Heir to the pack, she is the grandaughter of alpha couple Arvid and founder Asa Elfried. She was born by their only daughter when Asa was 4 years and 6 months old, and had begun to worry about an heir in her middle age. Anya was her daughter but didn't quite fit the bill. It was decided Katijia-Tyr Runa would rule next and training would commence early .
Katja would have to prove herself as a hunter, both lone and in party, a scout, and a pupsitter before assuming the role of alpha, unless Asa was to die suddenly in which she must assume the position. She failed her first five hunts and was looked down upon with contempt by her grandmother. When presenting her with her first catch, a stoat, Asa cooly told her " do better" before going observing at the north wood. This would be gruelling. Her grandfather Arvid was easier on her, sharing tips and tricks, but he was so busy. She shared many traits with Asa Elfried however, moreso than with her mother Anya, and aspired to prove herself. She wasn't allowed to join a party yet, so set out alone once more. She would do better than a stoat.
Katja Tyr-Runa reined with an iron paw but also fairness. She was quiet, stoic, and didn't share much about herself with anywolf. Even her daughter was left to figure her out in a series of strict lessons. She ran the pack smoothly, only running into famine twice in her 8 years, and helf ceremonies for the best hunters every moon, rewarding their hard work, as well as the scouts, and she gave the herbalist the full moon off too.
As the great cold of the 12th year began, Katja felt herself drastically weaken. Her eyes were growing dim, her limbs ached, and just lately she had lost control of her bladder, although she made sure nowolf noticed. She had to maintain grace.
Katja was laying down in the den, watching isleif Ironfangs new pups SilverWing and BlackLily chase eachother. For a moment she saw her mother, Anya, sat with them. Anya looked at Katja and smiled. Katja sat up quickly and blinked, shocked at the sight of het late mother. She was gone. The two prized puppies continued laughing and chasing one another. Katja rubbed her eyes and stood up. She was going to speak to her heir, Autumn Valkyrie.
Autumn was in the midst of a conversation with her mate fox, and hunting party member Embers. They stood around a juicy elk flank, laughing heartily over something. Katja approached and the wolves went quiet.
"Autumn.... " Katja began. Autumn stood to attention and responded right away " Yes my alpha? Is it time for a lesson?" She looked confused. Lessons didn't usually take place at night.
"Leave us" Katja commanded Embers and Fox. The boys dashed off, leaving the two females alone.
"There are unusual occurrences" Katja began "Wolves are going missing. I met a she wolf yesterday..." She trailed off momentarily and looked at the ground. " Her name... Her name was..." Autumn listened awkwardly, and her ears flattened to her head. It was hard to see Katja Tyr-Runa was losing her memory. "Maeve" Katja said suddenly "Her name was Maeve" Autumn Valkyrie listened intently, wondering where this was going. Katja continued " She approached me out on the prairie. Said her mate had been missing, I don't know, several days. She looked heartbroken. I agreed to help search for him but all I found were other wolves sharing her predicament. Something bad is going on. Pack members from all corners of the land are disappearing. What's more I've seen unusual plants, prey, and lights. They resemble fireflies but they aren't, Autumn"
Autumn took the information in, then raised a question " You don't mean those bioluminescent dreams you and your grandmother had do-"
"NO!" Katja barked, finishing Autumn's sentence for her. " I don't mean the Dreamlands. Strange and inexplicable as they may be they don't result in missing pack members. What's more, the lights are a completely different colour"
Autumn thought for a moment. She remembered she and Fox seeing an increase in fireflies recently, and it dawned on her that during the great cold, there shouldn't even be any. This wasn't Katja losing her mind. This was very real.
