*Rook would close his eyes and think upon the first tale told to him by his father…opening them as he spoke, *”A free tale to open the day and to explain the worth of a name. This is a tale told in the voice of my father of his father and mother before him and of the origin of my kin. Here, is my father’s tale…
In the hallowed halls of stone; away from the necessity of the senses– such as sight– memory always served best… Memory was a fickle thing. The hues and tones of its recall were an edited version of the things that had happened afterwards, a filtered lens through which the past was viewed. He closed his eyes as if hearing the soft melody of his mother’s song and there dwelt upon the memory as it came…
“Close your eyes and no peeking.”
“Do as your mother says.”
Always the envelope to push, even at the cusp of lore to be told. Lids closed visibly tight to the scrunching of a wolvish and mischeviously cute, puppy face—his voice, a light-toned shadow of the present, accompanied as if to secure what the obnoxious antics didn’t.
“Ok! See? Lids shut!”
The pup’s vocals reverberated brashly off of the stone wall in front of and beside him as the gradient of outside light dimmed from beyond his furry lids. Only the soft patter of Spring’s snow melt as it fell through cracks of stone filled the silence between his parents’ vocals. Although it had been but a moment, he couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the wall in front of him, and there watched as the shadows of his mother and father joined in such a way to leave one, fur filtered circle of dim light upon the stone. How did they always manage to make it look like a small moon? The thought escaped him, mostly in the form of a curious and oversized paw stretched out nearly to the wall before the sound of his father’s voice made it shrink away.
“Ah, do not spoil the surprise!”
He scrunched his face tightly once again and waited with what patience he had for the story to begin…When he opened his hues next, it was to the sound of his mother’s voice and to the sight of pure darkness.
“In the time of their youth and pride the Mean Oíche, the sons of the northern midnight, suffered no sky above them. They were the voice of the Earth, unchained by the limits of the horizon and of the great circle above.”
“…and were great winged beasts of prey that snatched up small pups!” His father’s “spooky” interruption was quick, punctuated by the sound a light thwap to the nose and the quick shuffling of paws. In the commotion only a sliver of light had passed between their forms, but all had grown dark before his father’s voice carried the story further.
“The sons of the mean oíche were born of the stones of the earth in a time where the great fires were absent from the eastern and western horizon. Such was a time before the great wolven stars lit the night sky, where the legends unfurled its tapestry and there secured a place for the migration of the seasons.”
Still no light was shown upon the wall in front of him and none was visible at his paws. How could his father’s fathers live in darkness when he couldn’t even see his paws here? Were they wolves like him or were they stone like these cave walls? His thoughts ambled through the dark images of giant stone wolves, grumpier than his grandpa, before the sound of his mother’s voice continued with the story.
“So it was for an era that the forefathers of this pack carved the stone around them in their great hunts, forming the northern valleys and the western foothills in their ruckus.” The sound of his father’s stamping paws were made to good effect of those words, but his mother continued unabated. “The earth would quiver and howl its own joyous voice in the form of the great and old winds to the prowess of those wolves of old. However, with those winds came the promise of change.”
* Kaia would pad into the clearing holding thin bones between her teeth, any watching closely might notice the tattered fae ariving and sitting on the clearings west side, she caught only half the tale but would not move from her spot to interupt it wile it was in progress. Once rook seemed to finish shed draw out slightly till she was visible looking around to count those prescent known and otherwise though all here seemed to be wolfes shed met Kaia
* Faelcu The old fae saw Saskia padding over to the stone, but it appeared that the fae completely ignored her and instead focused her attention on Rook. What was that she was holding in her mouth? A mini wolf-shaped twig? She didn’t what that was, but it sure looked interestinf! Before Faelcu ended up staring too long, she slowly blinked her glossy orbs, turning away. Instead she looked up at her mentor as he began speaking. Was he referring to the wolf twig Saskia was holding? Her gaze fell to the East where she saw some wolves enter. Leora and a Kova being two. Since Rook didn’t yet disclose what this meeting was for, Faelcu sat in sat in relative silence before she heard her mentor speak. Curious, she listened to the tale in full (assuming Rook was actually speaking), but she remained silent to process and think on what was shared.
*Grimolf A lone black figure emerged into the Clearing starting to approach the growing landmark that was the Alpha’s Rock . Depending on the direction of the wind , Grim might’ve picked up the faint scents of those attending , if not then he would eventually see the gathering over the horizon . Would anyone notice the brute coming from the North East ?
* Cairdeas was still quite damp from the river mishap as he entered his pelt would look almost like it was glued to his form, no denying he took a dip. Unintentional, intentional dip as he was thinking about it before he lost his balance. Oh well he was alright and there. He would sit a little away, shaking his pelt out once more. It seemed his entrance was slightly late but he caught most of the story. It sounded fantastical, was it real or fantasy? He could not tell, a lot of the stories he heard sounded like fantasy at times but he decided to keep very silent. Having entered late he felt a bit self-conscious. Rook might see him settle shortly after the tale started sitting back from the others gathered observing in silence.
* Leora she was just in time as she would see a good collection of wolves by her brothers side, she would find herself a nice little spot close by and lowered her trinkets then tucked them slightly between her paws. She swished her tail and eyed her brother’s tale. Ohhhh this was to be a good one! She eagerly leaned in as she’d get a recount of her brother growing up. A real treat for her, yes indeed. When he instructed to close ones’ eyes in the tale, she did so to! She’d not peek, oh no! She listened intently.. no intensely to the story. She giggled at the parts where her brother peeked and tried to capture the light. oh, how she wished she could’ve grown up with her sisters and brother. Alas, she held the memories hard and true and she felt a well of pride swell in her chest. She gruuuued and stomped her paws a few times as if to mimic her mother and truly appreciate the story told in full. She to was eager to know more… what happened after?
* Rook When all that was to be said was said he’d look once through to those present and stamp his paw. “So begins another sharing of Lore, a Lore Day and night should you spin the tales long enough. My barter is this, as it has since the days of my return: a tale for a tale of equal measure. You lot will share the Lore you know or wish to share in hopes that I will share the Lore that I know. Come, who is first to offer their barter?” He’d dip his nose to his mate and her meal to go. He was not hungry, fed instead by the wish to hear and share.
* Saskia would only offer the male a cheeky nod before settling in. A free tale from Rook was like two scooped ice-cream on a hot summer day instead of just one. Or mom saying yes to Mcdonald’s on the way home from school. It just was rare and splendid. As he recalled the story told by his mother and father, Saskia had a hard time imagining anything other than darkness. When he ended his long tale, the brown fae was silent for a moment as if she had delayed memory. Was this why Rook sought the veil in such a way? The white-hued fae from the other end which was basically the other half of his lineage? Saskia would stamp her paw to the tale when it was unfolded. To hear where the stone got his namesake, The Mean Oiche, was a prize in itself, but the darkness of this tale hung ever-so eery to her. Something about it felt unfinished? Nonetheless, a tale was told. “Namesake. It is important, and a wonderful tale to go along with the lesson just as precious. Thank you for this, Rook.” She smiled, putting it to memory should she have questions in the near future and oh, she would! “I will go next.” She stepped forward.
* Rook would dip his nose to Saskia and begin his silent observance of the offered Lore.
* Kova she would’ve found herself a nice spot beside her mate as she listened to the story of Mean Oíche. A soft ruuuing sound would emit from her voice as she would listen with eager ears. She had heard the story before in previous lore nights, but it was one she’d never nor ever forget. In particular the fae wolves who fell from the sky and stars. She thought upon the fire wolves and the silvery hued faes. Lost in thought and reflection for a moment, she perked her ears when Saskia offered to share her tale. She perked now to the fea.
* Kaia would remain in the shade of the western edge, she hadnt quite expected the lore night to come so soon and so early but she had tales, weather her mentor would be happy with them she did not know but they suited her in some way. spoke lengths of her learning, some spoke of the past half new and half old, but much had happened both in the life of the player and the wolf that had prevented her seeking out tales instead these were the three that came to meet her
* Faelcu The tale of the Mean Oíche would linger at the back of her mind to process all that was said. A dark tale of mystery and triumph, it seemed. As Rook looked for any among the growing crowd to barter tales with, she saw Saskia step forward. She gave the brown hued fae her attention, though if Faelcu saw Kaia among the crowd, she would swing her tail and invite her to come closer if she wished.
* Grimolf Whatever was ongoing before the scarred brute no one had seemed to notice Grim with the lone wolf making his entrance into the Lore morning ? Hold on — wasn’t it called Lore Night , why were they hosting it so damn early ? Grimolf stopped looking at Rook and the others with a puzzled look before coming to the realisation that he didn’t care / that / much about the reason . Oh , well the one eyed brute would just have to sit this one out until he could get a moment alone with Kova . Grimolf found a spot in the gathering sitting down feeling his attention shifting from the separate pack members .
* Kaia would pad over silently her dark shape slinking through the clearing. perhaps now spotting the emerging grimwolf. shed not chuff no need to disturb others but shed find her place next to faelcu. then quietly pat her tail on the earth only once, a slight invitation for him to join their company though she didnt yet spare another glance turning her mind to the tales yet to be told
SASKIA SHARES
A moment to acknowledge all who arrived was offered with a slight dip of her nose before she lowered her muzzle to pick up the wooden pipe. She walked around the circle, letting each wolf see her trinket. She’d find her seat again and lower it to the ground before speaking.
“The path taken to come across this trinket was one decided in both eagerness to begin a new journey and loyalty to see an old one through. Today, I will not tell the tale of a Northern journey, but I will give you the significance I learned of it.”
Part 3
Saskia lowered and blew into the old pipe, creating a cloud of dust for the onlookers imagination to loll.
*“Each twist and turn in the pipe’s design
Speaks of the winding path of life’s journey
Through dark forests and frozen tundras
We must navigate with courage and cunning.
I show you this prize, not to make it my own
But to inspire each of you to never feel alone
For within every journey, there lies a hidden rope,
To guide us through darkness and offer us hope…
and that there are miracles that sprout through the smallest mote.”*
At her latter tones, she would give a couple of wolves a purposeful glance. One would go to Cairdeas, who she’d linger on, and another to Kaia, another to Grimolf. And to herself.. Perhaps even a shared one to Leora, though the Little Light was not as needing of such look.
* Cairdeas He saw the gathered group and fear pulled at him. Would he be able to overcome this fear pulling at him? As Saskia went up he felt himself relax, she was there and she would keep her word. He knew her since he had been just a little pup. She was going to be there when he delivered his truth, a truth only those knew that were there. Some even there at the time did not know. As he sat there he pondered as well on yellow star flowers but then Saskia told her lesson, ‘Wait what is a pipe?’ He of course kept the question to himself. As he looked at the trinket he tilted his dome. How did a wolf do that? His orbs widened at the relic not knowing it to be a human relic.
* Leora she’d scoot in a little closer and swung her tail eagerly behind her when Saskia offered a tale next. Held in her jaws was a curious object, a northern object. She was very much interested in it and what the story of it would share. When she did share of it’s meaning, it’s purpose come to light, she grinned and ruuuued. Did she notice the quick glance her way? Surely so! A light expression was given :wolf_Smile: She stomped her paw when she finished her tale and grinned. A good one indeed! She hoped it’s meaning not lost to just this mornings spin.
* Rook would stamp his paw to the well-shared meaning and nuance illuminated upon through use of what might otherwise be the smallest little item. It hit dangerously close to what a true trinket was, and in that was his appreciation. Who else might go next, he wondered?
* Kova her hues fell to Saskia and then to the trinket. She would listen with great care. When the story was told and shared in it’s meaning she stomped her paw to the earth. A good tale and meaning. She’d perk her ears towards the others collected and she’d wait to see whom might go next, to.
* Faelcu The fae dipped her head to Kaia as the younger fae sat down next to her, but her attention was pulled back to Saskia. Hearing the fae share the tale of the “Pipe”, Faelcu was intrigued. A short tale it was, but one full of meaning and lessons to be heard and learned. Faelcu stomped her paw in the ground after the tale was concluded, but remained silent.
* Cairdeas The yearling had missed the gaze as his attention, eyesight, was locked on the pipe. He may have had an inkling her mind was on him, especially because of last night. As he waited quietly he was still not ready though his paws were anxious. He would slowly shift his amber orbs over the gathered group. He silently hoped Saskia would maybe haunch herself next to where he was sitting. His forepaws were lightly tracing in the earth in ramdom pattetns.
* Kaia listened stamping her paw along with others, she held great respect for saskia. though she’d dip her head to the faes glance, she understood the look in some way still kaias eyes couldnt stray away from the ‘pipe’ no teeth could cut something so fine, kaia knew not of humans no life outside the lay of lands she knew. she looked down at the three bones at her feet, if kova was there shed dip her head to her mentor who might see that there was hardly a spek of dirt on the bones, she had buried them below a layer of sticks to keep them as pristine as the day they’d been given, but kaia had another token to go in hand with the tale, a shimmering skin of scales, a gift for leora that she had been looking after until it came of use
* Kova as the tale would come to an end, she would wonder if she should recount a tale of her own from long ago. Hmmm. The ears have since changed when she told it, but perhaps it to could offer a nice light. She waited a few more moments to see whom might share first. The pipe would be observed and she recalled it now not just in memory, but it’s physical form. It had been a while, indeed.
* Saskia When her story was concluded, Saskia would dip her head, grateful to have such a fine crowd gathered to hear it and more specifically those that needed to hear it. She’d look at Cairdeas, whom she promised to give her presence to today. She’d find a seat beside him, but he’d soon find out that she could not speak the words gathering in his throat. His tale was his to share and own, and in that courage was a blossoming light; Quite like a friend would let go of the bike as soon as they thought the other was ready to ride. Go, Cairdeas. You can do it. She awaited the next storyteller.
* Cairdeas was afraid a bit shaky as Saskia joined him. She could physically feel it on him. He was not ready yet, but if not now when? He was not ready to take the chance. A little more time, he waited for another to take to the stone though he was only watching from his peripherals as his muzzle was at an angle to the ground. He would face this and thankfully not alone. The story was his to tell he knew no one else could speak truth for him.
* Leora she would listen to the winds as it would pass momentarily between the gathered wolves. She had something special to share this lore and her token/trinkets for it where tucked lightly between her paws. She was big now and could hide them easily. She’d allow that time to pass before she would chuff warmly to her brother. “I would like to share.”
* Rook was just about to let the silence linger a little longer before he watched his younger sister approach. He’d offer no word, just a light dip of his nose and a smile held within his eyes. He’d listen to what his sister wished to share.
* Faelcu As a silence grew among those gathered for Lore Day, the fae perked her head up upon hearing Leora step up to share a tale of her own. Curious to hear what she had to offer to the table, the old fae gave Leora her full attention. Perhaps Faelcu could bring something to the table when she got the opportunity?
LEORA SHARES
* Leora she would stride forward with a bundle of something in her jaws. It was a hide of some sort at a quick glance, but it was clearly weighed down by something. She scattered to her paws quickly and reached her brother. She whispered and hovered over her little bowl of goodies and there lay three silver stones. He might remember something similar many years ago. A story her brother told when she was but a pup. Something that really stuck with her ever since. She nosed her brother and whispered.
“On salmon… ” she hoped he’d understand her ‘que’. It was the same he gave to her so many many years ago. She then spun about on her paws and faced the ‘crowd’.
“This is a story about a scared salmon and a shy wolf!”
* Rook Perhaps the light of her kin had walked upon the same paths? The timing and coincidence of tale might just be that, but his smile would only brighten to the preface she gave.
* Leora before she’d begin her weave, she would unravel the hide that was well.. anything but new. It was tattered and musty. It was several years old. She would roll her teeth along the end of it before swiftly tossing it up and quickly ran below it. Ah – comfy! It was her cape. One she received by her brother long ago and dawned it on a lore night in similar fashion. She had an important role in that telling.
Together, Luna and Finn set out on a short journey through the forest, their paths intertwining like the roots of the ancient trees. Luna would dig and dig and DIG trenches so that the water could break through and Finn could swim along.
Along the way, they encountered many challenges and obstacles, but with Luna’s quiet strength and Finn’s resilient spirit, they overcame each one in turn! Rocks moved, logs pushed, reeds chomped!
Leora would make each of this little noises, chomps, and pushing logs with sticks again before she’d continue.
~Why are you alone?~ Finn finally asked. ~ You are a wolf, you have a pack?~ Finn asked in the last few stretches of land before the roar of the river was just ahead.
Luna paused and turned to Finn. ~I.. I like belonging to myself.~ was all she said at first. ~I don’t know really how to belong?~ she said in honesty. She dug, dug, dug and finally BREAK! After much effort, the water touched the river and ahead of both Finn and Luna was a beautiful rush of water and flashing colors! SO MANY!
“*SALMON*!” Leora proclaimed loudly.
As the silver rocks would fling about behind her, she grinned and quickly continued for effect.* kaia smiled, a sweet tale a story of gentleness soft and kind. Kaia looked down at the scales left on the floor, she held no hatred for the creater it came from, fuel to feel her friends life. it was a gift and a sorrow, if only we didnt need to take life to live. but that was life to live was to fight constantly but in that battle could be gentleness and mercy. If leora looked her way kaia would sway her tail and smile with a tip of her head mark to a tale well told
* Saskia felt her tail thump against the ground to the story being told of how two found their company between shared loneliness. OMG CONFETTI?! Oh, just scales. OMG SCALES!! Saskia lifted to her hind legs and playfully bat at the shimmering objects as they fell from the sky. She giggled. “Oh!! How lovely…” The fae mused with a warm smile. It was a beautiful story. “-but Leora, did Luna and Finn still live alone after that?..” She asked, tilting her head.
* Leora she would look to Saskia and grin. “I shall tell you!” after the scale confetti and rocks where firmly to the ground she continued.
“Finn felt a sadness in his heart to Luna’s response and simply said with eager splashes. ~ I learned much shy wolf! Do not be so and see where you get! See what you can learn! Never have you moved a log but you did! Never have you moved stones, but you had! Never have you chomped so true on reeds, but fierce you where!”
And when at last they reached the banks of the river, Luna watched with pride as Finn slipped back into the cool embrace of the water, his fear replaced by a newfound sense of confidence as she watched Finn join all the other salmon moving upstream.
Finn could be seen diving in and out of the water alongside it’s kin. Shouting one by one.
“Family and togetherness is important!”
“Alone you are strong”
“Together we where stronger”
“With many and all of us we are unstoppable and beautiful! Goodbye Shy wolf! I hope you learned as much as I had!”
As he swam away, Luna felt a pang of sadness at their parting, but also a deep sense of gratitude for the bond they had shared, all-beit breif. And though they may never meet again, she knew that the memory of their journey would stay with her always, a reminder of the power of kindness to bridge the gaps between even the most unlikely of friends and what wisdom even the rivers and uncommon friends can have.”
She then made a mighty pose with her cape kinda half haphazardly ‘flapping’ in the wind (it really just kind of sunk to the side) but she looked majestic, or at least she tried to!
Fini.
* Rook would stamp his paw heartily to the earth for that tale and maybe blow a little to help said flippy cape flop a bit more majestically.
“A fish tale to remember and to teach the value of forging worthwhile friendships.”
Rook would wiggle his nose free of a few wayward sprinks, keep his fish scroll steady beneath one paws and lean ever so to then nose at Leora. “Well spoken, little light.”
* Kova when Leora finished with her tail she let loose a low gruuuuing tone. How pleased and how surprised she was with the motions and the props! She turned a moment to her mate and smiled warmly to him. A spitting image in their own. She turned back to Leora and stomped her paw. “A fine and truly earned story!” she felt wealthier for it in her well of stories.
* Leora she gave a gentle expression to her brother and quickly nosed him under his chin. It just happened to be a fishy tale and one she had collected after her hunt with Faelcu and was excited to share it today. “Thank you, brother. I hope it was ok!” she said lightly before she would scoot herself and her props back to her fold and seated herself beside the others. Who else would share, she wondered?
* Rook midday drew close and with it the propensity for wolves to be tired and a little lazy. There were still wolves present of course. They had listened and some had spoken quite well. He would surely be in debt when it was his time to match what was told. “Ruminate upon these tales and your own while we take a small break. I will be here to hear your tales for the rest of the day.” he’d dip his nose both to his mate and to his sister before moving to nestle his fish scroll into a safe little spot beneath the Alpha’s Rock.
* Rook would take the offered reprieve to gather his own thoughts and other observations. He had seen some withdrawal for the moment and others fall asleep. He didn’t mind either in this relaxed venue of sorts, but comparisons to lesser rites of lesser packs and doggedly boring and disconnected stories of yesteryear were just plain lazy. He’d accept the offer from Cairdeas to speak next. “Spin the tale well and see how it adds weight to the barter put forward.”
CAIRDEAS SHARES
* Cairdeas It seemed the Lore Master had read his silent gaze correctly. He came up quickly and closed his orbs, this was strange why had he done that? He took a deep breath through the snout, “I learned something not long ago,” he started with a waver in his emissions, “one can not change who they are, nor pick where they came from.” He paused as his auditory sensors swiveled to the winds calling.
His paws were shaking as he stood before them and they would notice him take a long deep breath to attempt to calm it, “I have not been true to myself,” he finally started once again, “or to many of you. What is a mother?” He asked but did not wait for a response, “There are two types,” he began, “the first is the one that loves and teaches you, the second births and loves you…” His heart wanted to boil as the line felt like a lie from his experience but he knew better. As he withheld with a second deep breath. As he exhaled a whine pulled at the vocals, eyes still firmly closed, “Fianna for me was the first only. My second type I did not get the chance to know. She was a Caretaker, I am told she cared and loved her pack. She could be stern but loved her family.”
Another whimper haulted him there, his orbs slipped open to look about, “I don’t know I can forgive her but I do know she loved us and now with that I need to stop wallowing and what can’t be fixed and move forward.” He looked around the group, “Who was my mother, the second type. She was Rune Caretaker of WolfSpirits. That is my truth.” He finished with a firm stamp of his foreleg and gazed outward momentarily before he would finally move back to his place. His heart still felt conflicted but at least some weight had been lifted.
* Faelcu When Cairdeas went up to share his tale, Faelcu remained settled on her stomach but listened in close. She learned that the brute didn’t have one, but two mothers. One in spirit, and one in blood. She never knew of Rune and hardly got to know Fianna herself, but it was still important to hear of their tales whether they were present or not in the pack. A firm stamp of her paw would be given when the brute finished his tale. Was he angry at his blood mother? It appeared that the fae was either missing or deceased, but Faelcu believed it to be the former with how Cairdeas seemed to speak of her. She felt a bit sorry for him now that both of his mothers were gone. It definitely seems like he had a rough puphood. Faelcu remained silent but remained near the stone in case more wolves decided to come forward with tales to barter. Perhaps Faelcu had one in mind? Though, she wouldn’t step forth just yet.
* Kaia listened to cairdeas, though she belived there were more than two. one that birthed you and didnt love you, one that taught you but didnt love you love was luxury not necessity for the parent atleast, but she kept a smile on her face dipping her head to him after he spoke, likely only faelcu sat next to her would notice her claws sunk into the cold earth. still she would soon have to speak up, three tales to share and she’d break them up so others could speak but she looked to her mentor if she was still among them
* Rook For most, this truth was known. Again, a sort of schism of sorts was seen through his golden eye…a side of newer wolves that were required to learn the ways of the pack and the side that knew them and the history therein. The history was not lost nor was it secret because a few did not know. A curious conundrum of sorts rose to the fore. If the new wolves didn’t know the history of the pack they were in, did that mean it was a hidden secret? No, certainly not. All they need and were requested to do was ask. Wolfspirits’ history was free to know, but would never be supplanted. Rook would stamp his paw once. “A truth we know and is not secret, but is yours to share. Táim…’I am’ is a hard truth to face for many. You have and will face it well.” Rook would look through those still about and listening for any that wished to yet share a tale.
