Secret Falls We sang just to bless the morning

Koda Silentium Zia Inkheart
Alrighty! Here is the claiming thread for Broken Timber Pines! The first round ends on 5/18, everyone must post in at least one round to join the pack. I will love everyone if they can post before that date!

May 12 2015, Early Morning, Sunny 62F/17C

"The grove is bordered by the treacherous Secret Falls on one side and the imposing Mountain of Dire on the other. Partway between them, after the slopes give way and before the crash of water drowns all sound, is a home for those willing to stand up for it. The streams that meander towards the falls are peaceful now, but the land tells a story otherwise. Huge fallen trees lie in every direction. In some places they have toppled like dominoes, allowing rain and precious sunlight to reach every inch of the forest. A few red-cedar still stand proud, while quick-growing alder and salmonberry have started filling in the undergrowth."

Iopah was awoken by the staccato drill of a woodpecker.

They had been forced to take shelter the night before in a forest obscured by rain. It had been raining for days now. Sometimes a gentle rain, the sort that seemed more like a mist and made the wolves coats curl in the humidity. Other times it was a veritable deluge, complete with wind and the low booms of thunder. The Lore needed rain, but all appreciation was gone by the end of the second day. Iopah followed closely on Koda's heels, too weary to try and lead them through the curtain of water. She hovered around him, always in sight and often touching. Wherever Koda slept Iopah was right beside him.

The woodpecker continued and Iopah stirred and opened her eyes. She was expecting more water, but her eyes blinked opened to a clear sky of the most delicate blue. For a second she did nothing, simply let her eyes travel over the scenery. Without the rain it looked more open than it had felt the night before. Now Iopah could see the tall cedars that cast subtle shade over her sleeping wolves. An alder was growing, throwing out it's leaves with a bright flash of green. The ground underfoot was littered with shreds of bark and aromatic chunks of cedar. Iopah wondered at the cause until she twisted her head to look behind. Her eyes widened at the sight.

Last night she'd thought it was a shallow cave, but now Iopah could see it was a massive tree that had fallen at just the right angle to offer refuge. She rose to her feet, feeling dwarfed as it stretched far overhead, and looked past to see another fallen redcedar. Teeth sought Koda's shoulder to briefly rouse him, then she was stepping beyond the unusual sanctuary. There was no way to overlook the damage all around, something had happened to this forest. Toes sank deep into the bed of cedar mulch and her nails caught on a thick web of healthy roots. A quick sniff revealed the clean scent of cedar and blooming salmonberry. Impatient now, Iopah twisted to look for Koda. What did he think?

(This post was last modified: May 26, 2015, 09:30 PM by Iopah.)

As usual he paid no mind to the outlying territories, wandering about the area that they had rested in like a vigilant scout. As long as these others were willing to give Zia and himself the benefit of the doubt then he was willing to protect them. However, he could only assume that they would know he would immediately protect Zia first. At least for right now she was his main concern and the young children that blossomed within her womb. These would be his first children and while he hadn't thought about the fact that most leaders didn't like their subordinates having children either he was thankful for their kindness. As a flap in the wind and rustle of leaves, dark onyx ears pulled away to look in the direction of a few birds flying into the sky from the nearby tree. A tiny silhouette across the dawn-lit sky, a reminder that his children would be just as fragile when they were born but at least they wouldn't be alone. 

With Iopah and Kodah, and their young child he was hopeful that things would be just as good together as they could be apart. If not even better than expected. Inkheart wasn't very used to spending a whole lot of time with other wolves and these were the first he had seen since coming back but even he knew that that would change. Eventually he wanted to find Phineas, Borlla and the others that he had disappeared from so long ago. He knew that Zia was tentative to see them again but Inkheart didn't shy away from the pain of the gone and departed. If they so hated them then at least they would know he was alive. 

i'm always looking for threads, so message me if you'd like one!

 

The presence of the two newest members still wasn't quite comfortable so Si and he found himself growing protective over Iopah and her unborn children. It had always taken quite some time before strangers could win over the blonde boys trust and what he had seen of his mother had only cemented that. He had been incredibly close with his mother, almost as close as he was with the fawn woman he now called his leader and yet he had seen her act so cruelly. It wasn't worth it to let other wolves have impact on his life if it meant risking feeling the despair he had at breaking that bond.  

Typically this protectiveness made him chose a spot to slumber that kept the expectant woman within eyesight though just barely. Silentium was still testing the waters when it came to boundaries with the mated pair, he had no experience with a father figure himself. Truly this whole experience had been sort of surreal to the yearling, never before had he left the Woodlands, never had he interacted with adults beyond his pack, never before had he seen a father. Now there were two, Koda to Iopah and Inkheart to Zia. It was very confusing, it raised more questions then he cared to admit about his own father, who he had been and where he had went, mostly why he wasn't around. All his life he had just assumed that cubs were born and mothers were the ones that cared for them, fathers were like some hazy figure who was somehow related to you but never present. The boy was much too embarrassed to voice his thoughts though and had taken to silently watching the pair and observing from a far, what was a father?

