You're gonna need a body bag

There isn’t much that happens within Ethne’s borders that Haydée isn’t aware of. It is part of her duty as the Leader to be informed and it is something that the girl takes extremely seriously. Darkness has settled its heavy cloak over the world and lanterns have been lit in her room so that she can continue to study the books that have piled up on her desk. Bent over an opened book, she pauses in her reading as paw-steps reach her ears and she lifts her head slightly to cast her green eyes at the entrance to her den. But they do not come to her room and, instead, retreat down the halls so the young woman returns to her studies, without giving it a second thought.

Minutes tick by and the girl’s shoulders slowly tighten until they reach an uncomfortable level and she knows that she should get up and stretch. Abandoning the book, Haydée swiftly stands, rolling her shoulders to try and ease the tension that has settled there. A sigh drifts from her lips and she decides to take a small walk as she slowly pads out to the hallway and down the path that leads out from the cave system. The roar of Falls is a familiar lullaby to the young Leader and it helps to sooth some the worry that has been building in her chest. There is so much she should be doing, so much that she needs to plan and implement to make sure that Ethne continues to flourish but it all seems like such a daunting task.

The air is cold as she traces the trail around the pool of water, green eyes lifting to the clouds that cover the sky and their dark bellies that are laden with moisture. Soon the pregnant clouds will be unleashing rain upon the pack lands but, for now, they simply loom over head and continue to threaten the inevitable. A sharp gust of wind tugs at her body, attempting to pull her over but failing and throws debris at her. Haydée body is pelted with stripped leaves and small branches before it suddenly to whip out at from another direction. The girl decides that it would be best to seek shelter inside.

Just as she turns to head back to the cave system, the air stills and a summons reaches her ears. Bae-Syl, her sister’s husband and one of her combatants is calling for her. Haydée is off like a shot, racing over the distance that separates them with urgency. Worry needles her brain and as she approaches and, when the scent of blood and predator fills her nostrils, that worry turns into dread. Gritting her teeth, the Leader bursts onto the scene, eyes quickly scanning the area and taking in the situation. Before her time as Leader, she might have panicked but now she is able to quickly assess and take control.

Spying the injuries on Bae-Syl, the girl immediately tips her head back a offers a powerful, urgent summons for both Dorian and Bay. Reinforcements will be helpful and Haydée knows Lucette will need all the paws she can get. With an air of authority, she steps toward the pair and offers them a dip of her head in greeting as she says, “I have called for Bay and Dorian, they will follow your lead Lucette. Bae-Syl, rest and do she says. That is an order.” An amused smile wiggles her lips as she tosses him a wink and steps over to the dead jaguar. Looking at the dead predator, she says, “I will see that this skinned and its pelt delivered to you Bae-Syl.”

Green gaze moves to the male and her features soften as she says, “You did good. Now, I will take it from here.” A gentle bow is offered as she shoulders the situation, knowing she needs to train other combatants since the predators have begun to encroach on Ethne territory. They must think the pack weak to continue to try and push in and it is time Ethne taught them a lesson.


"Haydée Kedieo"