Wolf RPG

The morning air was tepid, almost as if spring had come upon them quite early, but Quetzalcoatl knew that could not be so. Still, the early rise of the sun into the horizon painted gray with the thick, omnipresent clouds that obscured the brilliant colors of the dawn to her eyes, left the Amazon Queen with the feeling of a heavy weight upon her shoulders. The cloudy day would do no wonders for her mood, nor the strain that denying herself to even see, even a fleeting glimpse, of her precious Pilli placed upon her. The resistance she instilled in herself everyday, believing it to be patience that when the time was right she would seek him out with the purpose of seeing him, to press her nose against his neck and know that he was truly alive and well, and to convince him to return to Coatl's Rise as was his destiny was a great one but Quetzalcoatl was well practiced at denying herself things that she wanted. The War Queen understood sacrifice better than her privileged birth had given anyone the ability to believe. She was Tezcacoatl's mother and there should not have needed to be sacrifice when it came to her baby boy, her precious one, but the simple fact was that even for Queens the world did not cease to spin and things did not work the way she wanted them too. Even she, at the end of the day, had to face the harsh whiplash of reality.

Though thoughts of her Tezcacoatl rarely ceased, pining to see her son again in the only way a mother could, Quetzalcoatl had not lingered far from the northern breaches that she had entered these savage lands from. It was not fear that kept her in a relative area, for she feared nothing except losing her son — though her women might disagree with her there was nothing more precious to her, not her own life; and she had always spoke that if they had daughters (or sons) then they might understand. She may have never been meant to love Tezcacoatl as he'd been meant for a slave as soon as his sex had been discovered but her heart would not let her. She would not see his beautiful chocolate fur ruined by the daily expectations of those lesser and indefinitely lower than them, would not wish to see his face, so handsome even when he'd been naught but a suckling newborn disfigured by the scars that the slaves bore to mark them and to remind them. Quetzalcoatl had never thought of herself as a weak women, did not grow up in a culture nor a pack where women were the weak ones, but her love for her son was her largest weakness; and yet she indulged herself to believe it was also her strongest asset.

Still, she lingered, hesitant to venture further south though the urge struck her on numerous occasions to investigate these lands that her son must have called a temporary home. She was curious as to what drew Tezcacoatl here, and what gravitated him to stay when his throne was awaiting him. She had allowed him to leave a boy so that, guided in the right direction by the women whom she had entrusted his life with, her best and most loyal, he might return to Coatl's Rise a man, ready to lead the Amazon pack into a new era. The moment she had kept him for herself, selfish but with nothing short of fierce love, brazenly bestowing him with a 'Coatl' name Quetzalcoatl knew that she had changed all the rules — but it had never felt wrong. She was unsure if Xiuhcoatl would send word of any type by messenger, but Quetzalcoatl doubted it. Her sister, only a Princess except in the times of war when they shared the title of Queen, one playing diplomat and the other playing strategist knew what she was doing and the Amazon Queen did not worry too much in her absence; especially now that she had Vali, the king of the Viking pack Odinn's Cove directly under her paw right where she had wanted him all along.

The youngest of Eitri's children was the most easily swayed, romanced easily by false promises of power and a little femme charm. There had been talk, Quetzalcoatl had heard before she had left, that his brother, Ragnar, the middle son — Eitri's only son that was actually a true danger to her and her women, she had always believed — ruled here in these lands. It occurred her to pay the once handsome Northman a visit. As a young girl she had been charmed by him, though he was younger than she by a few months, but she had been naive and innocent, boldly wondering about the opposite and lesser sex. No one knew of those secret meetings, and no one but the Viking and her would ever know what had transpired during them. Those were secrets that Amazon Queen intended to take to her grave. She had been a little girl, foolish and he had offered a distraction from the never ending lessons of her strict mother.

In time, she would pay him a visit, as any good Queen would do. He had once been her a friend, and then her greatest enemy. What he was to her now, she did not know. He was too far away from her Rise to be neither enemy nor friend which was not, she acknowledged as she ceased her steps near the small cache she had begun to build for herself near her den, temporary though it all was within the Emberwood, and begun to dig the loosely packed earth in search of what she had caught the night before to serve as her breakfast so that she could spend the day exploring.