* Kova her eyes fell to Cairdeas as he shared his truth. She would stomp her own paw to the offered tale in kind. There was much history indeed with this pack and those new here where just getting a taste of names and of places that wolves have been and yet to be. She remained vigilant and curious to see if others would come forward or wait until their time felt right.
* Leora she was settled near enough to her brother if he hadn’t moved. She turned her eyes towards Cairdeas as he shared his story. She shifted her paws some and would listen for what it was given and told. She would give a dip of her head and a light stomp of her paw but wouldn’t say anything in kind. Not yet. She knew who Rune was, she grew up with Rune, Sanek, Panther, all the others. There was rich stories to share and be shared, if one focused on wanting to know.
SHAKIRA SHARES
Allowing Peace in Simple Ways
“When did I allow simplicity
To become the worst thing about me?
How, to take subjective peace
And never set it free, to just be?
Simple yes, though simply blessed
To rest and invest in time and place.
To settle paws, for a worthwhile pause
And allow a moment of grace.
A simple heart, though from the start
Peace was only peace, to me, so small.
Through time and space, within my place,
I found I wasn’t so simple after all.”
KAIA SHARES
kaia lifted her paws snapping out of whatever bitter boiling blood lost her her cool
“i do, the alphess gave me the task of telling three new since my assesmentship though perhaps now is the time for the first” kaia said with a smile,
then she’d look to kova and say “i brought three tales as best i could muster with all that has happened inbetween, though if no one else has one to lend might i offer my first?”
* Rook would dip his nose to Kaia. “The tale awaits the Teller, and we who listen will be happy to hear it.”
*Kaia dipped her head to the lore master in thanks, this was going to be… intresting “i am not the softest worded nor the sweetest, but my tale is that of an observation and a lesson lent by another” she said with a smile picking up the first bone as she paced forward just slightly laying it down ahead of the others “of tales i’ve gained three, but i will break them up so others may share, and perhaps should there be time i will offer one from before my assesmentship”
Kaia took a deep breath before beggining “My first tale comes in two parts, one before my assesmentship and one after” there was a slight struggle in keeping her voice even to her her tail was slightly underwhealming after all those already passed “A tale told to me put into action for the first time In places along this river likely already, fish will be found in enough abundance to make a meal knowledge lent to me by the lore master and marked upon my memory as it was told”
“For a while I held the knowledge, no movement given to the words told. Until i saw a reason for it, a gift for a fae I hold in high regard.”
with this she picked up the silvery skin of scales placing it down along with the bone this was the only tale that bore a totem. then shed dip her head to leora with a smile “And so I tried, and failed on my first attempt. I moved to quickly tried to do things in a way i had never seen nor been taught through practice” then she hesitated, she felt a fool for the tale seeing as to many this observation was common knowledge likely but she’d never known it before truly “I sat by the river’s edge for some time thinking about this, before I noticed something i’d never known, seen but not known. Watch the water ebb and flow long enough and the pattern repeats itself, the way the light shimmers as the water rolls over rocks. Watch long enough and you see the difference in the pattern every time silver scales break the lay of the light’s reflections. The rivers always shift, but in many respects the pattern of them and the tale it tells remains the same”
* Faelcu Though Faelcu hadn’t known of Kaia’s task previously, it was a pleasant surprise to hear that the fae had not one, not two, but three tales to share! Faelcu simply nodded at Kaia, returning the smile as her tail swished. She was eager to hear what the fae had to say, so she would give Kaia her full attention like with everyone else who shared. Listening in silence, the half-blind fae took in all that offered and thoughtfully pondered. Her paw stamped at the conclusion of the tale as she began speculating who this fae was that she highly regarded. Though, she likely knew who it was when Kaia dipped her head to Leora halfway through. A sweet gesture it was indeed.
* Kova she would listen to Kaia’s tale and grin. She would nod her head with clear appreciation for the shared lesson but as well the offered bone. She stomped her paw and would lean in to gently take the bone forward and tuck it closer to herself. She grinned. “A fine tale, Kaia, and task one of three is seen done, and done well.”
* Cairdeas would be present, however the writer would need to read still so he would mark it to read later. He would stamp a paw for the tale told however for continuities sake. His gaze was upon her with an impressed wave of tail. He was up on his paws no longer sitting, this was a fellow Assessment, in his eyes they were ‘Future Members of WolfSpirits.’
* Kaia sat back ti join the now two bones at her feet, she’d dip her head to kova “thank you, I’m glad it was told well enough” she said with a smile. Had it been? The tale was rather meeger with all that had happened in between those she shared were mundane and dulled in comparison to the others. Still she’d sit to see if another was offered before her second tale would come
Here, Rook would stamp his paws twice. “To hear is not to listen. To see is not to observe. Well done, Kaia, for unlocking a wisdom not many find in their lifetimes, and well spoken. I am all the more for its hearing.” With that, he’d look to see who else might have something to share.
