quite eradicated
At this point, we can skip the posting order. I will not reply again for three days so everyone who wants to reply can.
The last time the entirety of the clan had come together was for the announcement of his ascension. Now, as he waited behind the crackling fire, Ezekiel saw what Inferni had become. A sharp and puzzled look was shot to the child (no, she wasn’t a child anymore) and the carcass. Why had she dragged it here? He did not oppose the clan’s “fun” so much these days, but it certainly echoed the doubt Sage had left circling in his heart. Aemon’s comments were taken with a silent glance; Ezekiel did not trust himself to speak yet.
More came, some together, others alone. He saw his sister’s ex-mate, Hybrid’s daughter and her siblings. Helotes, Alma, Vesper—they were not strangers to him now. Most of these men were not strangers, save one patchy hybrid who carried himself in a peculiar manner. Ezekiel assumed Sage had accepted him and left his doubts at that.
An impossibly old woman came to his side. Ezekiel was glad for his grandmother’s presence, just as he was for her confidence. Others lacked it; they had not spent much time together in the days since his rise, but a certain silent understanding existed between them. He offered her a faint smile, and went so far as to dip his head slightly in respect. Of them all, Kaena alone commanded this from her golden descendant.
His other half-brother and the woman he had come with lingered near the back of the group. Enkiel, true-to-fashion, forced himself to the front and shot the Aquila a look that spoke all too clearly of his distaste. Sometimes, the hybrid could see glimpses of Samael in his cousin’s sharp profile, and worried about this. He had known his uncle mad; he had seen it clear as day. This explained much to him, especially in the case of the auburn woman who seemed practically gloating as she neared. Ezekiel ignored her. After all, he had taken her once—he would do so again, even if she came after him with that damned sword.
Finally, when the last of the Ulrich brood arrived, he rose. A shadow passed overhead and circled down, landing behind him with a ruffling of feathers. Ibsen, mercifully, remained silent.
“It’s been a long time,” he began, thinking of the rockslide, of his father’s injury, of Marlowe’s death. All of these things pulled at his bones, but his posture remained tall and while many here towered over him, his head was high and presence commanding. “Inferni has not had this strength since we first crossed the mountains after the Great Fire. Most of you are blood-kin; most of us,” he added, smiling slightly. “Can claim lineage to this woman.” Pleased by his statement, Kaena straightened even more and smiled fiercely.
“Yet those who are not are still clan; they are our blood because Inferni alone does not bow to wolves.” No, though the blood ran thick in some of them, they had chosen coyote. “And even a family name cannot guarantee loyalty.” He thought of Andrezej, and Samael, and even himself—Halo certainly would have liked to know that, he thought bitterly. “Sage has left Inferni. She has done so to join the wolf pack over the mountain. Her choice has barred her from these lands; do not allow her past our borders.”
Shifting his weight from one foot to another, the blonde man looked to his wounded cousin and the tiny woman at his side. “I have said so before, and I will do so now; Inferni is to avoid Salsola. I have spoken to their leader, Sirius—he has assured me that his pack is to do the same as well. Unless you go there to trade, no one is to cross the river into their territory. Do not think this means we are allies; if you catch a Salsolian within Inferni, treat them as you would any other.” His voice sharpened with this message. While Sirius and Ezekiel had established neutrality, it was a cold-war mentality that clung to them. Many, he knew, would certainly understand why. Halo’s exiled son claimed a high rank within the pack, and Eris and Sirius had once been Inferni members. They were as dangerous as the clan, albeit it smaller.
“As some of you have realized, a man from AniWaya is reporting information to the clan. This does not entitle him to cross our borders—if he has information to deliver, take it from him and send him on his way.” While Ezekiel had been very interested in the stories of Anathema, the world to the south of them was a distant one. He did not trust the albino yet, and did not feel the need to allow him access to the clan. “Likewise, I would recommend we all keep our ears open; more and more wolves are settling around us.”
He paused to take a breath. A log cracked within the fire and sent a rush of sparks skyward, to where the rolling clouds still threatened rain or snow. “With winter coming, we’ll have easier hunting. However, we should not be unprepared. Last year was not an easy one; I suggest you gather some supplies if there is an emergency. Our horses will need food as well, so don’t forget them. For those of you with children,” here he looked to Halo, and then Valkyrie. “If you need additional aid, simply ask. Our priorities are with them,” he raised his voice and scoured the crowd, reinforcing the idea. How could he not, thinking of the boy they had lost? That bitter wound still clung to him like a bad dream. No, he recognized the severe need to keep their clan children safe and strong. Without them, there would be no future—loners came and went, but a birthright to this nearly ten-year-strong clan was something to be envied.
Satisfied he had said what needed told, he fell silent. There was no doubt in him that others would speak, but he had weathered meetings like this before…just not as the leader.
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