It was time. Acere led the raiding party towards Ashen while occasionally glancing back to gauge the team behind him. They had had ample time to prepare and get ready for this, and the closer they got, he could feel the adrenaline pumping. Once this was done, they would be free of Hjarrandi's debt and could focus on themselves for future raids. Win or lose, this last part of the bargain for Kai would be settled and Winterfell would have no more to do with the band. Donned in his armor, he was focused on the task at hand. While this debt had taken longer to settle than he would have liked, the world had forced him to come to a halt when the volcano erupted, and then allowing his first target to recover...and then a brutal winter had struck the lands, hitting his particularly hard. Now that Spring had come, however, it was time. He didn't know the wolves of Ashen well...he had met the alphas briefly (he was unaware that Hannibal was absent), with Hannibal coming to Winterfell a while back to talk politics and take his child home, and Deathbelle he had met in the battlefield for a spar. Beyond that, he knew little of them. But that didn't quite matter right now. The Northern wolves tended to keep to themselves now more than ever.

He paused at the top of a rise with Ashen's borders several yards ahead of them. Using the cover of the trees, he turned to his team. "Are you ready, Winterfell? Win or lose, this raid marks the end of our debt. I apologize for having put us in this situation in the first place, but know that it won't happen again. Do your best as you did last time, I know you all will." Turning back to gaze into Ashen territory, he took a deep breath before advancing. "Forward we march!" He exclaimed, and made his way to Ashen's door.

Winterfell VS Ashen for RAID

 speech Thought Quote

She couldn't deny that she was nervous on the way to Ashen. But she was also equally excited. Her dad had allowed her to join in the raid, and she couldn't wait to prove herself as a useful member of the pack. To prove herself as a warrior, even if she was still in training. Heart pounding in her chest, she stopped with the group as her father turned to address them. She listened quietly, claws flexing into the dirt as the nervous excitement built up. Glancing around at the other fighters, they seemed so...more held together. At least to her. She knew she had a lot to learn still, but what better way to learn than this? She waited as patiently as she could until her father gave the order to march, and once he did she was on her feet and advancing with the rest of the group. She didn't know what would happen or who she'd be fighting, but she was as ready as she could be! Her companion was in the trees above her, keeping an eye ahead while she tried to focus on the task at hand... "Speech"

Recluse was taking a break from her duties with her guests and taking a bit of a stroll, Lilith coiled around her neck in the usual position the serpent chose. The albino woman had become somewhat taken with wearing her bracers to her sessions, it made her feel powerful and she hadn't had a chance to take them off yet. A voice echoed across the land, bouncing off of the trees that dotted the shrine. With a glare Recluse peered out past the border, shapes pounding towards them from the rise. Recluse caught a pack scent on the wind and a growl pulled from her lips. Without a moment's hesitation she tipped her head back to alert the rest of the pack, already scanning for her opponent. Recluse spotted her only a moment later, white and young looking. Many of the warriors that charged towards her were armored or bore signs of experience and while Recluse loved a challenge she was also nothing if not opportunistic. The Albino woman dropped down for a moment, observing the advancing hoard and lining up her shot. Then she exploded from the grass, charging straight for her target. Recluse would attempt to slam into the young girl, hoping the element of surprise would knock her much larger opponent off balance, wind her maybe, anything to get her started on the wrong foot. At the same time her jaw would part, neck craning to try and grab onto... well anything really eager to simply draw first blood. There were no punches pulled here, Recluse fought for keeps. Recluse Ithuriel-Klein vs Winter for Dominance Round 1/? Age: 1 Year+ Size: Large Build: Light Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers Companion 1: Black-necked spitting cobra, Female - Attack Skills: Intermediate Intellectual & Expert Fighter Specialty: N/A speech think action

