Kiko put her foot in the stirrup, turning around to look at him. Her face was not quite so hot, and she had enough equanimity not to shy away from the helping hand. She got settled on the animal, gathered up the reins in one hand and tucked her knees in close.
I could. But, right now you’re not really dressed for what I might require.
Her eyes gleamed with the need to laugh, but she managed to keep it down to an impish smile.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
He stepped backward away from her, time to get moving. He gave her a grin as he gathered the reigns of both horses (Zaedus being mounted).
Perhaps later then.
His eyes wanted to play, his lips were smiling but eager to visit hers... but this was not the time. He led them to the cave mouth and then turned to face the sun again.
Alright, you will have to wind down the trail here and catch up. Follow my trail, you'll see me before long.
He turned to face Kiko once more.
Don't let me get away now...
His words trailed off and into a laugh as he bounced into a jog - then a run - and then a leap off the cliff beyond the cave mouth.
Grayell turned in the air and dove, then rolled off the snowdrift packed at the base with his shoulders. He didn't slow but hit the ground running, heading at full speed for the destination. The horses had to wind down the hillside beside the short cliff face but they would catch him in a few moments. Perhaps.
She shook her head, but Kiko was still smiling. He wasn’t going to get away, of course, they would catch him, eventually. But, the fact that he could laugh and make sport of it cheered her up immeasurably. Kiko was starting to think maybe things would work out, maybe they would all survive this trip, and perhaps; just perhaps she had found friends.
She gave the horse his head, trusting to the animal’s instincts to take her down the path. She lost sight of Grayell when he leaped off the cliff, but she was confident enough of picking his trail back up, and if she could not, Zaedus could and would.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
As he had said, his trail was clear in the snow, dragged foot prints that indicated he was running. It wound into the distance and into the blazing sleet, the open plains of the tundra. They would need to hasten their pace.
Grayell meanwhile was keeping warm through exertion alone. The terrain was no issue for him, whenever a rocky outcrop or other obstacles came in his path he simply navigated them with ease, bounding over them like a wild animal.
But he would be close soon - he had to be alert. Better still, he should make sure they were aware, much had changed since his time here and their patrol could consist of new blood.
Grayell scrambled to the top of an overhang and looked down into the valley below him. He could see Kiko and Zaedus approaching. He threw his head back, stretching forward on his feet and with lungs thrust to the sky, he let out a long howl that pierced the snow and midday sun.
Kiko leaned into the neck of the animal to keep her eyes free of sleet. The tracks were simple enough to follow, and the falling ice would probably keep them visible for hours. She caught sight of him ahead of them several times, but his fur blended in so well with the environment those glimpses were brief.
If she had time Kiko would have probably watched him run for hours. He was beautiful. Her stomach clenched and her fingers curled a bit tighter around the reins she was holding. If only. A sigh left her throat slowly then his howl cut through the wind.
She brushed a hand over her eyes. She needed to pay attention, stay alert instead of day dreaming.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
As the two riders continued to bolt through the valley, they could catch movement beside them. Grayell cut through the trees and leaped over logs, bounced off of rocks and came down the slopes, running along beside them. He smiled for a brief second but his eyes were wild, lost in his memory of motion. The trail turned and he sprinted up a hill face and twisted as he leaped, tumbling across in front of them. Hands dragged at the ground on all fours as he kept moving, his body not slowing as he made it back to two feet with each stride. The valley now wound down, thinner on the sides and Grayell ran along the lip of the banks beside them... until he stopped.
His head whipped around and he sniffed the air, but he was lost from view as their horses continued down into the valley.
Grayell could hear them, yapping and breathing hard. They were on them and he needed to be sure this didn't go terribly wrong.
She had been focused on Grayell’s tracks, until the wolves poured down over the snow. One minute the tundra was empty and in the next they were flowing in and out of the path. She urged more speed into her horse, but, in the end they were being herded quite simply enough by the wolves.
She didn’t want to think what might happen at the end of it, either. Nevertheless, it was coming up fast, she was sure of that.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell dropped to the valley floor in front of the horses and with a roll, managed to avoid being trampled. He came to his feet snarling behind them, arms at his side, head low and feet spread. It looked like a fight was imminent.
The wolves halted, six in all and studied him, returning the sneer of teeth and menacing growls. Their body language mirrored his own, this was a face off.
The largest wolf leaped then and took Grayell by his chest, his arms wrapping about it as he fell backward into the snow. They tumbled, a growl and a grunt of exertion, rolling side to side with savagery in their throats. They were matched, Grayell kicking and delivering blows to the wolve's gut, the wolf snapping at his throat.
Kiko slid off the horse. She dropped the reins to the ground, hoping that it would remain close. There was nothing to put at her back but the animal. The wolves were all still milling around Grayell. When the attack came it hit fast, the biggest of them leaping for him. She had just enough time to yank the katana and tanto free before the rest reversed their positions and rushed in from the back.
