Aurin is coming back! Thanks for the ok Taymist! Really looking forward to getting involved again.

But so good! I'll get a reply up tomorrow i have the day off!

Eyota/Aurin

OOC: Ghual is right. This post is not going to happen. First of all...I realize your training has taken along time in RL but as far as the RP goes you've trained no more and no less than any other initiate to the Stone Dogs...second of all there is no way you have trained more than Xin...so please edit your post to reflect the sound beating you will receive with Ramza barely winning. Thank you

Xin has been missing less than three months.

And I'm back so lets not do anything too rash here!! Sorry guys had a lot of stuff come up. Gaul I see you and here you're our new DL shot me a PM if there's anything you need from me

I'm here again if ya all will still have me.

Eyota had just returned to the stedding from a rather confusing and exhausting retrieval; and was looking forward to his cot situated in the tiny cave that Sha’re and Randon had made their home. He was still confused about the emotions he had smelled coming from Janna and Odette. It wasn’t so much Odette’s scent that had caused him to worry, she was new to the kin and it wasn’t strange for a wanderer to become attached to the person who had found them. What was strange that Janna had lost so much control as to let her feelings slip through the mask she had been keeping in place whenever around Eyota. He was sure he had smelled the bitter smell of jealousy mixed with the tantalizing sweetness of compassion. It was no secret amongst the kin that Eyota and Janna had become like brother and sister in the years since his arrival in the stedding. On more than one occasion Janna had saved his life; most recently a little under a year ago when he had lost himself to the wildness that was his wolfish nature breaking through. He still maintained a tenuous grip on reality and often struggled to feel the more compassionate feelings his human side needed to balance his more primal nature. The stolen kiss they had shared in his confused and lost state of mind had brought him back; and then been completely ignored. It was something Eyota had been unable to rest and meditate on; and Janna had never brought up. Women were as unpredictable and stubborn as mules so once again Eyota let go of his thoughts as he moved silently into the mouth of the cave that was now his home.

After greeting Sha’re and the cubs who were now almost full grown and forming the pack that had adopted Eyota he moved to the center of the cave and sat Indian style on the floor. He closed his eye’s and centered his emotions; since losing himself he maintained fierce control over his emotions and found meditating often helped him to stay centered. Slowly he found his center and lost himself in the stabilizing blackness that was his mind. After what seemed only minutes but had truly been hours Eyotas eye’s snapped open realizing something had changed in his surroundings. To his confusion he was not in his cave but now found himself in a field with the smell of blood and sounds of fighting coming from just over a rise. He rose slowly feeling for the daggers he kept on his person almost constantly now and was relived to feel their heavy presence. He reached for his back to string his bow and found only air, which was a very disconcerting feeling. The only thing more constant than his daggers was his bow; something he had never been without when outside of the stedding and sometimes even in it. Slowly he rose to survey his surroundings taking it all in with the mind of an experienced tracker and hunter. He knew something was wrong; and reached out with his mind to find Randon; it wasn’t long before the entire pack came into view from behind him. All of them urging him to run forward and fight the hated shadow; it would have been too much for his fragile mind to handle had he not just centered himself and even now it was difficult to hold his control and keep the wolves from running madly over the hill.

Eyota pulled out his power wrought dagger and lead the way slowly and cautiously over the rise; his nose constantly taking in the overwhelming smell of blood and fear his eye’s never resting on one thing for more than a second. He was searching for the rest of the kin; something nagging inside of him that they were also in this strange dream. After he had surveyed the field it was clear he was at the southern edges of a battle that had taken place thousands of years before. Shadow spawn and men lay all around him in piles of wounded or dead or dying. It didn’t take him long to realize he was in trouble and started at a trot looking for his brothers and sisters. He was so focused on his task when he topped the next rolling hill that he missed seeing Janna frozen in horror as a trolloc descended on where she stood. It was only Randon insistent voice in his head that caused him to turn and see her. As he saw her standing there defenseless a giant long sword held loosely in her hand at her side that strange emotions flooded into him; much stronger than the need to protect his sister. It was almost as if he had a need to protect his….he let the thought trail off as he charged silently down the hill and sprung into the back of the unsuspecting Trolloc driving the dagger under the upraised arms in the exposed portion of flesh under his arm. His dagger drove deep and hard and before the Trolloc could respond Eyota released his hold on the dagger quickly pulling another from his back and slicing the throat of the hated shadowspawn and his pack moved in for the kill. When the beast was truly finished Eyota gathered his daggers holding one in each hand a grabbing Janna by the shoulders shaking her slightly as he stared deep in to here eyes. Once again he felt that strange feeling building but refused to acknowledge it there amongst the carnage and death that surrounded them.

“Janna listen to me! What is happening!?â€

OOC: Man it feels good to be writing again.

well i guess i am sitting htis one out then since i havn't got an answer from xin

Ramza; Chill out you've been gone without notice for a couple weeks; and I've just come off three 12 hour shifts. Sorry it took me a day to get back to you but you need to chill out. You can't come and go like that and expect people to be on your schedule. Now that said. Please post as a stone dog; but remember you're still new to the society and will be taking your orders from Xin and Cor (when and if he decides to exercise his right to Second in Command for this RP.

Please PM me in the future if you want a faster response; it guarantees my seeing it.

Firion came in and handed Eyota the pouch of herbs he had collected. As Eyota perused Firions script of herbs the young man spoke up. “I found the plant that smelled similar to sleepwell but the texture was a little off could you tell me what it is."

Eyota had already picked through most of the pouch Firion had brought back with him. He had found one sample that he knew was not supposed to be there and had wanted to point it to his young apprentice, “Firion you’ve got one in here that I’d like to point out and leads us nicely into our next lesson. Grey Fennel, it’s one of the many poisons that are out there and we need to watch out for. If someone decides to label us as darkfriend out in the world outside the stedding they may try to slip something in your drink.†Eyota had been blessed to not experience being labeled a darkfriend, though many of the wolfkin had. “Some of the other common poisons are Crimsonthorn, Sunburst root, and Powdered Peach Pit.â€

“We won’t be collecting samples of these, but as we continue in our training if you notice any of these plants I want you to point them out to me. Now for the next lesson, we’re going to prepare the samples you brought back last night. I would like you to prepare a poultice and a salve.â€

Xin had always been small amoungst the Aiel; but it had taught him to rely on speed and lightning quick attacks to throw his opponents off guard. It was exactly the tactic that he was using with Cor; testing and prodding to see how much strength remained in the man. He had cut the initiate several times through the fight and was surprised he was still standing. He knew the young couldn’t last much longer with the cuts that had been inflicted from his previous beating as well as the fight that he was now in, and expected something to come but was surprised with the strength that he had mustered. The ground met his back with racing force and knocked the sais from his hands. The members of Shae’en M’Taal roared a cheer for the young man as Xin rose from the ground. Many of the members present had had to fight Xin to join entry to the society, and all secrectly enjoyed seeing the man bested in single combat. Once back on his feet Xin collected his sais silently turning to the boy who barely stood watching him warily.

Belran moved forward holding the branding stone out to Xin who took it and moved towards Cor. Two members once again braced Cor to keep him standing, and Xin placed the Stone on the left side of Cor’s chest. “You have shown your dedication, your skill, your strength, and your willingness to protect at the risk of your own life.†Having said what needed to be said Xin turned leading Cor into the hold with the rest of the society. They made their way into the back of the roof and into the armory; he was always proud of their armory it was the largest in the hold and boasted of their ability it battle. “Now my friend you shall pick one weapons from this armory, you will carry it with you for a year and a day to show you are new and learning our ways, customs, and rights.†Xin waited until Cor had finally selected a weapon and was tottering on his feet. Xin smilied looking forward to the next part of the initiation, “You still have one more test you must pass before being allowed full entry into our society.†Xin grinned as a large Aiel stepped forward holding a bag of Osaqui and dowing half of it in a single swallow, “You must face our friend here in a drinking match and enjoy the night and remember it as your first night as a member of Shae’en M’Taal.â€

OOC: React tell us what weapon you picked etc…etc…then you’re a full stone dog and we’ll continue with your training and advancement to Soceity Second

“Whats next? Next would be a few more lessons with herbs, don’t worry my friend we’ll get to the other lessons soon enough.â€

Eyota was impressed with the work Firion had done, he must have spent hours in the library working through the lists of herbs. “You did well, you seem to have a knack for this, though I suspect from what I’ve heard you already knew a little about herbs†Eyota hadn’t talked with Firion much about his future plans, and hoped they would be able to work through some of what the man liked while they did their basic training. “Would you like to join me for dinner? I prepared the same stew you prepared for us a few days ago.†Firion grinned as he pulled up a bowl.

“You’ve already discovered how to prepare most of the basic salves and poultices from these roots and plants. However as I was looking through my stores I discovered I’m running low on these basics, if you would be so kind as to go and collect several samples for me to replenish my stores.†Several of the plants would be easy to find and Eyota wanted to be sure that Firion could identify them out in the wild. “You’ve already seen them so they shouldn’t be too hard to find, don’t forget to use your senses.â€

OOC: Ok RP going to find some of the plants you just wrote about. You’ll have to use your sense of smell and touch a lot.

