A groan accompanied with chortles from Carlys who watched amused atop her back as Rhaegara struggled to move further south. It was only spring, but she knew that summer would approach, and it would not be as kind to her as her former home had been. She yearned for the familiar snow. “Stai zitto, Carlys!” She scolded as her faithful companion fell silent, a smirk dancing across the yearling’s features, a soft snort from her own features. “Mi dispiace, Rhae, ma è divertente.” She responded before stretching her wings and glided above her, hovering near her shoulder.

Rhae fought the urge to roll her eyes and bit back a snarky reply for her friend, though she imagined Carlys already knew what she was going to say if she’d been permitted to continue. They travelled along a beaten mountain path, no doubt used by many before Rhae’s paws had graced it; crossing the col had been considered. There were easier routes to take, no doubt, but the two creatures did not care. She fell into silence alongside her friend as she glanced at a cave, stalagmites and stalactites visible from the entrance, a dripping noise coming from deep within the cave.

Interesting. She glanced at Car, whose eyes widened, shaking her head at her friend in return as Rhae huffed. “You’re the one always telling me to have fun!” She shot off, but Car’s look said it all. It’s too dangerous to go in there; perhaps at a later time, after they were more used to the lands. She growled, non-aggressive in posture suggesting irritation. “Fine, let’s start to head back down.” She relented as she turned one-eighty, starting back down the mountain. After all, what else did a princess in exile have to do than traipse around all day?

She didn’t normally venture so far North, and she wasn’t really sure what drew her that way today. Exploring didn’t hold the appeal it once had, not now she knew the dangers that lay beyond pack borders. The kidnapping had left a lasting impact on the now-timid girl. Perhaps it was the bright, welcoming smile of Ocean. She wanted to see her friend again. Wasn’t that worth risking a little exploring? She didn’t want to go too near Winterfell lands, she knew things were still tense between her sister pack and Acere’s. So how was she going to find Ocean? She skirted far past the lands of the Northern pack, and found herself near the base of a mountain. She looked up at the towering peaks, and dreamed of the vantage point of going up there. How many birds roosted in its nooks and crannies? How many feathers could she gather to add to her late-mothers collection. Her longing looks continued, until she caught sight of a wolf descending. The young girl froze, quick little breaths catching in her throat as she watched the tawny wolf. Had Motif been seen? Perhaps she could slip away before this wolf had any chance of knowing she had been here... "Speech"

She and Carlys continued to bicker the entire way down, back and forth both non-verbally and in Italian, a disheartened Rhae throwing some English in there for a good mix to which Car simply rolled her eyes. It was a matter of happenstance that she glanced down to see another wolf, giving Carlys a look as the bird rose in the air, searching to see if the girl was alone or if she had brought company. The cry from the raven gave the all clear, and Rhaegara felt the tension melt from her body.

She would like to believe that the traitors who had overthrown and murdered her parents would not chase her to the ends of the earth, but the fact remained that she did not know what they would do to ensure that the Ravyne line ended. She was almost certain they’d be after her siblings as well, hunting them to the ends of the earth, known and unknown faces alike instantly harboring suspicion in her heart.

Still, far be it for her to be rude, offering the other girl a smile, a soft wave of her tail back and forth attempting to exude a friendly demeanor. “Hello!” She greeted as Carlys landed on her head, giving it a gentle shake as her wings flapped and the raven shifted onto her back once more. "Are you from around here? I'm a little new to the area, and perhaps a little lost as well." She was certain she could find her own way with time, but it didn't hurt to ask for directions; it would speed things up considerably. She hadn't given a name, not trusting the air around her with those words quite yet.

The strangers eyes fell upon her, and Motif’s indecision grew. She didn’t want to be a wolf that turned tail and ran. She wasn’t a coward. She wasn’t. She was more than what Valkyrie had made her. It rooted her in spot, that uncertainty, and then the chance was lost to her. The stranger was too close, and turning now would give too much of an opening. She would have to stand her ground, threat or friend. Her breathing was still quick, shallow breaths. When the stranger called out a hello, Motif flinched. The wolf sounded friendly, and well-meaning, but then… so had Valkyrie, before she had ruined Motif’s world. She couldn’t just stand here and do nothing, she had to speak, to rise above the churning, sick feeling in her gut. “Oh… H-hello” she said. “I’m f-from the East, b-but I could probably direct you?” she offered, making no motion to move closer to the girl. Her unnaturally long tail wound about her paws in a nervous gesture. "Motif"

The fae remained still, a look of indecision sparking confusion in Rhaegara’s eyes. Her words were stuttered, and Rhae thought they seemed almost broken, offering an attempt to direct her. Curiosity got the better of the girl as she took a seat in an attempt to ease some of the other woman's evident discomfort, Carlys perching on her shoulder with the shifting of position. “Are you okay?” She asked sincerely, unsure if she had someone frightened the girl on accident. These were not the tribes of the north, and perhaps she had violated some custom she was unaware of. Either way, she was determined to make it right.

