The crisp change of fall brought about a sudden change. All around leaves had turned quickly from bright green to deep hues of red and orange. Their colors almost matched her coat; just a few shades deeper and she would blend in perfectly. Yet, the deepening chill seemed to rattle her bones more than it did last year. Thin and small of frame, Audra was one of few that didn't fare well in the winter. Preferring to stick to warmer climates, she searched for the hot springs that she had heard some others talking about in her travels. Weary of strangers, she tended to stray away from others, even if her heart longed to belong somewhere. Her honey brown eyes peered over the cliff edge in curiosity. A sharp breeze rustled her coat as she took a few tentative steps down the layered edges. With toes splaying out, claws digging in softly to the dirt, Audra made her way down beside the quickly falling water. The lower she went, the warmer it felt. Without the sparse underbrush to leave her open to the elements at the top of the waterfall, she felt safer. Her tailed curled over her hips, ears turned forward as the dirt and grass leveled out. Around her pools of warm water bubbled and steam permeated the cooler Autumn air. Tendrils of breath curled from her nose when she paused, glancing around first to ensure she was alone. It wasn't that she wanted to be alone, but typically alone was safer here. From the shadows, she had seen many bloodsheds - from hunts to near-death fighting. Alone since a young age, mainly from the elements killing her small family off, trust was not in her vocabulary. Audra's body relaxed when she was sure that for now, she was alone to relax and warm her body. Slipping quietly into a small pool of hot springs, her eyes closed for a moment. Settling about shoulder deep, she leaned against the muddy edge, resting her chin on the grassy surface while her tail swished back and forth. I never want to leave this. Her thoughts trailed off as she dozed.

He was headed home after a long night of light sleep and long morning of drying shark meat into strips throughout. Baskets bounced against his sides, straps draped over the top of his armor, as he scaled the cliffs, pausing at the top of the falls to cast a last look back toward the coast, glimmering under the sun to the east. To the west, down the falls, lay the springs, and farther beyond, a long walk home to his duties. Winter was nipping at the heels of Fall, and the fresh jerky would add to the pack’s larder. He’d tried some of the meat and found it to be alright, but he preferred the blood-rich meat from bison. Breathing in the crisp air he let it out and began picking his way down the trail, Chrysta, perched on his back, swiveling her head, pale eyes watchful, if squinted against the light of the day. Barn Owls were naturally nocturnal, but she bore the dazzling light of day for her friend. Enito brought up the rear, strapped with two more baskets of jerky and using a driftwood stick as a staff to steady himself down the steep trail. When Cairo spotted the tawny timber head of a wolf poking from one of the outlying pools of the hotsprings, his pace stumbled to a stop, heart leaping with hope. Then he realized the features weren’t right, and the hope sank back, blowing out on a quiet breath as he moved forward again, picking out a path that would take him at a respectful distance from the woman. She seemed comfortable, dozing, and he was unwilling to disturb her on his way through. Internally, he was kicking himself a bit. It wasn’t Lia. He refused to believe the Armada’s Reaper was dead. Wherever she was, she’d be back, itching for another sparring session or game of tag. Maybe even a bison hunt. Maybe they could share campfire stories with Mortis. She would come back, in time. But this girl wasn’t her, and Cai was content to leave her be and go on his way. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

