Turtleback Lake i'll worship like a dog

For @Davin and Karina~
Set 8/18. Sub-territory discovery! Kjors and Davin have come across Sunburst Cove, a peaceful inlet insulated from the world around it by a large wall of trees on either side. Here, Zephyr Rill enters the lake, and the calm, knee-high water is warmed daily from the east by the morning sun. It is a popular place for turtles seeking to warm themselves, or animals looking for fish. Perch, bass, catfish, and a number of shiners can all be found in the shallows or nearby hiding spots.

It was amazing how much a wolf could recover given rest and a bite to eat. As promised, Kjors kept an eye over the traumatized yearling while he slept. Once woken, he was instructed to take a bath while the older male departed to find the youth a second meal. This was not his only intention, however, and he stopped at his home sight to inform @Karina of the situation. Per her request, he turned tail and returned to his hunt – when he arrived back outside of Hearthwood River on Zephyr Rill’s shoreline, he presented the vagabond with a small marten this time. Waiting for Davin to have his breakfast, the male cleared his throat.

“We’re gonna head south,” the one-eyed dragon announced, tail swishing across the ground as he studied his new companion. “Follow th’ Rill down t’ the lake, an’ call Karina there.” For whatever reason, his princess decided it did not suit her to meet upon pack borders or at their shared den. Truth be told, he was perfectly happy keeping their resting spot a secret, and once Davin was ready, the swarthy male was on his feet and leading the youth after him.

It took some time for the wolves to follow the water down to the lake, and once arrived at the small cove, Kjors took inventory. He’d not been to this part of the like before, where Zephyr Rill flowed into the much larger body of water, but it was peaceful and quiet, insulted by large trees. The sun beamed towards them from the east, basking the pair of males in the morning light as Kjors lifted his head and put a call up for his princess. Tipping his head to Davin afterwards, he remarked, “She will be here. Soon.”

This all had taken far too long. Against his own will, Davin's body had clung to sleep throughout the night, and when he'd awoken and realized the time that had passed, he'd become quite cross with himself. The blow was lessened, however, by the realization that he contained the energy to even hold such emotion, and from there he was raring to go. The boy was impatient, but did not let this seep into his interactions with Kjors. Wholly grateful to the man for taking the time to save his life, Davin did everything asked of him in an efficient manner.

When finally they set out, the adrenaline was building within his muscles, breathing new life into them. He was anxious to meet this Karina and to get his answers, and no more distractions would do. Trusting Kjors completely he followed him without question through the forest, and once they had come upon the inlet he had not the attention span to admire the beauty of the peaceful cove. Instead, he looked about for any sign of this acclaimed priestess. Pure energy thrummed through him as Kjors call spread through the air, and his pale eyes darted about, unsure of which direction the woman would emerge.

Only a hint of a nod was given to Kjors to acknowledge his words, as his claws drummed against the ground. He didn't even know what to expect.

(This post was last modified: Sep 09, 2015, 02:31 AM by Davin.)

A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity

Karina had not been asleep, but she was lying in peaceful repose at the mouth of the Zephyr Rill den. If she concentrated very hard and the breeze blew just the right way, she could scent Kjors nearby, still occupied with whatever task had pressed him to leave their chambers in the dead of night. Curiously, it smelled as if there was another male with him, which piqued the girl’s interest. If they had both spent the night so close but had not returned to the rill, Kjors must have had some reason for keeping distance.. Perhaps the stranger was untrustworthy? The dragon closely guarded his lair and was a suspicious creature by nature; Karina would not be surprised if he was attempting to conceal his den site (and his priestess) from the newcomer. She decided she would stay out of this affair unless Kjors requested her assistance, in order to avoid unknowingly saying or doing something that would ruin whatever her clever friend was devising. The girl could sense when Kjors and his companion moved off from the rill, and she felt as if she could breathe easily once more. She had nearly dozed off when Kjors howled his summons, his voice rising from so far west that he was most certainly at the lake. Without even thinking about it Karina grabbed her go-bundle of herbs. It never hurt to be prepared with just a little of everything useful, but if the young medic was honest with herself she really carried her supplies everywhere because it helped abate her own anxiety. Herb bundle in tow, the Baranski princess trotted steadily toward the eastern rim of the lake, and then upon reaching the shore she turned her pathway south when she scented Kjors nearby. She walked along the edge of the beach, her crystalline gaze taking in the beauty of the scene as the lake’s surface reflected the colors of the sunrise.   Anxiety swirled in the pit of the girl’s stomach as the fuzzy silhouettes of Kjors and his unknown companion came into view. Kjors must have had some doubt about the stranger if he had kept him from the den, and Karina had trouble tolerating even the most harmless of strangers. Karina could see Kjors’s dragon stretch its golden wings out as she approached, creating a protective barrier between her and the young male. This boosted the girl’s confidence, knowing that Kjors and his dragon would keep her safe, and she was able to manage a small smile through her herb bundle as she neared the pair. The anxiety ebbed away, and Karina became aware of her deer standing beside her. She put down her herb bundle but did not say anything, waiting for Kjors to introduce her and the situation. Her periwinkle eyes appraised the stranger curiously, and the empathetic girl was overwhelmed by an intense pang of sorrow when she met the yearling’s silver gaze.

