Open [Meeting] The Coming Winter

[Harrier]

Timestamp: Fall 91, 513 : This is an IC announcement for Wind Reach. Players may post at their leisure. The thread will close when the Valintar finishes his announcement and all questions have been answered. This is being posted early in the season to give all players a chance to see and respond to it over the next three months. It was the last day of the season, and boy what a season it had been. The real horror was the winter to come, Kaden knew it. As he sat at his desk, his fingers lightly gripping his chin, the other leading individuals of the city all stood before him. Each had spoken their piece on the matter, their opinions greatly valued and their warnings taken quite seriously. The winter was going to be very bad. "What do you think, Yoletta, Rhyon?" He asked, his finger tapping lightly on his chin. The couple looked between one another and then back to the Valintar. "We do what we must. The riders will continue throughout the season when the storms abate, but much of the game has drifted further south. I do not want to think it is another 512, but..." The woman shrugged. "Duvin?" "It's not another 512, Kaden, it's just a bad year. We have them and we make it through. We always have we always will." Archeron interjected, "We always will, aye, but what will the cost be come spring? How many drudge have been lost this season? How many Chiet struggling to pick up the slack from lack of man-force. Many of the hunters are exhausted, Kaden, but they leave almost as soon as they return. And what of the mountain, hm?" None needed to be reminded of the horrendous activity the volcano had had this season. Toxic gases, poisoned water, landslides innumerable, not to mention the small eruption earlier in Fall! "We need to reach out to Lhavit and Sultros. We need, at the least, water if we're going to make it through. The lakes are half frozen already and what we have in the mountain is nigh undrinkable." Rhyon added. Kaden nodded somberly, resting his hands in his lap for a moment then raising them to steeple beneath his chin. "Lhavit has always been a friend of Wind Reach. Send a flight when the Watchtowers change, Yoletta. White Owls if we can spare them. Rhyon, pull two of the Warhawk flights and put them on hunting duty exclusively." His eyes turned to Davoid, the Avora chef looking antsy at best. "Davoid, how are the stores right now?" The woman frowned and shook her head. "Not good, sir." "How bad." "...Mid season if we're lucky. If another storm like the 83rd hits..." "I know. We'll do what we can." With one voice, the group answered, "We always have." Kaden closed the meeting, "Mother Ilrish, make the announcement. Everyone currently in the city is to meet at the Inclement in three bells. Relieve Val if we can, he needs to be here for this. Have someone from the Enclave ready to record it for the Lookout and any stragglers on the bay. Fly high. Each bowed their heads and Kaden got to his feet, crossing his arms and tapping a finger against his bicep as he paced the room. The Yasi secretary for the season cleared her throat nervously and broke the silence. "Sir...?" She squeaked. Kaden stopped his pacing and looked towards her, smiling congenially. "It's alright, Hiikal. You're relieved for now. Make sure you're at the meeting." "Yessir." She said, hurrying out. The door closed slowly, Starvine looking in at his keeper and clicking his beak quietly at the Valintar. Three bells... ------------------------------------ Twenty chimes before the 15th Bell, Kaden left his office and headed for the Inclement. A stream of citizens were already making their way in from every caste and every age. A good sign, the message had been heard. He made his way down through the warrens and tunnels until he came to the already packed corridors leading to the revelry. There was no way all citizens could fit into the dance hall, but he if could get a good portion in, the rest would pass the word to stragglers. Already he was bombarded with questions, some curious of the announcement to come, some asking about the food stores, others asking wholly irrelevant things. These, the Valintar blatantly ignored. The rest he tried to field as best he could. As if to emphasize the seriousness of this, a cold wind rushed through the corridor leading the Inclement, knocking a few feebler individuals off their feet before someone found the chamber the wind had come from and shut it up. He reached the stage where many of the Inclement Weather's workers were milling around and stepped up beside Yoletta and Rhyon. The other masters of Wind Reach lined the wall behind him, quietly waiting for the announcement they knew was coming. Kaden would give all a time to collect first.

