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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:21:09 GMT -6
"A Tale of Two Bears" By Sylver and Ursarius
With each passing week, Sylver was getting more and more frustrated with his inability to corner Ursarius and engage her in a conversation of the utmost importance. Yes, they had spoken at some length the week previous, but as always they were interrupted by the daily chores and bores of Wildgard, and Sylver was none too pleased with this, to say the least. Important matters were at stake - far more important than Wildgard suspected, and probably more important than Ursa knew. It was becoming urgent, and so it was time to act.
Besides, Sylver needed to learn one or two more things about Ursa before he could draw her into his inner circle with any degree of comfort. Putting it bluntly, she needed to be vetted. Anything less could be a costly miscalculation for Sylver and Zume and their plans. Sylver, ever the intellectual, was wiser than this. He would have to set his principles aside for a moment to find what he needed, but so be it - after all, it was Ursarius herself that advised Sylver that darkness always precedes the dawn. True, she may not have meant it in the way that Sylver was now thinking, but sometimes the truth can manifest in mysterious ways...
And thus Sylver, ever the explorer, set off for the Dauntamontis Range in the far reaches of Wildgard to the northwest. He knew this was Ursarius' home, and he knew that he would find what he was looking for, one way or another. What exactly he was looking for - he did not know. But he would know it when he found it, and he was confident that he WOULD find it. Call it Lynx's intuition, if you will.
What if he came across Ursa on his journey? That would be the will of the fates, he thought to himself, and thus he would play that hand as dealt. For he did not know whether he would find his clues by tracing Ursa's steps in her home territory, or by speaking directly with her. Besides, he had enough trouble maintaining a decent conversation with her in Wildgard... maybe they would find some peace and privacy on her own turf. Either way, he would ultimately get what he needed.
Thus he set out on a journey northwest, crossing the wooded plains and the rivers that ran out of the western mountains. It was a long journey on foot that would take him near the Fenbog Swamp, a place he had been once before, and a place he swore he would never return to. Yet this time he was motivated, and not even a putrid gassy swamp would dampen his enthusiasm in this all-important mission. Nothing less than Wildgard itself was at stake.
Finally he came to the foothills of the Dauntamontis Range. He did not know exactly where Ursa lived, but he was a student of Nature, and the Land would reveal to him the clues that he needed to locate her part of this foreboding corner of the Wild Lands. Once there he would have much to learn, and by carefully examining her lair, her surroundings, her environment and even her friends and foes (if she had any), he would piece together the true story of Ursarius, and thus determine how she might fit into the bigger plan that was in the works.
And with that, he entered Dauntamontis...
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:21:33 GMT -6
The Mountains were lightly littered in a powdery snow, grass and land were visible in some parts where the cold wind had swept the snow away, the air smelled of bark and pine... and Oddly, wet fur. The Path was lightly traveled by all sort of small animals but there were no signs of larger life. At least, not on the trail.
Someone was watching the Snowlynx, the hills and small rocky cliffs jutting out in various depths at the base of the mountains... could hold anything behind them. They held a set of eyes, peering at him from over the rocks and behind the trees, and had been following him for quite some distance. Surveying and readying a welcome if need be. Of course if the Lynx meant no harm, there would be no harm done, as was the way of the Mountainmen, but there were other rites and traditions to greet a traveler who dare enter unwelcomed, that didn't necessarily mean harm.
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:21:54 GMT -6
Sylver had started to suspect that he was being watched from the moment he entered the footpath that wound upwards into the peaks of Dauntamontis. While it made him somewhat nervous, that was an acceptable trade-off for what he might gain by meeting someone who knew Ursa, or even Ursa herself. So he played that he was alone and continued to trek onward.
He was mainly looking for a trail, something that would indicate which part of this rugged terrain Ursa called her home. He was a decent tracker, but he soon realized that these mountains were called Daunting for a reason - they left little evidence of those who came before. Either that, or those who came before were quite careful to clean up the evidence after themselves.
Eventually he located what appeared to be a beaten walking path, an animal trail at the least and hopefully more. The path wound around a crag of rock and upwards, veering back before almost disappearing into a tall stand of pine trees. Normally trees would be stunted at this elevation, but these were quite tall and towering, almost as though some force were pushing them up out of the side of the mountain and into the sky. Clearly Nature was at work in these parts, something that resonated with Sylver at a deep level. He could become one with this jagged mountain and its pine grove, and then perhaps it would begin to speak to him, revealing secrets that even the immortals might overlook.
But alas, nothing was coming to him. In fact, Sylver began to think that this path was going nowhere, a dead end. Perhaps a trap to catch unwary travelers who might wander into this harsh land? Despair might have set in at this point, but Sylver remembered that Ursa was a hardy bear, a trait he deeply admired in her, and it was only fitting that this be her home. Something told him he was on the right track.
And so he decided to stop for a while, get his bearings, grab a light snack and some water out of his satchel, and perhaps wait for anyone or anything to come along and give him a clue as to what should happen next...
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:22:11 GMT -6
The follower stayed out of sight, walking another route that wasn't actually a path. The Mountain men left this particular path to those who needed it, They called it the 'Promenade' for it was only there to wind aimlessly through the mountainside. The Promenade acted much like a spiders web, the Mountainmen watched the winding trails for footprints and lifeforms, they'd indicated who'd been traveling there and how long ago. It was their form of tracking.
When the Lynx sat to rest, the Mountainmen watched him closely. Studying his motives if there were any indication of his intentions. If he were merely a guest, they'd allow him to remain so. They whispered among themselves and tried to come to a conclusion.
