Secluded Spring Lone wolf dies, but a pack survives

/backdated as of oct 30 2017/

This pack was a fine one, safe, and welcoming. Or so he said.
Blackmoore has inevitably become Sharan's guide to this new, fabled land and she trusted him with his information and his word. This does not mean she did not take information, any information, for that matter, well sorted, and this kept her alive most of her life. The all too short life in the land of Yggdrasil had taught her not to trust anything such as timelessness or to give away your trust, and it made no matter if it was trust given to a person, an organisation or even a land.

It had taken her a few weeks to go back to health, and even now she looked quite miserable, with her ribs showing in certain places, and bleached patches of fur that was once shiny and thick and clean. Her mane had always been well kept, but that was before she had lost all that mattered to her and was left to wander around and to cross unfamiliar, unwelcoming and dangerous land on her own.

She did not leave Blackmoore's side though, and during all that time she learn she could put her trust into the male, only a little at first, but then more and more. Would she trust him with her life? No, perhaps not at this stage, but he was one of few who she chose to tolerate and give her affection to after many months of quiet mourning and seclusion.

Unsure at first, she slowly warmed up to the thought of joining a pack. A very special one at that, since she always took special care to choose her surroundings well. It wasn;t only that she seeked refuge for the upcoming winter - but it was one of the reasons still - she needed other creatures about her, creatures she could take care of and be rewarded with a feeling of being a part of a family. She knew she had the right trade to join a pack. She was quite skilled at healing, even considering her age, which was still quite young. She had taken so much time to observe, talk, smell, touch and try she could swear she knew many of the herbs useful to a healer. Even if this place was new to her, there were bound to be plants she knew of and could use. The rest she would have to discover or be taught of later on.

The female reached a certain point of land, and as she arrived to a peaceful, secluded spring she stopped, taking in her surroundings and smells around her. This looked like the place Blackmoore had told her of - a border of a pack's territory, which manifested in many fragrances in the air. The smell of wolved residing somewhere, not very far away from here, was obvious to her delicate nose, and her curiousity and nervousness showed up in her posture. Sharan placed the trout she was able to catch not long earlier at her feet and looked back at the male travelling with her.
- Is this the place? - she asked, wanting some sort of a confirmation.

The male had been doing his best as of late to help his new companion with coming back to health. Finding it slighlty... well, amusing that the woman he'd found in a such terrible state turned out to be a healer. One would thought that they would keep fit and strong and help others instead of being in need of the help themselves right? The dark male didn't laughed though. Paths of life are unknown to everybody - well, maybe exccept to the shaman-folk - and Sharans life had taken a drastic turn obviously. Was he curious what have befallen on her? Of course he'd was, especially that even now one could tell that Sharan was quite a looker. If one could put it like that...

Gladly over the time that female had spent with him, she'd begun to look a little better. Though everyone looking would instantly know that full recovery might take her a while. Which was pretty much the reason why Blackmoore have urged her to come with him to this neighboring pack. After all, the winter was looming just beyond the horizon. Metaphorically of course. Though who really knows? The point is that even a promise of her giving to him wouldn't help him sustain both of them throughout the winter. Yes, he'd was young (and perhaps skilled) but Blackmoore alone would have a hard task feeding himself on small game throughout the whole winter. He'd would make it most likely, but it would be hard. And that was the grim reality of the situation that both they were in right now.

Both. Both since despite that the dark male had no obligations towards the grey pelted female – he couldn't imagine himself leaving someone in need like that for almost certain death. No, it didn't felt like a good thing to do, even if that would be the "easier" choice to make in context of the survival. Blackmoore however felt more inclined to do a right thing, and doing that usually meant a rough path ahead.

But he didn't mind.

That's why they were here now. Each with a token of goodwill from they part for the pack they were about to join. His ears twitched upon hearing the woman's voice from behind him. Placing down the hare – one of the two he'd caught yesterday – the male took a good look around. Breathing in smells and taking in the view of the lake before them. "It seems like it." - Blackmoore replied kindly, turning his head back to her.

"You allright?" - He'll question her, turning his gaze to her eyes.

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

When the dark male confirmed their location, albeit not directly, the female began looking at the surroundings with more caution. Had she been on the place of anyone that might lurk there even now, she would be wary of two stranger individuals. Suspicion is a natural enough feeling when approaching someone you're unfamiliar with, and it's understandable your trust is limited. How much, well, that depends on many factors. Right now though they were an unfamiliar duo, just about to cross pack territory's borders, and Sharan would be much surprised if they don't meet any watchers on patrol. In fact, lack thereof would suggest the weakness of the pack, or indicate that something had befallen these creatures.

For those reasons and more, the grey female's senses were sharpened and ready to pick up almost anything, to the best of her abilities. Her hearing was as good as ever, even though she still didn't look her best. She managed to gain some weight after Blackmoore had found her, and her overall state was a lot better. She wasn't even feeling so weak lately and was able to start hunting again, even though it was at the moment only for small prey.

Her fur, even though still not as shiny and beautiful as prior to her devastating trip, was slowly getting more and more thick, heralding the unavoidable - the winter was soon to arrive, perhaps sooner than she would like. It was a good coincidence she had found this place before the snows ambushed her during her journey.

