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The Heartwood
The Silk Creek Bridge
Dawn
Hasday the Twenty-first Day of Horse

Mikal and Dean

The two stood, one mounted, one not ... upon the rampart of the ravine, the darkness of night being pushed back until, finally, the sun broke over the far, far off mountains. It was a sudden blinding glare, mostly because that was the way the two swordsmen faced, but the streaks of saffron through the clouds burt away the night mist, the gray fading into nothingness ...

Just as those they may have once stood with, hints of a motley band of ragtag warriors .... from the nights reality ... to become gray mist ... and then, like smoke, like dust, like the hint of fog on silent kitten paws, they are sifted away, drifted, faded ... gone ...

Leaving the two standing at the base of the Silk Creek Bridge, where the half the first arch is made of timber, beneath the shade of a tall, lonely pine tree.

Behind hem, there is a sound.

The tavern door being unbarred and opened up, the tavern windows, unshuttered.

Kadri

The Amber Princess spoke her words ... and it was like opening a dam, like the sudden onslaught of a sudden flood across the dry plains. She was abandoned ... and they rode ... rode hard .. so hard the thunder was deafening ... so loud that it rose beyond hearing as it echoed across the low lands, away from the rising sun, away from her.

She cast a long shadow, heading back to Highside heather, and it was as if that shadow reached out as far as it could. It was a hungry shadow too, flowing, shifting staining the field like oil on water, taking with it everything ... all ... until all that was left was her, the Highland path, and the open fields.

She couldn't help but recognize this place.

It would not take long , perhaps over a couple or three hillocks, around a copse a tree, to walk back to the Silk Creek bridge.

She had set something in motion.

But exactly what ...

Romana

By looking way, way, way, way up, the white haired lass could see the hints of the dawn, and with it the burning off of the mist. She then leaned back, her feet kicking in the cool water.

She realized she had thought things only half way through ... but then ... then again ...

She wasn't that bored ... yet.

Cesare and Darian

The beast raised its head ... it bared it's teeth, so long, so sharp, as if daring Darian to let her arrows loose, to see if she could kill him before he gutted her Rhoni companion.

And then the first light of done struck it, pierced it, banished it. Like the fading of cloth left out too long, the eastern beast paled, shimmered and then shattered into a cool mist, and then that mist burned away byHer morning gaze.

As if, perhaps, the rise of night time history could not stand Her watch.

The dawn washed across the lowside, so did it was away the shadows, the fel chaotic cacophony of martial noise. Those they stood with simply blew away, like whisps of nothing no longer belonging, their time finished. The shadows beyond and their totems, to be forgotten, as real as a bad dream.

Until they stood, alone, on their side of the Bridge. It stoof there, half stone, half wood, in the shadow of the tall lone tree.

In the distance, a small and vaguely familiar - it was far away - walked down the trail towards the Bridge.

Jankin

The singsong chant faded away ..

As did the hands he held, the hands he had reached out to join.

Like a memory, of something so far away it was hard to say if it was real or imagining.

But even if it was a dream ...

Ad what was real was to be here now, alone, in the shadow of a pine tree, the morning sun shining away fog and history ... leaving only the sounds of an in waking, of the whuffle of Mikal's horse, he and Dean nearby ...

Even if it was a dream ...

Choices had been made.

Daxia

Hooves thundered, they pounded, they scrabbled against the breaking of stone ... long strides, short strides, hooves skittering trying to grab purchase upon a bridge that was literally falling beneath them, torn, sundered, each chunk falling into the darkness below.

She couldn't hear the splash ...

Into the dawn she rode ... her light washing over her like a warm breeze, like a sheltering cloak, until Morning Star's hooves started to skitter and skid as he tried to stop his tumble down the bridge's western side.

His horn shone in the morning light, finally coming to a halt, upon half a bridge ... the remnant behind her now of wood.

Her heat thundered, breath ragged, the nightmae over.

Or not.

"You know ..."

The voice was impossible, it shouldn't be.

"The afterlife looks a whole lot like the Path on a cold summers day.

"You'd have thought there'd at least be cake or something ..."

Kadri walked back in silence, moving at her own pace. She was deep in thought, a pensive look on her face. Something ... had definitely bothered her. She approached the bridge ...

Daxia

At the touch of Her light, the Starrider’s morning prayers were anything but usual. “Lady, do you know what goes on here while you look elsewhere at night?” she murmured as she patted Morning Star’s neck and gathered the reins. “I don’t think you’d like it, no not at all. I know we didn’t like it one bit.” In this, she was confident she could speak for Morning Star as well as herself.