Xin and the stone dogs will lead the second bubble since it's in our job description to protect the hold at all costs. SO stone dogs please chime in under the second bubble. Cor you may post as a Full Warrior and the Soceity Second of Shae'en M'Taal this is a retroactive action so pleae remember you still have to do your training. It is only for the purposes of this post that you may post that way!

Unless Ali has a problem with that, other wise have fun.

Belran had taken up the sentry duty as was customary for the Society Second while they awaited the return of their potential brother. He returned from the desert tired and worse for the wear but carrying the burden that had been set before him. The other warriors he had faced returned before him and had already been seen to by a wise one; some bearing more scars than they left with; it was almost enough to bring a smile to his face. Those men had been careless to let the young ones spear find them; he should have been no problem for them and they had grown cocky and learned a lesson in the progress. It was now time for the less than pleasant aspect of their initiation, Belran only hoped that it wouldn’t send the young man into shock. The stone and the fire pit were brought forth, Belran picked up the blazing stone with a pair of blacksmith tongs and approached the man, two Stone Dogs removed the top half of his Cadin Sor and Belran placed the blazing stone on the right side of the mans chest. The boy did well accepting his pain and poring it forth in a guttural scream and the smell of searing flesh filled the air.

He was tired and warn out and his trails had only begun. Xin stepped out from the doorway the blazing sun now fully set he moved with as one with the darkness, staying in the shadows watching the boys eyes follow his slow progress towards him. The two men who had held Cor while he was branded began stripping him of his clothes and taking his weapons from him. He tried to struggle at first until he realized that this was part of the initiation. Xin now stepped into the ring that had formed around the initiate and slowly drew his sais. He had carried them with him since he was first initiated in Shae’en M’Taal; past the time that was customary and was supposed to be returned to the armory. Cor now stood naked in the middle of the ring, he had managed to find his feet and had taken up a fighting stance waiting for Xin to make the first move. “You have come far since you first approached our roof, will you now show me your skill?â€

OOC: Ok time to fight Xin, remember he’s the SL for a reason you won’t be able to make a mark on him but you will be able to relieve him of his sais….eventually. SO have fun with the fight you’re almost done; just be realistic.

The trees had thinned the higher into the mountain pass they had gone. However as they rounded the bend and came into a valley it became clear there was still a mountain oasis that the wolfkin called home. They had yet to enter the stedding but Eyota had seen the Rangers posts a ways out and had given them the customary single of a bird whistle to let them pass undisturbed.

The rangers were certainly the most skillful fighters in the woods and even Eyota who had a lifetime of training could sometimes miss their passing or hiding. Now they were nearing the boundry of the stedding; his skin tingled with anticipation. He hadn’t warned her of what it would feel like. It was always a pleasant if strange experience the first time you crossed that boundry.

Just as the had crossed into the stedding but before they came to the village Windracer came bounding towards them. It was a relief to see him, and he knew Janna wouldn’t be far behind. It had been a long time since he had seen her. Picking up Odette had taken longer than he thought it would. Seeing her again would be like a cleansing to his soul, he had a lot to talk with her about. Finding Odette had brought up a lot of painful memories of his own loss of humanity, it would be good to talk with her and sort out some of his thoughts.

The grin splitting his face was obvious as Janna approached. “Welcome home, Eyota, I see you’ve brought us a new Wanderer.â€

“Janna Telenvar this is Odette Rachma lately of Saldea. You two should become fast friends, both being from the Borderlands.†Randon had cocked his head slightly as Janna took the means and measure of Odette, and Eyota thought he could almost smell some jealousy wafting from her, but that wasn’t possible, was it?

Janna and Eyota took the lead catching up on his journey while Odette listened to them as they walked. He knew that his new charge was worried and a little scared about coming to the stedding. He still wasn’t sure if she believed him about how many of them there really were. He also knew that she had some food she had been hiding for some reason. He could never seem to understand women; the creator seemed to have a sense of humor he supposed. Perhaps she hadn’t trusted him at first and later felt guilty about it; he’d just have to chalk it up to one of those unknown mysteries of life. "And this Odette, is the Stedding." Eyota's arms spread out, and Odette followed them as the arced across the village's landscape. "Are you ready? The Sages are no doubt very eager to meet you."

Odette nodded and they quickly made their way to the infirmary; Eyota pointed out shops and people as they went hoping to make her feel more comfortable and at home.

OOC: Sorry that took so long. Andular will be along shortly to give you a check over and then we’ll get you your mentor and set up!

OOC: I will be writing this post as Belran my NPC Society second.

The initiate had shown great resolve during the onslaught of Stone Dog members. The members of the society always took great pleasure in the ritual beating of new members. Xin and Belran stood on the balcony of their roof watching the fight progress. Belran reflected on the time when he had been the newest initiate into Shae’en M’Taal and had to play his part in the next part of the initiation. At that time it had been Xin who was undergoing the beating. They had become fast friends and rose through the ranks; Xin advancing slightly faster and naming Belran his second.

Now it was time; with Cor laying on the ground a bloody pulp from the beating the society had given him. Belran descended the stairs quickly and emerged from the door of the hold. “STOP†with the trained practice that only comes from many battles shared, a lifetime of bloodshed, and a brotherhood forged by fire everyone stopped. “You have shown you can stand against the onslaught; that you will not run. Now you must show your strength. You must go from the hold; you may take your weapons with you. You will run until sunrise and then turn around and return to the hold. You won’t stop or rest. Now go and return only when you have completed your journey.â€

OOC: Ok check the outline to see what you have to do.

Firion was taking to herbs fairly well. Eyota was having problems trying to work around his lack of sight. But it was going as well as he could hope. "Yes I want you to go herb by herb. I've slipped some in there that you don't know yet from our lesson. But you might be able to figure it out from just general knowledge. Either way this is important and I want you to be as thurough as possible."

OOC: Yes I want a report. I know it's boring; but this lesson goes by fast I promise.

ANDULAR

The journey east was made pleasant by Wall’s story telling. Both Eyota and Nights enjoyed listening to the big man talk and the three shared a laugh at many of his tales. Once they rode out of the Mountains of Mist Eyota took the point and led them to some back trails well away from the main roads.

The weather was kind to them with warm dry days and cool cloudless nights. Nights enjoyed those times most of all seated around a fire roasting rabbits and joking with his friends. The wolves were always with them of course warning them of any unwanted attention they might be riding toward.

Good to his word Eyota kept them on sound trails away from the well traveled roads. As they rode Wall told them more about the girl they were going to find. His friend was hopelessly in love it seemed and Nights hoped that this meeting did not break his heart. Or worse the young woman had not wed another. It would be hard for her to accept what had happened to Wall and his communing with wolves. But that is what Nights and Eyota were there for. With luck Wall would be returning to the stedding with the young woman. If not, well there was always an inn and a mug of ale to wash away ones worries.

Toward the second week of their journey Eyota began to turn their path more northward. Neither Wall nor Nights questioned their friend and soon they found themselves riding over rolling hills. Towards night fall Quickening sent Nights an image of a ruined city and warnings of dark things hidden with in. Startled Nights called a halt.

“Eyota where are we headed that the wolves would warn us off of ?â€

ooc: we are headed for Shadar on our way Wall me and Aurin thought it would make an interesting pit stop.

AURIN

The journey was pleasant and full of fresh color and life. It had been long time since Eyota had been on a journey as just a guide. For so long now Eyota had been busy with bringing in new wanderers; always out on the trail with a purpose, never just out to lead a group along their merry way. As the journey progressed and Eyota let Walls tales wash over him like a soothing tonic he was pleased to find that most of the trails he used often when leading merchants, rich country folk, and sometimes smugglers away from prying eyes was still intact.

About two weeks into the journey Randon was sending images of Two-Legs ahead who looked less than respectable, almost as if they were tainted. Eyota suspected they were white cloaks, though the images were fuzy since the wolves stayed away from two-legs at almost any cost, and didn’t fancy an encounter with them.

He took them off the trail they were on crossing a road and a stream bed it took them almost an hour moving through the undergrowth of the woods that hadn’t been disturbed in years before they found the rarely used trail that he vaguely remembered stumbling across on one journey. It took them north of the path he had planned but shouldn’t cause to many problems…or so he hoped. If they kept their heads they would be fine. After his last visit along this trail Eyota had set out to find out as much as he could about the strange ruins and had learned more than he cared for.

Randon was of course protesting to him that they shouldn’t be going this way, it was dangerous, blah blah blah; Eyota shut his mind to Randon, something he had rarely done until he had lost Feilena; it had become a easier lately and he worried that he was losing contact with what little hold he had on his humanity as it was. That was a worry for another time and place right now he had to focus on the trail ahead and any sign of passage.

