It was a sense of obligation that bought Hattori to the Armada's borders. As an Ashen shinobi he could have simply walked over the threshold but the thought didn't sit right with him as he stared ahead, the setting sun gracing his eyes with a touch of warmth. This was a private matter and Hattori well and truly wasn't the sort to air another's dirty laundry. But even then he'd been dwelling on this for quite some time, wondering whether he should keep the information to himself or put it to use. In the grand scheme of things it meant little to him, Hanako was nothing more than a pretty annoyance but given what happened he felt as though he owed her and that this was the least he could do to make amends.

Stepping forth, Hattori's talons left streaks in the earth as he tipped his head back and let out a low howl that reverberated off the willows that stood behind him. His intent was clear, he wanted to speak to whoever's words carried the most weight around here and that he would settle for no less. The breeze that tousled his fur was cool, a subtle hint of the colder autumn nights that were inching ever closer with each passing day. As he waited he idly found himself wondering how long his contract with the Ashen Empire would last and where his loyalty would lie this time next year.

The titan Warlord paused at the sound of the call. There was a pompous touch to the caller that rankled the Warlord. This brute wanted the top dog, and no less. He may yet live to regret that condition. He looked across at his son, and offered a wry smile. “Let’s go see what this is about”

Knowing that Azure would follow him, he abandoned their patrol and made his way towards the caller. At first glimpse, he would see the man was as tall as those of the blood of Sirius, with a few interesting twists. His call had been uppity, and he had the look of a warrior. A shame he scented of Ashen, for it might have been fun to put him in his place.

“You stand before the borders of the Ashen Armada, and call for its Warlord. Why?” politer then he would have given a demanding rogue, but still a touch of iron in his voice for this man thinking that he had any right to make demands of the Warlord.

"Speech"

Sirius paused in their patrol and Azure was only a step behind in noticing the call. On any normal day a howl at the border would for the most part pass by his notice, those duties in answering a rogue belonged to his father and mother alone. One torn ear twitched in irritation as the tone of the call came through, a further reminder to Azure of his lesser rank. If he'd accepted Venom's offer, he could be out answering summons at Ashen instead of following behind the Armada Warlord.

He pushed down his irritation, returning his father's smile. The last time Sirius had taken him to the borders to meet a call it had been Aurielle, and Azure recognized now that he was just a little bit out of line in how he spoke to her. He'd try his best to behave, though hopefully his father wouldn't hold it against him for lashing out again if the caller took offense to Az's presence. "This should be interesting." He muttered, following Sirius' lead and already silently considering a witty response to any comment on the weight of Azure's words.

Seeing the warrior brought Azure great pause and he turned his head sharply to his father, a sort of 'are-you-seeing-this?' expression upon his face. His long strides faltered, his jaw clenching tight and his teeth audibly grinding into each other in his struggle to hold his tongue. He looked like Hanako. The pattern was unmistakable even if this man's oranges did not share her brilliant white backdrop. It was not ideal to have Sirius standing here beside him now, for if this was one of her keepers he'd be given too much opportunity to flee while the warlord and his son argued over who deserved to slit his throat. Az remained silent while the Warlord gave his introduction, his cold gaze locked upon Hattori's own.

"Speech"

Perhaps his call came across as pointed and demanding, but Hattori much preferred to cut to the chase then have to deal with a middle man. Regardless of whether they got off on the wrong paw Hattori wasn't here to make friends, he had information to share and they would listen, as to what happened after that was their call. To the shinobi's satisfaction he wasn't left waiting for long, the two wolves that emerged from the long grass were about as tall as him, shrouded in dark pelts with sabres they were no doubt more than willing to use. Given the chance or excuse. His gaze remained cold and neutral, yet a slight glimmer of curiosity shone through as he took note of the wolves that had claimed Hanako as their own. Without paying the price, from what he'd heard.

Evidently she had a type.

"I am Hattori, I serve Ashen as a shinobi but that is not why I am here... Hanako is yours, yes?" He asked with a subtle tilt of his head, though he already knew the answer.

The scents that clung to her pelt were akin to what he smelled now, she didn't seem to be regarded as property here but her sense of belonging was undeniable.  No doubt mentioning her would arouse their suspicion, or at the very least would paint himself as a threat towards the dainty koi girl, but if that is the conclusion they wished to leap to then so be it. He would soon correct the course of their ire.

