During the frost the trees had radically thinned, losing their fluffy banks of leaves and morphing into spindly skeletons of their former selves. And against all odds, they would turn green again... but for now Dovev was able to peer through their trunks at anything that moved.
A couple of birds were rooting along the frozen ground, but quickly skittered out of the way as the male trotted along a path normally used by the wolves. It curved out of the small grove and onto the creek banks. Farther out he could see the low rise of the pack's hills, nestled amongst them several dens. He was reminded that Paar already had her pups more than a month ago- how many, he didn't know, but they were most likely already moving about outside the den. Again, he knew it was none of his business, but the male couldn't help the thin feelings he had for that rat's nest.
Dovev was more curious about what else was going on, and what had really happened- he had ran into Star in Wapun and had not liked what he saw. What was going on?
Dovev's scent, which had once faded within their land, was now crisp upon the air once more. Scimitar accepted this -- the ivory male had not relinquished his position within the pack, nor had he presented himself at the border. The Alpha, once upon a time might have questioned this -- perhaps even sought out the male for the reasoning of his absence, but so much had happened, that instead, he simply chose to feel relieved that one of their most loyal had returned.. safe, above all else.
Catching sight of the pale wolf, Scimitar uttered his own bark to gain the others attention. His own form lifted with a stance of dominance, but he was battered -- his left ear was torn, while the large gash upon his chest had scabbed over rather grotesquely now. The other wound inflicted upon his neck was healing faster.. but he was not sure a scar would remain.
Closing the distance between the two, the regal made to graze his shoulder against the others in a sign of comradeship and greeting -- and more importantly, placing the pack scent upon their wayward member once more.
He felt, rather than heard, the Alpha come up behind him and bump Dovev's scapular against his own. Responding with a low-tilted wag of his tail, the white wolf was surprised to see Scim. Things were getting a little rowdy around the Creek, and he could imagine the alpha being quite stressed and overworked.
There had always been a plan for Scimitar to move the pack somewhere else and escape the hellstorm brewing around their home. The topic had been breached several times during pack meetings, and every time Dovev felt a well of ire that this land might be taken away from him. It wasn't that the arctic brute lacked respect for his superior. The tawny male was obviously injured- torn ear, scars, and bruises, something Dovev was already eagerly searching his revenge for. For all of the things Dovev could care less about, his loyalty was profoundly tied to this river-plain. He would defend it at all costs.
How goes it? His silver pools glanced at the male with the open-ended question, moving slightly away to give Scimitar some space. Far off, he could hear the odd call of a crow, but for now their spot by the creek was disturbed only by the murmur of wind.
His ivory companion leaded with a question that might have seemed laid back and casual -- but somehow, there was a large pause as Scimitar tried to even formulate an answer that explained it all. He came up with nothing that did not encompass doom and gloom, and a low chuff escaped the Alpha instead, as his stride paused, feeling the eyes of the Theta upon him. "It's been shit," he responded, giving his muzzle a shake. That much would be obvious -- given the state he, and three other Creek wolves were in.
"We've a new enemy in the South.. Blackfeather Woods. We have Noctisardor Bypass to the East.. and thankfully, The Sunspire has been quiet in the West." His aqua eyes sought out for any changing features on Dovev's face -- surrounded in three directions by threats, the majority of Swiftcurrent Creek members were beginning to feel claustrophobic. Dovev, however, had always been the one who had wanted to stay.. but what would he think now? "If we were larger in number.. I'd begin to move to take out at least one of them. But we're not."
The male's front paw scooped discouragingly at the ground, spooning up clumps of cool dirt. Dovev's face was turned downward, and his eyes were distant as he drifted into thought. The pack was dwindling in number, and most of them would follow Scim north. That normally wouldn't have been an issue if the Creek wasn't facing three enemies- the dogs, Noctisardor, and Blackfeather Woods.
What about allies? he asked, but Dovev knew that was probably futile. There was no use on Duskfire expending any of their wolves to fight the Creek's battles, and they were losing alot of the ties that the Creek had with their glacier neighbors as they slowly drifted apart. He wondered if there would be enough parts to piece the pack back together once this all blew over.
Dovev's question was met with a stolen glance -- the ivory wolf would know the Creek kept to themselves, spare for the few angry neighbors they somehow invoked. It was a grasp at straws for hope, and the agouti wolf, without hesitation, made to squash that idea.. for it would do no good to dwell on such notions. "No -- Duskfire Glacier is only tied to Bazi, and they have never been friends of the Creek," he explained, giving his muzzle a shake.
There was only one answer Scimitar could think up, and yet he knew his companion's profound stubbornness on the subject -- the want to protect land over his pack members. So he allowed silence to fall between them, allowing the ivory wolf to continue with the conversation in whichever direction he chose.
Although he had been a part of the pack only since last fall, Dovev felt a pride in knowing that the Creek held an inexplicable history that was best left cared for... even if that meant the pack no longer existed and memories were only kept in stories. Perhaps that's what Scimitar would do when he led most of them away from the riverplain and north. But Dovev would stay, hoping the Creek would still stand. He had high hopes, but it would be a tough journey to preserve such a pack.
After a lingering pause, Dovev straightened up. He looked oddly stony.
So then you've set a date for your departure? the white wolf asked, already distancing himself by not including himself in the question.
Scimitar caught the careful question -- his gaze straying over Dovev's features as he took in the meaning. Carefully, to test the waters, his wolfish brows arched. "Our departure," he spoke then, encompassing the pack. Whether the ivory warrior considered himself as such too was about to be revealed, he felt, and he rolled his shoulders back in a leisurely stretch, awaiting the answer.
He was quite confident that the members of the Creek would happily leave -- if not practically skip out of here. Galileo was a wolf who was uncertain though, for the man had not been seen in weeks. Star, also, would likely not go -- and the cinnamon Alpha would not find himself discontent with that decision, given that each time she decided to defy him or her superiors in the ranks, he desired nothing more than to set his fangs on her.
Scimitar's patience had fled fully, and the only wait they had was to simply settle a few things within their current home before they departed.
He returned his impassive gaze to the Alpha, pausing for a moment. Well, it was worth truly speaking what his plans were.
Your departure, he repeated. I'm not planning on going.
Dovev wasn't sure if this intention had ever been clear to Scimitar, but the arctic creature had always been adamant in pack meetings that the Creek wolves would stay. And they would, for plenty of other packs had broken off and the parent one had still survived. It was how Duskfire and Noctisardor were born.
He could guess and ponder Scim's expectant response, but then Dovev knew there was nothing the alpha could say to sway him.
I want to keep the legend alive. Even if I don't know much about the Creek before I arrived, I know there's much to come in the future. His mouth was a firm line.
If it were to keep going, anyways.
Wrapping up. So sorry for the wait. <3
Dovev confirmed his suspicions -- previously, Scimitar might have felt dismayed at the decision of the warrior.. but now, after the pale wolf had left, only to slink back in to lands as if his absence was acceptable and unnoticed, he did not question the loyalties his companion had -- it clearly was not to the pack.. and so it would only be beneficial if they broke paths.
"The land is rich with history," he determined, though he held little insight to the days before him.
"If you ever look for its entire story, I imagine Njal of Duskfire Glacier, or Fox of Blacktail Deer Plateau would know more." His bright aqua eyes would sweep over the male, casting him a wry grin.
"Take care, Dovev," was all he offered before turning, his large form making its way to the borders to do one more sweep. No longer comrades, the Frostfur held no bitterness to the male -- simply indifference.