The cloaked woman ran, she ran as fast as she could because her life depended on it. Saia was gone. She was dead and Rava wouldn’t let her sacrifice go to waste. She wouldn’t be caught. She couldn’t get caught. Somehow managing to retrieve her cloak, her safety blanket, as well as one of Saia’s feathers she ran from the place she was kept. She ran for days, only stopped when she’d run herself exhausted. She traveled at night and hunkered down under her cloak while she managed to get a few hours of sleep. Rava couldn’t stop, if she stopped she would be dead.

She had been keeping to the trees and briar lands, because of her tiny size she could navigate them much more nimbly than anything chasing her. The moon was high in the sky as she approached the edge of the prairie. It was miles and miles of open land. Her breath came in huge gulps as she calculated her next move. Most of the way she would be shielded by the grass, but not all of it was very tall quite yet. She needed food, she needed water, but all her body was telling her to do was run.

So Rava continued to run, her dark legs leapt off and she raced through the prairie grass. She didn’t know how far she had to go or when she might be safe. She just had to keep going.

Naiche had never intended to move so far west from the pack.  Roaming for long periods of time came naturally to him having grown up in a roaming band.  He ran with confidence in the new land, senses stretched out to the fullest to make sure he missed no surprises that could be a threat.  Before Naiche had left the pack lands he'd been sure to eat a good amount of food so if he failed at hunting it wouldn't be too bad.  His stomach informed him it would like some food, but it was ignored.  He wanted to head back before the sun started to rise.  Naiche had shared his desire to know the land surrounding them more before he left but again he hadn't planned to run quite so far.

Even as the thought came to him and his strides slow, he heard then smelled someone approaching fast.  The figure came into sight and moving fast.  Naiche's body tensed as the wolf appeared to be charging, but then smell of fear hit followed by her expression when she got closer.  She wasn't coming to attack but running in fear.  Fear of what.  Naiche didn't smell any threats he knew of.  If there was a threat, he wanted to know about it.  It certainly wouldn't be a threat to the pack from this distance, but the wheat-colored wolf had no desire to go back beaten up as if he couldn't care for himself.   Naiche turned his body to face the same way she was in case she didn't stop.

What was she wearing? Why was she wearing that? Once he expected she would hear him over her hammering heart he called out, "What are you runnig from? Where is the threat?" If she stopped to talk he'd wait, if she kept running he'd simply follow after her.  Running from a threat if there was no reason to fight was smart, however there were also reasons to run that only a coward would escape.  Which was she?
"Speech"

Rava raced through the grass, her heart pounding as fast as her feet. She should have been paying more attention, if she had she would have avoided the man much more fully. As it was he was speaking before she was trying to give him a wider burth. ”What are you running from?” Rava could hear the youthfulness in his voice, but she gave him a wary eye and didn’t stop. Her pace slowed slightly, if only because she couldn’t resist the pull of obedience. Still her fear was great, and she didn’t linger.

”He’s going to get me.” She was breathless as she explained, like it was obvious her master was after her. ”He’s going to kill me.” She was going to end up just like Saia. Her heart ached for the beautiful woman as she turned from the young man to continue running from her invisible demon.

Naiche started running at even speed as her though he didn’t get overly close to the scared wolf.  He had been running for a while but at that steady ground-eating pace that helped him feel more alive than exhausted.  This female had been burning herself out without thought consequences if he had to guess.  Her emotional state certainly suggested he was right.  The cloak was added weight, possibly not much but to run for one’s life you might as well disregard anything not necessary.

Naiche slowed as she spoke then fully stopped to scent the air better.  He hadn’t smelled anything that he felt was an immediate danger earlier.  The young wolf gave it a few seconds focus to make sure he hadn’t missed anything, ears straining but, where was the danger?  

The wheat-colored wolf chased after the lady, “What is following you? I don’t smell anything behind you.  You should rest or you won’t be able to fight.”  She wasn’t acting logically which is what happened when fear was allowed to consume you.  Naiche could have left her but it was a puzzling thing with no true sign of danger.  This smaller wolf reeked of her fear it was a disgusting scent that didn’t belong on any wolf.  So long as it was no threat to him, and the path was not heading farther from than the pack land then there was no concern with seeing if she just needed a reminder to be sensible.

