A r i d a m
Male | 5 Years | Western Border Sentry| Mention(s): Risna + Pack Indirect

Aridam would be lying if he were to confidently state that he wasn't the slightest bit jealous of Risna. Granted, he adored his Sentry partner more than life itself and quite literally wouldn't change their positions for anything in the world, but the work was taxing; certainly at times like this. The male was a large wolf, that much was blatantly obvious. His body was meant for battle, muscles meant for mauling, the whole nine yards. Risna on the other hand, seemed like she was made to run.

That of course went without saying that the she-wolf could indeed, and often did, fight. And fight well- Ari had seen it with his own two eyes. But the female was leaner, slimmer and all together more agile. She flew over obstacles that Aridam had to crawl beneath or weasel around. Risna was far faster than anything Ari would ever be capable of reaching. And for as headache-inducing as that realization was, the resulting balance was one truly magnificent.

It was particularly evident at times like this; the pair seemed to move as one. For what Aridam lacked, Risna made up for ten-fold, and the opposite was equally true. Often at times it seemed as if the two shared the same brain, the way they acted and moved. Perhaps a bit odd for the rest of the pack, non-Sentries and all, but it was a vital element of their lives. There was never no questioning or extensive bickering among the two, just pure harmony. Which made the Western Sentry pair quite the formidable foe.

Had this not been a dire situation, Aridam would've vented his teasing frustration at being surpassed by the streak of black, but this was a serious time. His own legs slowed to a halt in the clearing, his diaphragm heaving deeply as his ears twitched up from their slicked position against his skull. Sure, Aridam was more than capable of running, but it was times like this during the heat of the day with his long fur and hulking build he would think of some very choice words.

Ari's own amber eyes were quick to scan the surrounding treeline that wrapped the clearing, as well as the rippling surface of the lake. He needed an extra second to catch his breath, his voice rasped through expertly contained pants.

"For now, let's stick together. If we come across some outliers from the attackers it'll be easier to deal with them as one front." Aridam had always been a quick thinker; he had no need for debate or discussions. Talking was just time spent wasted when action could be performed. He preferred to commit to a plan and carry it through to the end. It was his luck that Risna was of the same mindset.

As much as the large male would have preferred to take a moment to pause, to inflate his lungs with fresh, lake-brewed air, that was not possible. They had a job to do, one that they both were firmly set in stone about ensuring it was carried out to the best of their abilities. The safety of the pack ensured on Risna and Aridam, as well as the complementing Sentry pairs. The dark wolf did however take a moment to shake out the ruff of his neck, his short tail giving would could be considered an agitated flick before his body rounded off to the left, his paws beginning to track along the lakebed.

Athena | female | Age 16 | Elder | Mentions: Fox, Larkspur Indirectly mentions pack

Athena saw Larkspur make a threatening move forward with her lips curled back as well. She sensed Larkspur was upset about something and decided once this encounter was finished she would ask Larkspur about it. Her tail stood erect as her hackles furrowed and she gave a warning snarl to the fox. Upon closer inspection she noticed the fox was making a nest and was pregnant probably due any time. Having heard the commotion for some odd reason thought it safest to make the nest within the wolf camp.

“Not the brightest place to have those kits of yours you best get out of here.” She spoke to the fox knowing it most likely wouldn’t understand her. She snapped in the foxes direction and seeing the fox realize it was already outnumber it scurried off into the brush headed away from the camp. Athena relaxed and shook her fur out as her hackles lowered. She stretched and let out a small yawn looking around and sniffing the air once more for any other kind of animal or threat.

Raising her head she let out another series of yips to let the pack know that the coast was clear of anyone that wasn't their pack. Looking to Larkspur she said. “Is everything alright with you young one?” She asked her voice soft and caring. “You know you can talk to me anytime you wish right?” She knew she wasn’t much good except for story telling and giving advice here and there. She gave Larkspur a calming nudge with her nose.

Larkspur || Female || 5 || Pack Member || M: Athena, fox, Cadmus and Chocktaw (Ind), Leviathan (Ind), Vilho and Maeve (Ind), Cyre (Ind)

As the pregnant vixen scurried off, Larkspur allowed her cool composure to return and huffed after the retreating blur of russet. The creature had gotten away this time, but if Larkspur ever came into contact with it again, kits or no kits, blood would be spilled.

