Buda & Pest

[Sablepaw]

*When White Raven looks at the sky I don't follow his gaze, for I have no idea that it should be some kind of indication. My unanswered question lingers in the air. Then I gaze at the vixen-like being when she moves her front paws; I don't understand her gesture but thanks to the Owl Spirit I do understand her voice. I step back to the Newleaf-Territory without hesitation; I doubt these beings want to do any harm after I made my Oath. I stand still while the freakish creature circles around me and swallow the urge to nip at her when she touches my head, the same way I avoid frightening Spirits. And she definitely has a Spirit part, as I felt from the Oath and as I can feel the rush of relief as Newleaf-Season's fresh, healing power closes my wounds and washes the pain away.

In fact, after this injury - the worst condition I've ever been to - I feel so rejuvenated that I instinctively express my joy with my pose, scent and gestures; I playfully bump my head into the Twoleg-Fox and lick her. Then I return next to White Raven, pushing my muzzle and my flank to him.

When the robust one barks, I turn my gaze to my companion but I'll also reply.*

- /Gar/ We need you to be close to us in order to protect you, because you cannot howl. We should check the Empty Ones out, we should hunt and gorge ourselves, we should sleep.

*I stop and think about it... maybe they aren't very good to have around when we hunt, unless we hunt the sensory deprived Twolegs or the dumb beasts they keep in small territories from where they cannot escape.*

- /Gar/ Well... maybe you can be around Sunset-Mane while we hunt. Wherever she rushed away in such a hurry... but we can track her!

<Why the hurry? What danger lurks here that we cannot sense?>

*I need to ask White Raven again.*

- /Gar/ So, shouldn't we tell them Sunset Mane is an Empty One, not a Garou, and Voice-of-Thunder is... is... what is he anyway?


//Health level: Injured
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, White Raven.

*Sablepaw's plea is translated, and to the vehement urging of the other two, "Priscilla" agrees to help, though only without leaving the boundaries of the freshly-scarred magical forest.
She extends one of her paws and gestures for Sablepaw to re-enter, repeating only one word.*

-/Lat/ Come. Come!

*If she does so, those peculiar scents invade her nose again, but it should probably aid the Fae in her spellcasting. She ritualistically runs three rounds around the Red Talon, in complete silence, before arriving in front of her again, on two legs the entire time. She touches her front paws to the Garou's forehead, seemingly without any fear at all - the other two can't help but produce a worried gasp - and in that very moment, the sensations and energies of Spring rush Sablepaw, similar to when animal-spirits heal her on the Other Side. The pain of the burnt wounds immediately dissipates and she's refreshed to the point of envigoration, as if Helios has just appeared for the first time after an entire season of harsh blizzards.
This is when the bearded one stoically interjects.*

-/Ger/ Well, what now?

Sablepaw: two health levels cured, and in addition, no wound penalties apply for the next 24 hours.
_________________

[Inu]

*I have to admit that I am a bit surprised.*

<It is really like a spirit oath. So they are worth something after all. They might even have some powerful fetish.>

*To Sablepaw's unasked question I just look up to the sky. She might understand it without words. Otherwise I'll explain it to her later. I snort to that fake howling and try not to think about our "cooperation". They are annoying, but "everything for the sake of the Prophecy".

I translate Sablepaw's words as precisely as I can to German. The fox-fae only spoke latin as I remember but she could understand us so far. Another fetish?... And could they also heal wounds? It would be a great advantage. Despite the translation I don't hope they can help.*

[Sablepaw]

*The long silence of White Raven - with no answers even though there's no one left to understand Garou-speak - annoys me. But at least, all of us are done with the Oath which is surprising from Sunset-Mane. But when she suddenly rushes away I immediately sniff around for danger with bristled fur, but sensing no change other than the Spiritual Bond between us and the Weird Beings, I'm just as baffled as the Loud Tiny One. Sunset-Mane is a foul, empty scented mystery of the Wyrm but that was very unpredictable of her. I raise my wounded muzzle towards White Raven; I ask the question of "Why" with only my posture and the look in my eyes.*

<Does that have something to do with the Oath? Is it a trick? Or... were both of them in such a hurry? Is there a secret Leech-gathering they need to catch?>

*But I'm too tired to seek answers - I'll ask White Raven when we search for a safe spot to sleep at. I dismiss the strange meaningless howl-like voice the Wyld Dreamthing is making and speak again, especially to the Twoleg-Vixen.*

- /Gar/ You, carrying the scent of Life and of the Season of Fresh Leaves, I ask you to heal me. My painful sores weaken me and you need me strong and healthy for your protection.