“I… I didn’t mean to frighten you or anything.” She offered again, watching as the girl nervously wound her tail along her paws, her eyes widening for a brief second. She’d never seen a tail that long! Mother had always taught her not to stare at war wounds, whether it be a wolf from the tribe or a loner. Respect! It was preached from the moment she was born… quickly she averted her eyes from the strange feature. “I’m Rhaegara, and this is Carlys.” She said, head motioning to her raven. This girl would do her no harm, Rhae was certain of that.

The question remained: why was this girl seemingly anxious about a conversation?

"Rhae" "Carlys"

Motif flushed a little at the question. She knew she wasn’t being subtle, but she couldn’t seem to shake herself from it. From the memory of helplessness, of her once vast expanse of trust, shattered. The wolf before her sounded concerned, gentle, and Motif swallowed, and then nodded once. ”I-it wasn’t you, i’m sorry” she explained. The stranger had taken a seat, clearly trying to show themself as not a threat. So long as she didn’t come any closer, perhaps it would be okay. Motif could handle this. She was a warrior of Abaven now, she had begun to learn to fight. When she was kidnapped, she had been a child, with no fighting experience. Things would be different now, they had to be. The stranger introduced herself, and Motif granted her another shaky smile. “I’m Motif, m-my raven is called Winter. She’s around somewhere, too” she glanced briefly at the sky, searching for the white form of the raven that had once been her mother's companion. The little blue feather behind her ear bobbed with the motion. "Motif"

The girl apologized, explaining that it hadn’t been anything Rhae had done, which allowed her some peace of mind that she had not startled this girl, even unintentionally. While Rhaegara was many things that made her seem assertive, and even aggressive at times, she did her best to hold a kind and steady heart. Her mother had taught her patience and kindness just as her father had taught her how to use the business end of her claws and teeth. Still, she was curious as to what had the girl on edge. Was she in some kind of danger that made her jump out of her own skin whenever she saw another wolf?

Rhaegara wanted to him, and Carlys knew it which meant she was gently poking the back of her head with her beak, a subtle reminder that she was hardly in a position to help anyone that wasn’t herself at the moment. Rhae was simply out to survive. The girl mentioned that she was called Motif and had a raven of her own named Winter, Carlys’ head instantly snapping towards the sky to look, taking off as shock laced Rhaegara’s features. “You’ve been blessed with a companion from the Ancients as well?” She asked, excitement in her voice as a smile lit her features.

After all, not even her siblings had received the blessing; they were only passed down from alpha to heir apparent, or more of, only an alpha and the heir apparent were ever blessed with one. She was a little older than Rhae, which meant she had likely had hers for longer if her tribe’s traditions had matched Rhaegara’s own. "It's so nice to meet you. I haven't met anyone to have a blessed companion since I left my Tribe." Left was a kind way to put it.

"Rhae"  "Carlys"

The shock in the other wolf's voice was enough to make Motif flinch. She had mostly managed to convince herself by this point that the other meant her no harm. But still, it seemed the timidness had seeped deep into her nature. She hated herself a little for it. “I… I don’t know about that, Winter was my mother's friend. When she passed, she chose to stay with me” Motif explained, her stammering happening just a little less as the conversation continued. Her smiles stayed a fraction longer. Her tail lapped against her toes thoughtfully, wondering who the ‘Ancients’ were that Rhaegara spoke of. A shadow fell over the girl, as the white raven returned from her scouting, and found Motif with a companion. The raven circled the group once, and then landed gently on the larger girls shoulders. Her talons digging into plush fur, and beady eyes fell upon the strangers. "Motif"

She explained how Winter had been her mother’s companion, and had stuck close to her after her mother’s death. Perhaps that was why she was so skittish, latching onto the idea that her mother had passed, perhaps recently. “Where I come from companions are part of an ancient bonding tradition for alphas and heirs apparent… I’ve never seen a wolf with one that hasn’t been through the ritual.” She explained her perspective on the situation with a soft smile.

She’d noticed the girl seemed to relax a little more, the stuttering almost gone. It brought Rhae some peace of mind to know the girl was warming up to her. Carlys landed on the ground next to Rhae as the raven Winter landed on Motif’s shoulder. She was much larger than Car was, but Car wasn’t intimidated. Rhae bowed her head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Winter.” She’d always show a companion she same respect she showed a wolf it travelled with.

