Nerine Falls

It was the smile that Nova first noticed. One of those fake ones, the kind that a den nurse would put on while working with annoying pups. Nova tried to clear his vision, but as his sight cleared, his focus was interrupted by a series of spastic coughs in which much water came out of his mouth. He felt like he had had his chest crushed, and he struggled to breath the sweet air.

As the ice wolf's mind finally caught up with him, he made out the Arlyne wolf that was standing above him, who upon recognizing Nova was back to consciousness, trotted back several places. Rolling up himself, Nova could make out a couple other Arlyne's, two males, and the female who had been near him. Durandel was nearby, laying in the grass, but it appeared he was already awake. The group was on the bank of a river, likely the outlet of Maxim Lake, and Nova could hear the sound of rapids further downstream, probably leading to some cataracts or falls.

"I still think we should 'ave just killed 'em. Woulda sent the same message" one of the males said, likely the youngest of the group.

"No, it would have been no use bloodying the water. It would have just further riled the packs against us and would have disturbed the balance of the lake" the old male replied.

"Are you sure the packs are going to get the message?"

"They better. Our existence depends on the fish in that lake. Ever since the Hemlocks started poisoning everything downstream."

"What about this lot? Should we just leave them here?" the female suddenly chimed in.

"Yes. That way they can report to their packs that the same fate awaits them if they try to bring the war to the waterways. Let the savages continue their fight on the shores, and we will stay uninvolved" the elder wolf replied.

"Aye, unless the try attackin' us again, like those Boraks" the younger one muttered.

The three Arlyne's seemed to assume that their conversation had been overheard by the two wolves, for they made no effort to convey the information more directly to Durandel and Nova. The group drifted back to the waterway, and after a slight spell of lightheadedness in which Nova lost his vision, likely from trying to rise too fast, the ice wolf lost sight of them. Doubtless they were close by, those water wolves were always near the rivers.

Shaking his head, Nova looked over to the lava wolf, and let out a somewhat exasperated chuckle. "Well this ain't exactly what I needed today. Are you alright, mate?"

Durandel was quite unsure of just what was going on. As far as he could tell, he was wet and coughing a whole helluva lot. Damn, I hate water. Durandel thought as he continued to cough. That was when he realized that he wasn't dead, which was good but now the question is, would he have been better off dead? His eyes slowly opened to the sounds of speech as he began to notice Arlyne wolves chattering amongst themselves. A chat that Durandel hoped wasn't about how to dispose of them. He noticed right away that he was resting on grass, rather comfortable grass. Perhaps these wolves are not so bad, I mean why would captors worry about a prisoner's comfort? Still he didn't get a sense of comfort from those Arlynes, they seemed battle hardened from his point of view. Still he decided to close his eyes and bit and lost sight of them as well.

He wasn't stirred awake again until Nova spoke at him. "Hm, what?" Durandel spoke as he rose to his legs. They were a bit wobbly but he found his center of gravity. He then looked over to his friend and coughed, "Well, uh, I'm not dead so, yeah, I'm good." Durandel then took a look around, the area seemed far more lush and green than a lot of places he's seen. "Good grief, I wish I knew where the hell we are." He spoke as he let out another cough. "I don't know about you but...those Arlynes don't sound as nice as everyone says they are." The Canicus spoke over his shoulder as he looked around. "Do you think they mean us no harm? I mean I know we aren't dead yet...but that doesn't mean we won't be soon." Durandel spoke concernedly. Durandel then groaned, "Oh, why did everything go so wrong!?" He shouted in frustration.

He then began to pace about as he grew more agitated. "It was just suppose to be me, and you, and we talk and we help to prevent a whole lotta of deaths! But no! There just had to be something that just makes everything hard!" He shouted as heat began to rise off of his body. "It's like everyone and their mother is trying to make sure that this war lasts FOREVER!!!" He yelled up to the skies. Then all of sudden a coughing attacked happen as he felt his chest crinkle up inside. "GAH! CRAP! Ugh...," He groaned, "Wolf, I hate water." He muttered.

