Heartlands' Story - Tracker & Lore

Day 74 (March 9th, 2021) Winter 3, Y3 - Opposite Day+!

The winter this year has been particularly harsh. The river has frozen over, making chances to hunt for fish a rare occurrence. Prey hide deeply in their dens, and much of the larger prey is scarcely to be found. Unlike their time in their old territory, the deciduous forest, it was not as easy to store prey for the winter, and so the wolves often lived off lesser, more recent food.

Redtail worries Snowtuft will not survive the winter. She has been bound to the medicine den and elder’s den since the season’s start, battling a sickness that seems to be winning or losing at any given moment. Pinetree tries his best, but as he says, “She’s at the mercy of the Gods now.”

Firesong and Dawnblaze’s religion seems to be spreading throughout the camp, much to Redtail’s chagrin. He does not believe in Gods. “They rarely take on a physical form our eyes can see,” he overheard Dawnblaze say to Velvetwing once, “most present themselves as whispers on the wind, or a streak of sunlight through the trees...showing us the path we must take to overcome the difficulties we face,” he scoffed at the idea. Whispers in the wind? Streaks of sunlight? It all just sounds like everyday weather to me!

But even Barnaby seems to believe it. Curious, he asked them how they go about worshipping their Gods, how they’re like, what kind of Gods there were...and the couple had much to say about it all. One of the most interesting pieces of information shared was about how they’d found a pack who worshipped a specific God named Oneiros, who blessed one of the she-wolves with a child of otherworldly colors. “Her child was an image of the wolves of the Dreamlands, the place where Oneiros ruled over...They are so lucky to have him.” Dawnblaze spoke.

“As much as we wanted to stay, we had quickly realized that they were fanatics. They followed Emundans far more than any of the other Gods, and did many heinous, extreme acts to keep her pleased...we could not stay, or we would have been stripped of everything that made us unique,” Firesong added in. Barnaby asked more and more questions over time.

“When are we going to have pups?” Marigoldshine asked, her head resting on Sootvine’s forepaws. They had been watching as Owlfrost’s pups played just outside the nursery. For now, Frostpup and Icepup mainly toppled over each other and played at the grass. He seemed to think about it for a moment, before answering honestly: I don’t know.

It had been years since Barnaby and Jessie had their fling; since then, both wolves had taken on new mates. Barnaby first, finding love in Velvetwing, and just half a year ago, Ourwin and Jessie had taken to each other. Now, their children had been born just days before Opposite Day+. “The golden brown male’s name will be Honeypup, and the creamy brown girl will be Sharppup,” Jessie said.

“Two strong, healthy pups. I have no doubt that they will make great warriors for Heartlands,” Ourwin smiled.

On the day of Opposite Day+, not many people were willing to expend energy and waste time when they could use that energy providing food for the pack. It was not as festive as the last two years. The Frostfangs were out all day, and with Jessie and Owlfrost’s children too young to throw moss at the rule-breakers, it was up to Tallpup, Silverpup, and Barkpup -- Robinwish and Austin’s kids -- to be the moss-throwers.

Firesong, grumpy at the cold weather and finding the idea of Opposite Day+ to be silly, is the first to be bombarded with moss. Naturally, he didn’t like that either -- which caused a bit of tension between him and Austin when he threatened the kids to stop. Though Austin defended them and told them to keep having fun, they headed Firesong’s warning and avoided him and Dawnblaze, who was more polite about asking to stay out of today’s festival.

Many of the wolves who had been celebrating Opposite Day+ since the very first year were quite good at it, forcing the kids to get creative and trick those into exposing themselves. With the help of Sunfall who provided them challenges and dares they could force on the others, they were able to get most of the supposed pros into causing their inevitable doom.

Among them was Yellowfang, who had to stop playing halfway through the day to warm up inside the warrior’s den. Though she was not as old as Snowtuft, there were subtle signs here and there of her age, a reminder that she would soon join her friend in the elder’s den.

