Dragoncrest Cliffs all I've done so far is not get killed

@Thuringwethil and @Dio!

It took Ishum a couple weeks, but finally he'd arrived. Maungeda was now part of his past, his future was here, with Drageda. This was where he belonged, beside the Heda, fighting with her. Here he had a chance to become more than just a Gona. The chocolate toned male stood the the borderline, in a redwood forest. It was noon, the sun was high in the sky making the shadows short or nigh visible. There was a nice breeze, and through the thick green branches the sky was as blue as the sea. 

Ishum took a deep breath, he was almost nervous. While he was a fearsome warrior no doubt, he was still young and anxious. His thoughts swirled around in his head, what if Heda's pack was full, and she turned him away? How humiliated he would feel to return to Maungeda with his head hung low. He raised his head and let out a long howl, renewing his confidence as the loud resonate sound left his throat. Then he waited, standing strong and proud, ivory eyes cast ahead into the summer green forest.

*slides eske in here* hover for translation(s)~ :D

The loud howl breaks through the silence of Eske’s patrol and the Cheka makes her way to the section of borders where the howl has risen without hesitation, unsurprised to see that she is the first to have arrived. She is no leader but she is Cheka and a guardian to boot, unable to ignore the summons given her close proximity to him anyway. Sea blue-green gaze takes him as she approaches, shrugging through the vestiges of underbrush, ears alert atop her skull and tail curling over her back in a display of dominance prompted by his stalwart and proud stance. For a loner likely seeking asylum within Drageda’s borders his confidence leaves Eske feeling irked and she commands his compliance with each step she takes until she stops a short distance away, pulling herself up to her full height, lip curling back over her teeth in a non-verbal warning. “Hod op! Fis klin yu diyo splita!” She issues the decree in her native tongue and then speaks, “State your business outsider.” for his benefit unknowing if he understands Trigedasleng or if he, like most all others, only understands the common tongue.

It didn't take long before someone arrived, though it was not who he was hoping for. The girl was about his age, her fur was brown like his but lighter. She looked strong, clearly a warrior. She moved towards him with dominance in her stride, and though Ishum generally hated submitting, he obeyed her unspoken command. The young man lowered himself, tucking his brown tail slightly but looking up to her. Ai laik hir glong op Drageda, ai laik Ishum kom Maungeda.

He yields to her command: both verbal and non verbal. Sharp, seaglass blue-green gaze does not waver as it settles upon him, watching as he sinks into a more submissive posture, his tail tucking slightly between his legs. The warrior princess is protective of Drageda’s borders and even when he speaks Trigedasleng as fluently as she, offering his name and where he comes from: Maungeda — mountain nation — she knows the words and is only vaguely familiar with the pack; vague familiarity through word of mouth, however, is hardly enough to assuage her guard and allow it to fall. “I am Eske kom Drakru, The Commander’s Cheka.” She offers in introduction, though her dominant posture does not relax. She is in charge here until Thuringwethil or Dio come upon them, at least, and he would do well to remember it. She is young and she knows that older wolves have a tendency to think that age triumphs skill (it does not); and though he looks young and is from one of the Nations she does not let her guard drop. “You can tell me about yourself while we wait for Heda,” The warrior princess invites. “What skills do you have to offer Drageda?” She initiates the conversation by striking at the core of what she truly desires to know: what use he would be. Trades and skills were important to Drageda and if a trade was not earned within the time frame Heda gives they would be culled from the pack. Perhaps it is harsh, but Eske does not think of it as such. It is simply their way.

The girl then introduced herself as Eske, the Heda's Cheka. A high position, he understood why the woman held herself in such esteem. Cheka was a role he wouldn't mind filling either, though there were other things he wanted more. Things he probably wouldn't ever have, but he could still dream. He dipped his head to her, respecting her position. She asked him to tell her about himself- what skills he brought with him. He shifted his large brown paws, allowing his muscles to relax a bit.

