Golden Glade After Midnight (3/5)

I'm still waiting to wrap up this Thread for Trade Threads (1/5) And this Thread is still ongoing for (2/5)

So attempt Mercenary/Guardian skill Trade Thread (3/5) xD @Alder maybe?

The heavens had darkened and the sky was painted like a black canvas, the distant white stars were speckled across the blackened sky as amber eyes peered up at them from below. Large brown paws slowly stepped out from the threshold of his home, leaving the warmth of his makeshift den as he stepped out into the cold night. The shallow wind beat against his large form as he strolled into the open, the breeze toying with his brown and gray pelt as the brute slowly and quietly, decided to stretch out his limbs.

He wanted, desperately to prove himself. To protect his family and his pack. His mate, Eden had already proven her worth. Now it was his turn and failure wasn't an option. Though the thought of of failure was what he feared. Closing his eyes, the young male pushed his fearful thoughts aside, tail giving a confident flick behind him as he ventured silently away from his den.

Amber eyes shimmered in the dense light of the moon as his stare trailed toward the entrance of the inner circle, a sigh escaping him as he then gradually made his way to the lands borders. Hopeful that he would be joining his mate inside the innercl circle soon.

Streiter's idea was to walk along the borders, cautiously scoping out the terrain for anything unusual. The male allowing his protective instincts to take over. Maybe he'd even meet Shalon on his nightly patrol? He thought for a moment as he walked slowly, for they both were interested in this similar skill. Streiter knew that if he needed any help in his progression in his chosen trade, Shalon was probably the wolf to go to.

Clearing his mind of thought, the young brown wolf scented the borders as he stalked along the trees edge, eyes staring around him as searched the darkness, ears pivoting atop his head as he listened out for any unusual sounds.

It was rare for Alder to be out after dark now that his children were here, but it was one of those days he'd found himself unable to exert his energy. After taking a rabbit to Aspen and a fish to Heartha, the King set out for a nightly patrol - might as well put those restless paws to good use, right? It was probably the guilt pricking at his mind, sending him to prove he was a good ruler and husband, but all that was ignored completely.

The patched brute strode quietly through the night, red and yellow leaves crunching softly beneath his massive paws - the moons glow was only just enough light to allow the one-eyed King to properly see. 

He didn't entertain the thought that another might be out at this point of night too, but when the male's scent reached Alder, he suddenly felt a pang of loneliness. Not for just anyone, either, but for Reek: his best friend might not even like him, but Alder sure hoped that he at least thought back on their time together and could smile. HE sure did. 

Alder loosed a chuff of soft greeting to Sylvas as the brown shaded man came into view - he could clearly see the two amber eyes coming towards him, and eventually the rest of his frame was filled by memory. A smile spread across the rulers maw, his ivory fangs likely shimmering in the moons silver rays.

                           "You restless tonight, too?"

Leathery nose twitched as he scented the foliage about the trees, amber eyes searching the darkness for any movements, though the sound of distant leaves being crushed under weight caused Streiter to lift his head. The brown male turning his head slowly as he then caught the sound of a chuff in his direction, ears dancing a top his head slightly as he brought his stare to look upon his King. The male's eyes widened almost at the unexpected sight, Strei's mind finally registering his Alpha's voice and question, gave a singular nod of his head, lips parting as he replied smoothly, ”Yes, Sir.” The mercenary in training giving his superior a respectful dip of his head, tail remaining low behind him as he brought his gaze back to Alder, ”Still, it's a lovely night for a late patrol.” Streiter said, offering his King a friendly smile.

The young male couldn't help but be curious as to why his King would be this far away from his recently born pups, though Streiter knew it better not to ask such a personal questions. Instead, the male peered to Alder and smiled once more, ”The boundaries seems to be in check, Alder.” He peered to his paws for a moment before adding, ”Though I haven't freshened the markings, I thought it best to leave that to wither you, or an Inner circle member.” Brown ears flicking back against his head as he now fell as silent as the night.

There was little that compared to the feeling of a wolf submitting beneath your will, Alder had found in the recent months. It was better than when they crumpled beneath his fangs, mostly because of the lack of effort it took - but when it was a friend, a packmate, one of his family, well, it made a wave of guilt shock his spine. At the other males comment, Alder nodded, and smiled in return. His one blue eye flickered up to the trees - what leaves were left reminded him of burning embers of a dying fire; it was the ground that was blanketed with the inferno. It fit their name well, signified their passion and power, their pride.

