[Indi]

Months had passed and still things remained more or less the same. Chime was still worryingly ill. Orel was still missing, no word yet on her fate. Aras was likely to push himself into illness himself, the way he pushed himself no matter the efforts she and others had put towards intervention. And looming above it all, the war. Thus far she had seen little direct impact of the war, but surely it was only a matter of time before things went badly. She had done everything she could think of and then some to prepare her home for that time, though she was always seeking to do more. No doubt she needed to do better about ensuring that each and every member of the herd knew precisely what to do no matter what emergency might strike. It could be difficult to remember everything that needed to be done. Especially when the worry for her children tended to loom large in her mind. Still, she was determined to do the very best possible, just as she had trained all her life to do. Which did not include pacing a path in the snow outside the cave sheltering Chime, wringing metaphorical hands.

Already, Melody had met with the leader of neighbouring Black Rose Ravine. Albeit, mostly because the youthful leader had come to Shadow Canyon looking to chat with Chime. And Melody herself had visited Dark Woods. It seemed high time she visit the other Neutral herd, Eacarrah. From what she could gather, rumour had it that Eacarrah had not been faring so well, with at least one attack by the Helkaer if she remembered correctly. All too clearly, Melody could remember the war that had once raged between the Neutral Kingdom and the Helkaer Brotherhood. Of the steals committed, one of which had left her languishing as a prisoner for a time, before she had been freed. And of the raid upon her home... of that horrible helpless feeling to overwhelm her when the realization that a plea for Letha's help was never going to be answered... that she had been abandoned...

Shuddering, releasing a sharp huff of breath and giving a brisk shake of her thick winter pelt as if it could dislodge all such thought and memory, Melody sought to focus herself once more on the here and now. What had happened had happened. The important thing now was ensuring the safety of her family, her friends, her herd, and her alliance. Which meant seeing about strengthening ties with her neighbours and offering to help in any way possible if such was needed. At the very least, getting better acquainted with others living within the Neutral Kingdom.

Ahead, she could see evidence of what she was mostly certain were the borders of Eacarrah and slowed to a stop. No doubt, in this time of war, she had already been spotted. And while she had no harm in mind, she would not be so impolite as to intrude without invitation.

Character;; Nikko's Melody
Tagged;; Open
Notes;; <3
Timeline;; 8 yrs; midwinter, early afternoon