Post by makya on Dec 18, 2007 2:08:46 GMT -5
Location:
Sweeping Steppe
Down from the foothills, the terrain here flattens out rather abruptly, sweeping off to the east in a scrubby prairie. The occasional cedar tree or sagebrush emerges to break up the monotony of gray and green, soil and sparse grass. The wind here isn't quite as constant as to the west, but when it does pick up, it does so fiercely, in sparse blasts and occasional powerful bursts, leaving foliage crushed randomly in its wake.
Characters:
Helaku - Mysterious Wolf from the Desert
Makya - A Raven with a Plan
Karon - The Golden Eagle Information Broker
The Log
Wandering the plains, having traveled some distance from his family's home, Helaku has paused to rest in a patch of particularly soft grass, panting from tiredness in the afternoon heat. The wolf bears an odd marking on his shoulder, unfamiliar to any of the inhabitants in the region he's visiting now, though perhaps those familiar with the Amaranth's own dyes might at least not be quite as surprised by such a mark.
Equally as tired, though having traveled a shorter linear distance, a Raven flaps his way overhead. His dark eyes scan the ground below for both a place to rest, and others. He's been zig-zagging across the lands since early yesterday morning, and so far, has had little luck seeing anything that would really help in his search. The strangely-dyed wolf catches his eye as he passes over him. The bird lets out several short quorks in a way of greeting.
Helaku glances up at the sounds from above, squinting against the sun as he sights the dark bird soaring overhead. "Hail!" he calls out, loud enough to reach the raven. "How are you, my feathered friend?" He wonders if the avian might have any information that could assist him, not yet realizing the raven is seeking similar information as well.
Makya folds his left wing, turning to the right while rolling and dropping in altitude. "Good afternoon!" he returns, "Tired but well. Yourself?" he listens and looks for clues that the wolf might be ill, and spots the strange mark upon his shoulder. Never before has he seen that color on a wolf, and he narrows his eyes slightly. He may be new here himself, relatively speaking, but he's never seen the likes of this one before. At least he isn't threatening to eat the bird...
Information. The currency of Karon's world, and it is his goal in life to become as absolutely rich as possible. There have been too many whispers in the dark as of late to be dismissed as mere rumor--not that rumors ever received such treatment from the golden eagle anyway--and so Karon is on his way toward a potentially promising source of information: the Amaranth. They keep appearing in the rumors a bit too often for Karon to view it as mere coincidence. Aside from a smaller bird--a raven or crow, it looks like--ahead and off slightly to the side, as well as... a wolf? coyote? dog? in the same direction, Karon does not see any inhabitants around for quite some distance. Must keep flying a bit further on, then.
"The same," Helaku responds, remaining on his side so as to be better able to see the bird above. A larger bird floats by, catching his attention briefly before returning his gaze to the raven. "Are you from these lands, friend? I am a visitor here, and I was wondering if you might be able to help me..."
Makya is about to make a landing near the wolf when he sees the larger form. He lets out three sharp 'kek' calls and flaps to gain some altitude. he's safer in the air than on the ground with an eagle around, where he can outmanuver thelarger bird. "Yes, I'm from the mountain to the west... Please pardon me for staying aloft, danger rides on golden wings." He Who Hunts Eagles is wary of his supposed quary. Normally he would take this opportunity to cause trouble and mischief, perhaps steal a meal from the eagle, but his mission is too important to compromise.
A meeting between the bird and wolf? Apparently not, as the former begins to fly off... or maybe Karon's arrival changed any premeditated plans they might have had. Ignoring the raven, Karon focuses his attention on the wolf, landing gently on the ground about a dozen feet away. Not too close, for obvious reasons. As valuable as information is, his own life is much more precious. "Wolf," he acknowledges briskly, followed by his all-important question: "Have you seen any of the Amaranth cougars around recently? It is vital that I find them as quickly as possible." A quick headtilt to keep an eye out for any sudden changes in direction from the raven. Karon doesn't much care for the black-feathered avians, but is willing to accept their presence, assuming at least a bare minimum in courtesy.
