For a time the Empress had wondered if Kaius's attack on Iromar soil had done a number on her Raptor for Denali had been scarce since. She wasn't a great big oaf of a wolf like Aithne, her body smaller and more delicate but Denali had a sort of backbone that was stronger than those might assume it to be. No doubt if she had been around during Lillith's time she might have disapproved of this imprint for Astaroth, her mind drifting for only a second to Siren and the subsequent disaster that had followed that whole affair. Aithne is so set on finding her frogs that she does not even notice when Denali jumps in fright. It is just as well, anyways, for it wasn't as if Aithne was hiding herself and Denali should pay closer attention. Despite how much she haunted the borders Aithne had had one too many wolves slip past the borders. The very idea rankles still but she had dealt with those who had done so. It was a bittersweet feeling for both attacks had left behind damaged wolves. Denali, it seemed, had begun to recover as she moves closer to the Empress, but Raven still was remote. Nothing at all like the Consul had been before.

A bark of a laugh is released at Denali's description of her Astaroth and Aithne grins in a wicked manner at the girl. "I'll just bet," she answers in a cryptic way, glancing almost curiously at the sleek belly of Denali. It seemed Astaroth was not in any hurry to gain his own heirs, then again he didn't have a kingdom that needed a future. Not that he had seemed particularly interested in running Iromar, even when he offered his half-baked scheme of a 'royal' union to which Aithne had firmly denied years ago. Aithne shoves her nose down into the dirt and sniffs, looking for that faint scent of frog and finding it, a triumphant look crossing her face - which was now coated with droplets of mud - as she begins to dig faster, pausing when Denali speaks of her pregnancy.

A cross look adorns her face as she glances at her. "He is well and it is making me fat." How blunt she could be but she DID resemble a bear fresh from hibernation. "I cannot curb these cravings no matter how many I eat. More, more, more, do you know how hard it is to sleep when all I want to do is eat? Praetor won't have paws by the end of this, I'm certain, they will be worn off." Her coarse voice is rougher than usual, a testament to her frustration as she glances back at the dirt to reiterate her point. There wasn't much a healer could do for her, she surmised, unless they offered to feed her. At this point it would be wise to try and curb her cravings but Aithne didn't care - she would shed the weight after the birth with some extra border patrols. An ear flicks back as she nods suddenly. "I would be very thankful," she adds, not even caring how awkward the words sound coming out of her mouth because with four paws she would hopefully get double the return.

"Niece?" She says sharply, emerald eyes narrowing on Denali once more. What was the girl talking about? Despoina, she says, daughter of KAIUS. This causes the Empress to cease all motion as she stares at Denali with complete surprise on her face. Despoina had been found by Aithne with that dissatisfied look on her face, offered to even help find Malignus and bring him to trial, and she had managed to convince the girl of opportunities in the swamp. Her nature had been a perfect fit and yet she is startled to realize that it could have other potential meanings - not that it would. Blood did not always overcome surroundings. Denali finds a frog and tosses it towards Aithne, who despite being still shocked by the revelation, immediately snaps it form the air and begins to tear at it, ripping it's limbs off as she swallows eagerly with a content look on her face. What was it about frogs...

"She needs guidance. That is why I brought her here. I could see it in her the moment I met her so I showed her that Iromar was a place that she could learn to strengthen herself. It might be a good thing to reveal yourself to her for it would give her motivation to grow within the ranks, to see what they have to offer. I feel a loyalty from her, as I do with you, and further separation could likely damage whatever relationship you wish to have with her. I think it would not be remiss to offer her training in some of your own stealthy skills," she adds slyly, returning to digging so that her full attention is not trained on Denali. No need to make the woman feel like Aithne was chastising her, she was only offering up her opinion. "It is quite funny, I think. I have a knack for finding family without even knowing it," she adds, suddenly chuckling deeply, thinking of Lucem and Avery and now Despoina and Denali. "Who next, I wonder?"

Seven - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne