WolvenCall

Raoul

    Summer had always been a good season for Raoul. The ice would be thawed on the beaches for him to collect sea-shells and the she-wolves would be off helping care for pups and thus it kept him out of trouble. Even if he did get restless. This summer however was different. No more evening runs on the beach or grooming sessions. Ever since his exile he had stayed close, until his parents drove him off forcefully. Blaming him for their additional exile.  Even then he would take the berating of their teeth and claws, to avoid change. He had a rough enough time being driven out by his packmates, often continuing to cross back over the borders to resume regular life, only to be chased back out. Change and time were his conspiring enemies. Now in the cool morning air Raoul ambled along random game trails, ever so often scenting the air for the scent of other wolves or looking for a meal. He hated this. Having to hunt for himself. Most times instead of taking enough for one sitting, he would scavenge or hunt for smaller prey that would not get blood all over after a kill. Raoul was a very neat eater, often only using his front teeth to rip bits off instead of digging his whole head in an elk carcass like the others of his old pack. Cleanliness was next to godliness his mother always said.

   Raoul continued on his trek through the forest for a few more hours before stopping to take a rest. The morning had been easy and peaceful, aside from the occasional elk bugling. Taking a look around the male wolf took notice of all of the damage the earthquake had caused. Rocks had broken off and trees had fallen from how fiercely the ground had shook. Everything was affected. He had noticed destroyed squirrels nests and anthills. We suffer as one. Raoul couldn’t remember when he had seen the elderly brown wolf with the blue eyes. He believed the old wolf had walked with him in a dream, or maybe in a morning haze, but those words never escaped his mind. They haunted him, especially when the ground had begun to shake.  During that time Raoul had been off looking for shells when he was forced into the forest due to the shaking ground and rising tide. After the shaking had stopped Raoul had gone to his sea-side cavern only to find it destroyed. It took him nearly a week to convince himself it was time to move on.  But now that he caught the faint whiff of wolves on the wind and rumors of great powerful packs in the west he was determined. This was a land of opportunity. Damsels would be lost and looking for a strong body to curl up to and forgotten treasures were to be dug up from the aftermath and all for his picking. And maybe, just maybe, he would find a new family.

Nahimana


“Hedda, how are you liking Dawnguard so far? I hope everyone has been treating you okay. Do you enjoy being by the Big Water? I do. It smells..so relaxing, some wolves don’t like the smell, but it’s a refreshing type of smell. Do you know what I mean?” Nahi decided to take Hedda on a walk around the territory. She wanted to show her around the new territory. Also, Nahi wanted to see what the new landscape was all about. But, as she walked through the territory, they reached a small grassy field, with tall grass that touched their sides. In some parts the grass was shorter and fields of purple and yellow flowers lied out before them.


“Such a beautiful meadow isn’t it?” Thinking of name would be top priority for this area. In the distance she could see a river and beyond that some woods. “Shall we head to the woods and see what Vara live there?” She asked Hedda.

   

Hedda


The sun was out and the sky was clear as Hedda and her new Alpha made their way about the Dawnguard Territory. She had been surprised at first, when the she-wolf had asked to give her a tour - to just walk with leisure and not true purpose was not something she was used to.


“I like it very much, my Alpha.” she said, inclining her head. “The other wolves have been very kind. I am not yet used to the big water, my people lived in a place that had nothing like it, but I am sure in time I will come to like it as you do.”


Hedda smiled at the large she-wolf before her eyes drifted off about the landscape around them. Dawnguard was beautiful, she had to admit that. Everything about the territory, how the long grasses shifted in the slight breeze and the cicadas chirruped amongst the trees. Everything was serene.


Nahimana’s voice jerked the young she-wolf from her thoughts. “Oh...yes, very beautiful.” she said shyly. The words and rules of Dawnguard, especially those surrounding prey still had her stumbling sometimes. “Yes. Let’s.”

Raoul


   Trees eventually gave way to tall grasses and flowers, letting him blend in perfectly to the summer surroundings. It would be perfect for hunting. He often enjoyed chasing the little animals through the grasses when he was a pup and seeing the sight of ground squirrels running about inspired the spark in him to hunt and fill his maw with ground squirrel. During his exile, Raoul had become an expert rodent/ mustelid hunter. Often sticking to them for weeks on end he often began catching the larger ones like marmots and even beavers when he was extra hungry but then again he tried his best to block the beavers watery exit and keep it on the land to hunt. He particularly favored beavers as they had a sweeter taste on and around the haunches.

Settling down on his haunches Raoul watched the little things his tail flicking as he crept forward his mind completely focused on his task. He lunged forward through the tall, pale grasses, heir stalks trying to keep him back as he snapped the squirrel’s neck, their little bodies slipping between his maw as he ate and hunted.

