Redtail Rise It was only a trap.

The man followed familiar trails to where he knew a settlement waited, and was unsurprised to find the scent of @Avicus along the fringe, still so strong.

If Tulimaq was in any way reluctant to make his return he did not show it; but, he made his way beneath the cover of night as if to conceal himself. In truth it was happenstance that he had come to the rise at this late hour - his gait was slightly hindered, if one were to look closely to the way he limped a foreleg.

Remnants of a family fued which he would not mention; but now Tulimaq was here, returned, and sulked at the edge of the rise expectantly. Had the feral woman managed to raise her little army?

she left @Reki to watch the kids, trusting him as long as @Ashlar kept within calling distance. she's restless, cooped up in there. night falls, and they're sound asleep; they should be okay. she gives a great stretch upon exiting the den and then lopes off, feeling the stiffness in her joints.

stiffness that slips away as she races through the trees, bursting out onto the open claim. she lets her tongue loll as she runs, the cool night air intoxicating all her senses.

wheeling 'round, intending to head back—

a shadow at the border.

Avicus changes direction abruptly and charges for the figure, teeth bared in a snarl and emotions fueled by recent events. only when she's paces away does she pull up to a halt and lifts her chin, realizing too late the sense of familiarity that strikes her upon finding his face in the starlight—

tags for ref!

Keeping details vague until the fight thread is concluded.

Relic kept busy. There was plenty to do, between combing through every inch of the territory and catching prey for his mother. Now that she had given birth, and he made a big brother, he was more protective than ever. His intense ferocity magnified tenfold, channeled into overbearing aggression unto those who stepped out of line.

The battle with @Ancelin hardened him. Emboldened him as a warrior. He still walked with the same pride and loyalty as before. While flaunting a new look. Still healing wounds criss crossed his face, littering his body. In time, his fur would grow in, perhaps to cover some.

The dark hour had him up, wide awake. Preparing to finish his rounds before returning to stay within earshot of the whelping den. The flash of ruddy fur that was his mother crossed his line of sight. He did not anticipate on meeting back up with her, tonight. She seemed agitated, rushing towards the borders. Relic too, had locked on to the distant figure of the outsider. His scarred muzzle crinkled, serrated hackles bristling with life. Teeth glinting, he prowled forward to stand boldly by his mother's side, his allegiance clear.

skippable!

tall man.

no longer did he elicit respect from augur.

sun jaw moved to flank his mother.

the boulder-man did the same, a low rumble of warning in his chest as he responded to the energy of the moment.

his yellow eyes bored into the one-time rise wolf.

There came teeth flying for him; angry and red just the way he liked them, singing where they snapped, but they did not cut across his skin. Tulimaq leveled a glare towards the face lingering so close and did not soften, but his attention drifted to each additional wolf that appeared.

He saw the younger one and appraised them with that same look, and then flashed the pale man who arrived with a narrowing glimpse. His interest was in Avicus mostly; the bou though, came second.

They were all distrusting of him. Their warnings were clear.

I'm not here to make war with you, he justified. The veiled evening light caught upon his scarred face, the network of ruined skin down his left cheek and in to his neck. Are you stronger, Avicus? Have you raised your warriors?

she's flanked by Relic, Augur. loyal warriors, they. one her daughter, the other, part of her soul despite no blood between them.

and Tulimaq. . .

his first statement sends her lips curling upward. i should hope not, her gimlet stare reads. he goes on, asking about their progress. it inflames her. what right has he to know? 

whah' happenedh? Avicus demands, ignoring his queries. her jaw is clenched tight. where were you?

there are no excuses—other than grievous bodily injury, she supposes. and still, with that. . .Ashlar could have treated him. Tulimaq has been gone, and must answer for it.

last for me; @Relic feel free to fade w next post or here!

they shared words.

in time tall man went away.

augur would remain with red woman, marking over where the man had once stood.

he was one of them no longer.

Relic huffed. Unimpressed. Unamused. Tall Man had no place amongst the Redtails, here.

As Tall Man left, Relic turned away without another glance back. Passing by Augur and Avicus in his own departure, he chuffed lowly to them. Affirming his everlasting loyalty.