Catherine O'Donnaugh
Lycan | Beta | Feale | Mentions: Colette, Rhea, Paige, Christopher, Azela, Travelers

Caite was about to answer her friend when Azela stepped up. "Thank you Azela." Her dark hues looked over to the Luna taking in her appearance taking note of the other female still in her sleeping garbs. "I will go to him and let him know you are on your way. It wouldn't be wise to venture out in just your sleepwear." A small start of a smile formed at the corner of her mouth but if the Alpha wanted both her and his Luna by his side with visitors it wasn't good.

Though if she knew her friend, the female wouldn't want to waste any time. Caite pulled off the cloak that she was wearing offering it to the Luna. "Take my cloak because we both know Christopher would have my hide if you walked outside in just your robe." A small tease at the end of her statement as she waited for the female to take her cloak. "I will borrow one as I see on my way out." Caite took a few steps away but then paused waiting for Colette. She would make due without a cloak for a few moments and keeping Colette warm was the priority. The beta walked beside the Luna as the pair made their way outside to the gates.

The chill rushed to meet the fabric of the shirt that covered Caite's torso and a few silent curses left her lips berating herself for not grabbing another cloak when she had the chance, but seeing Paige and Christopher standing at the gate with four of the visitors close to them raised the hair on the back of Caite's neck. She picked up her pace to take a more protective stance in front of her friend. Her arms moved to cross over her chest as they stopped and her eyes moved over the group making note of those that had weapons, especially the one being offered. Her eyes raised to notice Elias and she nodded hearing the exchange between Christopher and him.

She stood partly in front of Colette making herself a shield even with Christopher there. Unease danced along her skin, keeping the chill at bay for the moment as beta noted that only one of the females had stepped forward and raised a brow taking note that she didn't look as though she had any weapons and was one of the few that didn't appear to have any wounds.

Her eyes flicked towards the male that suggested having someone from their pack investigate the attack site. If they hadn't traveled far from where they were attacked, how had a group of bandits so close to their home been missed? Caite looked over to Colette, Christopher, and Paige before offering. "I can go and investigate their story." She cast a warning glance towards the male that had suggested it, while keeping an eye on the males still holding their swords.

Geralt Fairweather & Fredricko Tuolani
Human | Knight & Bard | Male | Mentions: Those in the travelers, and the growing group at the gate.

Geralt lowered her sword when Carter placed a hand on his shoulder. The male's cold gaze moved back to the red hair man when he was asked about his sword and cloak. "Do you think that many would get close to steal a weapon such as this while fighting if many of their friends had been downed by it? Yes this cloak is heavy but wouldn't bring much for gold. They wanted the gilded crest, a guilded light cloak with the king's symbol embossed upon it, along with a pair of gilded bracers." His eyes moved to Warwick before he continued.

"If you want to investigate our story, one of us could show the way to the attack site." The male took a step back noting how many of them had stepped forward and appeared to be crowding the now larger group within the walls. The sound of the horses snorting pulled the man's attention away from the gate for a moment and curiosity began to well up within the man's thoughts taking note of the two horses and placement of the buck on the riderless one. There had been two riders, but where was the second one now? As his gaze moved back over the group, they narrowed watching one of the oldest members of their group with an arm wrapped around a woman. Geralt didn't trust the man but he hadn't had a choice in who the companions where.

Fredricko had wrapped an arm around Zira when Carter had pushed her to him. "Are you alright my dear?" The male had hidden for most of the fighting but then magically appeared once the bandits were finished with taking the goods. His cloak was ragged, the shirt and pants underneath almost threadbare, and his boots almost worn through the soles. He appeared to have had no wealth to be taken from.

Rico watched the interactions between the two groups with an almost comical smile on his face. He hadn't expected for the group to find a place let alone somewhere where they would have to prove their own story as to what had happened to them. Hearing the sigh from beside him, the male looked down and gentled his smile. "Things will work out. They have so far. Yes we have had some terrible luck, but luck is what has brought us together, through the night, and to this albeit terrifying castle. All we can do is keep hoping that they will help us."

Were his words sincere? Possibly to those that heard them, but not the male that spoke them. He needed to keep going and having so many strong willed, large males around each other was just asking for a brawl in his opinion.

The woman stood there, a heavy gaze fixated upon Caite as she awaited a response. However, her attention did not remain upon her friend for long, as further footsteps appeared, followed by the emergence of Azela. The woman looked utterly exhausted, prompting Colette to reach out and place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Take a moment for yourself," she said, her face reflecting concern as she briefly studied Azela's expression.

