Mountain of Dire Roll Away Your Stone

No post order, deadline for first round 10th January (although I hope we can get it done quicker than that!)

3rd December - North East of Dire Mountain - Freezing/Fog It had taken a day of traveling from the Lost Lake, up and over the peak of the mountain, then down, down they travelled. At some stage during the night the temperature had plummeted and the small gathering awoke to view the land below blanketed in fog. She knew they were close now, and would be far more cozy once they got there, but she could not allow them to lose hope now, and so on she pressed. It caused her spine to prickle as she led her gathering away from the lands of Lore and East. Back to the lands she had been trapped in - spent months trying to escape, but this was their best chance now. She hoped beyond hope that the Pass that led her home was more than a figment of her imagination - that the path still remained. Finally, the earth began to open up before her, the land splitting in two, cliffs rising up on either side to shelter the travelers from the cutting winds, and the worst of the snowfall. A stream ran down it’s centre, moving swiftly enough to prevent it from freezing over while small caves littered the cliffs, above, and below, some of those higher up - reachable through jutting ledges, if you were brave enough to chance them... and further to the east, at the bottom of the Pass, was a dense forest, teaming with life... Teaming with food. It was a migration path. Food would come to them for half of the year. She thought it was perfect, but she would allow her pack a chance to voice their opinion, before she tipped her nose to the sky to declare this land as theirs.

(This post was last modified: Jan 05, 2013, 12:33 AM by Naira.)

He traveled in silence, the group of nomads that they were felt strange to him but he did not question Naira's selection. Many were strong, Tenzin and Valiant made him look small in comparison, not short, just thin and he did not feel the great leader as of yet, but with what he had put his family through he had no right to complain. At least he felt more himself of late. They hadn't talked much about anything, other then bringing their children home and for now that was more then enough for him to think about.

The terrain was tricky, he felt out of practice across the mountain but he had been away for some time. When he lived at the lake, he felt he could climb the entire rocky rise in a day but having gotten used to the flatter lands of the forest, his legs weren't quiet, they throbbed beneath him and his paws ached, but he made no show of it. He kept his head high, unable to fight the dominance he felt within his blood and he kept close to Naira, perhaps not as close as his son whom he had yet to talk to (what the hell could he say to his son that he tried to eat?) but enough that she was never more then a leap away. Whether she wanted him there or not, he was her shield and he would always be there. They had a lot to talk about, but there was too much to do if they were to claim their children. His heartache would have to wait.

The last ridge was tricky, but the sight they were met with was worth the effort. Before him the terrain seemed to have split, creating a mini valley it seemed. Water, trees, caves the works. He didn't know if she had found this place before, but as they slowed to just look at the place, he felt proud of her. She had chosen well. It was well hidden, tricky to navigate but they had all the time to practice once their children were home. It was perfect for them.
Cautiously, he walked up to her side to stand shoulder to shoulder, leaning against her flank slightly but trying to make it look as if it was just an accident, but really he wanted just to touch her, let her know he was here and he was willing.

They would need to check the caves. He didn't want to settle with a bear and he could only hope some of them would lead to other places on the mountain. The location was good, but there was always the thread of an ambush from above so they would need another way out. Other then that, he was almost excited to head down and check the place out and claim a chamber for his family... He looked forward to curling up soon, a huge bundle of fur and limbs as they entwined together as they had when the children were much smaller. A small smile touched his lips at the thought and he looked to her and nodded his head. It was perfect and he would howl with her when she was ready to name the lands.

His legs hurt. They were so sore but he didn't want to complain. The company around him was strong, grown wolves who he secretly made him feel about an inch tall. He didn't know any of them, not who they were, their names, where they were from, nothing, but he did not question his mother's selection. She knew what she was doing, she always knew what she was doing and he being the good son followed her orders without question.
What had thrown him however was when she had gather them together. After his little tantrum which caused him to run away from home, he had decided he did not want to return to the lake and whatever punishment had waited for him there. However, as ever his mother had saved him and he did not have to return. They had found each other as he made his way home across the Riddle Heights with his world feeling like it was crashing down around him. With her were strangers, a bunch of strangers that he had never met before. At first he thought she was mad, but as she told him of her plans he felt relief. Pure, unquestionable relief- he didn't have to go back there. Ever.
Part of him felt saddened that he might not seen Bella again. She was so nice and he had genuine fun with her. She reminded him of his mother, but she was a little less serious and it was a bonus they were the same age, it meant they could do all of the things he missed out on when he was growing up without having to hassle his mother and take time out of her busy days. He hoped he would see her again, but you could never be too sure.

