Following his meeting with Kaino, Sephiran had two thoughts lingering in his mind. Go and antagonize their prisoner, or start ironing out the details of their invasion. Truthfully, the latter sounded far more appealing to him- but if he were to come to power, if he were to become a King in a single nights notice. He needed to start performing like one. And so, with a frustrated growl and a steady inhale of the mist, he decided to seek out one of his most trusted confidants. It was even harder to navigate the moor at night- the viscosity of the fog having increased, inhibiting the moonlight from trickling down to the heathered earth. But the wolves could navigate using their other senses. Following his scent, Sephiran hunts down the crimson male- finding him lurking within the thickened mists. “Aresenn,” He announces his arrival, just as the former pirate materializes in front of him - the veil of fog whirling around them, coating their pelts in a layer of dew. “If I told you, I will become a proper King by morning,“ A smile cracks his lips, seeming to pull back into his ears. "Would you believe me?” He fell silent then, waiting for Aresenn’s response.   "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

The cool mist of Druid's Moor enveloped Aresenn like a shroud as he prowled through the ancient stones, his form a shadow among shadows. The soft, eerie glow of waning moonlight filtered through the fog, casting a dimly lit ethereal glow over the landscape. The moor was silent, save for the whisper of the wind through the heather and the distant call of a night bird. Aresenn's senses were keenly attuned to his surroundings, his amber eyes scanning the mist-shrouded terrain for any signs of movement. With the subtle shift of the wind, Aresenn's gaze flickered towards Sephiran as the Sultan appeared from the mist, his presence cutting through the veil of fog like a prow through water. The question hung in the air, thick with implications and possibilities. A smirk tugged at the corner of Aresenn's lips, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Even still, his expression remained neutral, his gaze steady as he regarded the Saxe brute. The idea of Sephiran becoming a king by morning was certainly an ambitious one, but Aresenn had learned not to underestimate the Sultan's resolve. "I've learned not to doubt your intentions, Sephiran," he replied evenly, his voice carrying a note of reserve. "But becoming a king overnight seems like quite the feat, even for you ... what is it that you have on your mind?" Aresenn's tone was measured, curious yet guarded, as he awaited Sephiran's explanation on what exactly it was that was on the brute’s mind. "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

Aresenn’s comment made his grin grow wider- his elongated fangs seeming to glow against the dark backdrop of his frame, similar to the glow of his amethyst and emerald eyes in the mist of the moor. “Quite the feat, yes-“ His tail flicks behind him, toes flexing to dig his claws into the soft soil at his feet. “But not impossible.” With a flick of his muzzle, he motions for Aresenn to follow him- commanding the male to his side, before he breaks out into an even pace through the heather. Leading him to the common area, where most of his band members took refuge in the underground burrows. Sephiran comes to a stop, motioning towards the direction Kaino’s den is in. He takes in a deep and exaggerated inhale of air- wanting Aresenn to mimic him, to test the air for any oddities. Wanting to see if he would pick up their prisoner's scent.   "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

Aresenn's sharp eyes followed Sephiran's every movement, his curiosity sparked by the Sultan's poised and self-assured presence. He effortlessly matched Sephiran's stride as they traversed the moor, their footsteps blending into the damp earth. The mist wrapped around them like a silk veil, caressing their fur and adding an air of intrigue to the landscape. It was as if they were walking through a dream, with only their faint footfalls and the ethereal fog for company. As they reached the common area, Aresenn's sharp eyes flickered towards Kaino's den, a faint frown tugging at his brow. He watched Sephiran with keen interest as the Sultan motioned for him to take a deep breath, testing the air for any anomalies. Aresenn complied, sucking in the crisp, cold air and honing in on the distinct scents that surrounded them. There was something different, that was for sure, a faint but distinct scent that he couldn't quite place. It was unfamiliar, foreign, and it set his fur on edge. "Who is your new toy, Sephiran?" Aresenn murmured, his voice low and serious. His gaze flickered towards Sephiran, waiting for an explanation. "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

