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 Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:18 am
 I saw the sun begin to dim snd felt that winter wind blow cold;
A wolf learns who is there for him when the sunlight fades and the walls won't hold..."There are wonderful wolves waiting just beyond our new borders, should we choose to explore and scout them." - Swiftfell Elder Dusk Owl; Pack Gathering.
PheonixAsh had been on his own for a couple of years; he had come to terms with the tragedy that he'd been a part of. He came to accept his part in it and the life he took. He knew that the life of RisingMoon ended so that his sister might continue to live; he knew that life was about choices and sacrifices, and living with the decisions made.
He had made a decision, and he decided at the end of the day, he had no regret. But so too did he decide that for as long as he lived, he would only ever bare tooth or claw to hunt, and to protect.
When he set off on his own, he followed a familiar path back towards the territory inhabited by the Twilight berserkers. He caught sight of one of the girls briefly, and for a time he traveled along the small river that flowed south west of their den.
Eventually his feet carried him through a small, tightly clustered forest that gave way into the roots of an old mountain range.
Heading further south out of The Redwood, he examined this new, unfamiliar land as it unfolded before him. It looked like at one time it had been home to a sizeable pack, but the scents were all old and fading.
His nose led him down through the mountain pass into a new forest. As he skirted lower, he found himself in open plains. The sun was bright, but not overwhelming. The wind blew, tousling his coat.
There was a bitter chill in the air as the promise of winter crept closer.
He was quickly approaching the far reaches of the region, the further most southwest expanse an unfamiliar sight for wandering eyes; but of course, not knowing where you were, did not necessarily mean one was lost. After all, to be lost is to have a destination and to lose your way on the road to get there.
To wander with no destination is simply exploration.
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:19 am
He trotted along the creek that bordered what he thought must have been a Pack's territory. There was a scent on the air that told him not far off was a group of numerous wolves, though he could not tell how many nor what kind simply by the scent of them.
A calling reached down into his soul and as he drew nearer, he stopped to lay outside the border of thick woods, resting in a warm beam of light that filtered through rippling canopy. There were birds singing and crickets chirping in welcome.
Rising to his feet, he stepped into the woods, alive with sound and suddenly, just like that, the deafening cacophony silenced. He paused where he stood and a slow smile curled the corners of his mouth. The birds were like an alarm. How quaint! Ingenious, actually.
His posture was calm, head lowered, tail at rest, ears swiveling to take in new sounds around him. He wagged his tail as a hare stepped out of the underbrush of a bush, just on the edge of his peripheral. He stopped moving, and he lowered himself, crouching, muscles tensing, claws curling into the earth for purchase.
His eyes tracked the hare, and when the wind favored him and blew in his direction, he picked up the scent of prey, and interestingly, another wolf. He moved in silence, stepping into shadow to try and locate the other hunter.
When he caught sight of the other wolf, he hesitated briefly. He was equal parts surprised and delighted to see an older wolf who seemed to enjoy doing his own hunting still. Despite the hunters best intentions however, Ash could see the slight limp in the old wolf's step and the slow caution in his gait. Perhaps he could assist him, since he was passing through.
The older wolf timed his action with a moment of distraction where the rabbit stopped to groom herself and as the hare bolted, feinted and he tried to follow, a mis-step put him off balance in just the right position that a sharp pain shot up his hip and his back leg faltered enough to give him pause.
Ash was zeroed in on the rabbit, she was zig-zagging, unaware that she went unpursued. Ash readied himself and as she made a dive for the bush that had him mostly hidden from view he leaped and his jaws found purchase around her neck and shoulders.
She fought for an instant, feet kicking and neck twisting side to side, but one hard shake of his head was all it took to end the struggle. He turned to look in the direction he'd expected to see the elder arrive from in pursuit and instead saw that he was lying on the ground, looking dreadfully annoyed.
While “dreadfully” wasn't normally a word in Ash's vernacular, he couldn't help but find it appropriate.
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:20 am
He was certain for a moment he heard the old wolf muttering to himself, and he didn't want to startle him, and so he called out, “Hello, there. You seemed to have misplaced something.” He approached, his gait cautious but his body language friendly.
