A Tale of Age's Old
Long before recorded time, the world existed differently than now. Wondrous creatures existed and worked in union with each other. Creatures that would now be called were's/lycans existed in large numbers; though not quite as people think they are now, and they outnumbered the humans. Now these creatures were considered the 'true' forms of the animals that exist now, each group was broken into clans; and into families with in those clans. This story starts; as most stories do, with one individual. This one is a member of the cat clans, though this particular family is a rarity amongst the clans. She is a Sea Cat only one family group of them existed in this point in time, and all in that was two sisters, their parents, and one aunt. Now this is what makes her kind of werecreature interesting, first they were considered panthers, though they did not look like any panther you see now. Their kind was the size of what is now called a saber tooth tiger, built like tiger's, feathers reaching from their ears to their shoulders which hid gills, also typically they were black. The one our story starts with is the older of the two sisters, and this one was pure white with some green tiger striping on her lower legs and tail. These creatures also could live and breathe underwater and grant the ability to breathe under the water to one person in their presence. This female according to her family was special, with a special power inside her; her parents were concerned about how wild she was for what she was. One day she was swimming close to shore (which of course she was not allowed to do) a true wolf silver of color fell into the water and was sinking fast. She swam after him, and upon reaching him; granted him the ability to breathe under the surface. Once he could breathe fully, he looked up at her and said; "hello strange cat". She bristled and hissed at the comment, while he just smiles and asks, "how is it I can breathe under water?" She pauses a moment then growls, "I gave you the power to breathe here for now. If I had not you'd be a dead wolf." He smiled again and says "good that such a lovely creature saved me." She growls at the comment annoyed that the wolf would say such a thing to her. He merely sat there with an amused look on his face and got up to move closer to her, she swims out of reach; so he sits down again still looking amused. "So bright lady do you ever go on the land, or do you always remain below the waters?" He asked, not moving; not wishing her to flee again. She sits a good distance from him and responds, "no I am not permitted on the surface." He chuckles and calmly comments, "well young one; I doubt you're allowed to be wandering here alone." She fully bristles at that comment, her feathers on her neck standing on end; and her ears lying flat against her head. He merely looked amused again as she hissed out a reply, "wherrrre do you come off calling me young? You'rrrre no older than I, and I can be any wherrrre I wish." He then stands looking torn between coming close to calm her, his comment not meant to upset her; and not wanting to frighten her. He ponders a moment then grinning again says, "well bright lady come onto the land with me then." A brief look of horror passes over her face and she says, "no I do not feel like it"turning her head away. He grins again and says, "so you're afraid then? Afraid to leave the safety of your watery home, I'll protect you if you fear it lovely." He almost laughs at the look on her face now, a cross between shock/anger/disbelief. She then stands and looks up to the shoreline not far from them, a brief look of worry passing over her face. "I am not afraid I do not fear anything I shall go on the land to just prove it to you," she stated in a voice that sounded like she was convincing herself. She starts swimming to the shore and he follows behind enough not to spook her again. Meanwhile on the land; a guard wolf and a young black wolf are searching the shore for the one who fell below. The guard looks to the young wolf and in an angry voice says, "what were you two thinking wrestling so close to the cliffs? If he is dead from that fall it will be both our head's boy." the young one brother to the silver colored wolf; cringes and keeps looking for his brother along the shore, upset because all this worry over his brother. After a bit of searching he looks across the water seeing a white form come out of it followed by his brother, the white creature looked upset and said in a harsh voice. "Well WOLF we are on the surface, now what?" He looks to his guard who is looking across the water in disbelief at the white creature, the guard calls to his brother. "Silver there you are, who is this you have found?" Silver's ear twitches in response and he says to the white creature, "come lady meet my guard; I am guessing he has been very worried for me." The white creature slowly makes a few steps forward, pausing at the water's edge, almost as if she is afraid to touch the land. He can see though that it resembles a cat though with the feathers on its neck its hard to believe. Silver comes up behind her making her visibly jump, and he says to her. "Come now... Not afraid to let your paw touch the dry land are you?" The guard is still looking at her in shock, and she goes to step on the land; the moment her paw touches the dry land flowers sprout from the ground. The guard seesthis shakes himself from his trance at her sight and howls for aid, knowing that this should not be happening. The white one had froze the moment she saw the flowers, and had not moved till she saw other wolves appear; she noted the one who the guard called Silver looked concerned. An old gray wolf upon noticing her standing with one paw on land knew why they had been summoned and strode toward her and Silver; he stopped in front of her and calmly asked her. "Child your name please," she looked surprised that she was being treated kindly; for breaking a big rule and responded. "My family has named me Tiaras, I saved this one named Silver who fell into the waters." The old one nods and glares at the guard she saw when she first came out; then turning back to her he softly talks to her again. "Young one thank you for that; him and his brother shall be punished for their misdeeds, may I ask why you are out of the waters you live in? Also where is your guard?" She lowers her head at the question knowing she was also in trouble, "I snuck away to be close to shore, I wanted to feel the light upon me, but I had not intended to