Winter was upon them. His work in the Court's stables was slowing, and the male found that there was little for him to do once the basic chores were finished. Though, Alder had taken to this new lighter routine. It left him time to prepare and study the bloodlines that were housed beneath the stable roof, to ponder over the spring time foals and the pairings that would come in the next seasons. In the cabin Anann had given him he sat at the a table by candle light with the measurements and descriptions of his stock and worked out a plan. It was interesting work, the books he read educating him on the art of breed manipulation and trait honing.
But it did not mean that he could neglect his dearest friend. Hawthorn needed special care and attention, though it may have just been Alder's imagination. His first horse, and his favorite was the one he chose to take on the journey along the coast. Once again he was on his way to Crimson Dreams, a visit to his mother's home. Though his rank was among the Court a part of his heart still resided with the Dreamers.
Alder took the route along the Shattered Coast. Far enough away from the coast line that the trail was easy for the horse's hooves, Alder and the impressive black and white stallion wandered with a casual and even slow pace. With out the rush he had felt in the early Fall to check on his mother's well-being Alder took the time to bond with the stallion, low-speech passing between them.
They spoke of the other horses, the work that Alder had been doing (though not as in-depth for his low-speech was not that complex) and the stallion concluded that they needed more mares to choose from. The tree-named male laughed deeply, a chuckle that came from the wells of his chest. Of course, Hawthorn's harem could never be large enough...
Word Count: 334 Sorry for the wait and the cruddy post!
There was much to be done around Casa di Cavalieri, as the pack still worked on renovating Kingsbury Village. Because winter was already here, much of that construction would be halted or slowed down, but at least the pack had meat stored so that more time could be spent doing these duties instead of hunting. And there was plenty to be done; while Wayne had feared being bored since Dixie left, he had plenty of responsibilities to choose from.
Today he was exercising one of the newest horses: Buckeye, an apparent gift from Cour des Miracles to the guardian pack. The wolfdog had been both excited and concerned when the two horses arrived, as both Anann’s and the Texan’s animals were difficult enough to look over while the pack was still so small. However, Wayne wanted to make sure he knew all the animals under their care and took as much time as he could with each of them.
Riding the light bay stallion, the man headed into neutral coastal territory to have more room—and to be alone. He sought privacy more and more since Dixie had run off without a word, both to attempt to swallow his frustrations toward the girl and to escape the unfamiliar faces surrounding him in Casa. It was the opposite of how he should behave, he knew, as he would never get to know the pack by avoiding all of them, but after traveling as a loner for so many seasons—it was hard to adjust. He took comfort only in the feel of the horse underneath him as he let Buckeye decide where to trot to.
Perhaps it wasn’t a coincidence that the older steed headed toward Cour des Miracles territory. Regardless, Wayne was surprised when he could smell another horse and wolf ahead. Murmuring to the stallion to slow him down, he dismounted and grabbed the reins, waiting for the other to approach—but damn was that black horse the stranger had with him gorgeous.
The pair walked on at a steady pace. Much of his time was spent in the pack lands, but Alder could not deny that he wandered to and from Crimson Dreams often. It was hard for him to go too long without seeking out the advice of his mother. The King had not faulted him for being in Crimson Dreams while AniWaya had raided the Court pack lands, though Alder had tried to make it right by helping clean the city that the tribe had ransacked. But he would keep this visit short, he promised himself and the guilt that was beginning to grow.
In the not-to-far-distance there was a wolf and horse. Alder should have noticed them sooner, for he could smell the Casa di Cavalieri on the pair. They had certainly noticed him and Hawthorn, the rider had dismounted from the stallion and waited for the passing of the other wolf and horse pair. But Alder knew him, the stallion at least! He could not help but smile. He quieted his grin when he got close and left 'Thorns back and approached with a small bought of cautiousness. But his tail wagged lightly and he greeted the other in the hopes that he wouldn't be taken aback by his forwardness.
Hello, you are from Casa di Cavalieri yes? He asked, his greeting a question where he had intended on simply giving his name like an ordinary introduction. I'm Alder. he quickly added, feeling foolish.
The luperci shape detached from the dark horse one, and Wayne noticed Buckeye swivel his ears forward in keen interest. When the bay stallion nickered to the approaching wolf in familiar greeting, the cowboy smirked faintly and patted his shoulder before looking to the other young man. The wolf was large and broad-shouldered and about the same age as the mongrel. Interestingly, there was a dark mask over his eyes like that of a raccoon, a unique characteristic but one that did not detract from the friendliness of his cobalt eyes.
Wayne only nodded in response to the question, deciding from scent and the demeanor of the horse that this was a Court member. Despite his quietness, however, the Fedele did not appear unfriendly; he simply wasn’t used to chatting with others as easily as Dixie might have in this situation. His fingers slowly loosened their grip on the reins again though he placed a hand on the horse’s shoulder.
