Blood and Song of the East

After her encounter with the two black wolves, Alani had returned and rested in her den, but awoke before sunrise came. Her new knowledge of a pack possibly starting to live in the forest had put her on edge. Now the only thing she could think of was how soon she would have to move out, before she was encroaching on unsafe territory. Letting out a frustrated sigh she rose up and decided to go hunting so that she could clear her head of all it's nervous chattering. She knew that there was a creek just south of Red Fern Forest that had plenty of rabbits to spare. Yet she didn't feel like taking the risk of bumping into some more wolves down there. So instead she decided to move south east, to see if the creek ran along that area.

It had been a few hours later, with no sign of the creek, when she had found the mountain goat. A sight that both confused and delighted her. It had been a while since she had, had such a bountiful meal, yet for the animal to not be near anything with a cliff boggled her. She tried to move closer to get a better look at it that would give her a reason why it was in the forest, when suddenly a distant cry of another goat caused it to raise it's head and race off into the distance. Cursing she charged after it, regardless of whatever reason that brought it here, food was food. As she continued to follow it she started to notice the trees around her becoming thin and sparse. As well as the ground slowly becoming more dry and dusty, with a strange red hue. Then, when she thought she had just lost sight of it, the forest suddenly opened up to the dawn's sky, and a small valley with green shrubs, and yellow grass dotting the red ground. Alani blinked as her eyes adjusted to the harsh rays of the sun, and the sight that came next left her speechless.

Rising like sharp bleeding pillars ripping out of the ground, the huge crimson mountains towered over the horizon, dwarfing Alani even from a distance. As the sun rose behind them, it's light suddenly spilled from the top of mountain's peaks to the valley below. In a bright flash, the whole land was set ablaze in the sun's warm fiery crimson glow. Sucking in her breath, Alani saw highlighted by the glowing earth how the rugged, vertical sloped mountains were imbedded with small grooves -that she could only guess were narrow passages- as they tunneled into caves and arches that lead deeper into mountain's range. Gazing in awe of such a wondrous sight, Alani felt herself being lost in the scenery, but was quickly snapped into reality as she felt her stomach complain about it's hunger. Looking around she spotted the goat making it's way to a nearby slope with it's herd. Well, at least I know where you came from. Alani thought with a hint of irritation. With a huff she glared at the slopes knowing it was now impossible to hunt her prey as long as it had those sheer cliffs to retreat to. Deciding to return to the forest she turned her head when a strong scent hit her nostrils.

Stiffening, she looked back at the mountains, and after a few moments of thought raced across the valley, with the scent of a local fresh kill drawing her in. Closing the gap she hesitantly moved towards what was indeed a narrow passage, and began the long strenuous climbing upward. Trying her best not to look down, she clung to the innermost side of each passageway, as she followed the scent trail. Then, no sooner than later, she finally saw it lying on top of a precipice; a half eaten mountain goat. Exhausted from the climb she stumbled forward to gorge on the meal. As she ate she began to watch her surroundings noticed how there seemed to be little to no sign of any wolves around here, and how the mountains seemed to be swarming in goats. Had she been in a pack this place would have been ideal hunting for anyone who wanted to take the risk. Then again...perhaps there was one, but she was not deep enough to notice their presence. Rather than having to experience another awkward meeting with some disgruntled pack wolves, she titled her head back and let out a low questioning howl that reverberated and amplified off the mountain sides, then echoing into the surrounding forest below.

Is anyone there?

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2013, 03:30 AM by Alani.)

