Virtuous hearts; Tirisfal Valley

He turned at movement coming to a stop on either side of him, his gaze torn away from the somewhat surprising turn of events. Doctor broke the formation, walking towards Cresent, speaking aloud for the sake of Robin and Nimbus, "So this now deceased wolf... Midnight, wanted Faramir for whatever reason. Now you," he gently, but firmly placed his paws on Cresent's wound, making it clear he was merely putting pressure on the wounds along the wolf's side to slow the bleeding, "...you turned traitor on Midnight's small group. They fled at the sight of their slain leader. Must not be so close-knit. We have questions, but we will wait until you're out of danger of bleeding out."

To Robin, he said, "You can identify basic herbs to stop bleeding and prevent infection, right? That's what I'm going to need from my stores." He knew Robin wasn't a healer, but Doctor guessed he could at least identify them. Turning to Nimbus, he said, "I'm going to be healing this wolf here. We can't guarantee the rest of those wolves won't come back for revenge on their slain leader. I'd rather keep them closer to the border if they come back, and I'll require your aid if they come back."

Robin's legs brought him to the scene as fast as they could, his heart pounding in his chest. He wouldn't let any more wolves terrorize the pack he had come to know, love, and now he knew he had to protect. The loss of his son was still clear in his mind. It was something he would hold close to him as a reminder, a reason to always defend the lands of Tirisfal and chase out the darkness that tried to invade. He followed Doctor's scent and slowed his pace, coming to the bru's side, maroon optics flashing to the fresh corpse of an unfamiliar wolf. Words burned on his tongue but he held them back, praying that Doctor had already figured out a way to control the situation, and that the body before them wasn't an innocent's. In the back of Robin's mind, he knew that Ali was worried sick, but he had to do everything he hadn't done before to keep his family safe. He stood beside the beta, his form tall and his tail curled, ready for just about anything.

And at that same moment Robin came to Doctor's side, another form slithered out from the trees. Robin recognized him as the suspicious wolf he had seen before, the one named Nimbus, carrying himself as a dark wolf, but placing himself at Doctor's other side. He, too, waited in silence. He had come with Cirrus and Cumulus - who were no doubt wolves of pure heart - but Robin still found Nimbus' persona questionable. At the moment, though, he was an ally, and that was all that mattered.

It appeared as if one of them had somewhat a change of heart, but his eyes never lingered on the one the apparent leader attacked. Now was the time to talk, before the rest of the pack got here. They would be on the defensive, which would make this group nervous for an attack. By the time the others did arrive, perhaps he'd get a good idea if they could be swayed to leave without a fight. Doctor held himself in quite a relaxed manner, as if he was merely speaking with a good friend he hadn't seen in a long while. He didn't know who Faramir was, nor much of what was going on, but he could piece the situation together and draw a conclusion.

Without hesitation, he responded, sounding every bit like he was a wolf who had greeted Faramir, "It's as you said- Faramir hasn't joined our pack. What makes you think she'll stay, knowing you lot are lingering just outside the lands? True, you may notice her scent has traveled into our lands, but for all you know, she has asked permission to cross our lands as a shortcut to the other side and continue her flight, using our lake as a passage out of the lands. An injured wolf is a cornered one, and a cornered wolf will have that extra energy to keep moving and ignore pain from manageable injuries." He hoped that howl for healing assistance was indeed the wolf they were chasing. It was risky, but necessary, since if this was true, these wolves wouldn't attack until they got more information out of him. Now, it was time for him to wait for a response, or for the pack to arrive. He hoped it was the former first, but knowing his luck, that wouldn't be the case.

He knew the wolves were spreading out. There were good and bad reasons to allow them to spread out, but the cons outweighed the pros. Doctor walked closer to where one of the wolves was approaching, which got the wolf's attention, who called for the attention of the rest of the pack.

As he watched the other members- not bad at all if Cardinal, Cirrus, Nimbus, Robin, and Nuri showed up. One-on-one, he knew Cardinal would fare well and win. Robin, probably, because of the recent memories. Nuri, for obvious reasons. He didn't know anything about Cirrus or Nimbus, but the latter kept to himself, and appeared to be very skilled. Cirrus at least could hold his own until one of the finished up, even if he wouldn't be able to defeat whoever he'd pair against. If it came to it, they'd win the fight. For now, though...