OOC

A reminder of who my wolves are and their roles. I've decided to add the Elder and Members role so we can see what everybody's got going on. Just pretend the Members are in their own hunting group...even though it'll never actually be mentioned lol. Also sorry it's so ugly; I really don't feel like adding the extra code every time to make it pretty. This stuff is finnicky.

HEARTLANDS (OOCLY)

Leader: Barnaby

Breeding Male: 

Herbalist: Pinetree

Pupsitters: Jessie, Pricklestep

Scouts: Firesong & Marigoldshine

Hunters:

(Sunseekers) Berrycloud, Dawnblaze, Sleekshade, Hailstorm, Sunfall

(Frostfangs) Lilypool, Sootvine, Raindrop, Hazelglow

(Windrunners) Swiftbriar, Smokewood, Tawnyspots, Robinwish

Members: Redtail, Stormpelt, Austin, Ourwin, Whitestorm, Owlfrost, Yellowfang

Elders: Snowtuft

Pups/Teens: Tallpup, Silverpup, Barkpup, Frostpup, Icepup, Honeypup, Sharppup

Day 75 (March 10, 2021) Winter 4, Y3

“Barnaby is a fool if he thinks this problem will go away by ignoring it,” Sootvine growls, knocking over the single rabbit skull that rested eerily on top of a branch-less sapling. With him were Lilypool, Smoke, and Berrycloud. The wolves had been scent-marking and checking the border they shared with an unfriendly group of wolves that had been giving them trouble ever since they moved to the Woodlands, “Next thing you know, they’ll be doing more than just putting animal bones at the border line.”

“It is disconcerting,” said Lilypool, sniffing at the skull, “where do they even find the time to do all this in such a frigid winter?”

“Who knows, and who cares,” Smokewood was baring her fangs, “but I wish they would step one paw on our side of the border. The cowards are too afraid to show themselves, and take to sending meaningless threats instead. If I were Barnaby, I’d confront them now and tell them to stop fooling around.”

“I’m sure Barnaby is making the right decision. They’re not doing anything harmful.” This time it was Berrycloud who spoke.

“Of course you think that, Berrycloud. If I put a rabbit’s skull in front of your den, would you think I was doing it to be nice?”

“That’s different--”

“I’m going to stop you two right there. Let’s just report this to the Council and see what they’ll do,” said Lilypool.

“Pfft, nothing. Nobody in the Council has any sense,” Smokewood scoffed.

Upon reporting the incident to Barnaby, he tells them to put the skull in storage and keep a closer eye out for the wolves whenever they patrol that side of the border. This causes Sootvine to growl lowly.

“What we should be doing is warning them not to do this stuff again. We've got enough problems as it is. Plenty of space to do our business, but not enough food to go around.”

“I appreciate your input, Sootvine, but like I've said before: until they make it clear they want trouble, or trespass our borders, then we needn't do anything.”

“But they do want trouble! Who does this just to say 'hi'?” but Barnaby silenced him, leaving the frustrated male to vent his frustrations to his friends.

Redtail and Yellowfang go on ahead, and find themselves face to face with an injured male ducking under an abandoned fox den. Quickly the wolves flare up, tails raised in dominance, hackles risen up, and teeth bared. The wolf shrinks further back into the den, and Redtail is ready to drag him out when Sleekshade and Whitestorm catch up and stop him.

“He smells like the enemy,” Redtail growls loudly, referring to the pack who's been sending them the ominous prey bones.

“Back away. I want to see for myself,” The Heir commands, his tail raised higher than the two to remind them who leads the patrol. They listen, but remain in their defensive positions, ready to strike in case the wolf within makes any sudden moves, Sleekshade barks, “Who are you? Get out from there.”

“Please...” it's a small, frail voice. The dark wolf tentatively moves forward, the limp he carried obvious in his movements, “They’re going to kill me if they find me. I had to come over here...”

“Kill you? Who?”

