On the Road Again

Upon leaving the caern the group headed back to the city of San Antonio, to resolve some unfinished business. Zas mind began pouring over the events of the last night, what the prodigals had just discovered about the nature of the Caern's defensive spirit, and also of the road that lay before them.

He eyed each member of the Prodigals individually. He noted Rends whose general demeanor outwardly seemed happy he also seemed somewhat downcast at the same time-though Zas could only imagine why. He also saw Kefka's spirits rise slightly as the group began the eventual journey to return to Nacodoches-he likely being spurred on by the thoughts of returning to his kinfolk. He glanced at Zoe; taking in how she appeared to be filled with excitement-most likely due to being able to be going home. He then stared briefly at Eaton who was tending faithfully to Jana's every need as best he could on the road. Zas gaze then lingered on Jana herself for a few moments as if seeming to just realize who and what she was.

Zas then looked down at the dusty trail beneath his feet. It felt good to be moving again. That much was certain, even if it was only briefly. Not having to be concerned with his every action and how it would or could be perceived....it just was like a weight had been lifted.

Zas then turned to the others and spoke aloud, "We are headed eventually to Nacodoches to my understanding. Are there any stops along the way that we will need to make, after we resolve our business in San Antonio?"

Zoe was excited to be headed back to Nacogdoches, but not for reasons the others were aware of. She hoped their time in San Antone would be short so that they could be on their way to finding the information or rather lack of information that Malchizadek suggested she seek.

As they continued down the road, Zoe turned to Zas. "I don't know that there is anything I need to do between here and home, but I know what I intend to do upon arrival in Nacogdoches."

She paused for a moment before explaining. "Mal believes that someone - human, spirit, maybe some of both - has done their level best to erase all records of my parents. He said he has tried to find more information simply because the lack of information is disturbing. He said that I could start by looking for records that should exist in hopes that the lack of any such records may lead me closer to the one who expunged said records. Upon return to Nacogdoches I plan to ask Red and the other members of the Spinning Wheels pack for as much information as they have and then perhaps check the public records for birth or death certificates maybe? And perhaps visit the place where my father is buried to see if anything seems awry there."

She turns and looks to Rends, Eaton, Mocks, and even Jana. "What do you all think of all this? Any suggestions on how I may find some answers?"

Eaton walks alongside Jana, his right arm resting easily around her. It wasn't that far until they reach San Antonio, where Gaia willing they could find something that would allow her to ride the rest of the way. As Zas asked his question, his face lights up briefly as he begins, "If everything in San Anton' goes well, given us enough time, I wanna stop by Uncle McLeod's and tell 'em all what we've been up to. Maybe ask other members of the Swarm what they've been up to. I might've been keepin' a small surprise from 'em, too." He says as he looks to Jana with a smile.

As Zoe asks her for his opinion, he raises an eyebrow. "That's strange. I know you ain't one to give up, but if somethin's coverin' their tracks, we'll just have to uncover 'em. You know where your father was buried? That doesn't sound like a bad place to check out. Maybe I could help you investigate." He says as he lightly taps his forehead.

"Seems unlikely you'll find anythin' important at the graveyard, unless yer willin' ta dig up pa Costas' bones."

Rends chews on a mouthfull of jerky as he walks along.

"I reckon the paper's a good place ta start. If'n you was born in Nacadoches, it's likely there'd be a record of it in the paper, and if there is it probably mentions somethin' 'bout yer ma and pa. If they's been wipin' out records of them you gotta look where they wouldn't a thought to. You's more likely to find indirect evidence and piece it together like that if these guys is that thorough."

He takes another bite of meat.

"I got nowhere to be, but I'll admit I'm eager to be home. Peace in Strength's partin' words hit a little close to home. Any a' y'all get the feelin' when we got sent out that Red didn't much care either way if we came back or stayed here?"

Kefka had been walkin' in silence not paying much attention to those around him, focusing on the road ahead and the voices in his own head. They all had seemed to come out of hiding when he became a fostern. Constant noise in the background. They meant well though, so he ignored the headache. When Rends asks his question it draws Kefka into the conversation for the first time.

