It had taken a couple of days to get here, but he certainly wouldn't complain after traveling through the north. Perhaps the extended winter they had all endured had made him even more sensitive to the cold, but seeing the ice and snow again had not been something he enjoyed. After meeting with Fireside, he and Artorias stayed the night in the Whistling Willows before beginning to make their way further into the west. He certainly didn't want to pass through the heart of the desert, so he opted to take the extra time to go through Whisper's Gorge, down to Traveler's Lake, skirting around the edge between Sand River and Illusions Oasis. That leg of the trip had taken them a full day and part of the way into the next and he set up camp for them at the oasis so that they could reach Valhalla in the morning.

Now into the eighth day of their travels, he led the way to the border around Valhalla. It was one of the only packs that he was actually certain of who they would meet and a little smirk pulled across his lips when they stopped along the markers. "Why don't you do the honors this time, Artorias?" he asked, giving his Baron a nod toward the pack in front of them. "Aurielle might recognize my voice so at least this way it'll be a surprise." He chuckled softly, clearly in better spirits now that he knew they were in the final stretch of their trip and simply because he was more certain about seeing a friendly face.

Ulric Adravendi

The trip westward from Fireside to Valhalla had taken more turns than Artorias had expected. After camping out the night in a copse of willow trees, Ulric led them around the scenic route to avoid crossing the desert, going through gorges and past oases until they arrived at an arid land touched by a river delta that allowed lush grass to grow through the craggy earth. The sun was hot and unforgiving here, especially in the summer heat, and Artorias could understand why Ulric had been so apprehensive about crossing the open desert. They were a little over a week into their travels, but Artorias was still riding high and loving the experience! His youthful energy and excitement to see the world had kept him going. Every day was something new to see, and every night he'd gaze up at the stars, amazed at how much beauty could exist just around him.

As they approached the boundaries for Valhalla territory, Ulric gave him a shock by offering to let him call for the alpha. Artorias fixed Ulric with a surprised look, but when he insinuated some sort of relationship with Aurielle, who he determined must be the Valhalla alpha, he didn't ask any questions. He just nodded his head, then lifted his muzzle and let out a howl calling for the alpha. He didn't know anything about the Valhalla pack, but Ulric was clearly well acquainted with them, so he'd just sit back and observe unless called upon directly.

"Artorias" | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He’d been working on writing out a list, nimble front toes and dew-claw gripping the slim stick dipped in one of the test inks. His mother was nearby, working on her own projects, and then a call filtered into the ravine. Ardyn lifted his head, ears perked, and glanced at his mother. She rose, and nodded for him to lead the way. “It sounds official. Go ahead and answer it, I’ll be right behind you.” So, the yearling Heir led the way out of the ravine, his mother falling out of sight behind him as he broke into a brisk, business-like trot, wondering how this test would go. It would be the first time he answered a call at the border first, even if his mother would be shortly behind him. When he laid eyes on the two at the wall, he didn’t recognize the younger navy and monochrome wolf, but when his eyes lit on Ulric, he grinned, almost breaking his dignified stride to bounce forward before he – visibly – reined in his delight and slowed to a walk as he drew near and greeted the two wolves—although his tail torched briefly in a friendly wag. “Good morning, Ulric. What brings you to Valhalla?” Clearly it was an official visit, so he maintained his formal – if friendly – stance as Lyr drifted down to perch on his un-armored withers with a cheerful raven chuckle. Ardyn’s eyes slid to the other yearling, wondering if he’d have a chance to make a new friend today, even as he heard his mother’s light steps drawing up behind him. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Aurielle Adravendi

She set aside the piece of armor she’d been working on as she rose, letting Ardyn go ahead and stepping out after him once he’d left her line of sight. She held back, though she was able to hear his voice, if not the direct wording, but judging by the underlying tone of pleasure, it was someone he knew. Young friend, then? She tested the breeze with a sniff, then smiled in recognition, both of Ulric’s scent, and the added something to it. It brought her back to his last visit, and the talk they’d had. If anyone could handle the status of Alpha, she felt Ulric was one of them. She drew level with her son, grinning at Ulric and studying him with interest, wondering how the past seasons had been for him as she greeted him warmly, “Welcome. How goes it, Ulric?” Her smile wasn’t reserved for the Adravendi man, either, nodding to the young man with him with an appraising glance, noting Ardyn’s study as she settled on her haunches, long-haired tail habitually flicking to pool at her paws, ears perked to hear what they’d say. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ulric chuckled at the shocked look that Artorias gave him, but gave an encouraging nod for the young man to go ahead, listening as he howled out for Valhalla's leader. It had been quite some time since he had seen Aurielle, but he was looking forward to seeing the bright woman again. To think that the last time he was here it had been to discuss his desire to become an alpha... He settled back on his haunches beside Artorias to wait, but they weren't kept waiting long. He looked up when he heard someone approaching and was surprised to not see Aurielle but instead her fiery son. He offered Ardyn a friendly grin in response as he approached. He was very clearly working on his pack decorum as well with his formal response. He was glad that the two future leaders would get to meet today as well.

