Under Alune

Lunar Pendant

The thorny vines of the druid Brambelhein were like high grass to Skurul the troll. He waded waist deep through the tangled growth, careful to keep the shifter he carried safely above the thorns. He could smell its blood, that of fierce meat, and it was enough to almost make him forfeit his life and take a bite of Keysean. But the thrush upon his shoulder was ever vigilant, and every time his eyes strayed to his armful of wounded-shifter, she pecked his neck. Already there were a dozen wounds there and Skurul was hesitant to add another.

At last he parted through the verge of the great bush and entered the brambelhein. It was quiet and still in the verdant keep. Not a gobold in sight.

Darlaune came down from his shoulder and lead the way to her quarters. She frowned at the wooded barricade at her door and pointed to it.

"I want to go in."

"But-"

"Troll, your arguments are null."

"As you wish." Skurul laid the shifter on the mossy ground and tore at the barricade with both large hands. In a few moments he had moved the barricade enough that Darlaune could duck through. She dragged Keysean into her room and to the softer moss near the lake.

"Stay here troll," she said, re-emerging. She gave a look to Keysean then a definably stern one to Skurul and was off.

Skurul waited, unable to be physically impatient due to the weight of the barricade. The troll shifted to a less straining position and stared at the shifter beyond. After a minute, he was trying to figure out if he could hold the barricade with one hand, so that he could reach through with the other one and maybe get a piece of meat; Just a little piece. The smell of blood began to agitate him until the weight of the barricade seemed far away and unimportant. He was easing his burden down when he felt a weight against his waist.

"Ge out of my way," said Darlaune, exasperated. Her hands were filled with earthen pots and heavily-laden branches from fruit groves. She pushed them through the barricade then nodded to Skurul.

"Come, Skurul. I have one more thing for you to do." She led him past the throne room to the marsh behind the brambelhein. When they were a good distance away, she waved the troll to kneeling.

"Thank you, Skurul. For your trouble, I will grant you one request."

"Please... a piece of the shifter."

Darlaune's hand slapped hard against the troll's forehead. Sap bubbled up at her touch then gushed forth between her fingers. The troll gasped and brought its hands at her, but went stiff before he could make contact. In a moment, he was only a twisted bush, covered in small slick leaves and weak splintery bark.

"Better me than my father, troll." Darlaune sneered at the detestable plant and made for the byerty of the mud-pixies. She peered into the fronds and found the mud-pixies asleep around the mud covered pupae. Satisfied that she wasn't being observed, Darlaune sloshed through the mud and found the entrance to her secret passage.

The water of her pond cleaned away the muck instantly and carried it back to the swamp. She rose above the clear water to see that Keysean had shifted into man-guise. Darlaune grimaced and hurried to inspect his many wounds. While she worked, she sang slowly;

"Gaia verdant hand,

Ever present will of woodland

Both reside to you:

Will of death; Gift of life

Neath Akhael and 'lune

Sun and moon.

"'Neath Alune now to sing

For fayrie-kin to dance along

Yet now surely I should weep

For the Fayrie kin have gone."

Darlaune carefully stripped off Keysean's clothes and for a while just watched him lay and breathe. Then reminded by the sight of an unhealing wound, she began gathering herbs and powders from the earthen pots. The powder she sprinkled into Keysean's wounds, then she scrubbed them clean with pond water and fresh leaves.

When she was done, the wounds appeared much less irritated but they still did not heal with any great speed. Darlaune pondered for a moment then mixed a poultice in an empty bowl. She carefully treated each wound then grasped her lunar pendant.

"Oh great one, Father," she sang;

"A'yxt king of all

Through Alune see your child in need..."

She trailed off seeing that her pendant did not take light. She opened her hand and saw it was still a pale silver oblong, then looked to Keysean. He was not healing.

Darlaune frowned and looked to her flower bed. She transformed into a thrush and went into the roofing-leaves, then snatched away branches so that in the morning, the sun would come through specifically upon Keysean.

When she was satisfied with the size of the hole, Darlaune went to her hammock and laid herself down. Her mind raced over the story of Dettuenu and Darlaune-the-fair, and how the druid maiden had healed the shifter with the light of her lunar pendant. Presently she turned onto her side and wondered why it didn't work for her and Keysean.

Darlaune racked her brain for every piece of wood-lore she could remember. Silver, it was said, contained a sliver of Alune, and quested endlessly to be filled with her light. When it came in contact with things of darkness, silver generally had powers to awe them and cause noticeable damage. This was especially true for Shifters. Darlaune frowned. No wood lore spoke of why silver so greatly affected the abberants and little was known of how they could overcome such injuries. Only the Lunar pendant was of any use, by her knowledge, and there was only one of them in existance; the one now resting around her neck.

