Southern Realities

[Aryela Jade Secray]

“Sounds enough like Darrow, frem whet yeh've said. She was hell'n thunder, rightly enough. Gave oor mam th' feel of her temper – she was th' only one of us bold enough te do it, mind. Caught more'n her share of grief for et, though. Ah suppose et would take more'n slavery te strip Darrow of her spirit.”

Elmera glanced over at Bowen, troubled by the disconcerted sound in his voice. She would have thought that this was good news, but then again, it did mean that he would probably have to leave Emerald Bay to go in search of his siblings. Again, not such a bad thing, but the wolf looked worn, and Elmera had to wonder how long he'd been wandering around the land. She already knew a bit about his past. Surely he had hoped to rest for a time before running off after his siblings. The she-wolf frowned slightly, wishing that she hadn't made him upset. She was only trying to help after all.

After she'd made her suggestion about searching the records, Elmera fell silent, her paws resting on her lap instead of near the sweet treat. She was trying to figure out other ways she could help him, but her suggestion finally seemed to click.

“Eh? Gud Fates, Ah ben doin' thes all wrong.”

Elmera lifted an eyebrow, wondering what he meant by that, but he answered her question before she could even ask it.

“Mebbe ah could even send away fer records frem other towns an' forts, aye? Gods! Elmera, yeh're bloody brilliant.”

A soft smile touched Elmera's muzzle as Bowen laughed, a hearty sound that made her heart swell with joy. Good! At least she had done something to help the poor wolf! He needed something to brighten his life after having such a rough experience with his mother and his buyers.

The tension in her shoulders eased, and Elmera spent a moment just watching the bliss course across Bowen's face. It was good to see him so happy. He deserved some joy in his life, and if she was right that she had indeed spotted his sister, then he might not feel so alone anymore. Again she had to wonder what she would do if she ever lost one of her brothers or sisters. It was difficult enough knowing that Paulis was gone. What if something happened to Ojala or Benjamin? What about dear little Ruby? Elmera fought back a worried sigh, wondering if her siblings were safe. She would have heard by now if something had happened to them. They were careful enough on the road. Oh it would be splendid if they could visit her at Emerald Bay, but that was a long journey.

Elmera shook her head, trying to rid herself of her thoughts as Bowen cut into them.

“Ah'm no' sure where te begin. Es there sem sort of records house 'round here? A...a library, ah thenk they're called.”

"Oh aye, I've seen the library here. Quite extensive I think." Elmera shifted so that she could face Bowen a bit more without having to crane her neck. "Otherwise there is the gatehouse located right by the portcullis. You can ask the gatekeeper...Keleanth I think is her name? There may be others, but you may want to check with her first. The Commander welcomed me into the fort, so I'm not certain if she recorded my name. Then again, they ask for everyone's name so they must keep a record of it somewhere." She snapped her claws and pointed at Bo. "If you speak with the librarian, he or she may be able to help you contact other gatehouses. Maybe there are carrier birds or other messengers that visit nearby forts. I can give you the location of Talberry."

Elmera leaned back, one paw running thoughtfully through her headfur. "If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to tell you, Bowen. I truly hope you'll be able to find your siblings." She smiled at him. "It sounds like you love them dearly, which should be no surprise. Siblings are very precious...all family is."

The she-wolf fell silent, the smile still on her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a few children watching them, appearing nervous to approach. Their gaze darted to Elmera's instrument, causing her to chuckle quietly. Apparently she still had an audience. Well, they’d just have to wait for a bit.

[Bowen Lark]

Bowen felt like he had just downed a full bottle of aged spice wine. Dizzy, he found it hard to stop smiling. The old scar made it hard, but a stubborn line of happiness worked its way up half the wolf’s maw. He recorded all of Elmera’s suggestions in silence, watching the she-wolf. It would be so nice to rest – once he found Darrow, both of them could work on going after Bensen. Dun ha’ teh trust meh coin teh stranger anymore. Ah’d ha’ meh sib back. They would be a family again, salvaging each other from their ravaged youth in Caneria. He could stay here – the south was nice, warm and peaceful. So long as he knew, without doubt, without question, whether his brother and sister were alive.

“Yeh know, some days ah’d take jus’ knowin’ if they were hale, livin’ their own lives free an’ happy,” he said, looking away from Elmera. “Teh see ‘em again, confirm et.. that’d be a gift frem th’ Fates. Ah jus’ wanna know if they’re alive, an ah think th’ records ye spoke of will tell meh.”

The wolf paused, and looked at Elmera again.

“Ah owe yeh summat for yehr help,” he said finally. “Mebbe ah could make ye up a parcel of food – et’s all ah’ve really got teh offer.”

Bo grinned, a slow, shy flicker over his mouth, and glanced away from the she-wolf. He was done his apple bowl, left to scraping at the rim of it for the last few scraps. The Fates had given him a reprieve for the day – Bowen could not recount a time earlier when he had been so content, so lucky. Didn’t e’en need a slug of wine, he thought, letting out a low laugh.

The wolf looked up again to see Elmera glancing at the group of children. He noted their hopeful, anxious faces and slight fidgeting, recognizing the throng as some of the audience for the she-wolf’s performance.

“Ah guess a bard never gets a day off,” Bowen said, laughing again. “They’re like teh be grateful ef yeh give ‘em another song, Elmera. We can talk sem more later on, ef yeh’d like teh get back teh singin’.”

ooc: I apologize for how short this is! Maybe we should start a new thread looking for records, get some fresh blood into the thread?