All that Remains

Ever since leaving the camp outside of the new city of Austin and the Prodigals run-in with the Griffin spirit, Zas had been more or less in quiet thought. The pack had accomplished its goal of obtaining the Black Spiral Kinfolk and then seen to the kin's destruction. Zas still had his qualms about the packs decision to use deception in order to free Big Al-the slave, but had been unable to create a more honorable method that didn't violate the litany-or at least that's what he had told himself.

The strange reaction Zas had received from Father Ramon concerned him but the pack had left San Antonio. If there was a problem, the pack would just need to deal with that later, for there were more pressing concerns; namely the road ahead.

The prodigals had set off to Nacodoches once more after the hanging- wasting little time. They could travel quicker now, since obtaining a horse that Jana could ride and they made use of that fact. However, the animal still needed to rest. After getting a little further down the road, the pack found a secluded area in which to make a camp and rest. They had been on the move ever since leaving the Forked Paths Caern and night had once again fallen and there were few complaints made to rest.

Zas was unable to rest though, and he knew what needed to happen.

He approached Hears the Song and said, "I realize you may be tired, but before you rest is there a way you would be able to summon a Spirit for me?"

Zoe smiled at Zas though her eyes were tired. "Of course, my brother. It's what I'm here for. "

She stood and led him to a quiet clearing away from the rest of the pack where Luna's face shined clearly upon them. She pulled out her pocket watch and guided Zas into the Penumbra. The spiritual landscape was quiet and peaceful this far from civilization. Zoe breathed deeply and smiled feeling refreshed by the spiritual atmosphere.

Turning to Zas she smiled more convincingly. "So, are you interested in a particular spirit or shall I just sound a general call and see who answers. That's always fun."

Zoe winked at the Silent Strider.

Zas ponders her question for a while before replying with, "I think that the most effective method of learning will come from having the right teacher. I think summoning a spirit I have more familiarity with will improve the chances that I more readily understand the lesson."

Zas then looks up at the umbral sky as he says, "I think a Vulture spirit will do this well."

Zoe nods. "A vulture, eh? Can't say I ever summoned one of those before. Wish me luck," she says with a laugh. She closes her eyes for a moment then opens them again. "Just curious. What are you wanting to learn from this familiar vulture spirit? I'm gonna summon it either way, I am just curious."

Zas B'ul looks back at the Iron Rider as he says remorsely, "I-I was nearly too late... to aid the pack. I trust in you to handle spirit matters and to lead us when we encounter such things, but of my goals as Philodox of the utmost importance is to strive to make peace. Creating peace is difficult enough without added communication difficulties. I speak the language of many cultures I've come across in order to keep peace with them-the apache, the Cherokee, the Mexican missionaries, the white man...I wish to learn to commune with the spirits to do this as well. To fulfill my calling."

Zoe smiles and nods. "Ah, yes, you are the only one of our illustrious pack who has yet to learn such a gift. I will gladly summon the vulture spirit for you, brother. Give me a moment."

Zoe closes her eyes and begins chanting, softly at first but then her voice rises and falls with a melodious character that most would find eerie but she found soothing. A moment later she opens her eyes and smiles at Zas.

"There you are. The spirit should be along shortly. I will stick around in case you need me to interpret in the meantime."

Zas nods politely but says nothing while he stands at the ready, anticipating the umbral creatures arrival.

Zas mind still continued to plague him with thoughts, fears, worries, and concerns of the packs deeds and unpredictable future. He just kept telling himself repeatedly in his mind, We do what we must. Gaia will judge us. Our hearts serve her true. She will show us the way we must go when we are ready. I must be ready.

As in response to Zas' prayer, a soft breeze washed over the two garou, and the distant, silent flash of lightning threw the penumbral landscape into harsh relief. Across the moonlit plain a whirling morass of airborne shapes could be seen, billowing rapidly across the prairie. As the flock surged closer, the Silent Strider and Iron Rider could see a profusion of different birds- eagles, kestrels, owls, gyrfalcons and many other avians of strange and exotic nature. In fact, as the werewolves watched, the spirits' forms seemed to shift and undulate, the species of bird never staying the same for more than a few moments. The flares of lightning proved to be jagged electric elementals, leaping and cavorting amidst the Wyld bird spirits. The intricate movements of the spirits' shifting bodies and whirling flight patterns were silent, mesmerizing and unutterably alien.    

Then the host was upon them, billowing and swirling through the air just above the pair's heads. A falcon-shaped spirit dove down, impacting the ground like a thunderclap. As it drew itself up before them, its pinions spread and grew, its wings spreading like long dark clouds. It threw back its head and the high cry of the falcon deepened into the low carrying croak of a carrion bird. With one final shake, the bright feathers fell from the creature's head, and before them stood a massive black condor, its eyes bold and hungry pin-pricks of light.

Zas, upon seeing the strange sight approach him and his pack mate- glanced over at Zoe with confusion.

As the condor landed and formed into its shape, Zas wanted to back away, to look away-not from fear or concern but rather in awe of the massed jumble of spirits; but he couldn't. He planted his feet. He stood his ground. He stared back with sheer determination and strength of will. It was he who had summoned this spirit. It had come to speak with him.

