Tristan was one of the first to meet the new elf, Raenwila, and he took more than a passing interest in her tale. At that time, mind you, no one knew who it was that cast the terrible spell on Trevoril. Like most creatures, he carried a deep respect for the Nanjarii, and the idea that anyone would dare to attack them deeply troubled the otherwise carefree young raccoon. He decided to do something about it.
After leaving Raenwila, Tristan moved as quickly as he could through the woods in search of Grehmork. He was a resourceful raccoon, but to face a foe such as had attacked a Nanjarii, he would need help. He found the large wolf just finishing the last remnants of a meal, so he kept his distance to avoid any misunderstanding. It was partridge by the smell of it, and not enough to share.
Grehmork eyed the tree where Tristan sat waiting, and licked his muzzle clean. "What brings you to this side of the woods, Tristan?" he asked.
"I bring news," he said first, then, "and a request. I am in need of your power."
Grehmork sat down. "Tell me your news, and ask your favor. I am listening."
And so Tristan related to him the tale he had learned from Raenwila. Then he said, "I do like what was done, Grehmork. I want to find this traitor. Both of them if possible."
The wolf listened patiently, giving no sign of his reaction. "What do you hope to accomplish?"
"If I can find them, I know I can get inside. I want to search the place, maybe find the spell itself that was used. But even if I can't do that, I want to expose them."
"I have no love for cats, but I do not like that someone sought to villainize my kind. What do you want from me, Tristan?"
"You are a tracker, Grehmork, far beyond my limited skills. I want you to help me find them. Also, I would appreciate your strength if it should come down to fighting."
The wolf nodded. "I will come with you."
"And I," said another. Tristan looked to the source and saw Grehmork's mate, Argramda. She padded slowly over to Grehmork and rubbed muzzles with him. "I heard," she said simply.
"Where do you suggest we begin our search, friend Tristan?"
The raccoon climbed down from the tree and sat before the pair of wolves. "From Raenwila's tale, I thought to start by searching the area where the deed was done."
Grehmork stood up. "Then let us be about it."
And so the trio set out, traveling quickly to that spot where Trevoril met his fate. Both Grehmork and Argramda set their noses to work, sorting through the odors, some fresh, some old. Eventually they sat down and Grehmork stared intently at the dense thicket that bordered the area they were searching.
"I can find only one other scent whose age properly matches that of your poor friend Trevoril and his love," he said gravely, not taking his eyes off of the thicket. "And, as luck would have it, the owner of that scent is still here - right there within those brambles!"
Tristan growled in surprise and circled the tightly meshed undergrowth, seeking a way in. "Come out of there, you scoundrel!"
Argramda opened her mouth in silent laughter, leaving her mate to explain to the angry raccoon. "Tristan, calm yourself," said Grehmork. "It is a rabbit. He'll no sooner come out while I'm here than you would eat without first washing your food."
Tristan paused, but then glared at the bushes. "If he was the only one here when it happened, then he's not just some foolish rabbit!"
Not so! came the silent reply, for as you know, a rabbit has no voice. I was here, yes. And I'll grant you I am not foolish. But I am, all the same, just a rabbit.
"If you were here, rabbit, then who cast the spell on Trevoril?"
The rabbit trembled, watching the great wolf with wide eyes. Whoever cast that spell must be very powerful indeed. With such magic, it could have been anyone, or anything. Even an insect! But.. there was a raven in that tree behind you. It could have been he who cast that terrible spell.
"And why should we believe you?" Grehmork asked calmly.
The rabbit thought for a moment, then replied, Because if I could do what you accuse me of, then I would turn myself into a great bear and kill you both, rather than hiding in fear for my life.
Grehmork's jaws parted in laughter. "Well spoken, rabbit. Come with us, then, under truce. Let us find this raven together. What name do you go by?"
You won't eat me?
"Not only will I not eat you, I will guard your life. I would find this one who thought to slander the wolves."
My name is Milrim, said the rabbit, creeping out from the thicket. Do you think we can help Trevoril?
"We will try. Which direction did the raven go when it left?"
Follow me. And so the two wolves and the raccoon followed the small rabbit until they came to a broad and open field and there the rabbit stopped. I followed the raven until it crossed this meadow. It's so wide, and so open.. I was afraid. But a path through the air runs straight. Maybe we could still find where he was going.
"Yes, that's true," said Tristan, standing up on his hind legs to peer across the grasses. "A bird flies straight."
Argramda's ears frowned. "That's because a bird has no obstacles, like trees and underbrush."
"If we work as a team we can do it," insisted Tristan eagerly. "If we run into something that blocks our path, I can climb a tree and spot the way until you get there, and then I'll come down and rejoin you."
Grehmork nodded. "We will try."
The field was crossed easily and it was some time before they reached any hurdles, but even longer before they found anything at all of interest. They were just about to give up, deciding that the raven was simply that, a raven, when they came across a modest cabin.
"Is anyone in there?" Tristan asked the wolves.
Both of them shook their heads. "It's empty, but it smells like Nanjarii."
A Nanjarii wouldn't hurt one of their own, would they? Milrim asked doubtfully.
Tristan stood up on his hind legs, trying get a look inside. "I don't know, Milrim. Who among us wouldn't fight one another for a mate? I don't know why Trevoril got enchanted, but that was extreme no matter who did it or why. And if the person who lives here is innocent, then there's no real danger, right?"
So Tristan trotted up to the cabin and after a bit of effort he managed to work open a window with his clever paws. Having no real clue what he might be looking for, Tristan began to make a noticeable mess as he searched the cabin, completely ignoring the book that lay on the table. He heard Grehmork's warning, but he took too long extracting himself and by the time he reached the doorway it was already filled by none other than Traesendi.
The nanjarii scowled as he surveyed the shambles that surrounded the raccoon. "What ARE you doing?" he demanded, both baffled and annoyed.
"I.. I.. was searching.." Tristan stammered guiltily.
"For..?" he prompted.
Tristan hesitated, uncertain how to answer this, since he really didn't know. "Evidence?"
"Of..?"
Tristan tensed, increasingly nervous as the nanjarii's tone became tight and low. His whiskers twitched, then he said boldly, "Of the magic used to change Trevoril so he couldn't change back."
Traesendi's eyes flicked from the raccoon to the heavy book that lay open on the table beside him, and back again. "Perhaps you'd like a demonstration!" he snapped, lunging forward.
Tristan snarled, angry and frightened as he scrambled away from him, but this took him deeper into the room, further from the front door that Treasendi had forgotten to close. Growling and bristling ominously, Tristan backed away, not realizing that the mage was herding him into a corner. Pulling a blanket from the bed, Traesendi threw it over Tristan like a net.
"Coward!" snarled the raccoon from within, outraged by this unfamiliar assault. He struggled desperately, biting and clawing at the heavy fabric, but Traesendi was already moving to his spellbook. He knew the blanket would only hold him for so long...
Outside, Grehmork and Argramda were consulting one another in low, chesty rumbles. Turning to the wide eyed rabbit, Grehmork said, "I gave you my protection, little one, but I am loathe to send Argramda inside alone. Even together, I do not believe we are a match for the nanjarii. Will you release me from my promise?"
Milrim nodded. I am not brave, lord wolf, but I am not cold hearted either.
"You are braver than you think, Milrim, to have come with us in the first place. But now you must be braver still, if you will. I want you to run as fast as you are able and bring back whatever help you can. I realize it is much to ask..."
The small rabbit looked at the doorway. Hurry, was the only answer he gave before bounding away, back the way they had come. Without another word, Grehmork and Argramda loped inside the cabin to face Traesendi...
2002
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