Every wolf bore scars of the past; but not everyone’s were visible. As we took our seats opposite of one another, the slight tilt of her head drew my attention to the scars upon her shoulder. They were clearly the result of someone’s teeth sinking into her flesh. I imagined my own scar resembled it to some extent, though I could not be certain as I could not bend my neck in such a way that I could see the marks that were tucked along my spine just behind the shoulder blade. I merely trusted Elowen’s word that they had healed well, and that the long fur of my ruff usually obscured their visibility. In the end it did not make much a of difference to me, so long as the injury did not affect my ability to protect those I cared for; my appearance was not something I was known to fret over. And despite a time when I once would have been apprehensive of her due to her coloration, such was no longer so. Warm brown eyes flecked through with amber did glance her over, though, assessing the wolf who sat before me for no other reason than pure interest. If her role was the equivalent to that which I hoped to attain in Diveen, then we would probably exchange more conversation than that which occurred today. If I returned successful in the eyes of my Queen and King.

Raven seemed inclined to assist me in the ways she could, her understanding of what I was attempting to do rewarded with a smile. She had been so young when she’d taken on her role, a thing most commendable, whereas I was nearing my thirteenth spring as I strived towards Advisor. All my life I had worked hard for everything that I had. And I would never stop, that determination to do all that I could for my pack something I had felt since puphood. Somewhere Acheron was looking down on me, and perhaps lending his strength to me as I worked veraciously towards my goals.

Attentively I listened to the information that Raven provided me with about the pack’s wellbeing in the aftermath of Andras’s voluntary relegation. While I had to admit that I did not know much about Aithne, the atmosphere she had created in her tenure was something felt throughout the land. Perhaps, in time and with the minds of Moladion’s wolves open to change, the reputation of Iromar would continue to shift. I had my doubts that Aithne wished for her pack to be viewed in the same light as Taviora or Spirane, but it was slowly becoming apparent that not all of their population must have a volatile demeanor to be welcome here. If Yojimbo had found a comfortable home here, things must have changed from the days of Ishtar and Baphomet.

“I am sorry for you loss,” I stated, though I could not help but recall the insanity of the war, and the way Lillith and Andras had teamed up to attack Iblis; the injuries he had sustained had been many and brutal. But I blinked away the thought, putting such memories behind me. I was here in an attempt to move past the history between our packs, and to dwell on such things would only hinder such an undertaking. As Raven’s eyes fell away from mine, my ears strained forward in interest, and my warm gaze became intense with focus as she spoke softly about Andras. When she lifted her eyes she would certainly notice the way my brows had furrowed, concern evident upon my facade. To know that Aithne had decreed such a thing was somewhat of a reassurance, but in the past treaties had been violated due to a single wolf’s actions. Would Andras do as much as those had once done under his rule? This felt like a warning of some sort from Raven, and I heeded it with the utmost sincerity.

The fact of the matter was that Raven and Aithne wished for much the same as I hoped to achieve - to overcome the history between our packs and forge something new and strong. Her attitude seemed to shift with the flick of her tail and my face relaxed as the topic moved forward. The desire she held for the pups of our packs to meet fell into sync with mine, and I grinned once more, my own tail thumping once against the cold earth. “The future of our packs is everything, and to ensure that the next generation abolishes such prejudices as their forefathers possessed, I think, is a thing that will make building new bridges between our packs all the easier. I will suggest such an exchange to Isola.” Some part of me thought that between Raven and myself we could ford the river that had been cut between our packs.

For all that she had told me I reflected for a moment, wondering if there was something pertinent that might benefit her and her pack. Nothing of great significance had occurred of late in Diveen, but I thought perhaps I could offer her something else. “If I am seen lifted to the office of Advisor I will send word of plans in the Spring. If for some reason I do not succeed, I will remain as the pack’s shield; if you ever wish to expand your knowledge into such fields, know that you may call upon me and I will assist you in whatever way I can.” All that I had learned in my time in Diveen had made me a rather versatile wolf, capable of warding off threats but also teaching the youth of the pack to hunt. Whether Raven wanted or needed any lessons in such fields was unknown to me, but I would be remiss to not at least offer.

Lifting from my sitting position I nodded to Raven, a farewell gesture but also one of thanks. “Thank you for your help, Raven. I hope that we will see each other again, sooner rather than later.” A slight breeze toyed with my fur, unseasonably warm. Spring was close at hand, and it was high time I returned home to my family and my Queen.