Drooping Willows Between Royalty

@Elettra and/or @Angier, any Willow Ridge wolves.
Maksim has finally gotten his lazy butt into gear and has come to discuss a potential alliance ... or something else.

The Drooping Willows … Maksim had meant to come here for a while now, yet his duties never opened up the free time for such a thing. Thankfully, the pups were growing larger, becoming a little more independent with each passing weeks. It was strange, really. They were nothing like the little damp, squirming newborns he had seen for the first time. But they were still his babies, his handsome princes and beautiful princess. Was there any father in Relic Lore as proud as he was? Not that it mattered, in reality—his paternal feelings insisted that, of all the litters born, Kisla and his were the healthiest lot by a milestone. Standing at their borders, the agouti wolf felt something he hadn't felt in a long time; the buzz and adrenaline of meeting another outside of his lands. Lowering his head to the ground, Maksim Baranski placed a small parcel upon the floor—a portion of a Mule Deer's hide, wrapped around a Coho Salmon, in order to keep the “gift” inside safe from being punctured by his canines. The River leader remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping from left to right before he tipped his crown back, his lips forming an “o”, and called out to the wolves of the Ridge with a howl. Specifically, he called for @Elettra and @Angier—he was here for business, after all. Little did he know, Willow Ridge were allied to Whisper Caverns, the pack led by Ash Hervok and, therefore, an enemy of Cut Rock River. Whilst he had no problem with the lead female, or even the other Cave wolves, the issue lay with the man they now called their king. If he were out of the equation … well, Whisper Caverns wolves would be more than welcome to visit his lands.

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

Totally just popping in for one or two posts to plant some seeds :p

Since Rowan's entry within the ranks of Willow Ridge the boy had always been faithful to his duty, but somewhat quiet and detached from the others. He hadn't experience with it, having been severed from the first place he had loved so quick and cruel. But since the brief confrontation with Skoll he was no longer satiated to simply perform his willing duty. His backbone had been tested, and he somewhat liked the results. His confidence was growing, his mind expanding. He had gone from surviving, to living, and now he was on to thrive.

When the howl came through the air, it immediately took his attention. Other calls had come through the willows before seeking those in charge, and he had felt it was not his place to intercept. Now he knew better. Without much time the dark-coated yearling came across the wolf at the border. The statuesque male was something to behold. Tall, burly and proud with a vibrant gaze, he looked like something from a story Rowan had heard when he was younger. Or at least, that must have been why he seemed so vaguely familiar. Besides that the male smelled strongly of a pack the yearling did not know, but his health spoke the most about his rank. Leader or not, he stood at the edge of Rowan's home, and though he asked specifically for his leaders he would first receive a quick screening courtesy of the Attaya boy.

Rowan made his way into full view, parting through the willow's gentle branches. He lifted his chin slightly, even allowing his tail to rise not so far that he showed command, but enough to prove he was on his home turf. Though it was still uneasy to look direct, the Attaya made sure his dull gold gaze found the stranger's own before he spoke. His tone was not callous or cold, but presumed the same business that the River leader's voice had taken on in its howl. "Who are you, and why have you come?"

Not a problem! Exciting, really!

A yearling was the first to arrive, Maksim's gaze giving the swarthy lad a glance over. As he emerged from between the willows. Dark fur with lighter guard hairs, sprinklings of cinnamon here and there. The agouti regal's lips pursed slightly, his brow creasing in thought as he sifted through his memories—something about this Ridge wolf struck him as familiar, as if he had seen him before … but where? Four cubs, black coated. Their parents, so respected by Maksim, stood over them. The king's vibrant eyes widened. This couldn't be possible. Darkwater Rapids, a horrible storm. A family separated, a pack's territory destroyed. This … this was the second son, the one who had not returned like his siblings: Rowan Attaya. Despite the Ridge yearling's question, Maksim Baranski found himself unable to answer just yet. He needed a moment, simply to process everything. The Attaya brood had come and gone, but the fact this one was so close, practically under Maksim's nose, and he hadn't seen him before left him with a strange sense of awe and shock. “Rowan Attaya,” he barely whispered, his voice lifting slightly, “stars above, boy, is that you?” Immediate regret. The agouti wolf desperately wanted to whine and embrace the boy, but would he even recognise the man who had once been his guardian? Probably not. He would have to hold his tongue. He cleared his throat, shaking his head momentarily. Now, this would be awkward because he'd opened his big mouth. “Maksim Baranski, leader of Cut Rock River. I've come to the land of Willow Ridge to seek an audience with the leaders here; Elettra and Angier. I bring an offering of peace, taken from the veins my lands.” He gestured with a nod of his head towards the large salmon, kept safe within the hide of a deer.