"Halt, all of you," his voice boomed, his tail had been adjusted in accordance to a beta. The wolves didn't look as smart as his childhood best friend, which made him uncertain if he could talk his way out of this. Still, he questioned to stall for a bit of time, "What business do you have here, you of darkness? These lands are for the pure, who don't allow such in our lands for no reason. This prey of yours has crossed into our packlands, and as such, you aren't allowed to barge in here without our permission first. Either ask us to pass through our lands politely, or go around our pack and hope to catch up to your prey from the opposite end."

He had heard the howl as he was going to help the pair with the elk, but paused, on full-alert, but body still relaxed. He reached down and pulled the elk the rest of the way out of the muck, knowing Jewel would be alright if she had still been grasping the carcass. Doctor then dropped his grip on the elk and turned to Cumulus, eyes narrowed in thought. He didn't want to put the two in danger, and while they weren't that close to where the howl originated, it'd be best to keep them out of danger. Opening his maw, he said, "Cumulus and Jewel, I trust you two to be able to transport the elk back to the den. I'll find you between here and the dens if I take care of this business early. If I don't and you're back at the dens, I expect you two to wait there. I may not be your parents or brother, but I'm still a healer here, and Nuri hasn't yet taken away my status as beta." He hated pulling rank, but he wanted to make sure the two wouldn't get hurt. They were still young...

He lowered his head near Cumulus's ear and whispered for his ears only, "Impress her by coming up with an efficient way to get the elk to the top, then guard her on your trek back to the dens. Stay calm. I won't let harm come to you." Then turning, around and repeating the motions for Jewel, but he whispered instead, for her ears alone, "Your mother will require your assistance if anyone's hurt. The role as healer is as important as warrior. Someone needs to help her, seeing that I can't. Keep Cumulus close, and don't let him fight."

Straightening, he nodded at the pair and seemingly flew up the somewhat steep slope, running towards the ominous calling before any of the two could object. The name the howl mentioned hadn't registered, but he only assumed it came from one of the other howls before, asking for help.

Doctor was hiding his presence now at his approach. He was still too far for the small group of dark wolves to detect him. He knew using his trick to make his voice come from a different direction wasn't going to help. They'd recognize him as one wolf. For now, he remained outside their ability to detect him, waiting- either for back-up, or for for them to make a move. If they moved first, then he'd have to reveal himself.

Cumulus raised his head at Doctor's words. "You're right, Doctor... Hunting elk isn't something I've done before. The most we get up in the mountains are rams," he said, smiling weakly, but it fell when Jewel approached. He hadn't impressed her at all. "I'm fine, Jewel. Let's bring her up the side so we can call everyone to eat." He quickly turned away from her, trying to hide his embarrassment, and started up the slope he had fallen down. He then realized how lucky he had been to land in the soft, squishy mud instead of the jagged rocks that would have split open his skull and broken his bones. He placed his jaws around the elk's scruff and began to pull when a dark howl rose above the lands. He stopped and looked to Doctor, the eldest of the trio. "What... What was that?" he asked with a pinch of fear in his voice. He hadn't been in Tirisfal that long, and he wasn't sure if he was prepared for any kind of battle. Cumulus, unlike his two brothers, was still very young, only a little older than a yearling...

On the far edges of the land, Cirrus smiled to Cobalt. "From what I understand, Tirisfal has some of the best healers in the land. I'm sure Ali will be able to help you," he said, tassel wagging. "And as for joining, you'll have to speak with our Alpha, Nuri Bade, about that. I'm a newcomer myself, you see." Just when he thought that there was nothing to fear on the borderlands, an ominous howl floated over them, coming from where Cirrus had just picked up Faramir. Golden gaze locked with Cobalt's. "We should hurry. Can you walk at all?"

Robin stiffened at the sound of the howl. It wasn't pleasant at all. He looked to Ali inside the cave. "I'll be back," he said, to which Ali only had a moment to turn away from helping Faramir. "Robin, no! You shouldn't go alone! Wait for Nuri or one of the others!" Robin paused and bounded back up to her, his maroon eyes swirling with heated emotion. "I'm not going to let our pack get hurt again, Ali. I don't care how dangerous they are. I'd give my life a thousand times than lose another one of our children."

And with that, he turned and sprinted for the borderlands. Ali chased after him in a few bounds, her heart pounding in her chest, but knew that following him was as dangerous as going alone. "I'll be right back," she said over her shoulder to Faramir. She then looked to the two canines that had recently come to them. "I'm sorry you two have to be in the middle of this. If you could please wait a few moments, we'll get things sorted out." She smiled at them, though anxious, and ran down the hillside where she had last seen their Alpha. Where was Cardinal and the others? Had they, too, vanished during the storm? And what of the bru that had brought Namaria in from the storm? She sensed that he wasn't the purest of heart, but at least he had no intention of harming the pack.