"What can I do my alpha?" She asked. "Why did you summon me"
Katja sighed, and pawed at the ground, making marks with her claws. "I'm supposed to meet Maeve back out on the prairie in three sunrise's. She introduced me to her leader and herbalist. She clearly considers me an ally. You know the rule Autumn. We do not break word. If I cannot make it to the prairie in three sunrise's, you will need to go in my stead"
Autumn stared at Katja. She raised an eyebrow, then looked her up and down. Her eyes were misty, her muzzle white with age. Her coat had no shine to it. She was gaunt and carried herself hunched, as though she was in pain. Was she? Autumn's heart sank as she realised what Katja Tyr-Runa was trying to say. "As of yet, none of our members have gone missing. But at the rate wolves are losing members I think it's likely. If I'm not around to prevent that, and keep my word to Maeve, then I need my heir to do so. Do you understand?" Katja asked. Autumn gulped, and nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks "Yes, my alpha" she replied shakily. Katja walked up to her, and nuzzled her full face with her slender muzzle. "Please Autumn. Call me Katja. And work with my daughter Svetlana Jessika Tyr-Runa. I'll tell her the same. No more rivalry" Autumn nodded, silent tears still falling "No more rivalry" she agreed. Katja smiled, and licked autumn's cheek, mopping up many tears. "Come' she said to Autumn softly "we best tell Svetlanya too"
The following morning, Katja Tyr-Runa went about her usual business. However, after tackling a white tailed buck in the forest, despite winning and taking it down, she suddenly lost the use of her hind legs. Stubbornly she tried to get up, but to no avail. She began growling in frustration. This was awfully undignified and frankly, terrifying. She saw a shape approach. Her immediate reaction was to bark defensively "Get away!" The shape drew nearer. It was Isleif Ironfang, the mother of the two pups she could have sworn she saw her mother sat with last night and her trusted scout. " I could smell the kill" she told Katja. "Thought I'd come check it out. Was it you? Good takedown" she stared at Katja a moment waiting for her to get up.
"I cannot rise" Katja sad flatly. " I may need some assistance" she hated to ask but this was a vulnerable position. She was lucky she had raised Isleif herself, and that made her embarrassment lessen. Isleif pushed her head under Katja's rump and gradually lifted her. Katja growled and whined in pain, and they both heard a pop in her hip.
"Thank you" she said, shaking the detritus from her coat " that hasn't ever happened. Perhaps it's these strange occurances".
Isleif knew as well as Katja did that, sadly, this was old age. Isleif Ironfang picked the whitetail carcass up round the neck and begun to drag it. she was an incredibly strong wolf, scouts often were, but this tested her resolve. She looked at Katja limping and snarling and knew she had to take this alone. Katja wasn't well, anywolf could have told you that. They made their way back to the den, and it happened again. This time several wolves, pups, those on hunting rotation, and the whelping sitters were there, watching, seeing it all. Katja Tyr-Runa put her paws over her eyes and just begun to whimper. The quiet, stoic she wolf who refused to share her emotions almost all of the time was crying on the ground. Luckily she had taught her pack well with the lessons of their founder. From the group of rotating hunters her daughter Svetlanya burst out. "Mother!" She ran to her. Svetlanya knew her mother didn't want anything undignified happening, especially not Infront of the other wolves.
Katja looked up at her. She looked tired, old, and like she had had enough. Svetlanya went to push her rump up, but Katja just fell straight back to the ground. Svetlanya noticed a puddle forming, and remembering her mother's want to be dignified in her position, had to think fast. "Autumn!" She called. Autumn was already on her way. " Crests party is out" Autumn said. " We have about 15 moments" Svetlanya nodded toward Katja's neck "give me a jaw with this" both girls gently shut their jaws round their alpha's scruff and dragged her into the alpha cave. The cave was decorated with pelts and antler's. The girls laid Katja on a large brown bear pelt lined with rabbit pelts, her usual spot. "Mother... " Svetlanya gulped "Are you... Are you okay?"
"I cannot rise..." She mumbled. The same words she had said to Isleif. "Autumn, you remember Maeve don't you?" Autumn nodded, looking on with concern as much as Svetlanya.
"Please do not fail her. We keep word here" she shut her eyes " My hind.. my gut .."
Would you like us to bring you some meat? We can dismember the deer" Svetlanya offered. "No... No..." Katja responded, and sighed "I'm not hungry. Have your party dismember it for yourselves and the pup's, or something" This seemed unlike Katja. It was small, but she was always specific in orders. Nothing had ever been "or something". "As you wish" Autumn said. "Svetlanya and I will take the observation in the west wood. You just rest"
"You're going to be a good alpha Autumn" Katja replied "Do not fail to keep word"
The she wolves left to observe their territory. When they returned, Katja was sleeping. Autumn ordered guard rotation and took svetlanya to observe the east wood, the days final inspection. When they returned the second time, Katja Tyr-Runa, the second alpha of their 12 year standing pack, was no longer breathing. Autumn shut Katja's eyes with her paw, and looked at Svetlanya, who was trembling, silent tears rolling down her slim white face from her devastated blue eyes.
