Spectral Main Event - Moving - Open

Onyx gives a quick nod to the female Delta. Curiosity spiked at the joining of scouts and some warriors but he didn't question his leaders's decisions. He proceeded to mingle once more with his fellow scouts. His thoughts traveled back to the Sabers; mind working though scenarios on how this venture will go. He's always willing to protect his pack, but will he be prepared if a fight arises? Will they be able to make peace and travel safety or be escorted through the territory by the felines? Is he, himself, ready to make a quick, yet difficult choice if that point comes to surface? Though he may be overreacting, he couldn't stop the flow of questions that resigned themselves quietly in his imagination. The movement of his pack members returned Onyx's attention back to his Lambda female. He shook the rising ideas away and instead awaited instructions.
 
Roan went around assigning her best members to go. Her red fur danced in the wind and her blue eyes spoke of control but a hint of worry, which she was good at hiding. She proceeded to tell all of them that even if they could not keep up speed, they were to slow down and follow as best they could. They were there to protect the scouts and other wolves afterall. She then walked up to the grey colored wolf. "Onyx right? Mind if I travel with you? Or will you be one of the scouts staying behind?"
 
Last edited:
The howl to move had alerted Ebony of his growing concern, his eyes had been watching the mountains as smoke rose steadily. As the wolves moved back and forth to respond to their Alpha he made his rounds, ushering the pups awake and back to their parents and ensuring the eldest wolves weren't trailing behind.

His ears perked as orders came through Zeke, but part of his attention was on securing the wolves that needed the most support. He did not miss the order to bring up the rear, Ebony glanced to his Alpha at that to make sure he knew he understood the message and trailed back. "Keep your eyes forward, we'll make it to the lakes." Ebony assured the eldest wolf who trailed alongside him, the back end of the pack was filled with those too old, injured, or frail to keep up with the lead and he had no qualms with supporting them. While he had never been to another den himself, Ebony was eager for the chance to travel. In the 2 years he had spent here, he had learned plenty and was familiar with the territory - but he was curious about what laid before him.

Casting a glance backwards, he saw the familiar sights of the mountain den start to grow less familiar - but he had little time to appreciate the memories as his senses tuned in to anything that may be coming from behind. As the elderly got into a rhythm of movement, Ebony let himself follow them all from a short distance; keeping to shade and cover so potential threats to the back of the pack wouldn't see him coming if they tried anything.
 
The male wolf blinked as his superior Delta made her way towards him. He stiffened when she halted to his presence. "Onyx right? Mind if I travel with you? Or will you be one of the scouts staying behind?" He cleared his throat and sounded a bit more intimidated then he had wanted, "I- Yes. I'm Onyx. And of c-course you may!" He wasn't sure why he felt small against her stare, she is a member of his pack after all. Maybe because he greatly respected those higher in the ranks than he was. He also questioned why she had asked him instead of the Lambda leader. He asked himself a lot of things. But maybe he shouldn't. Maybe he shouldn't question why a wolf from a higher rank was interested in traveling with him. Maybe he shouldn't feel as low as his ranking. Maybe in casual conversation, he should feel as an equal. He even questioned why he was questioning so many things. He concluded that the anxiety of situation - the threat of Sabers and his first moving journey - has him overthinking ideas.

A small smile made its way to his muzzle. "Welcome to have you."
 
While Zeke thought about if there was anything else, Flame called the pack over. She said, "The Omegas are to assist in protection of the Sigma, Upilon, Tau, Psi, and Chi wolves today. Keep your eyes peeled for any danger, and if you do see any, alert the rest of the pack. Look after each other and make sure nobody falls behind."
Feeling satisfied with the announcement, Flame turned back to Zeke, still awaiting his response.
 