For today the guardswoman had broken away from the glacier again for a time, her purpose twofold. She loathed to rely on prey not caught by her own prowess, for it would be an insult she felt to admit her survival depended on those who were her temporary packmates. Thus, she had taken to hunting on the lands surrounding, prey being easier to find where wolves did not often roam. She also intended to search for more signs of activity in the area, hoping to perhaps hunt down whoever had left the sign. She knew they would not leave it at that for long.

Instead she caught signs of a completely different nature and her eyes widened in disbelief. Why her Queen had come all this way was no mystery to her, but the exact reasons were unclear. Had the others made it back with the message? And had her queen decided that Manauia was unfit for the task? It would be a rightful assumption, for in all intents and purposes she had failed.

She knew her duty. Wasting no time, she followed the queen's trail, and when her beautiful and regal form came into sight, Manauia's own went into submission immediately. "My queen," she greeted her, the shame of her current inability heating her fur but not coloring the words she spoke. There was no excuse she could give that would explain, and she expected anger. The monarch should not have been made to come all the way here for a job the guardwoman had been expected to fulfill.

Whilst Quetzalcoatl would have much preferred her breakfast to be warm and steaming from being freshly gutted, the meat relatively pliable it was frozen and hard but it was better than nothing; and sometimes even Queens had to eat food that was usually reserved for the slaves. Her women ate fresh as she did but the men they were served the morsels. They were never starved, nor never hungry for the simple fact that to have them at any less then tip top shape the would cease to become useful. They were the laborers of the pack, the heavy lifters and she would not have her, nor any of the women to whom she gave permission to breed wanted to be impregnated by a malnourished male. The mating process was disgusting to the Rise Queen as it was, subjecting herself to be below a man in the physical sense but as that was the only way of things she had not had any sort of choice. Given that, she did not want something malnourished nor weak to perform the duty and did not expect her loyal and beloved women to suffer it either. She shivered at the thought with evident disgust as she finished off her meal, and buried the remains though loosely in the case that a scavenger came 'round and decided to take what was left. She did not mind the remains to be taken, she would not be returning to them.

The sound of footfalls was heard even over the steady drip of melting snow, tell tale in the sopping wet bracken that squelched under foot. Quetzalcoatl recognized Manauia immediately as the Huntress broke through the shadows of the trees, nearing her. The Huntress' body went into immediate submission, though for the time being Quetzalcoatl was busy attempting to identify her scent, familiar though foreign to her. Tezcacoatl's scent was mixed upon Manauia's own enough to let the Queen know that the Huntress was still with her son but the absence of the other Guardwomen's scents did not fail to escape Quetzalcoatl's notice.

“Manauia, my dear Huntress,” Quetzalcoatl returned the woman's greeting softly, peaceable and calm despite that there was a war of emotions raging through her. Worry, confusion and a smattering of anger all in one. Still, Quetzalcoal was a Queen and royalty did not lose their heads in an uncontrolled fit. She had learned from the very best after all, for though Quetzalcoatl's own mother had no patience for men nor insubordination, primarly, she had unnerving patience in almost all else. These lessons were strict and undeniably harsh but useful, Quetzalcoatl saw now though she could not see it as a child. “What has become of your sisters?” Though she was burning to inquire about Tezcacoatl, hungry for even a small tidbit of information on her son there were other, more pressing matters. Tezcacoatl, for the moment, was safe Quetzalcoatl assumed but she worried for the missing Guard. She might have been suffering disappointment that her elite had not managed to stay together, nor accomplish the task she had required of them but her concern was much more pressing.

The Amazonian Queen responded with gentle grace, as was usual, and this bolstered the Huntress. Not because she did not expect there was disappointment there, oh no. She knew it was probable still that she had failed rather completely. But the queen's even dealing with her despite this was an example, a reminder that she would take her consequences as a Warrior and proud sister, for she deserved what she would be dealt. She admired Quetzalcoatl's reserve greatly, for the huntress knew herself to be harsher, less able to contain the emotions that swirled within.

As when Quetzalcoatl asked about her fellow guardmates; she was unable to hold the surprise that spang up, though she bit her tongue a moment. Finally, evenly, she reported. "My queen, they were meant to have returned to you, to give you news of your son's presence and soundness here. The Prince did not desire to go with us and we thought it best to inform you rather than have you wait for word." She dipped her head, but a knot of worry existed within. What had happened to delay them? And if they had not gotten word, why had the Queen come?

