Blackfeather Woods Wicked sitar rift

Kove's back! Please let @Sao post first ^^ Setting this for a bit earlier in the day... maybe just after noon. Also, beware short post. "orz

From the mountain's base, all the way to the lake, and then finally to the woods that he called home. It had been quite the journey; rather exhausting, he'd admit, but definitely worth the effort. He had not regretted leaving, but was somewhat disappointed by the fact that he'd not returned with Burke and his fellow escapees in tow. It was with a child that he'd neared the borders instead, stopping before them so as not to drag into his home an unwelcome body. From there, Kove had set her down between his front paws, eyeing her for a moment to make sure that she didn't scoot away. Afterwards, he'd tilted his head back and let loose a howl, calling for @Damien specifically, but expecting for @Nemesis to arrive as well. After all, he had disappeared without any real warning having been given, and was bound to have upset more than just a single member.

Despite the betrayal of the false king, she had never believed Kove to simply disappear. They were not binding, no restraints were put on each other because of the simple fact they were mates. Kove did as he pleased, without her consultation, and she preferred it that way for it was not her job to reign in his freedom. So, when he had appeared to vanish from their home in the midst of Burkes escape, she held no fear for what he might have done. In any case, she knew Kove held no affection for Burke, and would never betray the Brotherhood following a failure. How Damien felt about his disappearance, she did not know, but she assured herself Koves standing within the pack would not be affected over a suspicion; no matter how wary it seemed.

As his call arose, notifying the pack he was indeed alive, she traveled with no uncertainty to meet the call. Yet, nearing her lover, a foreign scent was detected; her senses flared with caution. But as she approached, noticing the small dark patch between the pale forelimbs of her mate, only confusion etched her features. Her pace slowed, head dipping in curiosity as she made eye level with the tiny bundle. It held no scent of a pack, but of blood and fatigue. And it was.. wet? Softly, she padded forward, touching her nose with the small forehead of the girl. It was too small to be traveling alone, too injured to survive by itself. She held no anger, nor distaste, but compassion. "Where did you find it?" She straightened back up, concern noticeable within her gaze. If this was the pup of a pack nearby, she did not wish to conceal it from their grasp and start a war amidst a famine. However, an maternal instinct came over her, unwilling to let the child go. If it's parents were not responsible enough to keep track of their young, she would not be returning her anytime soon.

Despite the call having been made specifically for Damien, the younger leader was not the first to arrive at the scene. Rather, it was his lover that had appeared, and though he'd expected some degree of anger, he'd received none. Still was he used to not being fully trusted, to his whereabouts being questioned upon each return, just as had been the case with Scarlett. But, Nemesis was not his former mate, she was his current—his last—and operated with a far more opened mentality. To confine him to the woods and nothing more was not in her nature, it seemed, and for that he was glad. Yet, even though he'd come to such conclusions, he'd worried still over how she might react towards the child that he had returned with. With Xan, she'd gotten along wonderfully, but the boy was his by blood, unlike the girl that was currently stationed between his forelimbs. It was for that reason that he'd tensed slightly as she grew closer, only to relax immediately after the distance between them had been closed.

Kove could not help but watch her, smiling to himself slightly at the sight before him. The expression was broken when a question was thrown his way, however, knowing that he could not let himself get caught up with either of their behaviors just yet. "At the base of a mountain that stands alone from the range," he'd answered, glancing towards the girl for a fleeting second. "A coyote had her. I assumed it was going to kill her, so I killed it first and brought her with me. She didn't smell of any packs, only the coyote." The story was told in full, for with Nemesis he would always share the truth.

You guys are so impatient... tsk, tsk...
I was waiting for @Sao to post first, but I guess she can do so at any time now :P

When Called, Damien took off immediately towards the marked borders of Blackfeather Woods. The dark Prince had recognized Kove's voice, and believed the male had a good explanation to why he'd left the territory in such an inappropriate time even though he'd reached a point where he thought the Inuit had betrayed him and left with Burke and his bitch. Although, Kove had no love for the old traitor, and he was Damien's only real friend, the young shadow could not help feeling betrayed and disappointed of Kove.

