Stonewatch Timbers its gonna be me

April 22nd 2015, Partly Cloudy 43F/6C

Alright everyone, its time to claim their new home! I want this to be wrapped up by the 5th when Minka has her puppies so this round ends on the 28th. There will only be 2 rounds, this one where everyone shows up and then one where they all go about claiming. If you do not post in either round and you're not on absence it will be assumed your wolf is no longer in the pack. There's some pp here saying that Kova and Raela led them back here, if you're not okay with this just pm me :)

"The center mountain of Stonewatch Timbers is the territory where the wolves of Round Stone Crest have laid their markers. The large hill, or rather the small mountain, owes its size to the several other hills that are nestled around it. On its peak, a single boulder of almost perfectly circular shape marks the entrance to the packs den; a large stone cave formed by wind and rain over time. The northernmost side has been eroded into a messa, sparse of any vegetation it creates an easy advantage point to see the surrounding areas. The dense forest of towering spruce and pine that covers the majority of the territory lends easy camouflage for the wolves that live within the borders. The pack's main water source comes from a slow stream that snakes around the eastern base of the mountain before continuing on its way south."

One other thing, yes the name of this thread is from an N'Sync song, I have no shame. 

@Lugh @Astraeus @Bane @Gent @Loki @Kova @Raela @Cessair

Minka had been laying low ever since the trio had made the first markings on what would become their borders. While Raela and Kova had left to get the rest of the pack the expectant mother had stayed behind as her mate had wished, where she was "safe". Not that it would matter if she had returned, Tokino had been gone for nearly three weeks and the pregnant alpha was growing impatient. Each day that went by her stomach swelled larger and the Lagina man was missing all of her pregnancy, if he didn't return soon he might even miss the birth of their cubs. So over the past week or so that her companions had been gone while the pack had made the final preparations Minka had busied herself preparing her new birthing den. A few minutes trot from the main den would give her enough privacy well the cubs were young but also near enough for safety.

The time was growing nearer and with each passing day Minka grew antsy to be rejoined by her subordinate. Their new location was far enough north that the woman had felt safe while here by herself, their enemies lay easily twelve hours and more to the south. Finally though the alpha had scented them on the breeze, her pack had arrived and they could really make this their home. Without hesitation Minka raised her tawny cranium to the sky and sang for them to join her at the crest of the mountain. Welcome home.

With all the buzz, Gent's mind wandered often to thoughts of what their new home might be like. It was known only that it would lie to the north, however this gave little detail to him. He knew of the lands to the East, but not of the West. To come to Relic Lore, he had traveled through Kingsfall and the lake south of it. Perhaps that was what it would be like, but he hoped for something better as their current residence still had not grown on him. It agitated him to live so close to the ground, constantly tangled with blackberry brambles. Thus when Raela and Kova returned to lead the pack, excitement ran along his entire skeleton. Gent made the journey with energy to spare, trailing closely behind Raela and taking in every rolling transition of the landscape. As they began to climb the tallest mountain of Stonewatch Timbers, he wished for Raela to stop them at any moment, hoping that they would not merely scale the bluff only to descend again. A mountainous home would be the best he could want; while this minute range was nothing like Mount Dire, it still brought back fond memories of Nomad's Pass. His senses strained to catch wind of Minka, or perhaps Tokino, thinking he must have met up with her here since he hadn't returned to the Downs. It was then that a familiar song swirled up into the clouds, and a grin broke out onto Gent's lips as finally his frantic thoughts were answered; yes, this was now home. No longer needing Raela and Kova's lead, he sprinted forward. The rush was only quelled when Minka came into view; it was then he calmed his steps and assumed submission, though it was clear how glad he was to both see her and to have arrived at such a perfect location.

