Werewolves (RP 8): A Time for Questions and Answers (6/16-4/18)
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:35 pmMae
Did Josh believe he were a beaver, able to carve through the thickest point of a tree trunk with his bare teeth?; he must have thought himself an exceptionally adapted one too, in order to make short work of a job that would take the aforementioned animal hours. Diane could not bear watching him anymore and turned her attention away.
"Do, give yourself the credit I have justly laid at your feet, Jodecai; My father has great respect for those in whose hands he entrusts the security of his person." This, Diane said with more genuineness than before, but her tone was also a good deal more strict. "I cannot pretend, however, that threatening the life of your own pack is not a very serious offense."
Diane blinked her bright green eyes slowly and in a calm manner, to Actaeon's glance she gave no response.
"Father will be wanting my report." She said bluntly. "From where I stand, you invoked the name of the Svalnaglas for personal gain - I need not stress the severity of that sentiment to you. But perhaps if I knew the cause of the error I might smooth it out better before it reaches the ears of the Beta."
While Diane spoke she turned her chin once over her shoulder to the backseats but otherwise keenly surveyed the quiet of the woodland realm, and quiet it was, if not for Josh's ripping, snarling, and general atmospheric aggravation. Perhaps, if she had been more accustomed to an area such as this, Diane might have realized the implications.
*****
Meanwhile, some news at last came to those who waited back in the clearing.
A strong wind blew through the trees like the many released breaths of those who had waited for the Alpha, as then, at last, his presence was felt and they might dare again to commence that function instinctual of all living creatures.
The great beast which the Callagathorm werewolves had termed their leader came out from the trees like a stray shadow, for his black form had not been seen in that place before he desired to be seen. The red cape he had draped over his shoulders, with its golden embroidered hem seemed to cascade off the bushes around as if like water, unhindered by the many catches and pricks. Kratos' massive paws too, were soon outspread on the ground, and naturally pressed small mounds of loose earth up at his fingertips.
As he carried himself out of the undergrowth with the grace of a lion on the prowl, the weight of the Alpha's body rolled over his shoulders and the tied ends of his mane fell loosely over his neck. Some moisture appeared to be clinging to the tuft lengths in that area as well, and his whole body smelled strongly. Indeed it appeared that the fur behind his ears and down the sides of his neck was all damp, and the sun caused a glint. Last of all his long black tail, a heavy banner never seen to be carried too low or ever dragged on the ground, came out behind; it was the impregnable flag by which all knew of the Alpha's authority and unyielding command, and this, as well as his demeanor withal, spoke nothing outside a casual presiding presence.When he came over to the others congregating near the dens, Kratos' bright yellow eyes set on Sabrina and he spoke to her in a low voice, nonetheless a voice all could hear.
"Take them up into the mountain," he directed, "All who will follow." Then he turned toward Logan. There was a look with which the Alpha surveyed her condition, but it seemed clear that although he could see her weakness, he would yet ask of her a difficult task, and with his gaze he led Logan's eyes over to the ditch.
"Be quick." Kratos said, saying it to all, and then he turned again back in the direction he had come.
"Do not descend," he said over his shoulder to Sabrina and the others. "Until the name of this pack is spoken over the peak."
Mae
Did Josh believe he were a beaver, able to carve through the thickest point of a tree trunk with his bare teeth?; he must have thought himself an exceptionally adapted one too, in order to make short work of a job that would take the aforementioned animal hours. Diane could not bear watching him anymore and turned her attention away.
"Do, give yourself the credit I have justly laid at your feet, Jodecai; My father has great respect for those in whose hands he entrusts the security of his person." This, Diane said with more genuineness than before, but her tone was also a good deal more strict. "I cannot pretend, however, that threatening the life of your own pack is not a very serious offense."
Diane blinked her bright green eyes slowly and in a calm manner, to Actaeon's glance she gave no response.
"Father will be wanting my report." She said bluntly. "From where I stand, you invoked the name of the Svalnaglas for personal gain - I need not stress the severity of that sentiment to you. But perhaps if I knew the cause of the error I might smooth it out better before it reaches the ears of the Beta."
While Diane spoke she turned her chin once over her shoulder to the backseats but otherwise keenly surveyed the quiet of the woodland realm, and quiet it was, if not for Josh's ripping, snarling, and general atmospheric aggravation. Perhaps, if she had been more accustomed to an area such as this, Diane might have realized the implications.
