When Kea needed a break from the event, he found a little grassy knoll and set up on a thin coat. Socialising hadn't used to take this much out of him… but now he looked at these strangers and a part of him wanted to scream “watch out for the worm!!!” He couldn't understand how they couldn't see the threat…. He remembered the lava, the heat. The immense size of his foe. It couldn't have been a dream, not when he had the acar to prove it…


He unhooked his sword and laid it down reverently beside him. He reached into a little pouch, and pulled out his book. A story of knights, dragons, and castles. It was a little bit of an inspiration to the young Hallows Knight.


He found the page he was up to in the well loved and well read book. Leaning into the grass as he let the world fall away around him



"Ciaran Carpathius"

Ignita drifted from Basilisk's side, eager to find a quiet comfortable place to read her book without much of the smells of wine interrupting her. She could see Larimar keeping an eye on her from here so she knew Bas would know where she was. Her little golden possum clung to her shoulders as well, enjoying the warmth of Auster summer right along with the desert flower, Ignita.

She looked around and spied a curious scene that piqued her interest. Who was that? Where they... Reading?? Oh, Delightful! A fellow reader! She skipped forward toward them and noticed the lingering air of wine fading behind her. The warm grass under her feet cushioned her soft approach.

"Hello," she greeted gently, "mind if I read with you? You seem to have found the perfect spot." She said with a turn of her head, her eyes scanning the sword next to the male. Did he craft that himself? Was he also a blacksmith? The things she could learn from him!

"Speech"

wc 168
twc: 326

Keas' story was interrupted by an unexpected wolf. He lifted his head from the page and saw the little pale wolf that had approached. He took a couple sample scents of the air. There were already so many packs here. He wasn't sure if he would know where she had come from… but she carried the scent Sirius had when he had joined them. Marking her as a wolf from the Armada. One of their closest allies. “Hello, I'm Kea Carpathius” he introduced himself politely. “Enjoying the festivities?” he asked, placing a paw lightly on the page so he wouldn't lose his place. He hadn't really expected to be interrupted. Be supposed he had stayed in the Plains, where all these packs were allowed to wonder. So that was on him.

“You want to read my book too?” He asked for clarification. He didn't expect her to have a book of her own. He did however shuffle over slightly. Giving her space to see the pages if she wished.“I'd just gotten to the part where Asaroth the Red was attacking the Castle. But I can go back to the start…” he offered. He'd read the book enough times that starting again didn't really bother him that much.

Wc: 208

Her flame marked tail whisked behind her as this one seemed to be quite friendly and amenable to her interruption. She creased a warm smile at him as he introduced himself, Kea Carpathius! She will update her sketch of the Carpathius family tree to add him when she gets back home.

"I'm Ignita, of the Armada. I think so!" She responded about the festivities, "It's nicely different than what I grew up with." she remarked softly. The party was a lot more spread out, and fewer places for bullying to go unnoticed in dark corners. At the same time, there were fewer places to hide in the meadow to escape a boisterous crowd if she needed to.

He even invited her to glance at his book! She pulled out her own from the Carpathius library about making paints and placed it gently down with a sheet of sketch paper between it and the grass. Hoping it won't get grass-stained.
"Ooh! I don't think I've heard that story! Please! I'd love to know why Asaroth is attacking the castle!" She exclaimed excitedly, sitting herself down next to him to peer at the page. Was there a princess that needed rescuing? Was Asaroth the bad guy? The book appeared to be well loved, this must be one of Kea's favorites!

"Ignita"

Basilisk may enter her threads without warning.

He was pleased to know he had been right. She was of the Armada! So far, so good. He hadn't made a fool of himself, and she seemed happy to keep him company. “You didn't grow up in the Armada?” He asked, wondering how well travelled she might be. His whole world had been the Hallows, except for a few adventures out of it. His run in with the Worm had curbed some of his enthusiasm to explore. But he still wanted adventures, nonetheless.

