Blood. That was the first thought to enter Zayne's head as he took one cautious step out from the treeline and unto the dry ground before him. Around him were various tracks made by other wolves, some recent and some old. Boulders lay at various angles while a few tree's extended past the treeline itself, most torn and warped from many a claw and tooth mark. Multiple scents- wolves, blood, fear, rage- swept past his nose as the wind gently blew past. He flexed a paw against the ground experimentally and watched as the dirt sifted through his claws. A sharp sound made his ears swivel backwards and his green eyes snap to the side, only to see a scrawny field mouse scuttle out from underneath a boulder and into the safety the tree roots offered.

Zayne gave a quiet snort as his tense muscles relaxed. He wished he could be that field mouse. Find himself a tree and make a home underneath a root. But being a wolf was much different than a mouse. He was the predator, not the prey. But being a mouse would be simpler. If more dull. He glanced down at his paw again. Next to it and a bit in front of it was a paw print. He lifted his paw and experimentally placed it in the print left by another. The previous paw print seemed to swallow his own rather easily. Zayne mentally winced and retracted his paw. His paws were daintier than most males, yes, but because they were so slender and sleek it made it easier for him to fish food out of the river. That didn't seem to lessen the slight embarrassment associated to his paws.

The slender male looked up again and started forward unto what was known by all wolves as the battlefield. It didnt matter if you were in a pack or by yourself, everyone knew what the battlefield was. And what it was associated with. However; Zayne had a purpose. He was in need of a pack. A search for protection, security, a place he could call home. And perhaps even a place he could curl against another's flank comfortably and at ease with safety. Today marked the day he would leave behind the first part of his life- and start another.

And so with new resolve, the wolf slipped between boulders and tree's alike with grace, his bright green eyes searching for movement of any kind.

She was still growing used to the title of Queen. She didn't particularly enjoy the thrum of power, in fact it made her a touch uneasy. She could recall the leaders of her old pack, how ruthless and bloodthirsty they had been, mercenaries had been a poor disguise to the word murderer that lingered upon the tongue of every man , woman and child she had come across, and make no mistake she had spilled her fare share of blood. Carnage did not describe the distaste of her home. She had no words to describe the horrors she had been brought up to accept, it was only by sheer luck she had managed to escape, to drag her disillusioned mind from that foggy haze. She was thankful for that every day she breathed. in her waning years, she yearned for peace, it was the guiding force that had driven her to join Tortuga, with her lover. A pack of neutrality, uninterested in the customs of others. She could live out the rest of her life with her mate, if Demonio would still have her, in relative comfort. Or so she had thought. Kaien had been an unworthy ruler, yes, but his general distaste for everyone and everything had left his leadership questioned and hated. She had challenged him, willed him to fight her for the throne, the fight had barely begun before he lay forfeit. He had asked for his life to be ended and she had done so. Queen of Tortuga, the pack of misbegotten souls and misfits. It suited her this pack, whether she was meant to rule it... she knew not. The games she would begin upon the morrow. The competition to earn a rank as beta. It was sure to be harsh and emotions were sure to run high but she was looking forward to it, she had come back to the battlefield to pay her last respects for Kaien. Her head would rise and she blinked as she came upon another, fending alone upon this field of carnage. Curiosity ensnared her and she paced forward. "Good day, what brings you so far out into a field such as this?" Desdemona's voice was deep and powerful, but gentle. She had not wanted to scare the male off. Her massive size already made her quite the sight. Reaching nearly forty-two inches and bottoming out at one-seventy, the dame was no figure of grace and beauty, but thick muscle and heavy brawn. She would wait patiently for the males response. Speech,

Zayne filled his lungs deeply. Still no new scent. He took a glance behind him. A few stumps back he saw a battle taking place in the distance, with a wolf standing by watching. He had quickly trotted away from there, and was making sure no one came up behind him since. He quickened his pace again as he leaped over a fallen log. To his surprise a small bush was just over the side growing out of the old tree. Already in midair, he quickly tucked his hind legs closer to his belly to adjust for the extra space. As it was, he cleared all but the far corner of the bush. It scraped against his rear right paw briefly as he landed.

