Nako rolled his shoulders and gave a shake of his pelt as he stared down at the dead tree upon the hill. It had been where he grew up, a place overlooking the barn over six years ago. The den past the tree was overgrown with scrub brush and clearly had remained untouched for some time, a fact that a memory of snow and chasing his step sister resurfaced wasn't coincidental at to what made him remember such a time. It had been snowing then, much like it was right now. Now older eyes viewed the fallen trees and the strange symbols carved upon the gnarled and curling bark. They all matched the scar Nako bore on his shoulder. Did the trees die quietly due to the mark? Were beetles to blame as the insects browned the leaves all the way until they reached the stump? A wind storm?

A paw stamped down on the snow  as the male headed down hill. The wind drifted through the tree tops as he headed down to the barn. It took a few minutes and if anything the wolf rambled a bit through the territory in an attempt to remember. He knew that his family had come back to live here four or five years ago right before a pack decided to claim it for itself. But Nako didn't find much else from the partially collapsed barn or the growing agriculture. The tractor was full there, and that meant... Nako lessened his pace and wracked his memory. Graves of Seracia's fallen were nearby. An inkling of reverence overcame the males steps. Riv, and Gerhardts mate. Had there been others? Nako's brow furrowed. A moment spent recalling his time in the pack before remembering that there was at least two pups in the earth as well. There could be more around but Bane had spoken little of the pack that has cast them out. Tahlia, bless her old soul, had taken him and his siblings out of the pack to join their father as rogues and that had been that.

Nako's paw's splayed out over the snow as he journeyed towards the sun and the last major feature of the territory he needed to check. It came out past the trees, a vast field of ice and memories of fish. Seracia's bountiful lake. Nako's ears stood fixed forward as he reclined heavily as if struck by a blow. How many remembered this? How many remembered the forgotten kingdom that once could rival all packs? Warriors, healers, princes, kings. A kidnapper and a father. All of his childhood surrounded him, and for the moment Nako was the only one who remembered it all with a shaky breath as his eyes glazed over and tried to envision the splendor of youth and a time where the pack of Seracia once stood. Forgotten.

It had been a painfully long time since she'd been here. It brought her far too many memories - both good and bad ones - though the good ones were painfully nostalgic, and the bad ones were deeply unsettling. This had been her home, for so long, and through some of the most important parts of her life. It was here that she had truly learned what love was - love for another wolf as a companion, and love for children she had never known would mean so much to her. It was strange being back here, after all she had been through, even after so many years had passed. Her gaze swept across the flat terrain, marveling at how desolate this place was. It had been bustling once, full of life, of drama and activity of all sorts. It was strange to see it so empty. The older woman moved slowly across the Range, her pace cautious, for she didn't know what to expect here. Part of her felt comfortable here - her paws urged her to desperately to find the den she'd once shared with Maverick, and to curl up and rest as though she'd never left. But another part of her knew this could never be anything like home again. A single, tattered white ear flicked as she thought she heard the sound of a rustling in the distance, her pace slowing as she tried to locate what or who it might be coming from. She veered toward the lake. A lot of memories flooded her; she felt her body sway, feeling weightless as she moved across the earth, like she was being pulled here without any control. A figure appeared in her peripheral vision and she twisted her head around to find him. A stranger, she thought initially. But a deeper whiff of his scent made her wonder if he was more familiar than she thought, or maybe just a ghost from her past hoping to haunt her. Slowly she approached, briefly focusing on the lake's frozen surface, before lifting back to him as she drew closer and closed the distance between them with little wariness. "Enjoying the scenery?" Epiphron spoke, her voice whimsical and sweet as a smile tugged at her lips. "This is quite the lovely place, if I do say so myself."

With a slow exhale Nako watched the frozen lake. So many times he and his step siblings tumbled and splashed about under the watchful eye of their mother when their father had been banished and did her best to distract them. Thoughts turned to his own estranged litter and wondered what sort of life they and the woman whole asked pups of him now lived. Hell, every woman he slept with was thought of and tried to hope if tiny pawsteps were running about because of his numerous dalliances that they were happy and safe. Nako rolled his shoulders and continued to take it all in. Even as the wind blew and ice cracked and shifted on the shore he thought of nothing as melancholy took ahold of his heart. This was a beautiful territory. If perhaps he had even an inkling to start a pack that he would take this land as his own.