Zeke shook out his fur trying not to let the wind bother him any he looked about the area once more. His voice came out quiet so only the wolves closest to him would hear. "We will loose a few members in the move, the main goal is for the majority of the pack to make it to the next den location. But for those whom separate they should try to follow that other path but I'm sure we will have some that will try and follow our scent from here if any do make it this way and aren't currently accounted for I think we should mark them as Trackers." a small grin showed upon his face he knew no rank was set for tracking alone but he still found that funny. His voice much louder and clearer to allow for everyone within the area to hopefully hear. "We can move on after one final howl is passed on so all wolves we missed may hear it. Try and make this Howl a farewell howl to our home for the last two years everyone." Clearing his throat he tilted his head back and let loose his loudest howl.
 
With the majority of the pack settled in to the group Ebony started to do a few rounds, trailing the width of their travel pack to ensure they were bunched in and close-together. Ushering the pups that were playing where needed, asking the elderly to keep a close watch on the youth and protect them if need be. The risk of losing wolves during travel was high, but he was adamant on keeping those numbers as low as possible. He saw this as his job for the rear-guard. His attention shifted as a long howl split the night, easily recognized as Zeke's; the tone somber, a final farewell to the den they had called home for almost 2 years.

Ebony brought his muzzle to the sky and let out loud howl to say goodbye, his tone low and somber to signify the loss of a home but he had the utmost respect for the land that had kept them safe for so long.
 
Auga's ears perked at the sound of the howl, as she had been busy organizing the scouts in tangent with the warriors assigned to help them. She smiled sadly, for she knew this was a howl of a somber goodbye. She raised her head toward the sky, joining her song with those of the others. After they finished, she finished her job, only to notice a scout was missing. Her blue eye scanned the pack and saw the missing wolf, Onyx. At first, she thought to reprimand him for not staying near for orders, but she then realized that he was talking to a Delta. Auga trotted over, thinking it would be best if she and the delta talked about their collaboration.

"Roan, Onyx." She dipped her head to her superior and nodded at Onyx, "I see you are talking. Roan, I have been organizing the wolves you have assigned. You have trained them well; I commend you. I imagine you would like to check my work? And Onyx, I assumed Roan told you about the plan to work with the warriors. We are going into saber territory, so we should go prepared." She noticed that Onyx seemed slightly nervous, and so she shot him a reassuring smile. It is best that everyone remained calm, especially since they would be going through such a change.
 
She tilted her head back in sadness, this was the only home that she had known in the pack, and now she had to sing goodbye. Her how was meloncholy and deep for a female's. When the pack finished their goodbye call she turned to leave Onyx when she saw Auga approach her. She sat and listened to her. She nodded when she finished. "Thank you for your kind words. But it was not all me, they put in the effort. I should also commend you on your scouts. Their discipline is incredible. I trust your judgment in whom you paired together, so I won't check. Is there anyone in particular you want Onyx or can I pair up with him?" She held Auga to a high respect, they weren't close friends but she hoped that that would change for warriors and scouts would work well together.
 
Ears rotated at the leading howl of goodbye. Onyx's chest tightened at a sudden sadness welling within. He passionately threw his head back and gave one final cry of farewell to his home, singing along with those he cared for. With the rhythm of song ceased, he slowly straightened his head and turned his attention towards his Delta once more. The superior female looked as if she wanted to speak but her eyes fell away from him. Brows furrowed, he glanced in the direction of his Lambda approaching them. Once her paws stepped within suitable range, he dipped his neck in response to her nod. He sat alongside his Delta with intent ears. He gave a brief action of acknowledge at the words directed at him. His thoughts wandered to whether or not he should stay while the females talked. He was pulled out of his head when they commended each other's troops. Onyx's cheeks dusted a small flush of bashfulness from the compliment. He was certain the pink was noticeable and hoped to remain in the background of their conversation.
 
