Back to Werewolf PageCharacter Sheet: Saul Jacob Voyard
Appearance
Prelude
Journal Entries:
Name: Saul Jacob Voyard
Player: Mike Newton
Status: N.P.C. (Player Resigned)
Breed: Homid
Auspice: Theurge
Tribe: Shadowlord
Pack Name: ?
Pack Totem: ?
Concept: ?
ATTRIBUTES:
Physical: Strength-2, Dexterity-2, Stamina-2
Social: Charisma-3, Manipulation-3, Appearance-2
Mental: Perception-4, Intelligence-3, Wits-3
ABILITIES
Talents: Alertness-2, Brawl-1, Dodge-2, Empathy-1, Expression-1, Primal-Urge-2, Streetwise-1, Subterfuge-2
Skills: Drive-2, Ettiquette-1, Leadership-1, Repair-1, Survival-1
Knowledge: Computer-1, Enigmas-2, Medicine-1, Occult-1, Politics-1, Rituals-3, Science-1
ADVANTAGES:
Background: Allies-2 (The factor at George James and son, and a police officer in Liverpool), Kinfolk-2 (mother and cousins, notably Travis Wrench, an ex-soldier who works as a body guard for the sept, and particullly Saul's father and brother), Resouces-4 (comes from the insuarance money on the death of his pack members, the next of kin took half and gave the rest to Saul so that the bomb wouldn't kill all of his generation of garou).
Gifts: Aura of confidance, Persuasion, Spirit speech
Merits & Flaws: Hunted (by the people who set the bomb as he can identify them) (-), Nightmares ( the bomb) (-), Underworld contacts (England) (+)
RENOWN RANK 1
Glory-0/0
Honor-0/0
Wisdom-0/0
Rage-4
Gnosis-4
Willpower-5
Appearance:
Saul is 24 years old and six foot in height he is of medium buld weighing around 154lbs, He has long brown hair in a pony tail and a reddish brown Vandyke beard, His eyes are brown, and he somtimes wears Aviator sunglasses. He is normally dressed in hiking boots, jeans, t-shirt (a rugrats, x files, star trek or disney motif on it) with a black sweatshirt or a grey Liverpool University sweatshirt. If it's cold he wears a Black wool watchcap and woolen seajacket, or a dark blue rain coat. If he can get away with it he avoids suits but he does own one.
Prelude:
Saul was born in Liverpool, England on the 9th of January 1973, to a local Werewolf, Anthony Voyard, and his kinfolk mother Elizabeth. Saul has a younger brother, Philip( also a werewolf) at Liverpool Univesity.
As Liverpool is a fairly tight community anyway, and one would assume that werewolves tighter than most he knew most of his future packmates from childhood. His childhood was mostly happy the usual cuts and bruises that all kids get usual family arguments but under it all the knowledge that he was different from the other kids at school, and the constant warning to never ever lose his temper, if something bugged him, Saul was to count to ten take a deep breath and save the anger for another day or the punch bag his father had set up in the garage on the farm where they lived.
He underwent the first change at the age of twelve years old a cause of a large party, and understood what was happening to him totally having been prepared for it by his family and the local community of Garou before hand (not for English werewolves the lost cub scenario of immature garou running rampant through the local mall) and being transported to a local wood where the first change was initiated through a trial by fire, although wounded severly by his elders Saul didn't hate them for the pain they put him through understanding that it served the greater good, However, due to the fact that it only happened because he was special ( a Garou and not normal knifolk) he has become shy of letting himself stand out in social situations as the last time it happened he was beaten to within an inch of his life!
At the age of sixteen, Saul underwent his rite of passage with the four other members of his fist pack, Enzo Flynn, cousin by marrage and a Ragabash Glasswalker, Darren Pulasky, Grand son of a Polish Silverfang, a Silverfang Galliard, Kate Rodgers, a Fianna Galliard, and Billy Taylor a Shadow lord Ahroun, and the packs leader.
The task was to walk the Breccon Beacons for two weeks without being caught by the septs other members, as well as avoiding contact with the other people who use the area, the Royal Marines, The Paratroop Regiments and the SAS, who had been told that 5 members of a violent gang of street thieves had been seen in the area. The pack survived en masse and all passed, and were asked to join several established packs, rather than splitting up a succesful team, they declined and formed their own pack, Keeping places for other young werewolves like Sauls brother Philip.
The pack was killed in the Manchester bomb blast , all except for Saul who survived as he ran after the photograper, who took his picture to pass to police as the picture of one of the bombers, Philip survived by being in an exam at university that day. Saul was smuggled out of the country on the orders of the local vampire Prince of Liverpool, whom the sept held diplomatic relations with (on the premise of if they (the police) start digging they will find out about his family and the business they are in, if that happens they will find out about the Prince as well, So both sides keep the Masquerade intact) He was moon bridged to France and then flown to America, He made contact with the offices of a company that was based in Liverpool, George James and Son, a small import and export company catering mainly for ex-patriot British in America, importing things like tea bags and othe items that they would normally miss. The firm set Saul up with several bank accounts and a drivers licence and other identification that he would need and furnished him with several phone numbers to call if he needed anything.
Saul bought a large Subaru 4x4, stocked it up with his small stash of belongings, (photo album, walkman and tapes, mobile phone, penknife, and a change of clothes) and drove out of town, and headed south to Mississippi, then across country, visiting all the places he'd seen in films or read of in books, until he ended up in Santa Cruz, home of the Lost Boys.
Tuesday, July 4th, 1995 2:53 p.m.
Saul pulled up to the parking meter nearest the gang of rowdy looking youths, sat quietly for a few moments and concentrated on his gifts of persuasion and aura of confidence; not the first time he had used them but for all intents and purposes this was the first time which mattered. One of the gang looked up as Saul stepped out of the car and walked towards them.
"What you want man?" asked the boy only 15 or so but still hard looking in the manner of American gang kids.
Saul looked at him, "Who's turf is this?" His English accent sounding strange in comparison to the muttered conversations in Californian accents going on around him.
"Ours man. Why? Sometin we can d'fo for you?"
"Yes now that you mention it. I'm new in town and need someone look after my car till I get back."
"So?" replied the boy.
"So young man, I would be willing to pay you to look after it say twenty dollars an hour to insure it doesn't get stolen, damaged or towed away."
The gang went quiet and looked at their spokesman.
"Twenty an hour... I'll think about it. 'Kay."
Saul looked at them, and looked at the car, and realised his mistake; if the car was worth twenty dollars an hour to watch it it must be worth a few hundred to steal it.
"I'll tell you what," began Saul a grin spreading across his face as he pulled out his wallet, "lets make it $20 an hour, each, to six people, that makes one hundred and twenty dollars, per hour. Here's one hours worth up front, and five dollars to get change with for the parking meter and the cars stays where it is."
The gang grew wide eyed at the roll of money in Sauls hand and at the wad at the feet of their spokesman; who snatched up the notes and counted them quickly.
"Okay, okay you got yourself a valet service. What's your name?"
Saul smiled, "Saul." he said, "What's yours?"
"Slider." said the spokesman.
"Fine Slider, I'll be back in a few hours, see you soon."
Saul turned and walked off inn to the main flow of humanity which seemed to be heading towards the ocean. Despite the hot afternoon sun a chill ocean breeze came in off the coast.
Saul stopped at a street vendor and bought an overly expensive can of coke, 'same every where you go,' he thought ' one public holiday and the prices triple; a dollar twenty for a can, hideous.'
As he walked Saul began to wander why no one else seemed to mind the breeze as it started to deeply chill him. 'Locals' he thought, 'they must be used to it.' As time passed and the sun started to slowly ink in to west, people started to get more and more wound up, a few fireworks shot off, almost missed except for the bangs they made, an especially loud bang nearby made him jump.
Turning in the direction of the noise he saw a darkened alleyway in which four rough and ready looking men were standing over a body on the floor. One of the men looked up and saw Saul looking back. The man glared hard and Saul turned away. 'Not my problem' he told himself, 'Not my problem'.
