Another trip to the Moonglow village and another pain in his chest. He didn't hate that Samani was helping her mother, but he really did miss her. But she had told him to keep the home hearth's burning and so he was, but they were losing people. Though the newest lives in their fold was nice. Though they weren't his and Samani's they were still beautiful and blessed the pack lands with their presence.
Today he took a small detour and found himself at the edges of Moonspear. He briefly thought of Njord and
@Meerkat and hoped they were both doing well. He lifted his muzzle to give a soft call to say hello.
Sialuk was due back soon, for which Meerkat was both glad and grateful. She missed her friend and wouldn’t mind some relief from her leadership responsibilities. She wondered if the Head meant for the Councilors to maintain their positions upon her return and whether Njord would prefer that. Meerkat wasn’t sure how she felt about it.
A call from the borders scattered her thoughts. She had meant to track down Towhee this morning to check on her, though she paused in her step, then switched directions. Meerkat crossed the rendezvous site as she headed down the mountain, just in case her mother might be there, but she didn’t see her. She chewed her lip but continued toward the borders.
It had been a while since she’d seen him with her own eyes, though Meerkat immediately recognized her visitor and called out, Good morning, Rodyn! How are you? What brings you here?
The borders of Moonspear smelled strong and Rodyn couldn't quite hide the smile at his friends home. They had done well for themselves here. Strong pack, strong bonds. It was good.
He smiled at the sight of Meerkat and dipped his head down. Hello!
He shuffled a bit and then spoke softly. I was visiting Samani at Moonglow. She came home to help her mother while I keep Moontide running. I decided to stop and visit on my way home.
He shuffled his feet and Meerkat’s head canted ever so slightly. She sensed something might be amiss. Rodyn mentioned visiting Samani, explaining that she was living with her mother in Moonglow for a bit. Meerkat’s lips parted in mild surprise at this news.
Is her mother alright? I’m sorry you two have to be apart,
Meerkat offered sympathetically, adding, Sialuk is away and I know how difficult it can be to lead now. I have Njord to help me. Is there anyone who’s helping you out?
Rodyn hated being apart from Samani and in some ways he felt as if he failed as a partner. Even though this wasn't the case at all and logically he knew this. There was just a gnawing fear there, that nothing would go back the way it was.
Yes. Supposedly Saman's brother who was presumed dead came back and it caused a bit of a mess. And Moonwoman's wife left the pack lands, her daughter to be raised beside Kukutux and Aiolos's other children too.
he nodded. My friend Heph is helping. Void was helping, but he left to start another pack on his own.
She listened in silence as he explained the situation that had taken his wife away from his hearth. Meerkat drew in a sharp breath when he spoke of Samani’s brother returning. She knew a little bit about the Ostregas’ spiritual views, so she felt bad for all involved, prodigal brother included.
Rodyn wasn’t without help to keep Moontide chugging along, though one of his two assistants had evidently left to create his own pack. Had he left Rodyn in a lurch, then? Meerkat frowned thoughtfully. Dispersing was neither untoward or unusual, in her eyes, although it ideally didn’t happen at the original pack’s expense.
Moonspear was bursting at the seams. Meerkat wouldn’t be surprised if someone—perhaps even one of her own relatives—decided to spin off and create something of their own. Or perhaps another established family, like Chakliux’s, would want to raise their own village. It was an interesting thought, though one best saved for later.
How many do you number?
Meerkat asked Rodyn.
Rodyn didn't know enough about the Ostrega's to fully comprehend or understand. But what he did know was the boy was considered an outsider, a ghost for the time being and that would be hard on any involved honestly.
Rodyn didn't mind that Void had left. He was proud of him for trying to make something of himself and with his new family and he would never question that. But it was making things a little harder on him.
Rodyn did some brief figuring in his head. 4 that stay in the main areas, 3 that stay near the outskirts. So 7.
The first number that left his lips shocked her. Then Rodyn mentioned three additional members that lurked on the fringes of the pack. Meerkat’s heart went out to him. Seven was better than four, though that wasn’t very many wolves to hold a territory and sustain caches.
We have nearly three times that number living here,
she told him. Maybe a few of them could relocate to Moontide to lend a hand? That’s what sister packs do, right?
she thought aloud, suddenly apprehensive what Sialuk would think if she returned and the Councilor had sent some of her villagers away!
But it needn’t be permanent, nor would Meerkat ever think of forcing anyone’s hand, even if she was properly in charge. She drew in a breath, pondering the logistics of such an offer. She probably should’ve considered that before opening her mouth, though it didn’t really matter. Either way, Meerkat wanted to help and Moonspear could afford it.
I wouldn’t dream of sending anyone anywhere unless they wanted to go, so I’ll ask for volunteers,
she told Rodyn, hoping he would agree with her suggestions.
Rodyn had lost a few of his numbers. And Samani was quiet in her movements lately. Had she not told him to stay and keep moontide going he'd be in moonglow with her, but she had told him to keep their home as long as he could so he was.
Luckily enough he was proud of his hunting prowess so he didn't worry too much for the caches. He probably should, but he was confident in his ability to hunt. And he had many allies and friends he could call upon if he needed. That was the most important thing he had done in his bride price journey and then rooting out the neighbors as they had relocated.
He nodded. That is fine with me. I appreciate you even offering that you'd ask. Thank you.
He lifted his head with a small smile towards her.
I’ll spread the word and send any volunteers your way,
Meerkat promised when he accepted her terms.
In the meantime, is there anything else I can do for you, Rodyn?
She didn’t want to send him away, though the sooner she could get back to the rendezvous site, the sooner she could begin speaking with the wolves of Moonspear about this. Meerkat could think of a few who might be really interested in this opportunity…
A dip of his head and a small smile. Thank you Meerkat. I appreciate it greatly.
A shake of his head. I need nothing else, thank you. I can spend sometime hunting around the area if someone wants to talk to me.
He said he needed nothing further from her. Meerkat hesitated, still not wanting to simply abandon him here when he had only just stopped by. But if Moontide needed Moonspear’s help, she wanted to act sooner than later.
Alright, I’ll go and pass word along. Take care, Rodyn,
she said, dipping her muzzle to him and then spinning on a heel, headed upward to notify the village.