Erani

Snowy paws, slick with water from her crossing of the sea, carried the snowy female along the sandy shore of the Island that, until now, had been Valhalla?s new home. Deep blue eyes were glazed with fury, feral and icy. Chrysanthe had lost the challenge for Valhalla. None of the rage that coursed the aging female?s veins was for her daughter. All of it was directed at Isardis and the usurper, Artemis. She?d had quite enough of Glaciem?s pestering. Valhalla would not die because of the bastards. She wasn?t sure where her daughter had gone after the challenge was lost. Her blood daughter trailed behind her, as well as her family, her brother and nephew. Sarak would stay beside Azalea. The soft crunch of hooves on sand told her Obsidian trailed the small group. With a flick of her tail, Erani turned, facing the Island. Her head tilted back, and she issued a long, powerful summons that thundered, for all that there was no masculinity present in her tones, through the jungle. It would carry far, and it would be heard. A summons to the pack. She leapt up to seat herself on a rocky outcropping of boulders, tail curled about her haunches, waiting.

Cormalin

Cormalin was cautious around his sister as he followed her across the sea, knowing that set to her shoulders from experience. He knew she wouldn?t lash out at him. But Luna forbid any enemy come near her at the moment. He cast a glance over his shoulder, tail lifting slightly in a slight wave as he noted his son, Surreal, and Obsidian. His eyes turned back to Erani, wondering what she was thinking. His head tilted slightly as she stopped, faced the island, and sent out a call that had him at her side in an instant, despite not being that far away. It was instinct. That call was authority. She had been trained for leadership in her early life, and those lessons clung to her now, and had shown throughout the time he?d known her. He watched his sister climb a rock pile, settling with her head held high, eyes still glazed with that fury that marked a female descended from Redwood Pack. He settled at the base of the pile, ears pressed forward, mismatched gold and blue eyes watching the jungle.

She had heard the news and retreated to her den. But even there it held no comfort of the dark Theta. Her love, her sun was gone. It had been nearly a season now since he disappeared. She was trying hard to push back the depression she easy and often fell into. Sitting there outside she stared at her den, her dream. It was suppose to be her new home, suppose to be where Cael and her laid in at night, a place where they were suppose to have their family. And now, it was empty and held no promises. This would be the last time she would look at it the same. Vahalla had been disbanded, sent to scatter about through Alacritis. But the resounding call of Erani stirred her. It was powerful, strong, commanding. At once Imena turned away from her den in the direction of the call. Something in Erani's call gave her hope, lent her strength. She felt it fed into her own emotions. The rage, the loss, and yet the determination to not give up. Sky blue eyes closed as her own head tilted back to answer the call. Her voice was strong, determined, a call to back up Erani. Before she was even finished her paws had her moving. At the end of her call she was racing to Erani, tail held high, a flag of will power. As a Theta she couldn't just give up now, they had to strive on! Within moments she reached the snowy queen. She dipped her head to the now senior women and Cormalin. It was good to see him again.We cant give up... She said softly to the pair. She settled down on the opposite side of the rock pile Erani sat upon from Cormalin. Eyes turned to the others with a stubborn glow. Vahalla would live on one way or another. Speech,

Surreal

Surreal was in a state of shock and anger. Once again, Glaciem had struck. It was hard not to snarl and curse them for what they were. Not all the wolves in that pack were vile like their King. She padded alongside Alsander, ears flicking back now and then to take in the hoof beats from Obsidian, eyes scanning the jungle. Her mother was in one of those frightening rages. Frightening, because of the chilling calmness that surrounded the old white female in this state. Big things were going to happen. She just didn?t know what, yet. Chrysanthe had lost? Just lost? She?d lost track of where Chrysanthe had gone after the fight. She just hoped her sister was alright and would be home soon. Surreal watched her mother turn toward the Island, shuddered as that howl rolled free of her mother?s jaws. She had never heard her mother sing like that before. As Her mother climbed the rocks to wait, Surreal settled beside her Uncle at the base, leaning into him, some measure of joy pervading the sadness and worry brought by the events of this day.