[Lavira]

The season had been wretched. From constantly failing hunts, or ones that simply fell short altogether, to storms and earth quakes, everything about fall had been not but a headache. There was a hope that Winter might prove easier to handle, but the sense of unease throughout Wind Reach weighed upon the young Endal as she made her way through the warrens and down to where the Inclement was buried in the rest of the city.

Her hair was still tussled from flight and she still wore her hunting gear, her sontav still ice-crusted at the edges. The one-eyed Endal moved through the crowd more confidently than when she'd started the season and some were willing to shift aside to let her pass (as most of the Endal were sure to be at the front anyways). Those that didn't, Vira simply slipped around another way. She had her eyes peeled for Alori and Kovac, wondering if either of them had made it yet. She did happen to spot one of her mentors, a comely woman who was talking with another Flight leader.

Vira didn't stop to greet her, though, as she spied a cluster of Dek she knew from the Nesting Aeries. One tried to flag her down, the slack faced Dek having a strong resemblance to Insurq, and so not someone she wanted to interact with...

She hurried on, blending into the crowd a little more and asking occasionally to those she bumped against if they had seen either Alori or Kovac. Eventually, she found herself about ten bodies deep from the stage, peering up at the Valintar, her ponytail hanging between her shoulders and her arms now crossing under her chest. Maybe they would find her.

[Alori Sai]

Being born in Windreach, Alori knew of the plight that the colder seasons brought upon the mountain, but so did most who lived there. However it was the hunters, the Endal and Avora's who understood this the most. Food shortage was nothing new, but in the coming seasons it could grow to near famine and it was up to the Endals to make sure that didn't happen.

Alori entered the Inclement Weather still huddled in her black Katinu. Fresh from a hunt with Durveth, the teen walked in, long bow and quiver still strung to her back, and her usual talon sword at her hip. Her fiery hair was pulled back into a ponytail, loose hairs and wild bands resting against her cheeks from the flight. Something big was about to happen and it had to be any time the Valintar called a meeting. The club was already full, much like it was whenever she went there to dance, but there would be no music on this day.

Looking around, the teen noticed some that she knew, others that she had known in her other life, but it had gotten easier to deal with that. She saw Perith standing with the other glass blowers, but the urge to say something wasn't as strong as it used to be. Instead, the fresh faced Endal made her way to the front to have a better look. Being short was always a bad thing in these situations and she knew that she wouldn't be able to see a thing from the back.

The young woman didn't force her way through the crowd, it appeared as more an arrogant swagger as she moved, as if to say that she belonged up front. There were more Endal up front, one of which was her adoptive sister Lavira. With a smile, Alori slipped up behind the woman and hugged her shoulders as she whispered into her ear. "Where's your snarky boy?"

x

[Kovac]

Kovac was physically worn. The dark eyes that once plagued him during his time of heavy drinking and self-loathing had returned, their genesis now found in the relentless string of hunts of which the riders and Avora hunters were sent. Between hunts, Kovac had been pressed to prepare his more promising students to join in the excursions, untrained in the wilderness but hopefully skilled enough to shoot a hare or partridge to add to the stores of dried meats. It was with frustration that he reluctantly qualified several more, unceremoniously dropping the quill after adding their names to a list and stalking out of the room. Several of those young people, some Yasi, had been lost out in the Unforgiving, unwatched by their guides, and he wondered how many he had condemned to die.

The Avora was headed to the Ivory Aerie, wishing for a warm bath and a moment of peace when he passed a Chiet bellowing loudly about the meeting at the Weather. The half-breed sighed, slowed, considering ignoring the summons. But the gravity of the gathering sounded great, to call such an impromptu meeting, and in light of the hardships of the season, Kovac lowered his head and forced his weary body to turn around.

Crowds irritated Kovac, unless they were gyrating rhythmically to music, and as he begrudgingly moved with the stream of Inartans into the club, he looked for Lavira. Well, there was a squirrel's chance in the Crack that he would find Vira in the sea of gingers. His temperament lead him to search the perimeter for space, and, as a few others had already schemed, he hurried to an alcove and vaulted up on top of the table. From that elevation, he could see the gathered leaders. Important indeed the message must be, for they were all assembled in agreement before the crowd.

