OOC: For Heath. @Ethereal Eclipse, not far from Shiloh Hills =)
The forest was dark, still. She liked that. What she didn't like was that she had now landed herself between four, maybe five packs that she knew nothing about. In a territory she knew nothing about. She had known what she might be getting into, that didn't mean she had to like it. She also didn't like the fact she had to make Rem carry everything. Sorry about that, Rem Anann cooed at the black draft stallion, as she began unloading the six packs loaded on his back. If he had any complaint he didn't show it as he munched happily on his oats.
Once she had the packs down. She opened one of them and pulled out a large elk skin. It had a fabric liner on the inside, but the outside had been treated with fats too be waterproof. Wrapped inside it was a thick bristle brush and a bone comb. Using the comb, Anann started pulling the clumps of snow out of the big draft's fetlocks, then taking the bristle brush and starting at his neck working her way back. She hummed softly, some tone she had never know the name of, if it had one. Starting on his withers, a nudge in the back told her it was time to get rid of the feed bag. Okay Rem, easy she said with a laugh. You love this thing when its full, but you can't stand it the moment its empty, can you She had moved to his head, taking off the bag. Touching noses briefly she gave him a kiss on the nose. Big Goof. Humming again, she picked up the brush and went back to her task. Her humming paused as she came to his ribs just starting to show through. The guilt got her every night. She hated it, the past few weeks she noticed the weight he'd been dropping. Finishing quickly she finished by putting on his elk skin blanket.
The little 'clearing' they had made there camp was small, and hardly a clearing. It was little more than a thick patch young evergreens that Anann had forced a dent into, which happened to be blocked more or less by sight by a second thick patch of evergreen. She had cleared out what little underbrush and snow off to the sides. It was enough bare earth for Rem to lay down, room for their packs and not much else, but it was a place to rest. Once Rem was blanketed and got laid down, Rem pulled out her own blanket from the same pack that had held Rem's her was a black bear pelt. Snuggling up to Rem She looking like black furry mass with a golden face sticking out. Better get some sleep Rem, its gonna be a long day tomorrow. With that she pulled the cork on a bottle she'd brought under the blankets with her. Taking a long pull from it. She let out a long sigh. Was this really the right thing to do? She took another drink, not as long as the last. She'd put the cork in it for now, it'd be dawn soon.
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sorry this took me so long to get to ><;;
The male had rolled out of his bed early, too early for even the sun to be up. Lips kissed the face of his mate, and he moved slowly as to not wake her. A small bit of restlessness clung to the male like the morning dew, and paws carried him over icy snow, out into the dark winter’s night air and towards the stables. It was not a long walk, and the run on four paws made the time and distance pass with ease. The noise of his charges called to him gently, whispering in their sleep or waking at his approach. Shifting at the stable door of Stark, Heath greeted him with a silent smile and nod. Preparing the stallion for a cool morning ride the Lord worked quickly, his thought drifting from his task only momentarily. Donning the garb that had been left in his old living quarters above in the stable loft the male mounted the horse and rode briskly into the dieing night.
North, the pale horse’s nose was pointed. Heath urged him at a steady pace and passed through the pack’s border before the Sun’s light could crest the treetops. He would stay away from the Crimson Dreams pack, weary of the group as always. Even meeting another from the pack, beyond the female that had kicked him out of the lands, had not changed his mind about them. Heath remembered the beating well, and could not forget that he had deserved it, and so he kept away from the border, mindful of the scents that spoke of another’s homelands.
The pair moved slowly though the brush and undergrowth. Heath even dismounted to guide the stallion over the uneven ground. Ears turned, taking in a rustling so soft that he wasn’t sure if it was simply his imagination or if there was a creature near by. The woods smelt of wolf as well as a lingering hint of coyote, but the unclaimed territory was one between many claimed and it was a common pass through. Hand holding on to the dappled white and gray he slowed to a stop, taking in his surrounding in case he was unknowingly in the company of a hostile.
