When Despoina had approached her asking about the position of Minos there had been a bit of smug pleasure in Aithne. Hadn't she once been like Despoina? When Aithne had first arrived she was snappish and rude, quite different than what time had wrought the Empress to be now although she might consider herself more steely than snappish. Minos had trained both her and those she worked with so she had ordered the female off to go do her bidding. Days had passed and Aithne had been focused mainly on her children, watching them grow and learn and teaching them the ways of the world. Sometimes she was less than gentle about it. That was what the needed to learn - life wasn't gentle and she wouldn't coddle them. So she was stern and blunt at times but she showed them affection with random touches and softened looks, unable to stop that instinctive part of herself.

Today she stands near the waters edge, a favorite past time of hers. Across the way on the opposite bank rests a water dragon - the great alligators of Iromar. This one is old, wizened, and Aithne had watched her for a while. She had a great nest of eggs nearby that she guarded most fiercely and the Empress sometimes wondered if she felt the same motherly instincts taht the beast did. The bark of her approaching pack member was appreciated, ears flicking back before her head slowly turns to meet the eyes of Despoina, who has dipped herself in a show of respect. Aithne remains as she is, secure in her own presence, and while her lips twitch in amusement at the sarcastic voice of Despoina, they don't quite break into a smile.

Can't have the girl thinking she is soft, you know. "Yes. I suppose your arrival means you have done as I've bid you. Tell me what you think." Her coarse voice demands an answer, eyes flicking away for a moment to meet the gaze of the wizened beast once more before turning back to the female that might just be her next Minos. She had already brought a wolf to visit Iromar like asked and now this would be the deciding factor. "You know, Despoina, you do have an aunt here in the moors. You should seek her out sometime, she is the raptor here. I think you might get along, although she disliked your father as much as I did. I have not told you what became of him but I know his final moments. Do you care ot know?" It is abrupt, this change of subject, but she does it because she wishes to see how the female will react. Would she rebel against her Empress at one new fact after having learned so much here? It was a test of sorts, a test of loyalty and faith.

Nine - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne