Ochoa

------------------------------------ Traveling Wolf!------------------------------------

Continued from the story of Wanderlost.

Veralidaine had found the little amber lad outside of her den, her attention called to him by Cardamom, who had treated the little lad and since her own pups were already fed, the alpha took and brought him in close and fed the starving pup till he yawned, his little belly full. But unfortunately, she knew they had too many pups for this child to thrive and be fully fed every day. So she scooted him into a wicker basket that Cardamom sometimes used and went to the one pack she knew that could... Thornheart. Arriving at the edge of their territory with her little bundle, she explained the situation to Deftmark, and soon the little lad was swept in and under the care of the pack, safe and loved.

Lore by ℍ𝕒𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕙𝕪.

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Rules:

1.) Take good care of him! I'm not asking for perfection, but if I see a den full of nothing but starving, sick, and miserable wolves, I will probably pull him back.
2.) Please try to keep him for no more than 5-7 rollovers at most -- this way, more people have a chance of being a part of his story!
3.) Decor is awesome, but not required -- but lore is always appreciated!

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Username/ID: Proxy #86672
Pack: The Thornheart Pack
Decor: Windermere Lake & Brown Leather Sporran
Lore:

Although he may not have been Wanderlost's child by birth, Specklespark certainly was hers in spirit. The older he grew, the more restless he became. Even as a young pup, he would run as far as his little legs could carry him, and stand longingly at the edge of the Thornheart territory -- imagining the worlds and possibilities that lay beyond his borders.

On his sixth-moon birthday, Deftmark finally relented. The pack leader reluctantly helped Speckle pack a few traveling essentials into a small satchel. Promising the young adolescent that should he ever change his mind and wish to return, he would always have a home among the Thornheart Pack.

Specklespark took his first few steps, with his heart pounding, in a combination of nerves and excitement. He wondered what sort of places his mother had been, and how she felt, when she first became a traveler. Surely, she must have been very brave... or had she been scared too, just like him?

Specklespark smiled at the thought, and held his head a little bit higher. Maybe he would ask his mother that, once he found her. The question of "if" never even crossed his mind. While he knew his mother had been very old, somehow, he just knew that she was still alive. She had to be out there, somewhere. And he could not bear to live the rest of his life without ever finding out what happened to her.

So he would follow in her footsteps. Pass through places where she had traveled. Asking if anyone had ever seen an old black wolf, with scars on her back. One way or another, he was going to find her.

And he would make his mother proud.

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Username:Chikn#89968
Pack:The Celestes
Decor:
Lore:

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Username: Albae #104425
Pack: Wolves of Nemos
Decor:
Lore: A few months into his travels, Specklespark nearly regretted his decision. He hadn't found any trace of his mother yet, he had completely lost his way and as if that wouldn't be enough, he already felt watched for hours.

There was a weird smell in the air, one he didn't entirely recognize. It reminded him of old blood stains and rotten flesh. He wasn't experienced enough to know where it came from, but he could tell whatever was following him probably wasn't friendly.

Paying more attention to the smells and sounds around him than to his environment, he suddenly found himself at an impass between some large rocks. He turned around to leave again, but as he saw what was waiting for him, his heart dropped and he froze in fear.

A large cougar blocked the exit, sleek with muscle and ready to strike. With only two long leaps, it was over Specklespark, claws and teeth sinking deep into his skin. The young wolf cried out in pain. So this is the end, he thought.

A loud growl rippled through the air as two adult males attacked the cougar, pulling him away from Specklespark. The young wolf tried to get up, but the pain from his wounds was too much to bear. The last thing he saw before falling unconscious was the huge body of the cougar sinking to the ground, defeated.

The two males took Specklespark back to their healer, who cared for his wounds for weeks. They were deep and would leave scars, but he'd survive. The pack was very welcoming, treating him as one of their own until he was strong enough to continue his journey. They taught him about all kinds of dangers in this area and offered him to return whenever he'd be around. As he set off, he felt a bit more optimistic about the future. He knew his mother would be proud of him right now.


