I beg your pardon - I had no idea! (Edelweiss)

[Kye Rivers]

Fall 5, 513 Twilight lay softly on the land, as Kye stepped almost silently through the now brown, swaying grasses. Autumn had arrived, and though the first frost was still a few weeks off, he could smell the change in the air. The leaves on the few trees that dotted up above the great plain of waving gold were just beginning to dry. He had to move more carefully, for fear of snapping twigs and crackling foliage underfoot, and Gem also had a stealthier stride as she snuffled forward. Watcheyes was tied up a ways behind them, not too far though. Kye had no desire to turn his pack horse into a trussed up dinner for a glass beak, or a grass bear. Hopefully, though, if what he thought was ahead, he’d make good use of the horse’s broad back when it came to packing out the carcass – of an elk! He’d seen the hoofprints a mile or so back, near one of the rare flowing streams that criss crossed the dry sea, if you knew where to look for them. Kye was not especially adept at land navigation. But he had very carefully made mental notes of the landmarks one of the Akalaks in Riverfall had described to him. It should be enough to keep him pointed in the right direction, until he could turn around and head back to the cliff side city. This stream he’d crossed was one such landmark, and it drew animals of all kinds, of course, before it flowed on and into the Bluevein. He’d seen the elk tracks, and thought them odd, for there seemed to be something that had blurred them as well a bit. He’d lost them for a while, but Gem had picked up the scent a few minutes before, and now they both moved forward with great caution. Gem, neck hair bristling, was almost crouching now, so Kye did the same. With arrow to bow, he lowered himself, inching forward, using the tip of the arrow to part the dry grass, which was almost head high. Squinting in the dim light, he peered into the small clearing ahead. His eyes widened and he was quite surprised. He’d heard of such things, but never laid eyes on one before. For a moment, he was mesmerized by the sight. But then he slowly raised his bow, pulling his hand back to shoulder level, as he took a bead on the magnificent animal.

[Edelweiss]

Edelweiss had been walking for a while; the wagon was starting to feel heavy across his shoulders and neck. He was making slow but decent time but he finally had enough and slipped from harness and wagon. He simply changed then changed quickly back causing hunger to gnaw fiercely at his stomach. He had been hungry before but after the change he felt as if he were starving. So leaving his wagon in the grass he moved away into a nice area with grass still faintly green. The brown grass was far from the sweet taste that the green held.

He took one step here then another one there as his head kept to the ground. He was having a fine time of it when he suddenly felt an odd sensation. His ears perked up and he lifted his head to search for the cause. It was the time the sun made it hard for him to see in this form, but it was the easiest to be in as he traveled. It was far easier to find food like this. His white coat gleamed in the fading light like a spot light. He didn’t know this, never thought about it. Giving a small snort he looked around once more before returning to his meal.

What did he care of a strange feeling? He was hungry; it wasn’t like he couldn’t run. He had seen a single glass beak and Edelweiss had turned and took off. The animal was faster than him but he was smarter; and any case it hadn’t followed him. He took another step to find a new bit of grass to snip up. He had to eat before he set up a fire and bunked down for the night; or he would wake up having lost half his body weight from changing back and forth. Again he felt that odd feeling and he tensed and once more he lifted his head to search for the cause.

There! His nose quivered and his head swung toward the spot where Kye was hiding. He couldn’t see anything though; he just smelled something. It was the dog that lay hidden, an animal Edelweiss knew but didn’t feel threatened from normally. What if it were hurt? Turning to the spot he thought the dog was, he walked forward trying to see past the last glittering light of the sun.

[Kye Rivers]

