|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:50 am
 In the two short weeks since she first joined together with Jormungander she had learned a lot. It had been difficult at first, if only because she like many Kalona preferred a solitude existence, to hunt on their own and not share their kills. Yet with time she had learned to restraint those feelings for the betterment of them both. Together they would be unstoppable. It did not take them long to develop a rhythm to their work. Already they had killed a great many of beasts together from deer, to wolves and even a few Soquili as well. It had allowed her to see how he worked in action as he was able to see how she worked. He was strong and proud, as any Kalona should be, he had great battle tactics and could both lead and follow. This worked best to their advantage as Alti would not allow him to lead constantly, much like he would not allow her to lead every time. They had to learn to compromise, to share the task of leadership and not ignore orders just because ones pride got in the way.
Working together made them more powerful and those who fled only helped to spread their message of terror to the lands. Yet the two of them could not do this alone. They still needed to find more to bring to the cause of their kind. To either directly join their army or to start armies of their own to work indirectly together to rid the land of it's taint. Landing at the edge of a lush green meadow Alti looked out across the open expanse with a mild look of disgust on her face. It was lands like these that the weak blood often flocked to, but it also drew in predators such as herself, other Kalona and even Skinwalkers who preyed upon such creatures. "This land looks ripe for the taking." She said to Jormungander, knowing he would be there when she spoke. "And perhaps we can acquire ourselves allies here as well." With as much prey as this land was likely to hold there was bound to be at least one other Kalona that they could talk with. They had to find one eventually, even if it took months of searching.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:38 am
 Jormungander had expected the transition from a solitary life to one with a partner to be a bit more rocky then things had turned out to be - indeed he was pleasantly surprised to find that although both of them were wired to be solitary creatures the draw of a common goal and a bit of common sense seemed to be enough to over come such instincts. Of course he had always maintained that this would be the case...he had just lacked someone worthy enough to test it with.
Until he'd met Alti, the mare seemed equally determined to make this arrangement work and while they had yet to find another Kalona to join their cause he still considered the last couple of weeks to be a rousing success..if he and Alti could make this work then he was sure that others could do the same once they saw the pair of them in action. It would be the tipping point he had been looking for, that one last piece of a puzzle which would lead his kind to ultimate victory...like they deserved.
Of course they would need to eventually recruit some more to their cause and at Alti's comment the stallion looked out across the grassy meadow and gave a slight nod "It does seem like the type of area where prey would congregate" He agreed..and where prey went the predators followed. Of course they would need to be careful, while he wasn't afraid of running into anyone they couldn't handle - it simply wouldn't do to irritate a potential recruit and cost themselves the chance to explain themselves and their goals.
"I imagine that we should take some time to look around, see if we can find any signs of a fellow Kalona before we wander in to far and end up trespassing on someone's hunting grounds" He voiced, turning his head towards the treeline which bordered the meadow - it was likely that it was in the trees any fellow Kalona would be found, hiding out during the day and attacking at night most likely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:56 am
Alti pawed roughly at the lush green grass, yes this was the type of and prey would often congregate, be it Soquili or other prey beasts. It didn't matter hunting wise, as long as she had something to sink her teeth into that would satisfy her lust for blood. Seeing the sheer panic on the Soquii's face whenever they saw the pair of them coming was always a source of joy to the hate filled mare. Glancing out across the meadow a sneer crossed her lips. These would certainly be good hunting grounds. Even if there were other Kalona to compete with surely there was enough prey to go around. Giving her leathery wings a stretch Alti turned to face the forest. It was the perfect place for any predators to hide, as it offered good covering.
"Let us hope that we are in someone's territory." Her vocice rasped. The fact that they had found no other Kalona yet in their search was like a thorn in her side. Month she had already searched, if not years, and in all that time she had only found a small number of Kalona that were true to their heritage. If it took invading another's space to flush them out to have the opportunity to talk with them then Alti was certain ready for that. "Fruitless searching can become quite taxing after some time." She was certain that Jormungander felt some of the same frustrations that she did after countless nights of having no success. Building an army was a grand idea, but not when one lacked soliders to recruit. And while they were quite the hunting pair together even the two of them could only kill so many in the lifetime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:15 am
"There is truth in your words" Jorm agreed as the mare spoke. It was irksome to say the least - this constant serching with little result - but he was sure results would come in time, they merely had to be patient and keep looking. Sooner or later they were bound to come across others who were willing to join up with them, or work with them.
"I merely wish to find whomever's territory this might be without angering them beyond reason...our kind is not always known to think before acting" It would be a terrible shame if they found another Kalona only to be attacked and find themselves having to defend against and possibly kill one of their own. Knowing the way his brethren tended to think however Jormungander was well aware that this was, sadly, not entirely out of the question however.
"In any case it might be a nice place to rest and regroup for a while - constant traveling can weary one after a time and it will do us some good to eat and recover while we have the chance"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:35 am
Alti let her head bob in a nod. Yes what Jormungander said was true. It would be extremely unfortunate to "invade" another territory and anger them to the point of fighting or even so they refused to hear them out. Much as Alti wanted to get her frustrations out, attacking one of the few of their own kind they found was not the outlet she was looking for. If afterwards they either found no other Kalona here or they spoke with them then she would wish to go hunting. Nothing picked up her mood more than a good old fashioned slaughter. "Let us make our presence known to any of our kind who may be lurking in the shadows, then we shall see about some rest and a bite of eat."
Pausing Alti glanced out across the grassy meadow once more. There would be their pick of prey from this area, they would certainly feast well today and for however long they choose to stay. Walking closer to the treeline Alti slowed her pace down slightly, they needed to not rush in without taking in their surroundings. The trees were spread out a bit here but she could see that the deeper into them they traveled the closer together they got, and there were plenty of shadowy areas a predator could be lurking waiting to ambush them. With but a small glance at Jormungander Alti stepped into the trees. She could hear small creatures and birds above in the branches trying hard to remain still as the predators passed by underneath them. They would also be a good indication of any of predator, be it Kalona or otherwise, hidden within the trees. "My guess is any of our kind will be hidden deeper in the trees, where they can more easily hide from preys sight and our own."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:15 am
Jorm followed Alti into the tree's his ear pricked and eyes peeled as he scented the air for any signs of another Soquili in the area, when they advanced through the treeline and were met with nothing he snorted in dismay. "It seemed like such a promising hunting ground" He remarked to his companion "Are we truly so few now that such a place has not been claimed?" It was a dismal thought..but perhaps Alti was right and the owner of this area was merely further into the forest..there ought to be some sign out here however, some indication of another's presence.
"If I was the settling down type I'd claim it for myself" The stallion remarked as he peered back out into the meadow before shaking his head and turning his attention back to the mare with him. "We can go further in if you'd like but to be honest I don't even see signs of a patrol route, I don't think we'll find much" Perhaps they ought to just turn their attention to hunting and replenishing their own strength...if there was someone hiding in the woods that ought to bring them out of seclusion and they had attempted to be polite first which was good enough to satisfy his sense of propriety.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:37 am
It was a horrifying and disgusting thought that such a prime spot was not claimed. True they weren't that far into the trees yet, but like Jormungander pointed out, there should be at least some signs of activity, anything to indicate a Kalona lived her. Letting out a displeased snort Alti glanced among the trees, such a waste, any Kalona would be a fool to turn this place down. With such lush surroundings one would never run out of prey and there was a source of water not far from here that they had seen from the air. Be damned if she wasn't so bent on rallying an army of Kalona to exterminate all other breeds then she would stay here. "There is no reason to go further, if there are no signs yet they we will be wasting out time." The trees here were too close together to allow flight so that ruled out the slight possibility that any Kalona here was simply hiding their presence by sticking to the air.
With a snort of frustration Alti turned and walked back towards the meadow. If hunting did not draw out the resident Kalona then there was without a doubt none in the area. "We will hunt and rest here." Walking into the grass Alti looked over towards our traveling partner. An idea had struck her in regards to something he said earlier. "If the scent of a fresh kill does not flush out any of our kind lurking deeper within the forest then we shall claim this are for ourselves. We may not yet have an army, but when we do we will need a base to operate from and this seems to be a good place to start."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:33 am
"I agree" Jorm replied though he was as thoroughly disgusted by the lack of Kalona as his partner was, turning he followed her back to the meadow, mulling over a fair bit of disturbing thoughts as he did so. "A good plan and there is certainly prey enough to be picky..I saw a herd of deer as we landed, a nice hunt may soothe both our tempers and our stomachs" He told her, lifting his head and scenting the wind slightly - yes the scent of deer was certainly on the air and nearby too.
