Golden Glade Territorial Pissings (All of Your Base are Belong to Us)

Today's the day! Tagging the raiding party: @Jhala, @Dagfinn, @Moonbrook, @Silas, @Laurel!

That morning, well before the first light reflected off of the freshly fallen snow, Reek roused the troops that he and his mate had gathered. He left the most important task to @Tambourine; since he was unable to fight, he was charged to watch Reek and Jhala's two young boys and to keep them out of trouble. He was sure they'd be no issue, because Reek had also told @Astik to keep an eye on @Tapat as well. With the boys tucked safely away in the thicket to the north, Reek led his band of wolves in the direction of the pack that they would soon take for themselves. The Glade.

He was confident in the abilities of his wolves, but that did not stop a nervous prickling from settling in Reek's chest. They were walking into uncertainty, all of them. There was no turning back now -- victory was the only option. He supposed the element of surprise would play in their favor. They reached the border by dawn, just as the sun was barely peeking over the stark white horizon. With the scent of pack all around them, an instinctual deterrent hardwired in all wolves, Reek fought his own nature to lead his band past the borderline.

And deeper into the territory the six-strong militia quietly traveled. When deep enough into enemy territory, Reek motioned for his wolves to stop. He reared back and lifted his voice to the heavens in a long and confident war cry that said simply: this pack, and everything in it, belongs to me.

oooh!! jhala was so fucking hype! she could hardly stand it. last time she'd done anything like this she was miles and miles north of teekon, and she was being forced to do it. today she was here with the one man she loved more than anything, and four other wolves who stood beside them with chests and shoulders squared. it was so exhilarating, and the grand vicar... no... the alpha-- hell yeah that sounds fly as FUCK-- was ready to tear some heads off, literally. she moved with a slight smile on her face, her fur bristling, just waiting for some action. she was ready, she had had all this pent up anger for months, and though she'd mostly been happy and calm lately, she was so fucking ready to take all that anger out today.

reek tilted his head back in the air and howled. though this was reek's idea and would be his pack, she was his mate and right-hand, so she gave a loud bark behind his, one that echoed through the territory-- though not as prominent as her husbands howl. her tail was perked high behind her, and her shoulders were squared right beside reek's. she was so ready for this.

Something wasn't right. Eden's head lifted with her ears perked as the war cry sounded. Her heart began to race, but she knew what had to be done, for this wasn't her first raid. She managed to tear a limb from the creature she'd found frozen within the borders and snuck back into the tunnels with surprising haste. Once there, her first stop was her den where she lay down the meal for her children. Do not move. Do not speak. I will be back for you, I promise. She gave an assuring lick to each of their heads, though she knew that nothing was certain in the coming moments.

She marched through the tunnels, her voice low but loud enough to be heard, stopping at each and every den she passed. @Heartha, she called at the mouth of her den, Take your children to my den. A war cry has sounded and we need to keep them hidden. From there, she went to @Freya's and @Shalon's dens and told them each the same: A war is in the works. Upon seeing her mate, @Sylvas Streiter, she made sure he knew, You can stay behind and protect the children or you can come and fight. 

Once every wolf within the tunnels was alert and prepared, she walked to the mouth of the system and released a howl, one of anger and angst. Had this been any other situation and she might've run with her children in tow. But rather, she was a mother, and this was her Court so she would stay and fight until she could fight no more.

Tapat was scared. His parents were gone. His papa told him to stay where they were right now and that he had to listen to Astik. Tapat was glued to his side. He was not even considering the idea of leaving. Once his parent were out of view he was tempted to look for them but he knew he would never find them. He was quick to get lost. The younger pup nestled against his darker brother. He was utterly scared of the one that had to baby sit them. He didn't know the other and was not sure if he was going to attack him again.

"I want mama and papa," he whispered to his brother. "Where are they?," he whined to him softly. Tapat was not very keen on having both his parents away from them. Though what he didn't know was that if he would be with his parents he would be in more danger. Tapat would have to learn to live without his parents eventually...

