It had been bothering her of late knowing that Raven was not around. It wasn't that Aithne was a conscientious creature, she was somewhat a bit abrupt at times for her moods could come and go. Ever she was a pragmatic female and she had come up with excuses for the reason Raven had not shown back up during the long summer months. But as the days grew shorter with the inevitability of winters arrival so did her temper as well as her patience. Worry began to gnaw at her and she paced her borders with a sort of frenzy, head hunched between her shoulders and teeth flashing when guineas were flushed from the undergrowth in startled cries. Her Consul was not only a valuable asset to her pack but also her friend. So strange it is, even now, to have those she might call friends. It was not a thing Aithne had known in her previous years and as the mantle of Empress became more worn she had taken to relaxing her guard around those in her pack.

The call that rips through the air, however, is most definitely not that of pack. It is one that is unsure on who to call upon. It signals Raven as well as her, maybe, but it was really the note for her Consul that draws the instant attention of the Empress. Maybe this boy has seen her friend or knows of her most recent whereabouts. Maybe Raven was on her way home now and simply got carried away doing.. well, whatever it is she wanted to do. So she turns away from the inner path into Iromar that she had been traveling, scenting out those who had crossed it to make sure no trespassers had slipped by, and moves into the brush. Summer was not an easy season for the heat hung low of the swamps in an almost smothering manner, intensifying the stench of rot and creating lackluster days.

Gnats swarmed in areas and she had taken pains to eat a plant Raven had mentioned to her before that would keep the mosquitos from tearing her apart. Her ears had suffered much damage in spring due to the pests but they were fully healed and it was a relief to be off their menu. The figure that stands at the border is one with a familiar scent of Taviora and her thoughts swing to Siren, suddenly, wondering how the young girl was doing. Was her mind as shattered as before? She needed to visit her again, to speak to her, to draw her from that crazed state.

But first, find Raven.

Aithne stalks towards him without any friendly demeanor. She is, quite honestly, on a mission and each large paw presses into the earth with purpose to drive her closer so that she moves to stand within inches of him. It is unlike Aithne but so much is unlike her anymore that she wonders just who she really is. "Feathers and a stranger. I will almost bet you are the one Raven has told me of before, the one who came to stay with her. So tell me, Starfall of Taviora," she says, spouting the name Raven had given to her and hoping she hadn't screwed it up in her head. "Where was the last place you saw her?"

Six - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne