"If I lose? Or is there a different outcome that would have an adverse effect?"
"If you lose. Fighting yourself is not a battle you want to lose, Starsong. If you lose, god or not, you die. Any how wish to take the Trial of Fear, will be made to understand everything I have told you, down to the smallest detail."
She turned to JH. "What do you think, love? It's not just me that should decide this. This trial of fear has real risk involved. I'm not sure I can do that. What if I didn't come back? I want to be here with you. I want to watch Arielle grow up. There are people here who depend on me. But if I take it and pass then I can do a better job of keeping everyone safe. I just don't know what to do."
She turned to JH. "What do you think, love? It's not just me that should decide this. This trial of fear has real risk involved. I'm not sure I can do that. What if I didn't come back? I want to be here with you. I want to watch Arielle grow up. There are people here who depend on me. But if I take it and pass then I can do a better job of keeping everyone safe. I just don't know what to do."
"Lynora..." Frogskin whispers. "I don't like this guy. He was at a bunch of our previous battles, and he wasn't on our side. The Mask is really, really upset. I don't know if this is a good idea. You don't need power, we can go without it. But if you die, this whole place could collapse. It all depends...how it relies...look, it isn't worth the risk. Tell the demon to get out of here. With luck, maybe the Servants can do something useful."
Sytt slithers over.
"Oh crap, is that a demon lord? Listen, don't trust him. Demons aren't like devils or Yugoloths, they don't keep their end of the bargain. I'm getting out of here. So. Good bye."
The Yugoloth vanishes. Lynora can tell that he's left the Eryie.
"I don't like this guy. He was at a bunch of our previous battles, and he wasn't on our side."
"I admit it, I wasn't exactly as restrained as I should have been. I'd been trapped by a troublesome kobold in the Realms of Dream, and I was starving. I apoligize for each incident. As an act of sincererity, have someone else try the test. If a mortal can do it, you should have no problem dear Starsong,"
She turned to JH. "What do you think, love? It's not just me that should decide this. This trial of fear has real risk involved. I'm not sure I can do that. What if I didn't come back? I want to be here with you. I want to watch Arielle grow up. There are people here who depend on me. But if I take it and pass then I can do a better job of keeping everyone safe. I just don't know what to do."
JH's eyes dim, as he recalls the price that power demands of one, and the emptiness that marks its withdrawal. The hunger, gnawing at your sanity every day. The emptiness.
"Do you need the power? At what price? Why?"
*sigh*
"You can't save us all. At least with power."
he smiles "But power takes on many forms. Love being the strongest. You have that in abubdance."
"You are right, my love," she says with a tender smile. "Sometimes my new responsibilities weigh heavily on me. I am glad you are here to remind me what is important."
She turns back to Barbas. "I believe I must refuse your offer at this time, Barbas. The risk is too great."
"You are right, my love," she says with a tender smile. "Sometimes my new responsibilities weigh heavily on me. I am glad you are here to remind me what is important."
She turns back to Barbas. "I believe I must refuse your offer at this time, Barbas. The risk is too great."
Barbas bows.
"Should any wish to try the Trial, simple call and I shall arrive. Till next time."Even as he says this, he fades from view.
Later, an eaglet bumps into LJ and falls over. It looks up at her as if she bumped into it.
Meanwhile, back at their nest, Sky looks worriedly at Blodwen
:Blodwen, where's Amiri?:
Later, an eaglet bumps into LJ and falls over. It looks up at her as if she bumped into it.
"It's alright, little one," she said, helping the eaglet up. "Are you hurt? No, you're fine, aren't you? You're a long way from your nest. How did you get so far?"
Meanwhile, back at their nest, Sky looks worriedly at Blodwen
:Blodwen, where's Amiri?:
Blodwen looks around and does a head count. Lark, Nodin, Notin....no Amiri. A cold ball of fear forms in the pit of her stomach.
:He can't have gotten far... I hope.:
She closes her eyes to help her concentrate and begins a telepathic sweep of the Eyrie, searching for Amiri's mind.
