismount and lead his horse to avoid the low hanging branches that almost turned the trail into a tunnel. Soon he emerged from the trees into a small clearing, one created by two fallen trees. Over to one side a figure was slumped on the ground, her hair obscuring her face and Owen thought he could hear quiet, almost desperate sobs, The feelings of loneliness and desperation coming from her were almost too over powering and Owen had to fight to control the sudden influx of these emotions. Calming himself, Owen dropped the reins of his horse, knowing that he would not go far as he had been well trained by Owen.

 

Slowly, not wanting to startle the girl, although he knew as soon as he removed his hood that his albinoism would more than likely do that. “Please do not run, I am here to help you. My name is Owen and I know what you are going through, it happened to me as well some time ago.” Keeping his voice soft, Owen continued talking, almost as if they were having a conversation, hoping to put the young girl at ease. “I come from a place to the west of here. A Wolf who told me about you and asked that I come and help you contacted me. So here I am.” The last was said with an ironic sound to Owen’s voice, once he removed his hood he doubted his words would be remembered. “Please do not run, I really am here to help you and if you will let me I will see to it that no harm comes to you. All I want is to sit and talk with you for a while, to explain some things to you that will help you face the challenges before you.” With that Owen carefully sat down and then slowly removed his hood, revealing pale skin and silvery hair. “Do not let my appearance trouble you, I have always looked this way and it has nothing to do with what you are experiencing right now. Come; sit with me for a while. Ask the questions I know you are burning to ask, I will try and provide all the answers I can.” Rhya did not move, she had raised her head when Owen had first started to speak, but that had been the only sign she had given that he was there. Now he hoped her curiosity would get the better of her and over rule her first impulse, which must be to run.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

 

 

Rhya wasn’t aware of the time passing, caught up as she was in her own thoughts and feelings but it couldn’t have been long before a voice intruded, halting her quiet flow of tears mid sob. Her head came up instantly, senses on alert although she didn’t move a muscle. Something in the timbre of the voice had arrested her attention before the words even registered.

 

She hardly dared to look. Her natural impulse was to fight but though she had the spirit for it, she knew she had neither the energy nor the strength to win at this point. Emotional though she was, she was far from reckless. Her training had seen to that. There was no point running from whomever it was, they were too close. Besides, where did she have to run to? The thoughts ran through her mind like quicksilver, considered and discarded swiftly and all the time analysing the voice as it continued to speak. Strength she could hear in it, self assurance but also… she tried to put a finger on it… tiredness?

 

As the voice ceased, curiousity had her opening her eyes and turning her tear stained face towards its source. Rhya stared at the figure seated some feet away. Strangely, she realised that she was not afraid. She didn’t feel threatened and hadn’t since the voice first spoke but suddenly, she started, her eyes widening and her hand involuntarily jumping to her face as she looked directly into a pair of golden eyes. Like hers. The eyes regarded her in turn with a certain amount of speculation mixed with something else.

 

Her fascinated gaze travelled over the silvery hair and parchment pale skin. He, for this… person… was obviously male, looked almost translucent in the dawn light, ghostly even. He seemed calm. He didn’t look like he was about to make any sudden moves. In fact, it appeared he was waiting for her to speak, yet she found that she couldn’t. Was he real? Or yet another dream like creature? Was she awake? She surreptitiously pinched herself to prove it was so.

 

As she did so, some few of his words finally penetrated her brain. Wolf… contact… help…explain… Was he saying that he too knew about the wolves? Was this someone who could tell her what was happening? Should she even ask? Her mouth engaged before she could stop it, the need to know too strong to ignore and her normal headstrong nature taking over.

 

Who are you? What wolf? Why are your eyes that colour? How did you know where I was? Where did you come from? Are there others? Rhya ran out of breath, blushing deeply, half eager for answers and half scared that her judgement was faulty. She should have fled when she had the chance.

 

Inwardly Owen sighed with relief, she had not run away, he did not have to chase her down, and for this he was grateful in more ways than she would ever realise. Then came the questions, spewing from her like water flowing over the edge of a cliff. This was what Owen was used to from Wanderers who had just gone through the Howling and now he was on familiar ground and knew he could help this girl.

