Challenge for it. Her words had echoed, been left etched on the walls of Moradin's mind. And at first it seemed odd to entice a fight. That was just simply not his way. He was stupidly reckless and ready if the fight was to defend, if the spiral to violence began with a push from someone else. But to be that catalyst even in such a minor instance as this? His body did not quite know how to act and his muscles felt sore before any thing of substance had even taken place that morning. But he trusted Ana, he trusted that this was indeed the way to become a better defender and protector. He saw the logic eventually, he needed the tools and this was one the rights of Kings here demanded he have.

Early in the afternoon Moradin's summons came rumbling over the pride lands, issuing out both declaration and invitation should someone oppose. Once he had it in mind what he was doing the opportunity of a fight did not hinder him or give him even a moment's pause.

@Moradin v ?
For CC Noble
Post Zero

Hits:
Dodges:
Luck:

code by corvus | art by max

Khadija didn't mind making a pause on her duties in order to observe a fight. One that wasn't severe like those she had grown up watching. The young medic emerged from her den after expending a few hours working on potions and organizing her plants. It took a while but finally she was done. Walking slowly she made her way to find the male in challenge mode. She gave him an small nod as she took a seat, she had brought herbs and other things she prepared just in case. But she doubted this would draw server wounds or anything beyond mere scratches or soreness. There she watched with great attention.

+5 Attend a challenge to asses the wounds
+5 Prepare herbs for use
/
+5 Observe a fight

artwork • coding

Caladan had held steadfast in the wake of his injury, in the wake of the challenge. Sunder had held them together through one of their darker times, and had given Kvare the time he needed to recuperate; when the time came, he ascended the mantle again, and once more was Caladan's leadership cemented. The vacant spot he'd left behind in the wake of his ascension was left harrowingly empty, but before he'd even the breath to consider what to do with it, the challenge for it echoed across the territory.

And Kvare couldn't have been more pleased.

He was aware of Analia's dislike for his decisions in the challenge, and he'd seen @Moradin linger around her more times than he'd seen her alone; he knew not the nature of their relationship but knew, at least, she'd had a friend within the pride beyond that of Eisa alone. Though he knew little of the man, protecting his great niece was enough to earn fledgling respect; the reach for rank did not hurt him, either.

Thus, there is an ever-content look of expectation and anticipation within his fiery eyes as he takes a seat next to @Khadija. Eyes flit briefly to the herbs she'd had readied, wondering if they would need to be used today or not. Would Moradin face another expectant member of Caladan, or would his challenge go uncontested?

Are your stores well, Khadija? he implored her; they'd had enough healers and herbalists in their midst to not have to worry, usually, but so too did he know it were unlikely to ask such favors of a brute like him. You should consider taking an apprentice, if you haven't already.

Art by Raph, table by cala

I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

In the time that had followed the challenge, things had been at least somewhat peaceful, even in the chaos that descended upon the lands. Though she never trusted peace all that much. Not with the world they lived in. And as such, she was always prepared for something, be it a threat coming to their borders or even the welcomed attempts to rise within their own ranks.

The call for a challenge drew her away from patrolling the borders, drew her attention as quickly as any such call did. No longer prowling and stalking, she moved swiftly, elegantly. And when she arrived at the scene, the pale furred warrior queen approached as graceful as ever, her head held high. Emerald eyes lingered on @Moradin, tail flicking ever so slightly as she studied the male. She'd seen him around since the meeting, but hadn't spoken to him yet. But he did seem capable and they needed that.

Though after a moment of studying him, she turned and settled on @Kvare's other side, nudging her shoulder against his while rumbling a soft greeting to both him and @Khadija.

---

+5 Observe a fight

code by flea, art by irish

Analia had not anticipated that he would call today and so was caught off guard, if only a fraction. Meandering her way towards his call as quickly as she could while making sure that all of her herbs were dropped off at the cache in preparation for if a fight came to. Arriving she was quick to notice her uncle @Kvare, @Khadija and @Lagertha already present and gave them each a smile, bowing her head gently to first. Settling in, her eyes pointed directly to @Moradin, her brows furrowed and she gave him a nod — you got this. Analia was going to support him now, as she had at the meeting. More than anything she hoped that he wanted this for himself and wasn't only doing it for her because that wouldn't be right.

Art by Drifty || Code by Zay || BG

@Moradin VS. NOBODY FOR CALADAN COVE NOBLE
— DEFAULT —

Due to nobody responding to the challenge within the allotted time, this fight has defaulted.

MORADIN HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR NOBLE!

