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Post by tesumi on Mar 21, 2008 12:48:16 GMT 10
Tes ducked her head in shame as she trudged through the forest, struggling not to topple over. The guilt in her heart was just as, or even more painful that the new wounds she adorned on her shoulder. "Traf...I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry....But its better like this, you'll see...." she whispered into the still of the forest. The hurt radiating off of him as she walked away nearly sent her reeling, Could her simple words really hurt him that much? Surely he should have known her irritation came only from her pain and anguish that read so clearly in her eyes. After all, she loved that big silly wolf too, like family, like pack! Did he not see that? Of course not, every word to him had been either threat or insult! How on earth he managed to care so much for me, I have no idea. Actually I have no idea why I love that stupid wolf either. Tes paused, that thought startled her to the point she actually leapt off to the side as if avoiding an attack. Love? No Tes was not allowed to love...or at least she hadn't loved anything or anyone for a long while. She shuddered and ducked under a branch in order to reach the pace she stashed her clothing. See! Look what you've done! Love?! How ridiculous, your not allowed such thoughts. Do you remember what happens when you love things? They get A)Massacred, B)Eaten by Jaguar or C) Lost and/or kidnapped. Already see what you've done? He's not going to forgive you for that.... she snarled as she dug around in her clothing looking for the bag she carried around her waist. With only one arm being useful, Tes dragged out the little bag and dumped its contents out onto the forest floor. That little bag could have easily doubled for a healers entire hut, as Edward insisted on her always carrying a variety of healing items. From over sized tea bag like things stuffed to the brim with herbs, to small vials carrying potentially toxic looking liquids, she was set for just about every emergency and could fix just about anything. Except...for the wounds in her heart, those were beyond the repair of even the greatest healer. Tes lifted a tiny wooden box gingerly from the pile, her mind drifting on her last thought. Well...I suppose thats a good thing. He won't feel the need to worry about me if he hates me...I guess this is all a good thing, I can leave before Traf and Kijah even return to Shad's. I should tell Kavi where I'm going still, so he can pass that on to Traf. I don't want anyone to think I bleed to death in the woods. she thought ignoring the pang of sorrow that filled her heart at the thought of leaving so soon. In these past two days she had felt more alive than she had in two years. Yes she had been stupid and reckless..but...but it had been fun. But now thats over, I have a job to do...I will not stall any longer and I WILL find Edward. She thought trying once again to ignore the pain that had nothing to do with her shoulder. Tes slid the lid off the box, a bone needle and a thin piece of silver wire lay inside. She grimaced at them before turning the box over in her hand, dumping out its contents. She thread the needle swiftly and tilted her head to the side so she could get a better look at the wound she would be stitching. She took in a sharp breath as she stabbed the needle into her flesh, pulling the silver thread through sides of the cut. She knotted one end of the wire, her jaw was held tight and her already paled skin was now alabaster. It wasn't so much the pain that was making her sick, as it was the eery feeling of her skin being tugged back and forth as she pulled the needle through. Tes flipped the blood stained needle over and continued to stitch down on her shoulder in a cross pattern until the wound was completely sealed. She dropped the needle back into the box and released a shaky breath, not even realizing she had been holding it. "There..that should hold. Almost as good as Edward does it..." she chuckled humorlessly to herself. Tes fell back against the tree twitching and flinching looking even more feverish than she had when she left Traf and Kijah at the kill. She reached a shaking hand out to grab the canteen sitting on the top of her clothing and poured all the water out of it and onto herself, getting rid of as much blood as she could. I'll go to the tavern after this I guess...no, I'll go to Dark Blade first sell my things and put in my order for those new boots. If I pay well I should be able to get them done in three days, in that time I'll go buy the rest of my clothing and replenish my herb supply. I guess...after that I can leave this town and...go to the main city.... Even in her head her voice was cold and meticulous. The pain in her heart was agony and the only cure for her now was to forget everything, sever all the emotional ties with her new pack...no, new family. At least thats what it felt like. Tes rose slowly, being careful of her wounds just as rain began to fall around her. She carefully slipped into her pants and boots, sweeping her long black cloak around her hiding her bare chest as she was leaving her shirt for Kijah as promised. With the cloak on most of her injures were hidden, but pain read clearly on her face and in her golden eyes, now dark as the hollows sunken in under her eyes. Her expression was far from being anywhere to the bright glowly kitten that had arrived this morning. Tes sighed and stepped out into the forest slowly making her way back to Shad's cave.