 

Slowly a smile appeared on his face, ‘Ris had always told him that his smile could melt hearts, but Owen never had believed her, he had always thought she had said that just to get Owen to agree to whatever mad cap scheme she had in mind. Even after all this time he still missed her something fierce, but at least now the lack of her presence did not send him spiralling into self destructive behaviour.

 

“First let me introduce myself. My name is Owen and among my kin I am also known as White Fang, that is the name given to me by the Wolves. I come from a place in the Mountains of Mist where there are many like me, and like you to. We live there in safety from those two-legs who would do us harm and are hell bent on persecuting our kind.” That neatly answered two of Rhya’s questions and Owen waited for a moment before continuing, wanting Rhya to absorb what he was saying to her.” The Wolf I speak of is the one who informed me that you had just gone through the Howling, that is what we call the transformation that you are going through.” Owen continued quickly, not wanting Rhya to become afraid at his words. “You will not be harmed, nor is there any danger now that I am here. I can guide you and teach you how to control your new abilities. If you agree to come with me to my home you will find many there that are like us all of whom have been through the same thing you are experiencing.”

 

Again Owen paused, letting Rhya have a moment for the importance of his words to penetrate her mind. This was a crucial step in accepting what had happened to her, and Owen did not want to botch this as that could have disastrous consequences. Owen removed the rucksack he wore on his back and started to remove some items of food, laying them out in front of him. “If you are hungry you can share my supplies with me, you will need to keep your strength up if you are to accompany me back to my home.”

 

Owen selected and apple and held it out to Rhya. “I know all of this must seem overwhelming and that your brain feels like it is about to explode from your head, but you are not going mad, nor are you turning into Shadowspawn. You have been chosen by the Wolves. Why we are chosen remains a mystery to many of our kind, and the Wolves do not explain why either. I would ask that you trust me for now, I will not harm you, nor will I allow others to harm you. If you decide not to accompany me then you can leave any time you like, but that would not be the best course of action and might lead to problems that you are not capable of handling” Still holding out the apple, Owen waited to see what Rhya’s next move would be. All the time he had been talking to her, he had kept spoken quietly, now wanting to scare her, or unsettle her; he knew how traumatic the Howling could be.

 

“It would be helpful if I knew your name, there is no harm in knowing that is there? Again Owen smiled, his eyes sparkling with inner warmth.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

Watching the stranger warily in the growing light of the new day, Rhya was surprised at the sudden transformation as a smile broke like the sunrise over his face. There is sadness in that one, she thought irrelevantly, sensing that it was nothing to do with the current situation. Yet, it reassured her as even words might not have. People intent on evil works did not usually display such emotion although he seemed unaware of showing it.

 

He said his name was Owen, that he had another name given to him by the wolves!! Rhya had to work hard not to express her incredulity at that nugget of information. As he talked though, she found herself intrigued, other questions springing unbidden to her lips. She held them back, allowing Owen to finish speaking and realised that he was pausing often, giving her time to digest all that he told her.

 

"....nor are you turning into Shadowspawn."

 

The words sank into her mind and the relief was enormous. She had not truly thought she was but it was comforting to hear confirmation from another source. It was a cold kind of comfort though. It would make no difference to the reaction from other people. She knew enough of human nature to realise that there would still be no going home. No return to family and friends.

 

Rhya eyed the apple he held out, ignoring her sudden hunger, weighing Owen and his words. Did she believe him? Could she afford not to? His voice continued, low and assured. Nothing about this man made her feel scared... wary, as of any stranger certainly but... he had an air of charisma and authority that was hard to resist and encouraged trust. She had the impression he was no stranger to being treated like an outcast. There was an empathy in that gaze...

 

He could guide her, explain about the dreams... about her eyes. There were others too... he had said so. To not be alone any more. Her fists tightened at that thought. So caught up was she that she startled slightly when he asked her name, a gentle humour underlying the question. She could not help the half smile that tilted the corners of her mouth in response.

 

"Rhyan... but... I am more commonly Rhya to... friends?" Her voice rose a little, almost questioningly and she moved hesitantly to sit cross legged on the grass before him, reaching out to take the apple from his fingers. Relaxing at last, it seemed her mind was made up and she would take a risk. She bit into the apple, savouring the sweetness of it as she formulated more questions.

