She’d finally made it to Abaven’s borders and, with some caution, took a gentle whiff of the border-scents, analyzing them. She had no way of knowing what changes had transpired in Abaven of late, and so she moved with wariness. The last thing she desired was to encounter the Abraxas wolf that had occupied her ally. Or whom she hoped would remain her ally even with the changes she was intending to make for Celestial in name and some ways of doing things.

She waffled over the merits of calling for Sparrow. A howl might draw the undesired attentions. However, she knew exactly how undesirable it was of one pack wolf to be skulking around the borders of another pack without announcing their presence.

Pity we don’t have a symbol I could leave and some kind of invitation… Something to consider. Oh well, here goes nothing.

She stepped several paces away from the border and tipped her muzzle to the sky, singing a melodious call that was pointed specifically to the leader of Abaven.

The call that whispered through the air, and found its way to the ears of the Alpha, was an interesting thing. It was not a wolf she had ever heard before, but it was one who knew of Abaven. Knew of Abaven, and called not for the leader by name, but by title. Curious, Shaye uncurled herself from the sunning spot she had been taking a short break on near the rapids. SHe shook out her coat, and jumped down, paws just missing the edges of the river, as she pushed on her hunches and made her way to the borders at a gentle pace. The wolf that greeted her there was like one she had ever seen before about ten inches shorter than the darker wolf, this stranger seemed much shorter then she was. Or perhaps it was the way her coat, long and wavy seemed to reach downwards. The fur around her head could really only be described as hair. Like the main of a horse, it fell down her face in waves that would have annoyed the older wolf. As she finished approaching the border, Shaye would sit politely on her hunches and survey the stranger. “I am Shaye Destruction, the leader here. What brings you to Abaven’s borders?” she would ask politely. "Talk" "You" Think

Aurielle Adravendi

The shimmering white Archangel wasn’t kept waiting for long before a dark based woman arrived. Aurielle took her in with a curious look. Somehow, this wasn’t how she’d imagined Sparrow Destruction to look. But the woman was lovely, indeed, with her cloak of white ticking, stark white facial markings and the long blue feather tucked behind one ear. A flicking glance at the woman’s tail told Rielle that she bore more white flecking there, too. A warm smile greeted the woman as she came to a stop but faltered slightly – not in any sense of displeasure, but mild surprise – as the woman introduced herself, not as Sparrow, but Shaye Destruction. Not Sparrow, but certainly the leader. Aurielle’s head tipped slightly as she met Shaye’s blue eyes, studying her with interest for a moment before she dipped her head gracefully and responded easily, “I am Aurielle Adravendi, Archangel of Celestial, a pack in the west of Boreas. I had come here to check in with Abaven’s alphess, Sparrow, but I see the leadership’s changed again since I last spoke with one of your pack’s members. I do apologize for how long it’s taken me to get my tail over here.” Her head tilted into a slightly self-mocking chuckle as she added, “I’ve been somewhat out of sorts of late.” Then her spine straightened as she smiled at Shaye and went on, “Celestial and Abaven have been longstanding allies since my grandmother founded our pack, and I wished to reach out and see if such a relation is still welcomed. I, and my secondary – or Right Wing – Gwenevere Adravendi are open to trade and interpack interaction. We’ve become rather insular through the last several years, and I’d like to remedy that.” Insular… damned quiet is more correct… A rustle of paws behind her turned her head, and she grinned, turning back to Shaye as Aelloshir came to sit at her right, slightly behind, Ayodele leaping from the black mountain lion’s back to Aurielle’s, drawing a faint grunt from the Archangel as she introduced, “This is Ayodele,” with a toss of her head back toward the ringtailed lemur, before tipping it to the cat and finishing as Loshir bowed his head, “And that is Aelloshir. My companions, and in the case of Delle, hairdresser.” Ayodele beamed between Aurielle's ears at the Abaven leader, proving the last word as she drew the strands of mane that had managed to fall forward between Aurielle's ears during her travels back and toyed with them, remarking to Shaye, "That feather looks lovely against your coat, miss." Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The stranger would introduce herself as Aurielle Adravendi, and go on to explain how she was an Alpha in a pack in the West of Boreas. Shaye had caught some scent of the pack in her travels, but didn’t know much about it at all. It was interesting that the Alpha had made her way here, and Shaye was glad. She had been trying to build alliances with the packs around them and felt she had a good start, but wouldn’t be content until she had built a standing for Abaven with each and every one of them. “It’s understandable.” Shaye said with a slight smile. “Running a pack takes a lot of one’s time.” the smile slipped here with a sigh, and she settled in before this wolf, trusting that she had no inferious intentions. “i’m sorry, but Sparrow has actually passed on from this world, she was my cousin.” Shaye would explain. Letting the regret she felt creep into her eyes. She saw no reason to hide this flash of pain from the stranger, not like she would have if it had been Malleus at her borders. “Gwen?” Shaye commented, straightening a little as the conversation moved to alliances, and her second was mentioned. “I’ve met her, she struck me as an honorable wolf” she paused thoughtfully. “Abaven is interested in Interpack relation and trade. “ she stood quickly at the approach of a Mountain Line, hackles raised, and paws already falling into the defensives stances her cousin had been teaching her. He had been trying to ingrain some of the natural fighting talent he bolstered into her, and it appeared at least some of it was effective. She let her fur lie still once more, abide a little reluctantly, when the wolf before her introduced this creature and another as her companions. “Interesting company you keep” Shaye commented, still a little cautious at the sudden appearance of a predatory cat in their midst. She took a few more moments to regain her composure, and put a smile back on her face, dipping her head at the comment from the lemur. She wasn’t a stranger to packs mingling with other species. It was common for members of her family to keep birds, after all. “Anyway…” Shaye murmured “Abaven is interested in trade, and holds no ill intention towards your pack whatsoever. I would love the chance to allow relations between our packs to grow. If trade interests you, I would love to see what each of our pack holds for value. But, more than that, my pack values knowledge. If you would ever like to send wolves intp Abaven to learn from us, and us to learn from them, that would be most welcome.” she would explain. "Talk" "You" Think

