No-ears hustles along in the dark, clutching a furred cloak around her for warmth in the early autumn pre-dawn.

Across the small cavern, One-Paw squats over a knapsack that looks almost as if it was made out of a badger's fur. Behind him and around him are scattered a wide variety of knickknacks. "Chookma, Usti!" he salutes quietly as he cheerfully waves you further into his chamber.

No-ears scuffles her way to the right of the entrance, counter-clockwise as is proper. "Chookma, Elder One-Paw. I followed quickly. From my night-rest. I did not think I had overslept," she leads, properly deferential in tone. She stands where she was directed, and waits.

"Please, child," utters One-Paw with a toothy grin, "be ye at ease in my home. I have not summoned ye here for any accusations of wrongdoing at this admittedly unpleasant hour." A restrained chortle expresses the elder's amusement, most likely at his own words. "I did not want too many to see ye coming. Too many would be asking questions and wanting answers."

In the darkness, at least the gleam of Usti's eyes gives away her interest in whatever's forthcoming.

One-Paw stuffs a few more things in his pack: a fully-stuffed tobacco pouch, a few rolled rabbit pelts likely used as scrolls of some sort, a handful of tent stakes. "On the morrow," he finally continues, "I shall be leaving for Haven again. I have been hearing, from my eyes and ears, that the great sachem of the Varati is returned to the stone-walker city. With him I shall visit."

It's almost palpable, the instantly increased tension in Usti's bearing, although you can bet she's holding her tongue. And going fishing. "Would you take a few things to the lost ones in Haven for me, then? I mean, if you've room in your burden, and the time?".

"Well," One-Paw answers cheerfully. "Ye could, mayhaps, bring them yourself. I am wanting ye to travel along with me, Usti, and to meet Atar." Not even waiting for your reaction to that, he turns back to his sack packing.

No-ears shrinks farther into her cloak of skins and clutches them more tightly to her. "I am fearful. And I don't really know what it is, some thing of nightmares?" 'Why me', is nearly readable in her truly shocked countenance.

One-Paw shakes his head, that customary chuckle noticeably absent. "He is being an impressive man, yes," he says. "A large man, wide of shoulders, and tall in stature. But among the People there are existing too many tall-tales of Atar, as if he is truly being this-- this deity, as he claims." Grinning again at you, his incisors catch a gleam of the full moon's light. "'Tis wise to be fearful, Usti, but not to be overly so."

"He is a man?" is Usti's incredulous retort. "Only a man?"

"I am believing so," muses One-Paw aloud. There is doubt in his voice and posture, but not enough that it overpowers the apparent strength of his convictions. "From what I have seen, he is no more than a large Varati with even larger wings. A powerful mage, mayhaps. But a god? Pshah! Would Sky-Father have need of such pride and prostration as Atar has shown?"

No-ears's head shakes from side to side as much in doubt and disbelief as her reticent fears. "Now?" she asks with a hint of resignation.

One-Paw flaps the hood of the badger pack over, lacing it shut deftly. "Are ye having other things to do that cannot bear putting off?" he queries politely. The message is there, and hidden: Now, of course.

No-ears heaves a deep breath of chilled fall air into her lungs. "No, of course not. There is no task left undone that other women will be expecting of me. No ties. But, Elder One-Paw?" she ends with a questioning upturn of her voice.

"Yes?" One-Paw invites your question casually, glancing up as you as he finishes lacing the pack.

No-ears hunches the robing up about her ears. Or where they once were. "The stone-walkers' place is so very distressful, not quiet like out here. All its sounds ... I can only bear it the few times each season that I go there. At night. I ... do ...?" The words come hesitantly. "I am sorry. I will do as the people need."

His grin becomes a more sympathetic smile. One-Paw steps across the small dwelling to pat you reassuringly on the arm. "Ye will come, Usti, and through your stories, the Ettowealona will understand what is truly within the stone-walker city, and not their own unconquerable fears," he says, his voice remarkably soothing.

