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Reality Fault

Realms: Taps Logs

Bad Religion

Suraksha heads silently through the growing twilight towards the gutted, still smoking remains of Malachai's house. Darkness does not bother her, and the embers still glow, so she can see easily. She sadly studies the blackened, devastated former building, then shakes her head once. She'd thought to save the grief-stricken little community some pain, and search for the magical wolfskins... but from the look of things, not only is it still far too hot to step into, but nothing survived. She knows the folks here would save kids before property, and they were unable to save two of the poor children as is. Regardless, she looks the remains over carefully from where she stands.

There are some timbers still standing, and parts of walls leaning drunkenly here and there. Some larger chunks of debris look like they may have been furniture. The hearth is still there, as is the enormous iron stove that was in the kitchen. In fact, the hearth is anchored to the earth, looking as if the floor that used to come up around it was built around it rather than the hearth laid on the flooring.

Suraksha tilts her head curiously as she studies that. She knows the hearth is sacred to her people, and apparently that belief was brought over from the Indias, long before the Great Plague. She wonders idly, as she picks her cautious way around the building, if the Friendsville folk have a similar belief. Hmm... probably not, considering their affection for the bible? Suraksha smiles ruefully as the thought occurs to her: there'll be no elevated seating in this house any more. The small woman does a slow, attentive circuit of the building, examining it from all sides. Suraksha crouches to curiously check just how the hearth is anchored, as well.

As she examines the ruins, 'Chana can hear a solitary howl raised on the night air. It is long, mournful and musical, holding within it the rawness of emotion unable to be expressed in words. Suraksha looks up and listens with pity and compassion to the mournful howl... then she closes her eyes and whispers a soft prayer for the poor souls lost in this terrible and pointless fire.

When the small woman gets to the hearth and chimney, Suraksha can see things that were masked by the house itself. The bottom stones of the hearth have been dug into the earth. They, and the ones sitting just atop them are all carved. Spirals, runic inscriptions, images of fire and sun and other less-recognizable glyphs. She raises an eyebrow at the hearthstone's runes, impressed with how old this house's foundations must have been. Even her Fearsome Grandmother's house has had to be moved due to the flooding. Though the rock is still too hot to touch, 'Chana visually traces the curious designs. Surely all these are not of the biblical faith? She wonders what they all mean. Could this mean there's a hidden basement or something? But if there was, surely Malachai -- and by extension his long-lived offspring -- would have known about it?

This house stands on a high point. It would take much more flooding than this area has had to get to it. It's possible this house, or at least this hearth, has stood since long before The Dying Off. One of the stones in the hearth is larger than the others. It's a piece of flat river stone perhaps three by three feet. It sits right above the foundation stones and has a lengthy piece of writing on it. Underneath the writing, there are three symbols that look like they might be maker's marks, such as blacksmiths and other artisans use to mark their work. Suraksha wishes a bit frustratedly that she could read this text. She straightens from her crouch and glances around, checking to see if any of the Friendsville folk are nearby -- then remembers that only one of the wolf-hearted can see in the growing darkness. Well, no matter -- if a human-hearted wanders by, they'll likely have a torch as is.

As 'Chana is looking at the hearth, someone does indeed come up the hill -- two someones, actually. One with a lantern, the other with a water yoke over their shoulders and two heavy buckets. When they reach the ruin of the house, the one with the yoke starts carefully pouring water on embers that have escaped the outlines of the houses's foundations. The townsfolk are remaining vigilant to keep the rest of the town safe from the fires. Suraksha waits until they're heading towards her to quietly call, "Good evening."

There is a momentarily startle from the two figures and then they move closer and see who it is. Neither of them are wolf-hearted, but 'Chana knows their faces from the parties the caravan and the town have held. They are obviously brother and sister, both built along the same blocky but handsome lines, "Greetings, ma'am." The woman says. Her voice is husky and pleasant.

Suraksha smiles politely, "I hope I'm not bothering you. I had a question, though, if you have a moment?" She points at the long, flat, inscribed rock, "Can you translate that for me, please?"

They come closer and hold the lantern close to it. The woman leans over and peers at the inscription, looking puzzled at first and then her eyes widen and she murmurs, "This is... ancient. At least eight hundred years old if this is right..." She motions at part of the inscription, three runes separated by slashed lines.

