[Set roughly a month after the earthquake that devastated the Nyota-Wasomaji.]
The canine's head raised to the sky in thought. The earthquake that had ravaged her home was still fresh in the mind of those affected and a fading memory for those not, but it was still a deep wound on the Baraza's mind and heart. Alnilam's eyes searched the skies above her in silence, wondering what there was she could do to ease the pain of the loss that devastated her family. Her father was dead, her family in ruins and now she was expected to follow after her father and lead along with the other two Baraza. With her mind clouded would she still be a good leader for the pack or would she lead them astray with foolish emotions that were roused from the loss that wracked her heart.
Sorrow filled her eyes as Alnilam's gaze fell upon her father's constellation. How he missed his stories of the past and the triumphs of the pack through history. Those stories were only memories now, as were his words and face. The canine's head fell, resting on her crossed paws as her laid on the hill where her father used to take her and show her the stars above.
It was no surprise that she did not notice Mebsuta, an elderly female from the pride approaching her from the back. The other female stepped lightly as to not suddenly startle the young leader. "Baraza Alnilam," She greeted, he head and tail lowered as a show of submissiveness.
"Grandmother Mebsuta." The purple female said in return, her head turning back to look at the elderly female. "What brings you up here this evening?"
"I was looking for you, my dear."
Alnilam's ears fell back at the words. She was still a pup in many of the pack's eyes due to her inexperience leading and her young age. "I'm doing just fine, thank you Grandmother Mebsuta." The sarcasm in her voice did not persuade the teal female from approaching anyways and taking her place beside her leader.
"It's a lovely night out this evening, isn't it?"
"That it is."
"Ahh, I can recall the gossip I heard back when your mother and father were up here, looking at the night sky together. Such words were spoken about them, but just look at the result; a fine young lady with a good heart and a solid mind. A definite blessing to the pack."
Alnilam's tail curled beside herself as her head turned away from the older female. "I'd still rather have him back."
"As would most of us, but in this circle of life, it was time for him to move on and you to take his place. You're his daughter. You'll do just fine and with that, I bid you goodnight, Baraza Alnilam. I have things I must tend to before the sun rises."
"Good night Grandmother Mebsuta."
The two seperated; Alnilam staying at the top of her hill and Mebsuta returning to the pack dens to tend to her business, leaving the young leader to think more in solitude.
An hour passed and little changed in Alnilam's posture during that time. Thoughts continued to race through her mind, words, stories, memories. All of her family before the Great Tremble. Finally she pushed herself up into a sitting position, her head once again raising to look to the stars. "Father, what should I do? There's no way I can rule by myself but the rest of the Baraza are missing and most likely worse...dead." The last word came off of her tongue slowly, dreading the word as it added two more bodies to the already high death toll.
The wind came suddenly in a gust that rustled her fur. Her jaw lifted slightly, delighting in the breeze against her in the already chilled air. "Father?" It changed its course, passing behind her the second time, carrying leaves into the sky and faded, letting the leaves fall in such a way that as they fell, behind them were bright stars, two of them. It was a sign of hope or at least that was how Alnilam was interpreting the events. Two stars, two new Baraza. There had to be at least two wild dogs left that would make good leaders. They had to exist and she would find them.
She had to.
The pack could function with just one 'alpha' if needed, but since the formation of the pack there were three leaders, not just two. Alnilam was young too, hardly fit to lead but yet it seemed that she would. There was no way, even if she wanted to, to rule by herself. The pack likely wouldn't accept it either.
Possible candidates for the position of Baraza began going through her mind. There was Mintaka, an elderly male who bore a grey coat. His age and wisdom would be a great asset to have in the tri-council that was the Baraza. Assuming he was alive... Her ears fell back at the thought. It would have been a shame if he wasn't. He was a wonderful male.
Then there was Alnitak. A war-hero among the pack. She was mainly known for chasing off several lions that had endangered the pack back when Alnilam was not even a young adult and was barely reaching her adolescence. The blood red hound would also be a likely choice due to her war experience, that and she was a leader even though they had butt heads in the past about how much killing had been done.
All of the thoughts had come just seeing two stars in the sky and the belief that the wind was a sort of manifestation of her father's spirit. With two potential Baraza in mind a smile spread over Anilam's maw. Now began the search for Mintaka. Every bit of her hoped that he would be okay.
She stood, looking up to the full moon above before heading back down to join her pack. Perhaps she wouldn't be that bad of a leader and with time, she would turn into a great one.
One could only hope.
[Words: 1016]
