Firiona Vie Everquest

The white wolf quivered slightly as she fought her own instinct to defend her love. But Tortha gently but firmly held her by the scruff and muttered under his breath, knowing fine well his mother could hear him. "Not now, we must let it run its course." She twitched an ear in his direction, acknowledging him, and sat still, though still rather tensely. A barely audible whimper escaped her lupine lips then fell silent, her golden gaze watching. It angered her this trial, all Stormfollower had ever done was follow his heart. it was she who was the problem, she with the foreign ways of thinking and doing. She had brought shame upon him. She glanced at Silverbird, wishing she could wipe that smug grin off his face. She remembered his fear of her, but she did not want to use his own fear against him. One day, she would make him see.

The mist now sourounded Stormfollowers feet and pourd passed him into the crowd. Those slosest to him could see his feet bouyed up, ever so slightly by the strange mist so he hovered ontop of its thin layer.

"On all counts I have seen our laws through the eyes of our ancestors. On all counts I have erred against them. I stand now before you guilty of these crimes against nature. This is how they were perpetrated...
Firstly, you all know my interest in the properties of water against my stone work and so in the lands to the south did I form up a pond with rivulettes and water falls in the courtyard of the House of Light, in weak emulation of nature.
The second sin I have commited on several counts is to accept and revel in the proceedes of trade beyond my needs, accepting platinum for my own gain and spending it without share to the tribe.
And the third crime against nature for wich I now stand in truth before you is to have taken on the true form of the wolf, as it is made flesh by the castings of a witch."

Several gasps could be heard from amoungst the tribes on Stormfollowers side and then a silence fell over the room as the mist reached the back of the hall. all who were within the room now sat apon its surface. and as it filled the room the gallery slowly raised up to the level of the basalt dias. There when eveyone was at equal hight the pouring forth of the mist stopped.

Northdawn rose from his seat and slowlly walked on the mists towards Stormfollower, his iron staff making no sound as he walked forward with it. He starred for long moments into the shamans eyes and then in on swift movement turned his back to him. One by one the other twelve rose from tier seats and did the same. Starring him in the eye before taking thier place infront of him , thier backs turned.

"Place the great book of your tribe into the hands of Silverbird. He is now your tribes leader." Northdawn spoke with great authority in his voice and the twelve elders walked bakck towadrs thier thrones.
Silverbird got up from his seat apon the mists and hurried over to Stormfollower gleefully, his limp forgotten for the moment.
Stormfollower looked at the wolf tribes old shaman and noddedd repectfully as he aproached. He took the great leatherbound book of Remeberance from the folds of his cloak and held it to his chest for a moment.
"I am bound by your ruling Northdawn. I give the book willingly." Slowly he handed the book to Silverbird. The old mans eyes were wide with excitement as he took the book from Stromfollowers grasp and hurried back with it towards his seat even now riffling to the end of the written pages to read Stormfollowers sacred private entries.

"As for your further punishment, for your heniouse crimes against nature, You will be ushered to the caves there to wrestle with the antient ones untill you perish or 5 days hath passed and the standard sentence be enacted." Northdawn now faced the crowd and plunged his staff through the mist to clang on the floor. At this two slots opend up in the floor before the dias and the mists began to drain from the room. The drumm once again began to beat and the Sentinels from the front walked towards Stormfollower
Stormfollower stood in place as he slowly lowerd on the mist to the floor. His head downturned he awaited his escort.

The white wolf looked on in shock. Then as she watched Silverbird walk away with her husbands rightful place, she threw back her head and howled her anguish regardless of anyone else. She struggled with the anger that welled up inside her. Tortha tried desperatly to silence her but to no avail. The white she wolf leapt gracefully from his side and landed beside him. She did not speak nor reveal her true form, she simply stood on all fours at his side, her golden eyes darting around at those who approached.

