<`Raven> <Larka> followed behind the pack a ways. She kept a lookout as she padded on. Wishing she wasn’t so old
* Kajika would focus on what path lay before him as he started along. Some of the words of the others would reach his ears but he made no acknowledgement of hearing them and didn’t know what to say to ease their uncertainty. It wouldn’t take long before they were out in the open and he found himself looking beyond what he had normally seen as he busied himself with keeping his muzzle up and out of the snow that his chest heaved out of the way for those behind him. He wouldn’t be too far from Sky which would hopefully leave snow weak enough in the middle of the two of them to be broken easily. The sense of traveling and a journey seemed to be ahead of him and he took in a lungful of air and couldn’t imagine what would stand in their way now.
* Darth would look to Nightshade and smile; “I would certainly hope that the leads would have other contingent plans and not be leading us to a close end ordeal.” He said with a slight chuckle. He looked to his sister and made sure that she was alright before taking a look around to make sure the rest of the group was well.

As the wolves would traverse the expansive landscape they would find the chill of winter still clinging well to this place. There wasn’t much in the way of life but there where tracks that lead every which direction once they reached the middle of this wide open expanse. Clearly wildlife used this as a makeshift highway but all the tracks would divert in every direction except in the direction of the WolfSpirits territory. As if there was some unforseen barrier there. Will the pack keep going? Or stop to investigate?

* Ayaka would nod thoughtfully to Kova’s words. “Yes, everything we can…” she murmured. Would they have to forcefully hold Fianna back? She didn’t want to hurt the fae, but what would Atraya want them to do? After a while Ayaka would lope ahead a ways, checking on each wolf as she passed, nosing Fianna, to make sure she was fine with the pace. Finally she neared Kajika, walking beside him a moment. “Thank you for helping break the trail, hard work, but necessary for those weaker..” she brushed her nose across his shoulder in thanks, then moved ahead to chuff to skydancer to slow to a halt for a moment. Ayaka had noticed the tracks, she also knew their path lay north, not branching off. “Skydancer do you have any insight into these tracks?” She asked the smaller fae, lowering her head to sniff at one pair she saw. Were they game tracks? Some seemed to be, but were they all? Ayaka felt a bit uneasy so out in the open and she shifted. “We should keep going north. Let us not deviate from the path unless strictly necessary. Perhaps Shukie, on her own path, will have found more information in these tracks.”
* kamaitachi padded on with Darth and nightshade. Unsure of what was going on. Ahe was nervous but they needed to figure things out
* Fianna would have heard snatches of Kova and Ayaka’s conversation about her and Calder and mother. She felt her heart squeeze a bit at the difficult choices ahead, for her and for the pack. She had a duty to her pack, she knew, and she had a strong loyalty to each of them. Yet her mother, her father, her brother… they werr blood. What would she do if she could help them at the expense of disobeying a pack order? Hopefully she wouldn’t have to decide that. Hopefully her loyalties were not tested. She shuddered inwardly at the idea, angry suddenly at Calder for asking her to come alone. What was his game anyway? She snorted, sending a flurry of snow around her paws. Yet she still was intrigued by him. He would not hold sway over her loyalties though, she could not let such a thing be.
* Kova would dip her head to Ayaka sharing the same sentiments. She would watch her make her way along the line now as she would start to greet all the others. She would remain in the back and every now and then she stopped and looked over her shoulder for any ‘wandering’ males that tried to track or trail behind them. She was on to Calder, at least she thought she was. When Ayaka would find the trail ahead she would watch with curious hues as she too came to a slow stop to investigate the ones near to her.
