Around The Campfire : Galestorrer

(written by Windace Fleetsilver)

It was night. The sun had just vanished below the horizon, and western horizon still held some light. In the forest of Mossflower, near the Message Tree of the Mossflower Guard, a small campfire had been lit. There were several other campfires lying sprawled around, but the wolf Driftwhisper took little notice of them. She had been around to most of them, hoping to hear a good story, only to be constantly disappointed. She approached the small campfire silently, after her custom in the Northlands, whence she had come from. Around it were gathered four other creatures: a squirrel, a mouse, a fox and a wolf. She recognised the wolf as a female named Ferntra, but the others were strangers to her. Sliding to just outside the flickers of the fire, she settled down to listen.

"Tell us a story, Grain," Ferntra said to the female mouse, "You've told quite a few good ones lately."
"Yeah," said the fox, whose name was Redrush, "Come on, we insist!"
"Oh, why must you ask me for a story all the time?" grumbled Grain, "It's always me who tells the story. Why don't you all ask Ferntra to tell the story? I hear she's a good writer, so she should be able to tell a good story too."
"Me?" asked Ferntra.
"Of course! Come on." urged Grain.
"Well, all right," said Ferntra grudgingly, "I must warn you, though, that I'm a good writer, but a lousy storyteller! Now, which story do you want?"
"You're from the North, aren't you?" said Redrush, "You might as well tell us a story of the North. I haven't heard one of those for ages."
"Sure," replied Ferntra, looking less than sure, "But you must tell me which one. There are many, many tales from the North."
The squirrel stirred, "Ferntra? I have a request."
Ferntra glanced up at him, "Yes, Javerleaf?"
"I've heard bits and pieces of a Northen story, a story about some beast called the Galestorrer. I hear it happened not many seasons back. Do you happen to know the full story about this beast?"
"Hmmmm," Ferntra scratched her chin thoughtfully,"I might have heard of it, but I can't remember it properly. Is there any other story you all might want?"
"I think the story of Galestorrer sounds interesting," said Redrush, "Lets hear it."
"All right," said Ferntra, "but I might not remember all of it."
"Never mind," said Grain, "As long as we get to hear it."
Ferntra shrugged,"Well then, here goes."
Driftwhisper shifted a little nearer. She knew the tale of the Galestorrer very well, and was eager to hear Ferntra.

"Long ago," began Ferntra,"a strange female wolf appeared among the wolf packs far to the North. She always helped those in need, and was spoken of as a fine healer. Despite this, other packs feared her, though for no clear reason. Some said that she was a sorcerer, one who used magic to heal, so great was her skill. Others said that she was like a breath of wind, so silent and unnoticeable did she move among them. Those who had seen her said she was fast in wits, and grey with a silver tinge, though none were certain. They knew not her name, and so they called her the Galestorrer, which in their language means 'Stranger of the gale'. This was attributed to the fact that she could often be sighted on a rocky crag, facing a gale with the wind rustling her fur. She cut a majestic sight at those times, I hear." Ferntra stopped and scratched her chin.
"Of late though," she continued, "she has disappeared from the packs of the North. Some are glad that she has vanished, while others say it is a loss to the North." finished Ferntra.

Gentle laughter broke out in the shadows. All four friends jumped and whirled to face the sound. From the shadows, a grey wolf stepped out. Driftwhisper ceased her laughter and spoke.

"Pardon my intrusion, but I was listening to your story. And Ferntra, you seem to have left out something."
Ferntra smiled, "My memory of this story is not good. Which part did I miss out?"
"Certainly I will tell you," Driftwhisper smiled back," Anyway, first, my name is Driftwhisper, a friend of Ferntra's."
"Good to meet you," said Grain, smiling.
"Thanks," said Driftwhisper, as she sat down, "Now, Ferntra, you missed out the tale of the Galestorrer's past. I happen to know her well, having been from the North myself, so I'll tell it to you all."

The fire flickered, and Redrush threw another log on it. Driftwhisper watched him, and then began.

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If you wish to contact the author, you can e-mail her at silverstone40 AT hotmail.com