Slow Steps

[Darrow Lark]

Why dae forts have tae bae so far apart? This bae gettin' ridiculous! Darrow Lark sighed and lifted her steel-blue eye to the sky irritably. She draped one gloved paw over her face to keep the beating sun off of her cheeks. It was warm out today, and while her gold fur did not absorb too much light, the temperature was still too high for her liking. Perhaps if she wore brighter clothing, as one merchant had scolded, she wouldn't get so hot. That unfortunate beast had earned himself a black eye, and Darrow had been quickly driven out of the marketplace. Annoying little pest had deserved it.

The short she-wolf dropped a paw to her scimitar and grumbled to herself. She was dressed in a sleeveless green tunic, leaving her scarred arms bare, save for her paws. Black trews adorned her legs, and a belt held her scimitar and a quiver of arrows locked to her waist. Another strap over her chest contained her bow. Thin Darrow did not look like she could hold up in a battle but looks could be deceiving. The she-wolf had fought many beasts in her life and she still stood on her two footpaws. She wore a trophy arrowhead around her throat in remembrance of a battle long ago.

Darrow made her way steadily towards Emerald Bay, doing her best to keep her head down so the sun wouldn't burn away her face. She was grateful it wasn't night, since she never traveled in the dark. It had slowed her journey by about two days, but she didn't mind. It was easier to see her enemies during the day anyway. Nay much further now-

WHAM!

Darrow gave a yelp and jumped back, rubbing her smarting nose. Without realizing it, she had made her way to the entrance of the fort and smashed right into the portcullis. Her eyes blinked, her scarred right iris winking shut almost immediately. No sense in using that eye. Darrow looked at the gate closely then lifted her head. Wow, those were high spirals.

Well at least Ah've bloody made it! It had taken her long enough. Shaking her head, Darrow dropped her paws to her hips and called up in a gruff voice. "Oy?! Any beast bae about tae let mae en?" Not the friendliest sort of wolf.

[Keleanth Windspiral]

"Summer days an' summer nights,
Coomin' jist arahnd the bend,
Settle in an' hauld on tight,
Winter's coom near tae it's end."

A low voice crooned the words, but a casual glance around the walltops would not reveal the source. No, one would have to look up to find the singer, for Keleanth had perched atop the roof of the tower closest to the portcullis gates. The day had been long and slow, with only the scheduled scouting and gathering groups leaving the fort. While she was glad to be back, the falcon was beginning to wonder if things here hadn't settled a little too much. Surely something interesting had to have happened during her time away! Ah, but no such luck, and further questioning of the wallguards had resulted in short words. So, to avoid a fight and the ruffling of her own feathers she'd taken herself up and away, to await the changing of the guards and a new set of beasts to question.

Fortunately it didn't take too much longer for something to catch the white bird's eye. She let the words fade away into a low whistle as she watched Darrow approach the portcullis. Newcomers were always of some interest to Kel, even if they didn't have much to say. She was something of a socialite on her good days, and enjoyed meeting new beasts. They might not always enjoy meeting her, but that was their problem. Her gaze lingered on the she-wolf as she moved closer to the portcullis, and the whistling finally faded away. It was almost time to make her appearance.

The gyrfalcon had noticed that most beasts, while they'd look up at the walltops, either ignored her or could not see her. It was an odd phenomenon, but she wasn't going to worry about it. Eventually they realized she was present, and it was no bad thing to have a hidden set of eyes around when troublesome beasts decided to make their presence known. Kel lifted a talon and carefully scratched the back of her neck as she continued to watch Darrow. Odd...surely the she-wolf knew how close she was getting to the portcullis...

WHAM!

Kel blinked a few times and shifted along her perch as she watched the newcomer walk straight into the gates. She craned her neck and peered down, a small smile on her beak. That was something one didn't see every day. Either the she-wolf had not been paying attention or there was something not quite right with her. The falcon was willing to bet on the latter as she noted the various scars that laced Darrow's arms. She made a mental note to keep an eye on the she-wolf, but so far she wasn't overly concerned by her appearance.

"Oy?! Any beast bae about tae let mae en?"

A low chuckle escaped Kel's beak, then she spread her wings and let herself glide down to the wall just over the portcullis gates. Her sharp talons closed easily over the stone, then she folded her wings against her sides before responding.

"Aye, soomone be here tae le ye in. Whit be yer name, lass, an' whit brings ye tae Fort Emerald Bay?"

