Redhawk Caldera I am Spartacus

Wildfire spent the morning with Peregrine, who showed her some moves to add to the repertoire already bequeathed to her by her other trainers, Fox and Elwood. While they sparred playfully, her father told her the story of her namesake Uncle Atticus, his brother. Wildfire wished she could meet him, though Peregrine explained that he was dead. She was beginning to understand death; it meant that someone went away and never, ever came back.

After their lesson, Wildfire took an early afternoon siesta. When she rose, she found the rendezvous site abandoned. Pushing herself to her feet, she prowled to a nearby puddle and took a long drink. She then pondered what to do with the long spring afternoon stretching before her. Something her dad had said to her earlier that day came back to her now. "Being brave means doing what you are afraid to do." Wildfire badly wanted to be brave, just as much as she wanted to be a Warrior.

What was something that scared her? Strangers definitely intimidated her. Until she got to know a wolf really well, Wildfire tended to be very bashful. To test and build her bravery, perhaps she should force herself to be more outgoing. At the very least, she should seek out someone she didn't know well and make herself face her fears. There weren't many outright strangers at her disposal and she was still forbidden from going too far, especially on her own, so Wildfire tried to think of someone she didn't know well here in the caldera.

There was only one wolf left she really didn't know. Wildfire didn't know his name but she pictured him in her head, swimming so gracefully at the pack's pool party a few weeks back. She thought she could recall his scent. She went in search of it now, hoping to track down @Pantaleimon. Her heart already began to pound harder than usual as she contemplated the challenge of overcoming her own timorousness and getting to know her pack mate without mom, dad, brother, sister or other relative to hide behind.

Tell me if you want me to delete this post and have Pantaleimon instead. :D

He was trespassing. Again.

It was a frequent habit the young Ezok-to-be had picked up, and he did not experience the consequences yet. The male was interested in the Daheshak, seeing as it fit him so well. As a result, he travelled all around the pack's domain, scouting out who and what they were up against in terms of packs.

The Hoshor Plains were surrounded by mountains on three sides, but luckily, the south emptied into flatland once more. He travelled to these plains, past the Great Lake that marked their arrival to the Plains, and further and further south he went. But eventually, in the distance, a gray form arose in the middle of the plains. Another mountain?!

It was different than the ones that loomed over the plains, to his delight. It looked to be one of the charirflai he had heard about from the mouths of the Dosh Khaleen. But it was broken, ragged and cracked like the shell of an egg, covered in greenery and topped by a lake. To his chagrin, it was claimed. Well, let them deal with sharp rocks in their paws.

But nonetheless, he treaded forward, intrigued by what kind of wolves lived here, crossing the border without a hint of hesitation. The young male sniffed around the border, eyes raised occasionally to search for any wrathful defenders. On one upward glance, he saw a small figure in the distance, snuffling about. The Dotharan stepped forward, then chuffed in amusement. A pup. "Hale!" He called to it softly, regardless of the language barrier.

Little did Wildfire know, her mother had taken to following her when her eldest daughter wandered away from the rendezvous site. Letting her go off on her own was not something Fox was particularly keen on doing so soon after Junior's attack, and she did not wish for anything to happen to her precious children. She kept back, always giving her mini-me just enough space so that she wouldn't be noticed. Fox had become, in many senses of the word, a helicopter parent.

And it was a good thing she'd taken to doing so.

A single word set Fox's alarm bells off, and not a single thought went through her mind before she sprinted toward the stranger—no, trespasser—with jaws agape and eyes blazing. She aimed to kill, to rip the man's throat from his neck just like Peregrine had done with Junior.

Sebastian was really taking Fox's command serious. The large male lacked a bit of sleep but he was keen on keeping everyone out of the Caldera. His normally calm nature was quick to break when the large grey found out that someone had crossed the border he so recently marked. The tank rushed forward after the scent. Close to being murderously mad. It was probably Fox's impressive speech that gave him the determination. 

Once he caught up with the intruder he realized that Wildfire was there, and... Fox. Sebastian closed in on the young male that was trespassing. He approached from the opposite side of where Fox was standing to corner the male. Sebastian snarled loudly, his shoulders and hackles pulled up making the massive male even more massive. His pale eyes looked mad, in frustration that someone ignored his scent mark, and his teeth bared, ready to rip the stranger to pieces.

