Usefulness (Damien, Any)

[Nightshade]

The wind had picked up furiously, battering the branches making a lot of noise. It wasn't like a tornado could or would occur this far north, but this sort of reminded the scenario. Leaves blew in the breeze and dust got kicked into the air. Nightshade was displeased with the scene, but she couldn't change the climate so she cursed it, whispering angrily at the wind. Her mane was swept to the side batting angrily at the wind. She squinted to see three feet ahead of her, soon a storm would be pouring down on Sallin.

She growled angrily and very suddenly as soon as the wind turned into a mess, it suddenly stopped. A bit dazed by what happened she continued her way walking around the territory. A habit she had developed as she discovered what had happened to her pack. To tell the truth she wanted to see one of those wolves to give them a piece of her mind and they better have a valid excuse or she'll see that they get demoted to omega! No. Slave!

She took a deep breath, she had to calm herself it wasn't like she could just go demoting everyone, she needed wolves, now more than ever. But all in good time, the ranks will only be filled when someone with the ability to fill them comes, in which case a few promotions were deemed necessary.

With a new objective in mind she turned for the border, there should be at least one useful wolf left...

-"But where would the sentries and guardians be?!" she almost barked, anger was the only thing she could feel now.

How could some blasted wolves not be able to still guard the borders even if she was absent, the task was easy enough and they could kill the recruits. She had scented a few wolves in the last few days the mad wolf Cohen, maybe the only sane wolf Damien and that female who called herself Toxic, her stench was unmistakable, like she was dumped on toxic waste and left to rot, there was also the priest which name escaped her at the moment...and her son.

Her thoughts slowly turned back to attention, her hearing pricked as she heard footsteps shuffling. If it was a wolf he or she would suffer her wrath! What foll would leave their footsteps to be hear in Sallin of all places! Near the border!

[Electus]

"Fly away, little bird! Fly! FLY!" Cohen muttered, his ghastly claws making no sound as he slunk along the Sallinian border. As the only sentry he was aware of, he had quite a bit of land to cover. As such the manic wolf found himself waking quite early and going to sleep quite late. But he found time for his more...gruesome amusements most of the time.

The land was quiet as usual. Cohen did not expect it to change soon. He hadn't seen a potential recruit in quite a while. The black and red wolf sighed. He needed help for his...art, and for the recruits his requests were perfect tests. But alas, neither was available. Though he wished it to be so; perhaps then the Queen would be less surly. Cohen didn't think it would make much difference personally, but he paid the thought no mind.

Along his twisted patrol route the mad wolf caught a familiar scent. Queen Nightshade. How unexpected! Or perhaps not. Cohen grinned. He stalked quietly towards her...she would expect it of him. Whomever was making such a racket seemed to have displeased her. He made sure he was within the closest range for respect before speaking quietly.

"My Queen. Why have you visited the border today?" His voice was below a whisper, audible enough for Nightshade to hear, but not loud enough to disturb her enraged stalking.

[Nightshade]

-"My Queen. Why have you visited the border today?"

That voice, her expression cracked into a smile, the grin that crossed her lips when anger was knocking at her door. She lifted her eyes to meet with the sentry, Cohen. A bit mad, but just what Sallin needed at its borders, his 'art' always proved to be a bit disturbing, seriously this guy was a nut job. She tilted her head to the side playfully, giving the wolf a thorough stare, inspecting his physical state, seeing if he was still at his best, though not mentally.

-"Why you ask?" she said, her smile twitching at the side of her face "Simple." she breathed "I wanted to see what has become of Sallin's sentries and guardians." her expression quickly turned to that of a mischievous grin.

She was sure that Cohen would probably have something to say and he better, if not she would make sure to keep his absence of mind to himself. Her ears twitched in anger.

-"You wouldn't be the one who was causing that racket?" she quickly added, hissing dangerously. She knew he wasn't they were coming in different directions, but she wanted to see how sharp the sentry was and how respectful.

She eyed the sentry again and turned to look behind him, seeing if someone was within site. Ah, but surely he must have something, if it was so rude of him to ask of her absence. Of course she would expect something like that, but let him try.

[Electus]

"You wouldn't be the one who was causing that racket?"

Cohen gave Nightshade an oily bow. "Why, my Queen, I would never possibly dare do such a thing. Sallin needs wolves that are discreet, not those who create disturbances near the border. Doing so would be an insult to this land...and to you."[/color]

He eyed his Queen for a moment before speaking again. "Indeed, I am simply passing through on my rounds. I only wished to see if you required the services of your sentry. Had I known that you preferred to not be disturbed, I would have simply passed by."