After an hour on the trail Eyota had choosen the sun was reaching it zenith and John called a halt; “Eyota where are we headed that the wolves would warn us off of ?â€

He had been afraid this question would arise; and had given some thought to how he could answer it. “Why don’t we stop and fix some lunch. This is a tale that could take some time.†The three men sat down and Eyota pulled some dried venison from his bags and passed it around to his companions. “The wolves are right to warn us off; but there was evidence of a large group of people moving a long ahead of us. They’ve done a good job of disguising their trail, and when large groups go to that trouble it can mean nothing good, so I felt it best to avoid them. This trail was the only one I could remember and I decided on it with some trepidation.†Eyota was watching Wall while he told this part of what needed telling to see if his one time student and now friend had seen the sings of the other groups passing. It appeared that he had since he didn’t baulk at the suggestion. “What lies ahead of us could cause a problem, I found it once while leading a group of smugglers (though they told me they were merchants, the way they wished to travel made it clear what they really were, but the color of their coin was right). Regardless we ran into some local authorities and had to travel this trail. It was only years later I found out how dangerous it really had been.†Eyota paused to chew his jerky and drink from his water skin; then looked to Wall. “Friend if you have any of that fine brew from the inn now would be a good time for it.â€

Wall grinned and reached into his saddle bag pulling out a flask and passed it around, each man making a face as the liquid burned down their throats. “What lies ahead is the ruins of a city known as Shadar Logoth. It was once apart of Manetherene; and now carries a dark curse. The people of that long dead city shut their doors to the world afraid of their own shadows and untrusting of everything and everyone. This darkness and fear consumed them until it became the ruins which we are about to see. If we are forced to enter their it would be best if we leave before dark. Even Trollocs will not enter there unless forced by their masters. If we enter take nothing from there, not even a stone, the curse resides in every particle of that place and its taint will do who knows what to you. I have heard tales that would chill your blood, though I don’t know from that point on what is fact of fiction. At the moment though I feel it’s our only road. However as the eldest here I will bow to your wish’s John. If you feel we should not continue we will undoubtedly be forced to confront whoever is ahead of us, and though they hid their numbers I’m going to guess that there are at least 50, perhaps more.â€

WALL

Wall had noticed the signs and agreed with Eyota''s assessment, though he was curious how long his friend had known about the party before Wall had picked it out. The big man was good in the woods. He never would have made it as a Tracker if he wasn't, but Eyota had trained him and sometimes it seemed like he could read the forrest like words on a page. The trail they followed now was unfamiliar, but the wolves warned against it. That was a bad sign.

Wall listened closely to the description of Shadar Logoth as his special liquor burned its way into his belly. By the end of teh tale he needed another drink. Eyota looked to John for the final word on what to do, but the Ranger just nodded in Wall's direction. "I'm older, but this is Wall's call. He is the one who needs to go on this journey. He should be the one who decides whether we go through or not."

Nodding his shaggy head, Wall studied the ground between his feet for what seemed a long time. Decisions about his inn he could make easily and often without thinking, partly because he knew what needed to be done and partly because if he made a bad call then his customers would drink stout rather than lager for a week and nothing worse would come of it. This time people could die.

They couldn't go back the way they had come. The armsmen made that clear. That left the ruins ahead. If they left soon, they could make it through with an hour or two of daylight left when they reached the other side. That was cutting it closer than Wall wanted to cut it, but their options were bad. "A group like the one we are avoiding will surely have scouts. If we wait for them to leave, we run teh risk of being spotted. I say we push through those ruins as fast as prudence allows and then put a lot of distance between us, them, and the men as possible." The other two men nodded and the three of them were mounted in short order. Wall gripped his reins a bit tighter than was absolutley necessary

ANDULAR

Nightsfire liked their situation not one bit and grimaced as he guided his horse forward. The Ranger felt the hair on the back of his neck rise as he insisted on taking point and leading the others toward the light forsaken ruins.

An ominous silence hung over the forest around them and all three men used their hightened senses to search for the danger closing in on them. The last thing they could afford was a pitched battle between armed men who could quickly call for reinforcements. The wolves helped them keep track of men as they rode along a faint path toward the ancient city.

It was nearing mid afternoon when the trees parted before them revealing a crumbling city of ancient buildings. The sound of their horses hoofs on the worn cobble stones was the only sound that greeted them as they entered.

Dismounting the three led their horses on foot. “We need to get through here quickly this is no place I want to be at Nightfall.†Nights said and the other two men nodded in agreement. The lack of any sound in the ruins was disturbing. Many of the buildings were in ruins and surprisingly many were very much intact.

With reservation Nights led them toward one of the more intact building and stopped at the steps that led up to a plaza. “I say we stop for a bite to eat and let our guests in the forest move on. A hour here will still see us out before dusk and that should give them enough time to be convinced there is nothing worth pursuing in the area.â€

Eyota nodded the concern on his face obvious while Wall sat down on one of the steps with his back pack. Nights remained standing as he ate his meal of dried meat and cheeses washing it down with cool water.

The city was ancient and the oppression and evil that radiated from it was unnerving. Nights spotted tall building with a large bell tower in it a few hundred feet to the east. The tower was in surprisingly good shape and rose well above the other buildings in the city.

“We should go up there and have a look to see if we can spot any activity in the surrounding countryside.â€

OOC: ok we can get caught up here for the night or move on your call guys

AURIN

Not only were they on a trail that led to a city which he had always avoided at all costs; but there was a force of armed men moving along just to the south of them. Now they were about to go into the heart of that darkness. “Alright, we go in together; don’t get separated and we leave as soon as we can. If we move quickly we could still get a mile or so past this place before sundown.â€

They moved towards the ruined tower, the sun slowly sinking into the horizon. The sense of evil moved through every stone, every building, every alley way. Strange words were written in what appeared to be blood on the walls they moved past. Eyota tried to breath but the evil seemed to be pressing in on him; making it hard to breathe. “Remember…not even a stone.†It was all he could get out, speaking was too hard in this place.

They made their way up the stone steps of the crumbling tower. The shadows seemed to have eyes, out of the corner of his he kept seeing movement almost as if there were people in those shadows. Even though there was movement Eyota couldn’t catch even the smallest scent of a person, there was only evil; pervasive, flooding, and all consuming evil.

Once they reached the top of the tower they had a clear view over the trees. Though the shadows were lengthening they could easily see in the pail light that was dusk. “I can’t see anything, they most be out of our line of travel. Lets get out of here before the sun fully sets.â€

It was then the shapes in the shadows finally took form. As they turned towards the stairs a man in a dingy red coat that could have once been noble stood blocking their way. “Hello travelers, it’s been a long time since any one has visited my humble home.†The greasy smile that slid over his face only served to send chills deeper into their souls. “Come with me, I have a place were you can shelter from the shadows, keep them from getting to you. There’s even a treasure for you to take along your way.â€

It was almost like the man’s words were hypnotizing them; the sense of evil that he had originally felt from the man seemed to be diminishing and his offer seemed to sound more and more attractive.

OOC: Alright up to you guys where we go from now.

WALL

"...There's even a treasure for you to take along the way." The words washed over Wall and took with them many of his trepidations regarding this evil place. Gold never interested him before, but if there was a treasure, he could use it to buy a something pretty for Cicilia, and maybe even pay Sosumo back for the Inn's building materials. The stranger in the dingy coat saw the effects his words were having and smiled. "Follow me. I need three strong backs to help me open the door to my treasure vault." The three wolfkin nodded in unison, as if the strange man had given a signal.

The stairs and turns that had taken a quarter of an hour to climb seemed to take no more than half a heartbeat to descend. They had hardly walked through the doorway in the tower when they found themselves suddenly at the bottom of the stairs. The red noble beckoned and again the wolfkin followed. Wall glanced at John and noticed a grimmace on his face, as if he were fighting something. He looked to Eyota and saw the same expression, with the excetion of a feral edge that showed Wall exactly how much his friend had changed lately. Wall felt strained himself and looked down to see that he had a white knuckled grip on the power wrought spear that he had taken with him to use as a walking aid and to probe old floors to see if they would crumble. Something was wrong. He tried to tell his friends and found that he couldn't. Just as he couldn't reach behind him for his axe.

Wall took a deep breath. A stink filled his nostrils. The stink came from the red noble. Wall sought the Spring. Feeding all his emotion into himself he found the calm and heightened sensitivity that comes from this Ranger technique that Owen had shown him. Once wrapped in the Spring Wall found he was able to talk... but barely. "John...something...wrong...with...him!" Wall could barely get even that much out.

He could see John out of the corner of his eye. His lips were moving but Wall could hardly hear him, even with his wolfkin hearing enhanced by the Spring. "mrgmrphrn...kill..hrrmm" Wall didn't need to hear anything else. By luck or fate, he had his spear in hand. He didn't think he could have reached his axe. A low growl started in his throat as he began to raise he spear. The more he defied this strange power, the easier it was to defy. With a deafening bellow, Wall hurled his spear at the red noble. It passed right through him, like he was no more than a shadow, and burried its tip in the doorway. As the setting sun came through the doorway, Wall noticed another thing about the red noble. He didn't have a shadow.

