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 Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:54 pm
The ride had been incredible to Emi. She knew it would have been even more amazing if she had been able to see during the ride but that couldn't be helped. When she felt HailWing tense beneath her. The teenager got herself ready then felt them land. She got off of the female wolf when she felt a nudge. Ready Flame? she asked her bonded wolf.
FlameFrost bounded out. He sniffed the air. About a few seconds later he picked up HailWing and Emi's mixed scent. He started to bound forward but first nodded in the direction he was going to tell Abigail.
Emi pulled off her blindfold. She would wait for FlameFrost to ask for help before giving clues.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:22 am
HailWing hopped down from the roof as soon as Emi got off, ready to set another obstacle: dead-end trails. She weaved between several different barracks and hopped on top of a few of them briefly. When she felt she had made enough trails, she nestled herself inbetween two barracks and laid there. If FlameFrost was only going by HailWing's scent, he would be distracted by these.
When FlameFrost nodded in that direction, Abigail left too, left in the dust a good three yards behind him. If the next several months were like this, losing weight and getting back into shape wouldn't take long at all.
HailWing searched through Abigail's mind for pictures of her location. Short glimpses of signs in her peripheral vision was enough to tell her where. Abigail was. Perhaps yet another obstacle was in order. The adult wolf got up and ran in the direction of her rider, straight in the direction of the adolescent.
When she came upon FlameFrost, she knew that Abigail wouldn't be far behind... or she thought, anyway. The woman was a good six yards behind and as the wolf kept moving, the distance was growing. HailWing stopped to let Abigail on and then pursued the younger wolf, catching up with a bit of difficulty. We will accompany you to make sure, if you are unable to do so alone, that Emi is found.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:34 am
FlameFrost nodded his head in thanks. Thank you HailWing. The young wolf continued to run until he smelled a bunch of trails from HailWing. He wasn't sure which direction to go in. Um, Emi, now would be a good time for a hint.
Sorry to say that I ain't gonna be much help but I'll try. Emi looked around to see what she could say that would be helpful. For starters, I think I'm somewhere high. So more then likely I'm not on the ground. Find a scent that leads upwards, she instructed.
Right, high. The red wolf looked around trying to smell a trail going upwards. He located about three of them from where he was. He decided to take the one to his left. FlameFrost stated to run again. When he came to a barrack, he pushed off the ground with his hind legs. He was able to land on the edge of the roof, nearly falling off but still was able o move towards the center. Flame looked around to see if he could spot his bonded from where he was. He was unable to spot her.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 10:57 am
Abigail watched with interest as FlameFrost moved about. It should have been pretty cut and dry. As far as she knew, HailWing just took Emi somewhere and came back to get Abigail. "Geez, what'd you do? Spray everything?" That FlameFrost was having trouble said enough about it. HailWing had gone all out and given him every obstacle she could think of.
There are a number of things wrong with what you just said. HailWing reprimanded her rider. For one, females don't spray. Even if they did, I wouldn't go around marking things that don't belong to me. When FlameFrost stopped at a barrack, HailWing did as well, trying not to indicate whether he was on the right track or not.
For another, she continued. If you insist on talking to me, do it in a way that FlameFrost won't hear. If you give him clues to her location, this exercise will have been for nothing. She watched the young wolf search around from the rooftop for his rider. It was a smart move. Were Emi anywhere close to this locatioin, he would have found her.
Abigail nodded, but a bit irritatedly. You never told me where she was. How am I supposed t' give him clues? She dismounted HailWing and looked up toward FlameFrost. "You see anything?" She didn't really expect an answer. If he was concentrating, then he probably wouldn't even notice she'd said anything.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:11 am
Wave your hands in the air so I can find you,FlameFrost told Emi. He looked out over the barracks watching for a pair of waving arms.
Emi did as she was told and raised her arms into the air. She started waving them about hoping that the red wolf would be able to at least catch a glimpse of her.
FlameFrost had seen it. She was far away, and he almost missed it but he managed to catch it. The waving of Emi's hand. I can see you, barely but I saw where you were. Is there anything else you can tell me about your surroundings? He wanted to know before he started moving.
Um, let's see. Avoid the areas near trees. I'm not in those spots. Emi had stopped waving her hands in the air. She waited for her red wolf to show.
Flame nodded his head and headed back down. He went back to the spot where the three paths he had a choice of where. He took the middle one until he came to another cross intersection of trails.
FlameFrost looked around taking in the surroundings. He eliminated the ones the lead to trees, and ones that quiet obviously stayed on the ground. There were at least four or five left. He was able to eliminate one that lead to the left. He knew the teenager would not be there. Pick a number, one through four.
Three, Emi choose.
