build upon the foundation [Ashen Meeting]

And so the next meeting began. Calamity arrived in a timely fashion for once, trailing after Toxicity and her brood. She spent time praying in the shrine of late, connecting more deeply with her faith than she ever had before. It was quiet there and the silence gave her thoughts room to stretch out and become limber once more. After the birth had come a blessed time of contemplation and watching Toxicity raise her children struck a chord within Calamity. All seemed right with the world. Bringing up the rear guard was a formality - Tox's children were mild and well behaved, if only because they knew their mother made good on her threats. Nevertheless, Cala's head was lowered in a casual herding motion, keeping her antlers forward and all pups abreast of her.

Upon arrival she settled next to her sister, noting quite a new face that resembled Hattori in distant relations. Hm. Were they collecting them now? Calamity peered at Toxicity and noted the similar curiosity growing. Good. She wasn't quite so out of the loop that her sister knew before she did. The shrine had a particular way of isolating you if you let it, and admittedly Calamity had fully surrendered to it. Cloistering had been good for her soul. When Toxicity hailed their sister-Empress, Calamity dipped her crown of antlers low and deep in respect. Hattori had spoken briefly of their goals and now that the raid had finished she was eager to hear Venom speak of the pack's direction.