Blackfeather Woods Strong Determination, Deadly Intentions

 @Cicero @Damien @Potema @Meldresi @Burke (I know you are in the infirmary at the moment Burke, but if you want to join you can. This is mainly for Potema and whoever is with and/or watching her) Also, whoever replies to this can choose the setting (where potema and whoever may be with her is at in the territory)

Silently, the blood dusted male searches for the one thing on his mind - Meldresi's white pup. A dried and cracked nose sniffs determinedly for the female.  Her watcher, Burke, is in the infirmary at the moment. This is the perfect time for him to find the pup alone. If she wasn't alone, he could follow until she was. The pack cannot keep an eye on a puppy all day and night. There had to be some time where she was left alone.  If Meldresi is the one watching her, the alpha may end up leaving to take care of business somewhere else in the territory. This would be easier if he had someone to lure the dark leader away. Grim growls softly, wondering if his little killer would have joined. Lusa has darkness in her, but did she have enough for this? There was no telling and he had no idea where she was now. He didn't want to pause his pursuit just to find her. If she showed up along the way, then he would see if she would be willing to help. 

Right now he is searching near Namira's Mire at the eastern edge of Blackfeather. Swamps are horrible, nasty smelling places and unfortunately this territory supports two of them. Trying to find the white pup's scent around a swamp would be hard, but he doesn't know where she could be. His eyes glance around the trees growing in the swampy water. A puppy wouldn't be found in the water. Would they? Grim doesn't have much knowledge on puppies. Never having been around them, he can only guess at what they would and wouldn't do. He also assumes that no wolf would allow a puppy near water for fear of it drowning. Could pups even swim? Maybe she would be here if she could swim. But he doesn't see any signs of the little white Bane. Where could she be?

The young princess was growing more and more bold and defiant as she and her brothers grew up. She was not the calm priestess like her mother, instead taking from her father, Bane (or Keithen now) with her outspoken, abrasive nature. She was not as violent and bloodthirsty as her father, but that was because she had not been blooded yet. But regardless, she was to be trained as a priestess and a healer, not an assassin or spy like her brothers.

She was returning from one of her excursions looking for herbs that her mother tasked her to find. A month ago, she would be restricted to herbs in Blackfeather, but as she grew older and the seasons changed, the Snow Princess could venture out beyond borders to search for herbs. In her jaw was a tightly wound bundle of leaves, roots and flowers, all surrounded by broad leaves to keep her saliva from mixing with the herbs. She crossed back into pack borders and was instantly shrouded by the Woods' gloom, a familiar touch on her back.

There was one more herb she needed to find: a mushroom located in the Mire. It was for healing, Burke's in particular. While she was not allowed to see the gray male, her herb searches were helpful in bringing him back to health. As she treaded carefully through the muck and mire, the princess paused. She heard another wolf's steps through the mud. Deep in Blackfeather territory she had no reason to hide, but she wondered who else would be so entrenched in the fetid mire?

You don't need to be a local to know where to find a target... Are you saying you don't know how to track your own prey? The words of Bane whisper in his ear. Grim shakes off the insulting memory. Where could she be? He thinks again, continuing through the Mire. Would she be in the infirmary with Burke? His expression twists into annoyance. He doesn't want to wait for his prey.... A scent touches his nose. Grim turns his head to look behind him. Carrying a jaw full of plants is the little white Bane. His ears perk forward. Lids fall over golden eyes once-twice-three times. Lips wrinkle his snout into a wicked grin. His body follows his head, turning to face the white pup that is treading through the muck towards him. "Well," he barks. "You know it is foolish for you to be alone?"  

A low growl springs to his throat. Does she remember the first time he met her? The way he had looked at her with the warning in his gaze? If not, then he will remind her of his intentions. Lowering his large head, Grim stalks slowly towards her. A shiver wracks his body. Attack, the voices command. Make her bleed, they say. Will she turn and run? Or will she stay and fight? He stops a few paw steps from her, breathing quickly. It will be her death if she fights. He is a full grown male and she is still just a pup. There is no questioning the outcome. 

Eyes narrow. Would he really enjoy this? Fighting her would not be a challenge. He wants to kill her, but he wants to enjoy doing it. He could torture her, make her beg for mercy. But it would be too easy. She can't fight back. His thoughts begin to turn. Maybe he should wait until she is able to fight? When he could fully enjoy murdering her. He struggles with this inner turmoil while in the back of his mind a part of him wonders if he is hesitating for a different reason. Do you really want to kill a wolf of Blackfeather? The good in him smirks. Grim snarls at it, beating the voice back. What does it matter if this is a wolf of Blackfeather? The fight with Lusa comes to mind. Back then the light had told him he would lose his home if he was caught fighting again. Things would be worse for him if he touched this pup of Meldresi. But why should he care? 

From the shadows of the mire, came the demon. The princess studied him with calm and unworried eyes, drawing from her father's proud roots. The roots this man hated, but she did not know that. All she knew was he was an idiot for growling at her before, and growling at her now. "You're stupid." She said, the growl slightly muffled by the leaves in her mouth.

Potema knew the look in a wolf's eyes when they were going to attack; she had seen it in her brothers many, many times. But this was different, it was darker somehow. He's going to hurt you. A voice said in her head. Run. It said. Unbeknownst to them both, they actually had something in common. Voices murmured and whispered in their heads constantly, and while Grimnir's told him to kill, Potema's were there to protect her. But she wasn't listening to those voices now. "I know what you're gonna do. But you can't do that. I'm a princess." She said, her blue eyes hardening with indignation. "My momma and Burke will be very, very mad if you did that. And so will Cic' and Damien. You're stupid for whatever you're gonna do."

The white abomination growled at him, calling him stupid. He snaps his jaws together. Does she not realize the danger that she is in? He assumes she does as she then tells him that she knows what he is going to do but tells him he can't because she is a princess. What does he care if she is a princess? Just because Meldresi is her mother does not mean she is destined to become alpha. A snarl rips from his maw. How annoying this little whelp is. Just like Bane, the voices remind him. Kill her, they urge him. She informs him that others will be very mad if he did something to her and he is stupid for what he is going to do.

The anger in him snaps. She is very stupid for her choice of words. And she will die for them. Grim darts forward, aiming for the little pups face. It is not about enjoyment now. It is about teaching this white pup a lesson. He can do what he wants. She is not immune to danger just because she is a princess. He can kill her and hide the body. No one will know that he did it. They will have their suspicions of him, of course. But none of them will be able to prove it. Meldresi won't drive him from the pack based on suspicion alone. He will have to be careful though. Wash his smell from her body in a river in case someone finds where he hid her. Maybe he can just dump the body in the river. That would be easier. The water will get rid of his scent and take the body away from this area. It is a good plan. They could all just assume that she left the pack, or was stolen away. Either way she would be gone. The next wolf he would have to get rid of would be the white male. Then the pack would no longer be tainted by light. Only the dark could survive. 

The CMs haven't responded, but I think that it is ok for Potema to be hurt that way as long as we know the consequences of her limited eyesight.

Mature Content Warning

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The participants have indicated the following reason(s) for this warning: Gory violence.

Run. Her voices say again, but again she ignores them. They were being just as stupid as the tan wolf was. If she ran, she would be a coward, and the Dark Brotherhood were not cowards. Her mother wasn't a coward, nor Burke or her brothers. Why should she be one? Fight. Another voice says, and she listens. This one she likes.

But it would lead to her downfall. Potema was not trained to be a warrior like Cicero or Damien. She was fast, but her reflexes in battle were slow, for she moved to the side too late. The tan wolf missed his target head on, but the little princess felt a blinding rush of pain on her left eye as claws dug deep into the area around her eye, and then through it. Blood spurted out, like falling red petals, staining the snow white fur. Potema screamed, a high pitched, pain-filled sound that sent crows and ravens alike flying. A sound loud enough for the whole pack to hear, @Burke , @Damien , @Cicero , Meldresi. Even those who were not of her family: @Kenneth , @Ohen , @Lusa . She screamed, long and loud as red and black tinged the edge of her vision, and then she succumbed to darkness, a darkness blacker than that of her pack's home.

To those who will respond please let @Grimnir post before finding Potema.

Just a heads up to everyone who replies to this. Potema and I had planned out that no one would find out it was Grim who hurt her (so he won't get kicked from the pack :D) Thanks! (This is also Grim's last post in this thread) 

He had missed his target. Or so he thought before he heard the cry from the pup. Grim smiles and looks down at his paw. Blood stains the fur and claws. Golden eyes turn to look at the pup, but she lays passed out on the ground. Grim presses his nose to her, sniffing her body. She was still alive. He growls, eyeing the spot where her eye used to be. Her cries will bring the pack here. They mustn't know who did this. He gazes at the white pup for a moment before dragging her through the water of the swamp. He needs to remove his scent from her fur. Something makes a loud hollow sound, eyes dart around. Had the pack made it here already? He doesn't spot anyone. As he goes to pick up Potema, he notices that he had hit her head on a large rock. So that's what the sound was. He finds that she is still breathing. 

