Morning comes all too quickly. And to make matters worse, Thomas is cheerful about it. By the time Redmane has pulled herself out of bed, he is already dressed and having a light breakfast of milk and bread while he sits in a chair near the fireplace.

Of course he does allow Redmane a bit of time to get dressed. He even allows her to have a quick bite of food. Unfortunately, though, he does nag her regularly about the time and how they need to be going very soon if they want to catch the ceremony of the Waxing Moon.

Soon enough the pair is making their way through the streets. There are still few people about it seems, as dawn has yet to come. In the distance, just over the peak of the cathedral ahead, Redmane can make out the edge of the moon as it slowly sinks towards the horizon. Thomas' pace quickens and Redmane soon finds herself at a light jog to keep up "C'mon, we're going to be late!" he complains. And before Redmane can retort they're hurrying down the hallways of the Cathedral.

The hallways of the Cathedral are now lit by the flickering red flames of oil-soaked torches. In the low light the white marble walls seem to glow red; almost the color of fresh blood, in fact. If examined up close, the craftsmanship that went into the walls is exquisite; they are as smooth as glass and shine almost like a mirror. The main doors to the meeting chamber are open. Through them a shaft of moonlight alighting the center of the floor ahead can be seen. The shaft of light illuminates a spot known well to many, a cracked sigil of the moon; it still bears the gaping wound the sword of the Knight Redmane cut in it all those Years ago.

The Cathedral is no longer empty, either. All around the central sigil stands a majestic pack of silver-furred wolves. Each has their head bowed in deference to the shaft of the moonlight. Their ears are perked forward and their eyes are closed. From the side of the find a single, and probably female, wolf pads soundlessly to the center. There she is bathed in the radiance of the moonlight. Her silvery fur sparkles like gemstones and in the light breeze that flows through, it almost looks alive.

"We're just in time," Thomas whispers as he eases up to the doors leading into the central chamber and peers inside.

"They're all silver," Redmane whispers, finding that particular detail striking. She looks about for someplace set aside for those who aren't wolves involved in the ceremony.

Well, there are the shadows cast by the pillars that circle the room where she could probably lurk without causing any problems with the ceremony. Or so she might hope, anyway.

Redmane nudges Tom towards one of the shadowed areas. "I feel a little exposed like this," she whispers to him.

"Well, wolves usually are silvery gray," Thomas whispers. He even gives Redmane an annoyed look when she nudges him towards the shadows. "You worry too much," he complains in whisper.

"Well.. I'm unarmed," Redmane hisses back. "And I have no idea what this is all about. You're certain we're not meant to be sacrifices or anything?"

The wolf in the center arches her back high as her head dips low. It starts softly, but her howl grows in volume as she lifts her head. As the volume grows, so does the glow of her silvery body; far more than should be possible from mere moonlight. The howl reverberates in the chamber, a somber and strong note; it eerily reminds Redmane of a dirge for someone who has left the living.. Then one by one, each of the wolves encircling the sigil join in, offering their voices to the music.

"Now you're being silly. Do you really think I would lead you into a sacrificial chamber?" Thomas hisses.

"I think it would depend on your mood," Redmane says, but then gapes at the chorus of wolf-howls. "Now that is a prayer to cause goose-pimples," she whispers.

More and more of the wolves join in and the flare of the light in the center grows ever louder. By now Redmane can feel the howling in her bones the howling is so great. The flare in the center is so bright it feels like staring into the sun. And to make things more worrying ... it's expanding outward!

"They're calling down the moon," the woman whispers to Tom with a bit of urgency. "Magic!" She looks to the shadow of a pillar again, and also checks to see if anyone else finds the expanding beam of moonlight worrying.

Thomas doesn't seem to be particularly worried and the wolves certainly don't seem to be. His head tilts to the side and gives Redmane a 'don't be silly' sort of look. It's quickly followed by a huge grin.

"You know what's going to happen, don't you?" Redmane accuses in a whisper, and then sets her shoulders back and faces the light with a confident look.

The Light pulsates and then explodes outward in a blinding wave! The room goes abruptly silent. All Redmane can see is spots.

"Guh," the woman lets out, and reaches blindly for Tom's arm so she doesn't lose him.

She finds his arm. Or at least an arm, since she can't see enough to tell. It takes some serious blinking before Redmane's eyes clear. The circle of silvery wolves remain. The moonlight, though, is gone. The first few rays of reddish sunlight now creep across the cathedral floor. The wolf that was in the center has been replaced by a young woman Redmane recognizes immediately, Ilrine. She stands there, head tilted back and her body swathed in a silky-looking silvery robe. "And once more the gentle night must fall away to the intruding sun," she murmurs to those that surround her.

"That is usually the point of ceremonies," Thomas comments, "Aren't you glad I made you get up?"

"And now we must decide the duties of the day," Ilrine says, "And the first duty should be to greet our guests who have been lurking in the shadows and spying upon us..." Her head rolls a bit, draping her gray hair over the side of her face as she looks right at Redmane. All the gathered wolves also now turn and look right at Redmane.

