The Journey Begins
Avilik woke early before dawn that morning after tending to his burn wound with some melaleuca salve he descended down stairs to cook breakfast. Knowing full well that Sho would not be up for another hour or so. He soundlessly got his supplies out and started making cinnamon french toast for them both. He also took some sausage from the cellar and set that frying in a near by pan, minimizing the noise as much as he could. Once it was nearly ready, plates were put into place and silverware accompanied them. Coffee was brewed on the stove as the food found its place on the table. Syrup set in the center between the food entrées. Hoping the smell had woken her his silent paws came to her door.
A knock woke her as the smell of food finally came to her. Turning over she merely covered her head with the pillow going back to sleep. Another knock followed "Sho come on bruiser will be mad if we are late." Receiving no answer he sighed and came inside her room. Though he had promised to stay out of it she never said not to wake her. He shook his head at the sight of her. His paw shook her gently claws retracted upwards as much as possible to not hurt her. "Come on don't make me carry you down stairs." She ignored him waving him off. "You leave me no choice then." He grinned a moment then held his face blank as he picked her up out of the bed, knowing full well that she wore silk pajamas because of his laundry detail. He carried her out of the room as she finally realized what was going on. "Avilik put me down this instant!" he felt her heat rising but ignored it. "I told you I would carry you down if you couldn't manage to get up on your own." He plopped her down in her chair his face unreadable. "Or would you prefer to lose your job for being late." He pulled the kettle off the stove and sat it on the table for her then retrieved two mugs for them before sitting down. She glared at him a moment then looked out side noticing the sun was rising. "I thought I told you to stay out of my room" his eyes locked on her angry ones. "I did stay out but you made no mention of waking you in the morning for your own benefit. Now eat you can punish me after we are to our job on time." His voice firm yet soft he took a piece of toast and a sausage link. Syrup soon covered the toast and coffee flowed into his mug and hers. She studied him a moment. What is he really up to? He seems concerned about our jobs but... she sighed finally taking some of the breakfast and began eating. She looked up at him after trying the toast only to see him calmly eating as if not worried what she might do about him.
Avilik discarded the dishes into the sink after they had finished and washed them quickly. After all was put away he returned to finish his coffee finding that she had gone and changed by now into her usual black dress with flaming skirt hem. "You're not a bit worried are you?" "Hmm?" he looked over at her still noticing she was furious with him. "You don't care what I'm going to do to punish you for that do you?" "Why would I worry about the inevitable? There is nothing I can do about your judgement besides you wouldn't have gotten up on your own form the way you were reacting." He finished off his coffee before heading up stairs. "Plot you heart out Sho but I would not recommend injuring me before we leave." He disappeared up the stairs. What on earth is he up to? He doesn't fear me even when I'm angry…he's impossible. Still I want to know what he is plotting as well he has been acting very weird lately.
Avilik was finished packing by the time Sho appeared in his room they had about ten minutes to spare so he had sat down to read his book on dragons. She stood before him glaring at him. His eyes calmly came to rest on her angry ones though he said nothing. "You will be doing slave labor for awhile for your little stunt." She smirked inwardly hoping this would bother him. "As you wish." was his only reply, he seemed unconcerned. "That's all you have to say?" "Is there much more I can say? I would not change you mind and its not my custom to refuse punishment for what I did. I take my wolfen vows seriously. Besides little do you know that the females always rule over the males in wolfen society, even if they don't show their status." She stood speechless for a moment. "You're saying that even though you were alpha you were bossed around by females?" "Yes, though in my status only the elders and shaman could do such. My half sister and Aaka often drafted me for slave labor of sorts. Besides they'd beat the living daylights out of me otherwise. Females are naturally stronger in our race." "Naturally stronger eh? Well you'll find out just how strong I am shortly." Her voice hard as she glared at him. "We should be on our way." He stood putting the book down and walking over to his pack, he hefted it onto his shoulder and followed her down stairs. She had her pack by the door and picked it up as they went out, making sure her door was locked before heading for the stables. Avilik walked adjacent to her in silence all the way there.
Once in the stables they found their tack already ready and waiting for them. But when Avilik attempted to saddle his big stallion, Stregar reared taking a swipe at him. "What is wrong with you? Your not a colt anymore so stop acting like one." His voice firm with the horse, but the stallion's ears went back and he tried to nip his master with the next attempt. Sho had stopped what she was doing to watch this worried about him spooking her horse as well. "Behave or no more snacks Stregar." Sho nearly hit the ceiling when her horse whinnied extra loudly and pawed at the ground. He watched the mare, whom was much calmer, then looked back at Stregar. Setting the saddle back on the stall door, his hand resting on the stallions cheek he closed his eyes a moment. Walking over to his saddle he inspected it and pulled outfour metal burs. "Check your saddle for burs Sho." "For what?" he showed them to her. Checking she found only two. "Looks like someone wanted us hurt…. But I doubt it's the owner of this place. He loves horses to much to want to hurt them in this manner." He tossed the things aside then took his blanket and saddle and saddled his mount, who now behaved himself. Sho managed to heft the heavy gear onto her mare's back but had a little trouble mounting up. Avilik merely came over and picked her up then attached her pack to the saddlebag on her right. She glared at him again. "I can do it my self" "didn't look like it to me. We don't have the time for nonsense." Her urged the stallion out of the stable with her in tow, trotting to their destination.
