“Yep, Sheriff is right about decreased human activity. Our Fish and Wildlife division says the only hunters and fishermen that come down here are outsiders, so not much activity of late. Our locals hunt and fish elsewhere and have for the past few years. It could be because the game has been scarce. Or, whatever has driven off much of the wildlife also spooked the hunters. No one likes to talk to us about what they’ve experienced, though we have heard tell of some incidents. Mostly, locals just have a feeling that the forest is off, nothing concrete. It’s enough to keep them away but not enough to provide actionable information.”
Vito sets up the tripod as Ranger Brunner finishes speaking, while Tiko sweeps the forest ground with a found shrub branch. Protected by several evergreen trees, the snow is lighter on the forest ground than on barren land. Ranger Brunner joins Tiko and they spend the next few minutes sweeping the clearing to expose the forest floor.
As Tiko and Brunner work, Wendy’s senses hum a dull, throbbing rhythm which puts Sully on higher alert. They are twins enough that he can sense her uneasiness. Sully keeps one ear focused on the various pockets of conversation while the rest of his attention is split between watching the forest and the frozen stream. Wendy knows that Sully will be in guard mode until Sepulveda arrives, then will switch to investigate or escort as needed. He carried the shotgun broken open in the crook of his left elbow while they walked to the site. Now, he has his rifle at the ready and his shotgun is in its back scabbard angled for a quick draw if needed. His sidearm is in a thigh holster and his black tactical vest with bright orange velcro is worn over his bright red coat. A small pistol is holstered in his tac vest ready for a cross-draw if needed. Though Ranger Brunner indicated decreased hunting, they aren’t taking any chances and the rest are wearing bright orange vests.
The lowkey rhythm indicates nothing in the immediate area, but something’s disturbed the balance inherent to a forest stream. Whether it was the deceased body or another anomaly, Wendy can’t pinpoint. Tewow stands off to the side of the clearing. He managed to coax a couple of sparrows to join him and now seems to be communicating with them. Sheriff Ulate approaches Wendy’s side leaving Brunner to stand with Sully.
“Mr. Tewow’s made a couple of sputzie friends, I see. I wonder if they’re giving him any concrete information?”
Wendy’s never heard of a sputzie sparrow, it must be a species native to this area. She makes a note to look it up when she has a chance. The reception in the forest isn’t great and it takes too long for information to pull up on her phone, as she’s discovered. “We’ll know soon enough what the birds tell Tewow, he’s good about that. Even if they tell him nothing, he’ll loop us in. And he won’t bog us down with too much information, only what we need to work from. I appreciate that about him.”
She and the sheriff wonder over to Vito taking pictures of the sky and waterline. “Diego didn’t ask me to, but I figure I’ll get some current photos for him if he needs it. Something is off about this area, but I won’t look beyond the veil until Tiko finishes warding the clearing.”
Wendy turns her head and sees Tiko walking in a medium circle, scattering small handfuls of presumably bone shards into the dirt around the clearing. Tiko reminds her of growing up in New Orleans tossing scratch grains down for chicken feed. She doesn’t feel a pull towards the bone shards, which makes sense as she deals with the living. Humans are her primary concern, but she can also sense the general health of plants and animals, though nowhere near as acutely as flora or fauna PsySapients. She leaves Sheriff Ulate assisting Vito with using comparison and scale for the picture taking while Wendy walks to Tiko and keeps pace beside him.
“I wish we had a terra PsySapient with us. I know it’s a rare talent and they’re mostly used for mining and geology stuff, but the ground is restless. Libby and I can try to communicate with the earth, but we speak through blood or bone. The connection doesn’t last more than an hour and I hope nothing is lost in translation.”
Even after thirteen years living in PsyTown-Albuquerque, Wendy is often amazed at the breadth of what various Psycepts can do. Prior to moving SWACon, Wendy’s only exposure to sage-like people were several witchdoctors who visited her grandmother. Witchdoctors can look at person’s blood for diagnosis or cast bones for all manner of reasons. It wasn’t until later when most witchdoctors were identified as TouchVoyants of the sage category rather than PsyWitch like Wendy that she thought further about their distinctions. She can sense a person’s unwellness where many witchdoctors need samples to work with. Also, while Wendy and witchdoctors use herbs and charms extensively in their healing, PsyWitches can directly heal or influence a person while witchdoctors can’t. With Tiko’s comment, she adds communicating with the earth to things that sages and by extension, witchdoctors, can do.
We’re on our way. Both Diego and I have new information to contribute.
Thanks, Libby. Me and one of the law enforcement people will meet y’all at the parking lot in 10 minutes or so. Tiko and Tewow are working on stuff too so might have something when we get back.
Wendy lets everyone know about the rest of their party joining them, then she and Ranger Brunner head to the parking lot. Wendy’s hand rests on her