The two shirtless sentinels stopped in thier tracks to see the golden eyed white wolf at Stormfollowers side.
"Peace, brave one." The shaman spoke to the wolf. "All will be well. Go to Tortha. It is to him your protection is entrusted." He smiled breifly at Jetamio and covertly tapped his emerald ring, twin to the one she wore, as a sign that he knew her.
"The antients get so little company these days. I must bring to them the company they must so dearly miss."
Northdawn stood, anger on his face as one who has been personally insulted.
"Tortha, heel thy warder!"

She hesitated for a second, then felt powerful arms pull her gently but firmly back. She could feel him shaking, Tortha had never had a voice raised to him in anger before and to be scolded in front of everyone there was humiliating. For his sake she relented, having brought enough shame on Stormfollower and not wanting to attract attention to the 'witch's' son. She lay subdued at his feet, her head low as she watched the proceedings.

Stormfollower gave a short nod to his son as the sentinels took position on either side of the condemned man.

“Speak now from your mind Stormfollower. Bring to us the Truth of your thoughts so we may understand why you would so dishonour the Law. A law that is as true and as old as the sky.” Northdawn spoke in his thunderous voice.

Stormfollower looked up at the council and spoke without hesitation. “Since the first days of my journeys to my father’s realm in the south I have tried to understand the ways of his peoples. I have also sought to impart on them some of the virtues of our own culture and in the midway both cultures have grown.

“But there are ways that do not mesh well betwixt us too, and to the end of peaceful relations exceptions and allowances have been made. The emulation of nature in form of the water works I built for the house Illumine was an effort to bridge that distance between our world and theirs so as to appear to be less rigid in our maxims. This came about at the movement of the alliance headquarters to Surefall and helped secure another favourable relationship with the guilds of the southlands.

“In my acquisition and distribution of boons of enterprise in these lands I deemed it necessary to bolster my own Power, and the Power of others of Wolf Cult who venture forth with me far from the indesecrate lands of our home. And as the non combatant members of our tribe have every need provided for already no material gains made there way back north. None were needed nor any wanted for by the vast majority of our stoic tribe.” He shoots a glance at the mocking Silverbird who had been engaged in mimicked Stormfollower by mouthing his words in jest to the childlike delight of the old mans nearest cronies. Silverbird stopped immediately and sat innocent as a napping quail.

“On the act of assuming the witches form of wolf, I have done this on several occasions and with more than one witches help. This true form of the wolf is nothing like the shrouded semblance of the noble creature… I believe it is as close to truly being one as any could-“

“Silence!” screamed Northdawn “We are not here to hear your blaspheme against the sacred ways. I will not have your poison spread in these halls Stormfollower. Just the Truth of your reason will be all.”

“I did it because I wanted to, no one was harmed and I am better for the experience.”

“You would presume to tell us if you are better or nay?” The indignant Northdawn asked. “It is for us to decide what is right for you under-shaman.”

The diminished title stung in Stormfollowers ears like a silver rain. He shook his head and offered a silent stare back to the dozen judges. His defience noticably rocked all but two of them. Double Steel and Long Time Pipe Woman sat unflinchingly, listening intently for more to come from his lips. But he remained silent for now.

“Now those who wish to speak for the Truth in their minds of why Stormfollower chose this path may do so now” Northdawn slammed his staff into the stage once more as Stormfollower was led up the steps to kneel directly before the elder council of the Northron Alliance of Tribes.

One by one members of the audience began to head to the front of the hall to a place just before the dias. In single file they stood awaiting their turn to speak on their shamans behalf. The remaining crowd now stood and pushed forward to better hear the proceedings. leaving only a space for the isle now filled with the growing column of proclaimers.

She did not understand the accusations against her husband. Nor did she much like being referred to as a witch. She trembled slightly with suppressed frustration, her tail thumping in the floor in her agitation. In her feral form she was closer to the natural world, and her mood became reflected in the weather as it began to portray the anger its Avatar could not. Outside the wind picked up, howling around the building. The snow fell heavier but more erratic, swirling and eddying around in the confusion of Jetamio's mind.
Tortha still kept a firm hold of the scruff of her neck, but she was still sorely tempted to turn the whole lot of them into wolves...

