Everest/Rosco

A large mule deer buck trotted onto the prairie, looking around for the leaders. They must be resting. He thought. Suddenly, a fawn ran up to him. "Hi! I'm Rosco, son of Wardell and Sasha." He blurted out cheerfully. The buck looked down at him. "Hello, Rosco. I'm Everest." He replied, just as happy as Rosco. "Tell me, where are your parents right now?" Rosco shook his head. "Mom's busy with some friends. I think dad's free, if you want to talk to him." He stated. Everest nodded. "Sure. I'd like to talk to your father."

Rosco smiled and turned around. "Hey Dad!" He called out. "Somebody wants to see you!"

Lokk

He had been part of Kalaber's pack, but the position of omega hadn't suited him very well. Instead, the older wolf took up a less constraining life, and once again enjoyed his freedom as a loner.

It was on one of his many wonderings that he came across the old deer farm in the Rose Canyon territory. The area reeked of Shadow Haunters, a pack that Lokk didn't want anything to do with. And more interestingly, he found that his old alliance was being help captive in the place.

Seeing as there was nothing he could do to save the deer on his own, Lokk headed to the last place he had seen them; their old territory. Walking slowly, he entered the land and tested the breeze. It didn't take long to scent Everest, though this particular deer didn't seem to carry the herd's banner yet.

The wolf came within a hundered feet of the other before stopping, downwind, and watching. Everest was a prey item, afterall. But Lokk wasn't in the mood for hunting right now. He was here to help out an old ally of his.

WARDELL & Fleat

The stag had been hanging around the outskirts of the territory, searching, as though waiting for another disaster to strike. While he mentally scolded himself for such thoughts, he also couldn't help it. It wasn't until the scent of an unknown buck, and a wolf, drifted to his flaring nares that he really became aware of his surroundings, and he was off in a flash. Thinking this wolf was here for anything but a chat, he bounded towards the two, slashing through the foliage with his antlers as he ran. It only took him a moment, with those same thoughts and then also the sounds of his son's voice calling, to reach the location. Avoiding the canine, quite preferrably, he went to the mulie and looked at him. "I'm Wardell... And who are you and what have you come for?" he asked, showing a much more calm and carefree stature than the one he arrived with. Despite Lokk's alliance, Wardell had no clue with exactly who he was. When he had first stumbled upon the original deer herd, he had only met a couple of the deer. Never had he known a wolf being the ally.

Almost as if on cue, a young fawn hopped out of the trees and towards the group. She had an obviously joyous look on her features with her mouth spread in an open grin and the high-stepping prance she had taken. As she neared the bunch, she took her time to speak, "I am Fleat!" she exclaimed, her voice nothing more than a happy tune. She soon came to stop by her brother and gave her head a tilt at the scene.

Everest/Rosco

Everest smelled the wolf, but didn't see him. This worried him. He stepped close to Rosco, trying to keep him hidden from the danger. And then came Wardell. "Tidings. I am Everest, and I seek acceptance into your herd." He said calmly and submissively. He looked down at Fleat and smiled. "Hello, young one."

Rosco smelled the wolf at all, but thought nothing of it. His first encounter with a canine had gone quite well.

Sasha/Rosco

Sasha trotted to where Wardell and the others stood. She smiled at Everest before speaking to Wardell. "The rest of the Almuit Rune Herd is being held captive by the Shadow Haunters." She said quietly. "We should go rescue them, but we must round up a group first."

Rosco grinned and looked up at his mother. "Oh boy a rescue?!" He shouted out excitedly. "Can I come?!" Shasha shook her head. "Not this time, I'm afraid. I only say this because I love you, and I know what's best for you." She said softly.

Wardell

Wardell gave a small grin to Everest and a hearty nod of his antlered head. "You may join," he replied, just as his mate came up to them. He looked at her, taking the information in, and suddenly felt his blood boil. "Count me in." he stated, and then proceeded to introducing the two deer. "Sasha, this is our new member, Everest, and Everest, this is my mate, Sasha." he spoke, and then took a step back so he had everyone perfectly in his sights. "Do you know anyone willing to come?" he asked Sasha then, about the rescue. He always enjoyed missions.

Fleat was with her brother on the 'can I come' part, but didn't speak. She would have if only Sasha would have said something other than they couldn't go. She simply heaved a deep sigh and flicked her tail. It'de be boring with no one else around.

