The eventual next heir woke up immediately to his father’s call – there was distress in the tone of his howl. He quickly made his way out of the den and up into the air, his wings broadening as his body painted with the colors of the winter sunrise soared the short distance to the meeting circle and his father. ”Father, what’s wrong?” He spoke as he came to a graceful landing to his right side of his father. His mother always got the immediate right side of Achilles. His hot pink eyes met those steely ones of his father, who had only turned to Hermes and gave a slight shake of his head. The prince did not understand the gesture, but took it as a ‘not now’. Hermes nodded, somberly looking out to the distance as he waited for other pack members to start. As they would arrive, he’d give everyone a nod hello and a toothy smile. Or at least, that’s what he had planned to do. Until Lazarus showed up.

She was a gory sight to behold. Around the time that she arrived many others did as well, his mother, siblings, Daneliya’s family, and Artemis. Aeolus had arrived shortly after himself, with Apollo being one of the last – his brother had a gripe against the skyborne for some reason. Hermes knew it was likely because of his inheritance of Sabertooth once their parents had aged out. The sunrise painted male listened as Lazarus spoke, her words soft from weariness and pain. Artemis, his mother, and eventually his father approached her as well. Hermes himself took a step forward too, whilst his brothers stayed back. ”There is a war active, Dawnshire, Hawthorne, and Amberjorne against Sindri, Nightingale, and Tarben.” That made sense for his father’s behavior – Hermes often joined Achilles for his daily flights above the tree line – observing the surrounding lands – Hawthorne pack lands in the distance, and the communal areas which Sabertooth touched – the Proving Grounds, Ashen Woodlands, and a new area to the south – from hearsay he was told it was donned ‘Firefly Forest’. His hot pink eyes shadowed over as his ears picked up on Artemis’s sobs as she lay on the African Wild Dog no longer in this world. The son did notice that his father too had a somber expression, his ears pinned back as he whispered to Lazarus’s now corpse. ”May you be guided home, Lazarus.”

Apollo watched the scene play out, and while also saddened by the loss of Lazarus, he kept his expression stoic, rolling his eyes at his brother’s movements. Aeolus stuck by Apollo’s side, however, a few tears dropped from his eyes. Aeolus knew that the other packs involved would have many more deaths than that of here and could not bear to feel their grievances. His eyes, exactly like his father’s, flicked as he saw Alectrona fly in. Aeolus knew of her mood lately, so her reaction to Lazarus was expected – she was pretty much about to have a panic attack. Aeolus lept to his sister’s side, gently coming to a stop and placing his wing over her back. Apollo still remained stoic, and perhaps a little cocky, rolling his eyes once more at Alectrona’s behavior before looking off towards the Proving Grounds. Little that anyone knew – he was at war in his own head, wanting to react. He had not given up on the possibility of him being the heir to the throne, no, but with how he handled his emotions, by bottling them up, he was bound to explode one day. Unlike Hermes, who would be the heir, who was not afraid to show his own emotions much like Achilles.

Apollo watched as Shuu and Marius broke out from the thick foliage near the meeting circle, Marius speeding up once the smell of blood had reached his nares and slowed down once he saw Lazarus lay dead. Shuu stayed the same pace the whole time, however, his expression was much more flabbergasted and apparent. He too was easy to read with emotions…as many thought. However, Shuu had become exceptionally well at portraying some of these feelings, when in truth he did not feel them much at all. Partially a sociopath, if you will. His mind was set recently on finding a female and never leaving her side. Ever. Marius, on the other hand, was becoming exceptionally close with Cosette – almost have entirely forgotten about Eponine, the one whom he had traveled with here to Starfall. He gently wrapped his multiple tails around his side, his pale green eyes watching somberly over it all happening.

Hermes’s attention shifted from Lazarus to the rest of the pack, who was gathering quickly. His father had matters to attend with Lazarus – when Artemis was off of Lazarus, the king had lifted her corpse onto his back, whispering once more, these words to Artemis. ”Artemis, she needs to be buried. I am quickly taking her to the Southeast portion of Sabertooth. Her burial site will be marked with some flowers – I will gladly escort you there later if you so wish. Please stay here with the pack – Hermes will make some announcements in my stead.” His last sentence was louder for everyone to hear – his grey eyes shifting to Hermes, and with a nod between them both, the king began to hurry to bury Lazarus. He knew his son would only be able to handle so much with leading a meeting.

Hermes took slightly to the sky, calling to his packmates. ”Members of Sabertooth. Our theta, Lazarus, has sadly perished due to the war between all the other packs of Starfall occurring just south of here – at the Proving Grounds.” Hermes paused, his winter sunrise colored pelt looking slightly duller as his tone became one laced with wanting revenge. ”She told us that it was a male with black fur with brown eyes and has potential ties to Tarben. If any wolf meets that description, take their life like they had taken Lazarus’s. Show. No. Mercy.” His hot pink eyes narrowed as he looked out towards the site of war. Focusing his hearing, he picked out howls of pain and the scent of blood was slowly infiltrating Sabertooth lands. His eyes soon returned to the members as he continued to speak, wings still flapping to keep him in the air. ”That being said, Sabertooth now has an enemy – Tarben. No wolves from Tarben are to be let into these lands.” Little did he know he himself would soon lay with a Tarben woman…Hermes spoke once more. ”I am not sure what other announcements my father may have – please stay gathered here until he returns.” He slowly lowered his body to the ground, sitting and awaiting the return of Achilles.

Actions and Thoughts/Others and "Speaking."