[nightblood]

Damian growled at the sight of a fleeing slave. Too close to the border for comfort, the mutt was already biting at his nerves when he saw that beyond the next bushes, the Queen herself was lurking there. Panicked, the Guardian bolted in front of the slave. The younger Doberman mutt growled and snapped at him, but Damian forced him into submission by shear strength.

"Get back to your quarters. I'd better not see you sneaking out again," he whispered urgently, the volume of his voice so low that it would be remarkable if a rabbit had heard him.

"You're the one who said-"

"You're not listening. I said I'd better not see you. Now get out of here."

With that, the slave rushed back to the others with the speed of an African cat. Turning, Damian looked back through the bushes to see the queen as well as the mad wolf he had seen before. Rolling his eyes, the Guardian walked forward, bowing his head with respect toward his leader.

"My apologies for the noise, my Queen. A slave was making a break for it. He caught sight of me and bolted back to the encampment. I didn't see who it was."

[Nightshade]

-"Why, my Queen, I would never possibly dare do such a thing. Sallin needs wolves that are discreet, not those who create disturbances near the border. Doing so would be an insult to this land...and to you."

Her smile widened, she was glad that Cohen was a bit more respectful than she had heard him some time back, long ago. The mad wolf was known for his 'art' and randomness. Known to scream at his recruits and even kill some. She wrinkled her nose and raised her chin, a toothy grin as the only sing of an expression.

-"Well said sentry" she hissed dangerously.

-"Indeed, I am simply passing through on my rounds. I only wished to see if you required the services of your sentry. Had I known that you preferred to not be disturbed, I would have simply passed by."

-"Ah, bet that where you are mistaken, I was waiting for my sentry" she said in a dangerous whisper.

A shuffle of footsteps came to her ears again, she quickly turned her head in that direction, growling. Who would dare try making that racket again must have a death wish. Her tail flicked in anger and she felt every nerve twitch inside her, her back leg thumped on the ground, demanding who it was with that racket.

-"My apologies for the noise, my Queen. A slave was making a break for it. He caught sight of me and bolted back to the encampment. I didn't see who it was."

Her eyes narrowed, how could a guardian not see a run away slave? Her blood boiled and her tail flicked, never mind she would have him answer that.

-"You didn't?" she said raising her voice to a growl "And dare you give me a reason why did a trained Guardian let the mutt live?"

[Electus]

"Ah, bet that where you are mistaken, I was waiting for my sentry"

Cohen bowed lower still, his eyes balefully boring into his Queen. "I live but to serve, my Queen. What wishes do you have for your sentry today?"

"My apologies for the noise, my Queen. A slave was making a break for it. He caught sight of me and bolted back to the encampment. I didn't see who it was."

Cohen cackled quietly, inspecting the claws on his right foreleg as he did so.

"Well well, young Fitzpatrick! Almost let one of the little fish get away, hm? Perhaps your not as worthy as I thought."

"And dare you give me a reason why did a trained Guardian let the mutt live?"

"If I may be so bold, my queen," Cohen said diffidently after giving Damian ample time to respond, "Might I slay the mutt for you? After the duties you wish to be fulfilled, of course."[/color]

[nightblood]

"Well well, young Fitzpatrick! Almost let one of the little fish get away, hm? Perhaps your not as worthy as I thought."

"You didn't?" she said raising her voice to a growl "And dare you give me a reason why did a trained Guardian let the mutt live?"

Remaining calm, Damian gave a knowledgeable answer. It wouldn't do well to slip up now.

"Numbers, Lady NightShade. We are low in members. We need every set a paws we have. Unfortunately, that also means Slaves."

"If I may be so bold, my queen... Might I slay the mutt for you? After the duties you wish to be fulfilled, of course."

"Actually, I was just about to head over to the Slave's Hold, myself," The Guardian cut in, trying to ignore Cohen's nonsense, "I might not have seen the mutt, but I'm no fool. I plan to make an... example out of anyone short of breath. If you permit it, of course."

Damian had originally had no intention of punishing any slave. Now that he had said he would, he must follow through. He'd take one who could handle the punishment, however. He'd need a volunteer or he would have to choose who to torture.

[Nightshade]

-"I live but to serve, my Queen. What wishes do you have for your sentry today?" said Cohen with a bow.

Her grin deepened, it was not a happy smile, the type that you get where the joy of laughing innocently strucked, it was that playful smile that normally meant something not that good was about to happen. A wide smile that showed her brilliant white fangs.

