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There was good and there was evil.
It had always been so, as far back as any could remember and further beyond that. The world had always been in a cycle of destruction and renewal, so many times had this occured that none had ever risen to combat the cycle. And now was a time of renewal, a place of peace and quiet...so quiet that many had allowed themselves to be lulled into a sense of security. But there were those, hidden deep within the forests...Those who kept their eyes wide open and their ears fine-tuned. They remembered from the faintest of memories or were told of the evil lurking just beyond their reaches. Those so evil that to whisper their names brought glints of fear into the eyes of those most steeled. So those who were told or remembered, kept their claws sharp and their teeth sharper still. They are waiting for the time when another battle would approach. The only question...who would attack first?
Generations Later...
They had formed a council of elders, long before their cousins had gained comtrol of themselves. And they always met at the most sacred of temples. The Temple of Sides. It was were the Eastern and Western Woods were one and yet were divided as well. It was the first temple dedicated to their creator, the goddess Byiajah. These meeting were held only at the most sacred of times...the blue moon; it was when the greatest of decisons were made, rules created or challenged, births and deaths announced...any and all that was important started and ended in the council.
Fourteen males and fourteen females were made elders.
That had long been the the traditional number of those of the council. One for each day of the lunar month. But many hardships and trails had lessoned their numbers greatly...numbers so dwindled, that there were only ten left to hold on positions on the council. Five males and five females to decide what would be best for the tribe....
The moon had a triple ring around it on this night, while the sky remained starless. The treetops hid many things, both above and below the skyline...yet nothing could hide the emotional voices that echoed into the breezeless night. Tensions and emotions were running high and wild this night...
"And what, leave our cousins defenseless?" One fela cried out, eyes glowing around the simple fire. Large wings flapped angrily at the antagonist.
"Not defenseless! Look they have evolved! The angelics have become their guardians now. Not to mention the other branches of the family tree. They are now able to create their own watches. We are needed elsewhere and you know it!"
Shanowen, a dark blue-black creature, hissed angrily to the others of the council. In all honesty, he was tired of babysitting those who were smaller than him, knowing that there were battles waiting to be fought.
Tonight, those remaining on the council were discussing the move of their tribe to the deeper parts of the Western Woods. A move that would either encourage the repopulation of their species or doom them to extinction. It had been discussed in many councils before, and always been voted down. But this time, the situation was dire...it was getting harder and harder to find a mate that one was not related to by blood or matings...and the kittens...there had not been a kitten born to the tribe in a while.
But this time was also different.
This time, their cousins who had traveled into the Western Woods had spoke of hints of others living deep within the forests. Markings of griffens so deep in the woods, that it was hard to tell their marks from other beasts. Besides protecting those of the woods, new blood was desparately needed. So the debate continued on; two griffens spoke vehemently and attacked each other with vile words. It was not their way, to be so vicious, but no others wanted to stand up to the two combatants.
Shanowen, a bold and out-spoken elder...one of the younger members of the council.
And then, Asiles, one of the truly elder members. A fela whose first and foremost duty was to guard those smaller than her. She was a brilliant shade of red, made all the more vibrant by the light of the fire.
"Angelics? Pah!" She spat at the ground. "They are nothing but weak shadows of us...they have no power against those who seek to destroy them."
"And what of us? Who will protect us from our extinction? Surely you do not suggest mating with them and it is not in our nature to mate with our relations!"
Many growled or hissed at the ridiculus suggestions. Shanowen continued on, "I say, explore the woods...find the lost tribes. It is in the records of the goddess that Narylen and Meloreth left in anger due to this council long ago. And with them, they took kin and friend. Is not our future worth the risk?"
He cried this out; many nodded or cried out in agreement with him. Shanowen stepped completely into the circle. His green eyes glowed with the fevor of his cause. Drawing a line in the dirt with a single claw, he called out...staring straight at Asiles.
"Take your sides now! Preservation or death!"
And he moved to the left of his line. The others stood in shock at the sudden challenge. Not knowing where to move and unwilling to move without another's support. It took a moment before they slowly began to move to the left or the right of the crude line. Asiles stood firm and proud, refusing to give in to Shanowen's challenge. Her beak clacked in aggitation at her fellow council member. Personally, she could not believe he had been allowed to become a member so young...but that had not been her call...nor was this. Her watery blue eyes glowed in angst.
One...two...not many had moved to her side. She would have to go with the council's decision. That was the rule of being an elder, no matter how much she disdained the verdict. As one of the oldest felas in the tribe, Asiles had seen many joys and sorows of the Eastern griffen tribe. Spreading her golden-red wings out and flapping them anxiously, she began to lose her confidence. At last only one stood undecided...
Karros...
The eldest of all the living griffens. None dared speak against him or ignore his advice. Blessed by the goddess with long life and wisdom, his judgement was deemed the final word. Karros had once been a brilliant emerald green, but slowly age had dulled him to a vine green color. Gray has slowly began to creep into his muzzle, claws, and wing tips. His eyes were wise and shown that he been touched by Byiajah. They seemed to be molten silver and gold.
Karros stepped up to the fires, not choosing any side. At his age, there was no point in getting involved with silly debates. He had already made up his mind about whether to move on or not. Glowering first at Shanowen and then at Asiles, he watched as their eyes dropped in shame.
"And this senseless agrument is helping our kind? Shanowen...Asiles...I have known you two since you were both fluffs on a branch. This is silly." His voice was low and powerful, like a kind and wise father. He had watched the continous rise and fall of their clan and knew where their path lay.
"It is time for our kind to move from this place. Our cousins have evolved to the point where they can take care of themselves. It is time for us to take care of us and our children. My decision is to move into the Western Woods. And hopefully, once there, we will find the lost members of our tribe."
The others could only nod and none dared speak back to him. Bowing his head, Karros left the circle in order to prepare for the long journey ahead of them. The other elders only looked at each other; one by one, each elder left and went back to his or her family members to tell them of the final word. And in the morning, the great migration would begin.
 Naree · Wed Jun 29, 2005 @ 02:29am · 0 Comments |
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