Ilrine looks amused, to put it mildly. "Do not be so shy," she says as she raises her hand and gestures to Redmane in a rather 'come hither' way. "Come, meet the pack."

"Yeah, go meet the pack," Thomas encourages Redmane and even tries to nudge her forward.

"No boys allowed I'm guessing," Redmane whispers out of the side of her mouth, and then steps forward towards the circle of wolves. "You honor me," she tells Ilrine.

Ilrine laughs lightly at that as she arches her grey brows. "You are too modest, Countess Redmane," the priestess tells her. "You honor us by visiting. We would not be here were it not for your efforts so long ago."

In unison all the wolves suddenly dip their heads, bowing to Redmane. Then one by one the move apart, creating a clear path for her to reach the center.

Redmane blushes, and says, "So, you weren't fooled by Thomas' clever use of names, I see." She enters into the center of the circle.

"Your scent is well known to me, Countess," Priestess Ilrine says as she steps to the side so that Redmane can join her, "And much more of an identifier than a mere word. I suspected that you were here when I met your friend, young of countenance and yet eyes of great age. What little record we had of him as clear on that point."

"It has changed little since you were here last," Ilrine says as she wears a smile of someone who carries some sort of secret. "Would you like to walk with me?" she asks and offers her arm to Redmane.

A bit stunned, Redmane takes the offered arm. "Have we met before then?" she asks Ilrine.

"No. I have simply tried to keep our history alive and you are a large part of it," Ilrine says as she leads Redmane from the circle through the bowing wolves. As they pass by, Thomas just smiles and waves to them. Boy does he look smug.

"Are you telling me that my scent has survived on something for fourteen Years?" Redmane asks. "I don't know if I should applaud your nose in that case.. or worry if I should use deoderant."

Ilrine laughs at that as she leads Redmane out a side door and down a corridor. Something strikes Redmane immediately; the walls are lined with hut out fragments of worn stone. It's no mere stone, though, there are very familiar paintings on them. It's the story of the history of the tribe that Erzebet showed her all those years ago.

"You moved the Historie here," Redmane says with a smile. "So it wouldn't be forgotten again."

"We did," Ilrine agrees as they walk along. Soon enough they're through the hall of history and entering a small room at the back. More history surrounds them, older paintings, but not as old as those they just passed. These are new to Redmane, but the story they tell is not. Redmane finds herself looking at depictions of her own actions so long ago. A woman captured, changed, and ultimately changed back just before a great battle with a shadowy nightmare. One thing that stands out to her, though, is she can't make out anyone remotely close to Thomas in any of them. Against the back wall is ... something, but its covered in a tapestry.

"My friend must have been very convincing to get himself left out of everything," Redmane notes while admiring the paintings. She looks to Ilrine, and asks, "What is hidden over there?"

"Something I believe you will remember," Ilrine says as she heads over to the tapestry. She pulls it back. Redmane finds herself face to face with a worn and battered suit of green armor. The once sea-inspired designs are battered and bent and the chest-piece is crushed in to the point of being practically irreparable. "Our ancestors purchased it before the armorer you sold it to had time to melt it down," Ilrine explains.

Redmane gasps, and reaches out to touch the breastplate with her fingertips. "I can't believe you kept it," she says. "Was it Erszebet's doing?"

The metal is cool and firm to the touch. The curves of the old patterns feel so very familiar. "You gave us our history back. She believed that you should be able to keep yours as well," Ilrine explains, "You may take it with you when you leave if you wish. If you decide to leave it here, we will keep it safe."

"I think it belongs here now," Redmane says quietly, pulling back her hand. "Proof that others would fight for the wolves."

"As you wish. There were many discussions about trying to have it restored; but many felt it would be an injustice. The wear, as they say, shows the sacrifices others made," Ilrine says. "Now I have a question for you, if you will allow me?"

"The records spoke of how ... unhappy and lonely you seemed," Ilrine says, "I know you were given a county to govern, but did you truly find peace and a place where you were welcome? If not, then I would like to offer you a home here."

Redmane smiles, and says, "Thank you for the offer, but I have my duties.. and a promise of happiness from the Goddess herself. I would also worry about fitting in here, given.. well, all of this," she says, sweeping an arm to take in the paintings and armor.

"We don't bite often," Ilrine claims as she accepts the refusal with a smile, "But I understand. There is one more thing I would like to show you."

Ilrine leads Redmane through one more door to a room that has only one painting in it. It's a scene as the cathedral once was; a deteriorating ruin. Amongst the rubble Redmane recognizes those gathered in what appears to be a discussion; perhaps just after the last battle. The former Lord of December and his Knight Bravil stand out prominently in it. Redmane recognizes herself speaking with them. And standing next to her is someone she knows well; Thomas. His head is tilted and expression one of kind concern. His hand is even resting on Redmane's shoulder as if to offer her the comfort of someone known. "Our records spoke of how Thomas visited later and asked that his part be left out of the history; that you should carry all the honor for ending the tragedy that occurred so long ago. The elders agreed to this ... but unknown to him there was one painting made that made sure he would also be remembered," Ilrine says, "So, I would like to ask of you to spend some time with our scribes and fill

in the history that he wished to erase. And I ask of you, if you can explain to me, why he wanted to be left out. He is a name known to many and must have done much as well ... so why would he not want it known?"