Sasha/Everest

Sasha nodded to the newcomer. "Hello, Everest." She said softly before turning back to Wardell. "I am sure Legend would like to come, along with a friend and his pack. Was Song is his name, and he's a bear." She informed. "Some of the hinds may stay back with the fawns."

Everest nodded back to Sasha. "Good afternoon, Sasha." He said politely. "I will come on your rescue mission as well, if you would allow me to."

WARDELL & Fleat

Wardell listened intently to his mate speak, all-ears. His mouth gaped a bit at the thought of a bear coming along with a bunch of deer. Surely this wasn't an all-bear pack? Slowly, he gave his head a nod. "Sounds like we may have a chance." he stated, hopes lifting high.

Fleat watched the going-ons with plenty of interest. She wanted to have a say in it, but knew deep down she wasn't nearly old enough.

Legend

Standing polietly to the side while the main greetings and conversation were made, Legend remained quiet until Sasha and Wardell began to speak of the rescue. Dipping his antlered head, the red deer came forward, "Most of the fawns and hinds in my group will stay behind, but the rest of the stags will join in. And there is another; his name is Mortar, a son of Avalanche." Legend explained, "My father was good friends with the albino moose, but I haven't been able to pursuade him to help us, though I am confident that Mortar will."

Lokk

Lokk continued to hide, surveying the others until he spotted someone who looked familiar; Legend. The stag had only been a fawn, a few months old, when Lokk 'met' the herd. But those antlers... there was no doubt that this was Nhosh's son.

Slowly, Lokk stood up and began to approach the deer. With a lax body, lowered head, and down-cast eyes, Lokk tried to show that he was in no hunting mode at the moment, as tempting as the little fawns were. He stopped a good distance from the deer, not wanting to make them run or spur the stags into attacking him, "If you'll just here me out, please." He began quickly, head still low while his eyes raised ever so slightly, "I believe I helped your father's pack back in the day, from the humans." Lokk explained quickly, with a glance to Legend. "We also helped remove an arrow from the albino moose - Mortar." He had caught Legend speaking the name, and it triggered his memory back to that day. When Arctic and the others had found the calf wounded in the Bog. "I would like to help your herd gain its freedom."

Sasha/Everest

Sasha nodded to Wardell. "The bear is a good fighter, and so are his packmates. I was with them when they went on another rescue mission, to save a former member of the Almuit Rune Herd. Surely you remember Penny the bird?" Penny had been held captive by the Shadow Haunters, and it was Sasha and Saguaro who got her out, while the others held the Haunters back. "They are good friends of mine and will certainly help us." Then she looked at Legend and smiled. "I believe Mortar will be of great help to us." They would need all the help they could get if they were to save the herd.

Sasha was almost surprised when Lokk spoke up. A wolf helping his prey? It was odd, but not unheard of in the Valley. "Thank you, wolf. We could use the help of a canine, as we can do little against a pack of monsters by ourselves." She said gratefully.

Everest looked around at the herd. "Perhaps we can get the help of other packs and herds as well." He suggested. Sasha nodded. "We will do all we can to free the herd."

Legend & Lokk

He knew Penny, and it brought a smile to his face to hear her name. But this wolf didn't sit so well with him; he had been too young at the time to remember Lokk, "You may speak the truth, but I would rather you keep your distance when you help." The stag said firmly, not easily trusting any predator.

Lokk remained where he was, "No problem. I'm only sorry I don't know any more to help us."

Legend narrowed his eyes slightly, but now was not a time to be refusing help. He looked back to Sasha, "Milaque and Quell can get Mortar for us."

WARDELL

Wardell finally turned some of his attention toward Lokk. He had indeed known the wolf was there, though he couldn't have quite seen him, but now the canine was in full view. He upped his guard and looked to him, not knowing whom he was, but guessing his words were true. So he looked to Sasha as she spoke, and then nodded to the wolf. It couldn't hurt, after all, they'de be mostly stags out there. "So where does this bear live?" he asked, auds flickering. "And anyone know of any other packs and herds willing to participate in this?" he then asked, looking around for a moment. This would be big.

Sasha

Sasha looked at Legend, nodding as he spoke. "Yes, we must go get help now." She stated. "Milaque and Quell, could you please find Mortar?" She asked, now directing her words at the others. Then she looked at Wardell with a sense of urgency. "He lives at the Sonnet Forest. I will fetch him."