((Liquid timing set to the day of the challenge))

Recluse was sore, she was moving but it was slow and shambling, and more than physically she was destroyed emotionally. She'd been forced to trust her older children could handle themselves, she had to get to her husband, had to get to her youngest litter, they could not be allowed to be found by the bitch. But it was killing her, she had been able to smell the blood that wasn't her own or Medusa's but everything had been a blur. She'd passed out briefly, just enough, Medusa had taken her throne when Recluse's own body had failed her and it had all moved too quickly. She had prayed her children were smart enough to understand what she'd meant, that they'd scatter to the winds and make it so if the bitch wanted to hold them hostage she'd have to overextend herself, have to spread herself too thin to keep them, make her reign a living hell, never be where Medusa wanted them to. She could not know that her sons had fucked up some of their own survivability, could not know that Mac's leg had been shattered while she'd been fighting, by his own stupidity. She'd learn it soon enough when she made her way to the Armada but for now, she could only hope that her children would run. That was what her youngest would need to do, but she had to be there to help them do it, had to tell her husband. She had a thought, had a place she hoped to take them for their safety but that would come once she could drag herself there. The woman had not dared go back to Habari to get Eraithus' scent, dared not let herself get close to those lands. Galho had taken wing to try and spot the man and he'd taken to leading the shambling woman, but it was such a long walk on a body so battered, and the adrenaline was slipping out of her blood and the exhaustion was setting in. She shuffled her way up the slope and knew she wouldn't make it all the way up, her legs giving out from under her and Recluse let lose a yelp, she dared not howl, dared not risk giving her youngest's location away, but she could not help the sound of pain, of panic, of a deep fear from escaping her lungs. She could only hope Eraithus was close and would hear her. "Speech" Think

Art by Ulfeid3

Keep them safe. this challenge couldnt have come at a more inconvient time for him. Pups were vulnerable and a takeover could result in worst these pups being taken from them as war prisoners. It was not easy for the man to feel distain towards parties opposite of his. Perhaps because he grew up in a pack who didnt have any immidiate neighbors. Yet that didnt matter. Eraithus was angry. what had they done to medusa? Hed heard stories of her journey, the broken toes, but he had tried. Eraithus had been civil, even tried to help make Medusa feel like she could be a part of Habari despite her flaws. Eraithus paws flexed his muscles under his body rippling in frustration.

But never did he consider that Recluse would lose her throne. Had he perhaps grew too complacent and soft? Eraithus had made quick work making a temporary den. Voodoos scent still remained from her help and their chat... it made him realize that this was the time better then any to step up for his family. He would protect them at the cost of his life.

His antler armor lay on his shoulders as he had watched the whelps until they finally drifted to sleep despite their anxiety and confusion. Though he wasnt sure... how asleep... they were. His ears rang with the soft sound of Recluses pained yelp. The man quickly removed himself from the shadows of the underground den hed dug out underneath some cover near the cliffs. Immidiately he ran towards her.

"Theyre safe." he began looking over his wife. This much distress meant one thing. "What do you wish to do love?" Eraithus stood tall, a glimmer in his eye that normally didnt show, hatred and determination spreading out in his emotions. "I swear Ill give Medusa whats coming to her, I want to suggest perhaps Auster is a good idea for us to go to protect the pups for now." the edge of his tail twitched. Train. He had to get stronger he felt too weak too out of control in a life hed grown to like.