Don't you talk to strangers.

Njal, Scimiatar, Danica, and Cutthroat are working their way up the mountain in order to pass a warning to @Jace and Ferdie as well as gather information about the pack. This is open to anyone from SS, but please let Swiftcurrent characters respond first.

There had been a howl a few days prior, but it had not come from the creek wolves. The sound had carried on above them, ringing out from the mountainside and telling the wolves of the plains that the peak had been claimed; this was not a wise move by Jace, but it had been done. The claim of the mountain told Njal all he needed: that these wolves which once had been family were now showing their true colors. It would not go unnoticed or unchallenged—in fact, the warden had assumed the role of a raid leader in the following days. Using what limited knowledge he had of the mountain, Njal had begun to plot an ascent so that a band of their warriors could enter the territory without too much notice. They would simply observe at first. Count their numbers, identify who followed them, and return home; however, there was always the chance of being noticed. A large enough battalion of warriors would not go wholly unnoticed. This thought is what made Njal reconsider and restructure the plan.

With Fox's go-ahead, he assembled the warning party. It would have been faster to howl for each of them, to summon them together, but that would also remove any element of surprise that Jace would hold. The Sunspire wolves would have heard the howl, just as Njal had heard the song of their claim; so, the warden wandered the riverside in search of individuals. @Scimitar first, for it was the first face that Njal recognized in his initial search. He thought of Bazi next, but decided not to take the other Beta along—as valuable as she was, someone had to stay behind and protect the pack. He then encountered a newer recruit named @Danica, and after briefly speaking with her about Fox's orders, she too was added to their numbers. The last wolf to their band of raiders was an afterthought, at least for Njal. @Cutthroat had proven to hold little information about Bones and had been reduced to a slave among them, one that the Russian had little time or patience for. He could not be trusted in those initial days since his capture, but it seemed as if he had assimilated; so it was the swarthy pirate that he finally sought out.

When they were all together, Njal silently escorted them to the base of Mount Apikuni. They still had to navigate around the mountain's base, but once they fell in to the shadow between the two points, Njal stopped. He gave a brief look around before calling the others close.

Alright. The plan is a simple one: we go up the mountain, scout out their lands, and return. We should be able to make it up without a problem, but there is always the chance that their numbers are higher than we know, His voice was low and tumultuous in its rumble, scratching the air as he tried to speak covertly, We are not to separate. If you find yourself on your own or away from the group for too long, double back. We are doing this to show them our strength but also to gather information. The Beta's golden gaze flicked from wolf to wolf, lingering for short periods on each of them as if to impress this knowledge upon them. Finally, he ended with, If you find caches or anything that can be tampered with, tamper with it. The harder we make it for them to truly settle in here, the better for us. Fox wanted a show of strength, and that was what she would receive.

Dismissed. Njal muttered, his tone still low but far more commanding. The shadows rolled out before them, and would provide ample cover for each of them. With adrenaline suddenly lifting his spirits, Njal began to hike up the mountain. With their senses on high alert, he doubted that his pack-mates would fail in this endeavor. They were well trained and loyal subjects, each ascribed to the continued superiority of Swiftcurrent—Jace could not say the same for his budding assemblage of strangers.

Following Njal, Danica was a bit shocked by the speed at which she had been selected for a task such as this one. True, she had little qualms about showing these wolves the what for, but she was so fresh to these lands. There was prior bad blood here, a past that she had no part in whatsoever. Mayhaps this was in part a test of her loyalty, for there was logic in that. If she successfully aided in chasing these enemies away from, well, not their lands, then she truly was loyal to Fox and the pack by extension. She thought it strange that, with all of the packs in the surrounding area, Fox would choose to take issue with this one. This was the closest, though, and again, that feeling of bad blood.

Moving as silently as she could, a feat made easier by her smaller size, Danica stayed somewhat close to their fearless leader. The plan really was simple enough... not very elegant, but it would serve. She felt a bit of resistance to the idea of not separating. What if the situtation changed? She had been alone for so long, it wasn't as if she couldn't handle it. But this was hardly the time to argue, so she bit it back. She did like the idea of tampering with their lands, chasing them out in a less direct approach. Now that was more like it. Using their heads instead of boorishly running in and attempting to force them physically to relocate. Bloodshed was all well and good, but oftentimes unnecessary and much more messy in the long run.

Senses alert for any sign of strangers, stored reserves, or general abnormalities, she smiled. Oh but it was good to run with a pack again.