Being outside of his birth territory had changed something fundamentally within the yearling. He was all at once much more free than he had ever been and at the same time much more guarded. Silentium had always understood the dangers of the world, especially after learning of the death of his older brother and now there was more at stake. It had even changed the way that he slept, once he had slumbered like a bear deep in hibernation and now he woke easily and frequently throughout the night. The sound of the woodpecker that awoke his future alpha had been the first to stir him, though he had settled back in an attempt to ignore it. The sound of rustling in the leaves caused a single emerald eye to open, though he was quick to get to his paws when he saw it was Iopah that was awake.

Following her gaze Silentium's jaw fell open for a second before he composed himself and closed it. Never before had he seen trees like this, sure he had seen them fallen and even growing densely together but never had he seen boughs so wide. Everywhere his gaze fell they were on the ground or leaning at precarious angles and the ones that still stood towered so high he had to squint against the daylight to see their tops. What had they wandered into?

 

There is a deer that was killed by a lynx nearby. +10 Health

Hmmm, not sure if you guys want to jump in but in case you do I'll tag everyone again :D
@Lucien @Camio @Nova @Zia

Like his mate, the awoke to the sound of relentless pecking and after seeking out the brightly colored woodpecker that perched safely on the branch of one of the cedar trees that still loomed overhead, he stood to all fours with a shake of his thick pelt. Many miles separated them from their past and yet he couldn't help glancing over his shoulder as if expecting someone from the Woodlands to intercept them--turning back ahead of him, the many bodies that stood at his side made his heart swell. Silentium seemed to have grown significantly since leaving the Woodlands behind, and he couldn't help noticing the protectiveness he shared over Iopah as her stomach grew larger from the budding lives inside of her. The young male was a promising member and he couldn't be happier that he had followed his heart and decided to come along with them, along the way he had seem so much more of the Lore then previous. His eyes fell on the other wolves, the dark male and his silver wife and felt his heart thud loudly in his chest for their loyalty-- was thankful for Inkheart and Zia's pledge to follow them and even more happy that their shared experience could be put to good use in building the empire he was destined to build. He couldn't have asked for a better band of wolves to accompany him, and in return he vowed to protect them as best he could.

His eyes followed the fleeing form of his wife, her bravery always intriguing, and followed quickly behind her as she looked toward the fallen mass of trees that greeted them, it was a sight to behold and yet this land had a story to tell, one that Koda sought to bring to life. Just as this land had suffered great loss and uncertainty, he could tell that life still thrived in these barren woods as the stench of blood filtered into his nose and flooded around the area they occupied--a dead deer meant plenty more and the lynx was the least of his concern. "There is plenty of prey here, an element that our members can use to grow and thrive." he started as he moved closer to the thickness of fallen trees that waited for him. "this is what we have been traveling for, I know that this land will treat us well and this barricade," his nose pointed to one of the fallen logs and for good measure he placed two feet on top of the log as if to test its thickness, "will protect and help to ward off unwanted enemies." not that he had expected any but he was no fool to believe that some of the woodland wolves wouldn't seek him out in return for leaving them behind. He knew that if it boiled down to it, he would use his brawn to protect his children and those who pledged their loyalty to him, it was what he knew they expected and the burden he associated with any leadership. "Our children will grow healthy here but we must work hard to ensure that this land works for us, and not against what we hope to accomplish" and finally his eyes traveled back to Iopah, his lovely wife who had grown larger since her pregnancy but even more beautiful in his eyes, she was the strongest wolf he knew to carry children inside of her despite the odds placed against this. "Iopah and I will do everything in our power to ensure that your decision to follow us will not go to waste, therefore we would be proud to say that all of you helped to found Broken Timber Pines if you will allow us to lead you. and finally he grew silent, waiting for their response.

(This post was last modified: May 16, 2015, 05:01 PM by Koda.)

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

Days of travelling, of searching, had taken their toll on the silver she wolf. Not only was she temporarily homeless, but the added burden of her pregnancy added an extra strain on her body. Having never experienced these drastic and sometimes unsettling physical changes before, Zia wasn't always sure if it was normal or not. Being a first time mother to be was uncomfortable. Her once trim, athletic body had filled out, her sides swollen, belly large and tender with life. While grateful for this one time chance to have children, she would be relieved when it was over. But, Iopah, her future Leader, was also in the same exact boat. Between the two of them, there were no differences. Knowing that she wasn't in this alone, with another female to relate to, brought a smile to her face. Zia Celencio was starting to feel as if she had finally found her place again.

