Hearthwood River your doors come crashing down

For @Lachesis and/or @Kisla! Keeping this post pretty vague!

RE: Violent Thunderstorms overtake Relic Lore! 

A few weeks pass had made him anxious and after telling his remaining loved ones of his whereabouts and promising a swift return, he made his way to where the scent of Heartwood River pack was the strongest. He recalled the smell from one of its members, the temporary leader and appointed medic who's name he had stored away in his memory for future retrieval and he followed this smell for many miles until more filled his nose and he was confident that he had made it to his destination. He paused, catching his breath and allowing his weak limb to rest before settling to a sit on his haunches where the loud roar of oncoming dark clouds quickly passed--his travels often brought with them violent storms. He inhaled deep, expecting the onslaught of cold and unrelenting water to fall any moment but before loud thunder broke through the skies he made his call to the wolf who's name he could finally speak LACHESIS he bellowed, directing the howl specifically to him but expecting the lead female to appear as well. That was always as he and Iopah worked, he rarely handled pack business without his female lead and he half expected to see Kisla trailing behind, it would do him well to finally see the woman who had silently been leading the pack for some years.

No sooner did the howl break the wind did he heard the powerful boom of thunder, a sign the spring was still making its arrival and bringing buckets of rain water with it. He sighed, the water fell quick on his pelt and drenched it almost immediately but with his luck he was beginning to come familiar with the change of weather, especially the downpour of rain. He much preferred it over snow, appreciative that eventually the rain would bring abundant and lush grass, that would in turn bring more prey back to the Lore, their big game was due back to return eventually. He hoped that come breeding season they would have sought out the most luscious grasses, and returned finally to Broken Timber Pines, despite their dwindling numbers they still had plenty of adult wolves to feed that required pounds of red meat. His visit to Hearthwood River could potentially lead to an alliance that would help their members come the summer time. 

As Naia’s due date drew near, Lachesis was careful not to smother the expectant mother. She was a very capable wolf, and knew how to take care of herself, which was why he had zero qualms about her being the wolf to birth his children. The respect they had for each other was what cemented their friendship, along with the length of time that they had known each other. She was perhaps the only wolf that Lachesis had left in Relic Lore than he had known since the beginning, and he was thankful to have her in his life. Which was precisely why he was giving her the space she needed.

The sky was dark and angry above him, causing the healer’s fur to stand on end as he maneuvered through the trees that bordered his territory. It was as the rain started falling that he heard his name called into the wind. The sound was quickly devoured by a roll of thunder overhead and left the ghost feeling confused about who could be calling out for him. Immediately thoughts went to Naia, but the voice was distinctly masculine — Maksim? No, the green-eyed king did not stray far from his den, not with his health.

Curiosity drove him forward. The rain was falling heavier now but the healer was not interested in the temperamental weather. What captivated XIX was the wolf knocking at his door.

“Koda,” he greeted as he blinked water out of his eyes, his forehead creased as he studied the tawny wolf. It had been quite some time since they had last seen each other; why had caused the male to seek him out now? He did not let the question fall off his tongue, for he knew that the green-eyed wolf would be quick to explain himself. Lachesis was merely answering his house call.

stick with those who stick with you

@Lachesis !

Unlike the alabaster wolf he had come to meet, Koda did not have the pleasure of worrying over his wife and the puppies that were supposed to have come from this this winter. In fact, he hadn't the pleasure of worrying over any female this year as the limited number of members killed the instinct to breed this coming season. It had been wise, as it was uncertain how long the pack would last with so few members and with this fact, their limited members would struggle in feeing the new mouths that had been destined for birth. Puppies were more than just cute, he knew that the responsibility of taking care of them did not end once they grew into the yearling ranks, in fact they would probably always need the protection of their parents and Koda feared for what had happened to Bracken in his absence. He had plenty of catching up to do, and adding new bodies to the mixture would have merely kept him from getting to know the wolves he had already brought into the world.

The call he'd sent was muted by that of a loud boom and he watched the sky swirl with darker clouds, raindrops fell slow at first before they fell in a torrent to the ground below, wetting everything in its way. He shook his pelt, knowing the water wouldn't get too far through his double coat but he looked every bit of the soaked wolf, eyes closed occasionally when a strong wind rocked his body and sent water flying into his face. The wait for Lachesis did not take long and he smelled the tall wolf before he saw him, his name the only words that came from his mouth. "Lachesis, sorry to have called you in this weather." he hadn't been expecting rain but it was not uncommon, considering bad weather seemed to follow wherever he went. "you mind if I come in so we can seek shelter?" it was awkward enough that the heavens were booming as they stood to converse.

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

A grimace rolled onto his pale maw as he blinked the water out his eyes. It was not that he wasn’t happy to see the tawny wolf; XIX just carried too much on his shoulders and his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of his pack — his family. The green-eyed wolf before him had impeccable timing.

Nodding silently to Koda’s words the ghost motioned for the large wolf to follow him. Eager to get out of the rain he ducked into the trees, embracing the protection the canopy offered from the storm. He did not stop until there was enough distance between them and the edge of the tree line. His skin was crawling at the idea of bringing an outsider into their home, but it was necessary; they could not talk with the wind and rain roaring in their faces.

