Goldsand Beach~Harvest Festival

Kai landed a little ways down the beach from the gathering elves. She wasn't sure what she was doing but she couldn't seem to shake a feeling that something bad had happened. "Get it together. That's only your past trying to over ride the present situation." she muttered to herself.

Lifting her head and shading her eyes with her hand, she looked around the beach. She yet again wondered where the children had gotten off too. "If I were a youngling where would I run off to?" She asked herself.

Serpent Fang wasted no time in breaking away from the group. He headed straight for the water. It was unlikely that a guppy would be in the deep waters where the tribe hunted, especially if had a wolf-guppy with it, but it was necessary to cover your bases.

**Come on, Coral,** Serpent Fang lock-sent curtly. He was in no mood to deal with delays. An unpleasant thought had crossed the Hunt Leader's mind: the guppy could breath underwater, but the WolfFolk's guppy would drown. To Serpent Fang if the cub was out in the open water, they'd be finding one guppy and a drowned cub, or worse. There were daggerteeth out there to be considered.

Serpent Fang refused to show any of his gathering thoughts as he methodically shrugged off his ragged jacket and took his spear up, wading out into the waves until he could dive in.

--

Ridge shook himself and hunched over Pathfinder's back. He had to find the cubs. It was his fault that they were gone and left it up to him to find them. Both were small and the forest was huge. No one knew how long they'd been missing, so they could be anywhere.

Remembering Crowspirit had remained at the Holt that morning, he lock-sent to her, **Crowspirit, there hasn't been any sign of cubs near the Holt since we left this morning, has there?**

Ridge didn't know that Straystar had already been in contact with the she-elf. All he could hope for was that they cubs hadn't gone far.

Watching as everyone began going their own ways to search for the children, Tidemist began to pace along the beach. Already she was regretting saying she and Straystar would stay here and wait to see if the pips showed up on the beach again. But she reminded herself that someone had to do it, and the beach could serve as a base, which was where the leaders belonged. But she didn't fully realize how the waiting would gnaw at her, the anxiousness. She clenched her hand a little and kicked up a spray of sand as a vent to her growing frustration. “Coral spines and sun blisters!” she cursed, absolutely hating the situation.

Instead of jumping to the ground, Crowspirit made her way upwards and to the top of the Everhome Tree. She sent to her wolf-friend to be on the lookout for the cubs. It was then that she received Ridge's sending.

**No,** she replied, regret in her tone, **Straystar told me what happened and Sentry and I are keeping a look out. Was there any evidence of which way they might have gone?**

Once she reached the top, she took a moment of rest before belting out an "Owoooo!" into the air. The cubs were too young to send; but if they were in hearing range of her howl, she would be disappointed if the wolf-cub didn't reply.

Lancestrike wandered back over towards the other cubs and sat down drawing in the sand realizing no matter what he said he was stuck waiting around with the others.

Straystar walked over to Tidemist and put a hand on her shoulder "If you keep pacing like that you'll make a tench deep enough to catch the whole cove," he spoke softly with a gentle smile. "The little ones will turn up" he left the rest of his worries unspoken and sat down leaning on Shawl in the shade of a couple beachnut trees. He pulled out a dagger and picked up a piece of driftwood and started to carve into it. Putting his mind on something else besides waiting and worrying. He would scan the treeline every once and awhile both visually and mentally, there was to much salt in the air to smell anything and the breeze on the beach made sounds come and go at random.

Coral said nothing, when Serpent Fang grabbed his spear - his own preference would have been to make at least a bit of a comment regarding 'hunting children', but the waters did have dangers in them. Better to be prepared than not, he supposed.

The flame-haired shaper followed the hunt leader into the water's edge, still unsure that the children had gone this direction. But if they had, there would be more than enough pretty colorful underwater items to entrance them. But... the wolf-child, surely would float, but hardly could be expected to dive below the water as any Sea-elf might.

That dark fear gripped Coral's gut as he descended into the waves, still not daring to head out in front of Serpent Fang, but knowing that he knew the cove in greater detail.

