[The Wolf's Cave]

[Nephti]

25th Winter 515

Sayana's new appearance had resulted in a change of lodging, a feral place called the Wolf's Cave. Zith, kelvic and other strange creatures inhabited the cave rooms, Nephti scared to move far from her own room. But when she got hungry, she had to leave, and the little light clung to the shadows, avoiding the wild creatures that resided there.

She could feel the lights through the tunnels. There were many, burning brightly, leading her way as she dodged between zith and kelvic. Priskil's gift let her feel the presence, using it to try navigate through the maze. Eventually, the tunnel opened up to where those candles were, a large cavern with mismatched furniture and boulders for tables.

Slowly, she slunk to a seat at the bar, looking at the menu for what there was. "Some water and bread please," she asked politely, passing over the coins as her meal was placed in front of her. The girl looked around nervously, glad that most were distracted by their own food or with each other. On one side of her sat a pair of kelvic, at least she believed so as they looked more human than the other races. On the other side the seat was empty, but not for long.

A young zith slid beside her, silky black fur covering him. His bat wings folded to fit in the gape, covering him like a badly made cape. Curious eyes watched her, the zith boy tilting his head a little as she tried to ignore him, taking a bite of bread with trembling hands. He continued watching, claws reaching forward.

Nephti held her breath as he grabbed the lower arms, in which she held the older pack of tarot cards, but which rested on her lap not moving. His claws scratched her skin lightly but he didn't notice, pulling the arm up. With the jerk, Nephti's hand loosened, sending cards flying. The girl was too scared to move to fetch them, instead looking back and forth between the zith and the cards scattered around her chair.

"What are you?" the boy zith asked with a raspy voice, moving her arms around like she was a doll. Eventually he dropped them, Nephti quickly retracting her arms. He still watching curiously, almost in a primitive way.

"I.." she stuttered, closing her eyes and concentrating on Priskil, on the emotions of innocence and hope. A mild glow came from her palm, soothing her fear. "I am Eypharian," she replied, opening her eyes and realising the gnosis mark glowing had brought even more curiosity from the zith boy. He tilted his head even more, eyes round with awe. Once again he snatched her hand, examining the glowing vortex. Nephti let him this time. He was young and curious. She had been wrong to be so scared.

[Sayana]

Despite her best efforts she felt like an outsider. There were looks, savage glares, fear in their eyes and dissent even within the overcrowded lodgings of the Wolf’s Cave. Even though she had initially only guessed at potential disagreement between colonies, it was more evident within the confined spaces of the tavern. A growl, a casual slash of a claw. But the real question was, is this normal for the beasts?

There was a scuffle in one of the corridors. “When are we going to get real food? I want to see it live and squirming before I touch it. I’m going hunting!” In a huff, the zith in question stalked off, leaving the confines of the Wolf’s Cave and presumably going after some food. Sayana watched from the shadowed hallways unsure if she should inform someone that the zith might be leaving the protection of the city. Would it matter? They were savages anyways and she was in no position to enforce much of anything. Her shoulder was healing, thanks to her soothing medicines, but it still ached if she moved it too much. But mostly she was just tired. The nocturnal tendency of the zith was throwing her sleep cycle off and sometimes she’d be awake during the day, other times the night, and still other times what felt like both day and night. When she could, she was targeting various zith with small bouts of hypnotism to reinforce some trust, but she was also concerned that some of them might be catching on.

As she stepped into the common room, her heart momentarily clenched. There was Nephti, with a zith grasping, pawing at her arms. “No!” She cried out and within a mere tick or two she was across the room, reaching to grab the zith’s hand. The young boy was startled at the sudden outburst and released the Eypharian’s hand. “Come Nephti, we’re going,” Sayana commanded with a beckoning wave. As long as she was alive, Nephti would never, never suffer the same fate she had. “Just pick up your cards and…”

Then reality clicked, or in this case illusion. Sayana remembered that all her words fell deaf upon the girl’s ears. For a moment she felt so incredibly alone, with only beasts to hear her words. What had she done to deserve this? She had killed and murdered. Cleansed…

She turned back to face the Eypharian and the zith, though with difficulty. “Tell her that it’s okay. And that you think her hand looks pretty. Just please be careful. She’s more delicate than you.” It was hard having to rely on someone else to talk to Nephti, or something else. The zith boy didn’t look nearly so dangerous with his eyes wide with curiosity.