The peacefulness was disturbed as another approached. Nako turned an ear as this wolf, female, as she called out to asked if the sight was pleasing. "Yes." The grey male spoke as he turned and looked over his shoulder at the cheerful woman coming up to him. "Yes it is..." Nako trailed off and tilted his head at the sight. The owner of the pelt coming up to him seemed familiar in it's color and he found himself mentally floundering as to who this could be. "I remember what this land used to be for those who called it home," Nako stepped to the side to offer this stranger a place to sit so they could marvel at the lake together. "And I also feel that not many others know that this is here." Muzzle tipping to gesture at the frozen water-scape before them. "Oh! My name is Nako by the way." He stated and turned to stare at the woman. It had been some time since having outside company other than his family. And in his experience it was best to remember manners as new folk were met.

Perhaps saying this place was lovely was a vast understatement. Most of her life had happened here - perhaps not the biggest length of time, but certainly the most important things that made up her story had. She was beyond grateful to discover that no one had claimed this place for their pack - surely some wolves lived here, but it was nice knowing she could still come and go as she pleased. Even her newfound company seemed pleasant enough, and a small smile touched her lips at his words. She had only hoped for simple company, but when he spoke of the past, though his words were vague, she wondered if he had once been among those she ruled over. Or perhaps he had simply known of the pack through some other means. Interested, she tilted her head to the side as she gazed at him. "I remember it well myself," she agreed fondly, her voice somewhat wistful. Her eyes reflected her nostalgia as she watched him momentarily before turning back to the lake's surface. Slowly she reclined to her haunches, exhaling a soft sigh as she settled down comfortably. He seemed equally as lost in his thoughts, and she was held captive by the silence for a long moment. "Nako?" She repeated after a moment, head turning to face him once again as she searched her memories. He had been in Seracia, so long ago. "I remember you." She didn't remember much about him. She remembered sitting by this very lake with him, hadn't she? "You are Bane's son. My name is Epiphron." Her smile was a bit more genuine now, at the memory of him, though thinking of his father was anything but pleasant.

Still no joy on the reason as to why this woman carried a familiar air about her. Nako wondered that if Anais or Jakart had come along that maybe there would be some recognition even as the she wolf took to the offered space and remained standing. Both of their eyes met and he had to stop himself from squinting at the owner of pelt before him and noticed that she spoke of remembering the land well. Did she remember it as he did? The once-queen before him sat down on the shore to join him, but he still didn't remember who this was. Nako had given his name and still there had been no acknowledgement as the wind carried the lakes creaks and groans as the ice shifted. The wolf ears flicked as she repeated his name, stared back at him before revealing that he was remembered. It wasn't a chill from the cold that caused him shiver as this woman, Epiphron, recalled his lineage with a smile.

For a second Nako sat there in wonder as he gazed at her muzzle, the red ear and those blue eyes as he let out a pent up breath. "My... my lady." Nako dipped his head sincerely and well what was past polite to show reverence to the royal woman before him before coming up from the bow. "I..." The male worked his jaw open and closed a few times and let a fogged breath billowed from his nose. What could he possibly say to this ghost from the past? "It's good to see you. Here." The rogue fumbled with words. "I'd say it's been some time since Ebony." Nako straightened and looked back out over the lake for a moment and recalled splashing around with the heirs of Seracia and of the queen, Epiphron, that oversaw the play. How did one pick up the pieces of reconciliation in a land of mixed feelings after all the trouble his family, his father, had caused?

In all honesty, she enjoyed most anything from her past - had she really gotten so old? Though she exactly spend her days reminiscing about her past, seeing something that seemed to have been plucked right from it and dropped in front of her again was refreshing. The parts that were unconnected from things that caused her pain were even more so enjoyable. The smile that touched her lips grew in intensity as she watched recollection appear in his gaze, as he exhaled and dipped his head in a slight bow. She forgot how much she had once enjoyed such.. respect, was it? Epiphron had spent so long being looked up to, alongside her husband, that when the burden and blessing of leadership had been lifted from their shoulders they had both been at a loss for what to do. Her chest surged with pride at the feeling, however brief it was. "It's good to see you as well," the words left her throat easily, lips twitching slightly as the smile grew more slight. It'd been a long time - Nako had merely been a boy then - and she knew that she herself looked far older than he remembered. It was written plainly on her features, though she was grateful now that her white fur hid many of the signs. "I'm always surprised to see faces from the past. It seems I'm not the only one who likes coming back here to remember." Sometimes remembering helped her - but sometimes it only brought pain. Pain that she liked to leave far behind her. "How has life treated you through the years, Nako?" Epiphron was truly curious, and interest shone in her crystal eyes as she studied him.

