don't follow him

From the dense thicket, the man had traveled southward. His interactions were few and far between at that point, however. Merlin was a bit disappointed, but after his interest had been peaked about a mountainous journey, he felt inspired and was quite determined to find these mountains. When he wasn't enclosed by trees, Merlin could see the range to the east and after a long journey south, he began to move directly east. It was a rather long walk, mostly involving him being surrounded by trees or wandering through damp fields. But it wasn't so bad. These lands were unfamiliar, so there were so many sights and smells. His brain was always at work. In fact, he found himself occasionally forgetting about Arlette, focusing on more pressing matters. Of course, she found her way back into his mind by extension.

He needed a place to live, but hopefully she would be there too. A perfect home. But then he'd remember that he was awfully hungry and would spend a few hours hunting down a rabbit to pick clean. And in time, Merlin was faced with the giant stone slopes of the mountain. A nameless mountain. And he climbed it with tired legs, but determined mind. Not until he scaled this obstacle. At a high point, Merlin found himself lakeside. Brows came together in confusion. Why was there a lake up here? Nosing the air, there was another strong scent in the distance, reminiscent of a pack. The lake was hardly something he was concerned about and began to travel around it, only desiring to get down this giant rock. <b style="color:#a59f32">"speech."

So long.. he had been traveling for so long now. It had been almost two months, and it was hard to believe that he had gotten so little done in all of this time searching for his brother. He sometimes wondered if his search was futile. Even though his father had told Ash where to go to find their half-sister, that did not mean that is where he found her, and now Dalton traveled these lands going on the whisper of scents on the wind, almost forgetting at times what he was searching for. Sometimes he wished he could forget and go home, this dilly quest seemed foolish by times, but then he was pulled back quickly by the fact that returning to his father with any news short of what he wanted to hear was out of the question. He knew that their sister had to be killed for her wrong doings against their father, whatever they may be. Father wouldn't lie.

He had come from the Northwest, being told to head towards the mountains of Relic Lore. Unfortunately, these lands were vast, and covered in wolves with all kinds of scents to knock off his internal compass and sniffer. He had hit the mountains, but no one that he had encountered had heard of his brother or his half-sister, though they assured him that their were all kinds of wolves on and past the mountains. With not much else to go on, Dalton had started south, slowly climbing the mountains on a slant as to make it less of a climb. Now he found himself sitting at the edge of the strangest placed lake he had ever come across. This land was new to him. The scents were new, the sounds were new, even the ground had felt different beneath his paws. But now he had been trodding through the lands for so long, it was beginning to feel familiar.. if new could feel familiar if you were at it enough?

The smell of water greeted his nose as he had moved continuously upwards on the mountain. Glancing up through a break in the trees, he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the expansion of water on top of these mountains. His strides lengthened as he hurried forward, eager for a drink of the cool water. Dalton had been traveling nonstop. About three days earlier, he thought he had caught a whiff of his family's musky scent on the breeze and he had barely stopped since. The smell had only lingered for a bit, and he lost it within the first few hours of happening upon it. Now, here he stood, front paws lingering in the water and back paws on shore. His nose caught something else on the breeze this time, and his ears flicked forward as his gaze turned east. He noticed a figure in the distance trodding along the edge of the lake. It was embarrassing how his heart leap for company, and hopefully a new lead on his brother. The brown male lowered his head and tail to a relaxed position, and examined the male's scent as he drew closer.

When he had finally made his way through the foothills, heading up the mountain seemed like as good as any of an idea to survey things. He had seen it days before through the thick canopies of the Lore's vibrant forests, but hadn't quite realized just how long it would have taken to reach it. No matter anyway, he had, and now as he made the fair summit upwards, he was eager to see what lay above such a curious garden of eden. There on the slope, his earthen body excelled in scaling up the winding pathways. He didn't take the most safe route, nor the most direct, but there were times when precision definitely played key. Falling now from a loose plateau edge or slipping sideways and backwards down the slope wouldn't necessarily be a swift offing, but it would have done plenty of damage.

Still, he persisted until it became tiring. That naturally slowed his pace, eventually funneling him to worn pathways deemed and built for the less brash, perhaps more intelligent bodies to go. They were worn but not overly so; Shrapnel could tell that at one point or another, there had been a bit more travel upon them than in recent days. Maybe a pack had existed somewhere on the expansive range, it was certainly plausible. But as long as they weren't there -- and he didn't think so -- then he thought there'd be little trouble. That was until he found himself drawn towards the lake, or rather the scent of water on the brisk, heady wind. He spied it out through the timberline, well above the actual dip that seemed to cause it all to pool together.

He had seen such a thing before, only dried up. A cauldron of silt and sand, once used to hold such a precious commodity. But by the time he considered that, he had shaken the memory away by coming down through the trees, once again forging his own path in lieu of the easier way down. Once on more level ground, he paused for a moment. Curiously testing the wind, there were unmistakable touches that he noted. There were others, but how recent or close he couldn't have said. It was his arrival near the shore of the lake that made him realize how they had all been innately drawn to it, or at least had very coincidental timing. Shrapnel gained the honor (or lack thereof) of approaching from the least advantageous point every -- right directly in line of sight of either wolf. He gave them curious, if not skeptical looks, wondering if he had just stumbled on something... or had simply stumbled into somewhere he shouldn't have been.

Usually when the alpha of Poison Path observed his throne of the lake in the shadows he was not bothered by the presence of a loner. Hell, for all he cared they could do whatever they wanted, as long as they did not bother him or the borders of his pack. Though, when three men are in one place near the lake, it was not unlike him to grow uneasy. The poisoned wolves could easily remember the raid that Naira had led in an attempt to get both of her children to return with her, in her new pack. Her son, Datura, had willingly left the pack, while Belladonna had stayed. Unfortunately, not soon after, the young girl disappeared, leaving the pack in a state of mourning. None the less, the presence of the three wolves on his lake made him uneasy and it was why he got off of his ass and headed towards them.

The large male stalked forward and when he arrived, he was not pleased to see that two of the men were bigger than him, though probably not in better shape than him…considering he could not take any note of a pack on them. However, the other male seemed slightly smaller than him…but other than that they were remarkably similar. Over the years, Ash’s scent had changed remarkably from the Hervok clan, but it seemed as though this male had a highly familiar stench to him. Pushing the thought away briefly, he looked over the three males, as they had come together, his mossy green eyes narrowed, "I do not wish to be a bother…but may I ask why you three men are near Poison Path territory?" His tail whisked behind him quickly, his posture not dominant or submissive, considering that he was not on his pack’s grounds. He did watch all three of the wolves closely though, unease shuffling around in his stomach.

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

Merlin kept up his even pace around the lake, the strange scent growing stronger. This alerted Merlin to some claimed territory up ahead, probably within the thick foliage. So he'd just have to find a way around it when he got there. If he got there. He quickly noticed a wolf heading towards him, and his own pace slowed greatly. This male was notably smaller than Merlin, and held no familiar scent, so Merlin kept his stance slightly dominant. His tail swayed evenly behind his back and his head was held high as he waited for the man to stop. But then there was another wolf to appear, slightly larger than Merlin now. Was this an ambush? Neither party seemed very threatening, and did not charge him. In fact, the latter wolf seemed a little confused by all this. It was probably just a coincidence, some accidental meeting of rogues.

<b style="color:#a59f32">"Bonne journée, gentlemen," Merlin greeted the two males, dipping his head politely. He was looking forward to questioning them on the whereabouts of Arlette, although he hadn't garnered that much information yet. He was beginning to think that he'd have to rely on mere fate to bring them together. <b style="color:#a59f32">"I hope you won't mind if I ask--" The appearance of a third male caught his attention, and the smell on him was quite different to the males before him, matching the suffocating scent that came from beyond the lake. And from the question he brought forth, it seemed that that scent was caused by Poison Path. <b style="color:#a59f32">"I'm simply a passerby, monsieur. I know very little of these lands, and I assure you I mean no indifference to your boundaries." There was a sliver of indignation in his voice, mildly offended by this man's thought that just because they were in range of his boundaries, that they intended to trespass. Certainly this shorter male didn't own the lake, as well? <b style="color:#a59f32">"I did, in fact, intend to find a way around your lands. I'm on my way east." His stated his own intentions clearly, not interested in being a threat, despite the tone of his voice. <b style="color:#a59f32">"speech."

The first burly brute slowed his approach considerably once they locked gazes. Dalton supposed there was place for concern when two males met, but he had not the energy for quarrel nor patience. Though, the situation could only get that much more interesting when another larger male stumbled in right between them. Dalton's halted his movement, his gaze flickering to the second wolf to appear. Super.. well, here's the company you've so desperately wanted Dalton, he thought to himself, inwardly rolling his eyes. At least there would be twice as good of a chance of someone knowing his brother. The more wolves he met, the sooner he could figure out if Nina had been eliminated. The second wolf looked at them skeptically, as if he might turn right back around and leave. Dalton's emerald eyes flicked back to the first wolf, who had stark blue eyes but seemed hardly youthful enough for them, and was now holding himself with much more valor. Dalton fought the urge to puff his chest and raise his tail as well, but kept his relaxed stature about him, neither assertive or submissive.

The rust and cream colored male spoke first, with an amusing french twist about his words and accent. This caused a soft grin to appear on Dalton's lips, glad to see that there wasn't going to be any conflict from the wolf, after he lowered his head politely. Though, no sooner than the rust-cream-blue-eyed brute began speaking that, yet another, wolf prodded onto the scene, but not before they all caught his strong scent first. Dalton raised his eyebrows at the party of males here now at the waterside. This was just too quaint. He also couldn't help but notice he was the smallest male there, and likely the most weary. In the back of his head he put his fight or flight readiness signal on stand-by, just in case the situation got awry at any point.

Now transferring his full attention to the newest male, Dalton's eyebrows returned from their surprise and furrowed into a mix of confusion and concentration. The male before him looked very similar to himself, from the dark browns in his fur to the green in his eyes, and his general built stature. His nose searched the air for anything that was familiar about him, but his scent was too foreign to make any indefinite stipulations. He spoke this time, and Dalton was almost certain now. There was so much familiarity, yet as much unfamiliarity.. It had been three years since his brother left home.. Many things had changed. Ash might not even recognize him either. He decided not to throw away his position yet, and to stay with the game at hand. His eyes fell on the second male to arrive again, before hearing the rustic one speak once more, amusing him once more with his francais.

Dalton smirked at the third wolf, "Well, I just came for the sausage fest. I was told this was the place to come," he joked to him, "Thought I might find who I was looking for here. Though I assure you, I haven't come across anything poisonous yet, but I'll keep my eye out for larkspurs and nightshade for ya," he assured his look-alike. His slight smirk on his face would hopefully affix the brutes' senses of humor. He knew he was bordering some territories, but had made certain not to cross any, but in any case he supposed that this wolf scout here was being extra diligent in keeping outsiders away. The first male was a rogue like himself, and now he turned his attention to the second male who had yet to speak. His green eyes fixed on him curiously to hear why he had come, his tail swayed sporadically, curious.

(This post was last modified: Jun 27, 2013, 09:55 PM by Dalton.)

A beat of awkward silence occurred between the trio, then broken by the most vibrant of them. The accent in which spoke with was incredibly foreign to Shrapnel, who fixed his gaze on him. But it hung there almost as briefly as the the moment of awkward silence; someone else was steadily approaching, and their words cut cleanly through the query attempting to be spoken. And the first thing that Shrapnel picked up on was the air of authority written about him. The fact that he was well built came to follow too, but by then he was already picking up crucial information he had not had before. Apparently they were all uncomfortably close to a pack.

Well, that wasn't too surprising, or so he assumed. So then it became more of a questionnaire at that point, but with good reason. So as each of them spoke, Shrapnel listened carefully. The vibrant fellow was no different than him, a simple passerby out for a stroll. But it was what the smallest of their trio said that drew an amused snort out of his silent frame. Sausage fest. It was about as close to laughing as he had been for quite some time, and it drew a brief smile to his face. But now their eyes had fallen to him and his now relaxed state, and thankfully he didn't feel a youthful tension budding in him from their gaze.

"I just came for a drink," he simply stated, setting his gaze to meet his questioner's. He tested a line, curious of how he would react to their seemingly different yet similar answers. They were vagabonds with their own courses and agendas, granted at least one of them seemed to be more polite than the others. And he did want that drink, but didn't move for the simply that he didn't know what to expect. So he tested the line, waiting and preparing to gauge what followed next.

(This post was last modified: Jun 29, 2013, 08:18 PM by Shrapnel.)

Time had passed quickly; it had been a day ½ since Moe had been with Silver; enjoying the femme’s company. Bonding and growing closer to her, however leaving lupa at the border to her pack had to have been one of the hardest things she had ever done in her life. It was heart breaking for the small female; she did not have any desire to part with Silver. The dark female had been her first true friend, and something inside her; something dark and negative, made it seem like Silver would be her last. Moe shook her small cranium, sending the depressing thoughts flying from her mind. ‘I will not thing of it that way. I will visit her as much as I can, and possibly even join her if this pack turns me down.’ Moe thought with certainty. There was no way she was going to let the bond between them be crushed by distance. Moe was stronger than that, and she knew it.

Crossing the remaining land on the outskirts of the forest, she lifted her skull to examine the towering mounds of land peaking high above. Moe felt a jolt of fear, had she have taken the route from before she would be safely cutting through lover landscape. But no, she has to take the unfamiliar way. The dusty charcoal female, scoped the terrain before her, and then began to climb the steep mountain side. Her paws slipping every so often when she got to close to the edge; her heart would skip a beat, whenever she slid or lost her balance. Extending her nape to peek over the side, she caught her breathe. She was very far from the foliage below, that and with her thoughts of falling swarming in her mind like a bee’s hive. She couldn’t help but want to quickly scurry back down and go the other way. But, she felt she wanted to take this path. It’d be a learning experience for her, and not to mention it was a faster way to go. She could already smell the eerie winds of Spectral Woods; this reassured her that soon this would be over. Just another day or so and she’d be well… “Home” so to speak.

After climbing for what felt like hours she stumbled to the top of the mountain; which had taken longer due to the fact that she was not the best navigator when it came to rocky terrain such as this, The large slopes hard beaten her hard. She now slinked from the arrangement of trees into the open. Lifting her amber eyes to be shocked by the scene before her, “A lake?!” her voice cut sharp with confusion, and slight surprise. Of course she had to approach this mysterious lake, after all the effort of getting up here to pass through, had driven her to a mighty thirst. It was as if the water was a gift to her for all her trouble. Padding quickly from her spot she pranced giddily towards the lake water. However the Lone fae was stopped in her tracks by the males that were gathered nearest to it. She felt a chill creep up her spine. Her yellowed orbs stared at them silently; she was already in their range of vision. So turning to avoid them was abit unlikely. Her lobes swiveled back against her head, as her nose twitched while she observed them from a few feet away. Had she had come down slower this wouldn’t have happened.

Moe wandered closer, her stubborn thirst urging her to possible walk around them. Only one male spelled of Pack wolves. Moe wasn’t afraid more as she was… Chuckling under her breath she mentally growled at herself. She was fearful; after all she had never been a favorite amongst males. They always found her annoying and or pitiable. But, in the meantime she just needed to make herself known, speak her business, and then slide right through on to Spectral Woods. However the group slightly intrigued her since, it seemed like an odd gathering of wolves. None of which seemed to be from the same place. Shaking her head of that, she spoke. Padding close enough so that she was yelling. “Hello, Sorry to interrupt, but I noticed you all while passing through…” Her voice was cautious and her words were selected carefully, as they should have been. Now she just waited for a response.

*~Love is the most powerful weapon~*

Things had been much tamer and Namara had continued to train herself, keeping clear of everyone all the same. She was watching now. Waiting, for what may come, and being a protector, at last she could say she was at full strength. Maybe she was not the same wolf, but now she was stronger. The female trod with purpose now and renewed duty. As Ash had been the second guardian of Poison path before and was leader now. She would be the guardian that he was before. As a ghost, there would be two now who watched from the crags and high rocks, for intruders trespassers and vagrants. It was not her place to pass judgement but she would watch and protect those in her mountain home.

It was a hard job but her muscles regained their strength and her paws their swiftness. Her only give away to her past battles now were her memories and crooked paw. In the future it would prove to be a hindrance at times, but more than anything a danger, to the she wolf whom walked upon it with no notice to the fact that it would be as strong as her other three. She moved towards the lake in shadowy flourishes among the trees and brush. What little cover there was was utilized. A scrum came upon the wind to her. The racket was grating on her ears, the sound of many males. One female, and Ash. At the thought of her leader alone around so many strangers she broke her cover and moved towards the small cluster of wolves.

"I did not know that Poison Path played host to parties of loners." She gave each and every wolf, save for Ash, a look that told them all just what she would do if they did not heed the warnings in her stance. "I do hope you all have very good reasons for being so close to our borders" A tilt of her ear and head in an almost sarcastic way towards the loners that said Well? I'm listening. She kept her silence and waited. Oh how she hoped this would not turn into a bloodbath. It would be far too messy and hard to explain to Athena why loners lay dead on the border. It was not good for such things to happen so close to home.

The man’s unease was growing as the seconds passed, his mossy green eyes traveling to each of the males as they spoke to him. It was a relief to hear that they were all in the area for different reasons, though it would have been easy for each of them to make up an alibi on the spot, he had done it several times. The first man, seemed to be slightly offended if anything, at least, if Ash was reading him right, and the second wolf, the smallest one, seemed to find it funny and decided to make a joke out of such an encounter. An amused snort dropped his attention from his look-a-like and his jade gems flashed towards the other man, hearing his own version of why he was here. Figuring that their stories were all legit, he was about to offer help to the first two males who had spoken, when another wolf arrived, this time female.

All four wolves before him now were foreign to him, and he had no clue how to react. The last time many wolves had come near the borders of Poison Path, they had tried to raid…thankfully nothing too bad had happened. The little woman that they all clearing towered over stood before them, claiming that she was just passing through. Forcing his fur to stop bristling, a cold chill ran through his spine, the familiar form that appeared next to him causing a ghost of a smile to appear upon his lips before it was gone. At her entrance, a pleased and amused growl rumbled through his throat as he touched her shoulder before looking back towards the loners. Namara had a way of being able to make him laugh, unlike others around him. Just like the second male who had spoken. At Namara’s interjection before he could speak, he took the chance to explain, "They were just passing through, Namara. Though I believe we could help those two men," he paused, mentioning towards the two nameless males that had spoken first, "Perhaps we will be able to help you with…who or…what you’re looking for?" With his question, he tilted his head curiously, mossy eyes gleaming in what could have been mistaken as mischief.

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