The trek to the Armada borders in the North had been blessedly uneventful. The groups two wagons are loaded down with furs, preserved meats, and several bundles of herbs. Lucette and the other healers had found copious amounts of horsetail, valerian root, watercress, and even some valuable Ginseng root. Ethne had carefully packed the herbs, furs, and meats for the trip up North before Haydée had chosen a select few to accompany her on the trip and they had quickly set out together.

It takes a few days to make the trip but, by the time they pull to a stop near the borders of the Armada, the group is in high spirits. Saga has, thankfully, pulled the heavier of the wagons and Dagrún was tasked with pulling the other one. Looking at her group, the girl bows her head in thanks before tipping it back to release a call for the Warlord Sirius, letting him know that the supplies she had offered have arrived.


"Haydée Kedieo"

This was Nova's first trip out of Ethne's lands, something more than scary, intrigued her deeply. Bold as always, she walked without fear, helping them carry what she could. She was young but wanted to prove how strong she was and show them what she could do despite her reduced age. The young wolf trotted calmly as her tail was kept over her back in signal of confidence.

They arrived to the borders, and Nova stopped as she was carrying some small packages with supplies, this was all she was able to bring with her. But this was better than staying bored at home. She had been wanting to go out more. She loved her family but she also wanted to get fresh air every once in a while. It was cold, snow was new yet fascinating to her.

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code by Cloudy

Dagrún helped earnestly with collecting items to bring to the Armada, the whole while her stomach twisted up in knots. She couldn't sleep, she felt nauseous. What if something had happened to Gossamer? That would be her luck! About ready to profess her feelings and then her girlfriend dies in a flood. The uncertainty was killing her! She didn't want to think about what she'd have to do with herself if the worst scenario played out. She was starting to understand Bellamy's pain, even if just a little.

At last it was time to go. Dag pulled on her armor and collected her things, including a few gifts specifically for Gossy. She'd been tasked with pulling one of the wagons and she slipped on the harness, adjusting it for more comfort across her shoulders before the journey began. It was arduous and long but at last they arrived at the borders of the Armada. Haydée called for the alpha and Dagrún couldn't stop herself from sending out a call for Gossamer. She just needed to know the woman was alright and then maybe she could start breathing normally again.

The journey was long, but it was a journey she had made several weeks ago on her own after her father had died. She hadn't known how to handle those feelings then, and in some form, she still didn't quite know now. But she was managing well enough, and had volunteered to help take cargo to this pack called the Armada. She knew nothing about them. Nothing of their alpha or what kind of wolves lived here. Ethne and her immediate family were the only things she knew, and the young cub had very limited experience beyond any of that. She wasn't yet fully grown, but she was still strong enough to pull the heavier cart far better than any wolf. When the group came to a stop, the tribal-marked bear took the time to breathe, as she sat down, readjusting the harness as her sister called for the alpha of the pack. "Saga"

It really was a ragtag little group they'd put together, and they were great to travel with. Bay was still getting to know his packmates, getting to settle in as a member of Ethne. For a pack of wolves, they seemed comfortable opening their doors to really anyone who needed them. Sure, it was hard to feel out of place when Haydee was around, but sometimes... well, sometimes he's just extra grateful that he's not the only not-wolf among them. Bay doesn't dwell on the fact that he's so other. There are things he does dwell on, though. He'd keep them all as safe as he could, the golden boy's keen gaze never resting in one place for too long. He was going to keep Haydee safe, even if he wasn't much of a fighter. Well, Hay and the rest of the party too. Really, since hearing of her incident the last time she'd traveled, Bay was determined to never let her travel alone again. That, and they'd get to meet a warlord. How cool-- Bay has never met a warlord before! He hovers close to Hay's side as they wait, his tail wagging loosely at his haunches. Bay

The call at the border sounded familiar, but it took him a moment to place it. Haydee, the new alpha of Ethne. That must mean this was the supplies from her pack. With a signal, he indicated for Bast and Bear to grab the cart and follow after him. He would likely need the extra paws.

