Destiny's Game

Food was becoming more and more difficult to find as the suns passed. Skygem and Windweaver did their best to store food for the fastly approaching white cold, but it was becoming quite obvious that their meager rations would not be nearly enough to sustain them throughout the entire season. The two were almost ready to give up and accept that they would soon join the rest of their tribe in the eternal sleep of death, that they were meant to die like the others had so long ago.

It had been almost one full turn of the seasons since Nightshade Keep had been invaded by the humans the elves had considered friends. Almost one full turn since the two lovemates had returned to find their holt nothing more than cooling ashes. Almost one turn since the two had fled from the green-eyed elf maiden who had attempted to destroy them. Almost one full turn of the seasons, and it seemed as though the two could not escape the fate that had befallen their tribe mates.

It was then as the two fell into their darkest thoughts that Windweaver picked up the trail. His keen eyes picked up the slightest signs of the animal's passing. There were hoof prints barely distinguishable through the dense leaves, but the mere fact that they were still visible proved that the animal had passed recently.

**Burr,** the two still referred to each other by their firstnames, their newnames being a harsh reminder of how much their lives had changed, **I think I've found something.**

**I'll check it out.** Skygem replied using her glider's ability to help her quickly climbing a tree to get a better view. From her vantage point the magnificent creature was easily visible.

**Oh Tanner, it's beautiful!** she sent back excitedly. "It" was an elk, one of the most massive and beautiful creatures Skygem had ever seen. Its body was lean and muscular with a beautiful coat that shined like gold. **Thank the stars! This should be more than enough to last us through the season!**

With that, she fitted an arrow to her bow and prepared to shoot, but suddenly, the elk looked up and dashed off into the woods.

"It's getting away!" she called down to Windweaver who was already aware of this. Both knew that this was probably their last chance at survival so they both took off after their escaping game. Skygem kept to the trees using her magic to keep from falling while Windweaver kept to the ground following the trail.

Skygem lost sight of Windweaver after a while but kept after her quarry knowing that he couldn't be too far behind. She had also lost sight of the elk, but she had the distinct impression that it was just ahead of her out of her view sight. Heedlessly following the elk deeper and deeper into the woods farther and farther away from familiar terrain, Skygem finally saw her chance. From her vantage point she saw a clearing just ahead. The elk would have to pass through it on its present course. If she could get ahead, she could easily shoot it as it crossed through the break in the trees.

Moving quickly through the trees and gracefully leaping directly into the elk's path, Skygem brought her bow and arrow about...only to find another archer standing before her at the ready.

** **

Twittersong was shocked beyond belief when the dark haired elf maiden appeared instead of the magnificent elk she and the others had been tracking. She had flown ahead of Duskwhisper and the others thinking she had the beast cornered, but instead, she found another equally confused elfin huntress. Confused as she was though, the other elf did not lower her weapon, so Twittersong did likewise. The two stood there for a while, a look of panic becoming more and more apparent on the dark-haired elf's face until the girl suddenly open sent:

**TANNER!!!!!**

For a moment, Twittersong wondered why this strange girl would be calling for new clothes at this particular moment, but she did not have much time to dwell on the though because no sooner had the girl open sent the name that a strange sudden wind storm blew in out of no where.

In the space of two heartbeats the wind blew twig, leaves, and dust in Twittersong's eyes temporarily blinding her, but as suddenly as the storm rose, it died away. When Twittersong could see again, the other elf was gone.

"Mother! Are you alright?" Imberglow emerged from the forest along with Duskwhisper and Summerstream coated in dust from the strange sudden windstorm.

"I'm fine," she said wiping some of the grime from face, "But I think we're about to get a newcomer to the tribe."

** **

Skygem was sobbing into Windweaver's shoulder.

"It's alright." He said soothingly, "I'm here. No one can hurt you. Shh."

"Oh Tanner," she began when she could finally speak again, "I lost the elk! Our food! How will we survive?"

"Don't worry about it Burr," he said holding her close, "We'll figure out something."

There was a long pause. Windweaver was hesitant to speak his next thought. Taking a deep breath, he ventured to suggest his idea.

"That other hunter you saw, she was an elf," he said nervously. "Perhaps there are others...others we can ask for help."

"No! We can't!!!" Skygem was vehement. "They'll turn on us! What if they're like the other; the green eyed witch!?!"

"So what if they are!?" Windweaver said frustrated, "Either way, our lives will end!"

Stricken, Skygem turned away, tears running down her cheeks.

"Burr, Skygem," he said turning her by the shoulders to face him. "We have to at least try. I refuse to sit here and watch you die without at least trying."

Still sniffling, Skygem nodded her agreement.

** **

When the hunting party returned, Wisedove and Teean were there waiting.

"What is it counselor?" Duskwhisper asked seeing the hopeful expressions on the former Skysingers' faces.

"We heard the open send," the snow haired elf replied, " the name Tanner."

"Yes," the chieftess responded. "Twittersong encountered another huntress in the woods. The other elf sent the name. Why?"

"Tanner was a youngling in our village no more than 23 turns old. Not long before the holt was destroyed he came into an interesting gift: the ability to control the winds. His name was changed to Windweaver but it is possible the two lovemates still call each other by their firstnames.'"

"So you believe there might be two others from your tribe who escaped?" Duskwhisper asked

The counselor nodded.

"Very well," Duskwhisper was thoughtful, "We will have to wait until sun up to seek them out, the sun has already begun to fall, but at first light, we will begin the search."

Pleased by this, Wisedove nodded and turned. Teean excitedly followed.

"Oh Wisedove! If they did survive, there may be others! Perhaps our home is not completely gone!"

"Perhaps," Wisedove said, a sad smile on her lips, "But let's not count our wishes before the stars have fallen, friend. We may find ourselves yet disappointed."

** **

As light broke over Stormsinger's Rest, the Finders rose to find two slight figures slumbering peacefully under a tree. Duskwhisper sent others to get food for the two half starved younglings as Wisedove gently touched their shoulders. Teean was right beside her. The two woke with a start looking around in panic until their eyes focused.

"Evermist! Wisedove!" Skygem said tears of joy filling her eyes. The four Skysingers embraced and as the others shared tearful greetings, Wisedove said simply in a quiet voice "Welcome, my younglings, to Stormsinger's Rest."

** **

TBC…