The Shape of Travel

[Cassian Thander]

At long last, the caravan master raised his hand.

They were stopping.

Cass had been watching the former merchant. The way he consulted the maps and conferred with scouts and guards. Always quietly. It was the only entertainment he'd found in the past few hours, even if every hushed word only built the suspense.

The caravan had been crawling along for an eternity. He remembered seeing the river, but that felt like days ago. He liked bird watching, just not when it was the only thing to do. Not when the birds could take to the sky while he was stuck riding the wagon edge for hours.

At this rate, Fellsgard felt like it might as well be on another continent.

The people were nice enough, though he would have preferred indifference. There were too many friendly faces wanting to engage. Too many eyes that might notice a sleight of hand. Too much attention that made him want to vanish.

Sometimes he did. In the evening, when he thought nobody would notice, he shifted into a starling to enjoy just a moment of unbridled freedom. Sometimes, he even slept on one of the wagons as a bird, making a few wonder where he went before he'd magically reappear from the wilderness in the morning.

He wished they wouldn't notice his absence. Not even once.

Wagon wheels creaked as one by one, they turned into a clearing, the ground worn bare and sporting grooves from countless wheels that rested here in the past. A loose semi-circle for protection established, the people went about starting campfires and tending to the animals. Caravan guards, gruff looking men and women, swapped out to let comrades rest.

Far, far too many eyes.

Before long, people settled in. Some cooked, others sang and told stories. One bard in particular was rather new to his craft, his off-key singing making Cass' skin crawl. So much so, that he slipped away through the camp, past the goat that would not shut up, and past the loud caravaner that swore he just saw a fae in the woods. That one made him hurry along, pulling his drab cloak closer as if his wings might pop out on their own. He crossed all the way to the other end of the camp, to the edge of the forest, just to get away from it all.

His feet brought him to a tall maple tree, its leaves dancing with the first signs of yellow. For a moment, he didn't know where to begin. He hadn't climbed a tree in a while. Verdant Row certainly had some, but he never found them convenient when a nearby wall was far better. This... this felt more akin to home, distant years ago, when the little cabin in the woods had trees all but cradling it.

With an expelled breath, he sprang from the ground to catch a low branch. Up and up he climbed, until he was high enough in the canopy to see the mountain range in the distant north east. Looking down, he could see a decent portion of the camp, while he was obscured by the canopy. Perfect, just until dark.

He settled against the trunk with a small smile, letting the bark dig into his back as he lounged along a thick branch. Nimble fingers found his hunting knife and fished a piece of wood, a bird figurine in the making, from a pocket.

The youth bit his lip, focusing, putting the blade against wood. He'd finished the torso of the bird, and began working on the head and the beak. Flecks began flying towards the ground with awkward shwicks of the knife.

It wasn't going well. The lines were wrong. Too sharp in some places, too soft in others. He regretted etching wings into the torso, instead of forming them properly. Now it just looked like a stubby barrel with awkward squiggles pretending to be wings.

The wood proved stubborn to work with as well, requiring more strength. Cass grunted with one such effort, and his grip slipped. The knife jerked free and spun out of his hand. He winced, stomach dropping as he watched it tumble, catching branches on the way down.

The clatter of metal on branches was too loud in the quiet.

For a moment, he held still, hoping nobody saw or heard anything. "... Sorry!" Came his voice, light and uncertain. He was relatively sure nobody was there, but old apologetic habits die hard. The young man sighed, letting his head thud back against the tree.

Great. Now he had to go get it.

[Sedric Moonwhisper]

The organized groups civilized people traveled in reminded him of the packs wilder creatures formed. He often wondered why the parallel was overlooked. A while back he had decided to range farther than he ever had before. As if the Eidolons wished him to see the larger world they created. Ninraih was nice enough, but there was so much more to observe. He began his trek on foot alone as he was in the habit of doing. He was not comfortable enough with the massive metal device they called a train to take a supposedly faster path. Maybe one day after he understood more about machines the civilized folk relied upon.