Darlaune lurched up to sitting, and nearly fell out of her hammock. A piece of Alune could be seen through the leaves of the brambelhein. It was to close to full that only the barest of slivers were left to her dark side, Alura. The lunar pendant would be useless until after Ala'une had passed to Ehma'zanue. She would have to wait until the full moon had passed and would share more of her power with other things. Darlaune would have to keep Keysean hidden from her father until then.

She went to him, and smiled to see him still breathing. There were spatterings of poultice all over his face and chest, but still he was handsome to her. She wet her finger in the pond then lent moisture to his lips. Darlaune imagined herself his wife; Flying high above him as he ran though the trees. She smiled and kissed him softly.

Darlaune grinned wide for a moment, persuaded to happiness by her imaginations. Then reality returned and she frowned with impatience. It seemed she would have to wait forever to live out her dreams. She caught her pouting reflection in her pool and swiped at the water angrily.

Darlaune sighed and filled two bowls with water then splashed them over Keysean. Next, she took grass seed from a pot and covered him totally with them. With a cupped hand and a soft, tuneless whistle, she caused the grass to seek root upon and around Keysean. The shifter's bulk was lost completely as thin blades of grass shot up. Soon, there was nothing to be seen but a odd oblong of curling grass.

Darlaune nodded once to it, then went back to her hammock. She felt tired from the exertion of forced growth, but shivered with excitement for the days to come. She soon fell asleep with dreams of Keysean's embrace heavy upon her.

---

There were only four of the elders in Hollow-tree Hall, plus wrinkled old Daijaru, when Rik and Aeisha arrived. Though Daijaru was technically an elder, he had removed himself from the authority of the council some time ago. He came and went at his own whim. When he was around, he tended to play the role of Dissident, disagreeing with whomever he pleased for the sole purpose of forcing them to rethink their words or positions. While Daijaru's popularity waxed and waned day by day, no one ever dared to speak harshly to him; quite possibly a benefit of his common nickname: 'The Great Whirlwind.'

Vosque was about to leave the meeting chamber, but decided to stay and hear what Aeisha and Latyurik had to say. They sat on cushions and for a moment allowed the elders to talk between themselves.

"Then it is war," said Retesrae.

"I would say that this is only a feint," offered Vedyrijj. "I doubt he would risk confronting us so close to Ala'une and the Gathering."

"Yes, and so now we know he is here. His daughter speaks of peace to put us off guard, while her father rushes to the offensive," said Detrazu.

"Tomorrow, we will have the Gathering," said Retesrae. "Will he leave us peace for the evening?"

"That we cannot say," answered Detrazu.

"We can not spare any for a watch. All will need their release."

"We could use the solvents to p*****t the rage." Vedyrijj sighed and scratched at his stomach. "But then their senses would be dulled. They would be of little use."

Vedyrijj turned to Daijaru and the others followed his gaze.

Daijaru was lounging across half a dozen cushions. He rubbed his chin but said nothing, neither returned their gaze.

"What about Keysean?" Aeisha's voice was warbling muse-song in the silence.

Detrazu frowned deeply. "We can send a party out for him after the Gathering."

"Bullshit," said Latyurik. "Me and Eesh will get his a*s back tonight!"

"Alone?" asked Daijaru. "Or I suppose, just the two of you?"

"Yes, like I said, to-f*****g-night."

"And when Ala'une alights in all her glory tomorrow?"

"What about tomorrow?"

"Four of you fail against the primary sortie but the two of you will retrieve a hostage from their very source?"

"We-"

"You two should trust the grand hand in dark events. Why else would he have left the night to Alune?" Daijaru picked something from his teeth and wiped it on the belt of his sable robe.

Latyurik blew a gust through pressed lips then said, "What the hell does that mean?"

Retesrae glared at him. "You forget your place, Latyurik!"

Daijaru simply waved a dismissive hand. "Eh.. his youth spills from him, the pup. Vosque, what was it the dryu-maiden said to you?"

"To remember what we did to the Druidyer," replied Vosque.

"Not precisely what I meant, but let us continue on that subject." Daijaru turned onto his side and propped his head up with an arm.

"Daijaru," said Vedyrijj frowning, "As we said before, there is no truth to that statement. There have been none of the wild men or lords in Theyeark for centuries."

"For the most part, yes." Daijaru scratched lazily at his chest beneath his robe. "If there are humans and wilderness around you can never be quite sure; But truly we have done no wrong to them that I can recall.

