Isola had done as I’d asked, considering the possibility of my becoming advisor to her and Kane before. I knew that there were tasks to be completed, as with any rank, but I only wished to set forth on this path if Isola felt she could truly trust me and that I would be an asset in such a role. As it turned out, my advice pertaining to the rank of Dark Angel had been astute, and thereafter Isola had informed me of the tasks I would need to complete in order to further prove my capability for the role. Her instructions were to visit each of the packs considered allies to Diveen, to see how they fared and to bring back any news to her. If there were actions to be taken in regards to any of the news I brought home, then depending on how I advised my Queen and King would reflect upon whether I was the one most suitable for the position.

So I set out on a bright winter’s morning, the sun shining down from a cloudless sky as I jogged away from Diveen. I would not return for some time; depending on how long this mission took I might not see my home again until spring arrived. Glancing back over my shoulder, I was immeasurably glad that Goliath had reappeared within the pack lands before my departure. It was a relief to know my son was safe, and to learn of the year he had elected to spend within the cavernous ravines of the plateaus. As I turned my nose back to the north, I wondered if perhaps I would encounter Dessa on my travels, hopeful at the thought of seeing my only daughter grown. She had always been so independent, so it had come as no surprise when she struck out on her own at only two years of age. My other sons Berke, with his aspirations to follow in his grandmother’s healing paw prints, and Ash seemed lost to me. I did not know where they were, or why they’d gone. I missed them dearly, as any father would.

But today I would make the long trek north, to the borders of Taviora. I would make my way down the western side of Moladion, visiting each pack that held alliance or treaty with Diveen before returning home once more to report my discoveries to Isola and Kane. It had been two years since I had brought Berke to meet his grandmother, so that he might learn more about the healing art from the greatest master in Moladion’s history. Suddenly I felt guilt weigh heavy on my heart. Two years had come and gone, and only now was I returning to visit my mother. Once more it was at the behest of a task set forth to me to advance in rank. Could I not have taken the time out of any single day to visit her for that simple reason alone? What a terrible son I had become.

Subconsciously I lengthened my stride, wishing to cross the distance that much faster so that I might spend as much time in her company as I could to make up for my shortcomings. Still, it was no short trek, and the snow seemed to conspire against me. I skirted through the pass at the edge of Enocra Woodland along the rim of Mecor Valley at mid morning. It was nearly midday before I found myself along the edges of the forest pack. My ears pushed forward as the black of my paws toed the borders. I knew that our packs were close friends, and that I was welcome here. But it still seemed discourteous to just barge in without announcing myself. So I lifted my chocolate snout to the heavens and called out first to Coszcotl to tell him that I was here, and then to Moth. I was here to see her, and I asked for her location so that I might come to her. My voice faded and I listened carefully for her reply. My mother was not so young anymore, and I could at least be a considerate enough son to go to her rather than making her come to me.

Only when I heard her reply did I cross into the woodlands and begin to make my way through this foreign land. I did not know much of the landscape, having only been here once before, but I made my way steadily through the territory until I reached her. A smile brightened my features at the sight of her, and I immediately stepped forward to embrace her in greeting.