Attican
73 - Brute - Keeper
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In theory, "returning to the Pack" was rather simple. Even the phrase itself was simplified - just go and make your way back to the Pack. However when 'returning' included the fact that you were in the middle of nowhere in a charred forest, alone, no given abilities for communication, and with the constant potential presence of skilled, experienced, and practiced hunters who literally want to wear your hide upon their own backs, it slightly complicated matters.
Attican stepped forward quietly, using the sun as his sense of direction. He was at least thankful for its predictable patterns for navigational purposes, being of use to him as he shuffled his way towards the way he thought he had come. Without it, mixed with the winding tracks, the Keeper may have had a much rougher time making any sort of progress whatsoever. His paws now created their own set of traceable movement, but being on his own he didn't care as much about it.
A bush crumbled to his left, sending the brute careening to the mediocre safety behind a toasted log. His tail frayed, each hair standing itself on end as he huddled. He was jumpy at best, every single sound other than of his own creation causing him to lurch and startle. But who could blame him though? He preferred to keep his pelt to himself thank-you-very-much. A few delayed moments later his head popped up, amber eyes scanning for the source of the noise. Nothing. Cautiously he crept from his hiding spot, making his way once again.
Resin and her heavy words rang heavy in his head despite it all. His feet crunched into the dirty snow, their step about as heavy as his thought process. It was a hard thing to simply dispel. Being such a soft soul that the Keeper was, it usually was a good thing. Typically it made it good for him to do his work, giving him the ability to relate and sympathize with everyone that came to him. But when it came to himself, it ended up being much more of a two-edged sword. All Attican wanted to do was to please everyone. That was essentially was his whole purpose in the Pack after all. Help, make them feel better. Do whatever it takes to make sure that the groups' mentality was healthy and that everything that worked within it treated like a well-oiled machine. It was his job..
Maybe he cared too much. His bulky head shook as he glanced around for any unusual movement. He couldn't help it, he simply couldn't turn it all off with a flip of a switch like it seemed that others could. First and foremost others came first, that just was how it was to him. He prided himself in that, after all, Great Wolves were given their intelligence for a reason. There was a reason that they were different than their smaller, unintelligent cousins who fought tooth and nail for their own sole survival. Brains were meant for thinking, although it seemed to be much more of a burden at times.
Attican came to a clearing, the blackened woods finally dispersing their way behind him. It had taken much longer than it should have to get there, his crude way of navigation having taken its sweet time. The change of scenery pulled the Elder from his thoughts, bringing his head back to the present world. Yes, progress. Now he could get somewhere. But what the brute saw before him was not at all what he had been expecting. His feet stopped at the last tree, eyes widening at the lack of tracks in front of him. He could have sworn that the Pack had been in this area earlier? Yanking his head upward he checked the sun, trying to see if his navigation had somehow been off. Based off of its position in the sky it didn't look like it, for what he could best calculate this was in fact the exact location that he had hoped to come out at.
But the blankness before him told a different story. Not a track laid compressed in the snow. Thoroughly perplexed, the brute began to pace, hardly able to believe what he was (or wasn't) seeing. How could it be?
Not daring to leave the safety of his charred camouflage, the brute began to follow the clearing sideways, brows slammed together like iron gates. One thing was for sure, standing dumbfoundedly was not doing him any good and at any rate he had to keep moving, even if just for himself. As he moved he tried thinking of different ways that could possibly explain the phenomenon, but despite his efforts nothing seemed to fit the bill. Had the Pack diverted a different way? No, couldn't have, they weren't that far from the river that they had crossed. Had it snowed recently and covered up their movement? It hadn't snowed where he was at though. Had they somehow covered it up themselves? Well.. his head tipped to the side in thought. It was possible, although unlikely. Whatever the case may be it did its job thoroughly to confuse anything with the intention to follow.
For some time Attican traced the edge of the wood, sometimes hopping on a few logs when he could to obscure his prints. It hadn't mattered as much in the forest, but now as it was that his feet were the only ones making any sort of track he felt much more obligated to do what he could to be less traceable. A few times he'd pass what looked like punctures in the snow, giant indents that signified that
something large had disturbed the area. They were always near the logs too. Strange. He kept moving, sometimes going into the forest, other times winding around to confuse.
More time passed, the brute getting rather uneasy as he jumped up on another fallen tree. What was to tell him that the Pack had gone in this direction anyways? For all he knew maybe the group had doubled back around in the opposing direction and he was now only distancing himself further from them? He swallowed a heavy lump in his throat, wishing he hadn't come up with that notion. "Come on guys, give me something," he murmured under his breath, his legs getting less confident with each step. Just ahead was another puncture, the Keeper walking his way up to it.
