Intro to the Stedding - Louvet - Attention Sage

[Guest Allisa]

The silence of the forest was absolute, broken only by the soft crackling of the fire and the occasional thump as snow fell heavily from the branches of the trees. Dawn was a faint promise on the horizon, one Janna was eager to meet as she huddled over her cup of tea as the others slept. The gradual lightening of the sky reminded her of the gradual change of seasons they had encountered on their journey up the mountain.

 

It was still late fall in the lowlands, chilly at night but mild and sunny during the day. Farms they had passed on their way had been stripped nearly bare by the harvest and sometimes if they camped close enough to a village they could hear sounds of celebration, music and laughter. When they stopped at Baerlon the city was alive with traders and miners, travelers and even a gleeman at the local inn. Janna smuggled Silver into the city under her coat and they spent several days at her friend, Mistress Hodge’s. Though crowded with children and smelling of the tannery Mistress Hodge ran out back it was warm and comfortable. They stayed several nights, re-supplying for their journey up the mountain and laughing as Silver romped near the fireplace with the children for hours on end, all of them collapsing into a tired pile on the pallet in the corner at the end of the day.

 

They said goodbye a few days later with many tears and promises to visit again soon. But Janna was eager to get through the passes before the first heavy snow. It was a good thing as well, since on their fourth night out a storm swept through, coating the world in pure white, fluffy snow. She hurried their progress after that, despite Silver’s fascination with the snow. Now they were close to home, if they pushed hard enough today and if the weather held, they’d make it to the Stedding by twilight.

 

As she huddled over her cooling tea, Janna debated the best way to circumvent the worst of the snow. They could take the east trail, it was closer to the mining camp which could offer shelter should another storm blow in. But she was eager to be home and finally decided on the northern trail. She’d just have to push her new Wanderer a bit harder, and keep her new cub in line.

 

As soon as the sun had crested the horizon she woke the others, offering Louvete hardtack and tea and Silver a hunk of dried meat.

 

I need real meat, Silver complained as she gnawed at the half frozen piece of deer. I should go hunting today, Chime!

 

Janna agreed reluctantly, after advising her companion the best hunting was to the north. As soon as they struck camp the little wolf bounded ahead, visions of blood red meat filling her vision. As Janna had hoped the does and bucks of the forest led Silver a merry chase, further and further north up the mountain.

 

When they were within sight Janna pointed out several of the better known landmarks to Louvete. The rock face high overhead that looked vaguely like a man in profile, smoke from the miner’s camp several miles east, a high overhanging rock that looked ready to plunge into the ravine below it. All signs they were nearing their home.

 

Breathless and bright cheeked from the cold they entered the Stedding just as the sun was setting. It seemed eerily quiet at first, though Janna knew most of the villagers were preparing for dinner. A heartbeat after that thought a projectile hit her square in the face and she sputtered and spit against the cold snow.

 

“I got her! Janna, your dead!” A towheaded boy popped out from behind a snowbank, another snowball ready in his hand. Several more heads peeked over the edge, boys and girls heavily armed with snow.

 

Janna dramatically clutched her heart and fell to the snow covered ground, gargling, “Louvet! Avenge me!” She shot her new Wanderer a wink as she packed together a snowball.

 

Janna Telenvar

Twisted Chime

Head Tracker ~ Wolfsister

Companion to Silver

 

OOC: Just post your reaction and the snowball fight and then Miryana can interrupt and take us to the Infirmary.

[Winter Mist]

~Louvete~

 

Snow? How many times had she wanted to play in the snow? Another life. It all belonged to another life, so far from this one. She was colder than the snow, desperately lacking emotion as the surroundings lacked the colours that painted spring and made if vibrant. The animal though ... that had a life and a quality that sparkled. Louvete found herself feeling a pang of jealousy for her dark-haired companion, Janna. Pleasant company, in spite of the unusual nature of both of their situations, and the young wolf was the only thing that managed to break through the empty haze of grief and loss in Louvete's mind. As the youngsters played in the powdery white stuff, Louvete watched on with a sense of ... emptiness. Something was missing.

 

Avun

 

Oh, why under the Light did he have to die? What had happened to her when she had blacked out, only to wake and find her clothes in shreds and her life clinging on by a fingernail? It had only been vengeance that had kept her going so far. Now, even that was starting to subside and the grief dying down too. What was this calm? She heard a voice calling out her name in a theatrical shout.

 

"Louvete! Avenge me!" Janna had fallen to the ground, clutching her chest and instantly, Louvete came out of herself. Eyesight that was unexplainedly better than before suddenly sought out potential places an enemy could hide, and her nose tried to pick up scents other than children, excitement, Silver and the cold of the morning air to try and give away any dangers. What could she use as weapons? She had to incapacitate whatever it had been that had endangered her colleague, but these were children!

 

Avun and I had talked about children... I was going to give up this life for him...

 

She couldn't do it. Reaching down to the ground she gathered up a handful of snow and packed it hard between her hands. And then she took aim...