Saul found that his wanderings had taken him to Pacific Avenue. Ahead of him he could see that quintessential American experience, the outdoor mall. The part where Saul stood seemed peopled by hurrying tourists, bums, vagrants, runaways and otherwise the dregs of humanity. Several times he was approached for "..change fer some food?" Before he knew it ten dollars floated into the paper cup held out by the tramp. For a moment Saul was reminded of Liverpool. There the homeless sold a charity magazine or begged for change around the town centre. Except for the accent it was no different six thousand miles away.
Time and distance passed and quickly the mall rats turned to yuppies, lawyers and students; a few police are here as well riding around on mountain bikes, which seemed an odd occurrence until a bag snatcher stole a young lady's purse and ran down the sidewalk. The police on their bikes just rode along side him and followed him through the crowds with relative ease, until the pickpocket ran out of breath and was caught. Unnoticed to Saul, more people had gathered, crowding him in. Feeling his fear rise, Saul quickly left the Mall and crossed over to a less crowded area noting the street names so that he could get back to his car and his 'valet' service.
Walking along Saul spotted a pack of large wild dogs. It took a moment before he realised just what they were, garou, in lupine form, walking down the Mall toward him; seemingly oblivious to the fear they are causing in some pedestrians. One man obviously very scared ran out in to the road causing a car to swerve. A bike cop seeing this began to ride over, saw the dogs and tuned around to ride away in the direction he came.
The garou pause and sniff the air before continuing toward Saul. The pack paused, and a large female stepped forward and growled. Saul recognised it, a greeting.
"Greeting brother. You must be new here. I have not smelled you here before. What is your name and lineage? And where does your sept hunt?"
Saul glanced around quickly, noting the size and spacing of the garou facing him. "Okay!" he thought with a surge of adrenalin, "Four to one, no escape, and I'm in unknown territory. Jakeo do not screw this up!"
Saul drew himself up to his full height and took a deep breath. He looked the spokeswoman in the eye and spread his hands apart at waist height in what he hoped was a non threatening way before speaking.
"My name is Saul Voyard, of the Shadow Lord tribe, son of Anthony Voyard, called Storm Reaver, ahroun of the Sept Of Twin Roses in England. And yes I am new in the area."
Saul paused for breath and saw the female's eyes narrow in suspicion.
"I am here not as a scout or invader but as a exile. My pack was slain, and to protect the anonymity of the rest of my sept it was judged prudent for me to leave my normal range, I chose to travel to America, and hopefully join others my brethren in the fight against the Wyrm. I have answered your questions, now I invite you to answer mine, Who are you? What is the name of your sept? And if I need to how do I get in contact with you and others of our kind?"
"You ask many questions for a stranger. I am surprised that your name is not Saul Boldtongue. I am Daniel Bluefeather, philodox of the Bone Gnawers; and I run with the Sept of the Salt Wind. As to contact others of our kind, you simply look around - for it is we who rule the streets here. Have you come from your England to fight with us?"
"I do not come to fight you, I have come to grieve and to learn about the ocean, the ways of our people, and to fight the Wyrm. You as a philodox must know I speak the truth, test me if you do not believe my words. and yes I do ask many questions for how is one to learn unless one queries the nature of things around him, and as for me being a stranger, consider this: all friends were strangers to each other until they came to know each other."
"I did not mean to suggest that you fight us," Bluefeather replied laughing. His laughter was echoed by his companions. "Rather that you should fight our enemies also. But you are correct. Questions asked are the only way to win answers. We are off to raid a particularly noxious den of murdering magi. Will you join us?"
"How do you know if I can be trusted? Both for your safety and my own I must decline. Rather than rush foolishly into an alliance, I suggest that when you return victorious, you seek to find all that you can about me, and then see if I am worthy to run along side you. I have my car parked in the car park of the Pacific Garden Mall. It's a dark green Subaru four by four guarded by a group of street boys led by one called Slider. I arrived in America three months ago in New York. If you wish to know more about me and my past at the offices of George James and Son there is a man called Lou Fabien. Speak to him. For your forthcoming battle with the magi, I bid you joyous hunting. May your prey never know you are there till your fangs crush their throats."
"Wise words, English brother. Come later if you will to Mount Madonna State Park. We have a place there and will gladly welcome you after you have sung your songs to us; to tell us more of your lineage. We are off to hunt. Come see us if you can. There are wonderful things happening. It would be a shame if you were not made a part of them."
With that, Bluefeather ran off, followed by the rest of his group. One lone female lingered, gazing at Saul; but then she too ran off.
TIME = 19:30 hours July 4
PLACE= Boardwalk, Santa Cruz.
Saul glanced around the milling crowds, people met his eyes for a brief moment, and then glanced away again, some with a shudder as if they knew something he didn't and then he realised he was frowning at the people, hundreds of them all pressing in on him not giving him room to breathe. Saul felt the rage rising and with long practised ease pushed it down to await its awakening, 'Soon, just wait a little while longer.' he whispered to himself almost as if his rage was a companion or even a lover. A tall blonde walked towards him hair lifting slightly in the breeze, she met his eyes and before he knew it Saul smiled, the girl smiled back and was swept on by the crowds. Taking a deep breath and concentrating on being in a good mood Saul set out again.
Strangers would meet his eyes and the glance would linger before they were swept along but no longer was the shudder there. One of the hundreds in attendance at the fireworks display was a tall man, easily over two metres, with the wide frame associated with his height dressed in jeans, an oversized black sweatshirt, and running shoes. As he moved through the crowds he seemed comfortable in the crowd, almost liking the press of humanity, Sauls eyes and the man's met and before either knew it they had stopped and were facing one another, sizing each other up. Saul could not measure up to the standard set by the man being only in his mid twenties, as opposed to the mans obvious age being long past his teens, and around six inches shorter with a lighter build. Sauls hair was long, brown and tied in a pony tail again contrasting to the mans crew cut black hair and clean shaven chin where Saul sported a well trimmed reddish brown Vandyke beard.
"Big crowds. Always like this around here?" said the man not bothering to introduce himself, his eyes flitting around the crowd.
"Don't know." replied Saul. "I'm new in town just got in today. The name is Saul, What's yours?"
"Henry. Just in from L.A. On vacation. From everything I've heard, this is a good place to chill. Nice quiet place. How 'bout you? Moving here, or what?"
"Pleased to meet you Henry. As for moving in yeah maybe. I was just bumming around America for the past few months and ended up here. Like you said, looks like a good place to chill." Saul went quiet for a moment and watched a particularly nice pair of denim clad legs wiggle past. "As well as the fact that the scenery round here is pretty good, so it's real easy on the eyes."
Saul's English accent was noticeable but with a slight harshness on some words as befitted a native of Liverpool, sometimes he hated the way he sounded as words like'look' sounded like 'luke', other times he liked it as it was the only reminder of a home he had to leave, phone calls are all well and good but its no substitute for being there. Saul forced himself out of the moment of reverie and appeared relaxed in the kind of lazy cat way, and he looked round slow and easy.
"Yeah, I think I will settle down here for awhile; the university has a marine research lab and I wouldn't mind trying a degree, never got the chance at home. So you going to be staying here long?"
"At least a few weeks. I have some time off from work, and wanted to get out of LA for a while. Not much on the college stuff myself, although I might hit their libraries to do a bit of research on some hobby stuff. Not much for surfing, but somebody I was talking to said something about hiking around here. Or maybe some racquetball or a good gym or dojo for a workout. I guess I'm just gonna play it by ear."
Saul looked at Henry quizzically.
"Dojo? you do martial arts, what type? Kind of karate, tai chi and all that killer shit, never tried it myself. I always thought it was too structured what with all the katas you have to learn and that, I always figured on if I got it a fight I'd know what to do naturally.." Saul paused significantly for a moment before continuing "You know what I mean what with it being inbred with us." He raised an eyebrow and waited for a response. He didn't have to wait for long.
"I lived a long time before I knew who, or rather what, I really was. And in that time training in the martial arts gave me a focus, and a anchor for my anger. As far as 'killer' stuff, I am not a rogue. I believe in honor among warriors. But I have to admit...damn few fighters are actually warriors. Most of them are street toughs....thugs and bullies. Not many warriors left in the world." Henry stretched. "After all the fireworks are over I was thinking of heading for a little coffee house I heard about near hear. I have a flyer about it some where...." Henry started rummaging through his pockets.
