End to a Means

[Curiosity]

They can't wait any longer. Winter is drawing near, and their captives are growing bigger with each passing phase of the moon. Soon, not even all three of them will be able to keep the pair of remaining juveniles under their control...and so the time has come to make good on their agreement with the dark spirit's will binding them together.

Gathered at the deepest end of the valley atop the snowcrested mountain, the trio are at the forefront of a rather macabre scene. Angard stands watch from a tree a short distance to the north, guarding the sole entrance to the glen. Pauwau sits by the log-covered den holding the trapped cougar cub, observing the ongoing events with a stoic feline gaze. Onatah, the biggest and baddest of the trio since Luscen's departure, has a struggling wolf pup pinned beneath her weight atop a large, flat rock that has been chosen to serve as the sacrificial altar. And settled nearby, crowning the morbid tableau, is a sun-bleached deer skull, crookedly-curling antlers reaching like bony fingers towards the darkening sky with empty eye-sockets eerily staring outwards.

Onatah seems to wait for some message that goes unheard by any but her own ears, and when it comes, her eyes flicker briefly with some malignant undertone, and her forearm begins to rise as though being pulled by some inivisible force. The wolverine's thickly-clawed paw hangs in the air over the pinned pup as she mumbles incoherent chants under her breath, threatening to end the life that's only just begun -- and with no apparent opposition in sight, that threat may soon become a deadly reality.

[Pavane]

Even trusting Ikuna didn't think it was a good thing when he was finally taken from the hole. Turns out, he was right.

The pup struggles underneath the body of the powerful wolverine. Her scent is overpowering, almost enough to hide the sharp tones of his own fear. He's alone now.

Everyone is alone, in the moment before death.

At first he was simply waiting for someone to come. Big strong Askuwheteau, or smart Wachiwa, or even grumpy Skahla. Then he was hoping. Kachina's mama, or that other pup's family. Now, as the wolverine's claw gleams overhead, he can see the end looming, and there's nobody here.

He wants to go home. He wants to see his friends again. He wants to cuddle up with Tala or go on one of Ahiga's adventures. He doesn't want to hurt them when he doesn't come back, when he's like his mama and papa who went away and never ever returned.

Every pup wants to be like mom and dad, but not like that. Some might be comforted by the thought of joining them, but Ikuna isn't so sure he believes that. Being dead means there's an awful lot you can't do. Like how the Great Spirits do all sorts of things in the stories, but now they're just... watching. He doesn't want to Just Watch.

The deer skull watches with empty eye sockets. Doom approaches.

[Althaea]

Leaving the pack again was something any Alpha didn't want to do, especially one who's own objective was achived. He had recovered what was lost; but now wasn't the time to be selfish. He had to put all that behind him and help those who still struggled with possible lose. The jounrey would be long and tiresome, it was something he felt he needed to do; not just for the grieving but for the worries of his own nephew, Anoki.

Tariro headed for the mountian during the pich of night; a pointless endeavor since white was nearly impossible to hide outside the snow. His direction was toward home, his Viridian home; it was the easiest way he knew up the mountain and toward any assumable spot given to him to look. Slow and observant, he didn't want to miss a thing- any fresh paw print, oddly fallen tree limb, or any scent that didn't smell right.

A tiresome breath escapes the white wolf, he had been away for to long and forgotten how rugged the path could be; but he refuses to give up and continues on.

[Tala]

Kachina had no idea what was going on. When they came into the hole she hissed and snarled doing her best pissed off cougar impression to scare them away, not that it worked. An when they took Ikuna she was unsure of just what was going on..

As the logs where placed back in front of the hole she was quick to try and push and claw out and up against it in some attempt to keep the logs from pushing all the way forward upon the hole so perhaps there will be aw ay for her to squeeze out if she's lucky enough.

She scrambles around in the hole bouncing back and forther upon the logs a few times before starting to pace. A deep grumbling growl escaping her. She's mad, pissed beyond anything she could think of at not being able to get out. As everything outside get quiet she quitens down and moves up to the entrance of the hole to peer out and jus blinks. "Hey.. What are you doing with Ikuna?!" She snaps out towards the feline that is 'guarding' the hole. Her gaze flicking towards the pup and then back towards the bobcat, wanting answers.

[Azoto]

Perhaps unwise, this journey may have been. Wachiwa is well known for decisions of the unwise manner. Guilt, however, is what drives her to this; guilt, and worry. It was she that was supposed to be on duty when Ikuna disappeared, and it's no lie that he's one of her favorites as far as the other members of her pack go.

This may be Skahla's job.. but Wachiwa is not going to let him do something like this alone.

As such, she started out early, the chill of her hated winter coming is ignored in favor of rescue, of travel and aid. The Cerulean Lands were hard to find at first, but once she found them, it was only a matter of following the familiar scents she knew; that of Niyt, and eventually, that of Tariro, behind whome she walks slowly, head down, nose to the ground, and ears back.

