King Elk Forest picked up the bird and above the din i said “that’s the last song you’ll ever sing”

located at king’s crossing

this meeting is mandatory. I’d like everyone to post at least once (it can be a cameo!). If you’re unable to post, please send me a pm. Next round will start on 10/28.

@Célnes @Ken @Calhoun @Odessa @Germanicus @Sacnite @Chad @Zephrine @Cynefrid @Henryk @Ravinger @Eadwulf @Kiyoshi @Fréobearn 

Kingslend was free of one problem, but that did not mean all of their troubles had disappeared.

“..if the day comes where we spill each other's blood..” The Regent’s words were on repeat in the back of his mind. War between the two groups was not written in the stars. Conflict was avoidable, and he’d do what he needed to keep the peace.

Cenric ascended to the peak of the ledge. He lifted his head and called for the family.

It seems Ravinger would not have his nap today.  A big, gaping yawn splits his jaws, and he stops for a moment to scratch behind one of his ears.  It's Cenric calling.  How thrilling (sarcasm).  He pushes himself up to stand but not before taking another few seconds to stretch out his front legs, back, and hind legs.  He takes his merry time on his way to the meeting, keen not to be the first to arrive.  

Ravinger is here, near the back, waiting until someone else shows up before he strides in.

an interesting thought, this pack-wide summons. fréobearn left her place beside the creek, then sounded her own response as she searched for cenric.

earlier thoughts were kept quiet, locked away somewhere safe. where’s the foreign guard? fréo asked. she continued moving closer to the thick mass of stone, but stopped several feet away to keep some distance — out of resentment, rather than respect.

i’d love to meet him, my king, she snorted, if you’d be so kind as to introduce me.

Zephrine had just crossed back in to the territory when the sound rose among the cedars. She paused for just a moment to catch her breath, trying to determine the easiest way to get to the source of the summons.

Her legs were tired. There was a stinging taste in the back of her throat. There was no time to fetch a drink or anything if she was to make an appearance, and the urgency in the sound made her think it was important - even for a trotter - to be present.

She arrived in time to hear the tail-end of a question, her ears flicking towards the voice of Freobearn prior to a shy glance, sweeping a look over them and the swarthy brown Ravinger, then Cenric, who was upon a ridge and looked quite noble; the sight of him made her nervous. Why had they been called together?

Zephrine wanted to sink to her haunches somewhere out-of-the-way but found she was too focused on her surroundings. A habit of casing the area, keeping alert, had instilled itself after the fire. Everything became sharp to her eyes with the subtle clarity of her nerves.

The doe had just got back from examining the herds near Kingslend. Nothing out of the ordinary, it seemed, from any elk or doe who passed by; no diseased or odd looking ones out of the bunch to her relief. Then again, if it wasn't for Cenric's distinctive howl sounding over the territory, she would've taken a closer look. So Instead, Cyne's path trailed towards king's crossing where the others had gathered.

"You've called, Cenric?" The nurse asked her leader, turning her head to peer at the others who'd arrived just before her: Ravinger, Zephrine, and (to her suprise) Fréobearn as well. Cyne had not seen the young girl since the months following Old Kingslend's fire....

The cursed, skull masked male bows his head in heavy prayer, lips mouthing words reverently as he offers his god thanks for the meal he’s given himself this fine day. Though he tries not to cut his prayer short as a howl rips through the sky like a thundering jet. His ears swivel, yet he continues. No one is worth interrupting him from praising the High Elk. Though he does recognize the howl as his king, he must show face to keep him satisfied and Eadwulf in his good graces. For he knows what happens when someone is not in his good graces. Oh, does he know. 

So finally, a few more seconds pass and his prayer has reached its climax. He raises himself from his bowed position and races towards the source of the noise, golden eyes flicking towards the rabbit he sighs. Snatching it up and bringing it with him — an offering to his king — for forgiveness really. For he is cursed and will always be seen as so. This is the way of the High Elk. He must please his kings. 

