Nomads Pass Somehow Someday you'll be along when I break through

The dawn was a grey one, drab and colourless. There was a stillness in the air which kept the chill of early Spring at bay, but without the warmth of the sun the day felt remarkably Winter-like, even though it was warm enough for Sagacity to be thankful that she'd begun to shed her Winter coat. Almost wishfully she pulled the soft clumps of fluff from her shoulders and flanks where it had become loose first and left it as bedding in her den. It hurt, knowing that she would be the only one to sleep on the soft down, but part of her still wanted to dress up her den as though she was going to be a mother. It was wishful thinking, she supposed; an instinct left over, a part of her that didn't seem to understand what had happened.

Nevertheless it made a more comfortable sleeping surface for her sore bones and muscles, something she welcomed. She supposed she could enjoy having a softer surface to sleep on, even if she didn't really need such a soft bed. She resolved to keep the luxurious cushioning in her den until she felt strong and hardy enough to sleep on the ground without any complaints, and then she'd push the bed of fluff out the den's mouth to be picked up by birds who were fortunate enough to need the soft stuff for their nests.

She felt stiff when she stood up and walked slowly to her den's entrance which overlooked the Southern part of Relic Lore. She yawned and sat down, and shortly thereafter decided it was much more comfortable to lay down. With her shoulders and hind end still sore, she'd resolved to take a few days to rest and recover from her solitary mission; a mission which had given her valuable information regarding the movement of prey and a few of the packs, but one which had cost her a great deal of strength. She sighed, staring out over the horizon with a hazy gaze; she wasn't sure exactly what she'd do with herself once she was physically back to normal.

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Avatars by Arla!

the mountains opened up suddenly

• NAIRA AQUILA •

upon a vista of green fields, blue sky, and snowcapped mountains that took her breath away

She had risen to quiet words from her God that left her ears pinned to her skull and her hair standing on end with distress. Wide eyed she had set out to gather what may be needed with the vague description she had been provided as she ranged about their home and pushed her nose through the minuscule scraps of greenery that had begun to break free under heavy overhangs and under the cover of bushes. Without the light to assist her she had needed to rely on her nose, but even then, it was hopeless. It was simply too early and with their move in the heart of winter, she had no stores left of what she had gathered to get them through until the sun melted the snows and briefly blanketed their world in green... There was very little she could do to ease her scout’s discomfort.

Finally, the sun began to lighten the sky and Naira decided to check in now that Sagacity would have had a chance to get a small amount of rest - regardless of what little she could offer. The alluring scent of a nearby cache caught her attention as she realised she had not needed to make use of one for... well weeks. It seemed every time she left her den there was another scrap or morsel left by @Mapplethorpe and while the gifts always bought a smile to her face and never went unaccepted, the regularity was beginning to show through a thickening in her mid-section not entirely bought on by her pregnancy alone.

With a snort, and a mental note to herself to take more patrols and eat less of the gifts that were left for her, she buried her head in the cache and picked a relatively fresh hare, it’s snow white pelt and black tipped ears beginning to show a hint of rusty-brown, a sure sign that even though the snow lingered, spring would soon make way for summer.

Gift in mouth, she deftly picked her way across the sloping terrain, pausing every now and then to take a good whiff to try and catch the other females trail. Finally growing near, she realised Sagacity was almost invisible against the rocky outcrop, and Naira allowed her tail to wave languidly from side to side behind her, covering her distress well with her casual approach.

Her eyes all but commanded the other woman to stay in place and not get up as she laid the hare between them, and allowed herself a gentle nudge to the top of the silvery wolf’s head careful to avoid anything that may have been overly tender as eyes quickly took note of the injuries before carefully settling herself at the smaller wolfs side. At least it didn’t look like anything would be considered too fatal or debilitating, beyond some initial discomfort. After all, she was relying on this wolf to pick up the slack when she found herself den-bound with the lives that grew within her.

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Your table is boss, missus! :D

She supposed she should have been thankful that she had not been more direly injured. That far away from Nomad's Pas, it wouldn't have been surprising had she been injured badly enough that she wouldn't have made it back. She supposed she should have been thankful that the lone male had only wanted use of her body, not to kill her. It still enraged the woman, to have been used by some stranger simply so he could fulfill his needs. She hated herself for being weaker than him, and regretted her strength and how it had not matched his. She wondered if perhaps, had she not been so distracted and had her mind not been in a thousand places, if she could have fought him off. But it was a plague, these thoughts and ponderings- a list of things she would never know the answer to, so in the end, it wasn't worth the time she took debating them.