"It's alright, little one," she said, helping the eaglet up. "Are you hurt? No, you're fine, aren't you? You're a long way from your nest. How did you get so far?"
The eaglet spreads it's wings wide and looks like it is trying to fly.
She closes her eyes to help her concentrate and begins a telepathic sweep of the Eyrie, searching for Amiri's mind.
Images flow into her mind. Seeing the edge of the nest, falling, flight, landing and bumping into Lynora-Jill. Spreading his wings and trying to fly.
Relief floods through her as she sees that Amiri is alright.
:He's with Starsong. He is trying to fly. Apparently our little one managed to glide out of the nest.:
Relief floods through her as she sees that Amiri is alright.
:He's with Starsong. He is trying to fly. Apparently our little one managed to glide out of the nest.:
Sky sighs.
:That means he shifted. Which means they'll all be able to soon. Think we should raise the edge of the nest?:
Relief floods through her as she sees that Amiri is alright.
:He's with Starsong. He is trying to fly. Apparently our little one managed to glide out of the nest.:
Sky sighs.
:That means he shifted. Which means they'll all be able to soon. Think we should raise the edge of the nest?:
:Do you actually think that will help?: she asked with a trace of amusement. :No, eranoyeh, we're just going to have to find a way to teach them enough of what they're doing so that they don't hurt themselves. Would you like to go get Amiri, or should I?:
:Do you actually think that will help?: she asked with a trace of amusement. :No, eranoyeh, we're just going to have to find a way to teach them enough of what they're doing so that they don't hurt themselves.
:Perhaps you should give yourself an extra pair of eyes in the back of your head.:
Would you like to go get Amiri, or should I?:
:I'll go get him, I should be able to get him to shift back.:
He leaps from the nest to float swiftly to the ground. He walks over to Amiri and LJ.
"It seems Amiri couldn't wait to meet you. Any chance you could make solid winds around the nest to keep them from doing this again?
The amusement in his voice shows he is kidding. He kneels down in front of the little were-eaglet, and shows him how to shift through telepathy. When Amiri changes back into a little kid, Sky picks him up and smiles at Lynora-Jill.
"Thank you for watching our little glide-away. It seems they've been watching us shift and learned quickly. I'm thinking about have Freefall show them how to fly..."
He leaps from the nest to float swiftly to the ground. He walks over to Amiri and LJ.
"It seems Amiri couldn't wait to meet you. Any chance you could make solid winds around the nest to keep them from doing this again?
The amusement in his voice shows he is kidding. He kneels down in front of the little were-eaglet, and shows him how to shift through telepathy. When Amiri changes back into a little kid, Sky picks him up and smiles at Lynora-Jill."Thank you for watching our little glide-away. It seems they've been watching us shift and learned quickly. I'm thinking about have Freefall show them how to fly..."
"That's probably a good idea. Although you might not want to overlook the fact that your wife has wings in her natural form and is just as qualified to teach the hows of flight. And the solid winds are not a bad idea for while you are sleeping. We wouldn't want these little ones getting hurt, and you can't stay awake all the time. I think you'll find that you have the power to set that up should you need it," she added with a smile.
"That's probably a good idea. Although you might not want to overlook the fact that your wife has wings in her natural form and is just as qualified to teach the hows of flight. And the solid winds are not a bad idea for while you are sleeping. We wouldn't want these little ones getting hurt, and you can't stay awake all the time. I think you'll find that you have the power to set that up should you need it," she added with a smile.
"You just gave it to me didn't you? Thank you. Your right of course, Blodwen can teach them just as easily as Freefall can. Since you've already meet Amiri personally, would you like to meet Nodin, Notin, and Lark?"
"That's probably a good idea. Although you might not want to overlook the fact that your wife has wings in her natural form and is just as qualified to teach the hows of flight. And the solid winds are not a bad idea for while you are sleeping. We wouldn't want these little ones getting hurt, and you can't stay awake all the time. I think you'll find that you have the power to set that up should you need it," she added with a smile."You just gave it to me didn't you? Thank you. Your right of course, Blodwen can teach them just as easily as Freefall can. Since you've already meet Amiri personally, would you like to meet Nodin, Notin, and Lark?"
"Yes, I would like that. They were sleeping the last time I saw them. I'd love to meet them while they're awake."
"Yes, I would like that. They were sleeping the last time I saw them. I'd love to meet them while they're awake."
"Then I'll use my new power to get us there, I'll need the practice if I'm going to keep the little ones in at night. And other times."
Sky contacts Blodwen
:Blodwen? I'm bringing Amiri back. As well as a surprise for the others.:
Sky searches inside himself for the power of 'solid' wind. He looks around, confused, then throws a bit of dirt in front of him. It begins to swirl in a circle. He steps on to make sure it is solid, then helps Lynora up. They begin to float back towad the nest.
Blodwen is dealing with a bit of excitement of her own as Notin has also figured out how to shift and keeps trying to jump out of the nest when her back is turned. Nodin is obligingly trying to distract her so this is quickly becoming an exercise in being in two places at once.
Blodwen is dealing with a bit of excitement of her own as Notin has also figured out how to shift and keeps trying to jump out of the nest when her back is turned. Nodin is obligingly trying to distract her so this is quickly becoming an exercise in being in two places at once.
Just as Notin jumps again, a hand reaches up and gently knocks her back into the nest. Sky, Lynora-Jill, and Amiri step into the nest. Sky waves his hand and smiles as Notin tries to get out of the nest again, only to be gently placed back in the nest by an unseen force.
:So, I see their shifting sooner than expected. At least I can put in solid winds now to keep them in when you and Freefall aren't teaching them.:
He sets Amiri down and points out each little one as he names them.
"You already know Amiri. The brown haired boy over there is Nodin, and his twin sister, Notin, is this little eaglet here. The little one being good(for now) over there is Lark. Amiri, Lark, Nodin, Notin, this is Lynora-Jill."
While flying around the playground, Little Kiba stops suddenly and lands. He looks around the area, as if searching for someone.
"I could have sworn smeone was watching me..."
Blodwen is dealing with a bit of excitement of her own as Notin has also figured out how to shift and keeps trying to jump out of the nest when her back is turned. Nodin is obligingly trying to distract her so this is quickly becoming an exercise in being in two places at once.
Just as Notin jumps again, a hand reaches up and gently knocks her back into the nest. Sky, Lynora-Jill, and Amiri step into the nest. Sky waves his hand and smiles as Notin tries to get out of the nest again, only to be gently placed back in the nest by an unseen force.
:So, I see their shifting sooner than expected. At least I can put in solid winds now to keep them in when you and Freefall aren't teaching them.:
He sets Amiri down and points out each little one as he names them.
"You already know Amiri. The brown haired boy over there is Nodin, and his twin sister, Notin, is this little eaglet here. The little one being good(for now) over there is Lark. Amiri, Lark, Nodin, Notin, this is Lynora-Jill."
Blodwen gives a shaky but relieved smile as LJ coos over the little ones. It was hard to keep track of four hatchlings at once, especially when they decided today was the day to learn how to fly. She felt sad because she couldn't go to her parents for help and advice.
Lark cooed and reached out for her. She picked up the little girl and hugged her. Lark was happy with the attention until she remembered that her toy was still on the ground she started to fuss and Blodwen's eyes widened as she felt a pull of power. She cut it short by picking up the rattle herself and handing it to the now contented chick.:I apologize for interrupting, Starsong, but would you mind watching these three troublemakers for a moment? I need to talk to you for a moment, eranoyeh.:
While flying around the playground, Little Kiba stops suddenly and lands. He looks around the area, as if searching for someone.
"I could have sworn smeone was watching me..."
"I don't see anyone."
"I don't see anyone."While flying around the playground, Little Kiba stops suddenly and lands. He looks around the area, as if searching for someone.
