Through all of my answers and explanations Iscariot remained attentive, patient as I perhaps elaborated more so than was truly necessary. But I would rather have him fully grasp and understand the meanings of my answers than be left to speculate and form his own version of my unspoken thoughts. While I did not lay myself or my pack bare for his scrutiny, I offered him a fair amount of information. In combination with what he had already gleaned from his interaction with Pan there were only the nooks and crannies of the inner workings of the pack that he was not enlightened to. Those were things he would learn in time, if he was deemed a good fit for the pack and in turn the pack a good fit for him. Only time would tell, and I believed the intellect he had collected would not harm Spirane if he were to chose to go a different way, and potentially share what he had learned with a different leader.

When I had said my piece, and turned his question back upon him, Iscariot was given only to smile. I laid each question out to him in turn before falling silent once more; giving him the same opportunity he had afforded me to speak freely. Power in the form of knowledge came first on his list, and I was intrigued by this. Clearly by his investigation into the packs his need to make well formed decisions was evident, but it went beyond that. He desired to know all that he could learn, and I could not help but wonder how far that desire went. Was he akin to Pan in his never-ending quest to form hypothesizes and theories, testing them out and performing experiments? Or was he more of a hunter-gatherer type of intellectual, going out into the world and learning by experience. I could not help but wonder if perhaps he was a suitable wolf to fill the vacant role of Spider, one who goes forth and collects pertinent information and secrets and delivered them back to me. But then he continued on, blatantly stating the next five traits with no need for explanation. Love fell last in line for him, and he told me why. I nodded at the statement; such desires could hardly be held against him.

As he listed out his set of skills, I knew that this was a wolf that I would much rather have within my pack than without. My speculation that he might be a good fit to fulfill the rank of Spider seemed almost spot on. But I stayed my tongue, keeping such thoughts to myself and simply listening to the words he spoke. In reply to my final question he referred to our first meeting, when he had spoke of the possibility of his blood being the only reason for an ambush to be laid upon him. He explained that if any implications arose due to him discovering his lineage that he would inform me at once. Having been raised in a family who took in orphans, I had learned that blood did not define a wolf, and I had never judged one by it. He fell silent then, and I allowed a moment of reflection for both of us. From his findings, did he wish to stay? I had already made my decision about him, but had he made his about me?

A sinuous breeze drifted through the trees, ruffling my fur and parting the silver tips to give way to the stark black beneath. The cold sent a refreshing chill through my system, and I smiled at Iscariot. “I assume you have not lost your interest in Spirane, or I think you would be gone by now,” I said, mahogany eyes blinking as I looked upon him. “There is a place for you here, Iscariot, should you decide it is what you want. I have need of a wolf with a particular skill set, which I believe yours falls quite well in line with. A master of whispers and secret keeping, thieving, as well as discovering information.” It was all I would tell him for now, perhaps the only line I would give him to sell him on coming to call Spirane home. He had ambition, and a desire to rise within the ranks. I would gladly give him such an opportunity, if he chose to stay.