malus domestica
#1
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It had taken some time for the Praetor to decide who would be traveling to Inferni. The small herd of semi-domesticated goats was a lively bunch; their personalities distinct and Anu did not know which ones would do well with the travel and in the exchange. She did not know the future of the chosen few and thus the decision was made with great care. She picked an older one, not yet passed his prime but with experience, the other two were still young beasts. One seemed to be a troublemaker, a climber and a constant chewer. The other, milder and perhaps a bit too docile to claim to have all her whit’s about her. But the group, two feys and a male, looked sturdy, sized well and hearty in health.

Anu walked beside her son, his red coat blazing brightly in contrast with her silvers and grays that so easily melted into the winter background. She wore nothing around her form, the winter’s hold no longer strongly gripped upon the lands. Spring was lingering in the power shine of the sun’s raze, warming her face as she walked. Oak, wore a thick belt with his dagger attached. She had told him to leave it at home, but the male spoke of the dangers in the unclaimed territory. Two travelers with livestock were easy and exposed targets.


She tended to the goats’ leashes, and her son carried the sapling and it’s root ball. It was the most delicate of creatures they carried with them. Anu had prepared it for the trip as a mother may her nursing pups. Careful son. She spoke once again to the male would moved the plant from one arm to the next. Her tone filled with a soft sounding caution.


The relayed conversation replayed in her mind once again. The leader of Inferni had spoken to Oak at the Winter Festival about their livestock, briefly but in detail. For sometime Anu had been looking for a beast that could till the fields beside the old windmill, and she hoped that the coyote clan would be willing to make the trade.


Once they came to the borders, Anu looked out the stakes beside her in the far distance. She knew this area, a place she had come before, and knew where to go to avoid meeting the skulls face to decaying face. Oak seemed uneasy, traveling with her simply because she asked him to and not to visit but merely to fulfill the trade or an agreement and depart. It was not a place he was fond of, and Anu suspected he regretted telling her of the conversation with the coyote slightly. Regardless, Anu tipped her head back and let forth a call. In the seconds before she felt a true sense of nostalgia, and almost yearned for Gabriel and spoke his name in the howl’s cords. But she regained her composure, and reached out to another Aquila

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#2
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(400) The pony doesn't have a name, but he looks like this guy. :>



One of the extended trades from the Festival had been a long time coming. Ezekiel had known it would take time to secure the pony, but it had been longer than he had expected. The recent trauma of Columbine’s attack still hung with him, but he had dove headfirst back into the tasks at hand. His mind allowed for this pattern to take control—duty first, and anything that came after fell to the wayside. When Halo had tried to kill him it had been more personal; he could not fathom Columbine’s motives for a blood feud.

He had only had the pony for a week, having traded several of the ewes to a man passing out of Nova Scotia. The stranger, some sort of dog hybrid, had expressed interest in the herd when Ezekiel had been riding north. They spoke at length and after suggesting his need for a plow pony, the man had offered to bring one back. It had been a few days before the man had returned, but he had been true to his word. A stocky, light-footed red and white stallion who was remarkably friendly. This pleased Ezekiel, who had been unsure of the red wolf’s (Oak his name had been) competence with horses.

Ezekiel had fashioned a lead from scrap leather and kept the pony in an extra stall. For three ewes and a ram the Aquila certainly felt as if he was getting the better half of the bargain. Sheep they could breed; the singular goat was useless, but he was excited for the prospect of more. Thus, when an unfamiliar voice rose at the borders, he was quick to gather up the pony and the small bag.

The coyote moved with easy speed, the pony at his side. He almost regretted trading away the friendly thing, but a deal was a deal. Spring was coming soon, and Myrika had been excitedly speaking of the coming of foals. This too was an exciting prospect, and Ezekiel looked forward to the coming spring. He neared the borders and spotted a rather amusing sight; a mother and son leading three goats and carrying a tree. A broad smile cracked across his scarred face, and he hailed them with a coyote’s yip.

As they neared, he slowed and gave Oak a nod before looking to Anu. “I hope the journey wasn’t too hard,” he said, though they hardly looked worse for wear.

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#3
[html]omg he's adorable. eventually he will be called some awesome plant name... XD

It was there that they waited, along the Inferni border and away from the dead heads. Oak sat on the ground, the sapling beside him and Anu stood. She was diligent, watching the horizon and waited for the beast that would greet them. She was certain that he would not look like Gabriel, Oak had told her his description, but in her mind she had gathered pieces of the past Aquila and formed a son that had his features.


The wind brought them his scent, and gathering up what they had brought Anu and her son walked further into Inferni’s claimed landscape. He was near, and it was a coy-ish call that caused the Dreaming leader to turn and face the burnt gold and bronze male. He was different then what Anu had thought. Yet she was pleased that he had come to meeting them, and smiled as he approached.


