It was the first time that Anton had ever brought someone to the Wolfkin Stedding during the night. In the woods the Ranger sentries had already identified them and melted away before Zierna would have even noticed they were there. Not that they were unexpected, in fact there had been a number of people waiting for them, in particular Miryana who would meet them in the settlement.

 

Something that loomed before them as they cleared the trees into a, well, a clearing. Within it were a collection of huts and houses as well as buildings for other purposes. The most obvious of these being the Inn that dwarfed all the other buildings around it. It was also the source of a good deal of noise, and he could hear someone was performing with the flute above the din. It carried quite a tune, so that meant it wasn’t Owen. Some people could woo a crowd with the flute, but that man could slaughter one.

 

Of course, having ‘confiscated’ the man’s flute hadn’t helped things either, but what was done was done. The paths were empty that they walked along, people were either in their homes or at the inn. Usually during the day when Anton returned with a wanderer he would have been greeted by the wanderer would not be spoken to until Miryana accepted them formally, and more importantly determined if they were safe or not.

 

Wolf and cub on the path. Turning around to Shadow Dancer, the pair looked as the wolf made his intention clear. Zierna was reluctant as she surrendered Night Whisper to the wolf, but that was the way of it. A new Wolfkin presented themselves without their wolf companion, the Wolfkin had to be able to stand on their own two feet before the Sage. Watching the wolf and cub retreat along the path they had trodden, Anton and Zierna continued on.

 

Zierna had struggled with her wolf aspect quite a bit, especially… Well, that didn’t bear thinking on, at least Anton tried to ignore the memory as a bit of colour came to his face. That had made their trip interesting the entire way to say the least. But it had been nice as well, he wasn’t the best looker in the world so it was nice to be noticed, even if it was by a wolfsister that was still a cub.

 

Stopping before the infirmary door, Anton knocked quietly and heard Miryana call for them to enter. Opening the door they stepped into the entrance room and were then told to wait. Miryana was no doubt finishing something up. “Don’t be worried Zierna, she just wishes to make sure you are alright. And if you aren’t then to help you until you are.â€

 

 

Anton Averdal

Farpaw

ooc: Can you please paraphrase what your questions for Miryana were? Loosing posts bites.

The journey had been long, and for the most part un eventful when it came to the things that were happening to Zierna. She had not attacked any one which was a good thing, although one night she did wake up snuggled next to Anton. That had caused her to blush for about three days afterwards, luckily he had not said any thing. If she would have felt amusement from him she might have run the other direction and never come back. Shadow Dancer had not been that nice, although it was only impressions she got from him, the approval that came off of him in waves caused her to growl on several occasions. That may have been because she could not tell if the approval was of Anton as a choice or the way she was accepting both sides of her nature.

 

When they started climbing up in to the mountains she became away of more things, how the trees looked different and even the pup was becoming excited. It was not long until they came in to view of what looked like a small village, as they move closer she felt a chill run down her back and suddenly refreshed. Given Anton an faint smile she continued to follow him closer to the village, the worst part came when she had to give the pup to Shadow Dancer and go on alone. It was not easy to meet those who would judge you when you did not have any one standing beside you, well that was not all together true, Anton was with her. Strangely that made her feel a little better, she should not have been worried at all since every one here was just like her. It was more that she still had some trouble with the balance that worried her, not actually meeting any one else like her. She could hear music and smiled as they walked starting to feel carefree for the first time in a while, then they stopped at a door.

 

"Don't be worried Zierna, she just wishes to make sure you are al right. And if you aren't then to help you until you are."

 

She tried not to fidget while they were standing there waiting but for some odd reason she had the feeling she was going to be inspected like a horse for sale at the market. There that image came from she was not sure but it made her laugh and relax again, she sent a silent thanks to Shadow Dancer. Looking around the room she could see all the herbs hanging up to dry and the supplies for healing those who were sick or injured. She thought about what she would do to help those here and realized that she had some talent for herbs, maybe she could help out the sage. That was what he had called her wasn't it, maybe it would not be so hard to fit in here with every one else. Pulling herself back to what was happening, she realized that they were still waiting for the sage to come seem them.

