Exuberance

Gathering Circle

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What a sweet place you have wandered to. The forest trees here are scattered across a soft meadow of heather and wildflowers, and the sun dapples the ground through the leaves above. This is a wide section of earth, and it seems to be a gathering place – indeed, there is a ring of stones in one side of the open clearing where it seems fires have been built over many nights. To the south, a worn path leads to the Caldron Pool and the waterfall that feeds it. You can also see a path leading west toward the cliff-face. To the east the path leads into the deeper forests of Lantern Waste.
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Petraverd is settled into a patch of grass in the Gathering Circle, shaking out his mane as he attempts to stifle a small yawn.

Glyn shoots out from the bushes to the west, hot on the heels of a rabbit!

Petraverd jerks his head up at the sudden motion, now quite awake, though he soon relaxes a bit again once he takes in the wolf’s quarry and demeanor.

The rabbit careers in a crazy zigzag across the meadow as Glyn repeatedly dives in attempts to head it off, but the rabbit manages to outmanoeuvre him at each turn. Suddenly, it dashes to the side to hide under a bush directly behind the unicorn. Glyn goes scrabbling after it before finally taking note of the obstacle. He stops short.

Said obstacle shifts its glance between wolf and quarry, and gets to its hooves, allowing passage.

Glyn takes heaving pants as his gaze flicks between the rabbit and the unicorn. He pauses for a moment, uncertain, before finally coming to a decision. He takes a single step backward and dips his head to Petraverd, saying, “Sorry, friend. I didn’t mean to startle you that way.”

Petraverd dips his head in return. “Quite all right, I didn’t mean to deprive you of a meal, either. If you can forgive me, then I can most certainly do the same.”

Glyn smiles and sits himself down. Shaking his head, he admits, “I’m not sure how hungry I was, actually. Just been feeling so restless lately. I couldn’t just keep sitting *still*.”

Petraverd chuckles a bit. “More for the pursuit than the prize, then? Nothing wrong with that.”

Glyn eyes the spot where Petraverd had been laying not moments before. “You seemed pretty peaceful…”

Petraverd glances to it himself. “Not sure it was ‘peaceful’ so much as just ‘tired.’ Bit of a late night yesterday.”

Glyn regards Petraverd curiously. “Oh? Why so?”

Petraverd says, “I had a night watch yesterday. Was out a bit later than is typical for me, but I’m fairly used to a late night every now and again.”

Glyn nods. “Of course. I’ve pulled plenty of those too.” He smirks. “The colts must have been all over you today.”

Petraverd hehs, giving a rather emphatic sort of nod. “Put the both of those together and it’s been a bit of a long day.”

Glyn chuckles. “And yet you’re lying in the gathering circle.”

Petraverd jerks his head in a sort of shrug, and says in a clearly insincere defensive tone, “Well a stallion needs a moment to /himself/ every now and again!”

Glyn shakes his head. “I don’t come to the circle for solitude, friend.”

Petraverd says, “Well, neither do I, but it’s where I happened to be.”

Glyn looks at the unicorn oddly.

Petraverd hehs. “Was on my way back from the training cavern, and that patch of grass there just looked too inviting.”

Glyn’s expression clears quickly. “Ah, well that’s understandable then.” Once his breathing settles somewhat, he observes, “I could kill for a drink from the cauldron pool.”

Petraverd gestures that way with his horn. “Well, there’s no need for all /that/. Though I suppose that would certainly give the squirrels something to chatter about, you and I having a grand tussle over a drink of water.”

Glyn chuckles and shakes his head.

Petraverd trots south.

Glyn leaves, following Petraverd.

Cauldron Pool

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The best word for the spot where you stand would probably be.. grandiose. To the west is a roaring waterfall, where (presumably) a river from somewhere in the western wilds falls over Narnia’s western border-cliffs to create Caldron pool. You are standing on a path that forks three ways – east, to follow along the bank of the Great River (which begins here!), north, fording the relatively small ‘river’ and continuing into the forest homes, and south where it curves around the pool and to an opening in the cliff.
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Petraverd meanders toward the pool, keeping his pace slow and easy.

Glyn trots out from behind Petraverd to the poolside, and takes a long draught.

Petraverd takes his time getting to the pool’s edge to do the same, having less need for one at the moment.

Glyn finally finishes his drink and sits back to sigh with satisfaction and turn to regard Petraverd once more.

Petraverd chuckles, having finished his own before the wolf, and flicks his tail. “Better?”

Glyn nods. “I’d better be. Not much time to rest up before evening patrol this time.”

Petraverd hehs. “I can understand that one.” He flicks an ear, pausing for a moment before he adds a question to his words. “Any particular reason for the restlessness?”

Glyn pauses, glancing down at the water before shrugging. “Long winter? The big game has been missing for a long time. I don’t know, though.”

