Hunter from the Gods (Orion and Saurugol)

'Is it nearing nightfall so soon...?'

Orion lifted his weary head, watching the last rays of sunlight begin to slip away beyond the horizon. The nearby mountains had an ominous red glow about them, as if there were an evil presence watching the young wolf. Turning his head away, Orion focused on the smells around him, furiously ignoring the intense hunger that had begun to gnaw at his belly. Taking a few more steps, the young wolf sunk into the light layer of snow that coated the ground, curling his tail around his paws.

'Adehalomano, I need your guidance... I'm starving... I must find a way to survive, if only to serve you longer,' he prayed desperately, his head bowed low. It had been several nights since he had last felt the taste of blood and bone on his tongue, and he was feeling weaker and weaker on his feet as the hours passed. Surely... Surely he was not destined to die so young? So alone?

Ready to give up, he suddenly scented something. A deer, upwind of him a ways. Slowly pulling himself to his feet, he shook his head harshly, attempting to remove the grogginess from his mind. The deer would be a bit of a challenge - alone, and not fully grown, Orion would be lucky to take it down. However, he decided he would rather risk getting a hoof to the skull than lie around and wait for death to take him.

Dropping low, he began to move.

Saurugol stalked the edges of Havir territory. The hunger of himself and the pack and scarcity of prey in the depth of winter had forced him to hunt at all hours he could find the energy. He disliked pushing himself and his packmates this hard, knowing that they needed rest to fend off sickness, but even more than plenty of sleep the pack needed fuel to keep them warm and strong. He had been on the trail of a deer for nearly an hour now, and he was closing in quickly. The scent was strong, delectable, it made the golden Alpha’s mouth water.

Soon he saw it. It was a young doe, grazing peaceful on some dried grass it had dug up in the snow. Saurugol’s tail tip twitching in anticipation and he dropped low, his white pawsteps silent as he stalked forward. Although an intruder stalked nearby the Alpha’s nose did not pick it up. The wind blew a strange pattern, bringing him the scent of the doe so strongly that others were masked. Or perhaps it did not carry the loner’s scent to him at all for some reason. Either way, someone did not want the Alpha to catch whiff. But something made him pause just before he sprang. The silence before the kill drew on slightly longer than the Alpha anticipated, and although his mind said to spring, his paws would not move. There was something strange in the air. His amber eyes darted around and he leaned back onto his haunches, ready to lunge as he pushed away the slight urge to hesitate.  

Orion had tracked the deer for a short time, before he had gotten within a good range to attack. Start too far off, and it would likely run off, start too close and he may give himself away before he was prepared. She was grazing peacefully, unaware that not one - but two - wolves were encroaching on her. Orion, much like Saurugol, did not scent the other wolf - and even if he did, it most likely would not have stopped him from engaging his target.

Finally, gathering all the strength he could muster, he whispered an inaudible "Please" to himself, before lunging forward. The undergrowth hidden in the snow nearly snagged his paw, but he leaped from its grasp and charged the doe. It saw him coming and turned to flee, but he only sped up, throwing himself at her. He caught onto her neck loosely, and she tried to shake him off, but using his hind legs for leverage he kicked against the ground hard, sending her toppling over. Biting again for a better grip, he sunk his teeth as far as they could go, and soon she stopped struggling. Heart racing, he unlatched his fangs, dripping with blood, and collapsed tiredly into the snow.

"Adezevah, Adehalomtano, surely you have given me this deer as a blessing... With it, I swear I will survive, and continue to live in your service. Thank you... I shall never ask another thing of the gods as long as I live...!"

So overcome with emotion, and the thick scent of blood on his nose, he licked his lips and set to work on digging his teeth into his meal, completely oblivious to the alpha lurking nearby.

Saurugol froze the heartbeat before he sprang, her amber eyes widening as a brown streak flew at his target. He lifted his head, watching motionless. The wolf was small, young, but the skill he possessed was clear. He outpaced the doe in a few strides, locked her in his jaws and used his powerful back legs to unbalance her and send her toppling. He made quick work of killing her.

And then he lifted his head, murmuring his prayers. Saurugol heard each word. And he knew why this young wolf was on his territory. He glanced up at the dusky sky as the stars began to appear, sending a silent thanks to the Gods. Havir needed Hunt Masters, and here one came on a silver platter.

But the imposter was in no way a Havir wolf yet. He still had tests to pass. Saurugol did not open his borders to outsiders so easily. He was always cynical of the unknown, even if it seemed the Gods’ will. Lifting his head and tale, the golden wolf stalked out of the undergrowth, his amber eyes severe as they locked dominantly on the young wolf. ”Who are you? And why do you steal prey from within the border of Havir like a thief in the night?” He demanded. His regal posture, long powerful legs, and thick mane ruffled and framing his slender face made him seem the calm yet unfaltering leader he was. But beneath his unyielding stance was loose muscles ready to spring at a moments notice. He knew that Orion’s instinct may be to flee. But that would be unwise. Saurugol would catch him.

The second Saurugol made his presence known, Orion felt the clenching desire to bolt. He wasn't a curious wolf - survival was his main priority, not making friends or starting fights. However, he had worked so hard for this meal... And his hunger willed him to keep his paws placed where they were. Looking up at the much larger wolf, who was noticeably older and healthier than himself, Orion submissively curled his tail between his legs and lowered himself to the ground, although he would not move away from his prey.

"My being a thief is something you're mistaken about. I've just been hunting, nothing more. Had I known I was on your territory, I would have turned tail immediately... But I haven't eaten in many nights, so I suppose my sense of direction is a bit lacking..."

Standing up a little taller, he added half-determinedly, half-nervously, "I'll leave, but not until after I've finished my meal."

