[CHAL] Better make it good (Omurtak sim Narfi, Tryggr)

[Annchen]

It was hard to try to spar without a partner, but Omurtak had done what he could to prepare for his next challenge. This time he knew what was expected of him, and he was determined to win. The two eagles had been curios and had tried their best to help, but he didn't know if they truly understood why he was doing this. Some days he wasn't sure he himself understood.

At first, finding his father had been his only goal, but this time he was tempted by the challenge as well. When he started to scent the markings of the warrior pride he figured he was close enough and let out a roar to announce his presence and his challenge.

It would be interesting to see who would meet him this time.  

[SilverLutz]

Tryggr shook out his mane as he walked along the border of the pride. He hadn't been out on a Viking in what seemed like ages and, while the mild-mannered lion normally wouldn't mind, he had a bit of energy pent up from doing next to nothing for a while. He had enjoyed his time int he pride, of course, as he had a mate to keep an eye on, but part of him longed to go on adventures and discover new things.

A roar distracted him from his musing, though, and the large lion lifted his head to see a male not far from where he was walking. He didn't recognize him and he seemed to be looking for a challenge to enter. This wasn't quite an adventure but he was sure it would do!

"I'll meet your challenge," he called out, trotting over to the male.

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

Omurtak grinned as a tan lion with ruddy mane answered his call. The other lion was much larger than the female he had fought before, but he was used to fighting against larger opponents. Most other males were larger than him after all. In fact, he had fought a few lionesses that had all but towered over him. Being smaller than average had the advantage that some let their guard down, thinking he would be easy to beat. Last time he approached these borders he'd been bested, and he would do whatever he could to walk away victorious from this fight.

Without more 'talk' than another challenging roar he attacked, circling the lion as he drew closer to be able to attack at an angle. With a bit of luck he'd be able to get in a good hit on one of his hind legs, without taking too much of a beating in the process. He extended his claws to make his first swipe count.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Ah, not much of a talker. That was fine. Tryggr anticipated the attack after the second roar and managed to scoot away from the swipe, although the smaller male still got his claws on his leg. The small wounds stung, but Tyrggr didn't pay them much mind. He turned quickly, knowing that his size was intimidating thanks to his god father's blood, but that it would also slow him down when up against smaller opponents.

Still, this wasn't a real battle. It was a spar in which he was determining if this lion had what it took to survive in the Stormborn. So far his tenacity was more than enough to get in. His fighting would have to stand up to the test as well, and only then would Tryggr say 'yes'.

He kept his claws in as he returned the attack, not wanting to draw blood but not pulling his punches, either. If he landed a hit it would certainly be a good smack.

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

The large lion was fairly quick on his paws, and Omurtak found himself face to face with the other after getting a first hit in. He dodged and felt a massive paw swish by much closer to his face than he liked. Oh, the other lion would land a hit sooner or later, and he was sure it'd hurt so the longer he could avoid that the better.

He aimed for the head this time, and hoped that a solid whack would get his opponent off balance if he managed to get another hit in. It was risky to attack a large opponent head on, but he was too restless to dodge and dance today. The fight wasn't to the death, so he could afford to take more risks. There was always a risk of course. Injuries happened and even the smallest wound could kill if not properly taken care off.

---

Özge soared overhead, watching Omurtak pick a fight with yet another lion. He'd explained it all beforehand and asked that they didn't intervene. Apparently this pride didn't let anyone in unless they won a fight at the border first. He'd found this out the hard way when a female blocked his way and proceeded to kick his a**. After licking his wounds and training he had now determined that he was ready for another go.

Özge and Raha had used the recovery time well too, and both eagles had taken turns flying over the border to check things out. She'd seen lions fight and get in like Omurtak had said, but she'd also seen lions and other creatures taken in against their will. When she told her lion about it he dismissed it, but she was pretty sure that the bands of lions coming and going held prisoners.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Quick on his feet, yes, but so was the smaller male. Tryggr knew that would come in handy to make up for his lack of size. He could tell the male was battle-hardened and knew what he was doing. The quick attack caught Tryggr on the jaw, sending his head flying to the side. He didn't lose his footing though, and whipped his head around quickly as he pounced. It would take more than a swat to get him unbalanced. Now it was time to see how the challenger took a full-frontal attack.

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

The muharip allowed himself a small smile as he managed to hit his opponent. It would take more than one hit to win this challenge, however. When the other lion pounced they were already almost face to face so dodging was out of the question. There was no way to get out of this without taking a bit of a beating, but Omurtak wasn't afraid of getting dust in his fur, or breaking the skin. When he felt claws digging into his shoulders he was already extending his own forepaws in an unfriendly hug. Instead of pushing against his opponent, he pulled, trying his best to use the larger lions movement against him and drag them both down into a controlled tumble.

