Kindred Spirit Lodge Presents
The Meeting
by Amber & Freya
February 5th~28th, 2002
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(Amber)
Amber began her walk to the cottage leaving the trio behind at the waterfall. Thinking to herself, I do so hope they return safely before nightfall. Arriving, she opened the door, walked in and wondered how all her belongings would go with her to the lodge. Then she remembered the instructions from Luna and proceeded in order.
Making sure all was in place, lit the sensor, opened a scroll and read the incantation, memorizing it, closed her eyes and repeated the words three times. A strong gust of wind appeared as quick as it came, it went. Opening her eyes, stood in disbelief, all that was remaining was the opened scroll on the floor.
Amber sighed with sadness as she slowly left the cottage, walked several paces away then stopped. All was quiet. She slowly turned and where the beautiful modest cottage stood was no more. In its place was luscious grass and many flowers in full bloom. Overwhelmed with emotion, knew within her heart she now had only one home and must return to the Lodge.
On the walk back, her thoughts turned to her feathered friends confrontation with that Warrior's Ocelot. She began wondering why had she ordered her companion to keep a track on our movements, why not someone else?
She remembered seeing the Warrior briefly from afar when she left with the other three. Kept returning to the same question, "What does she want?"
Finally arriving back at the Lodge, all seemed quiet. Everyone must be in the great hall. I think I'll freshen up then get something to eat. Heading to her room, walking in, amazed to see all her belongings in their rightful places, even to her favourite book lying on the bed. Amber smiled, looked around for her robe but couldn't find it. "Hmmm, I better go find killian and ask if she has one for me yet."
Going downstairs to look for killian, got distracted, noticing a door slightly open, peeking in, Oh wow, this is the library. Her robe was all but forgotten about. Wall to wall books, scrolls. So engrossed at the sight before her of all the knowledge she could obtain, wondered to herself, where does one begin?
Accidentally bumping into the well worn desk, about to leave, something caught her eye -- a hand drawn picture of a talisman ring identical in everyway to her own. She sat down carefully picking up the torn parchment began to read. Under the symbols were the words, "Cosmic powers protect m........" The rest of the wording was too faded to translate. "I wonder where this came from. Will I indeed truly find my answers here?"
Studying the parchment, hadn't noticed anyone enter the library, distracted by a noise Amber looked up to see a figure standing watching her. Her eyes adjusted from reading, recognized the figure to be the one in her dreams, who owned Rogue.
Amber froze and just glared at the Warrior.
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(Freya)
Freya went to the stables to check on how Mercury was enjoying her new quarters and companions. She asked Mercury how she was faring. Mercury said she was indeed enjoying the quarters as it was a vast improvement on some of the tavern stables she had been in since the beginning of Freya's quest.
Once Freya was satisfied that Mercury was happy, she went outside and looked around to find Rogue. The ocelot was no where to be found. Freya thought that the feline should be back by now.
Just then she saw the healer return to the Lodge. She waited for Amber to enter the Lodge before she also entered. Freya went to the main hall to see if she could locate Amber, discretely of course. It would not do to arouse her suspicions too soon. Freya could not see the healer there and turned to go up to her room.
She stopped in time to see Amber enter the library. I wonder what she seeks there. Freya waited for a while to let Amber settle into whatever she was reading before going to the library.
Freya, held her breath, as she slowly opened the door noiselessly. She quietly pushed the door to keep the noise out so she could observe Amber without her becoming aware of the extra presence in the room.
The vision that Freya saw made her heart skip a beat. Amber was sitting by candle light. The light flickered gently on her profile. Freya's eyes drank in the loveliness before her. Her eyes followed the silver chain around Amber's neck down to Amber's full breasts, the candle case a shadow in the valley between the well rounded orbs. The chain ended in the valley obscuring what was at the end of the chain.
Amber's breathing was a little fast. She was obviously excited at what she was reading. After having her fill of the lovely sight before her, Freya gently closed the door with a echoing *click*.
With the sound Amber started and glared into the twinkling grey/green eyes of Freya.
Freya did not give Amber time to say anything as she rose from her chair. Freya strode over to Amber and said, "Lord Freya at your service sweet lady." With that, Freya dropped to one knee and gently took Amber's right hand and placed a warm kiss on its soft skin.
Amber was taken aback momentarily. She recovered and demanded to know why Freya had her feline friend follow her, and her silver raven Luna. Amber asked Freya, "Are you as ill behaved as your companion?"
Freya was startled at the verbal onslaught. "I...I do not know of any bad behavior from my furry companion, Rogue. I asked Rogue to observe you in the woods as I have noticed you around the Lodge and wanted to meet you. I find you a beautiful and interesting woman. There was no malice intended. What did Rogue do to upset you so?"
Amber explained how Rogue had in fact attacked Luna, and the raven had lost some of her tail feathers. Luna was a very proud bird and she took extreme care of her plumage. Freya stopped the smile that threatened to reveal her mirth. Instead she bowed at the waist, and said, "I offer my humblest apologies on behalf of my friend. I sometimes forget that first and foremost she is a cat and sometimes she cannot help being what the gods had made her. I will take her to task when she returns, of that you can be assured. And I can guarantee you there will be no repeat of this behavior from her."