Kye slowly and steadily pulled in a deep breath, prepared to hold it then as he took his final aim and released the arrow. But at that very moment, the elk turned, and he froze. Gem, well trained dog that she was, also stopped in her tracks, ears flat to her square head. If she’d been off with more of her kind, her technique would be to run the quarry to ground and attack, trying to latch on to its throat and throttle the breath out of it. But when she hunted side by side with her master, her role was more typically to simply track prey by scent, and alert him when they came very close. Kye’s eyes narrowed as the elk, like some surreal towering ivory statue, also stood solemnly still – looking straight at him! Of course, he knew the intervening grass hid him from actual sight. But he could tell that the animal knew – it was being watched. Still without moving, Kye waited, hesitating. By dropping his bow just a hair, he could still plant the arrow squarely in its chest. But something held his hand. Was it the elk’s beauty? Its seemingly placid composure? Its grace? Its strength? All foolish indeed, for a hunter to consider. He waited one second more, and then – it was stepping towards him! He could hardly believe his eyes – or his luck! His quarry was coming to him! All he need do was loose the projectile and the razor sharp head would bury itself in that snowy fur, and the dark ruddy brown muscle beneath. At this range, he could easily penetrate the heart itself, and lay the animal down right in its tracks. A merciful death – swift and clean. Yet still, he made no move to let fly his arrow. There could be no question. The elk was coming right to him, and Gem was quivering, ready to throw herself at its neck. Kye knew he should have taken his shot. There was no way he could have missed, as each delicately placed hoof reduced the span between them, and brought them closer together. One step more, and another, and another – then Kye sighed, audibly. He just could not shoot such a beautiful creature – not while looking almost right into its great liquid brown eyes. He straightened and waved his arms, calling out, “Hey! Hey! Go On! Run! Go on... Go!” He was actually smiling – at the majesty of the beast, and at his own ridiculousness. So, he lost out on one white elk? So what? There would be others. This one would live – because it was bold. Because it was beautiful. Because…well, hell, just because he felt like it. Gem, her head cocked to the side in confusion, watched her master with a look that said plainly, Have you gone nuts?!”

[Edelweiss]

Edelweiss had felt no fear in approaching what was watching him, it could easily be said he didn’t have a single bit of sense in his skull; but in reality he has just never been hurt. He had fallen now and then; got pinched or swatted; but in the grand scheme of things that was nothing. He never learned to fear anything; to know what it was like to face death and escape by a hair on his head. So like a foolish babe he moved toward the scent of a dog. He knew dogs and knew only that they were creatures to pet and to hug; to run with.

That the dog scent hadn’t moved had him wondering if it were indeed wounded; if so he would need to help it. Didn’t smell like a dead thing at least. He heard a sigh and stiffened; his haunches shivering as the muscles in his legs bunched as the need to run suddenly erupted inside him. Yet like a fool he stood still as the human sat up and started to wave and shout at him. His eyes however, caught the bow. That strange feeling had been this man hunting him; and with the scent of a dog he wasn’t alone in the hunt. Gray eyes widened and Edelweiss nearly did bolt.

Yet having nearly shot him or not, the human was chasing him off. It was a close call but Edelweiss remembered his wagon in time and faced with want to run away and with the need to go where it was safe; he shifted. He would pay for it but he changed. Where once an elk had stood a human now took its place. His skin and hair still glowed and gleamed just as brightly as his fur had; and without clothes it was just the same expanse. His eyes were wide, like this it was very clear to see how scared he was. He was shivering and he gripped the elbows of his arms as if he was trying to hug himself.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what I did but I’m sorry.” His voice quivered and shook, and warily he stepped back as he now could see the dog with better eyes. Such a dog wasn’t like his father’s herding animals; this dog was made to kill. He felt a chill bite at his now exposed skin. That odd cold hadn’t been there before and he wondered at the back of his mind if that cold was from fear or weather. Edelweiss was as slender and delicate looking as his other form; he even carried over that odd soundless grace without any notice on his part. A normal man might take a step and have the dead grass crunch under him, but not Edelweiss. “If you’re going to steal from me I don’t have anything with worth but a bug netting.” His eyes never left the man or his bow.

[Kye Rivers]

