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

Tyrin had fought beside his Guard during the last of the battle, slashing and stabbing, biting and clawing with his talons until at last all he heard was the sound of his own breathing. Somewhere, the last shade had fallen. Tyrin embraced the quiet for a while, catching his breath as he surveyed the damage around them. He let out a long breath at last, and headed for the center of the clearing where the survivors had gathered. Some of the Guard had already gathered there as well, a few even shifting back to their normal forms. Tyrin landed in the middle of them, softly despite the rush they had just been in. His swords changed back to a single blade, and the Key around his ankle flashed a quick flicker of amber.

He shifted back to his normal form after a moment, nodding thanks and encouragement to the birds around him. His back was turned to the building where Rinka had perched, and he hadn't spotted her yet. Tyrin removed his helmet slowly, and after a touch of the Key, both the armor and the sword turned to gold light and disappeared into the lights on the Soul Key. He flexed his talons in the dirt. He touched the cool grass, and he smiled. He was home at last. The red-tailed hawk blinked his bark and gold colored eyes, taking it all in as he turned. And then he saw her...

Rinka, still in her Phoenix form, observed Tyrin from where she perched. Even as he turned to face her, she did not let an ounce of emotion show on her face. She only gazed down on him for a moment longer before lifting her head to the distance.

"Followers of the rebellion. The battle is won. The city is secure. Those who have fled to safety, return. Seek out all survivors and tend to the wounded. If you can, transport them to the shelters nearest you. Further instruction will be given within the hour."


Her voice reached all through the land, even passed the city borders. Once the Queen finished, she turned her gaze back to the Phoenix guard. Only after the final Phoenix returned to their normal form did she spread her wings and fly forward. As she approached, the flames around her shrinking form dispersed. She touched down a meter in front of Tyrin as a Peregrine Falcon. She looked him in the eyes with a tired look in her own.

Wildwing wrote:Rinka, still in her Phoenix form, observed Tyrin from where she perched. Even as he turned to face her, she did not let an ounce of emotion show on her face. She only gazed down on him for a moment longer before lifting her head to the distance.

"Followers of the rebellion. The battle is won. The city is secure. Those who have fled to safety, return. Seek out all survivors and tend to the wounded. If you can, transport them to the shelters nearest you. Further instruction will be given within the hour."


Her voice reached all through the land, even passed the city borders. Once the Queen finished, she turned her gaze back to the Phoenix guard. Only after the final Phoenix returned to their normal form did she spread her wings and fly forward. As she approached, the flames around her shrinking form dispersed. She touched down a meter in front of Tyrin as a Peregrine Falcon. She looked him in the eyes with a tired look in her own.

Tyrin looked at her for a long time after she landed, a thousand thoughts swirling in his own eyes. He didn't try to feel her mind, he didn't try to speak or move for the longest of breathless moments. He tried to discern any type of emotion from the look in her eyes, but she was guarded too much. Perhaps she didn't believe it was him. Maybe she didn't know his face anymore... maybe he was gone for too long. Maybe she just needed to hear him. To believe. But he couldn't think of a single thing to say. What do you say to someone in a situation like this? He thought for a long time about what to do next, knowing that if anything she may not even believe that it was him. After all these years he hadn't even prepared something to say to reassure her... But at last it came to him. It was one of the first things he had ever said to her. If anything could earn her trust...

The red-tailed hawk took a small step forward, taking a long moment to breathe before he opened his beak and spoke softly. A warm, meaningful smile formed on his beak as he did. A million memories fought to get out on the tip of his tongue.

".... Listen falcon, I'm here to help... and I'm all the assistance you're going to get... "

"You are an idiot."

Rinka had said this without missing a beat. As he had spoken, and as she replied, her brows had furrowed into a glare at the hawk. The corners of her beak stretched downward, trembling in the slightest. In spite of the sudden ache in her chest, brought on by his words, she maintained her authoritative stance. Even feeling the burn in her eyes from the oncoming tears, she stared him down.


"Haaa... So it is him," Karna sighed quietly to Raiya in an uneasy laugh, "That's weird. He's supposed to be dead."

Wildwing wrote:"You are an idiot."

Rinka had said this without missing a beat. As he had spoken, and as she replied, her brows had furrowed into a glare at the hawk. The corners of her beak stretched downward, trembling in the slightest. In spite of the sudden ache in her chest, brought on by his words, she maintained her authoritative stance. Even feeling the burn in her eyes from the oncoming tears, she stared him down.