Zierna was not sure what she expected but the warmth and welcome that she recieved from the sage was enough to calm her the rest of the way. Sitting on the table seemed a little strange but she did as she was asked so that they could get her all checked out. She had a feeling that physically she was alright except for the problem with her eyes and light, but emotionally was a different matter. Confusion was the most prominate, at least at that moment but she quickly by passed those thoughts so that her face did not change to a nice shade of red. Trying to be a good patent she sat quietly and looking from Miryana to Anton, the question was one she expected.

 

" I have serveral questions and Anton has answered most of them for me, al though there was one that he could not answer but maybe you can. Ever since I was little I have had problems with the light hurting my eyes, some days the headaches were so bad that I would be in bed for two or three days at a time. As I got older it was not as bad but bright flashes or a glint of light would give me a painful headache. Every now and then I still have to spend the day in bed because the pain is to much. My worry now is that with the enhansment of all my senses will it cause this to become worse? How will it affect me when all the changes have completed? I can still feel some changes comming and I am not even sure what that means. Can you help me at all with this? My mother use to give me leaves to chew to help with the pain but its starting to not be enough."

 

She took a sip of the tea that Anton gave her and smiled at him, it seemed that the more information she had the easier it was to accept the new things that were happening to her or had happened. On some occasions it almost seemed like there were two of her and she was not sure who would win the battle if wills. It would take her time but atleast for right now she was with others that could help her get through this howling and..... A frown came to her face, was it possible that the reason her brother was missing was because of this?

 

" I have one other question can the howling come to brother and sister in the same family?"

 

She saw Anton's head come up and wished that she had not said any thing, but she had to know. If there was a possibility that her brother went though this and could not control it that she had to find him. It seemed like they knew she was being vague in her question but she could not help that, this was important to her. She sipped her tea again and started to fidget because neither one said any thing they just waited, sighing and lowering the glass she looked at them again.

 

" I have a twin brother who disapeared."

Sipping her tea Miryana considered Zierna’s questions for a moment before answering. “Our nature as Wolfkin allow us to use the night and darkness as our ally. We see better in the failing light but that does not diminish our enhanced vision during the day as well.” Frowing she tapped her long fingernails on the desk her left hand rested on.

 

“We will have to monitor this closely Zierna. I want you to come to me anytime you experience this pain and together we will try to find an answer to this problem. I will study some of my books and see if I can find anything that will help us.”

 

Reaching over she gave the young woman’s hand a squeeze and offered her a reassuring smile.

 

“As for your twin brother chances of becoming a Wolfkin as well. I would not let it worry you, there is no precedent of this happening within families or even among twins. I cannot tell you for certain it is impossible but I can assure you it has never happened that I am aware of.”

 

Miryana noted the concern on Zierna’s face and squeezed her hand again. “If it makes you feel better we can ask the wolves to try and find him and keep and watch on his condition.”

“We will have to monitor this closely Zierna. I want you to come to me anytime you experience this pain and together we will try to find an answer to this problem. I will study some of my books and see if I can find anything that will help us.”

 

She looked at the hand holding hers and found it strange, it was almost some thing that her mother would have done to give comfort. It made her feel at home in more ways than one since she had no place to really call home for some time, her mother and father would always be family but they would not accpet what she was. It saddened her a little but she understood why the Kin called home this stedding and why they kept to themselves for the most part. Most would not be able to accept them and in all likelyhood they would be cursed or attacked by other people. It would be hard to face that with out having others that would understand and be able to help in the hard times.

 

“As for your twin brother chances of becoming a Wolfkin as well. I would not let it worry you, there is no precedent of this happening within families or even among twins. I cannot tell you for certain it is impossible but I can assure you it has never happened that I am aware of.”