"
The burial took place that night. It was a silent night, the ground covered in snow, flakes falling softly. Everywolf was there, from the strongest hunters to the youngest pups. Crest and Leif, the strongest males in the pack, dug the hole, while the herbalist Atreyus prepared plants, sprinkling petals and leaves over the body while muttering prayers, new and ancient, and spells, passed down from his forefathers. He did this for anywolf but the ceremony was more complex, intricate and important for the death of an alpha. Once finished, Crest, Leif, Denali, Kestrel and Bo, the strongest party in the pack kicked the dirt back into the hole, each wearing ceremonial paint made from saliva, blood and charcoal, the two females a white flower on each ear. The rest of the pack came forth, placing items on the grave. Flowers, cones, rabbits feet and squirrels tails, sticks, bones, all were gently placed. The last wolf to approach was Autumn, now the alpha, with her former rival and new second in command Svetlanya. They put the antler's of the deer Katja had brought down despite being in her weakest state on the grave. They made a fine centrepiece. Purple flowers were tossed over the antler's. The grave looked a work of art. The crowning ceremony would commence tomorrow.
The following day was cold but sunny. The forest was alive with wolfsong, a vast array of pitches and tones, as wolves were very much capable of. Their primitive instruments-wind, drums, tortoise shells-accompanied their singing. As night fell, The pack lined up, leaving a path in between their two lines, as they sat facing eachother, all able to get a good view of the alpha. Sunny, Autumn's mother, Svetlanya Tyr-Runa, and Fox, Autumn's mate, made their way down. They stood elevated on a pile of logs that had been the crowning stage for years. Next came Autumn, decorated in sage and feathers, a white fox pelt over her back. The dancing musicians bounced behind her, all manner of yells and wails accompanying their other noise in celebration. Leif, the Pack's lead finisher yet biggest clown, yelped and hollared the loudest, making some of the older wolves cringe, his black eyes twinkling with mischief as always. He wore a crown of sticks with a racoon tail on the back and banged a crude drum. Rolling his tongue he screeched among the others and louder than them too. Some of the pups laughed. Bringing up the rear were Kestrel and Denali with a ceremonial sacrifice. A Dall Sheep. Kestrel rolled her eyes at Leif and Denali giggled. "Keep it together" Kestrel growled through gritted teeth "We can't lose the lamb"
Finally, a few pups, BlackLily and SilverWing, kestrels daughter Sparrow Juniper, and her cousin Fernwillow Juniper trailed behind with decorative flowers to throw. The ceremony was conducted by the herbalist and an elder. The elder was Relic, a she wolf with 3 generations in the pack, soft, kind brown eyes, and a coat of Auburn, cream and brown. The herbalist Atreyus stood next to her. The music stopped finally and the ceremony began.
" She wolves, he wolves, Luna's, Omega's, Betas, and pups." Relic began "we have come together to witness the crowning of Autumn Valkyrie, of the Valkyrie line, daughter of Sunny Valkyrie and granddaughter of the great Vixen Valkyrie, Katja Tyr-Runa's chosen heir"
Atreyus began " by witness of the gods, Fenrir, Ingolf, Geri and Freki, we crown you the new alpha of Vilmenenne. Blessed be their names and it is not without their work that you are taking this position" he threw plants over Autumn Valkyrie, and she closed her eyes before any could get in them. Atreyus continued prayers. "Bring the sacrifice!" Relic called the two huntresses. Denali and Kestrel dragged it onto the log stage, and Relic cut its throat, covering Autumn in its blood. She turned to the crown and gently picked it up in her jaws. A wreath of flowers was first placed on autumn's head, followed by the crown, which was made from strong, small sticks, small antler's, and a crows skull in the centre. "Hail the new alpha" she said, and the pack repeated her words "if any animal is drawn by the blood, remember you must fight it"
Autumn nodded, aware of the custom. The pups who brought up the rear of the train threw their flowers over Autumn. They were purple and white and many stuck to the blood. "We will now commence the final part of the ceremony" Relic called out. From out of the shadows came a large, unfamiliar male. He had pale blue eyes, and a coat several shades lighter than Autumn, a golddish blonde. She almost felt the urge to cower but stood proud. What was this?