come ashore I have never been on land." She starts poking at the water not rising her head in fact her tail drooped into the water. The old one nods again looks across the waters and lets out a odd howl that the other wolves looked mystified at and suddenly a large blue water dragon comes up from the water looking very upset. Tiaras sees him and looks upset herself knowing she really was in trouble, the dragon lands next to her and bows slightly to the wolf and then turns to her. "Girl! There you are I have been searching for hours for you, your parents are very upset. You also know you are NOT permitted on the surface." The wolf looks to the dragon and says, "the damage is done bring her family to the clearing we will escort her there for her safety." The dragon nods to the wolf Elder and dives below the surface, the wolf looks to her again and says; "child you and this one have caused trouble you know not of yet. Now we will fix it, as best we can; Silver you called her forth YOU must escort her." He then turns and tells the rest, "OK circle around the two allow none to come near them especially the sea cat, we go to the clearing." Tiaras looking scared and worried freezes again and states, "I am not moving I do not know what is going on, you do not control me" The wolf Elder stops mid-step and turns to look at both of them and growls, "child I control more than you may know; and either you walk with us or I have the guards carry you." Her head droops down at that and she steps forward more plants and flowers sprouting at each of the steps and per the elder's request, Silver walking in step with her. The rest of the wolves form a circle around them the other wolf not in it but escorted by the guard he had been with. They walk into the woods surrounding the cliffs the Elder stops once they enter the woods and turns to the two, he chants. "This binding I place on this cat bound to this wolf within these woods remain for all; to leave means death with out your guard forever bound to the woods of the Pack be you now." Tiaras blinks at the chant and feels a weight upon her she growls, "what have you put upon me wolf?" The elder growls back at her "a binding upon you so you may never leave here with out Silver by your side, he called you from the sea he must be responsible for you." She cringes at that comment and tries stepping out of the woods, the elder nodding at the others to let her try. She gets about three feet from the woods and collapses feeling all her energy leave her and unable to breathe, Silver gets ready to run out to her but the Elder steps in front of him. "Now child you know you cannot leave here without him with you, and he will not be permitted to take you from the woods." The elder himself steps out and returns her to the woods and lays her on the ground waiting for her to fully revive from the experience. She stands and shakes off the feeling she got from having everything drained from her, she nods her head and says in a tone that shows how defeated she feels. "Yes I understand, I do not think I will try that again." She calmly walked over to Silver and stood waiting for the elder to continue on the way, standing perfectly still and docile. "OK I will follow you as you wish," she said panting; and Silver looking slightly worried. The Elder had them start along their way through the dense woods the Pack called home, Tiaras looked around it in wonder having never see such plants before. Well considering she was from under the sea that is very true but she still was shocked to see how lush and vibrant it all looked. The Elder grinned to himself having seen her reaction to the woods, knowing she'd not leave now of her own violation instead she'll remain within the lands of her own will; wandering and exploring. "Our lands are beautiful, granted your are as well bright lady," Silver said softly thinking she was now going to talk kindly to him; she glares at him and replies. "Yes my home was beautiful, and now the binding from your leader will ensure I never leave your lands; now I am stuck here I shall not thank you for that." Sliver looked shocked at that and got quiet but kept walking, the Elder who appeared to have been ignoring them was nodding his head as if he knew something no one else did. They arrived in a large clearing where stood a massive tree which Tiaras could not describe, its like it was a combination of all the trees she saw on the walk to here. The tree stood over a perfectly clear pool of water there was however bones of a wolf in front of the pool of water, Tiaras found that odd they left one of their member's bones in such a peaceful place; but she made no comment to it. She did note in her mind the moment they stepped into the clearing that the plants stopped sprouting below her feet. Upon fully entering the clearing the Elder had them stop telling the two to come sit in front of him while they waited, he then turned to the young black wolf and said to him; "you young Lusifyre shall have dealings in this as well. Please remain in the clearing but you are not required to be center of attention." The smaller wolf nodded his head and went to sit by the guard and wait for whatever was to occur. Tiaras started fidgeting slightly when she saw her Dragon guard and her family walking (walking ? the Dragon walking? Why?) in the clearing her parents approaching with her twin sister. She also noted her sister's appearance but made no comment after a glare from her parents. Her parents noted the positioning of the two young wolves and told her sister, "Quissara go sit with the other young wolf please we must deal with what your sister did." Quissara looked to her sister and commented, "again she causes trouble. Parents are you sure she is suppose to be so special? Doesn't act like she is with all this trouble she gets herself into, she'll never be worthy of what you claim her as; she's not special." Tiaras winces at that comment and frowning she lays down remembering she had been wondering why she would be so an important one. The wolf Elder glances to the dark cat growling slightly then looked to her parents not looking to happy at the comments from the girl. Her parents came forward leaving her aunt and the guard at the clearing entrance, when they sat in front of her and Silver; the Elder spoke. "The child has come upon the lands and fully awoken, now she falls to my care she WILL remain within the Pack's lands as I have bound her to Silver our strongest to remain her permanent guard; also the one who foolishly called her from the