DotW: Finding Allies - Part 2

Aaron’s gorge was easily one of the most awe-inspiring - and treacherous - places in Aryn territory. Especially now, with the spring melt feeding its current and making the rocky precipices all the more dangerous. Even Athena, who had always been surefooted, paid attention to where she placed her paws.

Today she patrolled with Adrian, a choice she had made specifically with the intent of getting to know her prodigal nephew better. It was as much for her as for him. Every time the alphess looked at Adrian, it was like looking at Hedge himself. Father and son were so alike in temperament and mannerism, she could not shake nagging unsettlement in the back of her mind every time he spoke, or even walked past her. Especially now, with that arrogant tilt of his head and stubborn silence. The apple did not fall far the from the tree, it would seem.

He could not seem to forgive her for scolding him. Athena had warned the Vicar to mind his tongue, and Adrian had reacted with almost complete and utter muteness toward her, ever since. “This is hardly lordlike”, she remarked, yet another appeal for him to end his childish performance. “I brought you out here to settle this dispute.” Lunging up a narrow incline, she paused at the peak for him to follow. “If there is to be war with Blutwald, we must be able to rely on each other, Adrian. We cannot afford to go about squabbling like woodgrouse whenever a packmate ruffles our feathers.”

She waited for his reply - even an eye roll, so long as she knew he was still listening. Then a howl reached her ears, echoing off the canyon’s walls. The voice of a foreigner, and very near. Her grey eyes narrowed. “Did you hear that?” Either expecting or waiting for an answer, the alphess sprang across the rocky ground towards the border.


Adrian had been following his aunt - and alphess - in the most pure silence since she had asked him to accompany her patrol. Normally, a threat like the one he had received would not cause such extreme action from him, and even he didn’t understand at first why he wanted to act like that. After a night of meditation though he concluded that it was just a wounded pride. He used to pick his fights carefully, but receiving such treatment in front of the rest of the pack was more than his maturity could handle. And he was not satisfied with it, but willing to not give up so easily. His apology to Charaka was to avoid unpleasantness with Alexandro, otherwise, he would not even bother.

Aaron’s Gorge was, at least, a place where they would hardly find another pack member, and he was getting really acquainted to the dangerous slippery rocks - it was his sleeping place. The main den and it’s residents were not attractive. Also, he could act as a nephew instead of needing to hold stupid formalities in front of the others. He truly loathed any needed display of submission.

Aware of Athena’s constant efforts into getting him talk, but at the same time more worried about his own thoughts, the grey Vicar raised his narrowed blue gaze to the she-wolf when she spoke again, waiting for him in the rocks above. She proceeded to talk as he peacefully made his way behind her, and when he finally parted his maw to release a word instead of a grunt, a howl echoed in the walls coming from the grasslands beyond. The dark alphess sprinted in the direction of the sound, and he snorted in irritation. He just despised to exercise. Adrian darted in her heels, ears and nose now focused into finding the stranger who had called.

Thankfully, they didn’t needed to wait too much before the two callers came into view, waiting outside the marked borders. A small and delicate white female accompanied by a brutish adult she-wolf with scars in her front legs. Judging by their behavior, Adrian hardly believed they were loners. They did not trespass the territory by an inch. He slowed his pace, tail kept down so Athena could have the proper show of charge, but head and neck up anyways. “Looks like a diplomat and a bodyguard.” He muttered to his aunt, now walking at her side, obviously leaving the approach to the Alphess, but staying in his regal posture anyways.


As Nyru's call drifted to an end, Brunhilda could feel the tingle of anticipation race up her spine. It had been awhile since she had left the safety of Vale's territory and now boldly walking up this new and unknown territory was causing her blood to pump. Silenced seemed like the only answer to Nyru's call but Brunhilda knew better to assume that no one was there. Watchful eyes could be stationed just beyond the treeline, carefully judging their movements. She held herself with her head high, ears perked but kept her tail leveled. She wanted those of this unknown pack to understand they weren't looking for a fight but they would retaliate if needed.



Nyru sat in comfortable silence and let her hazel green eyes become fixed upon the landscape just beyond the border. It was beautiful. The newborn  leaves of the trees were a bright green and the wind carried the scent of flowers and fresh grass. She was sure this territory would be rich in prey when summer warmed the area. The scents and sounds of nature calmed her nerves and her ears only moved when Brunhilda shifted behind her. Despite their silence, she had come to trust her traveling companion and did not feel nervous around her.

Her call was not returned, but it seemed it would be answered. Two wolves appeared, one slightly larger than the other. A male and female? Nyru remained seated as she watched them come closer, her long, fluffy tail curling around her side almost like a cat. She held her own air of regality and calm as she waited for the pair to come within earshot. It was then that she spoke. Her voice was gentle, yet held an air of importance.  

