Cut Rock River hold your breath and count to ten

Backdated a bit because Rook shouldn't have been gone that long, and since he has escorted the sisters towards the north of CRR, he's come back because he needs a word or two with his superiors... <3 If I need to change the date, jus' let me know!

Around February 12th; Evening; Light snow showers; 16 ° F, -9 ° C

Since leaving Willow Ridge borders with the two Attaya sisters at his back, Rook's mind was abuzz with everything that had happened. It had taken days for him to shake the self-inflicted shame from his limbs, the guilt from his heart, and the burden of sin from his mind and shoulders. At the old tree where Jaysyek had given birth to Rook's four older siblings, he left both Quil and Cinder to rest and chat among themselves or do whatever it was they wanted to do. Heading southbound, he was careful to keep himself from becoming disoriented in the falling snow, using scent and certain landmarks to continue heading towards the Cut Rock River territory borders he had religiously kept up until a few weeks ago.

Given that the sun had just set only a few moments ago, he waited for a while, toeing the invisible fence between pack lands and the wilderness beyond. He paced in a circle, his heart hammering in his chest as, all too suddenly, he was reminded of the reason he had deviated beyond the River wolves' borders: A failed mission to secure aid for his parents, but a successful feat in convincing Quil (and her sibling) to leave Willow Ridge.

A whine left his muzzle in worry and he shook his head as he forced himself to sit down and collect himself. He bowed his head and closed his eyes.

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was several weeks ago now and these are my sins...

• I've made a failed attempt to honor my father and mother and turned their best chance of procuring a remedy into a gaffe. The wolves who were to be our allies are now enemies.
• I've said your name in vain, so many times over under my breath.
• I have coveted my neighbor's den, their family, their kinship.
• I have slandered my neighbor, maybe borne false witness against them.
• But, worst of all, I have stolen. I have stolen what I had thought should be mine, my ultimate offense against sullying the wolves of Willow Ridge.

A deep sigh exited him in a puff of cloud-like vapor as he finished. As penance I will be more altruistic, more open-minded, and carry out for You, seven good deeds. Starting now...

When he opened his eyes again he looked around, gazing over his shoulders twice before gathering his feet beneath him and shaking the snow from his coat. As if it were a risky sort of task, he offered a few loud barks (attempting to make them sound as casual and undemanding as he could) towards the depths of Cut Rock River, attempting to beckon @Kisla or @Maksim from the heart of their domain. As he saw it, the longer Rook remained within their ranks, the more he directed Willow Ridge's sights on the pack. So long as they would hear him out, he hoped their brief exchange of news would be received and sealed on a good note.

It had been quiet the past few days – the tensions continued to rise with the Cavern wolves, and Kisla felt more and more at unease with her home. Her paws itched to take a visit to Sacred Grove and Swift River – to satisfy that small, unanswered question of what memories the territory would truly bring back – whether it be that of her happier moments, romping through the small woods with Fenru, or if it would only bring back the pain of Rissa’s death once more – of Indru and Rihael’s abandonment – of her near downing and kidnapping.

No, she could not bring herself to even visit there, right now.

A bark echoed throughout the forest.. stealing away the silence and interrupting the Baranski woman’s thoughts – with relief to her. Her honeyed form had been stretched before the communal den, and while she was uncertain who was beckoning her forward (Rook was such a quiet and scarce member), it did not cause her to hesitate.

She loped swiftly in his direction – her bright green eyes blinking as they cast themselves upon the yearling. A gentle smile was given to the boy before she offered a small nod of greeting to him. Closing the distance between them, the regal gave a small bump of her nose to his cheek – a gesture of brotherhood and family. Rook, she offered warmly then, though would then take a few paces away from him, lest her scent of spring fall to his nose. She held no doubt @Maksim would be at her side shortly – he did not lt her out of his sight for long these days.

sparking up my heart

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

Trying a liiiiiiiiittle too hard to link concepts (Kisla to Borden to Aiyana. Borden to Kade to Maksim. GH to DWR to CRR), but bah... everything is so close and yet so far, so Rook's just decided to put everything on the line 'ere. :S

"Rook," the utterance of his name made him turn about as if he were about to be ambushed. He swallowed as she drew near, comforting him with a customary touch of her nose to the side of his face. "My Lady," he addressed her, breathless if only by her prompt appearance and warm tone. "I..." Just seconds ago he was so sure he had this all down. Hell, this was all he had been thinking about since he had been escorted beyond Willow Ridge. He should have had the whole of what he wanted to say.

His tongue poked out from between his lips, dampening the front of his nose as he breathed out. "I need to tell you something," he slowly began, hoping she would allow him the time to fully explain everything that had made up his brief stay within Cut Rock River. His eyes averted out of respect and his ears drew back. "At the start of winter, I had come to the River for your help, a place to stay while I figured out for myself what had happened to the wolves of Grizzly Hollow, the pack that had once lived not far from here." He couldn't help but to brace himself, half-anticipating that her reaction might be like the one his Aunt Elettra had harshly brought upon him.

"My name is Rook Lyall, Jaysyek Enap Lyall and Borden Lyall's son. Ally to the Attaya's of Darkwater Rapids." The way the yearling saw it, if Cut Rock River had grudges against either of them, now was the time to, at least, come clean... If offering his name had brought out Willow Ridge's disapproval of him and his family out in the open, who knew if the blonde-furred Leader had felt the same? "My parents once inhabited the Cedarwood in the north and it was my father's wish to return. We... I-I had been expecting Kade and Ava to be here; he had been the last to lead the pack my family had left behind, but he isn't here."

His duo-colored eyes flit up to her face if only for the briefest of moments to assess what emotion or expression he might find there. "I've kept your caches full, traversed your borders and maintained them in the night, and have gathered bits of useful material for you - willow bark, willow vines, scraps of hide and fur wherever I find them. I've scouted through the whole of the forest beyond for threats, for clues, for answers, and I would like to ask for your permission - your blessing - to leave in order to fulfill my father's (dying) wish." Then, in haste and in hopes of not having her cut him off before he could even finish, he added, "And, I want to be the first to offer an alliance between us. Whatever is ours may be yours if you so wish it, so long as the trust is there; we scratch your back, you'll scratch ours. I hope I have proven to you over these past few months that I am a man of my word and what I extend to you comes with nothing but good intentions. If you have us on your side, I can promise protection from the northern woodlands."

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

The tawny male was quick to get to the point – and as the words flowed rather fluently from his muzzle, the honeyed she-wolf’s eyebrows lifted higher in surprise, withholding the furrow of her brow that almost darkened her features. Betrayal was a quick feeling to flutter within her chest.. especially given that the boy had never mentioned before if any of this had been his true intentions.

The Lyall’s were further proving to be a name of disappointment in the Tainn she-wolf – Borden had swept her sister away with the promise of escape from her troubles.. and now it looked as if they were setting up camp just outside Cut Rock River borders – despite the fact that had abandoned their heritage almost two years prior.

I know of Borden Lyall, she mentioned, her tone holding her disapproval firmly for the boy to see. Is Aiyana with him? He coaxed her from her family when they first abandoned this forest, she noted, her eyes squarely regarding the youth to his own mismatched gaze. And yet, despite her reservations of their proposal laid before her, and the sudden overwhelming notion that the forest that had served as an abundant resource for her family was now shared with a boy who had simply come to them to bide his time, it could also be considered foolish to surpass the potential of an ally.

Especially with Whisper Caverns proving to be quite the pests.

Casting the agouti wolf a quick glance, she gave a small shake of her muzzle. This is not a decision I can make on my own, she offered, before tilting her muzzle up and calling for @Maksim – the king of the forest that had claimed as home. As her song faded, she cast her eyes fiercely upon Rook once more, determined to fill the silence with questions that would need to be answered. And why does Borden Lyall show an interest in the forest once more?

sparking up my heart

Kinda rushed and icky--sorry about that! </3

Perhaps it was simply bad luck that put Maksim so far from place where Rook Lyall stood. The initial call had caused the king to mutter a sharp "shit" under his breath. He stood too far from the yearling's position to be there in an instant. But he had begun to run without hesitation, a need to be both a leader and trusted friend to all who stood in the ranks of Cut Rock River. He was there to inspire and to offer a shoulder in times of need--after all, what good was a leader when they did not offer companionship to their followers? There were things, however, that the agouti titan could not predict in regards to the conversation that he, his mate and Rook would dabble in.

1. Rook Lyall wanted to leave. Rather, he was going to. Not the Cedarwood Forest, though ...
2. He wanted to leave and form a pack. One that would be close to the river wolves' current territory.
3. With him, he had Attaya siblings: the very girls he had guarded daily when they were mewling cubs.