She nudged the unicorn to head back towards the Inn.

But when she heard the voice behind her, she realized the young Dayalan she’d pulled up onto Morning Star’s back as the bridge crumbled behind them... as Morning Star had struggled to stay ahead of the destruction on the Silk Creek Bridge that night so very, very long ago... had survived to see Her rising.

”KAY??!!?”

Daxia’s voice held shock, surprise, disbelief... her eyes wide and threatening to tear as she twisted in her saddle.

“Kay?” With reins gathered in one hand, and that hand firmly on the pommel, she touched her younger Sister’s arm with her other hand. “Are you... are you hurt?”

The Heartwood
The Silk Creek Bridge
Dawn
Hasday the Twenty-first Day of Horse

Daxia

Morning Star didn't move, mostly because there was someone leaning upon Daxia.

"You know ..."

The short brunette's voice is just a touch more strained. More than a touch.

"The afterlife leaves a whole lot to be desired ..."

(Well, I'm paused until Ivid and Gypsy are back, I think. Isn't a way over not involving the bridge, is there?)

(OOC - Wolf, to clarify, is everyone else on the Highside of the bridge except Mikal and Dean? Or is Daxia now next to Mikal on the Lowside?)

Jankin shook his head slightly, to clear the last of th disorientation from his mind, and made his way slowly towards Mikal and Dean, his thoughts deep and his face troubled. He was sure to make sufficient noise in his passage towards them that they'd know he was coming and not be surprised, if they were coming out of a dream? vision? experience as intnse as his own.

Mikal

As the mist burns off he looks across and down and sees the others, scattered, but mostly on the other side of the bridge. His eyes flick towards the tavern as the noise of shutters opening carries in the crisp morning air and he nods to Jankin as the man approaches from the nearby tree. His expression is neutral, although his suspicions regarding Jankin were confirmed during what it was that happened the night prior.

He glances down at Dean, and pats Talia on the neck. "Well." He says simply. "You don't see that every day."

He watches as the others make their way towards the tavern, his eyes on the newcomer riding behind Daxia.

Although her approach was not seen, Kadri's voice speaks up at this point ...

"Dazi ... "

"... long night. I now know what it is like to be the pebble at the top of a landslide. I don't believe I am acquainted with your friend?"

(Dang it. Lost my sparkles line)

Daxia

Daxia couldn’t quite keep from groaning as she twisted, but tried to smile as she placed her hand over Kay’s wound. “You need this more than I do,” she said, the sparkling effervescence of the common healing spell dancing around her fingers. “Yah, now good time for Bekkah show up,” she muttered.

She nodded to the younger woman. “Better? Da? Good. Scoot down; we’ll walk.” She helped Kay down, grimacing, then dismounted herself with less grace than usual and draped the reins over the saddle. With one arm around Kay’s waist to help support her, she looked at Morning Star and just shook her head.

“Really, Your Magnificence? Two slight women are such a burden for you that clip clop nibble stepping to the Inn is difficult for one such as yourself!” Daxia exclaimed. “You who are the magnificent, handsome and pragmatic font of all knowledge, wise and wonderful, the magnanimous seer of all and listener of innumerable nuances, you of the majestic flowing silky mane and charming disposition... you cannot clip clop nibble step? And here I thought you could do anything!”

Daxia paused to breathe several times. “Well, if apples are to be found for you and cake found for our guest, such delights are to be found at the Inn, da? Also, I believe that’s where the head needing thumping on your behalf is located. So, come along then. We’ll hobble, you clip clop.” It’s possible that Daxia was sounding just a little bit grumpy, although she did pat the unicorn’s neck with affection.

She looked at Kadri, pain etched around her eyes, though she tried to smile... and failed. “Kay.” She turned to Kay, and nodded towards Kadri. “Kadri. You remember from the Inn?”

As they started walking, she said to Kay, “As an afterlife, I wouldn’t recommend it, no. It’s far too much trouble, if you ask me. For an afterlife, I mean.” She spoke more slowly than usual, and it appeared that it was difficult for her to catch her breath. Those accustomed to her speech patterns might wonder about the Courtly manner of speaking, rather than the more succinct Dawnview pattern. “As a regular life, I suppose it’s about average for a Wild Dayalan. Welcome to what I think is my life, by the way. Well, I know that’s Kadri and I recognize the men at the other side of the bridge. Probably. Oh, and look! The bridge is half wooden again, just as it was when we rode over it... last night, I suppose.

