Bartimaeus & Celeste

Celeste and Bartimaeus walked straight up to the border of the deer's territory. Celeste howled, letting the deer know she was here and that they did not wish to eat the deer that resided here. She stood dominantly while Bartimaeus licked the dried blood from his daimond.

Nhosh & Rift

The two red deer were quick to respond to the howl of predators. While the more vulnerable yearlings, hinds, and older members took to hiding a safe distance from the border, Nhosh and Rift headed towards the wolves.

"Why would a pair of wolves be interested in a chat with us? Be quick!" Nhosh demanded, large, dark eyes narrowed dangerously at Bart and Celeste. To him, there was little trust to be had in wolves, the killers of his kind. In the past though, he had made alliances with other wolves, when it came to human troubles.

Celeste and Bartimaeus

Celeste looked up at the large stag and his antlers. She smiled sweetly and spoke Well, sir, Vestige is having a bit of trouble and we need allies. There is a deal in this for you. FI you help us, our pack shall leave your kind alone in hunts.

Bart nodded vigorously, a stupid smile on his face, for he wanted to insult the stag so bad it wasn't funny.

Black Wonder

Wonder just yawned, watching from her place under the tree.

Nhosh & Rift

The lead pawed at the ground, eyeing his enemy with the hatred that a prey had for its predator. "Why would you come to my herd, to ask for assistance? And who do you expect us to fight?" When his herd was in danger, Nhosh did not take any matter lightly.

Rift turned a quick look to Black Wonder before looking back to the wolves, head lowered defensively.

Black Wonder

Wonder merely was a bystander, to afraid to step up with the stags.

Bartimaeus

Before Celesete could stop Bartimaeus he stepped toward the stags and eyed them. Well...If you don't help us you're all gonna die. Is that good 'nuff for ya? And you, scardy deer, come out here and talk to us! We won't bite! Celeste stared at Bart. in amazement while he smirked up at the deer.

Nhosh, Rift, & Milaque

He snorted and scraped the ground, eyes blazing dangerously at the wolf, "You come asking for an alliance, and then you dare to threaten and mock us? I don't even know what you are talking about, but I am sure I can defend my herd well enough with the help of two wolves!" Nhosh raged, pointing his antlers towards the two, "This conversation is OVER! Get out now, before you regret it!"

A yearling red deer, who had been hiding a short distance away, came timidly towards the two stags, "I... I think he's right, Nhosh sir." Milaque dared to say, "I overheard it from others; the pack at the Ruins is trying to take control of everyone..."

Rift turned sharply to his son, cuffing him with his antlers, "Mil! You know better than to interrupt!"

Nhosh glanced furiously at the younger deer, but in the back of his mind, he knew Milaque was right. But trusting a wolf... it just wasn't right. At least, not if you were a deer. "Tell me, wolf. Is this threat you speak of... is it of the pack that lives at the Ruins?"

Milaque scrambled back a few steps, his head smarting where his dad had cuffed him. "Sasha... she's worried about Penny. I think she may have been captured.."

Nhosh grew more aggitated, but came to realize that his herd could not possibly defend themselves against a huge coalition of predators. "We will make a deal, fine. But I expect you hold you end of the bargain when this is all said and one with." As he came to think of it, he hadn't seen the secretary bird for a while now. But if she were at the Ruins, there was little he could do for her at the moment. His herd would be wolf-meat if they stormed such a heavy-defended place like that. "Wolf," He began again, looking straight to Bart, "Tell me what sort of allies you have. How many, and what kind?"

Black Wonder

Wonder slowly trotted up, listening. "Penny? Captured?" Wonder gasped.

Celeste and Bartimaeus

Bartimaeus nodded at the deer and Ceste slinked back behind him.

Nhosh, Rift, Milaque, & Luke

"Hey, where are you going!" Nhosh bellowed as the wolves retreated, having not got his answers. Before he could rightly do anything, they were interrupted again.

Luke, a two-year old whitetail stag, came bounding towards the lead and Rift. "Nhosh, sir! Solange's party has been ambushed!" He panted, a bit winded from a hasty run, "They were by the Snake Ravine. I- don't know how many, but there were a lot of predators... not just wolves. Cats, and I am sure I smelled grizzly..." The young stag was evidently very shaken by what he saw, and knew that he alone couldn't help the scout party.

"Rift, gather the other parties! Send the hinds and yearlings to Altan's land." Without wasting a second, Nhosh headed for the area pointed out by Luke.