you made your
sceptre with the
bones you've broken

Morrigan was trading one mountain peak for the other for a day, but she found the trip up the mountain more arduous than the other few times she'd been. Thanks to the children growing in her womb. Children whose father had long called the Bluffs and the Dieudonne enemy... but were they still? Morrigan could really only blame her own personal dislike on one member. The others were only a result of war, something the warrior queen did not take quite as deeply as others might. Maybe it was dangerous to come here alone, but Morrigan needed to know exactly where Wolfbron stood, or if they even knew about the new prides, because apparently there had been more than the Summit discovered. Morrigan intended to visit there as well soon. Standing back from the border when she finally reached it, Morrigan would call specifically for @Amara but had no doubt others might appear alongside.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

This, was abnormal to say the least. Amara didn't get many calls from others at the borders, they all feared her and what her family could do. If a pride wasn't willing to die to protect their borders, were they really a pride at all? She didn't let the question linger long as she made her way toward the lioness that called. She didn't know the voice but as soon as she caught sight of her, she was well aware of who it was. She didn't think she had a name for her but she had seen her. Always among the crowd at this challenge or that. She remembered her from when Amara helped get the fallen lion back to the Brook. How things had changed since then. The High Sovereign wasn't sure why this lioness was here, Amara had long ago filed her under the umbrella of "friendly with the enemy" and had little desire to get to know her. Still, Amara was interested to see what this could mean. She came out of the rocky outcrops and moved to stand on her side of the border facing the lioness. She allowed silence to fall between them as she looked her over. I don't think I know your name. A simple statement as her golden gaze came up to meet the lionesses. What type of dance would this be?

code by corvus | art by BETHIA

you made your
sceptre with the
bones you've broken

Morrigan had witnessed how fiercely the Wolfbron lions defended their territory, and it was for that reason she came alone. A gamble. Would they attack one lone enemy who seemed to be here for some sort of parlay? Who knew, but she feared anyone else might just be attacked on sight. So far that had not happened, and the High Sovereign herself appeared alone as well as she came to stand on the other side of the border. "You know, I'm not sure if I ever knew yours either. Strange to call a stranger an enemy." She observed, knowing that it was what they had always been and that likely couldn't change in the course of one conversation. "Morrigan Greyflood. High Sovereign of the Summit," she revealed before turning to gesture at the snowy peak in the distance. "I'm here to find out if that is still what we are. Enemies," came her explanation as the pregnant warrior queen turned back to @Amara.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

Strange to call a stranger an enemy. Simple words that for anyone else might ring true but for Amara, her whole time here had been nothing but that. One stranger after another labeled her and her family as enemies without even a moment's thought to getting to know them. The majority who call me an enemy, do not know me. Her words were steady as she looked at the lioness in front of her, making no claim that she had labeled her as such. She hadn't cared to bicker with those who could not see reason and just took whatever was given to them. Her ears flick at the mention of a pride she didn't know. The Summit? She gave a slight tilt to her head to show that she didn't know what or where that was. The glance toward the north didn't help Amara much, she knew that area well and didn't remember anywhere that was safe for a pride to live. Was the lioness just making things up now to feel important? Amara Dieudonné. High Sovereign of here. She tilted her head toward the land behind her, it seemed clear but just to make sure.

Amara was one to enjoy those who got straight to the point and didn't feel the need to fluff up things and dance around with words. So when @Morrigan gets right to the point, Amara respects it. Tell me. Why do you call me such? What lies had she been told that caused her to side with those who would stand against Amara and her family? Had Morrigan even taken the time to learn or had she done the same and just decided it was easier to lump them all together? Or had something happened directly to her or her family that Amara might not be aware of?

code by corvus | art by BETHIA

you made your
sceptre with the
bones you've broken

The majority who call me an enemy, do not know me. "Power will do that," she returned before amending, "Hell, war will do that. Pretty sure the Cove King wanted to break my leg and I don't even know his name," the memory replayed in her head with fondness. "One of the last earthquakes opened up a pass in the Freeze to the peak of a mountain. I claimed it for my family." If her enemies, if that is what @Amara even was, wished to know where to find her, Morrigan would be glad to be the one to tell them herself.

