when you would pay tribute to me

For @Nanuk and @Iqniq

It was daunting. There were no other ways to describe the jutting bits of rock and shale that, at points, desired to give way to wide paws. Bits of stone and ragged moss split the soil like teeth to provide an impenetrable fortress should one not know the intricate details of the path. The inky blob clung dangerously close to the silver-metallic instructor, ears preened raptly as information was spoken over one bear-like shoulder. This was Sawtooth Spire. Their lands were plentiful and their ranks accumulated of warriors. The skill sets of warden and warrior were pressed upon the newly acquainted pack wolf. There would be no leeway of these choices. It was their law.

The inky wolf followed in diligent silence, absorbing each spoken detail in keen interest. The bear-wolf was Nanuk. The sound it made rolling from tongue was foreign yet strong. Iqniq would be their next companion, a male alpha of the troop and a leader of the ranks. Somewhere at the precipice of mountain and valley slight trepidation had given way to a thrilling emotion of want. The seeking had ended and winter would not only be rife with food but worth. 

Narrow, winding trails opened up to the open maw of the territory and only then did the dark figure pause to cast a neutral gaze below on all that awaited.

The distance home was short but meaningful. Here in the Spire, they did things in the traditional manner, caring for none other than their own. He was a good listener though, her information surely not going in one ear and out the other. She told him what he needed to know and what would be expected of him. He had no arguments, apparently and kept quiet now as they reached the fringes of the borders. It was here she stopped, here she tipped her muzzle up and howled, calling for the presence of an Alpha. They would have their own questions for him but she would stand here, stand by him in this instead of leaving him out in the cold. 

Now, they would wait, and if he had any further questions, she would answer them. Otherwise, she was content in maintaining her silence.

It was of everyone's good fortune (or mostly his) that the pups were taken care of under the watchful eye of Aariak. More and more he was thankful for that wolf. Having an extra someone to watch over those children was something of a miracle as it freed up both himself and Tonravik to tend to their responsibilities as alphas and as parents. They'd vacationed a little too much as parents as of late. It was definitely time to alpha again.

He was on his way towards the southern rim of the Spire when Nanuk's howl sounded. Ears swiveled as he altered his path to meet her at the borders. It sounded as though she'd found something or someone new. Curious and determined not to keep them waiting, he added a bit of speed to his gait and made his way to them quicker than he would have if he were out on a casual patrol.

The distance was crossed and Nanuk's bearish form appeared in the distance. With her was a dark wolf. Iqniq smirked. The Spire appeared to be adding more and more black wolves to its collection. Coming across him, his posture asserted itself as was necessary of his position. Tail lifted stiff above his back. Head high. Ears forward. Shoulder's proud. Despite this, there was something easy going about him. This wolf had come with Nanuk. It seemed he already had her seal approval so all the theatrics weren't quite required.

"Nanuk. Welcome back. Who's your friend?"

With cessation came the longing howl of leadership. The echo it produced over the canyon of scarred terrain prompted only a steady gaze, attention dwindling from the wolf's guide towards the horizon. Time elapsed. Just enough for the dark figure to ponder the intricate path down the steep slope when another wolf blazed into view. Every twist of carefully lain guard hairs were alight with fire, soft creams along underside providing a bright image versus the drab pair before him. The leader's approach was power with an undercurrent of benevolence. The newly acquired Eta lowered shapely head in a signal of praise and admiration. This individual helped dictate the success of the thriving pack wolves. 

The question, though delivered to the silver bear-wolf, was given a shift of gaze, assessing the statuesque female before offering a quiet reply instead, "Grim." There wasn't much more to the title than that. As always, it was a reminder of degradation and humiliation that the sooty male was reluctant to allow take root. A dip of skull delivered a silent apology to the wolf's companion, uncannily aware of robbing her delivery to the ember-coated alpha. A sharp swallow of spit caused the lapse of silence to continue, not having much value to deliver towards the conversation other than vitals and cause. 

"Nanuk's informed me of your trade skill requirements," he said at last, an edge of admiration exuding through the statement. The wolf doubted that the alpha needed this information, as his beta was more than capable, but an innate desire to boost her worthiness was present nonetheless.

Quick post ily guys <3


As expected, Iqniq was quick to come to the pair, already assessing her companion as he approached. His question brought a swift answer from Grim but she still spoke up, the common tongue used between them for now. "I found a Spider and he followed me home." The fiery alpha would understand what she meant. The Spire was a place that lived in he present, that let a wolf be who they truly wanted to be. 

