Shadewood I know the pieces fit

set for just before sunset; 35 F

They had finally reached the land they where they were born. Tulok had mixed feelings; he was devoted to his father and their mission, but he also wasn't sure he liked how fixed his future was. He was becoming a man and he had his own mind that he wished to explore. For now, he would try to cater to both, and if the day ever came for him to choose, then he would. 

He slowed to stop and waited for @Alduin to do the same. We should rest here, he suggested. It would be dark soon and much colder. The demon scented snow in the air and knew there would be a storm tonight; they would need to find cover. There will be a storm. His brother had likely scented it as well.

Here they are. Back in their birth land after months of being away. Alduin had explored and conquered in his own way. Having been injured and traumatized in many ways as a youngling, he had later gotten over that fear. He’s closer to being a man now, not just a frightened, quiet boy. Though he is still young, his father has been training him just as much as Alduin has been training himself. Except now, just like they did then, his issues have not faded. They’ve changed him. He’s wild in a bloodthirsty and primal sort of way. 

His trauma has him lacking humor, somehow never picking up after his rambunctious father. He is confident though. Cocky in a silent type of way. He’d rather show off his skills to prove them rather than talk them up. 

Hence why he’s here now. His father sent him and his brother on a mission and Alduin intends to fulfill it. With passion he walks, his brother at his right, and a spirit on his left. So they move through all type of biomes to get back here. Finally, they might just be able to rest. 

It’s an hour or two prior to sunset and the dim light of an overcast sky looms above them. His brother walks a few paces in front and Alduin follows valiantly behind, constantly watching their surroundings.
Only, his voice rings through Alduin’s rounded auds and his ears shift. Eyes shifting over to look at him as he languidly step beside his younger half. 

They look out into the land before them and Alduin hums a low agreement. His next comment brings Alduin’s dark gaze skyward, causing him to nod.

“I would think so.” He rumbles gruffly. Turning his face to his brother in question. “You want to stop?” It’s a question, but it’s said more as a statement or comment as he turns his eyes to the land before them.

Yes, Tulok answered. He would not have mentioned it if he didn't want to stop. I don't want to travel in a storm. We can continue in the morning. 

The deagon found a thicket in a gnarled ball of tree roots; it was a little small but that could be remedied. No snow had touched the area, so he tested the ground to see if it was soft enough to dig into. It wasn't; winter had been cold here, and the ground was too hard. His next plan was to clear away some of the roots, so he got to work. He grabbed thinner ones with his powerful jaws and pulled. He put his front paws on other roots and pushed with his heavy weight to break them. It was looking promising so far.

Alduin huffs out a hum at his brother’s reply and accepts it. The elder hardly sleeps, so he prefers to move constantly rather than stay stagnant. He gets antsy when he doesn’t do something for long. Still, he fitfully allows his brother to call their shots and follows him as he moves to rifle about trees and other spots that would provide them shelter for the night.

The darker moves next to him as he inspects the base of a tree. He digs claws into the ground just to find that it’s hard as rock. Alduin stares blankly at the ground, silently nodding to himself. Unless they find somewhere with cover they’d by digging a hole in the snow and curling up in that. Though their coats are thick due to their mothers attic heritage and their father’s dog half they’re not immune to the steely cold of the winter wind.

Still, they have to sort out the details of their travel. So as Alduin moves about silently to investigate the area for any coverage, he speaks to his younger half easily.

“Father sent us to fulfill his old duties, but there are only two of us. We’ll have to deal with them strategically.” He comments, ducking his head beneath as small crook beneath a rock and testing it with a rake of his claws. Frozen. 

He rasps a tongue over his scarred lips and peers out into the horizon. “You suggest we search for information first?” Comes his low questioning.

Tulok continued to work as his brother spoke of their plans. He was quiet for a few moments as he considered Alduin's words. They knew what they were to do, but it was up to them to figure out how exactly to execute their orders. His mind had been filled with only that during their entire trip; the deagon had thought of it so much, that it filled his dreams. 

We should gather information first, he finally answered. There are only two of us; it would be foolish to try anything else. He broke the branch beneath his paws that he had been struggling with. We need numbers and an advantage; those things take time. It would be calculated chaos—his favorite.

Alduin listens to his younger half’s words and hums. Determination set in his face, he looks off into the horizon. 

“No solid plans are necessary, things change. We will find information, locate them, and pick them off slowly — easily.” A soft pause ensues. “Then we will have our victory, brother.” 

Alduin move around languidly, bloodlust in his eyes as his dark form slinks about. “If an opportunity arises, we will take it.” Only Alduin gazed at his brother then, something dark in his eyes. “We’ll take their children. Have them search and pick them off that way. Kill the pups. Let them feel the hopelessness and anger. They’re bound to fuck up then.”

A bloodthirsty grin parted his handsome face as his brother spoke. Yes it will, he agreed. They would not be thwarted. 

Alduin spoke of a plan to take their children in order to separate them from each other. Tulok nodded. We'll need to find someone to spy on them for us; someone who cannot be traced back to us. He would offer to do it himself, but if he was found out, the resemblance to their father would be starkly apparent. But once there are children born in the valley, we can make our move. He pushed inside his temporary shelter and settled down, his two-toned gaze finding his brother once he was done.

His brother grins and Alduin eyes can’t help but light up in the same sick and twisted way. Oh yes, they’d have their victory and boy it will be sweet.

He continues on by talking more of their plans and Alduin easily agrees. It should work well enough, but they both know it won’t be that simple. Even as his brother lies down in the place they’ve deemed worthy of rest, Alduin stares down at him and hums.

“Then it will be done, brother.” He agrees finally.

He knows he won’t sleep long, but he might as well try. So he takes heavy steps next to his brother and plops himself down beside him. He curls beside him, but never rests his head. Simply, he casts his gaze over the horizon — the sky, the trees, the wildlife. Mesmerizing — peaceful. Yet somewhere deep down, he knows the peace won’t last.