A momentary retreat
#1
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14.09.2012. Midday-ish? Secui. Southern point of the Grand Lake. 512 words


Life had become complicated in a frantically hopeful way since Saul had diagnosed Grace as pregnant. They were ecstatic to be having pups, but he couldn't escape the worry and fear that passed over Grace's face everytime she thought he wasn't looking. He knew she would be a brilliant mother, but she seemed to doubt herself constantly. In an outburst she yelled at him that she would be a horrible mother as she was rude, cynical and used insults as compliments. Niernan had only shaken his head and lifted his eyes to hers, uttering the fatal phrase that had got him kicked out of his own house; But those are the reasons I fell in love with you. It seemed she hadn't accepted that as valid and had screamed that he was an idiot.

He had wandered around Jordheim for a bit, hoping for one of his fellow Vinattans to entertain him, he had eventually gone on a patrol. His large paws puffing up small dust clouds as his secui body hurtled through the trees. The glint of the lake caught his eye and he pulled his pace, trotting gently over to the waters edge, allowing the cool liquid to play at his toes. He enjoyed the feeling of the clean water on his toes intensely, it felt like that one little part of his body was being cleaned, all worry and tension wiped away. He slowly walked into the water, more and more of his body sinking into the calming lake as he moved forward till eventually he could no longer touch the bottom and had to paddle to keep afloat. He swam out deeper, taking a diagonal line to swim to a part where he would still have to float. He knew that he was now approaching Sangi'lak's side of the neutral grounds and after Shiloh's little experience with one of the Nomads he wasn't sure if he wanted to meet any of them or not. He was pretty sure that if he'd met the guy who threatened an innocent dog girl and his cousin he would have happily unleashed some of his pent up fury on him, but as it was Nier was more than happy to be his peaceful, charming Irish self at that moment in time. He was too busy revelling in the coolness of the cleansing waters.

He took a deep breath and plunged his head under the water, using his strong legs to push him down to the lake bottom for the briefest of moments before he bobbed up to the surface again, taking in a deep breath as his muzzle broke the water. He resolved that he would have to take more dips in the lake as this felt amazing; all the worry about Grace falling out of love with him, about her rejecting their pups, about if their relationship was going to survive this pregnancy or not, were all washed away. His shoulders were finally relaxed and the Frithr necklace around his throat no longer felt constricting or like a noose. He felt amazingly free.


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#2
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ooc:

Water. The source of life and the means to maintain it. And instinct demanded she take from it again and again. The amount of travel it took to descend the mountain to the Aldarto’K and back again, she might as well have travelled to Freetown and back no less than three times now. Her limbs began to ache after some time as if her very bones were under strain though she did not externally feel so different. It was by her habits that she felt the transition, now a good handful of weeks after the end of her season that the physical bond forged between the wolves of Sangi’lak and New Dawn. And of course, that fateful moment that sealed the Nomad lovers together.

Regardless of the growing pain and irritable habits undertaken involuntarily, the female had allowed herself to hope for the best. Anticipating that seed of life had taken root within her and from her patience and labor, new life would breathe the air of this world with lungs she helped create. Such a splendid hope would be the liberation from the tedious act of descending and climbing the mountain each and every day. Time and time again. That hope that life grew within her would give her the strength that was seemingly draining from her.

Having felt this constant loss of energy, the Issor had taken to increasing her exercises. Adopting whatever form she could manage to accommodate her day’s training until even the shift of muscle and bone so familiar to her became utterly painful after only a short period of time. As if the body were telling her to procure a single form and maintain it, she allowed her form to change less and less and eventually settled on the four monstrous limbs of the halfling form; swift enough to move with some of agility on four legs, but dexterous enough to still use the large digits to some degree. And she was quite glad for it, holding onto the body for strength more and more as she found it better catered to her repetitious act of gobbling water by making the trek that much shorter.

But this day when she was stirred again for the call for more water, she made the walk alone in record time but was not alone when reaching the glittering source of life. The scent of the eastern pack hung unpleasantly in the air, turning her nose away into her own pelt to recollect the scent of home before attempting to venture further. She turned her head back then with eyes wide, searching for the source of the scent mingling that with purity of the lake. Where were they? Was it one? Was it more? From the ground she was unable to see, but had there been eyes above…

Immediately, the Nomad raised her voice to call for her gleaming black and gold companion, beaconing that he be her eyes within the heavens to spy down on the earth and those that wandered it. The appearance of winged death was swift and quiet with only the gliding spot of black within a clear blue sky to mark its presence. Her companion hovered high, riding the zephyrs of the autumn wide with sharp eyes turned toward the ground searching for something beyond the gold shape lingering by the lake. And when he did speak, it was of something dark… something within the water. A head… a wolf head alive and moving to the edge. Stout ears came to immediate attention, folding forward to receive the sounds of churning water whilst her eyes glance across the crystal surface to follow its ripples. Her thirst was momentarily forgotten.


616 words.



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#3
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388 words.


The howl that erupted from the edge of the lake startled him, his ears swivelled to catch the fading echoes, the tones unfamiliar to him. He knew that this wolf was not of Vinatta and that worried him slightly. It wasn't as if he was in the wrong so an attack would be unprecedented, but if he was attacked he could certainly defend himself. He paddled around and raised his head from the water to train his cerulean gaze on the shore and the large golden wolf that stood there. He felt a thrill of anxiety shudder through his body and he started to paddle back to land, making sure that he was definitely closer to his home pack.

Water poured from his thick fur as he hauled himself out of the lake, the shadow and earth coloured coat almost flat against his body. He ensured that he was a fair distance from the stranger before he shook out his fur, water flying in all directions and setting his coat in soft spikes. His sense of smell was dulled by the water that he had immersed himself in, the lake water and his own wet fur shrouding his olfactory abilities. It didn't stop him snuffling in the strangers direction, trying to at least catch the tiniest hint of who she was. He could feel his shoulders tensing up as he failed to gather a scent and he decided to make a show of being unconcerned, knowing that body language was a strong indicator in how a meeting would progress. He sat down on the sparse grass and tucked his tail into his side, his ears swivelled forward and he flicked his eyes to hers momentarily before settling his gaze on her ear. He hoped that she recognised that he was being polite, really not wanting to offend anyone and spark off a dispute where it wasn't needed.

He let a small smile touch his muzzle and he bowed his head slightly without taking his eyes off of the stranger at all, I'm sorry to disturb your afternoon, I hadn't thought anybody would be at the lake today. I'm Niernan Stormbringer, Vald of Vinatta. May I know your name? His Irish tones were friendly and mildly apologetic, he sat quietly, his smile lingering on his lips as he awaited her answer.


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#4
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ooc:

Wolf on land. The cries of her companion reached down, pulling her eyes toward the sky in the direction of the bird’s fluid movements. The Nomad’s brows creased with interest then let her gaze return to the ground again to seek the Vinattan that bordered the lake. Her companion’s attempt at direction was terribly flawed as the pair had yet to cover them in their lessons. He kept speaking of movements up…then down again…then up…to the side. No doubt his attempt to following the movements, letting her know that the wolf was nearing, but in her frustration she simply called for the bird to descend and protect observe what he could from her shoulder as well as provide some kind of protection.

In retracing her companion’s flight she could see now the emergence of a dark form coming nearer then seated himself along her path. The Nomad was not so quick to halt her advance despite the clenching talons of her companion sinking into her shoulder. A trail of red followed her steps as blood would follow the steps of a wounded beast. A continuous bleeding from her crown adorned with the vulture’s feathers and those of her tawny owl companions. Within were tangled the late blossoms of summer and some of the hardier flora of the autumn, mirroring the hues of the Nomad’s own coloring; gold and umber as the leaves were taken by the early chill, coupled with rich red and faded orange.