Kye practically dropped his bow in surprise. This encounter was one he hadn’t expected in the least, as he began to track the elk. No – Kelvic – for here stood a young man on two legs, where a moment before the white elk had been on four. And like the beautiful pearlescent animal, the young man was as white, as glimmering, if only for a moment, as fur pelt transformed to pale skin, and the only hair left on this biped was the cottony thatch atop his head. Kye managed not to drop his bow, but his jaw did drop down, and he tried to gather his scattered thoughts. But the amazement emptied his mind and stiffened his tongue. His one and only thought was of how very, very close he had come to launching that lethal projectile into this delicate creature, and that realization made his gut churn in sick grief. The shining grey eyes, gone wide with alarm, made his heart melt – the way the Kelvic looked at him with such anguish and trepidation. And when the boy gripped at his bare form, shivering visibly, Kye felt a stab of pain in his own heart, for what had almost happened – what he had almost just done - touched so close to his own history. And then the Kelvic was talking, stammering out an unwarranted apology, in a shaky voice, as Kye raised his one hand, palm outwards, in negation of the boy’s words, and in a gesture that he meant no harm. All Kye could get past his own internal self-condemnation was, “No – no, don’t….I won’t…” But the still faintly iridescent creature was clearly too wary of the man’s motivations, as he took a cautious step backwards. ”If you’re going to steal from me I don’t have anything with worth but a bug netting,” he said, in a voice that was growing in boldness, though the Kelvic’s eyes were trained carefully on Kye, and his bow. Finally Kye found his own voice, and the confounded lines of his face relaxed as he made an attempt to reassure this ethereal creature that he had no further intention of aggression – or – murder… “It’s I that owes you an apology. I didn’t know…. I – I was hunting, and I found your tracks. But there was no way for me to know that you were not…a simple animal. Please – I don’t mean you any harm. Not any longer.” His voice dropped and was tinged with shame, as he slung his bow over his shoulder with the string running over his chest, returning the arrow to the quiver at his back. With a staying motion, he broke his gaze away from Edelweiss for a moment to give Gem the command to lay down and stay put. “She won’t either,” he added. “I…I’m sorry – that we…we were trying to…” His dark green eyes came back to those near silver ones. He shook his head. “To kill you…” he said, his voice full of woe for what his hand might have wrought this day.

[Edelweiss]

Edelweiss looked at the human; he had never been scared of someone before. He hadn’t ever thought someone would hurt him. He could just give them what they wanted and he would be left alone. He didn’t have anything interesting and what he had he was ever willing to share. The man seemed shocked at the sight of him. The man spoke and Edelweiss frowned ever so slight as he didn’t understand what no and don’t was for. A different language? His fear was ebbing a bit as curiosity got the better of him; but that horrid fear was like an animal clawing its way from his stomach.

He looked at the empty hands, hardly any more reassure by the new lack of bow then he was when he could see the horrid thing. It would have punctured him, his lungs or his heart. He would have died and never changed back to a human. He would be gone. Death was not scary, but as Edelweiss looked at the human; he decided that being killed was. As the man finally spoke, Edelweiss relaxed further but made no attempt to get closer or turn his attention from the man; or his dog. When the bow was moved he tensed and his eyes nearly rolled like a frightened animal.

It was pure will that kept him from doing it, he couldn’t afford to look from what might happen; and everything was put away. He blinked slowly and peered at the man, wondering why he was even here. “There are no Elk in the Sea of Grass, no deer.” His voice was calmer and softer. It was neither high nor breaking from panic. He glanced at the dog; laying or not it would move faster than him. Yet he had apologized and scared or not Edelweiss took a deep breathe then sighed. Abruptly he relaxed and let his arms drop to his side. “Okay, just you might ask if someone is a Kelvic next time.” It was meant to be a joke, but Edelweiss couldn’t help touching his chest as if he might protect his heart.

With an involuntary shiver he visibly took another deep breath then smiled; warmly and welcoming as if nothing happened. “My names Edelweiss, yours?” He was pushing it aside, forcing it to be in the past. Maybe not a healthy thing to do but it was something he always did to bad things. The few that ever happened anyway.

[Kye Rivers]

