The two traveled.
Slowly, of course.
Nyra especially limped through the terrain at a sluggish pace, pushing herself to go faster than her body wanted to, given the circumstances.
Their arrival was mid-evening, cast in a vibrantly colored sunset.
Nyra halted at a respectable distance to the borders and tried to let out a howl for the Moonglow , whoever would answer. Her call was strained by bodily exhaustion, wounds angry.
She and Xynos had covered all their trail-paths to the Spine well enough. By whatever gods existed, she hoped it would be more than enough.
With head hung low, Nyra waited with Xynos for an audience.
Kigipigak was doing a routine patrol when the stench of blood crept along the edge of the village, and when he strode from the dark of the forest to investigate, he was hit by the brunt of it. That and the sight of two wolves: one black, one
red so far as he could tell, caked in dried blood and looking almost as badly as he had himself, after facing the cat.
Caution was not something Kigipigak often employed but he saw fit to be careful now. He was slow to approach — slow enough that the wolves had time to raise a call for help of their own volition.
When he came striding to where they rested Kigipigak looked to the mangled body of the woman, not immediately recognizing her for the fighter he had once sparred with, and then to the dark shape flanking them, who looked tired and sore after a great deal of travel, or so Kigipigak suspected.
This is the village of Moonglow,
he introduced of the space, his tone wary, while he looked over each of them. Had they come for help? It was not something Kigipigak could give them himself, he was not a person with great power here.
It was clear by looking at them however, that they needed aid and quickly. He did not bother to ask, and instead sent a smaller call across the spine, a quick boom of a sound, calling for
@Aiolos, as he was the first that came to mind.
Mother was gone.
Vairë didn’t know what to do with that information. The fawn had taken instead to shadowing various members of the village wherever they went. Today, it was Kigipigak.
The scent of blood made her press her lips together. It didn’t smell good, that was for sure. So when the two wolves who smelled of it appeared to her slowly changing eyes, she slowed to a stop beside the larger shape of the man, pressing her smaller body to his back ankle.
Who’re they?
She whispered, barely able to be heard.
Eventually, they made it, pausing a few lengths from the border marked by this of Moonglow.
Xynos had been prepared to make the call himself, given his voice would likely be stronger than that of his companion. She had beat him to it. It was a strained call, as he'd assumed, but it should have been enough.
Satisfied, regardless, the man sat close by her flank in the event that she would need some support to fall in.
Then in silence he would wait.
Soon enough a man showed, as did a child. It was evident enough then that Nyra's howl had been sufficient enough to draw some form of attention.
He did not stand to greet the stranger. Instead, he remained where he was and offered a simple nod of acknowledgement.
Xynos did not yet speak, either. A second beckon was made, likely to that who had claimed the crown of these lands. Introductions would be made then, considering it did seem a bit more formal.
The shadowed man was cautious; tense, and it showed. His shoulders were stiff; his snout inclined slightly, but his posture at attention. He would be prepared for any violence that may occur. It was his nature, after all... though, now it was toned more to instinct given the recent events.
A weary howl called out and echoed off the encircled mountains which marked the borders of Moonglow. It was from a voice Aiolos had heard before, one which had been previously of desperation. Then Kigi's voice, beckoning him further.. His hackles began to rise and an anxious tension came over him. He did not want to go but with Kukutux far off to their allies, he hadn't much choice in the manner.
The sun man comes way with a swift trot, slowing only as he drew nearer to those gathered. Aiolos comes to stand at their guard and Vairë side, to look upon the tense black wolf and who he stood close to- Nyra, horribly injured. Wearing blood, there's or others, was a common occurrence for The Saints.
You've returned...
Aiolos speaks, attention directing to Nyra, for he had never seen the other wolf before now. Have The Saints found war again?
His words are open ended, inviting her to explain herself.
Nyra and Xynos are first met by Kigipigak and a child.
She recognized the male from their spar in the Flatlands.
But he didn't seem to recognize her.
Nyra supposed it wasn't his fault. After all, she had new scars, new wounds that WOULD scar, and was covered in blood.
She began to speak when the stronger call went up.
And then Aiolos came.
To his words, she slanted her ears back and let out a deep sigh.
