The morning air was crisp and cool but Kalseru could not stop the thundering of her heart as her call finished ringing across the mountainside. What if no one came? She flexed her paws allowing the sharp edges of the rock to bite into her pads and was fighting the urge to pace restlessly when the first sounds of approach caught her ears and her warm eyes turned to see Baird approaching, a warrior who had served under her mother though she had not spent much time with him. She cannot help the smile that tugs at the corners of her lips at his words, she had never been one to turn away a compliment but it was tempered somewhat by the seriousness of the situation. “Thank you, Baird, I hope I can wear it well,” she responds quietly meeting his eyes until she notices that more are now coming to join them.

She nods her slender head in greeting to all who step into the clearing, some she knows well and others not as much which is something she would need to work on. She did not doubt that even know her mother could name each and every wolf that called Spirane home and it was something she wanted to be able to do as well. It is not until the rasped words of her being an opportunist catch in her ears, so distant that they almost missed, that she feels the heat of anger in her chest and her moon-rimmed eyes snap to Tychon. Sharp retorts spring to her mind and the younger princess would not have stopped them from flowing freely, but her years of study as a diplomat had finally paid off and her gaze softens. Can she blame some of them for thinking she was taking advantage of the situation? This was not how things were supposed to go, and while it angered her that some might assume she was actually glad of her mother’s serious injuries cut her to the quick she could still understand the assumption.

Quietly she waits until the flow of wolves into the pack meeting place slows and everyone quiets almost as one entity looking to her expectantly and it is Niviaq who finally asks what they are all thinking. She nods, her refined features softening as she looked out at the pack, her pack. “Some of you know what has happened and some do not so I will start from the beginning. During the recent pack hunt of a bull elk my mother was injured rather severely in an effort to save one of our own from the same fate or worse. The healers believe she will recover given time and rest, but as always, her first thoughts are for the safety and wellbeing of the pack and as she is not able to protect our boarders she elected to step down as Queen.”

Her eyes flicked to Tychon, placing great inflection on the fact that this had been Daenerys’ idea and not her own. “Naturally many of you would then expect to see my sister Nymeria standing in front of you today, as would I have. However she has become greatly trouble by our mother’s injuries which she witnessed during the hunt. I am sure many of you can understand how that may be traumatic and so she has requested to stay with our Mother and tend to her needs as she fights for recovery. At which point the choice came to me. I had been training as Hand until this point to serve my mother and later my sister when the time came, but the option now fell to me to pick up the mantle of Protector of the Realm. I couldn’t not stand to watch the mountains fall to someone who did not know them, who does not love them and those who reside within our borders as our family does. I agreed not because I wanted the crown, but because I want to see our way of life, and all of you with it, continue on.”

She paused letting her words sink into the thick atmosphere. She had not intended on making such a speech, but it was too late to turn back now. “I have every intention of continuing the work my mother started and ensuring that Spirane is always well protected and kept safe. I was born on these mountains and I have spent almost the entirety of my life on their slopes, and while I may not be perfect I promise you that I would give every measure of who I am to keep them as they are. It is my goal to continue what my mother has begun, and I hope that those who served under her with whatever title and that those who were working toward ranks will consent to work with me as well.” She smiled genuinely, sweeping her gaze out across all that had come here today. “Together we are strong, together we can do anything and I hope you are willing to work with me to better Spirane for us all. I will gladly answer any questions you may have and I am more than happy to meet with anyone in private as well.” She opened the floor to them now hoping that they would receive her well.