Lane, if needed it can be forward dated or backwards! Forgot to mention that, mb
The man whispered to @Imaq in their den he wwould return before midday, the early morning sun peaked out from the horizon to illuminate his journey as he set out towards the neighboring lands. His gait was fast, brimming with purpose as he sought to know what neighbors jutted against their boarders. Initially, he was pleased, scenting nothing from the basin, plateau or the bog nearby but he had one dreaded place to search. The cedar forest, its scenery familiar through pleasant and unpleasant memories, Rye proceeded with cation. His soot nose lead the way, drenching itself with every scent available until one brought him to a grinding halt. Another wolf. Hackles rose in a thin line down his spine, his tail hiking itself into a rigid posture. Despite the anxiety swelling in his belly, Rye pushed forward, desperate to know if what he smelled was nothing more than a passerby, but as he pushed deeper into the woods the acrid smell of boarder markings engulfed his nostrils. They flared, the father propelled the scent from his nose with steam furling from his muzzle. His family was not safe, his pack was not safe. The wolves Rye suspected to be taking residency were aggressive, intrusive beings. War would be inevitable.
As the epsilon began walking back to his pack, Towhee surfaced to the forefront of his thoughts, taking up space with her generous offer. If his family were to move again would her pack welcome them with open arms? Would the journey be too harsh on Imaq and Liak? How long should he wait if they were to move so his family could recoup from their travels? The man embraced his concerns, knowing they were all worthy of intense consideration and deliberation. He needed a friend to talk to, @Lane came to mind, although he was still in the cedar forest, Rye let loose a call to her. Asking for her to meet him half way. The father hadn't forgotten his gripes with the alpha, it was still on the docket list but his families safety came before anything. The epsilon quickened his pace into a trot, his hackles and tail stubbornly stuck in place even as he loped towards the safety of his pack.
Rye's voice rose over the mountain, and Lane responded quickly. Of course she would meet him halfway! Without a care in the world, she pushed through the Cedarwoods with far less caution than Rye. To her knowledge, Atautsikut was alone out here in the Hinterlands.
"Rye!" Lane greeeted him when he came into view. Her tail swung cheerily. "How are Imaq and Sikuliak?" The journey would have been harder on them, of course, and Lane would not be surprised if they were still laying low and recovering. Lane imagined that their little family was over the moon to finally be together and safe, and finally settled.
The father did not carry himself in the same manner as Lane, his body emanated a serious nature. Tensed muscles, tightened jaw and a sedated expression. "They are recovering as expected." He stated flatly. Anger subtly seethed beneath his skin, poking and prodding the brutish bear that rested within the father. Anger at the situation his family was now in, a situation the epsilon had made worse only weeks ago. They, along with his pack, was in danger, the mans ties to Nyra were wrought with repugnancy and disdain. Although Rye was not for certain it was she who took claim there once again, the father was not happy to stick around and find out.
.
"I have news, a pack has marked the grove nearby, a year ago I encountered wolves that similarly laid claim to the land and they left me with a reminder." Rye turned to reveal a jagged, pastel scar ripping across his shoulder. Images of his family baring the same scar spit flames into his core, the fathers tail twitched in agitation, lips unveiling his array of teeth for but a fraction of a moment before the man reeled himself back in.
.
"My family means more to me than this pack Lane." He said harshly, a gruff tone. The epsilons anger slipped through into his personal issues with the alpha, and Rye did little to keep his tone in check.
"You've been a good friend to me but if these wolves are who I think they are, I will not hesitate to take my family far away from here." He paused a moment to let his words sink in before continuing.
"The way I see it, we have two options, option one we move the pack again or option two we stay and risk a war. I won't stay for war Lane, I'm sorry but I won't deprive my child of a father." It was a matter of fact, he was prepared to part ways if it came down to it.
OOC: Sneaking in here. <3
It had been some time since Ensio had seen Rye last. The man was largely unfamiliar to him, his only memories being from when he was a young pup. He was older now. More aware, more attuned to his surroundings and the inner workings of the pack. When he heard voices, belonging to Rye and Lane, he slowly edged closer.