Art by Akage-Kitsu

Tsunami had marched just off to the side and slightly behind her uncle, a grin of anticipation already painting her face. She was feeling confident since the last raid had ended, again not in her pack favor but she'd held her own until the very end, and with her brother now sharing a rank with her she couldn't help but feel all the more backed up and connected. She still wasn't as prepared materially as some of her packmates but the girl wore the badge of battle now, and she was desperate for something with more bite than the friendly training spars they were supposed to have with Abaven. The raiders stopped along the ridge and Tsunami tensed herself, waiting with narrowed eyes for the signal. Her uncle bellowed and she raced down the slope towards the tree-dotted border, swallowing a whoop of excitement that nearly pulled from her lips. They had only just barely started their decent when a foreign voice called for backup from beyond the border and only a moment later burst out of the pack lands, a white blur pounding towards them, it raced toward her cousin and Tsunami let out a low growl, tucking her head and willing her limbs to move faster, determined to break beyond the border before she could be stopped. "Speech"

Art by Krowul

An two howls echoed through Ashen's territory, reaching Hela's ears. One unknown and the other from Recluse her nice. Without waiting she darted herself out of her den,with an annoyed expression and there she saw a mess. They were being Raided,oh boy. 'How they fucking dare...' She thought as all the cool manor she always had was dropping as she marched with a threatening body language,oh no she wasnt going to let them set a foot in her pack,and if she had to destroy them she would dearly do. This Raid wasnt going to be a joke as the last one,this time thing were going to be for real.Oh boy how long she had waited to have real fun,how long had she been waiting for bloodshed? Years. But for now no interesting target was on her eyes and thus she waited for better chances,and she hopped one came up soon,the sooner the better. "Speak"

She was relaxing next to Magnus when the calls rang out over the lands. Immediately she was awake and within moments she’d adorned her armor and gathered up both Snowberry and Thistly. Her weapon was already slicked with her poison of choice and the Empress moved to meet the offending Army. It was hard for her to refrain from calling on her Warlord, but Sirius would be the first to hear of this insult to the Empire.

Dainty paws carried her swiftly to the shrine, the woman sent up a silent prayer that Archon might watch over them and bring them to victory. Her husband couldn’t be with them in the physical world any longer, but she would keep his strength in her mind as she surged forward. There was no time for niceties, this was the Empire holding themselves up against attack. They had to defend their honor along with their precious resources.

Deathbelle didn’t hesitate to attack the much larger alpha. Deathbelle’s polar bear armor was a stark contrast to his striped defenses. She was silent upon her approach and what could be seen of her expression was stoic and severe. Belle aimed to race past the huge warrior, her cats claws extended the woman tried to slash at the hole in his armor near his neck. The majority of her efforts were to avoid his retaliation with superior speed.

Deathbelle Ravage Klein vs Acere for Dominance
Round 1 of 2?
Age: 1+
Size: Large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Obsidian knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Polar bear cape
Companion 1: Short-Eared Owl, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Poison Master

Song marched behind Acere and beside Kirsi, looking much too relaxed to be heading towards a raid. He wasn’t the greatest warrior, but he had been training and deep down he hoped that he would bring home a win this time. Song was just over all unconcerned. This was the last leg of their debt and the Destruction man was ready for his pack to be free of the band.

Bright blue eyes swept the battlefield as he set his defenses, ears laying to his skull as he rolled his shoulders and tucked his chin. Before long the pack would be pouring from its borders, but Song had a good feeling this time. He lashed his tail and waited for his first opponent to come forward.

Harbringr strode toward his den. He had just finished his latest patrol and was looking forward to a nap when he heard Recluse howl. It was a warning. An attack? Hari snarled and spun on his heels, diving toward the source of the call. All he wanted was a little bit of rest and some stupid bastards came a knocking. Well, if they wanted a fight he was all too happy to give it too them.

He slid onto the scene, noticing that a few fights had already broken out. He brushed up against Hela. "Any idea who they are?" He snarled, wondering who had the guts to jump the empire like this.