Manauia would not profess to be close to many wolves, but the thought of something happening to her guardsmates was rather displeasing. They were her closest bonded sisters, friends true and the family she had chosen. Though she pulled against them at times (especially Amoxtli, their young commander), she hoped they were simply held back and not seriously waylaid. Perhaps the Queen had simply left before they were able to return.

There were many things raging within Quetzalcoatl in that moment, many intangible emotions that were raising and ebbing like the tide upon the sea, but she controlled and conquered each one that rose her way, allowing only the most important: concern to dominate her. Relief followed as a close second, however, finding that she was truly relieved that Manauia was, from an outward look, well and with Tezcacoatl. So long as one of his guard was present, Quetzalcoatl had determined that she was not going to try to fret too much over her son's safety though as a mother this fretting never truly went away in any real aspect. “A message had reached me but it did not come from your sisters,” Quetzalcoatl explained and then hesitated only slightly, sure that her following words might cause some distress in her loyal Huntress, knowing how against the slaves she was. “Word came from Five when I'd sent him out, he had caught Tezcacoatl's scent nearby looping back in the direction of this place,” Quetzalcoatl explained to Manauia, giving a small pause. “Five volunteered to follow it, but I refused his offer. I have been left to wonder too long and I needed to come myself.” Quetzalcoatl might have held some affection for Five as the father of her beloved son but she did not completely trust a man to do a woman's work; especially never a mother's work.

Which brought Quetzalcoatl to her next set of questions, though part of her was unsure if she truly wished to know the truth. “I have met a girl from the pack whose scent you and Tezcacoatl wear, Duskfire Glacier, I believe she called it,” Quetzalcoatl studied Manauia for a moment before continuing, “She claims that she knows no Tezcacoatl but that a male who looks exactly like me calls himself Týrr, do you know why this is?” Quetzalcoatl was trying to keep her royal calm but it was beginning to slip in her desperation for answers, and the despair that her son was not calling himself even “Tezca” despite that it was his favored nickname as a small child. The Serpent King, was he being true to his namesake, choosing cunning like the serpent or was there something else going on here? She didn't know. All she knew was that something didn't feel right.

“She has also told me there is a woman, one that Tezcacoatl is fiercely loyal and fond of. She was not able to tell me more, but you know my son more than she does. Who is this woman?” Quetzalcoatl demanded, unable to help the familiar thought that if it was the fondness that she anticipated (for what else would bind Tezcacoatl's loyalty so fiercely?) then she would have to do something. No one but an amazon woman was acceptable for Tezcacoatl. Once upon a time, Amoxtli and Tezcacoatl had been close, which was namely why the Queen had made her the head of the guard (though not the only reason), hoping to sow the seeds of that relationship, though Quetzalcoatl could see now that it had not been meant to be.

Confirmation that they had not reached home made her spirits fall, but she resolved not to let it worry her too much. There were three (four? I'm on mobile and can't double check D:) of them and all were formidable. Not many could best an Amazon in battle, and even amongst them, they were deemed elite. Trust the training, trust your sisters, she thought firmly, effectively cutting off that line of speculation.

True, she was not fond of the slaves, but they were useful when they knew their place. Five was such a slave, she knew, dutiful and never prideful. She knew him to be trusted with Quetzalcoatl, so she accepted without emotion that he had been the one to bring her word. She was a little surprised to hear that he had offered and been refused... though it was true he may not have been up to the task. Life of the savages could tempt the mind of even the strongest slave, for males were weak-minded creatures always. He may not have been able to ensure his return. It was better the Queen had come herself, though the task might have been better served with one of their other sisters.

So they had arrived at last upon this conversation. Manauia nodded, expression grave. "He has lost most memory of his time in Coatl's Rise. When I first came upon him, he did not recognize me, nor believe me when I told him who he was. He believed himself a Viking." This last was said dripping with disgust. "He has since come to realize that I spoke truthfully, though I do not know yet how much he recalls. If any. He still insists on going by that name." It was not happy news, and she did not know how the Queen would take it. After all, she had just indicated it likely he would not even remember his own mother should they meet. It was her own fierce hope that, when they did, it would perhaps be the catalyst he would need to come to his senses and forget this place. If only he could remember where his true home was. "He said he does not wish to disappoint you," she added, hoping to soften the blow.