Feeling suddenly rather fatigued, Sayana slumped into a low chair, not quite next to the pair but within easy eyesight. She looked about the room now wondering how the others were faring. They had fled their homes and now crowded here for safety. The streets were dangerous and there were rumors of people going missing. And here she was, stuck as a zith.

Sayana speaking Zithanese

[Nephti]

Sayana's sudden appearance shocked the boy, who released her hand quickly and stared at the older zith with a look of confusion. With this, Nephti shuffled away from him, trying to keep her distance. Sayana waved her hand, communicating with the boy in the language of the zith. Strangely, she then slumped into a chair nearby, looking around at the others.

The boy zith forgot her, turning back to Nephti. He didn't reach out to take her hand again, something she was grateful for. Instead he started to speak in a rough, growling voice, Common just as uncertain as Nephti's own.

"Okay. Pretty hand," he looked at Sayana as if for reassurance with what he was saying, "What is light? Strange light. Like you. You are strange." He looked at the older zith again, curious as to why she had burst in so suddenly to protect this strange girl. After all, he didn't know about the illusion. He thought he was faced with another zith.

"The light, hope. Gave Priskil, goddess to me. Gives hope to me. Gives hope to you?" she asked, knowing that the effects spread not only to her but to those near. The zith boy nodded, feeling the positive feelings that came from it. Nephti found herself smiling, bending down slowly to gather her tarot cards. She shuffled through them, finding the star. Some decks she knew contained an image of Zintila, goddess of stars, but the one she held had Priskil instead, the true meaning of the card.

"Priskil. Hope." She extended the card out, showing it to the boy. He examined it curiously, but strangely didn't reach forward to take it from her. "Gives hope to you." This time it was not a question, but a statement, a blessing. She repeated it in her mother tongue, the sentence more developed, "Let Priskil shine down on you from the stars and bless you with hope too."

Nephti had almost forgotten that Sayana was there until the boy looked back at her. The girl rose as she spoke, "Goodbye." She turned and made her way over to Sayana, smiling softly. "Thank you," she said to her, glad that the woman had been there to help her out of a bad situation.

[Sayana]

Sayana watched from afar at the exchange. Her illusioned wings twitched anxiously, but the zith boy seemed nothing but curious and glanced several times in her direction for guidance. She gave him little. Mostly she didn’t respond harshly when he no longer seemed threatening. There was a weariness about her, like something that hung heavily upon her shoulders. And her injuries were certainly not helping either, but at least they were at a point where she could mostly ignore the dull ache.

She looked up curiously when Nephti pulled out the star. Hope. Yes, the girl had hope. And the zith seemed to understand it a little. When at last Nephti approached Sayana, she found she had nothing she could say. Instead, she rose and put a comforting clawed hand upon the girl’s high shoulder. There was a feeling of warmth in that small action and for a moment Sayana wondered if it was the action or something more.

Words from the Seamstress echoed naggingly in her mind. Unite, lead, take away their fear and bring hope. It was time to begin fulfilling her promise.

She took Nephti’s high hand in hers and gently, with a little more finesse than before she began drawing upon her djed. It was getting easier to reach for but it still took concentration as she wove it up from within her and into the connection she shared with Nephti. As the magic weaved like a snake through their arms, she fueled it with purpose. Strong distinct thoughts she repeated over and over in her mind, “I want to help the zith. Help more of them. Give them courage, give them hope. Help them find peace and unity.” It was a rather convoluted message but she hoped that the overall suggestion would get through as she pushed the djed further up along Nephti’s arm towards mind.

Sayana gave a long exhale as she released the Eypharian’s hand, and then beckoned the girl, with her other hand, to join her.

There was a small fire crackling against one wall of the tavern and Sayana noticed a mix of races gathered by it. There were at least three or four zith, and to them she introduced herself. “I am Sayana and this is Nephti.” She gestured to herself and then to the Eypharian, partly for Nephti’s sake.