                       "It is. The trees, they blaze like fire even in the night." 

Turning his gaze on the mercenary kindly, he nodded for them to turn the way he'd been going. He pauses, however, to listen to his newest friend and packmate - his assumtion, however, brings a furrow to his ebony brow. His words are bold, but soft - a demand cloaked in the kindness of a friend. 

                                                              "Even the Outer Circle Gentry wolves are a part of the Court - from now on, I expect you to mark the borders, incorperate your scent into the whole. I'm sure you'll earn your Inner Circle rank before you know it, join your wife in the tunnels before she gives birth." 

Even if Syl didn't, Alder would not keep the father from the birth - but he would be allowed to stay no longer than this. Alder would deliver Eden and the pups with food each day, as he did with Aspen and Heartha - Streiter could accompany him, perhaps. The plans weren't solid: the King was confident he would make the date and be able to stay with her.

As he walked with the King, Streiter kept his tail low to the ground, leaves occasionally getting caught as it trailed behind him. Amber eyes peered to the fire like trees as did his superior, a smile making its way across his muzzle as he finally admired their beauty, Streiter had been so focused on the task at hand, he'd forgotten to stop and take a minute to admire his new home. Indeed, he had done so when he first arrived, but now, it felt more comforting as the days passed. Streiter took in this moment as he walked with Alder, having not been able to bond with the male due to him having the responsibilities of two new litters to tend to, as well as the rest of the pack.

Following his King without hesitation, Streiter strolled at his side, though allowing Alder the obvious lead. Brown ears flicked back against his head as he listened to Alder's words, head lowering some as he peered up toward his King with an unbroken stare. A simple nod was given as Alder offered him this information, a serious expression across his face as he listened carefully to his words, the mercenary taking careful note for the future. A small wag was offered as Streiter appreciated the notion that he was still apart of the part, even if he was yet to make his claim within the inner circle and join his mate, Eden.

”Thank you, it really means a lot to me.” The brute lowered his head in a bow as he walked along side his superior, as well as his new found friend, ”I wont let you down, not after what you've done for me and my family, especially with your own having arrived.” Streiter licked his muzzle for a moment and added with a smile, ”Congratulations, by the way.” His brown, bushy tail giving a breif celebratory wag behind him.

Alder noticed Sylvas' gaze reach to the trees, and the smile upon his Gentry's maw brought a peal of soft laughter from the King. Hopefully, he and Eden would settle well here, especially with pups on the way. They seemed to be doing well, despite Alyssum's death and only one mate being accepted into the Inner Circle so far. 

                     "It is beautiful, isn't it? I didn't know it'd look this way when we found it, and the name of Royal Fire Court was picked when Aspen and I were still subordinates, but it sure is fitting."

The pair padded on, each of them taking their place easily - his newest friend was quiet, at first, allowed the ruler to speak, but afterwards Alder could tell his words sunk deep. Tails wagged, faces were smiling, and advice was taken - The King was silent as Streiter spoke, listening and watching him intently. The thank was, as always, enflating; it made him feel good to realize he'd changed, he no longer conned and hurt people. 

                                                         "I trust that you won't. You, Eden and your pups will forever be welcome here, and it's my hope that our families will blend. Your pups are as important as my own to the Court, and everyone here is happy to pull their weight for each other. Congrats to you, too, y'know - these late nights are rare once you have pups, so enjoy them now."

Winking, a grin again split his marred face. He was proud of the life that he'd made for not just himselves, but other families in need.

The brute turned his head as he heard his King's voice, a smile still visible across his muzzle as he replied smoothly, ”It truly is.” And it was. Amber eyes slowly gazing back to the tall Autumn colored trees, their fiery leaves shimmering in the white moonlight as he listened to Alder's comment, his brown ears pivoting intently a top his head. The young Gentry's eyes trailed back to his superior as he explained the uncanny coincidence in the color of the trees to their chosen name of the pack. A smirk sprawled its way across leathery lips as Streiter spoke again, ”Indeed it is fitting.” He glanced around once more at the scenery around them and even though it was night, the light of the moon still brought out the beauty of his new home.

