Yes, she was supposed to stay home and not attend this fight, but how could she really be expected not to go? It was a fight to the death, and she wanted to watch her father win it. She couldn't fathom that he might lose. It wasn't the Saxe way to lose. Never mind the fact that she had known both of her parents to lose fights before... She ignored such logic.

Besides, if he was killed, then she needed to know who she was going after as soon as she had the training to back up her desire for vengeance. If this Morrigan did kill her father, then Siofera swore she would avenge him.

But, of course, it wouldn't be needed, because her father was going to win. That was obvious.

She tucked herself away in the shadows, taking refuge from the storm while also letting the blanket of snow cover her to hide her. She couldn't afford to be caught here and potentially be a distraction for her father.

-Siofera is hiding-

A life. That is what the call is for. A life. The star touched High Sovergin shook her head slowly as she stood and called toward her pride. Those who wished to come could, the cubs were staying, and those who wanted to stay could. She was going. Morrigan was a friend, as odd as it was and the male who called for her life, was not. He was marked, enemy. It wasn't long ago that Morrigan had held the same label but things had changed between them over time.

Amara arrived and took in everything that was happening as the snow swirled around the masses that were gathering. Gathering to see the outcome. To watch the bloodbath. Amara blinked a few times as she tried to understand the ghostly cub at the male's legs. She chuffed toward the Bluff members who reached the pit before her. Amara looked toward @Sunder and decided it would be there that she settled for now. She moved toward the gathering with a small nod. She moved to walk in front of the gathering around her @Lagertha, @Cassandra, @Kvare(and anyone else) and spoke lowly just for them. Do you think his wife is around? He attacked Talisa not long ago, seems fair to return the favor against his own. She raised a brow at them. Would they fight to weaken whatever pride may be left behind, to make sure that should things go the wrong way today, the Oasis would be weaker. She moved to stand near the gathering as she waited to see what they might want to do. This wasn't her family or her war to start but she was there. Teeth and claws ready to rip into the danger that lay once again in the Oasis.

artist Vasilia; coded by irish

Glory and fame

Blood is our name

(vague about pride, but absolutely open for interactions and dominance matches, can be poked on Discord for minor maim)

Alright, so maybe it all hadn't been too terrible and she'd gotten used to a life that wasn't like her previous one. But that didn't stop the little princess from being just as she'd been before, even if it had taken some time to get back to that.

When that call rang out, she didn't quite understand the meaning of it. At least not at first. But still, something drew her towards it. Little paws danced across the ground as she made her way. Wow, that really was a long walk. Though on the way she found a few interesting spots. Spots that she rolled and wiggled in, covering herself in the scent of the forest to hide her own scent.

Once she was satisfied, the striped girl continued her trek across the land until she found the place the call had come from. Wide violet eyes stared at her surroundings, at all the lions that had already gathered. Pointed ears wiggled and twitched, flattening against her head as she slowly moved along the outer rim of this strange arena, hopping up from time to time to see a little better, not that it did all that much.

---

+5 Practice covering your scent (leaves and dirt)
+5 Practice concealing your scent (leaves and dirt)

code by corvus

War; it left its brutal mark in every single being that lay themselves bare upon the shared soil. Each lion who was present, both in the light and not, were set in watching the strife and knowing that change would be had today no matter what the end result was. Jafar, quite simply, was very tired of it. He had perhaps seen three prior to this moment in time and felt that this very likely was going to result in one. Though, if he had to guess, the Oasis was lacking of a few allies in this very moment whereas the Summit and their allies stood proud and tall among the masses.

As he entered, he looked swiftly to @Heloise and passed her briefly. Jafar had saved her from theft during the last raid and would gladly do so again. Whether he knew them personally or not, they were an extension of home. @Cassandra he looked to briefly and gave her a nod of his head, a quiet acknowledgement that he was here to protect what was most important.

It was to @Amandil, his first-born son, that he gravitated to. Standing beside his dark-coated son strong, beating down aching bones and not allowing a single soul to think him any age older than six, maybe seven. Jafar was still more than capable of kicking a little ass and was prepared to do so -- as soon as he saw something worth going after, that is. It seemed that not a whole lot of Oasis members were even present (of course, entirely unaware that there were several of them "hiding" which would've given him a roll of his eyes and a rude word to say).

^{ART BY KAIRI, CODE BY CALA}

Weimar wouldn't have followed @Seraphiel out of the territory in the middle of the night, or in the middle of a storm. Not when he could comfortably figure it was Adult Business and go back to sleep. But a blizzard in the very iced lining of winter, plus the dead of night, plus a blood-thickening yodel, plus the family den being minus a dad when he went to check? He was too afraid to stay home. Maybe this was another raid. Maybe dad would come home hurt again.

He raced after the tracks, several times losing them by running too far ahead or taking a wrong turn in the drifting snow. His nose was frozen and dripping icicle snot spears. His hyena pelt weighed heavy with frost and half-melted sleet on its edges jabbed him in the neck and sides. And yet his breath was dry. His lungs felt like a rash. He found the shape of his father quite suddenly stock still. He didn't realize this was an arena. Didn't see the pit. He just saw his father and came up and leaned into him. "Why you here?" he whined. He didn't look around yet. He saw no others.

Mosrael did not fully comprehend the gravity of the situation unfolding before her in the pit, having only come out here on a leisurely walk through the bitter cold. She embraced the cold like a summer's breezy afternoon, well-warmed in a coat that left her looking more shapely and plump than she actually was.