"Coffetopia" Said Saul "Some kid gave a flyer, I read it and gave it back, rather than keep hold of it, kind of recycling the junk mail. What time were you planning on going over?"
Saul looked meaningfully at his watch and raised his eyebrow, before looking back at Henry and going very serious.
"I've been thinking since were both new in town and were are both... then how about we run together for a while? This is my mobile number.." Said Saul before slowly withdrawing a business card and handing it to Henry. "Have you got a contact number or something? If not and we get separated or need to contact each other, how about Coffeetopia? We can leave messages there. "
"That sounds like a good idea to me, at least we both have a friend here that we can call upon in times of trouble. Not mundane stuff you understand, but real trouble." Henry's emphasis on the word mundane rang out loud and clear for Saul. " And now I trust you'll excuse me, there is someone I wish to become acquainted with..."
Saul looked toward where Henry's eyes were pointed. She was a brunette, nearly Sauls height and slim, with the face of angel and a body made for sin. Saul laughed out loud and patted Henry on the shoulder "Take it easy kidder. See you around." As the pat came down on Henry's shoulder, Saul saw for an instant, something of the predator in Henry, his eyes although elsewhere saw the hand, decided it was no threat and allowed it hit, for a brief second. Saul felt fear; no not fear, Terror.
Henry met Sauls eyes and winked, the moment gone and then returned the salutation, "Easy man." And then he was at the woman's side a brief word and shake of her head and the two had disappeared in to the crowd. Saul was left alone with his thoughts.
'..could have sworn..no not garou..something else, but what?'
It was getting late, Saul looked at his watch 8:00pm, it was sunset in about half an hour, time to find somewhere to watch the fire works, somewhere quiet.
July 5 1995, 12:49 a.m.
Saul started walking back to his car. The fireworks show was the same as any other fireworks show noisy, spectacular, captivating, and magical. However the floor entertainment had been something else. After he had left Henry, Saul had wandered to a quiet bit of Boardwalk near a concessions stand and watched the show, from where he sat he could see the crowd on the beach. A huge seething mass of humanity, if what they were doing could classify them human, leather clad biker and rowdies started fights with families. The father in one such family went down noisily with a broken bottle in his stomach and his screams echoing under the pier. Private rent-a-cops and police rushed to the scene intent on getting to the wounded man kicking and beating the people in the way until they moved. They got there just in time to see one of his assailants cut his throat and grab his wallet before simply walking away into the crowd, which like the Red Sea around Moses simply flowed out of his way and back again after he had passed. And that was just the mortal side of things, from his conversations earlier on with, what was his name again, Daniel, Daniel Bluefeather, it looked like the Bone Gnawers at least where involved in a war with some mages. 'And you've just arrived in town, Jakeo. FOOL more like' the thoughts about the local situation passed through Saul's mind like the fireworks of earlier. 'Maybe I should buy some plywood and spray cans and redecorate the sign at the city limits. How about 'Welcome to Hell?' Sounds cool. Let me see how big was the sign about thr...." Saul's reverie was broken by a mans voice rough with age and alcohol.
"I'm sorry what did you say?" queried Saul.
"I said 'Have you got any change fer food?'"
"Oh, Yeah hold on." Saul put his hand in his pocket and started to bring out his wallet when he heard the snick of the switchblade. Saul stopped and without moving his head glanced at the tramp. All the rage at being pressed in by people he had never met, all the anger at watching some poor sucker die for a wallet and his families place on the beach, all the hatred of the people that had taken away his home and pack came out in his hooded eyes. Involuntarily a growl of low menace and blood lust rumbled like distant thunder from his throat, the tramp lost whatever courage he had gained from his empty bottle and the knife dropped from his limp fingers. The man ran, leaving Saul with bile in his throat and a hunger he couldn't get rid of. Rage boiled deep in his heart and after a few moments he managed to leach off some of the anger, moments turned to seconds, turned to minutes, before Saul's anger calmed to the point of rationality. He bent down and picked up the knife, a cheap switchblade, 'punk knife' he thought, put the blade away and tucked it under his belt at the small of his back. His inaction for the past, he glanced at his watch five minutes, had left him chilled, 'Well' said Saul to himself, 'It is gone One am. Shit Slider and his mates, wonder if they'll still be there? Doubtful. Still for easy money they might be.'
They weren't, but his Subaru was, mostly. He walked around the car noting the amateur nature of the vandalism. The wheels still remained, slashed but they were still there. The windows smashed, but opening the doors he noted the upholstery still in one piece, again amateurish. But, there was something he noticed as he brushed the glass of the driver's seat. Saul sniffed, and leaned over to the passenger side and sniffed again - yes urine - at last something approaching artistry. The spraypainted word 'Sucker' on the bonnet of the car didn't count. But still the urine had been a mistake but one that they didn't know about. Saul reached over the back seat to the space at the back of his jeep and lifted the false floor. He looked at the second spare, his bag and other stuff: the wheel jack, tire iron, spare can of petrol, decided that they hadn't been touched and grabbed at his bag. He pulled it over to his seat and got out. Looking through he saw that the walkman and his tapes were still there; his clothes and photo album had not been touched; and his phone was on him. Repacking his bag took a few moments, after that Saul took stock: the car still had its wheels, and one intact spare, the radio and tape deck. With these the car was salvageable. If he had been in Liverpool, Saul knew the car would have been stripped, the seats, stereo and wheels stolen; or the car been left, stolen and burnt out.
Saul looked around the area parking meters and no parked cars around, no houses. Nothing but alley ways. His mind made up, he walked into an alley way and stripped off his clothes, looking around constantly. The alley was deep in shadow. Saul reached for the magic, and changed, his form melted into the earth where he put it for safe keeping and borrowed his other shape, the hunter, the predator, the wolf.
Loping out of the alley Storm-Reaver's child, as Saul thought of himself in his other bodies, looked around carefully. No one in sight, he smiled. He jumped into the car to sniff carefully at the urine scent, fixing it in his mind. Leaping from the car he landed near where Slider had been sitting when Saul had arrived. For long moments, he sniffed at the area fixing each and every one of Sliders pack into his mind. His job done, Storm-Reaver's child loped back to the alleyway and with great reluctance slept.
July 5 1995, 1:50 a.m.
Saul walked out pulling on his sweatshirt and rubbing grit out of his eyes, as if he'd slept for a week. He pulled out his phone, and dialed the operator, asking for the number to the AAA. When he had been put through he gave his location and his member number and waited for the tow truck to arrive. An hour and a half later Saul found himself walking back to the Boardwalk and trying to find a room. The first place he came to was the Beach Palace. A haven for druggies, pros and scum puppies, judging by the bed. was Saul's immediate thought; all for the pricey sum of $60 a night. He cleaned off the condoms and syringes. The symphony of gunshots, screams, and sirens sent him into dreams of vengeance on Slider and his gang.
Tuesday, July 18 1995, 12:32 p.m.
Two weeks passed peacefully, in a flurry of activity for Saul. He found a place to live, a little two bedroom apartment on Morrissey. His subaru was being repaired and resprayed and it looked to take almost all of his months money unless the insurance would cover the cost. His parking ticket had to be taken care of. The only reason he knew about it was because when he reported the vandalism the desk sergeant informed him of it. The actual ticket had disappeared, courtesy of Slider stealing it probably, and now he was on to the last of his things to do list.
He picked up the phone and rang U.C.S.C. to ask about a course on Ocean Biology only to be told that the University administration was closed for the summer and to call back in September; and that it was already too late to enroll for anything before April of the next year.
Saul rolled back on to his bed, and closed his eyes, "..has to be an easier way..."
No time to worry about it, Saul realised and began his next call.
"George James and Son, Stephanie speaking, may I help you?" answered the bored voice of the receptionist.
"Hello Steph, its Saul. Is Lou in?"
"Oh Hello Saul, yeah Lou is in. I'll put you through now."
The phoned beeped and then rang once before being answered.
"Fabien"
"Lou, Saul."
"Hey Saul where are you son and what can I do for you?"
"Still in Santa Cruz, just a few things mainly, this is a progress report to pass on to my father. How is he?"
"Tony's okay, he's got a safe address for you to write to if you want it; and your mother and brother miss you."
"Next time you speak to dad tell him I love him and the same to my brother and mum. What's the address?"