Alsander

How did these things happen to them all the time like this? The thought rolled through Alsanders mind as he padded beside his cousin, watching the pale figure of his aunt pass ahead of their small group. Sarak had gone with Azalea, wherever that would be. How dare they even think of tearing pups so young away from their mother? It was disgusting. His hackles bristled angrily, heavy tail lashing behind him as he kept pace with his cousin, hearing the crunch of hooves in sand behind them. Obsidian was a curious thing to him. A prey animal that walked among wolves without a care. He glanced over his shoulder a the equine, green and gold eyes taking her in before facing front again. Erani had stopped, and by his father?s cautious curiosity he knew that something new would happen. A moment later, his Aunt?s call thundered free, rolling through the jungle with an imperious command that spoke volumes of her intentions. It had him loping forward to stand on her other side, until she bounded up the rock pile and settled, icy deep blue pools locked on the jungle. As Alsander came to settle on his father?s open side, Imena arrived. It did make him wonder where his brother had gone. Either brother, for that matter. Both had been scarce since the storm. Cael, even longer. He frowned faintly. Hopefully, they were alright.

Obsidian

Her hooves shushed through the soft sand of the shore that ringed the island her wolven friends had taken up residence in. Her long tail flicked over her haunches in thought. She hadn?t expected Chrysanthe to lose to a yearling. Her head lowered, mane dragging lightly over the ground, watching the paw prints left by the wolves she considered family. Her ears pricked forward as Cormalin glanced back, and she returned Alsander?s glance with a bob of here head, until a halt in the procession brought her abreast with Surreal and the mist grey male. Erani let loose a thundering summons, and Obsidian flicked her tail again, one ear flicking back. The horse wasn?t quite sure what this all meant, yet. But she would find out.

The brown pelted male heard the familiar sound reach his ears. It was the sound of the Valhalla healer, Erani. The woman seemed fond of him, and Newol found himself fond of her. She was the only real friend that the brute had so far in this land. One of the few here that actually knew the story too of how he'd come to be here. I could recall the event too. Telling her about how he'd been born in the desert with the wandering Misfits. About how when he'd still be young, just a yearling, his mother had told him to run away from the desert. Run as hard and as fast as he could and go find some beautiful place that was alive where he could thrive. He wasn't the prettiest of stories, no. But one thing was for sure, he new that his birth mother had loved him. And he'd done what she'd told him to. He'd put himself far away from that desert. And Erani was one of the few he'd shared that story with in his brief time here.

So when her voice reached his ear, he turned toward the source of the Summoning. His eyes alert, and ears pointing straight up and forward. It had caught him by surprise somewhat, but then again, he'd never experienced any of the things that happened in a traditional pack. But with that said, he still knew in his gut what this was. It was some sort of call to arms. That was souly thanks to all of the Royal Family of Zaraidd is his high pedigree blood. So turning to the call he made his way to it. But when he finally arrived, the male was a little shaken by what he met.

Stepping into the area, he started to glance around at all the other wolves that he didn't know or recognize, and all the scents that he'd never smelled before. This all made him a little nervous until he finally spotted the healer perched on the rock face above everyone else. He found his smile returning to his scared maw at the sight of her there. Stepping forward and taking a set, he settled his tail on top of his paws before giving her a polite bow of his head. Finally, he brought his gaze back to meet her's and spoke three words in a slightly rebellious tone. "It Suits You."

REGRETS COLLECT LIKE OLD FRIENDS here to relive your darkest moments For the first time in years, rage consumed the silver man. His home, the only place that he felt he belonged since losing his loved ones, had been torn from him at the paws of a tyrant. It struck too close to home. His heart ached for the safety and security he had established in Valhalla, on the small island that they had made their home. His muscles longed for battle, to earn back what Valhalla had rightfully earned. And so, when the silver man heard Erani's emotional howl riding on the brisk wind, he found no hesitation in dropping everything and rushing to find the girl. It didn't take long to find her and the rest of the large gathering of Valhallans. With pride in his veins he thought, they would not be defeated so easily. Flaming amber eyes evaluated the gathering and settled on the pale woman who had made the summons. Every wolf here was angry and distraught for their homes, and she was no different. Something would be done. He met eyes with the woman and nodded, a soft smile of approval flashing across his maw for an instant. "Good to see you, Erani. What is it we will do to take back our home?" His face had hardened in the struggle, and he knew it wouldn't be long before he could no longer fight for what he cared about. But that day was not now. Now he would protect the pack he had grown to love. The fight for Valhalla was not over. it's always darkest before the dawn[FLAMESONG ETHEREO]

