Snow Castles

[ulrica]

Gann wandered through the snow covered landscape, thinking about how similar the mountains of snow were to castles. A small glowing orb of light floated by his shoulder casting a yellow glow upon the snow in front of him. The cold wind blew in his face going straight through his thick coat. He shivered and gave an annoyed growl, if he didn't find shelter soon, even he was going to freeze. Why the hell did I even come out this late anyway?

The moon shone down brightly, not a cloud to be seen, but hardly anything could be seen through the walls of snow being tossed through the air by the strong winds. None the less, Gann shook his fur, shaking off snow that was just replaced less than a second later. A particularly strong gust of wind knocked the young adult off his feet completely, sending him rolling a couple feet. When the finally died down enough for him to stand again, he realized he had lost his spell. However, before he could recast it, he noticed a black form laying only feet away in the snow: the form of a wolf. He ran forward, his spell forgotten. As he reached the side of the wolf, he saw that it was female, her black fur had small ice crystals sticking to it and he couldn't tell if the patches around her neck and shoulder were from the ice or if they were naturally on her fur.

Fear overwhelmed him when he found he had no idea what to do. He threw his head back and let loose an ear piercing, desperate howl. As he gently lowered himself to lay beside the unconscious female, Gann sent a silent prayer to whatever gods were listening that someone, anyone had heard his cry for help.

[Moon_Song]

The two sisters lifted their head simultaneously as an eerie, pained howl was carried by the wind.

Ea turned to her sister, a fervent look in her eyes. This was a vicious storm, and wolf was caught in it. With her caring nature, she just couldn't let such a call go unanswered.

Darklight, too, looked to her sister. They had found shelter to sit out the storm, and she was less then willing to leave the warmth she had created. She sighed and stood anyway. There was no way her sister would let such a call go without finding out what was wrong. "You lead the way. You're the only one here that can."

Ea smiled as she saw her sister stand, her muscles rippling beneath her thick coat of brown, black, and grey fur. She, too, stood. She turned to the entrance of the cave. Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths. The blue gem she wore around her neck began to let off a very faint light, and a hum that only she could hear, that of a privet song. She opened her eyes, focused on the direction of the howl. As she walked from the cave, the snowfall around them lessened, but only to the point where it was bearable to walk. She didn't want to waste anymore energy than need be. Not only that, but excessive use of magic was not a smart idea, especially when going into an unknown situation.

As her sister walked from the cave, Darklight noted how she almost disappeared, her coat matching the ice and snow around them, savor the markings on her chest and for-leg. Regardless, she followed close behind her, determined to fight if this ended up being a trick or some such thing.

[ulrica]

Gann huddled as close as he could to the unmoving female, his front right leg thrown over her shoulders and he almost completely on top of her in order to shield her from the storm. Stupid girl, who comes out in a storm like this?! He blinked. Oh yea... The young wolf couldn't help himself, he had to laugh, unfortunately at the same time, a gust of wind decided to toss snow straight in his face. He growled in frustration at the weather, snapping his teeth at the wind, but wait. What was that smell?

The male stood and shook of the few inches of snow that had settled on him, his thick fur blowing this way and that in the ferocious wind sent chills down his spine. But still, there was that strange, unfamiliar smell. No, not unfamiliar, just new. And suddenly he knew what it was: another wolf. No, he was wrong again, not just one wolf but two wolves! Gann's tail wagged with joy and hope, maybe he could save this female yet. He threw his head back once again and let loose another magnificent howl. As he rushed back to huddle close to the dark wolfess, the wind whipping around him in every direction, he hoped with every fiber of his being that the two wolves would find him soon.

[Moon_Song]

Another howl. They were close, a few yards or so. "Darklight." Was all she could say. She was trying to concentrate on the task at hand. Howling back would only make this harder.

Darklight nodded. She understood what needed to be done. She let out a howl. We're here, just hold on. She readied herself for whatever lay ahead. She didn't like that they were downwind of them. She could not smell who or what was ahead of them.

As Ea walked over a little snow hill, she say the forms of two wolves. She let out a whine, letting them know that they were here. On formed seemed to be not moving. She wondered if they were a pair that had wondered into the storm. If that was the case, they probably weren't Northern-born as her and her sister were. Any such wolf knew better, unless they had a magic, or a death wish.

Darklight came up just behind Ea. Two bodies, one hovering over the other. She called out, though with Ea doing her thing, the wind and snow was not so violent as to carry away the words completely. "Are you alright over there?"

