Thank you to @Nunataq for ghost-writing this with me! :)
Lucky for Breccan, he had been further inland when the tsunami hit. Bat and Tristan had told him of their plans to leave the coast and head south, to meet up with their families. They had graciously invited him, but after giving it some thought, he had declined. He could have tagged along and then split off to reunite with the Frosthawks, but he ultimately decided not to. It wasn't that he didn't want to be with his parents and siblings; he did, eventually, plan to return to them. But he wasn't done living his own life yet, so in a few days he planned to say goodbye to his friends and head off in a different direction.
Mother Nature had something else in mind, though. While he wasn't on the coast at the time of the destructive sea swell, he was well aware of its occurrence. He heard and felt its impact, and knew that he had to get out of there. He could only hope and pray that Bat and Tristan were okay as he fled eastward, the roaring of the wild, unpredictable ocean in his ears.
When he finally stopped to catch his breath, it was dark and he was exhausted. He didn't know where he was or what had happened to his friends. He was physically, emotionally, and mentally spent -- and so he thought his eyes were playing a trick on him when he spotted a familiar figure ahead. "Nuna?" he called, his voice a ragged gasp.
---
Fate had treated Nunataq kindly. In the months after her departure from Bearclaw valley with her two mute friends, the trio had travelled the southern ranges beyond the map extensively. The grass was greener and the sky was bluer there, life was an adventure, not a day passed, when the girl would not learn something new or enjoy the nomadic lifestyle more. With the stress of defending her large abandoned home single-handedly gone, she had grown more good-natured and content. She no longer thought it necessary to cling onto one place, change was more exciting.
On the very evening that Breccan found himself on the fringes of Great Bear wilderness, the three wolves had tracked down and killed a young buck, that had been injured during one of the BWP plots. Since it was not possible to eat it all in one take, the group had settled near the remnants for the time being. Winter was coming and leaving anything uneaten, when you did not know, when your next meal was going to be was unwise. Though very full and her feet heavy because of the load she had to carry in her stomach, Nunataq still had set out to scout the area and see, what and who was around.
She had become somewhat wary, when she had come across the fresh footprints of another wolf, but soon her concern became joy and excitement, because she recognized, who it was. Finding Breccan was easy after that. Covered with blood head-to-toe and stinking of the deer stomach contents she approached her friend and partner in crime with a broad smile. A quick once-over look told her that he was a bit shaken, but otherwise quite well and pretty much the same person she had last seen all those months ago. Raised eyebrows and a curious “boop” against his forehead with her muzzle, then a retreat and a quiet question with her head cocked to the side. -Are you staying?-
---
He couldn't believe his fortune. When he had decided to leave the Frosthawks, it had been partially to find Nuna -- and when he had been unsuccessful, it had been a disappointing blow. But now here she was, in the flesh -- and covered in flesh. As she approached, he realized that she was veritably painted with blood and the entrails of a deer, and the sight and smell made his stomach grumble hungrily. He grinned in response to her friendly touch, his tail beginning to wag behind him and gradually picking up speed.
There was a question in her gaze, and he glanced back over his shoulder thoughtfully. He wanted to go back, to check on Tristan and Bat, but there was no way the coast was safe. The whole valley seemed to be falling to pieces, so maybe it would be best if he left altogether. "Can I go with you?" he asked. "It's not safe here. There've been earthquakes and the coast flooded," he said, knowing that he was speaking to her more than he normally would but unable to stop the words from tumbling out in a rush.
---
Nunataq did not understand the words, but caught the intonation and emotion behind them perfectly. She saw Breccan's hungry expression and touched his cheek reassuringly. Then she beckoned him to follow, until they arrived in a place, where the scent of the recent dinner was still strong and pungent and, where two dark shapes were lying. One got to her feet and came to greet Nuna and the newcomer, the other acknowledged the party by lifting his head, yawning and with few lazy taps of his tail. All in all the mute girl's band-mates were of friendly disposition and after the initial curiosity was quenched, each acted, as if Breccan had always been there. No questions asked. No explanations needed.
Late in the evening, when her friend was full and asleep, Nunataq came to lie next to him, her eyes ever watchful and observant of the surroundings. He had never asked for it, yet she felt it neccessary to stay awake for him, to guard against the terrors of the night. He was now taller than her and matched her in strength and skill, but she retained that right of an older sibling just like on the day they had first met. During the days that would come she would stay by his side and become his loyal companion through thick and thin, in the great moments life would offer and the hardships that fate would throw in their way. Never growing weary of his company, learning to rely on him and eventually fully trust.
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »