Cut Rock River hold your breath and count to ten

Kisla might have been able to accept it -- the Attaya children were unknown to her, but the idea of a simplistic alliance was not exactly something that could be shunted without thought. Her heart ached at the thought of the boy before her playing the role of brother to her actual sister -- of being lied to for years. And yet he claimed honesty. You should question your parents morals and honesty, then, if they've lied to you about your alleged sister's ties, she coldly offered then, her eyes flashing as she found herself unable to hold tongue on the matter. The Lyalls had proven to be anything but honest, and she felt a growing sense of concern flicker in the pit of her stomach.

She exhaled sharply then, brushing her shoulder to her mate.. seeking the warmth of his presence as she attempted to push Aiyanna aside. She clearly mattered very little to the girl, and so she would move forward instead. Apparently, Kisla Tainn did not have a sister that was alive to this world.

These harsh feelings might have been able to have been stowed aside -- for the sake of her children and the threat of Whisper Caverns. But it was Rook's final words that unraveled it all, and her brows lifted incredulously at the realization of it all. If you are an ally to Whisper Caverns, then you have nothing to offer us, she spoke, her tone becoming fierce now as she took a step to the boy. Oh, how she longed to grab him by the scruff and give him a good shake! We will not aide you against Willow Ridge when you will not fight for us against the Caverns, she determined, her tail giving a quick lash through the air. And you are a fool for settling on our doorstep.

sparking up my heart

Maksim had no say in the matter of family when it came to Kisla or Rook--he had not met his mate's mother, something for which he was deeply saddened by, and nor had he met this sister who seemed to be reason for his queen to distrust the Lyall boy.

As the poor schlemiel spoke, a fire was stoked in the River lord's belly. His entire form stiffened at the mention of the Attaya's, of Kade and Ava ... and their children. He remained silent, a quaking titan much like a dragon ready to let loose a fire blast. His muscles were tense, his jaw was clenched. Who did this runt think he was? He could not bare to put Cut Rock River into a crossfire, and yet he had done so! Maksim's lip curled at the naivety of the boy. Did he understand nothing of battle and war? He speaks of loyalty and honour, of diligence and honesty ... and yet the more Rook spoke, the more the king felt loathing burn in his gut for the Lyall's.

"Please, if it helps, we have also relations with the Whisper Cavern wolves ..."

Enough. Enough! The Baranski male let loose a thunderous snarl as his mate hissed, his hackles raising. Kisla spoke, her words harsh and to the point. The Mackenzie king had his own two cents to add. "Know you not of the bastards of the Caves, boy? The lead male there who would let those Attaya girls, the ones you claim to have brought back to a forest which they were not born within, drown for his mistress?" Taking his own step forward, yellowed teeth displayed like flashing knives in the boy's face, he did not cease to speak--oh, the fury he felt so churned within him! "You have endangered my family. You have placed us in a position where we are no longer safe. You have pushed us out of this forest, you and your damned kin! I stood by the Attaya's when we left Grizzly Hollow, abandoned by you loyal and honourable Lyall's." Another step, another rumble of thunder from his throat ...

All at once, the anguish held within rushed forward. "I raised those girls as their guardian, protected and loved them. As their parent's faithful servant ... you know nothing of the Attaya's. Of how my heart was torn by their loss!" He snapped his jaws in the face of the youth, a wolf undeserving of such unrelenting wrath. "You bring war to my doorstep when we already stand on the brink of battle, you encroach on our home and threaten the lives of my family--of my children--and expect Cut Rock River to stand by you as an ally?" His eyes flashed, his muzzle wrinkled still with his gum exposed. "We will not be your shield to buffer against the monarchy of Willow Ridge."

"You hide from the truth of this situation, Lyall. This is betrayal. A tear to the throat!" With a snarl, Maksim launched forward, his maw stretched open, snapping shut blindly. "Traitor!"

It was in that very moment, with the large Mackenzie launching himself at the yearling, that the fate of the Cut Rock River was sealed: no longer could they dwell in the Cedarwood Forest.

Poor Rook ... :'c </3
Feel free to have Maksim grab hold of him anywhere, or have it miss entirely.

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

heartses from me despite Rook's ego... let me know if I need to change anything.

If Kisla's words had stung, likened to a number of beestings to the nose, then what her mate had to say was much more devastating. Where there had once been a meager flame, ready to blaze into what could have been a rekindled fire or a rather impressive inferno was no more. It was overwhelmed and overcome by the River King's own words. What was supposed to Rook's sentiments of encouragement and fellowship had turned them both the wrong way, his insensibility being the first to set this bridge, the possibility of an alliance, aflame. First Willow Ridge and now... this.

The youth braced himself in a low crouch, tucking his chin close to his chest as he closed his eyes, listening to each and every word that tumbled from Maksim's mouth, his voice a loud roar in his auburn ears. Rook knew next to nothing about what the Leader had mentioned - bastards? Titan? and for that he grimaced, fighting hard not to frown. He could see Maksim's teeth from the corner of his eye; his breath quickened and his lips pursed, all while daring the older male to touch so much as a hair on his head. He should have been afraid, shaking in his pelt over what he had done, but for the brute to speak of his friend in such a way, made his own brand of anger roil in his chest. The Whisper Caverns wolves had never done anything hurtful or with intent to harm. They had offered him and his father and mother a place to stay, so what was being said, in Rook's mind, could have very well been untruthful.

Now, who was being dishonest?

