It had been a few weeks since the arrival of Ravenwing and the ill-fated hunting trip to the prairie, and as the sun rose to greet the morning, so did Tahmores. It was his habit to get up early, but today the whole tone of his morning preparations was different. His experience with the wild dogs at the prairie had caused the boy to be brooding in the past weeks, caused him to be quiet and thoughtful, often seeking out solitude rather than joining in among the family as he usually did.

As the teen headed for his closet, the sense of a great weight increased on him, and he leaned against the near wall with a heavy sigh, closing his eyes. His hand scratched in Brother's ruff as the wolf pulled up beside him with a worried whine, and both of them stood for several minutes, leaning on each other's strength.

After a while, the green eyes opened again, and Tahmores reached to the top shelf of the closet, pulling down his ragged leather pack. This, he considered for several moments before he began to fold out the bottom of it and pack things inside. It took him only a trice to pack it: he only ever took two clean changes of clothes, plus his knife and a store of food and water. With a sense of finality, he tied the pack closed, belting his knife around the waist of his deer-hide shirt and breeches of homespun. He put on his good traveling boots, and, leaving the pack on the bed, went out into the chilly morning to begin his exercises as usual. He would have started on his journey right away, but he owed Martha and John more than just disappearing off into the night. He owed them an explanation...

"John! Johnathan!" Martha's voice could be heard from within the house as she called for her son. It was a common occurance, and happened more often of late. And as usual, there was no response from the teen - he was already out in the woods, hunting.

Quickly giving up her attempts, Martha headed outside to feed the chickens herself. She nearly tripped over Timber, who had curled himself up in front of the door. The lonely collie never went inside anymore, but posted himself where he could see any oncoming dangers to his dwindling family.

"You don't make for a good door mat, Timber." Martha scolded, in a voice that was more friendly than chastising. Timber lifted his head and thumped his ebony tail against the porch.

After a quick pat on the collie's head, she moved around him and headed down the steps. And that's when she spotted Tahmores, preforming his routine excersises. She was about to offer him a friendly 'good morning', but took instant notice of the pack. Creases of worry showed in her face as she spoke out, "Planning a trip, Tahmores?" She tried to sound pleasant and cheery about it, but there was the faintest quality of dread in her words that she tried to hide.

As he'd expected, Martha soon appeared, but he finished out the particular drill he was doing before he sheathed the knife and headed over to her. He was trying to think of a careful, diplomatic way to put it, but there didn't seem to be one. He heard her attempt to hide a worried tone, and he pushed his left hand back through his hair, trying to cover the awkward moment, but there was only one thing to say. Yes, Hernes.

Brother pulled up beside him, looking up at Martha with a whine, brown eyes asking her to talk Tahmores out of it, but knowing that the chances of success were slim.

Her head listed ever so lightly to the side as her eyes softened. She was afraid to ask the next question, and it took a lot of control not to let her worry spill to heavily into her tones, "Hopefully not a long one? Winter will be setting in soon, and..." Martha's gaze drifted to the grayed horizon, as if looking for an answer. But there was nothing, and she returned her eyes to her 'son', "...I'm sure this trip must be something important for you." She hated to say it, hated to give him an excuse to go. She wanted to say something, anything that would change his mind.

Timber's head lifted up, hearing his friend's whine. Standing up slowly, he padded to the edge of the steps and stood there, looking towards the three with growing concern. "Brother, what's going on...?"

Elder Brother's eyes turned slowly to Timber, and there was a weight there, a sadness that he could not dispell. We're... leaving, Timber. We're going out among the local packs, and... I don't know when we'll be back. And his eyes fell from Timber's, studying the ground intently.

Tahmores pushed a hand through his hair once more, wondering how he was going to explain this... finally, with a few false starts, he spoke. On our last hunting trip... John, Raven and I... we encountered some of my wild brethren. Things were said... that have stuck in my heart, and I cannot force them out. They were unhappy that we were attacking wild things when we possess tame animals here. I... I listened to them, and I explained to them the human point of view, and I knew I was right in saying it... but now, somehow... it isn't right anymore. They'd embarrassed him, and made him question himself... but he didn't know how to express that. I have to go, Hernes. I have to... to set my mind straight. Decide whether I am two-leg or wolf... and I... I don't know when I'll be back. He couldn't meet her eyes, though he knew he owed it to her. He just couldn't bear to see the worry there, knowing that he was the cause of it.

His words struck like a dagger to her heart, and it took a great deal of composure to keep herself calm and strong on the outside. There was a soft, motherly smile clinging to her face, but she couldn't force back all of the saddness and concern that etched in lines of worry. Martha reached forward to clasp one of his hands in her own, in a gesture of comfort and understanding, even though she wanted to beg him to stay, "It would be wrong of me to talk you out of it, Tahmores. You know in your heart what is right." A solitary tear escaped from her bright eyes, and trailed slowly down her cheek, "I want you to be happy. I just ask... that you'll visit." Her smile quivered now, yet the mother refrained from breaking down, "You are family, and you are always welcome here."

The collie was wordless for a great while when Brother replied. By now, he was no stranger to loosing family. It was at both a relief and a shock when he felt little saddness in his heart. There was no doubt that he was upset to see them leave, and fearful of their safety - he would give his life to protect them. But... it was something the battle-scarred collie was accustom to. "I wish you well, Brother." Timber sad at last, with a brief, solemn smile.

He squeezed her hand gently, and there was a strength behind his grip that could have crushed bone, held in check to allow the hand to be tender and soft. As often as I am able, Hernes, I will come always back home to my family. I will be nearby, so in between times, listen closely to the wind as the moon crests the sky. Brother will sing to you every night, to tell you that we are well.

He reached up his other hand to brush the tear from her face as he spoke softer still. And if you should ever need me... for anything... have Ravenwing send Elderwild to fetch me. He's agreed to set up camp just there in the trees... And the hand pointed to a clump of trees a few yards from the porch. And he will guard my home and family as well as I could. If you ever need me, send Elderwild. She will find me, and I will come.

Elder Brother caught Timber's sadness, and he turned to hold the collie's gaze. We will come back, Timber. Surely as the sun rises each morning, we will come back.

A second tear managed to sneak its way down the woman's cheek, though it was the last one she would allow, "And I will listen for him every night." Martha's free hand went to clutch the tailsmen that Tahmores had given her, and her smile deepened, "I will always be waiting for you."

Timber forced a half-smile, but Brother's words didn't comfort his hardened soul, "Be careful out there, Brother. If you should ever need help in the wild lands, there is a wolf by the name of Jais who may aid you. He is white, with a splash of black along his left side." Timber himself could hardly afford to leave the Ranch if Brother and Tahmores needed help, but he could at least offer some advice.

There was only one thing left to do... and he felt his heart swell as he reached around behind himself to do it, voice coming softly. I taught John some knife drills a few months back, just after the last big battle. See to it that he practices them, and see to it that his knife never leaves him. And his free hand came back around from the back of his person, a knife clutched in it. It was finely crafted, almost the twin of Tah's, but with a unique pattern of whorls and leaves to the hilt that was all its own. This, he entrusted to Martha's free hand with a gruff, Please see that he gets it.

Elder Brother nodded to Timber's words, a soft We will. His only reply. This situation was getting more and more painful, and he somehow was desperate for it to end, but still wanting to prolong it.

Her gaze followed Tah's hand, as she nodded her head slowly, "I'll see too it that he practices everyday." Martha knew that would be a challenge in itself, seeing as hard as it was to get the teen to do everyday chores without having to be hounded by his mother. Taking the blade, she spared a moment to marvel at the craftsmenship before once again looking to her 'son'. "Please, be safe." With Tahmores out in the wild, there was no way Martha could protect him, and that made her more anxious than anything else. Worse yet, if he were ever in trouble, she wouldn't know. If he were to be slain... no, she couldn't let herself fall into those thoughts.

Finally, he managed to meet her eyes, trying to keep the tremble out of his body, out of his voice. We will. I promise.

Even as Tahmores finished his promise, a hawk's shriek split the sky, and as he looked up, Elderwild came swooping down toward them, something clutched in one of her talons. As she crested over Tah's head, she released the item, letting it fall into his waiting hands.

He caught the bow and quiver deftly, raising it to the light to examine the intricate pattern carved and painted into the wood: a line of wolves pranced up the curve of it, ravens emblazoned in full flight overhead. A similar pattern danced around the top of the quiver, with a pattern of autumn leaves and blue whorls for color. With a look of wonder on his face, Tahmores put his foot in its cradle and strung it, a pleased smile lighting his face as he found it supple and strong.

Elderwild lighted on his shoulder, and he stroked her crest fondly for a moment. When she took to the skies again, a second hawk's call caught Tah's attention, and as he turned he spied Ravenwing waving from the edge of the trees. Of a sudden, the older man bowed, causing Tahmores' face to turn very solemn as he returned it. Writha men likrabet, Ravenwing. Then he turned to Martha. He sends this as his blessing, and hope for a safe return. No Indian should be without a bow.

But now it could be put off no longer. His eyes were moist as he considered Martha for a moment... and then spontaneously leaned forward to enfold her in a feirce, tight hug. I'll be back. Soon.

And then, as though he could not bear it anymore, he broke away from Martha, a whine bringing Brother with him as he dashed away through the trees.

The embrace was returned, with equal emotion. "I'm holding you to those words." Martha said, attempting a wry smile, even though her heart was not in it. Goodbyes were always so hard. The woman turned to watch as her 'son' and Brother parted from view, merging into the dense line of trees and shrubbery that bordered the yard. Please stay safe, Tah...

As soon as they were gone, Martha forced herself to continue on with her duties of feeding the chickens. All the while, the tears that she had forced back now came rolling down her flustered cheeks.