The Heartwood Float through bright rooms; no borders, no fences

After the Caiaphas and Merrick thread! Assuming that Alison went to get some help if Asori wants her to stick around she's more than welcome to! Medic thread for those seeking it, everyone is welcome, provided they are in MSP or NW! Current injury, severe bite wounds to the knee, bleeding. Wound to the flank.

It was stupid. To go in when all signs pointed that it would be a two vs one, he should have known that a failure would come his way - but the thirst was too strong at the time. He saw his target and wanted nothing more than to try his chances at the "what if" notion. That luck would be on his side - and yet it wasn't. Merrick's distraction had given the witch just enough time to get a hold on the fight early on and there was little more he could do than to hold on and keep trying at his dwindling chances.

This was the difference between the thoughtful warrior and the bloodthirsty warlord. His weight was working against him at this time. He was not accustomed to walking with only three legs, and the weight on his knee was enough to have Vengeance lay there for a while to recover. To wait for the bleeding to cease. For his strength to return. The adrenaline had long faded and now he waited - as pissed off as ever. 

He laid on his knee, trying to hide the scent of fresh blood as possible, though it did not help the pain or the healing - the chances of being found by someone like him by the smell of blood at least diminished the chances of becoming some bloke's next meal...

The female spent her days venturing a bit further from the territory in hopes of finding fresh prey. She got her fill of mice and scavenging off of leftover carcasses but she wanted more. So when the smell of blood hit her nose she began to track it down hoping for a meal but instead she came across vengeance. Not that the female minded that at all however she was only mildly disappointed. But came closer and saw he was wounded but she only saw the visible wound. "Where else are you wounded, I can help." She stated simply.

fast and loose w/ timelines! @Lyra is with her investigating; she may not be alone so vague as to who might follow; before mal cal but after dacio thread :TTHOONKKKKK:

Having not found who she wanted at the lake, her next step was to seek where they might have gone to next. Nowhere near her territory, she had ensured, before drifting toward the Heartwood. They would have known by now. But to be sure, Hydra sent her brother back to guard the perimeter of home. If they could nip this problem in the bud, all the better—

The scent of blood came to her. Promising. 

Moving as one with @Lyra Hydra came upon the scene from one side, her sister emerging from the other, but with the simple flick of her tail the hunt was off; this was not who they sought. Hydra's gaze assessed what damages done she could see, and she looked to Lyra; this was neither food nor foe, but ally. She would recognize him from the moose-dispute. 

Hydra had heard he was in a fight from Andraste, though had not expected this outcome. The Queen looked to him with hard eyes, irate that someone would do her ally undue harm. What happened, she asked, flatly; here she is duty, prepared to avenge him. Hydra circles around him, pausing as she asks before approaching, I would like to know the scent of your attacker. Will you permit me near? She inquired, polite and well-mannered; Hydra herself and her cohorts were free of scents, here and now, having ensured they washed at the Lake so as to not be tracked in her own mission of murder. He was not her target, but he could lead her to them. 

Glancing to Lyra, she asked mutely: can he be helped? Lyra had mended broken bone; she imagined Vengeance could be aided, too.

Alert. High alert. The sound of footfalls approaching was met with a vicious snarl, teeth clashing as he opposed whoever was approaching, making sure they knew that if they were here to finish the job - that he would go down swinging until his dying breath. Lips quivered as eyes finally focused on the familiar woman who he had just recently taken in as his Consort - Serem. For a moment his hard ruby eyes remained on her, only to eventually shift his position and expose the wound on his knee and flank. Blood oozing from the knee, at least the flank had stopped bleeding. 

But more would come. Quickly his gaze flickered to the new direction, ready to take action all the same but this time with Serem at his side - forearms pulsating as he gripped the earth; just to relax once more once the two other dark figures were one again, allies. At this moment he was thankful for the alliance with Moonspear more than any other decision he had made. It made the wilderness their own grounds, and allies were not far in between. 

Easing back into his position, tail flickering behind him as it thumped frustratingly against the ground. Caiaphas, I found her. A headache from Rusalka who started trouble with Easthollow the moment I joined their ranks. There were no secrets to hide, he had his reasons for attacking and no one would make him think otherwise. He knew what he had done. 

