Since the accident in the mountains, Drogo's mind had wandered back to his past, and the life in Tortall he wished so desperately to forget. Having only just fully rejoined the pack, his health and strength back to the place they once were, the warrior was restless. He could not help but think the rest of the pack believed him to be a deserter. This of course was not the case, but only a select few knew the truth behind his prolonged absence, and his delayed return to duties. Never the less, he still had a place within the pack, and for that he was grateful. He was determined to prove his worth once more, and hopefully rise up in the ranks. He did not desire rank for the glory of it, he simply knew that he was capable of the duties that came along with it, and truly felt that he could protect and serve the pack in a manner that many could not. He had experience that many of these wolves could hardly imagine.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the thoughts that clouded his mind, he padded along, feeling the warm summer breeze whirl through his russet coat. How that he was back to full health, he needed to take time and ensure he still remembered the lay of the land, all of Helidos, and the neutral lands that lay nestled between the packs. He had been through most of the areas multiple times, but there was one place in particular he had wished to see in full summer blossom. As his heavily orange hued eyes fell upon the sight of the blossom pasture ahead of him, he came to a dead halt. Drogo had never been one to take in the scenery and revel in its beauty, but this place, this was something else entirely. The beautiful colours, pink, purple and green blended together so seamlessly, creating the picture of pure bliss and serenity. The whispering wind rustled the blossoms ever so gently, wafting the powerful scent of lavender over him. The scent was almost overpowering, but pleasant none the less.

Snapping out of the momentary trance the incredibly sight before him had seemed to knock him into, he moved forward. His walk was normally a most purposeful one, each stride a show of power as his rippling muscles slid smoothly under his skin, but this was different. Each step was careful, delicate in a sense, or as close to delicate as the warrior could get. He felt a sense of peace here, but a misplaced peace. Someone with his past, with the dangerous abilities he possessed should not be in a place of such serenity, but something was keeping him here, though he did not yet know what, he would soon find out.

Since his arrival in the summer, approximately one year ago, much had changed for Magnus. But in a way, some things had stayed the same. He was still a cocky, copper-coloured male. He was still in love with Chiara. He was a Guardian, sworn to protect his Alpha. What had changed was this: he was a father. Four young pups each with their own personalities and ambitions. Aspen, the oldest and strongest, he wanted to be a Warrior. Piper, his first daughter, who aspired to be a great strong Beta someday. Ciro, his youngest son who wanted so desperately to be like his father. And his smallest daughter Willow, a disappointment who wanted to be a caretaker. Having children of his own had made him think about his old home and the pack that had been there. He thought of his mother and wondered if she was still alive - if anyone he had known was still alive. But his place wasn't there anymore. It was here, in Erenyx. With Chiara and his pups. His place was by his Alphas side, Guarding him from harm.

Magnus padded further from the territory. Chiara had taken the guarding duties for the day and the pups were off learning the skills to survive with their craftsmasters. This left the Guardian some time to himself. He knew most of Erenyx well enough, but it was a rare thing for the young father to have a whole day. He had chosen to explore some of the no-wolfs lands that lay between Erenyx and its enemies. Already he had travelled to some, but others were still unexplored by the brute. Eyes of amber spotted the trees of pink. He scrunched up his face in disgust. This was the sort of place his daughter Willow would enjoy. Nonetheless, he had said he would spend the day exploring and so he would. If this was the place he stumbled upon then so be it. Large paws parted the sea of green grass, gliding effortlessly through. His nose was tinged with the sickly sweet scent of the blossoms as it attempted to take him over. He shook his head trying to rid himself of the unpleasantness.

His steps were long, calculated. Exceedingly deliberate. His head lifted, twisting about as an uncommon feeling overcame him. This strange sense of ease and calm. His chest felt lighter than it had in months, his movements less laboured. A wolf such as he, so tainted by blood, so deadly, should not be allowed to experience this feeling. This feeling he believed to be called peace. Sure it made him feel better, but it was foreign and made him feel soft, like he was losing his edge. He couldn't bear to make himself leave, not just yet anyway. So he continued on until an all-too-familiar pelt came into view as he rounded one of the larger trees there. Though he viewed the male from the back he would recognise him anywhere. "Well, well, well," He drawled. "As I live and breathe. If it isn't the Kingslayer."

