Eltrys was making his way down to the cattail creek. He had made a habit of tracing the creek from its source to its end at the ocean before he became a leader. It helped clear his head.

On his way, his attention was piqued by the smell of Lia and the fresh scent of overturned rich soil. He detoured from his initial task and set his sights on the warrior healer. She had her work cut out for her as he took in the state of the garden beds.

"Seems like I've placed the garden in good paws." He mused as he drew closer to her, watching her work, "I wonder if you like to try some time as one of the Keepers here?" He wondered aloud.

"Speech!"

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Lia was still flush from victory, and a little off kilter from who her victory had been against. To centre herself, she had set to work in the gardens she had taken over. She wipes her muddy paws on the grass when she saw Eltrys approaching, showing him respect as she paused her work. 


She smiled when he spoke, her expression thoughtful. “I'm honoured, thank you for considering me.” The last time he had asked her about ranks, she had been clueless to the structure of this pack. This time, she had had the time to do her research. She had learned about Veltras ranks. “I hope you will not consider this overly forward or rude” She said earnestly, “but I hope I have proven my knowledge, my abilities, and my desire to fight for these wolves.” -From fighting slavers with him, curing Haydee, and now winning against the alpha in the attacking raiding party- “and propose the rank of Bard, if you would be willing to consider it.” She let out a steady breath. She wouldn't have dared be so forward only half a year ago.

A glittering amusement entered his eyes as he sat back and considered her proposal. A frigid wind picked up around them for a brief moment then faded. From what he knew of her past, just the energy of asking for such was monumental for her.

He hummed with a half smile on his lip as he thought about his plans for that particular rank, and let his gaze wander to the cold winter sky.

"The Druidic order is an interesting choice," he replied finally, his icicle eyes gleaming with pride in her passion and growth as they drifted back to her.

He settled into a relaxed pose, sinking to his elbows on the ground and invited her to join him. The ground was frozen solid, but their winter coats had come in nicely.

"Tell me what guides your spirit, your morals. Do you believe in anything? Gods? Spirits? Elements?" He tilted his head gently, wondering what her answer would be and how she might feel about the spiritual path of the Druidic Order.
"Speech!"

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Lia nodded her head slowly when he called her choice interesting, and considered her words carefully before speaking again. Offering an explanation on the path she had chosen within his pack.. “I’ve studied your ranks, and from what I understand, the Druids are healers, and protectors. To help and guide those around them. I know I am not ready for such a rank, but it is my intention to be. To rise above my past, and teach others to do the same. To heal, and to use my strength to defend those that need it.” Healing was her natural instinct, but fighting she had honed purely for the purpose of protecting others.

What did she believe in? She was not sure her answer would be enough. But if he believed you needed a God in order to teach guidance, then she would have misjudged him. “I believe in the strength inside each wolf, and their ability to grow and heal past whatever this world might throw at them. I understand and acknowledge that some wolves need help to find this inner strength. If you granted me this rank, I would work towards the rank of Druid and devote myself to teaching others to find the strength I know they possess.”


Speech

He shifted his position, leaning from one shoulder to the other as he listened intently. Tucking one cold paw under his chest to warm it. He nodded sagely to her assessment of what it meant to be a druid, she had a part of it for sure.

He was intensely interested in her response to what she believed in. She displayed the heart of her beliefs, relying on the idea that some wolves would invite such help to find their inner strength. If she made it to be an honored Druid, her particular flavor would be certainly fruitful and necessary.

She was close to the mark, closer than he credited her when she initially suggested it.

"To be a Druid in my druidic order, it is more than just being a healer or protector. It's about finding the balance in all things, finding the magic in the world around us, and finding a way to live with the world as if we are truly a part of it. Druids protect more than the bodies and minds of others, we protect their spirits, and their connections with the lands. As a Bard, you would be seeking the truth behind the mind and the way a story affects others based on their backgrounds. You would have to temper any lust for revenge as we uphold life as sacred, all life, including our enemies, and including the creatures we hunt and the plants we use." He stated each point factually, and warmly.

"If that part of Druidry is beyond what you are willing to uphold, then you can help me establish what it means to be a Cleric instead, or if the path is something you would like to try, you must spend a season as an Ovate first." He offered with a tilt of his head. If she was willing to put her faith in him, and potentially try to walk the path of the Druidic Order, he would welcome it, but it was not an easy path.

"Speech!"

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She considered his words carefully once he had said his piece, taking time to sort through what it would mean for her, for her future, and what she could do for the pack. At last, she came to her decision. “I am interested in becoming a Druid, and will accept the rank of Ovate” She said solemnly, more than happy to wear the title for a season while she proved herself and settled into new responsibilities.

She also had no intention of giving up her garden. Its growth was important to the pack, and perhaps others would understand how healing the nurturing and growing could be.


Speech

He watched her consider her options carefully. She was already demonstrating wisdom and temperance. He had no plan to hold her back in any capacity but wanted to maintain the steps to Druidry as holy and there were no shortcuts to be made on the path.

She made her decision with solemnity and he bowed his head solemnly back.
"You are welcome to change your mind at any point but know that the path will then be closed to you. You will not be able to try again and must find another rank that suits you."

He sat up and lifted his paw, slowly and silently asking her permission to place it on her shoulder. If she pulled back it would remain raised and in the air, if she let him he would place it on her shoulder and gently close his eyes.

"I welcome you Lia, Ovate of Vedia."

He then sat back and opened his eyes to her with a warm grin, filled with pride.

"Your first task as Ovate is to bring this garden back to working order. There will be two more tasks as Ovate to do before becoming a Bard. Ask me when you are ready to know your next one." He was grateful for her energy and knew she would do well on this path if she so chose to. Now to find Alexa and her father.

"Speech!"

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