Drachen thought he would have spent more time exploring this new land but soon after he left the strange ruins, Drachen found his black paws carrying him towards the west. The fact that he was in someone's debt did not set right with him and it seemed to bother him more as the days passed. He knew the feeling would only continue to nag him endlessly until he made due on his promise so he gave in and followed the setting sun and western stars. Finally, he reached the west coast of Boreas, the scent of the salt in the air causing his stomach to turn threateningly and making him change course and head inland once more before he came to rest in a basin filled with long grass and surrounded by large trees. His large black and tan frame stood on the crest of the basin, looking down at its center with his oceanic blue eyes. This seemed like a perfect place for him to rest for a day until he started his search to find the Spirit of Valhalla and settle his debt with her. The only problem was that he should have asked for for a more direct location than just on the west coast to save him from just wandering around nearly aimlessly in search of the pack land. But he was confident in his ability and perhaps if his luck would hold, he would run into someone that knew of this Vahalla and shorten his search.

With a gentle snort from his earthen nares and a flick of his tan tipped tail, he started his way down the basin towards its center. The male hoped that there would be some water collecting at the lowest point so he could quench his thirst before he started to make a make-shift nest of sorts to rest in until he continued his mission. Drachen was about half way down the side of the basin when he heard Enzi's shrill cry from above, causing him to pause and look up at the red-tailed hawk, whom he was growing more comfortable with. She circled high above him a few times before she drifted off more towards the center of the basin and circled there. Drachen pressed his dark lips together as he watched her trying to decipher what the bird was trying to tell him. He quickly caught on that certain cries she made meant different things, but this one sounded different than any other she had made yet. So, he shrugged a muscular tan shoulder and continued to slowly make his was towards the center with his dark ears certainly more alert than before.

[OOC: Momma is a minute or two away from joining in.]

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

His mother had taken him to the Basin for a change of scenery. The last time Ardyn had been here, he’d been three months old, maybe younger. There were trees he hadn’t noticed in his excitement that time. Now, he practiced tracking while his mother took her own path, separating with him and offering her trust that he, as close to yearling-hood as he was, would be able to handle himself out here without her hovering at his side. Loshir had decided to alternate between Ardyn and Aurielle, occasionally slipping away to seek out the queen and returning many minutes later. It was while he was trailing a weak-smelling juvenile elk’s path that the animal suddenly came careering back at him in a panic, mouth gaping, ears back, not even bothering to stot, running flat out. And after it came by far the biggest bear he’d ever seen in his life. Ardyn’s fur bristled under his armor, alarm and adrenaline erupting in his chest and gut. Weren’t bears supposed to be winter-sleepers? He cast all thought aside as he turned and bolted. A choice that brought the bear’s beady eyes onto him as Ardyn's black coat torched into fire in the buffet of the air he passed through and, sensing another predator, if young, the bear veered courses and chose the wolf instead. Why is it always bears?! What did I do to you?! He barely managed to avoid the swipe of a huge paw, and the momentarily blinding fear turned into a reckless surge of energy. He heard Loshir caterwaul, a scream that no doubt reached his mother’s ears and bring her pelting like a comet back to her son. And then the mountain lion sailed past him. Not toward the bear, but away, as though thrown. Ardyn had an impression of red seeping through the cat’s coat over the shoulder, bright against the black fur. The fear turned to fury, cold, feral. Ardyn turned and faced the bear, sabers bared and claws out. The bear, momentarily distracted by fending off an unexpected cat, regained its fury and bellowed. Ardyn didn’t bother with displays, instead bolting forward and raking his sharply edged and pointed canines over the bear’s foreleg and darting along its side as the beast snarled and whirled after him. He did his best to keep it on the defensive, raking and slashing with took and claw, until Loshir crashed into its shoulder and the boy darted back out of range to regroup, a breath before diving in again and launching himself onto the bear’s back. His claws sank in for purchase and he sank his canines to the hilt, trusting the sharp back-edges to keep him from getting lodged in the bear’s shoulder, as his claws sank deeper. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Drachen finally made it to the lowest point in the center of the basin, his blue eyes on the ground looking for water, while his dark brown nose twitched as it searched the air. However the search for water was quickly put aside as he picked up the scent of a wounded deer and then bear and even a mountain lion. The back of Drachen's neck bristled at the scent of the other large predators and a low growl rumbled in his chest. He was about to turn tail and leave, not wanting to get in a fight with either predator but Enzi shrieked above him, a cry that sounded so angry that it cause him to paused and look up just in time to see her plummet from the sky to circle and hover one particular area, screeching loudly. What got her all worked up? he thought with a deep frown before sighing deeply and trotting towards to the area the raptor was making a fuss.

