Lament wasn’t much of a hunter, but he wanted to do more to contribute to Ashen. He had made his bed with this pack, and he was determined to see it through the best he could. It was a short swim to Weeping woods. He touched Armada lands only the barest minimum to make it to land, and head back out of their territory once more. He understood that his presence was allowed, but it seemed wrong to enter without announcing himself. Moving on, he explored the Weeping Woods, catching samples of its scents as he sought prey that would be easy to carry back with him to pack lands. He had with him rope made from flax that he would use to tie more than one kill together in a string. Tucked tightly into his new bracers, and ready to roll out. All he needed now was the prey itself. With careful, quiet steps, he moved through the swampy land. "Speech"

Hikaru had his rank and he had his tasks. The boy could finally start to say that he was part of the pack, he was an integral member and jumped right into whatever was asked of him. He had a new apprentice, a few extra projects from his alpha, and he could relax every evening with his best friend. There wasn’t much that could make life much better except perhaps the Spring season to warm his bones.

Until then Hikari continued moving, patrolling the border and finding a familiar trail. Lament, the Ashen warrior was ahead of him. His pale form followed after and he was glad that he did. Once he saw the flame pointed male he was quick to see the tiger behind him. ”Lament! Watch out!” Kaiyo raced forward, hopeful to get to the wolf before the cat did.

A sharp voice broke the silence, and Lament spun on his back paws. The urgency hitting him before the meaning, and his teeth already bared in warning. As he finished his spin, he would see the tiger. Behind the great shape of that predator was Hikaru. Lament was sure he had been around equal height to the white wolf last they had met, but now the fire-marked wolf was clearly the taller. No time to dwell, the tiger still had size over all of them. Of all the wolves in the land, he had got Hikaru. One of the few wolves he knew instinctively had his back. He leaped to the side, the tiger had begun to barrel towards him the moment the Armada wolf had called out. He missed the initial strike of the beast, and found his footing again. “Shit.” he breathed, his face still holding its composure. Where the hell had it come from, anyway? “Any tips for fighting a tiger?’ he called out, hoping one of them had some experience. "Speech"

Hikaru called out just in time for Lament to keep himself from being disemboweled. The winter had been harsh, all the prey species were holed up or headed south to feed themselves. Predators were feeling the pressure, and this one thought it could take advantage of the wolves. The packs had young, something like this so close to home was a clear danger to all of them but especially the pups.

The boy didn’t hesitate to race forward to do his duty, to prove to his pack he was devoted. And mostly so he could make Mortis proud. Hika aimed to take the tiger’s attention while Lament got his footing back underneath him. Thankfully this was a young female and she wasn’t much heavier than Lament himself. Who was looking.. Taller? Hika wasn’t sure he was too busy dodging massive tiger claws.

”Uh, don’t let her claw you!” He decided was the best Lament was going to get from him. The tiger hissed in agreement as she leapt at the koi marked yearling.

Lament, caught by surprise, chuckled under his breath. Despite the gravity of the situation, and keeping himself moving across the impromptu battlefield. The cat was deciding on her target, and her eyes fell upon Hikaru. As it leapt for Hikaru, he came in at her side. Swiping at her back paws to knock her off balance. He did not want the great beast landing on his younger friend. His claws scratched against fur, but his arm was far enough in her way to create a problem. Her knees smacked into his paw with a bone-jittering impact. It shoved him to his side, and she fell half on top of him, her jump cut off. He dug his jaws into her side, digging in with his saber fangs as hard as he could. He trusted in his companion, that Hikaru would create a distraction or help keep her jaws out of his throat while he was compromised. In the meantime, he wanted to inflict as much damage as he could. "Speech"

Lament’s teeth pierced the cat’s pelt and Hikaru was spared his face getting claws by the dangerous beast. He pivoted and returned his attention to offense as she screamed in pain. Blood flowed and before she could turn on Lament Hikaru was there. Surprised and injured the tiger was quickly convinced she didn’t wish to tango anymore. Hika snapped his jaws as the tigress struggled free of Lament’s grasp. Her twisting and turning motions tearing her pelt but freeing her from death’s embrace.

Hikaru went to chase her, to make sure she wasn’t welcome anywhere near the Ashen Empire. He barked, he growled, he bit at her heels to prove his point. Then she was gone, as though they’d never even been faced with such a deadly beast. Hika turned back to Lament, hoping he was unscathed.

He wasn’t trapped beneath the tiger for long, as Hikaru pressed the offensive, the cat decided she had enough. Fitting to disentangle herself, the Ademe made her work for it. Leaving behind bits of flesh and fur, she tore herself free and Lament dragged himself to his paws. Feeling more than a little squished, he hid the pain and bared his teeth. He didn’t chase as far as Hikaru, but he didn’t let the white wolf out of his sight, either. In case the cat thought it would be an opportune moment to turn on the wolf well he was alone. With Hika’s threats, it picked up speed and high-tailed it out of there. Gone. he turned to Hika, and grinned with his paw, before padding closer. “Your time is excellent, Hikaru” "Speech"