The Feud in the Forest (Private Rp with Wingfeather)

[tenebria]

By the time the mentor and apprentice reached their training grounds the sun had already cleared the mist, despite the gathering clouds which threatened it's brilliance. "Now then, let's get you warmed up with some maneuvers first" Vaskra spoke, turning to her apprentice and sitting, her tail curling over her paws. "Start with the triangular tree leap, just nice and simple, then the vertical climb coupled with a low spin when you land" she ordered, looking at her apprentice expectantly as Alistra blinked over at her. Right away? usually they started with a fast paced obstacle run to get her blood flowing, not the complicated leaping attack maneuvers! When her mentor raised her eye slightly, Alistra quickly nodded and glanced over at the trees, eyeing the different bark types before choosing two in close proximity to each other. Trotting further away from the first tree, she narrowed her eyes, sizing up the distance and angle, crouching low to the ground as she let her breathing steady, her focus centering. In a sudden burst of speed she leapt forward, her paws churning against the earth as she raced towards the tree. With precise timing, she leapt, her front paws making contact with the tree first, her muscles rippling as her back claws scraped against the bark, then she pushed herself off with a powerful thrust, front paws already stretched out for the second tree. It took incredible timing to get this second jump right, and as she was in the air she realized she'd misjudged the distance by a few inches. Landing more against the side than she'd wanted, she quickly angled her body, making a slightly undignified scrambling motion as she once again pushed off the tree, landing heavily on the ground off to the side. Vaskra made a slight disapproving noise. "It's always better to overestimate your jump than under, for that could land you directly in your enemies path" she said seriously. Alistra nodded, panting slightly as she shook her fur out. "Now the vertical climb, and make sure you judge your distance" she reminded her. The young apprentice nodded, her jaw clenching slightly in annoyance at herself. She should have gotten that distance perfectly, and she wasn't about to make the same mistake twice. Eyeing up a large, slightly angled tree, she once again calmed herself, focusing on how many strides it would take before she had to jump, and how far she had to get before leaping once again. Her distances secured, she crouched, muscles tensing in preparation, and then she once again charged forward, head low, paws streaking in and out as she sprinted for the tree. A few feet away she sprang, claws digging into the trees bark as she pulled herself up with her momentum, her back legs thrusting against the rough surface. Halfway up the tree she pushed herself off from it, twisting her body through the air and preparing for the impact against the ground. Her front paws skidded into the earth, anchoring herself as she let the built up speed swing her lower body around in almost a full circle before stilling, panting hard. It had been perfect. Alistra raised her head, although still breathing hard, and looked over to her mentor, pride racing through her veins. "Now that you're warmed up, let's move on" Vaskra spoke nonchalantly, and the young she-wolf's ears flattened slightly in annoyance. She'd completed the jump perfectly, and even the landing! Little did she know that Vaskra's heart itself had expanded with pride as she'd seen her apprentice sail through the difficult maneuver flawlessly. But the battleworn wolf knew all too well what a young wolf's pride could do to it's senses, and therefore she refrained from any acknowledgement of the well accomplished deed.

[wingfeather]

Enilar wished he was given more time for thought before plunging into the exercise, but that was the way of warriors he supposed, he wanted to be a warrior too, like his parents. Giving it his all he sped after Grthmé, he had (foolishly) assumed that Grthmé would take the same course that he did the first run, but he was of course woefully mistaken. Enilair had to keep his brain as active as his legs to be sure he would not trip over himself or run through an opening that was too small or attempt a jump that was too high. This, he realized was what Grthmé was meaning. Up ahead he saw the grey wolfs tail as he sped through the trees, made tight turns, ducked under low logs and and jumped over stones. Finally he saw the opening to the forest path ahead of him and put on an extra burst of speed, Grthmé looked as if he had been sitting there waiting for him for a while, in reality he wasn't, ''but time you showed up,'' Grthmé growled.

