The Pit pit of darkness

He had pressed forth, up into the mountains, bit by bit, as much as he could manage on a given day. That journey was every bit the challenge he’d expected, and then some. The threat of fire was still very real. Food was harder to come by - he was pretty sure he’d lost weight since he’d started his slow climb.  

Some might call him a fool, throwing his life away. Perhaps he was - but it wasn’t as if he had any other reason to be, and it was still not a choice the loner regretted. At times, the views were amazing, but he couldn’t forget why he was there. He’d already spent numerous evenings observing in silent thought and prayer to the gods above.

Now, another day had dawned, though it was difficult to tell how much of it had passed, he progressed. The cloud cover was thick, amplified by a cold, swirling, misty fog and rain that made it next to impossible to see beyond a few steps in front of him, which made traversing all the more dangerous - and very nearly cost him his life.

Suddenly, the ground opened up into a giant pit. Or perhaps it was something far more sinister?

Against his better judgment, Jadon crept forth, until he was able to peer down into the depths, listening as tiny stones dislodged by his approach echoed on their seemingly neverending descent. While all he could see was unending fog and darkness, it felt a whole lot worse. The place felt wrong. Like something sinister, tragic, or evil had occurred here - maybe even more than once.  

He quickly stepped back, taking care to put at least several body-lengths between himself and the jaws of death.

--afternoon, foggy and overcast

The leaves were beginning their annual change, warning of the coming winter. Already there was a chill in the air in the mornings, and Nash snuggled into the den with his wife and daughters a little longer. He was still worried for @Eclypse, still concerned she hadn't recovered from the smoke. He wished it would clear out entirely - maybe some rain or even snow would do them some good for once.

Regardless of these concerns, Nash had to think of the coming months. It was time to pad their stores and collect furs to line the den. His youngest daughter had lost her puppy summer, and he was determined she would make it through the winter to enjoy the next one. He would fight death itself to protect her if he had to.

As Nash wandered from the territory in search of signs of herds, he heard the faint clatter of rock and paused, ears pricked. That didn't sound like a hooved animal, but then again he didn't come here often. The pit was a place of death. He had no interest in spending time in the place that had taken his nephew from him. To his surprise, he spotted another wolf, a stranger. "I'd stay away from the edge," he called calmly. "The goats here like to push us in." Even as he spoke his eyes roamed the mountainside on the lookout for the murderous bastards.

Out of the corner of one eye, a flicker of movement drew the wanderer’s attention. A dark figure with bright green eyes emerged from the swirling foggy mist. He imparted a grim warning, and one that was quite possibly the reason why the aura around this place felt so wrong. Immediately, Jadon’s gaze flicked around the area, seeking any threats. Aside from the stranger though, nothing else was immediately visible.

That didn’t stop him from taking a dozen or so more steps away from the pit.

The goats here like to push us in. He didn’t say that the goats have tried to push us in. But that they liked to. Implying, probably, that at least one of their kind had been lost to the depths previously through such a fate.

The loner bowed his head and held it there for a dozen seconds, a gesture meant to be a silent apology for any life lost. Then he turned it into a nod, grateful for the information. It was a warning he intended to heed without second thought.

Much to Nash's relief, there were none of the mountain monsters to be seen. Even so, he was additionally relieved to see the stranger take several large steps back. He nodded to Nash, who nodded back in approval. "We don't come here much," he said, as if it wouldn't be obvious. "I'm Nash, leader of the Sanguine Cove pack. What brings you up the mountain?" It was friendly, open. The man hadn't trespassed, nor had he even called at the borders. It was chance that brought Nash out on patrol in time to warn the traveler of the dangers of the pit.

Even as he spoke the leader kept an eye on their surroundings. One never knew when the goats might decide they were too close, and regardless of whether or not they were near the pit's edge a goat was a formidable foe.

