Starhawks's page

Hlawith flies carefully to the balcony outside LJ's room, landing as gently as she could and hopping awkwardly inside. Luckily, Azuri'ith was there watching Arielle and he was able to help her get LJ off her back and laid her gently on the bed.

"That's what I figured. Thanks for the tip - I'll look for her now," as picks LJ up and starts looking for Hlawith. He looks over at Allura and the boys and says, "I'll be back in a few minutes. Nobody go anywhere," trusting that she can take care of his bout of sickness.

("And don't call me 'mister', Djuhah - I work for a living!", he says with a laugh :P)

Hlawith lands nearby and extends a wing bending as low as she could, to make it easier for Devlyn to settle LJ on her back.

She's starting to be a recurring character. I probably should give her her own alias. Like I need another one. :P

A small snake slithers through the Eyrie, looking for bird's eggs.

He will find that all eggs have been collected into safe havens and are well guarded.

The starhawks form regular patrols, leaving the daylight watch to the celestial eagles. The nestlings are moved inside the caves where they will be more secure, the older fledglings set to tend to them if there was fighting.

Jay Frogskin flies into the Eyrie. He flies up to one of the starhawks.

"I need to speak to Jack Hammer and Lynora! It's urgent!"

:They are in the Eyrie at present. Fly in at that balcony,: she says, pointing out the balcony leading off of the bar.

I think the Phoenix did that too.

The figures fade into Sky's rings as he catches Blodwen and places her carefully on the ground. He is crying silently, fearing he may have caused this. He begins to heal the wounds they have suffered in the past few minutes, then, keeping the connection small, he moves away to contact Hlaawith,

:I think she is fine, she couldn't keep her power under control, so I told her to let it out, straight up in the air. She's unconscious right now. Is there anything I can do to help her gain control? ...Is this my fault?:

I borrowed :) It seemed appropriate.

:It is a difficult path that she has ahead of her, Herald. Learning to master such power rarely comes easily. You will have to help her learn. I think that she is through the worst of it, if that helps any. We will make sure that the young ones are well cared for until the two of you can return.:
There is a long pause.
:This is not your fault. This is what she always was. I do not know why or how she had blocked off this part of herself for so long, but this was bound to happen eventually. You certainly triggered it happening now. You should have been more careful if you were planning to do some sort of ritual. You do not seem to understand what it means to be soulbonded. But if you had not done it now, it would have happened later. Perhaps this was for the best.:

:Herald, I am making this contact as narrow as I can. After I am done speaking with you, I will break contact and all of us will keep our distance from Blodwen until she stabilized one way or another. The world we come from is one where gifts of the mind are not just common but normal. All of us possess them. But there are some rare few who possess an extraordinary gift. Not just to use one talent, but all of them. These Hyeas can also serve as conduits for the power of others making them powerful weapons during times of war. We have known since she was a hatchling that Blodwen contained the potential for this, so we placed careful blocks within her mind to prevent her from accessing her powers too soon and damaging herself. But when we removed them, the walls remained and stronger than ever. She will not even hear or acknowledge any mention that she might possess this potential. I do not know why. I do know that often it...does not go well for those with this gift when they first come into their power. You are about to find yourself in the middle of a phychic storm and I pray that you are strong enough to withstand it. You must help her find her way through. Either she must rebuild those walls or she must accept what she is.:

:Herald, what I needed to speak with you about has become considerably more urgent. You have to learn to look before you leap, young one. You are soulbonded. What you do affects her. Right now you need to get her away from a poplulated area immediately.:

:I will go and organize the others. I am especially glad that you are safe, Blodwen, now that I know what sort of enemies that you were facing.:

Hlaawith takes off and flies over the Eyrie.

To Sky
:When you get a chance, Herald, I need to speak with you. About Blodwen. It is important but not urgent.:

:All hatchlings should be spoiled once in a while,: Hlaawith says with amusement.
:I brought this for Keehaar,: she adds, dropping a ball she had been clutching in her talons gently next to the exhausted fledgling. :I thought he might enjoy it.:

Hlaawith flies over to the nest to check on the young ones.

:I am glad to see that Keehaar is growing well. And that you are safe. I was concerned when I saw the Herald go streaking out of here earlier. But you are safe and sound, and enjoying your new family I see. The hatchlings look to be growing well. And you look happy, Blodwen. I am glad to see that.:

:Ah, so that's the way the wind blows, is it? You're barely more than a child yourself. But I suppose that is inevitable in these troubled times. Well then, I wish you well young Blodwen. I am sorry for your loss, but glad that you have found a new family for yourself. Good flying.:
With that, Hlaawith settled back into her nest and went to sleep.

Hlaawith looks startled at the question. :Didn't Hlawerry tell you? Tlawen was in the same group as your parents. They were blasted out of the sky by a dracolich squad. I am so sorry. Did you need one of the older ones to come and claim Keehaar?:

Three of the starhawks go down from the dracolich's attack. Another three fly in to take their place. They attempt to infect the dracoliches with a spark of life using reality revision.

The starhawks pulverize the front line of skeletons. A squadron of dracoliches advance to challenge them

Another three starhawks join these ones and prepare to face the dracoliches, readying a powerful Energy Wave to send against them.

The starhawks circle over the field using their powers as best they can, as well as their beaks and talons. Three of them band together to hit the advancing line of skeletons with a telekinetic push.

Two large starhawks fly above PlantJack doing their best to clear his way.

When his song is finished, Sky puts his flute back in it's case.

