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________________________________________________ Caprina smiled as the older wolf bit in to the rabbit. He looked like he needed a bit of food. The poor wolf seemed a bit nervous about meeting his son. Caprina could understand why. This was a huge connection that had been severed from Hythyr's life. Ryth was brave to want to reestablish such a connection. She began to pray to the Creator that all would be well and that the father would meet his son without too much conflict. Her ears pricked when she heard Ryth's question. She felt herself stiffen for a moment as she recalled the even that had set everything into motion. She looked up at the wolf. She was sure he noticed her blatant hesitation. She didn't know if she wanted to talk about her reason for leaving her pack right now and the reason she wasn't in one. It had gotten easier to deal with, but there was still some part of her that was reluctant to tell it. But she remembered how Abbas had heard the story. She had felt much better after telling him about it. Maybe it was just better to tell her story. It would help her, and she hoped it might help someone else someday. "No. I don't 'ave one. I've been travelin' as a loner since I left me ol' pack." She felt her chest heave a heavy sigh. "I dunno if ye want to 'ear that story though. I'll tell it to ye if ye'd like. It 'as to do with me mentor dyin'." She looked up to see the older wolf's reaction. She wanted to make sure the wolf would be ready for her to tell this tale. It appeared that he had already seen so much sorrow. She didn't want to add to the bleak look of the world. "But 'course if ye'd rather not I can tell ye one o' me mum's stories. I always loved those as a pup." ________________________________________________ "She speaks" 'She thinks' She does.

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________________________________________________ Caprina smiled as the older wolf bit in to the rabbit. He looked like he needed a bit of food. The poor wolf seemed a bit nervous about meeting his son. Caprina could understand why. This was a huge connection that had been severed from Hythyr's life. Ryth was brave to want to reestablish such a connection. She began to pray to the Creator that all would be well and that the father would meet his son without too much conflict. Her ears pricked when she heard Ryth's question. She felt herself stiffen for a moment as she recalled the even that had set everything into motion. She looked up at the wolf. She was sure he noticed her blatant hesitation. She didn't know if she wanted to talk about her reason for leaving her pack right now and the reason she wasn't in one. It had gotten easier to deal with, but there was still some part of her that was reluctant to tell it. But she remembered how Abbas had heard the story. She had felt much better after telling him about it. Maybe it was just better to tell her story. It would help her, and she hoped it might help someone else someday. "No. I don't 'ave one. I've been travelin' as a loner since I left me ol' pack." She felt her chest heave a heavy sigh. "I dunno if ye want to 'ear that story though. I'll tell it to ye if ye'd like. It 'as to do with me mentor dyin'." She looked up to see the older wolf's reaction. She wanted to make sure the wolf would be ready for her to tell this tale. It appeared that he had already seen so much sorrow. She didn't want to add to the bleak look of the world. "But 'course if ye'd rather not I can tell ye one o' me mum's stories. I always loved those as a pup." ________________________________________________ "She speaks" 'She thinks' She does.

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Whoops, it looked like packs were a sore point with Caprina too. He hadn’t meant to pry – that was a lie, he had – but he certainly hadn’t meant to stir up painful memories. For a moment, he didn’t think she would answer. Caprina didn’t hide her emotions well, and he could almost see the thought process written behind her eyes. He knew what he would be thinking if she’d been the one asking the questions. Should he tell her? Did he want to? But she picked the tender option, and cracked open the door to her past. Ryth had a little peek inside before she closed it to, giving him the option to hear more about it or change the subject. His expression softened as wondered which of the options she wanted him to pick. Logic dictated she wouldn’t have said she would tell him the story about her mentor if she didn’t mean it, but females could say one thing and mean another sometimes. But Caprina was so excruciatingly honest and open, Ryth couldn’t help but want to know what happened. He knew it would put the ball in his court – he would have to tell her his reason for not being in a pack one day – but curiosity got the better of him. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, Caprina, but I’d like to hear your story,” he nosed the remains of the rabbit out of the way and settled his gaze fully on her.

