Fatalis

There was a cool chill to the late morning air, and the heavy clouds above them were dark with the promise of rain. The Warlord suspected the air was cold enough to chill the rain as it fell, and he wondered if they would get hail or snow. As he gently nudged his wife out of the den before them, he grabbed the fox-furred coat he had sown onto an otter skin to create a water-tight winter coat, and draped it over her pale form before she could protest.

Together, the Warlord and his Queen made their way to the communal space, and took up residence on the raised dias he had created for meetings. Seated beside her, he raised his head and called for the Armada pack to attend them. In his howl he would include the message ‘This is mandatory for all leaders* and all warriors. For the rest, they could attend and witness if they pleased’ it was time they discussed some important matters for their future. Now that he had seen what his wolves could do in a mock raid, he wished to give them a chance to perform in a real-time battle. It was time they created a war-council and chose a direction for the Ashen Armada.

His children were still puzzled as to why they pulled straws the day before, and Indigo had been left with the shortest stick. He had told them they would understand after this meeting, holding them in suspense. As the calls of the Alpha’s fell silent, he sneaked a mischievous glance to his Wife. His plans for their children had been modified by her wise words.

* Tier 3 and up

"Ice" & "Fire"

Fatalis

The alpha pair had done their primary discussion in private, and with the decision made that their wolves were ready they moved to call upon them. All wolves were welcome for this part of the meeting, though later on they would form a council to discuss more closed matters. The only regret the Queen had was that when their target was to be chosen that there would not be room for them all, that although they'd all shown such promise in the last raid that they'd need to leave some wolves behind for the next. As always, she allowed Sirius to make the call. Remaining a quiet steady presence at his side she awaited to see the wolves begin to file in. There was so much to discuss and Zee knew how easy it would be for the decisions made here could impact the Armada's future in good ways or bad. She snuck a glance at her husband, giving him a smile and nuzzling beneath his chin for a moment while they were still alone.


"Ice" & "Fire"

I'm gonna burn for you
You're gonna melt for me

Sirius as her husband may crash any of Zee's threads.

Zee has a rough scaled bush viper companion as well as a toucan, who unless otherwise stated can assume to not be present.
During combat, Zee wears a wrapping of thorns around her kudu horns.

mortis fatalis

The sound of the Alphas called to him, and he stood to attention for a moment, listening to the voice of his mother and father. He had only attended two other meetings in his life, and in both lots seemed to happen. In the first, he and Azure were announced heir, in the second, Malalia and Tamsyn were promoted in a big grand ceremony. It made him wonder - what exactly could happen next?

Not one to wait another moment, he ran towards the meeting spot, his paws barely touching the cool grass as he swallowed the distance, and skidded to a halt. He was the first to arrive, and he quickly hoped up the dias and gave his mum a kiss and a tail wag. He then took a seat on the meeting-floor and waited for his family and friends to turn up.

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Azure was quick to obey his father's call, catching sight of Mortis too on the way to the meeting place. Him and his siblings were growing quickly and were nearing their adult heights and Az was counting down the seasons until he'd officially be a yearling and given more freedom to be himself. He'd made it through the first 9 months with only one strike, that was good. Maybe if he continued to behave he could convince his father to remove the single strike he'd earned and start his yearling-hood off fresh and new. He took a seat not beside his parents but in where the crowd should be, looking around the plains to see where the others were and exactly how fast they could get this meeting started. Though he'd never admit it, Azure was unbelievably excited about the whispers he'd heard and what might come next. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

The call came and, as always, Iolaire was ready to go. Nothing was too important that it couldn't be pushed aside until the meeting was finish. If Sirius was calling for them, then it would be some announcement of great import. Dusting off her paws, Iolaire made herself presentable and moved to the meeting site. She flashed a grin to Zee and a wink to Sirius before settling down beside Mort and Azure in the front row. She wondered what announcement or scheme her brother had for them this time. "Speech"