"Not at all, friend," Helaku responds genially before continuing with his line of questions. "Tell me, have you heard of any sickness in the nearby areas? Several of my pack have fallen ill, and we've heard rumors of a cure." The other bird lands a short distance from him, beginning to ask him questions as well, but Helaku merely looks confused at his words. "The Amaranth cougars? I'm afraid I'm only a visitor to these lands, and I can't help you with such a request."
Now that the eagle is on the ground, the Raven also floats to the ground. He stays closer to the wolf than to the other bird, as he trusts a wolf more than an eagle. His dark eyes glare at Karon as he tries to figure out the golden's motives. "I know of the Amaranth," he says, keeping his tone stern but polite. "What interest are they of yours?" Back to Helaku, he nods solomly. "I have, and I've seen it. The sickness is here as well, I'm afraid. As for the cure, I've heard that rumor as well." No mention of his own search for it, at least not while the eagle is within hearing distance.
Did the raven really just say...? "You too have heard of this.. sickness?" All of Karon's attention is now on the raven. "And may I ask what you have heard of regarding a cure?" He glances at the wolf, then back toward the raven. "I am seeking as much information as I can find on this matter, and have heard enough to point me in the cougars' direction." This could be an extra bonus, should the raven really know anything.
"Ah, so you've not found a cure yet either," Helaku nods in response to the raven's answer. "I've heard it's somewhere in the plains area around here, but I've had no success yet in finding anything definitive." He's happy to share what he knows, not realizing that the raven might not feel the same way.
Makya simply glares at the eagle for now. "Yes, I have," he replies, not witholding the suspicious tone. "And I've heard some. Why are you interested in the cure. You don't seem ill to me." The feathers on the sides of his head are sticking up, looking like flat ears or maybe horns. His throat hackles are also out and he's holding his wings just out from his body. Glancing sideways to the wolf, but keeping a keen eye on the Golden, the Raven nods lightly.
"I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of information." Karon allows his tone to cool a little, extending his wings halfway out. "Decide for yourself whether such a devotion has merit, but in the meantime I will continue my search." Nodding a farewell just as brisk as was the greeting, the golden eagle launches himself into the air, though his departure is hesitant just in case the raven decides to reveal any last bit of information.
Makya clicks his beak. "Do you have information to share?" he calls after the eagle as he starts to depart, "Or are you here just to gather?" If the eagle is willing to give as well as take, he may cough up some of the information he knows. But he isn't going to just give it up. He has a good reason for wanting the cure, and he isn't going to jeopardize getting it. Who knows how much there is, and if there isn't enough to go around, then he wants to make sure he gets as much of it as possible...
Ahh, so he /is/ going to be a little more helpful! Looking almost as if he had been expecting this, the golden eagle banks around and settles back down on the prairie. "I pursue information, but that does not preclude me from sharing in certain instances." Pausing for emphasis, he then states rather dramatically, "What if I told you that this disease.. this plague sweeping the lands is limited only to the land-dwellers? We of the Sky are immune to its claws." Another pause to let that sink in. "And what if I told you.."--here the golden eagle swivels his head to stare at the wolf--"..that those cured of this disease become much stronger than before they had been sick?" Yet another pause, as Karon prepares for the best rumor of all. Taking a deep breath, he adds, "Not to mention that I've been informed that this whole disease was deliberately started to wipe out certain groups..."
The warm-toned wolf starts at the eagle's last words. "Surely you are mistaken, friend... By whom?" he can't help but ask, wondering who could have such a great vendetta against his small pack and whoever else the disease has managed to affect so far. "And how could they start such a viral disease?"
Makya blinks. His head feathers go down, and he slicks back slightly once the eagle is done sharing what he knows. This was a good play, a worthey trade. "I had figured I hadn't come down with it, because I'm a scavenger... But you figure that this is meant to hurt only those who cannot fly?" This seems preposterous, but still, his attention is rapt. "Any how would being ill make one stronger? Who did you get this from?" If Karon answers these questions, he'll most certainly share what he knows. This could be benificial for all three of them.