He made his way in a north westerly direction. Not really knowing what was ahead. Other than he wouldn't be reaching a seaside coast anytime soon. He would also be crossing a river on the path he had chosen. He debated on calling on one of his boon companions for escort. However, he decided to preserve his spiritual power instead. His sense of unease at not knowing what was ahead filled him with fear and joy mixed. He had never left the jungles of his home. Ajteire was the only city he had ever been to. He eagerly imagined what other places the civilized peoples built for their shelters. Eventually, the jungle gave way to grassland. Opening up the sky wider than he could have imagined before. Such a view would normally involve an enduring climb to the thick canopy above his head. Already he was looking forward to the next surprise. Soon he passed the menacing home where the great steel beast known as a train rested. The locals called it Ninraih Station he believed. The warrior simply wasn't ready
to face that particular challenge yet. His own strength carried him past and beyond to whatever was ahead.

After, many days he reached the edge of a mountain range. He decided to skirt it in favor of an easier looking path. His keen nose brought the smell of the sea to him from the south. This made him curious about seeing it in this part of the world. However, he decided to see more of the land instead. So onward he traveled into the great unknown ahead of him. Until he reached one of those civilized packs he had mused over at the beginning of his lengthy journey.

They had loosely circled their wagons as some kind of security measure he presumed. The beast of burden sniffed him out long before the rest of the camp even noticed. Regardless, of his attempts to be peaceful in the civilized world. He was born of a people that were definitely predatory in nature. Fortunately, some of the other travelers took note and called him out.

"Halt, who goes there! Whoever you are! We have several ranged weapons trained on you! So, make your case or gain several new holes!"

Sedric understood what he must do to appear well intentioned. He was privately glad for all his exposure to civilized behaviors in recent times. He raised both his hands a spoke kindly. "Just a weary traveler seeking a fire and food. I have little coin but am willing to balance any debt I incur with labor."

A couple of armed caravan guards approached and looked him over. "You're a long way out to be traveling alone. Got any friends waiting out in the dark to rob us?"

"No, my friends are far from here. I seek only company and the necessities as I already stated. As you said it's a lonely road to travel." The summoner displayed his most disarming smile.

After padding him down and peace binding his spear. The guards allowed him entry into the caravan. Though they did caution him that their good will was limited by his compliance. Nodding he took in the lively camps atmosphere delighting in the civilized folk's energy. He thought of asking for a bite to eat when the terrible music began. His sensitive ears brought him nearly to tears at the broken rhythm. He quickened his steps trying to get as far away from the horrific droning. Soon he passed a noisy goat that might be some kind of alarm system. He paused for a moment. Had the creature been making noise before he arrived? He shrugged his shoulders. It mattered little he could defend himself if necessary. He continued on hearing someone claiming to have seen a fae in the woods as if that was unusual. Then he reached the edge of the clearing the caravan camped in. He saw a tall tree he had never seen before with yellowing leaves of all things. An urge to change and climb to it's very top pressured him briefly. He managed to subdue it. He had no way of knowing how the nearby civilized people would react.

Suddenly, a hunting knife narrowly missed him as it stuck in the ground. The concerned apology above him made him look up. "It's no problem, blood wasn't drawn. I shall return it to you. Wait a moment." The fighter placed his spear on the ground careful of the peace binding. At first, he was going to put the blade in his teeth. Then he realized that might seem unsanitary to the owner. So, he tied it in place at his waist and climbed. He saw a rather distraught young man above and held out the long knife handle toward the smaller guy. The branch Sedric was on noticeably bowed under his weight. So, he braced himself with his free arm on another branch above him. As he held out the knife for the other person to take. The tiny script on his forearm caught the moonlight becoming quite visible for a few moments. Before a passing cloud obscured it once more. "Greetings, fellow traveler I am Sedric." The shapeshifter noticed the small wooden figure. "That is fairly done sir. Is it a totemic or artistic?"

