Secluded Spring It came from the mountain...

"Iopah finds a live mountain lion, half eaten crawling on the ground."
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A scream filled the night. It jarred every being into awakeness. The leaves quaked and deep in their bolt-holes rabbits froze. All animals dreaded the dark night when a mountain lion hunted.

Tucked in her new den, Iopah picked up her head. She blinked, unsure what had awoken her. The mountain lion screamed again, high-pitched and strident. Her heart rate quickened. It must have come down from Dire Mountain. Iopah remained where she was, silent and attentive. A mountain lion was unlikely to attack an adult wolf. At any rate, there was no where safe to go, she reasoned. It could follow anywhere a wolf could go. She bared her teeth in a silent snarl, she would not let anything chase her from this land.

It screamed again, and again. Let it take a deer and be quiet, Iopah thought harshly. The forest fell silent once again. Iopah listened closely, hoping not to hear another of her kind call out for assistance.

Several minutes passed in peace, then it came again, just as unnerving as before. Iopah tensed, for the first time truly worried. It sounded closer.

Another scream and Iopah knew it was not her imagination. Somewhere just out of sight, something was slowly coming. She rose slowly to her feet. Something was not right. This wasn't normal for a mountain lion. The gray tinged woman stepped from her den with a deep breath. She was motionless for several minutes before forcing herself to creep towards it. The wolf knew that if it was injured or sick, she would need to drive it away. Iopah hoped another wolf would find her soon, she doubted whether she had the nerve to approach it alone.

(This post was last modified: Dec 31, 2012, 05:41 AM by Iopah.)

Ashanti never quite gave up hope that Copper Rock Creek would stay so. She went around the borders looking for herbs, the scent of lone wolf was not to be anymore. Although the pack was disbanded, she traveled with Nina, Sloane, and Durai to go and find a land to claim. they wanted it to be Thicket of Secrets. Ashanti couldn't agree more. Her ears perked at the sound of a shrilling, bone chilling, curdling scream. "Is everything alright?" she asked running to the source. She saw the live mountain lion that was half eaten, crawling. Before it, a lone wolf.

Her eyes wide with horror as she stared at it. Did it have that much will to live? She thought of her agape relationship with Nina. Nina was like another older sister, now she knew her real older sister Isen was alive. She looked at the lion, and then the wolf. Was this wolf going to move. "Can I help you miss?"

(This post was last modified: Nov 22, 2012, 04:10 PM by Ashanti.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/NinaTable.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 312px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;"> Strong legs propelled through the darkness, in the thickness of the night. Even though it was late, Nina had found it her duty to make sure Iopah was doing alright from their last meeting. The secluded springs had been bringing the young healer a large amount of closure over the last few days. Even though she had many hard memories in this place…it had also been her sanctuary, the place she had always gone for comfort, and here she was again. When a feline growl pierced through the air, Nina’s head snapped in the direction in which it came. The poor thing sounded like it was in pain. Her legs pushed her slightly faster, her nose working on the ground towards the other girl’s scent. She would have to be here somewhere.

And soon the familiar color of the female’s coat came into Nina’s good eye view. Her paws were easily heard, making herself known to the other as she came to a stop next to Iopah. It seemed the girl had taken a spot close to where she had always slept…but none the less, it was not the time to get into her memories. Her shoulder muscles were tense as the yowl approached them again. Her canines flashing furiously as she crept forward, the shy female by her side. Twitching her ears she tensed as a large mountain lion came into view…but something was off. The healer's eyes then traveled to her loyal friend...Ashanti. She had stayed with Nina. Nodding her head to the other, she twitched her ears.

The dark had taken over his world. Alluring dreams whispered in his ear. Softly he grumbled as he turned. The next second he turned to the other side. He didn't had a bad dream nor couldn't he fall asleep. It was one of the many ways he would fall asleep, according how he felt. Yesterday he had done just nothing. His body was itching to get to do something. He didn't meet other wolves nor did he see much new things that could be from later value. He would have called it useless if that word was in his dictionary, but it was not.

A yammering sound broke through his empty dreams. Right awake he opened his eyes like he had never closed them. Annoyed he grumbled as he stood up. What the heck was this prank? Again the sound that made his hackles rise. Mountain lion. Hearing to the sound of his growl he was in deathly pain. It sounded near. A big sigh what was like the whole world was on his shoulders again came out of his muzzle. With a smooth movement he stood up and walked towards the horrible noise.

