Qeya River the wind finally sleeps

Other Shore came, on the wind, off the wind, running.

Of all the places her feet had ever touched, her eyes had even witnessed, this particular area had swept into her gaze and had refused to leave ever since. She could not hear the river's trickle, but it sighed to her; she could not smell the trees, but they awaited her; she could not call to the mountains, but the mountains called to her.

And so, Other Shore, she who has no home, came running to no home.
 
Odd scents, scents found everywhere but nowhere, prickled her nose. A figment of her imagination, perhaps, thanks to her exhaustion. Or maybe a figment of this river. 

She stopped. Leaned her head towards the sky. Counted her breaths. She was tired, as much as she loathed to admit. Rest was something she dearly despised, given that her eyes and ears were endlessly ravenous for new sights and sounds, but rest was needed. If any creature attempted to end her life now, they would have a very, very easy time picking her off. 

She collapsed onto the ground. Scents drifted by her, perhaps carrying the smell of wolves or trees, but she paid little attention. If a wolf came along and declared the area to be their territory, then so be it. She would just pick herself up and wander off on her foolishly sore legs.

the scent struck her first—foreign, unfamiliar, yet woven with exhaustion. then came the sound, faint but distinct, a body meeting the earth with weight too heavy to be intentional.
star eater did not hesitate.
her supplies tumbled from her grasp, forgotten as she turned on her heels and rushed toward the source. snow and damp earth clung to her paws as she ran, ears pricked, eyes sharp. she was no stranger to strangers, but this scent did not bring the warning of threat—only weariness.
when she reached the fallen figure, she stopped just short, breath curling in the cold air.
are you alright? her voice carried urgency, her frame tense with readiness. whoever this was, they were spent, and something in her would not allow them to be left to the mercy of the wilderness.

cameo <3 welcome!!

blackfell watches. he had been lingering amongst the edges of the herd, stoic sentinel, guardian tending to the roaming caribou. listening as they spoke to one another. watching with soft eyes as pregnant doe nosed at their bellies lovingly.

he kept his distance, of course. he was wolf and never truly welcome among them. but it was from watching the herd that he found himself growing to understand them. developing some meager camaraderie with the creatures which they lived amongst, and ultimately took from. an odd relationship.

the commotion in the distance had drawn his attention away from them. crimson eyes settling on a woman who drifted through the snow and ice, dropping herself at the edge of the tumultuous river that had swept the chieftain's son away those days ago. he had been prepared to accost her for trespassing when star eater ran up.

so he stayed put, ever the watchful eye.

Ah. So the scent of wolves were not a product of her exhaustion. And it was thick, terrifyingly thick. Like the absolute genius that she always was, Other Shore had managed to collapse in the middle of a pack's territory. She was foolish to believe she could just leave as she wished, given that her legs screamed with every movement. Moments ago they had been stupidly numb. How funny.

This woman, who now rushed towards her, was so peculiar, Other Shore had to spend a few solid moments convincing herself that she was an earthly being. Her form was made only tangible by those white dapples that resembled snow fallen on the night itself more than it did the fur of a wolf. 

Other Shore blinked. The tall, muscular frame now bolting towards her at frightening speeds snapped panic into her chest, but even that, too, was a feeling difficult to keep. Why had she run to begin with? She failed to remember. Was it a bear that was chasing her? Another wolf...? 

No matter. This woman was about to either become her savior or her murderer. She would get rest either way.

The woman halted just half a wolf-length from her, eyes carrying an odd look - concern? Urgency, even? A firm yet gentle visage, carried only by mothers. Are you alright? she asked.

A strange question - are you alright? ...Am alright, Other Shore managed to muster after a moment. Need... rest...

star eater’s eyes swept over the girl, quick and searching. she was young—too young to be wandering alone in such a state. exhaustion clung to her like frost to the tundra, her limbs trembling with spent energy.
wait here, she said, though she doubted the girl had the strength to move regardless.
with quick, sure steps, she turned and rushed back to her cache, where her herbs were stored. her paws worked with practiced efficiency, sifting through dried leaves and bundled roots until she found what she sought—valerian. it would ease the girl’s muscles, let her rest without the grip of tension holding her stiff.
she returned swiftly, settling beside the girl and nudging the herb toward her.
here, she murmured, her voice softer now. this will help you relax.
there was no demand, no pressure—only an offering. her gaze lingered on the girl’s face, searching for recognition, for understanding. she would not force her to take it, but she would not leave her in such a state either.

he became frenzied with anger when he did not find his wife where he thought she should be. rage roiled his shoulders; he stalked in a harsh circle before breath was caught. and then sun eater went to find his mate.

he did not want to forbid her, nor shame her. but she must listen, and each time she did not, it reminded the lanzadoii man of what more she had been. 

did she mean the same here? he would forbid it!

sweetdust herbs. his wife bent smoothly over the stranger. blackfell lingering, watchful in a way that only made sun eater feel far too seen.