Dunkan was on a patrol that he started before the sun had even appeared into the horizons.He had a lot on his shoulders,a future he would need to fight for someday. When? He couldn't tell but he would treat each day as that one.His alpha could be calling him anytime without warning maybe.And thus he always had to be ready.And there as the morning fell upon his almost full grown body he walked with silent steps. But then a call reached his ears.Sirus. A meeting? Maybe and like if it was something signed in his essence he found himself already coming close to the area.Not knowing if everyone had to come,but just in case he preferred to assist and show interest in the pack's stuff than risking himself to fail to attend a meeting of great importance.He couldn't allow himself to act this way being so close to his promotion. And like that he arrived taking note of those who already came.And in silence he sat down. "Speak"

Having been out and about, Resin was very nearby to where the call rang out. When she arrived, Sirius and his wife were sitting at the head. Mort and Azure were there. Moving past the boys, she fixed them both with her golden gaze before settling off to the side. Resin slid down to lay upon her stomach. She was very careful of her leg and shoulder these days. One little tweak could leave her weak on one side for days after. Having situated herself, the big woman curled her tail around her hip and waited. "Speech"

"Aslatiel Fatalis" Oh no... another meeting? Who was getting adopted this time? With an eye roll that could have knocked her off of her own paws and a big, exaggerated sigh, Aslatiel made her way towards the clearing where her parents held their meetings. Taking note of who was already there, she avoided most of them, instead deciding to sit off to the side with her grandma. Though she'd helped try to kill the woman once, she'd taken a liking to her now. Curling up in a little ball, she rested against her grandmother, head on her paws, but ears open.

Mal had turned her head up at the call, narrowed eyes and wrinkled nose, a bit peeved to be called away in the middle of practice. Nonetheless, her had ears flickered upwards in curiosity, and she went immediately towards the communal area. Another meeting? She'd had some inkling of the last -- the end of the Reaper competition had been looming nigh -- but whatever plans that the Alphas had in store, she was completely oblivious to. The young fae could only file in with the rest of her packmates, snorting softly as she took a seat near Mortis and tried not too look as irritable as she felt.

"Speech"

It was her first meeting under this pack. There was indeed a first time for everything and she couldn't help but to feel excited. Her body moved easily and the meeting was met with wolves already there. Kaizer nodded her head to the princess Aslatiel the only other member of the pack she had met so far. Everyone else as far as she knew was a stranger and she was going to have to change that. Carefully she took her seat outside of everyone in the communal space. Away from the strangers so that anyone could approach her if they wanted but she was not invading on anyone's space. Her ears perked forward watching Sirius and what she assumed was his mate she was a tiny little thing and it made her smile a little. Still though her expression turned to a more serious tone as she waited for the rest of the pack and for the meeting itself to start.

The weighted clouds that threatened rain hardly deterred him from his morning duties, patrolling the borders and catching a small rabbit to feast on for breakfast. With the daily exercise, he was toning up far more than he had as a loner despite constantly being on the move then. Little fat coated his muscles and instead he was taking on a sculpted look, his fur sitting snugly against the peaks and valleys of his figure. Despite the chill in the air, he was rather warm from his patrol and was beginning to take his turn back to the heart of the pack when a howl rang out, calling him and many others to the communal area. He began a brisk trot towards the call, but had found himself arriving somewhat late compared to the others.

Many had taken a seat next to another, but Magnus chose to sit alone again, taking up a place off to the side from which he approached and tongue lolling from his mouth as he began to attempt cooling himself. Purple eyes scanned the crowd that had already arrived but eventually found their way back to Sirius and Zeitgeist as he waited, wondering if he were the last to arrive or if they were still waiting on others.

"Speech!"

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Maggot, though unfamiliar with such calls, was quick to scramble behind the others. Some wolves remained at the camp, and Maggot was a bit perplexed at this. However, the girl decided to focus on herself and trotted quickly to where the booming sound had resonated from. Her eyes roved over the unfamiliar figures, and her tail gave a little wag as she spotted Mortis.

Her head turned as she peeked timidly around her, wondering where she was supposed to sit. She resigned to sitting where the majority of the unknown faces of the pack resided. Maggot assumed this was where the lower ranking individuals would be seated and decided she would blend in fine.

The girl trotted over, sitting at the edge of the group with her head held in its usual low posture. Her eyes, however, were flicking between her leaders expectantly. Maggot was both nervous as well as excited. She felt like she belonged.