He shouldn't have to explain this, but.. "Come now, Raven. You should know that sources of information are highly confidential." He headtilts again. "Trust an' all that." In response to the other avian's earlier questions, Karon simply shakes his head. "I am seeking answers to those very questions. Speculation is very much an enjoyable activity, but I prefer solid information from reliable sources." Another headtilt. "I don't suppose you might have something to tell me in return for all of this?"
Makya fluffs his head feathers again. "Well, your sources are /wrong/," he caws lowly. "I saw a duck, a green-head mallard, who was sick with this illness. On that I swear. As for anything else..." He pauses, trying to figure how much he should say. "I know where the Amaranth are. They're to the west of here, near the mountains. Look for a strange formation of stones. But I don't know how much more information you'll get from them. They live not far from my roost, and I've already spoken with them on this..."
This wouldn't be the first time he's received false information, but it annoys Karon, just the same. With an air of indignation, the golden eagle makes a dismissive wave of one wing. "Whatever. I'm still trying to track down answers, so forgive the hypothetical nature of my questions." The hint of annoyance leaves his voice, and he nods slowly. "Strange formation of stones? I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it. Whether the Amaranth have any additional information or not, I still must follow every possible lead, y'know."
Helaku glances between the eagle and the raven as they bicker back and forth. "Perhaps it would be best to follow other leads, eagle, if this one has already been exhausted?" he suggests mildly. "It would certainly save you some time if it turned out to be a dead-end, after all."
"You'll know it when you see it, though I think you're on a dead-end chase," Makya says, glancing back to Helaku, "as the wolf just said." He won't argue, however, as the last creature he wants to team up with is an eagle. The Raven would like to know the eagle's sources, especially since they're flawed. "But before you fly off, are you sure you don't want to say who it was that you got your information from? After all, if the information is false, it would be best if we knew who to avoid."
Karon almost feels like using his talons to teach that raven a lesson. Does he honestly think that Karon is going to just reveal his sources that easily? "I'll be sure to inform them that they were mistaken," the golden eagle says dryly, "...assuming you are correct." Karon plans on speaking with the Amaranth regardless; how can one really determine fact from rumor without at least speaking to all available sources first?
Helaku simply continues to glance between the two avians, not wishing to rudely interrupt them and risk getting pecked in the face.
Makya has no idea that the Amaranth have gone off in search of the cure themselves. If he did, he would go ahead and encourage the eagle to try and find them, just to watch him chase his tailfeathers for nothing. "Very well. Good luck getting anymore information." He knows what he saw, and so he takes what the golden said with a grain of salt. He won't forget what he was told- that would be stupid, but he isn't going to flat-out believe it either. The duck was sick, he knows it, so Karon is wrong. End of story.
The thought that a duck might be considered a type of land-dweller--after all, how much time do they /really/ spend in the air?--crosses Karon's mind, but he doesn't feel like getting into a debate over semantics with the other avian. Instead, he launches himself into the air again, quickly gaining altitude. Next stop: a strange rock formation, or something along those lines. Hopefully it won't be too difficult to find the cougars dwelling there, and hopefully they'll be at least amiable enough to listen to him.
Helaku watches the eagle leave without a word, and returns his attentions to the raven who's stayed behind. "Well then," he muses simply, unsure of what to say about the unexpected encounter, and equally unsure of where to pick up their own conversation, having forgotten where they left off.
Makya lets his head and throat feathers slick back down to their normal, neutral pose. He shakes his head lightly, then looks back to the wolf. "Eagles... Uppity critters, think they're better'n the rest of the world," he quorks in a mildly agitated manner. "At any rate... You said your pack was ill, then? I'm sorry to hear that. The pack I work with is ill as well, as are the Amaranth cougars. It's spreading quickly."
"It is rather unfortunate," Helaku agrees, arching his neck around to nibble at a flea that's bitten him almost squarely in the middle of the yellow marking on his shoulder. "But you've not heard anything specific about the location of the cure, either? I've only heard that it was in these lowlands somewhere, but my search so far has been fruitless. I'm not even quite sure what I'm looking for."
Makya scans the sky, to see if the eagle is still somewhere to be seen. He can't be too careful. "What I was told was it's beyond the two rivers... I took that to mean east of here. I've flown past the rivers, to the borders of the areas I know. There's nothing out there- it's flat as far as the eye can see. If it's out there somewhere, I don't even know where to start."