"I owe the girl a favour." His gaze briefly flicked skywards to the eagle that soared above, one of his many sources of information. He did not look away for long."It has come to my attention that her slavers are looking for her... Keepers I believe they call themselves." A ghost of a scoff lingered in his voice. To say he looked down on them and their trade was a fair observation. "They shall arrive within a week, perhaps less."

He felt the demunour of his son change behind him, his teeth clenching together as though personally offended by what he saw. The Warlord's eyes stayed on the stranger, as he wondered what he had missed. The two did not act as through they had ever met before. The man introduced himself, gave his Ashen rank, and then mentioned Hanako. It was then that the similarities of the stranger struck him. They could almost be related, though his spy was short, hornless, and lighter of tone. Oh, and much prettier of course.

The Warlord's eyes had turned flinty at the mention of his wolf. At the mention of the slavers… the Warlord became much less inclined to allow the wolf to leave. Lucky for everyone that Hattori did not make a bid to do so immediately after imparting his news to them. “And where do you come into all this Hattori? Who are you to my wolf, and those that once believed she belonged to them?” in a week, they would be dead, and there would be nothing left hovering above Hana’s head. He knew he could trust his heir-sons alongside him, almost as powerful now as he, to ensure their deaths.

"Speech"

This guy was rubbing Az entirely the wrong way, and the more he spoke the more his teeth faintly began to show. Hearing her referred to as 'theirs' from the lips of a stranger felt wrong, even if that was how Az and his possessive bastard of a father saw her. Hattori's subtle disapproval of her captivity was enough at least to prevent the prince from putting him down right then and there, but it did him no favors in Az's mind beyond that. At mention of the Keepers being on their way his resolve was even closer to breaking. "Dibs." He interjected shortly. It was likely his father wouldn't entertain his youthful claim, but ah, he tried.

Sirius' questions were more than Azure would care to ask, though he saw the value in the wiser wolf's concerns. Suspicion tingled across his spine, and he turned his head towards his father before the stranger could respond. "He shouldn't be allowed to leave, what if he warns them?" He suggested, unconcerned with the fact that Hattori could plainly hear him. If he ran, they'd catch him. If he fought them, they'd hurt him. "At least keep him until they're dead and buried, father."

"Speech"

The Warlord's questions were reasonable enough that Hattori took no offence. Not that he was the sort who allowed baseless accusations to get under his skin. If he wanted Hanako dead then that would be so, she'd be rotting in some shallow grave by now. But as things stood, whilst he held no affection for her he didn't care to see her harmed on enslaved either. If this was where she wished to live then here she would stay. But ah yes, the fact she looked like a koi no doubt complicated matters, made it seem as though Hattori was entangled in this farce. He considered his words for a moment, sometimes the common tongue did not come to him as fluently as he would have liked.

"She is not my kin." He had his suspicions but didn't care to pry nor was he the sort to share conjecture. He dealt in cold hard facts, absolutes. "Three seasons ago she was brought before my people by dark wolves, I did not care to learn their names. They claimed that she was a bride and offered to exchange her for some exorbitant fee. I said no." Despite only being a yearling at the time he'd been quite firm on the matter, so much so the Keepers had simply left it at that. Hanako on the other paw, if memory served, seemed quite offended, hurt even. Strange girl. Then again she had gotten to know some of his underlings and perhaps she grown to like Nippon during her brief stay.

"I met her again a few weeks ago, she was hurt and I escorted her back to your borders." She would have mentioned him, he was sure, given that she so loved to talk. Lord Hattori this, Lord Hattori that. "She spoke of her Keepers and seemed concerned they may return for her, she did not ask this of me but I looked into it nonetheless."

His gaze shifted to the second wolf, he addressed the elder as Father, which sat about right given all he knew about the Armada thus far.The pair could question his intentions all they pleased, he wasn't doing this for them, but if Venom asked this of him then he would comply. As always.

"Do what needs to be done." Was all he said, the matter was in their hands.

The Warlord twitched his ear at Azure as he called out his ‘dibs’ as through that would help his case at all. He might have brought Hana into the pack, but his claim to the wolf was greater than Azure’s. She was his son's friend, and his spy and wolf.

The Warlord twitched an ear again at Azure’s next words, pointing out that the orange wolf should not be allowed to leave. He already knew too much, knew that Hanako was here, and knew of the slavers that had once owned her.

