A mountain river flows into a large, stunning lake. The waters reflect silver in the day and under moonlight. A plain of gentle hills and forests surround the lake. Herds of elk are native here.
Time of Day: Early evening after exiting Verdantis territory and crossing the river.
The journey back was slow and cautious. During the entire trek, Enya was on edge and constantly looking back over her shoulder. Just because they said they wouldn't go after them didn't mean they wouldn't. Any sort of movement in the grass was a potential rogue slinking through the bushes, perhaps invisible or disguised as another creature. All the while she worried about being followed, she also worried about Shifty's health. He had taken a blow straight to his hind quarters which had instantly crippled him. Though she had used her magic to aid him, it was a brief burst and not a full deposit of effort. She could heal him more, but she worried about exhausting herself in case they pursued.
Enya also worried and had a very real concern that this had been some elaborate scheme to bring a spy willingly into their Kingdom. If that was the case, then she'd fallen right into their trap. She'd been played a fool, and they were likely laughing at her right now. This thought made her lips curl in anger. No, it couldn't be some elaborate scheme, right? They wouldn't actually wound their own pack member to make it seem more real, would they? 'I would' she thought to herself along the way home.
The strong odors of the territory boundaries gave Enya a warm feeling inside. Safety. Home. she instantly felt. She kept a close eye on Shifty as they traveled, telling him to stay close to her side as they crossed over the marked lands. Duskorna did not take kindly to any sort of trespassers, whether they were vagrants or other. Once they had passed into home, Enya lifted her head and called out with a loud howl that echoed through the trees and out across the lake. It called specifically for Caedwyn and Eon to come to her with haste. Urgency tinted her call as she made the alarm cry.
With her summons loosed, she shook to try and rid herself of the worry and stress she felt upon herself. Was she making the right choice by bringing Shifty back with her? "Make yourself comfortable. You need to rest your wounds." Enya encouraged with a smile on her face and a teal gaze stuck to him. Suspicion was getting the better of her. "You'll be meeting my fellow Monarch and my best Noble." she explained as she forced herself into a sit. She remained tense even as she did so. The threat wasn't over yet.
For Shifty the trip seemed to go on and on and on. The shooting pain in his hindquarters was really slowing him down. He had to press on he cant let the leader of the tribe or clan or guild whatever it was he was in now, see that he couldnt take a hit. He wasnt a straight up fighter though. He was crafty, sly, discreetly striking from the shadows type. Not that she would know that. He didnt want her to know that... not yet.
When they finally stopped and Enya let out her howl it started him a tad. "Going loud now? We must be in safer lands then." His mouth was drying up Shifty wanted to pant to try and cool off from trek. "Any water around these parts? Another Monarch, sweet"Eye Roll He hoped she wasnt looking that intently at him, meeting more people was the last thing he wanted to do right now.
The winged canid had been sleeping upon a tree branch, blissfully unaware of the events that had just transpired. His wings twitched as they mimicked his dream, flying amidst a star-speckled sky, with nothing but the sounds of the wind and the occasional calling bird. That was until a howl pierced the darkness. His eyes shot open, and he jumped awake, startling himself off the branch as he began to tumble downward. “Huh, wha-? His wings were outstretched, and he caught a breeze just before he hit the ground, which allowed him to steer skyward again.
He recognized that howl—it was Enya, and It sounded urgent! Anxiety bubbled in his chest as he raced toward the border. The stench of Verdantis made him even more worried. There was a moment of relief when he caught a glimpse of her, but it was short-lived as he realized she wasn't alone. A Verdantian? His teeth bared, and he began to swoop downward, getting a good look at the 'guest.' Wait -he recognized this wild dog. His movements slowed as he tried to remember where - ugh, why couldn't his brain cooperate?
Analyzing the situation, it didn't appear the wild dog was a threat despite his scent. He'd gently flutter himself to the ground, his face confused as he waited for some context.
