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Track of the Cat - Nate - 3/8/2026
Skill - Vagabond 1/5
Weeks passed. The expedition traveled in a loose band that separated, reconnected, split off, circled back. Nate was more confident in his tracking, now, and even managed to find folks on purpose now and again.
But it was cold everywhere. Dark, everywhere.
Whiteout blizzards gave way to freezing rain and hail at times, and still, when he reached saltwater Nate couldn't say their odds were any better here. Scarce hunting; more stragglers with mouths that needed feeding.
Fire was the only respite, and he supposed he was grateful to have found more than one. But spewing pink intoxication into the wind, the Strand's didn't offer any kind of shelter fit for him, at the very least.
He busied himself now walking the coast, kicking a seaweed-covered rock down the shore while an ear kept turned to the treeline. Mostly the rain-wind tugged him forward, South. It tousled his fur into a salt-tacky mess. Sand stuck to his paws from baiting the quiet waves that lapped on icy beachfront.
One of Ko-Ga's feathers and pulled loose in the gales, swept beyond his grasp. Now there was gap in the decoration tucked behind one ear which he decided he didn't care to fix.
It was still Nate. But he was leaner. Less kept up. Tired lines sunk bright eyes. These were the hard, battle weary days. Where you mostly had to survive, and not think so hard about whether hope was a useful thing or not.
Wind brought him something else. Nate paused, turning to tilt nose into the splatter of half-frozen drizzle that weeping clouds spilled in quiet intervals. Ears pricked.
Ȟákac'enyu!
And a stranger?
But they were always finding strangers. Nate's curiosity paired brightly with the promise of a familiar face. He lifted a howl against downcast heavens.
RE: Track of the Cat - Elk Charm - 3/8/2026
so long had elk charm traveled! she did not think that she knew any longer how to be still.
what it be like to build a wetu again? to have a drying-rack of antlers, to prepare her meals just outside? an odd thing, to yearn for the consistent. or perhaps it was not so odd.
the atmosphere remained a twisting morass of wetness and cold. elk charm rationed the meat she had dried for her journey between herself and samo, explaining that she had wanted to bring some for the others, but that the flame would provide a way to create more.
roselight thereafter, a welcome, strange reprieve from the biting ice, but one which had elk charm reddening beneath her fur each time samo was near. she had heard of fire-time; she knew it followed the end of militsik. this was as those stories had been, and she was not sure what she might do, drawn in spite of all her taboos.
but each morning they woke to damp lightlessness, and soon she withdrew into pensive thought, wondering if they would find nate after all.
elk charm had lost what little weight was gained in singing hills, and her new angularity made the sharadoii woman hyper-conscious of her stringy limbs, hips flat as they had been some seasons before. she told herself that she had no time to waste upon her own appearance, and yet --
a call. breath rushed from her in relieved sound.
what it be like to build a wetu again? to have a drying-rack of antlers, to prepare her meals just outside? an odd thing, to yearn for the consistent. or perhaps it was not so odd.
the atmosphere remained a twisting morass of wetness and cold. elk charm rationed the meat she had dried for her journey between herself and samo, explaining that she had wanted to bring some for the others, but that the flame would provide a way to create more.
roselight thereafter, a welcome, strange reprieve from the biting ice, but one which had elk charm reddening beneath her fur each time samo was near. she had heard of fire-time; she knew it followed the end of militsik. this was as those stories had been, and she was not sure what she might do, drawn in spite of all her taboos.
but each morning they woke to damp lightlessness, and soon she withdrew into pensive thought, wondering if they would find nate after all.
elk charm had lost what little weight was gained in singing hills, and her new angularity made the sharadoii woman hyper-conscious of her stringy limbs, hips flat as they had been some seasons before. she told herself that she had no time to waste upon her own appearance, and yet --
a call. breath rushed from her in relieved sound.
it is nate,she murmured, readjusting the pelt across her shoulders and seeing that her herbs had not broken away. steps carried her upon the beach-sand, anxieties ebbing as she saw him ahead. glancing to samo with an encouraging look, elk charm exhaled.
