The autumn storm into which Sofiel had set out had soon turned to winters cold. She had never intended to be alone for this long, and knew very well that she would not survive the winter without the security of a pack. She could hunt small game well enough, but she lacked the true hunting abilities of those who had dedicated their time to the trade. She was hungry, and tired, and as the days were growing shorter, so too was her hope that she would find what she was looking for. Had she truly been so foolish to think that she would find her father? Or that she would find somewhere that she felt like she belonged? A sharp gust of frigid air stung at her face and was a quick reminder that indeed she had been. Where was she to go now? Though the true heart of winter had not yet struck, it would be here soon enough.


Another gust of winter's breath swept across the land, blowing loose powder up into the air, in directly into her face. Squeezing her eyes shut, she turned her face down, cursing at the winds. Delicate paws that matched the sheer whiteness of the snow padded carefully through the icy crystals which compacted beneath her. This was far from the worst she had been out in, but she would not turn down a nice warm place to get out of the nipping winds were the opportunity to present itself. But a change in the winds sent her tapered head straight up, her large ears glued forward, and her shimmering emerald eyes darting too and fro. The winds carried on them now the scent of other wolves. Perhaps a pack? She prayed that they were kind and perhaps would take a struggling lone wolf into their numbers. If this was not the home she had been searching for, the option to leave was always there, but she would never know unless she tried. With the flick of her plush copper tail, she kicked into a trot towards the scent of the wolves. Though their scent was faint, she held high hopes that perhaps this could be her salvation.

The closer she got, the more information she could gather about the wolves she was headed towards. She had reached a border and come to a halt, not daring to cross without express permission. The scent was new, but strong. Deliberating for a few moments, she sucked in a deep breath. She could do this. All she had to do was tip her maw to the sky and let her presence be known. Her fate would then be in their paws. With a sharp nod, she tipped her muzzle upwards and let slip a soft melodic howl alerting those who called this home that she was waiting. The howl echoed into the crisp air, and she sighed. Her confidence was already beginning to waiver. What if they were cruel? What if they had not place in their pack for a lowly healer. She shook her head and slipped into a sitting position, wrapping her tail around her paws to keep them warm, and shifting her back to the winds. Here she would wait for her future to be decided.

Seeing over the pack as the only higher rank besides the alpha, although physically tiring, was a wonderful experience to the fae. Though their numbers were much smaller than her birth pack, she felt that same control and responsibility that she enjoyed. The difference was that she was no longer an apprentice. At seven years of age, the raven Elite was seasoned with experience. No one wolf was perfect, and Fel did not claim herself to be. But she certainly was effective. Padding easily through the snow, unphased by the billowing winds, Fel made her daily rounds around their territories. Hunters were hunting, warriors were patrolling, and their healer and caretaker were doing what they could to help out. The Elite decided she would try to report back to Desmond this evening and give him a progress update. Despite moving into the hardest portion of the winter, they were doing really well.

Once Fel heard the melodic howl of what she assumed was a female, she turned and trotted straight towards the call. She was being summoned, and would gladly answer in whatever means were necessary: words, force, or a combination of both. It mattered not to her. Upon nearing the border, the scent of the stranger hit her with the wind. Squinting her eyes slightly, Fel continued with complete serenity through the blowing gusts that bombarded her. Her mountainous pelt protected her from the cold, ruffling and rippling across her muscular form as it shielded her. Once the wolf of interest, who was indeed a female, appeared in her direct line of sight, the beast’s eyes darted directly towards the others. The frosty gaze would not leave the ginger fae until their entire conversation was complete, watching her form acutely to make sure no sudden attacks were made. Her abnormally long tail which had been flowing limply behind her raised up over her back, its fur flying in the wind like a true banner. Stopping just feet in front of the other, the pack wolf spoke in her usual, deep tone, “I am Elite Fel of Agavos under Alpha Desmond. Explain your purpose of summoning me to the border.” Frame unmoving in the winter’s assaults, she waited for a response.

Time, though always passing at a constant rate, seemed to have slowed in this moment. The chilling wind nipped at her through her thin pelt as she awaited judgement from whomever would come to her call. But what if no one came? She supposed that if no one came in response to her, she would simply move on, keep searching, keep moving. But she would not make it through the winter. Of this she was certain. So was there a point to continuing if she did not find refuge here? Should she even bother? Her train of thought came to an abrupt halt when the scent of another wolf began to fill the air. Someone had heard her call, and had come to answer it. She shifted her gaze to the direction from which the stranger approached. Darkness appeared in the flurry of white that had swept across the lands. A wolf of pure ebony walked towards her, unswayed by the fierceness with which the winds were beginning to blow. The black females tale hung high above her back signalling her rank. Emerald met ice for but a brief second before Sofiel dropped her gaze to the snow white floor beneath her and allowed her petite form to slip to the ground. Her large ears swivelled to lay flat against her head and her tail lay still behind her.

