Katara

Katara hadn't expected it to come to that nor did she expect them to turn down someone that was willing to join and let them breed her. But she didn't think that they even had that many cats to offer. She pads over the moat her ears back.

Tersek & Others

Duality had been quiet most of the way back, but she did pose one question to her friend. "Are you serious about joining them?" And though her ears had been perked and alert during their journey to the Ruins, once they reached the safety of the moat, her own auds flattened back with the gravity of what weighed upon them.

Dally had given Tersek and head's up on the pair's approach, allowing Tersek to be waiting on the other side of the moat by the time Katara and Duality were climbing the opposite bank. The lack of Senka and the others was expected, but disappointing all the same. "What happened?"

Katara

Katara wasn't sure about anything.what else can we do Duality? We can risk them being killedShe said. She wouldn't risk her mother. She looked over at Tersek. Tuini and Layra lead them. If they speak the truth the three are now pregnant and they said if they get a hint of an attack the three will be killedShe said. the only way to get them out without them loosing the cubs is to trade bodies for them, they want more cats which is why they took the three , their current plans are to take the cubs from them when their weaned and allow them to return with one cub each here. You know Senka will die before that happens and my motherShe said. Her ears then go back. The only thing they'll do is trade 9 cats for the three of them with all their cubsShe said. They also said that when their cubs are old enough and make the choice, for every cub that returns in the future to them they will allow one of the members that joined them to return here.She said quietly.

Tersek & Others

Duality turned her ears down, understanding that Katara was between a rock and a hard place with her decision. The wolfdog went silent, and turned her attention to her father as he listened with growing alarm and anger to what the Diplomat had to say. "Nine cats? That's nearly all of our felines!" He shook his head, a snarl now playing deep within his throat. "That would not only leave us utterly defenseless against them, it... we don't break up family like that." The wolf shook his grizzled head, "Did you see the others, can you confirm how many they actually have in their group, and if they are former Haunters as well?"

Katara

She sighed.I know, it can also be three females that can breed. We would be breaking family up either wayShe said softly. we did not but from the sounds of it enough to kill all three of them and from the sounds of it the majority of them might of been hauntersShe said.

Tersek & Others

Tersek knew they had the three females to send over, but he wasn't willing to trade one Haunter for another, and seriously doubted someone like Velvet would be willing to make the leap. A continuous rumble deep within the leader's chest reflected his mounting frustration with the situation. He wanted nothing more than to summon the rest of his pack and confront the others, but the old wolf was too wise to risk such an uncertain match. "I won't condemn the life one Haunter to bring back another." He finally stated, unwilling to commit to the bargain the Makucha had offered. "There has to be another way..."

"We still have options." Geinah's voice called from the shadows of a leaning pillar. Relieved to see that her own daughter had made it back, the Strategist padded towards the small gather, placing herself beside Tersek. ",B>With Cloudbreaker now defected, we can't afford to lose any more members. My suggestion would be to either find cats outside of the Haunters to join them, or... use Velvet's old trick. Split the enemy up with some distract, and swoop in when they're not at their strongest." Geinah hadn't yet learned that Katara herself was willing to join the Makucha in order to free at least one of the hostages, but the elder wolf would not interfere with the cat's personal decision on that.

Katara

Katara didn't want to be considered a defector but part of her longed for only cats and more open space. But you will be condemning one, The ones they have including senka and my mother. It could be willing members who go.She said and then looked at he other canine. They won't be seperated like that not now knowing we know. And how would we find other cats? She said. I offered myself, I was hoping the fact that I was willing to join them would get them to release all three who im assuming are very unwilling to be there.She braced herself for the reaction.

Tersek

There was an immediate look of shock on Tersek's face, followed by a strong scowl that emboldened the wrinkles around his muzzle and forehead, "You would sacrifice yourself to the enemy? While a noble trade for your mother's life, I don't want to lose you either." A rumble now accented his words. Cloudbreaker's defection still stung, and the thought of three of their cats leaving to join the new enemy did not sit well with him.