He laughed when she pulled out a book of her own… wait a minute! “Is that one of ours?” He asked, realising the cover looked vaguely familiar. When she seated herself down next to him he excitedly flipped forward a few pages. Knowing exactly where he would find the image… and there it was! A great red dragon, with its tail curled around a castle tower. “Asaroth is from a sect of dragons that believe the might of Dragon-kind gives them the right to rule over All other creatures, including wolves” he explained, tapping lightly at the picture with a claw. The faint smudges of grass and creases on the page told a story of how often this page was opened. “He broke the Trust and attacked the castle during a time of peace. He won that battle, and enslaved wolf kind” he said, skimming a claw across vague lines that told a much more in depth story to the one he was telling her. “But the Wolf-King Amon forged a sword in secret. A special sword that had the power to bring low the Red.” He flipped furiously forward through the pages until he reached another picture. This one showed a wolf picking up a sword from a smithy, the blade rippled - its steel looked very similar to the steel of Keas own blade. 

He glanced over at his companion to see if she was as enthralled by the story as he was the telling of it. He knew these pages off by heart.

Wc: 339

"Oh, no." She responded lightly, shaking her head, "I came from the deep deserts across the water beyond Boreas and Auster. I crossed the desert in Boreas when I landed, believing it was my home for a while, but it was very different. The Warlord... invited me to the Armada on Veteran's Plateau." She replied to his inquiry about her travels. She was not sure if sharing her rank was wise, but also didn't know if sharing her rank was necessarily deceptive.

When she pulled out the book and he recognized it she pulled her shoulder in shyly with a sheepish grin, "Yes, I was hoping to learn from it while I was visiting. I have a note here on my paper where it was from and what books it sat between. There aren't very many books in the Armada." She admitted, feeling suddenly shy. She hoped it was okay!

As he sat next to her she watched him flip the page and she marveled at the gorgeous illustration. She was enthralled with the story and found herself pressing in closer, leaning into the page to see the details, her arm absently crossing over his and her tail wagging quickly in excitement as she got lost in his retelling. He went about the King Amon and his mighty sword. "Oh wow!" She exclaimed, glancing at his sword, "Did you make that sword? I've been working in the smithy at home! I haven't made any swords but I'd love to know how you got that effect on the blade!" She asked excitedly.

"Speech"

Twc 1352

Her question surprised him, and he turned his attention to his sword. He gave the hilt a fond pat. “No, my dad makes all the blades. It's made out of Carpathius steel” He explained. “It's our packs specialty.” Seeing her interest in his prized weapon he grasped the hilt just below the sapphires and unsheathed the blade. Displaying the rippling steel, in its silver/blue finish. 


“You're a blacksmith? That's incredible! What stuff have you made? Did you learn how in your desert?” He asked curiously, carefully closing his book with a back paw. He still held the blade out for her to admire as she pleased. 

Wc: 107

Her golden eyes shone with delight as he pulled out the sword! She let out a soft gasp as she saw the silver-blue finish. "Carpathius steel..." she echoed, amazing! What could be the Armada's specialty? She was more of a jeweler at the moment with all the pins she had been putting together... Would Bronze and Spider be interested in figuring out the Armada's specialty or were they all just beginners in the craft...

"Oh, I'd hardly call myself a blacksmith. I've made a few shawl pins, a piercing, rods, and nails. I've smelted a few ores but I have so far to go in learning." She was awed by the blade and the way it shone. She hadn't seen anything like that sheen around the smithy. She wondered if they had a few Carpathius blades among the armory...

"It's stunning!" She praised, her eyes still stars as she observed every detail she could of the sword.

It was so lucky to finally find someone who was just as interested in all the things she was! Crafting, swords, fairy tales, books! What else did he do? What was his favorite thing to do?

She placed a paw forward and looked directly at him, "I'd love to be friends, Kea." She said exuberantly.

"Ignita"

wc 211
TWC: 1500+

Basilisk may enter her threads without warning.

He grinned, realising a lot of his worries had melted away while he had been talking to Ignita. He couldn't remember the last time someone had been so easy to talk to. At least outside of his family. He sheathed the sword so it wouldn't get dirty and placed it back on the ground between them again. If she wanted a closer look, he wasn't going to deny her.


When she leaned forward, looking into his eyes he paused. His mind suddenly wiped blank as he stared at her. and why was his heart suddenly picking up in his chest. “Oh. Uh.” He said, scrambling for words. “I'd like that too, Iggy.” He whispered, leaning a little closer to her.

Oh good! He also wanted to be friends! She beamed, her tail fluttering like a pale vibrant banner behind her. She was so glad she could make a new friend.

"Good, Oh! Lemme show you this color I'm thinking of making from this book!" She said happily, grabbing her book and pulling it closer, flipping to a page she had found earlier, it was a bright turquoise in the photo and the paint that came from it was a dark seafoam green.

