Gossamer was working on making a mint mixture for a poultice. She had an injured rabbit that Ásta had caught for her and she was trying to tend to its wounds, some of which she had inflected herself. Of course the rabbit seemed more interested in eating some of her remedies but it was just something she was going to have to work around if she was going to find out if this worked. It would almost be easier to just bite her own leg to test. Gossamer paused as she heard her older sister call out a challenge. Ooooo a fight! She wasn't close to Aslatiel but she secretly admired the older girl after seeing how she battled a bear.

Gossamer whipped around, knocking over her ceramic bowl and getting mint paste all over her legs. "Ugh!" She sighed loudly before continuing on her way. She'd clean up later, she didn't want to miss the fight. She arrived and spied her sister Ophie. She quickly bounded over to the other girl to join her. Good, she wasn't too late. However, the man that Asla had challenged didn't seem to want to fight. She glanced at her father then back at the two as Asla attacked. The fight was over almost before it began and it had been disappointing. Thankfully, they were going to have another fight, yes! "Go Asla!" She cheered.

Today had not gone as planned. Internally, Aslatiel was beyond frustrated. She loved Magnus, but he had really screwed her over here. The young Fatalis refused to let the irritation show on her face. She congratulated Magnus and asked her father for a proper challenge. While waiting for a decision as to what her challenge might be, she noted that more had gathered and that at least one of her younger siblings was cheering her on. Tall grey ears flicked backwards momentarily. She didn't like them because of who they were, but she was starting to rethink their place in her life. That was something to sort out later though. She didn't have time for matters of the heart right now. Now, nothing but blood and battle mattered. She still had something to prove. The words of Sirius rang out, addressing the pack. Aslatiel turned, her gaze touching upon each face, waiting for someone to accept the challenge and fight her. The young wolf's gaze fell upon Naiche right as he stepped forward. A moment later he was calling out his challenge. A grin split Asla's blood covered maw and she nodded her approval and her thanks. Since Naiche lacked armor, Aslatiel took a moment to shrug out of her own, depositing the reinforced porcupine armor on the ground and well out of the way. She slid out of her antlered skull helmet next. Shaking out her cream and grey pelt, the young warrior stepped into the invisible ring. It was time. Aslatiel rolled her shoulders and controlled her breathing. She'd exhausted quite a bit of energy trying to flip Magnus, but she was young and had energy to spare. This would be a true battle. A real battle. Asla knew that Naiche had a desire to be Reaper. He'd proven as much when he'd participated prior to Magnus attaining the rank. If he won, he would do well and she would go lick her wounds. Ah, but she wouldn't lose. The stars were on her side. There was a fire in her belly and with it, she would burn Naiche to the ground. Claws dug into the earth below as she launched herself at the yellow wolf. Jaws open wide, she went straight for his face, seeking to sink her teeth into his muzzle. She sought to slam her chest against his while she bit. Simultaneously, one paw would swipe out, seeking to latch her claws into one foreleg so that she might pull it out from beneath him. They were of a similar size and so this fight would be full of quick, brutal attacks. Naiche wouldn't hold back and neither would she. She was a lot of things, but dishonorable wasn't one of them. "Speech"

Naiche didn’t have any true armor as Asla did but he had been cloaked.  It wouldn’t be much of a difference but let no one point out such a thing later.  Naiche had more than enough adrenaline to warm him, tucking his head and stripping off that polar bear cloak.  Beneath it was a partially grown coat of fur.  Winter had helped his coat grow out so there was no obvious skin visible but it was hardly a proper wolf coat.  Normally he wouldn’t want anyone to see how short his coat was but at this moment pride demanded it.  Should anyone laugh at his partially grown coat he’d fight them next. With his cloak off he only had a second to grin before Asla charged towards him.  Naiche had learned how to fight giants and thus had mastered speed overpower but this would be the opposite of his normal so his tactics had to change. For once overpowering the other wolf seemed viable.  Regardless this would be a wonderful fight to enjoy.   He met her charge, raising up his front end a few inches off the ground.  He felt teeth pierce his muzzle but he paid back in kind twisting his head to remove her teeth from his flesh and move further forward to sink his teeth at the top of the neck directly behind her ear.  There was no holding back, when teeth connected flesh they would sink to draw free-flowing blood. At the same time he felt her claws connect to his leg, he stumbled but he kept his grip on her as he went back.  Where her head went she would have to go and so they could both be off-balance.  He raised up partway to try and get a paw on her shoulder, aiming to force her to the ground for a fast victory. "Speech"

