Redtail Rise Savin’ his Pennies for someday

A weed had slipped into a yearling garden, just over a year ago. Alongside other sprouts, it had grown- only to blossom into something unique and desirable. Unlike other weeds, it did not strangle out the native species or choke out those who were also deemed desirable. In their shared sunlight, the garden had grown together.

Lilia saw herself in this light- an outsider,  mercifully saved, but who had outgrown the role of “burden” as quickly as possible. Now that @Avicus was injured, and stole away to rest for some time, she knew the pack needed in the very least a temporary boost to their leadership. 

@Augur was already a leader, and important in his role. Whatever decision the youth made could be passed by him, and Avicus, later. @Arielle she overlooked simply because she did not know her well enough, and had reasons to doubt her loyalty.

She’d wanted it for herself- but knew the temporary nature of the role, and had come to desire something more permanent and esteemed nonetheless. 

She felt discussion was needed, and that decisions needed to be made. No other packs could see them as weakened, not when they had such strength coming from within. 

She sought out first, those who were her age. She called together @Ancelin, @Relic, @Masquerade, @Redd, @Bobcat and @Lycabas, though she knew she might earn some ire in their gaze for having stepped forward to call them. It was not her place- but it had to belong to someone. 

”We gotta thtep up.” She said, to those who came. ”Avicuth need ugh even more now, ‘til she get’th bettuh- But we gotta figure out who doeth what. “ Finally, time to see where their desires lay. Who else among them had the same ambitions? ”Thay what you want to be yourthelf- an’ who you would follow.” she said.

”I’d lead if I had yah confidenth- but I would rathuh be Berthurkuh.” She admitted. Then, waited for others to make their votes- hoping privately to get a good gauge of how many of them would actually follow her.

Everything about this situation was unprecedented, so Lilia’s summons was no more or less surprising than anything else. Masquerade approached with a certain wariness, feeling uncharacteristically defensive of their mother and her title. Avicus was Wealda. There were no substitutes.

They listened to what the Bjern had to say, bristling inwardly. But Lilia didn’t want to usurp Avicus, she proposed they all step up during her convalescence. Masque’s ears swept backward uncertainly. They agreed with that sentiment, though it wasn’t particularly Lilia’s place to call the shots. What about Augur and the rest of the pack?

Normally they wouldn’t meddle in such affairs, though this wasn’t like the time Relic and Ancelin had fought. Masquerade still thought that nobody should assume Avicus’s role at the head of the pack, even temporarily, but if push came to shove…

We should all protect Wealda’s rightful place, Masque opined, but if we need a placeholder, it should be Redd, Relic or both. We should consult with Augur, they added, then fell silent.

Avicus was injured. She had young children to care for. The Rise was everything to her. But she needed to heal and look after her young brood.

Relic gathered with the other young adults, seated at Lilia's side like a trusted confidant. The wild furred, scar faced man wore an edge of utmost seriousness about him today. No gloating or flaunting. No puffing himself up, even in front of the other males or Ancelin. He was all business.

Looking down at his paws, his twitching ears received Lilia's words. He digested them, turning them over in his head. His brows furrowed.

When he looked up, he sighed. "I must agree with Masque." They were the voice of reason. As much as he wanted to give to Lilia, his loyalty had been and always would be to their Welada, first. "Augur still leads. He must have say. Respect him too much to leave him from this."

at first ancelin didn't even want to go. he'd sprained his ankle during the hunt and wanted to rest. the idea of facing them all since the fight shamed and frightened the boy, clenching his gut with something that quickly became anger, all aimed mostly at relic.
but if he didn't show, he'd look weak, or somehow embarass lilia. and that was the last thing he wanted. ancelin had paused so long that surely his cousins had already shown up; he huffed a breath and tried to think.
in the end, ancelin bearclaw arrived with his muzzle and chest stained in warm blood, dripping slowly in long pulls of scarlet from his chin. rabbit's, to be sure, but he had wanted to be eye-catching.
what his own eye caught was relic seated with lilia and his mind leapt breakneck to a thousand jealous scenarios that he felt his gorge rise. shame welled through ancelin; now he felt stupider for having shown up. 
but he was here now, and lifted his head, seating himself alongside masque.
ancelin tried not to stare at lilia, but first his mom, then his aunt, then this — the boy had a distinct feeling of being passed over. and it reminded him of atreus leaving, then arielle, then aventus. and now his mom was back, and ancelin had been so choked by all the things he could not say that now he projected them right toward lilia. like her, he had experienced the sensation of being outside, and it had become a point of commiseration between them. his support for her as berserkr might lead the rest of his cousins, especially when he heard relic mention augur.
but ancelin was quickly becoming obsessive, and the hurt was multiplied a third time.  he slumped nonchalantly, flicking his tongue across the ridges of his teeth as the blood smearing his fur slowly dried.
when silence fell, his indigo eyes at last swept toward lilia and relic. "if you want to be what prophet was, you have to fight for it. there's no reason you can't be that, but —" ancelin tipped his head toward his cousins. "maybe someone else wants it too."
the hot look in his eyes would tell lilia all was not well; the singe of his stare meant to communicate that she should leave him alone after this.