With a glance at the dark male, she nodded in agreement with his words, only adding an aside to Iqniq that would help him understand the why. "His fire matches our own." And it was true. Every wolf of Sawtooth had a fire of some sort, and though he was thin and needed sustenance, there was something to be said for the fact that he still lived and breathed to stand with them now. Nanuk was not one for charity cases, so it was a sure thing that he was able to hold his own. This, she simply knew, seeing in him what they looked for in their wolves as it was.

A question was lifted and the wolf of shadows answered. Just one word. A name. The name of the spider who'd followed a polar bear home. What a daring spider. Alas, if his fire matched their own he'd be quite at home here. No questions about it, Iqniq trusted his aokkatti and his beta. If she felt this wolf was one of theirs and his loyalties proved true, he'd be a welcome member to their makeshift family.

The wolf spoke again. Nanuk had filled him in on their requirements. Perfect. He could pursue the necessary training required to protect and defend both himself and their home and chase after a third trade that suited him more completely if the first two were not enough. That was their way of things. Each wolf would learn the basics. What they chose to do after that was up to them.

Still... there was one tradition he was curious to know whether or not Nanuk had shared. "Did she tell you we rename all who enter our ranks?" This wolf's name was his own. He could keep it. The wolves here? They started anew. They could make what they wanted of their new title. "Out there you are Grim. In here?" He glanced briefly towards Nanuk before looking back upon their new companion. "You will be Aasivak." Their spider. "What happens at the Spire stays at the Spire. We share our secrets with no wolf."

I FEEL ALL KINDS OF FEELS GUYS

A flush of warmth burned beneath skin to hear the words of the icy wolf describe her find. The inky drifter had always been that of a spider, completely sharp and disproportionate to its siblings. Where they were solid, round little fluffballs at birth, the black wolf had been dark, burning, and scrawny. It fit. Perhaps only because the bear-wolf had titled it so. The confidence in abilities came next, a brief flicker of fiery eyes smoothing towards the silver-tufted female in a keen appreciation. Everything was absorbed in a neutral silence.

The brimstone-colored alpha spoke of names and ears, despite desire to remain unconvincing, shot upwards. There was a brief moment of pure stupidity across features before a swift recovery swept them away. It helped that a new name was brandished upon him; Aasivak. It rolled sharply from the tongue in a way that reminded the wolf of squid ink when it enveloped the shallows. 

Withered little heart of black skipped a beat, swelling in chest and seizing. Belonging. Perhaps it was what the wolf had been searching for afterall.

"Aasivak," he repeated, tasting the name for the first time outloud. "They go to the grave." The statement was spoken with a cool conviction. It wasn't the spider's nature to divulge anything in any event. The fire-eyed wolf had always been a mystery. "Thank you," he expressed somewhat suddenly. Though it wasn't the epitome of strength to convey gratitude, the spider felt the need all the same.

I think this will be my last post! Jules, your post will be #10 so we can wrap it there and then he's officially official!

The two went back and forth a bit, Iqniq officially bestowing the name upon their newest comrade. Aasviak accepted it and their terms and that was that; they were all packmates and her work here was done. With a rough nudge to each of their shoulders, the pale tank went on about her way, resuming her patrol of the borders where she'd left them earlier. They would no doubt come across each other again in not long t all; until then, the Beta would keep to her duties as she always did. 

Nanuk exits.

Woot. Last post from me too. I like Gina's plan. <3

At the presenting of the name Iqniq watched the wolf swell with a little bit of pride. Or satisfaction. Or was that something else? He could not be entirely sure, but the expression seemed to be a positive one. When coupled with the wolf's assurance that their secrets would go to the grave he immediately saw what Nanuk had seen in this wolf. He was confident. Self-assured and dedicated to his cause. First impressions were always leery, but what he saw thus far pleased him greatly.

A nod of welcome was all he offered the wolf. Nanuk brushed against him, wrapping their spider in her scent. Iqniq pressed forward and did the same. Fire clashed with shadow before slipping away. They'd lead him inward and point out a few places of significance before leaving him to explore for himself. No doubt, Tonravik would find him, but at least he was wrapped in enough perfumes for her not to mistake him for that which he was not.

♥

Nothing more was said as all seemed in agreement with the new name, duties, and expectations of the newest pack wolf. Nudges came from the pale bear-wolf in the form of acceptance and dismissal. More still followed by the fire-coated alpha to help extinguish the scent of old. 

Both leaders set about their way and it took little time for the long-legged male to follow after. Careful selection of path wound the inky Eta down the slopes, winding and turning until the peaks opened up to more flattened plateaus. Fiery gaze absorbed all there was to see, taking personal note of a few locations that had been pointed out. While the two faded into the distance, presumably towards a council, the inky wolf detoured onto his own path. Before long, wide feet began to scale unfamiliar terrain until the sun began to fall and darkness overtook the mountain range once more.