They cannot feed upon the peoples of not of this world.  Interesting.  It's a relief for Cyan, but Berd cautions her.  Should these beings find a way to other worlds, they might very well begin 'colonization'.

Terraforming with their own foodstuff, as it were.

Should our...host...chose to feed now, and should she allow it, I will stay, Berd announces to the group at large, including the 'woman'.  It means I can show her the spirit immediately following her feeding, and perhaps save the spirit from becoming locked in a cycle of fear and pain by succoring it.

I will not challenge this being's mastery of this place.

Constance considers James' words.  "Dawn.  I will need to be left alone until dawn.  That should be sufficient time for feeding and... I suppose the closest word would be recovery."

"All of you must leave.  None of you can remain here while I feed."

She pauses, her face furrowed in thought.  "I look human, at least to humans.  But I am not human.  For my kind, another creature nearby while we eat is a rival, trying to steal food.  As cubs, as soon as we are able to feed ourselves, we are driven away at meal times.  And shortly after that we seek out our own lands, and only return in extraordinary circumstances."

"We do not have the same need as humans for companionship.  Nor have we ever developed social rituals around feeding.  Any creature nearby when while we feed is considered food, or a food thief.  In either case it will be attacked and killed."

"This is nothing we have control over."

Apparently I will reconsider my decision, Berd wryly notes.  Cyan doesn't laugh; her face and mood are dark, but there is little she can do.  This is natural to this world; it is not the act of a Devourer, but rather that of the world's apex predatory.

And, she must admit, there would be nothing she could do about it in any case.

"Very well," the bard murmurs, her jaw set.  "We shall leave you in peace, then return in the morning.  Perhaps we can find a way to prevent the terrible pain and lingering horror of your...prey," she finishes with great difficulty.

It may be the natural thing here, but she finds no love in her heart for this.

"Come," she quietly requests of the Archons.  "We shall leave this place.  Berd will continue to calm the spirits, though I suspect they will grow even more agitated now."

The mood is low as Cyan leads the group away from the bone pit, and back towards the camp.  Harbonah, in particular still seems subdued.  Perhaps ashamed of his open display of fear.

Only Malkia seems to be in a moderately positive frame of mind.  "I will teach her.  She seems intelligent enough to grasp the lesson." she explains to Cyan and James as they walk, "There are rites - words to calm prey so that it accepts its place in the order of things and will not return to drive away the rest of its kind.  One must explain one's role and position, honour the prey, explain the vital place it holds in the world, and how it brings life to others.  Wish it a safe journey and a peaceful rest, and end its life as swiftly and cleanly as possible."

"If this creature has not been doing that, then it's little wonder that her feeding place is haunted.  Prey is not an enemy, to be defeated.  It is food.  An enemy is something that threatens, food is something that supports.  As such, it must be treated with respect."

James spares a last glance for Burton before gathering his armour and leaving with the others.  The man's fate is regrettable but is hardly James' first regret or his greatest.  Hopefully, with the morning, Berd and Malkia will be able to make something better of the situation.

"That would be good.  In some ways at least, you have more in common with her than the rest of us. She should listen to you.  A good outcome here rests as much or more on our ability to teach Constance a better way for the future as on Berd's ability to repair some of the damage already done."

On the way back to camp, James adds, "It's probably unnecessary to say, but we should set a watch tonight."

"Thank you, Malika," Cyan replies.  "And well-put.  It certainly helps place things in the proper persepctive."

"She seems willing to learn, at least," Cyan muses.  "Hopefully she will, and will pass this on to others."  The bard slowly shakes her head.  "When this is all finished - if it ever is - I will return here and see if the situation has improved.  If not, I shall need to find a way to help them learn myself."

Her small laugh has little humor to it.  "I will add it to the list.  And I think...I think I would be glad to take one of the guard shifts tonight."  The bard shakes her head.  "I believe I will recieve precious little sleep, in any case."

Her sapphire gaze flicks to the Archons accompanying them.  "And what are your thoughts, my friends and associates?"

