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 September 16, 2012 at 02:53:23 AM by KERSHOV
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Kershov wasn’t necessarily surprised to hear one of his two Head Soldiers calling the army for drills—but that didn’t mean he failed to appreciate just how efficient Marx and Scorpio were. Both males had assembled Abendrot’s soldiers with barely enough time to rest after the massive pack meeting; Ker could not doubt their dedication. More out of genuine curiosity than anything else, the pale tundra stalker decided to drop by on the quaint little training session, just to see how the newest recruits were holding up against their new Gammas. Knowing quiet, savage Marx and that fiery zealot Scorpio, the recruits might find training a bit less than a simple walk in the park . . . Swiftly, quietly, Kershov picked his way through Abendrot’s thick and hushed forest toward the source of Marx’s authoritative cry. Twilight had cooled the woods considerably; the air drifted in a sleepy pall about reaching tree branches and lazily carried the mingled scents of soldiers to Ker’s keen nose. He breathed deeply as he walked, categorizing each cologne as it met his nares: Crimson and Chaos had apparently come through here, since their odd blood-tinged musk seemed most current on the breeze . . . but there was Verity, too, that oddly entertaining little lass that might actually prove useful in battle. Kershov savored her delicate perfume for a while before moving on to note Autumn Leaf’s signature. Were those all the warriors that had shown up? The arctic dragon paused to drink Abendrot’s aura, muzzle weaving minimally and ears pinned in concentration against his scalp. Evidently it was. The other wolves that Kershov had met at the meeting had been assigned as spies or assassins . . . or they’d left. No matter. Now was the time to watch the pack’s fighters in action—the time to witness the other factions of the military would come soon. Soon the massive moon-washed monster left the dark embrace of the forest behind to enter a clearing. Grass grew shorter here, and in some places had been completely scraped away to leave patches of dry earth—perfect for sparring. Scattered throughout the open space were sparring pairs: Verity and Crimson, Chaos and Autumn Leaf. Ker’s bottomless black pools glittered approvingly at the sight of devoted exercise and clever concentration. None of the soldiers appeared to be mindlessly charging one another; each carried some plan of action that would hopefully knock their mock-foe to the ground. Kershov strode calmly toward Marx and Scorpio, skull held neutrally but banner waving as imperially high as ever. He nodded toward his Head Soldiers before speaking. “Looks like training is going well. Any particular reason you paired them up in their current groups?” Ker was not attempting to toy with his Gammas’ minds; on the contrary, he felt genuinely intrigued by the whole process. He cocked his head subtly as he observed Verity nipping at Crimson’s heels and the male’s irritated counter-attack. Something like amusement may have flitted behind the King’s obsidian stare, as if he had mentally compared this sparring session to those he’d seen in his old gang—and he found the comparison humorous. Odd that nobody had spilt any blood yet . . . | |
Replies:
- I'm The One You Should Be Afraid Of - By Burning Chaos September 16, 2012 at 04:35:10 PM