Apparently, his control on them had broken, because John yelled "RUN!!" And they did. Wall charged through the door, yanking his axe free as he did, followed closely by Eyota and John. They vaulted onto their horses and galloped for the exit they had chosen. They didn't slow their pace until the evil city was hidden by a rise. They didn't stop at all until daybreak. They didn't speak until they woke up at midday.

AURIN

It was time again; the wolves had found another young one going through the howling. Eyota packed his usual belongings, his pack, daggers, quarter staff, power wrought dagger, and bow. After strapping everything he would need to himself he threw his green travel cloak over his shoulders and moved out of his cave to travel the route that would best take him to Saldea. It had been a long time since he had journeyed that far north; and to his shame actually had to consult the giant map in the tracker classroom.

Randon had accompanied him the entire way; communicating with the local packs as they moved to make sure that they knew where the wanderer was. So far she seemed to be in good health but every minute they took getting ot her was another moment that the howling could consume her.

Every night Eyota checked in with Janna to relate his progress. His control of the dream was coming back; he was able to control his surroundings and move to where he needed to go again. It was nice to see her in the dream and have someone other than Randon as company. Janna had been his big sister since she had first found him near to insane, and then again after he had nearly burned down half the stedding.

It had taken two weeks of hard travel but he was near her now. The wolves had shown him that she had a companion to help her along the way. And it appeared for once that the wanderer would come to him. He had yet to make camp and the sun was shinning through the branches of the forest. He was just getting ready to step out from behind the tree to make camp when a young girl suddenly bumped directly into him. And feel flat on her back.

Eyota reached a hand out down the help her up; “I’m sorry my lady, I didn’t see you running through the forest.†As she looked up into his eyes fear began to radiate through her scent; it was so thick he almost felt he could cut it with a knife. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’m here to help you.â€

OOC: Alright react how you would like. Have fun with it; and enjoy. We’ll basically be just getting to know each other. And I’ll be helping you understand what you’ve become.

ODETTE

The forest floor was cold, and lumpy. Roots from the trees had spread out quite far from the trees themselves and were overgrown, peeking out above the surface at random on the ground. A few of those roots were uncomfortably digging into Odette's backside as she lay there on the ground staring up at the noontime sky through a filter of leaves and branches.

Worlds collide when you run head on into someone. Odette's thoughts were a jumble, incoherent and confusing. One second she was staring in front of her, the next, she was looking at the sky. One second her feet were moving, then they weren't. At first there was air in her chest. Now, it was knocked out of her and it was taking a good deal of her effort to calm herself down to let her breath catch up with her.

Like a cloud blown in front of the sun, a shadow drew over Odette. When she looked up, she could make out the shape of a man with his back to the warming sun and a hand stretched out towards her. A voice accompanied the silhouette, "I'm sorry my lady, I didn't see you running through the forest." Slowly Odette's eyes grew accustomed to the shaded light and she started to make out the features of the man standing above her.

At first glance the man seemed as stereotypical as all the other woodsmen and travelers she had seen while working in her father's Inn. But her impression changed when she managed a good stare into the man's eyes. Twin pools of golden yellow fire burning hotter than any fire found a a blacksmith's forge.

"You don't have to be afraid. I'm here to help you." The man added, but his words skipped past Odette's ears as every single bedtime story and years worth of tall tales and exaggerated escapades from the Inn's patrons came exploding into her mind. Trollocs, Fades, Darkhounds, human like creatures that soar through the nights sky and steal your soul with a kiss, and even more shadow cursed monstrosities that she couldn't put a name to all made appearances in her mind. For the light of the Creator, she thought she would have been safe traveling south.

Odette wanted to scream. She would have were it not that she still needed to catch her breath. As it was she just managed to gasp for air a few times as she started to crawl backwards away from the man. With her heels digging into the soft earth and her hands clawing at the ground under her Odette began dragging her body along the ground, almost too petrified to get up and run. Gradually the ground beneath her changed from the soft earth to the harder root laden ground at the base of a tree.

Odette could make out the figure of the man better now, he wasn't alone. To his left and his right were wolves. The smaller one on the left was the one she was chasing just minutes ago. She had thought it looked playful, now she saw it with different eyes. She could see the feral nature of the animal now.

She was being backed into a corner, cornered like the game in a hunt. The beat of her heart quickened, loud and fast, pounding like the drum in a Gleeman's song of battle. Her breath had finally returned and she was breathing in heavy pants. The need to scream had subsided, and was replaced by the disconcerting urge to growl. The urge came from down deep inside, a near animalistic instinctual need to growl. With her back flatly against the trunk of a wide tree Odette barred her clenched teeth and a low growl escaped from her mouth. It felt natural and although guttural, it seemed to encompass all the emotions she wanted to convey better than any words could have.

OOC: <-- I don't know what this stands for, but I'm guessing, it's someway for me to talk to you outside of the RP. Anyway, I hope that was ok, I was having fun.

AURIN

OOC: you got it; it stands for Out Of Character. Which is a way we can communicate as it says…out of character. So now sorry for the wait.

IC:

This was going from bad to worse; and quickly. The howling was showing some of it’s more menacing traits. It was obvious she felt like a cornered animal and he would have to break through to her somehow. It had been his eyes; as soon as she saw them she went feral. She hadn’t had a chance to see her own apparently; this could be harder.

“Easy, calm down. I’m not here to hurt you.†Eyota was glad now that his weapons were all well hidden. “I’m a friend and I’m here to help. I know my eye’s are yellow. But please listen to me; your’s are as well.†He took a deep breath a stepped a little closer to the snarling young girl in front of him. “Look into your heart, find the things you love, the things that make you human. Hold onto those bring the images to the surface. Think of the face of your father.†The snarl grew louder…apparently her father was not a good subject. “Ok that’s not so good, think of your life the things you love anything. You have to hold onto those things.â€

Slowly her face dropped the snarl as she began to relax, and her face became more human. “Good that’s good. My name is Eyota, I am here to help you. I know you’ve been feeling changes been wanting to roam free. If you think back your sense of smell has probably grown more acute. You might even be craving more meat than usual. Think back and remember.â€

The change was continuing and she was becoming more and more human. She was regaining her hold on life; the howling was losing. Now she just seemed scared. The forrest was growing darker and Eyota hadn’t found a place for them to camp yet. He didn’t relish spending the night without fire or shelter. “Alright, I’m going to find a place for us to camp. If you would like to learn more please come to the camp; I will feed you and we can talk.â€

It was a gamble to leave her here, but with the fear that she was feeling towards him it was wiser to let her come to him. The shadows were shifting as the sun moved lower on it’s course through the sky. It only took him a few minutes to find a suitable place and get a fire going strong. All he could do now was wait for the young girl to come to him, he prayed she would or else finding her again in the morning would be tricky if not impossible.

OOC: Your posts are great I love the length and detail! Just keep going with this and we’ll get you to the stedding pronto!

ODETTE

t had been hours since the man, Eyota as he called himself, had left her. Odette had made her way back to the road, back to the place where she had dropped all her supplies and personal belongings. She was alone again, without even the wolf for companionship. That was one of many ill-formed and complex reasons why she decided to go back and looked for Eyota's camp.

The sun had dipped well below the horizon and not even a trace of it's golden light remained in the forest. Instead, the watery silver light from a wanning moon, five times more brilliant than any night before, filled the forest with its eerie nocturnal glow.

Finding Eyota's campsite proved far easier than she would have thought, considering her limited experience with the outdoors. The sickly sweet smell of smoke from freshly cut pine was being blown in her direction from the southwest. Just underneath the hoots of owls and the droning of Saldaean cicadas Odette could hear the distinctive cracking sound as the fresh sap expanded and snapped in the distant fire. And if that wasn't enough, the amber aura of the fire itself could be seen glowing faintly behind the darker silhouettes of the trees.

Odette pressed forward toward Eyota's site, taking caution only to avoid tripping over the overgrown roots jutting out of the ground. Even in the deafening calls of the cicadas Eyota must have heard her approach. At present his campsite was a small clearing amidst a copse of Saldaean spruce. Their thick low branches buffeting against the sharp northern wind that would soon pick up now that the temperature had dropped a few degrees.

Odette stood just at the edge of the clearing, still partially hidden behind the trees. Her body angled so that her side and a sliver of her back were facing the growing fire. Her face was tilted down and sideways, and the fire was just close enough to cast dancing shadows on her high cheek bone. Eyota had probably heard her coming but she called out anyway. "My name is Odette Rachma."

She was avoiding eye contact with the man, but from the corner of her vision she could see the broad smile of relief spread across his face. He started to get up from his seat adjacent the fire. The movement caught her off guard, she gasped in a breath of air as all her muscles tensed. Again, like before, she felt an animalistic impulse, this time it was to take flight. Odette had to steel her will to keep her body from acting. Her reaction didn't go unnoticed by Eyota who was slowly taking is seat back down.

"How did you know?" Odette called out again.

