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Post by Multi-Facets on Jun 6, 2009 2:59:12 GMT -6
Sniffer yipped and Shellslip howled joyfully, pleased to see her tribemates again, and ran to give the nearest one a hug. "You're back! That's wonderful!" She would not admit it, but she had been slightly worried about them. And now they had returned triumphantly, with water, and with their hides in one piece.
Few things could be better.
Wanderlust yapped a greeting and rushed to meet the other wolves. She would give her due as the low one, and then perhaps get some of the water she smelled. Silent, jolted from his usual trance, smiled to see the scouts safe, and projected a sense of welcome.
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Post by Anna on Jun 6, 2009 9:38:35 GMT -6
Sunsong gave a joyous howl and hurried to relieve some of the scouts of their water skins. "Oh, just in time! I don't know how much longer we could have gone without this!" she said, dancing off to distribute the skins among the others. "Here, Icemark - Silvercub's wilting!" she said, pushing one into the gatherer's hands before moving off.
Mist grinned at the returned scouts and took his share of skins, too. As he passed among the Wolfrider's who'd suffered worst, he gave his healing touch with the water. **Well done, chieftess,** he sent approvingly. **Very well done!**
Oakstaff let the others tend to the elves: he spread a one of the furs they'd been using to sleep with, turned it over so the tanned skin showed, and called Journey over to help hold it into a bucket shape while water was poured into it for the wolves. The pack gathered around eagerly, lapping up the water they'd been needing so desperately.
"Lad, you're in a hill of trouble," he advised the youngster in a low voice. "Do you know what you'll say to Stormfire?"
Windsoft stayed by Stormfire as the other scouts dispersed among the tribe. "If we keep riding, we'll reach the water by sunrise," the lead scout informed her chieftess. "It's a river and while it's still on the plains, I could see trees on the horizon. We'll be in forest again very soon!"
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Post by Viola on Jun 7, 2009 12:14:53 GMT -6
Firecat bolted towards Tallspear, desperately wanting some water. "Normally I'm happy to see you," she grinned widely, "but you can't imagine how overjoyed I am now!" Windsoft's words made her day even more brilliant. A river, for them alone! Oh, she was so going to take a swim tonight!
~*~
Longdusk avoided Firecat and went straight for his mother, leaving Windsoft to inform the chieftess. As she had been leading the small party anyway, he figured it would be her task. He wanted to take care of his mother and her soulsister's family first, and then, he wanted to get back to the river as soon as he could. They would need to ride through the sun this time, but sunset should be doable and then, there would be the night ahead.
~*~
Gratefully accepting Longdusk's offer of water, Lightgaze gulped some down, barely noticing some streams dripping off her chin. High Ones, she hadn't thought she would be so happy to have water again! It refreshed her, and seh instantly felt better, and she passed on the waterskin when she had enough to the elf next to her. "I'm so happy you're back," she smiled at her son, realizing this was exactly what she had pondered about -- clinging. But she couldn't help yourself, not after worrying for so long.