A little PP of Aeus' position? I figured they'd be together :)

The journey back home to gather the pack – swiftly followed by the return trip and preceded by their first excursion – had Raela's recovering body twinging with pain. She'd not complained a bit though; this was an incredibly exciting time. Now they would move far from the fangs of their southern rivals. Still, her roughed up paw pads throbbed with each step, and her legs felt stiff at best. She remained at the front of the pack, with the overzealous Gent at her heels. She'd never seen the man so excited. The tawny escort did her best to keep tabs on the group, looking over her shoulder often to verify that Lugh was still with them, and still upright. She felt awful for making him travel so far, but he would be safer on the mountain as well. She also kept tabs on Kova, just in case the youth decided to stray.  However, Raela's eyes were most often focused on the dark man that strode along beside her. She made sure to beckon him to the front before they set out. If there was anyone she wanted to speak with on this long trip, it was him. His companionship made her feel better about Gent's proximity – she still wasn't sure what to think of the big male, and wasn't exactly happy with him after what had happened a few days prior. Her thoughts also wandered to Inali, the welcoming and friendly woman who'd suddenly vanished to join with their enemies. She was so confused by it. Inali had seemed such a good wolf. She would have breathed a few words about this to Aeus if he had known the girl, it was such a curious sequence of events.  Finally, after cresting the last of the hills, Minka's joyous cry caused her to pause. Gent blasted by her without warning, eliciting a perplexed huff from the girl's throat. Very excited. with a weary but content glance to her ruddy-eyed friend, she pressed forward as well, careful to check on their injured party member. Others would no doubt want to speed up, but she would let them go by. Making sure Lugh made it up was her only major concern now. She moved ahead at his pace, careful not to get too far ahead. No doubt appearing slightly later than the others, the subordinate punctuated her arrival with a wide smile and a respectful dip of her muzzle before the Alphess. She had gotten them all here safely. Quietly moved to sit near Minka, making sure that Aeus had a spot at her flank. A deep breath of fresh mountain air filled her lungs. Ah. This is home alright. Image © Chris Smith Photography Manipulation © Jenandra

            

Kick me cause I didn't check Kova for alerts.  XD
-Kova is not amused at Gent's enthusiasm-

The gray wolf had been sent back by his mother to help Raela get the rest of the pack. Kova was more than happy to head back to the blackberry fields one last time, however as he left he couldn't help but have a sour taste in his mouth. It wasn't from eating blackberry twigs, but because it might be the last time he saw the wide open meadows. Plus the boy still fretted over Noble's absence. He'd been so used to being by her side while growing up that he felt wrong not being near somebody else while she was gone. That was why the boy tended to stick close to his pack mates. Like, "pop your personal space bubble" kind of close. He'd been that way during the pack meeting too, sticking near Bane and Inali for the majority of it.

Now he was sticking close to Lugh, because Lugh was one of the oldest members of the pack. He had been around for the longest of all the Black Thorn Downs wolves alongside Minka, Inali, and Tokino themselves. It was only natural for Kova to worry over the healer while also keeping near someone to ease his own personal issues.

Gent and Raela had been padding along both sides of Lugh until the group heard Minka's call. Kova had been wandering behind Raela and Lugh while gazing at the scenery. However at his mother's call the dark wolf took off up the slope. Kova snorted in disapproval at the older male before padding up to take Gent's place beside Lugh. His fur mixed with the Whelan male's own as they trudged up the slope towards Minka and the stone den. For once Kova had no questions to ask or comments to give. Instead he listened and watched the going's on of his pack mates around him as they slowly made their way to the crest of the mountain.

(This post was last modified: Apr 25, 2015, 04:44 AM by Kova.)

Leaving whatever wounds he receives from the fight with Gent unmentioned for now, but he would be quite a bit battered.

