The decision to part with Venia Dei and the wolves the young Princeling had come to know as family - blood or not - had not been made with any sort of ease. It had been a contemplation within Muninn’s mind ever since Cyprus and Hamied had left. The idea kept him awake late at night, when Hugin snored softly in the corner of the den the twins had shared - weighing the pros and cons as Osiris weighed one’s heart; though morbidly less poetic it was realistically more comparable to a itch he could not seem to get rid of despite how often he scratched at it. It was not as if Muninn had been cursed with a horrible childhood - on the contrary Isi and Phoebe Frostfur (nee. DiSarinno) were probably the most loving parents Muninn knew of (even though he did not have many sets of parents to compare them too); and it wasn’t as if he were a spoiled child who left to sulk and brood because he did not have the best chance at leadership, either. He had been given as an equal shot as any of his other siblings - rather he had shrugged off the chance, more content to watch his siblings rival and bicker over it than join in. Muninn was no stranger to ambition, it was true, but he did not want to burden the legacy of his parents, as vast and great as it was. His sharp, witty, cynical and silver tongue portrayed him as the black sheep of the DiSarinno-Frostfur clan. Munnin stood out like a sore thumb among his realtives - even against his twin who bore the inky coat of the DiSarinno line. They either seemed to take after Phoebe or Isi. Though Muninn was built exactly like the Huntsman, even having been graced with his golden eyes, the outcast bore an unmatched silken coat of platinum silver.
Eventually, after letting the idea fester like an open wound until he felt like he could take it no more, Muninn broke down and spilled the idea to Hugin. Hugin had been all for the idea as far as Muninn was concerned, but had not followed in Muninn’s steps, instead electing to stay behind and help their parents with Venia Dei. Though the journey left Muninn with much loneliness he braved on, reminding himself that he had only ever been Isi’s favorite when they were training, and Phoebe’s when Muninn was actively demanding the attention he sought with vehemence. Phoebe had always been easier to hook in then Isi had been. Following the romance of love, adventure, and independence that allured to Muninn, it had not taken him long to realize that reality was stark, and more so seemingly unforgiving. It was cold without the warmth of Hugin’s body pressed beside his own, the dangers uncertain and potent without the security of the pack. In so many words, the journey had been hard on Muninn, whom had begun to face the realization that perhaps he had been more spoiled than he had initially liked to boast.
Salvation had been found on the doorstep of Neverwinter Forest, given generously by it’s sole leader, who had called herself Chakra Fearlheart. Shaking his head of this rampant and errant thoughts, Muninn pushed himself to his paws to stretch, figuring he could contribute by patrolling the borders, and providing he found enough - catch something to add to one of the pack’s food caches. It was important, Muninn could practically hear his mother saying, to keep them full in winter. Pause in step was given as he wondered, a stray wisp of his previous thoughts tugging at the edges of his mind, if Cyprus and Hamied had made it to this place (where ever exactly here was), though if his siblings had no trail had remained to make it so. Pressing forward with a sense of urgency, Muninn began his sweep of the borders, all senses awakened and alert. |
Neverwinter was growing, its ranks swelling like the rising of the tides. This pleased Chakra, and her sense of pride and belonging to this place, this pack, grew exponentially with it. Each day seemed to bring to her evergreen gates yet another lost wanderer, a castaway from some long-disbanded pack or a homeless straggler in search of a place to put down new roots. They came from far and wide, each with a unique story of his or her own. Chakra was interested in them all, for they each reminded her of the story that had brought her here herself so many months ago. She welcomed them all, assuming she sensed in them a sincere desire to dedicate themselves to Neverwinter and they didn't overstep their bounds or piss her off in any way.
She wouldn't be this way forever, though. She was not, by nature, a welcoming or friendly wolf toward strangers — especially strangers who ventured too close to her pack's boundaries for comfort. Her birth pack had dealt with intrusions most savagely, with lifeblood spilled in angry scarlet ribbons upon pristine white snow. Someday soon, Neverwinter would be known for much the same. But for now, she had no choice but to take a more tolerant approach, for she needed members. She had no illusions about what became of a pack with no members. She had seen it happen too many times already since arriving in these lands.