When the Kelvic smiled, Kye felt a bit of relief wash through him, though the chagrin he felt was still quite acute. At least the creature seemed willing to forgive his horrible indiscretion – although perhaps the young man was only trying to placate him – to further ensure that he would not change his mind and skewer him on the tip of an arrow. Of course, no such thing would happen. Kye looked at the fragile seeming youth and felt not only disgust at what he had almost accomplished but even a sense of wishing to right this wrong – this insult. He should have known better than to make assumptions. He of all people should have known better. But he was a hunter by trade – he knew nothing else. He’d not encountered this situation before – tracking down and almost dispatching a Kelvic whose animal form was one of prey. Those Kelvics he had encountered were largely predators, or domestic animals. But the youth was right. He should have questioned his own knowledge of the plains. Elk were creatures of the forest, not these swaying grasslands. He really should have been thinking, and not so intent upon the hunt. But perhaps, as the Kelvic extended an olive branch by means of offering up its name, his ignorance could be rectified. A curiosity was growing within Kye, about this unique creature, and if it chose to forgive his transgression, he’d certainly avail himself of the opportunity to learn more about him. “I’m Kye,” he replied, his voice more even now that the shock of almost killing this beautiful creature was somewhat abating. He hesitated, then put his hand forward. Its texture would no doubt feel rough, the skin hardened by years of life out of doors and wrangling with ropes and reins and bow strings. But it was warm, and strong as well. “Kye Rivers. And you are right. For all my years as a hunter, you would think I should have known it impossible to find Elk here. But…I wasn’t thinking.” He paused, looking into the Kelvic’s oddly colored eyes. “Next time…I’ll ask,” he joked in return, allowing himself a small smile. The state of undress of the creature wasn’t lost on Kye – he of course was growing more aware of it with every passing second. But even though such nudity amongst this race was for the most part unremarked by most of the world’s inhabitants, in this instance, Kye felt he should add, “I’ve disturbed your…grazing. I’m sure you’d like to get back to that, and a form that leaves you somewhat less vulnerable. If you wish to shift back, please, I promise, I won’t molest you further.” He had no idea if the Kelvic had any human trappings around – a cache of clothing or what have you. But this human form was surely not one the Kelvic would wish to keep for long, in such a dangerous environment. The elk at least had size, speed and a good set of antlers to help ward off foe – unless they carried a bow… A thought occurred to Kye, and he asked curiously, “Are you from Riverfall? Or heading there?” He himself had left the city a few days previously, and his plan was to turn soon and make his way back, with whatever game he’d been able to secure. He was still trying to line up a job as a hunter for one of the merchant caravans that would be leaving the city in the near future. Meantimes, he had grown weary of the enclosed space, beautiful as it was, and had felt the need to stretch his legs for a bit. “I’m heading back there tomorrow. If that’s your destination, Edleweiss, we could travel together… if you’ve a mind to.”

[Edelweiss]

Kye, was he another from those mountains the man Jervis had told him about? Such a short name, it seemed sound enough for the man though. Seeing the extended hand he hesitated before reaching out and taking it. His own skin was soft and smooth; the result of shifting his hands to hooves. They would hardly be able to get calluses. When the human started speaking again he withdrew his hand and wiggled his fingers as if to dissipate the odd feeling of touching him.

Slowly Edelweiss nodded, but really he still was wary. It might be a joke now but what would have happened if he hadn’t shifted? “It would be nice if you did; or just stick to fish. No Kelvic can be fish.” He was sure of this from a book. Mammals and birds were the rule. It seemed odd to him that it might have been possible for a snake at some point. Yet how horrid would it have been? A snake was cold blooded after all; they should not change to a mammal and a warm blooded creature at that. He returned the smile with a small one of his own.

He nodded slowly, but he wasn’t quick to shift back. To many times in one day, he was starving and shaky. He needed to get something to eat or pay for it. It was a shame there were no trees. Soft bark was so much easier to eat then this dying grass. So deep in his thoughts of food, Edelweiss gave a start as Kye spoke again. “Riverfall? Yes I’m going there. I wanted to see the place where they can keep fish out of water." He was so very interested in this that it was like a drive. “They also have animals, and I heard whisper of a library.” He wondered if he could persuade them to release a book to him.

He stilled at the suggestion to travel together, his body was unnaturally still. Finally it was broken by a small nod which caused white hair to fall around his face. A flick of his hand and the strands were sent back. “Okay, so long as your; dog stays away from me.” He gave a soft shutter. He had never seen a dog hunt but it couldn’t be pretty. “My wagon is just a bit from here; I can go there and get clothes.” He didn’t have to know the man to know his state was well known. Humans never liked it; his parents had hated it to the point of threatening to collar him if he didn’t learn to keep his clothes.

He had, but he still felt a lot better without them. “Do you have one? It would have been hard to carry me dead by yourself.” He was not yet full grown, but it didn’t mean he was small. It was a fool that would leave a white elk hide behind or even some of the meat. He knew the price on his animal halves head.