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Post by emmaline on Mar 21, 2008 14:25:31 GMT 10
Find the elk herd. Yes, that was a good idea. The baby needed its mother and its herd, didn't it? It couldn't live out in the wild alone, and it's not like Reg could keep caring for it. He watched Traf go off on his own through the forest, feeling strangely sad. He liked the little calf.
He turned his head away from Traf's disappearing back and looked at Kijah. She seemed confused. He laughed mentally as he suddenly realized, he'd never spoken to them before! He was amazed Traf took it as well as he had, not even an incredulous demand for proof. He urged the litte calf forward, pushing down its nervous jitters as it got closer to the smell of dead bull and dangerous wolf.
--Hi, Kijah,-- he said mildly. --It's Reg. Yes, speaking in your mind. Small rat.--
He moved forward as the elk stopped several feet from Kijah, unable to move the calf closer. He stood at the edge of the calf's forehead, looking down at its big dark eyes, then up at Kijah.
--He's a good elk, isn't he?--
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 21, 2008 14:39:44 GMT 10
Kijah jumped at the voice in her head, she looked at the little rat, well Reg he said his name was and couldn't help but grin.
"How....how did you do that? You spoke in my head, no one has ever done that, although I swear my mum would have loved that trick. She still fought the urge to run and mother the little calf, but instead she walked away from the bull over hear the trees. Reg maybe you can bring him over this way, away from the bull might make him feel at ease." She sat down on the ground, hoping her lower stance would seem less threatening to him.
"Reg I am going to just sit over here, I don't want to frighten him anymore than he already is. How did you get him to listen?"
The questions were flooding her head, she was already facinated with the little guy, he was a brave one.
"He is a dear little thing, wait....how did you get out here? Last I saw you were having fun with the leopard back at Shad's."
She took a moment to look back in the direction that her mate had gone, just where was he?
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Post by emmaline on Mar 21, 2008 14:50:24 GMT 10
--I'm trapped in my animal form,-- Reg admitted, urging the calf slowly closer and closer to Kijah. --I learned to speak with Kavi this way, and with practice can speak to anyone. The calf listens to me, though he doesn't make sense of my thoughts the same as you.--
The calf was just a foot from Kijah now, sniffing the air hesitantly and eyeing her. Predator still, but Reg was gently erasing the calf's fears. Just a friend, he soothed.
--Oh,-- he said sheepishly when she spoke again. --I was at the cave, but wanted to... Play. I was playing with the herd as they ran away. But then I found this calf, and I rather like him.--
Fears greatly reduced, the calf began nosing softly at Kijah's hair, lipping it and snuffling at her neck. It still wasn't completely comfortable with her, but with Reg on its head it was willing to accept her as non-dangerous for the moment.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 21, 2008 15:00:11 GMT 10
Kijah laughed lightly at the little calf. She slowly reached her hand out below the calf's nose letting him get her scent before she started stroking him. She felt bad at the way Reg's voice sounded when he said he wanted to play, she really hoped he didn't think she was getting on to him.
She grinned up at Reg, "Well goodness Reg if you wanted to play you should have said something, I could have given you a ride out, well, if i hadn't been so distracted that is. Did you have a good time? He is a cutie, but what will Kavi think about him. I'm not sure but I think Traf may have gone looking for the herd, surely he would be back soon." She shook her head trying to throw her worries from her mind, she knew he was exhausted as she was, all she wanted was to go home to their cave.
"What do you plan to do with him Reg?" Whatever it is we better figure it out soon, those wolves have got to be getting close.
