Naiche has made his way into the grassy plains imagining it a good place for an easy meal.  At some point he would like to be in a large group hunt and hope to not embarrass himself.  His stomach said something small would do for now.  He could smell plenty of life and food but the grass was so tall it was hard to pinpoint where his prey was.  Right now his coat didn't match up well with the greener grass that came naturally with spring but he expected in summer as grass tends to bleach with the sun he would match well with the landscape.  Too bad that time wasn't here yet.

Naiche's nose worked rapidly taking in the scents, eyes focused on the grass near him, watching for any hint of movement to give sign of food.  Another scent was on the wind, something he had smelled before but only from far away.  It was a thing he had been told as a pup to avoid but he had been small and weak at the time so he wasn't sure if it still applied now with his fuller frame.  Either way, for the moment he didn't see what was causing it.  If he spotted something and it looked dangerous then he could worry about it.  Naiche made sure to keep some of his attention on the scent and not head in that direction.  If the scent got closer he'd be ready for whatever it belonged too.

Reflecting back Naiche wish his parents had explained more.  They had probably intended too but they had waited a bit too late and then the chance was gone.  Now that he was part of pack he would hopefully learn all that he was ignorant of.  Hopefully his age was enough of an excuse for his ignorance, did most his age know that scent by now?  How much better were most at hunting or fighting by now?  His comparison was only members of his family.  With irritation Naiche imagined these wolves were better at finding prey in this grass.  The grass moved! Naiche launched at where it moved and watched as a rabbit escaped.  He took a few strides as if to chase it but running after it in this grass wouldn't work well, it was out of sight.  The best he could do is track it down and really, the rabbit would already be farther away than other prey hiding in the grass.  

So far that other scent, the one he couldn't place was about the same distance.  Biting down frustrating he returned to his hunt for small prey.  Patience was a requirement when finding food, getting upset over it got him no where.

Skælingr had been scrounging in the Weeping Woods, looking for dropped branches that he could use in his projects. He and his wife had set up a nice temporary place to live and now it was time to get everything furnished. He had a list of things he wanted to get done and was so wrapped up in his thoughts he almost didn't catch the strange, musty smell floating on the wind. Skæ slowed his pace, brow furrowing. What was that? He sniffed the air but couldn't quite place it. He crept forward more cautiously, along the border of the woods where it gave way to the tall grass plains. The scent was suddenly stronger and at the same time he realized what it was a massive grizzly bear let out a roar and charged right at him. Skæ scrambled out of the way of the large creature into the tall grass plains, suddenly he caught the scent of pack and scrambled to stop. It wouldn't do to avoid the bear and then get mauled by a pack. He whirled around as the bear stopped in front of him, rearing back on its hind legs. Well shit… "Speech"

Naiche lept and got excited when got some type of pheasant in his mouth, but only partially and it tried to escape. Not this time! It was injured! He charged through the grass after it and with teeth low he was about to grab it when something more important came up.

The dangerous scent and the scent of another wolf both were suddenly close. Naiche still didn't know the scent of every wolf that belonged here. Admittedly the scent didn't have the same sort as the few he had passed by but that didn't guarantee it didn't belong here if one of the wolves had traveled from farther off. Better to be safe than sorry than sorry for now.

Naiche let the bird go and ran for the two scents that were quickly coming into his view. Moons and stars! That thing was massive! So yes, a lesson had been learned. That scent belonged to something dangerous for pups and adults. Smart wolves clearly would avoid it. The other wolf had stopped at the borderlands which seemed to suggest it wasn't one of theres. Logic said he could leave it be, that a wolf who was not under their protection was not worth risking his skin over. That spark of pride labeled him a coward if he left the scene. The wolf hadn't ignored the packs boundary and instead seemed stuck facing the danger.

There wasn't time to think. Picking up speed he charged right back at the bear. His hope was more to scare the bear. It was true the bear was surely stronger and more deadly than Naiche, but there was something to be said when anything fearlessly charges you. Little things could be surprisngly dangerous. He'd never fought a large predator of course and was trying to determine how to attack if the bear wasn't scared off. Hell if he knew what he was doing. "Fight back!" He threw the words at the other wolf. Two were more dangerous than one. Besides, he could be scared later. Fear in a fight caused death. If the wolf didn't fight back, Naiche would change his mind and leave it.