“She looks good enough to eat,” replied a female with a wicked grin. “Ain’t nothing here but illusions of food.” The zith let out a long laugh and beckoned Nephti forwards. However, Sayana reached immediately to take hold of the Eypharian’s arm before Nephti could take a step. With an animated shake of her finger Sayana replied, “Not for eating. But… she can make pretty lights. Whereas I can get you better food.” The group of zith turned their gaze upon Nephti curiously. Obviously her arms drew attention but the mention lights from nowhere attracted their attention. Sayana let go of the girl and tapped the palm of her hand with a finger. Then mimed a ball or luminous display using her fingers.

Sayana speaking Zithanese

[Nephti]

Sayana placed a clawed hand on her shoulder, the girl smiling at the warmth. Then her high hand was taken, her high hand. The action was small, slight, only holding meaning for the Eypharians. She smiled even more, somehow beaming while surrounded by the monsters. Magic swirled into her, thoughts mixing in her mind. Something about hope, peace... helping the zith. "You didn't have to ask," she replied with a whisper, showing her that she understood.

They made their way over to a gathering of zith, and other races, and Sayana gestured, showing the girl that she had spoken in the zith language. She watched the zith communicate, laughing, grinning, their words unheard. One beckoned Nephti closer, and the Eypharian tried to step forward, but was quickly stopped.

Something wasn't right then, but Nephti couldn't tell, forced to watch the subtle nuances in facial expressions to try understand. One wasn't as subtle - the zith looked upon Nephti curiously, no longer a little hungry. Sayana mimed what she had to do and Nephti nodded, extending the swirling vortex forward. The zith watched intently, entranced.

Then she closed her eyes, focusing hard, "Show them the light," a muttered prayer, in Arumenic. Her hand began to glow, but she didn't even see the mild glow, focusing hard, harder. The fire behind the zith picked up a little, glowing a little brighter, as did nearby candles. Courage, light and hope came to the zith nearby, lifting some negative emotions.

When she did finally open her eyes, the glowing had mostly subdued, but her hand still glowed faintly, moving to her side gently as the light decreased. This time she spoke in common, hoping the zith would understand. "We shine, the dark fears. Together light beat dark. Always."

[Sayana]

The glowing light was almost surreal and Sayana’s eyes darted to the fire as it picked up in strength. This time she could not deny the obvious warmth from the girl and that feeling of hope and safety. Was it all from the mark, or was the Eypharian adding some hypnotism into the mix? Regardless, she could see the results and looks of faint awe in the zith.

However, the female who seemed to be the leader of the small group had a different take on it. “I like her. I want her. You give her to me?” “No. She’s mine.” Sayana replied taking a step forwards. “Only yours if I don’t take her from you,” the zith challenged with a smirk as she flexed her claws.

“She’s mine!” Sayana snarled baring her teeth and drawing one of her smaller daggers. Everything about her body posture lent itself for combat as she stood knees bent ready to move and fight. There was a moment’s hesitation and then the zith finally backed down. “You said you knew how to get food?” The zith questioned.

“Yes…” Sayana dug into her vest and produced a single gold miza. As she handed it to the zith she explained, “Go find the shops where they sell meat and give this to them. They’ll give you something fresh. It might be dead but it’s still meat. Or alternatively… you could go fishing.” The zith in the group perked up curiously at her last point. “Just yesterday I caught five juicy fish in the ocean. They are salty but tasty. Bet you can’t catch as many as I did.” Sayana grinned with the challenge and some of the others were already twitching their claws at the thought of the new form of hunting. Clearly the mountains and forests were dangerous, but Sayana hoped that they might feel less constricted if they could pursue their hunting tendencies by the water instead. There were curious mutters amongst the small group and Sayana was quite sure she had struck home.

Where Nephti had given them hope, Sayana had given them purpose. With a low growl of acknowledgement and departure to the zith, Sayana turned her attention to the Eypharian and beckoned the girl to join her. They seemed to be making progress, one small step at a time. She wondered what the zith thought of the girl’s words regarding light conquering dark, since zith tended to thrive in the night and the darkness. Perhaps the light was much like the moon or stars.

A cry from outside alerted her that something was wrong, and Sayana quickly yanked open the door of the rustic tavern. It was somewhat dark outside, with Syna beginning to set and she quickly looked around to discover the source. There was a male zith leaning heavily against a tree with large gash upon his leg and cuts upon his wings. And yet, he was all alone despite various races entering and leaving the tavern or going to their various nooks and crannies in which they slept. Did he have no friends? What about his colony?