Kisla's call rang out this time, and Maksim knew this was something that truly required his presence. His stomach knotted and his brows furrowed as he thundered onward, kicking up snow and pine needles underfoot. What could it possibly? Something urgent? Had Rook news of Whisper Caverns? Were they marching against the River wolves? If they were, then they would get a damn good fight--for too long, the agouti king allowed the cavern rats to slander his name, his pack's honour. Damp little vermin ... to snap the neck of Ash Hervok would be something the Baranski male would willingly do. He had abandoned Darkwater Rapids for his little mistress, and now he had brought injuries to the river queen. Unforgivable acts of cowardice.

The ugly man brought a sense of nausea to Maksim's stomach.

Minutes ticked past before the king finally arrived on the scene, slowing to a slow walk as he stood beside Kisla and eyed Rook almost coldly for a moment. "So urgently I have been called," he mused, mostly to himself. His gaze was hard as he frowned, brows still knotted together. "What is it, Rook?" 

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

The youth's whiskered brows came together in a curious disbelieving gaze when the tawny Leader asked him about Aiyana. His mind spun about once in his skull. Aiyana was his sister though... What did Kisla have to do with her and why did she want to know? First it was Elettra and his uncle, and now this with Kisla Baranski being familiar with both his father and his dark-furred sibling... What other secrets had he (and Bishop) not been told? He kept quiet, wanting the lading lady to maintain precedence as he gave her his utmost attention.

It was then that Kisla let him know that this decision was not only hers to make, that Sir Maksim would need to be consulted and his opinion weighed upon the matter also. It was as if Rook's heart had taken up permanent residence in his throat, ready to choke him should his attempt at modest diplomacy be the end of him altogether.

A rather simple nod was the first approach he took before he opened his mouth again, "Ai-Aiyana is my sister, she wasn't..." He winced, certain now that this was not the way to go about such a topic. "I didn't know, but, she was still with my parents when I left home," his words still came with careful measure, as if every syllable held with it a certain weight to its meaning and the way he utilized it. He might have had all his hopes perched on both of his shoulders but, in regards to the Cut Rock River wolves and the band of wolves who were waiting patiently for him within Cedarwood Forest and wherever else, he had nothing to lose as well as nothing to hide. Willow Ridge was already a declared enemy, what was one more? He could handle it (or, so he believed). Perhaps revealing more about Aiyana would tip the scales in his favor. "I'd like to think she was happy there; still is... She and our-- my older sister Trisden are probably at the head of Renegades Reach now that my mother and father are back in Relic Lore. She's safe, a promising Leader if I've ever met or seen one."

"I don't know why my father's decided to return," he admitted. "I know why they'd left but not why they've come back. Honestly, it was my wish to reclaim it for myself, but it would seem that he has other plans. He isn't well, the least I can do is to bring him back to the very last place he had called home."

"So urgently I have been called," a voice came to them through the snowfall. It nearly made Rook jump straight out of his pelt. The boy whipped about to stare into the intimidating, lordly face of Maksim Baranski, the River King. "What is it, Rook?" he demanded of the yearling. Rook, himself, lowered his head in a partial bow, a gesture of respect and submission. Even his bushy, black-tipped tail had come down to curve towards the space between his ankles.

"Sir," he courtly addressed, keeping gaze averted, focused on the air just past his right forelimb. His ears folded back for a few moments, but recovered to a more relaxed position as his left ear perked up to listen. "I've come to ask for your permission to be relieved from my duties. As I've told Lady Kisla, I believe I have done all I can to help you and your pack. Your borders are well-kept, your caches refilled, your children grown in a place that is secure and well looked after."

He had take a deep breath and allow the air from his chest to lift from him in wisps from his nostrils and lips. For the briefest two seconds, he allowed himself to steal a gaze at both of their faces, wanting now to tell him the rest of the news that had gone unsaid. "My Lord and Lady," Oh, he was nervous now... "My extended stay with Cut Rock River, I fear, as put you in danger. For as long as I stay with you, the wolves of Willow Ridge will come knocking. I want to offer you my alliance, the support of the pack my father and I will assemble to the north, Grizzly Hollow. You will be the first to have our support and protection from Elettra and Angier Lyall."

