| Logs |
2022 March 04
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Night Comes On
It was very early fall when Corbett's Cross-Continental Caravan promised the denizens of Friendsville that they'd return in about six months with young Rufus the werewolf and the ten young girls seeking outside pregnancies. Sura had warned the townsfolk that bad weather would likely delay the caravan, though, and if things were bad enough they would most likely shelter for a few months in Boston. That, of course, was before the caravaneers discovered the terrible happenings there, caused by the sociopathic mind-controlling Tap Sean Crowninshield.
After Crowninshield's assassination, of course, no one in the caravan had any desire to stay anywhere near that troubled, struggling town, so they promptly headed south. It wasn't until several days had passed, in fact, that they realized the full extent of Crowninshield's obsession with control -- in that they realized he'd even had people controlling the weather around Boston! They'd thought it just a particularly mild winter before that. Fortunately, the caravan had the equivalent of an entire kingdom's ransom in quartzes! That, coupled with the caravan's elemental Taps (Dominic of earth, Rattler of water, & Little Joe of storm), was enough that the Taps working closely together & using a few quartzes were enough to keep the roads stable, the snow light or non-existent, and -- when the storms insisted on coming anyway -- there was always enough warning for the caravan to effectively hunker down in protective formation and wait it out as they determinedly worked their way ever further away from Boston.
This means, of course, that it's full-on winter by the time Naugatuck is a few weeks behind them, and Suraksha is worrying about where the caravan can spend needed downtime under shelter for a few months. Hopefully Friendsville will be amenable to them doing so? She discusses it with the caravan's main elders, then crosses her fingers that Vashti, the new town Thane, will appreciate having six newly pregnant young ladies, with one of them (Rachel) also unexpectedly a werewolf! That, coupled with the opportunity for more townsfolk and caravaneers to dally together should they wish, will, Sura hopes, encourage Friendsville to welcome the caravan's presence for a month or two. The caravan will be careful to pay for any work it needs done as well, of course, since it's a very good bet there will be no one in the town any more who is interested in a Hetaera.
As the caravan wends its way towards Friendsville Suraksha checks with all the new young women traveling with them. Autumn and Spring have chosen to travel to see Bringer of Passion, to decide if they wish to stay with him -- though they sound more excited than not at the possibility -- while Elise has happily settled into the caravan's extended family through adopting Sabrina as her new foster mother. Considering the poor child is a ten-year-old in a sixteen-year-old's body, all the caravaneers are somewhat protective of her. All three of the young women are also familiar with the caravan's many strange and unusual traveling denizens -- including the werewolves Rachel and Rufus -- so Sura is not worried about them freaking out at more werewolves turning up. Sura has also told Rachel and Rufus about Guy, the fey werewolf bodyguard of the king of Baton Rouge, and encouraged them to stay with the caravan to go meet him and see what they think, if they wish.
So far, therefore, Suraksha knows the twins, Elise, and the werewolves will be staying with the caravan. She's curious as to which, if any, of the other young women will want to travel along as well... so she asks them: what do they want?
The young Friendsville women discuss the options with one another and with Suraksha. Eventually, five of them decide that staying in Friendsville after the caravan has gone on is a good idea for them. The sixth -- Suze's apprentice Hagar -- has decided that she's going to continue on with the caravan once winter passes. They also all agree that the caravan is sure to be welcomed in Friendsville -- and there will, of course, be the folk of Accident to trade with if the caravan wants to. After all, the only reason the caravaneers were in Friendsville the first time was the bridge at Accident being out. Suraksha is relieved to hear the young women's assessment of Friendsville's likely reaction to them asking to spend a few months there! She's also happy to tell the remaining four women that they're welcome to continue on with the caravan if they wish, in order to get pregnant -- though they should keep in mind that it will be on the order of nearly two years before Corbett's hits this area again.
After that the caravan continues plugging determinedly onwards. Even with the Taps' best efforts, of course, there are days where the bear and the tiger stay in animal form for hours on end so their muscle is available to shove wagons through difficult patches, or to lift a wagon out of a mucked up spot. When Little Joe comes cantering back and halloos to them all, saying Friendsville is only a few hours' further on, there's great relief amongst everyone -- a place to settle down and stay warm and dry will be very welcome!
Along with Little Joe is Abishai, one of the wolf-hearted. He has come along as a sort of welcome wagon and is ecstatic to find out about Rachel now being a werewolf, as well as all the pregnancies. "I'm Vashti's beta now. Everyone's quite looking forward to having you visit." Sura raises a faintly amused, faintly inquiring eyebrow -- is that actually true? He lowers his eyes a little as he adds, "We're all very sad about the things that happened... but something would have happened eventually." Sura smiles slightly at that -- she thinks that comment sounds a little closer to the absolute truth, really. As she greets Abishai, the small woman reminds herself of the names of all the wolf-hearted, so they're fresh in her memory: Malachai and Meshek, both deceased; the 40ish-looking Vashti, Rachel's grandmother and the granddaughter of Malachai; Keturah, who is smaller than Vashti but has the same silvery-gray coat, so is likely closely related to her; the slightly built Abishai, who is one of the older males and currently mated to a human-hearted woman; neatly bearded Gabriel, who looks just barely into his 20s, though his brother is the much older looking Isaiah and his nephew is the toddler Gideon; the caravan's wonderfully happy and friendly Rufus, with his reddish-blonde coat; the buxom Phoebe, who looks only barely older than Sura herself; and finally Tamar, who is the usual white-blonde of the vast majority of the Friendsville townsfolk.
As Abishai is talking with Suraksha, Rachel and one of the other girls hurry up and hug the thirty-some-year-old wolf-hearted man. Like both Taps and the other wolf-hearted, he looks more like his mid-twenties than his mid-thirties. Sheba throws herself into Abishai's arms, "Baba!"
The man smiles and says, "Kjæreste! Your mother and I were hoping we'd see you!" He holds her out at arm's length and beams even more brightly as he sees that she's three or so months pregnant. "You are looking beautiful!" He lays a hand on the girl's -- his daughter's? -- belly and murmurs, "Blessing of the light on you!"
Suraksha smiles at that. Sheba seems ecstatic as she introduces Abishai as her father. His arm is around the girl's shoulders in obvious affection and happiness at seeing her. Sura grins and offers the werewolf a seat next to her on the bench across the front of the wagon she's currently driving -- they can talk a bit about the current situation in Friendsville if he's willing, and Sura can update him on the ten young women and Rufus. Would he like that? Abishai nods and swings up onto the bench of the wagon with that fluid and almost eerie grace exhibited by the wolf-hearted, "That would be a good thing."