Flame nodded at Zeke's announcement. She tilted her head back and let out a long, sad howl. She would miss this place, but itwas Time to move, and if they waited longer, it would only be harder to say goodbye to it. It had been home to them for this little while. Everyone seemed sad to leave, so letting them howl the sadness out was good for them. Once everyone was done, they started moving with Zeke and Flame in the front. Everyone knew their job. And they set off.
 
as the winds shifted directions during the trot to the new territory Zeke found himself sniffing the air often trying to place the scents that would drift in and out of the area. fox, hare and a scent he hadn't smelt his he was younger that he couldn't quite place. glancing at Flame he spoke swiftly. "I'm going to go speak to one of the wolves in the back. Keep the pace we have going. I'll catch back up to you in a bit." allowing himself to trail back through any of the ranking wolves that were left behind to the elders and pups and omega he slowed as he noticed the beta male. "Ebony! lets chat for a minute. I know you have one hell of a sniffer on your snout would you mind heading to the head of the pack and taking a sniff for me, I scented Fox and hare and one other scent I swear I've smelt before but just can't seem to place it. If you recognize it would you tell me what it is?" Zeke was serious as he spoke and he looked at the elders and pups and those who were helping to defend them. "I'll watch your post here if you do that for me."
 
Tailing the end of the pack was simple work, the biggest problem being how complacent it could leave him. That left him feeling ever more vigilant, but he doubted there would be an attack so close to their previous territory. The predators around here had grown accustomed to their presence over the last two years, but now that they were on the move he had to wonder - would they make a move against them, or wait for them to leave to seize the territory?

His thoughts trailed off as he noted the pack starting to split in front of him, dividing themselves to the side to reveal Zeke approaching the back line. Ebony lowered his muzzle for a moment in recognition and greeting, listening as the alpha explained the situation at the front. "Of course, I'll see what I can smell and be right back." Ebony glanced to the side for a moment, eyeing a pup that was playing around with the tail of the elder in front of him. "That'll be the one you have to worry about the most." He jested, before moving forward at a brief pace. Why had he been asked? Sure, his father being a scout leader in the past helped his upbringing to recognize scents but they had scouts. It was likely that they were ahead however and busy with a task, besides, Ebony didn't need to question why he was asked - he simply needed to help where needed.

Reaching the front of the pack he nodded a curt greeting to Flame as a sign of respect before raising his nose to the air and taking in the surroundings. 'Foxes, a family trying to hide.. A hare, on the run from all the noise..' He thought to himself as the faint scents filled the air. There it was. Cougar.

They hadn't left the mountains behind yet, and had a ways to go before hitting the marshes on the way to the Lake den; and it seemed one of the cougars that had been pushed away from the center of the mountains due to their den was getting curious. At the moment, he only smelled one, but it could very well be a scout of their own seeing if any of their wolves would stray too far from the pack. Leave it alone, and it may stay far enough and be content with the wolves leaving the mountains they called home - but that was only if it didn't still harbor a grudge for them taking over the area for the last 2 years. With the scent identified Ebony took another glance around, seeing many of the wolf leaders at the front along with the Alpha female; surely there was little threat there, but their scouting parties may be threatened if the cougar brought friends.

Ebony allowed himself to fall back, turning around and slipping through their pack with little noise as he made his way back to Zeke. "Cougar." He said plainly, meeting the Alpha's eyes. "Alone for now, seems like they've been waiting for us to leave for a while now - probably why we haven't seen them around for so long." Ebony turned around to walk beside Zeke, his eyes looking over the young and elderly alike to take count; but Zeke had made sure they were all safe, so there was nothing to worry about.
 
Flame nodded her head to Zeke and kept up the pace of the pack. Inside, she was really scared that there might be something out there that could attack the pack, but looking at her, you wouldn't know it. She kept reminding herself that the pack could take whatever was out there. When Zeke came back to the front, she said softly, "Well?"
 
Roan kept a steady pace far ahead of the pack. She surprised herself by keeping pace with Onyx. She glanced at him and then looked at the path ahead. Her ears then twitched as she caught a scent, she raised her head more into the wind to catch what it was. "I smell cougar. There is only one but we will have to be wary and make sure it doesn't attack the pack." Her read fur waved in the wind, looking like fire dancing. She let a smile escape onto her muzzle as the freedom she felt from the run was overwhelmingly wonderful. She had to stop herself from howling and then shook her head, becoming serious. Stay focused Roan she told herself, and continued running next to Onyx in silence.
 
