Like thunder, the wolves roared across the Barren Dunes, towards the pack in which they had decided to unleash their wrath. Entering the pack lands, his eyes found the lake that once had belonged to Ashen. Here, here was the land in which the Warlord had found himself. Decided to become more, do more, stand for more. Here was where he had met his future wife.

He meant no ill to the wolves that had taken this land, but he would enjoy the trials before them. A wild grin touched his fanged maw, as the Warlord slowed his racing steps, the sound of his chosen packmates behind him. Some tried and tested, and for others, this would be their defining moments.

Raising his head to auburn sunrise, the Warlord would cry out his call, to Eligos, to Aerie. The Armada had come. Let the mercenaries come, let their waves break out across the stones of Armada teeth.

"Speech"

Zee couldn't get out of her mind the way their meeting had gone with the Aerie alpha and how it must look now that they had been chosen as a target. She had told them they had no need for their services - quite rudely, if she was honest with herself - and here they were now upon their doorstep preparing to raid them for supplies. She was more soft hearted then her warlord husband and still uncertain with the idea of attacking neighbouring packs, though she had to remind herself that everything they did was to protect and bolster Deathbelle and the Empire. From upon her curled horns her viper watched the horizon. He was weaved carefully around the thorns that protected them, preventing an opponent from grasping her mutation and using it to control her head. Her king cheetah pelt draped tightly over her shoulders and spine, and upon her hip rested the toucan she'd recently begun training. When Sirius called for the Aerie wolves to meet them in battle, Zee stiffened and then breathed out a steadying exhale. "Good luck." She murmured across to Sirius. While the titan was a towering force to be reckoned with these wolves were unknown to her. She only hoped she could focus on her own fight while he battled his. "Speech"

Azure stood at attention behind his mother and father nearly vibrating with anticipation. This was the most exciting day in all his life, finally he was given the chance to prove himself to the Armada. There was no doubt in his mind that with this display of strength he'd turn his pack-mates back to his side, earn their favor, and win their votes for the eventual end to the heir race. Mortis had opted to remain back at home to lead the wolves defending and Azure saw it as only further opportunity. Upon his back Diablo waited patiently and below him the young leopard Lilith weaved between his legs. Az could feel her anxiety and lifted a bear paw to still her, giving her a soft pat as she settled. He wore his full kit with him, the bracer with the knife hidden inside as well as his winged condor armor. As his father announced their arrival Azure's lips pulled back to reveal his snarl. The elongated canines he bore had grown nearly to their full length now and the young direwolf was beginning to resemble Sirius in more than merely height. He shifted his weight between wide oversized paws, anxious to get started and draw blood. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Dunkan's heart pounded fast as both excitement and nervousness built up within his young heart. This was his first real fight as a warrior and he had hoped he would do just fine. Remembering his alpha's rule of no maim on his mind he hopped there was no need to get to such point. Again this was just to test this pack out and work this as a learning experience but if his oponente chose to go further he would respond. But as he matched behind his leader his new friend Urasa matched by his side ready to show what he had. This was their first time working together to ight off in a serious way. And well Dunkan stood by Azure with eyes set ahead of him in high alerts for any sudden attacks. "Speak"

Tamsyn followed closely behind Sirius and Zee as they charged their way into their opponent's territory, feeling excited but focused. As they slowed she began to scan the area around him and fully preparing herself for Arie's fighters to come from any direction. As she gave the wolves in their party a quick scan, she noticed Dunkan's nerves and brushed past him, saying softly, "Stay steady and focused." Perhaps it was because she had been the one to test him for the rank that put him here, but she was a bit more protective of him than she had expected to be. She gave him a small nod and then turned to face the land around them once again. She was eager for the opposing pack to greet them and give them all the fights they seemed to be craving. While she wasn't quite as excited and eager for a fight as Azure or Sirius would be, she was always ready to stand with her pack and take on whoever came their way. Tam rolled her shoulders and flexed her muscles as she loosened them to prepare for her first opponent. Her bracers were firmly tied to her forelegs, molded to her so she didn't feel the need to adjust them any longer. Seconds felt like minutes while she waited with the Armada's warriors.

The decision had been made. The war party had been assembled. They had made their move. Resin had been told that this land that they were infiltrating had formerly belonged to the Ashen pack. That meant nothing to the woman, but, if she was anything, she was supportive of her pack mates. If they wished to retrieve something from this place, then she would aid them in their task. There was reputation to be had. Skills to acquire and hone. It would be good for the newest members of the pack.

Crocodile armor settled comfortably across the woman's shoulders and spine like a second skin. The clawed bracers strapped to thick forelegs were sharpened to a razors edge. The air was thick with the excitement and anticipation of action. Even the pair of jackals that always followed here were ready and waiting. Their reddish eyes gleamed devilishly as they followed the congregation of wolves.

Sirius called out to the alpha of Aerie. They were here and it was time. Resin didn't know what to expect, but from a pack that called themselves mercenaries, she hoped this was at least worth the effort. If anything, the grand-kids would get a kick out of it.

"World-breaker..."

Coding|Alice. Art|Resin.

One couldn't begin to measure the level of excitement that coursed through Aslatiel's veins. She was going to war. This would be a full on battle! The only downside was that she would have to hold back. She wouldn't be able to unleash her true self on the opposing side. Her father had said that there were to be no maims. No harsh treatment of the other pack. Fine... she could manage that, she supposed. Following along beside her parents, Asla placed herself between Indigo and Azure. She took comfort in knowing that her brother's were beside her, but also felt a bit of nervousness. She didn't want either of them to get hurt. As they arrived at the border of the Aerie pack lands, Asla gave her small frame a shake. The quills of the porcupine armor hissed aloud as they rattled together. The skull atop her head had thorns wound around the horns just like mom. Ashur, the leopard, paced behind her. When her father let out his battle cry, Aslatiel raised her own voice to meld with it. She was ready. "Speech"

Natha loped behind the wolves, moving swiftly and silently as was the nature of her kind. She was panting as they went. Wolves were built more for endurance than the lynx and none of them had such an impressive winter coat to shed. She paused a few times to scratch loose a clump of winter fluff until she finally felt better. Bounding forward in graceful leaps she was quick to catch up.

The arrived at the lake, morning still fresh and sleepy, the sun just starting to rise. Thick bands of clouds streaked through the sky and in the distance she could see a storm rolling lazily up from the south.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus rose before the break of day to finish his journey home. He'd been out gathering odds and ends to work into gifts for Eliphas. He still had yet to convince the other man to live with him in Aerie, but perhaps if he created some lovely gifts from the plants and trees that grew there he could share some of that beauty with Eliphas.

Aureus' daydreams of his boyfriend shattered with the threatening call of a rival pack. His fur bristled and he slunk down low. Anger started boiling in his gut as he spied the wolves, more than half a dozen! Aerie was still small and young yet and he knew they were likely going to be outnumbered. Well, that was fine with him. If they wanted to play that game he was all to happy to oblige. As he'd been coming in from the northeast he was at the backside of the pack. His legs coiled beneath him as he watched in the early morning shadows. He picked a target, a young and impressively sized male with spurs and saber fangs and strange front paws. He was sandwiched on either side by other wolves, as well as in front. Perfect.

Adrenaline raced through him as he sprang forward from his hiding place, moving swiftly and silently. There was no need to call out. The invaders had announced their presence and he knew his pack mates would be there shortly. Let them stay together like frightened buffalo or scatter like sheep. Either way he would have blood.

Defenses set, ears pinned, tail tucked. Aureus shot forward, brazenly taking a flying leap into the mass of enemy, seeking to land across the back of the male. He hoped to squish the young leopard with his chest or else land chest to back with Azure. Aureus had spared enough with Kali to know how cat's loved to rake claws against delicate undersides and he hoped the close quarters would limit her movement. His jaws lanced forward seeking to catch the boy's left ear between his teeth so that he could sever the appendage with one quick snap. Simultaneously he sought to wrap his front limbs around the base of the boys neck, and his hind legs just in front of the boy's hips.

Behind him Kali leapt into action. The jaguar dove in low, a deadly shadow, his fangs bared as he sought to grasp the back of the boys right thigh.

Aureus Abraxas vs Azure for Maim (removal of left ear)
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Teeth retainer
Defensive Battle Accessory: Studded leather armor
Companion 1: Jaguar, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Black-winged Kite, Male - Flying
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Knight

Short Round waddled besides him as Indigo marched with his family on the defending pack. He held his head high and his vibrant violet mohawk was played with by the breeze. He was very nearly at his full adult height even if everyone was convinced that he’d be much more round when he reached full maturity. He was still the thickest built of the siblings and that wasn’t going anywhere despite his gangliness.