[Darrow Lark]

Darrow rubbed her paw ruefully across her sore nose. She didn't know what was more bruised, her face or her pride. Blasted gates...Well this certainly wasn't how she wanted to start her first day off at Emerald Bay. She could blame the accident on being too wrapped in her own thoughts, but she knew it also due to her loss of depth-perception. Being blind in one eye was not easy for Darrow. She was learning slowly but steadily how to recognize distances yet it was taking far too long for the she-wolf's liking.

"Aye, soomone be here tae le ye in. Whit be yer name, lass, an' whit brings ye tae Fort Emerald Bay?"

Darrow lifted her head then grunted in surprise as the gyrfalcon flew into sight. The she-wolf's eyebrow rose considerably and she frowned. A bird? A bird was guarding the fort.....What could the falcon do against an enemy beast? Sure, she had talons and a beak, but she couldn't wield a sword or a shield. How was she supposed to protect herself, asides from flying away from her foe?

The she-wolf shook her head and folded her arms, considering her words. Instincts told her to snap back at the bird but she knew that wasn't going to help her get into the fort. How then should she respond? With respect? With contempt? First impressions were everything, but Darrow couldn’t care less what beasts thought about her. If they considered her rude and unworthy of their help, then at least they would leave her alone. She didn't need any beast's help....

"Darrow Lark," the she-wolf grunted at first. She dropped her paws to her hips and shifted on her weary footpaws. "Just lookin' fah a place tae rest, bae that so much ta ask?" Darrow asked rather harshly.

She would not apologize for her behavior. Had her mother apologized when she'd beaten her children? Had her buyers apologized when they had beaten her? Had that vermin apologize when he had blinded her? No, so why should she be sorry for pushing beasts away from her?

Darrow waited silently without even bothering to ask the falcon her name.

[Keleanth Windspiral]

Kel whistled under her breath as she watched the wolf below. There seemed to be some sort of internal debate happening, and it was proving to be mildly amusing. It wasn't unusual for wary beasts to approach the fort. In fact, it was probably more common than Darrow would know. It took all types for Emerald Bay to run, though some would find it an easier place to live than others. Those that didn't belong or didn't feel they fit usually found their footpaws leading them elsewhere.

The white bird shifted on the walltop, her talons scraping against the stone. The sound made a few of the closer wallguards grimace, but she paid no attention to them. Her gaze was locked on the female standing below as she awaited a response. The fort didn't admit vermin, and while they didn't refuse beasts often, it did happen from time to time. Everyone needed to give a name and a reason for coming to the fort, even if they were only going to be there for a short time.

"Darrow Lark. Just lookin' fah a place tae rest, bae that so much ta ask?"

Again the smile cracked Kel's beak, and she flicked her tailfeathers. This Darrow had some spunk. She should get along well with a few of the fort's surlier members. The falcon chuckled at the thought, then gestured to a nearby hare. He gave a partial salute, then headed down the stairway to open the gates for the waiting she-wolf.

"Nae lass, tha' dinnae be much tae ask. Welcoom tae Emerald Bay, Darrow. If ye be hungry ah'd start by checkin' in at the tavern. They'll be able tae gi' ye directions tae either bungalows or marketplace, dependin' on whit ye need."

A clanking from below heralded the opening of the gates. Darrow would find her path clear to enter the fort. What she did once inside...well, that was up to her.

[Darrow Lark]

"Nae lass, tha' dinnae be much tae ask. Welcoom tae Emerald Bay, Darrow. If ye be hungry ah'd start by checkin' in at the tavern. They'll be able tae gi' ye directions tae either bungalows or marketplace, dependin' on whit ye need."

Darrow jumped back as the gate to the fort began to open. She squinted her good eye and watched it slowly rise, creating a passage for her to enter into the fort. The she-wolf ran a paw across her neck and considered the falcon's offer. Truthfully, she wasn't certain where she wanted to go. Her stomach was rumbling, in need of food, but her footpaws were also weary and she could certainly do with a nap. Dilemmas, dilemmas. Of course, standing there was not going to get her anywhere!

With a slight shake of her head, Darrow took a step forward and started for the entrance. "Thanks..." the she-wolf called up, though the word sounded and tasted strange. She wasn't used to complimenting or speaking kindly to other beasts. She'd forgone pleasantry after she escaped from slavery. Very few beasts ended up on her good side, and she liked to keep it that way.

Darrow glanced around as she took her first steps into the fort. Already it was overwhelming her and her good eye watered from the intense sunlight shining down upon her. She lifted a paw to help herself see before she walked slowly towards the nearby tavern. Her pawsteps weren't exactly steady, but she would do her best.

Thus entered Darrow Lark.