Skælingr dove toward the bear's kind legs as its paws came crashing toward him. He slipped out between its legs, delivering a glancing blow with his fangs to the bear's inner left thigh as he went. He heard a voice yell out and saw a yearling diving for the bear. Was this wolf from the nearby pack? Shit, he supposed leaving a bear right on the border of a pack was a bad idea. Not that it was really any of his business but spring was prime pupping season and he didn't want to be at fault for some murdered pups. The bear gave chase after Skæ and he quickly whipped around but the bear did to. They stood there for a moment facing off against each other and Skælingr hoped he could give the yearling an opening while he distracted the bear. If they could annoy it enough maybe it would give up and leave them alone. "Speech"

Good! The wolf in front of him was no coward.  It most likely didn't belong, at least it was worthy enough to defend in that respect.  Naiche would of wished he had more experience but he really didn't have time to do even that much.  That was one of the tricks of rushing in, no time to think on anything other than each second of time.  Well, unless he wanted to die.

The wolf spun around and so did the bear.  Good! It was right in time.  Naiche snarled and snapped down low for the bear's leg.  Unfortunately the bear had other ideas and was spinning to face Naiche even as his mouth opened.  Naiche bounded back, taking his turn to stare at the bear.  Naiche's ears were flat against his head, gums pulled back to make sure the bear got a good look at his teeth and desire to use them.

Naiche didn't have much bulk to speak of but he was lithe and quick, right now he actually preferred that over muscle.  Naiche had possibly never felt so attuned to the earth.  The grass crushed by his feet, the smallest hint of a breeze and the sun over him.  More than anything his heart thudding in his chest as his adrenaline was spiked as high as it could possibly get.  This is what it meant to truly live.

Naiche didn't dare glance away from the bear's gaze, having to trust the other wolf was going to do his part.  This could work! Stay on opposite sides and hopefully neither took a hit.  While time was passing for the rest of the world, in a fast paced fight for life it felt time had stopped for Naiche in this frozen moment

The yearling was quick to move in and snap at the bear's backside, bringing it to turn on the youth while leaving itself exposed to Skælingr. He darted forward quickly and quietly as he saw the opening left for him. In two swift bounds he was on the bear, his fangs latched across the bear's tail iliciting a furious roar. The bear whirled around to try and swipe at him and Skælingr let himself be dragged, shuffling to keep up with the bears motion as he held on. Thankfully, he was far back enough that he was just out of reach and the bear growled furiously as it tried to figure out how to get the wolf off of it. Finally, it tipped its weight back seeking to sit on him but by that time Skælingr had let go and scrambled out of the way. When the bear got back to its feel blood ran down the back of its legs from its shredded tail. It eyed the wolves and seemed uncertain about continuing the fight. "Speech"

Hope shot through Naiche as he saw the other wolf latch onto the bear. Wow… that looked…dangerous. Naiche watched as the bear whirled around and the wolf kept with it. Naiche’s shifted his weight back and forth trying to find the best opening. The other wolf was at its back, teeth and claws were on the front end! The wolf was in a good spot but it still wouldn’t last against the bear alone.

Naiche would not be a coward! He charged in, “come get me! C’mon!” the high-pitched notes carried at the bear, trying to demand its attention. The bear swung a massive paw at him but lucky for Naiche that was right before it was attempting to sit on the other wolf, which meant the paw could not reach out as far. When its but was momentarily on the ground Naiche imagined it best chance for his to test blood he could get. He had still been facing the side, so he attempted to jump for a piece of the bear’s shoulder.

The bear swung faster than Naiche would have given it credit for, his jump had been planned for the shoulder, instead it was more like a hare’s leap straight up over the bear paw. He made the leap but was then directly in front of the bear. Naiche moved to get away from the dangerous end. His odds of living certainly depending on how the other wolf was doing with that back end. At least the bear had its paws full.

