Finding the Path

## Date(s)

* 18 February 2017
* 19 February 2017
* 20 February 2017

## Backup

Running North, Rob called the Headhunters, who agreed to meet at a service station with backup. This in spite of Maddie's scowling distaste for the white power pack - she and Rob argued over the political framework of the caern as they drove up the coast, trying to barter power dynamics and reasonable expectations. Still, when they arrived, the rows of
motorbikes and the assorted skinheads sprawling around the services were encouraging other users to drive on to the next stop.

Rob and Eva talked to Echt Jaeger, passing on the summary of what they'd learnt so far and their suspicions about the River Wardens; but a snarl and twitch gave them pause. Accusations of a Garou being of the Wyrm, the Headhunters said, was the worst kind of crime. There must, absolutely, be proof. The pack looked at each other and added it to their task list as Maddie started rephrasing everything she'd summarised in neat legalese that skirted the boundaries of slander.

The next stage in the plan was to scout out the spa that Morris talked about, where all the kids had gone - perched on top of the site of the Aberfan mining disaster. Which isn't at all ominous or strange. He'd said that was where they were treated; and there was evidence to suggest that Rhys had been there as well. So maybe that's where their strange tattoos came from; and all evidence is good evidence...

## Training and Spirit Bargains

The pack drove on, to find a quiet camp where hopefully they'd be harder to find - and somewhere relatively close to the Umbra, as Josh and Rob were hoping to pick up some new gifts; so they decided to go to Margam Park. With some time to kill on their hands, Eva encouraged everyone else to train - demonstrating her competence, and slowly encouraging them to think tactically (Josh's use of the environment once he'd returned meant a lot of running up trees; and one forlorn sapling torn up to be used as a javelin...). Morris, lurking at the back, looked dubious about the whole thing.

Meanwhile, Lucy took Rob, Joshua and Madison into the Umbra. At the Iron Age Village in the park, thanks to Maddie's connection to her ancestors, they managed to find Myka, who was willing to teach Robert and Joshua some gifts. After that, looking for a different gift altogether, Rob managed to attract the attention of some shadow spirits that they convinced to teach him. Rob and Josh returned to camp at this point, engaging in the tail end of Eva's training session, while Lucy found another spirit to teach her as well.

In spite of the winter chill, they stayed out that night; the following morning, they sought out Wayland Smith for any further information he might have on the River Wardens. He was glad enough of the company, and pleased that they were keeping hospitality. With some bargaining, he told the tale of what he knew, which was very little - they pack came, were less than considerate, and left, a couple of years gone. Lucy petitioned him to teach her to Sense Wyrm and he agreed, in turn for her learning a craft.

He also agreed to let Rob use his forge - and Rob, spurred on to prove himself to someone who was worthy of his respect, put all his technical knowhow into the antiquated machinery he was using to craft a spear. Wayland took the finished tool and tested it; and then offered to judge Rob's masterwork, when he thought it was ready. There was a combined silence, even in the roar of the forge fire, as Rob looked for possibly the first time like a Garou, rather than an executive slumming it, smiling quietly as he planned for the future.

## The Shallowing

Wayland was pleased enough that, when they asked if he knew of a shallowing, directed the pack to a small glade - his secondary forge, he said, some few miles cross country. As they slipped out of the Umbra and headed to the cars, Maddie stopped and stared and cursed to herself. She'd forgotten she was meant to use the lowest technology possible; and shank's pony was as reliable as a car, even if it was slower. Lucy sighed, frustrated it hadn't occurred to her either. Leaving the precious paperwork in the car and settling the cold iron knives on thongs round their necks, both of them slid slowly into lupus. Josh only laughed at them a little; Eva looked bemused that anyone would make a meal of such a short run.

They were only half an hour or so behind the drivers; but, even as wolves, it was hard for the city-bred cubs. Getting there, though, made it worth it - the foundation stones of a forge were still visible even in the Realm; and in the Umbra, it was spring and safety and home. As everyone else around them settled in for the night, Lucy led a Rite of Contrition for Maddie and herself, one sacrificing some of her blood, the other throwing some of her precious medication into the fire with a wince.

## Spa Recon

The next morning, refreshed and surprisingly warm for having camped out in the middle of godforsaken Walesshire in a chilly February, they headed on to Aberfan - three and Morris in the car, with Lucy and Maddie shuffling into lupus, hopping into the Umbra, and legging it down. By the time they got there and started the shadow side of the scouting, Josh had circled the spa discreetly and Rob had pulled up the plans and planning permissions from the net; everyone slowly getting used to talking to one another via the spirit that bound them into a proto-pack.

While the Realm might be bland and high-fenced, the Umbra was very different. The moon shone down on the school, and the sounds of children pulled Lucy and Maddie closer. They walked through the playground, watching the kids play. As the scene started to shift, they tried to leave: Maddie walked out the other side, but Lucy got confused and tangled up in youthful bodies jostling her to play, tiny cold fingers plucking at her sleeves and hopeful, empty eyes...

With Maddie's help, she wrenched herself away and out of the gate before the thundering in the background darkened the sky - both of them were safely on the hillside as the spoilheap slipped and stumbled and blanketed the school, silencing the laughter... Before the noises of small children playing picked up again behind them.

They walked uphill and away from the tragic loop to where their packmates were waiting in the Realm, sidling slowly back into the winter sunlight, and discussing what to plan for next.