+ GENERAL. WHILE YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO SLEEP, THE FACT REMAINS THAT YOU NEED TO DO SO.  YOU SHOULD AT LEAST MAKE THE EFFORT.  WE DO NOT NEED SLEEP, SO WE SHOULD STAND GUARD.  BEAR IN MIND ALSO THAT WE HAVE A WIDER VARIETY OF SENSES AT OUR DISPOSAL. +  Left's voice is stern, as if she will brook no argument regarding Cyan's need to sleep.

+ AS FOR THE CREATURE... WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS AMONG OURSELVES, IT IS STRANGE FOR US TO FIND AN END TO CONFLICT WHICH DOES NOT, ITSELF, INVOLVE CONFLICT.  TYPICALLY, IN AN INSTANCE WHERE ARCHONS HAVE A DISAGREEMENT, OF ANY SORT, IT ENDS IN VIOLENCE OF SOME SORT.  OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE.  WE ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS APPROACH - OFFERING AN OPPONENT AN ALTERNATIVE WAY OF DOING SOMETHING. +

+ WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW IT ENDS. +

James chuckles, but he's tired and it lacks something of its usual vigour. "Well, Cyan, I believe you may have just been told off."

"Left, what you're speaking of is something that took me a long time...relatively speaking, to learn: that the strongest is not the one who wins the fight but the one who doesn't need to fight.  Sometimes finding a way to avoid conflict is much harder but it opens up so many more possibilities."

"The trick, I've found, is to remember that the other person, she..." James gestures back in the direction they have just come, "is not my opponent, she is another being with needs and wants.  It's one of the reasons Cyan hates the word 'Shadows' that people of my family often use for the Myriad Worlds.  Anyway, if you can find out what the other person needs you may find that you can meet those needs without compromising your own."

"It's a philosophy I've spent some time considering.  I'd be happy to discuss it with you all if you're interested."

Left hovers in almost silence for a few moments, blades whispering against each other, and it soon becomes apparent that there is a kind of pattern to the rapid, quiet scrapes and clinking of metal.  Especially when some of the other Archons start to respond in kind.

+ WE WILL LEARN MORE OF THIS, BUT AT ANOTHER TIME.  TONIGHT WE HAVE GUARD DUTY AND YOU, ALL OF YOU, HAVE REST DUTY. +  There is something that sounds like a quiet laugh.

+ WHEN NEXT YOU SEE RIGHT, HE WILL LIKELY WISH TO LEARN OF THIS TOO.  HE HAS OFTEN EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN LEARNING TO BE MORE LIKE YOU, JAMES. +

Cyan bows her head under Left's words.  "Indeed, James."  She sighs, and for a long moment her eyes are close to ebony.  "Left, you make some good points...as always."  Then she shakes herself, blinking, and color bleeds back into her gaze as her accent changes.  "And so I will heed your words, and take myself to sleep when it is time."

There is some back and forth between Left and James.  James, Cyan knows, has been an object of some interest for the Archons, for several reasons.  One is most certainly his outlook upon life.  "You could do worse than listen to James.  Much, much worse.  We are all people, all with our own perspectives and desires.  This is one reason I have wished to find a peaceful end to this war."  She studies the Archons, her gaze running across moving metal, lightning, ice, and fire.  "I know you as individuals, as people.  I would rather see a compromise that benefits all sides."

Her pack hits the ground with a thud.  "This opens doors to further benefits...again, for all."  The bard lets out a quiet laugh.  "You'd be better off discussing it with James.  He has better words for it, for all of my training and practice."  Her smile grows wistful.  "I would love to see Right again.  It has been too long."

With the Archons taking control of the situation, and insisting that their more organic companions should rest, whether they themselves think they ought to or not, preparations are made for the night.

The Archons begin patrolling a series of circular paths around the camp, concentric rings, with the furthest Archon being a hundred yards out, and reduced to the size of a fly to make it less likely that anybody approaching will be alerted to their presence.  Left has some misgivings on this point, unsure exactly what senses the creature, Constance, has at her disposal.  Still, there is nothing to be done about that, and if there is a chance that being small might ameliorate their chances of avoiding detection, then she can see no harm in taking that simple precaution.

She does agree that she will have Cyan and James roused if any of the guards notice anything unusual.

