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A New Alliance (Vale Plot)

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Featuring: Hekate, Klaus, Alar, Hellion


Hekate Medallion by Naviira

It seemed almost unfitting for Hekate's stature to be knee deep in recking mud, yet, here she was, and the Mistress did not see bothered by it. Her crimson bright pelt contrasted with the dark tones of the now low-lying swamp that covered Vektren's lands, but she almost blended with the landscape regardless, her steps light and careful across the watered soil. She frowned, taking a short but needed break to focus into smelling their surroundings, brows furrowed. It was hard to detect anything - the fierce water that had briefly eaten the world took away all the possible scents with it when receded.


She glanced over the shoulder, one glowing amber eye focusing in the dark form of Klaus right behind her. It was the first time the lady had decided to work directly and only with the enforcer, and she was doing so both in interest of creating some bound and to personally see what he was capable of.
"Be alert Klaus, if the Lord is willing, someone that was caught in the flood might still be alive to tell the tale."




It had all happened so quickly, the ground buckling beneath his paws as the skies darkened above them, the tremors and splintering trees, soon enough the wall of water roared and with it came destruction and devastation. He had watched it all from the edge of the territory, helpless and powerless as faint rumblings increased and the muddy waters came crashing over his home. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. How could something so essential to life also be a force of such destruction? Heavy paws slaved away, trenching through the sludge left over from its wake. The last few days had been unkind to the young wolf. Working day and night to ensure the safety of his packmates had left him exhausted and with little sleep, though he tried hard to hide it. Many had found their way to safety, but there was more work to be done. Vektreni were misplaced and had to be found, but tracking at this point was nearly impossible. Klaus was prepared to comb the land inch by inch if that’s what it took. No one would die or go missing, no, not on his watch.

When the Red Mistress had invited herself to join the young wolf in his search, a hint of uncertainty lurched in his stomach, or was it anxiety? He had been avoiding many of his packmates for a while now, engrossed in his task and duties, but... had she begun to notice? What about the others? Their time together so far had been quiet for the most part, their attention fixed on their surroundings ready to spot even the slightest of movements, but when she spoke to him Klaus briefly looked to her before shifting his attention to the thicket in the distance. 

“If the Lord was willing, wouldn’t he have spared his sacred lands? Wouldn’t he have guarded us from the evil of this destruction? Why forsake us?” Or wait… was this the doing of the Dread Mother? Was not she responsible for punishing her subjects? But why? What had they done to deserve this? He didn’t believe in them, but for a while now the young wolf had been trying to learn about the Vektreni gods if only to understand his packmates better. Klaus’ brows knitted together slightly, honestly he didn’t know what to believe. Was there such a thing as a divine power? The young Enforcer tried to contain the confusion in his voice, hoping his words didn’t slip out as disrespectful or ignorant before the Herald herself. But if there was a god or gods out there, why would they allow such a thing to happen? 



Hekate Medallion by Naviira


Hekate's ears swirled backwards and she frowned on slight confusion, muzzle turning to face the dark wolf who now went from a question to the other. A brow rose. This was, much likely, the first time she had seen Klaus so intent on doubting or questioning their beliefs, and while others may have found this unacceptable, for her it was the perfect beginning for every vektreni. They were not mindless followers, the Lady herself wanted them to question, to look for wisdom.

With a smirk, she ignored the mud that sticked into her paws deep into muddy water. "You see destruction Klaus, but unlike any of the Gods you may have heard before the Dread Lord, there is no such thing on him of outright goodness. Just like we sacrifice lives for the eternal battle, we also sacrifice our comfort for a greater good." She indicated around with her muzzle before focusing the smoldering eyes on the enforcer. "We may have lost a few brothers and sisters, we may have needed to move from our den, however if there was any threat from our old enemies, it's now gone. Just like our wolves might have not survive, so do the heathens. The land is now safer."

Getting back to the task of tracking anyone who may have be still alive, she quietly ordered him to do the same, but not before adding. "Mind you, the sacred Howling Peaks is intact, just as our main den and sanctuary was."




Gone.

It was all... gone.

The rolling hills peppered with bright yellow grass were now covered in deep mud, dying grass scattered here and there. The already gloomy forest of Vektren now also swimming in water. He had been confident, reckless even, during this entire travel. This guy wanted something from his mom and he was surely not going to hurt him, or he wouldn't get what he wanted to. But now, his tail dropped between his legs, long devilish ears glued to his skull.


What if... what if there was nobody home anymore? What of his Mom and Da and bros?


He suppressed the tears, trying to appear strong in front of the stranger, but his teen voice cracked softly when Hellion spoke bluntly. "That's the border... was the border... if you cross some enforcer will kill ya before we do anything." The teen pointed out, indicating where the hills ended and gave space to swampland.



Alar Medallion by Naviira


Narrowed eyes drifted over stagnant, murky waters. Rot and decay hung thick in the air and Alar nearly recoiled from his spot. He never liked swamps. The wind was always too stagnant and the bugs too big. It was irregular for a pack of wolves to make their home in such a place, but then again this was Vektren, and they were far from what you would call normal.


The older male stretched out his ashen neck to sniff the air and then the soil below. Nothing. He smelled nothing. The scent markers that once littered the land had all but vanished like they had never been there to begin with. Something had happened here; the squalling from the youth beside him only confirmed it. The bank of the river looked freshly eroded and brown muck seemed to swallow the land whole. This once served as the border into that Red She-Devil’s domain, but was it still? One quick glance to the canopy above was all it took for his raven to understand before flinging itself from its branches and into the curling mist beyond. 


“We’ll just have to wait here then, won’t we?” said Alar before raising his snout in the air to release a howl. If this was still Vektreni land then it wouldn’t be long before being met with one of their own. 



Klaus Medallion 2 by Naviira


The young enforcer returned his Mistress’s gaze but couldn’t hold it for long. It was as if her yellow eyes shimmered like the sun; stare too long and you’d go blind by its intensity.Was it fear? Respect? Shame? A single ear twitched as the dark he-wolf listened to her words. Oddly enough her explanation struck a chord deep within. For months now the pack and its resources had been stretched thin because of the lockdown due to outside threats. Everyday the young wolf would work from dusk to dawn to secure the borders, but... when was the last time he had taken a break-- a real break? Klaus’ head raised slightly. Hekate was right, despite all of this destruction the pack was now ultimately safer because of it. Had he been so blinded by anger and worry he neglected to see the blessing in disguise? Could it really have been because of… the gods?


No sooner than Hekate’s reminder to stay on task did a fait howl reach his ears. “Survivors!” Klaus jumped before springing forward passed his Alphess with little forethought as mud came flying from under him. He had to, he had to get to them as soon as possible! His heartbeat raced as a tightness gripped his chest. The world around him spun as he became dimly cautious of everything but the howling that echoed in the distance. Closer and closer he got until like a doe catching wind of her stalker’s gaze, Klaus froze. He willed his limbs to move, but they would not. There he stood still, his paws sealed beneath the mud as his eyes lingered on two obscured figures in the distance. Dante! The smaller one he recognized but the wolf next to him he did not. Was it a trap? A trick? Klaus blinked, briefly shifting his attention to the red she-wolf coming up beside him before directing his attention back to the stranger. Who was he? And what was he doing with Hekate’s son?



Hellion Medallion by Naviira


It didn't take long, not really, but for him it seemed like an eternity. Alar's howl echoed amidst the trees several times and it haunted him that maybe, no one was there to listen to it. But against all his fears, it was soon that a dark form pierced the marsh and revealed itself, a young enforcer he reminded to be named Klaus.


He remained where he was, at first, but as soon an unmistakable lean red form joined the other vektreni, he knew it was her. The boy ignored any danger and simply rushed inside the territory, running as fast his legs could carry him towards his mother, on which he promptly thrown himself into. His tail was a blur, and there was a soft warm lick on his forehead that assured him to be safe. At home.


But there was more important things.


"This guy is named Alar, he's the "King Regent" in Vale and he wanted to talk with you so he brought me here from there..." Dante blurted without pausing, staring between his mom and Klaus.



