Her final stop in her journey, with both Threar and Sonticus unlikely to accept trade arrangements, was to a former ally of hers, Abaven. Whether Bass yet ruled here, she did not know. Packs changed hands often enough to make it unlikely, and so there was no expectations one way or another coming up to the border.

But Bass' scent was still entwined into the scent markers, she discovered as she came to a halt outside the pack's borders with Kassander, his companions, and their few remaining jars. Having a peaceful history with this alpha, however, was no guarantee of continued relations, and as Kassander had conveyed to her, he was still under obligation to Bass for a trade that had occurred before he had turned Ebony over to her. They would need to discharge that obligation before they could even consider entering into a new agreement, even if Bass were interested in what Yfir had to offer.

She lifted her muzzle to call out for Bass and any of his pack he deemed necessary, or were of interest, before seating herself beside Kassander to wait.

He was patrolling on the opposite side of the borders when a call rang out for him and his pack, causing his head to snap in the direction of it. He knew that call, he had heard her before. Katja. They used to hold an alliance with her, with Ebony as well. But he had not heard from Kassander or the viking woman for a long time, and was immediately curious as to the origin of her summons. Picking up an easy lope, Bass cut straight across the plains to see not only the darker woman, but Kass at her side as well. A smile on his maw, he dipped his head to the two before eyeing the objects that Katja carried. A single brow rose as he turned his yellow gaze from her back to her face. "Katja, Kassander. Long time no see. And today it seems you come baring gifts?" He asked in a slightly teasing matter. However, it was good to see the two of them, it was always good to speak with new allies. But the scent on their coats was not Ebony, and he was unsure to who he should be looking at as the alpha. Their smell was different as well, and he knew that Ebony, or Yfir, was no longer down here. So where were they? So many questions circled around his head, but he didn't want to stand their and spew them all out. Clearly they were here for a purpose, and maybe that would come with some answer to his questions.

"Speech"
'thoughts'

The call caught her attention, and the numbed female lifted her head, curiosity pricking her ever so slightly. She rose; silently, smoothly, heading towards the border in a gentle lope. Her face throbbed, and itched, but it was healing, and healing well. In fact, she needed to get more stuff applied to it - it was herb-less, for now - and also eat elderberry and meadowsweet, and do her jaw exercises, but that could wait a little bit while she investigated.

Green eyes caught site of Bass, and beyond him, a dark wolf and a reddish-brown wolf, a red color as vibrant as she. The girl's expression didn't change as she took her place to the left of Bass and behind; she stood there relaxed, though aware and wary of the outsiders. She was soothed, in part, by Bass' reaction to their presence; it was one of... trust? Maybe not quite trust, but it was not with wariness and edgy.

It did make curiosity stir within her, even as she gazed at the pair and their gifts - nevermind the fact that the curiosity never once entered her eyes; no - the only thing in her eyes was ice.

"Speech"

It was Bass Destruction himself who answered her call, looking relaxed though distinctly confused to see both previous alphas of Ebony and Yfir on his doorstep. "Bass," she greeted him, then tilted her head marginally to the yearling who trailed curiously up behind him. Were they bearing gifts? "In a manner of speaking," she returned. "It would be more accurate to call them... samples. Thanks to Kassander, Yfir has acquired the art of brewing a substance called 'alcohol'. We have a small amount here of the type called 'mead' for your pack to test if it is your desire to do so. This particular type is very strong, so most suitable for ceremonial purposes, though we also have samples of less strong drinks that are more suitable for recreational uses." Her voice dropped easily into the no-nonsense cadences of a trader as she had so often seen her father do, long ago in her childhood, but she had other business to discharge before she got into truly seeking to haggle. Beginning to slip free of the last of her 'samples' she continued to speak directly to Bass. "Kassander tells me he has yet to discharge Ebony's old obligation to your pack for the loan of warriors for the siege. We are also here to relieve that debt. Kassander will be remaining with you, with his companions, as a teacher until that debt is repaid." And picking the jar her nose identified as mead, rather than the grape wine and the ciser she also carried, she lifted the small clay thing in her teeth and set it before Bass and his yearling. "Would you or your packmate care to assess the mead? It adds a certain... grandeur to ceremonial occassions, if your pack participates in such things. Or perhaps the ciser, if you do not care for heavier fare?" She nudged forward another small jar of the honey-cider. "It is a very summery brew, light, and quite suitable for smaller celebrations."