* Nighshade while she trots next to darth and her sister, she stopped a while to watch behind her shoulder to see if there any other who are sneaking up with her, and walked further again with the rest. The cold air wooshed into her eyes. Would she be able to walk along without any pauses? She must…
<Calder> As the wolves continued on the path ahead he would smile as he took note of their direction. It seems they where going in the right one for now and he would be content in watching with his deep, piercing amber hues. He continued to keep up the pace of following well behind all the others. What the pack didn’t know was there where more eyes upon them then just his.
* Kajika glanced over at Sky as she had to take a little detour around a small mound of snow that rivaled her in height, no doubt piled up from the winds building up snow in this particular spot just like anywhere else. He heard the sound of approaching paw steps and turned to see Ayaka approaching him and her words were spoken in a thankful tone and he smiled and tried to reply around the charge he carried in his muzzle. He wasn’t sure what words would make it across, but he hoped that the kindness could be felt as he would try to nose her back before she turned to Sky with a similar thanks. As Sky would come to a short stop, he would only continue to walk up to her and wouldn’t move ahead. He had noticed some of the tracks but it seemed like the more they continued, the more it seemed to  follow a pattern almost of not just the meander of a herd but almost the intent of a predator perhaps? He would try to sniff the closest set of tracks but the action was almost as good as tasting the tracks and guessing what they could have been because of the challenge that it was to smell anything besides the strong scent of mint present on a few of the leaves and bark in his jaws, even if only a leaf or two was all that remained of the strong-smelling herbs. But maybe the size of the tracks would give him a hint as to what it was?
* skydancer having been so far ahead has allowed her to wander a way’s left of the path she’d been following to investigate checking back a lot to see when to move on or if the pack wants to investigate first. at ayaka,s call she bounds back. “game tracks. for reason they aren,t going south as far as i can tell.” she replies “something, or someone appears to be blocking them” she replies
* Darth would be continuing to follow Skydancer and Kajika wherever they would lead. He trusted the two of them as well as the other members to go where they needed to be.
* Nighshade pace went a bit slower, this was the first big walk for her. Trying to catch up with the pack she trots a bit faster. “Any idea how long it takes?” She asked impatient and chuffeds. She was truly amazed by the surrounding and got distracted.
* Ayaka would listen to any words both Kajika and skydancer had to say. “Yes.. seems to indicate that..” she mused as she looked out at the tracks she could see in the gloom. The moon was high, and there were few clouds over their location, the light casting a rather eerie feel to the atmosphere, or a serene one, if it weren’t for their being so far into the unknown. Ayaka nodded then released a breath. “Lets continue on. I want to make sure we get to some trees before we stop for the night.” With that she would continue on near the front with the others, trusting Kova to continue being vigilant at the back. Ayaka would feel another pair of eyes at the front was necessary, the open expanse making her hide itch. Who might be watching them? Their pace would be a brisk walk, and on harder ground with less snow they were able to trot a bit as well. At Nightshade’s words she flicked an ear and dropped back to regard the fae. “Are you holding up? We will travel until we find cover to rest under. Up ahead it seems to be some on the horizon.”

