we carry on

He’d been sent out again to find more herbs. It had been one or two days, plus several hours, and he was on his way back through the Moor with his bounty; wrapped in the deer hide and tucked into the space under his necklace with the help of Cinder - who had come with him today and now balanced easily on his shoulders, front paws holding the bundle in place – were various plants, roots, and tubers. Even a few mushrooms from all the way to the east in the mountainous foothills of Mount Volkan. Maitake Mushrooms? They were a surprising order from Kavdaya, who said they were good for fighting cancers, easing pain and nausea, among other things. Since it was new and unheard of by the vibrant Archangel, he remembered most of the conversation of what they did.

Also in the bundle were several bushels of Pinkroot. Kavdaya had said that the plants were good for treating intestinal parasites. Calendula, he had located for her, though with the plants not in bloom, he carried none of the flower heads to take home and dry.

He wasn’t worried about being gone for so many days; Creed was a trustworthy Secondary, and in any case, he would be gone even longer when he went out to meet with the other Alphas at their borders. He had taken a few detours to investigate some borders, and had been shocked to find that Imperium was gone. The scents were barely there; maybe a few lone soles still lingering, perhaps clinging to the hope that it would reform… Was the Imperialis family okay? Thus far, he had only really met Valentine, the king, and his… unusual daughter. Hopefully they were okay somewhere out there.

Donostrea was gone as well. Both things that he needed to announce next time he called a meeting. He’d been thinking through several ideas he wanted to bring to light with the pack; they’d never had the festival his mother had planned to hold last Summer, and there were a few customs he wanted to suggest to them. Ultimately, it would be down to them what customs stayed, and which wouldn’t be set into place. He was thinking of laws, as well.

Movement ahead broke him from his reverie, and he slowed, steps growing lighter as his fathomless sapphire eyes sought the source, catching sight of a lightly dappled pale sandy tan rump before the mists swirled briefly to veil her frame. It was a brief glimpse, but enough to tell him that the female ahead was another tiny one. His head lowered, nose questing for her scent, which he’d missed as he was lost in his thoughts. Young, no pack scent, and not in heat, thank the gods.

He slipped after the stranger, noting that her path, if she continued straight on from here, would lead to the border of Celestial. So he gave a friendly bark, announcing his presence and allowing his steps to land heavily instead of the near silent traipsing he’d been doing seconds before. His posture was friendly, openly wagging his tail over his hips; a sign that he was an Alpha, but a friendly one. All in all, he was a striking figure, as large as he was, and as brightly hued as he was with his fierce crimson coat.

When he felt he was close enough to speak without shouting, he called out in the gentle, carrying baritone voice he’d used with the pack, greeting the female cheerfully as Cinder leapt from his back, heading for home ahead of him. “Good day, miss. Would you mind some company? I’m Regulus Anatolii Adravendi, by the way; I’m the Archangel – or Alpha – of the pack just west of this land; Celestial.” He paused to check the bundle on his back, ensuring it was secure before he smiled warmly at the female, though he kept a respectful distance, waiting for her to either accept his company, or tell him to sod off.