The forest stands tall and lush here; ancient trees reach weather-twisted arms to the sky, fighting monster-like storm clouds back with their interlacing fingers. Shadow seems to lurk everywhere you look, but it spills calmly, coolly, inspiring a sense of stealthy calm or protection rather than unease. That is, if you've forgotten what kind of creature might be stalking just out of sight...Abendrot is a land cradled by the dark woods on all sides; in the center, some of the larger trees stay behind to reveal a small plateau - a citadel where this pack can gather and defend itself from invaders. There are, of course, softer sides to the land. Clearings here and there allow the sun to throw down its rays in incongruously resplendent gold showers. Ignore the lingering scents of blood spattered here and there along the borders: those do not concern you. The river on one edge of the territory is playful enough when it hasn't been gorged by violent rain. You can choose to note the ragged claw marks raked down tree trunks and the forest floor as friendly "Home Sweet Home" signs, if you wish.
All who treasure loyalty, order, victory, and the occasional indulgence of raw visceral pleasure are welcome, once they've been approved by the ever-watchful eyes of Abendrot's Alpha. But keep one thing in mind: no matter what your motive, this is not a fool's Paradise. This is the land of soldiers, assassins, and spies. This is ABENDROT.
Make up your mind quickly and prepare to prove your worth. You wouldn't want to add to those blood spatters, would you...?
IP: 76.243.46.249
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 02:57:42 PM by KERSHOV
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Something like relief soothed the anxious icicles puncturing Kershov’s chest. Ah. Recruits. It wouldn’t have been an awfully big deal if the brother and sister pair hadn’t come to Abendrot of their own will, , yet it felt wondrously good to have possibly gained two new eager soldiers. Training enthusiastic fighters was more rewarding (and much simpler) than dragging a herd of struggling prisoners through their duties. Kershov didn’t miss the vaguely tense glance that Arsinoe threw at the strangers, however. The Alpha’s fathomless black eyes cut toward the brute, ears perking forward as the odd male said what an honor it would be serving Abendrot’s King. Ker blinked, appreciating the hessian’s politeness but otherwise unimpressed. Of course it would be an honor. Kershov didn’t run a band of halfwits and useless outcasts. Then the other steed began staring at the trees, a look of pure hunger clouding his features. On the alert, Ker narrowed his eyes. What the hell? Luckily, the apparently more sane sister drew attention back to herself, momentarily distracting the alabaster gangster from the more than unsettling behavior of her brother. He offered the clever lass a half-smile that pulled at the un-shredded corner of his maw. “Valuable?” the cold Czar calmly asked. The question held no malice, no sign that Kershov disbelieved the truth of the she-wolf’s words. His voice merely lilted with a thread of humor, the curious kind that came from hearing similar statements from countless wolves before. Few had crawled to Abendrot thinking that they were worthless and in need of Abendot-style reconstruction. Most recruits all possessed a skill they thought would surely earn them a place in the army, would surely impress the glacial gladiator that ruled these lands. Before the femme had even named her talent, Ker had already guessed. Her quiet, controlled demeanor befitted a wolf that could melt unnoticed into the background: a trait imperative in a potential spy. Her intelligent eyes exuded confidence—which meant she had experience. Kershov could not doubt the lass when she called her brother an “executioner,” for the mad beast reeked of bloodlust. That would have to be reined in . . . but this fae might actually prove useful all on her own. How about a little test, first? “Fighters, eh? You have come to the right pack.” The half smile widened to reveal all of Kershov’s perfect teeth—an inviting grin of knives. “Especially you, Madame. Though I’d expect you to know where to go if you’ve already been there before.” Ker tilted his cranium toward the wolfess, a falsely knowing glint in his windows. He was attempting to call her out, to satisfy his speculation that she had already cased Abendrot on her own terms. Kershov had no way of knowing that the femora had visited his lands without her admitting as much: he had never scented her in his life, never witnessed any evidence that anyone aside from Abendrot’s current prisoners and soldiers had passed by the borders. If this sheila had spied on Abendrot, then her statement of being “valuble” was more than just boasting. She knew her shit. And that meant Kershov wanted her on his team. It also meant that border patrols had to be doubled. But that was an undertaking the ivory warrior would be happy to enforce. | |
Replies:
- I'm The One You Should Be Afraid Of/ When Night Bleeds - By Burning Chaos and Night Blood July 6, 2012 at 02:04:58 AM
I am the rain. finished. - By Arsinoe July 7, 2012 at 10:10:21 AM
I'm The One You Should Be Afraid Of/ When Night Bleeds... - By Silvah July 11, 2012 at 01:08:59 AM