Onward from the meadow the yearling had gone, having been given no reason to cease her travels. True, her previous traveling companion was still missing, but that did not stop her legs from moving. The elder would catch up when she was able, and in the meantime, Asterr wished to develop a better understanding for the land she’d stumbled into. So far she’d met two wolves, a male and a female, though not at the same time. One had been a ghost, floating through a darkened woods with caution in her steps, while the other had been a bear, stoic yet friendly. Neither had left a negative impression on her, which bettered her view on Teekon. Of course, she’d only been there for a short while, giving her opinion plenty of room to warp or change entirely. She believed wholeheartedly that that would not happen, however she’d yet to meet anyone with the capability to change her outlook on the Wilds. It was those thoughts, that belief that all was well around her, that carried her forward. Softened steps, making so little sound one might think her to be gliding on air, hid her from the unsightly things one might encounter—but that was something she could not complain about.
Before long, the Draconid found herself entering what appeared, at first glance, to be a clone of the meadow she’d come from. It was dappled with flowers, whose colours were fading and petals closing with the threat of winter hanging over them, just as the meadow had been. A few spruce trees lingered around the outer edges of the glade, almost as if they were guarding it from those who dared to come near. As she progressed further into the territory, she caught sight of boulders—both large and small—scattered around the area, offering shade to some flowers and birds that lingered close by. Just as had happened during her walk within the meadow, the gentle sound of water flowing reached her ears. Following it revealed a stream, which she took a quick drink from before carrying on with her expedition. She found herself uninterested in the glade, which was showed by the slight increase in her pace. Asterr wanted to leave as soon as she was able, seeing as that would allow her to travel farther and bear witness to much more riveting things.
Winter was coming. The crisp air and late autumn rains were a reminder of the snow and ice that would soon be upon them. He was admittedly not a creature of winter. The cold season did not excited him in quite the same way as his mate, but he knew that with the end of winter also came the birth of spring. All any wolf had to do was survive the snows and the world would be wonderful again. He could do that. He could wait out the frozen season. In order to do so, he would need to prepare. He'd have to see his pack through the toils of hunger and cold and trust his wolves were strong enough to survive and provide.
To do so, Iqniq required the added security of knowing what resources would be available to him and his. The last time he'd traveled in this direction from the Spire, he'd gotten no further than the meadow before he was distracted by the promise of a hunt. This time, he'd control himself through he noted Wapun Meadow was still rich with herds of pronghorn. The information was useful. When food on their mountain became scarce it was always good to know where other food lived. This area would serve them nicely, but he was curious as to what else these lands had to offer.
He ventured further and found himself tucked within the quaint shadows of a simple forest. The leaves were brilliant. The yellows, oranges, and reds were ablaze with the season. He could not deny their beauty. Admiring them now as he moved within the glade was something of a treat. Here the world was painted in the same hues as his own coat. He could not help but feel some sort of kindred connection to this place. Though truthfully, the smug smile upon his face was reserved for a private dialogue. There was a time and a place where his vibrant pelt were natural. He'd found it in this season. Too bad it couldn't last forever.
A moment in the brush brought his paws to pause. Halted, he scented the air lightly as a seriousness wrapped around him. Wolf. He was not alone in this wood. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the distance as he stalked the scent and sound. There. A female in the distance. Young from the looks of it and moving quickly. Perhaps they would pass each other by and be about their own business. Yes. It seemed the easier way of things. Still, his curiosity got the best of him. Fueled by his added camouflage of the season and his need for adventure, he stalked her from a distance.
There was little more she could do in the process of leaving the glade than increase her speed. Even that met its end though, as she came to the conclusion that she was being foolish. True, she felt a strong vibe of isolation coming from her surroundings, but that shouldn’t cause her to wish to leave so soon. The place itself did not look as if housed the embodiment of loneliness, what with the bright hues of fall coating it. Slowing her pace, she took a few more steps before settling into an easy walk. There was no need to rush her departure of the place, since she’d exit it eventually anyways. Besides, perhaps her friend wasn’t as far behind as she assumed, and would be trying to catch up to her now. Leaving a companion behind simply because one does not wish to reside within a certain domain for too long was an idea befitting the mindset of a child—which Asterr was not. Not really, anyways. Good-natured and kind, but the ignorance that came with being a child had evaded her since birth. There was nothing to fear in the glade, no dangerous components that would make her taking her leave seem reasonable, and so she continued on at a moderate pace.
