She had no idea why she was out in the North. For one, Maija despised winter and everything that resembled it. Aside from it being the season when her first litter was born, she didn't like the snow, cold temperatures, or the fact that it reminded her of her husband. So, of all places, why was she here?! The answer was simple: the fish. Even if Maija hated freezing her toes off, she couldn't resist the fish.

As she walked along the glaciers, she was wary of every step she took. Rumors of polar bears living in these parts had reached her ears long ago, back when she was with her first husband. The large piece of North was indeed vacant of life, but she still walked with an ear to the ground and eyes everywhere. Scents were nonexistent and she only lowered some of her defenses when she came upon the largest hole in the ice that she had ever seen. The water beneath it looked dark and deep, but the silver gleams of fish caught her eye. She couldn't resist and began to look over the side of the ice to try and spy any potential prey to bring back home. Unfortunately, luck was not with her as she did this.

No sooner had her golden head moved over the surface did the surface break. Up from the depths came a large leopard seal, its coat gleaming in the cold sunlight as it came down with a powerful thud. Teeth were bared as Maija backed up, claws flexing to maintain her balance on the slippery surface. The seal roared and began to move towards her, foot by foot until it seemed that she was going to be its dinner. She snapped at it, attempting to bite its nose, but instead, she only bit thin air an inch in front of it. Another roar broke the silence and he continued to try and pursue her. His teeth were bared and his massive size gave him the advantage. He slid across the ice after finally cornering her against a large glacier. Maija had her teeth bared, ears flattened, and body rigid with anger. If she was going to die, then she would die fighting.

Odette had been scouting the outer regions of the North, making sure to return home before the sun started to set. So far, she was enjoying her journeys, for she was indeed her father's daughter. Every time she came home from an expedition, she had a story to tell for everyone else to hear. The number of her members was small, but she was proud of how close they were all becoming. Who knew what she would get to tell them when she came back this time!

The story that was about to unfold was not too far from her grasp. When she arrived to the glaciers, it was all quiet and beautiful. The sun gleamed across the glaciers, reflecting the beauty that was made when they were formed. As she admired the silent atmosphere, a roar that was vaguely familiar reached her ears. She took off running in the right direction, wondering what in the world would create such a chaotic noise. Her question was answered when she came across a most unusual sight. A leopard seal, one of the biggest she had seen in her short life, was attacking something that wasn't usually considered their prey: a wolf. Her eyes widened as she realized that the golden vixen would die within minutes of being so close to the leopard seal's mouth.

Odette didn't waste any time in pursuing the challenge in front of her. She saw the golden wolf's defenses were raised, but what good would they be on her own? Odette raced across the ice, paws used to the slippery sliding that came with being in the North. She bounded towards the leopard seal, aiming to distract him from Maija's defensive form. Large teeth bared beneath tan lips as she ran towards the seal's tail, growls escaping the woman's massive body. In no time, she bounced off of a nearby glacier and slid into home base (ie, the large seal's tail) and her teeth met the goal: meat surrounded by fat and covered with a wet coat. She had slid on her right side, paws grabbing onto the side of his tail, while teeth began to chomp at the tender ends. She heard another roar and knew that her plot of distraction had begun to work.

Maija Artenie began to think of her family, both the ones she gave birth to and the pack she had joined. Every single wolf she thought of as important started to flash before her eyes and she knew that they wouldn't blame her if she was to end up being eaten by a stupid piece of Arctic meat. Before she could even jump to try and attack his face, another wolf appeared in her peripheral vision. She was a large one, but somehow, she was graceful enough to slide across the ice and attach herself to the leopard seal's tail. All at once, the ball was in her court.

