It was well over due for her paws to return back to these lands. Part of it had not really been her fault. The small woman had gotten hurt, forgotten who she was for some time. But as those weeks went by memories slowly faded back to her. She had the fresh scar to prove that time had not been good. Her right should had a night long deep wound healing with new skin. It stretched from the top of her shoulder blade she run across and down to where the shoulder met the chest. She remembered it was from the flood, the river swallowing her up but not much after that. It had been then that she had hit her head, drifting along the river on debris. In her time of lost she had met a brown female with no tongue and the older woman ha cared for her. They had traveled together most of the time, but her silent companion did go off on her own at times. Not that Irune minded, because the other always found her. She never asked where the other went, what she did, it was none of her business. Even now as she stood with her toes right at the border, she was alone. Her friend gone to do something or rather. The cold wind whipped her thick coat about, winter was basically here for the north. The early morning was grey with heavy clouds, the winds bringing ice cold, signs that an early snow might fall this day. Amber eyes raised to the sky, the cold did not bother her. She had been born and raised here in the north, had been born in autumn. She stood here once more in the north, now as a two year old. Small she was but she had filled out into her adult form. Despite her trouble she had remained in good health, muscles rippled smoothly under her thick pelt, amber eyes bright and sharp. Only two marks scarred her prefect body, the shoulder scar and the nick in her left ear. And though she stood there with her tail held high and ears forward like a queen should, she was nervous. Something about this place had changed she couldn't place what about it but the air was different. She debating calling out or just walking home. But was it still her home? Did they lose hope and figure her gone for good? What was the attitude after the storm? Who all as left? She stood there for a long moment with only the wind as her answers. Giving herself a brisk shake she tossed her head back and threw her voice at the wind. As if challenging the wind for space up in the sky. She called forth her family, her home. Silence greeted her for a moment as she ceased her call. Standing there she stood like any queen would upon returning back to her kingdom. For after all, all she knew was that Quelt and her were the ruling pair of this pack, and so should she not present herself in such a way? "Speech"

He had made the decision knowing Irune would be upset. Yet as he believed, to be a leader you needed to want to be there. If he just pushed himself to be something he didn't feel comfortable with the gods would forsake him. His heart had been tugged along a very depressing line. Sometimes he'd wake up thinking Irune hadn't gone missing, that she was just on a walk. Yet as reality settled in, it was apparent that she still wasn't here no matter how much they looked for her. The male was no longer in a position of power, but he patrolled the polar sound by habit. He stopped in his tracks as he spotted Irune. His tail would twitch at it's end as the male nearly dropped his jaw. He lowered himself as he approached, he would have to face the consequences of his decision anyway. He figured that as long as he loved her it would be alright. Quelt felt like breaking out into tears, but that wouldn't be good at all. As he stopped he huffed slightly. "Irune....I'm sorry....I'm not the alpha anymore. I didn't feel good enough for it, I didn't feel like I belonged there. I'm sorry, forgive me." he hoped to the gods she did forgive him. Speech,

She knew that someone was at her borders but for a moment stopped as she spotted Quelt approaching. This must have been the girl that was his mate. Of course Irune didn't know her, but she did fear that she wouldn't be liked. Her paws carried her forward, limping to the location as she looked up at Quelt apologizing for a moment. She could say multiple things at the moment but this was between them so she decided not to. Standing in front of Irune she smiled a little trying to break the ice. "It's nice to finally meet you Irune, I'm Arian the new alpha or Soul of Isokan." she stated her tail flicking for a moment. "I've heard a lot of good things about you. Specially for a fellow healer." maybe this would help to calm things down a little. After all she knew the reactions of the others were sub-par. But she had given them the chance to leave at that moment. Isokan was not a kingdom who would be torn apart by wolves who had their hearts in different places. "Talk" "You" Think

