The Warlord made his way to the main meeting point of the Armada. With the familiar Obelisk beside him, and the warrens at his back. He let his eyes roam across the familiar plans of the Col. A part of him had never imagined he would reach this age. So much of his life had been spent as a Warrior. For others, for his pack, for himself. A part of him had died the day his Wife had. But here he stood, with old age peppering his muzzle.

One last battle.

He raised his head, and howled for the wolves of his pack, summoning to the Obelisk, and to his side. Today, they would raid. They would take themselves to Valta, and pit themselves against his son. He knew that Kotori would enjoy the challenge. His last raid would be against the Sumatar. He let his voice fade, and waited for his warriors to come.

"Speech"

Word had reached her ears that the pack would be going on a raid soon and Andy had quickly set about oiling her armor and leather wrappings. Her father has reached his golden years and, while he has yet to slow down, the lavender young woman wishes that he would. Gray now peppers his muzzle and she knows that his body must hurt from all the fights he has been in and years he been alive. But Andy has not mentioned any of her worries to him and, instead, has focused on getting ready for the raid.

The call finally reaches in her den and Andy pushes out a small sigh before quickly donning her armor and kudu thorn wraps. Every time those special black leather studded horn wraps are fitted into place, the lavender wolf cannot help but feel as if she can see her mother smiling. For a moment, she lingers in those memories with Zee, picturing the dead woman as if she can see her smiling face in this very room.

But there is a raid to be had and she quickly shakes her head, dashing away Zee’s face and sending a few tears to splatter against her den walls. Taking a deep breath, Andy steadies her breathing before she trots out of her den, down into the Col, and to the Obelisk where her father is waiting. Since no one has arrived yet, the young woman moves up to her aging father and steals a tight, warm hug. The memories of her mother still tickle her mind and she knows that Zee would be worried about him right now.

While holding him, Andy softly whispers, “I love you dad.” With one more squeeze, she releases her him, places a loving nuzzle against his cheek and retreats backward to grab a seat. Memories have filled the young wolf with a deep sense of melancholy and this raid also feels like the closing of a chapter. Sitting at attention, she waits for the rest of the fighters to gather.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Sirius’ call seems to resound through their skull, a thrill running down Spider’s spine. their first raid, both in general and as an Armada warrior, is imminent - and the thought brings a mixture of anxiety and excitement. they’re going to prove themselves in this raid, cement their place and their worth in the pack that’d embraced them so warmly. wordlessly they slip through the gathering crowd, dipping their head to Sirius as they pass. whatever the outcome, they’re eager to test their skills and defend the Armada’s honour among these brave fighters. i’m one of them now, and i won’t forget that.

"Speech"

Spider has a male raven companion named Doomsday and a female snake companion named Lady Snakeskin. Assume they are present unless stated otherwise.

Gossamer stood at the entrance of her den, the cleaning from the flood finally done and her battle with the mold at last over and her things moved back into place. It was strange looking at it now. So like it used to be, barely scarred by the events. The only thing different was the spare bedroll and hides that lay resting near her own, awaiting an invite.

She didn't linger on the thought for she head her father call for volunteers for a raid. A raid? Her eyes widened and she was out of the den like a shot. It had been ages since she'd had a good battle, a proper one, not the torment that old pirate had inflicted on her. Maybe that could help her settle back into routine as a Lieutenant. At least for now, at least til she could figure out what the future held for her.

Gossamer arrived and offered her father a smile and a nod before taking her seat. She was ready for this.

A call Hazel knows well echoed over the Col. Though she'd been tense, ragged, sore... sore all the way into her chest, over the things that had happened with Bas, it hadn't stopped her from doing her job. Nothing would. She could focus on work. She could focus on a job to do. At the Warlord's call, Hazel rises.

