Dark Futures

Zas departed from the pack after the group ended their discussion with Claws of Silk.

He sought out Malchizadek to have an audience with the elder Theurge Silent Strider. Upon eventually tracking him down Zas approaches him and says, "You have heard of our journey as a pack, yet I wish to provide you with details of my own journey. I also seek wisdom from you on a matter of great importance to me personally, regarding the future of the Garou nation. It is a rare occurrence for Owl's children to meet, and I hope to make the most of the opportunity. Will you hear me out?"

Most of the strange blue flames that lit the Sicarii's chambers had burned low or were extinguished altogether. Dumuatef stood nearby, silently folding fresh linen wrappings, and Zas could smell the distinctive scent of crushed sage. Malchizadek sat among the preserved dead in the dusty Hall of Fallen Heroes, his cool green eyes closed, his face a neutral expression of peace. When Zas posed his question, the theurge nodded.

"My ears are always open, Zas B'ul. Please, voice what is on your mind."  

Though Malchizedak's face remained passive, the hint of a chuckle accompanied his words.

Zas inhales the various scents and aromas filling the room and allows them to clear his head and focus. He then, after several moments, nods once and begins speaking "Since even before leaving Nacodoches I have served Gaia faithfully. I have aided in creating a peace between the white man and the Comanche. I have escorted Penelope to you safely despite many dangerous Wyrm foes including Skin-rippers, an infested mockery, and powerful Wyrm spirits crossing my path and proved victorious. I have also destroyed kinfolk that had fallen to the Wyrm. I participated in a duel, and though I did not win, my opponent was a packmate, and by accepting his duel, I kept peace within my pack. I count that as a win. I have seen fit to personally take action in protecting and repairing the veil by preventing Garou activity from being discovered in Perdido. I have done all that I could to defend a caern or what once may have been a caern by helping the nearby spirits that had been overwhelmed by Wyrm spirits. I have fulfilled my calling as a Philodox and as a Garou by doing all of these things in accordance to the Litany and under the guiding light of Gaia. My pack has not stumbled or been deceived by any trappings or temptations that the Wyrm has laid before their feet due to my close scrutiny of the road ahead. I seek to be recognized for these deeds and to rise in status because of them."

Zas then stops momentarily and collects his thoughts. He struggles to form the words he wishes to say, and eventually settles to just speak his mind.
"All that however is meaningless if the Garou as a whole do not come together for the end is nigh you have said. I will not begin to claim that I have traveled as far and wide as you, but I will claim that I have traversed a great swath of territory already in my time and along the way Gaia has allowed me to see our nations' greatest weakness. We are no longer unified. We squabble and quarrel over every detail of a decision along the journey while the enemy gains strength just further down the road. The various bloodied tribes do not agree on a single plan of action. My very point is even here being disputed."

He plants his feet down firmly and stares intensely at the Elder Silent Strider. "I know the role that we must all take in this and I aim to see it resolved. We are no longer unified as a nation, because we have no leadership to guide our actions and coordinate our forces to victory. I ask you for your assistance in helping me accomplish this because I feel that my answers may lie in the spirit world. I am not close to the spirits however...at least not those within the umbra. Your years and travels have endowed you with great knowledge and wisdom as is evident and I ask you to do whatever you can to help direct me spiritually in the right course to take on this matter."

"We have both drawn the same conclusion, Zas. We have seen the world for what it is- chaotic, and deeply wounded. Our society reflects this inescapable fact. The Garou Nation is fractured and broken, rife with petty jealousies. We cannot even make lasting peace with the Pure tribes."

The theuge's eyes remained closed, and though he did not speak, Dumuatef put the burial cloth aside and without a word disappeared into one of the shrouded chambers. After a moment Malchizedek continued:

"I do not agree that you are as removed from the spirits as you think- remember that you yourself are a creature not only of flesh, but of the aether. Every child of Owl is a nexus of potent spiritual energy. Some say it is a curse, that the dead are foul things to be abhorred; I say to you: this belief lacks understanding. Much can be learned from the dead, but you must realize that like all spirits, they have their own goals and it is these goals that color their advice."

"Your rank request comes on the eve of your judgement, a strange time. If you succeed at staving off the accusations of the Get of Fenris during the Equinox, I would accept your challenge and set before you your challenge."

Zas nods quietly as the Theurge speaks. For a long while after Malchizadek stopped speaking, Zas remains silent. His mind lost amidst turbulent emotions, racing thoughts, and the words that had been spoken.

