Cavan

Painstakingly slow, Cavan hobbled towards the lake. His back end felt terribly weak and racked with pain. Every breath stung, as if there were a hive of hornets fighting in his lungs. His head throbbed, and his skin was covered in grazes and cuts. All thanks to Bagre, and a tumble down a steep cliff.

Feeling worn out after the short trip from the Croal Mountains, Cavan allowed himself to buckle down in a heap next to the water's edge. Desperately thirsty, he inched his scar-laden head towards the water and lapped at it until his thirst was quenched. He was thankful that Spring was just around the corner, and the ice was melting.

Hidden

Hidden had raced away from the eskers as fast as she could and her long legs had carried her to the Lake. She was sobbing as she skidded to a halt next to the waters edge and she sobbed as she looked into her reflection. Standing next to her was her river brother Yukon but she shook her head once and the image was gone. She let out a cry from deep within her chest and she crumpled to the ground unknowing that she was just feet away from another. Her brother had been killed and now she had no where to go and no one to take care of her. She had nothing now but herself and that was a pain that the small wolfess was unable to bear.

Cavan

Cavan pulled himself into a half-sitting position, his ragged fur bristled over his shoulders and neck. His single ear planed out to the side and his good eye glistened venemously towards Hidden. Kindess was something only his sister afforded him, although Niavo and Ankh had recently showed him comradeship. Still, he was less than nice to others, considering how most treated him without getting to know him.

"Do you mind?" Cavan snapped angrily, trying to make himself look large and tough, although it was quite apparent he was in bad shape and wasn't much of a threat to anyone right now. "I was trying to to get a little sleep here." He lied.

Hidden

She suddenly erupted as she heard his voice. "HES DEAD AND ITS ALL HER FAULT!" She turned angry eyes to Cavan and she got right into his face. He would smell the Shadow Lurkers on her pelt but it was what was over taht scent. Hidden Betrayal. The small black wolfess had in a way -saved- Cavan whether he would admit it or not that was up to him. She glared darkly into his eyes and said in a menacing tone "Dont...Mess with me." Although small it looked as if the small wolfess could pack a punch behind her bite.

Cavan

Cavan narrowed his good eye even more and tried to prop his body up, although he was postured in quite a lop-sided fasion, "You're the one who trespassed, so back off my space!" He shot back in seething frustration; frustration that he couldn't really attack her and make her back off. WIth his hearing hardly better than a humans, and only one working eye, Cavan's sense of smell was very acute. It was with this that he picked up on Betrayal's scent. That reminded him painfully of Tupit, as well of Betrayal's squirmish at the Prairie, "You reek of a trecherous wolf."

Hidden

She growled at Cavan darkly then turned away. She smelled like a lot of wolves but She figured Hidden Betrayals was atop all that. "Her names Hidden Betrayal. She saved me from the Lurkers." She didnt really know the word treacherous very well but she knew it was something bad. "Shes not bad. Shes good. She saved me because Yukon...Yukon wasnt there." She choked back a sob and stared into the water her eyes hollow and dim. Hidden Betrayal had cared for a moment but now that moment was over and she ahd no one.

Cavan

"She's crazy." Cavan replied in a very sour tone, shooting his angry glare across the lake. "You tell her..." The marred wolf began, his teeth clenched as he struggled with his emotions and tried to hold them in check. "...tell her, I was a good father! It wasn't my fault. Tell her that, will you?" He looked strongly to Hidden now, narrowing his good eye as he did so and trying to make his voice less 'angry'. Her words to him had unsettled Cavan more than he liked to admit.

The wolf now noticed, for the first time, that Hidden looked to be upset about something. He couldn't fathom what, but for some reason beyond himself and his normal personality, Cavan spoke up again, "What?" It was gruffly said and almost impatient sounding, but it was the best he could in his attempt to be 'caring'. Cavan didn't know just how starved he was of comradeship and socialization. It had been a long while since he ever had a really conversation with anyone. Or, at least one without violence and bickering.

