Fallen Tree Cove To walk this path

It seemed like it had been a busy time. Anthem had been trying to make sure that the borders were well patrolled even going so far as to sleep near them so that when he woke up he could continue. Now he was making his way to one of the caches. He had been noticing that they were being depleted. By who he could only guess but soon he would go out hunting with hopes of trying to fill them. He doudted it was Namid though seeing as she was likely being fed by Vespertio to help her keep hunger away. 

They would need the food around though with the new mouths that would soon be arriving. He wasn't sure when they would come though, but then he doubted anyone did. Letting his nose help him find one of the caches that were spotted through the territory help him he found himself fruitlessly searching. It seemed whoever was doing it was doing it consistently. His lips curled up in a snarl as he whirled stalking back and forth before finally moving so that he was heading toward the lake. The snow that was falling wasn't going to help him at all with what he was planning to do and he wasn't going to enjoy it one bit. 

Reaching his goal Anthem stared across the glass like surface of the lake. Snow was softly falling around him. Sighing he began to wade into the liquid until he was belly deep, wincing slightly at the cooled temperature. Then he let himself fall still. His gaze was fastened to the surface water beneath him. Having placed himself in a spot he had noticed more fish on other occasions he waited. Soon he hoped one would come near him and into his waiting jaws. That is if he was lucky.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

The snow had begun to fall and all that she could respond to it was with a growl on annoyance. They had just gotten rid of the white trap, and now it was coming back with vengeance. While she suspected that it wouldn’t stick for long, as the weather in the spring time was ever changing and the next day could bring sunny and warmer weather (she hoped), it was still an unpleasant experience. The Star Dancer have her pelt a shake to fluff it up some more in hoped to keep out the chill, a slight frown marring her maw as she trekked on.

As she went, she came across the scent of Anthem. She’d only seen him twice, once in their meeting and at the pack gathering. Their meeting hadn’t been on the best of terms, but it had ended with a half-handed patch up of her mistake. She’d come to know his scent well, as it was almost as common as hers and Vespertio’s. She appreciated his efforts, as he seemed to be working just as hard as them to keep their land in tip top shape. Deciding to follow it, she came across the man wading into the obviously frigid waters. Confusion and slight worry crossed her features as she meandered forward, curious as to what he was doing. As she neared, she realized the stance and the focus he was in as he stared at the water below him. Namid, an excellent fisher herself, could recognize that anywhere and also realized that the skill needed as much silence as possible to avoid scaring away any possible prey. She herself would go in if it weren’t for her pregnancy. If the water were warmer she could chance it, but with it being as cold as it was it wouldn’t be good for her or her children less she caught a cold from it. No, instead she hung back and waited patiently for him to either catch something or turn back.

Patience was the key when fishing. You had to let the fish get over the brief startle of you joining them in the water and then forgotten they would creep closer. Anthem's blue eyes remained on the water as it slowly shifted beneath him as he breathed. Slowly he became aware that their was someone on shore watching him but he didn't pay them much attention as a fish had finally began to drift towards him. He let his head slowly dip closer to the surface of the cold liquid as he watched it. His eyes were calculating trying to decide when was the best time to strike. It felt like the seconds were stretched as he watched it come closer and even closer still. 

His jaws parted and his body tensed then he moved. His head went beneath the surface as his jaws closed around the slippery body of the fish. It wriggled in his grip and it's tail slapped him in the face as he lifted his head above the lake's water. The fish frantic now thrashed in his grip but his jaws tightened and their was a sharp snap before the fish feeble struggled once more before falling still. Now Anthem turned to see who had been watching and waiting on the shore. The silvery queen, Namid, her mismatched eyes on him. How long had she been their he wondered briefly as he moved towards land. 

Wagging his tail in greeting he neared her before letting his prize rest on the now snow covered ground. Would you like some? He asked her indicating the fish that lay between them. He could always catch more. It would be time consuming but she was carrying the precious treasures of the pack and so it would be worth it. 

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

As she watched, the queen of the lake noted that Anthem seemed to have a reasonable understanding of the skill. Of course, she wasn’t surprised considering half of their land was covered in water and thriving with marine life. If one didn’t know you to fish in their lands, what good would they be? Her head tilted to the side as she watched, paying close attention to his posture. She knew the moment he saw what he was looking for as his ears perked, before a second later the man had lurched forward to ensnare one of the slippery animals in his jaws. It was a clean kill, one that impressed her especially since she assumed it was his first attempt for the day at fishing.

