In the Weeds

He greeted her with a reverence that any leader could appreciate. Their relations were smooth thus far, and she could see herself aligning with the powerful wolf before her and the Austeren pack. Venom returned the greeting with a deep bow of her own, careful not to catch herself on the thorny bushes surrounding them. He mentioned Theory’s trip around the continents and nodded knowingly. The Head Mistress had come to see Ashen and her own as well. She had much to ponder when it came to who she would allow the opportunity.

Venom’s sunset gaze lifted to the blue sky above them and the foliage above. Mostly they were surrounded in thickets but there were massive trees that poked through the thorned plants. Unlike the Ashen forest these trees were not the beautiful stark white specimens of her home. ”She stopped in to see us as well.” Venom returned easily enough, but did not admit that her first thought had never been to check on the status of the other packs. At least not personally. Oki was out collecting information.

He picked a few choice berries and made his offering to her while mentioning how good it was to see her healthy. Venom was reminded how close they had been to falling. ”We might not be here if the sun had not returned.” She returned as she extended a pale paw. Her sheathed claw extended to impale the ripe berry and bring it to her lips. Venom’s serpent tongue licked pale lips and she offered Artorias a nod of thanks. ”Almost all of us recovered to see it rise. I hope the same can be said for you and yours.” She asked subtly after the Hallows. Likely they saw as much terror as Ashen.