[ulrica]

The replying howl ripped through the night and Gann knew help would soon be here. What felt like hours later, a whimper came and Gann's head jerked up. A white wolf with black markings on her leg and chest with a another more typically colored wolf, both were female. He jumped to his feet as they approached, his tail wagging quickly like a puppy, however he still stood protectively beside the unmoving female. The ice diamonds had melted with his added heat however, her body temperature was still dangerously low which was strange because her coat was just as thick as his. The double layer should have been enough to keep her at least conscious, Gann began to wonder exactly what had caused this female to drop. However, the two other wolves were now closer and he had to pay attention to what was going on in the outside world rather than the thousand of thoughts flying through his head.

He dipped his head to the two females in greeting, a low whine coming from his throat. His silvery amber eyes almost seeming to glow in the night and his mostly gray coat still being tossed in the wind as he stood beside the midnight furred she-wolf.

"I'm fine. However I can't say the same about this young wolfess." The large male moved his ears against his neck briefly and gave a short whimper as they perked forward again. "Please. Help."

[Moon_Song]

Ea noted the pleading in his voice. She doubted he would cause any confrontations, so she added a little more energy, her pendant glowing just a little more, the song just a bit louder.. The snow was now fairly light compared to its howling ferocity before. The wind which she had no control over did continue to blow down anything in its path, and it was still dangerous. She nodded to her sister. It was up to Darklight to help with the physical part.

Darklight nodded back. She made her way over to the two. "We'll help, now lets get out of this storm." She gently picked up the female, and put her over her back. She was ice cold, and lighter than she should have been. She had the thick coat, as did the male she now noticed as she was closer, of northern wolves. This was a harsh storm, and it being night didn't exactly add warmth, but it was not so cold as to freeze one like this. Then she realized it. This she-wolf was extremely thin...starving. "She needs food. Come with us to our den and Ea with take care of her." She nodded to her sister. Ea's two-colored eyes were bright in the storm.

She nodded back to Darklight. "Lets move, quickly now."

[ulrica]

Watching with a quiet whimper of sympathy as the gray wolf picked up the unconscious female, he gave a small yip and touched his nose to the black fur covering the unmoving figure. He watched the gray, worry plain in his open eyes and easily read face. The large male felt slightly responsible for the dark figure so easily lifted onto the gray female's back.

"Glow." The wolf whispered into the wind and instantly a small orb of light appeared by his shoulder. However, it quickly moved to help light the way of the gray as she walked through the snow with the midnight furred female on her back.

Worry ate away at Gann as he followed the two back to their den, the gray's words echoing in his mind: "She needs food." "She needs food." What the heck had that she-wolf been thinking to go out in a storm, she must have known she was too weak. Hadn't she?


Blackness. There's nothing, only the sound of the wind and the feeling of moving. But why won't my eyes open, why can't my legs move?! I can't speak! I can't even feel the cold anymore! But I know I'm moving, I can feel that, so am I walking? No, I can't be, my legs aren't moving. Then what's going on? What's happening to me?! Oh gods, protect me!

[Moon_Song]

Darklight noted the orb of light, and nodded toward the male. "Thanks." She could feel a life still in the black she-wolf, though it was faint. Ea's gonna be really tired after this one. They weren't far from their impromptu den, and, after her sisters lead, the light from the fire within was soon visible.

Ea saw the glow of light. Another gifted on, huh? She had seen the concern in the males face. She had questions, but the focus she had to maintain forced her to remain quiet.
They reached the den rather quickly. Once they were inside, she dropped the spell, the snow again raging just outside. "Set her by the fire, Darklight." She said to her sister. The dark she-wolf was emaciated, possible injured.

Darklight nodded and walked by the fire. Just as gently as before, she settled the female onto the floor where the fire's heat would be able melt the coldness. She turned to the male. "Is she your mate?"

Ea walked over to the female. She looked her over, sniffing for blood. She placed a paw on her and checked for any broken bones or other such injuries.

[ulrica]

Warmth flooded through Gann as they entered the den, he sure to let the two females first and to make quick perimeter sweep before he followed them in. He watched as the gray female gently placed the darkly furred body near the fire, his body tensed with apprehension. What if she didn't pull out? How would he find her family? Who was her family? Did she even have any? These questions and more flooded his mind as he watched the unmoving wolfess, her fur taking on a slight orange tint from the glow of the fire. It took him a little while to realize that he had been asked a question. "Is she your mate?" Mate?! A blush spread on his cheeks, even though it would be hidden by his fur, and he ducked his head feeling slightly sheepish.

"No, I just found her today." He replied with a sad smile. "I don't even know her name."

His voice had gotten quiet with his last statement, the sadness plain on his face. However, Gann was not the kind to be sad or upset and his tail wagged soon after he spoke and a real smile spread across his face. "I do thank you for helping without question back there. Very trusting of you." His thanks was addressed to both of the wolves and as such he dipped his head to both in gratitude. "That out of the way, my name's Gann. If you don't mind me asking, who are you two?"


