Snow Castles

[ulrica]

Ea held onto the beast well and Gann saw she was a very capable huntress. But he didn't have time to sit back and watch, she was a good huntress, but even she couldn't bring down a full grown cow alone. When she had given the order he had moved, his strong legs carrying him swiftly over the ground, as Ea had attacked the throat he had catapulted himself for the beast's nose. A savage, blood-thirsty snarl sounded from his maw as his teeth sunk down to the bone, his weight doing the rest to bring the poor creature down. With all her kicking and jumping the cow became top heavy and lost her footing in the slick snow. Gann shook his head violently as she fell, he needed her focused on her head and not on getting back to her feet. Watery, brown eyes watched him with the terror of one who knows their end is upon them, her sound of anguish echoing in his ears. But this wasn't the time to have a conscience, not as he was ending a life. Soon, the cow quit kicking her legs in desperate attempts to shake of the two wolves, the loss of oxygen taking effect. Soon, the life force that held her to this world would fade away all together and the old cow would be nothing more than a body. A memory of a life that had been.

Even as Gann thought of past lives, the blood choked words whispered to him by a fallen enemy echoed in his head, drowning out Ea's snarls and even the pants and anguished cries of the fading cow. Even as he felt and tasted the blood and flesh of the cow below him he was transported back to that day, the day he killed to protect. The purpose of life is a life of purpose. I hope someday you realize that you've missed yours. What you have isn't life, it's merely a nightmare that you can't wake up from.

He shook the memory from his head and bit down harder, he wanted this to end and now.

[Moon_Song]

Gann jumped onto the cow just above her, making it top heavy. Unable to keep its footing, it slipped and fell hard on the ground, almost pinning Ea. She held onto the throat of the beast as she felt it'd life slip away. For a moment though, she felt Gann's determination slipping, as if his mind was being pulled away. After a moment, though, he brought his mind back.
The beast was dead.
Ea finally let go of the beasts throat. She looked over the beast. It had lived its life, and now gave it for theirs. Ea lowered her head and gave thanks for the beast.
After a moment, she looked over to Gann. "Well, you ready to bring this back to the others?"

[ulrica]

Ea's voice cemented Gann into the present, his previous life momentarily forgotten: "You ready to bring this back?" The young male smiled his easy smile, though there was still a far away look in his eyes. "Of course Ea." He chuckled, playfully nudging her with his his shoulder. "Call me a mule and say Ya!" He laughed, his tail wagging and his past forgotten.


Ula watched the entrance with hopeful expectation, the prospect of food and of seeing Ea and Gann again. Her tail thumped against the floor a couple times just thinking about it. Them walking in with their smiles and their laughter, and then being able to eat as much as she wanted for the first time in months. Just the idea sent chills down her spine, she turned to Darklight and cocked her head. "When do you think they'll get back?"

[Moon_Song]

Gann still had a distant look about his face. What could have brought that on? He answered her none the less. She smiled at his laugh. At least he was trying not to show whatever it was that pulled him away.
A mule, huh? Ea couldn't help but laugh at this.
"Well, then, lets get a move on." She grabbed ahold of the beast with her jaws and began to drag it towards the den.

Darklight lazily opened one eye and looked at the female, Ula. "They'll get back soon enough." She had heard the noises that they hunting party made. By now, the pair were dragging the carcass back to the den. "Just be patient." She closed her eye again, appearing to fall back to sleep, however she was all ears, alert and ready.

[ulrica]

Gann quickly jumped to help Ea drag the cow's body, his jaws clamping down into the matted fur and the flesh below. He pulled with all of his strength, and added to Ea's, they made it back to the den soon. Even so, the wind had already picked up some by the time they drug the body the outside the mouth of the cave. I wonder if she woke up yet... "I'm gunna see if Ula wants something to eat." He said when small whimperings were heard from inside the den. He walked in and smiled at Darklight in hello before walking to Ula and nuzzling her black head and licking the top of her head and muzzle. "We brought food, you want some?" Glancing down her thin body he knew he would make her eat even if she didn't want the food, her ribs stood out from her sides as well as her hip bones, and though her shoulders weren't as prominent as these they were still much too visible through her thick coat. Oh yes, she had to eat and soon.


Ula heard them before she smelled them. The two wolves had brought back a caribou and its sweet, musky smell was delicious to the young wolfess. Just thinking of the meat beneath the husk of matted fur and mud, her stomach growled and her mouth started watering.

Gann's face appeared in the entrance, he smiled to Darklight and then came to her and nuzzled her head. If Ula could have purred she would have. She was truly happy for the moment, hunger and thiness beside, she was happy to be here with Ea, and her sister gray Darklight, and Gann. And at the most dangerous time in her young life, the midnight furred she-wolf actually felt safe.

[Moon_Song]

They had finally reached the den without a moment to spare. The wind was already picking up and the temperature was slowly but surely dropping. Gann said he was going inside. "Alright, no problem." Ea smiled, her jaws still around the cow muffling her words a bit. She pulled the cow the rest of the way in. Thankfully the cave was rather large so there was room enough. She finally let go, stretching her jaw a bit. Darklight was already up. Ea hadn't noticed, but she had helped pull the caribou in. She smiled at her sister. "Thanks. Ready for some grub?" She said to both her sister and to Ula.

She heard them approach. Then, as the wind picked up, she smelled them...and the caribou cow. She stood as they neared the den, walking out just as Gann walked in. SHe nodded at his smile and proceeded to help her sister pul in the kill. The two had done very well. Darklight noted the bloody part on the neck, the placement of the punctures wounds, the way it cut both vein and air. Darklight smiled a bit to herself. Ea's signiture. "Well done." Was all she said to it, though there was much behind it.

Ea beamed at her sisters words. Darklight was not one to freely give out praise, so every and anytime she did, Ea cherished it. She nodded, smiling widely, then turned to the other two, catching them in a bit of a moment. "You two ready to eat? I know you are, Ula." She gentled her smile toward Ula. The darkly colored female almost radiated with joy.

[ulrica]

Ula's stomach growled loudly as she caught sight of the downed caribou. Food! "I'm always ready to eat!" She replied to Ea's invitation, returning her smile with one of her own.

With Gann's help, she staggered over to the cow, laying down beside the soft part of its belly. He expertly sliced through the matted fur, making it easier for the weak she-wolf to eat. "You two did really well." Ula said, digging in ravenously, her tail wagging behind her.

The meat was soft and warm where she was eating, the cow's thick fur having kept the body warm while Ea and Gann had drug it back. Ula could feel the strength returning to her muscles, she already felt more lively. Gann had wandered off but Ea and Darklight were still nearby so she didn't worry, and she had a feeling he wouldn't wander far with the storm starting up again. Still, without the warmth of Gann's body beside her, it was like something was missing from their meal. However, the darkly furred wolfess was quick to hide her feelings and she once again became completely focused on eating as much as she could.


Ula's body had felt frail and weak as she had leaned against him while they were walking towards the cow. He had easily torn through the beast's underbelly, knowing that in her present state, that simple task would have taken much out of her. Gann had jerked out his own piece of meat when he had done this, bolting it down as soon as he was clear of the cow's flesh. It was good, and Ula need as much of this meat as she could get. He wasn't very hungry at the moment though, so as quietly and casually as he could, the young male slipped outside. He didn't go far, just a couple yards away and a little to the right of the mouth of the den. The wind blew in his face, stronger than it had been earlier and the cold definitely had a more pronounced bite to it. Luckily his thick, double coat protected him from the bitter cold.

He looked at the sun, setting over the snow and sending all shades and hues of oranges, purples, and reds across the white landscape. It was like the colorful brush strokes of a painter on a white canvas not yet covered. In short, it was beautiful. Gann closed his eyes, breathing deeply as he did so. He sought peace, undeserved as it was in his thoughts, however, he needed some sort of sanctuary against his past. Who knew that protecting someone could give you so many nightmares, and so many ghosts that would haunt you. Pull yourself together bud, you can't lose it now. His instinct told him to leave, there was just something too familiar about that black wolfess. But he couldn't just desert the three of them, he would never be able to forgive himself if he did. But why did Ula bring these memories to his mind again? He just couldn't shake the familiarity of the dark she-wolf.

Why do I know her?

[Moon_Song]

Darklight didn't waste time on pleasantries. She was hungry. She bit into the hind leg, pulling skin and fur from the underlying muscle. The meat was still warm, just how she liked it. She didn't gorge herself, though. There was no telling how long the storm would be, and even though there was plenty to feed them all for a number of days, Darklight felt it best to take it slow...just in case.

Ea was glad to see Ula eating. The food had a visible effect on her. She had noticed something a bit worrisome, though. As Gann walked Ula over, he had a strange look on his face. A mixture of various conflicting emotions. It had something to do with Ula, that much she could tell by the way he looked at her. What could it be?
He pulled of a chuck and downed it with little effort. At least he ate something. He gave the female another, almost forlorn, look, and walked outside. She pretended not to notice, but it worried her a bit.
She gazed out of the cave from where she stood, noting the beautiful colors in the sky. The storm was coming from the East. Something had delayed it. Because of this, the storm would be even more fierce. She could see the dark, looming clouds above the horizon. They were moving quickly. The flurry of wind and snow would begin before the sun set.
Gann sat outside, not far from the entrance. If she moved a little to the side, she could see the side of him. He was gazing out at the sun, the same look on his face, but with no restraint.
Ea looked back to the other two females in the den. They were busy eating, so she continued to examine Gann. She felt awkward doing so, but couldn't help it. It was in her nature to help people, to fix things, so when she couldn't, it really bothered her.
He seemed to be trying to be fighting some internal battle, and trying to figure something out.
She had a feeling it was to do with Ula.
She knew they had a connection, but did they?

