When he'd rested, Dutch went on the hunt for
@Alaric. He made his way into Moonspear's camp and took in their scents for the first time, following Sialuk's to be sure he was going the right way. He had not heard very much about these people, except that the mountain queen loved a husband as well as a wife. This held passing interest for him, but meeting them was not today's goal.
Already, they were packing up, making ready to go. Dutch asked around and was finally pointed in the right direction.
"Alaric?" he called out to hail the man as he limped closer.
"I am Dutch, of village Moonsong. Your name was given to me by Ariadne."
His name was called and mischievous green eyes turned to the man. A man of sand and shadow stared back at him with eyes of sun. A tilt of his ear and a impish smile.
Alaric had to think. Why would his name be given? Did she need a healer? Why wouldn't she had called her mother.
What can i help the moonsong queen with? Well met, Dutch.
He shifted and removed the pouch of herbs he always carried around his throat. Unrolling it.
Does she need herbs?
perhaps she needed spmetjong for pain or what?
Dutch hadn't known what to expect of the man, but he did not find himself discomforted, thus far. Alaric seemed friendly, and the glitter in his eyes awoke an immediate sense of kinship in the panther.
"It is not Ariadne, exactly," he explained. "I don't know if you've heard of the evil one that stalks the wilds? He attacked the wife of Chakliux. He and I have been hunting this man."
Dutch explained that they had caught up to the evil one and set their teeth upon him, but that the evil one had summoned a bear to recuse him from their jaws. He showed Alaric his hip, where the bear's claws had scored him, and then looked at the medicine man with grave eyes.
"We had hope you might know a way to protect us from this power," he said, searching Alaric's face for answers.
Alaric was a friendly guy most of the time. He hid the depths of his soul behind easy smiles and songs. Laughter on windswept mornings and in the stories he told. But his was a burdened soul and he had seen much in his life.
Alaric listened to the story. He himself had chased after the the beast. Would have relished catching the bastard and doling our justice. Someone who had pulled himself from the depths after his paramour had ruined him. He would not allow another to undergo a similar pain. He had no time for abusers. To him they were all the same.
I know him. And I had hope they would have caught him. I am sorry they didn't.
Alaric frowned and sighed. I don't know this power. I have learned much in my travels. I can bless them and pray over them. Hope it helps, but I cannot simmon bears. No one who is good hearted can.
"
Dutch nodded one; he, too, wished he had felled the man. He tried not to let Alaric's words bruise, as he was sure they weren't meant to. He'd hunted the man too, after all.
"A blessing is just what I am looking for, I think," he replied, although he would have liked to hear just a little more confidence. "And failing that, a poison. If we cannot approach this man without him calling on this dark power, then we must be underhanded to see him stopped."
Dutch wasn't going to risk his life on a man-hunt. He would stand as a shield before anyone from the villages, but he would not go out and provoke a man who could summon bears without any plan or backup.
"It will be some time before I am fit to go out again," he said. "A few weeks, at least. Is this enough time to prepare?"
Alaric had not meant any cruelty by his words. He had too missed the man. Would have gladly scoured or killed him. But the wolf had disappeared from him too. Though he had been lucky enough not to meet a bear.
Alaric didn't show his emotions. Poisons he hated. He could make them, but they were a cruel mistress and if handled wrongly. Well. But for this he could do.
Alaric smiled and nodded. Blessings i can do. Poison too. Though, i don't often dabble in those. Dark mistresses, poisons.
Alaric shifted. The sinew beneath growing tight already with what he was going to do.
That will be enough time. But i ask you this. Do you prefer sun or moon for blessing? And earth, or water?
Then his eyes went a little far away. and the poison. Do you wish to make him suffer or die quickly? Or just make him sleep until it is time to meet Chakliux.
Alaric was turning quickly into a fascination; his theatrical mind was already snatching up and running off with that line about poisons — he wondered how Alaric would feel about featuring in the dramatic retelling of this saga. He was already cobbling together a creative description of the medicine man to captivate his future audience...
But he snapped out of it as he was questioned, his ears flattening in careful thought.
"Sun," he said after a moment, and then, more decisively, "And water. This man works in darkness and bitter soil." His flank stung at the thought.
As for the poison...
"I only want him dead," the panther said after another brief moment of thought. "I am not a god, to make him answer for his sins. I only want our women to be safe from him."
Wouldn't the wolf Dutch be chuffed to know that Alaric was many things. A Bard, a story teller, a trader, healer. He to often made sagas of the wolves around him. Though, he preferred fantastical stories.
Good at least this one thought of it. Knew what he was asking Alaric to do.
Alaric thought of what he had at home. He had some stones and willow bark. Though that would be more for the moon.
I will put water out for rhe sun. Infuse it with medical properties. Different herbs. Obsidian stone for protection against all harmful things. And i will use Rowan tree. I just need a few strips of hide.
Alaric nodded his face grave. Then nightshade berries mixed with meat. Or just plain nightshade. I have a few.
They were hidden far away from all the wolves and those he cared for. He knew where they grew.
I will make these things when i return to the spear. You know how to get there to pick it all up? Or would you like me to bring it to Moonsong?
The panther listened carefully this list. Not so that he could use the information, but so that he could make it into a little limerick on the long walk home. The character of Alaric in this play would speak in riddles and rhymes, he'd decided, as was fitting for a man who held such knowledge.
Alaric's expression was grave, but Dutch was charmed — and appeared, perhaps, just a little enchanted.
"I will find the way," he assured the other man, his tail wheeling. He wanted to see what sort of haunt the other man kept, and of course, did not want to make him travel when he was already doing so much for the cause. "If you find your paws itching to come to the glacier, please do! But I am at least equally interested in seeing your mountain."
Up close, he meant. It was sort of hard not to see his mountain.
"I thank you, Alaric," he said sincerely; "If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask. Not in return, but as a show of my esteem."
For it was rude, in his family, to make any attempts to repay kith and kin.
This wolf listened close to Alaric. And the healer was unsure how he felt about it. But he could try and do what was needed. A totem of protection wasn't bad. The poison. He knew why it was needed, but it left bitter taste in his mouth.
Alaric offered a small smile. I will wait for you then. My ulaq is the one with drying herbs and trinkets for pups if I don't get to mert you at the borders.
It also had the start of a gsrden and all different furs stretched out to dry or harden whatever it was he wished. Small pieces of things he made. Pouches talismans.
No need to thank me.
The description of his home brought another smile to the panther's face; it sounded like a place he would like to poke around in, and he was eager to see it for himself. If the man kept toys around for the children, Dutch assumed he was also the sort of man who wouldn't mind helping him make up epic tales to entertain them with as well.
"Then I will not thank you," he replied, his tail whisking, "And you will not thank me when I bring gifts to our next meeting!"
He bowed low to the other man.
"I look forward to it, Alaric. Please give my thanks to the Mountain Queen instead."
This wolf smiled. Pretty. Different time and place. Alaric would have enjoyed that smile, but for now.
okay i will not then.
a laugh mischievous green eyes alight with mirth.
I will pass it on to Sialuk.
The urge to linger and find out more about what mischief lay behind Alaric's smile was strong — but stronger still was the panther's pain and fatigue. He needed to rest, and he was sure that the medicine man had his own business to attend to. Dutch offered one last smile and a sincere, "I hope to see you again soon," before turning to depart.