 

Zie was not sure if she was pleased or worried about that news, if he was not becomming kin or lost to the wolf then what had happened to him? There were never answeres to questions like that and the only way she would be able to find out what happened would be to leave her new home and find him. Some thing in her did not want to leave her new home just yet, she wanted to stay and learn about what she was. She was torn between the two needing to know what happened to her brother and needing to stay at the stedding and feel at home.

 

“If it makes you feel better we can ask the wolves to try and find him and keep and watch on his condition.”

 

Tilting her head she looked at both of them, would the wolves be willing to find her brother? There was so much that she did not know, how did you even ask them to do some thing like that. A small frown covered her face while she thought about doing this, what would they say if her brother was lost to the wolf? Or if he was hurt some where or being held in a city, she knew from the short time that she had been with Shadow Dancer that they did not like cities at all. If they could find out a general area then that would help her in being able to find him and maybe cut down the time she would have to leave the stedding for.

 

" Would the wolves be willing to search for my brother?"

Miryana regarded her young charge for a moment before answering. A tight smile tugged at the corners of her mouth and she nodded. “Our watchers have many ways to check on people and give us news from the world outside the stedding. If you like we can speak with them and see what can be done.”

 

The sage’s words seem to relax Zierna and her entire body seemed more at ease. They sat in silence for a time sipping their tea giving Zie time to think. When they were done Miryana rose and took Zie by the hand and pulled her to her feet.

 

“You are tired and in need of something to eat.” Turning to Anton she handed the man her hand.

 

“Take her to the inn and get her a decent meal. I will send word to the inn to have some wine and stew ready for her. Zierna, I will have word sent to the Watchers and one will go to Anton's house later. He can help give them the information they will need to find your brother.”

 

Leaning over she kissed Zie on the cheek. “You are home child and I am here if you ever need anything.”

"Come with me, Zierna." Nodding to Miryana out of respect, Anton turned and led Zierna back outside. That was the most harrowing part of it, or so Anton found. Miryana had unnerved him quite a bit at first, especially since he hadn't met her on his first visit. Zierna had handled it a lot better, and she seemed to be much more ready to take things in stride. Zierna didn't quite struggle so much at Anton's touch now, when they had first met it had produced all sorts of reactions. But underneath that comfort, there was still that familiar feeling coming from her. If she weren't a cub he might have dared to see what else was there, but then he was too old for such anyway.

 

The Inn dominated the village, it was the only building with a second floor and it was where most people went to get their meals. While Anton would usually have a few things in his own home and even had his own small stove, he preferred the cooking at the inn to his own. That and the company was good and he liked to catch up with everyone when he had the chance. Smiling at Zierna as they reached the front door, he released her hand and patted her arm reassuringly. "When wanderers come here, no one is allowed to speak to them at first until they have seen Miryana. Now that you have, they may speak to you but they will not all approach you at once so you aren't overwhelmed. Don't be surprised if you get some looks though, everyone is curious when a new wanderer is brought to the stedding. All of them were once wanderers like you."

 

Opening the door, he held it open for her as she stepped inside. Most of the tables were taken but Anton saw one which had just been vacated and pointed it out for Zierna to sit down there. As he approached the counter, the meals were already there and ready. Taking them along with the mugs of wine, Anton made his way with the platters over to Zierna and put her meal down before her before sitting down next to her with his own. There was a bit of time before her mentor would arrive, or so he was informed as a couple of images came to him, so he decided to use the time they had wisely.

