While the raid had been successful Tarnish was not impressed with his own performance. It was clear that he needed more practice and he was eager to seek out opponents outside the pack. Could he go to the Battlefield and see what he got? Sure, but where was the fun in that? He was a raider after all. Borders were more of a suggestion than an actual rule and he wanted to see the castle again. Besides, Sid was always roaming over there so why couldn't he?

The sun was nearly set as Tarnish traipsed over the Hallows border, slinking through the grass as he headed toward the castle. Maybe he could find something good in there to bring back as a trophy of his escapade. Around him the fog started to roll in. He could feel the humidity in the air pressing in on him but it only made the adventure more exciting!


Raider Brats

Nelu was finally settling into his new rank as Scholar, spending much of his days in his room reading and crafting. However, to feed his crafting habit meant that he needed supplies and when he found himself short on sweetgrass mid-project he headed out of the castle with one of his mother's baskets in his mouth. He was on his way to the Starlit Plains when he noticed a shadow move out of the corner of his eye. His keen perception spotted the wolf, the dark-pelted male he'd seen at the autumn festival. Nelu set the basket down and headed toward the youth, clearing his throat. "Excuse me, but it is rude to step across the borders without first calling for an audience. Please, step back across and explain what it is you need. I do not wish for violence." Nelu's hackles started to raise in caution. He hoped the other would comply peacefully. If not, he was prepared to pin the other down and call for his family.

Nelu vs Tarnish for Dominance
Round 0/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Female Squirrel Monkey, 11"
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision (Perception)
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Expert Fighter
Specialty:

Tarnish slunk carefully through the shadows freezing as he saw the large white male step out of the castle courtyard, heading toward the plains. Shit! He kept as still as he could, hoping the shadows would shroud him but it was to no avail. He'd been spotted. Tarnish scowled and stood up straight, taking a dominant stance as the older boy approached him, saying he was being rude for trespassing and demanding he go back over the border. Fat chance!

Tarnish looked up at the other and sneered. "Your daddy didn't have a problem with it last time. Bet he won't care this time, so why should you?" Something about the older boy annoyed the piss out of him. It was the way he spoke, so proper, so uptight. It was like he thought he was better than Tarnish or thought the pirate boy wasn't a thread.

"I do not wish for violence."  

"I do not wish for viooooleeeennceee." Tarnish mimicked back in a high-pitched voice. His defenses set before he snarled at the other boy. "Tough tits, fat ass. You found it!" Tarnish launched himself forward. He attempted to approach the pack wolf nearly head on but a few inches to his own left so that the front of his right shoulderblade would align with the underside of his opponents neck, a few inches above the sternum.  Tarnish sought to drive the front portion of his right shoulder blade into the other boy's trachea with the intent of severely bruising the trachea and crippling his opponents breathing for the remainder of the fight.  

Nearly simultaneously his neck would curve to his own right as his upper fangs attempted to shred into the other boy's right ear and his lower fangs sought to pierce Nelu's right eye.  He wanted not only to cause him serious pain but to obtain a solid grip on his opponents face.

Tarnish vs Nelu for Maim (facial scarring)
Round 1/?
Age: Under 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Defensive Battle Accessory: Chainmail Cowl
Companion 1: Crow, Male, Battle
Companion 2: Jaguarundi, Male, Battle
Mutation 1: Mountain lion paws with retractable claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty:
Item:  Using Black Cat's Foot

Raider Brats

Nelu was met with surprising venom and he stared at the other boy like he was half-crazed. "Hallows rules state that-" before he could finish the boy continued. Saying that he did not wish for violence. Well good, then they were on the same page but just like that the boy's demeanor grew even more aggressive and Nelu suddenly found himself under attack. What the hell? It had been one of the most confusing interactions he'd ever had but if the boy wanted to fight in a violent manner then so be it. Nelu would oblige. He would give the pirate boy exactly what he wished, after all he was nothing if not fair.

Nelu kicked off to meet the other boy, shifting his stance to crash his chest into the boy's shoulder, defending his airway and hopefully dislocating the other boy's shoulder with the force of his greater weight and size. The boy's fangs went for his face, teeth going for his eye. Nelu moved in a cool calmness, rotating his head to the side, the boy's fangs crazing the side of his face but missing his ear and eye. At the same time he pushed forward, seeking to grab the boy by the throat and end the fight swiftly.

