Sandor found himself once more wandering the path he had taken to get to the Ashen packlands. He had spoken to Torin and been given permission to leave, now that he was untied to a pack the boy felt free and it showed in the way he carried himself. His head was up, ears forward but relaxed on his skull, tail carried in a relaxed position as well, he moved with an easy but quick gait as he moved across the stone he was becoming all too familiar with. Armor adorned the boy, carried from the island where he kept it safe. This was his only possession and for him, the only thing he would not part with. The bright red colors were a compliment to his grey, black, white and rusty fur.

He came to a stop as he smelled the Ashen border, taking a moment to look forward and then behind him. Is this really what he wanted? Sandor was confident he could excel in Ash n and advance quickly if he put his mind to it... But did he want the chains of a pack on him so soon? The boy shook himself, armor rattling softly as it jostled against him and other pieces of the armor, finally he tipped his head back and howled for Deathbelle. He'd made his choice, now he would live with it. The boy remained standing, proudly waiting for her to come to him.

Deathbelle returned to the Redwater Rocks in case there were stragglers left behind after the move. Not everyone had shown up to the meeting she called so the Empress returned to the place. Mostly to look for her members, but also to reminisce. There were many memories made here, plenty to be remembered fondly as well as the hard lessons she would not forget.

The call of the young boy was surprising, she hadn’t expected to hear from him again. Still, his decision was a pleasant distraction. The Empress made her way to where he stood politely on the once border and she smirked, knowing she won from Torin a great prize. ”Hello, Sandor.” Deathbelle greeted him and settled herself back onto her haunches in front of him. Otherwise she remained silent, she was curious how he would handle the return to her.

Just like his last visit, she was prompt in answering his call. The painted Empress approached quickly and quietly, settling onto her haunches with a smirk. Her smooth voice greeted him and he bowed his head respectfully to her, keeping his head below hers as he raised it from the bow.. "It's good to see you again Deathbelle." He'd answer in reply, his tones even and calm. The nerves he'd felt when speaking with her previously was gone, though he didn't really know why. Perhaps he was just getting used to her arrogant demeanor.. perhaps it was something else entirely.

"Torin agreed to release me from his pack. I'm able to join Ashen now." He answered, hastily adding "that is, if you'd still have me." He smiled slightly, wondering if he'd overstepped with the assumption that she'd simply welcome him with open arms without question.

Sandor was on the right track to her heart, his head lowered respectfully as she relaxed regally before him. Deathbelle’s lips pulled back further as he professed his pleasure at being able to return. ”And you, Sandor.” In honesty she hadn’t expected him to come back. She was indeed pleased however. He was fully released by the Lirim alpha and he was free to take up arms inside Ashen. She chuckled as he backtracked and mentioned her approval at his entrance.

”Welcome to Ashen.” Belle returned with a sweep of her tail as she picked herself up from the red earth. ”I assume you have enough skill to be placed in the rank of Soldier.” Her words were sharp, but she was eager for him to join. ”Ashen has moved as well, your first task is to accompany me to our new territory.”

The Empress was impressed with his level of respect as she sat down, her small smile was taken in but not commented on. Her words absorbed but he remained silent. His backpedalling would earn a chuckle from the dark coated she-wolf, to which he would smile slightly. She didn’t keep him guessing long, however, her official welcome was met with a nod of gratitude. When she continued speaking, this time more sharply, the nod would occur again. “I am.” Lirim hadn’t taught him much in the way of fighting, “I’m also decent with herbs..” He offered, letting her know of his skillset, rather than trying to brag…but she could easily take it either way.

She mentioned Ashen had moved and his brow rose slightly before he nodded and gave a slight bow as he stretched a bit. “I’m ready when you are. Unless there are other matters to be tended to first?” He cocked his head to the side, willing to accompany her on a patrol or gather left belongings if need be…why else was she still here?

He was indeed the wolf she thought he was and the yearling quickly accepted his rank of soldier. Deathbelle nodded, a feeling of accomplishment rising in her own breast as she swelled her ranks. Hopefully he proved to be as loyal as he said. The Empress would withhold her judgement for now and welcome him into the Empire. ”Good. Work with the healers and foster your knowledge.” She turned towards the new residence of the Empire and motioned for him to come along. ”No,” she’d already said goodbye to the place. She’d returned one more time to the monument she and Archon had been married on. She looked for members that may have returned here, there was nothing left. ”We go now.”

Deathbelle wasted little time, she told him to seek out the healers and expand his knowledge. He smiled and nodded, little did she know he already had…although it was a chance occurrence but perhaps he could reach out to Iolaire again and learn more from her. The boy nodded as she beckoned him to follow, stating that they would leave now. Sandor remained silent, following along with his nose parallel to her shoulder, showing respect and allowing her to lead but also not lingering behind. If she decided to say anything, he could easily hear and reply without raising his voice. ]