Her heart pounded with nervous excitement, wondering who she would end up fighting and how the fight would go. She had practiced a lot and had only one real other fight back when her father had hosted a tournament, but she had been much younger and much more inexperienced then. And while she felt she was still inexperienced when it came to real fighting, A loud call crashed through her thoughts and brought her to the present, when her companion had issued a warning cry the moment the first wolf from the opposing side made herself known, followed by a howl. She had managed to become aware of what was going on just in time to see someone charging towards her. In the brief moments, Winter recognize the girl as her first opponent from the winter tournament. She had been a rude and mean opponent...but she was determined to try to win this time. She hoped she could, anyway. As Recluse charged, so did Winter. She turned to face the other girl and barrelled down the hill, paws flying over the earth as she uttered a snarl. When the pair were within a yard of each other, Winter lowered her head and aimed to use her horns like a battering ram. She sought to counter Recluse's attack and slam her head into Recluse in an effort to send the girl down the hill. She could hear her companion coming along behind her singing her own battle cry, but Winter wanted this girl all to herself. As she sought to bash into her opponent, her jaws reached down to try and grab Recluse's left foreleg while her own left forepaw struck out with outstretched cat claws to try and pull that forelimb closer so she could get a better bite. Winter Praetor vs Recluse for Dominance Round: 1/2 Age: 1yr Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Razor claws Defensive Battle Accessory: Polar bear cape Companion 1: Japanese macaque - Battle Mutation 1: Fangs - Attack Mutation 2: Cat Claws - Attack Mutation 3: Ram horns - Defensive Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Intellectual Specialty: N/A "Speech"

Venom raced after her mother after adorning her own armor and bringing Poison along with her. She had been through one raid already, she was determined to do better this time and show this offending pack that Ashen was not to be messed with. They would regret this offront. Venom held her head tall and the condor skull over her forehead gleamed in the light.

Her tall form halted a ways away from her aunt Hela and uncle Hari. She wanted plenty of room when the bastard came at her. Venom opened her mouth, displaying her pearly white teeth along with her forked tongue. It was more an intimidation factor, but when coupled with the spines that rose along her back Venom would make herself obvious as a difficult target.

A warning cry from his daughters companion pierced the air and Acere spotted the first of Ashen's fighters to arrive on the scene. Almost immediately, the girl had raced towards his daughter, and Ace nearly turned on the spot to intercept her as the instinct to protect his daughter flared. He steeled himself, however, as Winter quickly retaliated and Acere decided then that she would likely be fine. Turning back to the matter at hand, he spotted Deathbelle come racing out towards him, and the tiger king was ready. She sought to get past him, though despite her smaller size, she wasn't as successful as she hoped. As she drew closer, his foxes suddenly burst forward, the pair of them aiming to cross her path in an X formation while nipping at her as they sought to cross her path with the intention to slow her down and potentially trip her up. Acere smirked as he also burst forward, allowing Deathbelle to slip barely past him before he offered his armored side to her claws.

He grunted, but no harm done. He immediately moved to bring them in a T formation as his hips swung away from her, the titan quickly springing forward to slam into the woman's hips while slashing at her closest ankle with his own tiger-claws in an effort to trip her up and potentially slow her down. Jaws opened as well as he struck forward, aiming to grab the base of her spine with his teeth to further stop her movement.