Odette couldn't see his reaction, but the few seconds that it took him to compose an answer seemed to drag on for eternity. The sound of the small fire, amplified by the silence crackled as loud as a bonfire at Beltane. "About your eyes? About yours senses? Is that what you mean?"

"No no. Not that." Odette answered as she side stepped a few more paces deeper into the clearing, letting the nettles from a spruce scrape gently across her skin and rake through the tail in her hair. "You're wrong about that." That was a lie and somehow she knew it, but it's easy to lie to others when you were lying to yourself as well. "How did you know what to say..."

Odette took the last few paces and made her way fully into the clearing. Still not looking directly at him she continued, stammering a little. "I wasn't myself back there. How did you know what to say to calm me down?"

AURIN

The fresh pine burning in the fire gave off a pleasant enough smell, permeating the clearing with it’s crispness. The campsite wasn’t perfect, but it provided at least a modicum of comfort from the sharp wind that was sure to pick up now that the moon had risen to bath the clearing in it’s fresh light. Eyota loved the night, the insicts the buzzed and the stillness of everything else around him. Finding peace was easier in the night, it calmed and excited his feral nature if that was even possible.

It had been several hours since he had left the young girl, but his instincts still screamed at him that he needed to let her come back to him. She was still lying to herself and until she came to terms with what had happened to her they wouldn’t be able to move along the path to recovery or acceptance at the least.

He could still remember when he was Aurin, before he had lost his hold on what was his humanity. Even now thinking back on the changes that had occurred in his life he had to fight to hold onto the humanity Janna had allowed him to grasp. Her scent came to him before the sounds of snapping twigs. Relief flooded through him, it was affirming to know that his instincts had led him in the correct direction. Still it would be better to show caution, she was still very likely close to the edge.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see that she had edged close to the campsite; still not willing to come fully into the light and warmth of the fire. When he began to rise her scent instantly became alert and tense, close to the edge again. He paused and slowly returned to his seat, he still needed to let her come to him apparently. It was good to know her name however. It would make things easier to communicate with her.

Now it was time for the questions; "How did you know?". It took Eyota a minute to figure out what she might be asking. He had two guesses and decided to go with what was least likely to be what she meant; give her a minute to adjust.

"About your eyes? About yours senses? Is that what you mean?"

"No no. Not that." The answer came quickly, but she stepped farther into the clearing, which was a good sign. "You're wrong about that." She was still obviously lying to herself but she came further into the clearing, still avoiding looking directly at him. They were making progress. "How did you know what to say..." Finally she came fully into the clearing…good very good. Even though she avoided looking at him, he looked fully in her direction willing her to look at him. "I wasn't myself back there. How did you know what to say to calm me down?"

And now they came to it; what Eyota felt was the real question she had wanted to ask since she had decided to come back. “That Miss Odette Rachma, is a little bit longer of a story. One which I will tell you only if you will sit by the fire with me, and share some of this stew I’ve cooked for us.†It was a gamble, but she was already in the clearing and obviously hadn’t eaten today. He could hear her stomach rumbling from where he sat, and she wanted an answer. It took a long time but she finally sat and Eyota handed her the plate of stew. For a moment she stared wordlessly at the plate; her stomach finally winning out she began to eat.

It was good to see and he couldn’t help but smile. The northern wind was picking up now and Eyota threw a few more pine limbs on the fire the fresh snap popping in the still night air once again filling the clearing with that wonderful fresh pine scent. “You’re experiencing something called the howling. It is an old tale, the wheel turns and ages come again. The wolves vaguely remember a time when men ran with them. Though they can’t tell us how long it has been. All wolves share memory, and even the memory of running with men is but a shadow of a shadow of a memory. But the wheel has turned again, and now we run with them. They are our friends and companions; we can communicate with them through images and pictures. And some of their trates seem to have rubbed off on us for lack of a better term. Your senses; sight, smell, hearing, have all increased. And on the flip side, the feral nature of a wolf is also inside of you and that’s what happened today.†Eyota paused to breath and realized Odette had finished her stew. Taking her plate back he topped it off again with another load of stew and handed it back to her before finishing his tale.

“I was married once, a year or so back my wife went to try to visit her family and was killed. I embraced my wolf side fully, becoming like a wolf. It was only Janna, our head tracker, who could bring me back. She spoke to me much as I did to you, reminding me of the things that make us human, love, anger, hate, joy, sadness. Only by fully remembering and embracing those things can we still hold to our humanity. I won’t lie to you, it is a dangerous thing, and hard at times. But there are more of us, we live in a community in an abandoned Ogier stedding. There we can teach you to control your new gifts, to hold tightly to the things that make you human; and more importantly give you a family that will understand.†The next part would by far be the trickest to explain; but she seemed to be at least listening even if her scent said she was still trying to deny it.

“The reason having this new family is important is because many fear what they do not understand, and even though you haven’t seen it yet, your eyes are yellow like mine. It is another side affect from the howling. But please belive me when I tell you this; you are not a dark friend you haven’t been touched by the dark one, if you had the wolves wouldn’t let you be. Wolves are aligned with the light, and by association so are we. Hear my words, see my eyes, and listen to your heart. What I’m telling you is truth no matter how hard to believe. I hope you have heard what I have to say and taken it to heart.â€

It was well past mid night now, the long days of traveling and the tense confrontation of earlier in the day were obviously wearing on them both. But they still had a long night ahead of them; he was sure that she would have questions, but she was still here with him and that was a good sign. Now it was time to wait again, to see if she had taken to heart what he had told her. Eventually she would break and would she would come to him, only this time she would come with words and questions.

OOC: Ok take it where you will, ask questions run away again, whatever you feel is needed or you want to do! PM or ICQ me if you have any questions.

ODETTE

Odette truly hadn't prepared well for her journey, what she thought was rations for a week had only lasted the first two days. She didn't even bother tastingthe stew Eyota had prepared, just the prospect of warm food had turned her stomach savage. She was near finished her second helping and she would have asked for thirds were she dauntless enough to ask.

The tale Eyota was weaving was heart wrenching to say the least. His face belied none of his true emotions, just a man telling a story disconnected from his life. Yet somehow, by some preternatural means, Odette could sense the cavernous abyss that existed behind Eyota's dialogue. It was identical to chasm inside of her. He had lost a wife, his partner, his soul mate, the true kindred spirit that was walk by his side holding his hand for all eternity. Odette had lost her parents, first her mother to illness, then her father to a far worse disease - hopelessness. The situations were far from similar, but the desolate nothingness was the same.

Odette knew he wasn't lying. The man fully believed every word he was saying. There were moments when Odette found herself wishing that this family of people, people like him, existed. It was like the tales of Jain Farstrider and the lands of Shara. They couldn't be true, but they were so fantastical and they solved all of the troubles a person could have, it was hard not to wish it existed.

Eyota was trying to pull her into his delusions, she couldn't let that happen. There were moments this very day where she had questioned her own sanity. Now that she had come face to face to a man who had stepped over the line of reason and sensibility it was easy to stay grounded and level headed. She knew she needed to get out of here.

By the time the stew had all been devoured the fire it had been warming on was reduced to a few smoldering black coals with streaks of red cracks that were radiating the final remnants of the fire's heat. Spring nights in Saldaea were just as harsh as the dead of winter in some of the softer lands to the south. With the now diminishing fire a pall of cold mist was starting to encroach on the clearing. A shiver rippled down Odette's back as she inched closer to the smoldering coals.

"The fire will die long before the morning comes. I'm afraid I'm going to have to get some more branches to keep us warm for the night." Eyota said reluctantly as he rose from his seat opposite Odette. He glanced around the clearing, frowning to himself as he looked at the absence of firewood. "I'll be back in just a few minutes. I promise."

Odette's resolve was steadfast. She was going to take flight as soon as she was sure Eyota was gone long enough. Just enough time to give her enough of a headstart and to make it frustrating for anyone to follow. She watched Eyota leave the clearing and disapear into the curtain of branches and shadows. 60.. 59.. 58.. 57.. 56.. One minute, Odette thought as she started counting backwards, ought to be enough time for Eyota to stray far enough away. 44.. 43.. 42..

41.. 40.. 39.. As quietly as she could, Odette took hold of the small bag that held the final remaining links to her old life, to the life that she so desperately wanted to go back to. To the life that would fill the deep chasm inside of her. To the life that she could never return to. 33.. 32.. 31.. Her heart was pounding in her chest nearly three times for every second that ticked away in her head. 21.. 20.. 19.. The knuckles on her right hand were starting to turn white as she clenched her bag tightly at her side. 14.. 13.. 12.. Odette glanced carefully around the clearing, looking for the largest break in trees for her to slip through. 8.. 7.. 6.. Her legs were tightly coiled springs ready to vault forward at her beckon. 4.. 3..

A rustling of branches came from across the clearing to the north. Eyota stepped through with an armload of dry pine. Odette's head snapped around to face him, the golden sheen of her eyes glinting dimly in the light from the near dead fire. She let out a vicious snarl before springing forward and crashing throuhg a slender opening between the trees to the south.