“Name’s Wayne,” the Labrador mix replied, smiling lightly. And then, a pretty obvious statement: “Buckeye seems to know you.” Not hiding his interest in the dark stallion any longer, he asked with a broadening smile, “Who’s your friend over there? He looks beautiful.” Even though he might appear gruff and silent around other canines, when horses were around, his warm nature was brought out.
It was obvious that the two horses knew one another, and that Buckeye remembered Alder as well. The sandy and black hued male could only smile, knowing it was more important to greet his fellow kind before he reunited with the once Cours-horse. The canine wore the features of a hybrid, his ears bent and without the perked structure of a full blooded wolf. A dog mix, Alder assumed. Like their King Vigilante.
Alder nodded his head. He once lived in Cour des Miracles, given to the new pack in goodwill. Alder reached out to touch the bay stallion's nose, to give a hefty scratch just as he remembered Buckeye enjoyed. Alder had spend a great amount of time working with both horses that he had sent to di Cavalieri, making sure that they would be more helpful for the pack then a burden. This is Hawthorn. Alder called to the dark stallion in a bit of low speech, extending the compliment that Wayne had given. The horse reacted immediately, warming up to the doggish male instantly and even hoped to nuzzle against his face and neck.
Better not stroke his ego too much. Alder said with a laugh, watching as the horse attempted to impress the other canine even more.
It was strange to think of an animal under his care as formerly belonging to someone else. Wayne watched the interaction between horse and wolf carefully, noting the way that Alder scratched the stallion’s nose and the good response given for it. Even though the gifts from Cour des Miracles had been living in the new pack for a while, he hadn’t gotten a very good chance to work with them, as wrapped up as he’d been lately with the hunting event and picking up Dixie’s slack after she’d gone away. The faintest stirrings of jealousy rose up in him as he watched Buckeye for a moment, but then the name of the mysterious, lovely horse was given and Hawthorn stepped up to him.
Wayne laughed. “A horse like this deserves his ego,” he remarked as he accepted the nuzzling, reaching up to rub the sides of his face and his neck. He breathed softly against the stallion’s nose then turned to glance at Alder again, his demeanor warmed by the interaction with the equines.
“I should really thank you for givin’ Buckeye and Tupelo to us,” the Labrador mix said earnestly. “They’re great horses… I’m sure part of the reason for that is their company in the Court.” He flashed Alder a rare grin then went onto ask, “How is everything in your pack, anyway?”
Alder was glad that the pack had kept the names of the horses he had given them. It was a small detail, but he appreciated the connection that linked the Court with the steeds that now lived with Wayne and his pack mates. Alder did not name all the horses, for he believed that their chosen canine companion should choose their rightful calling. But the two gifts had been dear to him, and names they had were needed.
The wolf chuckled once, patting the dark stallion on the rump He'll never let me forget that. Where Alder lacked pride and boastfulness Hawthorn had picked up the slack. But it did not make him an angry stallion, just one that yearned for the compliments to continue.
Your Alphess is a friend of mine, she lived in the Court and actually gave me her cabin when she left. I knew she would take care of them, in the new pack lands. He explained, divulging a little more then usual. He felt a small kinship with the male, their common love of horses letting Alder drop his guard. The pack is well, hopefully the winter will not be too harsh. Anann and Jazper spoke of clearing a castle for your pack's home when I saw them last, how is that coming along? Alder answered and then returned with another question.
Wayne grinned at the proud stallion. When he was younger, the various personalities of horses had never ceased to amaze him—though he knew now their uniqueness wasn’t much unlike what made two canines different. Still, the horses with flamboyant personalities always charmed him the most, even if he loved the laidback and gentle Fern. They certainly grabbed one’s attention, as Hawthorn hoped to do—though the dark Shire horse didn’t seem like an overly prideful creature, not one prone to bully others for his place. He’d seen such dominance in other animals before, ones who’d forced themselves to the top of the herd, but looking into Hawthorn’s dark eyes, the man could see he was a kind soul.
He nodded as Alder explained his ties with the Luna. Thinking of his leaders coming from other packs was odd for the cowboy, too, especially because much of the pack was made up of former loners. He knew that both packs had been involved in the conflict that had prompted the warrior pack’s inception, though. It must have been hard to leave.
“I’ll admit I don’t talk to Jazper or Anann enough to hear about where they came from,” Wayne murmured. “Though I don’t talk to anyone much.” It didn’t mean that he didn’t do his job or check in with them, for the southern male was hardworking, but idle chitchat had always seemed forced and awkward at first unless it was with Dixie. At least he had enough things in common with this young masked male that he didn’t feel that distant.
Alder asked about clearing the pack grounds, and Wayne nodded with a small smile. “We made some progress—though much of our energy has gone into huntin’ these past coupla weeks. Might have to halt workin’ until the snow passes, though.” The last thing he wanted was a snowstorm destroying the stables and other buildings that would eventually put up.