Sheba climbs onto the horse her father was riding and strokes the gelding's mane. She seems surprised and happy about there being a horse. Last they were in Friendsville, there were only oxen. Sura too is surprised at sight of the horse, though clearly it's a calm and well-trained one. She smiles at Abishai, "I take it you and your people have been trading with the folks in Accident, and that's how you ended up with a horse? Or... horses, perhaps?"
Abishai smiles, "One horse. We did get it in Accident, yes. Most horses really don't deal well with wolves, but we reckoned one to have for travel around would be good. And this one, apparently his name is Galen, was raised with a pack of hunting dogs. Plus he's gelded, so he's as calm as you could ask."
Sura nods thoughtfully, "Do you want more horses? If so, we have some people here who train all our draft animals to be calm around all sorts of entities. We'd be happy to share that knowledge with you, if you wished?"
"Some help with horses would be good, I think," Abishai allows. "Oxen are good and strong for plowing and pulling wagons, but they do not work well for letting individual people move easily in and out of the town with small loads, which we're trying to do more."
Sura smiles, pleased at that -- the more things the caravan has to trade with the town, the more likely that they'll be welcome for the month or two she's hoping to spend here. Perhaps a little more research first, however. She's quiet for a moment, trying to figure out how to phrase things. Finally she says carefully, "So how is the town's, ahh... hierarchy doing? Is Vashti doing well? Are there any new matings or children? Any new wolf-hearted?" She knows that the wolf-hearted females will be only now be coming into season... but perhaps some of the human women are pregnant?
"Oh, the pack is actually stronger than ever and the town is healing well," Abishai gives one of those close-lipped Friendsville smiles, "Vashti is a very good alpha. She should have taken over probably before she did. Though I think Meshek would still have run mad." He shakes his head in sadness, then continues, "There is a new babbie, but he's only two months old, so we are still waiting to see if he'll live. Two of the children came of age and were tried, but they did not turn out to be wolf-hearted. Maybe some of the little ones conceived on this trip will have that blood in them." For a moment he's quiet... then he says, "We found out how to use the pelts found in the hearthstone." There's a tone of amazement in his voice, "The drink isn't usually needed, but the wearer has to put on the pelt and all the jewelry. These two pelts are much larger than the ones we had and we still have to use the drink with the golden pelt."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully at the news of the new pelts -- she's relieved to hear they're working well. She wonders idly if the golden pelt would still cause her to shift to wolf form even without the revolting drink... then smiles ruefully. She doesn't need to know that, and it's the town's treasure anyway. She never did understand how Malachai could think he could just give it away to her, honestly. That's for later thought, however; for now she shares with Abishai that she encouraged the girls to make note of who the fathers are -- or, if they weren't sure, to just note who they lay with, so there's a rough approximation. That way hopefully the town can integrate that knowledge usefully with the books they're already keeping -- that should be helpful, yes?
Sura realizes she also needs to check regarding the town's current wealth, since the caravan wants to hopefully trade with them for fresh food, "Was it a good harvest year for you all? Oh, also: I think we have some work for Samson the blacksmith, if he's interested?"
"Oh, the harvest was quite good! A bumper crop as they say," Abishai seems very pleased with this, "And we've brought in some new seeds to try to breed into the stock we have. Like we're doing with the town. Hardiness, you know? And Samson would likely be happy to work for you again. He says your people respect the work. That's high praise coming from him."
Sura looks pleased at that, then grins, "Well, that's fantastic news! Let me think, what else... oh! Abishai, would it be feasible for me to meet with you and Vashti, as the town thane and her beta, to work out some arrangements for the caravan, and for trading with you all?" Her smile is a little rueful as she adds, "We don't want to cause any upset this time around, after all." She has a sudden thought, and takes a subtle look at how Abishai is seated next to her: is he slouching slightly so he's lower than her, or anything similar to that? If so, maybe she can barter some training for those townsfolk who will be trading outside Friendsville... training in how to not act like a wolf around those who aren't part of Friendsville, so they're not alarmed. The more tradable goods & skills the caravan has for the town, the better, after all!
Abishai seems to be sitting up fairly straight; Sura made it quite clear when she left that she was not alpha of the pack. Still, his body language is respectful if not submissive. However, with a little study it's obvious that he's working on that consciously, "Of course you can meet with us! You and your people are always welcome in our town. Vashti is expecting you all and we've got the same area you were in before set up for you." He gives another of those close lipped smiles and there's a little teasing in his voice, "You can even mark it out the same way if you want."
Suraksha laughs aloud at that! Her voice is wryly amused as she smiles at the werewolf, "Abishai, as a favor to me? Tell me true, please: after all the conniptions I unwittingly caused, and all the tears and upset... how is it that people in your town are still happy to see us? I mean, we sort of... well, tipped over a calm social situation that had been in place for over a century, you know? Yet... you're telling me that no one blames us for that?" She knows being blunt may be asking for trouble, so to speak... but she'd far rather have this out ahead of time instead of it festering and exploding right in the middle of the caravan's rest-&-repairs time. In retrospect she really should have had it out with Malachai right from the beginning too... rather than trying to politely show him time after time that she wasn't his mate.
Abishai thinks about that for long minutes, as if he's weighing her words and comparing them to what he knows. When he finally speaks his voice is even and solemn, "Have you ever seen what happens when you cauterize a wound?" Sura winces at that but nods, her expression grim. It's horrible, she knows. Abishai clearly knows this too, as he continues, "There is pain and there is screaming and there are tears. But the alternative is often worse: gangrene or blood poisoning. If you and your people had not come we would probably have continued for another few years and then Meshek would have kept challenging and kept challenging until either he killed Malachai or he was killed. Had he killed Malachai, he'd have tried to kill Vashti, I think. He would not have been a good alpha."
The werewolf motions toward the animals pulling Sura's wagon, "You breed too close in to an animal's blood line and bad things happen. You get stillbirths and mutants. We were trying not to breed too close in, but that was getting harder and harder... and our children were getting weaker and weaker." Again, one of those close-mouthed smiles, but his eyes are sad, "What happened was a tragedy, but what you did was show us a mad wolf in our midst and force us to do what we should have done a generation ago. Are people sad? Yes. Do we hate you for what happened? No. In the end, what happened was a mercy. Malachai died bravely, if needlessly. We found the pelts and some information on our pasts. We have broken out of our cocoons."