She didn't seem to be having any luck finding his scent. Wildfire didn't give up easily, though. She wandered with her nose skimming along the ground, sifting through all the caldera's interesting smells. She was so caught up in this endeavor that she didn't notice her mother behind her, nor the stranger in front of her, at least until he said the word, "Hale!" Thinking it might be Pantaleimon calling out to her, the puppy began to smile as she lifted her head.

The smile vanished from her mouth when she saw that it was not Pan. With no idea whether this was a trespasser or a newly accepted subordinate, Wildfire began to back away. Then she remembered today's mission and she froze. She needed to be brave, which meant facing strangers without fear. The pup sucked in a shaky breath, then began to steel herself for the encounter. Meanwhile, her amber eyes remained fastened on the unfamiliar male, cataloging his scent, features and body language.

Before she could take a single step toward him, a red figure hurtled past her and another, larger and paler wolf came driving in from the side. Wildfire shrank slightly, then stood up straighter again when she recognized her mother and Sebastian. Her eyes flew wide when they attacked the stranger. Trespasser! she thought. Wildfire quivered as instincts commanded her to join the effort. Yet a thread of fear stayed her. She wasn't so much afraid of getting hurt as she was of getting rebuked; she remembered all too well how Aunt Finley had reacted to her intervention with the coyote.

But she hadn't been a Warrior-in training then... Wildfire felt a blaze of indignation ripple through her and she began to trot closer, though she didn't throw herself into the fracas with the same wild abandon as the adults. Instead, she hung back slightly, observing the onslaught and still debating whether the risk was worth the reward.

Tiger bounded toward the scene. Sebastian and mama Fox were already there. So was Wildfire. It would seem trouble was drawn to the girl, didn't it? But she sprung to the side of Wildfire, wondering, too, what would be wanted of the girl. Was she too young to get wholly involved? Tiger frowns. "I want to say you should stay here," she furrows her brow. What was the warrior-in-training meant to do? "Watch how they handle it. Your mother didn't even hesitate. You're not supposed to hesitate with trespassers, just go for them. Like your mom... and Sebastian is ready to help, however commanded, but if it were me I would've just attacked."

Tiger was giving her own training, so to speak, but ready to bring in her own assault if necessary. After Wildfire's incident, and given how not-so-long ago it was, Tiger was wary about letting her sail into the fray personally. If Fox wanted it in the future, she imagined the mother would say as much. "If you go near pack-lands, its that packs call how to handle you and what they think is too close. This guy is in the Caldera. So hopefully he dies..." the scent was familiar. It reminded her of the moron she met, the one who had spoke of capturing her and taking her as a slave. 

I think my rolls were wrong. Tell me if I have to try again.

And he had made a mistake. Of course he had.

A woman with fiery fur like the little pup appeared from behind the girl, flying towards him with murder in her eyes. The Dotharan yelped slightly and jumped back in time to save his life, but the woman's fangs met his neck loosely, tearing into his flesh as he squirmed and finally freed himself.

The boy turned and began to run, but ran into a larger gray wolf as he did. So they had trapped him like he was prey. A strange little smile appeared on the boy's face as he lunged towards this male, aiming a blow at his paws to trip him, before he ran around him, his lean muscles carrying him swiftly away from the Caldera. "Si jahus ti xoalir ekess ouith dout damned suorra! He yelled to them, regardless if they knew what he was saying.

These Rhaesh Thaan wolves were tougher than he thought.

Fox only had eyes for the trespasser, the wolf she planned to rip from head to tail. She would stop his life right in its tracks if she had her way, and the pure nerve he had coming in like it was no big deal was the biggest kicker. Fox was, of course, a complete hypocrite. She'd done the same thing time and time again when she was younger. Somehow, she'd managed to come out of it alive. Now that she had children of her own, she no longer took those risks. The firebirds were the most important thing in the world to her, and she would give her life to protect them.

Even though she made contact with his neck, he slipped away, causing her to snarl ferociously. Sebastian (who Fox had not even noticed until now) attempted to block the trespasser's exit, but he was unsuccessful. The other yelled some gibberish, and he was off before Fox could regain her footing. Without thinking twice about it, she propelled herself toward him, leaping around Sebastian with all the agility and speed that her small form would allow. When she was close enough, she leapt at him, hoping to latch on to his back side and drag him down. If Seb was close behind, he could help her make the kill.

