~ Rufias ~
"So first, you need to understand that we're mostly here on a mission. You see, my wife used to hunt for precious rocks up in the hills where she grew up. I was never much of a mountain-man myself, coming from further south, but once we were ma...married, she started to get me into it. We couldn't really make a living off it, so she did it simply for the joy that it brought her. It was infectious, you know? Before long I had my very own collection of stone to rival hers. It really was a great deal of fun.
"She passed away about ten years ago, sadly. Yes. Thank you, it's alright. Anyway the last time we went anywhere near these mountains was at least five years prior to that, back when we were doing a bit of trailblazing potentially for later trips. We had some property west of here, I guess you could say. A small community of our friends and family l
Donna hesitated, looking uncertain, with her head slightly lowered and her eyes flitting between Rufias and myself. "You both certainly have a... unique story behind you, don't you?""That's one way of putting it."Surry snorted. "I'd put it pretty much the same way as her."Rufias began to chuckle.Donna shrugged and focused on me again. "Well, our own story isn't as exciting. We're on a junior mountaineering expedition with me as the guide. Julie and Michael are old professors of mine, and they're really the ones pulling all the strings."She indicated the older couple to her left. "My mom used to have a friend in the same area you described. Do you know if anyone still lives there?"
Our two groups decided to separate for the night, with Donna and her fellows taking the little piece of shelter my Pack had found. She argued when I suggested it, of course, until I managed to convince her that I knew of a place nearby where we would be just as cozy."I know it sounds strange, but I have great night vision" I told her. "We'll hike a short distance and bed down there. Trust me; we'll be warm enough, and pretty soon Lu-- the moon will be there to guide us."Donna finally relented, to the dismay of some of my Pack, I could tell. But she insisted that we take with us their collapsible tents."You can give them back in the morning" she insisted. "Until then you must borrow them. I trust you."I considered refusing, but that would’ve only seemed more sus
'... And so she sleeps; a lax and ruddy wolf-queen if I ever saw one.'The early light of dawn peeked its way between my eyelids. What was that buzzing sound? Like a mild wasp flirting with the skin beneath my fur. I scratched vaguely around my leg before slipping away into darkness once again.'Aren't you going to show them?'This time, I recognized the annoying voice as it woke me. But I refused to open my eyes.'What do you want?''
~ Cillium ~'Who's there?''Don't you want to have some fun for once? Today is a new day, after all.''I said who's there!'I tumbled out of my sleep only to find myself tangled up in a ball of fabric on a cold, hard floor. Ah, yes; the rocky shelter. I was up here on the mountain along with my pack, along with... Rayla.My love.Speaking of which, the blankets now smelled
"Please take some of these with you, and continue being careful. I'm sure I don't need to remind you; but once the snow begins to melt things will get a whole lot more dangerous for anyone climbing over steep hills, let alone mountains."I smiled. "You don’t need to remind me, and we'll be extra careful anyway." 'I hadn't even considered that. Has Rufias?'Donna handed me a medium-sized box as a parting gift, which I gratefully accepted. Inside were an assortment of useful items: a few sturdy-looking hooks and carabiners, along with a length of thin cord, some dried meat and trail mix, and a first aid kit. I beamed at her, impressed with the generosity of this gift."Are you sure we can take all this? We're used to roughing
~ Rufias ~'Two days have passed since we left those humans behind and continued moving west across the mountains. Two days since I again took the lead, and as before, Rayla has placed the safety of our Pack into my hands.'To me, that choice was neither flattery nor confidence; I would get the job done to the best of my ability, just like I always had, and if that wasn't enough, the Alpha would find another way. She always did.Sometimes, however... I wondered if she really knew the level of loyalty I had for her, and that I had for the entire Pack.I was getting old. I would happily die protecting that which was mine, or I would live knowing that I'd succeeded. Rayla could surely see
~ Tiefing ~"Alpha?"The voice came from outside of my room, hesitant but demanding. I rolled over in my sheets which covered the floor, sprawled out in the only space that would fit me.'Go away' I thought, 'go and bother somebody else for a change. I'm tired.'But the voice would not be deterred: it came again, even louder this time. "Alpha, are you in there? Please, I need to speak with you, it's important."It's important. Well, I'd hate for someone with something
No great speeches heralded our purpose that night. Nor did any follow early the next morning, when my Pack rose well before the break of dawn and began making our preparations to depart.I spent the night wrapped comfortingly in Cillium's arms, feeling his gentle breath cascading down the back of my neck -- and for a just moment, I could almost forget the gnawing dread that waited just over my shoulder. I was at peace... and yet I slept fitfully. Panic lurked just beneath the surface of my most pleasant dreams.The first task of the morning was getting food into everyone's bellies and shaking the cobwebs from our heads. Thankfully, our supplies still allowed for a hearty breakfast, which I'd attempted to plan for from the beginning. I decided to let us warm up whatever we could by rekindling our small fire from the previous night. At this altitude I wasn't very