Saul Lupus is by Alaine!

He didn't have words to describe this particular feeling at the moment. It was perhaps a mix of excitement, awe, apprehension and hope. Although it could be none of them, these were the words that came to mind as he walked. They'd made the same journey just a week before it seemed, but this journey was different. The steady steps of the horse beside him was an addition, as well as the steady wing beats of the falcon who flew above them. His families footsteps were joined by two more that hadn't been with them when they'd started the journey. He could almost feel the excitement vibrating from his cousins and he mirrored their move. His only constant was the flicker of his eyes towards his belle, wishing he could play games with her today. Today was far too important for games and it Hermes and Artan needed direction.


The horses were burdened with Saul's possessions as well as anything everyone else couldn't carry. They had to take regular breaks so the horses didn't get exhausted. But today was moving day, the formation of something new and exciting. Miskunn's influence was great and while Saul didn't know if he could commit to any kind of religion, he found himself silently asking Odin for success. He hoped that this would work, that they would find happiness up in the great forests. Their movement was relatively slow, but Saul was happy with the pace as it meant his horses could deal better with the loads they were carrying. Saul himself was laden with his possessions, the thick brown cloak he'd obtained so long ago swirling around his ankles and his medicine bag packed full of all his supplies.


The sense of de ja vu was strong as they walked, easy chatter bounced between them. Saul laughed frequently, although this was usually due to Bran or Niernan's antics. Their journey north was taken in overcast skies, although this perhaps helped them greatly with the weight the horses were taking. Mostly though, the journey was a bit of a blur. It was afternoon by the time they had crossed around Amherst. Their destination was the village, aptly named Jordheim by Miskunn who informed them all that the name literally meant Earth House. Saul liked the name and had nodded enthusiastically in agreement. Lilin appeared enamoured with the older Stormbringer female, so she probably agreed.


Sooner than he expected, they were stood once again at the 'entrance' to the houses that would become their homes. He still hadn't figured out where he wanted to be, but he knew Lilin had claimed her home and Niernan and Bran likewise. With a grin, he turned and addressed his family. Welcome, my family, to Vinátta, our new home. He said simply, feeling no need to elaborate. They were free to do as they pleased now, although Saul could feel the list of things he wished to do building in his head.

They had finally made it. The small band of wolves had finally settled down, established their own, and were a proper pack now. He had to give Saul all the credit; that man had proved very quickly to be a leader that was trustworthy and had the group’s best interests in mind. He respected the man, and even though Ezra wasn’t prone to take orders from someone younger than him, Saul was one of a select group of individuals Ezra would allow that to occur.

The husky hybrid duo headed up with the group to their newfound territory; Ezra let Eli take the horse’s reigns for the first time so he could learn. He was old enough mentally to learn, but he still hadn’t shifted (Ezra waited with bated breath every day… it should happen soon…) and therefore could not use the stirrups. Ezra still sat in front though, with his son by his side. The group finally made it to their land, and the optime man dismounted from Petra, hoping to unpack his family’s few belongings quickly. Saul finally spoke and Ezra smiled at his friend, glad to be done riding. “I’m happy to be home,” he said quietly. And he truly was; he knew this would be a good place for Eli and he knew they would be happy here. After almost a year of roaming, he knew it was time to settle down. If only Barry were here, he thought longingly, missing his mocha friend. But he was needed elsewhere, and sad thoughts were not for the present. He gave Saul and Lilin quick grins before unpacking his horse’s saddlebags, peering at each house, wondering which one him and his son would take.

(395) --

This voyage was a carbon copy of their last, accompanied by a few savory additions to the group. Miskunn had recently joined their midst; taking up temporary residence in the hut she already shared with her half-sibling, Colibri. It had been crowded for a few days and all three of them – naturally independent women, had done their very best to stay out of each other’s paws until the time had come to make the big move. Lilin had taken up Saul’s offer and tacked her belongings to Hermes’ back, seemingly trusting the salt and pepper horse more than she did his brood mare. Unknowingly, the Soul sisters shared similar opinions when it came to the large, saddled creatures. She had to admit their worth in situations like these, where they alleviated the burden of traveling big distances but aside from that, Lilin paid little to no attention to them.

She’d spent the duration of their journey flitting from one relative to another, most particularly the two women she’d grown so fond of in such a short amount of time. Colibri’s reserve hadn’t gone unnoticed and every once in a while, the first-born Soulstorm would find herself falling back and walking with her eldest sibling. Things had a peculiar way of working out. A few moons prior, Lilin had lacked any female companions and now she had two very special women to lean on. Her life had gone from more than unstable to something akin to normal. Granted, she still had her moments of desired seclusion but her family, for the most part, respected her need to withdraw from the group every once in a while. Saul did his very best to understand, even if his emotions occasionally bested him.

Her head rose as the familiar earthen humps appeared before them, just in time to greet Saul’s announcement with a smile and a subtle wag of her tail. This was a new beginning. For Lilin, settling down permanently was a remarkable accomplishment in itself. She’d spent the bigger part of her life wondering where she would end up next. Now, it was different. Jordheim was the place she’d proudly call home from here on out. Unlike the others who’d retorted with encouraging statements, Lilin gave in to her excitement by moving up front and suggesting that Colibri settle in a house next to hers. “How ‘bout that one, Coli?”