The night passes without incident, and at dawn the Archons report only that they frightened off a few nocturnal forest animals.  Of Constance, there has been no sign.

And suddenly she is in the centre of the camp, her approach unseen by any of the guards, eliciting shocked howls and roars from the Archons.

"I have fed.  We will talk now."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:52, Mon 28 Apr 2014.

Cyan wakes early, and immediately sets about setting up for breakfast.  Her and James, of course - and Berd, who remains 'asleep'.  Mostly.  She glances about for Harbonah, curious as to how he feels this morning after yesterday's shock.  Perhaps, she reasons, now is not yet the time to broach the subject.  Wait until after the confusion with this creature, 'Constance'.

Then discuss.

And with that decision, it seems, Constance appears.

Berd's head snaps up at the outcry, his eyes burning, but relaxes almost immediately.  Or perhaps 'relax' the wrong word - his gaze dims, his tension slackens, but the drake has awoken and remains as such, perched upon Cyan's backpack.

"Please!"  Cyan stands, gesturing for calm, her own eyes pale but slowly darkening to ruby.  They knew this being to be above them.  As a predator - an apex predator in the truest meaning - it follows that she has methods of moving undetected.  Nonetheless, the demonstration is appalling, given those who patrol and Berd's own presence.  "Let us welcome our guest into our camp."  She waves Constance over.

"James and I were about to eat.  If you wish, we can set that aside for now -" though, she considers, the food will be cold or overdone; a small issue, in truth "- or eat while we talk."  The bard cocks her head.  "Would us eating in your presence cause any distress, given your own race's need for solitude while...consuming?"

"Human food is not food to us.  Your eating it will not bother me in the least.  In fact, I will often feign the eating of a meal with my intended prey.  I find it relaxes them and makes it easier for me to influence their mind.  Feel free to take your breakfast while we speak."

Constance moves to one side and clambers easily atop a boulder, where she squats down, elbows resting on her knees, forearms crossed.

"I have given more thought to this situation.  While I am not able to detect these spirits, I have no reason to suspect you of lying to me, and even less reason to want to risk damaging my food supply."

"I have read books, written by humans, which speak of ghosts and hauntings and other phenomena.  While I have never knowingly experienced any of these things, I have met humans who claimed that they have.  If there is a chance that these spirits might be detectable, even if only by a minority of humans, then I cannot risk allowing them to remain at my feeding place, simply because they might warn off potential prey."

"Even if for no other reason than this, I wish to learn to avoid these spirits being bound to my feeding spot."

The woman, when not aping humans, moves like an animal, perching atop the nearest boulder.  The sight is oddly reassuring and focusing for Cyan; it proves the point that, regardless of appearance, she must keep in mind they are not dealing with something that thinks like them.  Or the archons.

"We would be pleased to assist you in this; regardless of our reasons, we both wish to avoid these ugly circumstances.  Common ground in this manner, as it were," she finishes.  The bard slowly rises, placing a hand on James' shoulder for a moment.  "Again, if you desire, we can show you these spirits.  It might aid in your understanding.  Should that not be the case, we might move on to encouraging them to leave, and for new spirits not to become bound at all."

Berd remains silent, and makes no thought toward seizing the reins of power in this area; the woman has proven herself difficult - if not impossible - to overcome in that way, and at this moment they seek understanding and an end to conflict, not battle.

Malkia makes her way forward, and seats herself close to Constance.  "The first thing to remember," she rumbles, "is that you need your prey more than they need you.  You need to bear this in mind, and show them respect."

"I do respect them."

"Would you like me to teach you, or not?"

"Continue."

The lesson starts, explanations of how the spirits of prey can linger if not properly satisfied with their lot.  Further explanations of how to tell prey who you are, and why you need to feed on them.  Why they are important to you, and to the world... and finally the ways to satisfy them so that they don't haunt your hunting ground.  Not in detail, this last part, for the details vary from prey to prey, but enough general information that Constance should be able to lay the spirits of the newly dead to rest...

Hours pass, and Constance learns.  All seems well, until...

"This is all very well.  But it teaches me to release the new spirits.  How do I release the ones that are there now?"

