Moonspear ^______________________^

Her brain ran even faster than her fleet feet as Treepie ascended toward @Pala’s new ulaq. By the time she reached it, her heart was pounding. She paused outside to catch her breath, ears pricking to listen for any sounds coming from inside the den. She definitely wanted to touch base with the newest villager, though she didn’t want to disturb mother and pups too much.

When she had the breath to spare, Treepie said lowly, Pala?

Treepie came up to the ulaq in what seemed a rush to Pala. Somewhat alarmed, she exited the den in which Ludovicus and Ignace were both taking a much needed nap. Is something wrong? She asked, a deeper frown than usual painting her face.

Leaning her head forward, she checked for the scent of blood. But, all seemed fine in that department. So what had her so out of breath then? Had she seen, heard something?

Pala emerged, question marks in her eyes. Treepie quickly realized she must not have heard the man’s call. She sucked in a breath, glancing past the curve of the woman’s hip to spy the two boy sleeping soundly in the shelter behind her. That was good.

Keeping her voice low, she said, Their father just came by, looking for you. Her eyes met and held Pala’s gaze. Alaric and I sent him away.

She had so many questions, she didn’t know where to start. Tiuttuk decided to give Pala a moment to absorb this news before she began any kind of interrogation. Perhaps she would volunteer some of the information Treepie sought.

But then her mouth betrayed her, moving without thinking as she puffed, Do you have a daughter?

Cameo!

There had been a call upon the edge of the village, opposite to where Glaukos had been patrolling. He then began to march in that direction and was surprised by a frantic Tiuttuk crossing through the sleeping places.

He watched as the girl sought out a stranger he had not yet met - Pala, he learned - and listened for a beat or two before heading off again. The fur along his spine serrating as a certain intensity settled across him.

So much for peace upon the mountain.

A sudden barrage of information caught Pala off-guard. Her ears pulled back, searching for the words to respond; Moonspear was sheltering her, she supposed they had a right to know the details if Chaudry was going to cause the pack trouble.

Letting out a breath, she seemed to sink into himself. ..Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't want to say anything in case it upset you - he took her from me. She felt an overwheliming guilt now, the same as she felt upon leaving. She had felt that she had no choice, but maybe she should have at least tried. I don't know why he would come here now though. He told me to leave and take our sons - he wanted me gone.

I'm sorry Chaudry is causing you trouble. She paused, but was quick to correct herself. I'm sorry I've caused you trouble.

Half asleep, it was the mention of his father's name that pulled him awake. Quick to rush out of the den, he whipped his head back and forth in search of the familiar face. Papa?

But inevitably, he did not spot him and began to pout. With Pala and Treepie stood outside the den, he looked to them for an explanation.

Tiuttuk truthfully didn’t follow Pala’s logic, though she said nothing. She let the woman say her piece, then ignored the knee-jerk desire to blindly reassure. Rather, she took a moment to focus, processing everything she knew so far, which now included a name: Chaudry.

She finally broke her silence to say, I believe you, and then, Do you think he came here because he regrets what he did?

It probably didn’t matter. Chaudry had insisted Pala had taken their sons, abandoned their daughter and left against his will. Pie didn’t believe any of this, though he hadn’t been lying about the little girl. Tiuttuk chewed the inside of her cheek.

Chaudry said he wants to make things work, she said, searching Pala’s face for any sign of how she felt about this proposition before stating her own opinion. He doesn’t seem like a very nice guy. Which makes me wonder: is Sydonie… is she in danger, being stuck there with him?

When a sleepy Ludovicus sprang out of the ulaq, looking for his father, Treepie frowned. Chaudry seemed like a terrible partner, yet it was clear his son missed him. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad father? Then she reminded herself that he’d exiled the very boy who now called his name in yearning.

Her eyes darkled.

She wasn't scolded. It brought her some relief.

Ludovicus suddenly appeared from the den, calling for Chaudry. The sound made her heart ache. Lowering her head, she gave him a gentle nudge. Go back inside, Ludo.. your brother will get cold. She would try to explain to things to him after, Ignace too. This was not a conversation she particularly wanted them to witness without the necessary sugar coating. Somewhat hesitant, the boy went back inside the den.

Listening to Treepie, it was clear that Viskani must have gotten herself involved in some way. She was the only reason Chaudry would have changed his mind. Chaudry doesn't regret anything. I've spent enough time with him to know that. She said, shaking her head. His mother must have scolded him. He doesn't see me as a viable partner, I was just the available surrogate.

She understood Treepie's concern, it was noble, but despite his flaws Chaudry was a good father to the little girl. Julienne. She corrected. He wanted her to be named Julienne. The was a strange sadness in her eyes as she said this. He loves her, he'll treat her well.

Tiuttuk wished she could offer Ludovicus a hug too, though she only watched the pup as he obeyed his mother and trundled back to rejoin his brother in the ulaq. Biting her lip, she returned her focus to Pala as the woman speculated about Chaudry’s motives.