Nelu vs Tarnish for Maim (facial scarring)
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Female Squirrel Monkey, 11"
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision (Perception)
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Expert Fighter
Specialty:

The benefit of being a pack that raised ravens was that there was always an ever-present security in the skies above the Hallowed lands. Keen avian eyes scoured the scene on the earth below from above, a jet black and stark white raven circling overhead a couple of times before darting off as soon as the fighting began. The Lord of Cinder’s faithful companions immediately sought out the alpha, swooping in like recon drones to deliver the alarming report of trespass and violence occurring in their doorstep. Artorias did not hesitate in his response. The dire wolf stormed out of the castle, racing across the gardens and out the gates of Hearthstone to bear witness to the scene unfolding.

Nelu was engaged in combat with one of the Raider children. He recognized the boy from the last time he had trespassed with his sister during the Bonfire Festival. The difference this time was that the boy came with violence as his intentions and not curiosity. He would not be met with the same gracious courtesy that he had been the last time. For now, Artorias stood on the sidelines, closely observing his son in battle. The lad had better hope that Nelu was successful in driving him away, otherwise the pup would not be walking out of this pack on his own volition.

"Artorias Carpathius"

Anger boiled in his belly, screamed in his brain. He couldn't explain it but all the hurt and anger he felt channeled toward the other boy. His failure in the raid, his sister getting hurt, the tension between his parents and a general feeling that he had little to no respect from anyone. The larger boy collided with him and he winced as his shoulder struck his opponent's chest. He felt his shoulder jar back, the movement altering his attack so instead of achieving a vicious hold he instead grazed the other's face. While he rejoiced at first blood it was not enough, far from enough.

The force with which Nelu struck him turned out to be a blessing in disguise for he fell back far enough that his opponents grip on his throat failed, but he was not left unmarked as the boys fangs tore moderate lacerations on either side of his neck. Tarnish stumbled but quickly recovered his balance before charging once again, this time seeking to get under his opponents head as he darted forward as if to slam his chest into the other but instead using that as a faint as he launched his jaws upward, seeking to catch the underside of Nelu's jaw in between his own.

Tarnish vs Nelu for Maim (facial scarring)
Round 2/2
Age: Under 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Defensive Battle Accessory: Chainmail Cowl
Companion 1: Crow, Male, Battle
Companion 2: Jaguarundi, Male, Battle
Mutation 1: Mountain lion paws with retractable claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Quills - Defensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty:
Item: Using Black Cat's Foot

Raider Brats

Nelu's focus was on the fight, on analyzing and responding to his opponents wilder and less disciplined moves. He had managed to knock the other back, ripping into their neck in a move that should've clearly handed him the victory but his opponent was tenacious and kept going. So strange. So illogical. Why would anyone trespass and start such a fight when caught? Nelu felt no anger toward his opponent, merely confusion and curiosity as to what would make one such as this behave in the most bizarre way.

The pirate charged again and this time Nelu was ready for him, as the boy's chest connected with his his head tilted down. The pirate went for his throat but with a simple twist to the side Nelu moved to counter, his own fangs bared and aiming to slash across the boy's face, over the left eye, seeking to leave long and deep lacerations that would put an end to this nonsense and show why the Hallows borders were to be respected.

Nelu vs Tarnish for Maim (facial scarring)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Female Squirrel Monkey, 11"
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision (Perception)
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Expert Fighter
Specialty:

And the winner is...

Nelu

Tarnish must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Nelu: Attack Roll: 68 Defense Roll: 94 Agility Roll: 33 Perception Roll: 99 Total: 294 Attack[68] + 20% Bonus[13.60]: 81.60 Defense[94] + 5% Bonus[4.70]: 98.70 Agility[33] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 33.00 Perception[99] + 35% Bonus[34.65]: 133.65 Total[346.95] + 20% Bonus[69.39]: 416.34 Tarnish: Attack Roll: 3 Defense Roll: 90 Agility Roll: 70 Perception Roll: 42 Total: 205 Attack[3] + 50% Bonus[1.50]: 4.50 Defense[90] + 25% Bonus[22.50]: 112.50 Agility[70] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 70.00 Perception[42] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 42.00 Total[229.00] + 5% Bonus[11.45]: 240.45

One miscalculation was all it took and Tarnish's world exploded in pain. He felt fangs pierce the flesh of his face, down to the bone and instinctively he jerked his head back to try to save himself but between that motion and that of his opponent he felt his flesh rip. He shrieked in pain and anger, stumbling back as blood filled his eyes and stained his vision. He knew that he had lost… again he had lost. Why did he keep losing? He'd trained so hard, he was descended from a great fighter and yet still… tears mixed with the blood as he wiped at his face. "Y-you stupid fucker!" He hissed. He wanted a rematch, to fight again but he knew in his heart it was over. His rage was left unsated, his stomach knotting with the reality of it. "What did you just do?"



