Replace Fear of the Unknown
#1
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forward dated, for Amy

The crowds of canines had made the Dreamer uneasy at first. She had ask that she and her son skirt the fringes of the camp of merchants before walking among them. Oak had been hesitant, eager to see all the different things that could be obtained by his efforts, and all the other faces that would mostly be foreign and excitingly new. The fey wore the long garment she usually wore since the beginnings of winter. It was a plain fabric, hooded and with long flowing sleeves. A braided rope gathered the habit at her thin waist, and she faded into the crowd beside the autumn hued male that escorted her.


She had discussed what they were looking for, though that was only after Oak convinced her to visit the market place. The female did not wish to be part of the gathering, finding it odd that the packs would all be drawn together in such a way. But, such change and differences could bring good things. Connections, and alliances that Crimson Dreams had lost in the war that they had waged in the past year. So she conceded, and now as blue eyes looked around her curiosity was spiked and a smile was worn on her face.


The broad chested male pointed, asking about the spices or wondering if they needed something that Anu knew that they certainly did not. She was a practical wolfess, and she hoped to instill such a thing in Oak. The mother found that he liked unique things, things far less plain then his namesake. She looked for Alder, who no doubt would use the gathering of wolves for his Marshal purposes; seeking new horses or tack. A dark rusty and charcoal hued paw touched her shoulder, directing her attention to a display and breaking her flow of thoughts...

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#2
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Amy Sunders

Word Count → 000 :: Out of Character text.


When word got out that there was a traveling group of merchants coming to the land, Amy had raged. The messenger had been killed, and for days the forest had been filled with creatures unfortunate enough to come across her. It was lucky that she was pregnant, or she would have shifted into secui form and tried to take on all of them. It was a rather recent discovery for her, though she did at least know who the father was. Perhaps she'd make a stop by, show him the results. For now though, it was a barely noticeable lump, a harder patch on her body.


The blond dog watched someone approach a mother and son pair. Baring her teeth she snarled. She didn't care for this at all. Not willing to let others take control of this, Amy had moved her wagon in. It had taken a fair bit of work, but she'd turned her wagon into a beautiful display, with shade for customers to rest under and places for them to sit and talk. Jewelry hung along all the edges, with bright cloth neatly folded and boldly displayed. The weapons had been polished, hung in the back where the glint would catch one's attention without hurting their eyes. She had come for war, and would do her best to make sure they knew she was the one to deal with.


Hips swaying the merchant approached the pair. She pointedly removed the other merchant's hand, meeting him with a stare that dared him to challenge her. He backed off, confused about why she'd come up so strongly. Smiling she turned to them. It's quite busy here, isn't it? Come, sit and rest. She lead them over to her wagon and sat down. Hadley came out, carrying a pitcher of wine. Care for a drink? It's a good vintage, quite delicious. Amy's drink was much watered down, as she would need a clear head for negotiations, and she wouldn't want to stop once she started.


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#3
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When Oak asked her look at the merchants array of displayed products Anu was faced with much much more colorful objects and visual stimuli then she was used to. She paused in her step, and Oak stepped forward to look at a hanging necklace. One of the many pieces that hung from the wagon. The wolfess had never truly seen such a contraption, and neither had her son. The reddish male smiled at the golden female that walked up to them, not doubt the proprietor of the particular trading spot. He was easily ushered under the canopy, finding the whole experiences rather exotic. He held many things, rabbits, tied with ropes by their hide paws. A fresh gutted and prepped doe hoisted over his shoulder. Oak happily took the glass of wine that was offered, though Anu smiled and waved her hand gently to decline.


You have many beautiful things. I am Anu and this is my son Oak, we are from Crimson Dreams... The Dreamer introduced, speaking her normally soft tone. Her blue eyes scanned the doggish looking female up and down in a few glances, taking her in. I have lived in these lands many, many years and this is the first time a caravan has ever come through here. It's quite exciting. And frightening as well. So many packs colliding at once was not always a positive thing. They held boundaries for a reason.


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#4
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Amy Sunders

Word Count → 000 :: Out of Character text.


Amy examined the meat they brought happily. It would be welcome for her, since she rarely stopped to get food, and had lived in a world where she had no need to hunt. It left her lacking, though her skill at tracking was not one to be underestimated. When it came to finding those that cheated her, Amy knew no bounds. Only her pregnancy kept her strength from being greater, trapping her truly in optime form. Yes, it was her most used form. She loved the power that secui gave her though, and would even occasionally dip into lupine to relax, though that had only happened once in the months of her being here.


