#chosen of the wolf kindred

[aurelion-solar]

Ambessa in the "Blood Sweat & Tears" Music Video

[grrnele]

The sole company for those trapped among embers and charred flesh

[druh19]

໑ — Chosen of the Wolf Icons ~ like and reblog if saved ‹3

[melmedarda]

can you please explain what's going on with the new ambessa video for people who don't play league?

Full disclaimer, I do not play LoL. But, here is my understanding of the Blood Sweat and Tears MV. Ambessa is a young Noxian warrior, pregnant, and on a battlefield. She is the only person alive, there. But not for long. She’s taken an arrow to the stomach. She and her baby are about to die. The wolf that walks the battlefield is Kindred, the part of the death duo that is honored by a violent death. She reaches for the wolf, and then I believe she dies.

From here, I think her soul/consciousness is transported into the celestial realm or into a prophetic dream.  It is said that your entire life flashes before your eyes when death is at your door. Something similar flashed before Ambessa eyes, though not only her past, but her future. She sees herself on a throne, as head of her family. And then everything shifts.

She holds in her arms a lamb before she meets the wolf. It is in Shurima, a place of sand and gold. This lamb seems precious to her, she is trying to protect it.

That lamb is symbolism for Kino, Kino who later dies. And I believe that with Kino's death, the merciful side of Ambessa dies as well. The Lamb died, and Ambessa wears white in mourning or ritual, or perhaps it is a reflection of the merciful side of Kindred.

And then her vision shifts, and she is in a place filled with gold, reminiscent of something Solari. She is bathed in light, fights in light. But she is not strong enough to beat Pantheon; she needs more power. 

After she sacrifices the lamb, only then does all the light in the arena seem to focus on her. And then in the video, we see the iconography of the wolf more often. 

Here, Ambessa chooses the wolf, is chosen by Kindred. Kindred blessed. Only then is she elevated to stand with the greats of Runeterra, decked in gold. She is not Solari, but she is kindred blessed.

And then, after she accepts Kindred’s touch, she seems to ascend. She goes through a violent transformation which allows her to shed her weakness to death.

As if, if Kindred has an aspect within the mortal realm, is it her. She is chosen by Kindred just as Pantheon was chosen by the Aspect of War, and Swain was chosen by Raum.

Back on the battlefield, Ambessa and her daughter have possibly died and been resurrected. All this time, it is quite possible she was in Kindred’s domain. But, in a way that defied the idea of Kindred completely, the wolf grants them a second chance at life. Mel is imbued with power, as we can see in the music video, and Ambessa lives because Kindred chose her, or perhaps because Kindred chose the child within her. Mel is possibly the aspect of kindred, the mortal manifestation of their power.

I say this because look at the gold and light at Ambessa’s mask and throat. It does not settle on her skin, but seems to be absorbed by the child within her. 

After that experience, Ambessa becomes dedicated completely to the wolf. The Medardas, chosen by Kindred, by the wolf, makes their creed to be both Fox and Wolf.

I think everything Ambessa has done until this point and been in pursuit of this prophecy. The Golden mask she wears so vastly different from the masks the Noxian soldiers wear, is a reflection of her vision. Kindred’s vision. Everything she does is based on what Kindred has shown her, because soon she will become the woman who Kindred showed her she would be.

[buboloboogie]

I turned Void, Pepper, and Pickles into Kindred !! :D

HURAYYY THEY'RE ALL KINDRED!!

