Witch's Marsh a chapter of the witch

A shine of light entered the graying area, as she took a peek to what the valley had given. However what was seen first was a murky area, a swamp to which Uriel detested. The winter made it hardened, but did not give a brighter look, but an even more dirtied picture, as the snow was tainted with black and browns. If it was summer perhaps she would've been eaten alive..

But she didn't even want to step further, and kept to the very border of it. The Rising Sun Valley wasn't a pleasant place so far.

Jomyo had come from the mountains, and with a ground-covering trot, she was heading back east towards the Bypass. She had spent a few days scouting the Sunspire range's eastern reaches and the valleys between to little tangible gain, but eventually the pathway had guided her north enough that the mountains had begun to veer towards the coast--which, about there was when she decided to call it for now and head back towards the home base finally. It had been enough ground covered for one venture, and she still didn't like being too absent for too long with the pack's claim so fresh yet. Plus, there was very little business for her any closer to the coast, anyway. That much could wait until closer to spring.

She knew she was closing in on her home destination, and had been on what was essentially autopilot for a good while when she spied a golden silhouette ahead. Her ears turned forward and with interest, she began to wonder.

Deciding that was worth a closer look since she was heading this way anyway, she kept going on that way to bring her path towards the other. She had a few assumptions she could make from here, but withheld many of her judgements as she trotted closer, a keen eye on the unfamiliar female for signs of a reaction. That would likely determine how long the scout might linger.

assuming she is easy to spot, lemme know if need to be changed!!

Uriel turned around, a desire to go back from the undesirable place. Though low behold, a more pleasant sight to her eyes, a wolf, but not without a name following her; Legion. The smell was easily detected, and so familiar that it would be hard for her to miss, especially with the various exchanges she had made with their members. It seemed the phoenix kept attracting them around, an unwanted one, but.. She shouldn't hold contempt, to one who did her no harm, despite the association between the white dragon and it's leader. She did not want to admit the grudge was there, but it remained.

"I am Uriel of Sunward, who are you?"

Jomyo didn't know this stretch of land intimately enough to come with expectations, and this felt like barely skimming the edge. It was fine by her, though. She didn't plan to be here long and this was just another place to pass by, one that might be more interesting once spring warmed the place back up again. If nothing else, it was an idea she kept for later.

It would seem that this Uriel of Sunward would be her most interesting facet for the moment. The Eizokusei pulled her paws to a soft halt and leveled the golden wolf with a good thorough once-over of a look as she settled into her own easy, expressionless neutrality. You're the first of Sunward I've met myself so far, she mentioned before eventually answering, but of course, word in Legion had traveled; she had her suspicions but not concerns, though would know should it become anything more. She still wondered how this new presence may receive her based on this knowledge alone. I'm Jomyo, a scout. she kept it at that, letting the rest speak for itself. So are you heading anywhere? she asked, icy eyes intent upon Uriel who rather stood out among the drab winterscape.

"We are near Bracken Woods, and still fresh to the area." Uriel softly smiled, there was not many wolves to the name, as it was the beginning. Within this beginning as well, there was not many who were pleasant as well, a rather rough start to what was supposed to be a phoenix's rebirth. She would continue to try, however.

"No where in particular, perhaps doing what a scout would do, looking around the areas." It was her intent to see what was around the taiga, but the first impression was this marsh? She'd wish to not go further, fearing that further was the same. She was glad to have to settle near the frostier region instead, "how about you?"

The name of a forest (presumably enough with woods in its name at least) rang as vaguely familiar to her, though she could not say she was acquainted with it well enough firsthand. She knew once, Delight had run with wolves in Broken Boulder, and from there they had operated a sanctuary that had eventually played into Elysium.. or as she, an outsider, understood. It had never been a venture she involved herself in greatly, but in catching up with her friend and scouting about like she did, she had picked up a few pieces of information. However, that was moons and moons ago by now and times had surely changed considerably. That's north of here a ways, right? North of the smoking mountain? she asked to clarify she was suspecting the right location (roughly enough), glancing around to solidify her bearings before returning her sights towards the sunlit wolfess. Also, she did not know the old volcano by anything other than as it appeared. Its name, the irony of it, was another fact lost for now, largely because she had steered clear lately, and for good reason. Maybe come spring, it would be another facet of the land worth a closer look—assuming no new earthquakes rattled them before that time could come.

Heading back towards the Bypass, myself, seeing whatever else may come up between here and there, she answered, swinging the point of her nose its way. Been covering the Sunspire range a bit—this east side of it, anyway, she went on to mention. Looks like the herds are creeping back in, too, she mentioned, gauging Uriel with a glance to see if the same could be said for the north for all of their sake.. and especially if more packs were looking to establish in the general area.