After thickening her coat with the muck of the swamp he sniffs her slightly and only catches the scent of the mud. Good. Turning, he quickly runs as far from Potema as he possibly can. They will suspect him, no doubt. But they won't be able to prove it. Unless she wakes up, the voices inform him. You should have finished her, they growl. Grim snarls back at them. Why hadn't he finished the whelp? Once she wakes up, she could tell the pack that he did it. Well he can't turn back now. Already he has made it fairly far from the scene. Though he may have to prepare for a fight and to leave this place he calls home. He growls at himself. How could he be so stupid? This place will be the only home for him. He can't leave it. If they banish him, then he will fight to the death for he would rather die than leave his home.

*ninja rolls in*

  A high pitched scream made the dark star jump up in a fright. It was the most awful thing she had ever heard in her life. And it was because she knew it was from the young wolf Potema. She darted quickly towards the source to see the girl and Grim laying in the water.
 
  The girl immediately went low, heart racing. What had he done to her? And why did he do it? As he ran away, Lusa jumped up to investigate the youngster. 
 
  The scene was disturbing, even for her. Her eye was cut clean off and she was bleeding wildly. "Potema! Can you here me?" She licked the pup's blood as much as she could, hoping that she would, could, answer. Why would he do this? Her mind battled if she should report this or not. If she did, the girl would probably loose Grimnir forever. And that was just the problem.

Ohen had heard a terrible cry, come from something that sounded like it was dying. The dark male quickly ran to where the scream had come from to find the white pup lying on the ground bleeding, and Lusa. Ohen searched over the pale female to check for any other injuries other thn her eye. It seemed something had hit her on the head, and Ohen jumped into the swamp. He did not know much about herbs or how to heal someone, but thanks to Bassilth he had a bit of knowledge on how to stop bleeding. He remembered that his sister said that in order to stop bleeding you need to put pressure on the wound with something dry. Or was it something wet?

A frustrated growl came from the ebony male as he frantically searched around for some moss. He grabbed a clump of dry moss and looked up to Lusa. "Put this on her eye and press down hard enough to soak up the blood, but not to hard that you damage her eye more" he barked at the midnight wolfess and went back to searching for more moss. This time he dipped the moss in the swamp waters, and lept back over to Potema. He dropped the moss on the floor and pushed it against her head, hoping that somehow it would help. He knew so very little about herbs he didn't know what to do next, but decided to go with his gut.

He hoped over next to Lusa and tried to push her out of the way so he could get a good view of her eye. "Go get more dry moss" Ohen shouted at the dark wolfess. Once he was done speaking to Lusa he paid no attention to what she did and focused on the pale youngster. He bent down and heard that she was breathing. A relieved sigh came from the ebony male as he realized she was still alive. Ohen couldn't identity who had done this to the pale girl, and only caught the scent of the swamp muck. Not knowing what else to do Ohen bent down to the pup's ear and whispered "don't leave me Potema. Don't leave your friends. Don't leave your family. Stay."

Kenneth had been hunting when a cry rang through the air, it was a terrible one, filled with pain and agony. Immediately, the exiled prince ran towards the source of the cry, ignoring the fact that he had just missed the perfect opportunity for catching a piece of prey. It could wait for later, but a packmate's life was something that could not wait. He arrived at the scene to see the black female wolf he had met, another dark wolf he had seen only on that day when they had a group hunt and the victim. One of Meldresi's pups, the female with a coat of white fur, now stained with streaks of crimson blood. And then he saw the injury, her eye was missing. A wolf normally in this kind of situation would panic, but Ken had been enough of this kind of situations to remain calm.

When the fellow male yelled something about getting more dry moss, Kenneth responded "I'll go get more," he turned and immediately went to find more moss. He did not care that these words had been issued to Lusa, he was here to help and he was pretty sure more moss would not worsen the situation at all, the worse that could happen to the moss was that it wasn't used. Once he found dry moss, he clawed at it and took a large bundle in his jaws before returning as fast as he could to the scene of crime and dropped it beside Ohen. "We need to alert Meldresi," Kenneth said and without even listening to the male's response, he tilted his head back into the air and howled for his leader, for the pup''s mother, for @Meldresi , she was the healer right?

  The girl turned her head to see Ohen, who had immediately barked orders at her. Usually, she would tell him to fuck off, but now was not the time. She was going to fetch some of the moss when Kenneth arrived, and went to get it. As he dropped it by Ohen, Lusa was quick to grab it and lay it gently on the girl's eye.

 We need to alert Meldresi.