"i suppose you want to take her back," he groused once the girl's worthlessness had been evaluated, pawing at the earth. to accept a weak mouth in midwinter was not what he wished, not when the saatsine prepared for young. already had the newcomer taken a store of herbs. possessiveness made a harsher man of the chieftain. nursing this one as healer might bind her to the places he knew she must remain. 

he would have a barter. "i will allow it, but you must promise i will never see you here again. you must stay near your den." his one eye locked flatly to her own. "say that you understand my words."

The woman's voice tumbled into the wind; Other Shore failed to catch her words. The odd soreness of her legs clung to her. Strained muscles, perhaps, numbed by adrenaline and cold alike just moments ago. 

She heard the soft footsteps running; she perked her ears up to them, then listened as they, too, were overtaken by the wind's unceasing humming. She expected little but silence. And yet she was met with footsteps again. 

An off-putting yet strangely earthy scent crept into her nose, a smell that didn't belong. The woman spoke again - something about relaxing, it seemed. 

Other Shore opened her eyes, ever so slightly, not even realizing she had shut them to begin with. Something white, yet not quite snow, stuck out to her, with the tall frame of the woman leaning over it. 

She gave it a gentle lick. An herb, perhaps? She leaned towards it, just enough for her to hold one of the flowers in her mouth, then chewed and savored the taste on her tongue. Bittersweet, yet woody. How odd. She paid little attention to the flavor, shutting her eyes again as she nibbled.

...Thank... she managed to mumble before exhaustion claimed her again.

star eater swallowed, nodding furiously beneath her husband’s gaze. his words, sharp and edged with command, pressed upon her like a weight, a reminder. a reminder of who she was now, of what she had given up and what she had gained.
she did not argue. she did not fight. her freedoms had been many, once, but sun eater had given her something greater—safety. a home. a place where her children would not need to know the kind of war she had once waged.
i understand, she murmured, voice steady but quiet, the weight of obedience settling on her tongue. i will take her back to my den.
her gaze flickered to @Blackfell, who lingered like a watchful shade at the edge of the clearing. he had been there the whole time—silent, observing. sun eater’s frustration was thick in the air, and she did not wish to add to it. instead, she turned to blackfell, summoning him with a glance.
carry her. it was not a request.
her eyes lifted once more to sun eater, searching for approval in his hard stare. i will not stray. a vow, spoken with quiet conviction.
and with that, she turned, leading blackfell back toward the safety of the dens, the stranger cradled in his grasp.

last from me, i'll start a new one for us, other shore :)

sun eater comes. shares tense words with his wife, and all the while he is watching with eyes that dip lower. narrowing, into something scrutinizing. the anger with which he hovered above both the women, the words he spoke into star eater's ears.

he could hardly hear them, not enough to understand—and even then, he would understand little of it—but it stirred discontent in his gut. he knew men who took pride in overpowering their women, in placing themself superior. he did not like them. and likewise, it filled his mouth with bile to see star eater become this... complacent, docile thing that she had never been once in her life.

when star eater rises and bids he come to help, he comes forth. kneeling to gather the woman upon his back and tail after the drifting form of the former queen. 

exit <3

exit! <3

she heeded.

she heeded and from sun eater was taken the glory of subduing her. while he was grateful for his wife's capitulation, shone as much through the blaze of that remaining eye, he was unsure again. much had occurred, and all of it narrowed down to her.

approval was granted. the chieftain did not move to help as star eater ordered blackfell closer, but his own stare fell upon the man thoughtfully.

caustically.

"then i will see you," and his voice was softer than it had been, remorseful in vague detail as he reached to brush her cheek with his lips. 

his gaze spoke of her beauty, and his pleasure in her. truly, it appeared as if the man had never been angered, and he raised a touch to her belly wherein the fruit of their lanzadoii futures lay slumbering.

she was favored. star eater held all of him.

he stepped away, and left her there with guardian and charge.