Iridescent Lagoon stole some wings

@Ryka

Finally, winter was coming to an end. Songs of migratory birds had begun to fill the air, subsequently filling Lugh's ears with promises of spring. Winter had been hard on the pack, and it was with a heavy hearts that the last two members of Crow Gulch marched on out of there. He and Ryka had met last fall, and having become good friends they joined the ranks of Crow Gulch once winter set in. Lugh hadn't expected the famine that had struck the land, and ironically, crows were the only thing left at the old Gulch now. He would miss those who were gone, and idly he wondered how his family had fared through the winter. He had considered returning back to his birth home, but there had to be more to the world and Lugh hadn't yet seen it all. There was a life out there for him, and as unfortunate were the circumstances that lead to this nomadic trek, Lugh took it as a sign to move forward, rather than backwards.

Lugh glanced back towards his traveling companion, slowing his step until he was walking even beside Ryka. It was hard to believe how much they had been through already, but he was glad they had both made it out alive. The vast countryside was lonely enough as it was. "We're almost there," he assured her, even though Lugh had no idea just where 'there' was. He didn't even know where they were at the moment, but he knew there had to be something better out there for the pair of vagrants. All they had to do was find it.

Gradually the forest grew thinner and began to slope downwards, and Lugh's keen nose caught notes of mud and algae, telltale signs of a water source. He licked at his lips in anticipation of a drink of liquid, rather than frozen, water, and idly he wondered if any sort of edible creatures might be mingling around such a watering hole. His empty stomach rumbled audibly at the thought, and he nudged Ryka's shoulder with his forehead. "Ey, maybe we'll find something to eat up ahead!" He grinned as he picked up pace, galloping onward and expecting her to follow suit.

Winter was almost over. It had been a cruel, merciless season of snow and ice. Of famine and death. As if she didn't need to be reminded. Her twisted cousin had already taken away her family by poison, leaving those strong enough to manage a struggle face a chilling death. Breathing a sigh, Ryka's ears folded back against her skull briefly as memories flashed behind her eyes. Loss was a hard thing to endure, especially twice. The wolves of Crows Gulch had been a ray of hope for her. She saw potential with them...a brand new start. So many friendly faces, warm and welcoming to a nobody like herself. They may not have been her blood, but they certainly could be her family. The fallen princess had barely gotten a chance to get to know any of them before her little world of tranquility was shattered. This winter had been one for the history books. Never, had she seen so much snow. Piles upon piles of it. She never did like winter. When the prey had disappeared, she began to worry. She began to panic when one by one, wolves of her pack succumbed to starvation.

They were all dead. Except for one. Miraculously, her close companion Lugh had survived alongside her. Maybe it was luck...maybe it was her quick, innovative thinking that had saved their hides. Either way, she was just grateful not to be alone this time around. With much regret, she moved on with him, in search of another adventure. Coming up alongside of the smaller male, she matched her pace to his, sharing a glance with him. "I hope so. My paws are growing sore." She said, but offered no more complaint than that. She was tired of traveling and would appreciate a few hours to lay down and recharge. But just like him, she refused to stop, for she too, sensed that their journey was almost over.

Squinting her eyes slightly, she peered ahead out towards the thinning forest, where she could hear the faint, distant trickle of freshly flowing water. The sound was wonderful! Oh how beautiful it was, to hear it again after all this time! Her mouth watered at the thought of a cold drink. Reminded of the hollow pit in her gut, her thoughts turned towards something more substantial. "I sure hope so. I'm sick of scavenging off of mice and leftovers!" With a renewed burst of energy, she followed his lead, eagerly awaiting what was just around the bend.

Nabbed a random event!
"It smelled like a deer herd was nearby.. but now there are no traces of them."

Lugh had to agree with her. While carrion had kept them going through the interim weeks, it wasn't really something he enjoyed. And rodents... "Bleugh, if I never have to eat another rat again it'll still be too soon." He confided with a shudder. The russet and tan male followed the noise of trickling to the side of a wide stream, brimming full with fresh snow-melt. Slowing as he neared the bank, he reached down and dipped his pink tongue into the water, noisily lapping as he drank.

His thirst sated, he turned from the creek and pressed his nose down to the muddy bank, sniffing and pawing at the still rather cold surface as he tried to catch scent of any recent visitors. He could tell other wolves frequented this place, which was a good sign as far as the travelers were concerned. Lugh was a social creature at heart and craved the hustle and bustle of pack life. Even more enticing however was the musky scent of mule deer. He circled about as he sniffed, noting that the odor was stronger downstream. He looked up to Ryka, meeting her deep blue eyes with a mischievous spark in his own pale yellow pair. Maybe they would find something after all.

Jogging alongside of him, she kept up easily. Happy to let Lugh lead the way in this adventure, she was guided by his trail and the trickling of water. Soon she came to a halt beside him, the twisting, winding stream a most welcoming sight. Shuffling forwards, with a few gentle wags of her tail, she bent down to take a few refreshing gulps. The icy water sent a sharp pang throughout her stomach, a shiver down her spine. But it was at least a temporary reprieve from the ever constant hunger she was faced with. If they were lucky, they would catch a bite to eat soon.

Raising her head from the stream, tiny water droplets clung to her lips and whiskers while she stared out into the forest with sapphire eyes. Her ears were stiffly upright, her coal leather nose twitching busily. Something had caught her attention alright, and apparently Lugh's as well. Even as her partner circled around skimming the ground for more clues, she seemed far too focused on the enticing smell to really pay him much mind. "You smell that too, don't you?" She asked distantly, clearly distracted. Taking a few stiff legged strides further ahead, she peered between the spaces of the tree trunks. With a little growl of determination, she sent Lugh a glance. "They must be close...maybe some distance ahead. Let's see if we can't track this herd down." Without another word, she ran on ahead, deeper into the forest to try and catch up with the herd that was supposedly in the area.