Safe & Sound

Augustus · 01-11-2012, 07:28 PM

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OOC: || Word Count →830

The chill of morning brought life into the limbs of the sleeping wolf. He could feel it crisp and clean in his nostrils as he took in each long and rhythmic breath. He was mildly aware of his toes twitching and his eyes eventually fluttered open. He blinked slowly, once, then twice before raising his head. His body was sprawled out before him, legs stretched over the mossy cavern floor, side on the ground. He closed his eyes again and filled his lungs before opening them and heaving his body upwards. When all four paws met the ground he stretched them, forelimbs first, then hinds. His pelt rippled as he did so and a large yawn stretched his jaws. When his limbs felt loose and limber the male took careful steps towards the den mouth, careful not to disturb some of his still slumbering pack mates. Their various scents allowing him to decipher who was still asleep and who had journeyed out for the day. He smiled warmly at their differing aromas, for theirs were the scents of his family. He skirted around the wolfish bodies with the utmost caution until the den’s mouth yawned open before him. He lowered his head and body before wandering out into the open air.

The chill caused his breath to spread before him in a stream of delicate white tendrils. He was dismayed to see that the world around him was partially obscured by a clinging white mist. That boded ill for the young wolf who had taken it upon himself to keep a daily tab on the local herds. The scents would be dull, and harder to follow. With a sigh he exhaled all hope of continuing on with his plan. Instead, he took the time to explore the world around him, although there was hardly a stone of this land that remained uncovered. He gave the air one last sniff before fully abandoning hope and set his paws towards the rolling valley of Avalon. There he could see the mountain in its full glory, and possibly join his voice to its heights. He set his paws westward and started on its rocky trail.

He took a few swallows of water from the stream before passing through it on his way to the valley. Augustus felt lighter, no longer shouldering the heavy burden of his past. His soul soothed when he told his alphess along with various brothers and sisters his tale. It was evident in his every step as he moved about agilely, and stood tall. He wanted to tell the world that a New Dawn was rising in his soul and he felt like a new wolf. He let his tail trail behind him like a banner in a breeze as he traversed over the stones of the mountain slope. It was only then when the valley spread out below him that the black and white male gave pause to his steps. The grasses were brittle and brown, but there was no denying that even in the winter there was beauty here. He gazed upon the fog shrouded peaks of the Halycon mountains and rose his voice to the skies.

His cry was of middling length, but was filled with notes of joy. He was not calling to his pack specifically, but the earth itself along with any creature that chose to hear. When he was finished he swished his tail and continued down the slope. When he reached the valley floor he nearly stumbled into a hole in the ground. He stopped abruptly and lowered his muzzle into its depths to scent it. The fog could not reach into the earth and Augustus could clearly make out the smell of rabbit. He quickly lifted his head and glanced around, finally spotting the brown furred being as it hid among the grass. He brought his body low to the ground, suddenly resentful that the valley was free of snow for the moment. He’d lost his camouflage. He had to be more careful. He crawled on his belly until the rabbit was well within his grasp and threw himself towards it with all his might. It had little chance to run and was soon pinned to the ground by his lethal paws. His fangs tore into its throat and it ceased to struggle, warm blood dribbling onto his chin. His lips twisted into a grin, his prize hanging limply between them. He swelled with pride, having caught the small creature, not the easiest of tasks for the large male. Smaller prey often evaded him.

He nearly turned back towards the den when the smallest of sounds reached his ears. The moistness of the air only seemed to make his hearing keener and he trotted warily towards the sound. The slight black and blue grey figure came to his eyes and he raised himself to his full height. The scent of New Dawn was upon her and he proceeded with less caution. When he was near he placed the rabbit upon the stone. “I would be careful, sister.” He cautioned. The mountain could be treacherous, especially to those who were not well acquainted.

Image credit to freelancah at deviantart

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