07-03-2011, 09:01 AM
[html]ooc;; dated July 4th-5th. The Dampwoods. Outskirts of Musquodoboit Valley. image of Hermes image of Arete
The pre-dawn light was pleasent and cool, though it was a certain promise for hotter weather to come in the day. Dawn was yet to break properly and the timber male was up and awake. He bathed quickly in one of the smaller tribuatries of the East River, dunking his head under and feeling the cool clear liquid zing through his pours and force him awake. He was to be away from Ichika today and that meant rising earlier than he usually did. His pattern of sleeping usually woke him a half hour after dawn when the suns light was just beginning to tickle the flowers away and bathe the grasses in its loving glow. Still, the hour before dawn was beautiful in its own way- the dew was yet to twinkle but it was clearly visible to the males eyes. The dawn birds were just waking, filling their lungs and giving forth the first tentative chirps that would soon become the dawn chorus. He had never really seen the earth like this before and the long smile that had kept his face in a grin was becoming a permanent fixture on the males face. The more he explored the lands Nayru and Razekial had lead them to, the more he fell in love with it. He had never really realised just how broken Dahlia had become- they had tried so desperately to keep the soul of Dahlia alive when Conor had left, but it was clear he had stolen it away with him when he'd left.
His body laden with the tools and equipment he would need for his journey- a small backpack with dried berries and strips of dried deer meat for the male knew it was going to be a long day, and three thick long ropes looped around his entire body, held up on his shoulder and resting against his left hip so the ropes slashed his chest in half. They were his weapons of choice today- this was all he was going to need. Dressed lightly in loose fitting trousers that had been cut just below the knee for the summer months and not shirt as the male almost always dressed, he left Ichika walking happily. Dawn was still yet to break and the male could see clearly in the half light. The formidable mountains rose up to greet him and the stench of another pack, Anathema, was clear in the air. Their eastern tips were only a few miles from the rats nest as it were, the Howling Caverns where the pack held its den. The male knew not of this however and only understood that Anathema was their closest neighbor. He stayed away from them, exiting Ichika in the middle of their boundary in the mountains.
It felt strange going back into the main bulk of Nova Scotia. Even though there was only a mountain range between them, their new lands in Ichika no Ho-en seemed like a completely different world, cut off from everyone else. Perhaps this had been Nayru and Razekial's intentions when they'd found the place. A recluse where they could build together a mighty pack determined to spread peace and love and everything else they wished to spread. There was so much to do, the male knew that. But there was a lot of time in which to do everything he wanted to do. There were all the repairs needed for Cerne Rise if his family were going to live in it. For the moment they were split between temporary houses that meant he didnt see a whole lot of Gideon, Melee and Range. Soon enough though, they would all be together again and everything would be right with the world. As he walked, his mind filled itself with innane things that meant little and the sun began to rise in the sky.
The sunrise broke on the lands of Nova Scotia as the male began his descent. It his his left side and the male turned to face the sun rising from the east. He could just imagine the golden glow bouncing off the sands on the shore in Ichika. He hadnt been sure about the merge, but he already felt as though the lands to the north were his home. And as the sun rose, so did his speed. He wanted to get down into the valley and towards the Dampwoods by perhaps mid to late afternoon and if he dawdled much more he would never get there in time. He passed the main bulk of Anathema, spotting a few dots in the distance that may have been patrolling sentries on the lookout for anyone overstepping their mark. He hadnt really had much to do with the Anathemans, but he knew there was a rumour that it was the cave dwellers who had attacked Gideon. He remained well clear of the boundaries, making sure his scent didnt even brush their own. And as his mind switched off to the stupid thoughts in his mind and the nature around him, the Ichikan felt time slip by so quickly.
The Dampwoods were ablaze with the early evening sun. It had taken the male most of the day to climb over the mountains, leading down to the valley belonging to Anathema and the vast expanse of the Dampwoods beyound. The agouti male had paused now, settling himself down to chew on a larger strip of dried deer meat and a few berries for dessert. It wasnt much, but he probably wouldnt be back home till tomorrow evening or early the next morning. It was a long trip and he'd told the relevant people where he was going and why he was going. They seemed happy enough that he was going to aquire a horse and Saul would make sure he came back with one. His short meal was followed by a long drink in a nearby stream, the male splashed himself all over with the water to wash away the dirt and grease of travelling for most of the day. He would set off in a moment, but there was a noise intrupting his thoughts- the ominous caw of crows not too far away. Setting his nose to the sky, the agouti male scented old blood and his brows knitted softly together. He walked forward, pushing through the leaves and bushes. He came to an abrupt halt however at the sight he saw when he pushed the nearest bush back.
