Desmon

A shiver of fear ran down his spine as he moved closer to the temple, limping slowly. His dark eyes lifted to see an array of skulls perched in gruesome display above the door, and he shuddered at the sight. "What kind of place is this..." He whimpered quietly, before trying to supress his fears. "At least, we are in this together. And maybe you can have some immunitiy from them, because of who your mother is." Des suggested, trying to sound hopeful even if he didn't feel any ounce of hope in his heart.

Aurinka

Aurinka stood close to Desmon, trying to comfort him. She knew this place very well. She would help them both through this. "I won't let anybody hurt us. My mother will feast on the guts of anybody who dares to touch me or my friend. I have protection here. It's in my blood." She said soothingly. She knew that her mother had promised her protection.

Desmon

A weak smile was offered to her words, though there was still little room for hope in his thoughts. "This place... it reeks of so many different kinds of animals! I've never seen so many in just one spot." He mused with a touch of horror. Bears, lions, wolves, alligators... all living together?

Aurinka/Kahvi/Susi

Aurinka nuzzled Desmon, smiling. "Yes, there's even a cheetah. A few lions, and some river dragons. Much more than that, though. But don't worry. None of them will harm you." This was her promise and she would keep it, even if it meant her death. She cringed when she felt a pain in her abdomen. "Tell...if Windsong comes, tell him that I'll drink his blood if he touches my pups." She groaned before walking into the Allies room and lying down in the corner. After a long, painful time, she gave birth to three pups. Aurinka was a mother, and Tahti was finally a grandmother.

Kahvi and Susi cuddled up to their mother's fur, trying to find warmth.

Windsong & Avara

Windsong snorted at Aurinka's comment, but he kept his distance, staring at Desmon with cool eyes. "You, Desmon. I think sooner of later, you'll meet a close friend." Windsong called, his voice cold. He spoke of Fanta, but Desmon wouldn't find out his friends mother had betrayed her pack. Yet...

Avara cuddled close to Aurinka, whimpering and finding much warmth near her mother's abdomen, nursing a short while before falling asleep.

Aurinka

Aurinka growled when she heard Windsong. "Your voice makes pups everywhere cry in pain. Leave before I rip your throat out." She snapped. Oh, yes. She was like her mother. She was cold when she had to be. "And don't you even look at Desmon or my dear mother will have you executed."

Windsong

"Who died and made you leader?" Windsong snarled, hackles raised as he walked to the door, chest puffed out. "According to me, Aurinka, I find no crime in speaking to your little friend here. So back off, I'm sure Risen would like to here my story before execution. Tahti can't just sick the Haunters at me. I have power to, so shut up with your damn threats."

Aurinka

Aurinka stood up now, standing in front of her pups. "My brother did." She shot back angrily. "And I never said Tahti will sick the Haunters on you, Einstein. I said she'll have you executed. Meaning she'll do it herself. Why would my mother work along with one so inferior as yourself?! And I think I'll keep talking, thank you very much!"

Windsong

"And hedgehogs will fly." Windsong spat. "I promised your mother one thing, I wouldn't touch any of her pups. I'll keep my distance. I never heard her say I had to obey you." Windsong snarled, his golden orbs flashing with anger. Who did she think she was? Risen? Damn little monster. Took so much like her mother. "I'll see the day Tahti kills me. If she did, what would Risen think? She would be murdering a Shadow Haunter. Does that spell betrayal, Aurinka?"

Aurinka

Aurinka raised her hackles. "You can go ask my mother right now. She'll tell you that if you even speak to me like you rank higher than me, she'll kill you." She shot back. "If Mother kills you she'd be protecting her daughter. Risen's a fool if she thinks she can punish a mother simply for keeping some drugged-out freak away from her daughter. That's not betrayal. That's instinct."

Windsong

"Technically, Aurinka, you no longer have a rank amoung the Shadow Haunters. Now you and Desmon are prisoners." Windsong replied coolly, pivoting and turning away, fur laid flat against his body. Aurinka was too brave for her own good. "We're moving you to the basement sooner or later. Your buddy won't be able to go, sadly."

Aurinka

Aurinka shook her head. "No, but I have a rank in the Shadow Lurkers. I have protection among the Haunters because my mother will chew on your bones if you touch me or Desmon." She hissed, looking back at Des then at her captor again. "Des and I stay together. GOT IT?!"

Desmon

Des had remained near the room when Aurinka whelped her pups, doing what he could to 'keep guard'. Unfortunately, he had little time to celebrate before Windsong arrived.

He was in no place or shape to be making threats, but he couldn't just stand around and let Aurinka be verbally assaulted. Standing stiffly and shifting his weight to his uninjured legs as best he could, Des flattened his ears back and rumbled, "Hey, lay off!" Brown eyes glared briefly at Windsong before he lowered his eyes to the ground. Desmon had an issue with self-confidence, to say the least. Although part of this subtle show of submission was to try and keep Aurinka and himself from further trouble at the time.

