Stonewatch Timbers come heavy or don't come at all

Aeus knew this fight was a shit show. He was already beginning to feel the burn deep in his muscles from tiring them. He had managed to push Gent off for the mean time, but the mans forelimbs were still scraping at his shoulders. The Taranath scuffled back on the dirt while Gent opened his jaws to spar. Aeus let out his baritones with a rough snap as to say, "Stop it". This was his white flag, but his opponent thought not. The Lieris rolled over to try and dominate him. As Gent settled in to a stance, he kicked out with his back paws to push him off. With the tiniest gap between the stocky limbs once planted at his neck, he rolled out from under him. Aeus sorted his dusty legs out before standing, walking the perimeter of their area. His breathing was shallow and raspy, fluctuating with each step. If the little punk dared to charge again, he would blow his top. This was the end of the fight, and he aimed to take it like a champ. He passed Raela in making his lap. His eyes catching hers as he walked. A winded smile formed on his muzzle- after he got the scuffle out of the way, he wanted to do something with her. It was enough inspiration to make him want to leave. "Gent Lieris," He mused. "I thank you for your time.." Aeus' tone took a kinder note, hoping to find ground with this man. "I hope you are a good king for The Crest, I have high expectations for you." "Let's do it again some time." Aeus smiled coyly, looking into the icy eyes of the champion. He still wanted the crown and it was in his reach- he just wanted to take his time. It would be devastating if the rising prince was a burden to The Crest. Aeus honesty hoped he would be a good leader. With a curt nod, he turned to Raela and lowered his voice. "Say lets get outta here." He gave a fatigued grin and began to make way. He knew Raela and Gent were on a friend basis and he hoped this would be a little pinch to the new rival. As long as he had Raela by his side, no number of lost fights or put downs could get at him-it would be alright. ”Speech”

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ITS NOT LIKE I WANTED US TO HAPPEN

Finally, Aeus' fangs retracted from his limb, hard ivory pulling out of his thin flesh and muscle. Gent's jaws were right there, widely parted and ready to clash with the other man's, but it seemed the whole ordeal would end sooner than he'd anticipated. A loud and deep bark broke through the air, blasting over Gent's head to enter his ears clear as day despite them being pinned tight against his skull. The young king-to-be pulled his head back, going as far as to loosen his grip slightly but not entirely giving up his position. He believed Aeus had just thrown in the towel, but wanted to be sure before letting go of the advantage he'd so diligently gained. Catching him completely by surprise, the other man's hind legs suddenly shot out, striking Gent's stomach and forcing the breath from his lungs. Understandably, the Lieris heir then let go completely, staggering a single step away before regaining his composure.

He shook the dull ache in his stomach off, and forced himself to put pressure on the leg that Aeus' teeth had pierced. A quick glance up found his opponent pacing the perimeter, completely winded and eyes searching. He noticed then a sort of glint in those dark brown eyes, something that greatly snagged his attention and immediately gave him cause to search deeper. There was something different between Aeus and Gent's previous two opponents, an ambition to his strides. There was a sneaking feeling in his gut that he would need to keep an eye on the Taranath man.

Right in this moment, however, was not a time to give any concern. Elation began to inflate within his chest as realization fully dawned on him; he had won. The crown of Round Stone Crest was as good as his, with only a single conversation left in between. Gent turned then, flashing a toothy grin to his friend who had spectated the entire time. Surely Raela would be happy for him, wouldn't she? There wasn't much time for him to analyze the expression upon her face, as Aeus' voice traveling through the air caused him to turn his head.

The other man closed his circle, forming a triangle between himself, Gent and Raela. His words were good-natured, but again the way he expressed himself made the gears within Gent's head turn. He hadn't congratulated him on gaining the role of second, as he had actually won, but rather on earning the position of alpha. Of course, anyone that had been paying attention to take a wild guess that Gent was after the crown. But could the observation mean something else? Was Aeus' determination due to the possibilities Gent was chasing? Did he want the crown himself, or did he see Gent as unfit? Perhaps both?

Again, now was not the time to be concerned. A softer smile than the one delivered to Raela now crowned his maw as he replied. "It was a good match," he offered, clearly not intent on being as wordy as his adversary had been. After the words left his maw, he turned once more to his friend. There was a conversation he wanted to have with her, before he undertook the next step, and what better time than now? Unfortunately, Aeus once again spoke first.

Arctic blues snapped again to the other male's face, watching his expression as hushed words leaked past curved lips. For the third time, Aeus' delivery caused an unsettling feeling within the pit of Gent's stomach as more hypotheses entered his head, none of which he liked at all. With a simple roll of his shoulders, Gent turned away from them both and trotted off to resume his duties as Guardian. He would wait until another moment, then. 

Her ruddy ears snapped away from the harsh sound of Aeus' surrender. At first she thought he could have been hurt, but as the competitors parted and the winded man got to his feet, it was clear that this was not the case. Still she felt the urge to run up and look him over, just to reassure herself. She was relatively certain Gent was unhurt, though the bite to his leg seemed to be paining him; it was clear in the way he stood. Still the darker man appeared to be doing everything he could to hide it. Finally Aeus' weary mahogany pools reached up toward her own. It was a glorious breath of fresh air to see him smiling at her, ragged as he was. A relieved and slightly worried grin slid involuntarily onto her features.  She felt Gent's presence boring down on them, and the connection between their eyes was swiftly severed. Aeus turned to address the victor, voice weakened by exhaustion but still pressed to its full, dignified extent as more carefully chosen words spilled from her friend's mouth. She was starting to think he always spoke this way. Astraeus gave away that he too knew the importance of what had just transpired; referring to Gent as future king. At this, her brilliant gaze found the pale ice of her other companion, but the glacial stare was not directed her way. Aeus seemed friendly in behavior, but she could almost feel the heat behind his demeanor. It was like he was holding something down. It seemed blatantly simple to answer; he'd just lost a fight and a position that could have afforded him the tippy-top of the Crest hierarchy. She could only assume that the chocolate-tinted man was fuming inside over what had just been taken from him. It almost seethed in his taunting goodbye. Nonetheless, Gent's reply was a gracious one, but the champion was undoubtedly in a good mood now if he ever was. The larger male's eyes found her now; visibly soaked with excitement, as expected. Again the woman's focus was torn away, resting now on expectant eyes of amber and earth. Rae could see that he wanted to spend some time with her; after all it was exactly why she'd stumbled upon this scuffle in the first place. The girl wanted to jump at the chance to accompany her dear friend from this battlefield; to talk it over with him and see if there was any wound she could heal, be it in his pride or otherwise. She opened her mouth to speak, but it seemed the man was already beginning to move away. She started to turn with him, but knowing Gent was still present halted her advance. Returning her attention to the good-as-king, she noted that he too was starting to leave. Something felt wrong in her core; he had looked so keen on speaking with her a moment before. Unable to let him run off without a word, the russet girl cast her voice across the windy clearing. ”Gent,” She started loud enough to get his attention before faltering over what to say. Thinking back on the fight she'd just witnessed, the subordinate raised her eyes to the wolf that now outranked both her and Aeus. ”Congratulations.” Raela dipped her crown deeply in respect. Gent had earned it, and without bloodshed. She still held some concern over his temper and what it would mean on the throne, but her worries were to be saved for later. She directed her orbs upward; a serious expression of sincere thanks painted on her face for keeping his promise. Turning from the great black wolf, she scampered to Aeus' side. They had plenty to talk about today.  {EXIT} Image © Chris Smith Photography Manipulation © Jenandra