Uriel nodded confirming the location. She had seen the smoking island, and can see the red from afar, but refrained from approaching due to the dangers that lurked around. It was far enough from the territory she wished to hold though, that at the moment it was not a concern. Perhaps when a firmer grip of The Bracken Woods was for Sunward, she would venture forth to properly see the area. 

"How is Sunspire?" The mountain can be seen from quite a distance, and stood tall within the lands. On the clearest days she saw the tall mountains calling for her, calling for all to approach it's glory. Though for now, once more, she must stay. Uriel questioned it's beauty to the one who discovered it, as she continued on talking of the herds returning.

"I saw some come into the woods," she fessed, "I was not around when they had left." She just arrived once they started to return, and the beaty of watching them split to each side of the brackens.

With that answer given that indeed, it was north of the smoke, she stowed the reference for later should she ever actually need it. Most likely, it was well out of the way of Legion's nearby influence, so that was good to know that it was not to be immediately of their concern, not with their claim so fresh and tenuous still. Plus, if prey was gradually returning and soon the springtime would hopefully kickstart growth all across the wilds, pressure should be off the predators competing for hunting grounds--sound excess ever return to the lands.

Towards the Sunspire, she nodded a small gesture before she answered. Honestly, pretty quiet. A lot of snowfall. I didn't stay long, she supposed, which probably all contributed to the lack of overall activity she had needed to contend with. There had only been one situation worth anything, and it was not even officially on the Sunspire or its range at all, just nearby On my way towards the range, not too far from the one pack in a woodlot just before you reach the mountains--I ran across an ill, aggressive-acting wolf, but he might have been the pack's problem, I'm not sure.. again, I didn't stick around that for long. He smelled of theirs a bit.. so hopefully there are not others like him roaming around but if there are, worth keeping an eye out just in case, Jomyo noted, for this was a warning she intended to pass onto her packmates too once she reached their grounds again. He seemed like an isolated incident, but it never hurt to be too careful.

I was well south when the herds left.. our group moved north a bit for better luck, more or less, she revealed with a tip to her snout back towards her current home in the Bypass. I'm glad that it looks to be coming around. For all of them, finally--though the hope was still hesitant at very best in her.

"There was packs further beyond.. Which one did he belong to?" A dangerous along alongst the mountains, Uriel took a mental note and wished to seek more information. There enough stress toward making to a ward, and she did not want the dangers that lurked as well, hoping whoever it was, would stay on the other side of the spire.

However, she felt cold upon the others next words, "Are you from Legion?" an immediate question of forcefulness. Being on not the best of terms with that pack, her wariness grew over Jomyo. The other had scouted and had not been around during the incident, but nontheless, she is their members. This one was far friendlier then the other two, but nontheless must keep guard.

The scout set back her ears at a mild, easy slant, though this was just as she knew it only without Uaine Gorsedd's title on her tongue. I don't know them by name yet--haven't asked, that didn't make me want to check in at the time, but I'll circle back eventually, she had been most thankful for her speed that day the instant the rabid wolf had looked her way. They claim a forest between the other side of this wetland's areas and smaller mountain east of the Sunspire's range, about straight shot at west from the Bypass. Jomyo referenced, even if it all might not be familiar to someone now well-drenched in this land's ins and outs, she offered anyway should it be useful later--better than nothing, right? She was only just getting herself acquainted.

But, oh, her head tilted a bit, otherwise she kept stoic about how heavy the golden wolf's next question came. Maybe that confirmed something for her. I am, she replied with a pointed look to wonder about the reputation she knew so far. Loyalty was always a loose term with the Eizokusei scout--strangely rigid when she benefited, but flexible when she needed the room to stretch her legs. But, no doubt dipped her answer, she was pretty content with her choice of winter grounds all things considered for her.

"Perhaps this is a sign I should see more of the wilds." All that was stated confused the lioness, but she still remembered the direction for a later use. If Uriel had more to her group, she would immedietly send a scout, but shame to stay there was very few, as she continues to scramble for a claim. For now, it would have to be ignored for later thought.

"I see.." It was a disappointment that couldn't be help, "I've had a few run ins with your group." The other was far nicer then the two that had been met, perhaps it was just their leadership that felt rigid, but gained the right members. Uriel was curious on how they can gain members with the unfriendliness, but perhaps that is why people felt inclined to wander; safety. 

"Why did you join them?" So she asked.

Jomyo would never disagree with that--anyone could serve to see more of the wilds, or the world beyond even eventually if there were enough questions to be had. She would encourage that with a deep nod because it had always paid off for her. A finer familiarity of the region beyond one's doorstep alone was a good place to start, in her opinion, anyway.

