White Flag in a Sea of Red

Echo

Echo padded along quietly next to her brother, curiously observing their surroundings as they were escorted further into the forest. She could sense the nervous tension bristling off of him in waves as they drew closer to their destination. Their greeting to these lands had been less than pleasant and their escorts sure seemed grumpy but she was still optimistic that things could work out since they had finally agreed to bring the two youngsters along. She sensed Varrick’s glance down at her and returned it with her own glance up at him. His jaw was set tight and his movements tense as they walked along. Leaning over slightly, Echo gave his shoulder a comforting nudge with her nose. She was here for him. They could do this. Things would be fine.

Her ears pricked as she picked up the faint sounds of other wolves in the distance and she knew the moment of truth was upon them. She was nervous about what was to come but she kept her body relaxed, her tail swishing in a friendly manor in stride with her walk and her eyes taking it all in with open curiosity. She tried to keep track of the path they had taken in case they needed to make a quick getaway. She noticed Varrick raise his head and tail slightly as he too realized they had almost arrived. She could feel his heart beating like it might burst and she pressed against him lightly with her side to try and help him remain calm and breathe as they waited for what may come.

Winema

“So, Aryn sends pups to do it’s dirty work.” Came a rough voice from ahead, as the two young wolves were escorted through the forest. Asku had seen the wolves detained, but she wasn’t going to allow Aryn wolves to know where her den site was. So, she decided to meet them halfway and without them being surrounded by the dwindling numbers of her pack, they shall not know how many wolves lie in her lands.

The red she-wolf limped out of the shadows, studying the two small wolves before her. Her face was taut and her eyes looked tired. Cutting her eyes toward the guards that had escorted the juveniles into the territory, she nodded curtly. The wolves left the two juveniles’ sides and stood behind their Alpha.

“You took great risk coming here. By the way your eyes flick back and forth, I’d estimate your pack leader, Athena, doesn’t know you are here.” Winema stood before them, not even showing any aggression toward the little upstart who raised his tail in dominance. It wouldn’t do her any good in harming them. “What makes you think I won’t detain both of you, just like Athena has kept my daughter captive for almost 2 seasons? Hm?” Raising her brow, she looked between them of them. Her forest green eyes drilling into them patiently.

Varrick

The male’s ear twitched slightly as the Red alpha scrutinized their age, but he kept his expression as calm as he could. Although she wasn’t particularly aggressive with the two he was beginning to see he would have to be very careful with his words. When it came time for him to speak the male took a deep breath, he could do this. He had to. “Because you will never achieve peace between our packs if you do.” He paused briefly to gage her reaction. Was she even willing to think of peace after all this? “Please hear us out. No one wants war. I may not know how it feels to have your family taken from you, but I know the loss you must feel, and I am well acquainted with betrayal. No one wants to keep your daughter in Aryn. We want to let her go. But in order for us to do that our alpha needs an apology. We understand our faults, your daughter’s capture has gone on for far too long. But we ask you to understand your faults as well. Sending in a spy to reclaim your daughter rather than simply talking with us? We don’t ask you for anything more than to talk with our alpha. Talk with her and please stop this war before it spirals out of control.” finishing his speech the male made a conscious effort to regain control of his heart beat that seemed to have taken off midway through. Shifting his weight slightly he searched for support from his sister; some sort of confirmation that he had not made things worse.

Echo

Echo jumped slightly as a rough voice came from the trees ahead. She watched as a large red female emerged from the shadows and her eyes widened slightly in shock as she saw that this wolf was missing a leg and was covered in scars. She was instantly curious as to this wolf’s story but had enough sense to know this was not the time or place to ask. She watched as their escorts left them and joined the older female. By their behavior she guessed that this must be the Blutwald alpha. It wasn’t what Echo was expecting and she watched everything carefully to see how things would play out.

She gave Varrick a quick glance as the alpha picked up very quickly on the fact they were here without permission but the older female stood calmly as she addressed them so Echo hoped this might play to their advantage. The young female stood quietly as the Blutwald alpha continued speaking, careful to keep her stance neutral and friendly as they were both watched with critical eyes.

Echo did not attempt to respond to the alpha’s questions though a slight spark of apprehension ran through her at the mention that they might be taken captive themselves. This was Varrick’s mission. He knew more about what was going on then she did and he felt that he needed to do this. It was his place to do the talking. She was here mostly to support him and help him should he falter as she agreed that fighting was not the answer to this situation. She only hoped the Blutwald alpha would be willing to see their side of the story and be willing to consider an alternative path to war. She allowed her tail to brush against her brother’s as he finished speaking, sensing him waver slightly, giving her support to the words he spoke in an effort to help him calm down and remain strong as they awaited the alpha’s reaction.