The group scaled the mountain, there was some talk but he kept himself to himself as ever. His shy nature kept him close to his mother, he ran alongside her not only to feel as if he were her protector, but also to lean on her if his sight caused him any trouble. He couldn't appear weak in front of her, let alone the others and so far he had kept the issue with his sight from everyone. He would pass off any trips of stumbles as inexperience, tiredness perhaps, but never the fact he couldn't see properly. He lent on his mother when he needed the help, hoping she would think he was just a little all over the place thanks to the long trip.
They had camped overnight and his mother had vanished. It was clear she wanted to be alone, but he kept to himself away from the group and did not sleep; he could not until she returned, despite how tired he felt. When she returned, she came with the dark male he had met before - the one who wanted to eat him. At first he felt cold fear, dread in his stomach that his mother had been taken prisoner and he stood to her aid... but it was not long before he realized she looked, happier? Complete even and the dark stranger wasn't trying to tear her face off. He too, kept to himself and Adonis had not slept much that night.

Today was a new day, the journey had been relentless but he was sticking close to his mother, no matter what and he felt much better throwing the occasional narrowed gaze at the most recent addition to their group who tried to keep up the front with his mother. The douche needed to learn about personal space.

As they begun to stop, he kept right up next to his mother at the front and followed her. She seemed to know, to sense where to go and it was only moments after that the valley appeared beneath him. Their new home. It looked... so awesome. So much to explore, places to hide, to run. Maybe he could invite Ryvet up there and they could play in the stream or the patch of forest. Hide and seek in the caves would be epic. Bella would love it too... maybe he could find her and invite her round to play as well. The three of them would have such a blast. Datura of course, wasn't invited. With an excited smile, he nudged his mother with his nose and sought out her gaze. He was itching to get down there.

For months now Romanis had dreamed the exact same reverie during periods of travel. It started off with a clear and logical view of the road before her, but somewhere along the ways things always became skewed. Blurring first around the edges and then within the color and form of things –what was eventually made was always the perfect image of Hawkspur Steppe.

However, this homesick image was never created by conscious will, so when it came Rome was quick to jostle her head or buck up her pace –anything to keep from dreaming it.

Luckily for the yearling though, there was plenty to distract her from such wistful thinking on this particular trek. Surrounded by more wolves than she had seen in a very long time, the constant salvo of noises and turns was more than enough to keep her wits on end. Yet in spite of all the adjoining personalities the young Riordae was glued to a single one. Keeping herself well stitched to Valiant’s side –she was always careful to never drift farther than three inches less she accidentally collide into someone else’s personal space. Of course the male had warned her that in due time she would have to accept –and even embrace- the proximity of her packmates, but today was not that day.

No the present was one for prolonged walking and hopefully endurance as well –requirements to which Romanis was well suited. Having had spent the past few months of her life in perpetual motion, she made mostly mechanical work of their elongated journey –pausing only when the group paused but otherwise keeping steady.

Distracted by her nerves and interrupting wonderments, Rome was initially unaware when they finally reached their destination. Twittering her ears atop her head as she speculated at what had been seen up ahead, it was with gradual realization that she realized that thing to be their ultimate destination. Taking a single step further than her male companion, the young wolf sucked in a huff of air. Relishing the healthy and vibrant smell of the place, it was with this small information that her personal approval was gained. After all, any extent of life spent as a loner possessed the ability to humble a wolf’s standards a great deal. Of course that wasn’t to say that the area wasn’t indeed grand, it was just that Romanis Riordae was more than pleased for whatever small bones life was willing to toss in her direction.

