Now Everything Seems so Easy, Veteran

she's here for @Ragnar but any other NF people can show up if they want!

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So the tensions between the two had only grown, though things have been quiet in the recent days, the silence only hung ominously waiting for the storm to break. @Vendrussel had made her intentions clear to her already, though they sought peace and to live in their small slice of isolation, such would never be possible with the blatant disrespect and spiteful words spat their way.

It frustrated her to see such demonstrations after Ragnar had already spoken of his values and honoring the land of another. He had no problem with them settling before, yet his brood had misstepped one too many times. Did he know, she wondered? Either way, they were heading down a one way path and unless things changed there would be unrest for both.

The dragon left the safety of the isles, her destination the frozen peaks that cropped the land with narrow trees and bitter winds. She wanted answers, and she had already decided she would be getting them before things progressed any further. She hadn't told Venny of her departure of their close neighbors. If all went well she could travel to their borders and back before nightfall, though she would soon find....their borders were not easy to find.

Settled my ass.

The smells of the pines and frost were more dominating than their so-called pack. Perhaps they had moved instead of choosing violence, something she would not mind despite the chance for peace or even prosperity.  It was hard to decipher as familiar scents did linger, though had she not know their scent it would appear more as wolves had passed through opposed to settled. She could only take a guess as to where their borders where, stopping before a scent trail as she glanced to her surroundings.

Even if they had left, it would be worth the effort to try. That was why she had come, wasn't it? So without wasting any more time, Kei would tip her head back to call for the leaders of these peaks, if any still remained.

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There is a call. Little was there ever. After all, the great seaside mountains were at the cusp of the tundra. A cold and silent place, especially up here. Ragnar for quite some time had been settled to the lack of others. It had allowed his children to grow, to learn, to adapt and after some time they were now well into their yearling stage. Grown, wild and as stubborn as ever with their newfound independence of their parents. @Elentari was a rare sight, deep and reclusive in their mountains. @Aslaug had gone to atone to the Gods and maybe even, secretly search for Gunthur to bring him home. @Asgeir and @Ynness remained with their parents and while Ragnar had thought the lands would grow quieter- they had not.

So he follows the call. Depending the mountains which had grown colder, more ice, more snow. Within the forests, the trees standing close, it blocked much of the snowfall from reaching the pine forest floor. But even this would not last long. Peace, would not last long.

And as so he comes, he wants to tell Kei 'leave'. The one and only word which his children had ever been introduced with whenever coming anywhere near Dragonford. Instead he waits patiently, his head tipping silently, offering her the floor to say what it was she had come to say.
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 All the wolves up north were stupid! It was like the snow addled their crazy brains! Bah! He was tired of them, every last one of them. They better be good on their word for his payment for being so cooperative. Running errands doing this, doing that. He needed a break. And so, he looked for his wolf and his pack. The ones who did not irritate him and yell at him and make him do all sorts of annoying things. Still, he had so much juicy drama to share with Ragnar. Would he see how ridiculous it all was? Would he finally have someone to commiserate with?

 There he was! Ragnar! He let out a caw of greeting as he circled high overhead and then landed in his usually spot atop Ragnar's shoulders. He spread his wings wide, flapping them a few times before settling into place silently. He evaluated the other wolf with a shrewd gaze. He could almost taste the tension in the air. Were the tundra wolves bringing their drama down here now? They needed to keep that away from his wolves! This was his sanctuary.

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She would wait in silence with only the winds to offer a way to tell that time had not yet stopped. Soon enough one would come forth and luckily it was just the man she wanted to see too. Ragnar, the one she assumed to be the leader of his merry band based on their brief conversation prior. A bird followed in his wake, swooping down to join as it settled along his back. For only a moment did she tilt her head at this, interested in the companion that now accompanied him.

