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Post by nightblood on Dec 12, 2007 22:13:16 GMT -5
Alone. Her first important mission, and NightBlood returned home... ALONE!
Her fangs had been bared for almost an hour, growling at everything that moved. One would suspect she was rabid, but no... worse. The Sentry was beyond angry. She was furious. The members of Arnlan had nothing to fear, however. She was angry at herself and everything she had ever done. She wouldn't take it out on pack members.
During her journey, the wolfess had meditated deeply about what had happened the day ShadeBlood was killed. After much thought, she came to the conclusion that Archer was the one at fault. He had been given the chance to kill Bloodloose earlier in the fight. He could have prevented her cousin's death. He, however, turned on her briefely and gave Bloodloose the chance to take a life.
NightBlood had cut across the border earlier that night. Heading right to her den, she confronted Archer and Cota and had taken her necklace away from him. They were no longer mates. She would no longer sleep in her old den, fearing the memories. She would avoid the two at all costs.
All night, the Sentry paced the border, seemingly returning to her job. She wasn't really thinking about protecting the border, as she should have been, but the female's growls would probably be enough to keep a even bear at bay, let alone- a Sallinian spy.
As the sun crept slowly above the horizon, the red-eyed Sentry came to realize something. She had forgotten to give Sofika her report. She spat at the ground in frustration.
"Shit!"
The alpha would probably be asleep by now. She would no doubt be angered that NightBlood had returned without Ziko. No, not angered- ENRAGED! Damn it all...
NightBlood was not at all excited about being the one to wake her with such news. She continued to walk, hanging her head and lumbering along, contemplating on wether or not to wait for night fall again, or for a sign that her leader was awake.
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Post by Squeeji on Dec 13, 2007 12:00:37 GMT -5
The anger of the big female meant nothing to the scout who sat grinning in the shadows of Arnlan's borders, while not a cruel wolf herself, Pollux always found mirth in others more serious than herself...and it was a rare day when the scout could find someone more dour than her.
"Something wrong young sentry?" the metallic she wolf hopped down from her observation point as the sentry paced closer to her. There was no longer a smile on her face as she had the expression as stoney as the rock she had been sitting upon. "It seems as of late you've have the weight of the world upon your wide shoulders." Her ears perked and she gave an almost maternal look to Nightblood. Pollux came closer, not concerned that said sentry was often times a homicidal maniac (at least due to guilt by association)...if Nightblood killed her, she wouldn't stand long. Though that didn't bother her either, hers was an act of pity and concern...if not understanding for the youthful wolf.
She was a gossipy thing, with her ear down to the ground, she was sure to know of her and Archer's separation and the disappearance of Ziko. But that was neither here, nor there, what she wanted was to hear it from the wolfess's mouth.
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Post by nightblood on Dec 13, 2007 13:28:13 GMT -5
"Something wrong young sentry?"
The sound of the Scout's voice made the growls stop quite suddenly. NightBlood lifted her head to see Pollux coming toward her. She cursed herself silently. She should have noticed her long before she heard her voice.
The scout was obviously coming from the boulder upon the hill. That seemed to be a favorite vantage point among the Arnlan members. Frowning, the Snetry glanced down at the ground, reminding herself to use that some day.
"It seems as of late you've have the weight of the world upon your wide shoulders."
Looking back up at Pollux, NightBlood had the inclination to spill the entire story. The Scout's expression was much like her aunt's. StarFall had been ShadeBlood's mother. Wether she was alive or not, she did not know. Night would've hated to see the look on her face if she ever had to tell her about her son's death.
Choking back a whimper, NightBlood sat down and allowed Pollux to approach. She pulled her ears back, but held her head up as she looked at the ground, not wanting to meet her pack mate's eyes. The multi-colored female had already made her feel like a pup.
"'Mornin', Pollux," she answered, attemtping to avoid her question, "How long 'you been watchin' me?"
It seemed that, for the first time, NightBlood had noticed how scruffy and tattered her fur had gotten since Ziko had dissapeared... or had it been since she left Tricker beyond Dante's Pass? She found, too, that she had had little to eat. It was true, she hadn't come across many rivers or creeks, and the ones she did find were frozen beyond her ability to break through. Perhaps Arnlan hadn't yet been hit by such cold, but she didn't feel hungry just now.
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Post by Squeeji on Dec 13, 2007 13:47:05 GMT -5
"I saw you when you made it into the border, on the human side of the border. I thought I would let you cool down some before I said anything." The scout shrugged and then looked Nightblood over again, this time with a bit more scrutiny noting her desire to disapear from the scout's glance. "But...that didn't answer my question. Which is fine, if you wish to keep it to yourself."
Pollux smiled lightly and shook her head, silly stubborn youth, there was no honor in keeping yourself mad with emotion. But it wasn't as if she placed judgment. "If it eases your mind Nightblood, you are not the first wolf who's lost pack mates or loved ones. Nor the first to loose so many..." the scout sat, and looked at the sentry soulfully, before shaking her head. "So even if you feel that way...you aren't alone."
"Anyways, it was assumed that Ziko would run...it was a test for the pup...I suppose he failed." And she guessed, that Nightblood didn't kill the pup as Arnlan law would dictate. But she was self assured that Sofika knew that...Pollux had no doubt in the alphas omniscient abilities, it was the Scout's interest to know pack goings on...but it was the Alphess's job and Sofika was very, very good at it.
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Post by nightblood on Dec 13, 2007 14:06:19 GMT -5
"I saw you when you made it into the border, on the human side of the border. I thought I would let you cool down some before I said anything."
A slight smile crossed the Sentry's face. It should have been obvious. Pollux seemed to be one to know first of anything that happened in the pack, possibly in sync with the Alphas.
"But...that didn't answer my question. Which is fine, if you wish to keep it to yourself."
She sighed as the frown returned. The ever-persistant Pollux was making her feel guilty as she gave up the chase for an answer.
"If it eases your mind Nightblood, you are not the first wolf who's lost pack mates or loved ones. Nor the first to loose so many..."
Turning to the elder wolfess, NightBlood's jaw parted slightly as she realized she had been pitying herself. Pollux was more experienced, so it went without saying that it was possible she could've lost more than Night had.
"So even if you feel that way...you aren't alone."
She bit her lip, attempting to keep herself from breaking down in the sight of the wiser wolf.
"Anyways, it was assumed that Ziko would run...it was a test for the pup...I suppose he failed."
Her head lowered as she closed her eyes and pointed her nose to the ground once more.
"But... he was my responcibility..."
She suddenly remembered what Sofika had said before she left. 'There is the penalty of death for anyone who tries to run away from Arnlan...'
"I couldn't..." she trailed off, her eyes begining to water. "Damn him..."
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Post by Squeeji on Dec 13, 2007 14:24:23 GMT -5
"It was your responsibility to put him in the position Nightblood, it wasn't your job to make his decision for him." Pollux poked a paw at the younger wolf, kindly, but to bring her back into the here and now. "You, me...we had to make a lot of important choices when we were younger. Ziko, he had to forge his own path, or else he wouldn't have ever been happy."
Had Pollux ever considered to run off and never return? As a young wolf...who hadn't? The desire to find adventure and a place for oneself, it was the plight of youth. Instead, of running off and never returning, the scout had been given her rank to feed her desire for wandering. She had hoped that Sofika had done the same for the pup...so he wouldn't have left.
"But most importantly, Nightblood, don't deny that you feel bad...its natural and normal to grieve, if you don't do so...you'll find yourself trapped never to feel again." the voice of experience, she had never opened her feelings to another wolf since Castor's death, giving the old female an aloof quality. "I assure you you're doing yourself no service by keeping so welled up."
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Post by nightblood on Dec 13, 2007 14:39:45 GMT -5
"It was your responsibility to put him in the position Nightblood, it wasn't your job to make his decision for him."
She felt the nudge and heard the words, making sure she understood. True, she couldn't tell him what to do. However, what he had chosen should have come with a consequence, one that Night couldn't uphold.
"You, me...we had to make a lot of important choices when we were younger. Ziko, he had to forge his own path, or else he wouldn't have ever been happy."
NightBlood's expression was one of remorse as she lifted her eyes to Pollux once more.
"Sofika... She told me that the penalty for fleeing Arnlan was death... She intended for me to kill Ziko if he ran... I... I disobeyed..."