When he does speak again, his voice sounds gravelly and rough. "The words that remain to be spoken from the Throat Tearers will not stop me from fulfilling Gaia's calling-of that you can be certain; regardless of the outcome from the trial."

He rolls his shoulders and takes another deep inhalation of the various herbs and spices. "As for your belief in how involved I am with the spirits, I must trust and refer to you and in your words. I do not know much of our tribe. My father provided me with simple instructions and important but basic information concerning what is required of me as a Garou. There is much I do not know. I have made and dealt with the restless spirits in a limited fashion, and have learned from umbral spirits some, but I hope there is more assistance they can offer, for I will need it to complete my task. Are there any ways you are aware of that they or you can help?"

"Help. What an open ended word." The Theurge inclined his head slightly. "My Sicarii stalk the penumbra of the Republic, slaying the enemies of Gaia without remorse or hesitation. What guides their hand? It is not my vision alone. The spirits are what make my assassins strong. Unerring hunting gafflings go with them, and broods attuned to knowledge and concealment shadow the footsteps of my followers."

"Spirits are sources of power. Ancient lore, supernatural gifts, political aid, and potent secrets are all boons offered by the spirits. This comes at a cost, of course: chiminage must be paid to each spirit for its assistance. Beware of a spirit that offers to help you for nothing in return. Ghosts are no exception to this."

The eerie blue lamps continued to burn low as the night grew older as Malchizedek continued:

"As for whether the spirits can bring peace to the world, I believe they can. The power to restore lies within the luminous beings of the aether. I believe their complete and total cooperation is required to stave off the Apocalypse. We must fight as one, not just as a Nation of Garou- but of all servants of Gaia."

Zas closes his eyes, as he tries to seek clarity by eliminating all other concerns from his mind. After a few moments he opens them again and asks, "I realize that my question is broad, but as I mentioned, my knowledge is limited. I cannot ask for specific lessons when I don't know what all knowledge is available."

He sighs, and then adds, "Are there any spirits that could serve as witness and testimony for me that would be recognized as honorable by the true leaders of the Garou nation-falcon's tribe, the Silver Fangs?"

Malchizedek's breathing remains constant, a calming, even tempo that reverberates subtly throughout the room.

"If your knowledge of matters of spirit are so lacking, perhaps you have been neglecting one side of your duality. As Garou, we are a spiritual beings, Zas B'ul. I would encourage you not be focused solely on matters of the flesh; have you spoken with your pack's theurge? I was under the impression that you have been together for the better part of a year. She may be better able than I to answer your questions in a relevant, practical way."

When Zas asks about the Falcon spirit, Malchizedek's eyes slid half-open, regarding the philodox with cool curiosity.

"Unless one of Falcon's brood was with you when you acted in Los Perdido, I doubt that would help. Do you simply desire to gain an edge over Erik War-Breath... or do the Lords of the Garou Nation interest you, Zas?"

Zas considers speaking more with Zoe after the theurge's initial reply. At Malchizadek's question, Zas blinked once. He had not considered how his quest may appear to others, certainly not in present circumstance and company. He stares back at the Silent Strider elder with a mixture of concern and mild repulsion, "I thought I made it clear that the Throat Tearers' charges were not going to hinder my path forward. My interests lie with the Lords of the Garou."

Zas takes a seat in front of the elder Garou as he says, "You and I have a shared vision of what must happen for the future to be avoided. I feel my path leads me into dealings with all of the tribes. My mentor, Scents-The-Lies taught me that in order for my words to be heeded, I needed to find what my opposition respected and valued. I know little of Falcon, but I do know he values honor greatly."

Zas looks around the room surveying the dead, before saying, "Knowledge can be taught. Wisdom must be learned. Honor must be earned."

"Such confidence." The mystic said the words softly. "I only ask because thirteen tribes walk Gaia. Why do the Silver Fangs in particular interest you?" Malchizedek's eyes slid closed once more, his voice measured and quiet in the dusty hall.

"Do you view the Silver Fangs as opposition? I am not sure they would view you as such."

Zas makes to blurt out a response but catches himself. He looks to the ground and then slowly draws a circle around himself and then on the outside of the circle slowly begins drawing Garou glyphs,with the only sounds in the room being the elder garou's breathing, and the dirt on the ground being disturbed. Peace. Hope. Life. Unity.

He then etches faintly on the inner portion of the circle War.Death. Rage. Secrets.

He then looks up to Malchizadek and says in a flat level tone, "It is not confidence you hear from me. It is fact; It is truth. They are a tribe I have yet to meet, and as I have said, my calling necessitates me meeting with all of the tribes. Their assistance will be needed in future days."

