Wapun Meadow veiddur

tags for ref, lmk if incorrect assumptions made

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They were meant to look for the man.

The dark one who’d come to Kvarsheim alongside Faun from the Riverclan. Tauris had believed him to be a healer then, before it was revealed he was Aquillius’ father. Her chest tightens. The boy was among them still, and how would he take news of his father’s actions- or lack thereof. @Germanicus had been named a traitor to the pack by the Faðir himself, for failing to bring a dangerous woman to justice. Tauris truthfully knew little beyond that. It was not her place to pass judgment in the matter, it was her duty to Gunnar to locate the man. Still, she knew she’d dread to face him.

Her feet find familiar footpaths through the meadow. A nose parts the beargrass and she tests the ground there- something’s stale, like a vole or old rabbit prints; nothing promising yet.

@Íkaros works beside her. She still isn’t sure how he’s ended up here, but she’s grateful for his company. She is not a strong tracker, but perhaps between the pair of them they'd amount to something decent. 

“Anything?”

since i didn't get a chance to reference it yet, germ has been hunting about in the tri pack area!

kvarsheim on the wind. 

germanicus had not returned in some time, certainly not when he had seen that the path of the woman moss was meant for the stone circle.

but aquillius still healed, and so the eagle would not follow the witch.

the scent of gunnar's wolves came upon germanicus as he dragged the remains of a bear-killed fawn from the valley and into the meadow.

he meant it for ravens. he straightened at the sight of the lupine pair, making no effort to hide himself though he also did not approach.

The scraggily boy kept quiet the majority of the mission, only gruffing to grab Tauris's attention at the sake of pointing her towards something of interest.

He had not meant to stay long- but somehow here he was; A theif turned wolf of Kvarsheim. Gunnar had given a task and Ikaros took it with no objection. It was nice to be busy, even more so to felt needed. He can't remember the last time he felt such things.

but, 

"No, unfortunately," his shoulders and neck were hunched forward in defeat. He hadn't seen hide, hair, nor scent of the wolf. Turthfully, ikaros knew very little of what the man smelled like let alone looked like. 

"What is this about anyway?" he questioned, raising his head up from the earth to look towards Tauris.

She senses his hesitance, that which they share, and gives him a thin smile, remembering briefly the hunt for beavers in early springtide levity. What a difference the months have made for them both, and here they are, together again. This time hunting for wolf.

“A man residing as guest to Kvarsheim went out on a mission to track down a dangerous woman. She’s an active threat to a nearby allied pack, Swiftcurrent Creek. He lied about letting her go before disappearing, resulting in the injury of at least one Swiftcurrent wolf,” And a danger to her personal friend, Reverie, though she withheld this.

“As far as I know. I trust Gunnar and Taktuq to pass fair judgment.” She pauses then to look solemnly into the paleness of his blue eyes. “They are good, Íkaros.” She does not know why it is important for him to hear this, but it is.

Underfoot there’s a twist of rootlets, and something thicker upon the shed of air. Calf with a bundle of loose hairs, blood, and wolf. She draws the scents again, evaluating each one before seeking Íkaros’ endorsement with a throaty huff. Then she’s off, cutting through the veld, out into the noonday glow, tasting the tracks as they neared.

And suddenly, there is the ranger.

Right under their noses, unassuming and quiet, dark as the ravens that circle around him. He’s been a simple find, in the end. She isn’t sure if she should feel grateful, or disrespected. For he must know his sleight against the packs of this valley? Of course he does, why else disappear without word passed to Móðir or Faðir? Or the diplomats of the Creek? Or is this little clutch between teeth meant to curry peace and gloss over misgivings?

For the passing of one moment, they stand almost leveled in silence, her thoughts reflected only in the tip of a ticking tail. Is this not what she had sworn she would never do? To wave another wolf’s banners; fight his battles? Draw lines for “us” and “them”?

Only, then she thinks of Íkaros, of Gunnar and Taktuq. Of Skáld. The us worth protecting. Upon him she fixes her posture.

