Dead Empress Backwater The Songbirds are Gone

Eros was drawn to the commotion like a shark to chum, growing increasingly feral the closer his driving legs brought him. The more he heard, the more he knew there was severe danger. The stench of feline, children involved, his brother- his brother grappling with a mountain lion.

The days-fresh leader didn't see red. Instead it was a blizzard of grey, static ramping up until it blinded him. He collided with their opponent with all his might and weight, tearing and ripping while powerful limbs and hefty frame aimed to pin. Oleander was already going for the kill, he just needed to assist and limit the monster's ability to harm in return.

(This post was last modified: Dec 19, 2023, 06:33 AM by Chan.)

The collision of her small frame and the icy earth left the girl with a searing pain. She could hear a faint ringing mixed in with the sounds of the battle. Panicked eyes landed on Anatole as he quickly returned to her, pressing his nose against hers. The pup was relieved that he hadn't simply abandoned her to succumb. She didn't understand how one minute she was running and now she wasn't. He was telling her they were okay and Sonnet had no choice but to hold onto the hope that they would be. His simple question was met with a grunt.

The frail pup pushed up on her shoulders, trying to will herself to move again. They slumped down further into the snow and she moaned from the pain. She didn't want to try anymore. It hurt. Another wolf whizzed by them, joining the commotion. She whimpered at the sounds. Then started to cry. This was frightening, she never ever wanted to leave the den again! Not never ever! Her bottom lip quivered fiercely.

"Speak"

Tonight we make our dreams come true
**Sonnet hasn't spoken since losing her family.

The breath Anatole had been holding brought relief as soon as he let it go. The girl was alright. He watched as she moved to stand. As the fight in the distance ramped up, Anatole grew protective. When the sound of approaching paws met his ears, he lifted a paw and stepped over the youth if only for a moment. The Leader's son, the one who had been there when Clover had fallen through the ice, sprinted past them.

Anatole's jaw fell slack and his ears drew back. Wait, he wanted to say. His chest heaved, still attempting to catch his breath. It was no use. He was in no condition to help. Defeated, he folded onto his haunches beside the crying girl. "Shh, shh," he hushed, a poor attempt at soothing her. All they could do was wait for them to return. To give them a sign, anything that would tell them that the immediate danger had passed.

there used to be a greying tower
ANATOLE GERAU
alone on the sea

Oleander: 4 + 1 = 5
Cat: 9 + 1 =9
Miss.

Oleander did not even hear or see Eros before it was too late. The sight he had on the cat's vulnerable belly was lost as the Leader sent the mountain lion reeling. While it might have seemed unpracticed in the art of brawling, the Valles were blinded by avarice. Eros's large frame did as Oleander's did, attempting to keep their foe down.

The lion struggled for a time. Oleander's face stung in a flash of white as a hind paw met his right brow. Flinching away, his narrowed eyes went to the back of his brother's head. "Leave it!" he shouted, gritting his teeth. "Think we've got it scared!" The hair along his nape and spine stood up as he bared his canines, unaware that he was bleeding. Two against one should've spelled it out to the cat that it had already lost. Whatever Eros did next would hopefully tell it off once and for all.

they say pray it away, i swear,
OLEANDER VALLE
that I'll never be a saint, no way

Leave it? Eros saw Oleander backing off, realized he had assumed wrong. As was usual with the heir, he was all in. The fatal mistake had already been made on the cougar's behalf and he would not allow another opportunity for it to harm any one of them. He struggled to maintain his hold, and when it rounded on him he met it directly.

"Kill it!" he hollered as its fangs met the thick ruff of fur protecting his neck, then his cheek- Eros ' own jaws bit back, tearing and opening and bloodying. Even if he had to do it by himself, it would be done. If only he could howl at the same time, warn their Dad...

Unfortunately for Anatole, Song had become inconsolable with her wretched crying. Tears sprung freely down her cheeks. Both from the pain she was feeling and the fear. Behind her, she could hear talks of killing the animal and her wailing only increased in volume. She hated killing things! She didn't even like that prey had to die for them to keep their bellies full. Oh, this was an awful day! No, she wasn't going to step one paw out of the den after this! She barely registered the older wolf moving to a seated position. Her paws came up over her face to cover her ears, which had thankfully stopped ringing. She squeezed her eyelids tightly shut as if that would end the horrors happening behind her.

"Speak"

Tonight we make our dreams come true
**Sonnet hasn't spoken since losing her family.

Anatole trembled, unsure of what more he could do. He sniffled as Sonnet began to sob uncontrollably at his side. Hot tears escaped the corners of his eyes. He could have been angry for allowing himself to reach such a malnourished state. Instead, he regretted all that had happened. How had he gotten here? He couldn't exactly recall anymore. His lungs stung with every breath. His muscles burned. He felt weak and everything hurt.

If anything, there was a sliver of solace. The girl before him had evaded capture and had not ended up as the mountain cat's most recent meal. He, himself, had made that happen and had risked his life to a small degree. To find both of them safe and sound should have been enough.

there used to be a greying tower
ANATOLE GERAU
alone on the sea

Oleander: 6 + 1 = 7
Cat: 4 + 1 = 5
Hit.

The white-furred Valle watched as Eros did not relinquish his grasp on the predator. He held on with all his might, and when he let go, the mountain lion sunk its teeth into him... or, at least, attempted to. Eros was the first to draw blood. The point of no return.

Oleander, in turn, only watched as the feline's fight grew more desperate. Every swing of its paws hit harder and every hiss and snarl shattered the quiet that hung in the air. Eros countered with stamina that his brother could only dream of. Half-blinded by blood, Oleander did as he was told. He launched himself at the adversary in his brother's grasp. Had the window of opportunity been any smaller, he would have missed it. The sound of its hissing came to an abrupt stop. Clawed paws slashed at the air, though more sluggish and feeble.

When he withdrew himself his petal-white coat was bright red from his brow to his forelimbs. He panted, unable to do anything but shake with adrenaline. He blinked at his brother, breathless.

they say pray it away, i swear,
OLEANDER VALLE
that I'll never be a saint, no way

Eros was relieved when Oleander rejoined the fray. This was daunting, but far from impossible with the two of them. He felt the moment the fight tipped, was finally able to step back and feel his own stinging wounds and dribbling blood. He watched the lion until it stilled completely, and at last his focus was his own to control again. He blinked past what was now a carcass at his brother, similar blood standing out starkly against typically pristinely pale fur.

"Thank you," he told him, catching his breath around the words, "Good job, Ollie."

The younger wolves. He looked over his shoulder toward their direction, called out, "everyone else okay?" before addressing his sibling again.

"Should we hit up the infirmary?"

The fighting had ceased...Sonnet slowly opened her eyes and stopped her fussing. She uncovered her ears and glanced behind herself with tear-stained cheeks. Her jaw hung limply at the sight and once more she was crying. Blood was everywhere. The pup shakily sat up, met by the unfamiliar sensation of lightheadedness. Her body swayed back and forth, and yet, remained rooted firmly upright and conscious.

Green eyes gawked at the frightful scene of a body slain and two blood-soaked warriors. She should've been grateful, instead, she was mournful for the life lost. It was sad that this had to end with anyone dying. She didn't want to die...but she also didn't want the beast to either. There was no winning, it was a loose loose situation. As for the males who saved her...they looked terrifying. She turned her attention back to Anatole. At least he wasn't covered in blood.

"Speak"

Tonight we make our dreams come true
**Sonnet hasn't spoken since losing her family.