Essentially in this AU, the PCs are swapped with their companions! Their story lines are similar, pepper and pickles are still twins / daughters of the queen, and Void is a secluded lone wolf trying to find something. HERE ARE THEIR BLERBS BECAUSE I'VE PUT TOO MUCH EFFORT INTO IT vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Miss Void Bennett. Generally, Void's backstory is the same as Arthur's. BUT!! Because we know basically nothing about Void, where she came from, how long she's been with Arthur, etc. My concept for her is that she has lost almost all of her memories of her human life, and the first few days after her embrace. All she remembers is Vanya's face, and having this feeling of deep rage and heartbreak. She sets out to the Americas after the war, where she meets Mary Davis and Edward. There, she gets help recovering only some of her memories, though only the memories of the beast. Whenever she'd frenzy, kill mortals, and most unfortunately ripping what she knows to be her family to death. After this discovery is when she starts out on her journey to find Vanya. She tells herself its to find out more about her missing memories, but deep down she is motivated completely by revenge. Void is a shy and tentative person at first, though as she gets comfortable she is bright and bubbly. She is very motherly to the few people she does care about, but it is very difficult for her to create that sort of trust in any sort of relationship. She tries to keep most people at an arms length, but there are a few who sneak through the cracks. Triva!: (SPOILERS AHEAD!!!) - Instead of a book with names, she sketches down every face she remembers tearing apart. - At the midnight circle, her form becomes more of a crazy old were-cat lady - Her tenabris form takes the shape of a writhing cat, with piercing red eyes. - She has Celerity dots instead of Fortitude dots - Her guilt manifests as a need to 'make up for it' by helping kindred and mortals worse off than her, another reason she mothers and guides the two Princesses. - Akin to Arthur, she feels as if taking care of the two twins is how she will atone, but she also will get flashes of warm memories of her younger twin siblings during calm and quiet moments. - When she diablorizes the winged kindred in the Cullen Games, her wings are those of a bat, but the arm bones are covered with a matted black fur. She also has retractable claws on the tips of the bat wing fingers.

Pepper Tucker. Pepper is a Vet tech who lives with her deadbeat father, who's failing car repair shop gets by on her paychecks. In her free time, she's helping The Demons strategize their next move against the Fangs, or smoking delirious amounts of pot ( The only strain she smokes is one called 'Cat Nip' ). Some say she has nine lines, for how many times she's almost knocked on deaths door. She her personality is indifferent. She seems tired, and like her head is somewhere up in the clouds. But even with this, she is someone almost paranoid of her surroundings. She is blunt, with no filter, and is not afraid to rip your ego to shreds without even raising an eyebrow. Pepper is always around - its a little weird honestly - and she is always willing to offer a helping hand to those she cares about. Trivia!: (SPOILERS AHEAD!!!) - Because Slimecicle references Pepper as a boy, and as Salem, while Condi references Pepper as a girl; She is MTF, Salem is her deadname while Pepper is her chosen name. - She is a Gangrel rather than a Brujah - She is a cat therian - Pepper seems to be unnaturally good at anything on the first try. It is kind of annoying - Her interactions with the twins are more Vex: NUH UH Pepper: uh huh Vex: NUH UH!!! Pepper: Uh huh Vex: NUH UUUHH!! Pepper: Stupidsayswhat? Vex: What? Viv: Brother I believe that she fucking got yo- Vex: CURSE YOU SHAMIASHAMAIII!!!! Pepper: lol - She has dots in Potence rather than Protean - She is a very dirty fighter, nut shots, pocket sand, its the only way she knows how to fight. - She nursed a near-death Fisher (type of wild weasel) back to health when she was little, and keeps him around as a pet. She names the Fisher Emezil, and he is the source of her 9 lives. - Instead of Adam Sandler movies, she is locked in her little pool of blood for hours watching Nick Cage movies. - Her battles with Gabriel (who is a coyote themed Gangrel) are the only time where she really raises her voice. I like to think instead of gay jokes, she is always twisting Gabriel's jokes into transphobic remarks, which he stumbles over his words and they go into a fuck you back and forth

