Deathbelle sauntered easily to the meeting place within the redwater rocks. This place was their home for the last half a year and so much had happened in that time. She tried not to dwell on the losses and difficulties. Instead she focused on the accomplishments of the Empire. They were expanding in more ways than one. They were now two packs strong, and new life would be welcomed within the moon. Ashen was thriving.

With the change of Spring to Summer came the lessening of the volcano’s violence. It was settled enough they could move to their new home. The Ashen Empire’s final home. Preparations would begin and before her sister gave birth they would be home.

Deathbelle tipped back her flower crowned head and called for the pack and the Empire to appear before her.

Harbringr was getting ahead of himself. The volcano was finally starting to settle down and whispered rumors said they could be leaving soon. Hari was more than ready. He had packed up a number of winter items that he wouldn't need going into the season as well as weapons he'd made. Some items he couldn't bring like his kiln but he and Ari could make a new one when they arrived. He was working on cleaning up his spears when he heard his sister's call. Oh, please, let it be time to move!

Hari called out to Ari and Costanza and then took off running to answer the call. He was quick to arrive and even quicker to settle down. His ebony tail wrapped around his paws as he fidgeted, anxious for the meeting to start.

Illustrious and heart warming tones filled his one and a half ears. Instantly the albino ghoul raised from his resting spot to bound towards the summons. Beaming optics took in the passing wilderness as he knew their time in the territory would be coming to an end soon. Pink pads fell upon the healing earth with an abrasive rhythm mimicking war drums. No longer did his leg cause an un even step for it was nearly completely healed. After a very long day of training and patrolling he may feel fatigue and mild soreness. But, there was no limp. The only evidence of his previous break would be the scarring on the limb. It did not tank long for the phantom to arrive. Wind swept fur rested as strides slowed and those haunting eyes rested upon that of his familia. Feasting upon the delightful image of his Empress before moving his attention towards Har. A smirk swept across devilish lips as the beast moved to embrace his sister. "Ravishing as always, my Empress." If allowed, he'd tear away to close the distance between himself and Har. A gentle nuzzle if his brother was accepting, as well as a firm nod. "Brother." Hannibal would then move to settle in at the forefront as both a high ranking member of the pack and a spectator.

Lucretia arrived shortly after, surely her mate and perpetual shadow not far behind. The prospect of moving again had slightly soured her spirits. She had spent a long time making a home in the cave by Wolfpaw Lake, but she was willing to hear her sister out as Empress. There was always a higher purpose. Luce was sure that her sister wouldn't put the pack through any more distress than necessary. The shamyn gave greetings to her other brothers that had arrived and settled down a distance away from Deathbelle. She made sure to leave space for Bourbon at her side. Although she was obviously pregnant, she hadn't flaunted the matter outside of a private meeting her the Empress to inform her of the condition. Ashen would soon be swarming with new life once again.

Although she'd grown distant from the land of the living, she knew it was still required that she came when her mother called. Begrudgingly she tore herself away from the pile of bird bones she had arranged on the ground. Patiently, she had waited for them to speak to her but heard nothing. Cala was desperate to return to the spiritual realm and she hoped that, whatever the summons was for, she could soon get back to her "independent studies." The antlered princess made her way to the meeting, her posture tense. Sitting through these gatherings were still boring. Her teenage angst was impossible to disguise. She arrived wearing a grimace and settled in nearby her mother, eyes alert for her other siblings. Things had been somewhat strained since Belle had summoned them to discuss their future. They all seemed to want different things, and some of them didn't seem to know what they wanted at all... unless they weren't telling the truth. Calamity was naturally suspicious, even if she was unfaltering loyal to her siblings.

Pestilence tried her best to be the first of her siblings to arrive, but as she neared the meeting point she saw Calamity's distinctive silhouette and slowed her rushed pace. Disappointment was clear in her face and ears, and she huffed a little at her sister's speed. If she wanted to be a warlord, she had to be there first like Sirius always had been. To answer her mother's call with so much haste that if there was an attacker, that she'd be safe.

She dragged herself forward into the ground and sat beside Cala, casting her sister an unsure glance. Pestilence was tired of being mad at her siblings and missed them terribly, but how could she stand their company when all they wanted was to pursue fairy-tales and religion? She kept her mouth shut, turned towards her mother and waited.

