Slowly, step-by-step, the druid and the bard made their way up the staircase, the soft hesitant plodding of Solana's hooves leading the way, with only the occasional slight love tap on her rump from behind needed to encourage her to continue up.
Then the entry to the cavern, with the altar where Solana was slain to the right of the doorway they exited. Though she preferred to look away, Tänya purposely gazed around this cavern, memorizing details as best she could as she had since they went down into the cellars of the Temple of Solaris. Up ahead the gleam of sunlight glittered through the pillar entryway, and as they wound their way through the corpses of formerly undead beasts, Tänya's longing for the light, breeze, and plants of the world above intensified with each step. She had only been underground a few hours, but she hungered for the light of the sun and the scent of green grass on the air.
The mare, bard, and druid made their way to the weathered ruins, and Tänya threw her arms wide and rejoiced in the day. Then, her exhaustion once again beginning to overcome her, she made her way over to one of the fallen stones, and after removing the brown gem from one of Solana's saddle bags, placed a light kiss on Renard's cheek as she handed him the gem and nodded in a direction as if to dismiss him. Settling Solana to graze in a patch of grass next to the stone, she sat herself wearily down and glanced at the hawk she had heard screaming as they made their way through the cavern. She was expecting him, and as she held up her arm and whistled, he winged his way over and wrapped his talons on her forearm, cocking his head from side to side as they gazed at each other.
With her unoccupied arm, slowly, softly, Tänya started stroking the avian, stilling his head and gazing ever deeper into his eyes...
Thonunian wrote:"What is with that hawk? I did not think that one as inexperienced as you say you are could make a wild hawk trust you that much, and it is certainly not one I have seen before."
"
He is not mine," Tänya dreamily replies as if very far away, "
but I was expecting him."
Thonunian wrote:"...Whatever. Let us go find Arael and see how he is coming with uncovering his armor. I would like to see it."
"
Yes, go do that, " the Druid barely murmurs, deep in communication with the hawk. "
Renard went nearby. He may also be in the middle of something, but may wish to tag along with you. If you hear singing, I suggest you also leave him be. Solana and I will meet you at the farm or at The Wild Boar in just a couple of hours. If Renard does not come now, he will most likely accompany us." With that, the elf fully slipped into trance, her attention solely on the eyes of the predator in front of her.
How long it took to share all with the hawk she could not say, but eventually her stroking of the avian's head stilled, and the bird's gaze started to shift as his head began cocking back and forth once more. Tänya's eyes slowly regained their focus, but only long enough to raise her arm high so the hawk spread his wings for flight, then jerking her arm upright so the predator took off from her arm, circled once, and then winged his way towards Lastwood.
Settling herself once more, the elf slipped back into a deeper trance, reaching with her senses until she found a passing breeze. Casting her thoughts on to it, she directed it also towards Lastwood, bearing confusion and bewilderment as it went.
Master...it wailed as if almost dejectedly,
once again I am weary. Your hawk with my memories is on its way to you to share with the council of elders, although I begin to suspect that may not be necessary after all. There is so much I must share, although it has only been a few days. Yet I think I must rest, and you must see what I have seen before we discuss all. So now, if my suspicions are correct, I ask only why. Why have you deceived me all these years?
No...not that way...
Let us not start with accusations. Tell me first of joy, Beliant. After the past few days, I desire some joy back into my world. If I am not totally mistaken in my suspicions, share with me. Tell me of...Beltair.
Softly, the wind drifted with the elven druid's plea towards Lastwood. Slipping deeper into trance, the elven druid refused to allow herself to rest until she received recognition of her sending in some way and sat still until it came.
