The winged wolf arrived at the borders of the woods with Dee in tow. It had been a hard journey up the steep incline, and she was looking a little worse for wear. "These are the woods, I'll call my dad now. Then, hopefully we can get you settled in with Halo" he said as they stopped at the pack borders. He cast one more worried look at the girl, and then lifted his head to call for his father. That done, all they could do now was wait.


He turned back to look at his rescuee. She looked like she could do with a bath, a good nap, and maybe some food. Food… he hadn't even thought to offer her food before they ventured out. Hopefully once they got to Halos den was soon enough. "You hungry?" He asked her softly.

She had not anticipated the journey to wherever Mortis was taking her. Near starved, most likely dehydrated, her fur full of salt water, and pain throbbing at the back of her skull, she had seen better days. Yet, she couldn’t speak and from her recollection, she couldn’t hunt or do much to care for herself. Natural instincts though, she probably could have figured it out. Thankfully with the help of his snow leopard, the girl was able to keep up until they made it to the border of the forest.

Looking up at Mortis, she nodded in understanding. Glancing around at the tall trees and bare brush paths, her nose twitched at the scent of other wolves. With how overwhelming it was, it was obvious that wolves lived her. Instinctually, her tail tucked itself between her legs until it touched her belly and her hackles rose slightly as the nervous feeling came back to her. Without noticing, she inched herself to stand in Mortis’ shadow as she suddenly felt afraid to meet this father of his.

When he asked her softly if she were hungry, she nearly jumped. Having focused on the shadows of the woods to see if this mysterious leader was coming, she had been in her own little world. With her hair standing more on end and her ears falling back against her skull, she nodded lightly. Her stomach felt emptier than empty and even grumbled loudly in response.

The Warlord answered his son's call. Arriving at the border to the winged wolf, and a small, skinny girl at his side. One of Morts wings wrapped protectively about her like a blanket. His eyes moved from the small wolf to Mort. "Mortis?" He asked, and his son filled him in. "I found her in the Polar Sound, I think she was washed ashore. She's in bad shape, and she can't speak. It took some trial and error, but we were able to communicate, and she wishes to join the Armada. I was thinking she could apprentice with Halo, while the healer helps with her speech…" Mortis explained. Some of his confidence fading away in his father's shadow. Not that the Warlord noticed this. 


Instead, his eyes flicked back to the other girl. The Armada was bursting at the seams lately, with so many litters. It left a lot of mouths to feed. "I don't need healers, I need hunters. Can she hunt?" He asked Mortis. "She's not sure what skills she has, she has amnesia, I think. I've been calling her Dee" His son explained. Seer turned his eyes back to her. "You wish to join the Armada, and have no skills. Has my son explained where this will place you? Nod if you understand." He instructed her.

The massive form of a wolf answered the call Mortis sent out. If it had not been for Mort’s protective wing around her, she would have slunk beneath him to cower. A slight shake rattled her body as the two titans conversated. It was easy to tell that they were related. Despite the obvious that they appeared similar, they were at ease in each other’s company.

Try as she might to be somewhat confident in this man’s presence, she continued to shrink beneath his gaze. She knew they were talking about her, but it was hard for her to concentrate. We’re all wolves here this large? From her stature, she wasn’t all too small herself, but even so, there was almost a foot difference between them.

Lost in thought as she blatantly stared at them, she jumped slightly when the Warlord directed the question to her. He asked if Mortis had explained where she would be put if she had no skills. If she had been able to speak, she would have said yes, that she would be a slave. Not that she really understood what being a slave meant. She nodded anyway that yes she did understand where it would put her.

The Warlord kept his gaze on her for a long, speculative minute before turning back to Mortis. "Very well. I'm sure Kotori is missing you, Mortis." It was a dismissal, and he reached out a paw, indicating for 'Dee' to cross over the border. "Go on" Mort urged her gently, nudging her softly with his wing. He hesitated himself and said "she'd do really well with Halo…" before the Warlords quelling stare silenced him. He gave Dee a pat with his wing, and turned to leave. Giving the Armada one last longing glance, before he took off.


The Warlord was already moving, heading deeper into the woods and expecting her to keep up. "You look like you could use a good meal. Well get you settled in a den with some food, and summon Halo to you." He told her, frowning at the silent wolf. What was he going to do with a wolf who couldn't remember her own name, or speak a word? "Do you remember anything from. Before Mortis found you?"

There was a brief moment of panic during the time Mortis was being dismissed. She really had to do this without him? Her eyes widened as she was ushered over the border by Mort’s wing. Staring at him for a long moment as she lingered at the border, she contemplated what Mort would do if she just followed him instead. Surely a wolf of his size and stature could protect her. Right? Then he was leaving and his father was beckoning her to follow.