Azalea felt worthless, like she was hardly worthy of being called an Adravendi. She had done nothing, standing by as that white wench, Artemis, took the throne and thus her home. Their home. Azalea didn't stay to see what all would become of the the challenge upon Isardis, that really didn't matter at that specific moment. Her heart squeezed tight with loss and confusion she could only think of getting her sons out before Artemis could show up and do something to them. Not a word was even whispered to Sarak as she had turned tail and exited that train wreck of a nightmare. Throwing her body into the water that separated her from her babes was a frantic act, half wading and half paddling madly to get to the other side. As she came to stand on Valhalla's shore she threw up her nose, howling long and loud. There was no excuse if they didn't listen to her. Azalea was picking through the dense foliage when she heard Erani, calling to the wolves of the pack to gather. Azalea hadn't reached the boys yet. Old enough to wander where ever they were increasingly hard to find and yet not skilled enough to find their way around in a timely fashion. With a sigh Azalea turned back, going to meet the others on the shore. She stood at the back, incapable of sitting down at a time like this, when her world was crashing down around her. Amber eyes were locked on Erani while internally she hoped, as she always did, that Sarak would notice her and sit by her. It was a silly thing to hope right now and as they were officially a part of each others lives it wasn't like he was going to just ignore her.

A lot of the pack members had left the island today, Kismet probably wouldn't have realised unless he had seen them. Azalea had ordered he and Soren not to follow though, in one of her serious tones that assured them she meant business. Although a little curious as to what was happening, he had obeyed the rules, perhaps a little to do with the fact that he still had yet to cross the water that separated their island from the bulk of Alacritis. One day he would, just not today it seemed. To begin with he'd waited at the edge of the island that his mother had crossed at, mismatched eyes watching for any sign of the pack coming back, certainly intrigued to know what was going on and why they'd all hurried away like that. Before their leave certainly hadn't been the time for questions and so they had to wait until their return. The boy could only wait for so long though and eventually he'd left to wander the island, maybe he would see who else had remained on it with he and Soren. He saw no one on his little walk though at least he wasn't simply sat there waiting. It certainly seemed to pass the time away a lot quicker as it didn't seem like it had been that long before he heard his mother's howl. He'd have thought her to be a little calmer now, but her voice seemed a lot more urgent. Eager for answers and not wishing to disobey his mother, the pup set off to find her. There were various wolves gathered, though he sought only for his mother, easily spying Azalea and moving swiftly to her side. She seemed very anxious, but then quite a few of the wolves present weren't exactly relaxed either. Tenderly his leant a little against his mother's side, no words for now. Questions would apparently be best kept for later, or for at least Soren anyway he assumed.

Sarak

Sarak hoped Seraphine won her Challenge. He really hoped she did. Chrysanthe had lost to that little Glaciem yearling. He wasn?t sure how it had happened, but it had. He?d felt the ripple of fury through the line, from Erani. The Theta had turned and headed away from the field, followed by Cormalin, Surreal, Alsander, and Obsidian. Azalea had charged off, and he now bounded beside his mate, keeping pace with her as she crashed headlong into the sea crossing. With barely a pause to shake the water from his coat, and to glance around warily for the sow that he?d stolen a piglet from, he joined Azalea in her frantic search for her sons, their sons. Erani?s thunderous howl made him miss a step, bumping into Azalea. He turned, and let Azalea take point, moss green eyes alert for a sign of the children. They would be protected as best as they could. They reached the location Erani had issued the commanding call from, and he flicked his eyes over the gathering crowd, eyes pausing for a moment on a brown male with green eyes an black ears. Settling beside Azalea, he leaned into her, resting his head on hers. Kismet arrived soon, and he bent to nose the boy. They?d met recently, not long before the challenge for Valhalla was called. Raising his head, mossy green gaze rested on Erani, taking in the set to her shoulders, the icy fury just beneath the still surface of those deep blue pools. Erani meant business, and he could tell what it must be. She was taking control, and stepping into the mantle of Leadership. His ears perked forward, ready to hear what she had to say.

