Zutar climbed through the home tree in Eridanus, attempting to find Rift. Apparently, it seemed that he had no clue of what happened to one of his members. Well, it would be Zutar who would let him know on what happened to his follower, and the danger that Astraea was. From above, she spotted the cougar in the garden, and she gracefully climbed down. She remembered Rift, from when she was singing that song about the war that happened between the kingdom and the bloodberries, and he told her not to sing it. She was a child then, but she was an adult now. She carefully approached Rift, not wanting to surprise him. Her voice was filled with dread. "Rift, it has been a while since I have laid eyes on you. I hope you recognize me. I'm Zutar, Aetius's daughter, do you remember?" She looked at the garden for a moment. "The garden seems different, less than I remember. I have to speak with you, if you have the time." Her (British) accent was clear in her voice as she spoke. She made sure her feathers were in order with her talons, waiting for the green cougar to speak.

@Rift

Rift was busy tending to his garden, but it was without the usual spirit that he usually displayed, trudging through the paths, carefully prunning away the sick leaves, tearing out bits of weeds that were springing up, watering what he could, and nudging some of the smaller ones along with magic. It might be a long time before he returned here...

He looked up as someone began to speak to him, spying a vaguely familiar face. It took him a second of blank staring to pinpoint her identity, but he got it a moment later. "Oh, yes. Zutar. It's been a while." He remembered Aetius too, the young owl that had lived in the tree. He hadn't seen her for a while, but members of the Kingdom came and went through the caves. He hadn't been very concerned. "Yes, it is always growing. And some seek to destroy it." A quick glance and a flash of anger towards the once eaten away section, that Rift had swiftly revived with magic. "Yes, what can I do for you?"

@Zutar

Rift seemed to be in good spirits as far as she could tell. But he may not be after what she was going to explain to him. She spoke in a serious tone, so that Rift understood that this was important. Her voice dropped gravely. "Rift, I am going to tell you something very important right now. There is a master in the caves, known as Astraea, a deer. There is a reason why you may have not seen Aetius in a while.." She took a short breath before continuing. "Astraea murdered Aetius. He ripped her stone from her, and turned her entire body into goop. The reason why he did it, is because Aetius knew what he looked like, before he was a deer. He also threatened to kill a child Rift. A leopard seal. All because Aetius told that child what he looked like before he was a deer as well. The reason why he murdered Aetius and threatened to kill a child, was all because he didn't want his secret of what he used to look like to spread out. He killed my mother and threatened to kill a child for his own selfish desires, Rift." Zutar struggled to control the anger in her voice. "I found out from the leopard seal, the child, of what Astraea did. I didn't want to believe it. Then I went to Fornax and searched. I saw a pile of goop, but the scent was unmistakable. It was Aetius, and feathers surrounded her body which was nothing, but goop. I took some of her feathers as a memory." Zutar then looked Rift in the eyes. "Rift, if you ever encounter Astraea, you best be careful, lest you lose your life. He is a dark creature on the inside. He could kill you in an instant for no reason if he wishes, just as he did Aetius." Zutar's voice was very grave. Rift needed to understand the danger of Astraea.

@Rift

Zutar was wildly incorrect about her assumption that Rift was in good spirits - he wasn't at all displaying the same spirit that he usually did when caring for his garden. Rift tensed a little when Zutar mentioned Astraea and eyes widened. He already knew where this was going, the reason he hadn't seen the owl for some time. Zutar didn't even have to say it - anger filled him, rage like no other, that Astraea had come here and had given them such a dirty mission after murdering one of their own. Perhaps he didn't know Aetius was part of the Kingdom but either way - it was just another very heavy reason on a growing list of reasons not to trust Astraea and the Masters. "I know of Astraea, and of both his cruelty and his danger. Thank you for telling me this, Zutar. I am...so sorry for your loss."

He paused and glanced around before looking back towards the young hybrid. "You cannot tell anyone this - your life may depend on your ability to keep your mouth shut. Astraea has threatened us as well. He gave us a job and refusal means almost certain death. We won't do it," he added, "but it would be best for you to stay away from these gardens for a while, at least for the next few cycles."

@Zutar

Zutar was satisfied that Rift knew of the bastard deer and how untrustworthy Astraea was. Though, she took heed of what Rift had to say. She made note, to stay away from Eridanus. What task was did Astraea give Rift's group? She did not know. Her ears flattened out of concern for Rift and his group. She was unable to keep herself from asking. "Thank you Rift for your condolences, but.... What job could Astraea possibly have given you to do? If you don't mind me asking that is. I will heed your words and make sure to stay away from Eridanus, of course." The young one felt that the kingdom was practically family, as her mother was a member. She was also born in Eridanus, were the group was founded.

@Rift

Rift shook his head. He'd seen the question coming and had an answer ready and waiting. "I can't tell you, I'm sorry. Only those in the Kingdom know, and only out of necessity. It would both both of us in danger if I were to tell you - the less information spreads, the less the risk of it being discovered."

@Zutar

Zutar nodded her head in understanding. She looked at Rift with warmth in her eyes as she spoke. "I understand Rift. Even though I was never truly part of the kingdom, you were like family to me. Please, make sure you and your kingdom are careful. Dealing with Astraea and defying him is worse the worst danger you could face. I will be going now. Staying in Eridanus any longer is not safe. Safe travels, Rift." With that she left Rift and headed out of Eridanus. She could only pray for their safety. She wouldn't put it past Astraea to slaughter them all if he found them.

-Exit

@Rift

Rift nodded, grateful that she wasn't going to pry anymore. He sighed with relief as she turned and left the gardens. The fewer that had to suffer through this, the better.

He turned back to his garden, and sat down once again, unwilling to tear himself away once again.

*exit