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No worries =) Ive decided Rem is a Friesian 
Unable to see the stars from where she lay, it was impossible to say how long she laid their next to the snoozing Rem. His side moving rhythmically under her. She smiled weakly and took another pull from the bottle, bring it to bed had been a bad idea. Maybe all of this had been a bad idea. What had running away proved anyways? That Keese didn't really care? That she had only been a pawn of her father? What did it all mean, was anything true. Again she pulled the cork from the bottle. Pausing just before she reached her maw, there was hardly a 4th remaining in the bulb shaped bottle. Giving a growl of discontent, she threw the bottle gently, towards the bag from whence it came.
Staring out in the dark, She could feel her eyelids sliding down, as if a weight drew them shut. She fought them, briefly, and it all went black. As quickly as she fell asleep, she fell into dream. So it was not Anann that heard the approaching hoof beats running across the near by open plain, but Rem. The sound was but a faint whisper, but it was all it took to get the attention of the stallion. Eyes wide, head up, ears at attention. A soft nicker, whispered between his lips. It was far off yet. He looked down at Anann, asleep as sound as a young colt sunbathing. He tried snorting to wake her as the hoof beats grew closer. When that didn't work he blew in her ear, not wanting his snorts to alert whoever was coming. First she swatted him away, and when that didn't work she started giggling and squirming around. Stop it Keese,she mumbled. Getting frustrated Rem huffed. The hoof beats had long slowed to a walk, suddenly stopped. There was a rustling a short distance off, and the walk started again, slightly slower and with the rustling of another set of feet.
The Stallion's blood pulsed, his body growing tense. The scent of another stallion wafted into his nostrils, making them widen. He mangled to lay still, glancing down occasionally at the wolf at his side. Otherwise his head was up, ears tracking the foot steps, one ear swiveling, making sure no one else was approaching. The sound of hooves and paws came ever closer. Mere feet away Rem could take it no more, erupting upwards with a loud squeal the stallion charged out around the evergreens between them and whoever belonged to the footsteps. Anann had snapped awake at Rem's sudden move. Instinctively her hand wrapped in his mane and she pulled herself up on his back, getting centered before he landed his first lunge. It still knocked her silly. Coming around the evergreens he reared, front hooves racking the air. The bear pelt that had been wrapped around Anann flew behind her like a great cape, landing somewhere on the ground.
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oh pretty!
His curiosity had been peaked as the thoughts and whispers of war settled in his ears. At first acknowledgment the male had found it frightening, and thus sought ways to protect his loved ones (Ruri, the horses). Heath had not wanted anything to do with it, ready to separate himself from the packs in the midst of the conflict. But now Heath was tempted to steer towards the borders of Dahlia, investigate himself and learn what he could about their numbers or the sort of members guarding the lands. The group had not directly threatened his home, or that he knew of, but understood their leader to be hostile.
Eyes started out into the dim light, alert to anything that might pass before them as his ears searched for any sign of another lingering in the shadows. Though his mind was wandering, drifting off and his concentration lacked the sharpness that might have told him of the scents and the sounds he overlooked. It came forth like a giant crashing through the forest, bowling over trees as he went. The dark face led the large powerful body and cloaked rider out from the dense wood and right into the path of the Lord. Heath cursed, his voice showing his surprise he moved backwards.
Stark reared, pulling the the hand that held his lead upwards and almost yanking Heath off the ground. The coy-wolf moved him back, his front always facing their attacker. The feminine scent of an lone wolf wrapped around the familiar musk of the stallion. An anger rose in from his chest, the curse on his tongue rising in volume. Heath pulled the small knife from his denim jeans that he wore. The pale stallion rebounded from the fright and a hardened glare held in his gaze, sharper then anything the tame and placid horse had ever given. He took a forwarding step, and Heath pulled the led downwards to discourage him. Silently now, Heath waited small weapon in hand.
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Coming down from his rear, Rem landed hard and stiff legged. The stallion did it simply for show, Anann hated it when he did for all the jarring it caused. Flaring his nostrils and giving a nasty, snotty snort at the male canine. While giving a disapproving eyeat the horse in the creatures lead. hmph, coward, Rem thought at the other stallion's startled response and the fact he let himself be bridled. Rem allowed no creature to bridle or saddle him. No one dare own him. He choose his rider. The other horse seemed no threat, but Rem saw a glint of steel from the canine. He threw his head, and did his best 'I'll run your ass over if she gives me the word' prance.
Anann had yet to get all the pieces together, getting a sharp jolt out of the land. She jabbed Rem hard with her heel. Is THAT really necessary, Rem. She growled fiercely under her breathe, her head was swimming. She smelt him first, her eyes immediately locking hold on him, bring her crashing back into the here and now. Something in his stance told her he was armed, the horse behind him looked more spooked than anything. Anann sensed no immediate danger as the wolf before her seemed to be on the defensive at the moment. Rem had kept his left side turned away from the strange canine, keeping the blade strapped to Anann's thigh at of sight, a trick learned long ago. Her left arm setting inconspicuously on her leg, one quick movement and she'd have her blade in hand. Anann continued to act rattled over the blur of an entrance she had, still not completely sure what was going on exactly. Better to play the damsel, than to raise alarm. This was the kind of attention she had wanted to avoid.
Easy boy, easy She ran her hand along Rems neck, her hand under his mane. I'm afraid he's a bit protective. Are you harmed? Politics back home had taught Anann a thing or two about deception and misleading. Though she was only trying to defuse a situation before it grew out of hand. Careful not to act overly innocent, it'd all seem too suspicious if he noticed her blade or the fact she had no bit, bridle or saddle to ride with, and had done so from a dead sleep. She wanted to be a nobody, a ghost. No past, just a future. One of her own carving and no one else.
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Honey colored eyes looked at the ride and horse, his entire form tense and ready to fight or flee. Heath was not stupid, nor was he a coward. But bravery did not mean being tramples by a large horse, in unclaimed lands. If anyone should know the power of a stallion, seemingly untamed with no reins it was the Marshal. He looked wild, fierce and Heath held tight to his own steed. Stalk was passive, idle and seemingly thoughtless in his ways. It was why Heath had chosen the horse, for his obedient nature. Stark was normally the horse his blind mate rode, following the actions of his more wild and strong willed mare. It made riding together possible, and at the moment Heath stood before the horse in hopes of protecting him, knowing the other would certainly tear him apart and the loss would be far too great. How would he explain that to Ruri?
Finally the rider seemed to respond to the horse’s temperament, calling down to him. Heath shook his head slightly, wondering how she controlled the beast at all. It was a delicate relationship, between a wolf and their horse, but his trust would not be won with a simple question.
“No” His gruff voice sounded, eyes not leaving the rider nor the horse. Stark snorted softly, calming quickly as his easy going attitude allowed. Heath flicked the knife closed, though left it in his hand. The small blade was simply for everyday use, and Heath had never used it against another beast. Still, it was better then nothing.
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The click of a blade going shut and Anann could feel Rem relax underneath her. She rolled her eyes. He acted like an over-protective father. He always had. Sliding back on Rem, Anann swung her left leg over his neck, setting side saddle style on Rem. Plainly showing the blade she had hidden from view. It seemed things were starting to settle down now, though there was still an obvious tension in the air. You can pocket your blade, unless you think me dangerous? She raised a brow at the male, now taking in more of his features than before. A good looking fellow, a slight grin drew across her maw. A feminine scent lingered heavily on his fur. A mated man, she could only assume.
Anann had only be in the woods for a mere matter of hours. Still she had enough of an idea of the area to know that she was in a cross roads between several pack lands, the relations between these packs she could only guess. Placing a guess from his over all scent, You're from the pack lands to east, by south east aren't you? I'm not from around here, forgive me if I'm mistaken. He definitely didn't smell like the two pack lands she had already passed on her way into the woods. Looking briefly at the ground, then back to the dark gray male. She held out her hand, a questioning look on her face. Would he help her down?
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Honey colored eyes watched the female, her form moving to a different position on the horse, exposing the sword that no doubt gave her the confidence that stunk-up the air around them. Never did he stop reading the tension and the posture of the horse that she sat on for,
“It is not you that I find dangerous.” It was the horse that the Marshal was weary of, his mentality that of a stallion that Heath did not allow in the un-owned or named herd in the stables. Those had been weeded out of the stock Heath kept, set free to be as wild as they desired. Heath pocketed his small knife, knowing well it would do him little if the beat did desire to charge.
She spoke, drawing his gaze from the hoofed beast and back to her golden hued face. It seemed that she was traveler; obviously from her scent she had no affiliation to any of the established packs. But there were no fait hints, and Heath wondered if she had yet to meet another pack wolf, with no fresh or dead scents on her or the horse’s coats.
“I am, the pack south of here is Cour des Miracles. Its established along the coast.” He gave the information willingly, not allowing or the ‘I didn’t know’ excuse incase she thought about trespassing. His trust was not an easy thing to gain, even harder now that there was war in the air and he had much more to loose now a days.
Her hand rose, and the scarred male took a moment to decide if he would breach the icy tension that he had settled in. Heath stepped forward, watching the horse and moving slowly yet with assertiveness. An arm rose, colored black, and large paw grasped the hand that she presented.
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btw Rem is still wearing his blanket. Id forgotten bout it... Wrote this one my phone at work. Ill proof read when I get home XD
There was something in the way the dark hued male watched he companion that bothered her. She could understand why he was leery given the situation, but it almost seemed there was something more that had him on edge. Despite that she rather liked the stranger. Considering everything he had handled himself and his stead well. And a gentleman she thought as he offered his hand.
Rem kept a watchful eye on the strange canine, but otherwise stood still as he had approached. Anann took the hand offered, sliding down of the high back of the Friesian. The sudden movement sent a rush to her head, instantly reminding her of just how much she had drank. Hitting her feet slightly off balance despite the hand that guided her. She stumbled into the male. Their bodies pressed together briefly. Her other hand finding his shoulder to help gain her self balance. Sorry. she said rather weakly embarrassed by her lack of grace and wondering if the whiskey still lingered on her breath. For the first time she avoided the males eyes ashamed to be seen in her tipsy state.
Composing herself Anann put three steps between her and the male. She supposed she owed him some sort of explanation as her hand found the horse behind her, giving his shoulder a couple pats. Rem understood this signal and sauntered back towards their make shift camp but refusing to let Anann out of his sight still. Tensions still to high between the golden fem and the dark hued male for his liking. I assure you he means you no harm, he's just protective. she said with a slight smirk. I'd been in a bit of a drunk slumber. embarrassment edging into her voice. we slipped into this territory last night, been traveling north for probably a couple months now. Feelings of loneliness crept up on Anann now. Sure she had Rem for company but this was first time she'd been around her own kind in weeks. Name's Anann Kelevra. He's Rem. Would you mind staying awhile? Her gaze breaking from his as she nodded her head over her shoulder, towards Rem and her camp. I have some dried meat, unless you in a hurry to get somewhere of coarse.
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Golden eyes watched her, now that he was closer then before. Her molted pelt of golds and browns were easier to see, with the morning’s light dim and shadowed. His gaze rested on her face as she dismounted from the horse’s back, sliding off the blanket Heath could guess was worn for sleeping. He did not anticipate her little falter, finding the woman against him for a mere second as he tensed to hold the weight the rested on him. He said nothing in return to her apology, smelling the booze that clung to her breath now that they were so much closer then before. Her mouth creased into a frown, but not in complete disapproval, but in the want that rose in him. A bit of scotch might help drive the winter chill that had settled under his skin, though he knew it was best to stay away from it.
They stepped apart and the male felt his comfort begin to return, the tension in his shoulder relaxing. He knew better then to be so close to another female, a female that was not his mate. His relationship with Ruri was not new, but their commitment was fresh Heath was skittish at the thought of testing the boundaries. The male rebounded quickly and smoothly, nodding at her explanation. “I’m Heath.” There was very rarely an instance that he used anything more then his call name, and so he left it off. But, “This is Stark.” he gave with a finger pointing to the horse beside him.
He was unsure at first but as she invited him and offered a bit of breakfast Heath figured it wouldn’t be any harm. “Alright.” He agreed. With a quick motion Heath un-haltered the stallion and gave him a pat on the side to indicate that he was free to roam. Never had he ever worried about the pale horse coming when called, and he was sure the beast’s greatest desire was to find a bit of grass beneath the snow. Heath followed the female, “What makes you move north in this season?” He simply found it curious.