“Germanicus,” she addresses finally, raising to match his golden stare. “ You are wanted in connection with crimes against the pack of Swiftcurrent Creek. Your presence is demanded in Kvarsheim; Faðir requests to speak with you.” She bids her tail to half-mast and tempering her tone even as it threatens to waver upon delivery. In every way she and Íkaros are outclassed. If he wants to turn from them, he will do so.

crimes against kvarsheim on behalf of the witch.

the woman was strong-built, reminding him starkly of what he had created and what he had lost in mereo. at her side was a yearling boy, though germanicus had learned long ago not to underestimate youth.

"very well." there was a visible slackening of his muscles, a centurion setting his sword upon the ground.

the yellowpaint eyes, unreadable. the eagle did not believe in his own sin and yet he knew the call of an order, and answered as he had been trained to do.

 He remained silent through Tauris's explanation, his blue eyes catching hers; an unspoken affirmation hung upon his dry lips.

Good wolves.

Ikaros imagined himself in Germanicus paws; Had their roles been reversed and Ikaros sent to track down Tauris, and in failing to do so would he too be branded as a traitor? His mouth felt fuzzy, his gut twisting in worry. 

Wasn't Germanicus a good wolf if he spared the life of another?

How close did Ikaros come to this man's fate upon stepping past the border and stealing food?

He reminded himself none of this mattered at the moment. They had a job to do—and easy as it was to spot the wanted man, they weren't done. Not yet.

Watching with a covered gaze, head hung low to the earth in an attempt to hide the soft part of his neck less things get messy, Ikaros looked between the two. Tauris was strong, but he doubted she could take on a wolf of this size. Ikaros wasn't built for fighting, nor did he have any experience.

Luckily the man appeared calm, and positioning behind him, Ikaros waited for Tauris to lead the way.

Something unspoken passes along the pointed features of Íkaros’ face; quick to surface, quick to dissipate. She makes a note to speak with him upon return. She begins to worry about what is unresolved there but it is nothing she can address now.

Ahead of her, the wolf Germanicus is cooperative. For all the power and wisdom of the dark man’s years, he simply receives Kvarsheim’s decree.

“I am Tauris, this is bróðir Íkaros. We will escort you to the alfas.” She blinks, averting her eyes as she ushers him ahead with a nose, through the beargrass footpath that leads back toward packland.

—---

It’s in silence they pass through the highland, only slowing when the ancients and their deep blue silhouettes are seen from their tread of shallow valley. Tauris puts up a resonant call for @Taktuq and @Gunnar to join them. The deceiver is delivered.

Gunnar was quick to arrive and he gave both the younger wolves nods of appreciation and a small smile. For Germanicus he looked him over and spoke softly.

Have you eaten Germanicus?

He wasn't a cruel male. He wouldn't have the man go hungry. He waited for denial or affirmation then he'd move on to the business at hand.

There has been a call of betrayal and I will hear all sides before i allow judgement to be made as for the moment you are Kvarsheims ward and you have helped us well. There will be a meeting as soon as our runners can go to packs and bring the leaders here. You will stay with me for now. I don't believe you'll leave, but it is better to be wary. As a man of war you understand I hope.

Gunnar inhaled softly. Aches upon his shoulders and his hip, but he ignored them. Steel grey eyes moved to Tauris and Ikaros.

Please go rest you two you've done well. Thank you

germanicus was silent as they made their way to kvarsheim. tauris. íkaros.

the first name held shades of a more ancient time, the shape of stars in imitation of a bull. of the name iphigenia.

the second was greek, a lofty name for a youth who felt unsure. and yet beneath the confidence of tauris he seemed to gain his own. germanicus thought of the careful boy he himself had named icarus, and his thoughts turned as they sometimes did to mereo. and then to fennec.

but as they neared the proud stone gates of kvarsheim, the eagle put his ponderings away and dipped his head to gunnar. the patriarch did not seem overly concerned with attack, as he meant to send away the younger members of his home.

the former imperator sat quietly. "i have taken a meal, thank you."

now there was only waiting.