Winema

Wrinkling her maw as the black pup spoke beyond his age, a shot of anger pulsed through her body. It made her limbs shake and her pupils dilate. Strike him down. It was Athena who was in the wrong, not you. The voice in her head made her flinch, but she never raised a paw against the pup. “You going to tell me your names before you address me like you know everything, pup?” She growled softly, looking between the two, eyes narrowed. Her eyes glanced from one juvenile to the other. Her tail flicked from one side to the next. Apology?! Winema snorted softly, and did not answer Varrick’s questions until she had two names.

Varrick

The male took in the intense wave of anger that swelled inside the female. He could see that her toxic animosity toward his pack was deeply rooted inside her. She had had 2 seasons of loathing to build to this moment. Still it confused him on just how high a level of hostility she clung to. She was clearly ready for war, and the male’s heart plummeted at the thought. There had to be something he could say to sway her away from such destructive motives.

“Please mam, I mean you no disrespect. On the contrary I have a vast amount of respect for you. It takes a true leader to keep their pack together during such difficult times. You all have suffered a great loss having members of your family taken from you. I do not envy your position. But I do envy your courage, and fierce protectiveness of over your family. I’m sure they would do anything for you, just as you would do anything for them to keep them safe. Mam my name is Varrick, Warden of Aryn and I am trying my best to live up to your courage, and keep my family safe. I am shaking where I stand, but I love my family, and the last thing I want is to see them bleed over a situation that has the possibility, no matter how small, of being resolved peacefully. Please I beg of you, help me bring both of our families home and keep them safe from an unnecessary war.” despite his wish to stay strong Varrick’s voice broke in a couple of places towards the end; the severity of his possible failure looming over him.

Echo

Echo shrank back slightly in surprise, pulling her ears back a bit as a bolt of rage shot out from the alpha. For a second it appeared as though the older female might leap forward and attack her brother and Echo felt her tail raise a bit protectively as she waited calmly to see what would happen but prepared to act should things take a bad turn. She really didn’t want to fight but she wouldn’t let anything happen to her brother either. Especially when he was trying to help. She watched the alpha uncertainly, trying to gauge their chances of calming her down, her mind racing to try to think of a way to help Varrick sway her to their side. Why was she so bent on risking the lives of those she cared about over a misunderstanding? Was it really so hard to apologize and let it go?

She dipped her head to introduce herself as the older female demanded their names. “My name is Echo, a future courser of Aryn. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She spoke lightly, keeping her tone friendly and non-threatening. Her ear twitched towards her brother as he began to speak again, trying to salvage the situation and she forced her tail to lay relaxed again so as not to hinder his attempts. Hoping it might further help to calm everyone, Echo relaxed her whole body and settled down on her haunches, letting her tail curl around her and laying limp on the forest floor. She had questions she wanted to ask but refrained from asking them as it was not her time to speak and she wasn’t sure that her questions would help the situation anyway.

She watched Varrick through the corner of her eye, seeing him beginning to break and wishing she could hug him to calm him down but she knew she couldn’t. Not in front of this alpha. She leaned over slightly as his voice broke, hoping the pressure of her shoulder against his would help give him the strength he needed to continue as she watched the Blutwald alpha with uncertainty.

Winema

Winema's eyes softened at the little pup, Varrick's speech. She exhaled softly, it wasn't that easy. Athena thought she was a fool. Two pups had more courage than her. They were here instead of her, wanting an apology to stop the two packs from a war. With a sigh, Winema shook her head slowly. She opened her eyes and looked apologetic and withdrawn.

“Athena took away all aspects of peace when she decided to go dark. My wolves haven’t stepped paw into Aryn for nearly 2 seasons and she’s kept Bloom away from me. Crash only entered to watch over my daughter. Bloom was being a hostage for far too long, I don't blame her for trying to escape with Bloom. Athena made no movement to reassure me I was ever going to see my daughter again. Whatever your Alpha might think, I don't like the aspect of war. Blutwald has been on the verge of aggravating many packs. Within the past two Alphas, Blutwald's never been lead to a war. I don't like being the wolf to instigate the first war in the Domain, but I've been lead by no choice.” Winema exhaled heavily, looking forward, as if trying see the borders of Aryn. Trying to see her daughter. Her face looked lost and her jaw clenched.

“I enjoy the fact that you think your Alpha wants any sort of an apology from me. But, since you are here and she is not..I don't believe she wants an apology. Which, I might have given if she was not silent for the entire season. If she met with me before we had gotten to this point. To the point of Crash needing to relinquish my daughter from Aryn's paws. I may have let lying wolves lie, punished my daughter my own way and never ended up being at the brink of war. Which, for your information Varrick, I am.” She sighed defeated, “You two have great courage, but..I cannot let Athena get away with keeping my daughter hostage. You should go back to her..and tell her I am coming to get my wolves back.” Her voice grim, “...But, maybe this doesn't have to end in blood shed...”

