Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:59 pm

Aim:

Running with Levi, she couldn’t help but check on Theo was doing, oh, why did the hunter have to be there? She winced as she caught sight of his blood for at least the third time, why? They should have smelled them, though it seemed most everything there masked it’s smell, how was a total mystery to Chime.

Hoping that Levi knew how to treat a gun wound, for she had never treated anything worse then a splinter! 

It felt almost like a dream, like she wasn’t really moving. She wished that she could wake up in her bed, with her mother to hold her, to tell her it’s alright, just a nightmare..

She hadn’t realized how in her mind she was till a sound made her heart jump, she couldn’t be in her head at a time like this! They had to have they wits about them, had too! It was then she about jumped bodily as the deers ran by, feeling somewhat relieved after they had gone, not noticing how tense she was. 

Surprised, she listened to the howl, who was it? She had never heard... sorrow filled her, no, no it couldn’t be. Moving her thoughts away from such a thought, it could very well be that stranger, she had never heard her sing either, it didn’t have to be.. it wasn’t..

Turning to Levi, she open her mouth, but the question never came out. As the howl died out, she couldn’t suppress small wines, coming out like little chirps. This was silly, Theo didn’t cry out once on this trip, and it was he who had been shot! Still, she didn’t seem to have control of it.  

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:59 pm

May:

Timothy flinched away from Sabrina's reprimand like a beaten dog, cowering as if to run only to immediately return full-circle and accept worse punishment to come. His head was low, his ears back, his broken tail between his legs. His body language stated that he wanted to appease her, whether he felt sorry for his actions or not. But at the same moment he was also paying attention to what happened beyond her, for she stood in his way and his focus was still on Logan. Little did he expect what would come next. 

There was only one thing said that night that reached in and touched Timothy. It was not the words spoken by Sabrina or even Kratos, but rather by Logan. The stranger said one word, and it was a question, but Timothy felt it. Had it been worded any other way with the same meaning it would not have made a difference to him. Grandfather? Timothy knew what the word meant and he could not ignore it or force himself to not feel it. There was a beloved face attached to the word, and a comforting place he had once known well but could not now recall...

***** 

Kratos' face was unseen in the darkness though his eyes pierced intently through it. In the faces of each of his pack members the Alpha could see various stages of reception, and that was all that he required of them. He wanted them to think - about anything - anything would do as long as it stirred their conscience and enabled their human intellect to take control of their actions. 

As each member steadily came to their own conclusions, the Alpha's own thoughts he concealed from them. When Logan spoke, Kratos looked at her, and then his eyes fell further down and his gaze rested on Jackie's pocket. He would not say anything, and shortly thereafter came Toby's howl on the wind. 

Kratos turned toward the sound and as he did so his face came into the moonlight. He listened and it seemed that if anything could be discerned by his expression, it was sadness. The howl was faint and brief, the tone solemn but urgent. He understood the message perfectly, and that single beautiful note alone confirmed all the Alpha's silent fears.

At hearing Toby's voice, Kratos' heart faltered. He knew now that for all that had gone wrong on the previous nights of the full moon it had been foolish to divide the pack up. 

They all needed each other; large or small, tested or untested, broken or determined - the pack depended on not only strengths but also weaknesses to bring them and tie them together. What was more, the Alpha knew now that he needed the Omega like the rest of the pack needed an Alpha. He knew then as he felt all his hope and determination turn to despair, that should a lad such as Toby die this night, Kratos' strength would undoubtedly forsake him and the Alpha could be no longer. 

Everything that had worried Kratos since that morning was coming about in the exact way that he had dared hope it not. They had needed the stars to align tonight, and now nothing had gone according to plan. There would be no question as to what he would do next... 

Only moments after Toby's howl fell silent, a deep, solemn, and powerful voice rose in its stead. The sound was clear and beautiful, powerful and commanding. The message was simple and direct. 

"Regroup. Get to safety and wait. We'll find you." 

Kratos lowered his head and looked at those who stood nearby. They would either obey, or they would not be his, and it was as simple as that. "Come," was his final word to them, and then he fell forward onto his hands and began the trek. 

Unlike the chase that had come before, the Alpha was now running with purpose. He did not romp, he did not delay, but he made straight for the Toby's last known location. 

******* 

The three wayward hunters, quite shaken by their encounter but too concerned for their companions to go after the beast they had shot, ran swiftly to aid the women on the trail. 

By the time the three men reached McGordner, she was still on her knees but had retrieved her weapon. One arms she held close to her body, but otherwise she seemed unharmed. Save for the brief sight of the creature that had so violently lunged at them, the men did not see the beasts. 

"Mildred! Mildred, are you alright?" Tom said as he came to McGordner's side. "What happened?" 

Immediately as the man drew near, Mildred lifted her uninjured arm and pointed off toward the steep trail-side. Tom and Donny looked off in the direction she pointed, but the youngest of the three men had gone immediately to Adelaide's side. 

"Trodder fell." Mildred instructed as she continued to point with her palm upward and her hand trembling. Tom knelt by Mildred on one knee and placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Donn," he said, "Have a look over there and see if you can get the girl back up here." He pointed with his flashlight toward the ledge and Donny followed suit.

Coming to the steep drop, Donn shown his light downward and looked for a moment. He could see a short, sloped ledge, all covered by stones and thereafter a direct drop, but he could see no sign of Tammy. Stepping side to side Donny tried to broaden his view. The cliffside was incredibly steep and he could not see directly to its foot on account of the ledge. 

"I don't see her, Tom." Donn said, turning to look at the Game-warden. "It's a good ways down, there's a ledge and I guess its an empty riverbed. She might be at the bottom, probably unconscious." Donn turned around again and took another look. "Tammy are you down there," he called. 

"We need to get Mr. Trodder's granddaughter back up here and then get everyone home." Mildred was still trembling, but her words were firmly set and her mind focused. She picked up Adelaide's rifle and stood up without much help from Tom.

******

~{Meanwhile}~ 

Tammy's heart was pounding hard in her chest. From the moment she had made the jump from the ledge and hidden in the bushes to the present time, she had not known what she was thinking. Even now as she slipped down slope after slope in pursuit of creatures that she knew not only to be dangerous but unnatural, Tammy could not fathom why on earth she was being so stupid. She had her bag with her still, in it all the herbs, bandages, and medicines that she was not often without. And down she went, walking nearly in their exact steps and yet going as if unnoticed. 

At any moment they might turn around and see her, and if the did, what would they do? Tammy could not predict it. Her heart took a leap every two seconds at the snap of a twig or the rustle of a bush. Then came the faint howl and she froze, seeing the smallest figure in front of her turn toward the others. After a moment she urged her feet forward again, and then the second much more powerful howl rang clear!

Tammy could have died right then and there, for that sound had disrupted her pace and - Crack!-thwump! - Tammy took the wrong step and fell flat on her back!

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 2:01 pm

Dez:

Now there was something in Logan's eyes only present once earlier, when she first sough to gain control over her form. Her humanity attempted to pull through the thick of emotions that flooded her mind. Thoughts of her grandfather, of that first encounter with a werewolf; they bombarded her and there was a silent and unseen war in her mind. Not like any before but likely one of the greatest that would ever again overtake her..

She remembered his features. The lines on his face, his groomed gray hair, his soft eyes of mingled browns and greens. His laugh was a great chuckle, warm and joyful enough to light up an entire room. He seemed to have an endless reservoir of patience and love, even for a man who had lived so long in such a dark place and had lost so much. Then there were his stories, his rambles, his snippets of wisdom and knowledge he would go on about with or without reason. There was his warm embrace and his constant looking out for Logan.. 

As she trembled, falling to her knees as though a hundred pounds were forced on her shoulders and clasping her head within her hands, she sought a place of safety in her own mind. Teetering somewhere between consciousness of being and a beast, her human wondered about the darkness. Why was it still dark if she had awoken? And then there came a howl. The werewolf conscious took this, and had it only been the wolf, it might have been disregarded, but this was translated to her human mind as a distress call and she had a desire to follow it to it's owner. Then again the wolf surfaced, remembering Timothy and turning to him with a growl, cut off quickly by the great howl of the Alpha! 

"Come."

In all of the chaos, that single word, that one command, it set straight the thoughts in her mind. She did not understand the reason, perhaps due to the nature of the Alphas voice, strong and firm, or simply because she needed to hear a voice that was not coming from within in her mind. In any case, she found herself free to sort her thoughts. 

