Lupanare

The stench of the Scar had reached Lupanare long before she crossed into the decaying land of barren trees and bone strewn earth. There was some color to greet her eyes, in the form of ancient mosses and colorful lichens flourishing on the abundance of bark and exposed heartwood, and every so often a particularly stubborn young tree or shrub could be seen leafing out against the odds, but most of the view consisted of dying trees or near limbless husks of trunks.

Lupanare stopped after a quarter mile truck into the bog purposely picking higher ground so that Darkia wouldn't get bogged down in the mire. Her eyes were up in the branches, looking for the birds she knew that lived here. Bald eagles were common, the white-headed raptors just as happy to eat carrion as they were to snack on fish, and carrion was easy to come by here. But it wasn't the bald eagles she was after; she had seen a larger eagle in the area from time to time, with a chocolate brown body and bands of white across his face and shoulders.

Tracey

Tracey followed them and flew down to land on a semi sturdy branch. Her keen eyes looking out over the barren landscape.

Darkia was careful where she put her hooves.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

The search took nearly an hour through the soggy land before Tracey would spy something of a different hue on the ground. In a sea of drab browns and dull grays, there was a splash of rustic red and a blazing of white on the form of a raptor, hunched over a pile of scattered fur. Cedarwood had caught himself a young fox, and was in the process of plucking the coat and tear scraps of flesh away from his meal, not yet noticing the larger avian or her two comrades.

From her spot on the ground, a cluster of half-fallen osage trees blocked the wolf's view of Cedarwood, leaving Tracey the first to notice him.

Tracey

Tracey saw him and soared down to the lowest branch of a dying tree. you like fox?She said tilting her head. She never had fox before.

Darkia followed and saw Tracey soaring down. Her ears cocked forward.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

Cedarwood flinched at the sight of a shadow rushing the ground towards him. His feathers flattened and his wings were spread out defensively over his kill before he'd even swiveled his brown and white head upwards to see who had swooped in so close to him. Spotting another eagle, and one of a most curious coloration, Cedar relaxed a little bit - but he was still on guard, seeing that this female was larger than him. "I do." Came his light reply as he slowly folded his richly-hued wings back against his side. "Mb"

Lupanare came to a stop too, hearing the two eagles talk. Not wanting to scare off the potential mate, the shewolf nodded to her equine companion and whispered, "I can't really see him from here, but I think she found one of the male eagles - lets let them talk." With her ears perked and listening, the wolfess sat back on her haunches.

Darkia

She nodded.

Tracey watched him not at all fazed by his defensive display. However; when he offered her some she dropped down to the ground.I wouldShe said calmly. I usually go after hares and rabbits now their a challengeShe said.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

He quirked his head one way and then the other, getting a good look at the raptor as she hopped down from her perch and landed on the ground in front of him. With a powerful claw clamped over the back of the carcass, Cedar used his large beak to tear a strip of flesh away from the de-furred shoulder. Extending his neck out, he offered this piece to the stranger, "Those are good too. Hmmhhmmm. But sometimes not enough meat on them."

The scent of blood had reached Lupanare's nose now, along with the pungent odor of fox.

Tracey

Tracey extended her own beak and took the flesh swallowing the piece right down. Perhaps but they are quiet fun to chaseShe said.Not badShe then comments on the fox.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

Cedarwood take another piece for himself, flicking his head back and gulping the bit of flesh down whole. "You do have a point there, the rabbits are quite the sport to take down." Dark brown eyes observed Tracey as she tried the fox meat, and twinkled with delight when she found the food to be decent enough. With that decided, Cedar tore another chunk off and handed it to her. "Glad you fancy it. I'm Cedarwood, by the way. Cedar for short."

Tracey

Tracey wasn't in any rush to tell him about the haunters. She gladly took the other piece and swallowed it down.traceyShe said.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

The crack of a distant branch brought a pause to their conversation as Cedar raised his head and peered about. From his vantage point, he couldn't see Lupanare or Darkia beyond the thick tangle of branches, nor could he smell them. He swiveled his head again, sweeping the terrain for any sign of trouble, especially the giant lizard that he'd often seen swaggering around between the trees. "Must have been a squirrel." Seeing nothing amiss, Cedar relaxed a little and tore another piece off for himself. "Tracey, is it? I've not seen a raptor like you around here. You do have very pretty plumage. Here." He tore another chunk of flesh, delicate extending his neck forward.