Sura listens silently, musing on Abishai's words. She takes a small amount of comfort from them, in that they seem to agree with her personal assessment that Meshek was too mad to live -- she still worries on occasion about the justice in her decisions on those she has killed or had killed, after all. She does not ever wish to become complacent about that. She's still very unhappy at Malachai's pointless death... but surely if the town is pulling itself together and starting to bloom again... surely, if that's the case, then maybe she can forgive herself enough to realize she's not actually responsible for Malachai's death? After another stretch of quiet, Abishai continues, "We should have realized that you did not know the significance of the things that were happening. We wanted very badly for Malachai to have a mate, a strong one that could maybe bring in healthy children."
Suraksha nods slowly, "Yes, I -- eventually -- understood that. What I didn't understand immediately was that despite my explaining what a Hetaera was and did, Malachai didn't really hear me, you know? He just saw me as his new mate... and I had no idea whatsoever where that thought had come from -- or even that he'd had it, initially." She sighs, adding tiredly, "I wish I'd figured it out faster. Maybe then I could have done something more... more clear, more decisive... so there wasn't all the confusion." She's silent for a moment, listening to the steady thudding of hooves in the snow, and rattle and squeak of the wooden wagon, and the occasional heavy *thud* of snow falling off the branches of nearby trees... then she smiles wryly, "Maybe. If wishes were horses, as they say."
Sura takes a deep breath, sighing it out gustily in a cloud of condensation from the chill air, then turns to smile at Abishai, "Well. A fresh start, then. One of the things I very much wish to speak about with you and Vashti is if we might trade with you all for a month or two's use of the fallow field. Winter is here with a vengeance, after all... and it's terrible traveling weather. We have a few wagons that need repairs, a few animals that need some down time... and we ourselves could use some rest and warmth and fresh food. I figure some of the trade can hopefully be skills we can teach you, such as how to train horses to be calm around wolves... but if there's anything your town needs, or other things we can trade with you, we'd very much like to do so. Does that sound feasible to you, or do you think Vashti might demur at so long a visit?"
"Oh, I'm certain you'll be welcome to stay. After all, you've been taking care of our girls and Rufus and Hezekiah," Abishai doesn't seem to have a bit of hesitation around that -- which relieves Sura considerably! He adds, "I'm certain we can find something to trade. It would be very good to know how to gentle the horses properly. And we could use help with some of the rebuilding."
Suraksha nods and smiles as she relaxes a bit, and the two of them chat thoughtfully about different useful skills the caravaneers might be able to share with the townies. The time passes peacefully... until eventually the pretty little town comes into view. Snow still blankets many of the roofs and most of the now-empty fields, though the sunshine has melted away the snow on the paths and roads. Suraksha leans over to call for one of the werewolves or Alg to lead the caravan back to the same field they camped in last time, as well... then straightens and looks up with thoughtful interest, wondering what, if any, rebuilding has been done on the house on the hill, where Malachai used to live. She smiles as she does so, murmuring to Abishai, "If you can give us... maybe an hour to settle in? -then we can bring in all the girls to visit with their families again, and I and... I think maybe Sna'thaid? -will be ready to talk with you and Vashti. Does that sound acceptable?"
Abishai swings lithely off the wagon and nods, "I'll let Vashti know you all made it safe to the meadow." He tips his hat and goes to get Galen, the gelding, from his daughter, so he can head back into town.
The hilltop where Malachai's house stood is still bare. It looks especially naked given the fact that the hilltop had been partially flattened to hold the house and the ritual space behind it where the pack usually started its runs on full-moon nights. The Friendsville girls are going about their usual duties with getting the caravan set for a prolonged camp just as if it were any other town -- mostly. They are all casting longing glances toward the town. They have all enjoyed their time with the caravan and they've learned much, but this is home. Caroline (the scholarly archivist) is also eager to get into the town. She was able to restore some of the papers from beneath Malachai's bed and she was also able to translate some of the diary-like book found under the hearthstone.
Sura can't help grinning as she sees just how many glances are being thrown towards the town! She makes sure everyone is battened down the minimum necessary, then gives the Friendsville girls, as well as Rufus and Hezekiah, permission to head on into town to see their families again. She also asks them, of course, to bundle up warmly and to stick together and make sure they all make it safely to the town, since they'll effectively be tromping through snowy harvested fields in order to get there -- and some of the girls are, by now, about 6 months pregnant. Sura is aware that pregnancy is considered a frighteningly delicate time for mother and child in the town, so even though it likely won't be quite so... dramatic for these girls, Sura would prefer the town not think she's abusing the poor pregnant girls!
The girls and the two young men hastily start out back to the town, almost gleeful with excitement! The pregnant ones have been careful of themselves, but they've also not been afraid of honest work. Besides, they're quite eager to show off their state to the other townies!
After that, of course, Sura gets back to work with the rest of the caravaneers in doing the extra work necessary to ensure the wagons and vardos are placed so as to provide optimum shelter over the winter. They'll be hunkering down in an open field, so wind and snow protection, as well as tarp and crate placement around and over the various vehicles, will be critical in ensuring the folk and livestock of the caravan stay warm and dry and cozy for this snowy season. Fortunately there's a bit of a windbreak in the trees which line the nearby stream. Still, one of the notes Sura has on her list for Vashti is whether the town has any small barns that are empty -- putting the livestock and the most frail of the caravaneers in there could be critical to keeping everyone healthy and alive. Firewood too is going to be critical -- Sura will need to know where it is acceptable for the caravaneers to harvest deadfalls and such.
Eventually, however, as much has been done as can be. At that point Sura, Sna'thaid, and Caroline all clean up a bit and gather themselves together, then head on into town. Hopefully Vashti will be amenable to the news which Abishai brought her, and the girls have all had time to reunite with their families... and everyone in Friendsville will be in a good and generous mood.
Vashti is still living in the house she was inhabiting before, and that's where she and Abishai meet the caravaneers. The town's new alpha and thane hugs everyone tightly and welcomes them back. She seems genuinely happy to see them -- much to Sura's internal relief -- even if there's still some sadness in her eyes. "Please, come in and have a seat. I know you've been traveling through rough weather. A fire and something hot to drink would be good, yes?" There are no raised tables in Vashti's house -- and no other raised furniture, either.
