Blood Strings

A three-year war between Vektren and Aryn, which resulted in the deaths of several wolves, changes in leadership, and a paranoia-fueled Inquisition in Aryn. There was neither a winner nor a loser - both packs suffered greatly, and an uneasy truce developed after the deaths of alphas on both sides.

MAJOR WIP

## **Summary**

Angered by Adrian thwarting her plans in Vale, Hekate decides to unleash havoc upon Aryn. Through the use of spies, she infiltrates the pack, kidnaps Adrian's daughter Merrill, and then - after seasons of reeducation - returns her to her home pack. As smaller battles take place between Aryn and Vektren, Merrill is a sleeping agent, who ultimately betrays Alcatraz and Athena to save the life of Raphael. The Arynian alphas are killed by Hekate and her Vektreni. This action inspired the new Aryn alpha, Raphael, to start his reign of terror, Aryn's Inquisition, and Vektren works to recover as Hekate weakens physically and mentally from the war. The end of the Blood Strings plot is marked by the Great Fire of Aryn, and the murder of Hekate at the hands of her son, Hellion. Many lives were lost over the course of this war, and many wolves in Aryn and Vektren alike decided to leave their battle-stricken packs to find a better life outside of the Domain.

### **Prologue**

During Vektren's mercenary occupation of Vale, Adrian made a deal with a power-hungry wolf named Alar. Adrian agreed to distract the Hekate and her cult long enough for Alar to stage a coup in Vale. In return, Alar helped Adrian find the medicine he desperately needed to save the life of his sweetheart, Gabitrix. True to his word, Adrian convinced Hekate that Vektren was in danger of being attacked, and she placed a curfew on her wolves, effectively leaving Vale unprotected.

While Renier's Vale was unprotected by the Vektreni, Alar swooped in and took the mantle of King (or, rather, King Regent, insisting he was just holding the throne until Shenandoah came of age), blaming unknown rebels for the fall of King Renier and Queen Wren. Alar reformed the alliance between Vale and Vektren, but this crumbled when Astir Faust returned to his pack and cast Alar out.

Alar, found at the borders of Vektren, was discovered by Hekate, who intended to sacrifice him to the gods as a false king. Alar, ever the master manipulator, informed her that it was *Adrian* who deliberately misled the Vektreni the first time they lost Vale - when Renier was overthrown. Hekate's thirst for vengeance turned away from Alar and settled on making Adrian and his family *pay.*

### **Part I: Seeds**

The shadow of Vektren has grown long once more, and the servants of Senisteros have determined that Adrian's role in thwarting the Dread Father's plan for Vale is an offense which cannot go unanswered for. Three Vektreni spies infiltrate Aryn posing as refugees: Heel, Seraph, and Jerikoh. Aryn's welcoming attitude makes it easy for the Vektreni to join the ranks as "Honored Guests" and interact freely with their Arynian prey.

While waiting for an opportune moment to strike, the Vektreni infiltrators find Aryn's (and Adrian's) weak spots. Adrian has adopted a daughter, Merrill, who he cherishes above all else. The infiltrators are invited to participate in Merrill's first hunt - and have a plan to kidnap her.

Alongside the Vektreni infiltrators, the other wolves in the hunt were Eden, Seven, and Adrian. When the bison they were hunting began their stampede, the plotters attacked the Arynians and kidnapped Merrill. To ensure their successful escape, Vektren sent an attack party to intercept any Arynians who tried to rescue Merrill. Because of the direction of the retreat, and the presence of a former Blutwald wolf, Ruebane, Aryn believes Blutwald exiles are responsible for the attack.

Raphael and Adrian feel Merrill's loss keenly as the pack tries to figure out a plan to get her back. Adrian admits to Raphael that he knows Blutwald exiles are not responsible for Merrill's abduction, but Vektren. He asks Raphael to keep his betrayal a secret from the rest of Aryn. Meanwhile, Aryn seeks help from its allies, getting aid from Fellfang and Vale.

As time passes, Merrill, kept in Vektren's pits, resists Hekate's manipulation as long as she can. When she refuses to bow to Hekate's pressure, she is thrown into Vektren's pits with a delusional, savage Janus, who shows her just what happens to those who resist Vektren's gods.

After five months without any demands from the kidnappers, or any signs of Merrill, Athena makes the heart-wrenching decision to stop searching for her, presuming her to be dead and needing to prepare Aryn for the long, cold winter. Raphael, devastated by his mother's decision, confides in his brother Aivar, and they agree that Aryn's law cannot be trusted to protect their loved ones. Aivar travels alone to Vektren with the intention of getting Merrill back - he fails, ending up snagged in a pit trap and released by Jerikoh and Shenandoah.

Lady Athena's brother, Hedge, arrives at the outskirts of Aryn, seeking vengeance against his sister. He travels to Vektren and makes a deal with Hekate to ensure revenge in earnest against Aryn, so that he may seize back his throne as Aryn's Lord.

Merrill's "re-education" in the pits was a success, and she comes to believe Aryn has abandoned her, and, without hope, turns to the possibility of taking the Shunned Ones into her life. The wheels of fate pick up speed...