He strode forward, keeping pace with Aslatiel, though keeping his distance so he wouldn’t get poked by her porcupine’s quills. She looked quite forbidding underneath her armor. Indigo was proud of his sister’s ferocity and he was eager to battle beside her. Indigo managed to give her an excited smirk before battle began. Their father called for their opponents and they came. The first jumped Azure and Indigo moved out of the way so they had room to fight. This was real and it was happening. He wouldn’t be taken unawares again and the young boy’s eyes searched for the wolf he would fight.

Iroh heard the call for defenders of a raid and quickly got to his paws. Sarabi materialized at his side with a gift that looked much too heavy for her to have brought on her own. ”Use this.” She commanded and Iroh gave a nod. Not only did she bestow upon him his very first teapot, but he could use it in the coming battle. The young Abraxas man took up his new weapon and his huge paws carried him to the borders. Blue and lavender eyes fell on the opposing force and he wondered for a moment if they would be outnumbered. All the same he was confident in their ability to drive out the offenders.

With his hackles raised and a deep growl sounding in his chest Iroh raced forward without hesitation. He went for the first opponent he saw, while not the biggest she seemed to be one of the more mature members. For a moment he was reminded of Banshee. This was the scent of her pack, but where was she? Worry struck his heart but he couldn’t focus on her, he had to be in the moment.

He focused on the woman he’d chosen, he was quite a bit bigger than she was, and now that he’d reached a full two years Iroh was a mountain of a wolf. The young man aimed to slam his hefty shoulder into the side of her so their bodies formed a T. He wanted to bowl her over, giving himself an opening to attack again.

Iroh Abraxas vs Tamsyn for Dominance
Round 1 of 2?
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Iron battle teapot
Companion 1: Mandrill, Female - Battle
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Thankfully the young leopard at his feet had caught sight of Aureus' charge just in time, she cried out from beneath Az's feet to give warning to the large flying fox perched upon his back. Diablo spread his wings and lifted off just in time for the space he had left to be filled by the weight of the Aerie man. For a moment Azure panicked, hard. Though his brother shuffling out of the way and not jumping to his aid reminded him that he could do this. Why had he been attacked first, what did he do to upset this wolf? As he struggled beneath the man his thoughts raced, and it wasn't until he felt teeth upon his ear was he forced to focus everything he had upon defense. The leopard beneath him surged forward to intercept the other cat, protecting her wolf's rear legs as best as she could. She was young and small, but could provide enough of a defense to keep the jaguar's jaws off Az's leg. From above Diablo joined the fight, moving to hover infront of Aureus' face cause an annoying distraction. The other wolves having moved out of the way, Azure had space to fight back. He felt the man's forelegs wrap around his neck and tensed before reaching his muzzle downwards sharply to attempt a crushing bite upon Aureus' first few right-side toes where they were closest to his teeth. At the same time, Az braced himself and threw his weight to the ground on his left as hard as he could to land onto his side and back. It was the young prince's hope that the impact may help him to wrench the toes clean off his paw. It wasn't an ideal attack, but with them both upon the ground Azure would stand a better chance of wiggling out of his hold. Azure Keres Fatalis vs Aureus Abraxas  for Minor Maim [removal of two toes on right foot] Round 1/2 Age: Under one year Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Pyrrhic was having a good day - which was a rarity for him as of late. He was sick, then well, then sick again. It felt like he only recovered so he could be knocked down again by sickness. Miserable though he may have been, if there was one thing Pyrrhic regretted about his days laid up it was that he was unable to do more than watch his children live and learn. He was there for the cuddles, the quiet lessons on his sick-but-not-down-and-out days, and to supervise their roughhousing, but he hadn't been able to really pal around with them like he would have liked. He often thought of this bitterly, but there was nothing to be done about it, was there, besides doing what he could and hoping to be well again before the world lost its newness in the eyes of his youngsters.

Duty drove him to answer the raider's call. Had he been in worse shape he still would have come; the pack was small and everyone able-bodied - or well, those near enough - were needed if they were going to mount a good defense.

He swept a critical eye over the opposing force before settling on the one who stood a smidge above them. The alpha, probably, if he had his guess. Well, it would not do to let the instigator-in-chief twiddle this thumbs while even the puppies played, would it? Nah, Pyrrhic would take on the beast. His demons were all inner, personal fears so as he set his defenses and turned his attention on Sirius, Pyrrhic settled into a practiced calm. The size of the opponent didn't matter. What mattered was skill. And there was only one surefire way to find out how they stacked.