No-ears turns toward the doors, not yet taking a step but resignedly ready to follow. No turning back.

One-Paw seems reluctant to let you turn away just yet. His patting hand trails down your arm to clasp a hand, and press something small and stony into it. "I have one other favor to ask of ye, Usti," he says.

One-Paw pages: It's an ornately shaped pipe bowl. Made outta pipestone

No-ears stands dumbly for a moment or two, letting her fingers explore the object before even her eyes have. "What of this? I mean, what am I to do with it?"

"I happened to pick up a nice branch of cherry wood before the last moon," One-Paw tells you cheerfully, still keeping his voice down in the pre-dawn hours. "I was thinking we could be presenting Atar with a nice gift. The Varati seem to be terribly softened by nice gifts. If ye could do the honor, with your talents?"

No-ears is half dumbfounded, but of course her palm extends forward, open for the cherrywood. "Now? I would have to hurry, before we leave. I don't think it would be so very beautiful as some," she adds almost apologetically, downplaying what in truth is to her a utilitarian talent.

One-Paw crouches by his bedding, pulling out a more-than-adequately sized cherrywood branch, neatly hewn off at the ends. "I am having plenty of faith in ye, Usti," he says as he presses the wood into your hand. "Be remembering that the Varati are having nearly no wood shapers, so anything wrought from our Grandmother's favored children, with the innate grace of the People ingrained, is beyond beautiful to their misled minds."

No-ears weighs the wood in her hand, feeling its weight, its grain, its length. More than that, the wood itself smoothes over, healing its ends. The smaller of the ends becomes a fluid thing, the other end under the manipulation of her fingers becomes more like the other, somehow. Yet different, perhaps it shall be the mouthpiece. But what of that? The graceful rod is solid, solid through. Without a break in her reverent attention, she passes the stone bowl back to you almost off-handedly. "I shall need some things from my pouch," she murmurs. Once her hands are freer for the care of the wood, she manipulates a small sliver of a shell tool-thing to mark its ends. Under her will, the willing bit of wood opens, the tool no longer needed.

One-Paw holds onto the bowl instinctively, obviously fascinated by your work. "I have often found myself wondering what it would be like to have such kinship with the wood," he murmurs, sounding nearly awed.

Without looking up, Usti responds quietly going on with her work. "It just is." Perhaps unfinished in the eyes of some, the pipe stem has taken a simple beauty of its own, malleable in its smoothness, as naturally showcasing the well-selected bit of branch that gave it life. Its grain nearly glows. Suddenly, Usti proffers it, holds it out from herself - no time to give it to you, she quickly kneels and lays it upon the floor as if to rid herself of it. "No more. It is finished."

One-Paw crouches over the pipe, nodding and murmuring his satisfaction, "'Tis beautiful, Usti. Marvelous work. The Grandmother smiles upon your hands." He lifts the thing carefully, and steps over the glowing embers of the fire-pit to slide it into his badger backpack, which he then slings over his shoulder. "So are ye ready?"

No-ears remains knelt, her head bowed away from your form. "Grandmother allows me this, in her bounty. Only this, no more. And I thank her. If... can you place them together, the two parts? It's... I am afraid. I cannot," she rises, "do more. Or it would be ruined, somehow."

One-Paw removes the pipe stem from his pack, looking first at it, then at the bowl. Carefully, yet firmly, he pushes the two together, until they sit interlocked. "Like this?" he asks, holding it out so you can see it, but not touch, of course.

No-ears nods. "Maybe a little tighter, Elder."

One-Paw presses just a bit more, until the bowl suddenly pops into place with a definitive clunk. "Oh, here we are," he exclaims cheerfully, then slips the finished product into the backpack. "So, we have many hours to walk before the dawn, Usti. Let us be on our way."