"Yes, many visitors to the desert aren't quite sure where to start if they're not familiar with the area," Helaku replies with a light chuckle. "But there is a guidepost that my pack uses to find our way home - perhaps it might help you orient yourself as well in your search?" he offers, willing to help out where he can, assuming that the assistance will be returned to him some day - perhaps a bit naively.
Makya is as willing as any to strike a deal. And he has nothing against helping out a wolf pack, as long as they don't threaten to eat him or try to cause harm to the pack he's made his allegiance with. "I'll take any hint I can get," he replies, tilting his head lightly. When he went to the east he didn't come across the desert, but if whatever landmark the wolf speaks of can also be seen in from the prairie, it could be of a great help.
Helaku turns his nose back to the painted fur on his shoulder again. "My pack uses the sun to guide us home. When the sun rises, we line up our marked shoulders with its rays, and continue walking southeast in this manner until we come across a tall rock formation in the midst of the barren desert. From there, my pack's lands lie to the east, but we don't believe the cure is to be found there, unfortunately. But perhaps such a landmark can keep you from getting lost while you navigate the plains. It's not much, but it's all the help I can afford at the time being," the warm-toned wolf continues apologetically.
Makya thinks about this. "The sun is the only landmark I could see there," he replies. "So if I were travel in the morning or evening, I could use it to navigate by. Otherwise, I didn't spot anything else. Only vast oceans of grass." He sighs lightly. He's from the mountains, and has always been in at least foothills of somesort, so the plains are frightening and new. The expansive nothingness is disorienting, barren and discouraging. No cover, no places to roost. "Anyway, I should head east again, attempt to get a little farther. Many thanks for your help, friend. I'm Makya, by the way, should we cross paths again."
Helaku bobs his head in response to the raven's introduction. "Helaku. I wish you luck in your own search."
Makya smiles, an expression that rests in his eyes. "Thank you, Helaku. I wish the best to you and your pack." One last scan of the sky to make sure that Karon is gone, and the raven raises on black wings, headed east.
Sweeping Steppe
Down from the foothills, the terrain here flattens out rather abruptly, sweeping off to the east in a scrubby prairie. The occasional cedar tree or sagebrush emerges to break up the monotony of gray and green, soil and sparse grass. The wind here isn't quite as constant as to the west, but when it does pick up, it does so fiercely, in sparse blasts and occasional powerful bursts, leaving foliage crushed randomly in its wake.
Characters:
Helaku - Mysterious Wolf from the Desert
Makya - A Raven with a Plan
Karon - The Golden Eagle Information Broker
The Log
Wandering the plains, having traveled some distance from his family's home, Helaku has paused to rest in a patch of particularly soft grass, panting from tiredness in the afternoon heat. The wolf bears an odd marking on his shoulder, unfamiliar to any of the inhabitants in the region he's visiting now, though perhaps those familiar with the Amaranth's own dyes might at least not be quite as surprised by such a mark.
Equally as tired, though having traveled a shorter linear distance, a Raven flaps his way overhead. His dark eyes scan the ground below for both a place to rest, and others. He's been zig-zagging across the lands since early yesterday morning, and so far, has had little luck seeing anything that would really help in his search. The strangely-dyed wolf catches his eye as he passes over him. The bird lets out several short quorks in a way of greeting.
Helaku glances up at the sounds from above, squinting against the sun as he sights the dark bird soaring overhead. "Hail!" he calls out, loud enough to reach the raven. "How are you, my feathered friend?" He wonders if the avian might have any information that could assist him, not yet realizing the raven is seeking similar information as well.
Makya folds his left wing, turning to the right while rolling and dropping in altitude. "Good afternoon!" he returns, "Tired but well. Yourself?" he listens and looks for clues that the wolf might be ill, and spots the strange mark upon his shoulder. Never before has he seen that color on a wolf, and he narrows his eyes slightly. He may be new here himself, relatively speaking, but he's never seen the likes of this one before. At least he isn't threatening to eat the bird...