If Durandel hadn't beat him to the draw, it would have been Nova doing the yelling, moreso at Durandel than an abstract rant into nature. But seeing first hand how silly someone looks when they are enraged actually took a deal of passion out of his chest. He would have to remember to look at his reflection the next time he got a little frustrated.

Not having an answer of any of Durandel's questions, at least, not the kind that the lava wolf would like, Nova left him to his rants. Now that his head was clearer, he decided to take better stock of the situation. His eyes told him that they were somewhere near the Arlyne's center of territory, for besides their small fishing outposts along the stream they did have their main settlement at Nernie Falls. His ears didn't reveal any out of the ordinary sounds, so if there were any other wolves nearby, they were particularly adept at stealth. Not unlike the Tenneth who had just jumped him, he may add. His nose told him, after a few sneezes, that there wasn't any game nearby, however there was a certain familiar scent somewhere upwind, though he couldn't place who or what it belonged to. Probably one of Rashid's goons, with his luck.

"Yeah? Well, I hate being burned in the mouth. That really hurt when I bit you to drag you out of the water" Nova commented, somewhat idly. It was hard not to fuel the complaining train, and Nova soon followed up with "I don't suppose your sunshiny little plan accounted for being betrayed by your pack. I think diplomacy is out, for the Tenneth at least."

Durandel managed to catch his breath long enough to not be so annoyed. He then looked around still quite unsure what's going on, or where he is. Still it could be worse he supposes, although he wished Nova was more responsive to him. After all, he did ask him quite a few questions. Still he was a bit relieved when Nova spoke, but only to complain about him biting down on him and getting burnt. "Well I'm sorry that we don't all run cold like you do." Durandel spoke offhandedly. He then glared at Nova after his next comment. "Why no, of course not!" He shouted. "Whatever you think I had to do with that mess back there, you better unthink it! I had no idea that we would be attacked by my own cousins!!" He barked off to the side of them. He then began to pace around again, becoming more agitated.

"No, no, it was because of that damnable Ephraim!" He shouted. "I knew he was a Promethean, I just knew it!" He shouted with sureness. "He felt threatened by us and my plan, because he knew that if I succeeded that it would turn everyone against his precious idol! And no he couldn't have that now could he!? Ezra was right, the system is messed up!" He shouted again as more heat rose off his body. He then looked towards Nova. "Look, we still need to follow through with the plan, we can't allow them to get away with this." Durandel spoke in a more calm tone. "I don't know about you but we need to find our way back and put an end to this madness." Durandel spoke as he began to look around. "Curses, I wish I knew where we are." He muttered.

Tuning out the lava wolf slightly to better help him get his bearings, Nova calculated where they stood in the map of Nigerius. Although he could confidently say he had never been to this particular spot of Nigerius, he had come from the other side of the falls on his last scouting mission, he could also quite confidently say he knew how to get home. Follow the river. The Arlyne could not have carried them that far down the river without actually killing them, they had probably only been in the water two to three minutes. At the breakneck speed of an Arlyne in water, that meant a great deal of distance, but still it was a simple formula to get home. Go upstream and turn north to get to the Onatah's and the Sharikere's, and turn south the get to Durandel's precious Vulcans. What the fire wolves saw in those great mound of bare rock he had yet to figure out.

Giving Durandel a moment to calm himself, Nova explained their rough geographical location as he figured it. "So its that simple, follow the river, and you'll probably be in the foothills before dark. But if you really think that you can just waltz up the Vulcan's after your pack pulled a stunt like that, then you better be prepared to fight your way home" he explained, making a few gestures with his paw to punctuate his sentence. "I for one am going to ford this river right now. I would rather take my chances with the Arlyne's and Hemlock's than your pack."

After the Lava Wolf's stomping about, he finally stood still long enough to hear Nova's directions. This caused Durandel to quickly whip his head towards the river. He looked towards the North to see the river flow upstream and figured that was good a start as anyway. He was quite thankful for having Nova around, he was a scout and to his credit should understand geography better than a guard. He then gave an agreeable snort as he walked towards the river. "Hm, yes I suppose that would be the best course of action." He spoke as he looked upstream. He then looked over to Nova and then growled, not at him but at the implications of his words. "No, your right, if Ephraim was behind this attack, then he will have made me out to be an enemy to my own people! It pains me to say it, but...I can't return home right now." He spoke as his nose dropped to the ground. He felt a great pain, a great sadness now that he has been alienated from his home.