Hekate Medallion by Naviira


Hekate darted after the enforcer, ignoring for a second he had been too eager on arriving at the howl before being sure about its source. The Mistress frowned. She had never heard this melody before - but they had to investigate it nonetheless.


Nothing would have the Mistress prepared for what they arrived to. Standing next to a foreign grey wolf was no one else but her missing son, the one she was already coming to terms of been taken by Senisteros. The red she-wolf stood silent beside Klaus as her ears slowly met her skull, suspiciously. Her first instinct was to tear her son away from this maggot quickly, to have him safe and sound near her and embrace him, but luckily she was still able to act as civil as possible by merely narrowing her eyes as she scorched the stranger with her glance.


Dante took the lead of the situation though, ignoring any possible threat this might have been, and rushed inside the territory to meet her. The bloodred she-wolf accepted his grasp and returned it, licking her son's forehead before listening to him. What?! King?


The shock of the information made Hekate frown and send a cautious but dismayed glance at Klaus, before she quietly ordered for both of them to follow her.


With Klaus at her side and the juvenile clinging to her legs and belly, the She-Devil offered Alar the most polite look she could offer, half-intrigued, half-skeptical. "According to my Son, you are Alar... King Regent of Vale." She begun, standing inside the territory but within earshot. "I am Hekate, Mistress of Vektren, and last time I've been at Vale, their King was named Renier." Hekate prompted, mixing the question with her greeting.



Alar Medallion by Naviira


Alar’s eyes blazed with anticipation as an unfamiliar musk grew heavy on his nose. He turned to Dante, and then back again. That’s when a dark figure appeared on the marsh before them, a patroller no doubt. What he didn’t expect was the Red She-Devil herself to be in attendance as well. The bearded wolf’s eyes narrowed in satisfaction. This was good. Now he didn’t have to waste time dealing with lowly personnel and could begin negotiations with their Mistress directly. 


Silence pierced the air with disbelief, only to be broken by the sound of scurrying paws of a pup eager to see his mother again. 


Alar returned her greeting with a hint of a nod. The mischief typically worn in his eyes was masked with civility. There was no need to play any games here. He required her favour.


“King Renier has been dead for some time, I regret to inform you. Killed by those that renounced his claim,” Alar said, his voice placid yet loud enough to be heard despite the distance between them. “It’s his daughter Shenandoah who holds the title now. I am but a regent until the young princess comes of age.” 


Drawing forward a few steps, Alar let his gaze shift between the three of them. “A rebellion is forthcoming. I’ve come to not only deliver your son back to you out of goodwill, but to seek terms of coalition. The kind that once existed between our packs— between you and Renier.”



Hekate Medallion by Naviira


Not everything was fun and games, and this was something Hekate knew very well about. There was no typical kittenish behavior on her, the Mistress' pose and expression oozing the weight of her position instead. With a slight frown and a narrow of amber eyes, she wondered if Renier's downfall was tied to Vektren's temporary removal from their lands. It was nothing she could fix, really. He knew that even if their alliance existed, Hekate would see to her own first - pretty much like he would.


Bringing the news of a fallen King and an incoming rebellion were not exactly the things that could be tied in favor for an alliance, but Hekate was no fool. Alar wouldn't bring her son back completely out of piety in an occasion like that. But if he was bold enough to do it, she'd have to commend his audacity and indulge to his attempt.


"I am thankful that you have safely brought my son back to where he belongs, Alar." She begun with a stern and smooth voice, framed by her usual poison as she followed the protocol. "But I sincerely hope that there is... more to your request. My brood is here to serve, but conditions are often strict - a regicide and a rebellion are not quite the best business presentation one could offer."


She glanced at Klaus, thoughtfully. Vale's lands are fruitful - more than Vektren would ever be - and hunting at their grounds provided the cult with more meals one could dream in a lifetime. Klaus was eager to prove his valour, maybe this was a good opportunity.




A smile drew across his maw. There was more, so much more indeed. “It’s as I said before, Hekate. I’ve come to seek coalition of the kind that once existed between you and Renier. What’s ours will be yours. Our game. Our land,” Alar’s eyes grazed the flood-ravaged territory before him. “It’s a generous offer is it not?”


