Whisper grinned as Cersei extracted herself from the mud and cleaned herself. The two were swiftly starting to become more comfortable. With ever motion and movement all of the tension of meeting a stranger started to dissipate out of her body. Side by side they walked, their paws squelching through mud, or padding on the dry dirt, depending on what the land decided to be at that time. Her ears swiveled to catch the woman’s stories, enjoying her voice and the piece she was painting. The timber of the tale changed and Whisper’s ears flicked. It sounded as though Iromar had been built on pride and war, snarls and bites. It broke the pale woman’s heart to feel as though the misty moors never had a chance to see the sun. Cannibals and possible murderers. Her eyes lidded sadly, wondering what her mother had done to try to fight against the foundations this pack had been built on.

As Cersei continued to speak, Whisper’s heart sank. With each leader Iromar seemed to sink further into darkness. Others viewed them as warmongers, prideful, or vicious. It seemed as though each of the leaders had fallen into the darkness they had brought into the world. Looking at Cersei, listening to her voice and feeling the comfort she felt around her, she could not believe this woman was a true follower of what these leaders had propagated. It was a conflict in her mind, but she understood one could still call a place home and feel the connection to a place even if one did not agree with the way that place was being led. Had she not continued to love her home even as she was imprisoned by Thorne?

Her head tilted to the side and she smiled softly as they came to the center of the packland, the higher ground where the flowers bloomed. I did not know who came after Andras, but my mother did. She spoke highly of Aithne. She held the pack at peace, but I don’t think the ‘pride’ ever left Iromar. After what you have told me, and from what I know about living here I don’t think truly soft souled wolves could live here. When she spoke these words Whisper had to take moment to reflect on herself. She had been shy and timid as a pup, even before her life had changed forever. Even so, she knew what she needed to know to keep herself alive in Iromar. As she thought deeper she wondered if she really was a true Iromarian, or if happenstance had just brought her to be born here. Aithne had encouraged her wolves to be strong, but kind and fair. If… gruff. My mother had been trained under her, to be strong and play to strengths. From what I was told, leadership of Iromar stayed within the family before the Traitor King took over. Her voice faltered a moment speaking about him. She had never met Aranck, but it was no secret what he had done. Aranck, was his name. He murdered Aithne and drove out everyone who was loyal to her. My mother fled with Aithne’s daughter and vowed vengeance. I do not know all of his crimes, but I know he would not hesitate to kill anyone in his way. My mother eventually came back and did end up killing him for his crimes. Her smile flickered back, trying to bring back the memory of the world her mother had tried to build. My mother had been welcoming. She taught us that there were some from different kinds of life, and they still deserved a chance. She encouraged laughter, but was still harsh and swift with punishment for those who would harm others. Pine had no patience for crimes against her people. She and my father, her mate and Imprint, ruled together until we were born. Then Blackthorne… he snuck in and drove them out by threatening my life and holding me hostage. His rule has been a dark time. He tortured us and with the help of many of Arack’s children kept the moors under a similar rule. Until he vanished and Avery returned.

Whisper finished her story and let quiet settle between them for a moment. I do not know Avery, but she welcomed us back despite who we were and who we were traveling with. She sighed a heavy breath. I hope with her we can start to at least dry the blood, and bring peace to those ghosts you speak of. Or at least protect the moors from the curses they had laid. One thing stuck out in Cerei’s tale the poked at Whisper’s interest. What was the Demon Code you spoke of?