[Cassian Thander]

"It's no problem, blood wasn't drawn. I shall return it to you. Wait a moment."

Cass blinked. He was coming up? A small chill, nothing to do with the wind, crept through him. This tree was his refuge. His quiet spot. No one was supposed to follow him up here. Who would even want to?

Cass watched the man rest his spear on the ground, fasten the knife to his waist and begin climbing. He opened his mouth to dissuade the stranger, then closed it again. The tree wasn't exactly his by any rights, and he didn't want an argument. Arguments could escalate.

So he just watched.

Cass tried to read the stranger's movements, the way a bird might judge a cat. He weighed how his feet found the branches and how calm his face stayed. The man didn't seem nervous, even further up. That was either reassuring or worrying. Cass couldn't decide which.

The man's heavier frame made a branch bow. He gripped another for balance and offered the knife up. Cass meant to take it, but his hand stalled halfway. His eyes fastened onto the script on Sedric's forearm, the moonlight making it stand out for a moment. If he squinted, he might still make it out , even in the evening's dark.

He was definitely staring now. He took the knife, motion a little off.

"Greetings, fellow traveler I am Sedric." The stranger said, then glanced at the figurine still in Cass' hand. "That is fairly done sir. Is it a totemic or artistic?"

Totemic.

That word tugged at him. A hazy memory of his mother murmuring prayers to Ixaziel while carving. Was it a totem? Or perhaps just a spoon she'd been working on? He wasn't sure. Amber gaze went to the little bird, and a sudden sense of guilt welled up.

Was he supposed to dedicate it to Ixaziel? He didn't even think of it. And if it was, he definitely wasn't doing a well enough job of carving it.

"Oh. Uh, yes, yes it is."

That wasn't an answer. He winced a little.

"Totemic. I mean um... it isn't, but I’m dedicating it. To Ixaziel. I think."

He looked at Sedric like the man might test him on that. He raced to get ahead of it.

"Cass. Er, Cassian. Is my name. Not the bird's."

His words tumbled out with all the grace of a newborn fawn, but his hands moved nimbly. He stowed the knife away to its sheathe on his belt with a swift motion. And the bird turned and tumbled in his other hand separately to ease his nerves.

The young man cleared his throat, eager to change the topic to anything but himself.

"That's... uh, a nice tattoo. On your arm. What does it mean?"

[Sedric Moonwhisper]

The fighter took in the many worrisome reactions from the fellow in the tree. Body language was very important when dealing with creatures that can't speak. So, having a proper understanding of it was key to surviving in the wild. He was beginning to wonder if he gave off some kind of predatory energy to the normally uninitiated civilized peoples. Though maybe he was simply overthinking things. At least the fellow seemed fairly capable with a knife.

"Nice to meet you Cassian." The shifter tried smiling in a friendly manner. At this point he wasn't sure he pulled it off well. Regardless he pushed on, trying to be as positive as he could manage. "It's good to meet someone following the old ways of the Archaics' in this civilized place. I'm familiar with several rituals myself." He hoped he didn't appear arrogant with his proclamation. "I'm sure your dedication will be appreciated by Ixaziel."

As his fellow traveler opened up a little and inquired about his tattoo's. Sedric hesitated for a moment about explaining its meaning. Fellsguard had very strict rules about the use of magic. Did it encompass all of Tviyr? It was a good cautionary motivation to keep. However, if he needed to call one of his companions during a dire situation. Then it would probably be best to warn this rather jumpy person in front of him. The story of my markings could be a fairly long one. As each name on my arm has its own associated tale. So, the simplest explanation is probably best. If I use my innate magic, I can summon my bonded animal friends to my side over a great distance. The names represented on my arm are the trigger for it." The warrior hoped his power didn't frighten the man in front of him.

"Cassian, might I ask what brought you to this caravan?" The summoner attempted to examine the younger person's reactions to his words. Hoping to figure out his mannerisms. He wanted to make sure he didn't press him beyond his tolerance.

