open to any ashen or armada member, but let indigo post first! hes obviously not dying btw, just passing out from blood loss!
Edit - I want him to have the bear skin, so feel free to kill it x)

Ever since he'd met Deathbelle, it was hard to get her off of his mind. As silly as it was, she lingered there and he couldn't shake her out. He'd seen many women in his life, but hardly any as striking as her. It was that day when he'd seen some flowers, violets to be exact, as they pushed their way through the light snow that had fallen overnight. Upon seeing them, he'd thought of her and how her eyes were as vibrant as them. In many ways they reminded him of her, though it wouldn't have been hard. Whenever his mind was allowed to wander, it wandered her way. He'd plucked a few from their place in the Earth, leaving some to continue their growth as Spring would soon find it's way across the southern edge of Boreas. These were likely the first of the violets to bloom this year, making them even that more special. Of course he had no intentions on allowing the Empress to see him deliver the gift, but instead got a pleasant warmth just knowing he did it and allowing her to wonder who would leave a gift at her door.

It'd been some time since he spent time in her den, drinking his first ever taste of tea and becoming familiar with his Empress. It wasn't until he saw the flowers that he thought of bringing her a gift, and wondered briefly if violets could be used in tea. He knew next to nothing about plants, but at least knew they weren't toxic. While they weren't exactly common where he was from, he'd seen them enough to know they were safe. Carrying a few gently by the stem in his teeth, he was careful not to break the stems and cause them to go limp like a broken neck. That would defeat the purpose and likely send the wrong message, so he was careful and barely let his teeth grip the tender flesh of the flowers stem.

As he made his way over Ashen's borders and towards the island in which the Empress' den laid, he had heard a rather unnerving sound that caused him to stop suddenly in his tracks. It wasn't long before the scent traveled his way and he recognized it nearly immediately. Bear. Familiar with their hibernation patterns, he was somewhat surprised to find one this far south. Of course, it was usually those that nested farther south that awoke first and with the warmer weather as of late, he was far more surprised to find one wandering so calmly through Ashen territory. What surprised him even more, however, was to notice who it was approaching. Indigo.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Magnus thought to himself, not even thinking twice before clenching his teeth and breaking the stems of the flowers. The bitter taste of the stems quickly reminded him, but whatever he was doing was no longer important and his focus was entirely on Indigo and the approaching bear. His heart began to race as he stood momentarily frozen, his eyes flashing back and forth between the bear and Indigo. Maybe the boy was aware and was luring it off the territory, but he couldn't take the risk. His life was far less important than that of one of Sirius and Zeitgeist's children.

"Indigo! Run!" He yelled to the child, dropping the broken flowers and unfortunately trampling them as he rushed towards the bear and hoping Indigo would do as he was told. He hoped others would hear him yell, or maybe Indigo would get help, but as the bear turned to face him and roar, he hardly had time to pray for help now. He couldn't even tell if Indigo had actually done what he was told.

It only took a second for the bear to change course and barrel towards him, it's massive size hardly slowing it down any. It was thin and starving from waking from the hibernation, but that only added to it's anger and ferocity. Magnus was scared for a moment, but wasn't this what he was for? He swallowed his fear and braced himself, flagging his tail high and snapping wildly at the monster as it broke the distance between them quicker than he expected. Backing up, Magnus continued snarling and snapping but the bear was too confident to heed his warning and reached to swipe at Magnus as the distance between them closed.

Feeling the massive paw smack him in the side of the face and tear at his flesh, the strength of the bear easily knocked him down onto his side and knocked the breath out from his lungs. It took the opportunity to stand over him and roar directly down into the side of his face, easily bursting the eardrum in his left ear and disorienting him more than he already was. Trapped beneath the bear, he wriggled and kicked at the bears underside as he rolled, trying his best to get the beast off of him or at least distract him while he fought to get free. It hardly worked however, but now on his back Magnus was vulnerable to many different attacks as his vitals were easily exposed to the massive animal. He tucked his chin as best he could to protect his throat and used his fore paws to press into the bears chest to keep some distance between them, but the bears neck was far longer than his legs.

