Moonspear Ive Been in a cave

Alaric stood looking down over the spear. Wondering was his daughter safe? Was she happy? Did they treat her well? Would she come home if she got too lonely? He had no doubt she would thrive, but he still worried. He was a father after all. But there were more children to father. More love of his to give. He knew this. And now Amalia was among them and he wondered if this would be the year, his sister would finaly give in and have little neices and nephews for him to spoil. He hoped to god that Killdeer didn't hurt Amalia. She was a happy, exuberant woman, but easily hurt. Sensitive even.

He sighed and slowly began to search among the rocks for something anything to put in the cache. A tilt of his head as he heard something moving about. he went into hunter's crouch.

sólhárr stood tall against the biting winds, his auburn coat brushed with snowflakes as the storm pressed thick around him. the path to moonspear had been arduous, the snow heavy underfoot, slowing his progress but not his resolve. much awaited him—conversations to be had, perhaps trade or alliances to discuss, always with forneskja at the forefront of his mind.

he paused at the border, the faintest whisper of a scent carried on the crisp air. it was familiar, tugging at a memory he could not quite place. kinusi? no—she was safe in forneskja. his single golden eye narrowed, scanning the ridge above as his nostrils flared to take in more of the foreign yet recognizable presence. the scent was male.

his voice broke the stillness, a deep and commanding tone that carried through the quiet forest. you there. i come in peace.

he stepped forward, his broad shoulders cutting through the snowy haze, ears swiveling toward any movement. his head tilted slightly, as if considering the unseen figure. a soft huff left his lips as he waited for a response, his stance neutral but with the unshakable air of a leader. whatever this man’s connection to the scent he recognized, sólhárr intended to find out.

HOPE ITS OK I SNIPED

Alaric caught a scent on the wind and his fur bristled. It was a scent of deep loam and forest. Of darkness and intrigue. Of forests that stood sentry for along time. He shifted and followed towards it. His curiosity large. Because among it he smelled his daughter.

Alaric bristled further at teh voice that carried to him. But he met it with a voice of his own. I should hope so. I'd rather not get into a tangle today. And he stepped into view. The color of his coat and the brown on his ears and such. A clear give away, who his daughter was.

This man was a beast. Gargantuan and deep voiced. Once upon a time. Alaric would have enjoyed looking at him. But his heart felt of stone as of late. It was hard to muster.

What brings you to the Spear. I'm Alaric Willow.

his voice broke the stillness, a deep and commanding tone that carried through the quiet forest. you there. i come in peace.

Fine with me <3

sólhárr’s gaze fell upon the man as he stepped into view, his frame bristling with curiosity and caution. the brown that traced his ears, the earthy tones of his coat—these were markers sólhárr recognized, though he remained still, his single golden eye fixed on alaric with measured intensity.

he dipped his head slightly, a gesture of acknowledgment, though his presence remained imposing, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. i am sólhárr, hárkonungr of forneskja. his words carried the weight of his title, but his tone lacked hostility. instead, it bore the evenness of one accustomed to leading and mediating.

he paused, his gaze lingering briefly on the man’s face before speaking again. kinusi. she carries the same warmth in her scent. is she your daughter?

the chieftain’s voice softened just slightly, curiosity tempered with respect. he had not expected this encounter, but it intrigued him. kinusi had found a place in forneskja, a valuable member of their circle, and now here was her bloodline, standing at the edge of the spear, holding a connection to her that sólhárr could not ignore.

Alaric didn't know this man. But he was polite to him. And besides he was a leader, it was good of him to behave at the borders. Even if a small part of him, sort of disliked the Forjeskja's wolves for taking his daughter away. But he could not deny her curiosity and he knew he was merely being a selfish dad in that regard. So he tried to ignore it. 

I am second to Sialuk here. She is our High Sage. I am Emprex. he gave the heaviness back. He was a leader in his own right. Perhaps not a first leader, but he knew heavy is the head that wears the crown. Alaric wasn't sure of this wolf yet. After all he was a man who was accustomed to a good time. Stories and songs. He was wild and reckless with himself. But he was also a leader and a healer. So he coudl respect that, even if he could not understand the want to always be serious. 

He nodded his head. She is a good girl. And yes she is mine. I claim any children who need a father figure, but she is one that is directly tied to me by blood ties. She told me she wanted to tell the stories that the forest whispers. And sing it's songs.

sólhárr listened as alaric spoke, his golden eye steady on the man before him. a faint smile tugged at his lips, not one of amusement, but something tempered by respect. he nodded, acknowledging alaric’s rank and the weight of his words.

well met, alaric. his voice held warmth, though the depth of it still carried the authority of a chieftain. kinusi speaks well of the forest. i see now where her heart for such things comes from.

he took a step closer, his stance open but unwavering, and continued. after the new year solstice, i will take callyope as my wife. it will be on common ground, between moonglow and forneskja. a union not only for us, but for our peoples.

the faint smile lingered as he watched for alaric’s reaction, measuring the man’s reception. you would be welcome, along with other moon wolves. a time to celebrate— eat, drink, dance.

he tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharpening with a flicker of curiosity. would you have a song, or a story, to tell her? something of her bloodline, her roots?

it was a genuine question, not just for kinusi’s sake but for the connection it might weave between them—a thread of kinship bound by words and legacy.

Alaric did not waver beneath the other man's perusal. Why should he. This was his home. He helped to make this stay vibrant Alive.

Alaric nodded hus head. As she should. She knows the importance of such things.

You send a messenger. I will arrive.

Did Solharr mean Callyope or Kinusi? He was not certain.

I have many stories for Kinusi. But she has heard most. Except my personal ones that I do not share with others yet. And as for Callyope I do not know any for her. But I could ask moonwoman. But she is a grand story teller in her own right.

sólhárr dipped his head, his single golden eye steady on alaric. there was an ease to his movements, an assurance that resonated in the quiet between them.

if you wish to seek her, our doors remain open, he offered, his voice even, carrying the weight of sincerity. he knew what it was to value family, to hold a place for them even as their paths diverged.

he lingered a moment before speaking again, his tone measured. bring your stories when you come. kinusi will listen, and perhaps callyope will as well. it seems fitting that they should know their roots.

his gaze shifted briefly to the horizon, as if marking the path alaric might take. with a slow nod, he turned, signaling that their exchange was concluded—for now. forneskja’s doors, as promised, would remain ajar.

Alaric was surprised at the generous offer, but it was nothing more than the moon wolves would have done. And for that he appreciated it all the same. Thank you.

Alaric still didn't know how he felt about this wolf or their pack. But at least his daughter was safe there. That he was certain of. Extremely certain of.

He dipped his head and turned back the way he had come to finish the patrol he had started.

sólhárr dipped his head in return, the faintest curve of a grin pulling at his lips.

it was a pleasure, alaric, he rumbled, his voice carrying the weight of sincerity. i trust i’ll see you at the wedding.

with that, he turned, his golden eye catching the faint glow of the horizon as he padded away. the snow crunched beneath his heavy paws, his thoughts already shifting back to the preparations awaiting him.