*Then I turn my gaze towards my companion, waiting for his translation; even though the critters understood my Oath by its Spiritual power, they still can't understand me. One more reason to stick with White Raven, closer than any of his pack members did. All the times until the fulfilled Prophecy does us apart.*
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, Sophia d'Auxerre, White Raven.

*The contents of this oath are finalized and agreed on at last, and all participants recite the relevant sentences. It should be noted that the language used does not seem to matter at all, and when the final person is done, everyone instantly begins to feel the weight of what just happened. It is a majestic, authoritative sensation that catches the back of the "werewolves'" mind. All of them know, even Sophia, that this contract is not to be taken lightly. Magic in its rawest and most fairytale-esque form is thick in the air, before it passes away with the morning breeze.
And this is when Sophia jumps on her horse, darting down the mountainside as if there weren't even a forest there, aiming for where the camp must be located. Only Gaia knows whether she'll get there in time. Indeed, a true Garou would have buried herself...*

-/Ger/ Whoaaaaa, lady! What's the hurry? Bah, women this century! Nooooo offence, Pris!

*The comment probably comes too late for Sophia to hear it, not that she has the time for it anyway. Her ghoul horse now presents its supernatural strength, simply trampling through the younger trees while avoiding the old ones, cracking some of their boles and making them fall with loud thuds. Meanwhile, the trio begins to cheer anew, congratulating each other on a business well forged.*

-/Ger/ Weeeeee're gonna be super best friends now, Children of the Moon! A-ooooooooooooooooooooo!

*That howl. That terrible, high-pitched "howl". It's probably something even the fleeing vampire hears.*

Continued for Sophia
_________________

[Inu]

*I glance at Sophia what she thinks about the stupidity of the vampires but it is not my concern. She must be smarter than revealing herself now. There will be no more problem and we are really ready to swear the oath at last. The dawn is coming and I'm sure Sophia is in hurry so we real Garou can stay alone with these strange faeries at last. I can't help but being curious about that thing with "great power" they promised us.*

<There are a few things I definitely want to ask them. For example how can they stay with us without being caught by those "dumb vampires" and what kind of revenge will come, what are thier capabilities out of their forest at all? I wouldn't like to meet such "sun-gods" in the future. After an attack against us (and of course against the Crusade) we might convince the army to attack that lady and her household but there's only a slight we will really kill them. Swearing on it would have been suicide.>

*I remind myself that I have to talk to Sablepaw about vampires and sunlight. Of course only when there are only the two of us is around.*

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Sablepaw, Sophia d'Auxerre, White Raven.

*Resistance is, of course, quick to arrive to the objections of the "big ones", and Mini Metellus shrieks out loudly. At least he doesn't waste any more time...*

-/Ger/ But waaaait! You have an entire aaaaaarmy of vampires allied to you now! Why couldn't you just... trick them into exterminating the court? Heck, these bloodsuckers are sooooooooo dumb, if you paint the Devil on a tree, they'll go straaaaaaight chargin'...

-/Ger/ Enough!

*The bearded one interrupts impatiently, before also grumbling something under his nose in their tongue, something only Sablepaw understands right now.*

-/Fos/ You know the saying: "let the werewolf win"...

*He continues in German.*

-/Ger/ The bloody Summer Court will hunt them, I'm sure they will already be forced to dispatch a good number of them as it is. Let us settle for what we have.

-/Lat/ As you say... as you say.

*Replies "Priscilla", the Roman-tongued fox-freak. And she rephrases the oath, omitting the extermination of the local Fae empire with all due sadness. The lines are told faster now, though still entailing the exact same amount of regal, otherwordly majesty.
When Sablepaw seals her part of the deal, the trio glances eagerly at Sophia and Zoltán.*
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[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*There is no time for these spirits to toy around and questioning each words. They, We were right to do so. Given the things she had read about pacts with spirits, even if they were false, they never did end well.

