To the Weast [Aurielle]

An easy smile greeted the man’s wary response, and, noting his caution, she made no movement to approach him, instead choosing to wade into the water until she was in up to the neck. It would be a lot more comfortable traversing the sand if she were soaked through so the wind could cool her.

She supposed she was lucky to have been born so light in color, rather than the black of this man or her brother—although the stranger that kept to the shade of the tree didn’t shimmer blue like her twin had. Was Aramis even still alive out there?

Some small piece of her clung to the hope that the next time she ever saw her brother, he would have a story like Baine’s—that he’d gone abroad, and found love and a family there. Did she have nieces and nephews out there somewhere?

The stranger’s question brought her back to the present and her head cocked slightly in thought. “I suppose that depends on what you believe. There are wolves out here that believe themselves to be born of gods. I’ve heard that others might believe that they are gods. My close family believes in some gods, Primarily the moon goddess Luneil and her mother Galei... (This is her writer picking a belief and sticking to it, guys)”

She paused for further thought before she shrugged lightly, sending ripples through the pool of water. “My own appearance, save for my long canines and maybe the mane and tail, are passed down through my father’s maternal lineage. There were a lot of wolves with shimmering coats, and many with colors you might only see on a flower or in the sky. I’ve no idea where the glowing or this marking on my eye came from though… It just… developed recently. I’m still adjusting.”

She gave him a rueful smile as she added, “I’m Aurielle Adravendi, Spirit – or alphess – of Valhalla. It’s a pack here in the west, but a ways to the southwest. This is Aelloshir, and that is Ayodele. They’re my companions and close friends.”

Loshir remarked quietly, “And her guardian…” giving her the look that surely many royal guards must have worn worlds and eras over when their Queenly charges had ventured far from safety without a full retinue.

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