Sheepeater Cliff Put down your sword and crown

For @Anwyl - located North of Sheepeater Cliff but below Porcupine Ridge where the mountains kinda bend on the map. Using the Sheepeater prefix because it makes sense in my head? lmao. @Saghani is allowed to invade all Larus threads. 

He had lost himself in the forest for hours, and when he emerged on the other side, the trees had given way to a grassy hillside covered snow white. There were patches of snow missing across the hill which implied something had moved across it, and this is what prompts Tryphon to investigate. He sniffs at the depression in the snow - as if that will tell him anything - and before long is heading along the path. The path curves towards the bare-faced mountains, and there are a few moments where he loses the trail completely; the trees have score marks upon them, with the bark peeling back, and ahead of that is more crushed snow, so he continues. Eventually the trees are gone and the hill - rocky and covered in frost - dips in to the mountain as if to invite him closer. The cliff face appears cracked, with an irregularity that he finds captivating. Curious (and now a bit hungry) Tryphon picks up speed - and finds that there is a chasm in the mountain, a fork in the road before him. One side leads up to a dangerous cliff edge that likely winds up to the peak, and another curves in to the hills and through them. Maybe this was how he could reach the inner sanctum of the Wilds? If he were to follow this natural cavern, it would likely spew him out near the plateau on the other side.

Anwyl's little expedition had taken him to many places. He'd been to Neverwinter Forest, he'd explored Whitewater Gorge with Wildfire and been all around the area really. There were many places he still planned to explore, but this would be his last stop before returning home. Sheepeater cliff had been rough, but he was now on the home stretch. With a jolly bark, the little optimist made his way through the hills and rocky mounts.

He followed the snow tipped hills, trotting on the ice where it was solid. Soon he came to a fork in his path. One way led to a rocky incline to the peak of the mountain, the other and hollowed cavern leading to the other side. Both path's seemed a little harsh and he debated whether to turn back or not. Suddenly he heard some commotion from behind, foot steps perhaps. He turned around and barked in a friendly way, inviting the other wolf to meet him.

A call sounded from somewhere before him, and Tryphon stopped instantly. He stood rigid and watched the trees, studying the shadows; there was a meager, dwindling hope that it was only Saghani. Did he investigate, or turn tail? The boy does not make up his mind quickly enough, and is discovered. It wasn't the same kind of discovery as when he'd been noticed by the shadow - this stranger was softer in appearance, and not nearly as subtle. The bark had been deeper, more masculine than anything he'd associate with Saghani. Tryphon watches him with a sharp eye, and his fur sticks out all over his body, puffing an already hefty figure to a more intimidating proportion. He has no words for this stranger, but is keenly aware of the ease in which he could depart - turn tail and run, fight or flight, he didn't know what to do and was stuck with indecision.

Anwyl stopped moving forwards when he noticed the other males shift in position to a more intimidating one. Anwyl stood completely still, nerves starting to build up inside him. This might've been a big mistake. What if the other wolf was hostile? Anwyl lowered his head, afraid all of a sudden. He took up a submissive position, he tucked his tail and whimpered slightly. I-I'm sorry, I don't mean any harm. I-I just wanted to m-meet you. He squeaked, ready to either run, or stay if the male changed his mind. Anwyl was usually very friendly, but when meetings went the wrong way, his first instinct was flight, to get away or talk it out if he could. He'd never been a good fighter, his brothers's were the warriors. He was always just, him. The younger brother, who liked to talk, play, and enjoy a nice day.

The words were a surprise to the boy, as he had not heard a voice in some time. It would be a few days before he rediscovered his own; but for now, the sound was enough to abate his desire to attack and sway him in to lingering. His head tilted to the right, ears up and listening, and he visibly calmed. The spiking of his fur lessened and he even gave a brave step towards the stranger, reaching with his snout to sniff at the air between them - and there was much to glean from those layered scents. This stranger may be alone now, but he wasn't always. Alert to this, Tryphon turned away from the other wolf in order to survey the surroundings, wondering wordlessly if he was being set up for an ambush - though it seemed unlikely.