Who and what was she? Logan Ash Geronimo, a werewolf. Where she had come from, who she had lost, how she had become what she is.. she could never forget these things! Surely they would surface at times. But to deny or fight any of them, let her fears control her, to dwell on the worst, she could no longer. What was important was that there was a life out there that was faltering, and Logan could no longer use the logic that he deserved it due to his heritage, because then she would certainly most of all deserve it, having allowed herself to become the very beast that changed and attempted to destroy her that night only a few months ago! 

Now she too turned back her head towards the stars and let out her own song. It did not match the grace of Toby's call or the strength and beauty of Kratos', but was smooth and steady and served it's purpose; to let the Alpha know that she would follow. For now, her two minds had come to a truce at the very least, and she fell forward, her paws hitting the ground and she took up chase after Kratos. 

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 2:02 pm

Indy: 

There was a fatigue in Jackie’s limbs she had never before felt. Even in the midst of the action, she wanted nothing other than to sleep a very long time. Something seemed to be robbing her, siphoning off her energy so all that was left was something that was shaky on her paws.

[ Grandfather]

The very word that had lifted Timothy and Logan from their wolf was the very same that imprisoned Jackie in hers. Grandfather—a promise. She had promised to protect Logan; and she had, but for the wrong reasons. Grandfather—family. She did not know the meaning of the word, but she was certain it did not mean slaughter. Grandfather— a picture of one rattled in her pocket; what would such a wise man have made of her actions?

A heaviness was pressing down on her. Guilt! That was it, pressing down so she felt like a single point of nothing. This was not an emotion made for Jacqueline Ryder the human. She could not deal with its weight. 

I’m done

An internal sigh and a shrug and the intelligence and cunning that held Jackie’s gaze were gone.

But as Kratos issued his command to come, there was no hindrance; she followed right behind him. The wolf would follow her alpha to the ends of the earth.

---

A howl filled the air with such musicality that Theo couldn’t help but stop and admire it. He did not know whose voice it was, but it was melancholy. Sad, even. More than anything in the world he wanted to draw up his own voice, so he might reach through the sky and give comfort to its owner. Then run towards the stranger and help.

[Regroup. Get to safety and wait. We’ll find you.]

But he could not. He had to remain quiet, or else the three of them might be discovered. He couldn't run the other direction either; he had been given an order not to and it was doubtful he would be able to help either. It made his heart feel torn and broken, but nothing could be done about it.

I wonder if Toby is alright? he thought involuntarily,because I’m going to owe him a lot of books for getting us this far.

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 2:02 pm

 Kaqurei:

One trait that didn't carry over from any wolf genes he might possess, Levi was sweating. Hard. His fur was saturated in sweat, it dripped off the end of his nose and only complimented the sound of his short, ragged breathing. He could smell Theo's blood now, and it was like knives up his nostrils... it did not incite the sense of clarity in his mind at the smell of a strange werewolf's blood, or the maddening hunger of any other sort of blood, but a literally painful stress... the sort he usually felt at the scent of a packmate's blood. Maybe it was because he'd been around the Calagathorms for so long... but still, he hardly counted himself as one of them. Levi wanted to slap himself. Get a'hold o' yerself, O'Connell! he thought, urging on forward. 

Truth be told, he had no experience in medicine. He had no idea what he was going to do once he got the others to his hiding place. But one thing was clear; Theo was at risk of bleeding to death, or worse, if anything could be worse--he might go into shock from the trauma. He needed to be someplace quiet and relax, he needed to stay warm--Levi knew that much, at least. And he figured a tourniquet probably wouldn't be too bad an idea either... but really he had no clue. Where was that dratted Sabrina when you needed her!?

"Define... A. Little... Nnng...¦ Farther...

The three shots echoed across the mountain landscape before Levi could answer, and his shoulders gave a quick jerk of surprise. Steady, lad, steady... he thought, trying to ease up his nerves, just a little. He threw Theo an apologetic glance for yet another jostling.

"Just up a ways," he breathed with a jerk of his head in the direction of a small stream just ahead. "There's a great ol' tree, y'see it there? Behind it there's a cave o' sorts. Hid there fer weeks a'fore, wit'out anyone noticin'. I figure it'll--"

He cut off as Toby's mournful howl filled the air. He stopped cold and raised his head up, ears erect, towards the sound. And he felt sick. He looked at Chime the same moment she looked at him, his brows knitted tightly together. He wanted to say something, some word of comfort, or even denial, but ultimately he shook his head quickly and swiped his brow with his free arm. He opened his mouth, in hopes to grunt out some urge to go forward, when Crack!-thwump!