Everyone returns the hugs with pleasure, and Caroline offers Vashti both the precious and ancient book of memoirs from one of the town's previous leaders, and the little basket of baked goodies which Buddy insisted on sending with them -- as the big minotaur had gruffly announced, bein' nice t' th' new town thane's just good sense! That had caused Sura to laugh and hug him in thanks for his foresight. Sura glances around and is quietly impressed -- looks like a much less hierarchically strict era has begun for Friendsville! That, she suspects, will be important for them to successfully integrate with other towns as trading partners.
Abishai takes the bread once Vashti has accepted it with pleasure. The alpha invites them all to sit and when she settles in a large and comfortable chair, Vashti tucks her feet beneath herself. When Caroline hands over the book, the wolf-hearted townie caresses it like the precious thing it is, "Were you able to make any sense of it?"
Caroline nods and says in her careful and precise voice, "I was able to translate some of it. It is a memoir from around the time of the Dying Off. She -- for it definitely was a she -- writes about the despair as people died all around them and of the plan to isolate the town. There were more wolf-hearted then -- a lot more. More than two dozen, I believe." Caroline pulls out some of her own notes, "She was very young when it started, perhaps ten. And she lived long, like Malachai and 'Thuse. She was over a hundred when she died. I only got through perhaps a third of the book." Next, the archivist turns over her copies of what she's translated into English.
Vashti's eyes widen and she stops breathing for a moment, "Two dozen? That is... that is amazing! If the pack could be that strong again, we could protect the town even if we open up completely to the outside!"
Sura says quietly, "What causes the town to need protection?" She wonders if any of the folk here realize that as long as they're hiding werewolves here rather than being calmly up front about them... the town will continue to see itself as, well... besieged.
The alpha chuckles and shakes her head, "I think perhaps I am still in the old mindset. Things are different now. When the town was isolated, werewolves were still creatures to be feared and killed. Even now, some people are against non-humans. I find this funny as humans are no longer truly the majority. It was mostly them -- you, I suppose -- that died." She knows Suraksha isn't human, but Caroline is. "We are still not so many and we do not wish the wolf-hearted to die out." Vashti pushes her hands over her head. If her hair were not neatly braided, it would be mussed.
Abishai returns at that time, bringing back some of the bread as well as butter and preserves, "What she says is true. We worry that people will still try to wipe us out."
Sura knows there are indeed humans out there that are afraid of non-humans. Those kind are usually also afraid of human Taps. However, she also knows there are places, such as Baton Rouge, St. Louis, Bringer's and Onca's lands, and San Francisco, where the non-human and the human casually rub shoulders on a daily basis. She thinks about that for a moment, then curiously asks, "So... do you feel you and your people should stay here? Or do you think you'd be better off in a realm or city where non-humans and humans live together in peace? I mean, you're less than a day's travel from another town -- Accident -- but after that it's several days to the next small town, and weeks to the nearest city. In a way, wouldn't that make it easier for the malicious to isolate and harm you? Whereas in a city or a realm with a powerful and benevolent spirit attached to it... you'd have both the already-established attitude that all people are people, and the protection of the rulers of the area." She frowns consideringly as a sudden thought occurs to her, "Or... oh, here's an idea! You said at least some of the writings talked about the old deities. Is there a way to either wake one up, or to call them and ask them to manifest here, and have them help establish this area as one friendly to anyone regardless of species? I know of at least two other places in the continent where that's occurred, after all -- and I'm sure there are others."
Vashti smiles again, "This is our home. It would be like asking you to give up your caravan for good." Sura nods in understanding, watching as Vashti continues stroking the book quietly and says, "We have spent a long time thinking of god as neither male nor female and having no real names, but there are ones that are listed. Freya. Odin. Thor. Frig. Loki..." She says that last one reluctantly.
That's when Caroline speaks up, "The memoir talks a lot about Freya and Frigga, actually. Sometimes it's not clear if they're one person or two. She seems to use the names interchangeably sometimes. She -- I don't think I told you this: her name is Sigrunn -- also names the wolves. The ones you folks think of as your ancestors. Freki and Geri."
Vashti is listening closely to this; she nods, "That name, Sigrunn, it's in some of the birth records. Of course, there have been several women with that name. It used to be common amongst us. In the last few generations we've had more names from the holy book they call the Bible. It's not the book we use, but the names have meaning and weight."
Sura says slowly, "Why did your people turn towards that sort of deity, if I may ask? Why turn away from the older gods for this new one? Was it a means of hiding, perhaps? And if it was... would it be so bad to start integrating prayers to the old deities again? The ones that helped your people become the wolf-hearted, I mean? Maybe they'd be more likely to listen, you know?"
Vashti smiles again and says, "We do not follow the god of the Bible. We follow the Light, which we teach is neither female nor male, but both at the same time. Some things the Light allows cannot be done by males. Some cannot be done by females. And the Light could not have created these things without understanding them with all of itself." She thinks for a moment and then adds, "Giving those facets names could not hurt. Especially if we have proof that it is what our ancestors did." Vashti does not seem offended or upset at the idea that her ancestors worshipped separate deities.
Suraksha nods thoughtfully, "Well, this book would seem to indicate that they did." She glances over at Caroline, adding, "Did you find any rituals in there, dear?"
Caroline nods, "Oh yes. Sigrunn wrote quite a lot about religion. I think she was afraid the information would be lost." The archivist smiles a little wryly, "Which, I suppose, it was for a long time. If I may?" She reaches not for the book but for the stack of translations. It takes her a moment of flipping through before she finds what she was looking for, "There's a blessing: fertility and health, especially for the wolf-hearted. She calls them varúlfur. It calls for a ritual during which a powerful priest or priestess shape-shifts and calls on the goddess. She writes... ah... here... she writes..." Caroline holds up the paper and reads it in the voice of a storyteller, "'The goddess will hear the call of the powerful heart from the wolf-shape.' Or possibly 'the call of the powerful wolf-heart.' There are others in there, too. Crop blessings and prayers before battle. Those last are to a different god. Odinn, I think."
Suraksha listens in fascination -- she's not read the translations (much though she wanted to) since she didn't want to get in Caroline's way... and, honestly, the book and its contents were the town's property. The small shapeshifter grins hopefully at Vashti, "I suspect if you give her a quiet, well-lit, warm place to work, Caroline would be happy to keep translating for you. I would ask a favor, though, if I might: may I read the translations also?" She brightens at a sudden thought, and adds, "Oh! Maybe that would be an effective way to bring these new deities and your people together again, Vashti -- perform one of the rituals! I suspect health and fertility would be welcomed by everyone living here in the town, after all, yes?"
