Dragoncrest Cliffs parting glass

She had stayed close to her children since their da had departed, more for her own sake than theirs. But this morning, Meerkat stole away to walk along the beach by herself. She let herself feel her feelings. He’ll be back soon, she reassured herself even as the breeze streaked saltwater across her cheekbones.

After spending a cathartic hour or so beside the water, she began venturing toward the tunnel to make her way back to the territory’s interior. It was around midday, so she decided to scrounge up something to eat before returning to the rendezvous site.

In case you didn't read the thread lol it is Here He had a A tooth is missing on his right side. There are deep gashes in his muzzle on the left side. He has a chest wound right side. It's not deep enough to kill, but scar. His right leg is incredibly torn up from claws and it was infected. Though it is better now at least infection wise

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Gunnar limped his way from the pack lands. He had been sticking to himself. Healing and doing his best to stay away from his pack members. He couldn't answer questions. He knew what happened. Knew what he had fought for and why. What he couldn't remember was the after affects and he hoped to god it wasn't what his fevered memory had stirred up, because then he had done a very bad thing, and had a kid out there possibly. He growled to himself. He had been so good. ANd then one she wolf and wounds..and ugh.

Though his thoughts were soon silenced as he came across the gentle she wolf Meerkat and she looked upset.

He chuffed gently.

Oooh, thank you for the notes! :)

Someone woofed and Meerkat’s head snapped upward. She found herself near the mouth of the tunnel, paws motionless in the sand. She had been staring into space, she realized the split second before she properly registered Gunnar’s presence. Any thought of finding food fled her mind when she saw his condition.

She thought she’d overheard some whispering about a fight, though Meerkat didn’t know the details. Hearing about something and seeing it up close and personal were two very different things, in any case. For the first time in a long time, Toad Amelia’s torn face flashed through Meerkat’s mind. She swallowed thickly.

Gunnar… Meerkat said in a hushed voice, not really sure what to say.

He was up and moving around, which was a good sign, right? Unbidden, she realized Gunnar looked on the outside like she felt on the inside lately: torn apart. She swallowed again, her throat thickening. Meerkat’s tears had only just dried, was she about to cry again?

This is probably a very dumb question, she said quietly, regaining her composure, but… how are you?

Gunnar stood motionless. Realizing quickly that Meerkat had not known he was even there. He didn't wish to get attacked again. He wasn't even sure if he was gonna survive this one. The worst seemed to be gone. It had been a week or so. Gosh how long had it been that he had suffered through a fever.

Gunnar had to push his ears forward at her words, so quiet that they were. Hello Meerkat.

He spoke softly. A smile on his ragged face. Though he licked a tongue along the broken tooth.

Gunnar looked down at himself. I'm alright all things considered, but given the circumstances. I would have given more. But that is neither here nor there. Are you okay, my dear?

He insisted he was okay, all things considered. Meerkat’s chestnut eyes trailed from wound to wound, wincing inwardly. They looked to be on the mend, though they must have hurt quite badly. Perhaps they still did, though if so, Gunnar hid it well.

“Are you okay, my dear?” The concern in his voice and the term of endearment made her chest tighten. Her throat constricted and Meerkat could only shake her head, motioning for him to give her a moment as she tried to collect herself again.

I’ll be alright. I just miss Njord very much, Meerkat said after letting out a long breath. But he’ll be back, so I have no business being so down in the dumps, she said, somewhat to herself.

Can I do anything for you? she asked, trying to shift the focus back to Gunnar. I admit I don’t know much at all about healing physical wounds… but I’m a counselor, in case you want to talk about it. And a pretty good pack mate in general, I like to think, in case you just need… company, or a snack, or something along those lines, Meerkat finished with a small smile.

They had hurt. Gunnar could see her concern and her wince, but he would do it again, and again. Even if it killed him. He would've done it all over again. He smiled.

Gunnar limped forward with the intent to show his care, but she shook her head. So he stopped. A small hiss leaving his lips at the abrupt stop, but he settled to his haunches. Licking at the small scabs over his chest, as they cracked.

He blinked. Where did Njord go? He had not heard anything about the warrior. Had not seen him either.

Gunnar frowned. It was bad business. These wounds were earned for something good, but I would have liked to rip the throat out of the youngling gave them to me.

Although she wanted to answer his question, she couldn’t bring herself to talk about it right now, not unless she wanted to risk breaking down. She didn’t, so Meerkat threw Gunnar a tight smile and shook her head, hoping he understood.

It was much easier to focus on someone else’s strife. She listened attentively as he told her about fighting for a good cause. He mentioned that he had fought a youth, which made her brows raise inquisitively. But Gunnar stopped there.

What happened, exactly? she whispered, then thinking about her own problems, she added, You don’t have to tell me if it’s too painful to relive it. But if he did want to get it off his chest, Meerkat would most certainly bend an ear.

Gunnar understood her tight smile. And he didn't push. He would bend his own ear, if she would like, but he knew that sometimes you just didn't push and you couldn't speak. So he bowed his head and quit asking.

He sighed, and shifted, wincing slightly. I was searching for my mother's gardens. She had many throughout the area, she was a healer. And I came across a female in heat. There was a young wolf. Big black beast. She didn't want him, and he tried to force himself upon her. And I.

Gunnar spoke softly. I intervened. I know that it is the way of nature sometimes, but I couldn't allow such an injustice. That kind of pain. That breaks a femme. You understand. It breaks something inside and they can't always get over it. It was the way with my granma. She would jump at shadows. Pa couldn't get near her without warning her first.

He had gone with his mother when she had gone back home.