Looked like the lion had more wolves attracted. Though it wasn't for the reasons as Rain had come. He walked ready to go around the lion but instead walked first to the wolves. Cause there was some interesting company. Two he did not know. He gave them a small nod. Then he looked at the only one he knew. 'Miss-' A harder snarling pained noise came from the lion. The animal crawled trying to ease his pain. Annoyed he gave it a cold glare and looked down on the female. '-Nina.' He ended his sentence. He took a deep breath, grinding his teeth. His eyes watched the females one for one. 'I hate noise.' He grumbled irritated. Soon it would be quiet again, that was a fact.

The lion was not hard to locate, even in the darkness. As Iopah hesitantly approached she could hear it panting. It's tongue curled as it took quick, raspy breaths. The scent of blood was thick in the air. Iopah walked a wide circle around it, hackles raising at what she saw. It looked like it had been chewed on. Much of the flesh had been removed from it's hind quarters. There were large bite marks along it's upper back, as if it had been pinned to the ground.

So caught up in her morbid examination, Iopah carelessly stepped on a twig. Snap. The sound echoed. Instantly the lion swung it's battered head towards Iopah, using it's relatively intact forelimbs to drag itself in her direction. It's eyes were glassy, as they stared at each other a fat drop of blood oozed from the lions nostril.

Iopah broke the gaze at the sound of rapid footsteps. She looked up to see an unfamiliar wolf approach. At this point Iopah didn't care if she was a resident of this land or not, so long as she was an ally. She said nothing as Ashanti looked from the lion to Iopah, giving the girl a moment to process the situation. Can I help you? Ashanti asked.

Help? Please, yes! Iopah though fervently. But, what are we going to do with it?

She looked up as Nina approached cautiously. The lion yowled again, reacting to the arrival of more wolves. It hissed at the three of them. When the lion quieted, Iopah nodded to her. She saw the nod for Ashanti, she glanced back to the tall female. She must be one of the Copper Rock Creek wolves. Iopah gave her a nervous smile, hoping they would have a chance to exchange names when this was finished.

"We need to get this thing out of here, but-" She stopped as she saw Orev walk towards them. He addressed Nina directly, nodding a greeting to Ashanti and Iopah. Iopah smiled faintly at his to-the-point admission. He would find no disagreement here. Iopah glanced at Nina, not wanting to speak out of place. She carried on, "We need to get rid of this thing, we can't chase it. It's too badly injured." Iopah did not voice her underlying worry. Whatever had done this, had held it down and tried to eat it alive, was still out there.

(This post was last modified: Dec 31, 2012, 05:43 AM by Iopah.)

Ashanti smiled a bit as Nina came into view, the healer was her friend. She nuzzled her shoulder slightly before yet another loner came into view. This one Ashanti did not know, but he seemed to be a sour puss. With Ashi's balsamaceous ways, she was kind. But this wolf just rubbed her the wrong way when it came to manners so she ignored him. She looked at the lion. "We could give it something deadly... maybe some black nightshade or Solomon's seal?" She said looking at Nina, after all the fearless girl knew more herbs then the yearling.

She looked at the odd male as he said he hated noise. Now that would be a nice guy to pull the leg of. But she'd changed. She had stopped with Rais. Ash was a true warning. If he ever harmed a single hair on Nina again, she'd go hunt him down personally. She didn't care if ina protested, no wolf that kind deserves to be hurt like that. She didn't care if Athena showed up, no, she'd take them both.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/NinaTable.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 312px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;"> Her shoulder muscles were easily traceable in the position she was standing in, her lips pulled back as the mountain lion made its way closer. The dark golden pelt came into view and a vicious growl escaped the woman’s mouth. The presence of another caused her head to swing to the side, a warning rumbling deep within her throat. She calmed down slightly when she recognized the face and scent. Turning her head back towards the injured mountain lion, fresh blood flew around her nose. After they killed it she would be sure to get a better look at the thing to see what had caused the injury…most likely a bear. Ashanti’s voice flowed over her ears and all she needed to do was shake her head once.

"No. The cat isn‘t completely stupid. It will be able to smell the poison. We kill it," she spoke seriously, no source of sarcasm in her voice. Even though she didn’t like killing others…it didn’t matter. They were two predators and only one could come up on top, and considering that the thing was injured and there were four of them here…the wolves would probably come up on time. With her tail stiff and straight and ears pinned back on her head she could have easily looked like a demon…but an innocent one at that.