Warmth, burning, pain! This searing and burning , such pain I've never felt in my life!

The cold in Ula's body was fading away and being replaced with the warmth of the small den, however, exposure to the elements for so long had its affects on her and the thawing out process was a tad bit more than painful. Finally, the pain subsided and the black she-wolf was left with a gentle warmth. But still, she couldn't open her eyes, she couldn't move, and she couldn't speak. She was drifting in and out of consciousness so much that she only caught bits and pieces of the conversation. Who, or what they planned for her was still a mystery, but Ula no longer had control over her fate.

Still. At least your alive.

[Moon_Song]

Darklight Looked at the male, her expression not exactly harsh, but a bit critical. "Do not misunderstand. I do not trust you, Gann, but my sister wished to help," She shrugged, "So we did."


Ea payed little attention to the conversation between her sister and the male...she caught his name, though. Gann. That was not the important thing now. She needed to work with the female. Walking to a farther back portion of the cave, she grabbed a container.

Darklight lay down near the fire. "Regardless of weather I trust you or not, I trust her. So it looks like you two are safe for now." She glanced at the dark female for a moment. She could see some life was returning to her. She looked back to Gann. "I am Darklight, and my sister doing the healing over there," She nodded toward her sister, "Is Ea."

Ea was already back beside the female, the container open. The pure water within was flowing out and was seeming to defy gravity. By Ea's graceful, fluid motions, the water encased certain parts of the she-wolfs body, then moved on, each spot only lasting a second or two. The pendant was glowing softly now, bright enough for anyone with an untrained eye to see, but the song was still only audible to Ea's well developed ears. As each ailment was fixed, the she-wolf began to look better and better. The only thing that Ea could not fix was her thinness. That would need a few good meals.

Darklight watched her sister work for a moment. This would leave her so exhausted. Again turning back to the male she asked, "So what exactly were you doing out in a storm in the middle of the night? Not the smartest idea, ya know."

After a few minutes, Ea returned the water to its container, and let out a sigh. The necklace lost its glow and returned to silence. She was tired, and that was putting it lightly. However, there were thing that still needed to be done. "She fine now. Just a few scratches and bruises, but nothing major...other than the malnutrition anyway." She watched the male, Gann. She was curious what a seemingly Northern-born was thinking being out in such a storm as this.

[ulrica]

Gann gave an understanding smile to Darklight; "I do not trust you." Well he couldn't say that didn't hurt but then again, he didn't fully trust them either. He had learned not to trust easily and apparently so had they, but they had still helped the dark female and that was more than enough.

He watched the white wolf as she worked on the unmoving female, the mystical water drifting around over the midnight fur before it returned to the container completely. It was a beautiful magic and Gann found it hard to take his eyes away for a moment. But the gray sister had been speaking to him, asking him a question: "What were you doing?" What was I doing? He was in silent thought for a moment. What was I doing? He didn't know, he'd just had a feeling that he should go outside. Giving a wry grin toward Darklight and a small chuckle he shrugged his shoulders. "I honestly can't say, call it instinct?" He gave another short laugh.

And now the white she-wolf, Ea, was speaking to him, telling him that the black wolf would be okay and that she just needed to eat. He smiled gratefully at her, his tail wagging as he rose to walk over to the midnight furred she-wolf. "Thank you so much for helping her, I don't know what I would've done if you two hadn't come along when you did. I don't think she would've lasted much longer out there." He said, his gratitude showing plainly on his face and in the way his tail wagged. He touched his nose to the darker wolf's shoulder before laying down beside her and resting his head on his paws.

"You know Ea, that was some pretty marvelous stuff you just did. Can I ask what that water was if it doesn't both--" He looked down at the black wolf, he could have sworn she just moved but as he watched her, she looked to be in the same position she had been. So he shrugged it off and finished his question. "Pardon me, if it doesn't bother you is what I meant to say." He smiled kindly at her as he finished.


There was something beside her, something big and warm and she wanted it closer. All thoughts of fear had passed now, if she was going to die she would die, there really wasn't anything she could do about it at this point. Might as well kick it comfortably. She summoned all her energy, all her strength, and all her willpower to scoot closer to the big-and-warm beside her, and got a twitch. A twitch?! Seriously?! Jeeze what kind of a joke am I?! But that was it, she couldn't move again, not for a little while anyway, and then her task would be to open her eyes. She had to see where she was and who she was with.

[Moon_Song]

Ea, too, had noticed the movement. She smiled. She'll recover just fine, though i can't say how she'll take to being surrounded by strangers. It seemed to her that there was a connection between the two, weather he noticed it or not.
"It is not the water that is special, per se." She answer. "The only special thing is that it is completely pure."

