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]

In so many ways his trust had been shattered. Judah knelt upon the ground with furiously opposing emotions fighting for supremacy in the core of his mind. Tense, heartbroken, and still brimming with relief and love too overwhelming to shadow. His words dissolve into whines, tail dusting the haunches of his twin as he tumbles blearily into the brawn of his arms. Nothing is the same except in the way Malakai catches him.

“S-stop!” He winds himself desperately back into Mal’s embrace as his brother turns for the man John. His voice wavers with an old fear, the rise of a once-familiar submission in the way he held the hardened face of his brother. Judah’s tail tucks, his ears laying flat out to the sides, but his voice is no less insistent.

“E- everyone’s looking for s-someone else to blame! I j-just want us to be a f-family again. Can we be that, Malakai, please? Please? Please, Malakai.” His moans turn slick with a prick of tears.

“I w-want mom. I want Ava.”

He wanted his life back.

Tensions had risen, differing emotions crashed together like a stormy sea. Two brothers embrace each other, one man on the sideline, look for peace, to rebuild what once was. It seemed Judah wanted this too. To bring back what was lost, and let it be found.

“I apologize if my question was too direct.” His voice was apologetic, gentle, “This is why I left the valley. I must go back, to Heda, but it is my hope that some of her children return with me.”

Then he wondered, why had Dinah left? Simeon had mentioned Dinah was here, and whether she still was or not, he didn’t know. But the thought of her only remaining blood child leaving her only made him want to return more. To her.

He turned his head toward the mainland, “I have met others along the way. Whatever happens, I will let them know, for they entrusted themselves in my care. A young man and a young girl.”

His eyes left the mainland, and they looked upon Judah, for it seemed that Malakai has already made his decision. “Judah, it is your choice. Either way, your mother will know her children are alive and well.”

Judah is quick to toss himself between the preacher man John and the fury of his brother, tucking himself there against Malakai's brest, in both submission and objection. His words, pleading. Pleading for peace. 

Malakai takes a deep breath. 

Not to blame, brother. I seek responsibility...To repent! Now he speaks the words of God in the manner which his parents once had. Their mother, in paticular. Maybe if she hadnt instilled in him the words of God so deeply, he would have been less likely to rebel against her sins of weakness. 

We are our mother's blood and through her sins, so shall we all be punished until she is redeemed. Hear me, brother, for our God says I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected— even children in the third and fourth generations! 

He no longer speaks to John directly. For the man is correct in his thoughts, that Kai had made up his mind. You will always be my family, Judah. He murmurs, his words once "preachy", now soft and soothing for his twin as he brushes his chin over his crown. Then, with a last glance to John, he turns and makes way back into the greenhills.

His eyes bulge at the thunder of Mal’s voice. His twin wilts into a pitiful puddle at his paws, tail tucked tightly against tender belly flesh and eyes not daring to seek higher than Malakai’s sharp-cast shadow. Had Mom sinned? She loved them. She tried her best, truly, in his heart, he believed this!

But his brother speaks with the authority of a preacher. His brother, who was here, who had returned, who promised to never again leave Judah, as his mother had.

And in his mind Judah was not sure if he heard the voice of God, or Malakai.

Mom’s blood is their blood. Her sins are their sins. God knew their evil, and would punish them into eternity! Would they be barred from Heaven? He flounders in a stream of fear and uncertainty, aching inside, not knowing who or what he was, or if he had the right to be living on an earth God reserved for those born without sin! He had lost his father and his life and in a way had lost God, too.

He whips his head and watches Mal retreat with tearful eyes.

It wasn’t fair for God to keep an ever watchful eye on orphaned children when outside in the world others were doing so much worse! If Judah had God’s all-seeing perspective, he wouldn’t waste his time on fatherless children! He’d be staring at something far more compelling! Besides, Dad was up there- he’d make God see they weren’t so bad, he’d overlook their mistakes!

“I HATE YOU FOR TAKING HIM!” Judah thrusts his screams into the sky and veers off into the trees before John can stop him.

Emotion had taken the boys quickly, one had wilted, the other preaching the Gospel with such authority for a young man. Before Malakai can make his leave, John leave him specifically with parting words of faith: “But do not forget that The Son of God had taken the sins of the earth and payed for our heavenly freedom. If she truly returns to God, I know in my heart that He will forgive, so long as it is true in her heart. But leaving you was no sin, it was a mistake. A mistake made by a mother, a wife with a broken heart.” 

Once he had finished his spiel, he watched as Malakai strode away through the brush and out of site. All that remained was Judah, who looked near his breaking point as he screamed to the Heavens above. Then, he dashed away as fast as his three legs would take him. John couldn’t feel anything but heartache for the Redhawk children. God had not abandoned them, but in his mind, perhaps it was the other way around. He would not speak this opinion though. 

And in the end, John was left here. It was his hope that Judah would come to a decision, and he could return home. But he would have to remain patient and trusting in God’s plan for them.