Not many befriended those of other species, even within the Order was it rare. Whatever bond they had must have been special. “Hey.” There was no denying the tension in the air. Even as he offered her the floor the lingering feeling of displeasure clung with claws much like the dragons once had. It surprised her that he came alone knowing who had summoned him, but it was a relief, or at least for now, that it was just the two...three of them.

“I don't know just how much you know so I came to talk. I remember you saying you respect land claimed by others and one time, I get, can be a mistake. Maybe you hadn't had the chance to tell your family we settled, but it didn't stop at one visit.” She eyed him carefully for a reaction though for now her own irritation would be held at bay. “We haven't come to bother you and we don't plan to, so maybe you can help me understand why we've had so many trespassers from your domain.”

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A call echoed though the mountain peaks of the north and Ragnar lifts his skies from the dark wolf and unto the dark bird instead. The sky is blackened by his wingspan and the skies are once more revealed as he sweeps past, to settle with a gripping of talons onto the scruffy golden shoulders of the wolf. A grumbled chuff of wordless greeting to his friend, Ragnar then fixated his attention back to Kei.

It seemed she was trying to mend the breakage that had occurred between the neighboring packs. A breaking that was bound to have happened with side-by-side neighbors, one that was not a sister pack, one that was not allied by close ties. It had taken little effort for their dislike of one another to brew, which was a pity given the fact that Ragnar held no animosity towards Kei herself. But she was the right hand of an enemy and Ragnar was father of theirs.

“So many, you say?” His head turns around out to his left and back, then to his right before befallen Kei. Could one think and see they were so little, then be so many when it fit the bill for them? He knew Asgeir had walked along their border and had been threatened as such for it, leaving Sindri in that instant ready to call them enemy. Then there was the incidents with @Ynness... Ragnar tisked and grumbled out a sigh.

“Your leader's claim is the cluster of great black rocks out to sea, is it not?” A pause, a tilt of his skull questioningly. Rhetorical, obviously.“Not the beaches on the main land nor the misted lands beyond where we can travel to the south...” Ah, how easy it was for his feathered friend to navigate without compromise. “To say as such would be hypocritical would it not?” Had they not already chastised his people when they had marched on Leviathan Sepulcher, filled with anger by their close settlement? Now, they did the same when Northfall wolves ventured beyond their mountain.

Oh, how the tables had turned.
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“Not many in numbers, many in instances. Your daughter I think? She keeps comin' back. There was a boy too, with I'm assuming your mate, but that was a one-time thing.” Or so far as she knew at least. That woman hadn't been happy to see her arrive on the scene, but it's not like she would have hurt the boy. They just wanted them to leave their land. “Point I'm tryna make is she seems to have beef with our existence. Even after she's been informed and warned.” Now she knew nothing about their family but maybe dear old dad would be able to grab the reigns on her.

“The islands are where we reside yes, but we need access to the mainland too.” It would be silly to expect them to live out the entirety of their lives on some broken spine. Plus, what of visitors? Newcomers? They were private people, but still needed ways to communicate with the outside when someone came knocking. “The beaches to the east are our doorstep. The woods beyond are where we hunt, much like your plains you mentioned to the north. Beyond that we take nothing. Even the beaches at the foot of your range we have not sought.” And that much was true, even if Vendrussel wanted to stake something more official on the shrouded forest. They were small now, larger than them it might seem, but if they could have hunting grounds then so could they.

“You have allies to your side, don't cha? We aren't looking to take mountains, but if you're looking to go south maybe cut by them. We would have to do the same to go north after all if we are to avoid you and your ally's claims.” It wasn't hypocritical in her eye, just reasonable. Maybe it was an ambitious aim of land, but could the same not be said about them? Plus in the time that has passed, they had managed to set their borders and thrive. As far as she could tell, they were just where they were when she had met Ragnar on that beach.

