Whatever it was about Maeve that crawled beneath the skin of Despoina would be left alone. The wolves of the swamp were, in theory, strong. Of mind and body - they could handle themselves. Whatever disagreement or annoyance they shared would work its way out. She trusted in the spirited female to at least keep things to a sedate level. In pack squabbles were not to be seen from outsiders anyways as it could lead to rumors that Iromar was unstable. Or that Aithne was weak when she most certainly was not. If it was tasks that Despoina wished for all she had to do was ask or, in time, Aithne might come across some to send her on without asking. Molodian was a thriving place that often new blood got confused in. She never minded giving them an extra push when they seemed destined for something great.

It is there, again, that flash of fury and righteous blood lust across the dark girls face. Aithne is pleased by this, remembering their first meeting, the frenzy that Despoina had almost gone into at the mention of hunting cowards. She was a creature of fire and passion who needed direction, in the beginning, but now she had earned her right to choose for herself. The Empress feels inordinately pleased at her Minos's reaction, having wondered for a moment if the female would grow angry at the knowledge that her Empress had withheld. Not that she had any love for her father, clearly. "More so. I wish I had given him more," she said calmly but with a sanguine grin, lazy and slow.

Ears flicked up to catch her words and Aithne nodded approvingly. "For now we will care for our own here, lest something like this happens again. If you hear anymore of such misdeeds from others, though, you will tell me." It wasn't a gentle reminder, it was an order, one that she knew Despoina would easily keep, especially in hopes that the girl might be sent on some mission to retrieve the offender. Possibly - was the idea of a vigilante group of justice from Iromar a good one? Aithne would consider it.

Nine - Empress of Iromar - fated for Praetor

aithne