Sheva

[briz]

Sheva limped painfully to the river and slumped down. She run for two whole days without stopping and it had come at a price, her hind was hurting badly and would need time and good meat to heal properly. Really it was her own movement that pprevented it from healing completely. But she couldn't stay still. Every time she settled she heard the mewling in her head. She howled briefly, the same howl every evening: Where are you Chi Chi? I'm coming!

She growled and lay her head on her paws. She'd hunt later, right now she was tired. Half closing her eyes, she relaxed.

[nightshade]

Mane could hear the cry of an injured wolf, within his lands. He snapped up from his resting position, it had been a while since he had been at peace in his mind. The loss of his beloved amulet was just too much for the wolf king to bear. He had tried not to allow this become a distraction in protecting his pack, and the rest of the free lands, but he was sorrow to admit that he hadn't been doing a good job so far.
Dusk had reached the lands of Padure, this was Manes favourite time, his keen, hunters eyes could still easily see enough around him, yet the darkness had begun to creep in. Mane had always found something surprisingly comforting about the darkness. Looking up, his bright, rounded eyes gazed at the shimmering pearl moon above him, not quiet at the peak of the deep blue sky just yet.
On instinct, he moved toward the sound, velvet ears perked curiously forward, wet, ebony nose scenting the air. The injured wolf was female according to his nose. This made him relax slightly, at least no larger male was in his lands, plotting to take his terratory. It wasn't long before the grey male reached the she-wolf, he paused a metre or so away from her, head tilted curiously to one side, tail lifted high, dominace radiating from his assertive stance. His eyes however, were soft, and welcoming, concerned even. And he spoke in soft, curious tones. The howl had sounded like an injured wolf, yet he could see no blood or sign of a wound. Perhaps the pain of this she wolf was internal, was she greiving?

Can I help you, miss?

[briz]

Sheva's head lifted slowly to gaze at the male wolf. She hadn't heard him approach; the pain in her leg had distracted her. Dam your leg; how can you be a mother with that foolishness...if indeed she was still a mother Normally Sheva was a proud female, not prone to pleading or relying on other wolves; indeed it had been a long time since she'd been in a pack. But this wolf, though within his rights to be authoritative, looked kind and perhaps concerned. Sheva never liked pity especially for herself and tossed her head proudly as if to say, I'm alright without you you know. And yet, she was at the end of her tether; she still needed to hunt and she missed her cubs and poor Chi Chi alone.
She reached her muzzle out toward the strange wolf and gave a grief stricken howl.

I'm looking for my cub. I'm hurt; oh my cub. He's lost somewhere and I can't find him!

[nightshade]

Mane looked at her softly, curiosity filled his mind. He wasn't entirely sure how a she-wolf could simply lose a cub? Surely they were easy to track? He soon realised that he was thinking as a wolf who had never fathered cubs. He sat down beside the she-wolf. She seemed completely crazyin Mane's mind, she was clearly upset, but he just didn't know how to deal with a female like this. He was out of his depth. His auds flattened slightly and he nudged her affectionatly with his muzzle. Trying to comfort her.

I'm Mane. Whats your calling?

[briz]

Sheva tilted her head, looking up at Mane with her milky eyes. For some reason she felt she could trust this male; she had greatly missed the company of other wolves. She whined softly to show submission and rolled over on her back wagging her tail. Then she sat up on her side and put her head on her paws.

I call for my cub Chi Chi. Of my dear cubs he was the only one ot have survived; I managed to track him as far as here but now I've lost to him. She howled mournfully. He could be dying and I can't find him!

She whimpered sadly and licked her dry lips, oh she was so hungry!
I... assume this is your territory. Would you grant me permission to hunt on your land? I've not eaten since last moonrise.

Sheva flicked her ears at him; her moods were going a bit haywire in her grief and hunger but she was trying to make a good impression, although she knew she must seem more like a wreck loose.

[nightshade]

Mane smiled softly and sympathetically at the females words, then realised he had not yet introduced himself. He had never really needed to before, the amulet he had once worn was introduction enough to who he was. But he no longer wore it, and must seem like a simple wolf to others. This she-wolf appeared to not be from round here anyway, so he would need the introductions anyway. Though she asked to hunt within his realm, he did not yet know her name either, and wanted to be sure she was no traitor.

These are my lands, I'm Mane, the King of all the free lands.
You may hunt here if you wish.

[briz]

Sheva wagged her tail eagerly; she was so hungry, she could almost taste the meat.

My name's Sheva.

She paused; how was one supposed to say they wanted to stay, and become part of a pack? This wolf seemed like a lone wolf without company but she wanted to stay with him. She felt safe, and it was nice to have a male around. She decided to try being playful; no harm in being friendly since she planned on being around. She sniffed hesitantly; there was prey around, a mile or so off but it was definatly there. She turned back to Mane and nipped him gently before dodging away.She barked eagerly:

Come on!

[nightshade]

Mane tilted his head curiously as the female ran off, his eyes watching with an amused gleam. He wagged his long, matted tail softly and pulled himself forward, running alongside the she-wolf, known to him now as Sheva. It had not taken him long to catch up, as Mane was a fast male, and hunting had always been something he had always loved. He ran softly, his heavy paws barely making a sound on the soft earth below him, his head bent low to the earth, and ebony, moist nose searching the lands for scents. He stole quick and searching looks at the female by his side, she seemed unlike any he had ever known, and this both confused, and interested him. He picked up his pace, and turned a sharp left, he'd move downwind of any prey that the area had to offer, he'd steal silently up to them, he enjoyed hunting, and enjoyed the chase, but he prefered to hunt with caution and wit rather than brute strength and speed.

