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 Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:09 pm
 That their queen had had enough confidence in her to promote her to the coveted rank of Death General tickled Retinadeath pink to no end. She had a position. Security. Power. Rank. She had the confidence, trust, and ear of one of the most powerful stars on the face of the world (so far as she was concerned). But with power comes responsibility (as some famous dead person had once said), and the army was now solely Retinadeath's responsibility. It was her own portion of he herd to take care of, and it was, in her mind, a microcosm of their entire society. Which made her a sort of pseudo-, well, not queen, not in the least, but it did make her a sort of pseudo-leader. And like Blod had been in need of an officer, so too was Retinadeath in need of an officer. She needed people in the army she could trust.
In theory, those were the Death Knights, best of the best, most trusted, loyal, and ruthless of the knights. In practice, Retinadeath had precious few troops she could trust. Thus she had one, maybe two death knights. But more soldiers had been joining lately, and surely she now had enough troops to start promoting them, right? Certainly some of them had...potential. For example, Azura, a relatively new addition. She didn't know Azura--not very well--but she could already tell that Azura was...well, she seemed rather ambitious, to be honest. And ambition worried Retinadeath, at least a little bit. But on the other hoof, if that ambition could be channeled for the good of the herd...
In that mind, Retinadeath had specifically sought out the hound. She needed to get to know a potential death knight before she promoted them. "Azura," she purred. "Good afternoon."
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:04 pm
 Azura had settled down in her own little area within the herd, keeping to herself. She was new, unsure of her new pack mates. They were different, would any of them understand how she worked. Did they even work together? Perhaps in these time of peace, there wasn't much to do. Why did they have that one with the bones showing through his skin here and why couldn't she gnaw on his legs? Oh the questions she had with none of the answers.
Maybe she was acting too much on the side of caution, but she had to if she was ever going to get out from these low ranks. The one thing she hated more that peace and rainbows was being the lowest of the low, fighting for the scraps and among each other for a simple taste of power. Maybe some of the others were happy in this position, but by simply looking at Azura one could feel how unhappy she was with this. She wasn't one for full power, not. Too many idiots. Just...Something not the Omega.
So it was surprising to hear the voice of the Beta address her. Azura's ears flicked first before she turned to her superior. "Lady Retinadeath. Pleasure to see you." She lowered her head to her guest. Azura knew her place in this pack at least, even though she hated it.
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Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 7:47 am
Azura didn't know it, but her assessment had now begun. Retinadeath nodded at her, wings folded in close to her body. She was alert and deferential. The first was a good trait for a warrior; the second was a good trait for a subordinate, especially one with some measure of power. "I apologize for my poor manners in not giving you a greater welcome to the Shadow Herd," she said, although she wasn't being entirely truthful. She didn't know Azura--not until she knew her better could she regret anything. But it didn't cost her anything to claim that she did. Besides, a little voice in the back of her head muttered, she'd seen the hungry look the hound had given Osteocyte's apparent bones, and they hadn't been hungry in a lustful way. Azura didn't have any sort of respect for her rebellious comrade. Definitely a point in her favor.
"Our herd's a little low on soldiers, in my opinion," she added. "Every little bit counts, especially skilled soldiers like yourself."
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Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2013 4:10 pm
Azura lifted her head, looking to Ret with an unblinking stare. It was clear her eyes were searching for reason for this visit, though not through the words. Body language was easier to read for her, the twitches and tells. They could lie through their teeth but they couldn't control twitches they know nothing about. Stiff and proper, this was no simple hello. More then that, Ret seemed to be inspecting her as much as she was inspecting Ret. What was this all about?
"I am a mere simple soldier, there is no need for welcomes. It is my duty to protect and die for the pack if needed. I am simple fodder at my level, nothing more. It is not wise to become attached to those who's purpose is to die."
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Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 5:17 pm
Retinadeath allowed her smile to show on her face. Better and better. Yes, Azura was a good choice. But that was her talking as a low-ranking dark knight. Now she needed to know how Azura would respond to being a death knight. Authority could change a star--look at the wonders it had done for herself, after all! She needed to make sure that Azura would continue to be dogmatically loyal (no pun intended) once she had the bit between her teeth. There was a look in Azura's eyes as if she was trying to read Retinadeath. If she could, and she was still loyal? Oh, yes. Retinadeath was going to be very happy.
"What if you could be more than just a mere soldier, Azura? I think you have potential. More potential than other newcomers have, anyway. There is a possibility of promotion for warriors such as you."
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Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 12:28 am
Azura's face remained neutral, though her ears flicked forward. Potential...That was a word she liked. Her ears slowly returned to normal as she keep quiet, thinking it over. She spoke carefully. "Potential is nothing unless you can prove yourself. One must have bark and the bite to back it up. If I were to be completely honest, I do foresee myself having difficulties. I work best in a pack, those like minded with the same goal on had. From what I've seen so far, everyone in this pack is looking out only for themselves, watching each other, looking for weaknesses to strike to get a bit of meat, if you will. But when it comes down to working together for the kill, will they all have the same goal? Or will they simply look out for themselves even in the mist of battle. Can they over come the temptations of ending one of their own who is stronger to make themselves look better if the stronger was harmed in battle? I can not say, for I have not been here long enough to know. I believe in what is my nature, the pack...This herd...Comes before my own needs and when it comes down to the hunt, we must act as one to hunt down our kill, or everything will fall into chaos."
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:36 pm
Wait a minute, was this dog questioning her leadership abilities?! How dare she! Maybe she wasn't suited for the job after all. Maybe she couldn't be trusted at all. Retinadeath needed a supporter, not another damn questioner. The only thing that prevented her from showing her anger on her face was the voice of doubt that spoke up instantly from the back of her mind. We're worried about that too, it reminded her. Saltic wants power. Osteocyte wants independence. Anand doesn't know what he wants, but he'll kill for it. Ruadh doesn't care whose side he's on, so long as his victims are bleeding out. Azura's right--we're a rat's nest, not an army. We need loyalty, yes, but more than that, we need cohesiveness.
Retinadeath hated feeling insecure--she'd felt insecure all her life, and feeling it again now was like a kick in the face. But if she was honest with herself--and eventually, she would have to be--she had to admit that...well...the needs of the Shadow herd...might be more important than her position of leadership within it.
That didn't mean she wasn't going to still use her power, or look for loyalty. "I don't know," she said honestly. "I hope we will work together. Azura, I would like your help in getting this army into shape. I would like your help making them the cohesive battle unit we need them to be. I think you can do that. You know what needs to be done more than anyone else. As for backstabbing?" There she smirked. She couldn't help it. Azura was wise to bring up the questions she did, but she was new here, that was clear. "Courtiers backstab each other to get a higher position in the court. No one in my army will get anything from killing each other besides personal satisfaction. I promise you here and now, that I will not reward any soldier who kills another soldier without my say-so, and that I will not give my say-so unless it is absolutely needful for the continued function of the Shadow army and the Shadow herd as a united front."
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:39 pm
Azura couldn't help but smile herself. "Well with such reassurance from yourself, I would be a fool not to trust your words. Frankly I shall enjoy watching all this...Scheming going around. One can scheme for power all they wish, though the proof is in their actions. Lady Retinadeath, you're will is my command. I shall also look forward to proving myself to you as well." The hound bowed her head to Retinadeath once again. "Also, may I personally help with the training of the one who smells like death and appears as bones?" Azura lifted her head with her own devious smirk. "He seems quiet slow...I'm sure some running training would do him good, less he looses a leg."
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Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:08 pm
Retinadeath's breath had almost been waiting on Azura's decision, and Azura's promise of loyalty was the answer she needed. Finally, someone here she could trust! That was a fine relief indeed. "I do not think you a fool," Retinadeath said, "and I expect you will never prove me wrong in that." She nodded her head in acknowledgement of the bow. "With that, I hereby promote you in rank to the position of Death Knight, assuming you consider yourself ready to take it. I will make the promotion known to the Queen."
She grinned. "Oh, Osteocyte? Please do. He could do with some work. Try not to hurt him too badly, though--I need the soldiers I can get. Just put the fear of us in him, would you? Thank you."
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