AN:id like to thank my beta's for making this story all it can be
"All is not lost and what is lost can always be found again."
Well, okay then. I wonder what he means by that bit of profound wisdom. I'm too drained to give it much thought at the moment, but they are words that I know would hit me when I least expect it, and they will give me one of those 'aha' moments. That, or, they will just turn around and bite me in the ass at the most inopportune moment.
The boys and I went home to have some down time. I think the boys are playing video games while I decided to meditate like Gramps taught me, when I just needed time to recharge or process the day's events. This was also a good technique for blocking out pain, when I was in Vicky's tender care. I close my eyes and just drift away.
We arrive at the field right on the dot of ten, to see the pack and elders set up for a long day by the looks. There were coolers of what I assume is food and drinks as well as camping chairs for the elders. Two wolves are phased again, but are laying down, and the rest of the pack are lounging around the field. Opposite the elders are five empty camping chairs, presumably for us. I am proven right when the Alpha gestures for us to take a seat.
"You may begin when you are ready, Isabella." Old Quil speaks and gives a respectful nod to me.
I settle into the seat and begin."Okay, I'll assume you all remember where I left off last night, so I'll just carry on. I started attending pack training, and saw that a lot of the guys would lose claws and the occasional tooth. I started collecting these at the end of training. I approached, and became close with some older members of the tribe in the know and they were able to teach me the art of weapon making the same way their ancestors used to.
"We were able to fashion arrows with claw heads and wolf tooth blades. After a bit of experimenting on vampires, before they were killed, we were also able to establish that wolf saliva had a similar effect on vampires that venom had on the wolves, so with a little ingenuity, we were able to come up with saliva filled blow darts, which we were later able to update to fit into dart guns. We also soaked the arrow shafts, which then became stronger and also more painful.
"They also taught me to use a bow and arrow, and some basic blade work, which evolved into my second passion for weapons. I found a timeworn and greying weapons master and was soon his apprentice. I would train with him daily for a few hours; with my aptitude for all fighting styles I advanced quickly. I found an appreciation for blades I never had before, and just fell in love with sais.
"We grew close and I started calling him Grandpa, or Gramps, if I was feeling cheeky. He would call me Daughter or 'little shit' if I pissed him off; Gramps knew I was involved with the supernatural, just not what flavor. He never asked any awkward questions, and even helped me forge a set sais out of wolf teeth, no questions asked. He was on his death bed when he called for me for the last time. As I approached him he pulled out a long carved box from somewhere and handed it to me. The carvings reminded me of the stories he told me of his ancestors.
"'Daughter you have given me what I never dreamed I would have. As the last of my line, with no descendants of my own, I feared my family's teachings would be lost for all time, but you have given me hope that this knowledge will last an eternity. In that box is the sword of our line; it is said that it can slay any enemy, and I believe that it is strong enough to help slay yours. Let the power of my line protect you for as long as you walk this earth.I have added an inscription to it.' I asked what the inscription said. ' it says daughter 'I forevermore belong to a warrior in which the old ways join the new' With that he took his last breath and passed from this life to the next.' With that he took his last breath and passed from this life to the next.
"The box held a katana that felt like it just vibrated with strength. Gramps was right, and it did protect me. His words were a omen of what was to come, but even he couldn't have been able to foresee everything that happened. This, my sais, and blades are the human possesions I miss most.
At the last comment Old Quill stood, and called one of the wolves over to pick up a crate. "As I said yesterday, what is lost can be found again. When you were taken, as I'm sure you will get to, the elders and pack of your time, took your most prized weapons and put them in this crate, and hid it on Elder Island. The only ones told of its location were the elders. There were other items included there as well, but these were the ones we were told to return to their rightful owner no matter the circumstances. The other items we can discuss later."
The wolf brought the crate to me, then returned to where he was laying on the grass before. I opened the crate to find my most valued weapons all stored with care, and apart from some dust, looked in prestigious condition. I thanked Old Quill and continued the story.
"That Christmas the tribesmen that helped me with the weapons and I presented each pack member with their own set. To say they were surprised would be an understatement. These weapons would become instrumental to us winning the great war. I was astounded when Billy presented me with holsters for my sai's and blades, and a harness so I could wear my katana along my spine, all hand made by the elders and blessed by the sharman. I was also officially made the first human pack member.
"Of course, anything that made me happy must come to an abrupt and explosive end, right?" Isabella looks around the circle to make sure that everyone is following along. She nods in slight approval and allows herself to sink down into her memories again.
"I was meditating in a meadow not far from my house when one of the three nomads from the baseball game, Laurent, appeared. He spoke to me about Vicki's plans for me, and how he was just on a fact finding mission, but was hungry and was just going to feed on me instead.
"Luck was with me as Paul was on the way to find me and picked up Laurent's scent; he called in the pack. Laurent had just bitten me when the pack arrived to give chase. I was dropped as he took off to try and save himself. The effort was in vain, and he was soon reduced to ashes. Paul didn't join the pursuit. He stayed to check on me and was able to remove the venom, remembering the time I told them Edward did the same. Paul had risked his life to save mine.
"It was just before my 20th birthday that we found out why we were so close. Turns out Sam's words when I was five were not unfounded. ReneƩ was sleeping with quite a few men from the tribe, as well as Forks including Sam and Paul's fathers.
" This was why Charlie never fought for me. Apparently Renee's last words to Charlie before she left where 'It's not like she's yours! You try and fight me and I'll make sure you never see her again.' Charlie loved me too much to risk never being part of my life. So he did the best he could with the crumbs Renee gave him. Just to abate our own curiosity Sam, Paul, and I got our DNA tested.
"Turns out I was Paul's half sister."
