Light the Night

The trek was torturous. They were all excited to be out and about, but the adults – many of them nameless – insisted they carry on. As much as Jökull craved expanding her horizons, she would rather do it at her leisure. More often than not, she made her discontent known by being a bratty terror; nipping, growling, generally being bossy towards the caravan of unacquainted wolves. Her parents and siblings were exempt from her weary wrath. Everyone else was fair game. Of course, Jökull was only ever moody at the ass crack of dawn, when some prodding nose roused her from unsatisfactory slumber. Not the best way to wake up.

Aside from the throbbing ache in her paws (and the near-constant harassment of urgency), this outing was...mind blowing. She thought the Creek was all that there was in this world. Almost like a lush island floating in space. How sorely mistaken she was to think the world so infinitesimal; so limited in assets and expanse when in reality it was far greater than her imagination. There were rolling hills adorned in verdant hillocks, craggy mountains capped with ice and clouds, towering brushwood, gloomy woodlands...There was so much to take in, so she could not stay angry throughout each day.

But today was grueling. Jökull ached all over, she was hungry (again), and she was dead tired. Before she could open her mouth to plead for rest and sustenance, the wolf ahead of her came to an abrupt stop. By this point, Jökull was aught else but a zombie, so she walked right into someone's hind leg. That someone being Týrr. She was so tired, she stayed like that for a moment until she heard the voice of mommy. Ears twitching, she removed her heavy head from Týrr's hock and wound her way in between his legs. Tiredly, Jökull dragged her paws all the way to Tuwawi and Njal's location. Quicksilver eyes observed their exchange as Tuwawi turned to face them all. Tilting her head, she watched as her mother silently appraised her followers before moving on to her brood.

The look in her mother's platinum eyes...She knew what had to be done; what their added chorus would mean for the Sveijarn and their followers. Jökull nodded back, waiting for Tuwawi's and Njal's signal. Once her parents tilted their heads back in euphonious song, Jökull filled her lungs with air and released a howl of her own. It was nowhere near as majestic and beautiful as the adults, but it rang loud and true. My home, my heart – it lies in the diamond palace.