-"Well well, young Fitzpatrick! Almost let one of the little fish get away, hm? Perhaps your not as worthy as I thought."

-"Numbers, Lady NightShade. We are low in members. We need every set a paws we have. Unfortunately, that also means Slaves."

-"No, Damien that's where you are mistaken" she said in a dangerous hiss "Slaves will always be slaves, they have proved their uselessness" she stopped, her eyes narrowed holding the guardian's gaze.

-"If I may be so bold, my queen... Might I slay the mutt for you? After the duties you wish to be fulfilled, of course."

Her smile widened and her a glint of joy leaped in her eyes. Nightshade turned to Cohen, a smile that could as might as well be screaming, yes you will do just that.

-"Actually, I was just about to head over to the Slave's Hold, myself," said Damien quickly "I might not have seen the mutt, but I'm no fool. I plan to make an... example out of anyone short of breath. If you permit it, of course."

-"Cohen, Damien" she said while eying each of them cautiously "Then I shall ask of you" she said while turning sharply towards Damien "To describe the slave, the slightest description will do"

Her tail flicked as she waited for Damien to speak. Then she slowly turned her head towards Cohen, waiting first and giving a long time to leave Damien to speak of what he wished.

-"Now Cohen, you may head to the Slave's Hold, any of them even as so much as squeaks kill them." she said with a grin.

[Electus]

"Now Cohen, you may head to the Slave's Hold, any of them even as so much as squeaks kill them."

Cohen grinned wickedly, his eyes widening in anticipation. "Ha ha ha! Your wish is my command, my Queen," he cackled, claws slashing the earth. "Run away, little birds! Fly away! Cohen is coming, and he needs more art! Ha ha ha HA!"

He bowed low to Nightshade and then turned to Damian, grinning. "Goodbye, little fish! Perhaps next time we meet, you'll appreciate my art! Ha ha ha!"

The mad wolf turned back to Nightshade, a slight question in his eyes. "Anything else, my Queen? If not, I shall take my leave."

[nightblood]

"Then I shall ask of you" said wthe Queen while turning sharply towards Damien "To describe the slave, the slightest description will do"

"It was shrouded in shadow... Dark in coloration. Perhaps a black labrador or something similar. Male by the smell. Older... perhaps six or so. Probably wanted to get a sense of some sort of freedom before he passed."

Of course it was a lie, and a well told one. Damian could only tolerate the slaughter of the old and feeble. The wise ones would welcome death over this environment. The sick ones would as well. None of the healers would help them and no slave knowledgeable to do so would ever get near any herbs. They would die slowly in agony unless someone had enough mercy in them to put them out of their misery. Either that, or someone smart enough to know that the sickness would get to the wolves if not stricken down upon sight.

"Now Cohen, you may head to the Slave's Hold, any of them even as so much as squeaks kill them."

"Ha ha ha! Your wish is my command, my Queen," Cohen cackled, claws slashing the earth. "Run away, little birds! Fly away! Cohen is coming, and he needs more art! Ha ha ha HA! Goodbye, little fish! Perhaps next time we meet, you'll appreciate my art! Ha ha ha!"

Damian looked at the crazed male with vengeance glowing in his eyes. He stayed quiet nonetheless and kept his head down and his fangs covered. He was not foolish enough to start a fight with him. Not alone. And not with NightShade in their midst.

There was no shock on his face as the Queen ordered the slaughter of more innocence. He was used to this by now. Needless violence brought about by simple boredom was common, even among the ranks. He hated to think about it, but if Sallin did not occupy it's inhabitance with war toward the outside, the inside would make war among themselves until there was no one left. As much as he enjoyed that idea, he enjoyed life a lot more despite his surroundings. That dream could not take place while he was in the pack.

"Anything else, my Queen? If not, I shall take my leave."

Damian waited in silence for the Queen to speak and for Cohen to leave. Only when the dark male was out of sight did the Guardian dare speak.

"Lady NightShade... If I may have a word... I wish to discuss Cohen's kind with you if you'll permit it. It is for the good of Sallin, after all."

Keeping his head bowed and his eyes facing the dirt, Damian contemplated exactly how the brutish female would execute him at that point. So far, the Queen had been less than sympathetic toward him. He had expected as much, but didn't foresee how much she would take to Cohen. If he'd upset her now, he would either not hear the end of it or not live to hear anything. Best keep her as calm as possible and keep her thinking about the whole of Sallin instead of the individual who was speaking to her. If he could do that, he might just walk away from this encounter with his head.