---

Even if the two lions should have looked up they would have a hard time spotting the eagle overhead. Özge flew high with the sun in her back. With her excellent eyesight she didn't need to be closer than this to keep track of what her lion was up to. She couldn't see every bite and blow, but that was a question of angle and not eyesight. What she saw looked scary, and she couldn't resist circling a bit lower. She didn't care if Omurtak would be upset, if he looked like he was in too much trouble she'd tear into the other lion and he wouldn't know what had hit him. But for now she'd do as she was told and just observe.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Tryggr felt the other lion's paws on him, but rather than shoving to try to muscle the larger lion off - which would have been a dumb move to say the least - he pulled. Down then went, rolling and tumbling in the dirt from the momentum. Tryggr let his claws sink back into his paws as he pulled away, rolling to his feet amid the little cloud of dust he had kicked up.

"All right," he called out to bring the battle to an end. He was bleeding more than the male, but they were all very superficial wounds. He knew the other male knew what he was doing. With a bow of his head in the smaller lion's direction, he spoke again.

"You clearly know how to hold your own, even against a stronger opponent. You have proven to me you are worthy of calling these lands home. Welcome, brother."

He lifted his head again, a fond look on his face. "I'm Tryggr. And I'm honored to be the one that has allowed you entrance."

Annchen

 

[Annchen]

Omurtak was surprised when his opponent broke free and announced the end of the trial already. This was just starting to get interesting... He shook out his mane and raised an eyebrow. However, he wasn't going to demand a longer fight if this was all it took. The green female that had bested him had seemed much more demanding, but perhaps it was up to the individual lion.

"Thank you Tryggr," Omurtak said with a nod to the other lion, "I'm called Omurtak sim Narfi. Do you know Narfi, the warrior?"

The other lion looked young, so perhaps he wouldn't. Omurtak didn't even know if his father Narfi had come from this pride or not.

---

Özge was pleased to see the fighting stop. Did this mean Omurtak had won? She soared closer, and when she saw Omurtak make the sign they'd agreed on she let out a high pitched whistle letting Raha know the coast was clear. If Omurtak heard it on the ground, he'd know they were on their way. Then she started her descent, still keeping the sun in her back as much as she could. When she was getting close enough she flapped a couple of times and landed gracefully on Omurtak's back. Moments later Raha landed too, with a bit less grace despite his smaller size. He was getting better at it, luckily.

---

Omurtak didn't even blink as one eagle landed on his back, soon followed by another. He wasn't sure what the warrior pride thought about birds, but he was willing to fight for them too. Hopefully it wouldn't be needed.

"These are my eagles," Omurtak said, "Özge and Raha."

SilverLutz

They're on the thrall list, might as well get their joining out of the way too.

 

[SilverLutz]

My, that name was long. Hopefully he went by a nickname or something similar. Tryggr nodded a bit as Omurtak introduced himself, glad to have another strong lion joining the ranks. At the question, though, he tilted his head a bit in confusion.

"Terribly sorry, but the first I've heard that name is just now, at the end of your own. But fear not, if you seek someone they could very well be here. The Stormborn are large and although I was born here, I can't say I know everyone by name."

As the birds descended Tryggr gave them a welcoming nod as well. He knew some lions kept smaller creatures as friends and thralls, perhaps Omurtak was no different. "Özge and Raha, welcome as well," he said, turning his gaze back to the lion with a smile. "If you'll follow me I'll show you to the heart of the pride, and from there you can make yourself at home."

He turned then to lead the new Freeborn into the pride, glad he had been able to help him enter.

Annchen

Last post from me, you can let it end there or add another wrap-up post if you want~

 

[Annchen]

Omurtak nodded. Perhaps it was too much to ask for to know everyone in the pride by name. He had known everyone in Burkuteshti by looks, and most of them by name. This warrior pride might be much bigger than his old one, or perhaps this lion didn't have very good memory. He followed Tryggr watching what he could see of the pride as he was led towards the center of it. He had a good feeling about this.

---

"Thank you," Özge said and bobbed her head. She nudged Raha, but he didn't seem keen on talking. He'd always been a bit nervous around lions, especially those he didn't know. She preened his head quickly, to comfort him. She had spied on the pride from above, but it was something else to move into it on lionback. She turned her head this way and that, trying to take everything in. Would this be their new home?

SilverLutz

Thanks for helping me!