Despite his ears being pinned, the bear managed to grab one and rip it mostly from his head in one easy tear as Magnus tried to dodge the bears massive teeth. Unhappy with the damage it had done, it reached again and Magnus dodged again, yet only to have another ear ripped from his scalp. Pain rushed through him, and blood rushed out, but he could live without those. Although the ringing in his ear was disorienting enough, the bear roared again in anger while Magnus clawed the best he could at the bears underside.

The bear took a moment to stand on his hind feet, standing nearly eight feet tall if he were to count, and Magnus took the opportunity to scurry from beneath the predator and wobble as he did so, the ringing in his ear causing his balance to be slightly lost. When the bear slammed it's fore paws back onto the ground, he was almost sure he felt the Earth shake and it nearly sent him back into the dirt. Thankfully, he managed to get some distance between him and the bear, but not for long. Magnus rushed at it and lunged, leaping for it's neck though he was off slightly due to his lack of balance. Although he felt his jaws grab something on the bear, it wasn't where he was hoping and instead found himself hanging off the jaw of the beast and tearing flesh from it's jawline. With another swipe of it's massive paw, it sent Magnus back into the ground and he coughed, blood coming up from his lungs. He'd heard a minor crack when he hit the ground, a few ribs definitely broken now with the cough causing him great pain on the side he'd landed on. Having been the same side as before, the bruising had already began to develop and would now be even deeper without the broken rib. The two combined caused the man to see stars and lay nearly still on the ground as he tried to collect himself.

He hadn't been given enough time though and soon the bear would be over him again, roaring once more down into his face and spitting saliva all over him. Magnus gasped for air, the simple act of breathing causing him great pain. The bear wasn't finished with him though and it easily rolled him back over onto his back. Magnus used what little bit of strength he had left after being tossed around like a rag doll and as the bear reached down to attack again, he rose his upper body to sink his teeth into the neck of the beast. The bear roared in pain, easily bursting his other ear drum, and shook the man back down to the ground with a single shake of it's loose pelt. His bite had done some damage though, but really just left the bear even more angry. As the bears blood dripped down onto him, and his own stained the ground in which he laid, the bear swiped hard a few times at his chest and tore his flesh. When Magnus stopped moving beneath the bear, it stopped and shoved it's nose into his body, checking for any sign of life. Although he'd simply gone limp from the pain and blood loss, the bear seemed satisfied there wouldn't be a fight anymore.

Removing itself from over Magnus, the bear huffed as blood dripped from it's throat. Weakened from it's own blood loss, it would search for an exit then and attempt to take it before it's own life would be ripped away. Magnus coughed once, weakly, as his eyes found the crumbled flowers that were now trampled and covered in his blood. He felt himself fading, blinking slow and struggling to breathe through bruised and broken ribs. He wondered if this is what death felt like, but he felt far too much pain to ponder long. Was death really this painful?

"Speech!"

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One place that remained mostly green was the palace island that the Empire held, because of the warmth of the ocean current it never really seemed to freeze unless you got to very high altitudes on the mountain. Bright sapphire eyes gazed up at the snowy caps but was interrupted almost as soon as he began. His attentioned shifted behind him as he realized the danger he was suddenly in, how had a bear managed to get so far past the borders of Ashen? The boy couldn’t linger on the question but did as he was told without thought.

His huge paws carried him forward and out of range just as Magnus engaged with the massive beast. Indigo almost jumped back in, but he knew Magnus would need the help more. He hoped this wasn’t the last he would see him alive. Indigo raced towards the border of the two packs and called out for his father and Iolaire before returning to the scene. For a moment the boy thought Magnus was dead as the bear lumbered away, angry and sour.

Indigo approached at a crouch, not missing any of the blood that surrounded the poor man. He didn’t move him and prayed that his elder would hurry to the scene as he applied pressure to the warrior’s missing ears so he wouldn’t continue to bleed out. ”Hang on,” Indy pleaded softly.

The shrill, panicked sound of Indigo's howl brought Resin's head up immediately. She had been running border patrol and so she wasn't too far away from Ashen lands. The big woman released her own howl into pack lands, calling for further aid. She didn't know what the problem was yet, but she knew that she'd never heard such urgency in the purple boy's voice.