Cautiously she approached, and she could see the pain visibly upon his face. “I have medicine… and bandages.” Sayana spoke hesitantly and slowly produced some bandages and krolar paste from her vest. He shook his head and she stared at him in puzzlement. Was it pride that kept him from accepting the help?

Sayana speaking Zithanese

[Nephti]

The zith had a pointless little squabble, flexing claws and baring teeth. Some might had stepped back, hidden behind Sayana, but the mark had given her hope that it would be worked out. She no longer feared the zith, not fully, and knew that Sayana would stop anything bad from happening, to her and between the zith.

A dagger was drawn, but after a moment it was replaced with a coin, given to the zith. Whatever she said, the zith perked up, excited and curious. Sayana had done something more than give hope. She had somehow given them what they wanted, which distracted them from the Eypharian, leading to their quick departure.

Nephti looked up expectantly towards Sayana, but the woman was already rushing out to investigate the cry from outside. It was dark outside, but they didn't need light. The source of the cry stood not far from them, alone and injured. Nephti watched the zith, who was obviously injured but was making no attempt to ask for help or deal with his injures alone.

Sayana produced bandages, but the zith refused them. Nephti inched forward, taking the paste and bandages from the woman and slowly extending them towards the zith. He looked with more curiosity at the girl, shaking his head again. The Eypharian approached carefully, eyes trained on him with a sympathetic look.

She trusted herself to get a little closer, knowing that with his injuries, he was barely a threat. Only a few paces from him, she placed the items down, leaving them for him to take before stepping back. "Sir," she began in common, "You need the bandages. You take them. You heal yourself. We want to help. We help if you need help."

She watched and waited for him to move. She didn't know why she had done or said what she had said, but she knew that it would help him. If it was pride stopping him, then this would let him take the items and refuse the help. Hopefully. If it was something else, perhaps this would work anyway.

[Sayana]

The zith looked down at the items, trying to hide his natural curiosity. One glance, a second glance… Unable to restrain himself he picked up the small jar of paste and sniffed it before wrinkling his nose at the smell. He tried a little on some of his cuts and then turned to Nephti and spoke in a broken Common. “I have no colony. They gone. Why try get better if they fight me? Again.”

“Fight you?” Sayana questioned. “If there’s dissent within--” “I wasn’t talking to you!” He snarled at Sayana in the zith tongue. His reaction surprised her and for a moment she was completely silent. Her eyes gazed over him, looking at him with a new perspective. He was lost, without friends or companions. He was looked upon as an outsider, and like an outsider he was taken advantage of by the others who were struggling to make a home in this place.

“I had to fight my way into a colony…” She spoke softly and the zith looked up skeptically at her. “No really, I had to prove myself. But if you’d like a place to stay, a place where I’ll personally see to anyone who harms you.” Again his face was skeptical and untrusting. Yet one could tell that he was considering her words.

Suddenly she changed her tact. Pride was a difficult thing to overcome and the zith clearly didn’t want someone to mother him. “I have all sorts of interesting nick-knacks. And Nephti here knows how to make pretty faces with paints. And besides, you haven’t even seen what she can do with her hands.” A smile sprouted on Sayana’s face as she gave a sly wink then pointed to the Eypharian’s marked hand.

While using the girl as a distraction, Sayana slowly reached out for the magic within her. She pulled at the tangled weave and pried thoughts of curiosity and interest. She pushed outwards trying to trap and encase the zith’s mind in a knotted mess of excitement and curiosity. She focused intently on the djed, willing it and urging it to wrap about his mind and feelings. If it she managed to convince him that it was his idea to explore the room they resided in at the Cave, perhaps he would be more willing to accept their help.

OOCHey Nephti, I’m thinking about starting to wrap this one up. Maybe this can be the last mini plot point? Unless of course you have other ideas you’re hoping to get to.

Sayana speaking Zithanese

[Nephti]

It seemed to work. The zith moved forward, trying the jar of paste on his cuts. Then he turned to her, speaking in a similar broken Common as she did. She smiled, kneeling down before him. No colony, that fought him. She felt sorry for the zith, who had been thrown from his family and left like this. No one deserved this. No one, no matter what they had done.