To say that Cutthroat had been surprised that Njal had actively sought him out to go on a mixture of an outrider/raid party made up of three other Creek wolves was the world’s largest understatement. At first the inky pirate felt suspicion; then, slowly, as Njal’s words began to sink into the Tortuga native’s head while it certainly didn’t make much sense it had became obvious that it wasn’t some ploy to kill him. Njal was serious in that he actually wanted Cutthroat along on the journey. At least Cutthroat likened Njal seeking him out to wanting the Pirate to join them on their little mission. Feeling as if he did not have much choice, coupled with his desire to prove that he could be trustworthy and that he meant no one harm in Swiftcurrent the Slave agreed, and joined with the others when they had set off.

It became apparent to the Creek wolves — if the howls that had rang through the air were of any indication — that Ferdie and Jace had created their own little renegade pack nearby. Dubloon colored eyes focused upon Njal as he spoke to them, clueing them in on the ultimate game plan. While Cutthroat chose not to voice it — partially because he didn’t want to get even further on Njal’s bad side than he felt he already was — he wondered what they were supposed to do if they did get caught. It sounded easy. Get in, complete the mission, get out. There was always a chance that they were suspicious and waiting, or that they would catch on fairly quick and catch up.

They were ordered to stay together and Cutthroat nodded at Njal’s orders and clung to the shadows were he blended in well, sticking close to their little group as was ordered, ears, nose and eyes all alert as he followed in the ascension up the mountain.

Scimitar had been surprised, like many, when Fox had announced her decision to push Jace and Ferdie from the pack. He had known neither very well – in truth, he had only exchanged a few words with one of them and had partially helped his wounds after the fight, so he it was brought no distress on to him when they had left. Instead, it had left him wondering what kind of leader Fox was – not that her decision had darkened his thoughts of her in any manner.

He had heard the males claim to their new lands, sounding across the creek in what could have been considered a taunt. Apparently, Fox had not approved of this, and now, the cinnamon male strode easily behind the warrior Beta, his bright eyes focused upon the horizon as the mountain grew nearer. He was content to know Njal had sought him out – he had yet to prove himself to the regal male, and took this opportunity to do so as a breath of fresh air.

They paused at the base of a mountain, and stilling, the male’s eyes drifted to the silver male’s cheek. Like many a wolf, the agouti male desired to protect his pack from potential harm.. Njal, however, had much higher stakes – Tuwawi would give birth any day now, and soon the Creek would have a family that bore the male’s name. A flicker of ambition jabbed at his own chest in that moment with the thought that someday he too could have a mate that would be large with children of his own.. but for now, this was his family.

A brief nod was given in understanding – the Frostfur was ever the silent comrade, and with the orders given, his eyes swept among his companions, only recognizing the darker male. Without word he followed after Njal, the descent of the mountain he had once lived upon leaving a bitter taste in his mouth as he thought of Tuatha De. Perhaps his knowledge of the lands would be beneficial to the others.. but for now, he waited to share this knowledge. There was no time for talk.

Jace had been watching the borders like wild man as of late. He was constantly traversing them, pacing among them waiting for the day that his former family would come calling. It irked him to no end that it was Njal that headed up the charge. Granted he understood that the warden had a family to protect but Jace had promised he would not harm them and he could never harm a child or a woman carrying child no more than he could take his own life. He shook his head in irritation. He just studied them for now, there was not much he could do against 4 wolves, granted if it came down to the grind he would try. However, like the brazen fools that they were they began to ascend into his new families domain and he grew agitated and tiring of just watching he moved to intercept, they had gotten far enough he felt truthfully. There was not much he could do against 4 wolves, but he would go down fighting if he had too. He loosed a howl to the others in the pack and then moved to meet them at the head.

He stepped into the moonlight pooling around on the ground and spoke softly with ice edging his words. Isn't it funny you bring a betrayer to babysit the betrayed how wonderful Njal. A growl was in his throat as he stood barring entrance his hackles raised and his eyes alight with a flame all their own a red tinge hugging the edges of his blue orbs. So what brings you to the mountain? A place I might add that you do not belong? You're lucky I don't rip out your throats for trespassing? However I am willing to listen to reason for the moment. His feelings were at war inside himself. He did not want to attack any of them he counted at least two of them a friend once, he counted Njal as much more a man worthy of his respect and his awe. Truthfully he still respected the warden and it just about killed him to speak so sharply to him,but just as Njal would not give an inch to trespassers regardless of who they were he would not either. He was a warden after all Christened by the Creek himself.

A howl sounded and very swiftly Ferdie responded covering ground with sure-footed strides; He scented the Swiftcurrent fools long before he spotted them, he broke the brush putting himself between the wolves and the path to further up the mountain. His tail high over his back, his head up and his ears alert. He was barely out of breath having been taking much better care of himself since departing the creek, his brutish hulk returned below his once again well groomed pelt proving the mountains held enough food to support a pack.

