Underground Sea Changing Ground

It suited him well, this location, and his excuse was pitifully easy to come by considering he'd been avoiding most of the pack for a better half of the last few weeks since he and Morganna had their secret rendezvous. Rather than incite the rage of any possessive or protective packmates who might think him unworthy of mating with their Alpha, Wraith had taken to sticking around Riddle Heights and hunting anything he came across to keep himself busy.

The black wolf lifted his muzzle, inhaling deeply as he caught Morganna's scent. Huh. Backtracking, the northerner found the cavern he must have trotted past numerous times in all the time he'd spent on these cliffs. Strange that he would have missed it. Cocking his head a little, Wraith headed down without a hint of nervousness for the way the walls closed around him. It reminded him of a den - albeit a bit of a damp one. Still, the brute found he rather liked how the stone felt beneath his paws and each sound rebounded back to him.

Sensing he was drawing close, he gave a short, clipped bark to warn Morganna of his arrival. When the tunnel opened up, the crystalline blue lake was the first he saw. The meager light reflecting off its surface finally danced over to a corner where Morganna sat. He smiled sweetly when he spied her and approached with a low wagging tail, rumbling his affection on his way over. He nibbled at her chin and then rubbed his head against the underside of her neck.

"Is everything alright?"

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

The fiery eyed queen had caught him on his way out to scout the herds and he promised her that he would not be out late and make an appearance to her gathering. His elevated curiosity kept his distracted during his task, making it near impossible to focus on the location of the herds. Despite his desire to leave the willows eventually Greer’s plans had been delayed with the rise of his uncle; he did not trust the older Archer and did not want to leave knowing that his family was under his reign. Blood would always be his first loyalty, regardless of where he called home.

Once he had completed his scouting mission the shadow streaked across the land, his movements quick and erratic to ensure he was not being followed. Morganna had been discrete and vague about the meeting, which meant that there were certain individuals she did not present — which was fine by him. As he approached the entrance to the underground lake a glimmer of a memory flashed before his eyes; a stubborn princess and chilled water. It had been quite some time since the shadow had been here; a pang of regret settled in his stomach as he began his descent. He had been much to busy climbing up the mountain as opposed to beneath it in order to see the former moon princess, Kyna.

Wraith was already present; the sight of the older raven caused his tail to wave slowly behind him. The prince was quite fond of the raven, which only made it more difficult for the Archer to pack up his bags and leave. The males was on of the few outsiders who fit quite well into the tight-knit family, almost as if he should have been born an Archer.

As he approached his sister and the raven Greer’s nose wrinkled, a strange scent hitting his nostrils. Something smelt off about his sister; for a moment, Greer could have sworn she smelt similar to Moth—oh. Had some male finally managed to woo his sister and a new era of Archers was to be born? His lips tightened at the thought, but he was not angry or upset. With Elettra seemingly out of commission and Angier a blind mess, it only seemed fitting for the current queen to carry on the bloodline. His brows twitched at the thought — little Morganna’s running around the willows… what a disaster.

A final wag of his tail cleared his thoughts as he approached the pair, his mercury focused on the two ebony statues as he folded his hindquarters against the cool stone. He offered nothing more than a soft smile and a respectful dip of his head in greeting; he was far too curious (and impatient) to find his voice. Why had she called them here so far from home?

I'm waking up enduring my biggest fears

Evening did not come quickly. Again he wished for more explanation, time. It was with all the self control he possessed he watched the ginger, and creme flecked woman go after her request. Surely shew as off to collect the rest of her reinforcements, and didn't need him for that. The Lyall should be placated, but he wasn't. Ren was far from.

At last the sun hinted its decline, and he trekked where she had told him, not too far behind Craw's trail. He found some peace in knowing the silver wolf would be there, but who else? Soon to find out, his stride became slow, as with caution he entered the opening, already not fond of its dank structure. There was a chuff up ahead, he assumed must be Craw announcing himself. With a promise of his own to keep, and interest peeked he meandered quicker, finally coming to the open cavern, where the moon breathed in some light. Thank God.

While he missed the display of Wraith's affection, he still found it odd how close he was to her. Having spent little time with Wraith he tried to hold back judgement, but none the less there was a question to his golden gaze as it drew to Morganna's. Just as quickly he nodded to Craw, and Greer and took a seat next to the large brute. He had noticed her change in scent as well, but even now was trying not to think of what it meant. It seemed to fragile to have such thoughts, and hopes. If she didn't mention it, there was no reason for him to. He wished the others would show soon, the thought of continuing to wait was madness. Were they only waiting for Skoll or were there other allies in the group?

SKÖLL ARCHER

The walk from Willow Ridge to his sister's hiding place had not been far but with Angier in tow, guiding him every other step of the way, the journey took a little longer than expected - particularly the parts that required the much older Lyall to lift his paws a little higher than he had needed to on even ground.

It would seem that they had been the last to arrive. The dark prince eyed the opening in the mountain at first, leaving his black tail draped over Angier's shoulder for a time as he recognized by scent who had heeded Morganna's request. Frankly - and selfishly - he had believed that only he and their step-father were meant to meet up with her. He took a step back and nudged the old man's ribs gently with his nose before advancing forward. His eyes were narrowed in the dark, suspicion highly apparent in his colorless irises as he regarded Craw, Renier, Wraith and Greer before his gaze came to rest on his littermate.

