Serves You Right.

*Cormalin* · 09-11-2013, 04:33 AM

Cormalin

Cormalin had a lot on his mind tonight. The Challenge was drawing near, and anticipation and worry were making his muscles tense. So as he padded along the border on his evening patrol, breathing the air that was beginning to hold that crisp smell of autumn, he thought about it. The best he could hope for in this challenge, was a win, and that none of the rest of the pack would get it in their heads to sneak along to watch. They didn?t need more trouble on their paws, and a war, was far too much trouble for either pack. Glaciem was just starting out, and Valhalla, while being the strongest pack, and largest, had gone without war for as long as he?d been in its ranks. Erani had told him that Glaciem and Valhalla had been at odds before he?d come, back when it had been called Starlite. But that had smoothed out.

He sighed. He wanted Surreal to be fully trained before she had to go into a war. So young. And yet so serious. So determined to become something good for Valhalla. So unlike her sisters. Lyric was reserved, sweet and shy. Arella was bubbly, vivacious and fast paced, but had no ambition. He hadn?t seen either of them recently, though Arella had been late to the meeting. Lyric hadn?t shown at all. He worried about his sister, and her children. She had taken Gabriels final disappearance badly, and she visited Cairo?s grave often. Nova?s absence was taking its toll as well. Castiel was absent as well. Surreal was the only one who had stuck around, visible every day, though she had taken her own alcove in her mothers den.

Chrysanthe was busy with the pack, Epiphron was in Seracia, busy as a Queen, and a mother to boot. Neo had vanished, and Erani had taken his turn to darkness hard. Preston had vanished as well. Syrinx and Eos? He knew Erani saw them as her children, but he also knew that they did not see her as a mother. They were back to Valhalla, with children born between them. It was an odd idea, but not unheard of. They hadn?t approached Erani, not once. He shook his head. He was very glad Chrysanthe and Epiphron had taken her as a mother. Before, because he too had wondered if she could ever have pups as springs had passed by before, and her heat had not added its own special musk to the other scents of females born in spring. And he?d seen her distraught glances at other females who had mates and pups on the way, and the way she had drawn the stoic strength around her like a cloak. Content, but never truly fulfilled. Not till Nova. He?d thought, at first, that Nova had finally completed his sister. That his sister could finally have her family; her happily ever after.

But no. Nova had now vanished, and her younger son had vanished. And her eldest son was Luna knew where. Her youngest daughter was scarce as well, and her middle daughter was as well. And Cairo had died. He knew she tried to hide the grief, but that far away look in her eyes came sometimes. The shadows came and left in one glance. And she visited his grave daily, and sometimes twice in one day. He knew she blamed herself for Guinevere the firsts loss, even if no one else did. He sighed again, then paused, listening. The wind brought a scent to his nose. He?d smelled it before, on the same night Guinevere had died. And sometimes before. Erani had already greeted the wolf that sat in the plains. No sign of wariness from her, so he stepped out, just as she turned to smile at him.

He padded to his sister?s side, returning her nuzzle to his shoulder as she introduced the male. Ah yes, Erebus. ?Welcome home, Erebus. It?s good to see another Valhallan returned safely, even after these years. I recall hearing that you were a warrior?? They needed more warriors, Gammas particularly. In these times. ?Are you in practice with your skills? We could use more Gammas.? The question was conversationally casual, interested.

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