Sophia looks the way Albrecht left, perhaps she should have left with him. The main concern now was not being tricked and of course finding somewhere to be protected from the dawning sun.
She glances down to the crunchy snow beneath her feet. It may come to even burying herself. Splendid. A small thoughtful frown remains upon her porcelain features.

If this were to take any longer though, if there is more debating, she will leave. There is no way she can linger much longer...*

[Inu]

*I listen to the words carefully. I know there will be traps in the oath. There are always traps in all the agreements. And there it is!*

<...slay the common enemy and scatter her household?...>

*Before I could spaek Sablepaw also sniffs out the danger. I nod to her smiling inside.*

<Smart wolf-born cub! Good.>

-/Ger/ Hold your horses! You come with us and we can help you against our common enemy. If we can kill them we are glad, but don't even think about an all out attack against a whole Faery realm and household. As you can see, we are only three... six all in all. I swear that I'll do my best to save you as long as you come with us and help us. But don't dream about conquering empires.

*If they put their ridiculous ideas out of their heads, I'm ready to swear and no matter what other Garou think about Shadowlords I mean it if I take an oath. And I rarely do such a thing. So before I swear we will talk over every single word if we need to.*

[Sablepaw]

*By the time I'm finished with my rolling in the soothing, cool snow, Voice of Thunder disappears; his weakening, empty and bloody scent and the noises of "his" horse's hooves betray he's gone for good. I lift my gaze toward the direction where he left...*

<He's in a hurry but why? Is he trying to catch the Dawn to heal him? Would Dawn heal him, anyway? He's not alive. He's not of Gaia.>

- /Gar/ Why did he leave us now? He told us to be like a pack!

*But we have more important things to do now... even if I feel like a failure, I will never give up! The possibility of the Strange Ones being able to heal us sounds perfect, especially in my current, miserable state. I don't even want to shake the snow off the remnants of my pelt; I just let it soak my fur and calm the blisters on my skin.
It's a good sign that they've chosen the vixen-like critter to speak. She's at least a little bit beast-like and she has the best scent. Even though she uses that pathetic Twoleg-tongue, she sounds like a Spirit who's just appeared on Earthly Land. I listen to her and Owl-In-Teeth while standing with curious, alert ears and astonishment in the glow of my eyes. I'm not sure I got everything right but I guess I caught everything important.*

<It indeed sounds like a Spirit-pact. I think Sunset Mane won't be able to swear upon it... she's not a "Shifter-kind" and never was. I'm sure. Did we really make Foes by slaying the Radiant One? I suppose we did.>

- /Gar/ We're on a journey, a Sacred Quest. Even if a huge pack of your kind decides to hunt us, we can't stop. You'll need to follow us and the Leeches, otherwise we can't enter the pact.

*I glance towards White Raven; again, I need him to translate my words. If they are willing to follow us and the Black Sign, I'm willing to swear upon their Oath; the Fetish they are promising is less exciting for me but awakening life scented beings capable of healing would be great for the Prophecy as well. But only if the Wyld Dreamthings agree, shall I continue - and if the Shadow Lord doesn't stop me.*

- /Gar/ I, Sablepaw, pure Wolf-born of the Red Talons, swear before the Spirits and the Wyld that I shall fulfill my part of this Oath.

*I repeat the same words in the tongue of Spirits while breathing the scents of Wyld in and placing my front paws on the Threshold between the Realms and eyeing the Fox-like critter and her companions. Of course, saying my name and my Tribe might bother the Shadow Lord, but all Pacts and Oaths need a level of Trust.*
_________________
- Cobolymancs (Sablepaw), Red Talon, Theurge, Lupus
- Setétholddal Osonó (Darkmoon Stalker), Bastet, Bubasti
- Bosszú Fagyos Karma (Frostiger Kralle der Rache), Fenrir - Schwerter von Heimdall, Modi, Ulfr

[RedDrake]

*There is only one goal for now: reach the camp. If Sophia wishes to stay in the open then it’s her choice. Maybe she has a trick prepared for the sun, but I do not have. I ride as fast as I can in my condition. I’m all too vulnerable in my current sorry-state now.