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yay I has table now!!! Feel so less-gimp now. XD
Pack wars mostly. She paused, stopping to pick up her bear pelt on their short walk to camp, only a few yards from where they had been. Plus, I tan hides. Craft things out of leather. Can't really do any tanning of that when its freezing so it made seemed to make sense. It was truth, just not all of it. Far, far from it. Feel free to sit anywhere, there's nothing you can hurt in the packs. She offered as she began rifling though one of her packs. Quickly she found what she was looking for pulling out a fair sized leather pouch, with a drawstring closure. Opening it she pulled out a strip of dried meat and tossed the pouch to Heath.
As for Rem, well I hadn't planned on him coming along. He just insisted on the matter. Pulling a piece of meat off the end of the strip she chewed it a momment. How do you folk winter your horses up here anyways? If you know of anyone that has spare grain or hay? Rem's started to lose weight here recently, I have a few things I can barter. It's the main reason I've stopped here to be honest. He's healthy now, but I don't want to risk it by traveling farther. She was rambling, but it was nice to have someone to talk to that talked back. Well, she thought, at least more than Rem. Heath sure hadn't said much.
Rem had wandered up to Anann now, wanting his blanket removed, comfortable now that Heath wasn't a threat and that he might go off with Stark and graze. Quickly Anann untied the leather ties across the horses muscular chest. Grabbing the top of the blanket it his withers and hips she picked up and slid it off, quickly rolling it up and tucking it back in its bag. It wasn't likely they'd be staying at this camp. So what do you know about this territory? Anann had alot of questions she wanted to know about the packs, their leaders. She was willing to make a new home. She just need a reason to stop.
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Heath looked to her with a quick glance as she spoke of war. Her to? He wondered, though remained silent in hopes of encouraging her to speak more. They walked into the makeshift campsite and Heath did as she said, but sat on a fallen tree trunk that must had helped in making some covering. The coyote-wolf hybrid watched her, though he made sure to let his eyes wander when they were getting too intense. He did not trust her, not yet at least, but there was no reason to make her feel as if he only had interest in her actions. Her bags and supplies did peak his curiosity, so he wasn't being dishonest. "I'm not as light as I look." he responded with a hint of jest as he caught the leather bag and pulled a bit of jerky out form it.
Her story continued, and Heath listened intently. The horse was always a source of interest for the male, and it seemed like she might not be his proper caretaker. But it looked like she cared just as much as any, though her question was not something Heath had thought the might discuss, as she had been a bit more interested in the lands she had stumbled upon. "Hay." he returned, chewing a bit of the dried meat as he explained further "We have a large farm, with a few stables and rings. I've been working on it for about a year now I think." He looked at the horse as she took his blanket off, watching to see the evidence of the trials that the stallion had faced on the journey. He seemed fit, but the Marshal would like to see his hooves and get a hand on him to truly test his condition.
The black accented male gave a nod at her next question (the one he had intended on), and figured she needed to know the most important issues of the moment. "I'm afraid you've walked right into another war. It is between the coy-pack Inferni and wolf pack Dahlia. The wolves live north of here, the coyotes are northeast... You should stay away from them, no use getting wrapped up in it. I see no sense in the feud, their just bad beast all around if you ask me." He took another bit of the jerky, eyes watching her.
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ooc: one of my horses likes to face sniff, so thats where that came from XD
Leaning against her companion, her arm resting across on his lowered neck while golden fingers played with his forelock. Her dark eyes watching Heath as his looked over Rem. It seemed the horse had meet his approval but she could by the way he looked at her he was still undecided on her. She couldn't blame him. Her eye lite up when he mentioned hay, but they could get back to that later.Want to take a closer look at him? Her tone was casual. Since it would seem you're the head authority here when it comes to horses. He wouldn't be this relaxed right now if he didn't trust you, so Im sure you'll have no problem. Just uh,, she paused not quite sure what would be the best way to put it.He'll want to smell you first. He tends to go for the face for a sniff and he'll blow in your face too. She gave a 'it beats me' shrug. If you want to check his feet just touch the leg you want and say 'give' and he'll do just that. Don't recommend trying to check his teeth though. The last followed with a light laugh. She took a few steps away from Rem, giving Heath room to come take a look if he wished.