"If I may-" Geinah spoke out, seeing that Tersek might be close to losing his cool. "Katara's sacrifice may not be in vain, if indeed she goes through with it. She is a loyal Haunter at heart, as are the rest of our members. If we send three willing cats to free Senka and the others, we will dilute their power with Haunter-friendly members. In fact, they may be pursauded to make peace with us, and become allies... we could benefit from this." She didn't like the idea of bowing to the enemy's wishes, but she saw little choice for the Haunters right now, while their numbers were still so low.

Katara

Katara winced a little but softened when Geinah spoke.And if when the cubs of the three get older and if they want to return to their fathers pride they would release the equivalent of us backShe said.

Tersek & Others

This still didn't sit well with Tersek, who did not want to negotiate with the enemies. He'd been forced into exile for years thanks to Velvet, and now that he and Senka had just reclaimed their old home, a new power had swooped in to thrash and threaten them once again. And once again, it was a group of their own former members. Still, he knew Geinah and Katara were right, and that this was the only way to get Senka back without bloodshed. Still growling, the wolfdog returned his verdict, "Fine, if we can find two other loyal Haunters for the task, then the three of you shall switch places. But we are not allies of theirs. Katara, I want you to survey the enemy from within, and let me know their weaknesses and strengths while you are with them." He paced a few feet before turning abruptly back and adding on, "This is the first phase of war, and we will see this enemy defeated one way or another."

Geinah didn't try to argue with the other, knowing it was best to let things play out and make adjustments as they went. Instead she merely nodded to her leader, "For a few months at least, we should be safe from attack on their end, as long as Katara and the others are with them."

Tersek snorted, "Katara, speak with the other cats and see who else might want to join you."

Katara

Katara listened. That is fine they don't need to know that we aren't alliesShe said.they just need to feel like they gain membersShe said. She nodded as she moved off to find the other cats. They needed preferably females that be willing to breed or they would need nine or so.

Tersek & Others

Tersek slowed and came to temporary stop, turning his grizzled head over his shoulder as he called to Katara, "When you've found two others, bring them back to me. We'll have a discussion before any further happenings take place with the enemies." He then murmured to Geinah, who was plodding slowly to his side, "Have them step up work on that moat. We don't have my River Monsters yet, but Blue and Dima will be decent deterrent if those cats do decide to attack."

Geinah nodded to her lead, "It'll be done."

Katara

She listened and nodded as she proceeded to look. She convinced Sarabi to go and she would bring her daughter and son with them. So that was four So if she could find two more female adults they would have enough.

Cedarwood & Others

Zanarah had been steadfast against joining this new pride, preferring to stick loyally to the Shadow Haunters. Velvet was likewise unwilling to make the trade herself, not knowing enough about these rogue felines to take the risk in mixing in their ranks. Besides, she'd worked hard for what she had now, and was not going to abandon the land she called home.

Cedarwood had an idea though, and after watching Katara struggle to find more members, the large eagle glided down from a nearby perch and landed next to the feline. "Heya, Kay?" He took a few waddling steps in the feline's direction, "If it would help you, I know there are quite a few felines living along the mountains. I've never spoken with them personally, but... it's a potential solution?"

Katara

She sighed as she hadn't expected many to rise to the occasion. Sarabi, and her cubs she was a bit suprised but was sure it would be a good start she looked to the raptor.It should, I don't really think they care if their haunters or not just that they want more numbersShe said.

Cedarwood

Cedar bobbed his head, "Perfect then! I can help scout for the other cats." He volunteered, waddling himself about to face the stretch of mountains a little south of where the Ruins sat. "I'll leave it to you to do the persuading though... I don't know how willing they'll be to join, but it's worth a shot at least." A few hearty beats of his wings and a strung thrust from his taloned feet had the eagle airbound in seconds. A few more lofty flaps, and he was climbing about the stone and trees, and heading towards the steep ridges where he'd seen many of the lone felines.