He stayed behind the pack his mind heavy with other things. He trotted down, far behind his pack, and begun to slow down even more. travelling at practically a snail's pace. He whined to himself, scratching his head against a large tree.
 
He kept pace ahead of the rest of the pack. His muscles and lungs were trained to endure long periods of running while he bounced on his paws. His pads kept him acceptably silence despite his weight. He kept his eyes forward, well aware of the higher presence at his side. "I smell cougar. There is only one but we will have to be wary and make sure it doesn't attack the pack." He gave a curt nod in her direction in reply of awareness. Onyx followed suit at the back of the scouting party in order to make sure his Delta and her warriors could keep pace. Fur danced in the air like tall grass swayed in the breeze. His ears stayed perked while his attention was strictly focused on their surroundings. The feline scent uncomfortably reaching his nose.

He felt a tinge of relief in being able to release his built-up energy. The smoke-tainted air drifted farther and farther from their senses. The texture of earth from the mountain gradually changed from what he was most familiar to. He then felt a small shift in mood. He glanced over only to find Roan smiling. The change in demeanor puzzled him momentarily but he didn't look much into it. His gaze fell once again on his members ahead. They still had a long ways to go.
 
Auga's nose twitched with the smell of cougar. She wanted it to make sure that it was well out of the packs' way, and didn't want to risk someone else alerting it to their presence. She turned back to face the scouts and warriors, raising her tail to tell them to stop.

"I'm sure you have smelt the cougar. If not, please work on your scenting." Some of the newer scouts ears flattened in embarrassment. Auga noted their need for more tracking training. "I am going to go make sure it is out of the packs' way. In my absence, all scouts are to defer to Delta Roan in case of an emergency. I will hopefully be back soon. Don't follow me unless you know how to sneak past a mother dear without being noticed."

Few could do so, but she knew they wouldn't follow her unless she asked them to do so. Auga was more worried about someone else following her and spooking the cougar. But she knew that it would be best to locate it and make sure it wasn't heading toward the pack.

With that, she took off, spriting off the path and following the scent of the cougar. The moss and leaves cushioned her steps as she neared where the smell was strongest. It worried her how close it was to the path. Lowering herself to the ground, she peered over a rotting log to try and catch sight of it.

It was a large male, padding through the forest toward their old home. It bounded across the forest stealthily, but no amount of carefully placed paw steps could mask its scent. Even if it was still several strides away, it's smell was overpowering. The wind was strong, the volcano of the mountain creating a sort of vortex, sucking air in and creating powerful gales in the valleys below. So far, the big cat seemed just to be heading toward the mountain, waiting to capitalize on the packs' absence.
 
She twitched her ear as the chain of command was changed onto her. She nodded to Auga, silently wishing her luck. She did not tell someone to go with her as she noticed that Auga had not asked for that help. She watched her leave some worry filling her, she had never been in charge of scouts before but that would not deter her. She shook her head putting on a composed demeanor.

She then spoke to the group. "I'd like us to fan out more so we can make sure nothing is coming up on the pack from the sides. Warriors... I'd like a few of you slower ones to hang back a bit, you're starting to become too noisy and scouts need protection from the back. Now... let us continue on."
 
He quickly noticed her motion of dominance and proceeded to stop with the group. He listened intently before turning his attention to the shift in command. The noise of his Lambda taking off reached his ears. Onyx stood stiff waiting for further instructions by their substitute leader. He heard the others do so as well, eyes gazed at the female Delta. She gave a small shake of her head before returning to a strict and serious posing. Her orders were given and thus he took his post with a small noise of agreement. The others did the same. He only hoped her leadership wouldn't throw the newer, less experienced scouts off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top