28th Ymiden, 718
"I trust I'll see you again?" the man spoke, leaning back against a tree as the two Cougars nuzzled against him. Ela smirked, glancing to Jaecer. He was a beastmaster, one that Ela had befriended lately due to her purchases. He went around buying animals, then sold them to the Mortalborn. After all, his ideals and hers aligned almost perfectly. Both wanted a more natural world, both adored predatory animals - and both were tired of the binding of society. Perhaps an alliance would be made between these two.
"Thanks for seeing them, by the way. I was worried when Redfang wasn't eating, but he must have just been adapting to his new home" she muttered, stroking the cougars head. Jaecer then looked at the girl with a serious look. "I've been meaning to give you this, by the way" he muttered, before handing her a pouch of 300gn. Glancing down to it, Ela looked confused.
"Consider this a thank you, for everything you're doing. If it helps fund your goals, then I consider it a price worth paying" he nodded. Ela smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile, before pocketing the gold and nodding to the man. "Thank you, I appreciate it. Now if you'll excuse us, we have to set up. We have some chaos to cause."
With a hug farewell, the man made his way, Ela returning to her cave to collect the others. Quickly, they made their way out of the cave and to the road outside of Scalvoris town, this time waiting around thirty minutes travel instead of just ten. If she struck the same place twice, people would start to learn. No, the Bloodclaw had to be careful. Nobody could know what her next move would be, just that she would make one. That's what all of this was for, after all. A message was being sent to the people of Scalvoris. Ela Wolfsdotter, or better known as Bloodclaw, would be coming for them - and nobody is safe.
When the Pack finally arrived at the destination, the set up took place. Two cougars, Redfang and Darkfur, positioned perfectly among the trees on either side of the road. Ela had bought both on the fifteenth of the season, and had spent the entire time since preparing to bring them to a fight. Though they came pre-trained, it was important to build a bond with them, and so the girl did. Now, they would be ready to follow through. Their jobs were simple enough, requiring minimal training as it was in their nature. They were ambush predators, and so they would ambush.
By her side rested Alrur and Aila, waiting for their usual jobs - kill. When both Cougars pounced the animals hauling the carriage, Ela and the other two would attack any humans, while the cougars started picking off anyone who came close. It was a simple but effective plan, the girl thought. After all, it would take a lot of men to subdue this many predators. A lot of men that, chances were, nobody would have. Not unless Ela made the mistake of attacking a small group of fighters, and even then they stood a chance. Her Pack would never fall, Ela believed it. Bloodclaw and the Pack that followed her would never fall.
"Aila, Alrur - wait" she whispered, as the Cougars waited just out of earshot. Bushes and shrubs blocked most of the road, but gave her some vision of the place. Evening meant that her vision was worsened further, though it was still visible. All she needed was to see the people she would kill, that was what mattered. Once they were dead and their loot was hers, she could start with her message. So long as one man survived, that was what mattered.
Twenty bits went past, with nothing worth attacking going by. Ela almost ordered the kill on one of the passing carts, but it wasn't enough for what she wanted. This had to be bigger, much bigger. A true show of power would be done today, and Ela wanted to ensure nobody forgot it. Scalvoris would speak her name with fear for the rest of its short-lived time, she'd make sure of it. Nobody would forget her. Children would have nightmares of her at night. And one day the nightmares of her creeping in to their houses would be true, and would be the last nightmare they ever had.
As that thought filled her head, the carriage of choice finally entered view. It looked fairly expensive, and had three horses pulling it. Instead of holding loot, it held men and women, their laughter able to be heard through the woods. Sat on the front of it were two grown men, both fairly strong looking. Shame that neither looked stronger than the animals they were about to face. Ela smirked as the carriage grew closer. Whoever she chose to survive would never forget tonight.
"Redfang, ready" she called loud enough, causing a small roar from the cougar. Opposite, hearing the roar and call, Darkfur readied for a pounce. Just one more trill. As the pack stayed silent, the carriage went by, before the attack began. Redfang and Darkfur pounced out of the trees, immediately taking down two of the three horses. Without hesitation, the others leaped to the attack.
Aila leaped high in to the air, taking one of the men off the carriage with a loud, blood-curdling roar. Quickly, the cheetahs fangs wrapped around the mans neck, almost immediately silencing his screams of terror. Ela took care of the other man, sinking her claws in to his leg and pulling him off the carriage with the help of Alrur. Both pulled him to the floor, and Ela sunk her fangs quickly in to his neck, mimicking the move of Aila. As she did, the man grabbed at her hair, but Alrur put himself between them and snapped at his hands, taking a chunk of one off with a vicious tear. Blood ran in to the girls mouth as she tore out his throat, with a long and hard tug.
Both cougars quickly finished off the final horse, while Aila choked out the man underneath her, claw marks coating his torso form where the cheetah had sunk the claws in to keep a tight grip. Then came the final issue, the now-silent men and women inside the carriage. Fear had consumed them all at the sounds of snarling and screams, then the cart stopping and the horses cries of pains. Which meant, chances were, they would be on high alert. Ela had to take this cautiously. Or, perhaps she didn't.
