Dead But Not Forgotten[Joining]

[Aspen]

It was odd knowing that the Empire was gone. Humbling yet also demoralizing. Somewhere in the back of Aspen's mind he realized he was no longer a prince, though he didn't feel any less regal. The young male hadn't seen his family for a while. He had been wondering unclaimed lands aimlessly sense he had escaped the blizzard that wiped out his pack. Seeing places he had always wished to see.

Somehow it just wasn't as spectacular as he had dreamed. The adventure had been dampened by the fact that he had no home to return too. No one left to tell of the fantastic places he had seen. The whole experience was weighted down by lingering loneliness. And when all was said and done Aspen realize that he had nothing. No pack, no rank, no power, and no home.

That was how he found himself traipsing the familiar path pack to the taiga, land of the Enclave, and home of the darling Adraxxia. He knew not where his family had spread and searching for them seemed futile. Besides, he was a grown wolf now and did not need to be doted on by his parents. It was time to make his own way now. He just hoped his own way could somehow include the fair Adraxxia.

Aspen knew it was silly, hanging onto his childish notion of him being the prince and she his princess. But he couldn't help it. She would always be the beautiful maiden he loved and adored. And though he was no longer a prince in title he could still act the part.

A cool breeze danced over the brown and silver wolf as he picked carefully the the semi-familiar territory. The scent of the Enclave steadily growing stronger as he delved further into the territory. He wondered how long it would be before he ran into someone. It was odd, searching for the wolves of this pack instead of trying to avoid them.

Having deemed that he had gone far enough into the territory for a patrol to pick up his scent, Aspen sat down on cool ground of the forest. He took his time tiding up his coat to look presentable for when someone showed up.

[Ahote]

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[atrb=background,http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/lilDiablo_/ahotemid.jpg] For the large green hulk of the north, life was good. He had a mistress who nearly sated him each evening, the pups from many of the litters were old enough to be ranked, and as he lay outside in the sun of the Taiga. His thoughts were leisurely and for once in all the time he ruled the Taiga he was relaxed. He knew sooner than later he would have to have a pack meeting, the youngsters were chomping at the bit to be ranked, and the pack needed them to be, the more paws to help patrol, and the more teeth to hunt, would help the pack continue to flourish. He also knew it was time to give the Empire wolves their ultimatum. They would have until summer to continue to enjoy the comfort and protection of the pack, after that they would have had sufficient time to recover from the damage of the storm that had wrecked their homeland. They could either remain here, and take the oath of loyalty to his pack, or they could move on, scatter to which ever direction would offer them a home. His lands were scarce enough for his own pack, and while he had offered them refuge, he knew the extra mouths, along with Rhia and the pack members she had brought were making prey more scarce. Sitting up, he puffed his chest out and began to groom himself lightly, as the sun that did break through the tall conifer trees warmed him from the top of his back to the bottom of his toes. He had made sure to keep his horns and hip spikes clean as well as his sabers, especially since his romp with Xiomara. The female had truly been a storm to be reckoned with but her passion had made it’s mark on his heart even though now the female made herself entirely sparse. For now he would give her the solitude she seemed to enjoy, but he would have to track her down eventually, especially with the meeting coming soon. Soon his maw opened wide, exposing sharp teeth as he yawned, and stretched his entire body out, his docked tail wriggling around as his tongue slipped out to run over his saber idly. Now he supposed, he could begin patrolling, his muscles had had their break over the past few days and now with warmer weather, and more prey coming to the forefront he was able to take on the gruesome patrolling schedule he had kept during the same time last year. Little did he know that just along the borders was yet another Empire wolf who had made their way to his lands, and even more little did he know that this petitioner had something to do with his own daughter. As he walked through the territory he caught the scent of another intruder, with the scent of the mountains more than the north…which gave him pause. His own daughter had come back during the night several times smelling like the mountains, was there any way she could have known this wolf? Ahote watched the younger male from a little ways away, he had the natural coloring and body type of natural born Yagi. He wondered for a long time if this wolf was related to Cypress, she had already brought some of her pack and family, was there any doubt that others would find their way to the closest territory that mirrored their own in hopes they would find others? Deciding to make himself known, he stepped from the shadows of the trees around him, and walked up to the younger Yagi. His yellow green eyes looked down on the male as he silently judged him. He had entered into the territory without howl, without announcing himself, however he had placed himself along the patrolling border so that someone would see him. It was a difficult call to make, he had trespassed but he seemingly did not do so with the intention of spying or causing danger seeing as he had placed himself as such. He had also taken time to groom himself to appear proper for whomever so found him. Ahote tilted his head for a long moment before his voice, low and gruff slithered from his muzzle, “You wander in deeply into my territory young one.” His ears twitched back and forth as though he were listening for any others who might so find their way to their “comrade” but for now he smelled nothing. “I am Ahote, Drott of the Aurelian Enclave, and these are my lands, what brings you so deeply within them?” [[Sorry a little shorter than normal, but muse dropped out right at the end. >.<]]

