Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lord Wolf looked up just as stunned by Tala's answer as the others were. He hadn't expected that. He blinked and regained himself then looked to Jesse as he recalled her question and nodded. "Yes, you may take a few saplings and starts with you to plant and show Lord Raven. If he's willing to help then that would be nice. It could help us rebuild Aphelia to her former glory."

He looked to Tala again as he spoke. "Think it over. You have the rest of the day and tonight to think and tomorrow before the truck is brought out." He didn't want the youth making a rash choice. Lord Wolf then looked to Dante and nodded. "Of course, you both can speak before you leave or tonight after his work is completed."

Crystal looked to Dante, Jesse and Tala with concern and looked down. When Logir spoke up she looked to him and nodded, taking that info in. "That's interesting." She then told him about her living at the castle and how she came to live there after applying for a job. She had wanted to work for him and get herself out of where she had been before. She was also all for trying to change the topic, having a feeling it wasn't good to let it linger on the touchy topic of where Tala would be staying.

"Has anyone ever tried to guess what type of howl belongs to what kind of wild beast outside the citadel walls?" Crystal asked as she just threw out a random topic but soon regretted it as now she feared she was the only one who had tried studying the wildlife from a distance at night based on sounds alone carried by the air.

"I don't often do that as they can change." Lord Wolf commented quietly before taking a bite of pasta he had put on top of a slice of garlic bread.

Crystal sighed looking down then up to Tala. "Do you have any adventures from your past involving outside the citadel walls of your home?" she inquired gently. "If um that's okay I ask that is. You don't have to tell me." She was nervous she was just making it worse and ruining everyone's meal. "And please, don't let any disagreements ruin the meal." She said softly as she was feeling worried. "I'm sure we can find a topic we all can discuss that will bring us closer and not farther."

Lord Wolf said nothing as he enjoyed the meal, not sure what they could discuss at the moment and felt unsure he himself wouldn't cause early departures from the meal. She looked to Logir for help as she was unsure what else to do to try and clear any tension from the air.

Later on after all would be done, weather or not conversation happened, Crystal would stand and start to clear the table after she was sure all had their fill. She'd put the dishes onto the trolly and look to Tala. "Want to help me with the dishes before we get back to dusting?"

If he agreed she'd lead the way back to the kitchen and if not she would head back to the kitchen alone to get the dishes cleaned and put away, then return to dusting the halls and rooms. Double checking the bedrooms to ensure all blankets were fresh and still tidy into the early evening would be the next step. Lord Wolf liked to ensure everything was top quality service even if there wasn't often guests.

Later on with dinner he would give them the choice to have dinner in their room or join him in the dining hall. If they came to the dining hall he would greet them warmly yet if not then he would eat alone with Gloria joining him after her rounds were done for the time being and chat with her. He would retire to his room and change into a loose shirt and comfortable light pants for bed, brushing out his hair before stretching and trying to unwind.

The last check for those like Crystal and Tala would be ensuring any doors leading outside were locked tight and that things were secured, and not left out of place. It would be then, towards after nightfall that Crystal would walk with Tala to Lord Wolf's chambers. She didn't want him getting lost plus she enjoyed his company very much. It was nice to have a partner to work with in doing chores behind the scenes to ensure everyone else's jobs went smoothly. She just hopped she wasn't putting too much pressure on him as that was the last thing she wanted to do.

Crystal would smile to Tala nodding. "I'm glad. This has been wonderful having company again in doing chores. I enjoy it and I didn't realize I missed it until you came here." She looked ahead nodding. "It may for a while but living inside a citadel isn't too bad. I mean, it's not like living outside the walls but at the same time it's got good things." She looked to Tala and idly reached out and began to pet his head without thinking much about it.

"I hope you think carefully. I'd hate for you to lose your friends just to stay here. I wouldn't mind you staying but I want you to be happy." She said feeling guilty for having those feelings of wanting him to stay. "I'll be happy no matter your choice. I also want you safe so keep in mind about Lady Tigress and her influences here recently."

She would only stop when at the Owl's chamber door. "Well, I hope you have a restful night." She gave Tala one more scratch behind the ears before opening door for him after knocking.

Lord Wolf was inside his room, stretching as he tried to get himself unwound for the night. He looked over and relaxed seeing Crystal and Tala. "Thank you Crystal, you are dismissed to rest for the night."

Crystal nodded. "Goodnight my Lordship." She looked to Tala. "Goodnight Tala, sweet dreams." She pet his head once more before taking her leave, closing the doors behind her.