The visual procession of summer to autumn was brought to a halt by mere words uttered innocently by what she assumed to be the Vinattan wolf. And she needn’t ask, though she had no intention of doing so, as the answer to the unspoken was given…rather kindly. Odd. Resuming her advance, she stepped cautiously around the dark male, noting his size as smaller than her own but saw no reason to make a show of it. His posture had earned him that courtesy of neutrality from his neighboring pack’s Alpha. As well as her curiosity.

“And what is a Vald of Vinatta?” she inquired evenly in the midst of her inspection. The berth of her circle remained at a comfortable distance but began to close as she rounded to stand in front of him again. “The way you all address yourselves? Or is it meant to hold significance within your ranks?” For on these neutral grounds, it meant nothing to her.

406 words.



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#5
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449 words


The strange call of a bird caught his attention for the briefest of moments and he looked to the skies, a large and odd looking bird circling down to land on the large gold and red woman. She seemed thoroughly unconcerned by this and he presumed that the bird was hers. She strolled towards him with an easy gait, her long red mane resting along her back, some tendrils even reaching the floor. The trailing of the red strands made Niernan think of free flowing blood, he repressed the shudder that had threatened to thrill down his spine. He instead focussed on the flowers that adorned her mane, the odd feather added into the mix as well. The overall effect of the females colours gave an impression of autumn, very appropriate for the changing season. If the Irish Stormbringer hadn't already found the love of his life he would have appreciated the visage of the stranger more, but as it was he admitted that she was attractive, but didn't dwell more on the thought.

The woman paused as he spoke, he didn't think that he had said anything all that shocking, in fact he thought that he had been incredibly polite considering the situation. He was mildly puzzled, but as she resumed her advance he quelled the confusion, allowing his cerulean eyes to follow her movements. She started to circle him, giving him a wide enough berth to show that the action was not a threat, but he still felt like he was being sized up by a predator. It was during her slow circle that he noticed that she was noticeably bigger than him. Her voice came when she was halfway around him, he flicked his ears back and he had to forcibly remind himself that those outside of Vinatta would not understand the packs ranking system. He was unsure of whether her question was born of genuine curiosity or if she meant to subtly insult him and Vinatta. He waited until she had come full circle and was in front of him again to answer her query, The rank of Vald is awarded to those who have shown dedication and skill in the tasks of scouting and hunting. He flicked his ears forwards again, his head cocking to the side slightly, May I know your name so I may address you? He asked again, retaining the polite and friendly tone. He was unsure of how long it would stay that way, this manner of speaking was kind of hard for him. He was much more used to being able to converse in strong Irish tones with his brothers, or to using slang and colloquialisms with the other Vinattans.


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#6
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ooc:

Either the Vinattan was oblivious to her scent or he was very good at concealing his care. Whichever was the case had the Nomad slightly unnerved but with little more than a flick of her tail as the tell to this. Now given his place within his pack, she would look to him with a curious cant of her auburn crown, hardly a show of respect but more an act of acknowledgement given the accomplishment it took to be recognized. “I suppose then you will give our Evan’ules competition in the hunt…” she replied smoothly, thinking of Sira and her chosen companion rapidly working her way towards the desired rank. “But hopefully not to the point of interfering.”

Though her gaze had looked beyond the male to his land that stretched beyond the lake, the piercing gaze of the vulture lingered on him, taking his handler’s role in observing him until they returned to him. For the second time he asked for her name and a small turn of her lips came as his immediate reply, followed by, after some consideration, her title within the Family. “Issor…or Shepard. It’s meaning is for those that are the head of a Family. Its Alpha…” she lowered her head in a brief show of humility before righting her head to its former proud height. “I’m afraid if you want my actual name, you would have to inquire about it with Saul. Unless the passage of time has caused him to forget me.”