RE: Track of the Cat - Samo - 3/9/2026
As they travelled, Samo’s trepidation grew. Seal, caribou, and others. His mind fixated on the unknown. He did not think Elk Charm would follow a cruel man, at least not willingly. But if someone recognized the mark upon his face, what would they do? Would they cast him out? Samo would not blame them. Few folk wanted to shelter a runaway slave. Would Elk Charm be tarnished by her association with him? No, he told his spinning thoughts. Rome was far from here. Yet the Romans had still touched these lands. Could whatever force that had spirited him and Martius be strong enough to bring the legions too?
He remained cautious. Especially when they passed by the fires. Fire touched this land now—blue for drying meat and cooking. And pink for—
Samo was not a stranger to desire. Nor to a woman’s touch. Even the wives of citizens could lust for a gladiator. He was not the first among his fellows, but he was still skilled enough to win himself some glory. He thought he saw Elk Charm look at him, and he looked back, even as he hesitated. She was unmarried, and he would not ask her to sully herself for him. He had no name to honor her. No land. No home. How could he hope to wed her? But if she asked, he did not think he would have the strength to refuse.
No invitation came, so Samo kept his distance.
They travelled south, and the smell of salt stung his nose. The sea was close again. Samo had learned to fear it, but he knew it was a place of bounty; fish and seal made excellent food. He shouldered on, carrying what things Elk Charm would allow him to bear for her. She was looking thinner, and he felt concern. This unnatural winter was making game scarce. Once they stopped, it would take cunning to catch something big enough to feed both of them.
An unfamiliar howl sang out. Samo was startled, but relaxed upon hearing Elk Charm’s words. A friend, then. Nate was not a Roman name he knew: a promising start. Elk Charm looked at him. He nodded to her with a small smile, and walked towards the one she called Nate.
Nate was a handsome man. He was not tall, but he had the posture of someone much greater. His eyes were like Elk Charm’s, a soft bright blue, and there was a kindness there he did not often see. He wore feathers tucked in his fur too. Someday, he would have to ask what it meant. For the moment Samo could not take his eyes off him.
Then he realized he was staring, and that he was expected to speak. Samo lowered his head to stare at his paws, shoulders held low with submission. He did not yet know what would be asked of him. He had known many masters, both his own and others, but Nate had the look of one who would be kind. If, indeed, that was what he wished to be.
No—he would not be a slave again. He would not. He would serve, but he would serve by choice.
I am Samo of the Aedui,he said. With growing warmth and pride, he continued,
Elk Charm is my friend.Friend. Not domina.
RE: Track of the Cat - Nate - 3/13/2026
Skill - Expert Leader 2/5
Nate moved to meet them halfway, walk skipping to a lope and just as quick into a canter as a wuff rang out and his tail wagged in blatant excitement.
Smile creased with worrying care as they drew close. Ȟákac'enyu was thinner, now. Too thin. As much a victim of the tightening noose as any of their number.
He felt a pang of guilt — he should be keeping them all fed better. Sheltered better. Hadn’t she felt starvation enough for one lifetime? The mere breath of it was demon enough for him to contend with, but now the teeth of that reality had bared, too.
Her companion — a little better off, maybe. But marked by hard living all the same. A notably a handsome figure, honed like a blade.
Nate met Samo’s gaze when he approached, steady in the staring until it began to feel strange to do so and both their eyes dropped in tandem. Then back to Elk Charm to see the affirmation in her stance as he spoke.
A friend. A friend.
Curious gaze flicked over the bowed figure again.
I’m glad to know you, Samo of the Aedui. Any friend of Miss Elk Charm's is welcome here.Their brow scars did not match exactly, but were similar enough to pull a chuckle loose, even if Nate couldn't quite explain why or whether it amused him.
Nate Ronan. But — just Nate's fine.
Pleasantries accounted, he asked,
How is it... North? Looks like the journey wasn't easy. I have a couple of groundhogs — stashed inland a bit. Wish I had something fatter to offer you, but at least it'll be something.
