Lost Creek Hollow forget about me and all of my dreams.

bye friends <3 @Harlyn 

Ilya laid outside her den with her head on her paws. She was tired and weary, feeling defeated and useless. Harlyn had visited her every day with meals and herbs, but it hurt to swallow and the woman rarely ate. She looked thinner and thinner every day- but she couldn't help it. The black fae had tried to speak, and occasionally her lawnmower resembling bark sounded like a word- but it usually was nothing but sputtering and deafening cracking. She was pitiful, but there really wasn't anything she could do but try to heal. She waited now in the mushy snow for her alphess to come with today's bundle, hoping perhaps to be relieved of her boring, stationary life.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

Despite her efforts, Ilya was wasting away.  There was no denying it or sugar-coating it in the Ostrega's mind.  She tended the girl faithfully, but Harlyn's smoldering eyes could see her fading a little more every day.  Most of the healing she could offer these days was in prayer, that the spirits come to lead her when finally she joined them - a moment Harlyn knew in her aching heart would be soon.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

The alpha approached the dark woman quietly, emitting a light chuff only to announce her presence.  She didn't anticipate that Ilya would be surprised to see her.  There was nothing unusual about her coming around at this time of day.  Harlyn leaned in to touch her nose gently to her packmate's crown before settling onto her haunches at her side.  Concern and heartache was clear in her expression, but again it was nothing strange.  The beast had taken so much from Harlyn that the pain weighed down upon her even when she was no where near his victims.  It was a constant gloom in every corner of her mind.

"How are you feeling today?" Harlyn asked after dropping the medicine she'd brought, knowing she'd get no verbal response.  She gazed solemnly at her friend's face, her eyes moving briefly towards the bundle of herbs and then back.  Ilya would know to take them.  Ilya trusted her healer.  Her alpha.  Her family.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

So much better! Ilya longed to tell her, even if it wasn't true. Just... just try to stop sitting around all day. Do you think I could maybe try to join a patrol? Her throat was still too injured to eat as normally as she used to, but her shoulders and sides had healed. She could move now, she knew she could. But her voice was gone. When she opened her mouth to speak all that came out was a crackling noise, sounding somewhat sort of like 'baaaaaa'. She tried. She then frowned, opting to just give a smile and a loll of her tongue, tail thumping on the ground. That's all she could offer.

Still feeling useless, the black female bent to sniff at the bundle of herbs at her feet. They were different today than they usually were, but the girl didn't know enough about herbs to actually decide what they were. But she trusted Harlyn, and therefore only gave her a curious look before she lapped up them up obediently, raising to see if she had brought any news.

Harlyn was too practiced a healer to cringe outwardly when Ilya tried to speak and managed only a croak, but inwardly she was filled with pity.  To be without a howl as a wolf was a curse.  No longer would Ilya be able to venture outside of the packlands on her own, nor could they even allow her to patrol the borders alone -  Not when she had no way of calling aide to her side should she find herself in danger.  The alpha pushed the thought from the forefront of her mind, instead focusing on the cues Ilya was able to provide - a wag of her tail, the twitch of her brows, the parting of her lips.  She smiled softly to show that she understood, but said nothing otherwise as Ilya bent to inspect her medicine.
The Ostrega stared quietly as her gamma nosed at the bundle of herbs, her expression inscrutable.  The injured wolf paused as Harlyn watched, but soon enough she was gulping them down, obedient to her alpha's unspoken command.  Harlyn met her gaze when she lifted it and spotted the curiosity there after a beat.  She gave another smile.

"No one has seen anything of the beast still," she said, as though she could read the female's mind, "I was thinking today we might go outside of the hollow to the meadow.  I think your lungs could use the fresh air, and your limbs the workout."  Harlyn canted her head lightly, waiting to see what Ilya thought of the idea.  They would be safe - of that the druid was certain.  The gods would protect them on this journey.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

The girl frowned, returning a shrug. Oh well. There really wasn't anything they could do about it then, she knew. Harlyn then offered a walked, to the meadow! Ilya knew where she was attacked, but the naive woman really had no real common sense. She was a part of her own world- only occasionally did others affect it. Her tail wagged happily, and she nodded slowly. She didn't try to respond, feeling annoyed with her previous attempt, and stood.

Standing felt much better than sitting, and when they began to walk it felt even better. While the workout was a pain to her throat, eventually taking in deeper breathes, she did not mind. Ilya walked happily beside her Alpha, feeling as though she was making her way to recovery. After a little while, she felt different- her body churning in a different direction. It was not pain she felt, only strangeness. She could not describe the feeling to Harlyn, being without communication, and instead attempted to shrug off the strange feeling that swirled in her gut. She was just out of practice and weak, she would be fine as they continued on.

slight pp to get them going!