The peace and quiet was short lived. The scent of another wolf, one of Erenyx drifted through the air though it was hard to pick apart from the overpowering scent of lavender. The scent was quickly accompanied by a voice, one that forced the warrior to stop dead in his tracks once more. The word Kingslayer echoed through his ears, making him clench his jaws. He hadn't been called that in some time, and the only one in these lands who knew of it was Nnlya, and it was certainly not her voice that he was hearing. He spun around, hackles raised and muscles locked and loaded, ready to spring if need be. His orange eyes blazed with a fire that they had not possessed since his last days in Tortall.

His fiery gaze fell on a ghost of his past, one he had hoped never to see again. "You." he spat. He had hoped never to see a face from his past, and yet here in front of him was a whisper of that past he so desperately wished to forget. This wolf had belonged to the pack that Rhaegar sold Tortallian females to to keep them at bay along Tortall's borders. Drogo had braved the venture into these lands upon fleeing from his homeland. He wished to see the fate of the females that had been torn from their families and sold, used as bargaining chips in the "name of peace." He had been even more so disgusted upon his arrival there. Their fate had been no better off there. The adults who had been the first to be bartered, were used to breed, pumping out litters of pups until they were no longer able to. The young pups that had been sent, were used just as those born into that pack had been. Forced to fight each other, to prove themselves, and more often than not, kill one another. It infuriated Drogo that Rhaegar had known that this would be their fate, and yet still pawned them off without so much as an ounce of guilt.

"What are you doing here? And what do you want." he barked demandingly. He wanted no part of whatever Magnus was involved in, which couldn't be anything good, especially seeing as he smelt of Erenyx. An obvious choice for a wolf of his upbringing. This was certainly not how he had envisioned his day going by any means, but he would take it with a grain of salt. Surely all things happened for a reason, and if his past was coming back to haunt him, then he would deal with the ghosts, once and for all.

Magnus blinked a few times to be sure it was indeed the Kingslayer he saw before him. But that coat rich in tans where his own was copper was unmistakeable. It just seemed so impossible that he was here. Of all people from his past that he had to meet again it was this one. He thought it would have been less weird if the fae he was supposed to mate was the one to show her face. Even if it was his old Alpha, or worse, his mother. The scars on his muzzle began to itch. No, perhaps not his mother. But the Kingslayer was not an expected surprise. Magnus could see in the other males eyes a fire he knew all too well. A fire that meant memories were stirring and whirring in that brain of his.

Magnus remembered the day Drogo had come to his packlands in search of the faes the king of Tortall had sold them. One such fae that only days later Magnus would be told he was engaged to. Word had already reached them on the neighbour-Kings death at the hands of his Kings Guard. His pack of no name needed those females. Their litters were becoming inbred. Weak and useless. They were powerful in numbers, but the Alphas restrictive laws on breeding meant only the very best could have litters. And the pups were trained to kill, practising on one another. The Tortall faes were whores, producing inadequate litters that were almost entirely slaughtered in training. Very few grew to be assigned a rank. And the Tortallian females tended to give up their lives after the second litter. Others fought back and were punished. So they demanded more. The King of Tortall started running out of grown, mature females so he sent them the pups. The pups were rarely good enough either. More continued to pour in and still they had the problems with inbreeding and weakness.

That was about the time Drogo showed up. He'd claimed to be inspecting the conditions of the faes his Kingdom had sold them. The facade only worked for a few days. In those few days Magnus met Drogo a few times, even spoke to him. But then the word of the Kingslayers betrayal reached them. Magnus smirked caracteristically, making his way around to the front of the Kingslayer, who clearly smelt of Helidos. "Oh come now, don't be like that. That's not how you treat an old friend! How have you been?" He said with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. He grinned and sat before the Kingslayer, copper coat gleaming in the bright sunlight. What a reunion this was going to be.

Magnus' chipper attitude, and false enthusiasm to see Drogo only irritated him. Drogo kept his eyes trained carefully on every movement Magnus made. While he had spoken to him, and their interactions had been more than civil while he had been snooping around, trying to devise a plan to free the females from the ill fate they faced in their new home, or what he would have called it; their personal hell, they had not parted on such civil terms. Their interactions had ended with Drogo being chased from their pack, teeth snapping at his heels, with more wolves after him than he cared for. The word of what had happened in Tortall had quickly spread to these lands, and they had just as much disrespect and hatred towards him as those who still blindly followed Rhaegar.

