A new Empire
The Archers came, ready to roam and plunder, to stir up something new and explore what the Mother Moon had newly handed them. A new land and with time and seeing how very different these lands were, it would seem like a whole new world for the Archer brothers. Further and further the reaches of the brothers' travels stretched, alas this time with the Amazon in tow. Judas and Ramiel would have certainly rather go off on this little mission to their own selves though Judas had only expected the Amazon had been made to come in order to keep the brothers in check. Despite her being younger, Ellery was far more responsible and prompt and when it came to her mother's will, did her best at her work. If they had any chance at all in rounding up and bringing back those that had wandered off, Nineva knew best to bring along someone who would make sure not to dilly-dally.
One would wander why the men would have been chosen to do a task, granted their (mostly so Judas) flighty, lazy and pompous nature. Simply the brothers Archer had traveled by far and time and time again, with a certain ascent of navigation that would ensure they would not be lost by those who counted on them. They would make it back one way or another, eventually...
So alas they strode, having woken early that morning and came to here by afternoon. The air was still as chilled and crisp even as the sun rose high in the sky. A clear day, a good autumn day. While the worry of winter to come and finding the pups quickly was a thought, Judas felt this autumn season thus far was not so bitter, so cold. Maybe this winter would not be so harsh after all, especially in this land, it seemed. Boreas outstretched before them, the scent of wolves heavy in the area. Unknowingly, three packs lie around them in territories not far off. There was a good chance the pups would have been distracted by this, could have settled there to expand their knowledge of other packs in lands beyond the Devilsbite Dell. Yet the woods directly ahead was at the forefront of Judas thoughts and he pauses, jutting his muzzle forward to his comrades, a smile on his inky mug.
"Well will ya look at that." The willows brought out a memory of a land far, far from here, tugging at him with nostalgia that stilled him as he drank in the view of the lands around him. It was a quaint little grove, with plenty of little creeks and streams slowly moving throughout suggesting a larger source of water beyond. The willows hung bold, large, their branches stretching down to the grasses below to make veils of little curtains to hide from under. The majority of the trees were yellow, vibrant whilst a few were a mix of green and darker golden.
The black Archer takes a few paces closer, standing to a small stream and drinking, the water cold and refreshing. He laughs a bit, tail saying behind him. "Just like old times, hu?"
The land they’d arrived in was different from any other she’d been in, that much was certain from the weather. Back in the Lore and the Dell, this time of year there was certain to have been at least one snowfall already. Of course that didn’t bother her a bit. Her fur was plush and thick, and while she did shed for the summer months it was still almost unbearable. But in the winter? That was when she flourished.
The travel with the two Archer men had, as expected, taken longer than she anticipated. Of course there was little that could be expected with travel when you were going somewhere you’d never been. But she knew they probably could have shaved a few days off if Judas and Ramiel hadn’t been content to sniff around and peruse to their hearts’ desires. She tried not to act too impatient, but she knew she came off that way.
Nineva had told her to go along with them for a few reasons, but the biggest one was to be more...what was the phrase she’d used again...ah, independent. Ellery took some offense to this. She considered herself to be very independent. Just because she was happy to do her mother’s righteous bidding didn’t mean she wasn’t able to be her own wolf. But, Ellery went along with it anyways, even with her own reasons. Sure, she would go along and yeah she’d be able to explore while they were out, but the main goal was to retrieve Scully, Avella and Clouse. Well, mainly Clouse. Scully and Avella, as her agemates, were plenty old enough to take care of themselves, but Clouse was a 6 month old pup and her little brother. He needed the protection of a pack, not of that wayward pair. Well, Scully was the more wayward one, Avella usually seemed to be along for the ride.
The Hervok woman watched Judas take a drink from the stream and the look in his eyes told her that they’d be there a while. So, she plopped her butt down. “With the way you talk sometimes, you’d think you were 13 instead of 3,” she mused.
