Bearclaw Valley But don’t you know that only fools are satisfied

Freezing fog had settled in overnight, coating the trees with a dusting of silver. Beneath a hot and copper sky, the land shimmered as dawn broke. Ameline, awakened by cramps, had gone out to scout the meadow and by the time she returned to the borders, the pain subsided. 

There, on crude and crooked spikes, were three heads, grimacing though they too were coated in a sparkling veil of frost. Beyond them, over the distant wall of the valley, the sun began to peek. Ameline squinted past the macabre outpost, and sniffed. Deep within her belly, she felt the snaking movements of new life; on their behalf, blood had been spilled, but they would be worth it.

The token for Hedguard was a porcupine skull- something she had sourced months ago, but the process of refining such a thing was a skill Ameline had yet to develop, especially when the skull had been harvested from a live creature, not scavenged. 

She belted out the news for the pack to hear; @Tvar was promoted to Hedguard, having fulfilled her request and proved his mettle in numerous battles. Now, she hoped, they might all enjoy some hard-won peace. 

She moved forward into the peachy light, setting a course for the densite the man shared with Towhee Jr, in hopes of catching him before he went about his daily business.

tvar had risen early, already moving through the valley when he first heard the tolling sound of ameline's call. he paused mid-step, blue-green eyes flickering quietly, flitting about his surroundings in the morning light. there, a renewed sense of self brought on by a rise in position.

he huffed, shaking out his coat before continuing on. the title meant little in comparison to the work itself—he would’ve done it regardless. still, there was pride in it. not for the rank, but for proving that he was capable. worthy of the trust placed in him.

his path naturally veered toward his den so that he might check in on his wife, if she were even home, but before he could reach it, he caught ameline’s scent drawing closer. operating under the assumption she came for him, he adjusts course, meeting her halfway—a warm smile coming to his dark mask when the regina comes into light.

he dips his head to her. regina, a familiarity in his voice.

She was pleased to see that he looked well; likely getting more sleep, now that the coyote problem seemed to have been handled. Hedguard, She responded, pushing the porcupine skull toward him so that he might take his new token. You've earned it. She said with a proud smile. His task had been gruesome, but he'd accomplished it just as she'd asked, and without question or judgement. Perhaps he agreed with their methods; only time would tell if the severed heads would truly ward off the nuisances. 

Jutht wanted to check in an' thee how you an' Towhee Jr were doin' too, She said, her expression brightening. If I'm guethin' correctly...She an' I'll be due about the thame time, maybe a week or tho apart. She said, her tone full of approval. She been feelin' alright tho far? She asked.

pride was not something he wore openly, but it glinted now, quiet in his gaze. i won’t let you down.
her next words earned a huff—amused, warm. his posture shifted, softened.
towhee’s strong. stronger than me. a faint smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. she’s well. tired, sore, restless. but she handles it.
he lifted a brow, dry humor flickering briefly before his gaze gentled again. and you? how are you holding up?

I won't let you down.

She'd heard the words before, in her youth and adolescence- and she knew that they could easily be betrayed. Nowadays, however, the wolves who had said such things had actually meant it. When it came from Tvar, she had every reason to believe that he would keep his promise. 

She appreciated hearing a man tout his wife's strength. She knew full well that Ancelin would say the same of her, and their relationship had endured enough thus far, that she was given reason to believe that Towhee Jr and Tvar would be fine, throughout whatever hardships life might throw at them, as well. Yeah, she'th a tough one. Alwayth hath been, She commented, reminiscing pleasantly about Towhee in her yearling days, a ferocious hunter and guardian in spite of her age. She'd given up her independence lately, it seemed- joining a pack, starting a family; she could only help that it felt good to put down some roots. 

'Nother month or tho'n it'll be more of the thame- but with babieth, She said, brightly. I'm doin' fine. Nothin' unek-thpected tho far thith year, hopin' it'll thtay that way. While she'd not witnessed a difficult birth, she was fully aware that it could happen to anyone. I'm hopin' thometime we'll find thomeone with thome nurthin' thkillth...Both for injurieth, an' for midwifing. She confessed.

he smiles in long thought, and slowly settles himself upon his haunches, ears twitching as he listens attentively to what the regina has to say.
looking to her rounded belly briefly, thinking of what was to come. two litters of puppies—if the gods favored them. the pack would have much on their hands, especially the parents to be, but what he had grown fond of was the familial nature of bearclaw.
you'll both handle it well, he comments. he knew ameline would for sure—it was not her first litter. as for towhee, it was her first and she was young, but the woman was fierce still. strong, and she would be strong through it all. there was no storm she couldn't weather, her husband didn't think. but i'll ask around. he offers.
we'll find someone, i'm sure.