Basilisk looked about the castle with curiosity, feeling a little out of place as Seer and Art wondered off, his grandfather giving him a stern ‘Behave!’ as he did so. He was surprised to learn that Halo new someone in the Hallows too, and vaguely recognised the healer girl she went to chat with. Leaving Basilisk to his own devices. He had a nosy around the outer walls, and found the view onto the lands below.

His eyes fell on a bone graveyard and he just about did a double take. He had never seen anything like it! There were bones bigger than he was out there. He glanced about himself, wondering if anyone would protest to him leaving pack lands… his grandfather hadn’t exactly prohibited it, right?

WC: 130


"Speech"

Where Basilisk might not have been explicitly told not to leave the castle walls, Juniper had been told to remain inside th safety of the castle. But that was just so booooring! The gardens were pretty and all, and the flowers smelled nice, but Juniper wanted to wander. She wanted to roam and run and explore! Kept inside the castle walls... well, that was just a bigger corral, but a corral nonetheless. Huffing with disappointment, Juniper traipsed around the castle courtyard, looking for something to entertain herself with. She was still very small, and as such couldn't travel very far very fast, or climb the stairs with ease up into the castle or the walls. Perhaps her parents had thought that would dissuade her from roaming where she shouldn't. They clearly didn't know Juniper very well if that was the case.

Taking a cautionary glance back over her shoulder to make sure her mother and father weren't right there watching her, the little pup stricken with wanderlust hurried out of the castle gates and out into the vast plains surrounding the castle. She gazed around in awe of the splendor of the sunbathed fields surrounding her. A bright, wide grin stretched over her lips, and without an ounce of trepidation or hesitation, Juniper began to meander out through the soft spring grasses in no particular direction, enjoying the way they parted and bend around her. The sun warmed her dark coat and the air smelled fresh, hinted with fresh spring buds and the salt of the nearby sea. Little legs moved leisurely while she headed south, just taking in the sights and smells and sounds all around her. This was so much better than being stuck in the castle!

WC: 289
Total: 419 / 1500

"Juniper of the Sea"

As he eyed the ridge, he saw the tiniest little form sneak out of the castle and in the general direction of the fossils. So tiny she was just about a blur in his vision. He squinted in confusion. That was a pup, it had to be. The tiniest little ball of fuzz he had ever seen. And she was heading out the pack lands! Did the Hallow wolves know?

Determined to figure out who or what it was, he raced back down the steps. Easily taking them three at a time with his long legs as he made his way off the wall and to the entrance of the territory. He slipped out of the outside walls and made his way towards the fossil ridge. He had already lost sight of the creature, it was so small he couldn’t see it without the vantage point.

“Heeeere kitty kitty” he said, half joking as he looked about for any sign of silver balls of fuzz. Heck. Was it even a wolf he was looking for? Did wolves come that small?

WC: 182
total: 601


"Speech"

Despite her small stature, Juniper had stamina for days, and it took her no time at all to wander far enough south to find herself heading up a hill. Eager to see what she could see from the top, she trudged through the grass until she reached the crest, gazing down and around at the valley of craggy ridges around her. Bones from all different sorts of animals she didn't recognize littered the ground, many sticking up from the dry earth, some scattered around from recently decayed corpses. She'd never seen anything like this before! Gaping in awe, the little girl wandered along the top of the ridge line, careful with her footing so as not to fall, but wanting to take a closer look down into the barren lands below.

As she was exploring, the sound of heavy footfalls crushing through the grass behind her caught her attention. Tiny ebony ears pricked up atop her head, and large mint green eyes peered back the way she came to spot a large black and blue marked wolf coming from the Hallows. She didn't recognize him, nor did he smell like the pack, so she crouched lower in the grasses, watching while he began sniffing about, searching for something. Then the male's voice rang out, shockingly youthful for his size, calling out for a kitty. Well that was bizarre... Why was he looking for a cat out here? There weren't any cats that she could see. Oh, wait... no, there was one!

