Northstar Vale 'Til we find where we belong

@Sorin @Siqsa

They camped within the Lair for well on a week for Siqsa had needed time to heal before they began the last leg of their journey. Liri too seemed to benefit - her bones no longer jutted at angles beneath her ivory fur, some of the luster seemed to return to her coat though the arctic fae was still thin with the remnants of hardship.

The Blackfoot was inwardly overjoyed to leave the press of darkness and stone walls behind in favor of wandering the mountainside once more. The promise of spring clung to the winds, the sweet perfume of renewal carried to her as the breeze tangled in her pelt. The northerner felt her spirits raise as they neared the Vale, the triumphant swell that swirled through her the result of a task nearly completed. 

Despite her joy, the healer could not help but feel a stab of angst as her dark gaze lit upon Northstar Vale once more. She found her paws drawing to a halt as she reached the center of the narrow valley, eyes falling to the rushing stream and the stretch of forest at its other side. 

Had it been only months ago she had stopped here, Kavik at her side in place of the two shadows, Illidan just a boy at her ankles? 

Liri tried to shake off the memories, mahogany optics lifting to the peaks that blocked much light and so sheltered the Vale. The sun could only reach the fishbowl when it approached its zenith yet it was rather warm without the chilling bite of the wind. The forests promised food and shelter and it no longer seemed that the place was home to bears - at least, Liri detected no trace of the ferocious predators. 

"This seems like a good place for stopping, " Liri murmured, turning so that her dark gaze met Siqsa's ruby orbs. A slight smile twisted her lips as she recalled their conversation upon reuniting, hope blooming within that the pair would agree for the sanctuary of the Vale seemed particularly tempting after roaming Teekon in the months past. 

Sorin had been content to rest in the lair, regaining his strength and running patrols to ensure their small group would not run afoul of danger. Still, it was nice when they moved out, for he had become somewhat restless near the large cavern. He was eager to resume their journey, to reach whatever destination Liri had in mind.

When the group crested the mountaintops and stood perched upon the edge of the valley below, Sorin had been hit with a blow of both joyful and terrible recollection. This high mountain valley was eerily similar to the one Viggo's pack had resided in. Although this valley was more guarded by high mountains, with less sunlight making its way to the floor below, Sorin couldn't help but find the similarities. The forests that promised to be full of life, the streams winding their way through to form lakes of cool clear water. It was unexpected to say the least, and the shadow wasn't quite sure how to process all of the memories, good and bad, and also see the distinctness of the valley below him. He stood upon the rim, looking down with an expression of deep contemplation as he tried to make sense of his mixed emotions.

He was forced out of his musings when Liri and Siqsa moved down into the valley below. Sorin followed, still torn between memory and reality, his paws instinctively finding the best path down the mountainside as they descended. As the reached the valley floor, Sorin scanned the area for any immediate sign of danger. When he detected none, the shadow went back to his musings, his gaze roaming throughout the valley and focusing specifically on the forests contained within. Such forests had always been a favored spot for Sorin, as within them, he could hide away from the world. However, as much as he might to disappear with his thoughts for a while, he did not want to leave his companions behind so soon upon arrival. So he stayed with them, nodding distractedly to Liri's statement, his thoughts far away from his current destination and yet right in the heart of the valley as well.

gonna go ahead and get this rolling until Sith'ari gets caught up with Siqsa, there's some pp that I can edit if need be.

The healer can sense how exhausted the dragon must be, even if he would refuse to admit it. Liri departed from his side after assuring herself that Siqsa was well situated, turning towards Sorin. 

"Would you like to explore with me?" The question falls from her tongue shyly, forest eyes not quite able to meet his for long. She cannot help but recall their last private conversation, fretting silently that the shared sorrow between them might make things different somehow. 

Still, it's been nearly a year since the soot-speckled fae had visited the territory - she'd given it a berth when leading the Plateau pack, for it had been too close to the neighboring Sunspire pack for comfort. It would be necessary to scout the inviting forest that curved along the walls of the pit, the caves that opened great mouths wide for any who dared dive down their gullets. Her brother was in no condition to assist and it would be wiser to travel with a buddy of sorts - or so Liri tried to convince herself as something light fluttered in her stomach. 

It was only once he had answered, and given that the two padded away into the trees together, that Liri turned to the onyx wraith with concern shining clearly in her dark eyes. 

"Are you alright, Sorin?" Her words would fall like soft spring rain, lilting slightly with an accent. "You seem...lost, " the healer, who had once aspired to be a Counselor, would try that word first only to shake her head slightly in retraction. 

"You seem haunted."