The Wildwood sound the alarms

I know the 'messaging' threads are no where near complete, but I wanted to at least get this up and get the ball rolling. If anyone has any ideas on 'posting time limits' and such feel free to post in on the thread for this meeting, as I have none in mind. Try to filter in quickly for at least the first round to have your charries here. This takes place as said in the post, the first of spring, as I wanted to get this done to make more room for 'puppy time'. Ill just assume this is after all major events - pack meetings, the other pups stolen, etc...?

The Wildwood. It was within the Heart of the lands, sweeping most of Relic Lore with its forestry, vast or broken with charring and ash. This afternoon, with the sun hanging high in the skies which were bright and open, melting the remaining of the snow away to the opening of the new season, Elettra had chose to settle upon the southern end of the Wildwood lands. Here, the lands were charred and broken, filled with stumps of what beauty once laid and filled with nurse logs, supporting the sprouts of new life in the making. The lands were rather open due to the fire which raged years prior, though still it dotted here and there with new foliage and bright grasses. Elettra Archer could only hope that this area would be central enough for all the packs to come, not to mention with plenty of space to offer. It was the exact first day of spring and already the world was changing for it. Elettra, was changing for it. Though any motherly drive was swallowed down into her gut in order to make room for a more important issue - an enemy.
Word of these new wolves had come to her in a rather terrible circumstance. Now, Kanosak lie dead because of it. Elettra Archer was unsure if this meeting would be successful, though if the power of the packs which ruled the Lore had any intention of knowing as she did, they would come. They would toss away their petty differences and grudges towards one another if only to strengthen their own packs with information which surely, if they had any interaction with these other wolves, they craved. For Elettra, so much left unanswered and so much question followed yet stronger: How many others in this group were there, besides the two and were they truly another pack? How many others had already been attacked? Were they truly diseased and if so, had it spread beyond these wolves? Where had they come from? Perhaps beyond the mountains after that quake shuttered the lands and if so, had anyone been there to investigate them? She planned on figuring out as much as she could, offering up what little information she had on these wolves in turn. After all, it was not only her pack in danger, but her allies, the former home she once held close...Everyone.

When word had come to her of Elettra calling a meeting for the Lore, it had not come to shock Nina to large extremes. There was a threat for the Lore to know of and for them to terminate, though it would be hard, considering the illness that she had seen them inherit. Poor Anne had been claimed a victim of fate and the Healer in her was positive that if death had not claimed the girl yet, it would in a matter of days. Half of her pack members had managed to be present when Azariah and her had made claim to the poor girls fate, in the end, the price being death. Not soon after, had Phineas turned up, telling her quickly of what was to happen in the Wildwood, neutral grounds. Days prior she had started her trek with @Sloane and @Iopah, ready to have her two friends by her side.

They moved quickly through the burnt area, Nina’s body moving slightly slower than normal, but still at a faster pace than she would usually walk. She constantly was checking the air for any scent of Elettra, or any other wolf she knew well enough to know that they would most likely be at the meeting. As more time passed, a whisper of Elettra’s scent caught on her nose, and the golden female’s ears twitched happily, her golden body moving towards where she was sure the scent had come in. Many moments passed, while Nina constantly scented the area and moved closer to where the queen of the willows would be. In time, she finally arrived and with a short greeting to the female, she took an areacloser to the place where most of the dead shrubs would lie and sat across from her ally, her one eye attentive as she waited for the others, if they would indeed come, to arrive.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

Once they started out Iopah said very little to her companions. Worry had seeped into her thoughts, keeping her occupied enough. Energy spent talking would be save for other purposes. She had quickly fallen into an easy pace. Keeping an eye out for Nina and Sloane--for this was the last place she wanted them to be separated---she let her thoughts wander. Iopah had done well for herself as a lone wolf. She had survived many months on her own. She had survived a pilgrimage that had brought her from the Black Hills to the Canadian wilderness. There had been days she hadn't wanted to. At the end of her journey, amazingly she found surviving wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to be happy, be content. And at the end of this meeting, at the end of all this she wanted to return home. Home. The word warmed her. She had spent countless nights both yearning and fearing it. Now she had it and would do anything to protect it.

Every so often she would catch Sloane or Nina's gaze. She would hold it for a companionable moment then drop it. Nothing needed to be said to one another. They all had the same worries, same goals. And there was something to be said for the peace around them, amidst all the danger in the Lore. Steadily they made their way to the burnt Wildwood. It was Iopah's first visit to the territory; Her travels north had been made via the mountain pass. When her feet first landed in the fire scarred woods her ears pinned back in dismay. Even though the fire was not recent Iopah could imagine the charred stench that would have dispersed into the very air. Fire held particularly bad memories for her. Not concerned by the change of scenery, Nina and Sloane continued on, not aware of her hesitation. She hurried after them, their faithful shadow. Iopah breathed a sigh of relief as Nina began to scent something out. She followed downwind so as not to obscure the desired scent with her own. Iopah could see the recognition on Nina's face. She allowed herself a faint smile, they must be close.