Ilya seemed eager for the trip, causing Harlyn to grin.  It was good to see her happy and excited when it seemed there was little left for her to enjoy.  Harlyn took it as a gift from the gods.  They would give her the energy she needed for this, and the spirits would lighten her heart and ease death's ever tightening grip upon her physical frame.  As they began to walk, the druid could almost see their light dancing around the girl, sparkling in every step, glinting in every smile.  There was not much more the healer could give her friend, but there would be this at least - one day of peace and joy before whatever would be finally was.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

The minutes seemed to breeze by, and Harlyn spent each of them watching her charge intently.  Every once in a while, she thought she spotted something changing in her step - a weakening, or a brief re-centering - but then she would recover and on they'd go.  Harlyn knew that there was nothing to fear in this.  Her body was simply trying to cope with what was happening to it.  It was perhaps not well-advised for Ilya to be traveling so far in her condition, but the druid had faith that she was strong enough for this.  The gods would see to it with Harlyn as their vessel.

Eventually the pair arrived. Ilya was growing stranger and stranger by the second. With every step she felt like falling over, and occasionally she had felt like she couldn't breathe. What was wrong? Had the cat injured more than just her throat? Wouldn't she have noticed such before now? She stood shakily for a second, vision blurring as she stared out over the mushy scene. The snow was wet and nasty, but the greenery that was beginning to grow through looked lovely. 

Something lurched through her, and the black Gamma moved to warn Harlyn something was wrong. She had made it here, she was strong, but apparently not strong enough. Unfortunately, her poor body failed her, and when she moved her head to tell her, it gave up. With a wet 'fwump', Ilya fell to the ground, a loud sigh of air escaping her body. She twitched once or twice, but not violently, before she lay completely still. The only thing that signally any sort of liveliness, was the shallow rise and fall of her breast. She was unaware of what was wrong, but it was not her body's doing. 

The minutes slipped away into nothing, watching Ilya's strength wane as they went.  When they'd started, Harlyn's attention had been raptly glued on her packmate.  But now, even as the girl deteriorated, the alpha's gaze had drifted and her attention seemed now to be more on their location.  Whether Ilya would notice her "disinterest", Harlyn didn't wonder.  She knew her friend would be too concerned with her own failing physical state.  There were other things to focus on now, though that was only a small part of why the druid paid less attention to her charge.  Mostly, she didn't want to see what she had done out of fear she would be unable to keep going.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

Harlyn slowed to a stop and stared out at the wintery landscape.  The snow was beginning to melt and here and there, tiny shoots of greenery were peeking through up at the sun.  It failed to bring a smile to the druid's face, which was solemn and grave as she scanned the horizon and tested the scents that had settled over the area.

She turned only when she heard her packmate collapse into the snow, and immediately the alpha felt her heart splinter.  Tears pricked her eyes and she let out a small gasp.  For a moment - one brief moment of weakness - she wanted to call this off for madness.  The regret and guilt surged through her veins like chunks of ice breaking up along the river.  Harlyn took a step towards Ilya, but in doing so, the moment passed.  Ilya was gone already, and she had to think about the rest of her family.  Harlyn shut her eyes tight and breathed in deeply to steady herself.  She was a healer and had seen many unpleasant truths in her life.  She had the strength and will to do this.  She must.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

The woman opened her eyes again to reveal fire.  Harlyn and her loving heart, her caring soul, faded to the background.  The druid stood before Ilya, gazing solemnly upon her gift to the gods.

The girl did not move. Her breathing shallowed, and she appeared completely still. She did not understand what had happened, and perhaps she never would. 

if you want to have a last post? i've got one more after that (:

last post for me! <333 I am going to miss Ilya so much. Also, my tablet has made a mockery of my spelling skills >___>

Harlyn bowed her head after a moment of watching her packmate who laid weakened upon the snow. Harlan fought beneath it all in anguish, desperate to put an end to this, to save her friend whim she had grown to love like a sister. She was a friend, she was family, she was pack - deeper than blood. But the druid reminded her calmly that those were exactly the reasons that it had to be Ilya. The gods had given to Harlyn with both hands all she'd ever wanted; leadership, a strong, loyal pack, a devoted mate, and three beautiful pups. And what had Harlyn given back? Nothing. She had neglected her duty and kept her worship silent, not sharing with those who were under her tutelage. She had given nothing of her sustenance, of her worldly possessions. All she gave was inward prayer and thanks, and Harlyn knew better than to think they would think it acceptable reciprocation for making her dreams come true.