Windsong + Bloodlust

"Look, I don't care about your prissy rank at the Shadow Lurkers." Windsong snarled, hackles raised, eyes narrowed. "Chin up and save your breath. You should understand now. Your are prisoners." Windsong slowly padded out of the ruins, his anger boiled in his blood. That Aurinka thought she had power, but she was all threat and no muscle. Windsong snorted softly to himself, rolling his golden eyes. If I had say in this, Aurinka would be dead and that mutt she calls Desmon would be begging for his life. Windsong thought darkly to himself, but continued his way away from the Croal mountains.

Bloodlust: Bloodlust had been listening, inside she felt some compassion. The pit bull casually walked to the door way and sat down, back facing the two captives and Aurinka's pups. What as the valley come to? The Pit Bull thought as she gave a soft sigh. Aurinka, probably facing after affects from birth, and Desmon, wounded, would be no match if they wished to escape. Most of the Haunters might be gone, but there was enough if these two attemtped a escape.

Aurinka

Aurinka growled savagely at Windsong. "You will care about my rank when the Shadow Lurkers are feeding on your flesh. You will wonder why you ever messed with a daughter of Tahti and Vicious." She narrowed her eyes and stepped closer. "If my sister was here, she'd maul you." She was sure Iota still loved her. She was sure Iota would save her. The coywolf tilted her head when Windsong left and Bloodlust came. She could get out of this easy. "You...I remember you. I don't know if you remember me. It's been a while. Last time I was here, my brother and I were being picked on by the other pups. It's not much different now...with Windsong here. I don't know how he can torture all these females and still call himself a living thing..." She said softly, tears dripping from her eyes. She was trying to make the dog pity her.

Bloodlust

Bloodlust closed her eyes, remembering those moments, her lips formed a 'o' and she stiffened. "I can't...they'll ban me...they'll kill me." Bloodlust whispered, her body quaked. Every ounce wanted to let her go, then her body pricked with joy. "Aurinka..." The word made her tongue tingle. "I can get you out...but." Bloodlust narrowed her eyes, she felt pity for this coyote dog, but she felt torn. Aurinka was surely Shadow Haunter material, but fate always pulled others in different derections. Bloodlust rose to her paws, thinking. "I will let you go...You both can carry a pup, and I can also...." Bloodlust shivered, what shit was she getting herself into? "I'm leaving." The Pit Bull stated firmly. "Your both weak, you from birth...Desmon with his wounds. I can get you out a back way. As long as you promise your pack won't slaughter me." The dog moved a bit closer, every word was uneasy but sincere. She was never meant to be a Shadow Haunters. Her pups, perhaps? But they were dead, nothing mattered. “Deal or no deal, Aurinka?"

Aurinka

Aurinka looked up at Bloodlust, tears in her eyes. The performance was fake, but the tears were real. A faint smile blessed her face as the dog spoke. "Thank you, Bloodlust. I promise you that I will not let my pack hurt you. I would give my life for you, as you are risking yours for mine." She said between sobs. "Please take us out of here." She lifted Kahvi up, nodding to Desmon and Bloodlust to take the other two.

Bloodlust

"Yes." Bloodlust nodded, picking up Avara in her jaws. "Be quiet, I won't be surprised if the other wolves are here...just stay close to me." Bloodlust slowly. She knew Aurinka could fake, but getting someone's freedom was more important then the Shadow Haunters. "Shush." Bloodlust slowly led them out, her ears drawing in any sound that might be a approaching Haunter. Slowly she slipped out of the ruins, taking the back way to the mout and jumping in. She was clear now. She looked at Aurinka and Des, hoping they followed. When they swam across the moat, they would sprint for there lives...or at least what their injuries allowed them to do so.

Aurinka

Aurinka ran after Bloodlust, Desmon hopefully following. She swam through the moat, holding her son up high so he wouldn't drown in the water. Then she ran. Ran for her life.

Bloodlust

Bloodlust led them, her small body moving swiftly.

Ino

The small egyptian plover sat upon the ledge and watched the whole thing. As Windsong left and Bloodlust arrived, a terribly evil grin creased her face. As the two made it out of the temple, the bird leaped from the ledge and fluttered out, flying close enough to keep an eye on them, but far enough to make sure they didn't know they were being followed.

Susi

Susi whined when she could no longer feel the warmth of her mother. Not knowing Des was there, she thought she was all alone.

Desmon

Normally, he wouldn't trust any Shadow Haunter who offered help. But he didn't honestly see how the situation could get any worse even if Bloodlust was lying and setting them up for a trap. Putting aside his usual hesitancies, Desmon left his trust in Bloodlust and Aurinka. Carefully plucking up Susi by the scruff, he hurried after the females as they made their escape.