After spending a few moments gazing in the direction that Mori and the rest of her pack had gone, Sventon continued north. Far off in the distance stood the snow capped mountain range, if he knew Umaldi he probably went there to seek shelter and put as much distance between himself and the farm dogs as possible. He took a quick drink of water and then began the long trek north, the flatland was barren and empty with not a soul in sight, the dry grass crunching underfoot as he continued. The sky slowly began to turn a dark grey with a hint of a chill in the air, he proceeded a little ways farther and stopped for a moment to rest, shivering a bit and scanned his surroundings. Just a few feet away stood a small dilapidated shack, Sventon shivered and made his way over to it. It may not have been the safest place he could find but to him at least it was shelter. He crawled through a hole in the bottom of the doorframe and walked inside, the wind picking up and began to rattle the windows as he settled down on the dusty old floor. He hoped that wherever Umaldi was at that moment that he was safe. I promise I’ll find you soon pal, Hang in there. He then yawned and closed his eyes, planning to leave in the morning. The sun shone through the hole in the creaky roof, Sventon stood up and stretched his stiff limbs and then crawling back through the door again set off once again on his journey. The ground was slightly damp from the night before and he shook the water from his paws. He was still a little chilled but it wasn't anything he could n’t handle. He proceeded forward as fast as he could hoping to make it to the mountain range before evening. The wind picked up again, blowing through as fur as he fought to keep his footing, in the horizon the mountain range got closer and closer as he continued to fight the strong wind that blew through plains. He finally reached the mountains just as the sun began to set, the air was noticeably chillier as he approached the base. A small smile formed on his muzzle as he gazed up towards the summit, he knew that being a cur he was made for the mountains and the terrain and the altitude was nothing he couldn’t handle. His ear then perked up as he heard howling in the distance, was it Mori’s father and the pack on the move? Whatever the source he didn’t want to stick around and find out. He was starting to begin his accent up the rugged terrain when he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him. He slowly turned around and a huge grin formed on his muzzle as he saw Umaldi walking towards him. “I thought that was you Sventon, what are you doing coming out here all this way?” “I was coming to find you as a matter of fact, you silly bear.” Sventon replied as he dashed towards Umaldi and happily nuzzled his legs. A small relieved whimper escaped his muzzle and tears began to leak from his eyes as he gazed up at Umaldi. “I came all this way just to find you, I hoped that I would run into you. After what happened with the others from the farm I just hoped you were safe. “Well as you can see I’m safe and sound and there isn’t a scratch on me.” Umaldi replied as he gently put a paw on Sventon's shoulder. “Come on, my cave isn’t far from here, it's just past the trees on the south side of the mountain.” Umaldi turned and began to trek through the snow with Sventon close behind. The pair walked side by side for a bit and a small chuckle rumbled in Umaldi’s chest as he gazed over his shoulder at Sventon. “Now give me an honest answer sventon, you weren’t seriously considering climbing the mountain were you?” Sventon paused as his ears drooped and he began to shuffle his front paws, he gazed up at the bear and smiled sheepishly, a faint blush forming on his cheeks. “Well, I may have considered it.” Umaldi roared with laughter and fell onto his side, he chuckled so loudly that he started to wheeze. After taking a moment to catch his breath he stood up and lightly patted Sventon on the shoulder. “That’s what I like about you pup, you have quotes and a fierce desire to do what people consider impossible.” “Now it isn’t too much farther until we reach the cave.” The pair continued to walk for a few meters until a small grove of trees appeared, Umaldi then turned to Sventon motioning to stay close. They ventured through the snow covered trees and paused for a moment, Sventon’s ears perked up and he gasped as the sound of howling reached them, unlike before when he reached the mountain it sounded closer than before. He cast a terrified look at Umaldi and whimpered, “Umaldi we need to move and get to your cave as fast as possible, Mori’s pack found me before I made it here down by the river and I came face to face with her father.” “He told me that if we were to ever cross paths again they would be trouble.” Umaldi nodded and put a reassuring paw on Sventon’s shoulder, “They won’t hurt you as long as I’m around I can promise you that.” Come on, we're almost there.” They ventured through the trees for a bit eventually reaching a small clearing, the snow underfoot sparkled in the sun and off in the distance was an opening in the mountainside. Umaldi smiled, his ear twitching with excitement as he glanced yet again at Sventon. “There, see where that opening is, that’s my cave welcome to my humble abode pup.” Sventon barked and then took off as fast as he could towards the cave, not only did he want to put as much distance as he could between himself and the source of the howls he had been hearing he was also cold. As soon as he got inside he lay down and sighed just happy to finally have some shelter, his stomach growled as Umaldi walked in and he realized he was hungry only having eaten a little before leaving home. “Hey Umaldi you don’t happen to have any food to eat do ya, I just realized I didn’t have much to eat before I left home.” Umaldi shook his head and sat down beside the Cur thinking for a moment, then he remembered where some edible berries were. He didn’t need them since he was going to start his hibernation soon, but he knew sventon had to have something. He stood up and proceeded out of the cave looking back to Sventon, “I’ll be back in a few pal I’m gonna find you some berries to eat.” “It may not be a lot but it should give you some energy.” Sventon sat up and smiled, nodding in appreciation. “Thank you Umaldi I appreciate it, I perhaps should have planned this out a bit more.” He chuckled and watched Umaldi leave, settling back on his side, he thought of Mori and hoped that wherever she was safe and that her father hadn’t decided to punish her. He thought back to when he had last seen her and smiled remembering her beautiful eyes. He was so lost in thought he didn’t hear Ulmaldi return and was startled by the bear's long shadow being cast on the wall behind him. “Here you go Sventon, I brought you some berries.” He smiled and sat them down beside him, he gazed at the Sventon and noticed he was deep in thought and that his cheeks were turning red. “What are you thinking about, or I guess who are you thinking about.” The bear softly inquired as he sat down. “Oh I was just thinking of Mori, she’s the daughter of the pack leader I mentioned earlier, Umaldi she’s beautiful, strong, not to mention flirty.” Sventon sighed and gazed up at the bear with a love struck look on his muzzle. Umaldi chuckled and shook his head in disbelief, “You just be careful Sventon, she sounds like bad news.” He pushed the berries in front of him and watched like an overprotective mother hen. “Here, now eat up.” “Thank you Umaldi.” They spent the next couple of minutes in silence as Sventon ate, thinking of a response to Umaldi’s earlier comment. Sure Mori was dangerous with her being a wolf and the leader's daughter, but Sventon had had enough encounters with her to know she was more of a lover not a fighter. He finished licking the berry juice from his mouth before he spoke. “I get what you’re sayIng Umaldi, but she’s not like most wolves.” Sventon growled softly as he sat up, “She actually doesn't like to use her killer instincts, she’s forced to out of loyalty to her pack. She nuzzled me.” Umaldi shook his head and then before he could stop it a loud rumbling chuckle resounded in his chest, “Yeah right a wolf who doesn't enjoy the thrill of the hunt, that's a laugh.” He continued to laugh and gazed down at Sventon, he stopped laughing and cleared his throat after seeing the annoyed look on his friend's face. “Look Sventon I’m not saying you can’t love Mori, I’m just saying to be careful is all.” “You can’t approach her or her father is gonna come after you.” Sventon sighed and hung his head, he knew what his friend was saying was true, he still missed Mori and hoped that sometime he would see her again. “I know you’re just looking out for me Umaldi, but I think we will see each other again someday.” Sventon replied as he nuzzled his friend. Umaldi sighed and gently wrapped his paws around Sventon giving him a huge hug. He silently promised he would protect his best friend no matter what and if danger came calling he would be there to fight it off. Meanwhile Mori stood on the cliff overlooking the river and sighed, it had been a couple of days since her fathers encounter with Sventon and she was surprised. He hadn’t lectured her or condemned her having been with him but she could tell it was only a matter of time before it happened. Henrik had been casting daggers at her ever since she came back, she didn’t really care how he felt about her but there was always that small pang of quilt lingering in the back of her mind, he was her brother and she loved him she began to think up a way to say sorry when his voice cut through the silence. “I thought I’d find you here Mori, this is always your favorite place to come when you need to be alone.” She turned around and saw Henrik slowly padding towards her, he sat down next to her and gently nuzzled her much to her surprise. “I thought for sure you were coming to rip me apart, but this is a nice change of pace.” She growled as she gave her brother a lick on the cheek. Henrik chuckled and returned the favor, “Your my sister I may disagree with you and I still think you should act like a normal wolf, but it doesn't change the fact I love you sis.” A sense of relief swept over her and a soft whimper escaped Mori’s throat as she nuzzled her brother slowly dragging her nose along the inside of his neck. “I love you too Henrik, I’m sorry for being such a pain in the neck.” He chuckled again and then cast his gaze taking in the sight of the river down below. “Apoligy accepted sis, now come on Father send me to find you.” With that the two siblings departed their cliffside retreat and returned to their pack. No matter what happened next Mori could find strength in the fact she had her brother by her side.
