I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis returned again to the bent canyon for what would be her last time she was sure. She was severing all ties to the land and moving on as a pirate. She would live with her crew until it was her time to pass on from this mortal life, a time she was certain was swiftly approaching. She walked along the russet walls, following the bends of the little river that cut through the rock. It seemed like barely yesterday she was walking along these shores with her pups. She longed to see them again before her passing but she knew at this age it was not a journey she could make. She'd have to hope they thought of her from time to time.

Lukina wandered from the den site in search of lavender while her cousin was out hunting. Wolf had mentioned that he'd spied some nearby and the girl was eager to see if she could find it and gather it on her own. She wandered along the trail that stretched toward the lip of the canyon. Magnolia informed her that lavender liked to grow in dry places in direct sunlight so she decided it wouldn't be a good idea to go to the canyon floor. The sunlight only reached the floor for a short period during the day. So she worked her way up, scouring for the plant and hoping the cold hadn't been too hard on the plants here.

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis padded toward where her old den had been to find it caved in and she chuckled. How appropriate. It was just as well. The canyon that existed under the Eclipse Empire was no more. The earthquakes, the volcano, the flood, had all changed it into something unrecognizable and even the rich dune and rust colored stone had dulled to something mostly gray and dull brown. She'd heard tell that Ashiel had set up home in a new canyon, named for this one that still had its vibrancy and more herbs and prey than they'd ever had. Perhaps this land would offer more luck to its new inhabitants. Pyralis bid it goodbye and turned to leave.

She started working her way down the path on her way to the Wraith's Woods when something bright white and moving caught her attention. That wasn't snow… it was a pup! She grinned wickedly and approached. "Hello there, little girl." She was so focused on the child she didn't notice a large male dire wolf moving in on her location.

Lukina hadn't heard the woman approach and when she spoke Lukina jumped, whirling around to see a large old woman standing there. Despite her age she was noticeably muscular and there was something about her that set the girl on edge but she couldn't quite place what exactly it was. "Oh, um… hello. I was just looking for some lavender, have you seen any?" Maybe she was just feeling nervous being out on her own and the woman really was ok. Maybe she was a healer too and could help her in looking for some various herbs. She blinked as she saw a large man step out behind the woman and immediately she realized it was one of those strange giant wolves. She screamed.

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis smiled sweetly at the little healer. She shook her head at the girls question and as she was about to speak again the girl suddenly screamed. At the same time Pyralis picked up on the male's presence and leapt forward, twisting around. She'd leapt forward just in time to avoid his jaws and she kicked off with her hind legs to launch herself right at him but slightly off to his left as she slammed her chest into his knee while digging her fangs into his side where the leg connected. Her jaws slashed together, tearing and search for the tendons that held his leg together. At the same time she pulled her body in close, trying to keep her own hind end out of the way of her opponents fangs.

Lukina tensed as the strange man attacked. He just missed the old woman who was surprisingly light on her feet for her age and size. The woman dove in and latched onto his thigh but as she latched hold he turned in, aiming for her hind quarters. Even if the old woman did give off strange vibes Lukina wasn't just going to stand by. She had to try and help. The girl bounded forward, fangs latching into the side of the man's neck. As soon as she had a grip she pulled back hard then let go and ran. The dire jerked forward as if to follow after her but he didn't get very far as he still had the other woman on his leg.

I'm Trying to Find A Signal Fire

Pyralis scrunched close to the man's leg as best she could, tail between her legs as she thrashed her head, severing tendons and rendering the leg lame. She expected to feel teeth on her backside but instead her opponent tried to lunge forward. He moved with such force she lost her grip and was forced to move to the side. She rolled sharply and turned to see the young girl let go of the side of the man's neck and take off running with the dire wolf going after her. Pyralis smirked. Ok, so the little lamb had some pluck after all. Pyralis dove after the dire wolf, her fangs latching on his scrotum and removing it from his body in one fell snap. He yowled in pain, turning sharply on her.

Lukina scrambled as rapidly as she could, feeling the hot breath of the dire wolf on her tail before it was suddenly gone and she heard the howl of pain erupt from him. At first she was too scared to stop but eventually she slowed and turned. Behind her the old woman and the dire wolf were locked in combat until eventually the dire wolf pushed past the older woman and took off running, clearly regretting his decision. She warily eyed the blood lingering on the ground before approaching the older woman. "Hey, are you ok? Maybe… maybe I can help?" She didn't have many herbs with her but maybe she could find something useful nearby.