This was something that could not be put off a moment longer, his head had healed, and he had heard word that Deathbelle had left the territory for a time. He had spent all his efforts placting Zee, and hadn’t had a chance yet to think what this meant for Deathbelle. Unlike him and Zee, she was alone out there, and that did not sit well with him. But there was nothing he could do, and it ground against his nerves. Nothing he could do about Deathbelle but the matter with Venom could, and needed, to be sorted.

He made his way to the Ashen territories, and raised his head. Calling for the Ward of Ashen, even as he wondered if she would be very much more then that soon.

Venom expected to hear from Sirius not long after Thistle appeared to her a few days previous. She was curious to know what had happened between Deathbelle and Sirius. Hopefully that’s what she’d get now, not that she had much information to relay back to him. Just that her mother was definitely alive but not idea where or when she might return. Long slender legs carried her to the Warlords position and though she was nearing adulthood she still greeted him with an enthusiastic hug. Something she needed with all of the pressure that was suddenly on her. She buried her face in his thick fur and breathed in heavily as she felt the stress melt away in his presence. Sirius made everything okay. ”What happened?” She asked softly, obviously uncertain of everything herself.

He should have seen the question coming, but after the drama he had been through, somehow he didn’t quite realise that he would have to divulge the full drama to his goddaughter. The question blindsided him, and he paused, blinking for a moment. Before he let out a soft sigh, and sat down across from her.

Ahh… Venom, she had been tiny once. A small little porcupine in his paws. He had taught her how to haunt, how to separate a coat. She had leaned on him when she had mourned her father, and now she was an adult. When had that happened, exactly? The Empire was in her paws well Death was away, and she looked ready for the responsibility. “How much do you know about the history between me and your mother? And I mean beyond me being her guard and childhood companion.”

The Princess held tightly to him for a long moment, sapping his strength like she had when she was younger. Leaning on him like she had always done, but things felt different. Like she was closer to crossing the line between apprentice and equal. Venom pulled back as he began to speak, answering her question with another question. The young Princess shook her head. Beyond him being her slave at one point. Venom had always known him as the warlord, and knowing he’d once been in that position was strange. ”No, I don’t know anything but… I could make a guess.” Her cheeks flushed as she tried to keep her own internal reaction a secret to her mentor. She could make a guess because she knew what it was like. Azure wasn’t her slave, the Prince was her Warlord in training. The two of them were becoming much closer, almost too close for her comfort. How much easier would it have been for her mother to fall for sirius when it seemed like that was all she ever wanted from anyone.

Venom leaned against him, and he returned the gesture. Knowing the drama he had created in her life, but finding no easy answer for any of them. “I think you could, at that.” he agreed. Sirius wasn’t a subtle beast, and likely Venom had caught him mooning after her mother a time or two. That Venom was his goddaughter, and he considered her like his own blood, was likely another strong hint.

“I fear this mess is as much my fault, Venom. But it’s done so now we need to decide where to go from here. My Wife is unhappy, both with myself and Deathbelle. I need to make some decisions, and they need to be made with you. I think the Armada has grown past just a warband, it’s a full pack now. It’s not just a place where warriors train, it’s a place people call home. That, coupled with the tensions existing between Deathbelle, myself, and Zee, have me thinking - The Armada will always be your greatest Ally. We will always be beside you, and raise our arms to strengthen yours. But that is a bond of friendship and love, not servitude, and I think our relations should reflect that. Venom, what are your thoughts?” He had once been slave, but now he was Alpha.

He had raised this pack under the understanding he had had as a slave. Was it time now to raise it to something more? It would not be a betrayal to Deathbelle, or Venom. Both of which he loved too much to ever abandon. But perhaps Venom could understand the need to stand on his own four feet.

Venom listened to Sirius as he took up partial blame in the situation that presented itself. She didn’t know when Deathbelle would be back, and by that time Venom wasn’t sure she would want to give leadership back. She may have been the ward for that moment, but she wanted to be queen. Her thoughts disturbed as Sirius spoke her brows knit as he mentioned where to go. Venom wondered why they weren’t staying exactly where they were.

She pulled away from him, confused about what he was saying. Sirius was her Warlord, her protector and senior in battle. She still had yet to defeat him, maybe that was why he felt like this? Because he couldn’t see himself serving a weak leader like her. ”What.. do you mean, Seer?” Her voice wanted to waver but she willed it to be still. What was he doing? ”You’re supposed to be my Warlord?” That was when her voice broke, like a scorned lover, ”Is this not a relationship of love and trust?” She continued to back away, of all the wolves in the world she trusted Sirius the most, but what was he saying? Venom shook her head, unwilling to accept what she thought he said. He’d promised. Tears stung her eyes and she swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like the puppy he’d helped to raise once more. She begged internally that she misunderstood.

The emotion surprised him, she seemed truly upset. The possessive warlord loved Venom like family. He would tear apart any who hurt her. She should know that as easily as she breathed. His strength would ALWAYS be hers as well. He frowned "your looking at this wrong. Did you want a slave, or a friend that will alway be there for you, because that's they want to do?" He asked her. She seemed hooked on his need to be her underling to be his strength.

Sirius was beginning to understand in his own life how friendship was stronger. That his need and desire to protect those he called friend was almost supernatural. He kissed her cheek, unhappy with the emotion he saw there. "I love you, my daughter. I am not abandoning you. Very little will relisticly change, it would just put more pride in my wolves. When they fight for you, it would be to aud a friend, not answer the bidding of a master. You know my nature, Venom. You know that I think of you a Goddess. Perhaps, in my hubris, I consider myself a God of war, and your equal" he teased, brushing his paw over hers.

Sirius didn’t let her get very far as she reeled from the percieved slight. He explained himself softly patient with her despite the emotion she allowed to get in th way. Again she doubted her ability but tried to hold her head up as he kissed her cheek affectionately. A physical reminder of his deep love for her. She tried to relax as she was reminded of his devotion. His words continued to convince her, to change the dynamic between the packs so that he could rise up as her equal like he deserved to do.

Venom couldn’t argue that he may have even been superior to her, she’d never been able to defeat him in battle despite how many times she tried. The Princess sighed heavily and leaned against him as he spoke of gods and goddesses. Pink and purple eyes closed softly as she drew back in her breath and tried to relax again. He wasn’t leaving her. She should have known that he’d never leave her.

”You’re right,” she sighed again. ”I’m sorry, I over reacted. I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. Of all the wolves I can trust you. Much more than many who live in Ashen.” She scofffed lightly as she leaned against him. ”So what will it mean for the Empire?” She smiled as she held back onto the paw that covered her own.

She leaned against him, and he rested his head gently atop of hers. He did not know what changed would come with her family. He was under no illusions - he had chased Deathbelle away. He could not help but wonder where she was now, and what she was going through. He had no intention of chasing Venom away as well. She was temporary Empress over Ashen, and he needed to be a support structure she could rely upon.

He scoffed with her, knowing many of her wolves had not been the support the Empire needed. What they did need, was to be whipped into shape. “We would need to work out the particulars, I haven’t anything solid yet. Just a desire to ensure the freedom of my people. To build a friendship between yours and mine that will last the ages. Before we get much further, however, I need to speak to Deathbelle. I would not want her to think I’m going behind her back” he explained.