Look Out!

Sagacity wasn't going to leave without Mercy.

The boy had left the communal den in the morning and his tracks had been covered over by blowing snow. Sagacity hadn't been worried about him- until Naira called out for them to rally together. The oncoming storm was something Sagacity could feel in her bones, and she felt that change was on its way. The mountain was impossible- it was uninhabitable. Sage had feared for this, and now her fears had been realized- the winter had come faster and stronger than she ever could have imagined, and now there was a real threat to the survival of the wolves of Nomad's Pass.

Under normal circumstances, she would have let Mercy show up on his own- but this time, she knew she couldn't simply leave him to show up on his own. She needed to make sure he went- so she went searching for him, skidding along the mountainside as the ran as quickly as she could, searching for hi dark form against the snow. His scent was faint, but she followed it until she could see him badgering his way up the mountainside, huffing and puffing. She wanted to discipline him for going wherever he'd been- he should've been more closeby, with the storm coming- but now was not the time. They had to reach Naira.

Her son was tired but she pushed him without relenting at all. When he slipped her shoulder was quick to slide beneath his to shove him back onto his feet again as they made their way against the wind toward where Naira's howl had come from. She was relieved to see that the group which had already gathered was decent in size- though she noticed very quickly that both Faol and Mapplethorpe were missing, as was Aponi- but she hadn't been around much anyway, having left the communal den.

She moved swiftly to Naira's side and gave her friend a reassuring nudge while she sought to catch her breath. She looked over the small group and sat down, preparing to save her energy for whatever came at them next.

Of course he'd be pretty much as far away as possible, without leaving the pack, when Naira called for them to join together. The boy gritted his teeth and began to run back up the mountainside, growling when his paws sank through the snow and the altitude and slope worked against him. He slipped and slid, sank through the snow and struggled against it. Wouldn't his mother be pleased when he showed up late, huffing and puffing like a steam engine. At least he was trying to get there on time, and wasn't lally-gagging. He'd fully expected for his mother simply to expect him to show up on his own- but instead she appeared further up the slope, working her way down toward him. She'd come to find him.

He felt ashamed of having been so far away and for being so tired, but she didn't say anything and he appreciated it. Together they struggled up the slope, and more than once his mother had to catch him before he fell and shove him back onto his feet. His legs burned and lungs felt as though they were breathing in pure ice as he forced himself to keep pace with his more agile, nimble mother. He splayed his toes to try and keep from sinking in, but he'd put on weight before the winter, and it was beginning to bog him down.

He was nearly ready to pass out by the time they reached the group. He was slightly dazed from the exhaustion of fighting against the snow and wind, but managed to stagger alongside his mother. She went to Naira and he went to Nova, who was close by. He flopped down onto his stomach to catch his breath by his friend's side, and as soon as he regained some of his composure, he looked- and found Crowe. Good- he was there. He scanned the small group to see who they had, and who was still missing, and looked to Nova with a questioning gaze. Where were Mapplethorpe and Aponi?

Aponi had been showing Karpos around, to all of her favourite places and the crevice she had been sleeping in since she had started feuding with her mother. The going had been slow as she was smaller than any of the other pups and the snow came almost to her chin and she had been ready to suggest returning to the den when the call came. Things between them were still tense but now that Karp had come to her most things were forgiven, Aponi just didn't know how to say so. When Naira's call had reached them the princess had urged her friend ahead, as she found it easier to navigate in the path he made anyways. Even with a quasi path made for her the silvery fae found it hard to make her way to the others, often slipping and sliding in loose patches of snow. Gritting her teeth together the princess forced herself through another snow pile, shivering as clumps of flakes made their way to her skin. Finally though the group ahead of her came into view and Aponi heaved a sigh of relief, using a burst of energy to clear the last few yards. Entering the circle with her head held proudly she approached her mother, apology present in her eyes even if not in her words. Licking at Naira's chin the girl whimpered slightly, more out of respect than of fear. The girl was proud, and her pride made her foolish sometimes, instead of feeling fear about the storm the girl felt a challenge and she was sure she would win. Retreating backwards the princess found her spot beside Karpos, leaning against his side she waited.