"Haaa... So it is him," Karna sighed quietly to Raiya in an uneasy laugh, "That's weird. He's supposed to be dead."

Tyrin continued to look on at her, his own expression unchanged. "Yeah.... I am."

Raiya nodded slowly in agreement with Karna, just watching the exchange between the birds.

Drathema landed amongst the rest of the Guard he belonged to, shrinking back down to his regular rough-legged hawk form and forming back into line with the many Phoenix who had done the same, calmly watching Tyrin stare at Rinka as she came up to him. Although, when she called him an idiot, he cocked his head to the side without any change of expression other than that sudden movement. He shifted his gaze away from Tyrin and Rinka's conversation towards Raiya and Karna curiously,along with  examining the dozens of animals and birds around them observing the two red-tailed hawks' discussion.

Rinka closed her eyes and let out a long sigh through her nostrils. It took several moments before she finally turned away, opening her eyes as she faced East. She pointed with a wing towards the cliff-face in the distance known as the Eastern Ridge.

"There is a Willow tree located at the base of that wall. You, as well as your four companions, will go there and wait for me in the central hollow," she instructed in a level tone. She then turned her commandeering gaze to the side. "Krono."

A slim male falcon with muddled brown and black feathers looked taken aback by her call. A patch of healing moss had been plastered over his left cheek, and his feathers looked scorched here and there. But other than that, he was fine. He was one of the few who was focused solely on the conversation while a great number of others hustled behind him with greater priorities at hand. Krono stuttered in his step before gliding the distance to his Queen.

When he'd landed before her, Rinka turned her head back towards Tyrin, but her gaze didn't quite reach him.
"Krono will lead you there and wait with you until my arrival. I can't tell you how long I'll be. But surely you can wait a fraction of the time I did."

And she left him at that. She turned her back on Tyrin, walked right past Krono without another word, and walked away with her chin level, her hard gaze cutting through the air straight ahead of her. Krono and even Karna were among those who shied away at the aura she was giving off.

Krono turned to face the five newcomers with brows furrowed in concern. He lifted his right foot slightly, touching the brown metal object strapped to his leg briefly to the inside of his left leg. With a fidget of his wings, he flicked his head to the east.
"After me, then."
He wished he had something better to say, but the situation was awkward enough. As long as Tyrin, Lieuna, Khiarra, Draethema, and/or Ki immediately complied to Rinka's orders, Krono would be the first to take off and lead them away. Otherwise, he would be delayed from doing so for a few posts.

Wildwing wrote:Rinka closed her eyes and let out a long sigh through her nostrils. It took several moments before she finally turned away, opening her eyes as she faced East. She pointed with a wing towards the cliff-face in the distance known as the Eastern Ridge.

"There is a Willow tree located at the base of that wall. You, as well as your four companions, will go there and wait for me in the central hollow," she instructed in a level tone. She then turned her commandeering gaze to the side. "Krono."

A slim male falcon with muddled brown and black feathers looked taken aback by her call. A patch of healing moss had been plastered over his left cheek, and his feathers looked scorched here and there. But other than that, he was fine. He was one of the few who was focused solely on the conversation while a great number of others hustled behind him with greater priorities at hand. Krono stuttered in his step before gliding the distance to his Queen.

When he'd landed before her, Rinka turned her head back towards Tyrin, but her gaze didn't quite reach him.
"Krono will lead you there and wait with you until my arrival. I can't tell you how long I'll be. But surely you can wait a fraction of the time I did."

And she left him at that. She turned her back on Tyrin, walked right past Krono without another word, and walked away with her chin level, her hard gaze cutting through the air straight ahead of her. Krono and even Karna were among those who shied away at the aura she was giving off.

Krono turned to face the five newcomers with brows furrowed in concern. He lifted his right foot slightly, touching the brown metal object strapped to his leg briefly to the inside of his left leg. With a fidget of his wings, he flicked his head to the east.
"After me, then."
He wished he had something better to say, but the situation was awkward enough. As long as Tyrin, Lieuna, Khiarra, Draethema, and/or Ki immediately complied to Rinka's orders, Krono would be the first to take off and lead them away. Otherwise, he would be delayed from doing so for a few posts.