Upon her shoulder, the talons of the vulture slipped through her golden fur to graze flesh. The bird because anxious sensing the quiet disdain of his handler. He shifted from one leg to the other and flexed his wings but never spanned them. He waited and watched with a practiced degree of patience. Waiting for something and nothing at all just the same. “But you have the name Stormbringer,” the vulture turned with the female spoke again. “Does that mean you are related to him? A brother perhaps…”

337 words.



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#7
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733 words


Niernan couldn't help flicking his eyes to the bird perched on the wolfs shoulder, it really was unfamiliar to him and he itched to ask all about it. Yet, he knew what he became like when wildlife was involved and he didn't want to break his almost stony façade of politeness and manners. He withheld his enthusiasm and flicked his cerulean eyes to the golden wolfess's shoulder. She nodded her head slowly to acknowledge his skill, and he felt pride pulling at his chest. He squashed that emotion as well, only now, as the lake water smell lost its hold on his nose and he scented the other wolfs pack scent for the first time. Hackles and growls were controlled and suppressed with an iron will as the scent of Sangi'lak permeated the air between him and the other.

He was distracted from his control over his bodies reactions when she spoke and suggested that he would interfere with her packs hunts. That raised his hackles and made his tail twitch, his face contorted into one of shock and horror before settling on disgusted. I would never even dream of interfering with another creatures hunt. That is entirely dishonourable! He shook his head slowly, disbelieving that such a thing could be suggested. He and Vinatta had enough self respect to provide for themselves and not steal kills from others.

The piercing gaze of the odd bird rested on him as the wolfess switched her gaze to the forest that held his home. He flicked his eyes to meet those of the birds and found the sharp intelligence there a little unsettling. The bird suddenly looked away, his eyes scanning the environment and Niernan became momentarily disorientated, the voice of the wolfess bringing him back into the moment. She offered her title within her pack but not her name, he felt the tiniest of frowns crease his brow for a moment. He had no knowledge of Sangi'lak's idea of respect so he didn't know if not knowing each others names meant something in their pack. He found her refusal to give her name frustrating, the fact that she gave only her title meant that he would have to refer to her by that. He would have preferred it if he hadn't had to refer to her in the same way, perhaps lacking in tone and meaning, as her pack members. He actually found the situation rather distasteful, but with no other means of naming her he would have to use her title.

His ears pricked then, Sauls name falling from her lips. He could not recall Saul ever mentioning this woman, but then he remembered that when Saul and Lilin had returned from the discussion with the Sangi'lak emissaries neither had mentioned a female, only a black male and a scruffy looking and somewhat hostile wolf. He resolved to ask his leader about this wolf when he returned, he had promised his cousin some personal time, it seemed a good enough conversation starter. He allowed the mention of his leader and his plans for later to slip to the back of his mind, refocussing on the meeting at hand. He wasn't sure but he thought he could sense disapproval or some similar negative emotion coming from the Issor and he felt his shoulders tense. His eyes flicked to the bird again, the tightening of its grasp on its master and the fidgety wings did not go unnoticed by Niernan and that made him a little nervous. If the bird was tense his master was tense and he did not want this meeting to escalate into something more.

She spoke again, calmly and quietly, as if her emotions didn't even touch the surface. She asked about his name and relations and he felt his chest swell, pride at being a Stormbringer filling him. I am a Stormbringer and I am related to my Virding, Saul. We are cousins by blood, but brothers by bond. He paused for a moment before adding a little more on his family, The Stormbringers are many and we are soon to be more. He didn't want to reveal pack knowledge and news to this rival pack leader, but the happiness he felt at pups being born into the pack made his tongue loosen. He cursed himself internally after saying it, but was glad that he had not revealed all that much with his words.


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#8
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ooc:

Her own rules were being tested here and now, but such was the privilege of a leader to her people. Should the situation escalate to something undesirable then it could be said the fault was her own, sparing the Nomads of the consequences or having to smooth a situation between left in chaos. If only to exhibit to consequence that came from being shown hostility rather than cooperation. The Nomad collective had made enemies in their lifetime, some conflicts she witnessed in her youth before leaving. What was one more gained on different soil? A smirk gently pulled at the Shepard’s lips then formed into a full-fledged smile as she spied the hackles rising along his back. Presumably he had an idea of who she was now…or at least where she hailed from. Why it took him so long before, she could not bother to investigate.

