Kintla Flatlands Maleficent

A mountain goat — probably one of those living in and around Sheepeater Cliff — had evidently died by the riverside. Its bloated body had drifted downriver and lodged itself in a mess of flotsam and jetsam in a bend near the plateau's southeast corner. It wasn't particularly visible, even from up there, but the stench of it wafted over the territory and into the nostrils of its lead Gamekeeper, drawing him down to the water's edge.

Ignoring the shooting pains in his ribs, he tugged the waterlogged carcass out of the river, dragging a bunch of debris along with it. Once ashore, he brushed off the detritus and surveyed the body. It smelled rank but meat was meat. And considering his pack's recent hunting failures, Peregrine wasn't about to turn his nose up at it, much as it offended his olfactory tissues.

Latching his teeth to the dead goat's neck, he began to drag it back in the direction of the plateau, eyes watering not only from the stench but the pain slicing through his midsection with every lunge and step.

She did not know much of their new neighbors, the Blacktail Deer Plateau. Only that they were a stronger, larger pack, competition during the upcoming wiBret, or potential allies? It was only in certain places, older lands where packs have been there for generations that you would see much political manuverings such as that. But it was possible that, if she played her cards right, she could gain an ally for her pack while they grew.

The priestess walked gracefully towards the Plateau, wondering if anyone would be willing to talk to her, or if anyone would be there at all. She walked, undisturbed, until a putrid stench found her nostrils. The priestess wrinkled her nose, recognizing the scent of rotting flesh. It came from the river, probably some body floating in it. Meldresi approached the water source, only to find a dark furred male had already gotten to the carcass first. She only chuffed softly towards the male, postruing herself in a way that looked nonthreatening. "Greetings." she purred in her natural sultry voice.

When the pain became intolerable, Peregrine released his grip and let the carcass fall to the ground. Not a second later, his eyes flicked upward and his nostrils flared as he detected the presence of another wolf. A svelte, black-furred stranger strode up to him. Although she made a point to appear nonthreatening, he braced his legs and stood tall, head and tail raised and ears thrust forward. The fur along his nape and spine prickled. He didn't appreciate being approached by a stranger in these circumstances, with meat in tow and his homeland just yards away.

"Don't even think about it," he warned, eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded her fine-boned features. Just because she was easy on the eyes did not soften him toward her at all or make him likely to share or even give her the time of day. "What business do you have so close to the plateau?" Peregrine demanded in the next breath, unaware of her familiarity with his home or her thoughts about an alliance. If he had known, he might have laughed in her face.

Her ears pressed back at the sound of the male's aggression, though she kept her face stoic and calm. "I have no interest in taking the carcass." she said in a clear tone, slightly annoyed at the aggression. It was not yet the hunger moons yet. There was no need to be so competitive yet. "I am from a pack to the south, recently formed. I was making sure that my distance from you is reasonable."

Her rejoinder did nothing to soften Peregrine's stance. Wolves were territorial and competitive by nature and he was well attuned to his baser instincts. Despite her reassurance, he placed a paw on the dead goat and stood over it possessively.

He snorted at the news of another pack. "As long as your pack gives a wide berth to the plateau, there's enough wilderness for everyone," Peregrine said gruffly. "But the laws of nature dictate that we are rivals. If you and yours encroach on the plateau's territory or resources, we will kill you. There is no possibility of neighborly sharing or alliances in this neck of the woods." And his pack was large enough that he felt confident that they would get the better of any competition.

"Of course." She had no interest in crossing their borders as of yet; once her pack had grown strong enough they would dart in and out, quickly, but she would not risk it, not yet. And she probably wouldn't order an infiltration of a large pack for a long time. "I am Meldresi by the way, alpha of Blackfeather Woods."

She accepted his terms without protest, then introduced herself. For a long moment, Peregrine just stood there and stared at her. Inwardly, he was debating whether he wanted to bother introducing himself. He really wasn't interested in Meldresi, Blackfeather Woods or any wolf that wasn't part of his ranks — unless, of course, they were an intruder. But she'd just said she would respect his boundaries. If she didn't, she would pay the price with her life.

"Peregrine," he said at length, "Alpha male of Blacktail Deer Plateau." He added nothing more. He hoped she would leave now so he could finish the painful business of dragging the goat home.

*creeps in after a month*

Sensing that the conversation was going no where, the priestess concluded it. "'Twas nice to meet you Peregrine. Good day." With that the female turned and walked off, not expecting to get anything out of them for the moment. Her plans never went to her expectations, but she had lived long enough to get over it and move on.

Heh. Too bad we're one short of 10. :(

She seemed to read his mind, dismissing herself. Peregrine said nothing, his eyes following her as she turned and walked away. When she was out of sight, he then resumed lugging the soggy corpse up to the plateau before collapsing nearby to rest his aching ribs.