Suraksha blinks startledly, "Eight?! Goodness, I was thinking maybe three or four -- pre-plague, you know?" She crouches next to the woman to study the rock with her, and says fascinatedly, "So... what does it say?"

The woman licks her lips and says, "Well, it's an old dialect and I don't know all the words. But I think it says something about the wolf-hearted and keeping them safe." She doesn't dare touch the stone, which could also be very hot still, "I think... there's something behind this stone. Like a cache."

Suraksha grins a touch excitedly, "Really! Would it be all right if I pulled that stone out, then? If I shift shape, I think I can claw it out quickly, without really hurting myself."

The two look at each other uneasily and the girl says, "We... would rather wait until the alpha is awake to witness what might be here." The young man adds, "It is not that we do not trust you, ma'am, but if this is really as old as all that..."

Suraksha nods, "That's fine. Has Vashti gone to bed already, then?" She sighs, pushing back her mane of jet hair, and adds a bit tiredly, "Also, can you tell me where the bodies are laid?"

The young woman says, "Vashti has gone to her house, but the light still burns in her window if you would like me to fetch her." She seems both anxious and excited. The young man is peering at the writing curious, as if he cannot read it but is fascinated by how it looks.

Suraksha shakes her head, "Just point or lead me that way, if you would, please?" She figures this way Vashti can politely decline to head up the hill this late at night, if she so wishes. She'll ask the new alpha -- how quickly the poor woman has been "elevated" to the position! -- about where the bodies are being laid.

The young woman says, "I'll go with you." She turns to her brother, "Hezekiah, can you keep putting out the embers until I get back?" The young man agrees and sets the lantern on the ground, moving to start pouring water on the scattered embers. The young woman motions Sulochana to come with her.

Suraksha walks quietly next to the woman, keeping an eye out for her path -- if the woman seems like she's about to trip over something, Suraksha will warn her. The small woman smiles as she registers the name she heard, and murmurs, "Hezekiah... you must be Hannah, his twin, yes? The two of you were talking about leaving with our caravan?"

Hannah's smile lights up her face. She's happy to be recognized, "That's right!" Her smile falters, "We... we were discussing going. But..." She chews her bottom lip, "... we can't leave until things have calmed. Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Suraksha's voice is quiet and calming in the darkness, "No. There are several of us who wish to attend the funerals, after all."

Hannah takes a deep breath and lets it out with relief, "Oh. Oh good." She's picking her way carefully along the path, but seems familiar with it, as if she's walked it in the dark before. Vashti's house is smaller than Malachai's, but even in the dark, 'Chana can see how well tended the yard and flower beds are. The house itself looks recently whitewashed. Suraksha smiles, unsurprised at the girl's relief -- it'll probably be a bit of a blessing to be able to head out to something fresh and new, considering what a rat's nest of painful emotions must be tangled up here now. She waits while the girl knocks on the door, then explains the issue to Vashti.

Vashti answers the door wearing a simple white cotton night dress. She seems exhausted when she opens the door, but she seems almost eager by the time Sulochana has finished explaining. She turns to Hannah, "Go fetch a couple of the stronger folks and bring them with some lanterns up to Malachai's." She excuses herself and comes back wearing a coat over her nightdress and carrying a basket that has been piled with three or four old books.

Suraksha smiles as she murmurs, "I may be able to pull the stone out myself, Vashti... if you would like?"

Vashti's smile is brighter than it has been all day, her eyes gleaming, "Yes, but I want my people to participate. Anything to bring us together for joy rather than pain."

Suraksha nods thoughtfully, stepping back as she ponders leaving them to it -- it's starting to sound somewhat private, after all. "A good point. Hmm... can you tell me where the bodies were laid, also? I would like to pay last respects."

Vashti nods and says, "They're in the town hall, being laid out and watched over. Please, though, come with us. You found it."

Suraksha smiles, tilting her head to politely decline... then simply shrugs once and nods, "Very well. Shall we?" She's a little weirded out by all the... the witnessing she's been doing recently -- standing back and simply watching as things happen around her -- but she supposes it will lead somewhere eventually and she can be active again.

The gathering that eventually meets at the top of the hill is small and most of the folk look tired but curious. Vashti crouches with her books by the hearth stones and murmurs in awe. She motions 'Chana over, "Hetaerae are scholars as well as companions, no?"

Suraksha had been standing silently behind the crowd, but at Vashti's request the small woman slips neatly between people to crouch next to Vashti, "Yes, we are trained in scholarship. I should note that I do not know runic writing, however?"

Vashti's eyes are gleaming despite her exhaustion, "I have the books to translate this... I just thought you would like to know what it is." She points at the symbols on the foundation stones, "These..." She looks over her shoulder to see her people close and lowers her voice to a whisper again, "These are the sigils of old gods." She points at them, "Thunderer. Trickster. All-Father. Lady. Very old gods. This..." She points to the large stone, speaks of our people being descendents of the wolves of the All-Father.

Suraksha brightens at that, though she too keeps her voice low, "Oh, the, umm... what were they called... the narrow ship sailors! You are from them? How fascinating that you are so far inland, then!" She hesitates, then grins and softly adds, "Why are we whispering?"

Vashti keeps her voice low, "This is an old religion. Not the one we follow now. The knowledge of it has been passed down through years. The genealogists were once... well, things have changed. They once were priests and priestesses. Our religion changed when the world changed..." She seems hesitant, as if she's not sure of her information, "It was thought it would help us survive."

Suraksha adds thoughtfully, "I should like to tell Chanticleer about this. I think he knew some aelfar, and I imagine they'd be absolutely delighted to meet you all again?"

Vashti nods and says, "That would be wonderful. Can... do you believe you can take this stone out without damaging it?"

Suraksha says gently, "Maybe it's finally time to return to the old ways, Vashti." She smiles and nods, "I believe so, in tiger form. Can you ask your people to scratch out all the dirt packed in between the stone and the ones around it? Then have everyone step well back, please?"

Vashti's smiles is wry and she says, "I believe you may be right. And this may be the sign that it is so." She stands up and calls for her people to try to scrape out the dirt and crumbling mortar between the large stone and the ones around it. People scatter and come back with tools to do that, whispering amongst themselves. This seems to have infused them with, if not eagerness, at least some hope.

Suraksha will also step well back while the people are working, then neatly remove and fold her clothes. She's not really surprised when she notices the faint gleam of lantern-light and moonlight on a narrow, pale face in the woods behind them, and she goes to whisper the news to her godsmother. Perhaps Sna'thaid will have more information on the aelfar too? Sna'tha smiles tightly at her goddessdaughter, "I came to see that you were still unharmed, child. What have you found?"

Suraksha hugs the slender sidhe, "I'm fine, godsmama. I was nosing around here because I was curious about the wolfskins, and I discovered a hidden, ancient, etched hearthstone which they think may be like eight hundred years old!" Her voice is softly awed at that date, then she adds, "They think there may be a cache behind it, so I offered to pull the stone out for them. The etchings seem to refer the people they are descended from, and I think they're related to the culture of the aelfar you and Chanti mentioned?"

Sna'tha's eyes register surprise, but she keeps her voice down, "Aelfar? Really? The only wolves I remember in their culture were the ones sacred to Wotan. Only his priests were allowed that transformation."

Suraksha says, "Wotan? Is that the name of the one called the All-Father?" She glances back towards the briskly working, focused people as she softly explains the various symbols and what Vashti said of them, adding, "Apparently the stone says they're the descendents of those wolves. The information was hidden away because the clerical leaders thought that would help them survive. It'll be interesting to see what's in there... if anything survived. Er, the clerical leaders of the old religion, that is."

Sna'tha nods, "Indeed. Wotan, the All-Father. Thor, the Thunderer. Loki the Trickster. Freyja, the mother... or something The Lady.... Baldur, the Beautiful Sun." She smiles a bit, "They were a passionate people."

Suraksha's eyes widen, "Yes! That's them -- those were the symbols Vashti mentioned! Thunderer, Trickster, Lady, All-Father, Sun, Fire... also some runes." She grins as she takes Sna'tha's hand, "Want to come see when I pull the stone out?" Coaxingly she adds, "Someone's got to watch my clothes and my back, after all... or so someone taught me!"

