Neverwinter Forest darkness is not always foe

Kaskara hadn't felt cold like this in years, perhaps even her whole life. The wind skittered through the trees, cutting into skin like a knife, stealing the air from her lungs. Kas had holed up in her den with her children, allowing them only enough time outside to relieve themselves before tucking them back in, her back to the den's entrance to block most of the wind's wrath.

Whatever they had done, she hoped the gods would forgive them soon. 

It had been two days in the den so far, and her small ration of food had disappeared into the bellies of her children. Her own stomach rumbled it's displeasure, and so she commanded her children to stay inside, and set out to find something for herself, and if she was lucky, enough for them, too. 

The world was coated in ice. Each branch and evergreen leaf glittered in the early morning sun, sending light - but no warmth - across the small clearing of their den. For once the wind had settled, but she knew it would kick back up soon. So she forced herself away from the raw beauty of the ice crystals and sought any sign of wildlife, her nose pressing itself against the frost and snow as she went.

WINDWITCH by Susan Dennard

Like an unwilling creature herded by some despicable oposing force, Shrike's search for Allure could not continue, due to the cold that had engulfed the entire world he knew and lived in. Vengeance was all he could think about, but those thoughts were soon swept away by the need to return to the pack to seek warmth. He returned with a quiet apology- he'd been blinded so completely by the need to find Allure that he had forsaken his duty to the pack...Yet he did not feel ashamed. The void left in his heart begged no excuse or guilt over abandoning his post at the pack. He had joined the pack for Allure, and would not let it hold him back if it meant he couldn't find her. So it was not obligation to his pack, but the need to survive with a pack through the cold spell that made him turn on his heel and reluctantly head back to Neverwinter Forest. 

He was hungry too. He'd found a frozen rabbit carcass buried within the snow but it hadn't been enough. The time he'd spent wandering had taken a toll on him and though his pelt was thick, it did not hide the fact that Shrike had lost weight, even though it was the worst time of year for him to drop it. He searched through the forest of sparkling ice, stiffening when he caught the scent of Kaskara nearby. Of all the wolves in the pack, though, she was one of the few that he hoped to see and took comfort in finding, so he headed in her direction. Though the others might not have looked kindly upon his disappearance, he knew Kaskara would understand, as Allure had been her neice.

The frosted snow crunched underfoot, clumping between her pads and sticking to the fur there. Every few yards, she'd stop her search to nibble the packed ice from between her toes, and then she'd continue her fruitless search. It seemed all the squirrels and rabbits had found refuge high in the trees or deep underground, and she had not the strength or patience to find them. She needed to find something big, and fast, before the storm returned. As she paced the territory, hunched into herself to preserve as much warmth as possible, she heard the pawfalls of another approaching.

Kaskara paused, one foot still in the air, and lifted her head, nostrils flared. The air was still, but she saw the creature before she smelled him - Shrike. She hadn't seen him in some time, since Allure had disappeared, but he was right: she didn't blame him. If she didn't have her children to look after, she'd have gone after Kieran long ago. She didn't blame the children for keeping her here, but she did miss Kieran every moment. Shrike, she said softly, pivoting in his direction. No luck, I take it? Allure would be the sixth wolf to disappear from their ranks, but only two were confirmed dead: her brother and his mate. At least the others were assumed alive.

Kaskara looked slightly surprised to see him, and part of him felt a tinge of shame. He had been dutiful to the pack, quite so in fact, while Allure had been there. But in the recent days of past, he had withdrawn from all in the pack, and even the pack itself. He had no interest in fulfilling his duties to Kjalarr, and had even forfeited his search of Lucy, finally. The only wolf who was present in his mind was Allure, but she had vanished, leaving behind nought more than a tuft of fur and some blood. It didn't seem right- and the bit of spilled blood had been like an omen to him. His search for both Lucy and Allure would be fruitless, though he couldn't bring himself to give up on Allure, despite the freezing temperatures. 

In reply, he shook his head solemnly. He felt drawn out, tired and malnourished though he had no apetite to speak of. Despite this, he knew he should hunt, if there was anything to be found. He greeted Kaskara by rubbing his chin gently against her shoulder, a show of affection he wouldn't have extended to any other wolf at that time. "Hunting?" He asked, not wanting to dwell on his failure.

She welcomed his embrace with a nudge to his ear, glad that he at least was safe. Kas never wanted to lose any family member, and now that six were gone, well...she just hoped that Shrike at least would stay. At his question, she shrugged. That or looking for something already dead. I'm really not picky in this weather. She'd much prefer to be snuggling with her children, but her belly wouldn't let her forget her hunger. So she was here, looking for something to eat. I'm glad you're back. This weather would be nasty to deal with on your own.