Merrick chose to stand by her side. The boy is a traitor - and his raven counterpart, the female Astara would soon follow. It was a safe assumption, the two were almost tied to the hip - it was shocking that they weren't together when this ordeal had gone down. Have at it. Motioning with his head, he welcomed Hydra to take a sniff at the scent that still lingered on his coat to familiarize herself with the sea witch.

It was really just one thing after another, after another, after another.

It wasn't as though they had expected to happen upon yet another grim scenario, though at least this time it was before someone had turned into a corpse. Though not just someone, but one of their purported allies—Dirge remembered him, though last time he had seen him he hadn't quite been the shade of heather red that he bore down. It was Hydra who took point while he lingered, playing the part of sentinel but more there to eavesdrop than anything.

It didn't take long for Vengeance to spill the beans, and how they filled the blanks.

The names meant nothing to Dirge, though there seemed to have been some truth to Dacio's story. Caiaphas, the blackheaded sea witch. He inferred the other two must have been in the leader's employ, at least until the previous events had transpired. But was Merrick the wolf that Hydra sought? The name didn't seem right, he thought as his gaze surveyed their surroundings in the quiet wood. But maybe it was, maybe it was the link that Hydra had been looking for all along... and his gaze settled on her and Lyra curiously.

kind of a cameo of sorts, dirge'll interject where he wants.

She saw the two wolves emerge and she was a bit defensive at first until vengeance spoke and it seemed these were wolves that they had allied themselves with and her posture relaxed. The dark woman had no clue who this woman named Caiaphas was but quite frankly she was the least bit concerned at that very moment due to the severity of his wounds. She was sure that this would be discussed at a later time. However when he mentioned the mute girl and her companion she remained quiet. She then looked at his wounds; since the one on his flank seemed to be fine at the moment she focused her attention on the one that was oozing. 

Realizing that she had absolutely no herbs to help she looked at the trio. "I have to get herbs I'll be back." She said before quickly running off to get them.

Caiaphas had started trouble with Easthollow; it made some sense, now, as to why Caiaphas would want to implicate them in the death of the mercenary and father of Dragomir and Isilme. Hydra, thinking it best to know all in this matter so she could best understand her enemy, inquired: do you know the nature of the conflict with Easthollow and Caiaphas? Hydra did not much care for the reasoning of Vengeance as it aligned with her own interests—a fruitful alliance this was, between the two of them. As he permitted, Hydra drew nearer (careful nonetheless, and mindful of his person). 

The scent of them would not be forgotten. The scent of their blood and furs alike were committed to memory, and as Serem went off to find herbs Hydra glanced to Lyra, who would no doubt help the woman when she returned. She withdrew from the side of Vengeance having the scents she needed, but eager to hear the story of Caiaphas to better know her. She would ask about Merrick soon enough, but the adult among them for now held her attention.

Sorry it's so short! I really had nothing else to really add to it :C

While Serem ran off for healing herbs, and the male at Hydra's side kept quiet - he focussed on Hydra's questions. I don't know the whole story, but what I do know is that she and Vercingetorix, a dark man with a scar across his neck, went to Easthollow to attempt to kill one of their leader's pups. I haven't heard of anything further on the subject. She was the Alpha of Rusalka at the time. From her conversation with Merrick, they sound as if they plot to hunt down his progeny, his daughter, as retribution for leaving her to die after attacking Easthollow's pup.

And with that, he pondered what else Hydra might want to know. What the plan might be... one thing was for certain, should Rusalka call him an enemy for trying to rid them of an annoyance like their former leader, whether Hydra would join the Nightwalkers against them would have to be discussed sooner rather than later.

Your posts are always quality <3

 

Hydra's ears pricked at the news he shared. 

The mercenary and Caiaphas had both gone to kill a child. But the mercenary had left Caiaphas for dead. Likely he did not have the stomach for such a thing when push came to shove, but had he even been aware of the plan to start with? Hydra had not known him enough to come to a conclusion with any real certainty, and he was dead now—some things she would never know. Hydra did not trust Caiaphas herself for an honest answer given the way in which she had tried to spin things upon Easthollow that were false. From what Hydra could deduce about the woman, she had determined she was clever, and manipulative too. Strong and battle-savvy enough to put Vengeance in this position, too. 

Hydra considered for a moment while she looked Vengeance over. 

I have come to find that the new settlers despise the woman as much as you do. They themselves have their own separate history with her. I found one of them hunting for her at the Lake where he was killed. I imagine, too, that Easthollow shares in your feelings toward her. And as for me, Hydra drawled, I have children. If she is the sort of woman who will come to borders to slay them, whatever the reason, she must be disposed of. This Merrick, too, and I suppose his companion. They favor her, and perhaps will seek to avenge her. What of him? For what reason did he betray you, if any at all? She drawled. Hydra was not yet certain the mercenary was the common denominator, or what else there may be, but she had her suspicions.

In any case, the Wilds would benefit from their... removal. I think any, even all, would unite for a cause such as this, she suggested, eyes flashing. Rusalka, she recalled. What is her relationship with Rusalka? Hydra inquired after a beat, wondering if Caiaphas could still call upon them.

Irritated, furious, enraged, the words went on and on, and though he enjoyed Hydra's company, the way her mind worked was unlike he could ever reach himself - she broke through his shroud and ears tore from their crown and toward the black woman. Serely against the idea of allying himself with anyone within the Great Bear Wilderness at first, especially during the famine, he was now reconsidering his hatred over the idea. 

Her question on Merrick and Astara didn't seem one necessary to answer, and so he let that one fall along the wayside of her ponderings. They didn't matter to him anymore. They were no more a pest to him as Caiaphas was at this time. Quick to anger, he was even quicker to cut ties. Vengeance wasn't the type to get sentimental over once Nightwalker members turned. 

I'm beginning to like the idea of visiting our neighbors and allying ourselves. More eyes and ears on the lookout for the sea-witch and her new companions. Though he had a liking for some Rusalkan members, he would be more than happy to dispose of them too should they defend the woman further. She was their Alpha for a time before I joined, this was the first time I met her since joining and leaving their ranks. Would they still accept her after being away for so long? After making so many enemies, costing them even one member, if not more should Illidan still be away and missing.

She had gathered all the herbs that she could find to help her warlord with his injuries. When she arrived the two had been talking and she only caught the tail end of their conversation. She let them finish speaking before walking up to vengeance. "May I?" She asked looking at his wound. She only asked so that she would not be met with fangs; if allowed she would do what she could with the materials at hand and leave to let them finish their conversation.

As he spoke of her history with Rusalka, Hydra nodded. He ran with Rusalka, she recalled him saying, and he had said she was the alpha once too, but she sought more intelligence than that. He had met her but once while she lead, though Hydra was not certain for how long he had run with them. Would any among them seek to defend her, do you think? She asked after a beat, ears twitching atop her head. It was worth knowing the obstacles she might come up against—and also, came a terrible thought, the revenge she herself could sow should the seawitch touch a single hair upon any wolf she loved. If Caiaphas had family within Rusalka, she imagined the answer to that could only be yes unless they had disowned her for her atrocious actions. Then again if they were family, maybe they stood with her regardless. Hydra knew that for her own parents, she would have; whoever they sought to cull, they must have had good reason for it.

Then again, there were very few in this world who carried her brand of loyalty. Unwavering and everlasting, when earned. 

Hydra's gaze shifted toward Serem when she approached, though fortunately her scent had foretold her return. A howl cut through the Wood then, and Hydra listened to its message; danger had come to find reprieve at Neverwinter, it seemed. Her ear flicked and Lyra was on her way, and Hydra took only some steps in pursuit of her before looking to Vengeance. Anything else I ought to know about our enemy? She asked lastly, ears twitching; already, the cogs of her mind were shifting, formulating what their best recourse was for this all would be. 

The trail of each thought ended only with violence, though such a thing was a typical conclusion for Hydra to arrive to.

His eyes landed on the Consort who returned with what was necessary to begin her duty as a healer. He hoped to walk himself back to the Haunted Woods soon than to remain here bathing in his own blood and loss, to prepare for what might come after this little ordeal. Maybe. His attention was once again stolen by Hydra, rubies quickly shifting over to the emerald eye queen while she spoke. Last I saw of her daughter, she came off as fiercely loyal - but time has a knack of changing that. I would need to send spies to gather information on them before heading over myself.