Sna'tha chuckles, eyes gleaming with wry humor, "Because you're so vulnerable to attack." The former sidhe assassin steps forward with the nude 'Chana and is greeted in quiet voices by the townsfolk. They all seem to believe this is an occasion of solemnity.

Suraksha giggles, then shifts shape as her godsmother approaches; she knows in the darkness her tiger form can stir very atavistic emotions. Having a calm person standing next to her will hopefully help alleviate the reaction to suddenly spotting an apparent monster in the darkness behind them. She affectionately rubs her broad, heavy head against the slender sidhe, then grins up at Sna'tha, who steps forward with one hand on 'Chana's broad, blocky head as they approach the townsfolk again. They've been working diligently to scrape out the dirt and mortar. And it's old enough that the mortar crumbles easily beneath their tools.

Vashti turns, eyes gleaming in the dark. They seem almost to be less human and more wolf. Sna'tha's own eyes would be glittering in the lantern-light were she not wearing her glamour. Suraksha's whiskers tilt up at her grin; somehow it's no surprise that at night and with a fearsome beast nearby, the wolf-hearted would appear a bit more wolfish. She can't help her small chuff of amusement as it registers: a lamia and a sidhe are assisting werewolves in reclaiming the people's ancient religion! Seems somehow appropriate...

Suraksha waits until Vashti gestures everyone back, and all the sticks and hoes and other tools that were used are out of the way as well. After that Suraksha carefully sniffs at the rock -- yep, pretty darned hot still. She gives it a few gentle, careful prods as well, to see if there's any approach that is looser before she tries hooking her claws around it. The stone is hot enough that it would hurt someone with purely human heritage, but 'Chana soon finds that there are enough spaces for her claws to drag the heavy stone out; the townsfolk were eager in their work. Indeed, as they worked, more have arrived, whispering carrying even through this mournful night. IN the background, the songs of the wolf-hearted have never stopped, each voice being joined by a second before it fades, the ululating floating across the star-and-smoke-studded sky.

Suraksha crouches on her haunches, then carefully hooks and sets her claws and paws as well as she can around the hot stone -- she wants her paw pads touching the rock as little as possible, after all! Then, with a powerful bunch and surge of her muscles, she yanks as hard as she can. If necessary, she shifts and repeats. Even with the good grip, it takes two or three tries for her to yank out the stone from its old place with a crunch and a burst of stone-dust.

Suraksha bounces with agility out of the way as the rock finally comes bursting outwards. This is why she asked everyone to stand well back, in fact: a giant tiger leaping around while trying to keep a scalding rock from touching her is nothing to sneeze at! After that, however, she bounds gracefully over the wide, flat rock to peer and sniff into the newly exposed cavity. She hopes the heat did not manage to penetrate too far in; it would be a shame if fire destroyed any hidden treasures. Then again, she supposes a people who worship Sun and Fire would be aware of, and would plan for, such contingencies.

The first scent that strikes 'Chana is iron. In fact, there is iron bound to the back of the stone she pulled out of the hearth. And something that smells like overheated crockery. Her tiger's eyes allow her to see what looks like a strongbox with a heavy iron lock on it. Suraksha rumbles interestedly, cautiously reaching one heavily muscled and furred forearm into the hole -- can she hook her claws into the strongbox's hasp and lock, to drag them out? The box is set too firmly into the stone to pull it out, as if it were what the whole thing was built around and atop. Vashti is trying to peer in over 'Chana's shoulder, "What do you see, lady?"

Suraksha gives a small, surprised huff, then cautiously backs out so others can see. "Big iron bo'ghz!" She pads over to sniff cautiously at the rock as well, though she's careful not to displace anyone studying it already -- either her goddessmother or the townsfolk clustered around. The big tiger is curious as to what iron was actually bound to the stone.

Vashti blinks in surprise and says, "We need to try to cool this down..." She turns and speaks to her people, "We need more water. Let those that need to rest, and..." She hesitates, apparently remembering something, "Make sure the water is not too cold. We do not want to crack the stones or damage the box."

Suraksha adds over her shoulder to Vashti, "Thin'gh whole thing mus' come down, yah?" Then her whiskers tilt in another grin as it registers she was called "lady" while in this form, by Vashti -- that's different! Usually it's either "monster" or just wide-eyed fear. Suraksha thinks she likes Vashti's attitude towards her in this shape!