*****
Meanwhile, some news at last came to those who waited back in the clearing.
A strong wind blew through the trees like the many released breaths of those who had waited for the Alpha, as then, at last, his presence was felt and they might dare again to commence that function instinctual of all living creatures.
The great beast which the Callagathorm werewolves had termed their leader came out from the trees like a stray shadow, for his black form had not been seen in that place before he desired to be seen. The red cape he had draped over his shoulders, with its golden embroidered hem seemed to cascade off the bushes around as if like water, unhindered by the many catches and pricks. Kratos' massive paws too, were soon outspread on the ground, and naturally pressed small mounds of loose earth up at his fingertips.
As he carried himself out of the undergrowth with the grace of a lion on the prowl, the weight of the Alpha's body rolled over his shoulders and the tied ends of his mane fell loosely over his neck. Some moisture appeared to be clinging to the tuft lengths in that area as well, and his whole body smelled strongly. Indeed it appeared that the fur behind his ears and down the sides of his neck was all damp, and the sun caused a glint. Last of all his long black tail, a heavy banner never seen to be carried too low or ever dragged on the ground, came out behind; it was the impregnable flag by which all knew of the Alpha's authority and unyielding command, and this, as well as his demeanor withal, spoke nothing outside a casual presiding presence.
When he came over to the others congregating near the dens, Kratos' bright yellow eyes set on Sabrina and he spoke to her in a low voice, nonetheless a voice all could hear.
"Take them up into the mountain," he directed, "All who will follow." Then he turned toward Logan. There was a look with which the Alpha surveyed her condition, but it seemed clear that although he could see her weakness, he would yet ask of her a difficult task, and with his gaze he led Logan's eyes over to the ditch.
"Be quick." Kratos said, saying it to all, and then he turned again back in the direction he had come.
"Do not descend," he said over his shoulder to Sabrina and the others. "Until the name of this pack is spoken over the peak."
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:36 pmDeseree
It was hard not to find oneself staring on at the great Alpha, and Logan took note of the state in which he arrived. Although his presence was brief, it was as if he had brought with him a storm at his heels and the air was changed.
In spite of her condition she would obey the command with no great delay, pulling herself into a stand and crossing the distance to the pits. She rested her hands on the chain link while she studied the structure and sought a means by which one could enter or else leave it....
She paced around it and at one side, found a latch of sorts which she fumbled with a few moments.
The rattling of the fence could be heard, and a gate rolled open. Her brows furrowed as she stepped forward and crouched at the edge, looking down and gauging the distance from her position to the bottom of the pit. Even Kratos would be incapable of making such a leap, so there must have been a tool at hand to reach the bottom.
Stepping back again, she might have tried to detach the gate itself.. until she noticed against the ledge of the pit there was a sort of lip she could grab onto. Upon getting a hold of it, she gave it a tug and a piece of metal slipped out partially. Another tug revealed the top rung of a ladder.
Violet eyes drifted to the occupants of the pit, first resting on Jackie. There was something resolute in her gaze just then, before they wandered to Timothy and she raised her chin slightly, then continued to draw out the ladder. It folded out and down into the pit, and the woman tested it to be secure before standing at her full height and stepping back.
Inwardly she was grateful, and looked in the direction the Alpha had gone.
Deseree
It was hard not to find oneself staring on at the great Alpha, and Logan took note of the state in which he arrived. Although his presence was brief, it was as if he had brought with him a storm at his heels and the air was changed.
In spite of her condition she would obey the command with no great delay, pulling herself into a stand and crossing the distance to the pits. She rested her hands on the chain link while she studied the structure and sought a means by which one could enter or else leave it....
She paced around it and at one side, found a latch of sorts which she fumbled with a few moments.
The rattling of the fence could be heard, and a gate rolled open. Her brows furrowed as she stepped forward and crouched at the edge, looking down and gauging the distance from her position to the bottom of the pit. Even Kratos would be incapable of making such a leap, so there must have been a tool at hand to reach the bottom.
Stepping back again, she might have tried to detach the gate itself.. until she noticed against the ledge of the pit there was a sort of lip she could grab onto. Upon getting a hold of it, she gave it a tug and a piece of metal slipped out partially. Another tug revealed the top rung of a ladder.
