The bulky wolf had not lost any of her zeal for life, that was for sure. Her tail wagged, and the viking woman held her axe in her jaws, twisting and swishing it about in a way that was not so much a brag as it was a method of practice. She felt good, in the changing weather. Her pack, her people, they were improving by the day, and so -- Bylgja whistled for her companions, and then threw her head back to howl for her son. It was a long, warm howl. And then Bylgja waited, setting her axe back in its sheathe and wagging her tail once again, reclining to wait. She wanted to test against the boy again, to see how he had improved from their first spar. It'd be perfect-- and she hoped, in truth, that he would win this time. It would be a true sign of his improvement, one that she could bring to Vidarr when the time came. Her zeal for life boomed in that howl -- undeniable and strong in its own right. "Bylgja" & "Strai"

It would likely be a long time before the viking boy truly adjusted to what Bylgja meant to him. Every time he faced her, he felt as if she was washing away a little of the pain his mother had left in him. It was a strange sensation, watching her overwright his upbringing. It felt like it should be a sin, to let her replace the woman who had birthed him. Who had taught him so much in so little time, who had weathered him into what he was today. But he couldn't seem to turn away from her.


He answered her call promptly, giving her the respect she had earned. Her warm howl lead him through the stone steppe, to where he coukd stop before her. He dipped his head to the older wolf in greeting. “Bylgja “ he said politely. He only gave her another title in his mind. Not outloud.

The boy's slow adjustment was just fine for Bylgja. She understood that he was hurt; she had seen his confusion firstclaw, and had no desire to make him feel even more complicated. So-- she simply treated him as her son, and let him adjust in his own time. At the sight of him, though, she beamed, all toothy and bright. Of course she did! Look at him! He was going to do good by her. She just knew it. As he approached, Bylgja greeted him with that smile and a dip of her own head. She wanted to give the boy a hug, but here where they could be seen? No, no. He wouldn't appreciate it, so she remained at that amicable distance. "Astraios! Would you like another spar?" Would you like. No forcing him to spar with her; she would not think less of him if he wanted to do something else. "Else! We can hunt, instead?" It didn't matter. She simply wanted to see how he was coming along. He would be an excellent warrior, as an adult. She knew that already. "Bylgja" & "Strai"

Everything about Bylgja was exuberant and bright. Her coloured coat, her easy, warm greeting. It was easy to feel a little embarrassed about her affection, but she never forced it on him. She treated him with the care and patience of one wishing to taim a wild animal. He appreciated it, and a part of him hoped he would be comfortable with her unexpected affection one day. 


He did manage a grin at her words, stretching out his paws and rolling his muscles. “I've learned a lot since we've sparred last” he said, hinting that he perhaps had a chance to beat her now. It was true that he had done a lot of growing, coming into his true size. No longer did the adults around him dwarf him. “Your on” he challenged her, indicating with a paw for her to make the first move.