Confidently Nina lead them forward, Iopah following shortly after. She held back as greetings were exchanged. Iopah wasn't surprised that she didn't recognize the solemn charcoal female. She hadn't expected any familiar faces. After her leaders had settled themselves she dared to meet Elettra's gaze evenly for a brief second before averting it respectfully. She was not sure if a greeting was required of her, but it would be rude to not give her own name. If Elettra expected more Iopah would willingly comply. "I'm Iopah."

Sloane traveled silently with Nina by his side, for their last time as a leading pair and Iopah following silently behind them, lost in her own thoughts. Much as he was. This matter was a dire one he knew, for he would never get the image of the scared, sick little waif that had begged him for sanctuary. He and the others had turned her away, instinctively knowing that something was wrong with her. Something that Azariah had termed 'Walking Death.' Just thinking the name gave him a chilling shiver. That it could be so easily transmitted was a truly terrifying thought. And the end...

He shook his head inwardly and turned to happier thoughts. When this meeting concluded, he would sadly leave Secret Woodlands, but joyfully would he travel south to his love. The time had finally come for them to be together and to found their own pack. Their own family. The emotions that were rolling around in his head made him feel disjointed. The fear of the unknown threat that shadowed the lands, the sadness of leaving his pack and the pure ecstasy of starting his own family with his beautiful mate. The highs and lows were nearly enough to drive a wolf mad.

Yet on the outside, none of his inner turmoil was seen. He exuded confidence and strength and pride in the pack mates that he traveled with. He gave each of the ladies a reassuring smile whenever they caught his eye. The silence dragged on, but as they finally set foot in the Wildwood the mood of the group began to change to one of expectancy. As Nina began to scent for Elettra or any other wolves, he followed suit. He had only met the Lady once, but that was all it took for him to know her a proud and strong leader. At the time, Koda still stood by her and he still remembered his life. That reunion of sorts had apparently only preceded his accident by days.

Soon they came upon Elettra, her dark pelt mingling with the shadows of the tall trees surrounding them. Nina approached her as a friend and ally and greeted her and Iopah introduced herself politely. This Lady was Narime's alpha, if only for a short time more. He knew of his mate's complete respect and love for her and he hoped that their two packs would also become friends and allies. He stood tall and proud before her, showing no weakness, but he gave her a small smile and dipped his head deeply with respect for her. "Lady Elettra. It's a pleasure to see you again. I just wish it were not for such dire happenings." Then he took his post beside Nina to await the others that might be coming. Surely these woods would be chock full of wolves soon enough. That thought caused him to shift a tad closer to both females from his pack.

Knight of Honor

mapplethorpe

respice, adspice, prospice

As the Advisor, the Keeper of his superiors' words and trust, Mapplethorpe took it upon himself to investigate. Since that peculiar ashen-pelted man turned up at the borders and informed Naira of a meeting between pack Leaders, the rugged brute made it his duty to see to the matter that the wolves of Nomads Pass were not left out. In any case the wolves of the Lore, aside from Poison Path and a select few of Swift River, had yet to learn of their existence. Days before his arrival to the Wildwood, he had left a parting gift - yet another hare with the addition of a doe plump with unborn kits - at Naira's den. The way he saw it, it was a promise that he would be back soon, that she would not have to tax herself with the journey down the gravelly slopes.

He had anticipated that Tenzin would accompany him but in his haste, he had left the safety of Nomads Pass earlier than he had planned. If he was to take the journey to this supposed meeting place, he would have to make sure he had plenty of time to traverse the territories he had not yet explored. The young Guard was still in his prime and Mapplethorpe had no doubts that if Tenzin had wanted to come along, he would make it in due time. With his head low and tail held out behind him, he made his way between the charred, broken trees. He must have been traveling in the right direction for, sooner than expected, the scent of willows and trees not native to his part of Relic Lore reached his nostrils.

