Emberwood when do you fold? and when do you run?

ooc: saving a lonely thread. @Adlartok - would you mind if it was bumped up closer to the present day? If not I can always pretend that Hedda has been wandering around the area for quite some time.

Hedda knew that she was nearing her goal - she had caught the particular scent of the ocean in the gusts of wind that had passed through the area and felt her heart fill with relief. It had been a while since she had spoken with her master and, even though she could sense it's spirit and shadows watching her from the creeks, rivers and lakes she passed by during her journey, it was not the same as talking with it in person. And having been raised and lived by the sea for a good part of her life, she missed to be near it for personal reasons too. The inlands just didn't feel the same.

The forest she had entered was nothing like she had seen before - aspens alone. Hedda slowed her quick pace to a steady walk, stopping now and then to have a sniff at the bark, leaves and roots of the trees, appearing to be searching for something. The tree was told to have properties of relieving pain - not quite the properties she was looking for now. Then to her surprise she found an old pine tree with twisted branches and the smell of fresh resin around it. The she-wolf drew closer and examined the tree for a while, eventually deciding that it would do for whatever she had planned.

Now... for the sacrifice... Hedda's row of thoughts was interrupted, when she realized that she was not alone here. Another soul was nearby, it's overwhelming presence and emotions felt more than his pacing footsteps audible. Driven by curiousity the old hag focused on finding this someone and soon her effort was rewarded, for she found a young male. Not a yearling and - what was that? - besides his smell there was this sickly-sweet scent of rotting flesh. Interesting... she made no rush to approach the fellow, preferring to sit down and observe him. If he saw her, he would have to make the first step.