Moonspear You made me fall from Heaven

A mountain stood in front of her, tall and intimidating. She was sure that this must be the one that Tiuttuk had spoken of during their brief meeting.

Placing Ludovicus on the ground, taking @Ignace off her back, she lifted her head and howled. To alert the pack to her presence, but also to call for @Treepie. She needed help, her children needed somewhere to grow.

To ask for help felt like a grand challenge in her eyes. She would not be able to repay them right away, and it was eating her alive. She was scared that they would turn her away, and yet she would not blame them if they did.

Birds chirped loudly as Treepie tidied the ulaq, rearranging the skins she’d so recently washed and organizing all the wares her grandmother had brought. She smiled as she worked, though the expression slid from her face when an unfamiliar voice called from down the mountain, summoning her by name.

She stepped outside with a frown, trying to place the voice as she began her descent. But it was only when she clapped eyes on the figure near the borders that she realized it was Pala. Treepie halted when she saw the young puppies gathered beside their mother, her heart jumping into her throat.

She hastened to meet them, ignoring the urge to sweep the babes into her arms. Oh, she still adored babies! But they were not hers to claim, of course, and her yellow eyes fixed on Pala’s face, her own brow furrowed in concern. Both mother and children looked fine at first glance, but…

Pala, what’s going on? Pie demanded in a soft voice.

She averted her gaze for a moment when Treepie questioned her. She was unsure of what she wished to say.

I had to leave the vale with my sons. She looked down at the pair, they were sat beside her paws yawning. Precious things, she had learned to treasure them more than ever in the last couple days. ..I don't want to intrude but, She paused once more, a sigh escaping her lips. I will recover from birth soon and be able to feed their mouths on my own.

Eyes meeting the other's, wary and tired, she pushed out her ask. ::I just need somewhere to stay with them, even if it can only be for a little while. You are one of the only wolves I have met outside of the vale.:

There was really only one question in Treepie’s mind: Why? But before demanding further explanation, she motioned for Pala to follow her. She pointed at the nearby healing ulaq, then began walking toward it. She only went a few steps before pivoting.

Can they walk on their own? I can carry one, Pie offered.

Her eyes fell to the two little boys. No Sydonie then, she thought to herself with a flick of her tail. She made a point to shoot the youngsters a friendly, reassuring smile before she looked again to their mother.

Do any of you require a healer? she added, thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea to call for @Alaric, in any case.

If you don't mind, She nudged Ludovicus forward. He was the lighter of the two, and a bit less wriggly. They're only just getting comfortable on their feet.

At the mention of a healer, she glanced back at the claw marks on her shoulder. It was scabbed over, and the rest would be as well. I think we're all fine. They don't seem ill. She had worried about that with them travelling through the cold nights. They were her children, born to be tough, but they were still children.

Picking Ignace up with his dark coat and round belly, she followed after Treepie.

Skippable! Will mostly just incorporate him into Pala's posts

Barking at Maman as she lifted Ignace rather than himself, he looked between her and the dark-coated stranger. He was confused, but excited all the same.

He hoped that their father would join them soon. He could still smell him on Maman's coat, on her scars and mixed with the once bleeding claw marks and bites. Ludo thought that meant he had to be close.

Pie’s jaw tightened when Pala said they were too young to be steady on their feet. That meant they were far too little to have made this journey. She anticipated there was a damn good reason for it, though she held her tongue for now as she stepped toward the smaller boy. She nosed his forehead, then gently nipped his scruff into her mouth and lifted.

Soon enough, the four of them were inside the old log. Treepie set Ludovicus beside his mother and brother, motioning for them to make themselves at home. A pensive look came over her face as she weighed the woman’s words, along with her presence.

I’m going to call Alaric, she decided, pointing her nose outdoors to do as much. Better safe than sorry.

The trip might have taken a toll on them that wasn’t easy for uneducated eyes to see. But the High Sage would know what to look for. He would understand what these pups needed, whereas Treepie was really only good for fawning over them.

You can stay here as long as you need, the Emprex said, though she finally had to ask, but why have you come here? What happened?

Laying so her children could feed, Pala weighed Treepie's words. It was a difficult situation to explain.

