Council [anyone]

[nightblood]

NightBlood's ears shot back at the retaliation of Mortil. It was expected. He was the strongest fighter Arnlan had. Though he was not a blood relative, the Beta considered him as her kin. As such, she would not allow herself to fight his words, but she would need to make herself clear in order to calm him down, so she spoke quickly before anyone else could join his argument against her judgement.

"I am not saying I would send our weakest, Mortil," she said gently, "and I would not suffer our only medic to go into those retched lands. I am saying that whether we have warning or not, we need our strongest. Even you, our greatest fighter, would be lost fighting against all of Sallin, though I am certain they could do little more than detain you. We need you here to train the pups in any case. Besides, this would be a semi-suicidal mission for any whom we send."

The Beta paused to think, keeping her posture alert to show that she wasn't finished. They would need someone to go into the lands and come out unscathed. But who could do such a thing. The answer came quite quickly.

"I would send our darkest," she offered as a suggestion to the group, "Two of them at least. They would enter the land at separate sides, perhaps east and west, and only on the night of the new moon. They would have orders to stay in the shadow and count the scents as well as keep an ear out for Sallin's plans against us."

[Squeeji]

Pollux just frowned, her ears pinning to the back of her skull...her tail swishing in irritation, obviously she sided with Mortil, but her mother had always taught her: if you couldn't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

Currently, she was stricken mute by these sudden backwards practices. "So we'll send our darkest...even though coat color has very little to do with scouting prowess?" her voice was a dull grumble, both insulted and disgusted...after all it was her former rank that Nightblood had so insulted, as well endangering packmates.

[nightblood]

"So we'll send our darkest...even though coat color has very little to do with scouting prowess?"

"It has to do with safety, Pollux. And I didn't say that I'd send a bumbling idiot to do the job, which is why I'm not going. I'd alert their Sentries from a mile off."

By insulting herself, NightBlood was attempting to brighten the mood of this meeting as well as to scare away the hostility toward herself. It could backfire, however, if Sofika took it in ill favor and question her choice for Beta. Perhaps it would have been wiser to say it around Karolek.

"Would either of you like to make a suggestion as to whom to send?"

[Electus]

"It has to do with safety, Pollux. And I didn't say that I'd send a bumbling idiot to do the job, which is why I'm not going. I'd alert their Sentries from a mile off."

Mortil frowned. Such a statement bore a bit too much levity for his taste.

"Would either of you like to make a suggestion as to whom to send?"

"The huntress, Akree, seems discreet enough for such a task." Mortil said, glancing at Pollux to judge her reaction.

"Though I doubt she has much experience in spywork. Perhaps Pollux would be willing to train her in the short time we have."

[Donn]

Phineas sniffed. He had noticed Pollux's irritated reaction. Well, did she have any better idea? it appeared not, all she seemed resigned to do was mumble half constructed criticisms of the others' approaches to the situation. Phineas didn't know all the names of the wolves by heart, so had little idea of whom Akree was. If Mortil thought she was an adequate candidate, Phineas decided, the he would resign himself to trust his opinion for now. One matter did however, press itself to the forefront of his mind.
"And, if they are caught? If, in the worst case scenario they tell their captors why they were sent? That's two wolves short and an angry pack after us. Might I suggest an element of timing on this? If the wolves are already assessed on fighting capability, before the scouting begins, if the worst should happen Arnlan will be prepared to a better degree. Then again," he cast an idle glance to Pollux, "If you are not open to suggestion, perhaps I shall leave my counsel until you are in a more harmonious frame of mind?"

[Squeeji]

A melodic string of laughter escaped Pollux's muzzle as Phineas seemed to get a burr up his little bum. "Get bent pup." Obviously he was only pitching mood with her, and not Mortil because of the male's combative nature, and seeked to make himself feel a little better by scapegoating the older less dangerous female. Not very respectable behavior, nor very bright. Not in the least.

"I suggest that we send the Ambassador then, nice dark pelt, and obviously he knows what he's doing." her missmatched eyes twinkled with a devious glee. "after all, its in his job description and I'd be more than happy to train the both of them before they go."

