Hiccup, as he had before, followed @Roan. He’d touched @Asteria on the cheek with his nose and nodded his head in the Sovereign’s direction, then slipped away to shadow the male. He was somewhat surprised — but pleasantly so! — when Roan voiced his support for @Keir. The yearling knew Roan had defeated Keir in battle for the Hollow, yet he was ready to battle for him now. Hiccup was happy to see — or assume? — that there was no bad blood between them, that they had no trouble working together.

When Roan announced that those seeking sanctuary could find it in the Hollow, Hiccup slipped in next to those who had gathered around the male and nodded. “If there are any cubs who need to be moved to safety, I can help escort them to the Hollow,” he offered. The boy wouldn’t ever be a fine warrior, but he felt as if he’d make an excellent babysitter, if one was needed. Hiccup wasn’t sure how many cubs — if any — had lived in the Mire, but the invitation was still extended. “Or anyone else, if they need it,” he added afterwards. Whoever wanted shelter from the fallout of the challenge, Hiccup was ready to help.

coded by flea | artwork by ale-tie

Morrigan had no knowledge of the challenge for the Mire whilst lost in the chaos of recent events. Her ribcage had not fully healed but she was well enough to make the journey when the familiar voice of @Keir called to her. The Greyflood warrior may no longer have been a queen but she had still made a promise to the dark man, and she kept her word always. When she arrived to see the number of other familiar faces it did not take long to figure out what was happening, even before Keir spoke his intent aloud. @Aquila was already here and Morrigan would seek to stand nearest him, though not without a nod of greeting to @Hrefna and @Roan. "I'd be happy to return the loyalty you showed me. I'm with you, Keir." Fighting, of course. It was what she was best at after all, and content to keep her claws sharp without the weight of a crown.

table by ferus, art by mono

((She'll be level one assassin once the trade exp request goes through.))

She finally came upon the group gathering around the man who had called, having had to take the long way around because she hadn't wanted to be seen by anyone. Not until now, anyway, when she came up next to Ransom like she owned the spot next to him... which she definitely didn't really.

"Whatever you all are doing, I'm in," she said, having unfortunately missed some of the conversation as she traveled there. She didn't know where Jafar had run off to but she supposed she didn't really care. Joining in with these lions would make her look good and she knew that. Anything to increase her standing, because she knew she wasn't going to get anywhere with the new king if he really was bringing his whole family in like he said. They'd automatically get all the top spots, and the thought of it made her fume.

the woman is furious. she’s angry, more so than she has ever felt before. how dare the same man that’s challenged for a lionesses freedom come and take her home. her home. she moves away from the challenge and follows @Keir, her former heir. a lion she had never had many dealings with, but one she trusted: after all, he had been placed in as position of trust by her husband.

we’ll take this fucking bastard down. i’ll kill him, i swear it. she spits with a hiss, grey ears pinned back against her crown as she looks around to the varying different pride members and allies that had gathered. she was thankful to see @Roan and @Aquila present, reassured that they had followed through on their promises they’d made when alliances had been formed. her eyes then fall on her brother, @Njal, and there is a sigh of relief that slips from her chest. despite their rocky start, he was here for her and she was thankful. the discussion could be had later — for now, her sole focus was on bringing down alaric.

i thank you all for coming here today, to support us. it means more than you know. the former sovereign remarks, before turning back to keir.

Keir waits in silence, watching to see who would all gather with him today and agree to be on his side for what sounded like perhaps the most physically demanding thing he had yet to do in his life. The first to appear would be his brother, blue eyes watching as @Sanson drew near him and taking a seat. He would voice his allegiance and the ebony brute would give his brother a grateful nod in return. The next to show would be @Ransom, and he, too, would say that he were with him. If Keir knew the current events he may have taken the black lion's words to mean something entirely different, but since he were oblivious to the news that this lion was a long lost sibling he would instead think to Ransom's comment as relating to a 'brother's in arms' term.

@Roan's presence would cause for Keir to stand up a little taller, not in defense but more so in subtle shock. Even though the two of them had no ill will toward one another from the challenge for the Hollows, the older male wasn't one he would have guessed to arrive to voice his support and a safe haven for those needing to seek shelter. "I appreciate that," he would reply with another nod of his head, gaze watching the Obsidian King for a moment before the drifted toward the next to arrive. A mauve colored lioness would seem to filter her way through, staying silent but observant. Keir would give her a subtle nod of his head before his attention would be drawn to @Vitala next. He could feel his heart begin to beat a little faster at seeing her, and he would refrain from wanting to give her a nuzzle in greeting. He had no doubts that she wouldn't join in whatever he needed, and as she asked what had happened Keir would suck in a breath before replying. "I'll fill you in once enough have gathered." It only made sense to wait until no more would show up instead of having to repeat himself over and over.