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Post by emmaline on Mar 21, 2008 15:06:08 GMT 10
--I didn't know I wanted to play,-- Reg said cheerfully. --I had a lot of fun! You should have seen that one cow jumped!-- He laughed in his mind, remembering. Then her next question came and he sobered.
--I should... take him back to the herd,-- Reg said slowly. --But we'll scare them away again. They're already panicked.-- He looked Kijah over, taking in her injuries, and something began to form in his mind. --He's a good elk. He likes you well enough now. I'm only small, and he could hold your weight.--
Reg regarded the elk quietly a moment. It was browsing the ground, nipping off long pieces of vegetation and chewing unconcernedly. Kavi would like him, Reg knew. Kavi liked all animals, even the ones that bit him, though he tried to pretend he didn't. Kavi would like the elk, the elk would have no reason to be afraid of a human, and hadn't Kavi been saying he wished he had a horse for when they trekked across the city to gather medicinal herbs and wild roots from the forest? A horse had always been his dream, but wouldn't an elk do just as well?
--I think I'd like to keep this elk,-- Reg suddenly said confidently, grinning mentally at Kijah. --We can ride him home!--
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 21, 2008 15:08:37 GMT 10
Traf was panting hard by the time he reached the clearing. He'd run hard the way back, trying to beat the wolves with plenty of time to spare. The wolf in him most assuredly had reached its limit and would not be coaxed back into the open after anything less than a full belly and a night's rest. Preferably with a certain lovely red wolf in his arms.
He entered the clearing as a wolf, but shifted to man before he'd taken more than a few steps. He stayed on his hands and knees for a moment, the energy clean drawn out of him. He breathed heavily, which aggravated his ribs. It took him almost a minute to regain his breath and shove the pain back down where it belonged enough to get to his feet.
"I found the herd," he said, breathy, keeping his distance from the baby elk, frowning when he saw that Kijah was touching it.
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Post by emmaline on Mar 21, 2008 15:18:01 GMT 10
Reg jumped down from the elk as Traf came into the clearing, out of breath and tired. He scrambled to the man and climbed onto his shoulder, leaning against his neck as a sign of affection. He licked him once then climbed into his hair. Wow, it's like a nest in here... he thought, sniffing wondrously. Safe, and lots of shiny treasures!
Reg pulled his attention away from the shinies as Traf spoke, climbing sheepishly back to his shoulder. --Thank you for running out there,-- he said, snuggling against Traf's neck and feeling guilty. --But... I think I'm going to take him to Kavi. I thought Kijah could ride him back, and Kavi's been wanting a horse...--
The idea sounded stupid now that he said it out loud. An elk to ride? What kind of noble steed was that? But it would help, and he liked the calf.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 21, 2008 16:11:17 GMT 10
Kijah smiled at Reg, she could tell he already baddly wanted to keep this calf, and the calf was somehow bonding with him already, but still. She was startled when she heard Traf coming, she could hear his breathing from there he was exhausted and not thrilled to see her with the calf like this. She withdrew her hand quickly and looked up at Reg.
"Stay here Reg, I'm not sure how much of an effect I will have but let me talk to Traf first. Maybe I can get him to understand."
Kijah slowly got up so as not to frighten the little calf and was making her way over to where Traf now was, her mind racing. Understand what exactly?? He needs his mother. He's eating grass now, he looks old enough to be weaned. The mother decides when to wean, NOT you. Asha thought you needed to be left in the forest remember? Remember your mum frantically searching for you? Yes, but.. But what? Maybe Reg has a reason for wanting this creature.
She walked over and kneeled down infront of Traf and kissed him on the forehead. She didn't like the look on his face but she would have to deal with it.