 

"So, you've already told me a fair bit about your brother and why you think he was taken. Could you go over it one more time though? Just so we're sure I have everything for when the Watcher's come see me? The more I know, the more we can help."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Farpaw

It was easier to relax now that they would help her find her brother, it meant that she did not have to hunt alone any more. It bothered her a little that she felt relieved but with every thing that has been happening to her she was able to get past that feeling and enjoy the time sitting with Anton and Miryana. The tea seemed to be helping her the most, she wondered what was in it and if she could get the recipe. She was startled slightly when Miryana spoke to Anton and blushed slightly when her stomach growled voicing the fact that she was getting hungery. Smiling and saying farewell to the healer she was shocked but pleased when Anton took hold of her hand as they started walking towards the Inn. It was hard to keep her enjoyment to herself and she had a feeling that he knew she had butter flies in her stomach, lucky for her he did not say any thing.

The inn itself was some what of a surprise, it was the only building there that seemed to have more than one level to it, she liked the look of it as soon as her eyes touched it.

 

"When wanderers come here, no one is allowed to speak to them at first until they have seen Miryana. Now that you have, they may speak to you but they will not all approach you at once so you aren't overwhelmed. Don't be surprised if you get some looks though, everyone is curious when a new wanderer is brought to the stedding. All of them were once wanderers like you."

 

There was a little bit of nervousness in her when he let go of her hand and opened the door for her, she would have rather it been just the two of them. He pointed out a table to her and she smiled at him before walking that way, it was strange to see other gold eyes watching her and she really tried not to panic. Being watched was not some thing that she was really use to but a feeling of home and belonging was quickly pushing away all the other feelings but one. Remembing some of the things that Anton had told her it was no small task to hide the attraction that she felt towards him while in a room full of other kin. Soon Anton was back and she was staring at what looked like a meal meant to feed two people, she gave him a worried look but he smiled at her. Taking her first bite she had to savor the taste, who would have thought that high up in the mountains you could find some one who could cook so well.

 

"So, you've already told me a fair bit about your brother and why you think he was taken. Could you go over it one more time though? Just so we're sure I have everything for when the Watcher's come see me? The more I know, the more we can help."

 

She became thoughtful while she was eating, trying to think if there was any thing else that she might have left out in the first telling of what happened. In all honesty there was not alot to tell, but she started at the begining and went over every thing. Some times stopping to really think about the details of what she had found once she had left her parents in search for him. Not really knowing that her brother would look like now she could only give him a description of what he looked like back before he had disappeared. By the time he had asked her questions and she had answered them they had both finished their meal and were drinking their wine. Normally she did not drink but with good company and food she was actually to relaxed to notice those looking at her or watching her. She was starting to feel the effects of traveling all night and smiled at him a little sleepily, wine, food and being warm were just the right combination for a sleepy cub. Leaning alittle bit closer she for some reason could not ask her question above a whisper.

 

"Anton? Where will I be sleeping tonight?"

The information came at a steady pace as they worked away at their meal. Although a lot of the details that were given were ones that he had already heard before, little pieces came here and there which were new which he could incorporate into what he told the Watcher that would visit him later tonight. That along with the route they had taken to the Stedding and where Zierna had last been on the trail for her brother would help. Then it would just be a matter of time before they found news, though Anton couldn't be certain whether it would be good. Slaves were only really traded in hells, and the entertainments there were either terrible or lethal, but they would see.

 

Her question made him smile slightly, he could sense that she was tired and while he could feel other things there as well he was more accustomed to it now. Having said that, it still caused him to colour slightly, but that would have been the wine. Definitely the wine. "Usually new cubs sleep in the barracks, though your mentor may choose to quarter you elsewhere. Speaking of which, he is closeby now. Pass me your plate and mug, I'll clear the table."

 

The plates and mugs were in hand and it was as Anton rose that he felt Zierna's mentor enter the inn. Curbing his feelings, there was no reason to put Zierna on a bad foot with her new mentor. Waiting for the mentor to come over, Anton nodded as he came close. "Zierna here is your new charge." Turning to the young woman, Anton forced a smile. "Take care of yourself Zierna, I'll see you soon." At that, Anton made his way to the bar to hand over the dirty crockery. Then it was a long walk home.

 

 

Anton Averdal

Farpaw