[/html]It was unwise to ride so late at night. The Marshal knew this well, for he cared for his horse companion deeply. But he knew it was best to return to the Court as soon as possible. And so having traveled from the orchards in Berwick, after visiting his mother, Alder continued home despite the lack of light and growing darkness. That was what caught the normally slumbering wolf awake and riding so late at night.
Alder and Hawthorn took the path slowly, and they knew the way well so his fear that there would be something to fault the horse was minimal. When they breached the comfort of the borders Alder turned the horse towards his cabin, a night in the elements beside his house would not harm ‘Thorn at the least. But something caused him to ask the horse to halt, and his brown ears swiveled forward to catch the tone. It was not familiar, nor did he find his stomach eased by it. On the contrary it twisted, and he waited for a reply to come to answer.
The King would no doubt sense this breach of etiquette of visitation and go to defend their border. But there was nothing, only silence surrounding them. Hawthorn pawed at the ground in agitation, feeding off of Alder’s. Still no sound was made in retort to the wolfish call.
Kicking the stallion lightly they made their way towards howl. The momentum calmed him, and when he still heard no answer he paused the horse to give one of his own. It was a deep voice that rang from his throat, a long call that warned the stranger that someone was on their way. He even took up another song once the breath of the first died. He urged Hawthorn further, catching the scent of a trio of creatures and hunting them down.
The Marshal was cautious, stalking them while on horse back until he was in ear range of the two canines and horse. Your are in Cour des Miracles. What brings you here so late at night? He called, closing the gap as he did so. Alder was not a brave beast, he was upfront and assertive by nature. But the meeting, and calling in the dead of night did not make him as cordial as he normaly was.