Without even guessing what she would do next, Maija pushed herself away from the glacier and leaped towards the seal's neck. When he had turned his attention to Odette, he left his left side open to attack. She grabbed ahold of the blubber that was securely around the outer side of his neck and she drew blood. The taste of the irony liquid made her own blood boil and soon she was trying to claw at the rest of his massive frame. Teeth continued to chew and more fat and blood began to gush from the seal's neck. He gave a roar of pain as both females bit down at the same time. Instead of trying to get his attention on Maija again, he turned more towards the darker female who was enjoying the fight with his flipper. Maija gave her own growling roar before she leaped down and started to nip at his large front left flipper. More blood seemed to drain from him, but not enough to officially subdue him. He brought his flipper into the air and somehow struck Maija, causing her to slide across the ice towards another glacier on her left. She hit the base of the glacier and felt a cold rush rise up her spine. Eyes closed and she was out like a light.

The distraction was exactly what Odette had intended to happen and when he turned his attention on her, the golden female took her chance to attack from her side. The opportunity couldn't have been more perfect, because for a minute, the seal was torn between her and Odette. Odette took more delight in crushing the nerve endings of his tail as he began to figure out who he would try to get rid of first. Apparently, Maija was causing more damage than Odette was, for the seal finally chose to sick himself on the golden woman. Odette bit down again, growling and clawing at all she could get until he turned back to her.

When his flipper rose and fell, it knocked the gold woman out of breath and caused her to slide across the ice. Odette's eyes widened, but she didn't hesitate to pursue the rest of her damage. The seal started to try and bite her across her back, teeth scraping against her skin. She pushed herself away from him and began to slide towards the large opening in the ice. As she slid, her claws scraped the top of the ice, slowing down her chances of falling into the freezing cold water. The leopard continued to come after her, thin trails of blood being left behind in his wake. Odette knew that if she didn't do something smart, she would end up in the seal's belly.

When she was within two meters of the large opening, Odette came close to a glacier on her right. She kicked off with her hind leg, causing her to spin out and around in many circles. These circles made her spin in an arch, away from the water and away from the leopard. The leopard watched her as he continued to slide across the ice, but instead of going after her, he roared and dove headfirst into the freezing water. A loud splash was given and large droplets of water rose and fell around the outline of the opening. Some of it hit Odette (who was only a few feet away from it), but she preferred that over the depths of which she would have perished.

After being able to properly stand, she looked at her back for any signs of weakness. His teeth had scraped the skin around her midsection, but nothing about it proved to be fatal. Scars would form there, but scars were only skin deep in this instance. Shaking herself free of any sudden shocks from the almost pleasurable dying experience, Odette remembered that the golden woman was still, possibly, in trouble with maintaining life. She rushed over to the woman, looked her over, and realized that she was knocked out. Still breathing, but unconscious, Odette was unsure of what to do at first. With furrowed brows, she looked up and around to see if anyone else was possibly there. Drat, it was just her and the unconscious beauty at her feet.

Odette Adravendi did what she didn't think she would ever have to do: she helped a damsel in serious distress. Being bigger than this female, she nosed herself beneath the golden frame so she would end up laying on her back. Her weight wasn't a problem, but getting back to solid ground without sliding into another horrible situation was. Slowly, she slid across the ice, away from the large opening and towards the main piece of snowy land that ensured solid footing. Each step she took, she made sure the stranger was still positioned properly across her large back and shoulders. Breathing was important and as long as she did that, Odette would have her confirmation.

-FIVE HOURS LATER-

Odette had returned to Glaciem, the familiar layout a welcoming invitation back home. She didn't worry about what the other members were saying about her and the unexpected visitor. Instead, she worried about the female getting to a proper place of rest with all that she needed. Sage, whose knowledge of healing came from his mother's historic mind, assessed the golden beauty as Odette lowered her to the cool cavern floor. They all worked together to make sure there was enough essentials for Odette's damsel in distress.

Now, the Alphess sat at the front of the den, looking out to her favorite piece of scenery. The trees rose high in front of her, their canopies becoming lost in the fading light of the day. She hoped that everything would be fine with the woman, and she didn't have long to find out. An abrupt snort and gasp brought her attention to the occupant of a well made pine straw bed. Herbs of different kinds lined the wall (Odette's right, Maija's left) in case of emergency and Odette couldn't help but smile at the frosty look that Maija's face gave. "I was wondering when you would wake up," she said, tones warm and endearing to the unsure patient. "You were knocked unconscious when you were attacking the seal."

