As the summer season passed them by, threatening to bring the unpredictability of fall rainstorms and cold fronts, Sephiran decided it was time to leave the Serpent Plains behind. They’d already reaped the territory of its treasures- having collected a commendable amount of venom from the serpents, while filling their bellies and increasing their stores. They’d been gluttonous and ravenous- having over-hunted the herbivore population, leaving little for the next passersby should anyone choose to inhabit the plains after them. Their mark was left on those plains- a stain of voracious depravity that would take seasons to replenish itself.

But where would the young Sultan take his brood? In all honesty, he hadn’t decided just yet. The night prior, he’d commanded Aurelia to join him on a scouting mission, as Kaino was nowhere to be found. Likely subduing her desires, he assumed. And so, the duo left the plains just as the sun dipped below the horizon; traveling throughout the night, stopping for rest when needed, until they left the eastern region. Heading into the west, which held unknown potential.

And finally, just as the sun broke the horizon, and the warmth of the early morning sun started to cast down upon their backs. They reached a territory shrouded in an ethereal mist; as if a wall had been formed around the expanse of greenery, creating a veil that begged to be infiltrated. A medicinal, herbal smell also encompassed the land- beckoning the healers forward, teasing them with the potential within. Poisons. Opiates. Curative agents. He wanted them all. But first, he needed to scout the area- to assess its potential, given he would be moving a group of 12 into it. Before stepping into the fog, he commanded his falcon to scout from the sky. With a nod and a flap of its wings, it left his shoulder and vanished into the sky.

"Speech"

Code by Shelby

The transition from Serpent Plains into the western territories was quite like stepping into a different world. The soft, grey-green heather blended seamlessly with the swirling mists, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that one could so easily lose themselves in. The occasional splash of color from the vibrant flora that thrived in the patches of sunlight added a surreal beauty to the landscape. Despite Sephiran's presence and his intent to scout the area, Aurelia found herself drawn to the herbs that she recognized dotting the landscape- particularly the rarer ones ... or at least they were rare up north. Her sapphire gaze scanned the surroundings, picking out the bright flashes of color that indicated the presence of valuable plants.

Ignoring Sephiran's command to remain close, she moved with purpose, her focus solely on her task of gathering the particularly interesting specimens. With a practiced eye, she identified several herbs worth noting, including belladonna, foxglove, and wolfsbane. Each herb held potent properties, from deadly poison to powerful medicine, and Aurelia knew they would be invaluable additions to her stock. After a few moments of deliberation, she approached the beautiful flowering Wolfsbane- it’s bright stalk of purple flowers visible even in the heavy fog. Casually approaching it, she took a moment to assess the plant before beginning to dig it up in it’s entirety- using only her paws to unearth the ground around the deadly plant’s base.

As she worked, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Despite the tension between her and Sephiran, she knew that he couldn’t be all that upset with her. And in this mysterious land, filled with secrets and untapped potential, her knowledge would be more valuable than ever.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"

After his falcon vanished into the mist, Sephiran’s heterochromatic gaze shifted back to Aurelia. At first, he’d commanded her to stay bedside him- both out of possessive greed, and because he wanted to have her close should they run into danger. But of course, she wouldn’t adhere- a growl rumbling inside of the beast, as she pulled herself away from his side. Following after her, making sure to stay just once pace away from her. Sephiran conducted his survey of the territory. Noting the rolling hills of endless grasses, which were adorned in multi-hued clusters of herbs and poisons. A wave of excitement trickled down his spine- electrifying in nature, causing his hackles to rise out of reflex. So many possibilities.

Here and there, the duo stopped to observe herbs they recognized- one in particular, catching Aurelia’s attention for an extended amount of time. She was drawn to it- entranced by its potency, and the danger that encompassed it. Wolfbane. Quite the lucky find, given it was a rare and formidable plant that could be used to kill. An ear flicked in her direction, eyes tracing her movements as she worked on uprooting the stalk of flowers. His low grumble ceased, to signify his satisfaction. He moved away from her then, allowing her to finish collecting the valuable herb.

Loping deeper into the territory, Sephiran was met with an ethereal landmark- one that spoke of the past, and the remnants of human life. Several stones were laid out in a circle, the viscosity of the fog having thickened in the heart of the terrain. As if it were hiding something valuable. Sauntering along, Sephiran inspected each stone thoroughly. And after some time, an interesting discovery would occur- an opening into the ground, hidden beneath a leaning stone, that descended into the sub-terrain. The aroma of herbs was even stronger here, perhaps indicating a long-forgotten store in the underground labyrinth. How enticing.

"Speech"

Code by Shelby

With a steady, practiced touch, Aurelia delicately harvested the Wolfsbane, ever cautious of its poisonous properties. She methodically dug around the base of the plant, carefully loosening the soil to avoid harming the delicate roots while taking every possible precaution to avoid any unnecessary contact. As the earth began to give way, she continued her task, making sure to extract the entire plant without any damage.

