Fireweed Rise And With That, I Bid You Farewell.

His large stature did not leave her side as the two other wolves conversed. Her slow movements worrying him highly…perhaps taking her to Nina would be a good thing, or maybe his sister coming to her. His thick tail lashed behind him and when Chantille’s voice reached his ears he turned to her, his mossy green eyes looking down at her with a protective ferocity. Her muzzle reached down so it barely brushed against her ear as he muttered to her, “I won’t let her touch you again.” It was a threat of Naira and something to keep the Poison Path healer at ease. She did not deserve to live in fear because of the actions of the former alpha. Naira hadn’t deserved the placement where Chantille was…she had almost killed a pack mate. That was against their codes of loyalty and it was just plain wrong.

His head then moved towards the loner…a question gleaming in the depths of his eyes, “What brings you to Relic Lore, sir?” This was probably just his overprotective instinct kicking in now. Ever since he had sense kicked into him by Koda and Kashikoi he had been quite ashamed of his past actions as they had occurred. He was making up for them now though, and he was even thinking of going to see his sister, once things calmed down in the pack. At the moment he was far too busy to be doing anything other than protect the borders, and coming so far away from the territory….it felt odd to him now. He hadn’t been away since the meeting declaring Treena’s disappearance and the return of Rhysis and Naira. It was nice to finally get out.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

The closeness of the pair brought a smile to the old man's face. The concern of the younger male for his pack mate was hard to miss. He remembered a time when such companionship was the norm in his life. Now, he lived alone and his old bones grew weary of no companionship. He was glad to have happened upon the poor girl and her friend. Perhaps, soon, he would find a new home. If he could find a pack that was willing to take a chance on a wolf that was far past his prime.

After some reassuring words to the ivory lady, Ash came a step closer to him, inquiring about what had brought him to these lands. First, he turned to Chantille and reassured her, "Don't worry your pretty little head about burdening me. A little drama never hurt a wolf, but I'm surely saddened that you were so hurt." The compassionate tone in his words conveyed that he meant her kind heart as well as her body.

Then he met the emerald gaze of the serious young male and answered as best her could. "I suppose you could say that fate brought me here. I've had my own share of drama... of tragedy in my past and have been wandering for longer than I care to admit. Now, these old bones crave a place to rest again." He wasn't sure why he'd come this way exactly, but he had a feeling that he'd know when he found the right place. Until then, he would make the most of meeting new friends.

Time seemed to pass quickly as he spoke to the male, but as time wore on, Chantille grew weaker and tired. Her fur brushed against his, and he silently turned his head to hear the small question of home forming on her lips. Turning back towards Cisco, he nodded towards the male, before saying a farewell, “It was a pleasure meeting you, sir. I best believe it is time for Chantille and I to be heading home though. Nodding his head one last time, he turned to go back up the mountains, letting Chantille lean on him whenever she needed to, not letting her fall from his grasp as they scaled back towards their home.

Naira had put a beating on the healer, leaving Ash highly pissed off. He hadn’t wanted to intervene, but he had to, considering the position that Naira had their healer in. The male was not going to let a member of their family fall, though in the future it would have proved render less, for she too would leave Athena behind for who knows why. Ash remained loyal to her as they made their way home, and when they got there, he happily helped her settle down, before laying down next to her, and keeping guard over her resting form for the remainder of the night.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

Cisco watched the pair with a mixture of emotions. He felt terrible for the pain that young Chantille was going through and frowned inwardly once more at the pack mate that would deal such damage to another in the dead of winter no less. He also felt a kindred spirit the the protectiveness of her friend and pack mate. Even without clear words, his ire at the attack on the cream colored fae was fairly palpable. These two seemed to at least have a strong friendship and that would help her through it all. It was easy to see that even their slight bit of conversation was wearing on the young woman so he wasn't surprised when Ash bade his farewell and he supported Chantille as they made there way slowly in the direction that he could only assume was homeward for the young pair of pack mates.

As they turned to go, Cisco gave them both a smile. One filled with respect for the large male and one filled with compassion for the injured female. "I'm glad to have met both of you as well. I hope for rapid healing for you dear. You've got a wonderful friend in Ash and I wish you both the best." Then he watched as they slowly made their way towards the east and the mountains in the distance. He kept his soulful gaze on the pair until his old eyes failed him and he could see them no more. With a sigh at memories of time gone by, the old male lay down and curled up in the thin snow, staying put for the moment. His eyes drifted closed as he decided that he would explore more later today... or maybe tomorrow...



(Fade to black)