| Subject: Re: A Time For Change |
Author:
Michael, et. al
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Date Posted: 19:06:04 02/03/04 Tue
In reply to:
Alexis/Monet/NobelNomis/Kira
's message, "Re: A Time For Change" on 14:44:59 02/03/04 Tue
Michael stared, astounded. A rush of words filled his mind, each clamoring to be let out and heard: words of gratitude and honor to his elder (eldest, you know, he's not the only one, whispered a voice in his mind that he quickly pushed away) brother, promises that he would do his best, that he would be the warrior that Gabriel needed him to be and would uphold the honor of their little tribe; more foolish promises, as well - that no harm would befall the group while he was there, and so on. But he swallowed all of these words, letting the glow in his yellow eyes tell Gabriel all that he needed to know.
Before he departed, however, Michael guided his horse up beside the other that carried Nashota, Kalea, and Dante. Stretching out an arm, he gently laid a hand on his younger brother's head. "Cheysuli i'halla shansu, little warrior," he murmured with a smile. After a final nod to Gabriel, the boy closed his eyes to concentrate and melted away where he sat (his smoothest transformation yet, and wasn't he proud?) - a moment later, two eagles burst through the roof of the forest. The morning sunlight hit them and shone gold and silver, respectively. For a moment they lingered there, flying in grand loops and swirls and calling to each other playfully; at length they turned and winged toward the mountains on a warm eastward breeze.
Evan shivered - the presence of the fen-hawk could still be felt in the air above the trees. But stronger than this was the tingling sensation held in the air, the memory of the passage of the Guardian's mighty wings. It was a rush of warmth and goodness that filled Evan and made his heart soar higher than he could fly. ::Can you feel it, Michael?:: he called in an elated voice, stretching out his wings to their fullest to take in more of the delightful feeling. ::Our fire-feathered companion leaves wingprints in the sky!::
Having spent considerably less time as an eagle than his lir, Michael was not yet sensitive and attuned to the patterns of the air, but nonetheless could also feel the impression left there by the Guardian. Michael remembered being overwhelmed by Wesimbi - frightened, yes, but it had been so much more...the presence and power of a being so compeltely beyond his comprehension had been simply overpowering. Anger had cleared his head, enabling him to speak before the creature, but he now knew that it was something more. The Eternal Flame of the West had, by some inexplicable means, lowered himself to walk among them, did not seek to overpower them but instead was their companion. How could they fail? Feeling little short of invincible, Michael put on a burst of speed to overtake Evan.
::I feel it,:: he replied. ::Not as clearly as you, brave lir, but that will come in time.::
::Empty compliments, warrior,:: Evan shot back. ::My only bravery is in not killing myself when I found myself bound to you!::
Michael dove at him playfully and, thus engrossed, they came ever closer to the mountains.
- - -
Wesimbi re-entered the clearing to join his companions; noting Michael and Evan's absence, he smiled. He did not comment, but it was obvious that he knew what had been done. "The predators are gone," he said, "and our parties are presently safe."
Kalea hugged Dante gently. ::See, it'll all be okay,:: she told him. ::We'll find Jeff, sure 'nuff.::
- - -
Angie's keen eyes located Monet in only a moment - he was well hidden - and did not speak for a short while. ::So...she called the earth magic to heal me, at price of her own strength?:: The girl shook her head in exasperation, glaring. ::That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It's illogical, unreasonable...it's -::
::It's an expression of a warm and caring heart.::
Angie started and jerked around. The masked Silent Paw was sitting very upright on her boy's chest, rising and falling gently with his breath; her green-gold gaze was wearied but intense. ::Alexis gave of herself in order to heal you. But what is that to you? What can that possibly mean to you, who have never known companionship, never felt the power of grace? This is something you cannot know without experiencing. But here you have experienced it, and don't even realize!::
::Wh-...what are you talking about?:: Much as Angie struggled to remain angry, fear was quickly overcoming her rage. Even in such a small and fragile form, even on the downward-sloping path toward death, Gwenneveire's presence was daunting, her power mesmerizing when she so desired.
::I am talking about something that you cannot understand. Yet. You are tremendously clever, young one, and yet there is so much that you do not know. But there is still hope for you. Why did you destroy the predator that purused us, just now? What good did it do you?::
She paused, obviously expecting an answer, and Angie cringed internally. ::I just felt like it, is all,:: she muttered irritibly. ::So what? I...I wanted to do magic! It was pent up inside me. Felt good to let it out.:: Pleased with herself for devising such a plausible (and at least halfway true) reply, she met Gwenneth's gaze with a bold smirk.
The Silent Paw's eyes narrowed and Angie's smile faded; she knew that she had gotten away with nothing, not when she was up against so canny a creature. ::What you did might be called a selfless and noble act,:: she said with slow deliberation, eyes burning into Angie's. ::You gave of yourself, risked your well-being - your life, even - for the sake of others. But selflessness and nobility are more than descriptive terms for an act...they are the unconscious inspiration behind an act, an inspiration that you might have or might not - but never will if you keep shutting it out. You are so empty, child!:: Her voice was nearly desperate. ::So strong, but your strength is routed in all the wrong directions. You are empty and cold and dark, like an autumn leaf sent to the ground to rot. If you would only open up and let a little sunshine in...there is so much good that you could do! Such wonders! But if you continue to pull away, Angelina...if you shut your heart and nurture the hate that grows there, rather than uproot it....:: She sighed. ::That would be a greater tragedy than any I have known.
::Accept the gift that Alexis has given you, child - do not fight the healing. Do not give her spiteful words when she wakes. Remember how you felt when you carried my boy on your back, when you hurt yourself to save his life, and all of our lives. Remember that feeling, and hold onto it with all of your might. Never let it go. Heed my words.::
And with that she slumped down across Jeffrey's chest, a picture of exhaustion and misery.
Angie was silent, staring up the mountain path.
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