Heartlands' Story - Tracker & Lore

Day 103 (April 7th, 2021) Spring 2, Y5

When Blizzardpaw awoke inside the leaders' den, there was nothing out of the ordinary. He was allowed to sleep there for peace of mind, to keep his mother company. Warm sunshine filtered through the tree branches and landed on his monochrome pelt as he emerged from the den. The soft glow of the sun made him squint his eyes for a moment. It was not yet sunhigh, which meant he had time to go do his own thing before his mentor, Swiftbriar, came to retrieve him for training. Peering back inside the den, he noticed the den was empty, with Yellowfang still sleeping.

Hesitation coursed through him. He knew she was always relieved when she woke up to find Blizzardpaw still there, even if she never spoke it out loud. Blizzardpaw got to see the soft, vulnerable side of her that didn't always show. He knew she was afraid of being alone the older she got, and he quietly allowed himself to be more and more often at her side at any moment.

Looking once more back outside, at the half-empty camp and the fresh colors of spring, he made the decision to go back inside. She usually wakes up at sunhigh, when the noise of returning wolves reaches her ear. He and Shadowpaw can play in the evening.

Slowly, Blizzardpaw laid down beside her, carefully burying half his muzzle into the fur on the back of her neck. It didn't take long for him to notice that she lay unusually still. He waited several moments, ears perked for the sound of her breathing, but heard nothing. Not even her chest moved, all the telltale signs of life gone.

~~~

When the Deepfeeders and two patrols came back home, Yellowfang's body was already moved to the center of the clearing. Blizzardpaw had enlisted the help of Sunfall and the other wolves there to help him get her body out. Wolves were already saying their goodbyes when the rest arrived.

Sootvine, who had just returned, said nothing. Everyone could see the anguish in his eyes he tried to hide. Redtail, too, as well as every wolf who had come back, looked mournful.

As usual, the wolves took turns in batches going up beside her body to say goodbyes, inhale the last of her smell, feel the warmth of her body one last time. The ones closest to her got to stay with her the longest, and it was Sootvine and Marigoldshine who buried her body.

There, at the funeral, the wolves said their parting words. Sootvine spoke first. speaking of her tenacity, big heart, understanding nature, and spunky attitude, talking of how he felt when they first met and he watched her  

“My first mate. My wife. I know you fought death every day, from the moment the first grey hair grew to your last breath. I know you gave him a good battle, as you always have. Your spunky attitude, your tenacity, your big heart, your nature...I loved it all. Even when we argued and snapped at each other over trivial matters, I still loved you.”

His speech was the longest. Eventually, he began to speak about the first days of his crush on her, how he was unsure how to tell her, and then about how he thought it was too late to figure it out when he began to notice her eyes on Whitestorm, “I swooned over you and you swooned over him and he swooned over Owlfrost. We were all completely unaware of the feelings we had for each other,” and more, he talks of the day he confessed to her, and of the joy he felt when she later confessed the same. He reminisced out loud some of their best days, before finally ending his speech, “Death may have claimed you, but I know that even in the afterlife you will give him hell.”

Next, Blizzardpaw spoke. It was the first time any child spoke up at a funeral; but then, Heartlands had not had many. He stumbled over his words sometimes but otherwise managed to get the point across: how special he felt to be doted upon by her, how happy he was to have two loving parents, “And even a god-mother,” he said, referring to Marigoldshine. Then he went on to talk about how he looked up to all three of them, focusing mainly on Yellowfang, and how he will never stop fighting until his dying breath, just like her.

Barnaby went up next, which was somewhat surprising. He talked about the first few months in Heartlands and her part in it, then about how she made Heartlands feel like home, bringing joy being her feisty attitude and being a loyal wolf, a loving wife to Sootvine, and a caring mother. Such qualities, he says, are things to be proud of.

Stormpelt went up as well. She was Yellowfang’s first and only apprentice before she got too old to have another.

When Dawnblaze went up, her belly plump with pups, the wolves didn't know what she had to say about Yellowfang. In her own spiritual way, she brought up the nature of life and death, finding charismatic ways to cheer the wolves up by implying that, just because Yellowfang was not with them, does not mean she was dead. Dawnblaze encouraged the wolves to keep Yellowfang and the memories of all those dear to them alive, “That is the second death: when all those living have forgotten you,” she concluded.

The graves of Willowstream, Owlfrost, Snowtuft, and Yellowfang stood side by side, the vibrant plants on the former three's sites swishing softly in the breeze. In time, Yellowfang's grave will be just as pretty, but for now, her grave was fresh, empty soil, just as raw as the wounds on the wolves' hearts.

Day 105 (April 9th, 2021) Spring 4, Y5

Dawnblaze gives birth to three healthy pups, two males and a female. The wolves rejoice at the new life, and, like with all pups, put soot in the shape of a heart upon their foreheads, as a sign of good luck. They wish the puppies well.

Robinwish, for the past few months, had been sleeping in the extra den alone for some time now. She was sometimes accompanied by Austin. With more signs pointing to Ourwin’s deteriorating body, he resigns himself to being an Elder, a decision respected by the other wolves.

One day, Robinwish enters the medicine den, looking shocked. Worried, Pinetree asks her if she's okay, and what he hears makes his heart lurch.

“I...I think I'm pregnant.” Under any other circumstance, it would be great news. But Robinwish was much too old, her body much too weak to handle bearing children. She didn't even know she was still fertile.

Pinetree rushes to get Austin, trying to be discreet, and when they all converse under the safety of the den's roots does Austin speak.

“I'm sorry,” he confesses, “I thought I--I didn't mean to--” his face was filled with distress, the realization of his mistakes spinning inside him. Robinwish leans her muzzle in to him, willing him to calm down.

“It’s okay, Austin. Accidents happen.”

“Is that what they will be?” wonders Pinetree. If it came down to it, he would whatever he could to see what she wanted come to fruition.

“No. I'll carry these to term.”

“But, you know what this will mean, right? It's highly unlikely that the pups will be healthy, and you may get sick more than normal. You might not be strong enough to carry them.”

“My decision is final. If something happens to me, it was worth saving the lives that grow inside of me.”

~~~

With all being said, Robinwish entered the Nursery and went to rest. Jessie and Dawnblaze were confused -- usually she would come by to see if the pups were well, but she never slept there unless she was expecting...No, could it be?

Rumors of her pregnancy spread like wildfire. Eventually Shadowpaw came up to her in camp one day, not long after sunhigh, and asked her if the rumors were true. In front of everyone, she said yes.

Pinetree worked diligently to make sure she was well-cared for and under no ailments. It was stressing, especially now that he was the only Herbalist working in such a big pack.  All the while, Austin’s mood plummeted. He could not help but to think he made a mistake. He should have been more careful. He carried with him the weight of knowing that, if anything happened to her, it would be his fault.

~~~

OOC: I also published the Day 102 entry! I never finished it >.>

Day 108 (April 19th, 2021) Summer 1, Y5

Summary

Hazelglow becomes pregnant and goes into the Nursery. Sandpaw starts to feel different, marking his transition from boy to man. Before his ceremony, Robinwish gives birth two weeks too early. Complications arise, there is too much blood; she dies giving birth to four pups. One of them is stillborn, but the other three seem okay. Since her pups are not yet weaned, Dawnblaze offers to take care of Robinwish's pups.

During her funeral, Austin, Pinetree, Sandpaw, Swiftbriar, and Velvetwing make speeches for her. Austin blames himself for her death and Pinetree tries to reassure him that it wasn't. When Tawnyspots points out the pattern that only the females seem to be dying, Firesong points out that it was coincidence Heartlands recruited three already aging females, then reminds her about Willowpaw. Hailstorm, in an attempt to give hope, reminds everyone of the upcoming Festival in a few months. Adding on to that, Firesong tells the wolves that they mustn't let despair rule over them.

The following day, Austin catches Sandpaw headed towards the borders. When questioned, the young male admits that Robinwish was a large part of the reason why he stayed, and now that she's dead, he no longer finds reason to stay. When Austin expresses his sadness and desire to go with him, Sandpaw tells him that Austin will not be alone, and that his other children will need him. With that, he leaves.

Austin tells the wolves back at camp Sandpaw's departure, before going into the Nursery to watch his children.

Day 110 (April 14th, 2021) Summer 3, Y5

Just two weeks ago, Warrior ceremonies were held for Blizzardpaw, Mistypaw, Shadowpaw, and Rosepaw. They were given the names Blizzardwing, Mistycloud, Shadowstreak, and Rosethorn. After their ceremonies, Swiftbriar brings up surprising news: he will be leaving Heartlands to reside in the pack where his new lover is.

The wolves say their goodbyes. The Alpha reminds him not to speak about the Sphere, and to be wary of what other information about Heartlands he gives. Blizzardwing becomes his replacement, taking on the role of Stalker for the Windrunners.

Now, two weeks later, Jessie’s pups receive their Apprenticing ceremonies, but all four decide not to stay in Heartlands. The teens thank Heartlands for all they've done, and will remain until the day after the Summer Festival.

At the Summer Festival, Sootvine shows off his latest advancements with dye. Heartlands has managed to create a crude banner of sorts, made of light, dried leather. The banner is square-cut and rimmed with red, the inner portion covered in green dye. He tells them that, once they find a symbol worthy of representing Heartlands, it will be in the middle and colored yellow. Reddii, leader of Fierce Grace, has some news of their own. From now on, their pack will be called the Far-reaching Momentous.

Days after the Festival, Marigoldshine gives birth to another five puppies. The couple take pride in their fertility once more, but Rosethorn isn't exactly excited about having so many new siblings. More kids means less time to be with mother.

Speaking of Rosethorn...with puberty comes strange emotions. Shadowstreak and Blizzardwing trail after her even more, and for once, instead of running away...she almost wants to give in.

But I won't! She thinks. I'm not an easy target.

Robinwish’s remaining three children continue to grow. As far as Pinetree can tell, they will grow to live strong, healthy lives. Austin has given them names. “The bright red and white one will be Moonpup. The brown one will be Sparrowpup, for the similarities. And the golden brown one will be Flamepup, for the ripples of auburn fur.”

~~~

OOC: Forgot to submit this. Entries have been short lately because I've got writer's fatigue and can't do much beyond a few sentences. That's what happens when your school constantly gives out essays multiple times a week...