Marrok, The Wanderer (Open)

Marrok sees Athena up head, carrying a small boy. *Where did you find this little fella?* The little boy has his head buried in Athena's fur. It seems he is not trusting of the wolves just yet. He may not understand that we are not the same wolves. As Marrok speaks the boy looks up with a surprised look on his face. He smiles at Marrok and leaps off of Athena. Running towards Marrok he has his hands open as if asking to be picked up. Marrok is not used to being around children. He picks the boy up, but has him at arms distance. The boy keeps reaching for Marrok. Maybe he wants a hug. Marrok brings him in closer and he finally gets close enough to grab Marrok by the neck and just hug him. He has tears running down his eyes. He must think Marrok is one from his clan. Marrok is a bit unsure of what to do next.

Looking over at her mate Athena lifted her muzzle and said softly, "It seems he is the only survivor of this tribe." Looking around at the rest of the pack she added in a firmer voice, "We must continue, let us keep going."

Slowly she padded up to Marrok and nudged his leg with her paw, "You should put him down, he seems to not know you are a wolf at heart." Lifting her head she gently licked the child's chubby legs, "Come little one." The blue eyed boy looked up, his face still wet from tears, leaning down, he reached out for Athena. As Marrok lowered him gently onto her back, Athena couldn't help but flinch as the child dug his tiny fingers into her fur, leaning her head back she said softly, "Everything will be ok." Looking over at Marrok she smiled softly and said playfully, "You will have to do some pack babysitting." The child had started wiping at his eyes, lowering his head down against Athena's back, he lifted his hand and started patting her on the back, tilting her ears back she heard him whisper in a squeaky voice, "...prety...go'd ogy..."

Rolling her eyes she quickened her pace, leading them on once again, her head lifted and her eyes scorched the sky's searching for Yark.

Marrok watches as the boy clings to Athena. He is very attached to her. When she has left the area, Marrok transforms into his inner wolf. He did not want to scare the little boy. He runs ahead to catch up with her. Worry fills his heart for the upcoming battle. Athena is a bit rash at times and she endangers herself too much. Marrok is worried for her. He loves his mate dearly and cannot imagine life without her. As they head south the smell of Balkers gets more intense. They are very nearby. The entire pack come to a halt just behind the fresh scent of death. Marrok looks to Athena and asks, *What is you plan my love?*

Athena felt the child tighten his grip and look up his eyes filling with fresh fear. Along the way Athena had named him Scamper, for the way he scampered up and down her back. Tilting her head back and nuzzling his face, his tiny fingers reached out and grasped her ears tugging painfully, giggling as he did. Athena pulled away gently as he went back to patting her back gently in apology.

Turning and nuzzling her mates side, she could feel his worry and anxiety, "All the pups and birthing females need to stay hidden in the shelter of the woods." Walking among the ranks of the wolves Athena looked into the eyes of all she came across, touching noses with some, the ones she touched noses with stepped forward. The rest fell back, after a few minutes Athena had picked out the strongest of the pack. Lifting her head Athena called out to the pack, "Peace, the rest of you seek shelter among the trees, I want no brave acts from any of you." In her mind she whispered to Yark, "Watch over them, get them out of here is things take a turn for the worst." Looking at the ones that stood around she said in a calming voice, "We go to fight, you are the strongest of the clan, while I have breath we will not be defeated this time, I want the elementals to come with me first, we will take a hit at the Balker forces, the rest of you follow Marrok, he will lead up from behind and kill and stranglers." Snarling she added, "No prisoners until after we have control of the den."

Lifting her head she started to lead on, a sickening dread filling her stomach, lowering herself to the ground she nugged the Scamper off her back, he looked at her bewilderingly, lifting her head she called out to the little female that healed her, "Go with her Scamper, she will protect you." Running forward his little legs wobbling as he went he clasped his small hands around her neck, nuzzling him and licking his tiny head Athena whispered, "Its ok, I'll be back." Reluctently he relised her, his bright eyes filling with tears, Athena nuzzled his and licked his face till he started to grin again, her gaze watched him tenderly as he went away, following the little female.

Marrok gathers the remaining forces. None are elementals, but all are willing to fight. They support their Alphas and want to rid this land of the evil that tries to destroy everything. As Athena heads out with her comrades, Marrok gets a feeling of dread in his heart. He loves her so much. He cannot imagine his life without her. He wants to protect her, but he knows she is a strong alpha. She will do all she can to protect the pack. Even it it means her life. Marrok follows her orders and waits for the primary attack to take place. Him and his comrades will pick off the stragglers. Marrok watches as his mate goes off into battle. He wishes he could be by her side to protect her, but he knows that is not his path right now.

Athena turned and looked back at Marrok, her eyes softened as she watched him gather up the others. Softly she spoke to his heart, "I love you Marrok, no matter what happens remember that." Turning away, her eyes burned with tears she wouldn't let loose, quickening her pace she stepped to the front of the group and turned shouting, "Move out." As they walked through the woods Athena looked at the setting sun, this battle was going to take place under after dark, giving the enemy the advantage. Her heart filled with worry, and her white coat began to shin a bright white, lighting the ground as they went.

Blue flames began to fly along her back as she snarled loudly, "Ready yourself brother and sisters, we go into the dark." Around her the markings that covered the different colored coats of the wolves shinned with power, growling many shouted, "Lead us we will tear out the throats of our enemy's!" Snarling Athena leapt forward baring her claws and fangs. As they approached the camp, Balker appeared out of the wood, Athena heard the startled cry's of the others, turning she jumped onto the back of a red colored Balker, closing her jaws around his neck and hearing the snap she just as quickly jumped off and attacked another. The sounds of pained cries, snarls and the tearing of flesh filled the air, Athena lifted her head and howled her blue flames surrounding a group of Balker that had overwhelmed an elemental, stunned the group turned to face Athena as the elemental turned tail and ran. Titling her ears back she snarled and opened her jaws.