She was scouting a bit further than she might normally make it, but these dangerous briars bordered her home. It was better to have a solid idea of the land than perhaps get caught by the enemy here in such dangerous lands. The bushes were almost too thick to navigate, but there were a few sparse, well worn paths through the wicked thorns.

The light was dimmed here, which was saying something with Venom exploring at such a late hour. Evening was swiftly approaching but within the thickets it could nearly be night. The Empress was far from worried about her safety here, her mind was more focused on the borders within which were full near to bursting. They had to speed up their acquisition of more land. The Empire demanded.

Venom slipped through the underbrush, sliding harmlessly past most of the grabbing branches, and finding her skin punctured with an occasional bite of the nasty plants.


"Venom"

Tej had gone off to hunt and take some time to himself, so Bowen did the same. She found herself in a place that was familiar. She'd been through here once before and, with her small frame, it was easy to pick her way through the rough terrain once more. She wasn't considered a master navigator for nothing. It was easy for the copper fae to read the land and know which paths would offer the least resistance as she trekked through the thorny vines.

Up ahead, a flash of darkness caught the woman's viridian eyes and she lightly stepped around a thicker clump of foliage, shielding herself from view until she could get a better look at the moving creature. Bowen blinked as she realized that it was a wolf, dark and flecked with white. There was something slightly familiar about the woman. Had they met before?

The small caramel cream fae picked her way through the briars, noting the tufts of dark fur clinging to the plants. The larger fae obviously wasn't having as easy a time on her journey. "Hello," she called out in sweet, friendly vocals. "Briars are thirsty things. If you stick to higher terrain that's closer to the sun and less dense, your going will be easier." Flashing a grin, the woman nodded her head in proper greeting. "Bowen Carpathius," she gave her name.

"Bowen"

Venom was both beauty and grace, but both qualities were dampened here within the cramped and hazardous brush her deficiencies were more apparent. Her fur snagged as she walked, though Venom did brush harmlessly past the majority she was not unscathed. To the point it seemed her trail was easy to follow. Movement caught the corner of her eye, the Empress thought for a moment it was just one of the small songbirds that ruled these lands here. As her white gloved paws carried her forward there was another glimpse and the second time she knew that she was no longer alone.

The sound of a pawstep and then a voice confirmed Venom’s assumption, and the greeting had her halting within the bramble bushed. For a moment she hesitated in turning to face the woman, but with less hassle than anticipated Venom managed to face the caramel and cream she wolf. "Thanks for the advice, but I don’t foresee there being enough difference to matter, not that I can get off the path I’m set upon either.” She tried not to think about the deeper meaning or life implications of her words. There was no metaphor.

"I assume a relative of Artorias?” She asked in return as she mentioned her name in greeting. "Venom Klein Abraxas, Empress of Ashen.” She thought for a moment, struck by an idea. "If you aren’t a part of the Hallows, perhaps I can convince a Master Navigator as yourself for assistance?” Ashen was missing a strong leader in those skills, Bowen was obviously no novice.


"Venom"

"Oh, I don't know. I imagine we could get you on the right path." Green eyes scanned their surroundings and Bo took a few calculated steps before placing her paw on the base of one of the thorn bushes. It bent a bit and, on the other side, was a clear path that would be wide enough for the larger woman to traverse for a time.

Ears perked as Artorias was mentioned. The copper and snow lady smiled and nodded. "Artorias is my brother." Brother and more, but that wasn't meant for outside ears. It was no ones business aside from hers, Arts and Briars. The woman gave her name and title and Bowen nodded in acceptance. An Empress. She'd heard of Ashen enough times to know what the woman was speaking of.

Venom surprised her by asking for aid. Ears shifted forward to catch the fae's words. She needed the assistance of a master navigator? "I'm just on my way back to The Hallows, actually. I could spare some time to assist. What did you need?" One brow arched as she questioned the speckled fae.

"Bowen"

Venom wasn’t one to easily trust a stranger, but the scenario was slightly different with the woman before her. She watched as the caramel and cream girl revealed another path with minimal efforts, but the Empress remained skeptical. Having more faith in her own understanding caused her to be hesitant, especially in such a place as this. That was the big question though, could she put her reservations behind her and trust this woman? With her needs, Venom had to put her faith in another. Artorias was trustworthy, and was held in high esteem so the Empress would give her the benefit of the doubt.

For now a path further into the brambles were ignored as she spoke and watched as surprise appeared over Bowen’s features. "You’re kind to entertain me,” Venom started before revealing her true needs. "Ashen is seeking to expand her borders, I am in need of a navigator to lead my explorers into new lands. Do you think you perform such a duty?” She asked with a tilt of her head. "Afterwards I would be honored to escort you back to the Hallows.”

"Venom"

The clearer path through the brambles was ignored and Bowen noticed how the woman was scrutinizing her. Surely she didn't look like that much of a threat, tiny thing that she was. In time, the darkly colored fae came to the point and stated that she needed help in scouting out new territory. The small, silken fae grinned and nodded, lifting a copper shoulder after in a little shrug. "I'd be a horrible sister if I didn't take every opportunity to make my brother and the pack look good." She jested, but it was partially true.

Again Bowen held the poky branch down so that Venom could move through onto the wider path. "Let me lead you out of here then you can tell me which land you have your eye on, eh?" Maybe there was one. Maybe there was more. Bowen would help narrow down the selection if need be.

"Bowen"