As the male replied, she nodded, still gazing at the surrounding nature, seeking natural hideouts someone might be using just now to observe them. She was almost sure they were being watched, she would to the same in the pack wolves' place after all. The pack territory was sort of a sanctuary, an important place and a home to many souls. The days her old pack was forced from their own land were long gone and happened before her birth, but whenever she had talked with the elders about it they grew sad and somber, as if they had lost a part of themselves as they left.

There were times when Sharan wondered whether her new friend had undergone such hardships as well, but she never mustered the courage to ask. There parts in her history she was still unwilling to share, memories still so sharp they would open wounds in a moment's notice had they had a physical edge.

As the other question passed her companion's lips she turned her head to look at him, her pale blue eyes locking with his.
- Better than I've felt in a long time. - And that was true. The moment the wolves met she was almost unable to stand on her own, ravanously hungry, terribly thin and so weary she was about to drop. No, she stood on her fours without any problems and was even able to catch a prey to offer as a gift to the pack living nearby.

She still couuld barely believe she was lucky enough to chance upon him just in the moment of her greatest need, and that she was again lucky enough to meet a male willing to help her and take care of her. She would to the same in his place, of course, but she was a medic, a herbalist and once even, for a few flickering seconds, a mother. The instinct to help others was vivid in her and never left her, even after she was forced to leave her young and late mate unburied.

Each time Sharan looked at the dark male or into his molten gold, warm eyes she was about to ask him why he had helped her, although she had never worded her question. At first the lack of knowledge for his reasons left her uneasy, but the feeling evolved, and she felt warmth when being close to her companion. She enjoyed his company and wouldn't swap it for any other. Not that she forgot about her beloved Malakai, no. Blackmoore wasn't him. He was different, no better and no worse, but just as much heartwarming as her white male was.

After a few moments of silent gazing at the male's face she slowly moved her gaze at the forest.
- Do we announce our arrival? - she decided to ask, breaking the silence that had crept between them. - Should we howl?

ooc: Uh god, I'm so sorry for taking so long and having a such short/crap/both reply this time. But I was sick for most of the month (and I'm still a bit) and muse-less at that... Hence why only 182 words.

Hearing her answer have made him brighten up a little in a form of a smile. Being a kindhearted spirit at heart, it just made him glad to be able to help someone at times. Some would consider it a weakness for sure, but for male it was just a vulnerability. A driving force pushing him beyond his limitations at times. "Glad to hear so." - Blackmoore murmured back to her, flashing up a slightly apologetic smile this time before turning his head away from her. Just like hers, his eyes swiveled around their surroundings wondering is there any pair of eyes looking back at them right now.

There should be.

"Do we announce our arrival? Should we howl?" - Sharan asked, while he was still sunk in his own thoughts. Turning back to her, he smiled before replying. "I guess we should." A nod accompanying his words as he'd stepped closer to her looking with his green eyes to hers. "I'll join you if that's fine with you?" He questioned as he was about to sit next to her and gifts they brought.

(This post was last modified: Dec 31, 2017, 06:35 AM by Blackmoore.)

As the answer came from the male wolf's lips she lifted her gaze, getting ready to sing the song of their kind to herald their coming to the border, and just as she was about to part her lips and give off the howl, it struck her. Once they had called upon the owners of this realm, the true inhabitants and actual members of the foreign pack living in these woods there was no coming back. They would either be accepted into their ranks, tried or chased away, and if the latter happened, their chances for survival would dwindle and melt like summer snows.

And speaking of snows, the air has been getting a chill the female could not mistake with anything else: winter was coming, fast approaching and ready to catch them unawares, especially now, as she had little to no time or opportunity to gather any fat for the harsh season, or hunt any greater prey available around. Not that she had spotted any in the first place, but surely these woods kept more secrets and animals than met the eye.

Now, perhaps, she would be able to catch food of her own, she had proved that by catching her little gift, as small as it was. The weeks after she had delivered her pups have been the worst she had been through all her life. Not only because she had lost them all and her mate at the same time. The childbed was harsh on her as well, and even though she had much more strength back then she had no way of taking good care of herself. The pains and loss of blood would not let her, and the dismal effects of her lost litter were still fading away. Her mind was taking much longer to cleanse than her body.

She was afraid of taking risks, but at the other hand, a pack was something she needed desperately. She had already found her small pack in the form of Blackmoore, at least she considered him so, but becoming a part of a bigger one would not hurt either. Additionally, she wouldn't overexert herself by healing others and taking care of any pups there may be among those lush trees. Yes, that was what she was aiming to do, that is, if such position was given to her. Otherwise, she would have to manage somehow.

It was with a great effort that she cleared her mind of all the doubts and fears, and finally steeled herself to approach whatever was coming to meet them.
- Let's do this, then - she answered, and sealed their fate by starting the canine song of her people, her voice undulating and vibrating along with the wind. Soon, Blackmoore would join her voice with his, she knew.

