Bramble Carpathius was on her way home with her family from the Armadan territory. Having celebrated the birthdays of her cousins (really aunts and uncles but semantics schemantics), the young Bramble was eager to get home and start working on her skills. After her own birthday breakfast with her siblings and their announcing what rank they would like to go for, she wanted to work hard and prove herself worth to her father and the rest of the pack. She had heard her brothers mention this place by the name of The Battlefield. A place for wolves to come and spar and test each other’s mettle. With permission to break off from the group for the day so she could give a shot, Bramble crossed the boundary and made her way deeper into the land. Glancing around, she got an unsettling feeling in her belly. Why did anyone want to be here? It was barren, blood covered, and quite spooky. There were even a few skeletons lingering about in different stages of decay. Trying to push aside the uneasy emotion welling up in her, she stopped near a rather dismal looking pond and let out a howl. Come one and come all to spar with the daring princess! Bramble Carpathius

Gavroche’s death had been hard for Bellamy to process initially… but, seeing Lucette’s pups, and the seemingly mirror image of her mate among them, the woman had found some peace, a sense of hope filling her once more. The Goddess Celeste would not have forsaken such a kind, pure wolf. She had rewarded Gav not by bringing him among the stars, but by giving him a second chance, a chance with a family and home that would love him and protect him. That, and bringing the murderer to justice, had only soothed her soul. The woman had thought she might leave her own bloody past behind her, but she was starting to realize now that it was still part of her and, perhaps… it was better to embrace it. Not that she would become a mindless killer or anything, but she didn’t want to suppress who she was anymore. She could be true to herself without being a monster, couldn’t she? The woman would trail to Boreas but she did not head for any of the packs. The news that her mate had fallen was something that she needed to share with others… especially Alexander who was still within Corbie’s care… but Bells was not ready to share that news with him yet. So instead her paws carried her toward the battlefield. She wasn’t entirely sure if she might find a fight there, at least, until she heard the call of a younger wolf. A yearling it sounded like. Bellamy hummed thoughtfully before shifting her path, adorned in her clout and wearing her dagger despite the heat of Boreas’ summer. The young girl was a pretty little thing, likely soon on the way of worrying her parents as she caught the attention of potential romantic interests. Bellamy would widen her stance, dipping her head to the yearling. She smelled of Auster… could she be one of Artorias’ children? “Well met, young lady. I am Bellamy of Foi, Leader of the pack of Ethne. You are of the Hallows, are you not? Mind a friendly spar with me?” She would give the girl the option. "Speech" 'Thought.'

Bramble would not be kept waiting long. She watched as the older female approached with a rather… stoic expression. The pain lingering at the edges of that expression told Bramble there was something else lingering, but she would not be one to pry. Not now. There was something else to be done first. Instead, Bramble smiles and dips her head back in greeting. “A pleasure, Bellamy of Foi. You are correct. I am Bramble Carpathius, daughter of Artorias and Briar,” her smile brightens slightly as she introduces herself. There is no doubt that she is proud of who she is and where she hails from. “That would be why we are here, yes?” The young Carpathian winks before she widens her stance ever so slightly. She would hope that surprise would be on her side. Only a moment would breathe between her last verbal syllable and when her body pushed into motion. Her paws dug into the ground as her hackles raised along her spine, her chin tucking closer to her chest, and her ears flattening against her head. Closing the space between her and the leader of Ethne, Bramble leaped into the air at the last few feet. Extending her cat-like claws, she aimed to strike at Bellamy’s shoulder before landing and turning slightly so that her own shoulder was faced more toward her oppponent. Bramble Carpathius

Bramble vs Bellamy for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened & Elongated Canine Tooth Covers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Green leather cloak with a hood
Companion 1: Male Fisher, 45" - Battle
Companion 2: Female Common Raven, 48" - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Intellectual

The girl would confirm her suspicions, answering with the confidence - and bit of pride - Bellamy would expect from being from such a lineage. Would her own children speak her and Gavroche's name that way one day? Would they be proud to have been born in Ethne? The woman hoped so. But even if not… she just wanted her children to be happy and in an environment where they felt safe. The woman would give a nod to the girl as Bramble makes the comment that was why they were there. Indeed it was. Bellamy gave a small nod and a small smile touched her lips. She needed this distraction. The she-wolf would slip into defenses that came as naturally to her as breathing. Her stance widened, legs slipping into a position where they were aligned under her shoulders and spread so that she was "centered". In doing so the woman's weight had shifted, evenly distributing across her limbs. Her tail would raise and her head would lower, both seeking to align with Bellamy's spine and offer her not only the best form of defense but also aid with maneuverability. Her digits were splayed and her claws dug into the dry earth to aid in traction. Balance was an important factor in fighting. Losing it, or making your opponent lose it, could be the difference between victory or defeat. Finally Bellamy would lay her ears flat and narrow her gaze - both things that had been drilled into her as a child. Unless you wanted them to become a target you set the defenses to protect them. The girl shot forth like a lightning bolt but Bellamy would be ready. Fighting is second nature to her; Artorias would have needed to train his daughter well for her to gain the upper paw here. Bellamy's fur would rise as she braced herself for the charge of the youth. The yearling was tall, even taller than she was herself, though she was lighter. Bellamy was also more seasoned, but that didn’t necessarily mean that Bramble couldn’t come out on top. As Bramble came lunged Bellamy chose to aim low, twisting her front half toward Bramble as she anchored down and bent toward the earth to not only cement her position, but to offset the attempted attack the youth had planned. Aiming high for her shoulder could be a good attack, but Bellamy hoped that by her own body shifting the attack would now partially have those claws digger into the cape she wore. And it would somewhat help, though three of those claws still sliced into flesh, welling up blood. But Bellamy would not let the closer proximity of her opponent go to waste. Her right foreleg snaked out, hoping to hook around the one the girl had on the earth. With a foreleg elevated for an attack it’d be an opportune time to attempt to get Bramble to stumble. But even a felled opponent could still attack. For now Bellamy held back, not wanting to go too hard against the girl until she had a better gauge of what she knew and how she could handle herself. If she could save herself from the ground, perhaps Bellamy would up the ante a bit, but she was still mindful. Perhaps it was the mother in her, wanting to be a bit gentler in “battle”. "Talk," 'Think.'

