Journey to the West

"Based on what my old pack healer told me I'd go for something like aloe as a starter, to seal the wound."

"Unfortunately, Aloe is not found in these parts, Cinnamon. It's more of a desert plant. I appreciate the idea, though. " Linnea replied to the female that had spoken. Linnea had never seen this plant but heard of it. She was from a more northern part of the continent, where it never naturally grew. But from what she heard, humans had it all over the world in their human-dens. She had yet to see a human, as well. She heard too many things. Her attention wavered, as she drew in on herself for a few moments. Thoughts began to form, and then Crimson began to speak and she was snapped back to the present.

“Before we leave I would like to know how many we have injured and of what degree. The worst of course would be a hurt limb or severe burns and should be placed in the very center. And all scholars or really any wolf with even the slightest knowledge of herbs should be placed around them so they can offer what aid they can. As for a replacement on the opposite side of Adena perhaps either Kira or I could be of service?”

Great. They were moving like the elk, injured in the center and stronger on the outside to protect the center. She found the idea alright, pretty nice actually, but felt like they were some sort of herd of livestock being pressed on by herding dogs. She kept her opinions and red flags to herself though, and continued to listen as he spoke.

“If she is not hurt severely then maybe she can take the opposite side if neither Kira nor I will fit that position? As for the gathering of items…it shall be allowed, but only in the area we are traveling in and only before nightfall and after sunrise. I realize the need for such things, but we can’t risk further injuries.”

"We will be traveling in some forested areas, so just picking them as we need them will work nicely. " She replied quickly. Moss was very easy to find on trees and forest floors, so grabbing some when someone got themselves cut would be easy. However, if they did stray to plain areas they would have to bear it until the scenery would change. She was glad he agreed to her or the other scholars getting minor materials as need be. It made her feel more comfortable as she attempted to settle into the pack for the first time in months. She stood again, carrying full weight on her left leg as she had done an hour or so ago. A smile of releif washed over her for a few moments.

“And I thank you for your well wishes Linnea.”

"Wishes of wellness are always welcome." She commented before Crimson proceeded.

“I think it would be best if you aided Linnea for the time being Cinnamon. You are a fellow scholar are you not? Your help will be needed if she plans on looking for things while we move along. And finally after the survey of the injured is done I would like to know how many would be able to hunt as well as those who are actually skilled and ranked in that particular position. Perhaps we will be lucky and find a larger animal that has been weakened by the flames of the fire and not so hard to take down. If not we will stick to smaller prey and other things we can eat.”

"Cinnamon may aid me if she wishes. And I am sure we have some very nice hunters here. In fact, a fellow I recently met who just returned had the build of one. So, we should be good on that even if the prey are a bit hard. " She replied, finally having a nice pause to discontinue speaking.

(Kind of lame. I think I'm catching something, I have been tired and groggy all day and wasn't able to wake up until 12 AM. XD)

"I apologize if I am intruding on anything but, I wish to offer my help as well, I'll do anything I can. I know a good deal of herbs if you need any healers, be distraction if any predators come about... I'll even help with the, hunting, if you want..."

Linnea's attention shifted to Ice, whom had came to join their conversation and apparently offer help. She could tell she wouldn't mind the herbs, but at the mention of hunting Linnea could hear the flicker in her voice. If the female was not comfortable with hunting, then she should not hunt anything large. She smiled, a flicker of sympathy directed at her was a signal she understood what the female was getting across to them. Scouts did, after all, know a good amount of plants as they were natural travelers. Linnea then spoke in reply to her, trying to seal off the female's duties in a way she would hopefully be comfortable with. She knew little of what she liked or did not like, but from the short speech she could interpret a few things.

"Well, you could likely do several of those. When needed, you have the build to hunt smaller animals. And when needed, with your scouting experience and traveling you could probably find herbs and help with that sort of thing. " She replied to her finally, taking in to account the baiting idea but ignoring it. There were other, less dangerous ways to distract something than to get chased through the forest as a crude strategy. This female did not like hunting already, and Linnea thought it would be ironically annoying if she ended up as the prey of the hunt when she tried to distract a danger.

"As for distractions, I don't think live bait would be a good idea. It's too dangerous, and we need our numbers. If we are threatened, even an injured wolf can threaten back. If predators come along, we form together with the injured in the center and all act aggressively it should work. Our biggest safety is numbers and formation, as Gale as pointed out. In short, we act as a group and preform according to the situation.
Then, only if needed do we retaliate with attack. A cougar, though they are very efficient predators and could serve us on a platter with ease, will not take on prey that are in the center of strong members. And, bears are smart enough to know their boundaries. Coyotes... Well pretty much just run at them and try not to laugh as they run away like mad cows. " She grinned at the end of her sentence, which was directed to the lot of them. Coyotes were built for small prey, so chasing them was hilarious. They did prey on wolf cubs, but taking on a full, healthy wolf would most likely end up with the coyotes in an unfavorable position. Coyotes, to Linnea, were delightful play things. They were like the mini-me's of the wolf population.

(I do think coyotes and small wild animals like them are hilarious. I saw this one video of a coyote running up to a fully grown man, poking him with his nose, running away and repeating. It was hilarious! He was like - 'Watch me, the mighty coyote, take on the beast of man! Roar!')

"Unfortunately, Aloe is not found in these parts, Cinnamon. It's more of a desert plant. I appreciate the idea, though. "


“I think it would be best if you aided Linnea for the time being Cinnamon. You are a fellow scholar are you not? Your help will be needed if she plans on looking for things while we move along. And finally after the survey of the injured is done I would like to know how many would be able to hunt as well as those who are actually skilled and ranked in that particular position. Perhaps we will be lucky and find a larger animal that has been weakened by the flames of the fire and not so hard to take down. If not we will stick to smaller prey and other things we can eat.”

"Cinnamon may aid me if she wishes. And I am sure we have some very nice hunters here. In fact, a fellow I recently met who just returned had the build of one. So, we should be good on that even if the prey are a bit hard."


Cinnamon shook herself roughly and nodded aimlessly to their words. Sensing her part in the discussion was long gone she padded aimlessly off, her nose to the ground as she sought out plants Crow had mentioned.

"Anyone here?"

The stranger's voice made her lift her head. Instictively she took up a defensive stance "Who speaks?" She challenged "Show yourself."

The black femmora, looked around. Moving herself towards the border, she rose her head; howling . [i]"Kira, I wish BWP and you much luck" The femine quickly set off, into a journey that would bring her to her death.

(no she's not dying, but here's to final posting. :p)

"He will come for you. He always has and always will."

Spirit cast her gaze up from the ground, her eyes catching Gale's as he looked at her. The white scout only nodded her head in response; she feared the words that may spill from her lips. She understood Gale may feel sympathy towards her. He had lost two loved ones. If anyone knew had to cope with the constant ache, any would say it would be him. A new kind of adoration formed for the large male. While his size and strength was obvious he also carried something else, a strong heart. And that was something to be admired for. It was things like that that the pack needed right now.

Within seconds the Lead Scout was on the ground. She didn't know how, only that there was a new wolf standing beside her. Drawing back her lips in a snarl Spirit quickly brought herself to her feet, her neck fur bristled in defense. But from her new position she could see him clearly. The dark brown fur and cream markings, deep brown eyes. It was Soran. All sign of anger left Spirit as it was replaced with a new feeling of joy; unimaginable joy. Her worries and doubts had all been erased in that single moment. How could her have survived? 'No, that doesn't matter. He's safe.' She told herself. Without much hesitation Spirit pushed her muzzle into Soran's fur, taking comfort in the familiar sensation. "I'm so glad to see you alive." She whispered, her voice nearly cracking with emotion. Drawing back Spirit smiled, her eyes sweeping over Soran in search of any serious injuries. He had been trapped within the rotting wasteland far longer than anyone else. Surely that couldn't be good for his health? "We should really be gathering with the pack, before they think we've both gone missing or leave without us." Taking a quick glance around them Spirit took notice of Gale's absence. Her gaze drifted off towards the pack, where she assumed he had gone. Though their talk had only been brief Spirit hoped they could speak again.


