Redtail Rise bistre

There were two who had yet to be ranked.  Redd had seen this, observing, and felt it was time.  One was newly returned from the world, proven beyond Toweard by surviving alone, and the other had served on many occasions to defend the pack against intrusion.  She only needed to know their chosen test.

So she called @Moon Runner and @Saturdays Sunrise to her, knowing the opportunity would allow them to better know her as well.

She was not sure what being “known” meant yet.  She could only try.

When they arrived she would give them the option - a hunt or a spar.  The proving was merely formality; she knew them capable.  She only wished to know the extent.

A call, the spirit said.

She trotted towards New Woman, winter furs pale against the snowy scrim. Since coming home, she had feasted well. A new luster had returned to the young girl’s pelage and her silhouette had become softer and less hard-edged. Despite the pack’s rocky politics, they were good at hunting, had plenty of prey, and were never left wanting for food.

She found the newly crowned Wealda waiting alone. Sister had yet to arrive.

Moon Runner’s pace slowed until her gait was a slow walk. She did not greet New Woman with enthusiasm. Rather, she regarded her aloofly. When Moon Runner had dispersed, the Rise had been stable like an old castle. Little had changed since her birth.

But Wolverine [Lilia] and White Buffalo Hunter [Ancelin] had left. Red Woman commanded all but died. Blood Spot’s [Masquerade’s] demeanor changed. Her parent’s ranks and rites had been threatened. Now, a completely new wolf took a seat at the head of their pack.

And the tension was not yet settled. Blood Spot had gone off somewhere. Rolling Thunder [Riley] and Shadow [Mulherin] followed.

Moon Runner came to a stop and licked her jowls as if asking to know why she was called. Her personality was not impulsive, often more curious than skeptical, and so she watched New Woman with a keen eye.

she could hear the lingering sound, an ask for her and her sister's presence. part of sunrise could feel nervousness, unsure of what this new wealda had planned for them. so much had changed within the rise, and yet it had little to do with how the sisters felt or worked. perhaps sunrise was meant to know more, perhaps she was a fool for not knowing what to make of this while event.

unlike her goodnatured sister who held onto morbid curiosity, there lingered a sense of suspicion in sunrise. but she swallows it, despite the bad taste in her mouth, as she stands with her sister closely and looks on, as respectfully as she can muster. her stance remains neutral, and perhaps a low swing of the head could be considered a small show of submission to this older girl.

she awaits for what it is she has to say to them.

Just as she had with Riley, Redd took up a more relaxed stance, not worrying to assert her dominance in this moment.  She had little to fear with their parents’ understanding made clear, and she would earn nothing by fermenting distrust.

She did not know what they would understand, but she spoke anyway when both had arrived.  So many words in such a short time, these past days.

You are ready.  Choose Bjern or Ulfr.  The fangs or the hunt.  As she said each, she illustrated her intent…. On fangs the beginnings of a sparring posture, on hunt the search for a trail.

To be Bjern, she would spar to test their resolve.  To be Ulfr, she would await their hunt’s return.  This would allow them to rise into the official place of adulthood among the rise.  They would be needed in full when the cold truly set in.

Moon Runner’s nose hovered just above Sister’s shoulder. She breathed her scent for comfort as they worked out the dynamics between themselves and the new Wealda. For the moment it felt like a stalemate. Then, New Woman made a sound. Moon Runner’s ears swiveled thoughtfully as she watched her gestures and parsed their intent.

It’s time to join the adult ranks, the spirit learned.

But do they respect New Woman’s instructions? Both sisters could easily walk away or test Wealda's resolve.

Yet Moon Runner does not choose confrontation. Her limp tail swayed agreeably before the young wolf loped a few paces away. Her muzzle ducked low to the snow as if to take the scent of prey. Amber eyes catch New Woman’s gaze.

I will become Ulfr, the spirit said.

she did not utter the word, but her actions reflect her desire to battle. red girl had something in her eye that made flame stalker respectfully curious and perhaps cautious. perhaps it was the birthright that all of red woman's kin held, that certain look of a feral blood that ran through their body.

sunrise stood still, though lowered her head in a quiet, testing challenge. it would give her the opportunity to prove herself as worthy of the adult ranking, as the fangs for the group. she would wait to see which one is tested first through it all.

One chooses the hunt, the other to defend.  Silently Redd appreciates the balance; strong hunters would never be too many, but they had few who chose to specialize in combat.  This spring could prove dangerous if conflict came.

A hunt was a longer affair; the fight would occur first.  Redd acknowledged the Ulfhedinn’s daughter by facing her, head lowering defensively.  A clear invitation.

She would allow her the first move, but if there was too much hesitation, she would not wait for long.

It came as no surprise that Sister asked to become Bjern. The tip of Moon Runner’s tail curled in interest. She was proud of Sister. Quickly, she licked the chin to show her respect for Wealda’s rank before the two wolves squared off. Then, the girl loped away to begin a hunt. Though she wished to watch Sister’s talents through spar, the new Ulfr felt the need to prove herself, as well.

with her sister out of the picture, sunrise focused back on the wealda before her. she thought back to Wolverine for a moment, how she had managed to be easily swept out and knocked over with ease. but that was then, and this was now. sunrise had learned from her mistakes, she had taken the time to work herself to the bone for her days of guarding and protecting the spine. today she would bathe herself in the blood of the rise and prove herself worthy at last.

with the first move being offered to her, sunrise moved carefully as her eyes flicked over redd's body, searching for any weakness before she moved. a head-on attack was not in order, so sunrise moved to make a snatch for a hind leg, hoping to throw the older girl off balance if she was lucky, and therefore make her easier to unsettle and bring down.

i have not done a spar in so long plz forgive any bad writing here

sorry I let this go so long!  I’m okay if we keep it vague <3 and if we want to wrap here!

Redd saw strategy in her, cunning and care.  She did not rush nor did she allow her anger to rise.  Both of these boded well.  The Wealda pulled back defensively, not willing to let the spar end so soon, but testing her.  She would not press to injury, but she also would not pull back in attempting to pin Saturday’s Sunrise down.

The daughter of Ulfhedinn would surprise her a few times over the course of the spar, proving a resourceful fighter and determined opponent.  Wealda would not get the upper hand in the fight and, after a time, backed off and relaxed her posture with an approving huff.  She was winded… the Bjern had done well.

Wealda congratulated her with an approving nudge, a gesture of respect to the side of her muzzle that was often formally reserved for her father.  In this moment she had proven herself an equal.  Now Redd would go to seek out Moon Runner, taking care not to spoil any hunt in progress, but wishing to take note of the outcome.  By the time the sun set, both would be fully fledged adults in the eyes of the Rise.