She found herself suddenly awake though couldn't hear a sound in the dark hut other than the soft breathing of the other occupants. She lay there listening to the pre-dawn stirrings outside but heard nothing amiss out there either. Shrugging it off, she closed her eyes to go back to sleep again when she felt a familiar tightening accross her stomach. So thats what woke me up...
She waited for it to pass, though it wasn't that painful yet, then got up very quietly so as to not wake the others yet. There would be plenty time for the fuss later, but for now she would relax until the contractions came more often. She quietly made herself some raspberry leaf tea then sat drinking it, pausing occasionally when another came.
She had managed to make it to late spring at least, and she hoped the boats would come back today so that Stormfollower might see his child born but she didn't hold her breath. She had for the most part resigned herself to giving birth without him present, though it annoyed her a little being as it was the reason she had agreed to come here. But he had all his people to worry about, she was only herself.
By the time the sun was rising, she was beginning to feel the pain, though she still made no sound, simply enduring it silently for now.
Learning the Ways.
Moderator: Candlelights
Tortha had arrived a few days earlier, too late to go on the fishing boats, but hopefully in time for the rest. He also woke early that morning, full of mischeif but no one else awake to take it out on. He got up and went outside, Sidheag at his side. He looked around for something to do, then spotted the birthing hut bathed in the dawn glow. He knew he wasn't really supposed to go there yet, but he was curious.
He walked silently over and shifted the heavy drape slightly to peek in.
She was just getting over another contraction when she heard the drape move, making her jump slightly. She looked over into eyes so similar to her own, yet a face so like his fathers. He seemed as surprised to see her awake as she was to see him at all. Mother and son regarded each other for a moment before the youth broke the gaze, scanning the room to see if the others were awake. Seeing none but his mother awake, he turned his attention back to her, stood undecided a moment then slipped in quietly and walked over to her. He stopped near her, neither still having spoken, and looked upon her as though seeing her for the first time. She watched him just as intently, noting how much he had grown since she last saw him.
He was now almost the same height as Stormfollower, and looked very much like him, but for a less bulky body. With his mixed blood he would never quite make the huge muscular mass of some of them, but he was strong nonetheless. Apart from his more slender form, the only features he took from Jetamio was her fiery hair and her golden eyes, and a natural grace of movement that only one of Elven blood could accomplish. It seemed odd to her that while all her children were very different from each other, even the full siblings, they all seemed to have the golden eyes that marked them as her children.
The youth sat slowly, still watching her. She tore her eyes away from him and poured another cup of the tea and silently offered it to him, meeting his eyes again. He took it from her, though his eyes never left hers, as though searching for something in their golden depths.
An old tune came into her head, and she began to hum it softly. He looked slightly confused at first as the strangely familiar song stirred the earliest of memories, then his eyes widened as he remembered the only one who had ever sang it to him.
Jetamio saw the recognition and smiled at him, but the smile faded quickly as she took a sharp intake of breath as another pain swept over her. He frowned, then realised the problem and jumped up, knocking pots and pans everywhere with a loud clatter, luckily missing Jetamio.
"Is it time?" he asked with both wonder and fear, then looked sheepish as the others awoke...
He walked silently over and shifted the heavy drape slightly to peek in.
She was just getting over another contraction when she heard the drape move, making her jump slightly. She looked over into eyes so similar to her own, yet a face so like his fathers. He seemed as surprised to see her awake as she was to see him at all. Mother and son regarded each other for a moment before the youth broke the gaze, scanning the room to see if the others were awake. Seeing none but his mother awake, he turned his attention back to her, stood undecided a moment then slipped in quietly and walked over to her. He stopped near her, neither still having spoken, and looked upon her as though seeing her for the first time. She watched him just as intently, noting how much he had grown since she last saw him.
He was now almost the same height as Stormfollower, and looked very much like him, but for a less bulky body. With his mixed blood he would never quite make the huge muscular mass of some of them, but he was strong nonetheless. Apart from his more slender form, the only features he took from Jetamio was her fiery hair and her golden eyes, and a natural grace of movement that only one of Elven blood could accomplish. It seemed odd to her that while all her children were very different from each other, even the full siblings, they all seemed to have the golden eyes that marked them as her children.