Maija's world was dark for the longest time. She wasn't dreaming, but she wasn't enjoying the blissful coldness of death. Instead, she was in limbo, surrounded by darkness, but had a warmth to it that would not go away. It was enjoyable, to say the least, something she had least expected when she had gone to the North. Her brain was trying to rework itself while her body rested, of which was starting to be moved to a different location. All the while, she knew that she was being looked over, but she didn't know by whom. None of her Arcanum family members were nearby, nor were they even thinking that something bad could happen to her. So, for the next unknown amount of hours, Maija was in dark bliss.

-FIVE HOURS LATER-

She slowly awoke, tingly feelings moved their way down to her toes. At first, her extremities began to kick and move, then the rest of her began to awake. Her leaf-green eyes slowly revealed themselves, lids heavy for reasons unknown to her. She felt a throbbing in her head and suddenly, a large aching feeling ran all the way down her body. Maija felt as if Cataleya had rammed her into a large oak's trunk. That was how much she was hurting.

Once her sleep-like state was over, she gave a snort and a gasp. She didn't know where she was, she didn't recognize the smells or the cave that she found herself in. Soft bedding was underneath her and the smell of pine shot up her nose as if she had sniffed water. Maija couldn't help but cough and when she did, it spread another large wave of aching pain across her body. Her eyes winced from the shock and then she heard an unfamiliar voice speak. 'I was wondering when you would wake up.' Her eyes opened quickly and narrowed when they fell upon the dark form of Odette Adravendi.

The woman was younger than her, but was still larger and obviously carried more weight. She couldn't help but growl in unease, daring the woman to come any closer. Then, the next set of words met her ears and she froze. 'You were knocked unconscious when you were attacking the seal.' Her eyes stopped being narrowed and she took the time to look around her. Herbs were lined up nearby to her left and the scenery that was beyond Odette's form was white and peaceful. Snow continued to fall and the achy Romanian looked back to the young woman in front of her. "Why am I here?" she slowly asked while trying to hide the aching that continued to run through her body.

Odette knew that there would be many different ways for the woman to react once she woke up. She watched with silent awe as the woman didn't make an attempt to rise and walk away from where she lay. Instead, she looked around and took in her surroundings. Maybe, in her mind, they would give her clues as to what exactly led her here to this place. However, it didn't, and the golden woman asked why she was there. Odette didn't push her and so she remained a few feet away from the woman as she became accustomed to what was unfamiliar.

She reclined to her haunches, large tail rising and curling around her right leg. Some of the skin on her right side that had been scorched by the seal's teeth was obviously noticeable, but she didn't care if anyone noted its unusual presence. Instead, she focused on the woman in front of her, who seemed to be uncomfortable by the attention. Odette tried to smooth out the damsel's uneasiness by explaining her situation. "I brought you here from the Glaciers to make sure you were all right. I didn't know if you had any injuries that were serious or not, but I wanted to ensure your safety here rather than out there alone."

If that answer was not enough to suffice the woman's growing uneasiness, Odette would give more information. "We are in Glaciem, the pack formerly known as Solstice. It is renamed for my father's memory, and the man I am speaking of is Gargoyle. He ruled before Isardis did." She wasn't sure if this information would stick in the female's mind, but after watching the reaction she gave when the white King's name was mentioned, she figured that she was all right mentally. "I brought you to my home because Glaciem was the safest place to make sure you were all right." At that, Odette softly smiled. "So far, you wellbeing seems to be all right."

Maija's heart rate began to increase as the unfamiliar settings made her feel more uncomfortable. She wanted more than anything to leave, act like her trip to the Glaciers had never happened, but she couldn't. The aftermath of being knocked out by a seal was too much on her golden form. The aching wasn't going to stop anytime soon and she knew if she tried, she would fail miserably. Instead, she listened to the young woman as she explained why she was there and the name of the pack caught her attention. Glaciem. Oh, how she despised the memory of such a name, for what it stood for when Isardis had ruled, and had ruined her life in regards to harming Taurig for no good reason.

