Between a rock and a hard place

"Yeah, that sounds like her," Iskra said with a breathy laugh. She was definitely going to visit her sister soon, maybe offer to babysit or something. Art might like that since it seemed she might be running around after some spirited little munchkins all day.

There was a moment when Iskra hesitated at the mention of being Dragon's mate. This whirlwind romance, or whatever it was, was the only thing of its kind she'd experienced so far. Before now she'd figured she might not even end up having a mate. "You're correct, I suppose I'm just not used to calling it that."

A frown would knit her brows together as she digested the news this man gave her. She was beginning to get an interesting picture, one she wasn't sure she liked at all. If they were at least on somewhat good terms why resort to a raid right away? That didn't make a lot of sense. And, he had family there? Yeah, that sure didn't sit too well with Iskra - in fact she could feel her muscles tensing and teeth gritting, body language betraying her increasing confusion and irritation.

It was all for herbs?! Was that for real? As Regulus listed off the injuries sustained she could feel her chest tightening, ears falling back as she gazed at him quietly and saw no reason not to believe him. Shaking her rosy head she let out a soft sigh, "If there's one thing most important to me and my kin it's family. For me to hear of this fruitless and from what you tell me unnecessary and devastating raid, well, I think my bloods about ten degrees hotter. Hear me when I tell you, you're not the only one on the war path if Dragon does not explain himself to my satisfation." her normally soft tones took on a harder edge the more she thought about the things she'd just been told. No matter what came of it, she was going to be having a rather serious conversation with the man she'd just professed to love.

At his final words she'd grow silent a moment, blue eyes taking on a thoughtful expression as she canted her head and studied Regulus briefly. It was clear she was debating something, and it took her a minute to decide. When she did, Iskra straightened a little, her voice gentler but still quite serious and she decided to offer this man something in return for what he'd just shared, "Thank you for telling me what Dragon failed to. Whether I am his mate, his pack member, or anything else the thing I prize is my own freedom. My agency and ability to make independent choices is important to me. Of course that hardly makes me the best pack member, but, today it works to your benefit. As a thanks for your helpfulness I'd like to offer you my own brief tale. A warning of something on the horizon you and others may not be aware of." Taking a deep breath as memories of the challenge flashed through her mind, Iskra closed her eyes and breathed several times before going on, "Several times recently I met some strange wolves. They speak of conquest, of gods, and they all have the surname Abraxas."

Visions of Ashiel and Dragon in their fight ran through her head, with Dragon and his companions working together in their bid to fight off the challenger, "I wasn't aware until the challenge that, most likely before I joined, Dragon let two of them into his pack lands. They took advantage and targeted Talis, knowing that he would be blind by the time of the challenge." shaking her head and huffing bitterly she grimaced, "The one who challenged, Ashiel, had a whole pack of these Abraxas behind him. I have to wonder if they obtained it through the same means... If so, there seems to be a dangerous threat looming in Auster. And I have no doubt they will come north next. Watch out for Abraxas wolves, with their mottled coats and titan-like size. Maybe it's not my place, but I'd recommend doing what my mate did not. Strengthen ties with other packs. I'm considering going to find out if anyone in boreas has run into them yet, while I'm on my little errand..."

Speaking of this errand, she really needed to get on with it and find some herbs while she was in Boreas. There was just one small problem. Iskra didn't know anything about herbs! Sniffing the air and finding several earthy plant smells but recognizing none as useful, she frowned and glanced up at Regulus. Since she'd already shared this much, she figured it couldn't hurt to ask for help with one teensy little thing, right? "Before they came seeking to take Talis, I made a deal with one of the Abraxas men. I'm to help him gather herbs and find good places to get her them, in return for a favor of my choosing. I'm not stupid, I plan to keep that deal intact since a favor could be very useful indeed. But, I may have bit off slightly more than I can chew seeing as I don't know much of anything about herbs. Do you?"