About a week had passed since their celebration, and in that time, Sephrain’s mind had been churning and calculating. A cloud of contemplation seemed to hang over him, all-consuming and heavy with the weight of his thoughts. What to do, what to do. Absinth had shown drive at the meeting, wanting to acquire the rank of lead warrior but Sephiran had put a stop to it. He needed more blood relatives in his upper ranks. Still, he felt the desire to acknowledge the woman for her efforts - odd, given Sephiran was a nasty patriarch who didn’t believe in the strength of women - but Absinth was… different. A creature cut from a different cloth, a sharp blade ready to yield itself in the name of the Saxe empire. And he intended to put it to use. But how? Ahh, that was the burning question- but finally, Sephiran had created a solution.

Having traveled to the island and traversed down the gutted valley into the heart of the dormant volcano, Sephiran stops at the edge of the bubbling lake. It was around midmorning, the forest up above teeming with life- but down in the pit, a different symphony was playing. The sound of deep, guttural croaks resonating from the flock of ravens caught his attention, the voices dark and foreboding, as they alerted Absinth of his presence. Hmpf. How fitting they’d already given him away, seeing he wanted to use them for the pack benefit.

Still, Sephiran would tilt his head back and release a summon for Absinth, demanding she emerge from her den and join him at the edge of the lake.


"Speech"

Code by Sea

Sephiran's summons echoed through the Glacies, drawing Absinth out from her secondary den like a blade drawn from its sheath. Ironic, right? The Saxe brute, as always, commanded attention, though today there was a different air about the call, and coming after his words that stopped her fight for lead militant? Her teeth gleamed as she smirked, eyes focused sharply ahead as she moved to obey. He had words for her, hadn’t he said as much? She rose, casting a glance and wink to Aresenn as he laid lax within the den before she departed.

The cacophony of ravens only seemed to grow louder around the nearby perimeter of the lake until she finally emerged into view, her own two personal companion ravens perched atop her newest trinket. The set of ivory antlers they sat on, atop her crown, had sharpened tines like deadly spikes. She bowed them slightly without jostling her birds as she gave him a respectful dip of her head on her approach. Emeralds gleaming up at him with no shortage of her usual confidence and mirth. Entirely Absinth of her.

“Greetings Sephiran. You denied me the challenge for the rank of Effendi-Muqatil, so I assume you thought my skills useful elsewhere,..?” She inquired, her voice a measured purr, betraying none of the anticipation that churned within her. Whatever challenge would spill from his lips? She was itching to find out. Of course she was full of confidence still despite his choice to name Elysia lead, but her eyes blazed as she tried to pry the answer from his mismatched gaze. Paws leading her closer to the brute with a predatory sway of her hips, she came to a stop only when she was properly before him.

wormwood

As Absinth emerged from the subterranean labyrinth, Sephiran’s gaze sharpened and honed in on her, noting the feminine, yet predatory sway of her hips. Atop her head was a new accessory; antlers with points as sharp as blades, a perch for her ravens to roost when not in flight. Hm. The local ravens grew louder as she approached, creating an eerie symphony that was fitting for the vipress slithering towards him, dipping her head in a respectful greeting before stopping at a conversational distance. Despite her compliance, Sephiran was a grandiose creature- his superiority was to be known and seen. His shoulders would roll forward, tail lifting to align with his hips, an aura of arrogance and superiority oozing from his frame.

Absinth was straight to the point, inquiring about the ploys Sephiran was scheming, which earned a subtle tilt of his skull, as he pulled his head higher to portray a look of interest. “The birds,” He begins, motioning towards her companions with a flick of his muzzle, and then motioning to the canopy of ravens surrounding them. “They’ve taken to you.” A simple observation, but one to be made nonetheless. “You can train them to patrol our domain and the neighboring territory, no?” His tone is a blend of anticipation and expectation, their gazes locking as he issues a silent challenge to Absinth. He’d already assumed she could complete such a task; she’d already done it with two ravens, surely she could train the others to benefit his kingdom? Or was she truly useless in the department of intelligence- a blade to be unsheathed and nothing more?

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Absinth met Sephiran's gaze with verdant flames of amusement dancing in her eyes, her lips curling into a wicked smile as his eyes roamed her frame. Particularly her new antlers. You know, at the end of the day he was a stiff bastard — but she could play her cards well and she sort of liked him that way. Primitive creature that he was, she wasn’t going to declare any semblance of affection for him but the iron will he demonstrated was a thing she could respect. Absinth wouldn’t be here otherwise. Couldn’t have been kept under a weak ruler. Molded and crafted by her father and her childhood, the monochromatic woman had no difficulty finding her place among the monstrous Saxe’s. But make no mistake, she was not a blind, bloodthirsty fool bent on destruction. She was well aware of the effect her presence had on both allies and adversaries alike, and she wore it like a cloak of power. She was useful. She was fearless. She smirked at her Sultan’s observation, her chin tilting up to regard him as she listened to his words.