“I’m really not sure what happened, Kay. I really, really don’t know. But I think part of it... at least the part about this not quite being an afterlife... is that your luck held true. Granted, in a such a strange and peculiar way that perhaps only our Lady Dayala would truly understand it. His Magnificence makes a point or several that almost make sense. Might make more sense later, after I think about them.

“By the way, am I talking enough for you? Because, tcha! My ribs hurt!”

By then, they had nearly reached the other side of the Bridge. Daxia nodded to Mikal, Dean and Jankin before glaring with what might — maybe, almost — be called fury at something in the unseen distance, or unseen past. “I do recall being oh so very, very angry before grabbing your arm, Kay. I don’t know if you saw... did you see what happened? I’ve never been that angry in all my life. Granted, it’s been a short life compared to some others, but still... long enough that my anger was a shock.”

She stood and glared at the tree, then shook her head and looked at the younger woman. “I find I might still be the tiniest bit angry. Oh! These are my traveling companions, my friends... Mikal, Dean and Jankin.” Daxia tilted her head towards the young, dark haired woman. “This is Kay.”

Then the elder Dayalan looked at Morning Star. “I’ll get the young one settled, find out if the innkeeper has some apples for you... if not, I’m afraid it will have to be oats. I’ll be right back, if I don’t pass out from the pain, and yes, I’m talking excessively. Kay doesn’t need to be thinking too much at the moment, and neither do I. We are NOT spending another night here!”

Daxia led the other woman into the Inn, got her settled at a table, then walked over to the innkeeper and stood with her hands on her hips... well, one hand on her hip, the other pressed against broken ribs.

“Cake. The girl wants cake. And my UNICORN wants apples. Do you have cake and apples? I hope you have cake and apples. Especially apples.”


[OOC: I have 2 points of common Heal... used both on Kay.]

Mikal

He watches as the others file past. Well all except Romana. She seems to still be missing somewhere. Daxia has been having a running commentary with the stranger behind her, 'Kay' is her name, he supposes having caught that much of the conversation. Plus the comment about hurting her ribs. But before he can do anything, she continues past.

He turns Talia and shrugs at Jankin and Dean. "Let's get back and pack. I agree with Daxia. We're not spending another night here."

Reaching the inn, he ground ties Talia, knowing she won't stray, and deciding there's no time to unsaddle and brush her and then re-saddle. They all likely want to put some distance behind them.

Entering the inn to get his gear, he glares at the innkeeper, and moves over to Daxia. He presses a hand to her side and sparkles glow around the spot. (Using 1 pt of his own common heal).

Before she can complain, he frowns. "I want to ride hard from here, and you can't with hurt ribs."

He then turns to go pack, calling back over his shoulder. "I've seen everyone but Romana. Do you know if she's about?"

Daxia

The surprise on her face when Mikal eased both the pain and her breathing would be quite comical under other circumstances.

“Fine!” she calls after him. “You can be in charge for a change! See how you like it!”

The funny thing about that, about what she said, is that is was said with... well, affection?

“And no, I haven’t seen Romana. I’ve been busy rescuing a Sister and trying to keep us both from thinking overly much about what’s happened, and besides... I have an innkeeper to browbeat.”

Of course, when she looked back at the innkeeper, she now had a fist on each hip, and her blue eyes were flinty like the darkest, sharpest sapphires.

“Well? I’m waiting...”

Darian

As all that had been about them was chased away by Her light, the Hunter lowered her bow. Her eyes sought out everything, seeing what she had seen the day before when they had first come upon the bridge.

She whistled for her snarkhound companion and went to her Rhoni lover.

"Cesare be well?" she asked as she knelt by him and checked for injuries.

Kadri:

"They said ... they said they were going to dump the 'body'. Here, she holds up a hand.

"She was pretending ... I'm pretty sure. Where would a body be dumped in the near vicinity?"

She sounds tired.

She then looks over at Mikal.

"Remind me to never be between your people and a target, ever again. Especially those in red and black. I ... hate knowing that a disaster is being precipitated but knowing that, really ... there is nothing you can do differently. I ... don't believe in that."

She pauses and looks over at Daxia and Kay, thoughtfully.

"Although ..."

Mikal - to Kadri

At the mention of Red and Black he glances down at his surcoat, and notes with relief, although not unexpectedly, that those colours no longer adorn him and that the Rose Weeping Blood is back on his shield.

He nods to Kadri. "I was never certain whether I could change things or not, yet I think perhaps I did, in some small way."

He looks at her closer at the mention of being near the charge of the Knights of Roth. "I was only able to watch from afar. I'd have given almost anything to have ridden with them." He ads wistfully.

He glances to Kay when Kadri does, and nods again, thoughtfully.