Caged'wolf #56227
Raven's
Decor :
Lore: After leaving, he found himself in the Mountain biome, he settled in a small hollow at night. After, he woke startled by hearing snarling near his new hollow. It soon followed by 3 wolves approaching him, they asked him why he was nestled in their territory. After explaining, they take him to the clearing, Fern the leader explained that he may stay for a few nights, since there were strange things happening to the groups surrounding all the biomes. After he left, the night was seen with no moon, steaming mist surrounded the clearing, looking through, there were two bright orange eyes, almost as if something was after him, Maybe it was an omen?

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Lore by Albae #104425

Months had passed since the incident with the cougar, but Specklespark still had a queasy feeling traveling in this area again.

All he had been able to find of his mother were stories, not a single wolf he met seemed to know what destination she planned to seek out next and she hadn't left any traces behind.

He hadn't lost hope to find her, but he also had no clue where to look for her anymore. So Specklespark had decided to head home for now and visit some friends on the way back.

Excited to meet Thorn and Ragnar again, the ones who'd saved him from the cougar, he accelerated his steps. The two had been a great help to him by teaching him all kinds of things about the survival on his own and he was looking forward to see what they'd think of him now.
Would they even recognize him? He'd grown quite a bit over the past months, he was a true adult now, and the scars were mostly covered by his thick fur. He was in good shape, way better than back then. Would they be proud of what he had accomplished?

Finally, he arrived at the ravine. He was a bit disappointed they were already waiting for him, he thought he'd manage to surprise them.

"Specklespark!", Thorn called out as he came to greet the visitor. "It's good to see you again!"

"You look great!", Ragnar added, examinig him. "Tell us about your travels, have you found your mother?"

Specklespark quickly told them of his adventures, the words bubbling out of his mouth like water in a stream. He told them about everything that had happened since he left them, but also about his reasons to return home.

Thorn and Ragnar listened closely, impressed by how much their young friend had improved since they had seen him the last time.

"I'm sure you'll find her. If anyone can, then it's you.", Thorn told him, trying to give him hope. "But you're right, sometimes it's best to take a break before you start over. As you're in no rush right now to get home, how about you stay for a few days? I'm sure Lyvianne wants to see you and take a look at your scars, and you haven't had a chance to get to know our leader last time. She's out in the woods right now, but she'll return this evening."

Specklespark agreed and they walked over to the herbalist's den together. Last time, this was his den, too. The wounds the fangs and claws of the cougar had caused were so severe Lyvianne hadn't left him out of her eyes for weeks.

The place still smelled just as he remembered, of dried herbs, a tiny bit of smoke and feathers. Very pleasant and calming. Lyvianne was working concentradedly on a salve when they entered, only looking up when Thorn cleared his throat after a few minutes.

"Lyvianne, look who's here", he said and nugded Specklespark forwards.

She needed a moment to recognize him, but then her eyes widened and she wagged her tail in joy, trotting over to the young wolf and starting to examine his scars.

"It's so nice to see you again, Specklespark. This all looks very well, you've been taking good care of your wounds, just as I told you. Finally a wolf intelligent enough to listen to me."

She circled him once, then huffed and went back to work. "I have to finish this before we can talk and I need to concentrate for it, so please leave now. I'll see you in the evening."

They quickly obeyed and left, nobody wants to anger a healer.

Ragnar and Thorn kept Specklespark company for the whole day, they took him on a stroll in the territorry and told him how they had been since he left.

As the sun went down, they returned to the ravine. Only shortly after them, someone else arrived, a small black and white female Specklespark didn't recognize.

"That's our leader, Ailyn.", Ragnar explained proudly. It was obvious how much respect he had for her, but Specklespark couldn't understand it. What was so special about her?

He first thought he might find out when she got closer, but she simply looked exhausted and upset, not at all like Specklespark had imagined her. From the stories Ragnar had told him, he had expected a bit... more. He couldn't pin down exactly what bothered him.

