Oracle, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

Most of the mud that had caked Oracle's lower half had been washed away by the moat, but bits of gunk still clung to the young ligeress and marked her path as she wound her way towards the Temple, with an equally dirty Narimbi hanging from her jaws. Her rounded ears were forward by the time she stepped into the shadow of the stone complex, but flattened immediately as she envisioned the conversation she was about to have with Senka and Tersek. She set Narimbi gently down and sucked in a giant breath, trying to still her nerves. She glanced aside to see if her brother was still with her, hoping to have his support before she called out in an echoing roar, "Senka! Tersek!"

Shadowstep had trailed closely behind, and scrambled up beside Narimbi when she was set down. While she didn't feel any of the anxiety that Oracle did, little Shadow was terrified of what might have happened to her sister and the others. Did those other cats eat them? Why did they take them?

Maelertech

Mael escorted the rest of the cubs back down and then joined his sister. Blood spotted his chest and muzzle.

Senka heard the call and moved forth. She noted the blood.what happened? When Mael told her her furt raised and she sent out a call for all adult haunters that weren't mothers or guards.

Nemu responded with her own as she came forth.

Tersek & Others

Oracle side-glanced at her brother with a look of 'Well, here we go.' She swallowed hard but otherwise kept herself composed as Senka called for the rest of the Haunters. And it wasn't long before their mother appeared, sauntering in from one of the side rooms. Immediately, the lioness scowled, seeing blood and reading her childrens' body language. "What in the name of Imre happened?" It didn't take much for her sharp mind to gather the offered evidence and come to a likely conclusion though; Oracle looked utterly miserable with guilt, there were missing cubs, and the whole lot of them were covered in a foul, musty kind of mud that did not come from the Ruins. "What did you two do?"

Tersek was not long in answering either. The elder wolfdog came trotting in at a brisk pace, and in doing so caught the scents that trailed the guilty party. His fur was bristled high as he circled past them and took his place beside Senka. A fierce look was directed at Mael and Oracle, but he refrained from saying anything until the rest of the pack was gathered.

A little later to the party, but arriving with just as much haste, Duality, Blackmist, Zanarah, and Lupanare were next to file into the Temple.

The soft patter of tiny hooves announced Quilikahm's arrival. The muntjac didn't join the group directly, but waited a few yards away, standing alertly next to one of the pillars to hear what was going on, and see if she was needed.

Through two of the windows, Dally and Erathi flew in, both perching within the narrow openings. Cedarwood, too large to fit through the same space, was forced to fly in through the door after Lupanare and Blackmist.

Leomar was one of the last to show up, but was more attentive than usual as he smelled blood and the lingering stench of their enemies. "Were we attacked?" The big male questioned, almost eager for a chance to go out and actually fight something.

Mael

He coward down and explained.

Senka fur raised now .She sent out a call for all warriors and able bodied fightersWe move tonight on the Makucha. They have taken three of our cubs and they will pay for backstabbing us when some of our own willingly left us to join them!She called.

Nemu snarled out at this.let us put these mongrels in their placeShe said.

Tersek & Others

Oracle again swallowed hard, watching as Tersek's grizzled fur rose like a million little quills along his back and hackles. Dark lips writhed back, and shadows grew across his muzzle where the skin wrinkled into a snarl, "Both of you, to Dima's Temple, NOW." So ferocious was his last word that his body shook with the effort to roar it out, "Quilikahm, gather Momo and the pups, and lead them to Dima's as well." As Oracle was beginning to slink away to the other temple, Tersek's quaking words caught her again, and she looked back over her shoulder as he delivered his next line. "We'll deal with both of you when we return." The co-lead tossed his had back after that and uttered a howl, joining Senka's roar as they rallied the rest of the Haunters.

After Oracle had left, and as the others gathered, Tersek turned to Senka, "The Makucha are getting bolder. Simply taking our cubs back won't stop them from striking again in the future; we need to thin their numbers, or wipe them out completely."

Leomar perked at hearing his leaders' words, and moved in closer to the platform the pair were standing on. "Are we going for kills tonight then?"

Quilikahm had nodded her little head to Tersek, and now began to search for Momo and her pups.

Senka

Senka paced with Nemu following her. Nemu would be going. IF they do not hand the cubs back right when we get there then we kill there will be no more negotiations. They have one chance to correct this. If they do not we kill. Do not harm Dusquei, Katara Sarabi or Scar if we can avoid it of course. We go nowShe said She gave one last raw and headed out.

Nemu followed

Momo was sitting on arock

Tersek & Others

Tersek listened to Senka's verdict and nodded in agreement. "One way or the other, they will learn not to test us again." He followed the cat's roar with a short, choppy howl of his own to reinforce their orders, then stood back as Senka led the charge.

As the Haunters began to file past them, he gave another bark to Quil as she was moving towards Momo, "Alert Nightshade, and be sure the River Monsters are at Dima's moat. Erathi! You'll keep a watch out in the sky, and fly to us if there is any hint of an ambush here while we're away. Cedarwood and Tracey, stay here as well and help keep a look out for invaders. This shouldn't take long." Once those last concerns were covered, Tersek picked up his pace and followed after the rest.

Lupanare, Duality, and Blackmist were among the canines to head out. Zanarah and Leomar made up the feline brigade, while Velvet remained behind. Cedarwood and Erathi obediently made their way to Dima's Temple.

"Mother Momo." Quilikahm's tiny voice squeaked up as the little deer approached the wolf, "By your father's orders, I'm to escort you and the pups to Dima's Temple. The cubs are coming with as well."