The closer he got to her, the stronger the scent of mountain lion and bear became and his pelt twitched with unease and his dark lips wrinkled. Drachen nearly jumped out of his skin as a deer charged past him in a full blown panic, not paying one ounce of attention to him, and that should have been his clue to turn tail and leave. But his sharp blue eyes caught the sight of a young wolf running full blast through the basin with a massive bear chasing him. The wolf barely managed to dodge the bear's deadly claws and that was enough for Drachen to charged forward after the bear and wolf. As Drachen finally closed the distance between him and the wolf and bear, he barely had time to dodge the mountain lion that was thrown like a rag doll by the bear who was now roaring like a deranged beast. He paid no mind to the feline, still unsure of why the creature was even still in this situation, and focused on the bear just as the young dark male lunged forward and bit the bear's forearm and narrowly missing another swipe of the bear's claws.

Drachen darted forward and snapped at the bear's heels as it turned towards the young male, distracting it enough for the mountain lion to slam into the bear's shoulder. He lost track of the kid as his focus was now completely on the threat before him and he dodged a wild flail of the bear's massive paw before he lunged forward and sunk his fangs deep into the bear's meaty thigh near its nubby tail. His oceanic blue eyes widen in surprise when the younger wolf launched himself onto the bear's back instead of running and Drachen would have chuckled with awe if he was not dancing with death at the moment. The air rushed out of his lungs when the bear flailed and kicked him hard in the chest and caused him to fly backwards and land flat on his back. He couldn't keep the loud groan of pain from leaving his dark lips as his not fully healed ribs spasmed but he forced himself up anyways. His claws dug deep into the earth below him as he charged the bear once more and jumped upwards to bite deep into the bear's cheek as it tried to turn and bite the coal-like wolf clinging to its back.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

It wasn’t his mother that arrived first, but a tan and dark colored man with blue eyes, though the hawk above was the first indicator. Ardyn briefly glimpsed the stranger as he landed on the bear’s back. He took a tighter grip with his nimble forepaws, finger-like toes twisting around the bear’s thick fur, claws scything deeper as the boy wrenched his head from side to side on the bear’s flesh, canines slicing through the meat, blood bursting in his mouth as he released the bite and pushed himself farther up as the bear twisted again. Loshir fell away from the bear, circling to once again barrel into the bear’s side, claws slashing the beast’s ribs and hip. The bear had given up bellowing, and guttural snarls rolled like thunder from between its teeth as it sought to slap Drachen again with a big paw. Ardyn wrenched one paw free as he squirmed onto its shoulders, unsheathed claws raking across its face and eye, distracting it, hopefully in time for the older wolf to evade the paw. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

A deep growl thundered his chest as he felt his canines puncture deep in the bear's cheek, his fangs scraping against the bones of its jaw. Drachen reared up on his back paws and used his front paws to pull back on the bear's cheek as he shook his head back and forth hard to rip the flesh in his mouth as much as possible. Blood spilled out from the lacerations his teeth created and it only fueled him and made his heart race faster. He then opened his mouth to get another bite full of flesh when he saw dark movement out of the corner of his blue eye and knew it was a massive paw coming at him. Drachen released his hold on the bear's cheek and tried to dodge the paw but it was coming too fast to dodge. "Shit." he managed to rumble and clenched his jaws in preparation of dizzying pain he was about to receive but his dark ears heard the sound of flesh ripping above him and the bear roared in pain and its paw lost much of its power as it hit Drachen's shoulder. The Vaekhal male rolled with the hit, tucking his chin to his chest as he landed on the ground and rolled over on his back then back to his paws. His left shoulder throbbed but it was nothing he couldn't handle as he turned around and faced the bear.