"Speech"
![[Image: Ellerychibi.png]](https://i.ibb.co/LgmxvYh/Ellerychibi.png)
No, what concerned Ramiel was the current season and what it might mean for them and their mission. Bring Avella, Scully, and Clouse home. It was a difficult mission for the Dark Archer considering he didn't believe them to have been entirely wrong in fleeing the Dell. Their timing just could have been a little better if he were honest. Entering the Grove of trees Ramiel swallowed down the emotions that welled up in his chest. He was reminded of another time and place. The changing leave that still remaind on the branches fluttered in the breeze. It was a chilly breeze that ruffled the fur across his back. "Who knew we'd find another like it," he stated as he joined his brother in a drink.
Having had enough of the cold, crisp water he rose his head licking his lips. His silver gaze landed on the girl as she spoke. Then he chuckled before crossing the distance where he could bump her shoulder teasingly, "Sometimes it feels like we're thirteen right Judas," he stated throwing his brothers name over his shoulder. After what the Archer brothers had seen and done in their three years of life it was a wonder that didn't feel like they were thirty.
Looking around again Ramiel was struck with a thought. "I know its not our style brother but should the chance arise that more suitable arrangements can't be made for winter we consider sheltering here. That is if it doesn't get claimed before then an provides proper accommodations." It was something they would need to consider considering he didn't know what they were facing, bitter cold or a mild winter that could be gotten through easily.
"After all we wouldn't want Nin to kill us for letting the princess freeze would we?" he said clearly joking
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He couldn't help the half-cocked smirk which spread over his features at Ellery's words, causing him to toss his head around his foreleg to look back at her. "Yeah well, we've seen a lot of shit." A chuckle as he glances over into his brother's direction who in turn teased back. Of course, Judas always had a snarky comeback. "Dont listen to him Elle. Hes just mad he isnt aging as finely as I." Of course, they were both only three, hardly old by any means.
The majority of their lives they had wandered around from one place to the next: from 'pack hopping' around the Lore mostly between their relatives leading packs, to visiting Torbine higher in the north, to Devilsbite Dell where they had been born and then southward here, where they hoped they would run into the little group that had wandered off on them. At least they hadn't decided to go northward this time of year, he thought.
Judas heard his brother out then as he considered settling here for a while, more than a few days which would have been Judas idea, but to stay maybe here for the whole winter. His lips formed in a tight line, considering it. It wanted to find his cousins but more so he worried about the safety of the kid, which just so happened to be his. If they didn't find him before winter maybe someone at least would and take him in.
Judas begins again in a slow lope, moving along the various little streams and sniffing the crisp air, then the chilled ground below. "With the scent of plenty other wolves around and finding these willows, maybe it's a good sign to come." Maybe Mother Moon was giving them a clue, guiding them into the direction they need be in order to bring his cousins and son back to them. "This might be a good place as any to settle, gather intel from the locals. If we're in luck they got caught up somewhere around here. Look like a good hunting?" His dark gray eyes scanned between them, only to land on the young woman in their group. Out of the three of them, she had the best luck when it came to the hunt and he trusted her judgement on that.
Both the Archer men gave her a little shove, grins emanating from their dark faces and she gave them both a bump right back. They got on her nerves and she had quite a bit to say about their morals and code of conduct, but at the end of the day she’d grown up with the pair. They’d been there from day one, albeit in and out due to their wanderlust, but they came back. Would she have preferred they stay put, especially now that Judas had seen fit to knock her mom up? Of course. But there was nothing to be done about it now other than keep a knowing, watchful eye on them.
However, the mention of possibly having to stay in these new lands wiped her smirk from her face. That was the last thing she wanted, to be truthful. The small optimistic side of her had told her that they’d simply be able to track the pair down and bring them back within a few months. But it had already been a few months and though it felt like they were getting closer, the trio were still nowhere in sight. The odds of them having to shelter out the winter there were looking greater and greater the more she thought about it, which left a bad taste in her mouth.
Judas seemed to agree with Ramiel and she couldn’t say he was wrong, so she said nothing. That was, until Judas mentioned prey. She gave a look around them, head lifting to the air to draw in a deep breath and she also thought back on what they’d seen coming in. After a moment she nodded. “This would be a good place to stay. Plenty of little hidey holes for rabbits and smaller prey to nest in and there’s streams for fishing. We likely won’t find much large prey here, what with it being so enclosed by these other packs, but I’m sure there are some plains and woodlands close-by should we need something a little more filling,” she replied, a thoughtful look on her pale features. She really did stand out among the two men at nearly half a foot taller than each and pale blonde to their black and silver.
