Daegmar was the first to appear. Punctuality was something Katja appreciated in a wolf, and the green-eyed female seemed to count it among her other virtues. She would bear watching, when Katja was ready to promote from among the pack. "I will explain when all have arrived," she acknowledged the woman with a tilt of her muzzle. No need to repeat herself so many times.
Gaia - the eldest Olympus girl, the former heir - was, surprisingly, the next to arrive, followed shortly by Solo. She inclined her head to the girl in appreciation for her cooperative attitude before recalling the girl's disability. "Thank you for coming, Gaia Olympus. Your presence here will make many things easier." She did offer a nod to Solo, a silent thanks for his own punctuality.
The bold younger Olympus male was the next to arrive, but as he seemed inclined to engage his sister in conversation so Katja made no attempt to interact. He was followed closely by the gold-marked former Olympus slave, who was looking like she was recovering well after the challenge. She addressed Katja as her queen, and Katja wondered when she would be asking to take her adopted child and leave the pack, or if she would join fully. The alpha inclined her head to her in reply - regardless of whether or not she left, the former slave had fought valiantly for her and her son's honor and Katja would respect her for that. Her son's polite greeting earned a solemn nod of his own from the alpha.
Immediately a familiar scent and form caught her attention as the viking she'd accepted into Ebony sauntered forward. She shook her head, suppressing a sigh. "I wouldn't dare imagine it, Ascomanni," she replied dryly. "Are you considering giving up the wandering life once again? You would be welcome to join us if you wish."
The next two to arrive were Freyja and Laufey, both with the same greeting on their tongues that Daegmar had addressed her with, and she made a mental note to correct that nonsense before it took root. Laufey she took special note of, knowing now the truth of his parentage now and taking note of the traits she recognized as coming from her cousin. Had Orochi told him yet? Did he plan to? Should she? Interesting questions, but ones that would need to wait.
More of the pack trailed in, and finally she judged it was time to begin. First thing is first - "I would be pleased if you all would address me as Katja or simply Drottning if you must be formal. 'Lady', 'Queen'... These are terms associated with the nobility of this land. I am not a noble. I am what I am through right of combat, not bloodline. Take no offense from this correction for none is intended, I wish simply to state a preference before it becomes ingrained." Her eyes swept the group calmly, coolly, before she continued onto the real business of this meeting in her usual blunt fashion. "I have expanded Yfir into this territory. The small game are plentiful here, and the caverns will provide greater protection from the coming winter. I will not require anyone to move from their current den if they do not wish to, but I strongly recommend it."
Now to introduce them to an aspect of her culture that had elevated it above all others of it's time - the assembly known as a Thing. She considered a moment how best to explain it... "This meeting is more than simply claiming a territory. It is the custom of my people to gather together periodically - not as a festival or a sacrifice, but a more political gathering. It is there we would meet with the leaders of our people to hear decisions made by our leaders, to bring forth our own grievances to be judged, to vote as required, and to voice concerns and opinions without fear. That is what I wish for this pack. Once a season I will call upon you to gather together in this manner, strengthening our bonds to the pack and each other and thereby, strengthening our pack."
She paused a moment to allow the explanation to settle. This was already more words than the quiet woman generally spoke at one time, but she was nowhere near finished. Had she not believed so strongly in this pack, in the concept of it and in the Thing, she may have felt distaste for the speaking. As it was, she found it more tiring already than any battle she may have engaged in.
"To this end, our first order of business... the children of Virgil Olympus." Her eyes slid to the Olympus children, took them in before continuing. "I have no intention of simply handing them - you - back to Virgil. It is a matter of pride as much as it is anything, I will not lie and claim otherwise. There is, however, no reason for your lives to be on hold while you are bickered about. You will each receive a mentor and training in whatever field you desire, including the two younglings. Or..." Here she paused, fixing the four yearlings with a hard, evaluating stare. "You four have family outside of Olympus. Raisa Xanilov counted you among her children, and therefore you are the adopted siblings of the young Xanilovs. Your sister Valeriya rules now in Ebony - I have made an offer to her concerning your captivity, and she has accepted. If you are willing to give your parole, your sworn word you will make no attempt to escape or be led astray, you four will be allowed the option of residing within Ebony's borders with your siblings. You would be given a warrior escort to Ebony, and there you would need to remain unless you are given escort back to Yfir. You would remain members of Yfir, but you would live and train among Ebony. Before you decide you must know that to break your word in this is to be forsworn, to be known in all lands as an oathbreaker." She continued to let her gaze linger upon them for a moment before turning back to the remainder of the pack.
"As for the remaining yearlings and pups - you will be assigned a mentor for training in your chosen field. Please do speak up now with what you wish to specialize in, so that I can more concisely match you. Additionally as we have few adults and each will likely have multiple students, each pup will be assigned a yearling guardian. This yearling will be expected to act as a mentor to the youngling and be responsible for them as their assigned adult will be to the yearling, though the adult will train both yearling and pup. If you do not express a preference one will be chosen for you, so please do not hesitate to speak now."
OOC: all yearlings and pups are required to respond to this by Friday October 10th. No one else is required to respond at this time unless they haven't posted yet, or they really really want to post a second time. Next post I make will open the floor to anyone who wants to say something so basically everyone will be required to post after that one.
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