A chuckle bubbled to his throat, growing quickly into what became a deep and hearty laugh. His chest reverberated, tail swinging joyously behind him as the laugh overtook more and more of him. "Thank you!" He managed through the fits, speaking out to nothing. Whether completely ironic or by some spiritual guidance, Attican got what he had been looking for, proof that the Pack had indeed gone in this direction. However, it wasn't quite in the form that he had been expecting. Amongst the large puncture was a rather distinct imprint - the image of Hrafn's face - shocked expression captured perfectly as he had accidentally tripped himself into the snow. While it may have been an embarrassment for the black brute at the time, to the Keeper it was a heavensent. With another chuckle Attican made a mental note to himself to thank him for his "kindness" later.
With newfound vigor he started forwards again, ditching the log completely and running himself alongside the trees. His tank was nowhere near full, but the simple fact of being no longer alone was energy enough to keep him moving forwards. His legs pushed, doing their very best to keep up with what the Keeper asked of them. A few times he tripped as they faltered, stumbling before he regained footing to keep moving. Normally he'd be worried about the sort of thing, but now was not the opportunity or time for it. He was just tired after all right? It would happen to anyone that had been worked this hard. More time passed and more ground was covered, the clearing where the Pack's footprints laid eventually getting in the brute's line of sight.
And oh what a sight it was. Although it was the best sign that he had had yet, Attican couldn't help but feel a little torn by its appearance. There was no more guessing for him, no more hiding tracks.. but for the two wolves still behind him there was a lot to get through. Ahote's injuries popped into his head, causing the brute to physically wince. That heavy cloud of worry descended over him again, his heart suddenly feeling rather traitorous as it beat in his chest.
'Shouldn't have left, shouldn't have left,' it sung with each step.
The becoming familiar mental battle started in his head again, actions, happenings, and internal struggles engaging in war.
"Your lack of faith in me is disheartening."Resin's words rang louder in his head than ever before. It had been the straw that broke the camel's back to him. Respect, all he wanted was respect... and in the end the lack of it had forced him to leave. His pride was hurt and technically she got what she wanted - to do it all on her own and get them to safety. But without him being there, how was he to know that they had? Where was his so-called pride now? Everything he prided himself in he had just turned his back on. Guilt riddled him as he moved forwards.
It's not that he didn't trust her, it was that he did not trust Ahote's current physical abilities. The only reason he had been in there in the first place was to retrieve the injured Fighter and make sure that his injuries did not stop him and put him in dangers way. It wasn't that he didn't trust
them as beings, it was the fact that he did not trust the variables around them more. He did not trust that the actions of the hunters, they were unpredictable at best. Same went for the Fighters burns. Unpredictability was what killed wolves.
The brute's head wrought with thoughts, physically turning this way and that as different bits of logic came to the forefront and delegated their own views. No matter what he had done there were both smatteries of both good and bad consequences resulting because of it. Long story short, there had been no right way for the Keeper to choose to begin with. He couldn't win.
So what exactly had he supposed to have-
Wait. What was that?
Attican's head snapped ahead of him, strange dark dots cresting just over the edge of his line of sight. Although his amber eyes squinted to make it out, by the time he had spotted it they had disappeared completely over the knoll. Hey.. was that the tail-end of the Pack? He had only seen a few figures, but that would make sense as there was always a few stragglers that rounded out the back of the group. His heart fluttered in his chest a bit, a twinge of excitement passing over him. Yes he thought that he was getting potentially close, but he hadn't figured to come upon them quite yet. Regardless for it though he was happy for it, more than ready to be within the companion of others once more.
Pushing the heavy thoughts in his head aside for the second time, the Elder prepared to gear himself for this last little bit. The scenery had changed to a steady climb now, Xani obviously deciding that steep distance would make it harder for the Pack to be reached. It was a good plan overall he thought. Lani's image floated around him, causing the brute to smile for a second. Surely at least she would be happy to see him, something he'd take in gladly. He needed a bit of TLC and to be honest her happiness was very much needed after the events as of late. He'd accept whatever she wanted to do wholeheartedly.
The Keeper began his last trek, the strings of hope being really the only thing that kept him going.
'So close, so close,' he mentally encouraged to himself, eyes set and determined at the cresting peak of the hill that the figures had vanished over.
In his driven mindset the brute did not notice the elongated and strangely flat, sickle-shaped prints in the snow...
With a final push Attican lept his way over the edge, fully prepared to see the Pack slowly trudging along in their ascent up the ridge. His blood ran cold and drained from his face, his heart feeling like it had sunk out of his body completely. Oh how wrong he had been, how terribly wrong.
