With his return from the east of Boreas, he fell neatly back into his duties, and one of them was engaging the pack with lessons in crafting and fighting, as well as hunting. Today was a particularly pleasant day, even if the chill was still present, disregarding the season that should have been full on tongue-drippingly, pantingly hot, and he dropped the last roll of bison hide next to the mound of hides and supplies he’d been gathering for the past hour in the wide clearing at the meeting boulder. Enito had a fire going for keeping the glue heated as well as a thick experimental stew cooking in a sea turtle’s shell over some of the coals spread to one side, elevated on rocks to enable the monkey to feed the fire when it needed it. The smells were absolutely gorgeous, and Cairo looked forward to lunch break later on. But first, it was time to call the pack to the lesson. Today, it was Armor Making 101. If anything, he knew Rhaegara would be quite interested, and if all went well, those who attended would be coming away with either a new set of armor or a project to work on. He ran a last glance over the supplies, making sure each attendee would have a set of tools, and materials, then tipped his muzzle to the sky, calling for the pack, toning it to require those who were fighters or interested in the fighter’s circle, though he left it open ended for the rest of the pack to decide if they wanted to attend or not. Even if the healers weren’t fond of fighting, he’d be glad if they had armor to protect them while they were out gathering. Letting his haunches drop, he sat tall, waiting with his characteristic grin on his features, tongue on the edge of lolling to one side of his jaws. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He was working on writing when Cairo’s call came—of course, since he’d been in the main chamber, he’d noted Cairo’s ferrying of supplies, and known what was coming, but he’d had to keep up with the writing practice. He studied the completed attempt at a manuscript, examining the penmanship and nodding before rolling it up and sealing it with a drop of beeswax, and pressing a piece of bone into the wax. He set it by the entrance to his parents’ alcove for his mother to pick up later before he broke into a quick lope, bounding from the cave and down the ravine. He slowed to a trot, then a walk and stopped, looking around as he smiled at Cairo, tail waving in greeting before he flopped beside a set of tools and materials, waiting for the rest to arrive as he began setting out the hide and tools in a neat line, ready for use. He’d already had some practice at making armor, and his own was his work, closely following the template Cairo had fashioned. Still, maybe today he’d try a helmet similar to what Eligos had worn. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Day by day Dómari was getting better and gaining his strength back. He'd taken to training with a focus on getting his body back into shape more so than pushing his over all strength. Now that he was getting older he noticed that it was taking him longer to heal than he used to. He was doing his morning stretches with his foxes when he heard Cairo's call. It wasn't the sort of call he typically expected when it was a hunt so what did the young man have in mind for them today? He padded toward the source of the call and saw Cairo surrounded by items. He dipped his head in greeting then eased himself down into a comfortable sitting position. "Speech"

Today was one of the rare days Drachen allowed himself to relax and dose in the warmth of the sun, the black and tan male resting his jaw on his front paws while his back paws were kicked out to his side with his chest resting on the chilled ground. His oceanic blues were closed as if he was asleep up his dark ears twitched and turned ever so slightly to the sounds around him, the only sign the male was still, at least partly, awake. Enzi as well, seemed to have caught the unspoken memo between them and the raptor stood next to him on the ground lazily preening her feathers with small chirps and warbles of contentment coming from her. The warmth of the sun heated the dark fur along his back and he sighed contently as it helped loosen the tight muscles underneath. Sometimes one still needed to take a moment to recuperate to keep their body in good condition. The day had other plans though as Cairo's howl summoned the fighters of the pack causing Drachen to lift his head off his paws with his ears perked. He wasn't officially a fighter of the pack, though he would not hesitate if it was needed, but the promise of making armor was too great for him to pass up and Drachen got to his dark paws. He gave a quick glance to Enzi to see if she was going to come along and the bird's feathers puffed out before she rolled her golden eyes and took to the air. "Birds..." he scoffed in jest before he took off in an easy lope towards Cairo's call. It wasn't long before he arrived to the gathering, Ardyn and Domari already sitting and waiting with Cairo whom was surrounded by a plethora of items. Quickly Drachen settled himself beside Ardyn and Domari, flashing each of the males a small but warm smile and nod of greeting. "Good Afternoon" he rumbled softly.  His deep blue eyes glimmered with excitement as he looked over at all the items on the ground, casting a look at Enzi who had dropped from the sky a moment ago, winning him another sassy, but playful, eye roll. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Laoise Adravendi