Violet eyes drifted to the occupants of the pit, first resting on Jackie. There was something resolute in her gaze just then, before they wandered to Timothy and she raised her chin slightly, then continued to draw out the ladder. It folded out and down into the pit, and the woman tested it to be secure before standing at her full height and stepping back.
Inwardly she was grateful, and looked in the direction the Alpha had gone.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:36 pmIndy
There was a resolute thud as the heavy metal ladder settled on the pavement of the pit. Jackie didn’t look at it at first. She wasn’t a caged beast crawling for freedom, nor a grateful prisoner. She closed her eyes, inhaling slowly inwards and outwards. She could feel the violet gaze on her nonetheless, and she hoped they searched for her absent gaze in annoyance.
She knew why she was put in this pit. She did not altogether disagree with it. And still, she was angry for it. She was angry that freedom had so easily presented itself, as though she ought to be grateful for it.
And she was angry that he had allowed her pack to be ripped apart while he hid in the shadows.
There was an explanation. There was always an explanation. But she had grown used to explanations that told away her own suffering, and not that of others… she allowed her gaze to open half-way. From her vantage point, she could not see the alpha, and her eyes did not spend a long time searching for him. He commanded her to flee…. Fine. But there was no guarantee she would follow.
She stood slowly, stiff and sore and not quite connected to the thoughts that had commanded it. Slowly she progressed towards the ladder, glancing backwards at Timothy as she paused beside it.
Indy
There was a resolute thud as the heavy metal ladder settled on the pavement of the pit. Jackie didn’t look at it at first. She wasn’t a caged beast crawling for freedom, nor a grateful prisoner. She closed her eyes, inhaling slowly inwards and outwards. She could feel the violet gaze on her nonetheless, and she hoped they searched for her absent gaze in annoyance.
She knew why she was put in this pit. She did not altogether disagree with it. And still, she was angry for it. She was angry that freedom had so easily presented itself, as though she ought to be grateful for it.
And she was angry that he had allowed her pack to be ripped apart while he hid in the shadows.
There was an explanation. There was always an explanation. But she had grown used to explanations that told away her own suffering, and not that of others… she allowed her gaze to open half-way. From her vantage point, she could not see the alpha, and her eyes did not spend a long time searching for him. He commanded her to flee…. Fine. But there was no guarantee she would follow.
She stood slowly, stiff and sore and not quite connected to the thoughts that had commanded it. Slowly she progressed towards the ladder, glancing backwards at Timothy as she paused beside it.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:36 pmKaqurei
Sabrina opened her mouth to reply to Chime when the Alpha revealed himself and spoke instead.
She did well to not relay the information that flooded her mind and heart to the rest of her body. On the outside, she was calm. Within, she was seething. Did he think himself amusing? Perhaps. She wasn't going to laugh either, though. If this was a test, she was going to pass it with flying colours. She would play his game. For now. Perhaps this time it would actually pan out and not lead to utter tragedy. This time. Again, his plan was presented with a cryptic air and success hinged upon uncertain loyalties. But who was she to be the first to stray?
She dipped her head in compliance and turned from him. She looked at Chime and the others. "Come," she said, "All that will, with me."
Head and tail raised with a confidence in the Alpha she did not feel, she started on her way to guide those that would follow up towards the cliffs... the very cliffs Levi and Logan had once rolled down to at last bow in submission to the Alpha... perhaps there was something significant in that.
****
...Feel better?
Yes. Yes, Josh did. He'd have to remember that the next time his insides felt like they'd turned to lead the best way to molten them down again was to beat up a tree. The way the tough fibres resisted his fists, claws, and teeth was a breath of fresh air. It was far more satisfying than digging into something softer.
He paused a moment, his chest heaving from the exertion. He leaned on his crude work and turned to look back at the Badger. He licked his lips.
...So did Diane have a plan, or what?
Kaqurei
Sabrina opened her mouth to reply to Chime when the Alpha revealed himself and spoke instead.
She did well to not relay the information that flooded her mind and heart to the rest of her body. On the outside, she was calm. Within, she was seething. Did he think himself amusing? Perhaps. She wasn't going to laugh either, though. If this was a test, she was going to pass it with flying colours. She would play his game. For now. Perhaps this time it would actually pan out and not lead to utter tragedy. This time. Again, his plan was presented with a cryptic air and success hinged upon uncertain loyalties. But who was she to be the first to stray?