With a heavy sigh he spoke, "Well, Nova, I was going to be out of your fur...but, I have no where else to go...there's no one here that I know or can trust besides you." Durandel spoke as he turned towards him. "It looks like I have no choice but to follow your lead." Durandel spoke as he looked towards the Ausi. This was beginning to look more and more like old times...why does he ever agree to leaving the Vulcans?

While Nova and Durandel were discussing things amongst themselves, and very loudly at times, the Arlyne reported their findings to a larger group of Water Wolves. From there they began to discuss further actions that must be taken. All of this talk about finding a Sandy Pelted Wolf and Orange-Reddish Pelted Wolf, sounded a bit familiar to a certain guest of theirs. "Excuse me," this wolf in particular spoke, "But did you happen to know the names of these wolves you pulled from Maxim Lake?" She asked. "Well, no, we really haven't asked their names, or any questions for that matter. We simply used them as a message to stay out of the Lake, since you should understand that it is quite important to us." One of the Arlyne answered. "Hm, well do you happen to know what pack they belong to? Such as, is the Orange-Red one from the Canicus perchance?" She asked. "Well, he could be, but I assume he's a Tenneth, as for the Sandy One, well, he could have been from anywhere but we did notice that the water dropped quite a bit in temperature...then we noticed the large chunks of ice in the lake, so my guess is that the Sandy One is an Ausi." The Old Arlyne spoke.

That was enough of the information that she needed. "Well, then, if I may ask, what do you intend to do with them?" She asked. "Oh, nothing threatening I assure you, we left them alive so they can send a message to their packs to stop fighting around the lake, lest they wished to be dragged under as well." The Old Arlyne responded. "So, why are you curious about the wolves we picked up?" The young Arlyne male asked. "Because I believe I know the wolves that you and your group managed to fish out of the lake. I would like to see them if I could." She asked. "That can be arranged, go ahead and show our guest to them." The Old Arlyne asked of the Young Arlyne. "Alright, well, follow me." He spoke as they left. Eventually the Arlyne showed the She-Wolf the area they left them in and with a thank you the She-Wolf took to flight. "Hm, I wonder if it's any cooler to fly than it is to swim under water." The Arlyne commented as he returned back to base.

It was after Durandel's last words that she would appear. With wings as bright as a sunny day she spoke with caring and familiar voice, "So it is you," she spoke as Durandel turned his head towards her, it was Alina, "Nova and Durandel, it's nice to see you two again." The Canicus was quite a bit surprised to see two familiar wolves in the same day. "Oh, uh, hello...uh, it's good to see you again." Durandel spoke more than a bit surprised. "Yes, it is, and, well you seem a bit confused...hehe, well I understand, after the reception you two had, it would seem weird if I wasn't in a similar situation." She spoke with a chuckle. "Well, I'm here as a guest to the Arlyne, I mean after all, I do have friends here." She explained. "I will say it's not on the most merriest of visits...I'm here to check on people, they...well, it's hard for me to say it...it brings up a lot of pain." She spoke as she lowered her ears and her head.

"Oh..uh, what do you mean by that?" Durandel asked. "Well...during our time together...I learned that my entire pack was...was...was...captured." She spoke as she swallowed her grief. "Captured? An entire pack? By who?" Durandel asked. "By the Borak." She said a bit woefully. "Oh...," Durandel responded, "...Well, I'm sorry to hear that." He said. "Yes, well, it's been getting a little bit better, so far me and a couple others have managed to free some of my people and that's why I'm here. Some of the Kita are hiding out here with the Arlyne since we have been on good terms with this pack since even before the war began." Alina explained. "So, I was just doing my normal visit for today when I overheard the Arlyne talking about what went on down by the lake...which confuses me, just what was going on over there?" Alina asked.