"You remember Travis' old house in Birkenhead?"
"Yep."
"Right, that's it. Now to business. What's going on there?"
"Ok. I've been invited to dinner with some of my cousins, and I am going to accept the invite. My phone number is as always. I've made contact with an L.A. gent. His face seems familiar. He could be family. I'm not sure. If you need to get a message to me, my apartment is on Morrissey, Santa Cruz. That's all I am going to tell you about it. You can find out the rest for yourself. Slider is still alive. I haven't had a chance to find him or his posse yet but when..."
Lou cut him off. "Why did you park your car next to a bunch of lowlives and expect it to be there when you came back?"
"It was there and it works in Liverpool." replied Saul his voice growing angry.
"You ain't in Liverpool son. You ain't even in England any more."
"I know, okay it was dumb. Stop laughing you mick son of a bitch. It's not funny"
"Yeah I know. That's why I'm Laughing, you Scouse shithead."
"Fine Lou, Laugh, and remember I know where you live. One last thing before I go, I'm going to Mount Madonna State Park to meet the people I told you about before. I'll call you in two days. If I haven't, tell my father to give me two weeks before he tries anything. Okay?
"Yes got it all Saul. Watch yourself you scally git."
"Trust me. Oh by the way, can you get me a gun licence for a hand gun and see what I need to be able to carry a gun on me for self defence?"
"Sure, just watch your back."
"Thanks Lou, low and slow okay? bye.
"Bye Saul."
The line went dead and Saul looked at his watch. One pm - time to get ready, but first some food.
JULY 18, 5.59 pm
Saul reached forward and paid the driver, before climbing out of the taxi. He looked around and walked toward a park ranger intending on asking him a few questions. Before Saul could say a word the ranger looked sternly at him from under his 'Smokey-Bear' hat.
"Park closes at six son. It's six now. We open up again tomorrow morning."
The look told Saul this wasn't a conversation, nor a statement but an unspoken order to turn around and walk back to town. Saul drew a deep breath and smiled. Before his mouth had formed the first word, a voice from the side of the road was raised in his defence.
"It's alright Jim. He's a friend with an invitation."
Saul smiled his thanks at the woman. She was young with green eyes, red hair blowing faintly in the breeze, and her pale skin showed off her freckles to good advantage.
'Cute.', thought Saul, and his smile deepened. She smiled at Saul and for a moment he wondered if they had met before. He quickly ran down the list of people he knew in Santa Cruz: Slider, Henry, Officer Pete Reynaulds of parking ticket fame, the tow-truck driver, his land lord. All male, none of them anywhere remotely like this, this woman?
"I'm glad you could come," she told Saul.
"Thank you for the invite. Forgive me but do I know you?"
She laughed. "My name is Karen - Karen 'Greensong.' I was with 'Bluefeather' the other day when he invited you to come. (Perception + Empathy = 0 successes.) You are welcome."
"You were with Daniel? Which one were you? If you don't mind me asking that is."
"I was the grey and white one. I thought you noticed me."
Karen took Saul to a hidden area, lying between large rocks which still radiated the day's heat that had baked them. She left him alone only for a brief while, returning with clean water and raw spiced meat in a wooden bowl.
"It's venison. I brought him down only this morning. Do you like to hunt? If so, perhaps we can hunt together sometime." (Perception + Empathy = 2 successes.) Her eyes drifted away, their gaze following some hidden thought.
Saul was sorry to have to break the shared moment of silence and the shared beat of their hearts as they thought of the hunt to come. But questions required answers and she had asked questions of him.
"I like to hunt. But where I am from we have almost no time to hunt as we should. And even when we can, we must beware. There are no wolves in England, save for those poor mad cousins in zoos and wildlife parks. I would welcome your invitation to hunt, if your pack and sept will allow it."
"Daniel would certainly allow it. But our hunts - those for honest prey that is - have come less frequently of late. To much have the cries for war echoed in these rocks. I know my packmates would not think very well of me; but really I just ache to leave the path of war and lie on an empty rock, bathed the sun - ready to forgive and be forgiven."
"With the calls for war coming more and more often, your hunts should be coming more, not less frequent." Saul's voice rose as the words took on a life of their own.
"The chase after the deer: seeing him run through the woods like the king of the forest that he is; hearing his heart beating and yours beating in sympathy; seeing him stand at bay, waiting for his death yet resolved to take as many of his hunters with him as he can; these are lessons which help us in time's of war. These lessons make us stronger and wiser. The hunt reinforces the lessons, and the blood and body of the deer reinforces our bodies so that we, the Warriors of Gaia, are strong. Strong for our purpose."
"And after the hunt after the feasting, the path of the hunt should lead to an empty rock, to lie ready to forgive and be forgiven. To be honest, I think your pack has been forgetting the importance of their hunt. Constant war wears down a person, just as much as constant rest. Forgive me I did not mean to lecture, only....." Saul's voice trailed off, and he looked down at the floor, a blush rising over his face.
Saul felt a smooth hand under his chin, lifting him up to look into Karen's eyes. "You are wise, cousin from across the sea. Perhaps you should offer us council. Two of our sister septs - Ancient Voices and Stone Sea - have not yet followed the path of war and are crying for reason amidst chaos. There are those here that call them cowards and little better than the enemy we fight."
Karen released Saul and sat down, looking distractedly at the meat she had brought.
"I do think that our fight was just. Our enemies had destroyed Green Hills Sept and were in the process of raping cairns all over the mountains. But too strong a rush into war - where the heart beats to a pace that cannot be stilled - that I think is cause for alarm. We have humbled our enemies. I think it is enough. Our true cause is the fight against the corruption of the Wyrm. And every garou we loose now in trying to destroy a cornered and vanquished foe - is one less that we can call on in our higher purpose later. Do you think I am right or do you agree with the others of my sept that we should wipe out the Magi and their allies?"
"If we wipe out the Magi and their allies then we will start another War of Rage which we may not win. For once we start we cannot stop until all mages are dead, the world over. Even if we do win, we will be so weakened that a babe in arms could defeat us. Genocide is wrong. Just because we have walked that path once, does not mean we have to walk it again now."
"However, I am not advocating leaving the mages alone. If you ignore them now they will be insulted. There is no worse a foe than one you have beaten and left for dead as they live then only for vengeance and will build up their strength to a point where you cannot defeat them. So, a middle course should be taken. Raid them. Just enough that they still know you care and consider them a threat. But not enough to threaten them directly with destruction. And then after a little while, send an envoy to them saying that this constant low level war is bad for both sides, can we not have peace? When they agree to peace, which they will, suggest an alliance and use the magi against the Darkness that is The Wyrm."
Saul paused and crouched in front of where Karen sat, the leather of his boots squeaked slightly as he shifted his weight.
"But why are you listening to me? You and yours know nothing about me. I have no tales sung about me. I have no Sept, no home, no pack, I have been exiled from my own range and yet you treat me like an honoured guest. For all you know I could be a renegade or worse a turn coat to the Wyrm. Yet you invite me into your lands without question. So I will give you answers should you ask for them. Question me, with others of your sept around. Of my plans, my life and my reasons for being here. I will not lie nor evade the questions. But this should be done soon. If your sept mates are here, perhaps now would be a good time?" Saul crouched there his arms wrapped around his knees waiting upon Karen's answer. Around him the wind rustled the trees and the early evening sun shone gold.
"Good strong words," Saul heard a voice above him say. "You are wise, cousin."
Saul looked up to see a great burly chested black furred garou speaking to him in lupine form from on top of one of the rocks, gazing down. Another silent wolf lay alongside him; this one with a reddish fur dappled by grey.
Karen introduced them. "The one speaking is Euron. The other is Manbiter. Euron is a septmate. Manbiter is visiting from the Sept of the Angry Earth."
Both garou jumped down off their rock. Euron's body rippled in mid jump, changing into Crinos with a fluid quickness that surprised Saul. The garou jumped in wolf form but landed on two feet, his towering height imposing. Manbiter remained in wolf form, silently gazing at Saul as if trying to pierce Saul's intent by the sheer intensity of her gaze.
"Welcome to our home," Euron said. "We are assembling to plan our next battle. Maybe we can bring this peace you speak of to this land."
