|
|
Post by nightblood on Jan 3, 2008 12:59:29 GMT -5
Blood had spent her day under a cluster of logs that had been built up in the side of a fallen log. Just before twilight, however, the seemingly sturdy apparatus fell on top of her. Too tired to yet get up, she resulted to laying there until the moon rose up and took the place of the sun. Not at all happy with the lack of a good day's rest, the sentry stood up in the pile of wood and leaves and stretched. She shook her fur only once, but that was enough to send dust and debre flying everywhere. She growled at it, but did not stay uncomfortable for long.
It was then that she remembered the newest member of Arnlan. Armageddon. The humble one. Her spirits lifted as she recalled the promise he had made. His training was intended to start today. With that in mind, NightBlood jumped up and headed for the border, making one round to make sure everything was in check, then returning to the old game trail at midday, hoping to find him here.
She didn't call out for him, attempting to find the black male by sent alone. It was difficult, however. The wind was particularly strong today and the snow blew up into her face, making it difficult to keep her eyes open. Was he even on the trail anymore?
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackfeathr on Jan 4, 2008 2:38:07 GMT -5
Where am I...
The clouds were overcast and dark. Trees were no longer surrounding him, and he was walking the edge of a sheer cliff. He looked down to the bottom of the ravine, and nearly retched.
It was dark, but he could make out what was on the bottom. Decaying ruins of wolves bodies and bones littered the bottom... some wolves he could recognize. His brother... his sister... his mother... his father-figure... Gaagii, the raven... He had a feeling he was not in Arnlan anymore.
Wait...
Suddenly a jolting pain stabbed his back and he was flung forward until his head was hanging off the cliff.
Gasping, he looked upwards at his attacker.
The thin, angular, disheveled wolf had him pinned, his crooked maw baring his fangs against Armageddons nose. His grey eyes held no emotion at all. A small chuckle tricked out through his fangs.
"Son..." he breathily growled.
Patamon...
Father...
"My, how you've grown. So valiantly fighting against your own intentions, against the wolf you were born to be." Patamon said, his last words ending in a snake-like hiss.
Thunder rolled through the sky and rain began to pour on the two of them.
"I will NEVER be like YOU." Armageddon screamed.
"You forget, my dear boy. You have been, are, and always will be..."
"...just..."
"...like..."
"...me."
Armageddon opened his eyes through the pouring rain. Patamon was no longer pinning him and instead, it was himself.
"Wha...?" Armageddon gasped as the mirror image of himself laughed maniacally to the sky.
Armageddons own eyes widened as his mirror image looked back down at him, murder in his brilliantly emerald eyes.
"HA." The twin Armageddon barked in laughter, and with a push of both front paws, sent Armageddon flying over the edge of the cliff.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Armageddon screamed as his body was flung down into the depths of the rotting bodies of wolves... the victims of his father... the victims of him...
"NOO!" Armageddon screamed, waking himself up from his nightmare.
He stood up immediately, eyes darting and taking in everything around him. Black trees all around him. He was sleeping next to a boulder. Snow on the ground...
Arnlan.
He slowed his frantic breathing and sat down, massaging his forehead with a paw.
"Just... a nightmare..." He gasped. He saw his family dead... the mere memory of it sent tears welling in his eyes but he held them back.
They're fine... it was only a nightmare... to prove it, send a messenger raven after them...
He steadied his breathing once more, and stood up. Looking upwards, trying to find the sun through the overcast clouds, he wagered it was near midday.
"Holy sh... NIGHTBLOOD!" he shouted, sending some small animals scampering away. He had nearly forgotten... slept in... on the day he was to begin training with the Sentry.
He darted away from his makeshift den site and found the old hunting trail he had walked the night before. It was windy today... making the job of finding NightBloods scent next to impossible.
As luck would have it, he caught her scent... she was a mere few paces north.
When a large silhouette of a wolf made itself apparent through the trees Armageddon hastened his trot and entered the other side of the trail NightBlood was walking up.
He tried to still his insides from shaking, trying to rid the Nightmare from his mind entirely.