She dipped her head in compliance and turned from him. She looked at Chime and the others. "Come," she said, "All that will, with me."
Head and tail raised with a confidence in the Alpha she did not feel, she started on her way to guide those that would follow up towards the cliffs... the very cliffs Levi and Logan had once rolled down to at last bow in submission to the Alpha... perhaps there was something significant in that.
****
...Feel better?
Yes. Yes, Josh did. He'd have to remember that the next time his insides felt like they'd turned to lead the best way to molten them down again was to beat up a tree. The way the tough fibres resisted his fists, claws, and teeth was a breath of fresh air. It was far more satisfying than digging into something softer.
He paused a moment, his chest heaving from the exertion. He leaned on his crude work and turned to look back at the Badger. He licked his lips.
...So did Diane have a plan, or what?
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:36 pmShea
Jodecai wasn’t comfortable still, but he’d regained enough composure to stop turning in his seat like a scorned child. He sat up straight, confident, and unmoving. As he properly thought he ought.
“Persistent as always.” He said looking to Diane, without resentment in his voice. “But I understand.. no use in demonstrating anymore disobedience.” He gave in, exhaling his breath, and resting his head on the headrest well he gathered his thoughts and words.
Admittedly, a stubborn part of the man still wanted to cling onto his secrecy. But que sera, sera. He mustered his strength, and swallowed his pride, finally facing Diane poised to tell the truth..
“The girl,” he pointed to the front seat, at the chemist, “the one Actaeon held captive..” The werewolves eyes slanted, as he leaned in as if what he said was private, and secretive, and before he continued, his hand subconsciously slipped back to his chest to grip his necklace..
“She is my daughter.” He said bluntly.
Shea
Jodecai wasn’t comfortable still, but he’d regained enough composure to stop turning in his seat like a scorned child. He sat up straight, confident, and unmoving. As he properly thought he ought.
“Persistent as always.” He said looking to Diane, without resentment in his voice. “But I understand.. no use in demonstrating anymore disobedience.” He gave in, exhaling his breath, and resting his head on the headrest well he gathered his thoughts and words.
Admittedly, a stubborn part of the man still wanted to cling onto his secrecy. But que sera, sera. He mustered his strength, and swallowed his pride, finally facing Diane poised to tell the truth..
“The girl,” he pointed to the front seat, at the chemist, “the one Actaeon held captive..” The werewolves eyes slanted, as he leaned in as if what he said was private, and secretive, and before he continued, his hand subconsciously slipped back to his chest to grip his necklace..
“She is my daughter.” He said bluntly.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:36 pmMae
Not even Diane could have remained well composed in light of such an astonishing revelation. Could it be true? If Jodecai was not very much mistaken in his belief of relation to the Calagathorm stray then they all were, and lest, per chance, the possibility be contemplated for even a moment and discovered to be plausible the statement had to be contradicted.
"That girl is not Svalnaglas." Diane snapped sharply.
Diane had no sooner so said when a sound out the driver's side window caused her ears to flick up and her head to turn. The sight that was met out the window was no different than a moment before, only now as Diane searched for the cause of the noise, which she by all means supposed was the Calagathorm Alpha, Diane's eyes suddenly caught a glint in the thicket.
"Josh!! Run!" The furious shout was not said in human tongue, - it was a maddened bark, or so it sounded - and then Diane was struck! Her paw battered down to raise the window beside her and the doors to the Badger were locked, but it was too late for a retreat.
"Eva, take the wheel and get us out of here!" In an appeal to her distant relative Diane retreated into the back seat, and moving with great agility it seemed an effortless exchange, but Diane was already beginning to feel a severe pain move up her left shoulder. The dart was removed but it would work its will, meanwhile outside onslaught had begun.
Mae
Not even Diane could have remained well composed in light of such an astonishing revelation. Could it be true? If Jodecai was not very much mistaken in his belief of relation to the Calagathorm stray then they all were, and lest, per chance, the possibility be contemplated for even a moment and discovered to be plausible the statement had to be contradicted.
"That girl is not Svalnaglas." Diane snapped sharply.
Diane had no sooner so said when a sound out the driver's side window caused her ears to flick up and her head to turn. The sight that was met out the window was no different than a moment before, only now as Diane searched for the cause of the noise, which she by all means supposed was the Calagathorm Alpha, Diane's eyes suddenly caught a glint in the thicket.
