Tithe

Tithe settled himself comfortably in his position. He did not think this would be a particularly short conversation, nor one easy to digest and think about. There would be a lot to think about and distraction by discomfort would be unwelcome. The big man remained relaxed, confident in the ease of the company he was in. It will startled him at times how at home he had come to be in Spirane and how the wolves before him had so rightfully earned his loyalty and trust. Though Spirane was beautiful, it was the pack itself that had calmed and cooled his soul.

Ears and eyes flicked to Malina as she spoke. He took in her words, head tilting just slightly with curiosity. What she had gathered matched fairly closely with what he had. The Plains pack really was an enigma. Her proposal surprised but also fascinated him and he stayed silent a moment, considering it along with that he had been told.

“I met a woman who had been held captive in the pack, as well as sparred with a young warrior in their ranks.” He attested. “The lady was fearful of the pack and scared for the wellbeing of any and all pups within the pack. She even went so far as to ask if Spirane would consider taking in and protecting the young if they left the borders of Asteraia.” He did not comment on whether he had offered the pack’s protection to these pups. At the time he had been appalled, and still was by the thought of destroying innocent lives, and had offered his own protection, but not the backing of his pack. Malina’s thoughts and proposals brought a different set of ideas into play. Instead he continued with the facts of what he had gathered. “The warrior was strong, and clever. But devious. A strong body to fight by one’s side, but I am not entirely sure I would always trust him to be fighting for me. There was a interesting respect. They would be a challenge to face.”

Once more he fell quiet for a moment of contemplation. His nose rested lightly on the ground between his paws, ears quirked in thought. “I do not believe an alliance is what we would be seeking with this pack. It implies that we would stand by their side if they called on us. A friendship, mutuality, and shared goals. The fear, paranoia, and pain that seems to surround the name ‘Tobias’ and the land itself is in direct conflict of what is felt here, and the goals of Spirane.” If he was wrong, he would eat his tail. The sense of honor and kinship that ran deep in the mountain’s stones seemed to vibrate through his paws and into his body. “So make such an alliance would be a lie, and possibly alienate packs with which we more strongly share beliefs and values. We would be false and we would be liars for the sake of saving face.” Steal eyes looked between the two, watching them closely, judging their reactions to his thoughts. “However, they are not to be threatened or tangled with. Their fighters are strong, as are their leaders. Though we do not agree with them and their methods, they have built a strong pack that will not break ranks for anything. They are dangerous, but then again we are strong. I am also concerned for the younger generation that is being born there, and that also needs to be addressed.” He looked at Malina, acknowledging her information with a bow of his head. “It is hard to say what paths they will follow. I suggest a truce? Of sorts? Neither welcomed nor turned away. When in our land they are treated with as much respect as they show us, same goes for when we enter theirs. Those who wish to leave Asteraia and join Spirane may of course do so, those who flee and seek refuge may find it within our walls. We will not encourage wolves to come or go, and we will not actively antagonize. As I said, they are strong. But we are not weak. We have no reason to fear them. Simply no desire to be their friends...as a whole. Perhaps one day change will come and the truce could turn to an alliance. But perhaps Nevermore will be too trained by the pack to create such a change.” Once more he looked between them, fighting the urge to dip his head and look away. He stood by everything he said, though his still young age in the face of experience and wisdom had him off balance and out of place. Keeping his features smooth and clear of the conflict in his mind, he appeared as though he spoke with confidence, while within he continued to muddle over his words, picking them apart to make sure he had spoken true.