PRESERVERS
When Ketsal's Band left the Palace, they took a flock of approximately twenty Preservers with them. When the tribe left the Old Settlement, three Preservers remained there with Charise and Argus, and are still with them at present. When the rest of the tribe was split in two by the Sundering, the Preservers ended up with Meiron's group. Except for Sparkledark, who accompanied Avensyn when he left, the Preservers remained in the Hidden Valley with Meiron's people until the trolls overran the Valley in TWR 641.After the sack of the Hidden Valley, the Preserver flock lived in the Valley for awhile, but eventually, they began making journeys elsewhere, either to search for more highthings, or just because they got bored. They would return to the Valley periodically, alone or in groups, but as the years went by these visits became less and less frequent. One Preserver, Flitterleaf, remained in the Valley full-time to watch over the wrapstuff-cocooned Piet as Piet's mother Periel had ordered it to do.
Where exactly the rest of the Preservers were and what they were doing for the next five hundred years is not known. At least one of them, Fluster, became separated from the flock, and was found by Jheredd while he was out looking for Meiji. The rest of them were found by Keemara while returning to the Tower from her sojourn with the Plains Hunters, in TWR 1267/NH 87. Keemara dropped them off in New Hope, where the main flock currently resides. There are seventeen Preservers accounted for; it's not known if the missing ones are dead or still out wandering around. It is possible that the Preserver who wrapped up Wildwings is another stray from Ketsal's original flock, which might account for its peculiar attraction to Twillor and Wildwings, who resembles Twillor.
Preservers at New Hope:
Beebite: Yellow body, orange and red wings. Rather martial, for its kind, and is capable of keeping its mouth shut when stealth is necessary. It helps out the hawkriders and the Scouts as a scout/messenger/flying first aid kit. Doesn't 'belong' to anyone in particular, but it and Rahirah like each other and it's often found in the eyrie or the gardens at Trailingstar.Flitterleaf: Green body, green and yellow wings. Piet's Preserver. Less flighty and silly than most Preservers, more 'responsible'. Has a very good memory and takes its orders very seriously. Not as fanatical about keeping an eye on Piet as it used to be, but is still often found around Trailingstar Household.
Fursoft: Violet body, white and blue wings. Not very bright, even for a Preserver. One of the Preservers that Raniyel used to set on Tanyel to keep him safe; Tanyel can't stand the creature. Once set on doing something proceeds with an inexorable dim cheer. Travels to Tower Mountain at one point, runs afoul of Piri, and becomes the inadvertant cause of Beyla's being sent to New Hope for 'training'.
Petalrain: Purple body, green and yellow wings. Believe that its mission in life is to cheer up any elves it sees as sad... whether they want to be cheered up or not. (After NH 230, Midnight is its current project; before then anyone may be a victim.)
Rosedapple: Red body, pink and yellow wings.
Snowberry: White body, white and purple wings.
Shimmersong: Light blue body, lavender and green wings. Leravie’s, and later Nineki's Preserver. Unlike most Preservers, Shimmersong has perfect pitch, and sings beautifully. It is a member/mascot of the New Hope choir.
Sparklemoon: Green body, blue and orange wings. Cheerful, bouncy, and good-hearted. Even more easily distracted than most of its species by shiny bits of metal, a nest of colored eggs, the moons on a bright night, the forest fire over that ridge--"ooooooooooooooh, pretty!" Can be conned into helping with mayhem and mischief because...well, face it, it's not terribly bright. Cannot conceive that a "friend" could mean it serious harm and may insist on odd "friendships" that are not always joyously reciprocated. Being endowed with the usual Preserver toughness (and a hefty dose of luck), it isn't particularly aware of danger. Has some trouble distinguishing between information of dire consequence and mere trivia. Can get the munchies. Likes to curl up and sleep with people. Fond of perching on shoulders and heads; when excited, it bounces. Tremendously loving and helpful in its own maddening way.
Thistlecap: Orange body, green and red wings.
Tickletuft: Yellow body, blue and green wings.
Wavedance: Blue body, green and yellow wings. Mijo's Preserver, sails with him on the Shimmerbird and provides wrapstuff for any trade goods that have to be kept fresh.
Whistlenut: Purple body, gold and blue wings. "Plays" a nutshell, thinks it's a musician.
Preservers at the Tower:
Fluster: Pale yellow body, blue and green wings. Jheredd’s Preserver. It has bright blue eyes and wears different flowers for hats. Very mellow. It likes just floating around Jheredd and watching him if he happens to be around; otherwise tends to go find a child to play with. Loves females (and long hair to nest in).Sparkledark: Deep purple, almost black body; silver-gray eyes, and silvery wings with muted blues and purples with black coils and tiny touches of amber. Avensyn and Ninvi’s Preserver. Hat with white or grey flower petals, sometimes silver green leaves. Skilled in scouting, aerial acrobatics, and dancing. Likes Avensyn, white hair or fur or cloth, babies and children of any kind. Dislikes trolls, loud drums, and its own singing. Quiet and a bit reserved, protective of Avensyn or children. Doesn’t put herself forward and refuses to sing. Doesn’t mind others’ singing but doesn’t care to sing herself. Left Hidden Valley with Avensyn and traveled with him for a very long time.
Charise's Preservers:
Bluesplash: Powder-puff blue body, sky-blue and midnight blue trimmed wings.Flickerfoam: Turquoise body, pale blue/white trimmed wings.
Starshell: Carmine body, yellow/ ruby trimmed wings.
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