With a half bow Freya asked Amber, "Do you accept this humbled warrior's apology?"
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(Amber)
With a half bow Freya asked Amber, "Do you accept this humbled Warrior's apology?"
Listening to the Warrior's genuine heartfelt apology. "Hmmmm, ok Lord Freya, I will accept your apology, however, I would be grateful, or I should say Luna, my silver raven, would appreciate if you could somehow control your Ocelot, as she is very proud of her feathers and wishes to keep them."
"I will guarantee that Rogue will not harm your feathered friend again. When I see her next, I will speak to her."
"Fair enough, Lord Freya, this I accept. I am very protective of my companions, as I am sure you are."
"Amber, may I be so forward considering we have just met, as to enquire something? What must have caught your interest greatly for you not to notice that I was standing here."
Amber stared at Freya, "Excuse meeee, but do you normally ask so many questions to a complete stranger?"
"Good question, actually I do sometimes, especially if curiosity becomes the better of me."
"In answer, Lord Freya, I was reading something quite interesting, but has slightly left me with still unanswered questions. Considering your apology and now your sincere question, the answer is simple. I resided in the forest for some time, I then found out it was time for me to finally leave there and seek out the answers I need and want. I was told that a lodge existed that had a massive library upkept by an excellent historian. I thought maybe I might be one step closer to what I seek."
"Speaking of questions, I have one for you. Why in the name of the Gods, out of everyone here in the Lodge, is it myself and my companion it appears that you are following? What have we done to you?"
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(Freya)
Lord Freya smiled and looked deep into Amber's eyes. She decided that Amber had been truthful and so replied in the same spirit.
Freya pulled a chair close to Amber and began. "I lived in a forest also. My home, for protection from invaders, was high among the trees. This is where I spent most of my childhood and earlier life."
"My grandmother was the tribe's healer, alchemist, seer, and wise woman, who's advice was listened to whenever she spoke in the Great Council. Not long ago, she was collecting herbs in the woods when a crow stole the talisman from around her neck. The crow belonged to the woods wizard. For many years he had coveted the charm."
"My Grandmother and the Grand Council have charged me with the location and return of the talisman. I have noticed the ring on your right hand has a similar, although not the same, design. I was hoping you had knowledge of the talisman or perhaps the wizard that has stolen my Grandmother's protective amulet."
Lord Freya finished her tale and looked at Amber. "I have spoken for too long. I suggest we try to locate our companions before nightfall. Would you do me the honour of helping me search the woods for our wayward friends?"
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(Amber)
Sitting silently listening to Lord Freya's tale, thought for a moment. "Thank you for being honest and telling me why you are here in the Lodge. I do hope for your Grandmother's sake that you successfully complete your quest."
"I will accompany you to the forest as I am rather concerned for the well being of my feathered companion. Last I saw her, she was detouring your Ocelot. That was many hours ago and near the waterfall."
Amber got up from the table leaving the parchment behind as she had found it. Lord Freya and her walked out the library and headed out the Lodge, beginning their walk towards the forest along a winding pathway. There was not a word spoken between them. Amber was aware that Lord Freya was glancing at her every now and again, but never let on she noticed this.
"May I be so blunt as to ask why you seem so quiet? Have I offended you in anyway, or do you feel uncomfortable around someone you have never met before?"
"Lord Freya, it is none of them. My heart and thoughts are heavy. I think of your tale, at least you have a family, I do not anymore for reasons I care not to divulge. I have as I told you, resided in the forest for many moons. There I came across a fully stocked cottage uninhabited, and on the table I found Luna my feathered companion in a nest. I hand reared her to what she is now. My newest companion, Onyx, as was written in a book was destined to be, as it was for me to witness her birth, for reasons I yet am to understand."
"With the contents of the cottage and especially what was found in the chest I now have back at the lodge, it was obvious to myself that this was no ordinary dwelling. The cottage is now no more. It disappeared the minute the contents were removed. The talisman ring you see on my finger came from the chest as did another. I was kept in the forest by a force unseen, then one day I was able to leave. My inner feeling says that the cottage and everything associated with it, is the work of someone very powerful."
"Now, if you don't mind, I have spoken enough, anyway if you stop and listen very carefully, what do you hear?"
"Lord Freya standing quietly listened, "I hear a waterfall."
"Exactly, and this spot you're standing on now is where the cottage used to be. The waterfall is just through those trees. Care to go have a look?"
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(Freya)
~Care to have a look?......
Freya nodded and walked beside Amber through the trees toward the sound. They came to a clearing and before Freya was a vista of beauty. The waterfall was ringed in a halo of a rainbow. The tumbling sound left their ears with a tinkling sound. Freya said to Amber, "I thank you for sharing this with me".
With that, Freya turned toward Amber and gazed deep into her eyes. In there she saw the pain of loss. It made Freya want to hold Amber in her strong arms till the hurt had gone. Amber's eyes were the deepest that Freya had seen. They were as deep as the crystal pool that the waterfall fell into.
