Open [Meeting] The Coming Winter

[Alori Sai]

Alori smiled as the woman jumped. Lavira said things at times that she could only laugh or smile at. A hunter who was easily frightened didn't sound like they'd make it far in the wild, but Lavira prospered despite it all. "Oh, well I'm sure he'll be along. So..how'd it go?" Alori hoped for better news than she had, her hunt had been fruitless and she and Durveth were flustered because of it. "We didn't do so well. I mean..there was just nothing there. I guess the hunters must have scared them off or gotten them first."

She rested on Lavira's shoulder for a moment, a bit tired and sleepy. For the trouble that they had to deal with, she could have just stayed home and slept in. "Yea, this has to be something big. You know what happened the last time he called for a meeting, and I'm still not sure what to make of all that." Alori moved off the teen's shoulder when someone bumped into them and almost caused her to lose her footing. "Watch where you're going! Gods..."

She was now forced to stand on her own legs again, and she had been really enjoying her perch. "So any way...." Alori paused when she noticed that her sister wasn't paying attention to her. Turning back, she saw the Chiet girl and looked to where she pointed. It was a bit easier to spot him amongst the crowd, and standing on top of a table helped as well. When she saw him, the huntress figured Lavira would lift up and float over to him, but instead her hand was grabbed and she was pulled through the crowd along with her.

It was a quick rush through the crowded cave, and Inartans being the stubborn breed as they were, refused to move when they saw people coming towards them. So they bumped into some, pushed through others, and even stepped on a few toes. Alori had been too busy trying to keep her footing to apologize or curse at the people she bumped against. Once they made it to the alcove, the teen climbed up after Lavira and offered Kovac a warm smile as she waved to him. "Hey you." Kaden started to speak then, and what he said blew the top off the mountain.

The people were enraged, and for a time, it looked as though there was to be an uprising. People learned that they had just lost their jobs, others were being reassigned. Her heart went out to Perith, knowing that the hot shop was being closed down, but at least he could still work for a meal. The dek had it the worst as always, but the Endal weren't getting off easy this time around, and adding to that stress was a second rider in the form of a rookie. Durveth wasn't going to be happy about it, and the last thing Alori needed was an angry Durveth. The two hadn't been bonded a full season yet and they were still learning each others ways, having to take an assistant so early was going to be a problem.

Alori turned to her companions when they started to quietly discuss what they had heard so far, and everyone had something to add. "This is insane, he's closing half the city. We're going to loose a lot of labor this way. I don't see how we can last." Combing her bangs away from her face, she looked at them again and sighed with a pout. "I think we're all going to be in survival mode." It seemed she picked a fine time to bond and become an Endal, or even a hunter for that matter. Alori wasn't a seasoned hunter like Kovac, and days without food made it harder to focus and easier to become frustrated.

Petch....what am I gonna do?

The bad news continued, and it seemed that no one had any answers and Kaden was just making things up as he went. "I don't know what we're supposed to do. I'm still new at this and now I have to train and help someone else find food? I want to help as much as I can but..lately it's just been..." Kaden finished with his speech and the club was up in arms. There were shouts coming from all around them, and it was enough to drive a girl insane. Alori stared curiously at Lavira when she raised her hand and looked back and forth between her and Kovac. "Vira? What are you doing?"

It was a surprise to see this, and as far as she knew, the woman had never ventured outside of the city. Traveling so far could be dangerous, and she didn't like the idea of her sister going even if Mohya was with her. "Hey..are you sure about this?" The teen waited a moment to get an answer, before she too raised her hand to ask a question.

"I know food is going to be hard to come by and everyone has to look out for themselves. So..maybe we should ask for help? The Charoda have been living at the bay for a while now. maybe they could help us catch fish?"