waters." Her parents nod slowly looking upset but not arguing her father speaks then, "Wolf Elder; the other girl will she be permitted to remain with her sister? It would be best to leave the twins together and this way we can search for our cousins, we have been away for sometime guarding these two as best we could." The Elder huffs at that not looking to happy and replies growling slightly, "best you could? You let her become wild and uncontrollable, she will now be bound to Silver till she can be not; and look at what the comments of her sister did to her. I would wager right at this moment if she did not know I would stop her she would test her binding again to make things right." He looks down at Tiaras who was nodding slowly as she curled herself up knowing she is in the wrong; Silver looking worried and not caring if he spooked her this time, pokes his nose at her and lays next to her the Elder nodding to him. Looking at her sister she sees a questioning look upon her face, Tiaras knows her sister does not know what the Elders are speaking of so she will keep it to herself, her sister does not need to know what she would have done for her to let her have the freedom she wanted. Though unlike her sister she also knows if she did die her sister would too, and she would never do that she does not want her sister hurt but can't make things right for her either. The Clans being different from the 'normal' beasts of the world have a quirk you might say. If there is a set of twins born whether it is identical or not. If one twin dies, so will the other. Clan twins are connected on such a level that the death of one causes the death of the other. The Elder after briefly nosing the back of Tiaras' head speaks to her parents, "yes the other child may remain within the lands as well; no restrictions will be placed upon her. She will be free to do as she wishes though I shall request Lusifyre to watch over her." He then nods to the smaller wolf who then sits closer to Quissara looking quite happy with himself. The Elder then turns to the bones by the pool's edge and briefly looks to Tiaras, "child come here a moment. You wanted to know why these bones were here, yes? This was the last keeper of The World Tree; or rather our segment of it anyway, his bones remain till we can find someone to replace his place with another. Do you know who that will be?" Tiaras gets up slowly head dropping down as she walks over to the remains of the Keeper, the Elder nods as she touches her paw to the bones that were the Keeper's paw. "By Panther's spirit I call to thee old one, grant me the link to the Tree as I shall accept my place within these lands till my last breath." A light formed within the bones of the former one and the bones disappeared as it passes to Tiaras enveloping her then finally settling within her; she lies down looking a bit dizzy. "OK Elder I have done as you wished, I am firmly bound to here," she looks off in the distance remembering the sea. "I know I cannot go to the sea now as long as I am bound, I shall miss it but I know this must be." She then buries her head under her paws crying softly to herself. Tiaras knew of the World Tree it connected all life on the world and each of the Clans had a segment of the tree growing in their lands. Generally the center, however it doesn't normally have a pool under it. How she knows this knowledge she knows not, but she knows it. She stands a bit wobbly Silver coming up to her and she steps away from him, "I know you are done with us Elder may we go now?" She asked being painfully polite knowing she has no where to go other than here for all time; knowing she is not free, and hoping her sister is happy being free and able to go about as she wants. The Elder nods to her and her parents turn to Quissara and say, "OK dear we are going , and not sure for how long have fun while staying with the wolves." They turn to Tiaras and just nod to her, Tiaras leaves the clearing Silver following her slowly and the other two behind. They get about twenty feet from the clearing and Tiaras stops, "you three go ahead there is something I must do, please I must do it alone." Quissara and Lusifyre nod and walk off to a field in the Pack land to start a game of tag Silver holding back. "Let me go with you I am suppose to be your guard," he starts pleading with her while she shakes her head a low growl escaping from her throat. "No, I do not need a guard I will not leave the lands we know what will happen if I try, go have some fun I will be along soon enough." Silver goes, albeit slowly and not happy; Tiaras slips off back to the clearing to hear what the others did not want them to hear. She returns and locates a good hiding spot where she won't be seen or heard as the last of the regular Pack members went off on their own, leaving just her family and the Elder. Her parents look up to the Elder and ask, "why? Why bind her to the young one? Isn't it bad enough she is not allowed what she desires, why bind her too? Yes we know she will never be allowed her heart's desires, tis why we let her do as she wished so she could have some joy." Tiaras almost yelped hearing that, but remained calm enough to ensure they would not hear her. The elder sighed deeply and calmly explained to the Sea Cats, "It is not that she can never achieve her heart's desire; until that which she was born to do comes to pass she will never be able to. For her desires do not matter in the whole of it all, but after if she does survive it she will be happy surely happy. Until then she will have lots of pain and anguish she will grasp to the joy she does have and squeeze it till it flees her. Never able to have what she wants, while her sister will have whatever she would ever desire." Tiaras starts to softly cry in her hidden spot and she notices the elders ears turn her way, but she cannot stop herself; so she just remains as quiet as she is able while he finishes his talk with her parents. "As for the binding, she needs it to use her powers correctly as you should have known being her parents; you should have bound her years ago but you would not. Eventually she will have to accept full bindings of her own will to fully use her powers, I do not think you fully understand what she must go through." He glares at them and growls loudly to them, "go now! Do not return to Pack lands, not that you wish Tiaras back anyway; you wanted normal cubs well she isn't and never will be normal. She must be cared for carefully not tormented and allowed to be wild, she will be ready