A new fire blazed in the depths of Zephyr's gizzard, his wanderlust settling into deep, unyielding purpose. The Argentavis, full grown, had finally felt an undeniable pull towards home. A wolf at two years old stood on the cusp of adulthood, but Zephyr knew deep down inside that his youth would stretch many years yet. With any luck, he would have decades to shape his legacy. Decades to make his parents proud.

In fact, no sooner had he arrived back home and unpacked had the young bird decided: one day he would be known as the most productive and dedicated individual the Hallows had ever seen.

He did not regret his journey, even as homesickness had eventually struck. Being out and on the breeze had done too much for the young bird to regret even a day away from home. The solitude and harsh requirements of survival had honed his instincts, sharpening them into an art as unique and formidable as the talon-blades with which he fought. Combat was second nature to him now, yet it was his innate talent for navigation that set him apart. It was a skill no wolf - regardless of their keen senses - could ever hope to match. His ability to traverse hundreds of kilometers in a day, to see vast distances from the sky above, to effortlessly conquer obstacles that forced land-based animals to reposition and replan.. indeed, Zephyr had become an unparalleled scout. Plus, he was modest as all hell.

But it wasn't just the thrill of exploration that fueled him; it was the call to protect, to serve. His recent expeditions beyond the familiar borders of pack territory had awakened a new sense of purpose, one that aligned perfectly with the ideals instilled within him as a young chick huddled in Artorias' fur. Search and rescue. Together with his companions, Zephyr had formed a team, trained hard, and eventually came to master this new passion. With a few seasons of hard work under their belts, Zeph had finally decided it was time to pass those skills onto the next generation.

His intention was to give to the Hallows wolves more than a mere lesson; this was to be a challenge, an experience, a game. One that would hone their abilities in both navigation and healing.

Zephyr had meticulously prepared for this moment, setting up various scenarios across the field to simulate the challenges of real-life search and rescue missions. Small, brightly colored flags of cloth dotted the landscape, each representing a lost traveler or injured individual that needed to be found, extracted, and aided. Each 'patient' was strategically placed - Some were tucked away under bushes, requiring keen observation, while others were placed in more open areas, demanding speed and efficiency. Some particularly difficult ones were hidden deep within thickets, wedged beneath driftwood on the ocean shore, or placed at height in the castle courtyard. Zephyr intended to challenge the teams to strategize their routes and methods of retrieval effectively, just as they might if ever a real disaster might strike.

Zephyr's gaze fell upon a large boulder, upon which he leaped with a single powerful thrust of his wings. This would be his podium for the evening. Tilting back his head, the Argentavis then let out a piercing, shrill call; a summon to any wolf within the reach of his voice, one that beckoned any interested students to join him under the stars.

"Zephyr"

Lingering outside the castle walls, Clove was enjoying the midday, autumn breeze. In her jaws was the femur bone of a rabbit she had hunted down. Having cleaned away the sinew until the porcelain bone was shiny and clean, she intended to save it for a later project. Each day, she was getting better at hunting, and alongside that skill, she wanted to make use of the kills she made.  Perhaps she could make some kind of knife with the bone- or turn it into a tool to help scrub down hides to tan them.

But this would be for a later time. Because Clove suddenly became distracted by a shrill, piercing call that came from the neighboring plains. It sounded like a bird! But, it was a summons. Curious as ever, she hid her bone away for now. Racing out into the plains, drawn to the odd sound. Father had told her there was a huge bird who called the Hallows home- Zephyrus was his name. Maybe he was the caller?

Making her way through the plains, she was starstruck by the various items spread among the grasses. Brightly colored flags, some easier to see than others, were sprinkled all around. It took a ton of willpower to leave them alone as she passed- she was just so curious!

And then she saw him- a massive looming bird, with an array of beautiful feathers perched atop a boulder. Approaching him, Clove smiled warmly. Eyes wide and wonder-struck, as she was in awe. “Hello!” She said, peering up at him. “I’m Clove- are you Zephyrus?” This had to be the bird Dad talked about! Waiting for his answer, she would immediately follow with, “Did you put all this stuff here?” She wanted to know what the heck was going on in the plains!

"Speech"