After speaking the Gamma got a bored look on her old face, yawning waiting for the others to speak, and for Phineas replying outburst, perhaps that would make this talking in circles at least a little more interesting...maybe.

[nightblood]

"The huntress, Akree, seems discreet enough for such a task. Though I doubt she has much experience in spywork. Perhaps Pollux would be willing to train her in the short time we have."

NightBlood looked thoughtful as she mulled over Mortil's words. She had yet to meet Akree, but if the plan was put into action, she had a feeling she would get to know her quite well.

"And, if they are caught? If, in the worst case scenario they tell their captors why they were sent? That's two wolves short and an angry pack after us. Might I suggest an element of timing on this? If the wolves are already assessed on fighting capability, before the scouting begins, if the worst should happen Arnlan will be prepared to a better degree. Then again, if you are not open to suggestion, perhaps I shall leave my counsel until you are in a more harmonious frame of mind?"

Phineas's question was directed at Pollux, who answered with a laugh.

"Get bent pup."

"POLLUX!" the Beta snapped, raising her hackles a fraction of an inch, "There is no call for that kind of talk."

NightBlood had not seen the Gamma like this. Perhaps age was getting to her head, but it was more likely that something was ticking her off. If it was simply the Ambassador's way of speaking, then she would just have to get used to it. His rank required a quick tongue, if nothing else.

"I suggest that we send the Ambassador then, nice dark pelt, and obviously he knows what he's doing." her missmatched eyes twinkled with a devious glee. "after all, its in his job description and I'd be more than happy to train the both of them before they go."

Now Night was beginning to worry about the older female. This behavior was close to Sallinian level. With a suspicious glare, the Beta forced herself to look away from the multicolored to the darker.

"It makes sense," she admitted, "If you were to be caught, your rank would give you reason to be there."

[Donn]

Phineas couldn't keep a straight face for much longer after that. First a repressed smile, a snort and then a laugh escaped his muzzle. "Well, I'm glad my youthful airs are not lost yet!" he chuckled. He was a year younger than Pollux, and didn't consider himself that much younger than she. "And yes, I did think my hue might make a candidate of me," he replied to NightBlood. "I suppose if you thought I was suitable, then there is no doubt I shall lend myself. I would advise further on the operation... but seeing as my dear Pollux is our tutor of espionage, I shall leave further matters in her capable paws. The better part of valour is discretion, no, madame?" Here he deeply, in a flourished motion, perhaps mockingly, bowed his head to Pollux, still grinning from the pup comment. He had been honest about his thoughts when the spies were mentioned, though some of his ideas he left to himself.

[Squeeji]

The honest fact of the matter was she had no remaining patience for these new wolves' war mongering ways. Where martial prowess was the only proof a wolf's worthiness. But she played along, she said things they wanted to hear and she hated every minute of it. There had been a once upon a time where Arnlan was renown for their mystery, their subtlety, their wits and deception.

With the coming of these new mutts that was all a pipe dream, and it seemed the Alphas preferred it their way. The old female just laughed along with Phineas, but it was forced and faked, she knew they were just laughing at her, and though her demeanor seemed pleasant, she smoldered within.

Pollux cocked a brow at Nightblood, but said nothing, she was right of course, there was no call for that sort of language, but then again, there was no call for her to speak at all if it wasn't what they wanted to hear, Mortil, Nightblood and Phineas would plan their little war games, using her beloved packmates as pawns and she could do nothing but sit here and wait for them to finish.

"I will do whatever you command...beta."

Though the way she said the female's rank was terribly hollow.

[Electus]

"You're making this all so terribly complicated." Umbra suddenly said, the switch entirely unnoticeable. "Such a simple solution to such a simple problem."

The berserker began to circle, half-amusement and half-musing on his face. "You need someone to go spy on Sallin for you. You don't want them to get caught. Even trained, greenhorns will be caught. I can almost guarantee it. Why send greenhorns on such a serious mission?"

Umbra spat in disdain. "Bah! Would you send a pup to do a killer's work? Would you send a killer to do a healer's work? No, I doubt that you would! Then why send a greenhorn to do a master's work? I can smell it on the winds. War! It will come. No matter what you do, it will come. So play your games, and send your wolves. But instead of sending amateurs and pretenders..."