Vashti pushes her hands through her hair and she's smiling a little bit, hope starting to dawn on her face. She looks over her people and says, "Remember this. Even in the darkest night, hope will whisper."

Suraksha tilts her broad, striped head as she regards Vashti. What an odd thing to say! When has there not been hope? Unless... hmm. The big tiger considers what it must be like to remain the same, hidden and unchanging, for... goodness, for over a century! Given that circumstance, she supposes she can better understand the staggering loss represented by these violent deaths. She glances around at the townsfolk; poor people.

Suraksha rumbles to Vashti, "Anything else I kh'an pull ou'dh for you?"

Vashti turns to 'Chana, "It's going to take a while to get this cooled down and pulled out. I think you're right that the whole thing will need to come down, though..." She hesitates and says, "Your man, he's a Water Tap, isn't he?"

Suraksha nods interestedly, her long tail slowly swaying back and forth behind her. "You wan'dh I as'gh him?"

Vashti nods, thinking, "Do you have any others in your caravan that might help with this?"

Suraksha chuckles rumblingly, "Migh'dh. I as'gh, ya?" She grins at Sna'tha, adding, "You sdh'ay or go?" She isn't going to give away anyone's capabilities, after all -- that's for them to say, if they wish.

Sna'tha nods and says, "I'm sure we can find some assistance for you." She turns to her godsdaughter, "You need rest, child. We'll send some help and you can come back in the morning. It will take some work."

Suraksha huffs amusedly -- she's still got one last visit to make! Then again... she sighs softly. She can go pay her respects to the deceased in the morning. She nods, shifting smoothly back to her human shape in order to pull on her clothing again. "Good point, goddessmama. All right, we'll see you in the morning, Vashti, everyone." She waves and heads off with Sna'tha for the caravan. Partway there she murmurs, "I wonder if Malachai even knew that was there any more."

Sna'tha says, "If he didn't tell Vashti, I suspect he either didn't know about it or it was something that was only passed down from the old alpha when he knew he was about to be deposed. This was a surprise."

Suraksha nods thoughtfully, "Plus any papers he might have had with instructions on them likely burned."

Suraksha returns tiredly to the caravan, giving hugs and news, and accepting food from her friends. The caravan has been doing their best to help and many are still awake, the anxiety of helping the town having kept them from being able to sleep. The camp dogs have started joining in the song of the Friendsville wolves. As Sura eats and talks by the fire, she cuddles close anyone who wants to sit with her -- especially the children. She aches for poor Malachai, unable to save two of the children he was sworn to protect... and she leans with tired relief against Rattler when he comes to sit with her too. He slips up and puts an arm around 'Chana and murmurs, "You look exhausted, mon petite tigre..." He kisses her temple, voice rumbly and soft. He's been taking care of the girls and some of the other children while the adults work down in the town.

Suraksha sighs and nearly melts against her lover, "Hello, lovely man -- missed you so much." She curls up against him, her eyes starting to droop as she adds to everyone else, "So... that's about it, so far. Looks like nine dead, including Malachai and Meshek. Also, I'm guessing everyone who wants to help get the lockbox out would be welcome tomorrow. As for me..." she smiles dreamily up at her lover, her voice getting husky with exhaustion, "I'm thinking time to fall over."

Rattler smiles and stands up, scooping 'Chana up like he would one of the girls, "Let's get you to bed..." He carries her to her caravan and ducks inside with her. The girls are tucked into her bed already.

Suraksha curls up contentedly in Rattler's arms, murmuring, "Come sleep too, sweet man?" Rattler is happy to join his little family in the bed, serving as a big, strong warm body. He knows that when it comes to strength, 'Chana actually has him beat hands-down, but sometimes it's good to have the illusion of protection.

The next morning, Rattler tries to slip out of bed without waking 'Chana. He wants to get the girls out to have breakfast and then head down to the town. He knows that even though Malachai frustrated her, Sura must have had some affection for him to put up with his bullshit for so long. Suraksha eventually rolls over and smiles sleepily as the two girls are stage-whispering to their papa about breakfast, as he dresses them. Pushing back the soft, dark pile of her hair, she simply watches, drinking in how beautiful her little family is... strong and healthy and full of loving and caring. She feels incredibly blessed to have Rattler, one of her Chosens, here on this trip. He may not realize it, but she leans on him greatly. Strength comes in more than one flavor, after all; Rattler is her bulwark against the world when she needs it.