[Nightshade]

-"It was shrouded in shadow... Dark in coloration. Perhaps a black Labrador or something similar. Male by the smell. Older... perhaps six or so. Probably wanted to get a sense of some sort of freedom before he passed."

Nightshade snorted, stupid old man. He would clearly see the end of his life, she turned to Cohen, he would clearly enjoy this. But the true purpose of this was to simply gain some time alone with the guardian, things needed to be said that would be most unpleasant and she couldn't have someone speaking of birds and younglins hear what he could easily blurt out.

-"Ha ha ha! Your wish is my command, my Queen," Cohen cackled, claws slashing the earth. "Run away, little birds! Fly away! Cohen is coming, and he needs more art! Ha ha ha HA! Goodbye, little fish! Perhaps next time we meet, you'll appreciate my art! Ha ha ha!" The brutish male seemed to be eager for turning away, he quickly added: "Anything else, my Queen? If not, I shall take my leave."

-"Perhaps, later Cohen" she said with a mischievous smile.

She watched carefully Damien's reaction as they both waited for Cohen to depart. That crazed up sentry needed to be put in check, but his madness proved useful, with someone like him at the borders it would be hard for any enemies to want to even get near Sallin.

-"Lady NightShade... If I may have a word... I wish to discuss Cohen's kind with you if you'll permit it. It is for the good of Sallin, after all."

-"And I chance you will get" she said starting to walk, suspecting and believing that Damien would follow close behind. She kept a brisk pace, but stopped every now and then to gaze at Sallin's border "Nothing of ill has traversed the border as if of late?" she half muttered, half whispered.

She stopped walking to listen to what Damien had to say, keeping close attention to his choice of words. She had been to absent, now she must make sure all of the ranks had kept to their job. She found it curious how the number of escaped slaves raised during her disappearance, she wanted to know if Damien had an idea of who was involved. After leaving a long time for the male to speak and walk around of simply stand idly their as he wished she spoke again.

-"Nothing, curious..." she said slowly "Like escaping slaves?" she almost growled.

[Electus]

(( Well, Cohen's done and gone, and it'd probably take awhile for him to uh...kill stuff. So consider my last post well...my last for this thread. ))

[nightblood]

"And I chance you will get. Nothing of ill has traversed the border as if of late?"

"Nothing of mark," Damian answered, following close behind her shoulder.

The Queen held a brisk pace until then as he waited for her to address his concerns. He would wait al day if he had to, but doubted NightShade would put up with his presence for that long.

"Nothing, curious..." she said slowly "Like escaping slaves?" she almost growled.

"Just the one," came his reply, referring to the dark one he had described.

By now, it was more than obvious that NightShade suspected him of at least pitying the mutts. Pity meant treachery in her eyes, he was sure. It couldn't be helped now. All Damian could do was act the part of an uncaring soldier. If it were possible.

"I've come to keeping a tally every time I pass the hold. If one is missing, I'll find the body somewhere close by. One time it was displayed in a very curious manner with the pelt hanging from a tree branch, the muscles laying on a log, and the bones on a boulder. I suspected Cohen, but wasn't sure. I think they meant to use the pelt as bedding in their den..."

Each word that passed from his lips went without emotion. If anything, he may have seemed disappointed that he had not gotten to witness the procedure. Such a creative form of murder, if used correctly, could prove to be a useful form of torture. He really should ask around for the artist.

"While I respect torture and killing, Lady NightShade, I really must voice my opinion on Cohen's type. If you'll have it heard."

[Nightshade]

-"Nothing of mark,"

Nightshade's eyes narrowed. She was hoping for Damien to say something more...interesting. She stopped, looking over her shoulder, eying the male. A playful grin playing on her muzzle.

-"Just the one, I've come to keeping a tally every time I pass the hold. If one is missing, I'll find the body somewhere close by. One time it was displayed in a very curious manner with the pelt hanging from a tree branch, the muscles laying on a log, and the bones on a boulder. I suspected Cohen, but wasn't sure. I think they meant to use the pelt as bedding in their den..."

-"Curious" she said, flashing her fangs in his direction "I was just wondering, since you are currently are only guardian. This of course means that you should be working ten fold!" she said with a grin.

-"While I respect torture and killing, Lady Nightshade, I really must voice my opinion on Cohen's type. If you'll have it heard."

-"Of course" she said after pausing for a long time "But they serve their part" she said while running her tongue, tracing her fangs "What exactly do you want to talk about?"