Ghosts on the Border [Alphas-Anyone]

[Sofika]

Sofika rose now hoping that she had given them enough time to come together again after so many years. She probably would have been better staying on her hillspot instead of racing down and having last minute thoughts about appearing right away. She supposed that it was only right of her to welcome them back though and she shook her head a little and slowly started walking in their direction.

Somewhere to her right, she heard leaves rustling and the splodge of footsteps on the mucky ground. Apus. He was leaving them. Had Cepheus scared him off? She sensed that there was something different about young Apus as he walked, straight past Sofika without knowing. He held himself a little better than usual. Waiting for him to pass on by she slipped from the shadows and went down the route he had come.

She watched between the trees the three remaining wolves and then she came forward; her body melting out of the darkness. First her maw, with her neon blue spots glimmering and then her head; her eyes hidden from the mass of fur that covered them. Her slender body then followed and she walked towards the elder siblings. " Pollux, " she said in acknowledgement of the scouts presence. " Lyra... Cepheus... " she said in a hushed tone. " ...Welcome back... " the alphess continued.

It was difficult for her to see them in the flesh. So, it really was true that they had returned. Before her eyes they were, breathing... alive and not dead, as assumed they were. " I honestly... " she started. It was clear that she was really stunned by their presence. " ... How are you? " she finished in a concerned voice.

[Squeeji]

Pollux's tail wagged a bit as Sofika noticed that Cepheus and Lyra were alive as well. That sealed it, it wasn't like the Alpha was prone to seeing things, or flights of fancy. Besides, the scout was pleased to see her siblings, and almost amused at Sofika's almost amazing emotional response (which would be any emotional response from the Arnlan Alphas)

But with Cepheus and Lyra on the spot, Pollux didn't say a thing, she just smiled quietly, and allowed the two to have their spotlight, after all, how many wolves came back from the dead?

Not too many, that was for sure.

[sarhea]

Cepheus watched Apus disappear into the underbrush. He paid no mind to his sisters chatting amongst themselves as he lay on the cold ground. Snow and ice would soon be covering the land. He'd seen plenty of ice up north where they had lived the past 3 years, but it had been different-made Arnlan winters like a walk in the park. He was actually looking forward to this winter. A slight sound came from the same bushes Apus had disappeared into. He smirked; was the coward returning? A mischievous look came over him as he brought his limbs under him, preparing to pounce. Apus would not get away so easily this time. Let Lyra stop him. It had been too long since he had been able to stand over someone and torment them.

But what emerged from the brush was not Apus. A dark figure slowly slithered forth, and the recognition failed to click until he spied those blue markings. His eyes flew open wide as he scrambled to his feet, standing alert and tall, straining his eyes to make sure he was not seeing things in the dark shadows of the night. But it was his alphess; how long it had been since her mysterious appearings had sent shivers up his spine...

Lyra remained chatting with Pollux until she noticed his sudden change of stature. Her head snapped about, her eyes watching Sofika's shape melt out of the shadows. A warm smile spread across her maw as the alphess approached, her tail beginning to gently sway as she lowered her head in respect.

" Pollux, "" Lyra... Cepheus... " " ...Welcome back... "

It had always been a mystery to know the Arnlan alphas' emotions for not being able to see their eyes-one only knew by words and body language. And Lyra found it strange, that much like her sister, Sofika appeared stunned by their presence. She never remembered Sofika or Karolek ever being surprised by anything.

"Thank you, Sofika. It is good to be home," she replied humbly.

Cepheus stepped forward, lowering his head in greeting, his whole countenance changing. Lyra smirked inwardly-Now he goes into noble mode....

"It is truly wonderful to be home. We never dreamed the mission you sent us on would take us where it did. It has been a long 3 years, but we have returned successful," he replied, taking several steps backward, looking for the moose antler he'd dropped.

" ... How are you? "

Lyra spoke up in response to that question. She knew that they both looked pretty ragged, having traveled such a distance after having survived the great northern famine.

"We are as well as one could be after the long journey home. This past season brought a great famine to the lands..." she was interrupted by Cepheus's return with that damn antler. Though she had to admit-when one thought about it, it was a pretty good sign that they had to have worked with others-they would have never brought down that moose by themselves. It took all of the surviving members of the nomadic clan to bring down that creature. He sat in on the ground before them.

"We bring this token, this pledge from the nomadic clan Valdnad, led by Alpha Ande. He pledges his friendship and assistance should Arnlan ever require it." Cepheus was relieved to finally have that off his chest, the mission completed and message delivered.

[Sofika]

" I am just terribly glad to see that you both have returned safely," replied Sofika, her maw pointing towards Lyra, indicating that she was speaking to her. Her head then dipped as Cephues gave her details of their mission.

Cepheus spoke of succession.

Sofika cocked her head a little and nodded for him to go on. So there was a pack out there who was looking for an alliance? That was good... or at least it would have been a few years back.

