King Elk Forest to kingdom come

ooc; on the border, @Célness or @Cenric or anyone else! she's looking for info about the pack, so she may join!

Finding no suitable pack for herself on the coast, Wren further traveled inland. She didn't know where she was going but soon found herself in this Hinterland. The Teekons had a variety of diversity, it would seem. She blinked as the sun faded, but not quite night, illuminating the evening glow. The blonde spots on her pelt were highlighted nicely, but she was not a vain creature.

Wren moved after a brief pause, sniffing. The scent of a pack... she didn't know what this one was about, but she might as well start somewhere. Perhaps the ocean was better left behind her now. Her pirate king was never going to come back. She had to accept that. Taking care not to step over their border, she approached the pack line and called. After that was done, she waited.

Simple, right? Wait for a pack member to come along and tell her. Spew to her their ideals. She could take it with a grain of salt.

When the began to set below the horizon, that usually meant the king was just about finished with his tasks. Every morning he’d wake up and make his rounds along the border, so by the time evening arrived he had time to spare. Tonight was no different. Cenric stared at the sun-kissed treetops and let out a satisfied sigh. Another’s day work well done. Only that wasn’t the end of it.

Just as he began to head deeper into Kingslend, a call stopped him in his tracks. It’s unexpected and unfamiliar. Cenric headed towards it, both because it was his duty and he was curious.

Soon enough he finds the source. A woman cloaked in brown (a feature he’s pleased to note), dusted in gold, and eyes akin to a clear summer day. 

Cenric greeted her just as he’d greet any stranger at their border, or that’s what he’d like to believe. There’s a warmth to his smile that wasn’t usually present. You called?

She was probably always going to be shocked (even though her features did not display this) at kindness. Wren was not used to it in the sense it came from strangers. Old pack mates, sure. Her pack had been kind and warm, especially to outsiders on their border. So perhaps she likened this too much to that. Before she had been suspicious but now dropped her guard around new folks. A bit more than she'd like to admit.

"Yes" she greets the man, her gaze unwavering as she stares at his own brown coat. Strange, she was starting to think this place had only grey and white. Was she an oddity? That's what she had thought at first. This was not the first pack she had come across, but it was the first she approached. "my name is Wren." Seeing as she was on his border, it was only polite to give her name before he asked. Her head lowered respectfully, as she had been taught before dealing with borders and packs.

"I was curious about this pack and wondered if... well, you'd explain a bit of your ideals. But if you're busy, I can come back another time."

Wren. The King mulled over the name for a moment. Wren, like the songbird. He wondered why her parents bestowed the name onto her, as he does with many wolves he came across. Names are interesting to him.

She had introduced herself, so it’s only fair if he did so as well (not that he wouldn’t anyways). It’s a pleasure to meet you Wren. I am Cenric Déorwine. Cue his signature bow.

He soon learns Wren is a woman who seeks knowledge, something he’d happily give (perhaps not to the extent of his more devout kin).

I can lend some information, yes. It’s no bother. Cenric sat down and cleared his throat. Well, this place is called Kingslend, and I rule it along with my sister. We all worship the High Elk. Sometimes he’d assume strangers already knew of their deity. It’s expected when you grow up around followers and only followers. Cenric recognized this and added, He is our god.

From where she had come from, Wren knew some wolves had worshipped stars. They seemed so damn far away all the time and without anything to grasp... well, logically she didn't believe in such things. But an elk was another story. Her head tilted to the side as she regarded Cenric, a brow raised in slight puzzlement. Did their great elk live on their territory? Was it forbidden to hunt it then? She had lived along the sea for a year, but the pirate-esque wolves did not forbid hunting fish.

She settled for something to ask. "So you are a king, then?" Wren began. Titles were pretty sometimes. Especially the ones that you give yourself. He had sat before her like an equal, but then again she did not belong to his pack. He seemed to respect her status as a vagabond; he held no power over her. But more surprising was that he was willing to talk, considering his alpha-like status. "what beliefs has your god inspired in you?" She had been a pack wolf, knew that some were focused on religion or culture.