His eyebrows rose in question as he lifted a paw up and to the side, as to stop their aging parent from moving forward into the Underground Sea. Just in case. Hopefully, the patriarch was not as foolhardy as he seemed to be when the two of them had come through the stone tunnel. They were here now... surely they were the only ones she had been waiting for...

honesty above all

ANGIER LYALL

When he had agreed to have Skoll lead him to where Morganna had requested their presence, Angier was still partially certain that his step-son would lead him to his death. For a long while, the trek across the forest floor and to the east had been uneventful; every so often the Archer took care to gently guide him {supposedly} away from a tree or a hedge. There were no nips or growls, just a simple and leisurely walk with a bit Skoll's side or nose pressed against him to make sure he was following just fine. It wasn't until he realized that they had come so far to meet the base of the mountain that Angier felt his nerves begin to fray.

After such a talk not even an hour before, surely, he could trust Skoll... He clenched his teeth as he began to ascend the rolling foothills. He ran into Skoll's flank and he flinched as he felt that wiry tail brush up against his face to rest on his shoulder. Inhale. Exhale. Angier's ears came forward, swiveling to the sides, as his step-son lingered for a while, seemingly waiting for something or staring at something. The urge to whine bubbled up in his snout but he kept his lips sealed and his breath captive in his lungs.

Then, he felt the prince move forward. His tongue curled about the side of his muzzle and over his nose before he followed suit. The ground underfoot was cold against his pads and the sound and scent of water filled his senses. His steps grew shaky; he had been so curious and apprehensive about this meet-up that he had forgotten for a time just how much his spine hated for him to walk for an extensive amount of time.

His forelimbs and intended path was blocked by Skoll's arm and he had to brace himself before he shuffled back two steps. Perhaps he might have fallen to his death. Forcing himself to sit and lay down at his step-son's side, he waited for his guide to say something, to address the others - Craw, Renier, Wraith... - or for anyone else to say anything... A gathering such as this might not have been uncommon, but for the attendees to be all young adult males had to mean that something was definitely up.

diligently and honestly

He hadn't been invited, but that was far from a reason for him not to arrive. If anyone thought that the near entirety of the male body of Willow Ridge disappearing down the same trail would not be noticed, they were a fool, and Sven didn't need to be his usual ever-watchful self to catch on. He approached at a varied angle, not desiring to march with anyone in particular. He wasn't in the mood for camaraderie. Why hadn't he been included in whatever the hell was going on?

Slinking in after his father and 'grandfather,' a suspicious glance was cast briefly their way; since when was Angier acceptable company? Pitied, perhaps, because of his recent handicap? It was hard to imagine his own father entertaining such an emotion. It didn't matter. It wasn't nearly as concerning as Wraith's outrageous display and proximity to his aunt.

With a silent snarl Sven crossed the ranks, his tail curling upward and hackles bristling in warning as his pale eyes locked upon the stranger. This was the second time he had caught sight of that sickening affection, and an immense feeling of possessiveness overcame the boy. Would the message be received this time? Careless of their opposing positions within the hierarchy, Sven's features smoothed back into something far more neutral as he attempted to maneuver his way between Wraith and Morganna, so that he would be the one to sit at her side.

He raised his blemished snout to Morganna's chin in deference and love, a single touch that was, for the permanently angry youth, reserved only for his most cherished relatives, and only one more glance was cast toward Wraith as he recalled one of the many dirty words taught to him by @Hecate.

Whore.

NILES ARCHER LYALL

Niles, whose sleep schedule had been terribly upset ever since he had learned of Isolde's death, had taken to the evenings to try and collect himself. Then, when that did not work, he laid beside his remaining sister Ravenna, just listening to her breathe. These days, it was not enough to calm the restlessness in his already gangly limbs. His ears perked when he thought he heard something scurrying about nearby and that was that...

His large paws crunched along the forest floor where the dead leaves still littered the ground. Along the way, he had discovered a small pond and his curiosity was sated when he found that there were small fishes trapped beneath the translucent ice. Heavier footfalls tore his attention away from the sluggish minnows and his eyes widened as a trace of his father's scent wafted his way. His brows knit together, his interest piqued for the first time in a long while.

Now silver-hued eyes blinked as he came to watch them ascend the Heights. In childish whim, he wondered if they might be taking a trip to see Kyna. A smile dared to lift the corners of his mouth but it was instantly thwarted as soon as he saw his other age mate scale up and into the tunnel where his father and older brother had gone. A frown marred his face, then (with utmost care) up, up, up he went...

The tunnel was dark and the air was heavy with both musk and other things the attendees carried in their coats - willows, firs, stone, riverbank, dead grass, fresh leaves... The potpourri almost made the dead raven scent he carried in his own pelt make him seem as though he were absolutely unwelcome. Niles was determined, however, that if Sven was going to this secret place of sorts, then he was going to check it out also- besides, Angier was there.

He stopped himself from running into Skoll's rump, ducking down and pressing his stomach to the cavern floor as he counted the pairs of legs he could spot through the window of his brother's limbs. Greer was here, as was Craw... Morganna and Sven... that other guy who had helped with the tucked beasts from a few weeks back and the other Lyall he knew only by name and relation. He scooted back against something that was like a dark corner behind his father's back, anxious as he realized that not only would he get caught at this point, but he was also not as small or puppy-like as he had believed. Even as he laid on the ground, just inches from Angier's tail, he was easily spotted, his moon-like eyes, near-adult size, and white-markings giving him away in the dark...

better an honest enemy than a false friend