The raven female introduced herself as Elite Fel, serving under the Alpha Desmond and his pack Agavos. These were all important points of information. "Th.. thank you for coming so quickly Elite Fel of Agavos. I will not waste your time. My name is Sofiel, and my purpose in calling you here is simply my wish for a new place to call home." She said, though hesitant at first, her words grew slightly in confidence as she spoke. She had never been the most outgoing wolf. Talking with anyone she did not know well was always a challenge. She was shy, timid almost, and found putting herself out there to be far more tasking than healing a sever injury. She could only pray that Fel would give her a chance, that she would have the opportunity to prove herself worthy of calling herself a part of something more. Life as a loner was challenging, and not something that Sofiel wished to do any longer.

The display of submission given to the Elite was sufficient in her eyes. Fel listened to her speak, confirming that it was in fact acceptance that she sought. How interesting it would be to instead find a wolf that sought to challenge her at this border. But from the position the rusty fae was in, it would be all too easy to dispatch her now. Her aged mind thought it over, mostly in a hypothetical sense. There was no real reason to do so, after all. The raven wolf did not wish to equate herself to her former tyrants who held a particular lust for blood. In every action she made, there was always a contemplated reason behind it. “Rise then, Sofiel,” the Agavos wolf spoke, “and tell me of what position you claim yourself to be best suited for. All wolves in this pack have a purpose and duties to fulfill. So tell me your skills, and your background as well, and in turn I will consider your entrance with a better understanding of your capabilities.” Though there was clearly no threat, her rigid posture did not change. Only her tail, previously sailing high in the air, fell limp and became the only part of the onyx creature that gave in to the billowing strength of the wind. Her fur might ruffle and the tips of her ears might flicker, but she did not move. Gaze still trained upon the other pair of emerald orbs, Fel listened to Sofiel in silence.

Sofiel rose when instructed to though her demenour still held an air of submission about her. Her ears lay flat against her skull, her tail tucked between her legs, and her eyes never daring to linger of the raven coloured female longer than a few moments before flickering back down the ground. When asked where her skill set lay, Sofiel perked up. She was proud of what she had accomplished as a healer and felt that she had very much to offer any pack in that regard, but the request for information on her background stifled the excitement considerably. The pain of Tiana's passing was still fresh on her mind, but she knew she must speak up or face being turned away from what could be her new home. "I am well versed in the art of healing miss Fel. I was taught by a very wise mentor and I feel I have a great deal to offer in the way of help for those who call this home." she began. The bitter cold air nipped at her nose and caused her to shiver. "As for my background.. it..it is nothing of great triumph of sorrow. The birth of myself and two brothers was hard on my mother, and she did not live to see us see our first full day. My father, who could not bear the pain of his loss fled. The pack healer, my mentor, took us in and raised us as her own. It was under her watchful eye that I developed my skills. But even the most knowledgable healer cannot hide from death's grasp forever.." she paused, taking a brief second to compose herself before continuing. "An illness took her from me. One that not even she had a remedy for. Upon her passing, I knew there was nothing left for me there and so I set out in search of something more. In search of somewhere I might feel like I belong."

Fel stood and listened, noticing the other slowly succumbing to the cold. The freezing temperature didn’t bother her, but the Elite knew that wolves like Sofiel needed to be in a warmer place or moving around. The raven fae would have to make the remainder of their questionnaire quick. Though this didn’t mean she ignored what the rust-colored wolf was saying. In fact, the story reminded her of a particular healer and her mentor. Hopefully, Sofiel would not follow in that apprentice’s paw steps. Fel picked up in a rumble after the other grew quiet. “My condolences. I have seen such a scenario before, and watched the wolf in your position deteriorate in her mind until her body finally showed the wear. I caution you not to burden yourself with memories. You have a clear slate now.”

Standing a little more formally, with her head raised high and proper, she continued, “Sofiel, you shall now bear the title of Healer of Agavos, and all the responsibilities that come with it. You are to aid the pack, to keep us well and healthy, to heal the sick, mend the broken, introduce the young, and comfort the old… Now, you can explore the pack territories as you wish, though I suggest you follow me to the clearing and find yourself a den and warm up. If you need me for anything at any time, do not hesitate to seek me out.” After having finished with her swift delivery of the formalities, Fel turned around and began to walk towards the brush. The walk turned into a trot, and the trot into a lope until the darkness of the forest finally engulfed her onyx form.