Pyrrhic threw himself at Sirius' right front leg. He rolled his left shoulder forward and sought to drive it into the meaty exterior of Sirius' shoulder. Simultaneously he sought to reach under Sirius with his left forepaw in the hopes of snagging Sirius' left wrist and dragging it towards him. He'd spied the bracers and hoped that whatever sharp thing laced them didn't cover the wrist. It would be a foolish thing to impede the movement of something as valuable as a wrist, but you never knew. It was not the most aggressive intro, but he wanted to see where grappling could take him before he committed to tangling all of his assets up in this beast.

Pyrrhic versus Sirius for Dominance
Round One of ???
Age: 1+
Size: Large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Mandrill, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Intellectual & Expert Fighter
Specialty: N/A

The Warlord waited for Eligos to arrive, but it seemed the Alpha was late to his own party. When a blue-eyed wolf found him, the Warlord would grin. There was no fear in his opponents eyes, only determination. Not the Alpha, as he had hoped, but perhaps someone who would prove a worthy opponent.

As Pyrrhic went for a foreleg grab, Bast would appear from under the giant’s stomach with a growl, aiming for a bite on the leg that went to swipe at the larger wolf. The Warlord leaped forward, letting his weight fall on his front legs, to increase the difficulty of swiping one of his giant paws out from under him. His feline-like claws dug into the ground for purchase, as he attempted to drive his shoulder into Pyr’s. Should the pale wolf leap backwards, he would discover that Seer’s bear companion had snuck up behind him.

Sirius Fatalis vs Pyrrhic for dominance
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted/oversized
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter


"Speech"

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Blood seeped into his mouth as his fangs found purchase. He landed with a solid thud on the youth's back, arms wrapped securely around to steady himself. Aureus hoped to dig his jaws in deeper and thrash his head. He wanted to worsen the damage but he was running out of time. The bat flew down in front of his face and he squeezed his eyes shut. He would let his flying companion, Griff, be his eyes. Meanwhile Kali, his jaguar, leapt toward the young leopard, seeking to grab her by the scruff and hopefully haul her away from the fight like a bratty kitten staying up past her bed time.

Griff called out the warning but there wasn't enough time to move as he felt the boy's jaws latch around his paw. He grit his teeth at the pain and then to make matters worse the boy suddenly fell over. Aureus shifted his weight to his right, quickly pulling his left legs up closer to his body to avoid them getting pinned but he still landed hard on his left side. Aureus immediately lashed out, fangs seeking to latch violently over the boys right ear. He wanted to cause the other a sharp, sudden pain in the hopes the boy would release his paw.

Aureus Abraxas vs Azure for Maim (removal of left ear)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Teeth retainer
Defensive Battle Accessory: Studded leather armor
Companion 1: Jaguar, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Black-winged Kite, Male - Flying
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Knight

Azure was finding it hard to think past the deep, crushing feeling in his ear but found his foggy head clear as he hit the ground hard. Aureus' legs had managed to sneak out of the way of being pinned, but that at least meant that his grapple upon Azure's body was weaker. As Aureus grasped once more for his ear Azure moved to twist his body beneath the other man's weight. If he could manage the maneuver it would bring his right ear closer to Aureus' mouth and therefore if his opponent wanted to pull the whole thing off he'd have to move his head a lot further back to manage it. As a second happy coincidence, the roll would bring Azure's dangerous paws within clawing range of the man at last. He tried to roll as much as he could while still maintaining his hold upon the man's paw, his left leg reaching upwards and across to try and latch his curved claws into Aureus' side near his underbelly. It was nearly over, the winner would be the one who held their bite through the pain the longest and the loser would likely go home with some missing pieces. Azure Keres Fatalis vs Aureus Abraxas  for Minor Maim [removal of two toes on right foot] Round 2/2 Age: Under one year Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Armored now and grimly determined Eligos set out to join his pack in defending. Though everyone had responded quickly to the order to retreat and he was able to set out again in short order, he knew that enough time had passed for battle to have already been joined, and he worried for his packmates.

When he drew close to the group he could see that he was correct, and both his brothers were already scuffling with the intruders. His ears pinned back against the metal of his helmet. The Ashen Armada.

He steode up toward the group, and his gaze slid from Pyrrhic's battle with the long-fanged and clawed alpha to the alpha's smaller, oddly colored and horned mate, and his expression hardened. "Did you disapprove of our profession so much then, Zee? That you would attack the smallest of the packs with the largest?" His voice was quiet, but there was a faint bite of sarcasm in the words. "Were you so worried that we were a threat to you? Or is this simply what honor means to your pack? At least we are honest in our trade," he spat out, settling into a fighting stance as he faced her.