The young wolf had certainly saved his ass there and Drachen watched for the briefest of moments as the coal burning male clung and tore at the bear that now had a deep set of claw marks on its face. Drachen tensed his muscles and was about to charge back into the fray when he saw the young wolf was in the perfect position to potentially end this all. His blue eyes widened and then a smirk lit his handsome features. "Bite the base of the skull!" His deep voice called out over the bear's grunts and growls. "Severe the spine, Kid!" he called out again as his black and tan frame charged forward again, dodging the bear's flailing paws to land several bites on the bear's forelegs and chest. Drachen kept up his deadly dance, dodging and biting the bear, sometimes even stopping in front of the deranged beast to taunt it when snarls and snaps of his own. He was trying his best to keep the bear's attention on him while hopefully the hot coal wolf found his mark.

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn clung tightly, mind racing in the blur of chaos, ripping his sabers into the bear wherever he could. It seemed his claws had given the distraction needed to save the stranger from a full blow, but he still caught sight of the man rolling before he jumped back in. He did indeed seek the bite that would drop the bear, but the beast heaved after the man and jostled the boy, displacing the bite. A flash of cold blue-white light blazed from the trees, heralding his mother in all her frigid, feral rage, the kind that froze one’s blood. He’d felt the same blood-chilling fury in his own veins, and the sight of it in his mother’s glazed eyes and strangely serene features bolstered him. The slender, blazing white Spirit slipped past Drachen, intent on the bear, and as she pushed off and slammed into the bear’s front, Ardyn found his bite, pulling back on the bear’s neck, giving his mother the opening to make sure the kill happened. He’d found the spine, and wrenched his head as he heard the scythe of his mother’s long canines through flesh, and the gurgle of the bear as its throat was laid open, painting the white Spirit in blood as she dropped free and danced out of range. And he had little choice but to ride the beast as it staggered and collapsed. His sabers ripped free of the flesh, and he rolled free of the Kodiak as it listed to the side, nearly burying the over-sized pup in hefty, dying bear. His eyes cleared with a blink, the frigid ice melting from his veins to replaced with a shiver, before he found the other male with a quick, “You okay?” before he sought Loshir, who was cleaning his shoulder with practiced licks. The cat had some gashes, but he’d be fine. He dared a look at his mother next, noting that the glazed fury had warmed to a look of exasperation. It was such an expression that screamed, 'Again?' that he felt a little smile of sheepishness touch his face. " Tá brón orm a Mháthair..." Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

So intent on trying to give the younger wolf the opportunity to find his mark and trying to keep himself from being gored, Drachen barely registered the thundering of paw steps and then the familiar glowing blue-white flash of another body slipping by him and ram into the bear. Drachen danced out of the way so that the Spirit could quickly find her mark and Drachen tried to help by latching on to the bear's front paw and yanked downwards to help keep it still while he saw the bear's head get yanked back by the younger male. Aurielle made quick work of the bear's throat and as her long canines slashed its throat Drachen closed his blue eyes as blood sprayed across his face. He blinked them open just in time to see the bear list to the side with a gurgle and Drachen quickly darted away to avoid getting trapped under the animal's tremendous weight.

His breaths came in heavy pants for a moment before he caught his breath as the young wolf came over to check on him. Drachen tried to keep the surprise from his face when the other male was actually much younger than he thought, just massive in size. "I am. Thanks to you. You really saved me there, Kid" Drachen replied in his hushed tones, with respect clear in his voice. Drachen's oceanic blues followed the younger male as he left him to check on the dark mountain lion, for the first time getting a good look at the young male. That must be her son... he thought to himself before he turned his eyes to the glowing female, who was indeed Aurielle. He dipped his head to her in greetings before he rumbled "Thank you for your help, Spirit Aurielle. I'm not sure how much longer I had in me." A small chuckle left his lips, before he glanced between the two other wolves and then politely dipped his head again and moved off to the side in case Aurielle wanted to talk to her son.