:I'm a lycanthrope. Most of my life I went without my wings so I could enjoy the company of normal people. Then I found my a tribe of dire were-eagles like myself and they let me stay with them. One day I heared the shamanness of the tribe playing music on her flute. It entranced me and I asked if she would teach me when she finished her song. She asked me if I could see all those who were listening. When I looked around I could see calm and peaceful spirits had gathered around us. She took me as her apprentice when I was 13 and taught me much about the spirit world and Nature. But I cherish the music she taught me most of all. I always thought it was hilarious that I learned to play a wood-wind instrument...:
Sky has gotten that far-away look in his eys as he remembers his days with the tribe. He reaches into his pack a second time and pulls out a much different flute, one crafted of rowan wood and adorned with mithral inlay.
:I could show you what my tribe looked like if you want, I could show all who want to see.:

:Yes, I would like that very much, Sky.: she says eagerly. Blodwen seems eager to learn more about him and his kind.

Seeing that the dwarves have left, Sky reverts to his elven form. Drawing paint from his belt pouch, he draws several sigils of protection on the floor. When he is finished, he waves his hand and the sigils fade from sight. He then returns to his nest, opting to climb instead of flying to it. When he see the hatchlings still asleep, oblivious to what happened, he smiles and pulls a flute from his pack. He begins to play a soft tune that floats throughout the Eyrie and eases the young of the Eyrie in to a deeper restful slumber, while calming the adults. Everyone either dreams or remembers high places and soft breezes, calm air and windstorms.

:You play beautifully, Herald.:

A large black bird swoops down and lands in front of the dwarves, towering over them.
:You will not harm the Star Song.:

:Lady, I don't know what to do. They all woke up with nightmares at once.: The overwhelmed Blodwen is trying to comfort a dozen chicks and fledglings all at the same time.

Sky lets out a weary sigh as his eyes return to normal. He seems surprised to see Keehar and gratful that Blodwen stayed

:It's over, for now anyway. It seems I owe you yet again friend hawk, and yet I do not know your name. And this fledgeling as well it would seem. Thank you both very much.:

Once he knows the hatchlings are safe, he settles down to rest, but not sleep.

:I am Blodwen. And this fledgling is Keehar. When the greater battle comes, we will watch over the chicks for you. You need not worry for their safety.:

Keehaar nestles up to Blodwen when the other smaller chicks are situated.

I wish we could go Blodwen, he sulks

Blodwen ruffles his feathers with her beak.

Keehaar krrs sulkily, but does help the other Starhawks

Sorry, I should have made that more clear. The starhawks in general are helping move the chicks, but one in particular is staying behind. She already promised Sky that she would look after his chicks while he was fighting.

Blodwen watches the others leave sadly. She wants to join the battle too, but she promised. And someone has to stay.

The chick just gaining his first true feathers is chivvied along to his new defensive nest

"Kra! I want to fight the bad guys!"

:I know, little one. I too wish to join the fighting. But some of us must stay to preserve our future. Will you help me watch over the newly hatched chicks? It is a solemn duty, and a necessary one if the Lady's Herald is to fight without distraction.:

:Why would there be any questions, Herald?:
The Starhawk tilts her head quizzically. She has been most helpful in moving the eggs and assisting Sky during the hatching.
:When the fighting begins, I will watch over the chicks for you. I will claim nest-right for them. You do not have to fear for them.:

No, he hasn't said anything about the herald thing yet. Told you these birds were psionic :)

:Sky Cloudgather, you must awaken. The eggs are hatching. And trouble is coming:

*Hours later, Sky groans and tries to sit up. Slowly he is able to stand, though it takes quite awhile before he can fly back to his nest.*

"Hello friend hawk. I afraid I've reached my limit trying to help LJ and I need you to stay a bit longer, at least till my strength comes back. How were the eggs?"

:They are still well. Growing as they should. I will help you for as long as you need. If they begin to hatch, I will alert you, and lend you what strength I can.:

:If you wish to serve, I will guard your eggs until you return. I would not prevent one from joining in the fight as they wish. I promise I will look after them as if they were my own.:

The starhawk slowly circles over to the main balcony, where it bends down to allow JH to dismount.
:The Lady is not comfortable thinking of this as a Temple, even though it is one. Tread carefully there, Earth Champion.:
With its warning given, the starhawk flies off.

The starhawk takes off, slowly circling above the Eyrie so that JH can get a good view. LJ flies alongside. He can see from above that the nests are indeed arranged in the pattern of a swirling galaxy, and a good many of them are already filled. He can also see something LJ hasn't noticed yet, which is that the balconies along the cliff face are arranged in the same pattern.

The starhawk lands near JH and lowers itself to allow him to climb on.
:A short trip then.: it agrees.

:Would you like to see the Eyrie from above, Earth Champion? I could carry you, if you so choose.:

A large black bird glides silently over to the balcony in front of the open cavern in which the omniportal sits.

:Welcome back, Lady: It gives a bob of its head, that appears to be the avian equivalent of a respectful bow.
:Greetings, Earth Champion. It is an honor to meet you.:

:We will fly with you, Lady. The cloaked one is gone, for now, but there may be other dangers. We will guard:

Two of the Starhawks accompany LJ as she flies back to the Sanctum.

Suddenly, Lynora sees a cloaked figure nearby, just outside the Eyrie. It seems to want to get in, but the wards are preventing it. Lynora feels a momentary chill, getting the feeling that this is not something she wants in the Eyrie.

Before LJ can speak a word about the strange figure, two starhawks fly out to confront it.

These are very big, very silent black birds. Not that this in any way effects your guy, just giving you a description of what is coming at you.

:We will fight for you also. We will guard you from harm.:
She turns to the humongous bird, black as night, certain that the words came from him. He also gave her a respectful nod.

The flock of mysterious birds flies in on silent wings, dark as night itself. They too settle into the nests that have been prepared for them.