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[Drusilla]

Drusilla who normally kept within her own space welcomed the Myrian's arm around her and rested her head on it. She gave a small sigh/laugh," No apologies, you're only doing your job and what's best for Wind Reach. There's no need to make up for anything,Pryza-rin" Drusilla stayed like that comfortably resting on Turrin's arm and eyes closed listening to the Valintar's speech. So far it was going as one would think. Nothing good. Her eyes opened at the mention of Warhawks. She looked toward Turrin. He would be away for long periods of time from home.... in the freezing cold. A mental note was made of this. She'd find out when he left and see him off. Perhaps she could scrounge up something for him to take along. It would be a long winter of worry,this just added to it. She tried to give him an amused smile to his tent comment, but she knew he'd see through it. Drusilla almost jumped to her feet at job reassignment. How? Wha? She had been taught to sew and weave since early childhood. She knew nothing else. What would she be forced to do. She had taken archery lessons... But she was nowhere near ready to hunt for all of Wind Reach in such dire times. Turning her attention to Turrin, "Thank you for the offer I may take you up on it." She gave him a playful smile, "Even if things aren't that bad, I'll still take the offer." Drusilla smiled as Turrin approached the front of the group and spoke his mind. It was a sight that made Dru feel a sense of pride. Without knowing it she was to her feet and pushing herself toward the front and then standing beside him. Lo Mene Virsas. She lived by this in her own way, however this time it was quite literal. By my brother.

[Kovac]

Kovac's face brightened as Lavira appeared, arms waving, swimming upstream through the crowd, dragging Alori behind her. He offered a hand to help the girls up onto the stone table, returning Vira's embrace and flashing Alori a smile. Then the room fell silent as Kaden stepped forward, as if sensing his readiness to address them all. Indeed, there was a heavy anxiety over the large room, anticipation of sober news.

Kovac remained silent as the Valintar spoke, tilting his head slightly towards Lavira as she commented, the Avora nodding in agreement. His eyes darted to meet hers. Both of them knew Kovac relied on kills to feed himself in the field, and fish when available. He would need tips on how to live off of the land if game was not sufficient.

The austerity measures to be enforced were startling, unlike any Kovac could remember. Life in Wind Reach meant surviving Winters on a string. Or so the citizens had thought. The hardships of the past were threatening to pale in light of what the leadership was expecting. The Avora tried not to think about Lavira's astute observation. Starvation would be a real threat to some, more so than ever.

Great weight was set upon the shoulders of Skyinarta's hunters. Kovac felt this sharply as Kaden met his gaze and nodded to him in particular. The initiative to pull in new hunters had already begun with a screening process, with Kovac's reluctant help. He had trained many of the city's hunters in archery, but had never taken on apprentices. His hedonistic bent discouraged any entanglements that could cramp his style. But things were changing. The half-vanthan returned the Valintar's nod. Kovac had learned not all entanglements were detrimental, as he looked down to Lavira as her hand slipped into his. The Avora's brain already started to sift through potential candidates to apprentice, those who had any chance to survive. Again, he nodded to her when she offered Mohya as transport for the larger Avora hunting parties.

The change in flight announcements did not include the Swift Falcons, meaning Lavira would continue her role as hunter, near Wind Reach, leaving Kovac to exhale a veiled sigh of relief. Then the young Endal lifted her voice boldly over the others. When she asked about volunteers for the trade routes, Kovac's head snapped towards her, his brow knitting together. To Kovac, the world outside Wind Reach was just that, outside. It was a greater unknown than the Unforgiving, even the other cities in Kalea were a world away from their isolated mountains. The thought of Lavira going so far away, from him, brought a tight sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Even if he wanted to go with her, Kaden would never let him leave off hunting, unless...then Kovac saw what his girl was doing. If they could hunt on the trade routes, Kovac could accompany her. It was a bold suggestion, especially without consulting the one who loved her the most. He searched Lvira's gaze to gauge whether his speculation was true, then darted a glance desperately to Alori, as if unsure what to do.

