The Warlord was still in the process of assessing the current abilities of Naiche. He had proven himself to be tenacious and brave. Fighting a bear on the border had also proven him to be wise and not suicidal. Now, he wanted to see how he would do against something of equal or small size to himself. Coyotes were a near-constant pest to the Armada. No matter how many he killed or scared off, they seemed determined to find a way to the skill pile of the pack. It meant that for moments like this, it wasn’t hard to find a nest of them. He had Marshal scout for them prior to calling for Naiche, and was prepared for the test to proceed. Lifting his head to the midday sun, the Warlord called to the brave little wolf. "Speech"

Naiche had been at the sea's plains having plans of finding another sparring partner.  The yellow-coated wolf was looking forward to getting a job so he could be of use to the pack.  For now his job was just to get stronger until something else came up.  Naiche wanted to make sure the next time he was tested that there would be obvious improvement.  He had created all manner of plans to work on until he was given a job.  Learning everything from hunting in the area, to roaming the land till he knew every blade of grass by heart.  He would fight anychance he got.  Never, never would Naiche make a foolish mistake like his sister had.

Plans of a spar were cut off however when he heard Sirius howl.  His ears pricked up, body tense for a moment before he ran to where the tall grass started.  Running was the sort of thing that made one feel alive, the potential to hear if there was work for him to do also brought a sense of extra energy as well. "Sirius?" His eyes skimmed the surrounding in a quick sweep, before looking back to the wolf, "What is it you wish?" The question was kept formal, despite the energy to work more. Hopefully it was work to do or something to learn and surely it was.  The warlord was unlikely to summon him out here to chat about the weather.  Naiche's senses tasted the air and strained for sound.
"Speech"

Naiche appeared in short order, and he nodded his head in greeting to the other man. Stepping towards him, and brushing the scent of Armada and Warlord across the side of the man’s coat. The scent of pack was already beginning to settle on him. He was undeniably a wolf of Sirius. “Today, we are going to clean out a nest of Coyotes. The pests are constantly after the kill pile, and pose a threat to healers, and younger wolves. Are you ready for the challenge?” he asked the wheat-toned wolf. A hint of a smile tugging at the corner of the larger wolfs lips. He didn’t doubt for a moment that Naiche would leap on the challenge. He was already moving away from Naiche’s side, towards the border. Stepping across the invisible scent marker, his eyes moved upwards, looking for a sign from Marshal that he had found such a nest. "Speech"

Was Naiche ready to help? Sure, he had just joined the pack but still Naiche didn’t want to waste any time proving he was useful.  Worthless wolves didn’t deserve to be in a pack.  Some back part of Naiche’s mind would trickle in the logic of Naiche was worthless if he didn’t help.  It wasn’t about how they saw him, it was about how Naiche saw himself.  The young wolf had not taken time to think over that particular truth yet.  
What he knew at this point was his desire for more fighting.  A bunch of cowardly coyotes seemed as good of a spot as any.  This was something he had done before, though it use to be with his entire band instead of just two wolves.  He had been weak and worthless then however, now two was all it would take. “Of course,” the words filled with confidence as he strode to follow just a step behind Sirius.

Naiche had to remind himself this was more than just a fight to enjoy but to protect the pack.  No mistakes allowed.  It was going to feel good ripping into them.  They weren’t pack, this time he could work to truly injure.  He had failed with the bear, but that wouldn’t happen with the coyote. Naiche flicked his eyes up following Sirius gaze.  Naiche wasn’t sure about if he desired some other species as a companion but there was no doubt a bird could come in handy.

As they stepped across the boundary Naiche acknowledged he would need to learn the land outside of the pack land also for details such as this.  Where to find the threats before they found the packland.  Naiche kept his stride matching Sirius to keep just that one step behind him and a stride to the right.  Aiming for that respectful distance yet not too far off.
"Speech"

Naiche was quick to agree, as Sirius knew he would. The young wolf seemed determined to prove and better himself. A trait that the Warlord strongly approved of. He could see the man gaining in the ranks at a steady rate if he continued as he was. Engaging with Armada wolves, training, and learning the ropes. Sirius had observed it all, and was pleased.

