The pair engaged in a bit of small talk as they went, though Belle felt more like she was walking on clouds than the red stone. Being so close in the silence of the night, enjoying her at her side under the smoke and ash. The star cover was starting to come back in gaps behind the thick sky covering. Summer was on the way though, and soon enough the land would return to its former glory.

Io answered that she did indeed take her patrols, Deathbelle wasn’t sure how to feel. She knew that feeling possessive about Io was not healthy, plus Sirius did enough of that for the both of them. Belle sighed to herself, trusting that the dainty woman could take care of herself. If anything happened to her..

Deathbelle’s train of thought was interrupted, the sound of coyotes howling at the sands that lapped at the edge of the rocks. Belle stopped, ears erect as she instinctively pushed ahead of Io a step, her senses alight. Suddenly another voice broke out clearly from within the territory itself. Deathbelle felt her hackles raise and her body instinctively fall into a defensive stance. ”I think we have company.” She whispered as eyes ears and nose searched for their opponents.

Suddenly from around a bend in the rocks three coyotes rounded and ran straight for the pair of she wolves. At the same time, like they were boiling up from the sand, two more appeared on the opposite side. Deathbelle cursed, but readied herself for a rough battle. ”Io, get somewhere safe.” Thistle the short eared owl had been keeping an eye from the sky, she swooped down and landed on Belle’s shoulder, ready to join in the foray.

fight a coyote pack round 1/3

The pair chatted a bit but walked on in a comfortable silence. It seemed as though that silence wouldn't last long however. A blast of coyote call rent the silence of the night. Iolaire stopped in her tracks. Not tonight... Not now... They'd had such a good evening. She knew that she should have insisted they stay. She'd had a feeling and she ignored it. Whatever happened, Iolaire would feel guilt over it.

Coyotes came out of the woodwork. They were of a similar size with Iolaire. Some looked even bigger. Belle told her to hide and Iolaire scoffed. She wouldn't leave Deathbelle to fight them alone. "Never." The woman shrugged out of her pack to give herself free range of motion. She lowered her neck, skull even with her spine. Her pelt stood on end, making her appear larger. Blackened lips peeled back from pure white teeth and she released a guttural snarl. Inside she was scared to death. Outwardly, she was a fierce, albeit tiny, beast.

They were outnumbered almost three to one, they weren’t going to make it out without injury. Still, Deathbelle tried to put her larger body between Io and the coyotes, however good it felt to have her companion refuse to leave her side. She gave her own quick call into the night, but she was already sure they wouldn’t get any help until it was over or too late.

”If you insist.” There wasn’t anymore time to worry about her love. ”Take the pair, I’ll try and keep the trio.” She told her as Thistle leapt from her shoulder and aimed her sharp talons at the first coyote’s face. It was enough of a distraction Deathbelle was able to grasp hold of its throat as her chest slammed against its body. She crushed the creature’s windpipe and it went limp in her grasp. The other two coyotes had time to attack though.

From both side of her they bit at her front legs and shoulders. Deathbelle shook the body in her mouth, hitting both live ones enough that she could evade more of their abuse. Her fur already splattered in blood. She turned to the next one while Thistle aimed to distract the third. Belle again aimed for the throat but this one was ready it grabbed the side of her face as her jaws clasped at the base of its jaw. She felt her own sensitive skin break and pour blood but at the same time his jugular gave way. Blood filled her mouth with satisfaction. One more, she spared her attention to make sure Iolaire wasn’t overwhelmed.

fight coyote pack round 2/3

Things were not going well. Deathbelle told her to take the pair while she kept the trio at bay. Iolaire was fairly certain that she couldn't kill the coyotes, but perhaps she could maim them and make them retreat. The sounds of battle rang in her ears and she tried to block it out. She needed to focus, but gods was she worried about Belle.

The first coyote rushed her and Iolaire leapt out of its way. As it skidded past, she turned and snapped at its haunches with small, sharp teeth. The taste of blood lay heavy on her tongue and she was surprised that she'd done some damage. Really, she expected to have bitten her own tongue instead, but it definitely wasn't her blood. As she turned to keep her eyes on the second coyote, it was already barrelling towards her, mouth open wide. Teeth snapped down, raking her muzzle and Iolaire screamed aloud. Not because of the pain, but because she was going to scar. She was going to be hideous. Jerking her face free, she lunged forward, snapping at the beasts face in turn.

She needed to keep eyes on both coyotes so she drew back, shaking her head. Flecks of blood spattered the ground around her and panic started to kick in. She was going to be ugly. If any sin clung to Iolaire, it was vanity. Green and gold eyes began to fill with tears. Fuck... she had no time for crying. Spinning, she lunged for one of the two canids. Teeth found flesh, ripping into the side of one's neck. She flung her head back and forth, tearing as much as she could. The coyote squealed in pain, jerked itself from her grip, and went tearing off into the night.