"Hello again." He smiled, ducking under a branch and sliding his body between two close trees.
|
|
|
|
Post by nightblood on Jan 4, 2008 11:00:13 GMT -5
"Ah! There you are!" said NightBlood, watching as the male entered the path. She allowed her tail to wag slightly, but stopped it after a moment. "Follow me." Her tone was neither commanding, nor very gentle, but only slightly authoritative. She turned and headed off of the path, expecting him to follow. Wether he knew it or not, she was testing him at that very moment. Not for speed or strength, but his mental limitations. Or, rather, his character. How far would she have to go in her commands before he questioned her?
"Sorry to keep you waiting. A Sentry's job is never done."
She wasn't kidding. Unlike hunter's or warriors, who's obligations end when the food stores were full or after they've won a battle, a Sentry must keep on the border to ensure an up-to-date scent barrier and welcome or chase off lone wolves. There was no rest.
"I guess we'll work on stamina today..." came Night's loud thoughts. That got the wheels turning in her mind. She thought back to when she had been trained as a pup. Her father would constantly make sure she could last hours in the harshest of conditions. What better time to start out than Winter? She grinned mischievously to herself. Armageddon would probably hate her by the end of the day.
Without really knowing where she was going, NightBlood soon saw that she was heading toward a meadow. She usually kept away from this area, fearing as much as enjoying the open space as the deer did. They kept away from it, wary of human hunters as well as wolves, but when danger was not present, they would enjoy the open field and its rich grass as the fawns romped and played.
Not in winter. Today, there were only a few deer in the meadow at the far end. Their lack of alertness told Blood that they hadn't sensed any danger. Maintaining no hint of stealth, she walked right out of the trees.
The deer rose their heads, curious of this new arrival. Their ears perked as NightBlood's scent rolled in from the wind. Wolf. But this one was not hunting. She walked easily, no tension in her movement except for a limp. Her head was down and her eyes were cast to the ground while her ears were perked and her tail hung loosely behind her. They tensed as she looked over at them, but relaxed when she turned away and laid down in the snow. No one would die today. They went back to digging for the last green grass.
"I don't hunt deer," Blood said, returning her attention to Armageddon, "I can't. Not even if I had help."
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackfeathr on Jan 5, 2008 3:30:23 GMT -5
Armageddon smiled as NightBlood acknowledged him. He too let his tail swish from side to side in an informal greeting.
"Follow me."
Silently, he followed in NightBloods wake, not thinking of asking where they were going.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. A Sentry's job is never done."
Armageddon chuckled slowly. "Arnlan must be pretty popular, huh?"
Coulda fooled him. In his travels, what little distance he's gone, he hadn't met a single soul besides NightBlood. But he wasn't complaining. NightBlood was company enough.
"I guess we'll work on stamina today..."
Aw crap. I'm horrible at endurance training... I'm not built for this kind of weather...
Just shut up and deal with it.
Armageddons eyes snapped wide open. What was that?
He listened. Silence... nothing but the crunch of their paws on snow. He shrugged it off.
Whatever NightBlood had in store for him, he'd take it. He wanted to be a warrior. He wanted to know how to fight. He didnt want to be helpless at the jaws of his father again.
They were heading toward a large clearing, a meadow... with a blanket of snow nearly untouched save for the small hoofprints of deer in the far edge.
Armageddon watched NightBlood carefully. She did not go into stealth mode, she just kept walking as if no one was around. Armageddon followed suit.
It came as a suprise to him when she laid down in the snow. Not wanting to stand over her, he laid down as well, facing her.
"I don't hunt deer," She suddenly said to him, "I can't. Not even if I had help."
"Why not?" he asked, tilting his head ever so slightly. "Its a good meal, keeps you full for weeks."
Curiouser and curiouser...
|
|
|
|
Post by nightblood on Jan 5, 2008 3:56:57 GMT -5
"It's not that I don't want to eat them," Blood answered, shaking her head once to confirm a negative, "I'll eat one if I come across a dead one or someone offers their kill to me."
She paused, thinking about the first time someone had offered their catch to her in Arnlan. A sopt on the roof of her mouthbegan to twinge a little bit, but she promptly let go of that memory. Instead, Mortil's fish came to mind. That was a much happier meeting.
