Twisted Slough Trouble Looking or Looking for Trouble

The twisted and dense system of roots subsumed by the bog beneath was getting the best of even Heph and making her wonder if perhaps it would have been better to simply travel along. But a small part of her sparked at the challenge, keeping her trudging the distance. Her own package was weighing her down, she had tried to pick something light in the rabbit skin but had stuffed it with that 낙지 that Iseul had showed her and she had returned to the shore laying in wait for them and drenching herself in the bitter liquid they drenched her fur in. But that had mostly come off in the ocean water and with time, but it let out a pungent scent that would let every scavenger and wolf around know that she was carrying food. In short it was not how she was used to traveling, but she was determined to do this correctly and she thought there was little better way of starting off new friendships than with a gift. Eventually she began to get a feel for the roots beneath her paws, and picking out the shallowest portions of the swamp less likely to completely swallow her up. Dragging her mucky paws towards the edge of the swamp she could see a river and the faint scent of a border on the other side. Shaking off the remaining droplets from her fur from when she had been less careful exploring the swamp she settled in on the swamp-side of the river to wait until she saw something resembling a patrol.

Looking for Two Rivers Isle wolves, but open to anyone!

Didn't see this until today!

Ulrich did not like to leave his wife and newly-born children, but he was still Leader of the Isle, and it was still his job to patrol the surrounding areas, to check for threats or for any possible recruits. He also hated the nearby swamp and wished that it were a bit farther from the Isle sometimes so that he wouldn't have to enter it at all.

He wrinkled his nose at the smell of the place and the feel of squishy mud between his toes, but continued his patrol. As dark and dank as it was in here, he was taken completely by surprise when he came across a wolf, having been unable to smell them what with all the other unpleasant smells in here. Oh! he said, and took a step back, his heart pounding. He took a breath, smiling. You startled me. H-Hello there.

Heph noticed the wolf approaching, he looked as if he came from within the borders, someone skirting the edge of the territory and he had the layered scent of a pack wolf who spent time near others long enough. She was about to call out when he abruptly noticed her and she dropped her own package at her feet to greet him. "Ahh sorry! Hello. I'm Heph." She tried to think over her words carefully, she had had time to think them over but still had not settled on anything but she thought she had better offer some explanation at the very least to ground whatever conversation they might have, or so this wolf could get to the chasing her away part faster if it was destined to end badly.

But her voice was filled with the wide ease that had become a habit as she tried to make a good impression. "I'm from Moontide a pack on the coast a short journey from here. I heard that there might be a pack around these parts and wanted to come and speak of trade between the two. I ummm." She awkwardly leaned down to grab the package and took a few small steps forward to set it down between them before backing up again. "I brought a gift, a wolf called Iseul taught me how to catch these." Her voice was bright when she related the backstory, she had enjoyed learning about the creatures from Iseul and meeting the other wolf.

Heph, Ulrich repeated, taking deep breaths to restore his heartbeat to normal. He opened his mouth to say more, to introduce himself, but saw that she was thinking hard, so he closed his mouth again.

Moontide. A trade... It seemed a good idea, especially what with the pups just born. Now there were little ones to think of, and an alliance with another pack would make him feel safer. Yes, I think a trade of some kind might be a good idea. Then he stopped. Perhaps they did not want a full alliance, but merely a one-time trade? Was something wrong? Was someone at Moontide hurt? What do you need from us? he asked, and looked down at the package that Heph offered. What is it?

Heph smiled, although it was somewhat subdued from her regular expression, more genuine less joking. There was an urgency in the words that made her realize maybe she had not conveyed everything correctly. She answered the question first if only because that was easier. "Iseul called it 낙지 it's wrapped in rabbit skin, the first for eating and the latter for your dens or for little ones to chew up if you have any in the pack." It was true that no matter how nice the things were young wolves often felt the need to chew them. Heph could relate although she wished to at some point in the future furnish her own den with some sort of fur to lay on.

She had merely come to establish trade not gather anything in turn, but what Moontide needed was often similar. "I mainly came to see if your pack would be open to it in the future as right now we are not in dire need of anything in particular, but Moontide trades mostly in meat, furs, and hunting work." While she knew that they would most likely add warriors to their ranks at some point she felt that neither herself nor Rodyn or Samani were particularly warlike and would most likely be better able to assist on hunts. "If you have furs or antlers to spare I would be happy to assist on any hunts you have planned in exchange as an extra body can make larger hunts more do-able." The furs she could bring back for any of the wolves in Moontide and their dens, but the antlers she would plan on caching for the pups that she felt would come that season.

Ulrich nodded thoughtfully at her words. He thought of his little ones, still so small that he wasn't sure they'd get much pleasure out of chewing on furs. But perhaps once they started teething...

I'm sure we have some extra supplies to spare, he said, thinking about a pair of antlers that had been lying dried out in the sun for some time. He had been thinking it might make a good playground for the pups, but if Moontide needed it more, then that was fine. Well, I think this trading idea is wonderful. Please don't hesitate to reach out to the Isle if you need anything. I'll be sure to tell the others about you so they know to treat you well if any of you show up. He smiled at Heph.

She was not sure what prey would be found in the swamp, but perhaps in one of the surrounding territories. But she had planned her journey to be able to stay and assist on hunts in exchange and she would welcome the challenge of hunting in unfamiliar territory and with new wolves as well. "Thank you. And the same goes for us. If you follow the coast and head east the plateau is our territory, I will tell them to welcome you or wolves from Isle should you come." She offered a smile in return, glad to have had the beginnings of success. While only time would tell if the potential to trade would hold she felt it was promising. And with so many new mouths to feed in their pack having neighbors willing to exchange would be a boon to them. She was proud of her pack and knew they were capable hunters, but she also remembered her own youth and how much young wolves were the habit of eating.