16th July . 12.45 pm . Cobequid Foothills . Optime Form

The rocking motion of the horse was soothing and genteel against his frazzled nerves. So much had happened in the past few weeks that the Stormbringer was beginning to feel the strain on his body and his mind. He'd tacked Hermes up this morning and had taken the horse on a border patrol of Ichika. The black and white draft horse was beginning to build up muscle and he was growing more. Saul reckoned he must have only been about two years old and he had come fully to his height and weight. There was a lot of work that needed to be done with him and Saul was saddened that he didnt have all the time he needed. Between repairing the house, looking after Wretch once more and being the lead healer, his time was far stretched. However, the need to get away from Ichika was something strong and as he approached the eastern edges of the border, his bare feet urged the horse into a gallop and away from Ichika. Out in the wilderness, with nothing surronding him, he let the horses reigns go slack, allowed him to run as far and as fast as he wished. The reign was his.


The young male found that he didnt have to cling on for dear life- as soon as the horse had picked up on his mood, he'd run like the wind. But Saul had picked up on his rhythm early on, allowing his body to move with the horse so that there was no chance of him falling off. A firm pressure of Saul's legs against the horses side was enough to keep him secure in the saddle and the male was happy to let the draft mix lead the way. He hadn't yet explored these areas, behind the Halycon Mountains but not belonging to Ichika. He wasnt even sure of their names. He continued however, allowing the draft horse to slow to a jogging trot that threatened to throw him sideways. Clinging on just a little tighter, getting a firmer hold on the reigns, he urged the male into a nice walk. Green eyes were tired as he looked around, wondering where they had ended up.


He urged Hermes forward, watching with a soft smile as the horse tossed his head and snorted. The horse, despite being in Saul's possession less than a month, was already in tune to his masters thoughts and feelings and stopped, knowing Saul wanted to look around further. Saul slipped from his back, tieing the reigns in a knot to rest on the horses withers. The mountains were to his right, the open plains to his left, and in front of him, the roar of a mighty river caught his attention. Perhaps he would stop there for a while.

yayayayayay <33 excited

Hermes snorted softly as he leaned down, the knotted rains loose enough for him to reach the ground and pull the grass from the ground. Soft velvet nostrils flared as he breathed deeply and Saul smiled softly. Setting himself up against a tree, the agouti male slid to the floor so that he sat cradled in the showing roots of the large tree. Tired eyes watched his horse as the stallion roamed around, happy to eat the grass. He headed over to the river, taking long draughts of the liquid through his bridle. The bridle was an old one and Saul had spent a long time cleaning the bit so the horse wouldnt get infected from it. Thinking about the work he'd put in to clean the saddle and bridle he'd found in the broken remains at the back of the barn, Saul smiled. It was nice to see his efforts come to fruition. Thirst quenched, the black draft mix came up to Saul, nostrils flared as he smelt someone approaching. Turning his nose to the wind he caught the familiar scent, thinking of the dark hued boy.


The Anatheman came swiftly out into the open, a filled bag over his shoulder. Cinnamon backed ears flashed forward as Scorpius spoke, a grin seeping over his lips. He was beginning to feel fond for the boy, despite the unusual circumstances with which they met. "Hello Scorpius, it's good to see you. Yes, I didn't have a horse until a few weeks ago- I found Hermes and an orphaned foal I named Arete out in the Dampwoods. Thank you very much." He replied, enjoying the pleasent concersation. The dark male joined him on the floor, sitting close to him. He was glad to see the boy was well, growing tall and strong. Ears caught his words once more and Saul smiled softly. He wasnt certain of how many knew of the merge between Phoenix Valley and Dahlia de Mai. It wasnt widely known, apparently. He shook his head, a secretive smile the only answer for the moment.


"Not so far away any more. Dahlia de Mai is no more, Scorpius. Nayru and a male from Phoenix Valley had been planning for months to merge the two packs, and we finally did it at the beginning of July. Ichika no Ho-en is my new home, along with the rest of my family, not far from here. I don't suppose many have heard about it, to be honest."