“Good afternoon. I am Nyru and this is my companion, Brunhilda. We are here to deliver a message of peace. To whom do we have the pleasure of speaking to, and are you of a pack?”


“Yes.” Athena agreed quietly, keeping her eyes on the strangers. “But from where?” Keeping her tail level and her head high, the alphess slipped toward the two females on graceful paws, pausing a stride or so away to hear their greeting. She did not recognize the scent of the diplomats, but whether it was because it was unfamiliar or the two had been travelling so long, Athena couldn’t tell.

“Well met, Nyru, Brunhilda.” She replied, dipping her head to each in turn. Her eyebrows pursed at the declaration of peace. Aryn had had little enough of that. It intrigued her. “This is Vicar Adrian, and I am Athena, Lady of Aryn. You stand at our border. On whose behalf do you speak?”

Athena’s grey eyes studied the newcomers, gaining whatever insight she could. Well fed, both of them. Relaxed in each other’s company, which was more than Athena could say for herself and her own companion. Nyru and Brunhilda carried themselves with pride and confidence, and seemed to have some degree of training.



Her hazel green eyes studied the pair cautiously as they drew closer. Their gait was not aggressive and the female seemed calm and confident as she spoke. Her words filled Nyru with relief and joy as she confirmed their journey had been successful in finding another pack. Aryn. She remained calm and level-headed when she spoke again, though, and made sure her excitement was kept well hidden. After all, there was no guarantee these wolves would even be interested in any sort of alliance, so they were not in the clear just yet.

"A pleasure to meet you both," she said with her own small nod as Athena introduced herself and her companion. "I am speaking on behalf of Astir Faust, the alpha of Vale. To save my Lady her invaluable time, I will be swift in delivering my message. We are here in search of an alliance between our pack and, potentially, yours."

Nyru chose her words carefully, as she did not want to make any suggestion that Vale was somehow in need of an alliance. Such a proclamation could suggest they were in some way weakened or in need of protection. She also made sure she did not reveal Vale's location in case they were turned away. Nyru had already planned it out that they would take a longer route to get home and ideally throw off any wolf who may try and follow them back. She hoped his would not be a concern, but Nyru liked to think ahead and, first and foremost, protect her own pack and its location above all else.

"If this is something that would interest you, then we would humbly request an audience with you and your pack. It would allow us both to determine if an alliance is even possible between us, as we understand beliefs and values may differ. Of course, we respect your decision if you are not interested and we wish only to leave your borders in peace."


Adrian offered Nyru and Brunhilda a soft dip of his head when Athena introduced him, eyes wandering from one to another with hidden curiosity. Brunhilda remained quiet as the Alpha and Nyru exchanged formalities, just as he did. Until Nyru mentioned Vale. His eyes narrowed discreetly. He had heard of a new pack formed in the north of the domain, not so fresh as Aryn but still new.

He sent a quick glance to his Aunt with eyes that could only mean he knew something, and judging by the neutrality on his features, he was cool with it. Nyru looked intelligent and knew where she was stepping, and that was a positive point. He was just not entirely sure about Brunhilda.

As much he and Athena weren't on the best accords it was his duty as Vicar to have Aryn's interests in mind and not his personal family quarrels. "Our pack is built by family and tradition, Nyru." He stated with a soft tone that made clear he was not occupying the role that pertained to Athena, but merely his own. "We are bothers and sisters working together for the well-being of our members, and that we have in common with Vale as much I've heard, so I suppose we are even on interests."


Brunhilda gave a small nod of her head to as was required when greeted; she was never one for social formalities especially when it involved those of Rank. As Nyru explained why they were here, her eyes began to wandered away from the situation at hand; all this talking was beginning to bore her. What was the point of all this talk when actions and strength always showed a better impression. With that thought, she returned her eyes to the wolves of Ayrn. The shewolf calling herself Lady of Ayrn didn't look like much but the male showed more promise for a capable pack with power hidden behind it.

Shifting slightly on her paws, Brunhilda readied herself as Adrian gave his support to Vale's proposition. All that remained was the Ayrn alpha's approval or veto.


Making note of Adrian’s glance but not acknowledging it, Athena gave one more look over of the two shewolves, lingering somewhat longer on the red one with a sour face, before making her decision. Vale was not an unfamiliar name to her, either. “My Vicar speaks truly. Unity is what defines my family, and if your pack values the same then an alliance might benefit us both.”

There was great opportunity here, a blessing really. Athena would have to tread carefully and act tactfully to take advantage of it. She only hoped they would not be too skeptical once they saw what circumstances Aryn faced. War with Blutwald seemed a powerful deterrent… and might easily give these diplomats the wrong impression. Athena, however, had no intention of abusing the friendship of this neighboring pack. If her family could not defend itself in its own right, why should Vale care to associate them? No. They would see how strong her packmates were, young and few as they might be.

“Come, I’m sure you will want to see with your own eyes what Aryn has to offer.”