The isle
from the center of the hollow moon
A sharp inhale. The Archer takes in the scent of muddy earth, sands, salt and fish. The view before him laid out a patchwork of land and sea, as slices of streams and creeks sat side by side strips of land until reaching out into open ocean. The large piece of land a rather large island, lush with forestry. The afternoon was still bright but the breeze off the ocean much colder then inland, he realized. Judas had not much experience when it came to oceans. Having grown up into the Dell only to leave his birth pack and move to the Lore, Judas had not experienced much of an ocean until he had branched off on his travels. He had smelt it, seen it from afar but until now he had not the full experience of what it was like to live near a coast. Nose crinkling to the sharp salty scents, he padded along the slivers of land, hoping and dashing between the streams going out to the coast from one little island to the next. If he was lucky, he would find an easy meal trapped within one of the tide pools around here. Judas didnt often hunt large game and when it came to getting smaller prey he would try to get away with scavenging and stealing rather then to do the work of it all his own. Typical for the dark Archer, who now looked for an easy meal. "." |
The breeze across the sand ruffled his dark fur as he moved up next to Judas. This was the first time in what seemed a long time where it was just the two of them wandering about. It was what they did best after all.
"Here we are like old times," stated the Dark Archer, "You think we'll manage to scare up a little dinner here?" It was the first thing that came to mind to say since he'd not told Judas about his family. He still wasn't sure he was ready to go into it with Judas or anyone for that matter just yet.
from the center of the hollow moon Judas could hear his brother's approach, now far off as they moved lazily throughout the new territory. They had nothing else better to do, after all. For the two Archer brothers, life for them had mostly been taken one step at a time. They lived each day in the moment, trying to enjoy life best they could. As far as Judas knew, at least when it came to himself, they had no ultimate goals, nothing specific to strive for nor did they find themselves held down by politics, being the very best in their trade or leading a pack. They were free men and that's the way Judas liked it. They are hungry men, too and though Judas wasnt damned good at the hunt like Ellery may have been, he knew how to survive, whatever the circumstances. One day at a time, as said. "Might get lucky and find something to snag." He stated, pawing at the cakey earth. "Kinda glad those kids ran off. The Dell can be a bit much." He was sure his brother could agree. Pack life was come and go for Judas, who while he quite enjoyed his friends and family, found the rules, structure and discipline of a pack a bit overwhelming and oh so boring. |
This trip with Judas that felt like old times gave him that chance to take things a little more slowly. He took full advantage too. Keeping up with his brothers lazy pace the Dark Archer sniffed here and there for signs of something to eat. "We might at that," he agreed, "If we're lucky it'll be something big enough for the three of us." Ramiel turned his gaze on his brother at what he said next. "The Dell is a pretty intense place. Its probably best Clouse and Scully left when they did and got away from what would surely be waiting for them." The Archer knew he didn't have to elaborate because his brother knew.
from the center of the hollow moon
"Ain't much for room for men there." Judas agreed, digging at the dirt with a large paw where a clam was hidden. He'd never had clam before and had he not thought it was a rock, wouldnt have known how to eat it either. Not worth the effort. "I'm sure they are pleased to have Gaia and Rashina." He mentioned on behalf of his daughters. "Rashina seems to have a lot of interest for our Goddess." And for that he was proud of, for Judas followed the Moon in more ways then one. The Dell witches were awfully sexist but as far as Judas waa considered, the Moon glowed for him same as it did them.
He had been back into his mother's realm far longer then his original intention and he had his first litter to blame for that. Of course he would never take back his time with Nineva or the birth of his children but with pups to protect and care for Judas wasnt about to just abandon ship. Although he didnt care for pack life and all in intelled, he did care for family. Taking a few hops around another stream of creek moving faster as it approached the ocean, his ears perked at a particular creature moving about a near river bed. It was a 'Fisher' which to Judas looked like the biggest and fattest weasel he'd ever seen and it was dragging out a quite hefty fish from the waters. "Take a look at that." He spoke, nosing towards the creature and its kill. |
After all it was moon mother who had led him to find his mate he was happy with and have a daughter. He may not have ever had a family of his own had it not been for the Goddess. He may have lost them and returned to the Dell but he didn't blame his diety.
Ramiel was right behind his brother as he hopped around the stream. His silver gaze caught the movement of a creature up a head. It wasn't something he'd seen before but it certainly could be something to eat. His eyes didn't leave it as his brother spoke. "We should catch it, bring it back with us," he suggested turning his gaze on Judas. That was what they'd come for after all.
from the center of the hollow moon Judas found himself shrugging at his brother's words, adding his own input of thought on the manner. "I think it's more Nineva wanting him back then the mothers, really." And then he went onto think of his two daughters and that, maybe one day, one of them would find themselves rising to power in place of the witches who now ruled it. But the witches devotion to the Moon was absolute-who knew how long Moon Mother's power would alow them to live beyond the ages. "My guess, is that after winter and once the pups are closer to yearlings, Nineva will move the lot of them out." Though, he didnt know if his daughters would stay behind or not. Ultimately, Judas would leave their decisions in life as just that-their decisions. Then, a change in subject as their distractions took them away to the possibility of food to have. "Take what-the fish or the creature carrying off the fish?" Judas chuckles at his brother, though either way offered the other Archer a playful snip to his cheek and took off into the direction of the large weasel-thing. They would take both if they could. Apparently however, the fisher had no intention of giving away his food or himself without a fight. Seeing the dark hound charging after him, he fluffed all out, hissing and swiping aggressively. It was enough to cause Judas to slide to a stop and he couldn't decide if he should laugh at the creature or be a little weary. |
Ramiel found the change of subject a little annoying but they needed to eat and they had found something to hunt. "Judas you know me. I say we take both. Two for the fight of one." The weasel thing wasn't huge but it looked like it might put up quite the fight. He let out a low playful growl at his brother for the nip he'd recieved. He didn't waste time before following Judas toward the creature. When they were a little closer he split off and moved to get around behind the fisher.