Sleepy Fox Hollow Spielen

It was a hot summer day that had made the hollow feel muggy and humid. Emmerich had been torn between wanting to explore and wanting to curl up in the shade for a nap. He had taken to venturing during the late evening hours. When the sun had started to vanish behind the mountains and long shadows were cast into the woodland, the boy could be seen prowling around their home.

While debating on a nap in the shade, Emmerich caught sight of a large black beetle who was charting a course across the grassy earth. His interest was roused, and he plodded toward it with an intent gaze on its shiny back. The beetle did not seem to take an interest in the wolf boy. It continued its path with little diversion. Emmerich took it upon himself to follow.

Between her duties and searching, with the injured back home and her determination to cover every bit of ground before Mereo, Bridget was overdoing it.

She knew that she couldn't keep this up for long, but she couldn't leave it alone until she'd spent every option.

She knew she was close to Mereo now, but she hadn't noticed when she'd stumbled across another claim. It wasn't until she'd limped into view of someone's child that it hit her. Shit. She stopped immediately, then sat down. Losing momentum had her realizing, abruptly, how far she'd come. She knew she should have stopped before the mountains, but what if he'd been here?

Sorry, I'll get lost in a minute. And hope no one came and thought the worst in the meantime. She certainly wasn't moving any closer.

It was the woman’s voice that pulled the boy’s attention. Emmerich stiffened sharply from his hiding place in the shade. His eyes shifted until he had latched them on the foreign figure in their hollow. The young pup knew that his father spent a great deal of time patrolling and protecting their pack land. They had even killed the coyote who had hunted on their grounds, had stolen their prey. The boy did not believe that Mahler would have looked any kinder on a wolf who had stepped into their home.

Making sure to conceal himself in the hollow’s brush, Emmerich inched to where the woman sat and watched her for a moment. He could not decide if she was injured or if she was simply catching her breath. When he saw that she was missing a leg, his adrenaline spiked. Maybe she had seen a terrible battle!

Das ist das Zuhause meiner Familie.

Emmerich emerged, lifting his head and trying to make himself seem bigger than he was.

Whoever it was disappeared into the brush. She'd barely caught sight of them anyway, and for a moment she wondered if it was even a wolf pup she'd seen. Could have been a fox, or some other kind of animal. It wasn't until the voice rang out that they confirmed her suspicions... and the fact that she should probably get her ass moving sooner than later.

Bridget stumbled back a pace, still sitting, when the pup appeared, slightly closer. Look, I don't know what you're saying. But do you mind staying over there? Your parents, and my chances, would appreciate it.

Maybe if she was attacked she could get herself to move, but now that she'd stopped, she was going to need another minute to get herself back up again. He could chill for a minute, surely? Just until her legs stopped shaking.

You haven't seen any red wolves, have you? If she was going to risk getting mauled by this kid's family, might as well ask.

The intruder said that she did not know what he was saying but that he needed to stay where he was. Emmerich did not like being told what to do by a stranger. He grew slightly nervous when presented with her inability to understand the German language he had been taught since birth. He knew common well and could speak it with little error, but he did not like that there were wolves who did not understand.

Before he could step forward to demand that she hurry out of there, she presented him with a question.

Had Emmerich seen any red wolves near the hollow lately? The boy blinked thoughtfully. They did not get many visitors in the hollow. His father had done well to keep their borders patrolled and protected. Even Emmerich had accompanied him on a few occasions and had helped to defend their home from intruders.

No. No red wolves. No wolves at all, really. He wondered if that was normal.

What are you doing here? Your nose broken or something? Emmerich didn’t understand how Mahler’s scent had been weak enough to let her that far. A shadow of a thought crossed his mind. He wondered if she had scented it and simply did not care. She seemed flustered and, as a child, he did not know how to assist her.

Well, hell. Bridget hadn't expected anything more than another dead end but it was hard not to hope at least someone knew where he'd vanished to.

No. Just more tired than I realized. She barely recalled hitting the strong scent of a wolf or two, but the group hadn't registered 'pack claim' until she saw the kid. Of course they'd stake a place if they had kids.

I'm from Brecheliant, and don't mean any harm. I'll get going, but could you tell your folks we are missing someone? A reddish wolf. We'd appreciate any help. Bridget pushed herself to her feet and let herself rock backwards as she did, opening more space between them. She didn't want to look threatening - not that she could. Current plans were to get as well away from their borders as she could, then snatch a rest before heading home. She'd be fine for at least a pointed walk back the way she'd come, and far better than she would be if any guardians came looking for blood.

