Since Tuwawi had returned from her adventure in to the north, they took turns with the children. Marching away from the den caused a peculiar sensation to dwell within Njal - something like apprehension, coupled with a dose of sorrow. He walked familiar paths, followed the route he had carved over many days of patrols, and followed the river's edge. His task this morning was to seek out a cache or something for the children to eat. They were transitioning to solid foods, leaving behind their mother's milk.
While he did pause above a few of these caches, Njal's attention waned and drifted; he wandered more than hunted, and came to a halt on the bank of the river. Beside him sat Lethe's Rest. He passed a cursory glance across the rugged figure of the bear that he had formed out of rocks, noticing that it had become moss-covered and vibrant with green. Around him there was quiet - or something close to quiet, where the pulse of the river and the occasional birdsong sounded across the fields. To think that he had survived the loss of not one Alpha, but two - but there was guilt in his heart now. A strong and passionate guilt that turned his gaze sour.
Kaskara sometimes felt that trouble followed her wherever she went. First there was the entire issue of Junior going missing, finding her remains, and being kicked out of Blacktail Deer Plateau for mouthing off to the alpha female. Then it was the kidnapping, disappearance, and death of different Creek wolves, which she could've sworn happened only when she arrived. And now their alpha was gone and two others had decided to leave, taking their young children with them.
This pack would soon be a lonely place.
She found herself walking along the edge of the river, following a familiar path that led her to a particular set of moss-covered boulders. She didn't know their significance or that they even had a name, but this morning she found another there, the pale-coated male who was going to leave their ranks soon.
Kaskara didn't blame him. He had his family and pups to protect. This discord with the Sunspire was not conducive to raising children, and if she was being honest with herself, she didn't really want anything to do with it, either. But she had pledged herself to Bazi first, the Creek second, and would follow the white dove anywhere.
"Hello," she spoke softly, pausing her steps a few yards away. She didn't know the male well, but was certain he wouldn't harm her. He was pack. For now, at least. "You're Njal, right? I'm Kaskara."
Lethe's reign had been short-lived (and he mentally balked as this morbid pun popped in to his mind) with Fox taking over swiftly after. He could have taken the creek at that point. Maybe things would have been different - the Sunspire wouldn't exist, the children would be safe, and moving would be far from his mind. But he hadn't taken power. He had let it go, and supported the child who called themselves the leader. That could have been his biggest mistake, but there was no way of knowing. Njal couldn't turn back time or change what had already happened. Apparently he was becoming very introspective in his old age.
So deep in thought was the usually-mindless warden, that when a voice rose up from nearby, he was startled. At first Njal thought the monument was speaking to him - as if Lethe could sense his guilt from beyond the grave and now, attracted to it, was suddenly present. A fleeting glance towards the verdant burial mound transitioned away from it - to the face of a stranger who was far more alive. He felt a little stupid, but said nothing. You're Njal, right? I'm Kaskara. The girl questioned, and he gave a slow nod. It seemed as if the departure of the Sveijarn family had granted them a temporary infamy.
He looked her over quickly, noticing the darkness of her pelt and, briefly, looking at her two-toned eyes. Curious. But his mind was filled with other things. I have not seen you around the creek before, he muttered, trying to be friendly with his conversation, but it was clear by the tone that his heart wasn't in it. Something weighed upon him, distracted him. It is nice to see that Swiftcurrent is still an attractive place to live.. Especially after all the turmoil lately.
Kaskara did not know Lethe and didn't know these boulders held any power or lore within their moss-covered stone, and was surprised to find the male turn toward her with awe in his eyes. It fadedly swiftly as he realized that she was speaking to him, and he answered her with dismissal. He hadn't seen her around before? What about at the meeting only a few days before, when his mate decided to tell the entire pack their family was leaving?
Learning from experience, she didn't speak all that was on her mind, but instead said, "I've been a member of the Creek for a few weeks now. I was at the meeting a few days ago, when your family announced its departure." She didn't mention that it was the worst possible timing, or that her brother didn't think they should help them move, but instead watched him carefully. He hadn't paid much attention to any wolves other than Tuwawi, Bazi, and Scimitar then. "I joined before the Fox thing happened. Actually, I don't think I've ever met her."
Having been so preoccupied with his family, and then the missing leader, Njal shouldn't have been surprised when Kaskara introduced herself as a member of the creek. He hadn't recognized her, or noticed how well mixed her scent was with the others upon her pelt - a sure sign of her allegiance. The man let out a huff of annoyance at his own ignorance, and tried to place a friendly smile upon his face; it was hard to look cheerful in the wake of his thoughts, and so the expression dwindled.
I joined before the Fox thing happened. Actually, I don't think I've ever met her. Ah, that made some sense then. He had been busy hunting down the red-furred girl at the time of Kaskara's initiation in to the ranks, then. This thought was enough to alleviate some of Njal's guilt, although... Most of it had nothing to do with the dark girl. The warden gave a nod of acquiescence as if this knowledge made the utmost sense. My mind has been on... Other matters. Forgive me. His gaze traced the rugged outline of the bear figure as he spoke, almost like he was speaking to the girl and to the monument in one breath.