Four two-leggers were marching their way up the mountainside, obviously following the larger than life sets of tracks that pointed to the exact location of ScarPaw. Three of them he recognized, the very same ones that he had ducked from earlier now accompanied with a slightly scrawnier one. How they had gotten ahead of him the brute didn't know, he must have taken even more time than thought trying to navigate his way out of the burnt forest. All he knew now was that they were the last thing that he wanted to see and that if he made a single sound, he was done for.
Frozen in his place, only Attican's eyes moved as they traced the humans as they walked. Their spears were grasped lazily in their forepaws, obviously still unaware of the Great Wolf's presence behind them. Shuffling backwards and quietly as he could, he danced himself backwards back behind the lip, now only his head being the only thing that peered over.
What to do, what to do?? He couldn't go forwards, yet not going anywhere meant that eventually the hunters were going to indisputably catch up with the Pack. Visions of ambush surfaced themselves unwantedly, causing an unheard whine to reside in the back of his throat. Where did his true devotion lie?
He had to warn them, to him there simply was no other option. When it came to his life or their lives, his answer had always been clear. Fear wracked his poor heart, his muscles beginning to shake. God no please, not now. Laboriously his lungs filled, his eyes nearly already welling with tears. He would not go down without a fight, that much he was sure of. Taking in the most air that he could he threw his head back, a crystal clear howl suddenly piercing it's way through the air. It bounced off the sides of the mountain, carrying long and far to the Pack.
The message was obvious. "Danger: Run."
Also, it was now obvious that his position was completely given away. Startled by the sudden call the two-leggers adrenaline rushed through their bodies, looking at each other for only a moment before launching their way forwards back to the way that they had come. Close by was their target and oh what a chance they had at getting it! Their weapons and spears now were poised in their hands, ready to do what they could to bring down the beast. Jumping over the hill they looked around, quickly spying their fleeing target. They started fast pursuit, their bodies limber and amply-trained to the terrain.
'Go,' was just about the only thing going through Attican's mind. He raced down the stretch that he had climbed not two minutes before, a very different mental state having gone through his mind then. He could hear the heavy footfalls of the hunters behind him, all four of them in hot pursuit. Suddenly the brute knew exactly what it felt like to be their prey when the Pack hunted them down. It was terrifying.
His legs raced over the snow, the downcline helping him keep speed. However he was quickly running out of it and he knew very well that soon he would be on his own for the chase. He also knew that his body was not going to be able to hold out for long. Already the shakes were well enough making their way into his stride. Running wasn't going to be an option.
Meanwhile behind him the hunters were spreading out, no longer massed together into one big clump. The brute spied this, realizing their intent. Spread out and corner. Braking to an halt, his feet skittered into the already track-riddled ground. Once stopped enough he wheeled himself around, suddenly turning on one of his own pursuers. Sometimes prey had the mental capacity enough to fight back, taking a last stand against their pursuer. More often than not ScarPaw hunters would back down at this, especially if they were already low in number. Perhaps it would be the same here.
Muscles bundled, the ex-Fighter ran towards the first one, his target being the smallest of the bunch. His charge caused the two-legger to throw his spear in attempt to stop him, hoping that the spear would do its job. Thankfully his aim was not very true and the pointed weapon whistled past Attican's left flank harmlessly. The smaller flat-faced hunter's expression grew to horror, realizing that he had literally just thrown his safety net away. He turned around and ran towards the ice bear skinned one, the white-clad hunter quickly defending his groupmate.
What now? Attican turned around, spying the three still-dangerous hunters talking amongst each other as they stalked around. If only he could understand them! Their bodies were poised and ready, looking like they were ready to launch forward at any moment. Right now it looked like they were at a stalemate, both sides waiting for the other to make the first move. Attican growled threateningly, his teeth bared to show his two fang-like incisors. Without warning one darted from the side, causing the brute to lurch away to the opposing side. However this was exactly what they seemed to have expected, as the other two instantly predicted his movements, both launching themselves towards his frame.
The brute jumped forwards, literally getting out of the way of the pointed ends in the very nick of time. One hunter actually ended up crashing into him, causing the two into an all-out brawl. Attican bit what he could, nails scrabbling to make any sort of purchase on his skin. In spite of it all though it seemed that the differentiating animal hides did their job well, protecting the human from most of the blows. What he did manage however was to get his paw to release the weapon. Scrambling away, the brute kicked at the stick, standing over it so that it was impossible for the hunter to get to.
His energy was waning.