But I make it, just barely! Galloping directly to my coach! Success!*
/Ger/ - Erik! Tristan! Help me on this one!

*I am mortally wounded, they can see that. My plan is to get off my horse, and go in to coach. Erik and Tristan should follow me inside for now and we speak illuminated only by torches.*

/Ger/ - Remove my armor! Erik, I’ve tasks for you! When I’ll wake up I’ll need blood, lots of it. Fetch my at least five healthy persons, you know what I like! Maybe they can help it in the camp! What’s more, Tristan, my dear friend! I want you to go to the city, with protection, and find the best smith there, in the whole kingdom! I want my armor repaired as soon as possible!

*I don’t have much time.*

- /Ger/ - What’s more, the werewolves will return, probably bringing fae-folk traitors with them. Do not attack them, but alert the other guards to watch their every step, the Komtur will gladly interrogate them. That’s all, for now!

Please explain very briefly what happened here!

*And after that they know that they should leave the coach now, as I’m about to fall asleep.

After checking the defenses and that no light can come in, I’ll fall asleep.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Freiherr von Rosen]

Characters present: Albrecht von Wulfhard, Sablepaw, Sophia d'Auxerre, White Raven.

*Wasting no more time, Albrecht gets on the back of his horse - oh, how blasted hard it is, even such a menial task! -, and rides off to the sunrise. Or rather, before the sunrise.
The dead spiritual entity in his head is quick to reply.*

<Very well, Phoenix Claw. All shall be according to your way.>

*The Wyldlings, in the meantime, are still restless and agitated. They look from person to person; Albrecht's departure despairs them, Sophia's veiled threat frightens them, Sablepaw's fox-like gurgling and cub-like snowplay baffles them and finally, White Raven's answer makes them break out in mirthful laughter.*

-/Ger/ Yaaaaaay! I kneeeeew we could come to an agreement! Magniiiificent!

-/Ger/ But let's not waste any more time, then! We can offer assistance with that healing later, come now! Priscilla, say the words! Remember: only those shall receive anything, who enter our pact!

*Say the two humanoids, while the fox-like Fae tiptoes, looking around and listening carefully, baring her strange ears. She then moves between the other two, right at the edge of the grove, ponders for a moment, then begins incanting the words of the oath in a much more dignified and ceremonial Latin pronunciation than heard earlier.*

-/Lat/ Here we stand, and here we swear, that before the completion of this oath, we shall answer any questions the other side addresses to us pertaining to our kind and our ways, and grant them every guidance against the court that threatens us all! In addition, in our great liberality, we also swear that upon the completion of this oath, we shall gift all participants with a magical item of great power!
In return, those who swear must protect us from Fae-kind from all their wills and to the best of their abilities, saving us from a most wanton destruction by slaying our common enemy, Sibylla the Exalted, and scattering her household of oppression!

*Such grand words from a seemingly meek creature, just like when Sablepaw initiated her Spirit Oath, the very air seems to be charged with magic. Even more so than before.
She continues.*

-/Lat/ We shall break this oath, if we refuse to answer, or if we lie to you before the completion of this oath, or if we neglect handing you the artifacts afterwards!
Similarly, you shall break this oath, if you do not try your best to honestly protect us from the wrath of our own, or if you shall pass on without bringing an end to the rule of the Summer Queen!

*The other two, in deep contrast to their previous behaviour, now listen carefully in utter silence to every syllable of every word.
With good reason...*

-/Lat/ If we shall fail this oath, may our punishment be of fitting depths! Our magic shall nevermore work on the sons and daughters of Shifter-kind, and we shan't be able to harm them as much as to split one of their hairs!
And if you fail this oath, may you be left completely defenseless against the magic of Fae-kind for eternity, suffering gravely from the merest cantrip!

*With the wording done, the fox-like fair folk now looks over each of the three remaining "werewolves" and asks on a much humbler tone.*

-/Lat/ Do you swear?