He had tried to prepare himself for what to say ahead of time, but words failed him. He could keep his footing, but the swirling vortex of spirits distracted his mind. The words he had planned out seemed to vanish.

I can't just stare at it. I have to say or do something...

Zas closed his eyes, concentrating solely on his next actions. His plans. They came back to him, but they were not suitable for this. He needed to adapt. He needed to be ready for anything-even his plans failing resulting in him changing his decision. Now was his proving time.

Without another thought, Zas began shifting through all of his forms, homid to lupus-cycling through each of them slowly, painfully before settling into Crinos. Several moments went by as he finally reached his desired war form. When he reached the monstrous form of destruction he stood taller, puffed out his large chest but bowed his head as he began barking/snarling in mother's tongue.

"O Great, Mighty spirit! Your nobleness comes before you in the winds. I seek your greatness for wisdom. I would wish to speak with you in your own tongue but am unwise. I seek to learn this gift, should you find me worthy of such honor. What is your title all powerful One-That-Rides-The-Desert-Winds, that one such as me can call you? "

The massive carrion eater shrieked, and in the spirit's cry Zas felt hot fine sand beneath his feet, and tasted the ebb and flow of a great north-coursing river. He saw the shadowy reflections of great tombs and mighty temples in the umbra, all filled with great flights of noble bird spirits.

Above the condor, the flock continued their frenzied dance, and as Zas' eyes drifted upward, he heard their cacophonous screams flow into ideas and concepts, if not words.

We. Talons of Horus. You. Snowy Owl. You honor Mother. We. Teach. You.

These feelings leaped out of the whirling miasma of bird-forms, but the vulture-shaped spirit looked at Zas and hunched its shoulders, edging closer on heavy talons.

You. Seek wisdom. Wisdom and wings. Both are strengthened through use.

Zas nods in recognition of the spirits words but takes a while to adjust to them not fully understanding.

Zas contemplates what he sees, feels, and hears.

As the foreign concepts penetrate the fiber and essence of himself, Zas lets them resonate through his body-embracing them as much as possible. The raw untamed nature of the Wyld energies revitalized him.

After taking in a deep draw of breath Zas inches forwards to meet the Vulture bird spirit. As he did this he begins speaking in a newly learned tongue, "Talons of Horus. Snowy Owl hears you. Wisdom is earned. I will remember this."

Zas then drops to one knee before the spirit. He then takes three of his clawed fingers and rakes them across his chest leaving a deep massive red and dripping bloody 'X' behind resembling what an attack by a bird of prey would look like.

Zas then stands up allowing the blood to fall down his chest as the wounds slowly begin to painfully heal. "It. Is. Done. I will remember. "

Zas turns to Zoe for a moment as if to say something, but changes his mind. He looks up at the swirling mass of the hosts of birds and says, "Spirits. Snowy Owl asks. Is. Crow among you. I seek him."

In answer, the huge condor spirit appeared to molt, its feathers falling away as its body imploded into the sleek shape of a hawk. With a shriek it rejoined the flock of ever-changing bird spirits, which as one wheeled over and under, then slowly began to turn back, speeding toward the horizon faster than the howling wind. The jagged sparks of lightning grew faint with distance, and behind the large swarm trailed a few bedraggled dark forms, scavengers waiting for the coming slaughter.

One of these remained behind in the strange calm left in the wake of the Talons of Horus: a bright-eyed crow gaffling that circled above Zas without landing, cawing out its impatience.

Zas howled up at the circling gaffling. "Oh cunning Crow, your wings know great distance and hidden ways. Snowy Owl asks for your knowledge. Teach me your paths and your journeys that I may know how to move like you."

He pauses for a moment before continuing, considering his offering "As Chiminage, I offer to leave my next kill on the road to feed your children."

The crow gaffling circled. "Cut up the kill, leave it at fence posts and on tree branches, do not leave the kill along or on the road. Then you will learn to follow where the crow flies." It words were hoarse, hurried, cawed down at him without pretense or preamble.

Zas nodded and said, "It will be done."

He then howled his praises to the spirits making sure to remain reverent, but listing the greatness and splendor of the flock that is the Talons of Horus.

When he ended his howl he shifted to Homid form and looked to Zoe and said, "You are a mighty theurge that serves Gaia and this pack well. That was nothing like what I'd expected. Malchizadek was correct. Spending more time with spirits, is worthwhile. The power that emanated from that spirit I could taste.

Perhaps in the future we could call on the Talons of Horus for aid... You did good. Thank you."

Zoe stepped forward toward Zas and smiled. "Thank you, friend. Spirits are an interesting bunch to say the least. You never know how amenable a spirit might be to being summoned or what they may ask in return. They certainly have the potential to be helpful, which is why I try to remain in good graces with the ones that I meet."

Zoe attempted to stifle a yawn to no avail. "If it's all the same to you, I'm going to head back to camp and get some sleep. Feel free to wander about in here, just don't get lost, or worse, get stuck between here and the physical realm by failing to properly step sideways."

Zas chuckles and says, "Yes, please rest. I will be along soon. I need to try and reclaim and restore my spirit essence. I thank you again for your assistance and will meet up with the rest of the pack as soon as possible."