Emberwood can you show me?

andromaque is visiting at the borders!

Valley swallowed her whole and she watched as rolling, snow-capped hills closed in 'round her. The descent from the mountains had been easy despite the weather. Her wanderlust had not been stifled despite finding a pack to call home -- more so, it had been given purpose. She now served as an huntress and scout, no longer a wandering rogue. 

Andromaque breathed the cold winter air as she drew closer to the pack she had set out to visit. The russet wolf had heard of them from other members of the pack, had learned that they were to be called an ally. Thus, it would be important for her to learn of them and the path to the lands they laid claim to. Andromaque had not yet learned the quickest route, but had taken note of landmarks best she could in the white blanket of winter.

Careful to be respectful, she approached their borders, took note of the types of scents that would identify the pack from others. Andromaque lurked among the trees, feeling the serenity of the woods - - this was a good place to rest after a long journey.

Grezig, who had not exactly been active within the pack recently, didn’t know about Courtfall or the fact that they were allies with Uaine Gorsedd. But she’d recently gotten a bit out of her funk and had taken to patrolling the borders of Emberwood, something she had done long ago, as a member of the Blacktail Deer Plateau pack. Getting back to basics with something like a border patrol was helping her feel more at ease here, in this place where the leaders were called things like Archdruids and Magicians. She shook her head at her odd choice of home for the winter, but had no right to complain, for she herself had chosen it.

A young female who looked barely in her prime stood at the border at the edge of the trees. Grezig set her jaw into a straight line and marched toward her, calling out, “You stand at the borders of…” She hesitated, still unable to pronounce this infernal pack’s name correctly, and then continued, “… of our pack.” She had almost said ‘my pack’ but she was not in charge and that would have seemed disingenuous. “State your name and business.”

It was not long before the scent of another wolf flooded her senses, paw-steps faintly ringing through the calm woodlands. She watched as the other fae approached, weaving between the trees, and then dipped her head in an obvious show of submission and respect once she stopped in her tracks. She wondered why she did not say the name -- perhaps she had come to the wrong borders? No, that would be impossible.

"Andromaque of Courtfall," she introduced with a quick nod and a smile spread 'cross russet maw. "I come to learn more of your pack -- Uaine Gorsedd, is it?" The name rolls with some trembling from her tongue, unnatural and difficult to pronounce. Maybe that's why she didn't say it before.

Andromaque of Courtfall. Grezig blinked, and nodded her head once, filing away that information for later, lest it ever become important. The girl wanted to know more about Uaine Gorsedd, saying the name of the pack in the process. This was a relief to Grezig, who simply nodded in ascent and was glad that she did not have to try and pronounce the name of her home. But the girl’s curiosity concerned her, for she didn’t know if Courtfall was an ally, having only recently been accepted into UG. 

“You’ll have to forgive me,” she began. “I’m new here, so I do not know much about the pack’s culture yet. My name is Grezig.” She paused, wondering where to start. “The forest we live in is called the Emberwood, named for the way the leaves change color in autumn.” She glanced around, looking up at the barren trees. “Obviously you cannot see that now, as it is winter.” ((Yes, that’s Grezig, always stating the obvious. Thank you, dear)). She hesitated, unsure of what else to say. “Our leaders are Ibis, Kavik, and Bhediya.” She did not know of Awol, and so left the young male out. “What else do you wish to know?” A pause. “Perhaps we can trade information?”

Andromaque fell quiet so that she could listen to the other wolf speak. Her ears perked up as the canine admitted that she was new to the pack -- just my luck. Oh well, she still revealed some important information as she continued to speak. She was confused for a moment by the name of one of the leaders -- Bhediya. She had met the wolfess a moon or so ago in the cave with Andraste. "I've met Bhediya before," Andromaque admitted, wondering if the other wolf even cared to know.

She took note of the names of the other leaders, tucking them away in memory. She did not know if there was anything else that she wanted to know. "Maybe a bit about some of your culture? At least, what you know of," she said, shoulders rolling in a quick shrug. It was her first diplomacy mission, so she was not experienced and unsure of what questions she should be asking.

Grezig merely nodded when Andromaque stated that she had met Bhediya. There wasn’t really anything to say to that. The woman wanted to know what Grezig knew of the culture. Even though she knew very little. Grezig sighed. “All I really know is that we have stupid rank names,” she said. Stupid wasn’t a word she used very often, and she shook her head at saying it now. It made her sound juvenile. “What I mean,” she corrected herself, “is that they are not… normal. We have ranks like archdruid, magician, witch, warlock.” Each word off her tongue was said with contempt. “Such words are best left to fairytales, yet here we are.” What had happened to good, old-fashioned alpha, beta, etc.? 

She shook her head. “From what little I know, we seem to be a pack that takes in any who need us. We’re not here to make war with others, but peace.” She thought about it some more, but drew a blank. “Really, that is all I know. I am sorry I cannot be more useful to you.”