Otatso Wetlands I am begging, down on my knees

Etienne had told Arric and @Akavir and @Arlette of his plan. He would go find @Anselm. Hopefully the mountain born would help him. Then he would go to Murkwood first. Tell his siblings and his mama and his auntie that someone was coming. That they would be there. It would have to be quiet and in the dead of night. Because their numbers were not many. He longed to make Anselm in charge of this mission as he was the tracker. But he would have to ask the mountain born to help him cover their tracks. And he hoped the man he was in love with was up to task. Because if not. They may all die.

He found his way quietly. Lifting his nose to the air and tilting an ear forward.Then he spoke as he caught Anselm's scent quietly. Anselm. Please I need you.

It wrankled the sea of his blood to hear such a plea on his own lips no less. But there was no denying he needed him.

My family 'as been kidnapped. My little sister and my mama and my auntie. And they are all wit' chile. I 'ave to go save dem.

This is for Anselm. Other tags are for reference.

Truthfully, Anselm had never wandered far from where he’d seen Ezra last. He recanvased the boy’s tracks every day, revisiting until all that was left was wisps of dried clod among stale winter grass. 

He searched for two boys now, hoping in a fantastic twist of fate they’d somehow found one another. This hopeful thought tempered some of the creeping dread Anselm felt to have lost his son (a failure of a father!) to the winter months. 

He stopped perusing an old cache when he heard Etienne’s distance voice. Coming across him, the first thing he noticed was Etienne’s state of discomfiture. Alarm sank into his heart immediately — what if he’d found his boy or his nephew and they were dead? That first thought caused a lump to jut sharp against his throat. 

Before he could utter a gruff ‘Vhat has happened?’, Etienne launched into explanation. The inexplicable had happened; his matriarchal family had been seized. Anselm’s jaw parted as he processed this news, categorizing the budding questions in order of importance. Vho? And vhere? He asked immediately, ears pinned in a gesture of intense worry. Kidnapping women with child — even according to his own practical sensibilities, this was absolutely diabolical. What kind of enemies was Sapphique up against?

Etienne had noticed the scent of Anselm's son's fading at his last visit. But now they were further stale. And he felt terrible that he would have to ask his friend such a thing, when clearly he was dealing with his own problems. Etienne promised himself if he lived through this. That he would help Anselm find his sons. Even if the mountain born didn't want or ask for it.

Etienne felt beraggled. His fur unkept and every which way but right. His golden eyes full of fear and sadness. But he would not let pride go before this important thing. Even if Anselm told him no. However, the man did not. Proving yet again to the sea born even if his affections were not returned. His heart had not be handed to the man in vain. For he was at his core a good man.

Etienne had to tamper down the wail that threatened to take him over. His voice beleaguered with the dismay he felt. The unshed tears tasting of salt on his tongue.

I do not know dem. Dey are a pack near dey coast. Pirates. Dey be not far from my ole 'ome. But dey be awful creatures. My leader has agreed to go. I will arrive a day before 'im and tell my family we are comin' 'opefully dey do not take me too. And I will 'elp dem escape. I 'ave 'ope dat you 'elp me find dem and cover our tracks. But no matter wut Anselm. You must promise me you save my family even if I must be left be'ind. I am no warrior. Not brave like all of you. But dey be my family and I love dem enuff to do wut i must if the occasion warrants it.

Anselm listened to Etienne’s account of his plans, growing unsettled the more he shared. It was not that he didn’t trust Etienne to fend for himself — the scars on his muzzle spoke to Etienne’s ability to do so — but he worried this plan wasted resources and time they did not have. 

Vhat if they see you? Then they vill know that more wolves are coming. Ve need surprise to make this successful. He tried to think of the logistics, but without knowing the distance and the lay of the land, the tracker’s context was limited. 

How many vill your leader bring?

As far as promising to save Etienne’s family while leaving him behind, Anselm refused to hear it. He looked away in unease as he saw the intensity of emotion in Etienne’s gaze - the urgent cadence of his friend’s rich voice. I vill not leave you behind. There vill be no need. You, your leader, and I vill go together. No vonne left behind.

Etienne didn't know if he could fight well if he must. He could certainly handle the pain that would be given, but to strike another. He was not sure if he could do it. Chances are he slow them down or make more wounded in his hesitation.

But 'ow will my family know we are dere? To be ready? It was coastal land. But Etienne to was going in blind. It was probably near the cliffs, but if it was on the bluffs
The fall would be treacherous.

'e will come, me, probably one of the younger warriors. And I believe 'e will be asking Bearclaw to send 'elp. Arric is big wolf and seasoned fiter.

But. But the intensity of Anselm's look away made the words die in his throat. He would not get wut he wanted in this case.

For a long while, Anselm pondered Etienne’s strategy. It was one angle he hadn’t considered — and it just goes to show how different their minds think. He’d only approached it from a strong-arm standpoint; in his mind they’d storm the pirates and overwhelm them. There wouldn’t be any need for warning. 

But he supposed Etienne’s plan was not without virtue. What if the stronghold was reinforced, or they found the going difficult? He knew the folly in placing all one’s eggs into one cache; who knows what they’d find once in strange land. 

Vell. I certainly see your point. He conceded at last, finding he had no appetite for losing Etienne. But I vill be going vith you. You tell them. I keep watch.

Etienne wanted as little blood shed as possible. And he wanted to spirit his family away quietly and safely if at all possible. He knew this may not be the case, but it was what he hoped for.

Etienne smiled and breathed a soft sigh of relief. I am glad. I 'ope we can do dis quietly and swiftly. But dis may not be dey case I know dis.

Etienne nodded. I would rat'er 'ave you watc'in my back dan any otter.