"Autumn, as you know it is ancient tradition and custom that a she wolf crowned alpha must pair with a suitor, one who is alpha of his own land. This has prevented inbreeding and ensures you the best chance of a good, strong heir" Relic smiled as she introduced the male "This is Llyr".
Autumn stared at Relic, then Llyr, then Fox, who stood with his ears pricked and eyes wide and sad, then Svetlanya, then Leif, who was laughing, annoyingly. He could tell she didn't know, she assumed. "Relic.. I was not aware of this part of the ceremony. Are you certain?"
"Oh, yes!" She smiled, with great enthusiasm "Katja never told you? Why it's how Svetlanya over there was conceived. And her great grandmother, Asa Elfried no less met Arvid in the very same way, but he liked her so much, they decided to join and rule together. And they had Anya, Svetlanya's grandmother. Are you absolutely sure she didn't say?" Relic tilted her head, starting to worry.
"No... I'm sure" Autumn hung her head, briefly glancing at her mate, who still looked upset. She looked at Llyr. He was strapping, she couldn't deny it. He oozed strength and authority.
"Well.." Relic began, awkwardly clearing her throat "this would often take place with the pack witnessing, as part of the celebration. But I think we can allow privacy for this crowning" she moved closer to Autumn's ear "It will anger the gods if you don't, and the pack has to be sure you did it. Find a quiet spot and I'll bear witness from afar. Don't worry, I've had many pups. I know what happens"
Autumn couldn't believe it. Wasn't she in charge now? But breaking a tradition would anger the gods it was true. What's more, Katja had chosen her. Refusing to take part in the whole ceremony was disrespecting her straight away. Why didn't she tell her? Maybe she thought she knew.
"Autumn" a voice broke her trance. It was the alpha male. Who knew how far he had come to be with her. "May I?" He nodded toward the forest. Autumn smiled and followed, taking one last look at her friends and family. "Alpha Llyr"... Autumn said "who told you to come?"
"Katja Tyr-Runa did" he replied, walking deeper into the forest. Autumn stopped briefly, confused. This just raised even more questions. She decided she better keep them to herself now. The next day she had to keep her word to meet Maeve too. She was tempted to ask Llyr about the strange happenings around the land, but didn't want it to be more awkward. She could sense Relic behind her. This really was taken seriously. The two alpha's came to a suitable spot, a clearing dimly lit by the moon. Both marked their scent, a sign that they were leaders but also proof they were there. Autumn thought again about speaking, but her instincts soon took over, she was in heat after all, and it came surprisingly naturally. She enjoyed herself, although she would never tell Fox that. When Llyr unknotted himself, they simply said their farewells and went their separate ways. Relic was stood behind a tree, waiting. "My alpha" she smiled "allow me to accompany you back to the den"
When Autumn got home, she flopped down and huffed. She would need to wear the crown a week but the blood had to come off before she met Maeve at least. She decided she would take herself to the lake at dawn. She cringed inwardly as she realised the blood and flowers would now have a good amount of dirt on it too. She sighed. "Have fun?" a voice. She couldn't get a second without some wolf making a noise. It was Fox, lying opposite her, staring into her eyes with resentment. "Don't be ridiculous" she snapped "what was I supposed to do? BREAK an ancient custom because I partnered with you in adolescence? Anger the gods? What if they are already angry? What if that's why wolves are going missing? What if that's why Katja is dead, and now I'm here, having to obey anyway? I guess you stayed an adolescent Fox"
Fox pawed at the dirt a bit, let out a low growl and left.
"You did the right thing my dear" Autumn's mother Sunny had recognised the upset voice of her daughter and come to investigate. "The gods will be good" Sunny Valkyrie was unfriendly, aloof, and had no real friends in the pack but she did love her family, especially her daughter "The whole reason you're alpha now is you have made the right decisions. I've taught you well, Katja too, and your aunt's. Ignore Fox. I've always hated him anyway" she laughed.
"It isn't funny mother.. what if the gods aren't good? Bad things are happening. I've not just got to take alpha responsibility on... I have to figure this out too" her voice broke a bit "Oh Autumn Valkyrie" Sunny said. "You will find a way. You always do. Get some rest. You may be alpha now but your mother knows you best"