Her voice had calmed and she looked back to the young female who became settled on her haunches. She frowned deeply, seeing at how close the two pups were. The female leaned against him for a support. Exhaling again, Winema finally sat back on her haunches. Perhaps..there didn't need to be a war...

Varrick

The young male couldn’t help himself from letting his shoulders relax and his ears perk as he saw the anger begin to drain from her posture. He hardly cared that she seemed to stick to the stubborn notion that there had to be a war. She had admitted that she didn’t want bloodshed either. They were beginning to fall onto the same path. Maybe there was still hope, he just had to tread carefully.

“I promise you my Alpha is willing to talk peace. I have spoken with many wolves in Aryn, including her beta, and they have all given me the impression that a truce is possible if only you two would talk; truly talk. I can not say as to why she has not come to confront you herself, though I suppose its for the same reason you haven’t come to her.” he paused momentarily hoping he hadn’t overstepped her sympathy. “Please. If you must meet Aryn for war, please, I beg of you to try to come to some sort of terms first. Your pack would do anything to protect you, just as mine would my alpha. Do not let them kill for you.” His last words were slow and careful. He did not want to anger her, but he felt like he needed to stress his point. Aryn no matter how much they didn’t want to, but would go to war for their alpha. Should these two packs go to war, it was only a matter of time before someone died over this quarrel.

Echo

Echo’s ears dropped back slightly as the alpha spoke. It was a relief that she had calmed down but now she seemed so resigned and sad. It hurt Echo to see the sadness in her face as she looked up over the young pair, as though looking for things she longed to see but could not. It troubled Echo that she seemed to think she had no choice in the matter. That she felt her only option was to go to war. Her heart sank when older female said she was coming to get her wolves back but then it lifted again with a slight hope when she ended her statement by saying that maybe things did not have to end in bloodshed. Pricking her ears up hopefully, Echo glanced up to the alpha’s face, only to see her watching Echo with a frown on her face. Blinking uncertainly, Echo wondered what she was thinking but relaxed again as the alpha decided to sit down herself. Maybe it was nothing.

Feeling Varrick relax against her brought another wave of relief as he had regained his composure and had a hopeful look to his eye again. They were making progress! Things were looking hopeful. They just had to push a little harder to convince the Blutwald alpha that there was another way.

Winema

Wrinkling her brow, she frowned at Varrick. She did not go to Athena because she was respecting the Alpha’s wishes for not allowing her wolves in her territory. Well, besides Crash. Crash was a necessary evil for breaking that truce. Glancing at Echo, she met the young female’s eyes as she stared up at her face. Her ears pinned back. It seemed these two weren’t going to leave just yet..

“I will do what I can to avoid bloodshed. But, I am not making any promises to Aryn subordinates. In a week’s time I’ll come to meet with your Alpha. We’ll discuss what should’ve been done a season ago.” She said crisply, but her face was softer than from the beginning.

Varrick

A big smile beamed across the male’s face as he listened to the Blutwald alpha. ”That is all I ask for mam. I hope we can meet again on friendlier terms.” he complemented dipping his head respectively. Knowing this meeting of theirs was coming to an end he turned toward the two wolves that had escorted them in, curious if they would escort them back out. Out; they were leaving the red pack, and they were leaving with their heads held high. The thought made him giddy with pride. Looking down at Echo he wondered if she felt the same.

When it was time to leave he followed obediently, his thoughts drifting to the new challenge of preparing his own Alpha for the coming talk of peace. Before he disappeared into the forest he pauses ponderously. Glancing back at the older female he smiled faintly at her. “Bloom is lucky to have you as a mother.” his smile fell away as he thought of his own mother. Then without another word he turned and left toward the journey home.

Echo

Echo had to fight to control herself and keep from jumping into the air with a squeal. She allowed herself a big smile as she heard the Blutwald alpha agree to do what she could to prevent the war. They did it! They had convinced her that there did not have to be war! Surely her own alpha would be just as eager to prevent a war and an agreement could be found. They might have just stopped this war before any bloodshed had to occur. What a relief!

Getting to her feet as Varrick spoke a farewell, she dipped her head to the alpha as he did. Looking around them, she made eye contact with her brother and gave him a big smile and a wag of her tail. He had done a great job and she was proud she was able to be there to help him. She couldn’t ask for a better or more courageous brother.

She turned to follow Varrick back into the trees from which they had come as they began their trek back home. Something neither of them had been sure would happen when they entered this territory. Echo felt a slight daze as she walked. She almost couldn’t believe that they were leaving unharmed. At the edge of the trees, Varrick paused and looked back, smiling slightly at the older alpha. Echo dropped her ears back and nuzzled his shoulder at what he said, trying to comfort him, as she knew he was thinking of his own mother. When he turned back and continued down the path, Echo stuck right by his side. She was ready to go home with some good news.