“You are correct,” she agreed with his exasperated comment. “It would be dishonorable, but so is spitting on the face of peace to assert a child’s superiority. Wouldn’t you agree? Niernan, Vald of Vinatta?” There was hardly an inflexion to her voice, little more than the subtle creak of her voice with every breath telling of its thirst yet to be quenched. But she could wait to drink, at least for a little while longer. Just enough to finish her assessment then be done with the Vinattan hunter. However, as if sensing her thoughts her feathered friend reached in and bothered her ear between his beak to gain her attention. Liquid… clear…moving. He could hear the strain in her voice, the dry inelegant grating that did not suit her at all. She growled softly to her companion, but obliged him none the less. Turning from this person of interest, she padded over to the edge of the lake and dipped her head to drink. With muzzle only glancing over the surface, she gathered the liquid in timed, even strokes, keeping her ears training on the wolf should he have something more to say.

But it was in his confirming his relation to Saul that she paused and looked at him whilst collecting the stray droplets of water clinging to her muzzle. A cousin? And that was supposed to be significant? If she had learned anything from the boy himself unless there was a direct line, a true mother to daughter, father to son connection, these ‘bonds’ meant nothing. They were not like Nomads. They knew nothing of bonds and what it took to keep them. But she curved her tongue and made it softer as she spoke to retain the air of calm though her ruffling companion was anything but. “Fascinating,” she growled evenly. “I do hope not all Stormbringers are as foolish as your child king and his playmate. And may the Ancestors grant some sense to their children…On that note.” Her ears perked up suddenly. “I hadn’t thought the boy was old enough to mate. It was not long ago he was looking to my lost mate as his father and me, his surrogate…trying to re-create the family his heart longed for…”


520 words.



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#9
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Finish with your next post? 753 words.


Niernan didn't like the way that this meeting was going, the Issor seemed to be far too calm and collected while he was feeling anxiety and anger thrill up and down his spine every few seconds. This feeling was founded when she smiled in response to the raising of his hackles, not a quietly accepting smile, but a knowing and smug one that unsettled him. He half wished that he hadn't come to the lake alone, that maybe he should have picked up Bran or one of the other members along the way. Yet he also knew that Bran was far too hot headed for this kind of careful discussion and probably would have started an all out war by now. Grace would probably have been worse, if she wasn't annoyed at him she probably would have verbally murdered the Issor and that wouldn't be any good either.

He felt a moment of relief when she claimed that he was correct, but within moments she was speaking again and he felt the worry crash back, fury flooding his veins as she brought up the 'peace talks' between Vinatta and Sangi'lak. From what Niernan had gathered the main issue was the proximity with which the Nomads had set up to Vinatta. He himself felt ill at ease with the other pack being so close, but if there were other reasons for Saul and Lilins refusal of friendship then he would back them, his faith in his Virdings was absolute. Quite frankly Niernan felt insulted by her assertion that Saul was a child, it was true that Saul, Lilin and himself were all still young at 2 years of age, but they were by no means children. He was confused as to why she thought of a fully grown wolf as a child, she didn't seem all that old herself, she had no obvious signs of age. He narrowed his eyes and felt his tail begin to flick in irritation, much the same way that his cats did. If Saul and Lilin made the decision against peace, as you put it, then I follow them. They would have had good reasons for doing so. He paused for a moment then, thinking through how he would say what he wanted to, but politely. I believe you are mistaken in calling Saul a child, I have found the man to be wise beyond his years. He is respected and loved.