It was a good day, Raoul would have to remember this area. It would prove a good back-up when he needed food. Sauntering forward Raoul nearly missed a nice-looking  flat rock towards the top of a small hill. He could get used to this area. Leaping up onto the warm stone he sat, watching the area, the grass nearly tall enough in this area to envelop himself and the rock if he lie down. Although the rock itself was relatively low. Down along the side of the hill and further in the field lay larger, moss covered boulders almost as if spirits had lifted them up and placed them there. They were huge, some almost three wolf lengths tall.  It was beautiful.

Yet as the familiar scent of wolves caught his nose, it darkened. His mind clouded as his hackles rose. This was his hunting spot. Rising up Raoul watched the grasses as they flowed back and forth in the breeze. Taking in another draught of the scent he watched as he noticed the irregularities in grass movement. He almost didn’t spot the two females. Even though the grass wasn’t too tall he had paid too much attention to their scent and not where they were. Still, not too worried he sat back, watching, his eyes refusing to look away as he blended well into the surrounding area as the heat had turned much of the grass an almost tan colour. It took him a moment to even think of fraternizing with these two, but it could benefit him. Raising his head up he arched his back and stretched out before climbing slowly off of the warm rock to approach the two she-wolves. Although he kept a cautious stance and pace, he was curious. He had never seen two wolves travelling together like this but they had the same base scent…..Pack wolves. He froze up a bit. There was no backing away now.



Nahimana

“The Big Water is a wonderful experience. It holds so many different types of creatures. Some that even I have ever seen. I was walking the beach one more morning and saw water fly into the air. Then, this large black and white creature leaped into the air. It was amazing! We’ll have to take a visit it one day.” Nahi explained excitedly retelling the tale. As they two came upon the field, she took a moment of pause. Breathing in the sweet smelling blossoms. The field was beautiful, with hills and spots of rocky ledges scattered across the field. In the distance was a small pond. Nahi had often saw river otters swimming among the pool. Nahi enjoyed watching them play and swim. However, that was for another time.


Coming to the field she stood on the hill beside Hedda looking over the area. It was such a new territory and brand new to her. Still getting the feel of the area, seeing new birds and smelling new scents. It was all so strange. As the wind caressed across her fur, her eyes scanned the area leisurely. As scanned the horizon something caught her eye. Movement.


“There is someone out there.” Nahi spoke lowly, her head rising, ears pricked. Throwing her head back, she let out a deep howl. Letting the wolf in the distance know, he had been spotted. Would the wolf approach or would the wolf flee? Nahi kept the high ground beside Hedda, waiting and watching what happened next.


Hedda


As her alpha talked about the creatures leaping over the waves, Hedda’s imagination took off and soared. In her mind, giant beasts with wings twice the span of their length shot from the water and into the air, droplets of sea foam falling from their wings and catching in the sun. Her ears pricked forward and her tail wagged a little at the thought of seeing them for herself. “Oh yes please I would like that very much!”


Hedda stepped up next to the large red she-wolf and just breathed in the earth. Her legs longed to bolt and jump over the rocks that surrounded them but she stopped herself. It wouldn’t be appropriate. Suddenly, she felt Nahimana tense beside her. Hedda’s ears flicked back against her head as the larger she-wolf howled out to another wolf she only just noticed moving down from a large rock.


It was a male, she could see his grey pelt flickering through the grasses. He was not as tall as her, but boy was he thickset. Tentatively, unsure of how to place herself, Hedda slowly sat down, collecting her hind legs beneath her in case she needed to spring forward.



Raoul

   The male decided against fleeing. It would be best to approach with manners striding down towards the females, he approached with his head lowered, but tail straight out. A sign that he would be respectfully submissive...for now and would not tolerate aggression as he would take control then. Stopping a meter away from them he lower his head more in greeting. Looking up a lazy smile spread across his rugged jaw. “Hello ladies. I’m sorry to intrude, but I was just passing through. All I’ve hunted were ground squirrels, so no worries. If I must though, I will help to hunt and make up for what I have taken and be on my way.” He smooth talked, hoping to avert any hard feelings. He needed these wolves to like him so no word would get to the other packs. They didn’t seem dignified enough to go after trinkets for fun, but they smelled of the sea as well. Although he wasn’t sure he wanted to leave he didn’t wish to fight to stay...Unless he could join. They were bigger than him. The brownish female wasn’t nearly as so but big red over there reeked of authority. She must be the alpha female, taking a break from the alpha for awhile. He would hate to have met him first.