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Ynness. Of course, she was the trouble maker. Ragnar knew of her hatred at the idea of them being so close. Quite frankly none of them were happy with the circumstances. They all wanted them gone, especially seeing as their claim extended beyond the island from what Ragnar and Kei had discussed in their first meeting. To stand on the beaches of their home and looking out to the waters at their enemy so near, was unsettling.

Kei's leader wanted the islands. She wanted the coastline to the east of them and the brim beyond this. All to which Stormborns were not allowed to tread. Had they truly stayed out of the plains whenever crossing into the tundra? Ragnar had his doubts but he was only but one man and he knew his limits even if his daughter did not. As it were, the two leaders were both to hungry and ambitious for their own good...

He nods delicately, filling some time with silence and rolls his shoulders slowly as Krakarak perched atop them, likely giving Kei the hard beady purple eye. Krakarak didn't care for many wolves, it was still surprising at times he cared so much for him!

“When your Leader decided to settle on the islands, I was fine with this. But as it were, the islands would not be all. Even the beaches along the coast would not be all.” And so, beyond whatever claim Kei had initially thought they were going for. “When another decides to settle next door to someone else's home, tiptoeing only lasts so long, it seems.”

“To my understanding it was by the very word of your Leader that we are now enemies. Unless your here to dismiss this, I believe the decision has already been made clear.” It had been indeed hard to talk down Sindri after what had happened along the coast with her and Asgeir. Sindri had nearly a mind just as @Ynness to run them off had their numbers been more then that of their young. After loosing first her mate, then her only birthed child when waking up in this new land, Ragnar could easily see what held Sindri back from the fight. Viking or not.

Ragnar shifts, a sigh. He looks beyond Kei to the black isles and then back to her. “Now that you have said your peace, as have I, leave. Isle wolves are not welcome here.”
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For a moment he was silent, maybe thinking over his options or what might soothe wayward actions. She prayed he would seek this opportunity for peace just as she had and let bygones be bygones...but peace was not always achievable. When Ragnar spoke again she wasn't sure which side he had picked, but it wouldn't take long to piece together his decision as he continued.

Kei sighed under her breath, something that might have gone unnoticed had it not been for the chilling air. It seemed like there would be no way out of this as he had made up his mind. “In our defense, we didn't know of your claim until I met you. I can't say that would have stopped Vendrussel, she feels tied by the gods she worships, but perhaps a proper introduction could have been made then.” Not that it would change their situation now. She didn't blame them for being tense about neighbors so close as she had grown up in seclusion. Those who left the Order would be gone for days at least if they were sent on a mission, but that meant any tensions were also dealt with far from their homelands.

“I've heard nothing of enemies, only tension, but I can't speak as an Alpha. Whatever you have heard, rather it's true or not, I promise we have not sought bloodshed.” If they had, this conversation would not have ever happened...and who is to say of his family who had found themselves in her home. Not every pack was so willing to let one leave without punishment. “We only wish to live peacefully.”

And that was the truth. “I didn't come to change your mind, just to set things straight, but admittedly I hoped for a better end. I guess I was too late.” For a moment she would spare a glance to the bird perched along his back. She wasn't sure if it had ever looked away which was...a bit unsettling. Shrugging off both of their gazes, Kei stepped back with a short nod, “さようなら — Goodbye Ragnar.” Then she would leave, just as he had asked.

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Last post can come from @Krakarak if you'd like?

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Kei sighs, murmuring about how she hadn't known when the decision to call the islands their own had been made. But it likely would not have stopped Vendrussel, as now the name was given, which meant meeting before paw or not would have made little difference.

Secretly, Kei didn't blame them for the tension of this all. Ragnar was forced to keep a close eye on both the Isle wolves and his family. One who refused to leave and one who refused to have neighbors so close that it meant sharing the neighboring lands for food, herbs, recruitment... How did they possibly think it would have worked?

Live peacefully... Ragnar sighs. Maybe Kei had, but Ragnat did not think her leader did. After all, if she wanted peace, she would not have still decided to settle somewhere so close to others whom did not want them there. She would have sucked it up and moved somewhere else her Gods could pull her. Alas, the same could be said for the Stormborns when finding this mountain chain. But as petty as it were, they had been here far longer. Whether it was just the parents and their pups making a new pack traditionally as wolves do or if it was a ragtag group of adult loners meeting together. Either way, Northfall was home.

Not having anything else to say on the manner, Ragnar nods back to Kei in silent goodbye ans watches her take her leave. He would remain there a time, standing watch, to ensure her good will of leaving peacefully despite the fact that it was now clear, there was no peace between them.
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 He couldn't make out what all of this was. His beady purple eyes narrowed in a glare as the woman talked of territories and trespassing and all sorts of boring things. Was there to be a war? Death? Of the other pack, he hoped. The bird would settle on the man's back, a low croaking noise that was barely audible punctuating his own thoughts. He was glad to hear that Ragnar was not a pushover. He was a stern wolf! A strong wolf! He would not back down! He was pleased to hear such things and when the meeting came to an end and the other wolf walked away. The bird was richer in knowledge but he clacked his beak in disapproval.

 "Crazy! Craziness! Krak! Tundra wolf craziness leak to these wolfs!" He cawed disapprovingly, entirely set that now these wolves would cause them problems. Just like the drama to the north. Great. "Meester Ragnar! What now we do?" The bird asked, leaning around so that he could look at the man.

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Ragnar sighs, shaking his head and tilting his head to the side to better view the bird perched upon his nape. Craziness in the tundra? Ragnar wasn't aware of the happenings further north but perhaps only because of the obvious troubles he had here on his own lands.

“We ready to fight.” He spoke with assurance and turned then away, to move back into the woodland of his home. “Dragonford Isles are no friend of ours. Finding new members may prove difficult...” He mused allowed to his companion. “Far too many are fearful of getting a little bloody.”
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 He clacked his beak excitedly at the prospect of a fight. He would never get his own claws dirty doing such things but he liked to watch the show of blood, especially if there was food to be had afterwards. Preferably the flesh would come from their enemies. "Krakarak sure you find! No need weak wolf anyways! Krak Krak! Need strong ones! Fight good! Kraw! Make Dragon Wolfs dead!" He cawed, quite clearly stoked about the idea of bloody battles to come.

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“Hahaha, right.” Ragnar agrees, nodding his blonde mug. “The north is no place for the weak.” And had no place in Northfall, either. While Ragnar could hold sympathy for such beings, for not all were as strong, brave or wise, he would not think to house them here. The north was harsh, the residents sometimes harsher and he had no means to drag others into a fray who would not only endure it, but find home in it.

“Winter will force many loners into packs for survival, especially in this region. If you come across anyone you'd find fitting, bring them to our home.” He trusted the raven's judgement and knew that he, bird or not, was just as capable of finding those worth calling Northfall home.
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 The raven nodded seriously, as if he weren't one that was a coward at heart. His only saving grace was the fact that he could fly above most trouble and pretend that he was helping. No one ever said he wasn't a hypocrite, however. The raven didn't even realize that he was one and was fully judging those that couldn't or wouldn't thrive in the north.

 "Ya ya! Krakarak find for Ragnar! Bring them here!" He nodded his head gravely. Look for strong wolves! Yeah! That wouldn't be hard. Oh wait, speaking of... "Know strong wolf! She of the tundra..." Then again, she had yelled at him. Hmm. The raven narrowed his eyes in a glare as he thought about that. "Mmm, no no! She mean wolf! Krak!" Although she had given him free reign of her carcasses... pros and cons. "She nearly rip leg off of lead-wolf in tundra! Shirosheekar! No give to Krakarak though." The audacity. "She help cause craziness in crazy tundra wolfs. Krak Krak!" He wondered what he thought about that.

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Hadn't intended for Krak to blab about this yet but hey, he has a mind of his own and he's a blabbermouth.

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