### **Part II: Infection**

Merrill is miraculously returned to Aryn, and Raphael is overjoyed. He and Merrill begin working hard to heal from seasons of grief and anguish, and to help Merrill recover from the mental torment she was subjected to in Vektren. The wolves of Aryn have different responses to Merrill's return, however: Lawson is unwilling to trust Merrill and openly voices his concerns to Athena. Aivar, too, voices his concerns. Raghaalr is relieved to see Merrill returned safely, though she thinks it too perfect - something's amiss. But wolves aside from Raphael *do* welcome Merrill with open arms, like Hani.

A sinister deal has been sealed. Whatever regrowth has been glimpsed by Aryn are more likely to be the tainted roots of Vektren, as its dark seeds have finally begun to infest the Great Spirit's lands. Vektren seems intent on reclaiming their lost prize and attack with intent to kill.

Daenerys and Aivar discuss Merrill's return and what it means. Following her adoptive brother's lead, she, too, begins to distrust Merrill. Raphael continues to support Merrill through her nightmares, which plague her and prevent her from sleeping.

A training exercise by Arynians Tzuriel, Ragnarok, Daenerys, and Dyana is interrupted by an attack by Vektreni wolves, Vieste and Ghislaine, and the Arynians manage to take Vieste hostage.

Athena summons Aivar to address his slander of Merrill to the pack, and Aivar reveals his secret journey to Vektren and his part in the concealment of Merrill's true fate, hoping to convince Athena that he is right and Merrill is a traitor. But Athena is not willing to accept the words of a gloating Vektreni to a captive as evidence, and the pair's attempts to communicate are hobbled by fear and anger. Tension escalates to a boiling point, leaving both of them with fractured trust and wounds that may be hard to heal.

Aivar crosses paths with Seraph, a Vektreni, and in a confrontation, falls, narrowly escaping the jaws of death and being revived by Brielle.

Athena holds Adrian and Raphael responsible for their crimes, subjecting them to public scarification.

After this, Aryn works hard to better prepare for any future altercations with Vektren. Hani works to perfect the art of navigating in the trees, and tries to teach the methods to her fellow Coursers. Meanwhile, frustrated with his own weakness, Raphael asks Raghaalr to train him, so he can better protect Merrill from the Vektreni (and any other threats). Tzuriel and Lycan try to figure out a way to use poisons against the Vektreni. Kane tries to recruit new Arynians into the fight, asking the powerful loner Scout to aid Aryn (he declines). Daenerys asks Rocko of Heyl for assistance.

The Vektreni prepare too, though in a different way. Miron and Janus lay cursed charms around the borders of Aryn, bringing their war beyond the physical planes, but to the spiritual as well. Elias is aware of this spiritual war being waged, and overcome by his visions, he flees into the mountains and encounters a mysterious stranger. Thanatos would locate a secret tunnel into Aryn territory, and he reports it to Janus, to be used at a later time.

Not all meetings between Arynian and Vektreni wolves results in bloodshed (or, intentional bloodshed). While seeking out Arynian hearts, Monty is attacked by Hani from the trees. She knocks him into the river, and the pair do not hurt one another after that - maintaining a facade of friendship (on Monty's side). Monty is aware of Hani's pack, but she has no idea he's a Vektreni - he intends to use her for information.

Most confrontations do end in bloodshed, unfortunately. The Vektreni launch a surprise attack on an Arynian patrol after luring them out beyond their patrol route. But this time, their goal is to subdue the Arynians, not kill them. Badly outnumbered, the patrol is pinned and drugged into a docile state, to be taken back to the Pits for the amusement of the Cult. Hekate plans to use these wolves as living testaments to the power of Vektren's gods. The stolen wolves - Raghaalr, Nero, Tzuriel, and Dyana - were dragged back to Vektren, by Nimh, Janus, Morrigan, Epione, and Hekate herself.

Or, all of them except Dyana. Nimh prepared to rip the heart from Dyana's chest, but Hedge, who had befriended his niece, intervenes, insisting that Dyana is his secret informant and can't be killed. Nimh and Hekate are outraged, but agree to leave her alive.

Athena is informed of the lost patrol, and suffers a stroke as a result. After meeting with the Rah'at, Alcatraz shares news with the pack. He tell them of the lost patrol and their uncertain fate, but presents hope for their return and insists the pack take new measures to protect themselves and follow orders. Choosing to have faith in Athena's recovery, he insists Athena is simply tired and ill with grief, and is currently unable to attend her duties or recieve visitors. The Lord of Aryn takes over her duties, and the Three Bodies collectively take up the slack of the missing council members. Some take the news better than others.

Shoshana lashes out at Adrian, blaming him for the woes that befell her family - the nightmares being had by Elias, the kidnapping of Tzuriel - she blames him for it all. Things grow tense between other Arynians as well - Raphael and Aivar, especially, have heightened tensions, concerning Athena's health and access to her.