Since Tapat is not there feel free to skip my turn any time!! :)

His muscular body became tense as his brown ears caught sound of an unknown howl echoing through the brisk wind. And not just any howl, a summoning to the wolves of the Court to battle. For a second, the mercenary found himself frozen, mind racing as he thought back to the recent events that had transpired, already leaving them vulnerable through the growing winter. And now, out of the blue, their was an invader right at their doorstep, with a challenge for their home.

Gathering his senses, Sylvas made his way through the web of tunnels until he came across the sight of his mate, alerting the others, his golden eyes watching her as she then turned to him, giving him the option to stay and protect the young or go and fight. The choice was an obvious one for the brute as he watched Eden approach the entrance of the tunnels and let out a howl of her own; a melody filled with rage. With that Sylvas quickly approached his mate, coming up beside her as he looked out from the tunnels, his muzzle parting as he spoke, ”I'm going to fight..” He said, his gray and brown tail giving a thrash behind him as he glanced toward opening that led outside, ”If all gets too much and the odds go against us... “ He let out a sigh and looked to Eden with concern, ” I want you to grab the pups, along with Heartha and anyone else that is able and get away to somewhere safe.” Sylvas slowly stepped ahead of his mate and left the darkness of the tunnels, the light of the morning sun caressing his brown form as his large paws touched the icy snow.

Sylvas peered around momentarily, gradually looking back to Eden, silently debating whether to wait for others that were able to fight to arrive, or to swiftly head off and face the intruders that awaited their response. For it wasn't every day that someone came along and threw down the gauntlet at ones paws. Slowly he stopped a distance away from the tunnels of the Inner Circle, the cold snow biting at his paws as he let out a howl of his own, one asking any member able to come and defend. IF they could, that is.

mobile post! I'll fix any mistakes when I get home!

The plan was abundantly clear: take over the territory, and all its resources, by any means necessary. 

She strode beside Dagfinn as they proceeded into the heart of the claimed land, heart pounding in her ears partly from exhilaration and mostly from anxiety. The yearling was not a large wolf; dwarfed in size by the sheer immensity of the Alpha Female, and she lacked the experience of a seasoned warrior. But she knew this was life or death; a last ditch effort to survive against the odds the winter had pitted against them. She was heartened by their bond. The little band of stragglers Reek and Jhala had gathered were connected not by necessity but heart. Courage, Moonbrook knew, would be tantamount now.

Her ears cupped as the Reek called them to a halt and she listened as he threw up a war song to the skies. Jhala joined him. The Alpha Female was itching for a fight and thirsty for blood. Moonbrook wasn't entirely sure if it was a mother's instinct or that Jhala was just a belligerent beast by nature, but it inspired her regardless. She joined the chorus, joining her own voice to theirs, cementing her loyalty to the dogged band of refugees.

Heartha was tending to her den when she heard a howl. Fear clutched her heart. She feared for herself, her pups, the pack. Shalon came by and told her an order, but it still took time for her mind to process it. Then she took action. She moved her pups straight to Eden's den and laid down so they were behind her, breathing heavily and fearfully. She tried to keep her body still, hidden deep in the den. She had no idea how many there were. But she worried that Eden and the others would not win. She worried they would die. She worried she would die. What were they going to do?

assuming hawthorn was with rose, let me know if you want anything changed avery!

Tucked away in a den with @Hawthorn by her side, Rose slept peacefully without a care in the world. Sleep had always been her savior and had always come to free her from the pain she felt. But the russet princess was always met with agony when she woke and today was no different. She stirred as the howl echoed through the cavern and eventually woke her with a jolt. Her ears instantly swiveled forward to try and hear more clearly and as time passed it became increasingly clear that something terrible was about to happen. 

She reached over to give her brother a nudge as she let out a nervous whine. Who would try to hurt them if they had done nothing wrong? "Haw" she croaked out while glancing to their den's exit. Eden had come and instructed to them to safer grounds but Rose couldn't help but feel some urge to fight. She had all this pent up anger welling up inside her and as the rightful heir the russet princess just couldn't find it in herself to hide and cower behind those brave enough to fight. 

She knew she wasn't capable of much but Rose still thought herself to be a queen and a queen should fight for her people right? Her bright eyes flickered to her brother for instructions on where to go. Where he went she would follow and she wouldn't leave him no matter how much anyone protested. He was her rock, her family, and her king. Whatever decision he made he wouldn't face it alone.