The youth sat slowly, still watching her. She tore her eyes away from him and poured another cup of the tea and silently offered it to him, meeting his eyes again. He took it from her, though his eyes never left hers, as though searching for something in their golden depths.
An old tune came into her head, and she began to hum it softly. He looked slightly confused at first as the strangely familiar song stirred the earliest of memories, then his eyes widened as he remembered the only one who had ever sang it to him.
Jetamio saw the recognition and smiled at him, but the smile faded quickly as she took a sharp intake of breath as another pain swept over her. He frowned, then realised the problem and jumped up, knocking pots and pans everywhere with a loud clatter, luckily missing Jetamio.
"Is it time?" he asked with both wonder and fear, then looked sheepish as the others awoke...
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Stormfollower
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:05 pm
- Location: Unknown
Meanwhile, out beyond the sheltered straights of the Isl of the red urchin, Stormfollower found himself in the clutches of a spring gale. The small fleet of fishing ships had given up thier harvest when the storm had broken several hours earlier and now headed for landfall in a desperate attempt to save themselves from the fridgid waters of the boreal sea. Following his ships lead the fleet struggled to keep thier sails intact and thier holds from flooding. Sweat and blood mixed with curses and prayers wich washed away at each new wave. Great masses of water threatened to break thier vessels from all directions. Things had become very desperate indeed. Stormfollower cursed his fate and shook his fist at the sky as the heavy rains pelted him with the vehemence of shards of broken glass.
" Tempt me not Ill fates as we will have none of thy grim planning this day! These ships shall bring what fish we`ve fairly caught to shore and all shall partake of their flesh! Natures wrath be damned!"
The men and women who werre close enough to hear his words were tempered by them and struggled on with the riggings with renewed vigor. Yet in his heart Stormfollower held dread. He wished to be home, by the side of his pregnant wife, safe and happy. He wished that maybe she could be here with him and chase this tempest from the skies with her magics. With each wave they broke his dread worstened as the skies grew darker still and the waves grew so high as to obscure the boats from each other.
Suddeny the formast of his ship snapped, too full of the wind they had harnessed to carry them up and over these monster waves.
"We are lost!" a young girl yelled and the wave they were climbing threw their floundering vessel back into the depths of this hell-born maelstrom as if it were a childs toy.
Stormfollower found himself pressed up against the aft cabin with what was left of its door battering him mercilesly in the wind and rolling. All around him could be seen the terror stricken faces of the fishers of the Wolf cCan, many of whome looked to him for some show of control. But he had none. Nothing could be done by him or any other sailor in the history of sail. Chaos took firm hold and all of the heavens crashed down apon them.
" Tempt me not Ill fates as we will have none of thy grim planning this day! These ships shall bring what fish we`ve fairly caught to shore and all shall partake of their flesh! Natures wrath be damned!"
The men and women who werre close enough to hear his words were tempered by them and struggled on with the riggings with renewed vigor. Yet in his heart Stormfollower held dread. He wished to be home, by the side of his pregnant wife, safe and happy. He wished that maybe she could be here with him and chase this tempest from the skies with her magics. With each wave they broke his dread worstened as the skies grew darker still and the waves grew so high as to obscure the boats from each other.
Suddeny the formast of his ship snapped, too full of the wind they had harnessed to carry them up and over these monster waves.
"We are lost!" a young girl yelled and the wave they were climbing threw their floundering vessel back into the depths of this hell-born maelstrom as if it were a childs toy.
Stormfollower found himself pressed up against the aft cabin with what was left of its door battering him mercilesly in the wind and rolling. All around him could be seen the terror stricken faces of the fishers of the Wolf cCan, many of whome looked to him for some show of control. But he had none. Nothing could be done by him or any other sailor in the history of sail. Chaos took firm hold and all of the heavens crashed down apon them.