"Here" Ela snarled, all the animals coming beside her. Then, she turned her attention to the men and women inside the cart. Her claws scraped along the outside of the carriage, causing a few cries of terror from inside, as she began to speak with a heavy and vicious snarl. "You have a short time to send out one man or woman. Failure to do so will result in the death of everybody in that carriage. Do I make myself clear?"
Some discussion then went on inside the cart, the sound of tears causing the girl to smirk a little. Yet after a bit had passed, the girl grew impatient with it. Nobody had spoken to her, none had come out, none had even drawn a weapon inside the cart. Bloodclaw grew frustrated, as did the hungry animals around her. Waiting another bit, Ela had enough. Her claws then pressed against the carriage again.
With a sharp movement, the girl made a horrific scratch noise on the metal of the cart, before letting out a loud and petrifying roar. "You dare test my patience!?" she cried out with burning rage. Almost immediately, the door opened, and out came a boy with a terrified expression and a dagger in his hand. But he knew there was no point. They all did. As far as they knew this boy was destined to die and they would live with that guilt. Ela smirked and glanced at the dagger. "Drop it, or die."
Immediately, the boy dropped the dagger on the ground before her, tears pouring down his cheeks. "Aila, Alrur, Darkfur, Redfang - kill" she ordered. Closing his eyes and crying out in terror, the boy readied for his death. Yet as the young man whimpered in fear, he was not killed. Immediately at the order, all four animals rushed in to the cart with ferocious roars, Ela's hand pointing them to it. Screams filled the carriage as all the animals picked a target, tearing them apart in the tight space, leaving no movement for the men and women to run or even fight back. Redfang dragged a woman out to the side of the carriage and immediately bit down on her face, mauling her, while all the others stayed in the cart. Opposite Ela, the boy looked on in terror, before the Mortalborn wrapped her claws around his neck and slammed him in to the side of the cart.
"You are lucky to be alive, you understand me?" the pup snarled in the boys ear, a vicious smirk spread across her face. Unrelenting fear ran through the boy as he nodded, unable to form words with the tears and the girls claws choking him. Then, Ela had one order for him, and one alone. "Return to Scalvoris and tell them this - the Bloodclaw is here, and is the new ruler of Sweetwine woods. Nobody is to enter it, or they will die."
Once the girl had let go of the boy, he immediately ran towards the town, fear taking control of him. Ela then looted the bodies around her, before calling for her animals to join her side. As they did, all covered in blood, she muttered her next order - "Come". All the animals followed back to the cave, before feasting on some deer together.
The name of the Bloodclaw now known more-so than before.
"I trust I'll see you again?" the man spoke, leaning back against a tree as the two Cougars nuzzled against him. Ela smirked, glancing to Jaecer. He was a beastmaster, one that Ela had befriended lately due to her purchases. He went around buying animals, then sold them to the Mortalborn. After all, his ideals and hers aligned almost perfectly. Both wanted a more natural world, both adored predatory animals - and both were tired of the binding of society. Perhaps an alliance would be made between these two.
"Thanks for seeing them, by the way. I was worried when Redfang wasn't eating, but he must have just been adapting to his new home" she muttered, stroking the cougars head. Jaecer then looked at the girl with a serious look. "I've been meaning to give you this, by the way" he muttered, before handing her a pouch of 300gn. Glancing down to it, Ela looked confused.
"Consider this a thank you, for everything you're doing. If it helps fund your goals, then I consider it a price worth paying" he nodded. Ela smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile, before pocketing the gold and nodding to the man. "Thank you, I appreciate it. Now if you'll excuse us, we have to set up. We have some chaos to cause."
With a hug farewell, the man made his way, Ela returning to her cave to collect the others. Quickly, they made their way out of the cave and to the road outside of Scalvoris town, this time waiting around thirty minutes travel instead of just ten. If she struck the same place twice, people would start to learn. No, the Bloodclaw had to be careful. Nobody could know what her next move would be, just that she would make one. That's what all of this was for, after all. A message was being sent to the people of Scalvoris. Ela Wolfsdotter, or better known as Bloodclaw, would be coming for them - and nobody is safe.
When the Pack finally arrived at the destination, the set up took place. Two cougars, Redfang and Darkfur, positioned perfectly among the trees on either side of the road. Ela had bought both on the fifteenth of the season, and had spent the entire time since preparing to bring them to a fight. Though they came pre-trained, it was important to build a bond with them, and so the girl did. Now, they would be ready to follow through. Their jobs were simple enough, requiring minimal training as it was in their nature. They were ambush predators, and so they would ambush.
By her side rested Alrur and Aila, waiting for their usual jobs - kill. When both Cougars pounced the animals hauling the carriage, Ela and the other two would attack any humans, while the cougars started picking off anyone who came close. It was a simple but effective plan, the girl thought. After all, it would take a lot of men to subdue this many predators. A lot of men that, chances were, nobody would have. Not unless Ela made the mistake of attacking a small group of fighters, and even then they stood a chance. Her Pack would never fall, Ela believed it. Bloodclaw and the Pack that followed her would never fall.