The once-queen smile grew even wider as Nako's recollection was voiced. The woman before him had been the leader of dozens of wolves alongside her mate, through winter and war her rule lasted until one day she and her husband departed for places unknown. Nako's family was soon banished to join their father in exile for their mothers crime of loving her mate, Bane, to deeply to respect the rules of Seracia. Ebony came afterward and with it the auburn ear before him and her red pelted husband until even that pack lost Bane's interest. Nako's mind raced through the years until finally coming to this spot belonging to his puphood. Ebony had been the last time Epiphron had been seen. And here she was suddenly asking how he had faired through the years of remaining apart.

Uncertainty wrinkled his gaze as he fought to recall everything. "I suppose life has been good to me. My parents gave me a final sibling before my father died followed by my step-mother from a broken heart." His chest swelled at the feeling. Four winters ago he had to bury his parents. It hurt less each year when he visited his parents graves. Nako held off mentioning his estranged children and nighttime escapades with females. That would be sounding a lot like his father's lifestyle, the stigma of promiscuity that had plagued his father as a rule breaker and a casanova would certainly be applied to Nako himself however true it all was. "And yourself? Maverick and your children doing alright?" The male spoke as he shifted and adjusted his back towards the wind coming off the lake as he held his gaze on Epiphron. Did she also come to visit this land to remember how it once was? To recall exactly many dead were buried by the barn and explore old dwellings. Much could change over the years and Nako would be lying if he said he wasn't curious as to what had happened to the royal woman between Ebony and now.

Despite the fact that she often looked back on her life and wondered what could have gone differently, she wasn't one to regret. She tried not to be, at least. She did wonder what could've been different, and how things would've turned out... but truthfully, she wasn't sure if she would change a thing if given the chance. At least she could come to these lands freely and reflect -- and it seemed others found similar solace in their continued existence. Epiphron was beyond grateful that these lands had remained unclaimed after all this time. She didn't remember ever seeing much of Nako's father in him, though he had never known him well enough to make that judgment. Even when he had been part of Seracia, she had viewed him through a different lens than Bane. She smiled as he spoke, saying that his father had one last child before dying -- a fact that she wouldn't mourn over. He had been a wicked man, but she knew too even the worst of creatures were loved by some. Her brother had been no exception. She remembered how gleefully wolves had cheered for his death. "I've... been well," she admitted, a bit warily, not sure where to start or what she wanted to share with him at all. They had been little more than acquaintances then and time had not changed that fact. "I haven't seen Maverick for years. But, a few of my children live in a pack called Fiori, east of here." Epiphron's head lifted, gesturing the way she had come. Perhaps that was the easiest way to explain things. There was no sadness in her voice, only a touch of pride as she spoke of her children.

Nako held his gaze attentively as he waited to hear what befallen Epiphron through the years. He supposed that if she was here right now everything must've been right in her world to make it this far in life. Or it could simply have been fate or mere chance to meet up together like this. The female spoke that she was doing well, responding with only a slight pause to his question that he didn't think to much of. It had been abrupt, sure, and by all accounts they were still borderline strangers to one another. Epiphron went on to say that Maverick had been lost either in life or in wanderings that weren't expounded upon. Nako only nodded in understanding and thought for a second of his godmother and birthmother.

