what a coincidence

Venom paced along the bank as she usually did, with no one to fill the Renja rank she had taken to scouting the lands beyond Ashen’s borders to keep better prepared for the next threat. Finally the sickness was lifting from the land, her children were recovering and their parents were as well. The crystals had all fallen from her body, leaving fur-less pink marks where they had once been. Over all Venom was in pristine condition considering.

Her thoughts were often on the curse of the land and the illnesses it brought, even as she scanned the horizon she wondered where it had come from and why they were spared. Sunset gaze caught movement, and suddenly Manea was at her side. Venom’s pale brows lifted curiously as she nodded her head in greeting. She was no pack alpha, but Manea’s scent had changed, she was leading a band.

Manea was well spoken, something the Ashen Monarch could appreciate. ”Greetings, Manea.” She returned lightly as the pair easily fell in step. ”The pleasure is mine, though I do wish I had better news.” She tried to shrug off how heavy the question was. ”Many of Ashen’s own were infected.” Venom wasn’t certain how candid she should or could be with Manea, but took a chance to offer her s nippet of sensitive information. ”I worried for the state of the crown for a long time.” It was nearly impossible to judge just how long the endless night had been.