Umbra swiveled to gaze at Pollux. "Send a master instead."

[Donn]

Pup, greenhorn, amateur, pretender. The list of snide comments indirectly or directly put at him at this meeting exceeded the variety of insults Phineas thought he'd ever been called in his life. Phineas decided at that point to try and calm his dear packmates down. Phineas tried to ignore Mortil's... Umbra's spitting, a habit he found disgusting, and said in a reasonable tone, "Her point was as the Ambassador if I was caught I would have a reason to be there. Do not concern yourself so, this is not my first reconnoitre in the five years of my life. Hah! A poor Ambassador should I be if it was! Now do be a chap and don't take on so, eh?"

[Squeeji]

Pollux gave a secret smile and winked at Umbra, it was nice of the mad wolf to repeat what she had stated she was willing to do from the get-go. A vote of confidence...for once. Perhaps Nightblood would be more apt to listen to him than she was to her.

She would have to keep this in mind and thank Umbra later, when Mortil wasn't around. But still the Gamma had little to say in words, and other than that slight pause to glance at the officer, she had even less in body language.

[Sofika]

Sofika remained silent through the wolves' skirmishes. This decision could look quite unbecoming of an Alphess, but it wasn't for Sofika. If Arnlan was to be self-sustaining, the Alphas shouldn't have to coddle their dependents or pull them apart like bickering whelps. Sofika was not their mother. They were old enough to settle their differences.

Ideas and strategies flitted back and forth amongst the group. Sofika listened with mild interest.
She almost grunted in protest when the Beta NightBlood mentioned the idea of sending the wolves who couldn't fight as well to their doom. The others shared her disdain as they aggressively shot down the deal. She took note of that to address in her speech.
NightBlood looked to her for reassurance. Sofika turned to the Beta, giving no indication of her standpoint on the matter. She would not take sides to make the others feel they've made an inferior argument.
As the feud settled, talks resumed about getting an eager volunteer for a near-suicide mission to spy on Sallin. As they talked, she looked at each face, and analyzed each word. They weren't looking at the big picture. There was an idea that they had failed to acknowledge.

"If I may intervene," Sofika said pointedly, her masked eyes roving about the group through a mop of hair, "I find most of these strategies to be quite barbaric. I must first address NightBlood's idea, so to speak."
She slowly turned to the Beta, the blank expression returning. "Sending those deemed obsolete into a full scale war where their death is all but imminent is a virtue that Sallin prides themselves in. We will not stoop to their level of calamity. Every wolf here has their advantages. That's how they were allowed to join the pack. Sending them to their death because of lack of knowledge... will not be tolerated. Please, if you still find that avenue to be desirable, find your way out of Arnlan as quickly as possible."

Sure, it was a little harsh, but Sofika's irritation got the best of her. One could say that attempting to use Sallinian strategies was one of those buttons on Sofika you ought not to push. She turned back to the others.
"There is one option you have failed to explore, if I am interpreting this conversation correctly. What I am getting from this is, you hope to send a spy to remain in the shadows of enemy Sallinian territory, hoping to sneak about without a sound, listening to the snippets of conversation that come about their area, and praying to the gods that they will live another day?"
She could have taken this conversation completely out of context, but this was what her line of thought was running at the moment.
"My proposal is that someone should be selected to leave Arnlan and 'join' Sallin. Before doing so, they must spend some time in a remote area to completely remove Arnlan's scent. Once joining Sallin, persuade them to believe they share their ideals. Find out whatever they can, from the big picture to the tedious details."
She paused, looking at the group for anyone's opinions on the matter.
"We will need someone thats social. Someone persuasive. A good liar, and a great actor. Someone who could talk their way into anything. Sallin's more vital information lies in the core of the pack, the Alphess, NightShade, the Prince, Carter, and their inner circle. We need someone who has a way with words, who can infiltrate that circle and bring their secrets back to us."

