--Hoist the Colors High [MB]

-J.a.c.k S.p.a.r.r.o.w -

Jack's eyes narrowed on the Midnights unease creeping through his stomach. It was true that theirs was a small pack but they still thrived. He watched the crazed one circle him but would not show him the satisfaction of a reaction. This brute was one who craved bloodshed, The Pearl was not a place for a hessian like this. Why had Junior brought this upon the lands? For what reason? Jack would need to send a missive to Tirisfal and maybe Hamara as soon as possible. For though he did not usually play with the Pure packs he had never really had any connection with the dark ones to be of use. Jabbar did not look kindly on the Pearl and Muerta...well no one should be involved with that crazed witch. When Junior spoke he looked sadly at the hessian. Damn right he feared for his whelps.

Looking at Gladiator he bore himself proud, just because the Midnights were bigger does not mean Jack was a small wolf. He was thick muscled from the sea and sand, not easy terrain to traverse. "I would like to know what salvation you offer? Is there some unknown apocalypse of the horizon?!" His teeth snapped together louder than Harmi's did. "You come into my lands, insult my hospitality and beg us off as the ones who act as pups?" He snarled "I have seen no true show of any reason, or wit amongst you. You have not come to speak but to intimidate, you threaten yourselves as enemies upon us but for what?! You are not a pack but a scattering of a clan! If it would please you to walk into the lone lands you will find several of those about!" He was exasperated. He still didn't know why they were here. "So tell me what I need help from? I don't plan to engage in any war and..." Here he looked at Harmi "You can plenty well stay out of the dramas of others if you use your intelligence, though I see you lack that feature." Harmi disgusted him and he did not want him in the lands.

Brown lanterns on Gladiator once more he recalled how he never much liked Juniors family. "How do I know you are not spies sent from Akira's dominion? Home of your clan alike?"

Red had remained nearby, seeing that Jack had responded to Junior's howl. He wasn't near enough to be actively eavesdropping, unless they started to raise their voices, but was close enough to engage in a potential fight. His wish wasn't for Jack to be alone with these three... now four.

His gaze zeroed in on Jack when he called to him and Khalon. His stance looked relaxed, and he hadn't moved, apart from his eyes. Soon enough, Junior surprised him when he send his clan away, and wondered if he was turning his back in favor of Jack. Then Liar reappeared, and was talking to Jack in a hushed, inaudible voice. He gaze turned to Junior, then to the others, wondering how the rest of the pack was fairing.

Yana was still near the clearing, wanting to give the alphess a bit of space with her pups, but was detecting another new wolf headed towards the lands. He looked to Calypso, noticing how worried she was, and probably for good reason. His maw open and was about to suggest moving until she barked. Straightening, he trotted forward.

Typically he'd be reluctant to do something like this, but he did like it here, and he found he wouldn't mind if he never ran across that wolf anywhere in these lands... until their paths actually crossed. Approaching Calypso, he questioned, "What shall I do?"

-J.a.c.k S.p.a.r.r.o.w -

Jack watched with relief as the wolves left, though they answered none of his questions. He cast curious eyes on Junior, why the change of heart? Perhaps he would get the answers out of the old alpha. Studying him in silence he waited until the sound of the other Midnights retreat faded and thought one was returning but it was only Liar. A smile broke out around his muzzle at the sight of her....she had returned. But as she came and whispered in his ear he cocked his head and gazed at her with a complex expression. Was this treachery she spoke of? Pursing his lips his eyes again found Junior. He seemingly abandoned his Midnight kin. Shaken from the recent ordeal and the sharp reality check of his position he looked seriously at Liar and nodded.

Then lifting his muzzle heavenward he let loose his howl, but it was not a howl for the pack, it was meant for the ears of another. Thrusting his voice so that it would carry strong and true he ended it gradually. Breathing heavy for a moment from the exertion he looked at Liar. "It is done. Pray go to your mother and I wish to have words with you after..." He touched his muzzle to her neck in an affectionate manner hoping that she did not believe what Junior had said. Honestly he thought that mayhap Junior had taken a bite of the root of insanity.

He hoped that Calypso would agree with his actions. The Midnights threatened a travesty upon them and Jack could no longer go without the aid of his neighbors, whatever alliance they be... Lanterns upon Junior once more he frowned. "Why the change of heart?" He desired to be back with his mate and whelps and to keep them safe. He would not say it out loud but the parting words of Harmi unnerved him.

Calypso

Calypso looked up seeing Yana and wagged her tail. "Yana will you help me?" she asked looking at her two sleeping pups. "I need to move them...someplace safer..." she said worry deep in her blue eyes. "Could you carry one of them so we can move them at the same time?" she asked. "Please..' she said and nosed him.

