The Departure {{Private: Ziko, Tricker}}

[nightblood]

NightBlood ran as fast as she could while still keeping a steady breath. Obviously her pace wasn't all that fast, for she could barely keep in front of the yearling that was supposed to be following her. She was heading toward the southern-most border. The area of Arnlan that nearly touched the Sallinian territory. It was all she could do to keep from vomiting as the scents of that dreaded place wafted up to her nostrils.

The large female changed a look in Ziko's direction, hoping he didn't see. She was contemplating every task known to her that an Alpha would give a Sentry and two subbordinates to do. It would have to be an easy story to stick to. One that was easy to remember. She soon had it.

As the thought dawned on her, NightBlood slowed to a trot before stopping completely. They were close to the border now. The hike would be totally pointless if Tricker didn't join them.

"Stop," she told the younger male as she turned to face the inward land. She lifted her head, howling at full-blast for the black and orange wolf. The one who's blood was tained and poisoned. The howl was authoritive, not to be ignored. She hoped that he would be able to find them soon.

As NightBlood's call ended, she sat down. Her ears folded in consentraition for a moment before turning to Ziko.

"We have to wait for someone," she told him, then added an afterthought to deter on-coming questions, "I'll explain when he gets here."

[ziko]

Ziko, on the other hand, as very tired. Nightblood did not realise how fast she actually was going. He'd never ran so much in his life. He wheezed and groaned about the stitch in his side. Where was she taking him? Why towards Sallin? He was so wrapped up in his thought that he did not see Nightblood's face. Infact all he could see really was pain because his side hurt so much.

" Stop. "

The young red and black wolf did not even here the Sentry when she spoke and so he kept running- head first into her backside. He toppled over onto the ground, rolled a little and lay sprawled flat on his stomach. Then the female turned around and howled for this other to come.

" Ah.... who.... aaaaaaaw.... " he moaned, gulping for air where every breath stung his screaming lungs. He really, really hoped that they would not have to do so much running again. If so, then he guess he would probably die form exhaustion. " Buuuu.... " he began, lifting his head, but then dropped it onto the ground and became silent. He muttered some words and nuzzled his nose into the ground, still panting. Soon he'd find out why he was here.

[Donn]

Tricker's muffled hearing picked up something. A howl, he was sure. Turning around, and staring off from whence it had come, Tricker decided to see what was happening. He set off after the howl, or it's general direction, hoping to catch a glimpse of it's cause soon.

Eventually, Tricker reached NightBlood and Ziko. He looked curiously at both of them, squinting at Ziko, wondering why he was in such an odd position. Then, he gave his full attention to NightBlood. "Audio input indicates... yourself vocalised. Yourself requires assistance, NightBlood?" he asked, though he couldn't imagine what kind of assistance NightBlood might need, though her friend looked as if he was having some kind of breathing trouble.

[nightblood]

"Yes, I do." NightBlood answered quickly. She had taken a moment to watch as the black and orange wolf approached, cursing herself that she had to do this. She didn't want to put him in harm's way. The only way she knew he'd be remotely safe was if she took him beyond Dante's Pass.

"Ziko, this is Tricker. Tricker, Ziko."

She introduced them without waiting for either to enduce conversation. They didn't have time. She noted Ziko's breathlessness and wished she could allow him a moment to rest, but she couldn't. No time. She turned on the spot and continued in the direction of the Arnlan/Sallin border, trying to keep a slower pace for Ziko.

"The alphas have a job for us," she explained. That part was true, at least for her and the black and red yearling. Now came the time to abbandon trust. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for her next statement.

"We are to go beyond the border and take note of any new packs that may have taken land," she lied, the words tasting bitter in her mouth. She could have bit her tongue off for decieving her packmates if she wasn't following orders. She clenched her teeth, awaiting any questions the two might have.

[ziko]

He barely even twitched a muscle when he heard Tricker come. Although the way he spoke did spark an interest in the young subordinate. Bleakly he heard what Nightblood was saying and wavered a paw in the air without lifting his head in greeting to Tricker. He sighed a little, smelling that sweet smell of home; muck.