He had Elyan with him now as he did his patrol. With Hawthorne gone the pale leader had asked Elyan if he wanted to do patrols. The boy had eagerly agreed which pleased Emrys. He did hope that one day when he'd grown much too old to fulfill the role of leader his son would take over. Now that he and Jynx led the pack he wanted it to stay in their family as long as possible. The leader went over the importance of patrolling and what needed to be done during a patrol. All the things that Elyan would need to know when he was bigger and it was time for him to join the adults in the protection of the pack.

However as they came to the side of the territory that was closest to the spring the scent of loners reached his nose. He looked down at Elyan who also seemed to have picked up the scent as well. The pale leader kept inside the tree line as he moved closer keeping an eye on his boy. Soon their voices reached his ears before they came into view.

Lowering his head he whispered, “Stay close and pay attention.” With that said Emrys moved a little closer watching listening for a few moments longer. He wanted to make sure they weren't a threat before bringing out his son into the open.

Finally with his head and tail raised he stepped into view with Elyan right behind him. “I am Emrys Myrddin leader of White Fir Notch. What brings you to these borders?” He questioned looking between the two.

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

He'd grown to half his father's size making it easy to keep up with the pale figure as they moved among the White Firs. He'd been going with his father on patrols more often. He'd learned more about the territory they lived in, what was required of him during patrols when he was older. Most importantly Ely finally knew what his father had gone off to do when he was younger. He wished Arwyn would come with them but she usually preferred doing things on her own. It bothered Elyan to no end but she was still his sister.

When his father stopped the grey child did as well his nose catching the reason they had stopped. Mismatched eyes looked up to Emrys for more instruction but his father moved slowly ahead without a word. Ely stayed at his hip and moved with him, he was curious about the scents and what they meant. His father stopped and Elyan came to stand next to him before stopping as well. His gaze fell in the two strangers at the border and again he looked to his father to see what he might be thinking.

This time the pale leader did speak instructing him to stay close. So as Emrys moved out toward the border Elyan stayed at his side moving with him. He came to a stop as his father did his mismatched gaze never leaving the duo that had come to their borders. His father spoke wanting to know why they had come and Elyan waited for their response.

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

ooc: Let Sharan post after this please.

No going back now. - The male have thought to himself as the air was still echoing their joint howl, reflecting it back from the slopes of the nearest mountain. It felt weird to him, the whole thing that is. Being so loud like that, despite knowing and realizing that their call was simply a customary formality. Yet it didn't laid well with the male, made him anxious, as he would far rather silent and wait patiently for a scout to come by. A good way to judge how attentive the pack is among other things. But that would be just a byproduct of Blackmoore's odd distaste for being loud... As they were waiting, male have grown even more anxious wondering about did Sharan have begun to notice that oddity of his. He wondered what she'd would have said about it, which stung him in a bit of uncomfortable way. But he tried to keep all of this hidden, though an observant eye was certain to notice his inconvenience right now.

Fortunately the torment didn't lasted for too long, as his eyes picked up some movement in the treeline ahead of them. It didn't took long to realize that a white wolf was coming towards them, after all there wasn't any snow around... yet. But the dirty browns and grey's of autumn have concealed well the companion of the albino wolf. It wasn't till they almost stepped out from the treeline that his eyes have noticed the juvenile, roughly half the size of an adult beside him. The sight have obviously made him wonder slightly, but not for long. After all, didn't he did the same in his younger years?

 “I am Emrys Myrddin leader of White Fir Notch. What brings you to these borders?”

So they have found an alpha. Or rather the alpha have found them - obviously thanks to the loud announcement that both of them made just a short while ago. "We come in peace." He'll begin calmly, nodding politely to Emrys and his juvenile companion before looking to the side at Sharan. "This is Sharan, and I'm Blackmoore. We come..." The male will pause at that,out of respect, in an obvious intent to let her do the equal talking. After all they could still go back if she'd not feel comfortable with the idea anymore...

(This post was last modified: Jan 14, 2018, 06:38 PM by Blackmoore.)

Sharan let Blackmoore do the introduction and the first part of talking - she wasn't sure how to start anyways, and she did not trust her voice. It was still trembling at times, revealing her weakness, a trait she deeply disliked for leaving her vulnerable in the eyes of others. There was little she could do about it other than trying her best and choosing the best words, that even if her own voice failed her the logic and argumentation would not.

As soon as the male she has been travelling with made the introduction, she became ready to continue the monologue, or the dialogue, if the pack leader and his companion would decide to reply and continue the talk. That remained to be seen, and she was just as curious to see their reaction as hopeful to be listened to and admitted into the lands.

- We are a duet of travellers seeking refuge. We mean no harm, and as a token of our good will and friendship we come bearing gifts to the pack leader and whoever he chooses to share them with - she finished Moore's second sentence, as he had left her free to do so. And as she did that, she pointed at the trout she had caught earlier and placed at her paws, and then at Blackmoore's own catch. These were no deer or boar, but a sincere gift still. She hoped it would be enough.

As the first important part was over, she decided to take up the subject they had come here with.
- We ask to be admitted to your pack as its members, if you'll have us - she decided to add, her voice softer than it was at the beginning, as if the female was unsure whether they had presented enough to catch the attention of the leader, or provide him enough reason to admit them to the pack.