{Flashback} Blood Moon (Solicah)

[Kelaugh]

Anniversary of Valterrian, 509 AV

The day dawned early for the Moondirge Pavilion, and the air was alive with the noise of activity, a steady hum of anticipation. Young children ran giggling around the pavilion, getting underfoot and into everything, before being scolded for their boldness. But everyone old enough to was pitching in, preparing the area they would use tonight.

Kelaugh had been awake since she got up to watch the hunters leave for the day. They wouldn't be back until that evening, or perhaps earlier if the gods smiled and they bagged their prey swiftly without any accidents.

Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten and she resolutely ignored it as she went about helping set up the layout for the ritual. She moved stools, tables and pitched extra tents. She was just starting to the last of the tents she was asked to, when she spotted her cousin across the clearing, his bright golden hair hard to miss. "Solicah!" she yelled to catch his attention, "Can you come help?"

[Solicah]

Solicah had just finished adorning Aureunna with her celebration garb. He, however, would have to wait till sun down to dawn his own colorful accoutrements. Though a Strider could graze all day, doing nothing, he had obligations to attend to. And, he went about them with his usual jovial demeanor.

On his way to help set up his path lead him by ration's tent, which triggered a deep rumpling in his stomach, his growing teenage body wanting for nutrients, but he resisted. He couldn't help but spot the young boy near it looking quite the opposite, however. Solicah, not breaking stride continued toward the tent as the kid slipped inside, in a fashion he must have felt was unseen. Solicah shook his head at the kid. His name was Obsidian, still young enough to go by his given name, and he was Solicah's first cousin once removed. He had always had a bit of a rebellious streak, and an unforgiving tendency to resist authority. Solicah wasn't surprised in the least, it seemed to be the norm among the children of his Pavilion.

Solicah had snuck food once or twice in the past as well, of course, but he felt being sixteen now and having his wind marks that perhaps he should be mature and stop the child. Calmly with his casual voice he spoke lightly as he passed the rations tent. "I can see you, Obsidian." He slowed his stride slightly, to give a moment for Obsidian to process he had been caught, then continued with an order, "Go gather the the rest of your little herd, and bring them to the center of camp. And I'll know if you sneak even a bite." He then, with a smile, tapped the side of the tent swiftly, and leisurely walked off.

He always enjoyed working with Obsidian even if he could be difficult, and as such he wore a satisfied smile as he approached the mezzanine of the camp. He was surprised how quickly everything was going up with almost all of the adults working to speed along the process. He assumed it was simply an attempt to keep their mind's off their stomachs, but it was still impressive.

"Solicah!" He recognized the call, and looked toward his cousin, who was standing over a thick stake that needed to be righted in the soil. Happily he headed over and kisses his cousin on the cheek. "You look beautiful, Kelaugh, as always. I would be honored to help." He complimented unabashedly, ending with an exuberant wink. He tilted his head from one side to the other, flexing the muscles along his back and shoulders, vivid pops calling out in preparation for the day's work. Then, he bent down and picked up one end of the long stake. "Hold that other end."

With some effort the two heaved the stake up on its end and guided it smoothly into the hole Kelaugh had already managed to ready. As he held the stake vertical, Kelaugh scooped dirt in around the edges to stabilize it.

"I caught Obsidian trying to sneak some jerky from the ration tent on my way over." He shared with a short laugh, "I told him to go gather up his little foals and bring them over here to help. Though I see one is eager as always to help already." He gave a short nod of his golden curls toward another child of the Pavilion, helping her mother secure bright stretches of blue cloth to the tents. Helphinne, Solicah's second cousin, had always been a girl willing to please, and Solicah fancied she would become quite the priestess when she grew, and likely make a wonderful addition to any Pavilion she married into.

"So." He gave a suggestive smirk, as he lean against the pole, testing it's stability. "This is your first year with Dratai, you going to run in the Emergence Race?"

