He breathed in deeply as the moorlands stretched before the pair, shrouded in a thick miasma of mist. It looked to be a particularly milky evening, the wall ahead that marked the border barely visible. He came to a stop before one of the passages left open for prey to pass through, glancing up at the sentry-shelters and spotting the form of Loshir, Aurielle’s mountain lion. It seemed the cat – and the ringtailed lemur, he noted with a glance up into the other shelter – was covering Aurielle’s shift for a bit, and as he spotted the blaze of blue-white light racing through the mists far ahead, followed by a fiery flicker and flash, he decided it must be a training night for mother and son. He watched the two glowing forms, immaterial through the fog, gallop across the moor, and with a squint, he decided Ardyn must be blindfolded, since the fiery light seemed much more hesitant, verging on drunken as it pursued the comet’s tail. Blindness training. He grinned to himself in memory of his own blindfolded runs behind the glowing Queen. It was good training for if ever a battle or accident, or illness left one blind. You developed a sense for your surroundings, nose, ears and natural instinct filling in for a lack of sight. Turning back, he grinned at Audra, tail wagging softly, unconcerned as he explained, “This is our eastern land, The Druid’s Moor. The wall is the visual border of the pack, but we scent it as well to leave no one in doubt. Just over there, further east, is the border of Aerie, our neighbors. We have a practice raid agreement with them, and they should be raiding at some point. No bloodshed, though, but plenty of practice for healers.” Drumming hooves, a much larger glaze of silvery blue-white light. That one soon faded into the distance, though, a soft whicker of enjoyment floating above the fog. "The lights ahead are friendly, I might add. Speaking of, I think it’s time to say hello.” He tipped up his muzzle and sang, calling Aurielle, and the brightest light abruptly halted, then shifted slightly as the red-gold flame-ball nearly barreled into it, then slowly shimmered out into a low coal bed’s incandescence. A feminine chuckle, warm and amused, floated on the miasma before the brighter light drew near, followed by a fresh flare from the fireball. Light paw-steps, heavier behind, and soon the blue-white blaze passed close enough to reveal the woman, sapphire-into-sky blue eyes twinkling in residual humor as her ink-black, fiery son followed after, still blindfolded with a strip of buckskin. Cairo grinned and remarked with amusement, “Blindfold training? How’s that going?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

They had headed South with Cairo's companions in tow. For having been alone nearly the two years she'd been alive, it was almost comforting to have someone to travel with. Winding away from the lush green landscape of forests and winding rivers, it wasn't long until they had to pass through an expanse of dunes. Their travels were quiet but relaxing, and Audra found herself at peace in his company. Their legs did not tire easily, for stamina was naturally built into their bodies. Moving miles a day was an easy feat, especially with Cairo's handy pack of snacks. His friendliness made her eager and not so nervous to meet the rest of the pack. That was until the fog settled in. Draped over bright purple splotches of Heather, their paw steps soon were deafened by the thick bed of greenery. Tucking her tail slowly between her back legs, her eyes grew wide as a wall loomed ahead of them. Perched on either side were a mountain lion and a ringtailed lemur. Flicking her ears back a moment as a cacophony of drumming steps echoed to them from the others side. Just barely visible through the dense mist, she could spot a flashing of bright lights moving steadily around. Subconsciously, Audra's head tilted to the side when Cairo turned back to speak with her. For a moment, her brain didn't comprehend the words he spoke. A physical wall around their boundary? Friendly neighbors that they welcomely practiced raids with? How intense did these packs go with their readiness for terror and violence? Had she skimmed by so easily through her short life to not come across any such heathenry? Confused, she took a step back as Cairo's bellowing song broke through the haze surrounding them. Suddenly weary and uncomfortable, she wasn't so sure about how ready she was to meet these new wolves. "F-friendly?" Audra whispered to herself, tucking her chin to her chest as the blaze of bluish-white and smoky black approached them. Wishing she could reach into her pouch for something to ease her nerves, the smaller she-wolf stepped precariously behind Cairo as he spoke with amusement toward them. Blindfold training? What in the world? More confusion wrinkled her muzzle, but she did not feel fear. There was nothing intimidating about these new figures, so she held her curious demeanor slightly behind her anxious smile.

Aurielle Adravendi

Aurielle had set Loshir and Ayodele to sentry duty while she gave Ardyn a lesson in blindfolded travel. Her father had done much the same, though with mud instead of the soft buckskin that covered her son’s eyes. Ardyn’s task was to keep up and not fall off course. With the yearling’s practice from hunting, he had no trouble keeping up with her, and never once lost her trail, but that was half the battle. He had to use his ears to judge where she jumped over an obstacle, calculate to adjust for his larger stride, and guess what was on the other side. Aurielle didn’t make it easy for him, with twists and turns and occasional double-backs as her son pursued her. Taliesyn added to the challenge, occasionally bolting through with his great hooves muddling the sounds of her paws hitting the ground. Through heather and lavender and other herb patches they raced, around the standing stones, and out along the trail nearest to the wall, when Cairo’s call caught her ears and she broke to a stop, flicking an ear back and side-stepping neatly as her towering son nearly crashed into her, surprised and distracted by Cairo’s call. He stumbled, and Aurielle chuckled softly, nuzzling the boy’s cheek and turning to trot briskly toward her Sentinel’s howl, Ardyn falling into step behind her, ears working to keep up. The Spirit found Cairo waiting at the passage with a small woman at his hip who looked a little daunted, if curious, and Aurielle graced her with a curious smile as she chided to Cairo, “It’s going decently. Your training has been a boon to him. He’s only tripped twice tonight.” She tossed a fond smile up and over her shoulder at the yearling before turning to Audra and greeting her more directly, long-haired tail swaying softly through the air with a faint light-trail left in its wake. “Good evening, miss. I am Aurielle Adravendi, Spirit – or alpha – of Valhalla. This strapping young man is my eldest son and my Heir, Ardyn. What brings you to Valhalla?” Beside her she heard said heir stepping up, having removed his blindfold with his long-fingered front toes. Curiously, she glanced to Cairo, though if the girl wished to speak for herself Aurielle left it open to her. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

His mother was a tough trainer, and he reveled in the challenge. Ardyn enjoyed running blind, and having to depend on his wits and other senses to keep from going nose-first into the peat of the moor. His tongue lolled as he bounded after his mother, ears perking and swiveling to catch her movements. A jump there, one and a half second, and then her paws struck ground, and he hesitated, judging before he leapt. Her trail veered suddenly and he swerved, swaying for balance and bolted after her scent, ears questing. Taliesyn’s hooves again – that was the third time – and this time he was able to ignore it. At least, he was focused until Cairo called and his mother stopped abruptly. Ardyn, surprised to hear the call, barely managed to avoid ramming into his mother’s haunches, and judging by that odd awareness, she’d had to sidestep him. Her laughter and nuzzle eased the embarrassed grimace from his features and he turned, following her steps until he smelled Cairo, and then an unfamiliar scent, ears perking curiously as his head turned blindly to focus on her while Cairo and his mother spoke. His tail began wagging, ink-black hair flaring with fiery light as he grinned, shifting to lift on front paw and tug the blindfold off as he was introduced, stepping forward and dipping his head with a low offer of, “Hello, miss.” He stayed to one side, though, watching the proceedings as he settled on his haunches. What did Cairo have planned here? A new member? Always a welcome thing. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He could feel Audra shift behind him as Aurielle drew near with Ardyn, and he flicked his tail to brush her side in a show of comfort before it flagged into a wag as Aurielle’s response. “Watch, Ardyn, you’ll run into one of the stones next training.” He stepped slightly to one side, offering Audra the floor as he introduced, “This is Audra. I came across her in the east.” His tone was easy, relaxed though he spoke to his Queen, and his affection for his mentor and leader was notable in his features, but he left it to Audra to speak further if she was willing. If not, he’d pose the question of her winter stay himself. He had no doubt that Aurielle would welcome the young woman in. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Dense hoofbeats had receded and Audra was relieved for a moment when only two wolfish figures approached. First, a larger iridescent form glided like mist over water. As the older she-wolf approached, Audra's eye drew wide in awe. The way her long fur swayed in the breeze, casting a rainbow effect off of her body was mesmerizing. It took her own strength to pull her aways away from the thick-accented beauty when her attention was drawn toward the similarly fiery blazoned male. His young face and friendly demeanor lulled her into a sense of calm. These two were nice and Audra did not feel so scared as she first was at the moment they arrived. The sweep of Cairo's tail along her side made her held breath release finally as she dipped her head back in respect toward the Spirit and her Heir. Thankful that her friend was first to introduce her, Audra took a gentle step out from behind Cairo's larger build. Strengthening any courage she could muster, she attempted to keep her nervous smile painted on her muzzle. "A-a pleasure meeting you both," Audra spoke softly, her accent not anything like the ones standing around her. Flicking her ears back and forth in curiosity to all the sounds the moor emanated, she nodded to herself before speaking. "I-I'm a Loner and Cairo posed the question of me staying here for the w-winter before deciding if I wanted to stay." The words left her quickly as her paws stood shakily, ready to dart at the first moment danger raised its ugly head. Cairo was her friend now, but that didn't make everyone he knew friendly. Her thoughts clashed because if they were related - by the pack or by blood - they must hold similar values. For now, Audra kept her distance.