Plague was napping when the summoning song filled his den. It was a small den and rather minimalistic. The male spent time in his mother's abode or near it but he enjoyed his own peace. He had made a small cavern in the rocky walls of their temporary home his own. A singular Deer fur and a few bits and bobs lined the walls. There was not much room for anything more or anyone else. It was perfect for the reclusive sapling but soon he would have to pack up and leave. It was evident Ashen was not destined for the Redwater Rocks and he could only assumed that within the next season they'd relocate. With a soft sigh the hefty adolescent moved towards the meeting sight. Massive paws carried his ever growing body with ease. Plague was eager but not overly so in his trek. He seemed to always practice easy breathing and self awareness when moving. One day he hoped he'd be able to approach another so silently he could be a mere fur length away and they wouldn't know. But, those were mere goals and as of now he would just focus on not panting loudly when traveling in the warmer seasons. Upon arrival Plague scanned those already in attendance. The Empress of course, two of his sisters, two of his Uncles, and one of his many aunts. He felt thankful that he was not horribly late and slithered to sit near his siblings. Nods were sent forth to the two gal's before his inquisitive gaze idly rested upon his mother.

"Speech", "Lilith"

Recluse groaned, ears twitching blearily as she blinked against the light coming in through her den. Lilith was raised up, her tongue flicking against Recluse's nose. Okay so she'd probably slept through something. Recluse rolled onto her back, wiggling her spine against the ground and stretching it out. Then she slowly rose to her paws, stretching each of her limbs and shaking the sleep out of them. Lilith wrapped herself around Recluse's right wrist. The pair left the den, Recluse blinking against the sun and narrowing her eyes.

"It was a howl, I don't know what for. Sounded feminine, not sure who it was." Lilith's low, whisper-soft voice reached Recluse's ears as the snake coiled her way up to Recluse's shoulder's her ebony head hovering near the girl's left ear.

"Probably my aunt." Recluse said. She took off at a trot, she was relying more on her nose than anything else as the stone territory wasn't exactly helpful to her poor day sight. The smells of several of her family congregating were hard to miss. Recluse also couldn't miss the gathering visually, even with so much of the world being blurry for her right now. She could make out the scent of her father further up and the girl suppressed a growl. She settled herself among the group, closer to her aunt but clearly apart from her father, she closed her eyes to give them a bit of a rest from the pain of the light, her ear perked though to make it clear she was listening for whatever it was her aunt would say.

Art by petitecanine

Deathbelle smiled brightly as Harbringr strode in confidently and settled down with his companions. Her attention was quickly brought to Hannibal as he offered her an embrace and his silver tones. She held back to him, but relinquished as he moved to sit nearer to Hari. Lucretia and Bourbon appeared and settled next, she was starting to really show her pregnancy now. She offered her a smile as Calamity walked in with Pestilence right behind her.

Venom slithered up behind her as Plague sat near his other two sisters and Recluse made herself visible as well. Deathbelle grinned and felt a bit of pride in the wolves who appeared before her.

”Thank you for coming everyone.” She started, her lilac gaze flicking from each wolf’s gaze. They could gather the rest of the pack as they began their trip. ”The volcano had finally settled enough for the Empire to take up its final home. We will lay down deep roots in the southern lands and continue our march.” With that she tilted back her head and called out again for the pack as well as the Armada.

Pestilence gasped audibly, her ears perking forward to catch the Empress' words. Home? HOME? She got to her feet quickly, turning to throw herself at Calamity in an excited and brief embrace. "We're going home!" She echoed, grinning madly. Up and down like a puppy she bounded, pulling away from her sister as suddenly as she'd moved to hug her and vibrating with energy. It was during her excitement that their mother's latter words sunk in, and slowly her smile faded. "Wait, south?" The princess questioned, lifting a paw and pointing it towards the direction she knew the continent's southern shore was. "Pretty sure Wolfpaw Lake is almost as west as west can go, not south." What the hell was her mother talking about? Pestilence thought she was going home.

Toxicity slid into the meeting quietly as her mother started speaking. She said the pack was ready to move to it's final home. Pesto somehow got this confused with their original home. No, Toxicity was happier going south. She didn't want to return there. Going back and not seeing her father there waiting for them might be the thing that could tear Toxicity's slowly steeling heart into two. She tossed a glance in her sister's direction, not sure if she felt sad or annoyed at the misunderstanding.

"Going there won't solve anything," She said, her voice quivering slightly. It wouldn't bring her father back. It wouldn't be the same. "That place isn't home anymore..."

The idea of going somewhere ELSE. The idea of a new land. That was the dull glimmer of hope at the end of the monochromatic tunnel of Toxicity's life. The thought brought a small tugging motion at the corners of her lips.

"We can make a new home..."