Reluctantly, she had joined the others come nightfall. With torrents of rain pouring down, they had been forced to find the best shelter possible. She much rather would have preferred sleeping in the dry comfort of a den...not out in the soaking rain. But with no other choice, she bit the bullet, huddling close to Inkheart's side while she tried to sleep through the night. Come morning, the silver female was surprised. She awoke not to the sound of raindrops, but to the steady knocking of a woodpecker. Blinking open sapphire optics, she allowed her vision to clear, swiftly pinpointing the location of their morning alarm clock. Her gaze didn't settle on the little bird for long...instead her eyes were drawn to the sharp blue of the clear sky. And then to the giant, towering pines and cedarwood trees. Down further, many of them lay strewn haphazardly across the ground, as if a mighty tornado had swept through the area some time ago. But...it was an impressive sight to behold, possessing a certain raw, sturdy beauty. Then she noticed that Inkheart, Iopah and Koda were already up, missing from her side. But they were all close by, the pale female a ways ahead, surveying their brand new surroundings. Stretching her forelegs out in front of herself, she slowly would rise, working out the kinks that had formed in the muscles around her spine. Koda must have noticed then, that she and her mate were awake, as his voice was the next thing she heard. 

Noting the tantalizing scent of a freshly killed deer, her salmon tongue swept over dark lips in anticipation of a meal. Her hunger could wait though. Focusing appreciatively on Koda's large, proud visage, she let his words sink in. "It is rather....comforting here, in a way." She admitted with another look around. They seemed to have accidentally found the perfect slice of paradise, or rather, it had found them. If Iopah and Koda liked this place, then she too, would give it her stamp of approval. They would be her third Leaders she had known while in Relic Lore, and as the male spoke, he gave her an idea of what sort of Leader he would be like. She smiled at the phrase "our children". They weren't just looking out for themselves, but for everyone here too. "Any amount of hard work is worth the price, if it means the children of the future grow up securely." She agreed. They would be protective, caring and tenacious when it came to their pack. United. Zia wanted her children to grow up as if they were brothers and sisters to Iopah and Koda's cubs, even if not by blood. For too long, she had missed the comforts of a tightly knit pack, that acted as family, with bonds as strong as steel. As Koda finished, she stood up and closed the space between him by a few feet. "You needn't say anymore, Koda. With what I have seen in you and Iopah, we would be proud to follow you." She could only hope Inkheart agreed with her words. Surely he trusted her. Smiling, she brushed her shoulder against that of her Alpha males, in a sign of alliance. "Now, let's say we go celebrate our new lives with that meal, shall we?" Her eyes sparkled, and with a playful bounce, she sprinted on ahead to track down their homecoming gift.

(This post was last modified: May 17, 2015, 12:58 AM by Zia.)

@Inkheart @Silentium @Koda @Zia
You guys are all amazing! This marks the second round which ends on 5/24, one post from everybody seals the deal. If we get it done earlier it'll be just in time for Arion to be born ;)

She turned from the broken pines to see all of them. In the brief moments that Iopah had spent taking in the forsaken scenery they had each risen from their sleeping spots. They had followed Koda and her from the distant with little more than a hopeful promise. Now, with all of them watching now, it was hard not to think of the trust they had placed in the mated pair. Her gaze swept them all in turn, insisting in acknowledging each of them. Her attention went first to Silentium, as it often did with increasing frequency. She remembered a pup clinging to a rabbit, skidding across the ground, and marveled at the change in him. Golden eyes drifted from him to the other pair; tail moving in a high, lazy sway at their approach. For a moment her gaze rested on Zia's belly before rising up to hold the sky-blue eyes in earnest consideration. Everything she wanted to ask hung in the air between them and it was a moment before she turned to the woman's mate. Iopah knew little of the dark male. Inkheart spoke less than the blond youth, but she could tell sense the determination in him and she was sure of his loyalty.

She went to Koda as he spoke. Just like he had rested his weight on the cedar only moments ago, Iopah leaned against him. She was so very pregnant now and it was a relief to realize they had finally found home. The forest might be damaged, but he was right. It made the land stronger, just as the wolves trials had made them stronger. "We are all in this together." She added clearly, voice in one of Koda's lulls. She was thinking the same thing as her mate. If their past dared to come after any of them, they would be in for a hell of a fight. She wasn't expecting the exuberance from the new female second and dark lips parted in amusement as she sprinted away. Gold eyes looked to Inkheart; head tilting to wordless question if she was always like this. Iopah had scented the meal, but was starting to shy away from eating much. With all the pressure on her stomach her meals sometimes came back up. She envied Zia's ability, clearly the other woman was not as far along as she was.