Manbiter mumbled something under her breath.
"Anyway, you cannot enter our bawn as yet until the proper rites are enacted. Then your songs and scent will be known to us all as will ours be to you. I heard you tell Greensong here that you have no home. Why is that?"
"A few months ago, my pack and I went to a place called Manchester, a city near my home. We were sent by our sept, to scout the place out for a possible den from which to stage attacks on the Wrym. As we were walking around the Arndale centre, a mall, we were spotted by some people who followed us around taking photos. My pack leader and tribe mate told me to look after the photographer. I was walking toward him when he turned and ran out of the mall. I gave chase, and then the world ripped apart around me. I felt myself lifted and thrown away from the mall. When I came to I was being looked after by the ambulance men. When it became obvious that I was fit, I offered my services to them to help with the search for survivors." Saul paused for breath, tears fell unhindered before he continued, his voice cracking slightly. "I went straight to where I had left my pack mates, the police told me later that anyone who had been standing there would have no chance of survival. They were right on top of the bomb. Two days later in the papers, photographs of me putting a bag down, and starting to run out of the mall were published. My sept leaders thought it best if I left the country."
Euron seemed to listen intently to the tale and then looked directly back at Saul with a measured gaze. " A strange tale indeed. Do you think you and your friends were the targets of this explosion? I would have thought that unlikely. Do you know who set the trap?"
Manbiter growled low and long, teeth bared. " Who's to say he's telling us the truth, or that he didn't kill his friends, like he might try and kill us. I don't like him or his tribe."
"The thought had crossed my mind as well as the minds of my septs elders. I do not know who set the bomb, but the photographers' faces are burned into my mind."
Euron smiled, a wide toothy smile. " Lucky for them that they're across the water then."
Saul turned to Manbiter " I am telling the truth. Always when we have spoken have I advised caution in Karen and her packs dealings with me. Just before you arrived I invited her to take me to see Daniel Bluefeather, for him to test my words for truth. I did not kill my pack, I was related by blood to my pack leader, related by marriage to another, our Ragabash, Enzo. As for killing you, why would I? What possible gain could it give me? You yourself could throat me without breaking a sweat, so why would I be foolish enough to try? For glory yes, But what good is glory if I die. Far from my range, in a strange land. I came here to America to fight the Wrym, and to complete my training as a theurge, not to kill strangers who could be friends. What has my tribe done to you Manbiter, that could cause you to hate me?"
Manbiter eyed Saul with a steely gaze before replying. " What has your tribe done to me? You're a Shadowlord. You consort with Magi and leeches, you sent your Silver Fang lapdogs to destroy us in the past, you even stink of the Wyrm more than the Wyrm fetid Gnawers or the Glass whelps. What more reason do I need!"
Turning to Euron, Manbiter growled. " I want him and his story checked before he gets into the Caern otherwise I'll throat him the moment I set eyes on him."
Having said that, Manbiter turned quickly and jumped away up and over the rocks. Greensong sat beside Saul looking aghast, mouth open but no words coming out.
Euron's face betrayed a slight smile and a look that indicated he had feared that might happen. " Ever were the Talons an abrasive group of Garou."
Saul breathed deeply before speaking. "She is right though, Euron. My tribe does not exactly have an unblemished record as far as the other tribes go. For a long time my people were the power behind the Silverfangs throne, and then when we came in to our own power..." Saul shrugged. "If her peoples' wisdom tells her not to trust me, then she must follow it."
Euron shrugged expressively. " I think there is a personal issue in her hate of you and your tribe but from what I know of the Talons, she spoke as would almost any of them."
Saul went silent for a moment, and then looked up at Euron. "I'll repeat what I said to Daniel, I arrived in America three months ago in New York. If you wish to know more about me and my past at the offices of George James and Son there is a man called Lou Fabien. Speak to him; he administers my bills and mail and stuff. I'm staying at a place on Morrissey; you can find out which one fairly easily." Saul stood and looked at his watch.
"I'm sure that we will check what you say." said Euron.
A look passed between Euron and Greensong that caused her to scowl.
"It's getting late, I should go," he paused before continuing. "Euron, to placate Manbiter, maybe I should have an escort back to my house, maybe Karen Greensong and yourself could accompany back to make sure I behave myself?
Euron nodded. " I think that would be a wise precaution however Greensong has her duties that she must not shirk."
"Just yourself then? Perhaps you could educate me on the area and its inhabitants. So that I don't make a fool of myself when next we meet?" Saul turned to Karen, "Until next time." He smiled, and then turned to begin the walk back to town.
"Just yourself then? Perhaps you could educate me on the area and her inhabitants - so that I don't make a fool of myself when next we meet?"
Saul turned to Karen, "Until next time." He smiled, and then turned to begin the walk back to town.
Tuesday, July 18th, 1995 6:56 p.m.
"Hold on." said Euron, "Its a long walk, I'll drive you, wait here." Euron walked off and returned a few minutes later with an old beat up Volkswagon van. Saul climbed in the passenger side and raised an eyebrow at Euron.
"It runs on alcohol, doesn't pollute the air."
They rode in silence for a few moments before Saul spoke.
"Who lives here? I mean tribe wise and how come?"
Euron was silent as they drove, Saul began to think that he hadn't heard the question and was about to repeat it when Euron answered.
"Long ago the area now known as Santa Cruz was inhabited by the Pure ones, you know us as Wendigo and Uktena. We lived in peace, and being peaceful, if we had problems we cooperated. At that time there were more of us than there are now but, we were still few in number. These small groups remained in contact with each other - but were otherwise independent and we were more concerned with protecting and fostering the development of our kinfolk and associated peoples among the Ohlone Indians. We lived like this in peace for centuries."
"And then the white man came."
"In the 18th century, the Spaniards arrived. They included amongst their number some kinfolk who were soldiers. One in particular was very gifted - but ruthless. He realized that the mountains were full of cairns - powerful cairns. When the Spanish padres and soldiers began rounding up Indians to convert and use as labourers for Mission Santa Cruz - the Wendigo and Uktena, seeking a peaceful resolution - approached this kinfolk - a man named Jose Gonzalez, to intercede on behalf of their peoples rather than that they should once again walk the path of war. Gonzalez said he would do what he could. But like almost everyone of the white men at that time, he was lying. What he did was to relate news of the cairns back to his sept in Mexico.
"Soon, ahroun, mostly Shadowlords, Bone Gnawers and Red Talons, from this sept arrived and assessing the situation for themselves, determined that the local Wendigo and Uktena were not protecting the cairns as they should; and that it would be best for Gaia if they were to undertake the protection and use of the cairns themselves.
And so in the fashion of the White Man, war came to us. They said it was for our own protection that we were taken from our lands and driven far from the ocean. Some of us fought and we entrenched ourselves in the mountains.
"In the 19th century, the Fianna re-ignited the war as each faction sought to secure its hold. Again we the pure ones were the losers. As Silver Fangs, Stargazers and Children of Gaia arrived - almost all the native garou had retreated back down the coast to the rugged Big Sur area. Only the intercession of the Children of Gaia allowed some of the Uktena to remain. Peace was achieved but only after a permanent rift was engendered between the colonizing garou and those to whom the land and cairns had once belonged.
Many of the spirits of the area would have grown forever silent had it not been for the few Uktena who remained among the strangers, for the love of the cairns and Gaia and who longed to see peace at last.
"Through the wisdom and forgiveness of these Uktena, the mantle of stewardship passed into other hands. Though not native of these lands, the new tribes serve the spirits and Gaia as faithfully as did the Wendigo and Uktena. But they brought their quarrels and factions with them as well and the land is more fractious than it ever was in the old days; and the spirits of the land weep because of it.
The Wendigo and Uktena who fled southward into the Big Sur Coast and Ventana Wilderness have never forgiven the newcomers. They have kept their peaceful ways and allow humans to dwell on the fringes of their land as long as those humans respect and love Gaia and her gifts; but no garou of the other tribes is welcome amongst them. They are a powerful sept but their power is isolated and they trust no outsiders."
Saul was quiet for long moments, and as Euron glanced over to him, a tear flowed down Saul's cheek to disappear into his beard.