if it ends my life to ensure it." At that her family left, the Dragon hanging briefly around looking concerned the Elder looked to him and said, "I am sorry for you to have seen that old one. You know what she is and what will occur, I will ensure her safety myself please go to your rest now sleep till you are needed again." He takes a deep breath and nods then after a look over the woods, (did he see me?) he leaves the woods flying away on the winds. "OK child, come out now I know you are there; and do not dry those eyes if you feel the need cry there is nothing wrong in it." The elder lying down gently on the ground, and motioning for her to come close. She slowly comes from the woods tears streaming across her muzzle, and she pads over and lays across his paws; "is it all true Elder? I will never have my hearts desire?" He reaches down and licks the tears from her muzzle, "child I wish you had not heard that, but yes in a way you cannot have it. It is more that your desires do not matter till that power within you is used for the reason you were born with it. You already know your current hearts desire will not come to pass, you cannot be free." He places his head along her back waiting for her new tears to cease on their own, then continues. " Child I would spare this of you could I, I do not bind anyone idlely." She nods visibly trying to calm to speak so he pauses for her; and with a sad voice. "Then by my life's blood I vow to never be the cause of another's sorrow, if it ever became between me being happy and another I will step aside." The Elder holds in a growl, "child I wish you had not said that, but it shows who you are. Now you are held to that vow, are you ready for this in truth?" With eyes filled with tears she looks up to him, "yes Elder, I shall not let my happiness bar another from theirs; I care not for the pain." He slowly nods ears perking towards the wood, "your guard comes, before he does two things. First, I shall give you a memory spell if every you wish to forget what you heard; or find another need for it. Second a vow to me, to never speak of this to anyone in this life; after this life you choose when to speak of it. This then counts if you are bound to answer, you cannot be compelled to tell this till you are ready." She nods in agreement, "yes elder I accept the vow." The Elder then gets up after nuzzling her neck, "I am sorry child I'll do as I can but my paws are tied here." She nods crying softly again as he leaves. When Silver entered the clearing looking for her worried he sees her lying on the ground in front of the pool crying, so he goes to her and lays next to her and noses her side; upon noticing him there she gets up and runs off. With tear filled eyes she looks for someplace to hide till she calms herself down, trying to think of where he could not follow she sees a tree close to a rocky outcropping and thinking why not she uses the rocks to jump to the tree then climbs up to some upper branches. She as she settles in sees a sea eagle one who would fly close to the surface when ever she'd swim close to the surface, she calls to him; "friend could you tell the wolf Elder where I am so he does not worry?" The Eagle screes in agreement and flies off and she is left to finish her tears in private, in the midst of her crying she falls into a deep slumber.
2
In this sleep she dreams of the wolf who came before her, like her he was pure white save his eyes; he looks below him seeing he is in the air and smirks. "Well he'll never find you here unless my cousin tells him, now why did you run from him? I know how you feel you shouldn't hide it child, and please dry your eyes you can be happy still." She looks down and sees Silver running through the wood searching for her then turns to her predecessor and says. "I ran because I just found out I cannot have him wholly to me, that is my desire the Elder thinks I wish to be free. I will not hurt him, I do not wish to burden him if it is all for naught." She knew she loved Silver, hoped he loved her back but not caring if did not. Her predecessor looks to her and smiles softly replying, "my little daughter you can have happiness. Granted the amount you can have is limited, but go be with him and let yourself love him as you do, stop hiding yourself from everyone; or if not everyone him at least." She nods and looks down to the woods again looking at Silver as he still searches, "you're right; but I need to calm down before going back. I do not want him to see me in tears." He touches his nose to Tiaras' forehead, "when you wake little daughter you will have no more tears; go back to sleep now and wake when he finds you." At that last comment she drifts back off to sleep. She jumps awake gripping the branches having felt the tree move, looking down at Silver grinning up at her ; she growls softly remembering what the old one said. "Do you want me to fall from the tree, I'm sure that would be amusing; but it'll hurt" He just grinned again and playfully shakes the tree again, "well then lady maybe you should come down first then." She grinned back and proceeded to climb down the tree then dropping next to him, "so you finally look up?" Silver looks at her sheepishly and says, "errrrm no, I asked the Elder if he could find you." Tiaras laughs at that surprising Silver he had yet to hear her laugh, he tilts his head and asks; "lovely. What had upset you please tell me." She shakes her head a pained look briefly passing over her face, "nothing to worry about; it has passed. Well now that we are stuck together how about you tell me about you Silver." Tiaras sits in front of him and regrets the 'stuck' comment when she saw a brief frown cross his face, so she taps him on the nose playfully saying. "Hey, come on tell me... I'd like to know a bit about you." Then just as he was about to start talking his brother comes out looking worried, "ummm brother sorry to interrupt but me and her sister were playing hide and seek." Tiaras grinned and finished his sentence, "can't find her huh? I'll help you look bet I find her first." Running through the woods she chuckles to herself thinking how is it a wolf can't find one lonely cat, she pauses a moment to think and feel for her sister's presence; curious about the location but going anyway she runs to the cliffs. ".. now come on you heard my parents I can't wear it anymore and its all her fault." Tiaras hears as she gets close to the cliffs still in the cover, she waits long enough so the two do not know she heard then comes out. She sees Quissara