Her ravens peered at Sephiran with curiosity, their beady eyes in particular catching on his golden markings. They knew she had a flock of her own, and so loyal to the woman they had not the slightest issue feeling comfortable in his presence. Anyone Absinth trusted, they trusted. One croaked to the other ‘Shiny! Gift! Gift!’ And the other responded with a gravelly chirp in kind, ‘Purple-Gold! Purple Gold King!’ The birds bobbed their heads to each other, tapping their beaks on Absinth’s antlers before taking flight with a gust of wind.

Absinth grinned, watching as they began to spread their words, began to point him out to the other ravens. “They want to bring you a gift.” With a swish of her tail, the monochromatic fae made a half circle around Sephiran as she observed her birds, her voice falling from inky lips like some dark promise. Returning her gaze back to him she watched as Sephiran's posture shifted, his demeanor radiating authority and conceit. His words carried a challenge, a test of her capabilities, she wagered. “The birds are loyal to those who offer them purpose and companionship.” Absinth replied, her voice a melodic purr laced with confidence. “And I have provided them with just that. I am as loyal to them as they are to me.” Possibly the words of a mad woman, but she so adored her birds. It was there in her gaze, those orbs as sharp as knives but so affectionate to her flock above.

A spark of mischief glinted in Absinth's eyes as she considered his proposition. Training the ravens to patrol and gather intelligence was indeed within her skill set, a task she had undertaken before with success already. She does it every day, for her own personal benefit. Absinth recognized the underlying implication of Sephiran's words — that her worth was being challenged once again.

“Of course, I can train them, they are so very intelligent, after all.” Absinth replied smoothly, her tone betraying none of the doubts that may have lingered beneath the surface. Which, there were none. “But there is one rule these birds follow. It must be respected. You see, if you treat even one of their flock badly, they will see, they will remember, and they will never trust that soul again. True, they are birds. Their existences are short and fleeting, but they have stories from decades ago, by word of mouth. Kill one? And their ancestors will always be there to bring you to ruin.” The words were a tale of caution, a good reason why she was the only one for the job. Absinth knew the birds like none other. She was practically a Raven herself. She held his gaze, unflinching, a declaration of her confidence in her own abilities but the facts in the open. The challenge was accepted, and Absinth was more than ready to prove herself. She needed only the word to get started.

wormwood

Sephiran can’t deny the gleam of interest flickering in his gaze; pools of amethyst and emerald fixated on Absinth’s pair of ravens, listening to their chatter as they called him the Purple Gold King. Shortly after, they’d take flight, joining their comrades in the trees and spreading the word of the monstrosity who ruled over The Polar Sound and the island. His head cocked slightly, chin tipping back as he continued to watch the birds, flicking an ear in Absinth direction to signal his acknowledgment of her words. A gift. His eyes narrowed into slits, conveying a sense of predatory focus and intensity. What could these birds possibly offer him? A twisted smirk contorts his lips, revealing a hint of malice and amusement. His lingering gaze is penetrating and unsettling, but the ravens continue their chattering anyways, using the sanctuary of the pines as their heaven. He cannot reach them there.

Absinth had moved forward, shifting her gaze between himself and the birds with a spark of mischief gleaming in those acidic orbs. She seemed interested in his proposition. “And you will be providing the purpose and companionship.” It wasn’t just about training the birds to do their bidding. If they truly required more than the ability to stay in his domain, Absinth was expected to meet those needs. Expected to keep them under control. Where Sephiran used dominion and oppression, Absinth used respect and companionship. With her birds, anyway. And if she thought that would bring the result he was looking for, then so be it.

Peeling his gaze away from the birds, he shifts his attention to Absinth. She’s already staring at him and holding his gaze, firm in her resolve and confidence in her ability to deliver. “They will be protected by the pack,” He begins, staring back into her acidic eyes. “If they can perform the task.” If Absinth failed in this endeavor, they’d be nothing more than more scavengers to compete with, and Sephiran would hesitate to order his underlings to start killing them. “Continuous patrols of The Polar Sound, the island, the neighboring territories, and The Wall.” He motions toward the West, East, and South, where other packs and loners would be lurking. As for The Wall, all wolves had to pass through it to reach the North. It would be beneficial to have patrols there too. "Anything out of the ordinary is reported to you, Aresenn, Kaino, or myself." Only the elites of the pack needed to be alerted of danger. The rest would fall in line when he commanded it.