 

Tilting her head to one side and impatiently brushing hair from her face in a habitual movement, she found her tongue again. "Where is... home, Owen? We can actually speak to the wolves? They’re real? Not just in my head? I thought I was going mad.... or imagining things at least."

 

Owen held his hand out towards Rhya. “It is good to make your acquaintance Rhya, and I would be honoured to count you as one of my friends. No harm will come to you while you are with me, or when you are in the Stedding.” Owen had said this once already, but it was always good to reiterate something like this, sometimes a Wanderer had so much to take in that they missed a vital piece of information. Rhya’s handshake was hesitant at first, but quickly grew in strength, a small smile appearing and then disappearing from her face.

 

It did not take long for her to start out with even more questions so eager was she to learn what her future could hold for her. “Our home is at the base of the Mountains of the Mist. It is surrounded by a great forest, one that helps conceal us from unwanted eyes, and makes it easy to hide our presence there. There s a large lake where you can swim if you want. We have stables and smithy, an Infirmary, barracks, a silversmith, and the most amazing Inn. It was constructed with the help of the Ogier and truly has to be seen to be believed.” Owen was not exaggerating here, the Inn had been built with Ogier help and looked as if it grew out of the bank and was a very natural looking building. “Speaking to the Wolves is not entirely accurate. They do not use words like you or I might, they send images, pictures if you like. We have to try and unravel what they want us to know. You may find some Wolves to be condescending; many of them see us as their pups and treat us accordingly. Even my own companion behaves like that towards me, I am convinced she thinks she is my mother at times.” Owen’s laugh was tinged with sadness here, he had never known his real mother, or father, and had been brought up by an old family friend, his parents to scared to have an Albino child around, especially one who had had red eyes.

 

“I know all of this must seem very confusing, and will continue to do so for many days to come. For now you will have to rely on me to help you come to terms with this, but when we get to the Stedding there will be many others there to help you work through this confusion. I spend a lot of time away from the Stedding, but whenever I am there you are more than welcome to come visit me in my tree house, I am sure Ice will be pleased to see you as well.”

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

The sun was much further up in the sky as Rhya munched happily on the apple and Owen talked of the Stedding. She could hear his love of the place ringing through his words. It sounded wonderful compared to her life these past few weeks. How things had changed in a few short hours. There was no fancy furniture, no polite mannerisms, no food slaved over for hours by servants, no family nearby but, even so, she realised she was happy. Not with her situation but sitting here, amongst the trees with the sun shining and a fresh apple which tasted like a meal fit for Kings, listening to Owen, it was a moment out of time when she felt at one with herself and the world around her. The kind of moment she had been sure, only hours ago, that she’d never experience again.

 

We humans are such fickle creatures, she thought in mild amusement. That a little company and some food can change everything. Ah well, best to enjoy it while its here rather than looking for reasons.

 

She paid close attention to the information about the wolves. It made sense when compared to her limited experiences so far, there hadn’t really been any words, more impressions. Owen’s remark about his wolf companion brought her eyes back to his, her interest sharpened. There’s that sadness again. An old pain this time I warrant. Her eyes slid to the silvery mane of hair once more. Yes, a very old pain. Well it is none of my business. Phhfftt, I should be worried about myself not a complete stranger.

 

"I spend a lot of time away from the Stedding, but whenever I am there you are more than welcome to come visit me in my tree house, I am sure Ice will be pleased to see you as well."

 

An expression of consternation settled on Rhya’s features. More strangers. She didn’t deal well with people at the best of times. Trading had been one thing. That was only brief encounters. Another thought occurred to her. What on earth was she going to have to offer to these people? Certainly she could fight. Her fingers strayed to one of her dagger hilts. But they didn’t sound like aggressive people. Being beholden to anyone would be almost worse than being lost and running.

 

The moment of happiness had not lasted long and she fought the longing that hit her for all that was familiar, for a time when she’d known exactly what and where her place was. It lasted but seconds before Rhya’s chin tilted and her back stiffened, her pride pricked. She’d just have to learn something useful then. There was no way out of this. She was being offered a choice. It was up to her to make the best of it.

 

"Ice is your companion? I’d like to visit you both, thank you." She heard the slight catch in her voice and cleared her throat before continuing. "How soon will we need to leave? Is it a long journey? I.. uhh... I was followed before. I think I lost them but.. well, its maybe not safe to stay too long. My horse was wandering... somewhere..." she waved a hand vaguely, blushing again in embarrassment. The admission to come was a sore one for a Saldaean. "He.. ermm.. he threw me and I just ran."