and the guard they had standing on the cliff side both look surprised to see they were found. Tiaras speaks slowly, "sister even he cannot hide you from my senses we can find each other as long as we live. Now my guard I thought the old one told you to sleep, I know you wanted to speak to her and I myself wanted to know why she is not wearing your band." The item Tiaras was referring to was lying on the ground between the cat and dragon, if a human wore it; it would be considered an arm band it would sit the same place on this cat. It was made of a blue stone that was the identical color to the dragon's scales, Tiaras had never seen her sister without it on; their parents from what she knew had placed it on Quissara at birth. Tiaras always knew the bond between her sister and the dragon was strong and suspected it was because of the band, and the dragon seemed very unhappy about her not wearing it. Quissara looked over to her sister and in a slightly angry tone responded, "well sister our parents told me I could not wear it any longer, because you were going to be remaining on the land. So they decided I had better to so now I cannot wear it, I was happy under the sea as you should have been sister but you never were now I have to be in these lands with you and have to let him go." Tiaras held in the pain she felt from the words of her sister and calmly replied, "sister I never wanted to do anything to upset you or make you unhappy. I already wish I had not been born sister, being I bring you so much sorrow; but I guarantee I shall not do so ever again. I would do anything you asked to fix what I have done sister, my silly actions spoiled two lives it seems; what can I do in my power to fix it?" Quissara looked surprised at her sister's words she looked to the dragon who only picked up the band and tucked it under one of his wings, then Quissara spoke. "Well being I told our parents I would obey and remain on the lands maybe it would be best if you could, make me forget about my dragon." At that comment the guard took one more look at Quissara and dived into the sea Tiaras sighs heavily and asks. "Sister are you sure this would make you happy? I could do this but I will not if it will not make you happy." Her sister turns to her and with tear filled eyes nods slowly, at that Tiaras starts chanting partly the chant the old one taught her but altered for her sister.
Ancient lands of the wolf, This cat of the sea calls to you. Let my sister forget her pain, And the love she had. Till time has past and causes no pain, Remember naught the one of Blue. Love not lost but hide for time, Till rejoined they maybe. By the vow I made, Give her the happiness she seeks. Let her forget it all, In dream recall but fade when awake. Give her the peace she seeks, Till they rejoin as one.
While Tiaras chants her sister's eyes closed, and sees the dragon's head briefly come to the surface then sink below again at the end. When finished with the chant her sister's eyes open and Quissara asks, "oh sister! How did you find me Lusifyre was suppose to find me, where is he?" Tiaras pretending nothing occurred merely told her "oh he'll be by he couldn't find you so he asked me to look; I bet him I'd find you first. Guess I won that bet." Quissara chuckles to herself and says, "I guess I smell to much like the sea for him to find me by scent this close to it." Tiaras nods at her sister's comment not telling her what occurred so she does not revert her charm on her sister, not happy about using it either; she lies down and looks over the sea and asks her sister in a quiet voice. "Sister, our parents spoke to you more often than I. What did they think of me, and be honest OK? Don't color it I know I was suppose to go to our grand-sire had he not went on I learned that long ago, so tell me truly." Quissara walks over to her sister and lies next to her and looks her in the eyes, "OK sister if you want to know. Yes they wished you were normal not what," and with a distasteful look on her face; "you are. Between you being white and what ever power they think you posses, they were kinda hoping one of your wanderings would kill you so they would not be burdened by you any more. You know they lived over here away from the others because of your birth right? They did not want to be here nor did they want to be stuck with you. I'm beginning to think grand-sire left just so he wouldn't have to have had you with him." Tiaras nods slowly not caring, it doesn't matter anyway, she thought; they probably would have been better off without me. Tiaras looks out over the sea calmly lost in thoughts her own, hearing the two wolves coming through the woods behind her. Lusifyre and Silver come out of the woods behind the two female cats and see that Tiaras just looking over the sea, Quissara sat up and walked over to them and pokes first one then the other saying. "Come on guys lets leave her to brood she's upset she'll be fine after she thinks it through, come on show me around the lands I would love to see it all; and I want you both to show me it." Quissara frowns slightly when she sees Silver go over to Tiaras and ask, "are you alright lovely? Is something wrong?" Tiaras blinks and looks at Silver still lost in her thoughts and says, "hhhmmm? Oh sorry thinking I'm fine and I'm sure you have better things to do that sit here with a silly cat who is lost in thought right now. I'll find my way back to the clearing in a few hours I think I need to sit here a bit and think." Silver now looks torn between doing as one requested and remaining to find out what was wrong with the other his brother steps up and says. "Brother stay with Tiaras I'm sure I can keep her sister entertained on my own." Silver nods to his brother and sits next to Tiaras quietly waiting for her to speak, Quissara looking upset she didn't have both their attentions shrugs and follows Lusifyre off into the woods. "You should have gone with my sister I surely am in no mood to be company to anyone." Tiaras says turning her head back to the sea looking lost again, Silver looks down at her with a curious look; but remains quiet. Still looking out over the sea Tiaras speaks softly, "I'll never return to it, I know I won't I'll be fine with it but sis...." She shakes her head and continues, "do you know how hard it was for me to remain under the surface for so long out of the sun? I know my kind.. Not the sea cats... but the life weavers must remain where the sun can get to us; its part of who we are. I have now put my sister where she wasn't meant