Wolf RPG

Devastation was still upon them – and yet it was strange t think how quickly he had gotten used to the barren trees. The pines had never been stripped of their needles in their lifetime – even when the deciduous trees of the Wilds shed their leaves for the winter, the pines held strong – majestic and beautiful. Until now, at least.
 
He worried for his family, both unborn and the living. Kaskara had birthed four cubs – a stab of irony to the Frostfur’s, given she would birth such a large litter in one of the most trialing times they had. And, of course, he would get Eshe pregnant also, right before a famine.
 
He was an idiot.
 
But he was an idiot who was determined to ensure all of his family and pack survived this. He had been pacing as the sun cast down from the sky above – his bright eyes gleaming as they fell upon each barren tree. Tipping his muzzle back, Scimitar called for @Goldhawk, hoping the wolf would join him for a moment. There were matters to be discussed.

Recovery: it was, as Goldhawk found, all about time. He'd suffered a few wounds here at Neverwinter, though none that could even remotely effect the love he had for the place. First there'd been his less-than-impressive arrival at the forest, aided by Kyron. Then there'd been his epic mission and its sorrowful failure, followed shortly by the discovery that Kyron had vanished from Neverwinter. Then there had been the loss of Diane, an angel unparalleled. Add to that the wave of locusts and the horror in its wake and it did not seem Goldhawk had led a good life here so far, but he had. He found new friends: family, in fact. The warrior bard did not let darkness seep into the brightness of his character, or waver his loyalty for one moment.

At a call from his high Lord, the patroller stood tall a beat, sniffing the air, then galloped towards his Alpha. He slowed, and offered him a faint smile before he dipped his golden head low. A jolly good day to you, sah, the cheery wolf said among the dead trees and lonely branches.

Goldhawk was swift in his response, as always, and despite the wariness that seemed to weigh the shoulders of the Forest Alpha down, he managed to offer the golden wolf a small smile. Of course, the welcome the Gamma offered was cheerful, despite the events that had unfolded before them, and in that moment, the cinnamon wolf felt a surge of relief that the man was amongst their ranks – aside from Eshe, the wolves of Neverwinter Forest fell short of optimism.

“Goldhawk,” he greeted, his own tones soft, and yet his wording to the point. Scimitar had never been one for idle discussion, as those close to him well knew. Tipping his muzzle slightly, the large wolf shifted his weight, his bright eyes studying his companion. “How are you?”

Knowing that he would have respected this majestic creature even if Scimitar had been ranked five miles below him, Goldhawk let his bow linger, and then rose with flattened ears and quite a good deal of fondness in his russet eyes. The pair had taken a journey together, after all, not long ago, and the stoic Alpha had tolerated Goldhawk's constant joviality and occasional bouts of song. And... well, Goldhawk rather loved him for that.

Chipper as you like, fancy-free and fighting fit, he reported succinctly. Might I ask the same of you, m'lord?

The regal tipped his muzzle slightly noting the easy nature of his companion. Of course, Scimitar was not necessarily here to discuss pleasantries, but was content to catch up with his pack mate.

“Kaskara has birthed her puppies and Eshe is pregnant,” he noted quietly – the weight of his words were likely to give way to show how he felt about the situation. “We have no food – but I’ve sent a small party to see what they can scrounge up.” He paused then, his bright eyes lingering upon the tawny wolf. “I’d like you to step up and become our Beta male, if you’re up for the task.”

He knew from scent that Kaskara had birthed a whole host of gorgeous Irish puppies (which would've been a more celebratory occasion if it weren't for this dratted famine), but it was news to him that Eshe was pregnant too. A bit inevitable, of course, as Scimitar would need to sire Alpha Pups to establish his virility after another male in the pack had beaten him to the punch, but it was news indeed, and Goldhawk nodded. Congratulations, sah, he said softly (for children were children, and a thing to warm the heart), but he matched Scimitar's tone. Young life at Neverwinter these days would be... difficult.

The next subject was frankly much more surprising. Tall-eared in astonishment, Goldhawk let a silence linger. As far as he was concerned, the upper tier was all booked up. Did Kieran, that great hefty guardian, not stand as Beta Male? He supposed it had never been announced, and Kieran had never asserted himself as such, but Goldhawk had always treated Kieran and Kaskara as the Beta couple, and... it turns out he'd only been half right.