She had not been in this land for long, aimlessly traveling here and there. She had ever since her mentor had died. It had tore into her tender heart and broke off a part of it. Even still to this day it still bled. The young girl was lonelier than she had never experienced in her whole short life, leaving the pack. But she just couldn't be near the death, to walk into her mentor's den and never see him again. To sit there and never have someone understand her as much as he had. It was just pure heartbreaking. For the girl who only knew of and dreamed of love, of tender to others with her feather gentle touches, she just couldn't bring herself to stay there. So she ran, ran before her training was finished, ran before anyone knew.

So here she was, a nomadic healer, wondering around alone all day and night. She felt too scared to join another pack. To grow to close just to loose someone you cared for. She just didn't think she could handle it. She had been an outside in her pack, would she not be more so in joining another? It just wasn't worth it. So she spent her time, fighting her consent depression with daydreaming and singing about love. Oh how she loved love, the magical air about it, the butterfly feeling in her tummy, the warmth, everything she loved. Even the breakups. She knew to never give up on love, one day she would find the one. And until then, breakups would happen. She would learn from them and it would only add to her experiences.

Sand brushed the white paws of the dull brown girl, making her sharp blue eyes blink. Had she been so out of it that she hadn't realized she was heading to a beach till just now? She shrugged it off, wasn't like it had been the first nor would it be the last. The white faced girl was about to walk along the shore when a powerful howl called out from an island in the distance. Something about that howl stirred something in her. She couldn't explain what or why, but that it was pulling her towards the caller. Slowly step by step she waded into the ocean, slowly legs kicked out to make the short swim. She felt like she was in some kind of daze, a dream. Once on the other shore she shook out her brown and white fur, blue eyes wary but intent of seeing what was going on.

She had never felt this kind of pull towards anyone other then her mentor. Had never felt the need to go to the howl and muster in attendance. All her subconscious knew was that she had to be there. She would have arrived sooner had it not been for the overpowering scent of many wolves slow her to a snail's pace. Around a rock she would come, with the back of some white female towards her. Creeping along the rock, body hugging it she came into view. At once her paws back pedaled at the sight of all those wolves. What was she thinking? She didn't know if these wolves were good or bad, or even a pack! Mouth gaping she peering up at the white female on the rock that held stiff shoulders and looked rather pissed. Her blue eyes stared in awe, unable to pull herself away and swim back to the main land. Hidden from the gathered wolves other than the white female should she turn to look down at her, Amia Tulip of the Nomads was frozen to her spot. She felt rather safe, unseen except from this female who gave her the chills. Not really in a bad way, but a powerful, confident way.

Sephiroth

A call rang forth, the voice familiar yet he had never heard a call like this before from this particular individual. Rising from his seated place overlooking the cliffs, he turned to find the source of the voice. Valhalla had been lost, and he unsure as to how exactly it happened. But he knew none would follow the enemy's pawn...or so he hoped. Those that did choose to do so, were not the family he thought they were or would be. One did not simply turn their backs on those who they once called family. It was dishonorable, it was cold. Sephiroth could never do such a thing without good reason, and so it was with those thoughts he would choose to remain with the ones who had taken him in and given him a home...becoming the family he had lost so long ago. It did not take long for him to arrive, already several had shown. To his surprise, the white she-wolf he had come to know as a motherly figure to most if not all of the Valhallans, was sitting at the head of the group. Stepping forth to stand before he, he dipped his head in a respectful nod as aquamarine gaze swam with questions. "Erani, it is nice to see you. I see you've recovered well." A smile would pull up his ivory lips, dual toned figure stepping forward to give the woman a courteous bow as was customary to those of higher rankings and standing back home. However, only if he respected them. And Erani was definitely one of those to be respected, she was a gifted healer after all, and one of the best that ever walked the lands. Rising back to his standing stature, he would take a step or two back before seating himself, a prickling thought about what this meeting might hold. He had an idea of Erani's purpose today, and he would support her 100%.

ooc: sooo vague since I have no clue where he stands. xD

The mission that had brought him here, the dream to find his father had left him hollowed, when he was told the truth about him. The white woman, Erani, had told him of his fathers death. He had been too late... His siblings still hadn't appeared to his knowledge, and he tried not to worry about them too much. Instead he focused on Valhalla, and it would seem with the commanding summons of Erani that something had happened. He moved to the shore opposite the island, plunging into the water, swimming strongly towards the small island. His paws churned strongly through the water, pulling him through the ocean. When his paws scrapped the sand on the bank opposite, he'd move quickly through it, pausing to take in a deep breath.