[Kelaugh]

Kelaugh beamed at the compliment, and kissed Solicah's cheek in return, "Thanks cuz, you're not so bad yourself." she winked. She then helped him with the stake and listened to him talking about Obsidian, she snorted, "That rascal could benefit from some work to keep his mind off his stomach." Kelaugh then followed his gaze to Helphinne, "That's one mature little foal, she'll go far if Obsidian's herd don't corrupt her first." she chuckled.

Kelaugh stood and dusted off her clothes, she grinned when Solicah mentioned Dratai, "Of course Sol! Wouldn't miss a chance to beat you in a race." she socked his shoulder playfully. They continued pitching the tent and with the extra hands they were finishing up in no time.

"Kelaugh! Solicah!"

Kelaugh grimaced as her mother, Elia, yelled at them, just as they finished placing the last pole. She looked over at the direction her voice came from and saw Elia holding a squirming Obsidian by the shoulder and the rest of the little foals milling about them.

Kelaugh shared a look with Solicah before walking over, "Yes Ma?"

"I caught this herd hanging about and Obsidian said Solicah told him to." She looked over at Sol, "Is this true?"

Kelaugh gave Sol a sympathetic look before she felt a little hand slip into her own. She looked down and into the bright blue eyes of little Embrynn one of her littlest cousins and by far the shyest of the pavilion. Kel squeezed his hand and beamed, "Hey Brynny, having fun?"

Embrynn said nothing but shook his head sagely, moving closer to Kelaugh and looking over at Elia who was still talking to Solicah, but this time at a more respectable volume. Her mother always got tense around the rituals and festivals that the pavilion took part in and Kelaugh learned long ago to take Elia's moods in stride. Unfortunately the little foals didn't have the benefit of this wisdom and they thought they were going to bear the brunt of the ire of a priestess.

[Solicah]

Solicah followed and gave an abashed smile at the women's question, "Well I just figured they could help set up." Elia's wordless expression didn't appear to share the same trust in the children. Solicah bit his lower lip posed in an expressive feigned innocence, then decided to focus his energy upon the children, leaving Elia to her daughter.

"Nalita," he called excited to the girl. "How would you like to hear a story?"

Nalita literally jumped with excitement, "Oh I want to hear a story!" she responded without a moments hesitation.

Solicah's heart leaped along with her, as her adorable young eyes flashed with unbridled excitement. She had lost her parents before she was even a year old, and everybody seemed concerned she would be a melancholy child, but she proved stronger than that. She often claimed she had more parents and bothers and sisters than she could wish for, and she was luckier than the other kids being raised by the entire Pavilion. Solicah was very glad she didn't follow the usual trend of the Moondirge to fall easily to pessimistic thoughts, he hoped it would last as she grew.

"Ok, I'll tell you a story but you have to go get Helphinne and ask her to join us. She is right over there, ok?" Helphinne did her best to help, but still the job would go quicker without her mother having to look after her.

He then turned to the rest of the group, and ordered them all to get inside the large tent that they had just set up. With another attempt at winning her over Solicah offered a fleeting smile to Elia and head in side after the kids, to get them settled down.

Once all four were in the tent, some coaxing necessary to acquire Embrynn, he started ordering them, "Sit in a crescent. Ya right along the wall. Now can you guys sit tallest to shortest?" He gave the command for no other reason than it seemed fun, and teaching them to work together and be aware of the other kids was important.

Obsidian, took pride in being the tallest and as such gladly accepted the responsibility of placing the others. "No Nakila, you sit at the end, you are the shortest."

Helphinne, already placed in her spot next to Obsidian chirped in, "By nice to her." Causing Solicah to snort in entertainment. A small squabble ensued between the both, which Solicah let play out on it's own. Most of the adults of the Pavilion wouldn't allow such things, but all the children knew Solicah and Kelaugh weren't like the other adults. In fact, most didn't consider them adults at all, but as a part of their own category.