to be, I doubt she'll ever be happy about it either." Silver lays next to her and asks, "are you happy to be here though?" She looks to him and replies, "yes I am happy to be here; happier than I have ever been. My problem is she is not happy, and I doubt she ever will be. That's what upsets me." Silver lays his head across Tiaras' back and calmly says, " remember she is free to leave as she wishes. The Elder is not holding her here as you." As soon as Silver made that statement Tiaras lowered her head and sighed looking out to the sea again, closing her eyes thinking back to how her sister loved the waters and now has asked to remain with her. Thinking Sliver shouldn't have reminded her about being bound to the lands, she was happy to be on the land but; did not needed to be reminded she wasn't free. She didn't mind it but would have liked a choice. She then surprised Silver by turning and laying her head next to his paws and curling the rest of her around him she quietly spoke. "Is it OK if we stay here a bit more before we go back I know I must sleep near the tree but would like to lay here a bit with you if it is alright." Silver not moving thinking if he did she'd spook again replied just as quiet, "yes; if you wish to that would be nice lovely lady." A number of hours later after the sun had set Silver woke Tiaras, seems she fell asleep; and when she woke they got up and started back to the clearing walking side by side. As they entered the clearing with the tree they saw the Elder sitting in the middle waiting,looking both amused and annoyed. "Well I hope you two had fun, young one your sister decided to chase one of the food herds off the lands and we spent hours getting them back, Silver please go help your brother to see they remain while I talk with Tiaras." Silver looked to Tiaras and nuzzled her neck then nodded to the elder and left to do as the old one requested. After Silver left the Elder laid down motioning for Tiaras to lay with him while he talked he looked serious as he started. "Young one tomorrow we will have your 'official' welcome to The Pack, and you will meet a few others that were not available when you arrived. Now a hard question, please tell me the truth, how much trouble does your sister get into? From that stunt I'd likely guess you were not as much trouble as your parents considered." He looked down to Tiaras and nosed her trying to get her to respond when she did not. She looked to the Elder and nodded slowly and spoke, "yes she does cause some trouble. My parents figured it was generally my fault because most of the time they could not find me, so they thought I was hiding from the trouble they knew I had to be the cause of. I was generally watching the sun as close as I could be to the surface without leaving the waters." The Elder thinks a moment nodding his head then he spoke again calmly. "Well young one we knew where you were and she was seen spooking the herd so we know it was her, I shall have someone keep an eye on her from now on just to make sure if she causes more problems they can be dealt with swiftly." Tiaras wondered how her sister would feel to know she was always to have someone watching her, realizing she will have more freedom than her sister now, only because as long as within the lands Tiaras can do as she wished. Quissara now will be constantly watched, every action watched and weighed. The Elder spoke again, "I know what you are thinking; and please do not get upset she will not know she is being watched and so will never know. Does that relive your worries young one?" Tiaras then nods and then the elder gets up and says, "good night young one we will talk again in the morning. Also my cousin generally slept on that soft patch of grass next to the tree." Suddenly feeling very tired after the Elder left Tiaras walked over to the spot the Elder pointed to and yep, felt the remaining energies from the one before her there. She curled into a ball her mind reaching to the tree as she was suppose to before sleeping so the energies gathered while she slept could co-mingle with it. While she slept the one before her came to speak to her again this time he was very happy to be on the ground. She saw him standing in the center of the clearing next to him a great white Sea Cat, that she thought must be grand-sire In the dream vision she got up leaving her body behind and walked over to the two that came before her and bowing her head said "greetings my Elders what can I do for you?" Her grand-sire chuckles and says, "yep knew you would be polite child but didn't know this much." She smiles and sits before them and remarks, "well last time my predecessor talked to me I was not in the mind to be proper towards him." Her grand-sire smiled and poked at the wolf with his paw then speaking again, "child we needed to tell you a few things. Now you do understand all of us life weavers are pretty much a family of our own, there is a piece of every life weaver before you inside you child." Tiaras nods thinking that's why she knows all she does without asking. Grand-sire continues while touching his head to hers, "child I am so sorry. Had I know you would have been as you were I would have waited to take full Elder status, and I would have raised you. You would have been running the plains as soon as you could have and away from your sister. Free as the winds you can control, please though child. Let yourself love that wolf OK? I do want you happy and he will make you very happy." She looks back to her body noticing now that Silver was curled next to her, "grand-sire; no need to worry. I already love him, I did from the moment I met him; I'm just being difficult. Also I really want to make sure he's happy being with me." She replied quietly to the old Cat, who smiles softly to her and said. "My dear girl, somehow I doubt he'd be laying there if he were not happy to be with you. I do however," he continues his face looking upset a moment. "Want you to realize you were and will always be loved." He lifts a paw to her muzzle and lifts it so she looks into his face, "even though I was not here. I still loved you my dear sweet girl, and I will always be your guard and guide as you need me." Then he licks her muzzle and looked to the old wolf, and they both nod then he looks back to her and says, "girl. I must also speak with your sister tonight, though somehow I doubt she will be easy to speak with. Why your parents made the bargain with the dragon they did I know not, but you do know that you were suppose to go to him but because