Keeping himself between the wolves and his packlands he quickly swung over to Jaces side. Ever quick to respond and defend his family Ferdie was not surprised to see Jace heading up the charge to protect their new home. Njal and even Fox should have expected nothing less; for Jace had been nothing if not a loyal and trustworthy warden.

A deep rumble elicited from him his hackles raised, he expected one maybe two wolves but this.. this was vile in his mind. Here in this Place Ferdie and Jace and even the whole pack, They were not close enough to cause concern to Fox. They did not choose Wapun Meadow, Duck Lake, Otatso Wetlands, or the Blackfoot Forest. There were further away then even the Vale wolves had been considering the trek upwards and through the vale that the swiftcreekians would had had to go to get here. And then they brought a traitor to his own brethren, cutthroat.. Ferdie Von Pelt was surprised that Njal a normally intelligent wolf should know better then to start something like a pack-war just weeks or was it days before his family was due to be born. What is Njal's idea or Fox's either way this was stupid on their part.

Ferdie Loosed another howl to mimic Jace's Calleing more pack members to their sides. this motley group of Swiftcurrent fools was not getting any closer. @Viatrix @Amekaze @Valor

Ferdie Von Pelt did not waste words yet, he would wait for Njal or the others to talk after the other pack members arrived

Quickly posting sorry for short and shoddy quality!

There had been nothing but scents drifting on the wind to alert the swarthy DeMonte to the impending invasion, but when a commanding howl broke over the mountain mere minutes after the patrolling wolf discovered a foreign scent trail crossing the border, she wasted no time in responding. Her assumption about what had happened was hastily made, but accurate. She couldn't have guessed their number, but Viatrix knew immediately that there was a border breach.

She stalked to Ferdie's side as quickly as her legs would carry her, her speed reinforced by the Alpha's second call to arms. The wolves they found were as motley as they came: a greyscale male heading the quartet, a golden female with a look of mischief on her face, a dark-furred wraith who looked to be all business, and a tawny male, silent and still as a statue.

Viatrix was in no position to mince words with these wolves, and her instincts roared at her to chase them away immediately, but she held back, remembering Ferdie's conditions. She fixed the ringleader of the trespassing party with a heavy glare, and as a punctuation to Jace's less-than-welcomimg greeting to them, she skimmed back her lips and rumbled a threatening, perpetuating growl at the intruders.

The others that were pinged can still arrive! For now since they're pretty evenly matched I'm going to continue the thread. The other SC wolves can respond in their order, but if any more SS wolves appear, don't be afraid to jump right in!

They swept up the mountain together. A wall of entities watching the shadows with care and moving with precision. Not a single sound of protest came forth from his comrades, and so he found his ego being bolstered by their silent agreement. Their loyalty—even the loyalty which was suspect to him from Cutthroat—was proven true. The mountain was not an impenetrable fortress; the slopes and trees were easily navigated and yet, in that process, the wolves began to fan out. Njal was aware of this. His words to them previously had warned against being separated from the group but that had not happened yet. However, they were making good time.

When the first howl rang out, the sound made Njal pause mid-stride and then lull to an abrupt halt; it was close, and it was familiar. Jace stepped out from the shadows soon after. His voice was decidedly cold, but that did not bother Njal—in fact, the Beta hardly paid attention at first. When an actual question came to light, the man chuffed softly to himself. He was not here to banter with the boy. With a brief glance around, the warrior tried to ascertain how many others were nearby... But he need not wait long.

Ferdie arrived next, and said nothing. His own howl came forth then, which Njal found curious... He wondered which wolf was truly in control. The posture of both of them was hostile but that was to be expected. Ferdie paced between them for a moment or two, before another creature slipped forth: a dark wolf with fiery eyes and a rumble in her belly. Njal remained silent. He watched each of them, collecting details as the two rival groups aligned themselves, and gradually allowed his own golden gaze to land upon Jace once more—his expression as cold as the boy's greeting.

Reason? Njal quipped, sounding surprised despite the lazy lilt of his voice, You do not know the meaning of the word. The stern man scoffed as he perused the gathered faces. Somehow the two fools had coerced a stranger in to their ranks. How would the dark girl react in knowing the true aspirations of her leaders? The danger they posed? Perhaps a fight here would be worthwhile after all. If Jace or Ferdie lost control again, they could easily destroy themselves. Njal harbored such thoughts as he looked so casually around, his eyes landing on the dark girl briefly. Do you know much about these leaders of yours? Njal queried rhetorically, before launching in to an unprompted explanation, Do you know what little control they have over themselves? We drove away our friends in order to protect ourselves from the danger they posed. There is something wrong with them. Something sick. And yet here they are, setting up camp where they are not welcome. The gold shine of his eyes now traced the harrowed features of Jace, This is unacceptable.

