Unfamiliar Waters

Lace enjoyed swimming in the ocean again. After she had arrived in Ocean's Edge she hadn't felt the need to go far into the water. She still fished ofcourse, but only in the shallow water.

"Thank you for helping me Kelp. I remember again why I enjoyed swimming.... " She smiled at him after climbing into the boat again. "The birth was so wonderfull! All the animals guarding Current and her calf." She signed and looked at the sun going under.

"Land, we found Land!"
Someone shouted and Lace's eyes got big of excitement. She didn't stand up, because her legs felt tired.
Not long after the boats hit land. She saw it was a small isle, but it was big enough for them to find some rest.

"Kelp? Could you help me? My legs don't seem to work proper, I think I have been out of practise longer then I thought!"

The small group worked hard racing against time to transport the wounded from the boats to a safe spot on the very small island. The wooded area of the island was higher up and it was a struggle as Tidas and the those able carried the wounded still in the safety of the preservers cocoons to the safety of the trees. Everyone pulled their weight to set up some primitive form of a camp. Firewood had already been gathered to build fires to help keep everyone warm.

Tidas knew that food was necessary for healing so he summoned the preservers to fly about the island to gather nuts and berries. Tidas had seen a few needle plants near where the boats had been pulled near the beach of the island. The plants stored their own water a valuable necessity that his weary tribe so desperately needed. He knew that with the aid of plantshapers the needle plants would provide more than enough. Each of the boats had already been equipped with touches that fisherman used to see at night while fishing. Once those were gathered a small group needed to search the island. The island was small but if there were any dangers on the island they must be discovered before he could rest that no further harm would come to his people while they rested.

As the small group explored the island no larger than a half a mile around discovered a small cave that was well hidden. Before entering the cave Tidas stopped the group. "We're not alone here, someone or something has been here recently."

OOC (please feel free to add your characters to those performing the activities in my post)

Lace looked at Kelp. "I have heard of that, but I never guessed it to be true. Please show us." ShineBright handed him a knife and stayed to watch as well.
She felt tired and useless. "I wish I could do something to help, but I fear that I am too tired to do something.... the swim underwater took more of me then expected. I am sorry."

Showing much caution Tidas urged the others to stop not allowing them to go any further. Tidas closed his eyes and placed them on the outer shell of the hidden cave entrance. His magicial sense was showing him hints and traces of someone or something that had been here recently. Feeling a little shaken up and dizzy Tidas felt a hand on his back and someone say "Tidas my lord are you ok? Is something wrong?"

"Yes dear one I'm ok, I always go into a trance like state when my magic sense touches something. Someone has been here recently and if my magic sense serves me correctly and it always does a stranger elf has been here. We must be careful here until we find out if it's save. I'll go in first and the rest of you follow closely behind. I'll need one of you to stay outside and watch for any signs of danger from outside."

Tidas and the few explores entered the cave while Tidas in the lead held up his tourch to light the cavern up revealing a rather large room. In the center of the room was a stone chair that had been shaped by rockshaping hands and not too far away was a fire pit that still held the remains of cold coles that only a few days ago had provided warmth and comfort from the cold air in the cavern. Somewhere in the cavern they could hear the trinkling of water as it seeped through the wall of the cave and gathered in a rather large fountain and then over flowed and disappeard in holes in the floor. As they walked about the cavern a small sleeping chamber was discovered with a fur lined bed. Other than a few bowls, baskets and trinkets the cave seemed abandoned but for how long? As the few gathered back near the stone chair Tidas sat down to feel something stab his side just enough to break the skin. Tidas stood up to discover a strange weapon that he knew was not created by elfin hands. As Tidas examined the strange weapon that had a wooden handle with a curved blade he suddenly placed the weapon back on the chair.

Without warning to the others Tidas said. Humans! "We must hurry and find what food we're able to. Lets fill our skins with this mountain water and return to the others."

Later the next day Tidas with the aid of Kelp and a few others had searched the small island one last time for any signs of who or what had only a few days earlier been on the island and built a fire in the firepit of the cave. Tidas was satisfied that no danger was on the island and that his small group of friends and loved ones were safe. Minor wounds and injuries had been tended to and those suffering more severe injuries remained in wrapstuff and had been placed under a small cliffs ledge well out of reach of the crashing waves and any threats from the sky above.

He sat quietly near the waters edge looking out into the direction of the towers holt and the islands. It had been days since he last heard any sendings from those that had been left behind during the troll attack. How many had survived, or worse perished? How frightened his people must be not knowing what was to become of them, separated from friends, family and loved ones. He couldn't continue to ignore the pain he felt in his heart. He had to do something even if it may be too late.

Tidas stood up and looked into the direction of the small camp they had set up under the cover of several large palm trees and watched his people go about daily tasks and caring for each other. He placed his hands on his forehead and closed his eyes and sent out an open sending for all to come to the campsite for a council.

A short time later all were gathered curious to know why their lord and leader had called a council so soon. In a tired and course voice Tidas spoke to his people. "I feel comfortable that we will be able to survive here for a short period of time. We've been able to find enough food from coconut and banana trees, berries collected from the island and fish hunted by our tribe mates. We have shelter to keep cool from the heat of the day star and the protection of the island cave in case of any threats from the sky and vast deep waters."

Several faces looked at Tidas with puzzlement as to where Tidas was going with his words. "Before we leave this island in search of a safer haven for our people we must return to the holt in search of any survivors we may have left behind. I didn't say anything to you in days past due to my main focus was to find safety for you and to help the injured but I received very weak sendings from some of our tribe mates calling for help. I hope that my decesion not to response has not placed any of them in jeopardy. I cant go on until I know that no one living is left behind. I'm going to need help from at least three of you to help me return to the holt to look for survivors. I'll need for each of you to man a boat. I'll need the rest of you to stay here and take care of those that remain in wrapstuff. I'll no longer make any decision that places any of you in harms way so I'll only ask for volunteers to go with me. "Who is with me?"

Lace decided to stay, she felt she was of little use in a rescue. She was not skilled with a weapon, so if it would come to a confrontation she would surely loose or maybe even get killed.

**ShineBright? I will stay here, I can do more here then in a fight. But will you teach me how to handle a weapon once we find a new home?** She sent to her friend. Then she looked for Kelp, he was close to her.
"Will you join Lord Tidas?"