haggard!?

Eligos' expression softened slightly in fondness and pride for his nephew's ambitious. And yes, a little relief that nothing was wrong, and sadness once again for the loss of Aureus. "You are correct that you are not ready for Mantle just yet. There is more to being a master of your path than simply knowing how to fight well. As an Accipiter you will gain the experience and depth of learning that you will need to take your place as a Mantle. I know Aureus trained you well - you needed only to take the last step and show that you were confident enough in yourself." The normally reserved alpha clasped a paw to Deus' shoulder with a warm smile. "I am happy to welcome you as the pack's newest Accipiter, and I look forward to seeing you as a Mantle one day. Now," he said briskly, "I will still gladly take that fight with you, but I have your first task as a warrior to assign you first." With a final pat of Deus' shoulder he pulled away. "You might not have known, since she has been very secretive about it, but Kida gave birth to a litter of puppies recently. I would like you to take two of them when they're old enough to leave her side and train them as fighters to act as partners to you, like Kida and Cypher are to me. It will test your skills and your patience greatly, but it will teach you even as you are teaching them. Do you accept?"