A subtle breeze whipped at her nose, bringing a sudden chillier presence to the air. Had winter really come this soon? Did the warm climate of the shores she usually hid out in fool her? Worry creased her brow as she refused to believe that soon snow would be upon the ground. Without a pack or anywhere to call home, she might actually be in trouble this time around. No, I'll make it through. Audra insisted to herself as the sound of paws against dirt and a stick clicking into the ground caught her attention. Careful not to startle, she did not want to draw too much attention to herself. Swiveling one ear in the direction of the sound, she became curious as it was definitely more than one animal, but only one sounded to be that of a wolf. Peeking one honey-colored eye in their direction, Audra tilted her chin for a better look. What she saw made her more curious but also terrified her all in one go. The wolf she saw was... beautiful, but to her, he was also monstrously tall. Only standing at 24" herself, he had to be a foot taller than her. On top of him, the owl was beautiful too, but she had never seen a monkey like the one that walked beside him before. Quietly gasping in awe, Audra's stomach rumbled as her gaze trailed over the stacks of meat on their backs. Food, so much food. He must belong to a pack. Her hopes turned sour for a moment. A pack had never wanted her before, but she hadn't eaten any substantial protein in a few days. With her small frame and lack of muscles, hunting game was difficult; relying mostly on berries and herbs was her specialty. Should she gather the courage and ask? Or would she let them go on their way? Night would fall soon and maybe having protection at least until morning would give her better chances at surviving in an area that was new to her. "Sir," Audra called out meekly, quickly slipping out of the hot springs, her eyes soft and weary. Shaking off excess water, she kept her distance but moved a few paces closer to catch up to them. "I don't mean to be a bother, but I-I-" her voice trailed off as she looked down, her tail tucked between her legs. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to ask. It wasn't her place to be asking for handouts.

It seemed he’d broken the younger wolf from her nap, as soon enough a soft voice called out, with the slosh of water and scattering drops. Cairo came to a stop, turning back to look with his typical smile – gentle, genuine – deep sapphire eyes curious as he took her in. Hope, shame. Though her fur had been fluffed out from the shake she’d given herself, it was still easy to see she was less sleek and more along the lines of thin, and he could guess that she was hungry. Gently, his bi-chocolate tail swayed at his hocks, and he gave an unoffended tilt of his head. “You’re no bother, Lady. I hope I didn’t disturb your rest. What do you need?” Slowly, he lowered himself, settling on his belly like a sphynx, putting them on a level with each other, and removing the need for the woman to crane her neck, and the sense of his height looming. His hind legs remained tucked beneath himself, ready to spring if she, for some reason, turned the tables and attacked him, but his initial read of her temperament didn’t suggest she’d be either desperate or dumb enough to try him, an armored pack wolf with two companions with him, one being a monkey with a hard stick. He also hoped it would remove some pressure from her, showing that he was willing to hear her out and wasn’t in a hurry. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Audra half expected him to keep walking. Hesitant, but surprised when he stopped and turned at the sound of her voice, she took a half step back at a moment. It was one thing to have one pair of eyes on her, but three pairs made her heart drop into her stomach. Swallowing quietly, she felt a bit more relaxed when his gentle smiled appeared on his lips. So kind of him. Her thought rang out as the mysterious stranger laid down on his belly, his face at level with her's. The tip of her tail rose slightly, wagging for a moment as he assured her she wasn't a bother and that he was the one hoping to not have disturbed her. "Oh no, no, I was just trying to warm up a bit. Now that I notice it's chilly, I don't believe that was such a good idea..," Audra's voice trailed off as her eyes wandered to his armor and collection of meat. Her skin crawled with a shiver as her stomach insisted that she ask for his food. I doubt he would share, but I'm awfully hungry. Her ears dipped down again, discouraged by her unconfident thoughts. How was she going to get by in this world if she was never brave? Intaking a deep breath, she looked at his bright, sapphire eyes. "I was wondering..," she hesitated for a moment, scratching a paw into the dirt as she glanced down. Suddenly losing her moment of bravery, she swallowed hard and shook her tawny face. "Okay, I was just wondering if maybe you had a small scrap of meat you might be able to spare?" The words spilled like the water that raced over the falls. Not daring to look at him, no matter how open and inviting his gesture was, Audra was afraid of the denial. "You-you c-can say no," she whispered finally, eyes gently looking up to peek at him, her heart racing back into her chest.

