Emberflame Ridge But meanwhile…

Set a few hours after this thread!
Tagging @Tulok

It was a good battle. The silver witch put up a fight, but ultimately she was no match for the dark prince. His body aches, but his blood burns with victory. He sports wounds, but they only harden his will and strengthen his desire to kill even more. 

That woman…her wounds would not mean the same for her. It might even mean death. Though he is unsure of her status now, she was most definitely alive when he left. Time is precious though and if she never got found by the right wolf then it’s likely she didn’t make it. 

And a sick part of him hopes she didn’t. 

Now, he closes in on his brothers location — their campsite. He would saunter up lazily, with an obvious, but not horrible, limp in his left, hind leg. He’s covered in mud and probably smells like copper and shit but it is what it is. It would be caked all over his fur, thin in some places and thick in others. The same could be said of blood. Both his and hers. 

His face would would be sporadically sprinkled with deep, noticeable gashes. Most noticeably, one that splits his upper, left lip about half an inch. Don’t forget the bite wounds in his nap as well. He knows he has many puncture wounds there too, but pain is pain. They will heal eventually.

When he gets within sight of his brother he would him low in his throat before speaking. “I am back, brother.” He says lowly in that scratchy, rumbling timbre of his. His voice would almost seen more horse than usual, mostly due to his fight of course.

Tulok noticed his brother's absence always, but tonight he was gone longer than normal. He didn't want to keep tabs on Alduin, but he felt he had no other choice. There was a sickness in his mind, and because of that, his sibling didn't always make the most rational choices. 

The demon fixed his brother with a cold stare as he rejoined camp. He noticed every injury marring his pelt; he noticed the mingling of blood and stranger in Alduin's scent. He could only assume that his brother had been fighting with someone. 

The greeting was met with silence as Tulok worked to compose himself. It was frustrating being the one who had to control everything. His brother just did whatever he wanted, and he wondered if sometimes he knew Tulok would be there to clean up his mess. 

Alduin, he finally said, his voice as cold as his gaze. You were fighting? He didn't require an answer. Did you make sure it would not have long term effects on our plan? It was difficult to keep venom from his words and to address him calmly, but he managed. Unlike his brother, he could control himself.

Alduin knows he’s in trouble the second his brother sets those two-toned eyes on him. Quick as striking lightening, his brothers mood seems to go down the toilet. Still, Alduin’s him with a level stare that practically says ‘Go ahead, ask your questions’.

He’s getting up quickly and striding over to the dark prince and ask away he does. His brothers knows him though. He knows the way Alduin yearns for blood. He knows of his sickness and the demons that plague his mind at almost every hour of the day. Still, he is more patient with him than Alduin would expect him to be (or most of the time he is).

So when Tulok speaks and asks his questions Alduin keeps his usual dark expression. 

“I was.” Is all he says at first. At the second question he hums low in contemplation. “She’s probably dead.” He says then voice devoid of any real emotion, but continues anyway if only to make sure his brother doesn’t worry as much (which probably won’t help). “I covered my scent as well as her own. So unless she lives, nothing will come of it.”

The hellhound doesn’t hold a shred of pity in his words or expression. He needed the blood. He needed the sacrifice. It’s like a drug and he’s fucking addicted.

Unless she lives... he repeated. 

The demon sighed and lifted up into a sitting position. Alduin, he started. What if she does live and this is traced back to us? She could have a pack that wants revenge. Tulok shook his head. These are things you have to start considering, brother, he pointed out. 

You need to stop making rash decisions. His voice was calm but stern. We have important plans; your impulsivity could make things difficult for us. It was nicer than how he had worded the same thing to Fury because Alduin had his respect; he was the demon's brother.

Alduin knew he wasn’t going to get out of this unscathed. His brother is quick to rip into his ass when it comes to things regarding their missions. Which is reasonable — the missions are important after all. So, Alduin isn’t too pressed at his brother’s berating tone and amount of questions. Still, he listens though. How could he not?

Alduin can’t help it. He says something that he knows would make him worry even more. “She did have a pack.” 

Tulok goes on though, You need to stop making rash decisions. His voice was calm but stern. We have important plans; your impulsivity could make things difficult for us.

The dark prince sighs. “I understand, brother. It will be fine.” He pauses for some time. “Would you want me to go back and make sure she’s dead then?”

But he just can’t help making these ‘rash decisions’. He needs the blood. He needs to heed Banesteppe’s word. Or…or he’ll fucking get choked and bleed from his nose and all the sorts. Banesteppe requires sacrifices too and he isn’t as patient as the Listener. No, definitely not. He’s so much worse. So much more irritating and vane. It’s usually his way or the highway and when he denies him, Alduin knows it’s going to a bad time.

So Alduin would tongue at his teeth then. “Brother, you know of my sickness. I have to do this.”

No, the demon clipped. Do not go back; it's likely her pack will be on high alert by now. Alduin said it would be fine, but he was not fine himself. Tulok would now have to labor away in his mind to figure out some way to fix this. He could not just go out and kill random wolves. The speaker refused to let their plans be ruined. They had spent most of their lives at this point preparing for this, Tulok knew no other way. 

He planned to tell these things to his brother but his words stuck in his throat as Alduin reminded him of the sickness that guided his actions. He knew his brother was stronger than this sickness; he had to be. He just needed some help—help the demon could not provide. Lately he had started to wonder if the listener might be able to help him. He had seen her do things he didn't believe were possible before. She wielded the word of the unnamed god .

We have to find another way. His killings would draw unwanted attention, not to mention they were senseless. They were not for the unnamed god. They were for the selfish needs of whatever or whoever dictated his brother's life. 

Have you spoken to the listener about it? The demon would ask her himself regardless of his brother's answer.

His brothers stern no has Alduin scowling slightly. “She was not near pack lands, brother.” He’d say then, but otherwise would listen to what he’s saying.

Only when Tulok mentioning finding another way to satisfy the hellfire inside of him the hellhound would dutifully raise a single brow in question. How else would he get out such fuming anger? Alduin has no ideas or wants. He only wants to fight, draw blood, and kill. Not only does it satisfy himself, but it satisfies Banesteppe enough to leave him alone for a few days (if he’s lucky).

“There is no other way.” He’d say to that.

Then Tulok asks if Alduin has told the Listener of his sickness. He would nod to that. “She plans on finding a cure.” He says bitterly. “I doubt she will find such a thing.”

Yet. There is no other way yet. But we can change that. The demon truly believed the listener could help them here. 

Do not be so sure, brother, he countered in response to his Alduin's doubt over finding a cure. I have faith in the listener and so should you.

He was tired of talking now. I'll take first guard shift, he said after a moment. You should rest.

His brother combats him with hopeful words — Yet. There is no other way yet. But we can change that. Alduin does not share the same optimistic appraisal of the situation. He believes there is no hope for him. In a way, he has already accepted the spirit and the woes that accompany his presence. His brother seems dead set on fixing him — the listener too. They will have to see…

All Alduin would do is hum out a sound that says he’s not as convinced as he and the listener, but he acknowledges their help anyway. At least their trying. Alduin is not and maybe that’s the problem here.

To close out their conversation, Tulok’s mentions taking first shift for guard. Alduin hums out another acknowledgment before nodding. Despite the fight and his wounds he still does not tire — correction; he’s tired but knows he will not sleep. Either way he does as told and moves to curl up beneath a tree. 

Settling down and thinking. He feels a hand brush over the fur on his nape and head. Banesteppe. His eyes grow heavy and the last thing he comprehends is the feeling of being caressed before fading into a dream. A dream made up of far away lands where he ruled beside a man — a king — in a castle. 

Banesteppe…