"He wants to keep the calf love." She reached up and touched his cheek, "I don't know what to do Traf, he needs his mum, but he is old enough to be weaned, he is eating grass. He is talking to the elk and it understands, he convinced it to follow me over to the trees away from the bull, and to even come to me. He must have a reason but I am not sure what. Something needs to be done before the wolves come back. Can you honestly protect the calf from them, or better yet the calf and Reg while they go back to the herd. I don't want either to be hurt, but neither of us are in the shape to protect anything else. Don't say you are either," She leaned over and kissed him again and smiled, wanting him to understand she wasn't trying to hurt him nor was she upset with him, "You are a strong wolf, and I have all the faith in the world in you. You are my mate and I love you, but there is only so much we can do. We can't chase the herd all night trying to reunite them can we? We need to eat and our rest as well, and to be honest our cave is calling me pretty loudly right now."
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 21, 2008 17:16:38 GMT 10
Traf was strangely comforted by the feel of the rat nuzzling his neck. His little Voskon brother had earned his friendship the moment he’d run out to play with the kitty. He turned his head just enough so that he could see the rat on his shoulder out of the corner of his eye as Reg spoke. Normally, he would have been irritated to have run the whole way and back for nothing when he was already in a sorry state, but he couldn’t bring himself to be angry with Reg in the slightest. Even though the voice was in his head, he could tell that the rat was terribly excited.
He turned as Kijah made her way over to him, his face softening now that he realized just what was going on, not that he was intending on being angry anyways. Though the moment she said ‘our cave’, he felt as though the ground had dropped out from under his feet. Even now he continued to be surprised at his luck that day, that he had found this little wolf to love who returned his feelings. For the first time in years, he had a real home, rather than just a place to stay. Though he sensed he might be able to get used to that feeling. So long as he was with Kijah, wherever that was, he would always be home.
Lightning and thunder cracked across the sky. He groaned at the prospect of more rain, desperate to get inside before it hit. If Reg wants the calf and feels that he and Kavi can care for it, then so be it. He had seen the state Kavi was in--thin, poorly dressed, and surmised that he must be along the order of a street rat. They were used to taking care of themselves in tough situations, a young elk shouldn’t be too big a problem, especially if it was weaned.
He shrugged. “If you and Kavi believe you can handle it, then it’s fine by me.” He reached up with both hands, nudging the rat off his shoulder and into his open palm. He set the rat on the ground gently, then went to retrieve the bundle destined for Shad’s. When he bent to pick it up, he gathered up two handfuls of dirt and grass and rubbed them all over the bundle, trying to remove the scent of blood as he had earlier with his hands. It would also smell like the elk’s father, and that would certainly help. He picked it up, feeling the weight. It wasn’t too heavy, certainly nothing that would bother the several hundred pound elk for sure. Before he moved, he grabbed the smaller bundle he’d made for Kijah and himself.
Cautiously he made his way toward the elk, hoping it had adjusted enough to Kijah’s scent to accept his presence. He allowed the creature to sniff him until it seemed satisfied, then gently lowered the larger bundle onto the elk’s back and gently tied it with the extra length of the hide he’d used to secure the antlers. Taking care not to startle the animal, he slowly smoothed his hand down its neck before returning to where Kijah and Reg stood.
“We’re not returning to Shad’s this night, little brother,” he told Reg. “It’s a little too crowded for our tastes. But we’ll be in a cave just minutes away if we’re needed, you can always call on us.”
A howl pierced through the air. They had perhaps fifteen minutes yet before the pack arrived. “The wolves know that a meal awaits them, so in the event you run across them they will not harm the elk unless it panics and runs,” he said, glancing up at the sky as lightning cracked. He groaned at the prospect of more rain, desperate to get inside. “The bundle is for Shad and Tes.”
He smiled down at the rat. “Best of luck with the new steed, little brother,” he said with a hint of humor, and he meant it. Looking to Kijah, he asked, smiling slightly, “Well, shall we be off?”
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 21, 2008 18:12:12 GMT 10
Kijah was glad traf understood, this seemed to mean so much to Reg. Before they left she leaned down and gently kissed Reg on the head, "Safe travel, my friend." She leaned down and kissed the calf on the nose and stroked his head one last time before they started off. "Take good care with him tonight Reg."
