300+
Even though the fire had been long gone, the scent of smoke and ash clung to Inferni as Gabriel knew it would until the rain washed the soot away. He was certain of this because he had seen it before. Twice, in great mass, and once on a much smaller scale. The gamble of burning Haku and Dahlia alive had not paid off—though in the long run it had, sending the pack against their blue-eyed leader and banishing him from his thrown. A boy led now, one that Gabriel believed would know better then to come near Inferni. Haku might have survived their assaults, but a child would not.
Though their borders had moved, Gabriel still passed near the charred corner of the Waste as he did his patrols. Every day he would see the scorched earth at least twice, and it reinforced the need within him. Haku had to be found, and he had to be destroyed. Now that the war had ended, Gabriel was slowly loosening himself from Inferni’s lands. Anselm had made a point to stay within the borders as much as possible, and having him there reassured Gabriel enough.
He was traveling east along the marked border, long limbs carrying him at an easy gate. In the weeks since the last battle, all of his wounds had begun to heal. More then this, his presence had changed. Weight had lifted from his shoulders, and he had begun sleeping better. Though a shadow—more specifically, his shadow—still haunted him, the Aquila did not focus on this. If he did, it would destroy him. Destiny would draw them together soon enough; of this, Gabriel had no doubt.
A figure appeared in the distance, standing at odds with the ruined landscape. This puzzled the dark faced man, who quickened his pace. It was obviously a woman, and being upwind, Gabriel could not tell for certain who it was. Once her face became clear, an exasperated sigh escaped his chest. “Anu!” He called out, lifting his head and drawing closer. “What in God’s name are you doing here?” He asked sharply, though there was no anger in his voice.
.gabe-snarly p {padding:0px 20px 10px 20px; margin:0px; text-indent:30px;}
.gabe-snarly b {color:#362C0F;}
.gabe-snarly-separator {text-align:center; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px; margin:5px 0px; border-style: solid none solid none; border-color: #000000; border-width:1px; }
.gabe-snarly-ooc {font-family:verdana, sans-serif; font-size:11px; letter-spacing:.4px; }
.gabe-snarly {background-color:#9F936D; padding:0px 0px 10px 0px; border:1px solid #000000; background-image:url(http://sleepyglow.net/souls/gifts/gabebg.gif); background-position: top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; font-family: 'palatino linotype', georgia, serif; font-size:13px; color:#423C2A; letter-spacing:.3px; word-spacing:2px; line-height:14px; width:400px; text-align:justify; }
</style>