Then each in his or her turn took his or her time to speak on things wich Stormfollower had done in the past. Some spoke of his selfless acts and others his courage. Each told of his worth to them as thier leader and many pleaded that he be re-instated by the council to lead the wolf tribe. But always came the responce from the great Northdawn.
"What hath this to do with the sacred Imutable laws of nature he hath broke?"
Oxbalm, Stormfollowers Uncle tried to contend that his nephew was just going through a neccacary growth in his rightfull place as thier leader and that he shared in the wealth of his exploits by furthuring thier cause abroad. Yet the council did not waver, his guilt stood by his own admitance in thier eyes.
Two Bows had put forth that the waterworks was not an imitation of nature but an hommage to it (if the gnomeworks of its pump were ignored).
"Truth ignores nothing hunter." Came the reply.
Spopeia and Mameia came forth arm in arm and spoke in concert to proclaim with song the love that nature had for Stormfollower and the adoration of the stars. Turtle with his young son asked if the form of the wolf were forbidden from them then why were they called wolves? But each was turned away by no more than a short shake of the head councils reveared head.
Then it was Old Plumes turn and with his characteristic large feather in his hair he relayed the tale of when Stormfolower had brought home the fishermen from near disaster on the wings of an unatural wind. He hinted that Jetamio had been its source but did not need to for everyone knew this well. He whent on to remind the council that without Stromfollower to lead the dances that brought the tribes together there would not be the same attendance as Silverbird "dances like one who is on fire". At this Northdawn threw a telling glance at the councilperson Short Man. Old Plume continued to relay that the work Stormfollower was doing on the stone ship that would one day house the great Remeberance and keep it safe from further goblin theft would stop as no one had the skill with stones as he did and swore that his mortar blend now verged on having magical properties. But even Plumes word did nothing to melt the councels resolve.
Outside the snow storm grew worse.
Morningbird, Jim Blood, Night Shots, and Only Child, spoke on behalf of some of the other tribes. Juniper Buffalobull and Little Youngman spoke angrilly at the council and both had to be taken from the line by family members concerned by the Northdawns wrathfull responce.
Many Horses used his sign talk to try to persuade the council of something in secret, and though few could understand what he said it was obviouse that it too angered Northdawn who pointed for Many Horses to take a seat.
Many more spoke the praises of Stormfollower But the last to speak was Little Rosebush, a child of no more than six seasons.
"Please Grandfather Northdawn, Stormfollower has been nice to all the children and he always has new games. He is clean and happy and smiles allot. And..and, well Silverbird will make us eat all our bullrush roots!" She began to cry and rushed back to her mother. And though many smiled at this, the long silence told of the graveness of the mood within the hall of Truth.
Finally Northdawn rose from his throne and spoke. "Take him to the caves, The Ancients will have thier words now."
Quicly and instinctively, like a guard used to the resistant condemned, the guard to the left of Stormfollower grabbed his wrist and twisted it behind his back. He winced a bit then smiled at her just softly enough for her to let go. He turned and both truthguards escorted him without force towards the sacred halls great double doors.
Heavy rolled the thunder.

She could stand it no more. Wriggling free of her sons grasp she bounded into the the middle and onwards to Stormfollowers side. Damn these people and their stubborness she thought. He had done nothing wrong, no crime against nature. Social crimes perhaps, she did not have a full understanding of their ways, but she of all people knew he had done nothing against nature. The storm outside raged wilder in responce to her frustration then suddenly the winds focused into one path. The white wolf turned to face the assembly, standing at her husbands feet. Her golden eyes glowed briefly before a strange sensation swept over the gathered people.
All around the room wolves appeared where people had been, even the Council. Everyone looked the same, the darkish grey wolves of the North. Most were confused at first by the change, wondering it it was a curse or a blessing.
Then a voice rang out in their minds. "Now you are all wolves, children of the Wolf Cult. Will you all now be charged with crimes against nature?" The white wolf gazed around the room, her golden gaze settling upon the Council though her mental voice still was heard by all. "My husband may have offended or broken some custom of your people. But I, Altariel, Avatar of Life say he has commited no crime against the Mother or her realm." She drew herself up, standing proud and defiant against the crowd. "But if loving me as Jetamio is a crime against you, then so be it."

