Adetunji's Wrath (Malika and Saurugol)

Saurugol made his way down the shore of the Great River, his amber eyes scanning the rushing water as it swept toward the sea. High tide had just passed on this cloudy afternoon and already the strong smell of the tidal creatures hung in the air. But Saurugol had never minded the smell; it was something he had grown up with. He and his childhood friends had often played in the slow-moving river during low tide when the river was at its most gentle. But he had to admit, as he had grown up he found this place less and less enjoyable. The marshy ground was more of a nuisance than a toy, especially mixed with the ice and snow from a flurry that had passed through this morning, and the strong smell of the sea and tides masked the scents of the surrounding borders.

But luckily the undergrowth was sparse and so sharp eyes usually sufficed in keeping this border safe. And Saurugol had another pair of eyes with him this afternoon; Malika, a Guardian of Havir. Saurugol trusted the dark coated female due to her fierce loyalty and tireless diligence, and it was due to this trust that he had asked her to assist him on this border patrol. There had been reports of bear sightings on the other side of the Great River, and so the golden Alpha thought it best to ensure that his borders were secure.

He stepped carefully on the grasses that poked through the thin layer of snow, avoiding the deeper muck that formed in places with no plant roots to hold the ground firm underpaw. They were approaching the mouth of the river as a chilly breeze, fresh and heavy with the scent of the sea, swept over the pair. They could see the shining plains of sparkling water through the marsh grass from where they stood. Saurugol glanced back at Malika, ”We shall head back now. The border looks clear,” he said.

Malika ambled along after Saurugol, keeping her ears up as her eyes scanned the surrounding area. While there seemed to be no bear in sight, Malika was still wary. Perhaps they should have brought more Guardians. Depending on the size of the animal, she wasn't sure if they would be able to take it down with just themselves. She decided not to worry for now, though, moving to stand beside her Alpha and looking over their surroundings. She nodded when he spoke, about to start heading back when she caught the smell of something. Before she could even register what it was, a grizzly bear came charging out of the surrounding trees, rearing up on his hind legs and letting out a roar. Seconds later it was back on all fours, and heading straight for the alpha. Without even thinking about it, Malika jumped between them, baring her teeth and snarling. It stopped the bear for just a moment, but the threat had angered it and now it had its sights set on the large female. It lunged for her, swiping its large claws at Malika's face, but the female stood her ground. She stayed between the alpha and the bear, all too ready to give her life to save his if she had to.

Saurugol began to head back to the main den site when a fearsome roar sounded through the forest. He froze, his long fur bristling as he whirled to face the intruder. The bear was charging right at him. He stepped forward, his teeth bared in a fearless snarl as he prepared to evade and then attack, but before he could move again a black and gray blur flashed across his vision and Malika was there. The large she-wolf stood protectively between him and the bear. Saurugol felt his heart leap in anxiety as the bear locked its sights on her, slashing at her face.

Malika stood her ground fearlessly, as if Ademache himself had leaped beside her and lended her his courage. Saurugol knew that he must assist her or else he could lose one of his most loyal and capable Guardians. He leaped out from behind Malika, letting out a warning bark as he used his Hunt Master agility to leap toward the bear and then veer away as it turned to give him an angry grunt. It swiped at Malika before turning toward the golden Alpha, ambling toward him. Saurugol stood his ground with more snarling, trying to keep the bear’s attention. ”Now, Malika! Attack!” he called when the bear’s attention was completely on him. The could bring down this bear together.

Malika did not budge as the bear made its advance on her, getting right up close to roar in her face. She could smell the animal's breath, feel its heat against her muzzle, but still she did not move, teeth bared as she snarled. She knew very well she could die, but she was not afraid of death. Let it try and take me, she thought. If protecting Saurugol cost her her own life, so be it. She was dispensable; The alpha was not.