Drogo scoffed at his comment. "Drop the act." he snapped. He did not have time for these childish games and facades. "You and I both know that "friends" is no where within the realm of possibility for myself, and the likes of you" He sneered. If he was trying to push his buttons, he wouldn't have to try very hard. Simply his presence alone was enough to put the warrior on edge. He hoped that it was not a fight he wanted. Drogo was more than ready and willing if such happened to be the case, but he knew that it would not end well for either party. Not to mention the fallout that would inevitably occur for the two packs. "Speak snake, or bite your tongue and be gone with you. What is it you want."

His tail swept the ground behind him, a cocky smirk on his face. "Come now, don't be that way," He eyed the male. It looked like the Kingslayer was still in good form, if not still recovering from some injury. Technically Magnus was still recovering from his fight with Tye a few seasons ago, but he felt fine. He didn't need any Healers telling him what he could and couldn't do. He had more scars to add to those on his muzzle. Scars covering his ribs, back, fore- and hind legs. "I finally had a day to myself and thought to explore some new territories. Running into you was just a pleasant surprise." His smile seemed almost genuine. "But I'm more interested in what you're doing here." Both the males amber eyes were regaining the glow of their glory days. Perhaps they would sit about discussing the old lands, theorising what had become of Tortall and its neighbours.

Drogo seemed to have a few scars of his own, evidence of some mishap. Magnus smirked, standing and beginning to circle his way around his sworn enemy. "We're not so different, you and I. Once great guardians to our leaders who left our homelands in disgrace to find a better life here. Only to return to the ranks we held before." He circled his way back to the other males front. "Of course, no fae would ever take a Kingslayer for a mate. I suppose that is where our difference lies." The Guardian raised a brow while he smirked at Drogo, wondering if he might be corrected. He felt no need to hide Chiara from the old Kings Guard, Drogo wasn't the sort to go after someone through the ones they cared about. And He was confident his beautiful Chiara could take down with sable male.

Don't be that way? The self control that had been so far engrained into his every way of life was slipping as he rolled his eyes. Had he ever done such a thing as to roll his eyes in irritation at another? No, not that he could recall, and he had an exceptional memory, but it would seem this 'blast from the past' was enough to bring out the worst in him. He could only imagine what Nnlya would think of him if she could see him now. His carefully trained eyes continued to pick apart the male before him, watching for any sign that this; what could pass for a thus far, 'pleasant' exchange in comparison to their last, was about to take a turn. Far more scars adorned both of their coats now as years had past, but the fire that flickered dangerously within both their eyes and more notably their hearts still remained.

So he wanted to know what he was doing here? Of course he did. The snake always did enjoy sticking his nose where it didn't belong. "My being here is of no concern to you, nor does it pertain any relevance to my previous question." his voice returning to the sharp, rigid tone it had once held before having met the one wolf who had changed everything for him. It was Nnlya who had shown him a new way of life, one full of things he had never known the beauty of. Laughter, kindness, and most importantly, love. He felt that if he had been able to look into the future during his days in Tortall, he would hardly recognize the wolf he was today, but that shiny new wolf he had been shaped into was beginning to slip out of his grasp. Magnus brought out the worst in him, dredged up memories that were, for the sake of everyone, best left where they belonged.

The words 'Not so different you and I" rang through his ears like the booming clap of nature's thunder. His whole body grew hot with rage. How dare he compare them and say that one was not so far from the other. The second Magnus lifted a paw and began to circle him, he fell into step without hesitation, letting his body, who knew oh so well this routine, do what it was so designed to do. "The "Kingslayer" is no more Magnus. He died the day I stepped paw over Helidos borders." He began but was cut short when the devil before him took another jab, only stoking the fire more and more. "Silence! You know nothing of who I am and of those who I hold dear so do not tell me what could, or could never be a possibility." If Magnus' plan was to rile him up, it was certainly working. Against every foe and opponent he had ever faced, he had remained eerily calm. It was what allowed him to be so skilled in battle as his focus was always crystal clear. He had no doubt in his mind that he could take on this devil, but in order to do so, he needed to get a grip on his emotions and reel in his anger.