Although she didn’t regret prompting him to unburden himself, Meerkat wasn’t entirely prepared for the grotesque details of Gunnar’s story. She tried not to let her shock show on her face, beyond a slight widening of her eyes and parting of her lips. He needn’t have justified his intervention, though the implication of his personal anecdote wasn’t lost on her.

Insides twisting, Meerkat could only say, You did the right thing. I’m sure she appreciated your intervention. It seemed like such a trite thing to say in the face of such a story. What happened to her? The she-wolf in heat? Meerkat couldn’t help but wonder.

Had she escaped unscathed because of Gunnar’s intervention? Or had she still been hurt, despite him throwing himself at the mercy of her attacker? Meerkat’s warm eyes shifted from each of his, afraid of the answer, but hopeful that his sacrifice hadn’t been for nothing.

Gunnar noticed her surprise and the way she tried to be as understanding as possible was not lost on the male. He was no angel in this scenario.

Gunnar smiled. She got away. I managed to keep him from following, but only just. If he found her later. I do not know. I found her right after to check on her. She was fine when I left her then. Then it's a bit blurry as a fever settled.

He wondered briefly if he should check on the icelandic she wolf again, but a part of him didn't want too. It would hurt to travel that far, and though what they had shared afterwards was in an effort to make her feel better, he was no fool. He knew what could have, probably did happen, but it had been age old instinct and the need to make her feel better.

I made it to the edge of the territory and Sobo found me.

She let out a breath when he let her know the victim had escaped. He said it with a smile, so Meerkat chose to believe this meant her attacker hadn’t succeeded in any way… other than harming Gunnar himself, of course.

It speaks a lot to your character, that you would throw yourself into harm’s way to help a stranger. I’m so glad she was able to get away, Meerkat said, now steadily holding her pack mate’s gaze. I’m sorry you were hurt, but like you said, that would’ve been… horrific, for her. You saved her life.

And part of the reason he was alive to tell the tale was because of Sobo. Her lips twitched faintly at this before Meerkat suddenly looked away. The two of them maintained a respectful distance and she abruptly wondered if Njord’s leave would shift their dynamic.

She didn’t hold his departure against Njord, though. Although she had expressed concerns over the whole thing, it was only a temporary trip and he would soon return. Meerkat tried to ignore the small voice in the back of her mind, reminding her of the story of another time he’d gone away, only to be waylaid by a storm. What if that happened again?

Taking a breath, she pushed all thoughts of her mate from her mind and refocused on Gunnar, saying, I’m almost afraid to ask… but what happened to the other guy?

She had seemed to get far away from them all. And though she had been happy to see Gunnar. The dark one had not followed that he had known. Though being as terrible as the boy was he may have tried again.

Gunnar nodded his head. What's one old man's life for a youngling to have a bright future, really. I would have done it in my younger years though as well to be fair. He chuckled. He had been a bit of a headstrong child. He was a viking after all.

Sobo didn't seem fond of Gunnar himself, but he had treated him when he hadn't needed too.

Gunnar gave a grim look. Well I have hope that he succumbed to his injuries, but he was too cruel to i imagine. I gave him as much as I got. I believe i ripped his face and chest and part of his ear off. Definitely scoured up his legs and chest.

She wasn’t sure she could wish this black beast dead, though she was glad Gunnar had given him quite the pounding. It was just punishment for what he’d tried to do to that poor young woman, or so Meerkat felt.

Saying nothing on the matter, Meerkat hummed in acknowledgement, then went silent for a few beats before saying, Is there anything you need, besides a willing ear? I’m nothing special when it comes to hunting but I could grab you something to eat. And I may not know a whole lot about healing but I know it’s important to eat to keep your strength up, and to heal…

Gunnar could and did wish the youngling dead. There was no room in the world for such terrible beings. At least as far as he was concerned. Had his father ever like his kin, he would have disowned him too, if not worse. Though Ragnar woulda probably beat him with one paw, honestly.

Gunnar shook his head. I am okay right now, but thank you. Truth be told some of the herbs he had just taken, had made his stomach upset so he needed to wait a bit before he could eat. It was churning a little.

He declined her offer and Meerkat decided not to press. She still needed to fetch some lunch for her kids, though, and frowned thoughtfully in the general direction of the rendezvous site.

If you tell me where you’re resting, I’ll swing by and visit. Maybe bring the kids? Would Gunnar like that kind of company? Speaking of them, I’m due to bring them lunch. Are you absolutely sure you don’t need anything for now?

He saw her gaze and realized he had probably kept her from children.

I sleep near the corsair beach. I like to be near the ocean and water. And I would love to see the little's.

He smiled a twitch of his tail. And shook his head. I'm positive. Have fun with your children and Miss. Meerkat. Should you ever need the favor of a listening ear returned, please don't be shy in asking.

She blinked, surprised a little to hear that he slept so near the rendezvous site. But of course that was a good surprise, seeing as it should make it easy to visit with him.

That’s close to where we stay, though the boys seem to prefer the side nearer the lowlands, probably because of the mud, Meerkat shared with a laugh. Well, we’ll see you around then! Take care of yourself in the meantime.

After offering him a brief nudge, Meerkat ventured not toward the small beach in question but toward one of the caches. She would check to see if they were well-stocked before deciding whether to grab a cold lunch or hunt up something fresh for her pups.

Gunnar had always been sure to stay away from the pups and the mothers. The site's themselves. He stayed near the ends they were not at and moved as he felt the need too. He knew how territorial mothers could be. Even his own, was.

He wrinkled his nose. Not a fan of mud. I just like the sea and the sand. he dipped his head and watched her leave, before he too began to limp towards the beach, but the other side of it.