Only when he heard what it was Rye was talking about, did he emerge to stand quietly next to the man. The Duskfire also looked serious, eyes fixed on his alpha. When he had the chance to speak, he took it. "I can confirm what he says, Lane. Not long ago, while Tuuluuwaq and I were on patrol, we scented many wolves close by." His icy eyes narrowed. "Too close. I don't know who they are, but you Rye, seem to have your suspicions." He bowed his head to him. "I am glad you brought this to her attention now." He said, displaying a great deal of maturity.
Rye was absolutely not having it with the pleasantries: that much was made glaringly obvious by his word choice and demeanor, despite the fact that Lane had never been fantastic at reading people. The smile fell away from Lane's face. She and Rye hadn't talked much recently, but she could tell that she had missed something big with him. She had dropped the ball once more. It seemed that dropping balls would be her legacy as alpha.
Rye launched into a story, and Lane tried her best to follow. She winced sympathetically when he gestured to the scar. It looked like a nasty one.
Rye's narrative took a sharp turn, and he hit a lot of huge pieces all at once: his family, their friendship, moving, war, his own inevitable death... Lane's head was spinning. She could see exactly why Rye was all worked up. These concerns were heavy; Lane's heart was beating faster at the mere mention.
Somewhere along the way, Ensio materialized. He corroborated Rye's claims about the nearby pack. Lane nodded at the boy approvingly before turning to address Rye.
"Okay, let's just... take these things one at a time." She breathed in deeply, and hopefully Rye would do the same. They needed to think rationally here.
"There's a pack that's claimed a nearby grove. You were attacked by a pack there last year, but we're not sure it's the same people. We didn't know who those people were then, and we don't know who these people are now." Lane paused for confirmation. Frankly, if Rye was tromping around in their grove, Lane wasn't sure she blamed the strangers for attacking. Wasn't that just normal wolf behavior? Why on earth did Rye seem to think that war was inevitable? That was some massive jumping to conclusions.
"Look, Rye, I'm not asking you to fight a war. Atautsikut has actually already been invited to a war-- the one between Rivenwood and Ursus-- and I plan to decline. That's because I will never ask any of our wolves to risk their lives. Never." Never again, more accurately, but anyways...
"Your family is the most important thing. I get it. My kids are the most important thing to me, too." She shrugged. If that made her a shitty alpha, she just didn't care. She was like Rye: her family came first. "Honestly Rye, you sound like you already have a foot out the door." He sounded like he was building a case to leave. Lane wouldn't dream of stopping him, if that was was truly what he wanted. But she did want to take a stab at fixing this for him, if he would let her.
"Will you do something for me? Before you make any big decisions, will you give me a chance to talk to these wolves? To figure out who they are, what they want, and if there's a chance at living peacefully?" She fell quiet, her hopeful gaze set on Rye.
Rye paid no mind to Ensio, not out of disrespect, but out of sheer focus on their alpha, although hearing the boy corroborate his story made the father feel more justified. The man breathed deeply with Lane, under the control of monkey see, monkey do; quickly after, settling to his haunches. His wrath was now waterlogged, the once raging fire was diminished to sizzling embers. The father listened to his alphas counter case, a scrutinizing edge to his gaze as she talked. Too many details had been omitted from the mans testimony, the scar was not enough to enunciate how dire things could be, and as selfish as it was, Rye would keep it that way. Too prideful to admit his mistake, it was done in haste after all, he had been made a fool.
Lane gave Rye confidence she would prevent war, citing she had already declined one to back up her word, the epsilon wanted to counter argue that it may not be a matter of choice but he bit his tongue. She let him stand on his soap box, now she had that right. The mans alpha requested a favor, to wait and see if peace was an option, the idea of waiting twisted his guts. His instincts blared at him to get out while he still could, they screamed in his ear but having respect for his long time friend, and alpha, complicated things. The father was at a cross roads, Lane wasn't wrong, his foot was out the door and primed to take the step but giving the benefit of the doubt may prove fruitful.
Rye sighed, casting his gaze to the ground for a moment before lifting it back to Lane. "Although I do not have faith in the peace making option, I will put my faith in you, Lane. I cannot recall a time you have lead me astray." He admitted, sounding almost hopeful. "In return, I must ask a favor." He prepared his words carefully, not comfortable with the idea of letting his true intentions be known. "I need to speak with a friend across the mountains, inform them my family has been found, the trip will not be longer then." He paused, contemplating on the amount of days he needed, coming to a swift conclusion. "A week, yes a week should suffice. Likely sooner, I don't plan on visiting long. I need you to take care of my family, look after them, check in on them day by day. Please." He still needed to address everything else Lane said but in truth, he was lost, his inner turmoils had not yet produced a victor. "Before you respond, I need you to know that I understand you're in a shi-" Rye eyed Ensio. "Er, crappy spot and I don't mean to cause undue strife in your life but as you said, family is important." He paused to sigh. "I just can't risk losing them again." There were still loads he didn't address but Rye wanted to focus on what he had ready in his mind, to hell with everything else, for now.
Sakari picked her way carefully through the Cedar Sweep. She had overheard the packwolves howling to locate one another, and she made her way to the rendezvous point herself in order to deliver her message. It would save her some time, not to have to go all the way to the pack's border. When she heard their voices drifting through the trees ahead, she woofed to signal her approach.
When she stood before those gathered, she purred her greeting, "Hello, neighbors." Her golden gaze shifting down the row of faces, studying each in turn. "I come with a message. Your leaders are invited to the Strath to meet with Fury, the leader of the Saints." She directed a small, coy smile to the youngest, knowing her womanly charms worked all the better the younger the man.
Having said all that he deemed necessary for now, the glacial boy reclined back on his haunches. He was a far cry from the un-hinged, temperamental boy he had been long ago. He retained his calm, though the glint in his eye told of his un-happiness of the discovery. He was trying not to jump to conclusions. To give these wolves a chance as possible allies before making assumptions.
He listened to the conversation exchanged between Lane and Rye. Focused on their words, honed in on where each wolf was coming from. Both of their reasoning was justified, but he did feel that Rye might be too quick in jumping the gun. But he couldn't really blame him.
Just then, a woof from the borders sounded. He turned, recognizing it as a voice he did not know. The pitch black female was a total stranger. Most definitely not one of their own. Although she had not crossed the border, there was something about her demeanor that just didn't quite sit right with Ensio, the moment she spoke. Begrudgingly, he reminded himself to reserve judgement. His hackles prickled slightly, defensively. Unmoved by her coy smile, he drew himself up tall, shoulders squared, tail stiff above his hips. "The Saints. So, it is your group who has settled just a stones throw away." He murmured, his voice yielding neither disdain nor a warm welcome.
"Yes, of course," Lane promised to look after Imaq and Sikuliak while Rye was away. Both his wife and child were quite self-sufficient, Lane was coming to see, but she knew that the promise would reassure Rye.
Rye couldn't risk losing his family again.
"I understand," Lane assured him. She would never hold a grudge about a member doing what they felt was best for themselves and their family, even if that meant they had to leave. Departures always held the possibility of paving a new beginnings, as she had seen with Meerkat's move to Sapphique and the budding friendship between the two packs.
"If you do decide to stay, I would like you and @Imaq to be our Gamma pair," Lane noted, wondering if that might do anything to sweeten the pot.
"Moving forward, you'll have a say in the decisions made for Atautsikut. You'll be in a better position to shape the pack according to your family's needs, and--"
Lane's offer was cut short as the strange woman arrived. The alpha's ruff rose immediately, and then settled as she recalled that they were technically on unclaimed ground.
Well. How strangely convenient. This woman seemed to be a messenger for the very group that had Rye and Ensio so concerned. Ensio spoke up first with a question, and Lane simply looked to Rye. She wasn't sure if she was ready to admit that she was the leader in question, and she was content to allow Rye and Ensio to do the interrogating. They seemed to know the most about the strangers in the Strath, after all.
Can skip unless addressed, just so no one has to wait on me again! Sorry for that wait btw.
Lanes bet to sweeten the deal with a promotion not only for Rye but the mans wife as well, did cause him to quickly reconsider. To have more sway in the packs decisions meant a great deal to him, he sat in the back seat far too long and he thought it was high time he step up. His tenure as a founding member had to have some sort of pay off, if Gamma was what he got out of it, then he'd honor it.
Before Lane could finish her sentence it was interrupted by a female coming from the forest behind them. Rye turned to face the woman, his hackles perched on his skin. The man questioned if she had followed or simply heard the howl, both were plausible but still, her sudden appearance left a sour thought in his mind. He settled down, scrutinizing her body language and words. Rye found her words to be poisonous, lathered in honey to hide the bitter taste but what could he do? He gave Lane his word to trust her but none of that would stop his instincts from blaring their warnings. For now, he let Ensio speak. After all if he did speak, nothing kind would come out.
The Atautsikut woman silenced herself quickly when Sakari made herself known. She did not speak again, which was curious given tone of authority with which she had been speaking in the moment prior. She did not identify herself as a person of authority, but Sakari knew a woman in charge when she saw one. It was one of this things that had drawn her to Fury.
Her gaze lingered upon the Atautsikut woman before she reluctantly shifted it to the boy who spoke to her. She simpered sweetly, focusing the entirety of her attention on the young man. "If you can throw a stone all the way to the Strath, I should like to see that.." she purred sincerely, layering on all the seductive charm she possessed.
Skipping Ensio for now, since he's inactive. This can be the last for Lane. I want to get in one more Sakari post for her scout trade, so I'll wrap the thread with Sakari's next post.
Lane's eyes narrowed as the Saint focused her attention on Ensio. Bold of her, to flirt so unabashedly with a boy who was far too young for her, right under the noses of two watchful guardians.
Of course, Ensio was fully grown now, and be that as it may, Lane couldn't help but continue to see him as the child he had been mere moons ago. A child she had nurtured and tended, and carefully and intentionally poured her efforts into his maturation. Her ruff rose, and she shared a dark look with
@Rye.
"All of Atautsikut's stones will remain within our borders, on the mountain," she cut in, speaking firmly. There was a steely glint in her amber eyes that would speak volumes, indicating to both Ensio and the messenger that she was not truly speaking about Atautsikut's
stones persay, but rather their
wolves-- their
young wolves, in particular. This woman would have to get her rocks off elsewhere, so to speak.
"Let Fury know that she may expect our leadership to call on her in the coming moon," she assured the messenger, redirecting the woman's attention back onto herself almost forcefully with a dominant step forward.
"Come with me, Ensio. I need to speak to you about an important matter," she spoke again, ushering the boy away from the seductress. Lane's gaze landed on Rye once more.
"I'll trust you to see our company back to the Strath?" Lane asked
@Rye pointedly. Someone needed to make sure this woman made it back to where she belonged, and as a married man with far more years under his belt, Rye was a decidedly better choice than Ensio for such a task.
When all was settled, Lane would lead Ensio away, and once they were out of earshot, she would begin with him
an important discussion about his future.
He regretted not taking more of a speaking role to shield Ensio from the dishonorable woman, her charms wouldn't work on him but before Rye could speak up Lane jumped in before him. He listened, silently cheering for Lanes sharp correction of the woman's words. The epsilon glared at the woman, once soft golden eyes now hardened in the face of a seductress, her every twitch and glance not without scrutiny.
Lane ushered Ensio away from the woman and asked Rye to escort the woman back to her home, the epsilon dutifully nodded. "I shall. I'm sure she has a family waiting for her quick return, I know my wife is waiting for mine." He aimed his words directly at the woman, eyes as sharp as obsidian as he said them. He wouldn't play her games, she wasn't going to undo his mistrust of her with a few empty words. Rye waited for a moment for her to lead the way before following a wolf length away at her side.
The Duskfire youth was unmoved by the honey coated words of the dark female. If anything, he was more inclined than ever to send her packing, back to her own territory. His severe face remained impassive, shards of distrust deep in his eyes. He had little time or patience for whatever game she was trying to play.
Thankfully, Lane stepped in before he could get in another word. She dismissed their guest, sending her back the way she came. He was impressed with how his Alpha handled it, all without hostility but not exactly open arms either. Best to keep these mystery wolves at a safe arms length until they knew more.
Silently, he nodded to Lane. He turned and went on ahead. He did not stray far until she could catch up, and after he had heard Rye escorting the dark wolf further away. He was all ears now for Lane, open to what she had to discuss.