Resin ran as fast as her thick legs would carry her. Thankfully there was no snow here and so the terrain was easily eaten up beneath her gait. Her approach wasn't quiet. Today she'd worn her steel claws, the leather bracers providing stability for her previously broken leg. It was a good thing, too. Coming upon the scene, panic struck the woman in the stomach. There was a lot of blood. A lot of blood.

With her single golden eye landing on Indigo, she was relieved to see that none of it was his. It all belonged to Magnus. Resin's brow furrowed. His rib cage was rising and falling, but faintly. The man's head was covered in blood so she couldn't completely tell what was injured, but there wasn't much time for that. She could see the tail end of the bear as it headed deeper into Ashen territory. Resin knew that the Empress had young children. The Ashen wolves weren't as well equipped with warriors as the Armada. She needed to do something.

Casting her gaze towards Indigo, the giantess gave instruction. "Keep pressure on the wounds. More help will come soon." With one last lingering glance towards the broken body of Magnus, Resin rushed off in the direction of the bear. She would alter its course. Send it far away from Ashen and the Armada if she could. Pity she couldn't kill a bear on her own, for that was surely what it deserved.

"World-breaker..."

Coding|Alice. Art|Resin.

Not one, but two voices carried over the skies, reaching Iolaire's dark ears. She would have run quickly for Indigo alone, but hearing the added urgency in her mother's tones made the small healer run like the wind. As she ran, she gave her own howl, letting them know that they were heard and that she was coming. She didn't know what sort of help they needed, but they would receive whatever help she could give. She wasn't able to arrive as quickly as her mother and the big woman was already gone by the time Iolaire arrived, but she followed the scent of blood to Indigo and Magnus. There was blood everywhere. Green-gold eyes noted that Indy was putting pressure on wounds, which was good. "I'm here now," she told the panicked boy. From an initial visual inspection, she noted that the man's ribs appeared to be broken. She didn't even have to ask how. The smell of the bear was still rich and pungent in the air. Gently moving Indigo's paws away, Iolaire set to work. The man's ears were partially missing, having been bitten off by the bear. Taking a flask of water from her pack, she gently cleaned the wounds before wrapping them in clean rabbit skins which she tied off. It looked a little strange, but it would do the job. She then moved along to clean the wound upon his face. It could do with some stitching but that would have to wait until they were somewhere safe. With great care, Io moved her toe-paws over Magnus' rib cage. She felt a break on his left side, but it hadn't slipped, so that was good. Overall, he would hurt for quite a while, but she would be able to bring him back from the brink. Now that she knew what she was working with, Io felt comfortable giving Magnus something to ease the pain. Gently, she parted his maw and sprinkled a powder of her own making upon his tongue. It wouldn't taste the greatest, but it would absorb quickly. "You're going to be alright, Magnus. We just need to get you home." Speech

The Warlord was out of the territory when the panicked call came from his son. He ran as he had never run before. Heavy steps booming earth, swallowing the distance between himself and his child. He appeared after Io and Resin had, and his eyes glanced over the injured warrior and his son. He paused only long enough to see that Io had everything on hand, and to leave her his bear, to stand guard over them or be an extra pair of hands if needed. He was grateful for the quick arrival of his sister, and knew Io would keep everyone breathing. He brushed shoulder to Indigo on his way past, glancing at his son steadily, offering his own brand of comfort, and then he was off. Racing after the wake of Resin, and in turn, the bear. Marshal was already gliding ahead of him, faster than his wolven paws could manage. Scouting the direction of Resin and the bear, so he might be led towards the both of them. For what the bear had done today, it would die. He did not readily forget the image of Resin, bleeding and injured after the last bear she had fought. Sirius would spare her this fight if he could, but he knew he needed her. "Speech"

Deathbelle couldn’t miss the commotion on her border and the thin framed Empress swiftly made her way closer to the border. She knew the voices as well as heard the panic in their tones and though she was closest arrived moments after the wolves of the Armada gathered around a familiar black and white form.

She shouldn’t have been so surprised or worried but as lavender eyes fell on the man’s near lifeless form she felt her heart drop. Not so much as when she’d witnessed her husband’s fall into the volcano, but the sensation was too familiar. She knew it too well and it stopped her in her tracks as Iolaire began to bandage Magnus. The scent of bear was heavy in the air and as worried for him as she was, anger raced through her veins.

