Well, it was done, the truth was out and now Lukina was gone. She had no idea what would happen to her younger cousin now and she tried not to care. She'd fulfilled her promise and led her cousin to a new land, taking care of the girl until she could care for herself. Now Lukina new of her role in the coup. Now they would likely be enemies. However, that was fine for her. She didn't want to go through the rest of her life with a child she did not want strapped to her hip.

Rœkia gazed out at a lake left still in the mid-afternoon sun. It was warmer than it had been in past seasons but the browning leaves left no doubt in her mind winter would arrive well before she was ready for it. She was in need of a pack and here she found herself on the border of one. She knew nothing of the pack other than she did not recognize the scent. Rœkia had participated in Ashen's festival. She'd come across a number of pack scents and had quickly gone about applying them to a name. Yet, as far as she knew, this scent had not been there. Now why would that be? With her curiosity peaked she howled for the alpha.

A howl rang out for him as Eligos made his way around the pack's southernmost border, and he had to turn aside and speed up to a fast lope to keep from making whoever called wait too long. Luckily, his long legs ate up the ground more quickly than a smaller wolf - more quickly than he'd have made the trip the year before, for that matter, since he'd managed a few more inches of height since then despite his age. That was easier for him to get used to than glowing and growing horns, at least. He'd been keeping to pack lands since the changes had begun - mostly out of embarrassment, though the aches and pains from the growing had been unpleasant as well. Now, though, he seemed to have reached his full growth (again) and the thick, twisting horns with their golden edging seemed to be finished with their growth as well, now curving back over his brow in long wicked points, so he could not keep to himself much longer.

Slowing to a more dignified speed well before he was in sight, he crested a small rise to see the caller on the border, a pale, magenta eyed female that looked vaguely familiar. He stopped on the opposite side of the border and nodded to her. "I am Eligos Abraxas, Tiercel of Aerie. You called for me?"

Rœkia settled down to wait, listing to the birds and the sounds of life around her. She wanted to enjoy the autumn before the coming of winter blanketed the world in silence. She heard movement and looked to see a familiar form approaching her. She could've sworn she'd seen this man, he looked an awful lot like the wolf she'd fought a bear with some time back except this one was glowing and had a noticeable set of horns. He introduced himself as Eligos and she dipped her head in greeting. "My name is Rœkia Thyre, healer and warrior and I've come to your borders seeking a home. If you don't mind me asking… do you have a twin brother minus the horns and the glowing? I fought with a man who looks an awful lot like you against a bear this past season."

A fighter and a healer? A combination that Aerie did not have enough of, frankly. It would do them good to have another healer to take a more active role in the pack, and to have a fighter who was proficient in healing to administer on the field of battle would certainly be a bonus. Her next words, however, made his skin flame. Oh. He had recognized her. She'd known him from... before. Luckily he was able to keep his chagrin from his expression, though he stiffened. "I am afraid not. I... acquired them through unfortunate circumstances." Yes. Unfortunate circumstances, like dealing with witches and curses and magic. Clearing his throat he changed the subject as quickly as he could. "Aerie could certainly use a wolf with your particular combination of skills. I've seen you in battle - I would be pleased to have the opportunity to fight beside you again."

Rœkia cocked her head to the side at the mention of unfortunate circumstances. She thought it rather fortunate to gain another weapon to use against opponents. Granted she couldn't say the same about the glowing for in her mind that truly was unfortunate. She couldn't imagine how the poor fellow managed to hunt. Soon the conversation turned to her qualifications and Rœkia grinned for Eligos recognized her from their previous fight with the bear. "I am glad to hear it. How do you wish me to be ranked? I don't mind a test if you need for my skills and I am evenly balanced, content to exercise either skill as my main focus."

Eligos nodded. "If your healing skill is equal to your fight skill, I would rank you both as malar - the master healers - and mantle - the master fighters. You would need to take an apprentice in either one or both depending on how many pups and yearlings we'd have at a time needing trained. Right now there are not many." A pity, as the Abraxas could use the boost to their numbers. "If you feel that is more than you are comfortable with, we can drop you in rank in either one or both Paths. Of course, I will give you time to consider if you wish it."

Eligos explained the packs rankings to her as well as where she would fit within the rankings and the responsibilities it would entail. Aerie's rank system was rather unique compared to those she knew in that she was ranked for both her skills. Still, while she was flattered at her new alpha's faith in her abilities, it was a bit much responsibility for a brand new member to take on. "Believe it or not but my experience in healing and poisons is greater than my fighting ability. I would like to stay as Malar for now. Though if you are in need of someone to assist in battle training I will do my best. Though I should let you know much of my 'training' was through constant back to back spars. I never received formal lessons." Her old pack took a very 'kick them out of the nest and see if they fly' approach to battle training.

Eligos dipped his head in acceptance. "While we could use mkre masters in every Path, it is better to have you concentrate on one Mastery with all of your focus rather than need to split your focus between. Very well, you will be ranked as malar, and we can revisit ranking you as a fighter at another time if you change your mind." The pack needed more fighters, it was true, but they were far shorter on trained, ambitious healers - something that was very necessary to a pack that was likely to get in plenty of fights with plenty of wounds. "I look forward to sparring with you many times in the future, Roekia."