[Cassian Thander]

The conversation was going well, he thought.

So far. Maybe. Hopefully.

"Nice to meet you Cassian." Sedric smiled.

Cass leaned against the maple's trunk, arms crossing like he was just getting comfortable. Casual, he told himself. Normal. But the pose was too tight, his fingers still fussing with the wooden bird. He didn't notice if Sedric's smile was strange. His mind was already gone, ever circling the inward, spiraling drain of nervous thoughts.

He nodded without thinking. Then blinked. Right. He should probably say something back.

What was the guy's name again? It had just been in his ears five seconds ago.

"You too... Er, Sedric, yeah." He managed after a beat.

"It's good to meet someone following the old ways of the Archaics' in this civilized place. I'm familiar with several rituals myself."

Oh no. Of course he actually knew things. Why did he have to lie? Now he'd have to keep pretending he was properly faithful and somehow not mess it up. Cass combed through his memory for even one ritual he might know.

And Sedric knew several of them.

"I'm sure your dedication will be appreciated by Ixaziel."

"Oh...Thanks. I'm sure Ixaziel... yeah. He will." He smiled thinly, like he was afraid it might crack. He stuffed the bird into his pocket like it burned his fingers. Hopefully, Sedric wouldn’t ask to see it again. Or worse, ask more questions about it.

"The story of my markings could be a fairly long one. As each name on my arm has its own associated tale. So, the simplest explanation is probably best. If I use my innate magic, I can summon my bonded animal friends to my side over a great distance. The names represented on my arm are the trigger for it."

At last, he was out of focus. The weight slipped from Cass' shoulders. He sank down to sit, legs dangling, and let himself breathe. His amber eyes lingered on Sedric, flitting like a nervous bird from his face to his hands to his sleeve. Gradually, they steadied, drawn to the man's arm where he'd seen the script.

He felt the urge to share his own magic. Or maybe ask things, to understand. But his mother's voice rose in his mind, ominous and stern.

Never speak of it. Hide it. Hush it. Nobody can know.

Still, curiosity slipped through the cracks.

"They all have names?" He tilted his head, blinking. "That- I've never heard of that before. What animals can you call?"

However the conversation, inevitably, swung back to him.

"Cassian, might I ask what brought you to this caravan?"

Cass tensed, his chest tightening again. His fingers found a thread on his tunic to pick at. Anything to keep his hands busy.

He wasn't even sure why he was heading to Fellsgrad. He left Verdant Row practically on a whim. Maybe he would be back. Maybe not.

One felt too far ahead and the other felt like it ought to stay behind.

He blinked, realizing Sedric's question still hung between them.

"Oh, yeah. The caravan is going to Fellsgrad. And I with it." He laughed nervously. "That's what I'm doing. So far, at least."

He didn't know if that counted as a real reason, but it was what he had.

"All roads in Tvyir lead to the three lighthouses, right?"

[Sedric Moonwhisper]

Sedric was getting a sense for this young man's intentions at this point. At least he believed so anyway. He did not like direct recognition. Which seemed a shame. Clearly, he was far more capable than he realized. However, intelligent beings had a right to their opinions. The small carving being stashed discretely was an example of practiced skill in small manipulations. The warrior was envious of such aptitude that he did not possess. Though they did share an acrobatic inclination it seemed.

As the conversation directed to the summoner. He felt a sense of comradery he did not fully understand. 'Had he found a kindred spirit among the civilized folk?' He shook his head at the arrogance creeping into his mind. 'As if he would stumble across a fellow shapeshifter thru random chance. His parents were very clear that his people were on the verge of extinction.' Sedric himself was an exception. Most of his people had the sense to hide within the unexplored wilds of the world. Where they were safest.

"The art of naming is a magic I discovered in my younger days. To name something is to gain power over it. I will spare you the complexities unless you wish to know them. Though I warn you it does take an innate talent." He smiled at the memories that flooded his mind for a moment. 'Truly the world was full of many possibilities for growth.'