The news about his favorite hangouts closing was now irrelevant in light of the what Lavira had asked. Kovac drew in a deep breath, crossed his arms over his chest and turned his attention back to Kaden. The muscles in his jaw rippled as he clenched his teeth. Alori voiced a doubt to her friend, and Kovac turned his head again to look at the two riders. The fire-skinned Endal quickly raised her hand and asked her own question, Kovac was not sure he wanted Lavira's question answered or not.

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[Harrier]

None could know how long the famine would last. It could be days, it could be seasons. They could only know what was immediately present...and prepare. It did not make the fear any less real or the outrage any less firey. And still, the wind blew, pulling at Bryda, whispering in the eaves of the enormous cave, tangling in hair. As the first questions came, the Valintar searched for the sources. The first came from one of the women Kovac stood with, the teen quite familiar to Kaden. He had encountered the woman twice before, once some three years ago following an incident in the aeries, and again this season when it appeared that she had Bonded with one of the very birds she cared for. Her question was a good one and he took a moment to gauge how to answer before doing so. "I am afraid I cannot answer that at the time, Lavira." He said, referring to her query of the Harriers hunting. "When our first Flight leaves for those domains, we will inquire. But we do not want to decimate their resources for our own." He was trying to be diplomatic about it, knowing that the boon they might receive from the other cities could be great...or could be very small. It would all depend on how the riders faired in each location. But if you see something worth catching..." He left it open ended and shrugged. A low murmur went through the crowd at this. They were not to overextend themselves in these friendly territories, but if something happened to appear in reach and of favorable feeding potential, there was nothing that would stop them from killing it. "As for volunteers, no, especially if your role is as Swift Falcon. All primary hunters will not be permitted travel. I am sorry, but we cannot afford your loss of valued time outside of the realm. I will, however, encourage all wings to begin searching further south, perhaps east towards Denval. None may explore the territory, however, as the effects of the catastrophe the city underwent last year have yet to be fully elaborated on." Kaden's attention turned on Turrin now. The half-blood had been with Wind Reach for some time now and had proven himself useful time and again. He remembered the commendations of him, Alori, Kovac, and Syveris when the storm struck on the 83rd. The quartet had been invaluable in their rescue efforts and though many had been lost, many more had been saved. However, the man was pushing it now and as he spoke, the wind gusted through, as if in reflection of his irritation. "That is why the hunting teams will be just that, teams, working in conjunction with the riders to scour beyond preferred hunting grounds. More inexperienced teams will remain near the mountain for easy return. They will be sanctioned to scavenge for small game and flora. As for Zith-" The Valintar snorted. "I would love to see them try. When have you ever seen one make it past the gates? Or anywhere near the mountain for that matter?" When he suggested making outposts, Kaden raised a brow in disbelief. He had lived and breathed and hunted with them for how long and he was suggesting this? Had he never...? The man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Endal Turrin, what you are suggesting is already in place. The riders have the Forward Camps which the Avora have been permitted use of when an Endal team has no need for it. Extending these further to the south would encroach upon Isur territory. We have a moderate alliance with them, so I would rather not press it any further. As for the Forest? No. This is not a resource we can safely take advantage of this time. The recent activity in the mountain has made many parts of the cave system and forest unstable." The problem was, it was a catch twenty-two. The hunters could die trying to bring in the food the city needed. The city could starve. But utilizing locations like the Forest or some reaches of the hydroponic gardens was impossible for they had been devastatingly exposed to lethal doses of toxic gases. One could die of starvation, or suffocation. Neither were pretty. His gaze returned to the table where the two riders and Avora stood and he frowned. "Were this spring or summer, I would take advantage of their presence. However, the bay has already frozen. How would the Charoda assist us when the surface is solid ice that even our strongest taloned birds cannot break through?" He took a breath and moved to the very edge of the stage, lifting his voice above the wind that whistled through the chamber. "My friends, we have long lived with little reserve in our lives. We manage and sometimes we thrive. This will not be that time and I am asking that everyone do their part and be strong for the whole. I will be relegating some of the tailors and seamstresses of the realm to work alongside our leatherworking team. The Hunters may find themselves short of gear or in need of replacement. See that their need is taken care of above all else. Their survival is our survi-" The man was suddenly cut off when through the chamber a mighty voice sounded. It boomed like thunder, permeating over and under and through all of the population currently gathered. It was a terrifying voice that held all the fury of the greatest storms in it and bit like the sharpest blade as it ground about the gathered Inarta and Outsiders. Survival. Is that what you call this pathetic conglomeration? Foolishness. The wind moaned, growing louder still as moisture was gathered and swirled, sweeping around Kaden and the other leaders on the stage. "In your mountain you sit, oblivious to the world around you. Oblivious even... The wind gusted again, blasting against the faces of the meeting-folk before manifesting again at the rear, an amorphous shape that vaguely resembled a cloud. To that which is among you. As silence fell upon the gathered, only two raised their voice above it all, and even then, the pair who shared a look did so in not but a whisper. "Zulrav."