It hadn’t taken the young dragon long to realize she wasn’t truly alone, despite the feel the location provided. There were small creatures such as squirrels alive and scuttling about, paying no mind to Asterr, and she returning the favour—for the most part. There came a new sense, however, one that had her movements ceasing entirely. Slowly, she moved one of her ears back, attempting to pick up on any sounds that were out of place. There was a creeping feeling crawling its way up her spine, like the type one might get from being stared at by a fellow across the room. Turning her head, she threw a glance over each of her shoulders, then turned herself around completely. The wind did not work to her favour, sending her scent in the direction she was now facing, rather than carrying the other's to her. “Hello…?” she called out, speaking a bit louder just in case. The girl wasn’t even sure if anyone was truly there, but felt it better to be safe, rather than sorry. Keeping still, she waited patiently to see if anyone would step forward. It seemed impolite to follow someone without making your presence known, and so she hoped she was just imagining things. A hidden form could lead to a hidden nature, and such a presence could prove detrimental to the yearling.
She moved quickly. After a time her pace began to slow. He adjusted his own pace to match, doing his best to remain as stealthy as this forest environment would allow him. Here and there he had to slip away to avoid the crunching of fall leaves underfoot in order to take a more silent path. Then he'd find her again and follow. He was ever curious to know what it was she was up to and following her allowed him to explore and notate the various features of this forest too. He'd not been here before. He was curious as to what sort of prey might linger within these trees.
Eventually she noticed him. Or something. She turned around and he was quick to lower himself where he stood. The littering of leaves about him allowed his pelt to blend. It helped that the mud of the autumn rains had dirtied the creamy undersides of his coat. In this season, his camouflage was near perfect, but it helped considerably that the light breeze in the forest as turned in his favor.
He caught scent of her. None of the notable packs in this place graced her scent like a perfume. Instead she was drowned in an aroma that was uniquely hers. It was groomed of the various places where she'd traveled and this land was merely adding to it. Curious. Wolves usually sought a pack in these months so they might survive the winter. Was she looking or simply waiting to see how long it would take until she was forced to choose?
Her words slipped upon the air. A question. Slowly he rose, shaking off the debris which clung to him before he stepped forward. His posture was a strong one. Something worth of his rank, but perhaps downplayed by the crackles of leaves and moss that still clung to his underbelly. He was not nearly as regal as he perhaps should have been, but given the circumstances it was the best he could do. Iqniq looked to her for a moment before a sound crossed his ears. It was followed shortly thereafter by a scent he had not hoped to find. A silent snarl crossed over his lips as he turned and moved to trail after this new threat.
Seconds ticked by, though the time did not wear on her. Patience was key, and had been a skill drilled so deeply into her mentality that it had practically become a way of living. Rushing things was uncalled for, often leading to messy situations that many would rather not deal with. So when a breath passed through her parted maw at the appearance of the other wolf, it was not due to her being impatient. Instead, the air had simply been released from its prison cell, having been caged under the suspicion that maybe her mind was playing tricks on her. Alas, that was not the case, which pleased her greatly. She watched the male’s form as he rose from the ground, his movements making the clutter that had claimed his coat fall away. Despite that, he managed to pull off the look of a power-filled individual, rather than some bedraggled nomad. Normally, she would have wasted no time in closing the distance between them, but something warned her off. The vibe she got from him was unlike anything she’d previously felt, allowing him to gain both her interest and suspicions at the same time.
The yearling continued to observe him, reluctant to give him the chance to leave her line of sight. When his face contorted, snarling without sound, she had to force herself not to take a step towards him. Such an act would have been viewed as foolish, perhaps, to any hidden eyes, but such thoughts did not enter her mind. There was a reason for everything, even if it seemed meaningless at first glance. Asterr could not decipher what had urged her to step forward, exactly, but something told her it was most likely the will of Draco. The dragon’s reasoning for wishing her to step towards the male was unknown, but it was also something she didn’t question. He was the Dragon God, after all, so surely he knew best. The presence in the back of her mind did not let up, either, especially as she witnessed the autumn-coated man taking off. Having never held a desire to defy the will of the fire-breather, she allowed for her legs to carry her forward, following after the stranger. She knew not his name, his intentions, or even where he was going, and yet she still held no fear as her form trailed after him.
