race me! race me!

Mortis was never shy with affection - except of course for when it wasn't welcome. That Hana had easily slid into the spot beneath his wing on the beach, he assumed she was just as relaxed as he was. He slid into the spot she left him, stretching out his back paws so they slid over the edge between two sturdy branches behind him. His front paws stretched out like a cat before him. One wing tucked nearly into his side, the other found its now-familiar place over her. The faint spring breezes that found them in the tree tops would have trouble seeping through the protective embrace of his wing.

At her compliment, his tail thumped happily behind him, though his gaze was for the surrounding trees before them. Here was the start of the woods, and they face it as they were now. They were hidden from view from below with the thickly entwined branches and foliage.

"Oh, there's a story" he laughed softly at her question. He was more then happy to answer it. "My fathers parents were breed for war in the Original Ashen Empire. When they perished in battle, he was given as a young pup Deathbelle, to serve as her guard and playmate. As they grew, they became very good friends. They respected eachother, as more then just Mistress and Slave. But Deathbelles father was a stern wolf, he would never have allowed their friendship if he knew how deep it ran. Famine destroyed the empire. Crops died, and herds with it. The people starved, and they grew angry. They sought to attack the mighty family that ruled them. Sirius aided Deathbelle in her escape, and almost perished. Deathbelle believed he had. He found her, and chose to return to his place as her slave. Deathbelle loved him, and wanted him to be more. She gave him a rank, a reason to strive for more. He became the wolf he is today, a Warlord. But he still believes in protecting Deathbelle, his loyalty to his oldest friend. So he created the Armada, with the intention that they would learn to fight, and protect Deathbelle and her Empire. So the connection is loyalty, earned and freely given." He took a deep breath, and picked his dry lips, turning a curious eye to see what she thought of all that