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Post by Squeeji on Oct 13, 2008 11:01:26 GMT -5
A chill was in the air, and Levy felt it cut through his heavy coat and pudge, something that always caught him off guard. It wasn't even winter yet, it amazed him how cold Arnlan was. Both in temperature and the wolves that lived there. Not that he had met many, but those he had met were as fickle as the north wind, there for a moment and gone without a trace.
He couldn't help but begin to feel and act the same way. Cold. Perhaps it was that change of behavior that entrusted him with his new rank of Officer, though he didn't really think about it. He was doing the same thing he always did...only now with a bit more say in things and a little more respect...if even that.
Levy wasn't sure about change, new rank, new management, and even as he hit maturity...a new body. It made him bristle, he wasn't fond of anything around him and it only added to his darkened temperament. Now he was even hearing rumors about a war...he didn't know what he thought about that. It hardly seemed like things would go well...but then again, he always thought about the worst possible outcome.
The short dark wolf sighed and stretched, popping his back and trying to get used to the size of his build...if only he had gotten taller rather than stronger...then he wouldn't have to worry about being a warrior...perhaps he could have been a healer or a something safer.
Levy patrolled the boarders of Arnlan doggedly, vexing over his thoughts...
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Post by sarhea on Oct 13, 2008 18:29:21 GMT -5
It had been many months, many long, quiet months since the golden pelted wolf had retreated to the isolation of Arnlan's remotest borders. Cepheus lay upon a rocky ledge overlooking the lands beyond the borders, his thoughts drifting on the cool breeze to places he never thought he would ever venture. He was a stranger in his own lands, an old man with nothing to show for his life.
He'd missed his chance at gaining rank, driven by his jealously of a wolf he'd never taken the time to even get to know, and at the same time, placing himself under the critical eye of the alphas. He'd been so stupid to let his emotions get the better of him, but now it was too late. For a time, after he'd taken to the cliffs, he felt his sanity slowly ebbing away, and at several point, thought of just walking off the edge-no one would miss him. But when things were at their lowest, came the first time in his life he was able to think clearly. He'd seen the error of his ways. He'd had so many opportunities to rise above where he'd fallen, but his pride had gotten in the way.
He'd never been so humbled in his life. Even in his two year captivity, he'd been more useful than he was now-his lowly omega brother served more purpose than he. But he was beyond bitterness at this point.
There had been much change as of late, he could sense it on the wind-even now, the cold breeze brought the stark reminder that winter quickly approached. But there was more. The eerie sense of war on the horizon. Something was brewing, causing him to keep a closer eye than normal on the lands beyond his perch. It had been too quiet on both sides. Surley the pack knew of the brewing trouble. He'd heard it in their howls over the months as they called to one another. But the scent trails of sentries and scouts on this side of the territory were found few and far between. Was Arnlan no longer protecting its borders?
As the thought churned in his mind, a new scent drifted to his nose. His golden ears pricked forward as he snapped to attention. There was an Arnlanian down there somewhere-it had been too long since this border was patrolled. His eyes scanned the landscape below, before finally catching a glimpse of movement-
He sat up and stretched, his old bones groaning in protest. All these months of idle time with his thoughts had been at the expense of his body, and he now felt his age. But stiff joints aside, he started down the narrow, rocky path to catch a better glimpse of the wolf patrolling the borders.
Cepheus tried to be as silent as possible and stay hidden amongst the boulders, though it was a difficult task with his golden pelt. His gray eyes locked on the charcoal wolf as he raised a brow in surprise. Had Arnlan resorted to recruiting pups to patrol? He stepped from his crouched position as the wolf passed several yards before him, taking up a cautious path in slow pursuit.
The wolf was short and bulky, and Cepheus figured he couldn't possibly be more than a yearling.
"Hey kid...ain't you a little far away from home? This isn't exactly the safest place for you youngsters to test your wings," he called out after the younger male.
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Post by Squeeji on Oct 13, 2008 19:01:58 GMT -5
"Excuse me?"
Though Levy's tone sounded nasally it was the deeper sound of an adult male, and as he turned towards Cepheus it was obvious on his face that this great yellow bastard had touched a nerve.
"I'm sure you're right sir. But I assure you that I'm not as young as you think." Levy kept his voice even, but there was strain to it, annoyance towards the old man's presumptuous attitude for sure. Of all the things he had to deal with Levy didn't want to deal with this sort of nonsense now...he hadn't the time or the patience for answering questions or being treated like a pup...he had work to do.
The short wolf paused and dug his overlarge paws into the earth, standing his ground like he was trying to keep himself firmly planted there.
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Post by sarhea on Oct 13, 2008 21:09:13 GMT -5
Cepheus knew he'd made a mistake even before Levy spoke as he drew closer and the short wolf turned to him. This wolf was not as young as he appeared from behind. Cepheus halted in step as the younger male faced him, standing his ground. A brief flash of memory from several months ago came and went. This wolf had been at the meeting and the hunt many months back. The younger one had tried to add input to the gathering, but that was as much as Cepheus remembered.
He sighed and rolled his shoulders once before plopping his scruffy rump on the cool earth. He was not as well kept as usual, having resigned himself to the role of old man without a purpose. Though a bit of fire reentered his gaze at Levy's response. His nose wrinkled a bit as he tested the air absentmindedly, an ear briefly twitching as Levy spoke.