Padding forth to the group he notices that he is not the first to appear. His prayer making him later than he thought, he sets the rabbit down before Cenric’s paws and bows to him. A quick yet reverent prayer flowing confidently from his lips as his closed eyes open to flick up to the other male. A single nod to him and his prayer comes to a close, lifting himself once more and padding off to the side. Far, far out of the way.

super short but my situation isnt allowing me the time  to make a longer post, posting on phone 

Henryk was drawn from far along the edge of the territory, hearing the call and making a quick dash to assure he'd reach the meeting area in a timely matter. He inwardly wondered what it would be about, nothing but positive considering he was pretty much removed from the inner turmoils and drama that went on. At least, so far he was.

Coming upon the grouping of his packmates he slid in next to a familiar face- perhaps close to Zephrine or Ravinger. Whoever seemed more open at the time. 

The King slipped next to her brother, upon the Kings Crossing would they sit, but she too, was curious on why Cenric called them. Though the Princes, the Bull and the Baron could also choose to be close onto the rock if they so choose, her dearest sister instead chose to sit away from them all, and asking where the foreign guard may be.

"He has other duties to attend to," Célnes replied to a smile, "currently absent for the time being."

A call from one of her Kings, Cenric, had her stirring and uplifting from her lay along the creek bed she relaxed near, not far from @Fréobearnn mind you. Whilst everyone else was buzzing along, hunting, scouting, foraging, sparring and meeting the locals, Odessa had so mostly kept to herself savor what healers felt they might care to tend to her. She'd know her home and know it well though had need of little else outside of it. 

The old Deorwine lifted, making her way to the call at only a pace she could afford. The colder weather was settling in and in made her more stiff, more tired. Perhaps she would have been better off now had the smoke of her former home not plagued her lungs, had she not had to travel to far and long there after...

She arrives now, and many are here. Some which she had yet to see had returned to the family- Zephrine and Eadwulf. She comes up from along the backside of this great rock, coming out to face those gathered, a smile at their faces, the lot of them. A side ward gaze is made to her Kings upon the rock as she looks up, My Kings. A simple greet and then she settles down into a sit at the rock's base.

The young boy heard the summons and turned his head toward the call.
 
Kiyoshi had grown quite a bit since his time at Whitebark Stream had passed. The boy was still a pup, but he had filled into the length of his limbs well and had started to tower. The once pudgy frame had filled with youthful muscle and his dark mahogany gaze had fully shed any remnants of their puppy blue. The young Draconid still had quite a way to go yet before he reached his full size.
 
Trekking through the wood to find the source of the call, Kiyoshi stopped when he saw the gathering of wolves. The stoic young beast found a place for himself in the back. For just a moment, he glanced at the members of Kingslend to see if he could make out his mother or Toshi in their midst. All of those features were unfamiliar to him, and so the boy waited to see why they had all been summoned.

Chad's ears lifted to receive the call. His King, Cenric, was summoning them. As much as he would have loved to stay and observe both the nature and the simple beauty of the Herd, he would not dismiss the King's reasons for calling such a meeting. With a lingering glance filled with a touch of disappointment, the male turned away.

After shaking out his coat to make sure he appeared well groomed (as he often did), he made a beeline for the meeting place, that great rock formation. Slipping into the folds of the many other bodies gathered, he spared them a passing glance, but ultimately focused attentively on Cenric and Célnes. Settling himself quite comfortably in their midst, neither too far to the front or back, he waited for the meeting to commence.

Calhoun had been clear across the territory when the howl sounded. Though it had been but a whisper on the wind, it was still enough to startle his prey who was now all too aware of how close to death it had become. A sigh escaped the Baron, but so be it. There would be other food to track down at a later time, but for now, he must make haste.

He was not the first to arrive, something he expected with the distance he had to cover, but it seemed he might actually be close to last, if not the last member to arrive. It placed a bitter taste in his mouth, but he had good reason at the very least. Calhoun had missed the questions of his fellow packmates, though he was brought to attention that Celnes' guard was gone. Interesting.

The hunter moved quietly to his perch alongside the rock. He had no clue as to why they were all summoned, but he would keep his gaze out at the crowd of his family that had gathered, joined by those who had yet to earn their place amongst their ranks.