Princess Pullette (Pickles) Bathroy Princess Pullette is a ball of energy that cannot be contained. Being cooped up inside the castle all her life, she has become a prank master. Playing silly pranks on the important vampires, and getting a slap on the wrist from her uncle each time, she is inching to get the hell OUT. Then one day, when loosing guards chasing her from putting a fake snake toy in the washroom, she comes across some papers that seems to be documentation of one "No Breaks Car Repair" shop in LA. After getting the iron fist from her mother, getting grounded indefinitely to the room she's been stuck in since... forever. Seething with rage, she dominates a few guards to escort her to the dark door, where she leaves the castle for the first time and spawns in at "No Breaks Car Repair." The Princess of the Ventrue clan gets her name Pickles from Pepper in their first interaction; Pep: Soo.. whats you're name supposed to be? Pick: Princess p-..... what do you think it is..? >:3c Pep: uhh.... idk Princess Pickles? Pick: It's Pickles now >:3c Pickles is the extrovert of an extrovert. She lives the thrill of adrenaline, doing whatever she deems is fun or funny in the moment. She is a yapper, most DEFINITELY doesn't know how to control her volume, and has the ability to talk about absolutely nothing for hours on end. She is ditsy and definitely does not think of the people around her, or what their opinion of her might be, at first. She truly is a caring person, who at the end of the day wants to do what's right, and make her mother proud. Trivia!: (SPOILERS!!) - Pickles still has the same flaws as Shilo, ex. Needing blood to be fed to her, needing to wear 'traditional vampire attire', and believing in the old folk lore - When the twins talk to uncle lazy in the old folk's home bathroom, Pickles is given Shilo, in which rains her in a bit because she thinks the bird is broken because of how timid it seems. She embraces the bird when he finally slept one night, thinking he died & the only way to save him was to turn him. (Pepper just helped calm down the anxious bird) Shilo afterwards is more energetic and warm towards pickles. - Whenever Pickles tries to talk about what her mother barred her from telling, she honks like a goose - Pickles has dots in celerity rather than presence - Edward gets under her skin, and truly spawns this unbridled fire of rage inside of her, which motivates her to yell "SUCK IT, ZOOLANDER!" at Elysium, and tunnel visions as she vows to 'dethrone him' if its the last thing she does - Pickles is so glad to have a sister. Genuinely probably the best thing that ever happened to her THATS MY SHPEAL!!!! If you have any more questions about them, throw them in my ask box!!! Here's some more concept / doodles for their designs, thank you so much if you read all that rambling :,,) (SPOILERS BELOW 2ND SKETCH!!) also yes Sunshine is the Sheriff rather than Deacon >:3c

Here's the link to Void's OG design !!!

[league-of-skins]

Chosen of the Wolf Ambessa (Legendary), Katarina, Kindred, Pantheon, and Swain (+ Prestige)

katarina i love u 🫶🫶

the skins all look really good in game too. i think pantheon’s is the weakest.

i know some people won’t like it but i lowkey fw shirtless swain. i’ve also never noticed how smooth his animations are.

i’m personally against champions getting a release skin that’s higher than the epic tier. obviously kindred deserved it more but i still think they look really good with the new visual effects. ultimately, ambessa just isn’t old enough for a legendary skin to be appealing. especially a lore skin.

still waiting for viktor vgu. and mel champion release?

[chaotick-musings]

So another FASCINATING piece of lore dropped with the new skinline, and that is this small bio for the skinline:

"Chosen of the Wolf skin line bio: When the young warleader Ambessa falls in battle, she is granted a vision of Volrachnun, a hallowed afterlife for worthy followers of the Wolf. All who are welcomed into this haven must join the Eternal Chase, finding bliss in battle and joyfully challenging their fellow chosen warriors in a never-ending hunt."

Which kind of elevates Kindred's power level to 'Godlike' to 'Definitely God' because now they aren't just some really powerful spirits, they are powerful enough to have their own Afterlife. Not just an Afterlife, but possible MULTIPLE afterlives they are in charge of, as it specifically mentions that Volrachnun is an afterlife for people who Wolf deems worthy, meaning that there could be other afterlives where it's the chosen of Lamb, one where it's both their chosen and more.

