Bearclaw Valley Mission Intent

Arric headed towards their nearest neighbors. He didn't have time to sniff around Kvarsheim which now seemed emptied of life. He would do that a different day. For now his intention was clear. He had to help Etienne and his family and the ladies of Sapphique. Even if they hated him for it. Because they would hate him for it. He knew this. But he had not shared that with Etienne. It was not his way to tell someone how rude their family was. 

he paced at teh edge of the pack lands and lifted nose for call out to @Ameline or @Ancelin. Whichever one could dain to meet him. He knew that some wolves were whelping now and he didn't want to disturb if he could help it.

A shift in his gaze as he watched and waited. Anxious to start traveling.

Arric.

Well, at least it wasn’t Akavir, though she would have preferred a visit from Arlette, so they could have some time to chat about plans for the summer. She supposed the husband would do, though, to relay her messages back to his wife.

She knew she looked…Well, to be called ungainly would be critical, but accurate. Breaks which began to refill after she’d eaten sagged beneath her where the fur had been almost completely rubbed and sucked off. She’d begun to lose some of the excess weight from her midsection, so now her belly swayed from side to side, the movement exacerbated further by the rows of heavy teats that swung like pendulums. 

She had no shame- it was the look of a mother, and a successful one at that. One who freed up enough time to greet a neighbour at the borders.

Arric, She greeted. Thpring hath thprung it theemth. Did you enjoy our gift-th? Thorry for our tardiness, but elk pelt-th take thome time to prepare, an’ the thame for the dried bithon meat. she said. She tapped one paw against the ground. What bringth you to Bearclaw?

cameo <3 wont reply again unless addressed directly

out patrolling nearby, he had been indirectly called as well; then spurned into motion by the scent of ameline nearing. the regina was a fierce woman and needed no protecting, but it stood that he would come anyways; if only to showcase the strength of bearclaw in the wake of their new life.
the hedguard says nothing as he steps up beside ameline, his presence a quiet, unmoving wall at her flank. eyes settling quietly upon the visitor upon their borders; unreadable, though not hostile in anyway, especially considering the friendliness he was greeted with.
nonetheless, there is a weight to his silence—intentional, measured. he stands tall, alert, the lines of his body still and squared with purpose. he is protective, and watchful. but also curious, looking with question upon the man.

Arric didn't know if Akavir had ever even met teh Bearclaw's, but he and Arlette had and he found them kind. A little stand offish, but he saw nothing wrong with this. They were there when needed and the creek in return. OR he hoped they understood that. 

Clearly the she wolf had just had children. And he regretted calling her away. She should be with her children. Though he remembered well how Arlette liked to have breaks now and again. Perhaps this could be considered one, despite the news he carried. 

Hello Ameline! He greeted her warmly a small smile, but the graveness of the situation sat in his blue eyes. We did thank you. It was kind of you. I am glad we could have Etienne help you.

A cursory glance was given to the man behind her. He looked at him dead pan back. Then he spoke again. Grave news actually. I don't know if you know of the wolves of Sapphique. They are where Etienne is from. His family has been kidnapped, three wolves that are very possibly with children. I promised him we would go after them and i wantea to see if you'd be willing to help? I don't think it will be an outright assault. The goal is to safely and quietly get the mother's out of the clutches of pirates.

She nearly dismissed his gratitude- after all, the gifts had been payment for a service received. But she caught herself before she could be impolite, and avoided waving him off. He prothibly shaved Winthlet’th life; we’re grateful for thuh- 

A dark figure moved silently to her side, provoking a swift inhale of breath followed by an exclamation. CRIPTHE! She barked, before she put out a paw against the man’s shoulder, as if to steady herself. She pulled back, and for a moment it looked as if she might give him a hearty smack for the fright he’d given her. She exhaled, forcing a chuckle to strip some of the tension from her shoulders, and shook her head. 
Damnit, She said, as she glanced down, realizing the sudden surprise had caused a little bit of leakage. Sudden factory reset within two weeks of giving birth would do that. Arric- Tvar. Tvar, Arric, She pushed an introduction so the Swiftcurrent leader wouldn’t be concerned. You ever need a thtealth mission accomplished, Tvar’th your man, She joked, giving him a brief side-eye. She hadn’t appreciated the fright, but knew he hadn’t intended to literally scare the piss out of her. He’d be forgiven- later.

Distraction came easily, but in the form of bad news. It got worse, the more Arric spoke; Ameline gawped at him in disbelief, shaking her head when he mentioned pirates- and trying to negotiate the release of three pregnant wolves. It took a moment to digest the news. 

Thapphique? She questioned rhetorically. Damn, thothe are thome tough women… Which meant that the pirates were the worst sort. To kidnap pregnant women? Unforgivable. Oh, Mireille, She breathed, shaking her head. The leader was a prolific one- which made her a likely candidate. Damnit. You think they’re gonna lith-en an’ not harm ‘em? She asked, squinting lightly. If they’d been comfortable stealing pregnant women, what would stop them from hurting them? Oh shit- I jutht thent Twitch (@Vanja) to go thee how they’re doin’. And she’d been wary when she’d set out. This would be one of those “what’s the worst that could happen?” Scenarios that Twitch had dreaded. Ah frick. Yeah, we’ll help out if we can…I’ll call the pack together, thee if we got anyone willing or able to go. You got a plan for when you get there? She asked. She would want her packmates to know what they were walking into.

Arric wouldn't have taken offense if she had dismissed his thanks. Ameline was a bit rough around the edges he knew this. Truthfully. And he liked her all the more for it. She was one of those aquired tastes. But it was good that Arric himself liked unusual wolves.

His eyes went a little wide at her exclamation. He had seen the wolf coming, but he also had the good fortune to be facing her and him. However, the little bit of chaos that ensued, forced him to yell at himself in his mind. 

Don't laugh, don't laugh. Don't laugh! And by the grace of god only he managed to keep from doing so. HE cleared his throat. Well met Tvar.

Arric chuckled knowing it to be true and he had felt their teeth himself once upon a time. That they are.

Arric smiled darkly. I don't plan on asking nicely.

We do. Etienne will go ahead of us and warn his family we are coming. He knows he may get captured, but he is determined to help them. And despite his proclivity for healing. He won't tell the pirates we are coming.

Arric took a breath and laid it out. We will follow him. I will stay behind as a rear guard if we are found out. We want to do this as stealthily as possible. You guy Tvar might be a help here. We will have to possibly carry newborns and run. Etienne has a friend who will hopefully cover our tracks as he is a tracker. Beyond where they go. I am not sure. I can't see the sea queens wanting to leave the coast despite it all.