He had given the pack some time to settle into their new accommodations and begin to explore their territory and the lands around them. They were all getting used to the idea of him as alpha as well as the move, so he'd been trying to give them some space to come to terms with it before things changed too heavily, but it was time for them to move forward as a pack instead of stagnate. He could go around to them each individually and check in with them, but they were not individuals who happened to live in the same area, they were a pack, and they would need to interact with one another regardless so there was little reason to put it off.

Making his way to a sunny, flat boulder in the ravine, he leaped up onto it. It wasn't particularly tall, but it was comfortable, and elevated enough for everyone to see as he spoke. It was as good a meeting spot as any, and while it was fairly simple - just a chunk of granite that had broken off the wall at some point, with only a few veins of clear quartz to interrupt it's faintly sparkly darkness - it was an obvious enough landmark to ensure that everyone would know where to go for future meetings. He would see about making the area around the stone more comfortable for the pack in future meetings, somehow, so they would feel inclined to gather for longer than simple announcements. But that was for the future. For now... his blood-red gaze was drawn to the dark mouths of the caves in the ravine walls, and he raised his muzzle to call out for Aerie to gather.


OOC: mandatory for all members unless discussed with me first. Posts due by the end of the day on Sunday, April 5th

Iroh was still uncertain about his future, but he’d been given more than enough time to sit and sulk about the changes forced on his life. Banshee had renewed hope inside him and the boy was quick to answer his alpha’s call. Iroh gained respect for his cousin, though he still felt closer to Pyrrhic but he was slowly accepting that Eligos was the hard choice to make. He was slowly proving he knew what he was doing and the yearling knew it was time to get himself integrated back into Aerie’s structure.

Despite his quiet nature after the move Iroh was anything but idle, the boy and Sarabii had been training. If anything his extra work kept him balanced and grounded. He still had a lot of personal turmoil to work through, but he was more confident now that he’d find his way within Aerie and with his family.

Silently the tall boy stalked forward, making his way through the ravine before settling down before his cousin. He managed to offer a smile, a good sign that he was working through slowly.

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Slowly, but surely, Aureus was getting himself settled into their new homelands. He'd made a nice den by the lake. Close enough for a good view of the sun shinning on the waters in the morning but not so close he had to be afraid of every little rain storm and the floods they might bring.

Aureus was working on moving some logs into position just to help with potential flooding when he heard his brother's call. His ears perked up and he glanced to Kali and Griff. The nodded and the trio set off for the meeting. Aureus arrived early and spared a moment to greet his brother with a nod of the head and a soft smile. He gave a nod to Iroh as well and it struck him that there were still a few members of his own family he didn't feel like he knew.

Pyrrhic walked slowly into the meeting place and seated himself among those gathered. As he waited for it to start his thoughts drifted to the project he was working on and how best to complete it. With the help of Benkos and a couple members of his horde the build would likely come together quickly and easily. Oh what he would give for the articulate paws his companion possessed. They would make his work easier and lessen his need for outside help. Still, he was grateful for their willingness and relieved to have his work load lessened.

It hadn't taken much for Thalia to adjust to the thought of Eligos as their new leader. This was precisely what they needed - someone with motivation to rule and with a clear direction for their group. She was interested in the ideas he'd expressed, and where he would take them. She was glad to hear his call for them to all gather, sure he had more to tell them that she certainly was interested in hearing. She quickened her pace toward the gathering, navigating carefully down the ravine toward the source of his call. Thalia's pale orange gaze was bright and interested as she neared the others, settling down on her haunches a respectful distance away from everyone, Eligos included.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ She was late. She knew that. She had been exploring a few territories over and had sort of lost her way. She wasn't completely used to these lands yet. Were they still in Auster where she knew that whole continent in and out, she would have had no trouble. But here? She had to figure out where everything was. All the best trails and shortcuts and everything in between. She'd be lying if she didn't stumble a few times trying to hurry back, but when she finally got there, there were a few others already there. Some still missing, but at least she had made it. Panting from the effort of trying to get here (and slipping down the ravine once or twice), her eyes found Eligos and she dipped her head in apology to him for her lateness. She was embarrassed enough as it was, so she didn't say anything and instead, sat at the edge as she felt the heat rise to her cheeks with embarrassment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Speech"

Shit. He was late, and he knew it. It had taken him longer to get back because he'd been stuck in some godforsaken bramble patch and when he finally tore free out of desperation and frustration to get to the meeting, he had patches of fur torn out and plenty of thorns stuck to him. He looked a complete mess, but his embarrassment was well hidden behind the thought that he needed to get to this damn meeting! The raven pelted male ran as fast as his stinging paws would carry him, hoping he wasn't too late but if he was, well then...he'd take whatever punishment was necessary. When he finally did get there, he saw the few remaining wolves of the pack already there and he grimaced when he realized he really was the last one there. When he sat down near the back, he stifled a yelp as a ball of thorns dug deeper into his rump when he sat down. As quietly as he could, he started to pull them out while trying not to disturb the meeting.

