Svarik and the company I :)

[Mirach]

"That's what we are doing, too..." Svarik nodded. "But what if she is turned? What can we expect in that case?"

[VisAnastasis]

" When animals are turned, specially by accident, you can't really expect something of grand power, if you ask that. Just a little cute familiar. Can travel through layers, live very long, but can't change forms. However, it can maybe learn a trick or two thanks to their demonic aura... Can survive long without food or water... Once it imprints on someone, it's very clingy.. With lots of love and care, it can become good protector, as it can turn into mist at will and its bones and beak are as sharp as steel... Basic simple stuff. You will find all in book, little prince. " he spoke slowly, as if trying to remember some keywords from it as he was giving basic description. "You just need to look out for her bite, that's all. If she comes back and your friend treats her well, she may yet be a good familiar to him. Gotta be ready, though - once it imprints on someone, her life is forever tied to that person, and she shares life force with him through companionship, and lives as long as they do - but when its master dies, familiars usually die from grief too. If she returns and imprints upon that human who keeps her as pet, she can be of use to you to know state of your friend, too - because of the bond, she would share his grief, and if he is ill, you'll be able to see it by how lively and healthy she is too, no matter how apart you are. All in all, it's just a very tiny, simple kind of demon, that usually stays away from humans and lives long as an ordinary animal if it doesn't imprint with anyone. "

[Mirach]

"That sounds quite well," Svarik smiled at Erdel encouragingly, to show him that he didn't do anything wrong even if he turned the falcon. "But I was rather wondering how it felt to her, and if it could change something about her will to come back, compared to the option that she is still an ordinary bird."

[VisAnastasis]

" If she loved your friend, she'll likely return. It's just that I imagine it hurts and burns pretty much to have your inner organs reshaped and your nature changed so drastically in such short time - it's like a bird suddenly turns into a cat. Change starts immediately, but it can take from few days to few weeks till it's complete, and the pain lasts for all that time. Like change to a vampire, as little Erdel told me, it can be quite painful until it passes. " creature noted gently. " She will be alright, if something evil doesn't eat her, and you have wonderful music - I am sure you can find enough love in your heart to help her put the experience behind her. But there is one trick I know of, if time stretches too far and you start to worry. " he smiled a little. " Familiars really, really like a mixture of old wine, fresh honey, and finest flour, all mixed together. I used to have nine familiars myself before my city fell, so I'd know. It's a special treat for them, and they can scent it miles around. " he seemed to find the familiarity to pinch Svarik's cheek lightly and fondly. "  If you can make it and leave it in its reach, it's quite likely she'll come to it sooner or later when hunger dawns upon her, if she's still in your home city, dear little prince. "

[Mirach]

Svarik looked a little relieved with that. "Thank you, that might help us a lot... I hope she did not fly far away." 

[VisAnastasis]

" If you have her feathers and burn some of it, she'll sense it, and it may lure her back. " creature continued suggesting earnestly, seeing Erdel is still quite distressed by this possibility, and wishing to give them as much reassurance and warm advises as he was able to remember right now. " Both demons and spirits can feel such things, whether what's burned is nail, feather, hair, scale, or anything alike. It may help lead her back to you. "

[Mirach]

"Do you sense where it's burnt, too?" Svarik asked. "And isn't the feeling unpleasant?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It's a little unpleasant, but it's literally the most secure means of secret communication system ever. Everyone uses it. It is considered personal and intimate, to entrust someone with such a thing. " Cernunnos said with more color in his voice, seeming delighted to explain more of his knowledge. " When you see me, you see material manifestation of my immortal soul. If you'd take away my clothes, I could not transform, because I would not be at unity. If you'd tear of some of my limbs, if it'd not be healed back, I'd lose that part of soul forever. and have to transform without it with flaws.  Now, it would hurt a lot to have a limb burned , sure, even if years passed after it's originally cut off... But small things, such as hair, can be lost without compromising our forms or causing us hurt. Does it hurt you when you cut your nails, or if you bit into your hair? Us, neither, and same goes for feathers and any outer overgrowth like scales. However, when, for example, our hair fall into the woods once, and someone walks over it, we can feel it as a chill, and we know where to return to pick it up and dispose of it, or just leave it as it is. Here comes the fun part - since we can feel what's going on with it as something that was once part of us, we can just give someone else our hair or nail, or in worst case, some blood, and we could agree on a code what destroying or throwing it means. I did, and I know for fact lot of Spirits and Demons did too, often leave bits of themselves to their favorite humans, so that we may know when they are in trouble and come to their aid. "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded, aware that Cernunnos can probably sense Melody's hair that he had with him. "So if we burn a feather, will she know we did it, and that it means we miss her?"