Mikal - to Daxia

He grins, calling back as he heads up the stairs. "We'll see. I always hate to mess with a good thing. By the way, once we've put this place behind us remind me to tell you about my conversations with the Allaine who commanded the Dayalans at the bridge."

He pauses, then adds, "It might be good campfire talk for a while for us all to share notes about last evening. I'd like to remember it as it happened, rather than what's been passed down."

Cesare

Lying on the ground, injured and hurting like the devil, his vision filled with fangs, claws, leathery skin and the gleaming hatred in those vicious bright eyes, he knows he has only one chance left and that is likely to be temporary. He gathers the magic for his dodge but before he can do anything, the terrifying vision before him just fades into nothing.

Did he delay too long? Is he already dead? It is silent enough...

But he still seems to be outside where they had been, though colour is coming back into the world as the first tendrils of sunlight climb above the horizon.

Then he sees Darian heading towards him, her outline one he would know anywhere and he starts to sit up, the sudden pain telling him that not everything has faded with the coming of the day.

"Been better.."

His dry return tries to make light of his injury, though he is sure it is not life threatening, one bloody arm and hand lying protectively across his stomach.. and he guesses he will have a second scar to join the first that he received last time they encountered these beasts. He is beginning to develop a pathological hatred of these creatures.

Taking a breath, he channels the little healing he has, enough at least to get the blood stopped and maybe mobile again. Then he holds out his blood-free hand - well, free of his blood anyway though coated with other substances from their night's hunting - to his partner hoping for a hand up... and hoping he can manage it.

Jankin was silent, and preoccupied, until it registered with him that someone was missing.

"Should we go looking for Romana?"

Darian

She bypassed the hand and grasped his arm to leverage them both up to their feet.

"Darian strong. Cesare lean Darian."

Slowly with care for the Rhoni's wounds, she guides them back towards the bridge.

"Bridge look like did yesterday. Maybe find companions now."

She kept an eye out for her four footed companion as well.

The Heartwood
The Silk Creek Bridge
Dawn
Hasday the Twenty-first Day of Horse

Mikal, Cesare, Darian, Kadri, Dean, Daxia, Jankin ... Morningstar, Longtooth and this Kay person but no Romana

There wasn't far for Darian to look; Longtooth was there, at her side, shaking out his thick fur, his stance still a touch feral, as if he were still deciding whether or not to trust the morning.

The shorter, dark hard swordswoman; who could quite easily be the youngest of those gathered upon the cool mist free morning, walked slowly beside Daxia, every now and then stopping to rub her eyes, looking up to the glare of the sun, across the quiet field, to the lonely pine and the lonely inn.

She'd shake her head, too -- kind of a strange mirror of Longtooth - as if trying to get herself out of a daze.

In fact, she'd be at a loss of words, tugging at her shorn tunic and battered armor, eyes narrowing a bit, and her proper,

"Thank you ..."

To Daxia a bit reflexive, instinctive, rattled off as all proper but not the focus of her thoughts.

"... Mikal ... Dean ... Jankin ..."

The names too, repeated in rote. Though it was entering the inn. With its quiet innkeeper that would bring her to a stop, right in the doorway. It was only a simple commons room. Mostly empty, except for the family-folks setting the tables for the day; their heavy traffic due in at noon, for the midday meal.

Not the evening meal as most other taverns.

She didn't even hear the Innkeeper's reply to Daxia.

"Apples ... we gotta barrel. I'll get yah some. And we got some cakes warmin' in the ovens with the mornin' bread. I'll have the missus bring it out."

The Innkeeper would count those who entered the tavern, as if checking a tally.

At the end he'd just shrug his shoulders, and a little bit later a plate of breads would be brought out and a bowl of apples of various ages and appearance. Cake, of course, could also properly be a type of bread that was round and flipped over halfway during its backing.

" ... Lily-kins ..."

The dark haired Dayalan whispered. It was not a question, not a request, just a ... whisper.

She would tug on her dark locks. Daxia would recognize the motion, so akin to what her sisters had done as they passed her.

Kay's face would pale.

The one truth about luck ... is that eventually ... it always runs out.

" ... where ...

" ... where is everyone?"

Kadri:

"The answer, unfortunately."

She says quietly.

"Is, I think, not where - but when. Things have ... changed."