**We should search the shallows first,** Coral suggested mentally, carefully, **The tide ... ** His stomach, first sinking, now a ball of fear, made him mentally blurt out - probably too widely for its own good (and probably, to those closest to the shore) ** High Ones, the tide will come in while we search...**

**We can survive the change in tide,** Serpent Fang answered curtly, lock-sending. **But you're right, we should check the shallows first.**

Serpent Fang dove, swimming to the bottom, even if the water wasn't too deep. He preferred swimming over wading through the water any day.

The first gulp of cold water was like the breath of life. Serpent Fang felt the water pass through his gills, his mind clearing once he was underwater. He blinked, scanning the near vicinity for any sign of the guppies.

**Coral, go that way,** Serpent Fang instructed via lock-sending and a sharp jab of his spear in the direction that would be up the beach. **We'll cover more area if we spread out.**

Serpent Fang didn't wait for an answer from Coral as he struck out in the opposite direction. He didn't feel the fear that he knew the other tribesmen were feeling, he felt a deadly calm. It was the type of calm that came off as anger, his usual manner. As always, his mind was clear and sharp, he wouldn't allow fear to tinge his judgement or actions.

**Find them and we won't have to worry about the tide,** he told Coral, his mental voice icy.

Coral sent a grim but wordless acceptance of that command, and began moving toward the more visible tide pools. He'd shaped so many of these little nooks and bright blocks of living coral.

He'd shaped them to be so pretty, so visible! Were they what might have tempted a pair of younglings to wander too far from their keepers? He knew by the dreadful look on that one elf's face, what was his name, Ridge? That he felt a deep guilt about this.

Oh that was it - as Coral searched, using not just his eyes and fingers but his mind to explore the lapping pools - Ridge was the wolf-tribe's cub minder! Of course he'd be feeling anxious, but he had been attending to the children and went on to enjoy the rest of the gathering with someone else minding them. It wasn't 'on his watch', but Coral sorted through what he'd seen all day and knew that was why the elf had such a grim line on his lips when the tribes began to search.

Still watching though enjoying himself earlier, Coral had tucked away many tidbits of information. Interactions between different groups and even among those who appeared closely related.

But now, two very unrelated children were out here... somewhere.

He looked over the turquoise colored sea, knowing that it was only a matter of time, if the pip and cubling had gone this way, what he would find.

Serpent Fang swam along the bottom of the ocean, keeping to the shallows. He felt Coral's mental acceptance of the orders. In response he sent his own deadly calmness to subdue the coral-shaper's anxieties. It was a wordless promise that the little ones would be found. This might have been Serpent Fang's most gentle sending of the day, cold assurance.

Serpent Fang could see no sign of the guppies as he turned to circle daggertooth-like back up along the coast line. The clear water gave nothing away about whether or not it had taken the little ones.

Serpent Fang lock-sent to Coral, his sending biting once more, **This is hopeless. We would have seen them from shore if they were in the shallows. We would have seen a shadow in the water at least. I'm going deeper. Keep looking where you are, but I'll need you to come with me once the tide changes.**

--

Ridge "listened" to Crowspirit's response, guilt slicing through him. If only he'd payed more attention... With a shake of his head, he focused once more on Crowspirit's mental voice.

**Brooksong, Sunsong, and Stormcloud are checking on that right now,** Ridge told her. He tried not to allow his guilt and anxiety filter through the lock-sending, but he couldn't keep it all contained.

Turning, he and Pathfinder pushed through the brush, searching for any signs of the cubs.

Tidemist continued to pace, until Straystar put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him, and gave a weak smile at his joke and slowly nodded, though a bit reluctantly. She watched him going and sitting down, and beginning to whittle. She sighed and sank down into the sand, head hung slightly.