He felt as if he was trespassing, and in a way he was. He hadn't formally joined ranks with Valhalla, instead had remained at Veronica Plains, hoping for his siblings to appear. He moved through the land, towards the source of the sound, his ears attentive as he searched. He came upon a group of wolves and a horse, and he paused at the edge of the clearing, slightly wary of intruding on the family of wolves. Letting out a sigh, he emerged from the shadows, moving past the others to sit on the far right of the clearing, his blue eyes seeking Erani's, waiting to see what had happened. Everyone seemed tense, anxious... but why?

Walk | Talk | Think

Ashtoreth was considerably confused.

She had heard the call for the challenge, just as many others of the pack had, but her aversion to the trip across the shallow stretch of ocean that separated their island home from the mainland had prevented her from following. As she saw it, someone needed to hang back and keep an eye on things on the island until the higher ups returned, and since she was in no rush to go jumping back into that watery trek she felt qualified to stay.

But this was not the voice she had been waiting for. She answered the call with the same ready curiosity that she would have had it been Chrysanthe gathering Valhalla together, deferring to Erani's seniority and the respect she held for the healer, though her expression was puzzled as she hurriedly trotted with Leon through the denser section of the island toward the edge where she gathered the call to have originated from. What had happened? Why was Chrysanthe not the one to call the pack together? It had only been a challenge, a small trial compared to everything else that their Alpha had gone against and conquered before. Had something gone wrong this time?

By the time the slim, small grey wolf and her newly announced mate padded clear of the vegetation, there was already a decent-sized gathering. As she scanned across the faces, she realized that the one she had been seeking was not there and pressed gently against Leon's shoulder. Where was Chrysanthe? If the challenge was over - if everyone was returning - why was she not among them? Growing increasingly anxious, Ashtoreth shared a nervous look with Leon before she padded forward to join them, noting unpleasantly the overall sense of unrest that seemed most prevalent. Something had happened, that much was blatantly obvious. But what?

She had merely intended to take a seat in their midst, as she usually did, but instead she found herself walking through them, heedless of whether Leon followed or had stopped somewhere amongst them. Ashtoreth continued until she stood before Erani, too troubled by worries to show the typical patience that she could normally muster. Goodness, she looked so stern and rigid. "Erani?" she asked, voice just remaining smooth though she felt anything but calm, "What happened?"

That call. Familiar, and it called to him. The warrior heeded it without hesitation, moving swiftly through the land until he arrived at a scene he thought he would never see, and yet he felt that sooner or later it would have happened some time before he died. And it came sooner rather then later. He wasn't sure what happened back in the battle, but hopefully this would change things and hopefully they would be left alone in peace. After all, they had no reason to be attacked or anything. Their pack had been taken, and yet here they were rebuilding. So really, he thought it was a wasted effort on the northern pawns part. She had not really gained anything, just wasted her time and breath. He would arrive in little time, knowing that his aunt's call was seriously important. When she called for business, she meant it. And those of his family knew better then to ignore her. He saw his father along with others in his family. Then again, most of the pack in its entirety were his family. At least he hoped as such. He strode forward to his aunt and his father, giving each a brief nuzzle and nod as he sat next to his brother. It had been some time since he had any family time, and he hoped that soon he would be able to do so. He then wondered about his sister Claire...where had she gone off to, he wondered? He had not seen her in ages, and he was growing worried more and more as timed passed... Speech Thought Others

She was completely oblivious to what had happened at the battlefield. There was tension in the air here, and Lyric would step onto the scene, not smelling at all of these other wolves - and yet there was a small smile upon her pale visage. Bi colored eyes would search intently for her family - they were the reason that she had come back here. Her siblings, her mother, this was where Valhalla had been moved, wasn't it? They certainly weren't back in Vericona... but she would perk slightly when she spotted her mother - she knew that her howl was the voice behind this gathering! Curiosity sparked, she would scoot forward, hoping to catch her mother's gaze - before settling down and waiting to see what everyone had come together for.

