Omens and Horses ~ by SaralynArati

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"You come with the rain, Storm Crow," says the leader of the first clan they meet, "with two foreigners, one of whom is not what she seems. Why should we lend our fine horses to you?" Smoke Cat, streaming with water but every inch a shaman, has Jonas hold up the wand. "So that we may more quickly convey this evil thing out of your grazing lands and away." A boy is dispatched to go with them and return the horses after they reach the tents of the next clan, but there is no further argument.

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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As the first spatters of rain fall, clouds are continuing to gather and tower over the western horizon. "You realize, of course," says Jonas/Sinjin, "that if it pours hard enough, we won't be able to tell where we're going." "No," the shaman replies, "we won't get lost, but I might have to use my magic; I'm not a natural weather-witch. However, the sooner we start out, the better the chances that we'll find a clan to take shelter with and borrow horses from before the worst of this hits."

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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"I want to learn," says Sarah/Summer Wind resolutely. "However, I don't want to slow us down or get myself hurt by doing it at a foolish time." She looks nervously at the massive thunderheads. Torrential rain when one is inured in a tower is bad enough, but out on a prairie? The girl has never seen so much open space, and it intimidates her more than a little bit. "Perhaps I should go into the blue gem now, for practice," she offers. "Sinjin, you will have to carry the wand for a while."

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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From the beginning, it has been part of the plan to permanently remove Smoke Cat from the jewel when they reached the steppes where she would be more effective as a flesh and blood shaman, but there was not previously this sense of urgency. "We must have horses," she announces. "There is much need of haste." Walking over to her little sister, she hugs her first and then asks, "Can you ride? If you cannot, this kind of race is no way to learn. You might be more comfortable in the stone."

10 years ago

SaralynArati

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Almost immediately, Song the Wolf Calling's spirit animal comes to the shaman, all in bone white. This is a serious omen. Her cousin and foster sister is either in great trouble or is causing great trouble. Knowing the young woman, both possibilities at once are also an option. As for the storm, it speaks of an imbalance, an unrest larger than one individual's personal problems should account for, but then, Smoke Cat has been gone for months and does not know what has been happening at home.

10 years ago