Legacy Ancora

She’d reached the shore of the island after a long swim, and once she’d shaken the still frigid water from her coat, Legacy rested for several minutes, scanning the hard climb she had ahead of her. It was definitely not a feat best done with soggy fur weighing her down. With each passing week, she was slowing reasserting her old good nature. The loss of her fathers and siblings had dealt a brutal blow to her soul, but wounds healed, soul wounds included. It would be an insult to them all to wallow in depression and pass on as her grandmother had done. The sight of her father’s eyes fading, dulling over with death still haunted her nightmares, though, and she’d woken her cousins several times thrashing in her pelts in the alcoves until her mother came to force a sleeping draught down her throat and she was pulled into dreamless sleep. Sighing, Legacy pulled herself to her paws and began walking, following the shoreline, scrambling up rocks and back to the scant sand as she went. She made note of each possible path she spotted that might lead up the cliffs that guarded the heart of the island. Finally, she found one trail that seemed most traveled by wolves over goats, and started climbing, taking her time to scout ahead as she went. It took a couple hours, but finally she crested and sat for a while, gazing down at the valley below, and the volcano that soared from the heart of the isle. It was a lovely sight, and she elected to remain for a while, taking it in while she scouted with her eyes for a good path to lead her deeper. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Seumas couldn't quite say what possessed him to go for a swim yesterday afternoon. Perhaps it was the unseasonably warm weather, the hazy reflection of the sun over the strait of water which led to the island (looking deceptively short). Or maybe he was just suffering from a temporary lapse in judgement... which left him on a little island. Never the matter. The previous afternoon he'd managed to rustle up a pretty good dinner of, you guessed it, some plump fish. The surprisingly green island, he found, was comfortable enough.

That morning, the male decided to try and do some exploring. It was doubtful he'd ever make the swim over again, so he should at least be a good tourist while he was here. As the morning mist slowly burnt away under the sun's rays, Seumas steadily began to climb the mountain side. The undergrowth was thick, and tall ferns sometimes dwarfed him in size. It reminded him more of his home than the icy lands he had traversed through the winter.

After what seemed like an age of gradual ascent, Seumas paused upon a smooth rock which jutted over the mountainside. He looked around, enjoying the view, and the breeze which cooled him. Should he try and go all the way to the top? Before he could make a decision, a rustle from the path alerted him to someone approaching. Someone definitely bigger than the small prey he had been encountering all morning. Turning around, he saw a very peculiarly marked wolf approaching - one with piercing purple eyes. He wasn't exactly inconspicuous perched on this rock, so the male decided to bark out a greeting.

Legacy Ancora

She’d gotten her wind and started walking as she spotted a path that looked good. It didn’t go down into the valley, but she didn’t mind back-tracking if it hit a dead end. The path led upward, following the ridge, and she split her attention between the scenery and the landmarks, and any good herbs she could gather and take home. Her eyes were brought up abruptly, amethyst flecks glinting as a bark greeted her from up ahead. He was earthen in tone, leaving his eyes to stand out like a pair of gold coins. He was also easily a foot taller than herself, but she offered a smile in return as she paused in her upward climb. “Good morning. Exploring the island as well?” Her richly accented voice was friendly, if relaxed as she started forward again, leaving it open to the man if he wanted to join her on the remainder of the climb. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

His bark did the job of alerting the newcomer to his presence. Those purple eyes jolted upwards to meet his own and she smiled in response. Now that she was up close, Seumas could see that she was quite small in stature. With a scent which spoke to the male's nose with the scents of a blend of different herbs and different wolves, Seumas could guess that she was a part of a pack and possibly some sort of medicine wolf.

As she paused to greet him, Seumas leapt down from his perch to land just behind the female. He shook out his fur quickly and caught up to walk alongside her. It was a strange sensation to match his steps to someone shorter than himself. It reminded him of younger siblings, born the year after himself. He imagined that he would have even more little brothers and sisters now.

The female's accent tugged at his memories. His older family members spoke with a similar lilt - although not exactly the same. The language of his heritage was where he got his name - 'Seumas'; in the tongue more commonly spoken here would be 'James', he was quite sure.

"Good morning to you too. Yes, I am. I thought the view from up here might be worth it." he said, pausing to clear his throat. "What brings you here?"