(Rinka's at work but told me what to have Khiarra do so this is both our posts combined XD)

As soon as Rinka closed her eyes, Tyrin felt the air changing around them. His smile slowly faded, any by the time she had given her instructions his face and eyes became guarded at once. When she turned her back to leave, a heavy breath forced it's way out as the wind came out of him and his stomach flipped. He had always expected some hurt or anger when he finally could speak to her again, but he never could have predicted that would be all she felt. From her look to her voice, Tyrin saw nothing that indicated she was pleased by his return in the slightest. A hundred thoughts tried to force their way out as Krono awkwardly tried to speak to them, but Tyrin wasn't listening. His excitement had begun to sour in his chest, all sorts of darker emotions fighting to spring to life. In the heartbeats that her words had lasted, Tyrin struggled to decide what to do next. To speak up would undermine her in front of her army, to say nothing at all would weaken him in front of his Guard. To argue would cause more of a rift, to not argue could show a lack of caring. The hawk was genuinely taken back by what had occurred, but one thing Rinka had said still sparked a flicker of anger in him that nearly brought a growl to his beak.

...A fraction of the time I waited...

Did she think she was the only one who waited? Who agonized? That she was the only one hurt by their separation? Even still, not a single thanks from her for helping with the shades! Why was she acting this way, why insist on being so...

Tyrin let the thoughts fall out of his mind, and the anger quickly quelled down as they dispersed. In the end, she hadn't cast them out entirely, and despite the seeming aggression she held for him, he was just happy to hear the sound of her voice again. He made his decision, and took a long deep breath. He would--

Khiarra suddenly stepped a foot forward from her place behind the King, her neck feathers clearly beginning to bristle as her brows furrowed in frustration. "Hey! We don't take orders from--"

"Khiarra." Came Tyrin's sharp warning, his head snapped to the side in her direction. "... We're guests here. We'll do as she asked."

After a moment to hear if Khiarra would argue, her silence told him his words had made her understand. The King and Phoenix watched Rinka continue to leave him, and looked to Krono. With a measure of authority so as to make himself clear, he nodded to the bird. "Show me."

(Did you mean Ruki? XD)

Krono had flinched into silence as he got interrupted by Khiarra's outburst. He looked back towards the Queen, but she just continued walking on without acknowledging her cry.
At Tyrin's command, he looked back at him with a flicker of surprise and a slight grimace in confusion. But other than that, he nodded and took to the skies.

~~le travel skip~~

Krono perched on a slight foothold on the east side of the willow tree's trunk, next to the open entrance of the hollow. Inside was enough room to fit five average sized birds that could still move comfortably around each other. On the western side of the room was a desk with a map of the Pridelands mounted on the wall above it. Scattered, open letters were strewn across the desk and floor, including one that was written in code that had been torn in half. And though it couldn't be seen without someone bending over for whatever reason, a hawk feather lay beneath the desk.
Open windows to the north and south looked out to the drooping branch tendrils that blocked the views around the willow tree. Right beneath these windows were raised, rounded portions of wood that could be perched on. In the ceiling was a small entrance to a smaller space above. It was usually covered by a woven mat, but due to Zarrock's burglary of the place, it had been thrown aside somewhere in the upper hollow. So from the dark opening above, an orange glow from the four remaining lights could be seen.

Krono stretched a wing out, politely allowing the other Phoenix to enter first.

As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Khiarra's feathers were still ruffled with frustration as she entered the tree. She remained silent but her expression was harsh. The kite's burning gaze shifted around to her fellow Phoenix before resting on Tyrin. Her eyes softened and her heart ached for him--she knew how much he was looking forward to this reunion.

Ki was the first to break the silence. "Wow. Not even a thank you or nothing." Ki paused for a moment, rolling her eyes. "You're an idiot." she mimicked Rinka in a nasally tone. "Pfft." Next time that falcon is taifeathers-deep in Shades I'm just sitting back and watching.

Wildwing wrote:As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Raiya had been slowly shaking her head as soon as Rinka started to leave. "She didn't even smile... How could she be so cold? She didn't even... " The wolf's voice trailed off as she couldn't finish her thought. Unlike the panther, she had spoken loudly enough that she hoped Rinka had heard. After all, Rinka hadn't even been over to see her yet. She understood perfectly the Queen had a lot on her mind, but Rinka had always been very close to Drellan's daughter, and this didn't seem like her at all.

Tyrin stared off into the distance at nothing in the center of the hollow for a long time. He didn't speak and he barely thought. The shock of the exchange still reeling in his mind as he waited.