 

Owen had not been using his senses to ascertain Rhya’s mood, but as she was talking Owen let the blocks down and was immediately aware of thetorrent of emotions coming from her. One moment she was wary, the next curious, then happy, but all of her emotions were tinged with sadness or melancholy, which was to be expected under the circumstances. However, Owen was beginning to believe she would make the transition to her new life successfully, that is if he did not do anything to mess her up. What she had to say next though disturbed Owen and broke the spell.

 

“How soon will we need to leave? Is it a long journey? I.. uhh... I was followed before. I think I lost them but.. well, its maybe not safe to stay too long. My horse was wandering... somewhere.... He.. ermm.. he threw me and I just ran”

 

This was not the news Owen wanted to hear, it was hard enough trying to get a Wanderer safely back to the Stedding without them being pursued as well. Owen had dealt with situations such as this before and had not lost a Wanderer yet, nor had he any intention of losing one now. “In that case Rhya we had better be on our way now, although I am considered skilled with my weapons there are times when discretion is the better part of valour and I believe now would be one such time.” Owen stood up and swiftly moved across to where his horse was nibbling on some grass, he quickly removed his bow and quiver and slung the quiver across his back before stringing his bow. When he was finished he called Rhya over to him and once he had mounted his horse, he had her put her foot into the stirrup and climb up behind him. “We cannot ride for long, not if we want to cover a long distance and have my horse survive, but we can ride for a couple of hours, then walk for a couple of hours. I am afraid you will not be getting much sleep tonight, as I want to travel well into the night. This will allow us to take advantage of our enhanced night vision and should allow us to put some space between ourselves and our pursuers.” With that Owen clicked his tongue and his horse started to more through the woods as the darkness around them deepened. Just as the were about to leave the small clearing where they had met, Owen asked Rhya who it was that had been pursuing her and how many were in their party. Her answer would determine just how long they would travel that night and how short their rest would be.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

OOC Tay, do you have anything in mind with these pursuers?> Do we get away without encountering the? Or do we have to fight our way out of this? Let me know ok?

 

OOC: We'll get away without encountering them. Just would have been odd for her to not mention it and it seemed a good reason to make a move.

 

IC:

 

Rhya scrunched up her nose at Owen’s reaction. He was right of course. Better to avoid trouble than to wait for it to find you. Rather it was the breaking of the peace that dismayed her, not to mention she disliked having to give such tidings to a new friend.

 

As he called to her to mount, she was already moving, placing just a toe in the stirrup and, with one bounce, landing lightly behind him, her pack slung across one shoulder. She murmured agreement at the wisdom of splitting their time between walking and riding. It would serve no purpose but to delay them if the animal foundered and the journey would be long enough as it was if she recalled her map learning correctly.

 

As they left the little clearing and the darkness began to close in around them, Owen half turned in the saddle, asking if she knew who her pursuers were and, more importantly, how many there were.

 

"I don’t know who. They picked up my trail before I’d even entered the woods. Part of the caravan I was traveling with, I think. We took on so many temporary guards at the last stop. There were three of them, I am sure of that. There’s been no sign of them since I found the clearing though. I lost them a good way before that. Maybe they just wanted my horse? He was a fine stallion and worth a pretty penny to someone who knows horseflesh." Rhya sighed. The blood bay had been a gift from her Father on her birth day just a year ago. "I certainly don’t have much else worth the taking. We had not yet been paid for the journey."

 

She fell silent, immersed once more in her own thoughts as they passed under low branches and wound their way between the close standing trees. There were so many questions still to ask but making them into anything resembling coherence seemed too much just at that moment. So many changes in a short time. Her head felt as though it were spinning and she wondered distantly how long it had been since she’d last slept. Long enough, she thought, swaying with the horse’s natural rhythm.

 

"Owen... how did you come to have Ice as a companion?" She queried softly, deciding it was as good a question as any other to pass some time.