(This post was last modified: Aug 25, 2014, 04:30 PM by Maksim.)

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity

Hope you don't mind me tossing in Sorya. She's quite protective of the borders and her sister and everything Willow Ridge related xD

She'd been rounding the more now that she held the fancy title of Guardian. She'd proven herself enough and her shoulder had been healing quite fine from the attack of the foxes. It was a call that she heard that had drawn her from her patrol towards another part of the border which she had already checked. She was quick about it, striding across the grass with a certain speed to find who was calling for her sister and why. She caught the scent of Rowan. She didn't know him but he was a faithful lad. She could constantly smell his marks on the borders when she did her rounds and it made her smile slightly. She only arrived to hear the last bit of the words.

"Is that so?" She bemused as the dark female made her presence known. "I'm Sorya Archer. I'm sure my sister and/or her mate will be here soon enough." she eyed the deer wrapped salmon and she had to give him props. The untrusting female knew that would be quite the gift for her sister. "I've heard of Cut Rock River briefly, but I know nothing about it. Perhaps you could tell the pair of us more about it?" She asked, as he was on her borders requesting an audience with her leaders, about the pack that she'd heard of by name but not very often. Maksim Baranski. It was a name she would save because he seemed interesting and he was a leader of a nearby pack. She gave a curious look at him. She hadn't heard the comment about Rowan. She had no idea that the man even knew him.

Rowan Attaya. The name fell off this wolf's tongue in hushed tones but so familiar. The fur along Rowan's spine rose as he could not return the sentiment. His dull gold gaze reflected his surprise, widened first and then narrowed in scrutinity. What did he mean, was it him? The word "yes" stuck to the roof of his mouth but he could not speak. Elettra had known his father, but he was floored to be recognized himself - after all, who could know him except the disappeared Darkwater Rapids pack?

The wolf managed to regain his footing before Rowan did and began to speak. His mind was still churning but he forced himself to listen hard. Maksim Baranski, Leader, on business of peace with Elettra and Angier... In the slow seconds that followed the Attaya boy came to realize that Maksim, a name he knew as well, was not a warrior from a children's tale he heard before the black water came to swallow him whole, but Darkwater Rapids' most beloved Guardian who had watched over Rowan, and Cinder and Mace and Quil not even a year before. Practically shaking he lifted his gaze - which had drifted wildly into the willows - and looked upon the wolf once more, but differently now. Suddenly he didn't see a stranger at the door. He knew him.

Is that so? Sorya's arrival saved the Attaya from his own embarrassment. He didn't have the chance to let his mouth run free with his turbulent thoughts, and wouldn't when a higher-ranking wolf was around. He swallowed hard in an effort to stabilize both his body and his mind and he flashed a submissive grin toward the Archer female in greeting.

Sorya did not merely patrol the borders - she commanded them. Rowan was pleased to hear her take control of the situation. Maksim had come here on business involving Angier and Elettra. Opening his mouth would open the floodgates on his past, and Rowan did not want to invite such intimacy in the current setting. And yet he couldn't resist the opportunity that came to him as Sorya asked more information of Maksim. Finally, in a voice not even half as robust as before, he spoke. "Where is Cut Rock River?"

@Sorya - Not a problem!