Acere Praetor vs Deathbelle for Raid
Round: 1/2
Age: over 1yr
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Tiger claw reavers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Tiger claw armor
Companion 1: Red Fox, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Red Fox, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Intellectual
Specialty: Knight

speech Thought Quote

The rage and pain he had felt since his last meeting with Corvus burned inside of him. He had become almost reclusive since he returned that day, and didn't really see anyone until it was time to raid. His helm sat neatly over his head, crimson gaze mere slits in the dark. Breastplate adjusted and strapped on, ready to crush anyone in his path. His companions followed along quietly for once, though they sensed something was off with the crimson wolf...they just weren't sure what. All they knew was that he'd been acting strange since the night he returned. He stopped when his uncle turned to address the group, but all Ignis could think about was tearing apart whoever was unfortunate enough to try to fight him. While he wasn't typically the violent type...and was generally far from that...something in him felt like it was snapping. Though he simply attributed it to his broken heart. At last, his uncle gave the go-ahead to advance and after his cousin's monkey pierced the air with his call, Ignis surveyed the bodies that began to emerge. He quickly zeroed in on a black and white male. As the other fights began, Ignis decided on his target and charged like a bat out of hell. His adrenaline-fueled him coupled with the anger that he felt. Bite him. Tear him up. Rip them apart. Blood! His head suddenly snapped with the sound of something unfamiliar, and without further thought, the crimson male sought to skid to a sudden, grinding halt to kick up as much dirt and dust as he could between him and the Ashen wolf. A moment later, he burst through the screen of dust, jaws gaping open as he launched himself forward with the intent of grabbing his opponent in a bear hug while reaching for the man's head with his teeth. Ignis Praetor vs Harbringr for minor maim (shredding of left ear) Round: 1/? Age: over 1yr Size: Extra large Build: Heavy Offensive Battle Accessory: Skull helmet Defensive Battle Accessory: Bone breastplate armor Companion 1: Palm cockatoo, Male - Flying Companion 2: Wolverine, Male - Battle Skills: Expert Fighter & Beginner Healer Specialty: N/A "Speech"

Art by Naiterion

The foxes were the cavalry and as Deathbelle charged the tiny lemur at her back leapt from her shoulder. With deft movements the creature aimed to leap from one fox face to another so her master could jump over the intimidating companions.

Deathbelle felt her claws bounce off the thick armor of the alpha she’d taken as her opponent. Her low effort attack would give way to superior agility though and even as Acere shifted his position Deathbelle was slipping out of his grasp. All he gained for his efforts were air. If she was going to win Deathbelle would need to take chances.

The woman would make much of the same move as Acere, pivoting her body so they were once again facing each other. Deathbelle moved quickly, her aim to crouch and strike up underneath his armor. With gnashing teeth and sharp cat claws Deathbelle aimed to bloody his inner front legs while her teeth went for his throat.

Deathbelle Ravage Klein vs Acere for Dominance
Round 2 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Obsidian knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Polar bear cape
Companion 1: Short-Eared Owl, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Madame Berthe's Mouse Lemur, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Poison Master

Recluse's opponent picked up her pace to meet Recluse's charge, the pair crashed into each other, but unfortunately for Recluse this time she was outweighed and frankly didn't have the benefit of horns. Bone met her chest. With a gasp of pain she stumbled back, finding herself pushed back down the hill. While Winter seemed to remember her Recluse honestly didn't, maybe it was that her opponent hadn't left as much as an impression on her. Still With Winter's head lowered like this Recluse's manic attempts to grab at her were met with success, she laid a trail of small but sharp nips along the top of Winter's head and back of her neck. In order to reach her foreleg Winter's scruff became further exposed and Recluse made the choice to sacrifice her limb, for a chance to scruff this girl like a petulant pup. A chance made more appealing considering her bracers would likely help to protect her. Still she winced at the pressure of fangs pushing against the leather-wrapped around her forelegs, the claws had reached higher than that and definitely drawn some blood. Still she craned her neck to aim to grab at Winter's scruff. Lilith had no reservations about taking on the other girl. She swung low, hanging just off of Recluse's shoulders, her head hovering near the girl's chest, with a hiss she darted forward, aiming to latch onto Winter's nose. Recluse Ithuriel-Klein vs Winter for Dominance Round 2/2 Age: 1+ Size: Large Build: Light Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers Companion 1: Black-necked spitting cobra, Female - Attack Skills: Intermediate Intellectual & Expert Fighter Specialty: N/A speech think action

