[[tl;dr version: ryker's chuffing for help with levana/the cubs from allies toward the last half lol]]
It was important to give her a chance. To let her fight her own battles - even against those she may have still wanted to call family. Even if he could spot the moment when the battle turned in Alexander's favor, and even if he could guess what the ultimate outcome would be. More or less. Levana's loss, at any rate, though he didn't fully predict her fall. Or the severity of her treatment.
Ryker was not totally aware of whatever else was happening around him, so focused on the fight between his queen and her uncle, pacing a tight path back and forth in an effort to restrain himself. For once. In another situation, maybe he would have given in and joined the battle, but it had seemed an opportunity for her to prove something. That she was strong, that she could handle herself, that she wasn't some weak child to be coddled for the sake of 'protecting her' or discarded for not living up to whatever expectations.
@
Tiamat's voice broke through the focus with her offer of healers, but all he could offer was a nod - accepting and, maybe later even thankful. For the most part, however, his focus had narrowed down to a singular fight as he paced, waiting for his opening.
And it ultimately didn't matter whether Alexander chose to show whatever he thought might be mercy, or that the man seemed surprised at his own actions. Ryker had really meant to charge the instant things seemed finished, but the sight of his queen collapsing had him frozen for a precious second that would allow @
Rainhart to act first. With a frustrated snarl he even took a stride or two toward the pair to join in before a small voice stopped him in his tracks.
'MOMMA!'Time seemed to slow as he planted his feet in the sand to halt and turn, the fire of anger in his veins turning to ice in a shift that left the bottom dropping out of his stomach.
Fuck. At least his time in the oasis had helped him learn how to navigate the terrain, which meant his sudden rush to his wife and son's sides was not the clumsy affair it could have been otherwise.
They'd been so careful to keep the kids home and safe, Ryker hoping to keep them secret from enemies long enough that they had time to learn to defend themselves and grow large enough to do it, but here he was faced with the collapse of that plan and the new and exciting horror of watching one, two, three of his children appear within enemy territory. Was this really what it felt like to fear for someone else's safety? Gross. Like a stomach full of live snakes. That all wanted to crawl up and out of his mouth.
Fuck.
"Haider-" a glance toward the others as his daughters, too, arrived,
"fucking hell, you kids are in so much trouble." A quick scan of the area did not reveal the strange lilac form of their other brother and Ryker could only hope that meant the boy hadn't followed. And that he wasn't hidden somewhere nearby.
And then another, unfriendly, voice.
'You better take her,'His first movement was to stand protectively over the form of @
Levana as his head snapped up and toward the source only to find the surprising presence of @
Isla ♔. And...a random-ass tiger? Okay, deal with that later, his gaze settled on Isla herself as lips pulled back to bare elongated fangs,
"You have a problem? We haven't done a fucking thing to you." Which was true, as far as Ryker knew, but he'd remember this moment. An unfounded (to his knowledge) threat from what was supposed to be a neutral presence. He'd missed the way she'd followed after Alexander or he might have even assumed it was because of him.
With a moment to collect himself, he managed to shift his mind back to a more practical mode. Anger was warm and welcome and familiar, but it had no place during crisis management. Rainhart was dealing with Alexander, and Ryker supposed he would just have to trust his Noble to do what needed doing. Now, the priority had to be getting his queen and cubs to safety, which
also, unfortunately, meant swallowing his pride and chuffing for some sort of help from what allies he did have. He could not carry his wife, and corral his cubs, all on his own. Too many moving pieces. To many places to split focus and leave openings. And why have allies if not for this reason?
Still, his gaze did not waiver from the immediate potential threat that was the summit woman, though his ears twitched almost constantly to various sounds around them, and he was still aware of things in his peripheral vision. If no aid came, all he could do was try his best to get everyone out without further injury.
Hopefully, the cubs would recognize how much danger they were truly in and would help to get themselves out. Punishment could wait until everyone was home safe, and Levana had been tended to. Angry as he was, though, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe it
was time to start their training - they were very nearly six months old now, and obviously more independent by the day.
"Haider, Iskra, Abaddon. Go home. Now. Your mother will be fine, she just needs a healer." She was bloodied, but breathing
Revenge would come, but not today. And perhaps not in the form he originally intended once he had some time to think about it. Alexander had many who were precious to him, and many that would make excellent targets themselves. Maybe he even had a wife of his own - and wouldn't that be lovely revenge. Ryker had always been very partial to less direct attacks on enemies; a hurt seemed to last so much longer if it was delivered to someone an enemy cared about, with the clear message it was because of them.
@
Haider @
Iskra @
Abaddōn @'Za'ire'