[tenebria]

Alistra flattened her ears as she leapt through a small opening between two logs, her young agile body slipping through without a scrape, her paws landing on the ground once more as she continued racing through the forest. Vaskra, after having gone through many more maneuvers and quite a good amount of camouflage training, had ordered her out on the obstacle course she'd mapped out for the day, filled with tight turns and small openings, and many thorn bushes and vines intended to trip her up. Dodging just such a spiky bush, she plunged through a tangle of vines, picking her paws up swiftly so as not to get entangled, and plunging down the almost vertical ravine on the other side. Timing her descent she suddenly leapt outwards, stretching out towards the other side of the crevasse. With just a few inches to spare, her front claws dug into the dirt and she heaved herself over the edge, not pausing to catch her breath as she raced into the thick underbrush. Her pace was so swift she hardly had time to even think of her movements, everything coming instinctively as she weaved, ducked and leapt, her hardened paws continuously pushing her onwards. A few more tricky obstacles lay in her path, but she conquered them, her gleaming green eyes flitting from one spot to the next, not missing a beat. Her heart thudded with adrenaline as she rounded a bend and came to a flat stretch of uncluttered forest, and she stretched out, her paws flashing and her heart soaring. Her claws barely touched the ground as she flew, exaltation filling her veins at the pure bliss of speed.

Vaskra's ears twitched, and she turned her head, eyes watching calmly as her apprentice's striking coat flashed in the late morning sunlight, racing ever nearer to the end of the course. "Hmm she's gotten faster" the mentor said softly to herself, as she'd mentally been counting down the minutes. A note of pride, certainly not the first she'd felt that day, filled her and she smiled slightly as her gleaming eyed apprentice sped around the bend, charging over the forests edge before sliding to a halt, her breath beginning to come faster. Alistra was filled with the thrill of the run as she shook her coat out, almost wishing she could have kept on running forever. But suddenly her adrenaline began wearing off, and her aching limbs swiftly contradicted her premature enthusiasm. Beginning to pant, she padded up to her mentor. "Was I any faster?" she asked, slightly breathlessly. Vaskra looked at her for a moment, then allowed a slight nod "Nowhere near where you need to be, though. You must train yourself to not slow down through the vines" she said quickly as her apprentices smile widened into a triumphant grin. Alistra, knowing her mentor's ways by now, was hardly dampened in her proud joy, but lessened her outward show of happiness, and flopped to the ground to rest her tired muscles.

Vaskra looked down at Alistra, then glanced up at the sun for a moment. "High Sun is almost upon us, let us take a break for a few moments. If you wish, you may go to the river and cool yourself off" she allowed. Her words were rewarded as the young wolf leapt to her paws once more, and was about to race off before pausing "You'll be near the dens when I return?" she questioned. Vaskra gave another slight nod "Most likely near the warriors den" she added to the motion. Alistra gave a slight respectful bow before speeding off into the forest, her apparently tired limbs forgotten in the temptation of a cool bathe. Vaskra allowed herself a slight chuckle "To have such energy" she said with a shake of her head, getting to her paws and beginning to pad towards the dens.

[wingfeather]

''You should have been closer, pup, I will expect for you to do better on the next run,'' Grthmé said. Enilair's head drooped visibly now, he was tired and bored of the course, though he knew better than to voice his thoughts. Grthmé looked up at the sun, ''come,'' he said briskly. Enilar had a difficult time not asking the question where. It was hard training with Grthmé because he was used to Greynan encouraging him to ask questions, he supposed he'd get used to it eventually. He noticed that they were walking towards the alpha's den and alpha Froedi sitting at the entrance waiting for them. They both bowed deeply before him, ''are we ready to depart?'' asked the alpha. ''Aye alpha Froedi, we are ready?'' ''And you, young Enilair,'' the alpha asked looking kindly down at the young wolf, ''has master Grthmé been treating you well?'' Enilair looked up at his alpha and saw his laughing eyes, the alpha knows what a hard trainer Grthmé was. Well, Enilair thought, this must be another test, out loud he said, ''yes, alpha.'' Alpha Froedi nodded, then squinted up at the sun, ''Then let us depart.''