Russet ears shot up when Lee heard Cairo's howl, summoning the fighters of the pack and anyone else who was interested. Lee was definitely not a fighter but she would not miss an opportunity to learn something new and possibly make some armor for herself. She knew that it would be good for her to have something to help her if she ever got into such an unfortunate event. Swiftly the young girl made her way to the gathering, spying her brother's dark shimmering fur and Domari. The new male Drachen was also there with his companion hawk and she flashed them all a happy, warm smile before her blue eyes rested on Cairo. "I hope you don't mind a healer barging in, I can't resist learning new skills" she said to the Sentinel warmly before she settled herself down and wrapped her charcoal colored tail around her paws. As they waited to see if anyone else would show, Laoise scanned the objects gathered around Cairo, trying to figure out what was what, excited to see what they were going to make today. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

A call for Valhallan's fighters to gather was something she couldn't ignore. However, that didn't mind she ended up coming as promptly as she would've liked. She'd been trailing after a stubborn prey scent for most of the morning just north of the plains and she was a fair distance away when Cairo called for them. She pressed on for a few minutes long before abandoning her task, hoping that her brother had something more interesting in store - or something more useful, if nothing else. As she drew closer to the gathering Caelia inevitably picked up her pace, enjoying a brisk walk the rest of the way across the plains. A few wolves had already gathered, and her gaze swept over the group before she found somewhere to settle. Near Cairo was an assortment of supplies and it wasn't hard to guess what they were for. Already she was beginning to brainstorm what she might make, wondering if any other wolves here had interesting ideas.

The stallion was late, but with good reason—checking a bear-scent and being certain that it had left the area. He’d left Isolde to follow up, acting as eyes in the sky, calling up to her, as he spun and bolted toward the call, “I’ll be at the meeting boulder when you’re able to come back.” The wall came into sight and he gathered himself, clearing it neatly and landing with a thunder of hooves. While jumping wasn’t his most natural skill, the wall, while tall for wolves, was an easy leap for himself. He slowed to a lope, frame and long mane, tail and feathering blazing as the exercise got his blood pumping, until he spotted the group ahead. Luckily, it looked like Cairo might have been holding out for him, and his great, horned head dipped in brief apology to the Sentinel as he dropped to a walk and picked a bundle at the edge of the gathering, where his greater size wouldn’t crowd his fellow pack members. “Sorry for the lateness; came across a bear track and wanted to be sure it wasn’t hanging around.” Isolde drifted down to drop on his withers, adding, “It’s gone, heading northwest. Doesn’t look like it wants to turn back.” The stallion nodded and lowered his head to inspect the supplies at his hooves. Wangui, dropping from his back, grinned to herself, recognizing a job for lemur hands as the horse turned to wait for Cairo’s lesson to begin. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