[VisAnastasis]

" She will feel it is being burned and be drawn to the direction of its burning, like humans are drawn to the itch you have to scratch. " Forest  God explained patiently. " By what you told me, it seems your friend has a bond with it, and is most likely to become her familiar - and familiars are very sensitive about feelings of its other. If he burns it, she may be able to feel more of his lingering feelings behind the act, and may come. If you do have her feathers, please, take heed - decide with thought when is best to burn them, and don't burn them at once in case you have to resort to calling her multiple times until you coax her to come. Full turning can take few weeks, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on demon that turns you. If it's too early, it may be hard for her to focus on the call, but if you call too late, she may start feeling grieved about coming to you since you weren't there to help her in times of her greatest suffering. " he noted. " I know not her character, so you are more qualified than me to decide when you should call her. "

[Mirach]

"I think Conrad would be able to decide best," Svarik said to Erdel. "Do you think he should know right away? It may be too late if we wait until our return..."

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel seemed quiet, still a little upset, but he was laying the anxiety aside for a little moment, as if he was coming up with some idea.
" I can not take of any clothes anymore, because it feels unpleasant. I imagine these ones I carried on me when I became full demon are stuck as part of my form now, and I can't travel through layers without them, probably. " he told Svarik thoughtfully. " It's a day difference, between here and our city, and it would take us two days to get back here if we both return, but if I go on my own, traveling between layers only, then I could be there and back here for just around one day in total, I think. Do you think I could... Go back shortly to tell him that, and then come back to you? I'd hate to make you stagnate again on your trip, so it's a certain risk, but maybe you could continue with the journey on your own for that one day or so... And if I am really full demon, then the hair thing should work with me too, right? " he bit his lip. " If I give you few strands of my hair, I should be able to find you by where you burn it, no matter where you are spending the night, right, sir? "

[Mirach]

"I was also thinking that alone you could go there faster," Svarik nodded. "And it should work with the hair. If I burn it when we stop for the night, you should be able to find us easily."

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel nodded slowly.
" Ser Falcon won't be pleased. I am not too pleased, either, to be honest - at least regarding leaving you, sir. He entrusted you to me. But you have Xia that is as watchful over you, and I understand even such a little alone time may be something you'd enjoy more, than having me breathe behind your ear for every moment, sire. Besides, sir...I too would really feel as ill as you if I didn't do this, and ser Falcon would lose chance to have her company again, all because of me. I bear responsibility for this, if I did do this to her unintentionally. He needs to know this. " he admitted quietly, seeming little more free with Svarik, not as reluctant to bid him for something, and so he continued. " If it's convenient - may I please do tell him that it was not my own idea to leave you on your own, that I did not want to compromise your safety, and that you was one that ordered me to come? He would be mad with me, but I am sure he wouldn't be as mad if I told him you asked for it to be done immediately with no buts. After all, I need to be loyal to my king...  " he smiled a little faintly. " In name of all holly, no - if you order me to do it and I'd disobey you, it would mean treason, so he will know I had no choice but to do it. "

[Mirach]

Svarik smirked a little. "Very well, it's an order then. And don't worry, I will be safe with Xia. Conrad really needs to know this as soon as possible."

[VisAnastasis]

" I guess you'll have to leave now, then. I wouldn't desire you to part anytime later when light start waning. " Cernunnos advised quietly, little melancholic and regretful about rushing them, but seeming warmed up a little about their worry for their friend and care for each other's benefits. " Please, do forgive me in case I came to premature a conclusion - but as someone who loved to make familiars for myself from my pets, I am pretty certain I am right this once. I won't burden you with anything to carry right now - but on your way back, I'll instruct my little Emil to give you some honey and herbs that could help her. The tea Emil taught you to make should ease her too. Her nutrition is going to be more rich now, since animal familiars take on habits of their human partner and grow to like to eat same food as them. " He said, gracing them with one of his special soft, adorable smile, despite worried, seeming to beam with delight with having a chance to offer them something, as someone who was once so enthralled with inventing all kind of neat stuff to please and take care of his human subjects and be on service to them. " Please, since you are parting, i must ask you one thing in return - please, take pity upon this old demon. Take this... " he did  it a little with hardship, but he pulled of part of one of his long nails, and he cut it off, offering it to king with little more reverence, as it was probably bigger thing  to give away solid piece of nail than thin hair. " Grind it and burn it when you reunite, so I may know you are both whole and safe and together with danger behind you. "

[Mirach]

"I will do as you wish," Svarik assured him. "And we will be thankful for anything that would ease her. Erdel can't take anything with him now anyways. So, goodbye for now, Cernunnos. It was very nice to spend some time with you..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You were so very kind to me, and such a pleasant company. I am much obliged, kind guests.. Much obliged. " kind good hearted critter whispered hoarsely, and tears welled in his eyes despite his smile upon them was gentle like a soft summer breeze. He fondled Xia that seemed worried about him a little, and whistled a little heartfelt tune to reassure her, before he stood up and left to the table, to pack them up the food he cooked for them earlier so he could give it to them and escort them.

[Mirach]

Svarik thanked him for the meal and took it to pack into his luggage when they take it from Emil. "We will miss you..." he said gently. "Goodbye."

[VisAnastasis]

" Just a moment. Take this too. For my little Xia. I have not forgotten her. " creature told him hoarsely, and he handed him the cute little cup little critter was able to drink from on her own with her paws. " It was once a special gift to my eldest son from a former friend of mine, but I can feel she adores it, and it would serve her more well than to collect dust at my cupboard. "
He then turned to Erdel shyly, and he extended him a parting gift as well - a strange circular object, adorned with colorful feathers, and among them, feathers from duck and pheasant former vampire caught as well... He clearly did not forget to make something sweet for him, not wanting Svarik who got gloves and Xia who got the cute cup to be only ones with gift from him.
" This is a dream catcher. " he told him gently. " You'll find good use for it soon enough, I hope, little one. Let your friends keep it safe for you until you reunite, if you'd like, but please, do me an honor and take it - it will serve you well. "
Erdel teared up a little, through all the stress, not thinking about it or expecting such a lovely little handy craft made for him. He took it shyly in his hands, and just nodded lightly, stuttering out his thanks. Only then, old demon smiled a little and nodded back too them lightly through teared up expression, giving them his blessing to leave in peace.

[Mirach]

Svarik bowed his head to him, thanking for the gifts for his friends. Then, not wanting to prolong the leavetaking anymore, he took Xia into his arms, and left with a last goodbye.

[VisAnastasis]

Ancient demon seemed to find it too aching to escort them this once, not wanting to spread his own sadness to them. As they greeted one last time, he retreated and disappeared into the shadows of a nearby hall silently, and until they left the dark old fortress back to the entrance, they walked alone.

[Mirach]

"Goodbye," Svarik said once more as they passed the gate. Then he locked it with heavy heart. "I think you should take a bath as well," he said to Erdel after a moment. "We don't want the spirits back home to pick up Cernunnos' scent."

[VisAnastasis]

" I wouldn't want that. I will take a bath somewhere along the way in some other river, and will try to avoid Spirits and speak only with Falcon and only shorty... " he whispered quietly. He handed Svarik the little dream catcher Cernunnos made for him reluctantly, not wanting Spirits to smell the scent of old demon by the trinket either, and not able to carry it just yet with him anyway.

[Mirach]

"Wouldn't you rather take a bath here? It's rather cold, and you heard Cernunnos, cold is not good for young demons... Also, on the way back, don't hurry to meet us if it would mean that night catches you here. Wait somewhere safe until morning, or avoid these forests with a wide detour. We will wait for you on the place where we stay for the night."