[briz]

Sheva loped silently alongside Mane; she stole him a wolfish grin. This male was most certainly different; not only was he strong and courageous but he was clever; running down wind of the prey had not passed by her. She ran on, not sure whether or not to run faster; she knew it would be better if they split up and approached the prey down wind from two sides. Sheva pondered this as she picked up speed. If she wanted to stay with Mane for now, she was quite happy for him to lead her; that was the way packs worked, it was natural to her, and this was Mane's territory after all. And she did like hunting with a wolf who clearly appreciated the thrill of the hunt as much as she did. Thinking this her eyes widened in concentration, her claws dug into the earth and her hackles rose. Deciding on common manners, without making a commitment, she waited for Mane to lead the hunt as they ran.

[nightshade]

Mane growled a low, rumbling growl as he approached the prey, causing them to jump up and begin to move away. But Mane was too close, his steel grey claws struck out, and his razor teeth latched onto the outstreached throat of the deer before him. He allowed the scarlet blood to trickle down his matted fur and he dragged the doe away from the others, who were now running as fast as they could muster, away from the killer, Mane. He felt the pulsing blood slow down, and saw the glint of life in the eye of the deer fade away, he dropped her neck lazily. This doe had had an injury to one of her hind legs, it had made her weak, easy to catch, and this act of killing only the weak or old helped the deers population, Mane was a great believer in survival of the fittest. He looked up from his kill, to see a small baby deer, its black eyes wide with terror, it had not ran with the rest of its herd, so Mane decided it was probably the child of the doe he had just claimed as lunch. Part of Mane pitied the young one, but a more dominant part wanted lunch. He sprang forward once more, this time his jaws broke the brittle neck of the young deer with ease, it wasn't as strong as its mother had been, under a year old for certain. But lunch was lunch, and Mane's hunting instincts took charge. He dropped his second kill with a light thump.

[briz]

Sheva turned away from the brutal killing of the baby deer; she knew it had to be and yet she could not watch. Instead she snapped at the heels of the retreating deer, making sure no hot tempered doe would come back for a kick. Carefully avoiding the sight of the baby, she walked neatly round to the bigger corpse and gently dipped her tongue into the blood. The taste made her slaver madly and she looked up hopefully at Mane, and wagged her tail, asking to tuck in. She'd been heartily impressed by his hunting.

You're fast

Sheva turned to look through the trees; she could smell the very far off scent of something on four legs; a fox?

Do foxes live around here?

Her stomach growled loudly and she nosed hungrily at the corpse before giving an obedient whine that implied I can't eat until you have

[nightshade]

Mane ripped apart the fresh carcass with his pearly white teeth, tearing the flesh that tempted him so much. He devoured a quarter of the carcass before fully hearing the she-wolf's words. He gulped back his mouthful, and stared at her, bewildered. Did foxes live round here? What a question, clearly the she-wolf knew nothing of the lands at all. He nodded to her shortly, gesturing that she may begin to eat, he did not doubt that she was hungry. His velvet ears stood alert, and his eyes scanned the area every few moments, he was always on the look out, especially with a fresh kill nearby. He parted his blood stained maw and spoke to the newcomer.

Wow, your not from around here are you?

These are the lands of the free, foxes, horses, elves, wolves, we all live here, ruled by one supreme king. We all live together, in a truce, and follow the kings own laws. The rebellion lands are the lands of a cruel elf king, he stole the free lands kings amulet, an object of amazing powers. A variety of animals live alongside him, including bears, his protectors. The free lands fight the rebellion creatures for their amulet.

You should chose which side you stand with, And go to those lands, or live in the common grounds, without a ruler.

[briz]

Sheva flattened her ears at the news, and then dived at the meat, tearing great hunks off and chewing with great gusto. Already she could feel her energy returning with goodness in the meat. She could feel something on her nose, blood maybe of fluff and she sneered. She tried licking it but couldn't reach.

Who's the king? she asked, sneezing again and gnawing on a bone And how come he lost his amulet? Sounds a bit like he failed in that respect

She whined as she sneezed again and tried rolling on the floor to get her nose clean.

[nightshade]

Yes I suppose he did.

Mane replied simply, his tone still light and friendly, but he ignored her first question. He watched her tear the carcass and smiled, amused. He took the baby deer by the neck, and dragged it over to a softer patch of land, a small creature like this could be useful, it could be a peace offering, or a gift, or maybe a meal in more desperate times. He dropped it, allowing it to drop slowly to the ground. His attentions turned back to the she-wolf, and he titled his head curiously to one side. Watching her. He asked her an important question, he would not mind the answer, but it would shape her treatment here.

So which lands are for you? The free lands, the rebellion, or neither?

[briz]

Sheva stopped rubbing her nose on the ground and looked up innocently. She licked her lips thoughtfully looking into Mane's eyes

From what you say she said eventually after some thought It seems as if this rebellion is under no just grounds; and I stick with those I care about

She sniffed. She didn't know what to say; Oh hang the right answer, just say what you feel

I a free lander; I suppose my loyalty lies with this king whoever he is She nosed her paws, embarrassed

But.. I'd like to...stay here with you.....if...you don't mind She glanced up

I like you She suddenly became very interested in cleaning her fur