@Adya would gain his attention as she arrived, making it known that she would also fight with them. And then a rogue lion would appear, causing for the hackles along Keir's spine to rise slightly before settling back down when he mentioned that he were related to Maia and wished to help them in their uprising. Three more would then make their way to the growing group, one questioning on if they had seen where both Jafar and Maia and taken off to and one speaking to Roan and another saying they would look over the younger lions. A nod of confirmation would be given before his attention would focus on @Morrigan as she arrived. A breath of relief would be released from Keir as the grey woman also spoke her allegiance. A grateful look would be given to her; there wasn't enough words right now that he could say to tell her that he was both honored and appreciative to have her on his corner.

@Dysnomia would make her way to the large crowd and say that she were in, and then @Maia would make her presence known. Well, that answered on half of the lion's questions on where the two were at. Keir's ears would twist forward as he listened to the woman, her seeming to be the angriest of them at with what had transpired minutes ago. He couldn't blame her, either; if his loved one had lost to a lion who Keir could only assume was not good news he knew that he would be a fiery force to reckon with.

Once it seemed as though all those that were wanting and willing to join were all there, he would take in a slow inhale before releasing it just as slowly, plucking out the words he wanted to say. "Like Maia said, thank you all for agreeing to stand with me in overthrowing this new leader. Even though I don't know much about him, Ecrosia is my home... Our home. And I will not give it up without a fight." A pause, his gaze glancing over every face that was in attendance. "Within the next couple of days I will call for you all. I don't know what kind of fights may transpire, so be prepared for anything." He wanted to give them all enough time to prepare themselves, as well as Keir needing to take a breather of his own to really soak in what he were about to lead. "If there's no questions then I will see you all very soon." He would stand there a moment longer before making his exit, making sure to give Vitala a gentle nudge on the shoulder with his own before making it his goal to find a place very near the Mire's borders to stay until he sounded the trumpets of war.

exit Keir
@Aquila @Hrefna @Hiccup @Lotus @Njal

image & table by gunner

Others join them. Pridemates and allies, some he had seen before but did not know. Each swearing their allegiance to the cause.

Ransom understood this need they all shared, a need for retribution and to restore what they believed to be right.

A dark figure caught in his periphery vision, Ransom twisted his stare toward it and saw @Dysnomia standing at his side. The behemoth nudged the ebony lioness with his shoulder and gave her one of the teasing/mocking smiles he reserved for her. Even now, in the midst of loss and war, his desire to bait her was still strong. Though it went without saying that he was glad to have her on his side and not the newly minted king of Ecrosia.

Keir spoke, setting out his plan. The giant nodded and watched the male leave the meeting, no doubt heading off out of the Mire for now.

Ransom supposed that he should go too, perhaps find a -or someone's- warm bed for the night since his own was now in enemy hands.

Cerulean eyes set on Dysnomia "Fancy getting out of dodge for a bit?"

He doesn't wait for a reply before setting off out of the territory.

-Exit

code by corvus

vitala

One by one more lions arrived to pledge their fealty. She nodded to @Keir when he said he would fill her in soon. Casting a glance at the faces she would wait patiently until they seemed to have everyone he needed. Vitala leaned back to sit down as the black lion began to explain their cause. So, it was what she was assuming. There was a nervous thrum in her chest, but she was ready to be there for Keir. Much like the stand they took for the brook, hopefully they would be able to succeed.

It was a brief gathering and they were dismissed with the order to wait a few days for his call. Rising to her feet she leaned into Keir's touch a little bit as he departed. Her tail waved at her heels and she turned to head back to the lagoon to check in on things before she would return to stay in the area for when the time was right.

exit.

Ransom nudged her and she looked over in time to see him smirk at her in that infuriating way of his. She rolled her eyes at him and shook her head with only mostly mock aggrievement. He frustrated her, but at the same time she couldn't bring herself to hate him either. It was like... a friendly rivalry she supposed. Though an emphasis on both ends of the spectrum.

Keir spoke of calling for them soon and she nodded slightly, knowing she would be ready when the time came. It would certainly be interesting, whatever happened.