Naiche kept to his side, one step behind, and the Warlord acknowledged the subtle, but respective gesture. He didn’t let his eyes linger, taking them back to the skies as he looked for his winged companion. Moving through rogue lands at a predetermined course. Marshal would find him with ease.

When the bird did, giving a soft cry, and circling in the air, Sirius knew he had found something. He turned to Naiche, offering the other a grin, and falling into a ground-eating, ease lope. Chasing after the bird as Marshal led them forward. He slowed when the winged creature landed in the trees. Knowing they were close. “Eyes peeled, they are somewhere ahead of us.” He warned, indicating for Naiche circle slightly further to the side.

This was another chance to show well to Sirius, it was also a chance for some fun.  Somewhere in the back part of his mind it was acknowledged this was also a chance to screw up in front of Sirius, however Naiche was choosing to ignore that whisper for the time being.  Working at a task with another wolf, and one he respected had Naiche feeling more like the 1yr old wolf he was instead of the attempt to always act older.  As long as he didn’t act immature there was no harm in feeling his youth, right?

The bird called out, Sirius grinned and suddenly they were loping.  The grass tickled his legs more as they ran through it, the wind brushing across his face.  Getting to feel this happy again after his time as a loner and the earlier tragedies had Naiche certain he was never leaving this pack.  He would fight to a dying breath to stay with his new family.  

Naiche copied Sirius movements once he slowed.  The wheat-coated wolf didn’t speak but just gave a sharp nod at Sirius words, reangling his body about a 90degree angle.  Like a douse of cold water to the face Naiche remembered working with his family to hunt together and where that had gotten them.  The memory was pushed aside but so was the eagerness.  He still wanted to hunt but it had become a serious matter.  Hunting in a group meant mutual trust.  He would not make a wrong step and betray trust.  

Moons and stars, Naiche wanted to rush in and was forcing his spring-loaded muscles to wait.  
"Speech"

The formation was a standard one, and the two wolves worked almost seamlessly as they created the killing ground. Marshal remained above, making himself useful as a scout as he gave the occasional cry. The predetermined signals telling Sirius their numbers. The cool evening wind brushed through his muscles as he found his spot. Turning to Naiche once more, and confirming he was in position, he gave a sharp nod. Expecting the wolf to understand the signal, the Warlord leaped forward. The coyotes, eating the remains of a kill left behind by some more able-bodied predator, began to scramble. Surprise already on his side, and now redundant, the Warlord roared. Working his lungs heard to create a noise worthy of his size and stature. The chaos increased, as the creatures panicked. Those that ran into the trap that was Naiche, he would trust his companion to deal with. Those that chose to flee, he allowed to leave. He hoped they would remember this lesson. The ones that chose to defend their prize, he would attack. He leaped onto the body of once such creature, crushing it beneath his superior size. "Speech"

Naiche remembered his last group hunt and how terribly it had ended.  This time he was hunting with someone far more dangerous than his parents had been.  This was also not a stampeding herd but some coyotes that should be much easier to handle.  The wind brushing his fur aside was a welcome touch to help keep his mind focused on the moment and away from those memories.

Naiche well understood the nod and leapt out at the same time, focusing his gaze on the coyote that had swerved closest to his direction Naiche bared down on it.  This was a creature Naiche could fight head on, something smaller and far less intimidating than Sirius.  When the coyote saw it was charging close to Naiche it tried to peel off.  It was too late.

Naiche was grateful for the coyote trying to get away as it gave Naiche the chance for first strike.  The first hit was just its shoulder muscle, which had the coyote spinning its body around trying to protect itself facing off.  Naiche felt the coyote teeth graze his shoulder but it was hesitant to lunge in far enough.

The coyote was smaller than Naiche and after fighting Sirius that felt pretty damn good.  He couldn’t crush the coyotes the way Sirius could but it was still a great advantage. Naiche lunged in while the coyote was still in close, biting where head met neck, right behind the ear.  He didn’t bother trying to keep a gripe but just crunched down before letting go to avoid a counter attack.  The coyote started to run again and Naiche charged after it but as it appeared to be getting away Naiche turned his attention on one that hadn’t fled quite as fast.