my aim is steady and true as it's been

right from the start

Straying beyond his borders wasn't something that he enjoyed; in fact, with every deliberate step there was an aching within his body to return. Ava was still bound to the small nook on the shore of the quiet cove, nursing and caring for the four cubs who grew stronger each day. There were others to patrol and secure the territory, but as a father and husband it was still his duty to be near. Still, Kade had slipped from the confines of Darkwater Rapids early this day, prowling through the tangled wood and toward a lightening night sky with a number of things on his mind. As he and his brood were new to the area, their hunting grounds had yet to be expanded very far. He and Maksim had canvased the Red Fern Forest, and had investigated far enough south to come across a number of scents that could denote the presence of a neighboring pack. It was to the east, then, that he would search for suitable grounds and prey. The coal-coated man had yet to depart from the forest as dawn broke across the horizon. Its pale light filtered through the verdant canopy overhead, and though it seemed as though there was no end to the woods the smell of the air had shifted; it was drier here than it had been to the west, with less of an earthen quality. In the distance the forest appeared brighter and perhaps event a bit less vibrant. Raising his muzzle, the wolf tested the air with a mindful flick of his tongue. With only a quick glance over his shoulder, he pressed onward. Eventually the forest gave way to a most unexpected sight. The trees had faded into an open, hilly red-dirt expanse, and in the distance towered the peaks of weathered mountains. A crimson glow seemed to hang over them and their foothills, which were dotted with small shrubs that appeared as dry, grey dots from his position. Harsh, arid winds whipped across his face and sent thick clouds of dirt funneling across the desolate plain. This was not the Relic Lore he'd become used to, but there was something new and exciting, and dangerous, here at the end of the forest. He'd not fully reached the foothills of the rounded red peaks a time later when the echo of a song rang out across the open expanse. There were others here? He could hardly imagine any pack making a home in such a sparse place, but then again...there was no answers to the lone call. Immediately the patriarch gathered his posture, holding himself as a warrior on the brink of battle might. Dark, rounded ears swiveled in every direction as the echo slowly faded to no sound but the wind, and his silvery eyes roved the hills that were in many places still cloaked in shadow. Tilting his muzzle to the sky, he released an answer of his own, the haunting tones of his call low and full. I am here.

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2013, 10:26 PM by Kade.)

Alani ears pricked, and swiveled to catch the answering call that followed only a few minutes after hers ended. Rather than a chorus of many wolves answering each giving voice that they were a joint group, it was just one. A lone wolf, possibly male from the deep tone, out here in these harsh red lands. Alani waited for a moment just to be sure that there weren't any others, and to her relief no other callers came. She considered simply leaving now that she had eaten, and knew that no other wolf had claimed this place. Yet a sense of curiosity filled her as to what would possess a male to be in such a harsh area all alone.

Unless he's not alone. She thought with a nervous flick of her ears. Maybe he's one of those members from the new pack that just came here, and he's investigating. What did they call it again? Magnesium Glen? Alani paced to and fro as she looked intently in the direction of the howl. It seemed to have come from the outskirts of this place, closer to the forest. Yet whether or not it was for hunting, or simple wandering as a pack wolf, Alani could not be completely sure. Eventually letting curiosity win over paranoia Alani sent out another howl, that was meant directly for the stranger.

Why are you here? She sang out to him. Then thinking how aggressive she might sound if he was a lone wolf, she quickly added. I live alone.

my aim is steady and true as it's been

right from the start

The mystery voice called back to him, but by now the dark-furred creature was bounding across the eerily empty, dusty expanse toward it and the weathered range. Answers were what he had came for, and he wasn't going to procure them by carrying on some long distance conversation. The ground under foot had become graveled and hard, less sandy than the plain had been, and slipping into the cloak of cold the shadows held he caught the scent of the shewolf on the wind. It was the only canine signature to be found, though it was horribly overridden by the stench of mountains goats. Lots of them. Distastefully his lip curled. They were disgusting things, and though their meat and thin layers of visceral fat made for a good meal, it was a challenge to overlook the reek of their breath and the scent of urine that saturated their stubby legs and bellies. Silently halting, perched atop a flattened red boulder, he listened to the whistling of the wind as it swept through the crevices and rustled across the length of his long coat. The scent of blood hung there as metallic as the taste of fear. If the woman had a kill to protect he would steer clear of her, less a misfortune such as a short-lived scuffle compromise his progress. The fact that the sickness had once and recently touched this side of the mountain weighed on his mind as well, as there was no knowing whether or not it had perished with the Aniwayans, whether it lingered on among the wolves... Navigating quickly up a narrow, sheltered pass, the stranger's black-featured figure came into view off in the distance. His voice eventually broke the period of silence. "Lo—" he called to her from across the way.

Alani felt her nerves begin to act up as no reply came from the stranger. She began to feel as if responding at all had been a big mistake, and desperately wanted to leave for fear that the wolf might attack her. Yet an unexpected surprise occurred; the wolf had come to her, his presence only announced with a call of greeting from the distance. She stared at the black male, watching his demeanor to see if his intentions meant good or ill. She only found caution, which could mean anything, but he did greet her so she reasoned that his intentions were not all that bad.

