|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:07 pm
 Setting down a hares carcass before glancing around Thealia lowered her head and began to tear into the plump meat. She would have much preferred to be eating deer or any larger prey, but those took the strength of a pack to take down. Swallowing a mouthful Thealia thought back to her old pack, they had been strong in both size and fighting abilities and yet now they were scattered across the land much like the leaves scatter in a wind storm. It had been many moons since she last saw one from her old pack and she was beginning to think they would never go back to what they had been.
These thoughts, while they seemed to plague her every day, did not bother her all that much. Thealia was well aware that things changed all the time, much like the seasons changed the look of the land. If the pack was not meant to continue on then so be it. However, she would consider going back should word reach her of such an event. For now she pushed those thoughts from her mind and concentrated on her meal. Thealia knew she would need to keep her strength up no matter what happened.
Once her meal was finished Thealia licked her lips before padding off. There was a stream not far from where she had caught the hare and it would be the perfect place to slack her thirst before continuing on. Lapping up the cool water Thealia's eyes and ears were open to any sign of trouble. Well trained muscles always at the ready to leap into action
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:20 pm
The subtle sound of moving water caught her attention and she adjusted her path so that she headed towards it. A scent drifted to her nose, one that she somewhat recognized, though her mind wanted to tell her that it was impossible. After all this time, had she truly found an old pack member. Picking up the pace a bit, Penthesilea sniffed the air now that the scent was strong. Indeed it had to be her. Coming to a stop at the stream edge Penthesilea looked to the left to see that very familiar green wolfess with her reddish-pink markings not far away. Of all the ones to run into it had to be Thealia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:32 pm
Thealia's head snapped up as the scent of the other reached her. It was no surprise that she had not heard her approach, Penthesilea was always known for her quiet movements. One quick look at the pale wolf told Thealia just who would lead the pack now. Penthesilea was wearing the Queen's feathers after all, but the question was did she take them or were they given to her. Licking her lips to rid herself of the water than clung to them Thealia walked slowly towards the other wolf, though she remained on the opposite side of the stream.
"So Marpe gave you her caste then?" She asked without given Penthesilea the proper respect that a Queen deserved. She would only do so once the truth was known, should Penthesilea be the rightful Queen then she would bow to her. If not, well then she would rip those feather off her head.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:37 pm
Smirking at Thealia's words Penthesilea knew not to expect much from her. "You were always the untrusting one weren't you Thealia?" Having grown up with the female Penthesliea knew all too well about Thealia's trust issues, especially when it came to those in a leadership role. "Yes, she passed her caste on to me. You would have known that had you been there for your Queen."
Head tipped to the side looking over Thealia. She was still well muscled, a sign she was keeping up with her training. If it came to a fight it would be quite an even match, but she doubted that would happen. "Of course from what I remember, you were running away with you tail tucked between your legs like a no good omega as Marpe lay dying from her wounds." She knew that would cut Thealia to the bone, but she had to test the wolfs loyalty and anger. The last thing Penthesilea wanted in her pack was a traitor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:45 pm
So she had been given the caste, very well then. "Forgive me, my Queen." Thealia said respectfully while lowering her head. "I meant no disrespect, just had to ensure that you were the rightful leader." And while Thealia could not yet confirm Penthesilea's claim of receiving Marpe's caste she would for now act like a respectful follower of the Queen. Should she hear otherwise, well then there would be ways of dealing with it.
A growl formed in her throat. How dare she say those things! Eyes narrowed for a moment but she forced them open again. "You think I wished to abandon Marpe then? We were at war with ourselves remember. I made a rash decision, and it was wrong. You yourself cannot say you have never made a bad decision in your life."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:49 pm
Eyes glinted ever so slightly as Thealia, somewhat unwillingly bowed to her. Penthesilea knew it killed Thealia to show respect to anyone, even if it was her rightful Queen. "You are forgiven." She told the green wolf as she sat back up from the bow. Perhaps the time alone since the pack fell apart was enough to allow Thealia time to become more open, though she certainly didn't show any signs towards that yet. But everyone was capable of change, though some were more open to it than others.
Brow raised at Thealia's words. "That is true, you did make a mistake. Though no one is free from making bad choices in their life." She lowered herself onto her haunches, trying to be as nonthreatening to Thealia as possible, though held herself high as was fitting of her station. "Though I am surprised you did no return to see what had become of those who chose to stay."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:38 am
Thealia had to bite the inside of her lip to stop her from snapping at Penthesilea. It was like the other wolf was trying to force her into making another decision that she would regret. Thealia did not wish the fight the Queen at this time, no not without a reason to. Besides Thealia was not the type of wolf to lead a pack and therefore had no reason to fight with Penthesilea.