As for Legion, she was stoic about the matter, but willing to hear it out. Doesn't sound like they were all good, she guessed, squinting at the tone and wanting to hear more about what had her making these judgements. After, she sighed soft before she gathered her answer. Her loyalty was difficult to categorize. Uriel asked, after all. Because I needed a home base for the upcoming winter, and didn't have any other specific jobs to get done immediately but some scouting to do in the general area for my homelands. I found the opportunity with them at Lost Creek Hollow where I could have the benefits of a pack with leadership I could tolerate and keep my freedoms to roam, so long as I work for them now, too. the Eizokusei explained, which she thought was valid.

They know I may not ever be a permanent fixture. Trusting me with that as they do earned them that much, too.. and all things considered, I have been plenty comfortable while I'm there, the icy-eyed scout chuffed. She was in good form about it all, happy to just stay busy--mundane or not--as she roamed and watched.

"I haven't had the most pleasant experiences with a few." The white dragon, and then Arbiter who was the leader. Despite acceptance, and forgiveness being a portion of the ward she wished to form, the lioness couldn't help but hold bitterness toward the two. It was a feeling she wished to wash away, and even knew of their reasonings, yet.. Couldn't help view them negatively. For now, she stayed clear of the group, and unfortunately met another. The hope, and it seemed to be true, this one was friendlier then the bunch.

"It sounds like it worked for you," she nodded in understanding. The other found a perfect place, a home to come to, yet a place that allowed the freedom she craved. It was a dream to come true for some wolves, and understood all had win in the situation. They gained a loyal wolf who can scout terrians for them, while she gained their trust, and the ability to travell freely.

"You must have travelled alot." Uriel was lowkey trying to avoid talking about the group anymore, for she enjoyed chattering with the other, but the group brought negative memories to herself. She simply tried to bring up another before nightfall begun, and the two must head home.

Since there were not many Legion wolves to consider, she had a few immediate suspects for who she clashed with. Jomyo had never had any qualms, easy going as she was generally so long as her needs were met. Maybe it was too bad that Uriel couldn't run among them as well. But, given its irrelevance for now far from their claim and from scout to another, this didn't feel like the place to let that have a lot of stock; Jomyo, good at being ultimately indifferent on her path through life beyond what suited her, agreed with the next point regardless.

It has worked, she said, simple enough for her to say so, probably because of what she was able to get away with by being smart about it. I have.. but it's easy to have covered a lot of ground over a long time as a scout, and I've run with a few different packs over my years. I never try to plan what exactly comes next, either. Jomyo kept a certain preference like that, her one overarching loyalty being back to her family--but they certainly did not require her constant attendance, not as established as that was. Her sights were better set beyond, anyway.

What made you want to settle in these near stretches of the Teekon? Or what even led you here to find us at all, then..? the Eizokusei asked before she would have otherwise. If she could share, maybe the golden Uriel could spare her something too but if not, she may be on her way sooner than later--as always, she kept an open mind to the possibility of good, and bad, both or between.

The golden wolf listened and nodded. Exploring the terrians one would always come to the unexpected, especially if the Pack one found, was not the nicest. As Uriel doesn't know many, the few Packs she met were neutral, more unpleasant, but she knew there was some that were more fiendish then them. Perhaps she should be grateful there wasn't a warlord in the area.

"Simple destiny," she could only say, "it was the first pleasant land I had encountered- I did not expect it to be so populated." Originally, the plot she wished to claim was Pheonix Maplewoods, the most beautiful area she had encountered. It was a home of dreams- yet it has a hunting ground to two packs, not just one. It was what originally let her to stay, "and the land grew on me."

Well, not out here to be one to argue with an answer like destiny, Jomyo bobbed her head to agree and let a thoughtful silence hang after Uriel replied. It tends to do that, I think, she said, guilty of having let the Teekon do the same to her, even without her seeking to set any permanent root intentionally. It had brought her back twice already and now here she was, playing loyal to the residents who carved out a life here--which seemed to work alright for her, as evidenced.

Anyway--I have ground to cover, so I should be going. But, I may see you around, the Eizokusei said and dipped her muzzle towards the golden wolf since this had not been a terrible encounter to have at random on her end. Unless the other said otherwise, she didn't need to stay too long.. not when she was getting close to home, and keen to do just that. She had learned a little bit, and probably shared a tad too. Nothing major but Jomyo liked to keep her encounters on the road pretty brief. Good luck, she imparted with one last nod, then did intend to be on her way soon.

"I bid you well." Uriel dipped her head in farewell, not wishing to hold the other any longer. She assumed the other would firstly like to share the experiences she had, and take a rest at home. She believed the same should be done, while a slight adventure was taken, there was still much to be done in the woods. A home to rest.. The common grounds, the hunting grounds.. She needed to map.

With so, the lioness would turn back as the two would end their meeting, and she hoped to see the other on another day