Wheeling Gull Isle Bring them home

Keeping things vague cause I have a couple unfinished threads. John is stopping on Wheeling Gull in search of Heda’s boys. Tags are for reference, unless you’re on the island, or close enough to capture his scent. Time set is early morning, about 6 am. Just when the sky is lighting up.

John had rested, and each day they got closer to the western waters, and each day he felt a pull, telling him to go to the island. He had no solid lead as to where @Simeon, @Malakai or @Judah were last seen or heard, but the crumbled temple of Sweetharbor was a good place to start. He told @Esma and @Boris of his leaving, but promised he would be back before the next day.

The tide was out early that morning, as John stood at the sand bridge, waiting for the tide to wash away, allow him safe travels across the water. When the time had come, on trembling legs he crossed the waters, and when he reached the sandy shores of the Island family’s home, he stopped and whispered a prayer: “Lord, let me find them, safe. And if it’s in your will, let them come home, to their mother who misses them.”

From there, he stepped from the sand to the sea grass, swaying in the morning breeze, the smell of lavender finding his nose, and how sweet the smell. He followed his nose to the lavender field that graced the island, and he knew what he would find, but still, he was surprised when he found it. He strode to the mound of dirt, which was decorated with lavender now, and he stood there. Caracal was a friend to him, a generous man, and he was terribly missed. 

He whispered again, as if he hoped that Carcal would hear his words, “Heda is safe, she is cared for and looked after. We all miss you, but it’s my hope that you are happy in your new home, beside our Father.” Tears welled in his eyes, and he bid the grave one last goodbye before he made his way to the tallest point on the island. There he would wait, waiting for the sons of Heda’s to appear.

He breaks in by the morning headland. Probably some homeless guy looking for quiet, or a place to die.

He rummages through the sea plants and finds the old flattened footpaths conserved by a three-legged gait. He strolls through his mother’s lavender garden and drops his feet at his father’s gravesite. He doesn’t look a thing like Judah- but he’s walking Judah’s island, helping himself to Judah’s life.

From secret places low in the dirt, where the columbine thickens and ash roots grow in dense enneads, a pair of ill-matched eyes regard the imposter with contempt, snaking forward every-so-often for a closer look.

He wouldn’t have known he wasn’t alone if it wasn’t for the scent that rode the ocean breeze. Yet, he stood in his place, his ears swiveling, before he turned his head to look. Whoever was here was hiding well. If he couldn’t see the resident unknown to him, perhaps his voice would find the ears of his spectator.

“I am John, formerly of Sweetharbor. I am here in search of missing sons.” He called out in a gentle voice.

Malakai had not lived upon the island in such a time, he no longer had the right to call it home. Yet home it was all the same. He had attempted to find another, along the side of @Nakano and it was by this man alone which Malakai still lived. Kai had lost his composure in joining Moontide, once he felt he would not die without their hunters to support him. Together and with @Simeon joining their side (and God willing), the trio has lingered along the territories near the coast. 

Home, called. More times then he could count he would trail to the east, far enough only to see the island in the distance and sigh. This time, this day, he did the same. Yet, this time was different. There was a familiar scent on the salty breeze. Two familiar scents, actually, yet it was only one which Malakai held any interest in: Judah.

He knew it! He knew he wasn't dead!! And finally, FINALLY, here he was at least, returned to him. Bless the Lord above, Judah was home! 

Malakai's heart raced along with his legs. They fought hard against the wet sands sinking him in and even harder when the tide spilled over the sandbar, trying to pull him to and fro. God would not make it easy for Kai to return to the island. A test, perhaps to see if he was worthy to return after once leaving it behind. 

Judah...! He calls out. Brother, you are home! John was left to be completely dismissed even as Kai rushed past.

The stranger speaks, the stranger knows. But beneath his laurel of leaves the boy scoffs, the most wretched of groans, “Sweetharbor’s dead.”

His hardness breaks into a quiet sob and a tree catches his lurch. Paralyzed, he visualizes what he can of mom. Her picture is obscured by time, only the essence of how he’d felt with her is recalled: joy. Safety. Does John know, that she was supposed to come back for him?

Silence is broken with a shout- Judah jerks his head. Form the scrub manifests a figure, silver and black with a roughened call and a scent that would never be stripped of brine and lupine-

“Mal?” He mouths, hardly with words, and paddles through the brush towards him.

His heart stops, his breath lost. Malakai stands before him.

“Sweetharbor’s dead.” Said Judah. These were words that drew a gasp from John. This, and one other surprise that emerged from the bushes; Malakai, the second son, the twin brother of Judah. He was genuinely surprised, that all of Heda’s sons were alive and that one was missing a leg. However, from John’s perspective, it seemed that once Malakai made his presence known, and the two brothers had come together, John was sidelined.

He stayed quiet, letting them have their moment of reunion, but once he could, he spoke, in the soft voice he’d been given: “If I may have a moment.” He said, clearing his throat, “It seems my prayers have been answered. Your mother has been worried sick, so I have come to find you. And here you are.” 

Would they take his request kindly? When he asks of them to come home?

With a deep breath, he said plainly what he was here to ask: “Do you boys wish to return to your mother? She has rebuilt her natal pack up in the Rising Sun Valley.”

I knew you'd come back... He is breathless, panting, heart racing as he moves closer to his brother, extending a front limb to wrap it around Judah's neck and pull him close. He knew it. Malakai had never given up on the idea that his brother still lived. Together. Together... 

Malakai let go of Judah and let his paw rest back to the earth. Head snaps into the direction of John, who is quickly to disrupt their reunion. He listens. Then his eyes narrow, his nose wrinkling in a growing snarl. No. Malakai answered sternly, then steps back, so that he could face John fully. Mother worries, yet surely remembers exactly where she left her sons to rot. It is she who should be returning to us, instead of making herself a new home (and family) elsewhere. 

Heda had since left her husband. A result which led to his death and the loss of Judah- and permanently half his leg. Then she decided to leave the remainder of her son's behind. It was clear when the going got tough, she left. Malakai refused to follow a mother that would bail each time she failed. When he had needed her, it was Nakano that made sure he had survived. Malakai did not need her any longer. [/i]