Lahmer slowly grew used to Tarben as the summer changed to fall and fall to winter. She had been able to visit home in the early stages of her pregnancy, and it felt like ages had passed now. Having three beautiful children, Syrax, Elsa, and Vhagar, was certainly some positive energy she needed in her life, especially after Aya’s passing during the war. Lahmer shuddered, partly from that, but also from the bitter cold air of Tarben in winter as the starry clad female sat outside of her and Balerion’s den, watching her pups as they wandered off and did whatever. She could not bear to think much of that tragic event, and how she technically was still somewhat of a prisoner under Beartooth’s reign. A soft sigh left her maw as she tried to relax. But to no avail. The mother made a quick scan over the icy lands and decided that her children would be fine. No one would mess with them, right? They were children of the revered delta, after all. Plus the three of them never caused trouble.

Lahmer made her way into their den, which felt significantly warmer than that of outside. She looked at the charred inner wall, her mind flicking to Balerion for a moment, along with a small smile crossing her face, as she laid down in the far corner, the warmest part, of the den. Gently, the mother put her maw onto her paws, scanning the den more with her crimson eyes. Scratch marks from the children lined the bottom edge, and Lahmer could tell whose claw marks were whose. Elsa’s marks were few and far between, and when present, they were gentle and did not scrape the earth much. Vhagar’s were very much like your normal scratch marks from a rambunctious pup, in fact, they reminded Lahmer of her own when she was a child. Syrax had done the most digging and clawing, as his marks could be spotted by how sporadic they were but also the difference in where the claw mark started along the den wall. His did not start as high up as Elsa or Vhagar’s could have. A quiet laugh left her maw as she thought about the three of them clawing together, how the starry dragon runt was always looking up to his sisters and wanting to be like them, matching claw marks and all. As she thought about this, her eyes drifted closed, and her body went into a slumber.

SNAP.

Lahmer was brought back to the battlefield in her dreams, Aya’s crumpled and mutilated body laying right at her feet. Her avian wings bent in ways they should not be, with bone sticking out at her back from which they sprouted from. Aya’s neck was craned in such a way that it alone was nightmare inducing itself. And the last facial expression, the one Lahmer would never forget – fear. She began to sob, backing up at the horrifying sight. Aya was one of the first to die in the war. With each step Lahmer took back, Aya’s body slowly returned to it’s prior, living state, and almost tauntingly, floated back up into the sky. Almost as if Lahmer was playing the scene in reverse, and watched as a bystander as she heard a voice – her own voice – call out to Aya as she fell and running paws. Her crimson eyes, filled with tears, watched upward as Aya rose back to the sky. The culprits were several other flying wolves themselves…most having avian wings themselves except one…

Lahmer could not believe what she was seeing in this cruel, cruel nightmare, or repressed memory. She shook her head, tears flying off her cheeks. Balerion. She was sure of it. Balerion broke one of Aya’s wings. Balerion was…responsible for her best friend’s death.

She awoke from her short lived nap, crimson eyes, wet with tears, snapping open. Lahmer slowly rose to her legs, her lips curled into a snarl. She was angry and upset beyond comprehension. The starry lass felt, betrayed. Why didn’t Balerion tell her anything? If she had known, she never would have tended to his whim. She would have rebelled and found a way to escape Tarben. Everyone here was ruthless, and even if caught when escaping and death was imminent, that seemed like the better alternative. Lahmer could be with Aya. Tears welled in her eyes as she stepped out into the brutal cold once more, letting out a loud, menacing snarl for her mate, no, her capturer. ”BALERION!” She breathed fast and heavy, her eyes shifting to the side from where she heard a tiny yelp. It was Syrax, and maybe the other pups had followed suit. ”Get in the den.” She commanded to whichever of her children were there. Syrax, frightened, folded his ears back and had his tail tucked as he skirted around his mother and made his way into the den.

Whenever the Black Dread arrived, Lahmer would look up to him, teeth still bared and breathing heavy, as her posture remained on the offensive. ”Just when, WHEN, were you going to tell me you killed my AUNT?! My BEST FRIEND?!” The starry clad female began to cry again as she raged. She lunged forward, clawing where she could. ”Aya-“ Her front paws landed for a brief moment before she clawed again, potentially at the flesh of her mate again if he did not back up. ”Aya didn’t deserve that!” She continued, lunging once more. ”Aya didn’t deserve such a horrific DEATH!” After the third lunge, she stopped, still breathing heavy. Her next words surely would be painful for her soulmate to hear. ”I’m going home tonight.” Her crimson eyes snapped, still wet with angry tears and alight with rage, to meet his own eyes, as her teeth remained bared and a low growl emanated from her throat.

Actions & Words.