Alder had not wished to see Anann go. He had known the female since his birth, she was proud friends with his mother and an ally to Crimson Dreams. Her horse companion Rem was Alder's first true friend, and their feels were mutual. The black stallion had played with him as a pup, always eager to deal with Alder's young energy.
But, he knew what it was like to leave a pack. He knew the pain and the way it tore at the heart. Yet he knew the need to change. Alder had been even more frightful and quiet then he was now, hardly looking even his brothers in the eye when he answered them. His mother had seen that there was more to him, looking past the black streaks that crossed his eyes and knew she needed to push him from the nest. If he was ever going to fly. Living with his eldest brother in the Court had changed him. He knew that Anann would reach her full potential in the Cavalieri, even if he missed her dearly.
The male knew his meaning, not being one to delve into a high ranking wolf's life on a regular basis. His King was an obviously important creature, his history would be a story that Alder would no doubt sit and listen to happily. But he was a busy male, and had better things to do then answer questions that Alder may have about his past. The wolf nodded once, Neither do I he admitted.
But it was easy to talk about their work, and about their horses. Most of the time they were one in the same. After last year, it's for the best. Last winter's wrath was had taught the young wolf to be patient and not to push the limits. There was a silence, though Alder normally felt comfortable in the quiet and so he only brought forth the words when they became almost urgent. I'm looking to bring large stock into our stables, work horses that the average wolf can ride. Need big bones to carry taller men. The common grazing horses are stocky, but too small to do what we will ask of them. If you know of any good blood...
[Wrap-up? It's been taking me far too long to reply to this thread, haha.]
The quiet that fell between the two males was comfortable; neither was particularly talkative, and so Wayne was content to let the silence pass as he looked over the dark Shire horse with affectionate envy and brushed his fingers mechanically through Buckeye's mane when the stallion nudged against him. His mind drifted from their discussion to images of the stables and pens that would be constructed for the horses, and then to images of the herd that would form as Casa di Cavalieri's numbers grew. Many were in the condition to breed again, and there was always the possibility of capturing feral horses in the area. Perhaps the native equines wouldn't suit the pack's needs, but escaped stock from traders and other packs might provide good bodies to break and train.
The sudden outburst from the dark-masked young wolf surprised Wayne, who looked the other over in a mixture of confusion and interest. He could understand the need; Fern was, luckily, a large mare and wasn't hurt under the tall Labrador's weight. But he wasn't sure what he could do for Alder personally; he was still very new to Nova Scotia compared to most of the peninsula's inhabitants, and despite his dreams of capturing the horses that roamed the lands, he wasn't traveling through familiar territory gazing wistfully after mustangs anymore.
"I'll let ya know," Wayne said, forcing a smile. "I have myself a good, strong mare -- Fern. She's recently had a colt, but if we can breed her to a big ol' stallion..." He remembered Gypsy suddenly, knocked up by Saul's stud in Ichika no Ho-en, and his heart ached for the paint mare who'd helped save her companions from a mountain lion early in their time in Nova Scotia. But they had a home now, a place for Fern to be and to care for her future foals. "We can keep in touch," the man finished, realizing that he'd trailed off into his thoughts once again. "Casa and the Court 'll have herds to die for."
And then he fell into awkward silence. He didn't know what else to say or do, though he had the urge to shake hands with Alder and make this partnership of sorts official. If only the two horse-lovers hadn't been so quiet -- but ceaseless babbling alone didn't make friends.
"Should probably head back," Wayne mumbled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the warrior pack's lands. He broke out into a grin and reached over to give the wolf a gentle thump on the shoulder. "Like I said, friend, we'll keep in touch. You did Casa a real favor bringin' in new blood, and I'm a man who likes to return favors."
Since the masked male was not perfect at making connections with others, usually just allowing them to pass by him, he was excited about the friendship he had made with Wayne. His own smile was genuine, proud of himself and excited about the prospect of making his dreams come true for the horses and wolves of the Court. Well thanks, that would be great. He replied to the quiet and reserved male. He gave him a nod, trying to keep his excitement inside rather then burst out to embarrass himself. Though Alder did extend his hand to give a parting handshake, and then the two males were suddenly heading on their separate ways.
Alder looked at the tall dark stallion, his smile not yet fading from his face as he thought of the prospect of what the conversation might bring. He was not an accomplished wolf, young in years and naïve in mind. But he knew what he needed to do to make the herd better, and better for the pack. It was important to keep their lines smooth, balanced but sturdy. Too often he saw a rider that was held by a horse that strained under their weight. The beasts had not been created nor altered by the breeding of man and the wild to hold a luperci’s size.
The pair wandered back towards the packlands, deep in thought and conversation.
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