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Post by Kris on Jun 7, 2009 13:56:32 GMT -6
Mist grinned at the returned scouts and took his share of skins, too. As he passed among the Wolfrider's who'd suffered worst, he gave his healing touch with the water. **Well done, chieftess,** he sent approvingly. **Very well done!** Stormfire grinned at Mist's send. **Don't look so surprised, Healer,** she sent back, letting him know she was still teasing. **And get one of those skins for yourself. I won't have you falling over after tending all of us!** "Lad, you're in a hill of trouble," he advised the youngster in a low voice. "Do you know what you'll say to Stormfire?" Journey swallowed hard at Oakstaff's words. He had been very, very careful not to attract Windsoft's attention again; her anger, far more than the cuff she'd given him, had gone home and stayed there. He hadn't even thought of Stormfire. **I don't know,** he sent to Oakstaff. **Too bad the ground-squirrels' burrows are too small. I'd hide there.** Windsoft stayed by Stormfire as the other scouts dispersed among the tribe. "If we keep riding, we'll reach the water by sunrise," the lead scout informed her chieftess. "It's a river and while it's still on the plains, I could see trees on the horizon. We'll be in forest again very soon!" Stormfire had hugged Windsoft on seeing her again, exuberant at the scout's safe return as well as the welcome water. Once she saw everyone had a skin, she accepted the waterskin Windsoft handed her and took a long pull at it. Stopping to breathe, she gasped, "That's the best news I've heard all night, Windsoft. And trees!" She caught sight of Journey and lowered the skin. "I see your cub made it to you," she remarked to Windsoft, and took two strides forward. To his credit, Journey advanced toward her--or it could have been the shove to his back from Oakstaff that propelled him through the grass. Still, he walked until he reached her. I have to give him credit, Stormfire told herself, as her displeasure simmered. At least he's coming to face me."All right, Journey," Stormfire ordered, bringing him to a stop. "Do you care to explain that ravvit-witted chase you went on after Windsoft and the scouts?" Journey winced. Oh, lad, I haven't even raised my voice--Sureshot used to bellow louder than any troll, and you'd grin at him! But Journey barely raised his eyes and got out, "I'm sorry, Chieftess--I won't--" "DON'T YOU TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME!" Stormfire's displeasure ignited at last, fired by Journey's meekness. If he thought to win her forgiveness by playing such cub's games, he could think again. "Stand up and look at me, Journey! Do you think I've got the brains of a gnat, to fall for those fluttering eyelids and squeaky voice?! Tell me--now--why did you run off? Did you think once that you could have run into hunting humans, or encountered any other danger? Did you ever consider that you could have been seen, and once seen been tracked back to us?!" Journey flinched, and sent. *No,* and his sending was full of pleading, to the point where Stormfire was confused. *I just wanted to be with the scouts--to do something. I didn't think you needed me here!* Stormfire clenched her fists. It was tempting to knock Journey head over heels, but it was clear that Windsoft had already smacked a little sense into him. "You're lucky you're alive," she told him. "You're even more fortunate that no one saw you dart away from the tribe like Bigears' tail was set on fire, and found us!" "But you were going to go with Mother too!" Journey shot back. "I was going to leave with the scouts--not race after them like some scared cubling bawling for its mother! I thought, with the exception of Silvercub, that I was bringing along tribemates I could depend on, Journey. Can I depend on you? Should I?" Journey stared at her, hurt and shame both apparent in his gaze. Stormfire didn't let him look away. She had adored Windsoft's cub from the moment he could walk--but this wasn't a friend whose follies she could explain now. She was chieftess, and he was a tribemate who was beyond tardy in doing his duty to the tribe. Just when she was about to speak once more, he turned his head away, showing throat. *You can, chieftess,* he sent. *I promise.* The murmurs of approval from the tribe made Stormfire's eyes sting for a moment. She didn't dare move towards Journey, but only said, "All right, then. If you haven't had any water, get some. And I think we still have some meat from last night." |
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Post by Anna on Jun 7, 2009 16:27:10 GMT -6
Windsoft's heart stuttered in her chest when Stormfire stepped towards Journey. The scout was almost surprised at the surge of protectiveness that caught her. She'd taken two quick steps towards the two of them before she stopped herself. She clasped her hands together, pressing them had to the base of her throat. She couldn't breathe...
When Journey began making his apology and Stormfire shouted at him, she jumped and a faint whimper escaped. Everything in her wanted to leap to her cub's defense, no matter how great her own anger and disappointment had been. Journey was her son, and no attack on him could be allowed! But her instinct to submit to her packleader was as strong as her instinct to defend her cub, and she was torn between the two.
"Easy, Windsoft," Mist murmurred, resting a hand on her shoulder. "She won't hurt him, and this is necessary, for both of them."
Oakstaff came to her other side, putting a soothing hand on her back. "He's a good, strong Wolfrider," the hunter added. "He's just learning the limits."
Their reassurance didn't help and Windsoft whimpered again. When Journey showed throat and assured Stormfire that she could depend on him, the scuot's body went limp with a sudden release of tension.
All would be well!