[tenebria]

Alistra slipped quickly through the forest, her paws thudding rhythmically against the underbrush as she loped towards the river. It was only a few minutes journey from the dens, and even closer from where she'd been training. The sunlight glittered against the water, and she quickly dodged through the last tangle of bushes before coming out on the bank of the slow moving river. Without hesitation, she leapt in, the water splashing up around her and falling back down on her head in glittering golden droplets. She let out a sigh of relaxation at the feel of the cool water soothing her muscles. Now if only I could stay here all day she thought almost drowsily, slowly paddling in a large circle. But all too soon, she heard a commanding howl emanate from the den region. Vaskra was calling her back. She sighed, then reluctantly pulled herself out of the river, shaking her fur and taking a quick moment to get her directions straight before plunging back into the forest. Some minutes later she darted out of the forest and loped over to her mentor, who sat in front of their den. "Ah,there you are" Vaskra spoke, getting to her paws as her apprentice approached. "Now hurry, we must not be late" she said, swiftly turning and trotting into the clearing. Alistra followed looking slightly befuddled. Late for what?

A few moments later she realized they were heading in the direction of the Alpha's den, and sure enough, they came to a stop at the entrance, where the Alpha and Beta sat, waiting. "Perfect timing" the dark wolf spoke, glancing from mentor to the slightly damp apprentice. "Are you both prepared to leave?" he questioned. Vaskra gave a swift nod "We are, Alpha." she said, answering for them both. Alistra glanced at her mentor, then back tothe Alpha. Leave? And then she remembered. The meeting! Her eyes flashed with excitement at the idea of meeting unknown wolves, and she suddenly felt very eager to depart. "Good, we shall be on our way then. We will not be long Sumar, keep things in order until then" he said to his Beta, who dipped his head to his Alpha in compliance to his command. "Safe travels" the orange furred wolf spoke as the three trotted down the path, picking up a slow lope as they headed into the woods.

[wingfeather]

Enilair took his place at the back of the line, he was very exited, he felt like a full grown wolf. He attempted puffing out his chest like the alpha as he walked while keeping up with the other two wolves. This enthusiasm did not last long though very soon the high sun began beating down on him causing him so pant. He felt very thirsty and considered asking if they could stop for a rest, NO he told himself harshly, if Grthmé and alpha Froedi did not need a rest then neither did he.

[tenebria]

Alistra couldn't help her energy that charged through her, making her steps quicker than that of the well paced Alphas and mentors, and often finding herself surging ahead of them, cutting her own path in the forest. Vaskra glanced over with annoyance as she heard her apprentice racing through the forest, and she suddenly let out a sharp commanding bark. Alistra's ears flattened and she swiftly moved back to the path, her confidence and excitement deflated at the sharp tone from her mentor. And in front of the Alpha too! But after a while she realized why Vaskra had done so, and why they were both traveling at such a steady pace. The sun was burning hot, or so it felt, on her fur, and her muscles, which had already been tested that day with the training, were beginning to ache again. She was able to keep up with the other two, the steady trot that they were traveling at rhythmically pulling her forwards, although she was suddenly very much wishing that she hadn't wasted her energy before. But she certainly wasn't about to let on to her mentor and Alpha that she was tired at all, and so she made sure every so often to speed up slightly and get beside Vaskra before dropping back again, showing her that she had plenty of energy... although that definitely wasn't true at all.

[wingfeather]

Alpha Froedi and Grthmé did not need to stop but the wise alpha knew that the pup in there group did, he knew it was not long until they would come upon a river, he just hoped Enilair would last that long, he thought he saw the young wolf begin to pant heavily. Grthmé of course merely maintained his grim silence. It was not long till the finally loped up to the stream and stopped to rest, Enilair thankfully ran up to the stream and drank of the refreshing water deeply. He the allowed his legs to collapse beneath him and rested as the alpha drank. It appeared that Grthmé was not thirsty, as he stood a little ways away and set a watch, standing tall ears turning at every sound, and his nose testing the air every few minutes. ''I wish I were like him,'' Enilair thought, hero worship plain in his eyes. Froidi noticed this and thought, good that the young wolf respects his mentor there are many things he can learn from him. The rest was all too short for Enilair for it seemed that no sooner than he laid down, alpha Froedi announced that it was time to continue. Taking up his place, Enilair and the two older wolves continued there journey.