Well this was one stubborn ursine. Skælingr growled as the bear dove for the yearling, not intent on leaving just yet. The boy danced ahead of the bear but it was only a matter of time before their luck ran out. Skælingr was faced with the bear's backside once more. Sizing up his target Skælingr leapt forward with his fangs bared. He dove his head down and latched his fangs on the back of the bear's left leg, right over the achille's tendon. He immediately thrashed his head seeking to tear as much flesh as he could. The bear roared in pain and it turned to try and get at him. Skælingr found himself being practically dragged until the bear, with a great leap, tore its leg from his fangs. Skæling swiftly got to his feet, wincing as he did so. The bear was clearly in pain and limping. It glared at the wolves for a moment before it turned and ambled off back toward the woods. Skælingr watched it warily for a moment before sitting down heavily. "Wretched beast… You ok, kid?" "Speech"

Naiche enjoyed fighting but standing directly in front of that angry bear was not the spot he had wanted to be in.  Despite a willingness to fight he had been certain his luck had run out.  It certainly would have been if there hadn’t been a partner helping him.  When the strange wolf once more attacked and turned the bear’s attention away Naiche took a few steps back watching once more for an opening.  Not once, not once had he managed to get a bite in!  What sort of fighting doesn’t even strike true once?  Naiche’s head turned following them as the bear dragged the stranger around, only to end up surprise as the massive thing decided to quit the fight.

With the bear gone Naiche finally realized how tense he’d been.  He acknowledged the adrenaline coursing through him and looked at the beast walking away.  That had been the most fun he’d ever had!  Too bad he was such a horrible fighter that he couldn’t sink teeth in once.  Naiche let out an exhale as worked at getting his breath under control.
“I’m fine. That was pretty impressive. You alright?” This wolf had been taken a rougher time than Naiche after all, getting dragged about while holding onto that. He still wanted to know if the guy was part of the pack, but it was fair enough to check on his physical shape first.  If not for those wolf Naiche would have been dead.  Then again, if not for this wolf that bear might have not gotten to the edge of the pack’s territory.  Two ways to look at it really.

With the fight over he considered the wolf more.  This wolf was a little larger and with more muscle with Naiche but not so much he would have felt outmatched.  Fighting that bear however suggested this guy had far more experience fighting. “I’ve smelled them before, but I’ve never seen one.” His eyes going back to the bear as it seemed smaller the farther it went with its limp.

Marshal warned him of the commotion at the border. He turned his head skyward, watching the bird wheel in the air, before taking off after him. Keeping him in his sights, the Warlord was lead across the terrarory and to the border. At the sight of the almost intrusion, his hackles rose. When he recognized the scent of bear and saw the lingering effects of battle upon them both, he brought his anger to heel.

He surveyed then both quickly, searching for life threatening injuries, and finding none. Finally, his eyes settled on the face of 'His' wolf. The protective, possessive surve rising up inside of him confirmed to himself how wholly this wolf was now his. HIS to protect and fight for. It seemed another had been doing his job. "Naiche, report" he ordered the autumn man. He would hear the account before he passed judgment and aid to the stranger. For the moment he had only his assessment and Naiches body language to confirm that the stranger meant no harm.

The yearling was alright and Skælingr felt relief seep into his sore muscles. He hadn't seen a blow during the fight but he'd been so focused on the bear that it wasn't out of the question for him to miss something. He nodded at the boy's question. "Yea, sore and bruised but I can walk it off." He nodded at the boys words. "I've had encounters with bear's before, especially during the spring when they're coming out of hibernation cranky and hungry. I didn't expect to find one so close to a packs borders, but then I have heard of bears eating pups." Skælingr tended to give bears a wide berth if possible and they were one reason he was glad he and his wife hadn't conceived. He'd want a pack for protection. A lone wolf with a gaggle of pups would look like a fine meal for a hungry grizzly. The sound of something large moving through the brush caught his attention and for a moment he wondered if it was another bloody bear but instead it was a massive wolf with huge fangs. Skælingr scented the ground and breathed a sigh of relief. He was still outside the border and thus couldn't be accused of trespassing. The large man gave an order to the yearling, Naiche. Skælingr kept his silence. "Speech"

Naiche was willing to bet with the large wolves he would hopefully be sparring against he might be better against a bear next time.  Both for better fighting skills in general, and practice attacking giants.  This time he was still caught in between enjoying the sensation from remembering the fight.  Any mistake could of killed him, and could have gotten this other wolf killed.  Then the bad part was, he had made mistakes and it was only because the other wolf had experience they had both lived.

He would of made another comment but then Sirius appeared. He'd been too busy when fighting to notice anything else and wondered if Sirius had been able to see it.  On top of that once the fight was over he'd been too busy enjoying the rush to notice his approach.  He'd get better!

