Having received so many questions here and there about her family, their origins and what became of them, Iolaire decided to hold an official meeting to let the hungry minds of the pack know what she knew. The Carpathians were an ancient line, but they were a secretive bunch. Not much was known outside of common knowledge, but Iolaire being Iolaire, knew quite a bit more than the average mind.

The wiry old lady had asked Artorias to build her a bonfire on the plains. Atmosphere was important, especially when speaking of those long gone. Ila and Enki helped drag supplies out onto the plains. There were furs for everyone to rest upon and snacks for those that wanted them. With things set in place, Io gave a squeaky old lady howl, calling forth any of The Hallows that might like to receive a history lesson.

"Speech"

Dusk knew ahead of time what her aunt Iolaire had planned and so she was quite ready when the call came. Out over the plains the dark lady loped, the shadows eating up her lithe form as she moved. The stars above glinted off of the Carpathian steel blades attached to her long tail as she moved. Quickly, she made her way to the glowing bonfire in the distance, seeing her aunt already sitting there, curled up like a contented cat on one of the many furs. Dusk had a fondness for the old woman, as brusque and crotchety as she could be. She gave Io's cheek an affectionate nuzzle then settled down on a fur at the edge of the grouping so that she could both keep watch and be the first line of defense in case trouble happened upon them.

"Dusk Carpathius"

Making her way from the grove toward the castle, Bramble was surprised when an old lady's squeaky howl hit the summer air. Pausing a moment, the young princess glances around until she spies the bonfire crackling off toward the other side of the plains. Her head tilts lightly before a smile warms her face. Pushing forward, she stretches out her long legs to eat up the dried grasses and dirt to make her way over to the small gathering. A noise of delighted surprise escapes her as she spies Dusk and Aunty Io already laid out on the furs around the fur.

"Miss Dusk, a pleasure to see you again," Bramble leans down into a play bow. Her grin spreads as she stands with her tail sweeping behind her and a little laugh clear in the tone of her words. Closing the space between herself and her sister, Bramble places a sweet sisterly kiss on Dusk's cheek before moving over toward Iolaire. "Aunty Io, this bonfire is amazing! You do this all yourself?" She grins again as she reaches down to nuzzle Iolaire's scruff for a moment before making her way to stretch out across one of the soft furs. Relaxed and warmed by the evening bonfire, Bramble glances around and also keeps tabs on their surroundings as she waits for Iolaire to begin.

"Speech"

If there was one thing that fascinated Ember more than anything else in the world, it was the rich and vast history of her family. Everything Carpathian fascinated and awed the young pup—their heritage, their culture, their language, everything! Even just getting to listen to her parents talk amongst themselves in their family's tongue filled her with an energy and excitement that made her giddy, longing for the chance to understand what they were saying and some day getting to be a part of it all. Any chance the girl got to immerse herself in her family, she took it with enthusiasm. That was why when her father came to find her to tell her that their Aunt Iolaire was holding a little history lesson out on the plains that evening, Ember was all about it!

The moment Iolaire's warbling howl called out across the Hallows, an overexcited Ember went sprinting out of Hearthstone and across the wide grass sea in the direction of the small bonfire burning amidst the fields. Some of her family had already arrived, and drawing closer Ember was able to see Dusk and Bramble both gathered with Io around the crackling fire. "Hi Dusk!" Ember greeted Dusk with a little melody in her voice, rubbing her head against her older sister's foreleg. Although she was growing quite quickly, she was still the smallest of the group so far. She then approached Bramble to greet her in much the same way, bumping her head against her elder sister's shoulder where she lay and greeting her with a chipper, "Hi Bramble!" Ember then went to Iolaire, reaching her nose up to boop her snoot against her aunt's with an excited waggle of her tail. "Hi Aunt Io!" With all her greetings done, Ember then moved to go settle down on the fur beside Bramble, sticking close to her sister as she settled in for story time, her tail thumping against the fur with little control, she was so ready for this!