As Alpha of this pack, she was not content to merely rely on others to protect her territory for her. She literally lived on patrol. She seldom ventured into the interior of her pack, preferring to remain near the borders and constantly on the move, keeping her eyes, ears, and nose on high alert for danger, trespassers, or potential new members. At night, she simply found a comfortable spot and bedded down until morning. She understood that her newest members were curious about the deep, secretive forest that they now called their home, and did not begrudge them their absence on the borders if they chose to explore Neverwinter's secrets rather than join her in protecting their lands. She knew they would come soon. But some of them had taken the initiative to proactively assist her in strengthening their pack's presence in the land and patrolling their boundaries. This pleased her immensely, and she made mental note to keep this in mind when determining their places in the hierarchy.
Scouting near the outer fringes of her lands today, she came upon one such dedicated newcomer — Muninn Frostfur. He was one of her newest followers, having only joined in the last few days, and already he showed promise. She had been impressed with him at her borders and once again she was impressed with him, having already noticed his scent somewhat prominently around her borders and finding him here now, hard at work keeping their home safe. As she approached, she gave a soft whuff in greeting, her tail waving companionably behind her. She was a tough wolf and she made those around her knew their place, but there was a softer side to her that she wasn't afraid to show from time to time. A leader, after all, was not a leader if her followers didn't want to follow her. "So new and yet already so dedicated," she commented with a grin, pausing to sniff the air as a breeze picked up. "I like that in a warrior."
Patrolling was as easy and as natural as breathing to the silver Frostfur, having patrolled with Hugin and Isi often back in Venia Dei. For a second there was a slight hesitance in his steps, a beat skipped as his eyes closed as he tried to understand why that memory brought with it a stab of pain in his chest. His gait was regained quickly enough, eye-lids opening to allow his eyes of liquid gold to take in the landscape of the forest Muninn now called home that spread before him, imperial and magnificent. Deep inhale was taken, as snow crunched beneath his large, heavy footfalls, drinking in the scents - already becoming familiar to him - around. The snow that covered the earth in it’s blanket of stark chill was crisp and clean, masking the piney scent of the bracken and earth that was packed and frozen beneath the white that covered it, the warm aromas of the trees that towered like nature’s skyscrapers around him, breaking towards the Heavens, reaching for what they could never touch. More potent than that was the scent of Neverwinter - the strongest scent of theirs belonging to their Alpha Female, Chakra. There was a swell of pride within Muninn’s own chest as his leg lifted to add his scent to their borders, letting all who dared approach to know that these lands were well guarded. Calling himself a member of Neverwinter Forest was something that Muninn did take in a moderate amount of pride. He had not been born there, was not grandfathered in as he had been in Venia Dei. He held no relations to Chakra - or any other of the Neverwinter wolves (as far as Muninn was currently aware, at any rate). He had made his case to Neverwinter’s equally as imperial Alpha Female and she had chosen to take a chance on him and accept him into her ranks. He had no outside help - it had been all on him. Muninn was not easily a nervous creature - having adopted a rather fearless personality balanced fairly (and luckily perhaps) by logic inherited by his grandfather, Aether. Moderate fearlessness could be courageous but there was a point as to where it became absolutely reckless and unhealthy. Muninn aspired to never become recklessly ignorant - to never let it get to such a horrendous point.
