My, my simple sir, this ain't gonna work,

She was often in and out of conscious fate, finding it hard to keep herself awake as body roared with pain, and heart heart, bleeding with vengeance. Though she fell and with a broken leg, it was not without a due trade off. Not only did Vendrussel end the other's young in diligance of territorial invading, she had harmed their other. Though in the end they were till but babes, small young ones who would be of no use for war and just another reason to fuel the anger that came from Northdall — while she was at, their borders grew just a bit stronger.

She finally rose, awake within the day as groggy eyes peered out from her den. She doesn't remember too much besides @Kei dragging her throat the waves, feeling the slight salt to her nose and face. Though she made it alive, but not.. Without some cause, as she looked at her leg that was broken as so. Yet it was not left alone, given but minor tending to and caution with seaweed to it's leg. A wrapping, like a caste — yet when she moved it, it was painful. She couldn't even twist her toes, and in due noticed.. It had been broken.

A gritting of her teeth, for she was out for the count. It would not be as bad if it not were war looming quite closely, far too much to her liking. A small laughter lifting through, as though she should've suspected some sort of harm to bring their deceased young to the mountains.. But Vendrussel didn't expect to be thrown from their cliffs — surviving, with her lifeless leg.

It heal in due time, she knew of confidence, but that would take months. Within the meanwhile, they could come to the borders so soon..

They needed to act fast. She knew of where to go to get help — but would they? The knew not of Vendrussel's name of even her ford, only the thought of one saying, they'd offer a lending paw in need. Yet it was their best chance to even win this war, much less stay. Though with her condition.. She would need someone, someone fast. To help her move across the mountains to achieve this peace, a helping paw that wasn't wanted, but for the wolves of her ford, needed.

So much within her mind and all needed to be done, and all she could do was rest within the den in a sigh.

The dragoness awoke in disgruntle.

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Gods, where to start. It was no surprise when the tensions boiled over, and though no official war had been declared yet, it would surely come. Their only saving grace was also their downfall, both packs were new and far too unstable to waste strength so freely in a display of dominance. How long would that last though? Northfall had at least one ally and the Ford rested with none. With Vendrussel's broken leg, even those who had potential now sat out of reach.

Maybe it was time to assess for herself just what kind of forces they held. @Aarkron was large, even if unskilled he would be intimidating and his blows were likely heavy. There was @"Wither" , though new to their band, he had already voiced the want to share his strength. The rest she had only seen in passing if even that... Three defenders would do no good, perhaps if it was just Ragnar and his mate, but who knew what power his allies would bring. What they needed was trained fangs...and a proper medic should the worse to come. Healing was valuable knowledge, even she learned some within the Order. How could one fight without its counterpart?

There were two ways to save a life after all.

That knowledge only went so far though and admittedly, Kei was quickly becoming thinly stretched. Finishing her rounds early, the shadow had raced to the woods on near-distant shores, scavenging what late blooms lasted to better prepare what only a boy had started. As she rounded the corner though, she would find the sea dragon awake. Kei placed the abundance of plants and a large stick on the ground before her, sitting down with a cock of her head. “'bout time you woke up.” Not too much time had passed, but she was their only leader, and they needed a plan. “Do me a favor and avoid moving unless it's absolutely necessary.” Because if what she knew about Vendrussel was even an inch correct she would be just as stubborn as she and try to fight the pain. Unfortunately, that was the best way to end up crippled for life.

If there was ever a time to be glad she had crippled her sister, now would be that time. Her mother has slaved over her legs in a desperate attempt to reverse what she had started, and though she failed, Kei had caught glimpses of her treatments. “I don't think I need to state the obvious, so tell me what the fuck happened and bite a stick or something because we need to start fixing that.” With a flick of her paw she shoved a branch Venny's way as the other pointed to her obviously disfigured limb.

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Though there was no healer within the ford — at least Kei knew of the basics. Her thoughts were boiling in a distraction and became disrupted when the other dragoness entered the area. An ocean gaze following her before drifting to her own leg — where just a bit it was treated with salves and the arts of the sea itself. Vendrussel knew the very basics, and that was to wrap sea-weed around the wound as a somesort of bandage. Beyond that to avoid infections and likewise with illness's were an unknown part, and especially so with her broken, and twisted leg.