Of course the very fact that the deer hadn't scattered upon scenting them while they tramped through the woods was a dismal sign in and of itself - surely if there was a Kalona nearby and regularly hunting they would be a bit more fearful. Instead they were fat and placid..good for meals but not so much as a sign of the type they were looking for. "Is it possible that our numbers have grown so few? That there are so little pure blooded Kalona left that this place has been neglected simply due to that?"He mused out loud, giving voice to the thoughts that had bothered him as they returned from the meadow, it was a dismal thought and he turned his attention back to Alti's comments. "But yes this will be a fine head quarters from which to gather our army"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:36 am
As her eyes took in the lush green grass with it's fattened prey in the distance Alti was filled with a mix of emotions. She was angered at the lack of their own kind, not just here but everywhere, she was frustrated that no matter how many places they looked or how many weeks they traveled their efforts were not rewarded and, if she allowed herself to admit it, she was frightened as to what it meant for the future of their kind. How could they make an army when there seemed to be no Kalona. Yes their kind was not known for being overly social, but that didn't mean they were so far removed from society that they were never seen. And in a place like this there should have been a large amount of competition for such a prime piece of land, not a complete lack of others presence. There would need to be something drastic done and soon or their kind would see their end.
Alti began to pace as she thought things over. "A hunt would do us both some good." She said, partially agreeing with Jorm yet it was obvious that she was distracted by thoughts, as likely Jorm was as well. This was a disturbing picture and could not ignore it. Hearing Jorm's words confirmed that he was thinking much like she was. It was a disgusting thought to think that their kind may be so few in numbers that they were becoming nothing but a memory to others. "If that is the case," she glanced over at Jorm bringing her pacing to a stop, "then this is a bloody disaster. And those few of us who are left need to work together more so than ever before. If new blood is not gained within our kind soon we may very well be the last of a dying legacy." Alti would not allow that, she would do anything and everything possible to save her kind from coming to an end.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:33 pm
"No doubt the rest of these lowly Soquili would leap for joy at that end" Jormungander responded with a snort. He could only imagine the party they would throw on the bones of the last Kalona. The really infuriating part however was that it was partially their own fault that they were in such dire straights - if a goodly portion of their kind had not gone and diluted the bloodstrain by breeding to other kinds then this problem would not be.
"Damn the Halfbreeds...but we might need them after all" He finally admitted "At least those who believe in the Kalona way, if they breed back to full Kalona their children would be three quarters and if those bred back to full then there would be a nearly full breed foal. It is a blood curdling solution but it may be our only recourse if things get to far." Of course he seriously hoped that they never would because Jorm hated the halfbreeds almost as much as the parents who had created them. "A Very LAST recourse" He continued and then was struck with another thought. broaching this one however could very well go badly for him if Alti did not see things in the same light.
"Given this new evidence of course we - both of us - are honor bound to ensure there is a new generation of Kalona" He stated in a matter of fact voice. "Not now of course we have far to much to do - but eventually we will need to ensure that there are Kalona foals with proper Kalona parents in the world"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:39 am
"I doubt many of them even see us as a threat anymore." Alti retorted through the sheer idea of that made her feel ill. The idea that such a dangerous breed was no longer looked upon as that was sad and disturbing. This problem was far greater than she had first thought. Now more than ever Alti wanted to fix things, to see the Kalona rise up again and take their rightful place/ It would take a lot of work, and possibly more years that she or Jorm would live, but they could at least start thing rolling. Of course she would have to rely on the fact that others would take up this cause once she was gone, and if they faltered in their ways again then the Kalona may truly be doomed.
The mere mention of halfbreeds caused a growl to rumble in Alti's throat. Those half breeds were worthless! Beyond worthless. She knew what Jorm was saying was true, if not an extreme means to bring back some more Kalona blood into the mix. Even if they did need to do that as a last resort, it would take years to bring enough Kalona blood back into their systems to be considered pure. "They would never be pure bloods." She snarled. No matter how many time their offspring breed back to pure Kalona, there would always be that trace amount of inferior blood. Always a chance of a non-Kalona to appear in the mix. It was something that she had discovered herself when that blasted stallion from years ago had helped her bring in new Kalona life only to find an impure foal emerge from one of the baskets. The memory of that day burned through her as her tail lashed about. No, they couldn't afford to have that happen, but if in fact it did while breeding half breeds to pures, then they would be properly disposed of this time.
Mention of their now obligation to the Kalona race made her glance over at Jorm. She knew this, after all she had first mentioned it only moments ago, though perhaps not as directly as he had. "Of course we have an obligation. I will not idly stand by and watch our kind dwindle even more. And any foal we produce will be of the purest and strongest variety." Of that she was certain. She may not be perfect mothering material, but in that sense what Kalona mare was? But when she did have foals again she would ensure they followed the Kalona was perfectly, no more mistakes would happen, they could not afford it. "Now come let us hunt. We both have some frustration to work out." Unfurling her wings Alti took to the air and headed towards where the herd of deer was on the opposite side of the meadow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