"Well...that, is a bit complicated." Durandel spoke. "It's a long story but basically, Nova and I were attacked by the Tenneth and during the fight we wound up in the lake and then dragged off by the Arlyne." Durandel spoke. Alina nodded as she listened to Durandel talk about his current situation but the whole answer left her with even more questions than fewer. "But it doesn't make any sense." She shook her head as she spoke. "Why would the Tenneth attack you?" She asked. "Like I said...it is complicated." Durandel spoke. He wasn't quite sure about telling her the whole story...he didn't want to giver her any more worries than she already had.

The sudden appearance of Alina was a breath of fresh air to Nova, and saved him from having to confront Durandel about the absurdity of his ideas. Did the lava wolf really propose to follow him, even to the Sharikere's? He would be in more danger there than even going back to face a traitor's doom with his own people! This wolf simply did not seem to see the harsh reality of a world at war.

Although Alina had been in the company for a season during the last adventure, Nova really did not know her all that well. She was one of the last wolves to be attracted to Cerise's charismatic company, and she often operated in different circumstances than the ice wolf. Still, it was better to see a friendly familiar face, even in the midst of the Arlynes of all places. At least Alina was one of those wolves along with Cerise and Artemis who he felt comfortable seeing again after their adventure. BattleDemon would be up there too, depending on whatever personality was in her body that day. Interesting wolf, that one. Still, the lot of them had done much to save his life on several occasions, even if being with them is what got him in danger in the first place.

Nova returned his thoughts to the moment as he glanced over to Durandel. Was he just going to opt out of the truth with "its complicated?' Still, it was not Nova's story to tell, so besides his greetings to Alina's arrival, and condolences to the loss of her pack, he stayed silent to allow Durandel to tell what he wanted about this somewhat sensitive story.

Alina nodded and even gave her hellos to Nova, a wolf that she didn't spend so much time with as others. She looked at Durandel who seemed a bit flustered at the moment. "It looks like you've been through some emotional turmoil, it appears as if you were...perhaps angry?" She guessed. "Yes, that would be it...sorry if I have been vague, but I don't wish to drag anymore wolves into Tenneth business...but seeing as you are an old friend I suppose it wouldn't hurt." Durandel mused. "Please, I would like to hear what troubles my old companion." Alina spoke. "Well, ever since our escape from Rashid, my journeys seemed to have attracted the attention of the Alpha...I guess my working and communicating with wolves outside of our own pack intrigued him. Anyway, I was given a spot on the War Council and for awhile, I said nothing, not even sure what to do. That is where my friend Ezra came in, he is a wise wolf, and helped me situate myself on the council. It wouldn't be until now that I was given a mission, a mission to find Nova and speak with him." Durandel explained.

A bit confused Alina spoke, "Speak to Nova about what?" She asked. "Well, I'm not sure if you've heard but there has been an attack on the Ausi Capital...and worse of all it was committed by a Tenneth." Durandel answered. "A Tenneth? Why would that be a bad thing in your case?" She asked still a bit confused. "Well, this Tenneth is a dirty rogue, he had no permission, no ties to our military to do such a thing! His unprovoked actions have created consequences that both packs will face. That is why I went to see Nova, I've been trying to convince him to convince his pack that the Tenneth and Canicus are not the real enemy, Prometheus the Tenneth that lead the attack, is." Durandel continued. "Not only is he carrying out operation without proper military clearance, he is also the center of civil uproar...Ezra believes this wolf likes to create civil discord in order to gain more power, to which he has quite a bit of sway in my pack, so much so it's like he's the Alpha already!" Durandel spoke with urgency. Alina nodded as she furrowed her brow at this bit of bad news.

"Hm, I can see why you worry...and why you are here with Nova, yet, why did the Tenneth attack you?" She asked. Durandel looked up to her as he began to growl over the memory. "As for that, I believe Ephraim was behind that attack. I don't know how he knew where I would be, but Ephraim is a supporter of Prometheus and sent his Tenneth lackeys to ambush me and Nova. They've labeled me a traitor, a story I'm sure everyone back home has heard. Which is what makes me angry the most! Now I can't even return home without fear of being killed! I just don't know what I am going to do." Durandel spoke as his anger lowered into sadness. Alina felt bad for her old friend and wished she could do something to help, but she is busy with her own crisis at the moment. "I feel awful for you...I understand what it's like not having a pack to go home to." She spoke as he hanged her head down in thought of those still imprisoned. "Thank you, Nova." She responded to his condolences.