I actually finished painting ;.; I really thought it would take another day or two, I’m so tired.  BUT BEFORE BED

She was slow to arrive but came, disapproval emanating from her that it was Lilia to call and not her mother or Augur.  It was not their place to decide, but if a decision was to be made, then it would be the one best for the pack.

She did not trust Lilia’s ambition to step down when proper.  It was clear the girl would not want a temporary crown, and in Redd’s eyes, no one would hold Prophet’s position until Augur and Wealda determined this to be necessary.

Perhaps he would return.  Perhaps not.  This meeting meant little without Augur’s presence.

She rumbled her approval at Ancelin’s worse, then stepped forward from where she’d been lurking.  I would stand for her, but Augur chooses.

If none should hold it then none would, but if any did, Redd would make herself a choice.  She had few aspirations outside of ensuring the success of the whole, and a pack without Wealda was potentially a pack divided.  Without waiting for a confirmation, she lifted her muzzle and summoned the silent man with a howl.  A request that @Augur come and, in his way, let his insights be known.

red woman had stepped down, injured.

the leadership fell now to augur alone.

but the young were gathering. he heard wolverine's call and lifted his ears from where he lay with his children and mate.

augur knew a pack must settle internal strife caused by shift in leadership, and that youthful wolves were more likely now to fight or to disperse.

wolverine had become one of them, but the rise was populated by blood-ties, and she had not yet gained that. appointing her would anger the children of red woman.

when blood star called for him, the man at last rose and went to join the others. he did not need to dominate the youngsters; instead he wove between them with brushes of his muzzle and deep rumbles as his tail waved to ask for peace.

red woman had not communicated she would not be wealda again. and in his mind, that role belonged to a mature wolf who could cement her role in the same year by delivering pups. therefore, only new snow or longheart (arielle) was eligible, and therefore augur would not choose a wealda from among the aspiring youth.

and he did not want to decide on that position until it became clear that red woman would no longer be able to hold it. 

augur found her mark nearby; he lifted his leg to cross his scent with hers, saying she was still his observable leader.

that left only blood eyes' role to fill. augur sat, looking first to wolverine and then to blood star, and then the others. 

who challenges? he intoned in a wordless chuff. he had not chosen a leader before, and so he would follow red woman's ways.

She listened, though she wanted to interject many times. Easily, she got the impression that the others were chafed by her summons. Ancelin was covered in blood, Masque and Redd both looked vaguely unimpressed (though Lilia found they both looked impartial most of the time anyway) and even Relic looked disgruntled. So much for pulling them all together, she thought. 

But to call them out would be to appear defensive- and she didn't want that. 

"Thethe are good ideath- which ith why I wanted to call you all togethuh." She stated with a sigh. "I figured we could dithcuth how we'uh gonna help out, then call Augur. Dude ith buthy- he got kidth, he'th leadin' a pack on hith own now, tho I thought he'd be pleathed to thee uth workin' togethuh an' figurin' thtuff out, takin' initiative." She explained with a shrug. Clearly, they wanted to sort things out with him being present, which she thought was a waste of his time. But as the others felt his presence was important, she wouldn't stop them from calling out. 

Ancelin's comment had not gone over her head, and the stormy heat in his eyes paired with his macabre appearance did not go unnoticed. Lilia kept her cool. In the interim as they waited for Augur to arrive, she nodded. "Foh shure. That'th why I'm bringin' it up- everyone get-th a chanth to volunteeah themthelveth or thomeone elthe." She replied. "Tho far, we've got nominationth for Redd an'/or Relic to thtep up, an I'm thayin' I'd wanna become Bertherkuh. Who get-th what an' how, we can eithuh thort out ourthelveth, an' get Augur'th input on our dethision, or juth-t do thith- thee who want-th to help out where, an' he pickth." She said. 

