Childhood was never an easy time with parents, she had noticed, but it was even worse without. Add on top of that a lost home and no close family members and it left the boy alone in a world that was at most unkind and at worst adamantly hostile. It was true that Aithne did feel a bit of concern for the boy after all the rumors of deaths, missing wolves, and attacks. The world was hungry for innocent blood, hungry for violence, and Aithne guarded her haven zealously. All that lived within Iromar would remain under her protection but even that wasn't enough at times. There were those few who slipped over the border with ill intent but Aithne, she was not forgiving. What one did to her pack mates was unforgivable and even more so when they did it on her turf. Perhaps they expected that since her pack was smaller that they were weaker but that was far from the truth. Iromar, while seemingly apart, held an unshakable bond that had been proven with their hunt. Each wolf here was loyal to her and she had proven to them that she was loyal to him - an Alpha didn't look after the land, she looked after her pack. She made sure they were content and protected and SHE protected THEM, not the other way around.

Halcyon does not disappoint with his reaction and she doesn't feel a sense of motherly fear for him. After all, such a feeling is quite opposite to the normal pragmatic manner of Aithne. Instead she smiles at him, not one of joy but of primal understanding, and thinks that perhaps during his stay he should train with them. Give him the skills he needed in the event he did not seek to make the moors his permanent foundation. He just needed guidance and help and she was willing to offer him that, why else had she drug him here?

She left him swiftly and returned just as quick with the racoon, almost as if it was a gift from mother moon above at bringing in this destitute boy. Judging by the look he was giving it and her (not to mention the sounds of his belly), Halcyon was eager to get fed, and she inclines her head ever so slightly at his silent seeking of permission before he goes to town. She does not mind the mess her makes. Life is not about keeping everything clean and in line, that was the prerogative of a few, and she found that such things didn't really matter in the long run. Besides, no doubt he had been famished and he was exhausted and this winter had not been kind to him.

Aithne feels as if she is making progress with him because he answers her rather than shutting up tight and she can see the pup within him caving beneath the gestures of good will. All children needed a safety net lest they become creatures of wildness, some with violent tendencies, and she listens keenly to him. Ah, so he had connections in Diveen. That was a good thing and while it had been tumultuous as of late she was assured that with Covet's recent death things would fall back into place for the Angel bloodline. "Winter in the marshland is never as harsh as out there for it seems the earth keeps pocket of warmth for us here, but it still has been a bit of a strain. Know that you are welcome here anytime, Halcyon, and the borders of Iromar will remain open to you even if you choose to leave us. Perhaps in time, we can consider you an ally if we cannot count you among our own." Her eyes twinkle at him. "But while you are here, if you wish, I or one of my wolves will train you on how to hunt better and we can help train you in other aspects too. You are young and strengthening your body now will help you as you grow older. Do you wish to sleep now and we can speak more in the morning?"

Six - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne