Howls in the Night {Acceptance}

[ladydragoness]

The sun was setting again. How many days have gone by now? How many nights has she been forced to sleep alone under the stars without anyone to be with.

Tonight the wind was blowing, a storm was moving in from the south. BladeWind shivered as the temperature dropped greatly and watched the dark clouds roll in and block out the brilliantly glistening stars and golden harvest moon.

BladeWind decided to walk a little farther and try to find some shelter before the storm rolled in. Before she did though, she came across a scent. It was strong and somehow familiar, a vision of her mother clouded her mind for a moment reminding her about pack scents marking their territories. She was never allowed to go far enough anyway from the den to experience this and missed out when she was kidnapped by humans. She sighed and backed away from the invisible wall that was in front of her nose, crawling into a mass of roots under a big tree.

BladeWind tried to sleep but her mind would not let her rest. It wheeled and turned over every memory she had, all the while asking herself, "Why did this have to happen to me? Why won't I wake up from this nightmare?" The storm thudered a loud response that stopped her mind for a moment as the rain began to fall.

Minutes passed by, but it felt like hours. Time was nothing to her anymore. It seemed as though the storm was washing away all her hopes and dreams of finding her brothers and a new home with a new family and friends. The point of living seemed to be erased right before her eyes as flashes of lightning illuminated the woods around her before being plunged into darkness again.
Still raining and thundering, the moon was able to shine through the clouds, if but for a moment, but in that moment, it compelled BladeWind and brought back her hope.

She smiled to herself. "That's why I'm still fighting. No matter how dark it seems, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel." She let out a long wistful howl at the moon as if to say, here I am brothers and friends, please come find me and rescue me from my hell. As her howl died off in the distance with no response coming back, though she wasn't expecting one, she finally put her head down and began to sleep lightly, ready to be on full alert should anything intrude under her tree, the trace of a smile still playing across her face.

[nightblood]

Thunder rolled and broke the silence at the end of another quiet day in Arnlan. NightBlood paused at looked up at the black clouds from the border. A once prideful and angry glare was replaced by a flicker of fear. Black and tan ears pulled back and her tail lowered until the tip almost touched the ground. It was on a night like this that the ground had given way beneath her.

Blood tore her eye from the sky, gazing forcfully downward. Then it began to rain. The sight of the wet earth almost made her jump, but she knew instantly that there was no escaping rain.

"Damn it..."

NightBlood glared all around her, giving a threatening stare to anything that moved. She turned to face forward and shook her fur rid of the rain water. Taking a few determine steps forward, her spirits slowly lowered until there was barely a trace of confidence. A whimper escaped her throat. Where was Archer?

~That does it,~ Night told herself, ~I've been officially tramatized.~
-Almighty NightBlood, scared? Thought the moon would fall from the sky before this happened.-

NightBlood pulled her ears back for a second time and looked around again. The will to either run to her den or find Archer was building as the wind picked up. How firm was this ground? One could never be sure. On the other paw, she had a pack to protect within these boundaries.

-Had I not been scared out of my wits, I would say 'Death before Dishonor'.-
~Isn't that what Umbra said while he was trying to kill Archer?~
-... Wow, it is... Not only am I scared out of my wits, I need sleep too!-
~To the den?~
-To the den! Get me outa here!-

The wind howled in outrage as NightBlood made her way toward the inland of the territory. So strong was the force of the wind that it nearly knocked the giant off her feet and across the border. It was then that she heard it, battling against the air current. A real howl trapped in the madness of sounds. She stopped fighting as the wind died down. Like two opponents comming to the end of a draw. She picked up her ears and rotated her head in the direction the sound had come from.

The sound was not of Arnlan... At least, it hadn't come from someone she knew. It was too close to the border to be a pack member. NightBlood growled and leaped forward, starting her hike at a trot. Her limps were so pronounced that she could probably be mistaken for a giant, stumbling pup. Had she stayed at the den all this time, she would probably be fully healed. But, to her knowledge, she was the only Sentry. She could not let the land fall while she healed in the safety of her den.

It wasn't long before she came across the scent belonging to the howler. Female. Little under two years old. She had an old injury. NightBlood could smell the scared skin and old traces of blood. So where was she?

At a glance around, Blood could see no sign of a wolf anywhere. The scent trail ended at an old tree. So where was this kid? Annoyed, she put her nose to the ground like a scent hound and sniffed. Stronger in one direction. She turned toward the tree and saw that its roots were exposed. Lightning flashed and illuminated red, blue, and gold fur in the darkness under the roots. For a moment, she saw herself under dirt and rock again.

"Come out of there!" NightBlood roared over the thunder at the younger female, "That's not a den, that's a death trap!"

[ladydragoness]

The storm rattled and rumbled as BladeWind tried to sleep under her tree roots. In a way, the storm began to sooth her after she had howled at the moon.

She was quite content but was abruptly woken but the sounds of someone approaching. She wanted to jump up and run as the memories of her kidnapping came exploding back out of her mind, but she knew that wouldn't do her any good. She lay still, slightly trembling at her fear, getting mad at herself.

~Come on. Get over that, it happened and you were a pup, there's nothing to be so afraid of now.~
Suddenly there was a long flash of lightning and Blade saw who approached her. It was a large black and red female wolf. She was sniffing the ground, coming toward her tree. Blade lay still as the female approached, tail just barely dragging the ground behind her. Then another flash and a loud thunderclap made Blade cringe as the female saw her and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Come out of there!" She yelled over the roar of thunder. "That's not a den, that's a death trap!"

"Please miss. I'm all alone and don't have a den. I hope I'm not intruding on your pack's territory....I'll leave, there's no need to escort me."
BladeWind slowly got up and came out into the rain. Her green eye glowed a golden color in the night making her appear to have two eyes the same color.

She wasn't really sure how to approach the other, if at all. She was not nearly as tall as the female that stood over her, like her mother had when she needed protecting. A smile clipped across Blade's face.
My name is BladeWind. I have traveled from many a place and mean no threat to anyone. I'm just looking for some.... She stopped....was she being too open? She decided to let the other make the next move. This was Her territory after all and she was the introder.

Blade bowed her head to the ground where she would have inhaled loose dirt were it not packed down hard by the rain, and waited for the female to either fight her off, or talk with her.
Either way she was prepared to run should the need arise.

[nightblood]

"NightBlood," the crimson-eyed titan replied in a swift introduction.

Normally the half-blind wolfess wouldn't care, but a wolf out in this weather was someone to be suspicious about. Althoug she had taken shelter under the tree, one could only hope this blue, red, and tan female wasn't a spy or assassin from Sallin.

If NightBlood were to voice her suspsions allowed, one would probably guess she was paranoid. She would say different. According to her, she was 'acutely alert'.

Blood shook her fur again and growled at the rain. She stepped forward, probably invading BladeWind's personal space. She glared into her eyes and for one brief moment, saw that there was nothing to fear. She sniffed slightly, commiting her scent to memory, then sat down next to the truck of the tree, its branches shielding her from the rain. She looked at the younger female with an almost bored look on her face.

"What brings you to Arnlan?"

[ladydragoness]

"NightBlood," the crimson-eyed titan replied in a swift introduction.

BladeWind lifted her head slowly and glanced up into the eyes of this female. They were strong eyes that seemed to look into her very soul. She fought a shiver from both this thought and the cold of the storm.

She stayed out from under the branches, getting soaked allowing the other to stay somewhat dry, as she voiced her response. "Hello NightBlood." Blade was afraid to say much else to this powerful female, though she did not know her rank, she knew by her stance and aura that she was important to the pack. She reminder her so much of her mother, not in physical appearance but rather, in her stance and deep gaze, not at you but through you.