In typical proceedings, life was quick to come crashing down around him in one fell swoop, only to throw him headlong into something else entirely. The homebody in him had been so very miserable, and winter was taking its bold toll upon them. Everything ached. But, because of this, he was understanding why they were about to do what Reek intended.

He couldn't say why, besides just to survive, but here he was. Loathe to be away from Tambourine's immediate vicinity, yet not at all envious of the former Maurader's duty to puppysitting without his toes, Silas felt horrifically out of place as he marched on in the back of the group. From back here, he could watch everyone, everything. He had to learn fast and emulate what he saw. The dark yearling was only a tracker, a hunter at his very best.. not a proud warrior! Everyone else seemed to meld seamlessly into the role of at least some semblance of courage, bolstered and enlivened with comrades at their side. Silas probably just looked worried -- ears down, eyes darting, and a long slinky gait as they moved into the glade. It did seem like a nice place, at least.

When they paused, then sang their intentions, he mustered his voice and joined their chorus.

Background cameo!

Tambourine could not stop staring at his feet, particularly the several shriveled, black toes attached to them. They didn't hurt, exactly, though he occasionally experienced a faint twinge or ache in his affected paws (which was three of the four). They were certainly an eyesore and he was having some trouble balancing too. Otherwise, the damage didn't seem to have a massive impact on him. Then again, he could barely register what had happened, especially with everything else going on around him.

Every few minutes, he glanced up from his deformed feet to check on the two young boys left in his care. They were sticking close together and behaving. Tambourine managed a faint, reassuring smile, then returned his attention to his toes again. One was done for on his right forepaw, two on the left and three were dead meat on his left hind paw. He wondered why his rear right foot had escaped the others' fate.

He was tempted to chew on them. Reek had regretfully informed him that they would likely fall off on their own once the tissue attaching them to his foot died completely. Tambourine would only be hastening the process. He contemplated it for a long time but decided against it, at least for the moment. Instead, he jammed all four legs beneath himself like a mother hen and focused once more on Astik and Tapat.

Just wanted to keep this thread moving (since it's super important plot-wise)! If anyone from either side still wants to throw their character in, feel free! Y'all feeling a loose post order?

One by one, the raiding party lifted their cries of war to the sky. Their voices were strong and confident. It was a song of survival -- with each voice unwavering in what they knew must be done for the good of the unit. But most of all, it was a display of strength. As their six, independent voices echoed through enemy territory, Reek knew that all who heard would know that resistance was futile. But as their song of war died away, a seemingly out of place silence took hold. Reek looked to his mate at his side, and then to the wolves who followed him to war. He took a deep breath and told himself that there was no way they could lose.

Then, through the silence sliced another howl from off in the distance. It was one that didn't belong to any of the raiding party. "Look sharp," Reek told his wolves. "We're about to have company." The corners of Reek's lips pulled back, revealing a threatening snarl. His tail rose as an act of dominance. Whatever resident came to greet them would know that he was the alpha now.

jhala's lips pulled back as well, revealing white teeth and pink gums. she let out a low growl, echoing reek's and anyone else's. "i'm ready," she assured him, her tail stiff behind her, she pressed beside him for a brief moment of wifey-support before standing off, her legs braced and ready to pounce on anyone when a command was given. she was bred to fight, and bred to follow orders, she was ready.

Laurel didn't want to fight. She'd never fought before. Her neck still hurt from where Jhala's teeth had set on it and she was afraid what would happen to her if she would fight again. Why couldn't they just claim some other territory? She was cold, hungry and miserable as she waited for things to start, and the frown on her face displayed this unhappiness clear as day. She looked more like a grouchy teen who'd been dragged to a mandatory visit to grandma than a wolf ready for battle.