But he followed Ragnar over to her and tried hhis best not to let his thoughts show when he introduced himself. Ailyn straightened up her ears when she heard his name. "You're Specklespark? Lost and Found Specklespark, son by heart of Wanderlost?"

He flinched in surprise. Why did she know his full name? Could it be? "I am. But tell me, do you know my mother? Do you know where I can find her?", he asked. Finally, a trace!

Ailyn looked at him as if she didn't know what to say. Or perhaps, how to say it. A bad feeling started to creep in Specklespark's heart, like ice spreading over a lake in a frosty night.

"I'm so sorry. I'm just coming from your mother. She passed today, peacefully, while I was with her."

And just like that, his world started to crumble and the hope he had felt just a heartbeat ago turned into despair. He couldn't move, couldn't even get out a single tone.

Ailyn turned to Ragnar. "I want everyone gathered in the main when the last light fades. We have a Farewell Ceremony to hold.", she ordered.

He inclined his head and followed her, while Specklespark stayed behind with Thorn, still frozen. If he would have stayed just a few days longer the last time he was here, he would have met Ailyn. He could have met his mother. He had been so close, without even knowing it. If he would have turned around just one week earlier, he could still have met her. But he was too late, One single damn day too late, and now he'd never get to know her, he could never all those questions swirling in his head, he couldn't be close to her ever again or thank her for saving him.

"Let's go.", Thorn quietly said after a while. "It's time for the ceremony."

They were the last ones to enter the main cave. Ailyn was sitting on top of a rock in the middle of the room, the entire pack gathered around her. As soon as Thorn and Specklespark had found a spot to sit down, she started talking.

No other wolf was making a sound, not even the puppies, as Ailyn told them the story of Wanderlost. They sat in silence, looking up to their leader, paying respect to a wolf they never had known. Ailyn took her time, telling of her friend in so much detail that everyone felt like they'd known her, and like she'd be here with them right in this moment.

The moon was already going down again when Ailyn said: "And this is the true story of Wanderlost the wise. If you can hear me, my friend:

In peace may you leave this shore.
In love may you find the next.
Safe passage on your travels,
Until you arrive in the dark packlands,
At the place of no return.
May we meet again."

"May we meet again!" All wolves repeated at once, their voices echoing from the walls.

Specklespark raised his head, letting out a long howl filled with longing and despair. One after the other, the packmembers joined in, singing the last song for Wanderlost.

Only Ailyn kept silent, looking stoic and aloof on her place up on the rock. As the last voice subsided, she jumped down from the rock and came over to Specklespark.

"I vowed to Wanderlost that I would take care of her puppies as good as I can. You might not be much younger than I am and neither are you of her blood, but nevertheless you're one of hers. You're welcome to stay with us for as long as you please and if you ever need anything, let me know.", she said, then she turned and left the cave.

Specklespark stayed at Nemos for a few more weeks. He had lost the goal he had always been following, leaving him behind with an empty feeling.

Several times, he met with Ailyn. She told him the entire story of Wanderlost once again and tried to answer his questions about his mother as good as she could.

Lyvianne made sure he kept sleeping and eating, while Ragnar and Thorn got him to come out of his cave and enjoy activities together, so he wouldn't get lost in thought too much.

With all of their help, Specklespark slowly recovered. He had yet to find a new goal, but he could feel he wasn't done traveling yet. As he was ready to leave Nemos, he knew sooner or later he'd return again. His first destination would be the place where his mother died. He longed to know where she'd spent the rest of her life after setteling down, and he hoped to get to know his siblings.

Specklespark had finally come to understand that closeness wasn't measured by distance, but only by feeling. His mother had always been with him, in his heart, and he'd carry her there for the rest of his life.

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Specklespark began his long journey home, back to the Thornheart pack. His feet felt heavy, but his body felt a little lighter. As though a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He was sad he never got to meet his mother before she passed. But he was happy he got to know her, through her travels and her stories. Specklespark wondered if she'd be proud of him, for coming all this way.