Vashti is listening with eyes wide and excited, "Oh yes! We would be happy to give her a good space to work on the translation and I'd be honored to have you read them!" Suraksha beams happily at that, quite delighted! The alpha rubs her hands together, "We would, of course, be willing to trade for her services. I understand that translations can be difficult work."
"Ah! Yes -- an excellent segue!" Suraksha laughs, pulling out her little list of needs and wants for the caravan, "Shall we negotiate? I would like our presence here to be a good thing for all of us, town and caravan, after all." She waits until Vashti smiles and nods, then smiles in return, "Thank you! So, we have a few things we badly need: firewood, some foods, metalworking from your smith... we also have some things that would be lovely to have if you're willing to spare it, such as space in any unoccupied barns you have, or a very large room for several of our people to be able to work in together -- we have a few tarps that could use repair, for example. In exchange we're happy to trade with you! Abishai mentioned our caring for the girls you sent, as well as Hezekiah and Rufus. Several of them have been apprenticing with some of our folk, and we're happy to have as many continue with us later in the year as would like to."
She looks up from her notes and adds with pleasure, "Rachel, for example, is now a shapeshifter! We're not sure what happened, but she too is a wolf-heart now. She and Rufus both have agreed to continue with us to Baton Rouge in the deep South of the continent -- because we know of a fey werewolf down there that is one of the bodyguards for the king down there! We thought that might be an excellent way to bring in a wolf-shape bloodline with yours, if she and he are able and willing." Sura pauses there, unsure if Vashti was yet aware of Rachel's wonderful change -- and also to see how she's taking things so far.
Vashti and Abishai are both listening to Sura's list of things the caravan needs or wants. Both of them are nodding quietly. "We can work on all of that with you. We don't have any empty barns, but we have ones that have extra room if you don't mind your livestock mingling with ours for a while."
Sura grins, "Well, as long as you have no randy bulls or stallions?"
Vashti laughs, "Mostly we have oxen and goats and chickens. It's not really the season for rutting."
Sura grins again and nods, "Mostly just teasing there. Yes, that would be fabulous -- all our draft animals are very calm around all sorts of species." She smiles at Abishai as she adds, "That was, in fact, one of the things I offered possible teaching on -- that and how to blend in more smoothly with other humans, if you'd like. All the girls that traveled with us took lessons in that too -- they're quite smooth now!"
Abishai chuckles himself and says, "I think that lessons on society outside the town would be very good. We won't leave the town, but some of us may need to travel for one reason or another. It would be good to know how not to offend people." He glances at Vashti and they both smile, "Rachel came to me full of news at the change. We were thinking on the meaning of that. It is not something we've had happen in living memory. But then, none of the wolf-hearted have tried to change another."
Sura looks puzzled, "Explain, please, what you mean by the wolf-hearted trying to change another?"
"Never tried something like biting one of the human-hearted to make them wolf-hearted," Abishai explains, "Truth be told, we never even thought of it being a possibility."
"But... Rufus didn't bite Rachel." Sura sounds concerned, "Why would he do an unpleasant thing like that in the first place? She had a rather serious riding accident, and he tried to lick the wound to help heal her."
Abishai makes a see-sawing motion with one hand, "Bad phrasing, perhaps. Usually the only way a mouth is going to come into contact with blood is a bite. But, yes, we have never thought of trying to change a human-hearted somehow."
Sura tilts her head in puzzlement, "This... is a standard thing with shapeshifters? I've never heard of this before! If I... say if I bit one of your human-hearted... they would become a tiger?" She glances inquiringly at Sna'thaid, who shrugs -- it's not something she's heard of regarding shifters, but then she doesn't know any fey who go around biting humans!
Caroline clears her throat, "Old stories, Sura, that werewolves were created when a werewolf bit a human. Or of vampires that turned humans into more vampires by biting them." She looks at Vashti and Abishai and says, "I apologize for what I'm about to say and I want you to know that I do not think you have a disease." She turns back to Suraksha, "I think some of that came from fears of things like hydrophobia. Get bitten by a mad dog and run mad yourself. Some of the beings we think of as just another person were once the worst nightmares."
Suraksha slowly shakes her head, "I... do not understand some people..." She considers that for a moment... then sighs ruefully. Sitting up straight again, her voice is brisk, "Well. It can't be simply a bite, or we'd be hip-deep in werewolves and vampires. I would guess, therefore, that either a predisposition exists, such as being part of that bloodline, or that it has more to do with changing the blood than a simple nip. If I understand correctly, after all, Rufus was licking rather a lot to staunch the blood flow. Does that seem logical to you?" She pauses, then adds, "Though even that, actually, is secondary information we can explore further later. For the nonce, are our current offers things of value for you all? And is there anything else that you'd like to trade for with us?"
Vashti and Abishai both nod thoughtfully at the comment about hip-deep in werewolves and vampires. It's the alpha that speaks, "Rachel was certainly predisposed. Both her parents were wolf-hearted, but they both died of a fever brought on by some bad meat one winter. And of course, she is of Malachai's line and my granddaughter." At the question about trade, Vashti smiles and it's even a "normal" smile as if she's reminding herself how the caravaneers do it, "Oh, yes. I believe that having you wintering here will be good for everyone. And I believe that sending some of our crafts and goods out with the caravan will be good for us as well."
The caravaneers set to work with a will after the negotiations are done. Teams of young adults and kids comb carefully through the wooded areas where they have permission to gather any deadwood, stacking up a great pile of it for more bracing under one of the wagons. That will protect it from snow, and keep it easily to hand... and as wood is pulled out for burning, more can be added later. The townies also bring some firewood out to the caravan -- which causes the caravaneers to thank them quite earnestly! They all know that since the town has had the time to let the wood dry and season, it will be better for long-lasting, less-smoky fires. Buddy tromps on into town with the staples he has an excess of, trading them and some recipes for more fresh foods -- he's determined no one shall go hungry on his watch! The town blacksmith, Samson, comes out to the caravan to see what repairs need doing, and a few of the job elements are sent back with him, along with someone to lend a hand in the process.
