The caravan moved along steadily, moving further and further from the Shiloh Hills and Anu. Although their trade mission had gone fairly well at Cour des Miracles the dark Knight was clearly put out by the news of Crimson Dreams’ disbandment. He was glad that Anu had been around to inform them of the news, easing his mind from his original thought of the pack coming to harm without him knowing. Still, he sat looking out the back of the caravan, his face thoughtful. Once they reached the tribe he would perk up but for now his thoughts were only of Crimson Dreams. Perhaps he should return to the Manor and collect some more of his instrument and jewelry collection that he had left behind, maybe even some furs from his old room if Ghita had not taken them to Italy with her.
They had stopped for a day of relaxation before heading out, having arrived at the old Dreamers land late in the day and rested near by. While others had spent the day relaxing by a fire or chatting Jazper had spent a fair amount of time wandering and leisurely hunting, bringing back the odd rabbit or mole for the others to munch on. He was happier now that they were back on the road and having had some time to reminisce over his old pack’s loss, but his mind was still pre-occupied.
Since they had stopped fairly close to the tribe it was only a short wait before the scent of the Aniwayian’s began to waft up into his nostrils and the horses came to a stop. Sliding from the back of the caravan the coal warrior made his way towards the Artisain leader. After you. He insisted with a nod of his head and a small smile, after all he had been the one to call for Anu and had started the call at the Court.
Biff sat in the front, but he was not currently in control of the reigns or of the wagon at all. The day was going to be ending soon and whilst he thought of napping some more he could not bring himself quite to do it. He had slept for most of the day, anyway, and especially with the coming night he began to feel a little more awake than usual. The coyote might not have been a full-blooded nocturnal animal anymore, but he still did very much enjoy the dark.
This trip had been a large learning experience for Biff. It wasn't the furthest he had ever traveled before in his life, but it was possibly the most interesting. He was seeing new packs, new faces, and new people along with their cultures – there was quite a community developing in this land, and the small guy couldn't help but feel a bit of glee about it all. After all his travels he had finally found a home and a place to call his home. Of course CDA was his home, now, but his mind was looking beyond them and out to all of their neighbors and other packs nearby. All of this was his home, every last inch of it, and he was beginning to love this place more and more with every new pack they visited.
At the stop in Cour des Miracles Biff had managed to stay somewhat out of sight and under the radar. He had been there to help do this and that, but for the most part left trading and talking up to the other members of the caravan. It might have seemed like he were shy or afraid, it was actually just his instincts and learned behavior that kept him on the outside edge of light, in the shadows, and away from the crowd or much conversation. It was just where the fellow had felt more comfortable, and that was how he had spent their stay in that location.
At this time the caravan was halted and the Sole was speaking with the Artisain leader. Biff's ears wandered into that direction to listen and see if he could pick anything up from the two, but he remained in his seat at the front of the wagon, waiting for a command or an instruction.
So wipe that smile off your face, Before it gets too late. There's only so much time. For you to make up your mind
Word Count :: 000 ooc
She was glad when they finally arrived at the borders of AniWaya; after her talk with Taliesin, which was comforting to her, and the tension that surrounded Jazper now that he knew that Crimson Dreams was gone forever, had created an odd mix for her. Coupled with some of the members' slight anxiety and she was all too happy to pull the reins on the horses, causing them to stop at the AniWayans' borders. She was aware of the jet black leader sliding down from the caravan and telling her to go ahead; not hesitating, she tilted her head up to the sky and let out an amiable and musical howl.
Certain that she wouldn't have to wait long for the leadership of AniWaya to come, she poked her head inside the caravan and let the members inside know that it was alright to let down the side wall to display their goods to trade. She was glad to have brought the two members she did; without Hotaru's level-headed yet kind personality and Taliesin's comforting ways, Skye was not sure she would have been as comfortable on the trip as she was. She then looked back out to the borders, wondering who would come to greet her; she knew that AniWaya had had a shift in leadership after the war that Cercatori d'Arte mercifully dodged, but she had never specifically met the new leader of the lands.
