A Timely Arrival

[Wayfarer]

The journey back to the Stedding had been one of mixed emotions, on the part of Timewalker that was. She would swing between being talkative and trying to learn more of the world and moody silences where she tried to grapple with what she learned and the memories she had. Most of the time she would keep her distance from him, she tried to deal with things herself and in her own time but occasionally it would be too much and she would allow herself to be comforted by himself and Broken Twig who stayed with them for the first few days until they reached the end of his pack's range.

 

As for Anton, he found that over the week that he was finding it easier to accept Timewalker's story. It wasn't just her conviction in her beliefs, it was the way she acted. Certain mannerisms like the way she ate, the accent, expressions, snippets of old tongue, that and more all contributed to his view of her as being out of place and time. Not to say that there weren't moments when he had doubts, they were incredible things to accept. But, then he had disbelieved the tales of Wolfkin to begin with, and there were other things he had seen that one would have called impossible. If those things were possible, then perhaps this was possible as well.

 

But, while every journey had a beginning it also had an end and theirs was drawing to a close as they entered they approached the stedding. Buried in the woodland, as they approached the settlement the undergrowth as well as the trees themselves seemed to become thicker, making it more difficult to move about but they forged on nevertheless. While he wasn't sure if Timewalker was aware of it, they were watched the entire time and Anton was able to spot a few of the Rangers that had come to ensure that the one who approached was safe. Burrich always found it difficult to hide from Anton simply due to his enormous stature and the fact that Anton was so familiar with his scent that he was particularly sensitive to it.

 

A very slight rustle betrayed Lorelai to him in turn, and while he get along with her now he was still a little wary. Their first real meeting had involved her lodging an arrow in his left buttock and her sense of humour always made him a little wary. Even though he managed to pick those two out, there were no doubt others who were beyond his ability to find, the Rangers were particularly good at concealing themselves. One day he'd manage to pick them all out, he'd made himself a private promise that he'd manage it sooner or later. But, his promises and aspirations were to be set aside as they finally made it through the undergrowth and into the open area that revealed the settlement.

 

A loose collection of houses, there was but a single building that stood two storeys high, the inn where travellers and the like could stay though they were far and few. The Inn was more a favourite for people due to the cooking, a good deal of people went to have meals there and as a result a good deal of the life within the stedding revolved around that building which loomed above those around it. Giving her a moment to adjust, Anton spoke carefully as he decided to warn her in advance what would happen. "One of the traditions we have is that until a Wolfkin is welcomed by the Sages, one is considered a wanderer. Only the tracker that brought a wandered may speak to them, so when we enter the settlement do not be worried about the stares that follow you silently, once you are accepted into the community they will be free to speak to you."

 

Smiling reassuringly at her, Anton continued. "We will go to the infirmary, that is where Miryana is to be found as she is our wisdom, a healer, amongst other things. Normally only she would see you, but due to your particular circumstances there might be others there, I do not know. Either way there is no need to fear her or the others, this is simply the tradition we follow. Come with me, to the infirmary where we shall wait until Miryana is ready to receive us."

 

 

Anton Averdal

Farpaw

[TaeaDawn]

The whole thing was surreal and while she had wanted to find others of her kind, to find them so cold and untrusting made her want to run. She could find a pack and just run with them. The wolf that had helped her so much in her first days would have taken her in, she knew. The thought of losing herself to the pack, of becoming more wolf than woman was appealing in some ways. Though she would have never have found it so before, the idea of forgetting her lose was a fascinating one. She could lose herself in a pack and never have to come back to this reality, this world that she no longer knew and that no longer knew her.

 

She listened to Anton's words, his explanation of their traditions, but she didn't understand their silence or their need for it. Had they truely become so solitary that they no longer welcomed new kindred into their homes? Tears filled her eyes as she looked around, her eyes seeing the stedding around her, but her mind remembering the first time Joran had brought her among their kind. She had been welcomed and made to feel safe. She had been secure in the knowledge that Joran had brought her to a place to call home.

