The white gloved Crown Princess took in a deep breath as she watched the sun lower itself beyond the horizon. She felt her heart beat erratically in her chest and she did her best to tamp down the nervous energy that held tightly to her. This was a huge day for her. The Empress turned over the reins to the young Princess, she would be the wolf to lead Ashen’s raid against the Armada. Her confidence held true, but she wondered if her mother was making the correct decision in allowing her to lead. Maybe it was a good thing Deathbelle had more confidence in her daughter than she did herself.

Slowly she stood, taking one last glance at the fading colors that painted the sky, and she made her way to the Shrine. She ignored the way her heart beat and how shaky her limbs were the closer she got to the meeting place. Again she drew in a deep breath, she lifted her head and held herself like a goddess should. Though the image didn’t sink any deeper than her skin no one besides Plague needed to know her nerves.

She wore her armor, and Poison the giant squirrel perched on her shoulder. She took in one last stress relieving breath and tipped back her head to call out for the wolves who wished to join her in the pack’s first raid.

ooc: Alright! I’d like to see everyone who wants to be in the raid post by the 28th! If we get all of our participants before that we’ll go ahead and begin earlier<3

words "Speech" The Samurai was prompt to answer the soo awaited call. A call to an incoming war, and if one could ask her, she would certainly state how excited she felt. War was something she enjoyed even those of practice. And this was her first raid in Ardent, so she wondered against who she will end up fighting. To the date, she didn't move much knowledge of who decided in the Armada, but that increased her curiosity to asses the Armada's strength, even if she had to test it on her own skin and fresh. Adrenaline was always something she loved to feel, to feel the excitement of a battle and she hopped those they were attacking wouldn't going to disappoint her. But leaving that to a side, she approached the meeting place, seeing her Niece and siblings. But Venom's position made her think she will be leading the meeting. She was pleased with that. The youth always surprised her. And thus she took a seat with calm eyes.

ART BY IRISH

Pestilence took in a deep breath before moving to answer her sister's call. It was an odd feeling, to stand beside Venom one last time as packmates in this training exercise. One day her sister would be Empress and Pestilence would be... somewhere else. She shook the thought from her head and approached the meeting area. Trailing behind her was Pasketti the money and coiled around her neck was her hidden viper, Noodle. The sharpened claw-tips she'd hand crafted were adorned upon her forepaws, and she only wished her bracers were ready so she could bring them along too. Regardless of whether or not it was a training exercise, Pestilence wanted to be focused and ready to fight as if it was life and death. This was her last showing of her strength as a Klein in the Ashen Empire, and she wanted to make her mother proud. "I believe in you, Venom." She told her sister quietly. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Harbringr swiftly donned his armor and weaponry as the call for the raid meeting went out. Excitement flowed through him like electricity. He just hoped he could do his sister proud. Well, he also hoped for a rematch against Zee but they'd have to see how things stacked up when the raid actually began.

He arrived with his companions and quickly moved to take a seat, choosing to sit by Pestilence, his young apprentice who had recently bested him in a spar. She was destined for greatness but he wished she planned to stay in Ashen.

Plague knew the call would come in due time. He was excited for their first raid and for his sister to be leading the charge. Ashen was full of strong warriors and it would be a thrill to see them all in action. He knew Sirius was a rather decorated fighter but didn't know much else about the Armada's soldiers. Perhaps he'd have the chance to encounter of a few of them on the battlefield. Plague had been training a lot with spars and other fights lately. He hoped to give someone a run for their money when the time came. The howl filled the air and the hefty boy trotted to the shrine. His heart thudded in hest chest with a rumble of excitement as the male allowed his eyes to rest upon those that had already shown. Two siblings, an uncle, and an aunt. All proper fighters. Plague slowed to saunter forth into the clearing and his eyes rested upon Venom, offering a small nod. The male then stood stationary while he soothed his breathing from the run. He needed a clear mind for what was to come next. ""

Recluse heard her cousins' call and she gently rose to her paws, shaking her pelt out. The wraith extended a forepaw to allow Lilith to climb up her leg, the pair had been lounging outside Recluse's den so the call was a much needed chance at something more exciting. The girl slunk towards the group, cherry gaze scanning for her father and when she noticed he wasn't around Recluse couldn't help a smirk. The young woman adopted a more dominant posture, her head high and Lilith coiled around her neck, tongue flicking as she wove through the group before settling herself as center as much as she could, turning her cherry gaze towards her young cousin. "Speech"

blood in the cut Calamity had been keeping to herself so much lately that she felt as if she'd lost her place amidst the rest of the pack. She was just existing. Any revelation she'd been hoping for hadn't yet come and she was beginning to suspect that it never would. Cursing to herself, the princess roused slowly from her daily meditation. The Armada raid might shake up her routine enough to be interesting. At the very least, she'd better show her face so that her sisters and mother knew she was still alive. Vaguely Cala was aware that Deathbelle had given birth to a second litter, sired by her... uncle, Hannibal. Half-breeds and muddied blood, what was the pack coming to? First it was going to the dogs and now it may as well be up in flames. She wondered what her father would think of it all. The young princess arrived at the gathering and sat at the edge, her ears and eyes alert. Yes, a distraction was just what she needed. "calamity ordains you unworthy"