"It never ends does it? Ah forget it. Its just that everywhere I look I see the hand of the Shadowlords and Silverfangs tearing down what others have built. The only place where this is not true is my home sept." Saul shook his head and wiped his eyes. "er, the Sept of Salt Winds, what tribes do you have?
"We are mostly Uktena and Stargazers," Euron told him. "I am myself Uktena, as is Danial Bluefeather, and though I have European ancestors as well, still the blood of the old ones is in my veins."
"Greensong," he tells Saul, "belongs to the Stargazers. Really though, we show no distinction between the two tribes and all are equal amongst us."
Saul caught Euron giving him a quick sidelong glance.
"Greensong is rather attractive, don't you think?"
"I hadn't noticed" Saul replied looking out of the window. The silence grew slowly. Slowly but palpably. "Okay yeah. Yes she's cute. Damn cute, and, if she wasn't Garou I'd ask her out in an instant but she's Garou and its incest and there's nothing I can do about it, so, No I don't think of her like that."
"Too bad our customs don't allow for the association of garou with garou," Euron commented. "But we must, after all, guard against the creation of meti. Fortunately, there are worthy kinfolk mates to be found."
Saul silently ground his teeth. Was Euron was tempting him? - telling him he, Euron, would look the other way if anything happened? Saul tried to think of something to say but the implications of the way the conversation had turned held his tongue. Euron slowed down and pointed out a small herd of deer moving through the forest just off the road.
"There will be good hunting when peace comes. The deer are abundant this year."
Grateful for the change of subject, Saul spoke again, "The area is large. Are there other septs?"
"Well, you know about Angry Earth. Angry Earth is really two associated septs - one comprised almost totally of Black Furies, the other of Red Talons. They count a number of ahroun amongst them - probably a higher portion of their peoples than any other sept except those of the Silver Fury. Though not numerous in numbers, they are all accomplished warriors and my sept counts on their support in times of war. Living on the edge of the lands belonging to the Technocratic Magi, we would be hard pressed if we did not have their aid."
Euron turns to look at Saul. "And if you think Manbiter was suspicious of you, that was nothing if she had been one of the Black Furies. Nothing personal, but the Black Furies despise your tribe to the core."
"Why does that not surprise me any more? What did we do?"
"Well there is some old feud between the two. But also, Shadowlords from Three Waters, growing restless under the rule of the Silver Fangs, have been seeking a cairn exclusively of their own. They have made dangerous noises about the inability of Angry Earth to guard the cairns against the Magi and as a result have angered both tribes. As a Shadowlord yourself, you inherit this enmity by virtue of your birth alone."
'Great, I get run out of Liverpool because it may be to dangerous for me personally and the sept as a whole and run slap bang into a war zone waiting to happen' The irreverent thought ran through Saul's mind uncontrolled.
"What about the other septs I assume there are more?"
"Other septs? There are many; as I've said. This is an area blessed with Gaia's gifts. The most powerful cairns lie within the lands of the following septs: Three Waters, Ancient Voices, Angry Earth, Stone Sea, and once - the Green Hills. The most powerful sept, both in numbers and in the ranks of those of renown amongst them is the Sept of Three Waters. Though they are led by the Silver Fangs, Fianna make up the bulk of their peoples. However, there are also significant numbers of Shadowlords and Get of Fenris and as these tribes count nearly half of the sept's ahroun amongst them - their voice in a time of war is louder than it otherwise would be. Perhaps this is why the Shadowlords, early loosers in the contest for leadership, now again push for their own dominance. Respected leaders of other septs, like Ancient Voices, have supported the more moderate voices."
Euron looked at Saul, "Excuse me for that judgement. I am just trying to tell you how things are seen here. In any case, the Silver Fangs have counted on support from their own followers and the respect of the other septs. Still, as Ancient Voices is now in much disfavour amongst all the septs except a few, the hold of the Silver Fangs on Three Waters is threatened. Your tribe may yet see leadership fall into their own hands. I know many of the Three Waters sept because, like Salt Wind, a number of my Uktena tribe still live there."
"Excuse the question but why is Ancient Voices in disfavour?"
"Ancient Voices has always championed the cause of peace. Another numerous tribe, they control some of the most powerful and oldest cairns in the region. Like Three Waters, Fianna make up the bulk of its people; but like Three Waters, leadership has been found in another tribe - traditionally those of the Children of Gaia, who come second in numbers. Almost all other tribes have at least a member or two in Ancient Voices - often because those who are deemed unfit or unworthy find a redemption of sorts in this sept. I've even heard rumours that an orphaned Black Spiral cub brought up by the Children, and a Wendigo outcast dwell amongst them. Other tribes who count for more than a few members there are those of the Silver Fangs, the Stargazers and some Black Furies."
"There is also the Sept of the Stone Sea, named such for the fossils found on its beaches - petrified remnants of an ancient ocean that existed before the garou even - when the triat was in balance. This sept consists mostly of Bone Gnawers, and Children of Gaia, though the numerous Fianna are also represented."
"When I first met Bluefeather, he and his pack were off to raid the mages, yet you have said nothing of them yet?"
"One of most powerful septs of the area, and one that had been led by the Fianna, was the Sept of Green Hills. It was destroyed and its people either killed or scattered by Magi, who had themselves been long guarded by the vigilance of we garou. This is the reason for our war and why the garou of all tribes cry for the blood of the backstabbing Magi. Who cannot see themselves or the fate of their own septs in what happened to Green Hills? They were a powerful sept and their downfall has shown how serious the threat of the magi has become."
"Are many other septs threatened? From what you have said, it sounds like if the magi are but a step away from destruction?"
"There are many other septs, smaller ones like my own that you will come to know if you choose to live here. But before I leave off this topic, I should warn you about the Glasswalkers. First, I want to say that there are a FEW Glasswalkers who dwell amongst us and who are good and loyal members. However, most of this tribe have consorted with the Technocratic Magi to such an extent that they cannot be trusted. Some have even colonized lands once belonging to Ancient Voices and have formed some sort of cooperative with some Magi. We do not know if they are aiding the enemy; but should this ever be discovered, there shall be a war of retribution. I caution you to avoid their kind by whatever means possible."
"I hear and heed your warnings. The first night I was here, on the fourth of July I ran into another being, called Henry. I thought he was another Garou, but he wasn't. I don't think he was a vampire, but... So are the leeches in abundance here? And what of Pentax and you have briefly mentioned the magi, but what else can you tell me of them?
Thinking for a while about Saul's question, Euron shrugged. "Well, obviously the Magi have prospered - or at least they did. We have managed to cull quite a few of their number. For my own part, I've had nothing to do with them. It is known that a faction of their kind, calling themselves Verbena, are allied with those of Three Waters and the Silver Fury. All septs have been asked to respect this alliance and as long as these magi can procure for us the spirit blood which sustains us - they will be respected. And the vampires? I've heard they exist - but if so, they keep to the shadows mostly. One of our number participated in destroying one not too long ago.
"They are one of the more minor aspect of the Wyrm. Destroy them when you can but as long as more pressing concerns abound - we haven't the rage to waste on them. And as for Pentex, though I've heard of their ravagements, I had thought us immune. Recent reports come though that they are behind the takeover of the cement factory which poisons the air around Davenport, up the coast from Santa Cruz. They were brought in by a greedy local landlord. Once we have destroyed the Magi, we will deal with them. As far as I know though, they are not a major threat - as yet."
"Do you plan on moving against the magi soon?
"You ARE full of questions," Euron commented.
"What one does not know, one must learn, to learn one asks questions, and receives answers, It is they only way for lore to be passed on. Euron I have met with your people twice now, it may look to other septs that you are acting as my allies. In fact they may think I have joined your sept if such a thing were possible."
"Well, it is possible," Euron replied in a neutral tone. "Certainly, we would welcome your visits and the occasional hunting foray. But you would be unique in being the only Shadowlord amongst us. I wonder if you wouldn't be more comfortable among those of your own tribe. Certainly, once they find out about you, they would want you to join them."
"Why? The other septs have various tribes in them, and in diversity comes strength."
"Well, after you've run with us - we will know you better and I gave give you a more honest answer."
"That is more than fair, However, I was born a theurge, and I know little of the Theurge's duties. Would your sept be able to complete my training?"