Two questions. Which are fun to theorize.

Why do Kindred have an afterlife? As I said, this is clearly an upgrade from just psychopomps to proper underworld deities. Maybe since we know when Death spirits aren't 'Worshipped' they get obliterated they created afterlives, where souls of their followers would always believe in them? Or maybe it was just a natural process of being a death entity, and whenever belief in the afterlife dissapears, so will it and the Kindred with it.

And second question...why wasn't Mordekaiser invited to Volrachnun? It's not EXACTLY what he wanted, but it's clear that as a warlord he should be getting an invitation for it, no? Well...I have a theory. See, Mordekaiser was eager to die thinking he'd get his reward, meaning that when he did die, he didn't fight, which might have pissed Wolf off and denied him entry to this afterlife.

Either way, The skin is fantastic and the lore even more so.

[piltover-sharpshooter]

With the release of 'Chosen of the Wolf Kindred' on PBE, I just have to say that in my personal opinion, Kindred are probably the best champion design in League of Legends? And I don't say that to demean any other champion, there are some amazing heavy hitters like Jhin too, but Kindred positioned as the embodiment of death in Runeterra are surprisingly flexible and they tell us so much about the culture by way of how it depicts them.

The 'Main Kindred' we see are the Freljord depiction of them, more Primal and older than other depictions (as we've been told), and their design matches that age, essentially just two figures, one black with a bit of white, and one black with a bit of white.

Then we got 'Spirit Blossom', and unlike the simpler designs, they are much more ornate and decorated. It also shows just how much the story can change, with them being a Child and her fellow Dog companion, yet remain the same, still two which are one.

And just recently we got 'Chosen of the Wolf', the Noxian interpretation of Kindred, and they are so War-like as a nation, that even the Lamb has Wolfish features, to Noxians there is no peaceful acceptance of death, you must always fight against the dying of the night.

They are just...it's just such a malleable and interesting concept! There's so much to learn and analyze from what the different regions see. I want more! I want to see how Piltover and Zaun see them, how Shurima sees them, how Ixtal sees them, and the rest! Not just read a blurb, I want to see and learn.

[big-gay-bird]

So in Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ambessa’s song, we see so much symbolism around Kindred and how she relates to Wolf.

There is a lot of speculation and assumption within the fandom that the fetus we see wolf revive is Mel.

My wife and I were discussing this and the whole “chosen of the wolf” collective.

Chosen of the wolf, in a religious context where Kindred is a major spiritual theme, that also implies chosen of the lamb right?

What if Mel is intended to represent Lamb? What if that’s why Wolf revived her, because they knew that Ambessa needed her own counter part?

Mel is even literally always dressed in all white, and we see her reject violent death again and again.

The symbolism may not play a large part in Arcane, but thinking back to like Yue in ATLA and what it meant for her to be saved by a deity type spirit, I wonder if in some way the conclusion will have the mother and daughter literally becoming Kindred in some way. This feels especially possible with just all the ways the black rose and Le Blanc operate. Like idk how you get out of a long standing feud with sinister immortal spell casters, but becoming Kindred like, is probably a possibility given all there general abilities.

[the-art-block]

Was once again looking at your vtm OCs art, such fantastic works and adgsvdhfgf man I'm really interested in where the unlike just takes them. Are you interested in another world of darkness thing called 'werewolf the apocalypse'? Mainly because your Moonrise Nation story is so different when it comes to all the other vamps in the city. I was just wondering how would you think if a caern would you react to something like that? Would they appreciate what these kindred are doing for their culture and the lands, turning a blind eye on them even if they smell of the wyrm? Or do you think they would view their efforts as noble and true but with accordance to their litany, they're ultimately gonna have to go? Keep up with the fantastic works!

