Willow Ridge A legend made - Printable Version

and with a spark its going to be
Art by Marina!

The night had been both in eventful and exhausting one for the two Willow Ridge leaders. They had slipped off silently and secretly into the darkness, leaving their pups to their other halves and had they been spotted by one of their members, had not been followed far. Their pale forms were like wraiths moving through the night as they moved east into the far reaches of their territory. They had thought to hunt but not had expected luck to be on their side this night. As it was willed, they picked up the scent of blood and followed on instinctively. Though it was rare for wolves, especially of the forest, to hunt mountain goat it was also rare for goat to be injured in battle. In this case, it had been. A duel which had caused an unfortunate slip off the mountains for one young buck who had not quite been experienced enough. It was a wonder the fall down the mountain side had not killed the beast but it had managed to survive enough to crawl it's way to rest along a knoll and wait for what only was left... Death.

When the two wolves found the young buck it did not take much effort to avoid it's horns and kill it given its state. What took time and much effort was the haul of the kill back to the pack den. By now the sun had barely lifted into the sky which lit up with bright red, pink, yellow and orange tones. They would settle the kill before the large mouth of the pack den, the fresh scent of meat likely to rouse anyone still asleep from the night before. To any of those who had already gotten an early start as themselves, Ravenna lifted her head to the sky and called out to her members before they got far off. A meeting and celebration of the Pack's success was gravely overdue.

the biggest fire they've ever seen

It was a momentous thing, christened in ram's blood and crowned by dawn's buttercup-yellow rays. Six years the pack had lasted now, and while the grand stories of Torbine that Sven had grown up on dwarfed that time considerably, it was an unheard of reign in Relic Lore -- especially lasting under one family. Sven was exceptionally proud to partake in keeping the Ridge under Archer rule, and despite trouble with their own kin earlier in the year, the pack seemed to be thriving under the cousins' watchful eyes. They both had healthy, flourishing children, neither their partners had vanished as so many others had Summers before, and their numbers were strong, stable.

A celebration was indeed called for.

Sven gave the carcass one last tug into place as Ravenna called out to the sky. His blood-stained lips were parted widely as his tongue lolled freely, light pants heating the summer air further. It had been a work out, but the young man had always enjoyed the more difficult things in life. Certainly, it was worth the effort to allow the pack a feast while the leading duo made their announcements.

For those who'd knew the male well enough, it shouldn't be surprising to find out that the man was up and about on a such early hours. Hell, he wasn't even down once throughout the night to begin with as the male had been usually most active during the dark hours. There were various reasons for it, ranging from the self imposed duties to simple facts like that the man had simply preferred to sleep through the biggest heat of the day thanks to his thick coat. Whatever the reason, the man had wondered silently for a better part of the night why both of the alphas had sneaked out earlier just right after sundown. Blackmoore let himself did so because of simple curiosity, as the discovery haven't made him worry in the slightest. After all neither of them seemed to be the type to leave their children behind to put the matters out in a straightforward way...

As expected, the creeping morning had come with explanations as the male was investigating the trail that was left by the returning pair just as he'd heard the call from Ravenna. Thankfully for the man, being already on a right track and unburdened had let him to appear before the two in no time - despite the fact that they had set up themselves (and the caught game) just outside from a probably occupied pack den. Slightly surprised by the fact he'd appeared to be first, the man had tilted his head respectfully as he approached the both without a word - however with a revealing weariness in his movements after another night spent on "a job" as he'd would probably say if asked about it.

Right now all he had to do was to wait for others to learn what it was all about...

Adeltra had been curled up with the puppies, happily snoozing with their forms slung across her. The spot she normally slept in was at the mouth of the infirmary den, perfect for her as she was easily awakened and would detect if any of her adoptive siblings got up to sneak out in the middle of the night. She’d been aroused from her slumber in the middle of the night, briefly, as her cousins had tiptoed their way out but she’d paid it no mind. Instead, she’d scooted groggily further into the den and went back to sleep. If it had been important, she was sure that the leading pair would have notified her to be on guard.

Her nose twitched in her sleep, detecting the scent of something...delicious. Her mouth watered, increasing the amount of drool that pooled onto the ground from her ajar jaws. She lifted her head, honeyed-amber gaze blinking open before she gave a drowsy yawn. Was that...goat? Ravenna’s call rang into the air, echoing against the walls of the den and the girl made to detangle herself from any limbs that might have been clinging to her. She waddled to the opening of the den, blinking the sleep from her eyes in the early morning light. Before her laid the carcass of a large goat, surprise evident on her features.

She exited from the den entirely, stretching her tight muscles and smacking her lips before moving forward to rub affectionately at her cousins’ cheeks and chests despite the blood. “I see you two were busy while the rest of us snoozed,” she mused, turning to lay down near the kill but in a place that would allow her full view of the two leaders. What was this announcement about? The kill was nice, sure, but the smell was announcement enough smack dab in front of the communal den. What else was on the agenda?

not looking for some fairytale bliss

Art by Marina!