She caught the scent of Naira before she heard or saw her, and she was surprised by what she felt. Rather than being hit by a wave of jealousy and dislike, she instead felt weakened by envy, and felt sadness return. She couldn't understand why she felt so sad when she thoguht of Naira, until she saw the woman approaching with a dead hare in her mouth, its coat only just beginning to herald the coming of Spring. But it wasn't the hare that caught her attention- it was Naira herself. She was proud, beautiful, fit, and glowing. She looked healthier than ever, and the barest hint of roundness just behind her ribs announced to Sagacity immediately that she was with child. Even had Naira not been showing, even just that minute amount of difference, Sagacity would have known. It was there in her step, the fine look of her build, the spark in her eyes and the gleam of health in her coat. Naira was in her prime, and was carrying children.

Instinctively Sagacity stayed where she was when the alpha female's eyes landed on her, and she lowered her head, black ears slicking back against the silver nape of her neck to show respect and she uttered a plaintive, appeasing whine as Naira came to a halt. Her tail thumped against the ground and she tilted her head back to show her appreciation when Naira touched the top of her head. Such a change she felt, simply seeing the alpha female in such health. The hare was placed on the ground but Sagacity did not even register the possibility of it being for her. Naira looked her over and Sagacity did the same, albeit in a fleeting glimpse which provoked a small but very sincere smile. It brought her heart into her throat, but she managed to speak past it. "I appreciate your visit," She said, and it was the truth. Apart from Rhysis, Sagacity had no true allies within the pack. She felt ashamed of herself for having not formed any attachments to the other pack members- but then again, she had not been in the pack long before she'd left on her mission. Despite her rank, she still felt like a stranger in her homeland.

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Grey makes magic XD

the mountains opened up suddenly

• NAIRA AQUILA •

upon a vista of green fields, blue sky, and snowcapped mountains that took her breath away

A smile touched the edges of her mouth as she turned her head and nudged the hare closer to Sagacity. “I appreciate you keeping yourself alive.” she answered gently, a hint of a tease in her golden eyes. She did not know the full extent of the attack that the smaller woman had endured, only that she was injured, but she was back. Having seen the wounds for herself now she felt almost giddy with relief. Rhysis’s short words had left her with mental images of disfigured faces and lame limbs. Perhaps it was all the bad that had happened recently that left her jumping to the worst conclusions, or maybe it was simply maternal instinct on overdrive after stumbling across the tattered remains of Rissa Tainn.

As her eyes drifted, she took a moment to appreciate the view that Sagacity had found for herself. While Naira’s own den overlooked the heart of the Pass, the scout, she noted, chose instead to survey all the lands below. Occasionally, she would feel the tug of the dense forests as they beckoned to her, but the more time she spent on the mountain, the less and less they called to her. Her magnetism to the Grove could be put down more simply to the presence of a certain dark male she was sure, but even now, she was not some lovestruck pup to go risking her hide for stolen moments in such a hostile environment.

Her attention was drawn back to the wolf at her side, and the task she had been given that led to her current state. While it had not been her to give the girl her orders to leave, she couldn’t help but feel partially responsible for the state her second was currently in. “Did you learn much before...?” given she had no clue to the extent of the attack nor the circumstances that led to it, she wasn’t quite sure how to phrase the end of her question. Was there some new pack to be added to the list of adversaries or was it simply some over-entitled loner who felt that she had strayed to close? She did not want to probe too deeply, since she knew full well it wasn’t only the physical injuries that would hurt, but also wounded pride. If the other wolf wished to speak of it, she would listen, but she would not go digging for answers. Not yet.

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#Greyswag

Sagacity's look of somewhat hesitant calmness changed to that of surprise when the hare was nudged toward her- she looked up at Naira, quite shocked, to make sure she was honest about what she was doing. Sagacity hadn't had the energy to hunt since she had come back, but she'd become so tired that she'd almost forgotten the sensation of hunger. Now with something offered to her, her stomach gave an obligatory growl- a plea and an appreciative sound at the same time- reminding her of her emptiness. While she wanted nothing more than to hungrily wolf the meal down- and in truth it would have taken mere moments, nothing more- she wouldn't, unless prompted. "Thank you," She said, her voice breathy with earnestness.

She looked over to Naira again, who'd taken that moment to appreciate the view. And against the dramatic backdrop of the wild country, she looked even more the queen now than she had at the meeting when she had commanded the attention of all the wolves present, and whose presence had been that of a calm, assertive leader. Now, though, she showed compassion for a packmate and concern for their wellbeing. Despite the fact that she was in the early stages of her pregnancy, she had given up a meal for Sagacity, though she knew that if their positions had been reversed, she would have done the same.