"I understand things may look bad now, but you can't give up...I know, I nearly did back in that dreadful prison...I was content on dying in that place, but you guys kept me going you all just simply wouldn't allow me to die...and for that I am grateful. If I died there, then I would have never learned that my people are imprisoned...including my parents. Now I have a purpose and that's freeing the Kitas from the Borak." She then stared into Durandel's eyes. "Don't feel low, Durandel, you have a purpose and that's to see an end to this crisis, I wish you both luck in your endeavors." Alina spoke with a bow to both. "Now as for you," Alina turned towards Durandel, "It seems you have no where else to go. I would suggest hiding out here with the Arlyne but to be honest they don't much care for your kind, after all the Fire Packs have been very aggressive since the war began. Your kin have attacked and invaded many packs, including the Arlyne...I could have you come along with me to see the Aven, but to be honest, they wouldn't be very welcoming of your kind either. They particularly don't like the fact that your pack's battles are too destructive to the vegetation, leaving much of the greenery in ashes after a battle." Alina spoke as she pondered further.

Durandel was beginning to feel a sense of hopelessness, what should he do? Wander the land as a vagabond? "Hm, I'm sorry but it seems you will have to travel far out of your way to find refuge. Perhaps the Alva would be your best bet, perhaps BattleDemon could assist you in that matter?" Alina spoke. Durandel's head perked up as he then began to shake it, "The problem is I don't know where Battle even is. She sort of disappeared right after we escaped to who knows where?" Durandel responded. "Besides I can't leave far away from home, I wish to see this mission through to the end!" Durandel spoke up. "Well, you have convinced Nova to do what you proposed?" Alina asked. "Yes, yes I have." Durandel answered. "Then I am afraid there is nothing more you can do until Nova completes his end of the mission. At this point you are going to have to withdraw to fight another day." Alina spoke with a wave of her paw. Durandel looked down to the ground for the longest time and then nodded.

"I wish I could offer more help but as of now, I am busy with problems of my own...but be sure to tell me how things go, if we ever meet again that is." Alina spoke as she looked up to the skies. "I must be getting back, but don't worry, none of you will be bothered by the Arlyne further. Well goodbye, I hope you succeed." Alina spoke as she flew off. Durandel felt a bit empty after the meeting as he looked over to Durandel. "Well, I guess...this is it, I hope you manage to convince the Ausi in time before any attack happens." Durandel spoke as he looked upstream. "I guess, I'll go upstream and then head out from there." Durandel spoke as he began to move. "Goodbye, Nova, until we see each other again."

"Farewell, mate. Good luck to you" Nova said simply, as he watched the other wolf saunter off. As he turned to return to his own pack, the ice wolf tried to imagine the pain of not having a home to return to. Surely the lava wolf had a family, what would it be like not being able to return to them, nevertheless the friends, the home, and just the familiarity he was not permitted to go home to. Even in all of his wanderings, Nova always knew he could return to the Sharikeres with a heroes welcome from his friends. Hopefully it will be the same this time.

Nova decided to stick to his original plan and cross the river as soon as possible, as going along with the Tenneth upstream meant chancing the Tenneth again. The most dangerous pack he would encounter on the other side were the Hemlocks, their marshes skirting the Arlyne lands right next to the river. He had discovered last time he was in the area that, after Nernie Falls, the river slowed significantly, and the resulting stagnation formed the wetlands that the swamp wolves were so fond of.

A quick and easy ice bridge and Nova had forded the river, and from there he turned North-East, chancing the inland area as the quickest route back to the mountains. With any luck, he could make it to the Dimitrios before nightfall, that way he wouldn't have to camp in any hostile or unknown territory. What was he going to say when he go back? Stop attacking the guys who almost killed our alpha, raided our homes, and tried to have me killed to boot? Nova spent the next few hours trying to see how he could put an eloquent spin on that troublesome piece of information. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized there was a reason he was not a public speaker.