Can he talk? What's he doing now? Anwyl wondered as Tryphon reached forwards to sniff him. The boy backed up a little, but let the older male sniff him all the same. Then Tryphon began looking around, seeming to search for something. A puzzled Anwyl cocked his head a little and giving a confused glance. If you're looking for someone else, I'm alone. N-no need to worry about me. I promise I'll l-leave if you want me to. The young boy squeaked, keeping down. Oh lord, what did I get myself in to? He thought, beginning to worry about what this other wolf wanted.

What if Tryphon wasn't surveying the surroundings to be careful, maybe he was searching for a companion, preparing to just Anwyl. It wasn't often that the little optimist got paranoid, but situations like this always put him on edge. He decided maybe he'd try something new, and maybe get something out of the grey male. He leaned forwards, sniffing at Tryphon's flank, taking in his scent. He smelled like a lone wolf, but another scent mingled in his fur. A female, maybe a mate? That might explain why Tryphon looked so worried. Anwyl stepped back again, giving Tryphon his space. Then he wagged his tail playfully. If Tryphon wouldn't respond to words, maybe he'd respond to play.

This stranger is a boy, and he is young. While he remains unknown to Tryphon - despite the insistent sniffing and cautious prying - he is familiar in the strangest of ways. For a brief moment the stranger looks like someone else. His face is more angular, his pelt more of a rufus mix, with striking gold and tawny tones throughout. Tryphon blinks and pulls his head back in surprise just as the stranger mentions his solitary status, and Tryphon squints at him. He takes a step around the other wolf and scrutinizes the details, wondering if it was just a trick of the light or if this wolf has two faces - a silly thing to question. When the image does not resurface, the boy assumes he is just imagining things and visibly calms down. He does not realize the similarities between this boy and the brother he has long forgotten, but something in his mind is trying to remind him.

It is clear that the other wolf is nervous, perhaps even afraid. Tryphon does not wish to cause a commotion, nor does he want to bring undue attention to himself or to Saghani despite her absence from his side. So he backs off, slinking away from the other wolf a few feet, before lowering himself to his haunches and trying to appear relaxed. It is the best he can do without speaking, and hopefully it alleviates the wanderer's worries. He is still curious of the other wolf, but now a bit more confused. A wolf cannot have two faces and yet, for that split second, Tryphon could've sworn he knew him as someone else.

Anwyl allowed Tryphon to sniff him a moment, but was relieved when the older male backed away. Tryphon relaxed some, becoming less intimidating in posture. Anwyl relaxed along with him, apparently the grey male didn't want to play, but at least he wasn't dangerous or anything. He sat there a moment, thinking about what to do next. Maybe he should just go? The grey male might not want him around. It would make sense, Anwyl was a stranger and all. But he would've liked to know more about Tryphon. 

Anwyl bowed his head again, looking at Tryphon with a friendly smile. He barked at the male, indicating for him to follow if he wanted too. Anwyl was eager to get home, but wouldn't mind some company, maybe even an adventure. But it would be totally up to Tryphon at this point. If Tryphon declined his offer, Anwyl would walk on towards home.

They were at ease with one another. Perhaps not perfectly at ease, there was no connection like himself with his shadow, but Tryphon did not fear the boy and it was evident that he had assayed the stranger's fears. When the other began to move once more, Tryphon watched him - and figured he was retreating. Either because he was uncomfortable in the silence with him, or to try and lure Tryphon somewhere - and the masked boy wasn't so keen on following. As Anwyl turned to go, Tryphon's mind sparked with a memory; the stranger was suddenly robed in a mackerel pelt of red, gold, deep brown, and was intensely familiar to him. 

The recognition was brief, for as soon as Tryphon blinked it was gone, and he was left staring at the stranger's retreating figure. Somehow in his surprise Tryphon had lurched to his paws, and now seemed perplexed, as he had no memory of that reaction. How could a wolf be familiar and not, at the same time? He was confused, seeing someone that wasn't there - and it frightened him. Without a word, Tryphon turned and launched himself through the snow, charging away from the ghost that seemed adamant to make itself known.

The strangest thing was the name which popped in to Tryphon's mind as he ran: Sveijarn.