placed a few days after this thread.

---

skill: hunter

Their trip to the rugged mountains of Northfall had been successful. They'd learned that they still stood tall regardless of the trials they'd faced in the previous months, and yet continued to help in the search for runes. It was heartening to see, though there was still a part of her that wondered why Valkyrie's opinion differed, if Dal wasn't seeing something she had. Nonetheless, their trip had been overall wonderful, and she'd take that for what it was. But now, it was time they returned home — Dal was itching to return, to make sure that nothing drastic had happened while they were gone. However, she tried to quell this anxiety by berry-picking.

Early in the morning, she'd left the temporary visitor's den that they'd stayed in whilst in Northfall and wandered the surrounding area, sniffing out where the best berry bushes hid. Underneath shady pines, they gathered, leafed branches of green, and blossomed berries. There was a protective barrier of thorns surrounding these deep colored ones, but she'd dealt with this before. It took Dal a few minutes to find a good stick; it stuck out in a 'Y' shape. It would do nicely to take the brunt of the thorns rather than her mouth or paws. Carefully, she stuck her stick into the leaves and shook gently. A few fell loose while others she gently prodded at till they, too, fell.

After a while, she'd amassed a small pile, picking the bad ones out, and moving the nice, unharmed ones to a small rabbit's pelt that had been cured and tanned, also stained with berry juice. She used it as a small pouch when folded, and headed back to where she and N​ó​ttin had holed up. Breaching the entrance of the little cavern, Dal smiled upon her love's sleeping form, and sat the breakfast she'd gathered aside, moving in next to him once more, Rise and shine, my Glacier... It's time to return home. She murmured, softly into his ear, her nose nuzzling the crown of his head.

It had been a long and hard journey to Northfall, with many ups and downs at every turn. But they had made it safely, and he was able to see his friend again along with making a new one. He was however, ready to head back home. He missed the smell of their forests, the way the glacier gleamed in the sunlight in the deeper part of the Vale.

And most of all, he really missed his sister. N​ó​ttin couldn't wait to see her again, and catch up on anything that he had missed while they were away. The looming journey to find Freya still harbored his mind though, constantly reminding him that his job was not yet completed. There was more to be done, more mouths to feed and to protect. Yes, Freya and her children must be guided back home. It was absolutely imperative.

In the mean time, N​ó​ttin continued to get what rest he could while he still had the chance. His sable form layed in the den, snug as a bug, unaware that his love had left for a brief trip. The silence of the den was soon broken however, as her sweet voice entered his ears. Blue eyes slowly began to open, a small yawn releasing from his jaws. A curl then a big stretch to cap it off as he let his legs reach out before him.

A wholesome gaze looked up to meet her periwinkle eyes, a closed lipped smile forming as he gazed upon her. I thought I heard an angel. Good morning, my dove. His dark nose started to move, sniffing out something sweet and delicious as he began to turn and lay on his belly. Oh, did you bring breakfast? Thank you, love. It was a nice way to wake up, surrounded by the love of his life. Soon that would be how it always was, once their marriage was set in stone. He could hardly wait.

skill: hunter

One of the best parts of the morning is getting to see N​ó​ttin wake, when she could. Sure, there were some mornings he was out the door first, but she was an early bird, often finding the morning before the sun did. Usually, if she were lucky enough, she'd get to be the first thing that his soulful blue eyes saw. She'd achieved this today, as he flickers to life, aqua eyes opening slowly to the world, his forelegs stretching, and maw yawning — he is a handsome man every moment of his life, Dal is convinced.

A red hue tints her cheeks, his words wooing her as they often did, Good morning. She repeated, softly. As he started to move, Dal pulled to the side, allowing him the breakfast she'd picked this morning. Only a little bit. I'm not very good at hunting like you are. There wasn't a thing that N​ó​ttin was bad at. Nature here is like in the Vale... The berry bushes hide the same way here as they do at home. It's the same selection, but somehow different. The dove explained, wondering if it had to do with this mountain's soil versus their very own.

The spotted dove pawed some of the elderberries to the side; they happened to be her favorite, even though they weren't the sweetest of the berries, they were the healthiest. This is just to start our morning... I thought it might be easier, and more courteous, to hunt outside of Northfall's borders. Though, with the plague swallowing territories further north, there was an influx of prey and predators heading towards them. Either way, she wanted to be respectful of Northfall and the ecosystem that encompassed them.

Waking up to those lavender eyes felt like pure fantasy. As if it was actually all a dream and his mind had been playing tricks on him. If it was a dream, then he would slay the soul that woke him. He smiled at her warmly, blue eyes only leaving hers for a moment to catch a glimpse of the berries she brought them. A small comfort from home the world thought we needed perhaps. None the less, it is a welcome sight. N​ó​ttin took his own, letting Dalmatia scoop up her favorite ones. He carefully snacked on each little morsel, taking his time to not eat like a total wild beast. An ear flicked at her comment about hunting, a smirk rising from the corners of his mouth.