She looked around for someone to trust, someone who would save her neck, but ultimately she found upon looking around that she didn't think any of them would protect her if she were in trouble. Reek and Jhala had each other as buddies and she guessed that they would both think twice to save her from harm's way. Laurel dying a heroic death at this battle as martyr was probably the best thing that could happen to both of them. They'd be rid of her, but they could still say they had cared for and loved her deeply and that ultimately, their daughter had done the right thing by helping them win this battle and had therefore repaid all her previous sins. It was so clean and easy that it made Laurel feel paranoid that in the midst of battle, Jhala might even be the one to break her neck when no one saw just so that she could make a martyr out of her without fear of her sons or other future children.

Her heart thumped and body was rife with adrenaline, but she hoped that it wouldn't come to a fight. Maybe they would just surrender their territories. Laurel could smell the scents of the inhabitants of this pack and she feared for what was to come, knowing she was no fighter and there were daggers pointed at her from all sides.

Hawthorn had awoken sometime before Rose, but had pretended to continue sleeping partly because he wanted to return to the realms where he didn't need to care about anything, and partly because he wanted to be by Rose, the only sibling he had left. In his eyes, she was the only family he had left, and he didn't want to leave her, not when there was an unsettling feeling settling in the bottom of his gut. He stayed silent and unknowing when the howl echoed through the cavern and Rose awoke and soon gave him a nudge, a nervous whine escaping her maw. 

Haw opened his eyes warily and scanned the den with narrowed blue eyes. There was a look of utmost bitterness on his countenance as he rose silently and quickly took in the circumstances and his surroundings. His first priority was Rose, would always be Rose, and so he looked her in the eye and spoke quietly, "We'll get revenge later," he murmured, "we'll burn the hearts out of them..we will make them pay. I promise." His blue eyes darkened and he licked his lips in bitter anticipation. "But not now. We're not strong enough. We'll have to...listen to what they say for the time being. Get to somewhere safe. Survive." 

"We'll go to Eden's den. Keep safe, and survive. You have to survive, Rosie," there was a flicker of something in his gaze, his expression surprisingly mature for his age. "I'll protect you, I promise.......until we both learn how to fight properly." Hawthorn exhaled sharply. "We should go to Eden's den...but..what do you want to do?" He wasn't one to normally ask for anyone's opinion or permission, but this was his sister, and though time was running out, he needed to know if she was okay with it.

SORRY to be late!!! I fell asleep before posting last night :/

 

Ears twitched as the sound of a howl ripped through her territory. Her heart beat picked up to match the racing of thoughts fumbling in her head. Now of all times they had to prove their dominance. She felt the pit in her stomach grow as she thought about it more and more. They were vulnerable, that was the fact and now Shalon wasn't sure they could win. Eden informed her of the threat, of which Shalon almost snapped at. of course she had heard. She headed for the entrance of the tunnel, assuming that Eden was making sure all the pups were safe. Even though she had none of her own and she didn't know them very well they were the future of the pack she now had to lead and would therefore protect them with her life.

As she reached the entrance she threw her head back, howling to the stars sounding her own claim to hear lands. How dare someone try to usurp her. The anger in her voice drowned the fear she had in losing. She wasn't going anywhere, not now and not ever. Hoping that perhaps one of her own would join in her howl, she concluded and took the battle to them, away from the precious children that were inside. 

Thr silver queen trotted through the territory, reserving her strength. Emerging from behind a tree, she stood with her head and tailed held high. This was her land and this was her pack, it was time they leave. She waited for the others to fall in line. They were outnumbered, but at least they were fighting for their home.

Wasn't sure on the order, so just threw in a post xD

Sylvas watched as Shalon approached them, making her way toward the end of the tunnels, his golden eyes shimmering in the light as he briefly glanced over to Eden. Everything was a complete nightmare, to recent tragedies and now having to fight for their home and in winter of all times. His tail gave a thrash behind him as he listened to Shalon's howl, brown ears arching forward as he listened to it echo through the snow covered terrain, the mercenary slowly lifted his own head and joined in with the Queen's call, his brown ears listening out for his mate's voice or any one elses to sound with them.

Instantly the brute pursued along side the Queen as Shalon began to move through the territory, his heart pounded within his chest as the adrenaline began to course throughout his body. With this Sylvas' large paws guided him to battle along with his fellow pack mates. They had to defend the glade, their home. And with what seemed like seconds, the walking came to a halt and the intruders now in sight. They were outnumbered, but Sylvas was ready to protect his family and slowly, with his hackles raised and tail high, the mercenary fell into line with the others.