The elder wolf's ears pricked up and swiveled towards the voice, his head and finally eyes followed. They landed on a behemoth of a wolf and his brows rose in surprise at the creature before him. “Oh? Well, I can't say I'm not prone to losing track of things these days. Might I ask your name, friend? I am Dusk Owl, Elder member of the Triad that makes up the Point here in the Swiftfell Pack.”
Ash was amicable as he drew in nearer, “PheonixAsh is my name, and, I believe this is yours.” He offered, dropping the rabbit at the other wolf's paws.
Dusk Owl seemed taken aback, though perhaps there was a mixture of pleasant surprise. “It is not every day a strange wolf gives up their kill to an old man.” He said thoughtfully.
Ash, unfazed, responded lightly. “I hope you won't take offense; I was happening by when I saw you hunting, and well, I've been traveling for some time and a little excitement was just what I needed to break up the monotony. The hare just happened in my direction, so I thought I'd join in on the fun. That said, I would never rob another wolf of his lunch.”
Dusk Owl was intrigued by the newcomer and he moved to accept the rabbit, but as he moved to rise, another sharp pain stilled his movements. His ears lay back and his eyes closed for a moment. There was a chill in the air and it bit deep, seeping into every sore crevice within him. “Very kind of you. It seems that I may be out her for a little while longer than I'd have preferred, perhaps in exchange for a shared meal, I can convince you not to rob me of your company instead?” He asked with a wry chuckle.
It wasn't that he needed the wolf's presence, but conversating was as good a way to pass the time as any.
Ash could see the elder of them was in pain and piecing together the limp and the reluctance to move his back legs too much, he reasoned the pain was in the male's back or hips. A few feet away, his eyes caught sight of what appeared to be a bear skin. A good sniff told him it belonged to the male in question and he walked by him to pick the skin up in his jaws, bringing it back to the male and laying it over his form.
“ I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere. My time is yours,” he offered, voice pitched low, edged with kindness.
He laid beside the male, and for awhile they talked. They discussed Dusk Owl's pack, and his bad hip, in turn, Ash shared his past, and what had driven him into the territory. He asked questions about where the pack came from, and as Dusk Owl spoke and they grew comfortable with each other's company, Ash gradually moved closer, curling around the dire wolf to shield his smaller frame from the biting wind, and to envelop him in a shared warmth.
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:20 am
Dusk Owl told him the story of their pack's first home, recounting the mountains they once inhabited. Listening, Ash would occasionally ask questions and finally they came to the conclusion that the small mountain range the berserker had traveled through on his journey was the same as the one they'd left behind when the illness swept over the pack.
It was late afternoon when their paths crossed, Dusk Owl it seemed had been early to rise among his semi-nocturnal pack mates. “I passed a set of caves late yesterday, they smelled of healing herbs. I can help you get there, and perhaps with something for the pain you can get back to your den to rest.” Ash suggested, unassuming and intent to help and be on his way.
While it wasn't in Dusk Owl's nature to let a younger wolf hunt for him, or see his ailment, this stranger had proven he meant well, and he seemed to have no ulterior motives as far as Dusk could tell. He allowed for Ash to move nearer to block the cold, and truthfully, the warmth eased the pain significantly, but he knew it was unlikely that he would be very mobile that night without something for the pain and the inflammation.
“I would appreciate your help in getting there. Frankly, these old limbs aren't what they used to be. Genetics are not always the boon we might hope.” He chuckled. Ash stood with him and he helped ease him up to find his feet.
As they trekked, Ash's thoughts turned to distraction. They arrived at the cave and he watched as they responded defensively, but the serene old wolf with wisps of silver and white in his muzzle soothed them with a few soft words. He laid outside of the cave passively and gazed up at the sky.
There were so many scents here. The wolves here were much smaller than himself and something about Dusk Owl awakened the protector in him. They had spoken at length about the toll the illness had taken on the Flock and how hard rebuilding the pack had been.