"I could have sworn smeone was watching me..."
"That's what bothering me."
He becomes a starhawk again and flies up high to get a betterlook aroud.
:I need to talk to you for a moment, eranoyeh.:
:What is it Blodwen? Did one of our little ones talk today too?:
:I need to talk to you for a moment, eranoyeh.::What is it Blodwen? Did one of our little ones talk today too?:
:Not...exactly. Er, how common are powers for were-eagles? Because this one started to try using telekinesis a minute ago...:
:Not...exactly. Er, how common are powers for were-eagles? Because this one started to try using telekinesis a minute ago...::I need to talk to you for a moment, eranoyeh.::What is it Blodwen? Did one of our little ones talk today too?:
Sky looks shocked.
:Uh, Lark tried to use telekinesis? None of the young ones in my tribe ever showed any such abilities. This is... strange. How wuld she even gain such a power? I don't have it, and yours is fairly new, so it' unlikely you taught her.:
Sky thinks for a moment, then laughs out loud.
:Remember a long time ago, when I was worried about them growing up normal? I never even thought they'd manifest powers. We'll have to watch the others for new abilities.:
:Remember a long time ago, when I was worried about them growing up normal? I never even thought they'd manifest powers. We'll have to watch the others for new abilities.:
:Agreed. I didn't think that it was quite normal for were-eagles, but I wanted to check and make sure. That solid wind trick could become very, very handy indeed. Telekinesis can be pretty dangerous for a little beginner like Lark. We'll have to watch her carefully to make sure she doesn't hurt herself or someone else. I don't want to put a block on her. You know how well that didn't work for me.:
:Agreed. I didn't think that it was quite normal for were-eagles, but I wanted to check and make sure. That solid wind trick could become very, very handy indeed. Telekinesis can be pretty dangerous for a little beginner like Lark. We'll have to watch her carefully to make sure she doesn't hurt herself or someone else. I don't want to put a block on her. You know how well that didn't work for me.:
:You can thank LJ for the solid winds, I asked her if she could put some around the nest and she gave me the power. I wouldn't dream of putting a block on any of our children, you're not the only one I know who used or is using blocks. But... if any of our little ones show a gift for something potentially dangerous...:
He turns to look at the little ones, all of which are now enjoying shifting, and feels a pang of guilt at what he is thinking.
:We may have to put dampeners on them. I hate the thought of doing that, but what if Amiri became pyrokinetic? Or Nodin and Notin began to turn their dreams into reality? All we can do is hope and pray...:
:You can thank LJ for the solid winds, I asked her if she could put some around the nest and she gave me the power. I wouldn't dream of putting a block on any of our children, you're not the only one I know who used or is using blocks. But... if any of our little ones show a gift for something potentially dangerous...:
He turns to look at the little ones, all of which are now enjoying shifting, and feels a pang of guilt at what he is thinking.
:We may have to put dampeners on them. I hate the thought of doing that, but what if Amiri became pyrokinetic? Or Nodin and Notin began to turn their dreams into reality? All we can do is hope and pray...:
:I truly hope that it does not come to that. I'm not sure I could even do it. After what happened to me, the very thought repulses me. The truth is any power is dangerous at such a young age. There may be charms that can suppress all powers when worn, which would at least be better than tampering with their minds. We could ask Djuhah to make some for us just in case.:
"I don't see anyone."While flying around the playground, Little Kiba stops suddenly and lands. He looks around the area, as if searching for someone.
"I could have sworn smeone was watching me..."
"That's what bothering me."
He becomes a starhawk again and flies up high to get a betterlook aroud.
"Do you see anything now?"
:There may be charms that can suppress all powers when worn, which would at least be better than tampering with their minds. We could ask Djuhah to make some for us just in case.:
:That's what I meant by dampeners. Something to weaken there powers for a while. As the little ones gain more control over the power, the dampener weakens a little, and allows more power to be used. It's a good training method for little ones.:
"Do you see anything now?"