She listened attentively to the female's speech. They were from a pack Amy had not visited yet. Eager to make sure she established a strong good impression for future trade, Amy felt even greater pressure to impress. Never before had she been under such duress, fighting with all her might for what she wished for. Yes, I'm quite aware of that. It's a big change. Amy's body didn't betray her inner thoughts, burning with rage at the fact that the caravan had dared enter her pristine land, the one she was eager to claim as her own. What brings you out? This certainly is a loud commotion. Amy smiled at Oak, pleased that he accepted her hospitality so easily. Maybe it wouldn't be as difficult as she'd imagined.


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#5
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Anu had been a bit skeptical about those that she might meet at the festival. Her worries creating judgment in her mind where Anu rarely held it. But the nameless woman spoke kindly, and did not push the pair to speak their wants but drew it from then gently. Anu wondered if she was part of that large crowd that had come with their messengers, or of she was a lone wanderer, though nothing led her to believe that she was such. It was not until she thought the question over twice that Anu remembered what it was that they were meant to do here. Business was not her particular mind set. She even replied to the comment of the commotion first rather then answering the question. Quite the commotion. The pack lands will seem very quiet when we return home.


Oak looked at his mother, waiting for her to answer the question. He respected her rank, and so allowed her to take lead in the bartering. Oh yes. Anu said quickly, nodding lightly. I suppose we are here for a reason. A smile came to her lips and she laughed ever so softly. Then she became serious, Do you happen to have daggers? The silver tipped female watched the doggish woman, her hands folding inside the sleeves of the habit she wore. Anu might have seemed like a meek soul, but she knew that too many creatures could not be trusted. She had never carried a weapon, and it made her uneasy to think that her sons may at some point in time. But it was life. The long scar along her neck spoke of her experience.

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#6
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Amy Sunders

Word Count → 000 :: Out of Character text.


The female she spoke with seemed rather overwhelmed, replying to her comment instead of the question she'd presented. Amy listened politely as she spoke about the silence of the pack lands. I'm afraid I wouldn't know such things, being a traveler myself and coming from a place where such things are common. It was part of the reason why this festival worried her, the fact that it was something from the more civilized land she'd come from and such progress could get in the way of her plans. Amy wanted to take advantage of the woman, but understood this was not the time or place for doing so. Today she was proving herself better than the strangers around them, and Amy would take the losses for the gains she'd have later.


I carry many things. My name's Amy Sunders, by the way. She wanted to leave an impression on them, and worked hard to do so. She stepped up and removed several daggers from the display. One had a jeweled hilt, with two others bearing decorative carvings around it. The rest were rather plain, with simple leather hilts. The width and weight of them were different, each designed for a different fighting style. She laid them out simply. If you have questions, I'm ready to answer them.


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#7
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Anu could never imagine living in a world that mimicked what the market place brought to the unclaimed lands near her home. It didn’t seem right, but then she figured that the trader thought that her way of life was primitive and far too quaint. They all had their ways, and their nature. She wondered that if they would enjoy a small span or time in her realm of the world as she was enjoying herself in theirs.


Oak sat up, eager to see what knives his hunting would bring him. Anu knew that he was a skilled tracker, and an excellent hunter, but it took time and energy for him to use such skills. He deserved to choose what he wished to have. She hoped that what they brought would make for a proper trade for the doggish woman. Anu did not know what was worth more in their eyes. Fresh meals were something that the pack wolf held dear, but she could not tell for the trader.


The gray wolfess looked up, a curiosity brimming .There are so many. Is there a small one, simple that can be hidden well and easily. She moved a little closer to the woman, allowing her son to freely look at the other ones. The rusty male had picked up on of the larger daggers with a carved hilt.


Anu had never wanted it to come to this, but she sought her own weapon. Just to bring her confidence.

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#8
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Amy Sunders

Word Count → 000 :: Out of Character text.


Oak dove right in to the collection of daggers she'd set forth. Amy smiled as he examined them one by one, drawn to the ones with intricate designs. All of the daggers were quite good, of course, as Amy never knew when she'd need to use one herself. When it came to actual fighting though, she preferred the plain ones, as they often offered a better grip, and there was less chance of parts of it breaking from use. The jeweled ones could be valuable, catching the light to blind the enemy.


The older wolf moved closer, overwhelmed by the variety. She must be very new to this indeed. Amy would have taken advantage of that if the situation had been anything different. Instead she was compliant. Heading back to the wagon she removed a small dagger, held in a leather arm clasp. Amy attached it to the female's arm. Flex your arm gently, and the dagger slides out. Amy held her arm up to reveal one just like it. Like so. Amy flexed her arm, and the dagger dropped into her hand, ready to be used. The metal was plain and dull on the one she gave the female, though the edge was by no means dull. It just wouldn't catch the light, not nearly as flashy as the others. It was more expenive though as an assassin's weapon instead of a normal dagger. Too bad Amy wouldn't be able to reveal it's true value.