Oak returned the nod, but stood a step behind his mother. She was the Dreamer that would make this deal, as she was the Praetor and respect for rank would be upheld even beyond their pack lands. I have made it many times before. Anu spoke with a nod. I thank you for your time and effort Ezekiel. She looked at the horse that he held at the end of the leather rope. He was small, tiny compared to Alder’s Shire. But he brought her a amused smile, and she could see the calmness in his eyes. Facing the Infernian once again, My name is Anu, Praetor or second in command of Crimson Dreams. And you know my son Oak…

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#4
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The pony kept his time with Ezekiel, so when the Aquila slowed he did as well, dropping a shaggy head to graze at the frost-bitten ground. It was apparent he had chosen the beast for his temperament, even to an untrained eye—the casual behavior around two strange and unfamiliar predators spoke of his domesticity.

Her name was a familiar one, for it had been responsible for the wolf that had spent only a few days within the lands before his departure. Gabriel had wished to allow him in, and he had not denied his father such a request. Amber eyes trailed to the red colored wolf, knowing him now for his bloodline and wondering how the other brother, Cypress, faired. They dropped back to the pale woman, whom he now saw had been the cause for blue eyes within his half-brothers.

“I hope your journey back will be an easy one as well,” he said, though was careful not to offer refuge. He could not bring two wolves within the borders, even if they were here to trade. “You’ll find the pony,” a nod of the head was given to the reddish beast. “Easy enough to work with; a pup could guide him.” One red hand shrugged off the small bag around his shoulder, which he presented to her. “I hope that these will grow to serve you as they do Inferni.”

It was a gesture that they had previously decided upon; by giving living things like plants, the bond between their packs would be recalled with each season. With no quarrel between them it was a symbolic way to keep this neutrality (for it was not a true alliance) in their thoughts.

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#5
[html] I named him Englemann :3

In her time Anu had seen many different horses. Some flared their nostrils and gave a crazed look to any that wished to come near, others poked at a wolf with curiosity, yet this one was more interested in the nubs of grass then anything the Dreamers had to offer it. He was just what the pack needed. Indeed some members had their own horses, but the pack did not have a caretaker for a communal animal such as this; one to train and break him. But Ezekiel explained that any one of their members, experienced or not, would be able to take this pony’s lead.


The woman nodded, watching the golden and red coyote present the plants to her. Her smile softened, and she gestured for her son to move forward with the apple sapling. This tree will bare fruit this summer. And in the years to come it’s branches can produce many saplings. The apple tree was something that Anu held closely to her heart. It connected her with her heritage, her father and with her pack. It was not easily seen but giving such a young tree to another was like sending her child away. The pain was so very familiar. If tended to. The older wolfess added.


Oak placed the root ball on the ground before the Inferni leader. Crimson Dreams would not trust another group blindly, as they had with AniWaya. The pack’s bond with the clan would be based on common impartial ground. Anu was happy with that. The red male returned to his mother and took the rope goat leads. Giving her a soft smile he brought them to the Aquila. The smaller female can chew through stone. Oak jested softly and with a smile.

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#6
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Haha, I love it. Wrap this up with a post or two?



With the rich soil of the forest close to their eastern borders, Ezekiel was certain the tree would grow well. The apples would be able to feed the horses, and likely attract further prey. He did not grasp the deeper meaning of the gift, but saw the sincerity in Anu’s eyes and appreciated her willingness to hand over something she held dear.

The red wolf brought forth the trio of goats. They were certainly an interesting looking group, and he was hopeful to make use of them. Myrika would be put in charge of the animals, as she was with most of these things, for their worth was not something he could fully develop. He extended his own hand, passing the lead of the pony to his half-brother, and gave a slight nod of approval. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind,” he replied, and looped the leads around one arm. “The pony will graze on grass, but I would suggest you make efforts to provide him extra food—especially before next winter.” He did not know that her other son was well-versed in animals and a likely source of information, but certainly didn’t want to send them off without words of advice.

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#7
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Anu could not rely on Alder to tend to the small stallion, and so Ezekiel’s words were precious to the inexperienced caretakers. The horse would help them rebuild the windmill, and in turn that structure would help mill grain for the pony’s own consumption. She hoped that by next winter they would have the stores they needed, and the red and white horse would not have to worry about snowy pastures.


With the exchange complete Oak moved back to his mother’s side with pony in tow. He followed with no protest, just as the Inferni coyote said he would. The pony nosed at Oak, investigating slowly and at a snail like pace, nibbling at his red hued coat. There was nothing interesting in the wolf’s pelt to eat and so he gave up after a soft moment. Thank you Ezekiel. Anu said lastly. There was little left for them to do other then return with the newest Dreaming member. Anu truly hoped that the sapling would survive, and put that faith in the arms of the Aquila and his followers.

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