He tried not to groan too loudly as he reclined to his haunches and gently probed his shoulder with his nose. It was certainly going to bruise but not has bad as his rib had been when he had washed up on the beach. The blow he had taken from the bear would have been much worse if the Kid had not done what he did. He would have taken a full blow to the head if it wasn't for his quick thinking. Quickly, Drachen cleaned the bear's blood from his chest fur and legs, his pink tongue swiping over his black and tan lips before he heard a small coo above him and he glanced up to see his red tailed hawk perched on a branch above him. "It's alright Enzi. I've had much worse." he said to the bird before he turned his attention back to the pair of wolves.

Aurielle Adravendi

The bear crashed to the ground with a gurgle and she turned to her son, the chill slowly thawing from her veins. He was visibly sheepish, and with a glance at Loshir, who added, “He did try to run. I tried to divert it, Moonchild, but it sent me flying, and your son saw me hurt and the rage froze him over. Pointless to get between you two and an enemy at that point…” The mountain lion’s tone was laden with chagrined resignation and a faint touch of rueful amusement. It was clear Ardyn had inherited his Queen mother’s ferocity, perhaps more than any of his siblings. Coran probably ranked third in readiness to take on predators much larger than themselves. The brothers had already dispatched one cat together. Aurielle nodded and studied her son. He was unhurt, not a drop of golden ichor to be found, and she sighed, nuzzling the boy’s cheek. “You fought well. You’d best get started skinning that bear out before rigor stiffens it. Lyr, could you go home and tell Taliesyn we could use his help dragging this home once we’re done parting it out?” This, she called to Ardyn’s raven friend where he’d dropped to perch on the nearest branch. At her son’s nod she turned away and padded to Drachen’s side, checking him over as she said, “You have my thanks for helping Ardyn dispatch that bear. Are you injured anywhere?” Her eyes lifted to the hawk, a nod given to the raptor before her gaze returned to Drachen. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

He was pretty sure he was in for a tongue-lashing, but Loshir spoke up for him, and he glanced gratefully at the mountain cat, though he was slightly abashed by the cat’s remark toward the end. It did seem true that he and his mother, once someone else was hurt, became more focused on killing whatever harmed their friend or sibling than prolonging their own lifespan. He turned to his mother as she nuzzled his cheek, kindling flaming light in the thick black fur, and he leaned into the touch and the praise. Lyr dropped from the trees, totally late to the party, beady mismatched eyes flickering over the scene with a croak of “What happened here?” But Aurielle diverted the glowing black and white raven from getting a story out of anyone, and the raven clucked, pushing off and winging eastward as fast as the bird’s wings could take him, making a list of things that would be needed as he went. Harness, poles… Ardyn turned to the bear, studying it with a frown before he heaved on one limp foreleg, pulling with Loshir’s help until the front half of the bear was rolled to its back. The heavy rump remained and he prepared for the effort ahead. He was big, but he had yet to reach his full height and strength. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

As he was cleaning himself of the blood, he half expected the other-worldly female to lash the young male with words just as his own father had done to him. But that was not the case after the mountain lion spoke up for him. He had gathered during the battle with the bear, the feline must be a companion to one of them. Drachen did not have time to dwell on the fact when the soft pads of paws nearing him caught his attention and he looked up in time to see Aurielle stop before him. He saw her dual blue eyes scan over his frame and he couldn't help the small smile that flashed on his lips. Her checking him over for wounds seemed to start being a common occurrence. "It was my pleasure. He will be a remarkable warrior." Drachen's soft spoken words left his lips as his oceanic blues flickered towards the younger male and watched him for a moment while the younger male stood next to the fallen bear. Drachen returned his attention to Aurielle and continued in his hushed tones "Just a bruise, nothing time wont heal. Thank you. "

Out of habit, he scanned the female for injuries as well but she was only decorated in the bear's blood, not that he could do much if she did have wounds. He knew the rudimentary basics and surely that would have been enough to get her or Ardyn back to their pack if they had. A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest as he parted his lips and spoke "It must be sheer luck to have run into you here. I was actually trying to find you to make do on my promise to return the favor for your help. Surely with it being winter you could use an extra hunter?" His head tilted slightly to the side as he observed her face trying to see what she made of his offer. "Or at the very least, let me help you skin the bear." He added with a smile on his handsome face. He was not a male to be pushy but he was not meek about his willingness to help should she accepted it. Perhaps he should have asked about the qualities of her pack before he just offered to help out but sometimes he was a bit of a chaotic character and just acted on a whim. He had a good feeling about her so far and he trusted his instincts.