Naiche turned his body about to put the warlord as his main focus, but he wouldn't entirely forget the stranger.  He deserved thanks for saving his ass, especially at the end.  Thanking a strange wolf would come after reporting to the warlord.

"Sirius," did the wolf want to be addressed by name or station? He hadn't thought to ask that detail.  Naiche imagined if he should of done the other he would find out sooner or later. He was going to start with the strangers name but he still didn't know it.  "I spotted this wolf and the bear running towards the territory.  When the wolf hit the border to our territory instead of passing it he turned to risk the bear instead.  I didn't have more to go on than that but the bear wasn't allowing time for questions so I chose to help fight," his words spoken formally, aiming to just give the facts versus putting his own spin on it.

Things were calmer now and Naiche imagined he hadn't needed to question if this wolf was part of the pack with all the numerous hints. "He was respectful enough not to cross and bold enough to face the bear alone if he had too."  Those two things for the moment made the wolf of some worth. "He did good, drew blood on it more than once. I.." the one last word dragged out for a second, "was unable to connect a single bite."  He thought of mentioning how they had this wolf to thank for the bear not getting on their territory but it was also the wolf who had brought the bear here in the first place.

The stranger kept a polite silence, and Naiche was quick to give an explanation. It was clear the stranger had respected the borders, despite his close proximity to them. That respect was why the wolf would be allowed to leave with their freedom today. The aid he gave Naiche, his newest recruit, was why he would do so with Seer’s thanks.

Naiche admitted that he was unable to get in a bite. “We’ll practice on my companion, later” he promised Naiche. The small bear that had chosen to follow the Warlord would be a good starting point for Naiche. Bears had been a problem in the past, and it would be good for him to learn how to face it. That he had stood his ground with this bear, not allowing it into the territory or to leave the stranger alone, spoke of bravery.

The Warlord turned now to the stranger, and nodded his head. “Your respect and bravery are greatly appreciated.” that he had inevitably led the bear here could be left alone. It had not been an act of war. “Thank you. If you would like a bite to eat and a moment to find your breath, you may find it here.”

Skælingr kept his peace but he was grateful for the young man's words in helping to absolve him of wrong doing. It was no small thing and he appreciated the words. Perhaps this would mean him getting back to his wife. His wife. He felt a pit sink to his stomach as he thought of that injured and irritated bear still wandering in the woods nearby. He wanted to at least alert Ragna. He glanced at the boy in surprise as he stated he hadn't landed a single bite. Why did he seem ashamed? He'd done his part in keeping the bear distracted. Skæ turned to Sirius who offered him a meal and some rest. He dipped his head. "I appreciate the offer, sir, but I need to get back to my wife before she begins to worry." He turned to Naiche. "And thank you for your help. If you hadn't been there to distract the bear I would not have had any good opportunities to bite and drive it off. I bid you both well." He moved to leave seeking to make sure Ragna was warned. With any luck this bears encounter with wolves would make him think twice about messing with them again. -exit- "Speech"

Practice with Sirius' companion?  Naiche would likely have followed up on that but this other wolf was here and was the main focus for the moment.  Listening to Sirius talk to the other wolf gave Naiche a good chance to see how the wolf handled strangers at the borders of their land.  It appeared the warlord would allow another wolf in if the condition was right.  Naiche had no doubt every stranger didn't get that offer but this wolf had proved himself.

Skælingr had to be sore from being drug around when he'd been holding on the bear but choosing not to stay.  If he ran into the wolf again he would remember fighting along with him.  The tan wolf nodded to the stranger, "Of course." It seemed a short answer for the thanks but could think of no other words befitting it.  No problem? Actually it had been quite the problem but they had got lucky and it worked out.  It was nothing? That bear had seemed a monster to Naiche! It sure was certain.  "It was good to meet you.  Travel safe."

It certainly hadn't taken any time for things to get interesting upon joining.  Prior to this there was no pack land, only temporary lands to rest before moving on.  Look at all the fun he had missed out on.  His mind also was acknowledging the bear was still out there.  He watched the visitor be on his way, glancing to Sirius.  "The bear's injured but in no way dead.  Do you think it would try coming back this way?"  Maybe it wouldn't because of the thrashing?  Did bear's hold a grudge?  It was still the first he had met.
"Speech"