The girls who are apprenticing are quietly insistent on continuing their training, which means that a few worried townies end up giving them a lift to and from the caravan to ensure no one loses their baby. That means there's quite a bit of friendly back-and-forth between caravan and town, as the children of both groups seem to be getting along like a house on fire -- and take any opportunity to go play with each other. After a while it's not uncommon to see kids of both groups helping each other by doing chores together, in fact -- and eventually the adults become equally laid back about it. The caravan kids are even welcomed into lessons with the townie kids. Besides the spiritual instruction, which no one is going to force on them, there are lessons in the three R's. Sabrina approves mightily of this and starts helping out with the schooling. On the whole, Suraksha notes with relief about a week later to her people, everything seems to be coming along very nicely indeed!
It's only a few days later, of course, that Little Joe warns of a blizzard coming in hard in the next week. There are several snowy nights before that as well, fortunately, which means the caravan has the ability to field-test all their efforts in keeping warm and dry. A few tarps are either re-positioned or replaced; some of the livestock (along with a handler) are moved to share space in one of the nearby barns, and some of the vardos have some quick but careful repairs done... and then everyone settles in snugly for the big one.
Unfortunately, the morning of the day that Joe says will be the blizzard's start looks (as sometimes happens) weirdly beautiful: bright sun, scudding clouds, glittering snow, and not too much wind yet. Thus several of the town's children come scampering over to play again, and are somewhat disgruntled when gently but firmly told they need to either go home or snug down with the caravaneers as there's going to be a very large storm coming later that day. Most of them, of course, grump a little or look sad but head on home, since the children of the caravan are all carefully tucked away in the various vardos with family and friends.
Unfortunately, not all of them do so.
The two townie kids that went out to play in the woods instead were just at that age of being eager to explore but not quite having enough sense to know when exploring was a bad idea. They were cousins, but so were most townies. These two just happened to be first cousins. They got far from town as they played hide-and-seek, but neither of them really worried about it. They knew the woods, after all!
Or at least they thought they did. The trees hid the increasingly ugly skies and blunted the rising wind, so when the snow started coming down thickly it just looked really pretty to the two youngsters... at least until they realized they couldn't see very far any more -- that, in fact, they weren't even sure which way home was any more!
The boys -- Joseph and Balthazar -- tried finding their way to the edge of the woods, but after half an hour, all they saw were more trees and more snow. Even here in the shelter of the trees, the snow was starting to pile up enough to make walking through it difficult, especially for a seven-year-old and a nine-year-old. They were both starting to get really scared, so when the younger boy started crying the older one did his best: he dug out a hole in the snow under a windfall tree, then the two of them cuddled up together and tried their best to stay warm... and the snow kept falling and the wind kept shrieking...
Meanwhile, back in town, the Friendsville folks have battened down for the storm as well. They had been extremely thankful to Little Joe for his warning. There are folk in town that had some inkling due to bad joints, but it's not nearly as reliable as a Storm Tap. Some of the children that came back let their parents know that some of their playmates stayed with the caravan. It's not until Joseph's and Balthazar's mothers asked Joseph's sister if he had stayed at the caravan that anyone started to worry. Miriam had said quite innocently that her brother and cousin had started back to town. That started people moving very carefully from house to house trying to find the boys. Many of the dwellings were along the main street so the townies risked using the fences to move along. It wasn't until most of one street had been covered that one of the boys said he'd seen the two heading off toward the woods.
That statement starts a panic. The town is still small and children are still beyond precious. The idea of losing even two of them is heart-wrenching to everyone -- especially since two were lost to the fires only six months ago. The snow is already too thick and too heavy for even the heaviest-bodied of the wolf-hearted to make their way easily through it. It also stymies their most reliable tracking method: the sense of smell. Even the tracks made by the adults as they moved house to house have been softened or even obliterated by the blizzard. The wolf-hearted that can be gathered easily are rounded up and they start the only other thing they can think of: they start howling, hoping they'll be heard over the wind and the boys will be able to hear and orient on it.
In fact, someone does hear and orient on it: the caravan's wolf-dogs all prick up their ears, then start howling mournfully back. Alg too listens alertly... then turns and announces with his usual flat delivery, "Town got problem."
Sura blinks at that, then gets a worried look, "Oh, dear. I hope no one is lost in the snow." There's a bit of discussion... and then Fantine sheds her skin and flits off through the blizzard in her (slightly more discreet) blue fireball form, which is immune to temperature and wind, to see if she can overhear what all the furor is over.
The wolves are taking it by turns, two at a time, to howl for the boys. Human-hearted townies are moving between houses using ropes they've strung between a few of the houses. Fantine can hear some of what's going on -- enough, at least, to pick up that what's going on is a pair of missing boys in the woods. When she whirls back to the caravan with that news, Suraksha's eyes widen in horror, "Dear Lady, the poor children!" She thinks for a moment, then nods decisively, "Alg, sweetie, could you ask Sabrina and Suze to prep for two near-frozen children, please? Also, check and see if Ohkwari, Rachel, or Rufus are available to try and track them down in the woods. The wolves and you are our best trackers, and Ohkwari and I can break trail for you. Can you do that for me, please, sweetie?"
After the goblin has darted out the door, Sura gives her babies a hug and tells them to be good and take care of their Papa Rattler and Nanny Fanny -- she'll be back soon... and she hopes she'll have the lost children with her. Then she gives Rattler a kiss and starts stripping -- and wryly asks he and Fantine to be ready to help her warm up when she gets back as well! Fantine is no fool, of course -- she agrees, then waits until her lady has slipped out the door and changed to tiger form... and then the little loogaroo flits off to let Buddy know hot food and drinks will be required tonight -- and hopefully soon!
Rattler would normally make some smart-assed and flirtatious comment about keeping her warm, but this is too serious a situation. The idea of his baby girls out lost in the snow makes his blood run cold. He could possibly help break trail by asking the water to melt, but he thinks that Ohkwa might be the better option for that -- because the weather would simply freeze it again and leave them with a sheet of ice.
Rachel and Rufus, both in wolf shape, come loping in after Alg. The reddish wolf and the golden-tan one are both whining in worry. These are children they know and have helped raise. Suraksha -- now a tiger -- gives them both a few reassuring licks, but then turns her attention to organizing things. Dominic has already made low earthen ramparts about most of the area in which the wagons are drawn up, and Rattler has been keeping what little snow manages to get through from drifting up in the central circle, so people can move through there without getting disoriented and lost. Bright lights are set up so the animal forms will know where to return to, and the central bonfire is stoked up. Buddy has already started heating water and some of the stew he'd made for dinner, while Suze and Sabrina are making up two beds with more blankets than usual -- that, coupled with a wolf each, should help keep the (hopefully) rescued children warm and calm through the night.