 

“Ice and her brother Shadow I rescued when their mother had was killed, I was with my….” Owen paused, now was not the time to let his mind wander down that particular road. There had been a lot of death in his life, but the death of his sister still did not sit easily with him and he knew that allowing himself to think of her would only lead down a path he still could not bear to walk. “ Well let us just say I was heading north towards Tarwin’s Gap when I came across Ice, Shadow and their dead mother. There was no way I could leave two young cubs to certain death. They were only a week or so old at the time and could not fend for themselves. Even though I knew I could have been heading for my death at Tarwin’s Gap, I knew they would stand a better chance with me than if I left them by there. I guess the two of them decided that I was the mother they had lost. Ice decided to stay with me; Shadow took a different route, but eventually came back to Ice and myself, although I would say he is not my companion, more like a distant cousin. He visits every now and then, but the loss of the one he loved has left a scar on him.”

 

The loss Owen referred to was not Shadow’s mother, but Owen’s sister Ehlana, Shadow had stayed with her when Owen and Ice had left to go to the Stedding. It was strange that a wolf would choose to stay with a human, but Owen and Ehlana had put that down to her being his sister. Whenever Owen had visited his sister the bond between her and Shadow had strengthened, it was as strong as any bond between a human and a wolf could be. “He stays with Ice and I more often than not these days, but will go off on his own without letting us know where or for how long, typical male eh?”

 

Sometime after Owen stopped talking he felt Rhya’s head slump against his back, and soon after the sound of her breathing deepened and became slower as she fell into a deep sleep. Although he would have liked to continue riding until dawn, Owen started to look around for a suitable campsite and when he found one he dismounted from his horse, helping the still sleeping Rhya down. Owen carried her to over to a large willow tree and made his way under the drooping branches. Once inside Owen laid Rhya on the ground and then returned to his horse and led that to where he had left Rhya. Removing the saddle, bridle and saddlebags, Owen rubbed his horse down with an old piece of cloth before removing some oats and let his horse eat his fill. Once this was done, Owen covered Rhya with a blanket and then sat with his back to the trunk of the tree, his mind filled with thoughts of his sister. He knew he would not sleep that night, not after talking about Ehlana, one of two women who he had truly loved.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

OOC Tay, i am not sure if there is much more you want to do with this rp? We can have an "adventure" on our way back if you have anything in mind? If not then just have us move on for a few days and at the end of your next post ask Owen how much longer it will take for us to get to the Stedding. I can then move us along and have us enter the Stedding in my next post. one more post from you after that, and we will be done,ok?

 

Rhya listened to the story of the two wolves as they rode but by the time the end came, lulled by the horse’s gait, she was struggling to keep her eyes open and within minutes she was oblivious to the world.

 

The first thing she noticed as she surfaced from her slumber was the pungent smell of bark and moss. She kept her eyes closed, giving herself time to wake properly. Listening carefully, she was surprised to hear soft breathing nearby until the events of the previous day caught up with her brain. She could hear the sound of creatures rustling in the undergrowth too and she focused all of her senses, awed by how sharp and clear everything was. Finally, she peeked out from under sooty lashes, through the long strands of hair obscuring her view and spotted Owen sitting with his back to a tree. His eyes were closed and he was very still but she knew he wasn't asleep and wondered if he'd been awake all night.

 

"Good morning, Rhya. We should be moving again soon."

 

Now how in the world did he know I was awake? she thought, then laughed at herself. The same way I knew he was of course. Responding in kind, she opened her eyes fully and sat up, stretching to work out the kinks in her muscles.

 

After a brief meal of cheese, bread and fresh water, they were ready to move on once more. The early morning mist had not yet lifted and the sun wasn’t even above the horizon as they set off on foot. She didn’t mind the walking then but, even alternating with riding, by the end of what felt like a very long day, her feet were aching and her legs were sore. She didn’t think she’d walked so far before in her life. Forcing herself to eat something, she was grateful to just curl up and sleep.

 

The pattern for the next few days was set. Sometimes they traveled in silence as Rhya gazed out over the ever changing landscape into territory unknown to her. Other times she would be full of questions and was sure she must be driving Owen crazy. Eventually though, all she could think of was how she never wanted to walk anywhere again. At the end of the fourth day, as her trepidation grew about what was to come when they reached their destination, she finally found the courage to ask Owen the question uppermost in her thoughts.

 

"How long will it be until we get there? To the Stedding?"