A chuckle huffed in his chest as she assured him that he hadn’t disturbed her, nodding in agreement at her observation. He didn’t have an extra cloak with him, or he might have offered it, and he didn’t miss the trailing glance she gave the baskets. Definitely hungry. Her timid request came as no surprise, and Cairo smiled gently. “I don’t see why not.” He twisted around, nosing under the baskets instead to dig his muzzle into the pouch beneath them. The freshly preserved shark meat was for the pack, but the packet, one of several tucked away, contained his personal travelling food, which he was free to use however he wished, whether it was to cook it, or share it with a fellow traveler along the way. He dropped the packet between them at his paws, using the sharpened bear claw of his middle toe on the right paw to break the beeswax seal and hook out several strips of bison jerky, nudging them to the woman. “I’m Cairo Adravendi, Sentinel – or Beta, if you will – of Valhalla. It’s a pack in the west of this continent, Boreas.” His tone was comfortable, by now accustomed to the pronouncement of his rank, but not at all arrogant or conceited. It had taken months for him to adjust to the honor he’d worked so hard to achieve, and had thought still so far ahead of him. He hadn’t expected to rise so far until he was at least six. It was an achievement he hadn’t been able to share with Malalia, but that day would come eventually. At some point, maybe Caelia would join him as a Beta, taking the Lodestar rank. She’d lagged behind in training, her reserved nature seemingly inhibiting her path. He could only hope that his sister would find her way again. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Her eyes widened as he turned to retrieve a small parcel from an inner pouch she hadn't noticed before. Bewildered at his kindness, Audra sat, quietly waiting to see what was inside. In the next moment, her honey-brown eyes widened even more as she noticed the large claws on his paw. Holy smokes those are some daggers. She exclaimed in her head, slightly worried that any moment he really could take her down in one swing. Gulping almost audibly, her fear was forgotten the moment the smell of the bison jerky hit her black nose. Before she dared move to accept the food offering, his voice spoke out introducing himself. Looking back at him with her stomach grumbling, her eyes widened once again. "You're a Beta? Of a pack?" The words fell from her lips before she could think. Pinning her ears at the inner scrutiny of her rudeness, she gave a quick shake of her head. "My apologies Cairo Adravendi, I d-don't mean to be rude. I am Audra, of uh, uhm no pack. I suppose they call that a Loner," she shrugged, trying to brush off the dismay she felt from having nowhere to call home. "It's a pleasure meeting you. You're very kind," Audra hesitated for a moment, remembering the strips of bison jerky he had nudged in her direction. Leaning carefully forward so she could grasp a piece between her teeth, her mouth began to water the instant she could taste it on her tongue. "Thank you for the food. I-I am definitely in debt to you," she said with a smile, gingerly chewing on the jerky to savor every bite of it. "It's so good," the wolf mumbled as she too laid down, her thin front legs stretching out in front of her.

