Arrow Lake rivers and roads

As the news washed over Stigmata, his composure degenerated further, morphing him into a creature that was all but harrowing. Rue shifted away from Mahler, unwilling to have him thought somehow guilty by proximity. 

The words word out of Stigmata's mouth were about the timing, of all things. Rue suppressed a wince, allowing that accusation to ride out in silence. All who were present no doubt understood that there was never a perfect time for these things. If she had been waiting for a good time to leave Diaspora, she would never have left at all. 

Stigmata spoke again, and his words were kinder this time. Rue chanced a small wave of her tail. Her eyes cut over to Mahler for the briefest of moments, to check if she was hearing things correctly... was there really a possibility that Stigmata could simply be happy for her?

...But of course not. A growling tone entered his voice as he spoke again, another accusation woven through the undercurrent of his speech. Betrayal. Rue shifted uncomfortably. If betrayal was how Stigmata chose to view this situation, how could Rue possibly argue with him? She had no leg to stand upon. 

He ended with a rather strangely-worded question, leaving Rue guessing as to what he was suggesting. Was he asking why Rue didn't simply bring Liri here? Rue had certainly tried, but Liri could not be dissuaded from her dream of building a home of her own. Or was he suggesting that Rue ought to have forsaken Liri and instead procreated for Diaspora? ...Of course.  Why bother getting involved in our family's messes if we have the option to simply abandon them and replace them with newer, cleaner versions? ...Is that really what she was hearing?

Since the nature of the question was unclear to Rue, she didn't answer it. When she opened her mouth to speak, it was on a different subject Stigmata had touched upon. "But we will not be foreign," Rue began, voice even smaller than usual. She swallowed. "I envision a close relationship, one that is symbiotic. What of the wolves of Diaspora who become permanently injured, ill, or too old to travel extreme distances? The Vale offers a central, protected location, allowing them to remain in the mountains they call home and easily visited by Diasporan loved ones." 

Rue continued. "And the young of the Vale, once they age and become restless... Many will no doubt seek to join the ranks of the intrepid Diasporan conquerors." If each pack fed the other, then those of future generations would not be in conflict with one another. They would be family. 

"It is my hope that the descendants of Diaspora and those of the Vale will be one in the same." Okay Rue, time to put your money where your mouth is. "Certainly mine will be.." she added quietly, "..if you both see that as fit. Any Diasporan of your choosing to father one litter, and to come and go as he wishes while our children are pups." An alliance sealed with blood.. it was a timeless tradition, and the best way Rue could think of to show her commitment to the proposed alliance and the version of the future she had illustrated. 

Rue fell quiet, allowing the leaders to digest the proposal. She did not expect an answer immediately-- they would of course need to discuss it with their wolves, as Rue would discuss it with hers.