Petraverd tilts his head a degree, flicking an ear again. “Hmm. I suppose that could be it.”

Hafsa arrives from the north.

Glyn nods. “I shouldn’t complain… maybe the constant patrols.”

Petraverd jerks his head in a very equine shrug. “I wouldn’t call it complaining in the first place, exactly – just a statement of what is. Restlessness isn’t always a strictly bad thing, after all.”

Hafsa slinks toward the Cauldron Pool, one of the only areas she is familiar with so far in the Lantern Waste. She has stayed around the same area, awaiting judgement from Nevarre and Eirwyn. Moving cautiously through the forest, she emerges into the clearing by the pool, tongue lolling from thirst.

Glyn looks thoughtful, and seems about to reply when a reflection in the pool catches his attention. He glances back quickly and notices the rogue she-wolf. Turning about to face her properly, he dips his head politely. “Good evening, Hafsa.”

Petraverd turns as Glyn does, and he lets out an amiable sort of whinny. “Hello again, Hafsa.”

Hafsa blinks at the sight of Glyn and Petraverd, then moves from side to side in a show of excitement at seeing them. “Hello, Glyn! Hello, Petraverd! What brings you out this late?” The rogue wolf moves to the pool, head bowing as she laps at the water to quench her thirst.

Glyn glances at Petraverd for a moment and then shrugs at Hafsa’s question. “End of a long day, and this is a good place to sit and talk.” He regards her for a moment before smiling and observing, “Good place for a drink too.”

Petraverd nods in agreement. “Glyn bumped into me in the Circle, and we found ourselves here a little after. It’s a fine place for pleasant company.”

Hafsa grins, “Indeed,” she states to Glyn, then nods at Petraverd. “How are you two doing lately? It’s been a few days since I’ve run into you.”

Glyn chuckles. “Hunting’s been good. Can’t complain about that. Even if *some* residents of the Waste get in the way.” At this point, his gaze shifts to Petraverd meaningfully.

Petraverd glances to Glyn with a bit of a smirk. “It’s hardly /my/ fault if I happen to be a convenient hiding place. Though I suppose my reputation as a skilled fighter and my protective tendencies /can/ be blamed on me.” He shakes out his mane. “Been well, myself, if a tad busy, but I suppose that’s nothing unusual for me lately. How have you been, Hafsa.”

“I’ve been well enough,” Hafsa muses softly, “Still awaiting my fate in the Wastes by the Alphas.” She regards Glyn, “Does each wolf in the pack have a special job?”

Glyn looks thoughtful for a moment before replying. “In a sense, I suppose. Each wolf has a rank, and duties to that rank. I’m a Scout, and am responsible for certain patrols.”

Petraverd flicks an ear, nosing about the grass near his hooves – apparently he feels Glyn is in the better position to carry the conversation for the moment.

“Ahh…” Hafsa notes, “I’m not exactly in prime shape at the moment. I hope, if I am to become part of the pack, that I can offer some sort of assistance.”

Glyn offers a tight smile. “Well, it’s not my position to say, but the usual rank for any new pack member is Tenderfoot. Your responsibilities would start with training and learning the ways of the pack.”

Trianna yawns and stretches her legs and noses Lapis. They are by the base of the cliffs near the falls hidden in the rocks. The roar of the water would drown out anything she tries to say, so she patiently waits.

Petraverd flicks an ear as he observes, “In other words, at the beginning.”

Hafsa snickers softly, “Indeed? Well, I’d have a lot of learning to do, as I’ve never been part of…” She pauses, “…a family before.” Hafsa turns to Petraverd, “How is your clan doing, Petraverd? Well, I hope.”

Lapis continues plodding along slowly. She perks her ears. “I … I think I hear a wolf,” she says. “And … another wolf? Maybe they’re Ulfden,” she says, trying to listen, but the voices are not yet distinct.

Glyn appears not to detect the voices by the waterfall yet. At Hafsa’s question, he looks up at Petraverd.

Petraverd dips his head slightly. “Overall, yes, the herd fares well.”

“That is good,” Hafsa notes, then falls silent, her ears flicking backwards as she catches the faintest sound of a voice.

Trianna puts her muzzle near Lapis’ ear. “Lets look and make sure before we announce ourselves.” She sprints ahead a quarter of a mile and sniffs the air. After pawing the ground and sniffing the dirt, she lets out a loud whinny.

Petraverd lifts his head a degree at the sound, his ears swivelling toward it. He looses a loud whinny of his own in return, its tone amiable.

Lapis continues plodding along, limping, keeping her weight off her left hind leg with balancing help from her tail she keeps curved to the right, unable to keep pace with the quick sprint. Along her left ribcage, especially near the back near her hind leg, modest swelling is evident where the weight of her body had been slammed by the force of the river current into a boulder. She pants from the exertion of her other three legs having to work harder, and from thirst.

