Wolf RPG

Two days. Two days they had been trapped in this cave. They were all getting hungry, he knew, but there was nothing to be done about it. It weighed heavily on his conscience all the same. And Lane—his heart ached at just the thought of her. He knew she would be beside herself with worry, and he hated to cause her more distress. But this way, they had more of a chance of getting home eventually. Hopefully. 

There had been no other option. The storm had gotten so bad that they could barely see their own feet below them. Tuulu knew this weather well, as did Kigipigak he was sure; it would be dangerous to continue traveling in it. 

They had been lucky to cross over the river before things got too bad, and even luckier to find the cave when it was clear they could go no farther. 

The Tatkret kept is post at the entrance, listening and waiting for the snow to melt enough that they could get out. This morning, the ground was wet when he woke. His heart started to race. I think it is finally melting, he told the group. He imagined the sun shining on them from the outside, attempting to free them; the thought filled him with hope. He thought of Lane again.

They were snowed in. For a group of adventurers who lived upon a glacier, this shouldn't have been a problem. As a species that could manage the dangers of winter - and were born to it - they should have managed. The storm progressed regardless, trapping them.

Kigipigak wanted to keep going. He did not like to wait. He knew that his wife would worry until he was returned. Still, it was not his decision.

The cave was not a place that gave Kigipigak any peace of mind. He stayed awake through each night keeping watch, listening to the wind bluster endlessly, and only turned his attention to the group when Tuuluuwaq spoke; but even then he was silent.

Forced into the recesses of the cave by the might of mother nature, the group of four had no choice but to wait out the storm. The blinding snow, the howling winds, the frigid temperatures... They were all not to be taken lightly. As a northerner, Keyni was well aware of the dangers such conditions posed to the unwary. Because of that same bloodline, she was all but built for the cold. 

Like Tuuluuwaq, she spent a considerable amount of time stationed by the mouth of the cave. Sitting, watching the storm pass by, waiting for a break. If she was weary or hungry, then it didn't show on her fine features. She remained composed as always, a silent sentinel. She always kept one ear turned to the youngest, Ensio. 

When Tuuluuwaq announced that the snow might be starting to melt, she glanced to the puddles on the wet floor of the cave. Calmly, she rose and poked her head outside, but did not emerge. The sun was shining through the broken clouds, which were still heavy and numerous. The wind was still strong. With that recipe the clouds that had brought the storm on them could be seen moving rapidly, away from them. "The clouds moving away quickly, to the east. Opposite of us." A good sign.

In contrast to the others, Ensio was growing impatient as the storm wore on. Forced to wait it out, he felt holed up here in this cave. He wanted to push on ahead, to make it back home to Duskfire. To Heda, Issorartuyok and Veteran. Everyone was probably worried about them.

When Tuuluuwaq and Keyni announced that it might be safe to leave, he wasted no time in getting to his feet. He pushed ahead to the entrance, stepping past Keyni and into the light. "Well then. What are we all waiting for? Let's get going." He didn't even glance at the sky or pay any attention to the depth of the snow, already moving ahead and out.

In all the times he had been near Kigipigak, Tuulu had never known him to be silent. He was frustrated, but the Tatkret understood; this was not an ideal situation at all, and it was delaying them from returning home to the ones who would be worrying about them.

He turned to Keyni when she spoke, offering her a nod. We have been blessed with good fortune today, he told her. He only hoped it continued. 

When Ensio's impatient words reached him he smiled. We must clear some of this snow first. Otherwise they couldn't get out. 

Tuuluuwaq stood on his hind legs and began to dig away at the top of the wall of snow. They only needed to clear away a little more.

A single ear turned back to Tuuluuwaq, followed by her head. "We have. Let us work diligently to clear a path out." She would put in only as much effort as needed, to make an opening through the snow just big enough for the four of them.

