His notation of my natural found allies was met with a simple blink of my eyes. Already I had made plans to visit Taviora, Glorall, and Diveen. But also I had arranged for Iromar to be approached as well, for even if our packs held little in common, they were our southern neighbors and it would do Spirane little good to have a foe so close to home. It was my hope to reach some form of treaty between the moorland and the mountain. While I knew that if war were to rise within Moladion again, despite the wolves it raged between, I wanted Spirane to have a clear standing for whatever side we took – if any. What the mountain needed most now was a time of peace, and it was my goal to achieve that. Perhaps peace was not something one could guarantee for longer than the moment one existed within, but I would strive to uphold a suitable level of neutrality until a time to take action as truly required. That was where a reliable, unbiased, and honest advisor would come in. Among the three, I knew that Leonidas would near always call for action – whatever would protect my livelihood. I felt that Taliesin would always keep the wolves of the pack in mind, our familial ways always at the fore of his considerations. Perhaps Pan could be the wolf to balance the scales, to take into account every outcome possible, and the results of each action taken.

Pan’s features almost seem to light up – although perhaps that was simply the light reflecting off his golden coat – as I further engaged him in conversation. The questions I posed to him struck debate worthy points, and I keenly awaited his reply. My gaze remained locked upon his as he grinned, unwavering as he launched into his speech. The points he made were valid in their own right, and I did my best to pick apart each one. He had experience as an advisor, not only to Purge but to others before her it would seem. The lack of a need felt to hold one’s tongue could be viewed either way – strength or weakness. Thus far in my interactions with Pan, I placed it in the category of strength. Perhaps it would be off-putting to others, but I desired an advisor who would tell me that which I did not necessarily wish to hear. When he spoke of why he would be the worst choice, my brows raised slightly. I knew much of the history of Moladion, but it would seem that my lessons had been lacking. I recognized the names of his parents, but up until that moment I had not realized they were who he was born of. A most interesting fact indeed. Once more I endeavored to pick apart what he’d said, searching for the underlying meaning in his words. Should I be concerned about having him at my side, speaking what I would take to be utter truths into my ear when he was only bending me to his own benefits? From what I knew of him, I thought probably not. In their weakened rules, he could have easily swept the role of alpha out from under Purge or Snowshoe. Instead, he had bided his time, and now he sat beside me and strived towards the role he was perhaps born to play. Not all alphen children were born to rule – my many siblings were evidence enough of that –but to counsel leadership was a role most important.

He hardly paused, transitioning effortlessly into his reasoning on why not to place Lavender or Orca in the position. Though he did include what would make them probable choices for the role, he reflected their weaknesses in his strengths. For each downfall that they might bring, he supplied his own asset to counter it. His mention of Weylin did not go unnoticed, and I mentally noted the information. I vaguely remembered the turmoil that had ensued within Glorall in the wake of Weylin’s downfall until Tesseract had come to power, and I had feared that perhaps Spirane was to suffer the same fate. His closing note truly made me think twice about Orca as a candidate for the role. But I would not strike her from the ballot here and now. No, I would be given time to think on such things before my decision was made.

I had given little reaction throughout his speech, my features remaining impartial once my brows had lowered in the aftermath of the matter of his lineage. Now, my bright eyes searched his dark pools, soaking in the silence for a moment. I let his words marinate in my mind for a moment, and then I was given to reply. “You are an intelligent man, Pan – of that which I am sure you are already aware. There is much that you have given me to consider, and consider it I will.” For the first time in what seemed like hours I broke our eye contact and looked back out over the mountain below and the rest of Moladion beyond her foothills. “Spring wanes, and I shall have my advisor before the end of summer. I shall take the season to consider my options, for it is not a decision I make lightly.” Looking back to him, it was my hope that he of all wolves would understand my desire to truly weigh each of my options before I asked any wolf to advise me in my future. But I would not venture forth without an advisor either, and so the matter became time sensitive. Pan had been diligent in his seeking me out, and I appreciated that. I hoped that Orca and Lavender would do the same so that I could fairly and justly make my decision all the quicker.