Daxia

Daxia looked at Kadri with exasperation, and sighed. Putting an arm around the girl’s shoulders, she pulled Kay close and whispered through the dark mop of hair, “I’m sorry, little Sister. They are gone these many long years. If I had words of comfort, I would give them all to you. But I can find no words that might ease your heart and mind. I’m so sorry, Kay.” The elder Dayalan barely moved her head, only enough that her next words were directed more towards Kay’s shoulder than ear. Despite speaking in a normal tone, the words were obviously muffled by the two Dayalans’ positions.

“You have a way with words, your Highness, that is not exactly kind or thoughtful for a stranger’s predicament.”

Only Kay would hear the way her Sister’s breath shuddered when next she inhaled... and exhaled.

“Dazi do for Kay what Dazi do for sister born,” she said softly, falling into her Dawnview dialect. “Kay tell Dazi what need, Dazi try best — swear to Lady Dayala — help Kay.”

Kadri:

Bites her lip, looks down.

Mikal

Coming back down the stairs, having grabbed his gear, which as usual was pre-packed and ready for a quick exit, he picks up a couple of muffins and fruit off the table and stuffs them into his pockets.

He glances at those in the room, seeing the somewhat uncomfortable tableau, and taking a bite of an apple he tosses his bag over his shoulder and heads for Talia.

As he goes, he calls back. "I do not know about you all, but anything you wish to say can be said on the road. And I, for one, wish to be on that road sooner rather than later. Now, we still seem to be missing Romana", he nods to Jankin. "Perhaps we'd best be packing and out looking for her so we are not still standing here at sunset?"

Jankin nodded his agreement, jogged upstairs and was back down in moments with his pack.

"Yes. Does anyone have an idea of the direction she went in?"

Cesare

He accepts Darian's help readily, never proud where necessity demands otherwise.

"Companions.. and breakfast."

He jokes to make light of the situation because he feels more like a strong brew than food right now. Then he goes quiet, saving his energy for the bridge and wonders what their friends had encountered the night before, hopefully nothing more than a slightly lumpy bed.

With Darian's support, they make the inn. His eyes narrow as it looks like they are packing up.. and there is another now with Daxia.. but.. his eyes sweep the gathering.. but Romana is missing.

He sinks onto a chair.

"Where is Romana?"

Darian

She shook her head at his question not having any more of an idea than he did. First, though, he needs to be seen to.

"Cesare let Darian check wounds," she told him.

It was not a request, and she immediately began to inspect him.

Cesare

He doesn't resist. What leaf tries to stay still in the breeze. Bowing to the inevitable is an easier course of action which is usually his preferred route. So he opens his arms out to each side in an exposed and helpless pose which his expression doesn't mirror.

"So everyone else get involved last night or did some have the sense to stay in bed?"

The question is a general one for any of those present as he looks around for evidence of injuries etc.

"And who is the new girl?"

His eyes lighting on the newcomer. Even Romana is not =that= much of a disguise artist!

Frustrated, and a little worried, Jankin hitched his pack a little higher and headed for the door.

"I will look around some. I will stay in hearing distance."

KAdri:

"INvolved ..."

She says quietly.

"Yes. I could say I was involved, although I did not draw blade."

Another brief pause.

"I am not certain where she went other than ..." She looks at Daxia.

"... I believe that some people here thought her dead, and they said they were going to ... dump the body. The question likely is where that 'dumping' would be?"

The Heartwood
The Silk Creek Bridge
Dawn
Hasday the Twenty-first Day of Horse

Mikal, Cesare, Darian, Kadri, Dean, Daxia, Jankin ... Morningstar, Longtooth and this Kay person but no Romana

The short, dark haired swordswoman may be anyone ... excpt Romana. She does have a familiar look to her, however, at least to some who have been traveling this path from far, far off Cragside.

She would just turn her head, dark eyes narrowed, her fingers clutching into little fists.

"You saw.

"You saw.

"When He no longer had a use for you ...

"He dumped you into the bloody river."

She looked back up then ... her attention focusing, turning, coming to rest upon Kadri.

"No. No. I want to know what do you mean. Where are my friends. Where are is ... where is everybody. She says years ... I ... I. Don't. Understand.

"Sea and stars ... what do you mean about not where ....

" ... but when?

"Somebody please just tell me!"

Daxia

“The Battle of Silk Creek Bridge was three hundred and fifty years ago,” Daxia said simply.

“The truth of that night is a patchwork of tales, of half truths, and perhaps outright lies.”

The elder Dayalan glanced at Jankin, then the rest of her company before looking back at Kay and continuing.

“The most truthful manifestation of that night might be this Age’s attitude towards Coveners, which I didn’t share until I saw what he did.”

She slid a plate of food — cakes and fruits — in front of Kay. “Eat. I’ll gather my things. Then we need to go.”

