It had been a few days since their discussion upon the journey. It'd be quite some time, especially going across the lands to Taiga. Few days to prepare, few days to get ready to ask. Desdemona, with Osiris by her side, went forward to find the Alpha, in the hope they'd grant them their request.
They were no scouts, but they were fine warriors. It'd be fine to simply leave by themselves, and also a gain to Moonspear to see how far this downfall was travelling around. In the meantime, if the Queen requested anything else during so, they would oblidge as well. She hoped this small request would be accepted; as the spider was curious on the maplewoods.
The rain had continued to fall.
Hydra watched from her throne above; watched the prey drift from the lowlands to her own higher ground. It pleased her greatly to see it... Moonspear would prevail through this calamity, too. With the death of
@Charon and
@Amekaze it seemed as though two great, devastating events needed to transpire after... it seemed a natural thing, this, even despite the niggling feeling inside that this was an event that meant their climate had yet again shifted. What more was there to do but to conquer this trial, too?
The earth was slick; Hydra trained with
@Lyra upon it then, though both had fought in such an element before... on this terrain, too. Muddy earth that seemed like quicksand it was so treachorous, slick rock... Hydra was content to train in it to be certain she was prepared for anything. Everything. Jaw-sparring with her sister, Hydra's peripheral caught her son and Desdemona beyond the thin sheet of rain; the matriarch spun on her heel and nipped at them both fondly, a curious glint in her eye as she sniffed at them.
"Mom," Osiris greeted, reaching out to nip the base of Hydra's ear. "Desdemona and I wanted to come to you with an idea we had," he began, drawing away from their brief embrace. He glanced at his packmate before elaborating; he felt the responsibility of relaying their plan fell on him. "She had an idea of scouting to see where this storm ends, and I offered to accompany her, as I do not think that it is wise to travel alone."
"While we are out, she also wanted to visit where she used to live—Morningside." Osiris didn't see any harm in visiting. "But, given that we will be gone for a few days, we wanted to come to you first and ask for your permission."
Desdemona nodded politely to the Queen, a friendly gesture between the three. Though she remained silent, as Osiris took the reigns on their request. She was not the best at words, and preferred others to simply speak, and add her own thoughts to a later time. It was the mindset a guard would not have too many opinions- something that has been ingrained since she as born.
"I'd like to see if they returned," but the spider had no means to return to them, "there was a promise from Sunny he would try, but never came back. Same with Aditya," there was a bit of malice hinted in Desdemona's voice. She held bitter thoughts, less to Sunny, but far more to Aditya. She felt abandoned by them.
Loath though she was to permit this, it would be good to know. Moonspear itself was safe, but where did this end? Where might it have begun? Desdemona said her own piece, then, and her gaze shifted toward her... unaware of any members of Morningside herself (that she could recall then and there, anyway), Hydra cared little for that and more for the safety of the two wolves before her. But she knew her subordinate cared, and it was her high opinion of Desdemona that won out in the end.
With a sigh, Hydra nodded. It has been some days since the rain has started. Investigate prey patterns as well, if you can,
she hummed, wondering if another famine might come of this eventually. Prey retreated to the highlands and fortunately, the mountains were just that. She looked to the both of them and drawled, and trust your instinct. Should the weather worsen, I do not care where the rain might end or begin. I want you both home, and safe,
she plainly admits. The rest of the world could drown for all she cared, so long as it meant the safety of her own loved ones. But knowledge such as this could help should it only be the Wilderness afflicted by such weather.
Osiris had visualized several outcomes to their discussion, and he had prepared himself mentally for both excitement and disappointment. When Hydra sighed, Osiris assumed the worst, but as she began to elaborate, his dismay became elation—they had been granted permission, with a logical condition included.
"Of course," Osiris agreed with a nod. "We'll stay safe—and I will keep an eye out for the herds." He glanced as Desdemona then, wondering if she had anything that she wanted to add.
"Thank you," Desdemona dipped her head as the Alpha gave her blessings. She nodded to so, understanding if it got too serious with any flooding, they should head back. She would prefer to at least get as far as to the maplewoods, but also valued their safety among all else. She gave a side-glance to Osiris, as especially he was the Alpha's son.
She found his safety more important.
"We will head out tomorrow."
Hydra nodded, and then supplied with: be careful, heading toward the northern mountains... There is a pack there that call themselves the Saints. They have caused trouble, and beyond them is another group as well, toward the east...
her gaze shifted toward her son, they may be the wolves I have sought... but to confront them in a place they know better than we do is a deathwish. The difference,
she hummed, between a live hero and a dead fool is one dumb decision. It is fortunate, then, that neither of you are fools,
she drawled, as her gaze panned toward Desdemona. Though the woman was not blood, she was family still. Hydra wanted neither of them hurt where it could be avoided. Hydra had deduced between information shared by Hua and Bronco that the pack that had been moved by Yuelong must be those Saints, who retreated to the mountain for safety. A tactical maneuver to keep the seawolves pacified by not remaining on the Coast, though they had not anticipated the ire they had earned from the Empress... the waves of it had rolled upon Moonspears own shores.
She trusted them both enough to let them partake on this mission, and was glad that neither of them would be alone throughout it. Safe travels to you both; call to me upon your return,
she requested, as she wanted to be advised of all they had discovered.
Tags for reference!
The Saints—Osiris committed the name to memory and nodded in reply.
"Perhaps we shouldn't visit any of the mountain pack," he drawled, glancing at Desdemona. It didn't seem like it was worth the risk, especially since they only knew of the troublesome pack by name.
When Hydra wished them well, Osiris stepped forward and gently bumped his snout under her chin.
"You'll be the first wolf I speak to once we're home," he promised, pulling away from their brief embrace. He turned to Desdemona then, with a look of excitement.
"I'll meet you at sunrise in the glen—does that sound alright?" She agreed.
With a plan in place, Osiris excused himself from the gathering. He would go on to talk to
@Dirge,
@Bronco,
@Antares,
@Atlas, and
@Vega that evening to inform them of his upcoming absence. He spent time with each individual and did not return to his den until later that evening. Sleep did not come easily for Osiris, as his excitement had faded. He began to think of many things—stragerdies, the fact that he had never traveled away from home...
Leta. It took him longer than expected to settle down, but Osiris slept like a rock once he had fallen asleep.