The news
@Phox returned with had come as a surprise to Fig. While he didn't want to be parted from his parents quite this soon, he knew he wasn't ready to see his sister just yet. And so, he'd bid them farewell for now with the promise to visit in the next few weeks. Until then, Fig was on the road again.
He'd never spent all that much time in the Valley to the East before, and so he was interested to wander the hills and plains and forests it had to offer. The grove he wandered through now was the most unexpected of all his discoveries thus far, though. The ferns that covered the ground here made it feel as though he were transported to a different land in a different time. It was peaceful here in a way that felt good for his soul.
Fig found a nice patch of earth between the ferns to settle down onto his haunches. He shut his eyes then and began to breathe deep and slow, taking a moment to simply exist.
Kel was determined to stay close to home this time, traveling again in search of herbs for
@Faun. He wasn't looking for anything exotic now, though. Just a quick run to replenish what she was using on the Kvarsheim boy. He was nosing through the ferns with great determination when he hit upon the scent of another nearby.
Wary now, he followed it. There was some kind of conflict going on in the valley, and this stranger was close enough to Riverclan to warrant investigation. The dark-furred man he found seemed relatively peaceful, however; lying on a patch of bare earth as if there was nothing here that could hurt him. He didn't smell of any of the valley packs, so Kel reasoned that he must think exactly that. He chuffed a greeting, stopping at a distance in case his initial assessment proved erroneous.
Being to attuned to the grove, he heard the stranger approach long before he actually heard the light huff that called for his attention. He slowly parted his dark lids to reveal the brilliant green of his eyes, sweeping his gaze across the tops of the ferns until they landed upon a brown wolf with a friendly gaze that rested upon him. Fig offered a smile then, breathing out one last heavy breath before he spoke.
"Hello, friend," Fig greeted with a wag of his tail, "I'm not intruding on your lands, am I? My apologies if so." He hadn't smelled any border markings, but he knew well that didn't necessarily mean no one thought of this land as theirs and wouldn't come protect it as such.
He hadn't been tense, exactly, but Kel had felt almost like he was holding his breath until the stranger smiled and spoke. The man was easygoing by first impression. Relaxing in a new way, Kel shook his head. Only close. There's been conflict in the valley recently,
He explained, stepping closer so they could speak normally.
Just passing through?
He asked conversationally, smelling no pack scent at all on the other wolf. Briefly it crossed his mind that he might be looking for a place to stay, but Kel was unsure. Riverclan could use more support in hunting and defense, but would Silvertongue or Ash Paw look favorably on him bringing a stranger to them for admittance?
As Fig suspected, the grove was not claimed territory, though it did seem to be inconveniently placed. His ears perked at the news of conflict, though he shelved the question on his tongue for a moment until they got the pleasantries out of the way. They weren't too close to Epoch, but close enough that he still felt some concern about what was happening in this neighborhood.
"Pretty much," Fig replied, "My parents are part of Epoch, just on the other side of the mountain. I'm visiting them for a bit before heading West. I'm Fig, by the way." He still wasn't entirely sure when he would go to Moonspear, though he knew the time was coming soon. He didn't want to avoid his sister forever, but he wouldn't face her until he was fully prepared. He simply didn't quite feel ready yet.
"Can you tell me more of this conflict?" Fig asked, "I admit, I'm a little concerned knowing how near my family is to the Valley."
Kel listened quietly, nodding when it seemed appropriate and offering his own introduction on the tail end of Fig's: Kel,
He refrained from giving his full name, a little wary of the way some people around these parts insisted on using it.
Not too sure of the details. Has more to do with Swiftcurrent Creek than Riverclan,
He gestured vaguely in that direction to indicate that he meant a different pack. Doesn't seem safe here lately in general.
Between this conflict, Lestan's injuries, and the boy Faun was caring for, it seemed to Kel that tragedy was everywhere. It was odd; he was used to living around such misery, but entirely unused to being so affected by it. Willowspire had been above it all quite literally, and The Evergarden...
He wouldn't think of that now.
Kel, as he named himself, didn't seem to have too much information to share on the topic. Only that it had to do with Swiftcurrent Creek and Riverclan—two packs he had no familiarity with. He nodded along thoughtfully, however, his lips thinning as he pressed them together in a conciliatory frown.
"That's unfortunate," Fig commented, "I can't say I recognize the name of either pack. Is one of them yours?"
He hadn't been as clear as he'd thought. Riverclan is mine. Just that way,
Kel pointed. Swiftcurrent Creek is farther off, toward the mountains. Then we have Kvarsheim next door to Riverclan. Not sure if anyone else is in the valley.
You said you're heading west. Mind if I ask why?
His motivation for asking was mostly selfish, but he tried to pass it off as friendly interest, not letting his gaze linger too long on Fig. If there was something better out west, somewhere safer, Kel wanted to know.
So, the male was part of one of the warring packs. He did seem kindly enough, but Fig couldn't help but feel a tiny bit mistrusting of him now. Or perhaps wary might've been a better word... Either way, he took the information in with a small nod of understanding, not at all taking it for granted that he could be part of the conflict.
"Family," Fig answered offering a smile, "My sister lives with the pack at Moonspear now. We had a falling out some time ago. I need to visit her, make amends if I can." He suspected Fenn was pretty upset to learn he hadn't joined their parents on their most recent visit to her, though hopefully not so upset that she would be opposed to making up.
Moonspear, huh? Everywhere he went, Kel collected more names of packs that he had no idea what to do with. He nodded along as if he understood, as if he knew what Moonspear was, mostly because he had no interest in learning. Keeping track of the Valley packs was confusing enough.
Ah,
Kel said, unsure whether he was meant to ask about the sister. He wasn't so opposed to hearing about someone else's family drama, but it seemed rude to ask outright, so he decided on the roundabout way. Had a falling out with both of my sisters a couple years back, myself. Never worked things out, though. You plan to stay there if it goes well?