Talamh

Tw: Horror, Gore, Mistreatment

Talamh was born into this world with innocence, not a single amount of malice in her bones. Unfortunately, her and her siblings were born on the outskirts of the Tribe's territory during an earthquake. Whilst her mother had tried to get her and her siblings to safety Talamh was the last one reached, and the coyotes got to her first. Though, instead of leaving her to the dogs (or in this case coyotes), her mother fought them off bravely and was able to rescue her despite the fact she already looked dead. The left side of her face was ripped open, exposing the bloody bone and tissue beneath. Due to her now fragile state, she resides in the Herbalists den full-time.

It was a struggle just to keep the pup alive, the moss that was regularly changed would always be soaked with blood. Talamh barely even moved let alone opened her eyes or spoke, how could she? How could she when the memories of the attack stayed in her mind? The yowls, screams. As if that weren't bad enough, the shaking of the Earth and the flesh exposed from the wounded coyotes stayed in her mind but what really stayed was the image of her mother's form receding in the distance as she was carried to safety, coyotes lunging and piling on her mother. She could faintly hear the cries her mother let out - gargled by the blood that would bubble and spill from her agape jaws.

Despite this, she made an attempt to drink the water and eat the food brought to her, she wanted to live. Eventually, the bleeding ceased, the wounds scarred over, and she was finally allowed to leave the outcrop of the den. When she went to rejoin her pack, however, she was met with looks she did not expect. Looks of disgust, sorrow, even pity. Her gaze landed on the wrapped form of her mother's body, among others. It was a disaster. Yet she did not back down nor cower in the healer's den, instead she took steps forward with her abnormal gait and came to sit beside her mother's form. None of the pack members approached to soothe her, save for Avgi and Ida. Ida rested her chin gingerly upon Talamh's crown as she murmured, "Talamh, she may have left this world, but she is not truly gone." She spoke in a hushed whisper, "And your story is not over yet." She reminded the pup.

Eventually, Ida had to part from the two to bury the dead. Once he was sure there were no eager ears Avgi looked down at Talamh, "Talamh," He spoke her name to get her attention, when her optic raised to meet his he gave her a small smile, "You can still do great things, by the stars you can still be a hunter - even a scout - but you'll have difficulty. I do not mean that in malice, I merely seek to be truthful with you." He added before he let out a small sigh, "Though, I am beginning to reach the age where I need to find a successor. It is not an easy task, but it is one I am confident you can accomplish, if you wish." He would say as he gazed down at her. He wasn't lying - Avgi wasn't one to lie - his maroon features now had strokes of gray mixed in, and his cheeks had begun to sink in. Avgi would be joining the stars soon and he knew this.

Talamh would stare at him, her eye wide. What were the chances that the healer, an esteemed role, would offer such a thing to a wolf like her? She stared at where her mother's body once was, her jaws agape as she tried to form words. Then she turned towards him again, "I... May I think about it?" She rasped out, her words broken and barely audible to the normal wolf. Avgi was no normal wolf. At this, Avgi gave her a reassuring smile, "Of course, Talamh. Take as much time as you need. You know where my den is." He said as he rose from his sitting position and padded away, his movements slow and rusty.

That evening as Talamh slept in the nursery, none of the mothers would provide her warmth nor would any of the other pups dare come close to her. She heard hushed whispers, calling her bad luck or worse a curse. Talamh did not let it bother her and instead she settled in her nest, curled up in a ball for warmth. When she did drift off to sleep, she found herself in a densely wooded forest, shrouded with blue fog. Her paws guided her through the forest with hesitant steps, the trunks of the trees had glowing fungi and even the moon casted a purple glow over the dimly lit scene. Suddenly, a dark wolf - one whom skin was black, along with their pelt and everything else, stepped out from behind a tree. The only thing that wasn't black in her appearance were her shining blue eyes and the glowing adornments that decorated her, from bracelets to a pendant. If that wasn't odd enough, her pelt seemed to be translucent, decorated in stars. There was no danger about her though, in fact, she even smelled like her Tribe. The wolf smiled, a comforting feeling, as she spoke, "There is no need to be frightened, I am of familiarity." She told Talamh, "You may have heard of me, but you have not learned my face. Many do not, though Avgi does." She continued as she came to a stop in front of the pup and sat.

