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 Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:19 pm
 The months had gone by swiftly enough. For a while she had traveled with her family and Alkaia, a sister who had taken a fancy to Iosef. But that ended quickly enough for Iosef had slowed them all down. It had been easy enough back then to convince Terreis to leave their brother behind, even if she was a bit hesitant to do so, but Terreis was loyal to the sisters and had no choice but to follow Varia. However the same could not be said about mother and Alkaia, those fools stayed behind to wake over the weak link. Varia knew what the outcome of that would be, even though she was many miles away, she knew that in the end they would die. Not an honorable warriors death either, that she was certain of, for a death that was brought on by protecting a weak male was not the death a warrior of Antianeira should ever suffer.
Of course Varia hadn't expected Terreis to sneak off in the middle of the night several weeks after they had split up the group. The fool was surely out looking for their brother, and Varia had set out to find her. But it seemed that Terreis had traveled much further in a short period of time than Varia expected because finding her sister had proved to be the impossible task. Even returning to the place they had left behind Iosef, mother and Alkaia she found no recent indications that Terreis had passed though. So Varia set out to search every inch of Telk in order to find her.
It took months before she found a familiar face, but it had not been the one she had been searching for. Yakut, the packs shamaness, had been sent out by the new Queen Penthesilea to find any wayward sisters and send them back home. When questioned about whether Terreis was back with the pack Yakut had answered with one of her typical cryptic responses and so Varia was forced to abandon her searching to return home, hoping that Terreis was there.
And so after many more weeks of travel Varia found herself once more coming upon the lands that had been home to the sisters of Antianeira for many generations. While it was good to be home she did feel guilty for not returning with her sister at her side. But that was an emotion she hid well, as it showed a sign of weakness that Vaira wished not to share. No, instead she padded forward in her typical gruff fashion, large muscles carrying her quickly and quietly through the lands. Her cold eyes searching for any sign of her missing sister.
She also caught sight of a few wolves out and about, clearly new blood as she didn't recognize them, and was quite disgusted by how weak and laid back them seemed. It was fortunate that she had returned or else the pack would crumble with such pathetic excuses for warriors in their midst. The Queen would certainly get an earful when they met, for this would not do at all.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:43 pm
 It had been a busy few days for Iosef. For one, there were more slaves now. Glacier was getting old enough to start doing heavy work, and Tui was finally starting to settle in despite his uneasiness. Soon Thealia's pup would be old enough for training, as well...and of course young Patroclus, when the time came for that. Although Achilles was technically the head of the slaves, Iosef had not really seen him tend to those specific duties, and so he continued as a make-shift leader, secretly enjoying the small amount of authority the position afforded him. All the same, he did wish that more of the old slaves had returned. Casimir, perhaps...he had always been a willing paw, if maybe a bit slow in the head. Even so, Iosef was glad to have a crew again.
And then, of course, there was Seraphin.
Since she had made her offer to him, he had been needing to work visits with her into his schedule -- a task he did not mind in the slightest, as it meant that he got to spend time with the pups as well.
Today, in fact, he was walking with perhaps more bounce in his step than usual. He had left Tui with specific orders regarding the last of the work to be done, and was confident that the white wolf would accomplish the task admirably -- probably better than if he were being directly supervised. Iosef was testing him. He was also taking advantage of his new free time to slip across the dens to visit Seraphin, because he knew she would be expecting him, and because he had a surprise planned for the pups today if he could get a chance....
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 12:56 pm
From the few wolves she had seen Varia could tell the pack was quite small, a disappointment that as for sure but they would grow in time. As long as the sister could produce many female pups the pack would be at it's full potential in no time. But of course Varia could care less about pups if the sisters didn't keep up with their training. Weak sisters, produced weak pups. And if that happened the pack could certainly die off.
All these thoughts were pushed aside when her eyes spotted a small framed wolf moving through the trees. If it hadn't have been for the black on the pelt Varia might have thought it was Terreis, but clearly this was a day of disappointments. Pulling herself into a trot Varia ran silently though the trees, skirting around the familiar wolf and then popping out of the trees on the path ahead of him. A growl rumbled in her throat as she stared down at her brother, the one whom she thought and hoped had died. "What is a waste of fur like you doing here?" Varia hadn't missed the bit of spring in his step, Iosef was far too happy today and it was now Varia's mission to crush that mood.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:30 pm
He caught her scent before he saw her, although tried to dismiss it from his thoughts as soon as it had come. Just another bad memory from his past, he thought, just another ghost of...
...Or, perhaps, it really was Varia.
He stopped abruptly in his tracks, cringing at her reprimand, but fought to look at her, to verify that it was really his sister. "Varia!" he said, voice choked with some emotion -- although he couldn't tell which, they were all so jumbled in him. "You're alive!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:42 pm
A sneer crossed her maw at Iosef's obvious emotional state. Standing tall Varia took a few steps closer to her brother, not that she wanted to be close to him. "Yes, I am." And then she snorted in disgust. "And I see by some unfortunate accident you have survived as well." Her fur as bristling at this point, wanting to reprimand him for messing things up those many months ago. But there were other ways of breaking him, for she knew how close he was to their sister, and more importantly Alkaia. "I do not see Alkaia or mother here." She mentioned offhandly, hoping to cause some deep seated pain and reject inside of him to bubble to the surface. "And Terreis, she is not around either." Lowering her head she looked him into the eyes. "You didn't bring unnecessary harm to them did you? You were slowing us down after all."