He wondered if perhaps a Berserker would ever be considered for their pack. Dusk Owl had mentioned that his younger years when the pack was thriving and plentiful, he had been a member of the “Old Guard” but that in the years recent, the Old Guard ways had all but died out. Could he learn them and bring them back?
Dusk Owl cleared his throat, breaking the silence and pulling Ash from his thoughts. “Good to see you back on your feet, little master.” the berserker said lightheartedly.
The elder wolf gave him a knowing look. “I'm about to head to my Den to rest. I wanted to thank you.”
Ash bowed his head, rising to his feet. “It was my great privilege and an honor to give you my time today.” there was more he wanted to say. More he wanted to know. “Perhaps we will cross paths again, and you will honor me with more of the history of your pack... your Flock... and the ways of the Old Guard.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:21 am
Dusk Owl contemplated the silence that followed for a while. The pack needed new blood. Males to help spread genetics through the lines. They needed protectors. This male was large, powerful, strong, but cared deeply for the well-being of others. He knew the lands outside of the pack and he had ventured into and out of the old pack lands.
As far as Dusk Owl was concerned, the boy had earned his place when he saw that the old wolf got his lunch, and stayed to look after him until he had the strength to be guided to the cave for care. But there was still the Alpha and the Beta to convince.
Dusk Owl laid down once more, reserving his energy. “Let me tell you one more story, before we part.” He said softly. Ash carefully adjusted the bear pelt to better cover the older male and he laid down in a way that his form would stave off any chill.
Dusk Owl waited for his attention, then spoke: "Sometimes my memory flies back to the old lands, and I forget myself. For instance, now that we've really settled this land, I regret not remembering to bring a seed from home. There was an oak tree my ancestors had planted many, many moons ago; I should have thought to bring an acorn and plant it here, carry on the tradition and such."
Listening, Ash's ears perked up as he understood the hidden message. A few questions to clarify, and soon he was rising to his feet, aiding the old wolf to stand.
“I have a feeling our paths will cross again, PheonixAsh.” The elder said with a coy smile.
Ash bowed his head and they parted ways.
The trip to the mountain range felt like it lasted longer than any trek he'd taken in his well traveled past. He let his feet guide him, opening his heart and mind, pleading to be led to the correct tree. Following the land marks that had been described to him, finally on exhausted feet the Berserker fell at the complex knotting of the root system of the great tree.
In the time since the pack had left, other creations had crept into the mountain's valley.
The distinct screech a puma reached his resting ears and he was motivated to continue.
Some hours passed and in the fading rays of sunlight, he found a great and massive acorn that smelled so very alive, fresh, and virile.
His return trip was measured as he was careful not to lose or damage the acorn. When he arrived back in the woods wherein the pack resided, he approached respectfully, requesting an audience with the Point.
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:22 am
As he was guided before the Point and he lowered his head, and lay down the acorn he had traveled so far to find, he stepped forward, nosing it towards Dusk Owl.
“I come before you with an offering of peace, and a gift from the heart,,, This acorn was plucked from the mighty oaks planted and tended with love and affection by Dusk Owl's ancestors. I bring it to you today so that the Pack, who has seen so much change, might maintain a beloved tradition. In doing so... it is my hopes that my actions will give way to a potential new relationship between myself and the Swiftfell Pack."
Dusk Owl tenderly took the acorn and he looked to the other two members of the Point's triad. "This Wolf saw that I was in pain, he aided me in a hunt, then stayed with me until I had the strength to stand when my hip had given out. He shielded me from the cold with his body, and he listened to me rattle on about the old ways, simply to keep me company. He took me to the cave to see our healers and he stayed close by until I was fit to return to my den by my own strength. For his strength of character, and for proving he is true of heart, I speak for PheonixAsh, and give him my blessing before the court."
When asked by the remaining members of the Point his intentions, PheonixAsh simply stated: "My only intent is to harbor trust, and to offer my claws, my teeth, my body, my life, in protection of the Flock. I am PheonixAsh. I have been consumed by the flames of passion and rage in my past and have traveled far to rise from the Ashes to serve a purpose. May my wings shield and lift the flock and it's members to new heights, if you will deem me worthy.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 3:29 am
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