[ulrica]

Gann sensed eyes on him and when he turned his head, he saw the worried face of Ea studying him from within the cave. He gave her a warm smile, and forced his ghosts away. Glancing once more at the sunset, probably the last one he would get to see for a while, then he stood and turned to walk back inside. He decided he would just try to avoid Ula, he wouldn't go near her and he wouldn't look at her. It's for the best...

He walked over to the caribou, slicing into the shoulder with ease and pulling out a large chunk of the muscle. It would be tougher than some other cuts of meat, but still tasty and nourishing. Gann carried his meal closer to the mouth of the cave, his eyes briefly falling on Ea before he had turned all the way around. As he lay down facing the entrance of the den, her worried face was stuck in his mind. Why had she been watching him, and with that expression on her face? She had looked truly bothered. But why? He set his meat down -- one paw over it and one paw under it -- and turned his head back to Ea, offering her a warm smile before turning his head back towards the landscape. Setting to work on his meal, Gann watched as the moon came into view through the rays of the setting sun and a real smile came to his maw. If anything could brighten his day, it was the moon.


The caribou was good and Ula had quickly eaten her fill. She scooted away from the beast a little and set about cleaning off her fur. The young she-wolf wondered when Gann would come back over to her, she could smell him nearby but why didn't he come back? Oh well, I need to get cleaned up anyway.

[Moon_Song]

Gann looked back and saw her there. She flushed and turned away. She glanced back and saw that he was forcing a smile at her. She turned and quickly walked to the beasts lower back. She continued to blushed, embarrassed that she was caught.
As Gann walked back inside, Ea kept her eyes on her meal. She bit into the loin and ate enough to stave off hunger.

After she had eaten and cleaned herself up, Ea looked around the room and noticed that Gan was by the cave entrance. Just outside, the storm had begun. The wind carried flurries of snow through the air. It was not quite violent yet, so it almost appeared as if the flakes of snow were caught in a fast paced dance, making their way from the heavens to the earth.
Ea looked to Ula, who had eaten her fill, and noticed that the two were not together. In fact, it almost appeared that Gann was ignoring Ula. Why the sudden change? She would have to wait until Ula was asleep to ask any such questions.
Ea turned to look at Gan once again, but something caught her eye. There was a momentary gap in the clouds, but it was long enough to reveal something. A full moon. She was drawn to it. Unable to help herself, or may not caring to restrain herself, Ea walked to the very threshold of the cave. The frigid air sent a chill, thrilling and exciting, up and down her spine. It had been too long, and she couldn't hold back.

Ea through her head back and howled. It was the song that anyone who heard was almost forced by instinct to join, for they all knew the words, and all had their own voice. Unable to control it fully, her gift of voice slipped into her song.
Her voice echoed throughout the cave and reverberated throughout the stormy night. Ea didn't know how far it carried, but she felt it in the core of her being that it could reach anywhere if she willed it. For now, she sang as only a wolf could.
She had been told as a pup that she had an odd way of memorizing with her howl, but she didn't really care. That's not to say she didn't enjoy the praise, but she felt happiest when she sang her wolf song. She felt no shame, no fear, regret, or pain...just..at peace, and happy.

Darklight smiled when she saw that her sister caught sight of the moon. By the look in her face, she knew they would soon be treated to one of her songs. She always loved to hear her howl. Ea's voice was pure and sweet. It was one of the more beautiful things in life.
As soon as Ea began, Darklight closed her eyes and listened, but the pull to join was strong. It had nothing to do with the gift that leaked into the notes, but more to do with Darklight's own instinct. She waited, forcing herself to listen, but still letting out a small whining sound that was a muted howl. Before long though, she couldn't resist and joined her sister in song. Darklights voice was not nearly as awe inspiring as Ea's. Darklights voice was strong and it struck a deep cord. The two voices rang out in a melody that could only be complimented by more voices.

[ulrica]

When Gann had almost finished his meal, he turned back to look at Ea. She was looking at him with that curious, slightly confused look again and the gray male knew they would talk later. But before he could think anything more on the matter, Ea was walking by him and standing at the mouth of the cave, as close to the weather as she could get without actually being in it. He saw the change in her face from a worried curiosity, to unrestrained instinct. Whipping his head around, Gann saw what had changed Ea's attitude: a flashing view of the full moon. Her howl strong and sure, full of pride and dignity. It was moving and inspiring, and Gann quickly found himself caught up in the wild music.