The man, Hattori, gave him the information he required. He felt and understood Azure’s desire to keep the man here, to ensure Hana’s safety. “You’ve given me much to think of. Don’t go anywhere just yet, Hattori.” He said, glancing at the man, and watching as his companions set themselves against his retreat. He then turned his attention to Azure, and nodded for his son to move further away with him.

“The idea of keeping him here has merit, but he belongs to Venom. Taking him without her permission would be an act of betrayal. We can call for her, and request permission to keep him here. However, we want the keepers to die. Every last one of them. He knows where they are. Do you want to wait for them to come here and risk them finding her, or do you want to take the fight to them? Follow this Hattori to the source, and kill every last one of them?” he posed his thoughts as questions, giving Azure a chance to poke his own thoughts on his father's scheming. If he was to be Warlord one day, it would do him good to think through every option in such a situation. He was not normally a blood thirsty wolf, but these wolves had thought to call Hana a slave. A wolf that deserved so much more than they had given her. Wolves that would take her back in a heartbeat. She was his and an example had to be made.

Azure's surprise showed briefly at mention of Hanako being sold as a bride and not as a slave, though he firmly shoved the thought - and red hot panic - down to deal with the matter at hand. He'd think upon what this meant for his lie later, and not allow the fact that right now his best friend might be considering him his fiance affect this discussion. He was still blinking back his surprise as Sirius pulled him aside, and gnawed at the inside of his cheek as his father phrased for him their choices.

"Venom won't deny me this." Azure replied beneath his breath - while he didn't care for what Hattori heard, he did not know the relationship between his Empress and this koi-wolf. "I want him here, under watch. I don't trust him, and I don't want to have to worry about watching my back when we do kill them." Who was to say this Hattori wasn't in on it - offering to lead them to these keepers into a trap, so they could return later to reclaim Hana? Azure wouldn't let anything come between him and their murder. He looked his father in the eye, his expression pleading. "I... I think I love her, dad. Please, we can't risk it." If Azure had to fall to his knees before the Empress and beg her understanding, he would. If she demanded something in return, he'd pay any cost to ensure the safety of his friend.

"Speech"

Hattori blinked, slow and steady as he remained comfortably on the spot. There was no denying that he had the lower paw in this situation but he was at ease with it. Confident in his cause. Sirius was undoubtedly the most reasonable one of the two, his mind not so readily clouded by emotion. Azure on the other hand seemed far too invested, almost desperate. Despite Hattori's aloof exterior he felt a sharp pang of distaste at the thought of being dragged into this sentimental drama, he made a point of looking aside and watched the grass gently sway in the breeze. As if that made any difference.

"If I may interrupt, I do not think she would protest if I give my consent to remain here. I serve Venom and her empire, you are her allies." He had no interest in jeopardising the relationship between the two. He only stirred up the pot if he was being paid to. "It does not seem unreasonable for me to stay till the matter is dealt with."

He frowned distractedly at Hattori, the man's thoughts had run similar lines to Seers as far as Venom was concerned. He just didn’t like the idea that this stranger thought he knew his Empress better then the Warlord did. The Warlord that had dried her nose and kissed her scuffed knees when she knee high to a grasshopper.

His eyes snapped back to Azure at his son's softly spoken words. His nose quivered in surprise, and he said nothing for a moment. His thoughts grinding to a halt, the half-baked plans he had been scheming falling to the side for the moment. And then. “You have my blessing. “ if Azure did want to marry his Wraith, Sirius approved of the choice. There would be time to speak further on that later. “Unless you propose Hana is on full lockdown, and can’t go within eyesight of the border until they eventually decide to show their ugly mugs, your idea if riskier for her my idea if riskier for us. Chin up son, sometimes you have to take risks for what you care about.” He considered it for a moment. “We take Mortis, his soul duty is on watching Hattori, he might not have the same iron stomach as you or I, but he would do whatever he had to to keep us safe well we end them.”

Sirius offered up something Azure wasn't expecting and with the attitude of a typical teenager couldn't restrain himself from muttering a short, "I wasn't asking for it." In reply. After all, he'd already accidentally and very firmly insisted to Hana that the two were engaged. Fuck.