"Josh!! Run!" The furious shout was not said in human tongue, - it was a maddened bark, or so it sounded - and then Diane was struck! Her paw battered down to raise the window beside her and the doors to the Badger were locked, but it was too late for a retreat.
"Eva, take the wheel and get us out of here!" In an appeal to her distant relative Diane retreated into the back seat, and moving with great agility it seemed an effortless exchange, but Diane was already beginning to feel a severe pain move up her left shoulder. The dart was removed but it would work its will, meanwhile outside onslaught had begun.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:36 pmKaqurei
Having beat out his pent up emotions in blood and oak, Josh was on the alert - specifically waiting for a command from his superior. When it did not come, his attentions had been diverted to a peculiar scent on the air. He recognized it in an instant: lead, steel, and human sweat. There was no shortage of these things back in the city the Svalnagalas pack called home. What surprised him, though, was not that he could smell men with guns... big guns... so much as the fact that he saw them first. Usually he would have smelled them coming for miles away, even with a bloodied nose.
They were so close they had time to wreck havoc upon the Badger before Josh even had a chance to yelp a warning. Diane noticed them at nearly the same moment - and not before shots were fired.
She said something loud and obnoxious. "Run" or something like that. Ha ha. He couldn't quite be sure what it was because the next moment something exploded in his ear and his head was dashed against the side of the tree he'd been abusing. Another two seconds and he felt ammo tear through his shoulder, thigh, and another three embed themselves in his chest. In that moment, there was only one thought in his head.
My nose kinda tingles.
He looked up at the man who had shot Diane. That guy was going down. And Josh'd smash the skulls of anyone else who got in his way before he made it to him. When he fell, it was only to all fours and he let out a withering roar as he charged.
Kaqurei
Having beat out his pent up emotions in blood and oak, Josh was on the alert - specifically waiting for a command from his superior. When it did not come, his attentions had been diverted to a peculiar scent on the air. He recognized it in an instant: lead, steel, and human sweat. There was no shortage of these things back in the city the Svalnagalas pack called home. What surprised him, though, was not that he could smell men with guns... big guns... so much as the fact that he saw them first. Usually he would have smelled them coming for miles away, even with a bloodied nose.
They were so close they had time to wreck havoc upon the Badger before Josh even had a chance to yelp a warning. Diane noticed them at nearly the same moment - and not before shots were fired.
She said something loud and obnoxious. "Run" or something like that. Ha ha. He couldn't quite be sure what it was because the next moment something exploded in his ear and his head was dashed against the side of the tree he'd been abusing. Another two seconds and he felt ammo tear through his shoulder, thigh, and another three embed themselves in his chest. In that moment, there was only one thought in his head.
My nose kinda tingles.
He looked up at the man who had shot Diane. That guy was going down. And Josh'd smash the skulls of anyone else who got in his way before he made it to him. When he fell, it was only to all fours and he let out a withering roar as he charged.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:36 pmMae
If Diane had known a thing or two about her own history, she would have seen the warning for what it was, for at no time had a werewolf, honor-bound and within the bonds of a pack, gone to war against another of its kind with weapons of iron and chain. Times had changed, of course, Diane had herself brought a metal beast into the woods and had learned from a young age how to duel the oppressor with the weapons of rebellion, but those were her times.. not the times of her ancestors. They who had fought with metal and kiln were not of her race but had driven the beast to the shadows in ages past, and it was they, artful in their craft passed on to them from generation upon generation who left jaws of steel beneath the leafy blanket. Theo had fallen prey to them once before, and other traps had been laid also, but the one that hung from the gnarled tree branches - placed as a warning to Diane and her followers, - still clenched the flesh of its last victim.
Yet in the realm of nature from whence all mankind descend, metal and monarch were laughable words in the ears of a giant that knew no humor. All must till the ground for fruit, all must weather the same torrential rain; The mountain was not accustomed to waking at such hours, but it was already seeped in the wrathy sweat of the storm three nights before, and its slopes had become sleek where there were no trees to hold it up. Likewise, the road the Badger had driven into the mountain had become like pudding beneath rubber.
The werewolf hunters had not come to claim captives this time.