As the moment grew stale and tense, he motioned with a small glance at his comrades and a flick of his nose that they should fan out a bit. He caught the eye of Danica, and in that moment the ice in his gaze became a flickering flame—do your duty he was silently telling her, have your fun.

You are free to make a family if you want, there is no harm in that. But you cannot do it here. Njal's voice grew louder in that moment, carrying in to the trees to any others that may be lurking nearby. He twisted his head away from Danica and towards the gathering enemy. These demands were not so harsh. The creek wolves currently outnumbered the peak wolves, and even if they didn't, Swiftcurrent was a long established pack with well trained warriors. Njal had seen to that. If they met true resistance (and he did not expect anything else) there would be blood shed this day. Perhaps it would be enough to drive these fools from the mountain.

With that said, Njal drifted in to an uneasy silence. He expected the tension of the situation to escalate quickly, thus he began to prepare. While the others did as their orders instructed (spreading out, searching while he spoke, causing whatever problems they wished in order to sully these lands) the Beta watched Jace and Ferdie closely. As long as he provided enough frustrating conversation, Njal could distract while the others set to work.

i wasn't 100% sure of the doings of all the others who are going off on their own (since lots of ya didn't get to post yet) so was vague about them, since i didn't want to make any assumptions, but i'll address them more thoroughly next reply

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Howls rose up to the winds and she ghosted closer. Instead of joining up alongside Ferdie, Jace and even Viatrix (who was rising in respect swiftly already), she approached from behind the intruders and did not rush to make her appearance known. Her eyes were on Njal, the sterling furs on his nape, and briefly she glanced over his crew. She had already smelled them and gathered details that way, and it appeared they had reached something here to stall their progression.

As expected, it was wholly unnecessary and probably to serve as a show of their strength (not that she needed to see it, she knew them well). They had no business here, especially when wolves like her knew where their leader dozed, and could find his whelps and wife if she truly desired. She might not have integrated with the wolves of the Creek, but she certainly knew the aspects of their territory.

Words began, and while she had only caught the tail end of Jace's, it was Njal's that amused her most of all. He took it upon himself to address Viatrix and Amekaze rumbled protectively as he spewed on and on about the danger posed by Ferdie and Jace. She found it unsurprising that they were still on about that. Were they really so scared of them? Pitiful, really..

Laughing openly, she then stepped forward, tail flagged up over her back but without the stiffened edge of evident aggression in her movement. You talk far too much for intruders, she chuffed and glanced past Njal to Ferdie. They had brought their muscle here, why not show it off? And if they intended to cause their lands harm, she doubted they could be largely successful in such a short span of time. Their caches were not vastly numerous yet and were well-covered by the mountain's terrain, which the Creek wolves did not know as well as them of the Sunspire. She was not overly worried. Njal, on the other hand, was a threat.

While she did not know how much they knew about their structure, she fancied this show of ambiguity; they could not single the leader if they could not identify him. Your pack is not so grand, despite what you may believe, that it needs a multitude of miles in all directions. Horizon Ridge and the Blacktail Deer Plateau were closer than this, and they existed that way for many moons now, with Jinx's mountain claim not all that far from either of them. Silvertip, back under Tartok's claim, had harbored wolves at its forested base without obvious, dire issues.

This was petty and to her, the Creek looking to show off their muscles when it was a waste of their time -- especially when they had pups to concern themselves with. Amekaze would meet the eyes of any who looked her way without hesitance and kept her stance as it was, inviting them to take a swing. Her tail lashed a slow metronome and she waited impatiently for the next move, or words -- whichever it came to be, all while listening to the motions of his fellows. She had a feeling Ferdie would be adding his two cents soon, and that, she awaited with eager interest. At the word, she would pursue.

Silent as a gust of wind they descended, keeping close to one another. Danica's ears flattened as a howl broke out. That didn't last long, and the one who seemed to have found them sounded pissed. Good. This was going to be challenging after all.

A dark wolf faced them, aggressively blocking their path. He and Njal exchanged words that confirmed a past history here, further cementing Danica's notion that she had no clue what the hell was going on here. Well, she knew her task, and that was enough for her right now. Besides, she got the gist from Njal's words when another male and female joined the opposing side. Hey, evening the odds a bit. Still, Danica could pick no clear leader among them, and honestly, she didn't like their chances. Why were they just standing there? If she were the one being trespassed on she'd be at their throats in a heartbeat. What was the holdup?