But what was this? He lifted his head. The alphas have a job for us? Hmm. He got up slowly and nodded to Tricker. " What's up? " he asked casually, rhetorically in greeting only. He had caught on he wasn't meant to engage a conversation so smiled weakly and looked to the sentry. He hadn't forgotten their first meeting.

There wasn't much for him to ask really, except: " Why us? " he said, cocking his head. Nightblood had given an informative briefing on the task. Hmm, he had thought, sounds reasonable enough. Either Nightblood was skilled in lying or he was growing to be one of those wolves who just accepted things as it where. He threw a glance to Tricker.

Straaaaaaaaaange......

[Donn]

"What's up?"

Tricker had not taken any hints about conversation, or that he wasn't supposed to have one, so replied blandly "Up is devoid of selves' interest". Tricker had not really understood what Ziko had meant by "What's up?", as it was a colloquialism he'd not heard before. Following NightBlood, Tricker wondered if she would give them any more details, and waited for an answer to Ziko's question, though of course he would follow his friend anywhere, regardless. NightBlood was probably one of the only wolves he was on friendly terms with, As he'd not really spoken to BladeWind after their brief meeting, and Tricker's brother was a long way away, probably dead. Tricker was glad this was so, seeing as they were in the same pack now, as it was a bit of a nervous affair, making new friends in a new pack.

[nightblood]

"What's up?"

"Up is devoid of selves' interest."

NightBlood stifled, with obvious difficulty, the urge to burst out laughing. As much as Tricker's speach pattern confused her most of the time, she understood that statement. She knew why he had said it. He didn't understand the speach of other wolves. But, without knowing it, he had basically said 'I don't care.' Which, in responce to 'What's up', was pretty hillarious to her.

The large wolfess bit down on her tongue and prepared herself to lie to her packmates. It wouldn't be easy, and once she got the lie out, Ziko was the first to question her. She felt worse lieing to him, as they had already had trust issues upon her return. She was only feuling the bad fire between them.

"Why us?"

"Well... Pollux and Orion on just got back, didn't they?" NightBlood thought up the answer with lightning speed, making her brain dizzy. She wasn't used to deception. "And Crow only just rejoined us. They all need their rest. I guess I'm the last one with a rank to send out. I dunno why you and Tricker. Probably because you need experience with responcibility and Tricker, you just need something to do now that you're part of the pack..."

She trailed off for a number of reasons. One, because her mouth was getting tired of all these lies. Two, because she was waiting to see if the males would see through her yet. And three, because they were coming to the border.

She had seen the border before, paced it what seemed like a million times, but had never loked at it with the thought to cross it. As they approached, she slowed her pace, coming to a walk before she stopped on it. She turned around, keen to stay where she was, but knowing there was no way to take a step into Arnlan and say she didn't hessitate to obey her leaders.

"There is the penalty of death for anyone who tries to run away from Arnlan..."

Those were the last words Sofika had said to her. Only now did she venture a guess of what she meant. Only one reason she might have said those words came to mind. Archer may try to follow her scent out of the territory. There was no way to communicate to him accept for all to hear. She lifted her head and let loose a powerful and depressing call.

The howl would inform Archer, if he heard it, that she was under order from the Alphas to leave the territory and that she would return soon. As a last note, she subtly reminded him of her love and halted the call. She dropped her head and turned around once again, not waiting for the others to stop and question her.

The note had been half-hearted. After what had happened between them... She really didn't know how she felt about him.

She led them over the Arnlan border, ever so close to Sallin. They would follow the Sallin border between Hallow until they got to Manor. Perhaps they would cut through Manor until they came to Dante's pass, but the time to decide would come later.

[ziko]

Whatever Tricker had just said to Ziko went right over his head. Unlike Nightblood, he didn't get it and his only thought was of how... freakish this other guy seemed to the young wolf. Of course, he didn't know anything about Tricker, so didn't understand why he talked like that. He had strange markings thought... The red and black wolf found himself staring at Trickers side as they walked and it was only when Nightblood began to speak did he snap back out of his little day dream.