Immediately, his head spun around again to focus on the sudden noise. And then he did nothing. Absolutely nothing - he didn't even breathe for a full 15 seconds. He was just staring like a deer in the headlights at the little form of Tammy on the path just behind them, his heart pounding a mile a minute. Really, he was fighting every urge within his body so as not to spring off just like the startled does a moment ago. The conflict of run and help the otherskept him rooted like a statue, just like that, for 15 seconds. There was a twitch in his face, and a low growl rumbled deep within his chest, but his expression did not change to one of aggression... he didn't so much as snarl, let alone part his lips. He just continued to stare, motionless, with a growl in his throat and Theo's left arm braced over his shoulder.  

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 2:03 pm

Indy:

He was starting to get so dizzy from the blood loss, he almost didn't see as poor Tammy came falling into their path. It was only Levi's pause that alerted him to a change. A blinked away the spots that clouded his vision, at last settling on - a girl? A badly hurt girl?

Had he been in better shape, he might have had more physical action to say on the matter. As it stood, he had only the strength to speak a word.

"Levi," his voice was pleading. He wanted to say more, but his voice left him and his body was growing slack in Levis grip. 

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 2:03 pm

May:

When Logan's voice lifted in answer to the Alpha, Timothy's head lowered in defeat. Following that proclamation, Timothy could do no more, and Logan was now one with the pack; an enemy and stranger no longer. There was no calculation he could make, no loophole or rule to bend. Sabrina had been right, Timothy had himself proclaimed to the Alpha his allegiance as a member of this pack, and if that were so then he could not pursue another who had done likewise. 

So Timothy turned his gaze aside, rested his face calmly and took up after his leader. Yet the feelings that had been stirred deep inside him did not yet rest and would continue to throb in his heart for the rest of the night...

****

Ulric stayed a moment after the Alpha had gone, silently observing his companions. Thus he saw the moment when in Logan's eyes a fire was kindled, and knew the moment when Jackie's fight died. His feelings for them were deeply felt, knowing both that they struggled hard and that he could do nothing to help them. The battle for mastery was one that must be fought alone. No outsider regardless of how longing could decide the outcome between the forces at war within. 

Logan, Jackie, and then Timothy and Sabrina took up one after the other behind Kratos. At last Ulric went down and sprinted forward with energy afresh, gaining ground until he came to run alongside them. Bushes and bramble fell away behind them, and Ulric looked over his shoulder as they all ran together, drawing nearer until he ran paw-for-paw with them all. Kratos in the front covered great amount of ground with his stride and never faltered. 

Ulric looked to the person who ran alongside him, steadily coming closer to her with every step until she would be able to hear the words he would whisper in her ear... "Don't give up, Jackie." There was nothing he could say to comfort her, or to give her any courage, but with all his heart he hoped she would understand. Then Ulric moved quickly away and began to progress rapidly on Kratos' heel.

*****

The Alpha was not built for much speed, but even so his great stride brought him fast and far in short time. At one point the ground began to slope downward, and Kratos used the strength of his legs and the weight of his girth to propel himself off the ground! The jump covered a good distance, with dirt and stone being cast up under his landing, and still he sped on. 

It was hard to believe that only that morning Toby had come blundering out of the bushes around Zeit's cottage, waving his hands and stuttering his excuses when the Alpha had playfully found fault with him. Now he was somewhere in these woods laying in great need, and time was ticking mercilessly against him. 

There was no question in Kratos' mind of the dire circumstances, he understood that Toby would not have howled had the situation not been urgent. Moreover Kratos had felt Toby's strength in that howl as if he had taken the lad's hands in his own, and there could be no disputing that Toby had been growing weak when he had called out.

After a short time Kratos lead his group to a gurgling mountain stream. As it was none too deep for him, he crossed it quickly on four paws and the water only just reached his back. It was bitterly cold, but he did not stay in the stream long enough for the water to pass through his undercoat. His clothes might well have been soaked, but he simply shook the weight from his fur and pressed on.

Now the werewolf group were in the area from whence came Toby's call. Kratos began sniffing the air but there was no scent of werewolf or blood that could be detected...

"Toby?" Kratos called, his voice a deep thrumming bellow. He proceeded to head forward at a slower pace, sniffing the air and the ground with heavy huffs. Then he lifted his head and looked about on the area, feeling urgency press more determinedly upon him with every step he took. Calm but desperate Kratos spoke, "Find him. Find him." 

*****

Tammy's mind must have grasped at a million thoughts and shadows as her heart quailed within her. Daresay she did not breathe either for as long as Levi's gaze held its intent. Then came to Tammy's ears the terrible sound of that growl and she nearly jumped to her feet! 

"I-I-I..I c-can help!" Tammy said as swiftly as she may, pointing her hand toward Theo's injured leg. She didn't know what to do or say to keep them from attacking her - if they would attack or could even understand her! She didn't know whether it would be better to run or stay on the ground, she was simply too terrified! Only once before had she ever come in contact with such a beast as what was before her, and the experience had scarred her deeply. Yet there she was, trembling from knee to hand and extending whatever help she might offer to their aid.  

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 2:03 pm

Aim:

Her mournful demeanor didn't change even though the alpha's voice filled the air, though she did feel a little more hopeful. She turned her attention back to Theo, or would have if not for the

Crack!-thwump!

Sharply turning her head, she could feel her fur stand up as the figure became clear, the girl! Her eyes darted, looking around for some kind of weapon, were the other hunters near by? It didn't make sense that one would come after them alone, did it? More of feeling Levi then hearing him, she kept her eyes on the girl

till she heard Theo, gently hushing him, she brush his forehead with the tips of her fingers as felt him grow limper, oh, hold on please.

The girl talked! While more of stuttered but all the same, the words made her shoulders relax. She would? Truly? Before really thinking about it, Chime spoke

"You can? Would you?" Upon hearing her grunt, she silently scolded herself. Could the other understand such as words? What if it made matters worse? Watching her for a reaction, Chime dared to hope that she wouldn't dash off for her hunting party.. Oooh! How she wished she had a white hankie with her!  

Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 2:03 pm

Kaqurei:

Levi's growl stopped. He huffed, once, twice, a third time, stressed panting with his mouth half open. The girl had no weapon. The thought that others might be behind her had not yet even occurred to him. He was just trying to steady the beat of his heart and find reason midst the terror in his mind. She had no weapon. He could work with that. Then she spoke, and though it took him a few seconds to put meaning into her words, and only really could manage to after he heard Chime's response to them, he ventured a deep, rumbling, "What can yeh do?"

He felt the strength leaving Theo. He looked at him, looked at the girl, and all guard fell to pure desperation! A high dog-like whine was in his breath as he panted again, and he looked to the girl. "Whate'er ye can do, 'tis welcome - please, please come, we've got ta get him ta shelter!" Or out of the stream, at any rate! Unsure if the girl wold understand his words, he looked up at her and pinned back his ears. Extended his hand and beckoned her over. "Come on, Theo m'lad! Just ta the other side!" And that was as far as he felt he could compel Theo to go. They only just crossed over to the other bank when Levi felt that the venture was more taxing than Theo could afford, and thus gave up the hope of making it to the hiding place, though it was but twelve feet away. Carefully, he eased Theo down to the ground and encouraged him to lay there. Kneeling beside him, he looked at his injury helplessly; the shirt he'd wrapped it with was soaked through.

****

Sabrina took after the others just as soon as she was certain with a glance that Timothy would relent. Though she was fast by nature, she kept at the back of the pack at first, again to be certain that Timothy would not stray. But she knew also that Toby's need was dire, and she was the pack's medic. Once ascertained that Timothy would indeed follow, she raced on faster, nearer the Alpha's flank. 

He plowed through the stream. As she neared it, she considered the distance and decided she could make a spring over it. This she did, and thus got a little ahead of the Alpha. She paused there and let the others race past her, taking from her satchel a waterskin which she had not the chance to fill since this morning. She filled it now, and put it around her neck before continuing. If Toby had been shot, he would be needing immediate attention, they would not have time to move him back to the cabins for treatment.

When they came upon the area, she need have only the Alpha's direction before she started seeking any visual sign of a struggle. The phantom herb was in this area--of course, why wouldn't it be?--and she knew she had to rely on other senses than just smelling to find Toby. "Keep your wits about you, the hunters may still be in this area," she said, before setting off to search.