A stride for beat of her heart. Odette hardly noticed the branches as they whipped her body, tearing at her clothing and parts of her exposed skin as she impetuously ran through them. Nor did she notice the biting cold that she had been immune to just minutes ago. Each panting breath she expelled was a plue of white mist that parted and skitted across her cheeks as she made her dash through the night.

There were no thougts of where she was going. There were no thoughts of her family. There were barely thoughts of Eyota, who was, most likely, chasing after her at this very moment. There was only the need to run.

AURIN

Eyota could smell the indecision, disbelief, and fear rolling off of Odette. He had expected it and feared it. He had brought in many wanderers in the past few years but none had been so close to being consumed by the howling as this young one. He didn’t think it was caused by the overwhelming call of the wild that most felt as much as it was by the emotional turmoil that rolled just beneath the surface of her mental state. Her mind was turning to the only shelter it could find from the confusion, the hardened feral nature of the wolf.

He was torn on whether or not to go after her; he had done everything he could to ease her mind and explain what was happening. He’d even debated slipping a sleeping drought into her stew, but ultimately decided that wouldn’t bode well for garnering her trust. Eyota reached out to Randon and opened his mind to the images that would flood through them. Randon had been moving through the shadows next to Odette since she first took flight. Eyota had known before he even stepped back into the clearing that she was close to running; but that couldn’t change his direction.

It was up to her what she would now do. She would run until she was exhausted, Randon trailing her silently and Eyota following in the wake she was sure to leave through the forrest.

The night had come and gone and Odette had finally collapsed in a fit of exhaustion; Randon was keeping watch over her with Tail Chaser near by as well. The pack leader of the area Falling Leaves had also agreed to help in bringing the two leg to her senses. Ever since the initiation with Moon Hunter and the trackers, and becoming a fourleg in the eyes of the wolf nation Eyota had found even more cooperation with the packs that he often traveled with.

Now she was only a few minutes ahead with her back curled agains a boulder. Eyota moved quickly and silently through the trees and bounded onto the boulder over look the exhausted girl. He pulled out some of his dried venison wrapped in some leaves and an extra water skin and tossed down by her side. Her eyes were open and alert immediately and she stared up at him; still with a slight feral expression and snarl on her lips. “What for one second†Eyota pushed a scent through that he knew she would understand even in this state, the scent of the Alpha Male, the leader of the pack. She had no choice but to stay where she was for now. “I’ve told you only truth, and have done nothing but try to help you. Understand that until you understand completely what has happened to you you’re not safe here, or at your home. People fear what they do not understand. Come with me where you will be safe and we can help you to learn. I can’t and won’t force you, but I know even in this state you can feel the danger that your mind is in, if not your physical body. I’m going now, Randon will stay with you, if you choose to come he will lead you to me and keep you safe until we are united.â€

Eyota slipped off the boulder as Randon stepped from behind the trees and laid down to wait with the young girl. He knew in the end she would come, and sometimes with someone so stubborn you just had to give them what they wanted for them to see that what they wanted wasn’t what they needed.

He only traveled until midday before setting up camp and waiting for what he knew would happen. She had come to him before and she would come to him again. All he wanted was for her to believe that she had to make the decision. Once it was made there would be no going back, but she had to be the one to decide if she wanted to come or not.

OOC: You don’t have to come to Eyota if you don’t want to. If you decide not to he’ll eventually come back for you. I jjustr though this would give you the opportunity to do what you wanted to do.

AURIN

Eyota walked to the clearing where he and Solomon had so long ago began the training that would lead his young friend to becoming a full wolfbrother; and tonight was the last step he must take in order to achieve his long sought goal. “Tonight is your final night of training; assuming you can make it through. We’ve spent a lot of time in the dream, and tonight you’ll have to use all your skills in order to see the dawn break over the mountains once again. Follow me.â€

Eyota stealed himself for what was to come next, gathering his will to himself and focusing his mind. He lead Solomon to a river bed; it ran with only a trickle of water. Eyota fixed the raging torrent in his mind and stepped back. “It’s time my friend.†Eyota stepped back from the river bed and the ground shifted plunging Solomon into the raging river that now over flowed the banks.

OOC: Alright come up with away to manipulate the dream. Remember Eyota is still stronger than you so the river is going to stay put. And simple is better. Have fun and sorry this took so long.

SOLOMON

OOC: Time for some cussing, methings. Sorry it took so long, but I've been pretty sick lately.

Did Aurin consider himself some kind of monk? The whole 'final test to the death' thing was, by Solomon's standards, an overblown concept, one best left to bards and stories. He wondered if he'd get some sort of medal after he crawled out of the fighting pits, or wherever Aurin was taking him. Come to think of it, where were they?

"It's time my friend."

Solomon spun around, realizing that he had been too preoccupied to keep an eye on the older kin.

"What? Time...oh...bollocks..."

There was a rushing sound in his ears, and the next thing he knew, he was flying head over heels under a torrent of water. He scrambled to recover, and managed to claw his way to the surface. Aurin might have heard something like 'Blood and bloody ashesssss..." as Solomon was swept away, if the river hadn't yet drowned out the imperiled youth. Down the river, however, Solomon was in dire straits. He wasn't a good swimmer, and he couldn't find a single smarmy remark to berate Aurin with. The river, however, was less of a problem. All he had to do was relax and focus, and in one swift motion, he raised his hand to pluck a stout rope from thin air. A knot tightened around his wrist, and another at the nearby tree he had selected. The combination of current and rope swung Solomon around like a ragdoll, until he finally could climb up on shore, gasping for air.

"Is that the best you have? Aurin? I know you're out there!"

Why couldn't tests be easy? Something involving food would have been so much better.

"And we need to discuss your choice of 'final tests'!"

AURIN

“If only that was all you had to over come my friend.†Eyota concentrated again and the ground around Solomon began to squirm; the grass began like blades and they grew larger wrapping themselves around his ankles and crawling up his legs. The vines began coming from the trees like snakes on the hunt.

OOC: Alright this one is short on my part; but you have to escape this one and come up with a few other surprises that Eyota has up his sleeve for you. So have fun with this and then you’ll have another post or two and you’re done.

It was morning again and Eyota had already finished his 4 mile run through the mountains. Randon had come with him this morning, Eyota chasing Randon for the first 2 miles until his friend decided to go off after something to eat. After a few minutes Eyota heard the unmistakable screech of a rabbit in the clutch’s of death and knew Randon had found his breakfast.

The sun was up and shinning bright as Eyota made his way to the infirmary. Cleaned up and ready for another day of training Firion. Eyota poked his head into the dinning room hoping to find Firion already up and there, when he didn’t catch sight of him he decided to grab a quick bite to eat.

He pulled up a few honey cakes and some tea and waited for Firion to arrive; he didn’t have to wait long, the man looked like he had already been up as long as Eyota. “Morning Firion, looks like you’ve already been up for awhile,†he offered the extra plate of food he had picked up to him and the young man quickly began to devour it as Eyota continued on with the days lesson. “Today you’ll begin learning some of the basic herbs that we can find and use when out in the world or around the stedding. Though the sages have the most expertise in this area you need to have some notion of what you are using.â€

Once finished with their meal the two men went to an examination room that he had gotten on loan for the day, and Eyota began pulling down the first herbs that Eyota had found to be the most helpful. “Andilay root and Flat wort are useful for reliving fatigue and clearing the head, each is prepared a little differently. Five Finger, Ground Ivy, Sunburst Root, Healall, and Sorfra will all help with minor bruising and pain.†Eyota now had all of the containers in front of him. He knew it was a lot to ask at first, but these were the simple things that would lead to more complicated. “Some of these are only useful when prepared a certain way, and others need no change at all.†Eyota had placed a few variations, dried as well as fresh cut, out in front of them. “You’ll need to get used to how they smell and look as well as how they are prepared.†Eyota was not sure how to approach the man about his next question but there was nothing to it. “There are also materials in the library that deal with all of these herbs, and with my help reading the material I’m sure we can get you all you need to know.â€

OOC: Alright I want you to research the roots and give an oral report on how you could use them, what they look and smell like, and how they’re prepared. You can use the Yellow Ajah site for reference or dig around the internet of WoT sites if you like here’s the yellow ajah link http://groups.msn.com/YellowAjah/yourwebpage1.msnw . Eyota will help you through the lesson. You may NPC Eyotas help if Firion can’t read.

The sun had set and a full moon stood in the sea of stars the twinkled above them. Eyota could smell the deer before the snap of a twig gave away it’s location. He’d had his bow out long before the first scent of the deer had reached his nose. Eyota had planned to take the first shot; and under estimated Firion’s ability to use the bow with his lose of sight. “I hadn’t thought you would take the shot, and it probably was afraid, most prey is when the moment of death is upon it. But it points out a valuable lesson. We are normally the prey in the real world; people don’t trust us. You must remember to control your fear so that you don’t run when the time comes that the arrow is pointed at you.†Eyota released the tension on his bow and put away his arrow before strapping the bow across his back. Eyota had no desire to smell fresh blood anywhere near his cabin, so Eyota dressed the deer where they were leaving it’s innards for the birds.