Oooh, but she liked that look Njal just gave her. Giddy as a kid in a candy shop, Danica flashed a cheeky grin, then slunk around the trunks, ghosting off among the trees to the left at a sprint, still alert for any sign of possible vandal targets. If she made it through, she wouldn't go far... she was expecting trouble, hoping for it really, and she knew that one of them would need backup before this was done.

Cut short ^^ before Ame posted I figured one cache wouldn't matter much, but suppose that makes sense

Tried to be vague because I don't want to powerplay. :-)

It did not take long for the wolves of the Sunspire to notice their intrusion, neither did it take Jace long, whilst Cutthroat lingered nearer to Njal, though he clung still to the shadows, doubloon colored eyes narrowing in on the black beastie when he snarled some nonsense about the ‘betrayer babysitting the betrayed’ which, there was little doubt, was a slam at the inky pirate. If anything, Cutthroat was growing rather used to such demeaning and slanderous digs towards him, although he rather thought Jace had that backwards. Cutthroat had done nothing to betray Swiftcurrent Creek; rather he’d been an obedient, good little Captive/Slave. Of course, the urge to jibe was too good of one to pass up and he offered a, “Come now mate, I thought we were past all that,” As far as Cutthroat was concerned Jace no longer had any legs to stand on when it came to comparing himself to Cutthroat. Jace was no angel, either, though Cutthroat assumed he had masqueraded around as one. At least Cutthroat had the gull to admit that he was far from an angel.

Falling into silence the inky pirate moved away from the gathering of wolves, desiring distance from where it made him too edgy to be so that he might better survey, while still remaining within hearing range of Njal’s words. Njal’s words echoed Bazi’s in almost a ghostly manner, calling both Ferdie and Jace ill, and given that Cutthroat had spoke to Bazi about it could not help but agree. Did Njal not know that Ferdie attacked a child? Perhaps his followers would change their minds about their loyalty to him if they knew that he had attacked something that couldn’t even defend itself. It burned on Cutthroat’s tongue to be said but he kept quiet unsure if Njal would appreciate him adding that tidbit, or not.

Scimitar was ever vigilante in his silence – he held no dislike of Jace, though Ferdie had never been the welcoming sort. Yet as the swarthy beast prowled down the slopes and toward the group, it was hard to miss the malicious glint in the male’s eyes – how quickly camaraderie had escalated to violence. Though.. wasn’t that why the two had been tossed from the ranks? They held no qualm of attacking their own, and as the words flew from the black wolf’s muzzle, Scim held no doubt in his Alpha’s decision.

No sooner did his creamy paws itch to begin to stray away from the group and seek out some caches – he did know the mountain slopes after living here for a few months – the thought slid the moment others began to materialize. One she-wolf he recognized from previous gatherings at the creek – clearly, her allegiance had not been to the fiery regal, but the two clowns that had been ousted. Another he did not recognize – another dark female who made her annoyance clear. Blinking aloofly, Scimitar’s aqua eyes fell upon Njal once more, awaiting his order.

He could feel his own muscles tense beneath his thick coat – slandered words were offered, though he could not bring himself to waste his breath on any of it. The dark agouti male was a creature of action, and with a rumbling growl echoing from his chest, his paws took a slide to the end of the group, testing how quick they would be to coral him in before he could tamper with anything.

I didn't know if we should attack yet so I didn't I know Ferdie wanted to do this diplomatically, but I'll be threatening well enough.

Jace chuckled a dark sound at the words that ghosted cutthroat's lips. Perhaps it had been a rather rude jab, but he had meant it to be a jab none the less. Jace watched as the lone female headed off towards the caches he had buried there and a deeper growl resonated from deep within his chest. She was probably off to destroy the caches he had worked hard on and that was a low blow as far as he was concerned. He had made most of the caches in the creek as well, how quickly these wolves forgot where his loyalty had lied. He took a menacing step forward at the wolves a snarl etched on his face and his eyes dark and forbidding. He really did not wish to fight, but he would if he needed to. He hoped one of the females would go after Danica since all three of the males that had been brought were muscle bound hulking monstrosities, he would have a tough time fighting with them this much he knew after all he was still young though large.

