i am the blood of the mountain

With utter and complete resolve I stood stoically between Covet and the path that led back to the mountain. Finally, he turned and left, and only once I could no longer hear his retreating footsteps did I relax slightly. A tremble of exhaustion ran down the three legs upon which I stood as my head lowered slightly and the tension in my neck was relieved. Even though my posture relaxed slightly, I still held myself dominantly, showing that though I may appear an easy target I would still fight with all I had. And then I turned, moving back towards my borders. The going was slow, as I was not accustomed to hobbling along on only three legs. Even so I kept a consistent pace, steadily making my way home. When I reached the potent scent markers of my border I sighed softly to myself, relief washing over me to return and not have to worry about what would become of my pack. I had done everything in my power to assure their safety, and I was glad to know that my efforts had paid off. Moving slowly through the foothills I could not help but think that for the first time in my life the climb up the mountain would be a real and true struggle. It was not arrogance that kept me from calling out for help, merely the after effects of my resilience in the fight. But before I would attempt to ascension alone, I moved to a creek that ran through the foothills. Stepping out into the cool waters, I submerged my snout and began to thrust it back and forth, washing away the blood that stained my jaw - my own and Covet's. Washing myself in this way on three legs was a precarious affair, but I stepped out into slightly deeper water before turning and lowering my neck into the water, trying to wash away as much of the blood from the wound there as well. I then took a long drink, parching my tired bodice. My leg, however, remained tucked against my chest. It was becoming stiff and surely swelling around the wrist, but I had absolutely no desire to move it.

Stepping out of the creek, I did not bother to shake myself off. The warm mid-afternoon autumn sun would dry my pelt in due course. At least now I would not come before my pack covered in blood. Mahogany eyes turned towards a nearby familiar trail, and I limped towards it. Slowly I climbed the trail, the muscles in my hindquarters kicking into overdrive as I relied more so upon them than I had before in my life. My left shoulder was sore from the impact of Covet's punching hind paws, but I pushed through it and continued on my way. Fatigue wore away at me, but I kept my destination within my mind's eye. Every familiar rock and tree that I passed was a reminder that I was closer, that soon I could truly relax.

It was late in the afternoon by the time that I reached the clearing within which my throne stood. This was where I should have spent such a beautiful day, basking in the sun and keeping whatever company my pack may have offered. Each morning I noticed the markers in the air that signified winter's approach, and today had probably been one of the last truly warm days of the year. It was not completely lost, though, and as I moved towards the large, flat rock upon which I had spent many afternoons of my adolescence sun bathing with my father, I wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by my pack. Limping across the last of the distance, my hindquarters slumped to the earth at the base of the rock. I released a heavy breath as I leaned against the cool stone for a moment, knowing that even if I had wanted to I could not have jumped up onto it. But today was not a day for lording above others. Today was a day to rejoice in our freedom and the choices we had made to bring us to this point in time. Today was a day to be surrounded by those that I valued above all others - my pack.

Sitting up and away from the rock, I pivoted my head towards the sky and parted my maw. A triumphant howl echoed out across the mountains. I called out to my pack, assuring them of their safety and also asking them to come to me and celebrate. For too long the chaos in the world around us had kept us from coming together as a unified pack. No more. It was high time that all those who wished to come together may, so that newer members could become acquainted with old, pups could meet the pack to which they had been born, and the population could learn of their new alpha male. My melodious song was strong and sure, never faltering. And as it came to its conclusion I lowered my maw and sat up a little straighter. Though my right foreleg was tucked against my chest and perhaps a bit gruesome to the eye in its mangled state, I was otherwise the picture of confidence and regality that my pack had always known me for. A challenger the likes of the mongrel I had faced today would never change that. Mahogany eyes moved slowly over the edges of the clearing, a small smile gracing my features as I wondered who would be the first to join me in our pack's celebration.

[ooc; no need for a specified posting order. c: just want this to be something fun to get as much of the pack together as possible.]

daenerys