A song lifted through the territory.
Cenric. The King.
She pulled herself from her various plants, repeating her mental notes like a mantra under her breath as she coursed through the woodland like an early spring rivulet. 

It seemed she was rather slow. Or maybe just far away, for everyone else had arrived. Or so she could see. Some words flitted between packmates and the Kings. Not was she was fully there. Still in her world of botany.

sorry I’m late! no post order this round. second round ends on 11/6

One by one they trickle in. First the bard, who stays near the sidelines until his younger sister strides forward. No one had told him of her return, so he was pleasantly surprised to see her here. A greeting was not given, rather she questioned the whereabouts of Célnes’ silver knight. He should be here soon, he replied before staring out into the trees.

Zephrine came next. She puts distance between herself and the rest of the family; not uncharacteristic of the shunned woman. Cynefrid followed behind. He answered her question with a nod.

Then there’s Eadwulf. His cousin who’s head fell off and replaced with a skull. Brother of a mad woman. He wasn’t pleased to see him emerge from the shadows, yet he smiled when the hare was placed below him.

Henryk arrived and took a seat between his family. Célnes is later than the rest, and surprisingly not followed by her guard. Germanicus was out on duty, she says. What he was up to was beyond him.

Odessa, Kiyoshi, Chad, Calhoun, and Sacnite. They all arrive to king’s crossing one by one. Soon he was surrounded by his subjects, old faces and new alike.

Greetings everyone. Thank you for coming. Cenric bowed his head before he continued. I don’t want to keep you here long, so I’ll make this brief. As some of you may know, there’s a pack that resides a few days away from us. They call themselves the Firebirds, led by Niamh, a golden woman.

I paid her a visit a few days ago and we discussed their hunting grounds. They start at their domain and end at the base of the nearby mountain. He pointed towards its general direction with his snout. Steer clear of it. Steer clear of them. The Firebirds already think poorly of us, who knows what they’ll do if they catch us roaming on their claim again. We can’t afford any conflict. If you do run into them, be civil, but hold your ground.

Now that that’s out of the way, there’s something else I’d like to discuss. His eyes scan over the many faces, paused briefly at Eadwulf, before continuing to sweep over the rest. Rohesia has gone missing. If you find any sign of her, report to me or Célnes. They had wounded her greatly. Perhaps she lie dead in a forest somewhere. Cenric couldn’t be certain. She fled before the siblings could finish the job.

That is all. If there are no questions, you may leave.

The Firebirds. Yes, a subject that had Odessa's lips lifting in a silent snarl. She didnt care for them. Really didnt care for anyone outside of her family frankly and even a good chunk of them pissed her off these days. She didn't need to worry about steering clear of them. She wasn't going anywhere.

Then they were told Rohesia was gone. She wasnt a very pleasant girl. No, not at all. As mad as her mother had been, Odessa knew. Though her sudden disappearance had proved troubling. Odessa knew the girl had struck out at Celnes before, had threatened her many a time with an obvious dislike towards her. A part of Odessa could agree with the crazed girl if only because Odessa didnt agress with allowing heathens into their fold either. Still, to have one of their own missing was unsettling. 

Where had she been seen last? The question rang to her Kings but a glance was passed over to the rest of her family gathered. Do you think she strayed to close to the Firebirds? Could they have her? It was awfully convenient in one sentence Cenric said that the Firebirds thought poorly of them and in the next said Rohesia was missing. Would anyone else put two and two together?

As he looms near a tree trunk, resting his hip along side it he listens carefully to what his King has to say. Glad that he could at least slightly please him with his offering. He speaks of the Firebirds, a pack he is fortunate enough to not have met yet. Though, that’s probably because he spends most of his days dipping his head in prayer to a twin pair of antlers he keeps in his own little corner of the forest.

As he continues, his eyes land on the cursed, Eadwulf’s own golden globes meeting Cenrics. Little did he know that he is about to spill some bad news regarding his immediate blood — his sister. Though, as he mentions her sudden disappearance, the skull faced wolf is not surprised in the slightest. In fact he doesn’t find anything wrong with it. She has expressed her unease with the changes made by their Kings. He can only assume she has finally taken it upon herself to run away. 