Clearly, the others wanted Augur to be present for all of it, and he soon arrived. He reinforced one of Avicus' markings, making his point clear- he led, and would continue to do so. Lilia nodded in understanding; if he wanted one of them to step up and help out in Avicus' role, he'd choose that for himself. That left one other option. 

Berserkr.

Lilia stepped forward with a calm assuredness, though her gaze roamed around the others, to see if one would step up to issue a counter-challenge.

Masque thought there were two entirely separate discussions happening here. On one hand, they were chiefly concerned with how to handle the Wealda’s temporary absence from leadership. On the other hand, Lilia and the others talked about claiming Prophet’s vacant role. The Caru wasn’t sure what the one had to do with the other.

Before they could say anything further, Augur arrived and in his wordless way, declared his fealty to Avicus. Masquerade ducked their head in tacit approval, then squinted a bit as Lilia stepped forward as a candidate for Berserkr. As long as she didn’t attempt to claim Wealda, then Masque didn’t have any qualms. They certainly didn’t have designs on any leadership rank.

But what would their much more dominant siblings think?

Silently, he listened to Lilia while they waited for Augur to arrive. Picking apart her words, weighing the value behind them. When Augur came, he made his leadership clear, as well as his loyalty to Avicus. Catching his signal, burning red eyes set in a scarred face darted from one wolf to the next.

Beserker was up for grabs. He and Redd had been nominated. Lilia wanted it for herself, too. He wasn't surprised. Towards Ancelin's comment that such a rank had to be earned, he narrowed his eyes, as if to say: No shit sherlock. 

Nothing was given freely in the Rise. Everything, including rank, must be earned. No matter who you were. He understood that as well as everyone. And, had proven himself capable of defending his standing. He had no interest in direct leadership. His role was to serve the Rise. So he withheld any challenge. 

That is, unless Ancelin challenged for the role of Beserker first. Then, he would counter.

ancelin respected augur with the lowering of his body but his eyes burned with open hatefulness toward relic now, in full view of his cousins and the huntlead himself. the indigo flames moved only once toward lilia, who stepped forward to claim a rank that ancelin hadn't wanted a second ago.
but he wanted it now, if only to thrash relic into submission each time they met.
and yet the prospect of losing yet another public fight was too heavy. they would come to blows again, but not until ancelin was ready.
a heated exhale of breath calmed the bjern. he supposed the next moments would be testing, and found that he looked forward to it.
there was ambition in him, but it was not for this role, and so he held fast.

Redd considered the group and saw that none would step forward.

It was not a rank she wanted. She had no desire to reign over her brother and cousin and her place was as hunter, running within Augur’s charge.  If any were to challenge Lilia it would be the two of them, but both were cowed beneath her.  Perhaps this was as she had planned.

Redd did not want it, but if it was not earned, it would not be real.  If Lilia was to take this place, she should be given the chance to prove it.

Silently the red girl stepped forward and met Lilia’s gaze, no enmity within.  She would offer a challenge and submit only when she felt submission earned.

augur rumbled a note to skin tooth, having caught the heavy look in his eye toward sun jaw.

there would be no conflict today. they chose leadership this hour.

wolverine stepped forward, as did blood star. the ulfhedinn approved of this; he rose and circled to the left, motioning for the others to step back.

and when the onlookers had formed a sort of ring around the young wolves, he lifted his chin.

fight.

a berserkr needed to know fighting in all contexts, in all moments, in all situations. lilia had proven herself several times, but blood star was not to be ignored in her own strengths.

augur wondered if a single trial would be enough.

blood eyes had been a man in his hale prime, fully grown and ferocious. to hold the role of berserkr was to be so fierce not one would challenge.

She looked to each of them- to Masque, to see quiet acceptance. To Relic, whose stark gaze flicked to Ancelin, painted with blood. Ancelin, she saw, did not challenge her. She accepted this as a show of deference from them both- that neither would object if she was to win the title. 

The last to move, would be Redd, though she did so with something Lilia interpreted as reluctance. She did not step forward boldly, bravely, or with the same authority that Lilia had, so she studied Redd's features for a moment to understand her intentions. 