"Ember"

Elowen had been cleaning up some things, dusting and keeping herself busy, when the call of one of her aunts caught her attention. A call from the plains requesting the attendance of members of the Hallows. Leaving her task for the time being, Elowen set off to be among those who arrived for the lesson. Once out of the castle she had broken into a run, sprinting across the distance of the plains to where Io, Dusk, Bramble, and Ember were gathered. There was a fire burning, the smell of burning wood tingling her nose in a pleasant way. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth as she sat. “I haven’t missed anything, have I?” She asked.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Zephyr's heart ached for home, the absence from his family weighing heavily on him. As an argentavis among wolves, he was driven by a deep-rooted instinct for adventure. Mastering the skies had ignited Zeph's desire to explore the world, a quest he saw as both a personal indulgence and a noble pursuit. During his travels, he and his companions had honed their skills in search and rescue. His unique abilities as a gargantuan bird proved invaluable in aiding wolves who found themselves stranded, injured, or in dire need of sustenance.

As he made his way back to the heart of Auster, the distant echo of a summoning howl reached his keen ears. It was Iolaire, gathering the pack for a night under the stars rich with tales of their ancestry. A grin spread across his beak as he banked his wings, steering clear of the castle's looming silhouette to join the congregation on the moonlit meadow. The lore of his chosen kin was an allure he could never resist, and the occasion was perfect to spring a surprise on his adopted brothers and sisters.

Dusk's distinctive black form drew his eye first. As quietly as his oversized form would allow, Zephyr tucked his wings and aimed to swoop in behind the horned wolf where she lay upon her pelt. If he could be swift enough to catch her off guard, he would reach out his wings in an attempt to swipe the wolf into his chest, hugging her tight in his feathers... stealing her seat upon the hide. "Is this spot taken?" He would say.  

"Zephyr"

Nelu's health tended to wax and wane. He was slowly recovering from his bronchitis and some days he's have his energy back and others he could only lay around and let his mind do the wandering. Today was a good day. He was still sore but the warm fall sunshine had helped lull him into a restful afternoon and by the time Io's call had rung out in the evening hours he was rested and ready to venture out.

With his companions in tow, Nelu trotted into the plains at a leisurely pace, joining the others gathered. It looked like mostly yearlings and a bird he was unfamiliar with but the beast held the scent of the Hallows so he didn't worry. He spied Ember and trotted over to his sister, offering a nod and a gentle, if awkward, smile before he settled down for the lesson.

Pups started pouring in once the call was made. Well... more than pups. Zephyrus swooped down from the skies and pulled his adopted sister into a hug. Bramble asked if Io had made the fire on her own and the wiry old woman chuckled. "Oh aye, crafted it with magic." She wiggled her dexterous little digits then gave her head a shake. "Your father built it for us," she told her true.

Ember came to nose the old fae and Io gave her an affectionate swat as the girl went to choose her seat. Elowen arrived and Nelu as well, the former asking if she'd missed anything. Iolaite shook her head, salt and pepper fur swaying with the motion. She waited a moment longer for all of them to settle down, then she added another chunk of wood to the fire and began.

Iolaire took a sip of water from a little dish beside her, wetting her tongue and preparing herself for the story ahead. Behind her, Ila cropped at grass and Enki lay sprawled out in the shadows. The tri-colored woman waited for a moment until it was dead silent, then she began to speak, her old voice surprisingly smooth and mellifluous as she wove her tale.

"All of you know the Carpathius name, but do you know how we began?" The fire crackled, sending a shower of sparks into the air. "Far away, there is a mountain range, tall and imposing with stone spires sticking up through the clouds to touch the heavens themselves." As she spoke the old fae gestured with her nimble paws, adding life and animation to her story. "The first wolves of Romania chose those mountains as their territory, their home. The lands were rich with prey, shelter and water. There were hardships, such as the steep climb to the top, the biting cold, the deep snows and blowing winds, but it was worth it. The Carpathian wolves evolved, growing thick coats and hard, muscled frames to combat against the cold terrain." Iolaire flashed a grin at the gathering of young ones. "I'm obviously a little broken." She gestured to her own diminutive stature. Iolaire had a disorder that had stunted her growth. A Carpathius in spirit, but not one in physique or build.

