The southern springtime sun was not yet as stifling as the Illyrian Queen knew it soon would be, but with it now risen at its highest in the sky just as she reached the edge of the Cove, Morrigan still sought to shelter in the shade of a palm tree. She had insisted on scouting ahead just a bit before @Talisa and @Isla ♔ would join her, the way this place still set her teeth on edge at the memory of the cliff slides. And half-brother noble or not, this new King might have little interest in meeting the Summit with anything but violence.

When all seemed sturdy enough and her wife and daughter had closed the meager distance between them, Morrigan chuffed for whoever was King here (@Keligan) and for @Kvare himself. Surely his presence couldn't hurt, just as Talisa was far more likely to be the level-headed out of the three Illyrians. That wasn't the only reason Morrigan had desired her presence here, though. A far nicer memory existed here beyond her own failed rule. The one of Talisa's proposal on the beach below.

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There were very few times that Talisa had ever been her for very long. Most of them were memories from before the mass of lions came but there were a few memorable moments. Crossing towards the territory and with each step that got them closer, the more the memory became stronger. The scent of the sand and the sea made it all the more memorable as she lovingly touched her shoulder to @Morrigan's, knowing that she must be thinking the same. @Isla ♔ might not know the story of how they came to be but Talisa would be nowhere if she hadn't thought to propose to her dark knight that day. Happy to be along for the discussion but mostly, happy to be given good memories instead of bad ones for once. @Keligan @Kvare

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For the first time the Sovereign would actually beat her husband to a call on the borders. Sunder had begun to come into her own and the floppy-eared woman was beginning to take the reins more. Though she preferred to hang back in the shadows and observe, she knew there were certain occasions that called for her presence in the forefront. Today would be one of those days. It was true that there was unspoken tension between the Cove and the Summit. There was plenty of uncertainty and conversations that needed to be had to figure out on what ground they stood. The Cove was cautious, and rightfully so. Sunder had heard plenty of hearsay on @Morrigan but had never actually met the woman, nor her wife @Talisa either. Seeing both on the border she would direct a chuff towards them and also to beckon @Keligan to join them before closing in the distance. "Hello, I am Sunder of Gaia and Sovereign of the Cove." She introduces herself with her head held high, still poised and somewhat stoic as she brings herself to sit, waiting patiently for her husband to join them as well, and perhaps @Kvare if he was in the area.

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Isla could vaguely remember her brief time living within the Cove's boundaries. She were but a small cub, one that had learned of chaos and disaster way too young when the cliffs seemed to have simply fell to the ground and caused for them to desert their home. But now, as she walk alongside @Talisa while trying to keep a watchful eye out on @Morrigan up ahead, it felt a bit strange to come here to talk politics. Giving herself a shake, she would clear the distance and settle beside her mother in the shade on her free side, tail sweeping behind her. It wouldn't be long until one met the Summit Queen's call, a lioness that addressed herself as the Sovereign here, @Sunder. Isla, Heiress. She kept it short and to the point, an ear flicking as they all awaited for the King's arrival.

@Keligan @Kvare

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The call and the scent was not missed by the High Sovereign. It very much set into his mind from that day. The war that commenced on those cliffs of the Summit. The very power that it held as @Morrigan took to overtake the challenger to keep her throne. Flicking his ears, he would not be the first to arrive. No, instead his sweet light, @Sunder, came first. Out from the shadows, he came from the cliffside. His form glistening blackened pelt against the sun rays as he arrived. "Keligan of Gaia, High Sovereign. Kvare should show shortly." Sliding up next to his wife, he sat down in stoic fashion as he brushed up against the beauty to his beast. Ears perked forward and attention on the three visitors. "So comes the summoning from @Morrigan and @Talisa. How interesting." Tapping of his claws, he made no move to inch ever closer to the lionesses and instead a smile formed upon his lips. "I know once upon a time, under Gauthier's rule, we were enemies. So, am I assuming correctly that you three are here to speak about it?" His words were not malicious nor sarcastic to the trio. Glancing at @Isla ♔, she was included to this conversation. Much like the Bluffs who have three leading ladies on the Thrones, so did the Summit. Awaiting for @Kvare to come to the calling, Keligan knew that the Heir would take his time and it was not of any issue. He had his wives to attend to before he would hopefully soon arrive.

Kvare was the last to arrive, the final piece of their strange puzzle. But as he came and completed the trio of Caladan leaders, his lips curved into a pleased grin, a single canine poking from between dusky lips. He fought the urge to break the distance between he and @Morrigan, preferring the comfort of formality while their tensions were still high. He'd known Illyria had been marked something of an enemy, a foreign power @Keligan had stolen from once in a past life, when Gautheir still lead the Cove, when the lines were far more clear. Here, and now, they'd begun to blur. He came up alongside Keligan's free side opposite of @Sunder, his gaze falling first on @Isla ♔, then @Talisa, and eventually the iceforged Queen herself.

Keligan, he began, before glancing toward his brother-King out of the corner of his eye. His voice is even, tight; uncharacteristic of the usually-fiery Tollaire. Yet, this were his first true play at politics; and it were far more likely for Keligan to cast him out than it was for him to be readily accepting of a truce, and Kvare could scarcely blame him for it. Morrigan is my sister. His resolve began to slip, his smile deepening into a cunning smirk. I had anticipated a visit, but not one so soon, he continued, though there is no malice in his tone; rather, Kvare was half at fault, being so enthused in his new duties as Heir that his reunion with Morrigan had been thrown to the wayside. He lowers his voice, hoping for it to be for Keligan's ears alone. I should have warned you beforehand, I apologize.

Be a good boy, Kvare.