The submissive start to the loner’s reaction was always a positive in the Alpha’s books. He commanded respect, and if he did not receive it he would brutally demand it. He listened to the brown male’s explanation with a serious frown. ”Lacking indeed.” Saurugol agreed, considering the loner for a moment.

His next words were not the best of choices and Saurugol advanced aggressively, his eyes flaring with fury and his thick mane bristling. ”You shall leave when I command you to leave! No sooner. No later.” He snarled, stalking right up Orion and placing a huge white paw on the doe. His gold and white muzzle was very close to Orion’s face as he asked, ”Now tell me of your alliances. Have you a pack? A home? Anything?” His voice was still cold but the anger was now gone as he moved on to an interview of sorts.

Saurugol's anger had made Orion crouch lower reflexively, but he dare not move his feet, no matter how close the large male came to him. If the gods had let him come this far, surely they wouldn't take his life from him now. If they wanted him dead, surely he would be dead already. Ignoring the older wolf's harsh commands, he merely cast his eyes to the ground and addressed his questions.

"I have not seen my family in many months. My parents were rogue, and my siblings all went their separate ways from me. I've been on my own. The only allegiance I keep is with the gods," he confessed, trying to keep his tone calm despite the pounding in his heart. He wouldn't fight the other male, unless his life depended on it... And even then, the fight wouldn't last long. Orion knew he couldn't win in any convoluted fantasy of his mind.

Licking the drying blood on his lips anxiously, he allowed himself to gaze up at him, and mumbled, "Do you mind telling me who you are? I understand I'm on Havir land - my parents told me vaguely of the place before, but... They recounted you being a bit friendlier."

Saurugol listened to his explanation, his ears perking with interest at the mention of the Gods. He was a fellow believer. And he was wandering. Saurugol had made up his mind. The Gods had planned this. This wolf was meant to be a wolf of Havir. If he had proven otherwise, perhaps Saurugol would not have responded to his comment about Havir with as much amusement, ”Friendlier, hm?” he echoed, ”Perhaps we can afford such “friendliness” when we no longer have reckless, nose-blind loners prowling about the lands.” His voice, although not particularly warm, had the hint of a chuckle that Orion would expect to be treated kindly as an interloper on Havirian land. Havir was known for their merciless border Guards who would not shy away from chasing you well past the border and giving you a nasty scar or two just to really ensure that you are gone for good.

But Saurugol had no such plans for this talented youngster. ”Rise, young one, and tell me your name.” He said, lifting his golden head high and tucking it against his thick-furred white chest as he watched Orion through thoughtful amber eyes. He did not answer Orion’s inquiry. Not yet.

Orion glared at Saurugol's backhanded comment, as light as the larger wolf tried to make it, but quickly let the look slip off his face. No need getting on worse terms with the golden creature when he was evidently relaxing his demeanor.

At Saurugol's command, Orion rose, his head reeling with dizziness, but he held his composure. Hopefully he would be allowed to eat again shortly, to overcome his fatigue. Untucking his tail just slightly, and straightening his head to look up at the older wolf as best he could, he replied, "My name is Orion. It was my father's father's name. And yours?"

It was obvious that while Orion held a healthy amount of respect for the larger wolf, he also did not want to appear weak or cowardly - and his mind had a heavy dosage of morbidity and pessimism. Unsure if the wolf would turn on him and attack him, or let him go, he was trying to prepare himself for the worst, and he wouldn't die like a dog

”Orion.” Saurugol repeated, addressing the young male. ”I am Saurugol, Alpha and Ade to the great pack of Havir. The Gods have granted me a sign this evening, about you. And I have seen myself your hunting prowess and your devotion to the Gods. As a fellow Believer with no place to go, I would like to offer you shelter among the wolves of Havir. And if you enjoy our company, permanent residence.” Saurugol waited patiently for the young wolf’s answer.

As Saurugol's words weighed heavily on the young wolf's mind, Orion felt his heart trying to leap into his throat. For so long, Orion had been alone with the gods and the forest as his only company. His parents and siblings had been emotionally locked away from him, and he felt as if his life had no purpose. Could this be what the gods wanted from him? To join a pack and become part of a family, rather than wander alone for all his days, blinding serving them in any way he could?

Tentatively, he took a step back, eyeing the other wolf over. Saurugol didn't seem to be lying, and if what he said was true, it could be the very gateway Orion needed to start his life, his destiny.

"Alright..." he began softly, visibly relaxing. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt me to take you up on the offer. I could certainly use a bit more safety on my side, in any case. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer you - I was born on a cloudy night, my parents were hardly of noble lineage. All I can offer is to hunt and protect you and the others will my life."

Saurugol listened to Orion’s humble words and he dipped his golden head. ”That is all I ask of you.” the Alpha said with a smile. ”Now come, let us bring your kill back to the den site so we can feed. The pack will learn of your hunting prowess. And you, young one, shall eat first, in honor of your new destiny.” With that the golden male took the deer, gripping the back of its head tightly in his jaws, and began to drag it back toward the den. He did not usually bring prey back to the main den site, since it took so much energy, but for small deer he usually took the time to take it at least part ways so the less mobile pack members had easy access. He did not expect Orion to help him, so thin he was, but he paused to wait for the brown wolf to catch up.

As Orion watched the golden wolf drag the carcass along, Orion felt his heart catch in his throat. This was so sudden. He hadn't had any time to even think about it and yet he found himself agreeing. Pack life was something he had never experienced, and something he had never thought he would. After months of wandering loneliness, he would be greeted by wolves he had never met - he would live with them, and help care for them, and protect them. It was terrifying. And yet... He followed along, his paws stepping in the larger ones Saurugol had left in the snow.

"Thank you... Adesaurugol... I won't fail you."