“My pack...before I was banished. They thought I was a traitor, but I'm not! They tried to kill me. They always kill traitors.” By now, half his body was out of the den. He was a blue-eyed dark-furred fellow, small and lithe. He looked to be a good runner, but the blood on his shoulders revealed he wouldn't be doing that anytime soon.

Sleekshade seems to think for a moment, before deciding, “Alright, come with me. Stay close to us -- when we get to camp, you're going to tell the Council everything.”

“What?!” Redtail barked.

“You can’t be serious!” Yellowfang flared.

“He's a traitor to his own pack! Worse still, he's a traitor to the enemy!”

“But they're going to kill him otherwise. Which means he has no reason to protect their secrets anymore...If we help him, we'll finally get to know a little bit more about our mysterious neighbors.” Sleekshade countered. They were already heading to camp.

For a moment, neither Yellowfang nor Redtail followed. Redtail wanted more than anything for Sleekshade to see just how dumb of an idea this was. He promised himself never to let an eye off the male for even a moment.

Upon arriving back to camp, the wolves that were there huddled together for warmth. Jessie and Owlfrost were eating a hare together outside of the Nursery to prevent messing the dens up, the oldest pups were playing around Austin and Robinwish as the couple watched and played, several wolves were taking naps, and Sunseekers were out hunting. But upon scenting the unfamiliar stranger, the wolves were on alert and watching them enter. Some gazes were curious, others worried, and some even looked hostile.

Pinetree retreated into the worker's den to fetch Barnaby, who had been cuddling beside Velvetwing before. They both exited the den. “What happened to him? Who is he?” were the first things he asked.

“He comes from our neighbors, but he claims they tried to kill him.” Whitestorm announces, causing murmurs to flicker to life around the camp.

Barnaby orders everyone but Sleekshade to go back to patrolling, “Marigoldshine, you go with them,” then, he rounds up the Council and Pinetree, and the wolves exit the camp to talk with the stranger.

He reveals he had been caught giving resources to another pack, something which is strictly prohibited by his former pack, especially during winter. They then marked him as a traitor and tried to kill him, but he escaped, “I crossed the border because I knew they wouldn't follow. I waited and hid near the border for you to find me… I don't mean to cause any trouble. I just don't want to die.”

“You won't die, not if we can help it.”

“Barnaby, are you sure this is the right decision? What if they cross our border demanding for him? What will you do then?” It was Jessie who spoke, concern glittering in her eyes.

“She's right. We can't risk a fight in the middle of winter, especially with resources so low.” Whitestorm added.

“I refuse to let any wolf threaten my pack to hand over an innocent man, especially one who risked his own life to help someone.”

And so, in the end, the man -- whose name is Walker -- was allowed to stay, “At least until his wounds heal.”

When the decision was announced, there was an outrage of wolves who disagreed with the idea. Many believed his staying would only bring trouble, and those who agreed with Barnaby’s philosophy either stayed quiet or defended him. Among them, of course, was Redtail, who always seemed to disagree with any bit of kindness Barnaby showed to anyone not of Heartlands. But the leader remained firm in his decision, and in the end, Walker was allowed to stay.

OOC

This was posted March 12. Now that I've written this, I can dedicate today to my essay, and tomorrow...March 11th's entry will be posted, hopefully. Fair warning: these next two entries will be looong, depending on how much detail I want to give certain scenes.

Day 76 (March 11th, 2021) Winter 5, Y3

“Walker's wound is bad, but with the help of Pinetree, he should be healed in a week or so.”

Barnaby has offered the male a place in Heartlands if he wishes, safe from the savagery of his old pack. The dark-furred male promised to think about it. To Barnaby, the questions he asks about their traditions and inner workings suggests he seems to be gauging whether Heartlands is for him or not, and the Alpha hopes that what he says is good to the acquaintance's ears. During his stay, the wolves have had questions as well: questions on how their mysterious neighbors are, what they do, how they act. Walker seemed hesitant to talk about the pack, as if they would come out from behind the trees at any moment, but he does reveal some information.