A question which leaves Malkia a little nonplussed.  "I... I'm afraid I have no idea.  I have always known how to do this, so there were never spirits that weren't from fresh kills."  She looks towards James and Cyan, "Jim?  Cyan?  Do you have any idea how to do this?"

Cyan purses her lips thoughtfully, but it's not her who answers.

Yes.

Berd sits up, his eyes burning.  You need to appease them.  Apologize for your lack of care or, perhaps, your lack of understanding until now.  Assure them that they died for a reason.  Assure them that their sacrifice has taught you to do differently in the future.

Assuage some of their rage, their pain, their fear.

Since you do respect them, they should see this.  Feel this as true.

The drake slowly blinks, studying the creature before him.

I can assist with this, should you desire.  I can allow you to communicate with them.  See them.  For you, also, need to see the truth.  Then they may more easily feel the veracity in your words.

At present, I cannot assist them in moving on.  But with this, it may be that I will not be needed at all.  Or, if I am, it will likely become a more simple matter to assist them in remembering how to leave - it is possible many of the older ones simply cannot without help, but without the desire to leave, they will remain.

Constance nods thoughtfully, "I understand.  You can show them to me.  The rest is my responsibility.  Let us begin.  Be warned though, if you try any trickery, I will be aware of it, and will take measures to prevent it."  Clearly she remembers Berd's earlier attempt to control her world, and is still a little unsure of his motives.

"I have taught her what I can." Malkia rumbles, "There should be no more restless spirits from her feeding.  She needs your help now."

The lioness stands, and stretches.

Berd blinks sleepily.  His mental voice, however, remains alert.  My purpose is not trickery - it is to ameliorate the problem.  Perhaps these teachings will travel among your people, and save further agony of the spirits of this world.  Were I to deceive you and overthrow you - even should I be capable of such, and that is in great doubt - it would salvage nothing.

...of course, I am aware that were I planning deception I would say much the same.  Nevertheless -

"Oh, get on with it," Cyan mutters, clearly distressed but, unhappily, unable to find a better method for dealing with the issue.

Please, let us adjourn to your...feeding ground.

Berd wings from Cyan's shoulder, leaving his daughter behind.  Better that she not again be exposed to such things; it would serve no purpose.  But he sends a swift message to Harbonah - and then to the other Archons - offering them the chance to observe.

To learn something of this universe.

Gliding, he lands upon a tree limb close to the bony graveyard.  His mind reaches, calling to the spirits once again.

Join me.

Please.

Your killer comes, but seeks no harm to you, only understanding of your plight.  It did not comprehend what happened to you, but now it wishes the knowledge.

Join me.  I will allow your killer to view your pain, your suffering, your displeasure.

But let it end here.  Let your killer listen to you, and you to it in turn.  Let rest and peace come to you, as comprehension comes to it.

Please.

Join me.

"Yes, you would say that." and a smile displays a carnivore's dentition, "But if I truly suspected treachery, I would not go through with this.  We are a solitary people, and it is difficult for us to trust others.  Especially in matters involving food."

Constance bows to James, Cyan and Malkia, before turning to follow Berd away into the forest.

The Archons, Harbonah in particular, refuse the offer of being permitted to observe.  Only one accepts, one of the Archon shaped Banglen-Yps.  Keen to learn, and if she learns, then all of her kind will know.

Running easily through the forest, Constance keeps up with the others effortlessly, and finds a suitable vantage point, crouched atop a fallen tree trunk.

And Berd sends out a summons.

The spirits which start to arrive, within moments, seem angrier this time.  Less fearful.  They begin to surround the creature which slew them, and which seems only slightly aware of their presence...

Thank you.  Thank you for listening, Berd echoes out to the crowd, allowing Constance to hear as well.  He feels their anger like a wave, and part of his mind begins preparing defenses against it - defenses only, no mirroring, no mental weaponry. I will make you known to this creature before you, allowing it to speak to you and be heard.  But...this creature comes to understand and through understanding will rectify its errors.

Please contain your anger.  It is rightful, but will not help here.

I am Berd.  Listen to my words.  And know this being before you.

Bit by bit, he slowly begins to share what he senses with Constance, allowing her to 'see' the spirits as he does, to 'hear' them as he does.  To feel them and their auras, their own emotions, as he does.

