Avery is apt in her position, acquired through hard work and endurance. Not once had Aithne ever doubted in her Commandant's ability to complete her tasks. Always Avery was watching from the shadows - this Aithne knew well. She allowed Avery free reign for most everything for the girl was one of her closest allies and friends and she looked upon her with favor. The opinion of Avery was highly valued but even Aithne wanted to see what her young blood had in store for the future. It seemed the older wolves had decided to laze away their days, ignoring the call, but that was fine. Not many of them were trying to ascend higher anyways. She did vaguely wonder where Astaroth had gone for he, as her Cerebus, should like to take an interest in such things but oh well. Probably chasing off after the missing Denali, who was often as ephemeral as if she had been stolen herself. Aithne liked to think they were off working in ways for Iromar.

A grin peels back her lips yet there is a sort of pernicious tilt to it for she is eager to see the battle-blood that these youth carried. Despoina had been sucked into Aithne's words the day they met, her own voice half growl in her fury at Malignus, so she did not doubt that she would be a ferocious competitor. Belhara was... not very well known, preferring to stick to herself. Still, her mother had been of demon blood and it was likely she housed a darker spirit. That was not necessarily a bad thing and youth could always be groomed. Halcyon was of a more noble heart yet he was born from leaders, a fallen prince without a kingdom, and she had been pleased to find he wished to stay in her midst.

Before she can even reply the fight has started. Belhara is quick, a viper who did not wait around for role calls. It called to light that most fights were not going to be planned and the challenger was not going to announce himself. A smart move, Aithne thinks, but Halcyon is just as quick. He trusts his instincts, the same instincts that had kept him alive in the wilderness until Aithne had found him. Dark green eyes flare wide, the red line around her left pupil seeming bright against the obsidian of her fur, and she moves away from Avery to circle around Despoina. "I can see the blood lust runs thick in you. You will make a fine warrior. Watch how the boy moves so quick but he knows he cannot, even with his size, outlast his opponent if he is not quick. And Belhara, see how she surprised him. Not all fights will be fair and one must take whatever advantage necessary." Her voice is pitched low for her two companions, not intending to distract the other two, but if it did then they would have to learn to ignore it, to focus.

Seven - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne