Anxiety flooded the air as Desire's patrol staggered into camp.
Desire's eyes still were out of focus, but her chest wounds had stopped bleeding. Kuoza's injuries still bled freely as did the others. The voices of many wolves filled the air as they all began to question them about the bear and the wounds inflicted.
"Faeinora!" somebody yelled for the healer wolf to come as the patrol spread out, lying down in different areas of the camp to rest. Roulette stepped forward to Anlage, wanting to be first to announce the news.
"It seems the bear attacked them," she said swiftly, but then realizing how obvious it was, so she added; "because one of the patrol attacked it first."
Anlage looked surprised and he quickly looked at the wolves that had gone.
"Where is Sparr?" he asked, his eyes widening, wondering if Sketchpack had already suffered a casualty. Roulette swished her tail looking important, but semi bored.
"He stayed behind..." she paused, wondering if she should relay the information about the cubs. She glanced back at Ardal and Kuoza hesitantly.
REMINDERS:
(If you are a healer, remember wounds don't automatically heal. :)
Also, all role-players will kindly remember to leave active posts open--e.g., instead of
"Roulette walked over to Kuoza with a pawful of herbs and carefully administered them to his wounds before wrapping them in soft, green moss.", [which is almost power-playing unless it is your own character], you could say
"Roulette walked over to Kuoza with a pawful of herbs and spoke authoritatively.
'I brought some herbs for your wounds,'" to which Kuoza [Kio] may reply,
'I don't want any!' he said sharply." which opens a whole new plotline of Kuoza being difficult. ^.^)
23 comments:
Kuoza, sensing that he should explain as opposed to Roulette, made sure Ananza was carrying Desire's weight and stepped forward with his head bowed slightly in respect. He didn't know if he really had any right to take charge, but the patrol leader was out of commission and no one else was speaking. He cleared his throat before speaking in a respectful tone, the best he could manage with the pain of his wounds. "Alpha, the bear was guarding a pair of cubs. Upon killing the bear, we realized the cubs existence and needed to be dealt with. As Ananza, the instigator of the attack would not accept to any plan regarding the fate of these cubs, we decided to wait for your judgment. Sparr, needing no medical attention, saw it fit to watch the cubs and keep them away from camp until judgment was decided upon." Kuoza dipped his head and stepped back to take Desire's weight again, hoping he had given enough information.
Anlage nodded as he considered this information. His first emotion was anger, but he withheld this and waited a moment before speaking. The pack was silent now as he addressed the young wolf.
"Ananza...did you understand the orders instigated by Desire and myself when you attacked the bear?" he asked calmly, sitting down but remaining alert.
Trembling slightly, Ananza was ready to face the consequences. Padding up, she bravely replied, "Yes. I did. And I had good reason, which I prefer not to disclose openly. I did not realize the she-bear had cubs, and I did my best to protect them. I tried to stop the fighting, but it was too late. I realize my mistake now, and will accept the consequences." Then she bowed her head, ignored whatever dizziness she had left, and waited for the Alpha's wise words.
Anlage's face was unreadable. He thought for a moment and then spoke to the young wolf with his calm authority he so often used.
"I am sure you had good reason for what you did, as many of us may act spontaneously on an impulse of a certain feeling or emotion, or even a past memory." he looked at the ground, his face questioning. "Where are the bear cubs now?"
Roulette, who had been standing aside, stepped forward and dipped her head.
"They're with Sparr back at the waterfall."
Anlage nodded and beckoned to Ananza to follow him to his den. (for the sake of hurrying up this plotpoint I'll skip them walking over and reactions of his first comments.)
He sat down inside the den and motioned for her to do the same.
"If you don't want to discuss with me why you chose to fight the bear and then protect its cubs, that's fine. But as the alpha and protector of Sketchpack, I do have to inform you that the cubs will have to be killed..." his golden brown eyes stared deep into hers. "Or relocated..."
Ananza felt a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving the sweet bear cubs. But she knew she could not fight. " I've learned my lesson on revenge, but...the reason I chose to protect its cubs was because I owed a debt to them for the fight, and I never hurt any thing young and innocent. Whether it be a sparrow, a rabbit, or a deady animal. Their instincts might say otherwise, but all animals can be changed- so I would like for the bear cubs to be relocated, with your permission. But perhaps we could make sure they get a good home? Or we could just keep our alert for the bear cubs the next few days." Then she dipped her head in respect, waiting for the wise leader's words.
Anlage thought for a moment before he met her eyes again and spoke firmly.
"This once, and only once, I will allow you to hunt for another bear that may be able to adopt the cubs." he finally said.
Desire leaned against the tree, still rapidly blinking as she tried to clear the blur that was her current vision.
"Roulette? Hi.." she spoke quietly as the black wolf neared.
"Hey...how are your eyes?" Roulette asked softly, unexpectedly showing the kind side of her normally snarky attitude.
Sighing in relief, Ananza thought about bringing a friend, but decided against it. Her friends were mad at her anyways. So Ananza looked at her leader and said, "Thank you! But will I be looking in the teritory? Should I send Sparr back? How long should I be gone?" Ananza was in a flood of questions, and was so relieved to be saving the cubs.
Anlage glanced outside of his den and then back at Ananza as he stood up.
"Take them outside of the territory. Tell Sparr what I have said and take him with you--I trust you, but if you run into trouble you will at least have help."