The dead carcass of a horse, on its side with legs in awkward positions. Its belly had been torn open, the innards spread around the clearing he stood in. Flies and maggots alike squirmed in the hot flesh spilled. A careless hunter, a disrespectful hunter at that. They'd had their fill and left the carcass here to rot. He moved forward, arm coming down to let the bush swing back in place. The horse had been dead at least two days, the flesh starting to rot and decay as it would from the flies surronding it. It would take a long while for the carcass to be digested by anything- whomever had killed it had literally ripped it open and left it there, perhaps not even taken its fill. The male moved to inspect it when a movement caught his eye. Green eyes widened as he moved silently to the front of the horse. Curled in the curve of its mothers neck, a small black foal lay. Legs curled promptly beneath it, its head hung log, muzzle touching the ground as it faught to keep its head up and alert. Exhaustion and starvation clearly played on its face, so much so that it didnt even bleat as he came closer. It looked up however, dazzling blue eyes confused and weary. Blood streaked on its fuzzed muzzle, a clear indication that it had tried to feed from a mother long since passed. Pity and a gut wrenching sickness invaded the males guts and he crouched down a moved closer. An orphan.
He didnt need to say anything as he moved closer and scooped the tangle of hooves and legs up in his arms. The foal didnt move and he didnt know if it could move for the moment. He moved away from its dead mother, quick footsteps taking him quickly back to the resting spot he'd found where he'd eaten his own food. Settling back down by the tree with the foal on his lap, he gave a soft smile to the patch of white on its rump. On closer inspection and scent alone the male deduced it to be a little female. Rummaging one handed in his sack, the other looped around its body to keep it in place, the male grabbed some of the dried berries he'd bought with him. From the looks of the foal it was about five or six months, so he assumed it could eat solid food. He brushed the first berry against the foals muzzle and laughed as imploring lips caught his fingers instead. Leaning down, he managed to get the filly's mouth this time, listening to the tender crunch of just developing teeth grind the berry together. With a disheartened squeal the little horse ate the rest of the berries he had to offer.
He sat like that for a long time, the little black and white horse dozing on his lap. It had curled up nicely on his lap and seemed pretty comfortable there. With awkward motions the male unhooked the thinnest rope from the group across his chest and set about fashioning a halter for the tiny horse. He tied it nice and secure about her face, tight enough for her to remain tethered when he left her and not too tight as to hurt. She woke when he tied to around her head, but soon dozed again. He dread to think what the little one had been through the past few days. Stroking her muzzle softly, braced against the tree with the lead rope in his hands, the agouti male fell asleep in the unprotected and open valley close to the Anathema borders. He perhaps couldnt have chosen a worse place to fall asleep in.
july 5th
Dawn woke him a second day and the male felt the previous day all through his back. He'd woken early the previous morning and had spent much of that day walking down into the main bulk of Nova Scotia. That was one of the reasons he'd wanted a horse- travelling was perhaps a lot easier on horseback and he needed to be able to get to other packs, to learn from others so that he could be a better healer. Still, the aches and pain were beginning to spread to his arms, the little filly still sound asleep on his lap. She didnt appear to have moved an inch from when they'd both fallen asleep. With a soft sigh the male woke the orphaned female, allowing her time to drink her fill and find her feet. Now standing she looked to be about six months old, but starvation would have weighed her in at around three months. He stroked her matted coat softly, murmering softly to her while he gave her the last remaining berries from his store. If he tethered her to the tree they had taken up as shelter, she would still be able to eat the surronding grass while he went off in search of a more suitable horse in these parts. After a quick drink himself the male washed and relieved himself before turning back to the horse. She needed a name. But for now, he had no name for her. He called to her with a soft click and she came willingly. Leading her over to the tree he quickly ties her to a thick branch. She had enough leeway to roam a few yards around the tree base, and enough rope to lean down and each the grass.
With a soft and soothing 'Ill be back soon' the male left his rucksack in the filly's care, taking only the two remaining ropes with him. He had no idea what he was going to find out here, but he had every intention of finding a horse. The sun was beginning to rise in the sky as the male move away from the half-clearing he had claimed for the night. He'd decided to follow the stream that ran through here, figuring it would be sensible to stay near water- it was another hot day today. His mind began to shut off and he walked for a good forty five minutes before he came to a pause. He looked around, feeling something different in the air. Maybe here was where he would find a horse.