The pale tawny wolf turned to face the elder and her gaze softened. Athena's questions caught her slightly off guard; was she showing it so easily that everyone was noticing? With a sigh, she replied, "It's just how this whole conundrum with heirs and sides is pulling what is left of my family apart. Chocktaw is further from me than ever and, frankly, I blame Cadmus. At least, a little bit."

She shook her head and blinked. "I never thought I'd lose my brother over a question of loyalty. The answer seems so clear to me, but he just sees it differently. It's frustrating."

Cyre had raised the two once their mother had taken ill and died. The old elder had never brought up pack politics at all, deciding to provide no influence whatsoever in that part of their lives. While Chocktaw had grown close to Vilho and Maeve and followed Cadmus in his views, Larkspur had walked the road of opportunity. She'd always wanted to lead; that was no secret.

Her loyalty was to the pack, yes. She held to the rules, yes. But, Larkspur's eyes had been and forever would be fixated upon authority. Whatever most benefited her dream of climbing the ranks was what she held to.

Athena | Female | 16 | M: Larkspur | Ind. M: Cyre, Cadmus, Chocktaw

Athena looked to Larkspur seeing she was taken off guard and knew she was trying to hide the feelings she had asked about. Softly she said. "Trust me hon anyone that doesn't look too hard or is as old as I won't know the emotions youre feeling and trying to hide. You have to remember that I have many years under my belt."

She listened to the pale tawny wolf answer her question. Talking of how she far apart she felt from her brother Chocktaw and how she blamed Cadmus. She knew that when their mother died Cyre had raised them. She listened to Larkspur continue.

"I never thought I'd lose my brother over a question of loyalty. The answer seems to clear to me, but he just sees it differently. It's frustrating."

She nodded in understanding a little to Larkspur and said softly. "I am sorry that you are going through this and that it is happening to you. I have watched as you two grew up and how your brother shifted more to Cadmus. It is a terrible feeling to watch a sibling or even a close friend to drift away from you. Some day the feeling won't be so bad anymore and who knows perhaps your brother will come to his senses."

She had no intentions of eliciting false hope in the youngster just saying a few kind words although in her time she has witnessed the rare occasion where in instinces like this the siblings or friends come together once again.

"Both Cadmus and Chocktaw don't think Leviathian should have become leader. In a way I think Leviathian wasn't ready to become leader either but I do not feel any disloyalty to him and I know that in time he will be as great a leader as his father was."

There was now one final wolf remaining between her and Kallik.

It would be an easy target, after all, it was now two against one. The red and ebony wolf had been eliminated. Now, only the black one was left. A silent snarl graced her features, her white pelt tinted red due to all the bloodshed as she stepped over the lifeless body of the ebony wolf. Eyes locked onto the black wolf, Eira approached. There was confidence in her steps, almost as if knowing that they had already won.

She moved slowly, taking her time as she stalked forwards. The wolf was cautious, its eyes flickering between her and Kallik, wondering who would strike first. It didn't truly matter, not to Eira anyways. Regardless of who made the first move, she and Kallik had the advantage. There was truly no winning for the black wolf.

"Why don't you run," she suddenly spoke, staring at the black wolf. She would offer them an opportunity. One last chance to flee, just as she had offered the ebony wolf. Like its friend, the black wolf seemed to decline, obvious hatred spewing within it, or perhaps it was simply blinded with stupidity. Ah, but Eira had a small plan. Within moments, she widened her eyes, head snapping towards Kallik as a small gasp was sounded from her throat. As she had hoped, the black wolf swiftly turned to him as well, as if preparing to defend itself. As soon as they turned, Eira swiftly whipped her head back and knocked her body against theirs.

The two locked into a sudden battle. The silence of the fight was almost eerie. There were hardly any snarls nor growls. Barely a whimper as Eira clawed its side, and not a sound as she received her own wounds. A small dust cloud formed around them in this quiet fight. She was exhausted, that much was true, so all she wished was for this to be over with already. That was perhaps what fueled her forwards, using her upper body strength to shove the black wolf back a few steps before locking her teeth on its tail and beginning to drag it slightly. The two now seemed to be in a dance. The black wolf snapped at her from the right side, so Eira moved to the left, it snapped at her from the left side, so she moved to the right. It was a series of odd movements, but Eira had the black wolf's tail clamped tightly between her teeth.