"Good plan," she commented, turning to follow Ransom as he left. It wouldn't hurt to get some more sparring practice in before this battle for the Mire, or even just (heaven forbid) relax a bit.

-exit dysnomia-

The shock on @Keir's face was somewhat of a surprise to Roan himself, but then again it couldn't be that unexpected to catch the younger man off guard. They did not know each other in the slightest. Had fought each other for the home Roan now ruled. Who would really expect their former opponent to show their support in overthrowing a new king? It was no lie that the Hodari's loyalties were with Maia and Jafar. Supporting Kier, though, meant helping them, too. The masked man would offer a firm nod to the ebony lion's appreciation before falling quiet as more arrived.

@Lotus showed up next to him, but didn't voice her desire to join the uprising. Though the mauve woman was his lead fighter back home, he understood her reservation for the time being. Roan would not force any of his members to fight, and perhaps it was best to wait and see who all would show up to help in the first place. From that pool, they could pick their best fighters to give Keir the best odds of getting the Mire back. Still, Lotus's silent support was noted and appreciated as the masked man gave her a quick dip of his head.

Two more lionesses showed up to show their support, but it wasn't until @Njal arrived beside him did Roan's attention really move. This was family. This was what families did. They fought alongside each other to protect each other. Roan gave his cousin a firm nod before then being distracted by @Aquila's arrival next. The bronze male had recently defended his own crown, so it was not too much of a surprise to not hear him immediately voice up his desire to partake, likely still healing from Walpurgis's assault. At least Aquila had managed to keep the Brook safe. With his question, Roan was wondering the same, but could only hope that there were enough other bodies around to keep them safe while the others sought to getting them back the Mire.

Before the mauve lion could say anything, though, @Hrefna was next to come to his side. "The man who tried to take the Hollow from us a few months ago has now taken the Mire from my cousin and her husband," he explained in a bit of a hushed manner. Roan would get out just enough detail to show why this mattered so much to him. The Mire wasn't just another alliance. It was a pride that housed his family. "We are preparing to take it back," the 'uncle' concluded with a firmer tone, happy to then hear the Sigrun voice her support for the cause.

@Hiccup wasn't far behind her. Much to his own expectations, the cherry red male wasn't quick to join the fight, but he was keen on helping in other regards. Whatever the lions of Obsidian could do to help, Roan was happy to see so many of them there now. Head dipped to the maned Gentry before @Morrigan soon joined the growing crowd as well. The Hodari would return her greeting with a nod of his own before listening to her pledge her allegiance to Keir.

Another lioness that smelld of the Mire spoke her willingness to join the fight for her home before @Maia showed up at the tale end of things. It brought the mauve lion relief to see her here, knowing that she wouldn't be if Jafar needed her more right now. With obvious warranted rage, his cousin swore her desire to kill Alaric. Maybe it would be necessary if they managed to take back the Mire from him. Losing in Obsidian obviously hadn't deterred the lion from seeking another crown. Who's to say he wouldn't come back if they were able to overthrow him? That was Maia and Jafar's decision to make, though. Roan was just here to help get their home back. With the grey woman seeming to be the last to join the group of supporters, Keir soon got on with things.

The former heir kept it short and sweet. He appreciated their support and would call them together again in a few days. Roan gave a look back towards his own members, silently reaffirming these thoughts to them. Be prepared. Returning his attention to the group at large, Roan would repeat his offer for anyone who wasn't there to hear it the first time. "Anyone needing a safe place to stay in the meantime is welcomed in Obsidian." No further elaboration was needed. Roan would then look to his cousin, Maia. "Jafar, as well," the Hodari added with a firm nod. "See you soon, cousin." He wished it to be under better circumstances, but there was little to be done about that now. The mauve lion was nothing if not a man of his word. He would be back here soon enough to fight for her home. Until then, Roan would simply head back to Obsidian to get things in order before the big day.

Exit Roan

Table & Ref by Amanda | Background | Base

Morrigan stood stoic as she waited next to the Vermedan Sovereign for @Keir to share his plans. The last time the Greyflood woman had been looking forward to overthrowing a usurper, it had been a bit disappointing in the end. Hopefully she would get a fight at least out of this round. He told them all to be prepared to return to the Mire in a few days time and Morrigan would not her head in affirmation, silently relieved to have a couple more days of recovering herself before fighting something other than a landslide. Taking a moment to mutter some short goodbyes, Morrigan would turn back toward the Brook and her children. exit morrigan

table by ferus, art by mono