Vektren’s land wasn’t a fruitful one. Much of it was a swamp—reeking of decay and death. A place fit for the sinful to fester. The ravens knew of this land, often straying from it due to the lack of food to sustain them. And with the current state of affairs, providing for a pack of wolves be all the more difficult. Alar was convinced this offer was more than enough to win her over, however…


“But there is something I can offer that Renier could not,” he started with a hint of playfulness in his voice. “Intelligence. Let’s just say I possess an… extensive information network.”


For so long his bird informants had been focused around the lands of Vale; their ghostly eyes and ears watchful as wheeling eagles, eager to bring news to their master of the whispers that left the lips of wolves. But Vale was just the beginning. Soon the rebellion would end, allowing Alar to spread their black-winged influence across other lands. The bearded wolf let his gaze settle upon the Red She-Devil, watching her closely with a hint of mischief in his eyes. A relationship with Vektren would surely be beneficial for the both of them.


“My little informants have told me the rebels intend to make their move soon. Help me stifle this meaningless squabble and the secrets of the Domain will be yours for the taking.” Alar paused, alloeing a moment for his words to sink in. 


“What do you say?”



Hekate Medallion by Naviira


There was a brief silence that befell amidst the four wolves, only the ruffling leaves far away from them and the faint sounds of the marsh to be heard for a while. There was silence, but Hekate's eyes spoke a lot. She considered the offer carefully, measured it with her common taste for business. Having Vale's hunting grounds back was a good offer, and expanding her reach in these lands with spies... That wouldn't mean only earning Vale back, but also providing chances for her to go beyond limits.


But she couldn't risk much. Vektren was still recovering from the natural disaster, and Alar was clearly a very... dubious figure. Renier was powerful and conniving as her, yes, but he had simple goals: overcome the Astir in order to protect what he considered his: mate and, as she recently learned, child. There was an aura in this wolf, though, that put him more to her level, where tastes reached to new levels.


"Klaus," The She-Devil called to the enforcer, slightly turning her head towards him but not fully staring, keeping a curious glance on Alar. "Take my son to the Nest and inform that both you and I will be absent for at least a day, and will send word may we need reinforcements." Hekate then set her smoldering eyes directly to the dark wolf.


"We are going to Vale."



Klaus Medallion 2 by Naviira


Klaus’ copper gaze fell upon his Mistress. Relieved to see the young heir unharmed and reunited with his mother, a sudden lightness overcame him. But the revelation of the bearded wolf’s sovereignty over Vale forced Klaus to return Hekate’s cautious look with his own. He had never heard of this Alar, but he had heard the other Vektreni breath Renier’s name before. It was a name of sheer power; a name belonging to the King of Vale who had opened his borders to Vektreni paws to share in the abundance of game that their lands had to offer. But with the curfew set in motion and Dante’s disappearance, the pack was forced to withdraw from Vale and Vektren was left under the strain of its own lack of resources.


That’s why when Alar spoke of renewing the alliance they once shared, Klaus’ ears sprang forward. How long has it been since they last feasted on a nice, fat elk? How many times had the pack gone to bed with their bellies empty? The Enforcer’s eyes anxiously shifted to his Mistress when she spoke his name.


“We’re going to Vale.”


Eyes glowing with inner light, Klaus struggled to hide his excitement. This was his chance! With the aftermath of the flood hard times were sure to come, and securing this alliance with Vale was essential for ensuring the prosperity of the pack’s future. Not only was this a chance to prove himself, but a chance to see his packmates healthy and well-fed for years to come. Turning from his blood-red Alphess with Dante at his side, Klaus smiled, offering her a sharp not in response, “understood.”



Skin by SimplySilent

Summary:
 With the growing tension within Vale, Alar takes back to Vektren one of Hekate's most precious possessions - of course, it has "nothing" to do with getting some reinforcements against the rebels.




Please excuse the wonky timeline, but this RP happens after the following RP's:
DotW SS: Of Will and HeartVALE DARK AGE
   She could have sent someone else to do this. A shade, an enforcer - even a scythe. But Hekate knew better than order someone to leave their ever so vital tasks for the sake of tracking down an erratic pup. Dante was becoming each day a bigger headache and a more ill tempered heir, doing his bidding and putting himself at risk constantly. The sanguine Mistress was not surprised, but frustrated nonetheless for not being able to control him. He was after all of her blood - untamed. Most times, she'd rather take care of her remaining children instead of worrying about a single one, only to be left with a heavy heart when he was gone for too long.
    That was the current case.
    It was annoying, to say the least, having her mind order her to let Dante taste the harshness of life as he pleased, while a softer side of her that she disliked all too much poked constantly, suggesting her to be concerned. To go after him. Feh - th
  Unauthorized Wonderer (Vale Plot)Featuring: Hellion, Shenandoah and Alar. 

Dante stopped for a moment, looking behind his shoulder in hopes that he'd see a familiar face following him, but there was nothing there but forest, and grass, and bushes, and trees, and...
He gulped, finally realizing the mistake of his little adventuring, tucking the tail more between his legs and letting his ears glue to the skull. He thought it would be fun to follow Dad! That maybe if he remained hidden enough, he'd make him proud for being so sneaky! But he didn't knew his father would go so so far of Vektren... and now he was lost at... wherever this place was.
The pup gave a few more tentative steps, feeling his body unwillingly start to shake as he begun to feel the terror or being alone on an unknown land, and a whine escaped his lips, piercing the dead silence of the forest around him. "D-Dad?" He tried, with no response. "D-Dad! Where are you?"
But only silen
 

Vektren Lockdown Related Media:
Dance with Devils (Vale Plot)


FEATURING ADRIAN & ALAR

Adrian felt his heart on his pawpads as he silently stalked the riverbank at a respectful distance, the winter's fog dimming the rising sun on behind him. The mist and the lack of light only brought a more haunted look of Vektren's dreaded borders, a fitting scene for this lair of demons.
But he needed to get in the devil's den, which was even worse.
The dark Vicar was sure that what he needed was inside there, and with Gabitrix's state getting worse, he had no time left to run around the domain looking for the missing herbs. It must be a joke or a trial of the Great Spirit - Aryn had most types of biomes and still didn't manage to grow what he needed. But of course it would grow inside the only place he'd never dare to trespasser. At this point, he had to consider having deals with the red she-devil that lead this wretched place.
Adrian halted his bulky
  DotW SS: Blood Strings (Vale Rebellion Plot)    Adrian inhaled deeply, watching as the fog danced around him slowly, almost like teasing, mocking. He was tense. His heart was drumming on his chest ever since he managed to reach contact with a Viper, and now as he patiently awaited at the feet of the Behemoth, he was feeling torn. Was it right? Was it wrong? Gabitrix’s life depended on it.
 
    He raised his muzzle almost completely, looking at the ominous shadows perched on the branches so high above him. The stranger wolf's ravens were sitting there, silently watching. One was holding his much needed supply in their beak, and it seemed like they were almost daring him not to fulfill his promise. Shit. Fucking shit.
 
    ”So here we are again.” Velvety voice pierced through the mist, sweet, charming, poisonous. Adrian was quick to rise on his feet, turning to meet the foxy-esc form of Hekate, walkin
  Looming Shadows (Vale Rebellion Plot)    Hekate had been staring towards the silent horizon for what must have been hours now.
It felt like days.
    Slowly, things have been falling into place - like ominous pieces of a bigger puzzle that would turn into a bigger and uglier final work.
    Wolves had been sprouting from everywhere, some carrying Senisteros on their tongues - others bringing her the feeling that they belonged to the Father's wings. She sheltered them all. They were meant to be cultists, brothers and sisters.
    But there was also many, many wrong things.
    She had been restless ever since the heirs were born, and even though each addition to Vektren was a pleasant sensation of power, it was also like little prizes offered as bait from an incoming, invisible predator.
    Then Adrian came with the information that the South had been on the move. At first, it terrified her. Was this the Dread Lord challenge? Or just





:icondomain-of-the-wolf:
HekateHellion (c) Halkuonn 
Alar & Klaus (c) Naviira


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Reineth's avatar
Sionn gives Dante the lecture of a lifetime Oh I can't wait to find out what's coming next!