Stone Circle accipitridae

It was freeing, in a way, to be so far from the sea. Even if she'd broken her heart over it several times since veering away from the coast. Drawing further inland, the coywolf's coat lost the sharp tang of salt water. Each day, she breathed a little easier, feeling lighter and lighter away from the oppressive power of the sea.

She stood now at the borders of the first pack she'd come across. They stood directly in her path, and although it was no difficult thing to change course or simply go around them, the girl's curiosity kept her rooted in place. She lifted her dark muzzle into the breeze to try and catch more of their scents, and then spent a long moment scanning what she could see of the territory from the small hill she stood atop.

It had been a long time since she'd had company. Longer still since she'd spoken to a wolf that was not of her own blood. She'd so rarely been allowed to meet visitors...

With no small level of trepidation, Anhinga lifted her head to give a querying howl: Hello? Is anyone near?

she knew this was a job for @Sven or even his brother @Ujurak, but it was petal who spotted her first it seemed. she did not immediately call out in response. instead she approached on light, swift steps.

her wits tell her to remain just out of reach, but be close enough to talk respectfully.

this is kvarsheim, and she is still here with her siblings and their mother is anywhere but here. have you come for something? that's what you were supposed to ask, right?

Sven had heard the howl. And he had not been as swift as he could have been in answering. But someone else was. He smiled softly to Petal as he approached. And tilted his ears forward.

He would not say anything yet as Petal was doing just fine. So he moved to her side quietly and in a show of support. And waited.

Though not as small as the young woman who approached, Anhinga had always been smaller than her cousins. Smaller and weaker, and therefore, oft overlooked. Not mistreated by any means, but passed over more often than not. Her stronger cousins had been taken on border patrols. Had met strange wolves from strange lands. Had learned the common language by necessity, while Anhinga had been at home, speaking only their familial tongue.

She hadn't thought of this impediment before setting off. It came to her immediately, however, once she was spoken to.

"Ah," she hedged, chagrined by her hesitation. She thought she'd understood the question, but she fumbled over how to answer. "Kvarsheim?" she repeated, just to buy herself some time. Still, nothing came to her. She tested out a single word: "Home? For — Me. I." No, "Me," she reaffirmed. Then, realizing her folly, she introduced herself: "Anhinga," she offered, pressing a paw to her chest. "And you?"

Her nose picked up another scent, then. She lifted her gaze, stilling as she noticed the man who had come to accompany the young woman. Her guard? Anhinga checked her posture, hoping they shared the same body language, at least, and that they would see her respect.

sven soon followed and that soothed petal as much as it made her stomach wiggle. uncertain of herself, of what she was doing! this was his job! she did not want him to think she was trying to overstep.

it was enough to make her shy now. hushed and entirely unaware that their visitor might have been struggling with words for different reasons.

her golden gaze drifted to the ground and then briefly to sven. content to let him take over.

There was hesitation in the newcomer draped in colors of deep deep autumn. But Sven didn't minx so much. He could understood.

Sven felt bad qhen Petal seemed unsure. But he gave a swift nod.

Hello Anhinga I'm Sven. Tha lovely guardian of Kvarsheim is Petal. What brings you to our borders?

She listened very carefully, and this time, she managed to absorb every word. The man spoke as if he had more authority than Petal, and so, uncomfortable, the coywolf turned her attention toward him for her next address. She opened her mouth, a pained expression on her face at the prospect of expressing her desires once more.

"Kvarsheim," she said, pronouncing the name with care. Each word thereafter was chosen and enunciated with equal delicacy: "I will like to join."

Her nerves were palpable, but she maintained an open and earnest mien. If she was turned away here, she could try again someplace else. This couldn't be the only pack in such a beautiful valley, could it?

lovely guardian.

she felt off. that wasn't her. maybe dahlia, maybe even foxglove! but her? no, she thought not. petal would stick to her trades and her plants. it was all she might ever need besides her sisters.

she allowed herself only a little glimpse at the woman again.

So another newcomer to their borders. Young like him and Ujurak. So many young wolves. Could they all survive. They were all learning, seeking. Would they stay long term or leave in search of something more when they grew restless. Alas these were not questions with easy answers and they did not have any bearing on the day.

Well then tell me. What is it you have skill in or what you would like to learn a skill in and we can find a place for you. I lead beside my brother Ujurak.

he tilted his head. Do you hunt? Fish? Are you more a scout or a guardian?

he shifted to give more of his warmth to Petal who had seemed to grow quiet and almost shrink into herself. And that had not been his intention. He had meant to give her a compliment.

She was still puzzling through the first part of Sven's question when the second came. Her eyes wanted to track back to Petal, but she refocuses in a quick saccade.

"Oh! Um — Fish, yes," she replied, her tail fluttering at her hocks. "And I am — vörður. Protect."

She was meant to be, anyway. She had been trained for it. Just never truly tested, since she'd been confined largely to the territory's interior. She knew she was smaller than many wolves, and that this was not an attractive trait in a guardian. She knew also that her land-hunting skills might leave something to be desired.

"And scout," she offered, though her tone suggested she was less sure about this. She'd traveled this far to get here, however, so she was sure she could rise to the occasion. She flashed a little smile. "I am small," she said, not quite wheedling. "I do not eat a lot."