Turtleback Lake too late for the other side

Backdated to 7/27, two days after Chan received news of Aleister's death. Not expecting anyone in particular to respond, just a heads up to those in the area who would hopefully hear his howl; @Flair @Finley @Jethro @Siyet @Reika @Caspian

Hidden away within the forests of the Kingsfall with Flair, Chan had processed and come to terms with what his heart demanded of him. Knowing of Aleister's passing, he could no longer avoid the Cove as he had so strongly desired to. The wolf had to know for himself how the pack was coping, specifically his family, especially given this was not the only hardship they'd all been facing. What else might have occurred that he didn't know? The anxieties built until he could wait no longer.

Chan traded the redwoods for the trampled beaches of the great lake, slaking his thirst in preparation for the journey before him. It was unlikely he would find clean water on the way, and the wolf could only hope that the mountain lake had survived the heatwave. Once he could take on no more, he stepped away and let out a deep breath.

It was time to say goodbye to the Expanse.

Tilting back his head, Chan howled out to those who had been his companions until the loss of his children drove him to solitude.

Aleister has died. I'm going home.

It seemed the nightmare of this summer would never end. No matter how far they ran, pain kept seeking them out, destroying what little happiness they managed to build. She’d only just started to pick herself up, find new purpose among the wolves living at Turtleback – and then another blow landed.   It was so unexpected, so utterly wrong and horrible. Aleister was only a year older than her, still had plenty time ahead of him - he had a family, apparently, he’d had new kids this year as well, a new mate; All of that… Lost! Snuffed out by the cruelty of Relic Lore, the draught taking its toll yet again.   Of course, Chan wanted to return to the lake, to see his family, he had to, she understood that. But she couldn’t go. Her only other real connection to the Cove had been Al, her closest friend next after Chan. Going back would be pointless without him there. Staying here, she could be of more use, could help @Finley with the pups: @Caspian… She couldn’t leave the boy. She had to make sure he was safe, that he didn’t suffer the same fate as her own litter.   So, as Chan walked to the water’s edge, she followed behind, silently. They’d talked all they needed to, he understood her decision as she did his, or so she hoped. She drank with him, then stood back as he made his call of farewell. Only once his head came back down did she step in close, reaching the brush her head against his shoulder. This isn’t goodbye , she told herself sternly; We’ll see each other again soon. One way or the other. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

Finley's one and only post in the thread, just sayign goodbye! Also mentions of @Ryder and @Caspian in her thoughts.

The pups were now about three months old and were beginning to have their first tastes of freedom. They would accompany the mother on smaller hunts and had a much larger radius of acceptable exploring area, a mile or two around their shared den. This meant that Finley was also beginning to enjoy some regained independence, though she was careful to never be gone for more than a couple hours without checking back in. The mother had been carrying a scavenged meal, an owl that had become tangled in the scrub of the lowlands and perished, back to the boys. She thought in addition to filling their bellies that they might enjoy playing with the feathers.

The call ran out across the lake and the owl dropped to the ground, littering her paws with feathers and down. Green eyes looked towards the way that it had come in panic, if Chan was leaving, what did that mean for the rest of them? She had no idea who Adelard was, but he was clearly important to the bob tailed wolf who had brought them all together. But, without Chan, would their small rogue band survive?

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she wouldn’t want her sons to hear her sound as anxious as she was Finley sighed. Things would change she supposed, but they would survive, and the woman knew that @Jethro would not let anything happen to the kids. Lifting her muzzle she called back to the sky, singing a song of goodbye and well wishes. Maybe that wasn’t the way she felt in her heart, but she could fake it pretty damn good.

Chan leaned into Flair's gesture, resting his wolfish cheek upon her crown in a goodbye of his own. Words did not come, his jaws having been difficult to work when it came to communicating as of late. After all, they'd already said what they'd needed to and reiteration would be pointless.

Finley's call echoed through the sky, wishing him well. He waited for it to fade completely from his ears, and then gave a soft sigh. He pulled away from Flair, met her eyes a final time, and then set out.