[Ack Lame but I needed to post something ]

"I'm so glad to see you alive." She whispered, her voice nearly cracking with emotion. Drawing back Spirit smiled, her eyes sweeping over Soran in search of any serious injuries. He had been trapped within the rotting wasteland far longer than anyone else. Surely that couldn't be good for his health? "We should really be gathering with the pack, before they think we've both gone missing or leave without us."

Soran could hardly utter a word as Spirit buried himself in his fur. In all the days that had passed, the male had had one goal and it was this; to reunite with his mate and take comfort in her presense, the jokes thy shared, and the signature pearl white coat that always seemed to be flitting around the territory and sitting by his side. But with his goal now finished, Soran had another thing to contend to: catching up on what had happened in his absence. One thing was clear, the pack could no longer live among the ashen ruins of their home, the herds would have moved on from such a place without green grass to support their heavy numbers. And who was leading them to a new territory? Had Kira stepped up ad taken her place as Alpha? Or had someone new come along to lead their numbers to safety?

The questions left his head spinning, but he had confidence that they would all be answered in due time. Briefly wrapping his head around Spirit's, the male nodded and turned towards the sound of voices in the distance. The male that had been here earlier had gone, perhaps in search of newer company or to leave the two to each other. "Spirit, who's leading us?" the male asked suddenly, his voice sounding Rusty and unused from traveling in silence.

The tempest was looming, and it seemed like an entire sea was help up above the Banishing Winds pack. Slowly dumping rain, it would lighten and then dump relentlessly. Linnea would not have minded this, but the fact that it was chilly in general and that the rain was painfully cold to the touch made her resent it. She lay somewhat away from the others, her own little group of one. Her attempts to socialize were pressed back three days ago when they had set off. Linnea was a born traveler, and had moved through weather worse than this on her way to the pack she now lived in, but being in a large group was awkward to her. Being in the center of it was miserable. But she was about to be far more miserable. It was a fact known to her that she was due for an episode.

She looked around, seeking something to occupy her thoughts. She noticed nearest to her was Gale, and decided she would attempt to pick up where she had dropped conversation three days ago. She had to keep trying to fit in or at least find friends in her pack, because being idle would not do. She would not die a lonely wolf. She refused it. Nope. Wouldn't happen! She put her front legs in front of her and went to pull herself up before her shoulder shrieked. She almost bit her tongue, but did not fall this time. Linnea had grown more accustomed to the pain and could grit her teeth through them, and then wait an hour to be normal again. She stood in the awkward position for a few moments, her legs shaking and eyes shut tight as possible. A grimace of pain was vivid on her face, almost as vivid as her markings. After a minute though, she was able to at least hobble on three legs.

She made her way to Gale then, only a short distance away but it seemed long with one less usable leg. She moved in front of him, and huddled down. He had chosen a better spot evidently with thicker foliage above. She did not give any words, but a dip of the head in greeting. Silence was enough for her, she was content to listen to the rain. However, if he wished to talk she would reply.
(Lame!)

Sorans ears rose as an excited voice carried across the plain to where the male had settled down to rest. Another loner in the territory? It wasn't unusual for wolves to occasionally stumble upon the group, but since their old home had burned to ashes, it seemed like more and more loners were joining their ranks as the pack searched for a new home. For all they knew, a deserted territory with fresh resources could be only miles away, but after traveling for three days in bitter conditions, finding such a place seemed like a longshot. Less difficult perhaps, if the beta had not reunited with the pack days earlier. Left behind in the ruin of their old home, Soran had managed to scrape by with few injuries but had lost much knowledge as to who was leading the pack again. Spirit had informed him that a wolf by the name of Crimson had appeared as if out of nowhere to lead them to safely, but Soran had barely exchanged more than a few words of greeting to the male.

