Redsand Canyon Maybe in time

Forward dated about a week and 3-4 days. 
Tagging pack admins @Germanicus and @Ruenna
Set about half a mile outside the borders around sunset. 
Ofc any and all members of Mereo welcome to join! :)

The Saints used to occupy this canyon, but when Alduin and @Tulok get closer and closer, it become more painfully aware that someone else has taken up residence here due to their absence. The scents get stronger and so does Alduin’s anger. How dare anyone set foot in his canyon? The place he wanted to rule as well.

Alduin’s eyes roam over the cliffs and mountains as they close in on their borders. His head is level with bulking shoulders as he saunters along. Side eyeing his brother as they go, he droops his head further to sniff at the uneven terrain. 

“A pack occupies our canyon, brother.” He notes in a low growl, shifting blood red eyes over to Tulok. 

He stands taller when they make it to the top and are finally able to lay their eyes upon the red sands and tall plateaus they used to call home.

“We’re about to find out who.” He hums in that deadly tone of his. Tipping his muzzle up, he calls for any who dwell within the canyon. Hoping they’d heed his voice.

His own anger grew as it became obvious someone had taken over their home while they were away. He supposed that was how things went, but the canyon belonged to the Deagons and the Saints, not whatever pack had settled here in their absence. 

As angry as he was, he was not interested in taking the canyon back yet. There was far too much to do still. Their plan was only in its early stages, so it was easily influenced by even the smallest actions. 

He was a calm but menacing presence at his brother's side as Alduin sent a call out over the canyon. This was a familiar game to the Deagon brothers—giving fake names and pretending they were travelers, curious about the land. 

So he waited to see who would emerge from the sands to greet them.

The call pulled the auxillary from where had been patrolling the borders nearby. He had picked up on the strangers' scents already and had planned to track them down and move them along, but they seemed to have other ideas. He was instantly suspicious. 

He didn't make himself known yet. Instead he kept to the shadows cast by the canyon wall, still and watchful. He knew the imperator would be here to question them soon, but until he did, Kallik would wait and listen.

germanicus did not like the look of the pair at his borders.

however he kept himself veiled as usual. 

he was only thinly aware of kallik, for mereo had eyes that watched. 

"hail," the eagle greeted, coming to a halt along the winding path some feet away. like glaukos they were young and muscular, promising a mountainous height.

"you have come to mereo. i am its imperator," germanicus said. his yellowsun eyes observed each of them, flicking over scars, details, the blood-red eyes and notably the brindle markings.

Completely unaware of the pack’s first visitor, they wait. It doesn’t take long for the spotlight to be put on a dark figure that crawls up the walls of the canyon. He’s large, full of muscle and scars. He’s seen war and he’s lived it. It would be wise for the siblings to step carefully, especially in another’s grounds despite the familiarity the place holds for the two of them.

Alduin's blood red gaze eyes him carefully as he approaches, allowing his head to rise from his drooping position near his shoulders. 

This man introduces himself with a name and rank — both he finds unfamiliar. He even files through any of the names he remembers his father telling him and this one doesn’t come up. Neither does the packs name. He wonders if they’re fresh, but going by the strength of the border’s scent they’re not.

Alduin would offer a low hum of acknowledgment to the stranger male’s words. “Hail…” He’d greet back darkly, voice low and rumbling, his eyes always seeming feral no matter what he does.

He languidly moves closer to speak with him, but stops a comfortable distance away. The young hellhound looks to be a man on a mission, but at the moment not one of blood. Despite his desire for carnage, he knows his place at this man’s borders. And despite that still, he knows he must give information to get information.

“I am Malacath,” He hums lowly. “a wanderer from the west.” He’s technically not lying, but how would this man know otherwise? A dark tongue flicks out to rasp over his whiskers, taking the time to blink slowly and tilt his chin up to the other. “My partner and I search for a man — dark grey agouti with emerald eyes. He’s missing an ear. Have you seen him?” 

This man is completely made up, but again, how would he know? They merely came here to visit their childhood home, but with the surprise that’s shown itself to them, they plan on finding out who dares to thrive here now.

I am Omak, he lied, nodding his head. This man has raided our camp and stolen food and medicine from us. He explained. The two of us are traveling together, trying to find somewhere to call home.

The second wolf's presence was still unknown. The demon was eager to see how this imperator would respond to their tale. He and his brother were seasoned liars; it had been part of their training. But some wolves were suspicious of everyone no matter what. He thought this man seemed like one of those.

Now that Germanicus had arrived and was engaged in conversation with the two strangers. Kallik decided to make himself known.