Lord Wolf would move over and ready a bed for Tala, having the cushions arranged to look like a pet bed but it would be just as comfy as any normal bed. "Tala, I'm impressed and pleased by the good work you did today. I also hope you don't mind me wanting to air on the side of caution. I don't know when she will make her move or how."

He walked over and sat down on the bed, bushed back his hair and looked to Tala. "Does she know you can shift forms? Has she seen any of your forms?" he would wait for a response, listening and making any needed mental notes. "Also, if anyone enters here that isn't Gloria or Crystal without me saying they can, let me know and I will deal with them so you don't tire yourself." He held a hand out and formed a few flowers around the window that were closed yet seemed on a ready to spring open.

"Each of us has a unique magic. Lord Dragon had force, Lady Tigress has lightning, Lady Snake has poison, Lord Raven has wind and I have plants. I can use them for attack or for extra security. When they pop open, a foul smell will come to the air which alerts of an intruder by them touching, disturbing or somehow triggering them. Even wind moving quicker than normal will open them. But, we don't tell this to any outside this room."

Lord Wolf listened and looked concerned. "I take it she has seen this form then and you have one or how many others you are aware of that you can take?" he inquired curiously. He smiled nodding when Tala promised to not tell a soul. "Thank you," he then took in the look Tala gave the flowers. "Would you like a whiff of the smell they give off? I can adjust their scent so they don't overcome you if it's too much for your nose."

If Tala would accept the offer so Lord Wolf could adjust their strength then he would move a hand again and the flowers would open, releasing the scent into the air. He watched Tala's reaction and if it was one directed at it being too strong then he would adjust the potency. He would move his other hand, dispersing the scent from the air so Tala could recover and, when ready, he would move his original hand again and release the scent and watch to know if it was right or not.

If not he would repeat this until it was just right. "No wolf nor person should be made to fight for an Owl's enjoyment." He muttered softly. "I'm sorry you were used for sport." He almost had a growl she had used a wolf that way. "But that won't happen here, not so long as you are part of my pack. Stay by myself, Crystal or Gloria. Until we are able to track what Lady Tigress will and when will do her moves, I'd like to know you are around those I trust the most to ensure no one under her orders over mine comes near you alone."

He feared in some ways he was being over protective yet he couldn't blame himself. He wanted Tala safe and was resisting any urge to send Gloria and her crew out to injure Lady Tigress for her deeds she had done to Tala. He took a breath and released it to quell his anger towards his fellow Owl. "I'm sorry if I seem overly cautious but I just fear if one detail is overlooked then she could steal you. I'm not sure what she would do to or with you but I doubt it would be enjoyable, even with the bracelet showing you are under my protection. She'd probably ignore it if she got her hands on you."

Lord Wolf put a hand into his hair as he closed his eyes. He had the secret about their past and the devastation but he thought later on sharing it would work, about how it was their magic when they attempted a powerful summoning spell that resulted in the land's destruction. They thought they would be helping end the fighting. Well they had just not as planned and he felt bad for it.

He then thought about what Tala had first said about the trio that he had caught when the door had opened, mainly about his concerns with Dante. "Your friends, Logir and Jesse are welcome to visit whenever they wish. If you feel they are still trustworthy then they are welcome to visit but I also had noticed the shift in Dante's person. Your friends are not welcome here inside my chambers or with you unwatched, just in case their loyalties are not fully with Lord Raven." He sighed putting his hand down. "Sadly it's almost hard to tell at times." He almost muttered.

Lord Wolf shook his head. "I feel I have rambled. Perhaps we should rest. You'll be meeting with Dante in the morning after all and, if you would not be against it, I was going to ask Gloria to keep an eye on you. I will instruct her not to listen in, just to watch to make sure he doesn't try something to you during your private meeting. I won't if you don't want me to. I don't want to be too overbearing and smothering because of my worrying."

He sighed, feeling nervous that he was coming off as weird. He at times let his formal self drop near those he considered close, or those under his protection if there was something about them that brought him to feel he could trust them to let his formality drop even just slightly or somewhat.

When they would finish conversing, Lord Wolf would bid Tala goodnight and sweet dreams and thank Tala if the words were returned. He would wake early as he tended to and, if Tala agreed, he would ask Gloria inside his room to keep an eye on the meeting between Tala and Dante since he wanted to make sure Dante didn't try and do something to Tala. If Tala didn't want him to then he wouldn't ask Gloria to do anything out of the normal for her.

Crystal however would come to Lord Wolf's chambers to meet Tala, after she'd done some of the morning chores, to see if she could walk with him to meet Dante. She wouldn't listen in since she didn't like eavesdropping, seeing it as wrong to do. She would hang around so if Tala decided to stay they could go continue the morning chores after getting a quick bite from the kitchen for breakfast.