I am not sure if I can actually make the kill with Sebastian? D: #Confuzeled.

Sebastian growled loudly when the young trespasser ran into his large frame. His teeth lashed out trying to grab and hold him down but in a reflex the other was biting towards his paws. Sebastian had to jump away to have himself get minimal damage. The trespasser was quick! Sebastian turned on his heels as a red blur moved past him. Fox. She was really trying to kill this young one. Well, he couldn't really disobey orders could he?

Sebastian dashed after her, though he was far slower compared to the slender lady that was his alpha. The tank of a male dashed closer as he saw Fox made the jump. He blamed his father's genes for the need to kill this trespasser. Sebastian lunched forward just as Fox did from another position. He went for the trespassers throat, though he might ended up more towards the other's scruff. Trying to pin him down so the more higher ranked female Fox could make the kill if she wishes. 

No, you cannot power-play, auto-hit or auto-kill another player's character without consent. Sebastian can attempt all he wants, though! :)

Before she could make a decision, Tiger appeared at her shoulder, commentating the fight like a sportscaster and earning a few blinks from Wildfire. The youngster listened to her elder, staying back and observing. She could learn a lot just by watching the more experienced adults in action. Seeing Fox and Sebastian behaving so murderously was intimidating in a way, yet it made the blood pump hot in little Wildfire's veins. She wanted to be this fearsome and protective of her pack's sacred ground and inhabitants.

When the interloper attempted to flee, Fox and Sebastian hurtled after him. Wildfire snapped into action, pounding after the retreating adults. Even the tank-like male was faster than her, especially considering the fact that Wildfire tripped over her own feet every couple of seconds. Fortunately, she didn't fall and splatter herself on the ground, though the chasm between herself and the scuffling adults widened significantly. She sensed Tiger trotting beside her and kept an ear open for further instruction, yet never once peeled her eyes from the scene of combat.

When Wildfire moved, so too did Tiger, making sure to not let her cross the line and fall into the battlescene herself. So far, so good. Things moved rapidly, and Tiger herself would give chase when the time came. For now, she'd make sure Wildfire wasn't brought into arms, and didn't go into it herself. There would definitely be a day for that but today was not that day.

6 for Fox, 2 for Sebastian

They did not stop at the border. The wolves insisted on chasing him, even when he was far, far away from their borders. How crazy were they? He was away from their land now, couldn't they just stop?

He felt one latch onto his hindquarters, trying to drag him down like prey. Furious, the male kicked and bucked at the wolf that was hanging fiercely onto his buttocks, nearly tripping at his efforts and her determination. He stopped in his tracks and turned around, recognizing the fiery wolf, and lunged at her, aiming at her muzzle in an attempt to pull her off.

The Dotharan sensed the other male too late, ducking at the blow to the neck so that it reached his scruff instead. "Rizh mezhah!" He hissed. A war on two fronts. He aimed a blow at the gray male, focusing on his chest, and aiming to bite, hard.

An eensy bit of assumptions made here. Please PM me if it's not ok! I'm cool with Zoratto fleeing in his next post. :)

Her aim was true, and Fox pulled hard on his rump. She wanted to disable him. Hopefully, Sebastian could get to his throat and rip it to shreds. He managed to rip free from her grasp, but the taste of blood was sweet in her mouth. Her own muzzle had been marred, but she scarcely felt it. Her focus was on him and his death. The trespasser went for Sebastian, but Fox intervened, throwing herself between them. It was not the first time she'd put her life on the line for a pack-mate, nor would it be the last. The trespasser's teeth sank into her own shoulder in that moment, but she shook him off with a loud snarl. If he still intended to run, Fox would not give chase. She couldn't risk her pack-mates being hurt further.

Sebastian's bite wasn't successful. He wasn't sure if it happened because he was hesitant towards injuring or because the other wolf was just too quick. Though he did kill and if he just though of this trespasser as his uncle then he could see red in rage like Fox within seconds. The large male wanted to jump away from the trespassers attack but Fox jumped before him which made her shoulder hurt. Sebastian then did see red with rage. 

