Blacktail Deer Plateau In these trees there's no escaping truth

Ruenna had marveled at the scenery of the Plateau when she had arrived in late summer, its verdant forests full of the sights and sounds of life. The changing of the seasons had sapped the vibrance from the territory, but Rue could not deny that there was also beauty in the hushed tones of winter. It was certainly quieter now, but Rue had never shied away from silence. Quite the opposite, in fact. The absence of activity allowed her time to observe, and time to think-- two of her most common pastimes. The events of the last few days had certainly given her much to think about.

Meeting the wolf from that new pack in the willows was certainly a highlight, as was her recent, somewhat uncomfortable conversation with Grezig. However, what occupied the young lady's mind most often was the plight of the new recruit, Siqsa. When they had last spoken, he had seemed so confused, so.. anxious. He had asked Rue questions about the ranking system in Blacktail Deer Plateau that Rue had been unable to answer. Indeed, they were the same questions Rue had asked Kavik and Liri on the day she arrived at the Plateau. Siqsa's troubled questions seemed to Rue to indicate a deep yearning to settle into his place here in the pack... and yet he was completely at a loss for how to find or obtain that place for himself. Rue had to admit, she felt similarly. 

Because of the frequent shuffles, rank could not be relied upon to dictate whose place was whose. It felt as though just as she had been settling into the Delta position, she found herself hoisted up to Gamma. Rue was about the furthest thing from a social-climber, and so although she was proud of the appointment she was also uncomfortable with the possible implications. Rue would rather serve as the lowliest omega than hold a position for which others deemed her unworthy. There were other wolves-- Elixir and Minori came to mind-- who had been with the Plateau longer and perhaps felt that they deserved Gamma themselves. Rue wouldn't have argued against either appointment. 

As she made her way toward Liri's call, Rue was optimisitic that their impending conversation might answer some of her questions. Liri had called Rue and only Rue, so whatever she was about to share would provide insight as to exactly what Rue's place was in the pack-- from Liri's perspective, at least. The silver's gaze slid across the bare pine silhouttes as she walked, finally settling upon Liri when the woman came into view. "Liri," Rue greeted the ivory woman cheerfully, brightening as she emerged from her heavy thoughts. She approached her leader and nudged her muzzle against Liri's shoulder in a warm greeting-- or at least as warm a greeting as Rue ever gave, physically.

"I have news from my explorations," she said, proud to be able to deliver her first report since she and Liri had briefly discussed the scouting trade. "There is a new pack forming in the willows on the other side of the mountain range." Rue dipped her muzzle toward the northeast. "..Elysium, they're called. If you take the mountain pass east and the turn northward, their territory is only a day or so's journey."  What would Liri think of another pack putting down roots so close to Blacktail Deer Plateau? It was unlikely that the Elysium wolves would cross the mountains to hunt the Blacktail herd, but it was possible other problems could arise when neighbors were so near.