Hidden

Temporarily the female forgot about her lost brother. "How is she crazy?" She asked softly. Hidden Betrayal had seemed perfectly sane when she had seen her. Hidden didnt know of Tupits death but she knew that the black fae had been....Different lately. Every little thing pissed her off or she would leave for extended periods of time tears still staining her pelt. When Cavab asked her what she tensed up and reality set back in. "That....That bitch killed my brother. That Shadow Lurker....Skeil. Thats her name." She stared hard at Cavan daring him to make fun of her for not saving her brother. She had killed the falcon at least. But next to her brother she was a pathtic waste of life.

Cavan

"She attacked me, for no reason... it wasn't my fault!" He replied in a hoarse, hissing whisper. He dropped his head, but found that it was too hard to hear Hidden. Rumbling in frustration, Cavan turned his head to the side, so that his 'good' ear, or at least the stub that remained of it, could pick up on the fae's reply. Here was trouble though; Ankh was a friend of his, and Ankh was a former member of the Lurkers. In fact, he and another hybrid fellow were starting up a new pack in the Stores area. Not wanting to turn the conversation in a fight, for Cavan was sure Hidden could kill him in his weakened state, the wolf cautiously avoided telling Hidden of his connection with the lurkers. Besides, he didn't care for the Lurkers one way or the other.

"Well, we have something in common I guess. Are you planning revenge?"

Hidden

She smiled faintly and said softly "Betrayal was just angry. And I dont know about revenge...I cant beat Skeil. Shes to big and strong. Yukon was the fighter not me." Yukon had been everything from a brother to a father to a mother to a fighter to a lover and on and one it went. But she sighed softly and looked into the glassy lake at her own relflection. "I am a pathetic excuse of life." She said softly. She was thin and small not much to her really. But the effects of life had not yet taken their toll on her body and with help she could become strong and wise.

Cavan

He relaxed slightly now, turning to his own reverie as he too gazed into the calm waters. But the grotesque image that gazed back at him was more than Cavan could take. Who could ever find kindness in that face? Suka could... but she was dead now, along with their entire litter. Turning his eye hastily from his reflection, Cavan looked quietly at Hidden for a while. "You're only young; there is time to build strength and prowess as you grow. Use your love for your brother to make yourself stronger; don't let it tear you down." If Cavan could ever say anything thoughtful or meaningful in his life, this is as close as it got. He was by no means a preacher of life, for his own existance was build out of mistakes and tragedies. But again, here was someone to talk to, so he was going to make the best of the situation.

Nachi & Cavan

A distant howl somehow managed to reach the stubby remain of Cavan's right ear. Sitting up with a pained grunt, he listened harder. Oh yes, he knew who this was. Sending out a replying howl, he looked to Hidden, "My sister is calling. She's not too far away; I think I'll be taking my leave now." He was a bit set back by this, for he had begun to enjoy having a conversation with this young fae. But his sister was top priority with him, as always.

It wasn't long indeed before Nachi showed up, racing fast across the ground. She skidded a halt beside her brother and glared venemously at Hidden; although she didn't get along with most wolves, she was especially vile with other she-wolves. "And just who is this?" She spat out.

Cavan smiled, nudging his sister, "It's alright, we were just talking. What news do you have?" He said, drawing the conversation away from Hidden, hoping that Nachi wouldn't be mean to her anymore.

Nachi took the bait, but only because she realized that Cavan wanted her to. "I've located Jais. Come, lets have a reunion!" Now she nudged her brother, her tail flicking from side to side in excitement. However, she was alarmed when Cavan struggled to get up.

"Had a little fall... just a bit sore, that's all." He mumbled, seeing her concern. Supressing the signs of pain that staked his movements, the wolf managed to stand up. "See, I'm alright." He reasurred, giving a lop-sided smile.

Nachi's tail wagged again and she gave him a lick on the neck, "Good, then lets head off!" Cavan nodded a farewell to Hidden as he moved slowly away with his sister. As they disappeared in the distance, they bickered over Cavan's state of health, which he consistently denied anything was really wrong, despite how slow pace was and his bad limping.