To the rest his expression grew argumentative, and his tongue swiped over his teeth as he considered over his father's frustratingly final decision. "I'm fine with putting her on lockdown, actually." He squared his shoulders and stood toe to toe with his father boldly, unwilling to let the matter go so easily. "Even this idiot agrees, and if he remains here willingly then Venom will have no issue with it. Let the wolf tell us where these slavers are hiding, and leave Mortis out of it. I don't trust him to kill a wolf if it came to it, and I'm not willing to put Hana's life on the line to test him." There was the unspoken worry of Azure's that he didn't want his brother in danger either - how skilled this man was they had no idea. The last thing he wanted was for him and Sirius to enact their revenge, then turn around to find Mortis dead and the koi-wolf vanished.

Sirius looked at his son, expression heavy with disapproval. He had brought him into the Warlords inner circle, making him party to the man's thoughts and plans. Only for a mulish, childish streak to show itself. To learn that his son would rather bury his head in the sand and let trouble find him. To bring it close to the pack borders, where Hana would be more likely to be drawn into the conflict. Close to his pregnant wife, and the smaller members of his pack. No, that could never happen. He had been given a gift with Hattari, and he intended to make full use of it. Not for a moment did he hear the worry for Mortis in the boys tone. His heir had made it clear in the past that he had little use for his winged brother.

"Very well, stay here, bury your head in the sand. At least hold Hana close. I will take Mortis and one other, and finish this. I will leave no threat hanging over the heads of my people." He said, voice thick with disapproval. Surprise, even, that Azure would vote to remain here, to let his enemy pick the time and place. He raised his head to Hattari, as through to move on and leave his son behind.

While he'd done his best to remain cool and levelheaded, his resolve snapped as Sirius threatened to leave him behind. His father turned back to the koi-wolf and Azure leaped forward, placing himself between the two men and staring down the Warlord with the barest display of teeth. "She was mine before she was yours, and she will be mine long after you're gone. If you do this without me I will never forgive you." It had been a long time since Az had tried combat against Sirius, and he'd been so close to a win that he could taste it. If he needed to challenge the man now for the right to tear the slavers' throats out, then that is what he would do.

His fur bristled, and even having his back to the strange man wasn't enough to force his attention from his father. "I am not afraid of them, but maybe you are. They are no threat to me or to anyone else in the Armada. We're the strongest pack in Boreas, father. If you consider a couple of rogues such a danger then perhaps you aren't the Warlord you think you are." They were words he'd never dare speak to Sirius in any other situation, though like the warlord himself his son was prone to being controlled by his inherited possessiveness. His anger grew as his desperation did. If Mortis was to be the one to give Hana her freedom, Az knew he could never win the affections of his friend. He would not let it happen, and steeled himself to directly target Sirius' soft heart. "I named Valhalla a threat seasons ago and you dismissed me, and now Malalia is gone and they are hiding something. If you want to end a threat hanging over the heads of our people then go to them and find your daughter." It was a harsh accusation, but Azure couldn't allow his resolve to waver. Not in this. "Leave these slaver dogs to hide under their rock, and when they come crawling back they die."

"Speech"

The Warlord felt his anger rising, like a coiled wipe, prepared to strike. His son stood in his way, raised his tongue against him. The warlord had always been quick to anger, and Azure pressed his buttons in all the wrong ways. His protective instincts were already pushed to the edge by the news Hattari had given then, and fueled by Azures reaction. Then he looked at his son, really looked at him. Saw that same protective rage, the desire to keep safe what was his. The rage and bullish nature close to the surface. So much like his father. It struck him then, how similar they had become. How much he loved his son. He had been teaching and raising the boy, but he hadnt truly felt they had bonded. He hadnt looked at Azure and seen the reflection. Perhaps because the similarities were close, too similar, too warring. But now that he has seen them, he could not unsee the realization. Could not wipe away the understanding that he wanted his son at his side, through thick and thin. He believed in Azure. It wiped away the building anger like a sudden sun shower

The Warlord surprised himself. He laughed softly, and shook his head. When he spoke next, it tinged with pride. "You are, through and through, my son, and my heir,, Azure Fatalis. I am lucky to have you at my side. Very well, I do not believe that Hanako is just yours, but you have admitted to me you love her. That means something. I will listen, and we will wait. We will plant traps, and ensure that not a single one of them escape our wrath." He let the boys insults slide off him, knowing they were spoken in desperation. It hurt less then he expected to let them pass. The second self-surprise in the space of a few words.