Aurielle Adravendi

Drachen’s compliment toward her son brought a faint smile of maternal pride to her features as her eyes followed the man’s to her son where he battled with the carcass of the bear, getting it positioned for skinning it out. “And a great King, I hope.” She nodded at his assurance that it was only a bruise, though she wondered if his injured ribs might have taken a further beating in the fight. Her head tilted as the man next spoke, and a smile bloomed on her features. “I’d be willing to offer you a home in Valhalla if you’re open to it. You’ve shown your strength and courage in taking on a bear to help a stranger. If you’re anything like that while hunting, you’ll climb swiftly.” She grinned and stepped aside with a nod toward her son and the bear, accepting his second offer to help with skinning the bear. “I see you made a friend with your Hawk. How have you been since we met?” She pulled a strip of sharped metal from her pouches and offered it to the man. The blade was attached to a leather brace that, when wrapped around the wrist of a front leg, would leave the dull edge of the blade braced against the underside of the wearer’s paw, allowing for a cleaner, more precise cut. It was a new tool Ardyn had gotten together with his father to make and try out. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

The boy tugged hard at the heavy hind leg of the bear, straining, and slowly, especially if the man helped—he was sure he’d heard something about skinning the bear, the bear slumped onto its back, hind legs sprawling open in an undignified flop. Ardyn grunted to himself in satisfaction and made his way to the bear’s head, tugging and positioning it so the raggedly torn throat was bared to the sky above before he made the first cut with a slice of one of his claws, heading toward the brisket of the bear’s front, paw quickly soaking in blood up to his wrist as he got to full work. To Drachen, he added, “I’m Ardyn Adravendi. Thanks for your help with the bear.” Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

As he studied her face for signs of her thoughts of his offer to help hunt for her pack, a smile bloomed on her lips and she was quick to offer him a home within Valhalla, stating that he would climb high in the ranks with what she saw today. He was thrilled to be accepted into her pack and his oceanic blue eyes beamed as he rumbled "I would be honored to be counted amongst your ranks." He dipped his head to her, in his mind, finalizing their agreement and pledging his allegiance to her and Valhalla. Of course, ranks did not mean too much to him, he never was an overly ambitious wolf, but he took his duties seriously and if that made him climb in ranks, then so be it. He glanced up at Enzi and saw that she too seemed pleased as she watched them but he had a feeling that no matter where he went, the raptor would always follow him. Aurielle then stepped to the side, allowing him to step forward and he headed towards the bear, making do on his second offer to help his new pack mates skin the creature. Ardyn introduced himself and thanked him for his help and Drachen smiled at the boy and replied "Nice to meet you. I'm Drachen Vaekhal. I want to say "Anytime" but forgive me when I say I hope it won't be a common occurrence." His hushed tones were light and almost playful. His eyes however, gleamed with excitement that showed that he would most definitely do it again should it occur.

He stopped beside the massive bear that was now on its back and Drachen took a moment to observe how the younger wolf was moving and cutting the skin so that he could do the same. He saw how Ardyn's claws were much like a felines and it now made since on how the Prince was able to cling on the raging bear's back. Drachen turned his black face towards Aurielle as she spoke once more, commenting about the friendship between Enzi and him while handing him a strange tool from one of her pouches. He took it gently in his mouth and laid it on the ground before him. It was piece of sharp metal attached to a leather brace the size of a wolf's forelimb. Quickly he put two and two together and attached the knife to his wrist and began to work on the hide, following Ardyn's pattern of cuts the younger wolf had done on the other side of the bear. He chuckled and flashed the raptor a mischievous grin before he replied "Yes, it seems. I fed her a few times and now I can't get rid of her.... Like a flea..." That earned him a slap of wings and a sharp tug of his fur as she swooped down past his head and landed on another branch with her back to him. "This idiot would drown in a puddle if I didn't keep an eye on him." Enzi replied and began preening her feathers in mock indignation.

