The herald bearing thundering drums, in his wake decay spread across a dying land, ash and waste all he promised in the foul rot of his machinations.

Problems their own held those who deemed the land, poor yet tended still with care as was seen befitting, splintered by another factor, intruders rooted where they do not belong. Another did come beneath the guise of fine mist, the thin vapor curling and fading, obscured only in part the beast adorned in ivory. As best as one of hir stature, child even as the thought soured in hir mind and turned stomach empty for nausea settled heavy, imposing the figure ze cut. At least an attempt of such was conducted.

"What do you need them for." Miniscule the reynard next to such creatures, regal and intimidating though grace prevailed, the ease of addressal Asteri offered other further enraging Sloan. She dare speak as if she bore any power over Bai Shi, might speak for them in any capacity, childish little worries dancing through hir mind.

the small gathering would not have to wait long for the kingpin to come through, paws treading the ground at a quick speed, dressed as a wolf. pelt dark as night with white streaking about their muzzle and eyes, the wolf approached in a trot, "mhn? stryker?", they would speak as they came close enough to properly make out the alabaster lion's scent, eyes having betrayed them from far away, "haaah. thought you were someone else there. what's brought you to our home?", they would ask softly, tipping their head as they came to a stop before asteri and sloan, turning their head to the both of them in brisk greeting, aware of the thundering of their NPC patrol's pawsteps behind them, catching up.

their patrols were in need of increasing, hunting down what routes the bandits used and combing through the territory with a fine tooth comb. it was past necessary to know the locations, it was nearly time for their own raid upon the invaders. giving a sound as they mis-stepped and caught themself, putting full weight onto their left fore-leg, ensuring the recently injured limb could support them. turning their attention back to stryker, they tipped their head the slightest, gaze holding his. there must be a reason for his visit, he wasn't the type to go around visiting in goodwill without reason behind his moves.