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The Gift

Richard's SF Storyline, Chapter 1.2

copyright comidacomida 2018

Not knowing exactly what to think of the situation I approached the door and slowly cracked it open. Standing beyond was another Wolf, just as Balam had indicated, but it-- but SHE had cream colored fur. She was of what I'd call average height for a human but she was dressed in a loos-fitting long shirt that went all the way down to her ankles. Her long, flowing mane was almost as long and looked like it was braided behind her.

When she saw me she offered a smile, shifting from one bare paw to the other and I swore I was able to hear the distinct jingle of bells. She spoke in so soft a voice I was almost sure I'd missed it, but, then, realized I'd heard exactly what she said, her delicate Irish accent lingering in my ears like an echo. "So you be the Seer then? Lovely."

I looked back to Balam and Jack for guidance; the Gryphon was immediately ready with advice. "Remember, Richard, she cannot gain entry into thy home without permission. Withhold it until thou art certain that she means no harm."

The Wolf woman's laugh was musical and carefree; it left me with the sense that she either considered Jack's statement a joke, or else was able to appreciate the humor in it that nobody else could see. Either way, I had the impression that she wasn't insulted in the least by it. Then again, it could have been her smirk, followed by the statement "Well, aren't you the charmer?"

Treboada snorted, leaning against the wall as he picked at his tooth with his pinkie claw. "She ain't a threat, boy-o... ain't no other spirit yeh'll find as sweet as that'n. If she be here yeh should figger yerself luckeh."

Balam, who remained several steps back spoke from over my shoulder. "More spirits means more arguments. Spirits fight more when there are less recursos."

The last word he said I didn't understand. Glancing his way I asked "What does 'recursos' mean?"

He offered some alternatives. "Power. Energy. There is less of you for four spirits than for three."

Jack kept his eyes on the new Wolf but he spoke aside to me. "What does the savage have to say on the matter?"

It was the first time I could recall the Gryphon actually asking about Balam's opinion rather than just wanting to know what he said. I translated for everyone's benefit. "Balam thinks that having four spirits with me will make it harder for all of you because there's only so much spirit energy to go around."

Treboada nodded. "Aye... tis true, but ah doubt any a us'll complain. She's a fine lass an' we ain't starvin, are we, lads?"

Jack's feathery ear tufts raised as he glanced to me, speaking in a quiet tone. "Richard, I cannot protect thee from two Wolves and the Savage is still a wild card. Although I do not believe that Treboada would have cause to harm thee, I also believe he would side with her over me should she create issues."

Lingering at the door, the female Wolf let out a sigh, pointing to her ears. "Thing is, Griff, I got these ears here, and that means you can't whisper quiet enough for me to NOT hear. What I can say is that I never hurt a Seer in my life, and I don't plan to start."

Balam had moved to stand right behind me and when he spoke I almost jumped in surprise since I hadn't heard him approach. He questioned his understanding of the situation. "Jack doesn't like her, but she says she can be trusted?"

I nodded. "Of course."

The Gryphon recognized his name. "What did he say about me?"

Treboada interjected. "Ain't this about th' lass an' not yeh, berd?"

The cream-colored Wolf rolled her eyes. "I think this is about the human more than anything, Sian."

I glanced between the black Wolf and the newcomer. "Sian?"

The female motioned to the male. "This big stook here. What? He not introduce himself yet? Where'd your manners go, Sian?"

The big black Wolf flicked an ear. "Yeh betteh calmy doony, lass-- th' berd there knew me as Treboada an' that's what th' lad heard 'im call me."

Once again it took me a moment to figure out exactly what Treboada was saying, but once I did it created another question. "So... 'Treboada' isn't your name?"

He waved away the question casually. "Feh-- spirits change names like claes, boy-o. Yeh cannae expect t'know all'a'em."

The female Wolf tittered, hiding her smirk behind a paw before she spoke. "I know him as Sian... known him a long time I have. He didn't start getting called Treboada until he spent time in northern Iberia."

I looked between the two Wolves. "Wow... it sounds like the two of you have quite a history together."

Treboada shrugged. "Tagetheh... apaert... we 'ave a past eitheh way. 'swy ah know she's a good'n."

Her smile was genuine and she incline her head to him, Emerald eyes glimmering in the light shining out of my apartment. "And you aren't that bad yourself... Treboada."

The grin she added when she spoke the name with which I was familiar gave me the impression that she was instigating just a little, and the way her tail swayed mirthfully further solidified my opinion that she was not the malicious sort. It didn't clear things up very much so I turned to address Balam. "Do spirits really have a lot of names?"

The Jaguar offered a casual shrug in response. "Some have many names. We are what humans call us. I have eleven."

I looked to Jack and addressed his question before he could ask it. "Balam says he has eleven names. How many do you have, Jack?"

The Gryphon clacked his beak together in annoyance. "Three."

Treboada clapped his paws together in humor as he let out an enthusiastic "HA!"

The white-furred Wolf offered a comforting smile. "The number of names isn't as important as what they mean to you. I bet all of your names have fond memories for you, don't they... Jack?"

Her question seemed to put Jack off his game and his ear feathers raised again as he thought about what she said. Rather than answer it, however, he countered with one of his own. "And if thou art to be other than a stranger what is it we should call thee then?"

She smiled. "Sabhana. Thank you for asking, Seer. And your own, if I may?"

"Richard."

Her tail tip swayed back and forth. "That's a good name, Richard."

Sabhana seemed about as mild and 'normal' as any spirit I'd met up to that point and Treboada had already vouched for her. The interactions I'd seen from her sent up no warning flags and the sense of hosting manners compelled me to limit her lingering on my porch. "Well, Sabhana, unless there are any objections, I'd like to invite you in."

I was careful how I phrased my invitation, glancing to Jack, then, when he didn't object, I looked to Balam and reiterated that I planned to let her in. In response, all the Jaguar said was a repeat of his earlier statement: "More spirits means more arguments. Spirits fight more when there are less resources."

There was wisdom to his statement, I knew, but letting her into my apartment didn't mean she was going to become a roommate. Still, it did give me a moment's pause. I looked back to my newest guest and I--