As the wolves decide to press on they would find that the world around them was starting to fall into beautiful golden yellow, orange and bright pink hues as the sun started to fall behind the tall Rogah’s. They would slowly find their way closer and closer to the opposing mountain ranges and start to make an incline along a wide open path that started to narrow back into the woods. The trees would be dusted with beautiful strips of snow as well as even some colors of spring starting to poke through thinner portions of winter. All within eye’s reach and distance as well. They where getting close to the forests edge.

* Nighshade “I’m fine” was she responded to ayaka as she pulled up herself to hold on. A beautiful horizon was filled with a orange pink sky, it almost looked it was on fire ” wow.. it looks like a fire” she was impressed by everything she saw now. In the distance were some trees getting visible but realizing that it’s not near enough yet. She tries to stay with the pack aslong it’s possible, “aslong we’re near enough by some. I will take a rest for a while. No worries ” she huffed and continues her way, something made felt her uneasy.. were they being watched? Looking around to see if there are any things.. She wouldn’t see anything. “Hmmm..” was her response.
* skydancer dips her muzzle in agreement. “I must admits im itching to find out why those critters are doing this.” she comments before jogging off again with a last glance at the tracks. are they holding a clue they need is it just intended as a distraction. with no way to know she focuses back on her task.maybe she can come back later while the others are resting..maybe if it seems safe enough
* Fianna would continue on, quietly, inhaling the sharp scents of the crisp air, and watching the tracks as they passed by. She saw the beautiful colors on the horizon, and wondered if Atraya were watching it as well. “Hold on mother.” She whispered softly. She felt her side growing a bit sore from the quickened pace, but found she was able to maintain it without feeling as if any damage would be done. She was glad for the movement, hoping each mile would bring her closer to rescuing Atraya.
* Kova would continue only after the pack had moved on. She would keep looking behind her as she would listen intently to the winds and world around her but she couldn’t help but be humbled by the sky and it’s changing colors. She would look to Fianna now and think quietly up on her future as well as all the rest of theirs.
* Kajika would commit the sight to memory one more time before he would follow Sky up ahead a little bit, placing some distance in between him and the main part of the group again and would continue on, picking up each paw deliberately and he would only stop to shake out his outer pelt, ridding it of the snow that seemed to collect there. But the colors of the last rays of light caught
* Kajika his eyes when  it hit the trees, making everything appear a bright shade of orange and the snow underpaw even moreso. The tracks didn’t spook him, but he would look out for anything similar moving forward, at least as they continued traveling for the night. He would also start to look over his shoulder when they reached the treeline to make sure that he maintained visibility with even those in the back. Would accomplish this by making several bounds forward and then turned to look behind as well as around him and would wait for them to catch up. He wasn’t rushing them by doing this he hoped, but he would be able to see around the group instead of relying on multitasking of both taking in their surroundings as they moved.
* Ayaka would continue at her post, turning her head and watching the landscape as it passed, vigilant in her watchfulness should anything move their way across the tundra. Ahead, trees began to be visible, sparse at first but then a bit thicker, until the group was entering the treeline and here she began to slow, glancing around as well as along the path they followed. Where did Calder’s pack territory begin? She wondered, inhaling and checking trees for signs of marking even as she brought the group a bit further in. Cover woud be good before they rested. Perhaps they could make it to where Calder had mentioned he’d meet them? Where was the pool? She would circle the group a bit, moving around, behind, and alongside them to keep watch as they continued on northward, hoping to make some good progress before they stopped for the night
<Calder> He continued to follow after the traveling pack, his eyes narrowed upon the horizon as he took all the details in. The light was starting to dim and offer beautiful warm colors across the sky. He would smile knowing what the night held out in this distance and would start to slow his pace considerably. When he noted all the other wolves began to ascend into the forest he would pause his own  path yet again and start to move towards the east now from the rest of the pack.
* Fianna felt herself ease slightly as they began to be surrounded by trees once more, though that held its own hazards if not being able to see as far, she also felt shielded somewhat from so man unknown eyes. She glanced over her shoulder at Kova, reassured the fae was nearby, as well as those ahead of her. They were a pack. They would meet any challenge.
* Ayaka would urge the others to continue on, seeing some looking tired, but she wanted to get a bit further, and she would brush her muzzle along shoulders and offer encouragement when necessary, all the while glancing around and remaining watchful. She kept an eye on skydancer and Kajika should they notice anything out of the ordinary, and continued on deeper into the forest, still following what seemed to be a fair size path.
* Kova would continue to follow after the others as she would make sure to mark her scent here and there along a tree or stone now that they entered the woods. She would make sure to let the others of her family know where they where and how to find them, but, ensured as well it wasn’t “to” easy for she didn’t desire the opposite for others who where seeking some sort of trouble. She would continue along the chosen path, her eyes narrowed in thought before she would look to Fianna who was just ahead of her. She nuzzled the earthen fae’s side gently “Fianna, how are you feeling? Can I get you something at the next stop?”
* skydancer jogs along head up and alert while knowing she opens herself up for ambuah and thus constantly returns. to within sight of the pack before turninf bacj around and scouting the next part of their trail. if anythinf for her to find. shell find it before the trouble finds her pack.hopefully..
* Fianna would chuff very softly as Kova nuzzled her, nosing the older fae back if she could, and sighed. “I’m doing okay. Just… worried about mother. She’s been gone so long now. I wish we didn’t have to stop to rest.” She paused. “I don’t need anything in particular.” She answered, leaning down to scoop snow into her maw, letting it melt and sooth her thirst. A pool of water was beginning to sound nice. If Calder had been telling the truth, there would be one up ahead

One by one the wolves would continue to press through the forest and tall woods over head. The light began to filter behind them but slowly started to wither into darkness. Ayaka would find there was nothing unusual or out of the ordinary in this part of the woods, at least not until they started to find themselves deeper in the woods. As the woods began to fill with the void of darkness as  nighttime began to descend upon the wolves, there was a new hue of color that began to strike across the landscape. Beautiful hues of greens and blues started to streak against the woods and landscape with ease and beauty. The illumination was like no other out here, even with the tree’s, it would be beautiful. Aurora’s over head would flicker and start to come to life and turn the world of white  and pink to those striking colors of blue and teal. The resounding caws of crows would no doubt take the wolves attention momentarily as the woods began to become thicker and no longer at the mercy of the wide open spaces. Fianna might find that these very woods almost started to resemble her birth den site.

