Deepwood Weald A calling, a shot in the dark

@Nocturnal and @Midar
Backdated to March 25th, immediately after this thread

After the information that flicker had brought to Damien's attention, the night sovereign's head started going a hundred leagues per second. The possibility of getting his mother's seat of power back and that his own legitimate children and all his future lineage could be born home, actually home, had him in a brooding state that he had to get help going through. He sought Midar, his most trusted subject and second in command immediately after his meeting with the red informant, and once he found him and asked him to follow him to where his lover had already settled down to embrace the last days of her pregnancy, he started the meeting that could change the rest of their lives.

I got information that Kove's regime has failed. Blackfeather Woods has disbanded. that alone was saying a lot, especially to Nyx, who was the daughter of the man and probably knew better than Midar what Blackfeather Woods meant to him.

Nyx was nice and plumpy, but also in a terrible mood all the time. The only one she wasn't all that nasty to was Damien. She knew she should've enjoyed being able to run and jump and climb, but too little too late. With the hunger and the kicking and all the vomit... I mean, who would be in a good mood with all that going on?

But after listening to Damien, after hearing her father had failed to keep Blackfeather Woods in place - she was ecstatic. The woods were home, even if they had tried to rebuild it here. It was where she had been born and where she had met Damien. The place was almost everything to her, after Damien himself and the spiderlings she would spawn shortly. Damien... Our children - do we still have time?

He could tell something was going on the second he saw Damien, and it put the beast on edge, automatically assuming there had been some kind of threat to their claim. Without question, he followed Damien to where Nyx was resting, his mind racing with all the possible things that could cause a potential threat. He withheld his questions, though, sensing that his leader wanted to speak to the both of them at the same time. When they arrived and he did finally inform them of his news, it was not what Midar had been expecting. Surely Damien would want to move, to reclaim what should be his. Midar knew little about the woods aside from things he had heard here and there about the pack that had once claimed them, but he could tell it was important to the other man. Nyx voiced her concern about the imminent arrival of their children, and Midar grew concerned as well. What if they were in the middle of moving when she went into labor? Still, he would do whatever was needed of him. What do you need from me? he asked, ready to live up to his new position.

It didnt surprise the king of shadows that his lover simply knew where this was going to. They shared the same interest in the dark woods, and they both knew the kind of assets it had for settling an empire. And as for Midar's response, he felt proud and satisfied with his desicion of making him second. Diligence was perhaps his super power, and Damien didn't value many other traits as much as he did diligence.

Truly Damien had no way to answer his lovers question certainly, however concerning the situation was. He wasn't sure they had any experts on the matter at all, but Nyx's belly did seem pretty close to popping. Do you think you could make it? she was most likely the only one who could know for certain, and even if she didnt know, there wasn't much else to go by. If you think you can, we will set up a party to assist your journey while I lead the front ahead to make sure it's safe, he said, which made him realize he should probably explain the situation better. It seems Ramsay and Maegi are trying to settle down there, and... And they might not be too keen on the idea of me. he supposed it was unfortunate, but they would have the choice to join him and enjoy the benefits of living as a family.

Betrayal was the first word to cross her mind. She had liked the little girl Maegi, had seen their litter grow up and abandon the Woods - for good, it seemed. And now they wanted to take it? Oh hell no. The Woods might have been the place where they had been born, but it wasn't home to them. If it had been home, they would've stayed under Kove's rule and not even let the pack fall in the first place. Nyx felt they had every right to try and reclaim their home, no matter with how many children they were.

It is not that far. If we leave soon, I am sure I can make it. A lie, perhaps, but a promise nonetheless. She was still able to walk, just not very fast, and with others to lean on it would become far easier. It was a straight path back home with no surprises - 2 days of travel for her, if even that. We have to claim it before they do.