" When did our message reach Alpha Ande? "

Had the mesage been recieved 3 years back then everything would have been fine. However, things had changed since then and Sofika no longer wished the alliance of another pack. And what of this nomadic pack? They could have vanished by now. It seemed smaller rising packs were doing that lately. Being crushed before their prime.

Her short pause was not intended for a reply and so she continued to explain her question in more detail.

" If, it had been 3 years ago that it reached them, then I can unfortunately say I doubt the small pack of travelling wolves are still a unit... If however, it was of late that word got to them... I will have to send a message to them that we no longer wish for an alliance... "

" I do not wish for you to feel that your mission was for nothing. Understand that alot has changed since you first left with that message. We have grown stronger since then and no longer require recruitment of unattatched wolves... "

[Squeeji]

Pollux cocked a brow and then stepped forward. "Sofika, I don't think we should burn our bridges with this nomadic pack." She had always been a bold, but to say anything against the Alpha until now. "I apologize for my rudeness, but, they would be nice to call upon if Sallin ever does rise their warparty against us. " The scout nodded but was ready for any scolding she might receive if Sofika considered her statement an insult.

"In war, there is no fault in having a party of wolves that the enemy cannot recognize, that their scouts and spies have no recollection of. It would be...a boon to have that sort of free radical in our paw." her tone was confident, she knew the general status of Sallin's pack, of their warriors, but if they had gotten some other pack on their side, she wouldn't know what to say.

"Just don't write them off just yet. For sake of insult. They do not wish for our help, nor do we wish for theirs...just yet. So no harm could be done, though if we insult their good intentions, they may wish for some form of retribution." Pollux smiled, her ears lifting, she was confident that she had said the right thing.

[sarhea]

Cepheus's heart almost stopped at Sofika's statements. His eyes went wide and disbelieving, and for once, the normally eloquent golden male was speechless. Finally, he sighed heavily, tearing his gaze away from Sofika's, looking down at the token at his feet. No longer in need of assistance? But everything they had been through the past few years. How was he to respond? He would have to choose his words very carefully, but at the moment, the only word that came to his mind was..but...but...but what? He closed his eyes, his ears falling back, desperately searching his vocabulary for the right response to his alphess, the right words to express what he felt without stepping out of line.

"Sofika, I don't think we should burn our bridges with this nomadic pack."

What? Cepheus's head quickly raised, his gaze flying to Pollux. Saved by his work-a-holic sister. Right now, he really could have given her a big hug. As she continued her honest assessment, Cepheus's mind finally began to process what Sofika had said and to formulate a response. He turned back to Sofika.

"Yes, I could imagine things have changed a bit since our departure. We have been through so much on our journey to accomplish your mission. We never intended for it to take as long as it did. But the Valdnad clan-they are no small pack-nomadic yes, but in the meaning that they travel southward in the winter, and head back north for the summer. Not hard to find for one who knows where to look. And Pollux is right-I would not want to burn the bridges with them. Not saying they would ever bring harm to us-we have too much a respect for each other, but it would be a great offense...." he paused, looking to Lyra.

Lyra stepped forward now. She felt her brother's pain. They both had been through a long, strange ordeal. It was a long story, and if Sofika wanted to hear it, they would tell, but for now, she just had her bit of input to add.

"Sofika, I too, believe it would be unwise to offend Valdnad. However, I can hopefully bring ease in that they were not seeking alliance with us for their benefit. They offered their assistance to us should we ever need it, offering this assistance freely for helping save their alpha and his pack. I do believe they would never seek us out for our help. I just don't see it being their nature to do so-"

[Sofika]

Sofika had begun a sigh when Pollux spoke up and she paused half way through, turned her head around and percked her ears forward. Straightening up, the alphess gave a peculiar look to the Scout and stood, listening carefully.

The problem was that Sofika did not want Arnlan to be known to require help if ever needed. They were a strong pack, who could stand themselves, did not need anyone else. She wanted to hold onto that reputation but then she began to realise, strength was not what they were known for. It was the mysterys that lurked within their border that made them so renowned.

She cocked her head a little, listening, thinking things over. Pollux certainly had a lot of good things to say for herself recently, she noted, watching the old Scout. Her attention then fell upon Cephues and Lyra. Sofika was allowing them all to speak before she responded so that she could get an idea of how they felt about the situation. She felt that she had offended them by saying that they did not need anyone else anymore.

" Sofika, I too, believe it would be unwise to offend Valdnad... "

The alphess raised her head and ruffled her nose at this. Unwise to offend a puny nomadic pack? Who did she think they were? They were nothing like Sallin, who it would be unwise to offend. But a little pack? What would they do if she did offend them? Nothing significant for sure. Sofika chose not to respond to this.

But she supposed, she may as well have them there. She could always use them in the forefront in any battle that might stir. They could die before the Arnlan wolves; protect her own for the nomadic pack where going to die out anyway.