Once he decided they had gone far enough, the tall healer turned to look at his companion, forehead smooth as he observed Koda was a curious expression. “What brings you to Hearthwood?” He asked calmly, his full attention focused on the older wolf. He had not gotten to the point because he did not enjoy Koda’s company; his curiosity was burning furiously in his chest and pushed the words off his tongue. The Pines wolf had to have a good reason for seeking him out in such disastrous weather, or else it would have waited until the storm subsided. Perhaps after they got past the reason for Koda’s visit they could engage in small talk. There was certainly a lot to discuss since their last meeting and this one didn’t have to be all business. They were neighbours, after all, so a good relationship between the two was necessary. Especially when they were unsure of the other packs nearby — allies were certainly better than enemies. 

stick with those who stick with you

@Lachesis !

He lingered a moment or two, waiting for the male to accept his invitation to enter into Heartwood, a territory he could not remember having traveled to since the beginning to winter, or perhaps more. His lack of ability to remember was cause to visit the neighboring land in hopes of catching up, frequent visits would allow for bonds to be forged and after the last incident involving a few members of the Wood and the Pines, he was certain that time would only get them back on the right track.

Once Lachesis accepted the offer, Koda followed the male without word to a canopy that efficiently kept the rain from pummeling their pelts and for that he was grateful. After giving his thick coat a few shakes he settled to his haunches, sheltering his injured limb, before his large pale eyes finally met once more with his company. He could tell that the younger male had other matters on his mind, perhaps pack politics that certainly shouldn't be discussed out in the open, but he knew those sorrows all too well--being a leader meant that nothing, no matter how small, was insignificant.

"I came with hopes that Heartwood River and Broken Timber Pines can forge an alliance." it seemed that Lachesis was prepared to get straight to the matter, and Koda would not keep him waiting any longer.  "With so few packs on this side of the Lore I figured that building a stronger bond between our homes could bring benefits for the both of us. Heartwood seems to be a pack that keeps its nose free of drama and the Pines relishes that. Though we are not secretive in the least, we have our own history in which others would place judgment on and because of this we have been known to stick to ourselves. " he grew quiet, wondering how Lachesis would see his wager, and tacked on, "aside from that, Winter has left our pack smaller than when I left it and potentially vulnerable." he looked off from Lachesis, shame along his face. Guilt riddled him knowing that he had potentially caused the decline in their numbers.

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

The words that fell from Koda’s mouth did not come as a surprise to the young healer. While they were no longer new to the expanse, the river wolves had kept to themselves since settling down in Kingsfall. It was not that they did not want anything to do with the neighbouring packs, they just had an unfortunate history with their former neighbours. They were unsure of who to trust in these new lands, and whether they would be permanent allies.

As the agouti male spoke XIX nodded in agreement, though his lips tightened into a thin line as he waited for an opportunity to voice his own thoughts. Koda had made a valuable point: with so few packs in the northern territories, it made sense for them to align together. Especially since some of the southern packs were… less than desirable. But would Kisla agree with creating a bond between the river wolves and the Pines? From a strategic point of view, Lachesis did not see why she wouldn’t. However, they were cautious of those they put their trust in, for it had backfired in the past… and they had to move up north in order to rectify their mistakenly placed trust.

“I’m afraid winter has left us in the same position,” Lachesis commented after a brief pause, his chartreuse gaze fixated on the older wolf. “I do not see why there should not be an alliance between our packs,” he added, voice level as he gave his shoulders a quick shake. “It has proven difficult to find trustworthy wolves since we moved North.” A frown creased his lips at the thought. “Have you spoken to the other local packs about forming alliances with them as well?” The ghost was not opposed to the idea of the north standing together. With resources being limited in the tundra, it would be useful to increase their allies.

stick with those who stick with you

I made you wait way too long for a reply! I'm so sorry! @Lachesis

A single ear flicked toward the looming pale figure that stood so quiet beside him. Though Lachesis had given him the response he wanted, he could sense that the leader had larger worries than forming an alliance and Koda could understand the complexity of trying to balance a life of the pack and that of personal, he only hoped that eventually the younger male could gain some kind of ground. At the mention of winter, he felt himself shudder and the thought of what was to come made him even more determined to strengthen whatever bond he could forage with the Heartwood wolves; they could essentially be their only hope.

"I have so far only spoke with you. I hope, before the winter, to reach the others. I feel that strength can only come from numbers." he was not ashamed in admitting that he had intentions of meeting with the other packs around the mountain, they were essentially as important as Heartwood were to the future of Broken Timber.  "How have things been in Heartwood? Hopefully no casualties since winter?" he asked, hoping to get some kind of info from the leader before getting down to the technicalities of forming their alliance.

Arla and Emma are the ish and made my pretties!
Koda will most likely always be accompanied by Chiron unless otherwise stated, or requested.

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

@Koda no worries <3 

The ghost nodded at Koda’s response, his brows knitted together as he considered how an alliance between the northern packs could prove to be beneficial. While they had not heard anything from Grizzly Hollow since they moved north they were still considered foe; Lachesis did not trust the hollow wolves as far as he could throw them. “I know Maksim had been meaning to seek out the other packs of the north as well,” he began, his frown deepening as he spoke. “But his health has not been where it should be.” Another pause. He worried sharing this information with Koda; while he considered the older male an ally, Maksim’s declining health made the pack vulnerable. “He’s getting better, just not at the pace I had hoped.” Aside from the agouti king, the health of the pack had been stable. With puppies on the way things were beginning to look up for the river wolves.

“Aside from that, Hearthwood has been good.” And getting better, slowly but surely. His head tilted to the side as he studied his companion with a curious expression. “And how have things been at the Pines?” Lachesis had intended on making a visit down to the place Koda called home, but his duties in Hearthwood had consumed him. 

stick with those who stick with you