FlameFrost took the third path on the right.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:28 am
Abigail saw FlameFrost looking on into the distance. Then, when his head stopped moving, she was sure. He had found something. Even seeing that, she supposed he would still have to follow the trails on the ground. His stride must not be long enough to jump from roof to roof. When the adolescent started his movement again, Abigail quickly mounted HailWing and the two were off again.
HailWing followed Flame, noting how his decisions about the trails became more and more informed instead of blindly searching around and crossing out trails by process of elimination. He was getting close now. It was faster than she expected. Emi muyst have given him clues. Then again, it was possible that he'd learned the trick to it all. After all, there was only one trail with the scent of HailWing and Emi together.
They had been working for a few hours. It had taken a little while to hide Emi and then make all of those fake trails. All that was left now was FlameFrost finding Emi, which she suspected would happen within the hour. If things kept going this quickly, HailWing might have to think up another exercise for the two of them.
Abigail felt a bit useless in this kind of situation. She disliked being kept out of the loop. Then again, maybe it was better. If she knew where it was, she might unconsciously give FlameFrost clues as to where Emi was hidden. Something like that had happened before during battles. As a beginner, she had somehow made the centipede clue in to the fort's battle strategy. Everyone had to change the formation just to kill the darn thing. Needless to say, there were casualties.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:43 am
FlameFrost took his trail up to the roof of a different barrack. He was able to spot Emi a bit more easily. I'm getting closer, he said proudly.
I have a question Flame. Couldn't you have just followed the trail that has both mine and HailWing's scents? Emi asked the red adolescence. She had been able to see his flame like fur from where he was standing.
Well, I would if I could. You see, HailWing's scent is over powering yours. She created a bunch of fake tracks and I can't find yours. He explained to the teenager. He turned and went back.
Oh, makes sense. So any idea which trail your taking now? Emi felt like laying down but she knew it would make it harder for FlameFrost to see her so she stayed standing up.
Yep I can get rid of another trail because it actually intercepts somewhere with the trail I just took so I have to take one of the others. FlameFrost turned and took the first of his two choices.
Eventually, he noticed that the two intersected so he figured he was going in the right way. He reach his third intersection a bit after. He went through his elimination of the trails leaving him with seven to choose from. Oh boy, this is getting harder the closer I get.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:16 pm
Abigail had stayed silent for the most part until they reached this spot. Even the human could tell that FlameFrost had reached a difficult spot. Hail, don't you think maybe you overdid it? She asked, feeling a bit of sympathy for the young wolf. There was loads of time for him to get used to tracking. HailWing was trying to make him a master in one day.
HailWing rolled her eyes. After a battle, if a wolf loses its rider or the pack is looking for a lost pair, then the earth will not have any sympathy for them. There will often be many trails made during the course of a battle, She explained, watching FlameFrost with a bit more interest than before. If he does not learn the process, then in a situation like that, he may never find her. If a centipede was feeling particularly frisky, battles could cross over many acres of land. Even in flat plains, someone would be difficult to find. In the event that he has to enter battle at this age, however unlikely, it is better that he learn quickly.
Abigail understood that much, but if that was the case, wouldn't it be better if he learned about battle strategies first? She sighed. It was useless to argue with HailWing. She'd find some way to argue about it and win. She had said instinct would take over in those situations, didn't she? And if that didn't work, the Alpha or Betas would instruct the inexperienced.
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Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 12:28 pm
FlameFrost growled to himself. He was frustrated that he couldn't pick out his rider's scent. He suddenly got an idea. Without a sound he went from trail to trail. He was able to pick out the ones that seemed to have more then one scent. This left him with three trails. Only problem was they all were in the same direction and he had no clue which to take.
The ground! Look at the ground Flame! Emi said.
Why? Flame was confused as to why Emi wanted him to look at the ground. He saw a bunch of paw prints which had obviously belonged to HailWing. Big deal, they all have paw prints.
Not what I meant! Look at them closely. One of them has to be fresher then the other two. Then you can rule that one out! The girl told the red wolf.
FlameFrost felt stupid for not thinking of that. He looked carefully and it was true. The left path had fresher paw prints. FlameFrost then shot down the trail to the right which lead to what seemed to be the last intersection. He picked out ten possible trails. Oh god
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Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:06 am
Abigail shifted in her seat on HailWing's back. She noted with pessimism that her new spot was no more comfortable than the one before. She shifted again and pushed down on HailWings back to lift herself to a new, less bony, location.
Must you do that, Abigail? she asked in an indignant tone.
Abigail patted HailWing's head apologetically. "I'm sorry, Hail. My butt's just startin' t' hurt." She rubbed the uppermost part of her thigh in vain. "If this goes much longer, I'll never be able t' sit again!" She recalled a similar situation in her youth, back when HailWing had just reached the one year mark. Their first battle had lasted so long that she didn't feel comfortable sitting for a month.
