Whitefish River I'm Reaching Light Through The Struggle

border patrol/guardian thread maybe for someone who hasnt met Ira yet?

Things have been running smoothly since her arrival to Kaistleoki. It was nice, refreshing even to have a place of her own, but part of her worried that things had been going too well. Easthollow had been mostly conflict free, but every now and then a major tragedy occurred. She would gladly take a small border scuffle here and there over the loss Easthollow sometimes faced.

Shaking her head from her troubles, she continued onwards patrolling the outskirts of the territory, the sound of the river nearby soon soothing her and replacing the noise in her head.

Speedy moved slowly these days; it felt like she got rounder everyday, and it siphoned her energy even more, but she still found parts of the day when she could keep herself busy. Currently, she was carrying willow bark from the willow tree she had found near the river and was planning on taking it back to the caves to the herb den she had started creating. 

The constable's scent caught her attention, though, and she decided to follow it. She wanted to officially introduce herself and get to know her other leader a little better.

She found Ira near the borders, and the healer offered a muffled chuff as she approached. She would stash the bark as soon as she found somewhere safe and dry to do so.

The sounds of the forest around her echoed the steps of another, heavy almost as if her visitor was being weighed down. It wasn't until the chuff that Ira confirmed her theory, the smaller female's belly swollen with young. The constable slowed her pace as Speedy followed along responding with her own tone.

Hello. Her pace slowed almost to a crawl wondering if the woman really wanted to travel the borders with her, wasn't it a burden with the pups? Then again Valette still traveled up until birth, it just took a while sometimes...but she was also the Matriarch. Are you slowed due to your pregnancy? There's no shame in resting during the final stretches The mountain wolf was usually a workaholic, but she had no issue giving leeway to an expecting mother.

She smiled, the expression made to look a little strange with her mouth still full. They passed by a tree then, and Speedy relinquished her bundle of willow bark, making note of where she was so that she could come get it later. She rejoined Ira and shook her head a little. It does slow me down some, but I rest all the time--too much, really. Right now, I actually have energy, and I'd love to make the best of it and walk with you, the healer said. As long as you don't mind moving at my unfortunate pace, she quickly asked, not wanting the constable to feel obligated or anything. Her pace was somewhat glacial right now, and she understood if the leader wished to run a more efficient patrol.

Dutiful even while this far along in her pregnancy. Ira could respect that and if the day ever came that she carried her own young, she likely would be seen doing the same. Not at all, safety in numbers after all. She had heard rumors that there might be unfriendly wolves beyond their borders and with past knowledge of the wolves around Easthollow she wanted to risk no lives.

They might move at a slower pace, but it gave the constable more time to thoroughly mark the perimeters. So to my knowledge there are no mates established here. You plan to raise your young alone? Perhaps her question was blunt, but if she was correct then she would make sure other members, as well as herself, picked up duties to care for the mother and her children.

Speedy nodded and fell into step beside the constable. Her next question was a tad blunt, but the healer didn't mind; she had every right to ask questions. Well, yeah, I do. she answered first. Although, I'm beginning to see that the pack will help as much as possible, which I'm beyond grateful for. It was far more than she deserved, but her children deserved safety and love, and so she wouldn't turn down any help offered.

And since they were on the subject, she felt that she should warn Ira of the possible trouble her presence here might bring, although she figured Evergreen probably already mentioned it. I'm not sure what all Evergreen has told you, but my being here could bring hostile wolves should they ever find out where I am. She glanced over at the constable, attempting to gauge her reaction. It's my fault. I messed up and hurt a lot of packmates. She paused, drawing in a shaky breath as she prepared herself to retell the story yet again. The father is the alpha of my previous pack. It was a horrible mistake and is the reason I was chased from the pack. Speedy closed her eyes and shook her head. I'm fully prepared to pay for my mistakes, but the pups haven't done anything wrong, and I just want them to be safe. She stopped, needing to catch her breath. She had been upset and it impaired her ability to breath calmly, and since the babies were already making her short of breath, she found herself needing a minute. I'm sorry, I'll be okay in a moment, she said apologetically.

Ira listened with no interjections as the woman explained. The puzzle pieces of what she knew were slowly coming together now and it made since. I’m most packs what she had done was a serious crime. 

However, Evergreen founded Kaistleoki on the belief of new beginnings which meant she could only give her trust if the bear did too. If trouble did come to their doors they would protect the mother and her kids and the kids would be the first generation of Kaistleoki born.

It wasn’t until Speedy had to pause that the constable finally spoke up,I understand. You have nothing to fear here, and while I do not condone what happened it is not my place to lecture you on the past now that We face the future.

She nodded, drawing in a few more deep breaths before continuing to walk again. Thank you, she offered, dipping her head a little. She wasn't sure what to say now that she had divulged her shameful past to the constable, so she was quiet for a few moments. But, she had an idea, something she had been thinking about since the pack meeting. Her gaze flicked to her packmate as they walked and she thought of the best way to ask. I was wondering...I have no fighting experience at all. As much as I hate the idea of hurting anyone, I would like to be able to protect my children if the need ever came about. She was rambling a bit, she realized, so she then asked: Would you mind teaching me some things? Quickly, she clarified: When I'm not pregnant, of course. She would never be a mercenary by any means, but she could be better prepared for trouble.

Sorry for the wait!

Silence settled in while the two walked, not that she minded. It did not last long, however, as Speedy broke the silence. She wanted to learn to fight, as a soon to be mother, she understood where the woman was coming from. But their training would have to wait until she could leave the pups for a bit. Of course, I'd be happy to teach you. I always feared the lack of knowledge in my old pack. It seemed every time I left the borders something bad happened. Her eyes settled on the smaller woman, I take it you seek defensive knowledge, only enough to chase out those who pose threats, not kill.

Np! <3

Speedy's mouth twisted in thought as she considered the constable's assumption. The thought of killing someone made bile rise in her throat. She would do it if she had to, at least she thought she would; you could never really know how you were going to act in a situation until you were actually there. Still, she wasn't sure she was ready to go that far yet. After a few moments, the healer nodded. Yes, I would just like to be able to defend myself...for now. She might change her mind later, but she would cross that bridge when she got to it. I would be very grateful, she added, smile returning to her face. I know your time is important.

I'm a bit overrun on threads do you mind if we end this one since it's old? Once I have a lot less we should get on Speedy's training!

As always, she would never turn down the offer to train someone looking to defend themselves or their loved ones. Of course, but it is no waste to me if it benefits the pack. Please come to me when you are ready and we can discuss your path of action. Ira pressed her fur against a nearby bush and tree.

np! <3
Feel free to archive here or reply one more time; either is fine with me

Speedy nodded, offering the constable a grateful smile. Thank you, that means a lot, she replied. A yawn parted her jaws then, her body making it known that she had used up whatever energy she had before. I'm sorry, she said, sighing a little. I can't seem to stave off sleeping for very long these days, she added, shaking her head some. I should head back to the caves and get some rest. As inconvenient as it was to have nowhere near the amount of energy she was accustomed to, she knew she needed all the rest she could get. She also knew she should listen to her body, and if it was requesting sleep, then she probably needed it. 

It was nice talking to you, Ira, she said, yawning once more. And, thank you again. She would turn and waddle slowly away unless the constable stopped her.