In Vektren, a great deal of work goes into breaking and reshaping the Arynian prisoners. Epione works to heal Nero's wounds; Janus torments Tzuriel, and ends up getting attacked as a result; Phaeton confronts Raghaalr, and Miron attempts to preach to the she-wolf, before Ghislaine physically attacks her. The Vektreni decide to abuse Nero, physically harming him in the pits - Seraph rips wounds in his flank and shoulder, while Helh rips off his ear, in a scar that goes right down to the corner of his eye. Fortunately, he is not blinded - but Tzuriel is, after being attacked by Demogorgon.

Aryn, desperate for help, sends Brielle to Chandor for aid. Nadia wishes Tieru to go back to Aryn with Brielle, but Tieru initially refuses, before eventually agreeing to go along.

Tzuriel is returned, broken and blinded, to Aryn - and so is Nero. Raghaalr is returned last, grievously injured. Called by the Great Spirit, Elias crosses into no-wolf's land towards Vektren to deliver a chilling prophecy: Judgement is coming. He warns Hellion to repent, but the Vektreni have no interest in backing down. After chasing the young Arynian off, however... Hellion worries darker fortunes may be in store.

Lawson and Hani fight about her meetings with Monty - Lawson (rightfully) insisting that the 'lone wolf' can't be trusted, but Hani claiming Lawson shouldn't pass judgment so easily. Lawson then storms off, meets Monty, and the pair fight. Monty tries not to kill Lawson (knowing he's Hani's mate) but he's grievously injured, and Alcatraz finds him some time after Hani has delivered their pups.

Either divine action from Aryn's revered Great One, or Lady Xibalten's discontentment with their actions, Vektren is beset by a red plague. The depths of the Steaming Maw have become the toxic bed of a sulfur deposit, bleeding up from the recently active volcano in late Fellfangir territory. As a strong rotten scent emerges from the fangs of the cave, the waters throughout the entire territory that first granted its life turn poisonous.

Raph and Merrill tempt fate high in the mountains. The storm tests their resolve and nerve. When a rockslide traps them in the darkness of a secret cavern, Merrill relives the nightmares of her past. Raphael makes a confession, prompting her to make one of her own...

As the ranks of Vektren suffer from the sickness that has swallowed them, the chaos created would further cause damage to their territory. The lands of the cultists are now swarmed by a known - but deadly - enemy. The high amounts of sulfur provided the amount of necessary nutrients for plants develop rapidly, and without an enough stopping force to hinder their growth, cover the grounds in an almost mine-field effect. The skin and fur infection is devastating, and sicker wolves lose great amounts of fur or even go around bare skinned, carrying scabs and rashes.

Merrill confesses her role in Hekate's scheme to the Lord and Lady of Aryn, sparking an upheaval of debate and uncertainty. Athena clings to the idea of using this new knowledge against Vektren, and sending Merrill in as a double agent against the Black Ones. But not everyone agrees.

With Vektren's threat temporarily muted, Riga and Ragnarok tie the knot, bringing a bit of light into the darkness of life in Aryn. The pair try for, and eventually expect, a litter of pups before long.

In Vektren, the final plague arrives - ashes covers the lands like a dreadful grey blanket, tainting water and plants alike. It's hard to navigate, but the few rays of sun that pierce through the cloud must do. But the second morning never comes... Concern arises- maybe the Mistress was wrong. Maybe this was indeed the apex - the last breaths of Vektren. Hope still tries to make through the thick, hard to see air.

Vektren territory begins to recover slowly from the damages done to it, though it will take a long time for the land to return to how things were before. Hekate announces a surprise depature of the utmost secrecy.

Merrill and Raphael are ambushed Hekate deep within the heart of Aryn territory. Desperate to save Raphael's life, Merrill attempts to prove she isn't a traitor to Vektren by offering to lure Athena into Hekate's grasp.

Athena, Alcatraz, and Adrian try to set up an ambush of their own, but are surprised when Hekate's reinforcements appear. At the end of a bloody battle, no Arynians are left standing, and Merrill is forced to return to Vektren with the brand of 'traitor' on her back.

Raphael rallies the pack in the wake of a devastating loss, forming a warband with one goal in mind - recover the stolen hearts of Lord Alcatraz and Lady Athena. Vektren's crimes cannot go unpunished. It's high time they paid in blood. Grief and anger surge through the pack. Raphael's attack patrol - Storm, Urs, Aivar, and Hera - attack the Vektreni and manage to retrieve Alcatraz's heart.

### Part III: Destruction

The reign of Lord Raphael was characterized by paranoia, inward destruction, and stuff, and is known as the Inquisition. To read the full details of Raphael's Inquisition, click here.

## Deaths

The following wolves lost their lives during the course of the war between Aryn and Vektren:

* Lycan.
* Raghaalr.
* **Rabbit**. Rabbit was killed by Aivar in the Battle of Muckrun.
* **Athena**. Athena was killed by Hekate in an ambush attack.
* **Alcatraz**. Alcatraz was killed by XXX in an ambush attack.
* **Storm**. Storm was killed by Hellion in the Battle of Muckrun.
* **Hekate**. Hekate was killed by her son Hellion in the final act of the Blood Strings plot.

## Links

* Blood Strings Timeline Part I
* Blood Strings Timeline Part II