Deathbelle turned to help Iolaire as she screamed, the Empress couldn’t help herself. Her heart had nearly dropped out of her chest at the distress in her tone. As Deathbelle lurched to her rescue the third coyote batted Thistle out of the way and went for the Empress’s delicate legs. The Empress couldn’t stop in time and tripped over the shaggy beast. All she was able to see before being forced back into battle with the last of her assigned vermin was one of his fellows racing away into the night.

Deathbelle clawed at the coyote as it got close, her sharper than any normal wolf’s claws raked through the creatures soft nose tissue. It screamed in pain and followed its fellow back into the wilderness and Belle could focus on the last of them. It knew it was the last one, and as its eyes shifted from she wolf to she wolf it decided its time was better spent alive. With one last hesitating glance the coyote made its retreat.

They had won, but not without their own injuries. Her shoulders were covered in stinging bite wounds. Now that the battle was finished and her adrenaline tap shut off she could feel the pain much more clearly. However, her main concern was Iolaire. Lilac gaze searched for her partner and the Empress swiftly found her side again. ”You’re hurt.” She said wit a whine as though she hadn’t sustained injury herself. ”I’m so sorry, Io.” She shouldn’t have brought the woman with her, if she hadn’t she would still be whole. ”May I see to it?”

Fought coyote pack 3/3

The last of the coyotes tucked tail and ran off. It was over. Sort of. Iolaire stood still, her body shaking with panic and fury. Of all places, it had bitten her fucking face! She should have been more careful. She should have insisted that they stay in the cavern. This was what she got for not trusting her instincts.

Deathbelle approached, saying her name quietly and Iolaire moved off. "Don't look at me. My face is ruined." A bit of the spoiled brat princess was coming out. Her looks were ruined so her life was over. Her confidence would be gone. No one would ever want her. There was nothing left to live for.

The panic subsided just enough that she remembered Deathbelle was injured as well. She wouldn't look the woman in the face and she wouldn't raise her head enough so that Belle could get a good look at her wounds, but she was intent on treating the wounds upon her. "Stand still. Let me treat your wounds." She went to fetch the pack that she'd dropped. It had been flecked with blood when the coyotes fled. Ugh... one more thing to deal with.

Iolaire might have taken the scenario to heart and blamed herself for the mess. However, Deathbelle was the ne truly to blame. Io had been so content curled up on the furs, she never should have suggested a walk. Mismatched ears lay on her skull as she approached the dainty dame, her emotions obvious in her stance and expression.

Though she was quickly forbidden from looking after her features. Deathbelle recoiled, having not expected the reaction at all. She whined softly, trying to be supportive and knowing deep down it was not Io’s looks that drew them together. Not that she would believe her lover marred anyway, Iolaire didn’t see it that way. She did seem to find her senses, enough that she knew she needed to see to the Empress.

Their new bangles were covered in blood, but despite Io’s panic about her injuries Deathbelle liked it that way. She was a warrior princess, she and Sirius had been in too many scraps to count. Deathbelle did as she was told, though she didn’t like it. ”Io, scars don’t bother me, you’re beautiful no matter.” She tried to be supportive as the smaller woman grabbed her sack. Belle was too worried about the tiny healer to give much thought to her own bleeding wounds. ”Let me help you, if we’re quick we can prevent them.” She whined softly. Facial wounds bled a lot but that was no indication of how serious they really were.

"Well they bother me." The woman's tone was still panicked. She was almost in a state of shock. As she removed the necessary items from her bag, Deathbelle offered to help her in return. Iolaire's nose wrinkled and she fought a growl. Was this funny to her? Had she not already said that she didn't want to be seen? "No. I don't want you to look at me." She would tend to her own wounds once she was near some water so that she might see the horrific damage done. Belle wouldn't be touching them.

Careful to keep her face in shadow, her chin tucked, Iolaire set about cleaning Belle's wounds. She worked the deepest of them first, careful to rid them of any clinging dirt and debris. Once done, she placed cats claw, yarrow, turmeric and a few other herbs within the small dish that she kept within her bag. The yarrow root, she chewed, masticating the bitter herb between her teeth. Saliva would begin to break down the root and would allow the other items to be mixed in properly. Once the herbs were mashed into a paste, Iolaire added a dollop of honey which would act as an antimicrobial, antibacterial layer. She placed a bit of the concoction upon each wound, whether it be a tear, a small puncture from a tooth, or a mild abrasion. No matter her state of mind, Io was good at what she did.

