Stone Circle lieut

the wind carried the scent long before he crossed the threshold.

briggs knew better than to walk blind into another’s land, but he did it anyway. a calculated risk. the stretch of territory before him was marked, faint in some places, strong in others. wolves lived here. hunted here. claimed it as their own.

his paws pressed firm into the frozen ground, each step slow, deliberate. trespassing wasn’t new to him. neither was the feeling of being watched, the weight of unseen eyes from the trees. they’d find him soon enough, if they weren’t already tracking his movements.

his head lifted slightly, dark eyes scanning the terrain. rugged, but strong. good cover, open spaces to run, water close by. a place worth holding onto. a place that might just hold him, too.

joining maybe!! @Sven

Sven smelled another and his body went into high alert. He could help others he did not mind. But to blatantly walk into their pack lands drew him pause. He moved softly towards the interloper. Normal grey eyes full of kindness were lowered in suspicion and irritability.

Sven had grown into his full size. He would never be a large wolf but he was star kissed in shades of metal and shadow. A body of stocky build holding a bulk underneath that he maintained. He was a sole provider for a pack and as such it showed on his bearing. His stance. His size


You there. You crossed into Kvarsheim stranger. You have only one chance to explain why before I set upon you.

briggs stopped at the voice, ears swiveling toward the yearling before his head followed, slow and measured. the boy was young, but he carried himself like a man—like a leader, or at least one forced into the role before his time.

his stance was stocky, solid, but briggs had seen bigger. fought bigger. his yellowed gaze swept over the boy, taking in the tension in his frame, the way suspicion laced his words. good. cautious was better than careless.

i seek a home for winter, briggs answered plainly, voice a low rumble, steady as the mountain. i can fight. hunt. pull my weight.

his tail hung neutral, his posture neither challenging nor submissive, just there—like the trees, like the cold, like something that had always existed and would continue to do so, regardless of the boy’s verdict.

if you have no need for another man, i’ll move on. a pause, gaze unwavering. but i’d rather not.

The man stopped. Good. But then he turned slowly, unfettered. Unafraid. But that was okay. Sven did not wish for fear mongering. He wanted the respect and kindness he gave. That was all.

Size never mattered. Sven knew that. Guessed the man was figuring he could fight if need be, because Sven was not large. But Sven was a Lodbruk. He carried thr name of fighters. Even his middle name was given for a humble warrior. He could hold his own. And stupid be the ones who thought less of him.

Sven studied him. It would be good to have another helper. Though Sven did not like how he had arrived. He'd be a fool to turn him away. And that didn't sit well, that he essentially had no choice. Thr man could be amazing, but the fact that Sven had no choice. That was the rub.

I will allow you entry for now. Despite your entering of claimed territory. Hopefully you don't make that a habit. I don't want wars at our door step. Come.

briggs inclines his head, a slow, measured nod. respect, not submission. he is not a man to grovel, nor does he see the need. he understands the weight of the other’s words, the warning behind them. it’s fair. if their places were reversed, he’d think the same.

i don’t make a habit of it, he answers, voice even, gravelly. it’s the truth—he prefers to know the lay of the land before stepping foot where he doesn’t belong. but winter forces a man’s hand, and he’s learned to take what he can get.

he moves as beckoned, long strides unhurried but purposeful. he follows, silent save for the steady crunch of snow beneath his paws. whatever test awaits him, he is ready.

Sven did not demand submission from anyone. Much like his father before him, he simply wanted the respect he was due his station. And he would return it in kind if it was given. It was the way of his world. Perhaps not everyones, but his.

Sven gave a small chuckle. It is good it was my borders and not anothers. I prefer a peaceful approach. Where as some of our neighbors would skin you alive. But I understand. Winter is hard for everyone.
There are some full caches by the stones. You can get something to eat. Find a place to rest and come find me tomorrow. We can hunt and I can show you the rest of the territory.

briggs gave a slow nod, the weight of exhaustion settling deep in his bones.

thank you. the words were simple, but they carried the quiet weight of something deeper—acknowledgment, understanding. he was no stranger to leaders, to men who wielded power in different ways. sven was young, but he carried himself well.

he exhaled, watching the cold take his breath.

i'll find you tomorrow.

with that, he turned, steps slow but sure, fading into the quiet stretch of winter’s grip.

Sven understood thr unspoken. This was a man tired and weary. He hoped he found rest.

You're Welcome

Sven watched until the newcomer was beyond his sight. Then shook his pelt and began a new patrol. Now more wary than he had been even if they meeting had been positive. His borders had still been crossed.