[Erade]

Erade was horribly late as always, time and her were clearly not on the same page and probably never will be. The tiny girl rushing through the hallways. The meeting in the Inclement weather was to explain the future of the Inartans and Wind Reach and here she was late. There was no use scolding herself all she can do is run and hope she's not too late.

It was getting harder to run these days, between the toxic vapors and scarcity of fresh water starting to take a toll on the tiny girl. By the time she reached the dance club, Erade was heavily breathing. The place was packed and the yasi barely had the strength to fight through the crowd. She didn't have to do much elbowing when she recognized the fiery red head before her.

"Azira.." Erade whispered loudly. "What have I missed? Hopefully not much."

The teen didnt want to bother her too much, she knew the Avora has been through alot lately being trapped in the Aeries and worked to the bone trying to find food.

[Marrin]

Marrin had made his way into the chamber just as the Valintar began his long announcement, Uthin by his side. He stood beside the older man, looking from left to right to assess the situation. The room seemed to be fairly packed with people, yet it did not keep the heat one would expect from a room such as this nearly overflowing with Inarta with hair as fiery as their hearts. He adjusted his katinu, the fur lining brushing up against his neck. It was warmer than what many of the other attendees were wearing, but for some reason Marrin felt it wouldn’t be nearly enough. He stood beside his friend, waiting for the speech to begin. He was not as surprised as many of the others when the famine was announced, he’d spent more time on hunting trips this Fall than his entire apprenticeship combined, and only a scarce few days had brought in enough game to bring back to Wind Reach. He’d seen firsthand how poor this hunting season had been, and could vouch that their lack of food was not due to a lack of effort. The hunters had taken very few days off once the nature of the season’s hunting revealed itself, and upon returning often left the very next day. Still, the third famine since the Valterrian was nothing to scoff at, and Marrin simply made note that his efforts would have to be redoubled if Wind Reach was to survive the winter with the lower castes intact. As much as he hated to admit it, Marrin recognized the dek as a necessity. Surely the commoners couldn’t be asked to do such filthy work! What did surprise him, however, was the ration restrictions on hunters. Surely he did not expect them to feed off their kills? There would be little to bring back to the city if anyone stayed in the Unforgiving much longer than their first big game kill. But the Valintar was serious, and his word was final. Marrin was, however, slightly assured by the promise of classes later in the day for the hunters. He made special note to attend those, as he had to know as much as he could if he was to survive the winter almost exclusively in the wilderness, which would no doubt be where he would spend the majority of his time. The wind picked up once more and Uthin jerked violently. Marrin cast him a concerned look, but the trusting face only shook his head with a smile, excusing himself from the hall. Marrin frowned, concerned for his friend, but knowing he had to sit through the rest of the meeting. He had questions that needed answers, and there was no doubt that it would be now or never to ask them. When the Valintar announced that the Avora hunters were to be required to take not one, but two apprentices, Marrin’s voice was among those raised in outrage. How could he be expected to teach as well as hunt? In truth, he’d only been released from his own apprenticeship a season ago, and now he was expected to teach Yasi without even having the time to come into his own? That was simply outrageous, not only that it was suicidal for him and whoever came with him. He had to find a way to become exempt from this new ruling. He would not have an apology be the last words he spoke before Dira took him away. However, his time to speak was stolen from him as others shouted questions. He listened intently, taking what he could from the answers. He was far from the front, and more often than not missed the questions only to hear the answers. For the most part the context was made clear, but Marrin had to do at least some guessing to get it all right. Turrin’s questions and the responses that came to them met Marrin with a mixture of amusement and disgust. This Endal was permitted to be called a hunter, yet hadn’t heard of the Forward Camps? Marrin shook his head, astounded by this level of ignorance among their most blessed. When the thunderous voice boomed through the hall, Marrin could do nothing but freeze. First the churning cloud shape with a voice manifested on the stage, spinning and whirling about the leaders of their people. Marrin allowed himself to relax a moment as it dissipated, only to have it reappear no more than 5 yards from him. His eyes widened in mixed excitement and fear. What was this creature, and what had Wind Reach done to deserve its wrath? Upon hearing the whisper dancing on the air, he gulped, eyes fixed on the churning cloud. He was staring at divinity.