"Ok, good job. Looks like by next year Helphinne is going to be taller than you, Obsidian." He only received a cold glare from the boy in return for his comment. "Ok, now if everybody is ready I'm going to start to stay quiet." He stood up in the tent, his head just clearing the top.

-----

He knew most of the children had heard this story dozens of time, so he gave no introduction, "It was over five hundred years ago. A ruthless tyrant named Golifer Odalah ruled a mighty nation with wrath an an iron fist!" He spoke louder, the words no doubt permeated out to where Kelaugh still stood with her mother. His words were accompanied by wide movements of his hands, and dynamic expressions of the body. The sentence ending with a hard smack of his fist against the opposite palm. The kids all jumped at this, not accustomed to such an outstanding performance of the story. Solicah hoped he wouldn't make any of them cry.

He decided to not dwell on the impactful note, and just carry on with his story. "However, there was hope for our land! A kind and beloved Queen of unsurpassed strength of character and elegance was to marry Golifer and attempt to bring peace to their nations in the process." He smiled, showing the children that it was a good thing. "The wedding was gorgeous, with plentiful food and almost the entire land attending! Never had the people been so overjoyed at a union."

He then gave a heavy sigh and shook his head. "I'm not sure you guys want to know the next part."

Obsidian said without restraint, "I already know it."

Emrynn blinked several times and looked to Helphinne who politely said, "I would like to hear the rest."

Nakila chimed in immediately with support, "Me too, I want to hear the rest! Did they have babies?!" Solicah smiled at the young girl, and her adorable presumption. He knew he would have to be truthful with them all, that there was an important traditional lesson to be found in the tale.

"No, I'm afraid they didn't ever get a chance to have babies." He gave them a grim expression. "After the wedding both the beloved Queen Kova, and the fierce Tyrant Odalah went to their room, to do just that, Nakila. To make babies. But," he have a sympathetic look, again aiding his altitudely challenged audience to what to feel. "Odalah realized that Kova had loved somebody other than him before! He was jealous, and enraged, for being a greedy man he wanted everything for himself, including other people!" He grew more intense, but took a quick step away from the kids so that he wasn't too close to them as he demonstrated the next part of the story. The Pavi language could get quite unrestrained at times.

"He was so angry that he denounced her as his wife, and chained her up! Parading her through his streets he humiliated her by letting the people throw rocks at her, then chained her to a wall. He looked to her and said 'I will never rest with a women that can not love me and only me! You have too much love in your heart!'" He admitted to himself he was perhaps getting a little too carried away, but he hated to leave the story so... literal.

"She however was a strong powerful women and responded, despite her pain, with dignity, 'Love is the most powerful force in the world, there is a place in our hearts for everyone and everything. You can never break that love.'" He rather enjoyed his editions as he belted the lines out triumphantly. He hoped no elders around could hear him, he knew he would probably end up with some horrible punishment for 'perverting' the story. However, even Obsidian seemed enthralled by that point, and Solicah had no intention of breaking his flow on any elder's behalf, though he did decide it might be best to return to the traditional story.

"In spite, he then personally removed her head, ending her life." He paused with a sullen expression before continuing. "But! The crime did not go unpunished, and her love did not die. The powerful god of fire, and passion, who had loved Queen Kova dearly flew into a rage over his mortal lover! He put into action a horrifying series of events that sprung forth from them what would become to be known as the Valterrian!" He energetically pumped his arms outward with passion, as he caught with his eyes Kelaugh finally entering the tent.

He hoped she would continue the story, and would encourage her if necessary.

[Kelaugh]

Kelaugh talked to Elia, calming her down by promising she'd help Solicah and the children would be kept entertained and out of mischief. She could hear Solicah recounting the tale behind them and barely kept herself from smiling at Sol's enthusiasm, which would probably have set her off even more.

Elia seemed to take Kelaugh at her word, and casting a doubtful glance at the tent of children, she walked away to continue her duties. Kel breathed a sigh of relief and ducked into the tent, just as Solicah finished talking and he looked at he, daring her to continue the tale.