She lowered her head again, thinking of the encounter soon to come between herself and the Arnlan leader.
"But most importantly, Nightblood, don't deny that you feel bad...its natural and normal to grieve, if you don't do so...you'll find yourself trapped never to feel again."
Night was silent. She knew the feeling as well. She had kept many things bottled up. Perhaps this was the reason for her distant personality.
"I assure you you're doing yourself no service by keeping so welled up."
"I know...," she said, much like a pup would answer their parents.
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Post by Squeeji on Dec 13, 2007 18:07:22 GMT -5
"And he'll die Nightblood...a years old pup, cared for by the pack since his parents died from that disease, never trained, never taught to survive...he won't make it a season if a moon's turn." Pollux nodded gravely, to her, Nightblood had done nothing wrong. "Its sad to say, but true."
"The alphas are strange sentry, but in a good way, we may not understand them, but we almost always do as they intended...which may be meant you did exactly what Sofika wanted." she came up nudged up again her again, this time with her muzzle, trying to make the poor young female feel better.
"Now, tell me, what happened between you and that nice young male. The short one with the black coat?" Presumptuous, but even Ziko had known that Nightblood and Archer were an item, and even Pollux knew that the two were inseparable...but they were separate now.
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Post by nightblood on Dec 13, 2007 18:38:29 GMT -5
"And he'll die Nightblood...a years old pup, cared for by the pack since his parents died from that disease, never trained, never taught to survive...he won't make it a season if a moon's turn."
Night looked up at Pollux once more, pressing her ears against her head. Deep down, she didn't want the pup to die. However, she knew that what what she said was true. The only way Ziko would survive was if he met kindness from another carnivore or a human. It was unlikely.
"Its sad to say, but true."
Blood nodded her grave agreement.
"The alphas are strange sentry, but in a good way, we may not understand them, but we almost always do as they intended...which may be meant you did exactly what Sofika wanted."
This statement, along with her comforting nudge, did little to raise NightBlood's spirits. She had sentenced a pup to death. It would take a long time to get over.
"Now, tell me, what happened between you and that nice young male. The short one with the black coat?"
Blood gave a quick growl, but quickly quelled it. The memory of him was enough to make her sick, but she felt compelled to answer. The Scout's consern had taken the Sentry back in years. She felt as if she was speaking to a mother figure. She sertainly trusted this one more than Cota at the moment.
"Archer... He betrayed me... He's the reason ShadeBlood..."
She suddenly became very interested in her own front paws, bringing her eyes down again.
"I won't kill him while he's a pack member..."
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Post by Squeeji on Dec 13, 2007 21:13:17 GMT -5
Pollux nodded politely taking in the story. "I see, i noticed you two hadn't been together since your return to Arnlan, and I heard of your cousin's death, I am sorry for your loss Nighblood." there was a bit of a sympathetic whimper in her voice, Pollux was in her poorest temper during the fall and winter months, just coming to the sentry to hear her woes was a rare occurance, she all but disappeared during this time "I'm sorry he wasn't true, but these things also happen, and I'm sure you'll find another...you're young, ambitious...and there are many like minded males here in Arnlan."
But her tone had changed, her tone not as sincere, obviously the elder female didn't believe it herself. Though no one said anything about it, it was odd that Pollux had never seemed to bond with another wolf in her whole life.
"I won't kill him while he's a pack member..."
"No I know you won't, you're a good and loyal wolf Nightblood, and respect that, even though sometimes your judgment is clouded." She thought of Umbra and the poisoned wolf and fought back the desire to cringe. "But what enrages you more...the loss of your cousin, or the betrayal of your lover? You will have to weight that thought soundly, as it will probably dictate your life in the future."
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Post by nightblood on Dec 13, 2007 21:32:12 GMT -5
"I see, i noticed you two hadn't been together since your return to Arnlan, and I heard of your cousin's death, I am sorry for your loss Nighblood."
The Sentry was silent, not wanting to encourage more pity.
"I'm sorry he wasn't true, but these things also happen, and I'm sure you'll find another...you're young, ambitious...and there are many like minded males here in Arnlan."
NightBlood snorted, mimicking her sceptical tone.