A soft snort caught his attention and green eyes darted round the bushes. He'd managed to wander a little away from the stream although it was still to the left of him. Moving quietly the man emerged into the shade of a large tree, doing well to hide him from the massive bulk of horse grazing across the stream. His heart pounded hard in his chest- the stallion as it appeared to be, was docile for the moment. It was alone and seemed happy enough to be wandering around. But that could change with his appearance. It was now or never though and the male slipped one of the ropes off from around his shoulder. Holding the loop tightly he moved in sight, throwing the lasso immediately. It was perhaps sheer dumb luck that it landed on the horses head and as the black horse looked up, it slipped down over its neck. From across the stream Saul dug his paws into the earth, thickly banded muscles bulging out as he got a good firm grip on the rope. Expecting the horse to rear backwards and start pulling, Saul did everything he could to keep it with him. He began to pull the rope towards him.
He didnt at first notice when the horse gave a soft sigh before trudging forward. In his mind it was his strength pulling the horse towards him. But as the horse stepped into the stream, the rope slackened and he continued to walk anyway. Puzzled Saul loosened the rope further, still with a tight grip but giving him much more leeway to move. To his astonishement the horse came willingly towards him. As it approached Saul relaxed, allowing the rope to remain slack in his hand. The horse didnt seem to want to stop and Saul put up a hand in a universal symbol for halt. The horse paused before pushing his head into Saul's chest, inhaling deeply and remaining there. Softly he ran his free hand up over the horses face, brushing away the white and black unruly mane that had grown over his eyes. Deep amber eyes stared back at him and Saul smiled softly. Perhaps this wasnt as hard as everyone made it out to be. You just had to look in the right places.
Quick fingers worked to fashion the last remaining roap into a harness for the horses head. His head was a lot bigger than the filly's and in a complicated pattern Saul made it secure. He then slipped the lasso from around the horses neck, tieing it firmly to the rope halter for a lead rope. Heart thundering in his chest, the male moved to walk. And the horse came with him. A little surprised that he'd found the horse, more surprised that it was a little well behaved and stable, the male began to walk back towards the little foal. They needed names, that was for sure. He came to a rest on the tree that had become his base, leaning back as the two horses sniffed around at each other. He smiled and two names came to mind- "Hermes and Arete" he murmered before settling down for the evening. He would leave soon, get home for morning.
word count;;
"speech"
The pre-dawn light was pleasent and cool, though it was a certain promise for hotter weather to come in the day. Dawn was yet to break properly and the timber male was up and awake. He bathed quickly in one of the smaller tribuatries of the East River, dunking his head under and feeling the cool clear liquid zing through his pours and force him awake. He was to be away from Ichika today and that meant rising earlier than he usually did. His pattern of sleeping usually woke him a half hour after dawn when the suns light was just beginning to tickle the flowers away and bathe the grasses in its loving glow. Still, the hour before dawn was beautiful in its own way- the dew was yet to twinkle but it was clearly visible to the males eyes. The dawn birds were just waking, filling their lungs and giving forth the first tentative chirps that would soon become the dawn chorus. He had never really seen the earth like this before and the long smile that had kept his face in a grin was becoming a permanent fixture on the males face. The more he explored the lands Nayru and Razekial had lead them to, the more he fell in love with it. He had never really realised just how broken Dahlia had become- they had tried so desperately to keep the soul of Dahlia alive when Conor had left, but it was clear he had stolen it away with him when he'd left.
His body laden with the tools and equipment he would need for his journey- a small backpack with dried berries and strips of dried deer meat for the male knew it was going to be a long day, and three thick long ropes looped around his entire body, held up on his shoulder and resting against his left hip so the ropes slashed his chest in half. They were his weapons of choice today- this was all he was going to need. Dressed lightly in loose fitting trousers that had been cut just below the knee for the summer months and not shirt as the male almost always dressed, he left Ichika walking happily. Dawn was still yet to break and the male could see clearly in the half light. The formidable mountains rose up to greet him and the stench of another pack, Anathema, was clear in the air. Their eastern tips were only a few miles from the rats nest as it were, the Howling Caverns where the pack held its den. The male knew not of this however and only understood that Anathema was their closest neighbor. He stayed away from them, exiting Ichika in the middle of their boundary in the mountains.