* Kajika would set the bundle down at his paws just to give his jaws a break for a moment when he was ahead. He thought from any other perspective, he looked like an excited pup as he would bound forward and turn to wait. His tail wasn’t wagging like a pup’s might, but it wouldn’t have been completely still even if the wind didn’t play a part in blowing through the fur there. He would  see Sky returning from off the side of the trail that he was leading them through and figured that she was scouting out areas not just straight ahead but off to the side. As the trees would enclose them in what seemed like safety, it could also hide the eyes of any number of creatures that hid downwind if left unchecked. And Ayaka made her way through and around the group herself which was the only reason he wasn’t doing so himself. He tried to fight back the feeling of overconfidence, but it didn’t look like anything would be sneaking up on them tonight. He would sometimes also get distracted momentarily by the lights that he first noticed to be unnatural on any normal evening. But taking the time to look up, he would see the lights surely dancing across the sky and he would stop in his tracks for a moment. He had only seen this occur maybe once? Or had he imagined it in dreams as he was certainly told stories about it as a pup? It was hard to tell as the spectacle seemed to be woven into a dream itself.
* Kova would give a knowing nod towards Fianna understanding well her worry for her alpha and as well her mother “I am sure she is fine Fianna. Your mother is strong… just like you are” she smiled and nosed the fae “You remind me a lot like her.” she tried to offer her some comfort and momentarily glanced up towards the horizon and the colors in the sky. ‘Oh wow..’ she whispered.
* Ayaka ‘s gaze would be drawn from the trees and snow to the sky, the horizon, and the beautiful green dancing of light that was on display. Her paws would slow as it began, and she felt the awe and wonder of it all within her. She glanced back to the others, counting, making sure all were there even as she watched them all notice the lights as well. “Its beautiful” she said, softly, but enough so that those around her could hear. Kajika seemed caught up in it for a moment and she could understand why. “A bit further now..” she added, keeping them on task, for they didn’t want to be caught unawares still. The path north would continue to stretch and they had to wind a bit around some trees until it straightened out again, enclosed now among the forest. The lights lit the scene, casting its glow on snow, trees, and fur alike. Eventually, a break in the trees ahead became apparent, and Ayaka would murmur for the group to slow a bit, moving forward with caution.
* Fianna would indeed feel her heart swell a bit at Kova’s words. She wanted so to be like Atraya, the strong leader of her pack. It was a great compliment. Fianna too would catch her breath at the sight of the beautiful lights, movinf gracefully beyond and around them, through the trees. “Its…” she’d seen the lights before, but it felt… closer now. “Its amazing.” The snow was not as deep here under the canopy of trees and it allowed for her to walk more along with everyone else, the trail not needing to be broken. However she was mindful of Shukie and Ayaka’s warnings and hung back from the front. What would be ahead?

As the wolves continued along the chosen path through the woods, they would find that there would be a nice little spot that was open enough to provide them some space but also, enclosed to feel safe. The sky over head would still continue to glimmer with the beautiful colors of the aurora’s. The little clearing up ahead would no doubt provide a nice resting spot for the pack if they choose to stay here for the evening. The trees would cast a nice shadow across the little clearing so that sneaking upon them would be difficult at best. There where several rocks to seek shelter if it got windy as well. As each wolf came into the little clearing they would find that their paws became heavy and tired with fatigue from the travel and there rest for the night. Each wolf taking their place where they thought was most comfortable.
* Ayaka would eventually deem the clearing a good place to rest for the night, knowing the next leg of the journey would no doubt bring more challenges. Daylight would be welcome then. She moved about, checking on everyone and nosed Kova fondly. “Thanks for watching the back today Kova.” She huffed. “I’m nervous without even Shukie around. I hope I did alright today.” She kept her tones light, but truly she wanted to do her best for the pack. After a while she would lay down with her back to a large rock, a vantage for her to see the others as they chose spots as well. Settling in she would watch long into the night
* Fianna would reach the clearing, feeling sheltered from a bit of the wind and such as well. She would release a long breath, glad to stop in the end for her ribs needed a break, even though they were healing. Settling down just to Ayaka’s right dhe would press against the base of a large and wisened tree, listening to the breeze sway the branches. The place reminded her of her birth, of the old growth and ancient trees. Her heart ached for her family as she remembered, and it woult take her some time, though tired, to fall asleep.
<`Raven> <Larka> *catching the pack after her slow progress, she would find a comfy place hidden but still in sight of the pack and wouls fall asleep her white frame blending into the snow
* Kova would come to the rear and wait until all the wolves made it safely. She would dip her head to Ayaka and smile, nuzzling her fondly back in return. “Aye, but you’re doing just fine. We’re a family and strong together as one. I think this really highlights that. I don’t think many packs can work this way together without their leaders.” she would nose her again “We are confident in them that we know they’ll return to us safe and to lead us again.” she would find herself a nice seat beside a tall birch and some stones near the ‘entrance’ to the clearing. She would take up sentry there.