The woman said that she was just tired, more tired than she had realized. The white-hooded boy batted his eyes softly at her. He didn’t know how to deal with a threat that wasn’t exactly a threat. She had wandered into their hollow, but she didn’t appear to have intentions to steal food from their caches or to override their intended claim on the land.

It seemed that the red wolf was of importance to her. She wanted Emmerich to pass her message along to his parents. The boy nodded his head, eyes shifting back to where his family was believed to be. The young boy wondered if he should call for his father to help her. Perhaps he had seen the mysterious red wolf near their territory.

Wait! Er- what’s the red wolf’s name? Is there anything else bout them that would stand out? Just red? Are they a danger? Emmerich’s flurry of questions chased after her, hoping that she wouldn’t scurry away just yet.

Oh, wow. Bridget laughed quietly, shaking her head. She really was tired.

A name would help, wouldn't it? Thanks. His name is Reyes. Was he dangerous? Bridget had wondered if he was, but not in the way the pup asked. She had her own personal bias but it wasn't a reason to give this family any suspicion. Bridget doubted Reyes would do anything to anyone who might help him get home to Sorana.

Provided he'd not left on purpose. She still couldn't see it having been. So many things could have happened.

He isn't dangerous. I appreciate it. He's... important, to a good friend of mine. And has a daughter, near your age. Her name is Sorana. Maybe she shouldn't have let them know that, but Reyes would know they were friends if they spoke of his daughter. Brecheliant would owe you. Bigtime. Teya would obviously agree, and she couldn't see Maia or Eljay arguing. If they did? She'd see whatever debt they wanted personally paid herself if need be.

Reyes, Emmerich echoed to her.

It was not a name that sounded familiar to his young ears. The white-hooded pup thought hard on the conversations he had heard between his parents, but the name of the red wolf did not stand out in his mind. He believed he had been perfectly honest with her when he said no one of that sort had been seen near their hollow. It didn’t mean that he wouldn’t show up, though.

The young boy was delighted to have word for his mother and father.

Sorry, before you go… where is Brecheliant from here? Someone will find you if he is seen. If he could give directions to the pack with the missing member, a name, and a description… well, Emmerich didn’t see how his parents wouldn’t say he did a fine job.

Do… Do you need some food for your walk? That probably shouldn’t have been offered. Emmerich only thought that she didn’t seem so bad, after talking.

Oh, he was adorable! In the best, most non-condescending way imagineable. His politeness, and the way he held himself, reminded her a lot of Hymnal. She hadn't known the girl terribly well but she couldn't believe some kids started off with these kind of manners. Her poor parents really had gotten the short end!

She pointed southwest. It's that way, just past a forest. There's a smaller mountain, set off from the rest, with a hollow center. The caldera is our claim. They'd be more than welcome there if they came with news - or even without it. Sometimes Bridget had to wonder what Maia and Eljay would do if something actually dangerous came along. With any luck they'd never have to find out. Fortunately it was as hard for wolves like them to make enemies as it was for them to identify them.

I shouldn't, but I appreciate the offer. Tell your parents I'm sorry, alright? And that you're one of the finest guardians I've ever met. Bridget smiled again, but she was sure to put as much sincerity as she could on the compliment. Kids could tell when you were bullshitting them and he absolutely deserved the praise.

As she offered instruction, Emmerich listened closely. His mouth moved to repeat the words she’d offered, hoping he could seal them into his memory. If he did not have enough details for his father, it would not have been a very good meeting. All he would have had was a story and perhaps the faded scent of the woman who spoke. The white-hooded pup wanted to prove that he was capable of more.

Thank you, Emmerich barked to her.

She had declined his offer for a traveling snack, but she had given him quite the compliment on her way out. It was all that he could have hoped for. Isa may have been praised by their father and mother enough to keep her ego swollen and engorged, but Emmerich had just gotten a real compliment from someone who did not belong to their family. It had weight.

Travel safely, he dipped his snout, hoping this meeting had been handled well. The perceived threat had turned out to be a tired woman looking for someone who had gone missing from her pack. She had agreed to leave and even offered information on the missing man. If they could find Reyes, perhaps they could have a friendship with Brecheliant. Emmerich’s mind swam with thoughts.