Fires of Summer – National 2007

By Paul Holroyd, UK0103-1264

The Uratha gathered at the Wray Territory, a small enclave of Ghost Wolves amongst the Pure Confederation which rule the Lake District, to gather and discuss what to do. Some had been invited to learn of an old Rite, fallen into disuse with modern communications.

One of the packs became aware of major Beshilu activity in the area, they were trying to gnaw through the gauntlet between the material world and the Hisil, and to poison a small pool of startlingly clear spring water. A scouting party was launched which came back with information regarding their location. They were gathered in a mass of caves, tunnels and catacombs, all of which would make hunting them unawares difficult, as they had no doubt intended.

The scouting party also brought news that a major Klaive was possibly down there, which attracted the attention of Wall of Stone (Blood Talon Rahu), who had seen his family’s Klaive stolen from him by Beshilu from the warm hand of his dead brother. Him and his sister Alex (Storm lord Elodoth) vowed silently to recover the Klaive at all costs, even it cost our lives.

The war party was put together, led by a combination of Richard Rhodes (Blood Talon Irraka) and Johnny Churchill (Hunter in Darkness, Elodoth). They ordered the fighters to ‘pair off’ with the non fighters, look after each other down there, and for goodness sake to not stray from each other. It is easy to lose yourself in rat holes, and Beshilu love picking off lone Uratha. The two war leaders said that recovering the Klaive was secondary to cleansing the Beshilu, but Wall of Stone and Alex had different ideas!

The squad descended to the tunnels, consisting of about 15 Uratha, all of different tribes and auspices. There were several pit traps, acid traps etc. all designed to confuse and disorient us, but we managed to get down to the main tunnel relatively safely. It opened into a big clearing, with nothing waiting for us. We waited, and then Wall of Stone and Alex sensed something, the Klaive approaching! We all readied ourselves, praying to Luna to fight with bravery and courage…then a firestorm swept through the cavern, followed by 3 large ninja Beshilu, screaming war cries. As they attacked they were followed by an even larger Beshilu carrying the Klaive! Wall of Stone bellowed a war cry, a challenge, screaming at the one carrying the Klaive to take him if he was brave enough. The rest of his mini squad started to advance, but Alex motioned them away with a look, indicating that this fight was Wall of Stone’s alone. He leapt into the air and dove down onto the Beshilu’s head with claws flashing, narrowly avoiding a swipe with the sword that would have taken his head if it had connected. He then gutted the Beshilu and swept up the blade in one smooth motion, then bellowed his cry of victory. As he looked around, the three ninja Beshilu were dead, and the day belonged to the People!

We crawled back through the rat holes and reported back to the locals, who were naturally pleased. There were games of strength, speed, oratory, mental agility and the like – traditional summer games.

The event culminated in a large ritual, the Fires of Summer. This was led by Mourning Shadow (Bone Shadow Elodoth) and Twists the Ban (Storm Lord, Elodoth). All participants were expected to sacrifice something; it could be pain, emotions, a personal item and the like. All participants then felt a spiritual strength when doing mother Luna’s work for a few months!

At the culmination the host, Sedgewood Rawnsey (Ghost Wolf, Ithaeur) gathered his pack and called for any who would stand with him to drive the Pure from the land. Full of fury from the Summer Rites the Wray Pack charged off – but calmer heads prevailed and they went alone. Nothing has been heard of them since.

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