"Sorry about that Cassian. I have been warned I tend to lose myself in a teaching role without considering who is listening." The warrior took a moment to center himself before continuing to speak. "Currently a gorilla, tiger and crocodile grace me with their aid. I am always looking for new boon companions. So, my available allies can expand if I earn their respect."

"I admire a man who has a goal. Though, what are these three lighthouses you speak of?" Sedric hoped he hadn't committed a civilized taboo he was unaware of. The intent in Cassian's words seemed to indicate not knowing of such a collection of structures was uncommon.

[Cassian Thander]

Cass blinked. He wasn't sure he'd call what he was hearing a lecture. Sedric sounded so calm. So gentle that it didn't even register. Lectures, in Cass' experience, had always come sharp-edged from his mother.

"Oh that... that's alright. I don't mind. Truly." He said quickly.

Cass would much rather listen than talk, anyway. Talking only led to mistakes.

So he nodded along, mind snagging on the details. Animals with names. Names that summoned them. Cass' gaze flicked nervously towards the dark tree line, half expecting glowing eyes to stare back. He pictured a tiger stepping out, or a gorilla, or some enormous crocodile dragging itself across the dirt.

He gave a nervous smile. Just glad to be up here, instead of down there on the ground.

"I admire a man who has a goal." Sedric went on. "Though, what are these three lighthouses you speak of?"

Another blink. "I meant Fellsgard. The... ah... capital?" His voice wavered. Wait. Was it three lighthouses? Five? His chest tightened. How could he have lived his whole life in Tviyr and not even remember something so basic? His fingers picked at the seam of his tunic, heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck.

A crash split the night. A loud, cacophonous noise of metal, loud and harsh and sudden.

Cass jolted, every muscle bracing for claws, fangs. Anything tearing out of the dark. Panic surged like an icy flood, sharp and merciless. The world swelled, the maple's branches growing impossibly long, leaves ballooning to the size of his head. His body shrank in an instant into something small and feathered. A starling clung to the branch where he'd been a moment before, tiny claws digging into bark.

Every sound rang sharp in his ears, each flicker of firelight below suddenly brighter, harsher.

A sharp chirp escaped him as he flitted to another branch, wings beating fast.

And then he saw the culprit below. A woman, apologizing profusely to those around her as she collected a number of pots and pans she had dropped.

False alarm. Just dinnerware.

Cass fluffed his feathers and shook, trying to shiver the panic out. But then came the soft creak of wood, and he remembered.

Sedric.

Cass' avian eyes fixed on the man in the branches. He'd forgotten he wasn't alone. He'd shifted in full view of someone. A complete stranger no less. Someone who wasn't from Verdant Row, where things like this could almost be overlooked.

His feathers flattened to his body. Maybe. Just maybe, if he stayed perfectly still, Sedric would look right past him. Maybe he was distracted enough by the noise to think he had dropped to the ground instead... instead of this.

[Sedric Moonwhisper]

To say he was surprised by the sudden racket echoing in the woods was an understatement. He was thankful for having braced himself earlier. Otherwise, he might have fallen to the ground far below. Unfortunately, a poorly timed snap of wood deprived him of footing. The limb his arm clung to above his head simply could not take the sudden weight of his entire body. As it broke, the feeling of weightlessness caused him to panic briefly. His first thought was that he should make a pact with a flying creature next. Then his muscular body shrunk and rapidly grew short soft hair all over. His human appearance soon reflected a small gray and black monkey. He landed with practiced grace on a lower branch that barely moved under his new weight.

Now he took a few moments to calm himself. The nearby caravan would likely send someone to investigate the fallen tree limbs. So, he needed to move away from the chaos quickly. Cassian had disappeared into the shadows with such skill that he no longer knew his location. He may have seen Sedric's transformation which was worrisome. However, he doubted the younger man would report him to someone that might do him harm. Strangely his conversation companion's human scent also disappeared. Truly the fellow was gifted in stealth. The warrior started hopping between branches going higher and further from the site of his terrible near fall.