He had done his best to keep at her side for every waking moment. Since the meeting, a silence had become of Bane - a silence far worse and far more distant then even before. His stance stiffened, weary and even aggressive towards the other pack members. It was, without a doubt, easy to say that Bane was upset with the war to come and had not fully decided what he was going to do with himself, though he knew one thing was for certain... He was charged with the task of protecting Minka and her children (born or not yet born) by Tokino himself. Since the meeting he had not seen his male Leader and so had become more paranoid and strict to his duty. Minka was moving along far in her pregnancy and her mate was no where to be found. Inali even still, was no where to be found, a fact which had not missed him by a long shot. For now, however, he keeps to Minka's flank, settling close by her as the other made their way to the group. A silent barring of his fangs offered to anyone and everyone (savor Kova) who made their way too closely to his Leader.

(This post was last modified: Apr 25, 2015, 11:47 PM by Bane.)

It took just about every ounce of Lugh's concentration to stay both upright and moving forward. This had been the most walking he had done since his injury, not to mention on only three limbs. All that remained of his hind left leg as an ugly nub ending at the knee. Each step was an awkward hop and hobble, Gent helping in keeping him from toppling over whenever he found his footing unsure. He was set on not keeping his packmates behind, and Lugh truly was excited to see the new territory Minka had chosen for them. That wasn't to say he wasn't a little bit sad about leaving the old blackberry fields, especially the infirmary and everything in it. Nearly a year of work had gone into it, and he had to leave it all behind.

Minka's voice rose up from the mountaintop, her welcoming song bringing Lugh's dusty colored tail to a wag. He tried to pick up the pace a little, but had no idea Gent would forget about him. Lugh wobbled, pale yellow eyes going wide for a moment as Gent suddenly disappeared from beside him. He watched helplessly as the black wolf darted up the mountainside, rather worried until he felt someone else take their place along side him. Glancing sidelong, he smiled appreciatively at Kova, before returning his attention towards scaling the rest of the mountain. 

Making it to the top he unceremoniously plopped himself down among the others and took the moment to appreciate their new view. Excitement bubbled up from his chest, escaping his throat in a joyous howl with head tipped back. 

Someone's bitter :3

Gabriel had kept to himself since the rank challenge between himself and Gent because he was embarrassed to be the lowest on the chain. A certain determination had grown in him. He would continue to bide his time and plot until it was time to make the correct moves forward. Loki "Gabriel" Harbinger was nothing if not strategic. He had not but his whole effort into that fight, but when he came back for revenge in his loss, he would toss Gent to the ground and force him into submission. Loki was aggressive when it suited him best. He remained stoical on the outside like some kind of vigilante would when threatening those who did no good. He would stick to the back of the group as they moved forward, being careful to avoid trouble as he bolstered his energy, saving it for when he needed it.

The peppered man would keep his eyes on those in front of him: especially Bane, Minka, and Gent. He wasn't sure if it was some kind of irritation or hormonal teenagerness that he felt, but he had started to hate Gent. He had become so dependent on the need for power that being beaten by someone as low as who he saw the man to be had hurt his ego. His ego did not like being hurt. Still, he would remain gracious and professional as he moved forward. He managed to hide the disdain in his eyes, keeping it pushed back to his mind alone as his eyes remained expressionless in their dull yellow state. He could still feel the bruising from their fight. He would arrive and sit, softly lowering himself onto the ground. He would keep his head high as he waited attentively.

Counter-intuitively, traveling worked wonders for Cessair.  As much as she appreciated the relative comfort and security of living in a pack, the former-nomad hadn't realized how much she missed being up on her paws and exploring the wide world around her.  Atop every hill they crested was a new breathtaking view that made her spirit soar.  Hours of travel wearied her muscles, but with the exhilaration of being on the move Cessair could feel a new energy surging up through her limbs.  Ah, how she had missed traveling!

As much as she wanted to run ahead of the group and drink in the beautiful expanse of earth as quickly as she could, Cessair made herself trot along at the group's pace behind Lugh and the wolves attending him.  That way she could keep an eye on the injured man's status and move up to help him if necessary.  Lugh's awkward three-legged hobble looked uncomfortable to say the least, and Cessair wondered how much longer he would have to keep going before the group stopped for a rest or arrived at their new home. As if to answer her query, Minka's jubilant song suddenly rang out over the trees and Cessair froze in attention.