They stood poised and ready to be met with the retaliation this ought to stir. It was an anxious wait, but soon, more rival voices met the winds to contest their own. Silas' ears flickered anxiously before returning to flat against his head. He tried to place his trust in Reek and Jhala, and the others as well, but above all else he found he just wanted to get this over with quickly.

He did stay near the back of their little gathering and watched the trees anxiously until wolves finally appeared. First a female, posing dominantly, then a male hot on her heels to support her statement. He had to wonder how many more would come. So far, two was not so bad.. but that couldn't be all of them here. Perhaps not all would come right away.. for favor of some greater scheme? He honestly had no idea what to expect.

The dark Ostrega bristled at the sight of the hostile strangers beginning to come into view. He stared them down from his spot among the group, but since they had not yet moved on them quite yet and neither had Reek or Jhala given any indication otherwise, he stayed put: tense, serious, and waiting anxiously for this to unfold.

Though it went mostly ignored, Moonbrook could practically taste the unease in the air. The unanimous chorus that rocketed through the pines screamed like the wail of a warning siren, and only one voice rose in the distance to answer. A plaintive bellow of sorrow and, for a split second, she was shattered by the sound. Were they actually going to throw a different family out into the same cold they were trying to escape from? 

She bounced on her front feet and paced left, then right, tail strung out behind her—lungs heaving with each excited whimper. The she-wolf was steadied, somewhat, by the warm cluster of what amounted to her new family. There was no question about what had to be done, but she hoped the outcome would be beneficial to both sides rather than just her own.

When the first figure emerged from the woodland, her insecruties vanished and she was left with nothing but the hyperfocus of raw need. A second soon joined the first, and posed pointedly towards them. In another time and place, she might have balked at the sight of the dominant male. But this time Moonbrook was not cowed. She'd made a pledge, and she intended to uphold it until death. She could only hope that day was not today.

The she-wolf braced and snarled, hackles standing at attention, and yellow-teeth gleaming with saliva.

With all of the anger she'd built up as a youth, with all of the passion that she'd found as a mother, and with every drop of pain anyone had ever inflicted on Eden, she moved forward with her head high and her spirits higher. They would fight, and she would assist. The odds weren't in their favor (the battle hadn't even begun, and she could already tell the difference in power), but she planned to tough it out as though they were. After all, it was her children she was fighting for. It was for Heartha's children, and Aspen's as well. She had family who were depending on her and she wouldn't let them down. So, with one last call of defiance, Eden was ready.

omg so late. sorry

Dagfinn had remained quiet during their trip to these lands. He was uncomfortably close to Arthendal, but that wasn't the problem. Truthfully, he didn't have a problem. War came naturally to him, and although silence usually didn't, the dark youth had been trained well enough to be quiet on the way to the battlefield. White plumes of vapor betrayed how easily he breathed, despite the tense atmosphere. Deep breaths, long and steady, in and out. Dag trotted after his leaders, intent on serving them, protecting them.

The liver girl, though. She was the one that held his attention.

"Stay close to me," he said, his voice soft and low so that no others would hear. These words - an invitation more than command or request - were meant only for her. He didn't know why he offered this. There was something very fundamentally different about them, and a part of Dagfinn shied away from that yawning gap of understanding.

How different their stories must be.

Luckily, there wasn't long to dwell on this. Dag readied himself for battle as the voices of strangers sounded around them, his eyes taking in the stances of all the wolves around him, but his body angled to shield Laurel from violence.

We'll get revenge later was the only thing Rose needed to hear in order to understand what decision to make. If they fought now and died then everything they have been through would be for nothing, and Rose didn't want to believe that she had gone through the pain of losing those close to her for no reason. Hawthorn was right, they could always come back later and bring the wrath of hell with them. She gave a nod towards her brother and confirmed her decision with a quick "ok, we'll go to Eden's den."