[/html]Claudius had been, as always, preparing his supplies for dyeing. Even after taking on his role as the Representative within the tribe, it was still his duty to fulfill his role as a Craftsman; now, an Equa Gatlvska. His heart swelled at the thought knowing that he had achieved so much when he had thought, once rightfully so, that he would never amount to anything. Even now, scouting the area for plants that he might collect for dyes, was calming and soothing and something he would have been unable to do when he was younger.
He had his satchel slung over one shoulder and was taking his time, examining the lands of AniWaya. He was most familiar with the southern parts since they were adjacent to his den, but he had ventured farther and farther east. It was still too soon to pick any plants, since they had only just begun to grow, but he had planted some a few weeks ago and was checking up on them to see that other animals had not yet devoured them. He wasn’t too proficient with planting in general, and since no one held a rank in the agricultural tier, he decided to re-plant the flowers where he’d found them. Perhaps they liked it there.
It was when he had bent down to examine one of these plants that he heard the howl. He didn’t recognize the wolf, but as Ulilohi’s right hand man, he would have to investigate it. He couldn’t just leave this to someone else now, after all; he had responsibilities.
He straightened up, pushed his satchel behind him, and then set off for the borders. Since he was already so far east, it only took him a few minutes before he found the visitors.
“Huh-hello,” he stammered, looking from one canine to the next. He didn’t recognize any of their scents. Who were they? What should he say? “I-I’m Cuh-Claudius… Aston. What… a-a-a-are yuh-you doing here?”[html]
He helped Myrddin down before the four month old boy could get down himself. He wondered if his sister Gemma still lived here. He assumed she did, she hadn't said anything about leaving. Sheba leapt down from her perch to his shoulder, then to the ground to nuzzle Myrddin again. The stuttering from the stranger of Aniwaya made Talk come forward. His talk with Skye had been relaxing to him, restoring some confidence in himself in a way.
He spoke, perhaps it was a bit out of turn, but he was sure the leaders would forgive him. "We're a caravan of traders, some of us from Cercatori D'Arte, some of us from Casa di Cavalieri. I'm Taliesin Dir Rhiannon, the Prottetore of D'Arte."
He had been listening to some of the others conduct business, and he also remembered the way that Bangle had spoken when trading, and he felt confident enough to attempt this himself. "You, my friend, look like a fellow who may be interested in herbs and the like, right? So am I. I have quite a bit to trade here with me, or my friends have their own goodies to trade. See something you like, just ask."
Aranck had been wanting to do something to spoil his grandniece for sometime but had no clue what he should do for her. There wasn't anything out of the ordinary for him to make or ask for from his fellow packmembers. So he was stuck with a want to gift Jiya but no way to do so, which made him slightly more irritable, but mostly toward Taga, who was used to his charge's mood swings.
But his prayers to the spirits seemed to be answered as a voice howled out about a bunch of traders. That meant he could get his grandniece something pretty. If he was a bit younger and knew how to do so, he would have done a jig. But as it were, he simply took some various herbs as well as some dried tobacco and put it in a simple leather bag that he made a few days ago, grabbed his walking stick, and headed towards the howl.
He arrived as a white male explained who they were and that he had herbs to trade. Aranck ignored that since he had herbs that he was going to trade for something else and walked along the caravan, looking for something that caught his eye for his niece. He then saw a few greenish duck feathers and knew that she would like them. He asked the person nearby, "Would you be willing to part with some of those duck feathers for some herbs and tobacco?" His eyes glittered with excitement at the thought of his niece's excitement at the feathers.
Trading, trading, trading. It hadn't been as much fun as he had thought, but hey- at least he could do some travelling. It had been more fun from his little shop back in Sabini, where he could stay in one place comfortably. It wasn't that he didn't like moving around- he just hated being cold so much, and he never got the chance to take a bath. That was the great bane of travelling.
Sebastian helped to set up the wares and all the rest, arranging his own paintings and paper neatly as he tugged on his pink-red shirt. He was already clad in his jeans, so no worries there.
Ah, and already he had a customer. "Herbs, you say?" Sebastian had no interest in tobacco, but he knew plenty of people who did. The duck feathers were certainly very pretty, and could make a good trade. Sebastian grinned cheekily up at the taller male. "What sort of herbs?" There was, after all, quite a variety. He knew absolutely nothing about herbs himself, but he didn't have to let this handsome stranger know that.