Art by Akage-Kitsu

Winter had succeeded in meeting her target horns-to-chest. She was thankful for her skull and her neck muscles being a bit thicker and absorbing most of the impact. She had managed to shove the girl back down the hill a bit, but she wasn't able to escape the flurry of nips that met the back of her head and scruff. She winced with the sharp pain and surprise of it, but it didn't stop her nor slow her down. Her bite had landed but of course, she hadn't seen the bracers that Recluse wore and her tongue tasted the dry taste of leather. Her claws, however, did manage to catch flesh and she could feel the warmth of blood seeping onto her toes. Growling with frustration at her mistake, she didn't quite realize she had left her scruff open until she felt Recluse's teeth begin to dig into her scruff. Surprised, she instinctively reared her head back, in the hopes of both dislodging the other girl and, hopefully, smacking the underside of her opponent's jaw. But not before she felt a stinging pain on her nose which caused her to yelp, and through watery eyes did she see Recluse's snake. Out of sheer surprise from that, too, she aimed to smack the snake and pin it between her large paw and Recluse's shoulder, hopefully sticking Recluse with her claws again at the same time. It was then, too, that she heard her companion's screech as it sought to leap onto Recluse's back so that she could both force the girl's legs to buckle and hopefully grab Recluse by the ears and yank her head back and force the Ashen wolfess to let go of the Winterfell yearling. Winter Praetor vs Recluse for Dominance Round: 2/2 Age: 1yr Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Razor claws Defensive Battle Accessory: Polar bear cape Companion 1: Japanese macaque - Battle Mutation 1: Fangs - Attack Mutation 2: Cat Claws - Attack Mutation 3: Ram horns - Defensive Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Intellectual Specialty: N/A "Speech"

Teeth snapped on air and his claws missed the mark as Deathbelle slipped past him. He was aware that she was likely faster than he was considering their size difference and her lack of bulk, but he had half-hoped that his companions might have been able to slow her down a little. No matter, while his companions dealt with hers, he would keep his focus on the Ashen alphess. She would position herself in such a way that they faced each other once more, and already Acere set a plan in motion. As Deathbelle crouched to strike at him, he allowed her to get close enough to where he could retaliate. Even risking his legs as she got a good hit in with her claws, leaving a deep cut on his foreleg but it didn't stop him. He raised his other foreleg and aimed to smack the side of her head with a heavy paw, an attempt to both disorient her and hopefully leave a mark of his own with his reavers. As she struck for his throat, Acere moved his head down in an effort to intercept her bite with his own. His jaws opened wide as he aimed to grab her head in his teeth and stop her in her tracks.

Acere Praetor vs Deathbelle for Dominance
Round: 2/2
Age: Over 1yr
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Tiger claw reavers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Tiger claw armor
Companion 1: Red Fox, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Red Fox, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Intellectual
Specialty: Knight

 speech Thought Quote

The call to battle had finally rung, and Greed waited impatiently for them to begin. When Acere stopped them to briefly address them, he bared his teeth at the mention of finally being rid of Hjarrandi debt. Giving yourself to a pack was one thing. But the pack as a whole being in debt for some fucking maggot was insane. He dismissed the thought as his alpha sounded the marching order, and it didn't take long before the opposing side started to appear. Fights started breaking out, and the avaricious man was eager to wet his teeth. Glittering blue gaze searched the other side as he stalked quietly in the darkness, and then he found it. An ebony woman that appeared like she might be worth the fight. Baring his teeth and uttering a snarl, Greed made a beeline for the Ashen woman. He raced down the hill towards her like a train, and only when he felt close enough did he launch himself straight at her, jutting his left shoulder out as he aimed to slam the point of it into the joint of her right shoulder where it connected to her body. His goal was to dislocate it, or at the very least, strain it enough to where it would slow her movement. Jaws snapped open as he aimed to grab a hold of that same right shoulder then, seeking to tear into it and shred it as much as he could. Greed Armada vs Hela for Minor maim (Scarring on Right shoulder) Round: 1/2 Age: Over 1yr Size: Large Build: Medium Defensive Battle Accessory: White buffalo headdress Skills: Master Fighter & Beginner Hunter Specialty: Juggernaut "Talk"