Should their loyalties still remain with the sea witch, even he knew it would be a bad idea to go to them personally on their own lands and question about their once Alpha. What if she beat him to their border first and informed them of what had transpired? He was brash, but not quite stupid. Not to that extent at least. She had brought turmoil to them, I can't imagine they would protect her blindly.

This was our first encounter, what I gained is she is manipulative. A charismatic shrew who thinks she's clever. That is all I know other than she has a son and daughter. Even those two he wasn't certain on their current state, their current loyalties to her. He could only go by on what he could remember from three months ago. He couldn't even be certain they survived the natural disaster that rocked the earth.

Hydra listened, and her ears stood at attention when she heard one word in particular that stood out above all the rest. 

Daughter. A fiercely loyal one, at that. Even if time had changed things, she knew there was no thing quite so terrible to a mother than the death of ones own child. Such an event had not yet unfolded in her own life, but her instinct dictated that all she did was for their own survival. In the marrow of her bones she felt that, whether there was a relationship still existing there or not, Caiaphas would not want any of her own to come to harm.

But... Knowledge was power. 

Once he had finished, Hydra nodded, thinking, mulling over all that had been shared and said throughout their exchange. After a moment, Hydra advised with a tactician's efficient mind: Imagine it. Prepare for any scenario. For some, blood will always be thicker than water. If she is manipulative, then I do not doubt she might be able to beguile these children you have spoken of. What are their names? How do they look? Perhaps she might send them to do some investigating in her stead, she drawled; if that was so, she wanted to be sure that she knew both of these things before she left, and after a beat, she expressed: if she is their mother, they too might be able to manipulate those they come across. Hydra did not count them guilty for their mothers crimes, but still, it was best to be careful.

For some, blood is thicker than water. That was something Vengeance could never understand, something his mind could not wrap around - though he was certain Hydra felt otherwise. From their previous encounters, Hydra was one who was fiercely protective over her own. Vengeance on the other hand only thought of himself. Of his pack as an extension of himself and nothing else. This year he would have his own litter, one that he would stick around for to help raise and mold into versions of himself that he would be proud of. 

But blood didn't mean they were safe from his wrath. 

Blood meant little if they didn't live up to expectations. 

But that is why Hydra and Vengeance ruled separately. They did well this way with a distance between them, with their own rules set and a kingdom of their own to control. Her son is Illidan. He looks similar to her, pale body with a dark head, copper on the ears with a bright yellow stare. Her daughter is Raleska, the same yellow eyes but darker all around with a lighter undercoat that becomes clearer closer to her undersides. 

Thinking back to the meeting after Vercingetorix had come back to report what Caiaphas had done, he tried to remember their reactions. Their words. They know of her attack on Easthollow - they didn't seem to support her actions. Illidan especially. I believe they can be reasoned with, but to be watched carefully. He didn't think they would be as manipulative as their mother, that the witch was a unique creature of her own - but he would not be set at ease unless they were shown to be trustworthy. More so than he had already seen.

We should send one of ours to find and scout Rusalka and their members.

All of the information that he shared was taken in, absorbed; all good things to know, and commit to memory. The witch had a twin in her son who did not sound so terrible, the way Vengeance spoke of him... but things changed. All things did, given enough time and certain circumstance. He might not think it so, but so many were ruled by the principle that blood was thicker than water. 

But Vengeance would be wrong to think that made any exempt from judgment. Korei Julia was family in blood, but not in name any longer for her actions after all. Hydra would never again acknowledge their bloodtie. 

Vengeance believed they could be reasoned with, and given he had known them Hydra imagined he might be right. Best to be certain of that before the whole of what we seek to do is shared with them. They might protect her, she drawled, and even if they do not do that much, they may warn her, and that would make her all the more difficult to find, potentially. Hydra desired for this to be quick, as quick as it could be done. But all great things took time, and they had more of this on their side than the hunted party did now, she imagined. 

As he spoke of sending one of their own to Rusalka, Hydra pondered aloud: does Raleska trust you? Would she, now? Hydra doubted the girl would share any information with her mother to simply any passing stranger; but Vengeance... he had history. A reason to be curious for no other reason than personal investment; or, friendship. Not a real one, mind—but one that perhaps Raleska might believe in. If not her, did Illidan? She imagined Vengeance might fill in the blanks for her to not ask the latter, but she would if he did not.