"Well, you have wisdom. An idiot could see it. But remember, Saul, we do not know know your songs yet. Your songs would have to become our songs and our songs your songs. We would have to run together for some time first before either of us knew if this was the right course. Also, regardless of how each of us might feel about such a choice, we of the Salt Wind cannot endanger our association with the Angry Earth. They would object to your being amongst us, I am positive. Though they might tolerate a visit or hunt, unless your proved yourself in their eyes, any desire of yours to join us would be in vain."
"I know, you have told me Euron-rhya, but could I return to your sept. If not for training, then for company? We are pack animals. I have no pack. The need to run with others of my kind is strong. For six months I have been alone. Could I return? Soon?"
"How does tonight sound? I want you to run the path of war with us, Saul. You have talked of peace but this is a warrior's time. Your words will have no impact and will be be little more than a breeze that tickles the ears unless you can prove yourself in the eyes of my sept. Also, it might prove your worthiness to those of Angry Earth. Before you can guide us, you must fight for the right."
"As always I must reply, how do you know I can be trusted? I could be a Shadowlord spy sent to ingratiate myself with you, before taking your cairn away from you as Manbiter believes?" The bitterness rose inside of Saul and he had to swallow and look out of the window. Damn his sense of honour and Damn his paranoia. He wasn't scared for them, He was sacred for himself. And scared that Euron would find out.
"I go by feeling. And don't worry; we will not be going into this with you as a stranger. There are already garou checking on your story. And if you prove your mettle in battle, then perhaps you can visit our bawn and hear our songs and we hear yours."
"Who is it you go to fight, and what have they done? I am not a coward but I need to know what they have done before I kill them."
"Though I know that you are no spy or turncoat, I must ask with caution. Trust me when I say that those we strike tonight are more than deserving of the death we bring. They are plunderers of Gaia and they have an ocean of blood on their hands. I do not say conscience for they have none. Come with us, Saul. This is your time. Do you not hear the Song of Battle?"
Saul turned to look from the window again, as the van sped along the road, the wind seemed to howl to Saul. His heart beat faster in sympathy to the words, urging him on, calling to him, demanding that he say yes. He fought it off. All he could think about was the mall, crowds of people pressing in on him, Enzo's joke, the one that he told before Billy told Saul of the watcher. Again Saul saw himself put the bag down and glare at the man with the camera, and turn toward him, blood pounding in his brain, as he again broke in to the run after the photographer, he dodged to one side around an old lady leading her grandson, leaped over a shopping trolley, and ran down the stairs before jumping the last half-dozen to come up behind the man, just as his hand reached out, the world ripped apart.
He saw the remains of his friends his pack, the ring that Billy wore which now Saul wore on his left hand, the chain that Enzo wore around his neck which hung around Saul's now, blood stains on the floor, bits of clothing, jewelry.
That was war, death, destruction, blood, dead friends, live enemies. That was war, and to Hell with it all, Saul wanted no part with more death, no more lives lost for no purpose. There was nothing glorious about sifting through the rubble and finding a red pulp, that was your cousin; and you only knew that because of the ring in the middle of the pulp. No songs were sung about after the battle, about the sickness that came to you, about the nightmares. Saul wanted no part of it. He turned toward Euron.
"Yes"
{For your info, Saul's story as far as I know has never been checked out; however at every turn he has told them to check it out. The original idea I had for the bomb was that it was an unhappy coincidence with Saul being hunted by the bombers as he saw their faces(hence his photo in the papers(whose going to believe a terrorist?)) But what could be good is as Saul and his pack were there as scouts, the minions of The Wyrm, could have planted the bomb to get rid of the scouts. its basically your (the ref's) choice(s)}
Wednesday, July 19th, 1995 1:43 a.m.
Saul's paws were pounding the ground as he was running through the forest, trying not to loose sight of the pack he was with. He had met Euron and Karen Greensong some time before at the rendezvous point that Euron had given him earlier. They had brought him to a little clearing where six other Garou from the Salt Wind sept were waiting for them. Euron had quickly presented everyone. There was Sonya Hide-and-Seek, a petite blond with high cheeks and a malicious glint in her eyes, Paul Growls-at-Cubs, a big rough-looking piece of a wolf, Simon Sweet Whisper, a young yet strangely calm-looking wolf, Trevis Rabbitbane, another young wolf, but as nervous as Sweet Whisper was calm, Anna Bittersour, a woman who was looking both blasée and disbelieving at the same time and Claws on Stone, introduced as the war party leader, a giant Garou in his Crinos form with fur black as a moonless night and angry red scars running across his torso. Euron added that the first three were Stargazers while the others where Uktena. He also presented Saul to the pack, which produced some grunts, either of approval or disapproval, Saul couldn't tell. He noticed that some of the Garou were carrying skin-made gourds.
Saul hadn't the time to say anything before Claws on Stone grumbled something about not having time for social chit-chat. He jumped to his feet after a quick transformation to his lupus form and vanished in the woods.
"Follow us", had said Euron before shifting to his own wolf form and darted after his leader.
Without any alternative, Saul had complied. To follow the pack was not easy, they were moving like ghosts, fast and almost without a sound. Twice he would have lost them but for Karen, who was striding at his side.
As they were progressing, the night, that was already particularly hot, grew hotter. Or maybe it was the run that was taking its toll. One thing that was sure was the nauseous stench that was invading Saul's nostrils. It took him a moment before putting a name on the odor. It was, as surreal and weird at it may sound, garlic.
Saul passed under a fallen tree, jumped over a small bush and nearly collided with Euron. The pack had stopped in another clearing. Saul was about to speak when he saw that they were not alone. A dozen or so wolves were coming out of hiding.
"Our allies from Angry Earth", whispered Karen to Saul's hear, she looked in the direction of a medium-sized, grey furred wolf that was speaking with Claws on Stone. "Their leader is Phylia, a Fury. If I were you, I would try to avoid her as much as possible. She hates men and positively loathes Shadowlords."
She paused, giving the time for Saul to see that most of the newcomer eyes were on him. Among them, he recognized Manbiter, who growled lowly as their eyes meet.
"On second thought, try to avoid anyone from Angry Earth. Stay right beside me and Euron and everything will be fine," Karen told him
Two other Garou entered the clearing. Then went directly toward the two leaders, one of them doing a large circle to avoid the Angry Earth's group. Saul watched him shift in his homid form and begin to speak with Claws on Stone. Karen followed his glance. "He's Thomas Gnaws at Wires, a Glasswalker and our informant. He and Kiss the Wind have been sent as scouts to see if the magi suspect anything."
Saul felt his heart beat a little faster hearing that. So they were against mages tonight!
The discussion between the scouts and Claws on Stone (Gnaws at Wire ignored Phylia, who in turn was looking at Saul with a mixture of repulsion and hate) went on for a little while. Finally Claws on Stone, back in his Crinos form, raised his hands to get the attention of the assembly.
"Kiss the Wind and Gnaws at Wires" he begun, "bring good news. The magi suspect nothing. With skill and luck, they will be dead before they could even wonder what hit them." He paused, letting some yelps of approbation from the Angry Earth's party die down. "They told me that there are four magi outside the complex. Two are presently patrolling, the others are at the front door. Kiss the Wind will get two Garou with him and deal with the patrolling Magi. The rest will follow Phylia and myself. We will storm the front entrance, which should not be hard."
"There are also four or five guards inside. They must be in a room, monitoring the whole complex. Bittersour, Hide and Seek, Growls-at-Cubs, Rabbitbane, Greensong, Euron and", he hesitated, "Saul - you'll have the job to find and kill them as fast as possible. They must not have the time to send any call for help, understood?"
"Aye," growled Bittersour at Saul's left.
"Good." Claws on Stone motioned a Garou to give him the gourd he was carrying. "Now, let us partake of the SunChild's blood. May it give us the strength to destroy these minions of the Wyrm!" Without any further word, he downed a good draught of the gourd's content and passed it to Phylia. At the same moment, the other gourds begun to circulate among the Garou. Euron tossed one of them in Saul's hands. Instinctively, he sniffed at the gourd's content. There was no scent emanating from it. If it was not for the weight of it (Saul was even surprised by it. The gourd was as heavy as if it was full of molten lead), he would have sworn that it was empty.