Drathema landed behind the rest of the members of he Phoenix Guard at the entrance, quietly going towards the desk in the eastern part of the tree that the map rested on. He stopped in front of the desk and scanned the entirety of the map to see if there were any markings establishing some point of interest. He stood there for several more moments but didn't see any,  deciding to turn away from the desk to watch Krono from where he perched. What an unfortunate bird, it seemed, to be picked to keep watch over a group of Phoenix who could easily rip him apart within the blink of an eye. Although, Drathema wouldn't do that to him, unless otherwise threatened. 
  Then his gaze rested on Tyrin, a pang of anger and annoyance sparking in his mind. Even though he couldn't read his thoughts, he could feel the aura of pain that he exuded. Drathema didn't need to know what he was thinking, knowing that he could tell just by glancing at Tyrin exactly what he wanted. Right now, just watching him, he could tell that Tyrin only wanted silence to think.

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Raiya had been slowly shaking her head as soon as Rinka started to leave. "She didn't even smile... How could she be so cold? She didn't even... " The wolf's voice trailed off as she couldn't finish her thought. Unlike the panther, she had spoken loudly enough that she hoped Rinka had heard. After all, Rinka hadn't even been over to see her yet. She understood perfectly the Queen had a lot on her mind, but Rinka had always been very close to Drellan's daughter, and this didn't seem like her at all.

Hearing her, Rinka glanced to the side without turning her head. Having already passed the wolf, she slowed her pace and looked ahead once more.

"Raiya." With a firmness to her tone, the Queen beckoned the young she-wolf to follow with a wing.

In response to that, Karna looked to Raiya with wide "uh-oh" eyes.

(western, Crow. The desk is on the western side of the room. Door is on the east!)

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Raiya had been slowly shaking her head as soon as Rinka started to leave. "She didn't even smile... How could she be so cold? She didn't even... " The wolf's voice trailed off as she couldn't finish her thought. Unlike the panther, she had spoken loudly enough that she hoped Rinka had heard. After all, Rinka hadn't even been over to see her yet. She understood perfectly the Queen had a lot on her mind, but Rinka had always been very close to Drellan's daughter, and this didn't seem like her at all.

Hearing her, Rinka glanced to the side without turning her head. Having already passed the wolf, she slowed her pace and looked ahead once more.

"Raiya." With a firmness to her tone, the Queen beckoned the young she-wolf to follow with a wing.

In response to that, Karna looked to Raiya with wide "uh-oh" eyes.

Raiya blinked and turned to exchange a glance with Karna. She didn't seem scared by the Queen's order, or at least not as concerned as some of the others. The wolf had always thought of Rinka as family, and hoped whatever was going on with her wasn't about to bleed into their relationship as well. The wolf hesitated for a moment, but then nodded a goodbye to Karna and padded after the Queen.

Hearing Ki's mocking of the Queen, Krono stiffened, feeling offended on her behalf. When the last of the Phoenix were inside, he entered. Krono stood in front of the exit for a moment before hurriedly scooting to the side so it didn't appear as if he was trapping them in there. He glanced around all of them with a nervousness about him. Seeing the gaze from Drathema, he touched the oval object strapped to his right foot again.

Another moment later, he coughed lightly into his wing.
"You are welcome to make yourselves comfortable here. I would ask that you remain in this room until Queen Rinka arrives. So if there is anything you need, feel free to let me know."

Ignoring Krono completely, Khiarra's softly made her way to Tyrin. She could feel Tyrin's heartache it like was her own. She offered him a gentle smile. "What's our next move then, Your Majesty?"

Ki's eyes burned towards Krono. "You ask or Queen Prissy Feathers asks." Ki's voice was sharp with bitterness. "Don't talk to us like we're prisoners here... you've seen what the lot of us here can do when we're angry." Ki noticed the bird touch the object around his ankle. "Neat toy. What's it do?"

Ruki wrote:Ignoring Krono completely, Khiarra's softly made her way to Tyrin. She could feel Tyrin's heartache it like was her own. She offered him a gentle smile. "What's our next move then, Your Majesty?"

Ki's eyes burned towards Krono. "You ask or Queen Prissy Feathers asks." Ki's voice was sharp with bitterness. "Don't talk to us like we're prisoners here... you've seen what the lot of us here can do when we're angry." Ki noticed the bird touch the object around his ankle. "Neat toy. What's it do?"

Tyrin was pulled out of his daze when Khiarra started to speak, but before he could answer he caught a bit of Ki's conversation and turned to face Krono by the wall. "Do not threaten. He already knows what position he's in, you don't have to remind him."

Tyrin watched Krono carefully, noticing the object around his leg but not speaking about it. His thoughts began to drift once again as he surveyed the room slowly. He could barely bring himself to think it, but a small prickle in the back of his mind urged him to consider if this was a trap. Rinka would never... Tyrin exhaled with a final thought. I don't know anymore...

