Dragoncrest Cliffs this is the gold which we have struck

@Calypso, @Thuringwethil, @Dio, @Wildfire

There looms a sense of sorrow above the heads of the mother-daughter pair. It seems that the fates have not been kind to the young siren, leaving Kalika with no choice but to find refuge in the lands of their neighbors: Drageda. The rising of the tides above the sandbar path make it much more difficult for one to pass with child, so she forces Calypso onto her scruff and begins to hum a low, melancholy tune. Once upon the shore, they begin to walk, though it isn't long before they are close enough to call for the Commander and plead their case.

Kalika sits beside the border with an anxious tick to her tail and an embarrassed fold to her ears. Other than these notable features, she is in full submission as she waits for someone to answer her call.

The young fae did not understand. She thought, for once, she was going to remain somewhere for longer than a mere month. She supposed it must not be within her luck to do so. The sprite keened with a quiet voice as she rode upon her mother's back, her small voice blending with her mother's soft hum. One paw outstretched to the waves lapping at the woman's feet, a silent plea to Her - the Sea. She did not wish to leave. Not again.

The looming shore grew in size with each of her mother's steady steps, until they were upon the sand once more. She could feel the importance of this moment, and aptly tucked herself beneath her mother - mirroring her submission. Whomever it was that they were to meet...the child did not know.

She had left the pups in @Portia's care so that she could get out and stretch her legs a little bit. She intended to repay her sister wife with a fresh meal that the two of them could also share with the pups à la regurgitation. Instead of prey, however, Wildfire found herself tracking two callers at the edge of the pack's territory. Her brow furrowed slightly in confusion when she recognized the larger figure, then darkened when she noticed the pale pup cowering beside her.

She approached with a light gait, large ears and black tail both lifted slightly to indicate her partial ownership of this terrain. "Kalika?" she said in a quizzical tone, cocking her head at the woman, hoping she hadn't butchered her name. "What's going on?" Wildfire stopped about five feet from the pair, chestnut gaze roving between them.

There is a silent understanding between the two of them which Kalika is incredibly grateful for. Calypso doesn't resist her mother's guidance, but settles into it instead. This doesn't last long before Wildfire makes her way to them, rightfully inquiring about their purpose. Wildfire, Kalika croaks in a hoarse, neglected tone. Then, turning to Calypso, she nudges the girl to roam on her own for a few minutes so as to create the proper atmosphere for an honest conversation, rather than having to worry about sugar-coating the truth.

We seek refuge. The Nereides has fallen and I'm not sure how long she can go without somewhere to stay. Kalika is sure that she can survive on her own for as long as she needs, especially with spring now giving way to summer, but Calypso is still young and fragile. There is no telling what could happen to a girl her age without the long-term protection of a pack. I know that it isn't ideal for a pack with new pups to take in anyone else's, but we can work for it.

Throwing in this cameo. Feel free to skip post order on meh, cause this doll won't really be 'in' the conversation :)

She nervously batted at her mother's soft fur rimming her forelegs, idley waiting for whatever was to come next. The fae was near to opening her maw, questions brimming on the tip of her tongue, when a fiery figure molded into view. Made up of hues of the lusterous sunset itself, the woman seemed strong in her stride as she approached them.

The crimson came to a stop feet from the two grayscale wolves, triggering Calypso's mother to nudge her away. Confusion danced upon the girl's features, but she padded away to quietly adventure. She remained near enough the the women would be able to keep watch upon her, but quickly became entranced by her new surroundings - frolicking about in the sand.

The call is not necessarily familiar ringing through her sky, but there is something about it she should know and it gives her legs a new direction as she comes from the east of their woods. Thuringwethil moves with a little more speed in her step than she might otherwise but for a reason she cannot lay purpose with. The curiosity pulls her like a leash until she reaches the edge of the forest that begins the cliffs, overlooking the sound in the distance and she can still see the water on the horizon.

With the view come smells she is (mostly) familiar with. Her mate, most notably, but it causes concern that she is so far from their puppies. Her heart speeds up despite the strangle that has hold of it and what it means she is doing. It is with hers that are two others that give her a little more of a calm as they all come into view. Wildfire is only doing her job as a leader and she sends her a look for confirmation that someone trustworthy is with their trio. But still, Thuringwethil does not speak and only catches the tail end of Kalika’s plight as she attempts to speak on the behalf of another pack. The puppy, which she is slow to notice, began to wander out into the background.

"Where is Akantha?" she asks before entertaining the idea of pulling them under their wing.