At first, he could only assume that his two leaders were discussing moving, their conversation almost seeming to be half in their minds, and he was thankful when Damien explained things a little more. He didn't know the wolves they spoke of but the hint that things might not go well once they arrived at the woods was obvious; it made the beast's blood boil that anyone would try to stop them from taking something that seemed to belong to them. Midar didn't particularly like that they would be separated during the move, but he understood not wanting Nyx to be there if things went badly at first. He wondered which group he would belong to; it didn't matter to him all that much. Either way, he would do what needed to be done to keep the family safe. So you don't think they'll join us? he asked, wondering if Damien expected there to be some kind of fight when they arrived. He wondered if more were gathered there than the two that had already been named. Surely they had some kind of following if they were trying to claim the woods for themselves, which might mean that things could get ugly. Most wouldn't just give up their prospective pack territory peacefully. Either way, Midar was prepared.

Damien felt proud of Nyx's willingness to make the journey, for although they both were clearly concerned for the safety of their family, the risk that this plan posed was perhaps the most difficult thing they would face in their lives to finally get what they had always wanted. The idea of a new empire with new roots far from Blackfeather was still very much their calling, but their roots were young enough, and solid enough, to take strength wherever they wanted, and what place better than home? We do, my love. I will make the arrangements, you need to get as much rest as you can until we leave. I will send someone to feed you later he promised before leaning in for a gentle kiss on her forehead, after which Midar voiced his own concerns. He had what he needed from Nyx now, and the rest was simply not something he wanted her to deal with now, so the night king nudged Midar to come out of the den and after a brief moment of thought Damien addressed Midar's question. It was hard to know but They might actually oppose us, from what Flicker had told him. I don't want to bring violence to Blackfeather, but if they don't join us, they will have to leave. a sad decision, but it was the only one he would ever go with. Now, listen carefully, Midar was perhaps the only person he trusted as much as Nyx at this point, and that meant he needed him beside her. I want you to escort Nyx's convoy while I take the front squadron. You'll take Alarian, Moira and Megara with you to make sure she has everything she needs. and there his eyes turned ten times more serious if that was even possible, Make sure she has everything she needs. We're talking about my mate and children here. I trust you. and he did, but he needed Midar to trust him too if this was going to have any chance of success. Say you understand, he commanded, after which he would go to gather his task force.

At his king's nudging, Midar walked with him from the den, listening carefully even before he was commanded to do so. He wanted to understand every detail of what was about to happen so that he could act swiftly and without any doubt. Damien laid out the plan, fitting the beast with the responsibility of leading Nyx and his unborn children safely to the woods that would hopefully be their new home. He imagined himself on the front lines with Damien, putting his skills to good use, but now that he was to be with the second group, he felt like he would be much better suited there. No one else could be trusted to lead his leader's family to safety. And it made things even easier that his own mate would be with his group; it would save Midar a considerable amount of anxiety, for which he was incredibly grateful. He nodded as his dark leader doled out his instructions but paused briefly at the words I trust you. The beast bowed his head then, honored to have earned Damien's trust and vowing to himself that he would never give him reason to regret it. I understand, he said, the words crystal clear and reverent. You don't have to worry; I'll take care of them, he added, hoping to reassure his leader and ease his mind of at least one worry for now.

Midar did as he was told and confirmed that he was clear on the plans, giving Damien the tranquility he needed to move on to planning the logistics of the actual invasion of Blackfeather Woods. It sounded like an easy feat judging by the information that Flicker had brought to him, and having Midar's support he was feeling confident.

Very well, he said, taking a deep breath and raising his head, Gather your team, part at midnight he instructed looking right into Midar's eyes intently. Then he nodded, dismissing his loyal lieutenant to give him space to make whatever arrangements he deemed necessary. Damien himself would move on to gather the warriors of the pack (or at least those he thought would make good soldiers) and lay out a plan.

Midar nodded when given his orders, holding his leader's gaze only briefly before averting his eyes. There was noting left to say, and so the beast turned and took his leave, leaving Damien to tend to his pregnant mate. He would gather the wolves that had been assigned to him, inform them of the plan, and then depart the weald at midnight. He could feel the weight of the importance of his mission in every tense muscle as he made his way through the territory. Midar knew no one else was trusted enough to escort the very pregnant Nyx safely to Balckfeather Woods, and it was not a responsibility the beast would take lightly.