He moved. The rustle in the bushes was no more than a squirrel, but that wasn't the scent he'd caught. Nose first to the ground and then to the air, he tracked that putrid smell with renewed vigor. He'd smelled it a time or two before and had diligently cleared their borders of it time and time again. Now here, even on neutral ground the scent was strong and he had no intentions of letting it linger or spread.
His pace was even. His strides purposeful. He held himself low to the ground as he stalked and followed the scent to its source. Even now he was aware of the dark female at his back. He stopped, turning to look at her once with a slight curl to his lips. If she messed this up for him there would be hell to pay. If she wished to help however..? That was a different story entirely.
Turning his gaze away from her, he pressed forward. The aroma was thicker now. That foul smell flooding his nostrils in such away that drew fury to his eyes. Fox. A lesser canine, but a nuisance all the same. A threat to pups. A threat to caches. A threat to smaller resources. Scarlet thieves. If they bred here they would spread. Time to flush them out.
The scent grew thicker still. Here. They rendezvoused within this glade, this heart of their home. His eyes searched, his nose seeking a burrow or any other indications of a home. There. He crouched, flicking a tail and ear towards the girl. If she still followed she'd best follow suit.
Carefully, she followed, keeping close enough to not lose sight of the male, but far enough so as not to run into him if he were to suddenly stop. She could not figure out what he was stalking, having scented no prey worth chasing down when she’d entered the glade. The stench of foxes lingered seemingly everywhere, but she’d seen nothing wrong with that. Never had she pursued the red-furred animals, having never found it to be necessary. In her home tribe, there were few of them, and they’d often keep their distance from the wolves. Besides, killing one almost seemed wrong, what with their bright pelts reminding her so often of the dragon’s flames. They were wily creatures, often unpredictable—just like the fire her God was capable of summoning. To kill one was to smother the flame, to strip the vibrant colour of its life. The willowy girl had never been able to go through with it. Chasing them away, she could do, but even then their furs would entice her, usually leaving her in a trance-like state.
The male had stopped, looking back at her with a faint upturn of his lips. She, too, ceased her movements, gaze unwavering despite the look she’d been given. Asterr held herself still until the male looked away, and then she was off. Following him was an easy task, her actions no longer driven by an unknown urge, but by her own curiosity. She had wished to know what he was after, but as they progressed, the yearling could not help but wonder if she should turn back and head off on her own. The foxes’ fragrant grew heavier with each step taken, filling her senses and stirring up old memories. Knowing well it was not the time to reminiscent about the past, her attention was focused entirely on the man and her pursuit of him.
Slowing her steps, Asterr caught the signals being sent her way. Though far from being a submissive wolf, she did not fight his silent request. Instead, she lowered herself, slim legs bending at their joints until she was crouched down. The obsidian being crept towards the stranger, movements as careful as they’d always been. Uncertain of what he had planned, exactly, she waited to receive any indications of what was running through his mind. Not a second went by in which her eyes weren’t on his body, observing him and taking notes.
Huddled in the shadows, Iqniq watched and waited. The female had moved to join him, lowering herself to the ground as she watched not the glade, but him. He was aware of her eyes, but paid them no attention. Her curiosity seemed far more piqued than anything else and she was of little consequence to him so long as she stalked in silence with him.
Nares flared as he scented the air. This was the place. The forest was ripe with their presence. With their droppings. With their tuffs of fur. Silver... not red, he noted. A different breed than the common red which plagued his home. Their coloration suggested they might blend more in the winter months when the earth was covered in silvery white. Better to hunt them now while they stood out against the blaze of autumn leaves.
His tail swished impatiently behind him as he waited. He knew not how long it was he lingered, but eventually his patience paid off. A pair of foxes pounced onto the scene, tossing a field mouse between them as they celebrated a recent kill. How perfect. He could manage both of them and have an extra little snack for his kids back home.
