He had traveled through two territories. Had seen the tide pools and the shoreline again. By the time he had returned from the tide pools, night have fallen and the sky above was black. The moon wasn't full and the stars were not as bright as they had been during his journey to Amaryllis, so he took a chance on one of the tunnel entrances and found himself a place to crash. He had yet to find any of his family but surely that would change with time. He had only been here a few days or less, nd he wasn't trying to push himself to hard to find them. Oh he was a loyal dog to the Savante, but he knew if he wasn't in tip top shape how could he protect them?

@Valerian

we have come into the night

plunder & raise & war are nigh

code by corvus

Valerian had been busy. With now his and Omena’s things to shuffle to the Savante’s new abode, he felt as if he had not stepped out of the Oasis in several days. He craves fresh air, and so roams toward the coast with a full mind.

The dusk comes upon him sooner than he expects, but Valerian doesn’t turn for home. He pads down sandy shores, close to the cliff edges with a distant expression.

He is content they now have a true stronghold once more. As much as he respected the Oasis king, appreciated the Miroslavs, Valerian was a ambitious creature and his father as a king meant only good things on the horizon for the white-splashed beast.

Perhaps, the potential to prove his true worth.

His nostrils flare, taking in the sea breeze at that thought, and he picks up a different scent - a familiar scent in that same breath. Valerian pauses, and without further ceremony, follows it.

“Zsolt.” he rumbles, voice echoing off the limestone tunnel wall as he steps into the gloom. Another brother, returned to them - if his nose is correct. Valerian is pleased.

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Just as he was about to get comfortable a voice rings out his name. Its a voice he had not heard in quite some time and found his mismatched gaze locking onto his dear brother and lingering there for some time. Pushing himself up to his feet, Zsolt approached @Valerian with ease and rumbled a hello. I'm pleased to see a familiar face in these lands. He grumbled, glancing around as he took in the view behind his brother. Though he was a bit surprised to have been found by a sibling instead of his father. In truth, Zsolt had expected to run into their parent before another sibling. So what is here that the Savante have found worth staying? He was all curious.

ART BY CAT, CODE BY LARS

There’s no mistaking that dark-spotted white pelt and shaggy ashen mane as anything other than his half-brother. He pads over sand and stone - wet with recent tide - to greet him properly with a fond shove of his shoulder to his.

There is much to tell, he finds. “Safety, prosperity - mostly.” Valerian answers with a nod of his head. “Father has taken a pride.” There are enemies here - there always would be, wherever the Savante went. Righteous and loyal, as they all were. “We are no longer hunted, in these lands.” It was a chance for the battered family to take their rightful place once more, and recover from the trials they had faced.

@Zsolt

art © yumpy

His beloved half brother speaks of what has kept the Savante here in a place full of adventures and temptation. He speaks of safety and prosperity, giving Zsolt the knowledge that they are no longer the prey. They are not being hunted like dogs found loose from their leash. It pleases him much to know that and to heat that their father has taken a pride. A crown fit only for a Savante to have. He had not heard about this yet and would nod his head towards his brother. Good, then I'll be joining you. He would comment, musing to @Valerian as he spoke more. Valerian's words only conformed more of what he was thinking and a wicked grin formed on his features. Good. We will grow stronger than before now.

ART BY CAT, CODE BY LARS

"It is a good pride. Underground." Valerian continues, thinking of the expanse of tunnels and mountain caves that now made the Savante home in the hollows. "You know father. I don't think he could have been persuaded to take anywhere else." The Oasis had been a good home, but temporary. Before Valerian had even caught up with their kin in this island realm, Alexander had already attempted one challenge. He had never expected him to give up, either. Valerian wondered what wars it could have incited if a second try had failed.

He purses his lips, wanting to keep those doubts to himself. What mattered was that they were together, a united force.

"What about your travels, brother? Safe, I hope?" Valerian's had been long and treacherous, full of new hope and heartbreak alike. He hoped Zsolt had had better luck.

@Zsolt

art © yumpy

Underground. That was interesting but Zsolt was not going to complain. The sun bothered him for the most part due to his darker fur so perhaps underground will do him some good. Ears twisting in his mane as he would listen to his brother begin to speak about their father. He was always stubborn about his decisions and sticking to them. It was something he had admired about Alexander and forever would even now. He had no doubt that his father would have conquered whatever had been put into his path just as he felt the same way about himself.

Safe and long. He would state bluntly. I met many along the way but none that bothered to help me gain further strength. In body or mind. The strangers he had met along his journey to get here were nothing like he had wanted to meet. They were soft and weak. Barely keeping up with him in his training he did along his trip.

@Valerian

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Valerian can’t help but snort his amusement, though he could only agree. Stubborn was a Savante trait, through and through. Their many brothers and sisters were so, and it all stemmed from the father. “You can say that again.” he chuckled with a wry grin. “But, in truth… it is a good place. It will suit us.”

To hear his dark-maned brother’s journey had been smooth sailing is a relief, even if it did sound dull for @Zsolt to bear. No matter; there was plenty here to entertain oneself with. He’d found that out quickly enough.

“Well, if training is what you seek… I’m sure many of us will oblige.” he grunts with a firm nod. After being defeated by Valens all those months ago, Valerian thinks he could do with a bit more paws-on practice himself. He felt much stronger and sharper, these days. Much had kept him on his toes.

@Zsolt

art © yumpy

@Valerien agreed with Zsolt and the Savante would chuckle in his own agreement. That's good. He would admit, eager to see what this new home had to offer. It would be new and he was ready for something new. Especially now that there would be more Savante back together. And now it turned to training and Zsolt gave his brother a devilish grin. Perhaps I will take you up on that offer. He would rumble towards the other before nodding to his brother. How about you lead me back to our home? He was eager to see it. To learn more about it and those that lived within its darkness.

exit?

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"Of course." Valerian rumbled with a dip of his dark head. He had not wanted to prompt his borhter to leave the area if he was not finished exploring it, but it seemed Zsolt had satiated his curiosity. "It is not far, as the birds go, but the mountains mean it will take some time to journey there." Valerian had yet to explore the many networks of tunnels and links - though he had suspect the caverns of the grimoire labyrinth would likely connect.

"I'll tell you more as we walk." he grunted, and would lead on without any further hesitation.

/exit Valerian

art © yumpy