Bas hadn't arrived yet, and for that, she's somewhat grateful. Spider though... pride etched clear on the General's face. It shines in a way that she couldn't conceal, even at the risk of embarrassing the yearling. Hazel bumped the child's shoulder with her muzzle on her way through, before taking her place in closer proximity to the Warlord. Right. Not just a ceremonial place, but one of importance. If Sirius had extra instructions, they needed to be able to walk and talk. Green eyes glimmering, Hazel was ready for this one. Always.

"Speech"

It was time for them to gather. Charlie stretched, testing the brace around his body. Not too tight - it would protect him in the raid to come. He wore the cuffs given at his first birthday and his jay feathers as well. The Armada was to raid, though who he wasn’t certain. It was not his place to question his father’s decision on the matter - and he trusted his father to make the right calls. Little did he know that the raid was intended to be a good natured test rather than a fierce one against an enemy. But perhaps it was better that he had not known prior. He had prepared himself to give his all in the name of the Armada and he could not allow his personal emotions to affect how he carried himself in battle. He would not be the first to arrive, companions trailing behind him, but he would take a seat and give a nod to Sirius. He would take this seriously, and he was ready for the opportunity to test himself. A glance at the others gathered was a welcome sight; His sisters Andromeda and Gossamer, Araneae, and Hazel. While he didn’t know the one girl well, he trusted her as a packmate to be able to handle herself. Quietly he pricked his ears forward, waiting for the meeting to begin.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

The familiar call to arms beckoned Grimoire, stirring him from his den and bringing him out to the familiar meeting grounds. Sirius was calling them to raid, and Grimoire was ready for it. Especially after his last win, he was feeling confident, but not too confident. He was humble about it. After all, the last opponent he had at the last raid could have very well been as inexperienced as him, but luck had been in his favor. Donning his father's armor and quietly walking out of his den with companions in tow, Grimoire made his way to sit among the group that made up the raiding party. He kept to himself still, despite trying to force himself to mingle more, he still found it hard to do so. Maybe someday... "Grimoire

Bronze hadn't missed the last raid that the Armada had done, and he had no intentions of missing this one either. As Sirius's call rang out through the mountainous terrain, Bronze was quick to react, hurriedly abandoning the patrol he'd been making around the edge of the territory to join the wolves that had gathered to discuss their next target. Though he was tired by the time he arrived, panting softly, he was ready - and his posture said as much, ears swiveled forward and eyes planted firmly on Sirius as he waited for him to speak once it was clear everyone who wanted to attend was present.

Basilisk took some time to get himself ready. Pulling on his armour pieces, including the leather wings that protected his sides. He’s mostly outgrown that by now, the straps extended in three places. He sighed as he fiddled with it. It had suited him when he was younger, but he was no longer so sure about it now. The shoulder spurs came next, resting on his shoulders and strapping under his stomach. He whistled to his companions, and the falcon rested on the reindeer. The panda jumped on his back, long tail curling around a wing as the Heir Apparent trotted out of the tree house, and down to the meeting point.

A great many other wolves had arrived already, but it was by Hazel that he came to a stop. His eyes looking forward, waiting to hear who and why they were raiding.


"Speech"

Atreus raised his head at the call that reverberated across the pack territory. A raid. Though he was at a distance, on patrol, he had no intention of missing out on a raid this time now that he was a yearling so he set out to return to the pack's heart to answer the call. He was the last to arrive to fill out the numbers for a raiding party, he noted, but he wasn't much bothered by being late. He'd been busy, not dawdling, so there wasn't anything for him to be concerned with. Still, he sat down at the back quietly rather than insinuating himself into the group and disrupting anything. His eyes settled intensely on his grandfather, ready.

The Warlord watched his wolves assemble. These were his family, both those that had come from his bloodline and those that had joined his pack. He would never forget this feeling. The strength that came from pack, and the pride he felt in those he led. When the last of his raiding party arrived, he began.

“Today, we head to Valta. Let us test the strength of my son, and when we have won, we will hold a hunt on his lands.” He gave a toothy grin to those assembled. His wolves could use the meat, and he knew that would tweak his son's nose.

"Sirius"