Somehow, the effort has left its mark, the woman seems as tired, her hair mussed, as if after a strenuous day's labor. Usti comments, "Never would I have thought of giving something of our people to another not our kind."

"Now, child," One-Paw's voice is firm, yet still friendly. "A lost soul will often be irreparable without outside aid. Be patient, and watch, and my motives will be being made clear in time." Holding the buckskin curtain aside, he motions for you to go ahead of him.

[Travel Interlude: Courtyard - Atesh-Gah - Haven]:

No-ears stops stark silent in her tracks, whether in awe or relief matters not.

One-Paw whistles to himself awkwardly, looking up (way up) at the Agni-Haidar guards that stand around the pair of you. The stoic, nearly angry glares of the Varati giants is quite unnerving.

Gobhi steps outside, and stands by the doors to the embassy, talking to the guards there.

Two Sylvans have obviously just arrived at the Atesh-Gah. Although their intents are not obvious just by looking at them, they do seem to have been halted in their tracks in normal manner by a few of the Agni-Haidar at the gates.

Gobhi's look sweeps over the courtyard, methodical, noting the guards at their morning posts. It stops to rest on the two newcomers at the gates. He watches the Agni-Haidar there, but does nothing more than that.

Khalid and Zarifa step out of the embassy and join you in the courtyard.

One-Paw stands near the gates, with No-ears, obviously detained by the Agni-Haidar there, as are most recently arrived guests. Especially strange ones, like Graisha.

Gobhi is standing by the doors to the embassy.

Rienne has arrived.

The smaller of the two, a female dressed in the way of forest people in Autumn, is so close to the elder that the cloak affair of furs clutched about her comes near to being worn by him as well. Try as she might, the very effect of threatening-appearing guards all about send her teeth to chattering until by the time the quaking ripples to her feet, indeed her bones might almost be rattling within their covering of flesh.

Khalid steps from the grand doors of Atesh-Gah holding Zarifa's hand, that arm bent at an elegant angle to guide the lady along in a 'proper' Varati manner.

Rienne appears in the courtyard area, drawn it seems by the noise and excitement. The water-dwelling maid appears to be formally garbed, not at all expecting the activity she notes now.

One-Paw nudges No-ears, bending close to whisper something to the frightened lady and point in Khalid's direction. One-Paw whispers "There he is, Usti. See? Now, be respectful. He likes that."

Zarifa steps along with the Khalid, head lowered slightly, but her eyes look around at the crowd gathering in the courtyard.

Gobhi steps aside to make way, and then he looks on who the couple is. He bows deeply from the waist, but his head is tilted just so, that he keeps his look on the courtyard.

It happens slowly, amid a face of stony placidness that indicates a shade of perpetually restrained rage... Khalid Atar raises a single brow. He motions to Gobhi with the smallest of twitches from two fingers on his right hand. "Guard, what occurs here?"

Rienne moves swiftly out of the gateway, to the side, quietly observant as she clearly searches for the correct form of protocol in this situation.

The Agni-Haidar in the courtyard straighten, their weapons are held higher, and the echoes of guards calling blessings on the Amir-al is heard over the bird cries in the courtyard's trees.

Gobhi takes a marginal step forward, his head still bowed. "The gate guard keeps that pair there, Amir-al," he says, his voice quiet and carrying no farther than the embassy steps. "I have just come to the courtyard. I do not know their kind."

One-Paw speaks quietly to one of the gate guards, pointing once again at Khalid as he converses.

One of the Agni-Haidar, speaking to the pair at the gate, leaves his post and crosses the courtyard, toward the Khalid and the Embassy doors.

Aditi slips into the courtyard and walks slowly toward the Khalid. She keeps her scarf pulled across her face as she glances toward the gate.

Zarifa glances over at Aditi, still holding the Khalid's hand, nodding slightly to her.

Gobhi stands by the embassy doors, near Zarifa and the Khalid, as another guard approaches from the gate.