  It made her eyes widen in worry. "No!" she half shouted, half squeaked. Her claws dug into the ground. "I, uh, I mean yes. We should." Her jaw clamped onto the moss harder, and she only focused on Potema, not willing to meet their eyes. The girl knew it was best to tell Meldresi about Grimnir, but still refused to do so. I don't want to loose him. Not now. If anyone would tell, it would be Potema. Certainty not her. And if they would question her, she would have to lie about it. 

Here's the posting order for now so there is no more confusion: Ohen - Kenneth - Lusa - Meldresi. I will PP Potema. :P

Never before had she been so frightened. The scream sent shivers down her spine, raising the hairs on her back so high she looked like a frightened cat. She knew the voice behind that shriek, but never before had she heard it drenched in such pain.

Her baby, her precious daughter. Her little snow-white princess.

Meldresi was already rushing to the scene long before Kenneth howled for her. While she was on the other side of the territory, the scream pierced her ears as if they were placed right by her darling pup's mouth as she made the painfilled noise. What could have caused her to scream like that? A pit of dread welled in her stomach as she thought of all the possibilities. A coyote, a loner, Grimnir. 

The dark priestess slowed her pace as she moved swiftly towards the throng of wolves. Without any courtesy, she pushed past them and fixed her eyes upon her daughter. She moved closer, stricken mute by shock. Her face...her eye... "My baby..." She whispered, pushing her face into the curve Potema's neck, glad to hear her heartbeat and breathing. Her eye was torn, as well as the socket around it. Her eye was not so marred that she would have it taken out, but her baby would not see from that eye again. It would heal, but it would no longer be that baby blue she adored; it would be white. "Do any of you know who did this?" She hissed, her voice cold and sharp as she lifted her face away from her child.

Ohen carefully watched to make sure Potema kept breathing. When moss was dropped beside him, Ohen looked up to thank Kenneth. He quickly grabbed the new moss and replaced it with the old. When Kenneth suggested they howl for Meldresi Ohen shook his head yes to agree. They needed a healer amount them, but the dark male had a feeling that his alpha would be more of a mother instead of a healer. It was when Lusa screamed no, that Ohen took his focus off Potema. He looked up at the dark female, suspicion in his eyes. Had she done this? She was the only one here, it had to be her? Just as Ohen was about to tackle Lusa, Meldresi showed up and the dark male could see the worry on her face.  

He let the dark priestess whisper something to her white daughter before interrupting. "Meldresi we need to make sure no more damage comes to Potema's eye. Who knows how worse it could become if it gets infected." He knew that moss from a swamp was not exactly the best thing to use on her eye, but it was better than nothing. "I tried to soak up some blood with moss, but forgive me I do not know to much about herbs. It also seems like she hit her head on something" Ohen said and moved around to Potema's head to remove the moss he placed there. "Is there anything you need me to get you? Should we move her to your den, or maybe the infirmary?." So many questions raced through Ohen's mind, and he cursed inside his head. If only he knew more about herbs, then he could be of better use here.  

When his dark alpha spoke about knowing who did this Ohen gave a glance at Lusa before answering. "I do not know. I could not catch the scent of any other wolf on Potema, only the swamp." Once again Ohen looked at Lusa. He had a feeling that she was the one to comit this crime, or knew who did it. One way or another Ohen would reveal the hidden truth. Even if he had to torture it out of Lusa. In fact he would most likely enjoying torturing the dark wolfess.

When he heard the scream, Cicero came as well. There was a lot going on when he got there, adults rushing back and forth, but Cicero ignored them while he made his way to the source of the earsplitting screech - his sister. Adults Cicero did not know by name were busy trying to heal her, or so he assumed, and Meldresi was there too, so the situation was under control.

Cicero turned to the black adult wolf who was chatting a lot and then looked at Meldresi as she was directed. "Cicero gets herbs?" he queried his mother, duo-toned eyes staring coolly at Meldresi. It could appear as though Cicero did not care much for the situation or his sister at all to an outsider; whether this was because he simply did not feel affectionate towards his sister or because he did not understand the gravity of the situation was unclear. Young Cicero waited for his mother's answer, not moving before she would say the word.

Kenneth's white eyes narrowed with dark suspicion when Lusa, the black female with blue eyes yelled no before quickly attempting to cover what she spoke, stumbling over her words as she agreed. It was obvious, even to the most naive and gullible child that she was lying. Somehow, she knew who did that to the child, the poor innocent kid now had her eye torn out. She would have to live with one eye for the rest of her life and yet Lusa did not want to him to call for Meldresi. Was the wolf who did this someone she was close to? That was a possibility.