Rising to his paws, Soran shook away the rain that dripped from the line branches above. Fall was clearly claiming the land as leaves painted brown and red swirls with the bitter wind, leaving pine trees withhold the green of the forest. Poking his nose towards where the voice had called from, Soran recognized the faint scent of Sita along with the unfamiliar scent of a loner, perhaps another that hoped to travel along side them. Sure enough, as he paced towards the two, he recognized Sita's pelt through the light drizzle of rain and the bright pelt of the other female. Arriving in time to catch the loner's name, Soran placed himself beside the hunter and folded his dark tail across his paws, a habit he had drawn from Pallatsera. After greeting both females with a polite nod he spoke.

"Hestia, yes?" He began, keeping his tone and eyes kind, "Is there something we can do for you?" The question was short and formal, but by the female's stance and quavering voice, it didn't seem necessary to frighten her away from the pack if she wasn't a threat.

Cinnamon slowed ggratefrully for m the ground eating trot she'd adopted as the pack travelled. Moving slightly away from the others she shook her coat off, desperate to be dry if only for a short while. Then she glanced around.

Spotting Ice and Phantom nearby she ambled over, smiling slightly as she heard the argument

"I think it'd be best if you get rest. You need it
more then me. And my lungs are...just fine."

"That doesn't sound fine to me..."

"I'm sure the healers are to busy looking at everyone's pads anyhow."

"Uh huuuuh, sure Ghost. I may not be a genius but, I'm not one to pass an excuse when I hear one. Besides, if anything I'll drag you to one myself."

Then, realising the subject of debate she stepped forward "Phantom, Ice is right, that cough sounds awful, your lungs are not fine" She stepped up next to the male "I'm going to speak with Linnea, you are not to move from here untill I come back."

With that she wheeled around and trotted off in search of the other female, calling as she went "Linnea! Linnea!"

Finally she found her "Linnea, I don't like the sound of Phantom's cough. I apologise if I'm interupting anything but I would like you to look at him yourself, I have only a small amount of healing knowledge"

"Linnea, I don't like the sound of Phantom's cough. I apologise if I'm interupting anything but I would like you to look at him yourself, I have only a small amount of healing knowledge"

Linnea rotated her head to meet the wolf she had heard, her mind recoiling from within her to reality. She recognised the wolf to be Cinnamon, an earthy colored female whom had been earlier titled as her helper when needed. Perhaps minion was a more amusing term, though she had yet to need any assistance from her. What herbs she had needed were right there up until now, when they resided under a large tree in the middle of grasses. Cinnamon's words registered in her mind. Another, by the name of Phantom, was still having trouble with his injury apparently to his chest and lungs and Cinnamon wished for Linnea to look over it herself. She would comply to her wishes. A simple nod was all the reply that she gave Cinnamon, before she awkwardly scaled upwards from the ground and then stood on three feet. Her shoulder throbbed in reply, and she winced at the pain slightly but otherwise ignored it.

"Lead me to Phantom, then." She finally spoke, for the first time in about a day. As she waited for Cinnamon's response Linnea pondered what could be wrong. Was he suffering a bruise or cut that was irritating his breathing, or possibly something in his mouth or throat that was causing the issue? Perhaps he was getting a respiratory infection by the cool weather and constant rain. Or, one of the worst cases, he was bleeding internally or his lungs were becoming filled with something other than air. If that was the case, there was not much Linnea could do to aid him. Another possibility was that he had lung damage from the fire.

With so many different possibilities, Linnea knew she would have to wait to meet him and ask questions to narrow down what was wrong. And even if she figured it out, herbs were scarce and the ones that did reside nearby may not even be the ones needed. It was hard for her to think positively when the sky was so dark and dreary, and when it had been so for some time. She had been forcefully drowned in boredom, and was struggling now to get out of it and think in other than short thoughts.

"Lead me to Phantom, then."

Cinnamon nodded and led the other scholar back to Ice and Phantom, talking as she did so.

"I don't know quite what's causing the cough though I'm wondering if it was inherited, from what I've heard, Phantom was bred by humans then released, so I was mainly wondering if you had any ideas of local herbs that might give him relief, if not actually heal him"

She stopped next to Ice and sat down next to her, watching Phantom carefully