HailWing raised her brow. Oh, really? she inquired. Then I suppose you'd rather walk? She turned her head and stared Abigail down. She knew that as much as Abigail liked to complain, she would still prefer a sore butt to aching legs. I would be more than happy to let you off here. You're not exactly comfortable either, though your butt has been gaining a bit of a cushion recently. HailWing gave her rider a smug look.
'You know, you got a good point there. My butt shouldn't be hurtin' this much. Maybe it's somethin' I did..." Abigail wondered aloud.
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Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:06 am
FlameFrost gave a snort of laughter at Abigail. Sorry sorry, but her comment was so random. It caught me off guard. He apoligized.
Wait, what was so funny Flame? Emi asked.
Abigail started talking about how her butt is hurting her. FlameFrost said as he examined the paw prints on the ground. He ruled out another three but that still left him with seven choices.
From her spot on the roof, Emi started to laugh. She hadn't found HailWing uncomfortable to sit on. Then again, she was used to siting on places she wasn't supposed to. So how many choices? Emi knew that the red wolf was almost to her.
Seven. Do you suppose I'm going to have to go through all of them? Flame asked. He really didn't want to go through all of them.
Hold up, Emi told the wolf. She looked over the side of the roof.So the path should be, yikes!
Emi, are you alright? Flame asked worriedly.
No need to worry. I just almost fell off the side of a roof. The teenager laughed.
That is no laughing matter! FlameFrost said slightly annoyed. Anyways, what were you saying before?
The path that leads to my spot is one of the less worn down ones. Emi told Flame.
Flame ruled out another three. He made a random decision and took the second trail to his right. This lead him to another roof top. Oh, he said unhappily.
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Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:34 pm
Abigail sat still despite the discomfort. She could put ice on it when she got home. Or better yet, she would have her apprentice give it a massage. The thought gave her a mischievous grin and subsequent evil laugh. She could have Emi do something like that, couldn't she?
HailWing rolled her eyes and continued after FlameFrost. For a second, she thought to warn the younger wolf about Abigail's plans, but decided it wasn't her business. She didn't particularly care either way. Emi was perfectly capable of escaping with her dignity intact. If not, well... There were worse things than having your hands on your patron's butt. Not many, but there were worse things. The blue wolf herself could think of a couple. It was against the rules for apprentices to disobey their patrons.
Abigail would never turn the poor girl in, but teaching the girl was HailWing's job too. If she didn't want to obey her patron, she would have to accept the concequences. Although HailWing didn't care about the people or the situation, there was one thing she would enforce with all of her being. If HailWing had to abide by the rules of the fort, then everyone else would too.
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Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:46 pm
FlameFrost turned around and went back to choose a different trail. Only this time he didn't make a random choice. He moved from each trail to the next till he caught a faint, still there but extremely faint, trace of Emi's scent. He raced down the trail.
Emi knew FlameFrost was coming before she saw his flame red fur. A big grin grew on her face. Instead of waiting for the wolf to climb up to her, Emi jumped down. Knew you could do it! The teenager wrapped her arms around the wolf's neck.
Flame felt his tail brush against the ground happily. He turned to face his Patron.
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Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:23 pm
How FlameFrost had picked up speed in the end, and HailWing by extension, the last few minutes were torturous. It hurt twice as much trying to get off, which she did as soon as they stopped. Gritting her teeth as she walked toward the barrack, she said in a strained voice, "Good job, you two. You'll be trackin' in no time."
That being said, she retreated into her barrack and belly-flopped onto her bed. The sooner she laid down and got very very drunk, the better.
HailWing nodded toward the young wolf. It was better than she expect, but that wasn't saying much. She was expecting him to fail. Miserably. It wasn't anything personal against him, but he was fresh from the cave. For goodness sake, pups like him weren't even supposed to know how to speak yet. HailWing had been special in that regard as well.
Good job, FlameFrost. You found your target, she said, acknowledging his hard work and accomplishment. But, ideally, your time was awful. She walked around the pup to her usual spot beneath a worn leather canopy, laying there. By the time you reach a year old, our goal is that you cut that time in half, divide it by eight, and then subtract an hour. HailWing yawned and rested her head on her paws. And then, only if there aren't any centipedes about and your rider wants to spend an entire day outside the fort without any results, you might actually be useful.
With a flick of her tail, she added, Seeing as how you've wasted the day, you may leave now. If you don't know the way, Abigail will show you. Hail stretched, turned in the opposite direction, and laid down again, not looking at them. She scowled through closed eyes. It was just like the child of a former beta to make her accomplishments seem like nothing. How could she think that being his teacher and having him be successful was going to reflect well on her character. Anyone would attribute it to his breeding.
"Hail, you can't be serious! We just got here!"
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