"Speech"

Rava spooked when he started running along with her, but she knew she had to keep focused on the real threat. Her silver eyes were much like a doe in flight, wide and wild as she sought survival. She was a wraith of a wolf, unable to fight for herself. Physically as well as mentally, she’d been beaten into submission too many times. Rava had no idea what she was going to do in the future, her main concern was fleeing. She had to get far enough that she wouldn’t be found. He would track her to the ends of the earth and she wouldn’t forget it.

”He is following me.” Rava spared him a glance over her shoulder as she tried to convey her seriousness. Not that she had any reason to even do so, but her mind was half fueled by adrenaline at this point. Cohesion was no longer a strong suit. ”No, I can’t stop. He’ll catch up.” Her voice trailed off as she spoke but more clearly she could say, ”I can’t fight. He’ll kill me.” Rava put on another burst of speed, she might not have realized it but it would be one of her last. Naiche was right and she was going to run herself into exhaustion.

Naiche didn’t bother trying to keep up with her.  His eyes kept track of her as she got farther ahead in such a wide open landscape, and even if somehow she got out of sight his nose and ears would keep track. The young wolf expected she would run in a straight line as fear rarely allowed for logic to consider alternate directions.

Whenever she started to slow he’d be ready to catch up to her. “Going to run until you pass out? Then you really will be caught,” the sharp tone of disgust in his voice. “Stop, or whatever is chasing you will have you.”  One thing was for sure, someone as cowardly as this had no place in his pack.  Still, so long as it didn’t put him in serious danger he could at least try to put some sense into her.  “You say you can’t fight? You have teeth and claws.  All you need is a sliver of courage and you can fight.”

This would be a great place to stop and hunt.  The scent of prey littered this place including smaller prey he could hunt alone.  “Likewise, if you can’t run you can’t hunt and if you can’t hunt you die.”  These facts seemed obvious to Naiche, why weren’t they obvious to her?  He could offer to watch over her for a little while and let her rest but he didn’t particularly feel like it at the moment.  She was weak, and sometimes the weak died.  This wolf would have to prove she was more than what he saw now for his help to that extent.  If she was nothing more than what he saw then let her be another carcass to litter the land.  The vultures would be grateful.
"Speech"

If this young man could keep up with her and track her here in these lands so could the man who’d bought her. She couldn’t sleep until she found a place to hide. She couldn’t find a place to hide until she escaped from the plains. Rava didn’t feel safe with the golden marked yearling either, the tone of disgust he took with her only reminded her further of her place in the world. The one she was trying so hard to escape, but wouldn’t likely get there.

Already her breath came in greater gasps as her body fought for oxygen that couldn’t come readily enough. She’d been travelling hard for days now, pushing herself too far in her attempt to reach freedom. He told her she really could fight, but Rava knew otherwise. The exhausted woman came to a halt, her breathing ragged as her chest heaved. She looked around, sure that the moment she stopped he’d be there to pounce. ”I can’t fight. He’ll crush me.” After doing unspeakable things that leeched into her mind. She would never forget Saia… Her heart broke for her again and again as she just short of begged for a better outcome.

”You think I don’t know that?” She asked him, the desperation and trauma catching up with her as she spoke. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered Saia holding her tightly. ”Starving to death is preferable.” Rava spoke darkly, hiding her features with the hood of her cloak.

She finally stopped, though it appeared because she had no other option than true reason.  “Who is he and why would he?”  Naiche’s words now took on a tired tolerant.  “Did you do something to deserve this?” Her talk had him now assuming it had to be another wolf.  No animal should inspire that fear.  What sin had she done to her pack or was it her pack that worked against her.  There was no point in offering her help if she had done some wrong that would betray her pack.  

The tannish colored wolf sat down, looking back over his shoulder and still seeing nothing.  “Tell me what happened and if I find reason to protect you I might.”  He probably wouldn’t, not unless she surprised him with a story that went beyond most of what he could imagine up.  Admittedly Naiche was young and perhaps there were scenario’s he hadn’t thought up.

