Riddle Heights Don't ever

For @Triell, @Leotie @Reiko and @Treyah

don't ever say you've tried for the last time

Naira

It had taken longer than she would have liked to get away from the Bend, but they were on their way now, always travelling towards the setting sun, steps so carefully placed as they made their way across the heights. Had she known of the tunnels through the underground sea they would probably be on the rise already but as it was, they would need to spend one more night on the tail of the serpent before flat ground found them again. She gave the young girl that had joined them a quizical glance, wondering just what her story was, but there would be time for getting to know you's once they were free of the dark valley that was the eastern lore.

Naira had never quite felt bad leaving it behind. But then again, her first impressions of the place hadn't exactly been good ones.

Finally the summit of this small hill was reached and she gingerly lowered herself with a sigh, only planning to stop for a little while to allow everyone the chance to catch their breath. Golden eyes looked over the ground yet to cover and she smiled. It had been a long time since she had been so high, and laid eyes on the lands that started the rollercoaster ride she had been on for the last five years. "Nearly there." She told the small party with a wry smile on her face. Oh they still had a long way to go, but it wouldn't hurt to get their hopes up just a bit.

It saddened Leotie the way things had ended with Serach but she couldn't change that now that she was Triell and his family west. She had been shocked that he had reacted the way he did but in the end it hadn't been the first time she'd been snapped at. As far as regretting her decision she didn't, it was what was best for her. There was already proof of that as she wasn't as scared as she thought she'd be when she crossed the bends borders and she wasn't scared now as she made her way over the mountains.

It was a tiring journey but Leotie didn't let that get her spirits down, she knew that could be detrimental especially since they weren't making this journey in summer. They were a small group so maybe that could be to their advantage, the truth was she didn't know. She also didn't know what the future held for them but she hoped it turned out.

After what seemed forever they reached the top of a hill from which Leotie could see the land below them for a long distance. She hadn't been that high ever and as Naira rested she looked out across it. She wanted to take it all in and curse herself at the same time for not venturing out sooner. At the older woman's words Leotie glanced behind her to where she was resting, “That's good news,” she said before returning her gaze to the scene before her.

(This post was last modified: Dec 27, 2016, 11:58 PM by Leotie.)

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

The girl was still confused, why were they leaving? What happened to Mako, @Marina, and @Spieden? Their sister @Sahalie? Why were they leaving @Lila behind? The young girl had a frown that couldn't be wiped from her face as she trudged in the trenches her parents forged in turn, the going all the slower for the deep snow and biting cold that left her mother resting more than one might expect of a younger wolf. Perhaps she was just pacing herself. Maybe they had a long way to go yet.

Not for the first time, she told them it wasn't far now, the nearly there met with a sceptial narrowing of her eyes, daggers thrown at her mothers tawny back. To hear her father tell it, the Sacred Grove was a world away and they had only been trudging for two days so far. If they got there in another three she would eat her own tail. As her mother sat, she threw herself down, head turning to bite the air in the direction of her brother. She was bored, this was boring, and it wasn't until her amber eyes fell on what lay before them than the gravity of it all hit her full force. No more misty forest, no more Oak Tree Bend. Her jaw clamped shut when she realised it had been hanging open.

How quickly everything had changed.

He didn't like this. He wanted all his friends with. Why....why. He just didn't understand. But, he wanted to, and hoped maybe he would. The way mother acted made him feel things were not safe, and it was one of their reasons for leaving. For this he could follow, even if it was hard walking away from the Bend into the unknown. Then, he sorta liked this new adventure. They had never gone so far before. What was the west like? The grove, and the river.

It was taking forever. He wanted to run ahead, but held back, letting his parents lead the way. They had been cautioned about the mountain, and its dangers. But he felt so much energy lingering in his paws, a want for this to just be over with. They stopped for another break, and he scowled as Treyah's teeth got too close to his face. Hey, this wasn't his fault! A lip raised, ready to pounce, but his eyes fell to where hers had settled. Upon the Spectral Woods. This was that is what it looked like, way up here. But, he was set on not thinking of it as home. So to distract her, he planted a slobbery lick to the back of her ear, a chuckle sounding, as he leaped away.

@Naira @Treyah @Leotie gonna go with no post order :3

The Tainn left the blue,misted woods behind, giving them one last look. He only had one regret, not telling Serach good bye. He deserved explanation, and a farewell. When Naira's voice had called to him, he known it was for good reason, and so he left the home he'd known for three years. Hoping one day he might set things right, but also knowing he had to do this. With each step he took he could breath a lot easier than he had. While the children were still at a loss, he hoped as the days grew they would see this was for their good.

After sunny days, chilly nights, and lost of stops in between they were almost to their destination. Naira drew up to rest, and he halted by her side. A single nudge to her cheek. Then he moved to stand by Leotie, and look down across the west again. It secured the hope that beat inside his heart. The certainty. He, turned his head to see the  tawny wolf."There is Sacred Grove, in the middle is Swift River where we once lived. The place over there is called the Wildwood where I was born, later destroyed by fire." He pointed them out with his muzzle a reverence in his voice. Then he turned his attention to her. "Are you all right?" He questioned, concern in his tone. She hadn't said a lot since they had departed. He wondered if she still thought she had made the right choice. In the background he was aware of Treyah, and Reiko, but they would get their turn.

