Shadows Harbour No Patience

[Colin]

He dashed gracelessly through the deep underbrush, shadows licking at his heels. His nose flared rapidly, searching for the presence of others. Far off. I’m getting close though… Emmaus came to a halt, his long tongue lolling comically from his maw as he panted lightly. He licked his jowls out of reflex as he steadied his breathing. He was close to the border now. Very close indeed. The faint scent markers told him this border hadn’t been marked recently. Intertwined with the distinct scent of an alpha were more subtle scents of followers. Just because it hasn’t been marked I suppose that doesn’t mean it’s any less protected… He though humorlessly.

The dark male plopped down on his haunches in the brush, ears twitching anxiously to and fro, searching for movement. He was met only with silence. The greenery danced subtly in a quiet breeze, the air cooling as night reached out to touch him. Shadows played off the leaves as the sun began to drift deeper behind the trees, light flitting in a beautiful array at his feet. This could become his new home he pondered silently.

A bird shrieked close to his left before bursting from beneath the brush, shaking him from his thoughts. He stood stiffly, disgruntled by the rude fowl for interrupting him. Snorting quietly he padded east along the border, the breeze rolling south, pushing his scent farther from his destination. He jogged a few hundred yards east along the border before turning tail and heading back west, following the border as it curved northward. If he could simply get one favorable breeze to announce his presence to the strangers his wait would be lessened. His black pelt shimmered in the setting sun, a gust of air headed west making him internally scowl. So much for a favorable breeze... He thought gloomily. Deciding he was out of options the shadowy brute lied down. He could only wait now for some notice from the clan of the forest. He would be patient.

[Amanda]

Larka watched the brute from the shadows, her silvery white fur was duller than it normally would have been, for she had spent far too much time traveling with Zena in search of her elusive old clan member Carrick. The fatigue of her journey was evident in the way that her ribs showed through her luxuriant coat.

Studying him still with her intelligent and piercing golden orbs, a low growl rumbled deep within her chest. She made herself known to the loner then, her posture was that of a regal alpha, one who had been one all her life. Her tone was authoritative as she spoke, but her rich voice also held the undertones of the kindness she was so well known for.

Speak quickly, stranger. You stand on Ravilin Forest Clan Territory. I am Larka, Alpha of these sacred woods. state your name and intent.

Her eyes swept his frame quickly as her hackles bristled, her mind was racing, her attention was only partially his. Her heart cried out to her to howl, to let her loved ones know she was alive. Tradition mandated that she deal with the loner.

Duty before Love.

[Tay]

Zena's white creme form was hidden to Larka's left. She too was thin, ribs showing through her coat. Her golden yellow pools watched the loner with indifference. She felt weak from lack of food and from grief. They had not found Carrick, though he had called from within the Ravilin. Zena kept her body hidden, her breathing slow. She would not make herself known until the loner proved his intentions to Larka. Her eyes searched his body showing that spoke of harm. She saw none, and was glad. In her current unstable state she thought her anger might get the best of her.

She felt nauseous, though she hadn't eaten in days. They had searched high and low for Carrick and found nothing. It ate away at Zena. Carrick was an older brute. He could have easily passed on. She swallowed thickly, her throat dry. She'd never been anything more then friends with Carrick but deep down she had wanted so much more. In truth, she had fallen in love with the older wolf. She'd yet to realize that, though. Perhaps now she never would. She kept her body in position, waiting. Her muscles were held tense so no stray movement would give her away.

Like Larka Zena longed for the comfort of her friends. Sarvarni and Cloud. Kira too, she hoped. She could smell none of them from here and she ached to run through her home to find them. She wouldn't leave Larka though. They were both weak and exhausted, perhaps Larka grieved for Carrick too. They needed each other. Zena would not loose another friend, especially not her Alpha. Her golden eyes switched to Larka, the only sign of movement.