Rising up from the grass and approaching the giant wolf, Juniper cleared her throat to get his attention, then pointed with a tiny paw past him. "Hey! Is that the kitty you're looking for?" she asked, gesturing to the tiger crouched low in the tall grasses that bordered the edge of the ridges and the plains. Barely visible, same for the flashes of orange against the verdant green grasses. The tiger was silent, just watching the two wolves, studying them, perhaps sizing them up to determine whether they would be a viable meal or a quick means of entertainment. Juniper had heard tales of large cats from her parents, and stories of how they'd both fought and defeated them before in the past—especially her mother.

Wanting to be just like Tamsyn, Juniper got a bold gleam in her eyes and puffed out her chest, taking a few steps in the direction of the tiger. "C'mon, I'll back you up if you wanna fight it!" June took a squared off stance and began giving barely threatening puppy growls to the tiger, which the big cat responded to with deep, rumbling growls of its own, threatening the two canines to back off or face the consequences. Knowing no fear, Juniper held her ground beside the giant wolf, growling louder, emboldened by the presence of the other wolf. At least, she did until even more growls began to sound behind them, and a second tiger slowly crept up on them.

WC: 500
Total: 1101 / 1500

"Juniper of the Sea"

He jumped a little in surprise when the teeny-tiny form suddenly appeared like magic beside him. Clearing her throat, and catching his attention. He squinted, and lowered his head towards the tiny thing. What was she, like a day old? How on earth had she made her way out here? She was definitely a wolf, if very weird sized for one.

At her words, he glanced in the direction she had pointed. He had meant her but there really was a cat here. Not just any cat, but a tiger his eyes widened in surprise, and he remembered what Artorias had said to him at the border. How he reckoned Bas was mauling tigers all on his own. And here one was! It was like fate. He scoffed at the tiny wolf at his feet. “You wouldn’t even be one bite to him, but if you wanted to hop on my back, you could probably reach a few tender spots” he grinned with youthful confidence. When did he ever lose a fight, anyway?


WC: 179
total: 1280


"Speech"

The giant wolf's surprise when she suddenly appeared had gone mostly unnoticed by the small child, who was far more interested in the two large predatory cats stalking them like they were easy prey. Though her body was small, her spirit was large and indomitable. She felt no fear facing off with the tigers. After all, she'd never encountered danger or had her life in jeopardy before, so why would she be afraid now? Danger meant nothing to the tiny pup. The giant boy looming over her scoffed and teased her for her size, something that made Juniper's fur bristle along her back while she shot a glower up at him. "If they even see me. You didn't," she snapped back as she pointed out how she'd managed to evade his detection too. It was equally as likely that the tigers didn't even notice her and instead just saw a young, lone wolf out on the plains—an easy kill for two apex predators. Juniper guessed she would just have to help protect the large wolf from becoming kitty chow!

He offered to let her up on his back to get some easier bites in on their opponents and Juniper didn't hesitate. "Down, boy!" she commanded the larger wolf, ignoring the look he would inevitably give her until he had crouched down just enough to her to clamber up onto his back. However, as he did, the tigers took it as a show of surrender and rushed in to attack, taking advantage of the wolf's vulnerability. The one from the front attacked first, lunging in towards the two wolves with deadly claws and lethal fangs bared to kill.

WC: 278
Total: 1558 / 1500

"Juniper of the Sea"

Basilisk brows twitched at the tiny wolf's grumpiness. He hadn’t been poking fun, he was being very honest. She was barely one bite, two, at max! As he contemplated her for a moment, she barked an order. Every bit as commanding as his father, and equally certain she was going to be obeyed. Hiding a grin behind a twitch, he lowered himself to the ground. Amused by this prickly tiny creature.

So preoccupied by Juniper, he almost missed the tigers coming in hot. He let out a surprised yelp and sprang back to his paws, pup on his back. He set his hackles up and fell into a defensive posture. Very much aware of the precious cargo that smelled like Tamsyn and Hallows on his back. He let out a snarl as the tigers flanked him. He got in a swipe to one on his right, and the one on the left took the opening, lunging at the large puppy.