FAELCU SHARES
* Faelcu “It was a gloomy day far South of here. The sun was presumably already high in the sky, and yet it was dull all around on a rocky trail near the base of a mountain. A young fae was tasked with scouting the territory by the will of an alpha of smokey grey fur,” she paused, lowering her tone to a more serious one.
“She was making slow progress at the base of the mountains, but soon made her way a few feet above the ground on an unfamiliar trail to her. A dense cluster of trees lied ahead, and the young fae mindlessly wandered there to seek refuge at the scent of rain in the air.” She took a few prancing steps to the left as she spoke, mimicking her padfalls that day.
“Sudden and swift padfalls caught her attention, pulling her away from her dreamlike state before she could reach the forest. Without having any time to react, sharp claws slashed over her eye, with the only thing she saw before red darkness being a ferocious beast!” Faelcu swiped the ground with her paw, digging up a few blades of grass alongside dirt as she mimicked the slash of the creature that took her eye.
“There in shock and pain she stood, and just a foot away was the beast that took her left eye,” she said in low tones., “but as she tried to turn and fight, another fierce attack caught her off guard! Down went the beast’s other paw, aiming for another swipe to her already damaged eye. Just barely did the fae manage to turn her head enough for the claws of fury to slice at her ear instead.” Faelcu lowered her head as she pawed at her torn left ear. You could barely call it intact, but the defining shape was still there aside from three claw marks.
“When both claws of the feline beast were blood stained, it let out a menacing hiss. The young fae turned tails to run, knowing she could not match the speed or the power of the beast’s anger, so she ran and ran towards the forest ahead!” Her paws stamped the ground quickly as if she was walking on hot coals.
“But the feline wasn’t done with her! Oh no, it pursued the fae with the same, unwavering fury, intent on spilling more blood,” her tones were low and ominous, briefly pausing before she continued.
“One swipe to the rump,” Faelcu clawed the air to mimic the cougar’s attack, “and the young fae was sent running as fast as her legs and lungs would allow her. Only when she made it further up the trail and out of the forest did she pause to look behind her, and there was nothing but the dense forest she left behind. No beast was hot on her tail.”
The fae then settled upon her haunches, still facing the crowd. “Feeling the adrenaline wear off from the chase, the young lass collapsed inside a cave she knew well in the more familiar area. The pain she felt was unlike any other she felt in life, and in there she curled up and hid herself from the world. It took a few days, but eventually she was found by a sister and rescued only for a time from her suffering.”
And on that dark note, Faelcu concluded the tale. “On that day, the young fae learned a harsh lesson in one of the worst ways possible, and to this day she vowed not to make the same mistake again.” With those finishing sentences, Faelcu dipped her head to signify the tale was now over.
* Rook Each had their battles to fight, and coming from another pack was one such battle; however, there was only one pack here. Membership into its fold seemed like an uphill battle to those facing the choice between one or the other, but that was the way. Thankfully and wisely, his father bent the knee to his grandmother; the Mean Oíche and the Wolfspirits were one, but the ideals and ways of the latter were upheld and kept. Yes, that made it an easy perspective for him, but he’d not cast stones from this stained ivory tower. “Daylight still holds and we still have ears to hear the tales to be told. Does anyone have anything they wish to add?”
* Cairdeas The yearlings amber gaze slowly fell over the gathered. It was a beautiful day and he was glad he was among family. Cairdeas would nod to Rook’s statement that WolfSpirits was where she was and they were not them. He quietly sat watching to see if there was in fact more to be shared. He sat quietly in place.
* Kaia really really didn’t want to go on, telling the last had made her feel sick to her stomach, to be seen for what she was by so many… but she did stay didn’t she? She said it was hard but she did it, same as she stayed for faelcu, she was fighting herself to live by their way, so what was better, to be born good, or to overcome your evil instinct. She hadn’t marked them as dead, she’d stayed and fed them seen them tended to so even if they did die they did not die alone. “My task was to come with three tales, though the third is brief but important. And if there is time I will still offer it” she didn’t know exactly what she should have said to rooks last words so she said nothing but her next story explained why she’d stayed. She’d never said when she pledged why, so perhaps now was the time.
* Rook didn’t mean to appear as though he were judging the words offered. He only meant to add clarity where there was or might be confusion. As such, his tones were the usual narrative timbre anda warmth was offered therein. “I wish to hear all the tale you wish to give, and to honor what my mate has charged you to do. Be sure that you understand that it is a tale for a tale of equal measure….a key hint for next we barter,” he’d add with a grin.
KAIA SHARES STORY 2
* Kaia smiled this was good as she held a question for the lore master, one she’d held in her head for some time. After he’d spoken knowing of those Wells of living memory she’d wanted ask… perhaps now was her chance.
Her loathing was from herself and herself alone she bore no bitterness to him for his last words. And so she dipped her head in thanks to his warmer tones, taking a breath. This tale was mostly for cairdeas, and faelcu, saskia, leora all those who held too much faith in her. This was her promise and her pledge.
Part 3
“Thank you lore master. This tale like many I have told draws from both past and present, though both belong to my time here”
“I arrived here alone with the intent of leaving the same way and the same wolf. But during the meeting when pledged I saw something I’d never seen in full through the words of another.” This spoke of fianna and cairdeases words to one another and so shed flash a false confident smile to the yearling “I stayed and pledged because even if I believed I could never be part of such a thing, I thought I could at least lend what little strength I hold to protect it”
“Once this third bone stood for another story, but with the other I have told I belive this is more important.” She took a deep breath, if saskia was still there she’d dip her head to the fae as well for this was a greatful tale to her “But only a night before this one I gained my last tale, words sacred and lent to me by another so I will not speak them on her behalf. But for the first time I saw a life here, and now such a thing seems a little more possible, and so the promise just gave her I lie here so that I might hold it true, all that I have to give is given freely, all I can do I will without complaint and all I can learn my eyes will observe my ears will listen and my paws will repeat”
Kaia couldn’t help but feel she’d asaid it rather poorly but saskia told her to speak from her heart so she tried. “Though I did hold a question, some time ago we spoke of memories and the places that held them. The last time I faces such a place a question stirred to my mind one I cannot answer, so might I ask… what do you belive makes a wolf a wolf?”
*Faelcu The old fae had resettled on her stomach, sitting by as the story telling seemed to slow down. Still, she remained there until the day of lore was over many of the tales told today were important, and some offered insight on the wolves of the pack and its history as well as some valuable lessons. Important things for an assessment to hear and learn from. Seeing Kaia go back up to tell her third tale after briefly returning to her, Faelcu kept her head and ears lifted up to show she was listening. When her tale soon turned to a question, Faelcu pondered in silence. There were many ways to answer this question, both in the literal and metaphorical sense. But she believed the answer wasn’t as obvious or easily given then it may seem.
* Cairdeas listened intently his tail waved as he stood when he noticed her gaze upon him. He must have done something right to inspire a tale from his fellow assessment. He had helped her realize she wanted to stay. In a lot of ways he had selfishly tried to get her to stay before that but finally was going to let her go realizing he could not change her mind. By that action somehow it had changed her mind when he let go. That amazed him that it worked out the way it did. As he looked on the question puzzled him. Was a wolf not one that looked like they did, acted like them? Or was there a different answer? He just listened with an open mind to hear Rook’s answer.
* Rook Stories change as do minds, and with work or laziness so do the characters of hearts and minds. He listened to Kaia begin to delve around a tale she had learned but felt too sacred to tell. It was a good intuition to hold those tales close and only barter with them when the need or occasion arose. The task of the third tale seemed complete then with the short tale of her excursion into a place she likely shouldn’t have been, and likely wouldn’t remember all that happened since that was all ICly stated. The question, however, was likely to be remembered as a shade of a thing, the hollow voice and the facsimile of a sentiment. “There are several such places, some more shallow in their depth than others; none that I will name save for the Ancient Forest to the north. There may yet come a time where I guide you through it, but you must never enter it until that day.” No firmness of tone or edgy warning sharpness to his voice. It was just matter-of-fact as though what would happen to them should they was beyond his control. “A subjective question deserves a subjective answer unless one can navigate the nuance implied. Are these three tales your barter for my answer then?”
* Kaia listened with a little nod to his words of warning, she didn’t need stern Ness she did not understand the place so she’d not tread there till she did, when she spoke next it was to answer him. When kaia spoke it was even toned but genuine “no. those three tales were tasked to me by my mentor, given freely for each token the alphess gave me, I would have given them without an exchange so I will not ask something in kind for them… Still a tale for a tale is the way, so how about a question for a question, an answer for an answer. You may ask any question you wish to me whenever you wish and I will answer it fully if it is an answer I can offer” she thought a moment “if that deal suits you?” She’d almost been thinking outloud voicing it to be understood, but she’d not ask a tale for something she gave freely that would be no exchange.
ROOK SHARES
* Cairdeas Took up the skin with the scales and followed Rook’s instructions. He followed him to the river then began to proceed to the bend and placed the skin and scales in the river scales downward. Though he held it momentarily before releasing it.
* Faelcu was beginning to space out a bit as she was growing tired, but she still picked up on parts of the words exchanged between Rook and Kaia. Her head had rested between her paws near the end of the conversation, but her ears remained perked up in case there was more to add to Lore Day. A call from Rook made her lift her head and open her eyes. Was he calling for the three that still remained to follow? Faelcu rose to her paws, but Rook was already departing for the North. The old fae began moving, following behind in case her mentor was calling for the present wolves at the stone.