The redhead stood and headed towards the stairs, turning to speak over her shoulder as she put her foot on the first step.

“Yes, if I was going to dump a body, I’d throw it into the ravine... down into Silk Creek.”

Then she went upstairs to pack.

Kadri:

"I wish that I could give you a better answer, that i completely understood what happened myself. But ... I was, we were at silk creek, then. But then - was not now. Was not where we were from, not OUR now. Which is where we - and you - are now."

"I'm confusing myself just saying it."

Daxia

“As Morning Star tried to explain it,” Daxia said from the top of the stairs, “I removed you from the game — and I’m going to just say that I know full well this is not a game, but it’s how he explained it — that was being played that night when I pulled you up on his back to keep you from falling off the Bridge. You are now part of this game.”

The Starrider walked down the stairs and placed her pack beside the table, took a look at Cesare’s wounds, Darian’s ministrations. “Tcha! Wish Bekkah here, but Cesare live.” She looked the Rhoni in the eyes and grinned, as she lightly touched Darian’s shoulder. “Right, Cesare?”

She looked over at Kay. “Darian and Cesare,” she said, tilting her head towards the couple. Then she reached down to scritch behind the ears of the snarkhound beside them. “And Longtooth.” Straightening, she nodded to Kay.

“Kay Koromov, who happened to be close enough to pull up behind me on Morning Star as the Bridge was collapsing only a pace behind us.” She looked at Kay for a moment, then shrugged. “I couldn’t let you fall, and I had no idea it would mean you’d wake up with us this morning. Had I known...” She shakes her head. “Well, I guess I would have made sure we were closer to Lili and would have tried to grab you both, though our Lady only knows how that would have been received in the Vale. Kisa would have another sister? Aunt?” She shrugged again.

“Oh, and speaking of morning...”

Daxia turned and stepped to the bar, tapping her fingers lightly on the wood until the innkeeper turned to her. She leaned over the bar, grabbed the front of his tunic, and pulled his face close to hers.

“A UNICORN...

...is...

...NOT...

...a...

...CRITTER!!

A UNICORN...

...is...

...a...

...PERSON!!!”

She stared at his face for a breath, and then another, before letting go of his tunic and leaning away from the bar.

“Don’t EVER make that mistake again.”

She turned towards the door, and circled a hand to include her companions. “Eat... I’m going to help the others fetch Romana. I’m sure if our measures of rope fall short, I’ll find some in the barn.”

Daxia walked out the door and headed for the edge of the ravine nearest the Inn. Looking down, she called out, "HOI, ROMANA! YOU DOWN THERE?"

Jankin was already walking the ravine's edge, as soon as he heard about 'dumping the body'. It was the obvious place of course, and didn't bode well for Romana's state of health.

Cesare

He returns Daxia's grin.

"Take more than a lizard to cramp my style."

He doesn't feel a deep conviction regarding his words.. but it is good to be alive.

So this newcomer is alive again. Well he is all for second chances.

"Welcome to our merry band Kay. Sounds like you have a second chance at life but in our present and your future. Better than the alternative..."

Then he turns his attention back to Darian.

"All done? And is Longtooth OK? He got hit just before me."

Mikal

He sees some of the others come out and begin heading over to the ravine edge. As he tightens pack straps on Talia he hears Daxia name the newcommer, as well as her shout, which resolves the question. For some reason the others think Romana is at the bottom of the ravine.

He moves over to Kay and tilts his head politely. "Kay Komorov. Well met. It gladdens me that at least one of those who so gallantly charged across the bridge survived. I feel somewhat responsible for instigating that charge, and therefore it's results."

The Heartwood
The Silk Creek Bridge
Dawn
Hasday the Twenty-first Day of Horse

Mikal, Cesare, Darian, Kadri, Dean, Daxia, Jankin ... Morningstar, Longtooth, Kay and Romana

... inside the tavern.

It was a morning befitting days of yore; of the time when there was just the World Forest and the jumble in the tavern most certainly pattered after the All Else. Up the stairs, down the stairs, in the door, out the door, and in the center of the maelstrom there were but ht=ree - as everything manifests in three - circles of calm within this morning storm.

The Innkeeper. behind his bar, setting up goblets, stein and mugs upon the polished wooden planks. He watched with a droll eye of the comings and goings, as if it wer something he had seen before and knew he would see again.

Longtooth had found a place to circle thrice and lay down, at darian's feet, next to her Rhoni companion. Like Cesare it took more than a lizard spirit to keep the elder snarkhound down. All in all, the whisperings of common magics could tie together any remaining rents and wounds - and even if they were not fully healed it was more than enough to make one ready for the trail. The snarkhound's ears lay back and flat and his expression was grim, as if he too had no wish to stay at the Lone Pine Inn for very long.