Nahimana

Watching as the grey male descended from his rocky place and began to approach them. His posture was unthreatening, but he was inside Dawnguard territory. Her territory was still and the ground had yet to soak in the scents of the new wolves. The territory was still fresh; so she couldn’t prosecute him harshly for entering into the territory. However, she will have to do something about him. Tail even with her hindquarters gave her status and to show that she wasn’t going to allow him to leave so soon.


“I won’t berate you for entering into Dawnguard territory. We are new to this area and still lying down scent markers. My name is Nahi, I’m the Alpha female of Dawnguard. This is Hedda.” Nahi introduced herself, then her companion at her side. Sending up a silent prayer to Gaho for the loss of the squirrels that weren’t properly invoked. Things happened when dealing with Drifters.


Giving a slight tilt of her head, her golden eyes scanned over his body. He was a fine young male. In his prime. And he had a sort of attractiveness; a magnetism of some sort to him. “However, dear, Brother. I can not allow you to leave. In Dawnguard, we don’t allow Loners who penetrate our borders to go.” Her tail gave a slight twitch and curled slightly higher over her back. “Would you be willing to stay in Dawnguard for a few days?” It was an invite, but it also had something underlying. Like, a small threat if he were to decline. Nahimana did not like violence and she wouldn’t force him to stay, but she wouldn’t let him go without a warning if he were to approach their borders or penetrate their territory again.


Hedda


Hedda was unsure of what to do with herself, she had recited the laws of Dawnguard until she knew them off by heart. She knew this male would not be able to leave, even as her Alpha said as much. Hedda studied him under her eyelashes. He was quite attractive with his grey and earthy coloured coat. Not to mention the smirk that tugged at the corners of his mouth as he spoke to Nahimana.


Her eyes flicked to the red she-wolf as Nahimana offered him the chance to stay in Dawnguard. Hedda didn’t fail to notice the way her alpha curled her tail up on a gesture of dominance. This was all so new to her, she didn’t know how to be dominant! It wasn’t in her personality! But she had to do something to back up her Alpha. Nahimana had earned her loyalty and respect.


“Indeed Brother, I should also insist you stay with us awhile.” she said quietly, thankfully stemming the quiver that threatened to overtake her voice for the fact she was speaking with authority. “I personally can attest to the hospitality that Dawnguard shows the strangers that cross its lands.”


Raoul


    The male chuckled at the comment he could have made. He couldn’t be so ungentlemanly at their request though. He had also not failed to notice a hint of admiration in their eyes. Ah, hell. Why not? He thought Maybe i can filch some trinkets and some sweet nothings if I head out. The big male was cautious though as they were dominant and seemed pretty nice. Being a loner was rough, especially since he had to get his pelt dirty every time he hunted.  Raoul flashed a large grin his eyes gleaming with mischief  “Sure thing your highness” he remarked confidently “But I’m not your brother, and I think you won’t forget that” Winking mischievously at the ladies Raoul walked on past them. Flicking his tail the male used his hind feet to scuff up the grass in a gesture of promise. He’d left his mark and so he would stay put. Not once after being exiled had he marked anything other than the occasional time he would relieve himself and this was the first. He wasn’t exactly comfortable with it but there was the scent of opportunity on the breeze.

Practically stud-trotting forward the male stopped short a few wolf-lengths further ahead of the she-wolves and gave his creamy ‘mane’ a quick grooming before he looked back at them. They were indeed beautiful...He watched them smirking “Lead on ladies”



Nahimana

Giving a tilt of her head when he scraped the ground, her eyes narrowed to slits. It was an obvious display, but why he displayed it was unknown to her. There had to be little doubt in his head that he would be able to take her land. Or, perhaps he was just staking a claim; maybe he wanted to belong? Focusing back upon the grey male she walked past him and motioned for Hedda to stay on his other side. “So, male..are you going to let us know your name?” She inquired, glancing back at him.


“Well, since you’ve entered Dawnguard, you will go through a trial called The Duskguard. You will learn our day-to-day routine and learn about our culture. At the end of your trial, you will be tested. If you fail the test you’ll be expelled from Dawnguard. However, passing you will be granted the choice to stay.” Nahi explained to him as they walked through the field they had just walked across. Getting the male back to the den area was all that needed to be done.


“When we arrive to the den site, you will not be allowed leave or hunt without a chaperone. Because we have no Luperca to teach you. I will be teaching you all you need to know about Dawnguard. Any questions?” Looking back at him with a serious face not even Hedda had seen ever. Nahimana was the enigma of a wolf. At times she could be as carefree as a puppy, leaping through fields of flowers and playing with her packmates. However, not many got to see the serious side of her, when it was facing an unknown wolf trespassing into her home. This new side, was even startling herself..


Hedda


Hedda was silent as her Alpha spoke to the trespassing male. When Nahimana gestured for her to walk on her other side, the young she-wolf did as she was bid; keeping the large red wolf between her and the newcomer.