The husky-wolf found Nuri at the bottom of the hill, surrounding by Bright's pups and his own. She carefully dodged the romping whelps. "Nuri!" she barked. She wouldn't have normally spoken to him as such, but panic was in her eyes and filled every inch of her form. "Nuri, Robin's gone after them! You... You and the others, or just the others, I don't know, please stop him! Or keep him from attacking the wolves! He's... I know he's still angry over Koda's death, and... and I..." Ali gasped for air, shuddering and shaking, tears welling in her sapphire eyes. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Robin, her one and only love, to a small group of dark wolves. No, no, no...

Blue watched the cluster of wolves down below. It seemed that her timing hadn't been the most appropriate, but what else could be done? She sighed; Jack would have to wait longer than he expected, it seemed, before he got the dogs he wanted and his beta back. But Blue watched Ali with curious cobalt eyes - the way Ali moved was very wolfish, but at the same time, she carried the breed of a husky in her blood. Blue had scented it when Ali had ran past and spoken to them. Curious indeed....

Cirrus reached the crest of the hill, Faramir leaning into his side. Ali and Robin were in their den, discussing private matters, and Cirrus noticed another wolf approach, calling himself Hermes. "I'll be right back," he said, and ducked into the den where the two Deltas were. Their heads were tucked together in intimate conversation, the fem that Ali had been treating earlier lying asleep on the den floor. "Excuse me, lovebirds. I don't know if you have heard the howls, but there are some new wolves to the pack that deserve a proper greeting. One of them that I have brought with me is also injured," he announced, and they looked over their shoulders at him. "Of course, Cirrus. Thank you for notifying us," Ali replied, and they followed him out of the den.

Ali's eyes instantly landed on Faramir. Blood soaked the front of her coat, but none of it looked to be her own. She did, however, hold her one of her front legs in the air. She could tell that the leg wasn't broken, but sprained. She could tell just by looking at it from afar, her healing skills seeming to have improved since the storm. "Come with me," she said to Faramir, walking over and offering her a shoulder to lean on. [color=violet]"We'll get you some poppy seeds and comfrey, and then we'll wrap that paw in a couple of spiderwebs. You'll be feeling better in no time. My name is Ali, Tirisfal's Lead Healer and Delta."

Robin watched Ali lead Faramir towards the dens, where she would be treated. His maroon optics landed on Cirrus. "What's the blood from?" he asked in a low tone, minding the brute sitting not far away. "She said that wolves had chased her in. I made a vigilant sweep to see if they were following her, but I could see no sign," he replied, seeing the suspicion in Robin's eyes. His vigilant sweep, however, was not enough to persuade the Delta. Robin looked in the direction he had came, and moved to scope out the area as well, when yet another newcomer emerged on the horizon, her blue-black form catching his eye. He sighed - he would have to wait to go on patrol. Duties always came first.

"I'll see to the other injured one," Cirrus said in response to one of the earlier howls, and loped off in a different direction. It did not take him long to find the brute that had howled, looking very weary as he dangled his paw in the air, walking with a sharp limp. Cirrus approached with a wide berth, careful not to startle him. "Hello there. I am Cirrus of Tirisfal Valley. I heard your howl and came to help," he said, silently wondering how he had been injured. If those wolves that Faramir had mentioned were still running around the borders... They might have a problem on their paws. Then again, if there was any serious threat, Nimbus would be the first to know. Cirrus knew that he was wandering somewhere around the lands, but where exactly, he wasn't sure. Regardless, if the evil wolves had really wanted to, they could have infiltrated the territory by now. There was not yet a reason to be on high alert.

Meanwhile, Robin turned to the two canines before him. One was a wolf, and the other was a dog of some breed, but of which he wasn't sure. Despite that, he looked at them with an equal gaze, raising his chest and pointing his ears alert. "Welcome to Tirisfal Valley. I am Robin, the Alpha's Advisor and Delta. Our Alpha, Nuri Bade, is currently recovering from a long journey, but I suspect he will be calling a pack meeting soon to get everything in order," he said to both of them with a smile, hiding the tension he felt about a possible invasion. "Please understand that it is Nuri who determines if you officially may join the pack or not, but know that this is a pack of peace. We practice tolerance, love, and understanding."