His body ached, but he kept moving. His body never complained more than it had to, and even then, it just kept going. Everyone seemed to be taking the travel well. They were a group of strong wolves. Durable ones. Reliable ones. He didn't know a single stranger there, but he respected Naira's judgement on these men and women. Naira and her mate led the way there. But every time Ten even looked at Rhysis, the mosquito, his leg stung as if it were bitten over and over again. Something inside of Tenzin burned with respect for Rhysis, being that he had the intentions of leaving Ten alone, wrapped up in vines.

Throughout the journey, he had always stolen time to glance at Naira's pups. Make sure they were safe. He felt that that should be everyone's duty: protect the pups. Make it there without any complications. But when he looked over, they were fine. Spit images of their parents, huddling to the sides of Naira and Rhysis. He felt a stab of pride as he realized this would be his new family. Many nights, Ten would lay down and just watch everyone, make sure they were okay, and basically keep a little guard. Not that it was needed. He had a strange feeling inside of him; this family was like the Laylani family he never really had.

And as the time passed, the pack progressed. He focused on the rocky terrain before them. He would calculate how long it would take to get there. One day...two... As Tenzin trailed closely behind Naira and Rhysis, their well-deserved leaders, he could see something up ahead of the group. At this point, everyone stopped to look at it. It was like a big rock split in two. Caves littered the sides. Looking closely, you could spot thin, dangerous entrances. A river trickled in between the rocks, providing a nice water source.

Yes, it was perfect. There was a good amount of shelter. His eyes were like blades as they cut through the area, and fell on a forest of prey. His mouth watered with the sight. It was interesting to him.

(This post was last modified: Jan 03, 2013, 10:21 PM by Tenzin.)

two of diamonds

For a period of roughly 30 hours or so Mapplethorpe had led and followed the coal-pelted monarch, yearning to join them together for the sake of what rewards he was promised to receive. Their reunion had been really quite something to watch, it made the cogs turn and his self-esteem balloon. He counted them all. One and two, the monarchs. The gangly soot-hued boy made them three. Five including the yearling of a woman and the young, masked man with orange eyes. All that mattered to Mapplethorpe was that he had been apart of the number of the souls drawn into this little coven.

The leading man and lady - with... their son? His eyes did seem to match the desperate king's - guided the way, followed by the rest of the band. Thorpe took up the end of the line, willing himself to ignore the chill and fog and take note of where everyone stepped, careful that he did not fall or slip to his death on the gravel and rock. What rest he was able to catch up on then night before had proved beneficial, his mind was more than alert and he never faltered the whole journey in keeping up with the travelers. When the Queen's song reached his ears and he was alerted to look up from his footsteps. It seemed that they had arrived to their destination. The biting wind threw the potpourri of living things his direction; in the dead of winter, this meant nothing but a very very good sign. He could live here - no - he could thrive here. He was sure of it as long as there were moderate and meager pickings to be had.

He rose to finally set eyes on the landscape before the small band, a gasp catching his chest. It was a sight to behold. This Naira Regine had pulled through and her mate had done the right thing in making Mapplethorpe accompany him up the mountainside. His eyes flickered to his superiors. They had accomplished what they had set out for. His ears came forward but he did not so much as parted his lips. The steel-eyed man had vowed to feed him generously, but all the tawny brute had to do was hold down his patience.

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Rais marched along after the pack, lingering back at the tail-end of the procession and keeping mostly to himself. With a curious eye he watched the interactions unfolding up ahead of him. The only female besides Naira was a tawny yearling at the side of an icy coated male. Rais looked at her with interest, but seeing how closely she and the male walked, side by side, he thought better of letting his gaze linger. The last thing he needed was another fight over a girl. Naira, her dark mate, and what he assumed to be her rather clingy kid were safer to look at, with no threat of temptation, but not very entertaining to watch for long.

Frequently his bright eyes would wander up the snowy crags and down the steep ledges the pack trekked around. He'd never been to the mountain before, and always felt the call of the snow-capped behemoth looming over the land, yet had never had the chance to heed it. Now was his chance, but this time he'd be living here.