He conceeded, dipping his head softly. Clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, the male called Hermes over. He stroked the stallions leg softly, before sending him away again. The horse was getting much more comfortable about them, which was a good thing.

<33

The black horse backed up and away from both of them, although the movements were calm and measured. Neither of them had been out this way before, but it was a nice place to be. It also provided them with a tenuous link to Anathema, since it appeared they only had to exit their dens and come out into the foothills the two now stood in. Saul allowed himself to breath in the scents of the foothills. He could smell something akin to ash and he wasnt sure where it came from. Still, Scorpius' words did a lot to distract him. Saul smiled and nodded his head softly, although he wasnt sure about the second question the male asked. "Yes, Arete is too young to be coming out here. I need to start introducing her to the saddle and bridle soon, else she'll become feral. And I havent thought about it yet- she is a different breed to Hermes, smaller and more willowy. We'll have to see what happens." He offered by way of explanation. Arete was probably going to grow up to be the same height wise, but in bulk she was a lot smaller. Scorpius spoke once more and Saul grinned.


"Well, there's no time like the present Scorpius. Why don't you hop on up?"


He said, although he made no move to catch the horse and hold him steady. If Scorpius wanted a go, he would get up and that would be when Saul moved. He smiled softly, knowing the black Anatheman might not take the bait. It would be good to pass on the skill, as he was sure Anathema had horses. But it would be Scorpius' decision. He spoke again, commenting on the merge that had turned a lot of wolves' lives upside down. He wasnt aware that nobody knew about it- surely some of them would have gone to Dahlia or the Valley and seen that there was nobody there anymore? He reasoned that when they'd had been in Dahlia, they had no checked up on the other packs to see how they were doing. It was likely that no-one knew of Ichika just yet. Saul nodded softly to Scorpius's verbal thinking. He also wanted a good relationship between their two packs- they were geographically the closest now, so why should there be ill will towards one another.


"It would perhaps be a good idea. I am sure your mother would be pleased to hear that she has new neighbors. But I agree, I'd like to work to get a better relationship between our packs." He responded with the gentle wave of his tail. Scorpius asked about Ichika. "Its not tremendously different. There is more emphasis on family and cohesion in Ichika. And peace, love and harmony. There's a lot about respect of Mother nature and those around you. I find it a peaceful place to live." He said, thinking about how little he knew of the other packs cultures.

<33

Peace settled over the males shoulders like a well worn blanket, neither battling with the weight already there nor driving it away. It simply settled over the stressful weight on his shoulders, soothing and convincing it that it no longer needed to be quite so heavy. Breathing was a fundamental part of living, but breathing deeply, in such a scene as this, had the calming effect on his nerves that was a balm he could not have made himself. Sitting beside Scorpius in the hazy afternoon head, a soft smile etched over his lips. It was a good day for seeing friends, he knew that. Green eyes darted to the movement to his right as Scorpius got to his feet. Surprise etched on his face as he mirrored the dark males position. Calling the horse over, the male unknotted the reigns so that they were the full length. Scorpius was a bit shorted than him, but with quick, practised motions he shortened the stirrups so that it would suit the male better.


"Okay... the fundamental thing to remember is to relax. You always approach a horse from the left hand side- when you mount or dismount, its always from the left hand side." Saul said, positioning the boy so that he was where he wanted him. "Put your left paw in the stirrup and gather the reigns with both your hands. I'm going to go round the other side and put weight on the other stirrup so that when you get up, the saddle won't slip. I'll help you put your paw in on the otherside." He said, pleased as the male did as he was told. With a chuckle, Saul moved around to the horses right hand side. Both his hands rested on the right stirrup, before he pushed some of his weight down onto the metal loop. "Alright Scoripus, jump on up" He said, feeling the weight dip to the side as Scorpius pulled himself up. He looked up to see the males right leg swinging towards him, to which he caught the flying limb and guided it firmly into the right stirrup. Saul chuckled and patted the male on the leg, before moving round to the front of him. "Hold the reigns so that your little finger is on the outside, on both hands. Good. Now, try and keep your balance."


