| Subject: encounter |
Author:
Wesimbi, Sema
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 14:23:22 03/03/07 Sat
In reply to:
Mercer and Khanada
's message, "Re: a new journey" on 17:37:26 03/01/07 Thu
"So where is this fellow?" asked Sema. "Is he visible?"
"It is possible," said Wesimbi. "Some kitsune wander the world of free air, but never for long. They guard their posts with great zeal. Each kitsune, you see, is the guardian of a point at which the worlds of the living and of the dead lie close together. The one we approach is called the Keeper, and the place he guards is a pond long-since dried, now a stony hollow. Stay close together, now, we cannot be far."
Sema glanced around, noting that Kira was safely beside Nashota, and then paused. "The pup," he said, "Khanada. Where is she?"
Wes froze, looked around, looked ahead, and sprinted forward. Forgetting that he was just learning to move as a human he ran swiftly and well, following the spot of white he could see ahead in the grass, and skidded to his knees to scoop Khanada into his arms just as a long-nosed kitsune was leaning toward her.
The Keeper jerked back, white eyes flashing, disturbed but completely unafraid. In the evening air his black coat seemed almost to absorb the light. Nashota and the elves came up behind Wes and froze, and the kitsune took in each of them in turn with eyes that burned.
"Brother," said Wesimbi, and the kitsune stared at him anew. And after a moment, a slow, toothy, not-so-friendly smile spread over his face.
(Brother fire-prince,) the kitsune whispered, darkly gleeful. (You don't look so well.)
Wes scowled, putting Khanada into Nashota's arms. "Mercer - we are in need of your assistance."
(By whose orders?) Mercer sat back on his haunches comfortably, five long tails sweeping rhythmically back and forth. (Besides, I'm afraid you'll just have to get in line. I am otherwise occupied at the moment.)
Wes folded his arms. "With what, pray tell?"
The kitsune snorted, his black coat smoldering like thick smoke. (Travelers,) he said. And before Wes could react, something very strange indeed happened.
Mercer was sitting on a rock on the edge of the stony depression Wesimbi had described, which looked empty and dead. But quite suddenly there appeared, in the exact middle, an adult Many-Color with a coat of fiery gold, looking very surprised. It looked around and then up at the group on the edge, and spying the kitsune began picking its way carefully through the rocks.
"Hello," said Sema brightly. "Who are you?"
The little horse looked from the kitsune to Sema, uncertain, and signed, Sun-Fire-Dance. I...I was sent here in search of another.
(Yes, yes, my fool of a sister sent word of your mission. Do what you will.) Mercer sat at repose, looking bored, and the Many-Color shifted uneasily.
"You need to call into the land of the dead?" asked Wes, and Sun-Fire-Dance - which Wes knew translated into Thuronil - looked at him in surprise and pleasure and bobbed his head. "The kitsune is prepared. You have a name? Say it."
Thuronil tossed his head, looked at the kitsune - warily, as though it might explode at any moment - and signed clearly, Star-Pool-Song.
At once the air grew cold, as though a sudden winter had descended upon them, but Thuronil did not flinch. In the center of the rocky hollow appeared a light, a dark blueberry color in the deepening twilight, and after a moment delicate white limbs unfolded and a Many-Color stood there, shorter than Thuronil and built like a fawn, slender and graceful. The spirit shook herself and gave her white wings a single flick that bore her to the lip of the hollow, where the mortals backed away in fear and awe.
The pretty little mare, pouring a silvery light, looked at them with interest, then signed to Thuronil. Hello. I saw that my husband had gone - there is a need here?
Thuronil glanced uneasily at the humans and elves, not knowing how trustworthy they might be. Yes, he replied. We must go to them.
They looked at the kitsune, but Mercer did not move. (Nope,) he said. (Not a chance. It's difficult enough to call up a spirit - you can find your own way back.)
"We'll help you," said Wesimbi at once, and the Many-Color both looked at him, startled. Wes smiled. "You are acquainted with a golden-furred Jellicle called Kaleadora, are you not? And a young Cheysuli boy called Dante?"
The effect on Thuronil was electric - he whinnied with excitement and pranced up to Wes eagerly. You are the ones they are looking for!
"Not I," said Wes, and indicated Nashota and Khanada. "These two have traveled far to be reunited with their loved ones. We will travel with you, Thuronil."
(Good,) said the kitsune suddenly. (Now leave, before I change my mind about letting you live.)
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 