So much time Titania spent with her efforts focused inland. The pack's den was set away from the shore that they had claimed and far closer to the protective slate of the Halcyon Mountains, surrounded by a thickly wooded forest that could keep a wolf entertained for days with its lush foliage (even in this unforgiving winter) and abundance of game. It was there, within the treadable lands that they had to worry about intrusion, too, for it would be far more likely for someone to climb down into their territory from the mountains or to wander over from the forest or rolling hills than it would be for someone to just waltz up from the sea, right? Actually, wrong – as Titania was about to learn.
Her rounds near Avalon earlier that day were much like all the others, which is precisely what made her realize her folly. She rarely visited the beaches or checked for border breaches to the north, so instead of lurking about the haunted waters of the lake, she turned her snowy butt around and headed for the coast. Luckily, her pack was enthusiastic and diligent, and she could tell by the persistence of their scent that others hadn't neglected this place like she had. Bad Alphess.
So close to the water as their land was, much of New Dawn smelled of the briny deep, but often the mountain winds spirited the scent away. Now, as she neared the coast, she could smell the sea, powerful and strong, and soon the lullaby of the waves began to lull her senses. The trees gave way to a land strewn with pebbles, which then forfeited itself to the sand. The snow and ice crept up as far as it could reach here, but the waves kept it at bay, melting it with their constant assault before it could accumulate.
Spellbound by the waters, Titania stood within her realm, paws among the sand, and gazed out over the deep blue. She liked the way the waters foamed and fizzed after the waves broke. It was fun to watch, and something she had never enjoyed even when living within the bay-coastal land of d'Arte. She wondered what kind of fairies lived at sea. Did they swim like fish or did they fly among the waters like seabirds? Daydreams carried the time away, and she never would have noticed if it wasn't for a peculiar shape that now moved about the waves at the edge of her vision.
At first she thought she had just imagined it, but as one wave rolled down and she focused she realized she ship really was soaring over the waters – and it looked like it was headed straight for land! Shocked and excited, Titania took off down the shore, bounding exultingly toward the ship. She came upon some trouble, though, as she reached a grouping of sharp coast rocks – reef? - she began to speed over it, but her paws slipped on the slick surface. It was covered in ice! She had to be careful. Taking slow, calculated steps was a painstaking process, but at least by the time the land leveled out again she was alive and unharmed.
She paused at the edge of the rocks, peering down the shore. She had taken longer than she thought – the ship had docked (Is that what they called it? she wondered, knowing little about the human craft of sailing. There wasn't much of a 'dock' there...) and there seemed to be no life upon its deck now. Cocking her head, she looked out over the sand and caught sight of a russet colored werewolf pacing the windy shores.
For a moment she considered taking offense until she reexamined the area and realized they were now upon lands that New Dawn's paw had not touched. She glanced over her shoulder, at the rock and shore behind her tail, and then turned back toward the stranger. A quick decision made, she was soon trotting toward the collie woman.
“Moon bless, traveler,” she chimed above the rushing waves, a semi formal greeting she had developed thanks to her affection for the sky's ruler. She had every intent of making this chance meeting a pleasant one. “The seas have brought you to a place not tread by all. You know it?” Her paws skipped to a stop. She was blindingly aware that she had in fact stepped out of her borders, and if this person was not friendly then she did not have the advantage of being on her home turf. The waves might even eat up an emergency cry to her pack. Best to play it safe.
“I'm Titania Moonsong, of New Dawn,” her voice chimed in pleasant tones of amusement as she made her next statement. “You come at the moon's will.”
Table by the Mentors!
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