"Ardyn! It's good to see you again. I can't believe how big you've gotten!" The last time he had seen the young man he had been small enough to climb up on his back at the festival and now he was here greeting them at the border. Of course it made sense that he was a yearling now - his own children had been born well after him and had passed into their first year this season. A moment later his mother came to join him and he gave her a grin as well as a dip of his head. "It's been a rough past couple seasons, but I think things have finally leveled out," he replied honestly to her question. He'd lie to the wolves he didn't know as well and give them a general "good" if they were to ask and while he still didn't feel the need to give Aurielle the nitty gritty details of everything that had transpired he didn't mind being a bit more honest with his very distant cousin.

"Artorias, this is Aurielle and her son Ardyn," he mentioned as he glanced toward his Baron. "Not blood related to me, but all part of the sprawling Adravendi tree." He looked back to the Valhalla wolves then giving them another lopsided smile. "This is Artorias Carpathius - my heir." He paused, letting Artorias say his greetings if he wished before he added, "I recently took over as the alpha for The Hallows after his mother Resin stepped down. She asked me to keep things afloat until he and his siblings were old enough to lead. So I figured I'd bring him along to let him start learning the ropes and meet everyone." He gave the two glowing wolves a curious tilt of his head as he added, "How have things been here?"

Ulric Adravendi

Artorias had been unsure what to expect when Ulric allowed him to summon the Valhalla leadership on his behalf, but he felt like the older wolf was setting him up for some sort of surprise. That surprise came in the form of a young wolf, approximately his age though with a couple of inches of height on him, adorned in rich black fur that seemed to spark with living embers as it swayed with his every movement. Behind him came a smaller, lithe woman whose entire body could have been crafted from moonlight. Artorias' mouth hung slightly agape in awe at these creatures that seemed as if they had been pulled straight from a fantasy, blinking in surprise and reining himself in as the yearling greeted Ulric by name. Ah, so Ulric knew these wolves personally! That was what the surprise had been all about!

He met the yearling's curious gaze with a small smile and a dip of his head in greeting. The luminescent lady came alongside the yearling, greeting Ulric by name again and then regarding him with a smile. Artorias bowed his head in greeting to her, doing his best to keep from staring at the radiant wolves, though that feat was easier said than done. Ulric greeted the two Valhalla wolves, introducing them to him as Aurielle and Ardyn, the alpha and heir of Valhalla, and then introduced Artorias in turn. "It's a pleasure to meet you both, Aurielle and Ardyn," he spoke graciously, a warm smile affixed to his face. Any family of Ulric were friends of his.

The dark-furred boy turned his gaze from the two wolves back to Ulric when the Adravendi man asked how they had been, his fiery eyes shifting between whoever was speaking while he remained quiet and listened to the alphas converse. He was content to take in all that he could and respond when addressed.

"Artorias" | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ulric’s friendly greeting brought a grin to his features and he admitted in an undertone, “Mother thinks I might get taller than my grandfather… maybe even my great-great grandfather. I’ll be glad to stop growing…” He chuckled softly, tail still swaying in its usual fiery way. His mother stepped up beside him then, engaging Ulric in her usual graceful way, and Ardyn’s ears perked as Ulric commented that it’d been a rough recent couple of seasons. No kidding, though as Ulric made introductions, Ardyn grinned at Artorias, nodding as he took a seat, tail flicking in a sort of learned habit from his mother, long and still growing hair flicking to rest over his front paws. He listened with interest as Ulric explained the situations, studying Artorias with interest. So, he was an heir, too? “Great to meet you, too, Artorias. If ever you want to spar at some point, call me up.” His sabers flashed in a grin, an offer of friendship, both current and future. His eyes turned to his mother at Ulric’s query, wondering what all she’d speak of. There was a lot to cover if she went the full story, route. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Aurielle Adravendi