It seemed young Rowan Attaya finally recognised the older wolf who was once his Guardian, his parents' trusted second in command. The adolescent's eyes softened a fraction, which was an indication. Maksim's own usually steely gaze gave way to a gentler side. A wordless confirmation. Finally, the Baranski had located the drowned prince. He would have continued to speak, if not for the arrival of another. A black wolf, her muzzle appearing as if it had been dipped in silver and white. Her eyes were cold, void of any colour. It was clear she meant business. The agouti king's ear twisted, swivelling at her words. Sorya Archer was her name, and she was the sister of the matriarch of Willow Ridge. Maksim analysed her scent, found himself hardly surprised by what he could gather. She was young, older than Rowan though. High ranking, well looked after. Clearly took pride in herself. He allowed his gaze to follow hers in a brief dart, pleased by the fact that it seemed his gift had caught her interest at least a little—he'd made the right choice, then. Sorya had heard of Cut Rock River, it seemed, but not much. Regardless, Maksim felt his heart swell with a little pinch of pride. Of course, the wolves of the River would be known, despite their quietness 'til recently. They were a loyal and reliable lot, a family of wolves dedicated to one another and their duties. She asked for more information, something the agouti male was ready to give. He nodded. “It would be my pleasure.” He would have continued, yet Rowan interjected with a quick question of his own. Where is Cut Rock River? The king eyed the lad he had once guarded, wondering if perhaps this woman would chastise him for speaking out of place. He sincerely hoped she would not. “North-west from here,” he answered, “within the Cedarwood Forest. Not even a day's journey, if you're quick on your feet.” Was that a hint he was dropping there? He returned his focus to Sorya. “The pack values loyalty above all else. My mate and I seek wolves who are capable and respectful. We have little tolerance for traitors and layabouts, if any. We stand as a family.”

Merrr... Finally getting my lazy ass on gear for this. I just wanted for @Angier to be a part of it and now Grey should be back in a few days or so. :3

A call was made. A call directed specifically to her and her mate who had otherwise been keeping himself very busy with scouting the borders to insure no one dare get close to them again. She had expected that yet another might be interested in joining her ranks or that perhaps one wolf of her allied packs had come to delivery a message to her and Angier. What was to come would certainly be of surprise as she made her way towards the conversing group.

She took the moment to assess the situation quickly as long, slow strides brought her silently towards the threesome. Firstly, her sister and Rowan was here, a yearling which she had taken under her wing by the honor of the man who had created him. She had expected much of the youth and had been given nothing less. Not to mention her sister, whom had risen to her side as Second now that Adelaide had gone off and as well having taking a position of Guardian amongst them - the only one with an official task to be prideful over. Alas, as she took a few more steps into the direction of the group until she was at a comfortable enough distance amongst her fellow pack mates to stop, her gaze rested upon @Maksim. He was a large wolf, larger then even her own mate who on his own was of impressive proportions that suited her well. His eyes were a cunning shade that captured her attention, to which her own vision drifted in all their pale intensity towards. She remembered seeing his face, however vaguely, though could not place where or when.

They had been speaking and she was unsure of what, keeping silent a moment longer as her attention made obvious to pass between the three of them for them to continue whatever question or answer did not yet hit the table. Having already met two of her members, Elettra could only assume that this would be worthy of her time, granted her guards had not yet run him off for being foolish or a waste of efforts. "As any reasonable pack would..." She then finally speaks, addressing the last bit of words she had heard from Maksim upon her arrival. For now, though she scented the kill and knew it to be there, her attention would focus fully upon the other Leader as she spoke to him. "I am Elettra Archer." She bothered not in adding the title of 'Leader' nor 'Founder' afterward, for surely as being the longest leading ruler she knew of to still uphold such a title, she would be known amongst the land. She was confidant enough in this and if not, her stance surely proved it.

Angier had indeed been minding the borders when the call had sounded out. His ears perked at the sound of Elettra's footsteps drawing away from the territory somewhere in the distance and like a rabbit who had just been chased away from its hiding place, he bolted after her. His lengthy limbs didn't particularly catch up to her in time but he was fortunate to arrive just as Elettra had introduced herself. He saw it as an opportunity, and with a few heavy steps he came forward, he let himself assess the gathering before him. "Angier Lyall," he introduced himself, his voice only halting as he came to do a double-take over Maksim after mistaking him for one of his brothers. "We are th' Leaders of Willow Ridge."

His head and tail should've come up but as both he and Elettra were still within their territory but far from their claimed lands, he kept his stance neutral aside from his ears, which plainly conveyed that he was very much interested in what the masked wolf had to say. "I see you've met Sorya, our pack Guardian," he gave a small nod to Elettra's sister before eyeing the yearling with a brief smile, "an' Rowan..." Angier's nose twitched as he picked up the scents embedded in the large brute's fur, the earthy musk pulling at a memory that he could not fully recall. "What brings--" he was cut short, and as though he only just remembered that he and his mate were accompanied by others, he turned to both the Guardian and the yearling, "'Less Elettra says otherwise, you two are dismissed. Go back to the borders. I thought I might've seen the boys testin' our boundaries again."

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