Information. The currency of Karon's world, and it is his goal in life to become as absolutely rich as possible. There have been too many whispers in the dark as of late to be dismissed as mere rumor--not that rumors ever received such treatment from the golden eagle anyway--and so Karon is on his way toward a potentially promising source of information: the Amaranth. They keep appearing in the rumors a bit too often for Karon to view it as mere coincidence. Aside from a smaller bird--a raven or crow, it looks like--ahead and off slightly to the side, as well as... a wolf? coyote? dog? in the same direction, Karon does not see any inhabitants around for quite some distance. Must keep flying a bit further on, then.
"The same," Helaku responds, remaining on his side so as to be better able to see the bird above. A larger bird floats by, catching his attention briefly before returning his gaze to the raven. "Are you from these lands, friend? I am a visitor here, and I was wondering if you might be able to help me..."
Makya is about to make a landing near the wolf when he sees the larger form. He lets out three sharp 'kek' calls and flaps to gain some altitude. he's safer in the air than on the ground with an eagle around, where he can outmanuver thelarger bird. "Yes, I'm from the mountain to the west... Please pardon me for staying aloft, danger rides on golden wings." He Who Hunts Eagles is wary of his supposed quary. Normally he would take this opportunity to cause trouble and mischief, perhaps steal a meal from the eagle, but his mission is too important to compromise.
A meeting between the bird and wolf? Apparently not, as the former begins to fly off... or maybe Karon's arrival changed any premeditated plans they might have had. Ignoring the raven, Karon focuses his attention on the wolf, landing gently on the ground about a dozen feet away. Not too close, for obvious reasons. As valuable as information is, his own life is much more precious. "Wolf," he acknowledges briskly, followed by his all-important question: "Have you seen any of the Amaranth cougars around recently? It is vital that I find them as quickly as possible." A quick headtilt to keep an eye out for any sudden changes in direction from the raven. Karon doesn't much care for the black-feathered avians, but is willing to accept their presence, assuming at least a bare minimum in courtesy.
"Not at all, friend," Helaku responds genially before continuing with his line of questions. "Tell me, have you heard of any sickness in the nearby areas? Several of my pack have fallen ill, and we've heard rumors of a cure." The other bird lands a short distance from him, beginning to ask him questions as well, but Helaku merely looks confused at his words. "The Amaranth cougars? I'm afraid I'm only a visitor to these lands, and I can't help you with such a request."
Now that the eagle is on the ground, the Raven also floats to the ground. He stays closer to the wolf than to the other bird, as he trusts a wolf more than an eagle. His dark eyes glare at Karon as he tries to figure out the golden's motives. "I know of the Amaranth," he says, keeping his tone stern but polite. "What interest are they of yours?" Back to Helaku, he nods solomly. "I have, and I've seen it. The sickness is here as well, I'm afraid. As for the cure, I've heard that rumor as well." No mention of his own search for it, at least not while the eagle is within hearing distance.
Did the raven really just say...? "You too have heard of this.. sickness?" All of Karon's attention is now on the raven. "And may I ask what you have heard of regarding a cure?" He glances at the wolf, then back toward the raven. "I am seeking as much information as I can find on this matter, and have heard enough to point me in the cougars' direction." This could be an extra bonus, should the raven really know anything.
"Ah, so you've not found a cure yet either," Helaku nods in response to the raven's answer. "I've heard it's somewhere in the plains area around here, but I've had no success yet in finding anything definitive." He's happy to share what he knows, not realizing that the raven might not feel the same way.
Makya simply glares at the eagle for now. "Yes, I have," he replies, not witholding the suspicious tone. "And I've heard some. Why are you interested in the cure. You don't seem ill to me." The feathers on the sides of his head are sticking up, looking like flat ears or maybe horns. His throat hackles are also out and he's holding his wings just out from his body. Glancing sideways to the wolf, but keeping a keen eye on the Golden, the Raven nods lightly.
"I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of information." Karon allows his tone to cool a little, extending his wings halfway out. "Decide for yourself whether such a devotion has merit, but in the meantime I will continue my search." Nodding a farewell just as brisk as was the greeting, the golden eagle launches himself into the air, though his departure is hesitant just in case the raven decides to reveal any last bit of information.