He trotted out from the shadows to stand at the imperator's side, sure to remain back just a little so they would know who was in charge. 

He would remain a silent guard, ready to jump in if things went south.

malacath sought a report. the brother, omak, expanded upon the search. the imperator faced the two of them as kallik came to his side. "my apologies that this man has been so destructive." he did not surrender that this man had been seen or unseen.

it was the first who had spoken which took germanicus' eye. both young men were heavy-footed and hale. but if they were bent upon vengeance, then he saw in their youth that this would first be settled.

"you will forgive me. i do not reveal what i have seen to strangers."

a simple denial could tell much with the resultant reaction. germanicus fell silent.

if they sought a home, this was another thing altogether.

Alduin watches as another soon sidles up beside the dark one, this one is made of cold, ashen hues. The hellhound would flit his eyes over him temporarily before shifting back to the one they speak with. 

Soon enough Tulok takes the reigns and informs them of all the wrongful doings this made up wolf has done. The man apologizes for his destruction. Why? Alduin doesn’t know. He’s never felt to apologize for the actions of others and he doesn’t see himself doing so anytime in the future.

Yet, despite his apparent sincerity, he admits to not offering any information on it. Which has Alduin furrowing his brows. Not that it matters. They have their packs name and their location. This is all he needs. The rest of it can be acquired elsewhere.

Still, the fact that this man wouldn’t reveal information on whether or not he’s seen said stranger irks him. Tulok knows him better than most and even though Alduin is good at keeping every other emotion at bay, his anger always seems to be able to shine through in the form of small ticks. Spotted ears swivel backwards before he forces them to cup towards the golden eyes male once more. Besides the darkening of his eyes and the furrowing of his brows, no other signs of irritation would show to the strangers.

So Alduin would tilt his head some to him as a single thought drifts through his mind: Then am I wrong to assume it was one of yours? If they were a stranger, what would it matter. No simple yes or no? Annoying. Useless.

“I see.” The hellhound says dryly. “Then you are of no use to me.” He hums out in that scratchy, rumbling voice, deep with bass.

Only a moment later he’d turn in his heels before anyone can get out another word. Head level with his shoulders once more he would seek to saunter off and away from the canyon. His brother can continue the talk if he wants, but Alduin got what he came for. All he wanted to know was who lived here and he got his answer: Mereo.

The second he turns around his expression would fall into a deep scowl, wiping off all of the faux neutrality that comes with associating with strangers one needs something from. And just like that he’d be off…unless they try and stop him for some reason.

Tulok's anger flared as well, though he was far better at controlling it. He merely offered his usual cold stare as the man told them he would not share information with them because they were strangers. It didn't much matter because it was all a game anyway. He had a decent read on the Mereo wolf, at least the one who was doing the speaking. He was careful and kept things close to the chest. The demon would keep that stowed away in his mind as he did everything he learned from these outings. 

Alduin was blunt, but Tulok was thankful he at least chose to leave instead of doing something more rash that would cause them problems that could ruin everything they were here for. 

I hope the thief does not cause issues for your pack, he said, keeping up with the lie. He hoped to diffuse any upset his brother may have caused with his rude departure. 

He dipped his head and turned then, trotting off after his brother.

The imperator gave his reticent answer, which was expected by the auxillary. He knew Germanicus would share nothing with these strangers. Something felt off with them, and he was sure the commander had also picked up on it. 

The darker man spoke first. Declaring they were of no use to him before storming off. Kallik only spared him a brief look to ensure he was leaving before focusing on the man with two-toned eyes.

He seemed the more level-headed of the two, wishing them luck in a way before turning to leave as well.

When he was sure they were out of ear shot, he turned to the imperator. Would you like me to make sure they go far enough away from Mereo? He could easily track them without being noticed; he knew the area well.

malacath failed his test.

he watched the boy's eyes flush with anger. he saw the tilt of his ears. it was a strong rein of control to have for one so young. to the eagle's eye, it indicated training.

the mention of use suggested something intentional. germanicus would have chosen omak to speak. the other was measured. he spoke evenly before turning to follow his brother. 

kallik's voice sounded. "we will go together." he gestured up a narrow path climbing to the canyon's topline. "and when we return, we will give their description to the others."

Kallik nodded and he turned to head along the path indicated by the imperator.

He also wanted them to report the strangers' descriptions to the others, which the auxillary thought was a good idea. They may never see the two again, but it was better to be safe, especially for the civilians.

He would follow for as long as the imperator saw fit; running off strangers was one of his favorite pastimes.