Her head snapped up when she heard howling, the skin prickling a little on her arms. Sometimes, she didn't like the howling from the forest, and the situation made her not like it very much. It seemed too ominous. She waited a few moments, biting her bottom lip gently, and she didn't hear a response to it. She wondered now if someone the WolfFolk were howling for their lost cub. Could they be mourning the loss already? The thought made tears gather in her eyes a little.

Stormcloud looked around the area covered by the tracks of the children. Some of the tracks were clear - little footprints in the sand, or piles of sand the children must have been playing with, still with the indents of their small fingers. In other places, there were barely tracks at all, indistinct little depressions in the dry sand.

It was like solving a puzzle. But she did not give up. Finally she stood at the edge of the forest. **They went this way. Come quickly!** She sent, speaking to Brooksong and Sunsong, but leaving the sending open in case someone else was available to search, also.

Under the forest canopy, there was a narrow path. Stormcloud hesitated, but Bigpaws had caught the cubs' scent and made a noise somewhat like a whine, urging her to hurry on.

--

Snaketwist nodded his assent and started running towards the ocean, fast as he could. If the wolf-pip was in the water, things would not be well. He checked along the way that all the boats were still in place. It was unlikely that pips small as those two could steal a boat on their own - but every possibility had to be considered.

Snaketwist ran to a high outcropping of stone, where the water was deeper, and dived into the depths. This was the fastest way into the ocean, and speed, now, was of the essence.

--

Skybolt had chosen not to go to the festival. This was simply because she was plagued by a horrible headache. A headache probably caused by the quantities of half-ripe dreamberries she had consumed the night before.

She was woken by the chief's sending. Cubs getting lost? This was serious. Skybolt got dressed, grabbed her weapons and went outside. She would do her best. She did not wait to be given instructions. She functioned best on her own, making her own choices. Where would a small cub hide? She tried to remember how Stormcloud had been at that age, but the memories were hazy. Mostly, the lass had been looked after by Stormwind.

After a waiting for a time that could never be enough, Crowspirit sighed. The only response had been tense silence, which meant that the cubs were out of hearing range. Hopefully.

**It's not your fault,** she sent to Ridge as she made her way back down the tree.

She debated whether she should check around the Holt or not. It would be pointless, considering she had already howled for them. But what if they were soundly sleeping? She decided to check just in case.

-

Tern raced to retrieve his spear and catch up to Snaketwist, who had taken off so fast he barely had any time to realize it. He reached the stone outcropping a few breaths after his cousin. Winded, he stopped for a moment, but was quickly over it and diving in after his tribemate.

**Should we split up?** he sent, scanning the ocean floor.

It was unlikely the wolf-cub would be down there, but it was important to check. Personally, Tern hoped that the two returned from a fruitless search, knowing that it was more likely the guppies would be safe and well on land.

Brooksong did not even have to urge Moonhowl to follow Stormcloud and Bigpaws, they waited patently as the two scouted out and follow the trail. **Have cub scent too** he wolf sent to her.

**Keep to the trial and follow Bigpaws** she sent back **you are swift and agile, but not the best tracker** She teased rubbing him between the ears. He snorted in responds.

Straystar saw Tidemist stiffen a little at the howl. "It's okay that was just Crowspirit back at the Holt, Not a bad idea actually calling for the cubs that way. Don't think she could respond back loud enough to be heard but at least would know we are looking for her."  

Ridge straightened at Crowspirit's howl. It was a very good idea. He waited tensely for a response, but when none came his shoulder's slumped. How could he have let this happen? He and Pathfinder pushed deeper into the woods.

Ridge and Pathfinder wove through the trees, straining to hear, see, or catch even the slightest smell of the cub and guppy. Alas, there was nothing.

Ridge turned his head away at Crowspirit's chiding. She sounded just like Straystar.

Deciding to follow Crowspirit's lead, Ridge threw his head back and howled as loudly as he could, Pathfinder's voice joining his. "Owoooo!"

He spent time with all of the cubs and always taught them to answer the howl. Anxiety gnawed at him while he waited for any sort of response.