She rolled her eyes, but grinned and made her way to the front of their small crowd. Kelaugh looked down at the foals all bouncing in enthusiasm, "So where are we up to?"

Obsidian, naturally, called out, "Queen Kova died and God Ivak got angry."

"Ah I see, can anyone tell me why he got mad?" Kel looked at each of the children.

Obsidian began to call out but Helphinne poked him in the ribs and whispered for him to let the others have a go. Obsidian frowned at this, but amazingly listened to her. It seems that Kelaugh had it wrong, maybe Helphinne would knock some sense into Obsidian.

"Yes Nalita?" Kel urged her to speak.

"'Cause he loved her right?" she said, smiling sweetly.

"That's right Nalita, Ivak loved Kova very, very much. So much that when he realised he was too late to help her and that she was dead, he was very sad. But at the same time he was angry at the Tyrant Odalah for causing her death."

She moved fluidly as she told the tale, then slashed angrily as if she was Ivak himself, "He got so angry he used his powers to attack the city, even as the citizens of Suva warred amongst themselves. He called an earthquake and rumbled the ground, stones fell and buildings collapsed, but still he was angry. He caused a large volcano to sprout in the center of the town, pouring lava down the streets and burning anything that touched it, but still he was angry. Then he set fire to buildings and even people himself, but still he was angry."

Kelaugh raged, watching the awed and almost terrified looks on the childrens' faces. "He was so angry that no matter what he did, his anger and his pain did not diminish. Instead, it seemed to grow and grow, as he destroyed many buildings and killed countless people."

She calmed down a fraction for the next part, "But while he was angry he was not thinking about his other enemies."

She looked at Solicah, effectively letting him know she wanted him to continue from where she left off.

[Solicah]

Solicah smiled as Kelaugh spoke. She had always been more disciplined that himself, not just in her studies but her words as well. Though passion seeped through every word of her story straight from her soul, Solicah felt her vivid awareness of the audience laid deep in her mind at all times. He was proud of his young cousin's ability to dedicated all of herself to her tasks, without losing focus on the big picture, without losing herself to her own excitement like he often did.

As her part drew to a close he gave no pause, stepping forth again. "Enemies that would raise against him. For, though no mortal could harm Ivak in his rage, the gods would not stand by idly as their own beloved temples and worshipers were obliterated. War broke out among the gods, and many devastating blows were struck! One such assault was meant for Syna, the Goddess of the ever life feeding sun and Leth's dearest lover." Solicah knew he needn't introduce Leth to any of the children, for no Moondirge reached but four years clear of their mother's body without learning their patron god's name and legacy.

"Leth's swiftness, and love outweighed the nefarious intentions of the assailant, however. And, in a great and selfless act of sacrifice for his Syna, he surrendered himself to the crippling wound." He slowed a moment, allowing the words to sink into the children's mind, and give a moemnt of rest to his muscles before continuing. "How sweet and tragic the servant of patient Dira's sacrifice was. The wild and powerful god was diminished, and defenseless. However, love would preserve him, just as it had Syna.

The still strong and unbowed Syna gathered courageous Leth and carried him away from Mizahar where he would be safe from further harm. She would watch over him with an unshakable gaze, and tend to him with caring hands as his endless life would pour only into him." He smiled at the kids, specifically at Obsidian, wondering why he didn't have a blunt comment, but he seemed distracted by the story. Solicah decided that was likely for the best and continued.

"Though this was a true testament of the unbreakable bond between Leth and Syna, those outside of Syna's heart felt the cold shun of her neglect. All of Syna's warmth and light receded from our humbled realm and we were left to our own tending, with only the care of the more attentive deities to guide us." He looked to Kelaugh, knowing she enjoyed the next part of the story, warning her of the upcoming switch with a smile as he finished his part.