He draws a slow intake of breath and says, "As to whether or not they are a stumbling block in my path or a step forward in the right direction...that choice remains up to them."

He gives what passes as a smile as he says, "I feel as though you know something that would prove useful to our mutual cause but yet you hesitate to tell me. Am I incorrect?"

"I do not begrudge you the strength of your convictions, Zas B'ul, but what you say is not truth," the elder said smoothly, his every word measured and precise. "Not yet. Your calling is a noble and righteous one, but it will only be true when the united tribes of Gaia stand together to confront the Wyrm at the end."

"I know many things. Knowledge is power, especially in the umbral realms. I guard it well and share it with only those who have the wisdom to use it properly." The Silent Strider paused, but did not move. Motes of dust disturbed by Zas' drawing floated through the intensely fragrant air.

"You are right, however, in that we both seek to avert open war with our own kind on the very eve of the Apocalypse. There exist a handful of Silver Fangs in this region. The most notable concentration of them is at the White Ash sept outside of Houston, but even there they are few. Chief among them is an elder called Rawest-Wind. He is reclusive to the point of hermitude. I do not know if he or his tribe will play a large part in your quest, Zas B'ul. The Silver Fangs' power is waning, and I suspect that the greatest among them have already passed from the world." A note of bitterness tinged the normally passive theurge's voice.

Zas smile fades as he pushes his hands together lifting a single finger and placing it over his lips in an effort to keep from butting in as the theurge continues. After he stops speaking Zas removes his finger and says in a slightly more flustered tone, "With respect sir, I must disagree. I view truth differently than you. Simply because something is not yet completed does not make it untrue. We are called to destroy the Wyrm wherever it breeds and dwells. This task has been laid upon us all since we were created, yet the Wyrm still exist. Does the fact that it has not yet been destroyed make all of the litany, all of the Garou nation past, present, and future untrue?"

Zas sighs and says, "I come to you seeking wisdom. If you find me unworthy of using your knowledge, please let it be known. The Silver Fang that are around still represent their tribe. I will seek them out. I simply wish to do so in the most efficient and effective way possible. This is why I come to you. Your experience and wisdom and knowledge as well as your noble lineage serve you well. I wish to glean what I can from you in our time together."

"I see your point of view, Philodox, but consider this: is it true that you have rallied all the warriors of Gaia together in common purpose? It is not. It is your goal. Saying anything else may result in confusion, or worse, insult- among the very parties you seek to rally."

The elder Garou leaned back ever so slightly, his neat beard and longish hair edged with a halo of blue light from the torches behind him.

"I appreciate your candor, Zas. I have been engaged in far too much political double-talk as of late. Our backgrounds are very different, as are our perspectives. There is much we could learn from each other. Are you still doubtful of the methods of my Sicarii?"

Zas listens intently to his reply. As he concludes and ask Zas his question, Zas considers it. "My packmates all are from different tribes, each serving Gaia in a different way. We are united under a single cause. Is every tribe represented in our pack-no unfortunately, but what we do have is a start. As long as my mission is to continue to bring together all of the tribes, I see my cause as true. I do see what you mean however about my words being confusing."

After several moments of silence Zas says, "I do not doubt your methods or the capabilities of your umbral warriors. I think your approach is very cunning and vital to the continued fight with the Wyrm. I respect the insight you've shown in creating this strategy. I would prefer to use your strategies, but use them combined with the proven might of a pack. That said, I do see the benefits of targeted strikes and how doing so reduces the need for large numbers of Garou. I however do not presume to know better than an Elder the correct course of action to take. In any case, I think strong leadership will be required in future days, if any plan is to meet with success."

He looks to the fallen in the walls as he says, "What I doubt is my own ability to manage and balance both attacking the Wyrm on long hunts and assignments away from those I have sworn to protect while also providing defense and protection for the Cherokee village in Nacodoches, which again, I've already given my word to do."

Zas sighs, "I believe I took on a task I was ill prepared to carry out. I cannot change what I've agreed to though. If there were a way to protect them that did not require my close proximity, that also enabled me to fight as the Sicarii I would take it. I however know of no way. Having Ghosts defend the village did not turn out well, and what help the spirits can provide I feel would not necessarily be enough to justify my taking on other roles."

He then stops talking momentarily as if something just occurred to him and he asks with a tinge of concern on his voice, "What knowledge could I offer you that you do not already posess? Again, no disrespect intended, but I must ask that you speak plainly for I do not understand political double speech."