This time Naiche was smarter, as it ran he caught the back leg, thrashing his head causing the coyote to fall.  When the coyote tried to attack back Naiche went for a different leg.  He stopped long enough to see if any other coyotes were nearby but either Sirius had taken those down or they had fled.  His last coyote wouldn’t survive even if he let it go.  Naiche didn’t expect it would die from blood loss but inability to hunt or defend itself.  

For a heartbeat he thought of continuing the fight, a mercy killing.  The coyote was injured but it still had the ability to attack and since it couldn’t run there would be no hesitation in fighting back.  Naiche let it escape so it could die alone and looked back to see how many Sirius had killed.  How could the warlord not easily destroy these creatures with the enormous size and strength difference?  Hopefully Sirius hadn’t been expecting him to kill all he fought.
"Speech"

Sadly for Sirius, the coyotes were less inclined to get anywhere near the large wolf. After crushing one beneath his towering form, and slicing its throat with his fangs to ensure its death, it was difficult to catch another. They moved quick and nimble, on the defensive more than the offensive.

He heard the sounds of Naiche taking on a few opponents of his own, but otherwise the Warlord kept an eye on the abandoned food and Naiche’s flank. As the last coyote limped away with all speed, the Warlord approached his wolf, clapping him on the shoulder with a paw. “You did well Naiche, I think you got in more shots then I did. Nimble buggers. Let's take this kill back and dump it in the kill pile. Leaving it here will just tempt them to return.” If he wanted to catch more next time, he would have to position his companions in their exit points to ward them off. The heavy-set Warlord didn’t have the same speed to hunt them through trees. In an open field and time to gain speed, he could catch them. He just needed a few extra moments to get up to speed.

Naiche’s tail was raised even with his body with a relaxed curve to it, a slow swishing back to side from the fun of the hunt, and admittedly perhaps somewhat from Sirius’ praise.  “Lot of things I’m still not great at,” Naiche admitted but with a hint of pride added, “but I’m pretty fast.”  He had a right to claim something good about himself after all!  

Naiche nodded at Sirius mention of his kill, heading over towards it.  This is what could happen to a small predator that faced the warlords wraith.  Sure, the coyotes were smaller than Naiche but it was still quite the sight.  It was obvious where Sirius had landed on top of it and smashed its body, along with where the throat had been clearly slashed through.  Naiche had no intention to ever challenge Sirius to a true fight. “I may have got more shots in, but you’re the one who got in a fast kill.” Naiche wasn’t upset at himself for not killing this time since it had been about getting rid of them, but he was still impressed with how easy it all was for Sirius.  Those fangs and size were impressive tools.

Naiche reached down, grabbing the dead coyote by its scruff to lift up so the top half of the corpse was off the ground.  It was already lighter than when it was alive, at least he assumed it was lighter.  Plenty of its blood was already soaking into the dirt and staining the blades of grass. It was placed down a moment later as the thought occurred, "Is there anyone in the pack who has bested you in a spar thus far?" It was hard to imagine the idea of the warlord losing a battle, but Naiche was curious of who could damage this giant and how long ago it was.  He would love to beat Sirius someday in a spar, but that was as far as the smaller wolf ever wanted to go.  Naiche decided right then he would beat Sirius some time in a spar, he'd ask for another chance in a month or so.  After all, in a spar Sirius had to hold back to not kill so it wasn't impossible.
"Speech"

[/b][/color]

His companion took charge of the dead, and Sirius gave the area another slow scan. There was no hint of hide or hair from the beasts. They had fled far and fast after their violent attack. As Naiche admired the flattened corpse, the Warlod had wondered a short distance away. Still well in ear shot, just taking his time to give his senses a good scan of the place.

At his wolfs question, he gave a soft, barked laugh "Zee fended me off in a fight. Resin gave me a smack down when I was in a blood rage. A wolf smaller then you, a healer got in a shot at my tenders before I knew what hit me. I was down and out before the fight began. Otherwise? I win perhaps 80-90% of my battles. Its a hard lesson to learn, even the best wolf can lose in the right circumstances, with the right bad luck." He pointed out carefully.

The coyote was small enough that Naiche coukd carry it with ease, but if he looked like he was flagging, the Warlord would take over.