"However, there was a tree, once, upon a plateau in the Splitway. This I saw some twenty years ago. It was the sapling of a vertry, tended by fayrie-kin, and pressed into its bark was the moon sliver, the lunar pendant." Daijaru sighed softly. "I had hoped the druid that would grow as fruit from its branches would be predisposed to peace in its youth."

"What!" Latyurik exclaimed, "so you knew all along?"

"Once more, if your mouth should open once more, Latyurik, you will be expelled from this council," said Detrazu angrily.

"But the point remains," argued Vedyrijj. "What more do you know of the vertry?"

"It was gone perhaps a year after I found it, and I saw it not again," answered Daijaru. "As it was, I did not feel it was worth reporting at the time. It was still young, and when it dissappeared I figured entropy had claimed it. Not every forest has strength enough to spawn the wilds-lords."

"Elders," Vosque said then waited for their attention, "the one Darlaune surely had the pendant in her possession."

"Ahh, yes, Darlaune," Daijaru idly let his eyes fall upon Aeisha, "Keysean's... savior?"

"Captor," hissed Latyurik.

"Yet she let you three live." Daijaru frowned. "It would seem to me that she had what she wanted."

"No..." Aeisha looked as if she would bolt from the room that very instant.

"What is this, a fairy tale?" said Latyurik angrily, "Darlaune-the-fey and Dettuenu? What the hell would she want with Keysean?"

Aeisha had been lost for words and now the unvented emotion she felt welled in her eyes. Tears gathered and fell down her cheeks, yet she kept her face calm. She brushed the falling drops away but they did not halt in the least.

"To be prisoner, bait for us to rush toward," reasoned Detrazu.

"Most certainly to our doom," said Fillailu, speaking for the first time.

"I suspect, that if this one is fruit of the vertry, that she is still very young." Daijaru's eyes wandered around the asymbled faces then back to Aeisha. "As such she may have assumed the role of her namesake."

"Darlaune-the-fey... Mother to the Oracle of Day and Night... pirate and pillager of the old world," Latyurik mused then sneered. "Nothing but f*****g fairy-tales."

Detrazu rose slowly, as befitted an elder's ire, then crossed to Latyurik. "Latyurik, leave."

"But-"

"Go! Do not dare argue against your elders!"

"Auntie Retes-"

"Latyurik, you have dishonored yourself and our kin. Be gone lest you suffer punishment," said Retesrae.

Latyurik frowned and stood, eying Detrazu menacingly. The elder shifter remained stoic and after a second caused Latyurik to shift his gaze downward. When he left, he slammed the meeting-room door behind him and could be heard stomping noisily for several yards thereafter.

"That one..." Retesrae sighed and trailed off, her eyes focused on the door,

"Every meeting deserves a dissident," replied Daijaru.

"That is not his place," said Detrazu, retaking his seat upon the floor.

"Ahh, yes. Yet I am sure we all share in his anxiety. Keysean, his mentor of sorts, is in the enemy's stronghold at the mercy of his capricious daughter." Daijaru sighed.

"She said she wouldn't hurt him, Eesh," said Vosque as if in apology. "I don't believe she means him harm."

"Council. I ask your permission-" Aeisha's voice was low, her eyes rimmed in red and tears.

"I would have you go and take a group with you if not for the Gathering," replied Retesrae. "Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Were my mate taken, I would fight anything and everything in my path to retrieve him. But you must act with caution if you can. Aeryka and Kyresh are now your sole responsibility."

"I understand." Aeisha stood with her arms wrapped tight about herself. "May I go? I would like to be alone for a while."

"You have our leave, certainly," said Detrazu.

"But for your protection, you will be watched and dissuaded from hasty actions," said Fillailu.

Aeisha nodded the made for the exit. The night was warm still, so close to the midnight hour. Sentries were heavy upon the battlements surrounding Hollow-tree Hall; And Aeisha was certain there would be twice as many patrolling the walls of Wolfhelm. She knew she was safe within the hamlet, yet she felt a more pressing fear for Keysean. Even if the one Darlaune could be trusted not to harm him, there was no guarantee on what actions her father could take.

Aeisha stopped a block away from Taleese's home and her children. She sat upon the cobbled curb and wept with all of her strength. For in the tale, which was known well among shifter youth, Darlaune's mate was slain by the druid-lord of her time. Aeisha feared the same for her husband.

When all of her tears were spent, she retrieved her cubs from Taleese, who gave her all the sympathy she possessed. Aeisha returned to her own apartment, and laid herself in the nursery with Aeryka and Kyresh curled up beside her. She fell asleep after much time of staring at the ceiling, her eyes sore of crying.