At this, Eadwulf doesn’t even bat a lash. He continues to hover statue like near the tree. If his sister does not follow the calling of the high elk, she is as good as dead.

After having listened to the leader speak, Kiyoshi found himself feeling off.
 
He had liked the woman – the leader who had told him that he was welcome in their ranks. She was the queen there but had not introduced herself to him as such. This Cenric was more intense and sterner; he did not have the same welcoming nature that the woman Celnes did. After having notified them of his ominous message, he had dismissed those who did not have queries about the summons.
 
Kiyoshi was young and his mind was occupied with finding his brother, not with the threat of another pack. He did not fear the Firebird wolves, as he knew he would not be found near their borders or their claim. If he could help it, he would only search for Toshi in the free territories and share with those who would offer to help.
 
The boy turned and left the pack meeting to find something to fill his clenching stomach.

She found it funny that woman was only spoken of now.
Sacnite knew not their names, but she knew enough to put into place that it was the funny pale woman they sought.
Perhaps there was a fight and she'd been...taken.

Her gaze was drawn to a woman who asked about the likely possibility.
She might've spoken up in different company.
She knew that the Redhawks left the caldera and moved to where the Firebirds where, so they might be the same group. Hawks. Birds.
Sacnite kept quiet. Perhaps she'd make better connections with them if she asked privately to greet them. Perhaps with an offering.
They wouldn't mind if she disappeared. Surely

Cenric spoke with power and certainty. They were in good hands as long as they followed his orders.

The royalty of the Deorwine family had a way of words. Many held poise of nobility, as they should, but in particular those directly from the king bloodline always knew a way to speak. She was surely proud of her brothers words and control of the situation. Even Ravinger the singer, even he had a way of speaking, even if it was on the lines of a jester. Though she supposed;

Rohesia, was the exception with her brash words of exile- resulting, in her own demise.

Next to Cenric, Célnes smiled as so, not breaking from the poise of a Kingly persona, and fire-lit eyes glancing to her family below. Momentarily looking at Odessa, but retreating back to the middle.

Chad tipped his head down ever so slightly, golden eyes narrowing in contemplation. He knew all too well of these Firebirds, having encountered the golden woman before. He was half tempted to press his luck and skirt around the borders of their territory, just to re-affirm that the Kingslend wolves were still very much in the area, and not about to give up their new home. But he knew better than to disobey the order of his Kings, and more importantly, displease the High Elk.

Rohesia was missing. It wasn't old news to him, but not the sort he had paid much mind to, until now. Her scent, now that he thought about it, had faded recently. He wasn't her problem, but Chad would still keep an eye peeled, just in case she popped up again. With a slight shake of his head and a sigh, having nothing to add, he turned away to slink deep in the forest, where he could pray in peace.

Ah yes, those dreaded bird wolves. Of course, this meeting involved them, it seemed any news nowadays involved that pack that didn't know how to mind their own business. They asked for them to stay on this side of the land, and Calhoun personally had no issues doing so, yet they let their children wander so far away from home just to cross borders. Laughable.

What did surprise him was the news that followed. Rohesia was missing...the baron couldn't help but offer a quiet scoff under his breath. They had some similar views, but unlike her, she did not know when she must learn to drop the topic at present. Perhaps she was finally fed up and left. Calhoun was still not happy about some of the King's changes, but this was his home, his family, and he would never betray the High Elk for his own comfort.

Well, the Baron had no interest in chasing her unless he was asked to track her down. With that being all the news that Cenric had to share, Calhoun would quietly take his exit and return to his daily activities.

Henryk, Cal, lady Odessa and many others from the pack collectively began flooding in after Cenric's call. Cyne took note of one in particular, a little boy with darker markings (Kiyoshi) and tilted her head curiously at him. The nurse hadn't seen another pup running around Kingslend's wolves other than Toshi; so a 2nd calf had her wondering where their parents were. Because at that age, they were certainly too young to be away from them.