 

Owen and Rhya had entered a large forest, the majestic trees reaching towards the sky, almost as if they were pillars supporting the clouds, so tall did they seem. This was one of the oldest forests Owen knew of, and it was where the Wolfkin made their home. Not on the fringes of the forest, but well inside it, using the density of the forest as protection, shielding their home from unwanted attention. Owen knew the way through the forest as did all the Wolfkin, if you knew where to look it was easy to find the small tracks and trails, but they were not obvious to just anyone, and even if an unwanted guest should happen to stumble across one, there were other defences in place, even now Owen could sense the Wolves, who made the forest their own, matching their pace, making sure that neither Owen nor Rhya posed a threat to their kind, or those who lived deep inside the forest.

 

We still have two days ahead of us before we come to the edge of the great forest that surrounds the Stedding Rhya. Once we get to the forest, we have another days travel to arrive at the Stedding, but I think when you get there, that you will agree with me that it is a journey worth making. The forest is one of the oldest we know of, having survived from the time of Manetheren, that ancient Kingdom that was ever a thorn in the side of the Dark One. Who knows, one day it may prove so again.

 

Owen’s response to Rhya’s question left her with more to ask, and Owen had to explain all he knew about ancient Manetheren and what few scraps of lore were remembered from that time. Owen did not mind, he saw it almost as his duty to keep memories alive of the ancient Kingdom, a Kingdom that had stood for enlightened thinking, and enlightened attitudes. A placer where their kind had been more than welcome and the Wolfkin had been able to walk openly among two-legs, something that was not possible in the current climate of hate and distrust.

 

As they continued deeper into the forest, Owen pointed out to Rhya the Wolves that provided the first line of defence and warning, informing her of their names and their history. “It is said that each Wolf passes on its memories to the cubs in the pack, this allows them to keep alive memories from the distant past. However, do not expect them to tell you anything, they only pass on knowledge when they deem it appropriate, and not when we want them to. Again, they treat us like unruly children who have to be protected from themselves.” Owen’s face broke into a grin at this; he had never got used to this attitude from the Wolves, but over time had come to accept it.

 

Just then the familiar tingling sensation that announced their arrival in the Stedding washed over him. Stopping in his tracks, Owen turned to face Rhya, he loved to see the expression on a Wanderers face as they first crossed the boundary of the Stedding and became aware that something different had just happened to them.

 

Owen

 

The WhiteWolf

 

Ranger Leader

 

OOC Tay give your reactions to any of the above, especially the feeling when Rhya goes through the barrier then I will start a new thread on the Stedding page introducing you to the Wolfkin and especially the Sages.

 

The news that there would still be another two days of travel had at first been unwelcome. Rhya was almost certain that her feet were not going to survive this journey. The time went in more quickly than expected though as Owen distracted her with stories of the wolves and the Stedding, imparting scraps of history about the forest around them. It was imposing but somehow also welcoming. She’d always liked being near trees and these specimens were incredible, towering into the air above and providing a shady canopy of branches over their heads as they rode. The silence was deep, broken only by the sound of their own hushed voices, as though sound somehow violated the sanctity of this place.

 

Owen eventually pointed out the wolves. If he hadn’t done so, she was quite sure she’d never have seen them, slinking through the undergrowth like ghosts. She watched them in fascination, her eyes darting every which way, trying to catch glimpses as often as possible. Now and then she caught impressions just at the edge of her mind and, rather than worrying, she took it all in, understanding now what was happening though still bemused by it.

 

So caught up in the journey through the forest was she, that she forgot about her aching limbs and the ordeal still ahead of her, listening instead to Owen as he spoke of the wolves and their attitude to humans.

 

Rhya was about to respond when she was brought up short. Her eyes widened and her lips parted on a soft gasp as she felt... something. A shiver ran down her spine as a new sensation washed over her. It tingled. What had changed? She didn’t know, but certainly something had. Her expression changed from surprise to curiousity to wariness and finally, to wonder at the sense of peace she felt. Her fingers tightened involuntarily on Owen’s arm.

 

“What... umm... did you..?” She tried to unscramble her words but only achieved a garbled stuttering. Seeing that Owen was looking at her closely, she was suddenly suspiscious. He knows about this! Gathering herself, she titled her chin, glared and demanded, “WHAT was that?”