“I hope we can find Clouse before winter does turn in. I’m not sure how bad it’ll be here. Comparing it to how the Lore normally is this time of year, I’d say it might be more mild, but either way its his first winter.”
"Speech"
The crap he and his brother had seen in their three years was better left unspoken. They hadn't led the lives of angels by any means and speaking for himself he didn't think Ellery should be exposed to it. The Dark Archer let out a barking laugh at Judas' comment. "I think you've got it wrong brother. I think of the two of us its me whose aging more gracefully," he teased right back puffing out his chest arrogantly to emphasize his words.
After the teasing words his thoughts returned to her causing him to go quiet for a moment or two. He wasn't meant to be on this mission this winter. He was meant to be bringing his daughter to meet her grandfather. He wanted to show Skoll the wonderful woman he'd found for himself. That wasn't ever going to happen now.
It wasn't often his brother disagreed with him about anything and he didn't expect it to happen this time. Except Ellery was with them and he wanted to believe she was a sensible girl. Ramiel knew she wanted to find the trio and get back to her mother.
Ramiel moved to keep step with his brother as Judas agreed with his previous words. The surprise came when Ellery also agreed even going on to answer Judas question about the hunting. "If we're going to make this our base of operations it might not be a bad idea to set up a few caches," he commented, "The hunting may seem good now but we don't know what it will be a few months from now."
They'd already been searching months for Scully, Avella, and Clouse. It was reasonable to believe they might be searching for a few more at the very least. The Dark Archers ear swiveled in the princess direction as she spoke. In an odd moment of caring he replied. "I hope we find him before winter too but if we don't we need to be prepared for that. We can hope that it will be milder here especially if we don't find him before winter sets in." If the winter was more mild they would more easily be able to continue their search.
from the center of the hollow moon Sure, Judas had a streak with wandering around, but wanting to work, not wanting to play by the rules but alas, he was still here. He would never admit it, but his favoritism for getting into fights made for a good guardian if he only minded the borders regularly and even if he strayed he still did scout, right? He could try to butter his deeds up, sure. In the long run however, it was Nineva who had disbanded their pack and left the Lore. Judas was just lucky enough to have ran into her again because alas, if anything, Ellery's mother was the only one who could make good use of Judas. She had caught the jerk's eye the moment he saw her, still but a yearling. While the two brothers were in agreement to staying here throughout the winter, Ellery remained silent. If they were lucky, these new lands of lush vegetation and life, would have caught their missing family member's attention and they would find them soon. However even if they did find them like now, it would be a few months before they got back. A few months which just so happened to be the winter season. While Judas didnt mind daring his own capabilities, he wasnt about to try and test his six month old kid. To his brother's comment on their looks, he snorts. Then again, Ramiel had found himself a girl, as far as he knew, but how fond he was of her was left unspoken. Elle was mentioning the prey, how plenty of smaller food sources would be around but not much larger game, especially seeing as in order to graze in this area they would have to go through quite a bit of wolf territory. Judas nodded silently, listening in to Ramiel mentioning caches to be had. "Yeah, south of the Dell and Lore, hopefully winter wont get bad and herds wont be forced off, prey wont go scarce. But I guess we wont know for sure." Not until it came down to it at least. The winter seemed as though it would be less harsh but as said, he still didnt want to take risks and wouldn't slack off at least when it came to Clouse. The other two were damn well grown enough to know better. "Guess its settled then." He mentioned on behalf of them all being in agreement to stay here for the time. Whether they ended up finding another place more suitable, at least they would have a hub of sorts to meet back at so they didnt loose one another in their search. "We should look around, find a good place for a den. These willows are pretty and all but wont be much of any cover when winter hits." He lifted his head higher, sniffing the air and scanning the rolling willow vale. "I dont much like it, but maybe tomorrow morning we can split up, cover more ground?" |
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After Ellery piped in, she sat quietly as the two men conversed. Thankfully they still referenced her and asked for her input, of which she would have given regardless. Even from a young age she’d been determined to make her voice heard, to be included in the decisions being made for the group. Nineva had obliged her, gently guiding her when her ideas perhaps weren’t the best or just downright dumb. Elle had always thought her mother a wise woman and had looked at her as the ultimate power, other than the Ancestors of course, but the more she thought about her and how she’d been raised, the more she realized just how great her mom was. Of course she had flaws like any other, but she was righteous and just and did everything in her power for the greater good. Yeah, she was a lucky girl.