Rattler whispers, "Shush, mon petites coeurs, go eat and leave maman to sleep!" He starts chivvying them gently out the door and turns back to make sure 'Chana is still tucked up securely in the blankets.

Suraksha smiles with sleepy contentment up at Rattler, holding out an arm for him to come give her a hug as she murmurs, "Morning, sweet man! I'll be up in a bit. Thanks for taking care of the girls." She's still a little tired and achy feeling, but she knows getting up and moving around will help her body warm up again.

Rattler perches on the side of the bunk and scoops her into a hug in his lap, "I'm goan' down to de town if you t'ink dey'll 'llow me in." He smiles slightly, "Might be able to help li'l bit, me."

Suraksha purrs with sleepy blissfulness as she cuddles up to her sweetheart. She nods, "Mmhmm, Vashti asked about you specifically, due to you being an undine. Take Dominic with you if he'll go -- since it's a hearth, I'm guessing a gnome would be useful."

Rattler laughs and says "Undine? Sugar, I ain't fey. Jus' a plain ole human Water Tap, but I'm happy to help out. I'm sure Dom will be, too. He's always up for helping people out. You found a good one in that young man."

Suraksha chuckles quietly, nuzzling lazily against her lover's bare chest and enjoying the comfortable and familiar scent, "Really, he found us... oddly 'nuff." She grins as she adds, "'S just what we call Taps, sweet man, back home. Like Little Joe -- he's got a touch of the sylph about him, you know?" More ruefully she adds, "Think that might be part of why Fearsome Grandmother isn't that fond of you, too. 'Member the story I told you about her first husband, and the Yakuza killing him by accident? That's why she doesn't really like the male undines much."

Rattler's brows go up, "Really? An' here I t'ought she just di'n't t'ink my pedigree was good 'nuff."

Suraksha laughs at that, straightening and pushing her ebony mane back again, "Oh, we highly value hybrid vigor, sweet man -- you know that!" She giggles. "I think it's more that story you told me -- that the first time you met her, when you didn't know yet who she was, you called her an interfering old bat!"

Rattler snorts and say, "Well, she was bein' a li'l bit high-handed." Suraksha giggles as she returns the hug -- she sure doesn't disagree with her lover about her grandmother! His dark eyes are gleaming and he kisses 'Chana first on the forehead and then on the lips, hugging her close.

After cuddling warmly for a few heartbeats Sura sighs happily, leaning back a bit in his arms, "So, you go shoo and make sure our bebes are fed, or Fantine will come after us! I'll get dressed and be out in just a bit, and then we can head on over to see what's up at the hearth, if you want?"

Rattler nods and stands, pulling on a shirt. It's a work shirt; one he doesn't mind getting messy, "Come on out when you've rested, mon petite cherie. Get your strength up."

Suraksha mmms, caressing one hand with slow appreciation down Roy's side and almost purring, "I will... got a lovely man to help me, too!" She grins mischievously up at him, gives him a quick kiss, and then -- at the sudden shrill rising of children's voices and barking dogs -- amusedly shoos him out the door! She sighs with tired pleasure as she leans back on her pillow for a moment in the suddenly-emptier wagon. She'll take a moment before she gets up... looks like it'll be a busy day.

Indeed, when she finally rises she finds that most of the caravan is gathering together to go into the town and help. Several are staying to help with the children and the caravan's daily chores, but everyone not essential to that is going into town. Suraksha checks over breakfast to see if she's needed at the caravan; if not, she'll head in with the others. She finds that she's being shooed off to help if she can.

As they're heading out, Suze and Ohkwa are just coming back. In fact, Ohkwa is carrying Suze much like Rattler carried 'Chana to bed last night. He is as tender with the healer as if she were a child. Of course, to him most people in the caravan would qualify as children. Suraksha smiles and pauses long enough to give them both a hug and to thank them, though she won't delay them from getting back home to hot food and a warm bed. After that she hustles on after the others, wondering idly what the townsfolk will be like today. They've got a big rebuilding job ahead of them after the funerals -- oh, that's right: she should remember to stop by the hall where the bodies are laid out too, at some point.