[Lavira]

Her inquiry had been squashed right out of the gates, though it might affect those riders which managed to get signed on. Vira would have to let it go, it seemed. Perhaps for the better, she was still a little nervous about things that had been discussed with Alori before the party and storm. She turned towards Kovac and the tense look he wore made her color.

"What? Don't look at me like that, you heard what he said." She could almost hear the sigh from here of Mohya from the aerie. Her head turned to Alori then and the question she had posed. Vira had forgotten about the charoda that inhabited the Bay, their presence around the city had been so little. She'd met one in spring or summer during a bit of bird training with an osprey from the aviary, but the creature hadn't been seen since.

The questions from Turrin sounded somewhat odd, since he was supposed to be an older Rider. The forest, however, had not been a consideration in Vira's mind and she was glad the man had brought it up. Yet, Kaden stomped on that idea too and for a moment, the teen frowned in confusion, glancing to her friends; but the explanation made sense. With the gases that had made lethal many tunnels in the city, it was no surprise that a place like that had been affected too.

THen he was discussing the seamstresses and leatherworkers and Vira lost a little interest, though she kept enough attention on them to know what was going on. Turning to Alori first, Vira whispered, "Hey, if you want to stay with Kovac and I for now, I don't mind. Durveth can meet us in the aerie for hunts and we can go out together. It will be better to have five eyes to two." She smiled a little, the bad joke really in bad taste. As much as she hated being in the Inclement, Vira was doing remarkably well right now. Nervous, yes, but relatively calm overall. And then the wind kicked up a notch.

And a voice whispered and rumbled through the chamber. Vira shuddered and pressed against Kovac's side, eye widening at the 'figure' which appeared on the stage with the leaders. Yet, it wasn't really there, as if it were just a cloud of steam before dissipating and swirling around the room.

"What the...was that a...?" She murmured, trying to see the source, squinting to get a bead before the voice came to rest near the back. She could just see Azira back there, the swirling 'cloud' figure appearing near her and the murmur of uncertainty rolling through the crowd.

[Alori Sai]

Alori sighed and looked between Lavira and Kovac after her question had been shot down. She wasn't sure what she had expected to hear, but if Lavira had been given permission to travel she knew she would worry herself to death wondering if her sister was ok. Then it was her turn and she was also shot down quickly. Of course the teen realized the bay was frozen, but the Charoda were out there somewhere. Alori refused to believe they had survived their home being destroyed and made it all the way to Wind Reach just to die in the ice.