Even as she walks, she's murmuring to herself a soft prayer of sorts; or maybe it's more a whispered plea:

'Great Spirits, please grant our paws the swiftness they need, our hearts the courage to carry through, and our bodies the strength to defeat any foe.'

[Cay]

The long path to the mountains was as familiar to Lexus as the den within them he once called home. So many times he'd felt the call to return and run old paths, often he'd listened to that call too and disappear for a visit but never did he imagine he would be returning with some of the pack on the hunt for pupnappers.

There was a certain little seed of anger within him ever since he found out where they were going, that such beasts would dare to scar the lands he loved with this and trespass on what in the back of his mind would always be his pack's territory whether they lived there or not.

The snow didn't bother him, it was almost as reassuring as the old surroundings as he silently walked some distance ahead of the group, occasionally disappearing for a few minutes behind rock or tree as he scouted and tried to subtly keep them to the easiest path, the one he'd use at least every year to return home. It was all he could do to keep that feeling of territory invasion from wanting him to charge on ahead and drive the evil beasts out.

[Therdde]

It isn't the sight of Ikuna that spurs Skahla forward. Not at first. It is the call that his keen ears pick up from the large bird that is acting as look-out for the group of evildoers as he spots the group of wolves, Tariro from Cerulean in front and the two from Ute, regrettably, trailing behind. He can't see the creature that calls, but it's obviously avian, and the pups were taken by some bird. It gives Skahla a little extra energy stolen from him by the long journey, and he lopes past Tariro without a thought.

The younger of the alphas always has been the sort to act first and ask questions... oh, never is good for him, really. Especially when he is greeted with a terrifying sight, his young brother, a pup for whom he is responsible, clearly about to be killed. He doesn't take any time to assess the situation further before, growling, he leaps toward the wolverine. If he does nothing other than to buy them all some time to get Ikuna safe, then it will be worth having put himself at risk.

---------------

Angard is at a disadvantage in dealing with most adult animals. His value to the group came from his ability to pick up and quickly transport younger animals, but as things quickly look like they are about to go bad, he can do little other than to give those couple moments of warning before the wolves arrive and attempt to distract some of the ones in the rear from joining whatever fight is to ensue. This in mind, the eagle lets out another loud screech as he flies from the tree to try to dig his sharp talons into Wachiwa's flesh. No wounds he could cause an adult animal whose feet are firmly planted would be serious enough to cause death, but if he evens the odds for his companions, that will be good enough for him.

[Azoto]

Ears lay back at the cry heard as given by the eagle up ahead; and Wachiwa, not necessarily the strongest of wolves, is not at first aware of what comes at her. The sudden rush of wings though makes her unwisely look up, and the claws, outstretched, catch her face and the stop of her head, causing her to yelp out in pain as wicked curling talons curl up her right cheek, across the eye, and then about her head, curving a sickle-shaped wound between her ears. She shakes her head violently away from the outstretched claws, and, right eye squinted closed from blood running down her face, she snaps half-blindly for the bird's feet, wings, tail, belly, anything she can get at.

Bravery? Perhaps. Fright, most certainly, draws words from her throat: "Skahla! G-get Ikuna! I'll.. I'll try to stop this.. bird!" Because this, this must be the bird that took Ikuna in the first place, and Wachiwa, normally not driven to hold a grudge, most certainly will hold one here: How /dare/ this eagle steal a pup under her care? How /dare/ it put Ikuna in harm's way!

[Curiosity]

The sound of claws scratching against wood draws Pauwau's attention away from the grim ceremony to the nearby den, though the only visible sign of such is the backwards swiveling of one tufted ear. "The same thing that will happen to you if you don't keep quiet," she quips simply. Of course, the same thing will be happening to Kachina regardless of whether she's quiet or not -- but it's much more preferable for the trio if their captives aren't yelling and crying while they do what must be done.

"...your life for mine..." A brief fragment of Onatah's invocation can be heard on the breeze just before the eagle's cry cuts through the air, bringing the ordained sacrifice to a sudden stop. Fortunately for Ikuna, when the wolverine's paw instinctively lowers again, it's only to pin him down securely against the rock once more, instead of slicing open the young pup's vulnerable flesh. "Pauwau!" she growls out in the bobcat's direction, who leaps into action. The small feline may not be much against a group of wolves in terms of sheer brawn, but like her avian comrade, she is quick and feisty, and perhaps that will help to make even the slightest advantage. After all, this is the final hour -- if they do not give their all now, all their efforts thus far will have been in vain.

[Pavane]

Niyt travels near the other wolves. Sometimes ahead, as she listens to the near-incoherent murmurs of the wind. Sometimes behind, as others lead the way.

Her family came from these mountains, yet she has never been here. She cannot see the vistas before her.

The wind picks up near her, as though the mountain zephyrs recognize her and welcome her to the ancestral home. Her ears perk to it, listening, and she frowns.

"We must hurry," she says.

Mere moments later, the reason why is clear, as they come close enough to see for themselves - and hear an angry eagle's scream piercing the air, that same bird diving toward Wachiwa.

Niyt steps aside out of the way of the rest, and doesn't approach closer. Her ears are perked, trying to make sense of the combat, but it's almost impossible for the blind wolf. Hunting is hard enough. Here? She'd be more likely to hurt her allies than help them. So she waits, still hidden by the underbrush, for some chance where she can be of use.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ikuna's whole attention is taken up by those gleaming claws over his head. When death looms, everything else recedes into the distance.

Well, not quite everything. The scream of the angry eagle doesn't draw his attention away from that threat, but the cry that comes after it most certainly does! Is that his Wachiwa? It sure sounds like her...

He struggles with renewed strength, trying to twist enough that he can see for himself. Before he has the chance, Onotah's paw descends to pin him more firmly and block the view.

[Althaea]

Tariro has taken notice of Lexus' run ahead, a brief look on concern for his uncle over his face, but he knows the older wolf can fend for himself should the need actually arise. Focusing more on the younger around him, he gazes forward only as Skahla leaps forward in a fit of rage; drawing his sight forward more to where it is directed.

If only for a moment, Tariro looks worried, everyone rushing in without giving thought to the situation. Looking at everyone, his eyes judding to each creature; maybe there this isn't the time to think, but surely action alone isn't the best course.

Ears folded back, the white wolf makes a split decision while everyone is either focused on the one attacking them or keeping watch by making way toward the young pup, Ikuna. Getting the pup away was of top priority, now with the wolverine a somewhat distracted. However, as he goes to perform this action its the bobcat that catches his attention. Much slower, he shifts and heads to intercept the feline.

[Tala]

Hearing the other feline Kachina frowns and hisses out at her. "I don't think be quiet is going to stop you from doing the same to me." She states with a maddened tone and returns to ripping and scratching at the log a few more times until she gives up and sits back to her haunches. Her tail flicks and lashes, bright gaze resting on Ikuna as she has to tilt her head at a funny angle in order to actually see what is going on.

Her ears twitch, the screech from the eagle gets her attention and then the bobcat is running off, she hears more movement but is unable to actually see what is going on..

[Cay]

Lexus was never one of the big strong wolves, light and lanky with a strong desire to run, usually towards the danger, kept him from charging straight in but when the first growls sound he seems to disappear into the chaos. Letting the others distract while he runs round the fight and disappears as much as possible in a very quick and not terribly thorough check for others hiding in wait but a good excuse to charge out from a different direction.

His time spent checking for more threats isn't long, with the fight already beginning he's keen to join it but it is still a few seconds before he charges into the fray and having circled around he's headed straight for the wolverine's back. His charge is fast and his focus on the wolverine's back leg, aiming to sink his fangs in deep and try and take a chunk with him.

[Therdde]

Skahla has a rather short lifetime of experience in fighting behind him, but he does not fare so well as some others in his attack. How could he, given that he meant primarily to divide a distraction? It worked, he just hasn't distracted the right animal, since the last he sees, that wolverine is still on top of Ikuna.

Then, his own attention is stolen by the bobcat, and with little delay, he snaps out at the feline, hoping to do some lasting damage while holding himself back just slightly, a vague hint of tempered caution. While she may not be a cougar, she can hardly be considered safe, and contrary to the belief of some animals in the past, he has no death wish.

----------------------

After Angard's talons find purchase in his target, he is quick to retreat. He, after all, cannot compete with grown wolves. He flies just high enough to be relatively safe from the female wolf's teeth, and in surveying the scene, gives another call of warning to the wolverine before diving for Wachiwa again. He has not incapacitated her, after all. Such a thing may be nearly impossible. Since it is, he must focus on making she she does not join her companions.

[Azoto]

This time, however, Wachiwa is ready.

Despite being half blinded by her own blood, she growls, ears laying back, and fur bristling. She's never been a fighter. Never. The last time she did anything violent was when she tagged her own brother on the shoulder for being .. well, that's all past now. Now, she has this eagle, this winged thing before her, descending on her again, and she decides to be ready, drawing on a less than trained mind to try and retaliate.

She ducks the claws, lunging forward slightly to come behind Angard, then whirling around to try and snap for his tail primarily, but anything would be good.. If she can catch his tail, or a wing, or anything, from behind, she can drag him down, and try to keep him from helping his companions from fighting her own; and maybe, just maybe, she might break his nasty litle beak off for possibly harming Ikuna. Or worse. But not death, no. Death would be a mercy, and she's not feeling so merciful now.