She nods. "Yes it is time..." she replied softly as she looked behind her as the others woke and began to dress, one heading over towards them. Jetamio then grinned up at her embaressed son and put a finger to her lips. She did not want all the fuss just yet, it was only the first stage. The boy looked between her and the approaching woman who was trying to shoo him out.
"Let him stay, he is causing no harm." The woman paused then aqueised, and Tortha relaxed. He sat back down, righting all the pots and pans that he had scattered before Jetamio spoke again. "Have you seen your father?"
"He's on the boats...but one of the shamans said a storm was approaching." he added with a slight frown, not wanting to worry her. Jetamio looked at him shrewdly then glanced around the room. She had not displayed any of her druidic tendancies or magics since she came, remembering them having called her a witch before. But now she worried for her husband.
She closed her eyes and sent her senses out beyond the hut for the first time in months. Her spirit rejoiced in its partial release but she focused her attention towards the sea.
Jetamio sat in the hut, looking impossibly serene but perfectly still. She hardly seemed to breathe even. But she was not aware of the confines of the hut. She soared towards the sea, embracing the raging winds like a long lost friend. The stinging rain that caused such havoc below was soothing to her. She was vaguely aware of the small fishing fleet below her now, of it's fight with the winds. She reached out with all her being, summoning the raging storm to her. The winds ceased their assault on the fleet and turned upon the spirt-druid, swirling around her in a medley of howling fury. The sails on the boats fell still, the waters calmed and the air fell still. But high above them, the storm slowly bent to the will of Jetamio as she coaxed it into a more focused form. Once done, she dove down towards the boats, circling behind them and releasing the winds. The sails filled again, but this time with purpose, sailing directly towards the harbour. Jetamio could not be seen among the winds, simply a presence of someone was felt within the strong breeze. Only a few would guess whom the presence was.
She glided along side the fleet for a moment until a sudden pain wracked her.
Her eyes snapped open and she gasped aloud at the much stronger contraction, all her awareness now entirely within the hut again. After the pain passed she glanced at Tortha whose expression was of both relief that she seemed to be with them again, and concern at her gasp. He wasn't the only one she realised as she saw Quietsnow standing above her. If they handn't realised her labour earlier, they did now. The Druid smiled up at her a little sheepishly. At least the fleet was safe.
"Let him stay, he is causing no harm." The woman paused then aqueised, and Tortha relaxed. He sat back down, righting all the pots and pans that he had scattered before Jetamio spoke again. "Have you seen your father?"
"He's on the boats...but one of the shamans said a storm was approaching." he added with a slight frown, not wanting to worry her. Jetamio looked at him shrewdly then glanced around the room. She had not displayed any of her druidic tendancies or magics since she came, remembering them having called her a witch before. But now she worried for her husband.
She closed her eyes and sent her senses out beyond the hut for the first time in months. Her spirit rejoiced in its partial release but she focused her attention towards the sea.
Jetamio sat in the hut, looking impossibly serene but perfectly still. She hardly seemed to breathe even. But she was not aware of the confines of the hut. She soared towards the sea, embracing the raging winds like a long lost friend. The stinging rain that caused such havoc below was soothing to her. She was vaguely aware of the small fishing fleet below her now, of it's fight with the winds. She reached out with all her being, summoning the raging storm to her. The winds ceased their assault on the fleet and turned upon the spirt-druid, swirling around her in a medley of howling fury. The sails on the boats fell still, the waters calmed and the air fell still. But high above them, the storm slowly bent to the will of Jetamio as she coaxed it into a more focused form. Once done, she dove down towards the boats, circling behind them and releasing the winds. The sails filled again, but this time with purpose, sailing directly towards the harbour. Jetamio could not be seen among the winds, simply a presence of someone was felt within the strong breeze. Only a few would guess whom the presence was.
She glided along side the fleet for a moment until a sudden pain wracked her.