As the group caught the tiniest hope - the little foot prints and tracks that indicated the cublings had been in a specific spot - Sunsong also heard the call from her tribemate Crowspirit. It was distant, and the nearby press of the water's constant hissing and crashing was practically louder.

Sunsong let her muzzle fill with the scent of the children - one she knew, the other not so much. Their scents were mingled here, with the smell of salt water and the warm sand, palm leaves, and even the still-drifting smells of smoke and cooked food.

Half on instinct Sunsong wanted to reply to that howl, but it wasn't meant for her and her own wolf-friend, more it was directed at Cubling, and ... there was still no response.

She sent to the others nearest, **It looks like they were playing, so many activities,** her golden-tinted mind reiterated the little footprints and constructions in the sand, **If they were already awake this long in the day and then ran off, they may have found a quiet place and fallen to sleep. At least... I hope.**

Crowspirit and Sentry made their way around the Holt, scenting for any signs and searching carefully in the underbrush. Ridge's howl came to their ears, and Sentry turned in its direction.

When she heard Pathfinder join in, Crowspirit had an idea. "Owoooo!" she cried. After sensing that she wanted him to as well, Sentry echoed her. The more howls there were, the louder it would be and the farther it would spread.

Snaketwist was glad to see Tern had kept up with him. He considered for a heartbeat, then decided: **Yes. We can cover more area separately. I will go this way** - he gestured towards where there were many caves in the underground stone and coral, where his skill of fitting through small holes could be useful **-and you will go that way** He pointed towards the deeper water.

In the sea, all scents were one, and he had not the keen nose of the WolfFolk, anyways. His sight was what mattered here. Thankfully the water in the ocean was clear and transparent. He began his search, hoping for the best.

--

Stormcloud mounted Bigpaws and they hurried along the forest path. She thought they would find the cubs soon, and hoped that Sunsong was right. It would be a huge relief to find the cubs safely asleep.

Just when she was beginning to congratulate herself on her swift tracking, they came to a crossroads. Besides the path they had come along, there were three other small paths in the forest. The cubs could have chosen any of them - or headed into the undergrowth, although that was less likely. Bigpaw's wordless sending to her was full of uncertainty - the little ones had left tracks all over the crossroads.

**I guess we'll have to look for tracks the slow way again here**, she remarked to her companions, and dismounted again.

--

Skybolt ignored the howls. She had ideas of her own. She knew where a panther had his lair. She'd been meaning to hunt him for some time now, but since the lair was far from the Holt and the panther did not hunt on WolfFolk territory, the chief had told her to let it be. But now... it seemed possible to Skybolt that the panther could have taken the children. Even if it turned out to not be the case, she had the perfect excuse to kill the beast. Of course, she wished the cubs were well... but Skybolt was not above twisting the truth a little, to get her own way.

Tern nodded and swam towards the deeper part of the ocean. He scanned the floor for any overturned shells a little SeaFolk child might have picked up to show their new friend, then dropped after losing interest.

As he searched, he noticed a scallop nestled away near some rocks. Reaching out one of the un-webbed hands that are less common among sea-elves, he ran his finger along the shell. Almost immediately, it shot upwards, opening and closing it's mouth.

Tern chuckled. This had always amused him. After the creature settled on the seabed once more, Tern remembered the task at hand. He looked up and around. There wasn't anything to be seen.

Swimming out further, he turned back to where he came from. He was getting to the much more open areas of the ocean; would the guppy really have taken the cub out that far?

**How far out should I go?** he asked Snaketwist, not wanting to go further if he didn't need to, **I haven't found anything yet.**

**Might as well,** Tern replied, following Snaketwist to the surface, **It's not like we'd be any use searching the forest.**

Swimming towards the shore, he watched the elves that were waiting there. It must be agonizing to sit around and waiting while one of your tribe's guppies is missing. Personally, Tern wouldn't mind it, but he knew that if it had been Seastar, he wouldn't have been able to sit still.

