Cael, Imena, & Erani only.

His pelt was still drenched from the sea water that he had just arrived from. Since their move, he noticed that several of the pack members were not present. Mainly his own family; Claire, Erani, Surreal, and Cormalin. Though his father was still a prisoner, Caerul hoped that soon he would be able to return to them. And when the time came for that, Caerul would be waiting. For now, he went out in search of his Aunt Erani, hoping and praying that she was okay. He moved quickly over the plains, through the thinning of trees that were becoming green with the new Spring season. However, what the season would not hide was the bloodshed from the war. It was still fresh in his mind, it was a difficult battle...and though Chrysanthe had become blinded and lost, her brother, Syrinx, had defeated the opposing king and sent him scurrying back into the Northern regions where he belonged. He stopped at the grave he had dug out for Lovatt, the fallen Valhallan that had been killed in cold blood by the Northern wolves. He remained for a few moments to pay his respect, saying a prayer before leaving a small gift of new spring flowers before moving on. "You did not deserve to die that way..." He murmured before continuing on. He did not stop, did not slow his pace. He wanted to keep going to ensure that Erani was safe and sound...and bring her back home. Speech Thought Others

Surreal padded beside her cousin Caerul, slightly ahead, leading the way, though she didn?t really need to. They all knew where her mother?s den was. Surreal was worried about her mother. She was getting older, and the war had taken a toll. Erani had been stressed, and eventually, had begun coughing, before a seemingly harmless cold became something worse. Thus far, while Surreal and Alsander had been caring for Erani, Surreal using what knowledge of herbal remedies she had learned from her mother, and Alsander bringing in kills, neither of them had contracted the illness. Finally, her mother had come out of her fever, and been able to eat a whole rabbit, without vomiting it back up eight seconds later. Once Surreal had been sure that her mother wouldn?t revert suddenly, she had taken off for the new Valhallan territory, leaving Alsander under orders to guard her still weak mother. She?d arrived in time to attend a meeting, and told Chrysanthe about her mother. Chrysanthe had given her the order to take four wolves back to the old territory to escort her mother home. Surreal had chosen Caerul, Cael and Imena, and Odette. Her niece through adoption. So, now they were home, or at the border of what used to be home. Familiar landmarks passed by. A fallen log that she had struggled over as a pup, the day she had met Cairo outside of a meeting. Now she bounded lightly over it, hardly more than a slight lift of her legs. She stopped outside her mother?s den, giving a short bark. ?Alsander? Mother?? She sniffed deeply, noting the illness that still pervaded the air, but weaker now. Finally, movement from the shadows, of the ghostly mist grey form of Alsander, as he stepped forward to greet her.

Alsander

Alsander was settled on his belly, like the Egyptian sphinx masterpiece of the humans, just outside his aunt?s den. She was a little stronger, her sleeping breath less labored, more peaceful. She?d even been able to walk far enough to get a drink from the spring outside, though he?d had to help her back up the natural stone steps and into her alcove. She would recover, that he was cautiously certain of. His leg was healed, the scars still fresh, but they would harden in time. Surreal had left two days ago, once they were certain Erani wouldn?t relapse into another fever. He could only guess and hope that her trip had been safe and swift. He was no healer, only knowing basic field craft, and he wouldn?t be able to do much if his aunt relapsed. He had done his best, giving her lavender and a bit of yarrow to keep the fever away, though he wasn?t certain if yarrow was the right herb.. More than ever, he felt his thoughts slip to the lovely albino healer, Io, from Tortuga. Her gentle voice and quiet way. She was infinitely fascinating to her, in the short time he?d been around her. The thoughts were broken into by a familiar bark. Surreal. Misty grey ears perked, and he rose, glancing toward Erani?s sleeping chamber before padding out to greet his cousin and beta. Surreal was not alone. Four others were with her, and his heavy tail wagged heartily in greeting to his family. He didn?t recognize the youngest wolf, but if she was with his family, then she must be trustworthy. ?She?s sleeping. I really think it?s past now. But you two may want to look her over?? He nodded to Cael and Imena. Mismatched gold and green eyes turned to his older brother and Surreal. ?What?s the word??

The search party had been chosen before they had left. Chrysanthe had picked the finest of the pack to find Erani and bring her back. There was only one flaw that seemed to go along with the selected wolves: Odette. The Epsilon wanted in on the action, so without so much as a warning, she had kissed her mother and set off to follow them. Her first instinct was to stick to Surreal, which is what she did until they made it to the Plains. Nostalgia of the memories that came from living there hit Odette and she quickly got over it as she began her personal hunt. After detaching herself from Surreal's side, she began to sniff the warm, spring air. It was a nice change from the brisk, cool winds that had struck her the last time she was physically in the Plains. The scents would be harder to keep track of because of the many flowers in bloom, but Odette didn't mind. Her tail flicked behind her as she chose a faded trail in the woods. It seemed to stick out from the others nearby, so she stuck with it and proceeded to travel through the forest. In no time at all, Odette came across a batch of herbs and flowers that were huddled together in a lovely bouquet. She sniffed around it and noticed that the dirt was higher in some places than other. The young lady blinked and pulled back when she realized it was a burial site. Respect immediately fell over her like a cloud and she took in a gentle breath of air. "This wolf must have been really important to Grandmother," she whispered, for Erani's scent was all over the grass that surrounded it. Perhaps Erani would tell her of the wolf's story if she asked. With good thoughts sent to the decaying body beneath the earth, Odette turned and left. She followed the fresh scent of Surreal and the fading one of Erani to a den a few leagues away. Tan and gray paws trotted up to where Surreal stood: the opening of a den with shadows evident across the front. Her eyes fell upon a light gray wolf that came out and spoke of a female who was resting. Odette looked past him to see a glint of the famous white coat deeper in the den. "Grandmother Erani?" She whispered, possibly loud enough for her to hear. Her heart rate increased and she looked up to the rest of the group that had gathered. Whatever she needed to do to help, she would. Talk like this

Silently she would follow Caerul and Surreal to bring Erani to their new home. Already her mind raced with possible herbs needed for her mentor, and future Aunt-in-law. Her side was constantly brushing against Cael's while her sky blue eyes roamed the lands. She missed the plains greatly almost to the point where it was painful to revisit. So much had happened since she had come here and joined the pack. But her thoughts turned to young Odette, always keeping a watchful eye on the young girl. She made no comment as she broke off from their group but her natural mothering instincts kept an ear on her. It wasn't long till they reached Erani's den with Alsander keeping guard outside. She dipped her head to him with a warm smile. The scent of sickness hung in the air making her frown and cast Cael and worried glance.Let do an over all check on her before searching for herbs. Odette dear would you like to help us? But remember to keep quite and calm. Erani might still be weak and tired. She said softly and nuzzled the top of the girl's head. She looked back at the others, keeping calm and the worry out of her expression and eyes. She was a Theta now, she must not fret and have the others feed off of it, it would do no good. Turning to Cael she nuzzled him before padding into the den.Erani, its Imena, how are you feeling? She asked softly as her eyes adjusted to the gloom of the den. Her blue eyes softened at the sight of Erani, the woman who had first found her, taking her in, the Aunt to her mate, her mentor and idol. She gentle nuzzled Erani on the cheek followed by a lick in greeting. Speech,

Erani

Dreams rolled through her mind, a muddle of fuzzy images, some sharpening into vivid relief. Cairo, standing beside her, chocolate fur melding with hers. Wounded wolves. Snow falling in an ever hardening flurry. However sad some of the images were, the snowy Theta slept peacefully, with the application of lavender from Alsander. However, a soft sound woke her, drowsy deep blue pools blinking slowly open as she uttered a weak growl. As her vision cleared, she peered out of her alcove into the main chamber of the caves, in time to see Alsander?s misty grey form leave the range of her sight. Her ears swiveled into a perking position, listening to the voices. Surreal was back. By the sounds she was picking up, Imena was there as well. And a younger wolf that she wasn?t familiar with. A female voice, calling out for ?Grandmother Erani?? She puzzled over that. Just how long had she been asleep, exactly? Caerul was out there, too, from how Alsander?s voice was sounding. Perhaps Cael, as well. Slowly, Erani rolled to her belly, shifting to rest against the wall of her alcove. She was thin, bones showing under her fur, though the recent food and water that she?d been able to keep down had fortified her body. Imena?s voice came again, and Erani heard the name Odette. Was that the name of the younger voice? Perhaps. Imena entered, calling out to Erani, and the old Thetas ears pulled forward. ?Niece.? Her voice croaked slightly, rough from illness and vomiting, weak, but strong around the edges. As Imena approached, Erani studied the younger female, wondering if the lass was expecting yet. She looked forward to new lives adding to the ranks of Valhalla, bringing their lively natures to the world. Hoped that when it came to be Surreal?s turn, that she would be able to watch her daughter?s children be born. ?I believe the worst is over? The fever broke before Surreal left to find Valhalla. I take it she found the pack?? She spoke as though it were another wolf that had been ill. The hoarseness left as she spoke, bringing a little more clarity to her words, the strength slowly returning as her interest in happening in the Pack grew. Had Cormalin come home yet? Where had Chrysanthe taken the pack? For now, she quashed the rising tide of questions.

ooc: assuming Erani can't be heard from outside the den - I wanted Chrys here ^^

After the meeting Chrysanthe would stay long enough to see that most of the pack's members had left the field. Once they had exited, she would follow after Surreal and Odette, who seemed to have started their trek to the plains. It was a long walk, but Chrysanthe would gladly walk it a few times over to make sure that her mother was alright. The alpha was not too excited to see Veronica again, but it was a smidgen of a sacrifice compared to seeing Erani in once piece. The alpha was worried that her negligence could have cost her mother her health, but Surreal had put that somewhat to rest when she had told her that the older female was not alone. She would just have to hope that things were alright, and that nothing had claimed Erani that she couldn't fight through. Chrysanthe would pull beside Odette once she saw her, easily stepping over the terrain that she had called home for over a year. As expcted, not much had changed.



The alpha would freeze though, standing over a place that she would recognize even without the beautiful flowers that were placed around it. "He was important to all of us." She would whisper to her daughter, and as she pulled away to stand with the others, she would glance down at her father's grave and offer the man a little prayer. Although he was gone, he was very much her guardian angel. With a silent goodbye she would leave her father's resting place behind. Nervousness would still line her stomach as she approached the other wolves, and she would immediately seek out Odette in the little crowd, although she was glad to see that Alsander was here and seemed alright - and Surreal had made the trip as well. Caerul was not an expected addition to the small gathering, he had been a bit scarce - but with Erani here she didn't blame him for that. With a nod to each she would stand beside her daughter, waiting to hear from someone how Erani was doing - or perhaps from her mother herself.

Green eyes kept alert, all around him his relatives followed. He followed them quietly, his sole focus intent on going to where Erani was located. Surreal knew where she was, so he followed her trail with the others. Chrysanthe had decided to come along as well, sure that she too wanted to ensure her mother was alive and well. The closer they got, the more his stomach would twist in a knot. What had become of her? Was she gravely ill? Was she alright? He would find out soon enough. He would soon spot his brother Alsander, and Caerul was all too eager to greet him. He would approach quietly so as not to disturb Erani within her den, as much as he was worried at knowing how she was, he wanted to talk to his brother first. Ears perked as his brother Cael and sister-in-law Imena went ahead, the young girl Chrysanthe had adopted going with them. His brothers voice reached him, and Caerul stopped with a serious but relieved look on his face. "Everyone is doing fine...the pack is settling well, but we're worried about our Aunt...Father hasn't returned yet..." He would utter the last part in a lower tone, not wanting to spill the information to Erani just yet. His mood would drop, but he'd push it from his mind as quickly as possible. "How is she?" Speech Thought Others