Their father asked me to do something immoral. I refused, we fought, and then he told me to leave. She kept it brief. She would not mention Julienne; Pala felt she had no choice in leaving her, not in that moment. She did not want to be judged. The Matriarche is a good woman, but I cannot go back while he is there. And with him being Viskani's son, it was unlikely that he would be leaving.

She felt some guilt for her children growing up without him. But then again it never would have been a normal family situation, he never would have cared for them in the way a father should have.

IF I can just get three posts i can use for a medic mastery/Specialty not sure which. And I apologize for my lateness. My marine brother randomly showed up to visit yesterday.

Alaric heard the call and he spent the first few minutes looking for herbs. He did not know what he would need. But he took some mint for upset tummies, some snacks for any litttle wolves that may have came wounded. He sniffed out Aloe and fur in case there were bleeds. It did not sound urgent, but he wanted to be prepared. And a few more besides Sage, lemon wort and so much more. Packed it all nicely in his pack that he wore around his neck. It always took a minute to unwravel and push the branch back in with claw without chipping. No thumbs.

Finally, he arrived noting a mother and pups and Pie. Hello I'm Alaric. He assessed gently with impish eyes. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary except exhaustion on both the mother and pup alike. But he would want to check the babies breathing and eyes. Make sure they were not damaged in their run. Answers as to why they were on their doorstep bedraggled and weary would come later.

Morbid curiosity wanted to know what he’d asked of Pala, though Pie resisted the urge to ask. Her stomach felt hollow as the rest of the words landed. How could a father toss a postpartum woman and his young babes out of their home? It could’ve been a death sentence!

Alaric popped up then, reminding Tiuttuk that it wouldn’t come to that. She shot him and his trusty pouch a grateful glance, then moved aside to give him room to assess their guests. As her shoulder and hip brushed the damp wooden wall, she suddenly remembered something.

I’ll be right back, she said to Pala, Alaric and the two young boys right before darting out of the log to climb to her own ulaq.

Feel free to skip her for a couple of rounds!

When a man by the name of Alaric joined them, obsidian coated and impish in his approach, Pala grew tense. It was difficult not to.

But, she was putting her trust in Treepie. If she trusted this man, then Pala would make herself trust him too. Pala. She returned the greeting, her eyes still wary.

Ludovicus and Ignace tumbled by her feet. Young and unaware, they much preferred to play together than to pay much attention to the going ons of their surroundings. They were a bit restless after being carried for so long, Pala only taking a short break in the Flatlands to let them suckle. They were nearly weaned when she had left, and so she could only be glad that she had not ceased to produce milk just yet.

The woman grew tense and he shifted back a few steps. He was not in the business to make other's uncomfortable. He didn't like that. A tilt of his head and he eyed the babes and mom. Her shoulder needed cleaned and some medicine put on, but otherwise she seemed in good health. Maybe some extra nourishment.

I'm a healer. You and those babes look fairly well. We'll get you some extra nourishment and set you up in a nice den. But that shoulder I should probably clean it and put some herbs on it. If you'd allow me too. Or I can talk Pie through it, if you'd rather she did. When she comes back.

He was far softer than the wolves she had grown accustomed to within the confines of the vale. She could appreciate that.

But he was right, her shoulder still stung. Leaving it on it's own to heal may not be the best idea. If you think it needs to be treated, I'll let you. She said, briefly taking her gaze from him to look to her children. She was glad that they had made it through unscathed.

..I'm sorry we dropped in so suddenly. She felt guilty; sudden drop-ins like her were often inconvenient when they came with more mouths to feed.

Alaric was soft in most ways. But there was a roughness to him. A recklessness that he showed often than not. But today, he was healer. Gentle. Kind. Doing what he must. 

Alright so I have some aloe to ease teh sting and sage or rosemary to stave off infection. Though it looks a few days older. If it were going to get infected it probably would have by now.

He gently worked at her shoulder. Loosening some of the scab that was caught. Placing the herbs upon it to heal. I have some treats there in my fur if you don't mind little mouths, mouthing on them.

If she looked there would be small hoof leavings and a few of the inner most organs from a deer for little mouths. 

No need to apologize. Sometimes these things happen. We will meet it with grace and help.

Only after their voices receded behind her did Treepie realize she probably should’ve made more formal introductions. She sipped in a breath but hurried onward and upward, her heart beating fast as she approached her ulaq. Pie gave herself a moment to catch her breath before dipping inside and carefully gathering the scented fox pelt @Periane had left with her.