“Why don’t you carry that carcass back, just throw it up over your shoulders. You’ll need the strength when we get to your weapons training.†Eyota grinned as Firion hefted the deer carcass over his shoulders. They returned to Eyota’s cave where he hung the deer up to drain the excess blood from it in a small tightly sealed shed; much like the one he had once had beside his cabin.

“You’ve done well today, go get washed up and get some sleep, tomorrow we will start your lesson on common herbs.â€

OOC: Nice job your first round of senses training is done, but don’t worry you’ll have another round in a few weeks. I’ll work on getting your herb post up.

EYOTA

Today would be a challenging day. He had trained countless new wanderers; but this was the first time he had to train someone who couldn’t see. John had asked him to take the task, and as always Eyota had agreed. He was a little nervous to be working with this boy, working in close proximity to another. Eyota had left word at the infirmary for the boy to meet him in the woods out by his cave. He knew he had a companion and he hoped he would work as the boys eyes in the tangled brush.

Before the boy actually came into sight Eyota caught his scent, Eyota could tell the young one was slightly nervous. He could understand his hesitation, he had felt much the same when he began his training. Eyota schooled his own senses, quickly masking what he felt truly inside, if he were with Janna, Wall, or Feilena, but she was gone wasn’t she, they would instantly know what he was truly feeling, but fortunately this young cub would be none the wiser of the darker currents running through Eyotas thoughts.

As Firion came into view Eyota rose to greet him, “Hello Firion I have the privilege of being your mentor for the coming months or years.†The young man grinned as he introduced him self. “I don’t come into the stedding much anymore so I’m sorry we haven’t met before this. I understand you have some limitations, however I’m sure the wolfkin senses will help you compensate. If you wouldn’t mind I’d like to know a little about you and your past.â€

OOC: Aurin now goes exclusively by his wolf name Eyota. He his dark skinned from staying out in the sun. He had long hair tied back with a leather thong. He wears woodland garbs, soft brown pants, and a leather shirt. He was a guide all over the continent before going through the howling and joining the wolfkin. Lets do a little bit of get to know you before we start your training.

FIRION

Firion almost spoke withought thinking then composed himself and started using the storytelling voice he had learned so long ago. "I was born in Deven Ride in the Two Rivers. My mother was Domani and my father Shienaran. They died before I learned who they were. A man named Kel al'Thorin raised me in the mountains of mist until he died in a blizzard when I was seven. The following spring I began travelling with a gleeman who had had a blind father. Ten years later we returned to Deven Ride and we seperated. I headed to my childhod home. Then the howling began and I met Cloud Hunter here." He indicated the large albino wolf next to him. he had appeared at the stedding early that morning. "A few months later Wall came to me and brought me here. From there you come in." Firion smiled he thought it was a rather good telling.

Firion had finished story and started to focus his senses on the things around him. Eyota was wearing leather, at least it smelled like it. He stored Eyota's scent in his memory then he realised the was a second scent old yet constant, but it was muted. This smell he himself hade made many times since thinking of his dead family. Grief, or sorrow, they stilled smelled much alike to him. Firion wondered how he muted the smells of emotions.

Firion grew impatient. "What training do I start with first, Eyota?... And by the way how do you keep others from smelling your emotions, at least fully?"

OOC: Because of my character's lack of sight he has even more highly developed senses of hearing and smell than most wolfkin. If you think my character is advancing to quickly on his own PM me and I'll edit my post.

AURIN

“Well Firion, by now you have realized that your senses have begun the change. And I suspect because of your lack of sight that your other seneses have compensated. Your sense of smell is much more advanced than any one I have ever met. You’ll learn how to keep your emotions concealed later in your training.†Eyota made a mental note to keep a tighter control over himself than usual around this perculiar boy. “The wolfkin are blessed with the gifts of enhanced smell, hearing, and eye sight, as well as the ability to enter the Wolfdream. Today we would usually be working on the first three things I mentioned, sight, hearing, and smell. However we’ll be working highly with smell and sound. As for the Wolfdream there are a many dangers there and you are still expressly forbidden from entering the dream on your own until we have finished your training in it. Randon or I will be watching your dreams to make sure you don’t accidentally enter the dream; and please remember Randon will not hurt you.†Eyota remembered when he had first gone through the howling and his accidental discovery of the dream, there were many times as of late he wished he could forget those first few nights in the dream, he had been thankful that Janna and Wind had kept him safely from that place until he could deal with it’s problems on his own; and Eyota hoped in time the young man would feel the same.

“Now to begin I’d like you to me what you hear and smell around you, reach out and see what you find.â€

OOC: Remember you’re new to your gifts so it will be a little difficult at first. Even with your senses compensating for your lack of sight. But don’t be afraid to use your imagination, please be detailed, it will make your RPing experience much more rewarding. And away we go!

FIRION

Firion smiled, hearing and smell were his eyes. he spread the focus of his senses. "There is a tree, an oak, about a hundred-fifty paces due north of here. There are two... no three eggs. The third is rotten though. The mother is landing it sounds like a lark." Firion once again let his senses go to work. "Someone is practicing battle. The locations are varied the closest being about three hundred paces to the southwest." Suddenly a loud chirping filled his ears. "Blasted, cricket!" Cloud laughed in Firion's mind. "My senses are picking up so many little things I never noticed before. It's overwhelming, Eyota."

Firion was astonished at the infinitesimal things he heard. The beating of butterfly wings, ants moving about underground. Firion excitedly described all this to Eyota. "What I find even more amazing," said Firion after regaining some composure, "is that I can hear your heart beating." Firion heard that same item quicken its pace just ever so slightly.

Firion was now able to envision the world as never before. "Eyota, I can envision this world so completely now I believe I was truly blind until today. I hear feathers falling, smell foods and herbs that are believe to have little or no scent. I truly thank you for showing me this."

EYOTA

Eyota listened as his mentee told him the things he could hear and smell. Eyota noted that it was the basic things that you could hear or smell; he was not surprised, learning to focus your senses was rather difficult when they become heightened so fast.

“That was a good attempt Firion, but there is more out there. The deer crashing through the field past the trees, the mouse scurrying through the grass to your right, even some ones heart beat.†Eyota grinned as Firion raised an eyebrow and Eyota remembered his first time hunting after the howling had taken him. He could sense the deer’s fear and heartbeat as it ran for it’s life, he hadn’t known it the moment it happened; however once they had finished Janna had explained it to him and asked him to remember more.

“I want you to think back on your walk from the infirmary to this cave, it should have taken you about 20 minutes if you didn’t get lost. Think of the things you noticed, the scent of the people you passed, the smells of the stedding.†Eyota had not commented on why his emotions were muddled to Firion yet; and hoped that young man would let it pass for now. Most of the kin didn’t mask their scent unless they had need of it, so remembering what people were feeling as he walked shouldn’t cause him too many problems.

OOC: Ok, I know it’s basically the same thing, but I want a little more detail, don’t be afraid to get a little creative.

FIRION

Firion focused back on the hike to this spot. "There was quite a smell of excitement coming from the younger wolfkin, and impatience from some of the more experienced ones having to teach classes. There was a rotten creature... a rabbit I believe, on the path to the cave. There were also smells of lust emanating from the wolfkin,a few from the younger women seemed to be directed at me. There were squirrels gathering acorns, one of them had a limp on his left front leg. There was a smell of sulfur as I approached the cave." Firion paused. "This bring me to you, Eyota. The only emotion I can get from you is grief, and that's only because it has saturated itself into your natural smell. All your other smells are muted to me."

Firion tried to remember what else he had heard. "There were frogs and fish swimming in a lake. Some of the algae is rotting. That's all I can remember, Eyota." Firion focused his mind on Cloud Hunter, He still mourns the loss of his mate, doesn't he? The albino wolf's thought came back, Just as you still mourn your father and the parents you never knew. A new wave of grief swept over Firion. No matter what he wanted to believe he was alone in this world. unlike the other wolfkin he looked the same as he always had. Tall, handsome, blonde, and these Light forsaken white eyes. He wasn't a Two Rivers farmbboy anymore. He's a wolfkin.

Firion's body was itching for motion. "What other training do I have to do, Eyota?"

EYOTA

IC: Eyota listened as Firion gained more confidence as he remembered the things he smelled and heard on his walk to the cabin. He was doing very well for a new wolfkin, and his senses would only improve. “You can stop now, you’re doing well, it takes time to adjust to your senses and be able to catalog what you take in. But it is something you will have to practice often. For the next two weeks I want you to keep a journal, every night before you go to sleep you need to find someplace in the stedding to sit and listen for a half hour, then you need to move somewhere else and do the same thing with scent.â€

Eyota could tell Firion wasn’t looking forward to the homework, “At the end of the two weeks when you look back at your first entries you’ll be amazed how much more you notice. Now it looks to be about noon, so we are going to have some lunch.†Firion grinned, Eyota had noticed his stomach growling for awhile. Firion’s grin suddenly disappeared as he realized his mentor had something in store for him, “Normally I would have you wear a blindfold but since you can’t see….well you’ll be able to do it anyways.†He hadn’t had to do this until his second lesson, but becoming accustomed to it before he had to move through dense woods would be good for him. “Stay on the porch. Before we truly began I want you to know something†Eyota Slowly masked his scent and moved away from his young student. Talking the enter time, but with each step making his voice softer and softer until he was finally about 20 feet from Firion. “Ok you can’t see me, but I’m about 20 feet from you and still whispering.†Eyota whispered in a voice no louder than a leaf falling to the ground.