There had to be a reason why, and it had to be none of Goldhawk's business, or Scimitar would have told him.

And so he reached beyond the initial confusion and plucked out a good golden nugget of happiness. He had never stood so high in the ranks. He'd led a vanguard, but never helped lead a pack. What a sweeping honour... yes, I accept with all my heart. Hiding his surprise, as he could not banish it entirely, he bowed his muzzle low in acceptance. Count me unyielding: I'll protect Neverwinter's newest generation as Beta Male, tooth and claw.

He was pleased to see the Gamma so eager for the position, and visibly relaxing, Scimitar offered him an easy smile, despite the looming famine that hung over them. “Very well,” he determined then, his gaze studying the golden wolf before him. “I am glad you’ve accepted – as Eshe and Kaskara will be as well.” With both women engaged in pregnancy and newborn puppies, the agouti wolf knew it was time to place their trust within one of their other members.
 
Kieran was an obvious choice, but otherwise preoccupied with his newborn children. Goldhawk since arrival and gone above and beyond for them all – and he believed in rewarding such causes. It was rare he could place trust in another that was outside of his family, but the wolf before him had managed to do such a thing. “We need food, and I don't want the pack to waste their required energy otherwise -- I've sent a party of three to see if they could find some fish in one of the lakes or rivers nearby.” He paused, his one torn ear flickering with the uncertainty he felt. "We will get through this."

Although eyes had averted in a show of submission, in his peripheral vision he had noticed Scimitar's muscles relax like stones in a landslide. Goldhawk was glad to have helped cause such an effect, and redoubled his intentions to maintain a fierce loyalty to Neverwinter and its mothers.

We will, he agreed outright, with a firm nod. Then he paused, and put forth a lingering thought: although we've taken great care to be a peaceful lot, what are your thoughts on fighting other packs for food should it come to that? We have brawn to spare, and with little lives on the line it might be worth the risk — depending on the situation of course.

Goldhawk’s words were a curious nature to the wolf, and his bright eyes studied the newly appointed Beta with hidden surprise – was he keen to fight? “Has a situation arisen to encourage such an act?” He wanted to determine if the wolf was speaking figuratively, or if something had happened to cause the tawny man to question. “The best we can reserve our energy, the better. But if another threatens our livelihood.. I will not second guess what will need to be done.” It was not a simple answer by any stretch, despite the few words he now voiced. Had it been Phoenix Maplewood they rose against, Scimitar would have held concern and uncertainty – yet he knew such an act would not come from the one pack he still considered holding an alliance with.
 
If Silvertip Mountain or Blackfeather Woods threatened them? Scimitar would make an attempt to end them – of that he held no doubt.

Oh indeed, Goldhawk wasn't all japes and ballads — he was a fierce soldier with an eye for a good battle, and although he was not hasty he would not hesitate to do his duty. But it seemed his words had produced a flicker of caution from his Lord, and Goldhawk was swift to reassure him. Gosh no. If any such thing rears its ugly head I'm straight to you to report it, sah. But it's good to confirm that we should stay on our toes and be ready to fight if it comes to it. He gazed out across the forest as if surveying invisible wolves and eyeing them up for approval. They had to stay tough.

Satisfied with Goldhawk’s answer, the large man gave a nod to his newly appointed Beta Male, his own eyes gleaming with purpose. “We’ll be ready for a fight if it comes to it – I’ll not be pushed out of my home again,” he rumbled, knowing the tawny wolf had managed to catch a glimpse of the Frostfur family’s past during their trek to the Maplewood. They had the potential for more enemies than even Goldhawk knew of – the guarded knowledge of Blackfeather Woods and his own vendetta against them was a secret he kept only to himself, @Kaskara and @Kieran. If nothing came to fruition from the darker wolves and they maintained their distance, Scimitar was content to do the same.
 
“If we manage to get by this famine.. we will need to finalize our relationships with nearby packs better.”

Goldhawk gave a sharp nod of his head, proud of his stoic leader. There was not a hint of a smile upon the new Beta's serious expression as he considered the web of alliance, tension and neutrality that could be ahead of Neverwinter. So who do we have, m'lord, he mused, considering their neighbours. Silvertip, of course. Moonlit Hill beyond the hotsprings — I met a Beta from there, perfectly amiable. Their Alpha's called Malice. I also met a chap called Cicero from Blackfeather Woods, though I have no bally idea where that is, he admitted. Then there's Donnelaith, it was strange now to think of the rather intense feelings he'd had for the place. A good, strong pack on the shore from what I remember. I visited those borders long ago, before Neverwinter. And I caught a whiff of it again recently... he tried to recall, furrowing his brow. But I'm not certain why.

Unbeknownst to Goldhawk, the dark male with whom Scimitar had been acquainted, and with whom they'd shared the remnants of a bear's kill, was the Alpha Male of Donnelaith. It was so ironic and interesting now to recall that Goldhawk had once left an anonymous offering of admiration on their borders.

He withheld a light wince as Goldhawk mentioned Blackfeather Woods – though tight lips refrained him from commenting on the pack above any of the others. “I trust none of them,” he quietly noted then, his bright eyes lifting to the tawny male as he studied his new Beta. “Donnelaith is lead by Lasher – Kaskara used to run with him in a pack once.” But that was the extent of his knowledge to the druid.
 
Pausing, his muzzle tipped slightly. “Moonspear also is not far from us.. southwest. Eshe trusts them completely – Charon is a cousin, apparently.” His own tone indicated his own lack of trust there, but he did not voice it.

Although one of the most vital aspects of any life, trust was not one he gave unduly thought to. He trusted his friends, mistrusted his enemies, and doubted moments where reason failed. But he supposed in these times of desperation they must second-guess their neighbours, and Scimitar was quite right to do so. Goldhawk was already learning a lot from him.

Moonspear — ah yes, he'd quite forgotten! Subconsciously he'd tried to block out most everything to do with last season's failed mission, and, alas, Moonspear fell into that category. A formalised alliance in the making, sah? he asked of Moonspear, knowing how important blood was to many of his packwolves. Charon was Eshe's blood, and blood is thicker than water.

They had not formalized an alliance – Scimitar had not even spoke to his mate about what Jorunn had spoken to him regarding the words and assumptions Charon had given the Frostfur family. He believed his son over the youthful lead male of Moonspear – it was hard not to when the agouti wolf had felt the ire roll from Charon in waves whenever in his presence.
 
“No,” he determined, given that his quicksilver mate had not chosen any route to deepen their relationship with the mountain wolves. “Simply a pack I would like to remain on good terms with,” he decided, his muzzle canting slightly as he studied his companion, awaiting his thoughts on the matter.

It was rather unfair on Charon and Moonspear that Goldhawk had associated such negativity with them. All he thought of when he pictured that white feller and his pack was the failed mission. The idea that Goober, the foul attacker he had spent so many days and weeks and hard work finding, was still out there... somewhere.

No, he had to come up with new associations for Moonspear, and they had to be positive. Good terms, eh? Then sire, it shall be so, he promised with a chipper nod.

They came to a conclusion -- whether it was one Eshe would favor or not, Scimitar would allow that to be determined later, should the topic ever rise once more. The Moonspear wolves had not been around for some time, and in turn, their scent had been fading on his mate's coat -- surely, they were finally busy minding their own business?
 
"Thank you for stepping up, Goldhawk," he rumbled then, allowing the conversation to drift toward its own conclusion. "We'll make an announcement soon." With a tip of his regal muzzle, the agouti wolf would make to draw away then, hesitating only to hear any final thoughts from his newly appointed Beta.

The pleasure's all mine, he replied with great honesty and more than one dollop of affection. He lowered his head in a final, formal bow of acceptance to the Alpha, then it was done. Far from feeling more powerful at the drop of a hat, Goldhawk certainly felt more responsible. And this, he didn't have to remind himself, was pointedly a good thing.

With their conversation at a close, Scimitar gave a nod to the wolf and his words – the announcement would be made soon, but changes would soon be afoot within the Forest as Kaskara and Eshe both stepped down from leadership.
 
With one final nod, Scimitar nudged his comrade to the shoulder before ambling away, eager to seek out either Eshe or his daughter – though the latter would likely not welcome his company.