Ruki wrote:Ignoring Krono completely, Khiarra's softly made her way to Tyrin. She could feel Tyrin's heartache it like was her own. She offered him a gentle smile. "What's our next move then, Your Majesty?"

Ki's eyes burned towards Krono. "You ask or Queen Prissy Feathers asks." Ki's voice was sharp with bitterness. "Don't talk to us like we're prisoners here... you've seen what the lot of us here can do when we're angry." Ki noticed the bird touch the object around his ankle. "Neat toy. What's it do?"

Krono was taken aback by the small bird's behavior.
"Wha-No, this is common courtesy for guests-" At the attention to the metal object, his leg flinched backward. "That is-"
He had an answer for this, but being so flustered about being in the room with a bunch of Phoenix that had suddenly poofed into existence, and being sassed by a tiny falconette on top of that, he was having a hard time with words.
He re-centered himself once Tyrin spoke up. He already knows what position he's in...
Krono swallowed. And then, despite the anxiety welling up inside, he smiled.

"Um... Anyway, thank you. All of you, for your help. You really saved a lot of lives out there."

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Ignoring Krono completely, Khiarra's softly made her way to Tyrin. She could feel Tyrin's heartache it like was her own. She offered him a gentle smile. "What's our next move then, Your Majesty?"

Ki's eyes burned towards Krono. "You ask or Queen Prissy Feathers asks." Ki's voice was sharp with bitterness. "Don't talk to us like we're prisoners here... you've seen what the lot of us here can do when we're angry." Ki noticed the bird touch the object around his ankle. "Neat toy. What's it do?"

Krono was taken aback by the small bird's behavior.
"Wha-No, this is common courtesy for guests-" At the attention to the metal object, his leg flinched backward. "That is-"
He had an answer for this, but being so flustered about being in the room with a bunch of Phoenix that had suddenly poofed into existence, and being sassed by a tiny falconette on top of that, he was having a hard time with words.
He re-centered himself once Tyrin spoke up. He already knows what position he's in...
Krono swallowed. And then, despite the anxiety welling up inside, he smiled.

"Um... Anyway, thank you. All of you, for your help. You really saved a lot of lives out there."

Ki couldn't help but smirk. "See? Now this guy should be in charge! At least he has some manners." She turned to make her way towards the window to look outside.

Khiarra rolled her eyes at the falconette's behavior. She adored Ki as a companion but the small falconette most definitely made up for her size with her attitude.

Wildwing wrote:

Ruki wrote:Ignoring Krono completely, Khiarra's softly made her way to Tyrin. She could feel Tyrin's heartache it like was her own. She offered him a gentle smile. "What's our next move then, Your Majesty?"

Ki's eyes burned towards Krono. "You ask or Queen Prissy Feathers asks." Ki's voice was sharp with bitterness. "Don't talk to us like we're prisoners here... you've seen what the lot of us here can do when we're angry." Ki noticed the bird touch the object around his ankle. "Neat toy. What's it do?"

Krono was taken aback by the small bird's behavior.
"Wha-No, this is common courtesy for guests-" At the attention to the metal object, his leg flinched backward. "That is-"
He had an answer for this, but being so flustered about being in the room with a bunch of Phoenix that had suddenly poofed into existence, and being sassed by a tiny falconette on top of that, he was having a hard time with words.
He re-centered himself once Tyrin spoke up. He already knows what position he's in...
Krono swallowed. And then, despite the anxiety welling up inside, he smiled.

"Um... Anyway, thank you. All of you, for your help. You really saved a lot of lives out there."

Tyrin turned again at the end of what Krono had said, his body had begun to relax, but his mind was still far away. He needed a distraction from the storm brewing in his head, and so he stepped over to the nervous bird with a kind smile. "We're grateful to have been able to help. I only wish we had been here sooner.... Since we have some time, no doubt, till Rinka arrives... If it's fine by you, I would like to know a bit more about the situation. I expect you know who I am. I also expect you either witnessed or was told I was killed. You likely have questions about why there are five new Phoenix here besides your Queen, and when she arrives you'll get answers to that, but I need to know more about your city."

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Raiya had been slowly shaking her head as soon as Rinka started to leave. "She didn't even smile... How could she be so cold? She didn't even... " The wolf's voice trailed off as she couldn't finish her thought. Unlike the panther, she had spoken loudly enough that she hoped Rinka had heard. After all, Rinka hadn't even been over to see her yet. She understood perfectly the Queen had a lot on her mind, but Rinka had always been very close to Drellan's daughter, and this didn't seem like her at all.