As he settled before two old allies, he heard the paws of another wolf. Ears quivered backwards as his head turned slightly, seeing Lillie settle in behind him. He gave her a brief nod, but offered no other greeting to the yearling. She was silent as well, and for that he was grateful. This was clearly business of such, and while he was glad that she was here to observe and listen, he didn't wish for any interruptions. Turning his full attention back to Katja as she took the lead, he assumed that she was once more leader. His head tilted to the side as he listened to the words that she shared with him. Mmm, alcohol, huh? It sounded interesting, and something that seemed would not be for the children. Katja told him that she had samples of something that she named mead, a stronger drink. Whatever that was. He had to admit though, his curiosity was peaked. While Abaven didn't really have any large celebrations or ceremonies, he was interested in at least smelling and tasting this substance. The less harsh brew was something that he wanted indeed, perhaps in celebration after the rotation of groups or at births. "And if we want more after these samples, what are you asking for in trade?" He was no fool, there was always something in trade. And this was Katja, it did not surprise him that she had set this up.

He blinked slowly when she moved on though, stating that Kassander was going to stay in Abaven to level out what they had been owed. Oh, he had nearly forgotten about that. "Oh, perfect timing on that, actually. That would be good, thank you Katja and Kassander." Bass said with a dip of his head, looking at the man with a smile on his face. "It will be nice to have you around for awhile, Kass. Please make yourself at home." But once again she moved right along, placing the samples before him. Rising to his paws he sniffed at both jars. The mead hit him in the back of the throat, and he pulled back as he sneezed. Oh man, she wasn't kidding when she said that it was strong! He then sniffed at the ciser, which smelled like honey and sweetness. It was that one that appealed to him most, since he did not have larger celebrations within his pack. "The ciser appeals more to me, as we don't often hold large ceremonies here. They both smell so good though, I have never encountered a drink like this... And the effects of them?" Bass asked with a brow raised. He had never encountered this before, and the fact that it had to be brewed like some sort of herb concoction made him think that it had more of an... unstabling drink.

"Speech"
'thoughts'

Her own head dipped in a return greeting, much lower than the woman's, although pleasure soared through her at being acknowledged. She had to resist the urge to beam; she loved that acknowledgement. Thankfully, though, she was distracted by the so called... alcohol? That word just sounded... strange. And unappetizing. And what did she mean by 'strong'? Strong how? Strong flavors? Strong tasting? It didn't make much sense to the girl who had never heard of this substance. Two different drinks, for ceremonial and recreational? What? Confusion roared through her, but through sheer determination she only kept determination on her face: Confusion could be mistaken as weakness, and she would not be seen as week.

Ears strained forward at the mention of teacher, and her head tipped to the side in curiosity. Oh? A teacher in what? She wanted to ask... but at the same time, she didn't. And companions? It took only a moment to spot them: a fox and a... thing. How she did not smell them before was beyond her, but there was no way she was going to act like she hadn't noticed them already. Eyes looked over the red form of the wolf, and she questioned, "What will you be teaching?" her tone was strong, but it wasn't challenging: she had no authority, and knew that, and she wasn't about to assume authority just because there were guests. She was completely sure that Bass would not appreciate that, especially with him even being respectful to Katja.

When the drink was set before her, she took a step forward and sniffed it as Bass did; her reaction was through a violent sneeze and violent head-shaking and nose rubbing. What... what was that? It smelled awful. She would never have that, if she had a choice. She resisted whining, that's how much it still bothered her nose.

She followed Bass blindly, sniffing the cider too, her agitation being calmed at the smell even as she withdrew. It was... odd, but had a pleasant smell? Either way, it was much better than the mead, which made her want to wrinkle her nose. She took another sniff of the cider, before leaning back on her haunches and watching the pair of wolves inquisitively. Her ear twitched at Bass's question - it was a good one. They smelled so funny... it would make sense there'd be side effects, like meadow sweet. You could only eat a little of that flower, or it would hurt you.

"Speech"

Ignoring the excited voice of the yearling as she spoke with Kassander - he was perfectly capable of answering for himself - she kept her attention unflaggingly on Bass. He asked the important question... what did she want in exchange for this? "Alcohol is a mild mind-altering beverage. It's effects are not so strong as many of the herbs wolves choose to partake in recreationally and our bodies generally burn through it faster. It usually lowers inhibitions, aids in relaxation." And it was time to settle down to haggle. "My pack resides now in the north. As you know, it is a much less... hospitable environment than the east. We would, in exchange for the beverages, ask for prey and medical herbs." She eyed him sternly. "The amounts are negotiable and would in large part depend upon the volume you want. Now... with your interest in the ciser, perhaps you would be interested in 'wine'." She moved forward the third type she had carried with her. "It can be created from many types of fruits and mulled with herbs, but this particular sample is a simple one made of grapes. It is a little heavier in taste than the ciser, but no stronger."