Anger rose within her chest,and the need to destroy anyone she could come across was higher and higher as she saw how the fuckers broke in battle against her family.Oh boy they shall pay for their foolishness and she would make sure they understood what they would get. And there her brother reached her side,asking something she didn't knows. "No,but....lets kick their asses out! Lets give them a show." She proclaimed as hackles rose and tail held high. And for her luck, a male rushed toward her like a wild beast and a smirk formed oh yeas the real fun has begun. As Greed tried to slam his shoulder into her join she would attempt to widen her back legs hackles high .eyes arrowed and pinned ears.She would turn around lifting her body up a bit aiming to make him hit her middle chest instead of her joint, hoping she was able to make a wall of herself. Simultaneously she would attempt to jump over his left side to wrap her legs around his shoulders and would attempt to savagely bite on his left check and move her head side to side viciously. She wanted to make him feel pain. Hela "Crow" Klein vs Greed for minor maim(Facial scarring) Round 1/2 Age: +1 Size: Large Build: Heavy Skills: Beginner Intellectual & Advanced Fighter Specialty: N/A "Speak"

It seemed the ebony woman he was after had more guts than he gave her credit for. Instead of trying to jump out of the way, she decided to take the hit. While it wasn't where he initially wanted to hit, the chest was better than nothing and he was sure a bruise would form on both of them. His bite didn't land where he intended either, and instead he got a mouthful of fur and a small taste of blood, but it wasn't enough! Greed let go and sought to readjust himself, but his opponent was already moving towards his left side. He felt her paws beginning to wrap over his shoulders and the man snarled as she managed to bite his left cheek. Snarling with rage, Greed tore himself out of her grasp before she could do any severe damage (though she did manage to lacerate his cheek and make it bleed) by raising up on his hind legs, and mirroring what she did. He aimed to bring his forelegs up and around her own shoulders, his front legs on the outside of her front legs to try and limit her movement and trap her there. With wide open jaws, he aimed to bring his teeth across her face, hoping to get a good bite and blind her with her own blood. Greed Armada vs Hela Klein for Minor maim (shoulder scarring) Round: 2/2 Age: Over 1yr Size: Large Build: Medium Defensive Battle Accessory: White buffalo headdress Skills: Master Fighter & Beginner Hunter Specialty: Juggernaut "Talk"

She was soo happy to be allowed to cause shit with others that she didnt care about the pain she could get,the more excited she was feeling,only in this situation one could see her true nature,a nature unlike the one she always pretend to carry. But no today boy ,no today. And she felt pleased as the man hit her chest and no the joint he wished to damage.The male snarled ,a love song in her ears and that made her feel alive.And there the male did the exact move she made with him,hopping to limit her moves. But she felt great as she felt the metallic taste of blood in her teeth meaning she succeded on causing him injuries,but she was far from done. She wanted him tounderstand Ashen was no joke. His legs found purchase as he wrapped them on her shoulders and his teeth would meet her own face, blood came down her face threatening with blocking the vision in one eye. She smiled as she attempted to rip her face away from his fangs by lowering her head in a sudden and fast move, then she curled her neck and body to her left hopping to gain height wanting to make him lose balance and if she managed to reach his face she would attempt to bite onto his left side of the face,wanting clamp her jaws around his snout and jerk her head around to cause deep wounds there. Hela "Crow" Klein vs Greed for minor maim(Facial scarring) Round 2/2 Age: +1 Size: Large Build: Heavy Skills: Beginner Intellectual & Advanced Fighter Specialty: N/A "Speak"