Fool's Gold Chasm this is for the lions

Backdated to December 1st. If this interferes with anyone's current threadlog let me know!

The days ticked by, each one adding another layer of guilt to rest upon the mother's shoulders. Her kids were largely independent now, nearly at their adult heights, and close to being able to fend for themselves. That's why Aweho's disappearance hadn't alarmed her at first. It was likely he'd just went off on his own, drawn by the promise of adventure, but she'd expected him to return by now.

Saga had already been out looking, though her efforts were fruitless. His trail was non-existent, faded and buried beneath the winter snow or carried off on the wind. So it was with a heavy heart that she returned to the Chasm and called for the adults.

(This post was last modified: Jan 16, 2022, 06:31 PM by Chan.)

Sága is currently travelling with Huddy, Aubine, Adelard, Rhaegara, Riven, Maugrim & Hrun

She called for the adults, but the young boy didn't care he went to his mother anyway, especially with the fact they hadn't seen his brother in a while. At first, Caelyn was upset his older brother would leave him out of whatever adventure he was going on, leaving him to be with his sisters, but now he wasn't so sure he would have wanted to leave his mother for as long as he had. Call him a Momma's boy, he didn't care. He knew he wouldn't be able to be away from her for so long. "Momma?" The Macieo-Tainn called as he came in the presence of Saga, his sky-blue gaze filled with concern.

Adelard was restless. Having been up patroling earlier that morning, he was already in a mood. As Saga's call echoed through the Vale, the Leader came running back over territory lines. His fur stuck up in terrible tufts and his pupils were small. He strode over to where the worried mother stood with her remaining son.

A wordless greeting was exchanged in the form of a growl. A simple acknowledgment to convey that he was here to support them. Obviously, it had not been enough for Huddy or Riven to go missing. For one of Saga's cubs to go unaccounted for was the ultimate slight on nature's account.

(This post was last modified: Jan 13, 2022, 11:50 PM by Adelard.)

         

ADELARD

heat stroke, bring the fire black smoke, I take it higher

Levi was sleeping when Saga called, very much near enough to rouse him. He blinked and stretched the sleep away before scrambling up onto his paws. It sounded like something was wrong. He frowned and headed out, to where she stood and a couple of the others had gathered. Namely, Adelard and her remaining son. Was that what this was about? Woya had interrogated him days ago, but he had taken his lead from the mother herself, and besides, he didn't know anything.

He hung back a few paces, silent but watchful for any cues. Whatever they needed, he'd do his best to help.

Despite Saga's assurances, Woya was deeply bothered that her nephew hadn't come home. It might be a Tainn thing to wander without consideration, but it wasn't a Macieo trait and Aweho was just as much his father's kid. Still, as much a claim as she felt she had to the children her brother left behind, Saga was their mother and Woya wouldn't pitch a fit - yet. Thankfully, despite all of her incessant searching, they'd yet to find blood or a trail of lost, frostbitten toes...

Much like the green-eyed woman, her sanity required that she ignore her gut and believe that Aweho was alright, just elsewhere. Maybe... maybe he was looking for his father...

Hearing Saga's call made it a little harder. It was a solemn sound, without any inkling of good news. Was it about the chocolate-dipped youth? She heeded the summons, conflicting emotions fighting for dominance in her chest. It would be a relief if the other adults began to take this as seriously as she was, but it would also make the stark situation all the more real.

She approached the others with uncharacteristically soft eyes, concern evident. Like the men assembled, she simply waited.

The call was heard, a solemn sound that made her worry. She had been with Enera, asking her to stay in the den while she investigated. She quickly ran for the sound, finding the other mother’s grave expression. She waited in silence as all the others did, simply waiting to hear what had happened and if there was any way she could help. Saga was a friend, a close friend at that. Their children were friends as well and the woman inspired a sense of loyalty in her that she had not felt before.

She wanted to be there for her. She’d give almost anything to support her, minus the life of her daughter which she would never sacrifice. Whatever the other mother needed, Rhaegara would provide. All she needed to do was hear the words.

Caelyn's appearance made the whole thing that much more difficult, as the woman wasn't yet ready to admit to her other children that there was a cause for concern. She didn't want them to ever know the pain she felt, nor any pain for that matter. She was responsible for keeping them safe and happy, but she had failed. Still, she had no choice but to let the others know now.

Pressing forward so that she might place a kiss to her son's temple, she spoke, "I'm sure you all know by now that Aweho is missing." She did what she could to keep uncertainty from leaking into her voice, lest she scare Caelyn. "If you could please keep an eye out for him and let Adelard or I know if you hear anything I would be eternally grateful." Saga knew that they would, even without her having to ask, but still, the woman felt it was necessary to say.

Sága is currently travelling with Huddy, Aubine, Adelard, Rhaegara, Riven, Maugrim & Hrun

Squeezing his sky-blue eyes closed when his mother placed a gentle kiss upon his temple before she addressed the adults that had gathered, Caelyn knew he probably should not have come with the news she was giving them, but the boy couldn't help it. Pressing himself into any length of his mother's warm body that he could find, the silver agouti boy tried to drown out the bad news she was giving the pack with flattening his ears against his skull. Maybe if he couldn't hear the truth, it would not be true. Then Aweho could come back home where he belonged.

An ever-watchful custodian, Adelard stared, waiting like the rest of the assembled pack. Gradually, his energy shifted into one less feral, as if the sound of Saga's voice tamed him. His ears came back to a more neutral position but everything about him still hinted that he was a bomb ready to go off. The scent of blood that had followed him from the rabbit kill he had landed only hours ago still lingered.

The utterance of Saga's words sent prickles of heat down his spine. At least, to most of the pack's knowledge, Aweho had simply gone. Unlike Riven, but like Hudson before him. Wanderlust was an anxious, exciting beast, but it should not have taken the boy before his time. He trusted in Saga's rearing, though, and in the security that the pack had provided. If Aweho had not had the confidence and stamina, he would not have gone.

"If you could please keep an eye out for him and let Adelard or I know if you hear anything I would be eternally grateful."

His eyes now turned to settle upon Rhaegara, Woya, and Levi. Saga's own personal garrison. He gave a small nod, before turning his attention back to the silver woman and lookalike son. There was nothing to say on his part, and all he had to offer at this point was his loyalty and drive. He would be on his guard, figuratively leaving the light on for those who wished to return home.

         

ADELARD

heat stroke, bring the fire black smoke, I take it higher

The others slowly gathered, save for the young girls. Leviticus remained to himself and silent, attentive when Saga spoke up to address them and explain the summons. There wasn't much to it. The mother confirmed her child was gone without explanation, and asked that she and Adelard be informed of any found clues. His green gaze wandered over those assembled, unable to gather anything more from them either. When he returned his gaze forward, grass met with sunshine and he nodded back to his leader. He would do what he could.

Was that all? He remained, in case there was more to come.