Aurielle Adravendi

Aurielle’s ears perked as Cairo began the introduction, and when Audra stepped forward and completed it, Aurielle dipped her head with grace, giving the woman her own respect as she added, “And you, Audra.” The woman seemed timid, as though she expected all to go wrong, yet still drew herself up enough to explain the situation, and Aurielle glanced to Cairo with a half-smile. He might not have been Erani’s blood-descendant, but he followed the healer’s and his namesake Cairo’s tendency to care for those who needed it. Her eyes shifted back to Audra’s and she settled on her haunches with a flick of her long-haired tail, leaving it pooled at her paws as she regarded the woman, studying her anew. “I take it you’re a healer? You have the scent of one.” All healers she’d met had a residual scent left by the herbs they handled, though her nose told her the satchel was likely used to carry them. “As for your guesting with us, I’ve no reservations. You can either join as an Outlander, which is a wolf who has joined but not yet found a Circle that suits them, or as a Guest, which is one who is staying with us for a time, but will be moving on. Both are expected to repay their lodging in some way. If healing is your calling, I’d suggest seeking out Paladin, one of our healers, or perhaps, if you wish to attend lessons or practice with other fellow young healers, my daughters Amorielle and Laoise are also studying to become healers. Cairo’s sister Viviene is a healer, herself. We recently had a young lady near your age named Cinnamon join who is also a healer, and Legacy, Paladin’s daughter.” She regarded the woman with a faint smile. “Does that sound alright, Audra?” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn smiled as the newcomer explained herself, his fire and ice gaze flicking between the three as he watched the interaction. He was pleased that the woman wasn’t spooked by his great height, just a few inches from his adult size by now, though he himself wasn’t certain when he would stop growing. He was already taller than Cairo and his father now. His grandfather, were he still alive today, would be at a level with him. It felt like just yesterday that he was tripping over the man’s bright crimson paw on a quest to chase a butterfly. Ardyn added helpfully, “We have alcoves open in the main Seat. If winter turns out as rough as last year, the fires will be deeply appreciated, and if you haven’t plotted out a den, temporary or otherwise, you’re welcome to one.” His mother’s subtle nod told him he hadn’t overstepped with the offer, and he smiled down at her, pleased to have spoken well. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

As Audra took her turn in the introduction and explanation, Cairo stepped back subtly, ever so slightly putting her farther in front of him, not enough to put her in full spotlight, but giving her room to stand on her own. He’d had a few days of travel with her to study her and see what kind of wolf he was bringing to Valhalla. Beneath that timid friendliness was a sense of pessimism, as though she might have encountered rough, hard times in her past. Perhaps where she came from packs didn’t allow strangers near, even if they could have used the help. He watched quietly, smiling at Aurielle’s acceptance of the woman’s staying for the winter, and nodding to himself at the suggestions. Ardyn’s middle sisters were gentle-natured, patient, and friendly. Viv was similar in nature to Audra, if less timid. She wasn’t fond of conflict herself. He made plenty of effort to engage with his sister and spend time with her between duties. Though there was an open place for him in the Seat, he still occupied his own alcove, dug by their mother, near his sisters. Legacy was a new face, and he had yet to meet her directly, but from what he’d heard, she was the fruit of a drunk night for Paladin and a Nomad. It was unexpected, but not unwelcome. He knew Paladin loved children and had wanted his own, but hadn’t found the right woman. Cai stepped forward, adding, “I have made her aware of what is expected of all members of Valhalla, including the learning of fighting. If it’s alright, I’m willing to take on the fight training. I think defensive may work best. It’s not attacking, just holding one’s own until help can come or the attacker gives up. We have larger predators like bears that have no survival instincts. They can and will enter wolf territories, and that’s bad news for pups.” Partially he spoke to Audra as he explained, though he cast an arch look at Ardyn, who shuffled with a sheepish grin. Not even two and he already bore a few scars from his encounters with bears and one of the giant saber cats that had invaded the lands over the last year. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The three that surrounded her appeared pleasant and eager to accept her. At heart, this made her feel more at ease. Aurielle's composure and elegance awed Audra in a way that she'd never seen before. When the leading she-wolf sat, a mere flick of her wispy tail to curl around her, she felt a tinge of jealousy. Audra had always been okay with how her red and tawny pelt blended into the background. But now she wondered that maybe she'd have more confidence if she appeared more otherworldly as Aurrielle and Ardyn did. Smiling gently at Aurielle's word, Audra nodded. Unsure on whether to pick Outlander or Guest, she became interested when there was mention of so many other healers in these lands. "O-oh Aurrielle, I would be greatly appreciative if I could meet Paladin or really any of the others," her voice while quiet was energetic. If she had had hands, she would have clutched the satchel around her neck with eagerness. "I do much want to become a great healer and be of some use someday!" The smile on her lips widened as her tail rose a little more, wagging with excitement. Her golden-brown eyes turned toward the towering youngster. His helpful words left her silent for a moment. A den? To call her own? That was new and unusual to her. She'd never settled down anywhere; having taken to wandering from place to place most of her life. Yet, the sound of sleeping near a warm fire made the chill in her bones leave even for a brief second. "I-if you could sh-show me them some time, I would enjoy that," Audra said toward Ardyn, a brief smile in his direction before she turned to look at Cairo. When he spoke of larger predators and cast a glance in Ardyn's direction, she then noticed the scars indenting his fur. Worried, her brow furrowed, knowing full well that Cairo knew she wanted nothing to do with violence. It had been sheer luck that she hadn't ever been introduced to a grizzler or wild cat. Her small stature surely was an open target for such beasts. Swallowing roughly, her mouth grown dry, she nodded reluctantly. "Yes, of course, if it is re-required of me to learn defense, I will tr-try to do what it takes," Audra spoke sheepishly. Now somewhat comfortable with the group, she moved so that she could be more a part of their assemble instead of hiding slightly behind Cairo. From their kind words and gesture to welcome her into their lands, she felt no sudden danger.