________________________________________________ Caprina sucked in a deep breath to calm herself. It was her natural reaction before approaching such a subject. The grief that come from the death of her beloved mentor still stuck in her heart. But she could feel the words of the story come more easily through her lips, and with the smooth cadence she always assumed with stories, she told her tale. "I used to live in a strong pack to the north. We were always at war with the other wolves near us. We weren't crude or anythin', but our alpha was power 'ungry. 'E wanted more land. An' because o' that we were always at war. 'Course the alpha was nice to the other members o' the pack. I reason that 'e was just cruel to outsiders, an' that might've been why it 'appened." She looked up trying to judge Ryth's reaction. This was only the premise to the "it" that was about to come. She felt something build in her. It was an acknowledgement to what this "it" was. This was the turning point to her personality. The clash in her life that changed her from a pack initiate to a roaming wolf. She continued. "I was a bit o' a wanderin' pup when I was a young'un. I always found opportun'ties to stray from the pack dens. I guess I always 'ad a knack for explorin'. It wasn't before long that I found meself on the fringes o' out territory. That when I met me mentor, Deorad." She felt her heart squeeze at the name, but she continued nonetheless. "'E was a loner wolf. I s'ppose 'e saw somethin' in me or took pity on me. I was 'round eight months or somethin'. 'E saw me as a wolf tht needed 'elp an' 'e 'elped me. 'Course 'e knew that I was a pack wolf, but that didn't seem to matter to 'im. From then on, 'e continued to teach me 'bout the ways o' the world. I 'ad always wondered 'bout the world an' was curious 'bout 'ow it worked. He fed that curiosity an' made it stronger an' more eager to learn. 'E told me thing the pack ne'er did." She smiled at this last bit. Deorad had taught her so many things. And the lessons he poured into her still brought a smile to her face. Then she noticed how her voice had begun to drift from a story telling cadence to a reminiscing tone. Her smile became a frown when she told the next part. "'E was always savin' me from 'arm. 'E made sure not to cross the pack bound'ries. I always visited 'im in the free territory that was left. But..." Her heart twisted and she stopped in the middle of her story. ________________________________________________ "She speaks" 'She thinks' She does.

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HAHA! Sorry I like cliff hangers.

________________________________________________ Caprina sucked in a deep breath to calm herself. It was her natural reaction before approaching such a subject. The grief that come from the death of her beloved mentor still stuck in her heart. But she could feel the words of the story come more easily through her lips, and with the smooth cadence she always assumed with stories, she told her tale. "I used to live in a strong pack to the north. We were always at war with the other wolves near us. We weren't crude or anythin', but our alpha was power 'ungry. 'E wanted more land. An' because o' that we were always at war. 'Course the alpha was nice to the other members o' the pack. I reason that 'e was just cruel to outsiders, an' that might've been why it 'appened." She looked up trying to judge Ryth's reaction. This was only the premise to the "it" that was about to come. She felt something build in her. It was an acknowledgement to what this "it" was. This was the turning point to her personality. The clash in her life that changed her from a pack initiate to a roaming wolf. She continued. "I was a bit o' a wanderin' pup when I was a young'un. I always found opportun'ties to stray from the pack dens. I guess I always 'ad a knack for explorin'. It wasn't before long that I found meself on the fringes o' out territory. That when I met me mentor, Deorad." She felt her heart squeeze at the name, but she continued nonetheless. "'E was a loner wolf. I s'ppose 'e saw somethin' in me or took pity on me. I was 'round eight months or somethin'. 'E saw me as a wolf tht needed 'elp an' 'e 'elped me. 'Course 'e knew that I was a pack wolf, but that didn't seem to matter to 'im. From then on, 'e continued to teach me 'bout the ways o' the world. I 'ad always wondered 'bout the world an' was curious 'bout 'ow it worked. He fed that curiosity an' made it stronger an' more eager to learn. 'E told me thing the pack ne'er did." She smiled at this last bit. Deorad had taught her so many things. And the lessons he poured into her still brought a smile to her face. Then she noticed how her voice had begun to drift from a story telling cadence to a reminiscing tone. Her smile became a frown when she told the next part. "'E was always savin' me from 'arm. 'E made sure not to cross the pack bound'ries. I always visited 'im in the free territory that was left. But..." Her heart twisted and she stopped in the middle of her story. ________________________________________________ "She speaks" 'She thinks' She does.

Table by Risa Alika. Picture © to the owner

It was a tale of packs and wars, two things that go hand in hand, thought Ryth bitterly. Packs formed to fight wars and wars existed because of packs. We’d all be better off without packs breathing down our necks for daring to be loners, Ryth was a firm believer in following your heart and when his pack had threatened that choice, he had lost the taste for them. Listening to her story, he realised how similar their pasts were. Of course, Deorad was not her mate, but it sounded like she loved him in a different kind of way. She hadn’t mentioned her parents, and Ryth wondered if she had lost them young and that was why Deorad held such a special place in her heart. She painted a picture of a kind old wolf, interested only in passing on knowledge to those willing to hear it. It made him smile, but he already knew the end to her story. “But the pack weren’t playing by the rules...?” He prompted questioningly. Packs marked their boundaries, but sometimes it didn’t matter if you respected them as a loner – they would always find a reason to reach past their line. He always thought if they didn’t respect their own boundaries, why should he? He could see that Caprina was reliving the pain, and he shuffled closer, “You don’t have to finish if you don’t want to, Caprina. I know how packs can be,” he said softly, compassion written earnestly across his features. In what world was it fair than an innocent wolf like Caprina should suffer at the whim of a pack?

________________________________________________ Caprina shook her head. "No. I will finish. Stories 'ave a purpose, an' I will complete this'un for that reason." A shudder ran through her body, but she worked to still it. She took in a deep breath before continuing. She felt the onslaught of horrible images attach her mind, but she knew if she did not speak these images out then they would torment her more. "Me pack was at war, as always. E'erybody outside was a threat. 'Course me an' Deorad knew this an' we were careful to not cross the border. But one day we were explorin' an' 'e was teachin' me 'bout 'erbs again. I was sent to find some 'orsetail. Deorad wanted to make sure I knew 'ow to find it, 'cause it's such a vital thing to learn. I crossed the border. A mountain lion came an' attacked me. Deorad 'eard the fight me an' came to 'elp me. Then..." She heaved a great sigh. "Me pack's patrol came in an' 'elped us defeat the mountain lion. But after... after they slaughtered Deorad." Part of Caprina was surprised to hear the venom in her voice. Before she just felt guilt, but now that her guilt had settled, she felt true fury toward the pack patrol. "They did it 'cause 'e crossed that damn line. I told the alpha 'bout 'ow it was a misunderstandin' (as if it would've mattered), but the wolf didn't e'en 'ave the decency to tell me 'e was sorry that happened. 'E dared to patronize me for befriendin' some'un outside our pack! From then on I couldn't 'andle stayin' in me pack. I regret to say I left it. Leavin' be'ind me fam'ly along with me younger brother." A tear fell from her eye. "E'en now I wonder if I should've taken Onixlan with me 'ere. But still I feel it would've been too dang'rous." ________________________________________________ "She speaks" She thinks She does.

Table by Risa Alika. Picture © to the owner

________________________________________________ Caprina shook her head. "No. I will finish. Stories 'ave a purpose, an' I will complete this'un for that reason." A shudder ran through her body, but she worked to still it. She took in a deep breath before continuing. She felt the onslaught of horrible images attach her mind, but she knew if she did not speak these images out then they would torment her more. "Me pack was at war, as always. E'erybody outside was a threat. 'Course me an' Deorad knew this an' we were careful to not cross the border. But one day we were explorin' an' 'e was teachin' me 'bout 'erbs again. I was sent to find some 'orsetail. Deorad wanted to make sure I knew 'ow to find it, 'cause it's such a vital thing to learn. I crossed the border. A mountain lion came an' attacked me. Deorad 'eard the fight me an' came to 'elp me. Then..." She heaved a great sigh. "Me pack's patrol came in an' 'elped us defeat the mountain lion. But after... after they slaughtered Deorad." Part of Caprina was surprised to hear the venom in her voice. Before she just felt guilt, but now that her guilt had settled, she felt true fury toward the pack patrol. "They did it 'cause 'e crossed that damn line. I told the alpha 'bout 'ow it was a misunderstandin' (as if it would've mattered), but the wolf didn't e'en 'ave the decency to tell me 'e was sorry that happened. 'E dared to patronize me for befriendin' some'un outside our pack! From then on I couldn't 'andle stayin' in me pack. I regret to say I left it. Leavin' be'ind me fam'ly along with me younger brother." A tear fell from her eye. "E'en now I wonder if I should've taken Onixlan with me 'ere. But still I feel it would've been too dang'rous." ________________________________________________ "She speaks" She thinks She does.