Makya clicks his beak. "Do you have information to share?" he calls after the eagle as he starts to depart, "Or are you here just to gather?" If the eagle is willing to give as well as take, he may cough up some of the information he knows. But he isn't going to just give it up. He has a good reason for wanting the cure, and he isn't going to jeopardize getting it. Who knows how much there is, and if there isn't enough to go around, then he wants to make sure he gets as much of it as possible...
Ahh, so he /is/ going to be a little more helpful! Looking almost as if he had been expecting this, the golden eagle banks around and settles back down on the prairie. "I pursue information, but that does not preclude me from sharing in certain instances." Pausing for emphasis, he then states rather dramatically, "What if I told you that this disease.. this plague sweeping the lands is limited only to the land-dwellers? We of the Sky are immune to its claws." Another pause to let that sink in. "And what if I told you.."--here the golden eagle swivels his head to stare at the wolf--"..that those cured of this disease become much stronger than before they had been sick?" Yet another pause, as Karon prepares for the best rumor of all. Taking a deep breath, he adds, "Not to mention that I've been informed that this whole disease was deliberately started to wipe out certain groups..."
The warm-toned wolf starts at the eagle's last words. "Surely you are mistaken, friend... By whom?" he can't help but ask, wondering who could have such a great vendetta against his small pack and whoever else the disease has managed to affect so far. "And how could they start such a viral disease?"
Makya blinks. His head feathers go down, and he slicks back slightly once the eagle is done sharing what he knows. This was a good play, a worthey trade. "I had figured I hadn't come down with it, because I'm a scavenger... But you figure that this is meant to hurt only those who cannot fly?" This seems preposterous, but still, his attention is rapt. "Any how would being ill make one stronger? Who did you get this from?" If Karon answers these questions, he'll most certainly share what he knows. This could be benificial for all three of them.
He shouldn't have to explain this, but.. "Come now, Raven. You should know that sources of information are highly confidential." He headtilts again. "Trust an' all that." In response to the other avian's earlier questions, Karon simply shakes his head. "I am seeking answers to those very questions. Speculation is very much an enjoyable activity, but I prefer solid information from reliable sources." Another headtilt. "I don't suppose you might have something to tell me in return for all of this?"
Makya fluffs his head feathers again. "Well, your sources are /wrong/," he caws lowly. "I saw a duck, a green-head mallard, who was sick with this illness. On that I swear. As for anything else..." He pauses, trying to figure how much he should say. "I know where the Amaranth are. They're to the west of here, near the mountains. Look for a strange formation of stones. But I don't know how much more information you'll get from them. They live not far from my roost, and I've already spoken with them on this..."
This wouldn't be the first time he's received false information, but it annoys Karon, just the same. With an air of indignation, the golden eagle makes a dismissive wave of one wing. "Whatever. I'm still trying to track down answers, so forgive the hypothetical nature of my questions." The hint of annoyance leaves his voice, and he nods slowly. "Strange formation of stones? I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it. Whether the Amaranth have any additional information or not, I still must follow every possible lead, y'know."
Helaku glances between the eagle and the raven as they bicker back and forth. "Perhaps it would be best to follow other leads, eagle, if this one has already been exhausted?" he suggests mildly. "It would certainly save you some time if it turned out to be a dead-end, after all."
"You'll know it when you see it, though I think you're on a dead-end chase," Makya says, glancing back to Helaku, "as the wolf just said." He won't argue, however, as the last creature he wants to team up with is an eagle. The Raven would like to know the eagle's sources, especially since they're flawed. "But before you fly off, are you sure you don't want to say who it was that you got your information from? After all, if the information is false, it would be best if we knew who to avoid."
Karon almost feels like using his talons to teach that raven a lesson. Does he honestly think that Karon is going to just reveal his sources that easily? "I'll be sure to inform them that they were mistaken," the golden eagle says dryly, "...assuming you are correct." Karon plans on speaking with the Amaranth regardless; how can one really determine fact from rumor without at least speaking to all available sources first?
Helaku simply continues to glance between the two avians, not wishing to rudely interrupt them and risk getting pecked in the face.