Naiche wanted this, but she needed this. Her teeth found purchase in his muzzle and he quickly ripped it away, leaving blood filled marks in the process. If he wanted to bleed, then she would oblige him. Naiche was taller and as he rose up, he was able to catch hold of the back of her neck. Poor boy. Cat claws came out in full force, sinking into the flesh of his shoulders as she rose in turn. Using his own body to ground her, the striped Fatalis jerk her head backwards, forcing the teeth to rip from her flesh. She felt the burning, searing pain of the wound but adrenaline dulled everything. Pulling her neck from his bite would force his own head up and as she pulled, she was already turning her head, jaws open to lock around the yellow brute's throat. Using all of her weight, Aslatiel braced her body and launched herself backwards in an attempt to throw Naiche, if not over her shoulder, then definitely on the ground. She could feel his flesh give under her teeth and blood filled her mouth. Both of them would be sore after this, but it was the fight that they both wanted. "Speech"

Naiche had forgotten her special claws.  That was a bad and painful mistake.  She ripped herself free from his bite, and now his muzzle was a paint pallet of both his blood and hers.  Between the thrill of the fight, pain submerged with the adrenaline that just seemed to heighten the thrill of the fight.  This was no friendly spar, this was trying to completely defeat the other.   If Asla was going for his open throat then Naiche tilted the head down intending to get her muzzle this time. Her teeth connected with his throat, and even as his teeth scraped at her muzzle, trying for a solid bite she surprised him with that sudden backward launch.  Naiche did get thrown aside, but she failed to fully get him on the ground.  His feet had spread out, bracing him from going down.  Going down would mean a loss and the short-coated wolf had no intention of losing, and no way in hell this soon. Naiche lunged back in, front feet again off the ground, giving him height to bite into the back of Asla’s neck, grinding down and one front paw attempting to slash at her muzzle where he had managed to scratch earlier with his teeth.  At the same time, Naiche was pushing his weight into her, it was his turn to try and get Asla on the ground. "Speech"

Aslatiel, despite the adrenaline, was starting to get a bit tired. Her muscles were complaining, but she willed them to shut the fuck up until she was finished. Teeth found her muzzle and Asla hissed through her bite as the wounds stung. Blood began to drip down the side of her muzzle. The blood ran even more quickly when one of Naiche's paws slammed down on her muzzle as she came up against his throat. The young wolf lost her grip, but it didn't matter. Her opponents newest move was his downfall. Of this, she was sure. Naiche had risen up with the intent to topple her. And toppling was exactly what she wanted. In fact, she would help him along. As Naiche pushed, Aslatiel threw herself onto her back. The teeth in her neck pulled Naiche along as well. Once on her back though, she continued to roll. Cat claws locked into Naiche's shoulders to ensure his body would follow along with the momentum that they'd created. Up and over they went a second time and while they were in the air, Asla once again ripped her flesh out of the yellow wolfs jaws. With her claws already latched into his shoulders, Aslatiel had only to widen her hind stance and hold firm to the ground below her. With force, she slammed her weight down on her front legs, slamming the man beneath her into the ground on his back. Her jaws were already wide and going for his throat, locking just beneath the curve of his jaw. She applied enough pressure to let him know that she could very well hurt him if she wished. Tail curled up and over her spine, Aslatiel waited to see if Naiche would force her to hurt him or he would realize that, this time, he'd been bested. "Speech"

While the fight had been vicious it really hadn’t lasted as long as it might have felt to the two combatants.  Naiche had got Asla’s back, a great winning position, and then a moment later he was in a summersault unable to regain control, and then Asla had him pinned and her jaws around his neck.  The desire to battle was still there, the adrenaline urging him to continue but Naiche knew he’d lost.  He wanted to lunge, but it would be futile. Naiche made his muscles relax, he wouldn’t turn his head much considering she held his throat, but just a tad so his eyes looked away, acknowledging defeat. “I submit,” the words forced out formally.  He had loved the fight, and Asla had completely earned the victory it didn’t mean he had to enjoy losing.  The thought of having a rematch with her in the future took away some of the sting. Naiche had accepted loss of being Reaper prior to all of this so it wasn’t that much of a fresh loss.    What a great fight!  Whatever else he might have thought of Asla, when it came to fighting she was amazing. “You win,” the last bit able to come out with a more relaxed friendly tone to it.  Naiche looked as if he might of added more to it but then decided he’d had his words.  This was Asla’s moment after all, not his.  Now he was just to wait until she let him up.  Naiche wouldn’t take away any of the focus from her. "Speech"

And just like that, it was done. She had flipped Naiche and pinned him, her teeth in his throat. The sweet words, 'I submit' found the warriors grey ears followed by the words, 'You win.' It was musical. It was magical. It was exactly what she needed. Aslatiel stood over Naiche a moment more before releasing her hold on his throat. She licked her bloodied maw as she smiled down upon the prone wolf. "Thanks, Golden Boy." Aslatiel stepped away from Naiche, allowing him to rise. She turned to look at both her mother and father. This had been a real battle. Her prowess was tried and true, proven for all to see. Blood trickled down the back of her neck and there would most likely be scarring on her muzzle, but it was all worth it. She deserved this title and this all proved it. "Speech"