" Pollux and Orion are back? And so is Crow? Gosh, I haven't seen Crow in a loooong time... I miss her... " he sighed, thinking of all the times he used to follow her around when he was ankle height, always asking, always learning new things. It was good to know she wasn't... departed... he had assumed that she had died because she'd vanished. He wasn't very big on thinking things further- he jumped to conclusions and settled on them.

" So, where we going then? Just going to scower the lands? " he looked around, wearily at Tricker, then back to Nightblood. His voice cracked a little because he was very uncertain which was brought on by the Sentry sounding uncertain. He hushed for a moment as they came to the border, and he looked at Nightblood as he howled. He groaned and shut his ears off. She was probably just letting the alphas know she was leaving. The call to Archer went unheard- background noise to Ziko who fell into another daydream whilst looking at the odd male infront of him.

[Donn]

"Confirmed... some-thing to do" Tricker repeated, saying "something" as almost two separate words. He thought that was a bit strange. He'd not been in Arnlan long at all. A day or two, perhaps. Tricker supposed it must be a very busy pack, to need him to do this so quickly. NightBlood howled, and Tricker's damaged hearing made it impossible to pick out the call to Archer. Tricker turned his head, and noticed Ziko staring at him. It was not exactly very pleasant to be stared at, and Tricker wished he'd stop, but didn't want to speak to him again, much less to say 'Stop staring at me', partially because Ziko used a very peculiar method of speech, Tricker thought. As they walked, Tricker spoke again. "NightBlood. Clarify... identify... 'Pollux' and 'Orion'" He'd not heard of either before. He guessed they were friendly, at any rate.

[nightblood]

" So, where we going then? Just going to scower the lands? "

"Thought we'd go passed Dante's pass. Not quite into Rakine. I don't want to go right through Hallow. Might get attacked. Sucks that we have to be so close to Sallin..." she nearly growled at the word, "We'll cut through Manor Cemetary, though. Been there before."

She said it mostly for Tricker to hear, knowing that Ziko probably had never heard of or been to any of the places she had mentioned. She knew Tricker would know of Manor, having met him there at first.

"NightBlood. Clarify... identify... 'Pollux' and 'Orion'"

"Siblings. Pollux is a Scout. Orion, to my knowledge, is aspiring to be a Scout. But I'm not sure. They arrived about a month ago, I think, with a big deer catch."

NightBlood's throat grew dry quickly. It was rare for her to walk and talk at the same time.

"No more questions. We'll run till nightfall. By then, she would at least be at Manor by then. We'll be safer if we sleep there than between Hallow and Sallin."

With that, she raised her head a bit higher. She would have put on a burst of speed had Ziko not been tired from the start. If they had to, they would stop and rest, but only at his request.

[ziko]

Folding his ears he saw the look on Tricker's face showing that he felt uneasy with the staring. Ziko didn't blame him. He'd be uneasy too if he spoke strangely and someone kept staring at him. But he didn't speak oddly at all and no one was staring at him. So therefore he wasn't uneasy. Nodding his head in agreement with his thoughts he gave a smug grin and listened to Nightblood, feeling already bored with her plan. Why couldn't they just go north to Scatterstone and do easy pickings up there? Always had to do it the hard way that wolf.

But all the places that she spoke of Ziko had never heard of before. He was intrigued but not fascinated that there was other life beyond Arnlan. He'd sat on the border many times and watched the small village of Hallow(knowing that was it's name from others mentioning it) and observing the lives of the odd creatures who walked on two legs, draped in some material and making those large hooved animals do their work. He didn't like them. They made those bigger animals do their work. Yet it was interesting that the bigger animals put up with being bossed about by the little guys.