"A year ago, I was able to hunt with the pack. Now, because of my injury and build, I am unable to run for long distances. I have the stamina to do so, but my injury is likely to cause pain. It is best that I do not hunt with the pack anymore. I am a fisher now."
She turned an ear toward the deer, listening as they chewed on the dead grass. Sometimes she would find herself catching glimpses of them as she marched through the territory. She would watch them, hoping one would get caught in mud or anything just so she would be able to enjoy a real hunt again. Every day, she would continue on her way, deprived of such a thrill.
"I did not bring you here to chase deer. There would be no way for me to track you if you left the meadow."
She paused there, her good eye drifting over him toward the trees in a dream-like state, as if contemplating the idea of tracking him beyond the tree line. Her mind was lost on that subject... How long until Armageddon would pull her back to the present situation?
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackfeathr on Jan 5, 2008 19:01:18 GMT -5
"It's not that I don't want to eat them," Blood said, shaking her head, "I'll eat one if I come across a dead one or someone offers their kill to me."
Armageddon nodded slowly. He still didn't understand why, but, best to agree and ask questions later.
"A year ago, I was able to hunt with the pack. Now, because of my injury and build, I am unable to run for long distances. I have the stamina to do so, but my injury is likely to cause pain. It is best that I do not hunt with the pack anymore. I am a fisher now."
Ah...
"Oh... I'm sorry... That really must make your Sentry job more difficult."
"I am often looked over by stronger wolves and judged to be a weaker wolf who wont survive the rest of the season, so I was always left out of hunts and feasts of deer and elk. I prefer going after hares and other small animals instead... it keeps me going, for a while."
Armageddon crossed his paws, following NightBloods gaze to the deer, grazing peacefully. The calmness of the meadow was absolute. The deer found them to be no threat, and were content with them sharing the space. It was one of the wonders that was rarely found in nature. Once again NightBloods voice brought him back to planet Earth.
"I did not bring you here to chase deer. There would be no way for me to track you if you left the meadow."
Armageddon awaited her next orders but they never came; her eyes seemed to drift above him. He looked behind him, but there was nothing but trees. He turned around, tail twitching closer to him.
She was authoritative yet endearing. Like a mother, except his age. A wife? He laughed inwardly at himself. She was... admirable... charming, yes, he could say that.
He caught himself smiling in the growing silence, which would seem a bit odd if an outsider just happened to walk by. He shook his head to silence all thoughts and cleared his throat pointedly to regain her attention.
|
|
|
|
Post by nightblood on Jan 5, 2008 19:18:35 GMT -5
"Oh... I'm sorry... That really must make your Sentry job more difficult."
"A bit," she answered dismissively.
"I am often looked over by stronger wolves and judged to be a weaker wolf who won't survive the rest of the season, so I was always left out of hunts and feasts of deer and elk. I prefer going after hares and other small animals instead... it keeps me going, for a while."
Blood gave a quick smile at that. "I don't see you dieing any time soon."
The Sentry blinked slowly when Armageddon cleared his throat. She brought her eyes back down to meet his. "I was thinking about how best to test your stamina. When I first met you, you told me you had some leadership experience. How would you test someone?" Another mini-test. Depending on the length of his leadership and how he lead, he could come up with any answer.
As the black male thought it over, NightBlood studied his features. His angular form was interesting, but pleasing, at least to her eye. She was particularly drawn to his necklace. The pendants were two more than hers and it was adorned with beads. She wondered where he had gotten it, but that was a question for another day.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackfeathr on Jan 24, 2008 11:11:56 GMT -5
"I don't see you dieing any time soon."
Armageddon couldnt help but smile. "Well thats a relief!" he said, albeit a bit too loudly. Nervous? Perhaps.
"I was thinking about how best to test your stamina. When I first met you, you told me you had some leadership experience. How would you test someone?"
"Er..." The question caught Armageddon by surprise. Of course he'd been heir to his birthpack, even if his brother would have never allowed him to be alpha. But that was years ago. It was in his childhood he resided in the pack, and when he became a yearling, the land perished under the choke of drought. His mother wouldn't let him out of the cave that they huddled in for protection of the stinging sands.
