For now is my grief heavier than the sands of the seas… This world has emptied me of all but the oldest purpose: tomorrow's life. Hollow and lost the former king had buried his crown with his wife and stitched himself together as best he could.  As much as Drashiel may have wanted to lie down and let the world pass he still had a family to raise and he would do his best to be strong for them.  However, he knew he could not do it alone.  Providing for pups without a pack would be impossible and so he consigned himself to being under another's rule.  However, there was some hope.  Drashiel didn't mind being ruled by a wolf he respected and luckily he had just the man in mind.   Drashiel paused to take yet another tally of the pups.  Narcissa hung from his jaws as he counted that everyone else was coming along.  One, two, three, four, and Narcissa was five.  Good.  When everyone was accounted for then he would continue until they reached the borders of Imperium.  Gingerly Drashiel set Narcissa down and tipped back his head to how for the alpha, wincing suddenly and causing the howl to be cut off short.  Shaking his head he coughed violently almost certain that a few of his ribs were cracked.  He couldn't bare to stay in a land that had caused him so much pain.  Blood caked his left side where three long gashes had ripped through the flesh along his rib cage.  The greatest wounds he'd suffered in the battle but certainly not his only ones.  At least the kids were safe.  That was all that really mattered to him anymore. "Speech"

Everything hurt. Her heart, her body, especially her feet! They'd been walking for days, stopping now and then to rest and eat but Integra was getting tired of walking. She didn't want to move anymore. Sitting heavily she stared at her paws and sulked until a chiding growl from her father encouraged her to get back on her feet. Tree… tree…. grass….. hill….. whatever. Finally they made it to the border of this new pack where they were going to live her father started coughing again and she swallowed sharply, looking up at him. "Dad? You, ok?" Integra didn't know how many times she'd asked that question but she was terrified he was going to die to. Then what would they do? "Speech"

Drashiel. The unmistakable voice of Regium's alpha rose over the knolls and drew him in like a moth to flame. The sound was cut short suddenly - something that struck the brute as odd and made him a little uneasy. Was something amiss? His first thought was of war, of conflict between Regium and one of its neighbors. He heeded the call immediately, flying across the terra in the hopes of putting his mind at ease. When Drashiel came into view Valen let out a sigh of relief and relaxed, his pace slowing as a smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Suddenly the wind shifted, bringing to him the smell of blood, and his smile froze. Something was indeed wrong. He rushed forward, quickly closing the distance between himself and Drashiel and his gaggle of youngsters. “Drashiel! Are you alright?” No, of course he wasn't alright. Open wounds on his side oozed blood and he looked exhausted. “What happened? Is there war? Whatever you need, you will have it. Simply ask and it is yours.” Able bodies, healers, a sanctuary. Anything. “”

NOTE: Valentine has a female striped skunk companion named Lefty. Unless stated otherwise assume she's present.

Drashiel was not kept waiting, Valen came rushing on to the scene causing the other male to grin just slightly. His hero had arrived. Smile halted as another burst of pain shot through his chest, causing his breath to catch. Dammit. Limbs shivered as he collapsed suddenly, legs folding sharply underneath him. The fall made his vision blur from the pain. Slowly, with a few deep breaths he managed to get the words out. "Bears….wife was slain…. Regium disbanded…" Swallowing he turned to meet Valentine's pristine blue eyes. "I was… rather hoping to join Imperium? My children too."

Wincing he struggled to get up only to fail. Dammit…. so close. He made it to the border now why wouldn't his legs move! Sighing heavily he finally managed to pull of a weak smile. "I don't suppose you have a… healer? My ribs…. cracked."

"Speech"
'thoughts'

Momma was dead. The fact was hollow in the young pups mind, and her normal curious nature had muted considerably. She'd stood silently as Daddy had disbanded the pack and trailed along at the back of her siblings beside Greek, her tail hanging dejectedly in the dirt. What would they do without Momma? They had walked for ages it seemed, and she thought her paws would soon fall off. Whenever she'd stop- Greek would nudge her, letting out an impatient grunt. Bellona loved Uncle Greek, but he seemed so grumpy since Momma died. Would he ever tell her stories again? Finally Daddy stopped and Bellona hung back dejectedly as he let out a call. She kept to herself beside Greek- until a strange wolf showed up. Her fur bristling slightly she approached from around her siblings, to stand beside her daddy, who had fell down. "Daddy!"She whined, nuzzling at his muzzle. She then looked up at the strange wolf Daddy was talking too. She gave this stranger a rueful glance. Was he supposed to replace Momma? Why did he smell funny? Would he hurt Daddy? "Who're you?" She asked bluntly, her tone flat and her eyes guarded as she looked up and up at the big bluish wolf. She didn't get why they needed another pack. Regium hadn't saved Momma from the bears.. so what would another pack do for them? Greek Speak -- Bellona Speak

As he watched with widening eyes, the king fell. Immediately Valen's heart leapt into his throat and he rushed forward. Without thinking he sank down beside the fallen king and silently offered his side for the smaller brute to prop himself up against - a subtle move that would hopefully encourage Drashiel to stay down (as he was clearly in no shape to stand) without hurting his pride. The gesture was perhaps a bit much given their largely formal relationship up to this point, but Valentine didn't stop to consider the ramifications of his actions. A brief run down of the misfortune that had befallen him spilled from Drashiel's lips and Valen found himself shaking his head in disbelieve. In the brief time the two had known one another Drashiel had found a mate, merged their kingdoms, started a family, lost his mate and disbanded the aforementioned merged kingdom. He'd had one hell of a year. “Of course you may stay.” How could he possibly deny him and his family sanctuary? "I don't suppose you have a...healer?" Tipping back his head, Valentine called for Cascade. She wasn't a healer by trade, but he was aware that she had knowledge in this area. A small demanding voice on the other side Drashiel drew his attention from the heavens. Peeking over him, Valentine locked eyes on the small child. “My name is Valentine.” “”

NOTE: Valentine has a female striped skunk companion named Lefty. Unless stated otherwise assume she's present.