Perhaps she should've taken pity on the she-wolf, the pup and their plight. But Wildfire immediately stiffened when she realized what was happening here. When Thuringwethil appeared, the Bandrona gave her a look, though the commander's attention was mostly focused upon the pair at their borders. She began to fidget a little as her eyes fell to the little one in particular. She was a mother now but she felt nothing for this pup, just as she felt nothing for the other strange whelps crowding their ranks and resources right now. If it was up to her, Wildfire would not welcome Kalika and her nameless charge.

But it wasn't up to her, it was up to the Heda. Wildfire wondered if her mate was willing to take in another hungry mouth when they already had so many. Biting her lip, she tried to catch Thuringwethil's eye once more but the leader was gazing at Kalika instead. She demanded to know the Siren Queen's whereabouts and Wildfire's attention flicked to the weary woman's face, just as curious about the answer. She did feel bad for the stranded twosome, yet surely another pack could take them in.

Another strong presence joins the two of them, only increasing Kalika's nerves. As her heart begins to thump in her chest, she takes a moment to consider what is really on the line here. The child's physical well-being has already been addressed, but her mental health is in the air, too. Who is to say how many times she has been stripped from her home, abandoned by those she had come to trust? It is something that Kalika can attest to and something that she wishes to avoid at all costs. 

Commander, she sighs in response to Thuringwethil's inquiry, I wish that I knew to tell you. There are so many open ends that Kalika can't seem to close, no matter how hard she tries. There are a bounty of questions to be asked, all of which have answers beyond her ow knowledge. All of the wolves have dispersed. I knew that we would need to get somewhere safe, and somewhere quickly, so Drageda seemed like the smartest option.

Wildfire decides to keep her silence and she only gives her a single look before she focuses on the woman in front of them. She hadn’t known she’d been a mother when she’d seen her before but the information hadn’t come up. She glances into the distance for the girl in consideration. She does not come to her steps for safety against an oppressor or for a reason to find a better fitting. They are simply neighbors and the move is logical but the entire thing leaves a terrible taste in the back of her throat she can’t easily wash away.

It has not been long since she’d seen the matriarch and the meeting may have been tense but there’s little left to prove she’d simple leave. What about the other wolves beneath her rule? All the unknowns pile against the woman and her child upon her doorsteps.

“I see,” she stiffly says, lifting her nose a little as she tries to fill in the blanks with what information she has. “You may stay in the southern part of the forest for now, until we search the area. You will not take from our caches but you may hunt and will have a guard. When my scouts return, we will decide whether you stay or go.” If anything, she can try to get more information out of her while they wait for answers but the promising relationship between Drageda and the Nereides has crashed all too suspiciously. Thuringwethil lifts her nose and calls, first, for @Arlo as the family’s guards, and @Dio, @Eske, and @Hush.

The Bandrona's ears splayed uncertainly at the news of Akantha's untimely disappearance. Wildfire glanced at the side of her mate's face, then back to Kalika and her young charge. She felt a sigh coming on but quickly swallowed it. She remained mum as Thuringwethil agreed to guard the pair, without allowing them actual entry into the ranks. Wildfire's black tail switched sharply a few times but still she said nothing. She would take the first opportunity to relay her concerns to the commander later, though she would not attempt to undermine the leader. She trusted the Heda's judgment, even if she didn't always agree with her calls in an instinctual level and striking the balance between leadership and parenthood was still a work in progress between them.

Thuringwethil summoned a few of their pack mates. With their arrival imminent, Wildfire stepped up to nudge the commander's chin, then glance at Kalika and the pup. "I'll leave you all to it," she said simply, flashing a quick smile before turning. She had a sister wife and children to feed. Quickly, she trotted back into the inner territory.

[table width=85%][tr][td]

Unless told otherwise the Cheka is never far from Thuringwethil. She stays close while giving the Commander space. She is far enough to not be aware of the conversation, or whom is even at the borders but she is close enough that when Heda’s call breaks through the air, summoning herself, Did, Arlo and Hush it does not take Eske long to get there. Her pace slow as she nears the scene, watching as Wildfire departs from the scene. She watches the flame-kissed Bandrona leave for a moment before she turns her gaze to Heda where it slides from her to the pallid Nereides woman and a small child. The Cheka feels her suspicion prickle along the base of her guard hairs. What is the Nereides woman doing here and why did she bring a child, at that? Eske thinks that it isn’t Drageda’s job to watch the Nereides’ brats if that was what they were after sending this woman and child but she does not know the context of their presence and bites her tongue and tempers her thoughts. She does not seek to make a fool of herself when she has missed the context. “Yu tag, Heda?” She inquires of her Commander as she moves to stand close to Heda, ears cupped forth atop her skull as she awaits her instruction and if she is lucky some sort of explanation.

