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Post by Kaziph on Oct 16, 2009 22:43:05 GMT -5
His nose told him Basile and Keeya had been through together, and the newer male Jaden had followed close behind. He wondered where Luma was, and Aisha, and whether new loners had been attracted to the Kameskai clan because of it's growing strength. He didn't know, but the thought brightened his otherwise downcast mood.
The fall was coming into full bloom all around him, and the trees were slowly giving way to their sleep - all except for the evergreens, for they remained staunchly alive through the chilliest of weather. It made him consider the coming months, and seasons, and he wondered what he would do if his beloved Epitaph didn't reappear.
Cassiel sighed, sadly, and continued on, pausing only once he'd gone far enough into his territory to reach the forested region. The meadows were too open and bleak for him at the moment, and though the shadows of the trees were cold, they were inviting. He paused beside a particularly large evergreen and gazed up at its boughs briefly before sitting at it's base.
The wolf, feeling his age creeping into his bones, laid down and pushed his muzzle against his front feet, trying not to have a pity party. His clan was strong, and they didn't need to see him like this. He suddenly wished for the warmth of a friend, the feeling of an old friend, even if it wasn't his mate, to see him through his troubles. |
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Post by Tay on Oct 16, 2009 23:53:04 GMT -5
Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/ 
Luma trot across the land of the Kameskia to Cassiel. She was worried now. Had he found Epitaph? Her mind was buzzing with ideas. He could be sad because she is gone without a trace. He could be sad becuase he found her...perhaps in a different condtion then he expected. Oh, I hope not. She puzzled over the different reasons for his saddness. His clan was back on the way to thriving. He should be happy now.
Luma did understand him missing his Epitaph, though. She understood it far too well. She was not going to let Cassiel sink into the type of depression she had. Her silver pillars carried her to the evergreen where Cassiel sat. She slowed her pace and called to him, her yellow orbs bright with concern. Cassiel, my friend. What is wrong? Your saddness came to me on the breeze. Could you not find Epitaph?
The scent of saddness was strong on her friend, and she felt a tug at her heart. For Cassiel himself or for remembering her similar feelings she wasn't sure. Proabably both. Or did you find her...? She walked closer, until she stood a small distance in fornt of him. Please speak, Cass. I only wish to help. I may not be able to help much, but I know of the pain you feel. I can do my best, and that is what I wish to do.
I don't like to see you so sad my friend. It doesn't suit you. She gave a gentle smile and stepped up, touching her nose right above the space between his orbs in what she hoped would be a comforting way.
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 17, 2009 17:39:23 GMT -5
The pale one issued a deep whine, his ears laying back on his skull. I know now what I put you through those seasons ago, Luma, when taking Riyo from you seemed the logical punishment. It was wrong. He didn't mention Duskai, for that brute had hurt her. He didn't believe him to be dead.
Cassiel lifted his dark brown eyes to meet his beta's, sorrow shining within them. I looked for her, Luma. I called and searched, but she didn't come. I couldn't find any trace of her, neither here nor in the lands where we met. I'm afraid she's gone. The brute turned his head and buried it under his paws again, curling his body around itself, for a breeze had picked up off the mountains and the temperature was dropping with the coming night.
I don't know what to do. I don't want to lead this clan alone. He shivered and his mane ruffed out, showing a shadow of his younger self, still hanging onto his prime. He had several more seasons yet to rule. I just hope the others don't come, not yet. I especially don't want our newer members to see me like this, and it would hurt Basile and Aisha. |
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Post by Tay on Oct 19, 2009 18:23:08 GMT -5
Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/ Luma's yellow orbs blazed with concern, for she had never seen her Alpha in such a state. Once she'd touched him, she could practically see the thoughts of Epitaph rolling before his eyes. Her banner dropped down all the way, touching her legs. She knew before he even spoke that he had not found his beloved Epitaph, their bold Alpha female. Her ears went back, flattening to her head in sorrow. She would miss the dark fem, though not as much as Cass or the children, surely. Cassiel's whine caused her ears to flick forwards again, and with a pained heart she listened to the sorrowful words. She knew not what to say to his remark about her Riyo. The name brought a pain to her heart. Cassiel had only been trying to be a good leader, she knew that. It hadn't made the loss of raising her own son any less, especially since he soon disappeared, but she had forgiven him. He'd been doing his duty. When Cassiel's brown orbs met Luma's yellow, she felt her heart drop even lower. When he spoke, he told her what she already knew. Epitaph was gone without a trace. Luma found herself wondering if it would have been better for her and Cassiel both to have found their mates dead. For Cassiel she knew it was a no. For Epitaph wasn't the kind to just leave. She, unlike others, might one day return. Luma watched Cassiel curl in upon himself, because of his sorrow and the cold. The others will not come, my friend. I told Basile to continue marking the borders. Your son is a good young brute. He wouldn't disobey. Aisha as well. She gave him another sad looking, knowing too well his pain. She then stepped over him and lay herself along his side, providing him with the warmth and comfort of a friend. She lay her silver crania across his back so her words would reach his ears. We are all here for you Cass. Your children, and the new members. Especially me. For I know of the pain you feel. You can never truly lead alone, Cass. For I will stay by your side while you need me. I am here for you, my friend. I pledged my loyaltly to you, not only as your beta, but as your good friend. I will help you in any way you need me to. |
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 19, 2009 18:55:35 GMT -5
He laid there a long time in the silence, listening to his own breath and Luma's, hearing both their hearts beating as the breeze swirled the leaves off the tree-tops and down to carpet the earth below. As he laid there, he considered his pack mates.