I am a trained warrior, I bring my knowledge of the fight. And of course I can hunt, as well as any other. He explained quickly, for he was a little impatient.

Ishum answers her question with what Eske takes to be impatience in his tone. Her lips curl back from her teeth in a silent warning. She does not appreciate impatience from outsiders because though he from one of the nations of the coalition he is an outsider to Drageda and therefore an outsider to her. She wonders if he will present more trouble than he is worth, but will keep that contemplation to herself. Eske has the feeling that if Heda accepts him she will need to keep an eye on him until he proves himself. “A Gona, then.” Arlo is the only one that remains from those that have came and gone. She still guards the borders but her main duty is to shadow and protect Heda. Drageda would not hurt for having another Gona. “Why did you leave Maungeda for Drageda?” She asks next, mostly to sate her own curiosity, though she supposes having an answer may not be a bad thing. She knows that either Heda or Wocha will be along shortly but until that time she intends to keep him preoccupied and learn what useful information she can from him.

Another question strikes her then, lingering upon the tip of her tongue. A question that his answer might prove to be useful towards her tactician specialty. Eager to get an edge in towards Wanlida where she can she asks, “As a trained Gona what is your style of fighting? Are you more offensive like a warrior? Or defensive like a guardian?” It is a question she has yet to ask Arlo himself, and makes a mental note to ask it of all Gona earned or aspiring alike; perhaps all of Drageda in turn. If Drageda ever saw war it strikes her as a useful thing to know.

The howl that reaches Thuringwethil’s ears is filled with purpose, with belonging. It is familiar in the same way Raleigh’s had been, that she does not recognize whom it belongs to it but it is still hers all the same. She puts down what she is doing, gives her mate a gentle lick against her face, and slips from the cavern in an easy pace. She does not rush, knowing Eske had been on the borders and is likely to reach the origin before she does, but she trots easily until she finds the brute for herself.

Eske is already asking him questions, his purpose, and he has so far passed the test the cheka has given or else he’d be long since chased off. Thuringwethil does not say anything as she slows her pace, weaving through the last few trees to hover a few yards away in the background.

Ishum's brash impatience was met with a warning, and though he was still impatient he hid it in a bow of his shoulders. He had no intention of angering Eske, especially when he'd just met her. He nodded when she suggested a Gona, for that had been the rank he'd held in Maungeda. She asked why he left Maungeda, and to that he answered, I came to serve Heda. I have always liked what I've heard about the commander, I wanted to meet her and be a part of her tribe. 

Her next question engaged Ishum more. He loved discussing his trade; his strategies and victories. Even speaking about battle excited the boy warrior. His tail swaying lightly now, he replied, I prefer offensive battle. I like using strategy and skill as opposed to brute strength, and you get to use it more as a warrior than a guardian, in my opinion. You? He turned the question on her, curiosity glinting in his icy white gaze.

Before the Cheka had a chance to respond, the brown furred male sensed another nearing. A large dark woman, with power in her stride. Ishum assumed this must be the Heda, and with a hint of awe in his expression, he dipped his head to her. Heda. He acknowledged her, but waited to be addressed further.

It is strange for Eske, whom has known The Commander her whole life, that Heda appears to be something of a novelty to the other nations. They know of her, know that she exists but many of them, it would seem, has never met her. It’s as if she is a legend an they all want to be able to claim that they have met her, to affirm that she is not just a story passed from nation leader to nation leader. She does respond but offers a slight inclination of her head to acknowledge that she has heard him. “I do not have a true preference between the two,” She likes them both, understands the importance of both and can be both though currently she holds guardian in order to maintain her rank as Cheka. “Sometimes we must be called upon to act both as guardian and as warrior. In some ways they are one in the same.” Warrior tended to see more action than guardian, it was true, but guardians tended to have a better understanding of what was happening in the pack. As Eske trains herself to think as a tactician she has come to understand that nothing is truly as black and white as she’d once thought it to be.