First off, THANK YOU ✨ I'm so glad that so many VtM fans are excited and inspired by the little musings that end up on this blog. It's really something to see people enjoying these scribbles of mine!

As for WtA, I am indeed familiar with it! My partner @syntheticmortal is much more versed in the detailed lore, but we've both been reading through the latest version release W5.

As far as Garou relations with the Moonrise goes, thankfully the situation is helped along significantly by the fact that Kindred are no longer inherently Wyrmish in the lore presented by W5. Kindred are still walking violations of the natural order, but they're not quite as instinctively abhorrent as they were before.

That said, I am of the mind that it will still require Garou of exceptionally forward-thinking persuasion to work alongside Kindred, regardless of the purity of their intents on paper. Kindred may no longer be inherently, cosmically evil - but they remain inherently selfish and duplicitous creatures, that is the nature of the Beast.

For even the most open-minded of Garou, willful cooperation with Kindred may only ever be undertaken in extreme circumstances because 9.5 times outta 10, the Kindred is going to do something shady in the ultimate interest of self preservation.

On the flip side there's basically no option for Kindred besides staying as far away from any potential Garou interaction, or doing absolutely everything in your power to get on the wolf's good side.

In the case of the Moonrise Nation, they have chosen the latter option. Garou relations will always be charged with anxiety and suspicion from both ends, so the Nation endeavors to, at the very least, convince local and national Garou Septs that they aren't a problem big enough to be dealing with. If they can reach a point where the Garou even see their movement as potentially beneficial, that's a miracle and they'll absolutely take what they can get.

At the moment, the Nation is being left alone by prospective Garou looking for something to destroy, and slow gentle talks are being conducted with a Sept in Six Nations Territory that is predominantly indigenous Garou.

[crossroadsdimension]

Cross found Clive...odd. Not a bad odd, but a good odd. The kind of odd that comes with finding a kindred spirit, but also knowing that there is something strange about him. Secrets kept in his past, perhaps, that he has yet to fully reveal -- or realize, considering the state of his memories.

His awe at riding an airship, despite knowing what they were and never having seen one fly, made Cross wonder where he had come from. His confusion at the aetheryte -- and then amazement at learning it wasn't a source of energy, but that it was a teleportation beacon.

("I...I don't believe teleportation is common, where I am from," Clive said slowly. "We likely use chocobos to travel everywhere, or moved on foot."

"Really?" Cross blinked in surprise. "You must have been quite remote, then. Aetherytes are everywhere across the star, or at least across Eorzea and Doma."

"Hm." Clive looked at the aetheryte thoughtfully.)

It wasn't until the minstrel remarked on his being another world that she could partially put a finger on what made Clive odd. And then there was the fight with Ifrit, afterwards.

("You can transform into a primal," Cross said flatly after their return to Apkallu Falls.

"Eikon," Clive corrected. "Judging by your expression, I assume Dominants aren't common here?"

"Common?" Cross shook her head. "Primals are summoned through crystals and faith, and the ritual to do so has been proven to be dangerous to the summoner. The only one who thought to summon the primal in a way that placed her as its vessel was Ysayle, when she summoned Shiva."

Cross did not miss the way Clive's breath caught. She gave him a curious look. "You...you're familiar with Shiva?"

"Yes," Clive said, voice heavy with something Cross couldn't identify. "My friend -- Jill -- is Shiva's Dominant, just as I am Ifrit's. Although...Shiva was expected. I was not."

Cross frowned.

"An explanation is likely in order," Clive grumbled. "On my world, there are supposed to be only seven Eikons -- one for each element. Phoenix for fire, Shiva for ice, Garuda for wind, Titan for earth, Ramuh for levin, Leviathan the Lost for water, Odin for darkness, and Bahamut for light. There can only be one of each at a time, and when one Dominant dies, someone of their blood in the next generation is chosen as the new one. A second Eikon of fire -- Ifrit -- is not only unexpected, but impossible."

