Swiftcurrent Creek we got the kingdom, we got the key

A quick 'pack meeting' where members can either request a private thread amongst a leader or more, or also have the added option to give you're own sort of 'read only' post below, just to kind of wrap this up. Any questions or concerns are welcome!

Tagging current members (hopefully only under one account, even if multiple chars in the pack) as well as wolves known to be staying within the pack borders under SCC protection for now: @Arric @Arlette @Cygnet @Lestan @Morwenna @Frederick @Panacea @Gjalla @Pukei @Burdock @Buckthorn @Leonore @Viinturuth @Juniper @Caliste @River

His tongue swept over his teeth as the faintest winter breeze swept past. Invigorated by it—the ice that crept in his veins, the man looked to the settling dusk as it cats cast out upon the Creek’s land. His home. His hearth. His will.

His song broke out over the packlands—beckoning his comrades, endearing them to put as much swiftness into their step as possible to the edge of the winding creek where they would gather. There were announcements to be made—winter was upon them now, and action was taking place.

He settled near one of the larger rocks—gaze surreptitiously studying those as they came upon him and settled. Each of his wolves—a nod given, the caress of his gaze as he murmured well wishes quietly. His family.

They were not a palace of wolves that lived beneath the rocks of the desert. They did not build a kingdom of walls and adorn themselves with found treasures of stone, nor markings of mineral and color.

They bore their scars. Internally. Externally, in many.

When it felt as each who would join them came, his muzzle lifted—his features sharp.

“Perhaps you’ve heard the whispers of what lurks close to us. A band of wolves  has made themselves known by placing attacks on Muat-riya and children. They bring a green substance with them to deliver—the effects of it are not known, yet, but given the nature of these wolves it is not something to help you or others.

Akashingo and Muat-riya have put out a call to arms to other packs to assist in this matter. To bring those that harm children to justice… We will answer it. We answer it for the safety of our own children—and for the Rising Sun Valley. It has always been our deliberation for the valley to remain a haven of sorts—for families to grow. For peace.”

A flash of his fang was given—the warrior’s call beckoning him, now. Seven children remained within their ranks—eight, if they managed to find the lost child. Four others remained under their protection for now, as well. This was worthy enough cause. “If peace needs to be attained with the aim of our tooth and claw, so be it. Kvarsheim will work with us. In a days time, I join one of the Kvarsheim warriors to scout the valley. From there, we travel down to the lowlands and Muat-riya’s territory, and will then continue to Akashingo. When we return—another patrol will follow this path, if not deviating slightly from it. We will not keep a routine, in case this band of wolves watches for it.

Until then—spar with one another. Practice your skills. If you wish to offer yourself for a future patrol, speak to Arric in my absence. Swiftcurrent Creek has never taken a threat lying down—we do not start now. If you have any questions, feel free to find me before I leave… or direct them to either Arric or Arlette.”

With that, he rose—gaze finding each wolf and giving them a nod to reveal the meeting was adjourned for now.

Arlette stood with Akavir as he brought them the news. Her eyes looked grim as well. She was not looking forward to a war, any form of conflict between wolves. It felt so unnecessary. But they would protect their home, at it was clear there was a threat. Arlette knew that she would stay put in the territory, look after it, and take care of it. She should talk to Arric what he wished to to. Somehow she got strange flashbacks to Derg. She had not thought of her previous mate in a long time, but it was almost identical. He had not returned. She would do her best to have everything stocked as best to her abilities to help mend any fallen warriors.

Arlette looked at the group, their family. She hated the idea of fighting but she did feel the need to protect. Her red eyes fell on her four children. It was their future they were securing. Come to me if you wish to know about basic wound care It was her only addition. She knew it was common knowledge that she was their healer, but she wanted everyone to know that they could come to her for questions. If it would help them during battle or after.

Violet happily trotted along with her parents. Sometimes jumping onto one of her siblings or biting their ankles in a loving sibling way of course. The playful girl was not aware of her parents different demeanor until they arrived at the meeting spot and they stood by Uncle Akavir. The often loud and playful girl quieted. She glanced at her siblings and back up to their parents. Her mother looked different, as did her father. Her ear flopped back uncertainly. What was wrong?

Uncle Akavir started to talk. It was difficult to follow for a child. She didn't understand why other wolves were attacking wolves. They would only attack prey animals, right? It all looked very serious and it kind of scared her a little. She looked up at her parents confused and a little anxious. Dad was mentioned to go to in Akavir's absence. Why would uncle Akavir leave? Did that mean her dad was not going to leave? Or her mama? She was solely confused. Violet had lowered herself to the ground, kind of wishing to go to her parents to interrogate them about this! But even she understood that this was not the moment.