Once in town, Rattler and Dominic are directed to Malachai's place. It seems they want the water Tap to see if he can bring water up from the ground to soak the lingering embers from beneath. What they want Dominic for is obvious: maybe he can help dismantle the hearth without harming it. Rattler and Dominic both set in to work with a good will. Rattler usually tries to keep the actual strength of his Tapping ability fairly secret, but this is something needful. Lingering embers can be a real danger to a town made mostly of wood.

Suraksha will, unless asked to help somewhere, quietly head off to see Malachai, then. She knows it will be a while before the hearth is disassembled, after all... and it's not like there's anything she can do to help. Suraksha smiles as she sees the two men working together, feeling quietly proud of her beloved caravan-family... then she slips silently into the main hall, looking around to see who, if anyone, is there with the deceased.

When she reaches the place the bodies are being laid out, she finds the town has created tables draped in clean linen for each one. There are chunks of ice around all of the bodies, keeping them as cool as the little town can manage. The children have already been washed, balmed, and wrapped in shrouds. There are several townsfolk there, including Vashti, who is standing at the head of the body that is being currently worked on. It is a woman and the body has been stripped of clothes and is being gently and lovingly washed by two older townswomen.

Suraksha is faintly surprised the new alpha isn't with everyone else at the hearth; then she mentally shrugs. Both here and there are places where leadership is needed. Abishai, the former other-beta, is probably leading as necessary at the hearth. Suraksha will quietly move to Malachai first, since that was who she knew best here among the deceased. Malachai's body is a little away from the others, mostly to give people time to come by and pay respects. His face has been washed and someone has brushed his hair and beard. In death some of the charisma is gone, but his face is still handsome despite the bruises and scratches caused from the fight and the attempted rescue of the children.

Suraksha sighs as she looks down at his pale face, resting one of her hands lightly on his draped chest. She's careful not to lower the drape so much that his shattered, bloody throat will show, however. Her voice is a soft whisper, deliberately pitched to stay unheard by anyone not next to her, "So, old wolf... you're finally with your mate again. I'm glad for that, since it couldn't be me. I'm sorry you were so confused by our relationship. I hope I wasn't too much of a disappointment to you."

Suraksha is still frustrated about turning up in town and finding Malachai dead -- she would have fought her utmost to keep him alive if she could have. She shakes her head once as a small, sad smile crosses her smoothly curving lips, "Stubborn old man... never even considered that taking on a wolf while you were still human might be a bad idea, did you?" A soft sigh, then even more quietly she adds, "Never could step away from hierarchy either, could you... poor man. I'm sorry your last years were so lonely. I hope your granddaughter is wiser, in that respect. Can't hide forever... eventually the world will find you." There's a small, tired snort of laughter, "Believe me, I should know."

Suraksha sighs again, sitting for a while with her memories of the proud old former alpha... and letting her frustration at the senselessness of his death slowly slip away. He was what he was. Perhaps he would not have been capable of letting anyone leave with her; perhaps in the long run this was best for everyone here. Perhaps... Sulochana will never know for sure. As she's been speaking to the old alpha's body, Vashti has noticed her and headed that way, approaching obliquely so she can be seen but not so that she's disturbing Sulochana's time with the old alpha.

Suraksha looks up tiredly at Vashti as the woman approaches, and the new alpha smiles and inclines her head slightly, equal-to-equal, as she approaches. She keeps her voice low, "Thank you for returning again this morning. Someone just came to tell me that your man and another Tap of your caravan have gone to help cool down the embers and dismantle the hearth."

Suraksha nods to Vashti, "Rattler and Dominic, yes. They're both quite competent."

Vashti nods and says, "Abishai is up there, supervising. We've not started the dismantling yet. Just started clearing what we can." She scrubs at her face with the heels of her hands, "I'm here because as alpha I'm considered the highest religious authority and must say the words that need be said."

Suraksha tilts her head at Vashti, "Did you sleep last night?"

Vashti chuckles, "I got chivvied off to bed for a few hours before sunrise. I slept maybe one or two."

