Zarda pushed through the dense brush and decaying debris of fallen trees, his senses keenly attuned to his surroundings. With a wary eye scanning the horizon, he found himself in a hostile environment where the woods seemed to pulse with life. Surrounded by those who held beliefs opposite to his own, Zarda embarked on a journey from his sacred homeland into a realm of dark magic and ancient legends. The question lingered: would he successfully traverse the looming mountain, or would Havardr become his permanent home? Accompanied by Osborn and Dane on either side, Zarda stepped into this new adventure with uncertainty and resolve. Osborn's heavy footsteps crushed everything in their path as they pressed onward.
Osborn commented, "The woods have a familiar scent, mate, but this is quite a trek for a big fella like myself. Plus, you seem confident of where you're going, even though its unclear to me."
Zarda smirked as the bear pointed out his cluelessness. He knew as a leader, he must never show weakness or confusion to his kingdom. Zarda decided to turn to prayer for guidance from the master. After receiving a few directions, he set off on his own. Feeling confident that he was heading in the right direction, Zarda was pleased when Dane confirmed he was on the correct path.
"Continue on, Zarda, you're on the right path. I remember being here as a young pup before the transformation of us animals. My pack often visited the great sanctuary of Havardr. I can almost smell it now, getting closer to us," Dane said as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
As they journeyed along, the dense brush presented a challenge on a few occasions. Zarda periodically checked on the group of animals following behind to ensure no one was missing. He mentally reviewed the names and faces of each animal, despite having the list securely stored in his jacket pocket. It had been thirty minutes since they departed from the truck drop off point. Some of the animals started to express their thirst, but unfortunately, no one had remembered to bring water before Nexus exploded. Zarda came to a halt.
"Zarda asked, "Let's take a break and maybe some of you can help find a water source. We're all feeling hot, tired, and thirsty. Who will come with me?"
Quickly, three hands went up: Dane, Randolf, and Vidar. "Great, that means Osborn, Alvis, and Vulpix will be in charge of watching over everyone else staying here," responded Zarda.
Zarda assembled his small group and headed to the left. "Dane, keep an eye out for familiar scents and remember them so we can find our way back. Randolph, can you lead the way and search for any water sources up ahead?" Zarda inquired.
He nodded in agreement before quickly jogging away, carefully sniffing the air and ground. Zarda instructed Vidar to remain vigilant and watch for any unexpected visitors in the surrounding area. Together, they carefully observed the small group as Zarda circled around them. Each step they took was deliberate and cautious. Zarda moved quietly, trying not to make any noise.
Osborn stumbled upon a forked branch and ripped it off a pine tree. Flipping it over, he used the splayed end as a makeshift rake to create a cozy pile of leaves to relax on. The group watched his peculiar actions with amusement, as the skunk Pipsie chuckled openly. Osborn glanced at the cute creature watching him nearby.
"You think this is funny, do you. How about you help me, and we share a spot together. Whatcha' say, little one?" asked Osborn.
Pipsie stood silent but her eyes conveyed her thoughts clearly, complimented by a wide smile on her petite face. Seeking approval, she glanced at Vulpix the fox who responded with a kind smile and a nod, giving her the go-ahead. With this confirmation, Pipsie eagerly moved to Osborn's side, patiently awaiting her turn.
"Here take mine." Said the bear, handing over his very, large branch.
It was so large it knocked pipsie down to the ground.
"Oops, sorry pipsie. Here, let me find one your size. How about this. Here's one right here on the ground." said Osborn.
He plucked the small branch and gave it to the skunk. This time, she didn't eat it like the first one. It was just the right size for her tiny hands. She hurriedly gathered dead leaves and pine needles into a small pile, perfectly sized for her. Osborn observed her spirited nature with amusement. Pipsie appeared to be a fast learner and hard worker. Osborn resumed sweeping and was pleased with the result. He placed the branch aside and settled comfortably into his pile, wiggling his hips slightly until he was snug.
Pipsie, on the other hand, settled back into her pile and wriggled around like a gopher in a hole. Osborn couldn't help but laugh, along with the others, as they watched Pipsie having a great time. Before long, Bria also wanted to join in on the fun. She borrowed Pipsie's tiny broom to make her own pile. Three more young animals - a ferret, an elk, and a red-tailed hawk - joined them. Together, they all made large piles to jump into. They played joyfully, without a care in the world. The young animals were content, and so was Osborn, who kept watch over them. Though he wished he could nap, he knew he had to stay vigilant. He scanned the perimeter, his nose sniffing for any potential intruders.
Alvis moved around the group in a circle, vigilant for any anomalies. Vulpix also patrolled the opposite side, on guard and listening for any approaching creatures. Bjorn the bear opted to relax with Osborn, pulling up a seat from a decaying tree log and positioning it comfortably against her back. The two bears conversed about various topics, finding solace in speaking with their own kind who could truly comprehend their experiences. Within their own little bubble, they felt secure as they watched, chatted, and engaged in playful activities.
Randolf reported, "Zarda, I discovered something just beyond the group of fir trees ahead. It's a small, flowing brook that appears to be clean enough to drink from."
Zarda was pleased to hear the good news. He gently patted the wolf's shoulder before turning to the others.
Zarda explained to Dane and Vidar, "Could you two please go back for the others and bring them here? We don't have a way to carry water for them, so it's best if they come to drink from the brook."
They quickly agreed and raced back towards the rest of the pack. Zarda and Randolf walked to the creek and drank the cool, refreshing water. Zarda hadn't realized how thirsty he was until he had drunk ten handfuls of water. The liquid felt soothing as it went down his throat, making him feel more relaxed and a little sleepy. He waited for the others to return before he closed his eyes. The sun's warmth above the trees made it difficult to keep them open. The warmth was just right, especially after a satisfying drink. Zarda sat beside the creek and watched the clouds drift by slowly. He could hear tiny birds chirping in the fir trees and squirrels rustling in the nearby leaves. The scent of pine needles filled the air.
Randolf found a tranquil spot in the shade of a fir tree and reclined, observing the tiny creatures moving about in the branches above. His attention was drawn to an alpine mountain snail making its way across the tree bark in search of food. As footsteps approached, he and Zarda both stood up, ready for whatever was coming their way. They turned their gaze towards the noise ahead, relaxing slightly when they saw it was their friends Dane, Osborn, Bjorn, Bria, Pipsie, Vulpix, Irabel, Oridian, and even the bat Draugr. Emeryn, Jaswyn, Egil, and Sigge followed, with Wrena, Stenifer, Lysabel, and finally K'nani bringing up the rear.
Everyone safely crossed over and found a nice spot to drink before Zarda suggested setting up camp for the evening to rest. The idea was met with approval and everyone began preparing lean-to shelters for the night. Zarda used his staff to start a small fire, causing everyone to gasp in surprise. It was clear they were still getting use to the power of his staff, as their first experience with it was during the burning of Nexus. It would take time for them to grow accustomed to it.