The Wild Series: Reign of Ashes (Main Page/Pridelands)

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:"Geez, that grizzly sure was loud."

In the center of the animals who had exited their dens to see what the roaring was about, Kodi, a middle-aged wolf watched Raiya and Thalak run out of the city with an amused expression on his face.

"And there they go."

"Darling?"

Kodi turned to his worried mate. With a somewhat exasperated grin, he shrugged before turning and bounding up a pile of fossilized human den remains. After getting the muttering group's attention with a howl, he rallied them with a short speech.

"It seems the star fighter of our community has run off on her own. Again. Well, with Thalak this time."

He waited a moment for the sighs and worried murmurs to die down before continuing in a serious tone.

"We all heard the situation, but to reiterate, Moonpelt has been abducted by shades. Meaning he's still alive, which is what Raiya is counting on. Knowing our little hero, she will not stop until her uncle is safe again, and she will not hesitate to take on the shades despite being outnumbered. Even with Thalak on her side, the chances that they'll rescue Moonpelt and make it back alive... Well, it's risky. So let's take it upon ourselves to make sure they all return in one piece! Let's follow our little hero into battle and save one of our own from the enemy before it's too late? Who's with me!"

Hearing the cheers from many (but also seeing some go back in their dens), Kodi jumped from the pile and landed beside his mate. He touched noses with her after a quick exchange of tender words, and then left with her staying to watch over their pups.

"Everyone, with me!" he barked. As he led the small army at a swift army, he called for a couple birds to come up front.

"I need you to send a message to the queen. Tell her Moonpelt has been kidnapped, Raiya is going after him, and a good number of animals from our region are following her," he told a hawk. And to the falcon, "Catch up with Raiya and tell her we're on our way. Then stick with her, but fly where we can see you so we don't waste time checking to make sure we're on the right trail. Safe travels, both of you."

---

Kodi had kept his comrades at a fast pace, but not so fast that they'd be dropping dead by the time they reached Raiya. They'd caught up to her about half an hour ago, though with her in the lead by at least a meter. Thalak had fallen behind, but was still just ahead of the small army.
Seeing Raiya scrape her back, Kodi barked an order for the army to split and led half the animals around the left side of the fallen tree. As they all regrouped on the other side, Kodi chased ahead and matched his pace to Raiya's as he reached her side.
"Are you okay?"

"Fine." Raiya snapped, regretting it an instant later but saying nothing to show it apart from flicking her ears. She sniffed at the air for the tenth time in a minute, insuring they were still on track. The aching in her paws worsened after she had twisted them getting back on pace after the tree, and she inadvertently began to slow, sparking anger in her eyes.

Kodi honestly was not offended by the snap. He was surprised as it was a sudden and sharp response to his question, but he took it as a sign of her pain.
He noticed he was starting to pull ahead of Raiya even though he was keeping a steady pace. He glanced back to see that the expression she wore was that of someone who was angry with herself. At least, that's what he was picking up from a moment's glance. He knew she wasn't tired, because wolves were built for tireless long distance running, and she didn't seem tired. So was it her back that was slowing her down? Had she really scraped it that bad?

As he was thinking this, he noticed a bird up ahead flying their way. He recognized this bird as one of the ones he had sent to locate Moonpelt and his captors.
"Have you found them?" he asked as it flew to his side.

(Jay, or Ruki since you haven't had the chance to RP in a while. Would you like to RP the bird to give the group an update on Moonpelt's status?)

The female harpy eagle glided along side them before landing in front of them. The tufts of feathers on her head raised up as she spoke.

"There was no sign of Moonpelt or the shades that took him captive... I have no idea what scent trail you've picked up on but there's nothing for miles... except claw marks." Fear danced in the eyes of the female eagle. "Big ones."

Ruki!! )

Kodi, seeing the harpy eagle about to land, signaled everyone behind him, as well as Raiya beside him, to slow to a stop. He was confused as to why the bird hadn't given her report while still in the air as they would be losing time standing there. But after hearing what she had to say, the wolf felt that it no longer mattered how fast they could all run.
"How big?" he asked, a horrible idea forming in his head, "What did they look like?"

"They weren't 'Phoenix big' were they?" he heard someone whisper, "Only...not Phoenix..."
"You don't think..."
"Him?"
"But what would he be doing here? And without anyone knowing?"
"Do you think he carried the Moon-Moon off?"

It seemed Kodi wasn't the only one with that idea.