When Meldresi arrived, he shoved his thoughts away, ready to inspect them later on when the kid was taken care of. But his leader and healer simply whispered to her child. Didn't anyone in this pack know how to keep their cool? Sure, the white pup was the Alphess's kid but still, she should concentrate on healing her first, preventing her from dying or some shit. But then, Kenneth never had his own child before, so he wouldn't understand.

Meldresi lifted her dark crown and gazed at them, asking them in an icy, cold tone if they knew who did this. His harsh white gaze drifted over to the girl who yelled before focusing on his leader's dark eyes again. "I do not know, there was no scent other than that of the child and the swamp." He gave the emphasis on the I, suggesting that some other might know. 

  Her heart sank as she saw the Alpha approach, and her tone didn't help at all. When she asked who had done the crime, the girl stayed quiet. She wasn't happy to see Ohen glancing at her several times. Just stop!  Kenneth's words didn't help either. She wanted to cut both their throats. They don't even know that she knows for sure! But then again, if they were thinking she knew, they were right.


 Before Meldresi could question her she was quick to cover herself up. "I was hunting when I heard her scream. I don't know who did it."

Meldresi's gaze swept across the gathered wolves, cold dark sapphires in her sockets. She got no definite answer, as she had expected, but that would have to wait for now. Her only daughter was bleeding out in the dirt now, and she needed to be cleaned and tended to. "Cicero, go to the infirmary and prepare wet moss, cobwebs, lavender, alder bark, and marigold." She said quickly to her middle child, knowing he would quickly react quickly to her command. Her ear twitched slightly at Lusa's voice; she knew a lie when she heard it. But for now, she ignored it for now. Potema was in danger of dying. "Lusa, go with him."

Then she looked up at the two men that stood now. "You two, help me carry Potema." She said, walking towards her limp daughter.

Meldresi instructed Cicero and Lusa to get necessary things to tend to Potema's wounds, and without a word, Cicero trotted off to fetch the mentioned equipment to deal with Potema's injury. He assumed that Lusa would follow suit and, when he heard Meldresi mention they needed to carry Potema as he moved away, he knew they should prepare things and wait there once they were done for the rest to bring Potema's body.

Once at the infirmary, Cicero put everything that was asked ready. He asked Lusa, "Lusa makes the moss wet, yes?", and nudged some of the moss towards her, while he took the rest in his mouth. Cicero went to the nearby water where he soaked the moss while keeping an ear backwards, ready to go back when the rest would arrive with Potema.

i assumed lusa followed along, but if she didn't, let me know and i'll edit.

  A swarm of releif washed over her as she got the order from the Alpha. One more minute there and she would probably explode. She stood up from her place beside Potema and followed Cicero to the infirmary, where he asked if she would wet some moss. Nodding her head, she grabbed the plant in her jaws and followed the young wolf to a puddle of water nearby. She dipped her muzzle in the water, along with the moss. She felt her tail twitch with anxiety, but quickly stopping it. "Let's head back."

i didn't want to let this thread go to waste / dead so posting again. Maybe it's time for a fade soon @Meldresi ?

Lusa wet the moss alongside Cicero. He trusted she would do it well, for it wasn't rocket science. After wetting his moss Cicero found the other herbs that his mother had asked of him to prepare. Cicero waited for a moment, figuring that the other wolves would come towards them, but when no one came and Lusa suggested they should head back, he nodded in agreement.

With the wet moss and other necessities in his mouth -- it was quite a comical sight, for Cicero's mouth was stuffed full with all the supplies -- Cicero followed Lusa back towards Potema, hoping that they'd catch them halfway and be able to guide them towards the infirmary, but prepared that perhaps Potema was too fragile to move right now and they'd need to treat her where they'd left her.

Sorry for the wait, last post from me, ending this thread! Make sure you get the EXP for this!

With the help of the two males, Potema was brought to the safety of the Web, her wound cleaned and bound in cobwebs. Meldresi worked in silence, only speaking to give a command to Lusa and Cicero, bring this here, give me that. As she worked, she thought of what might have happened to her baby. The swamp swallowed up the scent of her assailant, but it was so deep in her territory that it had to be someone from the pack. But she had no definitive proof. She could not judge without proof. But she had an inkling of who it was, who had the motive to attack her child, her white-furred child. Meldresi finished and laid Potema down on a bed of moss, tucking the greenery around her protectively, lovingly. Her daughter would live this, but disfigured and blinded. Her beautiful little girl. She hated that her attacker would have to go free for the moment, but her eyes would be locked on Grimnir, watching his every move, waiting for him to slip up.