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Post by Multi-Facets on Jun 8, 2009 20:28:42 GMT -6
"You're wonderful, all of you! It's good to have you back," Shellslip sang, taking a waterbag and having a swig, while Sniffer shouldered his way into the pack for a drink of his own.
Someone passed Silent a waterbag, and he closed his eyes for a long swallow. Somehow, water had never tasted better, especially since he had found it, and had been taken seriously enough for someone to find it.
The Song buzzed with happiness, the assurance things would be all right for now. That made him smile as he poured a drink into his palm for Wanderlust.
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Post by peachbug on Jun 8, 2009 21:37:18 GMT -6
Evenstar practically danced her way to Silent, her head spinning it's own circles. The fresh water had given her an almost dreamberry like happiness. "Oh, Silent, you've done it, really done it!" She almost tackled him breathlessly, waterskin in hand.
----------------------
Softling lay on her back as Snapbone wiggled his way in among the full grown wolves, clutching a waterskin to her. She'd had a good fill when the scouts had discovered the river, and now she just basked in the goodness of being a Wolfrider, ignoring the scratching grasses and hard earth for the sounds of the pack and tribe scrambling and rejoicing amongst themselves. Journey's scolding had been surprisingly quick, however harsh, and Softling didn't dwell on the fellow cub's mischief.
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Redthorn glowed at her soul sister's son; now this was a hunt he could really treasure, and cubs of the new holt would hear of the scouts that saved the Wolfriders from drought as they crossed the great expanse of grasses. Even Silvercub grinned her pup's grin at Longdusk, her belly full of water.
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Post by Multi-Facets on Jun 9, 2009 12:52:25 GMT -6
"Gwah!" Silent yelped as Evenstar exuberantly threw her arms around him, and staggered, nearly tipping sideways before somehow righting himself. *I-It wasn't hard,* he "mumbled". *I just liste-stened.*
Wanderlust nudged his thigh. **More,** she requested, and Silent turned in the tanner's arms to give her another drink.
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Post by Kris on Jun 10, 2009 23:08:29 GMT -6
Tallspear grinned at Softling. "Now we get to show them where the river is," he said. "And next time we go tracking water or game, you'll come with us." He rode past Longdusk and Lightgaze, nodding to them both, and dismounted as he came up on Journey.
He saw Whirlwind advancing. She threw him a wink as she sidled up to Journey's right. Tallspear came up on the lad's left. As Journey looked up, his downcast face suddenly clouding with suspicion, Tallspear and Whirlwind threw their arms over his shoulders, neatly locking him between them.
"Hey," Journey protested as they strode towards the front of the tribe. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Making sure you don't turn tail and run the next time Stormfire sets eyes on you," Whirlwind murmured, smirking.
"Sureshot never taught you the most important lesson, cub," Tallspear continued, keeping his eyes straight ahead. "When you've taken your licks, don't skulk."
"But I'm not," Journey began, and the two hunters speared him with identical scowls. "I'm not!"
"You're hanging your head and walking around like you think someone's going to kick you," Whirlwind returned. "That, my dear, is skulking."
"You used to mouth off to Sureshot the minute he finished blistering your tail," Tallspear added. "Stormfire didn't even singe your ears that badly."
Journey's head hung even lower, and he muttered something Tallspear couldn't hear. "What?" Tallspear gave him a quick shake. *C'mon, Journey. Stop acting like a sun-addled mouse and spill.*
* . . . mother's probably ashamed of me now.*
**Windsoft?!** Tallspear and Whirlwind exchanged glances once more, and Tallspear searched for the scout. Windsoft, ashamed of her cub? Maybe disappointed that he'd shown less sense than a day-old treewee, but . . . ashamed? **You're an idiot,** Tallspear informed Journey, who raised his head long enough to glare at him. **Your mother thinks you hung both moons. You'd have to toss Silvercub to a ravening bear before she'd be ashamed of you.**
**You know what would make you feel better?** Whirlwind arched an eyebrow. **An apology. You've shown throat to the chieftess--now it's time you let Windsoft know you've learned your lesson.**
**Right,** Tallspear cut in. **By not acting stupid.**
Journey bit his lip and stared at the ground. Good thing we've got hold of him, or he'd trip, Tallspear told himself. He let go just as Whirlwind did, and Journey quickened his stride to join Windsoft. Tallspear watched as Windsoft reacted to her son's presence, reaching out to lay a hand on his shoulder as the youth took Whirlwind's excellent advice.