Emerald eyes searched the red-crowned mass for signs of his girl, or anyone of his friends. If they had stuck to protocol, Vira and Alori would have gathered near the front with the Endals. He began to search more closely for the particular feather she wore in her hair, hoping it would stand out among the ocean of crimson shades.

x

[Drusilla]

Drusilla had come and was now occupying a corner of the room. She was simply observing the room for right now, trying to find people she knew. It was hard to pick out people from the crowd, red was everywhere. If someone wanted to speak with her, they could come to her as she was easy to find. A blaze of white amid the sea of red. This season and its constant earthquakes and storms had made here very jumpy. She startled so easily lately. One had to be on their toes with rubble falling here and there. She was hungry, thirsty, and exhasted. She slid down the wall sitting with her knees to her chest. What was happening to Wind Reach? They had bad years in the past... But this was on a different level completely! Drusilla sat there silently hoping Turrin would show. She could use his company.

[Harrier]

Many of the higher ranking endal were making their way well into the crowds and now lined the stage front as Kaden and the leaders behind him waited in silence. The Inclement was filling fast and it would not be long now. Only some had not been relieved of their duties (such as the forge-workers and Lookout) but those would each receive a transcript of what was discussed in the meeting itself. Kaden chewed the inside of his lip in consternation now, spotting several key figures in the mix: Kovac was there, appearing to be looking for someone (perhaps that new young Endal he had moved in with?); several of the top glassworkers; ah, and here came his best Flight from Wings and Things. Good, they would be of great use next season and needed to hear this. Many locations not typically visited in winter would be added to that seasons flight in an effort to obtain much needed food, but like all things it was going to be discussed soon. As he stepped forwards, a hush began to fall over the crowd, faces turning up to the Valintar as he stood waiting with hands behind his back and kind eyes looking to all the faces. Even Glav and Akvin were there, both stoic as they watched and listened for what was to come. With a soft clearing of his throat, the Valintar at last spoke. "Greetings my brothers and sisters, I am glad you all could make it here today." He could hear the back murmur a little as what was said was passed on. "I know many of you are in a hurry to return to your work so I will try to keep this brief. Please bare with me and hold your questions for the end." Taking a deep breath, Kaden went into the announcement headfirst. "This fall has been one of the most trying Wind Reach has ever experienced, and we all remember the struggles of last year. However, the storms of the season have made it all the more challenging for our dear hunters and the stores, as some of you are aware, are woefully underfilled. Believe me when I say I am not blind to the situation. A famine is coming." A gasp ran through the crowd and many a Dek that had managed to get inside before the Chiets, Avora, and Endal took all the good spots whispered fiercely among themselves, their eyes wide and fearful. Famine was the one thing Wind Reach could not handle; every winter was hard and if the stores could not reach a certain level before that season, it would be even harder. Only twice in history had a famine been declared and now...the Valintar proclaimed a third. "It pains me to announce that all citizens, beginning at first meal in the morning, will be given ration tokens." Kaden fished from a pocket a palm sized piece of flattened glass with a letter imprinted onto it. "Each caste will receive a token depicting their status and their duty. Those whose demands are of greater need to the city will receive special annotations on their tokens. Each token may only be used once and will be collected by Chef Davoid during meal times. If you use your allotted tokens for the day, I am sorry, but you are out of luck. Hunters, Avora and Endal alike, your meals will be provided for you only when you are not in the field. I know how scarce game has been of late, but our stores can not currently allow for extensions to the riders and Avora hunters. While you hunt, you will need to find your own reserves. Watch for fox and coyote caches and any winter flora you can. A training seminar will be held at lunch tomorrow in the Enclave for all in this position: it will discuss common plants, insects, and even minerals out there that you can use to sustain yourselves during your hunts without taking from the kills you make." Another round of shocked voices rose from the mass of bodies and many were shouting questions already. Some of those