But for now, Specklespark was content. He had found what he was looking for, so his journey as a traveler had come to an end. His chest was bubbling with excitement as he returned home. Ready to tell his pack all about his mother, and the wonderful places he'd been.

But as Specklespark approached the Thornheart territory, his heart dropped like a stone.

They were gone.

No. It couldn't be possible.

Frantically, Specklespark ran into the familiar clearing, past the broken thorn barriers. Surely, this had to be some mistake. Perhaps they were out hunting, or he was just in the wrong place. But the evidence told a different tale. Blood-stained grass, trampled beneath heavy paws. The Thornheart pack's familiar scent was still there – but it was old, slowly fading.

Specklespark raced into all the familiar places – the nursery, the healer's den, the storage caches – but they were all empty. After asking some of the local ravens, they confirmed his worst fears – Deftmark was dead. As was most of the Thornheart pack. Either murdered, or driven out of their territory by a pack of invading Riparian wolves.

Specklespark sat down in the clearing, as the gravity of his grief overwhelmed him.

The pain of his loss ached like a thorn in his heart. Was this some kind of punishment, for leaving the only family he ever knew? In search of a dream, a mother who had obviously stopped caring about him a long time ago. Specklespark's eyes stung with angry tears. How could he have done this? How could he have abandoned them? If he hadn't have left, maybe he would have been able to warn them, or save them somehow.

Specklespark curled up into a little ball, and closed his eyes. Part of him wanted to give up, right then. He imagined himself lying here, and his spirit leaping out of his body. Where he would watch his small form shrink smaller and smaller, as the crows circled above his motionless body. Imagining his spirit flying higher and higher above the trees, until he joined his family among the stars.

But then… A faint spark of hope.

He remembered the place where his mother had left taken him. A cold place, but still somehow warm. His memories were still a bit foggy, but he could still remember it. Having a full belly for the first time in his life. Sleeping curled up next to Cardamom, whose breath smelled like herbs. Then being carried, in that little wicker basket, lined with Cardamom's soft moss-colored fur.

Specklespark sniffed the air. But that familiar scent was not just in his dream. It was here – faint, but real. Quickly, he sat up, and began to follow the trail. It must have been a long time since Ultima Thule had come here. But they had, and that meant there was hope, that there was a chance that they were still out there, and they might still be alive.

He raced after the scent, heart pounding. For a moment, Specklespark feared he had lost it – drowned out by the months and the rivers and the rain. But just when he was about to lose hope, Specklespark would pick up the scent, and go racing off again.

Until at last, he found it. A real scent marker – strong and fresh. Marking the border of another pack's territory. Specklespark leaned back, and gave a long howl to announce his arrival. Then, he waited for the response. He received a howl in return, and a few moments later, he could see several shadows approaching through the trees, which sent his nerves crawling like flies.

Specklespark's heart beat with a combination of excitement and dread, as the shadows approached him warily. Would they even still remember him? Better question -- would they even still want him?

Specklespark laid down on the ground in a submissive position, trying to steady his breath. Then – one of the wolves stepped into the light. She was an older wolf, unfamiliar. But her eyes were wide with recognition. For a moment, Specklespark was confused. Who was this strange wolf?

But as the stranger got close enough to sniff his nose, suddenly, Specklespark felt it too. Specklespark gave a yelp of excitement, as he threw himself into the warm embrace of Cardamom, who began nuzzling and licking him all over, too happy for words. As if on cue, the rest of the wolves soon joined in, and he was surrounded on all sides by friendly faces and wagging tails.

Tears welled up in Specklespark's eyes. The pain of losing two families at once was still fresh – but he was glad he had gone on this journey after all. He would miss those he had lost terribly, and it would take a long time before those wounds would ever fully heal. But for now, he was happy.

He was home.

~Lore written by Proxy