"Bowed and broken, the diminished numbers of our people seemed to have no hope of survival. Great blood had been spilled and even deeper sacrificed of pride and moral within those still clinging to life. We were a truly lost people." He then gave a slight bow of his head to Kelaugh, and spoke with his body the words to hand the story over.

[Kelaugh]

Kelaugh listened attentively to her cousin. Although she knew the story by heart, Solicah's telling never failed to enthrall her. She smiled and acknowledged the change-over, continuing the tale.

“Although we had lost the plains to the Valterrian, the Drykas people held tight to the old ways. They fled underground, taking their great-hearted striders with them. For two generations our forefathers existed beneath the plains. Instead of grass, Striders ate luminescent lichen and strange floating plants that thrived in underground lakes. And to this day, purebred Striders still hold a faint luminescent glow to their coats when they will it.

"When the world calmed and Ivak had been captured and confined, the Drykas returned to the surface to find it utterly changed. Rather than a simple plain confined to a far off corner of Alahea, the grasslands had expanded into the Sea of Grass, dominating the landscape in a country that had vanished forever as it once was."

Kelaugh looked around at the children, noting with some pride that they seemed to be enjoying her storytelling. She smiled and continued to move with the pace of the story.

"And although the world has been rebuilt, and the sun and the moon have resumed their paths across the sky, it is forever changed. On the anniversary of the Valterrian, the moon glows red to remind us that the blood of those sacrificed in the great cataclysm bathed the land which we now stand upon."

Kelaugh now looked to Solicah, and smiled, handing the story back to him to add to if he wished.

[Solicah]

Solicah smiled proudly, and nodded. "Well said, Kelaugh." The kids gave a clamor of mixed praise in suit. Solicah granted them a minute to calm down before he decided to cut in with something more purposeful.

"And so, in order to answer the call of Leth each year on this day, we have strict proud traditions. It is important that these words and tradition persist so that all of our people can remember what it means to be Drykas. Remember that each and ever one of us lived through those dark times. That what we are celebrating is our own past live's blood spilled upon this earth. It is tradition that has returned you here through our ancient magics, to sit in this tent and listen to the story of our triumphs generations past.

When Leth bathes us in his crimson remembrance tonight, he is honoring all of us for our sacrifices and our strength. Our unbreakable courage." He had stolen the last part from an elder who once told it to him, but he couldn't help it if it always sounded so good. He did have a personal after note to add however, which would address an issue he had meant to get to from the beginning of the session. "So when we fast in preparation, we are recognizing our own strength and endurance, as well as answering to Leth. Take honor in your self restraint, so that you can feast proudly come day break." His eyes fixed on Obsidian as his words ended, letting them sink into his young mind. Solicah wasn't mad at the boy for his thievery, but Solicah would not ignore his own duty to teach why tradition held importance.

It was Nakila that broke the silence, her adorable voice ringing out in a loud but hushed tone that she no doubt felt was a whisper. "Obsidian, I don't actually want this anymore." She then produced from her pocket a small piece of jerky, about the size of her hand and awkwardly reached past the other children to return it.

Looking defeated Obsidian grabbed it, and held it out toward Kelaugh, knowing the two older Drykas would confiscate the food anyway. His brow held fast in a disgruntled expression, but no aggression nor words were directed toward the innocent Nakila, which had done her best to keep quiet about the food, as she was instructed.

Solicah fought a chuckle. Obsidian had obviously given some jerky to Nakila after leaving the tent, not wanting her to go hungry. He wondered if Obsidian had even bothered to keep some for himself. His guess was that Obsidian hadn't, but either way Solicah didn't care. The was still work to be done before the day was out, and he had four semi able bodied workers to manage with his co-warden cousin by his side. He gave an entertained smile to Kelaugh, white teeth flashing.