near the front were demanding answers: why them? Why were they being punished with food restrictions? Why not the Dek? They were disposable! "Citizens, please, quiet! Let me finish!" As he spoke, the whistle of the wind swept through the room once more and a figure far in the back of the throng flinched, ducking against the wall before hastily slipping out and making his way as far from the Inarta (and few non-Inarta) currently gathered as he could. "You Avora currently holding positions in the forges will find yourselves with less work. Glass workers, you are being asked to cooperate with the blacksmiths for the duration of the famine to aid them in providing for our hunters. Dek who work in those areas will be expected to work the smith forges as well. You will be provided a bonus token for each day you work." Shouts of outrage now rose and Kaden took a step back from the edge of the stage. He did not want a riot to break out. Letting the cries taper slowly into silence again, the pensive man returned to the front and raised his voice once more. "These Dek working in the smithies, you are being given extra token for the extra labor you are being forced to do. You will need your strength to ensure we all survive. If you fail to complete your days labor, however, you will not receive the bonus. Now-" He scanned the crowd as his voice carried on, wary and ready to be done with the declaration as soon as possible. "-Chiet. All Chiet in non-essential positions will need to come to me immediately for reassignment. Your abilities will be assessed to determine where better you can be placed to help the city survive. This will also apply to Dek. Tunnel-sweeps, wall-washers, aerie cleaners, all of you and more are being reassigned. For those of you whose abilities prohibit labor in other parts of the city...I am afraid you are on your own." He paused, listening as the word was spread to the back again, many Dek crying out in dismay. Many, if not most, of those were going to die... "All Avora hunters: for any of you who have not chosen an apprentice or only have one, you are being required to select from the Yasi any who you believe could benefit in providing food for the city. Hunters should have at least two apprentices. These apprentices must accompany you on your hunts at all times until the famine has ended. Many of you have already been inspecting the youth, and for that I am grateful." His eyes moved to Kovac, a nod of approval to the Archer given. His mongrel status aside, not even Kaden could deny the man was useful. "Endal, specifically you Warhawks: Two flights are being reassigned to solely hunting duty. Scour the seas, the cliffs, the valleys. Everything. We need every wing on duty if we intend to make it to Spring. White Owl: all but one flight is being reassigned to trade routes with the Harriers. We need to reach out to Lhavit, Kenash, Riverfall, and Syliras. If your flights happen upon any Svefra on the Suvan try to make contact and see if they can provide us food. If it is within our ability, provide for the debt owed." The murmurs were constant now, Kaden no longer able to quell the assault of inquiries. The most common was how long will it last and this, Kaden chose not to answer. Who could honestly say? "Lastly, the following locations will be closed as of the first of winter until the famine has ended." And he began to list them off one by one to the dismay of his kinsmen. The Glass Reverie The Shrine The Enclave (except for special hunter-only seminars) Craft Gallery The Fighting Pits (without permission) The Nesting Area (limited to 3 dek to care for the 2 hatchlings that were born in Spring) The Edge of the World Tomb of those that have fallen Suren Cliffs The Learning Gallery The Inclement Weather The Dreaming Lady The Lost Sense The uproar that came when all of the Entertainment facilities were deemed closed until the famine had ended came expectedly. He could see Akvin's face grow tense as his one place of enjoyment and release was now closed to him. Even Glav looked displeased to hear that these and other key spots had closed. It would not do well for the domain if a riot began... "For those of you whose work is in those locations, I am sorry, but Wind Reach can not at this time afford the frivelties of entertainment and there are other priorities in the city to that of craft making. If something may be needed, it may be commissioned to the related artisan, but otherwise will not be managed on a regular schedule until further notice. For those that are now displaced of work, your skills will be assessed and you will be reassigned to another position until which time we can afford your previous job to resume." Kaden took another deep, woeful breath and looked upon the horrified, angry, and even sad faces that filled the Inclement. "Are there any questions that have not been already answered or clarified?"