It felt strange going back into the main bulk of Nova Scotia. Even though there was only a mountain range between them, their new lands in Ichika no Ho-en seemed like a completely different world, cut off from everyone else. Perhaps this had been Nayru and Razekial's intentions when they'd found the place. A recluse where they could build together a mighty pack determined to spread peace and love and everything else they wished to spread. There was so much to do, the male knew that. But there was a lot of time in which to do everything he wanted to do. There were all the repairs needed for Cerne Rise if his family were going to live in it. For the moment they were split between temporary houses that meant he didnt see a whole lot of Gideon, Melee and Range. Soon enough though, they would all be together again and everything would be right with the world. As he walked, his mind filled itself with innane things that meant little and the sun began to rise in the sky.
The sunrise broke on the lands of Nova Scotia as the male began his descent. It his his left side and the male turned to face the sun rising from the east. He could just imagine the golden glow bouncing off the sands on the shore in Ichika. He hadnt been sure about the merge, but he already felt as though the lands to the north were his home. And as the sun rose, so did his speed. He wanted to get down into the valley and towards the Dampwoods by perhaps mid to late afternoon and if he dawdled much more he would never get there in time. He passed the main bulk of Anathema, spotting a few dots in the distance that may have been patrolling sentries on the lookout for anyone overstepping their mark. He hadnt really had much to do with the Anathemans, but he knew there was a rumour that it was the cave dwellers who had attacked Gideon. He remained well clear of the boundaries, making sure his scent didnt even brush their own. And as his mind switched off to the stupid thoughts in his mind and the nature around him, the Ichikan felt time slip by so quickly.
The Dampwoods were ablaze with the early evening sun. It had taken the male most of the day to climb over the mountains, leading down to the valley belonging to Anathema and the vast expanse of the Dampwoods beyound. The agouti male had paused now, settling himself down to chew on a larger strip of dried deer meat and a few berries for dessert. It wasnt much, but he probably wouldnt be back home till tomorrow evening or early the next morning. It was a long trip and he'd told the relevant people where he was going and why he was going. They seemed happy enough that he was going to aquire a horse and Saul would make sure he came back with one. His short meal was followed by a long drink in a nearby stream, the male splashed himself all over with the water to wash away the dirt and grease of travelling for most of the day. He would set off in a moment, but there was a noise intrupting his thoughts- the ominous caw of crows not too far away. Setting his nose to the sky, the agouti male scented old blood and his brows knitted softly together. He walked forward, pushing through the leaves and bushes. He came to an abrupt halt however at the sight he saw when he pushed the nearest bush back.
The dead carcass of a horse, on its side with legs in awkward positions. Its belly had been torn open, the innards spread around the clearing he stood in. Flies and maggots alike squirmed in the hot flesh spilled. A careless hunter, a disrespectful hunter at that. They'd had their fill and left the carcass here to rot. He moved forward, arm coming down to let the bush swing back in place. The horse had been dead at least two days, the flesh starting to rot and decay as it would from the flies surronding it. It would take a long while for the carcass to be digested by anything- whomever had killed it had literally ripped it open and left it there, perhaps not even taken its fill. The male moved to inspect it when a movement caught his eye. Green eyes widened as he moved silently to the front of the horse. Curled in the curve of its mothers neck, a small black foal lay. Legs curled promptly beneath it, its head hung log, muzzle touching the ground as it faught to keep its head up and alert. Exhaustion and starvation clearly played on its face, so much so that it didnt even bleat as he came closer. It looked up however, dazzling blue eyes confused and weary. Blood streaked on its fuzzed muzzle, a clear indication that it had tried to feed from a mother long since passed. Pity and a gut wrenching sickness invaded the males guts and he crouched down a moved closer. An orphan.
He didnt need to say anything as he moved closer and scooped the tangle of hooves and legs up in his arms. The foal didnt move and he didnt know if it could move for the moment. He moved away from its dead mother, quick footsteps taking him quickly back to the resting spot he'd found where he'd eaten his own food. Settling back down by the tree with the foal on his lap, he gave a soft smile to the patch of white on its rump. On closer inspection and scent alone the male deduced it to be a little female. Rummaging one handed in his sack, the other looped around its body to keep it in place, the male grabbed some of the dried berries he'd bought with him. From the looks of the foal it was about five or six months, so he assumed it could eat solid food. He brushed the first berry against the foals muzzle and laughed as imploring lips caught his fingers instead. Leaning down, he managed to get the filly's mouth this time, listening to the tender crunch of just developing teeth grind the berry together. With a disheartened squeal the little horse ate the rest of the berries he had to offer.
