It was a pale white horse

As daybreak blanketed across the cherry-split horizon the man found himself centered at the tallest peak of Vanderfell's keep; The Stone Watch. Rounds had been made, caches refilled, greetings dealt out and markers reset.

Sitting as if turned to stone by the chilled air, the giant sought to relax and think in what little autumn had left to give. While the peaks sheltered them and carried an ever-lasting coating of snow it was apparent their edges grew into the valley every day and with it, their fate.

Already had winter nipped at their heels quicker than he and Ira anticipated.

Herbs had to be gathered and counted, nesting prepared and the ceilings sought for repairs in the moss caverns. Herds tracked and with it food checked and sealed within the vault. Already had he asked @Valette to keep an eye on the herds.
 
For now he would call and wait for @Renn.

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Renn was surprised to hear the call. A call. It was not often that he was asked for. He had not much to give to anyone...except some plants. But what good can plants do if he has such little knowledge? It wasn't like he was a quick learner, either.

But he answered anyways. He hadn't heard that tone before, that howl. It made him curious. When he climbed the Stone Watch, he saw the gargantuan figure dressed in monotone grey hues, hunched over like a gargoyle on its watch.

Grandfather!

Renn's feet picked up as he closed in on Greyback. A lopsided smile tugged on his face. 'Grandfather,' he would greet him with a light dip of his head. His mother taught him how to do that. It was respectful, he guessed. 'You called?' Renn's tail would sway from side to side, eager to hear what his grandsire sought from him.

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Soft steps. 

"Grandfather?"

The giant's ear twitched at the sound, folding backwards as if coaked by the boy. "Renn, there you are," A smile graced the old male's tugging lips, eyes shining kindly as they turned to his grandson. So much had he grown in the tenure, looking more like his mother. Yet, as Greyback studied him it became apparent the boy was far more timid. Uncertained, of the world arround him perhaps. 

"Have you eaten? You look thin as a quail.."

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Renn watched as he turned to face him. White hairs overtook the stretch of his face. Age creeping up his spine. But despite it all, he was still strong. A titan amongst these mountains. Something that Renn could only ever dream of being. But that's all that could ever be— a dream.

And Greyback reminded him just of that. Looking down at his own cream paws, he'd shrug in response. 'As much as I can,' there was still a smile on his face, boyish, sweet. 'And you? Mom told me about...Valette, is her name?'

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"Is that so?" The barritone voice quipped playfully.

The man was surprised his daughter had already spoke of them. Never before was she so soft-lipped when it came to him. But Valette? Well, he would take it. 

"Everything is well... for now. That's actually why I called for you. Your mother tells me you are quite skilled with botany?" His brow raised in tune, scrutinizing the boy's expression.

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Renn gulped. Maybe he wasn't supposed to snitch that his mom revealed the identity of Valette. Well, whatever, they're all family, aren't they? Renn didn't think that secrets were warranted between families. And by the playful tone of Greyback's voice, he didn't imagine that he was any trouble. But it didn't stop the heat from flushing through his body out of pure panic. Only for a second before it disappeared.

At his raised brow, Renn became slightly sheepish beneath his eyes. Mom said that? Renn wouldn't exactly call himself 'skilled,' but he certainly wanted to learn more. 'Dunno if skilled is the right word...' he'd mumble, looking towards his paws. Pulling himself up to meet his grandfather's gaze, there was hope beneath his quirked brow.

'I know some.'

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The giant watched as his grandson's posture flickered. The boy seemed soft-hearted, shy too. A start contrast to his mother, and surprisingly, his older brother, Clay. Clay... A pang of sadness was felt within.  His son was seldom talked about. How could he? The boy was long forgotten by everyone. Dead, even.

But Greyback did well to remind himself that what happened was the past. This was a new realm, a new life he had to present for.

"Splended... Some is better than none I suppose. Now, Id like to show you something." A long breath was exhaled as the withered wolf sought to stand, his bones creaking just enough to ache, A reminder he best heed in chilled air and hard ground. It marveled him—how even in this young age his body seemed to age quickly. 

Staggering forward he gave a quick shake of his fur before yawning. "Well hurry up. We best get there before sunset."

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Renn had already been on his feet lost in wandering thought when his grandsire called for him. He wanted to show Renn something? Renn? He wasn't sure if he ever felt this special in a while. It was no secret that Renn admired the titan of a man, a figure cut from the strongest of steel itself. Why wouldn't he look up to him?

Renn was quick to meet Greyback at his side, matching their strides. He struggled to keep up considering Greyback's hastily long legs that could double the steps he'd take in a singular stride. 'Where are we going?'

Renn would ask after a moment of them walking. Down the spire of the mountain, he was curious to see where this led. Thoughts of all the plants and herbs he knew were rushing through his head. Then, a pang of insecurity. What if he wouldn't be good enough? Fast enough? Renn had never been someone to pick up on things quickly. He was always rather slow. An impedement when it came to his mother's nature.

It begged the question— would he ever be enough?

---

herbalist

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Luckily the destination wasnt far. He trailed down the mountain with the boy in tow, large paws scraping against slated rock to steady himself against the force of gravity. His ears occasioanlly flicking back at Renn's much lighter steps to gauge if he was still present. 

At least it was easier than going uphill. 

"You'll see.." he replied, standing at the opening of The pits. The mouth and corresponding tunnel stank of fungi, enough to make the elder twitch his nose in displeasure. It was an ugly place in his opinion; One that reminded him of his home all those years ago; A place strained with history thats only purpose was to remain forgotten. He couldnt help but let a sigh slip his lips, his eyes clamping shut a moment before turning to look at renn within the dark. 

How brightly his eyes shined, Greyback noticed.

"Be careful, we wouldn't want you to get a cut paw. It's just down here." The deeper they walked, the colder the air turned. Soon his fur rose at the chilled air, a sign they were nearing the destination. And soon enough did the black stone turn to ice sparkling within the dimly lit ruins. What little water ran it's way down here projecting to the ceiling above like an other-worldly mist.

 

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Renn shut up once he was satisfied with Greyback's response. He didn't want to be annoying. Greyback called on him after all, and the older man would probably appreciate the peace and quiet that this walk could provide. But still— Renn wanted to know more. It felt like ages since he's actually been able to adventure through this mountain that he called home.

And to his surprise and pleasure, he couldn't have been more grateful for the scene that was unfolding before him with every step that he took. The smell, on the other hand, had Renn's nose twitching and his lip raising with visual disgust. Ew, he thought, but shoved the initial thought away, playing the field of gratitude instead.

The cave was dark and he could barely see. He let out a huff when Greyback's warning came through and he straightened himself. His pawsteps were slower, calculated so he didn't accidentally take a plummeting fall to his death. That wouldn't be helpful to anyone, wouldn't it?

The air turned brisk as they ventured down and down. Renn got a shiver. But he pushed forward and low and behold, the sight had been worth the chilliness and the dangerous steps. Large pronged icicles dangled from the cielings ahead, the walls were made of it too. It glistened off of any strand of light that it could find, reflecting Renn's own brightly creamed colors around him.

'Wow...' he breathed, staring up at all the structures. 'Makes the smell worth it.'

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