Talamh stared at the wolf in awe, a part of her mind screamed at her to run and be scared but she couldn't find herself to do so, "You know Avgi?" She asked. The wolf let out a soft chuckle, "I ought to, he was my successor." She said, a hint of pride in her voice. Talamh felt her blood run cold as her jaw dropped, "You're- You're Raven! You're of the stars- Wait am I... am I dead?" She asked suddenly. Raven couldn't hold back a laugh, "No dear child, I have simply come to visit you." She told the pup, "Avgi has chosen you, and he sees something in you. I do as well." She hummed. Talamh frowned at this, "I don't see why, I am not much. If anything, I am a walking corpse!" She squeaked, she found that she was not in pain here - nor did she have trouble speaking. It was as if everything that ailed her was gone. Raven frowned as she looked down at Talamh, "Do not put yourself down in such ways, you are a miracle." She said firmly, "Those who think differently are foolish, and they know no better. The Tribe has never had one such as you before, nor with your state. I am not saying what they have done is right, but they will grow accustomed to it." She said with a nod, "You'll do many great things." Raven said, and suddenly Talamh woke up in the Nursery, safe and sound.

When Talamh reached adolescence, she agreed to become Avgi's apprentice. Talamh had many fears, but the wise herbalist eased them and through their many ventures and lessons she found that it wasn't as bad as she thought it'd be. When the time came for Avgi to retire to a mentor, Talamh took the position with grace. By now, the Tribe had gotten used to her and her appearance, as for Talamh she was less than worried by her face now. The only thing that bothered her now was all of the pairs she'd see. New wolves and adolescents alike were joining to fill in the positions that the older wolves were abandoning as they were preparing to join the stars.

One winter night, Talamh was trekking through the snow in search of anything really. It was a nice evening; the sun was setting, and the snow was gently being blown from the tree branches above. She paused in the snow as she saw a figure - another wolf, a white wolf with gray patches in his fur. Talamh cleared her throat, holding her head high as she spoke, "Lost?" She called out. The wolf looked towards her, seemingly unfazed by her face as he responded, "I'm looking for a place to stay - a home of sorts." He said, staring at her expectantly. Talamh slowly got closer, glancing up at him warily, "I can take you back to my Tribe, but I cannot guarantee that Ida will let you stay." She told him before she turned and abruptly began walking towards their settlement.

Later that evening, Ida approached her with a smile, "Talamh, that wolf you brought - we've decided to let him stay as a scout." She said as she sat beside the healer, "We gave him the name Ceò." She added. Talamh pondered the name before nodding, "It's a good name." She said, her focus on the herbs in front of her as she sorted them. Ida silently watched before she let out a sigh, "We were hoping - I was hoping - that you'd show him the territory?" She asked as she watched Talamh hopefully. Talamh sighed, reluctantly accepting.

As Talamh and Ceò padded through the dense forest, Talamh kept an eye out for herbs. They walked in silence until Ceò spoke up, "So what uh... what happened to your face?" He asked, Talamh stiffened, "Coyotes, I was a pup." She said, her tone resigned. Ceò blinked, stopping as he watched her, "Hey." He said to grab her attention, which it did, "You're strong for surviving through that, and I'm sure it wasn't easy afterwards." He said, his tone softening. Talamh just stared at him, his words melting the walls she had built. She turned away before Ceò could see her eyes watering, "Thank you." She said curtly, "So what happened to you?" She asked. Ceò blinked in surprise, "Oh my pack just... didn't want me anymore I suppose." He told her as they began walking again.

They came to a rest beside a stream, Talamh busied herself looking along the edge of the water for moss. Talamh paused when Ceò dropped a pebble at her paws and she looked up at him, "What's this?" She asked. Ceò smiled at her, "It's you." he said. Talamh blinked before looking at the rock, it was gray with flecks of white and brown. What surprised her though was how battered it was. When she looked at Ceò again he shot her a soft smile, "The rock has been through a lot but it's still beautiful beneath it all. Imperfectly perfect, like you." He murmured as he sat beside her. Talamh stared at him, her face warming at her words. How could she stay closed off when he kept trying?

Talamh couldn't stop the warm, soft feeling that overcame her. She looked up at Ceò with sparkling eyes filled with adoration before she leaned into him, his chin resting atop her crown. "You have a place here, and if not that, I'll still want you." She said quietly. Their eyes both closed as they relished in the moment, a soft smile spreading on Talamh's maw. Talamh now knew what she had missed all these moons.

Talamh and her mate, Ceò by Wes