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Winter of Storm and Shadow: Interlude #1
After the Storm Caswallon stands near the sheer cliff, dropping bloody chunks of meat into the gorge below. It is not deep, but the walls of the gorge are extremely steep in order to prevent his pets from escaping. Only when he has need of them does let them out of their home, for such things would be dangerous to his ffolk and to others. The druid takes a moment and looks down at his own bloody hands. Is this a sign of the future? Will his plans come to bloody ends and spell doom for the Land? He would rather die than bring ruin to Gyruff, but his destiny was set, and he must follow it to victory or oblivion. As the wind begins to blow and another spate of cold rain begins, Caswallon holds out his hands to the rain and lets the water wash away the blood. It takes away most but not all; some of the blood remains in the cracks and crevices of his skin. Caswallon senses the presence of someone approaching and a smile comes to his lips. Only his daughter would dare approach him here near his pets; others are far too scared of the beasts to get this close. Picking up the remaining bits of meat, he drops flesh down into the gorge and then turns to his daughter. Maelan stops a few feet away. For some reason, if her father's pets sense her presence they would become frenzied. Neither Caswallon nor his daughter had yet figured out why. Caswallon takes a moment to study her, once again proud of the strong young woman his daughter has become. "Father, I have news if you wish to hear it." Maelan gently strokes the leopard skin armor as it shifts around her body. Caswallon nods to her and again holds out his hands to let the water wash away the excess blood. "Of course I wish it. I have finished here." He begins walking back towards the caer and Maelan falls in beside him. "All who were sick are now better," she begins. "They have gone to the grove and even now Olan is instructing them on the Ffordd Purdeb. He believes several will make fine additions to the guard." "Excellent. What of the heroes who brought us the Cauldron?" Maelan smiles, "They have departed. Already many have spread the news to other parts of Gyruff. We have word of several pilgrims coming to see us." Now it is Caswallon's turn to smile. "Such news warms my old heart. Already the ffolk are seeing our true path. Hopefully their leaders will see it as well." "If they are wise then they shall, father. You speak with the voice of ancient bonds." Caswallon shrugs. "Their prowess in battle and at court is formidable, but do not mistake cunning for wisdom. A wolf is cunning in battle... but rare is the wolf who can let his wits overpower his hunger." Maelan lets that piece of wisdom sink in and then continues. "Ilan ap Dyved has requested your presence in Dersyth. At the same time, Briallen the Heatherdown is coming here, to see the Cauldron." She notes the last piece of news makes her father's normal calm facade slip monetarily. "Interesting," Caswallon states and nods his head absently. "Then you must be ready for her. She is sharp and seeks weakness through observation. Where Gwenllian and I rely on our powers of seeing the future, Briallen sees the present, and is therefore much more dangerous." Caswallon eyes his daughter. "Olan can of course stand with you." Maelan frowns. "I believe I can handle the Heatherdown, Father," she answers, a bit too quickly. "You see? You must guard against such changes in tone with her. I cannot as yet ignore the call from Ilan ap Dyved, even if I wanted to. Briallen no doubt has planned her visit to coincide with my leaving the caer." "You make her sound like quite the tactician, Father. I will be on my guard." "Good," Caswallon answers. "Because remember: she learned her ways from a general." 
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