"Patience." She advised the young boy. "Once we are on the move, our progress will be much quicker." Knowing that the others would join in, she promptly began to dig away at the snow. Her paws scraped it out of the way. It was deep, and she grunted softly. She used the force of her body, mainly her chest, to scoot ahead inch by inch.

Given that they needed a way out, and that they had many bodies with which to cut through the snow, Kigipigak was not worried about how they would escape this situation. He was impatient, frustrated, and growing irate knowing that there was a threat somewhere in the wilds that could very well target any of them.

Thinking of these Ursus wolves seeking out one of Rivenwood's women, of course, brought to mind his own wife. They had no reason to be afraid and so Kigipigak refused that impulse; but he worried for her, for the family they hoped to build in the far future, and the decision to return to this region. Would it have been better to remain within Moonglow?

He did not speak. Instead he worked, digging alongside one adult or another, or changing position, diligently cutting through the wall of ice and snow that had built up. He would not let anything deter him.

He snorted softly, his impatience clear. "Let's get to it." He wedged his way in between the adults to get at the ice and snow that blocked their way out. He clawed and scraped with his paws, spreading it messily in a pile behind him. Hell, he even went so far as to use his muzzle to brush some away, or to try and chomp at the more stubborn bits. He wanted out, and fast. He was sick of being cooped up, when he had others to get back to.

So the four of them worked diligently to free themselves from their snow prison, all spurred on by the need to get home to their loved ones. 

It didn't take long with all of them working, and eventually they had made a dent large enough to get through.

Tuulu stepped back and looked to his friend. You go first, followed by Keyni and then Ensio, he instructed. I will be the last out to ensure everyone leaves safely. And Kigipigak and Keyni would be able to look out for Ensio on the other side while the Tatkret was still inside the cave.

The opening was enlarged, allowing more sunlight and crisp air to filter into the cave. It was big enough for them each to filter out, single file. When Tuuluuwaq gave the go ahead, Keyni backed off to the side to make way for Kigipigak. Once she was out, she'd be moving swiftly. Always keeping a watchful eye to the sky in case the weather turned again.

Given the order, Kigipigak nodded and moved for the opening that had been created. It wasn't long before he was free out the other side; then he waited for Keyni, and together the pair would ensure Ensio made it through without issue.

Between observing the boy and keeping an ear out for danger, Kigipigak tried to get a glimpse of the world outside of the snow-cave that they'd been trapped in earlier: it was a lot of white, but at least it wasn't falling around them any longer. The sky wasn't clear either, but they could make the best of a bad situation if they moved quickly.

He was the next out. Shooting a glance behind him at Tuuluuwaq, he crawled out into the open. Cold, breezy air hit him. Though overcast with thick gray clouds, he still squinted at the brightness of the light. It passed and his vison cleared with a shake of his head.

He looked around, shifting on his paws impatiently while waiting for someone else to take the lead home. They would soon be on the last leg of the journey. He would be happy to have it over with.

He lingered behind the young man Ensio as he crawled out of the hole just to make sure he didn't need assistance. As usual, he was perfectly capable of doing it himself. 

Tuulu emerged last and shook out his thick fur. Alright, the river is not far from here. We will camp there for the night, and then we will make it home tomorrow. The thought filled him with anticipation. He knew they all wanted to be back on the glacier. Lane filled his mind as she often did, and couldn't help the the spike of excitement in his chest. Soon they would all be home.

He looked over everyone and if they had nothing else to add, then he would start leading them to the river. 

The Tundrian nodded silently. She was more than ready to go, to follow Tuuluuwaq to the river where they would sleep for the night. Giving her fur a good shake to free it of any snow, she glanced back to check on the others. It was more out of her habit in being watchful, than anything else. Ensio had especially proved himself a capable young man on this tough journey. She set off then, trailing steadily behind Tuuluuwaq.

Without a word, Ensio rushed along in the midst of the group. He wasn't much looking forward to spending the night by the river, but he would not argue with Tuuluuwaq's decision. He knew what he was doing and he trusted him. Huffing, he could only think of how happy he'd be to be home.