Drashiel moved to nuzzle Bellona and sighed softly, realizing he'd forgotten to introduce them… his mind was so foggy, it was hard to think. "He's… a friend." Breathing was getting difficult again and his voice slowly fell softer. Valen had moved to catch him and ease him to the ground. At first Drashiel was startled by the contact but he could not deny the comfort it brought him or the help as the taller male eased him to the ground. "Thank you." Valentine tipped his head for a healer and Drashiel finally felt himself able to relax a little given the circumstances. A healer was on the way, he and his children were accepted and he had a good friend looking out for him. Gingerly Drashiel moved to lower his head over his paws. It was getting really difficult to stay awake. "Speech"

Bellona studied the massive bluish wolf with little interest. Until he spoke to her, and Bellona leveled her gaze at him. "What kinda name is Valentine?" She asked a bit of curiosity lining her blunt and need-to-knew tone. Her and her siblings had all be named strong names- Momma had said. Bellona pressed against her father, and let out a slight whine as she felt him relax. "You're not gonna die too, are you Daddy?" She asked, her voice extremely small as she flopped near his forelegs and head. Gently, she'd lick at his ears, wanting to soothe him- doing things he did to them when they didn't feel good. I can't lose you too! She thought with a desperate look upwards at Valentine. "Save him." She whispered, asking a favor from a complete stranger, as a stray tear trailed down her face. Save my Daddy.... she wanted to scream. Greek Speak -- Bellona Speak

Valen's howl rose urgently, and Cascade's head came up sharply as she listened, ears pricked toward the sound to pinpoint where it was coming from - the border. A quiet word to the children ensured they would remain in the den, hopefully her unusually firm tone convincing them to listen, and the Saxe woman slipped from the den to race fluidly toward the sound. Slowing as she reached the call, her mismatched eyes blinked disconcertedly to see Valen propping up Drashiel of all wolves - and he certainly looked as though he'd seen better days, but who would have ever thought that both her potential pet projects could be found in the same place at the same time and in such an intimate position... she practically wiggled in glee but restrained herself since it was supposed to be a serious situation and everything - and the both of them were surrounded by a gaggle of puppies barely older than her and Valen's litter. Well well well! "Valen? Drashiel?" she spoke, both greeting and questioning. She kept her voice low and calm - the poor kiddos looked in rough shape. Exhausted and frightened and... sad. What had happened to Drashiel since she'd last seen him to bring him to this? ""

Shivering and miserable despite the relative warmth of the day, Atreides moved mechanically along with his sisters and daddy. He was exhausted; already the smallest of all of them save Narcissa, who was carried anyway, he'd had to work that much harder to keep up with them and on top of that he was still unable to fully process what had happened to them. It was a whirlwind, from blood and death to leaving their home and starting the long, long, long walk out of the north. When Dad stopped, Trei kept going, bumping into Siri before finally registering that they'd stopped moving. Not even muttering an apology to his sister he dropped butt to ground and huddled in on himself. In a fog of misery and shock the young Armada was oblivious to what was happening around us, until Bellona's high voice called out in fear and he lifted his head wearily to see his father collapsed on the ground, a really big wolf curled against him. "Daddy.." he rasped, struggling to his own paws and forcing himself to take the few steps to bury his face in his father's gray fur. He was just so... tired. ""

Grandeur cast aside, Valentine continued to offer his shoulder for Regium's king to lean against. So far he had succeeded in keeping Drashiel from attempting to rise again, not that he seemed all that keen on doing so. The journey from Regium to Imperium was a long one. How exactly the brute had managed it while wounded and with kids in tow was beyond him. The girl on the other side of him asked him a question and the brute once again peeked over Drashiel to look at her. “Mine,” he said simply. As for her other questions, Valentine decided to ignore them. He didn't believe that Drashiel was going to die, but call him superstitious, he felt weird about stating that. Instead he decided to try to distract her. “What's your name, huh? Why don't you all tell me your names?” Cascade arrived and Valentine tried to catch her eye and silently warn her about what she was getting in to. There was no need to try to get her to approach the situation with sensitivity, as Cas easily picked up on the atmosphere that surrounded the little group. “Ah, Cascade,” he said lightly, feigning calm. “Drashiel here has gotten himself in a bit of trouble. He could use a little help,” Valentine hinted, hoping she'd get what he was trying to convey without him having to say it outright. “”

NOTE: Valentine has a female striped skunk companion named Lefty. Unless stated otherwise assume she's present.

For now is my grief heavier than the sands of the seas… This world has emptied me of all but the oldest purpose: tomorrow's life. Drashiel shook his head weakly in response to Bellona's question.  No, he wasn't going to die, not yet.  He couldn't afford to, not until his kids were settled at least a little more but he had to admit the thought had been on his mind.  What would happen if he didn't make it through the week?  Drashiel dipped his head gently in greeting at the black femme that entered, miss Cascade but he was breathing to heavy to get any words out. He just hoped she'd be able to help him so he could be around for at least a little longer.  His vision was blurring and he felt terribly dizzy and a little sick.  Head felt to outstretched paws as he closed his eyes and turned his focus to his breathing. "Speech"