The Empress stalked forward, her heart in her throat but she covered her emotions with a scowl. How had a bear been allowed to cross the border? What if it was one of the pups that had been beneath its claws? ”Don’t let him go, Io.” Her words the only indication of how worried she was for the man’s life. There was little reason for her to be this way, they had barely met and now here he was.

However, Belle wouldn’t admit how often he’d crossed her mind since the last moments they’d spent together over a bowl of tea. Was this just another manifestation of the cursed nature of her affections? The Empress grit her teeth as she gazed down at the injured warrior.

anyone is still free to enter <3

The pain was almost too much. As his own blood dripped into his eyes, the vision of the flowers began to fade and turn into a dark, red blur. He had hardly even noticed when Indigo approached, but felt the stinging pain when pressure was placed over what was left of his ears and whined softly. The child's words went unheard, though he felt like he could hear the blood leaving his ears. A loud humming that deafened everything else, but hardly caused him pain compared to the rest of his injuries. Why had he been so stupid to try and attack the bear, instead of allowing it to chase him off of the territory? His mind raced between things he could have done better, things he should have done, and even things he shouldn't have. In the moment, he felt stupid for even trying to gift the Empress flowers, but had he not, well who knows what the bear would have done. Maybe he should have just called for help and kept the bear distracted until backup arrived.

His vision would fade in and out quickly, but the cold water caused him to yelp and writhe beneath Iolaire as she wrapped the furs around his head. He blinked madly, trying to clear his vision, but even if it worked his vision was too blurry to make out what was going on. His struggling only made the blood rush faster even, weakening him more in the few seconds he tried. His tongue fell limp from his mouth, exhausted and attempting to pant from the stress and fear. He knew he was being helped, he could pick up the faint scents of familiar pack mates through the stench of his own blood, but it hardly made it any less painful or stressful. The fear of the bear had hardly left his system, and now the fear of losing his own life was using what adrenaline he had left to function.

The pressure on his ribs was by far the worst he'd felt, despite how light it was, but he bit back another yelp and instead flinched under the contact. Another soft whine escaped as he was tiring out, his body slowly losing any energy it had to fight anymore. No more than a moment later a bitter substance was placed into his mouth and he wanted to gag but hardly had the strength. Instead he smacked at it, attempting to remove it from his taste buds the best he could. Thankfully, whatever it was had began to work and some of his pain was fading away though he was mistaking it for the end. He didn't want to die, not like this. His legs kicked and pawed at the ground as best they could with what little energy he had left but it didn't last long. Exhaustion was taking over and it wouldn't be long now before he fell unconscious.

His body would begin to relax and his breathing slowed again from the frantic pace it had taken. The scent of her finally worked it's way through the blood and scent of others and he'd managed to blink away the blood from his vision and found her blurry form. He blinked more, trying to clear his vision and focus on her but failed and let out another soft whine.

"Speech!"

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He felt relief as Resin appeared and gave him a bit of advice and assurance more help was on the way before she raced after the bear that had done this to Magnus. Dark purple ears slicked to his head as he tried to hold the blood inside Magnus’s head. What if he hadn’t ever realized the bear was there? Would he be the one laying here about to bleed to death? Indy withheld a soft whine, he hadn’t been touched and it was all thanks to the dying man at his paws.

He felt even better when Iolaire arrived. Indy’s tail wagged slightly at his hips as the more experienced (and prepared) healer took the lead. ”What are you doing, Aunti?” He whispered quietly as he removed his huge paws from the man’s tattered ears and Io began to work on him with an incredible proficiency. He hoped to be as good as her one day and know exactly what to do in this kind of situation. ”What herbs are you giving?” He questioned further, standing at the ready in case she needed his help.

The panicked howl of her son rang out loud and clear over the archipelago and the horned queen nearly tripped over her own paws in her effort to turn toward it. She'd been at the far east edge of Sea's Plain when Indigo had called, and although the purple pup's cry did not include her name Zee knew she had to go to him.

Running as hard as she could, Zee still came in late. Sirius and Resin were already departing and she would not try and stop them. Whatever the enemy was she trusted her mate and mother-in-law to be able to handle it's destruction. Iolaire had the healing under control and with Deathbelle there to assist Magnus was in the best possible paws.

