Give Me More

Her pack began to trickle in, even the long absent Harekr back from his mission - apparently with the news he had been seeking. Katja closed silver eyes against a wave of fury, and though when she opened them again it was with a glow of anger her voice was cold and collected as she answered. "Thank you, Harekr. You've done well on your mission. I welcome your return to Yfir." She would deal with the betrayal later; for now she set the anger aside. They had all appeared, except for those who were ill, and Neith who had disappeared with Eisleif. She had not yet informed Laufey that his daughter was missing. He had enough to worry about with his illness, and with Taufr and Raesa ill as well. There was no more he could do that his pack could not do as well, until he recovered. With the arrival of all expected to come, she spoke - quietly but with the expectation that the pack would pipe down and listen. "Tonight is Winter-night, and with it the vetrnátta blót. I do not expect you all to choose to stay for the blót, though any are welcomed. Winter-night marks our autumn seasonal þing." Most had attended in the past and knew what to expect. Her children had not, but she had hopefully prepared them enough through stories and teachings for them to sit quietly and observe. First thing, as always, were the announcements of what the pack may need to know in the coming season. "The friðla Neith has vanished," she began bluntly, "and with her taken one of Yfir's children, Laufey's daughter Eisleif. I expect you all to be alert for any signs of either of them." The coolness of her tone made clear the consequences for having stolen away one of the pack's offspring, their future. "There is also disease in the south, far greater than what we have had to face here in the north, so I urge caution until it passes. There have been many deaths, and I do not wish this disease to be visited upon us through carelessness." A decisive nod, and a firm glance around those of the pack most prone to wandering, or whose very path required them to travel. "There have been some changes to our rank structure as well. Please take note of them." (OOC: assume she gave an explanation IC, but also do see the new ranks in the pack thread and re-familiarize yourself with the old ones as well.)

But not all was stern warnings and announcements. She straightened her back as she stared at her three present children. There was a moment of regret that Eisleif would not get to participate in this moment that she had been looking forward to as a child, that Raesa and Taufr were too ill to stand beside their littermates, but she could not hold Naudir, Asvor and Alfrun back to await their siblings any longer. "As is custom at all þings, I invite all who wish to gain in rank to step forth to state their intentions to do so, and challenges will be held at the close of the meeting. Any among the children who feel themselves ready to formally begin their training in a field of their choosing, ready to be assigned a mentor and to become as adults in the eyes of the pack, please step forward now and state your intentions." Her chilly eyes softened with clear pride as they swept over her offspring, but she quickly returned to her businesslike clip. "Any who seek redress for a grievance, or wish to make a statement to the pack may also do so now."

OOC: I expect at least one more post out of everyone, even if they don't have any particular thing to say or do. Everyone should stick around until Katja dismisses everyone because ICly, if there were a dispute brought up all wolves would need to be present. I'm going to skip the IC playing out of the blot itself though since this meeting dragged on so late (sorry) so there won't really be a next round after this unless you want to post an exit.