Hearing her, Rinka glanced to the side without turning her head. Having already passed the wolf, she slowed her pace and looked ahead once more.

"Raiya." With a firmness to her tone, the Queen beckoned the young she-wolf to follow with a wing.

In response to that, Karna looked to Raiya with wide "uh-oh" eyes.

Raiya blinked and turned to exchange a glance with Karna. She didn't seem scared by the Queen's order, or at least not as concerned as some of the others. The wolf had always thought of Rinka as family, and hoped whatever was going on with her wasn't about to bleed into their relationship as well. The wolf hesitated for a moment, but then nodded a goodbye to Karna and padded after the Queen.

Karna returned the nod and watched Raiya leave with the Queen. Before long, the black bear approached her and assigned her on a supply run to a southern healing station.

Rinka led Raiya into the building. Wounded animals lay in areas along both sides of the path. Some were being attended to while others were awaiting their turn. Some that could walk were being led up sloping paths to levels above in order to lessen the crowding. As Rinka quickly led Raiya through, most of the wounded were staring off into space, and only a few spared glances in their direction. Before long, the duo had traveled all the way through the building only to emerge back outside opposite of where they came in. Rinka continued onward through the shadow of the building, until they arrived at an empty den of boulder and rubble. There was no one else in sight.

The falcon pointed to a spot beside the entrance as she stopped in the entryway.
"I need you to wait here." Her voice cracked at the first words. She continued on in a hoarse voice. "Please, don't let me take too long. There's so much I need to do. But right now, I-"
And finally, at the moment, a high pitched sob burst from her beak. She pressed one wing to her face, tears sliding down her feathered cheeks before she stumbled completely inside.

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Raiya had been slowly shaking her head as soon as Rinka started to leave. "She didn't even smile... How could she be so cold? She didn't even... " The wolf's voice trailed off as she couldn't finish her thought. Unlike the panther, she had spoken loudly enough that she hoped Rinka had heard. After all, Rinka hadn't even been over to see her yet. She understood perfectly the Queen had a lot on her mind, but Rinka had always been very close to Drellan's daughter, and this didn't seem like her at all.

Hearing her, Rinka glanced to the side without turning her head. Having already passed the wolf, she slowed her pace and looked ahead once more.

"Raiya." With a firmness to her tone, the Queen beckoned the young she-wolf to follow with a wing.

In response to that, Karna looked to Raiya with wide "uh-oh" eyes.

Raiya blinked and turned to exchange a glance with Karna. She didn't seem scared by the Queen's order, or at least not as concerned as some of the others. The wolf had always thought of Rinka as family, and hoped whatever was going on with her wasn't about to bleed into their relationship as well. The wolf hesitated for a moment, but then nodded a goodbye to Karna and padded after the Queen.

Karna returned the nod and watched Raiya leave with the Queen. Before long, the black bear approached her and assigned her on a supply run to a southern healing station.

Rinka led Raiya into the building. Wounded animals lay in areas along both sides of the path. Some were being attended to while others were awaiting their turn. Some that could walk were being led up sloping paths to levels above in order to lessen the crowding. As Rinka quickly led Raiya through, most of the wounded were staring off into space, and only a few spared glances in their direction. Before long, the duo had traveled all the way through the building only to emerge back outside opposite of where they came in. Rinka continued onward through the shadow of the building, until they arrived at an empty den of boulder and rubble. There was no one else in sight.

The falcon pointed to a spot beside the entrance as she stopped in the entryway.
"I need you to wait here." Her voice cracked at the first words. She continued on in a hoarse voice. "Please, don't let me take too long. There's so much I need to do. But right now, I-"
And finally, at the moment, a high pitched sob burst from her beak. She pressed one wing to her face, tears sliding down her feathered cheeks before she stumbled completely inside.

Raiya bristled at Rinka's sobbing, taking a few steps after her. Concern washed over her own face, and seeing someone she cared about so sad brought a swell of tears to her own eyes, but she fought them back. Every part of her wanted to run after Rinka, but she closed her eyes slowly and stood in the spot the Queen had indicated, not sure how to respond to all this.

At Ki's words, Krono blushed under his feathers. "Aw, thanks! That's sweet of you!" he laughed. It helped a bit, but he still felt uneasy.

He looked up at Tyrin's approach. He appreciated the kindness in the smile, and nodded along with what the hawk was saying.