---

Vernon Etery, spokesman for the Bruin-Faulkner corporation, stood waiting in a grand ballroom. The asymbled peoples there were decked out in the latest of modern linen splendors; Light danced upon diamonds set in platinum chains. In the crowd were several dignitaries from other allied countries. Vernon's attentions were firmly on their faces among the murmuring settling crowd, and it was to them that he mainly spoke.

"Welcome to the first of the BFC's completed masterpieces- Low cost but altogether improved urban spires." Vernon flashed a perfect smile. "To our distinguished worldly guests; Welcome to Theyeark, diamond sprung from the heat of the desert, nestled here between the mountains. Have you all enjoyed yourselves?"

The crowd rippled with applause and dignified outcries. Vernon allowed them their time and basked in their approval, then raised his hands to silence them.

"Yes, Theyeark was the perfect place to begin this our 'Urban Improvement' campaign. But as you all know there was an ulterior motive to our choosing Theyeark as our launchpad toward globalization." Vernon allowed his amicable disposition to fall a bit toward solemnity. "Our planet needs our help to regain her former glory. The spires allow for us to place a large number of citizens on a small piece of the earth, which leaves other areas free for the regrowth of the forests."

Vernon cast a flat hand northward where the outskirts of Theyeark could be made out in the night. "We began our Split-way project in hopes that areas once barren and devoid of life could be rejuvenated. In two years, our Split-way arboretum will be open to all, but it is our wish and privilege to open it to you, our distinguished guests.

"Tomorrow you can walk along verdant paths beneath the boughs and feel, as men once did in days of yore, the hand of nature."

Vernon could see the dark winged thing outside of the window, flying amongst the clouds. He blinked once, and the flying thing was diving toward the spire. Vernon grinned. "Are you ready? Are you excited?"

The crowd cheered and clapped, and this time Vernon did not stop them; but the cheering soon turned to fearful cries as the wyvern outside came against the spire's dome. It smashed the glass with its powerful hind-legs and climbed back into the sky.

The crowd screamed and immediately rushed for the exits. Dignitaries disappeared beneath a swarm of bodyguards hoping to protect them from the stampede.

A host of guards suddenly began firring wildly over the crowd and herded them from the inner-spire and onto an asphalt platform outside. Glide-cars and Jet-bobbers took off into the night, the drivers hardly risking backward glances. At the time no one thought to ask questions or suspect the ease of their escapes.

Inside the spire, the ballroom was now empty save for a handful of tight groups. Dignitaries within were overcoming their fear and questing for passage through bodyguards that would not yield. Shouting matches began, but were quickly silenced. Guards struck out and actually laughed. Heartbeats began to race as dignitaries noticed one single frightening fact; All the guard's faces were the same.

Vernon stepped off of his dais and inspected each group slowly, smiling at the confused, trapped people. "I invite you." Vernon laughed and pointed to a wind-barge coming along side the broken dome. The guards-men took hold of their victims and dragged them toward the barge.

Satisfied, Vernon strolled calmly to a restroom and rapped on the door. It opened immediately, revealing the tiled facilities beyond, and the prisoners tied and bound within. Vernon double checked the count; all the real guards were there, a few of the crowd that didn't escape fast enough, and the real Vernon Etery. The latter struggled when he saw himself striding in; he made a muffled sound to see his own face hard as stone, the eyes cold and sinister.

"Thank you for coming." said the pseudo-Vernon, chuckling.

Only the real Vernon had any idea that the creature before them was aa Doppelganger. It soon proved itself by peering into a mirror and wiping a thick layer of make-up from its face. It turned again to show itself, as if to taunt them. There was a half that was no doubt Vernon Etery, but the other was so palet that blue veins and capillaries showed through. "I'm sure you are afraid, as all fear change. But soon you will change too, and together with Gaia, become one."

The doppelganger cleaned the second half of its face then jerked its head toward the door. The same-faced guardsmen dragged their captives out onto the ballroom floor and positioned them for execution. Sirens came alive from below and beyond the black-top platform. The doppelganger deftly applied a new face then pulled a g*n from inside his suit.

"It was very boring being you, Vernon." it said with a careless shrug. It didn't watch or flinch at the sound of the gunshot, and strolled calmly from the bathroom afterward. It decided to spare many of the captured people and sent them onto the barge. The rest were executed.

Guardsmen took control of the abandoned vehicles on the black-top platform and flew them towards the East-end of Theyeark. The doppelganger boarded the wind-barge then signaled the pilot to take off.

The authorities arrived enmasse, which sparked a shoot out between them and the remaining same-faced guards Once Theyearkan police gained the advantage, they entered the ballroom. The people inside were either already dead, or in the process of killing themselves. The cause was decided to be 'Radicals'.