Belle didn’t hide her feeling of being hurt as she was roughly denied a second time to attend her wounds. Iolaire was more than serious, and possibly a little hysterical, but the Empress still had her feelings hurt. She felt a deep need to care for the dainty she wolf and being denied it was cruel. She grit her teeth, but not from the pain of her wounds being cleaned.

”As you wish.” Deathbelle returned softly as mismatched ears clung to her skull. She remained silent and watched Iolaire’s work but kept her promise of keeping her lilac gaze off of her. Sirius was going to kill her for allowing Io to be injured, but she was already eating herself up. Belle was scared mostly, afraid Io would never look at her again. Would never forgive her for allowing this to happen.

She didn’t know what to say, and hated how she felt. She remained quiet, uncertain of her future with the dainty healer. Deathbelle held herself together, wanting so badly to offer her support to Io and her excellent work. ”Thank you,” Belle whispered as Io neared the end of her work.

Deathbelle may have blamed herself, but Iolaire held no blame for her at all. She blamed herself for not following her gut. Now look at them both. It was her fault that Belle was injured. The woman may not have cared about scars, but the larger wolf would most likely have them and Iolaire wasn't okay with that. Unnecessary injury. It could all have been avoided.

Io continued to tend to Belle's wounds. She inspected them again and again, her mind in a state of panicked fervor. She needed to make sure that Deathbelle was okay so that she could run away and never show her face again. Her mind in an overly dramatic state, Iolaire planned on crawling in a hole and dying. She was ugly now. Without her looks, she had nothing. Absolutely nothing. For the rest of her life, she would doubt the sincerity of others. They were just being nice because she was ugly. Poor girl.

She had to look up just a bit more than she was comfortable with to tend to the wounds on Belle's face. Her body began to shake slightly as she hurried to apply the mixture to the bites. The blood upon her own face was drying and beginning to itch a bit. She needed to go, but not until she finished. Belle thanked her and all Io could do was grunt in reply. She was terribly uncomfortable.

The Empress remained silent as Iolaire worked, though she continued to ache with a need to make her better. She refrained from whining like a spoiled puppy, and stood still as she was worked on. Io’s touch was gentle, practiced, and Deathbelle nary flinched throughout the procedure.

She wasn’t so caught up in her own terrors that she didn’t fail to notice Iolaire’s drastic change in behavior. She was shaking, she was manic, and Deathbelle couldn’t do anything. Her heart beat heavily in her chest with frustration as she averted her lilac gaze. She caught a glimpse of Io’s features as she tended the delicate skin of the Empress’s face.

”I am fine, Io.” She reassured her softly but kept the normal affection from her voice. She was serious, and knew if the woman wouldn’t allow her to tend that she needed to go and do so herself. ”Go.” It was the first command Deathbelle had issues to her friend. ”Tend yourself.” To prove her point Belle stepped back from her ailing love and tossed her head in dismissal. She hated doing it, and knew the frustration with the situation would linger long after Iolaire disappeared.

As Iolaire was tending to the last of the wounds, Deathbelle stepped back. 'I'm fine. Go tend to yourself.' Iolaire blinked once, then turned and walked away at a fast clip. Soon the darkness would absorb her small frame. She had no fear that anything would happen to Belle on her way back to her pack. The bad thing of the day had already happened, after all.

Walking through the darkness on her own was helping a bit and hurting a bit. On her own, she was beginning to calk down since she didn't have to worry about having someone look at her face. Also, on her own... she was realizing just how much of a selfish asshole she had been. Belle couldn't understand though. In a sense, the larger woman's life had been given to her. She had been born into a ruling lineage. Events had worked out just right and she had been placed in charge. Iolaire, on the other hand, had had to fight for everything that she had. She fought for her position, she fought for her skill. Her good looks had played a large part in that fight. She relied upon them heavily. If they were gone...

With a groan, Iolaire altered her course. She wouldn't go back to the Armada just yet. Not until she assessed her injuries thoroughly in the daylight. Tonight she would bed down next to a stream. In the morning, she would deal with her face.

Iolaire seemed to have already distance herself from her body, Deathbelle was given one more glance at her enchanting gaze and then she was gone. Belle whined softly to herself as the woman disappeared into the trees and she was left alone again. The Empress remained there for a long time, the night continued on around her as she sat silently on the red stone. She wondered if there was any way she could have prevented this, to keep Io safe instead. The Empress struggled to face her failures, and eventually lifted herself from the earth to return to the den she shared with her growing pups. She couldn’t dwell on Io and her actions, she had to continue to lead and that meant going forward.