Mojito tried to keep the swell of emotions from his face, hoping he reflected the sort of cold, businesslike look he saw on some of the other faces, but he had to breathe a small sigh of relief when Asla came out victorious, and more than a little unscathed. Even he was aware of the one-sided nature of the fight... That did not bode well, he could see that but it didn't damper the relief he felt knowing it could be Asla who was the one covered in blood. She swept her gaze over the crowd, claiming she was the pack's new Reaper... whatever that was. Then her impossibly stunning gaze landed on him and the boy swallowed hard, nodding. He didn't really need the warlord to nod his approval, in that moment Mojito would have thrown himself off a cliff if she'd asked him, there was something so bewitching about her power...

The boy tipped his head back and called for his companion, knowing the sheep would bring him some supplies. First thing's first, he had to clean the man's wounds to stave off infection and then staunch the bleeding. The boy stepped forwards, about to speak when the wounded man brushed him off, clearly more than done with the whole ordeal, he watched him hobble away for a moment, confusion clear on his face before he glanced between Sirius and his daughter and stepped back. It seemed however that things were not over, he settled back on his haunches just as Hoa arrived, a small bundle of plants clamped in the sheep's mouth. He nodded to it and settled into an uneasy watching position as another man he did not know stepped forwards to challenge Asla.

He tried not to wince with every rip and tear the woman made of her own flesh but it was over soon enough, the victory remained and this time without prompting he stepped forward again, approaching the pair and doing his best to observe them with a critical eye and not to simply assume the worst had happened to Asla just because he was eager to see to her bleeding neck. Still, it seemed, at least to him, the most pressing issue and he set about quickly separating the small number of herbs he had on hand, hoping it would at least be enough Yarrow for both of them. He passed a small pile of the plant off to the Yellow man. "If you want to help speed up the process chew those up, don't swallow it and don't apply it until I can check your wounds though." He instructed, looking the man in the eye. Hoa would watch him carefully while he did the same to Asla, pushing a pile towards her and giving her the same instructions. Then he followed it up: "I need to clean your wounds," he said as if it was the most obvious thing, "do you mind if I..?" He lifted a paw and gently licked his own wrist in demonstration, suddenly feeling his face flush. He tried to keep his hammering heart from giving away his feelings too much, though his face had already betrayed him. This was not a romatic moment though, he was attending a patient, and he managed to at least not allow his imagination to run too wild. Gods he wished he had Trillium instead, it would save so much embarrassment if he could just avoid having to do more than slap some wet plant juice on the young woman.

"Speech!"

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This battle was for bloodier then the last. He looked at his youngest children thay had come along with others of the pack to bear witness. He saw little Ophelia hidden in Morts wings, and Gossy, who showed far more interest in the pack. He settled besides this daughter and pointed to the match, explaining to her the balance and technique each wolf was using. Turning the battle into a short lecture on fighting, until it finished.

Then it was done, the win far more earned, and high praises for both Naiche and his diaghter in his heart. He stepped up besides Asla, grabbing her paw in his, and lifted it high above the ground, scanning the eyes of those that had come to watch. “Congratulations to Aslatiel for her victory. The position of Reaper is safe from challenges for four weeks. Settle in, my Reaper, learn your role, and challenge our warriors ways of thinking. The pack thrives by the doings of its leaders.” He released her paw, and kissed her cheek. Stepping away from the crowd, but leaving here to soak it in longer if she so wished. “I will find you later today, Asla.” He promised her. He needed to outline the role she had earned. For now, he needed to steal some moments with Magnus.

Naiche rolled over and up onto his feet once Asla let him up.  The energy that had swept through him during the fight was already draining out now that there was no need for it.  The rush of a good fight seemed one of the very best things in the world, and the harder the opponent the better.  Now that things were calming he could actually feel what injuries he’d taken.  The worst of it was likely his muzzle, the damn thing was on fire now that his mind had time to inform him. Asla’s claws had cut into his shoulder and done more damage than they would have if his coat had been longer but Naiche didn’t see it affecting him in any crucial way.  It would hurt, he would heal.  The neck bite was still there also and his body was actually a bit sore from Asla’s last maneuver that had his back slamming into the ground.  Still, the worst was the muzzle.  Cross-eyed he tried to get a good picture of it but that wasn’t happening.  Ah well.  Hopefully, the scar would look good. Sirius announced Asla the winner and then headed off elsewhere.  Then here came something that looked vaguely like a wolf but, not.  Naiche looked curiously at Mojito with an inner lecture going on in his head that he hadn’t met this healer before.  Having not seen a dog before he assumed him some form of a wolf and just hoped he hadn’t been around long, otherwise Naiche was slipping big time on keeping up.   Naiche eyed the plants but waited to let Mo say his piece before biting into the plants, chewing the things up even as his eyes moved to watch him work with Asla.  Now that the fight was over he hoped Asla wasn’t hurt too bad.  The strange-wolf got more interesting as he was talking to Asla.  It sure seemed a lot less casual about talking with her than he had Naiche. "Speech"