I hope that last paragraph wasn't too confusing. The dragon and the deer are hallucinations of Karina's-- sort of manifestations of how she experiences her and Kjors's auras--  so you can pretty much just ignore whatever I write in about them.

(This post was last modified: Sep 11, 2015, 03:31 PM by Karina.)

   

    
 

Fortunately, it seemed @Davin was inclined to cooperate with all of the dragon’s instructions. He’d yet to ask for an explanation, instead behaving as a true submissive and taking Kjors at his word. If the yearling could keep this up, they’d get on swimmingly. As it were, the man was content to enjoy the peaceful silence settled between the pair as the mist drifted off the calm surface of the water. Haunches settled onto the damp earth as the swarthy man relaxed, eyes half-shut as he waited for the familiar pitter-patter of well-known paws.

A golden sun shone in the dragon’s skull as he quickly got to his feet once @Karina appeared, head dipping in greeting. All at once, he moved to her side, a nose pressed to her cheek in a gentle display of affection. It was as much for the priestess as it was for the loner – for her, it was the constant offer of comfort and protection. No harm would come to her, not while he was around. In turn, it was a quiet warning to the other male – for him, it was drawing the line. He was welcome to speak with her, share in her wisdom, but no one would ever harm a hair on the princess’ fair crown or they would indeed face the wrath of her swarthy wraith.

Remaining near her side, he turned to the third wolf. “Karina, this is Davin. Davin, this is Karina – th’ Mother’s priestess. Ah met ‘im near th’ real in poor shape,” he explained, dipping his head to nudge the damsel once more. “He has some questions ‘bout Her, if y’don’ mind. Figured y’were better a’…tha’. Answerin’.”

His pale eyes searched the surroundings endlessly, until finally with a twitch of his nose and a subtle inhalation he was gifted with knowledge of her approach. Pinpointing her location as it grew in proximity, his breathing seemed to halt and he couldn't even bear to blink, so apprehensive was he of her presence. When finally his silver optics could grasp her figure, the yearling was thoroughly surprised to see that she was nothing but a yearling like himself, perhaps even a few months younger. This was Kjors' priestess, the woman expected to have all of the answers? For the first time since meeting the dragon, Davin found himself feeling rather incredulous.

It occurred to him that perhaps this wasn't the wolf they were seeking, just a girl who happened to be intrigued by the call Kjors had sent out. Taking in her scent, it was clear they belonged to the same pack, and he further guessed she must be simply a curious spectator. Yet when his one-eyed savior scrambled to show his deference, even going as far as to step to her side and tenderly touch her cheek, Davin's hopes that this was a mistaken appearance dissipated swiftly. Trying his best to hide the confusion from his eyes, but unable to pull them away from Karina's face, his sharply pointed ears at least swiveled in attention to Kjors' words.

An explanation was quickly dispensed, and just like that the opportunity he had been so anxiously awaiting was here and now. For a moment, Davin hadn't the words, but as the silence stretched between them he was shaken from his trance of disbelief and willingly crawled back toward the illusion. So what if she's young, he thought to himself, easily convincing to his own mind. Who am I to say what the rules are?

"Miss," he began awkwardly, clearly unsure of how to consolidate everything that was swarming within his mind into words. "I... Kjors... he said, there's more to death than... absence."

His eyes searched hers, seeking affirmation of this proposed truth within those powder blue pools. A gulp was forced, emotion threatening to take him once more at the thought of admitting what he had allowed to happen to his family, and a conscious choice was mide to disclose only the minimal amount of details.

"My family... could they really be at peace?"

Kjors swept in as the princess neared, and she greeted her companion with a wave of her tail, whining softly as he stroked her cheek. Her eyes remained on the stranger though, whose appearance reminded her in a fleeting way of her middle brother, Orren. Except his eyes, those were distinctly different; such an odd color for a wolf, and with those markings.. such a unique pattern was no accident—the Mother had drawn attention to Davin’s eyes for a reason, but what could that possibly be? Karina took a step toward the young male, head tilting curiously, but then the final sentence of Kjors’s introduction derailed her train of thought completely. Blinking her crystalline eyes, she turned back to her mentor in surprise. Her, teach about the Mother? Kjors had taught her everything she knew about the All-Mother, why was the student now suddenly more capable than the teacher?  ”I speak through you now, child,” came the quiet whisper, echoing through her mind in such a way that Karina had no need to turn around to see who spoke. Karina’s eyelids drooped meditatively as she was inundated by the soothing, loving presence of the deity Herself, banishing her doubt and anxiety from her body. The doe pulsed brighter, taking on a more defined shape she transposed her negative emotions into her daemon. Karina’s mind quieted as she listened for further instruction, but as quickly as the Mother had come She was gone again, and She spoke no more to Her vassal. Karina sighed and opened her eyes as the Mother departed, leaving her intoxicated with calmness but at the same time fresh and alive, acutely aware of her surroundings. An unfamiliar voice slipped into the air, the slight tremor in Davin’s voice quite palpable to the sensitive girl. Awash in peace, she wanted nothing more than for both her companions to feel the same tranquility, but as he spoke grief poured out of Davin with such crashing force that for a moment the empathetic girl was paralyzed by sadness. The parcel of herbs tumbled from her mouth, but the healer left them where they landed; herbs were useful in the treatment of illness and injury, but only the Mother could heal pain in the soul, such as what Davin was experiencing. She took a few slow steps toward the yearling, stopping only when she was very close to the stranger—near enough to reach out and touch him, should she wish to do so. “That’s right. Death is a calling, just like any other.” Her voice was gentle, and her gaze remained unwaveringly on the yearling as he searched her eyes for answers to unspoken questions. There was no trace of doubt or hesitation in her voice or expression—the Mother spoke through Karina now, and so she would trust the words that came to her. Davin finally voiced one of the questions that the priestess could see burning in his silver eyes, and the answer came to Karina at once. “They are. They rest beside the Mother in Her den now, and there is no more peaceful repose than that.”  Karina took one more step toward Davin, closing the remaining distance so that her cheek rested gingerly against the other yearling’s shoulder. Speaking hardly above a whisper, she continued, “Death is such a sweet relief for those going home to the Mother, and the pain of dying is slight, just a sting... compared to the prolonged agony of surviving.” She pressed her forehead into Davin’s shoulder, trying with all her might to absorb some of his pain, so that at least he wouldn’t have to bear the full weight alone.

   

    
 

Ah, manners. Kjors allowed himself a satisfied sigh, eye closing ever-so-slightly as he offered the younger male a tiny nod. The loner spoke gingerly, as if afraid to offend the priestess, but it was the kind title and the respect he offered that truly pleased the dragon. He knew that little Karina did not look like much to an outsider, especially one not terribly familiar with the Mother and Her ways, but @Davin did not let that get in the way of proper behavior. It was nice to know there were still yearlings out there who were raised properly, he thought, glancing from his new companion to his favorite being once the question had been posed.

“Ah tried t’ explain,” he murmured lowly, mouth near the princess’ ear. “Bu’ Ah ain’t no priest.”

No, where Karina was able to feel the Mother personally and interpret Her will, Kjors was left to read the signs around him and make his best guess from there. It served him fairly well (though he’d required intervention from @Mahle previously, not wishing to tangle his student up), but he knew now that the young woman was beginning to blossom into her truest self. This was a perfect time to begin to practice both that new-found confidence, and her ability to understand that which not all could see. Once Karina began to speak, he offered small nods and encouraging hums, stepping out of the way to allow her to comfort the other yearling.