The third was the young Dayalan.

It was without a word that she found herself sitting at the table, mostly in shock.

" ... three hundred years ..."

The food was placed before her; bread ... warm, cakes ... twice backed and harder, trail ready .. cheese, fresh. She just stared ahead, as if trying to look so far, far enough to see across the breath of centuries.

" ... I can't count that high ..."

She didn't even turn, listen, or notice as the innkeeper was lifted to his toes. She didn't even hear the weight of the silence of his shock, the rustle of tunic cloth drawn tight, nor the thump and tumble when released and he fell, off balanced, to end up sitting at the bottom of the wall, behind the safety of his bar, feet spread awkwardly, one straight arm holding him up.

"Right. Ja. Of Course. Yes. Yah ... "

Word repeated by the innkeeper, spoken to Daxia's back as she then took her portion of the storm outside, letting the door to the tavern swing and slam behind her. It was a loud, accusing sound - very different from the quiet of Jankin's exit ... perhaps only a handful of heartbeats prior.

"Lily-kins ... I ... I don't have a choice ... do I ... no ... you are right ... I don't ... I guess ... we don't ... we never do."

Kay's whisper was soft; it came after Cesare spoke; and whether or not it was an answer to his words or some sort of mixture of an answer, a memory spoken, a lost personal musing was impossible to tell.

" ... she always said there was no such thing as a better answer. That there was just answers. Goddess what kind of lesson is this ... I'm just a stupid swordsister ... just the temple mascot ... why couldn't you have saved someone who mattered ..."

Dark eyes looked to Mikal.

" ... you don't look like a Kh'lhy'ran Princess ..."

Bits and pieces of sentences, spoken even and without any touch of emotion, as if spoken by a person who had taken a kick to the head ... after one to the teeth ... after one to the stomach.

... outside the tavern.

By the time Mikal stepped through the tavern doors, to where Talia waited, all properly ground tied, Daxia and Jankin were already quite a distance away, at the edge of the ravine. Beneath the watchful eye of the ancient tall - unnaturally tall - pine tree, they had gone separate ways, north and south, in the shadow of the wood and stone bridge, and had spent a modicum of time walking the grey stone rampart, looking down into the narrow chasm; narrow being a relative term.

" ................................................................................................................................. daaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhziz dahhzi dahzi dazi."

It was faint, and the echoes fainter. But it seemed just for distance and against the continual rattle and splash of the swiftly flowing stream. About two hundred feet below a small figure abandoned her relaxed splashings in the river, perched upon a big rock at the ravine's western base. A hand waved back and forth answering the questions of just where was Romana and whether she was alive or not but leaving the just how did she get there still unanswered.

... inside the tavern.

Kay just looked forward, the food set before her untouched.

Kadri, Darian, Cesare, Longtooth and Dean were still in the commons - completing their packing and preparations, their activities all a'swirl around the still young girl.

"I ...

" ... I don't got any coin to pay for this ...

"I ...

"I ... I don't have coin for ...

" ... anything."

Daxia

Dazi waved a hand in response to Romana’s call and wave. ”WE DROP ROPE!! ROMANA WAIT!” She peered for a moment or two at her friend, then shook her head. “Dazi find Romana hat, too,” she muttered. Turning back towards the Inn, she called to the two men outside.

“Mikal, Jankin... see if there is a length of rope in the barn long enough to reach Romana. If not, would you start tying lengths together? Ta!”

She headed back towards the Inn, saying — with a sigh — to Mikal as she passed him, “Romana will need her hat.”

Her entry back into the inn was quieter, though certainly more hurried. She heard the last few words Kay said, but continued her dash up the stairs. In the room she had shared with Kadri and Romana, she stood with the heels of her hands pressed against her eyebrows... just for a breath, a slow and deep one. Then she fetched the pretty hat she’d gotten for Romana at Midwinters, and tucked it in her belt. Dazi’s trip down the stairs was slower, though still with purpose.

“Dean,” she said as she reached the last step, “would you help Mikal and Owain with ropes to toss down to Romana? Thank you.”

She turned to Kadri. “Sorry I snap. Very bad night, but no excuse.” She smiled wanly at her friend. “Would you mind packing up Romana’s things so we can get out of here once we’ve fetched her?” Tilting her head slightly, she glanced at Kay, then nodded towards the stairs.

