Elysia watched as her cousin took his podium before them all. A true born saxe leader. She watched in awe as his power and dominance seemed to shimmer around him. A Sultan, chosen from the depths of hell himself. She felt pride well in her chest that was able to witness his rise to power, and be a part of the group that helped him become sultan. That this was her family.

She briefly acknowledged her brother, letting her tail flick against his leg to let him know she noticed him while her eyes stayed trained upon sephrian’s face. She drank in his every word as wolves were called out and promoted. She could help but feel envy towards Kaino for her newly secured position.

But she sat still, fur bristled slightly as her sultan alerted her brethren to the declaration made to them by this leader of the hallows. She would not let her family be ripped apart easily. But she calmed her fury by casting a glance around quickly, drinking in each of their faces. She would not strike out of turn, Sephiran had set his expectations so all she could do was nod.

She watched as wolves stepped forward now that Sephiran had opened the floor to challenges. First was Aresenn. Who challenged for Emir. And so far no one seemed interested in challenging that.

Next was tally marks. He aimed to be the packs lead medic. And she guessed that was fitting since he had healed more times that she could count.

But then Absinth called out her challenge; Effendi Muqatil. With a sigh, Elysia stepped forward now. “I Volunteer my services to Accompany Rhazien. It would be an honor” she said as she spoke to her sultan.

But then she turned towards Absinth. A woman she had respect for. But wasn’t going to give up her chance to prove herself useful to her Sultan, so Absinth could have a rank. “I, Accept the challenge for Effendi Muqatil” She speaks as she let her eyes meet Absinth’s.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Sephiran takes to leadership like fish to water, governing over them like he was born for the role. and he was, in a sense. even Yarrabelle can admit that he belongs there, that his rank is well warranted. still, she’s a little miffed not to be gifted a rank herself. sure, she hasn’t been as…active as some, but she’s his gods-damned sister. his full blooded littermate. while Cif and Bylgia fucked off to do who knew what, she’d remained at his side no matter how tedious his attitude. alas, she swallows these complaints down, not wanting to cause a scene. especially not when her darling Absi takes the floor, declaring her intent to challenge for a rank. Yarra rumbles her approval, eyes raking shamelessly down that lithe snowy body. oh, but if her assertiveness isn’t smoking hot. and when her cousin, Ely, joins the fray? Yarra shifts, fire burning in the pit of her stomach. ”i also volunteer to accompany my uncle,” she interjects, voice a sultry purr as she tilts her chin in the direction of the large man. having said her piece, she lounges back on her haunches and eagerly prepares to watch two beautiful women fight.

Absinth's gaze flickered to Elysia as she heard the familiar feminine voice accepting her challenge. There was a sense of respect for the woman who opposed her, a fellow warrior with the same determination mirrored in her own eyes. Absinth was resigned to the fact that she cared for her pseudo-sister Elysia, but with her resolve to challenge her for the rank, their paths were now set to collide in a clash of wills and teeth.

A flicker of amusement danced across Absinth's features as she locked eyes with Elysia, acknowledging the challenge that hung in the air between them with a flick of her charcoal tail. A giggle. There was a certain thrill in facing off against a worthy opponent, and she could sense the intensity radiating from Elysia's stance. She was ready. But Absinth herself was more than ready to embrace the challenge, to prove herself worthy of the title she sought.

With an impish nod of respect towards Elysia, Absinth's lips curled into a wicked grin as she aligned her body with Ely’s. “So be it.” She purred, her voice laced with anticipation and dare. Her ears flattened against her skull, shoulders rolling as she distributed her weight and spread her toes in preparation for the fight. “Come, Elysia~” And with that, the stage was set for the battle for lead militant.


wormwood

Elysia took a step away from Ezekiel's side towards Absinth now. Her Challenge had been accepted. Rolling her shoulders as she prepared to fight the woman she considered a sister for the title that would prove her worth in Sephrian’s kingdom was thrilling. She had not yet sparred with absinth before, so this would be new to her. She had not a clue just how good of a fighter absinth was, not that it mattered to her. This was something she was determined to do, win or lose.

She stood facing her favorite woman in the syndicate, other than herself of course, with a twinkle in her eyes. This was going to be a show of its own kind. Both women had respect for the other, and this would only further that relationship to elysia.

Flashing Absinth a cheeky grin she dipped her head. There would be no hard feelings regardless of the outcome of this fight. May the best woman win. “Beckon me some more sweet absinth, itll only make it sweeter when your blood coats my tongue” she purred back playfully though her face and body remained ready for the fight.

Taking a breath now, she pushed her focus on Absinth and only absinth, focused like it was only the two of them in the clearing. As she slowly released that breath she was fully ready now, nothing would break her focus on the fight at hand. Launching forward like a bullet, she used her speed to quickly close the gap between them. Elysia turned her head towards Absinth with jaws splayed, teeth aiming to grab hold of the other woman’s face or neck.


