The dark man would sit silently just on the outside edge of the packs borderlines. He dare not move across the invisible line, as he was not yet sure this was the pack for him. He wanted, no, needed a place where he could safely treat his patients. Somewhere he could keep all of his herbs without worrying someone would steal them. And finally somewhere he could return to every night.

The company would be a plus, unless this was a pack that only created chaos. A pack that would seek out and destroy those that did not join with them. If that was the case, Maximous would sooner poison himself than cross the border.

The alpha of this 'Ebony' pack would know first hand that he or she would never be able to keep him from healing another, once he had his mind set on helping them. That he would not fight unless it was absolutely necessary and so far he had not found a necessity to fight. His flesh would prove that as the only scaring upon him was that of a half trained Nomad.

His only reasoning for leaving the Nomad pack was so that he could seek out and concur any diseases and ailments of other lands. Before he left though his mother made him promise that he would attempt to complete his training, and he would as soon as he found a fully trained Nomad in the land of Alacritis. That would become his ultimate goal.

For now his black snout would raise to the sky and his deep voice would travel the land. When he silenced himself, his haunches would find the ground, his tail would wrap around him and he would wait as his icy orbs scanned the area. All he could do now was hope that the alpha had heard his call and would come to either except him as he was or send him on his way.

The man's summons found Raisa in her den, mercifully shadowed from the summer's heat. The sun seemed intent on wither her land to little more than a husk, but so far they were hanging on. Ironically, the boulders that offerred so little shade were what had kept the landscape alive. Below them, nestled in the rocky soil, the soil was damp with eons old glacier melt. Springs dotted the surface of the rock garden, and while they were shrinking day by day, they had survived thus far. Raisa's thoughts circled this concept like a buzzard eying a carcass, until the howl filtered through her ears. She perked up, auburn tipped audits keen and bent on deciphering his intent. It seemed as if a rogue waited on her borders, intent on a meeting. Eager to grow her pack's ranks, she clambered from her den and took off at a trot. The moment she left the shade the heat clawed at her dark fur, but she pressed on. It was not a long trek to the edge of the garden, but it felt like quite the journey. By the end of it, she was panting and felt as though she roasted in her fur, summer coat be damned. She could tell the man was nearby, and took a moment to collect herself before padding slowly forwards. He had to be here somewhere... She raised her snout to the wind and cocked her ears this way and that. Finally she saw a dark splotch amongst sparse shrubbery and grasses. With a smile she approached, one eye brow raised and an amused smile on her face. "You've beckoned, and I've come. What can I do for you, stranger?" Her tone bellied little of her fatigue, and she wondered if the man before her was as miserable as she. His fur was raven dark, and his build immense. Curiosity gnawed at her gut as she awaited his response. "Talk" "You" Think

Blue eyes would turn to the dark ash grey lass as she approached him with a grin and cocked brow. He would return the smile but his eyebrows would remain level. A statement came, then a question...one he knew would come. She wanted to know what she could do for him, or rather what it was he wanted.

The heat was aggravating, but he would not complain. His pelt was thick, black and his large build wasn't helping him out any but there was nothing he could do about it. In the thought just before he answered he wondered if he would be any less miserable with a light colored coat.

"I merely wish to find a home my lady. Though, they would have to accept me for who I am or it would be no home at all." His voice was deep, yet he held it soft and respectful. He did not know her, not yet, but this was her home and as long as he was here respect was what she would receive.

He thought on his next possible words as he studied the woman before him. Her pelt was dark with the acception of a few auburn and ivory spots on her head tail and limbs. Her eyes were bright fiery orange and icy blue. A lovely girl, a one of a kind, on the outside for sure. Of her personality however, he did not know. On her features, in her eyes, he could see something but he wasn't sure what it was. Suspicion, or perhaps even curiosity. Either way he would remain silent and let her speak, rather than jump to conclusions.

That the man sought a home was welcome news. Raisa knew very little of him, of course, but he seemed well mannered at the least. His conditions gave her pause, only as she knew not what he referred to. Her gaze scanned him slowly. His eyes were bright and his body well nourished; he showed no outward signs of disease. The soot-coated Queen settled onto her haunches, allowing her tail to curl over her paws. It was a delicate maneuver, graceful, and it gave her a moment of time to consider her next words. "In that case," she began in an even, polite tone, "I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. You stand on the borders of Ebony. My name is Raisa Xanilov, queen of aforementioned pack. What would you like to know?" Her first impression had been formed, but she would remain open minded. As it stood Ebony was a small pack, hardly more than a band, aside from the fact that they held land of their own. Any addition to their ranks would be welcome, as long as it did not pose a danger to her other followers. She found herself trying to distinguish what skills the man might have. His aura seemed more delicate, in a calm and collected sort of way. He did not strike her as a warrior, or one prone towards violence, but only a great fool would bank on such things after so short a time. No, she would wait and see, and go from there. "Talk" "You" Think

She seemed to mull his words over in her mind as she had been silent for a moment. He watched as her eyes scanned over him, probably looking for evidence of violence or disease. It had only taken her a few moments as she was soon sitting, with her ivory tipped tail laying over her paws, and speaking.

His ears perked up as her voice reached him. Answer my questions? the question rang through his mind with a bit of surprise. He had figured on having to answer her questions. Never the less, he kept that to himself and continued to listen as she spoke.