After several seconds in attempt to tire the black wolf out (though it was working for her as well), she used a sudden forced to pull the black wolf back with her teeth and release its tail before now aiming for the neck. However, she wasn't quick enough, for the black wolf reacted, ripping out a tuft of her fur and biting through her skin. Blood ran down her leg as the wolf's grip tightened on her side. Gritting her teeth, there was no way for Eira to properly unleash herself from its grip unless further injuring herself. So, grimacing, she used her right hip to slam against the wolf's face before gyrating, using her hind legs to shove herself onto the wolf in attempt to force it to the ground. A series of huffs was sounded as a her newly obtained wound worsened, but at least she was free from the wolf's grip.

Her sudden burst of energy seemed to have fallen short when the black wolf managed to kick itself free from her weight, after all, Eira had failed to pin them down properly. As she herself stumbled back, she took it as a moment to tune into the sounds around her. Disturbing sounds had come from Leviatha's direction, but a quick glance made her confirm that it wasn't he who was in trouble. Ronin seemed to be alright as well for the moment. Enigma? Well, she wasn't truly sure where she was, and Akousa?

He seemed to be in trouble and..

Oh.

How wonderful.

A small smile grew on her face before Eira was forced to focus back on herself as the black wolf picked itself up. Whipping her head towards them, she bared her teeth and sunk them into the black wolf's face as it darted towards her. Having the advantage, she glanced back at Akousa.

Good, he was still down.

Now, a stranger may think to act because Akousa's life was in danger, but Eira's first thought was not survival. No, not at all. What seemed to make her skin tingle was the idea of saving Akousa and bragging about it for the remainder of her life. Oh, how it would infuriate him! He seemed to think so highly of himself, so how humiliating would it be to have a constant reminder that she.. She saved him! To make things even better, she could use it as an excuse when it came to Takara and Kyomi!

"Akousa? Oh, you don't want him. He can't even defend himself, how is he supposed to protect you and your own families?"

Those would be her words. So it was a bit of an exaggeration, who cared? The bottom line was that he would owe her. The thought of how much it would bother him only made Eira more eager to help. Glancing to Kallik, her eyes darted to Akousa and back onto the black wolf still locked between her teeth before motioning to him. Your turn, she seemed to say with her eyes before using her remaining strength to shove the black wolf towards Kallik giving him the leverage.

Without hesitation, she scurried towards the pinned Akousa, careful to remain stealthy as she approached his opponent from behind. Alright, so she may have taken her time because she enjoyed seeing him suffer for a brief moment, it didn't matter. The point was that she was about to save him. It cancelled out. Besides, it was payback for staring at her sister and Kyomi. Pah, how she despised him and his intentions.

She moved quietly, thinking about poking her head to the side so that Akousa may have the opportunity to see who would be the one to save him. However, she couldn't risk it, not while being in the enemy wolf's blind spot. One small movement, and she could be seen. Eira always did enjoy the art of surprise, but she needed to hurry. After all, there was still the matter of the black wolf. She trusted that Kallik could finish them off, but just in case, she wished to speedily make it back. Reinforcements never hurt.

So, when she was only a foot or two away, she leaned forwards, a sadistic look forming in her eyes.. Something between anger and excitement. "Hello, darling," she practically sang, "I don't believe that we've had a chance to meet yet." As soon as the wolf had turned around, Eira did what any other individual would do.

She slammed the frontal portion of her head against theirs.

Wincing herself from the impact, she shook it off, a small hint of pain setting between her eyes. Her vision did blur for a brief moment as well, but she seemed to be alright, especially given that the other wolf was now dazed and confused, having staggered backwards from the impact. "I've always wanted to do that." Trusting that Akousa could pick himself up without her help, Eira licked her muzzle before biting down between the wolf's shoulder blades, sending a wave of pain up its back. Her right paw was then placed on the wolf's neck as her grip tightened. She was forcing them down to the ground, using pain to do so.