When a melodious howl reached the medic's ears, the natural curiosity that remained as a trait to those of her species led her to poke her head out of a window, trying to spot something that was too far in the distance to be seen. However, feeling a warm familiarity towards the voice, she gathered her satchel, which was currently stacked with a few random herbs from her stores, and exited the rough structure that served as her home. As she headed towards the borders, and not without some effort, she could attach a name and a face to the mysterious voice. Skye Collins, leader of Cercatori d' Arte, who had received two of her injured pack mates and sheltered them from the shadows that teemed in her homelands. She was still thankful for that benevolent action, so, as she passed by the stables, she grabbed a few pieces of corn from the dwindling reserves to handsel to her. They'd have to do something about that. But first what goes first. Meeting the foreigner leader.
Loyal to her ways, Mihewi climbed on her cargo's shoulder before departing, but, apart from a complaint about Luna forgetting about her, she remained silent most of the way. It wasn't until the caravans came to view that the weasel opened her eyes wide, and asked about the stranger's identities. Still guarded from the visitor's eyes by the distance, she turned towards the spirit guide. "The redhead female is from a neighboring pack, Cercatori d' Arte, and the ones who accompany her...I don't recognize." She grimaced at the other group, especially at the big, black male with a yellow mark around his eye, trying to recognize him. "They must be acquainted." But her ponders did not last long, for she was eager to make an act of presence before the Artisian's leader and the other AniWayans already there. "Osiyo" She said, waving a hand at everybody. It came to her ears that the caravans had visited the tribe to trade, and it didn't escape to her either the possibility of acquiring new items.
"Skye." She called, eyeing the brown-eyed woman with something more than camaraderie. Maybe she didn't remember her at all. "Do you remember me?" She was aware that her demeanor was much different from the one that she had had the last time that she visited her pack. Then she had been tired, frustrated, sleepy, but over all, sad. Now she was her normal self, chirpy, joyful, maybe a little bit loud, but still friendly. Her eyes moved from the redhead in a moment of distraction, and the wagon and the rest of the wolves diverted her attention for a minute, before going back to the reunion. However, not wishing to push the real business away, she focused on requesting a glimpse of the products displayed by the traders. "May I see what you have brought? It looks that there are some interesting things in there." She smiled, eyeing the wagons expectantly.
I am a vision, I am justice, Never thought that I could love. Living in shadows, Fading existence, It was never good enough
Word Count :: 000 ooc
She stood by idly as her call was answered by a white man with a slight stutter; as Taliesin answered his questions as to who they were and what they were doing there, Skye saw and scented more AniWayans arriving. She grinned; not only was the trading good for business (as they had gained quite a few valuables from the trades thus far), but it was good for the pack name as well - the more people who knew about Cercatori d'Arte and what they stood for, the better.
Several AniWayans came to the Casa di Cavalier members, and so Skye stood by her section of the caravan with d'Arte's various goods and livestock. Before she could go search for an AniWayan to trade with, however, a familiar brown female with green eyes approached her. Skye smiled widely - it was Luna, the female who had once sought refuge in Cercatori d'Arte when AniWaya was experiencing conflict.
"I do indeed, Luna!" she exclaimed jovially. "How are things in AniWaya?" She then grinned even wider as the girl asked to see what she brought - without further speaking, she stood aside to show her the plethora of items that the d'Artisan pack had brought along with them in their large caravan.
Over the course of their trip, Hotaru had managed to get used to the wagon. Although she still became motion sick whenever the cart moved and her stomach lurched as it swayed, the feeling wasn't as strong as it was when they had first started out. She still did her best to hide her discomfort, although it was clear that her facade had not fooled Taliesin. The blind female was grateful for his support, and she quit enjoyed talking to his son.
Whenever the caravan stopped for rest, Hotaru was able to surpass her feeling of discomfort and she became more talkative. She also took delight the small meal that the other pack's alpha had provided them. The grey wolf wasn't in any way a social butterfly, but she enjoyed her time in the caravan despite the uncomfortable mode of travel.