His maroon optics shifted over to the blue-black dog. Her cobalt stare unnerved him, seeming to almost pierce through his soul. It was as if she knew that something was disturbing him. The wind blew and he caught her scent - it was of Hamara Sydan... The smell of mist, moss, and mud was unmistakable. What was she doing here? An alliance? It had been such a long time since any of the packs had come to ally with them... After all of the fighting and the things that had happened to Tirisfal in the past year, it seemed that they were alone in their fight against the darkness that plagued their world. They would, of course, continue to be a beacon of hope for those wolves that sought a home of purity. The newcomers - and his recent conversation with his mate - were a sure sign that Tirisfal would flourish as the strong, noble pack that it was meant to be.

He felt the elk cease in her movements, although he was in a pretty bad position, as the rest of the elk's weight fell. As he had tangled the elk's legs with his own, having nothing else to use, he couldn't pull himself out in time, knowing Cumulus was below. Then one of the older siblings pushed the younger out of the way, disappearing just as quick with a few words. Sometime during that, he had untangled himself, looking oddly graceful as he did so.

As Cumulus approached, his dejected form was clear. Offering a grin, although the other wouldn't see it unless he looked up, Doctor said, "Chin up, Cumulus." One ear turned to the side and quivered as he continued, "You did a fine job, even if you got in a tight situation. Your actions helped Jewel attack the vulnerable part. It was my fault for not being quick enough to come up with a better solution after you got pushed down. Jewel needed help with the kill, and you were below and stuck, and on a hunt, you only get a split second to react at best. I don't know if you've ever hunted- I'd assume so since you're traveling with your two brother, but since you're closer to Jewel's age, and if I'm correct in the assumption you've never hunted elk before, you did a right good job of it. Elk are difficult to hunt unless they're half dead, and have killed experienced hunters. This one wasn't half-dead at the time the hunt started, and we have a small hunting party whose members vary from experienced to learning. Not to mention we're not used to one another's signals yet. Just learn from this experience."

Now he turned to Jewel and said, "You did a great job, too, in your performance. You found a distress call, and recognized it as such, got ideas from your packmates, and trusted our individual judgments. Then you took the opportunity to go for the vital point. Now, what say we get this out of here and to the rest of the pack?"

"Oh, come on! Lemme go!" Cumulus groaned, pulling at his legs stuck in the mud. His heart pounded in his ears, hearing the elk struggle just few meters above him on the slope; sky-blue eyes flashed up, seeing Doctor launch himself at the elk. Blood now stained the rocks along the slope, the cow being torn to pieces by the two wolves, but she was slowly slipping down... towards him! The young wolf struggled harder, pulling one paw out of the mud only to have his other sink deeper. Suddenly, the elk stopped panicking, legs going limp and crashing down to the ground. The large body toppled towards him and Cumulus braced for the impact, head ducked down and eyes closed, hoping that he would survive...

When something shoved him aside and he went flying into another part of the mud, the elk crashing down where he once was. The sky spun above him and when he looked up he found a pair of yellow eyes glaring into his. Cumulus' heart sank as he rolled onto his feet, covered up to his chest in mud. He folded his ears back. "I'm sorry," he said. Nimbus snorted, turning away. "Just watch where you're going. I'm not always going to be here to save your ass," he grumbled, and vanished into the forest as quickly as he had come. Cumulus pulled himself out of the rest of the mud and walked over to the dead elk, his head down. He couldn't bear to look Jewel or Doctor in the eye.

On the far eastern border of the land, a blue-black German Shepherd crossed over the mountainous terrain and down into the valley. Her pace was swift, blue eyes and pointed ears alert, not quite certain of what kind of territory she was intruding on; judging by the pleasantness of the place, though, she guessed it was a more peaceful pack. Over the years, she had learned that the hardier canines lived in the hardier environments; it was what had made her and Jack strong. Sooner than she had realized it, the forest gave birth to rolling green hillsides with the wolves at the top near their dens.

Blue paused, watching the wolves move around. When considered, her mission could be a suicide - Jack had sent her to seek out other dogs, when the wolves could easily rip her to pieces... But he would not have given her the mission if he believed she would fail. Blue therefore kept walking until they were within eyesight of her, standing silently and waiting for them to approach.

He watched as the other two pounced on the elk, and positioned himself closer to solid ground. When Cumulus fell into the muck, he stopped himself from going back down. Jewel was in more trouble, dealing with the elk alone. She had grabbed its neck, leaving her vulnerable to the hooves. Doctor was immediately by them, jaws clamped down on one leg. The other made an attempt to hit one of them, but he kicked his own legs out, making the hoof strike empty air, and causing the elk to loose the balance it was trying to regain. He was tangled in a jumble of legs, and tried to hold all of them still as the elk was drained of life.