Jaystep wrote:Raiya trotted to a stop as the eagle started to speak, following Kodi's example. There was a flicker of frustration across her muzzle that quickly faded as the bird explained why they should stop. The wolf flicked her ears dismissively as the others began to mutter among themselves, not wanting to put any thought into it... Until she did. A sharp jab of fear pierced her chest as her mind flew back to the mountain-sized Dragon at first, until the Harpy Eagle explained further. 

"Big enough to not want to chase it... but no scorch marks or other Shade signs."

Raiya's eyes widened further as she looked away from the Eagle and back to the ground a few feet away, staring off into space as her mind raced. She muttered quietly to herself. "Agathar didn't want to wait on them..."

Jaystep wrote:(Ruki is replying to this in a moment!  )

Jaystep wrote:(How/when do we want to do the city on fire and Shade attack?)

Wildwing wrote:I'm good with right now, while the secretarybird is leading everyone to the claw marks. Like they could notice the city on fire before they reach the marks?)

(And by the way, I remember the letter Rinka is supposed to read. I think I will bring that into play while they are on their way back into the city.)

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:I'm good with right now, while the secretarybird is leading everyone to the claw marks. Like they could notice the city on fire before they reach the marks?)

(And by the way, I remember the letter Rinka is supposed to read. I think I will bring that into play while they are on their way back into the city.)

((I want to make the secratarybird an eventual character but I can't think of a name so for right now her name is Madame Longlegs ))

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:I'm good with right now, while the secretarybird is leading everyone to the claw marks. Like they could notice the city on fire before they reach the marks?)

(And by the way, I remember the letter Rinka is supposed to read. I think I will bring that into play while they are on their way back into the city.)

((I want to make the secratarybird an eventual character but I can't think of a name so for right now her name is Madame Longlegs ))

I like it XD )

Though I have an idea! According to google translate, the word for secretary bird in African is 'sekretaris voël'. Maybe you could scramble letters from that to make a name?)

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Wildwing wrote:I'm good with right now, while the secretarybird is leading everyone to the claw marks. Like they could notice the city on fire before they reach the marks?)

(And by the way, I remember the letter Rinka is supposed to read. I think I will bring that into play while they are on their way back into the city.)

((I want to make the secratarybird an eventual character but I can't think of a name so for right now her name is Madame Longlegs ))

I like it XD )

Though I have an idea! According to google translate, the word for secretary bird in African is 'sekretaris voël'. Maybe you could scramble letters from that to make a name?)

((I was thinking of the name Rehema (re-hem-ma) which is the Swahili word for "mercy" ))

Jaystep wrote:A chill filled Raiya's spine as she thought about the dragon taking her uncle, where they might go, and what he might have done to the white wolf. She cautiously padded after the others as they began to follow the birds, her head filled with what could have happened. I pray to anything that will hear me... please let Moonpelt be okay!

---

"Will you be quiet!? SHUT YOUR MUZZLE, DEMON!" Agathar threw his wings down in anger, a roar building in his throat. He slammed his tail against the building's walls for emphasis. In the low light of the ruined human basement, Moonpelt's fur and the rage building in Agathar's eyes were the only things visible. Nearly a hundred miles from where he found the white wolf, Agathar had proceeded to question him in this human-cave as he had awoken mid-flight and would not stop screaming. Unfortunately for the dragon, he chose his interrogation words poorly, and had instructed Moonpelt to tell him everything he knew about Drellan and his whereabouts to quell the demands of T'Sone. Sadly, Moonpelt was doing exactly as he was told...

Ruki wrote:

Jaystep wrote:A chill filled Raiya's spine as she thought about the dragon taking her uncle, where they might go, and what he might have done to the white wolf. She cautiously padded after the others as they began to follow the birds, her head filled with what could have happened. I pray to anything that will hear me... please let Moonpelt be okay!

---

"Will you be quiet!? SHUT YOUR MUZZLE, DEMON!" Agathar threw his wings down in anger, a roar building in his throat. He slammed his tail against the building's walls for emphasis. In the low light of the ruined human basement, Moonpelt's fur and the rage building in Agathar's eyes were the only things visible. Nearly a hundred miles from where he found the white wolf, Agathar had proceeded to question him in this human-cave as he had awoken mid-flight and would not stop screaming. Unfortunately for the dragon, he chose his interrogation words poorly, and had instructed Moonpelt to tell him everything he knew about Drellan and his whereabouts to quell the demands of T'Sone. Sadly, Moonpelt was doing exactly as he was told...