Drachen shook his head with a smile as he worked on removing the bear's skin, the male sitting on his haunches with one paw holding back the pelt while the other with the knife sliced through the flesh, separating the hide from the muscles. "I have been well. I recovered quickly thanks to your treatment. From there I traveled north to some strange ruins. I would have wandered a bit more to familiarize myself with the land but obviously I am a bit neurotic about debts and came here to find you." He had no problem at poking fun at himself. He did not draw much attention to himself nor sought glory but he was confident enough in himself to make a joke at his own expense. Drachen made quick progress with the help of the sharp tool and moved past the shoulder of the bear, his dark forelimbs now glistening with blood that had soaked into his fur. His deep blue eyes flicked over to Aurielle's two toned gaze for a moment as he asked, his voice for the first time faintly hinting at any sort of uncertainty he felt "Have you been well?" The only pack he had ever been in was his Father's and the man did not enjoy causal conversations at all. So far, Drachen got the sense that the Spirit was very much different but old habits died hard and old scars never left the mind or body. The thick dark fur on the back of his neck twitched once at the shadow feeling of his father's fangs on his skin.

Aurielle Adravendi

She nodded at his acceptance of her offer, glad to see as she looked into his eyes that it seemed he accepted not just out of obligation, but a pleasurable glint. Perhaps he’d stay for the long term instead of whenever he felt his debt had been fulfilled. She hoped he would. They needed more blood in the pack that wasn’t Adravendi, or Ancora. “Then I, as Spirit of Valhalla, accept you into Valhalla. For now, you will be an Outlander. Once we’re home, I can test you further to see which Circles you best suit, but the choice is ultimately your own.” As Drachen spoke with Ardyn, she held one of the paws in her teeth for her son, listening as she pondered. Would Justice’s three children remain in Valhalla once they were yearlings, or go their own ways? She could see Kaija doing so. The exuberant, feisty girl was an adventurous creature, and she’d already caught several trails of the youngster leaving pack boundaries. Normally, she would be inclined to tamp down on that behavior, but she first wanted to speak with Justice about it. She hadn’t followed the pup’s trail to its end, so she could have been visiting her father. Kai. She’d have to seek him out, and make it clear that she wanted the man to spend time with his kids, even if it meant they eventually left the pack. She would never stop a parent from reaching their children, and she intended to extend an invitation for him to cross the borders to see them when he pleased, without forcing him to join. Drachen’s response brought her eyes up, and she grinned at the hawk’s words. “Our newly promoted Sentinel Cairo met an owl on one of his travels. She was injured and he took her in. She’s been loyal to him since. Ardyn’s raven friend Lyr has been with him since they were both very young.” She listened as Drachen recounted his experiences, making a note to visit the ruins he mentioned. She had little doubt they were human made, and she liked every chance she had to see how they built things. At his inquiry, she nodded, smiling at her son as he finished with the front end of the bear. “I have. It’s a busy life being an alphess, testing new members, training the young ones. But I enjoy it." Her features were genuine, tail swaying briefly in a glowing light trail, long hair floating on the breeze. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn, listening as he worked the hide free of the bear’s flesh, grinned as Drachen accepted the offer to join Valhalla, and his mother granted him a rank. Outlander, as was usual. He liked the man, and looked forward to watching him rise and working with him. He tugged, curling his fingers into a fist and punching down between the hide and flesh, peeling it apart with sticky ripping sounds, nicking with his claws where needed as he worked along the bear’s belly, listening to the conversation. At Drachen’s introduction, he grinned. He could see the spark in the man’s eyes, and trusted that he would indeed fly to the defense of the pack if another instance like this happened again. He worked the hide free of the paw and leg his mother held, stripping it away. In time, the whole front end of the bear, save for the back and its head, was freed of its hide, leaving the flesh bare to the cold winter air. He was glad for the cold air—flied wouldn’t be attracted to the kill, too busy sleeping in the cold-induced torpor. This bear’s hide, while somewhat slashed up by his claws, would mend easily with some sinew thread, and would warm one of the alcoves, or one of the dens of the pack. The meat, though wolves of old, his mother and grandfather had said, rarely ate other predators unless starving, would be portioned and dried into jerky and travel food. He found cooking to be fun, and he looked forward to seeing what else they might do with the bear. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Drachen couldn't help the rush that swirled in his chest as the Spirit finalized his place within her pack, a mixture of pride, nervousness, but mostly excitement. He was eager to be something more than himself and he hoped that it would be much different than his younger years within his birthpack. Outlander he thought, his new title, but not for long. Once they returned, Aurielle said he was to be tested to find the best place for him within Valhalla. Drachen dipped his head and rumbled "I look forward to it." the idea of being tested giving him a spark challenge and he indeed looked forward to see what these tests would be and where he would fall. He flicked his blue eyes to Ardyn and the young wolf looked happy that he was now amongst their ranks. At least he would start his new life with a friend and Drachen was eager to get to know the young warrior some more.