He settled onto his rump, his shoulders straight and his face angled forward. His ploys at diplomacy might not be so well-suited for he who was used to war, but Kvare was desperate to find a reflection of Smaug in himself. To achieve the same greatness his grandfather once had, tenfold.

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Morrigan had hoped that this could all go fairly peacefully. @Talisa had been more than happen to revisit the territory where they'd first become engaged, happy to linger in the memories of that moment. She still thought they might get to remain as such with @Isla ♔ at their side as the first of the Caladan leaders arrived, approval of the obvious strength in the woman who greeted them in her mismatched gaze, "Morrigan Greyflood," she would introduce in turn to @Sunder, her focus lingering on her fellow queen as two men joined them.

One was her brother, @Kvare thankfully attending even if she had caught him off guard... because she needed the reminder of why she had wanted some semblance of peace in the first place.

Mismatched gaze flashed to his now, the blaze of fire the only warning he would receive before she snarled at the man who introduced himself as @Keligan,"It was you, wasn't it?" she dared him to deny it. Her memories of his fight with Roarke had been hazy at best given her own condition at the time, but Isla's description had been very accurate. "Where is Caltáriel?" Still, even in her anger, she held back for the sake of her brother's place here. And for the innocent woman who was Keligan's Queen. She would give them the courtesy of the chance to explain at least.

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With @Isla ♔ walking beside her, it felt like the easiest trip in the world. Even though she knew the reason as to why they were coming in the first place, it was so much easier to let her innocent mind wander to a time when things had been a bit easier. Though, this place also happened to share a bad memory but she was using every ounce of her willpower to forget about that time in their married life. Trying to simply take a peak at the scenery and remember (as she always did) how grateful she was for the life she lived.

The first of them to arrive was not the one they had specifically come to see so she greeted @Sunder with kindness, a smile and a slow incline of her head. I am Talisa Valour, Summit's Sovereign. The next to arrive she stared at, the knowing weighing in her head as the good memory seemed to take a position on the back burner. Her lilac eyes looking him over and wondering if he even had begun to understand why they were here. @Keligan seemed to assume that they were here to speak alliances which was likely half-true but not entirely. There was always more to the story and Talisa was here to listen and interject when needed.

The arrival of a dark, wine-colored male on approach immediately gave way to similarity. Their colors were opposite but their body language as well as that helmet on their head, it was hard not to see it. Their helmets were different but she knew enough to make an educated assumption. This would be @Kvare, the family member that @Morrigan had talked to her about. She tried her best to give him the same respectful dip of her head as she had Sunder. He was, in a distant way, family to her and she would respect that so long as she received the same in return.

Eyes trailed to her wife seconds before she aimed her malice at the Cove's High Sovereign. In this, Talisa put herself into a stance similar to the High Queen. Gaze scrutinizing the merle King, daring him to avoid the reality that he had stolen one of theirs.

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Another woman joins the two leaders, this one going by the name of @Isla ♔, Heiress to the Summit. Sunder would regard her with a polite dip of the head, flopped ears peeked forward and curious as she surveyed all three of them, waiting patiently for @Keligan's arrival and thankfully it did not take long. So comes the summoning from @Morrigan and @Talisa. How interesting. I know once upon a time, under Gauthier's rule, we were enemies. So, am I assuming correctly that you three are here to speak about it? Sunder could scarcely recall much of things back when Gauthier held the throne, to be fair she had only just gained her sense of freedom and was often in a drunken stupor, her own choosing of course but it certainly bit her in the ass now. She didn't like the way she could feel the palpable tension in the air, taut and ready to snap at any moment. @Kvare's arrival gives her the briefest sense of comfort, up until he decidedly drops another bombshell. Keligan, Morrigan is my sister. I had anticipated a visit, but not one so soon, I should have warned you beforehand, I apologize. Sunder's face remains stoic despite the fact that her jaw wanted to drop. But upon closer scrutiny she could recognize the similar markings and some mannerisms too. How had she been so blind before? Her gaze would shift to land onto Morrigan as she introduces herself properly but then things become a bit more heated, enough for Sunder to shift from her seated position to stand alongside Keligan, if only to keep her defenses ready should this turn into an even greater shit show. It was you, wasn't it? Where is Caltáriel? Caltáriel, Caltáriel, why was that name familiar? OH! That woman, that one from the Hollows challenge. Was that who she was referring to? Her gaze would slide to her husband next, ignoring the rise of her own temper as cool words would be released easily, "Perhaps this is a simple misunderstanding? There are no women here named Caltáriel." She answers truthfully, poker face remaining firmly in place. "I can assure you even if she were here it would be by her own free will, we hold no prisoners." Her gaze is focused on Morrigan now, hoping to reason with the woman. Pretty blue eyes would shift to Talisa then, watching for a moment before returning her attention back to Morrigan.

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She watches with an intense stare as two males begin to move in the women's direction. Her eyes lock onto a darker one first before flicking to the other, just as he began speaking. Isla couldn't concentrate with what the other had said, even if he had just said he were @Morrigan's brother. She has no time to speak before her mother herself is saying words similar that were flashing within her mind. Her muscles stiffen and she could feel her claws begging to be released from their sheaths. That is him, Mutter. That is the one I saw fight Caltáriel and then take her along with him. How could she forget such an abominal mane color.

Adrenaline was beginning to slowly rise, eyes narrowing upon @Keligan with a hard stare. Ears flick once @Sunder begins to speak, letting out a scoff in return. So you do not know what your High Sovereign here does in the dark? Tail lashes and a dry laugh escapes her, lasting only a second. How rich. Attention shifts briefly over toward her mother before they focused in on the kidnapper, laser focused while also allowing for her ears to listen to the rest of her surroundings to keep her aware and ready.

@Kvare @Talisa

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