"Sir, I am very sorry. But if they throw you out, it mean that you deserve better." She nodded to what she said, watching the zith carefully for his emotions, but he had already turned to Sayana. Somehow, Nephti found herself feeling a tinge of jealousy that the attention wasn't on her. She was the messenger of hope and light, not Sayana. But then again, it didn't matter who gave people hope. They had it, was that not what she wanted.

Sayana pointed to the mark on her hand, and Nephti tried to hide her annoyance. Sayana seemed to refer to it as a parlour trick, not a mark from a goddess. Surely Priskil hadn't intended her to use it simply as a distraction or as a pretty light. It was deeply magical, it was divine, and from what she saw, Sayana didn't seemed to respect that. But Nephti did it anywayy, concentrating on the mark as it began to glow. This time, she tried a little hypnotism, reaching out to touch the zith's hand lightly with her glowing hand. Djed twisted around the touch, Nephti pushing forward emotions of hope and happiness. The man needed support, these would give him the strength to move forward. Hopefully. She willed the feelings in herself, then focused on the magic spreading out, shifting through her body then his.

The zith rose, limping with his injury. He seemed stronger now, he seemed better. Whether it was the mark, her hypnotism, or something entirely different, it didn't matter. He had hope. Nephti smiled. "I hope that it gets better to you, sir," she smiled, stepping back and letting Sayana deal with him. Despite the small amount of jealousy and anger towards her, she realised the woman had a plan. That was what Nephti missed. She gave them hope, but not purpose. Hope was more important, but needed a way to be harnessed to achieve results.

That was Sayana's job.

[Sayana]

“Come inside with us,” Sayana spoke, beckoning him with a welcoming hand. “You can stay with us for as many nights as you need to. Just let Nephti know. I… uh, can’t speak Common.”

He was hesitant at first but soon his curiosities got the better of him. Nephti herself with several arms was fascinating just as she was even without the display of her gnosis mark. “I… stay? With you?” He asked tentatively to the Eypharian in Common.

As Sayana entered the tavern’s common room she first approached the bar in hopes to prepare one last remedy for the injured zith. “Could I get some hot water?” She asked as she waved over one of the servers. However, a tick after she spoke, she remembered it would not be heard. Fortunately, as she peered over the counter she spotted a kettle on the hearth. She pointed at it in an exaggerated manner and after a couple questions from the server and some nods or shakes of her head, she managed to get a mug of hot water, or perhaps tea.

Sayana spent a moment digging through her vest pockets until she found some dried Tolm and Vyfox leaves. Carefully she crumbled up the dried flakes and sprinkled them into the hot water. They would be good for easing the zith’s pains once they properly were properly steeped. “Before we go up to my room, I’d like you to take this.” Sayana spoke to the injured zith as she held out the mug. “Careful, it’s hot. But it should help your pains go away. I will also talk to the leader of my colony about welcoming you in. But first, are there other zith like you? Ones who are in Alvadas but without a colony?”

The zith took the cup cautiously and when she asked her question, he was momentarily surprised. Clearly he hadn’t considered such. “Uh… well there might be?”

“Good, then it’ll be your job to seek them out. I know there have been many zith from the surrounding areas who have arrived in Alvadas seeking safety. There are probably others like you who were either abandoned or lost their colony in some way or another. Find them, and bring them to me so that they can have a home too.”

Again she was appealing to his sense of pride by giving him a purpose and a meaningful job, no matter how small it was.

Even as the zith nodded, Sayana found herself itching to control and dominate. Her fingers drummed against her thigh and there was that urge to hypnotize and use her magic. Hadn’t she already convinced him? Wasn’t he already doing what she had hoped? Still, those sweet whispers to do just a little extra magic began to consume her thoughts. As she began to lead the way up to the room she was renting, Sayana started to gather the strings and cords of djed within her. She braided and wove them with feelings of trust and confidence. She focused intently on the trust and admiration one would give a leader. Trust, safety… At last she brushed a hand lightly against the zith’s arm and took his hand in hers. She met his gaze and unleased the djed into his eyes, into his soul.

She could feel the rush of adrenaline from that small action, swiftly followed by the bitter taste of blood in her mouth. Each step was suddenly that much more effort as a tiredness swept through her. But it was worth it. The feeling of ecstasy and knowing that he was hers.

Sayana speaking Zithanese