No need to worry, I will help get us something larger once we leave here. I do agree that it would be most unfitting for us to hunt on Northfall's borders. Especially when they have been so kind to let us stay here the past night or two. Arvid seemed like he had a lot on his mind though, despite the forced warm welcoming. The Pillar did not blame him one bit. These were trying times to be sure, and he couldn't begin to fathom what other hardships that the young leader had to cope with. He had heard of the previous king's death, but hadn't known him personally. Maybe there were other things going amiss here. Not that it was his business. But his curiosity did tend to wander.

Speaking of business, there were other things to discuss this morning. Dalmatia, my darling. There is something that I need to speak with you about. N​ó​ttin did his best not to use a tone that could potentially send her alarm bells going off, or frighten her to the point of causing great harm. There is someone outside of Dawnbreak that needs our help. Once we get back home and settled, I need to find them and bring them home. It's a childhood friend with her children, and they are escaping at some point from a terrible pack. He watched the expression on her face, waiting for any changes to suddenly spring to life. For any distress to come from her angelic voice. For he would be there to calm her, to ease her worries and strife.

skill: counselor

They both ate in one another's company, though it was a small meal, it woke Dalmatia's system up, readying her to start the travel back home — to the Vale. The elderberries stained her tongue a bluish-purple, along with some of the blueberries she stowed away to the side for herself. She is not too picky about what she eats, but wanted N​ó​ttin to have what he pleased, giving him the bigger portion — he would soon need it if he were to hunt them down a nice meal. I agree, my Glacier. She murmured, a small smile on her face as she watched him snack on what had been her hard work for the morning. You're very thoughtful. A comment to her fiancé as he, too, thought of what would be respectful towards their allies.

There was a brief moment where both of them chewed in thought, enjoying one another's company in a short snack break before their trip. In that moment, she couldn't be happier that she'd come with him to Northfall. Even though they'd been deterred by rune searching, they'd gained knowledge in it, and got to Northfall in time to meet both Arvid and his older sister, Wardruna, even if both were still saddled with grief from their losses.

Despite N​ó​ttin's best efforts, the words stir her stomach, ears flicking towards the sides of her head, as if she'd done something wrong. Yes? What is it, my Glacier? She did her best to hold herself together, not to tremble as she waited for his news to break. The feeling of tension in her heart does not completely fade with the next words that leave his mouth — they just shift to another soul out there, that needs their help. As he explains, she feels her worry extend to him as well — a terrible pack?

You? No, not just you. I am sure we can rally some of Dawnbreak to help you, my Glacier... There is no way I can let you go face a... terrible pack by yourself, whether it is to help her escape or not. What if something happens to you? I... I can't live without you... And... I don't want you to think you can't go because of that... But, I need you to be careful... She whispered to him, hastily, before he could speak anything in between her own words.

A childhood friend? So, someone else from his and Sólúlfur's youth... There is no way she could keep him from helping them, not that she would want to. If anything, she felt guilty knowing that she would be useless in a rescue attempt; she'd only get in the way. But she would wait on the borders for them, whenever that time came, with herbs bundled up, just in case if there was blood spilt.

Oh if peaceful mornings could only stay that way forever. He could feel it, the moment the carefree attitude left his bride to be. She was eating the berries she had gathered, a smile in those eyes that made his heart swoon. Then when the news came of the rescue, her entire demeanor exploded into a frantic state. N​ó​ttin rose up to gather her in his embrace, then bringing her eyes to meet his with a serious tone to his own blue optics. Dalmatia Shakti-Vaès. You are the most important person in my life, the woman that I am going to spend the rest of my life with. I will not be hurt nor leave you alone. I too cannot live without you. He took a moment to collect himself further.

I promise you that I will not get hurt, that if I know you are safe at home, I will make it back to you. I have to make it back to you. I will also tell you this, that I am not going all the way to this pack to confront them. My friend, Freya, is leaving the pack on her own with her children. Then meeting with me once she comes closer to the north. I am going to guide her home the rest of the way. You need not be afraid, for I am the Night of The North. I will be swift as the icy wind and as cunning as an arctic fox. No one will even notice that I snatched her back to us, and no one will lay a paw nor tooth on me. I promise you this my love. I will come back to you.N​ó​ttin needed her to know that all would be well, that things for once are going to turn out the way that they were intended. She just had to believe and have faith in him.

The sable man kissed his spotted dove on the cheek, but did not let her go for fear that she might crumble beneath the weight of this news. As for bringing others of Dawnbreak with me, I could never forgive myself if something awful happened to more of our pack, our family. They need not worry for my safety or the troubles outside of our home. We have enough to deal with as it stands, with the plague and the runes. I cannot put anyone else in danger. But I did speak with my sister on this, so she knows what I am going to do. And she also agreed that I go alone. The fewer of us that are out there, the less of a chance for anyone to track us. The point is to get her and her children as quickly as possible. Then to quietly bring them back. Nothing more and nothing less. N​ó​ttin needed her to believe his words, to know that everything was going to be alright. Do you trust me?