He didn't know what was going on, the male out of the loop for some time as he made his way with Ashtoreth towards the call he had seldom if ever heard. It wasn't that of Chrysanthe, no. This one was familiar yet different. However, the smell of mingled scents told him it was of importance, and he continued forth as confused as his mate. He wasn't sure what he would find once arriving at the location, but either way he would remain with Ash and follow her wherever she so chose to go. He came on scene with his mate, allowing her to go on ahead a bit as he strayed back some to scan the small gathering. Many were still not here, and he wondered what had happened. The touch of his mate leaving him for even the briefest of moments sent a pang through him, but he knew he had to suck it up. He couldn't act needy could he? Or even clingy? Then again, was it so wrong to feel such a way? After all, he had waited for so long to confess to her. Surely it wasn't a bad thing...

He followed her again, stopping at her side as he too looked towards the elder wolf. Questions were in his eyes, but Ash had already asked them. He brushed her side with his body, wanting to provide comfort to her as well as to himself. Would things change soon? He knew of the trouble with the tyranical northern pack, and knew this would have to do with them...they would be those kinds of wolves. the kinds that always tried to make everyone who didn't follow them, miserable. But this family, they stood together. They stayed strong through everything. "Erani, please tell me we'll be okay..?" He whispered to her for only her ears and Ash's ears. Clearly he was worried, more so for Ash then himself. Yet, he couldn't help but feel protective of her, wanting to ensure that things would be alright.

The challenge was over. Chrysanthe had lost; Artemis had won. It made Odette's blood boil within her veins that the toy of Isardis had beaten her mother for rights to Valhalla. Even though she was free of the rule of such a small minion, it still upset her that such acts were carried out. The actions had been done out of pure power hunger and the white female didn't even care what she had done. To see her mother find solace in solitude after the fight made her heart break. Something had to be done...it just had to. As the Gargoyle mini-me rested outside of Chrysanthe's den, she heard the call of Erani. It wasn't a sound she was familiar with, but she noticed the tones used in the call that matched her grandmother's voice. Curiosity peeked its head for the millionth time and the yearling slowly rose to her haunches. A hushed 'Go ahead...I will catch up' was muttered from within the den and Odette gave a quick nod and bark before rising to all four paws to leave her post. She had received permission and she was going to use it. In no time at all, Odette had found her way to the small gathering of wolves. Her glossy coat was hit by the sun, shimmering as she padded along the sand towards them. Red and blue eyes beseeched the waiting crowd for information, for details as to why Erani had summoned them. She looked upon the wolves as her own family, taking in each face so she wouldn't miss a detail. Her heart continued to hammer in her chest as she met the Arwen-blue gaze of Erani. Solemnity appeared in Odette's eyes and the yearling slowed her pace as she stood perpendicular to the left of the white woman. Words weren't said...they didn't need to be muttered. So, she searched the crowd that had followed Erani from the mainland and her eyes caught onto Obsidian. Eagerly, she padded towards the horse and nuzzled her large left shoulder before sitting next to her. The equine had taken her fancy upon their first meeting and she hoped that they would continue to retain a friendship in the future. Talk like this

Shilah emerged from the salty ocean water onto white sandy beaches. Giving his coat a good shake he sat down heavily, panting to get air into his lungs. He just had to test himself. The islands could be harboring all kinds of strange and unusual plants with healing properties that had yet to be discovered and he was a wolf that was always learning. After all? he was only half-trained. There was still a ways to go. Shilah began moving into the terra when he caught the scent of other wolves, lots of them. Ears flicked forward as his nose bent to the earth, sifting through the scents. Rats? it seemed he'd managed to walk right onto claimed territory. Shilah hesitated but the truth was he needed a rest before he tried to swim back. Hopefully, these wolves would understand. Shilah took a deep breath and let out a clear, gentle howl to alert them to his presence before he started heading towards the main source of the scents. __________________________ The gathering was huge. Shilah's jaw just about fell open at the sight of all of them. It was hard to believe a pack was able to survive and thrive here in this isolated location. It was then his eyes rested on the white wolf at the center of the gathering. She was clearly the one who had called the meeting and while she was quite old he acquitted this with wisdom. Offering a light bow he spoke. "Pardon my intrusion, I didn't realize the isle was inhabited. Who are you?" The question was directed to the white femme but also the group as a whole. Who were they, this band? Speech