Was she only stepping forward because she'd rather anyone be Berserkr but Lilia? No...There was no coldness in the gaze that met hers. Once the others stepped back into a ring, Lilia began to wonder if this was simply an opportunity for her to prove herself. Even if Redd didn't want the title (which was what Lilia expected, given that Redd was Ulfr, not Bjern,) she'd stepped forward to give Lilia someone to fight against. While the others moved, Lilia regarded Redd with a faint trace of appreciation in her eyes. 

Many times before they had sparred- and even when Lilia lost her temper, Redd had remained cool. In victory or in defeat, Redd had been graceful, and that had had a significant effect on Lilia, teaching her how to cool her ego, whether it had been stoked or broken. Often, they'd shared a meal afterwards. She decided, then, as the other wolves turned in to observe, that regardless of the outcome...They would hopefully get to feast together once more. 

She envisioned herself as Prophet; how he might move, how he might regard his opponent. They were built differently, and yet she thought she could feel how he might have felt, to have had a challenger. Moreover, she had to imagine she was challenging Prophet, as none ever had, to her knowledge. Desperately, she wanted to prove herself, and fulfill the role that the man had left. A role she would not abandon, if only she could seize it by proving her skill. 

She dipped her head to Redd, an acknowledgement that she was ready to begin- and watched for her opponent to do the same, before she lunged forward and roared, hackles flown and tail raised. With her fur standing on end, the long scars from a lynx's claws down each shoulder, her prized epaulettes, became visible. She submitted to the trance-like fury she'd seen Prophet possess. Tiny veins in the whites of her eyes grew, surrounding the icy blue of her iris in a bloodshot ring. She simmered with adrenaline, and lunged toward Redd with all fond memories of their past forgotten; jaws opened wide and snapping as she aimed for a spot high on the girl's neck, near her jawline.

Relic remained motionless, though there was a palpable tension radiating between him and Ancelin. Masquerade looked between the two young men with a slight squint of disapproval and a shake of their head. In-fighting was such a waste. The rise should be united, each member uplifting everyone else in the pack rather than spending time and energy on something so petty and pointless.

Redd stepped forward, recapturing the Caru’s attention. Their neck stiffened as they peered now between their sister and Lilia. There was no sign of enmity or hostility. It occurred to Masque that Redd meant to test the swarthy Bjern’s mettle. She would earn the title by proving herself through a challenge. Masquerade’s tail twitched in approval.

When Augur motioned for the onlookers to make room, Masquerade retreated several steps. They and the three males formed a rough circle around Lilia and Redd: a makeshift cage match. There was no temptation to sit, not with the air crackling with tension and vigor. Masque’s legs remained straight, paws planted, muscles twitching as they waited for the she-wolves to make a move.

It seemed fitting that Lilia should strike first, with Redd there to challenge her. Masque’s spine stiffened as the Bjern lunged forth with a guttural battle cry, looking quite fearsome as she snapped at the hinge of Redd’s jawline, where her jugular pulsed in her neck. Without realizing it, the Caru inhaled sharply and trapped the breath in their chest, confident that Redd would boldly counter such a fierce attack.

meetings have been more exhausting than expected, but just to get this up! Feel free to write it to a close if you wish!

No others challenged and so she squared up.  While Lilia relied on a type of rage, Redd remained silent, watching with calculation as the girl charged forth.  She would not try to meet her with strength.  Redd wanted to see what all she could offer… cunning and patience too.

Prophet had clearly not measured to her mother’s side.  Lilia would need to prove herself even more suited than he for Redd to submit willingly.  Otherwise she would fight until she couldn’t.

She dodged and shoved, but only briefly and in passing.  If she caught a glancing blow she would try to send her off balance, but everything she did, she did without engaging fully.  She waited for something from Lilia she hadn’t yet seen… something beyond the driving desire to win.  Something that spoke of leadership.

When she saw this, she would yield.

None had stood in her way- Redd, and appreciated foe, moved forward so she might have a chance to prove herself in a combat that would earn her the title, so long as Augur had agreed. As far as she could tell, he was in favour of their methods. Berserkr Had been called upon, and only Lilia had stepped forward. Now, she would square off with Redd and prove herself worthy in front of a captive audience.

She drew some inspiration for the fighting moves she had learned from Prophet. To use them now might make him proud- though she used his great capability to remain on his feet to prove herself better than him now. At the end of the day, she had one thing that Prophet didn’t-

-undying loyalty. 