He would not ask what had happened to the red male that once ruled alongside the once-queen of this land. Only hold attention and offer a smile at the mention of her children in a pack, Flori, and that it was eastward to where she had come from. Curious eyes looked over at the direction. "It's wonderful to hear that all is well." Nako sincerely spoke as he looked wistfully towards Flori. A slight tinge in his chest felt the ache of needing friends, of packmates, all things that Bane had taught against and he lowered his head in embarrassment at his fathers words. There was no doubt that packs were basically families to the rogue wolf, Nako had his siblings by the fjord and Epiphron had children to the east. It was a shame that such values were hammered to deep into the eldest Carlier wolf. "I'd don't suppose that you'd mind some company if you want to wander a bit around here? See what had changed for old time sake?" Nako spoke up as he rolled his shoulders and stood straight with purpose to wait for Epiphron to decline or accept his offer.

Recalling her husband's departure was only vaguely painful, if at all. Initially she had been angry -- enough to maim him, at least, upon first learning of his betrayal -- and time had formed her anger into a distant sort of somberness. She was too old now and too much time had passed to really mourn much of anything that had happened to her, especially that. There were far more important things to put her mind toward than him. Still, she was grateful that he didn't press the issue as it wasn't one she was excited to discuss. Epiphron was glad to see he was doing well, that he'd turned into a polite and respectable man -- she wondered if the rest of the wolves that had grown up on Seracia had been gifted similar fates. She hoped they had. "I'm glad you're well, too," Epiphron admitted with earnest. Her smile returned, removing any sign of uncertainty that might've lingered there at Nako's question about her husband. "And company would be lovely. I have to say, I'm glad nobody else has laid claim to these lands." Wishing the kingdom of Seracia to return was a silly thought; too much had changed, and too many wolves had come and gone to ever imagine such a thing again. But she was still glad nobody had taken over. These lands were better left unclaimed, so they could visit at will. "Where to first?" She asked, eyeing Nako with a playful sort of grin that was so rarely seen on the aging woman. The barn was the most prominent area, located to the lower east corner, as well as the structure that housed the strange metal objects in the center of the territory, though they could also head to the forested areas or the old croplands. Pondering it, she stood as well, shaking out her limbs as she waited for him to lead the way.

The words of the fair once-queen gave Nako a reason to stand up straight. Epiphron was grateful and accepting of his offer to explore and the male bit his tongue as she spoke that no others had claimed the land for family and rule. It had been before his fathers death that a man named Scorpion asked the rogue Carlier family with a firm politeness to leave within reasonable time as the shell of Seracia was claimed. And yet it to had disappeared. "Nobody that lasted at least." Nako exhaled and looked up at the pines with a step towards the barn. It had been The Range's most defining feature and its most precious shelter. There were the graves where the dead rested comfortably next to the grain fields or the upper hills where the old dens lay to overlook the entirety of the land.

Nako was happy to take the lead and tour the woman around her claim. For all intents and purposes this land had been hers, was still hers, and the marriage that he only vaguely recalled was now void. "And now to recall everything from the mind of a pup." He laughed as he strode onward across the frosted earth to lead the duo along. Too many stories of kingdoms and wars were affecting his thoughts but it was all had a romanticized quality to it. Pawsteps through the snow were retraced and he had been glad that the territory had been given a quick tour before company arrived. In his mind Nako's steps grew shorter, gait more ambling and the struggle through the snow to catch up after his mom and siblings were recalled as he finally stopped at the entrance to the barn. Nako only looked back at Epiphron as he stood next to the double doors and gave a flourished bow. "M'lady." He dipped his chin and shouldered a thick door open to gaze upon the inside.

Being around someone from the past was, in an offhanded sort of way, intoxicating. She felt younger now, in the presence of someone who considered her someone worthy of respect, who remembered her rule fondly, it seemed. She let out a soft murmur at his words. Perhaps it was fated that the packs that tried to claim these lands - if there were any, and Nako seemed to imply some had tried - never seemed to last. The reign of the Kingdom of Seracia would live on in the memories left here, at least in the few that were still around that had lived in it. She grinned at his words, wishing she had grown up in these lands. Much of her early childhood had been far away from Boreas, and much was little more than hazy images. She’d nearly been a yearling when they had fled here, and her childhood had been in Valhalla, not Sercia; coming to this kingdom had marked the shift to adulthood for her. The move had been symbolic as well as physical for her. Happily she followed him as they neared the barn’s entrance. She’d explored this place many a time, seeking shelter in it from storms and wind - briefly she recalled the violent winds that had wreaked havoc on the barn once, turning the already-dilapidated structure into even more of a wreckage. Some had been injured that day, but thankfully not permanently.  ”I once thought this place was the safest in all the lands, you know,” she admitted as he gestured for her to enter, taking long strides inside. Epiphron had been young and foolish then, with little idea of how dangerous the world could be when she’d first stepped inside it. She knew now that looks were deceiving, though with little wind on this day she figured it safe enough to explore briefly.