Kassander waited nervously beside Katja for Bass' appearance. He was aware - very well aware - of the fact that he was late - very late - on upholding his side of the bargain he'd made with Bass. Would the alpha blame him for that? Hold it against Yfir? His fears were somewhat assuaged at Bass' friendly greeting, and he returned it with a respectful, if somewhat vague, murmured greeting of his own, ducking his head nervously. He was more than happy to let Katja speak her piece, her bit about the alcohol Remy brewed, but then she informed Bass that Kassander would be remaining behind to fulfill his bargain, and everyone's attention turned to him. His ears drooped, and he smiled uncomfortably until everyone's attention turned back to the task of negotiation. Everyone but the yearling girl who'd accompanied Bass, who directed a question to him. He glanced sidelong at Katja, but she and Bass were engaged in discussion already and she seemed inclined to ignore the sidetrack. "I... uh... I'm a healer," he answered quietly. "A little bit of a hunter, but mostly I'm a healer. That's... that's what I'll be teaching." "Kassander" "Rommel" "Remmy"

Bass watched as Lillie stepped forward and had a sniff along with him, an amazed chuckle leaving his lips at her reaction. They were rather strong smelling, and he knew that these were drinks that would be adult only. When the girl got excited about someone coming to train in their pack, his gaze shifted over to her for a moment. He would allow Kassander to inform her, and it would seem that Katja thought the same thing. His full attention shifted to the darker coated woman when she spoke of trades. Ah, so they were moved to the North. Bass was shamefully behind on politics, but understood her means. Prey up North was hard to come by, only better in the summer when the grass pushed up from under the snow. Starling had told him that different herbs grew in the colder regions as well, so it made sense that they needed others that grew in warmer climates as well. He paused a moment to think, interrupted only when Katja mentioned something called wine. He bent down to sniff at this jar as well, the liquid smelling similar to the overripe fruit that fell onto the earth. He couldn't help but lick his chops, that one interested him as well. Both drinks were lighter than the heavier brew, something that he didn't really need, as Abaven held very few ceremonies. "I would suspect that you would need more aid in prey in the winter, when all other packs are low. I couldn't imagine there is much prey when the land is coated in snow." he commented idly, yellow gaze shifting to Kass answered Lillie. He paused for a moment longer before giving Katja a full answer. "Herbs are not a problem in the East, even in the winter we still have plants that grow. Our winters are not as harsh as up north, and we have a bit more prey running. Would you come to us and hunt on our lands, or would we come to you?" It was a humorous thought, of his pack dragging a deer all the way up North. "For hunting I can only assume that your pack would come here and eat it here, instead of dragging it all that way. Herbs are a bit easier to carry, a ND we could come to you that way." he realized that he was answering his own questions, but Bass was just working everything out out loud.

After his speech to Katja, Bass turned to Kassander, an easy smile on his maw. "You are welcome to teach what you please, Kass. We have a few healers, and even less wolves who hold the rank of hunter. While the whole pack still aids in hunts, it's harder for one wolf to teach the young ones how to stalk prey and make a clean kill." Bass said humbly, welcoming the man into his home.

"Speech"
'thoughts'

Ears flattened on the girl's head. Mind altering? Who would be interested in that? It sounded terrible! lower inhibitions... that meant you didn't have many filters, right, and that you'd do things you wouldn't do before? The girl's muzzle wrinkled. As good as the thing meant, if that's what it did, she'd not partake very much in it. But the relaxation thing... if it made wolves relax, it could be a temptation for many with a high stress level, such as Bass.

Her ears flicked up when Kassander spoke, and she couldn't help the little flicker of disappointment. Ah, a healer. She did not... was not... particularly interested in that field at all - but - that light restored in her eyes, and she regarded the male with a sudden appreciation. Starling, for instance, would love this male to be here, if he stayed until the end of summer when Starling came back. Also, Shaye. Shaye was a little nervous healer, and being around a wolf so knowledgeable in the pack would likely increase her confidence. She nodded to hi, a gentle smile on her face. "Welcome to Abaven, then," she murmured a greeting.

She said nothing about the hunting, but while she had been thinking, Bass had been speaking, and she tuned him out until the very end. Her ears twitched at the mention of taking something to someone; that was a job for a Pera, was it not? Her job. Interest pricked her ears fully, and she'd switch her gaze from Bass to Katja. It seemed as if the alpha was considering the trade, for herbs and prey - she figured she'd be bringing herbs, not prey since a deer... being dragged in the snow sounded utterly unappealing and stupid.

"Speech"