Light a Fire in Your Souls [Pack Meeting/Raid Meeting!]

He was an old hand at meetings, though he’d stood at the head of them more often than he'd been the audience. He listened and watched as the pack trickled in, Aurielle spoke, and closed his eyes as she spoke of the deaths. He, more than anyone here beside Aurielle herself, felt the first loss deeply. Solveiga had been his wife, his light, the mother of his twins. His son was missing – he knew in his heart that Aramis was alive, at least – and all he had left was Aurielle, Red, their children, Baine, and Aslaug.

His eyes opened, lifting to the greying skies as intermittent snowflakes drifted to the earth, though his gaze sought higher. One day, he would be up there, looking down as life went on without him. It could even be sooner, rather than later. He was old, his time nearly run its course. Having seen his daughter married to a good mate, and become a mother, he could welcome the final sleep when it came, like his grandmother had done.

He listened as his daughter announced in detail all that had transpired, the new circles, and the ones still being planned, and then his ears perked more attentively as she announced the raid. He almost wished he could race into battle behind her, but; his head cocked, eyes flicking toward his bad leg. His years of hard fighting were over. He was old and creaky, and his leg was a hinderance in a real scrap, especially with old age having injected arthritis into his hips for an added dose of spice to his life.

He eyed Ardyn, noting the boy’s excitement as he spoke up among others that announced their desire to fight. The boy had already fought off more bears than his mother had done at a year old, and he wasn’t even a yearling yet. He could handle it. No doubt Coran and Aoife would be piping up soon, wanting to join in.

Aoife was tiny, but mighty, and he looked forward to hearing how she did if she joined in. Coran was dedicated to his brother—and if he worked hard and stayed serious about his intentions, he’d likely be Valhalla’s secondary alpha during Ardyn’s reign.

As Taliesyn finished speaking, Regulus caught his daughter’s eye and stood to face the pack.

“I am old, and my fighting days are over. However, I will be among those who stand guard at the Healer’s camp. As this is a practice raid, I’d hope that Aerie will keep to their side of the border, especially since they’ll be defending it, but it never hurts to add an extra precaution. Any of the fighters who will not be in the direct fighting, or hunters that want to be useful or help guard, I’d encourage you to assist at the camp.

Also, while I am an old man, I am more than willing to offer my experience in training our younger fighters between now and the raid, as well as after.”

He scanned the faces before taking a seat, ears perked and fathomless sapphire eyes watching to see who else would opt to join the fighting. Maybe he’d try his paw at helping make salves.