Legacy Ancora

She’d passed him by only a few strides before she heard the rattle of his coat and scuff of paws as he bounded down and caught up. Her head tipped to listen as she scaled up a steep part with a few graceful leaps and crested the top of the rise, peering down into the valley once more, noting that the trail here forked, with one leading down, and the rest continuing along the ridge that looked to ring the outer edge of the isle like a great wall. At his query she smiled, muzzle dipping in a light nod of acknowledgement as she answered, “Exploring, as well as looking for any plants I can take home, maybe grow in the medicine gardens. Part of a healer’s lot; always on the lookout for fresh stock. The view is spectacular, as well.” For all that she was a foot shorter, her pace was brisk as she started down the trail that led into the valley, tail swaying in an idle manner. Her feet were sure from a life of travel, even after settling in Valhalla. She was allowed to travel, explore the world. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Seumas followed quickly, giving the female space to navigate the tricky inclines that were gouged into the mountainside. The trail here was smooth sailing much of the way - wide paths and hard dirt and rocks allowed him to walk sure-footedly. However, he thought as he leapt over where some of the path had crumbled away into the valley, he would definitely have to take care on his descent. The last thing that was needed was an impromptu tumble.

The female explained she was here to explore too, and collect herbs. Ah, so his guess of her as a medicine wolf was correct. How fascinating. She was right about the view as well.

"The art of healing has always fascinated me. What sort of herbs might you be looking for here? I might be of help." Although he wasn't knowledgeable in the practical side of healing, his father had been. He had made sure to instil in his offspring a rudimentary knowledge of what herbs could be useful to him.

The trail started going sharply downwards, and Seumas tried not to think too hard about just how high up they were, and the sheer drop to their side. Going up was easy - it was the down part he wasn't a fan of. Still, he made sure to keep up with the female's brisk pace.

Legacy Ancora

She smiled lightly at his remark, nodding in agreement. “I grew up in a culture of elite healers. From the day I was able, I was learning.” Her head tipped as she padded down the steep trail, considering his question. It was a good one. A lot of it depended on what grew here. She’d have a better idea once they were in the valley, and she could see what trees and climate resided here. The island could very well be one of those pocket climates. “We’re always happy to find plants that are good for pain relief for elders and those healing from battle or hunting injuries. Or even just a soothing tea after a long day. I’ve never been here, so I’m not certain what grows here.” She tipped her head to smile over her shoulder at him as she added, “I’m Legacy Ancora of Valhalla, by the way.” It took some time, and several switchbacks in the trail, before the ground evened out and she slowed to look around. It appeared to be a temperate to moderate climate. Her fathomless sapphire, amethyst flecked eyes lit upon a familiar plant, and her path diverted to it. Brushing a delicate paw over the leaves she examined them, then nodded in confirmation. “Goldenseal. A good find.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

A legacy of healers taught this one their trade then. He would have much to learn from her he would guess. In a different life, Seumas imagined himself a healer. In the way that this female's knowledge was taught to her by pack, and it was obvious she loved it from her enthusiasm; Seumas' father may have taken him under his wing as an apprentice. How differently his real life turned out was laughable.

Seumas followed the female as she descended into the valley. He kept his keen eyes on the ground, on the lookout for any medicinal plants he may recognise. The last thing he wished to do was accidentally squish anything useful. The light-footed female broke the concentrated silence to explain what sort of herbs would be useful. Yes, elders with their creaky joints and weary muscles would always appreciate a little relief. If she was thinking about that, this female's pack must be a respectful one. He had encountered packs that enjoyed abandoning their elderly once they saw them as a 'burden'.

Legacy introduced herself, and finally Seumas could put a name to the face, and also to the pack scent she had. Valhalla, interesting. "So Legacy Ancora from a legacy of healers. It's a pleasure to meet you." he chuckled. "My name is Seumas Cranak."

After a few zigzags down the mountainside trail, Legacy quickly found some Goldenseal. This one he was familiar with. "Good for the digestion, that one," he rumbled.

Legacy Ancora

Her eyes twinkled at his quip, and she nodded, adding, “Legacy is from my father’s family influence. His name when he was born was Knight. He changed it to Paladin when he was older. My aunt’s name was Justice, and my uncles were Exodus, Fable, and Valor. My given name among my birth folk is Caoimhe. And it’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Seumas.” As she examined their find, Legacy grinned at the man, nodding. “You have that right. It can also be used as an eye wash or a mouth wash to treat infected gums or ease a sore throat. It can be used to treat wounds and sores, as well. A very useful plant.” She twisted and flipped her pouch flap open with her nose, pulling out a digging spade Ardyn had fashioned for her, one of many he’d made for the healers of the pack. She set the tool’s handle firmly in her teeth, digging into the soil several inches out from the base of the golden seal, working around the plant before setting the tool aside and digging around until she could wedge her toes gently around the base of the plant and leverage it out. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think