Njal's shoulders sagged a bit and he stared off in to space, seeing and not seeing the grave marker he had built. The weight of the oncoming days had already begun to press upon him. How do you find the creek so far? He piped up, trying to continue the conversation and.. He wasn't sure, really. Make nice? Be friendly? In a few days Njal would be leaving with his family, so making friends was out of the question. Bazi wouldn't be too keen if one of the Sveijarns happened to pull someone out of the creek's ranks.
"Of course," she replied. He had been on the forefront of trying to find Fox, of dealing with the Sunspire, that Kaskara wasn't surprised he didn't recognize her. Then his mate had decided to announce their departure at the pack meeting, where he might have noticed her otherwise, but she was sure all other thoughts had flown from his mind.
Kaskara wasn't sure why she was speaking to him, either, except that currently he was part of the creek and she was duty-bound to get know its members. "I love it," she replied with honesty, her eyes flashing in the sunlight. "I didn't now my brother was here until shortly before I joined, and Bazi has been very kind to me." Njal probably didn't know of her past dealings with the plateau, but there was no reason to air her dirty laundry right now. "I am sad to see six of its members leave, however little I know them." Some may have said it to be polite, but Kaskara was only earnest in her regret.
"I love it," The girl chimed, quick and succinct, and Njal cast her a careful look. She seemed to genuinely enjoy her life here so far, and that eased a bit of the sadness he had felt in his own heart. The misgivings he had about leaving so abruptly were still there, but... As long as the creek remained a viable, strong place, he felt a little better. "I didn't know my brother was here until shortly before I joined, and Bazi has been very kind to me." Oh? Brother? At this, his expression furrowed as he began to think - who could that be?
But he hardly had to contemplate it; the girl's features were familiar to one other in the pack, similar but feminized. Scimitar. That made sense then, if Kaskara had met up with her brother and then with Bazi - the two were hardly very far apart from one another these days. It was like Tuwawi and Njal when they had first met... And at this the man began to smirk, but shoved the idle thinking out of his mind. He was distracted enough - and then Kaskara brought up their departure.
"I will miss this place." He responded, and then grew silent. Morose, really. A deep sigh later, and Njal was looking at the monument again. "I built this for our first alpha, Lethe. After her came Fox, and... For a time, I thought maybe I'd have to build one for her too." She had been missing for a while, but when news of her abandonment had reached the northman, he felt... Oddly relieved. A stern expression slipped across his face now, and he regarded Kaskara. "Now Bazi is the leader and I cannot fathom thinking about her own end, whenever that may be. She will be a good leader - a strong one. Hopefully a lasting one."
If he felt so highly about the white girl, why would he leave? "Your loyalty is well placed." The beast muttered next, and once again fell in to quiet disarray.
Kaskara listened to Njal recall his memories of Swiftcurrent Creek. It seemed to her that he loved this place and perhaps it was presumptuous of him to leave it without giving Bazi a chance, but she wouldn't say such things out loud. It was not her place to question the lives of others or their choices concerning which pack they called home. Kas knew about hard choices herself.
"I believe so, too," she agreed, giving the older wolf a nod. "Bazi has been very kind and welcoming to me, something that I did not expect, given my history. But I am glad she has given me the chance to live here, because I have found a family that I love and will protect with all my honor." Whether or not Njal knew it, Kaskara agreed wholeheartedly with his own thoughts. "I know that our packs will be allies, and I hope to visit someday as part of my Outrider trade. Do you think that would be acceptable to you and your mate?"
Wow I suck. Quickly posting so we can archive... Just need one more from you. :)
It wasn't surprising to Njal that the new leader was a good fit. He thought as much, even if it would take time. The pale leader was a friend - and while the family was going to be leaving her, essentially abandoning Bazi in a time where she needed support the most, Njal knew she would make it through the transition.
I know that our packs will be allies, Kaskara mentioned, and as her voice carried on, Njal pondered - would they really be allies, or would this separation cause some sort of strife? He hoped that Bazi would visit, at least. That there was no bad blood because of their choice. -do you think that would be acceptable to you and your mate?
What? Oh. Yes, of course. The absent-minded father responded, and tried to hide his slight confusion behind a smile. He hadn't really been listening to that last bit, oops. With a breathy sigh, Njal turned from the girl and stretched out his body. A brief interlude in the conversation during which he collected himself, and then looked to her with a tired expression upon his face. There was much to prepare for, and he couldn't spend all of his time wallowing... Even if he really wanted to.
I should be getting back to them. He commented in her direction, but his eyes had turned towards the bear-like monument settled between them. It was almost like he was addressing Kaskara and Lethe at once; apologizing to them both for his sudden desire to leave. Waiting for only a moment in case Kaskara had anything to add, the silver man turned in the direction of the children's den, and began to hike away.
Kaskara had a feeling that Njal wasn't really listening to her, but she didn't say anything. This was surely a confusing and tiring time for him, and any moment he could rest his brain was probably a welcomed one. When he agreed that she could visit, she smiled brightly, "Thank you. I hope to visit a few weeks to a month after you arrive, so you can settle in." She wasn't exactly sure of the timing, but that was as close as she could get.
"Of course, please give them my well wishes," she said, standing and nodding deeply to the father. He would soon be an alpha in his own right and she hoped he would be a good one. He seemed strong and kind, which was a combination many alphas lacked, and he already had the father mentality in hand. Now only time would tell. "I'll see you soon. Safe travels, Njal." She watched him walk away, but remained by the rock formation for a few minutes more. Then she picked herself up and went to find Bazi.