Surprise shot through Muninn like a lighting bolt - quick and precise - giving the Frostfur pause when a ‘whuff’ was given to him in a soft greeting. He slowed to a stop, curiosity rushing to follow in surprise’s wake. He wasn’t sure why exactly he did not expect to find another along the borders - patrolling was something that every wolf should do (in his general, personal opinion) simply that is took him by surprise nevertheless. Quick glance was given over Muninn’s shoulder, to allow his golden gaze to touch upon which ever pack mate had greeted him. Realizing that he was in Chakra’s presence for the second time since his joining, Muninn quickly turned so he was facing her, and lowered his body into the proper submissive pose, murmuring Ma'am, In a return greeting, keeping his eyes low. Boldly he had dared to look upon Isi and Phoebe with a directness but the situations were entirely different. Isi and Phoebe had been his parents and they had understood that he had not been insinuating a challenge. As Muninn had been when he had first met her, he was struck by her beauty, a beauty that went beyond just her physical features. He could sense that she was a powerful creature personality wise, without knowing much about her.
Muninn rose, though he kept his body submissive in stance, letting his tail give a wag, brushing against his haunches as he felt even more respect for her to find that she too was patrolling the borders with a vigilance. That was a good leadership quality - for what use did a pack have for a leader that couldn’t even be bothered to guard their own borders? Isi had spent much of his time at the borders, while Phoebe handled most of the diplomatic, inside workings. They had worked as a well-oiled, efficient team and appeared as one leader, as opposed to two. Muninn offered Chakra a partially teasing, and part genuinely demure smile that tugged at the edges of his lips at her compliment; at least that was how the Frostfur chose to take her words as. Where I was born you had to work to keep your place in the pack. You can‘t take and not give back - it has to be an equal balance, Muninn replied sincerely. That rule remained true even for the DiSarinno-Frostfur children - just because they were children of the Alpha pair did not mean that once they had reached a capable age they did not have to contribute. If they did not deliver they had been told to part ways by Isi (who was admittedly better at kicking his lazy children out with indifference than Phoebe had been). As I admire that quality in my leaders. Muninn replied with a compliment of his own, unabashed to show that he admired her own dedication to her pack. Leadership was not something one took for granted - though he had heard of many that had abused it and had allowed themselves to be conquered at the price of their own greed. Thank you, though. Muninn replied with a bow of his head, for he did not want her to think of him as ungrateful that she was basically pointing out that she recognized that he was already - despite his shiny newness - getting to work.
How do you fare this fine morning? Muninn inquired with soft curiosity, before he fell silent, waiting for her reply. |
And now here she was, so many months later, an Alpha in her own right, with subjects of her own. She hoped she led them well, did things right, treated them fairly. She did as her heart led her to do; only time would tell if it was the right way.
Muninn responded to her with the appropriate respect and deference, averting his eyes and lowering his stance to acknowledge her higher status. She had seen his demure smile at her earlier compliment, and could not help noticing how handsome he was. A fine and splendid creature was he, tall and well-built, with a musculature that spoke of great strength and stamina. Varying hues of frosty silver danced and scintillated throughout his coat, raining down his sides in ever-paling shades to end in pristine, snowy white on his legs and underside. Alpha and warrior though she may have been, Chakra was still female and she could certainly still appreciate a good-looking male when she saw one.
She closed the distance between them and licked his muzzle in greeting, a friendly gesture that reinforced their relationship as packmates and friends. No matter how new they were, Chakra wanted all of her followers to know that they meant something to her, that they were important and equally as worthy of her own respect as she was of theirs. Her posture made her higher status known, but was not domineering or intimidating in any way. Her tail, held a little higher than neutral behind her, waved pleasantly. "That is a policy I can agree with," she answered in response to his comment about having been taught to work for his place in a pack, and how one could not take without giving back. "And one that will serve you well in this pack."
In response to his final query, she answered, "I am doing quite well, thank you. I hope that you can say the same, and that you are finding my forest a comfortable home so far?"