Bellamy vs Bramble for Spar
Round 1/3
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bone dagger
Defensive Battle Accessory: Snow leopard cape
Companion 1: Tasmanian Devil, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: American Badger, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Berserker

As her paws pummeled the packed dirt beneath her, her teal eyes watched how Bellamy prepared herself. It was clear that this Alpha was a seasoned fighter. Someone who would not allow herself to easily be bested by a mere youngster. Being the daughter of Artorias would mean nothing if she did not take her training seriously. Which, it was good for Bramble, she had taken everything she had learned so far seriously. From her lessons with Mercury and Fern to the teachings of her father, Bramble was ready for this. She wanted to start proving herself in any way that she could. When her claws came into contact with Bellamy’s skin and cloak, she felt every second her opponent’s skin was sliced. The sight of blood welling to the surface made her heart clench for a moment. Was she really ready to start spilling blood of others? She would have no time to question herself as she twisted to move her shoulder closer to Bellamy. Her haunches moving so they were more perpendicular than head-on. Perhaps that had been the wrong move. With her weight primarily on that standing front paw, she fell victim to Bellamy’s sweeping leg. Bramble felt that paw hook around her leg and begin to pull against her. Before she could truly fall, her attacking paw stamped back on the ground as her weight teetered away. There was still a stumble in her step as she caught herself and leaned away from the leg that Bellamy had hooked onto. It was then that an idea struck her. Allowing her falling weight to shift back toward Bellamy, Bramble used the rocking momentum to try and fall back onto Bellamy and hopefully force the woman to lose her own balance. Bramble vs Bellamy for Spar Round 2/3 Age: Over 1 Size: Dire wolf Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened & Elongated Canine Tooth Covers Defensive Battle Accessory: Green leather cloak with a hood Companion 1: Male Fisher, 45" - Battle Companion 2: Female Common Raven, 48" - Battle Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Intellectual

The winner of a battle wasn’t always the wolf who lunged toward their opponent with the most devastating of moves. First blood went to the youngster, but Bellamy managed to succeed in wrapping a foreleg around Bramble’s own. But even this move was a test to see what Artorias had taught his little one. Bellamy was careful to shift her weight as she pulled, knowing that overextending herself could put the Leader into a vulnerable position. A grin had crossed her features, the spar one of good nature and, truthfully, a thrill for the older woman. It was pleasing to her mind to know battles could occur without the intent of taking life, and that the goal was to build skill and bond rather than something far more serious. Bellamy had always felt at home on the battlefield, but in this sense the thing she had become so familiar with was much healthier for her. Bramble shifted, coming up alongside the dark furred woman as Bellamy swept out. But rather than merely stumble forward, turning to twist away and fall into a vulnerable position, Bramble would suddenly rock back towards her. The younger wolf would crash back towards her and Bellamy would give a grunt as she felt the weight of the lighter girl against her. Ah, but if the girl wanted a challenge, then let this be a challenge. Riding the momentum of Bramble crashing into her Bellamy would seek to attempt to hook her limbs around the girl and pull them both down, the battle forgotten. Bellamy was more focused on having fun and ending up on a heap in the ground. A shame that such simple delight would not last… "Speech" 'Thought.'

Bellamy vs Bramble for Spar
Round 2/2 (Reduction in rounds approved by Bunni~)
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bone dagger
Defensive Battle Accessory: Snow leopard cape
Companion 1: Tasmanian Devil, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: American Badger, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Berserker

And the winner is...

BELLAMY

BRAMBLE must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: BRAMBLE: Attack Roll: 70 Defense Roll: 33 Agility Roll: 83 Perception Roll: 69 Total: 255 Attack[70] + 50% Bonus[35.00]: 105.00 Defense[33] + 10% Bonus[3.30]: 36.30 Agility[83] + 5% Bonus[4.15]: 87.15 Perception[69] + 20% Bonus[13.80]: 82.80 Total[311.25] + 15% Bonus[46.69]: 357.94 BELLAMY: Attack Roll: 79 Defense Roll: 39 Agility Roll: 44 Perception Roll: 59 Total: 221 Attack[79] + 75% Bonus[59.25]: 138.25 Defense[39] + 5% Bonus[1.95]: 40.95 Agility[44] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 44.00 Perception[59] + 25% Bonus[14.75]: 73.75 Total[296.95] + 25% Bonus[74.24]: 371.19