"Ely & Ezekiel"

Absinth met Elysia's cheeky grin with a sly smirk of her own, her eyes gleaming with excitement for the impending clash. As Elysia's playful words danced in the air, Absinth's own reply dripped with a mix of challenge and amusement.

”Sweet words won't dull the sting of defeat, my dear Elysia.” She retorted, her voice a smooth blend of confidence and anticipation. With a graceful sway of her body, she shifted into a stance, muscles tensing in readiness.

And once Elysia surged forward like a force of nature, closing the distance between them with remarkable speed — Absinth moved with a fluidity parked with a ripple of muscle under ivory fur. The monochromatic woman chose to meet her opponent head on. No bullshit, all fury and power. She aimed to collide their chests into each other, and in the same breath, Absinth would try to counter the snap at her face with an attempt to use her forearms to grab Ely, teeth snapping towards her opponents side scruff.

wormwood

To his liking, multiple members of his brood would heed his command, stepping forward to claim ranks and initiate challenges against competitors. Aresenn claimed the rank of Emir, which wasn’t surprising. Sephiran shifted his gaze to the crimson male, emerald and amethyst hues cracking with anticipation; the tension hanging between himself and his friend thick and palpable. “Very well.”  He’d say, nodding to Aresenn, acknowledging the male’s desire to become his Beta. His second in control, one of his most trusted advisors. If someone had told Sephiran they would be bonded like this when meeting Aresenn for the first time, he would have found it impossible to believe. But life had a way of keeping everyone on their toes.

The next to speak up was Caedes, having claimed the rank of Effendi Haakim. In a previous discussion, the male had mentioned wanting this role, so it wasn’t an unforeseen occurrence. Nodding to Caedes, Sephiran accepted his desire to become his lead physician, as he knew he was more than capable. No one challenged him for the rank, which meant Caedes secured it successfully.

Oh? The challenge that came next, was one Sephiran hadn’t foreseen; Absinth was trying to claim Effendi Muqatil, lead warrior, and Elysia was challenging her for it. The two women went at it, grappling each other and morphing themselves into a heap of snapping jaws, flailing limbs, and clashing bodies. Leaning forward in his seat, Sephiran would allow the carnage to ensue, wanting blood to be spilt in the name of The Syndicate. Already the mechanics of his mind were turning, stratagems of how he could manipulate the situation forming in his mind. Absinth showed drive, but Elysia was family. It was already an anomaly to have a non-Saxe wolf as his Emir. To have another as his lead warrior? Well… He wasn’t sure he could come to terms with that.

Acting on impulse, Sephiran released a guttural, domineering snarl, one that signals the two women to cease their fighting. “Elysia, you will be my Effendi Muqatil.”  He says, shifting his gaze to Aresenn. “And you’ll make sure she fills the role well.”  Undeniably, he had more experience in group battles than Elysia did; it would be more beneficial, to make training their warriors a group effort. “Absinth,” His attention turns to her next. “We will speak alone.”  Cryptic and unpredictable, one could never tell what was going on in Sephiran’s mind, which left an aura of uncertainty hanging in the air between himself and Absinth.


Once Elysia and Absinth had parted and took their seats, Sephiran waited for anyone else to step up and claim a role. They still needed a lead hunter… so, when no one offered themselves, he made his disappointment known. “I still require an Effendi Sayad.”  He begins, shifting his attention to the hunters of the group; his gaze fixated and narrowed, honed in on the object of anticipation as he expects one of them to heed his command.“Hone your skills over the next season; I expect one of you to step up before winter takes over The Polar Sound.” His lips are pressed firmly, the intense expression on his face remaining.

There was no room for error, no acceptance for a lack of drive. If they wanted to remain in the pack, they’d need to earn their place.


Rolling his shoulders forward, Sephiran releases some of the tension building in his neck before sweeping his gaze across the faces in the crowd. Silence had fallen over them all, but the intensity radiating from Sephiran continued to ripple throughout the gathering. “Tonight, we will feast.” He says, rounding back to his plan for a celebration. They’d earned it, after all- The Syndicate was theirs. His muzzle flicks to the side, where a few of the Sidi emerge with bottles of booze and baskets of other mind-altering substances. Behind them, another row of Sidi appeared, adorned in jewels and vibrant fabric that will accentuate their movement and the curvature of their bodies. Their role? To dance and sway in front of the Saxe hoard, to serve their every desire and ensure they have a night of gluttony and rapacity.

Grabbing one of the bottles from a girl closest to him, Sephiran raises it to the air, saluting his brood. “Long live The Syndicte.” And with that, their celebration commences.


"Speech"

Code by Sea