RE: Track of the Cat - Elk Charm - 3/13/2026
to see nate was a relief, though elk charm was at once self-conscious of her diminished self.
miss elk charm. she had missed the charming lilt of his voice and the way he looked friendly without missing so much as a single detail. he welcomed samo and she was filled with a relieved pleasure at their first interaction, these two whom she had come to regard so highly.
nate's brief moment of vague worry brought a respondent look from her, a small curve of her lips meant to reassure. seeing him, hearing of the food he had cached -- an exhaustion overwhelmed the sharadoii. she wanted so fiercely to sit down but did not.
samo had not reached for her, and, filled with an impossible mingling of fear and longing, she had maintained their distance. but nate had been here, not alone. he had gathered many and surely others -- certainly more women. suppose the impulse of the gemstone light had worked upon him too, far from where he had left the first camp? finding a spot of jealousy inside herself where it had never existed before, marvelling at it, frightened by it, elk charm added,
where nate was more similar in height to her, samo towered over them both. each was scented by pine-needles, and each held their own sort of scarring. these men were rangy and hard-built, made for the long-walk and extended hunts, skilled with tracking. but where samo was almost hesitant in his caution, nate forged ahead, as he had through each stage of knowing. the other wolves too, had witnessed his command of a bird and his decisiveness. elk charm knew he was leader, even if he did not wish to be.
miss elk charm. she had missed the charming lilt of his voice and the way he looked friendly without missing so much as a single detail. he welcomed samo and she was filled with a relieved pleasure at their first interaction, these two whom she had come to regard so highly.
nate's brief moment of vague worry brought a respondent look from her, a small curve of her lips meant to reassure. seeing him, hearing of the food he had cached -- an exhaustion overwhelmed the sharadoii. she wanted so fiercely to sit down but did not.
thank you, nate. north is -- cold. it is dark. the fires change,and at this she became flustered, for in reference to the pink flame she thought of each of them in the moment of discovery.
samo had not reached for her, and, filled with an impossible mingling of fear and longing, she had maintained their distance. but nate had been here, not alone. he had gathered many and surely others -- certainly more women. suppose the impulse of the gemstone light had worked upon him too, far from where he had left the first camp? finding a spot of jealousy inside herself where it had never existed before, marvelling at it, frightened by it, elk charm added,
i use fire to make dry-meat. once. can do again?she offered, thinking of how good it would be to taste the sweet fat of a plump groundhog again.
keep many days.
where nate was more similar in height to her, samo towered over them both. each was scented by pine-needles, and each held their own sort of scarring. these men were rangy and hard-built, made for the long-walk and extended hunts, skilled with tracking. but where samo was almost hesitant in his caution, nate forged ahead, as he had through each stage of knowing. the other wolves too, had witnessed his command of a bird and his decisiveness. elk charm knew he was leader, even if he did not wish to be.
have you made camp?inquired the sharadoii, wanting to be warmed by the presence of others and perhaps even more pelts than the ones she and samo had brought. she wore the deerskin of his hunt, and wished the wind was not so much.
RE: Track of the Cat - Samo - 3/13/2026
It is good to meet you, Nate,Samo said with a small smile. He possessed a family name? A man of some significance, then, but he treated others amiably. The introductions given, Samo stepped back to let Nate address Elk Charm. He could see how she looked at him. Jealously bubbled in Samo, too, though he batted the feeling away, tucked it deep inside. In shame, he looked away. It was unbecoming of a man. Especially one who could not seem to forget the knowledge that he was property.
Oh, how he wanted to forget.
He resolved to keep his attention focused on Nate, expression thoughtful. If this was who had been there for Elk Charm in his absence, he should like to get to know him. If this was who she wanted, Samo would endeavour to keep a close eye on him. He looked a good man, seemed generous, but Samo wanted more assurance.
Perhaps he would go hunting with him. And Chakliux! He should like to see the seal man again. Samo did not know if he was ready to face the waves again—but there surely was game to be found on land too. But all of that could be arranged later.
Elk Charm spoke the same questions he had, so Samo kept quiet and listened. There was a part of him that was pleased to see Elk Charm don the skin he had given her, pleased that she wore it in front of this Nate, and he let that knowledge comfort him. If she should glance his way, he would smile at her.
RE: Track of the Cat - Nate - 3/17/2026
Skill - Expert Leader 3/5
As Samo stepped back; Nate let his gaze affix to Elk Charm. But the corner of his eye caught, still, the demurity of the gesture. And the sharp break of attention.
A friend.
He knew better than to assume. But Elk Charm mentioned the changing fire, and Nate — wondered, all the same. At the thousand unsaid things which seemed to steer every blink, glance, and stare.
Chakliux told him she had wanted to marry. Nate had thought, privately, that it was best not to encourage her where he was concerned. And said, plainly, that he hoped she would have freedom to make her own choices.
So it didn't matter, these unsaid things. Not theirs. Not his. He swallowed. And through it all, kept his smile.
If you like. Meat will keep longer, that way. Probably for the best, if hunting stays this scarce. I — saw the Southerly one change. Hoped the Northern spirit hadn't been so proactive.But when had what he hoped for every panned out?
Camp! Yes.
Yes.He looked out over the darkened sea, briefly, then gestured with a turn of his head toward the treeline.
Not exactly a village, but it's out of the wind, at least. C'mon, let's get the two of you settled. Maybe you can tell me how you met along the way.It didn't matter, but he wanted to know.
RE: Track of the Cat - Elk Charm - 3/24/2026
elk charm kept her eyes downcast.
gaul. rome. she turned the names over in her mind again.
with time she halted, gathering a pawful of tiny mussels which she began to crack with teeth, offering the small morsels to both men and a small smile curved her mouth then. gnawing-food, something salty and filling and would occupy their jaws.
lichen, growing in a spray over a boulder. she moved now to begin its scrape, black ears backtilted for nate's answer. seeking the distraction of her mind seemed most apt here as she swam with tiredness and unsurety.
last spring, i lose sister. singing hills quiet. is when samo came. we hunted. he teach me 'trap,' how to get rabbits.the sharadoii readjusted her grip on the skin bundle, feeling suddenly listless with exhaustion and the need to simply lie down her head. elk charm wanted to go on, to explain how samo had been gone for a time but now returned. yet this did not seem a thing for her to tell. this belonged to the gaul.
gaul. rome. she turned the names over in her mind again.
how many others now, nate?asked the caribou hunter, letting her eyes scan the beach as they moved. in this way, she hoped to ascertain not only their number but also disguise and repress the odd, sharp feeling.
with time she halted, gathering a pawful of tiny mussels which she began to crack with teeth, offering the small morsels to both men and a small smile curved her mouth then. gnawing-food, something salty and filling and would occupy their jaws.
lichen, growing in a spray over a boulder. she moved now to begin its scrape, black ears backtilted for nate's answer. seeking the distraction of her mind seemed most apt here as she swam with tiredness and unsurety.
RE: Track of the Cat - Nate - 3/29/2026
No. There'd been no mention of Samo before, or of a sister... not from Elk Charm or Chakliux. And Nate knew it took a long time to know someone, to hear all their stories. Even more that some stories might never be told. But Samo had been present for Elk Charm in a time of great loss. Which made him important.
Traps, huh?He lifted a paw, so very different from the hands he'd learned to do most things with.
You'll have to teach me that one, sometime. Could come in handy.
He settled into a faster lope, eager to get the others out of the wind.
What makes you think there's more?He laughed, but it was true.
Let's seeeee... Chakliux, you know. Elwood. Cecil.Cecil. Nate's stomach twinged again. He forged ahead:
Rin, she's definitely new. You'll get along, I bet. Think Vaelora might be around, too, but she's been shy. And Tamaska — though she stayed North by the fire, I'm guessing?That Tamaska brought another lost soul in tow, too, Nate did not yet know.
Still no sign of Ko-Ga or Nat. They're—Not coming back.
— still roaming. Maybe they found a fire of their own to wait this weather out. I think Mithwyth followed them.
Elk Charm hadn't been gone long enough for him to forget her habit of foraging. It still caught him a little by surprise. She never particularly seemed to be in a hurry but remained perpetually industrious. It was novel, and he found it a little endearing.
He waited for Samo to be given morsel, first, would urge it if there was any alternative assumption. And would have said he himself wasn't hungry, if he thought she'd let him get away with it. He didn't.
Where have you travelled, Samo?Nate asked, curious what the state of things were, beyond what he'd seen. And to know what Samo considered meaningful to share, a new companion meant new insights to seek.