His eyes widened as the female turned away from him, padding to the lake to quench a thirst that could be heard in her voice, the gentle croak of the dry throat hardly noticeable with the adrenaline fuelled blood pounding in his ears. It seemed that her bird had spurred her to drink as it had nibbled her ear with its beak and she had growled at it before moving away. He remained silent as she drank, the break allowing him time to try and calm himself down, but also to think about this meeting and where it might possibly go.

When her voice came again it had more growl to it, but still retained its calm. The bird on her shoulder was now much more fidgety and tense, displaying her inner emotions, he silently thanked the bird for broad casting these feelings, it made the conversation a little less disconcerting. Her words made him bristle, again naming his Virding a child, calling Lilin a 'playmate' and doubting Saul at every turn. He sat up as straight as he could, his tail now puffed up, hackles up and eyes burning with the cold fire of anger. Nier inhaled sharply before speaking, his Irish tones the harshest they had ever been in his lifetime, Well, you couldn't have been that great of a mother figure to him seeing as you know next to nothing about him. He didn't think it was a wise idea, insulting a females ability to be a mother, especially not after Grace's outburst that morning, but this wolfess was infuriating. He stood then, deciding to leave before this encounter became physically violent. Before he left he curled his lip is disgust as he spoke his parting words, You can keep your Ancestors, we have our own Gods. This meeting has been.... Educational. He said, excusing himself with a simple nod before loping away to his home forest. He hoped that she wouldn't follow or pursue a violent course of action, quite wanting to maintain his health and the stability of his home for the time being.


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#10
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ooc: Sure thing

The Nomad remained as she was; calm and collected with a bothered bird grating more determinedly at her shoulder. His talons roamed, inching deeper as her prior companions had done. A conditioning method to keep the beast calm as they sense the internal stirring rage with the delicate sense that gifted to all creatures. And she would be calm, her eyes trained on the young wolf to behold the reactions of her words. Her smile never wavered even as her own maternal methods were victim to insult. It was but a little more than a scratch to her pride, a smarting wound that healed as quickly as it was received then ignored as if it had never been.

“A loyal Vald, you are…” she praised the Vinattan for his unflinching dedication to his family. Dare she call it admirable, had she not firmly believed his allegiance was severely misplaced. “But if he is what you Vinattans consider ‘wise’ then the pack is both misguided and…disappointing. I had hoped at least one would have better sense…”

The atmosphere of the Aldarto’K had become charged with the friction of the colliding forcing, creating a delicious tension the Nomad hadn’t the pleasure to feel in some time. But even then, it was not the charge that would be the catalyst to violence. She could see this now as an experiment, a test of what words to do to the Vinattan spirit. And this far, she could safely anticipate and explosive reaction with the right added part.

“As for being a mother….well,” she continued smoothly, turning again to the lake as her parched tongue begged again to drink. “Even the dumbest creature can see when the youth is beyond their help. But at times they ignore that instinct, believing the influence to be that of compassion. But its true name is stupidity, forcing them to see within that lost cause what was never there. I must admit…I should thank Saul for allowing me to have that experience with him. It has taught me that those without potential should be left to the world far less pitying than I.”

And as the male’s hackles raised and his lips pulled further back, the Nomad just looked at him, her own posture calm with tail swaying leisurely along the shore of the lake. The small rock beneath turned and rolled following the direction conducted by her tail. Defenseless to her manipulations until they managed to roll free and slip into the water. “Niernan…Vald of Vinatta,” the woman’s smile then waned. “If the Ancestors could heed my words, I would pray to them that they bring sense to the lot of you through death and despair. But I am certain they will be with you. When they steal the lives of your…’many Stormbringers’, no doubt it will be because they are merciful to the young; taking their lives to live among their greatness rather than let them suffer under the ignorance of their parents. But yes…Stormbringer…this has been educational.” She returned the nod as the male turned toward home and loped off to perhaps retell this encounter with the Nomad Shepard. Whether he did or not was of little concern to her. What mattered was that the lake was hers again and at last, she could drink in peace.

551 words.



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