Firions eye’s widened as he realized he had heard his mentor from that far away. Still whispering Eyota continued, “The more you focus the more attuned you’ll become to what’s around you, eventually it will be second nature to focus on each sense all at once and take it in, but for now we need to train each one.â€

“Follow me inside the cave, I have food stored in the throughout, please prepare us a meal with what you find, and be careful Randon will be moving around and occasionally under your feet.†Eyota grinned as Randon poked his head from outside the cave and Firion caught the wolf’s sent. “With your impairment you might be able to use your companion to help you out. I’ve never tried it but perhaps you can still see through his eyes.†Randon had never met Firion so went through his formal introduction; the two had never actually been introduced since Eyota had not wanted to overload Firion on his first few days within the kin. The image of a wolf standing between a bear and a pack of cubs fighting with it’s life, it meant Randon; Wolfs Shield. Eyota could see Firion was having a hard time taking all of it in. “He’s a little long winded, you may call him Randon, and you’ll get used to listening to him later on, tell me what if anything you understood from Randon, as well as how you knew what it was while you find and prepare our food.â€

OOC: Alright, for this one it’s pretty simple first part is all reaction stuff, then explain what you “heard†from Randon, then find the food around the house, you’ll have to move around and Randon will try to get under your feet now and again.

FIRION

Firion's mind was reeling. He had often used leaves crackling to determine his footing, but this man's voice was a featherfall at 20 paces. Firionhad heard him clear as a bell. He sent his own wolf name image to Randon. Complete unchanging darkness with two points of perfectly white light just above the horizon: Ever Night. "Eyota, he's excited. He thinks it will be easy to trip me up, but he uses far to many thought to get his point across." Randon growled at him, I think you to be overly brief in your thoughts, Ever Night. "Brevity has its virtues, brother."

Firion now focused on smelling for the food. As he started, Randon had so silently gotten in front of him Firion fell forward. He quickly Put his hands to the ground and sprang off of them to land on his feet. "Being trained by a gleeman has its advantages," said Firion slyly. Firion then focused his mind through Randon's. The surrounding area became quite clear in his minds eye. Randon tried several more time to trip him, but seeing as Firion could see through his eyes it was to little avail.

Firion easily found the rabbits, vegetables, and spices that eyota had spread throughout the cave. He deftly started a fire. He deboned the rabbits and gutted them. Then he stuffed them with honey, vegetables, and a heavy amount of spices. He began cooking them on a makeshift spit, and basted them in a honey and spice mixture. He made sure Eyota wasn't looking and stuffed the remaining peppers into Eyota's rabbit. "Eyota, lunch is ready. I hope you like it." Firion was very careful in not letting his voice betray him. Firion got out the flute he always carried and began to play "The Return from Tarwin's Gap."

IC:Firion didn't particularly like small spaces, such as caves. The sounds bouncing off the walls usually became quite the annoyance. Firion continued to play his flute, and he remenisced his travels. He had told the tales of of the wolfkin to countless people and now he was one of them. Firion put down his flute.

"I've been thinking," Firion queried, "you told me to keep what I hear and smell in a journal, right?" Eyota nodded. Firion continued, "One little problem is I can't read or write due to my lack of eyesight. How do you propose we remedy this problem." Firion began eating his rabbit waiting for a reply.

EYOTA

The rabbit that Firion was preparing smelled wonderful; however it smelled like Firion was planning on trying to play a joke. It wasn’t the first time a wanderer had tried to get even for a little of the training they would be put threw. “As far as the journal goes…that’s a good point. I still want you to sit and focus; don’t worry about writing it down. Each morning we’ll talk about your observations and I’ll keep notes for you. Sound like a plan?†Eyota quietly and discretly pulled the peppers out of the rabbit and took a big bite. “Your rabbit is wonderful by the way.â€

“Now, as far as speaking to the wolves go; the scent is important; however the wolfkin share the ability to communicate with the wolves. We don’t’ really speak to them in words as much as in pictures, which is why it often takes time to learn to communicate; it may take time for you to hear them speaking to you though, so we will continue with that later.â€

Eyota was impressed with his students improvement. In a matter of hours the man had become more confident with himself and was working very well with what Eyota had given him. The rabbit that the boy made tasted better than anything Eyota ever cooked, having been a guide for so many years he had learned to eat what was on hand quick and easy. He very rarely cooked if he didn’t have to; but having a hot rabbit in front of him was a wonderful surprise.

They ate their meal and cleaned up. Firion only stumbled a little as they cleaned the dish’s. Randon was still taking his job of tripping Firion up seriously. Eyota managed a small grin from the images that Randon kept sending to him of the young wanderer.

“I’m curious Firion; have you ever been hunting? I realize without your eyes it could be difficult. We’re going to go hunting; mostly you will be following me and I want to see if you can use the sound of the wind as well as my foot falls to move quietly through the forrest.â€

Firion nodded to Eyotas request, he had assumed as much but wasn’t worried.

“When we find our quarry I will give take the first shot, remember to use your senses.†They had a few hours of sunlight left though he doubted it would make much difference for Firion. “Once the kill is made I would like for you to tell me everything that you noticed. If you heard the prey how it moved how far from us it was; and everything that you noticed along the path.

OOC: Alright just talk about the hunting trip, and talk about your enhanced senses. You get the first shot, you can choose what to do with it.

FIRION

Firion had never hunted using a bow before. He had always previously used snares. Eyota's steps in front of him were feather falls. Firion's were only slightly louder. Firion was sad that his pepper ploy had failed. He was rank with anticipation as he approached the quarry.

He heard something on for hooves quickly move. He point the arrow just in front of the beast, an elk he now realized by smell. A moment later he heard a thunk then the shattering of bone.

Firion spoke on the verge of tears, "It was afraid. I didn't think I'd hit him. The smell of panic, the rush of his footfalls, they all shouted his fear." Firion swallowed. "Smaller animals ran away from us as we came to the quarry. They were all afraid. They elk didn't know that his running let me know exactly where he was. I shouldn't have fired." Tears were streaming down his cheeks at this point.

OOC: I will be writing this post as Belran my NPC Society second.

The initiate had shown great resolve during the onslaught of Stone Dog members. The members of the society always took great pleasure in the ritual beating of new members. Xin and Belran stood on the balcony of their roof watching the fight progress. Belran reflected on the time when he had been the newest initiate into Shae’en M’Taal and had to play his part in the next part of the initiation. At that time it had been Xin who was undergoing the beating. They had become fast friends and rose through the ranks; Xin advancing slightly faster and naming Belran his second.

Now it was time; with Ramza laying on the ground a bloody pulp from the beating the society had given him. Belran descended the stairs quickly and emerged from the door of the hold. “STOP†with the trained practice that only comes from many battles shared, a lifetime of bloodshed, and a brotherhood forged by fire everyone stopped. “You have shown you can stand against the onslaught; that you will not run. Now you must show your strength. You must go from the hold; you may take your weapons with you. You will run until sunrise and then turn around and return to the hold. You won’t stop or rest. Now go and return only when you have completed your journey.â€

OOC: Ok check the outline to see what you have to do.

Hey ramza I was under the impression you weren't interested in the stone dogs anymore. Sorry bout that. I'll get your initiation updated as soon as I can.

OOC: The stone dogs are a little different than the other Societies. We're doing our initiation into the society before the warrior training. Since you wish to be a Stone Dog and all are taught to fight from a young age I'm working under the assumption that your character has already learned all of the basic fighting skills. Your actual "Training" which will occur after your initiation will be society specific and help to advance your weapons score as advertised in the Aiel Policy post. So without further ado much of this post is simply you writting. If you look in the Off Site boards under the stone dogs there is a link with an Outline of the Initiation. I will reply shortly at most of the steps the rest is up to you. Here is the link http://aiel.aliciawilkerson.com/viewtopic.php?t=218

IC: Hung over, tired, and exceptionally bored was not a feeling any man enjoyed. It was to the Stone Dog sentry’s extreme pleasure that a young boy was coming closer to the gate. “Stop. What do you want?â€

OOC: Short and to the point...check the outline and have fun with step 1. Please be realistic though we've assumed you're a trained warrior you're no match for an entire society of trained brothers. They'll only beat you close to a bloody pulp! 8)

I'm here too don't forget me!!!

Hey where's the newbie chili and Janna I know you're hiding the good tequila somewhere!! Bring that stuff out here!!!