It had been a cold night and the sense of loneliness had never been stronger then it was right now. He missed home and while he did enjoy his time here in Relic Lore so far even so much as to stop traveling and start living here. There was a part of him that wishes he could turn back time and relive the days that had already gone when everything was so peaceful in the calm before the storm. He was beginning now to feel that he was the cause of all these problems. Everywhere he went disaster followed him, he had arrived here at Relic Lore just as the fire had finished taking it's toll upon the Hidden Tree Pack. The parents and Alphas of a large band of siblings died as they struggled then to reform their fallen pack. For the first time he had to admit Indru had actually done something remarkable, something far greater then he had ever accomplished before.


Moving through the Wildwood the evidence of the fire still remained, the ground he walked across was black and chalky, the trees were stripped bare in certain places leaving an unsightful burn mark in the forest. His own soot coloured paws traversed easily over the soft charred ground as for the second time since arriving here in Relic Lore he took his time to inspect the damage and feel washed with pity over the Tainn family, he was even beginning to miss Junai.

Borlla was on the same trail of thought as Weldering. He also knew that by next Spring all the remnants of the fire would be gone. The rich black ash that covered the ground would act as a wonderful fertilizer and in no time at all fresh greenery would spring up everywhere and even the hardy trees would sprout new shoots and continue with their elderly lives. A soft sigh was expelled as the silver and black male inhaled the soupcon of ash and dust in the air. After this year it was only going to be the Tainn kin and the rogues present around this time like himself that would remember this disaster.


His bright icy blue gaze could not help but notice a single light coloured shape moving around up ahead. At first he did not get a proper look at what or who it was though by the small size and scent of Swift River looming he had a rough idea. Already a faint smile traced over his handsome muzzle as he etched forwards still feeling somber about the disaster of the past. Poor Borlla, he was not even going to attempt to have a go at her for wandering off alone again. Partly was because he felt a sense of pity wash over him for the loss of her parents at such a young age - something he could relate too. But also because he did not want Indru finding out, he'd made a promise last time he had met her at the Beaver Dam.


<b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"Are you ok Borlla?" He muttered quietly to hopefully not surprise her as he padded forwards to meet her. His muzzle hanging low in sympathy. There was no point in even asking whether her family knew she were here - if they did know that no doubt they wouldn't have let her come here alone.

It was as if he had stumbled upon an entirely different whelp to last time as he studied her movements closely. His blue eyes softening as he watched her turn to face away when she did final take notice of him. It was a sad thing to see someone so young deal with such a great loss. Perhaps made even worse he felt by the fact that Indru was her replacement parent now. She seemed bothered by his presence but Weldering could understand that knowing what this place meant to her and her family, though he really did mean no harm. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"Borlla..." Her name murred softly as he slunk a little closer. His black masked face lowered to nudge her side softly to attempt to cheer her up. Though perhaps talking about her troubles might help. Was she hear because nobody in Swift River would listen? <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"You must be missing them terribly." He muttered softly once more before taking a seat slowly back onto his haunches just off to one side of the small light coloured pup. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"What were they like?" He asked.

Going anywhere alone at her age was stupid. Sure she was not as tiny as she had been the first time they met but she was still not fully grown physically or mentally enough. There were still plenty of dangers out in the wilderness and even a large brute like Weldering had to be cautious as he traveled alone. Only the strength of a united pack was undefeatable so Swift River and being with her family and pack mates was the safest place for her. Now while Weldering had many preventable events in his life that he would rue Borlla needed to not regret or try to blame herself for a natural disaster like a fire no matter how tragic it was.


As Borlla spoke he listened carefully, hanging his muzzle. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"Wouldn't have let any of this happen?" He repeated softly a little confused at first. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"You mean the fire?" He suggested while glancing around at the ash covered surroundings with a sigh. Though also wondering if she meant something else. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"Even the strongest and bravest of wolves cannot stop the forced of nature. The fire is not anyone's fault." He explained, though Borlla had likely been told all of this before. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"So what was your dad like?"

With a neat white and cream coloured pelt like Borlla it was no wonder why she was covered it dust, soot and ash. For Weldering it was not so much of a problem, his black points were the parts of his body that met with the most amount of the burnt dirt yet it did not show up as much as with Borlla. If she did not want her family knowing that she had been to visit Hidden Tree she would need to clean herself up before heading home. It was so obvious that he even decided to mention it. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"You might want to stop by the river before heading home, you don't want Indru finding out eh?" He suggested with a smile, he presumed she would understand and know what he meant by that. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"Fires are not predictable, I'm sure your parents would have tried their best. All it would take it a sudden change in the wind... Sense are thrown out by the heavy smoke and inside all of us in the instinct to throw down any sense of reason and simply run, run and scatter away from the danger." He sighed, shaking his maw lightly. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"I am sorry about your loss." He offered warmly not sure how he could turn the conversation around to cheer her up.


Even the mention of her father seemed to send Borlla on edge and in return Weldering sat a little more upright pulling back his maw in surprise at the unexpected outburst. He had only asked to try and make her remember perhaps some of the happier memories about him, about both her parents. Though it was now clear that this odd family threw another wrench in the works by having a father who paid no attention to his daughter. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"I didn't know my father either, I can't remember a single thing that he used to do..." He muttered trying to tell her that he knew how she felt, at least partly.