Eligos Abraxas vs Zeigeist for Dominance
Round 0/?
Age: over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Centurion Helmet
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Armor
Companion 1: Malinos, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Malinois, Female - Battle
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Beginner Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Natha moved out of the way as the fighting started. It was becoming more clear as she sniffed along the border that this was indeed a small pack. She settled down in a good place to watch, reaching down to lick one of her paws before running it over her ears. Sirius had emphasized fighting for experience and at this point this was Natha's third raid so she saw no reason to actively participate unless things went south.

While she might appear lackadaisical, her sharp golden eyes were assessing her fellow pack mates. As a lieutenant she would be expected to help train others as well as lead them. This was an excellent opportunity to take notes. She did pause in her grooming though as Aerie's alpha arrived and spat sharp words to Zee. She glanced to the alphess, curious how she'd respond.

Around her battles erupted and Sirius began his match. In all scenarios she had considered it would be their alpha to take on her warlord husband and when he appeared and faced off against her instead, Zee was genuinely surprised. His words touched her and for a moment she wanted to explain herself, defend herself, and tell him that it hadn't been a choice she'd made. She had voted for Winterfell as the target, not Aerie. As hard as she wanted to fight it, as the Armada's secondary alpha their actions were her responsibility. She could not throw blame at anyone else for the choice the pack had made. "It's not personal, Eligos." She insisted. "You are no threat to us, today you will see that. We came here so that should the day come where another pack buys your loyalty and asks you to aim your teeth towards our Empire... that you will think twice about taking the contract." The small alpha's lips tightened into a thin line and a quiet terse exhale blew out as she sunk into a fighting stance. Zee's eyes remained upon Eligos' face and she gave a small nod - a warning - before her snarl broke through and she launched herself towards him. She tucked her head downwards, not too far that she could not see where she was headed but enough that her horns would be aimed more towards him. Her intent was to pull her head back as she came close to contact with him, bringing the horns' sharp points to the underside of his throat where his surrender could be quick. Thankfully the alpha had experience fighting wolves twice her height and was already calculating what countermove he'd make. She had to remain quick on her feet and agile to defeat a titan, all it took was one hard hit getting through to end the match when it was against a wolf as small and thin as her. From above her toucan dove down from behind Eligos, aiming to grab one of the large wolf's ears in each talon. The bird would not be able to do serious damage to them, but hopefully it would be enough to distract and annoy his attention off of Zee long enough. Zeitgeist Fatalis vs Eligos Abraxas for Dominance Round 1/? Age: Over 1 Year Size: Small Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Thorn wrappings Defensive Battle Accessory: King cheetah pelt armor Companion 1: Bush Viper, Female - Battle Companion 1: Channel-Billed Toucan, Male - Battle Mutation 1: Kudu horns (small) - Offensive Skills: Master Navigator & Master Fighter Specialty: Fleet-Footed "Speech"

Tamsyn's gaze shifted back and forth as she waited anxiously for the response to their intrusion. To their opponent's credit, it was only moments before the first of them showed, appearing in a flash of tan hued fur that immediately went for Azure. There wasn't time for her to worry about it right now though, she would have to trust that Azure would stand strong on his own. Seconds later she had her own fighter to tend to. A darkly colored man appeared, barreling toward her and clearly planning on using his larger size to his advantage. If she hadn't been so alert she might have missed his approach, but luckily she hadn't let herself be distracted by Azure's attacker. Tam made a quick hop backward, staggering a bit as she scrambled to avoid his forward charge. It took her a beat to regain her footing, but she was at least successful at dodging his shoulder. The General quickly got into her stable, practiced fighting stance with the slightest bit of bend to her limbs. Agility was clearly going to be the name of the game here just to keep this man from overpowering her or hitting her with... was that some kind of pot? That would have to be something that she'd think about later. She made a quick leap to her left, aiming a quick, sharp bite at the tender skin behind the man's right elbow, hoping to leave an irritating, painful bite that might inhibit his movements a bit. Since her whole goal was to stay out of reach as much as possible, she tried to make her mark and then hop back out of the way. When she made her movement backward her back paw landed on a thick twig that made her stumble a bit. It didn't knock her completely off balance, but it did make her curse quietly to herself since it slowed her pace for a moment. Tamsyn vs Iroh for Dominance Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Medium Build: Light Defensive Battle Accessory: Bracers Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Navigator Specialty: N/A