There was no time left after that, no chance to see if he’d managed to keep the wolf from his throat , not with the other five of them darting in and out.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Grayell shot her a look and suddenly hefted the beast overhead, locked on it's neck and swung his body over it. The wolf coughed and Grayell laughed but called out.
Whoa!! He's done, aren't you Irou?
The wolf cleared it's throat and shook out it's hackles as Grayell got to his feet. It looked at Grayell with a playful scowl.
"For now brother. Welcome home... but tell me."
Irou the wolf looked to Kiko with a wolfish smile.
"Who is the woman? A friend? Is she single hm?"
Grayell laughed aloud and kicked him playfully in the rump.
Wow you never quit do you? Yes she's with me and no... she's not single. This is Kiko.
Grayell smiled to Zaedus then and folded his arms.
And this, is Zaedus. Worgen you know. I bet that's quite the surprise....
Kiko released a low sigh. He knew them. Still, she couldn't help giving the other ones quick glances. Just a day ago she'd been attacked by animals much the same. The blades were put away, however. She leaned against the horse, giving a brief smile when her name was mentioned.
Irou turned to look at Grayell and then slinked into his human form. He was appropriately dressed with jet black hair, slighter than Grayell but with a presence about him. He looked Grayell over and rubbed his chin.
"Hm. Hardly winter wear brother. Tell me... are you here for the rite? I can smell it in you, you are lucky it was mine who came upon you. You know this though. Declare it and we cannot attack."
Grayell smiled and folded his arms.
Ah I wouldn't want to hurt you all anyways. But yes. I come to declare the Rite of Transendence. And...
... the Rite of the Chosen.
All 6 of them gasped then, silent a moment. The others whispered amongst each other, but Irou was louder. Almost angry. He spoke with obvious exasperation.
"What?? Are you MAD?? You can't survive, it has NEVER been done? Really? HER?"
Irou turned to look at Kiko, his teeth were that of the wolf again. He didn't like what he had heard.
Grayell walked behind him and set a hand to Irou's shoulder, then pulled him away. He nodded as he approached Kiko... before he took her hand.
Yes her Irou and watch your tone. She is my beloved, I would challenge you if you question her again.
There was a hint of malice in Grayell's voice as he finished those words, he meant it entirely. He took Kiko's hand though and pressed it to his chest as he turned to face her, settling both hands on her hips. He winkled subtly, they would not notice... but he stared at her with a smile that could not lie so convincingly. His words had sincerity.
She is my chosen, I will die for her gladly shall it come to that.
Kiko swallowed sharply thankful that everybody was staring at Grayell. Courage. Remember what he said earlier. You have to stay calm. But, the shock on their faces told her all she needed to know. What he was undertaking was not routine at all. Of course, from how he had explained it she expected someone to have done it before.
She wanted to scream at him again; instead she stood calmly beside him, her delicate hands stiff in his grasp. When he looked at her and winked she regained some measure of resolve, her fingers resting for several seconds against his chest. His heartbeat was a metronome beneath them, strong, consistent, and steady.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
"Much of the pack is away, hunting the elk. You will want to see the elder immediately, to dawdle is not the way. Come brother and bring your friends."
There was scepticism in his voice but he motioned for the others to follow, which they promptly did. Their horses were taken by younger members, children with happy eyes and bright smiles and Grayell returned their kind expressions. He followed Irou and the others, now all human and form; and led Kiko and Zaedus into the humble tribal village of the Garou,
There were exchanged greetings and some excitement and murmurs that Grayell had returned, but many noticed his appearance and seemed wounded, afraid. He said nothing further of the rites... until a billowing voice commanded their attention. Grayell took to a knee immediately as the massive half-wolf stepped from his hut, a blazing orange eye regarding them. This Garou was massive in bulk and presence, an intimidating creature by any standard.
Well met Aeron. You know why I have come.
Aeron the elder huffed air with a force that stirred the ground and he prowled in front of Grayell, then investigated Kiko and Zaedus. He returned to Grayell and nodded with a growl and Grayell got to his feet.
Aeron looked at him coldly, frowning.
"Tell me pup, is it true? You seek transendence for yourself and your chosen?"
Kiko remained silent during the walk. She did not stray far from Grayell’s side. She did, however, take note of the children, of the area, of the group as a whole. The excitement of the village was all too familiar to her, and it caused a quick pang of heartsickness.
She didn’t let it show on her face. Not to these people. Instead she barricaded her feelings behind a wall she’d built long ago.
When the elder approached them her lips whitened, and she might have gone weak in the knees for a second. The mere physical presence of him was enough to cause that, and the first beginnings of fear.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”