Instantly the scent of hay struck his nose with its dusty and dry fragrance. Despite the few piles of snow that had formed from the deteriorating roof the barn was still a manageable shelter. The bottom of the door had ground against the dirt and was held open as Nako gave a heavy breath from muscling it wide enough for the two of them to peer in. Epiphron took a few paces inside and remarked that this land was once thought of as the safest anywhere. He could imagine that. Through a pups eyes there was no harm in the world save for a siblings rough bite to an ear or scratches from paws scrambling and climbing over one another. Nako closed his eyes and gave them a squeeze. That wasn't true at all. His own father had taken him away from his mother in a rather violent manner, a boy barely away from his mother stomach and all of a sudden there was this vaguely familiar man standing over him with an antler in his jaws and uppercutting his sons muzzle with a paw.

Nako gave a rumble to shoo the memory of his siblings names and faces as he watch Epiphron walk between the stalls. The light from the holes in the roof mingled with the dust from the hay to create a fine atmosphere as the she wolfs fur seemed to glow. "I'd did to for a time..." Nako trailed off as he looked at the rusted tools and yokes hanging from the walls. To be honest he had forgotten what this place had been used for by Seracia. "I know that is far different now when growing up." It would've been out of touch for him to ask if she meant by anything by the statement and so he walked farther into the barn and stood next to Epiphron to stare into the biggest stall. Dried and withered hay lay spread on the packed earth and he scented the air. "Do you think nobody stays here because they don't know what this is or that there are to many holes?" Nako asked as he looked back at Epiphron. Not something he'd stay a night in. He was beginning to think of other places. The tractor. The graves. The crop fields and the dens on the hill. Where else could the queen a subject go?

Epiphron couldn't help but reflect upon that day as Nako followed her into the barn. The fear she'd felt at hearing her children cry out to her, and being unable to find them, was still very memorable to her even though many years had passed. Her gaze searched the interior of the barn, inquisitive and nostalgic at the same time. This place was as familiar as the back of her paw, though time had altered the structure just slightly. The wood somehow seemed more worn, the railings on the inside ceiling of the barn less stable - though perhaps it was simply that her way of seeing things had instead changed. "Funny how this place seems now," she sighed, nostalgia audible in her voice.  "The same as I remember, but so different at the same time." Spending much time here now seemed foolish after that particular stretch of bad weather, but a brief journey through it didn't strike her as very dangerous. It was nice at least to visit some of these places from her past. The memories were less painful now than she anticipated, though they were never without some kind of hurt. Thee good parts simply outweighed the bad, now. She hummed quietly at his question, thoughtful.  "I'm not sure. I'd assume it's too strange for most wolves," Epiphron mused gently.  "Though the holes are definitely unnerving." She offered a faint grin in his direction, wondering what he thought, as she rolled her shoulders in a gentle stretch as she headed toward the other side of the barn.

The wood of the stall was cracking and probably covered in more dust than he'd care to sniff, head swinging to eye Epiphron. "I guess nothing lasts forever." Nako found himself saying. This whole place would come down eventually in a few years or with a good storm. Pity. Epiphron commented with a grin that the state of the structure, let alone it not being natural, might turn other wolves away. Nako could only nod in agreement as she headed deeper into the barn. With a rumble the male followed, voice following after the white she-wolf. "I think if we'd met up like this a few years ago I'd ask if it was worth it to have a reunion of sorts. Dunno how that could happen now." He mused with a uncertain tone. There could be hardly anyone left of Seracia for all he knew. They were getting up in age. He'd die next to his parents graves and she with her pack, or so he planned when that day came. The thought was shoo'd away as his paws brought him beside the once-queen again, looking around the far end of the barn. He hadn't remembered ever going back here and so he turned to Epiphron and asked. "Anything around here that you found interesting back in the day?" He tilted his head much like a pup and surveyed the back of the barn. What had been back here that she remembered?