A frustrated wince crossed over to see her own self be in this shape, "I killed their young on our borders," though point-black, did the dragoness admit. As her eyes was upon the stick that would soon align near her leg, a still process on knowing it was best to heal.. She lifted upwards and looked at the other, admitting so without a pause, nor even regret. It was a blank state as a chill froze over herself, a coldness drenching into her voice mentioning of ending. Most likely, Kei could guess which young it was, as golden boy was a meek lad, and the girl with disfigurements had a temper of that like the Gods itself. 

"I brought her body to the mountains," a slow laugh crept out, almost whisper-like, "a warning, a respect toward the death.. Though that was met with a violence," and then retreated her ocean-view away from the other, going back down to her paws. Memories were slowly drifting as it all happened so fast, it seemed like a blurr, "I threw their other young off the cliff, and in return I was thrown into the sea." 

She too could tell how ridiculous it all sounded, especially coming from her own voice and being the protagonist of that story. A foolish twist, she imagined the other would say.. Even Vendrussel agreed, but upon her honor, and the pride of the other warrior, it was only right to do so. She could chalk it up all she wanted, but in the end, she did not leave without injury.

"The sea seemed to bring me back home."

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“神々 — Gods” A breath was sucked between her teeth as she sat sorting herself out while she tried to process the first part of the information, though it seemed there was even more to come. The boiling point had been reached so it seemed, and what she had tried to prevent with Ragnar was now met with the consequences. No one had to die. Not a child.

But it was her own actions that brought forth an early end. Whatever gods she believed in were only so strong, for there were things even mere mortals could do that was beyond the gods. Sometimes there was no time to act. It was one annoyance dealt with, admittedly, though it did not feel good either way. Undoubtedly war was now upon them, and to hear that she had harmed another of their children was concerning. Of course, it may be their saving grace as Venny apparently single-handedly crippled their enemies before they could gather. As far as she knew it was the just family, and with two children down one had to stay. That only left one to fight, one to attack, but there was still their allies to account for as well.

“Did you expect grieving parents to grovel at your feet?” To find their young gone and departed so early, who would not be met with anger? “You should have left her at their borders and turned.” That would have sent the message she sought and avoided the state they were now in as well. But what's done is done and now was not the time to judge Venny for her actions. “You got lucky, but that won't save you next time ya know. They have allies in the near east.”

The shadow placed a spare branch near the outstretched twisted leg, while another was slid to Vendrussel's front paws for her to bite. It was up to her if she used it, but she couldn't say she didn't warn her. She hadn't really found a pain reliever in her quick searching, but pain was nothing new to either of them. “Brace yourself.” Then without much of a warning, she would press down on her upper leg while she tried to twist the lower half back to something more natural. Rather or not her bones would ever line up perfectly again was debatable, but there was only so much you could do without thumbs. At the very least, now her leg would look more natural.

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A low laughter followed with a minor cough, "I was trying to take out the woman as well," she faintly said with eyes gliding away. There was only one grown woman within their falls, a mother to the two. Without her it was surely a way to get them to fall and push back - as well as move, "she was alone, though did not expect her young to come forth."

She was close, Vendrussel thought. To finally end the strife in between that she fully believed Northfall started, but won't end. Neither will she be the one to bow in defeat, for though they were supposedly firstly — their claim was never up to par with the fords. Weaklings, who desired far more then they desired without to back up. She snorted with the thought of their allies, though true nordic wolves they may be — clearly was not the case if they sought help.

"We will have to make the journey to Empyrean, and request help. They may not know of us.. But it's the best we can do."
It wasn't Vendrussel's desire to seek out help, especially to ones they barely knew.. She clung onto the hope of Altair, and the minor meet of his father, Dirge. Yet she knew not of the matriarch that the boy looked up to — and the question if they would lend a paw to a war they are not acquainted with.