Not much leadership experience there. He'd done most of his growing up wandering around the country.
And to add to all of that, his mother was a very kind and forgiving alphess. She allowed any wolves in who seeked a home without any test of any sort.
"Well... I'm not sure how things work around here but if there were any pack hunts of any sort I would... order that wolf to participate."
Yes, order sounds like a good word. Thats what leaders do, right?
He shook his head slightly and carried on.
"If they can hold their own, be aware of what all the other packmates are doing, and be of assistance to them to bring the kill down, then..." Armageddon trailed off and paused. "Well I guess I'd be able to pass judgement based on my observation."
His heart was hammering against his chest. Was this the right answer?
He bit his bottom lip anxiously. He certainly hoped so.
For a wolf who had only a menial amount of leadership experience he was doing well so far.
|
|
|
|
Post by nightblood on Jan 25, 2008 0:27:40 GMT -5
"Well... I'm not sure how things work around here but if there were any pack hunts of any sort I would... order that wolf to participate."
Blood tilted her head. She hadn't ever thought of having a potential member join a pack hunt. This was a new concept. Perhaps a promising one.
"If they can hold their own, be aware of what all the other packmates are doing, and be of assistance to them to bring the kill down, then..." Armageddon trailed off and paused. "Well I guess I'd be able to pass judgement based on my observation."
The Sentry gave him a slightly quizzical look. It all seemed too complicated for potential members. Perhaps it would work better to weed out ones who were too weak for their current rank and those who needed to be promoted based on their skill level. Over all, NightBlood thought that Armageddon might have misunderstood her question. All the same, it gave her an idea of how to test his stamina.
"In my past, I would say that 'orders' included every word a higher-up spoke. Now I believe that most orders should be given only in times of great need. There may be some who disagree."
She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in a bit. Unfortunately they also sunk in on her. She just remembered a statement from a Dravirian elder. Her previous sentence was almost exactly like the one she remembered.
'Oh, damn, I am so OLD!!' she thought to herself.
Quickly waving those thoughts aside, Blood sat up and roughly shook her head. "Anyway... Your answer has given me an idea. Perhaps I did bring you here to chase deer." That said, she turned and gazed at the hoofed beasts. "I'd like for you to keep them all in the meadow for as long as you can. Stay where I can see you. Use any method you wish."
She finished her statement and moved to a small rise. She was able to see most of the meadow from here. The wind ruffled her coat as she stood gazing out at the deer. They hadn't noticed her, or had and made up their minds that she wasn't hunting. How surprised they would be soon if Armageddon agreed to go through with the task...
As a second thought, the Sentry glanced back at him. "Any questions?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackfeathr on Feb 3, 2008 1:48:24 GMT -5
"Anyway... Your answer has given me an idea. Perhaps I did bring you here to chase deer." That said, she turned and gazed at the hoofed beasts. "I'd like for you to keep them all in the meadow for as long as you can. Stay where I can see you. Use any method you wish."
Oh how this sentry keeps you on your toes.
"Uhh..." Armageddon stammered, twisting his head around to look back at the deer, still grazing.
Shouldnt be too hard.
Though, then again, I've never had to babysit 200 pound animals before.
"...kay..." his voice carried a slight hint of confusion and skepticism.
"Any questions?"
"Yes, actually," Armageddon said quickly, "er... any method? I mean, I can nip at them to keep them in the field?"
He stole a quick glance back at the deer, all of which suspected nothing and continued their search for food. Anxiety started to swell inside him, rising up his throat and making him overheat. His paws began to sweat in the cold snow. He opened his mouth slightly to pant, breath coming out slowly and in plumes of whispy steam.
|
|
|
|
Post by nightblood on Feb 3, 2008 17:17:31 GMT -5
"Yes, actually," Armageddon said quickly, "er... any method? I mean, I can nip at them to keep them in the field?"
"Yup," Blood answered simply with a kind smile. It was then that she noticed the black wolf's heavy breaths. His expression was not one of excitement, but anxiety. She frowned, pulling her ears back a bit, her face mirroring that of a concerned elder.
"Do your best, but know that I'm not going to throw you out simply because you can't control deer."
