Neverwinter Forest the burdens of the planet earth

It was with a begrudgingly slow pace that Njal made his way, but he made it, he kept one foot in front of the other even when his muscles rejected to obey. Where he went was uncertain — he had no thoughts as he ambled, only that the world was so very different and he needed to find some semblance of familiarity. When the forest had spewed him out he continued heading east until another came in to view. It was as desolate as the last one, but held the tell-tale scents of many wolves. With a grunt the old man came to a rest at the edge of the tree line and began another round of observation. The breeze whipped his silver-tipped scruff and danced across his snout, catching against his eyes briefly, so he squinted and turned away from it - looking in to the territory by happenstance thereafter. He did not call for anyone. Njal became a stern-faced boulder as he rested there, wondering if this was the place his life would find its conclusion — if not he would be on his way, perhaps to die upon the road, as he had lived his long life.

The food was gone – and Neverwinter Forest had two pregnant wolves to feed. It had been awhile since he had felt so helpless – the day Swift had lost his eyes ranked up high on that list, and yet now, with his sister ready to birth any day, and in an irresponsible moment of lust, love and ignorance, he had mated Eshe and now the pack had two litters to support.
 
The wind was seemingly bitterer today as it stirred the warm cinnamon of his pelt. His large paws prowled the borders, though his primary purpose was quick-dying hope that he would come upon food – something for both his sister and wife. There was nothing to be found – and his desperation began to consider the thought of moving his family once more – in hopes that past the Wilds, they would find something.
 
But Kaskara was past the point of travel.
 
Grim, the large regal caught scent of another as the spring breeze slipped past his nose. It was distantly familiar, and yet even as he came upon the silver-furred wolf, recognition did not fully set in, as the years had begun to slip away. He slipped closer, his bright eyes studying the man before him – the grizzled reservation of the older wolf before him finally drawing forward a stir of nostalgia. “Njal,” he greeted simply, blinking in surprise to see the man at his borders.

Short! Derp. Hope thats ok.

He did not recognize the stranger that approached, not at first, as Scimitar was a beast from a faraway past. Even after the stranger spoke his own name Njal only looked upon him with curiosity, no semblance of recognition spanning the depth of his features. His head canted towards the burly man and he grunted, but was otherwise sullen. This place has seen better days, Njal murmured conversationally, although his tone was brutally dull. But do you have room for one more? If not then he'd make his way elsewhere, for surely having an ancient wanderer such as himself would be a severe drawback.

Njal offered no recognition to him – the simple statement did little to incite conversation from the large wolf, and he offered no response to what was indeed obvious. The entirety of Teekon Wilds had seen better days – and he did not envision it getting any better anytime soon.
 
What did surprise the dark agouti man was the request to join his pack. His eyebrows arched in response, taking the moment to study the older wolf quietly. It was not the same wolf before him now that he had run with at Swiftcurrent Creek. Njal had been Beta at the time of his joining, and Scimitar had held great respect for the man in the beginning.
 
Of course, that had all changed with the way they both had treated Bazi – but he could do little to dwell on it. Njal seemed ragged and torn – whether from life or his redheaded mate, Scimitar was unsure. “Any food first goes to my sister, Kaskara or my mate – both pregnant.” He paused then, his features stoical as he continued to study the scarred warrior. “And if you start shit with our neighbors, you’re out on your ass.” And those were the rules.

This place may have been dead, but by this guard's own admission - no, this Alpha's, his pack was thriving. Two wolves expecting litters - they were fortunate! Or doomed. But Njal did not make any comments about this; he heard the name Kaskara, and a flicker of recognition finally caught in his gaze. He looked upon Scimitar as if in a new light, and gave him a pleased little nod, his eyes like steel regardless. I do not care for drama, so there will be no shit. He said this in such a serious manner that it might've been rather comical, actually. Then he added, And of course I will keep your family well fed. I do not each much myself, so it will be easy. Was that enough to grant him a place to rest? Surely Scimitar could see that Njal was on his last days, for that is how he felt. He briefly thought of turning tail from here and seeking out Valtyr — his discovery so new still, fresh and distracting — but this was also important. To have a home once more, perhaps a final home where he could be at peace -- his mind sure did wander in his old age.

The silver wolf was quick to recite what Scimitar had mentioned, and while there might have been a flicker of recognition in the older man’s gaze, the cinnamon Alpha missed it. It had been years since the two had called one another pack mates, and gone were the days he had any insight to Njal’s thoughts or personality – if, even at their days of the Creek, he had then.

“Then welcome to Neverwinter Forest,” he offered, his bright eyes studying his companion with silent acknowledgement. Njal had once held the respect of the Frostfur wolf, and if any indeed would give their word in providing for pups, Scimitar did place that trust to the Sveijarn. His muzzle tipped to the side, toward the heart of his home -- an indication that if the silver wolf wished, he could sweep forward, through the now barren trees and find a place to rest.

He gave a sullen little nod once his acceptance was confirmed, and then with a sweep of his working limbs (and a slight hobble to his aching hind) he slunk deeper in to the territory. The first thing Njal needed to do was acquaint himself with the pack and its holdings, then perhaps find something of value for the hungry women. He said nothing else to Scimitar, focusing on his next few tasks as if they were the only things left in the world.