"Speech"

The giant wolf’s amusement at her fiery demeanor was ultimately ignored by tiny Juniper, who still saw herself as larger than life and more than ready to take on a few measly tigers! This was about cooperation and epic combat! No sooner had the hulking boy lowered himself to climb atop his back, Juniper secured her position between his broad shoulder blades just in time to catch a glimpse of the closest tiger leaping to take a swipe at the strange wolf. "Watch out!" she shouted to her noble steed. Basilisk was already reacting to the threat, rearing back and lashing out with deadly claws at the flank of the massive cat.

Juniper cheered from atop Basilisk, gripping tiny clawed paws into his thick fur to maintain her hold. The tiger he attacked yowled and began to circle around the wolves again—but it’s partner was already coming at Bas’ other side. "The left!" Juniper called out to Basilisk as the second tiger lunged in with sharp claws extended to slash at the dire wolf’s thigh, Juniper already gripping tighter to her mount in preparation for impact.

"Juniper of the Sea"

Basilisk grunted and shifted his back to the side, dodging only part of the blow. Softening it as he took the claws to his side. He turned his face to the left tiger, snarling angrily as he feigned a strike forward, but it didn’t shy as he had expected it to. He was too accustomed to fighting with the likes of Sirius and Azure at his side. It wasn’t him they were frightened of, not yet. It opened his fangs and he felt its breath across his nose.

At the same instant, he felt a swipe at his back paw, almost toppling him over as the right tiger snuck up behind them. It was then that Basilisk realised just how utterly and completely screwed they were. He let out a howl, hoping someone would hear him as he swiped at the tiger in front of him, and kicked out at the one behind him. Hoping his precious cargo was holding on tight. The one behind snagged the paw he kicked and dragged him down to his belly. He wasn’t sure if that leg was dislocated or broken, but a sudden rush of pain shot up the limb. He turned awkwardly and slashed at its paw, freeing himself. They weren’t fighting him, not truly. They were taunting him, playing. He was bleeding from multiple spots, and his leg hurt too much to hold his weight. It was then he made a choice. He couldn’t defend them, and he was pinned in. He couldn’t flee. He hooked a paw over his shoulder, grabbed Juniper and yanked her forward. Wrapping her in a bear hug as he curled himself around her, leaving his body unprotected.

"Speech"

Boxed in and cornered with no means of escape, the two massive felines knew they had the wolves dead to rights. With Basilisk wounded and the little pup barely more than a snack, the tigers prowled in closer, lethal growls rumbling from their fang-filled jaws. One rolled its shoulders, tensed its crouching body, and lunged for the wolves, ready to end the fight and their lives.

The only thing that would hit Basilisk though was a spray of hot blood. The pounding footfalls of the charging wolf had been drowned out by the tigers' growls and roars, allowing him to rush right up into the fray nearly undetected. He had heard the distress call and come running with all his might. By the time the tigers knew he was there, it was already too late. Artorias snarled and arced his sword up in a flash of silver steel, cleaving through the lunging tiger's neck in the nick of time. Arteries were severed like they were made of clay beneath his blade, and each strong beat of the feline's heart pumped a spray of sticky gore across the wolves. The tiger, half decapitated, stumbled and flopped to the ground, clawing at its throat in a vain attempt to stem the flow of blood as it thrashed on the ground bleeding out. Fiery amber eyes fixed a deadly glower on the remaining tiger, who was now facing off against the giant dire wolf. Artorias positioned himself between the tiger and Basilisk and Juniper, snarling from around the sword in his jaws while he squared up with the other predator.

The tiger, having watched his mate fall still on the ground as she died, roared at Artorias, showing off every deadly fang in his maw. Artorias remained unimpressed, snarling louder and lowering his body. The tiger didn't back down, and with a sideways lunge for the wolves lashed out with dangerous claws. Artorias backpedaled to avoid a paw to the face, then brought the breadth of Embershard up horizontally to catch the tiger's other paw before it made contact with him. The two predators struggled against one another's strengths, Artorias eventually gaining the upper hand and pushing the tiger back. The cat recoiled, recovered, then redoubled its attempt, leaping for the Aegis. Artorias timed his parry, sidestepping with a flourish that brought his sword around as the tiger passed through the air where he had been standing a moment before. The sword cut down into the tiger's side, ripping it open and spilling blood across the arid ground. The tiger yowled in pain and collapsed where it landed, stumbling to get back up while it bled. Artorias didn't give it the opening, however, and with a growl and a downward thrust, buried his sword through the tiger's skull. The light went out in its eyes like blowing out a candle, and the feline's body collapsed limp to the ground, dead.