"And Drellan loves bison! And elk! But mostly elk! I don't know why Drellan likes to eat elks, elks are so cool and nice! They know where the best berry bushes are! I love the little black ones! Drellan says it's rabbit food but they're so yummy and good for an upset tummy and don't even get me STARTED on how grumpy Drellan gets when his tummy hurts because oh Heira he is terrible! Simply terrible! He's cranky and whiny and he keeps having to run behind the den and it's just--well I suppose Drellan is always kind of cranky I mean he is a SUPER CRANKY wolf like a tired pup sorta cranky but if you give him a hug he'll feel better. Don't tell anyone but I'm the ONLY one allowed to give Drellan hugs, he told me once that I give the bet hugs since my fur is so soft but that night he also drank squishy berry juice the birds have so that might be why... that berry juice is so yummy! It makes everyone else all silly and goofy but I can just drink it and drink it and I feel nothing at all! Like I'm not even drinking it! Like the one time I climbed the Council tree and crashed a party it was sooo fun!! I met a bird that night, I think she said she was a golden eagle or something and her name was Fareeha but she was so silly because of that juice she kept talking about justice and the rain or was it raining justice... I don't know! She was so silly! I should really go find her and catch up even though she threw up in my fur but that's okay accidents happen just like the time when I was a pup I had an accident too I don't know what happened but when I woke up everyone was crying so I don't know! I miss my momma, well she's not my momma she found me and my sister Aimarra as pups and raised us with her own litter and my momma is the nicest prettiest wolf I've ever met she taught me how to climb and run and fish! Bet you didn't know wolves could fish huh? Will this one can! All you gotta go is just sit and the bank and watch the water then BLAM! Stick your head in and now you got a tasty fish that didn't even see you coming.... well most of the time. Sometimes you get a sneaky rock. Or a turtle. But you gotta put the turtle back because their shells are too hard and you can't eat them because they hide in them. Do they have turtles where you came from? Where did you come from? Is it warm? Cold? Rainy? Snowy? Jungley? Is ther sand? Oh do you have beaches? I love the beach! it's just water for ALL YOU CAN SEE. I guess that's why they call it the sea huh?" Moonpelt paused momentarily to laugh at his own joke.

Jaystep wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Jaystep wrote:A chill filled Raiya's spine as she thought about the dragon taking her uncle, where they might go, and what he might have done to the white wolf. She cautiously padded after the others as they began to follow the birds, her head filled with what could have happened. I pray to anything that will hear me... please let Moonpelt be okay!

---

"Will you be quiet!? SHUT YOUR MUZZLE, DEMON!" Agathar threw his wings down in anger, a roar building in his throat. He slammed his tail against the building's walls for emphasis. In the low light of the ruined human basement, Moonpelt's fur and the rage building in Agathar's eyes were the only things visible. Nearly a hundred miles from where he found the white wolf, Agathar had proceeded to question him in this human-cave as he had awoken mid-flight and would not stop screaming. Unfortunately for the dragon, he chose his interrogation words poorly, and had instructed Moonpelt to tell him everything he knew about Drellan and his whereabouts to quell the demands of T'Sone. Sadly, Moonpelt was doing exactly as he was told...

"And Drellan loves bison! And elk! But mostly elk! I don't know why Drellan likes to eat elks, elks are so cool and nice! They know where the best berry bushes are! I love the little black ones! Drellan says it's rabbit food but they're so yummy and good for an upset tummy and don't even get me STARTED on how grumpy Drellan gets when his tummy hurts because oh Heira he is terrible! Simply terrible! He's cranky and whiny and he keeps having to run behind the den and it's just--well I suppose Drellan is always kind of cranky I mean he is a SUPER CRANKY wolf like a tired pup sorta cranky but if you give him a hug he'll feel better. Don't tell anyone but I'm the ONLY one allowed to give Drellan hugs, he told me once that I give the bet hugs since my fur is so soft but that night he also drank squishy berry juice the birds have so that might be why... that berry juice is so yummy! It makes everyone else all silly and goofy but I can just drink it and drink it and I feel nothing at all! Like I'm not even drinking it! Like the one time I climbed the Council tree and crashed a party it was sooo fun!! I met a bird that night, I think she said she was a golden eagle or something and her name was Fareeha but she was so silly because of that juice she kept talking about justice and the rain or was it raining justice... I don't know! She was so silly! I should really go find her and catch up even though she threw up in my fur but that's okay accidents happen just like the time when I was a pup I had an accident too I don't know what happened but when I woke up everyone was crying so I don't know! I miss my momma, well she's not my momma she found me and my sister Aimarra as pups and raised us with her own litter and my momma is the nicest prettiest wolf I've ever met she taught me how to climb and run and fish! Bet you didn't know wolves could fish huh? Will this one can! All you gotta go is just sit and the bank and watch the water then BLAM! Stick your head in and now you got a tasty fish that didn't even see you coming.... well most of the time. Sometimes you get a sneaky rock. Or a turtle. But you gotta put the turtle back because their shells are too hard and you can't eat them because they hide in them. Do they have turtles where you came from? Where did you come from? Is it warm? Cold? Rainy? Snowy? Jungley? Is ther sand? Oh do you have beaches? I love the beach! it's just water for ALL YOU CAN SEE. I guess that's why they call it the sea huh?" Moonpelt paused momentarily to laugh at his own joke.