" Alright, alright... " she breathed, a hint of anger from the statement Lyra made about offending them. " If we need the extra bodies, we will call to them. " She still felt bad that she made the whole mission out to have been for nothing. " I see where you are all coming from. They are in our debt now, for you saving the life of their alpha. We will call to them when we need them. "

Sofika started pacing slowly back and forth with her head and tail held high. She highly doubted a war would begin anytime soon because, from what she saw from the southern border, there was not much going on in there anymore. What had happened? Had they all died of something? She wanted to know more, but was not going to risk sending anyone into the territory.

[Squeeji]

Pollux clenched her jaws, hoping not to get reprimanded, yes, she understood Sofika's pride, and who wouldn't be proud? Arnlan was one of the strongest packs in Kloteck. But, there was no pack that was untouchable...perhaps the scout was getting paranoid in her old age.

"Thank you Sofika, I apologize for stepping out of my rank." After all, the metallic female knew, she was no Beta or adviser, her commentary was completely out of line. But she was growing bold and she had always been one to test the boundaries of what lines she could cross...that's why as a youth she was often in trouble.

[sarhea]

Lyra's posture wilted as Sokia's expression became notably annoyed. This was not going as planned, if there had even been much of a plan. Cepheus would not have followed it if there had been. She threw a quick glance over to him. He'd been so eager to show off, now it seemed to have backfired. Why couldn't he have waited to deliver that message after they'd had a chance to talk with Sofika a little longer. She sighed, her ears swiveling to the side.

She hoped that Pollux would not be reprimanded for speaking up, defending their position. That's the last thing she wanted to happen. They were home, but strangers all the same. Sofika wore an expression of indignation at her comment of offending Valdnad. Now that she thought about it, that probably wasn't the wisest of words to use. Arnlan surely was a much larger pack, their air of mystery always having been an advantage in the past. To be in need of help or to accept it would be an insult....but the damage was already done.

Cepheus was strangely silent, sitting staring at his stupid moose antler like a sulking puppy, his eyes never raising to meet the hidden eyes of the alphess. Even he was regretting what he'd started.

But then Sofika seemed to think on all that had been said. She didn't seem any happier about it, but confirmed that Valdnad would be kept in thought.

Lyra didn't know whether to thank her or to apologize, but then Pollux spoke up, and Lyra dipped her head at the statement, silently agreeing with her sister.

Cepheus finally looked up, his face somber.
"Thank you, Sofika. I doubt the great pack of Arnlan will ever need to call on them," he added quietly, trying to sound proud and confident at his last statement, but failing miserably.

Lyra grumbled to herself-even now, he was trying to be a suck-up. She gave Pollux a thankful, and at the same time, apologetic look.

[Sofika]

As each wolf spoke Sofika slowly turned her head to listen to them, her face expresionless and her ears untwitching. Silence fell after Pollux spoke up and Sofika looked to Lyra who seemed quite sorry. Then Cepheus piped up and her head spun to his direction.

" No we wont. " She finished and looked at all three of them. The alphess lifted her head and looked to the twisting black trees and the shadows that lingered around the bare branches. This had not ended well and the tension was great. Sofika flicked her ears finally and sighed.

" Let us put this behind us. There is no use worrying over it now that it has been done. The mission was given three years ago, things have changed but we can accept this and move on. One day this could be very beneficial..."

Sofika did not want to end today on a bad note. Instead she would try and mend, everyone here had been struck in one way or another today. She did note that Pollux was becoming increasingly bolder, and she watched the old scout for a moment, contemplating something- with this look upon her face.

" What do you suggest we do now... Lyra?"

Lyra appeared to be quite tense throughout this all. Perhaps by being asked for a suggestion she would relax even if a little.

[sarhea]

" Let us put this behind us. There is no use worrying over it now that it has been done. The mission was given three years ago, things have changed but we can accept this and move on. One day this could be very beneficial..."

Sofika's comment helped both siblings breathe a slight sigh of relief. Lyra had felt Cepheus flinch at her quick response to his earlier statement. No doubt that he, too, was feeling at a loss of words. He'd been the one to open his big mouth in the first place, but she'd helped insert both their feet in them. But Sofika seemed to realize the tension was great, and Lyra was greatful that the dark Alphess decided to change the subject.

" What do you suggest we do now... Lyra?"

Lyra's gaze locked on Sofika's face, her own eyes confused. She shot a glance at Pollux, then at Cepheus, who only shrugged at her, making her temper flare just slightly. Nice of him to be silent for once when he could've helped me out, she thought. She turned her gaze back to Sofika.

"Well...um...seeing as how things have changed since we've been away, I would be curious as to hear how Arnlan avoided the threat of conflict with Sallin. Also, with your permission, we'd like to rejoin the ranks of Arnlan, find our remaining family and friends. I'm ready to get back to work for my true pack, to make up for lost time..."

"I too am ready to be of service an any way you see fit, Alphess," Cepheus chimed in finally, with a bow of his golden head.

[Squeeji said to skip her turn, as Sofika had addressed Lyra-sorry for the holdup-]