"Aila, Alrur - wait" she whispered, as the Cougars waited just out of earshot. Bushes and shrubs blocked most of the road, but gave her some vision of the place. Evening meant that her vision was worsened further, though it was still visible. All she needed was to see the people she would kill, that was what mattered. Once they were dead and their loot was hers, she could start with her message. So long as one man survived, that was what mattered.
Twenty bits went past, with nothing worth attacking going by. Ela almost ordered the kill on one of the passing carts, but it wasn't enough for what she wanted. This had to be bigger, much bigger. A true show of power would be done today, and Ela wanted to ensure nobody forgot it. Scalvoris would speak her name with fear for the rest of its short-lived time, she'd make sure of it. Nobody would forget her. Children would have nightmares of her at night. And one day the nightmares of her creeping in to their houses would be true, and would be the last nightmare they ever had.
As that thought filled her head, the carriage of choice finally entered view. It looked fairly expensive, and had three horses pulling it. Instead of holding loot, it held men and women, their laughter able to be heard through the woods. Sat on the front of it were two grown men, both fairly strong looking. Shame that neither looked stronger than the animals they were about to face. Ela smirked as the carriage grew closer. Whoever she chose to survive would never forget tonight.
"Redfang, ready" she called loud enough, causing a small roar from the cougar. Opposite, hearing the roar and call, Darkfur readied for a pounce. Just one more trill. As the pack stayed silent, the carriage went by, before the attack began. Redfang and Darkfur pounced out of the trees, immediately taking down two of the three horses. Without hesitation, the others leaped to the attack.
Aila leaped high in to the air, taking one of the men off the carriage with a loud, blood-curdling roar. Quickly, the cheetahs fangs wrapped around the mans neck, almost immediately silencing his screams of terror. Ela took care of the other man, sinking her claws in to his leg and pulling him off the carriage with the help of Alrur. Both pulled him to the floor, and Ela sunk her fangs quickly in to his neck, mimicking the move of Aila. As she did, the man grabbed at her hair, but Alrur put himself between them and snapped at his hands, taking a chunk of one off with a vicious tear. Blood ran in to the girls mouth as she tore out his throat, with a long and hard tug.
Both cougars quickly finished off the final horse, while Aila choked out the man underneath her, claw marks coating his torso form where the cheetah had sunk the claws in to keep a tight grip. Then came the final issue, the now-silent men and women inside the carriage. Fear had consumed them all at the sounds of snarling and screams, then the cart stopping and the horses cries of pains. Which meant, chances were, they would be on high alert. Ela had to take this cautiously. Or, perhaps she didn't.
"Here" Ela snarled, all the animals coming beside her. Then, she turned her attention to the men and women inside the cart. Her claws scraped along the outside of the carriage, causing a few cries of terror from inside, as she began to speak with a heavy and vicious snarl. "You have a short time to send out one man or woman. Failure to do so will result in the death of everybody in that carriage. Do I make myself clear?"
Some discussion then went on inside the cart, the sound of tears causing the girl to smirk a little. Yet after a bit had passed, the girl grew impatient with it. Nobody had spoken to her, none had come out, none had even drawn a weapon inside the cart. Bloodclaw grew frustrated, as did the hungry animals around her. Waiting another bit, Ela had enough. Her claws then pressed against the carriage again.
With a sharp movement, the girl made a horrific scratch noise on the metal of the cart, before letting out a loud and petrifying roar. "You dare test my patience!?" she cried out with burning rage. Almost immediately, the door opened, and out came a boy with a terrified expression and a dagger in his hand. But he knew there was no point. They all did. As far as they knew this boy was destined to die and they would live with that guilt. Ela smirked and glanced at the dagger. "Drop it, or die."
Immediately, the boy dropped the dagger on the ground before her, tears pouring down his cheeks. "Aila, Alrur, Darkfur, Redfang - kill" she ordered. Closing his eyes and crying out in terror, the boy readied for his death. Yet as the young man whimpered in fear, he was not killed. Immediately at the order, all four animals rushed in to the cart with ferocious roars, Ela's hand pointing them to it. Screams filled the carriage as all the animals picked a target, tearing them apart in the tight space, leaving no movement for the men and women to run or even fight back. Redfang dragged a woman out to the side of the carriage and immediately bit down on her face, mauling her, while all the others stayed in the cart. Opposite Ela, the boy looked on in terror, before the Mortalborn wrapped her claws around his neck and slammed him in to the side of the cart.
"You are lucky to be alive, you understand me?" the pup snarled in the boys ear, a vicious smirk spread across her face. Unrelenting fear ran through the boy as he nodded, unable to form words with the tears and the girls claws choking him. Then, Ela had one order for him, and one alone. "Return to Scalvoris and tell them this - the Bloodclaw is here, and is the new ruler of Sweetwine woods. Nobody is to enter it, or they will die."
Once the girl had let go of the boy, he immediately ran towards the town, fear taking control of him. Ela then looted the bodies around her, before calling for her animals to join her side. As they did, all covered in blood, she muttered her next order - "Come". All the animals followed back to the cave, before feasting on some deer together.
The name of the Bloodclaw now known more-so than before.
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