Drachen flicked his eyes from his work to Aurielle as she told him about a few other bird companions that other pack members had and he was honestly surprised by how common it was here to have companions with other animals. It was such a different way of life than what he had known but he was glad for the change. He had grown fond of Enzi's company quickly and now he would feel like a part of him was missing if she ever left. Despite his focus on his work, Drachen did not miss the glint of interest in the Spirit's eyes as he mentioned the ruins and he made a mental note to offer to take her to see the ruins later. To be honest he would like to see them again as well, they were strange and nothing he had seen before. He wanted to know more about them. The black and tan male made quick work of the bear's mid section, moving past its lower ribs to it's hip and thigh, the slight tension around his neck and shoulders relaxing once the Alphess responded to his inquiry, the woman showing no irritation to his question. Of course. This woman was nothing like his father and it was time to put that part of his life behind him.

He smiled while he was looking down as he worked as Aurielle told him that she had been busy testing newcomers and training the young, the joy in her voice and her wagging tail was infectious as his own black and tan tail wagged a few times. "Are there more youngsters than adults?" He asked curiously, trying to get an idea of the ratio of adults to pups there was in Valhalla so that he could start forming a hunting schedule. He knew from past experience that it was important to know how much food to bring in and how often so that the pack would remain fed but the meat would not spoil and waste precious resources. A few cuts later, he removed the hide from the bear's back legs thus finishing his side and he took a step back and looked at Ardyn to see how he would like to turn the bear over to start on the creature's back. "Take a front paw and i'll take a back and we pull it over?" he suggested with a raised tan brow, letting the young male take the lead and willing to do whatever the young Prince suggested.

Aurielle Adravendi

She grinned at his response, pleased at the glint of challenge in his eye. She moved to hold where needed, and at Drachen’s query, she did a quick mental count and stated, “More adults currently; Ardyn and his siblings will be Yearlings on the turn of Spring.” Her eyes graced her son with a sad sort of pride. Her five children were growing so swiftly. They’d be picking their own alcoves, or even moving into their own dens perhaps, separate from the cave system. Some might go their own way in the world, and leave the pack altogether. The thought brought an ache to her breast bone, but she nudged it away. Part of parenthood was stepping back and letting your children leave the nest and fly on their own. She just hoped that if they did leave, they would keep in better touch than her aunts and uncles had done. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Ardyn worked at the skinning, and at Drachen’s suggestion, he grinned, taking a paw and pulling, and with Drachen’s help, and his mother pushing, the bear’s back was left open. Letting his Loshir take a paw, he moved to work the skin free of the bear’s back, then nodded to let the bear roll back. “Now over to the other side.” He waved his tail happily as he moved to the other side and prepared to pull. He hadn’t missed his mother’s glance at him as she spoke of his and his siblings upcoming birthday, and he looked forward to it. Yearling-hood was freedom. He’d be allowed to leave the pack lands alone and explore the world. Home would always be Valhalla and he had no intentions of leaving the pack, especially since he was to lead it one day. It was a lofty destiny, but he’d do his best to lead well. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think