Then, the female began to explain that this Glaciem was in memory of her father, Gargoyle. The name of her dad was unknown to Maija, but when she mentioned the white King, she made a face. Odette continued to explain that she was here because the Alphess was not sure of the damages that had been done by the encounter of the leopard seal. At her final statement, Maija gave an indignant snort. "Yes, I am sure."

Maija knew that if she wanted to get home faster, she would have to cooperate with those who were watching over her. So, instead of putting up a fight that she knew wouldn't make sense, she gave a large sigh and lowered her head to her front paws. A soft moan of pain slipped through her clenched teeth, followed by a soft question. "Do you have any fish?" After all, that was why she came up to the dumb North in the first place!

She watched with a low level of amusement as Maija finally admitted defeat with her possible thoughts of leaving. Odette figured the golden woman was strong-willed and stubborn, but she also detected an intelligent mind within her cranium. Her sarcastic remark was enough for Odette to give a wider stance of her smile. If she could be this sarcastic while feeling like crap, then she figured she would be all right.

The question that left Maija's lips made Odette's ears perk. Fish? Of course they had fish! Fish was one of Odette's favorite snacks between meals, but she didn't reveal all of this to her patient. Instead, she nodded and slowly rose to leave the den. Stepping out into the cold, Odette walked towards a small pile that had been made for her and the other members of her pack. She lowered her head to the top of the lopsided pyramid and grabbed a fairly large catch. Her large frame walked back to the den and came to find Maija silently stretching all four limbs to prevent cramping. She gave a stiff groan, but that was all she would say or do to reveal her level of pain.

Odette placed the fish near Maija, who immediately sniffed it and began to nibble on the meatiest parts. Slowly, she reclined to her haunches again and watched her with fascination before lowering herself to her front legs as well. She turned to look at the outside world from where she lay and then mentioned offhandedly, "I am Odette Adravendi, in case you were wondering...Alphess of Glaciem..." She knew it may come off as rude and snobby, but she didn't mean for it to sound like she tossed around her title as if it was nothing.

In response to her question, Odette rose to leave the den. Once she made sure that the girl was out of sight, Maija took the chance to groan out loud. She stretched all four legs, cramps evident in her muscles as she moved inch by inch until they were all flexed. A sigh of relief left her and she grumbled to herself, "Never again will I go look for fish...by myself." She lowered her head again to her front legs, resting her chin against her bicep. Oh, the fun she was going to have in telling Cataleya about this!

Odette returned within a minute or two, finding her stretched out like a fur rug in a log cabin. Instead of asking if she was okay, Odette only watched her before Maija gave a grunt. The fish was lowered to the ground in front of her and Maija quickly sniffed it before she latched onto it and began to eat. The taste of its meat was delicious and after dealing with a dumbass leopard seal and having to have her life saved by an unknown wolf, she figured she deserved a yummy break. Then, Odette officially introduced herself and Maija swallowed her meat before politely retorting, "Maija. Maija Artenie." The name should have been familiar to Odette, for she had been a frequent visitor to Sibelle when Solstice still existed. Instead, Maija didn't really care, and as an afterthought, said, "Thank you." The two wolves would connect their gazes -- leaf-green to red and blue -- before Maija went back to eating her food and finally let the tiredness of her expedition lull her to sleep for recovery.

Odette dipped her head towards Maija after her introduction, knowing that she would probably not get any more words out of her. She made to turn her body towards the entrance when Maija uttered a soft phrase that was unexpected: Thank you. Odette turned her gaze towards the golden woman and for a second, their eyes met. The lingering would have been awkward, so instead, Odette gave a warm smile and turned towards the entrance while Maija went back to eating. Odette thought she would leave the den later, but even when the stars began to come out and Maija's breathing became soft and rhythmic, she closed her own eyes and her massive frame remained in front of her patient's like a large, furry shield.

-EXIT ODETTE-