Mae
If Diane had known a thing or two about her own history, she would have seen the warning for what it was, for at no time had a werewolf, honor-bound and within the bonds of a pack, gone to war against another of its kind with weapons of iron and chain. Times had changed, of course, Diane had herself brought a metal beast into the woods and had learned from a young age how to duel the oppressor with the weapons of rebellion, but those were her times.. not the times of her ancestors. They who had fought with metal and kiln were not of her race but had driven the beast to the shadows in ages past, and it was they, artful in their craft passed on to them from generation upon generation who left jaws of steel beneath the leafy blanket. Theo had fallen prey to them once before, and other traps had been laid also, but the one that hung from the gnarled tree branches - placed as a warning to Diane and her followers, - still clenched the flesh of its last victim.
Yet in the realm of nature from whence all mankind descend, metal and monarch were laughable words in the ears of a giant that knew no humor. All must till the ground for fruit, all must weather the same torrential rain; The mountain was not accustomed to waking at such hours, but it was already seeped in the wrathy sweat of the storm three nights before, and its slopes had become sleek where there were no trees to hold it up. Likewise, the road the Badger had driven into the mountain had become like pudding beneath rubber.
The werewolf hunters had not come to claim captives this time.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:37 pmDeseree
The sound would have been all but deafening if not for the Badger's tightly sealed body, blocking out nearly everything save the quiet groan of the engine.
The tinted windows meant seeing inside was virtually impossible, but Silas saw perfectly what happened in an instant. No sooner had Diane barked the warning to Josh, had Silas shifted into his fur skin, ears erect and gaze fixed ahead. He bent over in his seat and reached below it, withdrawing something before opening the door quietly, quickly - slipping out as soundless as a shadow and just as silently closing the door behind him. The locks would reengage automatically.
Using the badger for cover, Silas took advantage of a few calculated seconds to reach the cover of the brush opposite the gunfire. Gunfire, certainly, because though he had scarcely heard it, he could smell it - gunpowder, hot iron, blood. The air was a chemical equation and it didn't take a scholar to solve the problem.
Making use of an old fir tree, Silas looked down on the badger and beyond it, where the shots were fired from. Drawing up his weapon, he observed Josh's position and followed his trajectory to a body...
Bang.
Deseree
The sound would have been all but deafening if not for the Badger's tightly sealed body, blocking out nearly everything save the quiet groan of the engine.
The tinted windows meant seeing inside was virtually impossible, but Silas saw perfectly what happened in an instant. No sooner had Diane barked the warning to Josh, had Silas shifted into his fur skin, ears erect and gaze fixed ahead. He bent over in his seat and reached below it, withdrawing something before opening the door quietly, quickly - slipping out as soundless as a shadow and just as silently closing the door behind him. The locks would reengage automatically.
Using the badger for cover, Silas took advantage of a few calculated seconds to reach the cover of the brush opposite the gunfire. Gunfire, certainly, because though he had scarcely heard it, he could smell it - gunpowder, hot iron, blood. The air was a chemical equation and it didn't take a scholar to solve the problem.
Making use of an old fir tree, Silas looked down on the badger and beyond it, where the shots were fired from. Drawing up his weapon, he observed Josh's position and followed his trajectory to a body...
Bang.
Quote from Adriana on August 25, 2018, 12:37 pmKaqurei
Levi wasn't sure he liked the idea of helping the gang of thugs whose collective sins in the past half hour were all but unforgivable. Knowingly trespassing on the territory of a pack whom had done your own no wrong, darting and binding little Chime and Bianca, forcing Logan into her wolf form with unnatural poisons, kidnapping Ulric on the pretense that his surrender would guarantee the safety of his pack... the number of basic civilities that this pack had violated was staggering. He tried to make himself feel better about what he was planning to do by telling himself it wasn't for them, it was for Ulric. Sabrina's direction had been clear: make sure the boy stays safe. Ulric was down there in that steel box too.
His jack-rabbit fur rendered him all but invisible in the element of forest, mud, and shadow. And, for all the noise of guns and shouts, even if he hadn't been trying to be lightfooted his steps wouldn't have been heard. He'd been following after the Badger on foot under the cover of foliage along the byway. When the shooting started up ahead, he'd taken deeper to the forest by the right side of the road. Thus it was he came upon the hunters. These were not the men who were shooting. No, the pair he came across were merely lying in wait. He quickly sized up their positions; two men, one to shoot, and one to watch his back. Levi took note and let them be. He had to find out where the others were before he could make his move. For, certainly, there would be others.