[/td][/tr][/table]

Summoned forward by the commander's voice, and once he was close enough to pick up a good scent, he trailed Eske to the scene of whatever awaited. He arrived a few moments after her, and set a narrow look of curious scrutiny upon the situation before him. The Nereides are still something he knows little about and neither does he know exactly how far his trust in them extends yet; they are far too fresh, and plenty unproven yet--all while they have young living here themselves, so perhaps he is a little extra guarded at the very moment.

But, he looks between all the wolves involved. His ears are forward and he's poised at full attention to find out more.

Kalika listens to the words of the Commander, nodding her head along with the words. Thank you, she says with a bow of her head, before releasing a shrill chirp to summon @Calypso back to her side. Wildfire, seemingly uncomfortable in the midst of things, dismisses herself and Kalika's ears fall back as she gives a slight dip of her head. She is grateful that there is no outright protest, despite the new mother having every right to do so. Then come two other wolves, both individuals being someone who Kalika has met at least once before. She looks back to Thuringwethil and awaits further instruction, all the while using her paws to corral Calypso beneath her belly.

At her mothers insistance the sprite ceased her wandering, making her way back towards the grayscale fae. Calypso warily slunk towards her mother - angst writing itself upon her young features. Her mother was quick to pull the girl underneath her torso once she was near enough to do so. The movement itself comforted the girl, who now looked at the other wolves with poorly-guised curiosity.

Arlo moves immediately when the call is made. Powerful paws hit the ground in an easy trot, finding Hush along the way, and approaching up the rear with as the only two left to arrive. He catches a glimpse of fiery red to indicate Wildfire leaving the scene but he glances to the rest of the wolves, and then the strangers, before her patiently waits for a response from his Heda. He stands firm beside Hush, glancing to the other ranked wolves in the meantime while he prepares for instruction.

Thuringwethil frowns when she notices Wildfire leaving the group before the others get her. She does not hold use her position in her council but she tries to brush it off by the fact she should get back to their children. It’s pushed aside for a later time, just as Eske and Dio approach, with Arlo and Hush to pick up the rear. She chuffs in their direction. Kalika has taken the offer of refuge for her and her daughter but she does not know what to make of all this. There’s little she knows about the Nereides between the few times she’s spoken with the wolves but their hold on land had not been strong enough.

“Arlo, this is Kalika and Calypso. They are taking refuge in the southern part of the forest. You’re not to leave them,” he tells the warrior who quickly settles into action and stiffens his position, sinking into the background of the conversation once his duties have been handed.

She turns to Dio, Eske, and Hush and address them primarily in her own tongue. What gabs they need filled in can be later. “Akantha gon mema we,” she explains, ears swiveling forward on her head. “Go to the island and scout for her,” she then instructs before she dismisses the trio.

[table width=85%][tr][td]

Dio and Hush do not take long to join her by Heda. Thuringwethil addresses Arlo first, instructing the Gona to guard them moments before she turns to them. The leader, the girl and the mute. An interesting trio she cannot help but think. Eske’s ears cup forth atop her skull as Heda speaks to them in Trigedasleng and though Eske is unsure if the other two understand it she is more than willing to relay the information in common tongue when they are out of ear shot of the ex-Nereides. “Sha, Heda.” She lowers her head in submission to the Commander, conveying that she understands their mission before she gestures to Dio and Hush to follow as she makes to depart in the direction of the Islands unable to hide her curiosity at what they may find. Is this an elaborate trick? Or are they truly gone so soon after staking their claim? Eske knows that soon she will now for sure.

[/td][/tr][/table]

With his ears pressed intently forward, the commander's word would go unquestioned. He glanced towards Kalika and the young Calypso once again, still curious but wanting to move this forward, before imparting the others with a slow nod--he understood plainly. Arlo keeping an eye on them did come as a relief, yet with Akantha missing, he felt this was only a part of the bigger picture.. one that could paint as suspicious in the right light. However, that was something they would hopefully find in their investigations. Eske was already gliding forward into motion with a heading pointing towards the island, so he would waste no time in joining her.

After one last lingering look over his shoulder at their Heda, he trusted that all would be well in the meantime, and that their pack and family remained protected and guarded. He loosened his gait up to a ground-covering trot, and prepared to get to work.