It was their best shot, for as Vendrussel would heal the other would gathet allies for a vengeance. A tail flickered in an irritation, ready to comment more — instead sucked in a breath with tears straining her eyes. A call of pain held itself in a silence. She was a tough wolf, but not one completely voided of pain as she winced at the adjustment.

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“You shouldn't be trying to do anything alone. You have a pack at your heels and this problem is beyond yourself.” Admittedly, those words were funny coming from her mouth considering she would have just done the same had they been back home. She left the Order by her own will, though there were certainly a few who likely thought it best for some discovery of self passage to be undertaken given her running reputation. “You know what kind of kids we were. We don't know them and just because you bested one, does not mean you will the rest.”

Even at a young age one could cause damage or start wars. She had been sent on scout and scavenge missions, others assassination, protection, restoration. Less experienced, yes, but skilled? Well, that depended on who you compare. Ragnar's child had done the same that either one of them could have as kids. The only difference was the dragons hid away from the outside, and the Order worked in secrecy. 

Then Vendrussel continued and Kei couldn't help but roll her eyes that she thought she was going anywhere anytime soon. “Correction, someone will go to Empyrean. You will stay here if you ever want to use that leg again. If not, I might as well stop what I'm doing and try to finish the job.” How ironic should she end up without a leg, just like the girl she had felled. “That one guy said he was a scout right? Absinthe or whatever? Send him, send me I don't care, but you can't move.” She'd wave a paw in the other's face as she went back to sorting through what things she could find before taking some roots to chew on. “You wanna win, right?”

With a free paw, Kei worked dried clumps of seaweed away carefully from the sea dragon's wounds so she could work in the paste from her mouth. If all went well it would act as a disinfectant for whatever might have been trapped in her wounds still when they were working to stop the bleeding. “If you want to win then you need to think beyond right now.” It wouldn't take long to spread what she could into the cuts. Once that was done she would take some seaweed to wrap around the broken leg and stick, hopefully stabilizing it somehow, though it surely wouldn't hold up if Vendrussel walked around on it.

As far as she was concerned, she didn't need it to be sturdy for the long run, just enough to keep in place while she rested. Whenever she came to check on the wounds she could make sure everything was rewrapped properly and it would also serve as a way to tell if Vendrussel was going against her word behind her back. Realistically, she couldn't stop her from doing whatever she wanted, but the results would be on her if things didn't heal properly.

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"I wanted to honor her after death," a sigh following, "and bring her to her land. The thought to bring others didn't come — and this is the result." A wave of her paw gesturing the aftermath as dragon Alpha admitted to her faults — that she did in fact think without the others thoughts. Maybe in another timeline it would've been safer, if she were to brought the others.. Yet Vendrussel only thought was to bring the fallen child home, enemy or not, she had fought with a valor not even some adults can give. It didn't feel right, to wait. But there was consequences to these actions ; and she had learned well. A leg, of  a sacrifice to this lesson.

"It's different when it comes to going to a pack that we never officially met to ask for help," Vendrussel argued wiith a wincing huff as she inhaled deeply from the aftermath of pain. A waving of vision as she took a few moments to breathe in and out, a calming of body and soul while adjusting to this.. New form of herself. Any ounce of shuffling from her leg provided a minimal stinging, a heartbreak where she knew even if desired to go to the mountains — her body argued.

"It wouldn't look good on the ford if ventured for help without the leader asking herself. Even I, would've looked down onto a pack who sought us and did so." She shook her head thinking similar, the biggest reason she had to go, even with her condition. To seek help but the leader themselves avoid the responsibility? If anyone came to the ford Vendrussel would've looked at them in scorn and turn away, seeing they were not as desperate as they so seem, nor' truly desire their help. A leader to pull their head down and ask another.. Many wouldn't allow their pride to, even if it meant sacrificing their wolves itself. Even she, didn't want to — but it was a must to survive.

"You will go with me. We will instruct Aarkon and Absinthe to guard closely on the beach, with Belial keeping inland to guard alongside Monarch, and the child." A demand through her voice, not a suggestion. Though she value'd Kei's words and advice — it was something Vendrussel knew she needed to do, but not without help. She would take her with.