Amara confirmed herself to be closely tied to Vermier in one way or another but also questioned why Morrigan would consider them her enemy anyway, something which the Greyflood had come here to contemplate herself. "You personally? I don't. I haven't forgotten you helped us carrying Valhalla home to the Brook. But I have Sigrún grandchildren now," among other things, she added silently to herself, "And we always seems to end up on opposing sides of the battlefield anyway, so it just seems the most simple label. As far as I know the only one of your kingdom I have a real dislike for is Vermier." No point in not continuing on with full disclosure.

Morrigan still had no idea where this conversation was going, and she still kept herself on guard, but if nothing else maybe the two women would at least know each other next time they met in a battle.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

Amara never wanted power, never was one to seek it out but her she was reaping the benefits of it. Sahir is his name. She knew the name of the Cove's leader and figured she could give the lioness in front of her that little detail. She glanced toward the pass as @Morrigan explained how and why there was a new pride there. She also knew that Morrigan was one to seek out power, for her family maybe but still, she was the one to that it on beyond allowing another to. Though, if Amara lost her home here, would she come back to take it back or would she find a place to live out her days and let someone else step up? Only time would tell her that.

Her ears flick as Morrigan says she doesn't have an issue with her and someone finally gives her the name of the dead lion from the Brook but it was followed quickly by a bomb that she wasn't really ready for. She didn't speak as she could see that Morrigan had more to say and for the moment Amara needed to think about how she wanted things to move forward. What would she gain by trying to turn things here with this leader or any of those who call her an enemy? Did Amara really think that she could be allied with a family that had spilled so much blood of her own? Are you aware of what happens to Sigrún youth? Her question was pointed to see how much this grandmother was willing to allow from her newfound family.

I think you will find that those who have chosen their side against us do not have a valid reason. Aside from one, who doesn't seem to be around, we were labeled as an enemy long before we labeled them. A lot of blood has been spilled to mend a male's bruised ego. Her thoughts wandered to all the issues she has had since coming here and how few were for a valid reason. A small chuckle at the mention that the issue was with Vermier. Why was she not surprised? What did Vermier do? She had seen the lion do a number of things that were questionable so who knows what he had done to piss this one off.

code by corvus | art by BETHIA

you made your
sceptre with the
bones you've broken

Sahir is his name. Dark helmed brow raised in her surprise before purple and silver gaze narrowed slightly. Morrigan hadn't made many assumptions about the star-cloaked Queen, but if she had any expectations, @Amara didn't meet them so far. Then again, perhaps the feeling was mutual. It wasn't as if the two women had ever had a chance to know. "Thanks," she said coolly, still occasionally letting her eyes wander for any other Bluffs lions... just in case. When Amara spoke again though, a small smirk appeared on her face and she turned back to look at her fellow ruler again.

She'd heard this before, remembered Alaric's words after she'd called them cub-killers in the face of their defeat when trying to take back the Mire. She let that subject go for the moment, choosing to let Amara finish before touching that, focusing instead on her other commentary. "A male's ego... Funny you should say that, yet you keep Vermier at your side and spew the lies that only serve to make Alaric's kingdom stronger. But I could see the use in Vermier at least, if you could keep him on a leash. We fought once, mostly for fun, but when he opens his mouth only arrogance comes out." It wasn't really any deeper than that, truth be told. And Morrigan had never seen the point in being anything less than honest. Too much like her father that way.

"And as for the Sigrún..." she returned before answering with no trace of confliction in her voice, "I know enough. I see the strength their ways have forged in them. Watched the children you speak of grow into warriors of god by their own choice." Did she know exactly how the ceremony worked? No. But nor would she expect Vellen's followers to interfere in Maua's ways. "My daughter has a far softer soul than I do, and she has happily married Magnus's son, knowing everything. But honestly... I didn't care much before that either. Because if we're measuring sins, none of us have the advantage do we?" she would continue, her expression now bearing an almost knowing look.

"My family is from the same homeland as the Dieudonné. If I didn't believe the stories before, being called good salted meat by Vermier was enough. Some might consider cannibalism a little strange, too. But who are we to weigh one sin against another?" Morrigan had known all this time, yet she didn't care about that either. "None of us are saints, Amara. Just survivors." And clearly more alike than realized before, the Greyflood thought. Her hand was shown now. It was time to see where Wolfbron really stood.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

I am flesh and I am bone.