The new mother had been aware of Ravenna's departure in the middle of the night. She'd remained in the den curled around their pups but she hadn't gotten much sleep. Her curiosity about what had taken her friend from the pups at such a late hour had been on her mind all night. Finally in the early morning hours, she was sure it had to be before the sun rose to spread light across the territory her eyes finally closed. For a short time she was able to sleep the scent that drifted into the infirmary den from the entrance of the main den didn't even wake her.

It was finally the call from Ravenna that cause Leotie's eyes to slowly open to find that it was still just her and the pups. The call spoke of a meeting a celebration, something she didn't think the pups would want to miss out on or that they should miss out on. They were old enough now they could start to understand what was going on.

She nudged each of them to urge the to exit the den and go find out what the silver woman wanted. Once she felt the were roused enough to follow she led them from the den out into the morning air where she found the Alpha's along with Blackmoore and Addy. She glanced back toward the den to make sure the children were coming before dipping her head to Sven and Ravenna. She had noticed the carcass they had with them as well as the fact that Addy and Blackmoore were already there. She settled a short distance away to wait for what would come next.

i want something just like this

Blitz was discovering that being both a father and a worthy guardian of the Ridge, was a challenge. One that he welcomed. Though often hard pressed for time patrolling the borders and spending time with his family, he somehow made it work. His passion for protecting his now forever home ran deep, just like the sea blood in his veins. That very same passion extended to love for his children and the gray woman who had brought them into this world. For the first time in years, he truly felt settled here amongst the willows. He had created a life for himself here, and in turn, ushered in new lives as well. In a foreign land, he had found his niche in one of the longest reigning packs.

Numbers were stable, elevated. The new life in the form of the four pups brought an air of excitement, contagious to all pack members. With the addition of Blackmoore, who also seemed well suited for a guardian, the jet black male found that he could more easily divide his time. His schedule wasn't as tight and while Blackmoore took his shift marking the borders, Blitz used this free time to spend with the family. He knew the man's routine well enough; his absence in the den was sure sign that he was out, during the dark hours before dawn. Ravenna and Sven had departed sometime in the night. He had stirred only once, cracking an acid green eye open after their pale, retreating forms. Sprawled out beside his athletic torso, were Ragnar and Freyja. Though growing rapidly, they were still young and the father liked to stay close. Even if it meant putting up with puppy bites to his ears, muzzle and tail. For such an intimidating, gruff wolf, Blitz was infinitely patient with children. Especially his own.

He was awoken from his slumber from a celebratory howl, belonging to the voice of Ravenna. Through bleary but happy eyes, he squinted out towards the first gentle rays of daylight. He breathed in and the metallic tang of blood was ripe in the air. His empty stomach gurgled at the thought of fresh, tender meat. The rumbling noise and the scent of blood was plenty enough to jolt the cubs awake, clumsy paws pushing against his side and legs. Parting his maw in a toothy yawn, he nudged his son and daughter up, placing a kiss behind their ears. Ducking low once, he climbed out of the cool, rocky shelter of the den, pups in tow. Gathered outside were Ravenna and her co-lead, Leotie, Blackmoore and Adeltra. Deposited on the ground was the carcass of a ram. A rare prize indeed, and a delicacy of which Blitz had never sampled before. Courtesy of his Alpha's, judging by their bloodied muzzles. His eyes crinkled with good humor. "Well well well...it's not everyday we wake up to breakfast so early." He knew Ravenna wouldn't have called simply to share a meal. There was more to this occasion. Flicking his eyes to each of his alphas in a silent show of respect, and sat himself down close by.

He found himself stretching out as far as his long limbs would go, side by side with his sister as usual with his front legs pressed into his father's black belly but and his back legs on Adeltra somewhere. He was content in this wolf pile while he slumbered, bodies tangled within one another.

Though the call of his mother and and cousin he had already learned in his six and a half weeks of life was two voices that should never be ignored. Though he was still getting used to Sven's voice it did not take long for the pup to naturally understand his importance in the pack. His mother's song however is what beckoned them all this morning and, as the woman he had known the longest besides the one whom shared place in her womb, he answered quick.

Scrambling up onto his paws he followed after the others who were making way outside the den. Mother always had some kind of prize for him and his siblings and today was no different. There was food, food which he padded towards and tugged at one of the hooves with a growl. Though his attention was caught by the sunrise, the sky beautifully colored and he plopped down with a short puppy howl.

She was not privy to the history of Willow Ridge as some of its honorary members were. This did not bother her, as it had been before her time in the pack, but it might have been comforting to know that the Ridge had been at a point that the Woodlands had been just before its disbandment quite a few times. It spoke volumes that they always bounced back.

The young woman was resting in the common den when a call for the pack rang out over the territory. Light brown eyes blinked sleepily against the rising sun outside of the den. The dark girl's jaws parted in a yawn and she stood up to stretch, shaking her pelt as she exited the den to rid it of any dust particles. She was quick to make her way towards where her alphas summoned them. Many already gathered and a small smile formed on the dark girl's face as she watched one of the children tug on the mountain goat. Returning her gaze to Ravenna and Sven, she offered them a dip of her head in respect before she took a seat, curious as to what this meeting was about.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de