"Rhae" "Carlys"

“Oh, i’ve never heard of the ancient bonding ritual, it sounds very exciting, were you nervous, when you did yours?” it was obvious the girl had gone through it, if she only knew of companions gained from them. She had her own Carly as proof of the trial or adventure involved. With Winter on her shoulder, the girl’s posture eased even further. She stood a little straighter, and the base of her tail shifted slightly in the indication of the enjoyment she felt for the conversation. It made her feel almost normal again. Nothing to be afraid of. Winter would get help if trouble arose, and Poem would come for her. Poem always came for her. Winter nodded her head in response to the girl’s polite words, but she seldom spoke. She had her own wounds, left behind from the death of the wolf-of-her-heart. “I’m sorry, you said you were new here - I’m from Abaven, That lies just a few lands to the East. The only territory in the North is Winterfell. What brought you to Borias? - that’s the name of the continent.” "Motif"

The question was a fair one, and admittedly, all Rhae could remember was being excited. She’d been dreaming of the day since she’d first learned of the tradition from her father. She shook her head softly. “No, not entirely. I think there was a part of me that was anxious I wouldn’t find a companion who would also accept me; my father told me it would take some time but I’d find one to accept eventually… and then Carlys and I just clicked right away.” She explained, remembering their first meeting fondly.

She was the only family that Rhaegara had left.

The topic shifted to packs, in which Rhae saved the information, knowing that she’d need to keep an eye out. Abaven. Winterfell. What had brought her to Borias? She shifted uncomfortable, the nerves settling under her skin as she thought about how to respond. It was a personal answer, but she also did not want to unnerve the girl and backpedal on the progress that had been made on their conversation, so she answered very simply, in two short sentences, her voice holding tightly onto the pain she still felt. “There was a coup by the beta and his daughter… I had to run.”

"Rhae" "Carlys"

Motif had no time to be anxious about gaining a companion, she had been so busy mourning her mother, that she hadn’t even realised Winter had stuck with her. Not until she woke up one day, and realised she had simply… never left the wolf's side. She glanced up at her white raven, an expression of sorrow and love crossing her expression. “And then you never looked back, right? You two seem like a great pair.” From what little Motif had seen, the two seemed to work seamlessly together. The girl’s ears flattened as Rhaegara explained her troubled past. “I’m sorry Rhaegara...do you mind if I call you Rae?” the girl’s full name was a mouthful. “Are you looking for somewhere safe to hole up? My sister - Alpha, she would probably be happy to offer you a home, or temporary lodgings. Abaven’s always been a place where people that have been hurt can find somewhere safe to call home.” just like Shaye had wanted. Theory still kept that dream alive. "Motif"

Rhae allowed herself a soft smile, looking thoughtfully at Carlys as she uttered the words, soft and full of the adoration she felt for her best friend. “And I never looked back.” She hummed her agreement, a thank you to the woman for her kind words, Carlys giving a nod at her own, though her eyes said. I only look back to yell at you to hurry up. Moments not lost in their weary travels.

Next came the apology, the pity or sympathy wolves often felt when they heard of her situation. She shook her head in dismissal of the apology. “It’s fine; it’s behind me...” Except it wasn’t, and it was obvious from the look on her face that she still dwelled. She dwelled on it every day, often becoming more and more resentful of being displaced as time went on. Her attention snapped back to the presence as she escaped her mind once more. “Rhae is fine.” She hummed softly once more; Rhae was a common nickname for her, and many before her had used the handle. She listened as the girl continued.

It was far too kind.

She offered a home, potentially temporary lodging in Abaven, noting that her sister was the alpha. She let a soft smile cross her features. “It’s a kind offer, but I think I’m better off on my own at the moment… I think I have a bit of soul-searching left to do.” She explained softly, watching as Cas silently moved closer, perching herself at her paws. “I’ll keep it in mind though.” She promised, knowing that if she decided she could live in a pack without ruling one, she would keep Abaven in mind.

"Rhae"  "Carlys"

Motif watched the silent understanding that passed between the wolf and bird, and felt her own soft smile on her lips. It was nice to see goodness in the world. The simple, yet wonderful things like friendship between two beings. The darker parts of the conversation were still there, and Mo’s ears flattened a touch again. “I wish I could do the same” she cast her eye at the ground, admiring the green and growing things that had begun to take root at the base of the mountain. Now that the chill of winter was fading. It was easier than looking at the sweet girl's eyes. How could Motif explain how guilt and fear still ate away at her insides, when the bravery of Rhae sat spoken between them? It also meant she missed the other girl’s expression, and could not realise the admission was not a complete one. “Of course, and if you ever need a friendly face, you can always find me at the borders” another timid smile, a fleeting thing, but warm for its duration on Motif’s face. She was meeting the girls eyes again now, at least for the moment. "Motif"

Despite the pain that seemed to linger in the girl’s voice and the way her ears flattened with her comment, Rhae had been grateful that she had looked away. It made her feel less vulnerable. The months after her escape she’d simply been retreating and licking her wounds to no avail. There was no getting away from what had happened. It was something she’d have to carry with her for the rest of her life. She only wondered the other woman’s story, though she dared not ask.