Aurielle Adravendi

A grin answered Shaye’s understanding words, but the good humor fell away as she learned of Sparrow’s death. Had the Abraxas killed the woman? Her hackles bristled slightly along the shoulders before they settled again, concern obvious in her eyes. “Forgive my asking, but… how did she pass? And I’m so sorry for your loss.” Her head bowed slightly in silent reverence, before Shaye caught on to Gwenevere’s name. The young woman nodded, a smile hesitantly returning to her features as she agreed, “She is that. She’s my cousin… though through adoption far, far back with her grandfather Cairo the first and my great Grandmother Erani. She’s a true-blooded Adravendi. Her brother Leo led a pack called Fiori for several years, and their mother, Aunt Epiphron, led it before that. Fiori was Abaven’s neighbor for a long time if I remember my history lessons correctly.” Her ears perked up further as Shaye went on to add that she was indeed interested in trade and alliances. This was a wonderful thing to hear. It made such things as inter-pack festivals a much greater likelihood for success. Shaye’s reaction to Aelloshir didn’t go unnoticed, and the young woman’s features eased into a soft smile. She remembered that being almost her exact reaction to meeting her father’s mated pair of mountain lions, Aelloshir’s parents, as a pup when he returned from a foray in the north with the cats at his side. “My father has two for companions. They’re actually Aelloshir’s mother and father. My reaction was much like yours when I first met them as a child.” The cats had chosen to walk beside her family as their guardians and companions. She and Aramis had the children of their father’s cats. Aurielle knew that her future children would have at least one of the big cats at their side in life, and on down the line. Her head cocked with interest as she listened to Shaye’s words regarding the ideas for trade, a smile upon her features as she thought over the words. “Our pack holds sovereign over Vericona Plains and Druid’s Moor. We’re also very near to the desert lands, so have access to some herbs that might not grow here on the eastern end of Boreas, like Aloe plants, which are good for treating burns and scalds from hot water, to begin with. We also have plenty of lavender—we’re drowning in the stuff from the moors.” Her head tipped thoughtfully to the side as she pondered, before she added, “What are your thoughts on inter-pack festivals and hunts? I know there are bison in the south – I nearly got trampled by them when something spooked them and they chose to stampede in my direction – and it could be very advantageous to join forces to bring at least two down… I’m also planning to hold something fighters may find really quite interesting—Gladiatorial events. I’m still mulling over details, but I’d love to get together with my fellow alphas from all the packs Celestial is friendly with to chat it out.” Her gradated eyes turned to settle on Shaye again and a smile settled back onto her features, having been lost to thought for a moment. “If you have any ideas for games and events to hold at festivals – races, team spars… - feel free to throw them at me.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The hackles of the white wolf would raise as she learned of Sparrow’s passing, and there seemed to be a touch of hostility to her words. Shaye, after only a moment, forgave her for it. She missed Sparrow as well, and it was good to know that she would be missed. “Thank you, it was a herb gathering that went wrong. She gave her life or her brother, and well it was tragic, and terrible, it goes to show what kind of person she was.” Shaye paused, she would not get weepy, she would not.

Aurielle would give her a slight history lesson, explaining Gwen’s lineage, and well most of the names meant nothing to her she would also mention Fiori. “Indeed, they were friends with our pack, though I was quite young when that pack existed and I knew little about them.” she would admit. But she would always remember Bass’s rage when he had learnt the fate of that pack.