They made it to work on time and dismounted to get their gear. Bruiser was grinning like a Cheshire cat when he saw her on horseback. She shot him a glare then went to help Avilik. Once they had their supplies loaded Avilik picked up a crossbow, a long bow, and a few throwing knives before remounting. Sho, pickier about her choices, choose a specialty cross bow and some throwing stars. She then ran at her horse and managed to hoist herself into the saddle. Why does this mare have to be so much taller then me? Bruiser came over and handed her a map with a smiled. "Happy hunting you two." Sho turned Desert Rose and headed out as Avilik waved to their boss then followed. Once outside the city they picked up pace and Avilik let Sho be the guide rather then him getting them lost.
Within five hours they had made good progress. Now riding on clear level plains which the horses loved. Though both of them knew the jungle ahead would be a problem. A soft hum escaped her riding partner as they traveled. Pulling along side her his hand gestured towards a watering hole on the plains with a single lone tree bravely standing by it. Looking at him a moment he finally headed over and dismounted. He unbridled the horses and led them to the water's edge to drink. As Sho calculated their position from the angle of the sun he unsaddled the horses. "I suppose we can rest here. We did make good progress today." "It would be wise. The horses can only be pushed so far." A saddle thumped onto the ground along with saddlebags. The horses wandered over to the thickest patch of grass to graze paying no mind to their masters. A second thump of a saddle came. Her companion remained standing though, shaking his legs out. Gol I hate saddles "well go hunt wolfy" his gaze came to her with surprise. "I will in a moment, as soon as I get the feeling back in my legs." She eyed him suspiciously. "Wolfen saddles and human saddles differ quiet a bit Sho." Once stretched out he slipped his heavy vest off, tossing it down with a clang and took the rest of his weapons off. He trotted off on all fours as she approached his vest "what in the world is in this." Her eyes revealed and assortment of smaller weapons: throwing stars, throwing knives, brass knuckles, along with a few things she didn't recognize. One of the unrecognizable items was a round disk with three blades folded in on its self, the second was similar but had only two blades and the disk was very heavy. Some interestingly shaped daggers caught her eye lifting one out of its seethe in the vest she inspected it. Well made from strong steel that gave off a blueish green hue it curved in towards its user. Also larger then a normal dagger, in between a dagger and a wide blade short sword. Its leather bound hilt was crafted with a grip in it. About to place it back she noticed a weird catch on the bottom of the dagger. "Maybe it can be hung from a belt…. I'll have to ask him later." She put it away noticing something else in its stead pulling out what looked to be metal claws set in a glove like device. "Looks like he knows more about weaponry and fighting then I thought. All his weapons are well made I just hope he can use them." Replacing the weapon she made her way to the lone tree to collect firewood. After a fire was roaring she dug out the small kettle and some tea. Didn't take long for the tea to brew once she got it going. "Now where is that furball?" "Right here" the voice came from behind her, causing her to nearly jump into the air. "Its not easy for a wolf to hunt alone you know." A loud thump sounded as he dropped is kill near her. The young antelope hadn't stood a chance as its rear hood was injured. Pulling the tribal knife from his belt, the only one he'd taken with him, he began flaying the deer. Sho got herself a pot of water and set it into the fire to boil as she dug out dried vegetables and herbs for her soup. Taking the meat chucks from Avilik and added them to the soup. While the furball, as she referred to him, cut up some more of the meat and packed it in salt soaked cloths then wrapped that in leather before binding it. Storing it in one of the saddlebags he returned to take a leg off the carcass, walking over the water he lay down ripping into the meat. Testing the soup she smiled and glanced over at him. A brow rose, "are you always that ravenous Avilik? He glanced over at her "no not always, I can't help my style of eating though." He dropped the leg that was nothing but bone and skin now and came to sit buy the fire. "You better start having some manners." "I will try" she handed him a bowl of soup and a spoon then got her own. He awkwardly used the utensil though he didn't like it. Her eyes fixed on him making sure he behaved himself. He noticed she was having a little trouble with the tough venison though he said nothing. "Avilik how can you eat this? It too tough." He blinked "I have carnasials remember?" He pointed to his blade like teeth near the back of his mouth. "Oh yeah..." "Try chewing with your canines it might help break it up." Shaking her head she just made due with conking on the meat awhile before being able to swallow it. After a few spoon fulls, "this is excellent Sho. You rival my cooking anytime." She glanced to him trying not to frown at the compliment "I haven't your aptitude for it." It didn't take him long to finish. Being polite he left what little was left in the pot for her. She eyed him a moment before finishing the stew off herself wondering why he hadn't. The next time she looked over at her companion he was fast asleep. Intrigued a moment but shrugging it off she pulled out her bedroll to use as a pillow then lay down to rest herself. Why is he acting so weird? She watched his still form though let him rest as she watched the day become night.