She hadn’t missed the stunned look on the boy’s face, but she didn’t bring attention to it – she was used to varied startled reactions from newly met others, whether it was horror that they might have died, abject certainty that they’d met a goddess or, in Rhaegara’s case, an Ancient One, disgust at a perceived abomination, or any number of other responses. One tended to grow numb to them after a while. All told, she’d have been perfectly happy to never have developed the glowing fur thing. As Ulric greeted her, she smiled, though she wondered what news he’d bring with the words of having a rough couple of seasons. Her serene smile flashed into a brief grin as she greeted the yearling, “A pleasure indeed, Artorias.” There was more to the story, for sure, but she didn’t pressure Ulric for more information, respecting the privacy of the Hallows. Until they were confirmed as allies as Abaven were, it was natural to keep certain things behind closed doors. Her haunches settled, with an idle flick of her tail to send it to one side in a pool, her head tilted in thought, breathing out a sigh of, "Ó, déithe...Where does one even start…” A rueful, sad chuckle. “I’m afraid the past few seasons since the festival haven’t been any better for drama or heartbreak free stories, though there have been plenty of good times. And I’m sure you’ve been seeing the strange weather.” Her eyes flicked over the chilly plains lands over Ulric’s shoulder. “I do wonder how the prey animals will fare through the colder months. Packs may start raiding in earnest.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ulric grinned and chuckled when Ardyn mentioned how his mother thought he'd grow even larger than his grandfather. "Well, no doubt you'll at least match him, that's for certain," he replied. He had gotten pretty good at judging how young wolves would grow from watching all the pups The Hallows had housed once upon a time - including his own - and Ardyn was pretty close to how Ezra was now. He smiled as the two heirs exchanged a few words, glad that they had gotten to meet one another.

Once his attention was fully shifted to Aurielle he listened with an understanding nod as she described the time since their festival had been filled with their own drama and heartbreak. That seemed to be the common theme across Boreas and Auster. The ice age had hit everyone differently, but none of it had really been pleasant. He was just glad that things were slowly beginning to shift back to normal at long last. He hummed softly at the thought of prey animals being more scarce and at the idea that packs might truly start raiding because of it.

"Hopefully it won't get quite that bad," he mused. He didn't mind participating in the practice raids and things of that sort, but having to really shed blood was something he'd rather avoid if he could help it. At least he knew The Hallows was more prepared for a raid now than they had once been so if that did come to pass they would be ready. At one point they had been made up of mostly healers, which was fine and good, but the balance was a bit better now between the different skill sets.

"Well, I won't take up too much more of your time," he began, rising to his paws with a smile and a dip of his head. "We've been on a journey around to all of the packs and you and Aerie are our last two stops. I'm pretty eager to get back home, as I'm sure you can imagine. I'd love to see you again, Aurielle. You too, Ardyn. It's been too long." With that he dipped his head again and went to lead Art away so they could finally start making their way closer to home.

Ulric Adravendi

Artorias returned Ardyn's friendly grin with a flash of his own teeth and bright, lively eyes that lit up like tiny fires. "I'll be looking forward to it, Ardyn. I'm sure we'll have plenty of chances in the near future." Ardyn was the heir to Valhalla, as Artorias was to the Hallows. If they maintained friendly relations, he was certain he would see more of the yearling throughout their lives. Ulric and Aurielle spoke of how their packs had fared the long winter, the challenges they had faced. He was silently thankful that Ulric hadn't mentioned his mother's deaths, and that the Valhallan wolves hadn't pressed for more information. The pain was still too raw in his heart to bear that conversation right now.

The pleasantries were shared between the two alphas with some short chitchat, and then Ulric rose to excuse themselves to continue on their diplomacy trip. He thanked them both for their time, and as Artorias rose to his paws, he dipped his head in reverence to the two wolves again. "Thank you for your time, Aurielle, Ardyn." He turned his eyes back to Ardyn with a roguish smirk. "I look forward to seeing you again as an alpha, Ardyn." Following Ulric's lead, Artorias followed his alpha away from Valhallan lands and moved south towards Aerie, their last stop before home. Aurielle and Ardyn had been friendly and courteous, and he was thankful they had actually answered their call. Valhalla held a much higher regard in his mind than the other packs solely for their courteousness and manners. He couldn't wait to see how their future interactions went.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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