No posting order, but deadline is 8 - 14 - 2021

He was patient, and he was rewarded as the pack’s fighters came. Unsurprisingly, Ardyn was first to arrive, and Cairo gave the yearling Heir a grin as he took his spot. Ardyn was already quite good at crafting armor, but one always had more to learn, and much of what the boy had absorbed had come from Cairo and Red. Domari was next, and Cairo grinned at the male as he took a seat, then let his grin widen as Drachen arrived, nodding in agreement. It was a pleasant afternoon, especially with the smells of the cooking wafting toward his nostrils. Lee padded up in her usual cheerful mood, and Cairo winked at the girl, assuring her, “This is primarily fighters, but all are welcome to come in and learn and make something. I’d like to see all our healers and hunters in armor of some sort. The world can be a harsh place, after all.” Plus her mother encouraged learning all things, not just the typical hunting, fighting, healing, and navigation. Reading, writing, history… she wanted her pack well-informed and well-educated. Chrystaloria drifted in as Caelia arrived, and Cairo gave his sister a quick grin before leaning to listen to the owl as she reported quietly. Rhaegara had requested leave to search for her remaining family, and Aurielle had granted it. He hoped his friend was successful. She could use that kind of joy that finding long-lost family you’d thought might be dead were instead alive and well. How was Meri, he wondered? Taliesyn arrived, and Cairo looked up sharply at the mention of a bear, but Isolde dropped and gave her own report, and the Sentinel’s posture relaxed. Good that the bear wasn’t sticking around, though it was annoying that bears still, after all these years, had not learned to just steer well clear of these lands. Perhaps he’d lead a bear hunt later on… it was that time of year. He cast a look at the still empty spaces, but it was time that he started the lesson, and any latecomers would have to catch up, or have a private session with himself later to catch up with the rest. He straightened, shoulders rolling under his own armor as he spoke, “Armor is something that I believe every wolf of Valhalla should possess. Even healers and dignitaries. You can never know for sure that you won’t need it when outside Valhallan lands, whether against an enemy wolf, or a predator that thought you might be tasty for lunch.” He raised a paw in a sweeping gesture at the piles of materials before each of them, bear claws glinting in the cool sunlight as he went on, “There are many ways to make it, from draping a simple bison hide over your back, to something intricate and layered like what I’m wearing.” Using the claws of his bracer, he stepped forward, tapping a claw over each tool as he spoke, letting each wolf – and horse – see them as he pointed them out. “This is an array of tools for cutting, carving, embossing, and stitching. Some of them are much easier if you have a companion who has hands and nimble fingers. Leather can be shaped through wetting and forming it over things like a sapling trunk, for bracers, or a tortoise shell for some pieces of armor for the body.” His eyes drifted over the features of the gathered members turning the lesson briefly to them as he asked, “Can any of you think of ways to harden leather?” He didn’t doubt Domari did, the man was experienced, and among the masters of the pack. But he was curious to see if any of the others had any thoughts on the process and the methods available. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn’s nose twitched at the pleasant smells coming from the cooking as he watched those who would turn up arrive, grinning as he spotted Drachen and Lee, lifting a paw to wave to each, tail bursting into sparks of light as it tapped against the ground as Domari came in. Caelia was given a grin as well, and his eyes checked her over, just to be sure that the bear they’d killed hadn’t hurt her, though any wounds would have long been scabbed or healed over by now. Speaking of bears—Taliesyn trotted in, giving a brisk report and Ardyn looked up at the stallion, ears flicking forward. What was it with bears that they never learned to stay well away? But Isolde’s follow-up settled his hackles back into place and he nodded to himself, making a note to do a little hunting later. Bear skins made wonderful alcove and den liners. Cairo waited a beat and Ardyn sat up straighter when the Sentinel began the lesson, smiling aside to Lee as the Adravendi man spoke and gestured, leaning in to see the tools he indicated, though he, himself was familiar with all of them. He kept quiet as Cairo turned the first question over to the group. He already knew several methods, but this was a lesson, so he let the less familiar participants speak up first, letting them work their minds. Would anyone get one? Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He was greeted warmly by the wolves gathered and soon after one of the Spirit’s daughters arrived and he gave the cheery girl a warm smile and a nod of greeting. He listened idly as she and Cairo spoke to each other but as soon as the stallion came to report his finding of a bear, Drachen perked to attention, along with all the others gathered. “You would think they would have learned by now.” The Black and Tan male murmured with a soft huff. Luckily it seemed the bear went on it’s way when one of the other’s companions reported that it had left.

With that the lesson continued on and Drachen listened intently to Cairo as he spoke, his deep blue eyes looking over the items as the other man pointed at them. Then Cairo asked them how to harden the leather and Drachen literally had no idea. His birth pack never had anything like this but he didn’t let this stop him. He waited a moment to see if anyone else was going to answer before he spoke up “Tree sap?” He suggested with a shrug. He knew that some sap hardens when dried and perhaps that could work.