Basile was a strong young wolf, shaping up to be handsome young adult in the coming spring. He looked so much like his mother... and Aisha, although a bit spunky and still young, was obedient if nothing else. She would too, he believed, become wise with time. Jaden was new, and Keeya, but both were eager to please and brought new blood into the clan.
Things were improving for the mountain wolves, but Cassiel had to bring himself to stand at the front and lead them. The night passed slowly, but when morning came it found the alpha laying attentively, still beside his loyal beta, staring into the east. |
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Post by Tay on Oct 19, 2009 20:22:11 GMT -5
Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/ Luma lay with Cass through the night. She kept her ears clued in onto Cassiel and any other sounds that might mean another approaching wolf. Despite her attempt to stay alerted to Cass, the time spent running around the lands, and accepting loners had worn the poor silver beta down. At some point Luma did actually fall asleep, her side pressed to Cassiel's. The chill of morning dew on her back, and the bright light of the rising sun alerted her that she had indeed fallen asleep. She gave a soft sigh, as she remember the events of the previous day. She noted the heat of Cassiel, and couldn't cut off her yawn. She raised her head, yellow eyes slightly embarrassed. Cassiel, I am sorry. I did not mean to fall asleep on you like that. She felt the urge to move, but she also felt the urge to stay laying beside him. She began wondering if perhaps she had crossed a line, though she'd only wished to comfort her Alpha. Good Morning, by the way, Cass. She managed. She started to rise, then stopped herself. Do you wish me to rise, Cassiel? The question was still barely heard even in the quiet of the early morning. |
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 22, 2009 20:03:26 GMT -5
Cassiel glanced sideways at Luma when she awoke, and he smiled as she yawned and made apologies for something so natural as sleep. Thank you, Luma. Think nothing of sleeping, my friend. It is not something to fight when it comes calling. He angled his ears off into the distance, listening and wondering where his pack mates had gone. When she asked whether to rise or not, he shrugged his large white shoulders.
Yet in response, he stretched his forepaws forward and then lifted himself from the ground. We'll both rise, he said softly. His muzzle touched her briefly on the side of her face. Thank you, thank you Luma for everything you have been for me and this clan. We need to find the others. I need to know if they found anyone else, or if the pack has found more loners. Perhaps, too, we can hunt. He shook his pelt, stepping away from Luma so as not to shed the debris onto her.
Do you have any idea of where the others are? he asked, deciding against simply calling out to them.
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Post by Tay on Oct 24, 2009 11:42:43 GMT -5
Artist: entaie.deviantart.com/
Luma smiled at Cassiel. She nodded to his comment about sleep. You do have a point, my friend. When he touched his muzzle to the side of her face, it made her smile. You are very welcome Cass. The Kameskai is my family, and I love to be it's beta. It is a great honor to me, to have proven myself to you.
Luma turned her head to the distance, smiling softly. She gazed where she had come from and thought of how much progress they could've made. They should be somewhere along the borders. They were last by the Atyka and headed around through the forest. We should easily be able to catch up to them, my friend. She too shook herself, drawing the morning air deep into her lungs.
A hunt would do us all good. You do have a new member. Feria. And... She chuckled and her eyes shone with amusement and happiness. Your darling little Aisha seems to have become smitten with the wolf named Jaden. Basile seemed a little jealous.
She raised her brows, thinking about it. I suppose it's just in his nature. He has changed since he was a pup though, in attitude. He's a very fine young brute.
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 27, 2009 21:07:53 GMT -5
Aisha and Jaden, hmm? Well, I suppose we did need some new blood around here. I doubt she and Basile had hardly even considered mates, let alone realized that until recently there wasn't any wolf here not related or already mated. He started to walk forward, not covering a lot of distance but moving out in the meadows of the Kameskai land again. And as for this new wolf Feria, I'm sure she's acceptable if Basile and you both have seen her and allowed her inside our markers.
Let's find the rest of the clan, then, hmm? He didn't want to call out, not yet, he'd rather approach them without them knowing... like hunting his own clan mates. Sometimes seeing things from a distance was useful. He padded off, headed toward where Luma had suggested. |
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