They were still out there, alive, and where ever they were they might have insight on where to locate food in such hard times. But the Valintar was a stubborn man, and probably the most stubborn of them all. He was the leader of their people and also older than most which likely made him think he knew more as well. But she knew what was going on, what bubbled just below the surface. Pride, she had seen it on that night when they first met the Charoda at the bay. Kaden had been quick to puff out his chest and allow them to stay in their waters, but having the tables turned, he refused to ask them for help.

Men..

There was nothing to be done about it and Alori flipped her hair back and combed her bangs from her eyes.The man had turned down everything anyone had to say, as if his plan was anywhere near good. There was always another way to do things, she had learned herself that even in the darkest of days Inartan fire still burned and there was another way out. But she was just a teen, and a new Endal who hadn't proven herself yet and she didn't have all the answers. Still, at least she was open to other ideas.

It was done then, finished, and Kaden moved on in his lecture. The former huntress was a bit surprised by the question that Lavira asked. Her home was big enough for sure, but Alori wondered how Kovac would feel and if he would mind her being around so much. She also wondered about Durveth, the Wind eagle might get antsy without her personal wind chime there to sooth her with songs. Giggling a bit at the bad joke, Alori glanced at Kovac and back to her friend again. "Vira you are crazy. But..you guys sure you won't mind?"

The winds that suddenly swept into the club were anything but normal. Alori wrapped her arms around her shoulders and shivered. A figure appeared on the stage and she froze in place as it disappeared and reappeared at the back of the room. The young Endal wasn't sure what was going on, but there was a presences in the room, a presences that she had felt only twice before in her life. "I-I think it's...a God."

x

[Syveris]

Syveris felt a hand on her shoulder, and she nearly jumped, startled. Turning to the familiar Endal, she smiled. "Thanks Turrin. This means a lot to me." she whispered, relieved. The Avora was still grateful by all he had done on the 83rd, and now here he was, offering her even more help. Syveris wished she could repay him sometime. "I'll look forward to this talk." Syveris replied, playful. Her heart skipped a beat with the thought of hunting, of doing something during Winter that she actually liked. However, she knew that the Endal was probably just comforting her, and so, shoved the thought deep inside her mind. With another grateful smile and a nod, she watched Turrin walk away.

When the Valintar began to answer the questions, Syveris was a little disappointed by the quick turn down of all proposals. Many ideas seemed good to her. However, there was not much she could do. The Avora wasn't even a hunter, and to try to give her opinion would probably just make her say something foolish and totally out of place.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice, a voice that made her uneasy and seemed to come from all sides. Her eyes widened when the swirling wind seemed to take the shape that vaguely resembled a cloud. Syveris could only focus on the figure, feeling completely different from what she had ever felt before. She felt her body shake, suddenly feeling cold. When the voice spoke again, Syveris realized it was a God. Probably. What she didn't understood was what the God was saying. What is going on?

x
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[Azira]

   

Although she remained silent, there were other people with questions, people she knew. She spotted Lavira, Alori and Kovac as they drew her attention towards them. She also spotted Turrin over by Drusilla.
She was surprised by Vira's question because she knew that the woman wasn't used to distance flying. Alori's suggestion sounded reasonable but it was shot down as was Turrin's. Apparently Kaden had made up his mind already and wasn't giving any room for suggestions by the looks of it.

Erade appeared at her side and tried to talk to her while Kaden was replying to questions. She shot the girl a dirty look and waved a hand at her to make her be quiet. Why did she have to choose then to interrupt her? By the sounds of it the Yasi had only just arrived so she'd been late and that was her own fault. 

Just then the wind picked up, reminding her of that day in the Market, and a cloudy figure appeared near the pair as the club filled with the sound of a voice like thunder. The huntress had no idea what was happening. Where was that voice coming from? What was with all the wind? What was that figure that had appeared near her? The teen found herself wondering if it was a god. It could be possible that there was a god among them, it would certainly explain the voice.

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