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The little time he had spent with the Firekin, he would admit that they are quite an organized force. Guards were on duty everywhere and it would be difficult for anyone to simply slip through such defenses. It would appear that the Firekin spoke of plans and tactics of what to do this night. To not fight if spotted was common sense, why would they fight with their own members? However, should the enemies be Nergui, he cannot make too many promises. Though he was more concerned what the family of the deceased lion would do. Luckily, Fia wasn't here, and looking among the group, he wasn't certain if any of her relatives were here either.

Though, he noted Nyimak was present.

With a familiar face, it would probably be best if he kept his company close to her. He wasn't entirely trusting of his new family, but it was growing on him.

The north post guards seemed to consist of two, and the group were already in murmurs of tricking them. "Thabiti do what Fire kin need."

It looked like things were starting to get more interesting. It really was a shame they had yet to agree on an escape plan, that way, things would have gone more smoothly. "Using the birds sounds like a good enough idea." It was simply and straight to the point. Most lions already thought of birds as cooky enough anyways, and he wouldn't doubt the guards at the outpost might be momentarily distracted. And if it didn't work, well, there could be other ways to deal with the guards. Lying, for one. Azulon was a good liar. besides, their party was rather big. If they really needed to, they could split up. At least some would get past.

Mwako looked to Elcca and then to Kooka and nodded, "Kooka, go."

"But you wished for me to stay here."

Mwako narrowed his eyes, "we must be successful before morning, go."

Kooka seemed to understand, fluttered his wings, "before the awendela? yes, yes, Kooka knows. I am like kiwidinok, of the wind, you shall see," and Kooka was off into the sky after the dark colored Yoan.

Kooka tried to put as much distance between himself and the moving party as he could, he could barely see them in this light, which was good for their cover. He looked to the dark Yoan, "we make noise like the ahote, restless one?" he asked.

He believed to wait, but they needed to start, Kooka screeched, as loud as he could, a shrill, piercing noise that sounded as if something dire and consequential was occurring beyond the guardpost, away from the group.

Perhaps he could get the guards attention.

Watching the birds as best he could, Serkan was suddenly very glad there seemed to be no moon tonight. With how many lions there were that were brightly colored, they'd pop out if the moon shone. Lions like Morag, though, blended well into the shadows and darkness. The tri-colored lion found a good spot that both hid him and allowed good visual and crouched down, ready to move when the guards moved. He was a bit sad there weren't many avians with them, but they'd take what they could get. "Come, guards, follow birdies.. See what ruckus is..." He grinned slowly, eyes glinting a bit. "Allow sneaky lions through..." He had entirely missed Aithne's less than pleasant looks, focus on the problems that were more imminent than simply making someone mad at him.

Hraga was in the middle of a rather lovely daydream when the sound of screaming practically startled the fur right off his back. Never in his life had he heard a noise so... bizarre! "Ugh, what on earth is that?" he grumbled, looking around for the source of the shouting.

Mizuka was not quite as understanding. The moment the screetching had begun, his heart had started to ram in his chest. The young hongshan liked to think he was prepared for this inevitable conflict... but suddenly being threatened with a call to arms was almost sickening. He nervously shot the other male a pitying glance. "I don't-"

"It sounds like..." It sounded a lot like his sister, Ea, actually. "Wow, something dying. I'm going to go see what it is! Bet its some kind of rock hopper, they yell like that."

Mizuka flinched. "Shouldn't we wait for Tarsa to get back?"

"Eeeh, he's fine." Hraga trailed off, walking in the direction of the screaming birds. The Hongshan gave a nervous glance around the suddenly eerie rocks, before darting off after him.

--

Back at the group, Elcca gave a wide smirk. "Alright, we'd better make tracks and fast!"

Ali kept his mouth shut while the others bickered about a plan of attack, so to speak. Some wanted a distraction, some wanted to try their luck keeping to the shadows. Eventually the collective was forced to make a quick decision and think on their toes. He, along with those around him, fell silent or spoke in breathless whispers. Two guards wasn't terrible... it was an odd place for them to be but then again, the more guards on the border the better.

At least for occasions outside of this one.

Finally, one of the bird handlers set their pet loose to create a distraction. It was a long shot but the avian put its full effort into the attempt and his efforts clearly paid off. The two large figures standing watch vanished to investigate. Huh... perhaps he should look into getting a feather-duster of his own. With a short nod to Elcca, he continued forward.

Mwako came to group up with one he believed was named Serkan, his eyes, Mwako had remembered. They were so piercing, even in the night. Mwako's silver eyes looked to where the guards had gone and disappeared into the night's darkness, and he waited, soon he ehard a small flutter and knew it was Kooka. Thankfully he was not making more noises.

Kooka came to land on Mwako's shoulder again and opened his mouth but it was hard to talk. Mwako shook his head at the bird.

"No," he said very, very quietly, "save the strength inside, we do not know if we'll need it again, understood?" Kooka nodded and rested on the shoulder, preening feathers, and trying to be quiet to sooth his throat.

Least Kooka's loud, but tiny mouth was good for something, yes? Kooka was happy for that.

Saoi had been silent through the planning, being careful to do the best he could do at lying low, keeping his bright white fur from shining too brightly. While the others made plans, he rolled about in the dusty sand. By the time they were ready to go, the guards off chasing the birds, he looked quite huria-like. The idea didn't sit well with him, but now at least he'd blend in better with the dunes.

Resisting the urge to shake the itchy and heavy sand off himself, he loped along with the rest across the border. He made sure to mind his footing, and as he watched his red toes flash one two one two...a thought came upon him. "Footprints! Won't we leave footprints?" It was too late now. There wouldn't be time to go back and dust them all out now, would there? Grimacing, he jogged on. If they couldn't hide their passing... "Better move faster then, since once they see those they'll know someone came through."