Khalid's eyes of cold fire turn from their burning appraisal of Gobhi to sear the rest of the courtyard with an unrelenting edge. At length, he raises a single hand and motions to the main gate with the casual ease of one used to complete obedience from lesser beings. "Allow them approach."

No-ears is rooted to the spot, quaking, at One-Paw's side; only her eyes seem capable of voluntary movement.

Gobhi bows again, and flashes hand-sign unobtrusively to the guard that approached from the gate. That guard turns and signals to his comrades, who motion the pair at the gate to move forward. The guard turns back and advances toward the Khalid.

The guard stops, bows, and says, "It is One-Paw, of the Ettowealona, great Amir-al, who comes before your whim."

As the gate guards heel to Gobhi's signal, One-Paw tugs on No-ears' sleeve, urging her to follow him forward. "Come, child," he says to her audibly, as he begins to move forward. Once he comes within about fifteen paces of Khalid, he bows flamboyantly, a gesture obviously uncommon to the Sylvans.

The sky is gray at noon, the coolness and stillness enveloping the courtyard, and the impromptu audience there.

Aditi nods to Zarifa and pauses just behind the Khalid-Atar, peering at the strangers curiously.

Though the sky remains slashed by cold November clouds and a cool wind blows against those earth-bound figures, the God-King of the Varati stands atop the steps wearing nothing but his antiquated kilt. It would seem that even the chill of the winds dare not approach his person without permission, though a mischievous gust dares to blow his long raven-hued locks across broad shoulders as his thunder-deep voice rolls forth. "One-Paw... your name is familiar to me."

No-ears follows at the old man's heel as best she may, jerkily. Perhaps she suffers some affliction? Even the cloak of furs clenched close for warmth seems beyond her control, for its slipped to further hinder her halting approach to just behind One-Paw. Bow? No. It's wonder enough that she got there, it seems.

"Yes, Great Elder Atar, Giver of Fire, Grandson of Grandmother," One-Paw enunciates loudly, proficiently, despite the fact that his head is still lowered. "I had an audience with ye once before, if ye would be kind enough to remember."

Aditi moves a little closer to the Amir-Al, peering at the elder Sylvan from behind his large frame, nearly tucked under one of his huge black wings, though not pressing herself against him. She is quiet except for an occasional jingle from her gold.

Agni-Haidar stand watchful at the flanks of the embassy steps, near One-Paw and No-ears; indeed, everywhere in the courtyard. Each man holds himself with a tense, ready air. Gobhi has stepped back from the steps, moving off to speak into the ear of a guard. Yet he too, is watchful, his eyes rarely leaving the Khalid.

Khalid purses his lips in thought, brows still furrowed together in what may very well be the edges of a scowl. "Indeed. It would be a long time as your people measure it. How long has it been, walker of the land? Two decades? Three? More?"

Zarifa watches the Sylvans in silence, eyes moving over their forms, almost as if scrutinizing them, studying them.

A loud whispering drifts from One-Paw. He is obviously counting on his fingers, mumbling to himself. Finally, he stands upright once again. "Exactly sixteen summers this summer, Great Elder Atar," he finally announces. "I have come this time to your home, in the name of the Ettowealona, and bearing gifts, if ye would accept them."

A tear, unbidden as tears always are, of mortal fear courses Usti No-Ear's cheek, leaving shining runnels through the spattering of freckles beneath her blanched complexion.

Zarifa cants her head at No-ears suddenly, eyes narrowing a bit.

Aditi's gaze is drawn to No-ears. Her eyes do not narrow but there's a light that goes off in her amber eyes. She glances up at the Khalid-Atar and then to No-ears, brimming with curiosity.

Khalid's brows would seem to furrow deeper... were that possible. "Only sixteen? The years of my rebuilding would seem to have passed very slowly, then. Approach, One-Paw of the... Ettowealona." He nods in recognition, deep voice booming as if on the edge of rage. "The gifts of your people are welcome."

