Stirring Shadows [Drachen]

The Spirit smiled as Drachen volunteered the hawk’s willingness to learn. She didn’t doubt the assertion, though. Birds often enjoyed learning new things, regardless of type.

She led the way along the deer path that had long since been widened and trodden down by years of wolf paws, and now often Taliesyn’s hooves, winding through the woods as she considered his question. As yet, only a few had joined for the open lessons, but all of her children, as well as Red, Cairo, Paladin, Regulus, and Taliesyn, had been well drilled with the knowledge. She hoped that in time the entire pack would know the script, but it remained to be seen.

As she turned down the ravine, she answered, “It’s relatively new, so not entirely. The pack has been invited to lessons, but the turnout hasn’t been incredibly large yet. I’d like everyone to learn but I’m not keen on forcing them. Force leads to resentment, usually.”

The ravine’s tall walls opened into the wide area just outside the cave mouth, and she paused for a quick drink at the spring-fed pool, tarrying long enough for him to grab a drink if he wished before climbing the three natural steps into the main chamber.

The cave was of black marble, struck through with glittering veins of gold, silver, and streaks of quartz here and there, with the ceiling domed.

Alcoves lined the wall, most of them closed off with large hides, tanned with the fur on, to keep in the warmth. One alcove was dark, clearly a tunnel leading deeper into the hill, though a flicker of firelight occasionally flashed deeper in the shadows.

The Spirit’s own coat lit the chamber as she ducked into an alcove and returned with the writing supplies she needed and settled on a large white bearskin spread on the ground, nodding at the man in welcome to settle if he wished as she nudged the supplies to him.

“Ready to begin?”

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think