Drawing the short straw had been odd to say the least, Indigo wasn’t the pup to be singled out of the line up of the siblings. He shook his thick mohawk and followed his father’s expected call, hopefully his curiosity would be quelled at this meeting. He knew it wasn’t specifically for him because their straws were random so he likely wasn’t getting a promotion like his brothers in the last meeting.

The big boy was the last of his immediate family to arrive and he wandered over to where Asla sat with Resin and settled on his sister’s other side. She wouldn’t be at all cold at this meeting. He gave her a quick nudge with his nose along with a smile before returning his attention to his mom and dad.

Maybe Iolaire wasn’t put off from dropping what they were doing but Roan was a little disgruntled at the Warlord’s timing. He had just been about to sweep his little wife off her paws and snuggle in somewhere private when the call rang out. He loped off with a huff, but vowed he would pick up right where he left off once the gathering was through. Roan curled his huge body around his dainty partner after she settled beside the not so little princes. He kissed her cheek before turning his verdant gaze to Zee and Sirius. As always, curious about why they were being gathered together again so soon. Had raiding season begun?

Natha shifted the coyote in her jaws, carefully adjusting it before she started trudging deeper into Armada territory. She'd just finished her patrol when she caught the scent of the creature starting to work its way in and while she didn't know its intentions she was not the sort to give benefit of the doubt to a coyote. She'd made quick work of him with a sneak attack but then she was at a loss what to do with him. Normally, when she got in a fight the other predator would run off but this one hadn't. It had kept blindly attacking until it wore out her patience. Was it truly that desperate?

She supposed the coyote might have pups to feed soon. It was their breeding season after all. Well, she supposed she could take the hide and leave the body on the border as a warning. Surely one didn't eat coyote?

Natha's large ears flicked up at attention as she heard Sirius' call. Lamenting the timing she dragged the coyote deeper into the territory and stuffed it in one of her storage dens until she could deal with it. At that point she was running later than she'd like but it would have to do. A good number of her pack mates were already gathered when she arrived and quickly sat down. As she waited for the meeting to begin she worked at cleaning the coyote blood off her face as paws. Her little pink tongue moving swiftly to groom her stained fur.

Tamsyn was lingering near the barracks when she heard the Warlord’s call for a pack meeting and her head popped up with surprise in response. It felt like this one was pretty soon after their last meeting, so she had to assume that there was something important to share. Even if Sirius hadn’t made it clear in his tone that she should be there due to her rank, she would have come anyway. She couldn’t imagine being anywhere near the pack lands and not showing up to the meeting.

She hurried back toward their usual meeting area, but when she arrived she noticed that everyone seemed to have beaten her here. Of course she had been near the opposite side of the Armada’s lands when he howled so she wasn’t too surprised, but she was pretty impressed all the same. She was glad to see that the quiet winter hadn’t dulled anyone’s enthusiasm. She smiled a little and trotted over to find a seat somewhere near Resin as she usually did before focusing her attention on Sirius and Zee to see what they had in store.

"Speech" Thought

The numbers grew and swelled before them, his oldest boys showing first and quickly to the meeting, and the Warlord hid his smile. He knew the two of them had much to prove, young as they were with so much on their heads already. His sister arrived next, taking a seat by the kids, and he returned the gesture she made. The apprentice he would soon see a warrior came next, then his sister's mother. His little daughter, who rested tightly besides her grandmother. Sirius was forced to hide another smile. His Reaper came next, and he nodded to her, and then gestured for her to join them. She was a leader in this pack as he and Zee were, and poised to take their place should they fall before their children were old enough, or lead whenever he was absent. It would do her good to sit in front of the crowd. So many familiar faces arrayed themselves before him, and he spared a moment to look at each and every one of them. He had called them before him today, because their opinions mattered, because he wanted them to take a hand at shaping the future of this pack. His General arrived last, but not late, to the quickly assembled group. The meeting was convened. The Warlord straightened, taking a step forward “Welcome, Armada wolves. We have much to discuss today. An essential part of pack lives- raids. We know that some have already happened across the lands, and there is no doubt it’s only a matter of time before eyes turn to us. I intend to beat them to the punch.” he grinned past his fangs, looking to his warriors with pride. “I intend for us to get some real-world experience, and raid a pack for supplies. Our intention is not to cripple them, or injure their ability to survive through Winter. It is to test their mettle, and ours, and know the strength of the other packs in this land. Now instead of pointing out noses towards a target and say’ lets go’ I wish everyone here to raise their voice. Tell me which pack you would see us raid. The opinion of all the Armada wolves are valid.” and with that, he opened the floor. Ooc: Every wolf has to pick a pack! Round ends 7/11/20 "Speech"

