Once she was finished saying goodbye to Towhee, Ruenna sought
@Germanicus. After inquiring after his whereabouts with a few of the auxilia, Ruenna lingered at the base of one of the trails that snaked up the canyon wall. She looked up, her eyes following the trail as her heart sank. There was no way she was going to make it even ten steps up that trail... she would just have to wait here until Germanicus returned from his patrol.
"lady ruenna."
his hunt had been successful. the imperator set down the woodfowl he carried in his jaws to greet his wife. she seemed filled with a new energy. and he caught the scent of towhee as he approached. "is everything well?" the eagle inquired. it was unlike her to be so — still.
Luck was on her side; she would not have to wait long before her husband appeared. She greeted him with a smile. His voice sounded a little concerned, probably because Ruenna did not often seek him out during the day. There was not usually any need, when they saw each other each evening.
"Yes, I am. I'm just.. thoughtful, I suppose. I wondered if you had a minute. Towhee called at the border this morning, and I wanted to tell you about our conversation."
Once Germanicus bid her continue, she would do so.
"She's not fitting into Moonglow, and I asked her if she might consider joining us here. She will be back soon to discuss this further with you."
Because she could not help but offer advice, she added, "..I think that she has much to offer Mereo, but she is not like the other soldiers you have recruited. She's not green-- she's already a warrior and a guardian, and she's a master of her trades."
Ruenna wanted Towhee here very much, but that outcome would depend heavily on whether Germanicus was prepared to make an offer that would be attractive to her.
he watched ruenna's face as she spoke of towhee. germanicus felt that she was animated in a new way. this stood to reason: she and the redhawk had led together and had spent many years knowing one another.
while his wife made a strong argument for why towhee should be in mereo, the eagle sensed the want beneath the surface, or perhaps projected it.
that towhee was a strong guardian with a mastery of trades was intriguing to germanicus. less so was the idea that the former sovereign might expect to step over the ranks in his hierarchy.
at the same time, mereo needed the skilled tutelage of such warriors.
"the soldiers will need to trust her if she is to instruct them," the imperator began. he did not see the necessity of pointing out the obvious: that placing an unknown wolf into a higher rank would anger and demoralize the auxillia who had worked for their rung.
"they are ready for promotions this coming week." he blinked thoughtfully. "you know her best. would she be satisfied with the rank of praefectus, our guardian, or does she desire to lead again?"
Germanicus made a very good point. Ruenna had known Towhee for years, and so of course she was confident in her friend's level of skill and achievement. But Ruenna was not the one who needed to be convinced. She was not the one being instructed.
Ruenna nodded in understanding.
"Towhee will always be a leader; it's in her nature. But we are not a traditional hierarchy. I think we have room for strong leaders in a variety of positions. If she has a specific area to take charge of and lead.. something all her own.. I think she will be content in a subordinate rank." Towhee was looking for a niche that she hadn't found in Moonglow, and Ruenna had gotten the feeling that it didn't have anything to do with power or ambition. If that was all that it was about, she would have remained in Moonglow as Second Hunter.
After some thought, Ruenna added. "She would welcome any trials or tests that were necessary, I think. It's very possible that she will see the benefit of working her way up, as the other soldiers have done. " Ruenna didn't want to speak for Towhee and demand a high rank for her, if that was not her friend's wish. Ruenna fiercely wanted to see Towhee respected and revered in a position befitting a former alpha, but what Rue wanted for Towhee as her friend could very well be different from what Towhee needed in order to thrive here.
germanicus was silent. he wondered if he had misjudged, and then chose not to consider this route. it was in his own mastery to assess all small details of a situation with as objective a stance as he was able. "i appreciate that you respect the military order, ruenna," the eagle chose to say softly.
it had been given from the first day that she would do so. but he wanted to verbalize aloud that he had seen her thoughtful work and the way the plebians had flourished under their matrona.
a quick smile was given. "i welcome her arrival." it was the truth. "and if towhee chooses to remain, i will be glad that you have her presence in your life once more."