Agathar swiped his tail across the floor, sending the white wolf flying out of the only remaining window next to the opening of the human cave. The dragon slithered out of the cave to the grass outside, stepping over the broken glass to the surprised Moonpelt. He glided his tail around him and up to the wolf's throat. "You are valuable to my Shades... not to me. If you speak again, I will cut out your tongue. Now, I keep my words, wolf. Don't test my patience again." 

Agathar hoped his bluff would take hold, knowing full well he could not take the wolf's tongue because he needed him to tell the Shades what he knew. Unless... 
He pondered on the possibility of hailing Zarrock to his location and skipping the interrogation altogether. If he simply turned Moonpelt into a Shade, he could extract all the information effortlessly, but in the process the wolf could lose some. "...I am presented with a pair of choices, both will produce results but both have associated risks. I am going to place you somewhere in the meantime while I discuss this... issue. It is a prison. A place you will not be able to leave, and where there are rules about your incessant talking. I don't want them to kill you, but it is a possibility, so for your own life you will remain silent during the trip and after until you are instructed otherwise. Is this understood?"

Ruki wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Ruki wrote:

Jaystep wrote:A chill filled Raiya's spine as she thought about the dragon taking her uncle, where they might go, and what he might have done to the white wolf. She cautiously padded after the others as they began to follow the birds, her head filled with what could have happened. I pray to anything that will hear me... please let Moonpelt be okay!

---

"Will you be quiet!? SHUT YOUR MUZZLE, DEMON!" Agathar threw his wings down in anger, a roar building in his throat. He slammed his tail against the building's walls for emphasis. In the low light of the ruined human basement, Moonpelt's fur and the rage building in Agathar's eyes were the only things visible. Nearly a hundred miles from where he found the white wolf, Agathar had proceeded to question him in this human-cave as he had awoken mid-flight and would not stop screaming. Unfortunately for the dragon, he chose his interrogation words poorly, and had instructed Moonpelt to tell him everything he knew about Drellan and his whereabouts to quell the demands of T'Sone. Sadly, Moonpelt was doing exactly as he was told...

"And Drellan loves bison! And elk! But mostly elk! I don't know why Drellan likes to eat elks, elks are so cool and nice! They know where the best berry bushes are! I love the little black ones! Drellan says it's rabbit food but they're so yummy and good for an upset tummy and don't even get me STARTED on how grumpy Drellan gets when his tummy hurts because oh Heira he is terrible! Simply terrible! He's cranky and whiny and he keeps having to run behind the den and it's just--well I suppose Drellan is always kind of cranky I mean he is a SUPER CRANKY wolf like a tired pup sorta cranky but if you give him a hug he'll feel better. Don't tell anyone but I'm the ONLY one allowed to give Drellan hugs, he told me once that I give the bet hugs since my fur is so soft but that night he also drank squishy berry juice the birds have so that might be why... that berry juice is so yummy! It makes everyone else all silly and goofy but I can just drink it and drink it and I feel nothing at all! Like I'm not even drinking it! Like the one time I climbed the Council tree and crashed a party it was sooo fun!! I met a bird that night, I think she said she was a golden eagle or something and her name was Fareeha but she was so silly because of that juice she kept talking about justice and the rain or was it raining justice... I don't know! She was so silly! I should really go find her and catch up even though she threw up in my fur but that's okay accidents happen just like the time when I was a pup I had an accident too I don't know what happened but when I woke up everyone was crying so I don't know! I miss my momma, well she's not my momma she found me and my sister Aimarra as pups and raised us with her own litter and my momma is the nicest prettiest wolf I've ever met she taught me how to climb and run and fish! Bet you didn't know wolves could fish huh? Will this one can! All you gotta go is just sit and the bank and watch the water then BLAM! Stick your head in and now you got a tasty fish that didn't even see you coming.... well most of the time. Sometimes you get a sneaky rock. Or a turtle. But you gotta put the turtle back because their shells are too hard and you can't eat them because they hide in them. Do they have turtles where you came from? Where did you come from? Is it warm? Cold? Rainy? Snowy? Jungley? Is ther sand? Oh do you have beaches? I love the beach! it's just water for ALL YOU CAN SEE. I guess that's why they call it the sea huh?" Moonpelt paused momentarily to laugh at his own joke.