Glyn notices Petraverd’s gesture and follows his gaze, his eyes narrowing as he notices Lapis’ laboured gait.

Hafsa turns her attention to the whinny, her visage turning concerned as she sees Lapis approaching, limping.

Trianna trots near the mare, going nearly as slowly as she. “Petraverd! Ah, I thought I smelled you.” She smiles. “And more friends, this is a welcomed sight.”

Lapis’s side hurts more and more with each step, but she pours what she has left to catch up with Trianna catching up with the group. Her pain gives her distress, but she relaxes being among friends. “It is a relief to see you well, Hafsa,” she says to the half-starved wolf. “I am glad you and Glyn encountered one another,” she nods to the Ulfden scout. “And good to see you too, of course, Petraverd,” to the stallion.

Petraverd trots over toward the mares, letting out another low whinny, this one more of a greeting sort than an answer. “Evening, both of you. Feeling any better?”

Hafsa waits for Lapis to finish, “Why thank you, and yes, it was nice to meet Glyn…” There is something in her voice, perhaps excitement that is greater than it should be. She cocks her head, concerned. “But my goodness, Lapis, what happened to you?”

Trianna trots up next to Petraverd and gives a smile ans a nod in greeting. She says nothing, but waits on the injured mare to speak. Her ears swivel forward.

Glyn frowns deeply as he observes Lapis’ condition. “What happened?” he asks, almost brusquely.

Lapis flits her ears. “I fell in the river … the current threw me into a boulder,” she says, turning her head to glance back at her side. There is an asymmetry to her barrel, swollen on the left side. “Trianna pulled me out.”

“That’s terrible,” Hafsa notes, giving a low whine at Lapis’ misfortune. “I do hope you feel better soon.”

Glyn tilts his head. “How did you come to fall in?”

Petraverd flicks an ear, tilting his head a little as he takes in Lapis’ condition.

Trianna trots up next to Petraverd and gives a smile ans a nod in greeting. She says nothing, but waits on the injured mare to speak. Her ears swivel forward.

Lapis says, “That’s terrible,” Hafsa notes, giving a low whine at Lapis’ misfortune. “I do hope you feel better soon.””

Trianna stands quietly shifting her weight from hoof to hoof. She looks uncomfortable.

Lapis shifts her weight slightly, trying to find the least uncomfortable position to stand. “Trianna and I were trying to find … new horizons,” she says guiltily after waiting several moments to answer the question. “Go places I’ve never been before. I’ve been trying to figure out where I want to go in life, what I wish to do. I just wasn’t paying attention to how deep or fast the river was, I thought I could cross it,” she confesses.

Glyn frowns in puzzlement. “New horizons…?”

Hafsa suddenly gives a long, wide yawn. “I’m sorry, all, but I can barely keep my eyes open.” She bows her head in Lapis’ direction, “Feel better, Lapis, sorry to hear about the river incident.” She then nods to Trianna and Petraverd, “Goodnight.” …and then, to Glyn, she smiles shyly, “Goodnight, Glyn. Sleep well.”

Petraverd nods toward Hafsa. “Take care, Hafsa. A good night to you as well.”

Glyn glances toward Hafsa in mild surprise, but nods quickly enough. “Good night, Hafsa. Take care.” His gaze lingers on her for a moment as he registers the small smile, and he smiles in return.

Trianna smiles at the wolf.

Lapis bobs her head politely. “Stay safe, Hafsa,” she says in genuine concern.

Hafsa trots north.

Trianna watches the wolf and mumbles something in Petraverds ear.

Trianna mumbles “… … … … … … to ld her … lea ve … … ste?”, to Petraverd.

Glyn watches after Hafsa’s retreat for a few moments before finally turning back to the other assembled beasts. He observes, “Hafsa seems to have behaved very well during her stay in the Waste. Would you all agree?” He looks about.

Petraverd replies quietly to Trianna before he nods toward Glyn. “I’d say so, yes. Find her a rather pleasant sort, in all honesty.”

Petraverd mumbles “Eirwyn may … … his …”, to Trianna.

Lapis nods. “I am much relieved she has been found before trying to reach that other, distant pack. She did not seem ill of will at all to me,” she says, “just a bit hungry and confused.”

Trianna raises an eyebrow in surprise. Her tail swishes madly behind her.

Caileana arrives from the north.

Glyn nods slowly. “I think I feel the same. I’m glad that she’s stayed as long as she has. We’ll see whether the Alphas share our good opinion.”

Petraverd masks a small yawn as he says, “There seemed to be some hope of that, at least in certain respects.” He shakes out his mane. “I’m sorry, it’s been rather a long day for me. Perhaps I should head back to the Cail and get some rest.”

