Oh I will fight for you,

Days have come and go, so has the winter and festives. She was sad, Orlaith couldn't deny. She had saved the last batch of what could be salvaged of her drunken festives, and wasted it all in a single night. Though if she left it any further, most likely would dry out, or get infested by bugs, as it has before. Mixed with delicious honey and berries she let fester to the alcoholic beverage of delight, she held off.. Until the festives.

Then as days past, so did her headache and cravings. Withdrawal now gone, and now does she await for winter to come and go. The snow was falling, decorating the land in a splendor of light, which blinded the warrior for a moment when she stepped out of the morning cave. A squint of green eyes, before coming down the mountains for a day of a patrol.

@Ira perhaps?

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Yule had come to pass as quickly as it began, something she was much familiar with, though compared to past years it was rather bittersweet to hear the songs fade. For once the turning tides brought joy and a swell of pride within her chest for what had come to form. They were smaller than the packs of her home, true, but a new generation had been brought forth and with it the hope of the future. Those who had been at her side since the first days were still here, and she hoped that they would remain until the final days.

Ever dutiful, she would not let the celebration's past slow her work as she set out early into the cold and snow to cover what might have been lost. After days of pampered living, there was sure to be areas they lacked in, the borders being most concerning especially with the snow. She may have been the first to rise, the stars barely fading as early rays glistened atop whitened peaks. She moved deliberately, nose searching for the holes that had begun to grow so that she might quickly replace their weakened scent, though soon the crunch of snow underfoot would alert her to the presence of another. With a twitch of her ears, the roan queen raised her head in time to catch sight of the warden aesir. “Has the sun awoken you or did sleep evade by chance?”

It had come to be no secret what fancied the warden, though she truly knew not how late the others stayed up on the last nights of their peace. She had made an effort to retire early in preparation for those who did not due to final celebrations. Ira had always been an early bird anyway so it bothered her little if she was the only one to rise so soon. Luckily, it seemed she would be wrong in her assumptions.

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She scratched her ear, thinking for a moment if it was wise to admit her yawning headache and desire of need was keeping her awake. Orlaith, was not aware her well-beloved rum was known to most — though she didn't make an effort to hide it, and definitely so during one of her crazes of feasting and love for the winery. Nothing would be most satisfying upon staying at the borders and feasting to, but alas, the components were not easy portable, and usually remained at one place. Primitive creatures, nothing could become to know what is a 'cup' or a 'sack' that could be used as one.

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted, a boisterous laugh to hide her rather dull tiredness. The Queen was usually always up, and she didn't question so, "are you patrolling?" Orlaith asked.

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A noise akin to a grunt slipped from her as Ira glanced back to the borders “Best that you retire early then.” It would do no one good for the warden to be deprived of her best. They had few adults amongst their ranks and even fewer she trusted in a fight. Of course, there were no threats at their borders but that hadn't stopped the lone straggler from disrupting their quiet before.

“I am if you wish to join.” They had spent many days patrolling together and both likely knew the invitation wasn't needed, but she would offer it all the same as she turned to continue her path. One way or another Orlaith would fall in line as she always did unless she truly had no intention of joining her. If that was the case then there was no point standing around, was there? So she pressed on, leaning in to a nearby tree to press her body and scent against the bark.

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"I'll survive," she shrugged, knowing full well though Orlaith would eventually pass out of exhaustion. Surviving was a loose term when she would then drift to a deep slumber, while eyes laid with bags. However perhaps she was more dangerous when sleep-deprived, as overall the warrior was an aggressive one, easily finding faults at others and snapping to a defense. She had gotten trouble more then once with such an attitude, and yet didn't see the problem as she felt it was within a grand defense.

"Sure," with accepting the offer, she strode to beside the High Queen. Relatively they were the same height, though the biggest difference Orlaith was more bulk, a heavyset of a woman. She vaguely remembered a lone man calling her a fatso when she sat on him midst a battle.. There's a scar upon her leg since then, and Orlaith wondered what happened to that man. He was a whirlwind of a fire, and someone she'd enjoy battling blades once more.

"The borders have been relatively quiet," besides the friendly bear, she commented.

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"I'll survive"

Two words that only made the roan woman sigh silently. She too had lived under that mindset for so long, but there was more to life than just surviving. “You forget yourself.” Those who had gathered here since the start had already pledged they would do more than just survive. They would live. “If you wish to protect this pack so dearly then you must take care of yourself. Otherwise, you help none.” She was no stranger to tireless routine nor withdrawn emotions, and yes, she still could be rather reserved and selfless, but the difference now was she knew when she must rest. She knew how her actions would affect others and she knew what was at stake.

More or less expecting a rebuttal from the mouthy woman, Ira fell silent as she turned her focus to the scents surrounding them. If Orlaith had something to say she would say it, but until then she would not forget why they had come here. Various scents crossed near the edges of the territory, though none strayed far enough to truly be of concern. Even those that drifted inwards seemed stale or to weave back to safer grounds. “It's as it should be.” Even with minor disturbances, could one really complain to be blessed with peace? A full belly? It was what most could only hope for.

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There was a dubious gaze toward the other — for she was a known workaholic. Perhaps that changed once she reached into motherhood. She didn't know such battles that occurs when the time comes besides that of body changes, and not something she wished to experience. The thought of a family was dull to herself, for she didn't like the idea of truly being shackled down for days on end to a child, usually multiple. Trying to teach them the right ways was not something she was noble enough to do — and personally felt, she couldn't raise them right. It was best to avoid such times, and she kept away when her heat would come, "I won't collapse," the woman said then, words that tried to provide a reassurance. For she knew, she would survive. A cocky wolf.