Some things were best left unspoken, especially when they were still raw and could do more damage than they had already done.

She offered to be a friendly face at the least, and she let a soft smile slide against her maw, a nod of gratitude for the offer. “I’d like that very much.” She stated, a clear statement to show how much she appreciated the offer. Friendly faces. She did not see many of those anymore, and she imagined neither did the other girl. Outside of her pack was likely tumultuous if it had resulted in the woman’s skittish nature.

She met her eyes for a brief moment before Carlys drew her attention, flapping her wings to reposition herself on Rhae’s shoulder, beady eyes staring intently at the other bird as Rhae chuckled softly. “I think Carlys wants to visit Winter too.” She joked.

"Rhae"  "Carlys"

Rhae didn’t ask, and Motif didn’t press on the other girls past, they had both been through the grinder, and neither felt too inclined to pry at fresh wounds. It was a strange understanding, but one that did not feel awkward or unbearable. Her smiles for Rhae were still growing, as was her assurance that the girl meant her no harm. It was like proving to herself that she could still trust. Not every wolf out here was the boogeyman, looking to spirit her away to another hell. Me, too” her smile stayed this time, and her tail waved gently, the strangely long appendage brushing at the grasses. “Carlys, your more than welcome to.” she flicked an ear at Winter. “I know you don’t spend as much time with your family any more, it’ll do you good to make new friends.” Those words were for Winter, but maybe, subtly, for herself, too. “Did you want to go on a hunt, find a bite to eat?” a hunt always worked better in a group then solo, and she was reluctant to step away from her new friend too soon. A good excuse to spend more time in Rhae’s company, and perhaps, not living in a pack, the other might appreciate the food. "Motif"

Their understanding did not need words, and it was refreshing to have someone who didn’t pry into her past. It was hers and hers alone, and she did not need to share it if she didn’t want to. The girl trusted her more, and it caused her smile to brighten, getting close and close to a genuine friendly smile with each passing moment. It was a refreshing change of pace after the months of constantly glancing over her shoulder. She still glanced over her shoulder, and Carlys still kept a glance too, but it was less necessary in the company of a, dare she say it, a friend.

Not that she could entirely trust the girl; there was only one creature she could trust, and she was perched on her shoulder. The words were said aloud, and caused a pit to form in Rhae’s stomach, knowing the only family she had that were still involved in her life was perched on her shoulder and watching her back. She’d seen her siblings bolt shortly after their father had been killed, but she hadn’t the faintest idea where they had ended up. For all she knew, they were dead.

She lost herself in thought for just a moment before she was brought back to reality once more, the question causing an instant nod with a helpful chortle from Car. "You had her at hunt." Rhae thought with her stomach quite a bit. “I’d love to! Are there any good hunting spots around here?”

"Rhae"  "Carlys"

Motif would not realise the impact of her words, too busy being afraid, yet hopeful, of the budding friendship building between them. With shy, yet genuine smiles on her maw, she glanced across at the other girl, and chuckled softly at her winged companions words. Lost her at hunt eh? Then it must have been a good suggestion. She considered the question, and then let out a soft breath, a sort of sigh. “I’m not actually sure, I haven’t explored outside of my pack for a while” she admitted. Too many bad things happened in the world beyond the protection of pack borders. It was hard, so hard, not to let the past build her experiences. “Maybe we can… take a look, together?” she suggested. "Motif"

Puppy steps, Rhaegara was realizing, were her friend when it came to interacting with Motif, letting the girl find some comfort with her presence before pushing for anything else. She managed to lure a genuine smile from her, a nod as she explained that she had not ventured out of pack lands in a while, understanding despite not knowing what had happened that it likely had to do with how timid she was.

She suggested taking a look together and she let her smile grow on her maw with an eager nod. “That sounds like a splendid idea.” She agreed, taking a few hesitant pawsteps towards her, trying to gauge whether or not it was okay with the other girl. "I think to the northwest might be a good place to start. I came from over there and I thought I scented a herd."

"Rhae"  "Carlys"

Motif froze, taunt as a bow string, when Rhae came closer. She let out a soft breath, forcing some of her tension out with it. She knew Rhae didn’t mean her harm. In fact, the other woman had been decidedly kind to her, right from the beginning. She took a step closer to Rhae, to tell both herself, and the other, that it was okay. She offered the girl a smile. Still a touch timid, but bright and meaningful, too. “That sounds promising, we can check it out” she agreed, flicking her elongated tail over at the other woman. The white-dipped appendage reached easily around Rhae’s legs. It as foolish to let the past trap her, not when there was loveliness in the world now to enjoy. "Motif"