Weeks passed as their travels took them across the border into the unknown of a foreign country known as Raeland. Avilik now required their pace to slow for the horse's sake, as the weather grew increasingly hotter. His habit of sleeping after meals increased with the heat and Sho noticed him often panting even ridding the horses. He took to wearing a green cloak during the day hoping to keep the sun off his black fur. One night after dinner as the sun was setting in the west Sho noticed something about her companion she hadn't before. Gnawing on a bone to clean his teeth he claimed Avilik lay near by in the shade of a tree despite the setting sun. Looking him over she realized somethingPyralis he's lost a lot of weight. I can se his ribs when he breathes. a loud crack startled her form her thoughts, he'd cracked open the bone and was now licking out the marrow. "Avilik are you alright?" "Hmm?" he looked over at her confused. "Your thinning out a bit. I can see your ribs when you take a deep breath." Her voice held a small bit of concern. "my ribs always show when I take a deep breath, you just didn't notice before." "I know you have lost weight Avilik." Her voice stern and stubborn. "He sighed gnawing on his bone further before answering. "I'll be fine. My race normally eats about thirty pounds of food a day. I'm losing a bit cause I haven't had that amount each day." His voice in a matter of fact tone as he went back to his bone. "And you're eating bones?" "Because it's healthy, marrow is very nutritious and is used for more then a food source." "I don't want you fainting on me" "I won't. My race can go up to three months without food I don't think it'll be a problem Sho." Her face contorted with skepticism. "By the way, why did you call me your sister?" he chuckled "you will know soon enough on your own." He barely finished his sentence before drifting off to sleep. "I hope you are alright…you certainly don't act like it." She whispered to herself.
Once in the jungle they were slowed down enormously. The thick undergrowth was making it impossible to travel quickly. Along with the heat, which Sho loved. After protests from Sho, Avilik had won his battle with her and wore only a tribal loincloth while in the jungle. Using a machete to carve a path through ahead of the horses. After a full days travel Sho followed Avilik when he'd taken off one night. Creeping up behind a tree she saw him pouncing on something in the tall grass near a bog. What on earth? Finally catching sight of his prey she was astonished. Mice? Why is he eating mice… Unless he's not as all right as he says. Waiting till he was done and heading back she stepped out in front of him, instinctually his hackles rose till he realized who it was. "Were they good?" sarcasm dripping from her words. Why'd she have to spy on me? "Good enough, not as good as those in the north." He walked around her heading back to camp. "We need to…" "I'm fine Sho. Just hungry for something other then venison. Same food gets boring for me." great now he's making up excuses "that's what you say Avilik but I know you better then that. Your energy has been decreasing…" "I'm overly warm here and you know that." He cut her off, receiving a glare for it. "…Turing to eating mice is not a good sign. And what if you get worms?" he lay down by the fire, though the nights were hot the nights were very cool. "You're worrying needlessly. I won't get worms. You have no idea what I can eat and not get sick." "I can imagine." She came and sat next to him, surprised his gaze raised to meet hers. Why is she sitting with me? She never does that when she can avoid it. He lay his head on his paws still curious, he felt her hand stroke down his back and feel his sides, inspecting his weight. He's thinner then I thought. This has gone on too long. She grimaced looking down at him. "Avilik if you need more food then we will hunt together. You've lost too much weight already." He watched her a moment, "Can you keep quite while stalking? The slightest sound will send a herd on the stampede for miles." "Yes I keep quite" He shifted to lay his head in her lap, surprised she stared at him. Before long she found herself stroking his head though. "You act like a big puppy…" "The Wolfen race is just very affectionate to those they like is all. Being alone bothers me at times so being next to you at the moment is comforting." His voice quiet and drowsy. Her fingers traced over his scar with a smile on her face. "I see you still have this. And I can see how it would bother you since you had some many others around you before." He smiled and nuzzled her stomach gently. Well he looks contented. Wolves must always be easy to content if this is all it takes. She sighed, "Avilik I know you like companionship…" "I don't expect you to have much time for me. I already recognize your independence. An occasional period together will suffice." His voice very soft. He's that tired? This has definitely gone to far "We could go get you some food now if you want." "Hmm? I'd rather rest right now." His eyes closed and he said nothing further to her. "Avilik I can't stay here the entire night!" Getting no response from the sleeping wolf she shook her head and carefully slipped his head off her lap. "I guess we do it in the morning." She went to lay down for the night a bit worried about the big puppy dog despite herself.