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The more he heard, the more it cemented the feeling that packs caused more trouble than they were worth. Caprina had endured so much at their whim, and if he had been a more impulsive wolf, he would have found it hard to keep his ire contained. “I’m sorry, Caprina. It’s not fair that you had to lose a loved one to wolves you should have been able to trust...” He sighed and shook his head. Packs had a lot to answer for in his mind. “It sounds like you didn’t have a choice but to go, Caprina. You shouldn’t feel bad. I’m sure your brother would have understood,” he gave her a sad smile, but he couldn’t help but think about his own brother, and how he had not understood. Their situation was different though, and he was sure Caprina’s brother could not be as judgmental. “Do you know where he is now?” He asked softly, feeling for the young female who clearly missed her brother. He understood more than most how it hurt to be separated from your loved ones by a pack. His mind conjured a vision of his son, just an empty shadow. He didn’t even know what he looked like! Ryth set determined green eyes on Caprina, his mind made up. “After we find my son, I could help you find your brother if you wanted...?” Of course, it might hurt more to dredge up her past, but after all she had offered him, it was the least he could do for her.

________________________________________________ Caprina smiled. "I know that now. I couldn't 'elp but ask questions after Deorad's death. I couldn't quell me curiosity. Also, I just didn't go along with things like I did before. I didn't see things as the right way anymore. I got so confusin'. I 'ad to leave. I just wasn't 'appy." She remembered those days of always questioning. Her spirit just wasn't settled anymore. She had to leave. She would riup her mind apart with confusion if she didn't. But poor Onixlan was still left there. Caprina nodded. "'E's at the pack still. 'E wasn't as independant as I was. I spent me days wanderin' 'round. 'Course 'e came with me, but he was more likely to find another wolf to talk to than I was. No, 'e's still in the pack. 'E's safe there. I just wonder if 'e'll become one o' them. I meaan I've been questionin' some o' their ideas now that I'm outta the pack, but will 'e grow up supportin' those ideas? That's what I'm worried 'bout." She sighed. That really was all she was worried about. As long as Onixlan was under two and in the pack, he wouldn't be going on any raids. And one hell of a thing would have to happen to make the pack dangerous to its own member. The pack was indeed questionable, but it was hardy and safe. And with her mother as the alpha's dear friend, nothing would touch Onixlan. And for now that was good enough. "Maybe when 'e's older an' I feel like I can 'elp teach the young'un I'll go back an' take 'im from the pack." She smiled, noticing how her face had sobered again. "So is there anythin' else ye want to know? Or should we be off to find yer son?" ________________________________________________ "She speaks" She thinks She does.

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________________________________________________ Caprina smiled. "I know that now. I couldn't 'elp but ask questions after Deorad's death. I couldn't quell me curiosity. Also, I just didn't go along with things like I did before. I didn't see things as the right way anymore. I got so confusin'. I 'ad to leave. I just wasn't 'appy." She remembered those days of always questioning. Her spirit just wasn't settled anymore. She had to leave. She would riup her mind apart with confusion if she didn't. But poor Onixlan was still left there. Caprina nodded. "'E's at the pack still. 'E wasn't as independant as I was. I spent me days wanderin' 'round. 'Course 'e came with me, but he was more likely to find another wolf to talk to than I was. No, 'e's still in the pack. 'E's safe there. I just wonder if 'e'll become one o' them. I meaan I've been questionin' some o' their ideas now that I'm outta the pack, but will 'e grow up supportin' those ideas? That's what I'm worried 'bout." She sighed. That really was all she was worried about. As long as Onixlan was under two and in the pack, he wouldn't be going on any raids. And one hell of a thing would have to happen to make the pack dangerous to its own member. The pack was indeed questionable, but it was hardy and safe. And with her mother as the alpha's dear friend, nothing would touch Onixlan. And for now that was good enough. "Maybe when 'e's older an' I feel like I can 'elp teach the young'un I'll go back an' take 'im from the pack." She smiled, noticing how her face had sobered again. "So is there anythin' else ye want to know? Or should we be off to find yer son?" ________________________________________________ "She speaks" She thinks She does.

