Ankyra Sound a little bit dangerous, but baby that's how i want it

open for anyone! also this is mostly a giant ramble of a post but i thought kja needed a new/updated thread. :0

 

Kjalarr's sleep had been restless and thus he had eventually given up on any pretenses and stalked outside The Grotto and found that his legs had taken him to the borders. A quick scent analysis reassured the viking that none had disturbed the markings that he and the others had left but because he trusted very few, he scratched at the dirt, rubbing the scent his paw pads secreted upon the earth to strengthen his mark. Alpha. Now there was one for the history books. A few days later and it was still a strange thing for him to wrap his head around. Admittedly, despite that his promotion now made him and Caiaphas on even ground he knew he'd still defer to her. She was Saltwinter's founding leader — she was the Queen, she was his Queen more importantly. It was kind of ironic that he viewed it as a shock when months ago — it felt like lifetimes ago admittedly — his greed and desire for the leadership (not just any old leadership position, mind) and jealousy had caused a massive rift between his twin and him; and furthermore only worsened the relationship between Charon and him.

It was rare that Kjalarr thought of him these days. His induction into Saltwinter had been exactly what he'd needed — had been the best move that Kjalarr could have made for himself. Thinking about Charon, as one point in Kjalarr's life, would have been enough to make the viking's blood boil, to make him feel nothing but white hot hatred and resentment. These days, he was surprised to find that he didn't exactly feel that anymore. He felt no affection for the Ostrega, but his ire was juvenile and Kjalarr had grown out of it. It had been childish of Kjalarr to rile and rebel as he had and he recognized it now, having grown up a lot in the past months, but he regarded that it had been childish of Charon to react the way he had. Though Kjalarr was sure that he was not welcome, for a split second he considered making the trek down to visit Floki and to draw a truce with Charon Ostrega. They didn't have to like each other (in fact Kjalarr was sure that they never would) but Charon was important to Floki and Kjalarr realized that he understood. Charon was to Floki what the Frostfur's were to Kjalarr.

Losing Whittier had put some things into a new perspective for Kjalarr, and bizarrely he found himself evaluating his life and where he wanted to be. He realized that if he was not already he would soon be old enough to sire pups and with Lusca's litter in their lives it brought the consideration to the forefront of his mind, though it was not the only one. Tying up loose ends was probably the best place to start, but on that he was hesitant. He was aware of the kill order upon his head if he went near Moonspear: their howls as he'd headed towards the Sound hadn't been discreet and that alone warranted that he discuss it with Caiaphas and Maude before he made the journey. It would be a far cry from a quick, friendly jaunt to Neverwinter Forest; but Kjalarr was tired of bearing a grudge he no longer felt. There was no longer any need for him to envy Charon and thus the childish envy and contempt had dissolved.

As strange and perhaps awkward as the thought of confronting Charon again after all these months in peace with the consideration of mending what had long since been broken (or at least making something more than enemies) Kjalarr pushed the thoughts out of his mind, a bit disoriented when his steps paused and he realized he'd been walking his routine patrol the whole time he'd been lost in his thoughts. He hadn't gotten too far but he squinted for a moment before he scratched at the ground again — unable to remember if he'd been paying attention to the strength of the borders or not while he'd been lost in his thoughts. With renewed focus he turned his attention to the borders and the territory outside of Saltwinter's claim, aiming to strengthen and keep alert for unusual activity.