Makya has no idea that the Amaranth have gone off in search of the cure themselves. If he did, he would go ahead and encourage the eagle to try and find them, just to watch him chase his tailfeathers for nothing. "Very well. Good luck getting anymore information." He knows what he saw, and so he takes what the golden said with a grain of salt. He won't forget what he was told- that would be stupid, but he isn't going to flat-out believe it either. The duck was sick, he knows it, so Karon is wrong. End of story.
The thought that a duck might be considered a type of land-dweller--after all, how much time do they /really/ spend in the air?--crosses Karon's mind, but he doesn't feel like getting into a debate over semantics with the other avian. Instead, he launches himself into the air again, quickly gaining altitude. Next stop: a strange rock formation, or something along those lines. Hopefully it won't be too difficult to find the cougars dwelling there, and hopefully they'll be at least amiable enough to listen to him.
Helaku watches the eagle leave without a word, and returns his attentions to the raven who's stayed behind. "Well then," he muses simply, unsure of what to say about the unexpected encounter, and equally unsure of where to pick up their own conversation, having forgotten where they left off.
Makya lets his head and throat feathers slick back down to their normal, neutral pose. He shakes his head lightly, then looks back to the wolf. "Eagles... Uppity critters, think they're better'n the rest of the world," he quorks in a mildly agitated manner. "At any rate... You said your pack was ill, then? I'm sorry to hear that. The pack I work with is ill as well, as are the Amaranth cougars. It's spreading quickly."
"It is rather unfortunate," Helaku agrees, arching his neck around to nibble at a flea that's bitten him almost squarely in the middle of the yellow marking on his shoulder. "But you've not heard anything specific about the location of the cure, either? I've only heard that it was in these lowlands somewhere, but my search so far has been fruitless. I'm not even quite sure what I'm looking for."
Makya scans the sky, to see if the eagle is still somewhere to be seen. He can't be too careful. "What I was told was it's beyond the two rivers... I took that to mean east of here. I've flown past the rivers, to the borders of the areas I know. There's nothing out there- it's flat as far as the eye can see. If it's out there somewhere, I don't even know where to start."
"Yes, many visitors to the desert aren't quite sure where to start if they're not familiar with the area," Helaku replies with a light chuckle. "But there is a guidepost that my pack uses to find our way home - perhaps it might help you orient yourself as well in your search?" he offers, willing to help out where he can, assuming that the assistance will be returned to him some day - perhaps a bit naively.
Makya is as willing as any to strike a deal. And he has nothing against helping out a wolf pack, as long as they don't threaten to eat him or try to cause harm to the pack he's made his allegiance with. "I'll take any hint I can get," he replies, tilting his head lightly. When he went to the east he didn't come across the desert, but if whatever landmark the wolf speaks of can also be seen in from the prairie, it could be of a great help.
Helaku turns his nose back to the painted fur on his shoulder again. "My pack uses the sun to guide us home. When the sun rises, we line up our marked shoulders with its rays, and continue walking southeast in this manner until we come across a tall rock formation in the midst of the barren desert. From there, my pack's lands lie to the east, but we don't believe the cure is to be found there, unfortunately. But perhaps such a landmark can keep you from getting lost while you navigate the plains. It's not much, but it's all the help I can afford at the time being," the warm-toned wolf continues apologetically.
Makya thinks about this. "The sun is the only landmark I could see there," he replies. "So if I were travel in the morning or evening, I could use it to navigate by. Otherwise, I didn't spot anything else. Only vast oceans of grass." He sighs lightly. He's from the mountains, and has always been in at least foothills of somesort, so the plains are frightening and new. The expansive nothingness is disorienting, barren and discouraging. No cover, no places to roost. "Anyway, I should head east again, attempt to get a little farther. Many thanks for your help, friend. I'm Makya, by the way, should we cross paths again."
Helaku bobs his head in response to the raven's introduction. "Helaku. I wish you luck in your own search."
Makya smiles, an expression that rests in his eyes. "Thank you, Helaku. I wish the best to you and your pack." One last scan of the sky to make sure that Karon is gone, and the raven raises on black wings, headed east.