Trianna says, “We hope we will be joining you soon.”

Glyn inclines his head to Petraverd. “Rest well, friend.”

Indra arrives from the north.

Petraverd nods toward Trianna. “As do I.” He grins toward Glyn as he says,

Petraverd says, “You as well, my friend. Perhaps we’ll have ourselves a spar soon.”

Glyn returns the grin. “I look forward to that!”

Lapis snorts a bit in frustration. “I wish to learn to spar … but that’ll have to wait for me to heal, of course,” she says. “Good night, Petraverd,” she bids pleasantly.

Caileana lopes along the side of the Pool in the general direction of the group of gathered Beasts.

Petraverd replies to Lapis, “Indeed, which shall come soon enough.” He dips his head to the group, and makes his way off.

Indra enters the Gathering Circle from patrols in the north.

Petraverd trots south.

Glyn cocks his ears forward as he notices the two wolves’ approach. “Caileana! Indra!”

Indra inclines her head to the other Wolves and Unicorns. “Quite a gathering of forces tonight.”

Caileana slows in her approach and dips her head to Petraverd as he trots away. She offers a smile of greeting collectively. “Hail to Un’aireken. And Glyn,” her smile widens as she greets her packmate. Then she looks to Indra, and dips her head. “Mother.”

Lapis appears injured, her left ribcage swollen a bit.

Trianna dips her head. “Greetings she-wolves. You have come all at once. Is there trouble?”

Indra says, “Hardly. The borders are quite clear.”

Caileana says, “As they were on my patrols earlier.All has been quiet for a quite some time, blessedly.””

Glyn’s gaze flicks between Caileana and Indra. At last he nods and replies, “My patrols didn’t turn up any trouble either.” He flashes a small grin. “Wolves don’t always mean trouble, Trianna.”

Glyn captures a rabbit!

Glyn kills a rabbit.

Trianna sighs in relief. “Its true, but I’m escorting an injured herd member home. We must be cautious.”

Indra says, “You should be quite safe.”

Lapis says, perhaps mis-understanding, “I do not fear our Ulfden friends.”

Caileana looks to Lapis. “I should hope not,” she says, offering a toothy grin. “May I ask what has happened?”

Lapis recaps her earlier tale, “I mis-judged whether I could make it to the other side of the river, and was swept downstream. The current threw me hard into a boulder, right on my side. It … hurts pretty bad,” she says.

Caileana winces sympathetically and eyes the unicorn’s side critically. “I am sure,” she says.

Glyn shakes his head. “I’m still puzzled why you decided to cross…”

Indra says, “Indeed, it’s quite shallow enough to cross here near the pool.”

Lapis says, “I only know the lands of the Dale, and the nearby Wastes. I … wanted to go someplace I hadn’t, like across the river,” she says. “I was stupid, and let my curiosity get the better of me.”

Caileana’s expression echoes the sentiment of her packmates, but she does not speak critically on the matter.

Trianna sputters. “It was my fault. I suggested that we go far away from the dale for a day because I just spent several days inside unable to move around much. Since I was better, I led the way galloping through the forest.”

Indra says, “Well, so long as there’s no permanent damage, sometime’s a wound’s worth the experiment.”

Glyn glances at Indra and gives a throaty chuckle. “True enough.”

Caileana eyes her mother, looking vaguely surprised by this comment. She nods slowly.

Lapis flicks her leonine tail. “I was hoping to start training to spar soon, but … I’ll have to heal first now.”

Trianna lowers her head and nudges the mare. “Speaking of healing, we ought to get you home so you can rest. Then we can bring a healer to you.”

Glyn nods at Trianna’s advice. “Trust me, Lapis, there were be plenty of time to spar when you’ve healed. And plenty of willing partners.” He grins.

Lapis bobs her head. “Be well, friends,” she bids the Ulfen wolves and moves at her herdmate’s insistence.

Indra nods in return, “And you.”

Glyn says, “Safe travels, both of you.”

Caileana grins faintly at Glyn’s comment and dips her head. “Good night,” she bids the unicorns.

Trianna bows her head, lifting a forehoof off the ground so it bends at the knee. Her mane flops over her eyes. As she raises her head she says, “Give my greetings to Nevarre and Eirwyn. Goodnight to you all, and thank you for patrolling so diligently. Goodnight and farewell.”

Caileana turns to her packmates. “And I need to be getting back to the den for the night, I think.”

Glyn lowers his head more formally to Trianna. “We certainly will pass on your greetings. May your journey be safe and untroubled.”

Indra asks, “May I walk with you, Caileana?”

Caileana dips her head. “Certainly.”

Indra says, “Good evening Trianna, Lapis. Glyn.”

Glyn says, “Goodnight, you two. I’ll join the den soon.”

Caileana nods once more. “Good night!” She says to Glyn, before padding north.