 

She looked over at FarPaw and blinked away her tears. "Sa souvraya" she said to herself, looking past him to the others. "Mia cuebiyari ian niende." She felt raw and exposed as she walked beside Anton. Too many other images threatened to rush back, people she didn't know pressing against her too hard, crowding close, pain and questions she couldn't answer. As they walked she took a deep breath and moved closer to Anton until she was pressed against his shoulder, her hand grabbing his for support.

 

He continued forward until they were at a building. She had no reference for it, not idea that this was where they were headed but she let herself be led, pushing aside the need to run for safety and to loose herself from the world she was currently in.

 

Timewalker

 

[Andular]

Looking at her reflection in the oval mirror that hung on her bedroom wall Miryana finished putting her long auburn hair into a pony tail. Satisfied with the results the Sage wandered into the main room of the infirmary. Busying herself with tidying up because there was no one in need of her attention she sighed.

 

The herb garden out back needed tending but she was really not in the mood. Filling a teapot with water and hanging it over the fire in the hearth she grabbed a book off the mantel and sat in her favorite chair. The book a history of Mantherene was slow reading but interesting none the less.

 

No sooner had she immersed herself in the book than the door opened to admit Anton and a young blonde woman. Setting her book on the table Miryana stood as Anton stepped forward with a smile on his face.

 

“What have you brought me today Anton?”

 

The Tracker introduced Timewalker and spent a few minuets explaining her situation and how he had found her. Timewalker for her part looked confused, apprehensive and a little uncomfortable with the situation.

 

Taking the young woman by the hand Miryana led her over to an examination table and had her sit down. “Rest easy child you are among friends who only wish to help you.”

 

Placing her hands on Timewalkers cheeks the Sage reached out with her senses and began to probe the woman for any illness or injury.

 

“Anton be a dear and fetch us the tea pot and some cups. I believe a hot cup of tea will warm our new sister up.” Lowering her hands she proclaimed Timewalker fit in body if not quite so in mind.

 

“You have had a long journey child and I sense much confusion in you. I am a very good listener and only want to help you. You must have a lot of questions though I am sure Anton has answered many so please ask me anything you like. After we have a spot of tea we will see you get a hot bath and a warm meal in your stomach.”

 

Sitting back down in her chair Miryana crossed her legs as Anton came back and served them tea.

[TaeaDawn]

The words she had exchanged with Anton were a little easier now, but whereas he had adapted his speech to try to emulate hers, this woman had done no such thing. She had to concentrate to understand the strange dialect of the woman and she closed her eyes for a minute to drown out the rest of the world and focus on them.

 

It was hard. Focus was hard. When she closed her eyes she saw pain and torment and felt herself in a little room with no doors and time passing without notice until everything around her was gone.

 

Her eyes jerked open suddenly and she took a shuttered breath to calm her panic. She couldn't seem to focus on anything for long and at times she was grateful for it. At night when she looked up at the stars, wishing for arms that were long dead, or the arm of death to take her also, focus was bad. Too much focus might invite her to do too many things that would only hurt her. This time and place, they knew nothing of her and her world. She wanted to pass something of that on before death came calling.

 

Anton came back and handed her a cup of tea which she accepted with shaking hands. She could see the concern on his face, something she had seen far too often as they travelled together. She looked at the woman before her, a Sage, he had called her. "Thank you." She said, speaking the worlds slowly so the woman would have the time to understand her through the thick accent that they heard from her.

 

"I don't know where to begin with my questions. So many things have changed since I walked among the wolkfin. The packs no longer remember my people and it is hard to find a common reference to begin." Hard because she couldn't seem to focus long enough to form the questions that would help settle her confusion.

 

"You take in others of our kind. What wold you have of me?" She asked. "What service or duuty would you have me perform?" It was an easy place to start.

 

Timewalker