Her expression was hard and slightly cold. She had a nerve that disliked certain wolves who thought that their pack expected them to be super-members. Right beside it was a nerve that absolutely hated slackers. Armageddon was pressing on the first.
"I don't expect you to go on forever. When or if you feel you are going to pass out, stop. If any manage to escape you, focus on the ones that are still in the meadow."
With that, she turned her attention back to the deer and waited for the trainee to either come up with another question or begin his trial.
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackfeathr on Feb 14, 2008 22:16:24 GMT -5
"Right then." Armageddon said finally, calming himself. "Nothing further."
Armageddon turned and trotted out to the meadow, closer to the deer, and laid down, watching them.
A dainty doe lifted her head and eyed him suspiciously. Fearful of scaring them, Armageddon quickly looked the other way, feigning interest in a crow sitting on a tree branch nearby. The doe returned to her grazing. Armageddon looked back and gave a sigh of relief.
Time wore on as Armageddon watched as the deer grazed. After the first hour he grew bored with their repetitive behavior but forced himself to watch to make sure no deer left the meadow. He tried to focus on different things... their eyes, reflecting the snow beneath, their hoofs, so silently stepping on the blanket of snow over the earth, or their teeth, so nimbly pulling and chewing the last bits of dying grass. In the back of his mind he wondered if NightBlood was really watching anymore or had left the area to carry on with her duties.
Nah, she wouldn't do that. She was there to help him of course. That was the most kindness any wolf has treated him, and he was grateful for that.
|
|
|
|
Post by nightblood on Feb 16, 2008 9:40:17 GMT -5
When Armageddon didn't run passed her to start herding the deer, NightBlood turned to look at the black wolf. She had half expected him to get right to it- running around and barking at whatever wrong step the deer made. He wasn't so eager, however, to run when the deer weren't making any move to leave the meadow. Blood smiled inwardly, reminding herself of his age. He wasn't exactly a whelp, now was he?
As the minutes passed, NightBlood's smile become more apparent on the outside. Armageddon was astonishingly patient as he watched the deer. He made himself focus on the more interesting things about them, she could tell, otherwise he probably would have fallen asleep by now. As her pride for him grew, a thought came to mind. He was patient, yes, but how easily distracted was he?
With this question in mind, the Sentry looked over to him and began to think of a good conversation starter. Not being very good at such, she fell back on one she had heard before. She kept her voice down, not wanting to scare the deer away and ruin his task.
"So how do you like Arnlan so far?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Blackfeathr on Feb 24, 2008 1:36:44 GMT -5
"So how do you like Arnlan so far?"
Armageddon startled slightly at the sudden voice behind him. His thoughts silenced, he turned slighty, seeing nothing but trees but responding to NightBlood all the same.
"I love it. Its an absolutely wonderful pack to live in. For the first time in years I feel... like I am... home."
Cheesy, he could admit, but true.
"How long have you been a part of this pack, Night?"
He waited in silence for her answer, curiously wondering. Was Arnlan a young pack? No, something about this place seems timeless... something that has always been.
He turned around, keeping an eye on the deer. Most hadn't moved much, save for one stag who looked to be finishing up. A tic of unease rose inside him as he watched this deer anxiously. If the stag made a move toward the borders, he'd have to get moving.
|
|
|
|
Post by nightblood on Feb 24, 2008 11:00:05 GMT -5
Blood smiled at the black wolf's answer. Yes, she had felt the same way. Even her birthpack couldn't stand up to a place like this in her mind. Funny how the darkness of Arnlan seemed to have a positive effect on the wolves who lived there.
"How long have you been a part of this pack, Night?"
Blood shook her head and blinked, surprised by such a question. She was happy he was looking in a different direction. Silently, she counted the months in her brain, as well as on her toes. One could live in Arnlan for a century and never know it.
"I'd say almost a good year. Give or take."
It was then that she noticed the straying buck. She could see the tension forming in Armageddons posture. The show was about to begin. However, she didn't want to seem like she had noticed. Why? She didn't know. With no second question to land on, Night laid her head down in the snow, her eyes carefully drifting to view the deer. How would Armageddon go about keeping them in the meadow?
|
|
