It was a truly delicious afternoon.

Kairos could hear him stalking her, for all he tried not to make a sound, but she pretended not to notice. He was indeed as quiet as a pup of his age could possibly be, and she was proud of him even in this small way, her grin flashing in the darkness. A growl came tumbling out of the shadows a moment before its bearer, and the tri-hued female pulled back sharply into the light outside, feigning fear, after which she allowed her expression to relax when Dirge spoke. With a motherly air, she put her head down and licked his muzzle, pleased at his reaction, but when she spoke she did not sugar-coat the truth, “It's hot outside, little brother, and we are going to be travelling far. Do you think you'll be able to keep up?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away, expecting him to follow, for the blood that flowed through his veins would demand he take up her whispered challenge.

The sound of his paws skittering behind her brought yet another indulgent grin to her face, and she kept her strides short, but she did not slow down for him. He would have to learn that the world would not wait for him to be ready, he would have to expect change before it happened and acclimatize accordingly. It was a form of tough love, but a king could expect nothing less, if he wished to grow up strong and proud. They walked for an hour or so, Kairos pausing every now and then under the pretence of testing the wind, to allow her sibling a few well-deserved breathers. Still, it was hard going and, by the time they reached the cliffs, even Kairos was panting heavily.

Her plan had been for them to climb to the top, but she supposed that neither of them would make the climb without a rest, and so she lay in the shadow of the rock-face, her body flopping down onto the cold stone gratefully. She cast a glance at her ward, ensuring his health, before inviting him to lie beside her with an impatient flick of her muzzle. Taking his obedience as a given, she shut her eyes and began to speak, her voice breathy in between her heavy panting, “Now, Dirge, has mother or father ever told you about the Gods?” She did not believe in beating around the bush, and her influence would hopefully aid her young prince in recognising the virtues of honesty.

OOC: sorry it's a bit short, it will get longer. Also I hope you don't mind my tiny bit of power-play. I can edit it out if you'd like, but I didn't think Dirge wouldn't follow her, so I thought it a safe thing to assume he would:)