He had said his goodbyes, and gathered his courage, setting out with the static grey wolf at his side, the two maintaining a ground eating pace away from the forest he had come to call his home, through the blackberry feilds and the wildcherry orchard. They were on the edge of the Cedarwood Forest when his nerves finally kicked in. What if they were turned away? What if he couldn't learn all he needed to and one of his packmates died even though it was preventable? He stopped in his tracks, and looked to the younger wolf, eyes wide with unspoken fears. It was the first time he had allowed himself to appear vulnerable in front of anyone but Ruiko. He finally gave voice to his fears... "What if I fail? He was doing this out of need. Failure wasn't an option. He needed to do this for the good of his pack. He began to wish he had listened more to his grandmother, like his sisters had... And now he was proof that not all healers were female, as he and his brother had often used as an excuse when they were younger. Healing is for girls... How he regretted those comments now. It was a miracle Rebecca had pulled through, fortunate the willow was nearby when that strange wolf fell and tore her leg open, but he couldn't be lucky forever. He gathered his resolve, shaking his long golden coat to release the built up tension and smiling to his companion. He would do this because he had to, for the good of his pack.

The sun shone brightly in the sky. Winter's chill saturated the dry, golden lands, and a soft breeze gave life to the sallow trees that towered over the two wolves as they pressed onward. A familiar fire burned in Volkan's chest. Finally— here she was, part of the fabled new pack, and no less, embarking on a hunt. Why they couldn't have enlisted more actual pack members instead of hitting up Grizzly Hollow baffled her slightly. But she attempted, as the two wolves neared the neighboring pack's border, to see the other side of things. Copper Rock Creek was fragile yet; as such a newly formed pack, they were especially vulnerable, so perhaps the choice not to risk more lives than necessary had been a good one. Besides, she realized, interpack relations were important too, right?

All she could hope, for awkwardness' sake, was that Elettra was still around. The Grizzly Hollow scent was a unique one of earth, pine, and a wolf she'd never met— but she remembered it well from Elettra, and as she and Kano approached the first line of the Hollow's trees, she knew they had come to the right place. A small smile crossed her face as Ruiko's Second voiced his fears aloud; she'd picked up on his trepidation, but somehow wasn't fazed by it. After all, hunts were just fights, right? Just fights with large, dangerous prey. No big deal. She flashed him a grin, taking a moment to shift her weight, leaning against his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry," she responded, eyes to the ground. "The more we freak out, the harder this gets. Just try to keep your head and you'll be fine."

Strange it was, giving advice to a wolf older than she was. But Volkan meant what she said, and she pulled away from him, preparing herself to do exactly the thing she'd been taught not to do. Given Kano's hesitation, she figured she'd do it herself— so Volkan lifted her head to the bright sky, sending out a bright, abrasive howl as a summons for any Grizzly Hollow wolf nearby.

The physical contact helped to centre the golden wolf and he smiled to the young female at his side. Yes, she was right, he needed to keep keep his head. He took a moment to feel the earth beneath the snow, scent the forest around him. The scent of the cedarwood and pine helped to settle his nerves, so like the scent of his birthplace, and the scent of pack. This was why they were here.

Volkan called, her abrasive howl, now so familiar to the male at her side. They were family now in the males yellow eyes and he wouldn't let any harm come to her. There was a short deep howl in response to the one his companion had sounded and his tail wagged a little involuntarily. As the dark lady came into sight his tail stilled, ears lowers slightly and tail low. He may be second on his own packs lands but here he was a visitor, and would show due respect to all wolves who belonged to the pack they were seeking.

It appeared the two women were acquainted so Kano maintained his silent observance. While he was generally an outgoing and friendly wolf the imposing though lax woman before him unsettled his confidence and he was worried that if he said the wrong thing, they may be chased off, although it was polite to at least introduce himself and state why they had come. "We come from the pack of Copper Rock Creek, our leader Ruiko sends his regards to the wolves of the Hollow. I am Kanosak, the second. I was hoping to learn a little of medicine if time permits. I know the season is not ideal, but with spring comes... other priorities." he added the last with a wry smile, he knew winter was hardly the time to learn of herbs, but with spring came pups and they would all be too busy to allow time for learning.