"No I know you won't, you're a good and loyal wolf Nightblood, and respect that, even though sometimes your judgment is clouded."
"I should probably be more judgemental about the members I accept...," she answered, guessing at what she implied.
"But what enrages you more...the loss of your cousin, or the betrayal of your lover? You will have to weight that thought soundly, as it will probably dictate your life in the future."
NightBlood raised her head after a moment's thought. Pollux spoke the truth, she knew it. But how to answer, she didn't know. Instead, she stood up and looked at the elder wolf.
"I supposed I should think on the matter."
Turning to the horizon, NightBlood watched for a moment as the sun rose fully into the sky. Glancing at the multi-colored female, she continued their conversation for a little longer.
"Tell me... What has happened since I've been gone? I havn't met another Arnlanian that I could stand to have a conversation with yet."
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Post by Squeeji on Dec 13, 2007 21:41:36 GMT -5
"Tell me... What has happened since I've been gone? I havn't met another Arnlanian that I could stand to have a conversation with yet."
Pollux shrugged. "The scouts Cepheus and Lyra have returned after years of being lost to us. Orion is under my charge as scout apprentice, I shall be retiring soon. " She looked at the greeting sun with a sour look. "other than that, it is Arnlan life as regular."
"No new members, but you don't see me complaining..."The scout cocked a sly grin as she pondered the past proceedings.
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Post by nightblood on Dec 14, 2007 5:27:29 GMT -5
"The scouts Cepheus and Lyra have returned after years of being lost to us. Orion is under my charge as scout apprentice, I shall be retiring soon. "
The returning Scouts' names were logged into the back of her mind, other than that, she didn't really pay attention to that bit of news. She was interested, in fact, about Orion's apprenticship and opened her ears to listen for more, only to be slaped in the face with her announcement of retirement.
"other than that, it is Arnlan life as regular."
Blood looked to her for what seemed to be the millienth time, jaw open in slight shock. Pollux was only double her age, and yet, retiring?
"No new members, but you don't see me complaining..."
NightBlood attempted a wry smile back, but it was hardly worth the effort to try. Dispite her usual disposition not to ask further questions, the Sentry could barely control herself. There was so much more she wanted to ask, but her personality just wouldn't allow her to voice her questions. They simply swirled in her mind like a mass of angry bees, able to be summed up in two inquiries.
'Three more years, and then that's it for me?'
'Does she want to retire, or is it a requirement at her age?'
"I will continue to send them away unless Sofika lifts the ban. Until then, you can continue to see more familiar faces in the pack lands," she answered, finally able to bring her smart-aleck grin back to the surface.
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Post by Squeeji on Dec 14, 2007 14:08:04 GMT -5
"New members will come, or they won't...I suppose I just get annoyed they disappear as quickly as they appear...Sofika is a much more patient wolf than I." The scout snapped her teeth with a pulled back grin. "I'd have taken care of this problem already by now...one way or another..."
Pollux noted the distraught look upon the younger female's muzzle, she cocked a brow and perked an ear. A smile on her features. The old scout wondered what was going on in the sentry's mind. "Indulge me...what's on your mind that what I said got such a reaction out of you?"
Perhaps Nightblood wasn't the type to ask questions, but Pollux was shameless and bold when she wanted answers, even as a pup she would talk the elders and Alphas ears off. It was something she had never quite grown out of, and seemed as such she never would.
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Post by nightblood on Dec 14, 2007 14:20:27 GMT -5
"New members will come, or they won't...I suppose I just get annoyed they disappear as quickly as they appear...Sofika is a much more patient wolf than I."
"I'd have taken care of this problem already by now...one way or another..."
Blood gave a light-hearted laugh at the statement and nodded in her agreement. She would've been right behind her.
"Indulge me...what's on your mind that what I said got such a reaction out of you?"
The Sentry paused, choosing her words carefully. When speaking with elders, she liked to make sure she didn't upset them. In Draviria, the older wolves were likely to snap at a pup if they ticked them off. Even though she didn't exactly fear Pollux as a battle opponent, she judged that it was not a good idea to have her be cross with her.
"I was just wandering if you were looking forward to retirement or not..." was all her tiny brain could confirm was okay to voice.
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