With both threats neutralized, Artorias surveyed the battlefield before yanking his weapon from the cat's corpse and sliding it back into the scabbard across his back. He turned back to the two wolves, approaching Basilisk and Juniper to nudge the boy's shoulder, careful not to disturb any of his wounds. "Get up. C'mon, up. There might be more around." Artorias' voice was calm, yet firm, taking command of the situation as one would expect an alpha to. "Are you both okay? Can you walk, Bas?" Although the lad was large, if he had been wounded and incapacitated by the tigers, Artorias was prepared to carry him back to the castle for treatment.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

From her perch atop the massive wolf, Juniper watched the horrific scene unfold before her wide juvenile eyes. Bit by bit, the tigers picked away at Basilisk, distracting him and wounding him just enough to slowly whittle him down. The sickly metallic stench of blood filled the air, but it wasn't from the tigers. Juniper heard Bas' howl of pain, and then they were both heading for the ground. She yelped in shock, still too stunned to fully comprehend what was going on. Why was Basilisk on the ground? Why wasn't he getting back up?! "Get up! Get up!" she shouted to her defender, nudging his scruff in a desperate attempt to urge him to rise, but it was no use. Basilisk fought valiantly against the tigers, kicking and striking out where he could, but they were just taunting the young wolves now. Any moment they could end this fight and the two pups would be nothing more than a gristly mess and a memory.

Fear began to fill Juniper's heart—real, true gut wrenching fear. They were in danger, out in the wilds alone, and no one was coming for them. Basilisk howled for help, but Juniper didn't hear it. Her mind was too busy thinking of her family: her mother and father and siblings that she'd never get to see again. All because she didn't want to obey her mother's rules and wanted to explore on her own. Tears filled the small pup's eyes as she was scooped off of Basilisk's back and surrounded by his body to protect her. Tiny paws grabbed at his thick chest fur, burying herself in against him as she hyperventilated in her panic. "I'm sorry..." she whispered, though whether it was to Basilisk or to the family she'd never see again wasn't clear. Mint green eyes closed for one last time while she waited for death to take them. With any mercy, it would be quick.

But the end didn't come. No blow of paws nor rip of fangs found her or pulled her from her protector. Instead, the sounds of snarling and combat resumed. Juniper's eyes opened, but surrounded by Bas, she couldn't see what was happening. All she could hear was the scuffling of feet on the dry ground, roars and growls, the ripping of flesh, something wet dripping—and then silence. Total, utter silence. Juniper's heart was racing a million miles a minute. What was going on?! The voice that answered her worries brought her so much relief that the girl began to cry again. Artorias was here! "'Torias!" she called out for her big brother, squirming against Basilisk's hold to poke her head out and see her blood-covered half-sibling there, the tigers dead in the field. Juniper's eyes grew wide. He had saved them! "I'm okay! But he's not. The tigers knocked him down and now he can't get up."

"Juniper of the Sea"

Basilisk held tightly to his precious cargo. His entire body tensed in fear for the coming pain. His heart was beating so quickly, he was half afraid it might burst. His breaths were short, panicked pants. He might have made the conscious choice to buy Juniper time with his body, but that didn’t mean the fear wasn’t almost paralysing.

But the blow didn’t come. He heard the sound of a struggle, the scent of blood in the air. But it wasn’t him, it wasn’t his. A part of him was afraid he was already dead, and the knowledge hadn’t caught up to his brain yet. He helped himself there, around her, paralysed.

