Ocean's Breath Plateau seal's bellow,

limit two, but attn @Chakliux

the air was thick with salt and brine, the heavy tang of seal fat mingling with the musk of wolves. sólhárr drew in the scent deeply, his broad chest rising as he paused near the edge of this strange land. the familiarity tugged faintly at his thoughts, like a memory caught just out of reach.

a moon village?

he had heard whispers of such a place, but whether this was the one remained to be seen. the forest here was not like forneskja. the rhythm of this land was different, yet not unfamiliar. it held secrets in its soil, and sólhárr was not one to tread lightly on unknown ground.

tilting his head back, the hárkonungr let loose a powerful howl. it cut through the crisp air, carrying the weight of his presence and his intent: not to threaten but to announce. he was here, and he would wait.

his amber eyes scanned the horizon as he settled himself to sit near the borders. the wind whispered across his auburn furs, carrying stories he could not yet understand. he would listen, watch, and meet those who came to greet him.

bride price thread: 1/5

A call upon the borders and Rodyn answered. Stocky and strong. Hearty and hail. But in his mind he felt frail. His heart sick and weary. And yet here was a man. At his borders. His pelt thick with the scent of Callyope. But jealousy did not stir. For Rodyn was a humble man. And he knew why the man was here. But why did he need Chakliux.

Once again Rodyn wondered if he should step aside and let the seal hunter take his crown. For it seemed most considered him the true leader of moontide. And now that, that filled him with a slightly bitter taste. When he himself had made Moontide for his wife. His. And Sedna took her anyway.

But Rodyn would not give this man an easy stance. He stood firm resolute. One with this land that belonged to him. If it was a bride price he sought. Then all was fair. A lift of his head.

I'm Rodyn Alpha of Moontide. What is it you seek?

wistfully did chakliux touch the solid side of the lodge into which his children had been born. the berrybright eyes closed and he thought of tullik.
among the seal hunters, a woman might put her husband's things outside their lodge, to show she desired a divorce. the shelter itself, the pelts, the caches; these belonged to the wife of the hunter.
but tullik had not done these things, and he longed for her.
the call which rose was unknown; he did not know the man and as he drew close, he did not know that scent. what was clear was callyope's perfume laced thickly through the aura of this stranger and the forest also.
he drew close to rodyn's side and said nothing, implacable behind his scars.

sólhárr stood tall upon the borders, the sea's brine still fresh in his fur, though it did not mask the strong, earthy scent of forneskja. his fiery eyes regarded the two wolves who emerged with an air of authority and deep familiarity with these lands.

the first, rodyn, introduced himself as the alpha. his frame was solid, his presence commanding, though there was a tension about him, something deeper sólhárr could not yet place. the second wolf, scarred and white like weathered stone, remained silent, his gaze sharp and assessing. sólhárr dipped his head respectfully to both, acknowledging their leadership and stature.

rodyn, alpha of moontide, solharr began, his voice carrying the weight of his purpose. i am sólhárr, hárkonungr of forneskja. his eyes shifted briefly to the white wolf before returning to rodyn. your lands speak of strength, as do your wolves. it is good to meet you.

a pause, the sea breeze tugging at his thick pelt. i come seeking guidance. callyope—my elska—has spoken of the seal hunters here, their wisdom and skill. his gaze flicked once more to the scarred wolf at rodyn’s side, sensing an air of expertise in his silence. i must hunt a seal to pay her bride price, to honor her and her family. it is not a beast i have hunted before, but i will learn. i ask for your knowledge, and if need be, your aid, to carry out this task.

sólhárr’s tone remained measured and humble, though his determination was clear. he was here not only to ask but to prove himself worthy of the traditions callyope held dear.

Rodyn listened. He briefly touched his nose to Chakliux's shoulder. A man who he had met in trying times. Yet had stood solidly next to him as long as moontide had stood. He owed that man a great debt. He was in part why Moontide was strong and filled with riches. Two hunters.

Rodyn dipped his head. Well met. Thank you. We have toiled to build what you see. We are proud of our pack lands.

And he was which made their relocation all the more bitter.

Rodyn felt a tightening in his stomach, but he did not outwardly show. There had always been, no. It was not worth dwelling on anymore. She was where she belonged.

I have only hunted a seal once
And more recently a seal lion. But Chakliux who is also beta of moontide. He is seal hunter. I will hunt with you, but he can take the lead on how, if he is willing.

With that yellow eyes turned towards his friend. A softness in his gaze. He knew the nuiruk sisters had heavy reaches and they ensnared a few. He and Chakliux were not immune. But they both had been turned aside for others. Except for Samani. His stomach clenched again. Gods he missed her even now. But his heart was healing.

the man came for seals.
he came for callyope.
bitter the burst of jealousy in chakliux was unexpected and annoying. he dipped his muzzle to show he had heard the stranger, who was not a stranger to them at all.
another of the moon woman's plots?
brushing rodyn's shoulder with his own, he watched the man with berrybright gaze quiet. "we will both help you. my sons also may come. soon they take their first seals and become men," he laughed, growing warmer upon his decision to let callyope go.
let go.
"are you a swimmer? we must go beneath the water for some time."

sólhárr offered a respectful bow of his head to the leaders, his amber eyes flickering with gratitude as his voice carried steady and warm. thank you, rodyn, chakliux. your kindness to a man of forneskja will not be forgotten. your land is strong, its wealth and strength a reflection of your leadership.

he straightened, his gaze shifting to chakliux at the mention of swimming. a hint of a smile touched his lips. i am. the northern tides shaped me, and the waters have long been my companion. i will follow you beneath, wherever the seals may guide us.

he glanced between the two, his gratitude unspoken but palpable. this is your expertise, and i am grateful to learn from you both. to hunt alongside moontide is an honor.

Rodyn was irritated with himself for being less than mostly welcoming. He was not usually like this. And he had known, always known. But he did not think his ire was for the situation or the two wolves, he felt. As if it were many things.

Rodyn offered a small tired smile and bent his head. We have worked hard to build moontide in strength and riches and humility and kindness.

He would not have anyone boasting of their known ties with moontide without earning that right or more so respecting Rodyns village and wolves inside it.


Rodyn shifted. Chakliux can explain how to ready yourself and when we shall meet.

this man spoke of the northern waters and the seal hunter gazed at him for a moment. there was little chance that sólhárr knew his ways, but he was reminded to carefully walk at this time.
jerking his head, chakliux kept his mien pleasant. "come, we will walk." directly to the water's edge as it came to pass, paws lapped by the icy surf. slipping through a routine of rolling stretches, he plunged into the shallows, teeth grit only for a moment.
berrybright eyes glanced for this new man and rodyn, a second given before he took a breath and dove into the next wave to buffet them.
beneath the cold dark, chakliux was able to forget many things, eyes stinging as he forced them open to search for seals.