Once the big bear-man comes ambling relaxedly through the central area, it gets rather crowded... so Sura directs the wolves and Alg to stick between her and Ohkwa until they're in the woods and can hopefully move a bit easier there. After that, and a chorus of good wishes and blessings from the rest of the caravaneers, the little rescue group all head out through the screaming wind and driving snow.
It is miserable weather. Alg is clinging tightly to Sura's fur, plastered almost flat on her back, and she can hear the bear's disgusted grunt as snow flies repeatedly up in his face. Her own whiskers are blown back flat against her furry cheekruffs... and were it not for Fantine darting out in fireball form to dance back and forth between them and the forest, the big tiger is honestly not sure if they might have gotten lost themselves as well. The wolves are tucked between both larger animals, but even so every once in a while either the bear or the tiger will feel one of them half-stagger and slam lightly against their larger bulk, as the wind switches directions, catches them unawares, and flips them nearly off their feet. Nevertheless, the thought of the two children keeps driving them all on. Slowly, doggedly, and a bit waveringly... eventually they all reach the forest's edge.
Ohkwa is massive, larger even than the largest of 'natural' bears, since he is the essence of bearness. He helps make a decent windbreak and he is protective of the caravaneers, even the new ones such as Rachel and Rufus. For this particular endeavor he's taken the shape of a gigantic white bear with broad, webbed front paws that can scoop the snow out of the way almost like paddles. Those paws and muscular shoulders help shove a path -- a trench really -- through the snow. Suraksha tailgates; she's there to ensure no one is lost. More than once she has to gently grab a wolf in her jaws or nudge them forward against the violent wind. Fortunately it lessens a bit once they're in amongst the trees... so she allows some of her sharp senses to turn towards alertness to any sort of sound or scent or sight of anything anomalous. Once they're in the trees the snow isn't quite as deep, but that doesn't mean it's appreciably easier to move through. She's praying they find the children in time... in weather like this hypothermia isn't far away.
In the forest, the wolves will sometimes surge forward a few feet and raise their noses to the air. They couple this with howls that seem to have a particular modulation to them. They had explained before they left that there were certain howls everyone in the town learned to recognize: danger, joy, worry. Sura nods and urges them on -- they and Alg are, she thinks, their best bet to find the kids. She suspects the children will be too snowed in to spot the little dancing fireball that is Fantine, after all.
Several hundred feet inside the forest there's a moment, in the silence after Rufus and Rachel howl, when there's something that sounds like a response to the call. The wolves freeze for a moment and then repeat the howl. The call comes again and they get quite excited, starting to shove through the show slightly off to the left of the trail they've been following. Sura bounds lightly ahead of them to break trail, with Alg riding her and giving her directions on which way the wolves want her to go. Fantine dances around excitedly, trying to look ahead for the children -- she's always had a soft spot for protecting children, especially after her own terribly aborted childhood.
Ten or twelve feet off the path, they find a mound of snow that looks a little more compacted than what's around it. There's an opening perhaps the size of a dinner plate in it. Rufus wallows through the snow to it and shoves his muzzle into the opening. Less than a second later, he's wagging and bouncing on his front paws as he digs at the snow. The sound of tired children's voices can be heard over the wind. Sura sighs gustily, closing her eyes for a moment to murmur quiet thanks and praise to the Lady of Serpents for watching over the poor children -- and then she pads forward and gently nudges Rufus out of the way. Her huge paws are the least clawed when she sheathes them -- and she can scoop more snow out of the way than the smaller wolf. She hopes the kids aren't too frightened by the animals here for them... and that they'll be able to hang on to either her or Ohkwa as they head back to the caravan.
Ohkwa helps with the digging out of the boys. When the two youngsters come pushing up out of the little den they'd created, they are bowled over temporarily by the two wolves, who snuffle over them and make sure all parts are present and accounted for before chivvying them over to the larger animals. Rufus especially seems to want them up on the backs of the tiger and the bear. Sura grins at that, but obligingly crouches for both children to mount up -- she wants the larger Ohkwa free to serve as windblock if necessary. Also, Alg can ride her too and ensure the poor, half-frozen children don't simply slide or get blown off.
Fantine darts ahead to alert the caravaneers that the children are found and on their way in -- she'll return to help light the way as well. As they all struggle slowly and determinedly through the snow, Sura ponders in her head how to let the townsfolk know so they don't worry any more. Could Fantine maybe carry a message or something? But... Sura doesn't want her shy friend harmed, and Fantine is, frankly, rather scary-looking in her skinned human form. Hmm... maybe a message tied to a rock that she can drop from a height? Though... how would she carry it in fireball form...?
The group is met at the edge of the caravan's encampment by people with blankets for the boys. Both of them are shivering and sounding a little slurred as they're scooped up bodily and rushed to the beds prepared for them. Sura waits until the boys are swiftly hustled off, then turns to the wolves and growls, "Gh'an you howl to town? Le'dh 'em know all good?" There is some eager bouncing and wagging before the pair of wolf-hearted raise their heads and howl with all their might. Even to a non-lupine ear, the sound is triumphant.
Fortunately, after long moments of listening and howling, and a few changes of the wind, there's an echo of their calls from the direction of the town -- the news has gotten safely through! Once the answer comes, both wolves bounce excitedly on their front paws. They can't change quickly like Sura, but they're doing their best to communicate happiness. The big tiger chuffs quiet laughter, gently nudging them in towards the fire and out of the snow and wind as she growls, "Good ch'hob! Warm u'bh now... gh'ome!"
Buddy has hot drinks and food waiting for the boys and the rescuers. No one is trying to warm them up too fast as that can cause damage just as bad as letting them stay too cold. Suze checks them over carefully and starts pressing warm -- but not hot -- cloths to their noses and ears, admonishing the boys to keep them in place. Rattler helps the animal-formed folks get the snow off their fur so they aren't soaked when they change back. Sura glances around alertly before changing, checking to make sure all is well... then changes shape and thanks Fantine for how swiftly the little loogaroo has warm clothes to hand! The werewolves don't bother shifting since they'll be sleeping on the beds with the boys... and it looks like everyone is doing well and everything is well in hand. Once Ohkwa too has shifted to human form Suraksha quietly checks with him: does he need someone to cuddle with tonight to help stay warm?
Ohkwa's eyes are warm and indulgent, "I believe I could find someone to cuddle me if I need it. I believe your Chosen would like to keep you warm. Though I'd share my den with you both for the comfort and warmth of it."