you are you; they could not and they were very disturbed by that. " then as him and the wolf left she could hear them both saying. "Sleep, little daughter and remember you are loved." Tiaras fell back to sleep and though it was dreamless she saw as she woke the next morning a strange vision. The male Sea Cat came up to the Dragon Elder asking for a favor, the Elder asked the Cat what he wanted and the payment for the deed. The Cat then told him, "my mate is to have young; twins. We know the first will have something wrong with it, I wish to ask if you will take it off our hands." The Elder nods in agreement but also informed the Cat if anything was not truthful then the Dragons would take the other instead, the Cat agreed. A change of scene and Tiaras thinks she is watching her birth, the Dragon who was sent to collect his prize was standing close to the female Sea Cat waiting, the Cat is struggling with the first child. A moment before the young Cat is born a song is heard on the wind, and the a WHITE Sea Cat is born. The dragon looks down at the cub and looks very angry, first at the parents for not telling the truth; and second. The parents tried to shun the chore they were meant to have. Tiaras awakes fully remembering the vision she had, and though she was awake did not budge; for she knew Sliver was next to her and did not want to alert him that she woke. She wished to think on it for a few minutes, if what she saw is accurate; then her parents knew what she would have been before she was born. Then they tried to get rid of her because they did not want to deal with it, she sighs deeply wondering how worse her family could be. Then she thinks on the wolf next to her, and realized; he had been mingling his energies with her. That means they were fully joined, it's the only way because only she can access the energies of tree. Well, she thinks; that does change a few things. She knows now they will never be parted and it shows how he truly feels, she is surprised though. She did not think that two could fall that much in love at first sight, she will have to watch for a little while before giving what she must. She curls around the sleeping wolf's form, and properly joining the energies as best they can be at this time, in the future it will go on its own; but that's after she does what she must. She lowers her head hoping they both wake before the Elder comes to find them, she knows that he won't like how close they truly are. She wakes again feeling his energies leaving hers and opens her eyes, and sees him looking at her pondering. He grins and asks, "so bright one you wanted to be close hmm?" Tiaras blinks thinking that he needs to say these things at better times before she takes it the wrong way. So she grins back and says, "well my paws were getting cold and so I warmed them up in your fur." The look on his face was worth the comment when he looked surprised by the comment,and then tried to pass it off as if it were nothing. While he sat there working out weather or not he should look shocked Tiaras walked to the center of the clearing and sat looking into the wood and called out. "OK sis, I know you're in there come on out of hiding. How long were you there anyway?" A few moments later Quissara pads out into the clearing smirking and replies, "oh sister; long enough. Awww you two looked so cute." As her sister sat in front of her mocking what she saw, Tiaras wondered to herself if she'd get in trouble if she dropped a medium sized branch on her head. As her sister continued the mocking Silver come up behind her and in a calm voice asked, "and where were you all night? Sleeping curled up with my brother? Now that, I would think is cute; to see him curled up with anyone." Once he finished that comment Quissara went quiet and then Lusifyre walked out grinning himself and the Elder then walked into the clearing, keeping the black pair quiet. The elder walked to a spot right in front of the pool and motioned for Tiaras and her sister to sit in front of him then he let out a long howl and many wolves started entering the clearing. Once the clearing was full of various wolves, all different ages and size and coloring; the Elder spoke. "This is the entirety of The Pack ladies and, my people this is Lady Tiaras the Life Weaver; she has taken possession of the World Tree as my cousin had before her. The Sea Cat next to her is her sister Quissara, I am sure some of you recall her from yesterday." With that final comment Tiaras lowered her head because if it weren't for her the incident involving her sister last night would not have occurred, the Elder continues. "I have bound the Lady to Silver if it remains that way time will tell I am sure, she will remain with us of course; please take the time to introduce yourself as I am sure some of you may require her services at one point or another." Tiaras keeps her head lowered during this knowing that yes, most likely someone in here will need her; hopefully though for one of the nicer things she can provide for them. The Elder nods to a reddish wolf to come forward and speaks seemingly only to Tiaras, pointedly ignoring her sister now that the Pack knew of her presence When the red sat in front of them the Elder speaks again, "this girls; is our healer Copper-Red. If you need healing services please feel free to ask it of him, at least until you can do it your self." When Copper came forward, only Tiaras heard it; Silver growled low. She decides to use her senses on Copper to see if she could figure out why, so she looks carefully with her 'other sight'; it's a sight used to see the unseen. She shakes her head slightly as she saw him surrounded by pain and death, but that could be because he is a healer. Copper watches the white one looking at him intently and speaks to her and the black Sea Cat in a calming soothing voice. "Greetings ladies, I hope I may be of service to you both; though I must say I have never seen a Sea Cat before today. This will be a wonderful learning experience for me I am sure." With that final comment Tiaras heard Silver growl low again, and wondered what it is he does not like about the young healer. She sees Copper's eyes narrow slightly as he heard the growl too, but made no comment; he then gets up and walks back to his former place. The Elder shows no sign of having heard what Silver did, but Tiaras is sure he noticed. The Elder then stands and speaks, "OK everyone you may go back to what you were doing. Quissara, you and Lusifyre are to watch the herd today; boy keep them in the