Saren had been busy setting up his den, now that he had a consistent place to store things he couldn’t pass it up. He had been gathering herbs left and right, soon he hoped he could set up a garden so he didn’t have to go too far to get fresh herbs. He was excited at the prospect of actually putting his gathered knowledge to use. If there wasn’t anybody to help get better then what was the point of all the work he had done. He was a couple lands away gathering herbs to bring back with him to his den. By the time he heard the howl it was already too late for him to get there on time. He had started on his way back as soon as he heard it but the distance to travel made being on time practically impossible. He arrived at the area where the other wolves were gathered and carefully shuffled in at the back. Placing his herbs down at his feet he glanced over at the wolf pulling thorns out of their butt, he’d have to see if he had anything for that yet. Thankfully the meeting hadn’t started quite yet so hopefully he was just in time.

The pack trickled in quietly as the few Aerie wolves made their way down the ravine to the boulder he'd chosen, and when the last few hurried in and sat down Eligos rose to his full height to address them. "In times past," he began, "our family would hold festivals often. Every season our forefathers would hold a different festival to test our skills and show the prowess of our wolves so that we could prove ourselves worthy to rise through the ranks. I would institute the same policy, once we've settled here. Additionally, bi-annual festivals were once held as open to outsiders at the major turns of season. It's too late to reasonably hold the summer/autumn festival in a manner that befits our station, but we have time to gather the resources to hold a trade fair at that time. I'd like us to concentrate on things such as finely tanned furs and leathers, and enough smoked meats and fish to have some left to sell after the winter. Any of you with skill in crafting finished items from those resources, or decorative items such as beading or necklaces that can be done over the winter, would be especially welcome to do what you can. Do try to avoid making anything particularly weapon-like to sell to our potential enemeies, however," he added dryly. "I would prefer not to recognize a knife we made as it stabs me in the back."

"Traditionally," he went on, "Winter would be the time to test and promote our navigators, but we do not currently have any navigators among us so we will instead be using the winter as a time for all of us to work on our skills. I would see the fighters especially working on their skills at this time, in spars with each other and seeking out strangers on the battlefield, as well as keeping our lands cleared of predators who would endanger us and compete for our food. Any furs, teeth and claws from killed predators should be saved for trade goods or for crafting weapons for Aerie fighters. We have some younger, less experienced members among us ranked as apprentices yet. I would like time spent this winter getting them the experience and training they need to move up in rank. Pyrrhic, Proserpina, Aureus - " he turned his attention to his brother and his cousin. "Pyrrhic, you're an experienced fighter. Zagan has chosen to follow two paths, and while we don't have a hunter to help him in his second path, I trust you to mentor him as a fighter. Proserpina, Thalia has chosen to follow the Path of Shadows, but I feel that with your knowledge as a fighter and your experiences you would be the best mentor for her despite your own Path lying elsewhere. Saren, we have no healer to be sure of your skills right now, but Aureus has a great deal of knowledge in working well with other wolves, and can help to ease you back into Abraxas ways after your long absence, and will mentor you until we are able to get you training with a more experienced healer."

He let his gaze travel slowly over the small group, counting their numbers. It didn't take long at all. "You may have noticed that our numbers are down considerably from when Malleus ruled us," he said, softer, and paused to allow the spike of grief and anger he felt subside. "I ask all of you, while you are out in the world, to seek out others that could fill our ranks. I hold little hope for those of our family who abandoned us returning, or remaining loyal to the family and the pack if they do. We must search among the mortals to find those worthy of standing beside us and to be welcomed as our 'cousins' though they do not share our bloodline. I will not allow our ranks to dwindle further because I was unwilling to acknowledge that there are those outside of our line who are more worthy to be included in our family than some of those born into it." There was a grim note to his voice as he said the last, recalling as he did Archon, and his blasphemies that had led to Malleus' death, and the unknown 'Abraxas' who had raped a girl of another pack and abandoned any potential pups she might have borne him. Perhaps his great grandfather had not culled strongly enough, since he seemed to be more interested in the strength of their bodies rather than the soundness of their minds. He breathed out, settling the anger away. "So I would ask you to concentrate as much as you can on recruiting those who are worthy, so that we do not find ourselves fading away into obscurity."