He noticed the pots and pans laying all over the ground. He felt sorry for the woman below. However, at the moment he was focused on keeping his race a secret as his parents would have wished. He made note of her features and swore to himself he would make it up to her later. She seemed uncommonly stressed. Maybe he could truly help her feel better somehow.

Soon he landed on a branch he felt was a safe distance away. He scanned the area for hostile beings carefully. Apart from some warry squirrels watching him carefully it was calm. Then a short distance away he saw a small bird. It was obviously trying not to be noticed. So, he tried to hoot in a soothing way to make it clear he meant no harm. He awaited its reaction to see if he needed to do more to calm it.

[Cassian Thander]

His eyes must be playing tricks on him.

Cass peered through the dim light at the spot where Sedric used to be. There, instead of a man, a monkey the size of a housecat crouched, gray and black fur catching the weak glow of the campfires. In the chaos, he hadn't seen the transformation happen, just the before and now, but he could've sworn it was him.

Cass blinked. The image didn't change.

There was no other sensible explanation. The man couldn't have vanished into thin air and... he hadn't seen an animal like that in these parts. Only one thought fit.

A fellow shapeshifter. He hadn't seen one since his mother – the only one he'd ever known. For years he'd thought they were all gone, just a mother's bedtime story meant to soothe a lonely boy's hope. But if Sedric was one too... then maybe there were others. Maybe there was a place. A whole community.

Maybe this man even knew his mother. His heart fluttered fast. The world felt suddenly brighter and broader, like anything was possible.

The monkey started moving, the motion jolting him out of his racing thoughts. Cass followed suit in haste, flitting nimbly from branch to branch. He flew past a family of squirrels, all bushy-tailed and wide eyed. The racket must've woken them from their slumber. Cass almost felt like apologizing before he caught himself. He had neither the means to communicate nor was he the one who caused the noise.

Sedric stopped, scanning the area. On instinct, Cass stilled on a branch, watching the monkey as if his behavior could somehow answer all his questions without words. In truth, he was still too stunned to even know what to do.

Caution, boy, his mother's voice warned. Curiosity kills.

The monkey looked his way, paused, then gave a calming, soft hoot. For a heartbeat, neither moved, and the forest went still with them. Just two creatures out of place, watching one another from the trees. Cass hesitated, avian gaze flicking to and fro. Then, ever so cautiously, he hopped a few branches closer. A tilt of his head, and his throat and chest began to twitch.

"Sed... Ric?" Cass whistled, the speech human but warbling quietly out of an avian voice box.

[Sedric Moonwhisper]

The small monkey was taken by surprise at hearing his name. He knew several species of bird could echo human words. However, he wasn't familiar with this particular avian being. Unfortunately, he could not communicate with human language in his current form. Perhaps there was a way to make small changes to different parts of his shape. He did not know how if that was the case. So, he must revert back in order to figure out why this bird spoke his name.

He looked around the area to gage how safe it was. He could hear movement at ground level. It was quite far away so he felt he had moved far enough from the investigation. He took a seat on the thickest branch he could locate in a casual manner. His form elongated and grew as excessive hair disappeared.

"Though I have met many of your sort in my time. I'm sorry to say I do not recall having met you before. As your display of feathers. Is one, I'm unfamiliar with." He looked compassionately at the small bird. "If you have need of something I can do. I shall try my best to grant it to you." Sedric reflected on the way of names. To know something's true name is to have power over it. Most beings he had met do not follow such ancient laws. However, He felt there was a power behind this bird's word. His open palm began to glow with magic. Then he held it out to the small bird. "If you wish to speak to me more easily, I can grant you a temporary mental link between us." He doubted the little creature understood any of his dialog. Yet intent was what animals responded to. So, he waited for a response in actions or words.