Sura smiles with warm affection at her old friend, "Either would suit us fine, dear... though as you know, I tend to come with cubs!" She grins, letting him choose what would please him more. He's one of the handful of caravaneers who could ask almost anything of her, after all -- she trusts him with more than just her own life, after all these years!
The manitou snorts and rolls his eyes, "Because I've never had to try and sleep with half a dozen Sokoloffs clambering all over me." Sura laughs! His smile goes back to indulgent, "Yes. I think I would like a companion or four. If only because I am feeling very much like I need to den up."
Sura happily hugs Ohkwa, beaming, "We'd love to, dear! Give me just a moment to collect everyone up and we'll meet you there, all right?" She glances around for Rattler, her smile softening with affection as she heads his way to explain what's up, and would he be willing to come cuddle up with them all too, please? She already knows the girls will be delighted -- solemnly funny Unca Ohkwa is a favorite with all the kids.
Rattler chuckles and puts his arms around Sura, teasing just a little bit, "Cher, wan' us to snuggle wid Ohkwa, can do dat, me. Even if was t'inkin' of nice ways to warm up jes' you 'n me." Sura grins and purrs a little at that -- he knows quite well how to heat her up even with just words! He helps get the girls ready to go spend time with the bear and their parents. It is, as is expected, a very warm, furry, snuggly, and reassuring night for them all.
The next morning dawns with a blue sky that looks almost surreal given the amount of snow on the ground. No sooner is the sun up than there's someone hallooing the caravan. It turns out to be Vashti with a pair of worried-looking women and a teenaged boy. Vashti introduces the boys' mothers, who in turn hug Sura and Ohkwa tightly and thank them with obvious relief when it's explained by the guard that brought the women in that the bear and the tiger were the ones that helped Alg and the wolves find the boys. Sura smiles and returns the hugs warmly, reassuring the women: the caravan knows the town would do the same for them! They're all very happy to have been able to help.
After that Suze is called over; she shows the mothers to the wagon where the children have been bunked down with Rufus and Rachel. All four of them are still asleep, which is not surprising (as Sura explains after the door is gently closed again) considering they effectively all did extremely hard physical labor yesterday! She invites the mothers to stay and have breakfast with the caravaneers -- the smells and slow increase of noise should eventually awaken the kids naturally, after all.
Both mothers are happy to stay; Vashti does as well, explaining that the children are not having lessons today so there's no hurry about her getting back to town. The teenager, however, is sent back to town as a courier to let folks know the lost lambs are both found and safe. Breakfast is a warm & friendly community affair, with the three town women cheerfully welcomed and folded into the usual comfortable chattiness of the first meal of the day. Community meals are something Friendsville is used to. Sura saw that last time she was here with all the people coming and going in Malachai's big kitchen.
Unsurprisingly the wolves wake up first -- they come out stretching and yawning, then licking their chops and looking around interestedly due to the delicious smells coming from Buddy's cookwagon. Both wolf-hearted are greeted with many scritches and body-thumps and thanks. Rufus looks proud enough to burst and Rachel is dancing around happily with her tail going a mile-a-minute. There are some words said in a language that the caravaneers have heard the townies use between themselves that make both wolves go still for a moment -- and then almost bowl the mothers over with excitement! Sura raises an eyebrow at that, leaning to murmur with a smile to Vashti, "Dare I ask? Gingerbreads for the rest of their lives for the rescue, or something similar?"
Vashti laughs quietly, eyes warm as she watches them, "It may seem silly, but they said they'd name their next children after Rachel and Rufus. It's a way of showing great respect." Suraksha awwws at that -- she thinks that's charming! She grins amusedly -- she can certainly understand why the women might prefer the names Rachel and Rufus, too, to the far more peculiar-sounding (to the Friendsvillites) Suraksha and Ohkwari! Vashti says, somewhat apologetically, "We didn't know if it would be something you and your bear would like to have us do."
Sura chuckles, "We don't mind... though really, Ohkwa is his own person. If anything, I sometimes think we're his, you know?" She grins affectionately across the fire at the calm, burly man smoking a pipe and watching quietly over everyone.
It's only a short while later, really, that two very rumpled, bleary-eyed boys come stumbling out of the wagon, rubbing their faces and looking around a bit warily at all the strange people. Their faces light up a bit in relief, however, at sight of their mothers and the two familiar werewolves -- and the family members nearly fly to each other's arms! They're reunited in a babble of explanations, demands, apologies, exasperation, tears, and relief... which makes the caravaneers smile fondly.
Vashti watches this and shakes her head with a small smile, "Those two are going to be on punishment for a month. We are beyond grateful that they are back, but they also need to know that that was a very bad thing for them to have done." She holds up a hand, "Nothing horrendous. They will have extra chores and extra lessons on the subject of responsibility."
Suraksha nods, murmuring, "We quite understand, believe me. Something like this, on a bad stretch of trail, could have resulted in serious injuries and damage to our homes... even, in a worse case scenario, the deaths of those attempting to rescue the naughty miscreants." She's smiling as she murmurs those last words to Vashti, and there's a hint of affectionate teasing as she watches the two chagrined young boys receiving lectures from their relieved and annoyed mothers! The two boys -- once their mothers are done hugging them and making sure all parts are accounted for -- are wrapped up in the extra layers that were brought along for them and then are led home. It's easy to tell when they're told about their punishment because the 'Awww!' is audible over the wind. That, of course, causes a few quickly stifled chuckles and snickers!
Vashti stays for a bit after the women leave. She has something for the caravan: a pair of handmade quilts. The workmanship is exquisite, "When the snow melts a bit, we'd like for you and Ohkwari and Alg to come into town for a meal. You can bring your mate and your pups if you'd like as well." Sura is incredibly touched at the beautiful gift -- she has a very good idea of just how much time, effort, and love went into the quilting! Nevertheless, despite the very high value of such quilts in any of the nearby cities, she knows she'll be keeping her quilt for the loving memories... and she suspects Ohkwa will do the same, honestly! She gives Vashti a tight hug, thanking her again for how good the town is being to the caravan -- and asking her to please pass on Sura's quite awed thanks to the craftswomen for the quilts themselves!
The meal is several days later, and a lovely time is had by all. It is, Sura later happily reflects, just another wonderful demonstration of how good-hearted and kind true friends can become... regardless of age, species, sex, or migratory status. Friendsville and Corbett's are forging strong bonds that the Naga hopes lasts for many generations.
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