Naiche doubted anything was coming, at least anytime soon but still he would raise his nose up occasionally to make sure no other wolf would sneak up on them.  The young wolf wanted to at least hear her story before he ditched her, if that did end up being the outcome.  
"Speech"

Rava didn’t think she would ever catch her breath, her shoulders heaved and her tongue rolled out of her mouth as she barely kept from gasping. The man who stopped her pressed further, who was it chasing her? He asked about her involvement in the chase, why was she being hunted like a prey animal? Rava scowled, but still kept her expression hidden by the hood as she looked away from him. The horrors she’d seen, what Virion did..

”I didn’t do anything to deserve this. She spoke through labored breaths. No one deserved what she had been through. He asked again, what had been done? As though she had to explain her reasoning for running for her life. ”I don’t want your help.” She’d already begged enough in her life. If he stuck around and helped fight her demons, great, but she hadn’t asked anyone for help. Especially Saia. Rava grit her teeth. She didn’t want to tell him what happened, she hated admitting to herself what happened.

She didn’t deserve whatever had her being chased?  She didn’t bother trying to offer an explanation and made it clear she hadn’t asked for his help.  So much for gleaning information that way.  Why should he help her? “Well, good luck,” a cold formality in his voice. Naiche stood up, gave her a disgusted look and started a relaxed jog back in the direction of his new home.  It was still a good distance away, why waste time, why waste even one breath on her.  Naiche wasn’t going to help some weakling who offered so little.

Naiche traveled a few minutes when he smelled blood and turned in the direction of the scent.  Hidden in a clump of grass was an injured rabbit.  There was the scent of no predator nor sickness on it.  Naiche’s best guess was it had simply been the loser in a fighting match against another rabbit.   The rabbit tried to run but this was one of those lucky opportunities for Naiche as it could do little more than a few week hops.  Naiche lunged in to bite its neck and give a vicious shake.  It was no great hunt, the rabbit would of died on its own if not by a predator.

Naiche put a paw on the rabbit, getting ready to rip it open but then held the position.  Irritation built up in his gut but he picked the rabbit back up and turned around.  She didn’t deserve it but then again Naiche hadn’t really earned it himself.  He jogged back to where she was, corpse in his mouth.  If she had left again he’d follow her trail but he doubted she could go far.  After this he would leave her, he would of done his part in helping out.  The rabbit smelled wonderful and holding it in his jaws had him salivating.  The young wolf was hungry, just not as hungry as the girl was.
"Speech"

She didn’t explain herself nor did she have any reason to. Rava didn’t owe him the reasoning behind her flight. He seemed to have been convinced enough to make a decision though. She watched his features shift as he wished her well and turned to go. Rava felt a relief sweep over her as he disappeared in the grasses. Her shoulders fell and a heavy sigh left her slim body. Her inner self begged to be allowed to rest, and Rava debated if she could make it to the next copse of trees.

The young woman stood up and tried to take a few steps but was quickly forced back to the ground. She was much too tired, this was where she would be forced to remain. Worry settled in her heart just as quickly as the relief had previously. Still, she had to rest even if she didn’t get any sleep. The tiny she wolf scooted herself under a large clump of grass and hid her paws and nose beneath her cloak. She would rest here as long as possible.

Her heart stopped in fear as she woke at the sound of pawsteps, she was loathe to move lest she give away her position. Scent could possibly lead someone to her, but then they’d have to see her. Worriedly she peeked an eye out at the scent of rabbit and she was greeted with the reappearance of the boy from earlier. Why had he come back? Rava lifted her head, not moving from her clump in the grass as she eyed him suspiciously.

Naiche could smell her, so what did it matter if his eyes saw her or not?  He was never one to ignore a scent, it offered a much broader picture of the world.  The corpse in his jaws smelled so good, a bit of blood leaking out from it promised him it would be satisfying.  He was doing this why again? She didn't want his help, appeared like a weakling and offered no answers.  Moons and stars above, Naiche didn't know why he was doing it and at this moment it didn't matter.

It was her movement he spotted, when she raised his head he tossed the rabbit on the ground near her.  "I found it dying a ways off."  It seemed important she understand he hadn't bothered putting effort into getting her something.  Naiche would not waste energy on her, at least none of consequence.  Admittedly a rabbit wasn't a huge meal but it would calm a hungry belly for a time.  Naiche promised his own stomach food a bit later.  Funny how he hadn't felt as hungry until the food had been dangling in his mouth.