"As would I," she spoke, agreeing that she would also be glad to have Towhee back in her life. Ruenna returned Germanicus's smile. Ruenna understood that there was a chance that Towhee ultimately would not fit into Mereo or into Germanicus's plan for his army, but she was grateful that he was open to the idea of hosting another strong leader in Mereo.
"There was one other thing," Ruenna reported after a pause. "Nyra. Towhee mentioned that she was living with Moonglow until recently. She managed to cross the pack's leader, Kukutux--" Little surprise there. "--And was ousted from their ranks a few weeks ago." Ruenna fell quiet, leaving the floor open to Germanicus if he wished to discuss any thoughts with her on that subject.
"i am not certain i know where moonglow is. but it is of interest to me that she has escaped so far. it means she was helped."
and not by kukutux. he would not even attempt to say the name, knowing he would only sadly butcher it. "she was ousted? did towhee say what it was for? this may be an opportunity to make a friend out of moonglow."
it sounded soft. feminine.
"a bit of news for you: not long ago i caught a scouting party crossing the vale. their leader assured me they would be moving on, but it may be the time to personally ascertain that for mereo."
"Mooglow claims the Ouroboros Spine. It is a raised wetlands in the Wilderness, directly west of Mereo."
Technically, what Towhee had stated was that Nyra "fucked around behind Kukutux's back." Ruenna would provide some edits when she reported this to Germanicus.
"Nyra engaged in a restricted activity without first seeking permission." Given the season, Ruenna added, "She may be pregnant."
Germanicus and Towhee seemed to be of the same mind on the subject of a Moonglow-Mereo alliance. "Kukutux is a good friend to me and a great leader to her people. Moonglow is a strong choice for an alliance." Ruenna dearly wished that she might be the ambassador to broker the alliance. However, with the trouble her back had been giving her in this cold weather, she didn't see how such a long trip could be possible for her, unless the deal could wait until spring.
Oh, there had been activity in the Vale? This did not surprise Ruenna. The vale seemed the obvious choice for a pack seeking to settle in the mountains. "The Vale is a very appealing territory. If it has not already been claimed, then it is only a matter of time." Was Germanicus leaning toward an alliance with the Vale, or did he intend to chase out the occupants? Ruenna was intrigued by the idea of a nearby neighbor. It would be nice to be able to act as an ambassador again, without having to contend with the onerous prospect of long-distance travel.
"i welcome it, so long as the settlers are willing to be forthcoming about the reason for their arrival. the sunspire is large enough for many. but i believe we must seek compatibilities."
a patrol should be sent out, unassuming and yet direct.
he was thankful for her detailed directions. it garnered a warm look from the imperator. he enjoyed being out with her, walking the grounds of their home together.
"it sounds as though kukutux might find some similarities between us." ruenna spoke highly of the woman. and germanicus had come to trust her judgement in all things.
"so far nyra has proven to be unpredictable, unstable, and cowardly. these sorts are the least deserving of underestimation." germanicus fell into a brief quiet.
Ruenna nodded, eager to identify compatibilities for Mereo-- particularly those that were more palatable than Akashingo. In time, Ruenna could easily imagine a future in which Mereo did not associate at all with Akashingo, but for this to be possible they would need to pursue connections elsewhere.
"There was a time I meant to settle the Vale myself," Ruenna mused, growing thoughtful as she recalled that happy, hopeful time she spent at the side of her greatest friend. Fate had been cruel though, and their dreams were never realized.
The conversation turned to their alliances, Nyra, and the implied undertone of another war on the horizon. A hatred of the Saints was, perhaps, the only similarity the wolves of Mereo shared with those of Akashingo. If the Saints rose again, the tension with Akashingo would shift to the background.
Unpredictable, unstable, cowardly. These were the traits of a wolf who favored raids and sneak attacks. Such a wolf would have no qualms in harming civilians, even children. They would not underestimate this threat.
"If you think it's wise, I'll ask civilians to request an escort when they venture outside the canyon." Better to have a guard and not need one, than to need a guard and not have one.