An usual sense of belonging slowly crept over the mercenary as he walked along side his superior, brown ears arching forward as he listened to Alder's moving words, the male finding himself thinking back to his encounter with Shalon a few days a go and how friendly she had been toward him; even if she had caught him at the border, angrily clawing at a tree. For a moment his pink tongue appeared from out of his mouth, licking at his lips as he replied with a joyful tone, ”It really means a lot, Alder. Truly.” The young brown wolf giving his head a bow, ”I was a loner for sometime.” He let out a smile of sorts and continued, ”I guess it's just nice to have a family, as daunting as it is, but to also finally have friends.” Streiter smiled and let out a soft laugh as his superior congratulated him in return, but mostly finding his remark about late nights being rare rather amusing and believable, ”I don't doubt it and I'll be keeping that in mind.” He chuckled lightly again, tail swaying behind him as he strolled a long the borders, large paws crushing the fallen leaves upon the grass as he tread.

It was nice to hear that Sylvas was happy to be here -- unhappy subordinates would make his life suck -- and it strengthened his trust that the soon-to-be-father would stay. It was even better to hear that friends were part of the equasion too: Zaavier had been his only real guy friend in the Teekons other than Reek, and now he was in another pack, and Alder couldn't leave his family just to say hello to an old friend, not now the kids were here. He didn't want to be out of sight of the Glade now that Nico's presense was a shaky one at best. Pritmor hadn't stayed long enough, Skeet had abandoned them, Nico had tried to fuck Aspen, if only he'd heard what Zaavier said about caring for Aspen.... Maybe this time, he could make a friend, one that would stay. 

Soon, Streiter wouldn't have much time for leisurely patrols or games or bonding much, not for a few months -- in a sudden burst of wild energy, the King gave but a mischevious grin before jabbing at the Gentry's shoulder roughly. His massive paws carried him forward in a burst, a growl inviting Sylvas to give chase.

Everything seemed to be slowly placing itself together in Streiter's life, a permanent smile plastered across the mercenary's face as he walked beside his King. All of a sudden he had a family, a mate and now a friend. The once loner found himself genuinely happy with his new way of life, unknowingly in thought, the male's tail wagged joyfully behind him as he continued onward with his King, his friend, in their nightly patrol.

Suddenly, Streiter felt a rough jab to his shoulder, his head whipping round as he caught the mischievous smirk across his King's face, amber eyes gazing at him momentarily before the young male offered Alder one of his own. Amber eyes watching as he then sprinted off with a burst of energy, the brute's brown ears twitching as they caught the sound of his inviting growl. With that the young Gentry darted swiftly after his superior.

It took a moment for Sylvas to follow, and Alder wasn't sure if it was hesitance out of rank or pure confusion, but as the brown male bounded the Kings way, the ginger and cream male barked happily into the night. They sprinted a few lengths before another growl sounded from the Pryor's chest, playful but challenging -- it was the only warning given before Alder swung his body around, momentarily stopping before swinging a massive paw right for the Gentry's face. His own masked maw was alight with a grin, blue eye sparkling in delight at the sudden spar.

His large paws beat in a steady rhythm upon the ground as he ran after just behind Alder, brown ears arching a top his head as he caught the playful; yet challenging growl from his superior. Amber eyes remained on his large mixed colored form, surpise washing over the mercenary as he watched Alder swing himself around; now going straight at him. His paws now attempted to bring him to a halt, digging in against the dirt as the brown male then tried to quickly twist himself round. His idea was to leap out the away and to the side as Alder attacked; hopefully being able to avoid his hindquarters being scathed in the process, (in truth in wasn't often Streiter found himself in a 'spar'). Letting out a playful growl as his amber eyes looked back to his King, the brute offered Alder a playful smile as he then allowed his hind paws to kick from the ground; hopefully managing to leap out the way from his superiors surprise attack.

Alder moved slowly as to give his friend a fair amount of time to move, catching the morphing emotions of eventual acceptance -- and, more importantly, a prompt engagement of skills -- before he leapt to the side. The King missed entirely but twisted his body to keep his gaze on Sylvas, snarling softly with a wild grin. This time, when he charged forward for a direct snap for the Gentry's shoulder, aiming to grasp and push over to pin.

As Sylvas landed in his leap of faith, the male's brown ears arched forward as he caught sound of his King's playful snarls, a wild grin had managed to form its way across the Gentry's muzzle. Turning his head to look toward his superior, amber eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of Alder charging his way toward him, aiming for his shoulder. Without thinking the grown brute lowered his head, protecting his throat as he then tried to pounce out of the way from his barrelling opponent. Whether or not he'd managed to avoid a direct hit, Sylvas knew to expect some form of contact from his delayed reaction.