"It was tradition for the power of Aegis to be handed down from parent to child so long as the rest of the pack agreed with the choice of heir. For hundreds of years this tradition continued and, in time, it became a little warped." Io gave her head a soft tilt. "Power breeds greed and some of the other families within the pack wanted their chance at leadership. That was where my grandfather came in." Iolaire's green and gold gaze shifted through the faces around the fire. She took another little sip of water and continued.

"Jyrric and Steera were a mated pair, cold and ambitious. Steera had the ear of many wolves of the pack and Jyrric was a well respected warrior. Venom was spilled in the ears of the pack about the current Aegis' shortcomings. Soon, enough wolves were on the side of Jyrric that it was easy to overthrow the Aegis and claim the title for himself." Io paused for a moment, taking a breath, then continued. "Not only did he take the position of Aegis for himself, he claimed the name of the very mountains that they called home."

"They were not good wolves, the first Carpathians. The dark that tarnished Jyrric and Steera was passed down to their son, Morro. He was next in line for Aegis. Others of the pack began to see the bloodlust in the boy as he grew and began to doubt the choice of having him in a position of power. The largest daughter of the Aegis, Resin, would have been a better choice, but Jyrric had strange views on women leading."

"A season passed. A year. That was when Bala, the smallest of the Carpathian pups, went missing." Iolaire gave a little stretch and sipped at her water, content to take a little break from her tale. "Ask questions, if you have them." No doubt they would.

"Speech"

Dusk chuckled softly at Bramble and, as her sister kissed her cheek, the dark girl nuzzled back. Others began to arrive and Dusk waved at them in turn, giving Ember a little lick as the girl nuzzled into her. Then a surprise came.

The beat of wings pulled the antlered fae's attention from the rest of the gathering and a familiar sight came into view. Dusk was on her paws before she knew it and, when the wings came around her, the girl's forelegs were wrapped around the giant bird as much as she could manage. "Zeph!" Dusk slid her cheek over the sleek feathers of the avian's chest, "I missed you so much!" With Zeph settling down on the fur where she'd been sitting, Dusk slid back down to lay on her belly beside him, curled up against his feathered side. They had a lot to talk about later, but for now, her attention was on Aunt Io.

The old wolf began to speak, weaving her tale expertly. Dusk felt as though she could see the story in her minds eye, though that wasn't entirely true, was it? She'd been there. More than once, actually. After listening to the tale so far, Io asked if they had questions. Dusk cleared her throat. "The mountains... is there a big, frozen lake at the bottom?" Brows furrowed slightly as she cast fire opal eyes onto her aunt.

"Dusk Carpathius"

Bramble's eyes are warm with happiness as Ember comes over to nuzzle her. Returning the affection, she settles in as the rest come to join around the fire. Looking to El, Nelu, and surprisingly Zeph, Bramble is pleased to see how many have gathered. This would surely be a great night with all who had gathered!

Turning her attention to Aunt Io once everything was settled, Bramble listened with rapt attention. Drinking in every detail as she fidgeted slightly on her fur, she was fully enticed by the story. The story of their family beginnings was intense and captivating. Bramble had so many questions, she wasn't sure which one to ask first! Patiently waiting her turn as Dusk asked about a frozen lake, she looked from her sister back to Aunt Io.

"Did Morro end up becoming Aegis?" She started with an easy question first though she really wanted to know what happened to Bala.

"Speech"

Nelu listened quietly as he often did, taking in the history lesson and trying to place it into his memory. Iolaire spoke of a mountainous land called Romania where the Carpathian wolves originated. She spoke of Jyrric and Steera who had overthrown the Aegis, stating that the first Carpathians were not good wolves. Apparently Jyrric didn't think much of women ruling and assigned the role to his blood-thirsty son, Morro, rather than his daughter Resin. Then a Carpathian pup, Bala, went missing.