[Aspen]

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[atrb=background,http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac219/Long_Traveled_Paths/Wonder%20Why/NewCanvas.png] Aspen refused to jump in surprise at the unexpected sound of another's voice. He cursed himself for not hearing the large green Yagi's arrival. It mattered not that Ahote was older, more experienced and the alpha of a pack. It didn't matter that Aspen was a young male, barely trained and used to the open tundra rather than the woods of the Taiga. He was determined to make a good impression here. Getting calmly to his feet, Aspen dipped his head in respect to the leader of the Enclave. This was Adraxxia's father. That made this encounter doubly important. Lifting his head, the regal youth met Ahote's eyes steadily with his own golden gaze. "I am Aspen, son of Cypress and Arkham," He stated clearly,"My pack was decimated by the blizzard. I come seeking a new home. I believe some of my family may have passed through here." He paused, uncertain of whether to mention the ties he had to this pack. On one hand it could give him a leg up into being admitted. On the other, he doubted Ahote would be pleased to know that that his daughter had been secretly meeting a male of another pack. No he would rather not have his head bitten off, so he refrained form mentioning his other intentions. "If it is not too much to ask, I would be honored to settle here and become part of your pack. I have much to learn and believe this is the place best suited for me," Which were all true statements. The colder climate was much more to his liking than any other. He kept his gaze steady and his head held high. It was hard to be submissive when he was once a prince. Though he would never truly loose that title in his heart. "speechtest"

[Ahote]

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[atrb=background,http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/lilDiablo_/ahotemid.jpg] There was something about this young Yagi that pulled at Ahote's mind. Here he was, a previous member of the Empire wolves, and he like many of them had found their way into his territory. But none of the other wolves sought to join his pack. Here this wolf was brazenly in his territory, speaking to him about who exactly he was, even telling him who his parents were. It was all very blunt and to the point, which Ahote more than anything could appreciate. His pack needed more members and the more Yagi and hardier wolves he had the stronger they would be throughout the winter. He had to wonder though would this wolf, this Aspen choose to stay once he had found his mother and possible other siblings and members? He knew coming soon would be a decision on how long the Empire wolves could stay without having some kind of loyalty to him and his pack. While the large green brute did have a heart under all his cunning methodology he knew he couldn't be played for a fool either. Housing an ally was one thing, housing a pack that once competed for land and resources was quite another. The youth had shown him respect but had also kept his eyes on his, a sure sign of a wolf who would never quite be a submissive either, all these things gave the Drott pause before he spoke to him once more. “Well Aspen son of Cypress and Arkham...It would be no surprise you would find your way here, considering how close our lands are to the mountains and that your own pack lived just over them. You will find your mother, Cypress, your sister, Juniper, and another pack member, Xiomara here. As for your father, I have not seen hide nor hair of him or any other member..” It would be a good thing though, for he might not have allowed the battered and bruised pack to reside here with a dominant male he had to contend with. Ahote was kind, but he was no fool. “My question to you, Young Prince, is that will you keep your loyalty to me and this pack once you see your family? Or will your family ties pull you away whenever they leave, for none of them have shown the interest in joining that you have.” His yellowed green eyes stared at the male in front of him, as though weighing and measuring him as he stood there, every answer, every motion would let Ahote know something else about him. “If you join my pack, you will stand for the Enclave alone, you will hunt for yourself and our females, you will help the pups and elderly in this pack. I will never ask you to renounce the ties to your family, but you may only have ONE pack. Do you understand how important it is? For an alpha to know his pack mates have loyalty, and can be trusted?” His head turned and he looked over the horizon, “The females in this pack are as precious to me as my own daughter, and they are treated just as well as she is. I will not allow members to come who will just come and let them down, they don't deserve that..” He shook himself out before the younger male in front of him before continuing, “The males in this pack provide for the females, they provide food, safety, escorts, protection, companionship. No female in this pack are allowed to fight, are allowed to hunt big game, that falls on our shoulders, males are encouraged to fight for females that wish to mate with, but forcing a female will result in a death sentence, carried out by myself. If you understand the laws of the pack, and if you think you can give me your loyalty, your blood, sweat, everything you have for the good of this pack, then Aspen, I will welcome you into our ranks. I will expect great things from a male of your stature. Even my own offspring must work in this pack, they must hunt, and great things are expected from them as well. There is no room for laziness here, from anyone, even the females have their duties.

