#bergen_county

*****

Jonas patrols smoothly along the Barony's paths. He prefers the wilds because it's easier to take animal form with less trouble. It might surprise the Chieftain the 'wildlife' forms he's taken. Some do not fit the area, but it's neat none theless

He has startled her once or twice. The transformations are very convincing. Today she strides along on her patrol watchfully. Autumn is still new, but an approaching storm feels ominous.

A Lynx? Mmm he's abandoning the mOuntain Lion he so favors.

She pauses and nods seriously, kenning to check that it's him.

Glamour yes. A nod and the beast changes to his two legged form "You're not one prone to mis identification. Perhaps I should hone my abilities further. So far the patrol seems quiet."

"Well, you selected an animal rare in these parts. Study the local fauna, try mimicking. You tend towards large cats. There are not many of those here." She resumes walking, making space for him to walk beside.

"I suppose vainglory is not something I'm completely insusceptible to" He ponders "Perhaps I need to cultivate a little more humility though full disclosure, I once turned into a squirel and was nearly devoured by a hawk"

"Hm." A brief chuff of amusement. "A learning experience. Have you tried to turn into a hawk?"

"of course, I told myself it was as you say an education opportunity, but in truth I think the logic of the 'winning team' applied."

"The logic of the winning team?"

"If you can't beat them, join them" he clarifies, "Pardon. It was wonderful having wings. But I really do prefer the sensory suite cats have. They're amazing hunters."

"Indeed. Have those senses discovered anything interesting today?"

"Well, nothing that's a hazard to the fief, no. Though the new chimerical tree is interesting.. new to myself that is. Purely chimerical... and in autumn glory. The pattern of leaf fall seems quite lovely'"

She frowns curiously. "A chimerical tree? Show me."

"This way" He says surprised "I assumed you knew. My error." And he moves deftly enough.

She follows. "No. This does not sound familiar."

Brekke strides through at a pace that would surpass him if she did not need his lead. She could be blindfolded and walk through parts of these woods. They are not far from a certain Glome's anchor but twist away and come to a different area. There, she sees it, a tree... and she finds to her surprise she cannot quite place it's nature. It has elements of both Oak and Elm... but the leaves seem more like those of a maple tree... and those leave fall in a red, gold, and orange cascade of color....

"Strange. This is new." She is intrigued by the beauty of the leaves. "What are you, my friend?" she murmurs as she approaches the tree, not yet casting Willow Whisper but trusting to her own observation, first.

For one thing, the chimerical leaves fall, but do not pile up so much as blow away to spread their beauty (Or fade should they hit banality no doubt), they seem to be plentiful, perhaps even replinishing.

Jonas says "New? Intriguing. I wonder who dreamt it if any? "

"I do not know. It seems...benevolent." She bends to pick up one of the fallen leaves (or catch it if it does not fall to the ground). Once she captures one, she turns it in her fingers, then takes her cloak pin to mark the words "who are you?" into the leaf with the point of the pin, this time directing the glamour to speak the question to the leaf's source.

She steps closer to the tree. "I do not understand...do you mean you are the land? The spirit of this land?"

_A mouth to same. Though not the whole of it. _

"I see." She nods respectfully. "I have tried to serve you well. I hope I have succeeded. What would you have me know?"

_Thy Summer Warriors return home soon with a prize to use. The Dragon stirs in its rest. Before Samhain, you must strike before then, three ... each with a bane. _

A step closer. "I will stand and strike with one. If they bring home another, then we must find the one to wield it. And Vali brought the third...again, it needs a bearer. We grow closer to being prepared. Thank you. It is a relief to know they return."

"Winter. My winter?" She sounds dubious...what worth could that be.

Brekke nods slowly, frowning. "I will make note of their thoughts in this. I will heed the mission. We will protect the lands."

I know. And the land will protect you. Take a small branch from me, one with many leaves errupting\

Her brow furrows...she's reluctant to do this pruning...but she steps in and selects and appropriate branch, small but thick with leaves. She takes Speaker from her belt and carefully makes one precise strike to cut the branch off cleanly.

And it comes loose. Ah, it hurts despite thy care ,but it would have hurt worse if not for that care. Should the time come to banish thy people, this will carry many away like leaves on a wind for miles. It is an exile of love.

Brekke stares at the branch. "It is a great gift. This may save many. I thank you. How may I ease your pain?"

There is a burst of leaves, glorious like drops of fire... and the tree is gone.

"May we have both."

The branch? remains

And she watches, a moment of child-like glee in her heart at the burst of color and flutter of leaves.

A deep sigh...and she looks again at the branch. Then she looks to see if Jonas is still there.

Jonas is starring with wonder at the entire event, stupified.

Brekke indicates the branch in her hand. "Did you hear its words?"

"Pardon me chieftain, I'm astounded beyond the capacity for rational discourse. " Another moment, a breath "yes...most of it. A whisper."

She nods pensively. "It is a great gift. The land tries to protect us. I am honored."

"And...winter...." A frown. "I will speak with the wilders when they return."

"I didn't even..." Jonas says stunned still, "I thought it just a visual treat."

"Perhaps for you, that is all it would have been. Jonas, thank you for bringing me here. Your sharp senses serve well."

He starts to bow, but then puts his right hand over his chest in a different sort of respect play "Service has brought me a wonder I never imagined. Truly. To say you are welcome is most understated."