Her eyes snapped open and she gasped aloud at the much stronger contraction, all her awareness now entirely within the hut again. After the pain passed she glanced at Tortha whose expression was of both relief that she seemed to be with them again, and concern at her gasp. He wasn't the only one she realised as she saw Quietsnow standing above her. If they handn't realised her labour earlier, they did now. The Druid smiled up at her a little sheepishly. At least the fleet was safe.
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Stormfollower
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:05 pm
- Location: Unknown
The fishers marvelled at the sudden calm. Stormfollower righted himself and regained his composure. Somehow she had saved them, somehow Jetamio had tamed the wind itself. Strong and steady it blew now across thier sails directing them to the isl of Red Urchins and the summer camp. They had managed to catch enough fish and crabs for a couple of lazy months this summer, no one would go without and all would be happy. Mostly though, they would now all make it home alive.
He looked around his ship, the crew had already set about making order of the storms mess. All around were smiles and great cheers rose from each vessel. It was not long before word got around that it was the handy work of the tribes new druid, and praises to her name sang out across the waters.
"Jetamio Borealus!" someone yelled. Borealus meaning north wind in the ancient tounge of the tribe. This was great praise for it was the northwind that was said to have breathed the spirit of the wolf into the tribe as they emmerged from the sacred mountain and first walked the lands.
Normally it was the custom amoungst the fishers to leave the tales of mishap or ill fate at sea but this time Stormfollower was certain a tale would be told to those at the summer village. Jetamios name was already famous amoungst the nothron tribes but now it had moved up into the status of legend.
"Make lively crew! we`ll be home by noon should Jetamios winds hold true!" A broad smile sat once more apon his well weathered face.
A great cheer roared up from the men and women aboard Stormfollowers flagship and one by one was answered by the crews of the other ships. Then began the singing, great joy at thier survival bouyed them all dancing across the waters all the way to harbour.
He looked around his ship, the crew had already set about making order of the storms mess. All around were smiles and great cheers rose from each vessel. It was not long before word got around that it was the handy work of the tribes new druid, and praises to her name sang out across the waters.
"Jetamio Borealus!" someone yelled. Borealus meaning north wind in the ancient tounge of the tribe. This was great praise for it was the northwind that was said to have breathed the spirit of the wolf into the tribe as they emmerged from the sacred mountain and first walked the lands.
Normally it was the custom amoungst the fishers to leave the tales of mishap or ill fate at sea but this time Stormfollower was certain a tale would be told to those at the summer village. Jetamios name was already famous amoungst the nothron tribes but now it had moved up into the status of legend.
"Make lively crew! we`ll be home by noon should Jetamios winds hold true!" A broad smile sat once more apon his well weathered face.
A great cheer roared up from the men and women aboard Stormfollowers flagship and one by one was answered by the crews of the other ships. Then began the singing, great joy at thier survival bouyed them all dancing across the waters all the way to harbour.
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Gilliadson
- Posts: 517
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:52 pm
- Location: A cottage in Kelethin
- Contact:
A horse-drawn cart approached the small village. The elderly driver checked the map he had been given by the Paladin to make sure he was in the right place.
One of the villagers approached the cart with the bearing of issuing a challenge to the stranger.
"I seek the wife of Wolfheart. I have a delivery sent from a friend." Spoke the stranger in perfect Halasian.
The villager pointed toward the birthing hut and the driver turned his cart in that direction after thanking the villager.
One of the villagers approached the cart with the bearing of issuing a challenge to the stranger.
"I seek the wife of Wolfheart. I have a delivery sent from a friend." Spoke the stranger in perfect Halasian.
The villager pointed toward the birthing hut and the driver turned his cart in that direction after thanking the villager.
Even in the hut, the people had some sense of something happening outside to do with the weather. Tortha, with druidic blood running through his veins, had more of an idea than the others at first. He recalled the stories he had heard of her asa child and whispered the title she had once bore as sign of her rank among the Druids. "Stormcaller..."
But now she had more pressing matters and Tortha felt helpless as he watched his mothers pain. And he knew enough to know that it would get alot worse yet.