Darklight's lower howl joined in with her sister's and the song became twice as moving. Gann caught himself swaying with the rising and falling of their voices his own song beginning to bloom deep in his chest. The young male stood, after snapping up the last of his meat, and padded over to stand close to Ea's side, his fur brushing against hers even without the help of the wind. He tilted his head back and lifted his voice in harmony with the two females. The pride that only a wolf can possess filled him as he sang the ancient song of the wild. The only things that mattered was the strong deep howl coming from low in his chest, the moon in the sky, and the three females whose voices echoed along with his, out into the night.

This was freedom. This was the wild, instinctive, and proud call of the wolf. And this was their song.


Ula had set her head down on her paws when Ea's song lifted into the air. Darklight's followed, and soon after Gann's. Their music was the song of their ancestors, passed down through every wolf's blood and heart. It was a song that came from each wolf's soul, their very being was poured into this one action to create a single beautiful harmony. It was wild and tame, fierce and gentle, proud and humble. It was the song of the wolves, and it called to Ula to sing her song as well.

She lifted her head, tilting it back with her eyes slightly closing, and let her howl lift through the cave and into the night sky. This song made her feel free and an unknown strength surged through her to add to her voice. The song reminded her of so many things, but mostly it reminded her of a pack. Of a family. The happiness and freedom she felt with that thought was like none she'd ever known. Family.

[Moon_Song]

She had been so caught up in her own song that for a while, she didn't notice that others had joined hers. Each was different, each spoke of its own story, yet each was the same. Each had passion behind it, and each individual voice added to make they symphony of pure nature.
Ea had barely felt Gann brush up against her. She didn't move away, though. As his howl joined in, followed by Ula's, Ea felt her heart well up. The sheer joy filled her body and gave her a chill. Her voice grew stringer with the addition of the others, leading the chorus through the familiar notes.


After a few minutes, the song grew softer and gentler, and eventually ended. Ea kept her eyes closed, her head angled up toward the sky, breathing in the cold air. Slowly, she opened her bi-colored eyes, both of them shining.

Darklight ended her song as Ea did. She smiled. It was a smile of true contentment and peace. One like that was rarely seen from her. Darklights smile was warm and inviting. "Well done, Ea." She said quietly to herself, though she knew Ea had heard her.

[ulrica]

Gann slowly lowered his head as the song ended. As Ea opened her oddly colored eyes, he noticed they were brighter than usual. He touched his nose to her cheek as she gazed up at the sky, one word came to mind as he saw her silhouetted by the moons glow: beautiful.

He smiled and sat back on his haunches, turning his gaze to the sky as well. "The sky is beautiful tonight." Even as he spoke, the clouds part for a few minutes, stars and the full moon revealed once again. The fur of his shoulder slightly brushed against Ea's as he lowered himself to the ground, his head still tilted up to look at the sky. Peace settled over him, putting his mind at rest. For the moment.


Ula's voice quieted with the others and she rested her head on her paws, closing her eyes. She was tired, and her belly was full. It would be easy to fall asleep, especially when she felt so happy. Her breathing slowed and she curled up in a ball, and layed her tail over her muzzle. It was a good night, and she was at peace.

[Moon_Song]

Once again, and for the last time, the clouds parted and revealed the bright shining moon, accompanied by the twinkling stars. The moon flashed it silvery-blue light across the den for moment. It was beautiful. Gann touched her cheek again. Ea blushed and demurred. He had an odd look on his face. Why would he look that way?

Darklight watched the exchange between Gann and Ea, and she didn't like it too much. Gann was getting a little too close to her. She grumbled a little.

As Gann spoke, Ea looked once again skyward. "Yes...it is." He settled down, brushing against her. Probably intentionally. She moved a little to the other side of the cave entrance, and lay down.

[ulrica]

Gann didn't move when Ea scooted away from him, he was too intuned with what was happening outside. Walls of snow were being tossed around by the wind, it was getting pretty bad. He turned when he heard a small whimper coming from the other side of the caribou: Ula? He got up, against his better judgement but he couldn't just leave the young female alone, and walked around the cow to see the dark wolfess twitching in her sleep. A nightmare.


Something was chasing her. No, someone. He was stronger than she was, and it was so dark. Usually that wouldn't have been a problem but this time the wind was blowing from all around her, she couldn't smell or hear where she was going. There had been someone with her, but that someone was gone. Where they had went, Ula had no idea, just that she was on her own.


Curling up beside Ula, Gann rested his head over hers. He didn't want to see her having a nightmare, her fear was torture to him. He licked the top of her head and nuzzled her until she calmed down and stopped twitching and whimpering. He didn't know what made her act this way, maybe it was the storm or maybe it was just a random nightmare. The only thing he did know was the need to protect.