Do you walk in the valley of kings? Do you walk in the shadow of men? Who sold their lives to a dream? Do you ponder the manner of things? In the dark? The dark, the dark, the dark

This content might touch on topics that are sensitive or triggering for some readers. Trigger Warning for mentions of talk of drownings and cannibalism

Amara's golden gaze never left the lioness in front of her as she watched @Morrigan's gaze flicker about at the lands behind her. Amara stood here alone, something that was a touch odd but at the same time, she knew it would only take one call for the pride to arrive. She no longer felt the need to show the power of the pride to everyone who arrived here, her confidence to come and stand alone was enough. Her tail flicks slightly as Vermier is brought up in the mix of male ego, his ego was enough for all the lions here and forever a thorn in her side. It was the talk of Alaric's kingdom that caught her attention. What does Alaric's domain have to do with anything? I learned everything I know long before I knew of him or the Rike. She could only guess that others thought Alaric told her things, too bad she wouldn't have believed him if he had. She had learned from a trusted source, one who had been there and seen it with her own eyes. Anyone else would have been brushed off. Vermier was unguided for some time after his sister left, things have changed. Really the male hadn't done too much that she was aware of lately. He was finding his spot in the background and keeping himself there. It had taken some time and some lessons but he was learning.

She listened as Morrigan went on. The words didn't surprise her much after all, would she truly turn against her grand cubs and the family she had because of them? It was doubtful, no matter what might be shared. Still, there was a shift in the look that Amara was given as Morrigan spoke of measuring sins that caused tension to roll through Amara. She was well aware that she wasn't free of sin and had never once tried to play it off like she was, only that she wasn't as low as some because she didn't require the possibility of death to be accepted by some god they would never know. So what sins did this leader before her have? What crimes had she committed to allow her to know of or speak of sins? Amara planned to big into that soon enough, to find out what kind of lioness she really was.

The fuck? Amara's ears nearly flattened but she managed to keep them to a slight twitch as her features only managed a slight eyebrow raise. Amara wasn't really sure which homeland she was speaking of, the family had been split multiple times and any one of those families could have called a place a homeland. Amara didn't recall coming across this lioness or her surname in the Valley but she guessed it was possible. Ambro had been careful and aside from one or two moments with Vermier, she wasn't aware of anyone finding out. Still, it was interesting that Morrigan would be so bold to toss it out like this, fishing for a reaction that wouldn't come, or was this her way of trying to say they were on the same level as those who watched their young drown? Sure, some cubs were eaten but rarely their own unless they were born dead. Vermier often says things in an effort to instill fear in others. She brushed the comment off as nothing more. Salted meat was gross and a waste of time and effort. Still, she had no reason to hold back or hide behind the veil they had, if Morrigan wished to spread this knowledge around she would have done so already. If she started to after this, then they would just no longer hide and Amara would allow her hounds to hunt freely.

If you know of the family prior to being here then you should know that there is a deep need that drives it. It is not to please a god. It is to live. So, is it a sin to take part in something that is required to keep you alive? Amara knew that the desire wasn't as strong in the line that lived here as in others and in past generations but for those born into the family, the pull was there and it was something that at many points in their lives becomes such a powerful need that staying away from it would make them mad. Maybe that's what happened to Vermier. We do not toss our young into an ocean and hope that they live and aren't crippled. You say you have seen their strength because of this practice. Tell me, have you not seen strength in others that do not take part in such things? Your own family? My family? The natives here who worship Maua but do not toss their youth into danger to please them. Or do you believe that only Sigrún hold the strength to be warriors? She paused for a moment. Warriors are made in war. Shaped in the fights they are exposed to and fashioned through the loyalty they are shown. She looked at her, for the smallest moment her features softened as she thought of how her family had grown while here and how strong they were without needing anything extra. It didn't last long before they returned to their stoic nature.

She wondered for a moment if anyone from the pride was close enough to hear this, would their surprise be in learning what was being shared, or the fact that Amara could indeed speak this much? Had her own cubs even heard her talk this much at once? Doubtful. I have never claimed to be a saint. I have never wanted anything but safety for my family but even that was stolen from us by Zoticus very early on followed quickly by Ulla, then Magnus, and Seneca. There was an edge on her voice as she spoke of those who started many of the issues that she was still dealing with today. So tell me Morrigan. What sins do you carry? What makes you a survivor and not a saint? Would the lioness be upfront? Would she share what sins made her feel she could speak on such things or would she hide behind the ability to keep those items to herself and claim to be a saint?