"I'll go wait for Father." he suddenly blurted then dived out the hut, almost running right into the horse and cart. He looked up at the driver who was looking at him questioningly. Tortha had never seen this man in his life and he knew almost all the villagers.
"Whatever you have leave it at the door or wait til later, you can't go in there just now." With that he bolted off towards the harbour.
He was there only minutes when the ships came into view, pushed by the strong winds that buffeted the youth. But the wind slacked off as the boats came close, allowing them to drift gently into their berths. He ran to his father's boat, seeking out Stormfollower.
"Father come quick, it's time!"
But now she had more pressing matters and Tortha felt helpless as he watched his mothers pain. And he knew enough to know that it would get alot worse yet.
"I'll go wait for Father." he suddenly blurted then dived out the hut, almost running right into the horse and cart. He looked up at the driver who was looking at him questioningly. Tortha had never seen this man in his life and he knew almost all the villagers.
"Whatever you have leave it at the door or wait til later, you can't go in there just now." With that he bolted off towards the harbour.
He was there only minutes when the ships came into view, pushed by the strong winds that buffeted the youth. But the wind slacked off as the boats came close, allowing them to drift gently into their berths. He ran to his father's boat, seeking out Stormfollower.
"Father come quick, it's time!"
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Gilliadson
- Posts: 517
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:52 pm
- Location: A cottage in Kelethin
- Contact:
The driver carefully unloaded a finely crafted cradle and some bedding from his cart and left it beside the door. The wood of the cradle was golden in color and it had silver vines embedded in it. He could hear the bustling inside the hut and knew that this cradle would soon be put to use. The driver then carefully unwraped the small glowing orb and placed it in the cradle along with the note from the Paladin.
To Our friends;
I hope that these items find you all in good health. Sineliniel and I are in Felwithe awaiting the day of her delivery. This orb is a special gift from my Shelera. She said that it would offer increased protections from the Elements as well as from harmful spells. You will find two sets of bedding. One for while you are there in the frozen northlands and another for when you return to more temperate climates. May the light shine brightly upon you all and guide you back amongst us when the time comes.
Sincerely;
Gilliadson and Sineliniel Shadowbane
The driver smiled as he climbed back onto his cart and took the road south back out of the village.
To Our friends;
I hope that these items find you all in good health. Sineliniel and I are in Felwithe awaiting the day of her delivery. This orb is a special gift from my Shelera. She said that it would offer increased protections from the Elements as well as from harmful spells. You will find two sets of bedding. One for while you are there in the frozen northlands and another for when you return to more temperate climates. May the light shine brightly upon you all and guide you back amongst us when the time comes.
Sincerely;
Gilliadson and Sineliniel Shadowbane
The driver smiled as he climbed back onto his cart and took the road south back out of the village.
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Stormfollower
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:05 pm
- Location: Unknown
Stormfollower saw the urgency in his sons eyes and lept from the long low ship onto the great stone docks built by htier ancestors. The unloading would have to be left to the men and women onboard but he was sure he would be excused.
On one of the other ships his Uncle Oxbalm , seeing his departure yelled across the bay to him.
" A bountiful day Stormfollower! We remain blessed!"
" Aye Oxbalm, Truth!" He called back
As they reached the birthing hut Stormfollower stole a glance from his son and smiled wide
"Tis time Tortha, Tis time that I thought would never come. Fates be praised you shall know the joy of siblings" With that he pulled back the flap of the hut and pushed his sturdy son through.
On one of the other ships his Uncle Oxbalm , seeing his departure yelled across the bay to him.
" A bountiful day Stormfollower! We remain blessed!"
" Aye Oxbalm, Truth!" He called back
As they reached the birthing hut Stormfollower stole a glance from his son and smiled wide
"Tis time Tortha, Tis time that I thought would never come. Fates be praised you shall know the joy of siblings" With that he pulled back the flap of the hut and pushed his sturdy son through.
Jetamio was pacing the room when they entered, the women hovering nearby although none seemed willing to approach her just yet. She looked up as she heard them come in and breathed a sigh of relief. She went over to Stormfollower, burying her face in his chest, oblivious to the stir she had caused on the ships.