Dipping her head in respect, Ananza left the den, careful not to be seen. Once she was safely in the forest, she pelted across the forest, using her hind legs to get to Sparr in record speed. Once she spotted the brown male, she wasted no time. "Sparr, its me, Ananza. Anlage has sent me here to tell you that you and I are to find a new mother to adopt the cubs- outside the territory."
Sparr let out a noise that was somewhere between a laugh and a snort of disbelief. "You really think that a mother bear will just take two little ones in with the prey getting sparser this time of year? Would a starving she-wolf take in two more just to watch them die?" he challenged, though he recognized the look of determination in her eyes. She would try with all her might, and poor Sparr would be stuck going along with it. "Besides- we'll have to get pretty close to any bear we find to see if one'll take these guys. Is it really worth the risk? Chances are it'll attack. Also, can I trust you enough not to attack another bear if we see one? I happen to not want to die today, thank you very much, and I can't be sure if you'll be able to control yourself." Sparr was quite aware that he was flat-out testing her resolve. He'd work just as hard to find the innocent little furballs a home, but he wanted to know he could trust Ananza with his pelt if need be. Would she stand up to his near interrogation?
Hackles slightly raising, Ananza hardened her eyes. "I would. I would take any little one and care for them with my death. And besides. Anlage gave me this task and he gave you it too. Are you going back to camp just to let him see you've abandoned me?" she challenged. Continuing, "I know what I have done wrong. I know I shouldn't have done it. So these cubs deserve a chance."
"I am not saying that I would dare turn away at a task given to me by my alpha." Sparr replied, not at all started or apprehensive about Ananza's offensive stance. "Nor do I want these cubs to die." he added. "What I'm unsure about it whether I can trust you? You nearly got a whole patrol killed because or your rash action. Who's to say you won't do the same again, but this time just two wolves against the bear as opposed to a patrol? Who'd to say you won't run away again and leave me to die?" He eyed her, knowing what she'd say. The tan wolf was doing nothing other than making sure she understood the life and death situation that had been thrust upon him due to her, and making sure she wouldn't cause more trouble. He didn't mean to sound offensive, just positive in his means.
Calming down, Ananza lowered her voice. "I understand. But as I said before, I'm not exactly running to die. And, I ran to save the cubs. They easily could have died. Its your choice if you want to trust me or not. But for now, teamwork is key."
"Oh, you ran to save the cubs, huh?" Sparr replied, this time completely challenging. "What, the cubs terrified in their den could have been killed by big ol' momma bear?" He asked, sarcastically, with an eye roll, before adding seriously. "I just want your solid word that you will not attack a single bear, no matter what the circumstances."
Almost baffled at Sparr's sudden change, Ananza hardened her eyes completely. "Yes, I did. You weren't there. But, if it still wasn't clear, I'm not going to prevoke the bear. I want them to find a home. Now can we puh-leez start moving?"
Sparr gave her a brief hard look. "Perhaps the best thing to do, in your position, is to drop the attitude. I'm risking my pelt to help you fix your mistakes, and I'd appreciate a bit or gratitude." With that he carefully picked up one of the shivering bear cubs, and took the lead spot, heading away from the heart of the territory.
Snorting, but then sighing, she beckoned the two remaining cubs away from their mother. She called out to Sparr to wait for a second, then dipped her muzzle into the dead bear's fur. She sent her thanks, and caught up to Sparr. "I'm really sorry," she said, "I don't know what it'll take to convince you, but I hope we can still be friends." And she beckoned the cubs toward her, making sure they were alright.
Sparr glanced at her. "I don't have 'friends'." He replied, not coldly or offensively, just a bit...sadly, before picking up one of the cubs carefully by the thick fur on the back of it's neck and led on, his pace quick. He didn't look back, just kept moving and keeping an eye out for any tell-tale signs of another bear.
Going faster to catch up with Sparr, Ananza softened her voice. "Well...we could easily be friends.." Ananza picked up the pace and took on a sad look of longing to know how Ardal, Desire, and even Kuoza were faring.
Sparr glanced at her. "No thanks." He managed to get out through the fur of the pup in his mouth, setting his eyes back on the road ahead. It wasn't that he didn't think that they'd get along, or anything against her personally- Sparr, though he always hung with a group, was always lonely. It was just part of who he was. He didn't consider himself to have friends, despite being close to other wolves. He just did as he pleased, the way he wanted it to go. And the title 'friend' was not a part of his vocabulary.
A little surprised, but then an unfamiliar scent hit her muzzle. "A bear," she mumbled. "Looking at Sparr holding the cub in his mouth, Ananza smiled at him. "I think we just found our first candidate. And she's outside the territory."
Sparr just grunted in comment, his ears pricked with alertness. He kept looking around, taking off in front of Ananza, afraid to trust her with actually locating the great beast nearby. He put down the cub and lowered his muzzle to the ground, having a good idea as to the area where the bear was but chosing to be careful as to avoid incident. He motioned for Ananza to stay behind, and ever so carefully slunk closer to the area, catching a glimpse of brown fur in the distance.
Rolling her eyes at Sparr, both playfully and sarcastically, she followed him. Glimpsing the bear, Ananza fought to stay calm. She had promised herself her revenge was over, and she knew she'd have to gain Sparr's trust. So Ananza tentatively padded forward. Then she froze. She was right about to cross the territorial line. Ananza hadn't realized they had traveled so far so fast. But forcefully she crossed. She was out of safe land, and into the unknown. But, the quicker they got done...the quicker Ananza could curl up and fall asleep.
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