(This post was last modified: Jan 15, 2017, 02:53 AM by Triell.)

are you with me through it all?

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

Standing on the top of that hill Leotie knew that it was time to let go of the past, she was looking into her future and what lay ahead of her. Carrying it with her though was something she would do and she hoped that one day she could repair things with Serach but now wasn’t the time for that. This was her chance and she couldn’t let the bend or Serach hold her back or else she would remain in the bend scared to leave for the rest of her life. She didn’t completely understand why he had been so angry with her, did he not want her to become more than she was? Leotie shook her head as she thought about it and left those thoughts to take in what was in front of her and choosing to look at as he was angry about what was happening until she knew otherwise. For now it wasn’t important but what she needed to worry about was the mother and child resting behind her and helping Triell to take care of them.

She was aware of his presence as he came to stand beside her and ashe pointed out the different places they were looking upon from the hill with his muzzle she looked at each place imagining what it would be like to live there knowing that she was going to find out.. The concern in his voice as he asked if she was okay caused her to turn her gaze on him. “I’m fine,” She told him, “I thinking about what our lives are going to be like and angry at myself for staying within the borders of the bend for far too long. You were right though your home it’s beautiful now covered in snow, I can only imagine what it will be like when spring arrives.” Leotie knew she would have to tell him about Serach and what happened, he needed to know but she didn’t want to do it now and make their journey even harder. She turned her head to look at Naira, “Is she going to be okay?” She asked returning her gaze to meet his. It had not been lost on Leotie the number of times that they had stopped, she worried for the older wolf.

(This post was last modified: Jan 15, 2017, 05:28 AM by Leotie.)

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@Leotie they can have their own little conversation lol.

Bright eyes had no trouble meeting his. Fine was a loaded word. It was suppose to mean all right, but it often used to mask the very thing. He knew last they'd seen each other she was going to break the news to Serach. He couldn't imagine is nephew taking it very well nor gracefully. Like Ice he surely would question their choices, and timing. Since she didn't mention it he had a feeling it was better not to pry. Maybe, nothing had happened.


Her words brought out a wide smile. "I think we were all ready for a change," he murmured. "The lands seem less foreboding than the east. More dry ground, and so many kinds of forest. Last there were quite a few packs. When we get down from the mountain its quite a sight on this side." He was eager for the familiarity, and to show them his old haunts. Find a new place to settle. He would not miss the blood forest of ferns where Marsh rested, nor the background of orange hills. Or the swampy, dark copse.

His sight followed hers to where Naira rested. Her concern was appreciated, but he hoped Naira may not exactly notice. "Naira is made of tougher stuff than most. She's traveled this mountain a lot, and knows it's better if we take our time. Especially, not to tire those two out." There was a smirk he looked back to Treyah and Reiko, playing, and not the least bit tired it would seem. "You two may want to get some rest, even if we're almost to the downhill part." He called to them, a playful note to his tone. He really didn't care, as long as they weren't fighting.

are you with me through it all?

@Triell They most certainly can.

She had made the choice to come on this journey and she wouldn't lie if asked traveling with Triell was a comfort. She was sure they each had their own opinions about what was happening and she felt bad for the pups having to leave the home they'd had their whole life, she understood. Triell's concern for her meant a lot and she has so much to tell him but felt it wasn't the time when they were all tired and stressed from the recent events at the bend and the move.

She returned the smile that had crossed his features“I think you're right, I feel my time in the bend was coming to an end I was just afraid to leave on my own. Looking over them from here the lands seem so inviting and I am eager to see what you have spoken about.” She was truly grateful for him allowing her to come along but she was also glad to have the chance to learn more about the Tainn. She of course would not feel right him telling her more about himself and her not sharing anything about herself.

The agouti female was worried about Naira and the journey they were making but Triell seemed confident that she would be okay. Leotie didn't know the woman well but was looking forward to the chance to get to know her better. “She’s probably glad to be coming back then,” she said after he told her how well Naira knew the mountain. “Taking it slow would be best any way but I'm not sure they will tire easily.” Her blue eyes fell on the two pups as she spoke the last part as did Triell's gaze. “Do you think they’ll listen?” She asked feeling they might be having too much fun.

(This post was last modified: Jan 19, 2017, 12:00 AM by Leotie.)

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how very wrong they were to think we'd never go

Naira

Naira's eyes had drifted shut, her paws inching through the snow to reach familiar rock underneath. It was a ritual for her, to greet the land as she went, though this particular part of the lore she had always held a fondness for. She could never quite tell if the mountain was as glad to see her as she was it, but down here on the tail end of the serpent, things had always been friendlier than in the mouth of the pass or by the eye of the lake. Milder, calmer. The lower altitude probably worked wonders on the weather too.

Eyes cracked open to look behind them, distant clouds somewhere over the Sierra Hills warning of foul weather to come. She caught Triell's eye and gestured behind them. "We want to hit flat ground by nightfall or find somewhere to stay for the next three days." She didn't have to look at Treyah to know the face the girl would be pulling. The prospect of being cooped up on the side of a mountain would be unappealing to most but it would only worry Naira once her joints cooled down. For now the best course of action was to keep going.

Without waiting for confirmation from the others, she continued to forge a path ahead. The sooner they got off this mountain, the better.