Tragic

Bronze couldn't deny that the return of Incendium's leadership had made him think a little differently about things. Of course his parents had always ingrained in him the importance of respect, but more than that they stressed that personal autonomy was the most important thing, above all else. Protecting oneself, and one's family, was more important than anything else. He had no doubt his siblings shared the same sentiments, and his sister Onyx speaking out at the meeting only further proved his point - they were training perfectly fine on their own. They didn't need a pack to encourage them, or protect them.. did they? He knew his mother stressed the importance of staying in a pack of like minded wolves but he wondered if they really needed to stay here forever, or if there was more out there they should be seeing. Well - he knew there was plenty more, but her words of warning echoed in his mind. It was safe here, and not everywhere was safe, but Oki's words still echoed through his head from time to time.

'It's like they all read off the same script, if ya ask me.' Maybe he was right about that, but he knew his mom wouldn't lie to him just for the sake of it. The world was dangerous - but at what point was the danger worth the risk? It was a question he knew he wouldn't find an answer to anytime soon. And though he wouldn't pretend to know what he should do, he couldn't deny the slight hint of wanderlust that had begun to settle in his soul. Soon the snow would return in full force and traveling would become more difficult, and he was happy to take advantage of the mild weather while he still could. He'd stolen away from his family before they could notice, and he'd headed south just before dawn broke. He didn't go far, but truthfully he hadn't gone farther than this before. He was cautious about the trail he was taking, keeping an eye on the horizon as the sun slowly rose above it and cast a brilliant cascade of color across the sky. As long as he remembered the orientation of the sun and the direction it was heading, he'd be able to find his way back home, no matter how far he went - at least that was what he was telling himself.

Large paws carried the oversized boy through the hilly landscape, no real goal in mind for his little adventure today. By the time he neared the entrance to the mines, the sun had begun to rise. It was a lovely sight, casting long shadows down all around him, and he paused to take in a deep breath of air. The faint breeze brought with it the smell of a stranger, which wasn't surprising given that he was fairly far from home. Blue eyes scanned his surroundings, trying to assess if he might be in any danger. These were free lands, not claimed by anyone, at least that was what his nose told him - but around strangers he was always wary. He moved more slowly and carefully now, poised as if ready to flee at a moment's notice. Only when a fiery red coat appeared through the underbrush did Bronze freeze, examining Ignatius from a far before making his presence known - accidentally, as he took another step and heard the unmistakable crack of a branch snapping beneath a paw. Dammit.