@Jet emphatically led the way towards Akavir’s call, followed closely by @Creek and @Harrier, who trotted side-by-side, and Campaign who padded after them alongside River. This would be their first meeting, the mother mused to herself, and each child thrummed with some degree of nervous energy. Unfortunately, the tone of the Alpha’s howl stole all enthusiasm from River, who understood that the news coming would not be pleasant.

At their arrival, the five of them stood off to the side of those gathered, giving themselves a decent view of the leaders without mingling with creekwolves they had not interacted with up until this point. After their initial encounter with the boychild of Swiftcurrent, the loners had sequestered themselves within the territory to avoid any confrontations. The children were fine with River’s decree at first, but the more comfortable they became with their surroundings, the more they wished to explore and mingle in earnest.

But as rambunctious as her brood could be, each of them knew when it was time to be serious.

Her children had been forced to mature faster than she would have liked, due to their loner status imposed by her own paranoia, but she would rather them grow out of childhood sooner than be unprepared. They knew more of the world’s dangers than most their age, and though River was not glad to have done so, she knew it had been necessary for her to drill in and bolt down this knowledge while she still could.

The four of them sat soberly at her side, listening to Akavir’s somber warning and the pack’s intentions going forward. Swordsilver eyes flashed with worry. Did she really want to involve her children in all this, let alone keep them within range of a pack notorious for imperilment?

Would fleeing make them safer, or just make them alone?

Where was safe?

Where existed the place where no evil resided?

Because River did not know these answers, she decided that it would be best for them to stay. Maybe even make things official, so that should anything happen to them, Swiftcurrent may even be inclined to act in rescue or vengeance. Yes, this was preferable to striking out again and potentially running into a worse threat without the child support of her babies’ fathers.

She would find @Akavir after getting the children back to their makeshift densite, to offer her strength towards the dark days ahead and request that she and her children officially join the ranks of Swiftcurrent.

A mysterious drug. Murmurs of war. Sparring among one another- it was all too much to take in, when she worried day in and day out about her missing son. She wanted nothing to do with the two packs that called for help- she saw no reason to put their own young at risk, and she eyed Akavir a little coldly when he mentioned that this was in the interest of protecting their own children. Those were tall orders to come from a man who had no children. She had to wonder what Arlette made of it all, being a mother of four herself. She certainly didn't look impressed about their situation. 

The thought of having to spar for practice irked her. She three children to feed, to console, to teach- and the threat of physical exercise made her feel unwell. She would need to speak with the beta female, and see if she could be excused from such practices.

Etienne followed behind His sister and remaining babes. Anxious and ill at the implications. He had promised he would go if Akavir needed him. So go he would if asked. He could keep Akavir and Eivor whole he hoped. But...his sister.

He eyed her. Fretting was her life now taking care of all the children. He had nothing much to offer in ways of war. But he knew basic wound care and healing.

I can 'elp to Arlette. He spoke softly to the beta she wolf.

Arric had been a little late to the party. But in his defense he had been on the borders. He caught the just of it standing next to Arlette. He would stay probably because someone would need too. If they came knocking.

the nervous energy that had manifested its way inside jet's body as he led the way to the meeting site fails to abate as akavir speaks. mature beyond their age out of necessity — the nomadic life of loners was not for the weak after all — allows a grim understanding within jet as he listens; somber.

poison. unsavory band of wolves looking for a fight. war. or, the looming threat of it anyway.

jet moves within their small circle, sequestered from the actual swift current creek wolves, forcing the sibling sitting closest to river to scoot over for him. why involve ourselves if we are not targeted? seems like an unnecessary risk. jet, outspoke by nature, gives voice to his thoughts to his mother. though he, at least, has the tact to pitch his voice low so only she and his siblings could hear it, while others spoke up in support of akavir's decision. irregardless, jet thinks sharply strategically but in the terms of a nomad, when every single action had a potentially dire consequence ... still not used to pack life.

even if they weren't officially apart of the creek yet; despite his want to explore it and the benefits pack life offered.

and at the end of the meeting when they're corralled back to their makeshift den, jet suggests they stay busy until river returns by sparring with one another.

"once we h-had an alliance. it's important to preserve those things," lestan said softly after the boy who had spoken.
with no idea that those children could very well be his own blood through akavir or viinturuth, lestan smiled with some chagrin at their mother and then made himself very silent for the remainder of the meeting.