He sat like that for a long time, the little black and white horse dozing on his lap. It had curled up nicely on his lap and seemed pretty comfortable there. With awkward motions the male unhooked the thinnest rope from the group across his chest and set about fashioning a halter for the tiny horse. He tied it nice and secure about her face, tight enough for her to remain tethered when he left her and not too tight as to hurt. She woke when he tied to around her head, but soon dozed again. He dread to think what the little one had been through the past few days. Stroking her muzzle softly, braced against the tree with the lead rope in his hands, the agouti male fell asleep in the unprotected and open valley close to the Anathema borders. He perhaps couldnt have chosen a worse place to fall asleep in.
Dawn woke him a second day and the male felt the previous day all through his back. He'd woken early the previous morning and had spent much of that day walking down into the main bulk of Nova Scotia. That was one of the reasons he'd wanted a horse- travelling was perhaps a lot easier on horseback and he needed to be able to get to other packs, to learn from others so that he could be a better healer. Still, the aches and pain were beginning to spread to his arms, the little filly still sound asleep on his lap. She didnt appear to have moved an inch from when they'd both fallen asleep. With a soft sigh the male woke the orphaned female, allowing her time to drink her fill and find her feet. Now standing she looked to be about six months old, but starvation would have weighed her in at around three months. He stroked her matted coat softly, murmering softly to her while he gave her the last remaining berries from his store. If he tethered her to the tree they had taken up as shelter, she would still be able to eat the surronding grass while he went off in search of a more suitable horse in these parts. After a quick drink himself the male washed and relieved himself before turning back to the horse. She needed a name. But for now, he had no name for her. He called to her with a soft click and she came willingly. Leading her over to the tree he quickly ties her to a thick branch. She had enough leeway to roam a few yards around the tree base, and enough rope to lean down and each the grass.
With a soft and soothing 'Ill be back soon' the male left his rucksack in the filly's care, taking only the two remaining ropes with him. He had no idea what he was going to find out here, but he had every intention of finding a horse. The sun was beginning to rise in the sky as the male move away from the half-clearing he had claimed for the night. He'd decided to follow the stream that ran through here, figuring it would be sensible to stay near water- it was another hot day today. His mind began to shut off and he walked for a good forty five minutes before he came to a pause. He looked around, feeling something different in the air. Maybe here was where he would find a horse.
A soft snort caught his attention and green eyes darted round the bushes. He'd managed to wander a little away from the stream although it was still to the left of him. Moving quietly the man emerged into the shade of a large tree, doing well to hide him from the massive bulk of horse grazing across the stream. His heart pounded hard in his chest- the stallion as it appeared to be, was docile for the moment. It was alone and seemed happy enough to be wandering around. But that could change with his appearance. It was now or never though and the male slipped one of the ropes off from around his shoulder. Holding the loop tightly he moved in sight, throwing the lasso immediately. It was perhaps sheer dumb luck that it landed on the horses head and as the black horse looked up, it slipped down over its neck. From across the stream Saul dug his paws into the earth, thickly banded muscles bulging out as he got a good firm grip on the rope. Expecting the horse to rear backwards and start pulling, Saul did everything he could to keep it with him. He began to pull the rope towards him.
He didnt at first notice when the horse gave a soft sigh before trudging forward. In his mind it was his strength pulling the horse towards him. But as the horse stepped into the stream, the rope slackened and he continued to walk anyway. Puzzled Saul loosened the rope further, still with a tight grip but giving him much more leeway to move. To his astonishement the horse came willingly towards him. As it approached Saul relaxed, allowing the rope to remain slack in his hand. The horse didnt seem to want to stop and Saul put up a hand in a universal symbol for halt. The horse paused before pushing his head into Saul's chest, inhaling deeply and remaining there. Softly he ran his free hand up over the horses face, brushing away the white and black unruly mane that had grown over his eyes. Deep amber eyes stared back at him and Saul smiled softly. Perhaps this wasnt as hard as everyone made it out to be. You just had to look in the right places.
Quick fingers worked to fashion the last remaining roap into a harness for the horses head. His head was a lot bigger than the filly's and in a complicated pattern Saul made it secure. He then slipped the lasso from around the horses neck, tieing it firmly to the rope halter for a lead rope. Heart thundering in his chest, the male moved to walk. And the horse came with him. A little surprised that he'd found the horse, more surprised that it was a little well behaved and stable, the male began to walk back towards the little foal. They needed names, that was for sure. He came to a rest on the tree that had become his base, leaning back as the two horses sniffed around at each other. He smiled and two names came to mind- "Hermes and Arete" he murmered before settling down for the evening. He would leave soon, get home for morning.
word count;;
"speech"