"I'm sure you're right sir. But I assure you that I'm not as young as you think."
Cepheus kept his cool, and gazed back at the younger male with an almost bored expression.
"Do forgive me. From a distance, these old eyes thought they saw a pup," he replied, his voice smooth and calm, a faint hint of mischief mixed in. He took note of the strain in Levy's voice. No doubt the younger wolf caught alot of flax over his size. He sure stood his ground like hot stuff.
Cepheus stood and shook the bits of decaying leaves from his ill kept pelt and sauntered leisurely past Levy before turning and circling the younger male once, taking a good look at him. He may have been short, but Cepheus was surprised at the stockiness and muscular structure of the youngster.
For now, Cepheus decided to play the senile old man act. He flopped onto his belly on the side of the trail, his tongue lolling out as he panted a bit and gazed out over the landscape before turning his sharp gray eyes back to Levy.
"It has been a while since I've noticed a patrol in these parts. I was beginning to wonder if Arnlan had given up on posting sentries along the border."
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Post by Squeeji on Oct 16, 2008 16:33:39 GMT -5
Levy just shrugged, after awhile he seemed to lack the ability to respond to statements about his size. Anyways, at least the gold wolf had apologized, which was more than what most wolves would do. The young male nodded. "Its fine."
Though he had little want or reason to hang around Levy took a seat, at least to be polite to the old man, "Well, yea...I'm not sure how many officers or scouts are still around...an older gray male, and myself I know for sure..." he sighed, pressing his ears against his skull.
"I've been patrolling as much as I can...there are rumors that there is war in our future." Levy was surprisingly honest, especially when it didn't serve him any good to lie, but when it did, he'd lie like a rug. "I'm sure they're too busy readying some troupes...or something like that..."
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Post by sarhea on Oct 18, 2008 12:57:08 GMT -5
Cepheus gazed quietly at his paws as he slowly flexed his claws into the soft dirt. Soon, very soon, this land would be covered in icy slush, and then thick snow. But the whole time, his ears and mind were sharply tuned into what the short wolf spoke. He glanced up as Levy sat, a slight hesitance he noted in the act. Good lad. Cepheus was holding him up in his duties, and he could sense that the younger wolf didn't quite like the idea. His young acquaintance was at least dedicated to his post.
But it was troubling news that Levy didn't know the status of Arnlan's ranked wolves. With trouble brewing on the horizon, one would think there'd be much more activity; more patrols, more voices on the wind calling to each other. Surely they knew? Some of his questions were answered as Levy continued to speak.
"I've been patrolling as much as I can...there are rumors that there is war in our future. "I'm sure they're too busy readying some troupes...or something like that..."
At that statement, Cepheus snapped to attention, the outward farce vanishing, his gaze growing serious as his gray eyes locked onto the younger wolf.
"Yes, war is coming. I have felt it growing stronger as the months have come and gone. I sensed it on the wind, heard whispers as frightened creatures and birds have crossed in from outside our borders. From my post in the cliffs, I have kept a close eye on this stretch of land, and thus far, have seen no hints of trouble. But it is there."
At that, Cepheus stood, tall and alert, an old flame he thought long extinguished, coming to life. He took a few steps down the path before turning to look back at Levy, indicating that he was coming along for the patrol, whether the younger wolf wanted it or not.
"So, does everyone that is around, do they sense the coming war as well?" He asked.
Heaven help them if the other knew, and still were being so secretive.
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Post by Squeeji on Oct 20, 2008 12:35:09 GMT -5
"So, does everyone that is around, do they sense the coming war as well?"
"I would assume so, the entire pack is...well, freaking out." Levy stood and stretched, actually since the old man didn't seem a complete nincompoop he was all right with his company. So if the yellow male was willing to follow, he'd continue his patrol. "I heard the senior officer howling to the other leading ranks not too long ago..." Perhaps he's was speculating the worse, but he was never one for optimism.
"I'm Levy by the way." It had occurred to the officer that he hadn't introduced himself, and it seemed only appropriate to do so. He gave Cepheus a slight smirk.
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Post by sarhea on Oct 29, 2008 21:53:46 GMT -5
"I would assume so, the entire pack is...well, freaking out."
The short gray male's statement puzzled him. So the pack knew of the approaching trouble? Yet things still seemed so disorganized, very much lacking the unity the pack once boasted in his younger days.
And he too had thought he heard distant voices on the wind the other day as he snoozed upon his rocky ledge. He shook his head in thought as the younger male stood and stretched, readying to continue his patrol.
"I'm Levy by the way."
Cepheus nodded his head in acknowledge of the greeting. He'd held off on introductions, as here lately, pleasantries and formalities were just a unnecessary thing of the past. But Levy's greeting seemed genuine enough.
"I'm Cepheus. I'm sure you know my sisters, Pollux the scout, and Lyra. Speaking of Pollux," he started, pausing in thought, "It is highly unlike her to not be seen making her rounds. May I ask if she is well?"
Cepheus felt like an ass for asking such a question. It was his own fault for isolating himself. He should know for himself the status of his own kin.
((bleh-sorry for the crappiness-tying to get back in the groove...))
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