But you'll never know it

Please, let @Artax reply first and then - if possible - it would be nice for either @Dante, @Lasher or @Blue willow to join. Anybody else is welcome too. Backdated to 13th January.

"We are here," Osprey turned to Artax, when they had reached one of the plateau's borders, where the passerby's and newcomers as well as plateau dwellers tended to meet each other the most often. There wasn't a particular line drawn, but the scent of the leaders was very strong and distinct. No one could miss it a mile away, no one could - without knowing that this place was claimed - enter the lands.

She then lifted her muzzle and let out a long, melodic howl, inviting any of the leaders to come at once. The matter was important just as much as it made Osprey restless. Not knowing of how a situation would resolve was the hardest part, therefore she wanted to get over it - the sooner, the better. Her call echoed in the forest and then faded away, leaving the both wolves in silence once again.

The two made good time in coming to Osprey's home, and Artax followed her diligently. Even he did not know if this was where he would spend the rest—or even many—of his days, but if They had led him here, then he would follow Their guidance. Her voice lifted into the air, and Artax tested his surroundings with his nose, trying to gain some information in any way that he could.

When her voice died away, the world grew silent once more, and Artax let his rump quietly fall to the ground. Would the wolves here accept the Great Bears? Would they shun him for believing in such things? He did not know, but he would not hide his religion from them. How could he, when it was such a large part of his life?

thread 100, yay!

When Osprey called, Dante was taking care of business in the trees near his den, and his ears flicked when he heard the urgency. There was really no way to speed this process up, so it was when he finished that he set off at a brisk jog to join them.

She approached with a newcomer, reason unclear, and he eyed both curiously. "Osprey," he greeted her warmly, but with a question behind. Why did she bring a stranger into their midst? Normally when joiners came, they came alone. Had something happened?

Val cameo :o feel free to skip if necessary

Osprey's voice carried on the wind - a summons for the leaders to meet at their borders. Valtýr's ears cupped curiously. Slowly the juvenile was becoming less precocious and more willing to engage in the social affairs of the Plateau. Pura, while a stern and insipid personality, was a good teacher and helped the youth along with his skills. This meant he could potentially earn a greater roll in the pack, opportunity calling his name.

His stork-like legs and narrow body carried the young boy through the dense wood at a steady lope. Eventually, Osprey's silver pelt shimmered betwixt the boughs. Besides her was a dark-lidded teen, chocolate fur similar to Kesuk's though his yellow eyes were quite the opposite. He appeared to be a similar age, and Val's face brightened at the prospect of a new companion.

The summer wolf stopped a few paces behind Dante, who stood with a quizzical expression. Why had Osprey brought him here?

Osprey greeted Dante with a polite dip of her muzzle, then she cast glance at Valtyr, who had grown quite a bit since their last encounter and who seemed to be more confident about himself than before. She offered him a warm smile and then returned to the business.

Whenever it came to coming up with an answer to a question that began with "why", Osprey found it a little difficult to explain everything in few words. Especially, when there was a whole situation behind it. Like now - the only valid explanation was - I felt sorry for him and I have a soft spot for all young wolves. Would it be good enough? She furrowed her brow - probably not.

"This young chap is Artax," she decided to go with the introductions first. "He is quite young and all on his own - has wondered far from his home and got almost eaten by a cannibal. So... unless he has a home, he is sure to die out there," she managed to say this in one breath and let out a sigh of relief. "So - he knows, how to hunt and has survived on his own for some time. So... maybe he can have a place in our ranks?" Osprey finished on a bit hopeful note.

Two wolves approached. One adult, one youth. Perhaps around the same age as Artax himself, although Artax believed himself to have a much older soul. The adult spoke a single word: the female's name, and Artax lowered himself accordingly. Even though he was enlightened by the Great Bears, it did not matter in the ways of the wolf. The silver wolf vouched for him all in one breath, and Artax looked expectantly to the adult in charge.

If this was to be his home, he could find a way to love it. He could spread Their word here, teach those who wanted to hear about Atka and Sos, light and dark. And so, he waited for his judgement, golden eyes full of hope and curiosity.

He listened as Osprey explained. So he was hoping to join, but had happened across Osprey initially. Or perhaps the Gamma had recruited him. He was young, that much was clear, but so had been Valtyr. Youth in no way meant that a wolf would not aid the pack somehow, even if it was in helping them to become more patient in training and helping them to grow their skills. Good practice for when Lasher's own came of age.

Osprey vouched for him though, which meant he was probably a good kid. Still, Dante felt the need to address him first, officially, before giving an answer. "Artax, then. Will you respect our members as family, learn from them and give them your loyalty?" It wasn't too long a list, what he expected, but all were important. It was likely he would not get along perfectly with all his packmates, but he wanted his word that he would give it a good solid try.

It'd be nice to be able to give Valtyr a friend nearer his own age too.

Permission to skip. :)

“Of course,” Artax replied with a dip of his chocolate head. Why would he do anything else? On the precipice of his initiation to the pack, the young Eyjolfur lingered, unsure where to go from here. Did this pack, like his own, have rituals to initiate him? Was he expected to know what to do already? At six months, he was not quite certain where his feet should take him next, and so he waited, casting another cursory glance to the young male, then to Osprey, before finally landing on Dante again.

When all of the formal details were settled and they were left alone again, Osprey offered a fond smile to Artax: "You did really well. Come, I will show you around, have something to fill your belly and - if we are lucky - we will also find a place for you to sleep." With that she guided him through the plateau, explaining the simple rules of getting by at this place, as well as telling the important things. She didn't share everything though, leaving enough mystery for the boy to find out himself.

Little did she know at that time that Artax's stay here would be a very short one and that he would be gone soon.

ooc: fading this out, since Remedy is dropping Artax.