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:56 pm
A slight whine caught in his throat, a whimper that he wanted so desperately to contain. His ears and tail drooped, if possible, more than usual in the presence of a warrior, and the trembling resumed in his extremities. He hated it. He wished, for once, that he could be strong.
Being a worthless male was something Iosef had grown to accept. He worked hard, every day, to overcome the curse of his gender. And for the most part, the strong members of the pack recognized his efforts, and respected him for it.
But Varia...Varia made him feel worthless in a different way. In a way that made him think that, even if he had been blessed to be born female, she would still hate him.
And so, hating himself for it, he cowered in the shadow of his sister. "They are gone," he said, simply, and realized he could spare no more words for his sister.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:03 pm
Varia growled deeply in Iosef's ear. They were gone. Three excellent warriors lost because of this stupid male. Mother may have been getting on in her years but she could still hold her own in a battle, and now Varia was stuck with the one sibling she cared nothing for. "Because of you, they are gone." She corrected him, for had they come with her Varia was certain they would still be around today. "I hope they had the honor of a warriors death." She added after a pause and then raised herself back up to her full height.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:10 pm
"Five males attacked them," he said, through gritted teeth, his eyes firmly planted on the earth at her paws. "They were outnumbered, and would not allow me to fight."
Then, with an immense amount of effort, the calico wolf lifted his head, daring to meet Varia's eyes. A seething hatred burned there, for a moment, etched deeply upon his features -- a cold gaze of resentment and accusation. He still trembled, but it was as much with rage as with submission and fear.
It took effort to speak, but when he did, his voice was low and cold. "Had there been four warriors, instead of two, I am sure they would still be standing today."
He was unable to meet her eyes any longer, and resumed a submissive posture, cursing himself in his thoughts. He would surely be punished for that display of insurrection.
...But, perhaps, it was worth it.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:44 pm
"You would have been no use in the fight." She snapped, thinking it utterly ridiculous that he would even consider fighting. What good was a slave in battle except for an easy target, they couldn't even serve as a good distraction as they went down far too easily. Iosef's sudden anger towards her caused Varia to growl, how dare he act so disrespectful to her. But then his next words caused her to pause. Instead of two? Well if there was only two in the fight then who wasn't there? Likely it had been mother and Alkaia in the fray but there was a small possibility that Terreis could have saved mother from the battle. "Only two?" She questioned, though there was still a hint of anger in her voice. The most important thing to find out right now was who was possibly still out there, then she could go back to berating her worthless brother.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:59 pm
He sensed the shift in her tone, and realized that, in a sick way, he had a slight upper hand. Iosef, always so eager and open, smiled grimly and pressed his advantage. "Only two," he repeated.
"I am glad to see you still alive," he said, then, flicking his eyes upward at her. "But I apologize, I cannot stay to talk to you now, Varia. My Mistress is waiting for me. And I am sure the queen wishes to see you."
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:16 pm
One ear flicked ever so slightly, partially out of annoyance and also out of frustration. Why couldn't he just tell her who had not been in the fight. Then he mentioned his mistress and she felt her heart sink a bit, if Alkaia was still alive that meant bother mother and Terreis had perished in the fighting. Though inside she was feeling great sadness over the loss, she had to make certain, so when Iosef went to make his leave Varia stepped in his path. "Your mistress awaits you? So Alkaia is still with us then." Alkaia had been a great warrior but didn't have the potential to move up the ranks as she herself had done.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:35 pm
He was enjoying this, in some small, sad way. Ahh, Varia, he thought with a grim fondness as he quietly nosed past her. Always a little slow on the uptake...
He stopped short, finding Varia yet again in his path.
"Alkaia?" He asked, with a baffled sort of expression. "No...she died defending me. That shouldn't surprise you."
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:47 pm
Once again that very, very small part of Varia was happy to hear that Terreis was not the one who fell in battle protecting this useless beast. Though she did snort in disgust at the thought of another female coddling him like a pup. "Run to your new mistress then. I must go speak with Terreis and the Queen." She could deal with his obvious disobedience later. With a small snap of her teeth at Iosef she leapt over him and ran off towards the dens. With Orithia once more sick and unable to attend any training Penthesilea decided to stick close to the dens. It would be best for her to be here to watch over her daughter than be out doing other things. Besides the pack the steadily growing and there were enough sisters to easily take over most of her duties for the day. Right now Orithia was sleeping in the den and after checking on her once more the Queen came out to sit and attempt to relax in the midday sun. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and though on all the things she would need to catch up on once Orithia was feeling better.
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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:52 pm
"But...Terreis isn't here!" He called after her, his voice full of fake shock.
He hoped that parting blow was enough to confuse her a bit more.
