Isias, Hydras, Starcrossed, & Zautu

Four sets of tracks led out across the ashen terrain, their paws leaving tracks in the dust and dirt and puddles of mud where the thermal soil had melted freshly fallen snow. Two of the four were wolves, but anyone would have troubling pointing which one aside from Hydras was not pure wolf. Starcrossed, taking after her sire Vicious, was silver in color, and looked entirely wolf except for a slight softness to her light grey eyes and broad muzzle. She was also the largest of the group, weighing in at an astonishing 180 pounds, and strode in head of the others as she led them across the desolate wastes of the Ashen Domes.

In the back of the group was Zautu, a dark brown female with a tan underside and pale amber eyes. She was also the youngest, being not quite two years of age, but still old enough to have reached her full size of 102 pounds. Long of limb, Zautu had no trouble keeping up with the others, and frequently stopped to sniff at one thing or another before sprinting to rejoin the nomadic pack.

Only a smidgen smaller than Zautu, and a bit shorter in the legs, Isias walked along side Hydras and kept the elder female company. She had been the one to first come across the ex-leader of the Shadow Lurkers, without ever knowing who she was or that she was once so well known and formidable. All Isias knew is that the scarred old wolfdog was starving to death out in the marsh, and as a loner herself, Isias took pity on the dethrowned matriarch. In the few weeks she spent befriending Hydras, Starcrossed and Zautu eventually joined them to form a loose, nomadic pack, helping each other through the winter by scavenging food, hunting when they could, and searching for a place to call home.

Crucifix, Black Plaque

Crucifix may not be as big as his father was but at 140 lbs he still packed a punch. He was pure muscle and was the alpha of the Cryptic Vigilante's. He was back with grey on his sides and a white underside. and his eyes were a bright yellow. He lead his sister to the Ashen Domes in search of new members to invite. Though he needed to make sure they were against the haunters. He padded ahead of his smaller sister and halted as he watched a group of dogs moving toward them. His tail above his back and he sent out one short howl as he watches them.

Black Plaque followed her brother not sure why she had to come and came to halt as she too watched this other group.

Isias, Hydras, Starcrossed, & Zautu

The stopped abruptly at Crucifix's howl. Four pairs of eyes turned simultaneously to the mostly pitch black brute and his sibling, and for a few tense seconds, none of the made a move. Starcrossed had no idea that he was her second cousin, along with Black - she had no idea how prolific her father had been - but she responded to his show of dominance by letting her tail fall down a few degrees. The silver appendage was still held high enough to show she was the leader of this small group, yet low enough to avoid challenging the male.

"We don't want any trouble." She said after a moment, calling back to him in a barking voice, rather than approaching him and getting close enough to talk in a quieter voice.

Zautu dipped her head down a little and pressed in closer to Hydras, watching the siblings cautiously. Isias was regarding them with likewise guardedness.

Crucifix, Black Plaque

He kept his tail stiff and up and only loosened when the others tial lowered to a none threatening position. He glanced at his sister and then back to the one that spoke. Are you a pack or no? And if not are you friends with the haunters?He said haunters with a venom.

Black plaque was silent.

Isias, Hydras, Starcrossed, & Zautu

Starcrossed looked to Isias, the two silently questioning each other about how to best answer this stranger's question. Isias nodded, and Star returned his gaze to the black wolf and replied, "We are a nomadic group with no set territory. I have heard of the Haunters-" Isias spoke up suddenly, calm but crystal-clear in her views of the Haunters, "We are no friends of them." Hydras need not comment either; after all she had gone threw with them, from the apparent near-death at the Lake, to Tumult's abandonment and the Haunter's brutal rejection of her, the old hybrid now loathed the group.

<>font class="name">Crucifix

Crucifix watched them and listened. Then perhaps you wish to be part of a pack and I invite you to join my pack. I am Crucifix Alpha of the Cryptic Vigilante's nd this is my sister Black PlaqueHe spoke. Black just nodded.

Isias, Hydras, Starcrossed, & Zautu

"Crucifix, Black Plague; I'm Starcrossed. And these are my friends - Isias, Hydras, and Zauta." The silvery female named the others off in order, giving a small nod in their direction. "I take it you are no friends of the Haunters yourself? If that is the case, I'll speak with my friends and consider joining your group. The winter has been harsh on us, and it would be good to have the support of numbers."

Crucifix, Black Plaque

Crucifix listened calmly and smiled. Yes, I detest the haunters, if you join us and are interested perhaps I will let you know whyHe spoke and then he sat down and nodded.Numbers are definite in my packHe said.

Isias, Hydras, Starcrossed, & Zautu

Starcrossed turned to her friends and spoke in a low tone. Zauta stole a glance at Crucifix as they spoke, and a moment later Hydras and Isias did the same. A minute or so passed before the big, silvery female turned about and faced the alpha male again, "We've decided to accept your offer." After she had finished speaking, Isias took her turn, "And we'd like to hear your story, Crucifix."

Crucifix & Black Plaque

Crucifix watched and waited and then stood.We will walk and talkHe spoke as he turned to lead them to their new home.Its not that long really its rather simple. My father was Kalaber, he was the leader of a pack that was at first against the haunters. He fought in the big war. Then he decided to give the haunters a chance not long after. Lurkers found out about that and of course Lykos was not happy who would be? Well Kalaber felt horrible about it and went to Lycos and allowed the alpha male of the Lurkers kill him. Course my aunt had gone too and got killed. I blame the haunters for his death, if they hadn't manipulated him into believing that they weren't as bad as they seem then he might still be alive. I also blame them for my mothers death though I never really knew her cause she died from the war right after giving birth to me and my siblingsHe spoke.

Black was silent.