She had come upon the gathering as she was picking various plants, curious to see their purpose. Some offered little medicinal value she had found, but others in her growing collection had some measure of promise. Some other plants repelled her, choosing not to pick them out of fear of a negative effect, those she would simply study with interest. A few still she would carefully take small samples of, either tasting them or touching them her exposed skin to note effects.

The delicate creature would come to a halt, looking around at the growing mass of strangers, wondering what had them all gathered in this one place. Not wishing to interrupt something, she would settle off to one side with her little herb pile, long length of warm tail coiling around her large paws. It was not always easy, but she was trying to be brave, to sit among towering titans as if she were one of them. Without her own kind, she could only hope to find acceptance from these creatures.

MEDIC EXP
+5 Collect herbs
+5 Study the flora of a neutral territory
+5 Test herbs for their healing properties

Who shines so bright

In all the songs of love's unending spells

code || image

When she'd been freed by Aeistrios and claimed by @Hubert, the girl had Been mending her mental scars so that she could actually feel safe to leave alone again, the challenge for the Mire had her hunkering down for safety just like Hubert had told her to. Her fear of being prisoner again made her curl up at the very back of their den, shaking like an Autumn leaf.

Truthfully, the small lion was still nervous, hesitant and paused at the Mire border with a paw raised as she stared at the invisible border. And then she hears it. The call for death and she knows that voice too well.

With silent steps the girl makes her way to the Pit, bright yellow eyes wide as her head is held low, she most obviously Is uncomfortable, trying to stay out of the colossal plum man's sight. And then she sees a familiar face and she forgets all about her once kidnapper; ""Daddy!" She doesn't even realize she has started to sprint until she has almost closed the distance between her and @Seraphiel, tears freely spilling over her two toned cheeks.

The time had finally come. The bells of fate were in full swing, ringing out across the entirety of Amaryllis for all to hear. For all to gather.

It had taken Asbjørn a good while to find his courage. Not that he was afraid. No, he had known this was coming and he had made his preparations. Had made his peace. The young male had the upmost confidence in Morrigan. But he wasn't sure how he would handle things if the situation went south. He was an Heir now. Without a Sovereign, the body of the Brook would be looking to him if they weren't looking already to Cassandra. So much was riding on this. So he had taken some time to pace around and steel his nerves before finally arriving.

Though his heart hammered madly in his chest he held his head high. Asbjørn moved confidently to join @Cassandra and her growing group. Other Pride leaders. As daunting as that was, the dark colossal youth gave each a nod. Outside of Andal and the Saxe.. Asbjørn asked his mother as he took a seat near her. Who else is on our list? Once his grandmother arrived, once this kicked off, chaos was bound it ensue. Who did he need to keep his eyes on?

Art by Yumpy, Code by Minxy

She knew eventually this day would arrive. There was no promise when, or even how. It's almost a relief when it finally happens for there is no more wondering about those things. Everything is now in Morrigan, and Maua's, hands. Maua, lend your strength to Morrigan. Make the bastard hurt.

She approaches the side of the pit, sliding into place near the Caseles father and son pair. Their matching purple eyes focused down to where Aeistrios stood in waiting. Seemingly almost entirely alone. She will not die today. Dio says confidently to @Jafar and @Amandil. There was no questioning or doubting from Dio and on the surface it may seem simply like false, childish, confidence in Morrigan. And while her faith in her Aunt did not faulter there was more to this absolute certainty that the young Valour brought. Death was nothing to the mighty and the righteous. Be it a fact today or years from now while grey in her bed. It came for them all and Dio, brave as she could be, tried not to look worried or anxious. (She'd have her time for those feelings later.) He will be erased from the annuals of history. She will never be. Not after today. Dio knows there is fear about in her family, hers locked away for the sake of the rest. She stands ready and calm, a lighthouse and sanctuary.

code by me, pixel by rabbit

Head swivels as the call for death rings out across the land, emerald gaze turned skyward as the storm rages overhead. Dark ears fall flat against his skull as he checks on their daughters one last time, ensuring they were tucked away safe and aware they were not to leave the Bluffs under any circumstances. With one last look at them the Dieudonné male heads after his wife to the pit. Where someone would be losing a life today. Truly, he did not care who won or lost. He did not know either of them on a personal level only that one was on good terms with his wife and the other had made himself an enemy. His skin twitched against the snow that soaked his pelt, reaching the pit only to realize how many had already shown up to witness. Eyes squint slightly as they drift over the forms familiar and unfamiliar as they find @Amara huddled amongst other pride leaders to watch the fight. Which notably had not begun yet.

Slinking through the snow he would come up along her free side. Emerald gaze quickly finding the Oasis King within the pit, awaiting the Summit Queen. Ears turn to catch his wife’s words, a brow raised slightly at the notion of getting back at the Oasis. He stays quiet for now, content to let the leaders talk about next steps. But his eyes never left Aeistrios. It felt like yesterday that he had watched the former Plain’s King fall to Violarum after being poisoned. He couldn’t help anticipating what a fight would look like with the Plum King at full strength. One of them would fall today. He didn’t care which came out victorious but it was clear many of them were here to support Morrigan. It was then he realized that he hadn’t seen any of the Plum man’s family watching, not even his wife. It made the hair on the back of his neck stand straight up.

“Speech”

html by castlegraphics; image by Sanctuare