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It was not the honoring that caused Kei's scowl, but the manner in which Vendrussel chose to do so. It was still stupid in the end, and she wasn't sure just what Vendrussel expected to get out of the confrontation. What's worse is she wouldn't even listen now and demanded that she go to the lower mountains as well. “You're fuckin' stupid if you really see that as weakness. You're a leader Venny, and this request of yours is grunt work. You have more important things to do than run around and beg with your tail between your legs. If you think you look weak asking for help, imagine how weak it will look if you show up on their doorstep broken.” At least if she or one of the others went they would look like capable fighters. Someone who was worth the cause to aid with allied forces when they barely knew the isle wolves.

“I'm not taking you. And I'll make sure no one else does either. You can't walk you'll only slow us down and we don't have the time right now for you to put on a strong face and pretend it's all fine.” She might be outranked here, but when did rank ever stop her from speaking her mind. She might evoke the wrath of a dragon, but she would not flinch, her own gaze cutting back as she stared down at the sea-licked woman. If Vendrussel had an issue with it, she would have to physically stop her. “Stay. Home. I'll take whichever escort you want. The other two can guard the borders and you can stay with the soft at the heart as a last resort of protection.”

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A narrowed look at the other as a tail flickered in an irration. She moved up to a better position, pushing her posture high. She could not do much within this situation, though being treated — she was still weak, and leg tending to itself. An adjustment through body, as many do survive without using all their legs, but she definitely was not one of them. Not to mention the scratches upon her flank hissed in a irritation as the sea-salt had clung to it and currently dried. A breeze coming through bringing that chill and tense of pain.. 

"Be a crutch," though voice followed with a low chuckle it hissed with a chill, a toxicity and demand of so. She could not fight the other — and though the Alpha would order so, the dragon before her was not one to easily take orders.. Which was fine at first, but now affecting her, Vendrussel could only wonder how her mother had dealt with this. Thoughts remaining silent for she knew the other would rage like no other when sympathizing with the orders leader. She gritted her teeth.

"Desperation of another leader — an empathy, perhaps favoring and meeting officially. War doesn't care for weak leaders, especially when not asking for help."

To come to their doors and ask for a lending paw in this trying times. Though they barely knew Empyrean, Vendrussel was taking Altair's words to heart on seeking them when trouble brews. She knew not if they would help or so, not even knowing if they held any use.. For their smell was strong when she was nearby, but it meant nothing if their warriors were weak, or too few to truly help. She was prepared for a no.. But it was about all they had to storm Northfall's peaks.

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Again the other tried to display her dominance above her, the other's posture shifting so she might sit above her height and look down upon her. All Vendrussel would receive was a glare in return. Kei had already had her fair share of being looked down on, and now, when she needed someone to put her in her right of mind, it was frustrating enough that they had to fight over something so obviously stupid and trivial, but she dared undermine her as well. As far as she was concerned though, the woman's idle threat was but empty words. She could see the pain in her eyes, the pain in her muscles as her body rebelled against her movements, so she stood tall, even if the other would tower above.

She was done being backed into corners. Done being ignored.

“And war loves a dead leader. That's what you'll be if you don't shut up sit down and lick your wounds. You leave and those wounds will only get worse and likely infected. I can only do so much to patch your ass.” Disrespectful? Oh yeah, she had probably crossed several lines by now, but that was the thing about an old friend, a rival, taking the helm. They never really did feel like they stood above you. “I never said we don't ask. I just said you don't. Pull your shit together, clear your head and figure out how we win this. Send me to this other pack... and we'll take care of the rest from there, yeah?” The last words were sighed out, a slight relaxation of her posture as she tried to bite back her agitation. Everyone was likely tense right now.

The last thing they needed was to fight each other. “You know I only say this because I care. You aren't allowed to die on me.” Because really...who else did she have once she was gone? She was lucky to have even run into Vendrussel here of all places. Unfortunately, they were both just as stubborn as they had been back home.