**Some of us can't wait to leave the den,** he told Whirlwind. **And some of us never leave it in spirit, no matter what we do in the flesh.**
**And some of us are just full of hot wind,** Whirlwind jibed.
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Post by Anna on Jun 11, 2009 21:16:24 GMT -6
Windsoft hadn't failed to notice that Journey had avoided her since he'd joined them. That hurt. But after her reaction to him, which shamed her greatly, she couldn't blame him. She'd never struck Journey before. She couldn't believe she had this time. That she had lost such control, with her own cub, for what was, in essence, a childish, willful, thoughtless stunt… How many times had he done something similar before, in the safety of the holt?
"Cub?" she asked when he stopped in front of her.
Journey swallowed. He'd never done anything he'd had to apologize to his mother for. Sureshot had dealt with his escapades at home, and until now he hadn't endangered himself--at least, not much. This time, he had to admit that Windsoft, Stormfire, and the rest of the tribe were right.
"Mother . . ." He decided to send the rest. **Mother, I shouldn't have run away from the rest of the tribe. I shouldn't have followed my own whim instead of my duty. You taught me better than that. I'm sorry. I've disgraced you and the trust everyone had in me.**
Windsoft hesitated, then reached out and put her hand on Journey's shoulder. "You disappointed me, but my shame is for myself. You didn't disgrace me; I did that. If I'd taught you better you never would have left Stormfire. I'M sorry, cub. I failed you, and you are the one who's paying the price for it."
Journey stared at Windsoft in shock and dismay. "But you didn't fail me," he insisted, keeping his voice low. "Mother--I--" He swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. **Mother, I failed you. I'm not a cub any longer. I remember everything you've taught me. I just didn't want to stay behind, where nothing was happening. I wanted to do something. I should have asked to come along with you and the scouts, instead of waiting until it was too late.**
Windsoft moved her hand from his shoulder to cup his cheek. "And that's how I failed you, Journey. I failed to teach and guide you. If I hadn't, no matter what you wanted to do, you would have resisted the impulse." She sighed and glanced away, her eyes filling with tears as she considered what could have happened, simply because she's indulged Journey too much as a cub, and not really taught him the importance of putting the tribe first - or that every action had consequences. "It's past now, Journey, and we've both learned."
Saying "I'm sorry," wouldn't remedy what had happened, Journey realized. He couldn't think of anything else to say. Windsoft knew his remorse, and yet it hadn't fixed anything. He sighed; with Sureshot things had been easier--and yet he could just hear the chief tell him that it was past time he grew up. "What must I do now, Mother?" he asked, steeling himself for the unpleasant list of tasks he'd probably have to complete to regain the tribe's respect.
"Do?" Windsoft repeated. She thought for a moment, then sighed. "I won't tell you what to do, my son. Your choices are your own. If you're asking for my advice, however, I can only say this: decide whether you're a cub, or not. If not, then you must figure out what it is that you have to do." She lifted her other hand to his face, so he was cradled between her hands. "But if you are still a cub..."
Journey put his hands over his mother's and met her gaze. "I'm not, Mother." He fiercely stamped down the inner voice that protested he was giving up his freedom for nothing but responsibilities. Nothing was worth losing the tribe's respect--and his mother's. "I'm not, not anymore."
"And that makes me proud."
“It does? But I haven't even done anything--"
"But you have," Windsoft assured him, pulling him closer and folding her arms around him. "Growing up isn't age, or size, or accomplishments, Journey."
Bewildered, Journey returned her embrace. He wasn't sure what he'd done or said, and he was pretty sure he'd just ended the days of exploration and treasure-hunting. If this was what growing up was about, he was sure he'd never envy Stormfire being chieftess.
"Now, let's lead our tribe back to that water. I desperately want a swim before I sleep again!"
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