Nighthowl Tribe

A pale, maneless Saliko with dark markings jumped out of the underbrush towards them. It couldn’t be but…there she was – Kaheana was alive and well! «You made it!» Padme ran up to her sister and nuzzled her, none of them caring about the rain. «Did he catch you?» «Yes, but it’s a long story. Let’s get back to the cave and I’ll tell everyone. Thankfully the rain will wash away my tracks, though I don’t think he followed me this far.» 

Once the jill had settled down, everyone who was able to get to their paws walked over to her and surrounded the female. They had noticed she and Padme were gone for a while earlier and only one of them returned with a gigantic loot of herbs, but since the ice had tried to keep it on the low, nobody had been aware that Kaheana was missing until now. The news of her escaping the fangs of the stranger spread like wildfire and everyone wanted to see if she was alright. First the sisters explained what happened until the point they split up, then Kaheana continued on her own. «He caught me just at the border wall and dragged me under the temple. I was unconscious for a moment, but he didn’t kill me right away. He seemed crazy at first but…to be honest I’m not sure what to believe.» «Did you talk to him?» «What did he say?» «Is he hunting us still?» She slowly shook her head. «I don’t think so. He talked about the temple being sacred and him being cursed by Kydos. I’m not sure I got it all since it seemed so absurd. But seeing how strong he is, maybe he’s not lying after all.» A murmur went through the crowd as everyone uttered their worries. Even Padme couldn’t hold back any longer. As a follower of Kydos herself, she couldn’t believe this. «What do you mean he was ‘cursed? Kydos would never do that! He’s the patron of all who are weak and suffering.» Her sister shrugged. «That’s how he said it. His sunmask is not a blessing, but a curse, and he wasn’t born with it.» A gasp went through the crowd. They had never heard of something like this happening, other than the legends about the god himself, who went into the bone desert and the sun burned off his mask. The shepherd looked up and her eyes met with Elijah. Ever since he was a whelp he’s had his pale sunmask already, but would that make him even more of a target? Or would the stranger have pity with him as another ‘cursed’ Saliko? Either way, Padme’s white markings were too obvious a sign and would put her in immense danger, that was clear to them now. Cleaning the paint off was not an option though. The marks were magical, showing her devotion, and as long as she WAS devoted, they would not disappear. It was clear to both of them that they couldn’t stay so close to that lunatic – Not if they wanted to have a family. Once again the healer was torn between the loyalty to the love of his life and his tribe. And then there was still Salvador’s uncertain fate. Padme had been reunited with her sister (the one she liked anyway – Aiko was still missing as well) but he hadn’t heard anything from his own brother and it made him uneasy. He wanted to talk to Rheagal, but the commotion in the cave was too distracting and he needed to rest, so Elijah decided to wait. 

At night, when almost all of the lost Salikos were fast asleep, the healer was lying next to Padme, whose blue chest slowly rose and sank with every calm breath she took. But the sunmask could find no sleep. He thought about making a little stroll outside, but it was simply too dangerous. Still, there was no use wasting his time here, agonizing over what had been or could be… So he got up – careful not to wake his partner – and walked towards the exit of the cave. There he saw Avianos on guard, and for a moment Elijah had to wonder if this hob ever slept. «I’m used to long shifts» the Caramel spoke as if he had read his thoughts as Eli sat down next to him. «Gives me a sense of normalcy.» When the healer didn’t reply, the brown Saliko glanced over and noticed how exhausted he looked. Or maybe disturbed. «I don’t…I don’t think Padme and I can stay here. I don’t know what Rheagal has planned, but with every waking minute here, so close to that monster, I fear for us.» Avianos looked away into the night. He didn’t nod, but a low grunt conveyed the same message. «Meteora and I are leaving tomorrow. I won’t risk the life of her or our whelps any longer and it’s going to get more difficult to travel once the litter is born. Time is of the essence now.» «Did you speak to Rheagal?» Silence. Then the former passage keeper continued. «No need. I know he will accept our decision. After all, the Nighthowl tribe is in shambles. There’s no use holding on to this.» He gestured towards the other Salikos. The bluntness of his words was almost unbearable for the limegreen hob, and his heart ached at the thought that what the Saliko with the full mane said might be true – even if it was just a small grain of truth. «I can’t do this to him. He’s my best friend.» «And as such he will surely understand. Otherwise I can’t image him being your best friend.» To others, Avianos usually seemed cold and gruff, and Elijah had to admit he has had the same impression of him until that moment. But now he realized that behind this tough-guy masquerade was a clever hob who would do anything for those he loved. «Where will you go?» «As far away as we can. We thought about using the crossroads to get to the eastern jungle. You ever been there?» A sudden memory flushed Elijah’s mind and he smiled sadly. «Yes. It’s where my parents live. And where I met Rheagal for the first time.» Turning his head over to his colloquist, Avianos was now very attentively listening as the green one kept talking. «I always thought I’d go back to visit them someday, but with my role here in the tribe and Padme, I didn’t think I’d get the chance anytime soon. And now I’d have to return without Salvador by my side.» A tear rolled down his cheek and he brushed it away quickly so the other hob wouldn’t see. «I can’t do this.» Avianos didn’t reply – he had already said his piece. Suddenly he heard a noise and his ears turned back, listening to the sound of pawsteps coming closer. They were slow and shuffling, and he immediately knew who it was. «I’ll leave you two alone» he said and walked away. 

When Elijah turned around in confusion about this sudden departure, he saw the blue pelt of his leader. Rheagal didn’t look at him, his gaze fixated on something in the jungle, and the healer was flustered. «O…oh! How long have you…did you hear…?» The ice nodded and stayed quiet first, making Elijah unsure if he should say something or not. But then the alpha finally sat down and began to speak. «I am trying my best to be a solid rock in this ongoing storm, to give those of us who need it a sense of security, which I cannot truly offer them. Not right now.» «…Rheagal, I–» «YOU Elijah, need to find peace for you and your family. And if it’s not here, then you’ll have to search for it elsewhere.» Elijah was taken aback, unsure of whether the leader was mad at him or not. He's always had difficulties expressing his thoughts and feelings in a way that others understood, and while the healer had become used to this unique trait and was able to make sense of it, now he was too confused to tell one way or another. The ice continued. «Mahati picked up Salvador’s scent north of here. He couldn’t have gone far.» «But…what about you and the others? Don’t you need me here?» «I think Padme needs you more. Although it’s funny…» He stopped talking. The Sunmask didn’t understand what in this situation could be considered funny, especially because Rheagal remained completely serious. «I know she never liked me. Didn’t trust me. Or perhaps she thought I wasn’t cut out to be a leader. Considering what happened now, perhaps she was right after all.» «No, don’t say that! Padme was suspicious because you were different and she just doesn’t trust others easily, but I KNOW you are a good leader. You always took care of everyone within Nighthowl, no matter what happened. Do you remember the big storm? Thanks to your leadership, everyone was safe. The tribe kept thriving and if it wasn’t for this crazy blue Sunmask, we still would! Do not lose hope in yourself, Rheagal!» «Thank you, Eli. For being there for me when nobody else was. Back when we met. You and Naara have given me hope that my past does not define my future. That I can be more than a mindless killer. And now I want to return this favor and give you the hope that you need. This uncertainty is tormenting you, I can see it in your eyes. You deserve better than this.» Then he got back to his paws and walked over to his nest where the silver jill was sleeping. Elijah sat alone for a while, thinking about what Avianos and Meteora had said. Even though the healer didn’t want to admit it, they were probably right – this was for the best. And perhaps one day he would be able to live with the pain of this decision.