Come Softly, Come Swiftly

She didn’t have to wait for long before Regulus arrived, settling at her side. Cinder came shortly after, hauling a duck and looking wet and annoyed. Tor and Baine were shortly after, and Surreal took a moment to look them over, noting Tor’s tense frame, the way his eyes roved the surroundings. It gave her another conviction that perhaps she wouldn’t claim the Estuary when she raised her standard. She had noticed the sudden silence in Druid’s Moor, and the fading scents. Further investigation had seen the rest of Sonticus’ territory fading, and empty. Had Arian moved them yet again? Creed arrived after a moment, and Surreal gave the fluffy male a smile and nod of appreciation for his attendance. Newol showed up shortly after, with Avalon seemingly glued to his hip, which brought a raised brow point and a faint frown. Surreal had not called for anyone beyond the inner circle of her family and a few select others, and her call had not been loud enough to carry beyond the Estuary.. A sharp look was cast to the woman as she approached. Avalon was family, yes. But what would the information be that she carried? And why was she here, instead of with her pack? “Then speak it, Niece, after I address my family..”

Next to arrive was a graceful female, younger than Surreal. The way she moved brought a faint hitch to her breathing. It was gentle and sure, the same way Erani carried herself in life. The female approached, and spoke, and Surreal nodded. A Nomad. And the mark was that of one who was Fully Trained in her Craft. Erani had shown Surreal what the marks looked like, should she ever meet a Nomad. Kavdaya could be an asset to their family with her training. Zuriel needed someone trustworthy to teach her everything she needed to know. Who better than a Nomad? By now, Surreal had begun to wonder what was taking Falk and Zuriel so long. She had been aware of her daughter’s displeasure, and of Falk’s discomfort with having to learn a new terrain, but she would have thought that they would have been here by now.

Instead, a surprise came in the form of Obito, and then, at last, Falk arrived, settling at her side with a sound of relief. Why had Zuriel not guided him? And lastly, Zuriel herself arrived. Surreal noted the way she immediately gravitated to Kavdaya, but thought nothing more for the time being, instead turning her mind to the present matters at hand. Sitting straighter, she locked eyes with each of those present, before speaking clearly, her voice calm but carrying easily to those present. “Thank you for coming, everyone. As most of you know already, we have moved rather suddenly, and invaders have taken over our family Seat. Thanks to my friend and companion, Battlesong, I’ve been gathering information on this pack they call Hellstrom. I believe I have enough to carry to Bass Destruction, whom I met with the day after Threar fell to Sin Armada. Children. Listen to me, and listen well. Do not interact with the Hellstrom wolves. That is an order to all four of you. That includes the children of Hellstrom. Until they leave, or are crushed by a war, they are our enemy.” Her mismatched eyes bore into each set of her children’s eyes.

Now she turned To face Falk more. “I intend to lend my paw to Bass in any way I can, whether it means fighting alongside his pack should he decided to besiege Hellstrom, or if fighting is not available, then guarding the wounded; again, should he intend to siege. But I will not sit idly by while invaders squat within our home.” She wasn’t asking permission from him. She was telling him what she would be doing, and that she would be doing it. To the adults and yearlings at large, Creed, Regulus, Zuriel, and Newol, Kavdaya and Falk she spoke softly, though not softly enough to be misunderstood. “We will keep our distance, but patrols will be set in place. Tell me what you have seen, smelled, and heard on these patrols; what are they doing, have they come into the Estuary, and who was there. I will be pairing you carefully. Creed, you will be with myself and Falk; if you wish to join in on these patrols, love? If not, Regulus will join us.” She turned her head slightly, allowing her voice to inform Falk that she had looked to him for a nod or shake of his head, before she continued on to the rest of the group.

“If any of you have preferences of whom you wish to patrol with, please announce whom. I will be going to meet with Bass soon to see what he plans to do, and offer my services in any way I can. If any of you wish to add your own service to any efforts he intends to make, let me know, and I will take you with me.” She fell silent for a moment to allow the group to absorb her words and think, before she turned to her two younger children. “War and invaders aside, we will soon be celebrating the first and second years of my children. No, I haven’t forgotten in all the hullabaloo. Regulus, Zuriel, Faite, Tornach and Baine, I salute your lives, and I am proud of you.” Even though her youngest born first litter daughter was missing still, she said the name, determined that someday, Faite would be there to hear her.

She smiled at each of them before turning to face the gathered faces at large. “I have decided that when Celestial is raised, we will not be claiming this land, the Estuary. There are bad emotions tied to it now, and the going is difficult to those who have no sight. Perhaps someday, should a war prove fruitful to us, we will eventually gain this land to thwart attempts to flank us from an enemy, but perhaps not.” She swept her gaze over the faces of her family and her friends a final time before announcing gently “That concludes all I had to say. If you have anything to tell or ask me, please, come see me in a bit.” She turned, finally, to Avalon. brow points raised. “Now what is the information you had?” She asked quietly. May as well ask now.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think