"Right, right. I mean, I would feel more comfortably hearing your side of the story first. I think you would understand where I'm coming from. Um... But... I guess..." He let out a long sigh, exasperated at himself for stumbling over words. "Ya, I guess I-uh, what would you like to know? I'll answer your questions the best I can."

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Raiya had been slowly shaking her head as soon as Rinka started to leave. "She didn't even smile... How could she be so cold? She didn't even... " The wolf's voice trailed off as she couldn't finish her thought. Unlike the panther, she had spoken loudly enough that she hoped Rinka had heard. After all, Rinka hadn't even been over to see her yet. She understood perfectly the Queen had a lot on her mind, but Rinka had always been very close to Drellan's daughter, and this didn't seem like her at all.

Hearing her, Rinka glanced to the side without turning her head. Having already passed the wolf, she slowed her pace and looked ahead once more.

"Raiya." With a firmness to her tone, the Queen beckoned the young she-wolf to follow with a wing.

In response to that, Karna looked to Raiya with wide "uh-oh" eyes.

Raiya blinked and turned to exchange a glance with Karna. She didn't seem scared by the Queen's order, or at least not as concerned as some of the others. The wolf had always thought of Rinka as family, and hoped whatever was going on with her wasn't about to bleed into their relationship as well. The wolf hesitated for a moment, but then nodded a goodbye to Karna and padded after the Queen.

Karna returned the nod and watched Raiya leave with the Queen. Before long, the black bear approached her and assigned her on a supply run to a southern healing station.

Rinka led Raiya into the building. Wounded animals lay in areas along both sides of the path. Some were being attended to while others were awaiting their turn. Some that could walk were being led up sloping paths to levels above in order to lessen the crowding. As Rinka quickly led Raiya through, most of the wounded were staring off into space, and only a few spared glances in their direction. Before long, the duo had traveled all the way through the building only to emerge back outside opposite of where they came in. Rinka continued onward through the shadow of the building, until they arrived at an empty den of boulder and rubble. There was no one else in sight.

The falcon pointed to a spot beside the entrance as she stopped in the entryway.
"I need you to wait here." Her voice cracked at the first words. She continued on in a hoarse voice. "Please, don't let me take too long. There's so much I need to do. But right now, I-"
And finally, at the moment, a high pitched sob burst from her beak. She pressed one wing to her face, tears sliding down her feathered cheeks before she stumbled completely inside.

Raiya bristled at Rinka's sobbing, taking a few steps after her. Concern washed over her own face, and seeing someone she cared about so sad brought a swell of tears to her own eyes, but she fought them back. Every part of her wanted to run after Rinka, but she closed her eyes slowly and stood in the spot the Queen had indicated, not sure how to respond to all this.

Huddling in a corner with her face in her wings, Rinka cried. She tried to keep it quiet, but she couldn't stop the sobs from being audible this time around. Every so often, there was a sob that escaped her that was so loud, it would border on a short, sharp wail, before she returned to a normal volume. And she continued to cry for the next little while with no signs of stopping.

Wildwing wrote:At Ki's words, Krono blushed under his feathers. "Aw, thanks! That's sweet of you!" he laughed. It helped a bit, but he still felt uneasy.

He looked up at Tyrin's approach. He appreciated the kindness in the smile, and nodded along with what the hawk was saying.

"Right, right. I mean, I would feel more comfortably hearing your side of the story first. I think you would understand where I'm coming from. Um... But... I guess..." He let out a long sigh, exasperated at himself for stumbling over words. "Ya, I guess I-uh, what would you like to know? I'll answer your questions the best I can."

"How much does Rinka say to you about her own affairs? I assume if she chose you that you must be close in her guard. Has she told you anything in regards to her hatchlings? More specifically, does she know that they're alive? Also, I'd like a run down of your activities outside the city, where troops are stationed and what they're doing. And before you say it, I know you can't tell me those things under her orders, but the information I have to share greatly depends on the things I don't know as well. For the sake of the Pridelands, please answer my questions. If you know who I am, then you know why I'm here."

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:As all of this was happening, the black bear was going around gathering idlers up and giving them jobs. As the newcomers departed, her gaze swept over to a certain panther and wolf.

"Really, that's it?" Karna hissed incredulously under her breath, "She's not going to ask where they came from, or where the heck they've been this whole time? How many Phoenix were there, five? I thought Rinka and that other one were the only ones left!"