While the next bit of news was a bit unsettling, it could have been worse. Still she was closer to either of the packs that she would have liked to have been. Do any of the other packs seem to be taking sides? She thought a moment, chewing on the jerky. Blood feud or they fighting over something? Knowing what the war was about was just as important. From the sense of distaste she got from Heath, Anann could only assume it was blood feud. Those were the worst, they often fueled themselfs to the point that war only ended when neither pack could fight back any longer.
Anann wondered now if it was going to be worth trying to get accepted into a pack now. Most would probably be leery of any strangers. She also didn't want dragged into someone else's war. She hadn't left one battlefield to seek another, but she wasn't so deluted to think there could be a place without dispute. It was true of all things. Anann knew one thing though, you don't know what peace truly is until you've seen war. All things come at a cost. It didn't hurt to be informed though. Know any horse freindly packs that might need someone that can work leather? At least she had a skill.
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His eyes danced over the campsite for only a moment, figuring that the pair had not been settled for long. There was no evidence of any prolonged activity, and mostly everything was still packed away. At her invitation the male took only a moment before rising from his seat, the remaining piece of jerky sticking out the side of his mouth. The large dark stallion had the same tendencies his mare showed at times, a bit of protectiveness and misinterpretable aggression. But as Heath approached the horse seemed relaxed, though his eyes did not wander off Heath’s form. As always he made sure to stay in the dark eye’s view, relaxed and casual yet slow in his approach. The coy-wolf stopped at his face, allowing the ritual of scent exchange to commence. Once he felt the warm huff of air hit his face, eyes squinting against it, Heath placed his light colored hand on his muscular neck.
“We’re trying to stay out of it, though it seems like most are leaning towards the coyotes rather then Dahlia.” Heath paused, “The wolves have a nasty leader, apparently. Never met him myself.” He kept his tone even as he stood so close to the horse, his hand moving slowly towards his shoulder.
“There is history between them, longer and deeper then any will probably ever remember. I’ve had a run in with a coyote in the past, nasty creature. Though cant say I didn’t deserve it,” Heath spoke as he thought of the scars that he had been left with that day.
“I was on his land.”
He had gingerly stepped to the side of the horse, two hands now running along his flank. The stallion was large, but his muscle mass was not as well defined as if he had been training and not traveling with weakened supplies and in winter’s cold. Her question made Heath pause,
“Well, there’s Aniwaya they had a stables and a herd. You likely passed their borders west of here. Crimson Dreams is just east of here, but I’ve only touched to boundaries, never been inside. I don’t think them to be able sustain any stables or anything. Phoenix Valley, beyond the city, might have something. I stay away from there too.” Heath admitted, though not delving any deeper then that he simply added.
“Then there’s us, I could show you around if you wanted. We could always use a wolf that can use their hands.”
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Dark orbs watched as the gray hybrid took a look at the stallion. They watched not only the language of the canine's body, but the equine's as well. It spoke volume's to the golden fem as she absent mindedly chewed her jerky. Rem kept an eye on Heath, but that would be true of anyone. One ear following their conversation, while the other sat relaxed, perking occasionally at some slight sound from the forest around them. No snort of disapproval at Heath's scent or touch. Anann trusted Rem's judgment of people. He was hardly this relaxed with anyone, he had broken several toes in the stables back home. A heavy foot was often Rem's way of showing his displeasure with the stable hands, when they didn't change their ways at subtler cues. He saw himself an equal among wolves, not a creature to be owned and controlled.
Heath's posture, the way and speed at which he moved. Slow, deliberate. Keeping contact with the horse. Not only letting the horse know where you were even when out of sight, but also letting him feel the horse move. A shift in weight, tensing of the muscle, both can be felt and both could be warning of a kick or bite an unknown horse might be capable of. It was obvious he knew and understood horses. While her eye's absorbed all this, her ears listened to what insight Heath had to offer on the war. Giving a slight nod of acknowledgment, as she chewed silently on the remaining bit of her piece of jerky. Anann had her own encounters with coyotes during her fathers campaigns. They can be nasty, short tempered creatures. Anann said it flatly. Her father had always seen wolves superior to all other canines. Dogs the lowest of all. Anann had never shared his views, if she had she'd hardly be breaking bread with a hybrid.
