Rikash

---------- Lost Memories ----------

It was a dark and quiet night, the moon stayed hidden behind the clouds. A perfect night to sneak away.
Veralidaine had come a long way, she knew she was late but she had to make sure any possible pursuers would lose her trail. Before she stepped out on the clearing, she turned and sniffed again. Nothing. Good.
The one she had come to meet was already waiting for her. Veralidaine didn't know her well, they had only met a couple of times when the leaders of the alliance gathered. But it seemed some of the rumors were true, judging from her changed looks, the once dark fur now light and glistening with an eerie light. Her posture was different, too. She had hardened up since their last meeting.
"Step out of the shadows. It's late and we don't have much time.", the waiting wolf called.
"It's good to see you, Ailyn. I'm glad you could make it.", Daine greeted her, setting down the bundle she had been carrying all the way.
Ailyn glanced at it, curious. She didn't know the full reason why veralidaine needed to see her, the messanger had only been entrusted with the most necessary of information.
"You're bringing me a puppy?", she asked, her voice filled with surprise. "All of this secretive manner just for a puppy?"
"Not any puppy!", Veralidaine growled. "She's my daughter. In a better world, she could have been my heir."
Ailyn examined the little sleeping fur ball again. "What happened."
"You know the Heavensward pack? They happened. We've always had our troubles with them, small fights here and there over borders and resources and such. But now, they're out for war. One of my warriors killed the youngest son of their leader in a fight provoked by them, and they're out for a blood feud now. They surely won't hesitate to have my pups killed. For their safety, I have to give them away. You're a mother too. You understand this, don't you?"
Ailyn nodded, looking deep in thought. "I'll take her with me then."
Veralidaine let out a relieved sight. She hadn't been sure if Ailyn would agree to get involved. "Thank you. But I have another request to make."
"Do you need fighters? My pack by far isn't as big as yours, but I'll see what I can do.", Ailyn replied, already getting ready to leave.
"No fighters. Just a favor.", Daine declined.
Ailyn's posture changed, she was on guard now. "And what would that be?"
"Raise my daughter as your own. Don't ever tell her where she's truly coming from, unless she finds out by herself. The herbs I fed her to make her fall asleep will cloud her memory as well. If she is anything like me, and I have a feeling she is, she would try to take on the whole world to save everyone. I don't want to see that happen. It's better for her to believe she has been born to your pack. Should this issue ever get settled and she's safe at mine again, we can still tell her."
Ailyn thought about that for a while. Finally, she agreed. "I will respect your wishes. However, I will raise her like a leader. She will walk where I walk, and learn to think like someone who bears the resposibility for many lives on their shoulders. So should you ever come to get her, she will be ready. Also, I'll bring her to the gatherings with the other leaders - that way you can at least sometimes see her."
Veralidaine had to look away quickly. This was way more than she had expected, and she had to admit that she was a tiny bit moved by this gesture. Not that she would ever show it.
"One last question.", Ailyn said, already picking up the bundle and turning to leave. "What name did you choose for her?"
"Rikash.", Daine whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat. Seeing her daughter leave broke her heart, even though it was for the best. "Her name is Rikash."

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Patiently sitting, Rikash waited for her mom to return. She felt a little guilty, as it was long past her bedtime and she knew she was supposed to be sleeping, like all her siblings.
Ailyn had left the den early in the morning, entrusting Elysium to take care of her puppies. Like every day.
"She's the leader of the pack. She will get up before everyone else, and won't rest before everything is taken care of. Even though she loves you, she's not free to stay home and care for you like the other mothers. " That's what Elysium said whenever one of them asked why their mom was never around.
Her siblings had accepted it after a while, by now they saw Elysium as their mother. But Rikash just couldn't stop to long for a different life. She didn't want to stay at the den, all safe and protected, while her mom was out their, all alone.
And that's why she was sitting at the entrance of the cave now, shivering in the frosty air of the night, while she waited for her mom's return.
There she was! Her fur glistening in the moonlight, Ailyn made her way through the ravine. Rikash ran to greet her, overly excited. It had been days since she saw her mother for the last time, weeks even since they last spoke.
"Mom! You're home!", she called, jumping up to touch Ailyn's nose with hers.
"And you, young lady, should be sleeping." Ailyn gave her a stern look, but Rikash had seen the little smile that had quickly crossed her lips.
So she gathered all her courage and replied: "Take me with you tomorrow! I want to help!"
Ailyn shook her head. "You're still far too young. You haven't even finished your training yet."
"But..."
"No but! Once you're trained, I'll take you with me. But until then, it's safer for you to stay at the den. I'm your leader, Rikash, so listen to me!", Ailyn harshly interrupted her. "You can still come sleep at my den though", she added softer, as she saw the tears in her pup's eyes.
Rikash expression instantly changed to happy again. "Really? Every night?"
"Yeah, every night. Unless you snore." Ailyn nudged her with her paw, smiling herself now. "Come on, we both need some rest."

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