Bottom of the valley

"Brook is fun to torture." Daybreak said simply, flicking his tail at Cynder dismissively. Cout'av's hissing seized.

"So you've tortured her." She turned to the valley wolves once more. "Is this your idea of pacifism? Torture, murder? You're not worth it. You're not worth anything. What if Daybreak got one of you and tortured another one?" Cynder snorted, then returned to Daybreak.

"I want to settle this without bloodshed, but it's not turning into the case. You're outnumbered, Daybreak. I could easily match your strength."

"You are five." Daybreak snapped, "And if I sent for Kaiti, two originals would smash you to the earth."

"Daybreak, I am only asking, that you just give us Brook." Cynder said. She had a message on standby to send to her ship - In a moment she could have drones by the dozen in Winter Country.

"If you want her so badly, you'll have to give me something in exchange. I don't want to lose one of my favourite toys." Daybreak spoke coldly.

"What's your price?" Cynder said sharply.

"Another toy." Daybreak replied just as sharply.

"Another toy." She said. "That's not very specific. Try again."

"If Brook is a toy, figure it out, computer." Daybreak grunted.

"I know what a toy is, demon." Cynder returned. "My question is what wolf precisely do you want?"

"We don't care about what ou're doing, but if you bring in your 'drones' or whatever you call them, we are prepared to fight to keep this place peaceful." growled the grey wolf. "We can also send for other wolves from the forest and the beaches to help us."
"This 'Brook' is none of our concern," added another.

Collier nudged Kasi yetagain.
"I don't really want to watch," shewhimpered. "I-I'm... going to go elsewhere. Are you coming?"

Kasi blinked, and nodded.

"Give me an offer." Daybreak retorted.

"You make a suggestion." Cynder said smoothly. "I have no idea about what you expect."

"Someone better than Brook." Daybreak snapped, "Obviously."

Collier nodded to a small, female white wolf nearby, who seemed to be one of the younger warriors. The young wolf seemed to interpret the message and flicked her tail in response sympathetically.
Collier took off and spread her blue-tipped wings, flying away gracefully yet silently to avoid attracting attention.

Kasi followed, looking back and almost slipping out of control.

"Who is better than Brook in your eyes?" Cynder said, feeling like she was talking to a pup.

"In your eyes, tell me." Daybreak smirked, playing away.

"Most wolves." Cynder said. Then her eyes lit up.

"I have a prisoner, whom I would consider better than Brook."

"...You are really unintelligent, for a computer." Daybreak tutted, "I speak of power. Brook has phoenix in her. That makes her higher than dusk wolves. Use that brain!"

"He's a shapeshifter." She said. "He has snuck up on me and beat me on several occasions, using the element of surprise. No-one suspects a sentient cat, or a bird that will transform into an imitation of you in a blink of an eye. I keep him in my brig. He has to have a completely sealed container. Not even air holes. We have to subdue him, then purge the air so he can breathe. He's a fighter. Loyal to anyone who shows him any kindness"

Daybreak twitched.
"But he has done nothing to me."

"His mother was Silvermask." She said, hopeful.

Daybreak was interested at the point Cynder had raised. But he was determined to get what he wanted.

A distance off, two wolves made of rocks and dirt fell out of a light and hit the ground. They stopped for a moment, viewed the happenings, noticing the dead wolf and the she-wolf beside him that their creator had called "Mommy and Dad." After storing the information, they ran back to the light.