Smirking to himself -- though his legs still trembled -- he continued on his path to Seraphin. It was best he warned her about the incoming trouble that Varia could cause such a sweet, gentle-natured wolf....
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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:01 pm
Those words reached Varia's ears but she was already too far away to acknowledge them. Plus she was pretty sure Iosef was lying, Terreis would never leave the sisters unless sent out to scout the lands beyond the border. Perhaps Penthesilea had done just that. Legs carried her swiftly to through the rest of the pack lands until she reached the den area. It was a bit surprising to see the Queen present at her den and looking so relaxed. Padding forward Varia held herself high, she had and still was a Beta of this pack after all. "My Queen." She said with undying loyalty in her voice and bowed her head deeply. "I have returned to serve you and the sisters as per instructions from Yakut."
The Queen's eyes snapped open as she heard paws coming towards her. At first glance she thought it was Terreis coming to visit for a day or two. But after that fleeting moment Penthesilea recognized the wolf not as Terreis but her sister Varia. A slight smile crossed her maw as she watched the splotchy wolf bow before her. "Welcome back sister Varia, it has been a long time indeed." But the words that Varia spoke peeked her interest a bit. Yakut had not been seen or heard of since she was sent out to find the others and Penthesilea had worried often that the shamaness would not be returning to them. "You have seen Yakut?" She questioned a little too hastily. "Is she well?" There had to be some reason why the wolf had not returned home yet but instructed Varia to do so.
Raising herself up Varia lowered herself on her haunches. It was no surprise that the Queen was concerned over the absence of the shamaness. "Yakut is quite fine." She confirmed, but then felt the need to add on a bit more. "As fine as she normally is at least. You know Yakut is a fan of acting strange." Ear flicked as a fly landed on it. "She was mumbling something about lost horns when she told me to return. Guess she lost her headdress during the fighting or something." Letting her eyes cast out across the dens, Varia decided it was best to bring up the pathetic looking wolves she had seen now instead of later. "The pack is looking weak my Queen. Too much fresh blood and none of them warriors from what I have seen."
Hearing that Yakut was well lifting a great deal of weight off of her shoulders. Hopefully the wayward shamaness would return home soon enough. But that was something to think on later as Varia began to nitpick about the new recruits. "We have not had as much old blood return as I had hoped. We have lost many skilled warriors since the war and I had no choice but to allow those who were not fully suited to the life of a warrior in to fill the numbers." With a short pause the Queen looked over her returned beta. Varia was looking just as strong today as she ever had, clearly those many months of living on her own were quite easy on her. "So it is fortunate that you have returned to us. The position of Head Warrior is still available to you. Surely with you training them the new recruits will be in top shape in no time."
"Sometimes it is better to be small and strong than large and weak." But Varia supposed she would enjoy whipping their butts into shape. And if anyone could make these weaklings into warriors it was her. "I will return to my position and start training right away. We have a lot of work ahead to bring the pack back to it's former glory." Silence fell between the two wolves for some time before Varia spoke again. "And have you done anything to secure your place as Queen?" She asked, knowing that Penthesilea would know exactly what she was referring to. "And where is Terreis? I did not see her when I came through the lands."
Penthsilea could do nothing but nod. She was fully well aware that strength mattered more than size, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made. But before she could reply to that Varia asked some questions that were more prudent to answer. "I have acquired a consort and produced an heir as well as four other female pups and a single male." Though she was not ready to tell Varia of the condition of the heir. "As for Terreis, she is no longer with us. Though she lives in a pack not far from here with which we are allied." Knowing that this information would certainly upset Varia the Queen knew it was best to change the subject and quickly. "You old den is ready for you. If it is not up to your standards the slaves can see to it. Also the training ring might need to be cleaned up a bit more, and we will need to discuss a training routine."
"Five females, very impressive my Queen. Shame about the male though." If Penthesilea expected Varia to drop her hatred of males just because the Queen had a son she was horribly mistaken. A sudden growl came to her throat. Terreis left the pack! This was not right. Somehow Varia knew this was the fault of their worthless brother. He must have convinced her to leave. It was clear that the Queen was trying to change the subject, and Varia was willing to let it slide if that was what the Queen wished. However once she had left the Queen's presence it would be a whole different story. Varia would find Iosef and beat the information out of him, and if he didn't talk then maybe dealing with his mistress would force him to.
"Of course." She finally managed to say, though the anger in her voice was clear. "I will go check these things immediately and once I have finished I can start working on a training schedule." Standing she dipped her head into a boy. "Thank you my Queen. I will speak with you later." Turning Varia padded off towards the direction of the training field, she could check on her den and report back to the Queen later, after she dealt with Iosef of course.
Penthesilea remained calm and still during Varia's small outburst. It was quite expected and so there was no reason to say anything. With a tip of her own head as Varia stood Penthesilea spoke. "Welcome back sister." She said as Varia turned and began to pad away. "We shall speak at length later." Though it was unclear whether Varia actually heard those words or not, Penthesilea knew that sooner or later Varia would come back to her and wish to speak. Letting out a sigh she watched the retreating splotchy form until it disappeared into the trees and then turned and crawled into her den to check on Orithia.
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