Stone Circle taught me to weep and moan

I promise Mar this is the last MOS wolf I'm sending to your border for a while :') set after this thread -- he obviously doesn't know the news yet

Bleeding and despondent, Shale initially began to head back to Dawnlark Plains but decided against it--he didn't have the heart to face anyone right now. He was hurt, both in body and mind, and needed to take some time away. Some time to talk. Grayday wouldn't understand; he'd been pushing for this. Catori, perhaps, but she was busy with the pups. Everyone else was too young, or not close enough to him.

There was one person that might be an open ear, though--his older brother.

Giving the creek a wide berth--he shot a dark glare in that direction--he began the trek to Easthollow, and arrived around sundown, the sky a wonderfully vivid blend of so many colors. . .fire in the west, a soft, muted purple-blue to the east. The moon was beginning to rise, and he stopped just outside the border, the evening wind rippling through his pelt. The wounds on his ankle and shoulder stung; he'd need to have them looked at, soon.

He tipped back his head and gave a soft call to Murdock, then snapped his muzzle down, waiting. Tense, terse. If anyone could talk him through the turbulent mess of feelings in his brain, it would be Mur. He was hesitant to broach the topic regarding Pema, given their history. . .but it must be done. Out with it.

Steph hadn't been too far from the borders when the call rang out. Her breath hitched when she realized it was for Murdock. But he has... Her expression turned confused as she trotted towards the caller. Why would anyone be calling for the late Murdock?

She slowed as she approached, looking over his bloody and ragged form. Did you call for Murock? she asked, skipping over any formalities. Her stance was neutral to the stranger, needing more to know why he was here than to run him off.

A girl, who looked about as old as Easy or Lav, appeared, looking perplexed. She vaguely resembled Easthollow's alpha, so Shale took her to be a daughter or niece or something like that, giving her a smile as she approached. He knew he looked a mess, wounded as he was, but he was fairly confident Easthollow wouldn't run him off, especially with him staying off the border.

Her question took him aback, though. "I did," he answered simply, nodding. "He's my brother. I need to talk to him about something."

A ball of ice formed in his stomach as he spoke. Had something happened to Mur? Had he vanished? Why was this girl standing here questioning him so, while the man he called for hadn't answered himself?

The male confirmed he had called, and then said that he was Mudock's brother. A sadness washed over Steph as she regarded the male. She knew he was about to change with the information she had to tell him. She wished she didn't, but it would be inconsiderate of her to call someone else to tell him.

Steph cleared her throat, trying to get the frog out of it that just seemed to appear there. I'm s-so sorry, she began, her eyes cast downward a moment before looking back to him. Murdock passed away, she said finally, her voice soft. Murdock had been Steph's only father-figure. If he were alive today, she might have jokingly called this fellow her uncle. But, there would be no jokes today. She watched him closely to gauge his reaction.

He should have seen it coming, really. From her confused question, to the absence of his brother's scent on the border. Everything added up, and yet when she spoke, it hit him square in the chest, his legs trembling as it began to sink in.

Shale sat back on his haunches, speechless. It was clear the girl mourned for Murdock as well--he wondered what connection the two might have--but all he could do was gape at her, eyes dark. He ducked his head, trying to collect his thoughts. Swallowed thickly.

"How?" he asked, choked, still looking at the ground. "When?"

He'd never been particularly close to Murdock, even back home. But the brown-hued male had been the first shred of family he'd found since striking out on his own, and he had delivered Shale to Grayday's borders. He owed everything that had transpired these past several moons to Mur. . .and now he was gone.

She frowned as he stared at her, knowing he was in shock. She wasn't sure if how and when were going to make him feel better or worse, but Steph knew it wasn't her place to decide if he should have the information or not. It's been about... two moons ago, almost, she replied. It felt like yesterday. 

We're not completely sure what happened, she admitted. He had gotten into a scuffle with a bison a little before that, but we're not sure if that caused it or something unknown, she added. It was all speculative, as there was no evidence to really suggested his encounter with the bison did it. It was just the last time the pack remember he had gotten injured.

so sorry for the wait on this

So long ago. Why hadn't he been informed? Surely someone in Morningside should know by now; the two packs were allies, and now they weren't even separated by a damn mountain range. He could have grieved, come and visited his brother's bones. That opportunity had been ripped from him, and there was a tinge of anger to his mourning, the keening in his head.

A bison. "Did he. . .go peacefully?" Shale asked softly, looking back at the girl. "Did he have any last words? Is he buried here?" He should be buried here; this was his pack, his newfound family. Yet Shale couldn't shake the niggling feeling Mur should be lain to rest by their family's river. . .but now with him and Grayday--and Sunspot--away, would any of them have that comfort?

Her eyes were cast downward for a moment before going back to the male. What he was going through must have been very difficult. To come here looking for his brother, only to find out that he had passed. Steph would be torn into pieces. She took a breath, knowing she couldn't lie to him, but she also didn't know the truth to his answer. So, she settled on telling him what she did know. If he was in any in pain, he didn't show it. Which was why his passing had been such a surprise. I believe he was on patrol alone when he went... She hated telling him that part--that his brother had been alone. So, I don't think he said anything to anyone. 

She nodded to his next question. Yes, he is, with our other pack mates who have passed, she assured him. Murdock had been a valued member of Easthollow, and Steph could not imagine him being buried anywhere else. Would you like to visit him? she offered. She understood Shale was not a member of Easthollow, but he was a member of their ally, and a brother to Murdock. Steph felt like that was enough to extend to him to opportunity to visit his brother at his resting place.

He sighed, closing his eyes. Alone, on patrol. He should have been with him. Should have visited him more. Time had flown by since he'd arrived in the Wilds, but he thought he could have had more of it with Murdock. Yet here he stood, being invited to see his brother's resting place. It was surreal.

"Yes," Shale answered softly, eyes popping open in a flash of amber. "Lead the way," he said gruffly, trying to get his emotions under control. He would see the grave--and then he would leave. He needed to be alone, right now. No one but Murdock would have understood the turmoil within him.

 

last post from me

Steph nodded and turned to lead the way to Stone Circle. She would point out Murdock's resting place, and then fall back far enough away to give Shale some privacy with his brother. She would wait patiently, then, until Shale was ready to leave. She would, of course, let Shale know he was welcome to visit his brother whenever he wished, and would promptly let @Valette know of this offer, as well.

The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone ~Geothe

Sunny is allowed in all threads, open or private, created by Steph