[Kye Rivers]

Edelweiss was gracious enough to accept Kye’s proffered handshake, and the man marveled at how small and soft the Kelvic’s hand was. Of course he had no idea what Edelweiss did when not in his Elk form. But it just seemed funny that such a big, strong creature should transform to one so ethereal. Both forms held their own grace, their own elegance, and beauty, but the human Edelweiss was by far much more delicate, even down to his hands. And Kye was further gratified to see the equally small, fleeting smile that came and went so shyly on the Kelvic’s pale face. His guilty conscience leapt upon these nominal signs of forgiveness, though he would continue to feel bad for what he’d almost done. He was pleased too, when the Kelvic replied that indeed he was bound for Riverfall – though Kye's brow wrinkled at mention of fish living out of water. He had no idea what that was all about. But he had nodded, and said, “Yes, it’s a wondrous city, and a whole sanctuary devoted to the raising and care of animals of many varieties. They even have healers who devote themselves to such.” It took a long moment for Edelweiss to actually consider his suggestion of traveling that way together, though, and Kye did not press. He could easily understand the reservations the Kelvic would have about such company, despite his own assurances that he would not harm the young man. So he waited, and let Edelweiss come to his own decision. The answer, when given, was somewhat hesitant, and the Kelvic specifically asked for some assurances that Gem would not be allowed near him. Kye knew that the dog wouldn’t dream of hurting the Kelvic, human or elk, without his command, which would not be given, ever. But he readily agreed to the stipulation, thinking it was a fair one and easy enough to make, and enforce. “You have my word on that, Edelweiss. Her name is Gem, and she is completely obedient to me, but I will make sure she stays away from you.” And putting word into action, he gave the dog a command that had her tilting her head to the side, but then laying down in the grass and visibly relaxing. In reply to Edelweiss’ question, Kye said, “I have a pack horse. He’s tied up, back there a ways.” He nodded, looking back over his shoulder. “If you like, you can go back to your wagon and dress, or shift, or whatever you prefer, and I’ll go fetch my horse. I’ve left him overlong as it is. We’ll meet you at your wagon. It’s late enough to make camp for the night.” Whether the Kelvic shifted or not, or dressed or not, Kye would not be bothered in any case. His father had been a Kelvic, after all, as had his brother, though he never knew either of them. For their sake especially, he was inclined to treat Edelweiss with as much courtesy and forbearance as he could.

[Edelweiss]

Edelweiss saw the confusion; so far everyone reacted the same way. He hoped the rumor wasn’t something made up to tease him. “They catch fish and put them in this clear stuff, then you can see them swim and move. I don’t know what they put the fish in but they are not in the lakes, rivers or oceans.” He really wanted to see. He nodded, growing excited as he thought of all that he could see in such a place. Only animals he knew were in old crumbly books and from people’s stories. Sheep horses and dogs he could hardly count.

“Healers,” he spoke to himself quietly. What was a healer was it hard? Edelweiss wanted to ask but stopped himself short as the human, Kye; finally had his dog stop looking at him like the last piece of meat on a bone. It hardly reassured him that she would listen to the man; or that she lay down. “Why would you name a dog?” He looked at it with an air of distaste; but then he looked from the dog to Kye. “A horse is good.” He had let his eyes flicker toward the direction just briefly. “Okay, I will wait for you.” He didn’t wait but set off through the dying light.

He didn’t make a sound as he moved, but his back was stiff as he had to turn it to the human and his dog. He wasn’t worried he would be shot now; if he died he would be human; no money in that. He managed good time to his wagon and with a grateful heave he was in the back and opening his chest. As always his key was tied in his hair and out of sight. As an Elk it was looped into one of his slow growing antlers. He fished out his clothing and was soon covered in warm but equally white cloth.

He glanced at his boots but decided against them, they were clunky loud things that made him feel like a goose. In his hunger he grabbed some of his food rations and started eating. He wouldn’t have needed to eat the tasteless stuff if he hadn’t been forced to shift so quickly back and forth. Maybe he would buy more when he got to town. Looking at the odd crumbly block Edelweiss grimaced. With some luck it would taste better than this. Maybe he could buy hay, now that was a far better thought. He continued his nibbling and waited patiently for Kye to come. Hay, and see if he couldn’t get a fish to live outside of water to.

“Hello, human?” He kicked his feet back and forth, he was tall enough that they brushed the ground and would be unable to move if he didn’t sit so far back in his wagon.