Claws raked the cold, hard earth beneath the snow slightly as he flexed his toes, bringing him out of those horrid thoughts he had ran away left Venia Dei to dispel. Of course, Muninn was not so naive to think that just because he couldn’t see it - didn’t mean it wasn’t happening, but still. While he was lost, however briefly, in his thoughts, Muninn had failed to notice Chakra’s assessment of him, though eyes of liquid gold focused back upon his new leader when she began to move closer to him, closing the distance. For a split second, there was confusion, though there was no hostility in her movements, though the confusion vanished abruptly when he felt her tongue glide across his muzzle in a greeting of a platonic nature. A soft, perhaps coy smile tugged at the edges of his muzzle when she spoke of being able to agree with the policy. He had rather thought that she would, if he was being honest, because he simply couldn’t imagine a leader that would let wolves mooch off of them and other pack-mates. Wolves like that were like a disease to Muninn and needed to be purged. Pack’s did not need dead weight - especially not in the harder months, such as winter. And one dead weight tended to attract more; at least, that was his general experience with “dead weights”. Isi had not tolerated wolves of that nature and would send them on their way. Very rarely had he ever been forced to kill a wolf - though if he had too, it was likely kept from the youngest children for the simple fact of not wanting to frighten them - and Muninn was one of the three youngest.
"I can, and I without a doubt am finding it comfortable," Muninn spoke honestly, pausing to glimpse around them quickly before his attention returned back to Chakra in full. "Neverwinter is a majestic place," Muninn inhaled deeply and let it out in an expel of breath, that rose from his leathery, black nostrils in a furl of white steam. "It reminds me somewhat of the forest I grew up in.” Which, was likely why his homesickness was not all that terrible; and realistically, if he could have convinced Hugin to come with him, while he would miss his parents and other siblings still, he probably wouldn’t find himself missing Venia Dei - even though he was beginning to get over his initial homesickness.
set by Emy
For she was fully every bit Auryn's daughter, possessed of the lust for war and bloodshed, led by a bold heart, a will of iron, a clever mind well-versed in the arts and strategies of war, and an insatiable thirst for all that she could wring out of life. More. It was the very concept that drove her, the idea that the world was hers for the taking and she could be whatever her wildest dreams led her to believe she could be, so long as she had the courage and ruthlessness to charge forth and take it. And yet under it all, there ran a thread of refinement and softness that silvered her tongue, banked her fires, and kindled gentleness in her when savagery simply would not do. That was her mother in her, Salene's legacy to her daughter.
Endore blood was the only thing in the universe that could have mellowed that hot Feralheart blood, as Salene was the only creature who had ever tamed Auryn. Sometimes, Chakra wondered if there would ever be a wolf who could tame her. It was a thought that often brought an amused half-grin to her face.
Of course, much as the musings and ponderings that ran through Muninn's mind at the speed of thought did not register on his face or, really, at the forefront of his mind, the same could be said for these of Chakra's. What went on in the back of her mind, she was careful to keep there; it wouldn't do for her subordinates to think her anything less than full engaged in the moment and aware of everything that went on around her. Linger too much in her head, distracted and distant, and those ambitious few who lusted for her position might find themselves tempted.
"I wish I could say I grew up in such a place," she commented in reply to his own observation about the way this forest reminded him of his homeland. "But I was whelped in tundra and ice." It wasn't something that bothered her at all. She had been fond of her pack and the lands they called their home. It wasn't as if she'd known any better; she'd never been anywhere else until she left home to come here. It was only as she traveled south and the landscapes changed that she realized all she'd been missing. The rolling tundras of the far north would always hold a special place in her heart, but her preference was solidly rooted here, in these ancient halls of pine.
As they walked, Chakra occasionally pausing to refresh a marking, rub against a tree, or rake her claws over soft earth, she wondered about this wolf whom she had taken into her pack. He certainly possessed all the qualities that an Alpha wolf sought in followers: he was healthy, strong, young, clever of mind, had a good personality, and – perhaps less for the Alpha in her and more for the female – he was handsome. But there was so much more to him than that, and Chakra knew none of it. "What do you want to make of yourself here, Muninn?" she asked after a few moments, continuing to walk and work as she did so. Realizing it was sort of a nebulous question, she added, "Every wolf finds his place…his role in the pack. What do you aspire yours to be?"