"Call it another bad choice if you will. I figured that if a single wolf returned to see what became of the others then that would make them susceptible to attack from a group looking to take what they thought was theirs. But you are not there now, you are? Why be way out here when you could be with the pack?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:43 am
"There were enough of us left behind to protect any who chose to return for the right reason. But enough of what is in the past." There really was no reason to spend the rest of the day arguing over what happened and what could have been all those months ago. What mattered was focusing on the present and the future.
"Those that had remained ensured that Marpe and all our other sisters who fell in battle their proper tributes. We waited for others to return, but when enough time passed and none came back we did what we thought was best. We each went out separate ways in search of our sisters. You are the first I have found. I also came across an abandoned pup who will be joining us." Penthesilea could only hope that the others were having more luck finding members of the broken pack than she was.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:50 am
Quirking an eyebrow Thealia was surpised to hear that. She was the first that the Queen had found. Was that old pack that widely dispersed that they could not be easily found. Well that could prove a challenge in rebuilding the pack. It could take months to find them all or more. Some may have joined other packs but that was very unlikely, after all most packs were run by males and no one from their old pack would submit to a male so easily.
"A warrior and an abandoned pup. It's not much of a pack but it is a start I suppose. I have grown tired of living a life outside of the pack, so you can count on me to help you rebuilt it. I wish to see Antianeira back to it's full glory."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:04 am
Penthesilea let a smile cross her maw. "It's as good of start as any." Sure it wasn't your typical pack with a male and female to lead, with a beta at their side and several other members to help out but it would do for now. And Penthesilea had no doubt in her mind the pack would expand as time we on, of course how much it expanded by depended on how successful the others were at finding both new and old members.
"I am glad I can count on you Thealia. We will need all the help we can get to rebuild what was lost." Speaking of help she reminded herself that she must be getting back to Glacier before the poor pup got worried. "Come then, I shall introduce you to Glacier."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:08 am
Thealia bowed her head slightly. "I am here to serve you my Queen." Taking a few steps back Thealia got up a bit of speed before jumping across the stream, she did hate getting wet so avoiding the water was best for now. Landing beside Penthesilea she gave the Queen a quick smirk. "Glacier, that sounds like a male's name to me." Head tipped to the side studying the other for a moment. "Don't tell me you have gone soft after all this time." Taking in an abandoned puppy was one thing, but a male puppy just seemed like a bad start for a pack who prided themselves on being a group of strong, independent females who did not need males to provide protection to them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:12 am
"And serve me you shall." Penthesilea agreed with a commanding voice. Thealia was now part of her pack and as such would be her warrior, her guard, adviser and any other role that needed to be filled until others arrived - even if that meant babysitting Glacier. Turning she began to lead the way back to the den, looking over her shoulder at the green wolf as she went.
"Glacier is in fact a male. And no I have not gotten soft. You know the laws as well as I do, even male puppies deserve the right to be taken care of. He will learn to respect us as he grows or I will personally run him out after a sound beating." Though the pup had grown on her in the short time since she had found him half starved and hiding in the bushes Penthesilea knew that she could not be lenient on him should he misbehave. The laws could not be bent for him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:20 am
Thealia kept silent for a few moments as she followed her Queen. Well at least Penthesilea hadn't changed too much since she had last seen her. Sure, now the other was a Queen, but she still thought and acted much like the highly trained warrior that Thealia remembered her to be. The more she thought about it, the more she believed that Marpe made the right choice in passing on her caste. Penthesilea always showed great potential in training and had a mind fit for leadership. Perhaps she would be the one to reunite this pack.
"Yes, I am aware of the laws. All pups are given equal rights until they grow. After all it's not his fault he was born of a lesser gender."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:51 am
Glacier stirred as he heard voices approaching, peeking out of the temporary den Penthesilea had left him in earlier that morning, his blue mask and pink eyes standing out against the darker shadows beyond, but though his head poked out the rest of him stayed within Penthesilea had told him to wait here and wait he would - and he didn't think the strict wolf would be pleased if he ran up to her wagging his tail either.
Though that what he wanted to do. He settled for crouching down and watching for their appearance with eager eyes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 11:11 am
The remainder of the trip back to the den was short and filled with silence. Spotting the small face sticking out of the den Penthesilea couldn't help but smile a little. Male or not, Glacier had grown on her and she would protect the pup at all costs - at least until he grew large enough to protect himself. "Come on Glacier, there is someone I wish for you to meet."
Coming to a stop not far from the dens entrance Penthesilea looked over at Thealia. "Thealia, this is Glacier, the pup I was telling you about." The look in her eyes told the green wolf to treat Glacier with the respect the puppy deserved, not patronize him for being male. "And Glacier, this is Thealia. She is a warrior of the pack and is here to help me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