"You made it! I'm so gla..." she cut off as she groaned in pain, doubling over*
"You made it! I'm so gla..." she cut off as she groaned in pain, doubling over*
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Stormfollower
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:05 pm
- Location: Unknown
"Aye, thanks be to thee. Now come rest on the bed. we have another voyager in need of safe passage" He holds her close for a moment longer then leads her to the bed beside the other pregnant women, none of whome were as ready as she was.
Holding her hand he strokes her belly as the midwives offer calming drinks cold compresses and words of experienced advise, None of them can resist treating her like a new mother even though her true age and experience is known to all now. Quietsnow, Stormfollowers mother sits smiling on Jetamios other side and hums softly a pretty song.
"How long do you think Jetamio, is it to be very soon?" Stormfollowers look betrays a hint of worry. He glances over to Tortha and covers with a confident smile.
Holding her hand he strokes her belly as the midwives offer calming drinks cold compresses and words of experienced advise, None of them can resist treating her like a new mother even though her true age and experience is known to all now. Quietsnow, Stormfollowers mother sits smiling on Jetamios other side and hums softly a pretty song.
"How long do you think Jetamio, is it to be very soon?" Stormfollowers look betrays a hint of worry. He glances over to Tortha and covers with a confident smile.
She refused the drinks, but let them use the compresses, by now the contractions coming too often for her to care much about the fuss. She waited for another to pass before answering Stormfollower.
"Can't be too much longer now..." she closes her eyes and lays back resting a moment while she waits for the next.
"Can't be too much longer now..." she closes her eyes and lays back resting a moment while she waits for the next.
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Stormfollower
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:05 pm
- Location: Unknown
Stormfollower nodded and squezed her hand gently. He was clearly upset by her pain and searche dfor words to comfort her but no shamanic wisdom could help in this area to wich he was so ignorant. He had missed the birth of Tortha being away at his duties and even had he been there there was no way he could know her ordeal. His mother still hummed the song and sudenly the words came to Stormfollower. Words he had heard from the womb he smiled at his mother and began to sing.
"Baby’s Boat’s a silver moon sailing through the sky
Sailing on a sea of dreams as the clouds roll by
Sail, baby, sail, out across the sea
Only don’t forget to sail back again to me!
Baby’s fishing for a dream, fishing near and far
Her line’s a golden moon beam, her bait’s a shining star!
Sail, baby, sail, out across the sea
Only don’t forget to sail back again to me!"
His mother smiled and joined in the song and softly they sang it again.
"Baby’s Boat’s a silver moon sailing through the sky
Sailing on a sea of dreams as the clouds roll by
Sail, baby, sail, out across the sea
Only don’t forget to sail back again to me!
Baby’s fishing for a dream, fishing near and far
Her line’s a golden moon beam, her bait’s a shining star!
Sail, baby, sail, out across the sea
Only don’t forget to sail back again to me!"
His mother smiled and joined in the song and softly they sang it again.
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Stormfollower
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:05 pm
- Location: Unknown
Stormfollower winces at Jetamios pain. He glaces up at the midwives who also show signs of concern. Only Quietsnow looks on in calmness.
"Is everything well Jetamio? I-I ..be things well?"
His brow now furrowed with concern the shaman clasped Jetamios hand with both of his now. His eyes pleading with Jetamio for some sign that she is ok. With each spasm of pain he grows more concerned. He looks to the midwives who have gathered a few paces behind Jetamio and speak in wispered tones. Panic crawls into his mind and his thoughts real leaving him breathless and without action.
"Is everything well Jetamio? I-I ..be things well?"
His brow now furrowed with concern the shaman clasped Jetamios hand with both of his now. His eyes pleading with Jetamio for some sign that she is ok. With each spasm of pain he grows more concerned. He looks to the midwives who have gathered a few paces behind Jetamio and speak in wispered tones. Panic crawls into his mind and his thoughts real leaving him breathless and without action.