Freya felt drawn to Amber, her face was getting closer to Amber's with every second. Their lips were close enough to feel each others breath.
Then there was a rustling in the brush. Freya looked and Rogue emerged from where ever she had been. A more bedraggled and paw sore ocelot had yet to be seen. Freya asked her where the hell she had been and what was the idea of attacking Amber's raven Luna. Rogue answered by licking her paws and shrugged her shoulders. "I am a feline and birds are my prey, My Lord. I cannot be blamed for doing what comes natural."
"Okay, Rogue, but do not, under any circumstance do anything remotely like it again, OK".
"Yes, Lord Freya. And where is said raven?" Rogue replied.
"I have no idea, she led me a merry chase and then flew off to wherever".
Freya satisfied that she had made her point, turned to Amber and asked her to explain more about the cottage and her time there.
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(Freya & Amber)
"Okay, Rogue, but do not, under any circumstance do anything remotely like it again, OK".
"Yes, Lord Freya. And where is said raven?" Rogue replied.
"I have no idea, she led me a merry chase and then flew off to wherever".
Freya satisfied that she had made her point, turned to Amber and asked her to explain more about the cottage and her time there.
Amber just stared at the bedraggled looking Ocelot then glared at Lord Freya. "We came here to look for our companions, you have found yours in this bedraggled state she is in and yet you dare to ask me for a further explanation of my life and time in the cottage and forest. What about my Raven? She sent your Ocelot on a merry chase to deter her from us. This would never have happened if you had not commanded her to do so. I am now wondering where my Raven is and if she is hurt somewhere?"
The normally quiet sedate Amber, her eyes for the first time in many moons changed to a deep charcoal. "You want answers as I do, Lord Freya, but I must find Luna. This takes priority more than you can realise."
Then there was silence amid the sound of the waterfall. A faint squawking sound could be heard. Amber ran towards the sound which led her to a cave behind the waterfall. Entering the cave the sound got louder, and with the squawking was a tiny growl. First noticing a trail of tail feathers then next what she saw she couldn't believe her eyes, here's her almighty brave Raven bailed up in the far corner by a jet black fur ball on legs.
Luna spotted Amber, "My Lady, Helpppp me pleaseee! This thing wants me for dinner."
Amber walked over to the furball and cautiously lifted it, immediately recognizing it. "Luna you must have a short memory, my friend, this is Onyx, the one you flew off with. No wonder she is growling at you, either that or she wants to play with you."
"Phew, what a relief! Can you just hold her there? So that's why she kept pulling at my feathers, indeed. If you don't mind, My Lady, I have been kept hostage here in this cave by this thing for what seems like days, I wish to return to the Lodge, it's safer there." With that Luna flew off in disgust.
Unbeknownst to Amber who was cuddling the little puppy Onyx, Lord Freya had caught up to her and had witnessed everything. Turning around seeing Freya standing there with a smirk on her face from the scene she had just encountered. "Lord Freya, I do apologize to you if I happen to have insinuated that your Ocelot may have caused harm to my Raven. It's quite obvious that this little thing here is the culprit. Please accept my apologies."
Lord Freya couldn't do anything else but burst out laughing at the thought of this tiny puppy bailing up a bird for hours. "Yes, I accept your apology. It's going to be interesting if my Ocelot and now your puppy meet! What will be next, fur flying????" They both laughed as they walked out of the cave.
Lord Freya asked, "Amber, is this the one you witnessed her birth and it written in the book you speak of?"
"Yes, she is," carefully nursing the puppy lifting her head lightly while her finger was being chewed on, "look there, Freya, there's the white diamond I mentioned. It hasn't changed much and neither has she, except she is bigger and stronger and obviously a courageous little thing. So what I now have is my own little Warrior Onyx?????. Hmmmmmm has its possibilities."
Returning to the waterfall, Lord Freya looked at Amber's eyes and noticed they had returned to their soft warm brown, not the deep charcoal she had seen prior. "May I ask you what is it about this Raven of yours, and now this puppy, that is so special to you?"
"As for Onyx, a voice summoned me to a place in the forest where I witnessed her birth. Her reasons for her to be with me are a mystery. As for Luna, when I came across the cottage, I found her on the table in a nest. I hand reared her. There is some unseen force that binds us together. You wanted to know more of my existence in the cottage and my past, I came to the Lodge in the search of answers for particular questions I have. Likewise, you also have come to the Lodge on a quest."
"May I ask, do you want to stay here for awhile longer or return to the Lodge? It's not safe to be here when night falls."
Freya looked at Amber and agreed, "Yes, the night is not to be spent out here. I suggest we return to the Lodge with our companions." With that Freya picked up Rogue and placed her around her neck.
Amber and Freya did not speak much during the return to the Lodge. Each concerned with their own thoughts.
When they arrived back they entered the hall and heard noise. Both followed the direction of the sound and beheld a beguiling sight. Twilight was naked and tied up on stage and the sistren were watching her receive some punishment.
Freya turned to Amber and asked if she knew what was going on...
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The End -'The Meeting' - by Amber & Freya