"One we couldn't win without dying. We...are no longer Saints. The Saints are no more." Nyra began, lowering her head further to acknowledge his authority.
"We come seeking membership within Moonglow. I know the Saints and especially myself have...done bad, horrid things. But I want to do better. I want to be better. To wield a good, an honorable blade instead of the one I've been using." She expressed with honesty.
Briefly, very briefly, she met Aiolos' gaze and looked away, further expressing submission.
"I will gladly serve you and Moonglow, if you find it within yourself to accept us." She breathed.
She's didn't know what to expect.
What would come of this?
Meanwhile, her tail tucked closer to her inner thighs.
Apologies for being slow!
When Aiolos came there was a tension carried upon his shoulders. Kigipigak thought it odd, but he did not know these people, and he did not know Aiolos on a great or deep level either; he was only a guard in this moment.
But he spoke of the Saints; he mentioned to the injured, blood-soaked wolf something about
returning, and when the woman responded Kigipigak finally clued in to who this was. The warrior from before who had sparred with him — back again, and in a terrible state.
The blood made him nervous. Kigipigak took another deep breath to steady himself and only realized after, he was checking for the scent of cat.
Kigipigak could say nothing; he only stood there in silent obeisance to his village leader.
This is set AFTER my thread with Nyra. With permission from both Nyra and Xynos, so War is joining (a little late). Apologies the timelines are wonky.
War didn't know how to handle emotions too well, not even the happy kind. Nyra had embraced her love, returned it? War was so confused, yet so happy. She had followed Nyra from afar, waited for Xynos to walk Nyra across the land and War trailed behind to make sure they were not followed. She knew others were looking for them, Nyra was a wanted woman, and they were not safe anywhere yet. War was careful now, she had to be, this was the life she had chosen, because she had chosen Nyra.
She left everything else behind and soon enough she joined Nyra and Xynos, to find they had already been greeted. War stepped up next to Nyra, not liking the way she submitted to these people, but War had to remind herself they came here in exile, looking for help. It wasn't good for them to be making demands. War looked at Nyra and leaned against her, licked her forehead to clean her from blood. She didn't like this.
Her stone grey eyes looked at the individuals there, warning in her eyes. She would defend Nyra to the death if she had to, if they choose to chase them away she would simply follow Nyra to lead her to a different place where they could rest, heal. War kept her eyes onto those in front of them, but an ear was pointed to the way they had come to ensure no one would sneak up on them either. She was cautious.
Nyra spoke to what War could only assume was the alpha, she spoke of the blade she had wielded and War stayed silent. She had never seen ill intend on Nyra before, she didn't know what she spoke of and neither did it matter anymore. The past did not dim the feelings War had in the present, which was all that mattered to her. To War, Nyra was her queen.
Permission to skip this round by everyone (I hope and think!).
Her ears fell, the large woman sighing. She and Kynareth were two of the largest wolves (or half breed in Kyn's case) Aiolos had ever seen. It had been revealed however that finally they had met their maker.
The Saints of the Dying Light were no more.
Nyra's head lowers and she goes on, hoping to find a place for her and her companion within Moonglow. She was smart to come here for it seemed news had already spread of their openness, their willingness to give everyone a chance within their tribe. Nyra spoke of being honorable, to change her more bezerker ways into Aiolos own knightly. She looks to him directly but briefly, only to toss her gaze down and away. His jaw tightens, unwilling to think she would ever hold the right to consider herself someone of such caliber. Alas, however, she was a
woman and as Aiolos so knows, women were capable of changing and adapting to anything far better then any male he had ever known.
Then, another. The defensive manner in which she came to stand next to Nyra, the
warning in her gaze as she looked to Moonglow's wolves, on
their doorstep only further brought tension to Aiolos, who's hackles rose upon the newest arrival. Aiolos side steps, closer to Kigipigak and in this forming a large shield before the newcomers and his adopted daughter.
And where were the rest? Where was Alduin? The child had found sanctuary within Moonglow, only to be murdered during war? But one of the more important questions was...
And what of Kynareth?
It was an obvious question. Aiolos didn't want her former lord to come sniffing her out and causing trouble for his people. For all he knew, housing them would already cause trouble enough.