He stopped in his tracks, pausing just long enough for his dark-rimmed ears to pick up on the snippets of salutations that were being exchanged. His nose quivered but within a matter of steps, the aged Advisor made himself known by emerging from behind what had once been two conjoined birch trees. His cadmium yellow eyes brutally scanned the Leaders before him, staring daggers until he convinced himself that they were the very first to arrive at this conference of sorts. Wanting to keep his distance from the four of them, even if they did not bear the all too familiar scent of Poison Path or Swift River, he walked in a wide arch around them to find a fallen log to perch on. Muddied paws and lengthy limbs slowly heaved himself up onto his claimed seat, careful to not lose his balance as he reclined back on his haunches. His back straightened and the tips of his ears pointed skyward, ready soak up any information he could bring back to Naira.

Though he did not say a word, let alone acknowledged any of them with the smallest of sounds, one thing was certain. Mapplethorpe was here on account of the invitation given by the man who went by Phineas, and he was not about ready to leave until he had received the information he had come for.

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Shade arrived promptly, as expected; after all he was one of the Willow Ridge attendees. He gazed at who was already there, obviously Elettra was. He gazed to see Nina and Sloane, and he remembered that Nina did not like him because of something that had happened in his past. There were two other wolves there that he had never met. He had never seen them before, one bore the same pack scent as Nina and Sloane. He was led to the assumption that they were of all the same pack. The other wolf, he did not recognize the scent, though scents of a wolf he once met were there, he still did not recognize them.

He gave a respectful nod to the other alpha of Willow Ridge. He glanced at the others, respectful nods to them all. “Greetings Sloane, Nina, it’s been a while and it's nice to see you again.” He said his voice as neutral as always. Last time they had met, Nari seemed embarrassed of him. Now they both had secrets of their own. Hers she refused to tell the pack for fear they would judge her, at least which was a hypothesis of his own. Nina still didn’t like him; soon he was going to just give up on trying. For he knew that once he lost her trust, he knew that she wouldn’t gain it back unless he did something likes swear his days to her in allegiance. But that was all a matter of opinion. After all, to him, these were all hypothesis.

To him, this was war, war with whoever was doing this. If he was going to be starting a pack of his own with Rosealia, regardless of when it was, needed now be weary of these new wolves.

At this point, I'd rather say the message-bearing to Ice and SR was handled OOC...

you do not know who is your friend or who is your enemy until the ICE breaks. A meeting, of all the Lore packs. He had toyed with the idea himself when he'd run across Borden in the Wildwood one foggy day, but in the turmoil of finally claiming Swift River for his own (or something along those lines), he'd never got around to it. The borders needed to be marked, the caches kept full, and he felt that haring off to unite packs was not the way to make a good first impression as leader. He had escaped for a moment, though, up into the mountains, scouting out a track to take them quickly across the mountain. Doom for those rogue wolves was coming closer, and the thought of finally claiming his vengeance was riling him up day and night. And so, the time for the meeting, which he had thought of since hearing of it, had finally come, and Ice was glad it was not too far from home. The route he chose took him by the river for a long time, where the trees did not crowd so close. The creek made soft chiming sounds in the early morning, and a faint fog rose up from its crystalline surface. It was beautiful and calm, so at odds with the spirit within his white-clad body: he could smell them, the swirl of packs and territories, he could smell them and he knew that if they had a single good bone in their body, they would follow him across the mountain and kill those bastards. A growl slipped out from his half-open jaws, and with a flick of his white tail Ice broke into a wolf's trot. The sooner he got there, the better, and the longer the Aniwaya wolves drew breath, the madder he would grow. Breeding season was soon upon them, and he had no idea what was going to happen, and it felt like his head would explode soon. Finally he found them: the dark, regal lady who smelled of the Willow pack (Elettra, he assumed), and another dark one who bore the same scent, yet less dominant. Then, there were three others, who hustled together and smelled of the northern forests. He knew neither of them. And at last, upon a log perched a mountain wolf, who smelled of things Ice had no desire to contemplate nor acknowledge at all. Surprisingly, Borden wasn't there, nor was Athena of the Lost Lake. Ice took in the scene, blinking his pale eyes a few times, before sighing. He felt out of place, a rugged, white demon. He did not want to talk. "We should strike, before the monsters breed," he abruptly began, something harsh in his voice. "These rogue wolves from the mountains — they took one of our girls and murdered her. We should not let them live long enough to repeat the act." His lips curled up. "They are a problem we can solve. All of the River would gladly march to drive them from their homes and shed their blood." The silence after his words asked, would you come with us, or wait until your children, too, are slain?. Ice was tired of waiting and worrying. .ice aesir

let the stars above shine in your soul

The news that there was possibly more going on than they'd known had been a big shocker. The loss of poor Rissa had already been enough to drive the River wolves over the edge. Could Corinna possibly take more tragedy? Honestly, Cali had no idea how the powerful woman was holding together. All that she knew was that she would never betray her or her pack. Cali Swiftpaw would support Corinna and the newly risen Ice to her death if that was asked of her. That was one of the reasons that she wanted to go to this meeting. As second she felt it her duty to represent her pack.