"What brings you to Arnlan?" The question brought about a new chain of thoughts as it completely eradicated the previous ones.

"Arnlan? Is that what your pack's territory is called? I've traveled from....I think it was Rakine Port, where my ship came to harbor. I was seperated from my brothers and have been wandering the countryside looking for them and a new home." Blade was watching the response of the titan before her, fear of saying something wrong or triggering an attack from this new encounter. She did not want a repeat of that previous territory she discovered. "I was chased for two days when I came across another territory, they were brutal and threaten to even kill me, just for accidently crossing into their territory."

~You're saying too much....shut up now!~

Blade paused for a moment in order to think clearly again. "Forgive me if I've said too much....I do not wish to bore you with my troubled past.... NightBlood, I'll be on my way if you'd like and you can go back to your warm den, out of this storm, I won't keep you." She got up and shook off some of the rain even though it was useless, then crouched under some branches from the next tree over and waited for NightBlood to tell her to get lost. It would be rude and probably cause Night to chase her out of anger if she dismissed herself that way.

Blade hoped for two things in this moment of silence following her small speech, One part of her hoped that NightBlood would invite her into Arnlan and maybe she'd begin to make some friends, but the other part of Blade just wanted to be told to go away, that way when she jumped off a cliff, she'd have no one trying to stop her and all her pain would finally be over.

[nightblood]

"Arnlan? Is that what your pack's territory is called?"

Blood shook her head in dismissal of the question. "Not my pack. Alpha Sofika and Karolek's." She said the names with a noticable reverence. Her Alphas might as well be gods in her eyes, even though they didn't consider themselves as such. Or did they? One could never be sure with Sir Karolek...

"I've traveled from....I think it was Rakine Port, where my ship came to harbor. I was seperated from my brothers and have been wandering the countryside looking for them and a new home."

Eyes widened only slightly at this insight into her past. Could this stranger be that similar to her? Being separated from the pack, assosiating with those damned humans... Flicks of memory flashed in her mind. Being taken away by hunters, being taught to herd prey animals by dogs... the day she aquired her semi-lame leg...

"I was chased for two days when I came across another territory, they were brutal and threaten to even kill me, just for accidently crossing into their territory."

"Sallin," Blood announced instinctively, and with a clear hatred of the name. "It was probably the dog scent on you from Rakine. They hate dogs."

"Forgive me if I've said too much....I do not wish to bore you with my troubled past.... NightBlood, I'll be on my way if you'd like and you can go back to your warm den, out of this storm, I won't keep you."

NightBlood took a moment to look the female over. She was a Timber wolf, and as such, equiped with speed and agility. But her eye was drawn to the scar on her right leg. It twisted around the leg three times before stopping at the top of her wrist. Did it pain her? Wether it did or not, she guessed it really didn't matter. Sofika had taken her in with a blind eye and a half-lame leg. She could take this one in with a tender leg. Besides, other than that, she seemed healthy. And Sallin might have a bounty on her head. She could find safty in Arnlan.

"You say you search for your brothers and a new home. My cousin, ShadeBlood, found me here not long after I had been accepted. Arnlan could use the strength of another wolf. Perhaps you'll be as lucky as I was. Perhaps your brothers will find you here."

The black and tan giant reviewed her words swiftly. She had never invited someone into the pack before. She quietly wondered how the alphas would take it. No doubt they probably knew by now. It was as if they were the shadows...

Blood looked at BadeWind, waiting for a responce.

[ladydragoness]

"Not my pack. Alpha Sofika and Karolek's." Blade noticed the way Blood said her alpha's names with honor and reverence. It was very clear that Blood had a lot of respect for Sofika and Karolek. Blade hoped that she could meet those wolves in person and see their presence first hand, but for now, she'd have to wait.

"Oh. Sounds like they’re great leaders, but in a way being a part of the pack makes it your pack doesn’t it? It’s sort of like an extended family in ways.” Blade laughed a little at that, as a memory of her mother telling her the very thing she had just said played in her mind. Blade looked up into Blood’s eyes, what was she thinking about her, and about this?

