Myths of Power

Celine grabs a few cloaks and tosses one to Leland. "The docks? So we are going on the sea."

"No, just to a dockside tavern. I've been told that Gefra, or someone who knows Gefra, can be found there. We're also going to take a slightly longer route. I don't want all of us to get there together." Joseph points to the others heading to the dock. "We'll take it easy. I don't believe that she is going anywhere. Once word of this little 'meeting'" Joseph points to the bodies. "comes to light, everyones movements will be suspect and our job becomes that much harder."

The three walk towards a rocky path away from the others. After a half hour of silent walking, Celine speaks up.

"So... How do you know this Gefra?... Were you and her...?"

Joseph pauses. "For a time, yes. It was long ago, before the elven war."

Celine looks shocked. "Before the war? I had no idea you were so...old!"

Leland snorts. "oh, um..sorry." he makes he way past them, nearly knocking Joseph into a small bush.

"Did you want to hear about Gefra, or just deride me on my age?"

"Can't I do both? Sorry.. continue."

Joseph leans down and grabs a long stick. He begins to swing it around at the bushes. " At the time, we were very young. She had just become a battle master apprentice in my clan. She was one of the best. The others said she was going to become clan elder one day." Jospeh looks up at the night sky. Clouds lit by the moonlight drift past. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "If I concentrate, I can still smell the exotic oils and flowers she used to wash with."

Celine scratches her backside. "Oils and flowers? Sounds kind of prissy to me. That kind of scent would just alert your enemies."

Jospeh opens his eyes and shakes his head. "You have a lot to learn about being a woman, Celine."

Celine looks at him with mild disgust. "Just because I'm one of the fiercest warriors in our clan, doesn't mean I know nothing of womanhood." She continues scratching at her shoulders and sides. "Arr, how can these humans stand wearing these things. I itch all over!"

Joseph laughs. "Once we get the the docks, I'll see if we can't find something that suits your 'warrior' taste better. Let's catch up to Leland before those giant strides of his, make him uncatchable."

Celine laughs in agreement. "You've known Leland for a long time as well right?"

"Since before you were born, why?"

"I was just wondering. Has he always been so...so..."

Joseph interupts. "Peaceful?"

"Yes. It just seems odd for a man that size and with his heritage to be so against violence. Lycanthans are a warrior race. We're bred and born for battle, yet this...this.. this tree of a badger avoids battle whenever he can. What was he even doing back there?"

"It's true that most of our kind are warriors, but not all. I'm sure you saw me taking to that other figure while everone was dancing?"

"I saw something, smelled something actually. Who was that?" Celine scratches her nose.

"It was an old, old aquaintance. If you think I'm old, let me introduce you sometime." Joseph puts on a large evil grin. "Anyway, This aquaintance has a lycanthan companion named Valerie. A very young squirrel, sorry, Fox-squirrel. For obvious reasons, she's not one for battle, but she does come in handy for scouting missions and even a little bit of thievery."

"Scouting and theft?!" Celine looks at Joseph in disbelief. "That's hardly worthy of a lycanthan."

"Look Celine, if you want to become the leader of a cadre, you're going to have to learn that there are other ways to win a battle. Take your finger out of your nose.. now that's unworthy of a lycanthan." Celine stops and Joseph continues down the path.

"What? ...What? I'm just trying to look human!...Wait up..."