They traveled through their forest for the first time, headed towards their first meal as a pack. Iopah was in no hurry, they had all the time in the world now. Her sides brushed purposely against the scenery as they passed, leaving pale tufts of wolf hair and the first scent markers behind. She wanted the world to know it all belonged to the Broken Timber Pines pack now.

 

His moment of amazement was quickly followed by him noticing that Iopah was moving farther away, as was Koda. Instantly and almost without thought he began to follow their path, his pace swift enough to declare purpose but still slow enough that he was at a brisk walk. While he needed to be near his queen to ensure that she was alright he knew that her mate was more than capable on that front. Silentium was more than happy to be his king's backup should he need him, the blonde boy had never been one that thirsted for power. As a child he had always craved equality and acceptance from his brothers but he never wanted to be in charge of them, merely have their respect as an equal. Even now he wanted to prove that he was an able member of the pack, but he never in a million years would want to lead it.

So he hung back slightly, happy to watch Koda work and ready to offer any assistance he might need though his main focus was on the expectant woman. With her swollen sides he worried that in her bold exploration that she might fall and become injured but he knew well enough not to say anything. Iopah had always been much more brave than he and trying to hold her back would be like trying to capture the wind and never let it flow. Her needn't need to worry anyway as her exploration soon ceased as her and her mate turned to address them all.

At Koda's words he nodded, his gaze wandering over to the other pair, it would seem that despite the fact that he didn't feel completely comfortable with them yet they would be a pack. Quickly though he dropped his gaze should one of them look over, Si didn't want to seem like he had been staring. Silently as ever he fell behind Iopah as they made their way towards the meal, though he would be sure that the women ate first. Taking note of how his queen left behind her stray hairs and scent he made sure to do that same, his first of many trips making scent markers. He had left everything he had ever known behind and now Silentium was ready to begin the next chapter.

 

<div align="justify"><i>Broken Timber Pines.</i> It was a though that he casually processed into the silence within his mind as his bright, fiery eyes traveled across the sloped lands. A place that he had never once saught out to explore but it now became a necessary chore for the future. A chore that wasn’t even quite a chore; more a necessity that he was willing to make real considering his pregnant mate and the life she carried within. While he had a hard time expressing it to Iopah and Koda, Inkheart was thankful that they were willing to take the two loners into their homes as well as whatever children nestled themselves within Zia’s womb. Family had always ben wanted and when most packs would turn away a pregnant female, these two were able to see their loyalty and their respect even before they saw it themselves. 

The dark beast did believe that they would be more than happy to follow them wherever. While a deep portion of his mind still longed to see where Phineas was at and how he had been fairing, it was best he settle down first. The man was missed but he had a few promising things that needed to be tucked away for safe keeping first. Inkheart let out a small laughing sigh as Zia bounced away to move towards the gift of their united force. As if he knew that he was being looked at his fire eyes looked to Iopah and shrugged, <i>yes, she is.</i> In every way possible Zia was everything that he wasn’t and yet they were the same. Zia was beautiful and spunky, charismatic and bright while Inkheart was quiet, charming, and ultimately dark but not in the evil sense but simply because he didn’t share too much.  </div>

(This post was last modified: May 23, 2015, 05:35 AM by Inkheart.)

i'm always looking for threads, so message me if you'd like one!

His words were met with silence, interrupted only by the ongoing tapping from the woodpecker who lingered above them. This was home, their final destination and he felt complete with his wife by his side and the small band of wolves that would together call themselves the wolves of Broken Timber Pines. Inhaling deeply, his eyes lingered momentarily on Iopah as she once more came to his side and when she did he allowed his gaze to turn to Silentium, then Zia and lastly Inkheart--he knew from their long voyage that they  were in this for the long haul.  "I couldn't ask for a better band of wolves." a smile formed along his maw then, as he felt the reoccurring weight of leading this band of wolves fall on his shoulders and then his attention lingered once more to the women, the heavily pregnant women, and the smell of blood caught his attention once more. Zia did not hesitate to find the kill and he watched her flaunt off without word, wondering if Iopah would do much of the same--he knew that any day now his litter would be due.

It came as no surprise when he noticed his wife leaving her scent along the branches of the land, small hairs lingered along the tough leaves of the cedar trees and he did much of the same, occasionally lifting his leg to leave his urine stench behind and when he felt that the land was mark well enough he lifted his head. It would do them well to let the neighboring lands know that this place had been claimed and what better way then by howling to the world that the Reinier couple had staked their claim on the Secret Falls and were not alone. His howl echoed loudly, and when he caught his breath he sent his head back upward to send a second wave into the air, he expected the others to mimic much of the same, it was wolf tradition, and closed his eyes as the call filtered through the thick trees and over the horizon in search of who ever would listen. Finally, they were home!

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.