Volkan was a little surprised to hear her call answered so promptly, but she lifted her brows excitedly at Kano at the sound. Who it was wasn't clear yet, but they'd know soon enough. And before too long, a large, dark female stepped out of the trees, her scent that of the Hollow, sure enough. A smile crossed Volk's lips. "Elettra," she replied, issuing her a curt, respectful nod. Thankfully it had been her— this way they might be able to skip some of the introductions, and she was genuinely glad to see the other female again.

Kanosak launched into his ad rem explanation for what they were doing at the borders of the Hollow, and Volkan held still, glancing back and forth between the two. Did Grizzly Hollow know of the Creek's formation as a pack yet? As he finished his little speech, her tail began to flick impatiently, only a hint of this showing in her pale eyes. Herbs? Wait, that's why they were here? She glanced questioningly at the Second, opening her mouth to speak a second before words actually came out.

"But I mean," she added casually, "I know I wouldn't mind hunting with you again too, and strength comes in numbers in the dead of winter," Volkan finished with a smirk, turning once more to look at Kano, anticipating his discomfort with slight amusement. They'd come here to heal? Laaaame. Volkan wanted to run, attack, fight. Tear into some flesh already..

A smile passed his lips at her terms. "Your terms are more than agreeable Lady Elettra." taking his cue from Volkan's introduction. He wasn't sure she caught his earlier introduction but didn't want to come across as a fool introducing himself more than once. Besides, if they made a decent kill the two wolves of average build would struggle to carry any more than a small portion each home, and the hunting was far better in the Wildwood than it was at Copper Rock Creek.

He was glad the eager young female had accompanied him. Although neither may know the true reason she had been chosen to accompany him he had the feeling it only had a little to do with her prior introduction to the imposing woman they were now conversing with. The male stranger was still testing their borders at home and younger females were often the target of rogue raids. While he held every belief the girl could handle herself, he was already beginning to view her as a younger sister and would be forced to tear anyone who threatened her limb from limb.

The mention of Ruiko stirred something odd yet noticeable in Elettra, and at this Volkan fought back a smirk. Ruiko's name seemed to get interesting reactions anywhere she went, though secretly, she couldn't be prouder of that. What fun would it be to serve a boring leader? Ruiko came with his mysteries; Volk knew she'd probably never figure him out, but she liked it that way. Anyway, Elettra finished her response to their request, and Volk narrowed her eyes slightly. The stubborn part of her wanted to protest. We come all the way here, learn something from you, hunt with you, and then take away a smaller portion? It didn't seem perfectly fair, but she told herself begrudgingly that the Creek wolves weren't in a position to argue.

Fine. Whatever. "Let's get started?" she proposed with somewhat of a forced smile, icy gaze moving between her two companions. The sooner they could get to the hunting part, the better. No part of Volkan wanted to sit around watching Elettra talk about herbs, but she supposed she had to do her duty to the pack, right...? After a second of consideration, she added, "I'll learn, too. We'll help each other," she said, looking to Kano. Better, she guessed, than her sitting around doing nothing— and given Elettra's stiff terms, they'd better get the best bang for their buck.

A small smile crossed his face at Volkan's reaction. He was glad he would not be learning alone but then Elettra's next question had him reeling. What did he know already? He had to think back to his lessons as a pup, flicking through his grandmothers melodic voice and the plants they had been shown. A lot was mixed in with either half remembered or completely dismissed information. He would need to take a moment to think as they walked.

After what felt like a lifetime to the man, probably only a few minutes in reality he spoke. "Chew willow for pain and swelling, dried mushroom tops can help to clear infections when added to open wounds. Snapdragons can be used in a poultice for ulcers, but can also be used on other inflammation. Houseleek can be used for ear infections and possibly burns, although I have never seen it used for this purpose. Blueberries when dried are good for stomach upset, particularly in the young, but the leaves crushed in some water are also good for swelling. Blackberries are also good for upset stomaches and curing coughs..." He took a moment to think over what else he could offer. "Pine sap and cobwebs can be used to close wounds, but both can also cause infection. A better remedy, particularly if the cut is already infected is to place the stem of a dwarf fireweed in the cut. It will draw out infection and encourage the wound to close sooner. You just have to remember to remove it before the wound seals around it..."

There was probably more but that was all he could offer the lady for now. He looked to his younger companion with a small smile, wondering if she would have anything to add to the shared knowledge.