So relaxing herself, she settled her mind so that only a slight amount of unease filled her as she slowly made her way closer to him. Her body lowered slightly to make her seem smaller, (an easy feat considering she was small enough as is) she calmly moved to him until she was a few yards away him. Wishing to appear generous to the stranger Alani stepped aside slightly so that he could see her scavenged meal. "You are welcome to eat this, I have already had my fill." She said, motioning to the dead goat. Then pausing a moment to see if he would take up her offer she resumed her conversation. "Why are you here, anyway?" She asked as she felt her sense of curiosity begin to pique. "Are you a lone wolf? Or do you come from that pack as well?"

my aim is steady and true as its been

right from the start

He remained as still as if he were frozen as he observed the female's approach. She appeared to be delicately framed, with chestnut hues as red as any interlaced among patches of pewter and black, which all contrasted with a creamy undercoat. The she-wolf was perhaps as cautious as he, as well, though she seemed to relax some the nearer she came to him, and he to her, as he took a few steps of his own forward. He reckoned he could meet her somewhere in the middle. As she lowered her body further he became mindful of his own posture, which had been and remained neutral. The silver accentuation of his coat shone beneath the morning sun as he took her in with judicious reserve. It was then that the stranger stepped aside to reveal her guarded kill—or scavenged one, rather—and he took in the sight of the ragged, putrid goat with as much tact as was possible. It was a kind and generous offering, he would give her that, but goat meat just wasn't his thing, and he was well fed either way. "No thanks," he said, motioning with his muzzle toward the carcass. She was a straightforward thing, this one, her words cutting straight to the chase. Her assumption was that he was either a loner or belonged to a pack with which, it appeared, she may have had a run-in with. Her scent was foreign, and he deduced it wasn't his pack that she was referring to. "Scouting the land, actually," he replied. It was the truth, and for now all she really needed to know of him. "I have recently settled nearby, to the northwest..." he added before continuing, aware that the scents of his pack mates lingered upon him. "What brings you here? Surely not the goats." Maybe she liked goat. But he didn't know, and couldn't image any loner hunting mountain goats, as they were ridiculous beasts and incredibly difficult to catch on one's own.

(Sorry it's been a while I got really sick.)

Disregarding the refusal of her offer, Alani listened intently to the stranger, and her ears perked as he confirmed her beliefs. He indeed was a pack wolf, and an investigating one. Scent alone was proof enough of this, as well as his words. Yet the description of his territory was off from where she knew that other pack to be. A sigh came from her as she realized it was now two packs that dwelled within this area. Which meant that if she was to find a home where she would be no bother to anyone, she would have to search farther south than this.

Pondering this as she watched the stranger, a slow realization began to dawn on her all the more she took in his scent. The fragrance of other wolves wasn't entirely fresh. Which meant that his contact with them hadn't been too recent, and that in fact he was alone. Easing herself with this thought she felt her paranoia fade, and a sense of calm take her.

A slight smile drew on her face as she listened to his inquiry about her reasons for being here, "Well you eat what you can take. It's not like you can get lucky by hoping something else will just drop dead for you. Besides I don't mind goat, they can actually be pretty juicy once you get past all that fat." Then with an amused swish of her tail she added. "Not that I'd hunt them...they can be such a pain with those darn horns and cliff loving tendencies."

With a curious glance she asked, "So...what are you scouting for? Anything that you need help with?"

No worries <3

my aim is steady and true as it's been

right from the start

The play of a smile curled at the corners of his lips as she described goats' horns and their "cliff loving" tendencies, or, in his mind,the tendency to loom like stinking, crazy parasites on the hangings of cliffs. It was short-lived, however, and he regarded her mention of eating what one could with a simple nod of agreement. He'd lived as a loner for much of his life after the death of his father's pack, and knew all too well that beggars couldn't be choosers and that rotten goat was better than plants and vermin. He realized then that she hadn't really answered his question, but was caught by her offer of help. "—For prey, mostly, but also for any threats in the area, or...recruits." The tone that hung on the end of his words didn't betray his interest in her potential. It was then that his head raised with pride, his silvery eyes falling upon her questioningly. "You may accompany me, if you'd like. Perhaps, together, we could find something less dead to eat." A good hunt would do him well, and surely her, too. If nothing else, perhaps she'd take an interest to him. Darkwater Rapids was writhing with opportunity and with room for expansion, and the girl seemed to have a steady head on her shoulders.

(This post was last modified: Jun 05, 2013, 09:37 PM by Kade.)