"I have prepared for this endeavor in my absence from the limelight. The one who is selected will be... equipped." she glanced sharply at the group. "He or she who is selected will first go to the pack's Healer and interspecies interpreter, RavenShard." Sofika's face contorted slightly at the recent memories of the mad wolf. Talking civilly with RavenShard was a task in itself for the serious-minded Alphess. She hoped that the shaman would behave for her inquirer.
"Using only memory is risky, as details registered as unimportant are forgotten, or will be distorted. She will give them a tool that will be their direct link of active communication to Arnlan. We must have every single detail." She emphasized the last three words forcefully.
Sofika crossed her front paws, indicating she was finished speaking. She would now listen to the statements and concerns of the group.

[nightblood]

NightBlood scowled at the way Pollux called her by her title. What on earth was the old bat's problem? Before she could ask, however, the Obsidian spoke up. It was Umbra this time. She couldn't say she was surprised he turned up. The subject of war must have woken him from his slumber. If she was surprised at all, it was because he didn't make himself known sooner. What he said was true. She hadn't thought about sending Umbra at all, but now that the idea crossed her mind, she began to question his intentions, though she would not voice them for fear of a violent rebuttal.

Sallin was, without a doubt, specially made for Umbra's personality, though maybe he wouldn't stoop so low as to recruit dogs as slaves. Still, the fact remained that Sallin and Umbra were compatible. Though she couldn't question his loyalty, she didn't want him to come to any sort of conclusion that Sallin was better for him than Arnlan.

However, perhaps she was getting ahead of herself. Perhaps the fact that Mortil's body was safer here meant that Umbra would have to be faithful to Arnlan instead. Before she could address the black side of the gray wolf, the Ambassador began to speak.

"Perhaps both could go," NightBlood suggested immediately after Phineas stopped speaking, "One to gather information and the other to fight their way out if need be. Umbra would act as Phineas's guard if they were to be seen."

It seemed that each idea that was thrown out was shot down by Sofika's criticism. Instead, she suggested an equally dangerous mission, one that required an Arnlanian to join Sallin. NightBlood would have rather died before that happened.

"If I may, Sofika..." the Beta cut in, ears down against her skull, "NightShade and her associates would not be ones to trust easily. Whomever we send would not get much information before an attack was put into motion. We would not have any warning and whoever we send will have no way to get out of Sallin alive if they have the same border restrictions as we have-"

A dull howl interrupted her words. It was not Arnlanian and came from the border against Hallow. NightBlood's initial thought was that one of the Officers would deal with the potential member. As she listened, however, the howl suddenly became familiar. She had heard it before, within Sallin.

The Arnlanian Beta jumped to her feet, ears up and alert as she raised her head and turned it toward the direction of the howl. The fur on back of her neck spiked as she growled in rage. No Sallinian was getting into Arnlan on her watch. With a vicious snarl, she bolted toward the enemy wolf.

"That is a Sallinian border guard!" she shouted at the others, "Umbra! With me!"
______________________________

Exhausted and bleeding, Damian stared in disbelief at the Arnlanian border. He had made it through Hallow, tripping and stumbling on three legs. Now as hope filled him that he might finally be healed by a competent Shaman, he waited to be greeted by a fellow border guard. The response he received, however, was not what he had wished for.

In the shadows of Arnlan, a far off snarl erupted. The loner took a step back in fear as he pulled his ears toward his skull and lowered himself to the ground. He should have known that his howl would have been familiar to the ones who kept the closest watch on their border with Sallin.

"I come in peace," he whimpered weakly to the Arnlanian shadows, hoping against hope that someone heard him, "Please... I need help..."

[Electus]

"That is a Sallinian border guard!" she shouted at the others, "Umbra! With me!"

Umbra laughed, fangs flashing in delight. "HA! I thought you'd never ask!" he said eagerly, racing after Nightblood. The ash-grey warrior hurled himself at the Sallinian wolf, roaring his challenge.

"You stand on the border of Arnlan, Sallinian trash!" Umbra crowed, his voice cold and cruel.

"Turn back mongrel!" Mortil shouted angrily, his usual dry and gentle voice crackling like a whip and burning like fire.

"Or else I..."

"Mortilitas Umbra..."

"Will break your body and grind your bones to dust!"