Khalid's head swivels slightly as the burning sky-blue of his eyes settles upon No-ears. He gives her not more than a moment's attention than granted a lesser being, as he gracefully flicks a hand in her direction.

One-Paw gives the Great Elder a long, polite nod of thanks before approaching and laying before him a rucksack crudely crafted from the skin of a badger. From it, he draws something long and narrow, about a cubit long and obviously shaped wood. This, he offers to Khalid, with another bow, silently.

An Agni-Haidar studies the gift, and turns his head to the Khalid. The guard raises an eyebrow in question.

Like a single drop of moisture upon a hot grill, the tear off No-ears' cheek sizzles to infinity following the wave of the Amir-Al's hand. It serves to jolt her upright, once recovered from the buckling of her knees. A little color returns to her skin, working upward from what little of her neck is exposed.

Khalid releases Zarifa's hand and descends a step toward the aged Sylvan, the thick muscle of strong arms rippling as he reaches forth to accept the gift... a long, wooden pipe. He raises it with something akin to respect, that accorded to dutiful devotees from a lofty God. "Your gift is a mark of respect from your people, One-Paw. It... pleases me." His deep voice growls.

Aditi's eyes start to puddle with tears. She lowers her gaze, no longer gazing upon the Amir-Al's gift. She sighs softly and shifts in her place, the fabric of her gown brushing the tops of her slippered feet.

Zarifa waits in her own place quietly, watching the Khalid, then glancing at the Sylvans thoughtfully.

One-Paw holds a finger up, grinning happily at the Great Elder. Bending down, he picks also a rabbit-skin pouch, its contents causing it to bulge. "And this, of course, Great Elder," he offers respectfully, never quite looking up to make eye contact with Khalid.

No-ears's gaze finally dares to, one might suppose, glance over the illustrious group before One-Paw, to put together a scene as one might a jigsaw puzzle, bit by bit, center and frame, a piece there and here. Her eyes work over the scene that no doubt will be recalled in detail for a lifetime.

Khalid reaches down to take the pouch, his nostrils flaring. His expression remains of stone and scowling until the barest hint of a smile cracks the stony facade. "You give a gift of fire to the Lord of Strife and Flame. Very amusing."

Zarifa takes the two steps forward, head lowering, to stand quietly behind and to one side of the Khalid. Her head rises, perhaps to take a closer look at the gift.

The weak light filtering through the crowds shifts, subtly now, as the noon sun crawls toward the west. Gobhi has made his way toward the outer walls, stopping to speak with Agni-Haidar along the way.

Chuckling at Khalid's words, One-Paw backs respectfully away with yet another bow. "Great Elder," says the aged Graisha mirthfully, "ye are the envy of pipe-smokers the world over, with your blessing of flame."

No-ears's save from being back-stepped upon by the Sylvan elder is only within a fraction of an instant, breaking her intent gaze which must've been becoming something close to a stare. A good thing, overall.

Aditi doesn't look up. She keeps her gaze lowered, only listening to the events transpiring between the Sylvan Elder and the Khalid-Atar.

Khalid bears the gift with regal majesty, one foot raised in elevation above the other on the steps, a heavily muscled arm bent at a sharp angle, cradling the pipe. The immortal gaze of the God-King settles the entirety of his attention upon the Sylvan elder. "The respect shown by your people will be remembered, One-Paw of the Grandmother's people. My kin look fondly upon you, though you know them by other names. May the Lord of the Rising Sun shed his light gently upon you, as you have found favor with his son."

Aditi lifts her gaze finally, watching the Khalid from behind him, her gaze drifting often to No-ears.

Khalid rustles his great black wings.

Aditi's clothes are sent fluttering from the air stirred by the Amir-Al's wings. Her scarf slides back some, exposing her hair. She quickly pulls her scarf back up, pulling the length of the cloth carefully across her face.

