She was tired.
And hungry.
Weak, slow. But her eyes held a brightness that warded off the crows and coyotes that tried to see if they could take her on.
Diminished, but not dead.
Talking to her son had breathed some air into her fire and Sacnite was full of steam.
She travelled to a forest she'd once known a pack to try and form in.
However, the scent here was different from the one before. This one was full of...life and flowers whilst the last was just...testosterone and depression. Rosings they were called.
She sniffed about the borders for a while longer, wondering if anyone was at home.
A lot had happened since Cenric returned to his family. Kingslend had relocated, new faces had joined the ranks, and there was a mysterious woman around their camp (he’d yet to know her reason). The Déorwines were at an all time high, and they were eager to find their god.
While his family
took a different route, he stayed on a straight path. He didn’t find an elk, but he did come across a sickly woman.
Are you ill?
he called from a distance. As a King, he couldn’t afford to catch anything.
A voice.
It called to her from the woods like a lullaby. A soft, deep rumble akin to a waterfall.
Her eyes lifted to those of autumn leaves, like the ones above now turning with the season, ready to tumble down on a slightly too strong gust of wind.
Her head canted, he ocean eyes studying the dark man.
"No," at least she was pretty sure she wasn't. "Just hungry."
Sacnite hadn't had much luck with food recently.
No caches lingered in these parts.
"Why?" Did she really look so awful?
He only believed her after she told him she was hungry. That could take a toll on any wolf, both physically and mentally.
You look as though the life has been sucked from your body.
Cenric didn’t get too close the the woman, but he did feel safe enough to take a few steps forward. But your soul remains.
There’s a light in her eye that kept her from looking completely dead. He stared into them for a moment before clearing his throat.
I am Cenric Deórwine. What shall I call you?
He approached, which was surprising really. She didn't expect that.
Unless he was about to smite her.
Sacnite took a step back, ready to flee. She no longer trusted everyone.
She laughed softly though, as if she weren't worried at all.
She couldn't take the comment to heart.
Her chin tilted up slightly as if proving again that he was right.
Beaten, but not broken.
"Ph- . Sacnite ArcaneSkye."
She stumbled over her name. Shit, would he think she was lying? Hopefully not because they were really both her names.
She just wanted Sacnite, not Phex.
Cenric was an observant man. Her stutter did not go unnoticed. He chose to ignore it for now.
She called herself Sacnite ArcaneSkye. What an interesting name.
It eluded to mystery. If there’s one thing the Deorwine enjoyed, it was finding the answers to them.
How long have you been alone?
He assumed she wasn’t tied to anyone, her scent was a sign.
She could see it in his eyes.
He cared about the stutter. Of course, he did, his first question was to ask if she was sick.
But maybe he was just cautious like her.
Ok. Stop shitting yourself lass.
"You can call me 'Nite, if it's easier."
The nickname had tumbled into her mind one day.
It suited her personality, she thought. And was easier, yes.
Cenric was a cute name, but she wasn't about to tell him that.
"Uh." Alone. Gosh, "A long time."
When was it Laroche had left her? When did Courtfall...fall?
I prefer using full names, but if you prefer Nite, then that’s what I’ll call you.
Nicknames we’re a strange concept to him. He was accustomed to being formal.
Cenric hummed and shook his head. That’s a shame. We are social creatures. Being alone goes against our nature.
He grew up surrounded by family. Being alone after the fire—though it was brief—was strange to say the least. He couldn’t imagine how Sacnite must feel.
You said you were hungry? Please, let me bring you to my cousin. He’s one of the best hunters I know. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind getting food for you.
She’d be seen as blessed in the eyes of Calhoun, unlike the other outsiders.
She didn't mind. Being called Sacnite again would be weird enough.
He seemed kind enough. Compassionate. She liked that.
He spoke about how being alone and stuff was blah blah blah.
She zoned out, looking at the forest around them.
She zoned back in on nature, trying not to look too perplexed. She got the just of his words and offered a nod. Yeah, alone and nature. Shit, she should really get better at being attentive.
But food. Yeah, she could focus on that pretty easily. When did she last eat? Not for a few days at least.
"You're very kind," she smiled sweetly. She would be sure to show gratitude to this cousin of his too. Maybe he could teach her too. Gwen never had much time...and Laroche was too weak...
Valour seemed to know though, and she was glad for him.
Her tail waved softly, hoping to show her appreciation.
bit of pp. lmk if you want me to edit!
She seemed grateful for the offer.
Always happy to help,
he smiled before turning around and heading back towards his family’s trail. He assumed Sacnite would follow him.
His name is Calhoun. He should be with my sister, Célnes. We came here to search for elk.
Maybe the High Elk would grace them with a sign today.
He looked over his shoulder.
I must ask, why were you alone for so long?
He turned, and she started forwards after him, falling into step beside him.
She liked his smile, if she were human it may remind her of a beautiful spring day in a city, sitting in a small cafe with sunlight dazzling through the window and she sipped a mocha and read a book.
But as a wolf, it reminded her just of the spring day.
Fresh, and promising warmth.
Calhoun and Célnes. She hoped she'd remember how to say those names so she could thank them personally too. Kindness was not held by one.
But elk? For what? Her head tilted to him, thinking. Had she seen elk here before?
"I think you're in the right place. I used to live nearby."
She wasn't sure what elk looked like but was pretty sure they looked like big deer, and Gwen said there were some of them around, so yeah. They'd find some elk.
"Why?"
Did they want to hunt them? Probably.
He asked after her loneliness. Her eyes drew away from him, not wanting to see him look too closely. But could she really tell him? Yeah...
"I lost my pack when they fought with each other, I lost my husband, and then I lost my children." She'd run out of tears a long time ago. Her heart ached for them all yes, but at least Valour was safe.
Nite looked back at him, wondering of his reaction.
Really?
It seemed like a lot of wolves chose to reside here, both in the past and present. He’d have to ask her about it at a later time. The subject had changed quickly.
The elk are sacred to us.
That was the quickest, simplest way he could put it. We live where they graze.
At first Cenric believed he’d never get an answer. She turned her eyes from him. He opened his mouth to apologize, but shut it as she listed her losses. Terrible tragedies.
Cenric stopped to bow his head. My condolences. I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like.
It sounds like you’re in need of a fresh start, yes? My family and I are kind folks. We’d be happy to have you.
She only nodded in confirmation so he could answer her question.
She hoped they didn't want to kill the elk, they seemed majestic. But her worries were soon chased away.
Sacred meant that it shouldn't be hurt, right. Right?
She smiled to him before she had continued.
He offered he his condolences, and she murmured a quiet "Thank you." She wasn't going to start breaking now.
She'd done that too many times over already.
"Would you really?" Her head lifted, surprise evident in her voice. She didn't think she'd find another pack without any real skills.
Of course, just do what you can to contribute to Kingslend, and you’ll be welcome.
Hunts, patrols, all the tasks one would normally do for a pack. Perhaps she’d be interested in adopting their religion. There would be many wolves willing to teach her. Would you like that?
Anything she could.
Well, she could help them find the elk if they needed her, and she could do cool things like helping them with plants and bugs!
Her tail wagged harder now, excited for this new life he promised.
"I would love it," she beamed, trying to restrain the urge to hug him.
He didn't seem like the type to take to it, so she held herself together.
Good.
A smile crossed his face again. We’ll get you fed and rested. You’ll regain your strength in no time.
Cenric continued to walk along the trail that his family left. This way. They shouldn’t be too far.