"Eat up.  Then if you want to sleep I'll watch over you until the darkness is about to fade.  I have to return to my pack though.  So after this you're on your own."  When had he become so charitable?  Naiche didn't like her attitude, didn't like how cowardice, didn't even like the stupid cloak, so what was he doing?  It didn't make sense and he still didn't care if she died when he left but for the time being it felt like he should do this.  In someway he hadn't grasped yet it felt wrong to leave her this helpless.  A free meal and a few hours sleep would do for his conscience.   Sitting down, he looked to the rabbit then up at the sky appearing to give her little attention."Speech"

The cloaked beauty jumped lightly as the man tossed a rabbit towards her. Rava’s heart hammered in her chest, surprised at the rabbit as much as his return. Silver eyes glanced at him, hood tilted up and her features were clear as he spoke to her. He didn’t press any further, and he must have felt something for her plight to feed her. The young man explained he’d found it, though she wouldn’t ask for explanation, but already she didn’t think she could finish it. Her stomach was so small these days.

She wondered what changed his mind, he’d seemed to have resigned her to her fate. Which had been fine, she really hadn’t asked and his bargaining wasn’t worth telling him to her. Now though, she had dinner before her, stomach already growling as she hesitated slightly before moving forward to crouch over the carcass like a cat might.

As she broke into the meal he offered to keep watch while she slept. Rava lifted her brows as silver eyes found him uncertainly. She trusted him only in that he hadn’t shown her reason not to. Maybe he’d poisoned the rabbit and wanted to wait until it took effect. Too late for that now. ”Thank you.” Rava spoke between bites as his attention left her and she focused on the rabbit. Though she was ravenous she didn’t even consume half of what was offered. Carefully she backed away from it, returning ownership to him as she settled back into the grass clump that sheltered her.

Naiche was working out in his own mind why he was doing these things for Rava.  The mixtures of fear and defeat she showed right now were things that sickened him.  Showing weakness was on his list of things to hate.  She was a great example of a wolf he'd say better off left for dead if it couldn't survive on its own.  So here he was giving her a little help for a chance of survival.

The rabbit had taken no effort, and a few hours delay wasn't the end of the world.  So there was really nothing to lose, right?  Nothing to lose unless a threat really was coming after her and he had just agreed to watch over her.  Why? What sort of idiot was he?

"You're welcome," tolerantly responded while inside chiding himself some more as an idiot.

Naiche was surprised when she didn't finish the rabbit.  The wheat-colored wolf thought of gruffly telling her to keep eating but he was done with offering solid logic to her besides, he was hungry.  Naiche moved back to the rabbit, finishing off what was left.

There were a few comments he thought to share which included reminding her to sleep instead of just lying there until she had enough strength to trot a mile and collapse.  Naiche could of tried to ask her questions after offering her a good deed.  She clearly didn't like talking to him.  His eyes lifted up to the sky and the brilliant moon standing watch over them.  That would be his time clock till he could leave her.  Maybe she’d be willing to talk more after she slept, maybe not.  What did it matter? Most likely he was saving her now just that so she died another day.
"Speech"

Rava didn’t know why he was helping her, she hadn’t asked nor did she necessarily want it. She didn’t want to be in debt, especially not anymore than she already was. She owed so much to Saia… She buried the thought down deep. If she thought too heavily on the decorated woman she would begin to cry, and there was no room for tears right now. Maybe if Naiche hadn’t helped her she would have made it somewhere she could relax and focus on survival. She wouldn’t know now, only one thing was certain and that was she would never be safe.

She tucked herself away neatly, giving him a slight nod as he told her she was welcome. He may not have been excited about offering his help but he was being very kind. Maybe it was a kindness Rava didn’t quite deserve but she really was appreciative of it. Perhaps it meant more knowing he had been so reluctant to begin with.

The star marked woman prayed that her captor would not catch up while the man was looking over her. He didn’t hold a candle to how big her previous master was. She shuddered lightly as the image of Saia’s lifeless eyes stared back at her… Rava shook the thoughts from herself again as she put her head to her paws and Naiche finished the rabbit.

