<3!
plans made with good intentions had led wintersbane to face the fact that they were unlikely.
with the disappearance of his beta — months ago now — to the insistent growing of the children of duskfire glacier has left wintersbane duty bound to his claim. unfortunate that he could not spare the time to visit those of whom he counted among friends and trusted allies. something always seemed to pull him back and remind him that he couldn't just
take off.
luckily, he does not have to let the guilt of idle kept promises nibble at him for mahler's call rises over the tide of the glacier's treeline and wintersbane is quick to intercept.
mahler,
the tundrian rumbles the
graf's name in greeting; tail wagging with amicable joy. glad to see the gargoyle of rivenwood.
Despite how smoothly life was going for her in Duskfire, recent days found Tzila rattled. It seemed her past had come back to haunt her in the form of Astaroth. Give or take a year later, after he left. Temporarily, he said. And now, now, when she had gotten over all her heartache, loss and bitterness, he dared to show himself again. Before a new version of herself. A better version. Reborn into the woman she had always wanted to be. She had a husband, not a non-committal. She had a family. Three new children. A new pack and a new role.
Clenching her teeth at the thought, she would not let these unexpected turn of events pull her down now. The negativity was behind her. That chapter of her life was over. All she demanded now of Astaroth was an explanation. Insisted that he knew of the damage that had been done. It was not so much about her or him, but that Sotiris was out there somewhere, hopefully alive.
A call came from the borders. A friendly one. Finally, something else she could focus on. She still led alongside Wintersbane, the job keeping her on her toes. Her mate had his paws full enough as it is, between managing the pack and the pups. A smoothly functioning partnership was one where both parties shared the duties equally. With Meerkat around, being a capable young wolf, she could rest easy in knowing the children would be looked after and entertained while she was away.
Upon her arrival, Wintersbane was already there, conversing with a dark man she had never seen before. But he smelled of a pack, and their mannerisms were nothing short of friendly. So then, he must be from their allies, in Rivenwood. Could this be Mahler, who she had heard about? Approaching quietly by her co-leads side, she left them room to finish their sentences. Silvered eyes glinted with a warm shine, a slight smile curving at the line of her lips. She had assumed correctly, hearing the name slip from Wintersbane's mouth. Dipping her head. "Mahler. So good to finally meet you at last. I am Tzila, partner to Wintersbane and one of the Glacier's guardians."
tags for reference! <3
given my penchant for collecting scars i like to think there is no such thing as too many medics.
the tundrian grins; with a laugh rumbling in his chest. in truth, the medics all found their way to him but perhaps it is cosmic intervention that draws them to duskfire glacier; some secretive, subtle voice that assures them their talents will not go to waste with the scarred king that leads them.
worripa, a grim switch from the previous teasing topic.
@Meerkat filled me in. i have my wolves keeping a keen eye out for him during their patrols and hunts outside our claim.
it does not feel like enough; far from it, in fact ...but if the runaway didn't want to be found he'd do his best to avoid others. this, wintersbane knew from first hand experience.
he spent much of his own cubhood fleeing and causing trouble.
i will take a couple days and search for him a bit more extensively. i know a thing or two about being a runaway.
a twitch of his lips is given ...and though he hopes his experience might help he does not give mahler false promises.
wintersbane is mid-debrief when tzila appears at his side; his words falling away as she gives her greeting.
tzila, mahler is graf of rivenwood and my brother,
not by blood but by bond despite that their initial path could've been very rocky given shared affection for his late wife andraste.
we used to lead together, once upon a time.
if wintersbane had told her about it, he does not immediately call it to mind and figures that re-telling something never hurt besides.