Redtail Rise geteilt

Ashlar had enjoyed a brief visit with Arric, but he knew that he could not delay long. He needed to see that the rise still stood and that the children were there and alright. He would remain the winter and then continue his search come spring. It was the only way he could reconcile these two pulls that threatened to rend his spirit in two.

He felt a rush of anxiety as the rise came into view, but the sensation that caught his throat was an overwhelming homesickness. He’d missed everyone - Augur, New Snow, the children, Prophet (missing even before), all of the pack he’d left behind. Maybe he wasn’t only returning because he wanted to ensure they were okay. He was desperate not to face as lonely a winter as the autumn had been.

He howled from a distance, knowing if he didn’t do it now his courage might fail him. He was too far from the borders to realize right away that Avicus had returned, but he’d notice it soon enough.

blacktail.

augur was pleased to see the male returned. he was important to red woman for many reasons, and had always supported the rise well in non aggressive ways.

the ulfhedinn's step was light, easy, loose. his tail waved behind his hips, once, twice. blacktail was welcomed anew with a low rumble, a reach toward dark guard hairs to take the stories of where the wolf had gone.

New Snow trailed her man, as she was inclined to do lately. The strife that had once been within the Rise had only brought the two of them closer together. Tensions were gone, but New Snow sensed something new in her man. It did not cause concern, only greater interest if that were even possible! 

And then came the scent of Blacktail! 

Happy whines spilled from her throat to see him in good health. She rushed toward him with a wagging tail, the whines consistent as she moved to exchange scents between the three of them. New Snow also sniffed at him, hungry for that same information.

Augur came. Ashlar was relieved beyond words to see him. The borders were still here, and so was the rise, and…

Ashlar froze as a familiar scent finally came to him. His legs shook, but he didn’t really believe it. She was gone, missing somewhere he’d been unable to find. He hadn’t given up but he found it hard to believe she was here.

She’s back? he asked, despite knowing Augur hadn’t ever spoken a word. He lowered his head then and let Augur take his scent while his mind spun. He wouldn’t find much beyond hardship and the clean scents of the wilds.

a sonorous growl of assent was blacktail's answer. exchanging breath with he and new snow, augur stepped back and indicated avicus' heavy mark on the borders, and then the increased presence of thorn caller, who had come into their own leadership.

the rise had changed, had shifted, had strengthened. augur saw no reason to deny blacktail entry; he shook out his ruff, calling for @Avicus and @Masquerade to greet their returned pack member.

The Caru wasn’t far. They circled back toward the borders after giving chase to an overly inquisitive fox, then loped toward the sound of Augur’s call. When Masque arrived, their marigold eyes found he and his mate close to a third, darker figure.

Their head reared back when they recognized Ashlar’s face. Masque glanced toward the ridge line as if hoping to see Avicus or maybe even @Mulherin, then advanced toward the trio. Their head and tail were held high as they approached Ashlar to sniff noses.

Welcome back, Masquerade said warmly.

It was always good to see a familiar face, though there was more to it. Ashlar was like them, a caregiver. It was gratifying to have a kindred spirit back on the rise. Masquerade’s heart lifted.

He was overwhelmed. First a reunion with augur, then news of Avicus, and now New Snow and Masquerade’s warm welcomes. He choked up and felt sure he was going to cry, but miraculously somehow fought back the urge. He knew it was only that he was tired, that he’d been alone too many months, and that he’d just gotten news he hadn’t thought possible. He couldn’t face her crying.

Ashlar whined and finally moved forward, embracing both New Snow and Augur as his tail finally picked up in happiness. He was so glad to find them still here, and he had no doubt that they were the reason the rise still stood here too.

And Masquerade. Ashlar turned a smile to them, dipping his head once, sensing a confidence there that told how things had changed. You’ve grown so much, he said softly, silently wondering what the rest were like now too. He knew he would find out soon.

New Snow dipped her head to the Caru, tail wags submissive for several beats before swinging into wide happy arcs once more. She wriggled in place, bouncing on her paws lightly as she stared at the returned wolf who answered the affections of herself and her mate.

She stepped aside and licked her chops happily, huffing a happy breath to her mate with pricked ears. New Snow remembered how many moons ago, he had aided her when she had been heavy with their children. It was good that he was back!

she's late. she's been caught up in the work of restoring the Rise to her rule, marking here, hunting there. trying to interact with the younger children, and mingling with their elders.

the call should have brought her to the scene immediately. but for many long moments, she cannot believe her ears.

and eventually, when Avicus finally breaks through the trees and gallops down the slope, the sight of the assembled wolves brings her to a near standstill.

near.

you. . . 

her voice trails off, and she approaches first at a walk, then at a stumbling trot and then would careen into the healer, were she not more careful in herself. but all others have disappeared from her vision; only he remains, and she—

she had heard he'd gone after her, after the bear.

he, alone. perhaps Relic? but definitely him.

wordless, her throat vise-tight, she closes the last bit of ground to place her muzzle atop his head in benediction, then moves her nose to his jaw, then his shoulder. 

some little shred of tension she'd been holding for gods knew how long dissipated in that moment.

her heart had returned.

augur out! <3

blacktail had returned.

thorn caller arrived first, and then red woman. her greeting for the man was warm. loving.

the huntlead offered a gentle nudge of his wide muzzle to all those present and then pulled away, leaving blacktail to reintegrate and he himself stayed upon patrol.

Yes, they agreed with a gentle smile, eyes sparkling as they informed him, Caru is now a leadership position. I made it so.

It wasn’t long before Avicus arrived, thrusting herself against Ashlar in a way that screamed of fondness. Masquerade was a little surprised by the intimacy of the display, though it lifted their heart even more. They chuffed and smiled, tail swaying as their eyes danced between their mother and her man.

Catching New Snow’s eye, they tipped their head, inviting the pale she-wolf to join them and leave the pair to their reunion. They trotted the same direction Augur had gone, eventually splitting off to go find Mulherin and tell him the news.

Caru is leadership. This was another large thing to consider. He was surprised, when the caretakers had always been relegated below. But there wasn’t time to parse a response before she arrived, and at that point, he had attention for no one else.

He didn’t move away or flinch as she came towards him. Ashlar needed to know that she was real and here, and as they met, he pressed his muzzle into the thick fur around her neck, taking in her scent. He was so afraid he’d wake up and find himself alone, in the middle of nowhere, still searching without a trace.

Shaking, he closed his eyes and let out a breath he didn’t even know he’d been holding. You’re actually here. His voice was broken with relief and by the fact that he refused to pull away.