The call from a foreign mouth beckoned him, though he was confused as to who it was. He hadn't really interacted with anyone other than a couple of the adults since he was born, so he was unable to put a name or face to the sound of the howl that called. The sturdy young warrior made his way to the meeting place with his cat walking beside him. It was an odd site with a small wolf and a cat that was a little over half a foot taller than he was, but he quite enjoyed his feline counterparts company. Njal had been an invaluable asset to him since they met. The Norwegian cat knew all about Gimli's heritage, and each day they spent together was another day of learning. Gimli was proud of his Nordic heritage. Though he couldn't say the same for his Klein side...he felt...different compared to them. He didn't have the strong drive for power and control like some of the others had...for now, he considered himself a little more humble, maybe except when it came to fighting, however. He was proud of his fighting ability considering he was shorter and stockier than most of the other Kleins. He missed his siblings though...he felt he fit in with them far better than the misfits here. While some of them acted better than the other, he could never really bring himself to try to play that game. Though surely with Hannibal as his father, he likely had the right just as much as they did. He arrived to find several of the pack members already gathered, though his eye caught Recluse rather quickly. He smirked as he sat off to the side though potentially in her peripheral view, the smirk never leaving his face as he turned his attention to the unfamiliar girl at the front. By scent, he knew she was his aunt's kid. His cousin. But he didn't really know her name. Njal sat beside him, tall and proud with his tail curled neatly over his paws and they waited for the meeting to start. "Speak"

Toxicity was still torn on everything. Her mortal world had been turned upside down and somehow she found little solace in her spiritual realm. For the first time since her father had died, she was having trouble accepting reality. She desperately wanted to know what her siblings thought. She hoped they- except Pestilence because she was a lost cause at the moment- were equally disgusted. Their mother hadn't even spoken to them. She hadn't told them before announcing it at the meeting. Had Toxicity been a little aloof? Sure, but that wasn't a reason to go and have muddy-blooded, cursed pups without any care for who you hurt. For the first time, she felt that her mother was terribly selfish. There were times when she had her doubts about her mother's- no, Deathbelle's- intentions with god and their father, but now it was confirmed. It had all been a lie.

Still, Deathbelle wasn't the one calling this raid. It was Venom. As far as Toxicity knew, she still was on the right path, and so Toxicity would follow her. As she came to the meeting, she settled near Calamity, eyeing her meaningfully. They needed to talk after this. She greeted all of her siblings lightly, timidly, save for Pest who was ignored completely. She wasn't doing this for her mother or even the pack, but Venom needed her support and so she would be there.

The news of who the father of his sister's pups were sired by had stirred an uncomfortable feeling in his gut. On one hand he saw them trying to keep their bloodline strong... But then there was a but of uncertainty in that as well. Surely there were other ways than breeding with each other? Not that it was unheard of... But Asphyxia, as much as he loved Belle, could not imagine loving her or any female relative that way. Still... He did not hate her of Hannibal for doing what they felt was right. If they were happy he would be happy for them and be more than willing to aid with training the young.

He ended up being the last to call, trickling in as he took deep breaths to regain his air. He had been running to ensure he had made it before Venom gave her orders. He took a seat, making sure his heavier breathing was kept quiet as possible. Heaving and huffing was highly unattractive.  His blue gaze shifted to the heir of his sister's pack and gave a small nod. He was hers to use for this raid.

She took in a deep breath as the pack began to start trickling in, her gaze was sharp and she hid her nerves with a confident stance and sweeping motion of her tail. Her head was held high despite her inner emotions. This was her first big task, she was leading her family for the first time. She was excited but the potential for failure did not surpass her awareness, she had to lead them to victory, she had to prove herself.

Venom gave Hela a quick nod of her head in greeting as Pesto followed behind and offered her support. The princess grinned at her sister, excited to at least make this last memory with her. Venom turned her attention to her uncle as he eagerly appeared as well. The amount of support she had nearly overwhelmed her. With every face that appeared her confidence grew, and she offered each of them an appreciative nod at their arrivals. Today she would prove herself.

”Thank you all so much for coming.” She spoke up, voice cracking in the beginning as she warmed up. Had she ever spoken to so many wolves at one time? There was no more need to be nervous, she had the huge support of her pack. One day they would be her pack. She grinned and continued. ”Today we march on the Armada. The Warlord, Sirius, owes me a stash of weaponry.” She told them as her dual toned tail flicked eagerly at her hips, a motion that betrayed her nerves turned excitement. ”Though we’re doing this for experience fully expect to receive what you dish out.” If they were going to hand out maims they should expect to be retaliated so. Rather hurriedly she finished before she lost her nerve. ”Alright, no more delay. Lets raid!”

With no more warning Venom leapt from her perch and led the way towards the border with the Armada.