Finally, the Starrider sat down across from the Initiate, leaning on the table with crossed arms. “I’m not sure how these sorts of things were arranged long ago. I only know now, and... well, Initiates don’t leave the Vale until their teachers decide they’re ready. And then we’re provided with coin to get us through our Initiate’s Journey, out into the world and back to the Vale. Of the other three Verchovai outside the Vale, only Verchovai Poppy is training an Initiate. And of the other three Verchovai outside the Vale, Verchovai Dandelion is the only one I’ve met since I left Dawnview.” Daxia took another deep breath. “But I’m going to say — because I’m the ranking Dayalan here — that you are my responsibility. For now.”

Daxia studied the young girl for long moments. “I’ve met two other Koromovs in my travels. The younger was as lost and alone as you are when we met, though perhaps a bit older. It took the journey from Cragside to Bordertown for her to find herself, but she most certainly did. I believe you will, too.” She tapped the table beside the plate of food. “Right now, you need to eat. So many things are so different, and we can talk all you want. Or...” Dazi smiled at the youngster. “...I can talk and talk and talk, da?”

She shook her head again. “There are few of us left in the world, Kay, and most have tucked themselves safely beyond Snowgate Pass. Now there is one more Dayalan to do what we have always done, yah? Though I must be honest when I say I never realized the duties would include rescuing maidens, killing demons, breaking curses and herding a group of barn cats.”

The redhead straightened up, and nodded to the food. “Eat and don’t worry about coin. Not today. Now, we are about as happy about the night’s events as you are to have found yourself in a strange new world... so we’d like to take our leave of this fine establishment sooner rather than later. To that end, we have a party member to rescue... and then we’ll be on the road. Da?”

She stood and looked down at Kay. “Oh, the elder Koromov? She’s a Dayalan, too.”

Kadri just shakes her head and hugs Daxia.



"Dazi - you would have to go much farther than that for it to ever be an issue. Reproach from a sincere friend is better than empty flattery from one who cares not."

She turns to Kay.

"You are a friend of Dazi and therefore a friend of mine. I suspect Dazi has it covered but if for some reason she does not, then Kadri djinn Khayriyah al'Terilanquel will see to anything she can do for you."

She bows to her, arms crossed in front, each hand clasping the opposite shoulder.

And she moves up the stairs to pack Romana's things.

Mikal

Having re-exited the inn after speaking briefly with Kay, and adjusting Talia's straps he nods at Daxia's shout and take his own rope from his saddle-bag then heads for the barn.

Once there he takes as much rope as he can find, including rope from some of the other packs, he recalls it to be quite a drop to the bottom of the ravine, if that truly is where Romana is.

After a few minutes, he drops the rope at the front door, taking one with him that he begins tying a bowline-on-a-bight knot. He moves over to Daxia and Kay.

He nods to Kay and says to Daxia, "I got all the rope I can find outside. Making a rescue seat for her. Do you know if she is conscious and can move, or will we need to lower someone down?"

He glances again at Kay, intending to ask her, or maybe Daxia, about her comment about Kh'lhy'ran Princess, as he doesn't know what that is, or why she said it, but there's time for that later.

Jankin

He'd been far off in the other direction, and came up just as Mikal was speaking.

"She was waving and did not look distressed."

He unwound a length of 'rope' from his mid-section and offered it to be added to the rest, it was braided and knotted from multiple lengths of leather hide, the remnants he hadn't used in his crafting, and extremely strong.

Cesare

He smiles at Darian.

"Better now.."

And to prove his words he gets to his feet, albeit with a slight wince.

"Best we get packed. And it looks like I might need funding a while longer as my plan to use the smithy here seem to have been curtailed."

He heads for the stairs to gather belongings.

Darian

"Cesare," she said, a hand out to forestall him. "Stay here. Keep Kay company. Darian pack. No hurt. Move faster."

Cesare

He is about to protest he is fine but thinks the better of it. At some point he and Darian are bound to clash. She is a woman that has determination and knows her own mind, like many in this group, and it is something he like in women.. reminds him of his mother and his aunt and presumably more like the other Rhoni women. However when that clash comes, it had better be about something important, not whether he does or doesn't do a small chore.

He nods, grinning slightly, and sits back down.

"Well Kay, I am easily bored and seemingly at your disposal for the next few minutes. So if you have any questions on our world today, I will do my best to answer them. I guess finding a place to start will be the hardest."

Darian

She flashed him a smile and bent to whisper in his ear before heading to their room to wrap up their gear, snagging a chunk of bread and cheese as she did so. Both being accustomed to be on the move, the packing hardly took any time at all, and she soon returned with their gear.