It was high time he met with each member prior to the meeting he planned on calling within the next few days. He knew there were some that had been working hard for the pack, and he recalled Heloise mentioning Fracture had helped her bring down a cougar some time ago. He had yet to really speak to the man outside of the time he came with Heloise to the border, and he was eager to see how the male was doing. He had been among the first to join when Winterfell first raised its banners, and due to his alpha duties, he hadn't had the time to acquaint himself well with the others. Fracture would be among the first he spoke to. He deserved that much at least.

With his first round of border patrols done for the morning, he lingered around the borders for a few moments longer before decided to call for the man here. Tilting his head back, the alabaster king summoned the Squire to him, though the tone wasn't entirely demanding and was more to the tune of "I'd like to speak with you if you have the time."

"Acere"||Winter

The alabaster king's call rang out and Fracture hurried to answer it. Regardless of the tone that signified nonchalance, he'd not feel right taking his time in heeding the call. Loyalty was the man's driving motivation - it was loyalty that brought him to recruit Heloise and why he intended to soon bring in Riva the healer to teach the novitiates in Winterfell. The dark male strode up behind his king, offering him a polite bow before standing at attention. "Yes, Your Grace?" He rumbled softly, head tilting slightly as he regarded the ivory man. His dual-colored eyes were curious, though he did not speak the question in his mind. What need did the king need of him? "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

It's a... group of otters?!

Very cold and far away from home, a group of four otters huddle together as they attempt to navigate the Sparse Pines. They look worse for wear and surely won't last long if they continue in this direction! Maybe they are lost? Their furs might be able to fetch a high price, it's not like one could return them to their home... could they?

Fracture had not kept him waiting long. The dark male arrived rather swiftly, something that Ace could appreciate. Since the beginning he had been loyal, and Ace only wanted to ensure that Fracture was doing well and to see where his ambitions and goals would take him. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Fracture." He dipped his head to him in appreciation and respect. He imagined the man had things to attend to, so he didn't want to take up too much of his time. "I've not had the chance to speak with you one on one, so I'd like to take the opportunity today to do that. I was made aware of your feat against a cougar on our borders not too long ago, and for that I must thank you for taking the initiative in defending our borders and protecting the pups from potential harm." He offered a smile to the Squire, wondering what he might have to say to that before...

Attention turned when he heard the soft shuffling of tiny paws, but several pairs of them. He searched the pines for the source of the sound, and soon enough he spotted a small group of..."Otters?" His voice betrayed confusion and surprise. Otters didn't live in the North lands...and yet, here was a group of them that looked worse for wear, thin, dirty, and likely hungry. What were they doing out here? He glanced to Fracture for a moment, wondering what he thought of the situation. The otters would clearly not be a threat in their presence. In the condition they were in, any sort of fighting would definitely mean their end. They would be too weak to fight, and they looked too weak to run. Would they even survive over night? He wasn't so sure...

"Acere"||Winter

Fracture lowered his head humbly as his King spoke and thanked him. It made the squire feel useful and needed - something he'd needed desperately in Winterfell. It was hard breaking into a pack where most of the wolves were of blood or already had tight friendships, so far he'd had Heloise and Yurei. Perhaps it would be easier to befriend the others if he'd continue to prove himself to his pack. "Thank you, Sire." He murmured softly, doing his best to not outwardly show too much joy. Suddenly then, the king turned and Fracture's head moved with him, ears perking towards the noise that caught the ivory man's attention. "Otters." He repeated, incredulous. The little things seemed unwell, perhaps hungry or just too cold. Otters didn't live this far north. The squire turned back to his king, head tilting slightly. "Does Winterfell's code of honor extend to other species?" He asked cryptically. Fracture did not want to openly request Acere's help in assisting the creatures home, but perhaps if he planted the idea then his king might make the decision for him. The otters were very cute, after all, and if these were wolves injured and so far from home... well Fracture would feel honor-bound to escort them, too. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

He dipped his head as Fracture thanked him. He wanted to acknowledge any and all deeds done by those he lived with, not just so they could get a feeling of accomplishment but so they knew he was paying attention and was proud of their efforts. They all lived together, after all, and were supposed to look out for each other and care for each other whether they were blood or not. As Fracture noticed the otters as well, Acere thought for a moment about what to do in this situation. "Does Winterfell's code of honor extend to other species?" He glanced at Fracture for a moment before turning back to the raggedy group. They were exhausted, and likely wouldn't make it out of the North on their own at this rate. One even looked injured, and it would surely die without help. Perhaps they all would.

He turned back to Fracture and nodded, "I don't see why not. They won't survive the journey out of the North lands without help," He took a step or two closer to the otters, lowering himself slightly so as not to look so imposing. The creatures were wary, as they should be, and looked at him with hesitation in their beady eyes. "You've no reason to fear us, we won't harm you, we want to help you," He wasn't sure if they understood him as they clung together for warmth and safety.