When the wolf was lying against the ground, not pinned, but moreso in too much pain to do much of anything, Eira bit harder to stun them, hoping to change positions, but that didn't stop the wolf from snapping at her leg, nipping it. Wincing back, the wolf took it as an advantage and snapped at her once more, this time, managing to nick a bit of her chest. Appalled, Eira suddenly smacked her paw against the wolf's face, unsure of what the point was, but regardless, it managed to stun them for a moment. Satisfied, Eira hurriedly locked her jaw around the back of the wolf's neck. She needed more control. Even as the wolf struggled with its legs to rise, Eira kept it pinned firmly to the ground by the backside of the neck as her eyes locked onto Akousa. "Finish him already," she mumbled between fur and skin.

They were so close.

He hated sitting around being useless.

Cadmus wished nothing more but to be fighting at the moment, like his sisters probably were. Oh, how he could brag, and how proud his parents would be of him! He could tell them endless stories of his fights, and no matter what he'd say, they would have that sparkle in their eyes and he would just know that they were proud of him, but instead, he was guarding a border with no enemies near.

It's not as if Cadmus wanted to be attacked, but it would be nice to get some validation, like Eira and Takara were probably getting. While they were off fighting and protecting the land, Cadmus was simply sitting and watching a non-existent danger. While being a sentry offered him an honourable title and respect amongst the pack and his parents, he wanted more validation. He wanted to be a hero, just like Koa and Ronin probably were at the moment.

A frown formed on Cadmus' face at the mere thought before turning to Chocktaw. "You know, I do feel rather useless." It was several minutes after Larkspur had departed, and so far, nothing. No sounds, no attacks, no sightings, nothing. Everybody was fighting, and he and Chocktaw were stuck guarding a border against imaginary predators.

"I think we're safe on this end." Cadmus still wasn't certain, but if they were to be under attack, then wouldn't it make more sense to be attacked on all sides at once? "I wonder how many enemies there are." Ears straightening, he huffed. There were no more calls for backup, so there were probably enough numbers..

..Unless they were all dead.

Blinking, Cadmus shifted. It obviously wasn't the case, but knowing so little information had his mind begin to slightly spiral, something that occurred more often than he'd like to admit. "Say, did Larkspur ever say how many enemies there even were? Number wise..?" Glancing around, Cadmus sat up from his lying position, growing slightly anxious before inhaling sharply and forcing himself to relax. Everybody was alright. There would be a howl, or somebody would come running to them for help. Nah, they were all perfectly alright.

"Why do you think that we're even being attacked? Do you think it's this rival pack again? The same ones that killed the previous alphas?" Curiousity began to overtake Cadmus. "Maybe it's something else.. I wish somebody would update us. I'm going crazy here." Shaking his head, he remained gazing past the border, still focused, yet distracted. He needed to remain composed. The paranoia was up to Chocktaw, not him. He was the one that made sure that everybody was calm and composed, but gah! This was bothering him! He didn't like how nobody was updating them, but then again, Cadmus couldn't expect an update every few seconds. The run from camp to border was a lengthy one. It wasn't realistic to run back and forth so often. "I don't like this," he mumbled, but what could he do?

So, paws fidgeting, he was forced to remain still while the pack was in danger.

Chocktaw || Male || 5 || Sentry || M: Cadmus, Pack (Ind)

His adrenaline spike slowly dwindled to a more manageable amount as his parter became more anxious. Just in time. The dark and tan male glanced over at Cadmus and then away again; he could feel the antsiness radiating from the other, and he felt the same. The thought of battle was thrilling. Terrifying, but thrilling.

"The chances of them all having been killed is slim," Choctaw assured him, guessing the other's thoughts. "We may be a rifted pack, but we are the best fighters in the forest. It would take more than one foreign group of curs to take us all down... And, uh, no. Larkspur didn't say anything about the count."

But she wasn't trained as a sentry; she was trained as a hunter. Counting prey came so easily to her, she probably just assumed everyone else was aware of what she was. Besides, it didn't look like she had ever entered the battle, so she wouldn't have known how many there were. Right? Games of telephone were dangerous, and Chocktaw avoided them. Perhaps Larkspur had, as well.

"I don't know why we're being attacked. I suppose it could be the rivals, but they suffered the same or greater in casualties, so why would they retaliate so soon? They're probably worse of than we are, and that's saying something."

Chocktaw shifted and placed his paws underneath him where he was more comfortable but still able to stand quickly. His yellow eyes caught the sun and glinted briefly before he narrowed them to prevent the reflection of his corpus luteum from alerting any living thing around them.