So she fought for the rank she felt she deserved. A rank that would not be given back to Prophet when he returned. She lunged and snapped, parried and shoved; using her jaws, her feet, and the slam of her body to gain ground. Still, she noticed that Redd seemed to be holding back, and that Lilia could move her around with relative ease. She growled. 

Redd’s heart didn’t seem to be in the fight. She shoved her shoulder against the other’s and turning a glinting eye toward her, and whispered hoarsely into her ear. ”Tetht me, Redd. Tetht me, or thave your hide if you think that’th been enough, and you would follow me.” She said. Whipping someone whose heart was in the fight would be cowardice. She wouldn’t feel worthy of the title of her opponent wouldn’t square up and fight her fully.

She squared up and flagged her tail over her back. Set and ready, she opened her jaws and roared toward her opponent- and waited to see what she would do next. But if Redd chose not to battle her, then Lilia would not punish her for it.

Lilia adjusted.  The fury died and the spar continued, a dance between the two.  Redd would not risk injury to either of them for this… even she did not know what she sought.  But she knew that she would know it when it came.

So she did.

She did not approve of the goading, but the intent behind it was clear.  She froze, appraising Lilia a moment, as if deliberating.  Too eager to prove herself.. But if this was the extent of her qualms, it wasn’t enough to prevent what was to come.  She’d shown herself a match and shown restraint in these first bouts.  This was what mattered.

Redd inclined her head, then stepped back and lowered herself.  The challenge was done - she would revoke the rights.  If she felt Lilia a disservice to the role she might have been willing to risk two hunters for the chance; as it was she had no desire.

The match was settled.

maybe one more post from @Augur and then we can bring this to a close?

To fulfill the title of Berserkr, she would need to fight until the fight was done- and not just done, but over. Fend off trespassers, and instill enough fear in them so that they would not come back again. And if they did, she would need the resolve to fight, fall, and rise to fight again- until there was nothing left to be asked of her. Any wolf with some loyalty might try, but Lilia knew in that moment, with the light spilled upon her and a ring of her closest friends and family watching her every move, that she couldn't ever let them down. This wasn't about reputation- it was about the pack. 

Neither of them needed to be torn to shreds for a fight over a title. The fight, she felt, had been won by the many hours she spent patrolling and becoming an unyielding presence at their borders. The numerous strangers, trespassers and threatening wildlife she had fought off and chased away had earned her the place she now took within the ring of her peers. The spar was little more than performative, at this point; with no others aspiring to take the role, it seemed fit that she should have it, so long as Redd backed down. 

And she did. 

Lilia almost thirsted for more of an opportunity to put on a show, but the decision had been settled amongst those who were present. Only she had immediately known that she had wanted the role. She'd been working for it for months. Now, she'd been measured- and her one opponent had stepped down. As always, the spar between herself and Redd ended gracefully, and she set her jaw, tilting her head to the ruddy female with an appreciative nod for her vote of confidence. 

With their silence, the others had seemingly pledged it too. To Augur she turned, then, still keeping her other peers in her peripheral vision should one of them break from their ranks.

The yearlings put on quite the display. Masquerade knew it could’ve been much more ferocious, had they been out for blood and not titles. They felt adrenaline pumping through their veins, nonetheless, their eyes clinging to every blow Redd parried. They respected Lilia—and would not argue with anyone’s conclusion on her fitness for the role—but they cared for their litter mate on another level entirely.

When the challenge concluded, Masquerade pressed close to Redd. She may have conceded, yet the Caru was immensely proud of their sister’s prowess. They nuzzled at her chin, tail beating against her hip. She had made their family proud, Masque thought, now raising their eyes to see what the other spectators thought.

Namely, they peered in Augur’s direction, waiting for him to formally declare the outcome. Was Lilia the rise’s new Berserkr?

Hope it’s okay to squeak this in here. :)

they fought.

they surged.

their practice, their kinship, their ability was clear.

augur noted how different this was from the way that the glowering boy and sun jaw had struck one another. 

but it had always been so for males.

now wolverine stood proud and glowing.

and augur, who did not know that red woman would choose again, rumbled and stepped forward. this time, if only for a moment, he would allow her to meet his eyes.

in the sunny depths, pride. 

the ulfhedinn tilted back his head and howled out his choice of wolverine, a voice that scudded and sundered.

he was not wealda. but his heart was made.