And then Artorias spoke, and he knew who had saved them. This wasn’t the first time Artorias had killed a tiger for him, and the coincidence of that almost made him laugh. Or perhaps that was the giffy relief crawling through his system. Panting, he raised his head, finding Artorias there. “She’s okay” he whispered, stiffly releasing his hold on the smaller wolf. His limbs almost didn’t want to obey him. “Somethings wrong with my back leg.” He explained as he uncurled himself but made no move to get up.

"Speech"

Relieved was an understatement for the release of panic-induced stress Artorias felt when he'd heard Basilisk's howl for aid. All the while he'd been sprinting from the castle, he dreaded what he might find. Mangled bodies, the bloody remains of his sister and guest, or perhaps even nothing at all. Finding them whole and alive had been a godsend, one he didn't take lightly. As Basilisk unfurled himself and revealed the unharmed Juniper clutched within his grasp, Artorias released a thankful sigh. But his reprieve only lasted a moment when Juniper alerted him to Bas' state, and the Fatalis boy confirmed that something was wrong with his hind leg. Urging the lad to stay still with a gesture, the Aegis moved around to inspect the leg in question. A healer he was not, but other than a few claw marks, there were no major lacerations or wounds he could see. That meant all the damage was likely internal. Shit, they'd need to get him to Gwynevere for a checkup, stat!

"Don't move too much, okay? I'm going to lift you," Art told Basilisk, sidling up to the pup who nearly rivaled him in size and lowered his body down. With a bit of pushing and wiggling, Artorias was able to slide the Fatalis prince up onto his back, needing some effort to rise back up with a grunt. Jeez, Sirius hadn't been kidding when he said the boy ate his weight in meat and grew like a weed! "Hold onto my neck. Mind the sword." After instructing Basilisk, Art nodded to Juniper to stay close and began to trudge his way back towards the Hallows. Internally, he was already preparing for the conversation he was going to have to have with Sirius explaining why the Warlord's grandson had been crippled while on a visit. He just hoped it was treatable and that Basilisk wouldn't lose use of his leg permanently.

Once the wolves were back past the Hallows borders and in safe territory, the Aegis turned his fire-emblazoned gaze down to Juniper, then back over his shoulder to Basilisk. "So does one of you want to explain to me why you were outside pack lands fighting tigers on your own?" he asked, his tone of voice making it clear he wasn't going to accept guilty silence as an answer.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Once Basilisk released her from his protective hold, Juniper leaped out to show her older brother that she was okay—and also to sneak a few peeks at the massacred tigers. The little girl gaped in awe at the bloody sight. Artorias had made mincemeat of the big cats! "Whoa..." she murmured in stunned amazement. She'd never seen so much blood before! Behind her, she heard movement and watched while Artorias helped Basilisk up onto his back. Seeing the other boy in such a state made Juniper's heart wrench in her chest with guilt. He'd gotten hurt protecting her when she had snuck out in the first place. If she'd just obeyed her mother, then none of this would have happened.

Artorias motioned for her to follow and Juniper did so diligently. She'd had enough rule breaking for one day. The wolves headed back to the Hallows in silence, the pup occasionally stealing glances back at Basilisk, more specifically at his limp back leg hanging from Artorias' back. She cringed inwardly, hoping that maybe her dad or sister Gwynevere could help him. There's no way he could be hurt that bad... right? As if to compound the guilt and shame even further, Artorias pressed both pups for information once they were back in the sanctuary of Hallowed lands, demanding answers for why they were where they were and fighting what they'd been fighting. Tiny black ears slicked back to an equally small skull, and Juniper lowered her head and tail in remorse. "I'm sorry, 'Torias. I went outside the castle when Mom told me not to. He..." She turned her gaze back to the wolf she had never met before, who Artorias had called "Bas". "...followed me. He protected me too."

Juniper turned pale green eyes up towards Bas, shooting him a silent apologetic glance. It wasn't much of a defense, but if she could shift the blame of the adults from him to herself to return the favor of protection, she was going to. After all, she'd been the one to convince him to stand and fight the tigers. She never thought he'd get hurt the way he had...