He arrived to find… a very strange menagerie at his borders, led by Haydee. Wolves… was that a polar bear? And a dog. His eyes glanced over all of them, and wearily over the bear. That was a new one for the ageing Warlord. “Haydee, It’s good to see you.” He said as he came to a stop before the young leader.


"Speech"

They ragtag group of creatures are not left waiting long for the Warlord to arrive and the young Leader beams brightly up at the older wolf. Head bows respectful as he greets her and Haydée warmly says, “It is good to see you as well, sir! We have brought the salted meats and furs as promised. My sister also made your pack several bundles of herbs, courtesy of Ethne lands.” Tail wags happily behind her as she speaks, a small paw lifting to usher the Warlord over to the first of the carts that is being pulled by her polar bear sibling

As she allows Sirius the opportunity to inspect their offerings, Haydée decides to introduce the rest of her group, “Sirius, I would you to meet my sister, Saga. She pulled this heavy cart with ease!” A point of her paw indicated the huge polar bear in front of the cart before she moves to point at the colorful pup that is part of their ranks, “This is Nova, my niece. I thought she could learn some useful things on this trip.” Next, she moved to point out the older woman in front of the other cart as she offers, “This is Dagrún, a great warrior of our pack.”

Finally, her paw points out the happy golden boy who almost matches her in size and says, “And this Bay! He has kept us all in high spirits on the trip here.” While the Warlord may not want to know their names, the young Haydée feels it is important to introduce each member since they willingly made the trip with her. Emerald eyes move to the cart that is laden with meats, the salted and preserved items hidden from view by several furs in an effort to stave off any predators that might have wished to follow the party.

Gently she asks, “Is this enough?” While Ethne is not hurting for supplies, the inexperienced youth had loaded the carts with a much more than generous helping of each item. All Haydée hopes is that the Armada will view Ethne is a positive light from now on.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Cleaning up after the flood was a messy and arduous task. Once the waters had receded from her den they'd left mud, sticks, and all kinds of debris littered about the place. The humidity from the slowly evaporating water also meant there was a limit to what she could store in her den until everything was fully cleaned out. Gossy was in the middle of sweeping out mud when she heard a call she didn't recognize. Assuming it was business for her father she let it go til the call was followed by a much familiar one. Dagrún! Gossamer quickly set the broom aside and dashed out her den door, heading for the source of the sound.

Gossamer arrived to see her father speaking with a band of Ethne wolves who were loaded with supplies. Had they heard of the flood already? She quickly made her way over to Dagrún. "Dag! I take it you heard about the flood? It was horrid! Everything's such a mess!" Feeling a distinct need for comfort she buried her face in the other woman's shoulder.

Their call was soon answered by the warlord and Haydée was quick to introduce everyone as well as the amount of supplies. Dagrún paid half attention to the conversation between the alpha's while half her attention waited for some kind of return call from Gossamer. She received even better when the woman came into view. "Gossy! Thank the spirits. When I heard about the flood I was afraid you'd been hurt or worse." Gossamer buried her face in Dag's shoulder and she she reached over to lick the top of the woman's head gently. "We have some supplies. I'd be happy to help anyway I can." Growing up in the mountain's her knowledge of flooding was a little limited. Though she imagined in the caverns it involved mudslides and that was indeed a great and dangerous mess.

She was glad to finally be able to rest as they waited for this...warlord. She didn't know what that meant, or if it was just a title much like Haydee was called Ethne's leader, but as the wolves they came to visit came out to greet them, she warily eyed them. Dagrun seemed to be on friendly terms with one, so she supposed that one was okay. And as for the warlord? She looked at him with the same feeling he looked at her. Were these wolves not comfortable being around a bear? Why was he looking at her like that? She looked at him that way because she had never met anyone outside her own family and pack, so she was unsure. Haydee introduced them all, and Saga stood up, slipping out of the harness she had on to pull the cart. "Hello," she greeted quickly before looking around. These wolves lived so far north! She vaguely remembered things around here, but she had been so young when Bellamy had found her, that she couldn't quite remember if this was where she'd been born or not. "Were you born here? Doesn't it get cold?" She asked curiously. While Ethne didn't get as cold as it did here, something told her this was the sort of place she should be...or at the very least, that her ancestral blood yearned for. "Saga"