The room became completely still in the new dawning of thier tribe. Each wolf now saw the true pack. Each wolf knew intimately, the thoughts of all others. No falsehood could remain amoungst them, no mendacity would live under such unity. The foolishness of mans interpretations of Natures Laws was laid bare. No hurt remained. Only pure and luxuriant understanding supplanted thier emotions.
It was not only within the hall this was felt, but all across the known lands unto the heart of each being who harboured an inner wolf. They all now saw the way the world was, the joy and the pain they sought so hard to isolate themselves from now poured into thier minds from the far reaches. Suddenly, the tribe had become far greater than ever before and the call went out to those who had never even known it existed. Within the wolves both young and old, of every race across the globe, an urge to run swelled up within them. To run wholehearted with the pack
The wolves of the north were now the wolves of Norrath and to the five horizons would they run, tirelesly, with the joy that only a running wolf could know. In search of the lone wolves they would fly while the lone wolves flew to them. Emboldened by the knowledge of how numerouse they really were. Wolf Cult was now one. All the tribes of the north now united under one cause. The muster of the Pack.

As the years passed quickly so did the tribe grow. From all across Norrath did they come. Beings of all races, bound by thier internal pact. No prejudice was harboured amoungst them for a wolf was a wolf, and all could sence thier kin regardless of outward trappings of origin.

They grew and became strong. With many a champion to defend thier honour thier name spread as did thier renown. Marked for thier fairness and generosity the tribe sought to exstend its reaches further south. With fame came glory and with glory came riches. Thier peoples had never know such abundance, and as thier need were simple there was much more room for generosity.

In the hills of Qeynos they borrowed a field for monthly celebrations. A field by a lake where tall nut trees grew and sheltered honest fishing grounds. Each full moon they would gather there, in what numbers they could afford and host a party for one and all. It was a way to bring the lands together to celebrate thier successes in the past month. It was in this way that many more wolves found thier way to them. But others came too. Some who would stand and watch, unsure what to make of these strange folk. Some who would jeer and yell from time to time, trying to unseat them from thier merryment. Yet never would the event be stained, always with a whoot or a clever jest the hecklers would be sent slinking off.

But with each season the tribe grew more in Power, so did thier enemies grow too. For to raise ones flag above the next is to invite attacks. Both insults and injury became more common and they grew to know distain, a thing thier previouse issolation had precluded. The Wolf Cult was no longer a fledgling group. It had grown now to stand shoulder to shoulder with many great guilds And for some this would not do.

Yet, bolstered by the strong hearts that stood with him. Stormfollower returned each month to the Council in Halas and reported on his guilds advances, as was required by the Unified Clan Agreement. Under the heavy guard of the warriors guild, on each new moon, he and his officers would sit in open forum and discuss thier next steps.

Jetamio did not attend the Full Moon meetings at first, still shy of a possible backlash for her stunt in the Council Hall. She also had an increasing lack of the concept of time and often forgot.

On the day she made it, she was of course a few hours late. She greeted her husband and laughed at his ruddy expression from all the ale he had consumed. She moved up the hill a little and sat quietly watching them all.

Some of the tribe had come, noteably her son and his wife. She smiled at Tortha tenderly feeding his wife some tasty morsel as they sat by the waters edge, believing themselves unwatched. By the look of Kestrels rather swollen belly, Jetamio and Stormfollower would be grandparents soon. Perhaps the young one would be more of an adventurer, for Tortha had been quite happy to stay with the Northern tribes...although she strongly suspected that Kestrel had much to do with that decision.