Ziko bla bla blad in his head as Nightblood talked... and talked. Damn she was very organised wasn't she? Already had the night planned ahead. But what was that? More running? Aw man, he moaned silently and gave her a scowl whilst turning his back to Tricker so he couldn't see the face he was pulling. Just because she's a big wolf with alot of stamina doesn't mean everyone can pull off an all night run. The small red and black wolf was a scrawny little thing with sticks for legs and a messy coat. He wouldn't last the whole night. Groaning he began to run with Nightblood and not trying to keep up with her. He wanted to keep at his own pace. Ziko wasn't up for impressing the female, seeing as she had the stench of another male all over her anyway.

" So... how... are you... and Archer? " he wheezed as they ran. He knew Archers scent of course, recognised it over Nightblood's scent. The young wolf only assumed that they were mates, or lovers at the most. He knew the alphas wouldn't permit them to mate. Or had they? To breed strong pups? Because, Nightblood was a big wolf and Archer had some talents he guessed. So they could make super strong pups to be warriors. Of course he was overthinking everything now, losing himself in his thoughts again.

[Donn]

Tricker decided not to contradict NightBlood on running till nightfall, though of course he could do no such thing, and would have to stop earlier than that. He supposed he would be expected to do that amount of running often, and hoped his... problems wouldn't hinder that. But they did. As he kept pace with the other two, after a long while, after Ziko and NightBlood spoke, his breathing was an audible wheeze, which soon started to sound like his throat was filling up with liquid. Which interestingly, it was. This did Tricker no favours as his breathing became more and more irregular. He could run for short distances, but they'd been at it for quite a while now. Still, he didn't ask to stop, lest he be viewed as useless, so soon after being accepted. As he kept running, he started coughing as well, and his vision, blurry already, grew so bad he could not see. Blinking, trying to clear his throat, and thoroughly disorientated, Tricker slowed, feeling dizzy. He felt is if he were going to fall over, and for a few moments swayed dizzily, and called. "NightBlood. Requ...est... halt."

[nightblood]

" So... how... are you... and Archer? "

Had the inquiry not caught her off guard, NightBlood would have said 'I thought I said no more questions' in a louder voice. However, seeing as the yearling had basically side swiped her with the vocalization, she turned to him so suddenly that she heard her neck pop.

"How the Hell do you know about that?" she blurted without thinking, which was much more like the old NightBlood.

~Nice one, idiot,~ Night applauded mockingly, ~You forgot his scent is all over our fur.~
-Silence,- Blood hissed.

"We're fine," she answered dismissively.

Blood watched as Tricker wheezed and caughed as they ran along the border. If she kept going, they probably wouldn't need to travel all the way to Dante's Pass. However, she wasn't that heartless. She only kept the same pace for one reason: Tough love. He was being stubborn by going this long without stopping. His condition gave him every reason to ask to stop. By neglecting to do so, he was condemning himself to death. She had been in the same situation, not wanting to be thought of as weak. However, it was common sence to only push yourself as far as you could go. Your comrads would like to know you had common sence.

It was nearling dusk before the black and orange wolf finally cleared his throat.

"NightBlood. Requ...est... halt."

-Finally. You were starting to worry me.-

The female turned her head to view him. He had fallen back behind them. She could see that his foot falls were shaky and unprecise: a sure sign of fatigue.

"Granted," she said in the way of authority, a touch of sadness in her voice. She would have stopped sooner, had he asked. She slowed to a stop, but did not bother to sit down. She turned to face the other two, assessing their remaining stamina. She herself was tempted to simply lie down and not wake up for a good twelve hours, but she did not show it.

After a moment, she loked up at the sky. It was growing dark, but the sun was still above the trees. She had not been able to smell the Arnlan border for a few hours. She looked directly behind her. A fog glistened in the distance. Manor was less than five minutes away. Even so, she doubted Tricker would make it.

"We're almost there," she said, turning a crimson eye at the boys, "Ten minutes and we're heading off again."

[smartie]

[ We starting in Manor now? Seeing as it's my turn I can begin it over there if ya like NB. ]

[nightblood]

{That'll work. You can bustle it along too, if ya want. Like say Ziko took the breather and followed NB to the cemetary after that or something. That way we're not held up too much. ^^ }}