She would be lying if she said that she wasn't scared, but a part of Rose couldn't help the anger that had found it's way into her. For the first time in her young life, the once kind and high spirited russet princess now wished to shed blood. This was her home and all she could do was sit back and watch it be taken from her. With a quiet grumble she slipped into the duchess's den and looked around to see all who had gathered. Nervous faces could be found everywhere and so Rose moved to give each within the den a comforting nudge. If she couldn't fight than the least she could do was support those by her side.

Since there really isn't a post-order, lets keep this moving into round three.

Soon, not long after Reek spoke, the cavalry arrived. First, a dark wolf approached from the tree-line. She carried herself with the grace of a leader -- but that grace was misplaced. As it stood now, the glade was no longer hers to lead. Two others accompanied her, one standing on each side. It became apparent to Reek that this was all the force the glade could assemble. Pitiable, really. They were outnumbered two to one, which ensured a clean and easy sweep for Reek's band of wolves. But still, these wolves of the glade did not back down, even in the face of sure defeat. There was something about their drive that Reek found respectable. Stupid, but respectable.

With ears pinned forward and a rippling snarl humming in Reek's throat, he stepped toward the defending trio with his back arched and his tail high in a display of dominance. His wolves, he knew would follow suit. "Your pack," he spoke, voice as cold as the winter chill. "It belongs to me." He stared the defending wolves down with an icy glare that could kill. "Give me the Glade, and no one has to die."

'YAASS BABE YAAAAASSS' jhala wanted to cheer. her husbands stern voice and gaze caught the fae by surprise-- and it wasn't that she was surprised he was using it here, just that she'd never heard him use such a tone of voice and demand anything by such brute force... it was almost-- not that jhala would dare use the word so freely just yet-- sexy.

but that was an embarrassing thought, so she kept it to herself. instead, the dark wolf echoed her mate's demands with a loud, gritty snarl. her teeth clicked and saliva dripped from her bottom lip. her upper one quivered as another growl rumbled from her throat. she said nothing, but her own wolfish response clearly repeated everything reek had just said.

Laurel looked at Dagfinn as he talked to her, a little surprised that he would notice her at all, head tilted in question. Then she nodded, feeling frightened by the prospect of fighting, especially for a family and a home she felt so little for these days. She tried really hard, but she could see how they looked at her, and it didn't do any to make her feel better.

Ears perked to look at the strangers in front of them as Reek demanded they give up their home. Laurel was frightened by him, too, by the cold, heartless tone to his voice, by how easily he was putting other wolves out of their homes. He didn't care for them, only for the survival of his own family. She was much alike to him, she realised in that moment, in so many ways. Laurel only cared for her own hide, too. That was why she didn't care for this place or for the wolves who stood beside her. She didn't want to get hurt again, so she didn't want to fight. She had never before realised that she was so much like her father, always feeling like an alien that was so very different from them all.

She glanced at Dagfinn briefly before turning her youthful eyes back onto the other wolves; the enemies. There were no snarls or intimidations from her side, only the gloomy look of the teen who didn't wish to be here. Her odds might be better if she would look intimidating, she thought, but she just couldn't bring herself to it.

Emory wasn't sure what was going on, but she smelled foreign wolves, many, many, foreign wolves. Instantly her mind jumped to her niece and nephew, she sprinted forward in a quick frenzy towards the children, gathering their scent as soon as she could. It wasn't long until she stood at Eden's den, a wave of relief crashing on to her once spotting the two young faces within the den, along with two more. "You're okay." Her voice spilled with solace, stepping toward the two of them. They were the last things in her life keeping her from going insane, and the idea of them getting hurt was unbearable. 

She stepped closer to the group group of yearlings, appalled no one was here to look after them. "What's going on?" Emory insisted, confused, but then it hit her. Reek. He was here, why? She knew well that her brother and him hardly got along but the idea of him coming to the Court was...terrifying. "Shit. I mean, uh, sorry, stay here." Emory quickly, before either could deny, gave the two a quick nudge, before bursting off again, tracing the smell of her once close friend.

There he stood, as dominant as ever, growling at her family, and it felt like she was being hit in the chest. Alder left, Aspen gone, children lost, and now her once best friend attacking her home, her last family. "Reek!" She cried, stepping forward between her three adversaries. "What in God's name are you doing?" There was no trace of anger in her voice, but pure confusion. How? How could this be happening?