As he described the packs she tried to connect what dots she had. Aniwaya, they lie within that fenced in area? The fence itself had been enough to make her leery of the lands. The prospect of herding didn't help either. Herding had made her clan weak in her eyes, though she doubted Aniwaya had taken to the level her's had. Heading deeper into the lands towards Phoenix Valley, closer to the feud packs seemed even less appealing. It seems the best suggestion was to come last. She stayed silent a moment, pondering on it. I'd like that. She said with a smile and a nod. It was a direction. She could find a purpose, Build a life. One she could be proud of this time. What's your pack like? your leader? She stayed away from titles. You never knew what might use, some still used the traditional Alpha, others used chief, commander, she'd even meet one that claimed the title of emperor. Her tone didn't press for an answer, she was just making conversation.
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short :\ it was a rough night xD
His hands remained lightly held to the horse's side, feeling the heat of the beast's skin and testing his reaction as well as the health of the muscle and tone. Once he was satisfied, Heath moved against the grain of Rem's hair back up to his neck and then sniffing at the horse's face as the stallion had done to his. Thoughts of coyotes lingering in his mind. It was not the species, as he had met plenty of pleasant yotes and of course his own blood was a mix of wolf and coy. The clan was what he was leery of, the constitution, the lost heads presented on the end of spikes at the door. It did not settled well with him and worried him now that he had more then himself to consider.
He nodded, "Yes." a pause came as he turned from the stallion and looked to the female. "They are led by a Chief, and work with many different tools and many weapons. Though are generally peaceful." Heath had found it all every interesting and different. Golden eyes watched as she perked at the idea of him showing her around his own lands, and though he had yet to explore all of it Heath knew some of the places she would be interested in quite well. Her question was not a surprise, but Heath was never happy to speak about Jac, their feud still raging in his mind. The King's relationship with Heath's mate was still not something that the male was comfortable with. No he did not distrust Ruri, but he had such little trust for Jac that it all balanced out.
" We are a court, led by a King." He voice was a forced even tone. " "Our King is Jacquez, a collie dog with one arm. There are a few dogs and hybrid, all are welcomed." Heath felt it important that she knew that it just didn't matter what you were, their King didn't care.
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ooc: have a little too much fun did ya?? =P
Anann had pulled a second strip of jerky from the pouch she had earlier tossed to Heath. She sat down on the duffel bag style packs. A couple were made of canvas, but most were leather like the one upon which she'd placed herself. This particular pack held mostly leathers, rolled and bound together. One such roll held her two cavalry sabres, but she had not interest in those at this time, hopefully no time in the foreseeable future. Reaching casually inside the bag she pulled out a small pouch, made of soft rabbit skin. She made no effort to hide her actions. Her fingers feeling the contents within she needn't look to know what lie within. If she was to move forward she needed to part with the trinket. It only served to remind her of the life she'd left behind.
For now the small satchel remained in hand, her fingers idly toying with it. It had distracted her slightly, thoughts of Keese and his refusal to come with her. The wound seemed reopened at the prospect of what she was doing. She hadn't traveled at a pressing pace. She had taken her time, half hoping he would change his mind she supposed. So distracted, Anann nearly missed the tension in Heath's husky voice as he spoke of his King. It was enough to focus her thoughts back on moment, hoping the emotions she'd lost her focus to hadn't made it to the surface. So this court, what purpose does it serve? To exists peacefully, to rule and dominate, or perhaps to expand and explore? Whatever you want to call them, be it packs, clans, or courts. It matters not what you call it, but the cause, the purpose of the pack is what truly matters. It sounded to her as if they were a band of outcasts. Dogs and Hybrids. She'd heard the packs in the northern region she'd now found herself in were predominately wolves.
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yeah.. i only have a one of those every now and again ;D
He felt sort of winded, generally not speaking at the length he had since meeting the wandering woman. It seemed that she wished to settle down again, and if he had known her past better it would seem like a much needed sort of transition, one pack for another. A better one. That was what any traveler dreamed about, the better. Heath had searched for it, and once his siblings had fallen from the face of the earth Heath had found his new family. He found no same in uprooting one life and searching for a better one, it was only when one was comfortable and satisfied that they could find true happiness. The male was not about deny another beast something he had found in his court of mongrels.
