“You’re not stopping me, so get out of the way.” -Illarya
I didn’t want to post this at first just because I feel like I messed up the facea tad with Illarya, but oh well. She’s just shoving Cervious against the wall.
A talk between Illarya and Hraul, between daughter and father.
As the day within the Sleetfang’s town progresses onwards towards the evening hours, the guards training under Illarya have been dismissed for today, As the guards make their way back into the village Illarya treads through the town square, her expression in its usual state of neutralness, with a slight tinge of seriousness. Moving along through the village past a few homes, she would arrive at the door front of her father’s home. Open slightly, the sound of wood work resonates from within. Most likely Hraul going about his wood carving work.
Illarya shoves the heavy wooden door open, stepping inside the warm and wood smelling interior. Making sure to close the door behind her, “Father are you busy?” her words traveling down the hall. Though it is met with a response, and the pounding stops. “Oh Illarya...no I’m not...just adding a few minor details for another face.” Hraul calls out from the work room.
With that Illarya pads over towards the work room her father was situated in, humming in thought along the way. Turning the corner she would find Hraul sitting in front of a wooden block with a partially made face. A work in progress but one could at least make it out to be a female. Hraul turns his gaze over to Illarya offering her a nod. “Hey there..how’d the drills go today?” He questions as he sets the tools over to the side of the worktable. Taking a break for now it seems.
“Oh it went fine...some could use more training..but it’s a ongoing process..you know how it is. They’ll get up to the standard.....eventually.” she shrugs her shoulders as she leans against the door frame with her arms folded over her chest looking at him. “How about you? How’d your day go?” Illarya returns the question.
The older wolfman hums lowly in thought. “It’s been fine, uneventful so far..but fine.” he nods. “Uneventful huh?...You should come out and train some the the newer warriors with me sometime, it;ll be entertaining” Illarya recommends humorously before clearing her voice. “Anyways...I stopped by because I wanted to check on you...but also I wanted to talk about something with you.” She stares at Hraul a few moments, before stepping into the room, grabbing a nearby stool to sit beside her father. Hraul’s brow raises as curiosity takes him by the ear. Shifting his body away from the wooden face and towards Illarya. “Alright pup,,,what do you want to talk about?” he asks her as he rests his arms down onto his thighs. Illarya having his full attention.
“Hrm....I’ve still been dealing with the hurt Torvin left with me....and it’s been rough ever since ...” She sighs with a shake of her head looking to the floor. “Also seeing Cervious and Shale sharing their moments left me feeling worse then before...I was harsher than I should have been with him.” She mutters irritably. Her ears perk as Hraul reaches out a hand to pat her on the leg with a nod. “It’s alright...Cervious is a tough pup, just like you...he can handle a bit of harshness..it should go without saying from the tales of how he met the Sleetskin. He can endure it...though I know you’ve had trouble dealing with everything that’s happened, Torvin.. your mother....” he takes a deep inhale; looking over toward the wall with Saira’s wooden carving on the wall. He exhales slowly looking back to Illarya. “I haven’t been there to help you through it as much as I could have..and for that I’m sorry...I’ve let the grief of losing her swallow me, and failing to rip control of the pack away from Savurn also weighs heavily on my shoulders”
“Don’t...you didn’t fail. We just salvaged as much of the real Icefangs we could. Those others following Savurn...they chose to be apart of a different pack." She interrupts Hraul denying his words and waving a hand to him. Though he’s quick to reply “They did make their choice...but you can’t ignore that we were a whole pack before.” Hraul shakes his head. “I screwed up my opportunity too bring the whole pack on the right path again, it’s was my failure.” He mutters to himself, fiddling with one of the braids of his ruff.
Illarya huffs shaking her head at him. “Father...as much as I hated what happened that day...it wasn’t all a vain effort. We did end up on the right path, all of ‘OUR’ people with us. Cervious and Shale led us the rest of the way...and now we’re among others that are like us...that share our way...unlike those who follow Savurn’s way.” She grunts affirmingly. “Like Torvin...” Illarya adds on bitterly as she stares at Hraul. “The path we’ve come to walk now..It’s lead me to find Malik.” she rolls her shoulders raising a hand to scratch at her brow as she lets out the words she wanted to tell Hraul.