Raiya had been slowly shaking her head as soon as Rinka started to leave. "She didn't even smile... How could she be so cold? She didn't even... " The wolf's voice trailed off as she couldn't finish her thought. Unlike the panther, she had spoken loudly enough that she hoped Rinka had heard. After all, Rinka hadn't even been over to see her yet. She understood perfectly the Queen had a lot on her mind, but Rinka had always been very close to Drellan's daughter, and this didn't seem like her at all.

Hearing her, Rinka glanced to the side without turning her head. Having already passed the wolf, she slowed her pace and looked ahead once more.

"Raiya." With a firmness to her tone, the Queen beckoned the young she-wolf to follow with a wing.

In response to that, Karna looked to Raiya with wide "uh-oh" eyes.

Raiya blinked and turned to exchange a glance with Karna. She didn't seem scared by the Queen's order, or at least not as concerned as some of the others. The wolf had always thought of Rinka as family, and hoped whatever was going on with her wasn't about to bleed into their relationship as well. The wolf hesitated for a moment, but then nodded a goodbye to Karna and padded after the Queen.

Karna returned the nod and watched Raiya leave with the Queen. Before long, the black bear approached her and assigned her on a supply run to a southern healing station.

Rinka led Raiya into the building. Wounded animals lay in areas along both sides of the path. Some were being attended to while others were awaiting their turn. Some that could walk were being led up sloping paths to levels above in order to lessen the crowding. As Rinka quickly led Raiya through, most of the wounded were staring off into space, and only a few spared glances in their direction. Before long, the duo had traveled all the way through the building only to emerge back outside opposite of where they came in. Rinka continued onward through the shadow of the building, until they arrived at an empty den of boulder and rubble. There was no one else in sight.

The falcon pointed to a spot beside the entrance as she stopped in the entryway.
"I need you to wait here." Her voice cracked at the first words. She continued on in a hoarse voice. "Please, don't let me take too long. There's so much I need to do. But right now, I-"
And finally, at the moment, a high pitched sob burst from her beak. She pressed one wing to her face, tears sliding down her feathered cheeks before she stumbled completely inside.

Raiya bristled at Rinka's sobbing, taking a few steps after her. Concern washed over her own face, and seeing someone she cared about so sad brought a swell of tears to her own eyes, but she fought them back. Every part of her wanted to run after Rinka, but she closed her eyes slowly and stood in the spot the Queen had indicated, not sure how to respond to all this.

Huddling in a corner with her face in her wings, Rinka cried. She tried to keep it quiet, but she couldn't stop the sobs from being audible this time around. Every so often, there was a sob that escaped her that was so loud, it would border on a short, sharp wail, before she returned to a normal volume. And she continued to cry for the next little while with no signs of stopping.

Raiya couldn't stand it any longer. She turned and ducked into the building after Rinka, her pawsteps soft as she approached the corner. She waited an extra second before placing her head on Rinka's shoulder in as best of a hug as the wolf could manage. Why is she so sad? She-she should be so happy...

Jaystep wrote:

Wildwing wrote:At Ki's words, Krono blushed under his feathers. "Aw, thanks! That's sweet of you!" he laughed. It helped a bit, but he still felt uneasy.

He looked up at Tyrin's approach. He appreciated the kindness in the smile, and nodded along with what the hawk was saying.

"Right, right. I mean, I would feel more comfortably hearing your side of the story first. I think you would understand where I'm coming from. Um... But... I guess..." He let out a long sigh, exasperated at himself for stumbling over words. "Ya, I guess I-uh, what would you like to know? I'll answer your questions the best I can."

"How much does Rinka say to you about her own affairs? I assume if she chose you that you must be close in her guard. Has she told you anything in regards to her hatchlings? More specifically, does she know that they're alive? Also, I'd like a run down of your activities outside the city, where troops are stationed and what they're doing. And before you say it, I know you can't tell me those things under her orders, but the information I have to share greatly depends on the things I don't know as well. For the sake of the Pridelands, please answer my questions. If you know who I am, then you know why I'm here."

Oh gosh.

Krono could barely keep up with the questions. His beak was open, but he just didn't know what to say or where to start. Before long, he was just staring at Tyrin with his mind in a swirl.

"...O...kay. I... I'm not... Sorry, let's back up a bit. Um... Look, you even said so yourself. You're going to be explaining yourself to the Queen. So why not have her tell you these things? I know you are Tyrin, last King of The Council. I know that you're here to help, and it's only natural you need information if you're going to help. But she's in a better position to be explaining things, so why not exchange information with her when she gets here?"