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first. As per the site rules, if 3 days go by without a post from the challenger(s), they can be skipped. Whichever comes first! Any posts made before this will be removed.

He can feel the number of eyes on him begin to grow as plenty gathered. But none stepped up to stand against him or question his intention. It's simultaneously a relief and disappointing. Moradin least of all things wants to harm a pride mate, but it's left him in quite the awkward predicament to navigate without Ana immediately at his side to support. He glances her way but she's not proximal enough to answer any of the questions that began to swirl in Moradin's mind.

The hound has lived his life just as that, a creature made to listen and protect. He did not know much, he did not need or want to understand the logistics and politics that policed their lives. He hadn't even known to start what ranks would let him achieve the goal he had. And now that he has reached out for one he's left without an idea of what comes next. He had hoped for a challenge because that was the path he knew. This one? Unknown.

His brown eyes slip across the rest of the pride, waiting for something to be said to save him from standing there on his own in the thick and deafening silence.

code by corvus | art by max

Khadija observed quietly, wondering if anyone would take on the man's challenge. Even though it was tempting she felt much better in her current position. She was happy to profess her abilities of a medic rather than having a shiny high rank. So for that alone she didn't take into the fight for his desired rank. But she hopped someone else would had done so. But no one did.

@Kvare approached her and she dipped her head in respect. "My stores are okay, I forage for plants in a constant basis and I had created a garden by my den so in that we should be safe." She said quietly as she kept waiting. Taking note of both @Analía and @Lagertha to whom she nodded in acknowledge.

Taking in the next question. "An apprentice would be welcomed. I just hasn't gotten the chance to meet anyone who's wish is to be a medic." She didn't know how well she would do as a mentor but she would give it a try whenever she find someone who would like that too.

She looked at the king wondering what would he do now that no one had initiated a fight for the rank. Would he fight him himself? But at least she had brought and prepared some herbs for using them if a fight does end up happening. But it seemed no wounds would be sustained today but that was actually a good thing since she wouldn't like to see her pride mates hurt. So her assessment for today might won't be required.

+5 Attend a challenge to asses the wounds
+5 Prepare herbs for use

artwork • coding

He feels the familiar touch of @Lagertha, and a quick bump of his cheek against hers is spared between his conversating. Long had he heard the news of her marriage to Sunder, and long had the irritated little voice in the back of his head ceased its complaints. He could not fault her for seeking the same lifestyle as he; even if she had beaten him to the punch. Whatever ding to masculine pride he had to endure was far outweighed by his duties to the pride, and all the members within. Kvare were simply far too busy being a King; he might have protested about it more were he still shackled to his sickbed.

We will find you one, he assures her, confident they may yet find an interest in one of the cubs. With his own litter on the cusp of adolescence and no new litters on the horizon, they would likely enter a momentary period of overabundance. At least, the gluttony of Thais and Drauhir would be offset by their capability of hunting their own food for once. To find a medic out of either of them? Even Kvare shuddered at the thought. He goes no further than that, offering a firm nod toward @Khadija, thankful to let such wicked thoughts of one doctor Drauhir drift away.

As the challenge appeared to go unanswered, he could not quite hide the disappointed twitch of his whiskers. But so too had their numbers fallen, and their most ambitious already ranked. He should be thankful enough that there was someone who'd bore enough mettle to try for it as soon as he left it open. The rank is yours, he announced toward @Moradin, getting to his paws. Just in time, too. I will soon be visiting other prides to establish new alliances. I will need @Analía to join me, he began, gaze flitting toward his great niece with great expectation. He was eager to ease the strife between them fostered from his challenge for Csitri; perhaps if he followed her advice on their allies, he might yet still save face. And I will need you to be our guard, he concludes, expectant gaze resting once more upon his new Noble.

Art by Raph, table by cala

Aye. It's the second easiest agreement he's had to make since arriving here. The first being promising to protect Ana. A guard is all that he knows how to be. He is no traditional noble with personal aspirations and things like ambition to claim power over others. He wants to do what he's always done and @Analía first, now @Kvare, have opened the door.

Besides, if Ana is going to go with the King to these prides it will be far easier to keep his first, and primary, promise if he is with her. With the tension between her and the King yet unresolved (to his knowledge at least) there wasn't any guarantees of how the visits Kvare had planned would go. Moradin turned a glance to the melanistic gentry for a brief moment, hints of a smile on his face as lips recoiled from his little long nubs of teeth that were always exposed. Easy to do. He affirms his acceptance a second time while vision swept back to Kvare.

code by corvus | art by max