THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2004
Logfile from Two Moons - Savith.
Main Hall
The room rises up round, walls idle in their shape, with little regard to gravity, and fluid stone columns drip from the ceiling to floor, curving and twisting into deep blue shadows. The massive room is dim, lit only at the far side, where rises the skeleton of a great bird, hovering protectively over the throne of Blue Mountain's Lord. Deep, wide stairs rise up to greet the throne, stopping many feet below, leaving no evident manner of ascending the seat. From time to time, elves flit in and out, through hallways and through narrow, holes in the walls, high above the floor.
**Chosen, see our visitors to their tribes, see that they safely leave our Home to prepare, as soon as possible.** The order flies out, from the blue, one evening. The calm minds voice behind it betraying nothing, like these things happen all the time.
On duty, Savith floats above the throne, jus to WInnowill's right. As the send drifts from her, he takes a breath. This was bound to happen soon, and so he flicks his eyes down to his Lord. A silent nervousness touches him as he debates speaking his mind. Somedays She will tell you what your opinion is. Other days, she wants to hear what your REAL opinion is. What day is today?
Winnowill reclines back after her sending. A twinge fro her Chosen, a subtle discomfort, an unasked question intrigues Her. "Savith, I want to hear your opinions on this. Do you think that our guests will be glad to leave our Home?" Barb cast, now lets see how he bites, and on what.
"Some no doubt will be," Savith replies, hands folded behind him. "Others will not be." It's a nibble-nibble, to be sure.
Winnowill folds her hands together, steepling the fingers. "How very.. descriptive of you Savith. Understandably the Wolfriders will be pleased to leave us, after their previous.. visits to our home. The Go-backs as well seemed anxious to leave, though at times I found it difficult to tell them from the Wolves, which only goes to show that blood is not the only thing that corrupts an elf."
Savith just nods at that. Oh, but Winnowill asked for his opinion. "No, it's not. Nor is outward appearance," he comments softly, moss green eyes sliding toward his Lord to peer at her. Winny's fish is nibbling still, yet still skittish.
Winnowill continues "Savah and her band, now they have been most surprising, my Dark Sister will be staying here to plan, but the rest of her band may be returning with the others.. and darling Rayek.. and his extended family. Ah, such a joy." Almost like she's talking to herself... until. "And of course Firewater, and his.. friends..."
It's the mention of Firewater and his group that makes Savith tense. The nibble turns into a full fledged bite. "Yes. The Rafters," he murmurs faintly.
Winnowill turns in Her Throne abruptly to face the floating Chosen. "I think, Savith, that it is time you tell me about the Rafters, and why you seem to react so strongly whenever I speak of them."
Savith clears his throat and licks his lips as She asks. "As you may recall, My Lord, the Raft was where I located Larias after her long absence," he begins, eyes leaving Winnowill's form for the floor. Normally happy thoughts would come from thinking of one's lifemate, but no. Instead a frown forms as worry knots his brow. It's been how long since Larias needed healing? He clears his throat again, suddenly aware that Winnowill still watches him. "And I helped deliever one of their children," he adds, a light blush rising to his cheeks. After all, She laughed at him in send when she touched his mind at that moment and he had NO IDEA what to do. Boil water, right?
Winnowill nods, her eyes clearly intent, her posture indicating just as clearly as words could. 'Yes, and?'
Savith glances over. A breath is taken. Oh boy. Here goes. "And Sandsour is trusted by both Larias and myself to care for Acedia," he says, a quiver threatening to shake his spine. Don't hurt me, dear Lord! Don't hurt me!!
Winnowill pauses. A very long Pause. VERY Long. "Your child. Whom your lifemate suffered greatly for. Your second child by recognition in short time. A feat almost unheard of in our tribes history, let alone the recognition itself. A child entrusted to your care. And you trust his care to an Outsider?" Her voice raises just a touch at the end, her anger showing through, despite attempts to quell it.
And the quiver is off, shaking the very tips of Savith's ears. He swallows nervously, and replies frightfully. "I can't get any kind of answer from Larias, to see whom else she'll allow to hold the child, My Lord! I've only ever seen her let Sandspur close. Not even Mother is allowed!" Crap! Someone save me!!
Winnowill quirks a brow. "So you are saying that you need this Sandspur's help to see after your hatchling? To *help* you with your duty to the Child?"
Savith isn't sure if this is better or worse. Okay, the more he thinks baou tit, the more he's sure this is worse. But to agree is bad. And to not agree would be bad... His eyes display his uncertainity and his brows knot on his forehead. Several times he licks his lips to speak. Several times he opens his mouth to speak. But nothing comes out until he manages, "With so many others still in the mountain, and now requesting to leave it, I am still as busy as ever. It would not be wise to take Acedia with me during my other Duties, and I am not relieved of my Duty, and I need help, someone to watch her while I'm away, and..." oh, poor Savith! He's rambling, he's so nervous!
Winnowill nods slowly. "So then, you are forced to be a failure. To either your duty or to your child. I see." She takes a moment to think, to decide, though she has in truth made up her mind the very moment the discussion started. "you know how important your family is to me Savith"
Savith is a failure still. It's like a slap across the face. He turns his face from His Lord and he floats a little lower as his shoulders sag slightly. To Her almost question, Savith nods. "Yes, My Lord, I do. Perhaps not fully, but I understand. It's new life in our home, and..." he falls silent now. Said too much. -.-'
Winnowill allows him a moment to stew.. to worry. "So then, the question becomes what to do. Go against the orders to bring our guests out of our home, do as asked, and be removed from your position. Find *someone* that your child will tolerate, or.. find some way to convince me that it is in our best interests to allow an Outsider to help you in your inability to meet both of your duties."