She milled around, and Heath simply sat back at his fallen tree and watched her. Eyes glanced over the bag in her hand but he focused more on the words that she spoke. The male gave a hard nod, agreeing with her completely. He had the history as he could remember it, and just needed to gather it from the cobwebbed part of his brain.
“There was a ship, sailing from the south that capsized, or lost its course. Some of its passengers washed ashore here, two specifically Jac and his second in command Ruri. A few loners found Ruri, cared for her until Jac was found and then the court was assembled.” Heath paused for a moment, trying to read the female’s reaction.
“We’re peaceful, as are those not involved in the feud. Yes, if our numbers grow to more then what our lands can sustain we might claim more.” no they were not ruthless killers looking to capture all that they could, but they were also established, organized and worked for the better of the pack.
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Choker reference
The strip of jerky hung from her maw as she chewed on it, as she listened to the brief history lesson. It proved careless as she nearly dropped the jerky, her hand snagging it as it fell. Perhaps a little wide-eyed and slack jawed, Sailing? The king. Came here. By boat? Her voice questioning slightly, but only in wonderment, she trusted His words. Couldn't imagine traveling such a way. She just found the idea of spending that much time traveling by boat unpleasant. She preferred ground under her paws.
His next words brought some seriousness back to her features. Glad to know your king's not the conquering kind. She gave the pouch in her hand a light bounce a couple times. It helped center the weight before she tossed it gently to Heath, even if he didn't catch it should land in his lap. Inside lie the bone choker she'd made for her pair bonding with Keese. The bones had been sun bleached a pristine white. between the long bone beads, were round beads of turquoise and silver. The center medallion was cut from the base of an antler, the heads of two wolves carved in the face. The only jewelry the wolf had ever had was the wooden ring Keese had carved for her and that choker. She had no need for either anymore. The ring she had left with Keese, it was his burden to bear.
Id like to trade that. She avoided looking at the pouch or the contents of it. If your interested, that is. She took another bite of the jerky, giving him time to look it over and consider. I'm not ready to seek a pack. I need a couple weeks. Check the place out with myself. Not your territory, I won't set foot on Cour de miracles land, or anyone else. Rem however, if you had a free stall, some spare hay? If you had a stall open to the outside anyways. She laughed. He doesn't like being shut in much.She paused, looking Heath square in the eye. I'm sorry if I've asked too much. She knew he had every right to refuse, but one could never know if one never asked.
Table by Alli<3
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The male had thought it an amazing feat as well, when Ruri had told him that they had arrived to the ‘Souls region by ship. But then, when he met Jac and his opinions of his King began to change Heath thought that he could understand why the ship went down. With a drunken Captain to guide it, the art of sailing didn’t seem so far fetched and impossible anymore. Yes, it was wrong of him to have anything less then admiration for the collie King, but Heath was working with memories of a swollen jaw, of irrational decisions made by Jac and conversations drinking together in a dimly lit bar. All of that weighed on his mind as the King judged Heath’s relationship with Ruri so harshly. “Yeah, I have never been off solid ground. Feel more comfortable with a horse beneath me then splintered wood.” The male commented, thinking briefly that there might just be a canine out there that would scoff at the idea of taming horses.
Golden eyes watched her movements, the bag of growing interest. Nodding he spoke, “Jac’s conquests have little to do with land.” The snide comment can so easily and smoothly from his lips that Heath himself was even surprised at the brashness of them. Of course whom the King brought to his bed was far more important on a night-to-night basis for the one armed male, and he did little to hide the fact.
Catching the bag quickly Heath waited until she spoke to open it and look at the necklace inside. A trade? It was a handsome piece of work, the stringed bones and jewels something that would catch the eye of any beast. He kept silent until she began to explain, and retuned his eyes to her face as she spoke. It was an interesting prospect. “It is not too much, another mouth to feed is just another mouth.” He concluded, mainly just thinking aloud. “There are plenty of stalls.” He added, eyes looking at her face. The male rose, holding the necklace and pouch in one hand as he strode towards her. “When?” He asked, wondering how many days it will be until she would come to see the accommodations.
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