Far from finding it rude, Cai gave a soft chuckle, nodding. “It took me a long time to adjust to the new promotion. I expected not to reach Sentinel until I was six, at least.” To her apologies, his head cocked, shaking slightly as he added, “And it’s no offense, not in the slightest. It’s good to meet you, Audra.” She began eating and he chewed through a second strip of his own, flashing a quick grin at her compliment. “I dried it myself. It’s bison. I added a bit of honey, too. Good added source of flavor and energy.” He hadn’t missed her dismay at her status of Loner, and his sapphire eyes took her in curiously, before he asked lightly, “What would you look for in a pack that would you would consider a good home?” Winter might be harsh again, with how the last year had been, he wouldn’t be surprised if the world froze over once more. It was too early to tell for certain, and he knew Aurielle had held off from beginning a second litter for worry the winter would be too harsh for new lives. As thin as Audra was, he supposed she must not be a talented hunter. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Audra listened intently to Cairo's words. He was very nice and that made her happy. It was pleasant to have found someone who wasn't mean to start. Most others she brushed by would generally scoff at her. Who wanted to socialize with her anyway? Forcing herself to steer away from demeaning thoughts, the small she-wolf smiled at him as she reached for her second piece of bison jerky. "The honey definitely is a nice touch!" She exclaimed between bites. It wasn't too sweet but added a delicate flavor that coated her tongue. Her tail wagged gently at his question. This made her thoughtful. What did she look for in a pack? The idea never crossed her mind because she'd never believed she'd find one. Packs were deep-rooted in their family ties; most found it hard to be accepting of newcomers. Sighing, Audra glanced up at the sky. Winter really was moving in quickly. Perhaps, she could survive another one alone. But if indeed, it was akin to last year's winter, she might not. "I su-suppose a pack that is k-kind and helpful," the words left her mouth quietly as she finished her last swallow of jerky. Looking back down to Cairo, her smile faded. She'd had a family at one point, but they were long gone now. It made her feel shy again, worried that he might judge her. "I-I know you're not blind, it would be obvious to-to find a pack that is strong and p-protective," her voice faltered as she cast her gaze away to the waterfall. Listening to the bubbling hot springs a moment, she wished it wouldn't be awkward to retrieve some of the plants from her satchel. As of late, she had relied on Motherwort to get her through her nervousness, but she didn't want him thinking she was rude. It wasn't that he made her nervous, no. The topic alone about what she wanted out of the future made her sad and hesitant.

He grinned lightly, nodding at the compliment, and as she gave her answer to his query, his paws crossed neatly, ears perked as he listened. A place of safety, was what he read into the words. Her nerves, seemingly having eased with the small talk, had returned, and he wondered what must have occurred to birth the nervous nature in the first place. Had she always been cautious, or had life shaped her? Gently, he stated, “I may be biased, but I can think of no better home to reside in but Valhalla. I can tell you a bit about us, if you’d like to walk and talk. I’d imagine your muscles would like the warmth of movement.” The day was waning, and he was well aware of the chill seeping into the air, but he waited for Audra to pick. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Cairo did not seem to be affected by her nervous demeanor. How did she get so lucky to find such a friendly new friend? Were they friends now? Could they be friends? That was one thing she almost longed for the most, almost as much as a place to call home. So when his question hung energetically in the air, it took all of her being not to jump up. Suddenly, her nervousness was gone at the prospect of learning about his pack. He was the Beta after all so he must know a lot about them. With her ears pricked forward, she looked into his sapphire blue eyes. A smile draped across her lips. "V-Valhalla, such a strong name for a pack," Audra said in a quiet tone, now noticing how much chillier the air had become. "A walk do-does sound nice," she nodded curtly once her decision had been made. Stretching her paws out for a moment to give her muscles a chance to warm up, she stood. Shaking out her coat in hopes it would retain more heat than usual, she wagged her tail, eager to find out more about his home. "Lead the way," Audra chirped, hardly containing her excitement.