When the golden male leapt out from behind her, Malika was almost afraid for him when she remembered how skilled he was as a Hunt Master. He was quick and agile, whilst she was sturdy and strong. They made a good team, she decided. They could take this nasty bear out if they wished it. As Saurugol ran the other direction, presumably to distract the bear, the creature went for her with its claws again, slashing a decently sized gash in her shoulder before heading for the golden male. When given the order to, Malika lunged without hesitation, leaping onto the bear's back and digging her fangs into the thick skin on the back of his neck. The fur was thick there. Protective. She would not be able to land a killing blow from here, but if she just held on long enough, she could give her alpha the chance to go for the throat. The bear, however, was displeased by the wolf on his hide and began to thrash violently. It took everything in Malika to hold on for as long as she did, but she could only do so much. With one final thrashing, Malika was thrown from the animal's back, crashing violently into the rocks nearest to the water. She hit them with a yelp, back aching as she lie there on the wet rocks for a moment, dazed. She had smacked her head pretty hard, it seemed. Unaware of where she had landed, the Guardian foolishly tried to stand to protect her alpha, despite her blurring vision. As she attempted to get to her feet, she slipped on the slick rocks and plummeted into the water below before she could realize what was happening.

Saurugol struck only a moment after his Guardian. The bear roared in pain, twisting its head to try an address the she-wolf on its neck. The golden Alpha’s teeth drove into the throat of the bear as if it were an elk. The bear roared and thrashed and struggled to escape, but under the deadly jaws of two wolves of Havir, it stood no chance. Saurugol hung on, expertly trained on clinging resolutely to his prey from many years of large game hunting.

The bear soon let out a final thrash and then swayed slowly, lurching backward. Saurugol, all four paws pressed against the bear’s belly, released the dark brown fur as it fell. ”Malika, move!” He thundered as the bear crashed lifelessly to the ground. It was not under a moment later that Saurugol realized that Malika was no longer attached to the bear’s back. He stood on his victim’s motionless body, looking around with amber eyes wide and worried. ”Malika.” he called. She would not have fled. Not one of his bravest warriors. There was only one explanation, and the dark wolf blood by the rocks near the swirling tidal waters confirmed his fears.

Saurugol sprang from the bear and pelted to the edge of the rocks, his amber eyes searching rapidly for any sign of her. There was a flash of white and gray fur and he saw her fall into the icy water. But the river was retreating, and Adetunji’s Clutch was at its full might. Saurugol must act quickly.

”Hold on, Malika!” In a golden blur of streaming fur, the Alpha of Havir leaped from rock to rock until he was as close as possible to his Delta Guardian and without further ado he launched himself into the dark waves, calling into the cloudy gray sky, ”Adezevah save us.” The cold water hit him like vines constricting tightly around his chest, making it difficult to breath. His thick golden pelt was a double edged sword, keeping the worse of the watery freeze at bay but also adding pounds to his weight as he swam his way toward her. He could only barely see her large form in the waves nearby. Her blood stained the water around her. She was injured. He narrowed his eyes in determination, trying his best to ignore the stinging salt water that filled his vision. He needed to reach her quickly.

All of Malika's muscles had stiffened once she hit the water, and moving was becoming rather difficult. Her wounded shoulder, which she had injured not long before this, was bleeding a bit heavily. It was deep, and for a moment Malika feared what would happen if it couldn't be healed properly. She realized not a moment after that she was unlikely to survive this, anyway. She was at the mercy of the water, unable to even try swimming against the strong current. Malika accepted her fate, no longer trying to struggle against the water. She had already tried and failed to cling to the rocks, but had found they were far too slippery. There was no way she was getting out of this.

When she caught the sight of her alpha's golden pelt, she opened her mouth to shout at him, tell him to stop, it would do no good if they were both in the water. No sound came out, however, her lungs struggling to let her breathe, let alone talk. It was too late, anyway. Saurugol was already swimming towards her. Seeing a branch sticking out, Malika attempted to latch onto it with her teeth. She caught it, hanging on for a moment or two before the current swept her away again, though she had slowed down enough for Saurugol to catch up to her.

"What are you doing?" she gasped softly once he was close enough to hear her. "Leave me, it will do the pack no good if you drown, too."

Saurugol did not speak. He dared not waste the energy that was rapidly draining from his limbs. Malika was a large wolf, a trait he enjoyed for one of his most trusted Guardians, but now a trait that sent dread through his mind. If Malika had been little Siobhan or even Daciana then carrying her would be much less trouble. But Saurugol was determined that Ademache would lend him his strength, and Adeavettu would guide the waves in their favors. Saurugol was her Alpha, her shepherd, and ultimately the wolf she depended and looked up to the most, as he was for each member of Havir. He would not let her go so easily. It was not Malika’s time. Nor was it his.