She lovingly folded it into as small a square as she could manage, then delicately picked it up in her teeth. Still breathing a little hard around it, she trotted back into the daylight. Bemused by the strange tastes pressing against her tongue, Treepie hastened back down the mountainside.

She slowed as she came upon the log, peeking her head inside before her lissome body followed. Pie glanced between Alaric and Pala, stepping closer to the latter and gingerly setting the glistening fox fur at her feet. Pie then retreated a few steps, nudging playfully at the pups as she took a seat next to them.

I came across a stranger cleaning this pelt a week or two ago, Pie shared a little breathlessly, and I asked her what she planned to do with it. She said she wanted to give it away. I asked if I could give it to you. So this is compliments of a very generous and slightly mysterious woman called Periane. I guess, she finished, glancing at Alaric and then back to Pala, you can consider it a housewarming gift.

As Alaric listed off the herbs he planned to use, she admittedly could do little more than listen. She knew nearly nothing about herbalism, but she had an appreciation for it nonetheless. He followed his treatment with an offer of treats for her pups, and she gave a careful nod. If they want them then I don't mind. I'm sure @Ignace will appreciate it. She nodded to the darker coated of the two; he was turning into quite the little glutton as of late.

Treepie soon returned, and when she offered up a pelt to her Pala began to feel a bit spoiled. There was a strange smell to it, and Pala took a moment to analyze this before offering her thanks. You're both very generous. The statement came with a well-earned smile from her.

I'll repay you both once these two are old enough for me to hunt again. I promise.

Alaric knew that his herbal knowledge may go over her head. And that was fine. He was the healer, she wasn't. He understood that not everyone knew or even honestly cared to know about herbs. A tilt of his head. And then he backed up, she looked well. HE did offer the babes some snacks. 

Well get some rest and make sure you are well. Then we will gladly take some hunting. We can even hunt with you ifyou like.

cameo!

At the mention of his name Ignace ears perk up. He follows his mother's line of sight to the strange man. A dark willowing figure casting a gentle shadow upon them. It is confusing, odd, and very unlike father. It scares him a little. But then he smells something in the air. Behind all the nature and green emitting from the stranger is the hint of nutrients tasting the air that almost make him salivate, as if he's under the belly of his mother between two bodies suckling. 

So with hunger overruling his doubt Ignace clumsily attempts to follow the aromatic trail of food. Not without some struggle he jumps up to latch onto the dark coat of the wolf.

You don’t owe us anything. We’re happy to have you, Treepie added to Alaric’s words. I’d be happy to look after them if you’d like to hunt or do anything else, she added, her face soft as she beheld the two little boys.

One of them seemed to be trying to latch onto Alaric. The Emprex huffed a laugh and made to gently nudge him back toward his mother. She supposed it was a good sign that he had an appetite. He and his brother needed to nurse often to stay strong and grow.

You should stay here for a few days. We’ll stop by with food and fellowship, Pie said, glancing at Alaric. Once you feel rested, we can find you an ulaq of your own, further up the mountain.

She fell silent and slid back a step. She was torn. They probably ought to leave Pala and her sons alone to settle in and get some sleep. But Treepie was reluctant to leave them by themselves. It didn’t matter that the pups were no blood of hers; she already felt protective of them.

I’ll be close by, in case you need anything. Just call, the Emprex offered, slowly moving toward the door.

Moonspear's hospitality was unfamiliar, but not unwelcome. She was actively learning to accept it.

Watching Ignace as he approached Alaric to jump and latch to his fur, her head reared back momentarily before leaning to pull him to her when Treepie nudged the boy away. Terbiyesini takınmak. She scolded in a lowered voice, dragging a tongue across the top of her son's head.

You're always welcome to watch them, so long as you want to. She responded to Treepie's offer. It would be good for them to socialize with other's.

Both boys beginning to settle down, her gaze turned to them momentarily before looking back up to the Moonspear wolves. But thank you both. Really.

Alaric chuckled deeply as the child latched onto him. He was not put out in the least he loved children. A gentle bar of song under his breath before the child was taken. Then he nodded and bowed his head. 

PIe and I will let you to your rest. We will check on you later. We hope you get settled and have some much needed rest.

With that the mischievous healer would head back towards his Ulaq and replenish his stocks now that children were in the spear again.