He had learned two important things. The name of this pack was Ebony and this lass, Risa Xanilov, was its alpha...its queen. He had chosen well to respect her. With that information he would know, strait from the queen herself, whether his conditions would be met or not. "My lady Risa Xanilov, I am Maximous of a pack a great distance from here. We...they are known as the Nomads, a pack of great healers."

The man paused for a moment to see if she had any sign of recognition at the name of his pack and then he continued. "I left my home, only half trained in the ways of my people, so that I could help others and hopefully find other ailments to find a cure for. I do not fight but I am skilled in defending myself and others when I must."

Again Max would pause, only this time was so he could form the actual questions. When they came, he gave them voice. "So, my question is do you need or even have a place within your ranks for a wolf partially trained in the arts of healing and if you do would you allow that wolf to look for an elder Nomad wolf so that he could complete his training."

Raisa could not help but notice the man's collected demeanor, impressed by the aura of confidence he exuded. He introduced himself as Maximous, and Raisa found the name oddly fitting. She bowed her head in a small gesture of greeting, a smile playing on her face. "Well met, Sir Maximous." He claimed that he hailed from a band of healers, and Raisa's ears perked upwards. Interesting... Ebony was ripe with warriors of might, yet weak in warriors of thought and tact and insight and wisdom. It seemed like a turn of fate that such a man might appear on their borders. The circumstances he claimed must be met did not trouble her. In fact, he seemed perfectly suited to Ebony, in ways he probably was not aware of. With a smile and an amused chuckle, Raisa finally answered. "I would be a fool to turn away a healer on my doorstep. Beyond this, though, I believe I can give you what you seek. My pack is set up with two lines of defense, but mental and physical. While the Knights of Ebon are expected to battle and hunt, the Knights of Sola are expected to heal, counsel, and educate. My wolves also enjoy their freedom. All those who will place their loyalty to Ebony above all else are welcome to come and go as they please." Some might call Raisa a fool for allowing her brood to venture so far from the nest, but she would disagree. Personally, she had always been of a mind to rebel and found that many others would agree. She would rather foster good will and trust, than tight bonds and strict laws. Her wolves knew that those who worked for her, she would protect and dedicate herself too for as long as the bond persisted. She only hoped Maximous would find this agreeable. "Talk" "You" Think

He had seen her ears perk up as he had mentioned his birth pack. That alone let him know that his choice to mention it had been a good one. As he continued to speak, to her it seemed as though she was thinking something over. By the time he had finished asking his questions, there was a smile on the Queen's face.

The amused chuckle made him think that she was going to turn him away, but that thought was quickly tossed aside as the chuckle was quickly followed by her saying she would be a fool if she turned away a healer at her door. That made him smile, but he remained silent until she was finished speaking.

The woman spoke of two different types of knights. Ebon Knights were the hunters and warriors of the pack, Sola Knights however were to be healers and teachers. The similarity between the two were that their loyalties lay with the queen and they both protected the pack. That was something he could definitely do as protecting and caring for others is what he did. Finally she spoke of the freedom she gave her pack so long as their loyalty did not falter.

With those final words Maximous found himself rising to his paws. He would stand tall only long enough to speak and then he would bow respectfully to his queen. "In that case, lady Risa, I am yours to command. I will heal the wolves of Ebony without a second thought and teach whom ever wishes to learn."

The moment he came out of his bow he stepped across the boarder. In his mind he was now an Ebony Nomad. A descendant of the great Nomad wolves but a protector of Ebony, a pack he believed would rise to greatness.

The dedication in the man's words brought a sense of hopefulness to the woman's chest. He seemed capable, and confident. She made a mental note to have Elsa watch over him, and let the Queen know her thoughts. The pale shewolf had grown close to her, and Raisa knew she could trust her opinion. Raisa offered the man a small bow when he crossed the border. Upon rising, she said, "Welcome to Ebony, Maximous. In accordance to your skills, I will place you upon the order of the Sola Knights. Your company numbers only one, at the moment, but our ranks grows by the day." Raisa looked over her shoulder at the rolling moor behind her and smiled. "Feel free to explore, and make your den wherever you choose. We hold sway of the boulder field, and the lake to the south. If you have any concerns, my den can be found under the largest stone in the garden." Raisa nodded her head again, eyes shining with a prideful sort of joy. She hoped the man would find his calling within her pack, and linger there for as many days as he was able. They were in need of more healers, and she knew Elsa would welcome the help. "Again, welcome to Ebony." "Talk" "You" Think

The Queen hadn't had any need to bow to him, as she was the Queen and he was but her servant. Yet he still found joy in the fact that she too respected him. With her words came a rank, he was to be a Sola Knight and that was fine by him. According to her he was the only one, but that too, was fine by him as he knew others would come, and if not then he could train others.

When the woman looked over her shoulder, he couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. Still he remained silent and soon enough she was speaking again. He was free to explore, as she said before, he was aloud his freedom and he could make his den anywhere he chose. He would definitely have to choose wisely so that he would be able to keep his herbs safe and be able to help others that came to him.

She informed him of all the land that was Ebony and told him where he could find her. Not only did she respect him, but she showed him trust in telling him where she slept. He would have likely found it later any way, but still Risa was proving that he could find a friend in his Queen.

Finally she welcomed him once more and Max offered her another smile. "I will definitely do some exploring, though maybe in the cooler hours of the night. Perhaps in my exploring ill find the perfect place to store my herbs and still have room to do my job." That thought made him want to endure the heat a while longer, but he thought better of it. "I thank you lady Risa, if I need anything I'll be sure to let you know"