Her brows rose when Pala corrected her about the name. Why had Sydonie fallen out of favor? She supposed it was immaterial, though all of it made her so curious. One day, she would ask Pala to tell her the whole story, including every gory detail, from start to finish. Just not today.

She relaxed a little when the mother insisted Chaudry loved Julienne. Half-formed thoughts about a rescue mission sank into the murk at the back of the Regent’s mind, though her face twisted.

He loves her… but not them? she asked, voice gone very quiet as she looked toward the little boys.

I can't explain it, I just know that his interest in them is limited. Montagne is matriarchal, Julienne could lead, but they cannot. She could not speculate much more than that. Chaudry had given Ignace a middle name to honour his father, so Pala knew he had to care at least a little. Was it just that he could not care for more than one child on his own?

If he comes back, please come get me if I do not come. She spoke, expression hard. She would not directly give Treepie an order, but this may just be close to it. I'll send him away for good. She'd give him a wound so deep that he'd run back to his mother's nest and never leave. He deserved it. Pala knew the damage he could cause, these wolves did not deserve to be on the receiving end of it.

This conversation made her think of their first, when Pala had explained the dynamic with the pups’ sire. She and Chaudry had never shared a romantic relationship, if memory served. For some reason, that made her think of Sialuk’s many lovers, all of them leaving her in the lurch in the end. Pie wondered if marriage was the only guarantee for a happy family, though the reality was that nothing in life—least of all love and loyalty—was guaranteed.

Alaric warned him not to return, Tiuttuk conveyed, so let’s hope he doesn’t. She shifted her weight. But if you ever want to meet him someplace neutral and talk—for the childrens’ sake, especially—I’d get that. I’d just insist you take someone with you. Have you met Glaukos yet? she wondered, unaware he’d slipped past moments prior.

It wasn't a bad idea, meeting up somewhere. She was not so sure that Chaudry could be reasoned with, but it was a good idea nonetheless.

No, I haven't met him yet. She responded to Pie's question. Outside of her and Alaric, Pala had not spoken to many other's. She had always been a rather solitary woman. Who is he? If Treepie was speaking of him in such a situation as this, then Pala was sure he must be worth knowing.

He’s an intimidating giant, for starters, Pie said, and a trained mercenary. You should take him with you, if you ever decide to go. I could also accompany you, for the moral support.

She didn’t know what Pala made of the idea, as she hadn’t said anything. But she must miss her daughter. The boys must miss their sister. It went without saying they missed their dad. Tiuttuk frowned at the entire situation, swallowing the enormous sigh building in her throat.

You have nothing to be sorry for, by the way. It sounds like an ugly situation and it’s better that you’re out of it. Your sons will be loved and cherished here. An ear twisted backward before gently adding, You must miss her.

I do. She confirmed Treepie's suspicion, a breathy sigh escaping her throat. But if I do go, it will be when they boys are old enough to decide for themselves where they want to be. When they can run. She wouldn't let Chaudry unfairly cease more of her children. Unless I go without them. But would that be unfair?

It was a difficult situation to navigate, but then again the Teekons had never been easy for her to navigate in the first place. Her home, her birth home, had been much different; her scars were a far more attractive feature, for one.

But, now she was here and she had to make the most of it. For her, and for her children. All of them.

Those two words had her rethinking her plan. Was there some way to fetch Julienne from her father’s clutches? She supposed there would be many risks, including upsetting the little girl. She bit back another sigh, refocusing on Pala’s voice.

I don’t know, was all she could say, her eyes apologetic. I’ve never dealt with anything like this before. But you are their anaa, Pala. Trust your gut, your instincts. Just be careful and know that this village has your back.

In the meantime, she supposed they should focus on what they could control on their own home turf. Treepie’s attention drifted past Pala again, eyeing the ulaq and the two small shapes tucked within it. Her lips twitched into a smile.

How’s the ulaq treating you, by the way?

She would have to give it some thought. But, Treepie was right, she should trust her gut.

I'm liking it just fine, and the boys are liking it too. She spoke, glancing back to the den entrance. I feel much more comfortable letting them play outside now, so they're getting plenty of sun. It's been good for them. It was nice to see them playing too, so long as it wasn't too muddy out. It was a pain to groom wriggly, muddy puppies.

She wonders sometimes if they would have liked the vale better. This time, she was able to dismiss the thought entirely.

Good, Treepie said, eyes soft. That’s good.

Although she hated the circumstances that had brought them to Moonspear, Tiuttuk was truly happy they were here. They brought much to the mountain village, just by being here. Their presence really heartened the Regent particularly. She adored Alaric, Tiki too, but Pala and her boys helped fill the hole her anaa and taataa—and the hypothetical offspring they might bring into the world—had left behind.

Hey, if you ever want to get out and hunt with Alaric, I’d be happy to watch Iggy and Ludo for a little while, she offered, eyes twinkling at the nicknames.