Blackberry Fields Hounds of Annwn

Minka's urgent call managed to rouse the female from quite a deep sleep. She lifted her head, disoriented, as the sound slowly clarified. Blinking twice, the severity of the message suddenly became clear – 'get over here, now!' This was no drill. Without hesitation, the woman pointed herself toward her Alpha, and burst into a run. She stumbled forward, aching muscles straining to support the weary wolf. She'd been resting up between patrols; trying to regain at least some of her former strength. Drowsiness caused her to slip, plowing into the wet snow. Raela quickly shook it off, and resumed her pace. She was quite a distance from Minka, but it would be only minutes before she was on them. About halfway into her mad dash for the border, Raela's limbs were close to caving. She just couldn't keep up this pace; not in her condition. Then, an unmistakable scent, carried by the slightest shift in wind sent adrenaline pumping through her veins. Wolf blood. It was as if a switch had been flipped. Raela surged ahead, grunting as her slender form plowed through the foliage. Her breath came in great huffs as the scent intensified, and questions ran wild. What had befallen this new safe haven of hers? Was it even safe anymore? She was terrified that something had happened to take this new home away. What if it was the lost pups? An attack? A predator? Nothing drove the girl on more fiercely than the idea that she was needed; that she could help in some way. The female was not strong enough to be of much use but she would lay it all down to defend her new pack, as she only hoped they would do for her.  Coming upon the scene, she took in many scents, not stopping to identify individuals. All that mattered was that there were Downs wolves, and the scent of a loner. She was beginning to get the picture. The sandy woman burst from the bushes, her hackles raised and lips pulled back in defense and anxiety. Yellow eyes gathered their forms, taking note of the fallen male's horrendous wound. It was a terrible sight; and she thought her condition was bad. A low, sympathetic whine escaped her as she stared on. He was not a member she had met personally, though few on the scene were. She moved toward him, eyeing the stranger just as her leaders did. It would be clear where her allegiance was. Minka had moved to comfort the wounded man, called “Lugh,” before speaking to the loner. Raela listened to the words, but kept walking until she stood at Lugh's other side, as a means of protecting him. Raela felt awful; it was obvious that this was someone important to Minka. The loner did not appear to have done this, judging by the leader's words. Sniffing toward the russet male, her nose picked up a strange scent. It was definitely another pack. Her heart sank. Another group, probably nearby, was not on good terms with her new family. Raela looked up, her fur still bristling. This was going to be nothing but trouble.  Poor Lugh looked as if he might never be able to stand on that leg again, and her packmates were at a loss without their herbalist. Rae lowered her head protectively over the man as her tail tip began to flick about with tension and fear. She'd not the slightest idea what to do, and instead settled for scanning the landscape in the direction he'd come for any further trouble, as her Alpha had suggested. Her finely tuned eyesight and hearing could at least do that for him. She took a few steps forward, scenting the ground and air. The new girl was all twitches and observation until a command stating otherwise came her way. Image © Chris Smith Photography Manipulation © Jenandra

(This post was last modified: Mar 25, 2015, 02:24 AM by Raela.)

            

Aeus could feel his heart sink to the pit of his stomach.  Of course the man was the healer, who else? He thought with a slight twinge of frustration. He cleared his throat, starring up at her with a sincere apologetic frown. He was about to offer some lame condolences but her voice cut his off.   "Do you know where the infirmary is? I need you to get me a plant called Black Hawthorn from its stores. The leaves might be faded to an orangy brown now and the flower might be wilted but the leaves will be fanned out and the flowers are white. Bring me some immediately and if you see any other members along the way bring them back with you." She blurted. "Ahd- um, yes. I'll be here in maximum ten minutes." He said with unease, galloping off to find this "Black Hawthorn".

Aeus sprinted through the trees and bushes, thorns catching him here and there- one actually drawing blood. "Where is this place?" He shouted angrily, finding little traction of the ice and snow he had admired only minutes ago. To be honest, he hadn't been to the health center of the Downs. The whole situation felt violating and awkward. After a few moments of angered groans and curses, he found the infirmary. Plants were neatly tucked and scattered across rocks, nooks and little piles. He rummaged through the herbs with his eyes. He trotted around sticking his nose into bushels and caches of dried plants. "Ah ha!" He exclaimed as his eyes met the drooping white flowers and squashed brown leaves. He picked up the wilted pile between his jaws, trying to keep its contents intact as he sprinted away from the infirmary. Aeus pondered if the thing tucked in his mouth was poisonous.  How funny would that be? Picking up a antibiotic just to get sick myself? He laughed to himself, watching as his other pack members slowly became visible between the trees girths. "Lady Minka!" He called out to the woman hovering over the injured medic.

(This post was last modified: Mar 30, 2015, 01:57 AM by Astraeus.)

ITS NOT LIKE I WANTED US TO HAPPEN

Lugh watched with unfocused gaze, trying to stay awake and alert despite the strong tide of unconsciousness attempting to pull him under. His yellow irises flicked unseeing between those present, body trembling against the cold snow, a deeper chill rattling his bones from bloodloss. It was all overwhelming, voices weaving in and out that the only thing he could focus on was Minka's commanding tone. He whined softly as his leader gently brushed her snout against his fur, a striking contrast in it's tenderness compared to the brutality he had just been victim to. All too soon it was her touch gone, Lugh simply watching her tawny shape turn away, speaking to someone else. 

Other shapes came into view, familiar scents that should have set him at ease only serving to make him nervous. He knew <i>they</i> were still after him, hungry for the blood and flesh of their own kind. His pack, his family were all at risk if they stayed here. A distant wind through the trees almost sounded like far off howling. Lugh lifted his head, obviously fighting against exhaustion as he struggled to rise to his elbows while desperately whining. 

The others had surrounded him, frantic voices as they made a concerted effort to lift Lugh's injured body. He nearly passed out yet again from the strain, but with his packmates support he stayed more or less upright. Still he thought he was being chased, and with renewed urgency they slowly, arduously shuttled the injured healer back to his own infirmary.

{End}

(This post was last modified: Jun 21, 2015, 10:05 PM by Lugh.)