Others from outwith the Tribe came, members of the Alliance. Some she recognised and others she didn't. Even two Tier'Dal came. She recognised Xar'zith Maral, but not the tall Knight with her. The icey Assassin danced breifly with the male, but Jetamio was pretty sure there was nothing romatic involved. Xarzith looked tense, as if she didnt want to be there...or perhaps she didnt want him there with her. His gazed roved around them all is if taking stock, despite Xar'ziths efforts to distract him and keep his attention on her. Jetamio assumed the Knight had come with the intent of causing trouble, while the rogue was desperately trying to only let him see the event while keeping herself out of suspision. The Druid did not envy such a task, how hard it must be to live a life like Xar'zith's, balancing loyalties.
They left soon after though, Xar'zith challenging him to a race finally catching his attention. As they walked away, the Assassin looked back and threw an apologetic look at Stormfollower.

Jetamio worried whose side Xar'zith would fight for should war come to them.

Wars had come and gone to the Wolf Cult as wars are want to do. Here they had defended lands from invasion and there they had gone to aid in some alliance, always ready to answer the drums. Thier battles had been bloody and often at a greater loss than others would have endured, but thier hearts were proud and thier sacrafices seamingly small to the men and women confronted by them. Retreat was rarely acceptable to thier noble ways. It must also be said that some of these wars they brought apon themselves or had brought to an enemy forthright. Theres was not a peacefull way, but a way to peace. Stormfollower knew this and he knew that for there to be peace one must be prepared for war. Ugly and intollerable as it seamed war was necacarry and those who pretended otherwise were blind to the cruel injustices still afoot in the world. He understood that there were consequences to initiating battles but that those consequences must be weighed against the consequences of inaction. The legends of his heroes proved that time and again it was the honourable and just who prevailed against the cruel and injust. And while those who fought fro freedom and truth grew in thier company those who sought for selfish power and personal gain at the expence of the liberty of others diminished with thier own entropy. And so it was that his heart was emboldeded and his intent made clear to others. Those who had gone before demanded he not drop the tourch of justice and bade frome the beyond that he maintain his strength to strive. To them he honoured thier titles to him they honoured his hopes. And though none wished the toils of war apon thier sons and daughters none wished complaisence with inequity either lest thier sacrafices be in vain. And so was the cycle of war perpetuated but to an end that was clear to him and not some lofty unatainable ideal. things were getting better, and like it or not it was not through the passive resistence some of his people place thier faith in. Things would come to a head once more...and he would make sure of it.

It was in this way Stormfollower met his new power. His heart was full of all the hope he could contain. A golden emotion of resilience drew him on now. Its lead a silvery chain to the future he had seen in his dreams.

His course was clear in his mind..he must head once more to seek council with the elders of the northron tribes, head to a meeting he knew would be met with great opposition. The last meeting he would ever attend of them. Hitching a carefully packed cart to Hesuefel he rode out high on the stately horses back through the inner circle of his tribes Red Urchin Ilse camp.

"Gather around me my brethren, Gather round and be bolstered!"

Many people put down thier work and came towards him in the camps center. Young and old and of many races they drew towards the shaman quietly and with happy expectation. Usually when he made an anouncement of this kind it meant a feast or party of some great significance. Perhaps another new holiday would be instaded some thought.

Leaping off the horses back he climbed up atop his cart. And spoke with great exhuberance.

"My great family!


How proud you all make me!


You are all the joy of my heart!


Each one of you a true champion of the wolf stars!


So great is my pride for you that i can no longer sit knowingly by and watch our gifts squandered!


So great is my love of this land and all it holds dear for us that I could no longer wait for a dawning of reason in the hearts of others!!


Not one more cycle must pass before I bring the order we all need to us and the ruling council"



Silence settled over the camp as Storm let these words settle heavily on the tribe. He waited for the responce he knew would come and he searched the crowd for the aged face of Silverbird, his predesecor in the role of leader of thier tribe.

Jetamio had trailed him in her black wolf form, loping tirelessly along beside the cart. He was so intent on his mission that he didnt seem to notice her. She smiled to herself, it was a quality she loved in him, his ability to focus solely on one thing and nothing else. Especially when it was she who was his focus of attention.

She became a little uneasy when she saw where they had arrived, but followed regardless. Her form shimmered back into that of herself and she hovered on the edge of the crowd, watching him. She too scanned the gathered people for the old troublemaker after Storms proclaimation, and hoped old Silverbird would not notice her.