Every fiber a Lyall, Rook let loose his own growl as his hackles raised and he, too, flashed his clenched teeth. This had been their chance to have a set of pawns at their service, guardians to use at their disposal if they had wished against Whisper Caverns, but, no... The Baranski's had lined his family up with Titan's: Enemies. Traitors... Renegades. So be it. He had come here as an advocate of Grizzly Hollow, but who had been received was the impulsive, devil-may-care yearling from Renegades Reach in the northwest. Without Bishop at his side or in his head, he might as well have been set up for what had happened next.

Rook might have instinctively flinched as the River Leader's jaws snapped close to him, but what ultimately got him was that lunging move. The yearling maneuvered back; he rolled away though it was not without consequence. With his jaws agape, Maksim's teeth bit and pinched wherever they found purchase along the boy's shoulder, neck and cheek. Held back yelps held captive in his throat made Rook'scl eyes water and his nose sting. He shuffled back with his tail high in the air and a full-fledged glare on his masked face, looking to his former superiors only for so long before hastily making his leave from the pack's borders. There was just nothing left to be said and he had not come to foolishly pursue a fight that he could not win.

The Baranski clan had drawn their lines and now Rook and his family were going to draw theirs. Years ago, Borden and Jaysyek had built their refuge from nothing but their own paws and two other homeless souls... Who was to say that they couldn't do it again? But, this time around, they had their sons and, most important of all, Kade's daughters, who were the only proof Rook had left to show that there was a such thing as faith and dependability in what had once been.

(Rook exit.)

(This post was last modified: Apr 15, 2015, 08:18 PM by Skoll. Edit Reason: clarifying possessive words. oops. )

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

If her fury had emanated from her so purely that it would smolder any who dared look upon her in ruins, than Maksim’s rage would double it. The River King had heard his say, and with hurt encouraging his words, unleashed himself unto the yearling. She had not grown close to Rook – but it was a shame to see the boy treated as thus, but truly, the boy was foolish – staking a claim on their doorstep, and on top of it all, bringing the fury of another pack to their doorstep as well.

Her ears slid back as Maksim moved forward. His lunge was swift and true, though the yearling pulled back quickly enough that any damage would not be delivered, though she did not envision her mate aiming to press upon him anything so grievous. As Rook back peddled away silently, her gaze shifted from the boy and to her mate, her lip twitching with the hints of a snarl. Did they follow him? Did they take their forces and chase the Hollow wolves out before they even had a chance to settle?

The thought was tempting.. but it was not good enough. Maksim.. Even if we chase them further from our borders, Willow Ridge will come looking here for them. Willow Ridge.. Whisper Caverns.. Her tone grew quieter as she began to list those they could not trust, and taking a tentative step toward him, her creamy muzzle would graze his chin with affection. What do we do now?

sparking up my heart

Teeth found skin and fur, pinched at the yearling's body. Nothing serious, no gaping wounds or broken ribs--not that Maksim would have ripped him apart (after all, Rook had not done something to warrant a serious injury)--but bruises perhaps would creep onto the youth's body and remind the Lyall that the Baranski's were not a family to be used as a ladder; they were no clan's stepping stone. With his own tail held high and rigid, a banner displaying that he would not offer any allegiance to Grizzly Hollow, the betrayed Mackenzie did not pursue the lad any further. Instead, the River king watched with a snarl as the boy was quick to flee the territory, leaving the borders with a swiftness that indicated nothing but scorn and discontent.

Good was the only thought that echoed in his mind.

Kisla spoke up not long after the yearling's departure from their lands, her touch soothing the flames in the belly of the dragon ... yet his eyes didn't break away from the place where Rook once stood as he felt his lover, the mother of his children, gently offer him her wordless support. More and more frequently, Relic Lore proved itself to be a place where trust was abusable and where loyalty were severely misunderstood. Abandonment was seemingly easy for the families here. Finally, he dragged his gaze to Kisla's own peridot eyes only for it to be stolen away again by the tree line.

"Cedarwood Forest is no longer safe for us." Maksim's words were empty of all emotion, his gaze cold and his body tense. "With battle threatening us from all sides, it would be foolish to remain here. We have to leave."

Pulling away to turn from the borders, his heart thundering in his chest and a hole in his stomach made from fresh betrayal, the lord of the River gave his final comment on the matter. "Let the Lyall's have this forest--it will die under their reign as it did once before. Perhaps, the wolves of Willow Ridge will crush them under paw." Brushing up against his mate's side, the Mackenzie titan broke away, fully expecting Kisla to follow after him.

(Exit.)

(This post was last modified: Apr 22, 2015, 05:59 PM by Maksim.)

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

They consoled one another with quiet words and silence – the eruption within the forest had stirred the local fauna, and birds had quieted in the trees. Surely, their pack mates had heard part of it, and warily, the she-wolf tucked her muzzle to the nape of her mate, seeking his comfort and warmth.. if even for only a few stolen moments.

Rook’s actions were unforgivable in her eyes – and any deed he felt had aided the pack had been forgotten. He had been but a ghost among their ranks, and only today had the reason come to fruition. He had used them to get closer to his precious piece of land.. a mistake they would likely suffer for.

The Baranski’s were not so foolish to maintain territory over their family. Maksim’s words resonated deep within her, and as her agouti mate pulled away, she followed after him. Depression did not stem from the idea of leaving the only home her children had ever known – no, it stirred from the thought of possibly losing them.. whether from the sidelines of another’s war within their forest, or the attempt on the River from the Cavern wolves.

So the pair had made the decision – Maksim voicing it, and Kisla graciously agreeing without argument. They would round the pack up, and they would be gone before long.. to linger would do none of them any good, and within only a few weeks she would give birth to their next litter – travel would soon become impossible.

sparking up my heart