[Kelaugh]

Kelaugh grinned back at Solicah, fighting her own urge to chuckle. She took the jerky from the contrite Obsidian, trying to look stern. She found it cute and actually quite admirable that Obsidian had given Nakila the jerky, even if it was in the wrong. "Thankyou for speaking up Nakila, I hope now you understand why our personal sacrifice is necessary. You too Obsidian, and the rest of you. I know it's hard and you're hungry but stealing food is not on." She wagged her finger at them and put the jerky into a pouch in her belt, keeping it until she could put it back in to the supply tent.

"Okay now let's go see if the sunset has begun." Kelaugh said, exiting the tent. Judging from the general hush and the change of light in the tent she could tell it was close. Embrynn hurried to get to Kelaugh, catching her hand and moving his little feet to keep up with her strides. The rest of the children and Solicah followed them, and soon they were at the outskirts of the camp. The sunset was surprisingly calm, deep blues and purples streaked the sky with a lighter pink near the horizon, framing the bright yellow of the sun. Dabs of bright coloured cloud were interspersed in front of the darker colours. It was a delightful sight and it set the children back into high spirits.

As soon as the light faded they retreated back into camp, finding each child's tent and helping them get dressed in their celebration attire. In addition to their customary attire they added dark red sashes, bandannas, or any other piece of clothing. At least one piece of clothing was still blue to honour the pavilion. They got Obsidian, Helphinne and Nakila done and asked them to wait in the main area and keep together. Kelaugh let Solicah head to his own tent to get ready and made her way to Embrynn's tent. She got him ready, tying a bandanna around his head and knotting it at the back to finish. "Do you want to go with the others Emmy?"

Embrynn shook his head, the tails of the bandanna swishing with his hair, "No I want to go with you."

Kelaugh had anticipated this and smiled, "Alright, but before I get ready I have to get Dratai ready, do you think you can help?"

Embrynn widened his eyes, "Really?"

"Really." Kel grinned, holding out her hand for him.

They went by Kel's tent to get her grooming kit and paint, then Kelaugh whistled sharply for Dratai. Embrynn clapped his hands over his ears, "You're loud!" he exclaimed.

"Sure am." Kelaugh smiled, picking up a brush as Dratai approached.

Soon Dratai was shiny and his braids were redone with red scraps of material interwoven. Next she got the paint and decorated on his face, red suns around his eyes and a blue strip on his nose, the she put black, red and blue handprints on his side. Embrynn pitched in too, Kelaugh lifting him so he could place red handprints on Dratai's neck. Dratai tried to shy away but Kelaugh scolded him and he kept still. When that was done, Kelaugh set Embrynn down. Embrynn looked at her and grinned, as he patted her cheek. Kelaugh felt the squish and sighed, "Emmy!"

He giggled as Kel got him back with two stripes of red on his cheeks.

"Not exactly tradition." Kelaugh chuckled and shook her head. She quickly finished Dratai off, putting a her yvas on his back, which she had decorated with some red beforehand.

"Okay Embrynn, my turn to get ready." She smacked Dratai's hindquarters, which earned her a baleful look from him, before he ambled off. She took her stuff back inside the tent and quickly got ready, wearing her habitual clothes, a blue top, with loose black pants tied with a sash of red around her waist. The ends of the sash were decorated with red beads which clacked when she walked, it sounded great when she danced. She finished with a red necklace and pulled her hair out of its binding, letting it fall around to its full length below her shoulder blades.

"Okay Embrynn let's go!" She said as she exited the tent again.

Embrynn blinked and stared at Kelaugh, "You're pretty!" he said, astonished.

Kel chuckled, "Thanks Emmy. Try not to sound so surprised." she added dryly.

Soon they were back at the clearing, where they quickly found Solicah and the other children. The celebration was in full swing, musicians playing their instruments while everyone who was able danced. Older pavilion members sat around the edge at tables, drinking a whiskey that the pavilion distilled themselves. What it lacked in taste it made up for in kick and on an empty stomach, the kick was amplified. Other people just sat around the edges watching the dancing.

"Everyone ready to dance?" Kelaugh grinned and swished her hips.