The words that spilt from Njal's maw were poison and venom and they cut deeply into the young wolfs already broken heart. He had controlled himself, he had been sent away because he wouldn't kill another. He looked at Njal and realized that if the male was so quickly and apt to believe that he was a monster a monster he would show him. With a snarl sent from the devil's own hell he moved closer still staring at any and all in the eyes. You want to believe i'm a monster so badly Njal so be it, but you know better if you think hard. Then he stood still with anger and hurt in his eyes and a growl in his throat. He would not attack them first, they would have to jump him and then who was the monsters, the ones who were quicker to bloodshed than he.

if there is spelling errors I will fix later I have to dodge out the door

Glad he had waited for Njal to bury himself in his ridiculous speech before he spoke up, Ferdie Von Pelt’s stare never left Njal’s eye’s the pompous ass spoke of something he knew nothing of, All he knew, all any of the swiftcurrent creek pack members beside Jace knew was nothing but Hear-say.
Bazi had made up her mind about Ferdie before the whole thing went down and so she had spread lies, expertly placed and well seeded but lies none-the-less. Though his thoughts could not be heard; He never would have harmed the pup Bazi said that he had tried too. That pup had almost talked him out of his anguished state that all the wolves in swiftcurrent and chosen to ignore in him.
The insolent new comer to swiftcurrent instigated what had happened. And yet again none of the swiftcurrent Creek wolves cared to ask how it started or even what happened. and Here Njal spoke of family again when he had been nothing but an outsider to those who dwelled within his pack those needed help and got nothing of the sort.

Ferdie Von Pelt steped upto Njal, His tail swung high over his back his bulk slightly more or just a match for the older male. Lifting his head above Njal’s yet tilted his chin down so his throat could not be easily targeted. Chest to chest with the haughty male, Knowing HIS pack would protect him should the need arise. He finally growled out words

Your reason for being here is based on lies and the frivolous whim’s of a pup who thinks herself an alpha. The alpha who allows a wolf to get sicker and sicker under her reign. Without care.

You do not know the full events that transpired that fateful day. And like her you will not listen. I thought you, Njal, wiser

Do you know much about your leader?
Your alpha whom gave orders that no sane wolf would follow.

Njal If Fox refused to listen to your plight to begin with, Would you kill Tuwawi on Fox’s whim?? your pups? Just because Fox commanded it?

Ferdie’s deepened glare proved to Njal he was not kidding and he expected a truthful answer.

That would be unacceptable to you, so how dare you expect it to be acceptable to us.

We will be staying on the mountain top FAR from Swiftcurrent creek and you would do well to turn back home and leave us in peace if you expect us to do the same. I hope you don’t trip on the rocks in the Vale as you trespass though other territories to slink back where you came from.

Best you do it now lest you return to your beloved leader with the words war torn into your hides, Because apparently Jace and I are that much of a threat that you know we could do it.


Ferdie snorted in Njal’s face and growled then eliciting a response from his pack, he wanted them to drive out the intruders by any means necessary now.

He had not yet snapped his teeth at Njal but his Eyes burned into Njal’s and if any of the other Swiftcurrent wolves took a shot at him they would be met with his teeth. He knew he was in a precarious position to be asserting his dominance but he had the pack to back it up and he trusted them to do just that

Amekaze voiced Viatrix's sentiments perfectly: this pompous upstart talked far too much. He claimed that Ferdie and Jace were sick (despite smelling of anything but illness) and dangerous (everybody was). A lesser wolf might have been swayed by these claims, but Viatrix was a pure blooded DeMonte Mackenzie Valley wolf, the epitome of loyalty and logic combined. Had these males done anything to suggest the truth of either of Njal's claims, they certainly hadn't done it without reason, as Viatrix had come to accept that both of them were mild-mannered, logical men.

Rather than responding to the loquacious male and giving him the satisfaction of her regard, Viatrix increased the volume of her rumble and pinned her ears forward, meeting his eyes square on. Jace had some words for them, naming the lead wolf as Njal. Ferdie followed up with threats of his own, revealing an extremely important and interesting secret: Njal had a mate and children.

Though Viatrix stood for honour and integrity above all else, if given the order to harm this man indirectly by harming his pups, she would obey it. Instinct ruled in many cases, and Njal had already made his bed without a single thought to the family he supposedly had.

Her thoughts were cut abruptly short as the Swiftcurrent wolves began to fan out. Ferdie engaged the lead wolf, and Jace seemed inclined to stand at the ready should anyone move too quickly. Viatrix's eyes found Danica, the gold-spun she-wolf, who was quick to attempt to peel off to the side of the group. Realizing that she was the nearest, the aspiring Gamekeeper lunged into a lope that ran parallel to Danica, loosing a guttural warning snarl as she attempted to intercept the intruder's path.

Like her pack mates, she showed no signs of violence yet, but her bearing suggested unbridled aggression that would show its ugly face should the honey bitch take one more step toward the mountain's heart.

This show of force perpetrated by the Swiftcurrent wolves seemed to be a pointless endeavor. While Njal and his handpicked few were indeed strong and able-bodied, there was nothing that he could say that would dissuade these hounds upon the mountain. He knew that now—realizing it as Ferdie began to speak. Meanwhile, as Danica slipped away, Njal caught a shadow pulling away from behind the approaching group to pursue her. He gave the stranger a small look, which drifted to the rumbling Viatrix as attention drifted back to Ferdie.

