They often seemed to exchange the role of adult and child. They each took turns being the one comforting, and directing. He did not mind this. It was like a silent agreement between them, or maybe simple a natural part of their relationship. Who could solely be the strong wolf all the time? It was much easier to share burdens....and secrets. The Tainn was a bit surprised how close they had become in the time they'd known each other, in Indru's absence, and in the first steps against Rhysis himself. He had been so grateful when they started home in silence. Triell was certain a load of questions were waiting to be unleashed upon him. Ice deserved answers to them, but he was not sure where to start. It was like explaining things to Naira all over again, and even now he wasn't sure he'd didn't it right. What really kept consuming his thoughts when their paws rose, and fell....why Ice had launched himself on the silver and black wolf. He had reason to dislike Rhysis alright. But the young man couldn't help think that was only half of the anger that burned beneath the silver coat.


His golden eyes, tinted with orange would now and again cast sideways Ice a look. He had injuries, where Triell had none. It did not seem right, he wished they could trade that too. He was sure he caught some sound, teeth on teeth he knew they were not headed to the Grove. They were headed to the Wildwood. No Ice, he thought as if trying to pass this information to the wolf without him knowing who it was from. It was no use trying to use telepathy on his friend. Ice meandered further, and the Tainn was frozen to the once deadened ground. He too realized he did not want to go back to the Grove. Definitely not like this. Who knew what Corinna would say. Maybe there would have been no war, but they had put spark to further reasons for it. Yep, he sure was using his head these days. Eyes closing he tries to decide how long he can stand, avoiding the impact, how long Ice won't notice him. Not long, is the simple thought. Triell took a deep, almost final breath before pushing himself to enter the remains of what had been his parent's grand kingdom.


Unlike Ice he is not running, he jogs at an easy gait following the scent of the older man weaving around the still charred trees. Where are you going? Does he really need to ask. He's sure he'll find it. His birthplace, and Triell is conflicted. Again he wants to sit there being help captive by the memories and the hurt. Somehow remembering Ice, he bounds forward in pursuit.


"Ice!" He calls, the darkness feeling cold, and a reminder of the rest of the blackness. Triell pauses, concentrating on the musky odor, turning this way and around. He did not witness Ice's clumsy accident, he was too far behind to really catch him. How long had he stood at the edge of this place? Long enough he did not know where Ice was. He became worried. What if Rhysis had come back? It wasn't beneath him to fight unfairly, and he did not believe he was much for keeping his promise. "Ice!" He calls again, half winded, the cold air burning his lungs. He wanted his hollow tree, but in an ironic way he was going running to one.

Just as he suspected there he was staring at the sky as the lights danced wildly across the sky...in front of the Tainn's first home. "Ice," he breathes in relief. In a moment his paw his dangled in the air wanting to make it to his friend. He pauses, ashamed for disturbing him, and places his paw down to the ground. He looked like he was not a prisoner of his thoughts. Maybe he had wanted to be alone.

His ears are welcomed by his name being sounded. It did a bit to strike a chord in him perhaps he was not a bother to Ice exactly at this time. Ice seemed pleased to be found, and Triell's paws were ready to make head way to the silver brute, when instead he was shifting, moving to him instead. Holding his place he takes a moment to try to collect himself, and half manages by the time a more intimidate greeting is given. Somewhere he feels his tail brush against his hocks, and he leans into the comfort of his friend if for a second or two. The fight with Rhysis seemed distant in this embrace, and if it were not for the smell of blood he might just believe it. He gingerly nosed the lighter locks of the man, and too looked at the wild rhythms of the night sky. It certainly was beautiful if not more grander, but words special enough he could not find in the confines of his mind. The colors swirling movement made him light-headed almost, like he was somewhere else in time. The night air clung to his breath, his nose, and partially burned his throat. His body had gotten use to spring's warmth, and was struck coiling like a snake to the return of the harsh cold. Ice broke his trance, his thoughts, and his eyes almost like a topaz liquid shifted to the sharp silver. He saw something there, a hint of what may be Ice's thoughts. Triell was far from decoding Ice's gestures, and mannerisms. They were sporadic, he wasn't' sure if there was to be a pattern. Really, he hoped not.


"They are," he half mumbled, a smile trying to make itself known on his face. The cold, the atmosphere was like a huge splash of water in his face. He felt dis-oriented. He watched Ice like a captain would keep an eye on the shore, and suddenly was aware of his prodding. What would he have Triell do? Shifting uneasily like some spooked horse, he swallowed again seeing just where Ice was headed. If it was any other wolf, Triell would have fiercly guarded the tree. It was Ice, and it did not bother him to see Ice inspecting the ruins. There was no harm, nor intent of harm on the male's part. It did no less to free the hostage of the Wildwood.


Ice continued his studying, speaking something about beautiful, and destroyed. Triell was barely there. How could Triell move. He'd said goodbye to this place a million times, and here it was beckoning him again. It seemed more personal with Ice, and how he did not know the story. Then again, maybe Triell was wrong. Indru could have mentioned it. Wait...when he got a hold of his senses Ice would have known this was the Wildwood...the only place struck by fire. He wouldn't be wondered what was wrong. He would know. The young man found his paws pulling him closer, and he let his nose twitch taking in the air. It brought back the smoke, the flame, and fear so he had to hold his breath. And most quickly he closed his eyes as if to shut the world out...to shut all the memories bad and good. Yet Ice was there calling to him, breaking him free momentarily.


"I," he began, his ears flattening against his head while he shuffles a single paw at the rough ground. "This is where I was born...this is where my parents..." Deep breath, deep breath Triell, now let it out, "lived......and died."

He had thought he conquered this place, that it had come nothing but the place of good memories. The only memories of his parents. Apparently, it was worse then it had been. He didn't understand it. He'd been here several times, and he'd always managed to escape. Even with Indru they had put aside the signs of death. Why couldn't he let it go now? He was not sure, was it the stress of everything? Was it all the damn thunderstorms, that one night when he'd encountered fire again? He couldn't say. It made no sense, and he was sure Ice was more confused then him. He swallowed stiffly, if that might dry his parched throat when it only did to make it worse. He found himself shifting uneasily again, the energy inside him wanting to be free instead of chaining him here like a tormented soul. Briefly he let his eyes flicker to Ice trying to see the impact of the situation upon his friend. He was extremely quiet, lost for words even? The Tainn could only guess. Ice, he'd learn, usually had something to say. But not now. Who could ever say the righ thing. The strange white female had offered her comfort, but he had only accepted it not to offend her. Indru could always share the good memories, but he never did share the bad, let them recall them. Kinis, well he had seemed to let some of the horrors die out. Why could not he?


He was raking his brains for an answer, a will to treat this as any normal place. He really wanted to scream, and demand them. To curse this place, and the death of his family. It had never been fair what happened to the Tainns. He liked to think they were good, so why all the bad? What made them deserve it? Ice had come back to him, but he seemed so far away. If he couldn't find words to say, Triell might take a while to recover before he was able to say more...pretending this didn't happen. The words softly came, ones that most would say hearing his news. They never did much those single words, but he took them, and the comfort Ice offered. He would nod his dark head at the question. Fire had stolen them away from their children. It really shouldn't bother him this much. It'd been almost 2 years...almost. He stiffly walks up to the base Hidden Tree. He wished it looked normal, not this charred core. He remembered being out and exploring with his siblings. Then the sky had began to blacken, growling, and spitting out sharp bits of light. They were all going to go home in shelter. Home had become a new threat, and all he remembered was running, running as fast as his short chubby limbs would take him. He had found safety in a river bank against the rocks. He often wondered if that's why he liked water, why he clung to it so. It was the one thing that had not deceived him. He remembered Kisla, and the flooding and half snorted. Nothing ever stays the same.


He partially let his head hang in the entrance, letting the light of the sky show him the inside. It could have almost been the same of his memories in this setting. Here he curled up safe and sound with Borlla,Kinis, and his mother. Who would have thought it would be where anyone died. A sad look, he recalled looking out for the first time in a blurry green world. He'd tried to start talking immediately, but he more squeaked in excitement of the grand world. His mother would laugh, and his father would coax him out. There was often someone to play with when Borlla and Kinis had no want. "I was very little then," he began in a voice that sounded like someone else. He had a small, sad smile, and he taking a step back fell to his haunches. "Most of us were out, hunting, and us pups learning the basics when the storm blew in. None of us really knew what was happening when we all headed for home. We thought we were escaping the rain..." His voice died, for most was knowledge he collected after, not at the time. He vaguely was aware of the whereabouts of his many siblings then..much like now.
"I actually found safety in a river bank, and it was days until I found Indru...found them."

He let a rough sigh, and raised his shoulders when a fearful shiver shot down his spine. These feelings were both new and old. "I've told this place goodbye so many times, I didn't think it would be harder. I thought things are suppose to get easier. What is these days?" He frowned, but felt a surge of anger in his question, quaking in his bones. "What bothers me Ice is how I can't protect everyone. You, Indru, Kisla, and Volkan. The list goes on. What am I if I can't keep anyone safe?" His frustration was clear in his deep tone, and marred his dark mask. He was tired of this helpless feeling.

The dark threads at the base of his skull began to bristle, and his jaw muscles went tight. He was ready to lash out, but not at Ice just the world, and it's gods, creator. Whatever may it be. Those damned things were invisible, and seemed to only mock him in his misery. Indru had tried to help him let go, and he thought he had. Being here, aware once more how fragile life was brought all of it gushing to a surface. If he was alone he would have left, and he would have ran into he found Volkan. Finding her would not really be an escape, just a temporary leave. He closed his eyes, closing his mouth tight to keep any growls from bubbling out of his lips. He'd never had much of a temper until this year, and it was going to get the best of him one day he presumed. What more could be thrown at him? Would something happen to Corinna, or the pups? A cold ache pressed in his heart. Maybe, Ice would understand better than Indru. He loved Indy, but he always marked things on the logical side which sometimes infuriated the young man. Some things did not make sense, somethings had to be cursed, and bad things didn't happen for no reason. He gave a wild lash of his tail, whipping it around his side when Ice broke what had to been very awkward moment in time.