[Azira]

   

Azira had slipped in as the Valintar had begun his speech. She had been locked away in her room, suffering from a severe headache of the sort that had been plaguing her since hitting her head in the Aeries collapse, and had only been alerted about the meeting by the shouts from outside her door. Following a string of Dek down to the Inclement Weather, she had forced her way in through the doorway and had done her best to press through the crush of people but had only managed to get part of the way in. Conceding defeat, she stared where she was and listened intently to the announcement.

The ripple of shock that went through the crowd at the mention of famine was tangible as many citizens gasped in horror, some exchanging terrified looks or covering their faces with their hands. The huntress stood in shock as the man continued, listing how each caste would be affected.

She felt dismay at the idea of providing for herself in the field when food was so scarce. Surely they had to know that they were condemning the hunters to die, alone and hungry out in the cold of the forests. It was a terrifying thought and the situation only got worse.

They were being ordered to take on Yasi apprentices. Two of them. The teen remembered with horror the accident that had befallen Erade and she feared for the safety of the untrained youths. They would certainly die in the winter conditions and the hunters couldn't possibly ensure their safety. Two green youths would be more of a hinderance than a help so she couldn't understand the reasoning.

Azira felt none of the outrage of her fellows when they learned that the entertainment facilities would be closed. She felt a small pang of sadness that the Enclave would be closed but figured that she'd have far more important things to worry about in the near future.

When the request for questions was put forward, the huntress found herself remaining silent, unsure if she'd say something she'd regret if she opened her mouth. 

x

[Syveris]

Syveris had been in the Glass Reverie when the calling came. All Inarta had to go to the Inclement Weather, as the Valintar had summoned them to an important announcement. Virat had patted her in the back, urging her to go as soon as she could. So she had done just so, as her mentor followed slower after her.

When she reached the Inclement Weather, the Avora was impressed by the many Inarta already inside, listening to the announcement. Pushing her way between the crowd, Syveris walked towards the stage, squeezing herself enough between the Inartans so she was able to find a place almost in the middle of the room. She fought the urge to try and find those she knew. The place was too full already, and to walk around would only mean she would be pushed away from the stage. It would be better to just focus on the announcement, at least for the time being.

Syveris listened closely, biting her lips when the famine was mentioned. The Fall had been tough, something that all Inartans knew, with so much hardship already that she almost thought it couldn't get worse. Actually, the Avora had hoped it would be a little better now, a hope she was now sure it would be crushed.

The woman shivered, unsure if it had been the wind or the announcement itself. The glassworkers would have to cooperate with the blacksmiths. The Avora wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but if it was a way of helping, she would try her hardest. However, her heart clenched when she heard the Glass Reverie would be closed. Many other locations would be, too, and Syveris wasn't sure on how she would go through the Winter without doing the things she loved the most, without doing the only things that could take her mind of the terrible events that had happened through Fall.

The Avora bit her lip once more. A friendly face would sure be nice, now. She couldn't think of a question to ask, not right then, not when her mind was still trying to accept the harsh announcements.

She only hoped the famine it wouldn't last through most of the Winter.

x
x

[Lavira]

Standing near the front as she was, Vira did not expect to be found by her friends and loved ones, so when Alori spoke directly into her ear, the teen nearly jumped out of her skin, rounding on the other with raised eyebrows. She then embraced the smaller woman. "Gods, Alori, you startled me. And I don't know, he was just getting back from a hunt I think. Mohya and I just got back ourselves." Evidenced by her now damp hair, the ice finally starting to melt.

It was bitter cold outside the city and hinted at the dreadful season that was nearly upon them. Even the winds crept through the city, as if with a mind of their own: it was terribly frightening and many had whispered Zulrav's name in fear.

Embracing her adopted sister briefly, Vira turned back to the stage. "Kind of strange that he would call a halt to work for a meeting, don't you think?" She said over the din, turning briefly when someone pushed past her to their own friends ahead (both muttering that they could have said excuse me). "It must be really big." That was when another pressed near, a Chiet girl she had met from the Aviary. The young woman had bright and intelligent eyes and a sharp mind. It was a wonder she hadn't been scooped up by an Avora for apprenticeship yet for she knew the ins and outs of birdkeeping and falconry as good as the next.