Such affection would irritate him on a normal occasion, but his companion was not free with her embraced, and it was apparent even to the dragon that young Davin was suffering from such a sudden, massive loss. “They were good in this life,” he murmured quietly, head tipping to one side. “An’ now they’re rewarded ‘fer tha’. They’re not ’ere, bu’ they ain’ gone. Jes’ different,” he hummed. Karina really did explain this better. “We honor our dead by continuin’ t’ live.” They were wolves, they were good, proper wolves, and they were the Mother’s favorite children. As long as they upheld this, Davin’s family would always be honored the way the beloved should.

She stepped closer to him, and he could not help but lean back, micrometer by micrometer. The fur along his spine raised, not of aggression but of something akin to fear as an electricity seemed to warp the air around the girl. It was ethereal, this moment, and it closed in around him, pressing against his skin and sending sparks of fire along his nerves. Instinct demanded that he run, turn is back on them both and never look over his shoulder again. Yet his mind begged his paws into submission, gluing them to the spot. It did not matter where this girl's powerful aura sourced from, it did not matter if any of this was wrong or right or even factual. He needed to hear it.

When words at last fell from her mouth, they were like soothing waters to an achingly parched throat. A whine of relief seeped between his lips, coiled muscles expressing a few final shivers before finally they released. She came closer still, but he no longer braced away from her proximity. As he felt her touch, he leaned into it ever so slightly, for it brought him both comfort and calm. Kjors had been there for him, saying words he needed to hear and bringing him sustenance, providing for his body's most basic needs. Yet this, this quiet assurance, this subtle contact, was just as equally needed by the young man.

His thoughts turned toward the last time he had been able to stand this close to his own mother, to lovingly butt his forehead against her chest before she affectionately licked his crown. Their usual greeting, a dear thing that had been taken for granted. Davin's legs began to shake again as the memory threatened to disturb the peace that @Karina strove to create for him, but her final words rang truest of all. In the state they had been in, those final moments, death had certainly been a gift, afterlife or not. Yet, still...

Kjors' voice dominated the air then, speaking of Davin's family's virtue, claiming that they were rewarded. Through all of it, from both of their answers, the boy still could not understand.

"Why?" he pleaded, voice riddled with his emotions. "If they were so good... they were good... we never hurt anyone, never did wrong... so why did they have to suffer so violently? Where was the justice in that?"

A rumbling growl sounded from the golden dragon as Karina pressed her face into Davin’s fur, and the daemon flapped its wings in irritation. The priestess ignored its protests; jealousy was one of the less dignified traits of the noble creature. Karina felt the yearling breath out just a little bit of his pain almost reluctantly, as if he had held onto it for so long that he wasn’t sure what he was to do without it. He spoke again, words still clinging to the past just as Karina felt in his soul. Karina noted that there was quite a bit of stubbornness in her new acquaintance—no-- perseverance, and in the moment she thought this Davin grew silvery, shimmering horns, curved around his head like those of a ram. Karina knew she was seeing a glimpse of his true soul, and as soon as his heart was free of chaos the ram would free itself to frolic with the doe and the dragon. Karina looked back at Kjors for a long moment, wondering if he had already come to the same realization as her—that this yearling was meant to find them—their first disciple sent to them by the Mother Herself. They would do what they could to ease his suffering, but there was more important work to do than that. This boy was chosen by the Mother, same as them, and they must teach him and keep him close. “There is a reason the Mother favors the wolf and not the doe,” Karina answered quietly, eyes narrowing as she gave the answer she didn’t particularly like to hear herself. The Priestess was a pacifist, a deer down to the deepest core of her soul, but her deity was most certainly not—otherwise why would she favor such a brutal creature? The Mother did not shrink from violence as did Karina, she saw it simply as a means to an end, no better or worse than her other methods. However, the Priestess knew She would not approve of such over-indulgence as Davin described... killing for sport, prolonging death and suffering, cruelty and tormenting.. those were not part of a wolf’s nature. A wolf’s kill was swift and precise, and out of necessity. The prey suffered minimally. What had happened to Davin’s family was not orchestrated by wolves acting on instinct, and the Mother would never approve of such savage methods. “Those responsible.. they have turned from the Mother and her plan, or perhaps they never knew Her.” What a sad idea; that such evil and pain could exist simply because the Mother’s children had never come to know Her. Karina was beginning to see the Mother’s need for her Priestess, a tongue by which she could meet and deliver her plans to her children.

(This post was last modified: Oct 30, 2015, 03:50 PM by Karina.)