It would be into the morning after breakfast when the truck would be brought out for the trio, looking all new and ready to roll.

Crystal stayed back and watched, waiting but did take a step towards where they went as she was curious. From above Gloria watched with eyes narrowed as her body tensed a little. Her feline ears twitched as she listened to this. One of her allies came up next to her and crouched low as she watched this exchange.

When 'Dante' changed was when Glora moved a hand nodding. The partner moved and pounced. She threw down smoke bombs to blind the assassin. Gloria during this ran and jumped down to catch up with the pair.

Crystal had heard him scream at her but wasn't sure what was going on due to the blur of the speed of which everything was unfolding. She took a step back but wouldn't run until he got to her. She would run with him, looking back and covered her nose with an arm as the smoke filled the area. "Glare! Solir!" She heard Gloria scream out as two more leaped off the nearby roof.

Gloria grabbed Tala by the arm and Crystal while more bombs were thrown, normal smoke because she didn't need the pair collapsing from any sleep inducing components. She would drag them, hoping to get inside before harm came.

Her three friends drew their weapons and slashed and swiped at the intruding assassins through the smoke, their feline eyes slitting as they moved to block their path.

If Gloria could she would race inside with the pair, not giving Crystal time to ask anything or Tala time to protest her having grabbed his arm. If they got inside Gloria's feline ears would twitch and would only pause a moment before continuing farther into the castle with a hand still on them both. "W-w-what's going on?" Crystal finally managed to choke out with confusion.

"That wasn't Dante. I'll go check on your friends once you are both with his Lordship." Gloria answered bluntly, a serious expression on her face as she wasn't liking this one bit. If her friends were inquired about she would say. "They'll be fine. They are strong and can handle those kinds." She then let go of Crystal's arm and reached into a pocket, pulling out two rags, giving one to each. "Put these over your mouth when I say the word now."

"But why?" Crystal questioned as she took the cloth.

"Because if any of her assassins got inside then I'll use my sleep bombs and those rags will keep you from falling asleep." Gloria instructed then retook Crystals arm as they went, heading up to the second floor.

If any others came at them she would give the order before throwing down one of the small balls and kept moving with the pair, making sure neither left her side. She wouldn't stop until she managed to get to the study Lord Wolf was in. She would rush in and make sure the pair was in before closing the door fast.

Lord Wolf turned confused as he looked to her confused then concerned as his eyes narrowed. He held his tongue as she locked the door and began to move quickly around the room, searching high and low into every nook and cranny, even checking the one window for any signs of entry. Only once done would he speak to her. "Explain."

Gloria took a breath and sighed. "Her Ladyship has sent assassins, shifters at that with magic. The Dante who was speaking to Tala was not Dante. I will go check on the trio."

"I will guard them here." Lord Wolf replied as he moved a hand out, forming his flowers around the window and even readied them around the door, keeping his other hand closed to ensure they wouldn't trigger while Gloria left. "You know the word upon you wish for entry." The feline nodded and took her leave. He then looked to Tala concerned. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you or Crystal?" he asked he also looked to Crystal.

"I'm okay." She said softly, her body shaking. "I never thought something like this would happen again." She said softly.

"She won't get far in my territory. No one attacks my pack and leaves unscared." He snarled then looked to Tala. He looked and moved over. "Come, let's sit and wait. I also want to set up some more defense in here just in case someone got missed during Gloria's search." He made his way over and sat on a sofa and motioned to the one across from him should they wish to sit together.

Only once they were seated he would move his hand through the air above him and evenly spaced different colored flowers formed. These were smaller and a rich almost hard to see blue. They were attached to the ceiling and even some appeared in spots atop and around the stands and floor surrounding them. "These will release a sharp screech should anything that isn't us move in front or near them." Wolf explained to the pair.

~*~*~*~*~

Gloria mean while was heading quickly down the hallway and quickly headed towards their room to see if they were there. She had a dagger out and was ready, listening and searching. She would stop at their door. She eyed it closely for any signs of forced entry or anything but if they were able to cloak themselves then one could have posed as her for all she knew earlier after breakfast.

She knocked and would listen before cautiously touching the door handle. She slowly would start to open it, being on guard to dodge if any attack came her way. If no attack came and the door opened she would enter and look around slowly. "Jesse? Dante? Logir?" she asked as she carefully stuck her head inside, keeping her senses high and keen, her body tense and ready to dodge and fight at any moment.

"Are you all here and alright?" she asked as she would enter more and look around. If they were there she would wait on an answer but if they were not then she would frown and sniff the air. She hoped to find something and would leave then start the hunt for the trio, thinking to go next to the truck and check there for them instead while keeping her ears open for any strange noises anywhere around her.

Gloria frowned hearing this. "Dante has been incapacitated or captured and hidden. We are currently under attack by assassins sent by Lady Tigress. One disguised itself as Dante to try getting Tala. Tala got away and I got them, him and Crystal, to Lord Wolf for safety." She sighed not happy. "I'll go see if I can find him. You two stay alert. They are great at cloaking themselves. Either it's magic or it's machine, I'm not sure but they are dangerous."

She moved back towards the door. She would pause and answer any questions they had. She was also trying to think of where they might of hid him. It could be in a room, closet, or the truck itself if he got there. If that was so then they could have also taken down the mechanics down there as well.

~*~*~*~*~

Lord Wolf snarled growling and was going to act but held back as Tala took action. "You can tell her Ladyship that she cannot have Tala. He is not property nor is he going to be property, not again so long as I breath." He growled strongly and was impressed and shocked by the form and way Tala controlled the shadows so well.

He hadn't seen anyone do that before so to see it himself was amazing. Seeing the foe shatter stunned him but his body remained tense. Crystal, who hadn't been one to do fighting, backed up and fell back on the sofa as she had jumped and moved back. She looked around worried. "Where'd it go?" she asked without getting an answer from either of them. She looked to Tala worried for him from his panting. She was about to speak when the assassin struck again and she released a small squeal of fright from this.

Lord Wolf moved a hand and shot out vines to try grabbing Tala as the glass shattered. Vines managed to catch his legs but his mind was also on the assassin, trying to ensnare them into vines as well. Those holding Tala eased him gently towards the ground as he tried to trap the assassin to keep the being away from Tala.

~*~*~*~*~

Down the hall Gloria's ears twitched as she heard the glass break. She looked back and cursed under her breath. "Crap!" she moved to race out. "Something went wrong in the study. Be safe and stay together. If you can fight then find your boss. He might be in the mechanics area if he got to the truck before he was overpowered." She said and ran. She darted down a hall and to a window.

She jumped out this window, landing softly in a low position she then got up and ran around to get to the side of the study. She reached into a pouch at her back, lifting a small knife and shifted her eyes to look around as her ears twitched. "I really hate the race she uses. They are more sneaky than my team. But what else can you expect from rats in cats clothing?" she complained under her breath to herself while running.

She turned a corner and kept going, not sliding to a stop until she turned the corner again and stared shocked. She put her mask on in case she would need to use her sleep bombs. She watched Tala being lowered slowly to the ground and ran up closer, watching with great confusion but did see the bracelet so knew it had to be Tala even if the form didn't look like Tala.

She scanned the area, ready to fight for any of the assassins, her body tense and ready to strike and dodge if need be.

The vines would release Tala once he was safely on the ground so he wouldn't get hurt from the fall. The grass moved some but did not go after Tala. It appeared Lord Wolf had more plant control than just simply creating plants for security but his gardens were a means of his own way to also attack while inside his castle but the grass blades stayed put, even though they moved as if by the wind almost as if ready to strike upon the command.

The vines continued to crush and wrap, not stopping until most except the top of the head was wrapped in aims of smothering on top of the crushing force they continued to apply. Lord Wolf was determined to ensure the one who just attacked inside his castle was an example of what can happen to those who dare invade his territory. He wasn't about to let them escape unscathed.

Gloria outside watched in awe of the shadows leaving to see Tala. He was a shifter, as she called those rare ones, but he was different than others. She was snapped from this awe as the pair came out and began attacking. Quickly she pulled a couple balls out. I'll just need to collect him and he wake up later. She thought and threw one at the trio then another off from them to try and see if any others would fall from their hiding spots, just in case.

Once they exploded she would look up. "Hey! Scour the area! Use them if you need to and collect any bodies!" she shouted and three of her team came out and began to scour the area, using their own sleep balls in area's to see if any bodies will fall into sight.

Gloria hurried up to Tala as the sleep smoke spread out. She would grab Tala, either catching him as he fell or picking him up off the ground depending if she got to him fast enough. She would then move back and run up, grabbing a windowsill and jumping up, getting herself up to the second floor. She would land carefully on the broken shards with Tala over her shoulder. "Nice corpse." She commented to Lord Wolf.

Lord Wolf nodded and Crystal raced over. She gently took Tala from Gloria and moved over to Lord Wolf's bed. Crystal laid him down on the bed, head on the pillow and she sat by his side to wait for him to wake up. "Search the castle and grounds throughly to ensure we don't have others lurking in the shadows."

Gloria nodded. "I will and my group is doing that now."

"Have you found any missing?" Lord Wolf questioned.

"I haven't but I have a feeling Dante's two friends are searching for him though right now." Glora responded.

Lord Wolf sighed. "Go find him, ensure he's alright and that they are alright as well as are who they appear to be. Have the workers and guards checked once the grounds and castle have been searched. You know how to find out if someone's false."

Gloria nodded. "Simply insult her Ladyship." Wolf nodded and Gloria looked out then went out the door to head down the hall and make her way down to try and help find Dante to check on him if the pair or one of them hadn't found him yet that was. She left the searching of the grounds to her team who called in two more and another that spread out and helped in searching for any more hiding in the shadows.

Lord Wolf looked to Tala and sighed, relieved he was alright. "That was a close one." He muttered as Crystal stayed by Tala. He took a breath and sighed. "I bet she might try again later so we'll need to keep on guard." He muttered and his mind began working out different tactics they could use to better ensure safety so they weren't caught off guard again like they were. He wasn't about to let a tiger beat a wolf.

Gloria would be walking the halls by this time after finishing and would come across, her ears hearing their chatter, the trio. She would approach and remove her mask from her face. "I'm glad to see you are all alright." She noted the leather on the ground. "I see you found an assassin. Anyways, I'm glad to see you all are safe."

She would listen and if they mentioned wanting to see Tala then she would nod and lead the way. "Come, I'll take you to Lord Wolf then do another sweep of the castle as my team does the outside." She would make sure they stayed close as she stayed on alert, just in case as one could never be too cautious.

A few servant's would look at them curiously then back off, recalling Logir calling out for Dante and wasn't sure how sane they were.

"I'm sorry for your capture." Gloria said as she looked to Dante. "We didn't know they infiltrated the castle until I saw the one impersonating you try to attack Tala. Please, I hope you can forgive us for not being able to prevent you from being taken down and restrained in such a way." She felt bad and was kicking herself for it happening to begin with. She felt she should have been more alert but she had failed somehow. Granted these assassins were very skilled but couldn't take a hit which was obvious.

~*~*~*~*~

In Lord Wolf's room Crystal got up and walked around some to stretch her legs before going back to Tala. Lord Wolf look to the woman then to the youth. "You don't have to stay by his side you know. You can go and do other things if you like."

"But I want to stay by his side and await his waking up so I can make sure he's okay." Crystal answered calmly as she sat by his side once more.

Lord Wolf sighed softly and shook his head. "You amaze me sometimes yet I wouldn't have it any other way. Are you sure the assassin outside didn't touch you?"

Crystal looked to him and nodded. "I'm sure. Tala ran to me before the assassin could get to me and we took off away from it. But...what are they?"

Lord Wolf sighed thinking. "They aren't normal. They are a type of creature made from dust. They are strong, fast, and are able to shift as you saw but they are very weak. If given enough impact or force on their bodies then they will turn to dust or mist, effectively killing them in that manner. They are able to deal blows good but they are not able to take the blows back."

"Oh wow..." she whispered. "So that's what lives outside the citadel walls?"

Lord Wolf nodded softly. "In a manner of speaking, yes. There are other beasts but some beasts are man made and live inside citadel walls. None of which are here but in other citadels."

"Like what?" she questioned softly unsure she wanted to know.

"I have heard rumor one can use chemicals to create monsters from humans. I can only guess the one Tala went to protect was in this category. It's brutal and not right but it was a practice once carried out before being banned. It seems some are bringing it back though, as gross as that is." Crystal looked down as she listened then looked at Tala. "I don't know if the person suffers any but I know it's wrong to do that. These creatures are or might not be created in this way. It is strange and would be hard for me to tell exactly which way they came into being."

"I hope if they were created by an Owl that they have found peace upon their deaths so they don't have to suffer any further." Crystal barely whispered. Lord Wolf nodded silently and let the room go quiet.

~*~*~*~*~

When the group would come to the door, Gloria knocked and gave the password before entering. She let the trio go in first. "Don't mind the mess. We just had an assassin in here too but it's dead now." She said calmly and would look to Wolf. "I'll go do another sweep of the castle."

He nodded. "Good, go make sure all is clear and keep on high alert." Gloria nodded and left with the door closing behind her so the trio could speak to Wolf and catch up with Tala upon his waking. Lord Wolf would look to them then to Dante. "How are you? I'm sorry for your experience. I didn't expect her to strike so soon. I promise to make it up to you if you are angry about being taken hostage."