When the topic of unexpected guests came up, Colette couldn't conceal her surprise, her eyebrows showing a slight twitch. "At this time?" she questioned, her confusion apparent. She glanced at Caite and then nodded to Azela, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze as she went on to discuss staying with Rhea. "Thank you, both for letting us know and remaining behind." The idea of Azela keeping an eye over her daughter settled the woman's nerves, and she offered an appreciative smile, though rapid.

Preparing to advance, Colette was stopped by Caite, who mentioned her attire. Pausing, she glanced to her nightgown, which was merely covered by her robe. Releasing a sigh, she had nearly waved her off, that is, until a cloak was offered to her. "Now, Caite. I'd rather you wear it," she began, though trailed off upon being told that she would find one on the way. Before Colette could refuse, she was given the cloak and forced to follow Caite, to which she defeatedly did.

Wrapping the cloak around herself, thanked her friend and proceeded to walk, all whilst pondering the situation. Given Azela's swiftness, and given the fact that Christopher required both herself and Caite outdoors led her to believe that this matter at hand was urgent. However, as they walked the halls, Colette briefly entered her room without a word, shuffling through her attire until she gripped her fingers around her pallium.

Returning to Caite's side as they emerged outdoors, she swiftly draped the garment over the Beta's shoulders and rubbed them gently before continuing to walk alongside of her. Upon exit, Colette immediately noted the presence of individuals, as well as the way Caite had positioned herself. While her guard had risen, she remained a composed posture, her hands folded together in front of her as she approached. Briefly, her gaze had fallen to the weapons, taking note of the visible ones before returning to Christopher.

"What is the meaning of this?" She asked him quietly before turning her attention to the visitors, her eyes fixed on the swords. "You do not need those here," she suddenly said, gesturing toward their weapons and noticing some fingers remaining cautiously on them. Pausing briefly as one man recounted what had occurred, specifically mentioning the exact location, she turned to Caite, who offered to investigate.

"No," was all Colette said, not willing to entertain the idea. "I trust that they're telling the truth." They reeked of blood, not to mention remained covered in it. Her gaze swept over the visitors, taking in each one before landing on a tall woman with hair so bright it could be mistaken for snow. Ignoring the men, Colette turned to her, hoping to engage in a woman-to-woman conversation.

"How long do you need shelter for?" She inquired, not having been informed of the specifics. Regardless, she was confident this woman would provide her with the necessary information. She seemed able enough, perhaps even moreso than the men. If Colette required information, she was sure that she had spoken to the proper individual. The woman radiated power, and had Colette been asked, she would assume that this woman was in charge. Of course, it was an assumption, but until notified properly, her attention would remain upon the woman with light blonde hair.

Rhea Frost || Pack Member || M: Azela, Others (Ind)

The toddler lay sprawled across the animalskin rug on the floor next to her bed, limbs askew in positions that would make a grownup wince. One cheek was smushed up against the pelt in a way that caused some slight snoring, though her breaths were shallow enough that it wouldn't bother anyone else. Her strawberry blond hair was all askew, as per usual, though not tangled; it looked more static-filled than anything.

The quiet entrances of her mother, Caite, and Azela did not bother her, though the quickening of footsteps against the heavy stone floors did reverberate in her ears and cause one icy gray eye to open. The monster had awoken. Suddenly filled with the boundless energy that greeted her each morning, Rhea bounced to her hands and feet and released a feral, wolfish squeal.

She skittered across the floor at first before transitioning into leaps and bounds, still on all fours. The little girl paused by the door, sitting back on her heels, and picked up a discarded stick that Kavik had sanded down smooth for her. Bite marks already decorated the once pristine surface, and more were about to be made. Gnawing on the wood, Rhea stood up and, making a fist, knocked on the door to be let out.

Her room was small -- not that it needed to be very big, as she herself was still tiny -- and windowless, save it were for thin slits in the brick high up on the walls. They allowed for natural light, but they were well out of Rhea's reach and much to small for her to fit through. Being the wild child she was, it was certainly necessary.

"Out! Ouuuuuuuuut!" she called happily, the last word howled. Rhea hated speaking; she much preferred body language, but that was difficult to communicate with when nobody could see her. Fearing that perhaps her call had gone unanswered for her lack of manners, she added a timid, "Peas?"

