Dead Empress Backwater we arm ourselves with the wrongs we've done

Open to anyone in the pack. Torianna has faced off against a singular coyote that is slightly smaller than her size (approximately 20in standing height) and won. Currently she faces injuries on her shoulder, front left leg, and torso that will eventually require medical attention. It is not urgent.

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Drip. Drip.

It was near silent, but it felt deafening in her ears as she stared down at the limp body in front of her. The scent she’d come across had enraged her, and the fury had overtaken her in such a fashion that she couldn’t remember a thing… couldn’t remember coming across the slightly smaller creature, or how the scent reminded her of the scene that had been uncovered at the borders not too long ago… a coyote, tusseling with Sonnet… and now she was gone from the pack. She wasn’t dead, but once more another wolf had left them… just like her father… just like Euna… but this time, because another species, a lower species, had deemed it so.

So when she had come across the creature alone, the coyote, and noticed it’s smaller size she had lunged in a strike. Who would it try for next? Khalon? Tuwile? Perhaps even her? She wouldn’t leave it the chance.

It had clearly gotten a few good hits in, a few scratches that caused blood to seep into her ivory fur, ichor that she could wear as a badge of honor for any who dared question her fitness as a wolf… and it’s lifeless body that might serve as a pelt in the pack den… a reminder that no one messed with her own.

Her dark amber eyes showed that she was not yet sated, instead moving to grip the creature’s neck and drag it across the border, intent to drag it to the pack den so all could see the revenge that she had exacted upon those who had messed with the pack… those who had thought themselves stronger than the Backwater.

Or perhaps it was a statement… perhaps it was a statement that she was stronger than her father, whom had left them without a word… or stronger than Euna who had done the same. Perhaps it was a sign of loyalty… even she did not know.

All she knew was that it was done.

And she had won.

Many had left. Many which, quite frankly, Ozark didn't know so thus, didn't particularly care that they were gone. Vayko along with two of his pups. Nia for going around sleeping around. Sonnet too, whoever that was. What Ozark did care about was that Annie had gone on search mission. Helping by trying to hunt out one of the young leader's brothers. They had traveled quite a distance before to get to Dead Empress. They weren't too bad at it. Ozark figured it was "just in their blood" from their father. Ozark had desperately wanted to go, yet knew she had to remain, at least for now, to help keep guard for the upcoming litters.

Quietly, she grumbled to herself. Unhappy with the dealt hand. Maybe her mom had been right about this place and it had meant to constantly suffer. The name of Valle to ruin under Viorel's command. Ozark wondered if perhaps, should Eros ever come to rule without his father, this "curse" would be lifted. Regardless, Ozark had come to more or less enjoy her time here among her extended family.

Speaking of family - there was the white witch she had sparred with once already. Daughter of the "golden child" or so it was how Ozark's mother had spoken of him. Torianna was quite battered, yet she clutched by the neck was a coyote. Smaller then her, but full grown compared to the still youth which defeated it.

If it was a statement Tori was trying to make, she had done so well. "Yer one mean wretch, ye know that?" She said with a grin as she padded near. Color her impressed!

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Her breathing remained slightly labored as her eyes locked upon Ozark. She was not a Valle that Torianna was horribly familiar with… but she had found that she did not mind her presence… when Tori had jumped her on the borders, she had presented a fun challenge that seldom few offered her within the pack and that alone made the woman tolerable. She dropped it from her jaws, letting the limp creature fall upon the forest floor as the blood soaked her paws. A hint of a devilish smirk played her features as pride flowed through it.

Yer one mean wretch, ye know that? The woman was not taken aback by her display of violence… instead she seemed almost impressed… and it caused her devilish smirk to turn wicked, a dangerous glint in her eyes that did not welcome a fight as it usually did but instead found a sense of camaraderie within it.

“You talk funny, you know that?” She asked after spitting out some of the blood that lingered on her tongue. “It was close to the borders. I took care of it.” She stated in simple explanation. Drip. Drip. Blood continued to drip from her maw though it’s pace slowed, the sting in her shoulder dulled from the sense of pride that she felt at what she had accomplished.

What she had done had served so many purposes… but most of all it was an act of protection… a foreign concept to her, but one that burned deep in her bones with Vanadis pregnant and expecting… a protection her father had not afforded them with his leave.

The coyote went sliding to a flop on the woodland floor. The devilish smirk of pride that the young carried turning into a more sinister sneer, yet not one of malice towards Ozark herself. That wicked little mark on her face reminded the sea harpy of a similar one her mother would carry. Modesto could be a vile thing and getting on her bad side could easily be a death sentence. She wondered if Torianna would grow to have the same qualities of good old mum, and yet not an ounce of that thought was off putting.

"Aye, so I've been told." She said with a snort and settled into a sit for a moment. "Good at ya then. Less guards 'round these parts wit' so many left." She grumbled out as she reached out a paw and nudged at the dead canine. Suppose they could eat it? Waste not, want not and all that.

"Don't suppose we 'ave a healer in the ranks, huh? I could take a look, I know yer basics." She stayed seated in her spot, not coming to nose around her unless she wanted it. "Dunno naught about helpin' wit' the pain though. Mom ne'er gave us anythin' fer it when we got hurt. Said 'twould make us weak." And Ozark had stuck by that. You take daring changes, messing around, climbing on things, getting into scraps, trying to hunt something you know nothing about... well, you suffer the consequences and suffer through em. In fact, it was not only injuries, but sickness- colds, upset stomach, fever... Ozark knew surely mom knew some flower or root you would have to knaw on to feel a bit better, but she sure didn't share it.

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Torianna worked her jaws, feeling the tension as the adrenaline started to wear off and the pain became more apparent to her. She’d still muddle through it of course, her gaze focused instead on her cousin who stood right in front of her. She had, in some ways, taken her brother’s advice. Stop talking as much, asserting her claim on the weak like Khalon or Tuwile now that Euna was gone… look to something that might actually help. In some ways, she could see her brother’s logic. She hated it, and she’d never admit aloud that she was able to take his advice to some degree…

But she was ready for more. Eros would help her get there, as would the rest of the pack because that was the kind of wolves that lingered in the Backwater, and she’d continue to take and take and take until she was powerful in her own right.

Yer one mean wretch, ye know that?

“I’ve never found a problem I couldn’t fight my way through. This was no different.” There was a feeling of indifference in her voice as she remained looking towards her cousin. “What are you gonna do about it? Tell me I can’t bite my way through all my problems like everyone else seems to?” That wasn’t fair… it wasn’t everyone else, just most people… and it wasn’t quite as bad since her dad had left in the fashion that he had either.