It was big and tall and high. It was cold too, colder than down below. The air stung ay my lungs with every breath, the falling snow melting on the white and silver of my pelt- cold even despite my fur. I’d never been this far from home, never climbed this high- but I wanted to see it, I wanted to find the mountain pack. Grandfather spoke often of needing to climb higher, I’m not sure this was what he meant- but I was trying all the same. It was a long way, god it was a long way and my legs were tired and cold and maybe this wasn’t my best idea ever. I gritted my teeth, eyes closing against the howling wind that threw snow at my face and nipped at me with cold teeth. Why would anyone live on this mountain? I kept my legs moving all the same, leaping up and over the heavier snow. I could smell pack scent from here, I had to be close to the border, Diveen was allied to Spirane so surely they wouldn’t mind my coming in like they did in Hyrule Field. I smirked even now at that, chuckling against the wind, momentarily forgetting my predicament before another blast of icy wind hit me, forcing a curse to mutter from my lips that Mother would have scolded me for as she heard. I could hardly lie down and die here, I was too white, no one would ever find me and I was far to pretty to lie on a mountain. It would be a loss to all wolf kind if I never fulfilled my destiny, if I did not become what my Grandfather told me I would- or could be if I wanted it enough and I wanted it, I was almost entirely sure. They were beneath me, all of them and I had every intention of proving it.

I managed a sigh at last, chest having and breath rising like smoke in the air around me as I finally pulled myself up and onto a ridge of sorts, the pack scent here potent and strong and it’s like I can almost feel my fur becoming….frizzy with wet and cold. I don’t do frizz. Not on any level. Why anyone would live on this accursed mountain I hardly know. At least it is nicer then the swamp place though. I shook my fur once more, sheltering now behind the rows of shale and cliff that cut aside the wind, letting me see the pack land for the first time as the violet of my gaze widened slightly. I suppose it was worth the effort of my climb- even if only for the view, the whole of Moladion rolling out before me. The mountain was like a giant stone throne. Maybe this was why they ruled it, because to stand atop it was to stand above the world. I could see my own home from here, flat and open and wide as my own head lifted in slight pride at having come from such a place, at bearing the blood of Moladion royalty itself- after all, what is greater then Angels? I was born to lead- and I would. I would make this entire land my own in time and I would have this mountain as my ally- of that I was already sure. It is not my throne to take and yet already I understand its appeal to those who call it home- this stone throne, cold and pointed like swords that it was…was powerful and I can respect power when I see it. Maybe I never will command the mountain, but I can befriend it, of that I am sure. Grandfather has told me many things about this world and I have tried to learn them all.

I turned at last from the view that trailed out before me, turning back to the pack land behind me. It seemed, empty, though I suppose maybe everyone was just inside and out of the wind, my violet eyes searching for the sign of any other wolves as I moved forward, peering down and into the nearest den.

“Hello?”

Not a very creative greeting I know, but I couldn’t be fabulous every time now could I?



h y r u l e
The Once and Future King