The child of the plains had grown much in the six months since he had started calling Iromar his home. He would never grow into a large beast, but he was bigger than what he had been a year ago. Sadly, though he had not realized it yet, Halcyon was as tall as he was ever going to be. Thanks to his father, the boy would always be one of the smallest wolves to walk Moladion. Of course, what he lacked in size he easily made up for in speed. Even now, he was using this skill to chase down a beaver. Though the water is where the animal was faster, on land it still made the wolf work to catch it. It gave a good go, but the boy’s newfound hunting skills were far better.

A quick snap to the neck and the beast lay dead. Panting heavily, Halcyon rested his paws a moment before tucking into the prey. The meat was sponge and soggy, but still good and he ate most of it greedily. After a few minutes, muzzle still covered in blood, he had eaten his fill and was now carrying the remains to his den for later. But along the way, a new scent reached his nose and he stopped. The russet cub had heard that a stranger had been captured and brought to justice by Athine. He wasn’t sure what the wolf had done, but it must have been bad to rile up the pack in such a way. Hal did not envy the brute one bit. Could this new scent belong to him?

Curious, he made his way closer to the scent and moved carefully through some bushes. The sound must have startled the stranger because Halcyon heard him whimper quietly and jump to his paws. Try as he might, he couldn’t stifle the chuckle that echoed from his muzzle. When he emerged, he saw the wolf that everyone had hated. He didn’t seem like much, but if his training with Avery had taught him anything, it was to never underestimate his enemy. And this wolf was his enemy, since he was a member of Iromar. Keeping his distance, Halcyon dropped the meat and glared at the newcomer.

”You must be the one everyone’s in a rage about. To be honest, I’m surprised to see you’re alive. You look like shit, though. What is your name?” Halcyon eyed him warily. He looked similar to how the pup looked when he first arrived in Iromar. Starved nearly to death and matted, disgusting fur. Part of him felt sorry for the beast, but the other part was reminded that he deserved what happened to him. He still didn’t know what that was, but he trusted that his Empress and her judgement. The russet boy waited for the stranger to speak, making sure he had an escape plan, just in case.