Her gaze darkened a bit, though, at the thought of Tuwawi. Tezca's admiration of her was confusing, and the nature of the attachment was not known to the huntress. "I am not sure. Her name is Tuwawi, and she is fierce, but I do not understand fully why he is so loyal. He pledged himself to her before I caught up to him, so perhaps it is a desire to honor his word." She did not know that she fully believed this, but it would be preferred to the alternative the Queen was suggesting. "It could very well be more." She could not lie, nor would she wish to.

At Manauia's words the Amazon Queen recoiled back from her Huntress, the motion swift and sharp as if Manauia had physically made to attack her. First, denial took in and with it came the revival of her previous consideration: that Tezcacoatl was simply playing a clever ruse, using the Viking's own tactics against them, perhaps to protect himself; however Manauia's words worked against that until it was nothing more than dust within the Queen's grasp. Manauia's words were genuine and honest: Tezcacoatl had lost his memory. He did not remember what or who he was. Which meant that he did not remember her. Admittedly, it was this knowledge as it sunk in like a knife through her spine and into her heart that hurt Quetzalcoatl the very most. The sorrow was breaking as it resounded through her entire being, it's source directly beneath her breast, but even so the Amazon did not weep as another mother might have. Certainly, she felt like she could weep until there were no tears left but if she was to allow such a weakness to show it would be in very secluded privacy. She might have been an Amazon but she was not made of stone and there was no pain she had felt yet in her life to measure to the emotional pain she felt currently.

“The heathen men must pay for what they have done to my son,” She spoke in a sharp, commanding tone. There would be no negotiating with her. “I will slay them open like the pigs they are until I have extracted my revenge,” She vowed softly, crystalline blue eyes slicing into the horizon as she drew in a deep breath, only to soften slightly as they fell back upon Manauia. The Huntress' following words brought something with them, though Quetzalcoatl was not yet certain what it was, yet. “Then Tezcacoatl, my son, is alive inside there somewhere.” Perhaps, she realized, it was a tiny spark of hope that not all hope was yet lost.

It was more than she had felt a moment again, though she had never intended to give up upon Tezcacoatl. She was his mother first and foremost and what kind of mother would she be if she did not fight for her child?

“I should like to meet this Tuwawi,” The Amazon Queen declared to her Huntress, sparing the woman a lingering glance. “To see what all the fuss is about for myself.” A pause was given before Quetzalcoatl spoke once more, “Did you happen to get any names from Tezcacoatl? Or find who is responsible for his memory loss?” If she could tackle that first then she would. Tezcacoatl's fierce loyalty to some savage woman could wait. First, the heathen men needed dealt with and to be showed that they did not cross the Amazon women and live to tell the tale.

Manauia nodded approvingly as her queen spoke, glad to hear of it.  This was as it should be.  The vikings had taken from them, and much as Manauia disagreed with her Queen's attachment to her son, the removal of him from her was a wrong that could not go unpunished.  It was an insult and a clear act of malice.  "I believe he is."  She had spent enough time around him to gather as much, though it was uncertain still to her whether his memories would ever return.  "Especially now that he is open to our tale and the truth in it."  Now that he was willing to believe that he was who they said, he had shown more of the Tezca he had been, though much changed as well.  She wondered what the Queen would think of him should they meet.  Manauia wasn't sure still what she personally thought, though she guessed it wasn't her place anyway.

"I did not get a name, I am sorry.  But I do know that it was the wolves of Stavanger Bay who harbored him during that time, and I spoke with their leaders."  Her gaze narrowed at the memory of their conversation.  "Though I am not the discerner that Nochtli is, I do not think the male told all that he knew.  He said it was a head injury that caused the loss, though not where the false story came from."  Perhaps it was her innate distrust of the vikings that led her to believe this, or perhaps it was intuition.  Still, "I believe he might be your best way of finding more information, whether he was untruthful or not."  It stood to reason that the best place to go to find out the reasoning behind her son's missing memories was the leader who took him in.

Especially since it was obvious to her that a viking had planted the lies that Tezca had spoken.

"If you need, I can assist you.  And if you wish to speak to Tuwawi alone, I would not call upon the borders, or it is likely your son will come as well."  From what she had seen, he rarely left her to deal with such intrusions alone.