Roan settled down beside her with a kiss. A kiss that she returned. Io leaned against him until Sirius brought up the reason for the meeting. When he asked their opinions, she was all business. "Winterfell." Iolaire surprised even herself when she was the first to speak. Dark ears flicked forward and she stood,  calling attention to herself. "I've been spending quite a bit of time with one of the wolves of Abaven. They were raided by Winterfell. It was poorly done." She didn't know the entire story,  but she knew that the packs had been friendly.  "Turnabout is fair play." Bringing her green-gold gaze to Sirius, she nodded. "That is my choice." The wolves of Abaven were fantastic. She lined each once that she'd met so far. They had allowed her into their lands freely and she still spent time with Rhythm. Io didn't like that their supplies had been taken before winter. And by a friendly pack,  to boot. Eyes fell upon each member of the pack as the small woman continued.  "There are several packs that I'm aware of. There's Fireside. One of their number drunkenly...relieved himself directly on our border." She didn't say anything worse simply because she didn't want to be the one to teach the kids their first sentence enhancers. "There's Lirim. They are unknown to me other than their name. The pack called Aerie call themselves mercenaries." One silver brow arched.  "Teeth for hire cannot be trusted in my eyes." There was no telling when another pack might pay a higher price and those teeth might turn on you. "Valhalla is another pack that I've heard of. We recently had one of their number here for healing. He seemed decent, but I know nothing else of the pack or its workings. Winterfell, as I've said, is my choice." Green flames flashed in the small womans eyes. "One does not leave a friend without supplies before a long winter." One way or another,  they would pay. This raid or the next. Again she turned her attention to the pack, ever the master of diplomacy. "As you make your choices,  please share whatever information you have and explain your choice. Not everyone here knows of the packs and it could help them decide." With a smile and a wink to Sirius and Zee, Io found her seat once more and opened the floor again for wherever would speak next.

Meadow is at the meeting, listening intently to the words that Sirius speaks. After hearing the call of her alpha, she had made her way to the meeting place and tried her hardest to blend into the back of the gathering. Meetings always give her anxiety because she is afraid that she will say or do something wrong. It is a fear she is trying to work with when Sirius talks about raiding and how the opinions of all Armada wolves are valid. While Meadow is not a fighter she does have an idea of who might be a good pack to raid. She waits until someone else speaks up first. To her surprise, and delight, it is Iolaire that has the first suggestion. Nodding to herself, she agrees with Io’s reasoning and choice. Allowing a few moments pause between Iolaire’s last words, Meadow allows her voice to call out from the back of the group, “I think we should raid Fireside.” Fear grips her heart at having spoken out loud, she searches the crowd for a familiar form. Eyes come to rest on Resin and that gives her enough courage to finish her thought. Clearing her throat, she continues, “While I was traveling I heard of the pack called Fireside. They like to keep livestock with them. If we are going to raid for supplies, it might be a good idea to take some for food.” With a small shrug she quickly adds, “I… I don’t really know much about the other packs. Sorry. This was just a thought too.” After Meadow has finished she quickly tries to go back to hiding again. She really hates speaking when there is a group. "Meadow"

Magnus waited until the rest would arrive and until Sirius would speak of the reasoning behind this meeting. As everyone else gathered, his eyes followed briefly before finding elsewhere to focus until the meeting would begin. As Sirius had started to speak, his attention was brought him him and a slight wag of his tail was the only indication of his excitement at the mention of a raid. Although he knew next to nothing about the other packs that littered Boreas, he waited briefly until others would speak.

Thankfully, Iolaire seemed to know a thing or two about the other packs and his attention turned to fix on her as she spoke of them. His jaw parted to speak when another had started just before him and his teeth closed with a subtle click, choosing to listen rather than interrupt. After her opinion, Magnus decided to speak up then before he lost the chance.

"I know next to nothing of the other packs, but maybe Aerie before they're hired to come for us? " He admitted and ended there, his gaze scanning the others and waiting for their opinions.