Murmuring to yourself, tired after a long walk, the light dims further, sun slipping beneath the horizon. As you keep track of your footsteps on the leaf covered ground, you fail to notice the pair of olive green eyes watching you. The dimness registers suddenly and you pause, the wind sending a gust of leaves and snow into your side. There was a wall of brambles ahead and nothing but trees behind you. With a sigh and a quick shake of your fur you begin to move forward, ears flat as the silence grows. Unusual for a woodland like this. Nearing the plants, there seemed to be a trick of the light in one area. A small opening, half covered. Optimisticly, perhaps overly so, you bound forward, nudging it aside. And freeze a few seconds later as a wolf emerges from the trees. Her coat seemed to blend into the snow and her cold grey eyes roamed over you. A second wolf moved from behind and you flinched. "I followed this wolf from when they entered our territory." The second one said. The pair looked like fire and ice. You gulped. "I... I didn't mean to intrude. I wasn't aware there was a pack here." The snow like one snarled, "There certainly is. I am the alpha. This is my mate. Why did you come here?" As you explain in quick hurried pants, eager to get away, the alpha interrupts. "It doesn't matter so much, the rest of your story. You don't seem to be a threat." The other spoke up, flicking her ear slightly. "We'd like to offer for you to join our pack. Eira isn't as scary as she first seems." After a few seconds of consideration you agree. "Well then. Welcome to the Devil's Oath Pack." Eira said, and stepped aside, revealing a second wall. As the other came over, she greeted you properly. "I'm Enya. Pleasure to welcome you to our pack." As said, leading into the clearing. Caves dotted the fringes of the area and a few pups raced past, followed by an adolescent. A few older wolves looked over, some returning to what they were doing and some moving over to greet you.
The full moon was high, a good sign. Eira started a howl, her song twisting into the air. Others joined her, a wild melody dancing around the pack. "Taranau, we welcome you as the Herbalist's Apprentice. It was just over six months ago when Daear found you, and she and her sister, Haearn, brought you in. You will not only have them as your adopted aunts but Haearn will train you in her ways. Welcome to the pack!" Eira shouted. Taranau lead the howl this time, before him, Avyanna, Daear, Haearn, Slei and Tawel began his hunt.
Daear and Taranau lowered Haearn's body into the hole they had cleared out and pulled some flowers over it. Taranau leaned against Daear who licked his ear comfortingly. "Time for you to take over, my boy." She muttered and he nodded mutely. This was the first pack death. They held a small pack talk and hunt in her honour before there was another ceremony to replace Taranau as Herbalist.
Unfortunately, there was a reaction with a non-native herb. Daear pulled him out to be sent into hunting and possibly scouting later on. Instead, when Rhymyn grows up she will be the Herbalist. Taranau agreed to stay on until she was able to take over.
