While the trees beyond Cedarwood had yet to become deciduous, summer was seemingly enjoying its stay in Relic Lore. The forests and grasses were vibrant shades of green, and the river as well as the occasional breezes helped relieve various creatures of the heat. Everywhere there was life, prey was abundant, the fields were flecked with colorful blossoms, and even the Lyall brood had started to exhibit newly discovered quirks of their own. At nearly two months old, the five puppies had grown old enough to explore what lay beyond the tree that had served as their sanctuary and playground. Their being weaned also showed that perhaps Borden ought to call the Grizzly Hollow wolves together to socialize, bond, and hunt as a pack. An evening like this one seemed to be perfect for such an affair.

The grizzled leader had been walking along the edges of his territory when he noticed something. A marsh (and not just open grassland) laid just outside his territory and it was a smorgasbord for fallow deer. He crouched low to the ground, watching the large herd graze for a moment. They hadn't heard him. Creeping back into the depths of the forest, he let out a short howl, alerting his family about what he had just found.

He waited for a few minutes then stealthily made his way back to where he had stopped in his tracks prior to his discovery. They would meet him here soon enough.

power playing puppies to the marsh as i'm sure they would follow their mom. ;)

The day was not yet at a close as evening had only fallen upon Relic Lore. But with the changing of time the air was nice, and cool and she sat near the pack den, enjoying the peaceful time while the children played before bedtime. Her gaze was watchful trying to get taps on all her children when her mate beckoned them to come for a chance of deer meat. The invitation could not be resisted. Her body was finally back to normal, but she had yet to fully take a break from watching the litter of puppies. It was a constant job, and her escapes from them were brief. She was still worried something bad would happen to them when they were not in sight, in her reach. Today, was different she would ask another to stay with them she told herself. It would be a good change for her, and them.

Standing up, she let out a soft bark to the five Lyall cubs for their attention. They had yet to see a hunt, much less travel beyond Cedar Forest, and hopefully the sounds of a new adventure would keep them close to her. "We are going to go for a long walk outside the forest, and you'll get to watch your first hunt. But you must stay close to me okay?" She spoke in a quiet, yet serious tone hoping they each knew she would not hesitate to keep them here if they wandered too far. She soon smiled to each one, and her white tail wagged behind her quickly. "Alright we ready?" She asked, taking a quick head count. All five where there, and appeared eager. "Now lets use our noses, and find your dad," she said encouraging them to use their senses. Soon the six Lyalls set out from home.

The journey went rather smooth, considering their were five pairs of curious eyes, ears, and five individual noses. She caught Borden's scent, and traced it into the marsh where she spotted not only him, but Aisling, and Vlar. She grinned from ear to ear, proud of the group behind her, and to see the fellow wolves of Grizzly Hollow. Mismatched eyes took in the rest of the setting, and she paused momentarily, turning round to the following flock. "Children, see those," she said tilting her head to the deer herd, "That's what we eat, and we must keep quiet not to scare them. So we gotta whisper, and not bark if you want a full tummy." She winked to them, sure they would do their best, and than continued the walk to her mate.

She greeted him with a gentle caress to his throat, and smiled thoughtfully to both blond, and white lady. She hoped that the rest of the pack would show quickly, but sat deciding to patiently wait, and further watch the children's reaction to this new place. She was sure the rest of the pack would show, it would only be a matter of when.

It was after her encounter with her Alpha's brother did Elettra make way back home. Although she had meant the venture to be for gaining herbs, by the forced stop by the storm and the distraction of the larger, timber male she had found, Elettra found herself now empty handed. Finally dry and the sun once more a shine on the lands, she felt wasted by her morning now that she had accomplished nothing. Surely she would be in need for a hunt- something small for herself, granted Jays needed less of her help now that she was not locked up in her den, milking five restless children. When the call came, beckoning for a pack hunt, Elettra was thrilled. She was in need of food and, the timing could not have seemed more of a perfection. Having been nearly out of the willow lands, she was making way already to the marsh when Broden's call sounded, requesting a gathering of those members within his small pack, now much larger, actually, with the addition of five.

Slinking her way along the edges of the marsh lands, Elettra Archer could easily see the to-be prey; the herd was large, well fed and clearly there would be much to choose from. Already most of the wolves of Grizzly Hollow had arrived- Broden, of course, his mate, Vlarindara who had recently returned and who El could only expect was Aisling. There were only four women pack and because of having met all but one, Elettra could only assume this was her. All light colored- pelts of pale gray, creams, or even white of the snows. Elettra was an oddity and rarity within Grizzly Hollow, granted the darker nature of her coloration- an undercoat of silver-grey, a top coating of black edged with milky lips and undertones of golden hues. Her salt-and-pepper nature had not been much valued in her home pack, ether, granted the lighter you were, the more valuable to the pack you were.

Watching as two of the women showed displays of respect and submission to their leader, and Jays came along, children in tow, Elettra made way to the grouping as well. Head level, tail though dropped, she would offer small nods to both Aisling and Vlardinara before turning to her leading pair. It is here where her ears fell, tail still drooped, and she offered a delicate bow of respect. Unlike the others who offered nuzzles, belly rolls and licks, Elettra kept her placement on all fours, her royal, bold nature never wavering. She had proved enough times by Jaysyek that she was to be trusted though her lifestyle remained far different.

The little girl kept ears perked high on her head, listening close to the words that bubbled from her mother's lips. Her understanding was to keep close to her, and they were headed somewhere new. Her tail could not help but wiggle carelessly behind her. Somewhere new was always alright with her! A happy yip was given, and she nudged at her nearest sibling. Quickly as Jayse stood she took off, using her nose as her mother suggested to try, and find her father's scent. Of coarse she was hit with millions of scents, so many wanting to pull her this way, or that. She did best to concentrate determined to beat her brothers, and sister at this.

The walk was long for her short limbs, but she had boundless energy. When she smelt what she was sure was Borden, her tail wiggled, and she bobbed forward eager to meet him. The looming frame of her mother stopped looking beyond, talking about food. Little head turned curious, and she poked her nose up trying to see this food. She saw tall, creatures with huge ears, and stared wide eyed for a moment at the strange things. This was food? She looked to her mother with a quirked brow, and front paw raised. But quickly nodded her head, she could be quiet, or least she try.

The gray lady moved once more, and she was quick on her heals. She waited impatiently to greet her father. Once the moment came she scrambled to his chest, and tried to nudge his throat by standing on his paws, tail wiggling all the way.

He had been napping, his sides heaving as he chased an imaginary foe through the fog of his dream. Curled up in the grass as the sun began to fall below the horizon, he had no intention of moving for the remainder of the day. Sometimes one just needed a break from the world, and today, Raigo was taking it. He needed to. His body was worn out from what seemed like days of travel, and ever since he had been back, he hadn't really stayed put in a single place, but had wandered to and fro. First it was to find Vlar, and then it was to help Skylah. So today, he was taking his time and using it to rest up. As the second in command, despite his young age, he knew it was a selfish act, but even Borden and Jayse liked to get away from time to time. Though now that Grizzly Hollow had been overriden with puppies, that time away was certainly dwindling.

A loud "woof" broke from his sealed lips as the short howl of his alpha roused him from sleep. Still half in his dream, the youth half sprang, half stumbled to his feet and lunged in a random direction, ending up with his nose in the dirt as he tripped over an ironically placed stick. Groaning with some displeasure, Raigo shook his head, willing his dreams where he had been chasing the white stag away. Borden had wanted his attention, along with the rest of the pack. Something about deer. Perhaps they would be eating today?

Forcing himself up onto all four paws, the youth took off towards the direction, revitalized by his daytime snooze. It didn't take him terribly long to reach the gathering, where he spotted not only his leader, but his mate and their five offspring. Additionally, his sister was there, along with Elettra and Aisling. Approaching, his head dipped respectfully, and the tip of his tail wagged in greeting. But the smell of deer was strong in his nose, and he knew better than to stay unnecessary words right now.

Minutes passes and one by one the wolves of Grizzly Hollow arrived. His trio of white ladies, his curious children, and the both of the pack's appointed Seconds. He was careful to note each and every one of their actions, how they respectfully greeted him and responded to the others. After being away from the others and busy with his own agenda, he made sure to take the opportunity to quickly check for any shifts in the hierarchy. As Arlette trotted forth and stood on his paws, his attention was diverted and he simply gave her a smile, silently praising her for her little token of reverence.

He ran his tongue over the base of one of her ashen ears. "Shhh," he whispered, before straightening his posture and giving a welcoming nod to all. He pointed with his nose to the herd of deer, which he was certain everyone had immediately noticed, then took a step forward. His eyes scanned the marsh about for sizable victim but it seemed that any of the does were fair game. Fallow deer, being less muscular than others of their species, were basically and automatically considered an easy catch if nothing went awry...

Devising a plan after sizing up the hunting party, he silently gestured for Elettra, Jayse and Vlarindara to start scouting on the left- and right-hand side of the mire. He and Raigo, like the previous time they had hunted together, would wait for their prey to blindly fall into their grasp. Lastly he glanced to his daughter and gently nudged her in Aisling's direction. With a rather hard and solemn stare, he indicated without words that she - and her siblings - were to stay here and watch... quietly, patiently, and attentively... while the adults planned for the upcoming feast. Only until after the Aisling swept the puppies away would Borden crouch down and slowly merge as best as he could into a sparse patch of foliage to wait.

The ash stroked leader caught Elettra's familiar scent before she saw the dark coated lady. She was not surprised she was next on the scene. The lady had been most helpful, and loyal a canine earning a higher place in the Grizzly Hollow Jaysyek was pleased she carried herself in that place. She had more than earned it. Head titled in a quick nod, both approval and greeting to the medic. Quickly her attention was separated at least five different ways. A hint of a smile broke on her lips at her daughter's affection to her father, and for the hundredth time she took a head count to make sure no one had wandered to far. They were close, and being as quiet as could be expected. She saw the young Raigo appear, and gave a nod of head to the male with a silent smile glad he made it as well.

A quiet shhh from Borden brought the tips of her ears back, and she looked seeing him indicate quiet directions. She nodded silent understanding, but briefly pausing as he nudged Arlette to Aisling's direction. She nodded her head in approval to silence any questions from the children or Aisling. Though she was sure the look of their sire would do it's job. Besides she knew Ailsing would take good care of them, and tried to have faith they would behave for her. Once they seemed like good sports to follow, she looked to the remaining ladies, and signaled she was taking the left pathway.

Calm stealth she pushed thoughts of her children in the back of her mind, and steadied her rapid breath, and pulse. Stretching out her body she crawled close to the earth, and took cover in the pale foliage going out around the deer where she could best be unheard, and unseen. It took awhile, but eventually she made sure to be placed slightly ahead of the herd, looking close over each one deciding what one might be the best for the hungry pack while waiting for the other ladies to be in position.