With a resounding yes, they made their way to the dancing, joining in the elaborate moves along to the music. It fell to Solicah and Kelaugh to help their young companions, teaching them the basic movements and enjoying themselves all the while.

[Solicah]

As the sun set, darkness claimed the grasslands. Light music played across the Pavailion in a soft cacophony of disjointed sounds, all in an attempt to lighten the moods of those stuck in the dark. Even the horses seemed on edge as they moved closer together, guided only by the soft ambient flow of star light. The moon was yet to show, and would for another several minutes after the sun's light completely diminished. The fires were prepared, grass cleared away from the pits, but would not be lit till it was in greeting of Leth. And so, all stood in darkness, anticipating Leth's arrival. Their voices all seemed hush, but energy coursed through the camp like surges of electricity.

Solicah comforted the kids, holding Nakila in his arms. He enjoyed keeping them company, but felt his body and mind fidget eagerly at the thought of Aureunna alone in the dark. He would go fetch her from the grazing herds once the fires were lit, and the children settled. He didn't want to lead the children around in the dark, startle the horses, or make Aureunna witness the lighting of the fires, which she had never grown accustomed to.

Obsidian's voice pierced the darkness as anxious as them all, "Why can't I light the fires?"

His question received only an unseen smile in response, but did earn a simple command from Solicah, "Look over there." His voice was soft, and soothing. Solicah felt it in everybody, the anticipation, and his mind slowed like a calm before a glorious storm. As Solicah did, so did all of the older member's of the Pavilion. Instruments ceased, and songs petered off. A reverent silence slowly claimed the camp.

This reverence did not extend to the excited and defiant little foul, however. Obsidian retorted with, "Solicah, it's all dark, I can't look at anything!"

Helphinne's sweet voice chimed in, with an appropriately hushed voice. "This way, Obsidian." Solicah assumed she must have turned him in the right direction, because all the children were quiet after that.

Barely a sliver of the amber glow could be seen above the horizon at first. But, as the first corner of the gibbous moon revealed itself to the gathering a deep beating of drums began. A half dozen pounded in time with one another, soon accompanied by the soulful residence of all present. The deep steady sounds, very slowly rose upward in pitch. Solicah held the young girl tightly to him as he guided the children with his voice. The sound of the collective reverberated along their skin, raising the hairs upward as if they reached out toward the stars and moon themselves.

The sound ascended upward into the empty sky as it reached higher pitch. All till their collective voice was a screeching wail, the energy surrounding them all bounding inward with the quickening of drum work. Then, just as the call reached it's peak the several large fire pits amongst them burst aflame, heat and light spreading outward to embrace them all. The light sent as a signal to Leth, an acknowledgment of his presence, that they had seen his message and understood.

The kids gave a gasp as the fires lit, but spoke nothing. Solicah's eyes flickered as the light of the fire reflected in them, the deep dark crimson hue of the blood moon fixed in their center, as it did all the Drykas people in that moment.


Soon after the elders broke into the first reverent song of the night, as Kelaugh approached with Embrynn in hand. The song would invite out the honored hunter, who would give forth to Leth the first of many traditional dances of the night, as well as a traditional reverent song to Leth's and all of their sacrifices. Those in attendance would dance as they watched, but Solicah had another on his mind. He handed Nikali over to Kelaugh, kissed her on the cheek and went off to fetch Aureunna , soon to return to the celebrations much more at ease. Something about the night put him on edge. Likely the ambient red hue the ground shined with in Leth's mournful light as he walked to his companion.

Everything was drenched in red, the skin of those present, to the fine fur on the majestic striders, and to the waving grass which now seemed to resemble an ever expanding sea of undulating blood. This was appropriate, of course. For it was the sacrifice of the strider, the Drykas, and the land itself that Leth honored that night. And, so despite Solicah's unease at the sight, he also felt an intense wave of pride in his and his peoples accomplishments wash through him and fill his heart. Leth, a god, had even taken time to honor their deeds with an unrivaled natural display that all in the world could see.