Tears threatened to accumulate in her eyes as she turned to see the Warlord already heading deeper into the forest. Quickly picking up her pace as she trailed at his heels, her ears pressed forward to listen to his words. When he mentioned a meal, her stomach rumbled and she hoped it would be soon. Again the name Halo also arose and she wondered just how important this Halo girl was. Once more lost in thought about all the questions she had, she looked nearly spooked when he directed a question in her direction.

Without missing a beat, she shook her head no. Afraid he would anger if she didn’t reply, she opened her lips as if to speak and then shook her head once more to confirm she really didn’t know how to. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember her own name, where she was from, or who she was. For now, she was a blank slate.

The Warlord didn't miss the way she trembled when her protector left her. Her eyes grew damp, and for a moment he feared water works would spill. "Chin up, child." He told her "tears don't solve problems." And he wasn't sure what he would do if she dissolved into sobs in his woods. Hug her, or hit her? He wasn't entirely sure. You were supposed to hit people that went into hysterics, right? Her stomach grumbled loud enough that he couldn't miss it, and he resolved to grab her some supplied as soon as they crossed into the Col. Which would be better for this delicate seeming girl. A den of her own, or bunkering with someone? He had until they reached the Col to decide. 


As he asked after her memory, she shook her head and attempted to speak. Showing him the issue. Physical, or mental? Perhaps Halo would know. "This is the cole, wait here." He told her as they arrived at the supply den. He ducked inside and grabbed a bag. He stuffed some dried meat, a skin of water, and a warm coat inside. The Col was a freezing place to those not accustomed to it. He reappeared a moment later and found her where he left her. "Can you read, child?" He asked as led her into the heart of the pack. She looked tired and hungry, but induction came first. He led them to the Obelisk and firepit that sat in the centre of the pack lands.

It was difficult keeping up with his long strides, but she did her best. Whenever he glanced back, she would pick up her pace to stick close by. Feeling more exhausted by the minute, she wondered how far they were really going. Trying her best to ignore the ache in her belly and paws, the young girl was suddenly amazed when they approached a different area.

Gone was the forest that gave way to a mountainous valley full of warrens. When he introduced it as the Col, her mouth opened in awe. No sound came out, but she did her best with a quiet coo sort of noise. Pausing as he told her to wait, she continued to look around the area as he disappeared into the shadows. This place was absolutely massive and reeked of so many different wolves. How many did he have in his pack?

Upon his return, she stood at attention as best as she could in her withered state. Turning quickly to follow him to the Obelisk, she looked to him when he asked if she could read. Her chin turns down to the necklace as her paw picks it up to hold it out to him. When she lets go and it thumps against her chest, she shrugs and shakes her head as if to say ‘I can’t, but this necklace means I had at some point.’ Unsure if he’ll understand what she means, she shakes her head no one more time to make sure she’s clear.

As he turned to her, she picked up her necklace and he was able to make out the engraved letter it held. Hmmm, that explained where Mortis got the name ‘Dee’ from. Assuming this confirmed that she could read, he started to move to the side to offer her better space to read the Obelisk. The shrug and shake of her head however tell a different story. Very well then. Once he was through with her, she would owe him a great deal for the time and effort to teach her. “Very well, I will read you the rules of the pack” He told her, and proceeded to do so.

Once he had completed the list, he moved again. Leading her towards the side of the Col that housed his own den. He didn’t take her up the cliffside to his home, but instead made his way into the Warren beneath it. Finding a cave there, he directed her inside. “You can stay here. There is food and other supplies in this bag. Make use of them, you look weary to the bone. Halo will be here in the morning” He explained, waiting as she made her into the den, and placing the bag on the floor beside her.


"Speech"

The young girl got the feeling that this Warlord was not particularly happy with Mortis bringing her here. Even as he stepped aside and began to read her the laws of his land and pack, she couldn’t push aside the itching feeling that he wasn’t pleased. Did he even want her here? Or did he only say yes because Mortis was his son? She still listened intently to the words he spoke, even if she wasn’t sure she understood it all. Questions could come later.

Only a few seconds passed before he began leading her to an opening that led them to a bunch of warrens. Peeking inside the empty one he showed her, she felt grateful. Scooting inside, she looked up to him with a timid smile. Without her words, she had no idea how to thank him. So she did the only thing she could remember. The girl promptly plopped onto the ground and rolled onto her back to show her belly as her tail tucked between her hind legs. It was to show that she was submitting to him and would do her best.