The Warlord had given time between the pack meeting and this. A chance for his wolves to think over his words and consider their own ambitions and desire for the rank. At last, he would not wait any longer, and made his way to the Obelisk. He knew of only one wolf whose presence would be certain. He already had an idea in mind of what challenge he would lay before her.

If more wolves appeared, he would revise his plans, but he would not be opposed to doing so. When he reached the familiar towering stone, he tilted his head back and called for any wolves interested in taking their place beside him. As co-alpha of the Armada. To take the place of his missing son.

"Speech"

The Warlord had said he would choose soon. Soon, but not on the day they spoke. She'd carried that in the back of her mind, all the while stepping up and taking on as much as she could. As much as she could with a pup of her own in the house, as much as she could with Halo's brood to keep an eye on too. Planning and preparing for the raid, the very act that had brought her the pup in the first place. She'd been down to scout the Pirates, to glean what she could about their movements and numbers from a distance. She'd busied herself effectively, not leaving time to worry about the impending decision. Hazel wasn't going to plead, she was just going to get to work. Show don't tell. Promptly, Hazel made her way to the obelisk. She was determined to take up the post that her father in law had abandoned. A man that would have scorned her, a man that probably would have had something to say about her relationship with his son. Hazel would show him, more than that-- she would show them all. There's determination in her gaze as she looks to the Warlord, offering a respectful dip of her head. "Good afternoon Sirius." A smile played on her lips, but there was fire in her too. So much fire. She's ready. "Speech"

Since the meeting, Andy has thought long and hard about the possibility of being a co-alpha alongside her father. The more she dwelled on it, the more reasons she found not to even try. Youth was a major disadvantage in her own eyes even though she has been applying herself around the pack; striving to help where it was needed and raise to every challenge placed before her. Right up until the moment that Sirius’s call rings out, the girl had been certain she would not go, that she would allow her youth and inexperience to keep her from even trying.

But, when that call fills the air in the Armada, something inside Andromeda… shifts.

Up at First Point Light, in the observation post that she and her father had built, Andy pauses in her reading and lifts her horned head. Azure had held the position of co-alpha for so long and he had used that title to strike fear into the hearts of those under him. While she had only known her brother for a short time, it was unmistakable the ripples of hatred he had left in his wake. That is not the way a good leader rules and, it because of her brother’s short comings in leadership, that Andromeda ultimately decides to go; she wishes to prove him wrong.

Lavender paws quickly trace the path down the mountain side and she hurries over to where Sirius and Hazel stand before the Obelisk. As she approaches she idly wonders if they will be surprised that she has shown up. With confident steps, Andy comes to a stop near Hazel and offers her a warm smile. Then, she looks up at her towering father with fire in her eyes. No words need to be spoken as her mere presence says it all; Andy is here to fight for the position of co-alpha.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

The Warlord was not surprised to see Hazel approached, he nodded his head to her, an approving glint in his eyes. She had been quickly working her way up the ranks. Taking every challenge he threw at her in stride. She could be both ruthless, and kind. Supportive of the wolves beneath her without coddling them. She was a good choice, but he would not let her have the rank uncontested.

What did surprise him, was Andromeda appearing as well. He looked at his daughter. Truly looked at her. His eyes holding hers as he considered her - not just as his daughter, and the wolf he had lain beneath the stars beside. But as a wolf of the Armada, and what she could bring to the table. She was clever, and hard working. But was she ruthless enough to lead the Armada? To make the hard decisions, and put the good of the pack first. She was young, and untried. So it was hard to be sure. He addressed her first, because there was another matter here that needed attending to.

“Andromedia.”

He said, using her first name. Treating her as an Armada wolf, and not as his beloved daughter.

“Your youth plays against you here, but you're brave to try regardless. Your sister also applied to enter this challenge, and I turned her away. If you wish to enter, then I must be fair. Challenge your sister Kyanite to a duel. The winner has the right to contest for this position.

He told her, holding her eye and giving her a chance to respond, before turning to Hazel.

He considered sending Andy away then, but it was only fair she heard what her competition would be doing. Was it wrong of him to believe that a challenge between Andy and kite would have only one clear winner?

“Hazel. You’ve come a long way from the youth stealing from my cellar. I need a leader of the Armada to be able to stand with me. To make hard decisions beside me, and to back me up against any foes that may threaten us. With this in mind, my challenge for you is this: I want you to scout out and locate a wolf that you believe would benefit the Armada if you were to force them to submit to you. This wolf you claim can not be affiliated with any group or family that would seek revenge. Use your judgement, and consider all possible long term ramifications to the pack. I need you to make a hard decision, commit to it, and know exactly how it will affect the wolves that look to you to lead.”

It was important that she was able to consider all angles.

"Speech"

Hazel could barely conceal her surprise as someone else came to join them. A yearling, considering herself in a position to rise in the ranks. Surprise, but there's a bit of pride here, too. Andromeda had come pretty far in her year, though Hazel didn't think she was ready. Not with the turmoil that had gripped the pack, lately. Not with the dangers that had come to their attention. The raiders weren't the only worry right now. It would take a cool head and a ruthless heart to get through the dark times on the horizon... was Andy ready? She didn't think so. Still, the spark and the fight in her, it mirrored Hazel's own. That was cool. She listened intently as Sirius went over the additional layer of the challenge for Andromeda. He was giving her something additional to do, something that would make up for her lack of experience. It makes sense in Hazel's mind, though there's a tug in her chest at the mention that Kite had asked for consideration as well. The girl was tough. Hell, both girls were tough. She couldn't help but be proud of them. And then came her task. Hazel's attention was rapt, processing what the Warlord had to say. Capture a slave. Capture a slave that would not cause blowback on the pack, but would be useful to them. She gave a firm nod, the wheels in her brain already spinning. Hazel would need to think long and hard about this one. She's already considering consulting with Bas as well, and maybe Mortis. Her jaw set. The general nodded, already eager to begin. "Yes sir." Her tone professional, jaw set. Fire ignited in her green gaze. Hazel couldn't say she wasn't excited, after all. "Speech"

The dusty lavender girl looks to up at Sirius, half expecting him to rebuke her and turn her away. Yes, Andy is inexperienced in the ways of the world but she is passionate about the well-being of the pack. So, when her father looks to her and lays out her first challenge, the girl simply listens and nods slowly as she processes the information. Hazel has proven herself time and again in her father’s eyes so it seems only fair that the girl must do more to try and gain this position. Relief floods her system that she is at least being allowed to try.

More than likely she will fail at some point and Hazel will claim the title and that is okay. Andy knows that a good leader isn’t just made in moments of victory; they are built by the way they handle defeat as well. Maybe, if she is graceful when she loses and actually tries to learn from her mistakes, it will show her father just how serious she about… well everything. His attention moves to Hazel and the girl turns her light blue eyes to look at the woman as well, a soft smile curling the edges of her lips as he speaks.

In Andy’s mind, Hazel has already won and the girl is extremely proud to be able to call her family. The woman’s tone is professional as she answers Sirius and the girl turns her focus back up to her father, the smile falling away as she does. With a dip of her head, she tries to mirror Hazel’s tone as she says, “It will be done.” With that, she turns to face the woman and a bright smile breaks through the mask of seriousness that had settled over her features as she offers, “Good luck Hazel! You got this.” A wink is tossed toward Hazel before Andy takes her leave, slipping away from the pair to begin preparations to challenge her sister.

-exit Andy-


"Andromeda Fatalis"