Staying Ahead of Winter

Both wolves expressed their comfort with what Aerie was, and given what they brought to the table Eli was mortally glad that they hadn't taken offense to the idea of being part of a group of mercenaries. Aerie certainly needed them now more than they had ever needed wolves before.

Reining in his raw emotions before they could set off down a path that he'd regret right now, he nodded at the pair. "That makes good hearing," he told them both. "You can consider yourself members of Aerie, in a provisional manner until your skills can be tested to see where precisely you'd be ranked. I can rank you now as unaffiliated adults, and your status in the paths you choose can be determined later."He could test their skill in fighting now, but he didn't trust himself to not let his rage get the better of him in the heat of battle. Better to have another test them while he watched and could judge their fitness for a rank. Riva could test the woman's healing skill when she had the chance, and the man's skill in crafting or lack thereof would be evident in anything he made.

"Please, walk with me," he said as courteously as he could, gesturing to indicate for them to join him in pack lands. As they did, he gave them a quick explanation of the ranks and rules so that they'd be able to tell him what exactly path or paths they wished to follow.