He admired his alpha to save him but he disliked that this mindless nothing of a wolf was trespassing AND hurting his alpha. Sebastian let out such a loud roar, almost turning into a bear of a beast. His body looked even bigger with how his body curled up in one tank of muscle. His pale eyes showing no mercy as he went for the intruder's neck, which was more exposed in his attack towards Fox. The 125 pound male charged at the intruder like a bison, only instead of horns he had bared teeth. Only the impact alone would hopefully injure the wolf so greatly that he couldn't flee anymore, if not, Sebastian still had his teeth to sink into the other's sensitive neck. 

For a minute, Wildfire thought she might lose them as the trespasser led the attackers farther away from the caldera. But then they caught up to him, slowing him, and Wildfire and Tiger began to close the distance again. As the pup's paws slapped against the earth, she suddenly smelled the scent of blood. Her already pounding heart felt like it might beat right out of her chest. Was that the stranger's blood or did it belong to her mother and Sebastian?

"Can—you—help—them?" the youngster asked between gasping breaths as she and Tiger continued loping toward the scene. Snarls filled her ears and Wildfire's amber eyes widened when she saw Fox's bloody muzzle, though Sebastian's charge effectively drew her attention in that direction. If the trespasser went down beneath the hulking male's attack, Wildfire felt certain he would never get up again.

Fleeing in this post, damage from Sebastian: 8, but he manages to leave

He opened his eyes to find himself staring at red. His attack had found the red woman's shoulder, not the brute that he wanted. With a growl, he let go at the same moment she shook him off. It had made things worst, as the tank charged at him like a buffalo, all rage. It was the woman's fault, not his! She got in his way.

Zoratto was not quick enough to escape the bison-wolf's jaws, the gray wolf's fangs digging deep into his neck. It did not reach any thing vital, yet it was bloody and painful. He yelped, his fangs flashing and aiming for his temple in attempt for the wolf to let him go. He twisted away, running back to the golden plains, leaving a bloody trail in his wake and refusing to let his tail tuck between his legs. Even when he retreated, a Dotharan warrior did not submit.

Last post for me. :)

He chose to flee, and Fox snarled at his retreating figure. Even if he did not have his tail tucked between his legs, Fox imagined it. The idiot would not be smart to come back to them. If he ever did, she would rip him to shreds. Whoever thought they could simply trespass without consequence was a fool, and Fox disliked fools. The Alpha continued to bore her eyes into the place where he had gone, but eventually—still breathing hard—she turned back to the others.

Tiger was sticking close to Wildfire (thank goodness), and Sebastian was nearby. The damned fool must have gotten her pretty good, because when Fox looked down, she noticed a trickle of blood coming from her left foreleg. Nothing serious, but it would need to be cleaned. She huffed, and then beckoned Wildfire to walk with her back to the rendezvous site. The threat had been dealt with, and there was little they could do now that he had been chased away.

Last post from me too!

After his attack the large male felt sort of proud that his attack was the one that made the other flee. Sebastian was about to chase after the fleeing wolf but he realized he wasn't as fast and that Fox was injured. Sebastian might be able to heal Fox! He watched as the mother called her daughter and started walking to the rendezvous site. "Fox wait up!," Sebastian called out and trotted after her. 

He gave a quick smile to Tiger. "C'mon we can totally heal her!," he spoke with some enthusiasm to coach her along. Surely they could both use the experience! Sebastian followed after the alpha female, after making sure that the intruder wasn't coming back. 

Unfortunately, the stranger managed to give the two Wardens the slip, fleeing away into the distance. Wildfire barely spared him a glance. She rushed up to her mother when called, nosing her and even whimpering slightly under her breath. Fox appeared to be okay, though, and the pup gave a muted sigh of relief. Her eyes then flicked to Sebastian, equally concerned, but he seemed generally okay too. No one, trespasser included, had sustained any particularly horrible injuries, it seemed.

Fox began leading the way back toward the territory's interior and the pup kept clumsy pace with her. Sebastian and Tiger fell into step behind them, eager to assist the wounded Alpha female. But she did not pause in her step, leading them back to safety first. Wildfire glanced sideways at her bleeding mother and couldn't help but hope she could be such a fierce, badass Warrior woman one day.