I've got fire in my soul.

Do you walk in the meadow of spring? Do you talk to the animals? Do you hold their lives from a string? Do you ponder the manner of things? In the dark? The dark, the dark, the dark

code by corvus

you made your
sceptre with the
bones you've broken

This content might touch on topics that are sensitive or triggering for some readers. Trigger Warning for mentions of drownings, cannibalism, cub murder

Morrigan had been there to witness how ferociously the Bluffs lions protected their territory before, and had made a choice. Come with company and be viewed as a potential war party, risking all chance of a conversation, or go alone and hope it was beneath Wolfbron to attack a lone, pregnant lioness. Still, Morrigan hadn't exactly kept her physical prowess a secret, and highly doubted anyone was mistaking her as a non-threat even now.

"Good," she said simply in response to the revelation Amara's information had come from elsewhere, "Whatever your opinions, I prefer they were made on your own at least." It would have been a disappointment to Morrigan's assumptions of the statuesque and stoic mountain Queen. If you're going to look down on the world from such dizzying heights, at least deserve it, she thought to herself. "I only assume Alaric because it is him and his loyal hounds who are so quick to defend the Rike." She had more to say on the matter but would wait and let everything else sink in and settle first.

Morrigan wasn't here to make threats or play games of espionage. It wasn't her style. She was merely here to lay all her cards all the table with the hope of just better understanding Amara's hand. Purple and silver gaze watched the Bluffs monarch carefully as her words landed, waiting to see the reaction to judge how good her own assumptions were. It seemed at first that Amara would simply deny. That was alright if so. It wasn't really the point since Morrigan didn't intend to use it against them. Her fighting was done only on the battlefield. You should know that there is a deep need that drives it, @Amara had said.

"You think that, for some, religion is not just as deep a need? A driving force? The Sigrún live for theirs. They do nothing if not for the sake of Vellen. You don't need to remind me of what Maua can do either. My first children were a gift from Maua. I saw and touched Them. The same God who let three of my children be lost into the Mist and more recently allowed the very seams of the earth to split apart. I don't claim to understand the Gods, but for someone who used to believe in nothing, I am certainly done claiming they don't exist. Those yearlings go willingly to the arms of a vengeful god and come back full of pride. That is all I need to know of it."

The starry cloaked woman had questioned which of the two Morrigan claimed to be, "That's my point isn't it? Depends who you ask. My bloodline is messy, an intermingling of all the oldest classic sins. It's why we changed our name from Frei, to be something new. In me, at least, they failed. Vainglory, greed, lust especially probably, wrath definitely. Who is the judge, though? The jury and executioner? Why does it matter if lion eats lion, whether it be swallowed by an unforgiving sea god or cannibalism?"

They were all dead in the end either way. Why did it matter so much how they got there? She shifted her words to more concrete things now though, "There's no reason why you should believe anything I say, I know that. But if we're balancing out scales here, I can tell you I know of only two dead children. Saga's young daughter, Solvi. Murdered by a Rike woman called Sunníva. And my own son, Tormund, dragged from the peace of the Brook at four months and murdered just as the Rike appeared on the isle. I can't prove that one, though. My eldest son left the bastard's body broken on the rocks below the Freeze." Again, Morrigan had little expectations from this meeting except to maybe better understand each other, but it was entirely possible that seeing each other in such open light could only make things worse.

There they were, though. All the cards laid out.

table by ferus, art by grav3wolf

I am flesh and I am bone.