Lk dives suddenly, changin into a wolf a few feet in the air. While no one appears to be there, Lk is now holding a scap of cloth in his jaws. He changes back into a boy and looks at Arielle and Tristan. He looks worried.
"I didn't see anyone there... How did I know some one was there?"
:There may be charms that can suppress all powers when worn, which would at least be better than tampering with their minds. We could ask Djuhah to make some for us just in case.::That's what I meant by dampeners. Something to weaken there powers for a while. As the little ones gain more control over the power, the dampener weakens a little, and allows more power to be used. It's a good training method for little ones.:
Blodwen looks relieved now that they've come up with a viable alternative to placing mental blocks on the children.
:Okay. Yeah, that sounds like a pretty good idea. It's hard to keep ahead when there are four of them and they all decide to do something new and exciting every day,: she adds with a grin.
"Do you see anything now?"Lk dives suddenly, changin into a wolf a few feet in the air. While no one appears to be there, Lk is now holding a scap of cloth in his jaws. He changes back into a boy and looks at Arielle and Tristan. He looks worried.
"I didn't see anyone there... How did I know some one was there?"
Arielle shrugs.
"Well, you are part wolf. Maybe you smelled them? Or heard them move?"
Arielle shrugs.
"Well, you are part wolf. Maybe you smelled them? Or heard them move?"
"But thats the problem... I didn't. I just... knew. It was almost like a memory."
Blodwen looks relieved now that they've come up with a viable alternative to placing mental blocks on the children.
:Okay. Yeah, that sounds like a pretty good idea. It's hard to keep ahead when there are four of them and they all decide to do something new and exciting every day,: she adds with a grin.
:Well, with us as parents, I'm sure we can handle anything these nestlings can manifest,: he says smiling.
"But thats the problem... I didn't. I just... knew. It was almost like a memory."Arielle shrugs.
"Well, you are part wolf. Maybe you smelled them? Or heard them move?"
"I don't know, LK. I can do that with my mom. I can sort of know where she is if I think about it. But that's about it. And I didn't know there was anyone there now at all."
"I don't know, LK. I can do that with my mom. I can sort of know where she is if I think about it. But that's about it. And I didn't know there was anyone there now at all."
"There is something strange going on here, and I'm going to find out what. Can you spread lightning through the playground? If we can shock whoever is here, maybe we can see them."
"I don't know, LK. I can do that with my mom. I can sort of know where she is if I think about it. But that's about it. And I didn't know there was anyone there now at all.""There is something strange going on here, and I'm going to find out what. Can you spread lightning through the playground? If we can shock whoever is here, maybe we can see them."
"I can try. Umm, you're all gonna wanna be behind me when I do this."
She grabs her practice hammer and makes sure that her friends are out of the line of fire before slamming the hammer against the ground sending flares of lightning and a large thundering boom across the playground.
The lightning surges across the playground. Halfway across, something blocks part of it, and a man appears, holding a gloved hand up against the lightning. He isn't ready for the thunder though, and flies across the playground as it slams into him. He stands up, his cloak crackling with left over electricity.
"I forgot about the thunder. Well, that's what happens when your overconfident." He pulls a well-worn axe from within his cloak and looks toward Lk.
"Care to try your blade, little wolf?"
"You came here just to challenge me? And how did you know I was a lycan?"
His attention drawn by Arielle's lightning, JH rises. The man on the playground is now visible. And where he shouldn't be.
"You came here just to challenge me? And how did you know I was a lycan?"
The man is about to answer when the little gray bird flies at him. The man raises the hand holding the axe and a small cage appears around the bird.
"You stay out of this. To answer your questions, young wolf, I came here to make sure you don't make the same mistake I did, and to prepare you for something. And I know you like I know myself."
Arielle tilts her head as she looks at the stranger. There was something she couldn't quite put her finger on...
"If you came here to fight me, you won't get very far, there are wards to prevent it."
Despite his brave words, Lk still pulls his own axe and readies himself.