Saurugol opened his jaws wide, grabbing a strong hold of his Guardian’s thick nape fur. He turned in place, reaching his head around to balance Malika on his back. ”Hold on tightly, Malika.” he rasped, his voice gravelly from the cold and the water that surged around them. He rolled his shoulders, tensing as he made sure she was grasping him tightly, and then he turned with the current and began to swim.

The vast ocean sprawled out before them as the current and lowering tide dragged the pair closer to the mouth of the river. But Saurugol knew what he was doing. His deep amber eyes searched the shore beside them as it slipped past. Scrambling up the rocks here would do no good; they were too tall and slippery. He needed to wait until the rocks got lower and were nearly submerged so he could walk upon them and secure a pawhold in the sandy tide pools between. But those rocks were very close to the mouth of the Great River, and if he missed them then Malika and he would be dragged out to sea by Adetunji’s Clutch.

The golden wolf’s long fur nearly brushed the shore as he let the current drag them, feeling his muscles contract as the stingingly cold water began to soak through his thick pelt. Finally the rocks began to get lower and the Alpha lunged, gliding through the water over a barely submerged rock and wrapping his paws around it, feeling his long claws sink into the sand below. The current continued to pull them out, tugging at their thick winter fur, and waves washed over them but Saurugol held fast, and right before them were more large, flat rocks that could be easily climbed up to dry land. Well, it was marshy land, but at least it was safe.

He looked over his shoulder at Malika. ”Go, Malika, and I shall follow. Fear not the bear; he is slain.” He ordered his Delta, knowing that he did not have the strength to carry her on his back all the way to safety. He hoped that she had the energy to climb the rocks to safety. He saw the blood oozing from her wound, mixing with the ocean water and tinting her shoulder fur pink. He could not see the seriousness of the wound before another wave swept over them, covering them with icy watery foam.

Malika wasn't sure what to think as Saurugol came closer to her, her mind clouded by the sheer cold of the freezing waters. She could barely think at this rate, knowing only that it was cold and wet and she did not have much strength left to keep her head above water. Just as she felt like she was going to go under for the last time, her alpha grabbed her by the back of her neck and hoisted her onto his back. Her limbs were shaking, too cold to be very responsive, so she held onto him by grabbing onto his nape with her teeth. She was hardly conscious as Saurugol swam, searching for a place to scramble up onto the shore. She had smacked her head pretty hard going into the water, she guessed. Either way, something was definitely off. Maybe she was just too cold.

Finally, they hit land. Malika released her grasp on the alpha once the tide went out, shivering from the cold as she slid off of the alpha's back, falling over once she hit the sand. It took her a moment to regain her strength enough to drag herself to her feet, but she managed. She took a few steps, glancing back at Saurugol for a moment to be sure he was out of danger. The blood coming from her shoulder left a trail as she climbed up the rocks to safety, shaking out her pelt once she stumbled up to shore, away from the waves. Once she was certain she and Saurugol were out of harm's way, she allowed herself to collapse into the sand, panting.

"Forgive me," she said to the alpha once he was close enough to hear her, bowing her head to him as her sides heaved with each breath. "I was foolish. I did not intend to endanger you like that."

Her job as a Guardian was to protect the golden alpha, not put him in a dangerous position. Falling in had been her mistake, and it nearly cost them both their lives.

Saurugol nosed her as she fell, goading her to stand and move away from the cold water. Soon the two managed to trek up the rocks and Saurugol lead his Guardian to more solid ground away from the marsh. Finally they reached the beginning of the only beach in Havir, a sandy place for many yards before it reached the ocean. Malika collapsed on the ground with a huff. Saurugol laid down close to her, but did not touch her with his fur, knowing that they were both sopping wet. As if as an act from the Gods, the sun poked through the clouds, bathing the two wolves in sunlight. Saurugol let out a sigh, rolling into his belly so his dark back could absorb the warm waves.