Its name is Constance.

He is careful to watch for any signs of explosive hostility, or any feelings that the spirits - through numbers and force of emotion - are gaining any actual strength, strength sufficient to attack on a spiritual or even physical level.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:06, Thu 10 Aug 2017.

More and more of the spirits are coming out of... somewhere.  At first, as each arrives, it is filled with fear, but as the moments pass, that fear turns to anger, to rage, to murderous hatred.  Not directed at Berd, but at Constance.

"I can see them." Constance is smiling, "Come to me.  I will make all right."  She spreads her arms wide, in a gesture of welcome, beckoning them towards her.

The angry spirits move closer, their hatred filling the forest...

+ WE SENSE THEM.  THEY ARE FILLED WITH ANGER AND FEAR.  AND THERE ARE SO MANY... EVEN AT THIS DISTANCE IT IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE.  MUCH STRONGER THAN THAT WHICH WE EXPERIENCED BEFORE. + Harbonah whirls around Cyan and James, faster and faster...

Berd's wariness grows.  Constance.  Be warned - the spirits are full of hate for you, and would do you harm if they can.  I do not know if they can harm you, but should they make the attempt, I will try to shield you from them.

"Hold steady, Harbonah," Cyan whispers.  "Should this overwhelm you again, take refuge within the Underflow."  Even her own weak psychic abilities can sense the building fury.  Lords of the West!  It is like unto a spiritual hurricane!

Berd again turns his focus upon the spirits, though he prepares to shield both Constance and himself from any rage-driven assault.  Spirits.  I beseech you - listen to Constance.  There is peace to be had here, peace for you, and it does not come through violence.  Freedom comes through understanding and forgiveness.

Please.  Listen to her.

"Come closer!  Now I sense you, where I couldn't before." Constance is smiling, holding her arms spread wide, head thrown back, "Which means... " and though the air is still, it is as if a blazing hot wind blasts through the forest, a wind that Berd feels only in his own mind...

Harbonah suddenly stops circling around James and Cyan...

The presences are gone, Berd can no longer hear them.  Only the echoes of their voices remain, and they, too, are fading...

"... I know how to destroy you." whispers Constance.

In the silence that follows, Constance turns towards Berd.  "I have removed the ones who were here, and you have taught me how to avoid creating more.  Is there more that I need do?"

Silence falls, and Berd slowly turns his head to study Constance.

You misled me.

The drake blinks, eyes closing over twin, burning suns, then slowly opening again.  Dark.

We shall leave you now.

His power closes about himself, a hard shield against any assaults.  It boots nothing to discuss further with this creature.  She is what she is, and Berd has not the strength to oppose her.  Resist?  Certainly.  Make her life truly uncomfortable, should she attack now, especially if backed up by the Archons?  Quite likely.  But win?  No.  Not now.

But oh, his memory is long.

The drake leaps into the air, winging back toward the campsite.

There, Cyan's lips thin, her face pale.  "Berd comes," she whispers.  "Constance obfuscated her purpose.  She meant not to appease, to peacefully send the spirits to their rest, but to destroy them.  Her strength is appalling.  We should go now, go from this place.  And swiftly."

+ WE TOO WOULD ADVISE LEAVING, AND QUICKLY. + Left's voice is filled with urgency.  Harbonah's too, as he adds, + WE CONCUR.  THIS CREATURE IS POWERFUL.  AN ARMY OF OUR PEOPLE COULD NOT HAVE DEFEATED HER.  AND THERE ARE MORE OF HER KIND.  WELL IT IS THAT THEY CAN NOT DEVOUR THE DENIZENS OF OTHER WORLDS.  SHOULD THEY DECIDE TO INVADE OTHER REALMS, THEN THERE IS NO POWER THAT COULD STOP THEM. +

Malkia stands and shakes herself, "Agreed.  This creature knows enough to stop the creation of any more restless spirits, and I believe that she will avoid doing so, rather than chance the arrival of others to investigate her territory."

"I know her kind.  Very protective of her hunting grounds.  We should leave before we give her reason to attack us.   We can do no more here."

She sniffs the air, and bares her teeth, "I smell the path we must take."