Within the red.

Lagertha Brehn found herself surrounded by red. The woman dragged herself along, heavy paws imprinting on the dark earth she strode across. Thick, gnarled tree trunks surrounded the trail she'd found herself on, their branches tipped with red foliage, it made her feel uneasy. But that was the story behind Ichorwood, was it not? Those who entered often succumbed to the red leaves, yet the story remained unproven. Lagertha barked out a laugh, amber eyes finally dropping back down to the pathway. She was not foolish enough to believe some traveler's story so quickly.

Despite her disbelief, Lagertha could not shake the feeling of eyes upon her back as she walked, occasionally glancing over her shoulder with a small grunt. The woman's frown only grew at the lingering sensation, and she found herself wondering if she could shake off whatever it was through the trees. 

Summer had slowly begun fading into Autumn, and now the weather seemed to only grow colder and more vicious. The sun had once been too hot across her face, demanding she seek out the cool shade that allowed for summer to be bearable. Now, Lagertha eagerly sought out the sun and its warm rays, wishing for them to warm her back and furs. How much longer until the first snowfall? It seemed as though it could happen any day now. The woman's ears straightened forward, they twitched faintly as she listened. The only sound to reach her ears was her own breathing, coming in soft gasps. 

Move onwards. The woman urged herself silently, resuming her slow trek through Ichorwood. 

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Not sure who you wanted to use <3 Leaving it up to you!
@rue

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Gjalla traversed winding trails through the wood, where every step seemed to echo with the whispers of ancient tales. The crimson foliage formed a canopy above, casting an ethereal glow that painted the surroundings in hues of red. The air carried the distinct scent of the forest, a blend of earthy moss and the faintest traces of a long-forgotten magic. Her paws moved subconsciously, carrying her as if guided by some unseen force.
 
A form marked with ashen browns peaked through the scarlet leaves, nearly blending in against the gnarled bark. Gjalla's nose twitched, catching the aroma of moss and cherry that followed them. Her steps quickened, navigating over rugged terrain with practiced ease. "Lagertha?" she muttered, a mixture of disbelief and skepticism lacing her words.
 
Her eyes burned holes in the back of the shield-maiden's head, as the princess bound forward, closing the distance between them with purposeful strides. She took in the she-wolf's features—the amber eyes, the familiar face—and felt a rush of emotions. "Gods good, sister. It's been too long," Gjalla murmured, her voice holding the weight of years spent apart.

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Her body seemed to freeze as the voice beckoned her. Lagertha hadn't picked up the scent earlier due to the shift of the breeze, but now she was drowning in it. Juniper and spearmint swarmed her nostrils, a scent belonging to a particular woman she hadn't seen in... In forever. The woman's ears folded back in contemplation, still having not turned around to face her sister. Finally, as Gjalla approached with those long strides she'd always had, Lagertha turned to face her sibling, a skeptical smile present on her lips. "Gjalla.'' 

As Gjalla spoke, Lagertha allowed her muscles to relax and loosen, her body falling into a comfortable slouch. Despite being a princess, she'd never really cared for such elegant performances and posture. The woman's smile tightened with joy, "By the gods indeed Gjalla, it has been a long time." Lagertha could not remember the last time her family had been whole -- perhaps sometime during her youth before the Brehn children had come of age. "The seasons have been treating you well, yes?" She barked out a small chuckle, per always Gjalla held herself with such grace a beauty, resembling their mother to a T. Lagertha had always been the odd child, muddied and brown with dark features. Gjalla had the beauty of their mother, while their brother had inherited their father's strong body. Despite her oddities, Lagertha continued to flash a small smile at her sister, full of warmth. "I suppose you wouldn't mind joining me on my walk? We have plenty to catch up on." 

Lagertha had always been a loner, a homebody at heart but alas, a loner. She bound herself to no lover, to no pack nor friendship. She shared no den with men when the sun fell, preferring the quiet solitude of her heart and the forest. Had her sister wed? Had she settled somewhere? She felt dismissed at the fact she'd missed so much of her sister's life yet... That was growing up.

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@Gjalla
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