Gaia Altolos || Traveler || M: Collette, Others

Gaia cringed internally as one person after another stepped up to the man at the gate. They had no elected leader, per se; rank meant hardly anything when traveling as a mindless rabble, and now they were going to face the consequences. She herself dared not speak up and add to the mess that was being created. They were all brewing their own destruction; no one should have spoken after Warwick had. She was sure the red headed man was getting mixed signals; even she was at this point, and she had witnessed the events.

Another spark of irritation welled up in her as their weapons were brought into question. A fat lot of good a sword would do against a small army. Her bow had been taken, along with her nice daggers. She only had the sword because she'd launched it into the woods after realizing that putting up more of a fight would place Jhessica in deeper trouble. It had worked, and she had honestly been surprised that it had not been taken with everything else. But this man didn't need to hear excuses.

Slowly, more people gathered behind the stranger. Two men -- one apparently very possessive over the other -- followed by two women. Most of them looked to hold authority, though it was clear they still deferred to the first. The blond woman that had come seemed to be second in command, though, and her voice carried a certainty with it that was commanding even of the travelers.

"You do not need those here."

Gaia had not realized that her hand still rested on the hilt of her sword, and she removed it amicably. She was not, however, about to take it off completely. Not yet, anyway. The woman stifled a growl of her own as more talking occurred on the part of the travelers. She wanted to snap at them all to be quiet and let the castle dwellers have a moment without being bombarded by words, but she knew it was the cold and exhaustion gnawing at her patience. Why sever what bonds they already had? If they were denied comfort here and had to face the storm growing on the mountain, arguing in front of strangers now was sure to place both her life and Jhessica's in jeopardy. It would be stupid of her.

She was a little taken by surprise as the woman from before seemed to address her, out of all of them. Gaia stepped forward and offered a bow.

"We have not yet addressed the wounds we have received, nor have we properly sent off the spirits of those who died, and I fear we may no longer make it out of the mountains before this storm hits us, madam," she responded, furrowing her brows as she came out of the bow. Her muscles were quite stiff; that had hurt more than she expected. "Weather permitting, we would hope to burden you and your castlemen no longer than a night. And, as my Lady Jhessica noted, there are many nobles who would gladly replenish any supplies we use and repay you for your hospitality."

She kept her hands clasped in front of her and decided not to step back behind her cousin just yet, in case she was addressed again. Hopping back and forth would look quite awkward and unprofessional. The last thing they needed was to look like a gaggle of jesters performing for a drunken king.

Aella Soren

| Female | Healer | Lycan | Mentions: (directly) Elias, Zira, (indirectly) Group, Pack

As Aella neared the castle, she stopped short, her senses on high alert, as she took in the scene before her. A group of strangers had gathered on one side, their presence unfamiliar and unsettling. On the other side, she spotted her pack, a sense of relief washing over her. Spotting the horses, she sniffed the air slightly, immediately recognizing the scents of Maisie and Elias nearby. Her heart warmed at the familiarity of their presence, and her eyes were drawn to the large buck strapped to the black rabicano gelding, a soft smile gracing her lips. It was quite the catch, she assumed Maisie must have been the one to hunt it. She was an exceptional hunter.

Aella observed with a watchful eye as one of the women from the group neared the bay and white mare. Her lips thinned at the stranger's approach as she neared closer to Elias and the horses. She could see tension in Elias's shoulders as he watched the group and the pack. Elias, handsome and quiet, was an incredible horseman. Aella could see the fondness in every movement he made when he was with the horses.

"Good morning, Elias," Aella greeted him softly, reaching out to pat his mare's pale neck affectionately. The mare nuzzled her side in response. "And good morning to you two as well," she cooed to the gelding and mare. Aella then turned her sharp emerald eyes towards the nervous stranger who had approached the horses and Elias. Her gaze was piercing, assessing every detail of the short woman before her. Blue eyes, pale skin, and white hair—Aella couldn't help but find the combination peculiar.

She pulled her satchel closer to her, the jars of herbs and potions within softly clinking together at the movement. "I see we have some visitors," Aella remarked, her tone measured. "My name is Aella." She extended a greeting to the woman, her posture and expression making it clear that she wasn't threatening, but neither was she overly friendly. While Aella was usually aloof, she was still fiercely loyal to her pack, they had become her family. Even though, it was evident that the stranger lacked confidence, her shaky stride revealing her unease in this unfamiliar setting, the group of strangers' presence had put her on edge.