[tenebria]

Alistra began to pant as they continued their steady pace, and she no longer bothered to dart ahead. Her limbs, which had already been taxed with the intense training earlier, were beginning to ache, and she was wondering if Vaskra and Alpha Vanorr were at all as thirsty as she. After a few more minutes, her ears twitched slightly, and she scented the air. Water! The hope of a cool drink made her speed up, trotting alongside Vaskra. The mentor glanced down as her apprentice surged up beside her, snorting slightly. She had scented the water quite a while back, but she could see that the enticing smell had just reached the young she wolf. Further down, the path curved, and the glint of the swift rushing river was visible through the trees. "We'll stop for a quick respite before continuing" Alpha Vanorr barked behind him, heading for the bank. Alistra almost let out a sigh of relief at this, eagerly rushing over to the river as she saw her Alpha moving towards it. Reaching it she ducked her head down, almost submerging her muzzle in the cool water as she drank. Vaskra snorted slightly at her apprentice's desperate behavior, moving to the river and taking a rather brief drink before heading back towards the path and sitting, waiting. Alpha Vanorr was done in a few seconds as well, and headed back to the path after a brief glance to the younger member of their group. To his eyes she didn't seem too worn out, and, not wanting to waste time, he preferred to keep moving. Vaskra felt a twinge of pity for Alistra, but let out a soft bark, calling her back to the path. The red furred wolf turned reluctantly towards her mentor and Alpha, sighing before walking over to the path, resuming her place behind Vaskra. "Not much longer" her mentor said abruptly as they quickly picked up a ground eating trot once more. Alistra glared at her mentor. Not much longer... huh, she bet she was just saying that to keep her moving. But if neither Alpha Vanorr nor Vaskra were tired, then she would show them both that she could travel just as long and far as they could, even though she'd already traveled twice the distance that day during training.

[wingfeather]

The effect from the brief rest was beginning to wear off Enilair as they continued traveling at the steady pace. Grthmé looked back once but said nothing, at least he has some endurance, he thought to himself, maybe there's hope for him yet. Enilair was relieved when they finally reached the clearing, he felt like he could hardly walk any farther. In the midst of the small clearing was a large flat stone, it looked as if it had been there for ages but it most certainly had not always belonged there. Alpha Froedi stepped onto the stone platform and sat near the middle of it, Grthmé took his place behind him and Enilair sat just behind Grthmé, it took all Enilair's will power not to lay down on the warm stone and fall asleep, Grthmé merely looked about him with stoic indifference. Froedi was staring intensely into the forest across him, knowing the Aeradi wolves would come from there at any moment, they were never late.    

[tenebria]

Alistra was beginning to wonder just how far this meeting place was, and if she would even be able to make it there as her muscles were quite aching, exhausted from the travel. But her worries were soon seen to be unfounded as Alpha Vanorr slowed. "We have arrived" he said quietly, his pace now a dignified trot as the path curved, and suddenly opened into the small clearing. For a few moments, Alistra could see nothing as the two wolves ahead of her blocked the view, but a moment later a large flat rock was visible, laying serenely with an aura of importance in the middle of the clearing. And on that rock, three wolves sat, one ahead of the others, watching them. "Alpha Froedi" Vanorr called in greeting, leaping onto the rock and walking to the middle before seating himself as well, Vaskra following and taking her place a few steps behind him, giving a dip of her head to the company, her gaze resting longer on battle worn wolf who sat behind his alpha.

Alistra's eyes glanced from one wolf to the other as she followed her mentor's example, swiftly bounding onto the stone with ease, her aching muscles finally relieved as she took a seat near her mentor, finally getting an unobstructed view of the three from the Visdomr clan. The first sat with an aura of wisdom and command, his calm eyes watching them. The second she could hardly tear her eyes away from, such a wolf she had never seen. Covered in scars, and most noticeably missing an eye, and yet his other eye seemed to bore right through her, bringing a sense of cold fearlessness. And lastly, this one she perked her ears up and gazed at curiously without knowing she was. A young wolf, looking much the same age as herself, silver with some elusive blue mottling and vibrant blue eyes. Her attention was torn from these wolves as her Alpha spoke once again. "I am glad our meeting was not difficult to arrange." he spoke cordially, then motioned to the two behind him. "This is Vaskra, as I am sure you remember, and Alistra, her apprentice" he said. The dark violet wolf dipped her head once again as her name was spoken, and Alistra hurriedly followed her example, her gaze shifting back to the young wolf as she raised her head.