He seemed to notice her then, his blue gaze sweeping over to her. His body followed, trekking its way toward her with a friendly wag of his tail. Until before, she felt no need to posture other than a small lift of her tail. However, the movement would be no different than what he was used to in the presence of Vespertio. Perhaps the woman was finally getting the hang of her position. He placed the fish in front of her, asking her if she would like some. Even if she’d wanted to say no, her body simply wouldn’t allow it. The hunger she’d been feeling that was needed to feed not only herself but her children was seemingly insatiable. Namid felt guilty for taking the prey that he’d gone into freezing waters to retrieve, but something told her that he really wouldn’t mind that much.

“I would love some, thank you. I just cannot seem to stop eating, I fear I may be getting fat,” She chuckled good naturedly. Of course she knew she was pregnant, she was basically a balloon at that point. However, she hoped he could see that she wasn’t the bad wolf that she may have set herself up to be in their first meeting. Bending her head she sank her teeth into the flesh of the fish, holding it down with her forepaws as she tore a bit off, chewed, then swallowed. It was the first fish of the season for her, and she savored the taste in her mouth. Running a tongue over her maw, she turned her gaze upon the man once again. “May I ask how you learned to fish?”

He watched with amusement as she took the fish and began to eat it, while telling him that she was getting fat. Anthem let out a short chuckle at her words. For some reason even though he was cold with the water dripping from his pelt and the cold chilling him the large male was in a relatively good mood. Maybe it was because he had successfully caught something or the company he was with. He didn't know nor did he wish to figure out why. It might make him sour again. 

Making his way back over to the water he looked at Namid as she asked how he had learned to fish. He thought about it while he got back into the water and took his position though this time he was closer to the edge so that he could speak to the silvery lady while he waited for the fish to hopefully come  his way. I learned the basics from my father and then when I left the pack I learned how to be better at it. He glanced up at her before his attention went back to the water. I had to learn otherwise I might have starved. He said it simply without much thought. It was a fact that was absolutely true. 

What about you, do you know how to fish? He asked as he watched a fish begin to drift his way before slipping out of reach. He hadn't seen her fish but that didn't mean she didn't know how. Plus he figured that the only reason why she wasn't fishing now, that is if she knew how, was because of the pups. 

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

A chuckle of amusement escaped his maw, and a smile graced her own features at this. She seemed to me managing to make progress with the male second, and she was already finding that she liked his company. After learning of everything he’d done for the pack, she was more grateful to him than ever. While many of his outings had turned up fruitless, he had still spent many weeks away from their lands in the harshness of winter in an attempt to keep them driving. He showed great loyalty to them, and she knew that she could count on him. If only she had a friend and second like that beneath her…

To her surprise, he waded back into the nippy waters though he remained closer to her than before. She waited patiently for his reply, having no real place she needed to be at that moment and feeling more of a need to get to know him better. After a moment, he replied and expressed that his father had taught him to fish just like hers had. However, while she had really honed her skills under his supervision Anthem had honed his to learn to survive. That was what their species did, she supposed. They had a knack for developing what they really needed for survival, doing whatever they needed to keep their hearts pumping.

Settling herself into a lounging position on her stomach, she crossed her paws in front of herself, “I suppose we all do what we have to do to survive, it is something that drives us all in the end. I do indeed know how to fish, but that is a skill I will have to show you at another point in time,” She began, gesturing to her belly. “My father taught me to fish as well. I became a sort of expert I suppose under his watch, during the times we spent together personally. I did not learn to fish to survive as you did, I learned it to grow closer to my family,” She finished, a bit of nostalgia entering her mismatched gaze.

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

He was watching the water below him as he listened to the silvery lady speak. What she said was true. Survival was what everyone strived for in the end. When one was going to be killed they fought the hardest to try and stay alive on more day and take one more breath. Of course their were those rare few who accepted it and submitted to the way of the world. Anthem had met a few of those and each one had made him consider all the lives that he had taken. All the lives he might have saved. He didn't think that he would ever give up his live willingly. If he had to die at the hands of another he was going to make them remember it.