It was a cold day. The chilly autumn winds danced about and stirred fallen leaves, littering them all over the place. Some even found their way toward the entrance of the caverns, where Ixionn was sitting with Drago nestled at his side. The two were calmly staring out into the darkened forest...thinking. Ixionn was practically replaying the whole visit with Arian in his mind. It made him want to go see her again- just to talk. But at the same time...he wanted to stay in the warm air of the northern mines. Yeah, the warm air that embraced the masked boy was too addicting to simply abandon. And Drago probably felt the same, being curled in Ixionn's fluffy tail. Weird lizard thing. Why wasn't he off playing in the trees with his friends? At the thought, Ixionn moved his eyes away from the distance, relaxing them down onto the blue iguana. He smirked and rolled his shoulders. Weirdo. The boy soon began to hum softly, a new tune he learned a few days ago. He had heard a lone woman singing it into the night. So, he decided now was a good time to let it out. Drago seemed to like it...because unlike other times, he stood silent. When he didn't like it, he'd criticize him by saying he sucked at singing or humming. So maybe Ixionn hit his sweet spot...or maybe Drago was just to lazy to speak up. The boy took a pause to breathe, and then continued to hum, when suddenly, a loud feminine howl ripped through the air. Ixionn stopped cold and forced his eyes wide open. That howl...that howl sounded familiar. And it was close by, too. ---After a few moments to think, the orange boy jumped to his feet and lifted his tail over his body. Irune. Drago, who was obviously irritated, darted up Ixionn's back with a questioning hiss. Ixionn shook his head and turned back, nudging his companion to the ground. "I'm going alone." The lizard-like creature sent him a stubborn look, and without a word, zipped off. The red eyed boy sighed and also turned to leave for the polar sound. ---His breath was visible in the cold autumn air, but it had seemed to instantly disappear just as it was produced from his jaws. Partially frozen soil flew up from his heels over and over. But within no time, Ixionn arrived where everyone was beginning to gather. The boy halted and gathered balance, before lowering his head and letting out exhausted pants. It was definitely hard running on three and a half legs. He could barely put weight on his injured paw now...geez. And in addition to that, his shifting shoulders against his scarred scruff didn't help the pain at all. The masked boy eventually finished his little break. And once he did, he made his way toward his mother and slung his chin around her neck. Of course...they haven't really spent a lot of time together. But she was the mate of Quelt. Therefore, making her his mother. Who didn't love the feeling of having their mother return? Ixionn grinned and stuffed his nose into her multi-colored fur, whispering, "You're so warm," before backing up and plopping down beside the standing Arian. She was introducing herself to Irune...and Ixionn could practically feel her anxiety. It made him want to laugh. Did she really think Irune would freak out? Ixionn finally stifled a giggle, before resting his warm gaze onto his mother. "Welcome back, Irune."

She would not have to wait long for the familiar figure of her mate to appear. Her tail waved happily in the air as he approached but stilled, arching over her back as she got a look at him. Before she could even give him a questioning look as to why he didn't seem too happy to see her, words tumbled out of him. She could only blink at him in surprise and shock. He was no longer alpha? She was no longer his partner in that role? She could never be angry at him for feeling he was not up for the challenge for leading a pack. For feeling that he was just right the right wolf for it. Before she could respond an unfamiliar wolf greeting her, limping her way over. Amber eyes narrowed as her words reached her ears. Who was this wolf? It was no Walker she knew of and she was leading the pack? Had everyone agreed to this? Or did something else happen to allow a cripple to lead the pack? Her dominate stance did not change even with Arian stating she was the alpha of Isokan. Lips pulled back to show pearly razor whites. Tongue darted out to lick them."You, someone I have never seen before is the alpha? You a cripple? How in hell do you think your going to protect this family, my family?! Are you blind to the fact that alphas are challenged for their packs all the time? That is disasters a pack needs a sound and fit leader to guide their way out of harm?" She snapped out. But her outburst would be cut short as her adoptive son rushed to her. If anyone could snap Irune out of an angry fit, if only for a moment it would be this boy who greeted her with a hug. She would soften up as she gazed down at him, or rather level to him now. His words were warming and a smile would light her face. Finally a true greeting, at least someone for sure had missed her. Quelt had not even touched her or even asked how she was or what happened."I'm warm only because I have my family still here for me." She said softly and padded the ground next to her, inviting him to stay at her side. She would sit down slowly, her movement of her shoulder still stiff and she didn't want to reopen the fresh skin. Her eyes darted to Arian, "Expalin how this came to be. Where does my family fit into this pack your incharge of? And how do you plan to protect us?" Her tone was calmer but there was ice in it. She was weary, fearing the safety of those she called family, pissed that her ambition was making her over react. But she was a dominate wolf and would not just follow anyone. She was an Armada through and through. She would turn her head to look over her shoulder for a moment, ears twitching,"I want you to meet someone new. Silina its safe to come out, I promise." She called softly, and waited for the young girl to join her. "Speech"

