Sleeping Dragon death by numbers

feel free to skip over 'Tia, she'll be around for any injuries.

Portia had actually come closer when she'd heard a call for Thuringwethil and Dio. She'd been curious, since it seemed like a fun little group meeting!! but as she neared she heard a call for Goliath... and ultimately, for them all. Her steps quicken, her desire to be filled in on all the latest gossip replaced now with genuine concern and a bit of fear. Dio was mixed up in all this, and she just prayed he was okay, though she didn't fully realize that, instead reminding herself of Wildfire and Thuringwethil as well. 

Freyja was there when she arrived, and the child looked mortified. She wanted to go comfort her, but it looked like that had mostly been taken care of. For now, she placed herself near a Kru she didn't know, giving him a friendly nudge and eying the crowd gathered before them. Her green gaze fell on Dio a few times, not waiting for an explanation but praying he would look to her to calm her nerves-- or something.

feel free to skip!

 

The movement of her pack mates towards one distinct area was what called her interest, however, it is the rage-filled summoning of someone other than herself by the commander, that spiked her curiosity even more. Regardless of her nature towards Heda and Gyda's family (to whom the utmost respect did she give), she held little recognition for wolves other than her own culture who tended to depart their ways sooner than those who had come from one of the tribes. Seeing one of said qualities get in trouble - no matter the reason - gave her more satisfaction than she would ever admit. No mind that she had hardly been a prime example of success, upon hearing exactly what the stranger had done to a child she had quite admired would overrule any vengeful feeling she had. Traveling to stand behind the crowd that had arrived, she observed only angry glares and the sense of pure fury from Wildfire, in light of the unassured expressions of Freyja. There was little she could gather from these clues, only that someone was about to get in real deep shit, real fast. 

The call wasn't for his name — it was for Goliath — which confused and intrigued him. It was not a mere summoning, but intertwined with anger and the need, desire, for retribution. Hush approached, wondering why Goliath was called for with such malice, at it seemed he was not the only one to come. A throng of wolves gathered around the furious-looking Wildfire and the stern Heda. Hush chuffed, announcing his presence, his boyish face full of concern.

The howl is made and Gavriel stops what he’s doing. The cache can wait for another time as curiosity digs deep into his veins. Heda has called for one of her wolves, with an audience, and he feels a tingle of excitement run up the length of his spine. He moves quickly, heavy paws thundering the ground until he is near and can see a number of wolves having beaten him to the location. He notes Heda first before his eyes travel lower to find Freyja between herself and Dio. His fur bristles as the connection comes together once he sees his daughter attempt a stronger bought of confidence. However, all he can see is his little girl cowering between two of their warriors for protection. His gaze turns to his wife and then the rest of them but the one wolf he doesn’t see surprises him: Goliath.

The large male isn’t anywhere to be found and he moves through the wolves and works his way through the front. He turns to look at Tanja for a moment, locking eyes as his own anger fills him. The taste of blood becomes a craving as Gavriel doesn’t need another to tell him what has happened. Goliath has done something to his daughter, enough to draw a crowd, and the only thing he wants is to feel his teeth sink into the traitor.

Go ahead and skip meee.

When the howl was heard, his ears had perked up with interest. Having been doing nothing prior to hearing the call, he’d set off immediately towards Thur’s location. As he’d arrived, it was noticed just how many others were already there, as well as how the overall feel of the setting was unsettling, at best. Several times had he looked around until his eyes landed on Freyja, towards whom he’d then moved with his ears flat. Unaware of what was going on, but understanding that something was wrong, he’d intended to find a way to get beside his sister and remain there with her.

Freyja's explanation allows it all to make sense, and while he's not surprised, it doesn't make it easier to digest. But, he knows what has to come next. The girl's concerns prickle at his fur -- how dare he make her feel this way in her own homeland? However Heda makes it clear, and moves it all forward towards a summon. Once Freyja was beside him, he offered her a small nudge of comfort (should she want it, but he won't find offense should she not considering all these going-ons) and then his guard is dialed up on her behalf, all while hotly anticipating the arrival of Goliath.

Many others arrived soon. He watched the various reactions of concern, curiosity, and otherwise beginning to sense what is up here, he believes. Gyda's words pricked his ears her way briefly, and he couldn't help but glance to Gavriel when he got there too, for their thoughts on this are sure to be important. He's easily glad they're both here, for Freyja's sake most of all, but still the one who their commander requested first and foremost did not show. Dio waited as the seconds ticked on and on.

When he caught Portia's eyes on him, he gave her a quick, small nod and wiggle of his tail. His expression remained drawn blank and stern, considering the subject matter here; his attentions were already spread between watching the arrivals and keeping an eye on Freyja. He knew as much as the Heda wanted to share would come very soon, but most of all, he was still waiting for Goliath to show himself, who continued to remain absent. Beginning to feel annoyed about more heaping disrespect, as if he needed to dig his hole any deeper.

Other wolves begin to trickle in and she scans the area, which mostly remains quiet. Gyda’s question goes unanswered for a moment but Thuringwethil does not disregard her entirely. Heda simply finds herself without words as she waits for judgment. It is the first time one of their own has harmed another and fire burns along her spine and it takes every bit of effort to keep still.

However, she realizes that most of Drageda stands in front of her—except Goliath.

Thuringwethil’s ears drop against her head for a moment, looking toward Dio and then Wildfire, and finally upon Freyja as if she’s able to get enough answer from them without any words. She takes one step closer to Freyja to keep her close by as she rescans, ears returning the top of her head for a sound, but is greeting with nothing.

“Goliath has committed a crime against one of our own. Find him. Bring him to me,” Thuringwethil demands of them. If he has run, he has a head start, and between them all they may be able to close to the distance. If he is stubborn enough to be within the territory, it should be an easy find, but as she worries they may not find him, she keeps Freyja close by and Dio within her sights as back up should they run into them.

Their search turns up empty-handed and they recollect as Goliath has become an enemy with a kill order on his head.