"It don't much matter Rends. We's on our way back and that ain't gonna change. I got Harriet to see to. Make sure she doin' alright with the baby and all. Red Oath ain't got much say in that. I will be with my family. If we ain't welcome... we'll just have to bring Harriet along too. She could keep Jana company and our kids can play together."

He looks at Eaton and Jana and smiles.

"I don't have a problem spending a night or two with kind Eaton. They was might hospitable last time, i just don't want to stay too long. I want to see Harriet much as I can afore we join up with Roaring Jack."

He then turns and looks at Zoe. His eyes closed as he tries to remember what she had been goin' on about. His eyes flash open when he remembers and he immediately starts talking. His words full of concern.

"Talk to Papa Stagecoach. Your dad founded the the caern yeah? Who better to remember your father than a caern spirit. They are more powerful, maybe whatever is doing... whatever it is doing, can't affect him yet. Also check with your other family. Families are bigger than parents. If your entire family is being forgotten, then we have bigger troubles brewing."

Zas listens to each prodigal member. He turns to Rends and says respectfully, "Red Oath said what she felt needed to be said. If she wanted us to stay away she would have bluntly said that. As a philodox, her directions have to be clear. Since she didn't tell us explicitly not to return, we have no reason not to expect her continued cooperation on at least some level."

Zas then turns to Eaton and says, "Perhaps in meeting up with your tribe mates you could gather some of the Swarm who would be eager to aid us and Roaring Jack? I certainly wouldn't mind having more varied Garou forces."

Zas then turns to Kefka and says, "I'm not certain bringing women with children-even Kinfolk with us on our journey, is the wisest plan of action. There are many unknown threats that lay in front of us, and only Gaia knows how long our journey will last. There are things that we all could recover from, that they potentially could not. I do not doubt or question your devotion to their safety but simply wish to point out that in our fight with the Wyrm, having to protect not only one another but them as well would be difficult and dangerous."

Zas then turns to Zoe. "I think we are all eager to help you in your search for your family. Perhaps talking with your tribal totem could shed some light on your mother and father. I know mine is normally aware of where I am...maybe your totem is like that too."

Zas lastly turns to Jana as he says, "I feel that you should know, If you ever wish to say anything, feel free when you are among our pack. I know some who treat Kinfolk differently, but here, we have no alpha. Each person is allowed to speak their mind freely."

Zoe turns to each of her packmates and smiles. "Thank you so much for your valuable and varied input. As Theurge I suppose my first course of action should be talking with the spirits. I guess I discounted them because Mal seems so chatty with them that I assumed they had nothing of interest to say. I don't know anything about other family members, but it couldn't hurt to ask around. Checking the papers is great, too, Rends. And Eaton, anything you can see with those crazy visions of yours could be helpful!"

"As far as the other issues are concerned, I see no problem with giving Eaton a little time to introduce Jana to his family and share the good news, but like Kefka said, Jack is expecting us probably sooner rather than later, so it's likely best not to dawdle too much at either caern, as much as I'd like to stay in Nacogdoches and figure out what's up with my parents."

Rends nods along, thinking.

"I reckon our work's only jest begun."

He turns to Eaton, then the others.

"You reckon the Swarm would be willin' to go to war? Last time we was there most o' them Bone Gnawers seemed kinda... well lazy. They got a special club o' folks for doin' what the rest of us reckon is our duty. They gonna be able to keep up and pull their weight?

Once we get back to town, I reckon we should start drummin' up support for Jack's war. Since he wants to push up North into Injun territory, Nacadoches is the best launching point we have for a long campaign. With Papa Stagecoaches help we can get supplies and relay messages faster than we could anywhere else, and the Camino Real sept is already one of the strongest in the area so it's gonna be safe. We can go around, visit some of the other nearby Caerns and see what they's willin' to contribute. Even if not packs, we could use supplies and that kind of thing. We can also scout up North, see what's goin' on up there..."

He trails off, looking like he's going to stop. Then he spits, a soft growl escaping his throat.

