Ankyra Sound to dixie’s sunny shore

@Greyjoy @Caiaphas

He could navigate pretty well, with that internal GPS of his, not to mention that smart nose always pulling him in the right direction. Salt in the air meant the shore was mighty close, and he could almost taste some fresh crab. It was sure to be a damn good midday snack. But salt wasn't the only thing stinging his nostrils. The smell of wolf was pungent, they'd pissed on every bare tree they would muster up the spray for. It reeked, enough to wrinkle his maw and bring his jolly trot to an observant stroll.

What business did wolves have being so near to the sea anyhow? He'd seen a wolf snatch up a fish or two, but he'd seen more of them only snag a scale when the grizzlies came around to do their thing. But this was more than seasonal thing, they weren't just stepping up camp they were settled in nice and tight. Enough to make Jackson second guess himself, but not enough to stop him. He figured if the he minded his own business, the wolves would mind theirs. Nonetheless he puffed himself up some as he scooted around a marked tree, snuffling around in the dirt beside it.

Greyjoy had been marking the woodland territory they claimed within Megalith Forest when the dark scent of bear erupted all around him. Greyjoy had fought off many animals before, but never one so formidable. Quietly, he skirted through the woods, following the scent of the animal, and came upon him snuffling along a tree's base. He was a large bear, brown in color, and his muscles far outmatched his own. He would need help.

The iron captain backpedaled and headed toward the cliffs, where he put space between himself and the bear. He needed backup, and anybody nearby was summoned with a series of short, sharp barks. He didn't want to howl, for fear that the bear would spook and stampede onto the beach. It might be easier to kill him there, but he also didn't want to put anybody in harm's way. If anyone was going to die today, it was either himself or the bear.

Once he had called for the others, Greyjoy turned back toward the forest, wondering if the bear had moved since he saw him earlier. He remained near the ramp that led from the beach to the cliffs, and waited.

As a series of short barks punctuated the crisp air, Caiaphas froze with a singular ear pressed forward. The author of the noise was discernibly Greyjoy, and the pale waif thought she detected a faint hint of urgency to his tone.

She tested the air carefully then, the sharp black of her little snout uplifted. Greyjoy was not far off now, and with a series of returning yips Caiaphas trotted towards him, her expression quizzical as she had not yet detected the heady scent of bear.

All that sniffing served him well as a fat beetle emerged form hiding, and Jackson took the opportunity to swipe it up into his mouth. More bitter than any spare berries he'd been bumping around for, but a delicacy he was glad to snatch nonetheless. Warily as he chewed, the bug popping between his jaws his sharp eyes warily curved around on top of his skull. Though he swore he could detect a faint sound, there were no sounds to alert him of the primary residents. He was arrogant, thinking he knew wolves well enough--they were all noisy beasts, had he been spotted by now they'd probably have been howling up a storm.

Plain oblivious to what was taking place out of earshot, the bear ample across the raised roots and kept up his mild pace across the woodlands; intending fully to make it to the shore at this rate.

Greyjoy turned toward Caiaphas, his tongue lolling out in a pant. He was not overheating: he was nervous. Though he was normally quite stoic, the sight of the bear had distracted and frankly terrified him. Would they be able to chase it off without anyone coming to harm? The iron captain surely hoped so, for that bear was formidable. "There is a bear a quarter of a mile back, snuffling around the trees. He doesn't seem hostile now, but I believe we should drive him off."

Greyjoy turned back toward the direction of the bear, only now voicing his true fear. "Before he hurts anyone." It was true that the bear looked gentle and was not causing issues now, but Greyjoy didn't want to take any risks. Looking back at Caiaphas, he said, "Maybe we can reason with him first." Though it was not the normal route to take, the bear was not quite in their territory. Maybe it could be reasoned with before they resorted to violence to drive him off.

When Caiaphas intercepted Greyjoy there was a tangible sense of apprehension in the air. She stiffened as he spoke of an ursine among them -- in alarm her ears flew forward in a gesture of both horror and speculation.

It was not often that bear traveled to this end of the earth and Caiaphas, intrigued though without composure, sought to steady the male's reasonable doubts. Adopting a smooth mein of polite interest (though the fringe of her hackles spoke well of her true opinion on the matter) she struck forward, tracing Greyjoy's steps until the thick scent of bear musk hung through the air. His path was unmistakable and as they burst through the clearing they were awarded with the sight of a monolith rambling to shore -- with one last parting glance in Greyjoy's direction, Caiaphas flew after the leviathan.

"Oi!" She howled into the briny air in the hopes to deter the umber creature. She didn't really have a plan, so she kept her distance -- her posture tense lest the giant turn upon them.

The sharp sound was enough to stop Jackson in his tracks for the moment, though he halted quite reluctantly; internally being spurned to either charge at them or make for his intended destination. He had instincts to abide by, but he'd be damned to try to make nice first... if that was even an option. His own dark coat bristled slightly, it was interactions like these that had a special way of putting him on edge; the two predator's energies bouncing off each other and feeding the suspense.

You ain't need nothin' from me.

Greyjoy followed Caiaphas at a brisk trot, but said nothing as she got the bear's attention. It was only when he turned and spoke back to them that he decided to speak up. "We want no trouble, bear. We only want you to go on your way and leave our pack in peace." Greyjoy had not noticed any aggression in the bear's demeanor, but that could change at the drop of a pine needle. He waited, watching the hulking figure warily, his posture carefully poised between neutrality and dominance.

He didn't want to fight, but he would if necessary.

When the rumbling mass of fur and muscle turned to face them Caiaphas nearly reeled in terror -- the immensity of his size overwhelmed her. At best, she felt diminutive. Steeling herself so that no outward hesitation showed, Caiaphas slowed to a walk and regarded the lumbering bear carefully.

He spoke in the most unusual dialect, but she made no mention of her intrigue. Greyjoy was swift to speak up against the razoring wind. Caiaphas cast him a sidelong glance before cementing his words with words of her own. "This is Ankyra Sound. There are many more of us a howl away. If you wish for a cache, or food, head south to Stavanger Bay." She had no problem directing this monolith of a disaster south.

Caiaphas spoke after him, directing the wolf southward, toward a pack there called Stavanger Bay. That sparked a memory, but he buried the impulse for the moment. He needed to focus on the monolith in front of him. The bear shambled this way and that for a moment, before finally turning on his heel and walking away. Greyjoy looked at Caiaphas with relief in his eyes and written all over his body.

Without waiting for a directive, Greyjoy followed the bear at a distance, making sure that he truly did leave their territory without causing issue, and once the creature was out of sight, returned to the megalith forest and Caiaphas, if she was waiting. He marked the borders once more with his urine and finally made his way back to the beach, looking for a meal and a night's rest.