Magnus continued his circling with the Kingslayer. They both seemed to march with an elegance not typical to a muscular brute. The Guardian smirked at his old... friend? Nemesis? Counterpart? What were they exactly. They didn't quite have any sort of lifelong vendetta, but nor were they friends as he had previously stated. They were each others opposites. The "what-if". Magnus was what Drogo would be if things had gone differently. And Drogo was everything Magnus could never be. They were two sides of the same coin. So different and yet their lives constantly in parallel with each other. The very mention of this fact had Drogo seething. Magnus smirked, glad he was getting to him. It meant he hadn't lost his edge.

Magnus chuckled and rolled his eyes. "None of my concern? I live in these lands, with my pack not so far from here. It is very much my concern if someone - a potential threat - is traversing the lands that border our home." As much of a threat as his words were, his voice was calm and casual. The other male was very defensive towards everything the Guardian said. In a way it reminded him of his first interactions with his beloved Chiara. How she had flirted shamelessly with him, then spurned him, laughing. Only to later ensnare him with those eyes of hers. The wolf he was over a year ago would hardly recognise him. Sworn to one fae for eternity, with children and living life as a Guardian.

Still Drogo threw his walls up and defended himself, defying every word Magnus said. He was so desperate to differentiate himself from the copper male. "The Kingslayer lives so long as you do, Drogo. He will always be a part of who you are, you will never escape it. So embrace the darkness, let it consume you." Magnus ceased his circling and stood before Drogo with a smirk. Drogos words had revealed a very delectable piece of information. "Ah yes, "Those you hold dear". So you have found a little fae, haven't you?" He chuckled cruelly, finally interested in what the Kingslayer had to say. "What's she like? Oh, I know, given your new outlook on life I'll bet she's a useless Caretaker, isn't she? Or is she Lead Caretaker? Such a useless title that is. Oh, no wait, I know what it is... she's an Omega, isn't she? Hm? A sad little Omega? Did she give you weak little Omega pups? Is that why you're here? Do you want to escape the disappointment of your weak little mate and the worthless brood she bore you? Are you glad you've found me here? Were you going to ask me to kill you, give you a sweet escape from your own personal nightmare?" He gave an evil grin. "I'd rather enjoy watching you suffer."

What was it about this wolf that made Drogo so mad? Somehow, this one wolf was able to elicit such strong emotions from him. Only one other wolf had been able to do such a thing, and that was his beloved Nnlya, though the emotions that she stirred in him were far different than the anger he bore for this male. Nnlya brang out everything in Drogo that was good, the side of him that he wished to be 100% of the time, where as Magnus, well that was a different story. Magnus brought out the side of Drogo that he loathed. He supposed it was simply because he saw so much of himself in Magnus. Daring to venture into the land of what-if, something the Warrior rarely dared to do, he could see their lives switched, his for Magnus' easily had but a few decisions been made differently, and a few paths taken as opposed to others.

Drogo glared as Magnus "explained" his concern for Drogo's presence here. "You are just as big a threat as myself Magnus, we would be fools to argue otherwise, so that warrants me just as much concern for your presence here as mine does to you." he muttered begrudgingly. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew very well how capable Magnus was, but he too truly was a threat. He had the ability to take on even some of the most fearsome adversaries. He could only imagine the carnage and destruction that would ensue should the two of them ever take up arms against one another. He quite honestly believed that neither of them would walk away from that fight. But what Magnus said next only angered Drogo more.

"I did what I had to to ensure the safety of the wolves of Tortall. To long had we all been forced to live in the shadowed world Rhaegar had created for us. It was darkness that consumed him, darkness that drove him mad, and made him the monster he was. I did not do what I did out of spite, or jealousy, I did it because I had to. I was the only one who knew the truth. If I hadn't stopped him, who would have? No one. They would have suffered the same fate for years to come, and I would have been the weaker wolf for having stood back and done nothing." he barked. Never before had he justified his actions out of fear that he would simply be lying to himself in an attempt to make himself feel better, but that was not the case. He felt relieved to have gotten the true reason as to why he did what he did off his chest, and the best feeling of all was the clear conscious he held even after saying so.

Drogo stopped his pacing in time with Magnus, still carefully watching his every move. Every single word that came forth from his mouth after this point caused a rage to swell within Drogo, one that he had not felt since the day he had learned the truth about Rhaegar. He had heard enoguh, that was going to end here "Yes! Yes I have found a fea, one whom I love and adore beyond all measurable reason. She is no Caretaker, no Omega, she is a dignified Elite. She is the embodiment of all that is true and good in this world. A far cry from you and your own I can only imagine." he hissed. "Why don't you go back to whatever it is you Erenyx do for fun, torture innocents, rape the unwilling, kill eachother, I do not care. I do not have time to waste in the presence of scum such as yourself. I have duties to attend as any good warrior should." he huffed and turned away from Magnus and began to stalk off.