He had been ready to see the stranger depart, after that initial warning. The dark man had appeared to be on a mission or task of his own, and the wanderer hadn’t any intent to keep him from whatever he was doing. To Jadon’s mild surprise, however, that wasn’t what happened. Instead, the stranger continued, prompting the loner to approach a bit closer in good manners.

We don’t come here much, he offered, just before an introduction. Nash, leader of Sanguine Cove. Was that some sort of religious cult of mountain sorcerers?

Jadon offered another nod, this one dipping down a bit more, in acknowledgement of the greeting and introduction. He wished, though, that he could speak. If only to provide his name. But maybe it was better that he could not. He wasn’t sure he could answer the question that Nash had posed next. Even if he were able to speak, there was far too much to try to explain.

Instead, he did the only thing he could. Which was to turn and point his nose toward the frozen, shrouded peaks. He’d intended to climb one of them, to get as high as he could. He needed to.

The stranger moved a little closer as Nash spoke. The leader kept an eye out for any dangerous fauna that might still decide they were a threat, but luckily they appeared to remain alone. He waited for an answer, but the only one forthcoming was a point to the peak.

Nash followed the gesture and glanced quizzically at the man. This was the second wolf he'd come upon that didn't appear to speak. Was it some sort of ailment he should be concerned about? Likely not... it had been some time since he'd seen his other silent acquaintance. "You want to climb the peak? he asked. "Winter comes early up here; if you ever need, my pack is back that way, on the shores of the lake. You're welcome to come by." Yes, their resources were more strained, but having another adult to assist with hunting would be good.

(This post was last modified: Nov 15, 2023, 08:28 PM by Nash.)

Nash appeared to understand what he’d been trying to communicate, prompting a nod from the wanderer. It wasn’t so much that he wanted to do it, but rather needed to. But… close enough. Surely if there was any place he could receive some kind of word from the heavens or gods it would be at the top of a mountain.

The leader didn’t question Jadon’s intent though. Instead, Nash provided another tip. The cold season would arrive early here, he informed - something Jadon would quickly learn in the coming days. But Nash would continue, offering sanctuary with his pack, should it ever be needed. The generosity behind that had the wanderer blinking in surprise and stunned amazement.

”Thank you,” he spoke softly. Such kindness wasn’t something he could stay silent in the face of, though the wanderer hoped he wouldn’t need to actually take the leader up on it.

(This post was last modified: Nov 16, 2023, 05:01 PM by Jadon.)

The man nodded and though Nash was tempted to ask what prompted the stranger to wander so high up the world, to take such a risk and expend such energy for a trip. The leader had been a decent way up the mountain before, but never to the very top. He didn't feel there was much worth taking the time to see up there... but that was just him. He had everything he needed right here.

Everything but safety, apparently. Though that was something he was working to remedy.

It turned out the man did talk. Strange, that he wouldn't introduce himself, but then Nash wasn't one to judge. "You're welcome," he said, perhaps a bit redundant but good manners none the less. "The bears on the mountain are preparing for hibernation; if you see one it's better to turn around and hope it doesn't see you." The traveler probably knew this, too, but there were enough problems with bears this year he felt it was a necessary warning.

You’re welcome, Nash replied. Polite, cordial. He seemed to be the decent sort, offering yet another nugget of advice that Jay processed with a small nod and stored away for later. While the thought of encountering a bear sent a tingle up the wanderer’s spine - as he imagined it would almost anyone - he couldn’t let that deter him either. Not when the fate of his eternal soul was at stake. It felt like he was so close, he couldn’t afford to stop now.

”Per..haps I will see you, then,” he would speak again, softly, and with another nod to the man. While Jadon hoped he did not have to seek them out of necessity, he was admittedly curious to see how a pack lived here, in such a harsh environment.

Maybe there were things he could learn, or trades to be had. Maybe more. Who knew?  

--fade if you would like. thanks for the thread ^^

(This post was last modified: Jan 09, 2024, 03:35 PM by Jadon.)