It wasn't an overly long walk to the borders of the next pack on his list, and the onyx brute found himself humming a soft tune as he loped along. The brief freedom was hard won, and he had more than enough scars to show for his troubles. Learning to be a dutiful, skilled servant had been a violent process, and Augustus wasn't a forgiving sort. By now, he was familiar with his master's rhythms and desires, and could read him exceptionally well. That was the only way he'd managed to reach a point where he could be sent miles away to speak with leaders on behalf of the sunset marauder without an escort. the verdant grasses beneath his paws were nothing short of bliss compared to the warped wooden planks of their stolen vessel, rocking to and fro on the water for weeks. There was a great deal of work to be done to file away the rigid calluses on his paw pads, which kept him from being able to perform gentler tasks within his daily routine. Once he was back to the site of their market, he would have to work on that. The shores of the lake were tantalizingly close, and it took a great deal of restraint to keep himself from crossing the border to take a drink. Better yet, soak his paws. Even through the heavy calluses they were sore from the long days of travel to these regions. Instead, he tipped back his slender skull and loosed a melodic call for audience with the leader. As the echoes began to fade, he let out a soft sigh and allowed himself to rest. Elegant limbs folding, he sank down onto his haunches, charcoal tipped tail wrapping around his paws. Waiting would likely be the easiest part of his job right now. "speech" STEP IN LINE, EVERYTHING WILL BE JUST FINE

Eligos was on patrol when he spotted the stranger approaching the lake territory. He crouched to creep closer through the grass, the odd rippling glow of his fur blending with the shine of the sunlight on autumn-gilded wetland grasses where it wasn't hidden beneath his armor. He paused there, studying the situation and assessing what the stranger was up to, but when the other male lifted his head to call for Eligos it was clear it was a visitation and not snooping. Therefore, he rose again to pad out into the open to face the stranger. "Good day," he greeted neutrally. "Can I help you?"