Everything was going smoothly from what she could see, though she did not want to ask and potentially distract the healers. Instead, she moved up beside her son (who was getting much too tall) and aimed to nuzzle her cheek against his. "You did exactly what you needed to do, Indy. I'm proud of you." The rest of her whispered words died on her lips. What else was there to say? 'you might have saved his life?' no, that was an admittance that Magnus might die regardless. Should the warrior survive his wounds, Zee knew they'd need to find a way to thank him.

Magnus instantly began to fight her as she worked to heal him. Gently, the small woman placed a paw on either side of his face, her opposable thumbs stroking the bloodied fur. The blood trickling from his ears told her that the drums within had burst. He had a long road of healing ahead and most likely wouldn't regain all of his hearing. In a loud but gentle voice, Iolaire spoke. "Magnus. You're going to be okay. You're safe. Your pack is with you."

Others came. Deathbelle first and then Zee. Belle's words brought one brow raising, but the little healer gave a good natured scoff. "No chance." She wouldn't let the man die. It was then that she noted Magnus' fixation upon the empress. Io gave her paw a swipe, ushering the woman forward. "Keep him distracted while I finish." If he was paying attention to Deathbelle, then Io would be able to finish her assessment more easily.

Indigo scooted closer and Zee came with him simply to comfort her son. Ever the eager student, he questioned his aunt. As Io cleaned and bandaged the more minor injuries while she had time, she answered him. "The larger wounds must be covered until we can get him back to the cottage to keep them clean. They'll need stitching." The woman wiggled her digits and gave the boy a reassuring wink. "As for the herbs, it's a powder of willow bark, boneset, valerian root and a few other little things. It will ease his pain and help him sleep."

"I need someone to get Ila and the cart. With his broken rib, he won't be able to be carried." She didn't look at the three of them, but knew that someone would act. The little caribou knew how to hitch herself, she simply needed to be informed and accompanied. With his head bandaged and his ribs as well, Io set about closing the wound in the mans cheek while he was asleep. She spread a mixture of aloe, clove and chamomile around the wound and waiting for the numbing affects to kick in. In the meantime, the woman threaded a bone needle with a strand if sinew. She would wait until she knew that he would feel no pain, only pressure. Only then did she begin to stitch his cheek. His ears would have to wait. The healer didn't have enough thread with her to fix them now.

Zee appeared too but Deathbelle didn’t notice much beyond the dying man on the ground. His stifled whimper nearly broke her heart as Iolaire continued to work on him. Io assured her that she wouldn’t be letting him go, and where Belle had missed his attention on her the Armada healer did not. Keep him distracted. Deathbelle moved forward and very carefully cradled his head in the crook of her arm and willed him to stay. She’d only just found him and those precious moments over tea in the palace were not enough. She wanted more of him and it wasn’t fair that he would give up his life so soon after being so vulnerable with her.

Deathbelle hadn’t even told anyone about their evening together, he had to make it through. If anyone could see to that it would be Io, however… ”Io,” She whispered softly, looking up to the dainty healer a pleading shine in her lilac gaze. ”The palace is closer.” Ila could easily pull the cart over the sand bridge. ”I’ve stocked it well.” She added, finding that she was pleading with her once lover to bring him close to her. If these were the last moments of his life, Deathbelle wanted to be selfish and be the one to spend them with him. No matter how much she wished it, she would not command the dainty healer in her duties.

Though she was pleading with Io her focus was on Magnus and his bloodied features. She stroked his fur gently where she was sure that it would not cause him pain as she battled the emotions inside.

pp him to your hearts content <3

Iolaire's words and gentle strokes had managed to calm him as the medicine worked it's way into his system and shut off his pain receptors. It was starting to do more than that too as Deathbelle came and cradled his head, although he wanted anything but his blood to sully her fur. It already spilled across Ashen's land and now her, but he was beginning to get too tired to bother him much and he settled into the crook of her arm. The scent of her was calming on its own and he nestled into her for what he could while Iolaire exchanged words with those around them. His vision as well as his mind was beginning to fade while they spoke, and it wasn't long before it took over and he fell to sleep in her arms.

"Speech!"

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(Just to keep this going so Magnus isn't in limbo...)

Io's eyes narrowed slightly at Deathbelle as she pleaded to have Magnus taken to Ashen instead of the Armada. What was she up to? "Fine, fine," the small healer agreed to her friends request. "We'll still need to cart to get him there. With his injuries, it wouldn't be good to just sling him over your shoulder." Just then, Enki rushed to her side. Leaning in, he whispered in his mistresses ear. Io patted his paw and the cat ran off the way he'd come. "Ila and the cart area already on their way. Enki is leading her here."

As they waited, Iolaire continued to work on the wounds that riddled Magnus. Though her supplies were limited, she did a damn good job, she felt. Taking the opportunity while he was asleep, the woman had quickly sewn up the deep gash in his cheek. She pulled together and sewed one of the smaller gashes in his chest, but the larger of them would have to wait until she was back at Deathbelle's palace and could stitch him up properly.

A slightly honking bleat let Io know that her little caribou friend was here with the small cart. Io cast her gaze to the wolves around her. "I'm going to need all of you to help me get him into the cart. We have to move slowly and keep him as level as we can." She didn't want his broken ribs to snap further and puncture anything. Taking a wide deerskin from the cart, Io gently began to work it beneath the body of the unconscious man, careful to roll his body slowly, eyes and ears on high alert for any sounds of pain.

Indigo leaned into his mother’s affections but he didn’t seek them out. He could handle the sight before him, if he wanted to heal he had to know what he was up against. He was a peaceful boy and lacked bloodlust, but he wasn’t distressed by the bloody scene before him. ”Thanks, mom.” He smiled up at her, but wriggled free of her grasp to better look and see what Iolaire was doing to the near dead man. His blue eyes were wide and interested as she sewed his wounds with deft paws until the cart arrived and his strength was needed.

Though he was young Indigo was obviously the tallest of the wolves gathered, and with careful movements he followed Io’s lead as she carefully shifted him to the deer skin and got him in position to be placed in the cart. Indigo would do as much of the heavily lifting as was needed. He was eager to help in any way he could.

Deathbelle felt him relax into her, he seemed to calm if someone half dead could do so. She held him as he slowly faded, and she was surprised that he filtered into sleep instead of passing out from his injuries. Maybe there really was hope for the poor warrior who was so ready to give up his life for his pack. Thankfully Io wouldn’t insist on returning to the Armada. Belle gave her an appreciative glance as her gaze returned to Magnus.

She could tell her once lover about her entanglement in Magnus and the spontaneous bond that already formed between them. All too soon it seemed the caribou arrived. Deathbelle was loath to release him, but she knew it would be what was best. She nodded as Io told them their effort was needed in getting him into the cart without jostling the man too much.

She took in a deep breath and offered up a quick prayer before turning back to Iolaire, readying herself to do whatever it took to save Magnus’s life.

Indigo wormed his way out of her embrace and Zee's lips parted in an argument that died upon her lips. Her children were growing up, her fluffy purple boy was undisturbed and eager to help and learn. He did not need her as much as he used to, and she struggled to force herself to let him go. Though she may have been one of the smallest wolves present she moved to help load the man into the cart, trying to come to terms with the fact that her child was hoisting a bloody, mutilated wolf on his shoulders.

Once he was ready for transport she turned towards her Empress, who's gaze seemed to be permanently fixed upon Magnus. It'd been a while since they'd had any serious talk, but she was getting the feeling that this was more then an Empress' devotion towards a subject. For Deathbelle's sake as well as her warrior's own she prayed that he could be saved, her friend had had enough heartbreak already. "He couldn't be in better paws, he'll be okay." Her words were whispered, and not to anyone in particular. This was her wolf too, and to see him so damaged and knowing there was nothing she could do pained her. At least Sirius could go rip out the throat of the beast and feel he'd gotten some sort of revenge.

She could see the relief on Deathbelle's face as clearly as Zee could. She would make a point of asking about it later. Once they had the man in the cart with their joint efforts, Iolaire urged the caribou forward. The little ungulate was careful to avoid dips and bumps. Though she was a goofy little thing, she understood the severity of the situation.

Walking alongside the cart, Io was intent on seeing Magnus back to where he would rest until he was healed. She would sew up the rest of his wounds with the supplies that Deathbelle offered and, once she was sure that he wouldn't die, she would leave him in the capable paws of the empress.