"Dependin' how far he wants to push, I may know some of the lands up there. My home was practically in Injun lands, right on the Eastern border. I know the lands around my old town pretty well, and my Pa liked to make maps of the surrounding area. When I left they was at least half a dozen Uketena in the area, probably more, and our town sat right on top of a little Caern. It was practically dried up by the time I left, but I reckon it still had some power..."

He stares off to the North, a fire behind his eyes.

Jana, who initially nodded but said nothing when Zas addressed her, finally spoke quietly after Rends had outlined his war plans. "Thank you for your consideration, Philodox. I confess that I do not care where we go, as long as it is far from Houston." She looked at the faces of the werewolves, Eaton and Rends-the-Gar in particular, and bit her lip, as if not sure if she should add further comment.
"I do find it curious that the Get of Fenris have begun their war so soon."

Kefka notices Jana's eyes focusing on Eaton and Rends. To be polite he clears his throat before speaking. A smile on his face once Jana turns to glance at him.

"Too soon? Too soon. I daresay if they waited any longer there wouldn't be many Uktena to save. We might not find many as it is... This war, the reason we are following Roaring Jack is to save the Uktena. To strengthen their caerns so they don't fall to the wyrm. I do agree with Mal that we will need all the garou tribes together to fight against the apocalypse, whenever it may come. We already have no White Howlers, to lose another tribe would lose us the war against the wyrm."

He takes a breath and looks around at everyone.

"I trust Roaring Jack, not everyone following him. It will be our job to make sure this war stays against the wyrm, not a war destroying everything in it's path."

Rends cocks an eyebrow at the kinfolk.

"Soon? Whaddya mean soon? For all we know jacks been plannin' this for months. We seen some of the stuff commin' out of injun lands; it needs to be dealt with. Or are you thinkin' we should wait for some politician to give us the ok to do our job?"

He chuckles, but is obviously not amused by the idea.

Jana looked down at the ground as Mocks-the-Night said his piece. "I do not know the state of the Uktena tribe, but after the war, a score of Garou warriors were lost in a single battle- in this very county." She looked at Rends, and straightened her back slightly, asserting herself before the towering Ahroun. "It is surprising to me, because this is not the direction the Nation was headed when I was in Houston..." Her strong demeanor cracks slightly, as she considers quietly. "Of course, that was over three years ago."

When Rends mentions his tribe, Eaton turns to him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, "Ya thought they were lazy, huh? Well, that's some Gnawers strategy: make it seem like they're laying 'round so ya put your guard down. The Swarm ain't the only ones willin' to tear out the guts of the wyrm, but they're the ones most likely to wanna join our cause. Course, that's assumin' they don't know what's goin' on up north."

When Jana speaks up about the war, he adds, "What was the word in Houston around then?"

Zas eyes Jana curiously as he asks, "What type of bad blood or experiences linger for you in Houston?"

Zas then turns to the others as he says accordingly, "The Wyrm is the enemy. However, we must be the ones who do what we can to convince the Uktena of Roaring Jacks good intentions. This will not be easy.

I think I should also tell you all, that though I feel Roaring jack is on the right path, and we agreed to support him, I don't wish to necessarily follow him through to his journey's end.

We have our own calling...in uniting all the tribes. If we spend all our time and focus solely mediating between the Get of Fenris and the Uktena, we may not be able to present a unified front against the Wyrm."

Jana ran a hand along the side of her neck, unconsciously rubbing a pock-scar with her forefinger as she leaned in toward Eaton. "The word was grim. One of the Eldest, a Silent Strider, led an attack on a stronghold of the enemy. He was successful, but only just. A score of Garou lost their lives, and my then-sept bore the brunt of the casualties." Her eyes grew misty but she continued: "Without moonbridges, most considered any offensives by the Garou Nation at an end; our numbers were too few, our holds in the Republic tenuous..." The kinfolk woman trailed off before looking from Eaton to Rends-the-Gar. "Perhaps the Get of Fenris have found some means of reinforcing their warriors in the field?"