"Ms. Iolaire. What is it about them specifically that made them 'not good'? The shortcomings they spoke of to their pack of the Aegis, were these lies?" He hadn't grasped what the older wolf meant by venom, at first. It seemed only logical to displace a weak leader, but spreading false hoods was certainly not good. "The smallest pup… were they killed?" His expression was neutral, gazing straight ahead at their teacher. Nelu couldn't explain why he jumped to that conclusion. Perhaps it was his continuing quest to mark desirable vs undesirable traits. What were traits worthy of a good wolf, a good Carpathian, and which ones needed to be cast aside.

Iolaire would shake her head at El’s question, and the young femme breathed in relief as she settled in. She wasn’t the only one to arrive after, her cousin and a bird that she could only assume was meant to be there arrived as well. Elowen looked over at him as he scooped her cousin, Dusk up, a smile on her lips. Yes, that confirmed that he was meant to be here for sure. Her attention shifted back to her great aunt, ears perked forward as she began to speak. Of course they knew the Carpathius name, it was their family name, but the tale of where their family began was something that caught her attention. She didn’t know where their family originally came from.

The tale would begin with a location in the mountains, a place that had harsh terrains, but perks in prey, shelter, and water. Give and take, as it were. Elowen tried to visualize such harsh terrain, but the safety and security of their current home in the castle was what invaded her mind. This was where they belonged now, wasn’t it? At Io’s statement that she was broken, Elowen blinked in surprise. Broken? No. She was just meant for a different path, surely? A Carpathius in spirit, even if she didn’t have the same stature. And she wasn’t all that big compared to some of her cousins either, even if she was on the large size. Maybe they would all begin to shift the longer they were here in Auster.

The story would continue, shifting to Iolaire’s grandparents. Elowen’s ears flicked back as she listened. Was the old Aegis really not that good? That answer soon came. They were not good wolves. She frowned, furrowing her brow. “...if Morro was so bad and disliked by the pack, did someone overthrow his chance of becoming Aegis, just as Jyrric had? Is that why our family ended up coming to Auster?”

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Ember listened to Iolaire's stories with rapt attention, blue eyes wide with wonder as her mind was filled with wondrous imaginings of a land faraway from the plains, the place where their family had come from. She imagined all these massive wolves with regal thick coats looking like gods as they reigned over their mountain dominion. Io's self-deprecating humor earned a small giggle from the girl, but otherwise Ember remained uncharacteristically silent as she listened with full attention and enthusiastic mind. The history of the title of Aegis passing from generation to generation through the Carpathian bloodline and how it became distorted felt almost like a dark fantasy story to the girl. The usurpation of Jyrric and Steera, the power struggles, the cloak and dagger influence of corruption, it was fascinating to the young pup! Eyes wide and mouth hung open, Ember leaned in closer, scarcely blinking, barely breathing, enthralled with the tale.

The story came to a cliffhanger as the two children of the usurper were poised to take the throne: Morro and Resin, the grandmother she had met in her dreams. When one of the other children went missing, Iolaire frustratingly left the story hang in the air. Ember groaned in frustration and flopped to her belly on the grass, pouting up at the older woman. "Awww, auntie Io! Don't stop now!" she whined. One by one, questions were asked by the rest of her family. She wasn't paying much attention to any of them—until she heard Dusk speak. Tiny ears perked up on her skull and her eyes darted to her dark-coated sibling. She knew of the mountains too...? Elowen's question was one Ember had as well. How did their family end up in Auster if they started so far away? "Did grandma Resin do something to get our family out to Auster?" she asked, then as Io began to address each question individually, Ember would rise to her paws and slip quietly over to Dusk, leaning against her older sister's forelegs as she glanced up at her and whispered, "The lake wasn't frozen when I saw it..." Yeah, she had seen the Carpathian Mountains too.