Raider Brats

Nelu moved like a machine, calculated and precise, his fangs shredding through the other boy's flesh. He took no pleasure in the act, responding only as seem logical to him. The boy shrieked and stumbled back, blood streaming down his face. Nelu had one. He had defended their border and as far as he was concerned he had given this boy exactly what he had asked for and thus the pirate's response was all but baffling to him. Nelu licked the blood from his teeth. He did not know what a 'fucker' was but he could tell from the tone it was not nice. The boy asked what he had just done and Nelu missed that it was a rhetorical question so he sought to answer. "You requested violence, did you not? Did I not perform in a satisfactory manner?" He glanced to his father as if the older man might have some answers to this odd predicament. Come to think of it, this whole thing left many questions for him.

The fighting on both sides was ferocious, and although Artorias worried for his son's safety, he also knew that Nelu was no longer a child who needed his father watching over him 24/7. He gave his child the freedom to grow, to show his abilities, and he would be here to respond if things went south. That turned out to be unnecessary though, as with a fierce bite straight to the pup's face, Nelu's fangs rended through flesh, eliciting a scream of pain from the Raider boy. Artorias' shoulders tensed, his fur bristling at the awful cry. He instantly knew that Nelu had won and all he hoped for now was that the maim on the boy hadn't been too severe. The Raider pup spat and cursed, wiping at the blood flowing liberally from his new wound. Nelu remained as stoic as ever, maintaining his cool disposition all the while. When his son's eyes turned back to him, Artorias offered him a proud nod of approval. Though he hated when matters came to violence at their doorstep, this had been brought on by the Raider and he had earned his just rewards. Nelu had successfully defended their home and he was very proud of his boy.

But now would be a good opportunity to teach Nelu a valuable lesson—a lesson about mercy. It was a lesson his own late mother had taught him as a yearling as well. Artorias whistled for Corbin, his raven swooping down to alight on his shoulders as the dire wolf spoke a quiet order to the bird. Corbin took to the air again and swooped into Hearthstone while Artorias approached the two younger wolves. "Bună treabă, fiule. You did well and protected our home," he congratulated his son, leaning in to press an affectionate snoot boop against Nelu's forehead. His son was getting so big now, Art didn't even have to lean down anymore.

Then the Lord of Cinder's attention turned to the injured Raider. Artorias stepped up to the boy, looking over the laceration on his face. Thankfully, he could see the pup's eye still intact, so Nelu hadn't caused irreparable damage to him. "All are welcome in the Hallows—so long as you come in peace," Artorias sternly informed Tarnish, making sure to emphasize the latter part. Corbin returned then with a damp cloth clutched in his beak. Artorias took the cloth and offered it to the injured pup. In any other case, he would have simply started triaging the boy on his own, but given that he still looked like a pissed off wolverine, he opted to be cautious. "Will you let me help you or are you going to insist on more bloodshed?" The choice was left up to Tarnish. Artorias would not turn the bleeding half-blind pup away if he needed aid, but his mercy only went so far.

"Artorias Carpathius"

Babysitting was not one of Rivin’s duties, but when the red streaked femme was out gathering herbs and caught sight of a certain raider pup heading away from the pack and curiosities got the better of her. Rivin was sure that the adults in the pack knew when and where to get in trouble, but the not-quite yearlings were still finding their footing in the world. The last thing she needed was for this kid to get into some shit and have no one able to help him. But… would Gil’s son listen to her warnings? Ugh… she had a not so great feeling about this.

…a feeling that only got worse as they arrived at the borders of the Hallows and the kid crossed the borders. Rivin hesitated, muttering a string of curses before she too trespassed. This was dangerous… What the hell was the kid thinking? This wasn’t some raid with his comrades! With curses muttered each step, she would come to what was the remains of a fight… kids… the leader of the Hallows, and oh for fuck’s sake… Another maimed kid.

Rivin straightened as she approached the Hallow’s wolves, keeping her body language calm, well, as calm as she could be. By the sounds of their talk as she approached… Tarnish had started it. “My apologies for the trespass…” The antlered girl flicked her gaze to the boy, a hardened look in her eyes. “I’m just here for him. Tarnish… you can’t just waltz into any old pack when you want, kid.” She hesitated… It seemed that the alpha was at least trying to help him with the wound, if Tarnish would let him.