It didn’t take long for Aresenn to pluck out the anomaly in their domain- the thick scent of Norad having swathed the boy’s pelt, tainting their Moor with its pungency. Although it was for a greater cause, the boy’s presence still irked him- the desire to mutilate and torture, heavy on his mind. But he’d given Kaino an ultimatum, and he was going to adhere to it. Rolling his shoulders forward, his gaze shifts back to Aresenn. A single brow furrowing, when the male asks who his new toy is. “The son of an alpha- the King of Norad.” His voice is lackluster, casual even- as if the act of holding an alpha’s son hostage was normal. “Kaino secured him for me- claiming the boy’s father will do anything to save his child.” His gaze hardened, eyes narrowing in on Aresenn. “Blackmail, she called it.” Truthfully, it wasn’t the route Sephiran would have taken to secure a kingdom. He’d always envisioned seiging someone’s home, slaughtering their men, pillaging their women, enslaving their children. But this would have to do.   He fell silent then, expectantly looking to Aresenn- wanting him to voice his thought on the matter, should he disagree with this ploy. Perhaps he could give insight to the mechanics of Norad- he was far more knowledgable about the existing packs than Sephian was, given he'd been born in these lands. "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

Aresenn's piercing gaze narrowed slightly, his concern shifting to the immediate threat of an ambush. His brow furrowed in thought as he assessed the situation, his mind racing with possible outcomes. "Using the alpha's son as leverage- albeit creative- is a risky move," he stated, his voice low and serious. "We should be prepared for any possible response from Norad. They must be a new group, one I haven't heard of before." The musky dampness of the underground labyrinth was only heightened with the approaching autumn chill coupled with the overhead misty moor. It was almost suffocating in a sense, and he wasn’t fond of it. Even still, Aresenn's mind churned in deep contemplation, his brow furrowed in deep concentration as he considered the best course of action to protect their band from a potential ambush. His keen eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of danger. "Remaining vigilant and prepared to defend ourselves at a moment's notice is going to be crucial. We cannot afford to be caught off guard in this blackmail scheme." he declared, his tone firm and resolute. His jaw tensed with determination as he contemplated the weighty implications of their current situation, his mind racing with possible scenarios and strategies for the unfolding events. Glancing back in Sephiran’s direction, he drew his voice again. “Have you spoke to Rhazien about this yet?” While he wasn’t exactly fond of the Sultan’s uncle, he did respect the fact that the older brute brought experience to the table that was unique to his years. He would certainly be interested to hear his insight on the matter as well. "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

Listening to Aresenn’s words, Sephiran’s ears flicked upon his skull- twisting to and fro, absorbing the man’s concern while testing their surroundings for abnormalities. In truth, Aresenn was correct- this was a risky ploy, one that would result in yet another enemy, shrouded in unpredictability and danger. Sephiran had been resistant to it at first- even angry that Kaino had done this without consulting him first. But he reminded himself of who he was - who the Saxe, was - a bloodthirsty group of heathens, who sought to spread a plague of destruction as far as they could. Was this not fitting for them? Giving a single nod, Sephiran showed agreement to Aresenn’s concerns. “Kaino feels confident in her ability to deliver- believes she has control of the situation.” His tail continues to flick behind him- irritation boiling in his abdomen. “But if we are met with resistance,” Meaning, if the Norad king doesn’t want to negotiate, or beats them to the punch and launches an attack. “We kill the boy and slaughter them all.” Again, Sephiran speaks in casual tones- as if the act of genocide is a mere stepping stone in their ploys. "Do I still have your loyalty, Aresenn?" He questions, recalling their previous conversation- where Aresenn swore his loyalty once again, even in the face of an Armada assault. "Even if I lead you into the dark?" This was a risky plan indeed- did Aresenn have the resolve to see it through with Sephiran? At the mention of Rhazien, Sephiran shrugs his shoulders. “I'll be consulting Rhazien shortly." He says. After this, he would seek out his uncle- needing his insight on the matter, to help guide them to a victorious overtaking.   "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

Aresenn's gaze remained fixed on Sephiran, his expression unreadable as he absorbed the Sultan's words. The plan was risky, that much was certain, and the consequences of failure were dire. Yet, Aresenn knew where his loyalties lay, And loyalty was a delicate thread, easily frayed by doubt and hesitation. It was a complex thing, especially in times of uncertainty and conflict, but Aresenn had made his choice long ago. He was committed to Sephiran, to their band, and to the vision of conquest and power. "You have my loyalty, Sephiran," Aresenn replied, his voice firm and unwavering. "I swore it to you once, and I will swear it again.” His words carried the weight of a solemn oath, a promise forged in the crucible of their shared ambition. As his mind continued to reel, he once again found himself trying to sort the best course of action in the face of such uncertainty. "If negotiations fail, we must be prepared to act swiftly and decisively," he reiterated, his tone firm. "Does Kaino have any idea as to what we are walking into? How many do they have in numbers? What is the nature of their lifestyle? How much resistance does she anticipate?" He had so many questions. Too many to ask. But as much knowledge they could have going in, the better prepared they would be to deal with an unpredicted outcome. "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

The anticipatory expression on Sephiran’s face did not falter- his resolve strong, regardless of whatever danger they might be walking into. He would stop at nothing to achieve his goal- to take his place as the head of his family, to sit before them on an iron throne and command them into a formidable force. Aresenn had been drawn to his dream - for his own reasons, yes - but he was a dependable ally, nonetheless. One who continually swore his loyalty to Sephiran, despite his grandiosity and perversities. Nodding his head, he acknowledges Aresenn’s oath - gravitating slightly towards him, touching their shoulders together - a silent yet powerful display of their loyalty to one another. Moving onto their ploy, Sephiran nods his head in agreement- they would need to respond quickly, should the Norad King meet them with violence. “I plan to take the militants of the band with us- you included.” They would show up in force- their blades sharpened, tooth and claw ravenous, ready to slaughter their enemies if need be. “Kaino stalked them out for a while,” He begins. “There are two males who raise their… children together,” An odd concept to him, but an insignificant one. “One, the alpha of Norad - a small and weak pack- one of the weakest around, Kaino claims.” Remembering his cousin's words, and repeating them to Aresenn. “She said, we’d be doing them a favor.” His lips contorted into a smirk- eradicating a small, useless pack was childsplay, really. “They inhabit two territories, down south in Auster- a large dam, and a waterfall.” Pausing briefly, he concludes with. “That’s all I’ve been told.” It would have been more beneficial to gather more information before this plan was deployed- Rhazien would have been perfect for meeting the alpha and gaining more information -  but Kaino failed them on that front, having done this by herself. "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"

Aresenn absorbed Sephiran's words, his mind already racing with strategies and contingencies. The plan was risky, but if executed correctly, it could give them a significant advantage. "Understood," Aresenn replied, his voice steady. "We'll be ready to move at a moment's notice." As Sephiran outlined the details of their target, Aresenn's brow furrowed in thought. Two males raising children together was an unusual but not unheard-of arrangement in the world of wolves. It hinted at a pack structure that was likely more fluid and adaptable than traditional packs. "A small and weak pack, you say?" Aresenn mused, considering the implications. "That could easily work in our favor. They may not have the resources or the numbers to mount a significant defense." He nodded thoughtfully as Sephiran listed the territories they would need to pass through. "The dam and waterfall," he repeated, making a mental note of the locations. "We still need to proceed with caution. Even a small pack can pose a threat if they are backed into a corner or desperate." Aresenn's mind raced with potential scenarios, each one needing to be carefully strategized and executed. As Sephiran mentioned Kaino's failure to gather more information, Aresenn's jaw tensed with frustration. It was an oversight, one that could have dire consequences for their band. "We'll just have to make do with what we have," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "But I will see if I can gather any additional information on my own. The more we know, the better prepared we will be." With a final nod of determination, Aresenn braced himself for the challenges that lay ahead, his mind already racing with strategies and contingencies. They were walking into the lion's den, but they would emerge victorious—or die trying. -Exit Aresenn- "Aresenn" & "Sephiran"