Upon his arrival, Damien noticed the dark pup between Kove's front legs. He noticed the Inuit's protective stance, and also the smell of tragedy coming from the young one. Damien was in time to hear Kove's explanation for the pup he'd brought, but had stayed in the shadows to see what his reaction towards Nemesis, and her own would be. She seemed calm, and he confident, so Damien stepped out of the shadows and stared at the Inuit as if ignoring the pup's presence.

"You had one job," said Damien in calm rage, and fell silent expecting to hear an excuse. For now the pup was unimportant, and the ruling prince wanted an explanation to Burke's disappearance.

The constant travel and no food, and Qiliq’s lack of concept in time, makes for a rather unhappy girl. Tired and weary, even though she’s not putting forth a lot of efforts, has shown. She is cold more often than not, despite the temperatures of their days, and her hunger leaves her crying a lot of time. In the sleeper hold by the scruff, her limbs flail once in a while and her squeaks, turned hoarse, often come out in silence.

Once more she is sat down on the ground, between his paws, and her tired legs move forward to wander away until she could find something that would satisfy. There is no destination, other than the thought, and she’d walk herself to death in search. The large wolf keeps her in place between his feet and she reminds there, grumpy and weakened, until she hears the voice of another, this time a little softer.

The girl looks up and her eyes widen with surprise. Finally, she acknowledges, and tries to take a few more steps forward. Finally she’d been returned to the source that kept her warm and fed and happy and she attempts a few steps in the dark female’s direction, oblivious to the presence of another.

Potema's ears had pricked at Kove's familiar tones. So he was back, huh? She was certain that Damien would be livid - she was, for sure - but Kove must have had good reason to leave so suddenly after the Burke, Malice and their spawn had escaped. He wouldn't just desert the Dark Brotherhood; his son and mate were stil here. No, he must have something: information, a pup perhaps.

A pup...

She arrived to hear her brother's angry snarl. She ran her nose along his side, calming the cold rage she felt pulsating from his body. Her eye was firmly trained on the small black bundle that wriggled towards Nemesis in hungry desperation. Is that one of Malice's? She asked, stepping forward tentatively, sniffing the pup gently. Kove, where did you find it? The nuturing, priestly side of her came out now at the sight. It was clear that Kove brought this pup, whosever child it was, for the Dark Brotherhood's uses alone. That brought out what strange affection she had.

She was fascinated with the child; watching it with loving eyes. So young, yet it had prevailed against so much. She lowered her body, so that the child might meet her warmth. However, she had no idea what the girl was looking for, nor the suppliment she could provide. Yet, it was known to her that ever since Malice had birthed her children, her own functions seemed to be... leaking. The reason for this was completely unknown to her, and so was the young she beared inside of her. Even if she did, it would not stop her from narrowing her eyes to the tempermental male they now called Alpha. Damien could boss around anyone, but he could never intimidate her, and certianly not her family while she was still breathing. "Damien, do you really think it matters?," Her eye's peered up to meet his, questioning his anger for what it was. "Burke is gone, what we had wanted in the first place. Wether or not it is Kove's fault, Burke's stupid decisions cannot be blamed on him. Malice and their young will die without a pack.. and good riddance," She grumbled the last part, refocusing her attention back to the child that waddled before her. She knew Damien could not be mad for long; Kove had done nothing but serve the Brotherhood for longer than she had, and his actions should never had been speculated. Perhaps, it was not directly Kove that Damien's anger was targeted. No doubt he felt the betrayal too, most likely even more so than Nemesis. If anyone, Burke deserved the most anger, for not only did he leave the pack, a gift from Meldresi, but his children too. 

"If you wish to discuss this further, we will do so at a better time. Which I have full intention to do. However, this child is much more important than a a runaway old man and his whore,"  Besides, what could Burke do to them other than leave their lives, a thing that had not been wanted but was now appriciated. She outstreached her neck, curling her head around the smol pup and enclosed it within the folds of her stomach. It was not her's, yet she could not give it up. It would live with them, come to recodnisde them as it's true parents and train with the Brotherhood; never knowing otherwise. They needed the next generation, and since she highly doubted Damien was interested in becoming a father so soon, this one would have to do.