Ramiel mentioned preparing caches and Judas mentioned shelter. Both things she could agree with, so naturally her head bobbed up and down in a nod. “I can go catch us something for the night if you two want to start looking for some suitable shelter. Can’t promise it’ll be anything grand, probably just some a couple rabbits or some fish, but maybe we can try and take down something bigger tomorrow after we sniff around,” she offered, looking between the pair for their thoughts.
"Speech"
Ramiel listened as his brother spoke of the same hopes that he had of the winter time come. Some else that they could hope for was finding their three family members before the really cold weather hit. They could all hunker down there in the Grove. It would mean more mouths to feed but their force would be bigger. It would allow them to bring down bigger prey more often. "No we won't know for sure," he agreed with his brother, "We may get lucky and the herds won't go scarce because they are used to living in the winters." That was probably a long shot but this land was different and the animals might be different too.
Judas went on to say that they needed to look around for a place that would provide them good shelter. Ramiel nodded at his brother's words. "As much I would like to stay among the willows you are correct. They won't provide us much shelter. A cave or abandon den might serve us better. We'll need something that can give us and the others shelter too." They needed to plan for more in case they were able to find them an persuade them.
"I don't like it much either brother but we have to do what is necessary and time is running out." The last thing he wanted to do was split up but they didn't know how winter worked.
His silver gaze turned on Ellery as she spoke. "I think that's a good plan princess. Doesn't matter. At least we won't go hungry," he told her trying to be as encouraging as he was capable of. "We can meet here, discuss what we find over the fine dinner Elle will surely catch us?"
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from the center of the hollow moon Winter, hopefully, wouldn't be hard. The locals and their packs, hopefully, wouldn't cause them any trouble. It was all hopefulness which would be likely cast down, if Judas had learned anything from experience. If they could gather those they had lost, a pack of six, even if one was a pup, still gave them much better odds at survival for the next few months. Had it been Avella and Scully which had wondered off on their own Judas would have left the pair, now adults, to it. However, they had dragged his son along with them for the ride... His brother now, was in agreement with splitting up the following morning, seemingly already having been thinking on the idea. Judas grumbles, a front paw swiping at the earth as he nods with the knowledge that they needed to 'get it done' and quickly so. Casting his dark eyes to Ellery, he offers a sideways smirk as Ramiel teased."Yes, whatever our princess thinks fit. Her common folk are hungry." Though he jest with her, it was true that she had, after all, been a princess in the pack Judas and Ramiel had joined some time ago whilst she was still just a little girl. Judas couldnt say he had the luxury, but being an Archer none the less had gotten him through life and out of bad situations plenty enough.
After a good stretch, the Archer began off in a lazy lope, looking out for anything of interest. "Come on Ram, guess we ought to get to it. " And so he went trotting off. |
Both men seemed to agree with her idea without any protest, thankfully. Not that they usually did, after all she typically made plenty of valid points not to toot her own horn. She did, however, have to bite her cheek when they called her princess. With Ramiel, she knew it wasn’t a jibe, it was just what he’d always done. Judas, however, held a distinctly teasing tone and she shot him a sharp look. Ellery hadn’t been a ‘princess’ for a long, long time. She wasn’t even sure she’d been 6 months old when the keep had disbanded and it wasn’t like they were hurrying to set something new up anytime soon, despite what her mother had claimed. But, it did no good to dwell on these thing, something she’d learned, so instead of correcting the men she turned and made her way into the woods with a swish of her tail.
"Speech"
Moving next to Ellery he smiled and brushed his muzzle across her cheek affectionately. "Be careful out there," he told before joining his brother. It wasn't that he thought she couldn't take care of herself, he was sure she could. He'd watched her grow up and cared what happened to her. It did bother him a bit sending her off on her own.
~Fade