I will be waiting expectantly for that day. A much brighter thought crossed his mind and he looked at Namid a small grin on his face. Maybe if the pups are old enough we could give them lessons then as well. They could do the two at the same time. Teach will they showed. It would make the summer much more interesting. The talk about family though had him feeling a little bitter inside. He wasn't sure if he envied what Namid and Vespertio had when he had bad luck or if he actually just wanted to have his own pups. Gazing back into the water he eyed a smaller fish that was making its way towards him.

I was on my own for almost three years it was a necessity that I learn how. He said only half paying attention to what he spoke as his eyes narrowed. Closer, closer. Now! Once more Anthem head ducked under the water his jaws snapping shut on the tail of the fish. Lifting his head he walked to the shore the slippery prey flailing this way and that. Dropping it on shore he quickly ended it though. Licking his chops he asked with a glance to Namid if she wanted this fish as well before he spoke again. I have traveled for almost all of my life that's why I have come to value what I have in the Cove maybe more than some might. He spoke aver as he gazed at her.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

A regretful somber mood fell between them for a moment due to her heavy comment. It was definitely a comment that got one thinking about how precious life was and how easy it was to lose it, but that conversation wasn’t one she wanted to have now. Especially not when she was really enjoying the company with Anthem and the conversation they were having. Thankfully, though, his expression brightened as he changed the subject, saying that he couldn’t wait to see her test out her skills. ”Maybe if the pups are old enough we could give them lessons then as well.” he suggested, and to this she nodded fervently in agreement. “I believe that is a wonderful idea. I would really prefer they learn to swim as early as possible, due to the fact that half of our territory is covered in water.” she commented. A bit of unrest would be put to ease once that task was done and her children could swim appropriately in their aquatic dominated terrain. She couldn’t even bring herself to think about the possibility that one of them could venture too far from the den and fall in unknown to her, it brought a shudder to her body. No, they would learn as soon as they were able and that was a must.

He began to speak more about his life and the pale woman listened, ears turned forward in interest to show she was listening. Her brows rose slightly in surprise at the amount of time he had been alone for. Three years was a long time in solitude, and it would certainly make any wolf hardy to life. He waded back into the waters and took but a minute to capture another fish. This time, when he came back to offer it to her she refused and motioned for him to eat it himself. They had more food in the caches for her to eat, and she wanted him to be able to have some as well. After all, the water was obviously cold and she didn’t want him to have no reward for his hard work.

I have traveled for almost all of my life that's why I have come to value what I have in the Cove maybe more than some might.” the second expressed to her, and this made her heart swell. That single comment proved to her what a loyal member to them Anthem was and what luck they had in having him in their service. Not many men were out there like him, and they had been lucky to snag him up. A gentle smile played on her lips and she turned her gaze to the lapping waters of the lake, “It seems Fallen Tree Cove has become redemption for many fugitives and the needy. We take in those in need and nurse them, preening them to become loyal members to our cause. I certainly happened that way for me. This land…it is a way to right the wrong I have done in not being able to save my family. It is a new start, a place for me to truly protect and love in the way that was ripped from me a time ago. This is why I will give anything to see us prosper, to see us thrive and survive and become the pack that I knew we can become. You all have already given me so much, it is only fair I return the favor.”

It came as no surprise when Namid agreed to his suggestion about the fishing excursion, especially when she added that it would be a good chance for them to learn to swim. With the two adults there they wouldn't be able to get in trouble, or at least that was what Anthem hoped. You never knew with puppies they were little bundles of energy. Taking the fish that he had caught after getting the okay from the silvery lady he began to eat a paw holding it in place while water dripped off him to the ground. 

Licking his chops he glanced up as Namid began to speak once more. His interest was peaked as he the mention of not being able to save her family came up. What had happened? He was almost going to ask but violently shoved that question away. He didn't want to speak of his past so he wasn't going to ask her about hers. But the way she spoke about how she was going to work to return the favor had him thinking. He sat there watching her for a moment or two as he considered what she had said. Finally he came to a decision.

Standing he stood up to his full height and with his head high his eyes meet hers. If that is how you feel then I have no qualms about following you. He told her before he let his head bow low and to the side to reveal his neck, eyes to the ground, and tail hanging down. Submitting to her more than he had ever done with even Vespertio. Her words had struck a cord with him and with them she had earned his loyalty. 

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.