The girl was gesturing behind the two women towards one of the alcoves where a figure was standing up on a table. Vira turned then, following the finger with her single eye then brightening when she saw him. Her heart always skipped a beat when she saw the man, her breath catching in her throat. Though they were both bone-weary from the entire seasons urgency to catch and kill what they could, they always found time for one another, even if it was to simply pass out in each others arms on the couch at home.

"There he is; come on!" She grabbed Alori's hand and pulled her with her, pushing her way back instead of forwards to where Kovac stood, not realizing she had passed that young woman who had been with Alori, Kovac, and Turrin when the Storm had struck and they had been forced to try and get through the tunnels to the cut off where she, Azira, and Aose had been. Waving her arm high as she moved to get his attention, they pushed through until they reached the alcove and climbed up with him.

"Hey hon, crazy morning, huh?" She gave him a tense hug, letting her uncertainty about the meeting translate through her embrace. It wasn't long after that that Kaden began to speak. It was immediately apparent the gravity of the situation when he began.

From job reassignments to new flight requsitions to location closures, what was coming was not going to be good. As best she could, the woman studied the token the man held up and shared a look with Alori and Kovac, the three of them hunters. They had the extra meal for when they were in the city, but they were going to be on their own thereafter? And they had to take on rookies? Petch, Vira was still a rookie herself!

Lowering her voice, she spoke to the two by her, "The lower castes are going to starve with these new rules..." Her mind was already filled with questions but she held her piece until the very end, listening to the rest of the announcement. "At least they are offering some survival training." The thought that the hunters themselves were going to have to provide for themselves for every night they were in the field was horrifying, especially if the Avora were going to be forced to take on assistants.

These greenhorns would never survive if the Avora themselves would not be able to catch and kill game. It really was sending these chicks to their death...Vira found herself slipping her hand into Kovacs and squeezing it but for and in supply of support. Kovac had already been elevating Yasi but had not taken on any apprentices yet. To Alori and Kovac, she whispered, "Mohya will fly the youths as we need to. She has never disliked children, but how are we supposed to support them when we're having a hard enough time on our own..."

The location closures was unsettling since many of these held the bulk of work for the non-hunters. What were they going to do now? Most of them had zero survival-related skills, how were they going to make it?

At last, Kaden was finished and as the room assaulted him with their own queries, the Valintar was choosing to ignore most of them. Raising her hand tentatively, Vira waited for to catch the mans attention before shouting out her inquiry.

"Sir, for the flights that leave for the other domains, will they be permitted to hunt those lands for food during their stays in those cities and are you accepting volunteers for those who are not Wild Harriers?"

~Child, what are you doing?~

You've heard what he has said, Mohya. It's going to get bad...I'm not as strong a hunter as Kovac or even Alori, and though I am working on it, I have a long way to go. I don't feel right hunting without a bird on arm anyways and Qeeta's not ready to fill Tulaj's role. Her leg isn't strong enough yet.

~Lavira, be careful. I haven't the same endurance the Harriers have for trade flights and you should discuss this with Kovac; you know he will either refuse to let you leave or force you to take him with you. He is so protective since the storm, he-~

I know. We will have to see what the Valintar says.

Her gaze had moved between Kovac and Kaden frequently, listening for his answer.

[Turrin]