lower fields." With that order Lusifyre walked over to Quissara and gently nudges her till she gets up, looking rather unhappy; and follows him. As the rest of the wolves leave the clearing Silver walks closer to Tiaras and the Elder. "Silver, I know you do not like Copper but please do not try to show your distrust in font of the whole Pack; as the future leader you have to keep your opinions quiet." The Elder said patiently to Silver, who lowered his head slightly. The Elder then turns his head to Tiaras and calmly tells her, "there is word the Copper has made people suffer in pain before he heals them. I know not if tis true, but if so he will be dealt with. Now Silver I believe you have some work this morning?" Silver nods slowly and nuzzles Tiaras briefly before he leaves, not looking entirely happy to leave her. Once Silver leaves The Elder lays next to Tiaras and nods to the edge of the clearing where a young pair of wolves stands, a grayish female and a brown male; the walk forward the female speaks. "Greetings Lady I am Linias, this is Frarncor; we wanted to ask you if you can make us life mates." Tiaras blinks, that was an odd request; or at least the wording was. Normally individuals only ask to be mated, she wonders exactly what it is they desire done. She looks to the elder who is pretending to not hear anything Tiaras is guessing that this is entirely in her control. "OK Linias, exactly what is it you are requesting of me to do?" Tiaras asks puzzled, "do you wish a regular partnering; or something more?" Linias looks to her smiling and speaks, "Lady we ask for something more we desire to be one for all time; we never wish to be parted. We were told you could allow it or we would have to approach the council for approval if you did not." Tiaras sits up straighter and thinks a few moments on how to proceed with this then speaks. "you are aware that the first mating after this pairing must be public to the Pack yes?" The pair nods their heads together, Tiaras looks to the Elder again and speaks to him now. "Elder, how long have these two been together?" The elder then focuses his attention on Tiaras and replies, "these two have been true to each other for 4 turns of the year, before then they were still cubs and were playmates even then; it is your decision Lady." Tiaras nods to him and turns to the pair and speaks, "very well in two weeks when the moon is full again we will have your joining. However you must be prepared to mate in public, it is required for this. The Pack must see your devotion and be witness to it, most will not choose this because it is an invasion." The pair nods and bows to her and the Elder then leave the clearing. Once they leave the Elder speaks again, "you handled that well girl. The council would have given permission had you not. Child, I wish to tell you something. Due to what happened during your upbringing I want to see you enjoy life here, and if that means you loving Silver with all you heart so be it there however is something you must know. Tarron!" The last word was a call to someone, a large white Tiger walked into the clearing; looking quite pleased with himself. The Elder speaks with some regret in his voice, "this child is Tarron. A member of the Greater Cat Clan; he was brought here a few weeks ago to be trained to fight." He looks to Tiaras apologetically and speaks the binding spell he used on her with Silver, with Tarron's name this time; and she stands and looks furious with the Elder. "Why? Why, did you do that? Is it not enough I am bound to one? Must I be bound to another?" Tiaras asks in a panic and furious, she can hear Silver approaching in a hurry. As Silver enters the clearing he sees Tarron and asks the Elder the same question Tiaras just did, the Elder responds. "It is not my choice young ones, the council decided this I was not happy about this; it is a three-way bond. One other thing girl." He says turning to Tiaras, "do not change form except to the one you mate to. This is very important you are different and we do not wish you harmed OK?" Tiaras nods but is not happy with the situation, she asks, "is it OK if I know I am alone to change? I would wish to walk the woods on two legs." The Elder nods his head allowing that, then he gets up slowly and leaves without another word. As the two males start talking to each other about what has happened Tiaras lays down and can hear her grand-sire speaking to her, "child. I am not happy about this anymore than you and I am going to have a few words to the other Elders about this, we life weavers generally are allowed free reign. The only difference is there has never been a female one before they believe you need to be secure. Which is wrong of course they do not know what you are capable of, we have kept that hidden only the one you love will know what you can do." Then his voice fades out and she sees both males staring at her as if waiting for an answer to a question. She shakes her head as if to clear it and asks, "sorry I did not hear you, I was talking with my elder." Silver nods but Tarron looks confused and he asks, "Lady. Isn't the Wolf Elder you're elder now?" She shakes her head and replies, "no, the Life Weaver Sea Cat before me is my elder." Tarron still looked confused but Silver kept nodding and then asks. "are you alright with all this? You weren't even properly introduced to him, the Elder bound you before you could speak to him." She shook her head but said in a resigned tone, "its OK Silver. As he said its not like I have much choice in it is there?" Tiaras then leaps to where she slept the previous evening and laid down and said, "now boys. I plan on taking a nap, I feel suddenly very tired; I am sure you two plan on going and chatting somewhere. Oh and Tarron, only Silver will sleep with me here." She regretted the 'boy' comment almost as soon she said it because Silver looked hurt, but she was feeling so out of the control of her own life she wanted to lash out. Hopefully he'll understand that she didn't want to hurt him but she was feeling frustrated. Tarron, well she did not really care if he looked hurt or not and he did when she commented about the sleeping. Tiaras then lays down and falls asleep not knowing if they left or not, and at the time not really caring. As she drifted off to sleep she could hear Tarron say something rudely to Silver, "well you know of course. She will mate with me, she must we are both cats; and you are only a wolf." Tiaras did not hear Silver's reply to it, but somehow; she doubts it was pleasant.