Do you walk in the valley of kings? Do you walk in the shadow of men? Who sold their lives to a dream? Do you ponder the manner of things? In the dark? The dark, the dark, the dark

This content might touch on topics that are sensitive or triggering for some readers. Trigger Warning for mentions of talk of drownings, cannibalism, cub murder

The list of things that Amara could be called was long by some and short by others. She really wasn't as hard to understand as some might make her out to be but she also wasn't one to run around shouting to the stars about her every move. For better or worse, that's how she was. When it came to the family in question, Amara's mind had been made on her own. In truth, Amara would be willing to let it all go if the other side wasn't so hell-bent on keeping it going. She no longer cared or wanted the Lagoon. She truly only cared what they did to their own young because the shock value to others was strong. It was something that knocked others off their center. It was a powerful reason to stand against them but for Amara, personally, she didn't give two shits. Not that anyone would ever know that. His wife was a Rike. The one Saga killed. Clearing up the reason for his loyalty to the Rike, she did wonder where the lion stood now. Were the Rike around anymore? I know little about the Rike aside from their strong hate toward the Sigrún and their lack of belief in a god of any kind. Beyond that, she didn't have much and was only siding with them in an effort to rid herself of an enemy.

Normally but now, Amara would have left the talks. Checked out and walked away. There were few that were worth her attention for so long when it was clear that nothing would come of it but she remained. Unsure as to why she did but she did. She listened as @Morrigan went on about the belief in goods being a need. Amara's interest was peaked at the mention that cubs could be a gift from Maua, how did that work? Part of her wanted to ask but the better part of her dropped it altogether and let the question die in her mind. She didn't agree with anything that was being said. She could never see a god of any kind the way that they seemed to, even the way that Bee and her sisters did. Amara could never understand it. Could never be a part of something like that. How do you know they all go willingly? What of those who don't make it? Their bodies become food for the fish. True salted meat. Pride can be found in many other ways so what makes their way so divine that it is worth the loss? What could this Vellen give to them that could possibly be worth the lives of their own? Do they gain a longer life? It doesn't protect them in battle or give them extra strength. She had seen them fall time and time again. What could the point be? We are all dead in the end. Amara had no idea that the dead came back here or that life didn't just end in these lands.

The answer she was given wasn't straightforward forward and Amara's ears flick as she listens and tries to make sense of it all. who is the judge? The question rang in her mind as she listened. Who cared at the end of the day? Her, not really. If it didn't directly affect her family and pride she didn't however, it was made to be her issue when she was marked an enemy, their enemy, and with it came the need to protect her family from them. She wavered in her former choice to hold her cards close, her tone hesitant at first. Between us, I could care less about what they do, personally. I could care less if they tossed their cubs into water or fire. However, they marked my family, and my pride as an enemy and have attacked us time and time again so it goes beyond my personal views. It's the safety of my family. My pride. They know nothing of us and didn't care to learn anything about us. Her golden gaze laid heavy on the fellow leader. It was the same thing that she had done before coming here, at least leaving now if she still wanted to call her an enemy there may be a reason. Maybe. So perhaps you should ask them why it is that they have decided us an enemy and seem to attack us at every turn. As far as she knew, all she did was fight back, fight for the home she had at the time, and protect those who she needed to. The same as they would. She knew that Vermier was likely a reason but anyone with eyes could tell that he wasn't running things now and that she was the one leading things now.

A mild look of confusion crossed her features as she listened again, she didn't understand what Morrigan was trying to get across to her. That the Rike murder cubs? The cubs of their enemies? She wasn't really sure but Amara didn't care about balancing any scales that weren't her own. I am sorry for the loss of your cubs. It's never easy. She had her own die before life was given but she was sure the lingering loss was the same. Unfillable. I don't know what scales you are seeking to balance. The hate between the two families is something they have to deal with on their own and as you have said, what does it matter? Aside from it being your own family? Who is there to judge the scales, to truly know if they are balanced?

Amara's mind rarely needed to think this much on anything but in some way she found it enticing to be able to talk with someone new and challenging. Someone willing to talk. I commend you for coming here and being willing to talk about any of this. No one else has nor have they wanted to even when given a chance. Her mind flicked to dropping cubs off the borders of the Oasis. Even when returning cubs to the Oasis after they crossed our borders, there was no talking or trying to balance anything. Only more targeting, attempts to take our home and hurt my family. Only a few could say Amara hadn't tried but far more could say they didn't even care too. She didn't care to trust the lioness at this point but there was a level of respect for her coming here.

I've got fire in my soul.

Do you walk in the meadow of spring? Do you talk to the animals? Do you hold their lives from a string? Do you ponder the manner of things? In the dark? The dark, the dark, the dark

code by corvus