Making his way through the gathered crowd, Turrin was stone face as he looked for a specific person. He haven't seen her since her birthday, but he knew that she would be waiting for him. The Myrian had a feeling the meeting would be about the upcoming winter, and the lack of food in the winter stores. Food rationing with come and many Inarta will die from starvation and violence, but he knew for certain the first ones to get blamed for the woes of the gingers will be the outsiders, half breeds, and the Deks. As his golden eyes scanned the crowds, he saw Alori, Kovac, and Lavira together. He smiled to himself because he knew those three were basically a family, and they would get through the hard time together. The Endal caught the eyes of Azira and gave the young woman a respectful nod. He knew the woman cared little for him, but he could still be polite to her regardless of her feelings towards him. Turrin eyes fell upon Syveris, so he walked over to laid a hand on his shoulder and said in Nari, “You need anything from me, Syveris next session. Come to my aeries. The door will always be open for you.” The half-Inarta enjoyed the young woman's company, and he could see one day calling the young woman friend. Giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, he said with a smile, “We should have a serious talk about you becoming hunter.” Turrin gave her a nod with a smile, turned the other direction, and walked to the white haired woman sitting on the ground by the wall. The Symenestra looked exhausted with her long legs pressed up to her chest. The Myrian walked up to the wall, slid down next to her, and put a comforting arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close. Drusilla was a good friend since he first came to Wind Reach, so he cared about her well-being more than anyone else in the city. However, since the fall started, he didn't have much time to spend with her with the long hunting trips and disasters that plagued the city as of late. Turrin knew that he had to make it up to her somehow, so he said softly, “Dru...sorry I haven't been around to see if you were safe... My duties as a Endal has been stretching me pretty thin at the moment. I know it not a excuse, but I promise to make it up to you.” Turrin looked up at the gingers around him and could tell the crowd was getting antsy with anticipation of the Valintar's announcement. He just hoped that he didn't been to restrain any of these passionate human's before the night is over. Still resting a reassuring arm around Drusilla's shoulder, Turrin listened to the Valintar's plans about dealing with the famine. Food rationing was a sound plan, but he had a feeling that it only be a bandage for a gaping wound. The Dek will be the first people to die since most of them can't physically function to contribute to Wind Reach. Unless letting the Dek was his plan all along since their would be less mouths to feed. It was a horrible thought, but it was reality in a city with limited resources. When he mentioned the Enclave was holding seminars on survival skills, he would definitely have to take advantage of it, but since he was Myrian, he knew that he could survive on a diet of blood for a week. It was not the most accepted practices outside of Toloba, but he would do anything to survive. He started going through the tasks for each of the castes, and he really didn't have a problem with what was needed to be done. However, Turrin knew with the amount of hunters heading out in the winter. The wild lands around Skyinarta will be depleted rapidly till nothing with be found in the valleys, so the Endal will have to venture farther into Unforgiving to catch prey. Turrin will have to mention it to the Valintar. When he assigned the specific duties to the flights, Turrin took a deep breath because he knew that he would spend most of next season in a tent since he was a Warhawk. He looked over at Drusilla and said with a smile, “Well, I guess I will be living in a tent during the winter.” He knew that he was trying to lighten the mood, but he wanted to be here, so he could keep a eye on Drusilla. Turrin listened longer about closing the entertainment facilities till the famine was over and shook his head and muttered under his breath, “You are making a vary unwise mistake...dammit man think of peoples moral! Is he trying to start a upheaval in the city...” Shooting a worried look at Drusilla, Turrin said softly, “Drusilla if it gets bad in the city, you can stay in my aeries till the famine ends. I don't want to see you hurt...” Averting his eyes, he said softly, “Sorry I know you can take care of yourself.” When the Valintar asked if their was any questions, Turrin stood up and made his way up to the stage and called up to the Valintar, “Valintar, I know we all are facing troubling times in the near future, but I have notice game around Skyinarta is getting scares, but if we saturate the valleys and the forests around out beloved volcano with hunters. We will soon find the game going from scarce to nonexistent in the near future because of over hunting. The game might be animals, but they won't hang around the mountain to get shot by one of hunters. Besides, it might bring Djed infused creatures closer to the city or Zith.” Looking at the Valintar, he said with no hestitation in his voice, “What I suggest is we start making hunting outpost farther into the Unforgiving. The Endal could ferry the Avora hunters to the more remote regions to look for food, and we would have a place to store our kills till we can bring it back to Wind Reach.” Turrin took a deep breath and looked around at the pale faces around him and said softly, “Also, we have another untapped hunting ground in the Underground Forest. The giant bats are heavy with meat. I hunted in there many times in my youth that the mushroom forest has many things like the bats, insects, and mushrooms that we could exploit for food.”