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Ryth gave a solemn nod. She was right, of course. Her brother would probably be safe enough in the pack until he came of age. He just hoped her worries about what ideals he would have grown up with didn’t come to pass. Packs could taint a wolf, and he didn’t want that to come between Caprina and her brother like it had between him and Rylyyn. “Thank you for sharing your story. You’ll be a good mentor to the boy, Caprina,” he said reassuringly. Young as she was, she had more wisdom than most wolves his age. There were a lot more things he would like to know about Caprina, and stories he would like to hear her tell. But first he should find his son. “I think we should get on the move,” he agreed, trying and failing to keep the nervousness from his voice. Today was the day he met his son. He had every right to feel nervous, but he did wish his whiskers would stop trembling; it was starting to tickle. Snorting, he rubbed his nose on his foreleg and stood. He looked at Caprina, such a small young thing, and she was the key to his son. Did she know how important she was in all of this? He had a lot to thank her for, and after they had found Hythyr, he would have to think of a way to repay her. She’d lost her mentor, and she was ripped away from her brother. If he could, Ryth would do all he could to save her from experiencing loss again. “After you, little one,” he said, trying to be nonchalant but the tension in every fibre of his being remained. He tried instead to focus on Caprina and take the journey one step at a time.

________________________________________________ Caprina could see that the father was a bit nervous about meeting his son. There were small things in his demeanor that she caught on to. Most wolves probably wouldn't have caught the slight twitch of his whiskers or the smallest wavering in his voice. Caprina did because she was a master at details, and she knew how to read every one of them. She smiled the best she could, hoping that the expression would ease Ryth's tensions. "If ye would like I can be there when ye 'ave yer father son talk with Hythyr. But I understand if ye would rather I stay outta it. I wouldn't want to intrude on yer private business." She looked in the direction of the Lemures Mountains. She could see the very tips of them over the tress. "Yer right, we should be 'eadin' off. Just know that when we get there, we'll need to wait at the border. Somethin's been goin' on with Alyxio. I wouldn't be surprised if they are a bit too violent with trespassers." She shivered a bit at the last statement. It hit very close to her memories of Deorad's death. She squeezed her eyes shut and allowed herself to calm down. Quickly she regained her composure. She didn't want to make the older wolf any more nervous than he had to be. "Alright. This way." She began walking in the direction of the mountains, while her paws tread away from the grave of Hythyr's beloved mother she prayed again to the Creator that he may do something to ease the meeting between Hythyr and Ryth. And she also prayed that Snow may watch her mate finally meet the son she had bore to him. Caprina desperately wanted to ask why Ryth had left Hythyr and his mother, but she didn't want to make the poor wolf any more nervous or guilty. Ryth had to be in the best state possible to see his son. "Don't ye worry, Ryth," she said, hoping she sounded reassuring. "Ye an' Hythyr are gonna meet an' e'erythin' will work out. Ye'll see." At least she prayed it would be. ________________________________________________ "She speaks" She thinks She does.

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________________________________________________ Caprina could see that the father was a bit nervous about meeting his son. There were small things in his demeanor that she caught on to. Most wolves probably wouldn't have caught the slight twitch of his whiskers or the smallest wavering in his voice. Caprina did because she was a master at details, and she knew how to read every one of them. She smiled the best she could, hoping that the expression would ease Ryth's tensions. "If ye would like I can be there when ye 'ave yer father son talk with Hythyr. But I understand if ye would rather I stay outta it. I wouldn't want to intrude on yer private business." She looked in the direction of the Lemures Mountains. She could see the very tips of them over the tress. "Yer right, we should be 'eadin' off. Just know that when we get there, we'll need to wait at the border. Somethin's been goin' on with Alyxio. I wouldn't be surprised if they are a bit too violent with trespassers." She shivered a bit at the last statement. It hit very close to her memories of Deorad's death. She squeezed her eyes shut and allowed herself to calm down. Quickly she regained her composure. She didn't want to make the older wolf any more nervous than he had to be. "Alright. This way." She began walking in the direction of the mountains, while her paws tread away from the grave of Hythyr's beloved mother she prayed again to the Creator that he may do something to ease the meeting between Hythyr and Ryth. And she also prayed that Snow may watch her mate finally meet the son she had bore to him. Caprina desperately wanted to ask why Ryth had left Hythyr and his mother, but she didn't want to make the poor wolf any more nervous or guilty. Ryth had to be in the best state possible to see his son. "Don't ye worry, Ryth," she said, hoping she sounded reassuring. "Ye an' Hythyr are gonna meet an' e'erythin' will work out. Ye'll see." At least she prayed it would be. ________________________________________________ "She speaks" She thinks She does.

Table by Risa Alika. Picture © to the owner