"If anyone," he said in conclusion, "has any news or anything they wish the pack to know, please speak up now so we may all hear it. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to take this opportunity."

TIED TO WHAT IS LATE, AIN'T YOU NOW

Aureus sat quietly, watching as the rest of the pack trickled in. The volcano had certainly done a number on them. They were so few now. His thoughts flicked to the unspoken expectation that he sire children at some point but he knew that would be a ways in the future for him if ever. Eligos started the meeting and Aureus listened. He had some skill with bowls and was learning more and more about pottery in his desire to impress Eliphas. He could work on those items for the trade fair as well as few other trinkets.

He met eyes with Eligos as his name was called and he was assigned mentor of Saren. Aureus glanced at the younger wolf and nodded. He'd do his best despite not being a healer himself. He knew how to make various items that could help with healing such as bowls and fires. Perhaps he could ask Eliphas for ideas to pass onto the younger wolf. At the mention of recruiting members his thoughts immediately flickered back to Eliphas. It was too soon to think so far ahead but if they did become lovers well…

As Saren listened to Eligos’s announcements the excitement started to build. Trading?! Saren would kill to have a trade festival. He could just imagine seeing the work of other wolves and talking to them to exchange techniques and talk trade secrets. Just thinking about it made him almost drool with anticipation. He was a little surprised that there were no other healers in the pack and it made him a little disappointed, he wanted someone to learn from. It always felt nice when someone shared your interests. He wasn’t totally disappointed to be placed as Aureus’s apprentice. His previous encounter with the man had gone alright so he looked forward to the next one. He wasn’t sure if he needed to be eased back into the Abraxas ways as Eligos had put it, but he wasn’t about to question the Alpha’s words. He still remembered what he had been taught as a child, but maybe he could do with another lesson or two. On the members front Saren wasn’t entirely sure if he should go out looking for people. He himself was still on a sort of trial and he didn’t want to risk bringing somebody he thought was alright back only for the pack to say no. Once he solidified his spot within the pack there was no doubt he would be open to recruiting new members. He just would hold off for now as he didn’t want to jeopardize his position any more than he already had.

It was time to finally take his stand and make up his mind. He had been given long enough and Iroh needed to take up his responsibilities like he should have when Pyrrhic stepped down. He couldn’t follow his cousin’s lead anymore and it was time to become his own. To prove that even if he didn’t have his idol and mentor ahead of him he was strong enough to forge his own paths. He listened intently, his mind shifting to Banshee when Eligos spoke of recruiting. He wanted her beside him, but how could he convince her away from the Armada? Could he?

Iroh tried not to think to heavily into his future with her. If he could convince her to join him here where would they be? Mentally he shook his head and as the meeting came to a close he looked up to his dark cousin. ”Eligos, I’ve decided I’d like to follow the path of Fang and Sun. If you’ll allow me.” He’d seen his cousins doubts and knew he wasn’t alone in straying from the path. But he’d found his resolve and he was ready to devote himself to wherever Eligos would need him.

Eligos explained they'd normally hold festivals more frequently, but in the absence of one they could prepare. Tanned leather and smoked meats? That was far from her own skill-set but she could certainly begin to help hunt prey for the others to work. She wasn't much of a crafter at all, her skills certainly suited to other things, or at least she thought. Eligos continued on, explaining certain things that he wanted to focus on. Working on skills, especially the fighters. Crafting weapons and armor. Thalia nodded in understanding. Proserpina was noted as her mentor, and she turned to eye Proserpina, hoping to catch her eye. She wouldn't complain at all about further training, knowing that any improvements in her own personal skills were welcome.

Eligos spoke of their need to recruit members, and Thalia nodded, wondering if she'd ever met anyone she would consider worthy to join their ranks. Perhaps not as worthy as their family might be, but they did need to grow their numbers, and she decided to push that thought to the back of her mind for the future. She had nothing to say, though was curious what her packmates had to offer, so she leaned back and silently waited for whatever else the others had to add.