Late sorry

He didn't say anything, he just observed. Both the lion and the wolves. The Arctic one seemed to ignore him, well that was her choice no grudge in that. It made her rather interesting, a quick glance was given to the blue eyes as it was driven away to look at Nina and a more normal looking wolf. All thought the same, get rid of that thing. The lion was obviously hurting, they could just let it be. With those injuries it would die anyway so why risking your life for something that will put it's teeth in your flesh. If they killed him it would be a less painful way to die, so the deed would be honourable? Orev didn't feel like that was enough reason to kill it of. Life wasn't sweet to everybody so why would he, it wasn't like he had to or that there was anything attached by killing the lion. No award just a risk to get some more scars in his collections.

The Arctic fae suggested to poison it. Well it would be a the most safe option but though the lion was deadly hurt. It didn't hit his head nor did he had lost his will to live. That was just how lions were, they would fight for their lives, clinging onto it till he would be taken to a other world. In that aspect he had some lion in his veins. Rain didn't had to say anything, Nina did. Again a small inside smile, she had the brains and her eyes had a different look than the last time. A nice sight.

'I propose to first see how his body condition is. He may be crawling but he's moving. In my opinion it would be good to see first how much he can move on his own. In order to avoid any bad injuries.' He fathomed the reactions as he talked. It was, for him at least, a obvious first step. He didn't like surprises especially when you could avoid them. A glimmer of cold silver was found in his eyes. Actually he could already taste lion blood dripping on his tongue. 'If we may work together to kill the lion. I may introduce myself as Rain.' He didn't really felt like throwing his name around but if they had to have some kind of trust in order to work together. Who would want to work with some kind of stranger they don't even know the name of? Orev didn't aspect them to do the same like he did but it was easier to move pawns with names attached.

Reassured by the wolves intentions Iopah had shifted her attention back to the lion. It wasn't that she was trying to be rude. As wounded as the lion was, there was a part of Iopah that could not ignore the danger it represented.

For the most part it started blankly forward, focusing on nothing and Iopah was content to merely observe. Any movement from the wolves seemed to antagonize it. It would hiss menacingly, revealing blood-streaked teeth. An answering growl would come from Iopah and she would shift unconsciously between the lion and Nina.

The only sign that she was aware of their presence was a pale gray ear turned in their direction. She was listening.

Most of their words registered with her without reaction. At Ashanti's suggestion Iopah looked abruptly at the girl. Her gaze was questioning, skeptical. Did she mean for them to force the lion to eat? It was going into shock, it knew it was dying. There was no way it would eat. Nina's was the voice of reason and Iopah looked back the lion wordlessly. Rain seemed to be in agreement, his suggestion brought a response from Iopah. She dipped her head, "Iopah." It was meant for Rain and Ashanti. No last name, there was no need for it any longer.

"Most of the damage is in the hind end. Unfortunate. What I worry about most are those teeth." She was matter-of-fact, stepping lightly around the lion as she spoke. It's gaze followed her warily. The gray and creme wolf halted directly in front of it. She barked sharply, deliberately antagonizing it. It screamed in frustration. Using it's front feet it dragged it's self forward, intent on Iopah. She backed up easily. Her teeth glinted briefly in the dark as she snarled in return. She turned left sharply and awkwardly the lion followed. As long as out of range of the teeth Iopah was safe. In close contact that would change. She called out to them. "I don't think it can turn around at all. Appears to see fine. Distraction? Approach from behind?" She looked at them. It was dangerous, everyone should have a say in the matter.
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I'm picturing Iopah turning the lion away from the rest of the wolves.

          Ashanti nodded to Nina as she spoke, how could she be so stupid? Of course the cat would know the poisonous berries. After all, that was the essentials of every wild animal. Wolves and cats, and mice. Every animal needed to know that to survive. What Iopah suggested.. it was a risky move, there could be injured wolves, wolves who could get sick. Her and Nina could heal them, but they would have no knowledge of the diseases. Ashanti saw no other way to approach the matter. "I see no other way that could provide less of a threat. What do you think Nina?" She seemed to always be asking Nina or another she once called packmates and would soon again call packmates.

          She let her eyes narrow at the lion, was there some other way? She didn't want anyone to get hurt, but this plan, surely if one wrong move was made they would all be infected. No, she couldn't let this happen. She examined the situation, if they had to kill it, perhaps they could group up, the lion might not know which to attack and get confused, perhaps if it was just long enough they could strike simultaneously. No, that wouldn't work. The lion was dying, s/he still had pride. To think of ideas almost put her into a hypnopomic trance. There were flaws with her idea and she did not want to upset Nina with such flaws that she did not speak up. She concentrated further for a solution. Perhaps if someone went through the back while everyone else taunted the front. The lion could not move, surely this would work?