Judging by the sound and line of fire raining upon the Badger, he surmised there were three men shooting. That made six in total, for each would have a companion to guard from werewolf packs from behind. That they were firing and those on his side of the Badger were not told him that they intended to drive the wolves from their vehicle and into the waiting rifles of their comrades. He wished he knew more about their group. He knew they were local, and that they operated mostly under the direction of Harvey Bolt. But, he hated to admit now, he and Sabrina had written them off as a minimal threat they could ascertain the details of at a later date. Instead, they had focused most of their incognito work on discovering who the contact was that they meant to exchange Jackie and Ulric to, in case the interception did not go as planned.
Knowing the exact number of hunters engaged in this assault would be more than helpful now. Yet he still had logic and a fair knowledge of strategic maneuvering on his side. The three shooters meant to drive the wolves in this direction, which meant the bulk of their number would be on this side. They had foresight to station guards for each shooter, to prepare against a wolf coming on them unawares. They would probably station a backup group on higher ground as a fail safe should things go awry when the wolves were driven in this direction. If he had more time, Levi might have dedicated effort to locating and eliminating the fail safe first. As it stood, he saw Silas slip out of the Badger and take position to shoot... it wouldn't be long after him that the others did the same. The Badger wouldn't hold forever.
Levi had staked out this territory for months before his capture by the Calagrathorm. He knew it like the back of his hand. He knew the best hiding places and vantage points. He could thereby guess where some of the other shooters were lying in wait, but he had to be certain before he could make his move. Gambling was not a practice he was fond of.
Kaqurei
Levi wasn't sure he liked the idea of helping the gang of thugs whose collective sins in the past half hour were all but unforgivable. Knowingly trespassing on the territory of a pack whom had done your own no wrong, darting and binding little Chime and Bianca, forcing Logan into her wolf form with unnatural poisons, kidnapping Ulric on the pretense that his surrender would guarantee the safety of his pack... the number of basic civilities that this pack had violated was staggering. He tried to make himself feel better about what he was planning to do by telling himself it wasn't for them, it was for Ulric. Sabrina's direction had been clear: make sure the boy stays safe. Ulric was down there in that steel box too.
His jack-rabbit fur rendered him all but invisible in the element of forest, mud, and shadow. And, for all the noise of guns and shouts, even if he hadn't been trying to be lightfooted his steps wouldn't have been heard. He'd been following after the Badger on foot under the cover of foliage along the byway. When the shooting started up ahead, he'd taken deeper to the forest by the right side of the road. Thus it was he came upon the hunters. These were not the men who were shooting. No, the pair he came across were merely lying in wait. He quickly sized up their positions; two men, one to shoot, and one to watch his back. Levi took note and let them be. He had to find out where the others were before he could make his move. For, certainly, there would be others.
Judging by the sound and line of fire raining upon the Badger, he surmised there were three men shooting. That made six in total, for each would have a companion to guard from werewolf packs from behind. That they were firing and those on his side of the Badger were not told him that they intended to drive the wolves from their vehicle and into the waiting rifles of their comrades. He wished he knew more about their group. He knew they were local, and that they operated mostly under the direction of Harvey Bolt. But, he hated to admit now, he and Sabrina had written them off as a minimal threat they could ascertain the details of at a later date. Instead, they had focused most of their incognito work on discovering who the contact was that they meant to exchange Jackie and Ulric to, in case the interception did not go as planned.
Knowing the exact number of hunters engaged in this assault would be more than helpful now. Yet he still had logic and a fair knowledge of strategic maneuvering on his side. The three shooters meant to drive the wolves in this direction, which meant the bulk of their number would be on this side. They had foresight to station guards for each shooter, to prepare against a wolf coming on them unawares. They would probably station a backup group on higher ground as a fail safe should things go awry when the wolves were driven in this direction. If he had more time, Levi might have dedicated effort to locating and eliminating the fail safe first. As it stood, he saw Silas slip out of the Badger and take position to shoot... it wouldn't be long after him that the others did the same. The Badger wouldn't hold forever.
Levi had staked out this territory for months before his capture by the Calagrathorm. He knew it like the back of his hand. He knew the best hiding places and vantage points. He could thereby guess where some of the other shooters were lying in wait, but he had to be certain before he could make his move. Gambling was not a practice he was fond of.
