Some part of me wished I could peek, if only momentarily, within Pan’s mind to see how the thoughts turned in his head. Perhaps it was his own intellectual mind that stirred this curiosity in me, but I found his mannerisms quite intriguing, for his differences from other wolves were not frowned upon by me. He piqued my interests greatly. Despite my own belief that my being a female had nothing to do with when I was most attentive during the day, I dismissed the thought and focused on Pan. If history was any hint at the conversation we were about to embark upon, I knew he would have much to say. And though a wolf of few words could have just as many important things to say as one who never closed their mouth, I was coming to recognize that this was just who Pan was. The mass of his words did not sway my opinions of him, only the meaning behind them.

In spite of my dismal attitude towards Purge, I was slightly surprised by what Pan told me. But in truth, it only reaffirmed what I had always believed of the shewolf. She was not fit to rule. This affirmation did not bolster my pride, but it did lay to rest some of my prying thoughts about the usurper. I would not make the mistakes she had. I would not let Spirane fall beneath me, nor sow discontentment among my ranks. I would be there for my pack, for that was the silent, solemn vow I had made when I had staked my claim to the throne. My eyes never left his, ears eagerly soaking up the knowledge he imparted upon me. When he rose, brushing shoulder to shoulder with me, I turned with him and joined him upon the ledge. Together we sat, and I turned to him to listen once more, having a feeling that he was not yet done – which was quickly confirmed. Though today was meant for me to weigh my thoughts on him, it would seem that he was not the only one to be tested on this morn. I slight smile hinted at the edges of my maw. He paused, but before I answered, he continued. I was given to continue my attentive listening. If nothing else – though I knew there was much more – he was most certainly a deft historian. Much of what he spoke I knew, my own education fairly well rounded. Though I did not doubt there was more he could teach me given the chance.

Finally, I gave him answer. “Diveen would be the simple answer, on all counts” I said, looking to the east momentarily, before shifting my gaze to the north. “However, I find myself admiring Taviora. From what I have observed, their ranks thrive, and the pack lives and breathes by that.” My gaze then shifted again, this time to the southeast. “As a leader, I hold great respect for Tesseract. He and I, we are similar in some ways. He braved a fight against my father, and accepted the defeat he was dealt. He learned from it and took that knowledge to the door of Glorall, where he has reigned ever since.” Then it was my turn to pause. War. It was a matter that I had considered infrequently. Perhaps at some point I had thought that I would need to raise a host to pull Purge down from the mountain, but that had proven unnecessary, she falling to her own faults. “Despite its being the easy answer, it is the truest. Diveen would be a frightful enemy to have, for Isola has won the hearts of her people entirely. I do not think there is a wolf in Diveen that would not lay down his or her life for her cause.”

I would give him chance to respond to my statements, interested in what he thought of each answer I had given. But then it was my turn, my opportunity to lay questions before him. He could give me all the valid advice in the world, but I would not place a wolf at my side that I did not know and trust to some degree. “It is quite evident that you are of a scholarly mind, Pan. I would like to know, why – to you – would you make the best Hand? On the other paw, if you were to rise to the role you desire, in the worst case scenario, why would you be the worst choice I could make? And what of Orca and Lavender? To each of them, how would they benefit me and obstruct me if I were to award them the rank instead?” I was certain he would formulate an answer for me. It was a question I intended to pose to each of them. It was, perhaps, the greatest way for me to discern who was deserving of the rank, and who was not.