Nahi spoke with a silent power now, that Hedda had never heard before. Her ears flicked back a little and she lowered her head to below that of her Alpha. Cautiously, she glanced across to the male wolf, trying to judge his reaction.


Raoul

  Unfortunately for them, the two she-wolves would be the first of their pack to experience one of the males sporadic bouts of aggressiveness. He had always had them as he grew, yet his old alphas had encouraged it, especially around strangers. This was no different, although it seemed the further west he went the less it was tolerated. Raoul smirked at the she-wolves, he could see straight through them. He had dealt with situations like this before. They were playing off desperation, but smell doesn’t lie. It was time for him to make his move “The name’s Raoul ladies.” Birds flitted above Raoul his eyes wandering over them, they could prove to be useful in looking for pretty trinkets. This gem next to him had teeth though. He wouldn’t be trying to sweep her away any time soon, especially with the ideas she had “And your trial…..Seems pretty tacky. What you really mean is that i'm on parole. As if you were a stable pack. From the scents on you though, You need me in your pack.” He chuckled comically and stopped in front of the alphess and her packmate  his formalities now long over, but all seriousness took over in the emotions on his face.

“Your pack is still small, without numbers you’re defenseless against these other packs. Yeah, i’ve seen some wolves around here like that mountain wraith back there, but without at least six more of him, you’re fishbait sweet cheeks, I’ve heard the rumors. Some bigshot is taking over further west. Wolves like that, they’ll destroy anything in their way to keep their greatest fear at bay..”  Raoul spoke more sweetly than honey his eyes wrinkled with mirth. The male leaned in between them, whispering the word as if it were a sweet lover of the past “Death... All Alpha’s secretly fear it, and don’t try to tell me that you do not fear death miss. Be it for loss of power or fear of what may happen to their pack, no leader has ever not feared it. I can see it in their eyes, eating away at them until they are either torn apart on the inside, or power eats them alive until they are nothing but a suspicious hollow shell of themselves... And you sweetness, why so quiet? Afraid to saying something? Better train up, it sounds like the dark times are coming back to haunt us… Oh yes we had them back east.” Winking at the female Raoul continued onward with them, this would be fun. “I’ll continue to play your game though, it will be fun to watch how this pack fares.”


Even though he had little respect for those in power, he had even less respect for most of those beneath him. They reminded him of his parents, sickly groveling bastards, constantly fighting their way to the top through trickery instead of hard, honest work as he had had to do. He would rise and he would put them in their place. Kept at the bottom ranks, stealing was one thing. But cheating...he would not tolerate. Raoul was twisted, yet he liked it that way, it reminded him of what his parents had done. They had used him for better standing...and then they dumped him to the banks when he failed. He would not fail or be used ever again... 


Nahimana

The hair on Nahi's neck began to bristle as this Raoul began to speak. He was talking down to her. Who was he to be speaking to her like this!? She had found him in her territory and by is own admittance, he had hunted as well. A soft growl was beginning to form in her throat as he stopped in front of her. On instinct, her tail flagged up behind her. “The trial has been apart of my pack for many moons. Each pack has their own way of accepting others. My pack just so happens to test those who join. If you can't accept what I teach you during your trial, you can leave.” Trying to keep a level head while talking to him as she explained the right of trial. However, when he spoke about them needing him, she marched up to him and looked down at him and dead in the eye. “I may need wolves, but I don't have to need you. I need wolves who will take my pack seriously.” Telling him evenly, her eyes level with him. All that training with Felgar was paying off.


Raoul leaned forward and her hackles suddenly stood high in the air. Death. Did she truly fear death? No, she only feared that her life would end before becoming a successful leader. Vaguely she wondered what wolf was taking over the West. Would they come here? Nahi looked away, staring at Hedda. If they did..they had to become strong fast. Unfortunately, that did mean taking almost any wolf that came to her borders. Including Raoul.


Nahi knew she had to work fast to put this male in his place. Or else he might just walk all over her if he passed the trials of Duskguard. She would accept Felgar to talk down at her, but not him. Not Raoul. Not, when he was younger than her and no more life experience than she did. Nahi moved toward Raoul, pushing her chest against his and pressed her head down on his shoulder. Tail flagged and ears pressed forward. Growling softly in his ear, “Do not mistake acceptance for leniency. I am Alpha here. Your Alpha until you fail my Trial. You don't like it here, than leave and never come back to Dawnguard.”



Raoul

   What they didn’t know was that Raoul had the upmost respect for rules and regulations, Just not snooty little alphas who deemed it okay to play their pack like sticks and stones. He was a hard working wolf-none the less and wouldn not back down from a challenge. His pride was as large as the big water, and he always paid his debts. "I will not fail"