He said, hooking a finger into Hermes' bridle and moving him forward a few paces. Scorpius managed to speak then and Saul looked back up at him. "Keep your ankles down and your toes up and sit up straight and tall." He said, watching to see if the male tensed with his legs too much. He laughed softly as Scorpius introduced his pack as a cult pack. "Interesting, although perhaps a little dark for me." Saul admitted, inwardly shuddering at the thought. Still, the dark Anatheman went on to say that he would like to see Ichika. Saul's thoughts immediately jumped to Melee and he looked up at the male with a grin. "Perhaps I will show you round one day... although I'm fairly sure my niece would be delighted to show and old friend her new home." He teased softly.

<33

He hadnt expected the dark male to be so comfortable. Saul remembered his first try and riding a horse, the disaster that had been. He'd been too nervous, he'd squeezed too hard and hadnt been able to hold his balance right. He'd been far too tense for the horses liking. Perhaps Scorpius just wasnt as scared as Saul had been. Still, the male began to shuffle on his perch, getting more comfortable, aligning his balance, sitting straighter and generally doing as he was told. Saul was no expert, but he could not ride well enough. He let go of the bridle, although kept his hand very close to the loop of metal he'd been hold on to- Scorpius wouldnt be able to see that he'd let go. Hermes for his part was completely happy to play lead pony and they began to move around in a wide circle. Saul chuckled softly, glancing up at the dark Anatheman every few moments to check that he was okay.


Scorpius answered his words about being in a cult pack with the obvious answer- he'd grown up in the pack and it was all he ever knew. Of course, Saul had never met a pure cult wolf before, but he had an idea of what they were like. Scorpius didnt fit his stereotype of 'cult wolf' at all. He seemed a quiet and peaceful young man, perhaps more suited to Ichika than Anathema. Saul smiled softly before looking up at him. "Still, you don't seem like a cult wolf. Perhaps the life of an Ichikan would suit you better" He offered with a knowing nod and a smile. Scorpius seemed shocked at Saul's mention of Melee and the male hid a grin. Still, the dark male did his best to cover up his surprise. It had been obvious to th agouti male that Scorpius felt something for Melee since he'd visited Dahlia not that long ago.


"Well then, you shall be shown around by her instead. It'll be good for the two of you to catch up, since you didnt get to see her last time we met."


Saul commented, before visibly letting go of the bridle all together. Scorpius should probably know how to steer the horse he was riding before Saul set him loose in the foothills. "The reigns are your means of steering Hermes. You don't have to tug on them and pull them hard- its not necessary. A simple twitch, big enough to let him know which way you want to go, will suffice to tell him. Try turning left." Saul asked, watching to see if the male became nervous at being out there on his own.

<33

It was perhaps more that Scorpius wasnt as bad as Saul had first been when he'd first met Liliana at the borders and she'd allowed him to ride her mare. It was clear that the black male was uncertain and nervous about being up so high- he kept his gaze trained on his agouti friend and seemed unwilling to look where he was going. Of course, for now that was okay and it displayed the uncertainty with which Scorpius learnt what was going on. Saul smiled softly as he released the loop of the bit he had been holding in to, sensing rather than seeing that Scorpius was out on his own here. Saul was right there and Hermes seemed more than happy to plod along in the circle Saul lead him in. It just happened that Scorpius had seen him release the loop. He smiled and glanced back up at the male as he tried to compose himself.


Scorpius contined to answer questions about Anathema and Saul smiled softly. Scorpius was perhaps too kind hearted to be considered a 'cult wolf' and for the moment Saul seriously wondered if the male belonged in Anathema. Cinnamon backed ears flashed forward as the male mentioned his accident and unbidden, Saul glanced up at the mask on the males face. He had wondered what it had been for, but the males mask clearly said that he had been burnt or cut. He just wanted to know what circumstances had arisen so that the male had been hurt quite so badly. "I am certain that making maps of Anathema's vast territory is of the upmost importance Scorpius. Don't think that you are not important." He scolded light heardedly before the male thanked him for his offer. "I think think perhaps you would be happier in Ichika... You'd get to see Melee more often." He chuckled.