She kept silent for the short trek following in Ice's wake, almost a snowy extension of the huge leader. They'd had their differences in the beginning, but now things seemed to have fallen into place. Although she caught the occasional look of self-doubt on his face, she knew that he would prove to be a strong leader. His utter love and faith for the River wolves would now be displayed with obvious strength and every action he took for them proved it just that much more. He was steadfast and reliable. He would never leave as Indru had. As much as she cared for and respected Marsh, instinct told her that Ice was far better suited to leadership. The ruddy warrior had ever been the enforcer and it was a job that worked for him.

Together they arrived, she a white shadow behind his large form. She moved to stand beside him in a show of strength, head and tail slightly lower, but confident nonetheless. She looked around, seeing her friend Elettra, who had organized this gathering, and another wolf that must be from her pack. There was a single male, that seemed to be evaluating all present with a strange intensity. She saw Sloane, the valiant stranger that was mate to her friend Narime'. Standing next him were two faes that were not her young friend and she was confused for a moment. However, this was not the time or place for such trivialities. She gave a brief nod to each wolf, acknowledging their presence and settled next to Ice.

He wasted not time, getting right down to the heart of the matter, his furious words lighting a fire even in her peaceful heart. She'd loved the little princess of the River and she'd been taken from this life without ever having the chance to truly experience it. Although she remained silent, her fur bristled at the reminder of the pup's grisly death and waited to see how the others reacted to Ice's outrage.

Never Underestimate a Heart of Fire...

All three of them had raced down the mountains, fearing that if they had not rushed themselves that they would indeed be late. Ash was still leading faithfully by Athena’s side, but the way that things were turning out with their newest edition seemed to be proving that his reign would soon end. As @Athena and @Eden made their way towards the Wildwood, the Guardian in him tried to blend into the now unfamiliar twist and turns. He had not been down from the mountains much since he had joined Poison Path, perhaps once or twice, but it had just been for a quick visit near the Fireweed. Letting Athena take her rightful lead, the large man followed, his mossy green eyes scanning the territory, trying to memorize their paths and looking for any potential threats that would be aimed towards his alphess.

The trio quickly ended up arriving and throughout the mess, Ash saw a few familiar faces. He had remember Ice from when he had come to a close call with the Swift River wolves…while trying to see Finn, and then there was Elettra the lady that had backed up his own sister’s mate when the Hervok had been cursed, and then there was Nina, his sister. She had stuck with him, after everything he had done to her, and it had showed just how much of a liar his father had really been. Wagging his tail slightly, he turned his head towards the other two unfamiliar wolves. One who looked slightly familiar from….Naira’s group. Forcing himself to ignore the older male, his eyes flickered back towards the other white female standing near Ice. He did not recognize the female at all, nor the other two wolves that were around Nina.

With a respectful nod to the gathered, Ash rolled his shoulders and silently went to go sit next to his sister. From what he knew from the gathered Poison Path did not interact with the other packs around here much at all, but it would make sense for him to sit next to his one-eyed sister, as they were well acquainted with one another now and were getting along quite well, along with Athena as well. Upon his arrival he had completely missed what the white male had said and so, he simply remained silent, curious as to what really had dragged all the packs here together.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

short and sweet.<3

athena

she nourishes the poison in her veins

The three of them rushed towards the destroyed forest of the Wildwood. As soon as they had been informed of the meeting for all the packs, she had made preparations as soon as she could. With the threat of this rabid pack over their heads, they needed to get rid of them, especially with spring coming. She had come in contact with one of its victims, the tawny girl that had wandered onto her territory. Knowing the dangers of a rabid wolf, she had kept her distance. However, she hasn’t seen any other aftermath of the dangerous wolves.

With Ash and Eden at her flank, the poisoned trio came upon the deserted lands of the Wildwood and she could already smell the scents of the others. Soon, however, she was able to see everyone that had already arrived. She quickly recognized Nina, but the other two that wore the same perfume were unfamiliar. The one that stunk of Rhysis and Naira was there, but Athena did not know his name and she didn’t have the desire to find out either. Two white forms stuck out and one she recognized as Ice, but again the other was unacquainted. She had missed his words with her later arrival. Only one other wolf was familiar to her and that was Shade of Willow Ridge, the one she had met on the mountains with Eden. That left the black figure that smelled like the chocolate male. She must be Elettra, the one that had called the meeting of the Lore packs. Following Ash’s path, she settled next to him, giving Nina a glancing smile before looking back up at the black cloaked woman.

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||