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#9
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If one lived as many years as Anu had without being exposed to such a place and such a onslaught of stimuli, they certainly would have been overwhelmed as well. She was grateful for the woman's help, and waited patiently as the golden hued fey moved to find another item. Her paws clasped in font of her as she waited. This female was certainly helpful, and eager to show Anu and her son all that she had offer. Anu wondered if it was trait that all the traders held, in the hopes of selling the item to the buyer. She assumed that a friendly trait would help sell better then a sour demeanor. Isn't that what they said, more bees with honey then vinegar. Or something of the like.


Anu stood very still by the knife and watched as she did the presentation. Her eyes opened wide in surprise as she watched the dagger fall so neatly into the paw. She was still unsure, as she knew that such a thing would come with a hefty price. Oak came to stand beside her, his brows up with the same interest and surprise. No doubt he thought the expert weapon would be too much for his mother. He held a longer dagger in his hand, Anu did not look to see it's details. But if she had she would have seen the sun design that had been engraved into the handle with much talent.


When she overcame her own surprise Anu looked at the woman, I imagine such things come with a large price. You have seen what we carry, would the doe be enough for the both? Her eyes had become a bit clearer, the same face that she held when dealing with a heavy matter with another pack member or a trespasser. It was not hostility but there was intelligence the lived behind them. And seriousness as well.

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#10
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Amy Sunders

Word Count → 000 :: Out of Character text.


The female seemed rather surprised by the presentation. Amy smiled at Anu, glad to see that she could still pull in the crowd and keep their attention, even without thugs there to enforce her. It was the feeling she loved, trading with someone and the power she held over their emotions and what would come into their lives, even if temporarily. Amy knew that it was but a taste, but a taste was all she needed. Great driving power was something Amy had held, and did not desire. No, she simply wished to trade with everyone.


The price wasn't very good, though Anu now spoke with the air of someone dealing with serious business. Amy knew that this was good, that this trade would gain her good ties to the pack. The doe most certainly wasn't worth both daggers though, even if she valued them at the same level. Gently Amy shook her head. I'm afraid not. Throw in two of the rabbits though, and the weapons are yours. It was still below price, but at least this was a loss Amy could swallow.


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#11
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To find jewels and craft art was not their living, they spent their time simply surviving in the harshness of mother nature. To the pack the doe would have fed half of them happily, and its value was great in the cold months where prey's fat stores were becoming thin. They could live without the knives, being born equip to survive, it was only a convenience that they were looking for. But one could not live without food and meat, just like air and water.


Having never traded before Anu was cautious, not giving up everything that her son had worked so hard for unless it was absolutely necessary. She knew that they would come with a price, yet she needed to spread her purse thin in order to stretch their efforts. Amy shook her head, something Anu had anticipated. She spoke her wants and the Dreamer was glad that they could come to a middle ground that did not leave them without a few hares left for another merchant's tent.


She nodded, That seems fair. And looked to the boy to had over the hares. The freshest for our friend. Anu commented to the rusty hued male, who took out the two hares they had caught that morning along the way to the festival. She handed the hares while Oak lifted the doe to give away.

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#12
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Amy Sunders

Word Count → 000 :: Last post for me


Happily Amy accepted the hares, examining them for any imperfections. They truly were the best of the bunch that the pair had brought, the fur barely stained and the bodies still plump. Carefully she took them and stored them with her other food supplies. Hadley would prepare them for travel later, so they would last the long trip without spoiling. The fur would be taken and put aside with the rest for possible trades in the future. Hadley took the doe and gently placed it behind the wagon, and began to skin it. Such a large kill would have to be dealt with immediately.


Smiling brightly Amy passed them their chosen daggers. Thanks for the trade. I hope we do business again. Turning to the heap of daggers that had been turned down Amy stooped and began returning them to their places, ignoring the looks of anger from the caravan merchants that had so clearly chosen not to deal in weapons. Too bad for them. Amy would be getting the best of this deal, with the widest selection and highest quality. Boosted by her first successful trade Amy hummed slightly as she went about her work.


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#13
[html]small wrap up! and I'll archive Smile



Thank you Anu replied. She watched at the shop keepers assistant took the hares as well as the doe off to prepare it. Of course the Dreamer was oblivious of the wolf's true status, and considered it to be a mutual relationship between employer and employee. She smiled lightly as she took the daggers, allowing Oak to take his much larger one. The woman gave a small nod and they turned to continue on their way with the rest of the hares that they had left.


Anu wrapped her small weapon in the long extra fabric of her sleeve as they slowly walked. It was then that the mother and son pair split up, and Anu began the journey back to the pack lands. The day had been long enough, and full of excitement. Perhaps more then the grey and tan wolfess could appreciate.

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