Arian understood the woman completely, so she didn't make a move. Didn't show the upset in her heart as she called her a cripple. It was a fact, so she really shouldn't have felt so bad, but her pride easily got hurt she had learned. Her tail stayed composed as she watched how Irune interacted with Quelt and Ixionn. She stepped back for a moment, and stepped forward slightly. She looked at Quelt and Ixionn for a moment, giving them a glance to not say anything to the girl. After all, Irune had every right to know where her home had gone to. Arian felt it completely okay to wonder these kinds of things, she was well aware of how packs worked, she had been in over three of them. "I am well aware of the fact I am a cripple, I am also a healer not a fighter. Yet I'm determined to lay down my life for my friends and family. Quelt has been my friend for some time, because Hajime was my cousin and his children my cousins I care deeply for. I want to make Isokan a tight knit group who is constantly trying to better themselves. Where one lacks a skill another will pick it up." Arian stopped for a moment, she was an adravendi, but it sure didn't feel like it. As she kept her smile, she did not falter in front of Irune. "Ixionn is being trained by Quelt right now, once Quelt thinks its the right time, Ixionn will become the heir." She flicked her tail mildly. "I can see why Quelt likes you, you armada's have such solid souls others just don't understand the strength you posses." She finally noted. Now she would let Quelt and Ixionn speak if they wished to, that was their choice all on its own. "Talk" "You" Think

"You a cripple? How in hell do you think your going to protect this family, my family?!" Well shit. Ixionn had obviously thought wrong about Irune's reaction to Arian. Instantly after the red queen had stepped in and introduced herself, Irune became the scariest thing on earth. She was yelling curses like a wild dog, spitting comments and making Ixionn feel sick. Especially now that his friend was being called names...gah, it really did make him want to vomit everywhere. Of course, if this was some random wolf, Ixionn might have just attacked and challenged him to a spar. But this...this was his mother. He didn't have the courage to yell at her. She just returned, after all. ---Stupid, stupid him. Sitting here and doing nothing...what kind of friend was he? Irune had seemed to calm down a bit after Ixionn offered her a welcoming hug. But he was still frustrated- confused. Why was Irune so mad, anyways? Couldn't she just deal with the fact that someone very kind and responsible was watching over her pack now? Ah, no. It didn't even matter to him. He just wanted to go away and leave the fighting to them. The boy wasn't really needed here anyways. Even if it was horrible to hear his friend, his queen, being yelled at. But he couldn't do anything about it. Damnnit. He hated everything. Everyone. The boy shut his eyes for a moment and sucked in a breath, before sitting up and moving over to his mother's side. Then, he sat, and stared at Arian with sad eyes. He just wanted to run away, darn it. Why? Why was he so determined to stay here and listen to whatever his mother had to say about Arian? Ixionn relaxed his twisted paw against the ground, evidently forgetting that it was injured. And it instantly caused pain to vibrate up his limb. He winced...but he remembered- that Arian had treated his partially infected wounds. The boy grinned and turned to his mother with bright eyes. "Hey, I was horribly injured during the storms, as you can see," The masked boy turned his eyes to the numerous tears and rips in his back, which, thanks to Arian, were treated. Ixionn smirked and turned back to his mother with a cheerful look in his eyes. "They were partially infected. But Queen Arian treated them before they actually became a problem." He turned his crimson eyes to his russet friend, the smirk becoming an easy grin as he finished up his point. "She helped me, Irune. She treated something that could have turned into something bad. And here you are, yelling at her." The masked boy shook his head and switched his gaze from Arian to Irune again. "Shouldn't you be thanking her instead?" Ixionn really wasn't in a place to speak. But to him, he was making quite a valid point. Due to his laziness, his wounds slowly began to rot away. But Arian jumped on them just in time. But after saying all of this...he nearly forgot about what Arian had stated before. He remembered her saying something about how she was a cripple...and that she would protect the pack. And then she confirmed..."Ixionn is being trained by Quelt right now, once Quelt thinks its the right time, Ixionn will become the heir." Wait...what?! Was that really what she had said? No...he must've been hearing voices. Yeah, yeah. That. Ixionn blinked quickly and shot to his paws, eyes widening. He wanted to know if he heard her correctly... "H-h-heir?!" His eyes quickly turned to his father and mentor, before they rested back on Arian. "Uh...what are you talking about, Arian?" The boy shook his head again, his rump falling to the ground. "Maybe I'm a bit confused."

