Earthsky

Earthsky | Stalker

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Lore

Fernstar's Welcome
Fernstar walked deep into the territory. Her paws moved silently among the brambles. Her ears flicked at the sound of a grouse chirping on the forest floor as it scavenged for food. She slowed down and steadied her breathing. The animal could not know she was there. She eased forward slowly.

A branch snapped across from her and the grouse scrambled toward her. She leaped on it, pinning it between her silver paws. She bent and killed it with a single bite to the neck.

A brown wolf jumped over the surrounding bushes, and Fernstar moved to stand in front of her prey. Her lips curled revealing sharp teeth, covered in blood from her kill. Her fur stood up. "Back off."

"That was a great catch," the wolf said, congratulating her. "I didn't mean to scare it but it flew right into your jaws."

Fernstar tilted her head surprised by the eagerness in his voice. "I could've caught it on my own," she said diplomatically, sitting down next to the prey.

"I know, I know," he said quickly. "I just think it was pretty awesome. We'd make a great team, you know?"

"Hmm," she said, rising to her paws at the implication. "I should be going."

"Can I come with you?"

Fernstar opened her mouth to object.

"I'm all alone out here," he interrupted. "You know wolves don't live long on their own."

Fernstar remembered the way the sickness had raged through their camp, and then the mountain lions had swarmed them to end the survivors. The snapping jaws and the curved claws ripped through the pelts of her denmates. Her side ached as if the scar had reopened from the memory.

"Please." The wolf's voice jolted her from her thoughts. "I'll talk to your alpha," he said quickly, and he can decide what to do with me."

"It's a difficult choice," Fernstar murmured.

"I can be very resourceful," he promised.

Fernstar had been lonely in her grief. Maybe hanging around a wolf her age would ease her mind and give her hope for the future. "What's your name?"

"Earth," he answered.

"Earth, come with me." Fernstar turned and left the clearing. She heard the eager pawsteps of Earth racing behind her. He acted so much like an apprentice it was embarrassing to acknowledge that they were the same age.

Fernstar led him toward the mountains. As they traveled, Fernstar explained the pack code and the importance of its following. From ranks to naming ceremonies to the ancestors above, she provided all the information he would need to survive in the pack.

They neared a tall, brown-gray mountain with small bushes and the chirping of small birds. A cave nestled a few fox-lengths above the ground. Fernstar had moved her camp there after the sickness. She had hidden in solitude, rarely leaving the cave in case she was infected with the illness. She discovered soon enough that her body had somehow survived. Reflecting on it, Fernstar realized that the Pack of Endless Stars must have wanted her to survive.

She led the way to a large boulder at the base of the mountain. She leaped nimbly on top of it.

"Where are we?" Earth asked, looking around. "Where are the others?"

"Ancestors, I call upon you to look down on this wolf, who has professed his dedication to this pack. Give him courage and strength, so that he and the pack may continue to live in peace and prosperity. Earth, do you promise to provide for and defend this pack even at the cost of your life?" Fernstar said, recalling the ceremony from Pinestar, the last leader from her pack to have welcomed an apprentice into the ranks before the sickness destroyed everything.

Earth looked around in bewilderment. "I-I guess so?"

"I needed you to know for certain," Fernstar said. Her ears flicked in surprise as she realized she wasn't impatient. There was no rush, no strong overwhelming desire for the brown wolf before her to choose the nonexistent pack. She tried to summon the strong longing for companionship or pride in the founding of a new pack, but instead, her mind and heart were silent.

Earth nodded. He closed his eyes and stood in silence for a moment. When he opened his bright blue eyes, he nodded again. "I promise."

Fernstar smiled. "Then from this day forward, you shall be known as Earthsky. The pack thanks you for your eagerness and insight."

Earthsky grinned back. "This is going to be so much fun."

Fernstar resisted an eyeroll. "Come on; I'll show you the camp."

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Adult Life
Became a stalker in Leaf-Fall of Season #1
Mentor to: Riverstream, Icesplash, Sparrowheart [Lunarclan]
Mate: Fernstar
Pups: Beetlepup [deceased], Shadepup [deceased], Stagstep, Flintfeather
Adopted Pups: Windheart, Berrycreek, Robinwish

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Lore

The First Litter
Earthsky paced the outside of the nursery. His paws sent the dust floor fluttering through the air.

Harespring coughed. "She's doing fine," the cream she-wolf assured him as Fernstar let out another screech. Her ears flicked back at the noise. "Births are always hard, but she's so strong."

Earthsky nodded but quickly winced as another pained yowl came from the nursery.

A moment later, a deep brown wolf poked his head out into the clearing. "Earthsky," he said, "come meet your sons."

Incomplete

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Elder
Resigned from [Role] in [Season] of Year [#] at [Age #] years old.
Role Proficiency:
Level:
Stats:
Elder Role:

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