It felt nice to be a part of something similar to a family. Though the wolves of Iromar could never replace his blood, they helped fill the holes. He hadn’t felt lonely in a long time and if he needed any help or guidance there was always someone he could turn to. In a way, the wolves of his pack had helped to raise him. Malum taught him to hunt, Avery taught him to fight, and Aithne taught him to live. He smiled up at the larger alpha as she spoke, knowing her words were true. The fear that had claimed him seemed to vanish as he stood before the closest thing to a mother he had ever known. A smile spreads across his face when he hears that Jaidah’s eye had been torn out by the alpha of Taviora a long time ago. He stored this information away for the day when he would come to blows with her. One day it would happen and he would be ready.

“My sister-in-law, Zeltzin, lives there with my brother and their children. She is their head healer and one of the wolves who taught me how to mend wounds.” This made him think of his other tasks and his ears pricked up suddenly as he thought about reporting his teachings to Aithne. In his hurry to return to the swamps, the boy had forgotten all the other things he had learned in the last few months. Feeling now was as good a time as ever, he sat down and took a breath. “Thank you, my queen. You will always have my teeth to fight for you should you need it. I also have some other news to report, if you have time,” he said, waiting a moment for her reply.

When he was sure she was okay with it, he bowed his head and began his report. “I mainly trained with a wolf named Blackfoot. He was a skilled healer and had an interest in learning about the plants found here. He asked if he could come here and examine them at some point. I would be happy to help him while he is here, maybe even extend a paw of friendship. I feel we could always use more trained healers. I also met with Eden of Glorall and intend to meet with his son, Elohim, with the coming of spring. I believe that we could become stronger allies with the ocean wolves should this meeting go well.” When he had finished, he waited for Aithne to absorb the onslaught of information. He had high hopes for Blackfoot and honestly liked the wolf. It would be great if he came to Iromar and Halcyon could already see him fondling over the various plants and such. He chuckled at the thought as he waited for the Empress to speak.