Gyrfalcon's Keep He walked down a busy street staring solely at his feet

To the west the young girl moved, toward the ocean. The idea of living near such a vast, moving force chilled her to the bone; but perhaps it would bring her closer to the feelings she'd been trying so hard to find. A belief she had been raised to pursue; maybe it would be found there, where there would be places that would bring the realm of wolfkind closer to those they worshipped. All she knew for sure, was that the place she had been had become further and further from the right path. That path, her mother had told her, led toward the coast- and to follow the scent of @Asvoria left not long ago. 

She pined for the family she had had, divided now by beliefs which it seemed could not exist simultaneously. She wanted time alone, away from the mother who had pried her from the others, and shepherded her away. Could faith truly be stronger than blood family? She wanted to believe in both- she wanted both worlds. And when she was ushered to go on ahead, while her mother doubled back to ensure the safety of their travel, she went without complaint. She could use some time without her mother's voice and unshakeable reasoning and faith. 

Still, she felt worried while she was on her own. She remembered the lessons she had learned- and finally felt thankful for her training. And within a matter of days, she learned to love the time she had to herself. She could hunt, and pray, and live her life the way it felt most natural...Realizing, soon enough, that her life did, in fact, involve praying to the Old Gods. It felt good to give thanks, and to leave offerings- even when no others watched her. 

A hill rose from the forest, and she was drawn toward the place as she could smell the salty ocean on the air. She scaled the hill, so she might look out upon the ocean in the distant- an endless line of blue, darker than the horizon. Surely, somewhere beyond where the earth ended, was where the Gods lived. And by coming here, perhaps she was actually getting closer to them.

There had been silence. It had appeased her, while somehow also unnerving her at the same time. Was the world really meant to be this quiet? Of course, it wasn't the shrills of chaos she sought—but, perhaps something more than this.

The mountains, when she'd finally found them, were yet another place of solitude. And yet, she felt a calling. Something magnetized her, drawing her to be here. Was she meant to be alone here? No... surely not. For the reason she had come was for those who had sent her here. Those that were kindred to her had worshipped day in and day out. The same that she even bestowed words of grace upon. They had given her this life, and it was now her turn to bring life back to them. But she could not do this alone. So there must be more.

Settling herself along the top of a heavy stone, Asvoria stared blankly unto the distance. Thinking. Considering. Planning. It was here she would stay, she decided. But what would come next? Would she have to find it, or would it find her?

Thyra hadn't been given specific details on where to go, or how long to look for Asvoria- but knew that in a few short days, her mother would likely hunt her down, and figure out where they should go. But when she caught her former packmate's scent on the breeze, her features brightened. While she'd felt little inclination to find Asvoria so she might please her mother, she was quite pleased with herself for having come across her scent, so fresh in the area. 

She howled. Her heart leapt in her chest to think that she might have found Asvoria again. She had to be within earshot, she thought- but with the breeze swirling around the hilltop, she couldn't pinpoint her exact location. She meandered this way and then that- looking out into the distance, and wondering if Asvoria was further into the woods, or toward the mountain region. What she lack in tracking skills, she made up for in common sense- if Asvoria heard her call, she should stay put, until her friend found her.

Caught and drowned in a bubble of pure thought, it was not expected for her to hear the call rise above the mountain. It was clear, and meant for her.

But who? Who would know her? No one from here, surely. But could that mean...

Yes! It had to be!

Bounding from the stone, the smaller woman raced as quickly as she could towards the voice. Never before had she moved with such speed and agility, entirely putting aside any ounce of poise and grace. 

Then when the familiar shape came into view, she slowed, approaching with great caution. A soft quip, then a whine, from the former priestess. She needed an answer to know the truth of it. Had someone followed her here? Was this what the old gods had planned?

Now and again the wind shifted, taking the scent away from her. She prayed, silently, and with patience, she waited out the doubt- and the wind brought the scent back, and stronger. She closed her eyes and breathed, flicking her tongue over her nose. Her lips moved, as though mouthing words. When she heard the rhythmic pattern of a gallop, she opened her eyes to see the brown-eyed wolf sprinting toward her. 

She tilted her head up, smiling, in a quiet thanks, before she looked again- only to see that Asvoria's pace had halted, and she now regarded Thyra was something akin to suspicion. She seemed to look beyond her, or through her, and Thyra felt her heartstrings twang. There were those that she had loved, that she had left behind, and Asvoria would know that. She crooned to the one she saw as a holy woman, revered and respected. Departed with her faith in tact, from a pack that had turned its back on their faith. To her, she uttered a keening devotion, assurance that she had come not to hound her, but join her.