Cross couldn't imagine it. Seven people -- now eight -- at any given moment, capable of transforming into a primal whenever they pleased, without the repercussions of tempering. "Your world is very different from ours. Primals represent a deity of a given group or region; I have seen many that share elements with others, or even combine elements together. There is a settlement to the north made up of vilekin-like beings, and their primal is fire and earth-aspected. Another far to the east is water and levin-aspected."

"Truly?" Clive's eyebrows shot up. "To my ears, that sounds almost too good to be true."

"I would show you myself, but not only has primal summoning fallen out of favor with those once afflicted with tempering, but you also have a place where you are needed." Cross looked at the wolf Clive had summoned from the aether, after destroying Ifrit.

"...yes, that would likely be the wiser course of action.")

They discussed their worlds similarities and differences on the way back to the Burning Wall. Learning of some of each other's hardships and how Cross overcame hers seemed to lighten burdens and strengthen what they already carried with them.

(Petting Torgal along the way was a delight. Cross made sure Clive knew he had a very kind and loyal companion.)

When they send Clive home, Cross makes it a point to grab hold of him and offer a beacon. If there is a chance, and their words are connected, perhaps she could be called to his world to offer aid.

("There's no confirming that this will work," Cross said. "But I feel like having it as an offer of assistance will help you in some way."

Clive closed his hand over the half-formed crystal. "Thank you. Even if it will not work on my return, the offer is appreciated.")

The gift of a wolf mount so similar to Torgal after Clive left was a welcome delight.

[aurelion-solar]

Chosen of the Wolf Ambessa, Katarina, Pantheon, Kindred, Swain & Prestige Swain

[necros-writing-stuff]

The Lycan Legend.

The Lupine evolved alongside other Homo species, coming into existence some time before the Humans. Some say they came about due to Neanderthals performing blood magic on canines. They preferred to make their homes in snowy and foresty regions, using their abilities to hunt and build civilisations.

The Lupine were top hunters, so good at what they did that they spread everywhere. They had no competition.

Until the humans caught up with their inventions and intelligence. The spears, bows, the pits they'd dig. They could breed at any time of year, compared to the twice a year of the Lupine.

The humans became the competitor they had always been missing. They even domesticated a cousin of the wolves.

Wars broke out over food, territory, and occasionally kidnapped people from both sides. Lupine can breed with both of the species they intersect with you see, with limitations. Lupine breeding with wolves create spawn more inclined to canine habits, and similarly Lupine breeding with humans create spawn more inclined to human habits. Breeding outside of the species was and is looked down upon, but in times of war they were desperate.

Until the wise men and women of the Great packs gathered together to pray to the earth mother. The Lupine were gifted a champion. Once a generation, a wolf would be chosen to become a Lycan. Of course, back then the names were different, something similar to the humans' proto Indo-European language, but names have evolved over time.

With the first Lycan, the Lupine began to take the edge once more.

Other animals, impressed by the Lycan, held a festival to champion him. A festival of sport and feasts. But they tricked the Lupine, as the festival was a gathering to bestow a curse.

The other animals had competed with the Lupine for so long, been beneath them, that they saw the humans as kindred spirits, you see.

At first the Lupine didn't believe in the curse. It said that each Lycan would hold a madness within themselves, one that could unleash at any moment. One that would turn them against their own kind.

For 2 generation, the Lycans were still champions. Until the 3rd fell to the curse.

His pack went out hunting, the Lycan staying behind to guard the young, the sick and the old - and his pregnant mate.

When they returned, they were all dead. More died in the attempts to kill the Lycan and cease his rampage.

Fear spread among the Lupine from then on. Lycans could no longer be trusted. And thus, most were killed as soon as they hit puberty and their Lycan nature was revealed.

Now, the Lupine hide, becoming nothing but a legend to humankind. They destroyed their art, their writings, their civilisations, to hide deep into the confines of nature.