As they group of trader's approached the other packs boarders, Hotaru raised her snout up and took quick sniffs of the air. She recognized the pack's smell and realized that she had been at their boarder's once before. A host of memories flooded her mind, and her emotions raged from anger, to sadness, to embarrassment. Her ears flicked back, the only show of emotional discomfort she gave and said nothing. Rather, she stepped out of the wagon after everyone else had left and helped to set up the trading booths. Several canines arrived, but none of them were the males she dreaded to meet. One female appeared to know Sky and they traded friendly words while the others began to trade. Hotaru simply stood off to the side and waited to see if anyone would need her help while her fingers drummed against the staff's handle. She really hoped no one she knew would show up.
The old man didn’t have to wait long before he was answered. His observant eyes took in the man that was colored very similarly to a fox. Aranck could also tell that he had some sort of accent but was unsure from where. The Great Tribe didn’t interact with too many foreigners so telling where a person was from was still rather new to the teacher.
He nodded in reply to the man's question. At what sort of herbs he had, he grinned. "I have some Aloe Vera, Sweet Gale, Fennel, and St. John's Wort. Aloe Vera is good for healing wounds and helps sooth burns, Sweet Gale is good for things like stomachaches and fever, and Fennel can be used for cooking. It also is used for reducing bloating. St. John's Wort is good for helping moods." He knew this from not only his own experience as a healer back in the Great Tribe but also from Luna.
His light blue, nearly white, eyes gazed at this red and white male. "What do you say, young man? These herbs and tobacco is a good trade for those duck feathers?" He knew that his niece would be pleased with his present for her. He would however likely need to help her do whatever she wanted done with them but he was happy to do it for her.
[/html]Claudius watched as the different traders emerged from the woods and he took his time to look over each and every one of them. He didn’t recognize any of them, which, he supposed made sense; he hadn’t ventured very far from AniWaya and when he had, it had been to visit Terra. He noticed one wolf, a white one with a child, approach him. It seemed as though he was not the leader because he glanced over at one of them, a yellowish wolf, before he spoke up. Claudius nodded in response as he tried to take it all in. He recognized the name Cercatori d’Arte because it was the pack that inhabited a part of Dahlia de Mai’s old territory. The other pack, Casa di Cavalieri, was the one his mother said had taken her in after her tussle with a pack. He wasn’t sure if one of them was the so-called Jazper Rhiannon--and he wasn’t sure if he was ready to meet him, either.
The wolf continued speaking and asked whether Claudius liked herbs. Claudius was immediately put aback when the wolf guessed correctly. Maybe he was surprised that the wolf was right or maybe Claudius just didn’t like others making assumptions about him, but he withdrew into himself and glanced away for a moment. He didn’t like others being so forward; it unnerved him. But when the white wolf stepped back to let him look at what they had to offer, Claudius nodded meekly and took a step forward, returning to where he had originally been standing. He slowly walked toward the caravan and began to inspect the wares for sale. He glanced from one item to the next, noticing there was some wood that could be used for building, a few pieces of jewelry, some art supplies, and a few books. There were some plants he didn’t recognize, but he was too hesitant to speak up and ask about it. Instead, he continued to browse, hoping that he would be able to just figure it out on his own. He continued to glance over what they had to offer when he overheard another wolf, presumably not of the same pack, who inquired about the wolf’s herbs. He kept his ear tilted to the other wolf to hear how the first one responded as he weighed a hammer in his hand and then replaced it.
As he turned to talk to the white wolf, he heard another tribesmember approach. Luna approached and then greeted the yellowish wolf--Skye, he heard her say--who appeared to know Luna. Claudius heard Skye ask Luna how AniWaya fared and Claudius wondered if she meant since the war was over. Somewhat ashamed of the tribes’ sordid history, he turned away to immerse himself in trading instead of eavesdropping on conversations. He returned his gaze to the white wolf who’d originally greeted him, and with a certain amount of reluctance, spoke up.
“I-I do-do nee-eed mo-o-ore tools-- fo-o-or wood ca-a-arving and cra-a-aftsmen...ship... as well a-a-a-s... for dyes... do-o you ha-a-ave anythi-i-i-ing o-of the s-o-ort? A ca-a-a-rving knife... and a b-b-b-bo-ow and a-a-arr-o-ow,” he added impulsively. He had never considered it until now, but he should probably find some sort of weapon with which to defend himself--if he could learn how to use it. He hadn’t intended to ask about a bow and arrow, but it had kind of just... slipped out.[html]
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