The Pack Comes

[Asfaloth]

OOC: Continued from An Urgent Departure

 

IC: Owen had set them a grueling pace since leaving the Stedding. but the mission was urgent so there were no complaints. Their compassion compelled them to push on beyond what Burrich would have thought possible. Yet, when he considered the fate that awaited the young Wanderer, he found the strength to endure.

The trails they were using were narrow and steep, which slowed their progress significantly. Currently, they were forced to ride single-file with the wolves ranging out in front, in the rear, and even in between riders. It had been a very quiet journey. The vigorous pace left little energy for idle talk and even at night few were willing to do more than eat a quick dinner before turning in to replenish their strength for the next day.

Burrich pushed himself even harder than the others. This was his first time working with the Rangers outside of training and he was anxious to prove himself worthy of joining their ranks in truth instead of only as a Guardian.

Owen's command to seek out a campsite came much earlier than expected, but despite the urgency of their mission they were all relieved at the unexpected extra hours of rest it would bring. As they turned the next bend the trail widened and Burrich left his place in line and made his way to the front, then gave Midnight a nudge and took off running with Storm Hunter right beside him.

A short way prior to where he estimated the party would make by lunch a small stream crossed the trail. Turning off the path he followed the water back toward its source. What he found was a collection of boulders, the apparent result of some long ago rockslide. The boulders were spread in two lines that formed an open-faced triangle, the back half covered over with slabs of rock to form a natural rooftop. A better location he didn't think he'd find if he searched for another week.

He dismounted and walked into the clearing to explore. The area had plenty of grass for the horses and the covered area was more than large enough for all of them. It was even large enough for their mounts if the weather turned against them. The stream he'd been following came out of a cave in the back wall. He could see that it opened into a fair sized chamber but he wasn't able to squeeze through the opening no matter how he tried.

With the time he had left before the rest of the party arrived Burrich did what he could to set up camp. He collected wood and got a fire going then ran a rope across the third side of the triangular camp. The lightweight rope would not be enough to truly hold the horses, but they were all well-trained and only needed to know what the boundaries of the camp were and could then be trusted to stay with them.

Burrich sent Storm back to the main trail to lead the rest of the party in and spent his time waiting for them by exploring some more. Hopefully the morning's shortened journey would lead to an opportunity to get better acquainted with some of those in the party.