Finally Marzaeus (pronounced Mar-ZAY-uss) stood and crawled on all fours to the tip of a crag above the Lynx for a dramatic entrance. The Sunlight shone on his Black fur and his yellow uncharacteristic eyes pierced like daggers upon a single glance. He wore nothing but a Green sash across his chest, a satchel and a Single bladed axe strapped to his hip. He said nothing.
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:22:29 GMT -6
Sylver hadn't noticed the Mountain Man peering at him, and so he was startled by his approach. He had of course suspected that a greeting committee would ultimately track him and call him out; this was in fact what he had hoped would happen, short of finding Ursa herself. Still, these folk were quite talented at hiding in their home region.
Sylver readied himself for the friendliest greeting he could muster on short notice. He couldn't help feeling more than a little awkward at being caught loitering in someone else's home land, but he really had no choice. Things had already been set into motion with Zume and with Cycla, and he simply had to find out if Ursarius was meant to be an active part of this endeavor. There was no other way to find out; he had to learn what we could of her. He had trekked too far into the desolate Northwest to turn back.
"Greetings, good Sir, and well met! I am Sylver Snowlynx, Kinto akamal, a Druid of the Tu'asin sect, a Practitioner of the Natural Order, and a member in good standing on the Second Council of Wildgard in the community that has flourished to the southeast of your homeland. I come in peace as a friend of one Ursarius, a bear who has until recently gone by the names of Sightless abnd Dauntless, and one who I understand lives in these majestic peaks that guard the entrance to the Deadlands and the mighty Dragonspine mountains beyond. I had hoped to find her here, although I do not know where her home might be; this land is not well known to me. Failing a direct meeting with her, I would desire to learn more of her ways and her character by tracing her footsteps through her home territory and by speaking with those who are close to her. Pray, Good Sir, are you one of those who might call yourself a friend to Ursarius?"
He had done his best to set the mind of this mountain creature at ease, but he still felt like somewhat of a trespasser in a foreign land. Hopefully his sincerity would be seen for what it was... genuine.
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:22:49 GMT -6
Marzaeus stood atop the peak and waited motionlessly for the Lynx to finish his long-winded Speech. For good Measure he Hesitated a moment longer to see if he would continue. The Great Black Bear Stood on his hind legs, and was immediately taller and more robust than Ursarius, when the Lynx was silent, Marzaeus walked heavy-footed to the base of the crag and over to him.
Marzaeus was wise and already knew of this Kinto. He took a good long look at him through electric yellow eyes. He looked Sylver directly in the eyes for a long moment before he spoke in a deep gruff voice that seemed to echo from somewhere deep within a mountain. "I am called Marzaeus Strongjaw. I am of the Dauntless Clan, as is Ursarius Dauntless. Albeit I have but recently hearkened the term 'Sytless'.... I mean to say I know of whom ye Speak." Marzaeus was far too intrigued with the Kinto to take the time to explain the significance of Surnames just then.
There was movement from atop the crags, somewhere out of sight, several other entities were Lurking. Marzaeus stomped once and the sound of movement seized.
"Ursarius Dauntless is a Kinsmen I hath seen scarcely in overmany moons. Her return from afield is well Nigh. The Mountainmen are not permitted to allow trespassers beyond the Promenade. I wouldst have thine presence be known to Elder, he shall decideth thine kismet...." The Bear hesitated for a moment on his decision, "...urr....I may Wheedle our Elder to traverse our Slot."
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:23:07 GMT -6
Sylver was most perplexed by the mannerisms of this Mountain Man... and even more so by his less-than-elegant grasp of words. Nonetheless he was accustomed to dealing with folks of different sorts, so he did his best to interpret what was said to him and respond accordingly.
"Well, good Sir, I would be honored to meet your Elder and speak with him a while. I am pleased that I have found the kin of Ursarius, and I am hopeful that I may learn more of this fierce and honorable bear. I shall bring friendship to your kind from Wildgard City, from the Second Council, and from all Druids who believe that Nature is our only source of Life and Hope."
Finally he was getting somewhere. Would Ursa turn out to be what he hoped she would? Ursa had been hard to read by her words, and often times even more difficult to read by her actions. And yet, the Lynx knew that deep in her heart, she was loyal to her values and those of her kin and would protect her homeland without a second thought. That was what he and Zume needed more than anything - that kind of passion, the same kind that drove Ursarius to attack and slay the Watchers. Rage; yes it was rage, but harnessed and focused, and that was what they needed most right now. The raw power of a Bear.
Would his hopes for Ursarius be realized?
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Post by Ursarius on Sept 21, 2013 1:23:25 GMT -6
Marzaeus hovered a hand over Sylver's head, closing his eyes slightly, concentrating on something. He held remarkably still in the howling wind, only his fur was wild with motion. He made a few indecipherable expressions and opened his eyes again. He Stared at Sylver, as if looking for some lost text scrawled across his face. After a long moment he let a low rumbled escape him, it echoed through the mountain Promenade and signaled for the Other Bears to come out of Hiding. Three More Bears Appeared atop the Crags.
One was a Black Bear, Like Ursarius and Marzaeus, He held a staff and a had a shoulder Bag draped over a shoulder. And the Other two were Grizzly Warriors, Armored with Hardened Leather protecting the vital points, and Polearms. They barreled down the Mountain and stopped in a slight formation resembling a Diamond behind Marzaeus.
He put his massive Paw down and peered down at the considerably small Lynx. "Come." was all he said. Holding out a hand to an open Promenade for Sylver to tread through. The Path was narrow and Winding, it was no wonder the Bears used alternate Paths, with the Size of the Ursanids, they fit two Bears shoulder to shoulder through the Pass, Enough for at least four of Sylver to stand in a line a foots distance between eachother.
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