The day was hers. After she moved aside to let Naiche up, her father came, lifted her paw and declared her the victor. He kissed her cheek and promised that they would talk later. In the meantime, healing was in order. Mojito approached without being instructed to do so and Aslatiel shot her friend a smile as he stopped before her. Though she'd rejected his offer of a monogamous relationship, that didn't mean that she didn't still care for him. He was her friend and he would continue to be her friend until he decided otherwise. Amaranthine eyes watched as the collie boy placed a pile of leaves before both Naiche and herself and instructed them to chew but not swallow. She almost had the leaves in her mouth when she remembered her manners. "Mojito, this is Naiche. Naiche, Mojito. Both of you are my friends." It seemed an odd thing to say, but now they knew their relationships with her? Whatever. Chewing up the bitter herbs, Aslatiel wrinkled her nose slightly against the acrid taste. She almost missed Mojito asking if he could... lick her leg? The young woman looked at her leg for a moment, then slid down to lay on her stomach, giving the healer access to all of her wounds. Not able to stand the taste of the leaves anymore, she spit them out into one paw, her nose wrinkling again. "This stuff is gross, Mo. What is it?" "Speech"

Friend, the world almost stung, though he kept himself from flinching, though no doubt a brief flash of pain passed over his eyes. Still, he kept himself as professional as possible, nodding towards the man. He supposed he really only had himself to blame for it, he'd not exactly been receptive to the idea of sharing Asla... he had, on the day he'd confessed his feelings for her, technically rejected her. It didn't stop the speculating happening in the back of his brain, was this man the same sort of friend he was? Had they shared kisses, tender moments? The boy shook those thoughts from his mind. It didn't really matter, did it? Not only was he not really in a position to be jealous but he had a job to do, and if he let his emotions get the better of him, what kind of healer would he be?

Asla lowered herself to give him access to her wounds and the boy moved forwards to being gently cleaning the wound, pushing her fur away from the bloodiest section of her neck and setting about gently licking at the gashes, cleaning both the blood and giving him a better look at the wounds. He frowned, they were pretty nasty, and as far as he had seen mostly self-inflicted, tearing herself free of the yellow man's grasp rather than getting free in a way that wasn't going to destroy her own skin. Asla asked him what the plants she had chewed up were, he chuckled. "Yarrow," he said as he pushed at her fur a little bit more, searching for any other wounds he'd missed. "it's good for stopping bleeding. Oh, it might sting a little." He nodded to himself and moved to scoop up some of the plant mush from her paws, and began to gingerly apply it to her neck gashes. "I'll be using it to dress your wounds for now, though I'll want to check on them in a few days just to make sure they stayed clear of infection." He spoke loud enough that he hoped he wouldn't have to repeat himself when he tended to the other man's wounds. "Try not to strain your neck too much, I know every good warrior wants a scar or two but the more you reopen your wounds the more I'm going to order you take bed rest, Reaper or no."

Next would be the muzzle wounds...

"Speech!"

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Aslatiel sat still as she could manage while Mojito worked on her wounded neck. The gashes didn't hurt too badly just yet, but damn did they sting when the yarrow was pushed in there. The girl wrinkled her nose a bit against the pain, but made no sound of protest. If this was the price that she had to pay to become Reaper, she would pay it. The cream and grey lady couldn't help but notice the meager amount of supplies that Mojito had with him and it got her to thinking. Did he run out because it was winter or did he not know very many herbs yet? Either way... she felt that he needed to know. "Mo," she began in soft, conversational tones. "My aunt and her mate went far south for her health. She was an amazing healer. The stone cottage belongs to her. It's filled to the brim with herbs and dried plants." Iolaire had been meticulous with her organization. All of her herbs were kept in sealed pots that lined the walls. "She always told the new healers that everything was available to them as long as they helped tend the gardens." The girls galaxy gaze lifted at the corners as she smiled. "So if you need herbs, feel free to help yourself, okay? I think Sedna is the only one that goes in there these days." It was kind of sad that her aunt was gone, but she understood why. Iolaire had looked like death before they left. She hoped the woman was okay, wherever she was. The floppy eared boy gave instructions and aftercare for her wounds along with a nice little threat. Aslatiel smiled sweetly though there was mischief in her gaze. "Yes, sir!" No matter how he felt, Mojito would always be her dear friend. She felt more than comfortable giving him a bit of grief now and again. "Speech"