Naira's next question caused Sagacity to bristle slightly, especially when she trailed off at the end. It led her to believe that Rhysis had not told her much about her return...That he had not told her the extent of the damage done, nor had he told her what she'd discovered while on her scouting trip. For this, however, she was grateful and felt relieved. Dear Rhysis, who had kept the truth to himself to spare her the agony of being looked down upon by the alpha female. It was likely also for his own protection as well, as she'd told him of her miscarriage and that wouldn't have gone over well with Naira at all as Rhysis would have been the most likely father.

Sagacity's tense nature now, however, might have been somewhat indicative of the torture endured. Physically she was not terribly hurt, at least, not injured in a way which could be seen. The bite marks around the scruff of her neck were the most prominent, as well as the smaller ones just behind her ears and around her shoulders which had already healed fairly well. But Sagacity wouldn't have felt so tense had those injuries been linked to those injuries alone- knowing, however, that those injuries had been sustained during a much more violent act made her hesitate before she responded. She had to keep her composure.

When she spoke, she struggled to keep her voice from being too flat. "I saw no trace of rabid animals anywhere," She said. "Nor did I hear from any I met about it; I hope that this means it has passed." She admitted. She relaxed a bit more, having given some good news. And she was talking about things unrelated to her attack, which soothed the woman's nerves slightly. "I tracked a few herds of deer as well; there seem to be quite a few does who are carrying young, I expect that it will be a good season for picking fawns." She said with a nod, referring to one of the easiest prey to catch. "Many of them seem drawn to the Northern part of Relic Lore; perhaps that is where they feel it is safest to give birth." She said. "I had intended to scope that area out and see how many packs were in that area-" She said, and cut off suddenly. But she hadn't been able to. "I intend to continue my mission when I am better, though," She said, pausing. "I will make sure to be available for you." She said, glancing to Naira again. This time it was with a look of warmth, though she could not help but feel envious. "Congratulations," She said, lifting her head to lick Naira's lower jaw. "I will do whatever I can for you and your family."

Table by Tyrant <3

Avatars by Arla!

Sorry this took so long! (pregnant + flu = lasts three times as long and can't take anything for it) D:

the mountains opened up suddenly

• NAIRA AQUILA •

upon a vista of green fields, blue sky, and snowcapped mountains that took her breath away

She kept her gaze averted though her ear trained onto the sterling subordinate intently, the last thing she needed to do was cause her companion discomfort. After all, the woman, who had already proved herself so, would remain invaluable in the coming months and she felt she had not given the other a chance to truly get to know her. Her words bought relief to the tawny leader. Perhaps the cold was working in their favor, their elevation no doubt adding to the undesirable nature of their home to those who were ill. She could only hope the last would die off before the spring thaw came.

At the mention of deer, her lips pulled back in a grin, doe’s fat with fawns meant good times ahead for the Nomad’s and a bright future for the lives that grew within. While it was ever tempting to pull down the pregnant ones, their sides heavy and their strides awkward, most wolves knew that to do so was to diminish the veritable feast that would come with the birth of their young. If their timing was good, they would succeed not only in capturing the fresh born fawn, but the mother while she was still exhausted from birthing. Not to mention the gangly legged younglings, still awkward on their feet made excellent practice (and entertainment) for quickly growing cubs.

“There have always been less packs to the north, perhaps that is what drives them our way?” she mused with a smile. It had been a large part of her reasoning, traveling north of the mountain rather than south of the Lake. To the east, there had always been Swift River, further so the Hollow, and in between new packs had sprouted like weeds. The mountain had always been a wall between the east and west, and now that had changed, they had a wide range to choose from, and their Pass was the easiest way for the herds to travel from East to West. She had no doubt their home would become a highway in just a few more weeks.

Her next words confused the leader slightly although she supposed that Rhysis may have had other plans for their scout. Her head dipped in ascent to her insistence that she get back to her job, although she could not keep a puzzled glance from her eyes. It was quick to soften however with the offer of congratulations, her grin growing to a smile as her tail thumped happily against the dirt. While the conception of the cubs in her belly may have occurred under questionable circumstances she had done what she needed to to ensure the survival of her pack.

“I imagine they will come with the last of the winter snows still fresh on the breeze.” she admitted quietly. It was a perilous time to be birthing and it would have been more ideal if her heat could have occurred just a few weeks later, however, that wasn’t the way of things. She would be den-bound for at least the first two weeks of their life, her warmth would be just as vital to their survival as her milk. Ready for a change of topic, she was quick to smile and ask “So I don’t suppose their were any promising recruits on your travels then?” She missed casual encounters with loners, catching up on the news of the day, it almost seemed as if all she did anymore was work, work, work and perhaps a lighter topic would take Sagacity’s mind off the gutless attack she had endured while fulfilling her duties.

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Hope you're feeling better :D <3

SAGACITY

Sagacity shifted her weight, ears flicking back only slightly as she did so as she was reminded of the pain. She pondered Naira's observation for a few moments, settling back into a comfortable position and decided that Naira had made a good observation. Prey would not likely be drawn to areas thick with predators. She nodded quietly, eyes flicking to Naira. "Luckily for us, yes." It was fortunate that they were not in an area too dense with wolves- it meant that their winters were easier and that they had no competition. She was aware by now of Poison Path and found herself wondering if they would ever stage a war against them in an attempt to drive them further away. Such things were not her concern, however, nor was it her place to suggest such a thing.

She felt herself drawn into envy when the alpha female spoke of having pups. She didn''t know, of course, that Sagacity too had been pregnant- and how it hurt to see someone else bearing a healthy litter within them. But she couldn't know- for if she did, it would be the end not only of Sagacity's life, but of the pups. They'd already been lost, she knew, so there was no point in sacrificing her life as well. Naira would never need to know about Sagacity's union with Rhysis or the children she'd lost while out on patrol. "I will do all I can for you, my lady." She said, and such she intended to do. Whether it meant hunting for her or taking care of the children- even though she felt somewhat sad thinking of seeing the product of Naira and Rhysis as mates, she would do it. She had to keep up the secrecy.

When asked about lone wolves, Sagacity drew in a breath and squinted. "None in particular," She admitted, shaking her head gently. "None made that much of an impression." She said. She felt there was no need to chase after wolves who were unremarkable.

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Sorry! One more each!

the mountains opened up suddenly

• NAIRA AQUILA •

upon a vista of green fields, blue sky, and snowcapped mountains that took her breath away

I will do all I can for you, my lady. The comment bought a small smile to her face. Being the only other female in the pack apart from herself made Sagacity’s presence in the coming months invaluable, as fleeting as it seemed to be. She was hoping that the birth of cubs would draw the other female closer to the pack, but unless @Rhysis stopped sending her off on long scouting missions for who knew what purpose. But it wasn’t her place to question his orders.

She was not surprised that Sagacity had found no loners of consequence. Her own standards set a high bar, and if a wolf could not impress her second or her advisor then she would not consider wasting her time on them either. It was a trust she reserved for them and them alone. It did not mean that she would not try to recruit where she could, but she would trust their judgement.

Finally the sun began to peek over the horizon and she allowed a sigh to escape her chest. There was plenty to be done about the territory before she would allow herself to rest like this again and so she allowed her eyes to drift shut, simply enjoying the caress of the days first rays to touch her face. “Make sure you rest.” she commanded allowing her eyes to crack open again. She would linger for a moment more before going about her day unless there was more the subordinate wished to mention before she took her leave.

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It felt strange to find herself admiring the woman she was so jealous of. She envied Naira for her relationship with Rhysis, she envied her for the pups she was carrying which were completely legitimate. She envied her for the children she already had with him, and for the rank of queen, alongside Rhysis the king. These were things Sagacity could not have, but wanted very much, despite how little she would have wanted those things before she met Rhysis. But life was different and she'd had a simple taste of what Naira's life might be like- and she coveted it. Still, she found no reason to dislike Naira, and found herself slightly frustrated with herself for ever having envious or malicious thoughts about her.

Sagacity's lips pulled back in a feathery smile and she nodded her head. "You as well, my lady," She said quietly, and as Naira took her leave, Sagacity watched her. Naira was a woman Sagacity both envied and admired, but the latter was winning the battle. She would not hold anything against a woman who, fortunately, did not know of Sagacity's sins, and who did not seem to suspect anything. Sagacity would do all she had, knowing now that Naira was not a serpent but a saint, not to tarnish this relationship.

(This post was last modified: Jun 14, 2013, 03:01 AM by Sagacity.)

Avatars by Arla!

the mountains opened up suddenly

• NAIRA AQUILA •

upon a vista of green fields, blue sky, and snowcapped mountains that took her breath away

It was with much less anxiety than what she came with that she took her leave, a genuine smile falling on her second before she began to pick her way back across the Pass. Rhysis had close to given her a heart attack with the briefness of his message and she was more than grateful that the girl wasn’t in much worse condition. There was so much that could go wrong. So many dangers that she would not so willingly put a member of her pack through and yet Rhysis was the one giving the commands to their scout. It wouldn’t do either of them very well if all she did was run around contradicting his commands.

It was a short walk to the cache, a little out of the way from the den to which she thought to return but worth it none the less. @Rais and @Mapplethorpe had been doing a good job at keeping the stores filled, and so she did not feel guilty as she devoured a hare quite similar to the one she had taken to Sagacity. Once her stomach was full however, her feet had other ideas and so she made her way to the borders to check for any signs of intrusion during the night.

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