The 'battle' seemed to go on forever, spears being thrown and sometimes recovered again. Every once in a while it would look like the animal may have gotten the upper hand, only to be lost again as he was pushed away from the weapons he protected. It was obvious that the humans were getting annoyed, but it was also becoming apparent that their target was tiring. After some time it almost became like a cruel game, faking the poor Keeper out and watching the brute 'dance' to their movements. The two caribou-clad two-leggers laughed to each other, realizing that more and more the outcome to this was inevitable.
Attican stumbled around, standing above the only spear that he had still managed to cover. He looked over to the humans meekly, his hair still standing dutifully on edge to at least try to make himself look intimidating. His body shook, head lowered. He could taste the rusty tinge of blood on the back of his tongue, his body getting pushed well beyond any sort of natural limit. Still the two-leggers spoke amongst each other, more than likely hatching a plan for his demise. Taking the moment the brute looked up to the sky, the light above him looking as beautiful as ever.
'Well Annu, it looks like I'll be joining you earlier than planned,' he thought, a heavy bitterness strewn through him. This was not how he wanted to go. Skinned of his own pelt to be worn as a trophy garment, his body probably left where it was to fall, completely going to waste. It was disgusting. But, if the Pack was safe, then he would have done his ultimate duty. He only hoped that they would in fact stay safe.
His thoughts were halted though as a new advancement of his current situation seemed to pan out. The smallest one was sent forwards, one of the other hunters spear clutched tightly in his hand. Seeing how tired the brute was the humans had sent out their in-training member, figuring that Attican would be good practice and great first kill for him. Even with the others behind him, the two-legger looked wary, something that the brute instantly picked up on. He growled at him, snapping his jaws in his direction. One weapon was underneath him, another in this hunters' hand. That left two for the others.
Figuring it as his last chance, the Elder went for broke. Slowly the human inched closer, his arm getting poised for the kill. Holding out as long as he could he stood stock-still, anticipating the blow. With a last second of hesitation it finally came, Attican launching his body straight forwards into the danger. His sheer size plowed over the smallest, causing heavy gasps from the watching trio. Quickly they launched themselves into the fray to save him, a huge battle bursting forth.
Spears stabbed, nails scrabbled, and teeth bit, blood coming from both beasts. Where it came from though it was too hard to tell. Attican's body twisted awkwardly, struggling to free himself. His teeth had met their mark on at least two of the hunters bodies, tearing into one's upper thigh and the other's torso. Their screams of injury pierced the air, their quarry completely forgotten about in a literal a single bite. More worried about their members than the hunt the last big hunter gave it up, turning his attention towards them instead.
Somehow the bedraggled brute wriggled free, simply trying to stalk his way out of sight. Despite his retreat however, the small one caught sight of him, anger filled deeply within him. Even though the others had given up, to him the hunt was far from over. Spying what the 'evil' wolf had done to his fellow groupmates, he grabbed at a forgotten spear, hurling it straight at the Keeper. This time the pointed end barely escaped its mark. The Elder flipped himself around just in time to see the human launch himself onto the wolf, another weapon clutched tightly in his forepaw. He drove it forwards, Attican managing to divert its direction enough to grasp it in his jaw. The two struggled like this, not enough energy from the brute to even heave the weight off. It seemed evenly matched. His amber eyes turned to terror, meeting up with the two-leggers dark and harsh ones. It was a battle of wills, both ends shaking and struggling to win. However it seemed Attican's luck was out.
With a last yank of the spear the human ripped it from his jaw, twisting the point so that it made contact with the Elder's face. It plunged forwards causing the brute to yowl in agony, hot blinding pain suddenly surging around the area of his left eye. Blood came spilling around his maw, the hot liquid dripping onto the icy snow in deep contrast. His body convulsed, inadvertently kicking the human off of him. His paws came up to his head as he plunged it in the ground, no longer in control of his movements.
What happened next the brute was not quite sure, for he had never experienced such pain like that in his entire existence. He writhed in the snow, his consciousness addled from the pain, loss of blood, and over-exhausted body. With his one good eye he could see the smallest one retreat, something else causing him to do that. What it was though he did not know. Flopping almost like a fish he moved his body away, blood staining his entire pathway.
{{Oi, okay, well that took much longer than thought. I tried to make it as smooth as possible although I'm aware that a few areas are still a little choppy. I left it open enough so that you guys could do at will, either having Resin and/or Ahote come across the current situation or not, as well as the Pack have the potentiality of drama if you wished as well. Poor Attican, I do feel a little bad doing that to him, but with all the close calls he has had, I guess it was due. Can't avoid it forever..}}
