The Heartwood Saga of the Old Ones

@Khasni, set a few hours to a day after this thread and ofc after the meeting for the rest of the Forsaken!

 


Fury took her time looking around the Heartwood as Dreven had his meeting with the other remnants of the Forsaken. 
She minded herself to steer clear of any den-sites she saw, out of respect for her allies and their personal space. 

Even as she did this though, she patrolled the Wood and made sure the territory was secure while the others were occupied discussing her offer to them.

Meanwhile, her ears stayed on a constant swivel, for Fury was always on the lookout for potential and surefire enemies. 
The coming seasons would be hard enough already for whoever stayed here, and they didn't need more trouble than they already had with keeping caches filled and so on, which she observed as she made her rounds through the land.

She wondered absently if any of them would find her whilst she patrolled...

For once in a blue moon, saga appeared from the hidden caverns of the witch's den. Ever since Dreven had suggested that the once doted Forsaken should abandon the heartwood, Khasni had been infuriated with the idea. But now that Alduin was nowhere to be seen, she began to wonder if the cursed land was even worth her attention. She had led him to this place in the hopes that he would do the spirits' bidding; but she had been wrong. He had no interest, and such was far too evident.

Across the wilted lands, the lithe brown creature roamed. There was nothing she sought, but perhaps to relinquish the sight of this place from her view. It was a worthless thing, as where once it had been entirely invaluable. If only she had the ability.. the will, even, to go back and redo where she had begun. But she could not. And so- only one option remained: abandon the heartwood and whatever condemned souls she had invited within; for they had done the same to her.

Fury, in all her wandering, eventually saw Saga during her patrol, and would pause to watch her, perhaps seeing if the other she-wolf would desire to talk...

Admittedly, Fury wasn't very certain what to do in the moment, so she would only wait, seeing what Khasni would do or if she cared to interact....

Footsteps. 

Khasni was not alone.

Turning her small head, the collar worn tight across her neck cinched. Slowly, she inched closer to the white figure.

You must be Fury. The harbinger said you may come... A grim expression befell her facade as she spoke of Dreven. 

Fury did not miss the seeming displeasure at the mention of Dreven.
She nodded once, affirming Khasni's words.
"You are correct, I am Fury, the leader of The Saints." She responded, watching the Saga inch closer as if wary.
The Warqueen did not blame the spiritualist for her caution of the white powerhouse.

"You are Saga?" Fury asked, though the nature of the Warchief's voice might have made her inquiry sound more like a statement.

Saga. So she knew.

The spirits call me this, as they of the heartwood once did. A calm affirmation, but one hinting so sharply at her turned eye towards where she once called home.

You remain here still. Why? Khasni had no grudge against the white behemoth, but in truth, what reason did she have to remain so near?

The witch wanted to know why Fury remained.
The Warchief answered in truth:
"Dreven said he would tell me the decision everyone made. I was offered to stay for a couple days whilst you all decided if you would join us in the Strath." 
Would the answer appease Khasni's curiosities?

The behemoth would watch for her response.

So this was who had offered them a place elsewhere. It was ironic, really. Before, Khasni had been entirely against the idea; but now, she was the one abandoning the heartwood.

They had decided not to depart, with my judgement in tow. And yet, here I am turning my back. The heartwood no longer has a place nor purpose for me. With Alduin gone without reason, who am I to stay and govern a people I did not choose as my own. I led the beast here by order of the elder spirits... but he has dismissed them and their commands for him. They have since instructed me to move on and find a path that will appease my gifts. He did not appreciate them, so now I must find someone who will. Perhaps the white woman did not care for the detailed explanation, but it was seen as necessary.

Fury tucked this confession from Khasni away as she listened to the Saga voice herself.

The Warchief hummed in thought before setting the offer before the Witch -
"Perhaps me and mine could have use for one of such skills as yours." She mused, 
"The invitation is open long term, should you want to look elsewhere before deciding."
Fury looked at Khasni with neutral face, giving nothing away save for the offer laid out.

A slow brow lifted, Khasni peering upward toward the white woman with interest. 

Pray tell... what is it that you ask of me, should I accept such an invitation? One could never even begin to consider an offer like this without first knowing what angle may be present.

There was interest. 
Good. 

Fury mulled over the question for a moment before she allowed herself to voice her own thoughts. 
"The Saints may not be as we are for much longer. A rebrand, one that has the option of working with and, or, worshiping the Deities of my homeland into the deep North."
A pause.
"With this rebrand there will be a place for at least one Völva, which in one of my home tongues means witch."

Völva does mean witch/seer/ sorceress in Norse and/or Icelandic! <3

The dark woman leaned inward, head cocked slightly as she listened to the tale told. Norse history was never an interest she'd held. Perhaps if it had been, she would have been more attentive to that bit.. but instead, her ears were fixated upon the title that escaped the pale woman's tongue.

And if I become this völva? Was there more to know? More to expect?

Perhaps even before her query could be answered, Khasni cut the silence short, following with a few standards of her own.

You must understand a few things, before I come to any decision. I am not the most social wolf you will ever meet. My purpose is to hear the words the elder spirits share.. and with these words, I converse with whomever the words are intended for. Should that be you, then you will be the only I share tongues. But when not doing so, I require peace, silence, and a protected space to meditate and listen. The great elders will not speak if I am not alone. This is their way, as is it mine.

Call it a dull life, but it was hers. If this woman could not accept such, then the land of the white warrior was no place for the saga.

Fury listened as Khasni spoke.
Her own sister had been much the same way, when she was alive.
Her thoughts flitted to Blackwater, now gone as Alduin had said.
Now he was gone, too...

An understanding nod came from the Warchief's massive head "I can accept this. I imagine my packmates will understand as well, should you choose to come to us." She answered.
Truly, her clansmen were an understanding bunch, small as they were number-wise, currently.

Itty bitty post to close things. This will be the last from me. Feel free to pp Khasni following along towards the inner strath.

They were understanding. It was almost a breath of fresh air. Dreven had once scorned her for being so secluded, which only led her to believe worse of him as a fitting leader. But with Hildibrandr, it seemed things would be different.

Coming to a quick, less thought decision, Khasni tipped her ears and nodded briefly. Then it is decided. I will become one with Hildibrandr.