The pack's name is Lucien's Claw, named after the founder who ruled with iron claws. Tigon is their leader, a large man with faded brown markings that almost made him look like he had stripes. He also noted that “there are a lot of Claws,” and did not seem aware of the prey bones his pack members left on Heartlands' borders. He apologized for their behavior.

Redtail just snorted in disgust.

One day, the red male pushed his way into the medicine den, where Snowtuft had been living for the past few days. It was against Pinetree's wishes that he get too close to Snowtuft, citing fear that he would get sick as well, but the male ignored him and came to offer solace to his mate during her struggles.

When he visited this time, she lay deathly still.

“Snowtuft?” Redtail pushed his muzzle into her own, trying to get her to wake. Her breathing was so shallow he couldn't even see her chest move… “Snowtuft, wake up,” you can't be dead. He thought almost stubbornly, putting a bit more strength into his nudge, “Snowtuft,” he spoke, this time a bit louder. Licks were placed upon her muzzle, her ears, even over her eyelids. No movement, “Snowtuft.”

“What are you doing? Let her rest,” Pinetree peered into the den, but he realized what was truly happening at the same time as Redtail explained.

“She isn't moving at all,” Pinetree was entering now, sniffing and nudging at Snowtuft to get her to wake. But still she did not move.

The two wolves stayed in silence for a moment. The truth didn't need to be spoken.

Later that night, Snowtuft's funeral was held. Before her burial, she was placed at the centering of the clearing, and everyone was given time to mourn and say their parting words. Many wolves had much to say about the oldest Heartlands member to live among them, about the wolf who had been with them since year one.

Redtail was allowed to speak first, to talk of her bravery, her fierce personality, her willingness to admit when she was wrong. He spoke of how, in the beginning, she had almost been like a mother figure to him before he came of age. Then, they had been friends, but soon, they grew as lovers. They had their ups and downs, issues they worked through together, and how she was always so loyal to him and Heartlands. Finally, he spoke of how grateful he was that she allowed him the gift of being a father. Dustpaw and Beetlepaw were leaders of their own pack now, and they still visited Heartlands every now and then.

Next up was Yellowfang, who spoke similarly of her bravery and ferocity, how she was always her closest and most trusted friend. She spoke of times when they were both the only scouts in Heartlands, way back when, of the adventures they had and problems they faced together. She spoke of how supportive Snowtuft was, and how she was always a wolf Yellowfang could lean on.

After her, Barnaby spoke, talking moreso of the founding of Heartlands, her role in it, how much he valued her skills and opinions, and how much she cared for the well-being of Heartlands. She had a fire that could never be blown out, and even in her final weeks, she fought the sickness until the bitter end.

Other wolves spoke afterwards, saying their thanks, prayers, and goodbyes. When all was said and done, Redtail, Yellowfang, and Sootvine volunteered to bury her. When they had done the task, Pinetree planted seeds in her grave. Her grave lay next to Willowpaw's, his grave flourishing with bushes, ferns, and flowers, his body having long since given back to the earth that birthed his species.

Three days after Snowtuft's death, Walker announced his leave.

“I think my path lies elsewhere,” he began. Barnaby, his wounds still fresh from Snowtuft's death, tried not to let his voice waver when he wished the man farewell. Walker thanked him and the rest for their hospitality and help -- “Even if some weren't so friendly to my existence” -- and denied the escort Barnaby offered him until he got a bit farther from Heartlands and Lucien’s Claw. A later team sent to see where he's gone found his scent trail still led north after leaving Heartlands' territory. Lucien’s Claw's territory rested on Heartlands' west side.

OOC

How many of y'all thought Walker was Nightpaw? 👀 Y'all probably don't look at my den everytime I get a new wolf, but Walker is actually listed to have blue eyes, and Nightpaw's are yellow.

Redtail is still young. Perhaps I might give him a make-over, let him pair bond again. Who knows?

Also, I lied about this entry being long. Next entry might definitely require two parts. I intend for it to be long, but I might get writer's fatigue halfway through haha, so we'll see!