Moonspear You'll have run out of bones to break

@Treepie @Alaric

Slowly, step by step, he had tracked down the halfbreed and their mutt children. This time, he was sure.

He had checked various empty dens and the insides of hollow trees, anything that could provide shelter along the broken up trail. But now, he had reached a pack land. Pala was smart; she had wriggled her way into Montagne, she very well could have done the same here.

Tilting his head he released a howl, long and deep, calling for the woman or anyone else who may be able to assist him. He knew better than to be aggressive here; maman would never forgive him if he used snapping teeth in front of a neighbour.

Pie jumped a little when a voice sounded at the borders, very close to her present location. She straightened, her lifted hind leg finding its way back to the ground as all fours propelled her forward. She came around a large outcropping, where she found a large gray wolf with pale golden eyes. The Regent’s whole body stiffened as she approached, particularly the tail which swept up over her ramrod spine.

Greetings, she said slowly, the salutation lacking its usual warm enthusiasm as she wondered why this man was here, demanding Pala’s presence. What brings you to Moonspear? she asked carefully.

My children. His answer came promptly, straight to the point. Their mother has taken them, Pala. She left our daughter behind. That was the narrative which he was carefully weaving together.

He was unsure of this one. She looked young, and yet she stood tall, the posture of a leader. Chaudry had no issue matching this, though with a lowered tail. He still had some decency.

He doubted that Pala would show her face at his call, given that she really was here, but so long as the children had heard it there would be some progress. He was determined to get them back and prove Noctaryn wrong, whether Pala followed or not.

Alaric did not know the whole story nor did he csre too. The woman l3ft for reasons of her own. Alaric had his own reasons to hate an abuser and as such it was with a little more aggression and alertedness he answered the call.

He stepped towards the male.Did she have a reason? Womwn do not leave for no reason.

.there was a harsh gleam in his eye. He didn't know the story, but he could assume. And Alaric when irritated and around abusers was dangerous.

This must be… she couldn’t remember if Pala had ever given his name. But he was the father of her children, the man who had thrown them out of their pack. Only the story he provided now flew in the face of that. The Regent’s brow knit as his words sank in, particularly the mention of a daughter. Sydonie…?

Alaric appeared beside her, nearly making Tiuttuk jump again. She managed to avoid making a fool of herself, though the Sovereign’s demeanor earned a sideways glance. He was in rare form, nothing like the softspoken father figure she knew so well. There was no mistaking it as his words skewed in Pala’s defense.

Treepie wanted to leap to it too, though she considered her words. If he’d thrown them out like Pala had told them, then why was he here, looking for them? Maybe he regretted his actions and wanted to twist the narrative? Or had Pala lied? But there must be a reason, one way or the other, as Alaric pointed out.

He had it covered, so she added nothing else for the moment. Instead, she only stared at the man, wondering his name among other things, her yellow eyes boring into his stony features.

Another figure approached. This time a man approached, obsidian coated and quick to make accusations. My maman leads our pack, Pala expected our daughter to inherit it. She left after I told her it would be my sister instead. His attention was half occupied by checking the scents on the wind.

I want to make things work with her. He wanted to get his way. He was his father's son.

Chaudry would never inherit Montage de Cigue  himself, he had always known that and he was never bothered by it. But to have his mother reject him the way she rejected Chevalier, to see an invalide take over the pack, that he could not accept.

Alaric narrowed his gaze. Fighting down a growl. If this is what happened how did this man explain her wounds.

Is that so? Then pray tell explain her wounds. I assure you I know the difference between defensive and offensive wounds. So why did you hurt her if she just left?

Alaric shifted and straightened his back. Tail swiftly rising over back.

I think you need to leave. Oh I'll pass on the message and if she wants to come back so be it. But do not darken our doorstep again. Understand.

There was an open threat in his words. If he saw this wolf nesr the spear again. He'd be met with teeth and claws.

She didn’t know what to make of his words. Pie hadn’t pried, so she didn’t know the details of Pala’s relationship with this demanding stranger. But Pala was her friend, even if they didn’t know one another intimately, and now she was also a part of her pack. Pala and her sons were her responsibility; it was her duty to defend and protect them.

And having seen her with Ignace and Ludovicus, she simply couldn’t imagine Pala leaving a child behind, unless given no choice. But she’d never even mentioned a daughter. It made Tiuttuk suspicious as she eyed the male, wondering if the little girl actually existed. I don’t believe you, her yellow eyes said.

Alaric’s retorts only solidified Treepie’s stance on the matter. He told their unwanted visitor to leave, in no uncertain terms. Although she had never really seen this side of Alaric, the young leader rose to the occasion alongside him. Being Regent meant backing up her Sovereign.

You heard him, Tiuttuk said, a different kind of song rolling out of the songbird’s throat as she punctuated the words with a sharp growl.

Idiots, fécale-infesté imbéciles.

He should tear them both from where they stand.

And yet, he remains outwardly calm. Completely so; neutral. We fought. She was taking my sons, I told her not to, and she bit me. He lifted a front leg, clear bite marks infesting it, though scabbed over now. He had surely injured her as well, but it was the truth that Pala had bit first. Shelter her if you wish, but those children were born de Cigue's and they will always be, de Cigue's. They belonged to the vale, to him. If he wanted them back, then he would get them back. It may be his fault they were here, but what did that matter?

May the spring treat you well. He spoke once more before turning to leave, an eye trained on the pair should either decide to be brave and lunge for him.

He would not return with his sons this time, but maybe maman would take a report of unruly neighbours instead.

Alaric shifted and moved a paw step forward. Blocking Pie a bit. If this man was what he thought he was. A coward. He'd go after Pie first. Because men like him hurt smaller creatures first. Weak willed bastard.

Alaric snorted. Clearly she had a reason. A child belongs to their mother not the land or a name. Remember that.

Alaric snorted again. He would watch until the bastard was clear. And finally address Pie.

Extra border patrols. That man comes back I will attack him on sight. But let Pala know he came. Please?

It caught her off guard a bit when Alaric stepped in front of her, blocking the interloper from view. She could still hear him and wanted to refute him with a single word: “Wrong!” But she didn’t get the chance, as the Sovereign issued one last warning and then the man retreated into the distance.

I’m sure she heard him, Pie posited, frowning. I’ll go check in with her right now. Maybe you should find @Glaûkos and debrief him? I’ll track down Tiki and make sure she knows too, and that should cover it.

Drawing a breath, Tiuttuk nudged Alaric’s shoulder. Part of her wanted to linger and discuss, though they would just have to regroup later. She exchanged a last look with him before hastening up the mountainside.