**please excuse the phone post**

Dómari let his thoughts wander as the rest of his pack mates who were interested filed in. Once everyone had arrived the days lesson would start on armor. Dómari had a cape of deer hide that served as his primary armor but he was open to learning a few new tricks. He did need to work on the straps that held the cape to his body. His ears perked up at the mention of pieces of tortoise shell. Now that would be something nice to add to the straps that crossed his shoulders and across his chest. Cairo asked a question to the audience but Dómari kept silent, instead giving the younger wolves a chance to answer. "Speech"

Laoise Adravendi

Lee’s charcoal tail swept across the ground behind her as Cairo said that she could join the lesson. She sat silently but intently as Cairo went over the items before him and explained their use. She was still a bit lost when Cairo stopped and asked a question and she looked up at him, trying to keep the lost expression off her delicate face. So far only Drachen offered an answer, as her brother and Domari were the most experienced and probably already knew the answer. The girl tilted her head slightly as she spoke up “Saltwater and sun?” She knew salt dried up the meat they preserved and the heat of the sun she assumed would only dry it further and harden it. Her blue eyes flicked towards her brother to gauge his expression for a brief moment before looking back at the Sentinel. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Caelia was quiet as the lesson began, listening as her brother spoke up about what they were learning today - armorcrafting. It was definitely a useful skill, and though she did know some things about it she hardly knew everything there was to know. She'd crafted herself a pair of simple leather bracers and though she was satisfied with her work she wondered if it wouldn't be wise to upgrade them eventually to something a bit sturdier. She knew crafting was a complex thing and if she wanted something better it'd take time and practice.

She thought over Cairo's question before speaking up. "You can cure leather with brains. All... smashed up and spread over the hide. It's gross though and if there's a better method I'd love to know it," she admitted with a faint laugh. It'd done a good enough job but there was always room to do better, she knew that much.

The stallion’s ears pricked forward as Cairo began speaking after a time, and slowly, he rested one hind hoof as Wangui shimmied up to sit on the horse’s head, clinging lightly to his horn with one hand, tail curling under his jaw like some furry helmet for horses as she, too, listened to see what all these wolves knew of crafting armor. Taliesyn knew a little of the craft, and his eyes flicked from each wolf noting who spoke up and who did not. With interest, those who didn’t speak watched the others as though watching to see if they hit on an answer which they were already familiar with. From Drachen came the suggestion of tree sap, Lee suggested saltwater and sun, and the stallion’s chin dipped slightly. “Brine has been used, from what I can recall.” From Caelia came the addition that brains could be used to cure it, but could the brain be used to harden it? The stallion’s head tilted slightly, careful not to drop the lemur from his head. “Water, but boiled.” Was his own input. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

You couldn't kill me if you tried She was very late to the lesson, she knew that. But in her defense, she had been trying to explore every nook and cranny of the pack lands, trying to familiarize herself with all the pack lands had to offer. She had to admit, she didn't feel high-strung and worried anymore. She was safe and well cared for among the wolves of valhalla, and she wished she had gotten the courage to ask well before Aurielle invited her to join them. So when she heard someone call for a lesson, she made her way towards the gathering but not without distractions. She made it in time to hear Cairo's voice bouncing off the walls as she made her entrance, her fur lightly glowing as it usually did but she could tell on some nights it glowed brighter. During the day, it wasn't as noticeable. But at night? She was practically like a walking galaxy. It had a lot to do with her emotions too from what she could tell. She was happy and content, so her fur glowed softly in a slow, steady rhythm. Almost in the same tempo as if she were softly humming to herself. Before she joined Valhalla, when she was alone in a world where she didn't know if she'd make it to see another day, her fur didn't glow as much. It had been dulled and almost lifeless, but now? Now she could say with certainty that life was significantly better. She quietly entered the place where the meeting was being held, and she moved to sit near Ardyn, offering a gentle and friendly nudge of her shoulder before turning her alien gaze to the man giving the lesson. "Sorry I'm late, I was...exploring more of the territories." She said apologetically. She sniffed before turning her attention to the other answers, but she kept quiet since she had no idea how to do any of this, let alone what could be used to harden things. "Speak"