Darklight laughed a little. it wasn't unusual if someone saw Ea at work to be drawn to it, even mesmerized. Perhaps it had to do with the inaudible song. Perhaps not. Whatever the reason, the reactions always amused her. She lay her head down on her paws, lulled by the constant flicker and warmth of the gentle flame.

Ea sat in front of Gann as he sat beside the female. Despite how tired she felt, she did what she could to keep from showing it. She would wait for the female to awaken, and calm her if it need be. Thank Goddess that wouldn't take any magic energy, otherwise she might end up passing out. She watched the female, almost maternally.

[ulrica]

Pure. The word lingered in Gann's thoughts like a sickness. Not many things were pure these day, especially water. "Completely pure huh? Did you purify it yourself then?" He asked, interested even more in this white she-wolf's talents. His ear flicked to the small sound of Darklight's laugh, he guessed it was about his reaction to her sister's magic and he could understand. She's seen her sister at work all her life, no doubt she would find the reaction of a first viewer amusing, and that was perfectly fine with him. Laughter was his favorite noise to hear.

As Ea sat down in front of him, his eyes were drawn to the markings on her leg and chest. He lifted his head, cocking it slightly to the side with a curious expression on his face.

"If you don't mind my asking and if I haven't already asked to many questions," he smiled wryly with that statement, "what do those markings mean? Have you always had them?"

As he waited patiently for an answer, there was another stirring from the dark form at his side and he turned to study the waking she-wolf.


There! The wolfess finally had enough strength, amazing how a warm fire can work magic on an exhausted body. Her whole body tensed and just for the simple action of opening her eyes. Dang, I really have fallen pretty low haven't I?

The first thing Ula saw was the warm glow of the fire, and then a white figure, a white she-wolf. But what was beside her? Oh hell! A huge gray mammoth was laying next to her his eyes watching her carefully. Fear speared through her but what could she do? She definitely couldn't run, and there was no way she would be fighting her way out. A terrified whine escaped from her throat as she desperately tried to stand. While her fear gave her strength, it still wasn't enough and the most she managed to do was push her front half up only to crash back to the ground. She whimpered and tried halfheartedly to scoot away, however, the dark wolfess only managed to move her paw over the ground. Finally, she gave up, resigning herself to whatever fate they had planned for her. If it was death then she would look in straight in the eye, no matter what they did, she just didn't have the strength to get away.

Just hang in there. The first chance and you can run as fast as you can. Just a little while longer, you can make it.

[Moon_Song]

"Yes, I did the purification." She grimaced slightly at the memory of it. Purifying was the hardest of her spells. It took a lot of energy and often caused her to be sick.
She noted his expression as he examined her markings. She smiled at his words. "Do not worry about asking too many questions. How else does one learn?"

Darklight didn't care much for the small talk. She closed her eyes and relaxed.

Ea continued, "I was born with them. My father had similar markings." She paused a moment, "Although, we have no idea what they mean. He never did either."
Suddenly, the she-wolf began to stir. Fear. She was afraid, that was apparent by the way she acted. Ea smiled gently, and lay herself in from of the startled, tired she-wolf. "Come, now, there is nothing to fear. We mean you no harm." She let just a little of her gift of voice flow into her words, just enough to help calm her down. She knew it made her voice warm and inviting. It sounded smooth and sweet, like honey. It should calm anyone who heard it. "Can you tell us your name?"

Darklight lifted her head and watched the display of the dark female as she tried to flee, but ultimately collapsed. She was weak from hunger, though Darklight doubted she could feel it. Ea's spell had a tendency to leave the body numb to pain momentarily. She heard the voice Ea used. Even though she knew its effect, she could not help but be calmed by it as well.

[ulrica]

Catching Ea's grimace, Gann decided not to persue the subject any farther, instead focusing on the topic of her markings. "Do you look much like your father then?" He asked, his ears perking forward with interest. But then, the dark female awoke in a whirlwind of fear. Her attempt to flee and then collapse that must have been painful for her, but all of her wildness was soon put to ease by Ea's voice. Aaahh, that voice. It was like the voice of an angel and even though Gann wasn't afraid, a feeing of calm and serenity washed over him. Exactly what is this female?


What is this wolf doing?! The white she-wolf had lied down directly in front of Ula and was smiling at her. And then she spoke. The free running terror the midnight furred wolfess felt almost instantly melted away into a sweet calm: "There is nothing to fear." Really? Could it really be that they didn't plan to harm her? The white wolf addressed her questions as if she had heard her thoughts aloud, they wouldn't hurt her. In fact, now Ula could see tha they had really helped her, if it hadn't been for them she probably would have died. But the soft spoken wolf had asked another question: "Your name?" Names, names. She pulled together all her energy and strength just for the simple task of speaking. "My name..." Wow this is harder than I thought. "Ula."