"Part of it is that he doesn't get along with the Houses, and worries that his 'involvement' in anything will somehow taint their view of it, I think," Redmane notes. "He often told me his reputation would damage my own, by association. I'm glad you kept this one though. He was looking far to smug out in the Cathedral."

"Was he?" Ilrine asks, "He impressed me as someone who likes to look, true or not, as the one always in control of the situation. Hard to 'surprise', I believe it can be put. But no matter, I believe the statue will surprise him."

Redmane coughs at the mention of a statue. "There's a statue?" she asks, hoping it depicts the battle or something, as opposed to just the heroes.

"You will see it at the dedication in a few days. We have been waiting for both of you before it is unveiled," Ilrine says, "And I am hoping you will enjoy our hospitality beforehand. Will you run with us under the watch of the beautiful moon?"

"I don't suppose the process is.. less painful.. now that Cerridwen has returned?" Redmane has to ask. "She is the Goddess of shape-shifting, after all!"

"You were touched by her light this morning. You have been given its gift for a time should you wish to accept it. Just remember how you felt before when you walked among us at the knowledge of how will reveal itself to you," Ilrine says with an impish smile of her own. "Why do you think I convinced dear Thomas to come to the ceremony this morning and also bring you? A blessing of the wild is so much simpler when the target isn't aware and resisting it..."

"Oh ho.. he's probably running around on all fours as we speak then," Redmane notes. She then thinks for a moment, and asks, "Uh, before I try anything.. is there someplace I can get clothing like you wear? It seems so practical for this sort of thing."

"He doesn't know yet. I didn't tell him that I knew who he was," Ilrine says and even winks to Redmane, "I could not resist the chance to commit a prank on a legend. I leave it to you to tell him." The second question elicits a nod as she continues, "And yes, there is. We have a clothier in town that specializes in clothing for those who can shift. As you say ... it is far more practical."

"So, Thomas doesn't know.. hmmmm," Redmane says with a grin. "I think I'd like to visit that clothier then. Are there any other events I should attend before the unveiling ceremony?"

"Nothing required, but I am sure many of the town would like to speak with you. You are a legend and even moreso to us for what you did here. And continue to do, for that matter, I understand you brought our lost cub, Einsam, with you," Ilrine says.

"And the remains of Sir Bravil, his ancestor," Redmane notes. "He wants to be buried here with his wife."

Ilrine nods once. "That can be arranged. Have Einsam come speak with me," she says. There's a momentary pause before Ilrine now asks, "May I ask you something about Thomas? Is he ... does he have someone special to him? I must admit I find him charming in his own way and if he is not claimed I was going to ask him to at least attend a meal with me. I know I am nothing compared to a legend, and am not likely to catch his eye ... but a lady can hope, no?"

"You can ask him, and I doubt he would say 'no'," Redmane notes. "He may do it just to tweak me, of course, but you can always call his bluff in that case." She smiles thinly, but with a twinkle of mischief in her eye.

Ilrine considers that reply. "Mm, then I suppose that rumor is true too," she says and bobs her head. "I will not intervene in your hunt. I wish you luck with trapping the untrappable."

"Oh no, I've decided it's his turn to try and capture me this time around," Redmane says. "Which reminds me.. the old hot springs haven't dried up or anything, have they?"

"No, they still exist and the structures have been repaired," Ilrine answers, "Did you wish to make use of them?"

"Eventually," Redmane notes. "They have... special sentimental value to us. If I may ask, since you restored the rest of the cathedral, why did you leave the scar unrepaired?"

"To remind us how close we came to our end due to arrogance and suspicion," Ilrine answers, "Our actions wounded our Lady. We do not wish for that to happen again."

Redmane nods approvingly. "She came back. That is what matters," she notes. "And if you really want to spend some time with Thomas... well, you might be able to get a first-hand account of his part in the story, since I don't know all of what brought him here originally. Just don't tell him until he's surrounded by scribes," the redhead adds with a wink.

"Mm, a cunning plan. One I shall have to make use of. Thank you Countess," Ilrine says and even bows to the woman. "Now, I believe we should return to the others. Or did you wish to exit from a side door to go shopping before returning to the circle?"

"Thomas still owes me a proper breakfast," Redmane notes. "And it will be fun to drag him shopping, I think. He'll also be suspicious if I'm gone that long.. and I want to see if he actually waited for me too. So, back to the circle I think."

"As you like, Countess," Ilrine says and gestures towards the door leaving the room. "Once more, thank you for coming. It is an honor to put a voice and a real face to all the stories and sketches. If I may say so, your legends do not do you justice. I now understand how you inspired others."

"It was fate," Redmane claims, as she heads for the hallway. "I was Cerridwen's champion, so She must have sent me here to help bring Her children back to Her."