Suraksha says, "Mmhmm. You know I'm a priestess of my people, no? Why don't I say the prayers, and you sleep a bit?"

Vashti hesitates, then says, "That... that would be wonderful of you. Do you read Latin?" She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small, leatherbound book. The cover has obviously been carefully oiled and taken care of.

Suraksha smiles ruefully as she reaches for the book, which she's going to guess is some old bible or somesuch. "I read. Latin can be sounded out. Go sleep, dear. Or rather, tell me which parts you wish read, then go sleep."

Vashti smiles and opens the hand-written book, showing Suraksha the parts that need to be read. "They are old prayers, but not as old as that hearth-stone." She motions over one of the live people in the room and says, "Please, come get me in three hours."

Suraksha glances over the precious book, her eyebrows going up at its obvious antiquity -- this is indeed a treasure! She accepts the book with care, mentally marking the relevant sections, then looks up and murmurs, "Oh, Vashti, please... at least six hours of sleep, or you will not be at your best for your people!"

Vashti nods and says, "I feel I need to be there when they open that strongbox." She hesitates again, "Perhaps it will take that long to dismantle the hearth." She rubs at her eyes again, "There is so much."

Suraksha smiles ruefully, "Trust me, Vashti -- you'll want to be at your best during times like this. Just tell Abishai to send someone to wake you once the strongbox's lock has been opened. I suspect it'll take a while if it's been hidden away for that long. Locks tend to rust solid." With that she gently shoo's the exhausted woman out, and calls a passing villager to see Vashti to her house.

Vashti takes a deep breath and nods, "You're right." She lets herself be led away. It's a good sign that she is not so stubborn as the old alpha.

Suraksha also tells the young woman to stop by the hearth once Vashti has been tucked into bed, to tell Abishai that once the lock is opened to wait on opening the box until both she and Vashti have arrived. After that she thanks the young woman, gives Vashti a gently reassuring hug... and heads back into the main hall. She smiles at the two elderly women there, "Well, hopefully that will allow poor Vashti to recover a bit. Now, where were we?"

The women who are dressing the bodies lower their eyes and do a half-curtsey without touching their clothes; their hands look oily. "Thank you for saying the prayers." There are several prayers that Vashti pointed out, to be said at three different times during the preparation of the body, "The last prayer for this one."

Suraksha nods and smiles at the women, then carefully pages through the book to the correct place. "Very well. May I have this woman's name, please, for this prayer?" Once she knows that she clears her throat, takes a deep breath... then starts reading in the pleasantly sonorous tones she was taught for oration. She does not know the meaning of the Latin, but once she has completed the prayer she also touches forehead, lips, and heart as she murmurs a quiet prayer in her native tongue to the Lady of Serpents, asking Her to watch over this poor soul as she returns to whichever deities she prefers in her afterlife.

As 'Chana speaks, the women carefully wrap the body in the linen sheet around the body, folding it in intricate tucks and wraps. When they are done, the body is neatly wound in its shroud and smells of balsam and other herbs. They wait for the additional prayer and then each of them kisses the woman on the forehead. Suraksha will, if the woman look expectantly at her, also give the gentle goodbye kiss. After that she simply follows along with them, murmuring Latin and prayers and helping out emotionally however she can. In between prayers, though, she hopes it takes her friends a while to get the strongbox free and the lock open -- at least six hours, for poor Vashti's sake!

They women do every body except Malachai's, explaining that it will lie in state until nightfall to give each of his people time to pass by and say their goodbyes. It takes several hours to shroud and shrive all the bodies. By the time they are done, it is time to get Vashti. It has been somewhat over six hours, with a short break for the women to take a short meal at mid-day. When they are done, the two women that have been laying out the bodies wash their hands carefully with another prayer and direct 'Chana to do the same thing.

Suraksha says a prayer of release over the two preparing women as they wash their hands, then does the same for herself. After that she gives both of the elderly women a hug and her thanks for their patience with her. By then, Vashti has been awakened and 'Chana has been sent for, the two women asked to meet up on the hilltop. Sura carefully tucks the ancient book into her clothing, and trots up the hill to Malachai's former house.

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Last modified: 2010-Aug-28 20:29:49

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