The sun was shining brightly upon the lore today as the earthy toned man made his daily rounds. Lifting a leg here and a leg there to freshen the markers of his territory even though his queen, the silvery coated woman Namid, had already done so not too long ago. It was always better to keep them well marked then let the scent fade. A factor that would help deter unwanted visitors and possibly lure in those with valuable skills seeking the safety of a pack who had something to offer in return. Whether it be easier meals, a safe place to rest at night, company of others or a combination of them all. Everyone had their reasons for doing things.

Vespertio was in a mid trot towards the next location of his border markers when the call had rung out on the warmed spring air, a gentle breeze ruffling the shedding fur of his winter coat and even managing to remove some of the tuft of hair. Somersaulting like bundles of tumbleweed across the pine needle infested floor of his forest abode. Pausing his motions the points of his ears swiveled this way and that to catch each note of the summons from the larger male. Anthem was beckoning him to the borders. The reason behind his call unclear for the time being, but this did little to deter the patriarch from issuing his own howl. Returning that of Anthem's with a message that he was on his way.

Abandoning the duties at hand and with rapid movements the roughen pads of his paws from mountain living melted beneath him as soil and foliage alike disappeared under his gate. The earth being torn to bits by the sharp curves of his black tinted nails slashing at its surface. It didn't take long for the male to reach his destination, coming upon the storm coated man with a gleam behind his golden eyes and a grin settling on the ebony of his lips. Slowing his gate to a simple walk he closed the final distance between the two wolves, nodding his mighty crown in greeting. "Anthem. It's good to see you again. What can I do for you?" Vesper asks, the bottle brush shape of his tail lifting to wag in good spirits behind his creamy rear.

Red tinged audits pricked forward the man listened to the reasoning for his beckoning, nodding his mighty crown in response before mustering up a reply. "So you want to be a Guardian after all?" He questioned his friend with a raising of his tawny brows. Golden gaze scrutinizing the steely coated man to size him up before slowly beginning to circle him, head lowered and muscles tense for what was about to come. Vespertio believed the man was well fitted for the position after studying him since his joining and he would have loved to hand him the title. But there was a test blocking the stormy man from his goal. A test to see if he deserved the position. If he couldn't defend himself how could he be entrusted to protect an entire pack?

Pressing his ears flat against his skull as his head leveled with his spine and chin angled downward to protect his throat his entire weight was propelled forward. Muscles springing like coils to send him hurling for the other. Aiming straight for the larger man's shoulder in an attempt to knock him off balance. Lips pulled back to allow a snarling of words to filter past. "If you want the title, you must fight for it!" This would solely be a challenge between leader and subordinate. If Anthem really wanted to make himself the pack guardian then he would have to work for it. Nothing came free in life. If he wanted it he would need to fight for it. Fight him for it. 

Energy surged through the tawny man's veins as his full weight was sent forward toward his selected target, teeth unsheathed with the hope of grabbing a chunk of fur belonging to the larger man. The safely tucked eardrums of his ears briefly catching the thunderous snarl in warning as the stormy man revealed his own set of stained teeth before preparing for the onslaught, sidestepping his charge in the nick of time to avoid the snapping of teeth at his rear flank. Evidently sending the barreling patriarch into a cloud of dust as paws collected beneath his frame in a failed attempt at slowing his body, crashing into the rough bark of the nearest pine tree. A gruff groan escapes his lips from the collision, golden gaze focusing on the male that was now charging at him with the same intentions of knocking him off balance. Icy blue optics aimed at his left leg.  

So this was by no means going to be tipped in the younger man's favor. Then so be it. Given only a second to collect his breath, his rear limbs pushed against the ground to avoid the attack. Darting for the outer perimeter of the invisible fighting ring before swinging around to face his opponent, tail curled and bristled over his spine as his torso lowered towards the ground with front limbs sprawled slightly to allow his head to lower and better protect his vital throat. An intense fire burning behind his liquid gold eyes. If he wanted to get the upper hand of this fight he would need to play it smart. What weaknesses could he detect in the larger male? His size made him stronger compared to the shorter man. The extra mass he had on Vespertio giving him more muscle thus more power behind attacks. Being larger, though, it would have its draw back and luckily for the patriarch it would highlight his forte skill. Speed.

Circling the arena the ebony flesh of his lips vibrated with the force of the growl that bubbled in his defended throat, sizing up Anthem once more for the opportune place and moment to strike. Watching as the other took a stumble as a result from the failed attempt at landing a blow to the tawny man. Using this fault to his advantage before the second in command could regain his barrings a blur of fur rushed forward with muscles tensed for the blow they would likely receive in retaliation for what was to occur. A solid thud echoed on the air as the two bodies collided, his left shoulder finding purchase with the exposed right side of his opponent's rib cage as all ninety pounds shoved against the bulk of Anthem to once again attempt to knock him down.

The attack had been a success as the larger of the two was sent into the dirt below, a dust cloud rising as a result of the impact. Snarls and snapping of teeth echoing on the electrified air with each fluid motion made by each male. Vespertio attempting to go in for the vulnerable spots left exposed due to Anthem's changed position. The dark man countering with the flailing and twisting of his limbs to block these attempts. Protecting the vital areas that could bring this fight to a swift end with one wrong move on his part. A continual stalemate now presented.

If the tawny man kept this up neither would win the battle. Despite being dealt the upper hand having managed to overthrow the balance of his opponent, Anthem was just as skilled on his back as on his feet. A snap towards his neck deflected by a roll of his shoulder. A claw for his stomach met with a swift kick of his hind legs. There was no clear opening and it was just as clear that Anthem wasn't about to surrender. Emitting a thunderous growl in the depths of his chest Vespertio made a quick decision to jab one of his legs into the hide hip of Anthem. Hoping the action would create enough force to make him roll to one side leaving his neck exposed on the side. It was foolish to try and put it all on one move, but exhaustion was beginning to set into his muscles. The strength that once pumped within his veins beginning to deplete.