Cedarwood & Others

Hours after their departure, the chocolate-tinted wings of Cedarwood coasted in low over the ruins, carrying the large bird past the many stone pillars and scattered trees of their stronghold. Too big to fit easily through most of the uppder-story windows, the eagle glided in through the door before landing on the cool ground of the Temple. His claws clacked loudly as he stepped along the floor, "Tersek! I have news!"

The old wolfdog had remained inside the shelter of the Temple during the night, and woke from his light slumber at the sound of the eagle's sharp cry. Jolting up onto his paws, Tersek didn't hesitate to tilt his head back and give a deep, resounding howl to call the Haunters together. He then padded forward to meet Cedarwood, already reading the sharp concern in the other's wide eyes. "Wait for Tyrant and Velvet. We'll hear the news as a group."

Tyrant

Tyrant had been sleeping when Terserk gave the call. HE glanced at his sleeping cubs and then nudged Velvet before heading over.

Tracey had stayed to keep an eye on thing.s

Tersek & Others

Velvet was quick to rouse, and even quicker to snap to attention and realize one of their scouts had returned. Carefully standing and extricating herself from the slumbering cubs, the lioness padded quietly after Tyrant as the pair made their way to Tersek.

Once the two lions had approached, Tersek turned and nodded to the eagle, his dual-toned eyes reading into the claustrophobic bird, "Alright, lets hear your report."

Somehow, Cedarwood managed to keep his trepidation under just enough control to deliver his message, even if his words were a little breathy here and there. "...we found them. Out by, uh.. on the fringe of the Prairie." The eagle blinked and shook his head, trying to convince himself that this room was quite spacious, and that he was not trapped in it. "Stacey... she stayed back, to observe. But uh... we saw one of the she-cats. Blue-gray, stripes - angry. Looks like..."

"Take a deep breath." Velvet interrupted, hiding her irritation behind a veil of calmness.

Cedarwood sucked in a deep breath and shook his head once more, "..Ah-hem, looks like they're keeping them in a cave-system. There are a lot of cats there. Ten or eleven, by our counts."

Tyrant

Tyrant listened and his eyes narrowed. a pride of felines it seems.. Did any other haunters break off? Or perhaps some of the cats that use to be with Crucifix?he said beginning to pace.

Tersek & Others

Tersek shook his head, "It's possible, but I can't think of any that would be stupid enough to capture a Haunter." The old co-lead didn't know of Martimoor's activities, or how the Coalition member had secreted away his daughter Dusquei and brother Tuft those years ago. Or how two of his offspring were now leading a growing pride of felines. "It's most likely a rogue pride of lions that entered the Valley, like Kovu and his kin."

As he was saying this, Velvet too was considering how unlikely it was for ex-Haunters to be behind the kidnapping, unless they felt they were powerful enough to go against the formidable group. Believing Dusquei and the others to be dead, she looked to Cedarwood, "What did the other cats look like?"

Distractedly look up at one of the windows, the eagle nearly jumped at the lion's voice. Blinking dramatically, he turned his dark eyes back to Velvet, "...look like? Uh... big. Long tails. They were pretty big-"

"Colors, please." Velvet interrupted, again forcing patience into her tones.

"Tan? Tan-ish, mostly. One was white, um..." Cedarwood's beak was open now as he began to openly pant, "...all white. One had some stripes? And... some big spots on the other, but uh... mostly tan-ish."

Tyrant

He puased his pacing at the white lion.The white one could be Layra? Martimoor and paranoia daughterHe said. But frowned at it.

Velvet & Tersek

"Layra." Velvet murmured with a nod to Tyrant. "It's possible, we never found a body." She narrowed her slanted eyes in thought, knowing of several missing Haunter felines, though it was impossible to speculate who all was out there. She was still convinced it was a group of rouge cats rather than former members of her own Family, but a white lion was a rarity.

"Thank you, Cedarwood. Wait outside for further instructions." Tersek dismissed the grateful eagle, who was quick to scramble around and bolt for the exit. His chilling yellow orbs landed on Tyrant and Velvet then, silently agreeing with their speculation of the white cat. "Dally could give us a positive identity on them, but I doubt he could convince them to release the captives. We need to find out why Senka was taken, and why they're apparently keeping them as captives. We should send a diplomat - someone who can talk with them, and also have the agility and speed to run if they attacked."

Tyrant

He continued to pace his mouth open in a panting notion. He watch the eagle and then focused back on Terserk and Velvet.who do we have that could be quick and fast?He said . Only problem is they took three of them, sending one could be either a death sentence or another capture even if their fasthe said.