The fawn was half listening to her king's speech and half attentive towards anyone else that might come marching in, yet at the sound of a certain few words,  the woman's ears pricked up and her head swiveled to face her king again.

'Rohesia has gone missing'

"What?" She asked no one in particular in a quiet, breathy voice, eyebrows furrowed on her face in conflict. Everything leading up to Kingslend's formation had been going well thus far. Not without disagreements here and there -- still, things were going smoothly. But now one of their own had gone missing, and suddenly a sense of dread crept up her spine that something bad had happened to Rohesia. Had she left because she was still angry with Célnes? But why would she stray so far from home?

Cynefrid couldn't help but have the same lingering curiosity Odessa had. They had not been on good terms with their neighbors due to a disagreement Cel and the others got engaged with -- could Rohesia had wandered too close to their borders and argued with the wrong wolf? "How far could she have gone? Maybe we can try sending out a search party for her, or...no..." Though not even Cyne sounded very sure in her wording; sending out wolves with an enemy pack close by would just risk the lives of others. She was just desperate to know if Rohesia was okay or not...

"Well, hello, sweet Cynefrid," he beamed as the healer arrived, looking as lovely and beautiful as ever.  (Ravinger very well may have batted his lashes at her, but it was hard telling.)  Either way, he appeared happy to see her.  He would have invited her to sit with him, in fact, but Henryk came calling.  The bard had many suitors at the end of the day, and he wasn't the sort to deny any of them (even though his draw to Cynefrid was special). "Hi there, my handsome friend." He winked to Henryk. "Ruin your nap, too?" Ravinger sighed heavily as though to exist itself was a chore beyond measure. After that, he went briefly quiet (a feat in and of itself).  The meeting went on as meetings did, and even as it was announced that Rohesia was missing, he was relatively unfazed.  It was just like her to wander off.  He wasn't surprised in the least. @Cynefrid's reaction, though, garnered his attention, and he swept toward her.

"Don't fret, my love. Rohesia always was a wild stallion; we're much the same in that way.  Except," he turned the thought over in his head. "she is a bit more bite-y.  Don't worry.  She'll be back, like a thorn in a sore paw.  Cheeky girl." A smile spread across his face, and he went to bump his head into one of Cynefrid's shoulders in an affectionate and playful gesture.

Henryk's ears turned in the direction of the coy wolf, already knowing @Ravinger 's voice clearly set apart from the rest. His tail did wag slightly, although not as enthusiastically with the energy of the meeting. He did chuckle quietly however before things began, musing over the other man's lofty sigh. Fortunatly no. Caught you sleeping on the job though huh?

Then he too went quiet as the king began, biting the inside of his cheek idly as he listened. Rohesia missing? His eyes gazed around to gauge the reactions of his peers. Some seemed downright unconcerned, and he couldn't say he blamed them. He hadn't seen much of the woman but as far as he did she may as well have been an outsider, grumpily placing herself on the fringes of the pack. The full story wasn't clear to him, but it wasn't a far cry to assume she'd left on her own terms.

@Cynefrid 's response pulled his attention, turning with Ravinger toward her and folding his ears down. She seemed more fretful over it than the others. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for her too. Rav's right, maybe she just went off to cool her head...

ok, sorry about the wait! I’ll be closing this thread sometime next week since this is getting a bit old <3

There are varying reactions to the news of Rohesia’s disappearance. Some are concerned; Odessa and Cynefrid being the most vocal about it. The rest don’t seem phased by it, if they were they kept it to themselves. Even Eadwulf didn’t bat an eye. Cenric was shocked by that to some degree. If it’d been one of his sisters he’d be a bit troubled at least. That being said, the King wasn’t upset about his lack of concern, nor anyone else’s.

He turned his attention to the eldest woman. The Firebirds may hold ill feelings towards us, but I doubt they’d go to such lengths. Niamh wasn’t particularly fond of Kingslend, but she didn’t seem like she wanted to start a war between them. Besides, he knew for a fact she would not be there.

Then he turned to the trio that offered possible whereabouts, advice, even aid. The best we can do is keep an eye out. I won’t be sending wolves after a woman who may not want to be found.