Savith bites the inside of his lower lip. Convince? Oh high ones. His mind works quickly, but comes up with little until... "I suppose, one could say it's repayment, for their own trust in me with one of their children?" Okay, that was lame, but it's the best he can do! Is it just him, or is that his heart pounding?
Winnowill softly chides, a 'tsking' sound, "Not a very convincing argument to make me believe that what I see as best for the Mountain is wrong Savith. Allow me to provide a better alternative. You wish this elf, Sandspur to stay here with us, to help you manage. In return I wish you to prove to me exactly why you *should* be Chosen." She sends, finishing the offer.
Winnowill locksends ** Eveshka years to be Chosen, feels she should continue Her training. I believe that a challenge will be required, though not necessarily a physical one. You will ensure that Eveshka does not become Chosen, for if you do not, it will be your place that she acquires. **
Savith is silent. There just isn't anything to say. What can he say? He frowns lightly, and blinks a few times. He takes in Her locksend, swallowing lightly, and then nods. "Yes you Will, My Lord." Making deals with the Devil, huh? This is not good.
Winnowill locksends ** Then you agree to my offer Savith? **
You locksend to Winnowill, Savith is nervous, and yet determined. He has always been loyal. He might misstep, he might not always think clearly, but in his heart, Mountain is All. **I do, My Lord.**
Savith replies in locksend.
Winnowill nods and smiles, a slight smirk of satisfaction creeping in.
Winnowill locksends, to Sandspur, Savith: ** Sandspur, of the Raft Tribe, friend to Savith Chosen of Blue Mountain, and to his child Acedia. **
Sandspur locksends, to Winnowill, Savith: ** ((surprise, aprehension)) Yes? I am here. **
Winnowill locksends, to Sandspur, Savith: ** Savith has spoken to me on your behalf, in no small part due to his.. commitment and confidence in you. ((long drawn out mental pause)) You are welcome to stay, and tend to Savith's hatchling. **
Savith swallows lightly, turning his gaze from Winnowill and back to the width of the Main Hall. Oh boy.
Sandspur locksends, to Winnowill, Savith: ** ((again, surprise and poorly hidden pleasure at the offer...and at Savith's trust, for he knows this is no small thing)) Then...I shall. Thank you! **
Winnowill turns back to recline again on the throne. "Thank you Savith, you may go now and see to your child. And your hard won friend."
Savith bows, and sends for Generi to replace him, refusing to leave until he's relieved of his current Duty. "My thanks, My Lord," he murmurs before he goes, flying up, up, and away! To infinity and beyond!
Winnowill waves off Generi when and if he arrives. Solitude is what she requires.
Savith's Chambers, Hall of the Chosen, Blue Mountain
A feeling of magic resonates about the chamber, a shapers touch having recently graced the room. A stone chandelier is centered on the ceiling, several candles set to burn and illuminate the room. Hanging from the chandelier are several small pieces of metal, polished so as to brightly reflect the light from the candles above. A patchwork ravvit fur ground covering is on the floor, colors ranging from tawny blonde, to golden, to a rich deep brown. Around the fur covering, are several large sitting pillows, each one matchnig one of the shades in the center pillow, one which is made of roe deer skin, a soft brown, striped faintly with gold.
Along one wall a stone table has been erected as has a bench, a pitcher and tray set out, though both are commonly empty. Hung against the far wall of the room, is a circular decoration. It appears to be made entirely of leather and ravvit fur, soft browns , again with a touch of gold. Within the circle, strands of sinew create a webbed pattern, in which small beads made of bone are tied. From these beads, strings of leather fall, almost brushing the floor, the ends tipped in more beads, feathers, and fur. Two wall sconces shaped to either side, illuminate the strange piece of art work.
One small corner of the room has been curtained off from the rest, the curtain matching the color scheme of golds, yellows and browns, with fine needlework decorating the light weight leather. Images of great hawks, wolves, ravvits and a myriad of other creatures has been embroidered onto the piece. A small corner of the bed and platform peeks out from behind the curtain, covered in new blankets and pillows, again the coloring the natural golds and browns of doe skin, set to match the rest of the room.
All in all, this Chosen's room has come to resemble a wolfriders den more than a chamber of the Mountain.
Sandspur looks up at Savith's entrance. The Rafter rises from his spot on his cushions and takes several long strides toward the Glider. "Savith, I...I don't know what to say, truly."
Savith has his helms in his hands, having pulled it off almost immediately. His eyes settle upon Sandspur, and a wan smile touches his face, but keeps it's distance from his eyes. "Say nothing," he replies. "I shall need your aid until Larias is well, that is certain. Will you need anything to stay here? I can not ask that a shaper come to grant you a bed area, however. Too much shaping has been done here too recently."
"The cushions are fine." Sandspur looks worried, for had not heard about Larias being ill. "Is...how serious is her illness?"
Savith shakes his head lightly as he sets the helmet on the shelf, followed by his talonwhip. "I'm not certain," he replies. "But serious enough for My Lord to require the time to work on her. And all these guests are surely straining."
Sandspur looks guilty at that, glancing down at the floor. Had he upset the pretty one? "I'll take care of the pip like she was my own...well, my own pip, I suppose."
Savith makes his way from the door toward the dining table for water. "Thank you, Sandspur. I am glad My Lord is allowing this. I know you wished to stay within these halls," he says, his tone flat and heartless.
"You know I wish to stay near you," Sandspur points out.
Savith shrugs lightly in reply, pouring a drink for himself. He doesn't answer.