Saul glanced up from the gourd to see Euron looking at him. "Gaia's Blessing upon this War Party." murmured Saul before upending the gourd and drinking from it.
The liquid was weird on Saul's tongue. It was tasting like copper and immediately half-numbed his mouth. The experience was a little bit like when, a mere infant, he had put his tongue on one of his toy batteries. He rolled the liquid, heavy and thick as molasses, twice in his mouth and swallowed. He felt the beverage sink slowly in his throat, spreading the numbing sensation. Something tugged at his hand. It was Rabbitbane, wanting the gourd Saul was still clenching in his fist. Ashamed of his distraction, Saul handed the gourd to Rabbitbane who took it and put it to his mouth without hesitation, sucking it as lovingly as he was a cub and the gourd one of his mother's teats.
The explosion caught Saul by surprise. One moment, he was half numb, the other he had living fire inside him. The change's suddenness almost drove him to his knees, but he managed somehow to remain on his legs. He opened his mouth to scream, but it was a ferocious growl that exited instead. His body was shifting to Crinos by it own volition. The fire was also changing. It was no longer a ball of fire but sharp tendrils of intense heat riding his sinews. Quick as lightning, it draws a painful map of Saul's anatomy. His torso was a web of fire, soon joined by his legs and his arms. He had time to feel fear as the tendrils crawled upward his spine, invading his head. The instant the wave reached his brain, Saul's senses shattered. For an heartbeat his eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin reported nothing but white noise. Then, one by one, his perceptions returned to him, changed beyond belief.
There was no more pain, only an exhilarating feeling of being charged by pure energy. But, more than that, Saul's senses were sharpened at a degree he didn't thought possible. Without even trying, he was aware of all the present Garou scents under the pungent garlic smell. The strong musky odor of Claws-on-Stone at the other side of the clearing, the sweet scent of Greensong, nearer, the faint odor of a prey's blood on Rabbitbane's breath. He was able to identify all of them. Saul's vision was increased in the same manner. He was seeing as in plain day, except for a red taint that was covering everything. The effect was almost maddening as it was good. Never before he felt so alive, so real, so there. Saul wanted to howl, to run, to hunt and kill and kill and kill.
Slowly, he regained conscience of his surrounding. The gourds had circulated among all the crowd. Only the Glasswalker did not have been offered a draught, and the look on his face plainly showed that he would not had accepted anyway. The Garou around Saul seemed as exalted as him. On lupus or crinos form, not one of them was standing in place. In the Angry Earth pack, a wolf raised her head to howl. Only a good scratch by a near packmate stopped her to do so. The howler-to-be showed her teeth at the interloper and would have jumped at her if Phylia had not snapped her jaws as a warning.
Without further words, Kiss-the-Wind and three other Garou exited the clearing. The rest of the pack shifted into wolves and silently followed Claws-on-Stone and Phylia. Saul, who was in closing the march, noticed that the Glasswalker was not going with them. He remained in the clearing instead, watching the departing Garou.
Wednesday, July 19th, 1995 2:02 a.m.
(If my opponent goes down, then I would like to grab his radio, and belt( with holster gun etc) and his night stick and then find Karen and Euron and see if they need help for your reference I have included a copy of Saul's character sheet.)
The complex was in view. It was an ugly brown conception, built to be efficient, not good-looking. It was surrounded by a fence and many light posts. The main gates were open. To guard the entrance, only two men. They were plainly visible under the crude light illuminating the entrance. Their scent was also perceptible. Clear sweat, due to the heat and nothing more. Not the scent of frightened prey. They were ignorant of the pack's presence.
The pack was waiting the leaders order to attack when lightning crisscrossed the sky. The complex's lights flickered immediately, died, then some of then returned, less bright than before. "Gaia's blessing", whispered a Red Talons near Saul.
"Just like the Impergium, out of the darkness we strike to cull the numbers of the herd." Saul replied softly, his voice pitched to carry to the Red Talon.
The Talon looked in Saul's direction. His eyes gauged the Shadowlord that had spoken in such a manner. He finally growled lowly, reminding Saul in a not-so-subtle fashion that he was there only because the Talons and the Furies tolerated him; and that he shouldn't make himself too visible or noisy.
Meanwhile, the guards at the entrance were moving. One of them was shaking his radio, while the other was looking in the Garou general direction. His eyes passed over them a first time without seeing nothing, which was hardly surprising as they were hiding in deep shadows. He turned to talk to his companion and threw another glance at the woods. This time, even if it was impossible for any human eyes to do so, he saw the pack. His bulging eyes and dead white face didn't leave any doubt about that.
"Euron they've seen us! When do we go?" The question was not asked from fear but from Rage and a need to hunt. In Saul's mind the two parts of his personality warred for dominance. Stormreaver's child shrieked for blood and fire - to destroy all that was the scar on Gaia, starting with this complex; whilst Saul, was fighting to keep Stormreaver's child under control, over and over again. Waves of anger flowed. Saul counted and pushed them down. His mind recalled the formation of tropical storms that turned to hurricanes, how they fed on themselves, more and more cloud and wind building and getting pushed down to feed upon itself, until, it could be held in check no longer and then the storm would break and the destruction levelled would be terrible.
'One last try.'thought Saul, "Euron, we have to go soon! Tell the others to hit the gates, if we wait much longer, they will organise, and we will lose ourselves to the SunChild blood."
Saul's exhortations were superfluous. As he was asking his first question, all the Red Talons and Black Furies had already jumped forward, Phylia at their head. Euron turned toward Saul, savage lights dancing in his eyes.
"It's time to prove yourself, friend!" he said before leaping forward.
Meanwhile, the fastest Garou had already covered half the distance between them and the guard. The one who had spotted them had drawn his gun and was shooting at the incoming werewolves. The other was franticly passing a magnetic card in a slot near the door. Judging by his multiples attempts and curses, it was not going well.
They were growing dangerously short of time. Three Garou were now at leaping distance from the men. The one holding the gun stopped to fire wildy.
Quickly, but calm, he adopted a more efficient shooting position and pulled the trigger. This time the detonation was far louder, as if the gun had fired another kind of ammo. The bullet also found a target. The nearest Garou yelped in pain. Unfortunately for the man, it was not enough - far from it. The other two Garou were still coming and one of them was on him before he could fire again. It was not clear which was the louder, the man's shriek of terror or the sound of the Garou jaws closing on his arm, crushing meat, sinews and bones. The second man, hearing this, turned around just in time to see the third Garou leap at him. The impact rammed him in the door, opening it violently.
By the time Saul and the last of Salt Wind sept had arrived at the position of the first guard, all the other Garou had already entered the complex. Saul threw a glance at the dead man as he passed him. The attacking Garou hadn't been subtle nor kind. The corpse's right arm had been torn away, and his torso was but a bloody mess.
Gunshots came to the ears of Saul, coming from behind the complex, signaling that Kiss-the-Wind had entered the fray.
Saul ran in through the doors, shifting rapidly to a naked Glabro form and then stopped, and crouched near the guard. Quickly he took the man's pistol, key chain and radio. But as Saul picked up the radio. it's back of it fell to the floor. Though not a technological genius, even Saul knew that it was shattered beyond repair.
Screams and howls reached Saul's ears and as he looked around he realised that he was alone outside. Standing up, he ran for the end of the corridor, pausing at the t-junction he saw Karen in the war form of Crinos. She looked round and caught sight of Saul.
"Here!" she growled before vanishing behind the corner.
Saul followed straight into his nightmares, smoke filling the air and a smell like roasted pork wafting past his nose. Screams from the past came back to haunt Saul once more: cries from young mothers who lost their children and had found the remains in the rubble; the sound of fountains spraying water, and that water mixing with the blood and broken bodies of his packmates and childhood friends. For long moments Saul stood before the sounds of battle brought him to consciousness again.
Saul looked up to see Karen a few paces further down the hall standing before a shattered door. Smoke spewed from it, and the screams and growls of Garou locked in combat could be heard beyond.
Before either Karen or Saul could react, a man in a guard uniform darted from the room. Karen belatedly swung a paw at him but the blow missed. Instead of tearing the man's head off, it threw him into the air. The guard twisted in midair coming down running and gasping for breath straight for Saul.
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