”I’m a runaway slave.” Rava finally said quietly after she’d closed her silver eyes and her body began to relax against the hard ground. ”My master will kill me when he finds me.” She mumbled afterwards, as though proving her earlier words to him. She sighed softly and curled in on herself as sleep touched at her consciousness.

Runaway slave?  That certainly fit with her emotional state.  If she had committed a crime that marked her as a slave then he could be helping someone Naiche really shouldn’t be.  What had he butted his head into?  She didn’t seem the type to have intentionally committed a crime worthy of it.  Appearances were deceiving.  Naiche was growing more sure of that truth every day.

What did Naiche even think of slavery in packs? It was a thing that existed, it was part of a hierarchy that some used so it certainly wasn’t to be labeled as evil.  Perhaps how Naiche felt about it went more by how a slave was treated and what had earned its rank.  A wolf who would be caught and dragged in as a slave certainly had a right to try and escape.  One who committed an unforgivable sin such as killing another packmate could be tortured until they begged for death.  So how much did he know about what she deserved from her explanation?

“Well, for tonight he won’t find you.  I’ve got a good nose, keen ears, and plenty of energy to stay alert while you sleep.” There was no sympathetic warmth or any mush to the statement, just confirming he wasn’t worried about her master.  Funny.  If he was coming after he maybe Naiche should be?  Oh well.  Naiche was going to keep his word.  Outside of his pack he felt no moral necessity to tell the truth, but in this instance it felt wrong to break his word.  

Naiche constantly went with trusting his gut, which was sometimes right and sometimes not.  It was a plan of action however and better than being uncertain.  So he decided to believe this one was right to try and gain her freedom.  That was all well and good except she wasn’t likely to survive the way things were going.  She would need a pack to take care of her, but Naiche had no plans to invite her into the armada.  No weakling would get into his pack.  There were limits to how nice he would be.

The young wolf remained quiet and alert.  If the shy wolf actually decided to talk he would, but otherwise he just waited on silent vigil.  She would be under his protection until the first bit of light was seen.
"Speech"

Rava was very nearly asleep as he answered her, assuring the once captive that she would be watched over for tonight. Maybe she would sleep a little easier, but really there wasn’t much this man could do against the one that sought her blood. ”Don’t sacrifice yourself,” She mumbled heavily with closed eyes and a still form. Moments later and she had passed out. Her exhausted body wrapped her in a deep sleep within moments. apparently his efforts were enough for that. With her belly full and the illusion of safety around her Rava drifted away into dreamless sleep.

-time skip?-

Rava woke before dawn, her eyes fluttered open instinctively after so long at making up early like this. The scent of Naiche was still heavy and she knew he hadn’t been on his way yet. Quietly the woman stood up and wandered a ways away before relieving herself in privacy.

She had no idea what she was going to do next except keep running. When she found safety she’d know it, and this was not it. Just as quietly she’d return to the little grass clearing she’d called her den and liquid silver eyes searched for the dark shadow that would be his form. ”Thank you.” She offfered again now that all offered services were rendered. Rava doubted that she would see him again, but she did give her appreciation where it was due. He’d helped her despite being turned away, and maybe he really had saved her.

Naiche didn’t respond, didn’t even bother moving at her comment.  What would he do if some monster charged them?  Wake her and run seemed the smartest answer.  Fighting would be the stupid answer if he was really that dangerous and Naiche had no personal grudges with it.

--Time skip--

Time passed.  The moon was descending and Naiche kept his gaze on it.  His ears flicked as she got up, turning his head to watch her walk a way off.  She appeared calmer now.  Naiche had no doubt she was still scared but at least there seemed to be logic once more controlling her versus raw emotion.  That was a better look for any wolf.

When she came back from relieving herself Naiche nodded.  He stood up, glad to be done with his silent vigil.  “No problem.  However, it’s time for me to be on my way.” He took a few steps away and looked back.  “I scented nothing while you slept, nor saw sign of any prey being scared of anything farther off.” Of course, now that she was awake she could tell the same.

“Good luck.  You look better.  Find yourself a pack and you should be fine.” He wouldn’t be her guardian until she was with others, but a few words of encouragement seemed fine.  He was ready to be home though.  It was a nice feeling, that he had a home to go back too with wolves he trusted to have his back.
"Speech"