He made sure he was several paces away from the log before he twisted back to look at his hindquarters. Just a small scratch remained on the outer layer of skin. Hardly a wound. But just in case the young wolf swiveled his ears in all directions and delicately sniffed the surrounding air. Who knew what wolves had a sense of smell for a drop of blood. They might make a snack of him (oh he was a funny one wasn't he). After scenting no one, he snorted at himself and continued on. He was merely over reacting. A small scratch wouldn't summon-

The wind suddenly blew straight into his muzzle. He had enough time to smell another wolves scent on the breeze just before a voice broke into his inner musings. It took all of his strength not to jump- instead his hackles raised briefly in surprise as he rotated his head towards where the voice came from. And instantly his hackles lowered as his head sunk down, his tail tucked halfway between his legs.

Before him was one large wolf. Female, but large. Zayne slowly loosened his stiff muscles.The tone of the voice wasn't threatening- actually it was a gentle tone. His startled brain scattered to remember what she had said. A-ah. What brought him.

Zayne licked his muzzle briefly before replying. "Hello ma'm. I'm here to.. find a home. I'm searching for a pack to call my own."

Speech

Dark gray paws gently drummed against the ground as the brute made his way out into the battlefield. Thane didn't like being out here at this time since he didn't know the day of his pups arrival. But along with family came the pack! Aqua blue eyes looked here and there for he had scented a wolf or two here not long ago.

Then did his gaze land on two wolves not too far off. A small smile appeared on his maw for he quit enjoyed meeting new wolves. A shadow was cast over the brute by a golden eagle flying above him. Thane looked up and gave a smile at the eagle, his companion. Cyril was always looking for a way to slightly annoy him wasn't he.

With a small shrug the male came upon the two other wolves. If his nose did not deceive him one was a rogue while the other was from Tortuga. The rogue's only words that had reached his white lined ears were looking for a home.

Thane couldn't resist but to pipe up as well.

"If it is a home of which you seek then I carry information of one."

The golden eagle then swooped down and perched himself on it's master's shoulder.

"Do pardon my manners of intrusion, my name is Thane Tsarev and I come from the pack of Valhalla."

Then the golden eagle spoke his own as well

"My name is Cyril and it is a pleasure to meet you both." he said with a small bow.

Then did Thane turn towards the Tortugan dame and give her a small nod of respect. Out here Thane didn't have anything for politics or packs. Everyone deserved respect no matter who they were or where they came from.

White lined ears perked up as the male looked from the dame to the other brute by the boulders. He would patiently sit on his haunches at a respectful distance and wait for a reply from either of the two wolves.

With one ear twitching, the small wolf tried to find the appropriate stance. Did one sit in front of someone in a pack? Or did he remain standing? His tail swung in uncertainty from where it was still half-hung between his legs. He shifted his weight unto his left side before switching it back to the right, his thoughts all running jumbled together all at once. He didn't know the half of how to act in front of a pact, why hadn't he asked his mother before he left, she was from a real pack before it was dispersed. He shouldn't have been so eager to leave without knowing at least how to act in front of someone with a much higher rank-

Another voice suddenly cut into Zaynes thoughts, causing the scattered train of thoughts to crash to a startled halt. The wolf jerked his head to look at the newcommer, surprise evident in his green eyes. What was it with him and not being able to scent, or hear these wolves before they appeared before him?! Maybe he was too tired, or too full of nerves. That must be it. He usually wasnt this oblivious about his surroundings. Really he wasnt. He wasnt making a good first impression for sure.

Zayne twisted one ear towards the newcomer, but kept one ear on the white dame as he bowed his head slightly to the other in acknowledgement. And- his bird. Stunning bird, too. It was a rare color, at least from what he had seen. It must be special- oh yes, special indeed if it could talk. What was the proper term of address towards a golden talking bird? Oh for the howls of mercy, he should have asked his mother whilst he had the chance! "Greetings. It is nice to meet you. You as well, Sir Cyril. I am Zayne. And yes, I am searching for a home to call my own." Best leave out his last name, it wasn't as impressive sounding like Sir Thanes was.