Somewhere to belong

Eltrys now spent several hours a day stoking the small fire for Haydee's infection. Leaving the den for food and patrols. He was loathe to leave her side for long. Alexa was still very young and shy, Lucette was still missing, he didn't know Fenix very well, or his capability. He needed to right that as soon as he could. His coat was now permeated in the thick smell of sage and ritual oregano smoke.

As he walked out of the den for another patrol, his face strained and somber, his ears suddenly heard a familiar call from the borders! Lia!

His dark paws practically flew to the borders, overeager to see a familiar face and battle friend. She had rested for a while and then left to defeat the slavers that had dogged their heels, against his judgment but she was not his packmate. He was surprised to hear her call for the alpha, was she thinking about joining?

His easy external stoic demeanor fell into place as he approached her.
"Lia!" He called out warmly before he was within a comfortable distance, "It is good to see you!" She seemed whole and well on a brief cursory glance.

Well now... This was his first introduction as Chief, wasn't it?
"I am Eltrys, now Chief of these lands." He should say something....welcoming... less impersonal like stating your business, or what's your purpose but his mind was wracked with thoughts of smoke and coughing and Haydee.

He started to say something but thought better of it, then started again, "Ah...How much do you know of healing, specifically about what I only know as wet-lung especially?" He had seen her skill at field medicine just fine. Her appearance was certainly surprising and well-timed!

"Speech!"