Magnus could see he was getting to Drogo. He was getting in his head, making him remember things. Making him justify things. Perhaps he was thinking of his own beloved. The useless Omega he was sure she was. She was probably a little damsel, he supposed her could see the appeal there, a female to feel powerful over and protect. But that wasn't how Magnus was raised. He was raised to want someone strong, with good bloodlines. Someone who could stand beside him as a Guardian and do their job. Drogo mating beneath him was pitiful. The Erenyx Guardian could see so much potential in the Kingslayer. Much as he loathed him, he knew the other male would do well in Erenyx. If but for the whims of fate might their positions have been reversed.

Magnus could only hold amusement in his own eyes as the other males irritation was obvious. He stared back with amber orbs of his own, exceedingly glad the other male saw him as a threat. It was exactly what he wanted. Imagine the destruction the two could create together. Such brilliant fighters they were, likely evenly matched. The ground would shudder, the trees would shake in the wake of their mortal combat. They would be locked forever in an eternal battle which neither could bring an end to. They wouldn't be living, barely surviving. For neither can live while the other survives. The words echoed in his skull. The scenery around them would be forever tarnished. A permanent stain on the landscape.

Even aloud Drogo felt the need to justify his actions in Tortall. The death of his sovereign at his own jaws was a treasonous act. But it was one Magnus never had the courage or skill to perform. Instead the demon ran from one hell to the other. Abandoning those he could have saved in one damned pack, to join those lead by an even worse demon. How glad he was that Steele was dead. With Teren in power he was rising to his full potential. It wasn't the position of Beta he had initially envisioned, but serving as Guardian was enough for him. He would not take a position where Chiara was not by his side. He wanted them to remain as equals. But poor Drogo could not understand that. He was with an Omega bitch. If only the Kingslayer would give into the darkness once more. He'd never return to this horrid mental state. He would be in his full glory.

It was until finally the Kingslayer turned his attention to the topic of his own mate. This was what Magnus had been waiting for. He wanted her identity. He wanted to know who she was. An Elite to hear the Helidos Guardian tell it. He wouldn't believe it. Though Tye had mentioned meeting an Elite from Helidos some time ago. He had said she was good looking enough, but too good. If indeed it was the same female, then perhaps Drogo had done well for him self. It made him laugh hearing the other male throw a worthless insult towards his own beloved and their family. As Drogo turned tail and ran - as he always had - Magnus called out after him. "Maybe I'll come pay you a visit in Helidos, Kingslayer. I'll come find your little mate and steal into her den in the night. I'm sure she'd be honoured to carry my litter in her belly." He sneered. Tail curling high he watched until the Kingslayer was out of sight, then turned and trotted back to his own lands, satisfied with his days accomplishments.

Had the wind not been in Magnus' favour, Drogo may have missed the vile words that he shouted as Drogo walked away. When they hit his ears, he had to use every ounce of his will not to turn around and tear the bastard limb from limb. The only sign he gave that he had even heard him, was a hitch in his step that only lasted a brief second. He longed to let the beast that dwelled within him out, if only long enough to make Magnus regret even thinking such things, but he couldn't. He had to keep it together, for Nnyla's sake. What would she think of him if he struck this male down where he stood? Not to mention the backlash that such a foolish, anger driven move would cause for the packs. Erenyx would not let such a thing go unnoticed, and Helidos would not stand for such reckless behaviour. He would undoubtedly be exiled, cast out for his crimes. After that it would only be a matter of time before Erenyx found him. Perhaps he could take them on, one by one, but not the entire pack.

His stride lengthened now, his only thought was Nnyla's safety. He would not let what happened to her once happen again. She already thought herself unworthy of a males love because she saw herself as not being pure. What had happened to her had not been a fault of hers, no. It was the actions of a cruel and heartless male, one such as Magnus, and Drogo would sooner stare death in the face than let such foul play befall his beloved. He needed to get to her, to see her beautiful face, to remind her once more that he loved her. Then he would seek out his Alpha's. He would confess his love for the Elite to them and beg and plead if he had to, to make her his in the eyes of the pack.