She was always looking for... something more, she supposed. Wren was a bit curious, but she'd never be a cultist.

There’s bewilderment in Wren’s eye, something he came to expect from these outsiders. He wondered if she’d inquire more, and wondered if she’d stay or flee when given answers.

“So you’re a king then?” 

Precisely. The affirmation gave him a burst of pride. It’s still funny to think he was the ruler of this realm. He could never dream of being in this position when he was a boy. Dear old father was next in line, until the flames swept over their land. It took so much from Cenric, but it also granted him power.

The inevitable questioning of their beliefs came up at last. He with a thousand horns. He hums the saying. God of all creation, a symbol of good fortune. He provides us food, shelter, a fulfilling life, a purpose. For that we honor him. Quite a brief summary of their beliefs, he’d say. There are priests here that can go more in depth about our religion.

Wren fell quiet, as if mulling over the options or knowledge presented to her. She finally gave a nod, blue eyes focusing on Cenric. "The place I was before now - the natives worshipped the constellations as their gods" the woman lacked wonder in her eyes as she spoke of the old gods in Cyrileth. She had not been privvy to that sort of religion - apparently, she had been born under the wrong sign to get involved. There were good and bad, and the bad would be 'cleansed' by those devout.

She never was one for fanatical speeches, gladdened that Cenric chose the short version. "An elk sounds more reasonable to me" there was humor in her gaze as she regarded the king "more earthly" as if their god could walk freely among mortals without shame. Many creators see their creations as a lost cause. That's just from the stories she got though. "what are your expectations for a pack member?" Wren would ask next.

There was a pause before; "I'm a hard worker and typically hunt. But I can also fight. Defend borders if need be."

She does not raise her chin nor brow as he expects. That alone is enough to put the woman on his good side. Most outsiders don’t understand their religion, or downright refuse. Mock even. Cenric pitied them. But Wren, she was different. She listened, drew comparisons between their god and the ones above (he doubted the latter’s existence), said their’s were more reasonable. Indeed, Cenric replied, We need not look far to see our god.

Her next question peaked his interests. We only ask that you pull your weight and respect our traditions. Your skills meet our expectations. He hummed thoughtfully before he spoke again. Why do you ask?

She wasn't an egotistic wolf. Wren did not want to say anything about past experiences, nor ranks she had before now. As a former beta, she knew hard work got people there. The fact was she didn't care if she had to start all over again. Already crossing that bridge of thought, she leapt forward. The brunette mulled thoughtfully her options, closing her brilliant blue eyes briefly.

"Respect is something I can do" as long as these wolves didn't go around killing in the name of their god... Or, well, justifying their actions in genocide. If she hadn't been run off or turned away by now, she figured it was a good place to settle. They seemed logical. "and I can handle hard work." But as she opened her eyes, she stared at Cenric for a moment before dipping her head.

"I can't say I am a religious wolf, but I'm willing to put that aside. If Kingslend doesn't harm others needlessly, I'm in. You guys don't exactly scream crazy cult anyway."

She tells him she could fulfill all the duties he expects from a member, much to his pleasure. If Wren was true to her word, then she’d be a fine addition to the ranks. She’d have no trouble fitting in.

Well in that case, consider yourself the newest member of Kingslend. I do hope you enjoy your time here. He smiled again. Rest assured we aren’t violent brutes. We’d much rather avoid any violent altercations.

How wrong she would come to be.

Flashing the king - well, she supposed her king now - a grin, Wren walks over the border. Her eyes scan the surroundings, trying to take everything in at once. "I'll find a den, then" she says to Cenric. He must have better things to do than escort her around. "and seek out the others when I get settled."

The woman knew this dance. She had it once before. It was only a matter of time before she found her 'niche' in Kingslend. "Thanks" she nods to Cenric, looking back at him before wandering further in. "won't let you down!" Wren chuckles before creeping further into her new territory.

fade exit here