Tidemist listened quietly to the howls coming from the forest. She couldn't even tell which were from animal or elf. She sighed and held her head, running her fingers through her silver white hair. She let out a little moan of frustration. When she couldn't take it anymore, she stood up and floated into the air, going higher and higher. She eventually got to the point where she could see quite a ways up and down the beach, though she could see nothing but treetops and the faint shimmer of lake water. She could make out the small dots of the adult elves searching the coast. She could see Kaimeta's hut, a larger dot than the elves, and her little palm tree and spring groove. She sighed and hugged herself a little as the wind blew by her. “Where are you, pips?” she thought to herself, wondering how such a thing could have happened on a festival day.

Serpent Fang twisted away from the direction of the beach and struck out deeper, skimming the bottom of the ocean. He didn't need those silly fins the others had shaped by Kaimeta. His expression twisted at the thought, his lips drawing back to reveal his sharp teeth.

Zigzagging back and forth, he could find no sign of the guppies, for better or for worse. The water passing through his gills with every intake of breath reminded him that the guppy and wolf-guppy wouldn't be this deep. The guppy could swim, but surely would have tired and the wolf-guppy would have long since drowned.

These thoughts swam through his mind as he traced his usual path to their hunting grounds. Not a hint of the little one was to be found.

**Any sign of them, Coral?** He lock-sent. **I'm positive they're not out here.**

--

Ridge and Pathfinder fell silent after the howl. Though others carried the call on, no answer came. He bowed his head, feeling as though he'd failed. Ridge felt his calm slipping horribly and sent to Pathfinder his urgency and discontent.

Pathfinder leaped forwards, dashing deeper into the forest, veering sharply away from the Holt. Trees whipped past the wolf and rider as they pelted along, startling deer and rabbits.

Where could the cubs be? Ridge's grip on Pathfinder's fur tightened causing the wolf to let out a low snarl. Neither of them were trackers, making Ridge all the more upset. He wanted to be there when the cubs were found. He wanted the cubs to know that they couldn't just do this. They could be hurt or in trouble!

Pathfinder's paws skimmed across the forest floor as he ran, his rider hunched low over his back. The howls of the pack members became awash in the background of the forest's heavy midday air, falling behind them as they pressed blindly deeper into the forest.

All activity else where along the beach was lost to the High One. Her mind solely focused on finding the little ones. She floated higher now than she usually did, her view of the area was perfect for scouting for little elves, but if they were no where to be seen. "Well pucker nuts." She said taking herself down for a gentle landing further down from the waiting elves. She was between her hut and the festival grounds but still closer to the grounds than her home, the hut more a blotch on the horizon.

With a sigh she turned back to the others. She would have to hold it together, for now there was no way she could do much, given she was in her dress clothes which didn't offer much in the way of movement and she wasn't the best in the woods. She hated waiting but what could she do? The High One very ungracefully let her body fall to the sand legs stretched in front of her.

"Next year we will have to make a child play pen or something to keep the littlest ones from wandering off." Kai mused more to herself than anyone.

Snaketwist swam to the shore, heading towards where the chiefs and elders were gathered. **We found no trace of them at the reef. I don't think they've been that way.** He told everyone within sending range.

He saw Kaimeta was heading away, and quickly sent to her: **High One, we need your help. Please give me and my cousin our tails and gills again, so that we can search farther and faster**

Little was left of the joyful celebration. Flower garlands lay in the beach sand, and some gulls had perched on the serving tables and were quickly devouring the remains of the feast. Snaketwist did not begrudge them that; eating was the last thing on his mind.

--

Skybolt sighed at the screeching noises of the Preserver. The bug had been all right the evening before, when it had accompanied Skybolt and one of her lovemates to a feast of dreamberries. It had mostly kept its mouth full of the juicy berries, and anyways, Skybolt's head hadn't ached so horribly at that time.

"Be quiet, bug." She told Ripeberry in a whisper. "I am hunting dangerous prey. You will be more use back at the Holt. Go and find Straystar." She suggested, hoping the creature would take off. She did not mention the missing cubs - the Preserver would hear that from Straystar.