Cedar Sweep A Stone Will Never Break

Red Eyes in dark brown face. Body of littered scars, muscled and gigantic. Paws silent as death as he whispered through the trees. The darkness encompassing him. Small whisps of smokeless air dancing through strands of moonlight.

A demon was coming. A monster born deep in the caverns. Formed in flame and desire. A hollow beneath his ribs.

He stared. why was he here again

Atka wasn't far behind. He had found her hurt and sad. Part of him was relieved, the other part the irrational. Still wondered if she had wanted to leave him.

Towhee set out from The Taigh early this morning to do a sweep. It was the least she could do for Meerkat and @Njord, who’d warmly welcomed her into their home despite her unannounced visit. They seemed genuinely pleased to have her here with them, whereas so much of her time in Moontide was spent feeling like a bit of a throwaway.

She set all those thoughts aside as she paused by the southern fringe, staring off into the sweep. Towhee stood very still, as if she was listening, her breath streaming from her whitening muzzle in a great, vaporous plume.

Shadow of bone and sinew stood. Tall and wary. There was changed in the air. It made him a bit uncomfortable. As they always did. He felt himself warrin between wanting to run back to Atka and make sure she was there and wasn't hurt again.

A sixth sense and he lifted his head to see an old crone, standing still and quiet. Dreven briefly wondered if he should go towards her or stay put. He shifted and ghosted forward. One step, two step.

A figure emerged from the fragrant trees of the sweep. Towhee’s already still frame stiffened, orange eyes fixing on the brutish wolf littered with scars. She had her fair share, though she wondered what type of life he led to carry so many.

She said nothing, made no move. Surely he’d seen her. Did he intend to approach? Towhee watched and waited.

Though he balked at the idea. He also knew they needed help. He wasn't sure if Atka could continue without a permanent place to rest and they needed the solidarity of a pack.

So he approached the old one who stared at him with eyes like dark sunsets.

I'm Dreven. My mate is hurt. You know a place to go?

Straight to the point. Deep bsritone leaving no prisoners. Refusing to offer niceities. They wasted time.

He ventured closer. Towhee’s muscles tensed further. He didn’t speak until he’d stopped a few yards away. His lips were difficult to read and it took her a moment to parse his words. She really only caught a few: “mate,” “hurt” and an inquisitive “go?”

She didn’t respond right away. Where was said mate? How badly was she hurt? Towhee knew Njord and Meerkat would want to help, though she didn’t think they had the resources to look after an injured wolf, especially with her daughter pregnant.

There’s a creek that way, she said, motioning toward the neighboring bog. It forks. Follow the western fork north, through the swamp. The water pours from a lake. Turn east and go through the mountain pass. You’ll find several packs there. They’ll hear you if you call for help from anywhere near the quarry you’ll find there.

towhee has been deaf since birth right? I thought if she was? She'd have a distinct way of speaking, but I can edit this if I am wrong?

He listened. The way she phrased things sounded strange. There was a wolf, but surely not. He looked at her ears for a moment. He saw no scars.

But he gave a nod, but he didn't like the thought of going towards the heartwood. What if Malacath was there or khasni?

Thanks.

He thanked her. Towhee wasn’t entirely sure that saying “you’re welcome” was suitable here. She supposed she could wish him well but it felt peculiarly familiar. Instead, she simply nodded, her head bobbling slightly in the direction she’d indicated. She would keep an eye on him until he disappeared from view.

That’s right! She would definitely sound different from a hearing individual. :)