The prospect of learning seemed to turn the woman’s mood around, and he smiled faintly at her remark, nodding. “It’s steeped in a lot of history in this continent.” He let her rise first, following shortly with a stretch of his own and taking the lead, padding through the springs, considering before he began. “Valhalla values hard work and loyalty, unity, honor and family. Should you join, you would be expected to learn the very basics of fighting, for self-defense. In short, everyone is supposed to learn the basics of healing and fighting, so that they have a chance of tending injuries in the field, and protecting themselves against dangers, whether predator or wolf. Even if they don’t specialize in either skill.” He tipped his head back, twisting to peer around the baskets as Chrys took off, drifting above the springs to keep a watch out. Enito trailed behind, moving steadily. “I take it you have an interest in healing?” He nodded to the satchel she carried with a half grin. He carried a first air kit of his own in one of the pour large pouches buckled to his armor, hidden under the baskets. “Valhalla values intellect and especially initiative. As long as everyone makes some measure of effort toward the wellbeing of the pack, they are welcome.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Being considerably shorter than the male wolf, Audra kept up a brisk walk to stay shoulder to shoulder to him, keeping a two feet distance between them. Her ears twisted as she listening to the soft slapping of his pack, the rhythmic thud of his monkey's friend stick behind him, and even the far-off flap of his bird's wings. As night began to fall, stars began to peek out from behind rolling clouds. Her coat puffed out slightly, bringing in the warmth that the movement of their paws brought. Listening intently to his words, her mind stilled as he described his pack and their duties. Their values sounded perfect for her, but the fighting part was intimidating. Healing, yes, she could easily and quickly learn medicine and how to care for injuries. But fighting? Audra swallowed hard at the thought of herself bringing harm to someone else. Of course, if it was necessary to fend off a predator or catch small game, that she understood. Eating was important and protecting oneself went without a doubt. She wasn't sure she could fight someone though. Thankful that he changed the subject and asked about her interest in healing, she was glad she didn't have to bring up the topic about fighting skills. She smiled in his direction with a nod of her head. The satchel around her neck felt warm in the evening chill, pride washing over her. "Yes, I-I want to be a really good healer one day. I want to help others," Audra responded quietly, slightly shy about admitting her passions. She still felt hesitant though when he mentioned that any were welcome if they made an effort to the pack's wellbeing. How could he be so sure that the rest of his pack would welcome her? If she did want to join? What if they didn't like her? What if she wasn't good enough? Her smile faded into a small grimace as her mind raced. "Your pack sounds wonderful, and I am a quick learner, but..," Adura's words trailed off as she wasn't how to finish her sentence. This all felt like it was happening so fast. What if it was a trap? How could it be a trap? He was too nice. He shared food with me. The thoughts continued to roll around in her head as they walked through the brush.

He was generally a good judge of character, and he hadn’t missed her intense apprehension at the talk of learning to fight. He didn’t push on the topic, not yet, instead grinning at her admission, tail sweeping in a slow wag of approval. “That is an admirable goal in life.” He listened as she spoke, and as she trailed off, he paused, meeting her eyes directly, giving an earnest smile. “You are welcome to stay the winter, and, should you decide to follow a path that leads beyond Valhalla, my Queen, Aurielle, will never force you to stay. Nor would you be thrown out on your ear for the slightest transgression. She is fair, and she is just. In the end, your voice, and your choice, are your own, and they matter.” His voice was low, gentle, and he padded forward, letting her keep pace with him if she wished. Often, he found, thinking went better with movement. He wouldn’t be insulted if his offer was denied, though he’d do what he could to send Audra on with a better chance of fending for herself. He had spare packets and jars of first aid herbs and salves, though his previous glance at her satchel did leave him wondering if it would fit them. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

There was no hesitation in her paw steps in following Cairo away from the falls and to wherever he was leading them. Her heart raced for a moment as she toyed with the idea of belonging to a pack. But her worry was still there as she wondered if the rest of them would like her. That was important to her - she wanted to avoid conflict as much as possible. Showing Cairo a small smile in return, Audra nodded her head. It at least would be stupid of her to refuse the offer to stay with them through the winter. Even if it was going to be a mild one, she still would fare better in numbers. "Your Queen sounds delightful," Audra mused, her mind racing as she wondered what this Aurielle looked like. "I-I will accept your offer to stay the winter," her voice is quiet as she tucks her chin. "I believe a trial run will do best for now as I wouldn't want to overstep any boundaries in case your pack ends up not liking me," she was honest with her words. The small she-wolf believed in her heart that most wolves scoffed at her because she was short, thin, and not very strong. How could she possibly be of any use if they were to get raided or a giant bear crossed their paths? Any time someone showed their fangs, she typically turned tail and ran. "I truly appreciate you, Cairo Adravendi. Your kindness makes me believe that there really is hope for our world. I wish to one day repay you." Audra turned her chin to look at his sapphire eyes with her honey-brown ones, a bigger smile now playing at the corners of her cheeks.