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

It was possibly the largest slap to the face that anyone could deliver her -- the wince the boy gave as he just came upon the realization that Aiyana was not his sister. She stared almost incredulously at the youth, her jaw opening to speak, and then snapping shut as rage and injury clawed at her chest -- Aiyana had not only left them, but hadreplaced them with lies.

Rook seemed to reel as she struggled to find some form of words to express herself.. but she could not trust herself in that very moment. He continued on to explain she was likely fine; great, even, as a promising leader. Corinna was likely rolling in her very grave at this moment. I see, she responded, her tone tight as she reigned in her emotions. She would not break down in front of this boy.

Maksim came, and Kisla welcomed his presence even more readily, grazing her shoulder against his as she attempted to unruffle herself. Her green eyes would drift to him as he questioned the agouti boy -- who in turn, responded with efficiency that would leave behind one key point to the entire matter. He did slip in his true intention -- Maksim, who had come from Grizzly Hollow, as she recalled, would understand what this meant. The forest was about to become a little more crowded.

And what have you done to anger the Ridge wolves? The thought of an alliance was not one they could turn down easily -- not with Whisper Caverns lingering so close to them and war. Kisla knew little of Willow Ridge -- but the prospect of two packs knocking at their door was certainly worrisome.

sparking up my heart

Maksim's face hardened as Rook coiled up in submission and spoke his piece. The agouti Mackenzie's lips formed a thin line as his cream dotted brows furrowed. He could scarcely believe the words he was hearing. The Lyall yearling believed he had done all he could to aid the Cedarwood's resident wolf pack and wished to take his leave from the ranks of Cut Rock River. It was enough to cause the corner of Maksim's lip to curl ever-so slightly as he scoffed internally--a wolf's job was never done. Each day brought renewed necessity to a duty.

And yet, the lord would not interject. Though he wished to clip the lad across the ear and question his upbringing, the Baranski father kept his steely gaze focused on the youth before him in almost uncomfortable, demanding silence. He mentally repeated each word Rook voiced, taking note of his body language. It translated to nervousness and uncertainty. The monarch of the River narrowed his peridot gaze, ready to say what needed to be said ... yet Rook continued and his words left a bitter, metallic taste in the leader's mouth.

He had managed to anger the wolves of Willow Ridge.

Every muscle in Maksim's body stiffened, his jaw tensing. How could one boy manage to gain the enmity of a pack? Not only had he done that, but it seemed that Rook had managed to pass that hate on to Cut Rock River. Beside him, Kisla spoke up, asking a single question that Maksim too wished to know the answer to. "Answer that, and I will give you my judgement." There was a sharp edge to his voice. Something about this felt undeniably like betrayal.

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

Remorse and shame should have been apart of Rook's mental inventory. As it was, his conscience barely had a grip on him. All he wanted to know was that he would be dismissed, renounced to his family's hopes and be allowed to risk everything in order to make a place for his family. Though he very much desired Kisla and Maksim's approval or simple validation of such a thing, he figured he could settle for the least of it all - the decision of being sent away. The only thing was that Rook was very much his father's son when it came to regarding his family's values; he was much too stubborn to merely accept the bare minimum in any given circumstance.

Still mindful of protocol and the customs of keeping his eyes averted, when his dual-colored irises came to regard his Leaders he looked from one to the other, holding their gazes for no more than a second each. He simply wanted to make sure they weren't already gesturing to one another that Rook was not worth any of their time.

"You must understand," he said quietly, his ears moving back as though they were going to remain there against his ruff, "we, Lyall's, are driven by diligence and honesty. It is our code, the motto of our family. I couldn't come to Relic Lore and not do it." His heartbeat still thrummed in its cage; he swallowed hard, staring at the ground as he finally came to answer the question in full. "I took back the Attayas' daughters and brought them to the Cedarwood. It wasn't Angier whom Kade and Ava trusted, it was my parents."

"Elettra would not stand for it but she let us leave. Her son, however, outright attacked me. If I stay with Cut Rock River, I will draw him here should he hunger for blood. I do not wish that burden upon you or your family and your pack; this is entirely a family matter, I couldn't bear to put your pack in the middle of the crossfire." A short pause found itself between his spiel and the very last of his sentences, that is, if it was worth anything at all to the Baranski's, "Please, if it helps, we have also relations with the Whisper Cavern wolves and can serve as formidable allies or an additional buffer if need be... This is no betrayal, I assure you both; if anything, I want to uphold and protect everything that once was if you will let me."

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.