A voice floated on the air to his ears as he rested. A familiar voice. A beloved voice. But the voice had a tone of urgency to it. Desperation? His head shot up as he pulled himself from his slumber, where only moments before he had found himself bedded down for a nap. His feet carried him with surprising quickness toward the source of the cry. Alarm? Danger? Why did Enya's voice have that tone? Thoughts raced through his head as he urgently made his way toward her. Coming through the brush, he was met with the sight of Eon first, and then Enya, and then... another?
His footsteps slowed only momentarily as he skidded up toward the trio of canids. His nostrils flared, taking in the scent of the outsider. His teeth instinctually bared as he caught the scent of Verdantis. His alarm nearly made him attack yet his mind reasoned him to stop. They didn't appear to be fighting, so surely this outsider wasn't the source of Enya's need for alarm? Right? Instead of attacking, Caedwyn ran next to her, pressing his shoulder into her side reassuringly while trying to put himself between her and the wild dog.
He was glad to see Eon was already here. If there was to be a fight, he was glad to have such a loyal canine with him. But what was going on? Who was this outsider? "What's going on?" he barked, keeping his eyes on the outsider. "Is there danger?"
Enya saw his eyeroll (she had been watching him intensely, after all) and her eyes narrowed. This one was young and full of fire. He had some learning to do if he was going to fit into the ranks of Duskorna. "Really? You're asking for water when we just crossed and followed along a river?" If he was thirsty, why hadn't he drank as they traveled? "Never mind. Hold your thirst a bit longer and you'll be taken to a safe house where you will be fed and hydrated."
Wing beats sounded in the air above and Enya stood, her gaze turning from Shifty up towards the sky. Her fur bristled along her neck and spine as she half-anticipated a Verdantis to show it's face. Her half-snarl settled when she recognized Eon gliding quickly towards her as his figure broke past the tree line. Just as quickly as Eon had arrived, Caedwyn burst from the underbrush nearby. Her head swiveled to see him and relief flooded through her. If Verdantis had pursued them, now they would be met with a proper challenge.
As Caedwyn ran to her side and pressed against her, separating her from Shifty as he placed himself between them, Enya's tail wagged. She glanced back at Eon with a smile and pulled (reluctantly) away from Caedwyn's presence. There was news to be discussed. "Thank you both for heeding my call. He is not the current threat." she began quickly, her tone firm but calm. She made a point, however, to avoid calling him a non-threat. That was still to be determined. Her head swung to point at Shifty, then she circled around behind to lift a paw and point at his hind legs her magic had partially healed to draw their eyes to it. "Verdantis has made an attack against me. I followed the river and found him unconscious at its edge. I revived him and three Verdantis wolves came to the commotion. We both tried to leave peacefully and they attacked, drawing blood after boasting how Duskorna was the Kingdom to promote violence. They meant to take us prisoner." Even as Enya remembered the hyena who had made the very threat herself, she found herself wishing to meet her again. Wishing and wanting.
"Shifty - thats his calling - made a break for it at my command. I engaged with one of them to hold them off of Shifty until a higher ranked called off his dogs. They feigned permitting us to go, but I suspect there are scouts hot on our heels." The calm in her tone shifted as she spoke into a angry growl. Respeaking and reliving the tale rekindled the fury and aggression she felt at their assault on her. "He needs to be cared for and his wounds tended to properly by the healers. My magic can only do so much." she explained as she circled back around so she could look at the other three all at once. "But first, I think you need to answer some questions." Her eyes shifted, then, to Shifty as she spoke directly to him. Now that she had backup, she wasn't worried about him overpowering her in her weakened state or safely fleeing her grasp. "What did you mean when you said you wanted to rise to power in Duskorna? Where are you really from, and who really are you? Don't bother lying. It won't work"
Enya makes an attempt to read any thoughts Shifty may have in his next post
Success: Enya can read Shifty's thoughts
Failure: Enya sucks
Character Diceroll 1: Success Diceroll must be above 500 to be successful.
0 was added for Perception.
533 was added for Level 3.
0 was added for A. No Enchantment.
9 was added for B. Homeland Buff.
