A Man Who Pays His Bills on Time is Soon Forgotten

Dragon spoke next, and he seemed to have similar thoughts about being able to restore what was being lost. The earthen male had been an alpha once, and perhaps there had been a time he had made a similar decision, he wasn't sure. He was okay with going to Hjarrandi for a while, which brought a sigh of relief to the alabaster king. He didn't like going back on his word without good reason, but he would with Hjarrandi if they tried to abuse the agreement. "Thank you, Dragon." The blind warriors companions spoke up then, and Ace slowly nodded with Kimahri's question. "Yes. I thought about raiding both to perhaps test members seeking to rank up, or perhaps even to test if our apprentices are ready, and gathering what we need when we need it. I know not everyone agreed with raiding, but the world isn't all rainbows and sunshine. Raids happen all the time whether we hear about them or not, it's just a way of life sometimes." He thought so, anyway. It wasn't like they would be sieging packs left and right, no. Raiding was different. And when Shiva spoke, he had to agree. Yes, he had been part of Abaven and had once been friends with Shaye, but she shattered that friendship of her own accord. The pack as large as it was, didn't have the trained and experienced warriors they should have had with the vision she had for them. He only knew of barely a handful of trained warriors, that being the alphas themselves and Odysseus. "And as I mentioned before, I don't think we were even allies to begin with. Last I went to their borders recently, nobody came. And they also went back on their word when I was offered two members to help start the foundation of Winterfell. Those two wolves never came." Vail and Solor had been promised, but he had not seen hide nor hair of them during the season they had been promised.

Cloud also agreed to go, and Ace would look at him and his brother. "Thank you, Cloud. I understand you and your brother are very close to each other, and there's nothing keeping you from coming to see him during your time of service." He nodded to Dragon then as he continued, "Nor you, Dragon. If Hjarrandi attempts to abuse the agreement while you two are in their service by trying to keep you as captives, you only need to send word and we'll come. The agreement was purely for your services when needed. Not to keep you as prisoners nor to keep you from acting as you please. But while there, you will live by their rules and respect their customs."

Avalon was last to speak, and for once he felt like a scolded pup who's mother was disappointed in him. In a way, with Avalon being the eldest of them all, she was basically the packs mother. Perhaps second to Heloise, but she had the knowledge and experience that most didn't. She had started by scolding, and then by saying what's done is done. And to move forward. She understood. But of course she did...she likely had this sort of experience, and that's why he had wanted her here in the first place. "Thank you, Avalon. I understand and admit this hasn't been my best idea, but as you said...it's a mistake I'll learn from." She too, had her input about Abaven. And it seemed they were in agreement about them. He didn't know who Bass was, though from his recollections of speaking with Shaye, he had been the founder of Abaven and Avalon had once said that she and him had been close friends. At the mention of the raid, he nodded and agreed with her. "Yes, dominance is preferred. However, if our adversaries try to shred an ear then it's understandable if one of our own wishes to return the favor. I promise there will be nothing more than that."

Alright. They all seemed to be in agreement then. Well...with the exception of Heloise. "This will be kept from the rest of the pack. Dragon and Cloud need not give an explanation as to why they're away. As for hunting down what we need, Cloud and Tyranis are in charge. Take whoever you want, though I suggest taking the pups and yearlings with you to get them some experience if they're interested. Be careful with the Lion...take whichever target you deem easiest. Remember, we need it alive. Bind it, and take one of the sleds I've made to transport it. We'll convene in the same territory where the market was held in three days time. That should be enough to gather the rest of what we need." Alright...he supposed that was it. They had a plan and he was confident they could carry it out in time. One last thing he wanted to add, however. "Kai will be brought here and work until the debt is paid off. Tyranis, you know him best...whatever happens between you two is your business, and if trouble starts I will step in if I must. Just make sure he does his work until it's paid off. Otherwise...well, we'll get to that if we need to."

Right. That would be the end of the meeting unless anyone else wanted to add anything. They had work to do and he wanted to get started as soon as possible. "Right, so we're all in agreement then? If anyone else has anything to add, feel free to speak now or find me later. We've work to do, and the faster we get it done the better. After we pay what we owe Hjarrandi, we'll start gathering to restock our own stores and prepare for the raids to come. And remember...we're wolves of honor. We are not evildoers with ill intent. We keep our word unless we've reason to break it, understand? You're all dismissed."