Harlyn could not fault them for sending Shardul as their vessel of retribution. For what else could he be? Three of her closest loved ones had been struck down by the beast now. Her mate, her best friend, and her most loyal packmate. There could be no other reason for the monster to have come against them. He was punishment for Harlyn's lack of devotion, her distraction, and for her failure to demonstrate her gratitude.

But no more.

"My father, my mother.. brother and sister..." Harlyn murmured, her voice strong and soft, "Forgive me for my failings. I am unworthy of all you have given. You are great and I am but a humble servant to your will, and that role is one I am not even worthy one." She began to move, slowly lowering herself towards the ground in a crouch, her head bowing deeper. She paused as Harlyn fought again, and there were tears in her throat when again she spoke though her tone remained strong and determined.

"What I lay before you is most cherished by my heart. My soul aches without it, my spirit shall crumble as I leave it behind. My life is ever changed for this being removed from it," she paused to take in a shaking breath as the tears came to her lashes, "I give to you in thanks for all you have given, and in desperate hope that you will take no more, though it is your right to do so. I pray that this offer may please you and satisfy your hunger for repentance. No more shall I stray. Your word shall be the only upon my tongue. I shall raise my children to know your goodness, and I shall teach my family of your virtue so that they too may become your vessels."

Harlyn paused then, finishing her sentiments silently before her eyelids parted and she gazed upon Ilya with watery eyes. The deed was nearly done, and so the druid relented to allow Harlyn one last moment before the end. The alpha crept forward with a soft whine, curling around her and pressing her muzzle against the girl's temple with a pained whine. This always had been the worst part.

"Ilya, my sister... forgive me," she murmured, knowing how much worse this would be for her considering she knew nothing of devotion to a greater power, she would not understand the need for her sacrifice, and she would not be glad to give it. She would feel betrayed, terrified, and helpless. She had no idea what wondrous piece of the universe she played. "Please know that I have loved you, and that you go now to serve a greater purpose for those you have loved in return."
 
Silas. Pip. Lark.

She laid a moment longer, smoothing her tongue across the girl's cheek as her tears fell freely. Finally, the druid returned and it was time. The dark woman lifted herself and stepped away from Ilya with one last pained glance at the wolf she would soon never look upon again. Her heart in her throat, she turned and raised her muzzle to the sky then, letting her voice ring low across the downs, calling to the beast.

She had been careful in drugging her packmate - meticulous in ensuring she had given the correct dosage that would allow them to get fat enough away from the Hollow that no one would hear her call. The gods would cover her tracks, ensuring their vessel would return home to spread their word and none would question her story - how she'd gone to Ilya and discovered her missing, she'd followed her trail out beyond the Hollow, how the trail had disappeared and she'd returned home with nothing but the feeling of dread in her heart to assure her that their gamma was gone forever. She would be safe from their suspicion, safe from their judgment. They would not understand the need just as Ilya would not. The would not understand that because of her, they all would be safe.

Harlyn lowered her muzzle in one final prayer - that with this sacrifice, their beast of vengeance be sated and leave what remained of her family in peace. Harlyn begged to rush to Ilya again, to Stay with her and protect her from her fear as her time drew to a close. but the druid would not relinquish control again. Silently, she moved away, into the snowy downs towards the tall trees that bordered her horizon. Away from her betrayal, away from her sacrifice, away from the piece of her heart that always would remain there in the meadow, though not ever away from the anguish, the guilt or the regret for what she'd had to do.

Silas. Pip. Lark.

The snow began to fall.

lol no worries. Bye friends <3

But no one ever came.

No gods came to take the offering, and no cats came to accept the body as a peace offering. Nothing happened. A few crows came to poke at the still healing wounds along her side, but Harlyn's prayer had been ignored. The girl eventually woke, somewhere different than she remembered falling and without the alphess who had brought her here. 

Ilya lacked all hope for common sense. She was ditzy, irrelevant, and often bipolar (in the most innocent way). She was not the greatest wolf anyone could hope for, and certainly no one's princess. But she was not stupid. When she raised herself from the snowy earth, she knew she had been betrayed. She had been left out to be eaten, and she knew not why. Her throat stung with the dry pains of sadness, and her limbs ached from the after effects of whatever herbs had been in that bundle. She let out a cry, one that no one would ever hear. 

She did not think she'd be missed, she did not think anyone cared. So she stood, shakily, and left. She went north, hoping to head back to wherever she had came from. She would find someone, but the Teekon Wilds were no longer for her. The wolves here betrayed her. They did not care for her. They did not love her.

They were not family.