Hraul blinks at Illarya as he processes this. “Malik? The chief’s pup, black fur? Shale’s brother?” his brow raises rubbing at the tuft of his chin now. “So what you're saying is....does this mean you two are....?” before he can finish his question Illarya finishes it for him. “Together? Yes we are....we’ve been spending time around each other..a lot of time” nodding to Hraul as her ears twitch, huffing slightly in a flustered manner through her nostrils. Her fingers drumming against her legs now as she rests her palms down on them watching her father’s reaction. He seems to be intrigued for the most part. “Well he does seem like a good pup...I’ve talked to him a few times here and there.” Hraul nods. “Same role as you within our hierarchy of guards too.” Hraul nods as he thinks more on the subject.
“So has being around him...helped ease your heartache Illarya?” He inquires, listening intently. She looks to the ceiling briefly before looking back to Hraul; adjusting herself in her seat. “It’s comforting..I have to say..I’ve been feeling better with him around. “ She nods . “I’m glad to hear. it’s good to know you’re in much better spirits now, and you have someone else to spend time with.....” Hraul smiles at Illarya as he clasps her on the shoulder.
“This makes me question if you’ve been ending the training earlier, rather than having everyone stay to do a bit extra? I’ve notice the tavern has been getting more lively than usual in the earlier times. ” he raises a brow with a smirk at Illarya. The wolf woman huffs through her nose crossing her arms, a brief guilty expression gleaming from her face. “Well they’ve been doing well so far, so i think it’s deserved they get a bit of time to themselves earlier...I’ve been letting Cervious off early so I figured why not the rest of the warriors in training as well. Only fair” Illarya shrugs her shoulders with a snort.
Hraul chuckles at her with a toothy smile. “Right, good work does deserve to be rewarded, and I know you’ve been doing great work, as well as Malik, from what I’ve heard around.” The older wolfman nods again. “Speaking of hearing things....I’ve heard that witch has been talking to you..” Illarya huffs harshly through her nose as she raises a brow at Hraul with a very curious expression. He blinks at Illarya staring for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders. “Sometimes. We just banter on about the things that’s been going on in the village is all.” he nods.
“Father, are you sure it’s safe to be exchanging words with her? For all you know she could be casting a spell or hex on you...without you even know....charming you to do her bidding.” her snout wrinkles as she says this. Still fairly untrusting of Myrna. Though Hraul raises a hand and shakes his head. “She’s done a lot to help us, the Sleetfang. I know she’s still untrusted by some in the pack, but I think she truly bears no ill intent. Arctun trusts her and I wouldn’t doubt his perception despite how he may seem at times.” Hraul explains to Illarya. Though that doesn’t seem to change her outlook for Myrna, not one bit.
She lets out a sigh and shakes her head. “Well you can count me still among the ones not convinced to trust her . It worries me to know she even talks to you.” she grumbles. Hraul however pats her on the shoulder in a reassuring way. “You shouldn’t worry, unless you think I’m incapable of protecting myself..you think I’ve lost my perception?” he scratches at the ruff of his neck, weaving his claws through the unbraided strands of long fur. Illarya can’t help but raise her hands,shaking her head to Hraul as not to imply that as her meaning. “You know that’s not what I mean father.. just please..be vigilant with the stranger?” She looks him eye to eye. Hraul staring back at hers and nodding in reply. “I’ll be fine, trust me.” he reassures his daughter, reaching over to grasp Illarya’s hand into his own, using his other hand to cover the top of it.
In return Illarya places her hand on top of his, grunting firmly. “I trust you father..I just want you to be well....anyways...I should get going now...I have some things to do before the day is done....do you need anything?” she pulls her hands back,. There’s no hesitation from Hrail to shake his head. “No, I’m alright...if you’re hungry though I still have some meat left over in the kitchen if you want to take some with you.” He offers.
“I’m okay. I’ve got some meat back at home I have to take care of still” Illarya chuckles lowly before turning to take her leave. “I’ll check in on you later father.” She waves to Hraul. The older wolfman raises a hand and waves back at his departing daughter. Watching as she turns the corner disappearing from sight. Hearing her footsteps growing distant, and soon the sound of the heavy wooden door, creaking open and then shut. Leaving him alone in his home once more. He continues to smile, turning his gaze over to his sword resting at the corner, then turning back towards the wooden face getting back into his project.
