Ankyra Sound crank it up to eleven

Had this been Stormrift, a place where he felt a connection to no one, Kaertok would have been long gone. But Raleska was here, and he couldn't bring himself to leave her behind. It made him wonder what kept her here, but it was not his place to ask. He would stay here not for her, but because of her. There was just something about Raleska that made him tick, and he wasn't going to give that up, considering how long and hard he had searched for that very thing.

Aningan, a wolf he barely knew, was now their alpha. If nobody else had won against him, Kaertok likely would have challenged Vercingetorix himself. Thankfully, he had not been forced into that position. Thus far, Sungiwok had been impressed by nobody at the helm of Rusalka. Perhaps the younger boy would change that. Or he would be ousted by yet another challenger, and eventually the pack would crumble. That was a real possibility, and it seemed a likely one at this rate. In his short time here, Kaertok had now seen four leaders crowned, and he had never even met the first one.

In order to clear his head, Kaertok made his way to the outskirts of the sound to do what he had always been good at doing: patrolling and securing the borders.

Raleska thought of similar troubles as she absentmindedly picked up after Kaertok's scent. She was used to upheaval -- she had lived a life of chaos that made her oddly well-balanced in unbalanced situations.. but even then, she missed the presence of her brother, and was worried for whatever fate had in store for Rusalka.

Caiaphas still had not returned. It had been over a month; Svalinn too was gone -- this gave her some hope, since she had known Svallinn had gone after her stubborn dam. Maybe it was good news Svalinn had not returned -- maybe that meant they were out somewhere together, fighting the good fight.

Or maybe, it meant they were both dead, and never coming back.

Raleska's expression drew into a troubled frown and she quickly pushed that thought away. Breathing a heavy sigh, she caught up to Kaertok with a flick of her tail and padded alongside him, silent for the moment and grateful for his company.

As was his custom, Kaertok remained silent, even as the wraith fell in line with him. Of course, just because he made no sound did not mean he did not communicate. He looked at Raleska with a questioning expression, wondering just what she was thinking, but knowing he likely would not get the full story, even if she decided to answer the unspoken question. What had happened to Erzulie had stirred a more protective instinct in the Tartok wolf.

He was curious to see if Raleska would stay. Sungiwok imagined she would. There were many wolves here that she had known longer than him. Of course, if her path led her elsewhere, he knew which way he would be going. With her mother and brother gone, it seemed just as likely that she would leave.

The pair moved at silence, but that did not mean no communication rolled between the two of them. Raleska’s posture was at ease, her shoulders rolling — she caught the quiet glance spurned her way, and knew to speak her mind. 

Vengeance is gone. The girl drew the news in a bitter tone, her lip curled. And nothing of Svalinn or Caiaphas or Illidan. Her gaze fell a moment, a spark of resentment hidden within her eyes: Does everyone leave when things fall to shit? More importantly, and unspoken: are you going to leave, too?

Kaertok listened carefully as she spoke, though he kept his legs moving forward. Those who had left had every reason to, as far as he could tell. Caiaphas was the only one he did not know, and Svalinn he had only met in passing. He did not understand why Vengeance had left, considering he had been the one to tell Raleska to come back and straighten things up. When she had more or less put Verx on the spot, the idiot had been bested and chased out. Wasn't that what he had wanted?

It is not uncommon, he replied, I have done so myself in the past. Alas, Raleska kept him here. The Tartok wondered if she knew that, but he didn't give the question a voice.

Raleska did not much care for Kaertok's answer. Being young still, and not practiced in the guile of keeping a poker face, it showed quite clearly. Insecurity had already started to etch its callous marks on Raleska's mind; did that mean he was capable of leaving her too?

She knew the answer was yes, and she did not care for that, either. Her ears pinned as she drew a deep breath, steadying the amount of alacrity that threatened to burst forth from her like putrid bile. If she was bitter and cruel, she would chase everyone away -- especially those she needed (and cared for) the most. "Well, I'm sticking this through." Raleska stated glumly, an edge of resistance held in her determined voice. This was supposed to be her family's haven, and if she didn't see things through, who else would?