[Aspen]

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[atrb=background,http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac219/Long_Traveled_Paths/Wonder%20Why/NewCanvas.png] Relief swelled in Aspen's chest at the news that his mother and sister were alive and well. They were within reach. He could see them again, however briefly that time would be. Aspen didn't think that the two would be able to tolerate living in the Enclave though. His mother, once the leader of her own pack, would not be reduced to someone who was unable to fend for herself. Fight for herself. He couldn't be sure, but he had a feeling the ranking wouldn't sit well with either his mother and sister. But he didn't need his mother and sister as a crutch. Aspen had made his choice. Ahote's lengthy speech about loyalties had need not be said. His breath not wasted. He would be loyal to Adraxxia all of his days. Till death stole him from the earth and into whatever was beyond. Nothing could shake Aspen's love for his princess. "You have no reason to fear that I may change my mind. I love my family dearly, I will not deny, but I have chosen here. I have chosen your way of life. I offer nothing but respect and hard work for the females of this pack. My loyalty will never waver, I am stead fast in my decision," Aspen countered. He held his ground. He needed this. Needed Ahote's acceptance and approval. It would mean the world if the father of his dearest Adraxxia thought him worthy. "I will work hard to earn my keep, I swear on my honor as a wolf, as the former prince of the Empire. I swear my allegiance to you." In the back of his mind drifted the thoughts of what his family would think. If they would feel betrayed. But he ignored them. They would understand. They would have to understand. This is where he needed to be. This is where he belonged. "speechtest"

[Ahote]

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[atrb=background,http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/lilDiablo_/ahotemid.jpg] There seemed to be a rather desperate need for the young wolf to be here, and Ahote watched him carefully, his brow quirked. He would keep an eye on this Aspen, no matter what he pledged he was an Empire wolf who came to him after their home was destroyed. Most of the males he encountered who wanted to join had their reasons but they maintained a rather cool and aloof nature to them. He could chalk Aspen's...over-confidence and slight desperation to him being younger, and he might take that into consideration but he would still watch him. He also had to wonder why this wolf was so different then the other members of his pack, they seemed perfectly content to use this time to recover and then they would be on their way. However, their alphess' son was here before him pledging his loyalty, and stating that he would work his fair share for the betterment of the pack...a rather twisted case if you consulted the older Yagi about it. But he found the young male slightly impressive and so he offered him a firm, but genuine smile. “Well then Aspen, you are welcome here within the Aureliean Enclave...For now I am going to give you the rank of Thegn, you will work with the others to make sure all members of the pack are fed. Some may see this as a lowly position, but I assure you, making sure we can get through the winter will earn you more acclaim and respect here then being able to fight.” He rose from a seated position and stood looking to his left and right, “I don't know where your family or past pack mates are right now, you will have to find them on your own, I have other duties to handle other than looking for them, and they all look to be a rather, self sufficient bunch.” That was putting it mildly, they all seemed to take offense and attitude with anyone who would so much as offer to feed them. Ahote knew something about pride but he could see that the more...stubborn aspects of the Yagi species ran true within Aspen's family bloodlines. He shook himself briefly before continuing, “Anyway, I have two sons, Aroh and Syver who can show you around if you like or answer any questions you may have, Adraxxia is around as well, though she spends most of her either in the female home tree or out and about in the territory, like any female she does plenty of traveling to stay fit..” His words warmed at the description of his daughter, she was diplomatic and serene, and she had a calming effect on anyone she was close to, including her father, it would seem, sometimes she could actually read his mind. He thought for a long time before saying, “Many of the pups in this pack I have helped raise, you'll find any variety here from Yagi, to hybrids, myou, and keiyou. I don't believe in a solid species pack, or strength you must accept all..” “Our territory is large, and I am sure it will take you more than one day to encounter everything it has to offer, but as a hunter you will grace just as much of it as any soldier or patrolling wolf. As a Thegn you will also have the primary responsibility of escorting females around the territory should they need it or ask..and sometimes even if they don't. Females can be very stubborn but they are one of our greatest assets and we cannot ignore their safety. Mates are not looked highly upon in my pack, a male is encouraged to fight for a female he chooses to mate with, but permanent mate structures are not entirely for the betterment of the pack, I won't tear a couple apart but I'd rather not see it become a habit. I figured I should tell you now before you set your eyes on a female you see that interests you. I'll take you as far as the Home Tree, and from there you may do as you like..” With that he turned and headed through the path in the forest to lead him to the place he would call home... [[You can reply if you like or call it done, up to you! :}]]