"You do not know the full events that transpired that fateful day." Ferdie stated, "And like her you will not listen. I thought you, Njal, wiser." This caused Njal to chuff softly to himself, but say nothing. And then Ferdie had the gall to compare his situation to a hypothetical one. The mention of Tuwawi made the Beta bristle visibly and lift his head as if to challenge the so-called Leader; and still he was silent. When the male's expression darkened, they shared a look of utmost contempt for one another. "... you would do well to turn back home and leave us in peace if you expect us to do the same. I hope you don’t trip on the rocks in the Vale as you trespass though other territories to slink back where you came from." Trespass through other territories? They had not trespassed to reach the mountain. It was on the outskirts of the Swiftcurrent territory.

When the other wolf took a step towards him and his gathered group, Njal turned his head and cast a sharp look upon his allies; do not move, he told them. The tension had nearly broken down the meeting entirely, and it would no doubt become something far more volatile unless something was done. Njal was tasked with forcing these wolves off of the mountain; however, he wanted to avoid the possibility of receiving damage.

Njal finally responded to the allegations Ferdie had brought up: the lies, the secrets of Fox, and other such ridiculousness that the other had brought up. He tried to remain level-headed and at first, that worked. His voice was loud enough for the group to hear but it was calm, frigid. My leader follows the instinctual law of the wolf. My marriage follows the same law. Had Fox been against us having children, we would have obeyed her. That is the way of things. Tuwawi is not the reason we are here. For a moment his jaw set in to a clench, and then when he spoke it became more difficult to control the hostility in his voice. You attacked a child. Had I been there instead of Jace, you would not be alive today. His inability to end your life, Njal's gaze shifted to the dark boy as soon as his name was uttered, Is the reason why you were cast out instead. It is understandable that you would bond over this, but your disrespect of Fox and her rules makes you an enemy to us.

The beast stepped towards Ferdie in the next moment despite the warning growl that had increased in volume. It was clear that both sides were not eager to spill blood or attack first. It was a stalemate, with the first move reserved for whoever wished to instigate the war that may potentially arise from this confrontation. Instead of strike though, Njal lowered his chin to protect his own throat and stepped towards the leader. You are a threat until proven otherwise.

Njal was close enough to simply reach for Ferdie's flesh to rend it, if the urge came upon him. He was dangerously close to the other wolf, which placed them both in poor positions if a fight were to break out—but then Njal withdrew himself a step, and gradually turned towards his force. We are leaving. The beast ordered, his voice booming one final time. If Danica had reached any sizable cache or not, they had been found out too early. At the very least the group could return without harm and relay information back to Fox. This was only the beginning.

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One golden-hued female had skirted away from the bunch, and Viatrix reacted accordingly with pursuit. Amekaze had confidence that she would settle the matter (they were probably well-matched) while she eyed the males accompanying Njal to make a move next. The oily captive stuck close while the agouti male stayed quiet, edging himself aside while Njal and Ferdie exchanged their words. Ame loomed nearer to him with teeth barred, daring him to test it further; she was coiled and ready to engage if he so decided.

All the while, she listened and watched everything she could between the tagalong males and the leaders here. With Ferdie's dominance clear in the matter, she wondered if Fox's hounds would strike on him now. While she knew their leader could and would hold his own in a fight, she valued his protection immensely and the moment he was swung upon, she would launch in the very next second. She and Jace both, she imagined, for the blue-eyed male was also close in this.

Instead, Njal began touting about the "instinctual laws of wolf", as if all others were what, tamed dogs? Amekaze snorted, all the more so when he mentioned Fox's laws, which she was coming to loathe more and more as time passed. Where once she had respected these beasts and thought them decent enough to run with, it was exceedingly difficult to imagine it now after this unnecessary stunt. Their views of the world beyond their own pack were evidently skewed, like all should bow to their might just because they all dipped their heads to an inexperienced yearling leader and her whims, whatever they may be.

She rumbled a grating growl when the silver Beta turned and announced their leave. A part of her had hoped it would come to locking teeth here but she was certainly glad to see them off. Amekaze promptly rumbled another growl, urging them to hurry it along and get off their mountain before patience ran thin. Meanwhile, she hoped that Viatrix had got to sink her teeth into something regarding the cache-raider.

Well crap, the black wolf who took off after Danica was faster than she looked. Danica knew that there was no way that she was going to be able to do anything without a fight, for if she stopped to wreak havoc, Viatrix would surely catch her and put a stop to it. Instead she took stock of the area. She thought she caught a scent and narrowed her eyes, taking a mental note of where she was at should they attempt to come back. Much as she wanted to, she knew this wasn't the time or place for a fight. Njal probably wouldn't like it much.

