Natha stretched, wincing as she did so. Bah, getting old sucked. She did her best to groom, ignoring the spots she couldn't reach for now. She'd lived a hard, rough and tumble life and it was showing clearly on her body now. This winter she would turn 10 years of age and she knew she had little time left. As such she had made up her mind how she'd like to spend her final years and that was visiting her kittens who were now grown and likely had had their own young. While her body was still up for the long travel she'd decided to leave pack life and hit the road. She was well aware of what she agreed to when she'd joined and hoped Sirius would let her go without a fuss but if violence was required she felt she could handle herself. She was an aging warrior, if anything it was time for the younger members of the pack to take the reigns and carry on its legacy. She had little more left to offer. She called out for Sirius and hoped he was nearby.

The call of the only cat-warrior in his pack sounded for him. The Warlord perked up his ears, and rolled to his paws with a sigh. Some days he was fine, going along with his life, and then sometimes it hit him, and hit him hard. Like a sucker punch to the chest, the knowledge that she would never be beside him again. Living her life, answering calls in the pack lands. He pushed aside what he could of the feeling, turmoil in his chest as he padded along the warming grasses of the main armada territory. It wasn’t long before Natha was in sight, and he nodded his head towards the older creature. “Natha, what can I do for you?” "Speech"

Natha gazed at Sirius for a moment then spoke. As there was very little reason to draw this out she got right to the point. "Sirius, it has been an honor serving the Armada but I am drawing near the end of my life. I wish to leave the Armada and spend my remaining time traveling to visit my grown kittens and bidding our last goodbyes in the traditions of our clan. I hope you understand." She had served long and well in her opinion and hoped to leave the Armada on good terms. However, if Sirius required her to fight she would certainly do so though it would not take long for an escalation in violence on her part. Felines rarely did well in captivity.

He stood before his lieutenant, who looked at him for only a moment before jumping in. He sat on his hunches and listened as she spoke of her age, and of her grown kittens. He thought of his own children, and his grandchildren. He thought of his desire to not let people leave the Armada, and sighed. The truth was, the world was hard lines, black and white. It was bumps in the road, and intricacies. He had to decide case by case, and not apply the rule to all. As he looked at the old cat who had had his back for a long time now, he knew he could not keep her from her children in her twilight years. “Natha, my old friend. You’ve looked after the Armada a long time now. I need warriors, and your strength… but I will not keep you, if you’ve decided that it’s right for you to leave. You’ve earned that right. “ "Speech"

Natha listened respectfully as Sirius spoke and granted her the freedom to leave, despite the need for soldiers in the Armada. "I thank you, it has been a good run." She chuckled softly. "Don't worry, if an old cat's absence would crumble the Armada I would stay, but we both know that's not the case. Have faith in your children Sirius. They are coming of age and while growing up is messy in this shattered, imperfect world I have no doubt they will preserve. As will you. Take care of yourself, Sirius." With a nod she turned to leave, her large paws stepping silently over the snow where her companions were waiting.

-exit-