Agathar swiped his tail across the floor, sending the white wolf flying out of the only remaining window next to the opening of the human cave. The dragon slithered out of the cave to the grass outside, stepping over the broken glass to the surprised Moonpelt. He glided his tail around him and up to the wolf's throat. "You are valuable to my Shades... not to me. If you speak again, I will cut out your tongue. Now, I keep my words, wolf. Don't test my patience again." 

Agathar hoped his bluff would take hold, knowing full well he could not take the wolf's tongue because he needed him to tell the Shades what he knew. Unless... 
He pondered on the possibility of hailing Zarrock to his location and skipping the interrogation altogether. If he simply turned Moonpelt into a Shade, he could extract all the information effortlessly, but in the process the wolf could lose some. "...I am presented with a pair of choices, both will produce results but both have associated risks. I am going to place you somewhere in the meantime while I discuss this... issue. It is a prison. A place you will not be able to leave, and where there are rules about your incessant talking. I don't want them to kill you, but it is a possibility, so for your own life you will remain silent during the trip and after until you are instructed otherwise. Is this understood?"

Moonpelt eyed the sharp tail coiling around him and gulped. He looked at Agathar as he spoke and absorbed every word very carefully. His eyes huge with fear and his tongue slightly protruding from his mouth, the white wolf rapidly nodded and his tail wagged slightly.

Wildwing wrote:"...Yes. These are definitely dragon talon marks," Rinka stated from where she had landed to examine the marks. The Queen straightened up and turned to face those who had followed her. As she did so, she made a passing glance towards Raiya.
I'm sorry, her pained eyes said.
"Keep your guard up. The shades that took Moonpelt could still be near. As for Moonpelt... Agathar himself was here. If there were any witnesses in the area at the time of his arrival and departure, I want to speak with them. I want to confirm that the dragon himself has taken one of our own alive, and I want to confirm the direction they left."

What do I do now? I have to think...

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:"...Yes. These are definitely dragon talon marks," Rinka stated from where she had landed to examine the marks. The Queen straightened up and turned to face those who had followed her. As she did so, she made a passing glance towards Raiya.
I'm sorry, her pained eyes said.
"Keep your guard up. The shades that took Moonpelt could still be near. As for Moonpelt... Agathar himself was here. If there were any witnesses in the area at the time of his arrival and departure, I want to speak with them. I want to confirm that the dragon himself has taken one of our own alive, and I want to confirm the direction they left."

What do I do now? I have to think...

Raiya reached out and placed a paw on one of the talon marks, trying to grasp the size difference. She hadn't been listening as Rinka spoke, stuck in her head as the hopelessness of the situation sunk in more with every minute. 
"... How are we supposed to do this?" She asked softly, the tears that threatened her before were coming back, but the young wolf had quit trying to stop them. 
"They just take everyone...." Raiya's voice cracked as she stared down. My parents, my friends, Moonpelt, Kale... 

Wildwing wrote:Yay, new person! )

Rinka paused at the young she-wolf's words. They were repeated in her mind, their meaning all too familiar.
Yes, they do, the falcon agreed silently, thinking of everyone she had lost, They've taken everyone. And they will take the rest the first chance they get.

Rinka looked to the secretary-bird, and then with a dip of her head she began to address the crowd around her.

"We will return to the city," she declared, "All of you who came to Moonpelt's aid, I thank you for your efforts. You will return to your dens and your posts until further notice. I will be calling a meeting at Queen's Rally and work on organizing a rescue mission. As for those of you who are on my team, your mission is still..."

While she was speaking, Rinka noticed a disturbance among one set of her guards. Her words slowly died off as she turned her attention there, already in defense stance. A heartbeat after the newcomer's arrival, she made her way over.

"What is going on here?" she asked with authority, having missed his introduction. At her approach, the guards moved aside, but were poised to defend her as was their duty.

"He said he overheard your call for witnesses," one of the guards replied, as the question had been aimed at them.

A moment passed before a warm smile graced Rinka's beak. "Did you see what happened here then?" she asked the cooper hawk, looking to his eyes with a friendly gaze in her own as she subtly checked the color of his irises.