"Look how this changes when it's dry and when the paint is wet! There are so many pigments in here I can't wait to gather the materials and try my best to make them! I'm thinking of painting a mural in the marketplace or something. Hey, maybe you can by and visit sometime!" Her chattering came easily, starting to bombard the poor Kea. She was just so excited to have someone else to share with!

"Speech"

He obediently looked at the page she indicated, feeling his quick heartbeat against his chest. She smelled…. Good. He couldn't quite put his paw on it. But he immediately associated it with ‘feminine’ the way she had looked at him… he wasn't very good at this. But it was interest, right? Maybe he should have made the first move. He was starting to wish for a shot of courage. 

“That's a really pretty colour. I could see if anyone in the Hallows knows how to make paints. Maybe I could send you recipes through my bird…?” He suggested, trying to build up his courage. He could do this. This was way easier than fighting a giant worm. Right?

He leaned forward, closer to her, close enough that his breath tickled her fur. Angling himself clumsily towards her lips

Basilisk was doing his rounds, ensuring his pack was well, had what they needed, and were behaving themselves. His falcon was keeping a close eye on Spider, and his Wyrm was sticking close to Iggy. The rest of the pack he ensured he could lay eyes on every now and then.


As he made a pass through the plains, he saw Iggy in the grass beside a young male wolf. He frowned, taking in their close posture. And then the boy was leaning in…. “Ignita!” He growled “I need your help urgently” he lied, watching with dark, glowing eyes as he waited for her to comply. What foolishness was she getting up to in the short moments he left her alone?

He mentioned sending her recipes through his bird and her eyes lit up at the implications! They could be pen pals! They could write about all kinds of things! She could send queries he could search in the library for her! Oh amazing! This was going to be a wonderful frie-

Suddenly, she turned her head toward Basilisk with concern. Then turned back to Kea with a look of consternation. She completely missed the way he was leaning in.

"Sorry, Kea! Write me!" She said, gathering her book and quickly trotting to the Warlord's side. Ready to listen and help with what he needed. She glanced back at Kea with a smile. She couldn't wait to get her first letter from him!

"Ignita"

Basilisk may enter her threads without warning.

Basilisk waited until she was at his side, standing as still as a statue until the moment her paws were beside his. He ignored the embarrassed expression of the boy, his attention only on Iggy. He escorted her away. He knew they couldn't have complete privacy, but they could find a relatively secluded spot. His reindeer stood as sentry to ensure no one tried to listen in as he turned to Ignita. A muscle bulged in his neck, the strain of keeping himself in check. “Are you TRYING to cause an incident?” He growled at her. 

No one else was allowed to lay claim to her lips, her body. She belonged to him. “What did you say to that boy? Why was he trying to kiss you?” He bared his fangs just barely, glancing around to ensure no one could see them before he pressed his lips to hers. possessive. Controlling. “Mine” he breathed into her mouth before he pulled away.

Basilisk led her to a secluded spot and looked confused as he placed Oso as sentry. She tucked her nose down as he suddenly growled at her. Her heart and breath suddenly felt like they were in her feet. What did she do? She thought they were supposed to mingle! Make friends! She shook her head, no she wasn't trying to cause an incident!

Her brows furrowed in confusion, adamant that that wasn't what happened! "We were- I wasn't, and he wasn't trying to-" But she was silenced suddenly by her lips being met and it sent an electrifying thrill through her spine. Her breath caught as he breathed his claim making her knees weak.

"Yours, my Lord." She breathed back. Knowing he did a daring thing out here in the open. Though they were hidden by a knoll and Oso on the lookout. He still wanted to keep them a secret well kept. And it became exceedingly obvious that she would have no say in the matter from here on.

"Ignita"

Basilisk may enter her threads without warning.

He kissed her again, just because he could. Hard and quick, pushing his lips against hers. He broke free and took a light step back, giving her a little breathing room. “You're allowed to mingle, sweet bird.” He told her, which was the opposite of what his heart said. He couldn't deny that there was an urge there to lock her away. To keep here where only he could reach. She belonged to him, and only him.


“Just remember your Warlord while you do.” He cautioned her. He leaned forward, kissing her once more. He was an addict. He was utterly addicted to her. “Enjoy the party, little bird.” He told her, turning to walk away before he lost his senses entirely and took her there where anyone could pass them by.