Willows

Malalia’s brightening at the brief explanation of Aurielle’s prowess brought a bright grin to his own features. He couldn’t help admiring the way that his Lady seemed to bolster this girl’s confidence without even being there.

Her blunt question brought an amused laugh, the first outright explosion of mirth from the young man. It was an easy rumble, not booming, but almost carefree. “Oh, I don’t blame you. It was rather late in coming, but I’m not certain he actually knew he’d be dead the next day. Perhaps if he’d opened up a lot sooner, Aurielle’s lineage would be different, or perhaps there would have been a second litter for Erani, the great grandmother in question. As it was, she raised his children from pup-hood after my great grandmother died. Erani might have died herself without them. So she might as well have been their mother anyway. For most of them, she was.”

There was a love for his family, warm in his voice. The family history had many twists and turns, and he was aware that he had other grand-uncles and aunts from Cairo the first’s prior marriage, but he adored the history. One had even found his way to Valhalla of old for a long while during Erani’s reign. He hoped he would have the chance to meet cousins from that man, too.

It was a history he didn’t mind sharing.

He chuckled, twisting his hips to catch sight of his chocolate splotched rump and bi-chocolate tail at her assurance that she’d send anyone looking for a wolf of his description his way. At her proposal of a spar, he brightened, if that was possible. He’d had yet to spar against someone other than Aurielle or Justice, and he’d definitely never sparred someone from outside Valhalla. He was a little sore from last night’s promotion and all it had entailed, but he was more than up for the opportunity to grow and learn, and to see how his skills held up against a stranger.

“I don’t see why not. Have you ever gone up against someone with armor?”

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