Calypso knew just where to take them. The den that Catherine had found to birth her pups in. The thought of the fem made Calyspo frown and she sighed. She missed Catherine and hoped she was well. Calypso looked to Yana and wagged her tail. "Come...hurry and then you can find Jack and let him know where we are." she said and leaned over to pick up the closest pup which happened to be her daughter. She looked at Yana and wagged her tail and then trotted out knowing her packmate would be just behind her with her son.

She was careful as she went along and trotted into a stream to hide her scent and then continued until the rocky cliffs were in view. She picked her way through some rock and saw the small opening that hailed the den that was hidden there. SHe twitched her nose and no fresh scent came from it and crept inside looking about. She set her daughter down and sighed feeling better but still uneasy. She looked out the opening and waited for Yana to hand her son to her.

Yana nodded, wondering when this would come up. Although it was seemingly safe here now, it was quite in the open for newborns. He lowered his head to pick up... Caspian, I think his name was, he thought briefly before gently lifting the pup from the ground, unsure if he'd start to stir from his slumber.

Following Calypso's path, he made sure not to let the pup touch the water when they entered the stream. His footsteps were more cautious than they'd normally be, not wanting to cause the alphess to fall into a panic, since she was carrying her other pup as well. They reached the den, and Yana wondered how many knew of this den. Slightly entering the den so that he could get closer to Calypso, he settled Caspian on the ground within her reach, making sure there weren't any sharp rocks. Slowly backing out afterwards, he questioned, "Do you need any new grass in here, or shall I go to Jack now?" His gaze turned to their surroundings, a quick scanning of the area.

Calypso

Calypso smiled and nuzzled Caspian as Yana set him down. She looked at her packmate and wagged her tail. "Thank you so much Yana." she said. "It's fine for now. I will get some grass and we can fetch the pelts from the old den later." She said worry lacing her eyes once more. "Please go to Jack...I worry with all of the strangers flooding in." She nudged Yana to hurry.

She looked back at her pups who were now curled around one another. She blinked her sapphires and slipped from the den pulling some of the long salt grass from the area around the den and then slipping back in to make her young a soft bed to lift them off the cool ground. Once finished she curled around them and nudged them to her belly. Both pups scenting their mother quickly latched on and began to nurse. Calypso watched, ears and e yes on alert to the entrance of the den.

Yana nodded and at Jack's prompting, turned to wander for a bit, making sure to head in any direction but towards Calypso without even a glance towards Junior. He simply didn't know the situation, and didn't want to spend the energy to get involved physically...yet. Currently, things were ok with him, but he didn't like the fact that these wolves had traveled in groups and knew each other. In his mind, none of them would have been the absolute leader, although the one with Jack is... or had been, this particular group's leader. The real leader would be snuggled up in the backlines, far away, either expecting the minions to have been killed and wouldn't care, or await their return of information. Or at least, that's what Yana himself had done in the far past, if he was collecting intelligence or a survey of the land to strategize or send in warriors. Then again, these wolves were traveling in the open and not discretely, so he wasn't sure what the agenda could be.

Those wolves looks like they were fighters, and that unerved him but just because he currently hadn't even one devoted follower anymore, didn't mean he couldn't think as if he did have some still. Perhaps he'd be a little bit useful if his suspicions were true. He wasn't the best at tactics, but he was decent. Of course, the pack might change their views of him if this were to leak out, falsely thinking him to be a dark wolf pretending not to be- packs were unpredictable like that sometimes. He settled down next to a tree when he deemed himself far enough, and wondered when he should return to take Jack to his mate.

Red noticed that Jack was a bit more... welcoming of Junior, but probably not enough for their interaction to be considered friendly. When they moved to Calypso's former den, he followed at a far distance, and was glad to see she'd moved. Jack never really said anything, and was unsure if he still wanted him to be around, so he remained nearby, just out of earshot. He'd seen Yana come and gone and was considering to follow, but decided against it. The other seemed to be in deep thought and the maned wolf didn't want to disturb him. Instead, he glanced around at the surrounding trees and brush, still wondering who all these wolves were.

Calypso

Calypso sighed and nodded. At least her beloved was safe though she didn't know if she trusted Junior just yet. He had said they were his kin after all. She flicked her ears forward hearing the news of the packs being tied together now. It felt odd. How could they have ties with the dark packs? She shook her pelt off ridding herself of the uneasy sensation that befell her. She looked at her daughter and her causual words and blinked sapphire eyes. "Well we will just have to see what fate brings us now won't we my darling?" she said softly and looked at her daughter and then glanced back to her den where her pups lay sleeping.