"The Ettowealona, through me, thank ye, Great Elder," One-Paw replies respectfully, with a grin that shows off his elongated incisors. "I have come here, mostly, to welcome ye back to Haven." An obvious unease eats at the corners of the Sylvan elder's posture, although his voice carries loudly and clearly. The marks of a practiced public speaker, it would seem.

No-ears gasps at the rustling, reinforcing her awe at the figure poised upon the step, staring fully at him this once, but only until the Sylvan elder speaks again, when her erratic breathing approaches a comparatively more normal cadence.

Khalid says, "Your welcome, also, is noted."

"And also," continues One-Paw, "to bring to ye a message from the Ettowealona." Again, the Elder respectfully inclines his head, most likely as a sign that it is by no means a hostile missive, but rather one to be welcoming.

Zarifa nods quietly, as she stands beside and slightly behind the Khalid, nodding as though expecting this addendum. Her eyes watch One-Paw, glancing once up at Khalid, and then returning to the Sylvan spokesman.

Khalid extends a hand back toward Zarifa without taking his eyes from One-Paw, handing her the crafted pipe of the Sylvan folk and the pouch that goes with it.

Aditi glances at the Amir-Al taking Zarifa's hand, an audible sigh is heard before she turns to slip back inside.

"We will be sending a liaison to Haven," One-Paw continues, pausing momentarily for effect. "A man called GreyWolf, who is honorable and looked upon with favor by Sachem Strongbow and the Elders of the Ettowealona."

Zarifa takes the Khalid's hand quietly, watching One-Paw.

Khalid nods. "He will be greeted and accepted in good favor, One-Paw."

Aditi ascends the stairs to Atesh-Gah's sturdy double doors, allowed past by the ever-present Agni-Haidar..

"Thank you, Great Elder," One-Paw bows again. "That is, I am believing, all I have brought to ye. I am hoping I have given ye at least a moment's pleasure with all of this."

Khalid rustles his wings once again, regarding the figure on the steps before him with a disconnected interest that borders on the dangerous for those who are familiar with the subtleties of his expression.

Several of the Agni-Haidar shift nervously in their positions.

No-ears has regained some semblance of composure. After all, it is reasonably quiet in here, compared to the stone-walker's streets. Enough to surreptitiously gather up her cloak of furs to flow loosely from her shoulders, as it should.

Gobhi stands by the gate, now, only distinguished by his unusually short and massive body, moving around the courtyard's perimeter like a rolling boulder.

Khalid says, "You have given me much to think upon, old one. Your words carry weight with me, and your people will have my consideration... it may be that we will have cause for further discourse in the near future."

A broad smile stretches across One-Paw's visage. His shoulders and frame have also relaxed noticeably. "To speak further with ye would be a great honor, Great Elder," he assures Khalid, an unspoken enthusiasm eating at the bottom of his voice.

Khalid's full lips twist from the perpetual half-scowl worn to a smile that brings forth images of warm flesh slit by a cold razor, his eyes twinkling. "Then I shall have to visit your forest realm, elder. Blessings of the Sky Father upon you."

Something akin to pacific euphoria brings a healthy outdoor glow back into No-ears countenance.

"And Grandmother's upon ye, as well, Great Elder," One-Paw finishes formally as he backs away yet again. The ritualistic Sylvan dismissal seems to have impressed him rather greatly, as he glances several times up at Khalid.

Khalid's lips remain curled up on the edges in a politely casual half-smile as he watches One-Paw's departure with unblinking eyes.

Nudging No-ears, One-Paw whispers to her, obviously alerting the younger Sylvan that it is time for their departure.

No-ears backs away also, in a sort of sidelong manner, eastward and back toward the gate. Anyone knows not to turn one's backside to such a presence.

One-Paw and No-ears pass between the massive pillars flanking the entrance to Atesh-Gah and return to the street.

FIN  

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