”Sallin. It was probably the dog scent on you from Rakine. They hate dogs.” Blood spoke with pure clear hatred in her voice as Sallin was said, almost like a taboo word. Blade even thought she heard a slight growl emanate from Blood’s throat.

”Sallin? I’m sorry, I’m trying to keep up but I’ve just been wandering around and don’t know where I am or where I’ve been. How far away is Rakine Port at least? Blade noticed the eyes of Blood lock on her scar that marked her front leg. She gave a small smile as she glanced down at it as the memory of the torture rose painfully up from the depths of her locked subconscious. ~No. She doesn’t need to know that…..but she is interested in the scar….oh fine but I have a bad feeling about this.~ Blade lifted her front leg and allowed the lightning to illuminate it for a moment before beginning a simple explanation. ”It’s nothing. Just a bad memory of my first and only encounter with humans. I can walk ok on it…just a little tender when pressure’s applied…especially rough things….” As Blade put down her leg again, the thunder seemed to be farther away and the lightning was less frequent. She looked up to see the moon break through the cloud cover again and sighed.

”You say you search for your brothers and a new home.” NightBlood spoke a little quicker than before. Was she uncomfortable saying this? Or was it just awkward talking to Blade? “My cousin, ShadeBlood, found me here not long after I had been accepted. Arnlan could use the strength of another wolf. Perhaps you’ll be as lucky as I was. Perhaps your brothers will find you here.” Was…..was Night inviting her into Arnlan? and possibly the pack even? Wait….Blade did not know if Night had that kind of power, she only knew that Sofika and Karolek were the Alphas. Blade picked her next words carefully.

“Yes. Maybe my brothers will find me, sooner or later. It’s been so long though, I’m beginning to doubt even my will to keep going, but I’d rather not delve into that if possible. She waited to see if Night would lead her into Arnlan, patiently.

[nightblood]

“Yes. Maybe my brothers will find me, sooner or later. It’s been so long though, I’m beginning to doubt even my will to keep going, but I’d rather not delve into that if possible."

Hmm... Either this wolf didn't understand that she had just allowed her into Arnlan, or she had taken to the fact so quickly that she seemed unsurprised. There was also the possibility that she understood, but didn't want to act the fool and get all excited. If that was the reason, NightBlood was very impressed. She grinned, hoping she was right, and turned away from the border and into the pack lands.

"It's best not to think on such things," Blood said, "Come. Let's get out of this rain."

NightBlood limped forward, growling with every step. Would her wounds never heal? As she left the shelter of the tree, the rain began to pour on her again, soothing her injuries. She paused and looked up as the rain fell gently around her. Well... perhaps rain wasn't all that bad...

{{If you want to reply one last time, that's fine. But I think this is a good place to end it. Welcome to Arnlan! }}

[ladydragoness]

NightBlood grinned and turned away from the border, into the pack lands.

"It's best not to think on such things," Blood said, "Come. Let's get out of this rain."

NightBlood limped forward, growling with every step. Blade took notice to Night’s pain but didn’t question. She merely kept pace with her and hoped she didn’t offend in any way. NightBlood paused and looked up as the rain fell gently around her. Blade paused a step or two ahead after noticing Night had stopped. She too gazed up at the stars that were beginning to break through the clouds, it still rained slightly but it was still a nice night.

As Blade followed Night deeper into Arnlan she couldn’t help but wonder things. Were would she find a den? How large was Arnlan? How many pack members were there? But Blade figured it’d be better to learn more about her new home the next morning seeing as how she was beginning to feel the effects of exhaustion catch up with her and she figured it had to be nearing daylight sometime soon based on the color of the night sky.

”Thank you NightBlood.” Blade sighed and didn’t really expect a response. She just wanted to let out her joy of finding a home at last, in a nice, small way. ”It’s nice to be home again.”