Releasing the reigns completely, Saul stepped back and allowed the male to continue completely unhindered by the male. He had tightened his grip on the reigns, but now enough to cause the dark horse discomfort. With a gentle tug, Scorpius asked Hermes to move to the left. With an answering snort the horse turned, ears constantly twitching back and forward. Scorpius' voice came through quiet, but Saul nodded enthusiastically. "You're going very well Scorpius. Try a right turn now" He asked, intending to get the black draft horse back into the circle they had trodden into the grass. Scorpius was doing well indeed.

<33

The dark male settled atop his horse, looking natural and calm despite being so high up. Saul smiled softly, standing in the middle of the circle now it was clear to Scorpius that he'd let him go entirely. Saul remembered his first encounter with a horse, how Liliana had slapped the horses rear and set it off at a canter that Saul had been entirely unprepared for. He wouldnt be so cruel to Scorpius, it wouldnt be fair to ask Hermes to canter for him any more than it would be fair to ask the dark male to cling on for dear life. Saul smiled gently towards the boy, his facial expressions the praise that would have been verbal. Scorpius was doing well and Saul was sure that if he ever got a horse of his own, the lesson today would stick in the young males mind.


Saul was distracted however as the males dark ruby eyes looked towards him, before his hand reached up to slip the mask from his face. Long healed, the burns scrunched up the males face, the shiny hard skin dead. It looked as healthy as it could though and Saul knew that Anathema must have a good healer to help him with that one. A few heartbeats passed in which Saul inspected the burn from afar, listing all the things that could have helped him when the burn was fresh in his mind. There was very little that he could do to help the scarring that lay over the males left hand side. The heartbeats passed however and the dark male slipped the mask back on before doing as Saul had asked.


There was nothing that needed to be said to the male. It was clear the male had had the accident early on and had grown used to it. The mask he'd found was a pure white, which stood stark against his black fur. Despite this, he was still the friendly and helpful male that Saul had grown to like. He spoke then and Saul chuckled softly. "Its not a problem Scorpius. Riding is a useful skill. Of course, plodding along isn't the best part. If I thought you could deal with it, I'd let Hermes run free with you on top of him!" Saul laughed and though he wasnt close enough to touch his horse, he reached out to pat his neck, obviously missing but the gesture was there regardless.

aaaaannnnd scene! lol. end thread <33

There was a silence enveloping the two males as Scorpius got used to riding tall and Saul watched on. It was nice to be able to teach someone- Gideon wouldnt go anywhere near a horse and none of his other siblings had made it back to Nova Scotia just yet. Wretch was too damaged at the moment to learn and Eclipse was always a little distant at the moment. So coming out here and teaching Scorpius was something that benefitted them both. Saul learnt that he was a good teacher, or at least adequate. And Scorpius learnt the basics at riding a horse. He seemed comfortable so Saul allowed him to continue to steer Hermes whichever way he wished, getting used to the animal following his command. Of course, the young male didnt particularly like the suggestion to go faster and his body tensed atop the horse. The agouti male backed off, a grin showing that he wasnt going to do anything just yet. And all too soon the male was pulling Hermes to a halt and jumping down. He backed off and looked towards the stallion before turning back.


He thanked him and Saul dipped his head softly. It had been a pleasure, that was for sure. He was genuinely shocked when Scorpius suggested a trade to strength the relationship between their packs. It was a brilliant idea and Saul inwardly kicked himself for not thinking of it sooner. He found himself nodding generously as he walked over to catch Hermes' reigns. "Thats a wonderful idea Scorpius. Ichika could use a ram if you have one! And we'll have to think about what you would like in exchange." He said, knowing the two would get a message to each other on the more detailed description of what was going to occur. However, it was time to go home now and he grasped Scorpius' shoulder gently before pulling away.


"I'll be over to Anathema soon to trade! It was good seeing you today Scorpius, I hope I can teach you again!"


He said before swinging himself up into Hermes' saddle. It was in relatively good condition, but he had no idea for how long it would stay like this. Unfortunately they had no means of making leather, or anyone who knew how to. Perhaps he would learn himself. Smiling softly he turned Hermes' back in the direction of Ichika, waving behind him before urging the stallion into a canter.