Tersek & Others

"I would suggest Katara. Not only the most lithe of her siblings, but she is our Diplomat. Duality could accompany her, with one of the eagles as a scout for ambushes." Tyrant had a very real concern for their safety though, and Tersek could not count that out. His lips writhed faintly as a growl played in his throat, frustration growing quickly in the elder Leader. "I would suggest Duality call to the enemies a quarter mile from their cave lair to announce their presence and intentions. The eagle can keep an eye out for trouble."

Velvet nodded to this, though she still didn't like the idea of Katara and Duality being put into such a precarious position. Still, it was wisest to get an understanding of the enemy before launching any sort of assault, especially against a force that was eleven-strong. "We need to shore up our defenses here, in case they do decide to assault us. The cubs should be taken to Dima's Temple, with a few guards in place."

Tyrant

He understood the need for a diplomat the three'sl ives coule be at stake so they couldn't just rush there and attack. fine send the threeHe said calmly yet with sligh agitation.agreedhe said towards velvets words of s ending the cubs to the basement. aizen will be down there already he can help guardhe said.

Tersek & Others

With all three in agreement, Tersek turned his muzzle upwards and howled a sharp note, calling all Haunters still in the area for a brief meeting. As he waited for them to arrive, the co-lead turned a serious gaze back to his comrades, "If we can't end this diplomatically, we'll be preparing for a fight. By Cedar's description, we're either against mostly lions or cougars, with at least one or two hybrids... it wont be an easy fight."

"We need to build our numbers again." Velvet suggested firmly, "Once this issue has been dealt with, of course."

Tyrant

Part of Tyrant wanted to just go and rip some hide but they didn't know exactly how quickly these other cats would react. I'd much prefer to just go show them who their messing withhesaid shaking his head.

Azula, Katara , Zuko, Kovu, Sarabi, Nuka all arrived the cubs were in the basement for now.

Tersek & Others

Tersek nodded in grim agreement with the tiger, "So would I." Truth be told, the old co-lead was itching for another fight himself. "If only our numbers were a little higher, or theirs a little lower... but eleven cats, that's a lot. And we don't know what state Senka and the others are in." The frustration could be heard in his tones, if not seen in his surly expression. That quickly changed when the sound of thumping paws caught his attention, directing his two-toned eyes to the entrance, where Lupanare, Zanarah, Cedarwood, and Duality were just arriving, along with several others.

"Katara and Duality, step forward." Tersek commanded. The grizzle coated wolf stepped forward himself, standing at the edge of the shallow platform he'd been resting on. "You both are to engage with this rogue group and see what they want and why they've taken our members hostage. Katara, as our Diplomat, I want you specifically to try and work out the return of Senka and the others. Duality, you are her back-up." In the dim light of the Temple, Tersek could see the anticipation on his daughter's face, and knew she was up for the task. "You'll howl for their attention a mile from the cave; Cedarwood will lead you there. Cedar, you'll keep a lookout, and if it looks like they are responding in force or preparing an ambush, you announce it. Any sign of aggression, and you all are to return home - I don't want any further casualties."

Duality bowed her head before her father, "Understood."

Tersek looked to Katara now, his ears perked and his tail high, waiting for either her acceptance of the mission, or questions about it.

Katara

She wanted her mother back and she listened.I understand, if I don't like what they propose if they propose I will tell them we must convene with the rest of you if I don't feel that its a good proposal She said calmly. There were things she wasn't willing to make the final call on it.

Tersek & Others

Tersek nodded in approval to the Diplomat, "Good, I trust you can handle this. Just be aware of your surroundings and fast on your feet should things get violent." When it sounded like Katara had a plan firmly in paw, the old brute turned his attention to Cedarwood, "Lead them a mile outside the caves, and don't be obvious about it. If they suspect they're being ambushed or spied on, I doubt they'll react well. And remember, any sign of foul play from them, let Katara and Duality know."

Cedarwood dipped his head emphatically, "Got it." He swiveled his neck and looked behind him longingly at the open door. "Daylight's breaking... um-"

"Go." Tersek barked gruffly, before the claustrophobic eagle to say another word, "Stay safe, and stay smart."

In a blur of feathers, the raptor launched off the ground and sailed for the exit. Duality briefly nuzzled her father before turning herself towards the door, ready to follow Katara's lead.

Katara

She was a bit nervous about this but she dipped her head and turned to follow the eagle. She hoped they could reach a deal with these cats.