Moonspear “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday.” —Winnie the Pooh

Hydra's tail waved some, though slowed to see the expression upon Towhee's features. Hydra had thought the trip to be one of good tidings, but evidently there was more to it than that... and she wondered if the children were best left behind this day. But listening to the news would teach her children two things: bees were dangerous things... and, well, the other lesson might come at some other time. When they were older, and understood things better. 

It was a terrible thing, to feel as she did when the news was shared. Karma never did take long, did it? Wraen had got what she deserved. Hydra could only imagine the pain of however many bees had set upon her... and what a strange way to be wounded! How many in these Wilds had such an experience? This was the first incident of its sort Hydra had heard of. And the consequence of it so dreadful Wraen was no longer sovereign...? 

The bad news was not so nearly as bad as Hydra had thought. 

She had the decency, however, not to reveal her thoughts on the matter—her expression then indicated that she was deep in thought as she listened to Meerkat past her own internal monologue. Will she die?, Hydra wanted to know... but Hydra did not want her to die, she found. She wanted her to live for as long as possible, to face all that the bees had brought and more terrible obstacles. A quick, clean death was more than Wraen deserved for doing as she had to her. To her family. Insidious wretch. 

And as Hydra listened to Meerkat's latest suggestion, though she had not truly suggested it. Hydra was all too aware that Wraen would hate the words Meerkat said, and Hydra adored the young cub for it. It would, no doubt, mortify her brother too. And how dreadful Arcturus must feel for such a thing to befall her...! 

Could there be a more beautiful day? 

She looked to Towhee, who seemed to be thinking herself. I am sorry for the way that you have found yourself in your position. But the Firebirds will remain strong with you at their helm, Towhee, she drawled. And that was the truth. Towhee was a strong woman and Hydra imagined an equally strong leader. Hydra had always felt that Towhee deserved to be Sovereign in the first place; she was not a manipulator, nor a liar. She looked to Meerkat and drawled, a wise reason to inform us. You are right on both counts, of course, she hummed warmly to her niece, eyes shifting to Towhee. With her own sister leading them, why should it not be so, now? Hydra looked to Meerkat and inquired, are you seeking to become an ambassador, Meerkat? For the matriarch had observed her diplomacy, and admired it.