“Understandable” Shaye would comment as Aurielle spoke of her protector. “Aloe is definitely one of the plants my healer does not grow, and I don’t doubt she would find the trade of it useful.” Shaye agreed, then paused and listened carefully as the other Alpha spoke of the events she wanted to host. “Sounds like there is something there to interest most of my members.” Shaye would agree. “I would be most happy to support you in the creation of these events. I don’t have any suggests at the moment, but i’ll be sure to bring them up in my next meeting.” she would promise.

Aurielle Adravendi

Some of the young woman’s anxiety eased as Shaye spoke of the cause of Sparrow’s death, and she nodded, giving the woman time to gather herself. “A brave sacrifice.” A small smile twitched onto her features as Aelloshir flopped to sprawl, hind legs out to the side in a lazy show of nonaggression to soothe the older alphess’ wariness. Her eyes returned to Shaye as the woman went on to agree with the lack of such plants in the east as Aloe,, compared to the western end of the continent. “I imagine that only barely touches the subject on what herbs grow where—Paladin – my cousin and one of our most experienced healers – could go on for hours on the uses and methods of gathering and preparing. And he has. It’s quite interesting to listen to.” She winced briefly as Ayodele’s hands pulled a single hair of her mane in the lemur’s quest for another lock of mane before she grinned at the Abaven leader. “I’m more than happy to host the gladiatorial events, but it might work even better if the packs involved rotated the hosts each year in various neutral locations…” For a moment, a pensive expression overtook the smile on her features and she mused aloud, “Perhaps there could be a title the overall winner could win, along with another prize—the title to be defended the following year. I’d eventually be happy to include loners in the events—it might give them a chance to scout packs they may wish to join. Same with festivals and trading fairs…” Her eyes flicked to Shaye and a brief chuckle escaped as she broke off her tangent and added, “Sorry… I’ve let my musing run on a bit.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Aurielle would call it a brave sacrifice, and well it was a noble idea, Shaye still wished, she wished… there had been something she could have done. Sparrow would always be a regret in Shaye’s heart. She missed her cousin dearly.

The mountain line sprawled out to the side, and Shaye recognised the gesture of peace, and nodded her head to the creature in respect. She might not have expected to see a mountain lion, but she could still meet him with appreciation once seeing he was not a threat.

“I’m sure my healer would be greatly interested in such a conversation.” Shaye agreed, as Aurielle continued to speak of herbs.

Aurielle spoke quite eagerly on the festival and Gladiator fightings, and Shaye would smile to see her interest. “The festival is a new idea to me - but i’ve actually heard of the Gladiatorial events mentioned once before. You might be interested in speaking to the Alpha of a pack called Fyri. Ignatius comes from a pack that has hosted such events before, and has experience with them. I believe he is also interested in rekindling them here in Boreas, it might do you both well to see what you both are planning, or we could end up with two such events running in these lands.” she smiled at the Alpha, happy she had this knowledge to share with her.

Aurielle Adravendi

The young woman grinned as Shaye remarked that Abaven’s healer was sure to be interested in a healing conversation, and she couldn’t help but add, “I’m sure you’re aware, but be warned; once they get going they never stop talking about it. We may have to arrange inter-pack healer stay-overs if they get going… Not a bad thought, actually—it could be an opportunity for younger healers to travel and learn more of the plants and methods in the western end of the continent.” Something to consider in her dealings with her other allies, certainly, and Aurielle made a mental note to speak with Paladin and Justice about it. Geoffery and Vivianne were both definitely destined to be healers—in the time she’d been watching the two from afar or interacted with them, they had shared the same certain something with Paladin. The desire to make well the ill and soothe the hurt. No doubt they’d both adore the opportunity to learn about more healing plants from the other end of the land. As Shaye spoke next, the young Archangel smiled, nodding. “I’ve met him. Quite the stunning coat, don’t you think? I’m almost jealous—although I do get the odd looks for my own, not to mention the teeth and hair.” She flashed a light, self-depreciating grin at the taller woman and chuckled. “I’ll certainly have to speak with him about it. Perhaps he has ideas to share. I’d love to pick his brain about the mention he gave about walls in his homeland when we first met—I’d like some ideas. We built a wall around Celestial—Da started it a little before my birth. It was supposed to be just a line of stones laid out to be a visual marker of the boundary, but we had a raiding party from Talis, led by Dragon Ancora, and Da decided to build the wall instead. It does give a pretty nice view of the surroundings. Mostly it’s to keep young pups from wandering.” Her head cocked as a memory came back to her and she added, “I believe a pack called Threar once held a festival. Grandmother was pregnant with my Uncle Tornach and Aunt Baine when she attended. That was where my father won his first real spar. Novella and Frith Destruction held the festival if I remember Da’s story correctly.” A pluck of a freshly finished braid brought her attention to Ayodele, who coughed apologetically before moving to another lock of hair, and Aurielle turned back to Shaye. “When would you like to set up our first trade as allies?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think