The dark wolf welcomes her as she staggers forward and lowers to the ground so she could get to her easier. If she wasn't so hungry, or sickly, she might have a better gait but the lack of food and still recovering from her fever, Qilaq could barely make it the distance between where she'd been sat between Kove's legs and her mothers milk. She's tucked into the fur of her chest and inhales a relieved breath. The scent is a little different and the smell of milk isn't as prominent, the other puppy she shared the space with is no where to be found. 

As much as the confusion washes over her, she's able to brush it away for a moment to get what she needs. Qilaq mewls quietly as she digs her way into her hear, finding the book of one of her arms, and trying to squirm her way beneath to find a swollen teat. There's a little movement to allow the young puppy to explore and as she noses the first teat she comes to, clamping down on it harder than she intends—she hadn't eaten in over a day!—her tiny, sharp milk teeth dig into her flesh. Certainly not enough to break skin, but maybe a startled flinch. 

Qilaq sucks against the teat but barely anything comes out and so she opens her mouth and lifts her large head backward where she cries as loud as she possibly can. Too tired and famished to travel further down the mammary chain to an actual receptive teat, Qilaq wails instead.

Though several moments had passed between Nemesis' arrival and Damien's, they were still close enough in occurrences to leave him unsurprised. The younger male had not approached in the same manner as Kove's lover, though, seeming to ignore the whelp entirely and focus upon the priest. The man's ears fell ever so slightly, having never been one to miss the emotions that one could project. It had been his responsibility to watch over Burke and the others, but they'd escaped anyways. "I know," was all he could respond with at first, keeping his focus on the ruler of the woods. In the back of his mind, he was sure Nemesis would be able to watch over the child for the time being, and so he'd looked towards neither of them as the words began to form within his mind; his reasoning for why the traitor and his wolves had escaped. "I was not as attentive as I should have been, I know, and will take full responsibility for their escape. I attempted to follow their scent, but was left unable to track them down. Instead, I found her." As his explanation was given, he'd pointed towards the girl with his muzzle, taking a moment then to note where she was located. "She isn't Burke, Malice, or their children, but she can serve you—she can grow up being groomed to join the Brotherhood. She will be of more use than either of Burke's sons ever could have been."

They were joined by another, then, to whom the Inuit had looked when words were voiced. Questions, rather, each of which having been permitted to end before any answers were given. "No, she is not from Malice's litter," the man stated, regarding her calmly. "My search for Burke took me towards the creek, where I had lost their scent. Certain they had crossed it, I continued forward through the mountains until a lone-standing one had been found. It was at its base that I saw the girl and decided to return with her." It had been a long journey, but worth it in the end. They did not have the traitors, but they did have a child. A young girl who would grow to be strong and loyal to them, even if she appeared rather sickly presently. He wanted to watch her grow, and hoped he'd be permitted to do so, and so his eyes had trailed their way back to the eldest of the Spiderlings. Yet, it wasn't long after that Nemesis had acquired his attention once again, her voice filling the air and causing him to shake his head. "I will take responsibility for their escape," he'd repeated. "Especially if it might mean that the child is given a chance to live with us." All around he'd looked, from face to face as if searching for an answer to a question indirectly asked. It wasn't long, though, before he'd found himself focusing only on the whelp, whose interests had quickly shifted to Nemesis and her biological capabilities.

Kove did not stop the girl, nor did he reach out for her. Instead, he'd only watched as she'd moved forward, seeking a meal just as she'd done to him not so long ago. "Her name is Qilaq," he'd stated, speaking to no one, but everyone, so that the child may continue no further without a name. It fit her, he believed, and further confirmed her status as his new daughter.

"It was an easy task, Kove, just making sure Malice and the pups st-" his words halted when Nemesis interrupted him. Damien paid little attention to her, unable to withhold the boiling rage that deafened him. How dare she object Damien's words? And then in the blink of an eye the control of the conversation had been taken away from him, with Nemesis advocating Kove and him excusing his poor handling of the situation. And just to top things off Potema joined the trio, all of which Damien seemed to be ignoring as he tried to hold back a snap at Nemesis and her loftiness.

"Enough," barked the shadow prince, holding back the growl that had been crawling up his throat. He turned to Nemesis, his pale eyes showing crystal clear that he was bottling up his rage. "More than Malice, I needed Burke to stay for Kendra. I don't give a single fuck about Malice anymore, nor do I care if her children survive." he cut off his words, fearing that his words would get too deep too easily. But he had made a statement. He noticed that Kove was suggesting by the name he'd given the pup that she was to be his daughter. Kove had failed to carry out a the task Damien had given him, and he would not be rewarded because of it.