"i do think it wise. everyone should be apprised of the threat to mereo." the vale. had she mentioned this before? he could not recall. this sparked a moment's guilt. "it is an appealing place. you have a good eye, lady ruenna."
"as mereo grows there may be reason to establish another encampment." his voice was mulling. the canyon had been chosen for its control of the sunspire and its ability to monitor foot-traffic through the range. but the vale was lush even in the winter-time.
unlike his wife the imperator did not think of akashingo. he did not enjoy thoughts of the pharaoh and avoided them unless the idea was of benefit. ramesses would one day need to be handled. but germanicus did not consider the man a physical threat. perhaps it was hatred of that culture which so veiled him.
"what was your vision for northstar?" the eagle asked softly. his yellowpaint eyes were upon her face. for a moment mereo faded into a softly hushed arena.
A smile quirked at the edge of Ruenna's mouth. She enjoyed her husband's praise. Her head tilted as he mentioned expanding. Truth be told, she had also contemplated this possibility. Her civilian ranks swelled; much more so than she had ever expected. If such growth continued, they could conceivably move their civilian presence to the Vale, and keep their military presence in the canyon. A mutually beneficial arrangement.
Her vision for Northstar? Ruenna sighed wistfully.
"My dear friend Liri and I had reunited. We had led together before, and we wished to do so again. We wanted to raise children up side-by-side as family, so future generations would enjoy the same closeness we shared." A slight quiver would be evident upon her jaw. It was still a little painful to recall, given the tragic circumstances under which the plans had been dashed.
Ruenna forced the poignant memories from her thoughts, turning her mind back to the present. "I would be interested in returning to the Vale to extend a friendly welcome to any wolves who might be living there, particularly if they seem peaceful and family-oriented." If Mereo sought to control the Vale in the future, then they should begin establishing goodwill now.
germanicus listened to his wife speak. he did not miss the way that her emotion was centralized and reined. ruenna's self-control must be akin to his own, he felt, if for different reasons. she spoke so fondly of the vale that the imperator knew surely her dreams must be realized.
"perhaps in spring you and i might go on a mission of explorative diplomacy." the idea of traveling with her was pleasant. it was so pleasant in fact that germanicus masculinely forgot that the upcoming season might bring a very specific change to their marriage.
if the vale was claimed then the eagle saw none better for the mission of diplomacy. but if they were not, it perhaps might be a charming time to dawdle with her, an action which he did not allow himself to pursue.
"i am certain with you at the helm, any alliances will prove fruitful indeed." germanicus was discovering that he enjoyed complimenting ruenna, if only to see that small knowing smile grow along the corner of her mouth.
Ever the indulgent husband, Germanicus agreed to seek friends among the wolves of the Vale, even going so far as to suggest they could do this together. Ruenna's tail waved.
"I would like that very much." Ruenna did not mention that she already had pretty big plans for spring, as she didn't want to jinx anything by drawing attention to it in conversation. Sometimes plans had to change, and Ruenna thought that Germanicus suggested a lovely Plan B. She wondered idly how things might be between them, alone together and outside of Mereo. Would it feel different, spending time together in a place where they did not have to be Imperator and Matrona?
Germanicus complimented her, and she smiled demurely. She still felt a little shy when he said nice things about her, but of course she loved hearing the pride in his voice as he remarked upon her strengths.
"I am certainly hoping for a fruitful spring," Ruenna agreed, the corner of her smile twitching in the faintest expression of amusement.
"Would you like to walk me home?" she asked, changing the subject quickly, perhaps before the double entendre took full effect.
conclude here?
<3!
germanicus felt his mouth curve into a wry bow. he was caught off-guard by her allusion and came gratefully to his side, offering his shoulder. "with pleasure."
becoming a husband, the eagle was discovering, had not been the trial of repression he had seen his mother and father undergo. being with her was easy. comforting.
he would remark upon various things as they walked, but most notably germanicus would look often to her and experience the gentle, tangible satisfaction of having ruenna next to him.