"Ember"

Iolaire was old. Her mind had started to unravel a bit. She was still sharper than most, but her razor sharp sheen had begun to fade. The woman sipped her water, mind wandering enough that she forgot what they had been talking about. Ears perked when the questions began, however.

Dusk asked about a frozen lake and Iolaire shrugged lightly. "Not always frozen, but there's a lake for sure." Bramble went next and Io shook her head. "No... something much different waited for Morro." Nelu questioned the old woman and she canted her head slightly. "They were selfish. Everything was done for their gain rather than the benefit of the pack as a whole." Young minds were so full of questions. She'd asked for them, but still...

Elowen questioned Iolaire about Morro being overthrown and Ember asked if Resin had done something to get their family to Auster. She could mix these and Nelu's second question into one big answer. Taking a breath, Iolaire began speaking once more. "Bala disappeared, not that her father cared much. Resin suspected that Morro was involved, but didn't have proof until he tried to kill her as well. Morro admitted that he had killed and eaten their sister." Iolaire waved one paw in the air as though brushing away cobwebs or bad memories. "Resin fought Morro for what he did to Bala and won. She killed him. Jyrric wasn't too happy about his heir being slain, so he decreed that Resin's status was forfeit. She was the enemy. The wolves of the pack hunted her and she escaped, though not before getting heavily wounded."

A yawn pulled from the old woman and she rolled her shoulders with an audible crackle. "Resin fled, picking her way across the world until she made her way here. She'd taken the surname Scarpaw to further hide her tracks. Only when she met Tamsyn and started a family did she take back her family name of Carpathius. Scarpaw was her name to bear; not theirs. Besides, not all Carpathius were bad. A stoic bunch with grey morals, but not overall evil." Iolaire yawned again, getting a little comfy with a wiggle before wrapping her long tail about herself. She nestled down into it like a little fox, just her eyes and ears poking out. "So there you have it. Carpathius, Hallows, Scarpaw, Resin, Artorias, You." A moment later, the woman's eyes drifted shut and she was asleep, the flickering firelight warming her old bones.

"Iolaire"

Everyone asked their questions and, as Ember came by to sit next to her, Dusk raised one foreleg and pulled her younger sister into a comfortable embrace. Obsidian ears shifted, catching the girl's words. The lake hadn't been frozen when she'd seen it. Dusk looked down to Ember, fiery eyes meeting blue. "She talks to you too?" It was an interesting thought, both of them having gone to the mountains in their dreams to meet their deceased grandmother. Dusk gave a half smirk. "I can see why dad is the way he is." she joked before turning her attention back to Iolaire. The woman spoke further, then fell asleep as if it were the easiest thing in the world. "I guess... we're done?"

"Dusk Carpathius"

Nelu processed Iolaire's words, noting that what made those particular wolves bad was that they were selfish, doing things for themselves and not for the good of the pack. He nodded, that made sense. A good wolf thought about the pack as a whole when making decisions. That would be something he should seek to do as well in order to be a good wolf and not a bad one.

Iolaire continued on explaining that Morrow had killed and eaten the pup. He wrinkled his nose. Add that to his list of bad as well. She went on explaining that Resin fought Morro and killed him but in doing so she was banished from the pack. She went on to explain the lineage then that led to them being here. Nelu sat quietly, taking it all in and trying to file the new information away in his memory.

Bramble looks to her sisters with a soft smile. "I think Resin has visited quite a few of us," she speaks softly so not to interrupt auntie Io. Her attention returns then to the rest of the story, her own eyes drawing sleepily as the story continued. Death, violence, betrayal, all the evil things that belonged only in the stories. Who could really do so much harm to their own family? It was hard for Bramble to believe, really. "Seems like auntie Io is tired," Bramble says with her own yawn as she moves to lay beside the fire as well. The flames are warm and the night is growing old. Sleep did sound nice... Maybe grandma Resin would visit soon.

"Speech"