Tracey

Tracey knew it probably the other two but she didn't want to spook cedar off.I don't think their is anyone else of my kind and thanksShe then reached out to take the piece.I am planning on joining a rather strange pack called the Shadow Haunters, would you care to come?She asks.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

The mention of joining a pack caught Cedarwood by surprise, but not in a negative way. Rather, the big raptor quirked his head in curiosity, "I'd be interested." His response came at length initially, though as he looked over the beautiful white and gray eagle before him, his decision quickly solidified. "..yes, I think I'd quite like that. My father is quite fond of wolves you know, but I'd never really though of befriending any myself. Much less live in one of their packs."

Tracey

Tracey listened. I don't think its just wolves, there a horse too and I think othersShe said now ruffling her feather.two are with me just beyond the brush.She said.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

"Oh?" He'd never given horses much of a thought, though the idea of them living with wolves was a curious concept to him. "That would be quite the interesting arrangement. I wouldn't be opposed to trying it out." The raptor paused in his thoughts to tear another chunk of flesh off for himself, and yet another to offer to Tracey. With a tuft of ruddy fur stuck to his beak, Cedarwood gave his head a quick shake and then nodded to the other eagle, "I'll take you up on your offer, Tracey. Hunting is good here, but I could use a bit more excitement in my life. And-" His bold eyes shown with great interest as they studied Tracey, "-I've taken quite a liking to you, Tracey."

Tracey

Tracey took the piece he offered her and swallowed it. And I have taken a liking to you, come ill introduce youShe said and leaped up and soared over the brush to land on a branch by Darkia and the wolf.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

If the eagle could blush, he would have now to hear her sentiments were the same. There hadn't been many eagles around for him to woo, so to find one of such unique beauty that fancied him really made his day. Fluffing his feathers out to make himself look just a little bigger, Cedar perked up at her invitation, "I'll be right behind you!"

He beat wings into the air, following Tracey the short distance over to where Darkia and Lupanare were. He was initially startled by just how close the pair were without him noticing, but since Tracey didn't seem bothered by him, he kept his cool and landed on a low branch a few feet from the creatures. "Uhh, well - hello! I'm Cedarwood?"

Lupanare chuckled, "Well met, Cedar. Lupanare's the name. And my friend, Darkia. I see you've made a friend yourself?" She glanced between the chocolate-hued eagle and Stacey.

Tracey

he landed and preened her feathers for the moment.

Darkia snorted dipping her head.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

"I assume our friend Tracey has explained what we're about?" Lupanare questioned the raptor, while taking this opportunity to examine his dark plumage and massive talons. The eagle's beak was exceptionally large, and she smiled to think what a find addition these two would make to the Haunters.

Cedarwood dipped his head in affirmation, "Yes! The Shadow Haunters, if I'm not mistaken? You see, I've taken quite a fancy to her, and I will gladly follow her into this... erm, pack, is it?"

Lupanare chuckled a little, with a brow raised at this curious bird, "...yes, well, I'm glad you two seem to be hitting it off. If you're both in agreement then, we can head back to your new home?" She turned her eyes to the harpy eagle now, just to make sure she was satisfied with the deal before she'd head to the Ruins.

Tracey

She stretches her wings now.we shall followShe said and then pushed up into the air.

Darkia turns and starts to head back to the ruins.

Lupanare & Cedarwood

Cedarwood follows Tracey into the air under a rush of wingbeats that sends ripples through Lupa's fur and flutters Darkia's mane about. After squinting her eyes a moment, Lupanare gives her coat a shake and looks up to her equine companion, "Mission accomplished. May not have found any old Haunters, but these two eagles will do us well. Lets get back home." She pushed forward through the mire, now backtracking her way out of the Scar, and back to the Ruins.