He looked at Malika as she apologized with her chest heaving. He crept toward her, noting her injured shoulder, and began to lick it gently in an attempt to clean it. ”Such misfortune strikes us all.” Saurugol said between licks, recalling an incident in his past where he had nearly been trampled by a herd, only to be saved by Daciana. Everyone needed saving on occasion. ”You have shown me nothing but loyalty and courage. I could not let such valor go to waste.” he told her.

Malika didn't move once she was lying in the sand, letting out a relieved sigh as the sun warmed her back. It was nice to be on dry land again... Malika had been taking it for granted. Funny what a near death experience does to you. When the alpha approached her further, Malika's ears went up and she eyed him curiously. She was somewhat surprised to find him cleaning her wound, so much so that her surprise actually showed on her face for a brief moment before she went back to her typical stoic expression. Hesitating for a moment, the large female leaned over and gave Saurugol's ear a few quick laps. Whether it was out of gratitude or affection she couldn't really say herself, and she didn't quite want to dwell on it.

She found herself chuckling a little at his comment, shaking her head. "You have plenty of capable guardians. I could easily be replaced, even by Quidel." she mused. "But don't tell him I said that, I would never hear the end of it."

Malika paused after a moment, looking upstream, towards the place she had slipped in. She still felt a bit embarrassed about the whole thing, shifting a little bit uncomfortably. She cleared her throat and glanced away before speaking again. "...Thank you, Alpha. For saving me, I mean."

Saurugol’s amber eyes met hers as her startled expression flashed across her face. He smiled a bit as she leaned over and gave him a few quick licks on his ear, and then he continued with his licking. It was unlike his pack members to display physical displays of affection on their Alpha, considering he was viewed as a God in their eyes, but whether they thought so or not, Saurugol was a mortal wolf as much as he was a God, and the closeness of another was something he found to enjoy greatly in the rare times he received it. ”The ocean water will be good for the wound. In the mean time, you may rest as long as you would like, but once you gain the strength we will head back to the main den site so you can see Siobhan or Aphrodi.” the golden male said.

”Mm.” he grunted at her comment, ”you undersell yourself, Malika. Each life is a gift from the Gods, and each wolf has their place in the pack. Their unique place among us. Havir depends on everyone. Quidel and you have different strengths, and neither can replace the other.” he explained, and he spoke the truth in his eyes. Havir was a family, a group of wolves who supported each other and depended on each other. Malika had a very pack-oriented mindset, which was probably the best kind to have, but Saurugol saw her as more than just a replaceable part to a well-oiled machine. She was an individual, and one he found himself quite fond of.

Saurugol paused in his licking to give her a full smile and a curt nod of his head. ”Yes, Malika. Of course.” he said, dipping his head again to continue his licking. Soon her wound seemed sufficiently cleaned and he drew back, sitting up on his haunches and looking around with sharp amber eyes, guarding his pack mate as she rested for their journey home.

Malika looked up at her alpha quietly, listening closely to what he had to say. When he was finished, she nodded. That made sense, she supposed. She looked away after a moment and listened to the ocean, lulled into a much calmer state as Saurugol continued to lick her shoulder. It wasn't exactly an affectionate gesture, but she appreciated it anyway. She focused so much on her job that she didn't indulge much in physical contact with others. Not any good kind, anyway. Usually it was fighting, or sparring at the least.

With a sigh, she pushed herself to her paws and nodded to her alpha. "I think I'm alright now... Shall we head home?" she asked, rolling her shoulder experimentally. It hurt, but not terribly. She could walk home alright.

For a moment Saurugol let the silence spread between them as he licked her shoulder, cleaning it off until the bleeding began to slow. He drew his head back, inspecting the gash through her thick fur for a moment. It was good that the ocean had cleaned it out and treated it with a salty remedy. Saurugol got to his paws as Malika did, keeping close to her in case she needed help.

The Alpha shook off his thick golden coat and then turned toward Adezevah’s Cradle. He stayed close at her side as they began to walk. ”It is a long way home, but I am here to assist you Malika.” For her entire life Malika had served her Alpha loyally. Saurugol in turn served his pack by leading them to the best of his ability, but it was not an unpleasant change to serve in another way, to his surprise. He was happy to be at Malika’s beck and call, even if only for the walk home. The golden eyed warrior deserved it.