Shifting his weight, his gaze lingers on Absinth for a few seconds longer. Then, it shifts to the canopy of pines, waiting to see if these birds really had a gift for him.  

"Speech"

Code by Sea

Absinth observed Sephiran's reaction with a sense of satisfaction, noting the gleam of interest in his eyes as her ravens bestowed upon him the title of the ‘Purple Gold King.’ She relished in the subtle acknowledgment of her feathered companions' respect for him, even as they continued their chatter from the sanctuary of the pines. Sephiran shifted his focus back to her, Absinth met his gaze head-on, her expression a mixture of confidence and determination. She understood the implications of his proposition, recognizing that it wasn't merely about training the birds but also about providing them with his chosen purpose while under his dominion.

‘And you will be providing the purpose and companionship,’ Sephiran stated, his voice carrying the weight of his heavy expectation. Absinth nodded in agreement, fully aware of the responsibility that came with her task. She was up for it, absolutely. While Sephiran wielded dominion and oppression, she employed mutual gain and companionship, a method that had served her well with her avian companions.

As Sephiran outlined the parameters of her task, Absinth listened attentively, committing the details to memory. Continuous patrols of The Polar Sound, the island, the neighboring territories, and The Wall. Reporting anything out of the ordinary to select members of the pack. All this she was perfectly capable of. With a nod of affirmation, Absinth conveyed her readiness to undertake the task.

When Sephiran's gaze shifted to the canopy of pines, Absinth sensed the anticipation in the air. With a flick of her tail and a nod of acknowledgment, she signaled her acceptance of the challenge. The ravens, peeking at the tension between their master and the Sultan, had been awaiting the opportune moment to reveal their gift.

And down they came, the pair of them, offering him a fractured piece of the jaw of some kind of animal — but no. Not just any. Black wings flashed and then disappeared back into the canopy as they left a partial wolf jaw, complete with teeth and all before his feet. It was in such a shape that it could have been a knife, or easily fashioned into one. Absinth’s brow quirked at the sight, a chuckle leaving her lips. “To the conquerors go the spoils.”


wormwood

Absinth seemed pleased with her new role, ready to take on the challenge and satisfy her Sultan’s needs. A deep, guttural sound resonates him, something akin to a purr - a sign of satisfaction, as he waits for the ravens to bring him his gift.

Perhaps they’d been waiting for Sephiran to conclude his conversation with Absinth, not wanting to interrupt. Clever birds. A pair flew down from their perch in the pines, carrying the fractured jaw of a wolf and leaving it at his paws. An offering to their Sultan. For several moments, Sephiran inspects it, noting its durability and potential. It might make a fine weapon. With a flick of his muzzle, he commands his panther to collect the item, to carry it back to his den where he could add it to his growing assortment of treasures. At Absinth’s comment, she earns a subtle smirk from the Sultan.

Turning away, Sephiran starts to move from Absinth, sauntering towards the gutted path that led out of the volcano. He takes several steps, before stopping suddenly. A thought forms in his mind, materializing from the dark corners until it becomes all-consuming. “Katil.” He says, flicking an ear back in her direction. “I denied you the title of Effendi Muqatil.” Voicing recent events, he wants the memory of Absinth and Elysia’s fight to replay in her mind. “Instead, you will become my Katil.” His tail flicks behind him, his head twisting upon his shoulders to look back at her. “A specialized blade that serves me alone- the reaper of souls who dare to betray me.” An assassin of sorts, one who excelled in battle and intellect. Given recent events, he found no better wolf for the rank than Absinth.

And if she didn’t object he would continue his ascent, leaving her at the lakeshore with her newly bestowed responsibilities.

-exit-

"Speech"

Code by Sea

As Sephiran began to saunter away, Absinth prepared to turn her focus to her new duties, but his sudden stop and the command of “Katil” made her ears perk up. She listened, her mind briefly revisiting the fight with Elysia as he referenced recent events. His decree to bestow upon her the title of Katil sent a thrill through her. To be his specialized blade, a reaper of souls for those who dared to betray him, was a role beyond her expectations. But there was no better choice than she.

With a graceful bow, Absinth acknowledged his words with a wicked grin. “How generous~” Her voice was firm, amused, and filled with the determination that had always driven her.

As Sephiran continued his ascent, leaving her at the lakeshore, Absinth turned her gaze to the horizon, a laugh pulling from her inky lips.

-Thread End-

wormwood