"We will keep the pup," decided the dark prince, "But she will not have your name, Kove. She's not your child. She will serve the brotherhood only," he stated resolutely. "She will have a name that fits her purpose." he said, and looked at Potema as if appointing that task to her, to pick a name that satisfied the Dark Brotherhood's interests. Then his eyes shifted back to Kove with a message. There were things they needed to discuss in its moment, as Nemesis had suggested should be done.

Potema was more interested in the pup than the politics between the new king and his followers. Burke was gone. Malice was gone. Their pups, regrettably, were gone. It was over. If they ever found them again, they would die by Brotherhood paws, but until then, they were nothing to obsess about. In return for their departure, Kove had brought a warrior to their service.

She pushed past Nemesis, gently sniffing the small creature. She barely registered her brother's command request to have another name for the pup.

"Honestly I like Qilaq-" She wanted to say, but kept her mouth shut, knowing that would end her head being torn off her body and displayed on the Blackfeather borders (metaphorically, she hoped). The witch raked through her brain for proper names for the pup.

Xivilai. She said after a brief moment of thinking. Ziv-ill-ai. It is the name of a species of Daedric warriors who serve Mehrunes Dagon. She looked towards her brother, knowing that his ego would be stroked by the lore behind the name. It would be a good name for the pup, but she had a feeling that Kove and Nemesis would not be content with their pup being forcibly named. She shrugged it off; it was not her problem. The pup was.

sorry guys!

She knew Damien would not like her tone of authority, but she lost touch of the conversation as it went on, only picking up bits of information as she watched the child itself. It was fascinating to her, never mind it's history. "Qilaq," She murmured to herself as the young ling squirmed towards her, though she paid no mind to it's proper pronouncement . However, she did not care so much about the name, it was just a name. Xivilai or not. Afterall, she was still undecided about the Daedric culture, she could not bring herself to care of his origin. She would call her child what name pleased her, regardless of Damien's rather annoying opinion.

In a squirm-filled shuffle, the tiny child sunk it's teeth into her breast, Nemesis letting out a startled flinch as it did so. Oh, so this was what it had wanted. Yes, well Kove could not give it that. But it seems nothing produces and the child wails, making Nemesis flinch as second time. Her expression turns from awe to panicked, looking from between the others for a solution.

She isn’t sure where to go from here. She’d been given no milk, only the faint tinge of something salty and sweet. It has been so long since she’d last eaten, the white man having toted her around from god knows where for god knows what and now, her food is gone? 

She wails.

And wails.

What is she to do now? The concept for self survival is minimal at best. She knows to wake up and eat and play and sleep, but one thing is taken from her and she doesn’t have a clue on how to fix it. None of the wolves around her are doing anything about it and through teary, blue eyes, she slowly turns her head to peer around. A while one shows concern but is yet to do anything about the problem and the one that’s supposed to provide for her isn’t anymore. 

The girl stumbles as she tries to pick herself up, swaying on limp legs and falls face forward into a mouthful of dark fur.

Words had been shared, but what had stood out the most to him was the fact that the child would be permitted to stay. And though Damien had disagreed with the name given to her, the Inuit had said nothing of it, an internal decision to call the girl as he had been having been made—what the prince didn't know surely wouldn't harm the priest. It mattered not what she was called by others anyways, as he'd view her as his own no matter the situation, and planned to raise her just as if she'd been born there. Someday it would be the Brotherhood that she served, but until then he saw no harm in acting towards her just as if she were a normal child.

Nothing more was said by the male, a nod having been given instead to tie everything together. Xivilai he would call her when the situation called for it, but she'd otherwise always be Qilaq to him. And, hopefully, Nemesis as well. Speaking of which, as she'd entered his mind he'd looked towards her, brows furrowed as her predicament was observed. Though he'd obviously never been a mother, he'd seen one at work, and so he'd quietly usher his wife and new daughter away if permitted to do so. Potema would be requested to join them, of course, for the sake of ensuring that everything was working alright. It would be towards his own den that he'd steer them if allowed to leave, looking to place the whelp in an area of comfort so that she might settle in easier.