Some strayed, creating the legends humans still tell today, like the Greek legend of the cannibal king.

But they still exist, woven into the societies of today or on the fringes where they hope to one day live freely again.

[hydrasaura]

man, chosen of the wolf skinline would've been so cool on diana....at least kindred got it, AT THE VERY LEAST

[melmedarda]

hear me out: ambessa’s red tattoos from her chosen of the wolf skin look similar to the gold on mel’s body. to me, they have a similar geometric style. maybe it suggests mel was blessed by the lamb rather than the wolf?

I'm all ears, friend, because I think you are on to something here. If we think about it, being kindredblessed means being blessed by the lamb and the wolf, right? Obviously, Ambessa was chosen by the Wolf. But say the deity also chose the child in her womb, the lamb chose Mel. And if we consider the associated colors, as you mentioned kindred has a red arm/markings, and Ambessa also has red markings which show she has been chosen. She also has red eyes in the skin, and in the MV, the wolven half of Kindred had red eyes as well.

The child in her, Mel, has golden eyes in her womb. What else was golden? The Lamb Ambessa holds at the beginning of the MV before it is shattered was golden. Mel's armor, as you've mentioned, is also gold. It's also geometric, which makes me wonder if ambessa has it designed to reflect her vision. I'm not sure where Mel got her armor, as we don't see it on her when she is young, but it glows on her back the same way her eyes glowed, and so I'm inclined to believe it is related to her power. So it's very possible you're right, and mother and daughter are wolf and lamb (not sure if this makes them aspects of death based on the MV, but it sure explains alot).

But if the Lamb blessed Mel, represents Mel... then what does this mean for Mel in the future?

[asktranquilrahab]

Infiltration

The Dumahim took to the frontal assault as devoted as one would expect for the war aspirants. Rahab took a moment to appreciate the hard-drilled savagry that his brother put into his clan, nevermind the humans he managed to attract into his ranks. It was a momentary observation before he did his part.

With the map scribbled by his charmed familiars, he followed the undercrypt leading into the fortress' underbelly. He and a select retinue, the rest of his forces were supplement to the Dumahim siege led by Solomon.

At his back, Narissa and Euryale stalked with three of their chosen. The fledglings followed with their predatory stealth and the natural yearn to prove themselves tempered by Rahab's already open expectation; fulfill the siege and bleed their prey with the tactful precision to ensure a clean victory. Anything else was an offense to him.

The undercrypt was interwined with the fort's sewer system, some sections flooded and fortunately, marked on the map. He have studied it for several nights along with proved layouts to the fort and its surrounding area, Ashrif making double confirmation with his network. All to this moment. Most importantly, this route was made for the intent of escape or smuggling in resources or people. One of several possibilities. And when they were coming to a more lively presence, the sparse patrol of the defenders told enough. Their paranoia had validation, how long will they last to this siege? How long before they ran like rats?

Rahab speculated a few months at least. They could draw it out that long. However, Dumah did not want such sport. He did not have the patience like Turel. He can be entertained only so long. Frankly, the Fourthborn did not desire the possibility of reinforcements to route their jointed legion. They may be vampires, but nature already gave them complications and humans are very keen of taking advantage to any given opportunity.

Through humans, Rahab learned.

The guards that were slain in the dank darkness below - by slit throats, drained veins and carved lives - Rahab measured and worked his every technique. He was the example and his kindred were to follow it. Narissa was a prowling wolf, her keen desire was a bloody one. Reckless yet genuine. Euryale was more experienced. Every movement a calculation, a consideration made in thoughts of her creator, and the quiet yearn for the slightest confirmation.

Rahab knew he had to be careful and understood why his own sire was so apathetic. He kept a purposeful distance or risk his children turning on each other for attention. The Fourthborn knew he attempt similar, even with this siege. He tempered himself . He must be the example or risk corruption in the hierarchy.

His electric blue eyes glanced to a manhole. "Here."