"Juniper of the Sea"

Art signalled for him to stay still, and he did so. The limb hurt, but he knew if it had been his father here, Basilisk would be on his feet. He was just grateful to have a short respite before they had to make it back to the castle. The adrenaline was slowly wearing off, and the throbbing in his leg was getting worse. He just needed a minute to adjust to it.

He startled as Artorias explained he was going to lift the boy. If Azure saw the Hallows leader lifting him, he would have a fit at Basilisk. Bas knew this, but instead he just looked at Art, a little wide-eyed. He clung to Art when the Hallows leader slid him onto his back. Paws around his neck.

It was a very awkward ride back to the castle, and one done mostly in silence. The moment they were in the safety of the borders, he could feel Art’s regard on them, even if he couldn't see it. He swallowed at the stern authority in Art’s voice.

He opened his mouth to say something. Likely just to say something along the lines of I’m very sorry, Sir when Juniper jumped in first. The tiny creature immediately admitted fault, and he leaned his head forward a little over Art’s shoulder so he could frown at her. “I’m sorry Artorias, Sir. She must have knocked her head when I grabbed her. She was following me out the gate. Probably thought I was lost, but I was curious about all those bones… I wouldn't have seen the tigers at all if it wasn’t for her.”


"Speech"

Both of the younglings admitted to fault and came to the defense of the other, trying to avert blame from the other and onto them. The Aegis breathed a sigh and rolled his eyes. He should have known they’d do something like this; it’s what he had done for his brother and fiancée when they were both pups caught misbehaving. It was a simple yet effective strategy—divide blame and distract the adult. It brought a little bit of a smirk to the alpha’s lips. Basilisk and Juniper were going to be trouble together, that much was obvious.

"Well, it was foolish and reckless of both of you. You both could have been killed." Though his words were scolding, his tone was more relieved than angry. He wasn’t so old that he didn’t remember what being a rambunctious pup eager to explore the wide world was like. He didn’t want to kill their enthusiasm for adventure, just to impart some wisdom to keep them safe. "Maybe we leave the solo adventuring into the wild lands until we’re a bit older… and bigger." He shot a glance down at the minuscule pup at his side, barely higher than his ankles. He could somewhat trust the headstrong Basilisk to handle his own in some situations, but Juniper terrified him being so small out amongst the massive, dangerous wilderness.

The wolves drew up to the castle soon, Artorias carrying the wounded Basilisk up the terrace and into the castle, hurrying him to the infirmary so Gwynevere could triage and treat him. He settled he large lad onto the nearest bed and called for his sister, sitting beside the cot to wait so he wouldn’t be left alone. "You just hang on, Bas. We’re gonna get you fixed up," he reassured the boy with a careful pat to his uninjured shoulder.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

No sooner had she begun to offer up her apologies to her bigger brother and take the blame off of her would-be savior, the giant boy on Artorias' back interjected with apologies of his own, offering himself up as the proverbial sacrificial lamb. At first, Juniper shot the dire-sized pup an aggravated and insulted look, minty green eyes ablaze with offense to his affront of her courage in the face of danger! She opened her mouth to snap back at him until she realized what he was doing, and then her expression softened. He was trying to cover for her and keep her out of trouble. Juniper still scowled; she didn't exactly enjoy being treated like she was some damsel in distress who needed rescuing. But she wasn't going to rebuke him when he was hurt after the fight with the tigers that she had really instigated in the first place, but she wasn't going to bring up that little fact.

Artorias chided them with a stern voice, but seemed to relax some when he knew the pups were safe and he couldn't affix blame to either party with the way they were defending one another. Juniper followed alongside her alpha brother, her tiny legs moving rapidly across the lush grasses of the Hallowed plains while they made their way into the castle. Every so often she would steal little glances up at Basilisk, just to make sure he was still alive. She would've felt really bad if the big wolf had gotten himself killed because she had wanted to fight the tigers with him. He couldn't die, he couldn't! Juniper wouldn't allow it! Still following staunchly at Artorias' side, Juniper trotted into the infirmary while the Aegis deposited the patient into a cot, leaving tiny Juniper pouting again that she couldn't get up onto the bed or even peer over the edge, really.

"Juniper of the Sea"