Dark wings, Dark words

[Mike]

"Power-of-Thunder" stood among the cages within his sept's rookery. To most, the constant cawing would be maddening, but "Power-of-Thunder" found it relaxing. The birds demanded very little for their loyalty...some corn here...some carrion there.

Carefully, he prepared a bird for flight. The message holder was gently attached to the raven's leg. When that was done, he set about preparing the message. It was from "Twice-Blooded" direct to "Last-Howl."

"Power-of-Thunder" took a moment to read it, that was expected. He knew it, as did "Twice-Blooded." There was nothing written of immediate interest, only something news that require further inquiry. Ah well, a task for another day.

The message was skillfully rolled up and slipped into the message holder on the raven's leg. Gently, "Power-of-Thunder" took the raven his hands and brought it over to one of the rookery windows.

"Go. Find "Last-Howl," Deliver the messge" the Theurge released the small black bird, and it took flight north.

[Jonas Last Howl]

It has been a beautiful fall day. With the gardening finished, Jonas and Elena have been spending the past two hours getting dinner on the grill and in the hammock laying head to foot, reading. The smell of the steaks and peppers on the grill fill the chill of late afternoon air.

Elena burrows deeper into Jonas' red Code of Silence hoodie trying to stifle a laugh caused by her reading "Why Do Men Have Nipples?"

"Hey, Jonas? Remember when we went to the Keys with Isaiah and Charles?"

"Yeah, Isaiah got stung by that Portuguese Man'o'War that had washed up on the beach and Charles said that he could make it stop..."

"Mmmhmm...yeah, that doesn't work. Says it right here."

"Oh, zing, that's like finding a spare $100 in a jacket pocket!" They have a good laugh reminiscing vacations, plan on another one sometime soon.

Then Jonas notices the well fed raven sitting in one of the smaller oaks. He calls to it, puts his arm out, and the raven comes to him. Jonas runs a finger down the bird's chest, "What tidings have you brought me from Lonely Mountain?" Jonas unties the message tube and points towards the grill. "There's an extra ear of corn under the foil. Have some corn, and if you want the foil, that's for you, too. Be careful of the grill, it's hot."

[Mike]

The message was handwritten and addressed to Jonas from "Twice-Blooded." It was not encoded or used diversionary language, it was a simple request for Jonas to meet with him at Lonely Mountain.

[Jonas Last Howl]

Jonas reads the note, lights it aflame with the citronella candle next to the hammock, "Family function..."

"When? Not now, right?" Elena asks.

"No, but soon," Jonas watches the raven pick at the corn, knock an ear to the ground, and continue to savor his prize.

[Jonas Last Howl]

The Ebon Storm drops Alex back by The Last Ride and heads back to the hotel after their discussion at Dorothy B. Oven. They go to the pack room, talk a bit about how this is going to need to be handled. Jonas reassures that if something pushes him to frenzy, that they will be perfectly safe, but it is probably in anyone else's self-interest that he is talked down. Possession is a completely different problem, and he hopes that if something gets into him, that it can't bring all his strength to bear. They all finish their tea, eat some of the leftover BBQ from some local bar's birthday bash, and Jonas informs Bethany and Ana of his trip.

"My presence has been requested back at Lonely Mountain. I'm not sure for how long, or actually even the why. Hold the fort down here, I'll leave a note with the Council about the concern for a triage / sick bay / medical unit here, on site."

"Ooooooh, that sounds [shadow=red,left,300]OMINOUS[/shadow]," they both say in unison, putting their hands up like spooky ghosts.

"Get outta here, Jonas," Ana chimes in.

"Ok, then...I'll see you in a bit," Jonas grabs his last bit of BBQ and licks his fingers, he loves his BBQ.

"Write if you can!" Bethany waves.

Jonas walks out of the room and heads up to the roof. On his way through the door, he passes through the curtain that hangs between physical and spirit. City Mother waves him over, hands him a sandwich, tells him to be careful, then shoos him along so she can finish her nightly stories. Jonas thanks her and calls out to Crow. Crow caws back from the edge of the roof and opens the path to Lonely Mountain.

When Jonas reaches the end of the Airt, he finds himself in a dense forest before a mountain. Heat lightning brightens the Umbral sky. Jonas shifts to wear the wolf's skin, sits on his haunches, and belts out a Howl-of-Introduction. Not long after, a howl is returned, and Stone-born emerges from the forest. "Welcome, Last-Howl...it's been a bit."

"Yes, yes it has," Jonas follows him up to the longhall, heading to the sound of a horde of loud-ass Get.

[Mike]

The open area amongst the buildings was filled with activity. The night's event was a lesson in klaive-dueling. A majority of the instruction was carried out by different Adren, but all was done under "Twice-blooded" careful gaze.

Groups were drilling techniques while others were mock dueling. The weapons used were replicas, but still sharp. Slower students suffered cuts, gashes, and the occasional broken bone. All of which would heal in time.

"Twice-blooded" prowled amongst the different groups, with his own replica klaive inhand. Periodically, he would swipe at a driller or dueler and watch how them adapt. Yes, the Fleche was an easy maneuver, what was it so easy with a torn hamstring?

[Jonas Last Howl]

Last-Howl approaches the training field, salutes, and enters. Finding his replica in the weapon rack, he falls in line with the klaive drills. He keeps his form as close to perfect as he can, keeping holes to a minimum, and waiting for his chance to duel.

[Mike]

"Twice-Blooded" circled, almost stalked, closer to where Jonas was amongst the lines. Constructive criticism and blood were often handed out in the same breath. "Good form." was followed with a quick cut across the arm.

He stopped by Jonas, and watched as the younger Shadow Lord went through the drills. He nodded, "Keep your arm up. This is a klaive not a sword." He continued to watch as the Adren adjusted. "Good."

Praise was followed with pain. "Twice-blooded's" hand was quick as the blade flicked out to deliver a cut to Jonas's upper arm.

[Jonas Last Howl]

Error.

Pain.

Correction.

The best lessons are taught in red ink.

From the day you enter kindergarten until the day you hastily try to push your insides back under your flesh...red is the color to show when you've made a horrible mistake. "I've gotten too used to my greatsword", Jonas thinks to himself as he raises his arms in correction. Klaives are much lighter, faster, and the stakes are much higher for failure. Jonas focuses on the orders from his drill instructor making himself aware of any holes he might be leaving open.

The biting wound serves as a reminder, it is welcome, and in this circle, it is even an ally. Perhaps, in the field, not so much...because the best of allies, in the field can turn on you.

[Mike]

The practicing would continue for another hour or so. The students were released, and the klaives were returned to their holder with care. A few Cliath were given orders to clean the blades, the orders were carried out under the stern eye of a large Crinos.

He was grey and large spiral horns, like a ram, grew from his head. He had a hardened look, an eye was missing and a there was a stump where his tail would have been. His pelt was covered with scars and tattoos, almost to the point where one could read a story along his back.

The other Garou began to go their separate ways. Some went towards the longhouse, other went towards bunk houses. "Twice-blooded" simply waited.

[Jonas Last Howl]

Jonas approached Julian Twice-blooded as any student awaiting news would...apprehension mixed with reverence and an almost electrical excitement. All of this subdued, but still simmering in the back of his mind. "You called for me, Twice-blooded-rhya, I trust things are well?"