Quelt stopped for a moment at Irune's anger, watching Arian carefully. There didn't need to be a fight over this but he knew this would happen. Yet before he spoke, Ixionn would chirp in as well as Arian speak directly to Irune. The walker and Armada family facing off, well, maybe Irune would think far differently if she knew Arian was an adravendi by adoption. His black tail flicked for a moment as he gave a frown, looking at Irune. Did she not trust his judgement, sure it had been wrong until now, but Arian had more experience being a leader than he did and that was for certain. "I wouldn't have offered her the pack if I didn't think she was capable." he said pulling himself closer to his small mate he nearly curled around her. "Arian has the smarts beyond her years like you do, and yes she is a cripple but anything can be overcome with a little training and getting used to. I've seen the blind fight like they can see, the limbless take down wolves twice their size. Arian was the heir to a kingdom before it was taken away, she knows how it feels to have her home stolen." Quelt said, though he wasn't sure if he should have shared that or not. As Ixionn swerved towards her other comment he smirked a little. "You're a bright boy Ixionn, and Hajime's direct blood line. Me and Arian both agree'd this is still a pack for the Walkers and you are growing into a fine warrior, regardless of the alpha change you were going to be chosen as the heir." he settled a little. Hoping Irune would understand. Speech,

If it had not been for Ixionn being there and at her side, she would have been pacing back and forth. In all reality it was her worries and fears the fouled her anger. she sat there in silence listening to all three of them, her eyes glancing at each wolf that took their turn in speaking. With a sigh she shifted her weight to her left, her body was still bruised under her fur on the right side and all these changes and intense emotions and confusion was making her head hurt. For a moment she would close her eyes before fixing them on Arian."Thankyou for taking care of my son. And forgive me for my outburst. But for me to come back after almost a whole season that had swept me away and I lost my memories, and to see some stranger in charge of my family shocked me. I would have been calmer had it been someone I knew before the storm, but the fact your a total stranger has me on edge. As for your leg well, no matter what Quelt has said there is always someone there to destroy others. Look at my father, look what he did to..my older brother. Even after he banished him and maimed him, it was never enough. There will always be someone like that out there. There will always be someone who knows how to read between the lines and find another's weakness. I've seen it all to often." She stopped to let that sink in. She turned to Ixionn, studying his paw."Ixionn try laying down so your not putting weight on it for now. Then later we'll get some feather and wrap in around your paw to keep it warm from the coming storms and to cushion it. Your wounds look clean though but any activity will be limited for awhile. And I am proud of you, Quelt is right. Your smart and level headed you'll make an ideal heir for the pack." She nuzzled him before looking to Arian. "I met two others who I wish to invite into the pack. One is currently not here as she tends to wonder off for a few days but always finds me. She cant talk, she has no tongue, her body is various shades of light brown and she had sea green eyes. She took care of me when I didn't know who I was or where I was. And then there is Silana, she is young and shy. She came here with me, but I think she's nervous." She did not let her eyes waver from Arian. She had after all kind of taken Silana under her wing and would care and protect her. As for the other woman she had met, well she wasn't sure if everyone would get along with her. She was odd if anything, at times acting like a feline and sleeping often during the day. But she was strong and agile, an ideal fighter. She would lean into Quelt, finally able to touch him now that he had come to nearly wrap around her. But she kept her right shoulder away from both Quelt and Ixionn. It was still so tender and she couldn't believe it was healing as good as it was. It had been ugly and deep into her shoulder and she remembered there was a lot of blood. But it was the only outward sign she had been through the storm. "Speech"

