For years now a shadow had lingered over the north eastern corner of Moladion. It had shrouded the land ever since Rhae fell at the hand of Jaidah, and Iblis had been lost to the world as well. Such events had stung old wounds, a reminder of the loss of my own parents, and in the aftermath I had welcomed many wolves that had followed the original alphas of the plains into the safety of the mountains. The alliance I had once held with the Mother Queen and Father King of Asteraia had prevented me from ever even considering a relationship with Jaidah's pack. But more than a year had passed since Jaidah's removal from power. And it was said she was replaced by wolves far darker than her; for there were few born and raised within Moladion that had not heard the name Tobias spoken in tales of cannibalistic monsters that roamed the free lands. Apparently he was now flanked by two females, one of which helmed the operations of the pack. It was my chief advisor's opinion that we would be wise to form an alliance with their pack, for it would certainly be far better to call them friend than foe. For a year now I, and my pack, had remained impartial on the matter. But such could not be the case forever. Galileo had come calling on behalf of his leader, and the issue would finally be brought to the table between myself and the plains alpha.

I would not go forth to such a meeting without holding as many cards in my hand as possible, though, and some time ago I had set forth tasks to those wishing to rise among the ranks to learn about Asteraia's population. Tithe had already somewhat enlightened me as to what to expect in an exchange with the scarred female who spoke for the pack, and even shed a different light upon the rumors that surrounded the name Tobias. Now it was time to collect on any further information Tithe, and Malina, might have gathered in the past months of reconnaissance work they'd done.

Perfect paw prints were left in my wake as I trotted through the snow high upon the mountain. The sharpness of the cold air in my lungs was invigorating, and small clouds of mist formed before my snout with each exhalation. I weaved my way down from the highest reachable point of the territory at this time of year, moving towards the central clearing that housed what might be referred to as my throne. In reality it was just a single, wide, flat rock that had once been my favorite place to sunbathe with my father. Time and circumstance had transformed it into the place where my pack knew they could call upon me, or from which I would call upon them. Leaping up onto the rock, I circled once and before stopping to stand tall and extend my muzzle towards the wintery skies. Lips parted to give way to a howl, calling upon Tithe and Malina.

The song faded and I relaxed my hindquarters to the cold stone before pushing my forelegs out in front of me, laying down with my head aloft. The chill of the blanket of snow and the rock itself pressed against my abdomen, though it did not bother me much. My coat had grown in thick for the winter, and even as a breeze rose to part the outer layer of my fur and reveal the stark black beneath I did not shiver. The peaks of Spirane were the coldest region of Moladion during winter, and I had been born and raised upon them, bred to survive in such conditions. What were the wolves of the plain built to endure against? I hoped that Malina and Tithe could reveal a little more information to me about them.