As War came to her side, Nyra caught the tension from Aiolos upon seeing the russet female.
Gently, the fallen queen nudged War as if expressing a silent sentiment that everything was okay, and to ease up.
Her golden gaze went to Aiolos again with apology, only to catch his question.
What about Kynareth?
A deep hurt slashed itself through Nyra visibly at the mention of her ex-co-leader, and with this hurt in her voice, she spoke again. There wasn't really room to pass over details. Aiolos needed everything up front, or so Nyra believed.
"Kynareth abandoned us with his mate and pups before the war. Came back long enough to find me and together kill the queen of Ursus before leaving again for me to deal with the aftermath."
She fought the breaking in her tone as she continued.
"As far as I know, Alduin was never found. But Kynareth took off with his mate and two remaining kids before I could ask if there was any success in finding him."
Her gaze held murder for a moment, but it wasn't aimed at Aiolos or his packmates. A submissive lick of her lips in apology, to show she still meant no threat here.
All others are silent for the time being as leader and former leader converse. Keeping her two followers in line, Nyra's painful expression was not hidden at the mention of Kynareth, she co-leading at his side, last he knew. Aiolos wondered if the wolf had perished and would have been happy for the news despite Nyra's feelings. He had been an enemy of Yuelong. He had been an enemy of many.
Nyra began to weave the tale and kindly, was not vague of it. Aiolos wanted to know everything, perhaps later Nyra would be willing to tell her more of the prior workings of the Saints should it come back round and no one was blind-sided. If she and her crew were to start fresh and wield this 'honorable blade', he'd need to know the truth, all of it.
Hearing Kynareth had left the pack with his new budding family was strange to Aiolos, who felt the stripped halfbreed held such pride in what he had created. Together they had taken on Ursus, a pack which Aiolos honestly knew little to nothing about, including its relocation not very far off at all...
Her rage in the abandonment she had been given shown in her features, showed that Kynareth was as much an enemy to her now as he was to Aiolos. The Greek still had his doubts, wondering if he were to return, would Nyra return to him. Even after the Saints leader had left them to fend for themselves? After the disbanding it had caused and nearly the death of herself and her followers? Who knew...
Aiolos gives a sharp nod of his creamy chin as she ends her story only to tip it up and to the side, with much thought now.
Moonglow is not the type of pack to turn others away, especially those wishing to amend and start over- be better.
He speaks and lowers his head from its upward in thought, to meet Nyra's attention again. Would she given him the same kindness in the past?
You've my wife to thank for that.
Most certainly not him, for though Kukutux may not have turned them away, Aiolos would have rather done so and it showed in the expression of his face. Just because the Saints had finally fallen, does not mean that they had changed their face. That was yet to be proven.
You all may stay.
He decided then, sweeping his gaze between the three of them before landing to their battered matriarch.
@Sialuk can tend to your wounds. Kigipigak,
he turns to the northerner,
Would you seek her out?
He side steps, ready to leave already. He realizes he does not know the names of those who were new to his lands savor Nyra. He pauses, leaving room for introduction as he looks to them. If not given, he does not bother to ask, certain he would find out the information sooner or later. All of Moonglow would have eyes on them.
I'd keep to the outskirts of the territory nearest our mountains until any of you can prove yourselves to be trusted.
And with this, unless addressed further, he begins to leave.
Nyra waits as Aiolos thinks, and though his face shows disapproval and distrust, eventually...
He grants them stay.
Relief swam in Nyra for a brief moment, and then she considered if Ursus would find her here.
She hoped to either have Moonglow's protection by then, or be gone with War by then.
Nyra murmured a grateful "Thank you." And began to limp across the border, offering a brief nuzzle to War's cheek before she went.
Looking to Xynos, Nyra offered a silent show of thanks as well, for he had helped her get this far.
With a slow exhale, the fallen one began to trek through the mountain terrain. Where she didn't know exactly where everyone denned and where to avoid, she would go up the side of the mountain some distance and try to find some sort of old den or overhang or something away from the pack.
She trusted War would likely den with her.
Xynos, she wasn't sure where he'd pick.