The woman looked towards Quelt for a moment, and then back to Irune. "I know Irune, I watched your father kill my uncle in their death match." she made a subtle comment on that. She wondered of Irune would hate her if she connected the pieces that syrinx was her uncle, making her an adravendi. Pain was something not new to Arian. She herself had begged for this maim, after all she had felt dragged down by her weakness so she had told Neo to hurt her. The fact he enjoyed it had only told her there would be worse ahead for her. Yet, she remained strong as she could, and if someone struck her down so be it. "You had every right to be upset, and if you don't want to stay I'm fine with this, I just want to keep Quelt for the remaining time of Ixionn's training if that is the case." She smiled to the woman. Someone who also was a healer was nice to have some input, for things she missed on Ixionn. She had given him some things for the pain but her teacher had said that walking it off was the best medicine. Boy how much bullshit that was. "This is my fourth home, and I hope it remains that way for some time with all of your help." Her crystal eyes looked them over. The scar on her face burned slightly at the thought of any of her old family. This was where she felt like she belonged. It was far less worrying when she was in control of her own fate. "Talk" "You" Think

Ixionn shuffled with discomfort in his spot beside Irune, his eyes burning with anxiety. He was so confused- why hadn't they told him before? Couldn't they have chosen a time when he had been calm and relaxed, not placed between a fight? To suddenly screech, "Ixionn will eventually become the heir," and then move on? Really? Did they even understand how confused and shocked he was? No, no, no. Of course not. They were too busy dealing with dealing with their own problems. The boy's heart quickened and he forced himself to move closer to his mother, attempting to get close enough to at least feel her heat. If not, completely pressing himself up to her, trying to relax himself from this sudden anxiety that rushed through his veins. As a younger boy...he'd always thought he'd be overjoyed if he was ever chosen as a future leader. Now he was terrified. He felt like crawling into a hole, or hiding in a ditch. Though, all at the same time, he wondered why he was so shaky and nervous now. Maybe because now that it was official, he couldn't quite see the picture of him leading and protecting his family. Or maybe being nervous was normal. Ah, he didn't know. And he wasn't quite relaxed enough to think into it. For now, he would continue to calm himself, while listening to Arian and Irune go back and forth. --Fortunately Irune's kill-o-meter had dropped into the yellow zone, but just as it had, she turned to him and asked him to lay down, for the sake of his paw. Ixionn nodded uneasily and slowly lowered his body to the ground. His mother also explained that she would treat it a bit more once they returned home. But Ixionn didn't care about the pain. Of course he appreciated his mother's generosity. But he was still flipping his shit. How were they able to just let this go? The masked boy breathed out shakily, before parting his lips into soft words of thanks. "Ah, th-thank you. It's already feeling better." He curled himself into his tail, while adjusting his injured paw into a comfortable position. Then, he shut his eyes, and calmly continued to listen to the conversation. "This is my fourth home, and I hope it remains that way for some time with all of your help." Arian was so calm the whole time. Maybe Ixionn should be learning from her. But...no. That wouldn't work. He was an easy-to-anger fatty. "Burn Baby Burn"