i walk to the echo of stars

It was only a few sunrises ago that Auri was following a traveling pack, or were they following her? The group had not been strangers and yet they could not be described as comrades. They were a collection of individuals that simply tolerated each other presence and, to a certain extent, desired companionship. They had co-operated nicely in taking down a deer together but then the feast had been divided up equally, with each wolf taking their share to their own space. Auri had found her heart pulling her paws towards a different path. So she had bid her brief companions adieu, so long and farewell, until the next time we meet. Auri had seen many faces in her lifetime, learnt (and forgotten) as many names. Rarely had she met and traveled with an individual more than once but there was always the chance to meet in another life, in another time.

She had followed farther sun to the east. Resting at night and rising with the dawn. Today, brother wind had brought her the scent of wood and pine. Auri had sauntered into the woods on light paws. She smiled widely as her mauve eyes stared up at the canopy far above. There were so many brother pines reaching high towards the sky. Evergreen trees were special, they reminded us that even during the harshest of winters life would find away. Spring was chasing away the icy grip of the coldest season. There were a few slushy patches of snow littering the needle strewn ground but they will melt away to nothing sooner rather than later.

Her ears prick to the sound of birdsong from above. Of course! They will be singing their songs and choosing their mates now. Auri finds a strip of bracken and ferns that would make a perfect spot to lay down. She yawned as she settled herself between the foliage. A mid-afternoon nap amongst the trees sounded like a pleasant idea, and her faun hued pelt should be well hidden here. Closing her eyes she begins to drift off. Soothed by the wind swaying the branches and the chirps of birds.

She swears that only a few minutes had gone by when she was awoken by the load call of a raven. Slowly the little female lifted her head, so as to not disturb the bushes around her and draw attention to herself. She peeked through the leaves were her pale purple eyes spotted a dark figure, another wolf. His pelt was riddled with scars and there was this ominous aura hanging off him.

Now Auri could either try to hide from this stranger or engage him in idle chit chat. It had been awhile since she had conversed with something sentient and her longing for a connection outweighed her caution. At the moment she found him more intriguing than threatening. Scars tell many stories, they are not always an indication of danger. Besides, if things went sour she was pretty well rested and could run bloody fast when she needed to.

"Did brother raven displease you brother?" She whispers in her usual sing-songy voice. The little female rises from the bracken to reveal herself. She takes a few steps forwards out of the foliage and into the light so he could see her better.

A u r i *

female ~ nine years ~ homeless