Azure stood before his father looking collected and unwavering, though was anything but. His words were intended to hurt, a last ditch and desperate effort to regain some of control in the situation and in Hanako's eventual freedom. He was powerless to protect her if his father cast him aside, and it was not a feeling he was accustomed to. He expected Sirius to respond with fury, to initiate an attack or to slap him down further and finally give him his next strike towards losing his position of heir. When the warlord let out a laugh, Azure released a low exhale of relief, his eyes closing as the feeling washed over him.

They still had company - and calmer, Azure was more willing to behave appropriately infront of the stranger - so his reply to Sirius was short and soft. "Thank you." He searched the warlord gaze for a moment longer, before turning back towards the koi-wolf. Azure had a new issue to be dealt with, and as he didn't think it would be one his father would understand he skipped over talking to Sirius first entirely. "I would like to explain to Venom myself." He told the shinobi, his lips pursing into a thin line. Who this Hattori was, Azure had no idea. What he did know was that there was no way in hell he was letting the man bring to his Empress what he had heard here today without approaching her with it first. He did love Hanako, but he loved Venom too and she had already been hurt enough by his indecision.

What a mess. They had stepped away to converse in peace and Hattori didn't care to eavesdrop, though he could have easily done so if he chose. Being a shinobi and all. Another wolf may have been offended by the way they so pointedly cut him out of the conversation but it served his tastes far better than the alternative, to be dragged into a drama he wanted no part in. Emotions were running high, words being spat and whilst Hattori couldn't understand what they were going through he sensed this was hard for them. Far more difficult than he'd ever anticipated. In his mind it should have been a simple affair, kill the slavers and be done with it but he supposed that he couldn't see the entire picture.

He had only mentioned speaking to Venom as a means of further cementing his compliance, but if Azure wished to speak to the empress himself then he had no reason or desire to protest. The less he was involved the better really.

"Of course." He stated, as though it was a given. "As I said, I wish to comply in this matter. I do not know for certain where they will approach from, but I believe it will be from the east. The main slaver goes by the name of Shrike." A predatory bird that impaled it's prey on sticks and thorns. Hattori found himself somewhat curious as to whether he lived up to such a name. "He is large with a dark coat. Green eyes.  As for his accomplice, I was told he was smaller, black coat with grey eyes. I have never met this one so I do not know his name. "

The Warlord inclined his head, swallowing back his natural inclination to take the lead. Allowing his son to have this, because he had never seen Azure want something as badly as this. He would give Azure a taste of what it was like to lead, and allow him to protect what he loved. In doing so, they both learnt and grew a little.

The Warlord frowned at Azures next words, but reminded himself of his decision to take a step back. He would still have a part in what was going to happen, he would still taste slavers blood in his fangs before this ended. "Alright, you can go to her with the weight of my Word." Allowing Azure to speak in his name as Warlord when he requested permission to hold onto this wolf well they sorted this mess out. "Azure, well you do that, ill gain more intel from Hattori, and let you know what I learn" that would keep thr wolf here with him as well, giving Azure a chance to talk to Venom in private, so they could more freely mention their distrust. "Hattori, tell me have you seen this Shrine fight? What tactics does he favour, and how likely is he to enter a fight or to flee?"

His father stepping back and allowing him this meant the world to the young heir, and he knew he'd never be able to repay Sirius for the opportunity. Hattori agreed to his request and he let out a soft sigh, already dreading the conversation to come. Az remained quiet as his father questioned the Koi and was perfectly happy to allow Sirius the lead in this strategy, he waited until his father was done speaking before interjecting softly. "I'll go see her now." There was more to the statement, though he struggled to verbalize his thoughts.

His eyes slid shut and he sighed louder, before steeling himself and continuing. "While I'm gone, could you have Mortis take Hana out? We have a week, right?" He glanced towards the koi-wolf momentarily. "If they're coming from the east, maybe Venom would allow them to camp out on one of her islands for a bit in the west. Keep her a little safer while we handle this." It hurt to suggest giving his brother a week's worth of solid alone time with his best friend, but he trusted his brother enough to be certain that if there was one bridge onto the isle that the winged yearling would defend that bridge with his life, if someone who wanted to hurt Hana was on the other side.

With his request out in the open Az had no interest in sticking around. He didn't want to field questions on why he couldn't suggest the vacation to Mortis and Hana, or why he was in a rush to see Venom, or anything else. He wanted only to get the hell out of here before his emotions got the better of him.

-attempted exit-
"Speech"