Nevertheless, Eske keeps in mind that he prefers offense to defense. She seeks to offer him a future spar, if Heda accepts him into their ranks to test out his abilities in full, to know his strengths and his weaknesses. Eske herself is known for taking advantage of anything she can in a fight. She does not exactly fight fair but nothing is fair in war (and love). Her words die on her tongue as Heda approaches, though and she takes a step back, altering her posture. “Heda,” She bows her head low, offering The Commander a posture of submission. “This is Ishum from Maungeda.” Eske makes the introduction, “he’s come to join us, he wishes to serve you, Heda. He told me that he is a skilled fighter and that he can hunt as well.” She gives Thuringwethil the basic rundown of what she has learned and then falls silent as she expects Heda to take over from there.

Their exchange comes to an end as she approaches. They tidy up their responses before they both address her. The stranger calls her by title and slate gray eyes scan his form, note his scent, and determine it is nothing familiar. However, Raleigh had been just as unfamiliar but she knows her parents and the connection had been there anyway. Eske takes over a beat later and Thuringwethil dips her nose once to acknowledge the information.

Perhaps he'd followed after his pack mate since they'd come only a few weeks apart.

"I see," she says softly, taking a few more steps to close the distance now that they have included her. "Show me how skilled you are then," she says with a point of her nose and encouragement to Eske to take the lead in evaluation.

The Cheka did not have a preference which was understandable. She sort of had to be both to do her job correctly, and as she stated next they were very similar anyhow. Ishum nodded to her statement, as Heda arrived.

Eske gave Heda a rundown of what he'd told her, and Heda acknowledged her with soft words. She then spoke to him, asking him to show his skill. A spar, he could handle that, in fact he loved the idea. Excitement hid behind his eyes, but he cloaked it with a professional dip of his head. He stepped back, facing Eske once more. He lowered himself into a sturdy position, then began circling Eske.

He evaluated her form and figure, trying to decide where she might be most vulnerable. His ivory eyes scanned her head to toe, and he finally decided on his plan. Eyes narrowed as he focused, Ishum darted to the left, then juked back towards her, hoping to confuse her a little. He slammed into her right side, pushing all of his force into his shoulder.

spar thread for easy reference. eske = 3 (defended) & ishum = 1 (full hit). Round one.

He works to conceal his excitement but Eske’s sparks like blue-green flames in her eyes. She is a born fighter and to heed the demand of her nature is her favorite thing. Any chance to show off her prowess in battle is a call she will gladly answer. She steps into position at Heda’s silent command and tucks her muzzle to protect her throat, eyes focusing only upon Ishum as he circles her. Her hackles bristle and a low warning snarl spills from betwixt her lips. He lunges for her, taking to the offensive as he has stated. So then, she shall play the defensive. It will preserve her strength by parrying his blows as best she can. She shifts her body but he is already upon her. She cannot block his blow entirely and his shoulder still manages to clip hers instead of ramming full force. The collision is momentarily jarring and Eske gnashes her teeth to keep back the grunt of pain that threatens to leave her. She keeps a close eye upon him, withholding her own desire to attack as she sticks firmly to her defensive position, attempting to determine and defend his next attack.

round two: Ishum- partial attack and Eske- defend

Rather than dodge his attack, Eske braced herself and took it full force. She seemed jarred for a moment, her teeth bared as she held back a grunt, but she did not seem too affected. To his surprise she did not try to attack him from there, instead she prepared herself for his next move. He wondered if it was because she was trying to gauge his fighting style, or if she was just a defensive fighter. Either way, he takes her moment of pause to attack again.

Ishum moved quickly beside her and with force he threw his head up under her chin, hoping to throw her off balance.

finishing round two & initiating round three so ishum has something to dodge, haha.

He is quicker than Eske would have pinned him for — her mistake but she is also quick upon her feet and twists her body away as she sees him come up beside her and attempt to hit her under the chin with his skull. The full force of his attack misses her with just his snout bumping against the underside of her chin instead. It barely smarts. She lets loose a guttural growl and lashes out towards him, jaws parting with the attempt to sink her teeth into the flesh of his neck.

Continuation of round three, starting four four :)

Ishum's head butt barely grazed Eske's chin, only knocking it a little. He snarled a little, unable to hold it in. Eske did the same, just as she lashed out at him, teeth snapping towards his throat. Her teeth met with the flesh at his neck, but he reared back before they sank in. He felt some of his mahogany fur be pulled, and possibly ripped out, but nothing too bad. He stepped back a few steps after that and shook his body, which rose and fell slowly with every deep breath.

He only gave himself a few more moments of rest before returning to the spar. He was on the offensive again, he rushed forwards with his head down, reaching to grab her leg. He hoped to pull her down onto her knees.

ending round four & starting the fifth and final round! maybe @Thuringwethil could call it a tie for them after ishum's post? :-)

Eske’s teeth clamp down on fur instead of flesh and as he recoils from her she releases her hold upon his fur lest he be determined enough to rip it out. This was a friendly spar, a test of his abilities. It was not meant to draw blood. He moved away and Eske readied himself for his next attack. When it came it was aimed at her legs. He grasps ahold of her but she manages to keep her balance. To dispel him she rams her shoulder as hard as she can into him, the collide of their bodies rattling her teeth, bearing a grimace upon her lips. When she pushes towards him to aim a second attack it is with jaws agape for his scruff attempting to grasp it and force him down into submission and forfeit.

ending round five!

Ishum's teeth met their mark, clamping onto her leg and holding it tight. But as he attempted to pull her down, her shoulder rammed into him like a train, knocking him back. He felt his bones rattling for a second, and when he looked up Eske looked just as shaken. The impact jarred them both, but unfortunately for Ishum his opponent was the first to recover. She lunged for him again, her teeth are aimed at his scruff. If she managed to grab him this could mean the end of the fight. Ishum would not have that.

With a quick breath in, he slipped away just in time, the adrenaline running through his veins made him just quick enough. From where he stood now he prepared to make another attack, though there was a pause for them both to catch their breath.

Feel free to continue, branch off, or end the thread. <3

Neither of them hesitates as Eske squares herself up and Ishum makes the first move. Thuringwethil keeps to her spot as she watches the tussle that, at first, is mostly defense. Eske is young and small with promise in her training, already proven herself to be her guard despite those things. Ishum is travel weary and maybe a little older, but not by much, and he still holds his own against the Cheka. Maungeda has plenty of wolves from Seageda, even before the fall, to train them into what they want and his training has occurred well after. Briefly, she wonders who has taken to his studies but she puts that away for another time.

Neither of them makes much headway after several minutes, only to square up once more; however, before they can get any further, she chuffs for their attention. “Enough,” she announces, slowly looking from the two and settling on the brute at her doorstep. “You will stay in this forest until you’ve earned your place,” she explains. Just like the rest of them. “@Raleigh from Maungeda is here too. You should find her.” Her words are cut short and she glances to Eske, giving her a knowing look to show Ishum the things he needs to know—caches, the borders, etc—and she turns and retreats back to the center of Drageda.

last post from me! feel free to post once more or archive as is! <3

He evades her grasp and circles out of her reach and she allows him the moment to catch his breath. She wants to win, feels it in the drive beneath her breast but their spar is called to an end as Heda lets the command fall. Enough. They are too evenly matched and now Eske has to work harder to fix that. She heeds The Commander’s behest and stands down. The warrior princess gives a sage nod at Heda’s knowing look and steps forward then to give Ishum the customary tour. “Let’s go, Kru.” She motions for him to follow her with an elegant gesture of her muzzle and begins to move confident that he will follow.