Their new home was a grand mountain!  She had always loved mountains, and while the blackberry fields had been nice, she hadn't been there long enough to grow attached to that environment.  Cessair wanted to leap with glee, but checked herself and looked back over to Lugh to see how he was doing.  The man who had been supporting him, Gent, had sprinted off at Minka's call and Lugh looked unsteady without him.  She stepped forward, ready to offer support, but Kova beat her to it.  Surveying the mountain again, Cessair's weariness fell away and she almost felt like a pup again. Without another moment's thought, she sprinted off full tilt after Gent, arriving before Minka only a breath's time after him.  Her creamy tail wagged fast and low in greeting to her regal alphess, queen of north mountains.

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

Hey everyone I would love for this to be wrapped up by the 4th so its done before Minka gives birth. So I will be archiving it then so please get your replies in, also I know Poppin' is on vacation so Astreaus is assumed to be with them. Feel free to say your wolf got assigned to do whatever task :)

One by one they arrived, Gent first quickly followed by Cessair their enthusiasm apparent in their strides. Astraeus and Loki came next before finally Lugh came into view, supported by her son Kova and Raela. Minka couldn't help the smile that spread across her maw at the sight of them, her tail thumped steadily against the earth. While she had kept herself busy preparing for her impending birth she had missed the company of her subordinates and her family. Lifting her rump into the air she moved forward to greet them, licking her son's muzzle and gently nudging Lugh's before offering the others another warm smile.

Retreating to her position at the head of the group the alpha could barely contain the energy that surged through her veins. Still this wasn't all joyous and there were serious matters to attend to before they could celebrate their new home. The smile faded away at Minka raised her tail to silence any chatter that might have been buzzing around the group, "I cannot tell you how thankful I am to see each and every one of you here safe. There is news before we can begin the work needed to really claim this mountain as our own, firstly the war on the Woodlands is over. If any of you attack or harm any of their members from this moment forward you will be punished accordingly." At this Minka's eyes flickered toward Bane, hoping that the news would ease some of the tension she knew the boy had been feeling, the threat of war had put him in a hard position.

That news had been easy to deliver, what she had to say next though would not come from her maw without a feeling of bile sliding up her throat. Swallowing hard against the bitterness she continued, "This comes in light of news that @Inali obtained by going to seek out the Woodland leader. The wolves who harmed Lugh were traitors of the pack and were both exiled before Nina even knew that violence had occurred. This brings me to our next item; Inali went against direct orders and broke pack law. What she did saved us all from a potentially violent fight and so for that I was willing to forgive her crimes as long as she swore her loyalty to this pack and cut off ties with our enemies. She had been making visits against orders to the Caverns for some time, she refused and as such has been exiled from the pack. Make no mistake, Inali is now a traitor and should be treated as such, she has chosen her personal friendship with the Cavern wolves over loyalty to each and every one of us." Minka sighed then, her heart heavy still as she grieved the loss of her best friend. Inali had been there for every moment of her first pregnancy and for the birth of her children and now she had betrayed them for wolves who already saw her as the enemy.

Raising her muzzle once more the expectant mother shoved the dark thought aside, ready to move forward not only in her life but with her pack. Looking at each one of her subordinates individually she smiled once more, her joy renewed as she took in each of their appearances. Her tail began to streak through the air as she spoke one final time, "But now is not a time of sorrow but of celebration; the war is over, we are all safe and in weeks there will be new life in our pack. Now is the time to claim this mountain as our own, in the name of Round Stone Crest, here we stand and here we will stay." Raising her muzzle into the sky once more Minka let her voice sing through the mountainous air, singing a song of pride and joy. This was their home now and she didn't care who knew it. Once their song ended the alpha quickly divided the pack into tasks of digging out caches, a new infirmary, marking the borders and searching for food before she made her exit to join in the manual labour.

EXIT MINKA

click!