Whisper Marsh Perchance

Where once the grass had whispered about her feet, now snow crunched beneath her paws as she steadily walked across the meadow, her head held high as she surveyed the land about her. It was so open, the breeze so fresh. She could see for miles around, she could see the weak sun and the clouds. She smiled. It was almost time. Not daring to walk closer to the Cedar trees than she must, it was here she had come, to tilt back her head and to call for Valiant. It was time after all. Time for them to go back to the mountain. She didn’t care if he hung around to join her pack or not, as long as he was there by her side when the time came. Him and his other. It would take a while, she knew, and so she waited, settling her rear to the snow. Her thoughts were allowed to drift for a time until finally the silvery form came in to sight, a slightly darker shadow behind him. A plain wolf - young. But Rais was young too. The young ones had their uses. She bought herself to stand then, her tail raising over her back in dominance at the simple males approach. He had been sent to find Rhysis, but it wasn’t Rhysis who walked at his side, so maybe he hadn’t found her love at all. There were no words as she waited for them to draw closer. The excitement building in her stomach. It was almost time.

He had heard her shadowing his steps for some time now, although it didn’t bother him overly, he had expected it to happen sooner or later, either the girl would speed up to walk by his side or she would remain at a distance, wherever she felt comfortable was good enough for him now. The cedar trees clung close, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt that he would be leaving again. At such a critical time for the pack. He hadn’t even managed to recruit any new members for them, but truly, what was he to do? Bring them crackpots and fools? Jayse deserved far better than that. The call that rang through the trees was unexpected, but at the same time, not. It seemed the time had come sooner than he ever could have imagined, half putting her plans down to pipe dreams, still, he turned back towards the commanding song, picking up his pace a little, moving close enough to dare brushing against the young girls coat with a smile Yes I know you’re there, surprise... and heading back out to the open expanse of the meadow. As he drew closer, she stood, her tail a banner over her back, and his own posture shrunk to one that he hoped would keep her happy, tail held low, ears back, a small whine escaping his throat as he drew near. No words were needed, her stance said it all, and yet, he still had to introduce the girl at his back. “This is Romanis Riordae.” he said, turning his face back to the younger wolf with a confident smile. “Romanis, this is Naira Aquila. She is starting a pack once she gets her children back. Will you come with us?” His tone was hopeful, pleading almost. A pack would do the young scrap wonders, he was sure.

code by bryony

Her intentions were to leave the region of Relic Lore. Where she would go, she was most certainly unsure –but it was a general plan nevertheless. So when she had come upon the trail of Valiant in the course of her exit, it was with anything but ease that she had made the decision to follow him instead.

A lot of it had to do with the general wane brought on by her relapse into lonesomeness. Perhaps he wasn’t the wisest choice for a wolf like Rome –so young and vastly impressionable, but he was most certainly a fit for the role of Mr. Right Now, which is why she had ultimately given in.

Switching her course without a single word to the outside world, she had simply begun trailing behind him with leagues in-between them. That was of course until that strange sound happened and he turned back to perhaps reassure her with a bit of physical contact. It had worked –to a fault. Seeing as it had been so very long since she had been touched, the young Riordae was unsure of how to react. Should she reciprocate or simply accept the gesture for what it was? Well it was too late for a choice because as soon as it had happened the male turned back again.

Pursing her lips behind his head, Rome attempted to prepare her future self for such actions with contemplative thought. However this too was soon cut short as they came into the presence of a wolf more similar to herself in coloration. Freezing in her steps almost immediately, it was without thought that she prickled. Not because she thought that this particular wolf meant her harm but because she believed it to be the motive of all strangers in general.

Yet before Romanis could unfurl her usual frightful reaction she managed to remember that she was no longer alone. Sliding her ember eyes in Valiant’s direction, she was more than surprised to notice his change in stance. But rather than question whether aloud or with hesitation she simply assumed a pose that was very similar –if not identical. After all these were the sorts of reasons that had driven her to seek a companion –a second brain to offer better consideration of dreaded social matters.

Keeping her eyes thrown in Valiant’s direction, she would lift her brow in pure curiosity when he finally spoke to shed some light on their current situation. Had this been the plan all along? Of this Romanis was unsure, but what she did know was that it was better than her own earlier intentions –or at least she hoped.

Laying her faith across the laps of the strangers, poor Romanis simply nodded before whining in total compliance. Her life was not her own –and that was exactly how she liked it.

Short and Sweet - Wrapping this one up here.

Thankfully, Valiant did the talking for her and the young wolf nodded along in agreement. A confused smile crossed her face for a moment, before morphing into something more genuine. If the girl was not a talker, well that suited her just fine. She wasn’t overly fond of the practice herself so much anymore. She stepped forward deliberately, to gently clasp the girls muzzle, a sign of acceptance, and her dominance, leaving Valiant for now, as she doubted he had yet told the Hollow wolves he was taking his leave, and he may yet wish to return to them. As long as he stood by her side on the mountain, she would be happy to let him wander wherever he wished. Indicating that the girl, Romanis should walk beside her, she turned back to the mountains. She had gathered all she could for now. It was time for this to be done with. It was time for them to go and find their new home.