She looked over to Traf and reached down and grabbed his hand. She started the walk through the trees, stopping to grab the shirt Tes left her, but she just carried it, Traf made her feel so comfortable, but she would indeed keep it for when they went anywhere else. She knew that the canopy would shelter them from most of the rain, but she still didn't want to get wet.
"I did think enough to put some spare wood in the cave a few nights back just incase. Good thing i did too or else we would have no fire tonight. Reg will be ok this far from the cave right?"
She couldn't keep the little calf from her mind, he was reminding her too much of herself at a young age. He did have someone who would love him at the cave, and it was clear that Reg already loved him. She was worried about him as well, but he did say he could talk to Kavi so he could call help if needed. She hadn't had such a plesant night in as long as she remembered, just walking with Traf, everything just felt right. Nothing in her life this far had prepared her for the feelings she felt twords her mate. Just the way he looked at her was enough to both give her stregnth and make her quake in her boots all at the same time. How can one man's look do that. She felt with every look he gave her he was searching her soul, there was nothing she wanted to hide from him, but she knew he had questions. Some things were just to hard to think about much less talk about yet.
She looked up at him, she knew he would understand, she wasn't sure how, but she knew he would. She couldn't help but reach up and rub his arm, she wasn't sure what made her do it, it just felt so comfortable, so right to do while walking. It made her feel closer to him, she needed that physical closeness.
"The cave isn't much, I didn't manage to come away from home with anything of comfort. Somehow though I feel we will manage. Your company tonight will be enough for me."
She was walking through the woods when she had to stop and scent the air, she had come a different way the first time, this was a new area to her. It took her a minute or two before she smelled the familiar scent of the cave. She heard the thunder rumble and started to feel a drop or two of rain.
"We may get a little wet but the cave is just around the bend in the deer trail there. Not far at all now."
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 21, 2008 19:49:07 GMT 10
Traf felt utterly at peace walking with his hand in Kijah’s, despite the impending storm. It was something he could get used to.
“Reg made his way out there, didn’t he?” he answered when she asked if the rat would be alright. He smiled. “His partner in crime, the boy, Kavi, looks to be a street rat, so I’m sure those two are used to being in tight spots. Besides, with the rain, most animals will be tucking themselves in at home to stay dry. They’ll be fine.”
He looked down at her as she moved closer to him, smiling softly. Her touch sent little tingles through him, like tiny jolts of electricity. He couldn’t imagine what might have happened if he hadn’t invited her to breakfast that morning. He was almost afraid to imagine it, like realizing things were too good to be true would be just the thing that woke him up from the dream.
The sound of falling rain reached his ears just after she informed him that it wasn’t far to the cave. He gave a sigh of relief. Seeing Kijah soaked and frozen once was enough for the day.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 21, 2008 20:37:23 GMT 10
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Post by emmaline on Mar 22, 2008 1:31:10 GMT 10
Reg watched quietly as Traf approached the calf to load him with the food. The elk's ears twisted this way and that, swinging his head to focus on Traf, but he didn't run. He would make a good riding animal, Reg thought with pleasure. He trusted when Reg said trust, was willing to accept, but would be skittish of those he didn't know. Instead of stabling him with horses in the town, in most places they could simply let him free in the forest until they needed him again. No food bill, no housing bill, and no price to buy him in the first place. He wouldn't be as fast as a horse, likely not as pleasant a ride, and it would be more difficult to find him lodging if they did need it, but he would do fine. Reg wanted to laugh out loud at the thought of a street urchin and a rat riding an elk. What a sight they would be!
--Goodbye, good luck, and good safety!-- Reg wished after Traf and Kijah, watching them disappear into the depths of the woods.
The elk turned his head down to the ground, nudging Reg with his nose and snuffling. Reg clambered up onto his head, holding on tight as that great head lifted up and around, the world swinging crazily. It only took some gentle mental-prodding to get the elk started in the right direction, ears twitching at the sounds of wolves in the distance and keeping a fair trotting pace going. They would be back at the cave before long, sheltered from the rain that was just beginning to fall.
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