The vibrant purple flowers stood tall and proud against the muted, earthy tones of the moor. It was a striking juxtaposition that hinted at the deadly potency of this flora. Like a delicate poison, it lured in unsuspecting prey with its alluring appearance. Aurelia couldn't help but admire the plant's beauty even as she handled it with caution, a reminder of the dangers that lurked in the natural world.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"

Peering down in the abyss of the labyrinth, the mechanics of his mind were spinning- fantasies of what was hidden inside, enticing him further. He made a mental note to return to this landmark-yes, he wanted to inspect it more thoroughly- but first, he needed to decide if he was moving the Syndicate to the moor. If he did, he could explore the details of the subterrain to his liking. Perhaps, claim it as his den, if he desired it. And so, with a huff and a flick of his tail, he would force himself away from the landmark. Looking around the clearing one last time, before moving back into the veil of fog.  

Sephiran loped through the territory at an even pace. Only stopping to inspect things of interest, like the tracks of prey, clusters of herbs, or suitable water sources. In the northern section, he found a grouping of underground dens- having been dug up by previous inhabitants, and standing strong through the seasons. They weren’t as luxurious as caverns or grottos; but they would serve their purpose, nonetheless. Assessing them for a bit, he continued on- finally coming to a halt when the fog faded away, signifying the borders of the moor.

Following the border, he took his time mapping out the perimeter of the territory, quite pleased with its size so far. It was large enough to support their growing band, had most of the resources they needed, and had the potential to be harvested through the upcoming fall season. The veil of fog was also a bonus- once they knew the terrain better, they could use it to their advantage, if they were attacked by enemies.

"Speech"

Code by Shelby

After what felt like an eternity of cautious and delicate work, Aurelia's efforts finally paid off as she succeeded in removing the wolfsbane from its earthly confines. The plant, with its deep purple petals and sharp green leaves, looked both alluring and deadly in her paws. Her heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment as she carefully transferred the precious herb into her pouch, ensuring it was safe and secure for the journey ahead. She couldn't help but marvel at the intricate beauty of this potent ingredient, and her mind raced with all the possibilities that lay ahead. With a graceful movement, she rose to her feet and a sense of deep satisfaction washed over her. She had completed her task with a display of skill and precision, proving herself once again in this mystical land of untapped potential and hidden secrets. The mist shrouded landscape stretched out before her, teasing her with its mysteries and beckoning her to explore.

With the wolfsbane safely secured in her pouch, Aurelia turned her attention back to the absence of her keeper. The misty landscape seemed to swallow sound and distort distance, making it challenging to track the Sultan's movements. However, her keen sense of smell led her in the right direction, and she soon caught a whiff of his distinctive scent. Following the scent trail, Aurelia navigated through the mist with ease, her footsteps silent on the soft heather-covered ground.

She eventually found Sephiran standing at the edge of a clearing, his form barely visible through the dense fog. Approaching him cautiously, she cleared her throat to announce her presence. "Have you found anything of interest?" she inquired, her voice soft but carrying in the stillness of the moor. "Do you think it's worth moving the group here?" She cast a glance around, taking in the mystical beauty of Druid's Moor. Despite the eerie mist and the unknown dangers that lurked within, there was a sense of peace and solitude that seemed to permeate the land.

"Sephiran Saxe" & "Aurelia Veratti"

Having outlined the perimeter of the territory, Sephiran circled back to the clearing he’d left Aurelia in. He passed the pile of freshly uprooted soil, where a stalk of Wolfsbane once stood. Sniffing at it for a second before moving on, he tested the air for her scent and stopped once he was at the edge of a clearing. Pools of amethyst and emerald peered into the fog, calculations of depth perception formulating inside of his mind. Navigating the terrain effortlessly would come with time- a challenge he was prepared to conquer.

Have you found anything of interest? Aurelia’s voice sliced through the silence of the moor, causing his ears to twitch and his head to twist upon his shoulders. Do you think it's worth moving the group here? The expression on his face gave foresight into his mind- the mechanics whirling and gyrating, as he actively weighed out his options. “There is an underground labyrinth in the heart of the territory.” He motions towards the direction of his find, with a nod of his head. “Plentiful prey, a few water sources. Burrows for dens in the north.” Nothing like the expanse of the plains with its lake and rivers, but it was suitable for their band.

Taking a sudden step towards her, Sephiran seems as if he will descend upon her- that domineering glare in his eyes seeming to glow against a backdrop of vicious mist. But instead, he stops beside her. A paw lifting to reach out and touch a mushroom that is sprouting from the ground to her right. “Psychedelics, poisons, curative agents- we can harvest them all.” Sweeping through territories, pillaging resources, and leaving them scarce for the next nomads was the pattern they’d fallen into.

Lingering in her proximity, and drinking in the pheromones that trickled from her pores. Sephiran brushed her shoulder with his, and motioned for her to collect the mushroom as well. “We will reside here for the fall season. Be ready to move in a few days.” There was preparation needing to be done- this wouldn’t be an overnight task.

-end-  

"Speech"

Code by Shelby