He tensed, coiling in anticipation of a strike as he waited for the opportune moment. Now. He sprang, disrupting the peace of the otherwise oblivious silver foxes with the sharp promise of his teeth.
The tufts of fur that littered the area, having been snagged on bushes or torn out for nesting, had not reached her eyes. They remained on the 'Wolf of Autumn', keeping tabs on his location in the shaded space he’d taken to. Light footfalls sounded from the area in front of them, earning the yearling’s curiosity. Though she wished to keep her gaze on the male, to see what he planned to do, her head was unwillingly turned in the direction that the noise had come from. There she saw the foxes, their coats resembling steel, rather than fire. Never had she seen a silver fox before, not back home or during her travels. Flames ruled the area around her tribe, not some metal of dangerous intentions. The pressure increased in the back of her head, revealing to her the disapproval Draco felt towards the man readying himself to attack. They were not creatures she was used to, due both to their colouring and the fact foxes had never terrorized her home. Still, she felt the two before her to have done no wrong. They’d be innocent victims of an unknown war, and her pacifistic ways prevented her from being able to help them directly.
When the male’s body lurched forward, Asterr’s own shot up from her crouching position. She stood up straight, ears erect and eyes stationed directly on the foxes. “Run,” she urged, the word directed towards none other than the creatures the man aimed to attack. The Draconid did not believe that the stranger wished to eat the silvery beings, leaving her without a reason for allowing them to go on without warning of his presence. She did not favour the lesser canines, despite her unwavering interest in the coats of the true foxes, but she also did not despise them. They were on neutral terms, in her eyes, and something not to be eaten.
He sprang, leaping for the foxes. Her words came a second later. A warning to their lesser canine kin that left him wondering how much of a wolf she truly was. At that one word, his interest in her no longer remained. He dismissed her words. Dismissed her observations. Dismissed everything but the silver fox he now had by the neck between his jaws.
A shake of his head snapped the first one's neck. He tossed it aside and went for the second one. It hadn't gotten far. A quick chase and he had that one by the tail. He pinned it, and ended its life quickly. Two foxes down. Not bad for a little out ridding adventure.
Taking one by the tail, he rounded up his first kill and hoisted them both by the tail. Holding onto them firmly, he packed up his silver foxes and made to return home. Their furs would do well to line their family den and if nothing else, these creatures would serve as a valuable lesson for his kids.
He departed as silently as he'd arrived.
-exit Iqniq-
It had happened quickly, giving nothing but a blur of furs to confirm what was happening. The male had started his attack upon the vulpines, not giving them the chance to even hear the word that had slipped from her mouth. They were given no chance to run, no chance to survive. In the blink of an eye, the man had managed to get his jaws around the neck of one of the foxes, snapping its neck and ending its life. She could not understand how someone could be so cruel, knowing not of the problems foxes had caused earlier on for him. All she knew was what she was currently witnessing, and she did not like it one bit. Her breath hitched in her throat as she watched him toss the first body off to the side like garbage, devaluing the life that once was. Her silver optics darted after the other fox, silently hoping it would succeed in its escape, but her unspoken wish had not been answered. The stranger had managed to catch the other, too, and killed it with just as much ease as the one before. He was a killer by nature, the girl decided, watching as he collected the still-warm corpses. A murderer incapable of showing empathy.
Asterr remained still as the nameless man left the crime scene, only her eyes trailing after him. She felt sorry for the foxes, especially since they’d appeared to still be so young. An entire life had been opened up to them, and yet they’d never received a true opportunity to explore it all. The gates had been closed the second their final breaths exited their lungs, filling the yearling with remorse for them. Though she’d been incapable of saving their lives, she was not unable to honour their unjustified deaths. She collected a few items within close proximity to be used as offerings, and spread them out in the hopes that her message would be seen. That Draco would hear her wish and welcome the foxes into his grand kingdom within the clouds. She could feel the presence in the back of her head increase in pressure, bringing a sorrowful smile upon her features. That was how she remained, too, watching over the scene until night fell down around her. Only then did the Draconid give her farewells, both to the souls of the vulpines and the land itself, and left the area posthaste. Even as she traveled, she found her thoughts drifting back to the silvery beings, hoping they’d managed to find their way into the sky-bound kingdom.