“You should accept their help to clean the wound. I’ll treat it properly once we’re out of their lands.” Rivin’s ears fell back. Rivin didn’t consider herself a coward, but this was just a poor idea… Had the kid been so hyped up by the raid he wanted to seek the thrill of it on his own? And what the fuck was she supposed to tell Gil regarding his maim? This wasn’t the way she was hoping to distract herself from the damned mess of a meeting...

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Tarnish's head was swimming with pain, his heart hammering in his chest and his breath coming up short. Despite the battle being over there was anger boiling in his gut, no, more than anger. There was shame. He was ashamed he kept losing, ashamed he couldn't protect his sister, ashamed at how poor of a raider he was turning out to be. Useless. Just useless. His opponent spoke and Tarnish snarled. He didn't want to hear another word out of that stupid mouth but as he opened his mouth to shoot out a retort his face moved and he flinched in pain.

The man was speaking to him now. Asking him questions but he struggled to process, feeling fainter by the second and unable to get a deep breath. "I- I don- I don't know!" He shrieked. He didn't know anything! He was a stupid, worthless idiot. Why would anybody ever ask him anything? He had just enough awareness to realize Rivin had arrived before he passed out.

-exit via unconsciousness-

Raider Brats

Nelu turned to his father, taking comfort in the man's gesture and a bit of pride at his success in defending their home. Though still confusion stood at the forefront of his mind as he tried to analyze the possible reasons a raider would just attack him like that. He had arrived peacefully once before, but not peacefully now. Why? What had changed? Nelu turned his attention to his father, watching the alpha offer to help the boy. The boy neither accepted or refused, instead shouting that he didn't know. At that moment another raider appeared, she started to talk to the boy but his eyes glazed over and he passed out in front of them.

"This is a most perplexing matter, father. I am… sorry. I thought I was doing as was asked of me by my opponent." Had he missed some sign? Was the raider boy perhaps being sarcastic and Nelu failed to read the cue? He looked to the woman. "If you like, Samiri, my monkey does know how to do stitches."

ooc: it was pointed out to me that I didn't make it clear Nelu was attempting his own maim rather than just defending. That's my bad. After thinking it over, the judging will stand by the original interpretation. Nelu successfully defended from the maim rather than doing his own. Tarnish is still a bloody mess either way but it won't leave a scar.

The bleeding Raider boy looked like he was about to have a panic attack, almost hyperventilating as if he couldn't get enough air in his lungs. Artorias recognized the panic in the boy's eyes and gently tried to shush him to keep him calm, but Tarnish was too far gone, snarling and shrieking before consciousness left him and he flopped to the ground. Shit! Artorias was already moving to catch the almost grown pup before he hit his head on the earth, helping to ease him down and immediately pressing the damp cloth to the bleeding wound on his face. Well, no need for medical consent when he was unconscious he supposed... No sooner had Tarnish passed out then another stranger was coming into their lands, this woman also bearing the scent of the Raiders. Artorias' fur bristled as he eyed the stranger warily, preparing himself for a fight if she came seeking violence as well.

Thankfully, she seemed more level-tempered than the pup had been and embarrassed by the boy’s actions, apologizing for intruding and stating she was just here for the boy. Artorias relaxed his posture and nodded to the younger fae, motioning with his snout to the unconscious Raider in his paws. "Take him home. He's hurt, but he should heal with timely stitches. The God's Garden should have the herbs you need." Artorias' paw lifted from the bloodied cloth over Tarnish's face, letting Rivin keep the cloth so she could hopefully stem the bleeding. As Rivin took over from him, Artorias stepped back from the Raiders, regarding Tarnish with a stern pity and Rivin with an empathy that showed he understood what it felt like trying to wrangle unruly followers.

Standing beside Nelu, half as a gesture of support to his son and half to ensure that both Raiders would vacate their lands, Artorias glanced over to his matching dire-sized son, brow furrowing with confusion when Nelu apologized. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Nelu. You did exactly as you should. You met a threat with force and protected the Hallows and yourself. I’m very proud of how you handled yourself today." As for the perplexing part, well, Art knew that Nelu tended to take things at face value. Subtle social cues sometimes slipped by his boy’s perception. "We can discuss this more once our guests have left, Nelu. Then I will answer any question you may have."

"Artorias Carpathius"