Her nose lingered to the ground, sniffing through passing bodies and prey that came to. There was no obvious scents that were around, and any that seemed recent and too close for a passing, she was swift to mark such an area. Yet most knew this was not a line to pass, especially as the mountain held so thick with wolves — that there was two packs lingering through. She thought of Elysium, and how their own borders were fairing.

"Any word of Vera?" Orlaith had heard about the troublemaker, but no word after that. Was she found, or still being hunted?

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Sometimes speaking with Orlaith was like speaking with a rock. Of course, Ira was stubborn too and worked just as hard, but that was her job as queen. “No, you will rest before nightfall to ensure such.” There would be no arguing about it the woman would rest before she weakened herself and the pack. Fortunately, the conversation seemed to diverge from there. “Nay, I suspect she fled while she could.”

A smart move given her crimes. Much of the mountains and northern reaches had already been on high alert for the scarred woman. As luck would have it, none seemed to catch her scent along their borders and none have matched the description thus far. “If she has been spotted it is far beyond our reach, but there is no telling if she might be foolish enough to return. For that reason, we will never let our guard down, and should any approach our borders that match the description we will tread lightly, detain if needed, and see if we can discern if it is her or someone else.”

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If she were human there would be a salute, instead she relished what could've been, "If only it wasn't winter, a nice night with some honey drink to soothe insomnia." What a shame! Orlaith currently did not know any fruit that grew within the winter season, and any remains she held of rum were far gone, even if she kept some around, there was a good chance it would've dried out. Without proper storage, such foundations are a need to drink on the go and cannot simmer too long within the months. Ah! She missed, the nights to drink a fever dream drink.. She would sleep, with a reluctance. 

"Easy enough details to remember her at least." It wouldn't be easy for a wolf of that proportions to simply slip away. A white one, with different colored eyes and plenty of scars.. And though there are many within the world that are absolutely flaked in so, the rogue was enough where it couldn't be a mistake. An easy spot. Orlaith could feel a slight adrenaline that rushed through, as she shook her body to shake off such a desire. Her bones felt restless.

"What did she do?" There was vague details, but was curious enough to know more and ask directly to the leader, that surely knew.

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This honey addiction was beginning to grow to levels of ridiculousness. A treat on its own or to enhance a meal, sure, but it seemed the Aesir partook in it far more often than she should. “Be grateful it is. You'll only rot your teeth and grow fat.” A forced intervention by Ullr himself for taking too often from his blessing. “But yes, we should have no trouble identifying her should the woman be foolish enough to return.” Perhaps she should send a messenger to check with the packs nearby for any news. Storms were becoming less frequent and prey more abundant. Any one of them should be capable of making the journey.

“Word was sent from our friends to the north. She was a part of Shiroshika originally, though for some reason unknown she turned on her packmates. Tore a woman's leg off in a fight then went after their empress. They had chased her out before but by the time her damage was done she had already fled.” It had been some time now since the events took place. Idly she wondered how Reiko now fared, though surely she was well enough as no word had come from @Quicksilver in his many trips north to aid in her recovery.

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"Have you tried it? It's good." Maybe she has been on more portly side before winter, and now with the lacking of, was back to her more usual side. Always buff and large, not within the slime side by any means and relatively, wide in size. She wouldn't have it any other way though because it was much easier to tackle down her foes like a bull. A more on the side of force then defense and thought, she surprisingly hasn't been in too many situations were she had lost, and yet, her brains have failed her more then once. Sometimes, headbutting, isn't the only way. She just hasn't realized it.

Though her fur ruffled a bit upon hearing this women's deed — the fear of anyone joining a pack had presented themselves within the northern lands. To accept the unknown was always needed to join to a bigger force for a pack, and yet the risks that all seemed to forget, barred it's ugly fangs. She thought those wolves were the worst of them all. To be taken into the safety of another packs lands only to betray them. Even worse, took an innocents leg.

A wolf without limbs are hard to strive within the world, not impossible, but she couldn't imagine being without hers.

"Despicable," the warrior growled lightly.

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It seemed as if her point had only flown over the other woman's head. “I have.” Facts were facts. It was sweet it would rot any warrior from the inside out. If Orlaith could not listen that was not her fault, but she would not let it slow the pack should she become obsessed with drinking her days away. At least she had no reason to fill her thoughts with such nonsense now. It would not be until late spring until she could get her paws on a hive anyway.

Ira could only muse a grunt in agreement. There were few words to add to what had happened, but fortunately, it was the past now. Hopefully, it stayed that way... The roan woman's nose would twitch as they continued, the scent markers growing stronger up ahead. “That should do it for this section. It's still early and the sun is clouded. See to a nap before you seek out another task.” Once more there was no suggestion. If she had to walk a grown woman to bed she would. She had signed up for children, yes, but not grown ones.

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It seemed like she was not going to get away with lounging elsewhere for more duties. The High Queen was determined to see the women to rest after more moments of what Orlaith thought, was nagging. Though the other wasn't her mother, for then she could tell the other off (not like she remembers her), but it was a superior instead. She couldn't do the same.

There was a reluctance, like a child sulking — but the fireclad warrior nodded ; she knew opening her mouth would be something sarcastic and with an attitude, best avoid that. But, in the end she still would find somewhere to take a rest. Most likely ontop of a high rock, like a lioness.

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