Sighing, slowed to a stop, then reversed direction in a slow jog. Better luck next time. She smirked at Viatrix while she went, though. "Thanks for the run sweetheart. It's been fun." She probably shouldn't heckle, but who could blame her. It wouldn't be her fault if the other girl jumped her first.

It had became rapidly apparent that Jace and Ferdie’s followers didn’t care if their leader(s) were mentally ill, dangerous, and in the inky pirate’s personal opinion, not nearly man (er men) enough to admit to their crimes but rather continued to cry the innocent and poorly treated victims in the scenario when according to Fox and Bazi they weren’t. Ferdie attempted to appeal to Njal in the same way that Njal had wasted his breath on the two females who had gathered to the men’s defense by trying to compare his situation to one using Tuwawi which weren’t, as far as Cutthroat could tell, even remotely similar. It was the most pathetic string of excuses that fell from Ferdie’s lips that Cutthroat had ever heard in his life. Accordingly when Ferdie went on to blame Fox for his mental illness; as if Fox really had any way to cause or cure his own scrambled brains, Cutthroat bristled in the fire kissed Creek alpha’s defense, lip curling back over his teeth. That was the lowest point in which Cutthroat could see. Blaming someone else for Ferdie’s own messed up problems.

Cutthroat felt the need to stick up for Fox because she had spared his life when she really had no reason too as soon as she realized that he was of no use to them as far as getting Bones back went.

Cutthroat almost let the snort he’d been holding back slip from his black, leathery nostrils but ceased it’s progress at the last moment when Ferdie stood there and pompously threw it about that the Creek wolves saw them as a threat. Right. Like a nearly full, longer established pack actually saw …what four wolves (as far as Cutthroat could tell; if there were more of them they were awfully lazy to not even bother to respond to Jace’s howl)…as a legitimate threat. It was a funny thought. However, he didn’t get the chance to laugh because Njal commanded that they were leaving and finally the inky pirate let out a soft snort of amusement before he followed after the Russian beta wondering if the Sunspire wolves were just stubborn or idiotic, or both.

The more the ex-Creek wolves spoke, the more indifferent Scimitar felt toward them. Believing themselves to be wronged completely, and yet neither seemed willing to take responsibility for their actions -- it would be interesting to see how they themselves would treat such brutal fights withyin their own ranks if the time ever came.

His own paws stopped their movement as he caught Njal's gaze, one ear sliding back at the mention they were leaving. Disgruntled with this news, his gaze flashed to then others -- hardly a force to be reckoned with, and dipped his muzzle lightly in acceptance to his commander's orders. The honeyed she-wolf who had accompanied them hissed a mocking sentence, though Scimitar himself remained ever vigilant in his silence.

Stepping back toward the group, his own black tipped tail gave a lash of irritation through the air -- the only emotion that offered his annoyance to the situation. Waiting for Njal to lead the way, he would pull up from the back to ensure an attack could only be landed on him, rather than the silver new found father.

Jace itched to chase them from the pack lands, but he stayed still every muscle quivering in anticipation. He wanted to snarl at the female that spoke in such a nasty way. His heart hurt and his mind was full of teeming ugly thoughts. He did not think he was wronged, he would have gladly taken his punishment, his problem was simply that Fox had not listened, she had completely ignored everything he had to say. Who was to say that she wouldn't do that another time, on something else as equally important, what if it came to the safety of her wolves and she refused to listen, because she was so damn stubborn and thought only she was right.

Good god how he wanted to rip into that little fox colored bitch. He did not say anything to Njal, nothing he found he didn't care anymore to say anything to him, he just wanted him to leave, and though he respected the silver furred warden, he also would not care if he never saw him again, mayhap it wouldn't hurt as much to respect him then, and have him think of him as a monster or worse. What was worse he didn't know, but the warden could sure make him feel that he was worse than anything on earth, with merely a look.

been meaning to post here but I have just been out of muse and time; summer's suck....

Ferdie Von Pelt did not move to chase them out, The swiftcurrent idiots were leaving, A fight would only cause a much larger chain reaction then the fledgling pack could handle at the moment. Ferdie knew this, he also knew that it would not to long before the pack wuld be strong enough to handle Swiftcurrent, Revenge was a dish best eaten cold if Swiftcurrent creek wolves kept up what ever it was that they were trying to prove.

I didn't realize you were deaf too Njal, Ferdie spit; his patience spent on this old fool.

Ferdie would escort them to his border and piss on every rock, stone leaf to make his victory claim known.