He knew everyone was mortal, and what he wished was impossible. Really he should let it go. He could not. His bright eyes flashed open, and his ears drawn to the deep melody of that voice. He held onto the words needing something to keep him from his burning thoughts. He knew this, and understand what Ice was getting at. No one could save everyone, no one had that power, sometimes other wolves did the job. Some had the power to look after themselves. It wasn't news, but helped pull him out of the darkness, out of the pain, and out of the overwhelming crush of his life torments. "I realize that, I just...I hate it. I never feel like I can do anything when the world is spinning, I'm just walking on it hoping not to fall off with everyone else." He bit the air in a swift snap, and popped to a stand. "I just keep thinking what next?" His baritone voice first came smooth then cracked. He lifted his nose, his eyes burning while staring at the top of the tree.


"Rhysis said he believed in Karma. I think if Karma was real, then his life should be more hurt not mine." His tone was dark full of venom, and his ears pinned to his skull. His black banner flicked in his idle energy which craved to put that silvery brute to rest. He'd never loathed anyone, and his hatred surprised him. "I'm a stupid leaf blowing in the wind waiting to be struck down," he chimed in a tone of someone not the least bit humored. He swiped at the ground with his paws, letting his blood boil a little further. It wasn't logical or the best idea to feed the monster within. It would go dormant, and he took in some long breaths to bring back his focus --collect himself.


A sniff of his nostrils to rid of his dribbling nose, he turned on heal and faced Ice. His anger was gone, and he looked at him in a peculiar way. "You know, I still don't understand....why you did that. Was it for what he did to Naira...to Cori?" He asked almost in his regular voice, with a quirked brow needing answers. Ice must have his own things to inquire about, and Triell preferred to get them out. What else could hurt?

Ice's tone sounded more harsh, like a unyielding sword on the matter of Karma. There was no regret bringing it up, just the opposite to have it explained to him in this sense. Of coarse Ice was right. Thinking of it like that, it sounded like a sour excuse, and was extremely clear why it might be Rhysis chosen logic. "I suppose," he humbly began wrapping his mind about it further. Of coarse hoping something bad just happened to Rhysis wouldn't work. If Triell knowingly sought him was that apart of it as well? He let out a snort deciding to let the idea rest because it made no sense if that's how the universe worked as he had thought all along. "You make it sound more logical than I ever comprehended," he let out a short, dark laugh of sorts at himself before stilling his black form against the serene Wildwood with the dancing lights of glory. They were quite lovely in the night sky, striking different poses in beautiful waves of colors he'd rarely seen. The child in him was eluded by what they were, why there were there, and where they'd come from. Any sort of knowledge what they were really, but the mystery appealed to him too. Made them magic.

He patiently awaited a reply, and his ear twisted to the sound of what could have been inward trouble. Triell was no judge, and wouldn't realize there could be a simple answer to his question. Seeing a mild struggle, he was only more bemused by what went deeper. His black jaws were sealed tight, and he casually rested his attention on his companion.

Naira and Corinna were part of it, and he leveled his chin awaiting what more would come. The next phrase, Triell was not so naive to not see Ice had stepped in for him. It touched a cord within the young man. They were pack mates meant to look after each other, but Ice and him felt like they went much, much further than that. The Tainn had put his trust into other wolves a part of his family. Masrh and him had this...relationship no words could explain. This with Ice...it did him good to have some one with answers, but at the same time still questioning of the world. He simply bobbed his head, afraid he might embarrass Ice if he got into it. Though Triell did not mind awkward Ice, he preferred one he might be able to anticipate.

He really meant to mumble oh back, or a quiet thank you. The mention of Volkan, he felt the shadow of rage growl in the pit of it's cage. Rhysis had talked to Ice about it too huh. A new fire seemed to light in his eyes, so intently he listened. It wasn't preciously what he was expecting, but enough to give clue to white was beneath it all.

"Rhysis doesn't exactly lie, he just doesn't tell the whole truth which in my mind is more deceitful than lying to begin with because he knows the whole damn story, and the whole damn story makes him out to be the bastard he is." His words merely hissed, and growled from his half raised lips, and sharp white teeth. "He made me think Volkan was the one full of lies, but I realized why would she want to share the whole story of her past? It sounds damn awful, than you throw what..what he did to her." A snarl ripped from his throat, and the ridge of his mane raised in a wild eruption. He snapped his teeth, and let the anger blaze before shaking his body to relax again. "One day he'll have to watch for my teeth in his neck, because I'm going for blood...for everything."