Kanan

An old friend needed help. His father had been adamant about it, though Kanan hadn't heard much about this wolf Keilo was so desperate to save. Some ancient black wolf named Aquila, a nearly blind, half-deaf, and senile creature that was old before Kanan was even born.

Though he didn't know this wolf, Kanan understood the urgency and desperation in his father's voice. This Aquila was a friend from his past, and one of the few wolves left that had been his friend when he first entered the Valley. The only other two friends were Cortinarri and Catalpa, though the former was not exactly a friend, and the latter lived mainly at the Woodland Farm with Charlene.

Bringing himself to the edge of a low knoll, the blue-eyed wolf lifted his gray muzzle to the heavens and called for his pack.

Eytan

Now that he had finally discussed it with Blind, the momentary spells that left the alphen blind did not terrify him nearly so badly. He had gotten into the habit of walking about his own terra with his eyes shut, practicing, just in case.

And so it was that, when Kanan called, Eytan rose to his feet, even though his eyes were non-functional at this exact moment. His steps were not fast, but they were steady and firm as he followed the sound until Kanan's scent hit him. Using the precision of his nose, he reached Kanan and stopped a few metres from him, voice soft and firm. Kanan, what ails thee? his eyes were fixated in Kanan's general direction, as though he could see him, while he privately prayed that his vision would return soon so he could actually see his friend.

Kanan

Waving his stump of a tail a bit, Kanan dipped his head down in the presence of Eytan. Something struck the wolf as strange about his alpha, though he couldn't quite place it. His eyes... they didn't seem to be focused so intently on himself.

"An old friend of my father's has been found in captivity of some humans. He has asked that I find what help I can to rescue him." Blue eyes were lowered for a moment before shifting slowly to Eytan's face, still noticing the slightly off-look of the other's eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he spoken, "Is... everything alright, Eytan?" He feared pointing out what he thought was wrong, not wanting to offend his alpha.

Eytan

Eytan's face grew more serious still as Kanan explained the problem, nodding in the same self-assured way that he always had. You have done well to come to me, Kanan. I remember your father's support in rescuing Mother Karai and Nightcrawler. Let me call in a few old debts, and we will rescue your father's friend.

Kanan's second question caught him slightly off-guard, but the uncertainty flickered on his face for only a moment before he replaced it with a smile. He blinked his eyes a bit as the darkness faded enough for him to see Kanan. Though it was still like looking at the other through smoke, he could see again. This spell, at least, was dissipating.

His smile grew as his vision began to slowly return, and he spoke softly to Kanan. No, friend. Everything is not alright. But it will be soon. It will be soon. And he waved his tail a bit, trying to reassure Kanan even though he himself was not at all sure. A pack could function with a warrior, a wise one, a mother whose health and assurance were less-than-par, but it would be fatal for the alphen to appear to be anything less than perfect. This, he had been taught from his puphood, back when... well. But Eytan dragged his mind away from such thoughts and tilted his head, letting out a howl to call the pack together.

Nok

Nok silently approached her alpha when she heard the call. "W-What?" She asked quietly.

Fyre

Disappointed at not having tasted human blood, Fyre put his own ambitions aside for the moment as he responded to Eytan's call. The large black hybrid, with his great grandma's characteristic red eyes, came loping towards the little group. Tail held loose and head lowered, he settled himself a few feet from the others as he awaited the news and instructions.

Eytan*Joscelin*Ziarre*Gavan*Astra

The alpha gave a smiling face and a waving tail to Nok's general vicinity. He had come to like Nok, being a fellow student of Blind's, though under different topics. His voice was soft. Nok, hello. How are you?

He gave the same vague greeting to Fyre as he came, trying to wait for more of the pack to gather before explaining things.

Soon the voices of more could be heard as Joscelin and Ziarre came towards the gathered group. Eytan turned his eyes to their "shadows", voice a little concerned. But... there are only two. Where are your siblings?

Joscelin stepped forward, he too noticing something odd about the way his alpha looked, but saying nothing to that effect. Instead, he responded to the question. Saxton has been... detained... by a lady. I believe he has taken up residence with her in the Croal Mountain region. And Aderyn... I... I don't know where she is. The concern in his voice was guarded, but it was still evident.

The last sets of paws to arrive were the alpha's oldest children, Gavan and Astra. The daughter came up beside her father, a nuzzle placed as she leaned up against him, supporting himi as she tried not to cry. He did not need to speak it. He could not hide it from her. She knew that his vision was leaving, and it felt to her like she was losing her father, in some small way. But she kept the tears from falling, just barely.