A croon. A form of greeting and devotion all in one. The child had come to stay with the woman she'd sought. This was a good thing. Asvoria would see it so.

Heil og sæl! The former priestess greeted in return, using their known tongue to appeal to a nature of comfort and invitation. 

You have come to me, child. But why alone? Thyra was not a child in entirely, but she was still youthful, not yet to be considered a full adult. Such travel as she had done was no easy feat, especially considering those she would have had to leave behind. If any still remained...

---

Heil og sæl — "healthy and happy"; a common form of greeting in this culture

The greeting warmed her heart. She dipped into a bow, smiling, her tail waving. Not perfect form, but all that she could manage in that instant as she returned the greeting to her former packmate. 

"Not alone," She explained. "Mother follows. We have been travelling, left not long after you- and a few days she turned back...She suspected we were followed, perhaps. She told me to go on, and find you, and- oh" She cried, relief made tears spring to her new leaf gaze. "Asvoria....You were right to leave! Our people, they are forgetting the Old Gods! The prayers were falling silent, the offerings had begun to rot. My mother and I...We left, hoping to find you...Hoping we could rebuild, so we might still have a life in a way that is right." She admitted passionately.

Thyra spoke, and Asvoria listened. All to be told was expected. She had known the old ways were disappearing in the home she once knew. Now she was only glad that Solveig and her child saw it too.

It is their choice to make these changes. But it makes me glad to know that not all have forgotten, A warm smile and honeyed tone accompanied her words, for all was meant with sincerity. 

Turning slowly, she beckoned the warrior's daughter to follow. Come, daughter of Idun, and soon to be pupil of Freya. We will wait for your mother here. They would travel further into the mountainside. A place where they would be hidden and safe from those of this unknown world.

Hoping the girl would soon fall in step, Asvoria began to explain what would come next. I must find a quiet place, for I have not been able to pray sincerely. The gods have words to share with me. They had done so yet, but she knew it to be soon. They will tell us what lies ahead. Our next steps. For this was not the end of their journey, but the beginning.

---

Idun — Goddess of spring and youth
Freya — Goddess of love, fertility, battle, and death

In some ways, the older wolves of Sóldalr had often seemed somewhat aloof, distant, too focused on their roles within the pack to spare the youth much time aside from training and guidance. Her mother, as a shield maiden, had been much the same and had bade Thyra to be dutiful as well. Childish games and notions were only for the very young; as soon as her teeth cut through her gums, she was trained to use them. As soon as words came to her, the names of the Gods were memorized. But she yearned for the too-often spared act of kindness and fondness, but found it from Asvoria. 

It had worried her to see her packmate leave, knowing she was taking some of that kindness with her. If she remained in Sóldalr, she would be left with wolves who lost their belief, and who still seemed to focus more on their roles than their lives. 

She knew Asvoria meant to reassure her, but she was reminded of the family she had left behind, and it troubled her. She followed Asvoria, listening to her words while her own thoughts burbled just below the surface. A suitable temple, of course, would be needed. She longed to send her prayers to the Gods, so they might guide her through this time of trouble. "We will find a place," She offered, with a hopeful shrug of her dark shoulder. "It...Smells nice here, at least," She commended, hoping to stir up some hope.

There was confidence and hope in the girl, which pleased Asvoria. They would need these things in order to continue on.

Come child, Pace quicker slightly, she led Thyra through the trees until they reached the base of the mountain where a cave lie ahead. It was no temple, but it would suffice for the time being.

I must pray, now. — and leave you, for a time. But her eyes were soft, assuring. Be warrior, like your mother has been. Watch this place in my stead. Asvoria would wait for some sense of acknowledgement before vanishing into the shadows ahead.

She quickened her step. Fox-like, she tread lightly, trailing just behind Asvoria with her tail low, tailtip waving. Beyond them yawned the mouth of a cavern, which caused her breath to hitch. Here, she felt, was a hallowed place; she knew better than to step beyond the bounds of where the light touched. 

She did not want to be a warrior- but it was the path which had been set before her. And if the Gods willed it, then it would be so- and through Asvoria, their word was passed on. Obediently, she nodded, and took her place as guardian, while the brown-eyed woman slipped into darkness. 

Silence ensued. At the edge of the shadows, she sat as a guardian, breaths steady and even. 

Being a guard was not so bad at all; here, she could meditate.