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Any other time Vendrussel would most likely lunge at Kei, go where wolves primarily go in times of disagreement, though not preferred it was perhaps the only way to get it through Kei's head. Though when she moved a small hissing sound came out in an annoyance as she had to hold her herself from moving further, as her body adjusted back downwards in an anger. A tail flickering back in forth, high in the air with a showing of dissatisfaction from the Alpha, and most likely a displeasure of Kei from her movement.

There was a sigh that left out, an eyeroll as she gazed past the den doors in a momentum of silence. War truly did love the head of the leaders, and moreso she had a target upon her back from the leaders especially due to their young being killed with her own teeth. She could still taste the blood mixing from not only the young, but the swift woman who knocked her down into the sea. Fight well-earned but sacrificed her own leg at such an end. Blood had been spilled, and some would whisper hers was next.

"Down south is their location, past Event Horizon."

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Almost immediately did Vendrussel move, a look of hate running through her eyes as she tried to challenge her call, though before she could do anything she recoiled with a pained hiss. It was just as she expected, but Venny was in no right here, title or not. If she wanted to  fling around her life like a fish on a string before cats she could, but Kei would take no part in it. “Try that again and I’ll make sure you don’t have a leg to worry about.”

Her alpha raised her tail, a silent challenge in rank as she stared her down before eventually rolling her eyes. It was frustrating on all accounts, but there was no way for her to change the woman’s mind. They both were terribly stubborn like that and would do as they please. That’s why it would be so easy though for her to take that leg instead of fixing it should Vendrussel do something stupid and put her health even further in jeopardy. She had come for a pack of peace and seclusion. A home close to home with something familiar to root her. So far, Venny had not shown that, and for the first time a seed of doubt was planted as to rather or not this would truly be the home for her.

Luckily, their fight seemed to end here as Vendrussel finally reigned and settled down again. Not once had she tried to assert dominance over the woman other than holding her stance with a stern glare, but she had no interest in usurping or defeating a downed woman. Really she had no interested in leading at all. There had been enough of that experience in her life growing up with what had been expected of her. Eventually she would be given a direction, and naturally her eyes skimmed to the south, seeking fogged over shores towards what she knew. Event Horizon was not that far, perhaps this Empyrean would be closer than she had initially thought. “Then that is where I will go.”

The shadow turned to leave, her tail flicking idly behind her as she walked, though before she got far she would turn back once more, head cast over her shoulder to look at her fallen friend. “Please just fucking rest. You’ll ruin my work and make your leg worse than how it would heal normally. You shouldn’t go anywhere or do anything for at least a month or two.” How long did it take for a bone to begin to fuse again?

It had been so long now and she really wasn’t a healer at heart. It would be obvious when she could slowly begin to integrate movement again though. Of course if she kept up what she was doing now while she was gone she might be permanently crippled before she even returned. Once the message had been thoroughly passed, Kei would seek out a meal and leave immediately for their potential allies.

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"Sure you will." She said with a scoff, as her tail continued to sway in an irritation. All the arguing was wearing her thin, an exhaustion waving over as she propped a paw to her head. It was growing tiring, for she already had been on deaths door being sunken into the sea and now needing to cast her line to catch for help. War to be looming, something she never would've thought would occur within her time — yet stubborness took hold, for all that it was, she was given a task by those higher up within the world, and the clam of stake was within these isles. Greed was something she was used to, but never to expense of those who overestimated to her own abilities ; for as cocky as dragons were.. They at least had limitations.

Now all they needed as a bit of help from others within this fight.

Everything was exhausting, and at the moment she knew well enough the fight of words was not one she could win in this state; and conceded silently to the other. An annoyance to which she wanted to go herself and yet without a crutch to go — she was useless. There was others to ask, but Vendrussel did not want to drag them in a squabble between two, where surely Kei would confront before she gotten away. 

As the other begun her lecture to stay put, Vendrussel rolled herself over nicely to avoid pain, as she waved a paw off to Kei. She was in a bit of an attitude right now.

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