*****

*The rise of the sun is close, so Albrecht drives his horse into full gallop to arrive in time. Leaving a forested mountainside in a hurry is no easy task, and he's gravely wounded, but his countless years of experience do not fail him. Soon enough, he's back on the empty and ever-lightening road, while the yellow rays of Helios slowly start creeping on the eastern horizon.
Will Sophia make it? It is doubtful. But it was her choice to linger.
Upon reaching camp, he finds the the guards in great surprise and shouting, loudly announcing his belated return. Naturally, no other Kindred are out in the open, but instead, there is a huge pile of corpses in the middle of this freshly-constructed camp, already being carried away by ghouls. A battle might have occurred.
Amidst the great shouting, the voices of Tristan and Erik are heard, who are soon seen rushing on foot towards their lord in great relief.*
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[Inu]

*I walk out with others from the forest but I stop in a few steps in the snow. I don't usually like the snow but now it gives a false feeling of safety. I turn back and examine those funny creatures reaching out for us. They stay inside as if they couldn't even leave the forest without the oath. Strange.*

*I glance at Sablepaw. Yes, they do change their mind. They seem to be desperate and agree for the protection. Or is this oath only a lie? We can't know what this magical "oath" is about. Still it worth a try. Both Sablepaw and Sophia agrees. Would they also take that oath? Or just want someone to do it?*

- /Ger/ We can swear an oath against our common enemy. And of course to help each other out.

*But first things first.*

- /Ger/ Can any of you heal wounds?

*I look back to Sablepaw. The poor cub baths in the snow. No matter how weak they look a heal would be great help. Even I would appreciate some assistance. Here is the time to show something in advance.*

[RedDrake]

*The words of the fae folks fall on deaf ears. They had the chance to clear their names and they haven’t even said a word or dared to reply. They were their own judge and the sentence has already been decided.

There is only one thing that I’m not comfortable with. I remained alone with my decision. All the others want to be more cunning or more of a fool to deal with them. Have them their way. I know my path is a lonely one. A stray wolf, no regrets because I’ve got nothing to lose, until I fall.

Bah. Enough! My plain is to get on my horse, and prepare for fast galloping. My friend is here, that’s good.*

<L’argent, my friend, the wyld creature has more powerful than I was hoping for. I’ll badly need spiritual energy, can you do me the favor to hunt some for me until the evening?

And also, my friend, watch out for the two garou, they are far from being noble. I don’t know what will they do, but as long as it does not hurt me or you, leave that female Sablepaw alone, she is really an angry cub, nothing more, let her do her spirit ways.
I will call this day the Day of the annoying peasants of the Kingdom of Hungary.>

*As soon as me and Sophia are ready to go, I’ll begin galloping to our camp, I have to arrive before sunrise.*
_________________
"Ashes to Ashes
Dust to Dust.
From ashes you've come
And to ash you'll return!
AMEN!"
(Angel Dust Andersen)

[Sophia d'Auxerre]

*Sophia watches the reactions of the creatures, as well as her companions. All hurt and needing aid so naturally, they are seeking to be rid of this world that's caused injury, not only to the physical but in some cases to pride. A slight frown can be seen on her features as she thinks this through.

True, sense dictates that they certainly shouldn't make this pact. Trickery being one of the creatures obvious "weapons". Wanting to keep their sanity was another reason for no doubt being around such annoying things would drive anyone mad! Well... Her at least. Who knows what the wolf creatures think, perhaps they would feel a bond to the animal ones?
Sophia peers at Sablepaw and White Raven in thought. Who knows what their ways are like. She had read so little on them and they were hardly the conversationalist type.

Dawn is too close to dwell longer. Albrect knows that in his state and it's certainly not ignored by Sophia either.

Annoyingly, her only way to voice her thoughts to the rest of the group is through a language the creatures already understand.*

-/Ger/ It would be best that we know where they are, would it not? If we are rid of them they will likely cause more trouble with what is to come. If they fail to prove useful, they had best understand the danger that would cause toward themselves.

*Sophia of course says this calmly, but her glance toward the creatures makes promise of the dangers she speaks of.*