There before he was a large forest Alaric had never seen before, dense and thick. The smell of the pack was strong, he was at their borders. Well, standing outside of the borders. His cane corsos Maul and Cinder stood beside him. At his feet, laid a slain doe. It was freshly killed, still slightly warm. He hoped it showed he was here on good faith, with no hidden intentions. Alaric cleared his throat and lifted this head towards the sky. He let out a summoning howl for the leader of the pack. The howl was neutral, lacking any indicators of malice or challenge. He had come on friendly terms. He had one goal in mind: find out who ruled this forest, these lands, and get to know them. He waited patiently for a response, not daring to cross over entirely into the territory.

All things considered, Hattori was welcoming enough towards visitors. By no means was he personable in his old age, or even before he got all old and grey at the muzzle, but he rarely took issue with those who found their way to his borders. Those who trespassed were quickly and rather callously shown the door, but everyone else was tolerated. High praise coming from Hattori.

Still, he found himself curious as he approached, catching the scent of a fresh kill on the breeze. Slowing to a walk as he shouldered his way through the thinner reeds of bamboo, he caught sight of the visitor. Pale coat accented with darkened ends, like spilled ink. Hattori's gaze settled on the doe briefly, could read the room well enough to take that it was a gift, a well-intentioned meeting already started on good footing.

"I am Hattori of Tojo-kai." He introduced, a slight head nod as was customary. "What do you want?" Blunter than most wolves would probably appreciate, but it was an earnest question, on the nose but not intended to be rude.

It wasn't long before a figure appeared out of the bamboo forest and came into view. Alaric waited til the wolf was closer before dipping his head in respect. "I am Alaric Warmaw, General to the Judilian Army." He introduced himself briefly. "I have come to learn more about the packs of this land." He would get right to the point, as Hattori seemed to want. "I have come on good faith. I offer you this doe as a token of that faith." He rumbled, nudging the doe with his maws closer towards the maw before backing up. He kept a respectful distance. "I'm open to any questions you may have about the Judilian band or myself." He stated briefly, allowing Hattori to speak. Surely, the leader would have questions. Alaric didn't expect this to be a one sided endeavor of getting to know one another.

Hattori made a thoughtful noise in his throat, considering the stranger's words with all the haste of a koi fish meandering downstream. Though talk was cheap and Hattori was by his nature a distrustful man, he saw no reason to presume the worst. Bands came and went, but it was still worthwhile to make an effort to understand the political climate of both Boreas and Auster, so again as far as Hattori was concerned this meeting was entirely reasonable. Alaric's phrasing did catch the old man's interest though, enough that he arched a pale brow.

"Judilian Army." He repeated, as if testing the name out on his tongue. No accusation or questioning of the general's value or prowess, he did not know the man, but he had to be of some merit to earn such a title, no? "Who are you fighting?"