[wingfeather]

Alpha Froidi smiled to himself as the Aeradi clan promptly broke through the forest, hearing the wolfs call he responded, ''Greetings Vanorr.'' Enilair watched as the three new wolves approached, he noted the glance between Grthmé and the black and violet wolf, he wondered if they knew each other. Suddenly he caught the eye of the other young pup he was to work with, he saw her strong and agile frame, he also noticed with pleasure her cheerful, friendly attitude, he hoped they would get along well. At the alphas words Enilair broke from his reverie and bowed his head in answer along with Grthmé whose single eye roved over the other wolves, assessing them. Alpha Froedi nodded to the metro and her apprentice before introducing his wolves, ''You have met Grthmé before, and this is Enilair. Now as we do not have much daylight we should begin our council.''

[tenebria]

Vaskra indeed did know Grthmé, as did Alpha Vanorr. The latter looked curiously at the young apprentice, assessing him, and he was pleased to see him remaining silent and still, looking alert. He seemed to be a good student, and he hoped the fiery she wolf at his side would be able to learn something from him. Alistra glanced at the older wolf again as he was introduced, then back to the apprentice, who was quietly sitting by his Alpha. Her observations concluded in her mind, his calm demeanor, and the way in which he seemed to be listening hard to everything giving her a swift sense of relaxation, and she grinned slightly at him before turning her gaze back to her Alpha has he nodded in response to Froedi, who inclined his head to the wolves as they were introduced. "Agreed, let us begin" he swiftly spoke "No scouts have returned from my Clan as of yet... have you heard any different either from your clan or the High Alpha?" he questioned, knowing that that particular subject was of the most importance. The sooner they knew the place, the sooner they could put their plans into action.

[wingfeather]

Enilair returned Alistra's smile, but focused his attention back to the alphas when there was talk of scouts. ''Aye, just before we left, they reported that the boy is being ,held by the elf raid, six leages north from your clan, and twenty west of the elven fortress, they say it is a mountainous area with many rocks and and caves, and very few trees, they say that there are indeed ten elf warriors, and they are constantly on the move yet not at any great pace. Currently they are proceeding further northwards, they also say that the boy, though he looks exhausted, seems to be in good health.'' Enilair had not heard any of this information yet, his biggest question was why are they moving northwards, and not east back to their stronghold?

[tenebria]

Alpha Vanorr's eyes widened slightly as he heard there had indeed been news, and he listened attentively, a concentrating frown appearing. "Hmmm" he said thoughtfully after Froedi finished relaying the information. "To the north you say?" he said, frowning again. "I was hoping they would have remained more in the undergrowth, it is much easier to camouflage and hide in that area" he spoke, then shook his head, dispelling the thought. "This information sounds like quite a solid foundation to place our plan upon. As of now, it is of no use to know why they are heading north, as long as we get the boy before they reach their destination" he said firmly. He looked thoughtful again for a moment, imagining the area in his mind before giving a slight nod "I know of the area of which they speak, and there do happen to be many hidden caves. Perhaps one of those could be suitable to conceal our party once they have secured the boy?" he said almost as a question, glancing over at Vaskra who gave a slight nod. She had traveled the area a few times, and already many such caves were popping into her minds eye.

Alistra listened with slight confusion as the Alpha's spoke with one another, she trying to keep up. She had never traveled far enough to go into the more mountainous region, since it had less cover than the woods themselves, and she was suddenly intensely glad that Vaskra had trained her how to blend with rocky terrain as well as the woods undergrowth. While the two Alphas began organizing details, she began running over the information Alpha Froedi had relayed... ten elves. She couldn't help a slight grin at that. No way would ten elves stand against her and Vaskra! She thought boldly. Many other such thoughts flashed through her mind, but not once did the question of why the elves were taking such an unusual direction take presence in her thoughts.