Turtleback Lake run to the edge of the world

This is a join thread for Vigils Keep. Early Evening, Overcast Clouds, 69.8°F, 21°C. All welcome!

The lake — Turtleback Lake, as he had been informed — was enormous, large enough for three small islands to occupy its deep, murky water. Lonán had never seen anything quite like it before. It certainly made for interesting scenery as he followed after @Bellatrix, towards her pack's territory, and away from the hungry band of coyotes. His dark, skinny tail waved anxiously behind him as he was led towards the area of large rocks and towering pine trees which was nestled up against the northern shore of the lake.

The scent of the pack was incredibly pungent, almost too overpowering for Lonán's sensitive nose, now that they were approaching the marked borders. He could distinguish more about the pack now. Bellatrix had not been lying when she had said that there were a lot of males. The dark yearling could pick out no less than ten of them, along with three or maybe four female scents. One of those scents, he knew, belonged to the so called 'leading lady'.

The yearling couldn't help but think it unusual that a pack was being governed by a sole individual. In his naivety, he presumed that the lead female must have been an old, wise female, with years of experience on her side. As his paws finally paused a few lengths away from the territorial boundary, he hoped that the old wolf would be kind and take pity on him, and not turn him away to be tracked down and feasted on by the hungry coyotes.

To improve his chances of acceptance — and survival — he continued to crouch low to the ground, held his head down and kept his slim tail tucked submissively between his legs in preparation for the lead female's arrival.

(This post was last modified: Jul 08, 2018, 07:55 PM by Lonan.)

Judas ARCHER

by the light of the moon, we run

It was early in the evening and although the night had not come just yet, the overcast clouds had darkened the world enough to allow Judas to decide to get out and about earily. Normally venturing the territory at night with the moon high in the sky, he felt as though this night he would be forced to move along without his Moon Mother due to the many clouds in the sky. He wasn't the best when it came to the pack duties: the collecting herbs, hunting for food, minding the borders... He watched his Queen like a hawk as a Queensguard should and when he decided to go off on his own or @Nineva had simply had enough of him, the male wondered off on his own, feeding himself by scavenging for food or fighting off any nearby coyote, as fighting was one thing he truly enjoyed.

This falling evening however he was caught by the scent of not a coyote, but a lone wolf. He did not smell like the Surge wolves but that still did not mean he was not a stranger near his home. Judas followed it, long legs taking him to the edge of the border where Bellatrix had led a stranger to their doorstep. A new recruit? Pausing before them, Judas' nose wrinkled in dislike. He was thin looking, his fur dirty and matted and very obviously looked... Flea bitten. As far as Judas was concerned there was no room in their ranks for weaklings. He was just a yearling on his own, yet so had he and Ramiel and they had never ended up looking like that. "Hope your not looking for some kind of handout here." He scoffed, dark grey eyes narrowing on him.

☾

Yuka spent most of his time on their borders. Lifting his leg had become habit, a calming reassurance that he had purpose now, a place to call home, and wolves he would maybe feel comfortable enough to call family, eventually. The creamy russet-hued man was not worried about recruiting new members to their cause, mostly because they were at a comfortable number now. Not too many, not too little. That being said, he couldn't see Nineva refusing a capable wolf that would devote themselves to the pack. In fact, he doubted she would, but they were in no need of members who could not hold their own, especially with a child to provide for. But that wasn't his decision. The Left Hand was wrapping up his border patrol, intent on checking in on his nieces whereabouts when a strangers scent near their borders caused him pause. Nostrils flared and russet ears perked forward, pupils dilating. Yuka was quick to set towards that area of their perimeter, pleased to see that another member already arrived. A smirk threatened to twitch onto the corners of his mouth as he caught the end of his pack mates words, amber teal-flecked eyes moving to take in the stranger as he took a place next to the subordinate, the man's tail swaying to wave slightly above his back. Uninterested eyes took in the flea-ridden man in front of him, deformed lip curling up in distaste. The Thorben voice came out in a low growl when he spoke, "What do you want?" The boy had not called out for their leading lady, so surely, he couldn't possibly be thinking of joining.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Thank you TABs

ugh sorry this took so long, had a rough couple of days xp please let @Bellatrix and @Ellery post next!

Nineva had been relatively tense since the debacle with the Surge wolves, waiting for the next trespass they would commit. Whether it would be one of their wolves or the whole pack, she wanted to be ready to deal with it swiftly and harshly. Until it was clear that this would all blow over and the other pack was willing to live and let live, she did not expect to not be on her toes every waking minute. It might have taken its toll, if she wasn't so used to constantly watching her back already from the time spent alone wandering the forests and mountains outside of the Lore.

When Bellatrix came directly to her while she was in the middle of playing with the pack's only pup, though she witnessed no panic or anger in her subordinate's eyes, a part of her still waiting to here far more fateful words than what actually dripped off the yearling's tongue; she had brought someone to their door. Nineva acknowledged the information and set off with her daughter in tow, the pale girl leading their way back to the outring of the Keep's claim and to Lonan, who was already joined by two of the Keep's guardians.

She took a moment before speaking to look the boy over, and what she saw seemed absolutely miserable. A part of her wanted to bring him back to the den with her right then and there, shove him into the infirmary and nurse him back to full health. It would've been a glimpse into the past for those around her to see, a rekindling of her compassion brought about by her daughter's birth. Clearly, however, that would have been a foolish response.

Her paw pushed Ellery back just a inch, a silent signal for the girl to stay back from this one. All wolves dealt with fleas and other parasites their whole lives, but Nineva could see the infestation consuming this poor child as the creatures popped around atop his guard hairs.

"Bellatrix says you're seeking a home," she acknowledged, "but we'll need proof of your worth and sincerity before you have the honor of becoming a Keep wolf."