The horses were cared for and Ezra stood back from them. A long, forlorn look was given over the herd he'd developed. At Basilie, Recherchè, Magni, Akasha, and Muse. At the empty stall where Fierce once kicked at the walls. Mottled gaze then finally landed on Fantasy, and he lead his hand out to her. Elbows propped on the stall door as he pet her lovingly for a moment. Their whole world had once collapsed. The strength of the pack didn't matter and there was no ill will toward Saga, of course, but hard times were beating on their door again.
If it was anything he knew, it was that they would survive now. With, or without, a pack's boundaries to make life simplier.
Arrow walked in the stable quietly and addressed Ezra with a motion of his hand. Ezra nodded.
Hitched up, the horses groomed at one another while the boys walked in the door. A serious nature befell Ezra, emphasized by the growing wrinkles and peppered gray in his face," Fiorenza," He called into the house as he took the initiative to wash his hands before Arrow," Come sit."
Fiorenza padded into the main room, tucking her dress beneath her and sat quietly on her hands.
"Fiora. Orin. We need a plan," He spoke, leaving little room for argument or panic to sink in. Arrow washed his hands behind Ezra, then moved to sit on the ground beside Fiorenza, taking his place as a listener as well. They were both very well ready to follow whatever instruction their family had to offer as the sun set outside.
"So, we all know it. Mistfell Vale is no more. To which. We are loners. Our mill is unprotected. There are only so many of us, so we will all have to work hard. Arrow and I will continue to run the mill for trade as well as care for the horses. They're valuable enough to help us come winter be it meat, or trade," A nod was given to the boy. Arrow winced at the idea. They all loved the horses, but what must be done, must be done. Tears began to well in Fiorenza's eyes, but she didn't argue. She may very well have to learn young what survival meant, "Trade with close packs and positive relationships will be vital for us all. I've spoken to the Cavalier's across the Loch, and they approve of a trade route by water. There are members of Del Cenere to the north that I have spoken with and have opened a new route as well. We can take advantage of that when their borders open up. Helena is a long standing customer of mine and is to be trusted, but has sent word of some kind of trouble in the pack, so we cannot depend on them for now," He felt it was unnecessary to speak of his long standing ill will with Salsola, and that trade with them should not even be humored, much less considered.
Taking a breath in after filling them all in on what he's been up to, Ezra turned to Orin first, and then left his loving gaze on Fiora lastly. He didn't want this for his family, but if they could make it work, it would all be worth it. He let out a hand for Fiora to hold. He needed her greatly, now, to help him be the pillar they needed,"Let me know what the both of you have been considering to offer up for trade, or work, so I can ensure that this information moves to our allies to the North and South."
If it was anything he knew, it was that they would survive now. With, or without, a pack's boundaries to make life simplier.
Arrow walked in the stable quietly and addressed Ezra with a motion of his hand. Ezra nodded.
--
Beneath Arrow, was Muse, and beneath Ezra, was Fantasy. The two men worked the horses on their way to the old Wyvern church, eating up the ground as they went. The news had been heard. Mistwalkers had all moved, or were packing. Ezra was unsure who was going, or who was staying. Falcon would spend a time with his family, but it was temporary. The Vahn's needed to figure out a game plan. There wasn't any more time to waste.Hitched up, the horses groomed at one another while the boys walked in the door. A serious nature befell Ezra, emphasized by the growing wrinkles and peppered gray in his face," Fiorenza," He called into the house as he took the initiative to wash his hands before Arrow," Come sit."
Fiorenza padded into the main room, tucking her dress beneath her and sat quietly on her hands.
"Fiora. Orin. We need a plan," He spoke, leaving little room for argument or panic to sink in. Arrow washed his hands behind Ezra, then moved to sit on the ground beside Fiorenza, taking his place as a listener as well. They were both very well ready to follow whatever instruction their family had to offer as the sun set outside.
"So, we all know it. Mistfell Vale is no more. To which. We are loners. Our mill is unprotected. There are only so many of us, so we will all have to work hard. Arrow and I will continue to run the mill for trade as well as care for the horses. They're valuable enough to help us come winter be it meat, or trade," A nod was given to the boy. Arrow winced at the idea. They all loved the horses, but what must be done, must be done. Tears began to well in Fiorenza's eyes, but she didn't argue. She may very well have to learn young what survival meant, "Trade with close packs and positive relationships will be vital for us all. I've spoken to the Cavalier's across the Loch, and they approve of a trade route by water. There are members of Del Cenere to the north that I have spoken with and have opened a new route as well. We can take advantage of that when their borders open up. Helena is a long standing customer of mine and is to be trusted, but has sent word of some kind of trouble in the pack, so we cannot depend on them for now," He felt it was unnecessary to speak of his long standing ill will with Salsola, and that trade with them should not even be humored, much less considered.
Taking a breath in after filling them all in on what he's been up to, Ezra turned to Orin first, and then left his loving gaze on Fiora lastly. He didn't want this for his family, but if they could make it work, it would all be worth it. He let out a hand for Fiora to hold. He needed her greatly, now, to help him be the pillar they needed,"Let me know what the both of you have been considering to offer up for trade, or work, so I can ensure that this information moves to our allies to the North and South."
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