The thick fog they had awakened to the next morning was somewhat disappointing, blotting out the scenery in a haze of white. But Rais would not be disappointing for long. It was if the land had been cleaved in two, and Rais could almost imagine it as the opened jaws of the mountain, gaping upwards and reaching towards the sky. A tongue of water snaked through its center, and each side of the valley were pocked with various caves. It was quite a sight, but even more amazing was the scent of game that drifted up from the forest further down the pass. A grin split his face and his brushy tail swayed with excitement. He was ready to add his voice to Naira's when her song would claim the land.

They had walked in silence for the most part, stopping to camp in a pile of thickly furred bodies, fighting the chill of the mountain air. The sight that they awoke to put a damper on the silvery brutes usually positive outlook. Why did they have to live in the mountains? He hated the mountains. They were cold, and he was simply far too heavy to move with ease. And yet, Rhysis still followed her, so he would follow too. Occasionally his eyes would drift to the younger children, who seemed more content to travel with the pack than up with their parents. He tried to offer the small girl a smile, but she seemed distracted, as if she was listening to something only she could hear. The golden boy offered him a scowl and a raised brow was all he would offer in return before looking back to Romanis with a nudge of encouragement. His legs were screaming at him as the gathering finally slowed. He finally looked up from the snow beneath his paws and his jaw dropped. Perhaps he could live here after all? The forest at the bottom of the pass was calling to him, his stomach giving an audible gurgle. He wished that they could hurry up and get whatever they had to get done over with so he could eat already. He nodded to Rhysis, more a nod of ‘hurry up - this will do’ that pleased assent like the rest. After all, he wasn’t here for her.

code by bryony

Ok, A reply from Rhysis (hopefully?) to wrap it up then we can party like it's 1999.

She took a moment, to wait and hear of any objections - but none came and it was with the ghost of a smile touching the corners of her lips that she allowed herself to become fully immersed in her new kingdom. And she was sure she would never grow tired of it. While Poison Path had been well enough, this was her ideal. She had come so far from the girl that grew up under trees that blocked out the sun. She had become a creature of concealment in full sight, and how well they could conceal themselves here. She allowed her eyes to settle on each of the rag-tag bunch she had gathered. Whether they would thrive together or fail was now in their own paws, and their ability to put aside their own needs for the needs of the pack. This was a new beginning - and things would be very different here to how they were there. There was a time to lay out the law, but now was not it. Tonight would be a night of celebration. A feast before the fight - because after all, who knew what tomorrow would bring? She tipped her head back then, and allowed her howl to slip forth to the sky, her heart soaring as the others joined her song - claiming this land as theirs. The mountain would never be the same peaceful place it had been, again.

As the group of wolves gathered together, one by one he watched their reactions as they looked at their new land. Excitement, hunger, anticipation across the board; it appeared everyone was keen to get home and prepare themselves. They needed to explore the land and would do so as a pack, seek out food to build a cache to help them reach their peak, after all, many of the wolves behind him were loners like him and they needed some meat on his bones... plus he owned Mapplethorpe a meal until he could not walk and he would deliver on his word. They had found Naira together and whilst he gave him the creeps, he was a wolf who did not tell lies.
Silence fell amongst them, a bunch of strangers who were here to make history, together. To form a bond as strong as that of any family. To stand together, side by side through the worst storms. Maybe not everyone would make it, but he was sure that he and Naira would not make the same mistakes again. Loyalty was worth its weight in gold here. Those who could not prove their worth would not just saunter away like they had done before, the likes of cowardly Jedd, the lies of Athena would never be seen here. They would not taint their pack.

"Welcome home." he said allowed to all of those gathered and as his female raised her head to the sky, he followed suit. His eyes closed as his head elevated, calling out not only to the wolves of the lake but to the entire world that they were here and this time, they weren't going anywhere.

As silence fell and night enveloped them, the pack of nomads went home.

Whoo! Welcome to the pack everyone! Expect a pack meeting and hunt thread very soon so we can all meet and mingle. :D

End.